Connecticut Historical Collections

Among the early settlers of the town was John Williams, Esq., who spent his life here, and who was a man of mnch respeciabilily ami influence in this town and coun- ty. He was from Lebanon, and came into the town in 1744. He was educated at Yale College, and studied medicine, but it was not known that he ever engaged in pro- fcs.sional bu-iincss. He was soon appointed town clerk, which office he held for more than 3t) years. He was the first judge of probate for the district of Sharon, and one of the judges of the lirst county court for Litchfield county, of which court he was for a number of years the chief judge. So gieat was the estimation in which he was held by his fellow citizens, that he was elected a representative liom the town of Sharon 27 times. He also commanded a regiment of colonial militia. There are those now living, who jiave a distinct recollection of his jieisonal appearance, ami of the very inlluenlial character which he sustained in tlie alliiirs ol the town. He is repre- sented as a man of tall and slender frame, but of great gravity, and of very dignilied deportment. His word was law, and it was in his presence that evil doers lelt terror. He died JNIaroh 14, 1774, in the 60th year of his age. This town took an active part in favor of the countiy in the Revohi- tionaiy struggle. Mr. Sinitli, tl)e minister, was an ardent patriot, and in his piibhc ministrations there was mingled much of the stirring patri- otism of the times.* A large number of men from this town were con- stantly on duty; four of whom, to wit, Adonijah Maxim, Daniel Cioss, ^Vm. Gray, and Samuel Lewis, were taken prisoners with Ethan Allen, in his rash attack on Montreal in 1775, and with him were carried to England in the fall of that year. They were Ijrought back to New York in the following s[)ring, from which place the prisoners above na- med matlo their escape. Of this number Mr. Maxim is still living. \\\ the campaign of 177(i, Parson Smith went with the army lo the north as chajjjain. One soldier, Alexander Spencer, -went with Colonel Arnold in the expedition to Quebec, through the wilderness of Kennebeck, but he died on the march. Chailes Gillet was killed near the (.edars, in the campaign of 177G, in a skirmish at that place. Daniel Wood, Nathaniel IJiiul, Josiah Coleman, .labe/ Jennings, As.ihel Soineis, John Itandiill, jr. and Thomas Ackley, were taken pi isoiurs at i'ori Washington, of whom Wood and Colem;in diml duiing their captivity. William Uoodiich was killed al ■ihe battle of Hrandywine. Samuel Elinar, jr. wns killed at the skirmish of Comp(j jjridge, and John Hollisicr was killed at the battle of Stillwater, Oct. 7, 1777. In November, 1784, the town was visited with the small pox, and a large number ,of iicison.N, as many as HO, died in the course of two laonihs. r.KTKALTS FliOM KKWSl'APHny. Priiiii the Connecticut Journal. Sharon, Fch. lo, 1781. This morning, the wife of William Ilendrick Levo, was found dead in the sired, a .sucking child, about three months old, lying dead by her side : being nnder straiiemd circumstances, she went to town, about three miles, in order to procure something for * The approach of a large British army from Canada, under Gen. Bnrgoyne, and the expedition up the North River, under General Vaughan, in 1777, filled the whole .country with terror and despondency, and created stiong fears and doubts as to the issue of the controversy; the firmness and confidence of Parson Smith, however, re- mained unbroken, and his efl'orls to revive the drooping spirits of liis people were un- remitted. In the month of (k'tober, he preached a sermon from these words: " Watch- man, what of the night % The Watchman saith, the morning coineth,'' In this dis- course he dealt much upon the indications, which the dealings of Providence afforded, that a bright and glorious morning was about to dawn upon a long night of defeat and disaster. He told the congregation, that he believed they would soon hear of a signal victory crowning the arms of America ; and he exhorted them to trust wiih an unsha- ken and fearless confidence in that God, who, he believed, would yet crown with suc- cess the efforts of the frieiiiis uf liberty in this country. Before the congregation was dismissed, a messenger arrived, with the intelligence of the surrender of Burgoyne's army. Parson Smith read (he letter, conveying the intelligence, from the pulpit, and a Hood of joy and gratitude burst from the congregation. TORRINGTON. 495 the comfort of the family, and carried the little infant in her arms. On her return the evening betnre, siie went into a house to warm: the weather being extreme cold' she was prevailed to tarry, though very much against her inclination; being greatly- exercised for her children she had lelt at home, the ekle>t noi being above len^jears her husband gone to mill, and she was doubllul of his return. In the night she arose' unknown to any in the family. She had traveled homewards about three quarteis of a mile, and was found dead in the manner already described, within about ten rods of an house. Some were ready to conclude she had made too free use of strong drinlc, which occasioned her perishing in this manner; but upon a careful enquiry it appears to be without foundation, and that lier death was occasioned by the extremity of the season. Last Thursday evening arrived in this town, (Litchfield,) from Hartford, Colonel Samuel Canfield and Uriah Tracy, Esq. with orders from the General Assembly to repair to the town of Sharon, and put a stop to the insurrection that appeared to be raising in that town. The same evening they set off, accompanied by the sheritl and one of his deputies, and arrived at Sharon about daybreak, and soon arretted live persons, who were supposed to be the principal actors and abettors in the insui recion. * * * * They were conducted to, and safely lodged in our gaol, on Sat- urday last, in order for examination. It is hoped tiie early and spirited exertion of our Assembly, will prevent any further disturbance in that town. Much priiseisdue the gentlemen employed on the occasion, for their prudence, liumanitv, and judicious proceedings. ^ialJ 2L/, ITa?. The following inscriptions are from monuments in tlie grave yard north of the Congregational church. The Rev. Cotton Matheu Smith, born in Suffield, Oct, 16th, 1731, ordained in Sharon, Aug. 28th, 1755, died Nov. 27th, 180(j, in the 76th year of his age, and 52d of his ministry. Sotmd in the faith, in life and conversation as becometh the gospel ; in doctrine incorrupt; in manner Ibrcible and peisuasive. A Ibnd husband, a tender father, an unvarying friend; having for more i\\n.\\Jiftii 7/car5 earne>ily contended for the faith once delivered to the saints, he is gone to render his dual account lo the great Captain of his salvation. People of his chaige! he still speaks to you in a voice aw- ful as Death, solemn as the grave. Prepare to meet your God. In memory of Mrs. But.a Moultov, the amiable consort of Capt. Win. Mouliun, who having endeared herself 10 her friends and acquaintance by an e\cm|)lafy ai.(i virtuous life, died a few days after the birth of her only cliiki, July 5ih, Hbii. Could modest worth elude ye grasp of death. This virtuous fair had ne'er re.sigti'd her breath. C^ould beauty'^ urace, or virtue's sacred chaim ; Coidd nuptial bliss the cruel I'oe disarm; (-'ould ye deep anguish of an husband's love, i Or infant cries, ilie fatal sting remove ; ' She ne'er had wing'd ye long, ye gloiious /liglu . To seats of bliss, to realms of sparkling light. TORRINGTON. ToRRiNGTON was a township which was allotted to the Windsor pro- prietors hy the Legislature. It was named Toirington at the session (in May, 173-^. " The number of proprietors was one hundred and thirty six. At their first meeting in Windsor, Sept. 10th, 1733, they voted to make a division of lots in Torrlngton, and that there should be one acre to the pound on the list of each proprietor. A survey of the town was completed in 1734. In 1737, the proprietors voted a second division of the lands, and to lay out one acre to the pound on the list of each proprietor. About five years after, another division was voted. 49G T 0 R R I N G T O N, The first settler that moved into the township was Ebenezer Lymnri, from Durham, witli u young family, consisting of three iiersoris only ; this was in 1737. Several young men had, however, labored in the township the summer previous. Jonathan Coe was the second person who moved into the place; he also was from Durham. The principal settlers were from Windsor and Durham. The settlement of this town was slow. When the first minister, the Rev. Nathaniel Roberts, was ordained, in the summer of 1741, there were but fourteen families in the town. As this was considered a frontier settlement at this time, a fortification was erected not far from the center of the town. It was incorporated in 1741 . Northeast view of fVolcottvillc, Torrington. Torrinmon is bovmiled north by Winchester, west by Goshen, east by New Hartford, and south by Litchfield and Ilarwinton. It is about six. miles square, containing upwards of 23,000 acres. The surface of the town is uneven, with hills and valleys ; the soil is mostly fertfie, and well adapted for grazing. The township is well watered by the east and west branches of the Waterbury or Naugatuc river. There are within the limits of the town 3 Congregational churches, 1 Baptist, and 1 INIelhodist. There are three post ofiices, viz. one in the first so- ciety, called the Torrington o/lice, one in Torringford, the eastern sec- tion of the town, and the other in the village of Wolcottville.