Summer Number August 1965 Hiostor'local 2b Footnotes Bulletin of the Stonington Historical Society

Vol. II, No. 4 August 1965 $1.00

Stonington's

By Harvey K. Fuller (i tS th, UOOk larI. tigI Portuguese Fishermen By Donald Lewis

Mystic Fires and Firefighters Origin of Hoxies and Hooks

bOII44 je4 Ihe Whdehall Mcutiia# aeo44a.4!o#t 4øtd THE STONINGTON CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE COMMUNITY CENTER GARDEN CLUB

DONALD LEWIS ROBERT W. DIXON MRS. HARRIET C. HUGHES ANTHONY MEA FRANK TUREK MRS. FREDERICK S. HOPPIN

HISTORICAL SOCIETY VILLAGE IMPROVEMENT

PHILIP W. COTTRELL RAPHAEL AVELLAR WILLIAMS HAYNES FRANK C. LYNCH, JR.

WILLIAMS HAVNES, Chainiu;n

FRANK TUREK, Secretary-Treasurer Community Center Building Cutler Street, Stonington, Conn. 06378 Telephone: 203-535-9327

The purposes of the Co-ordinating Committee are to serve as a clearing house for plans and projects to further the best interests of the residents of Stonington Borough and to co-operate with its member organizations in joint civic, educational and promotional activities.

Stonington Chamber of Stonington Community local history it embraces all of Stoning- Commerce Center, Inc. ton and North Stonington townships. re-organized in 1959, is an active organ- was established in 1946 for the purpose Officers: Robert J. Ramsbotham, pres.; ization of some 60 merchants, profession- of serving the youth of the community Royce E. Gray, vice-president; Malcolm al people, industrial companies and civic- in leisure time in the fields of athletics, D. MacGregor, treas.; B. MacDonald minded individuals whose combined ef- social, and educational activities. A Steers, recd. secty.; Philip W. Cottrell, forts are directed towards making Ston- twelve-month-a-year program, the Cen- corrsp. secty.; Mrs. Thomas W. Storrow, ington a better place in which to live and ter's building is open seven days a week ibm. make a living. during the late fall and winter the better to serve the community. All sports in Officers: John O'Brien, pres.; Louis season, creative arts and crafts, ballet, Pellegrino, vice-pres.; Donald Lewis, exec. Stonington Village trips to the theatre and other places of secty.; Herman H. Ungerer, treas. Improvement Assn. amusement are some of the activities of- fered in a busy schedule. organized in 1899 "to promote the beauty and attractiveness of the Borough and Officers: Robert W. Dixon, pres.; John Stonington Garden Club arouse and foster unusual interest in its L. Lathrop, vice-pres.; Alice Powers, improvement." The VIA spent more than was re-organized in 1958, taking the secty.; Raymond E. Campbell, treas. $50,000 on duBois Beach which it owns place of an earlier group disbanded after and maintains, and additional thousands World War II. Its purpose is to stimulate of dollars replacing trees lost in the '38 interest in gardening, to encourage civic Stonington Historical Society hurricane; restoring Cannon Sq. and planting and to promote measures for the Waylands Wharf; placing trash baskets; owns and maintains the Lighthouse Mu- protection of wild flowers, native plants, maintaining and replacing trees and seum, the Stone Bank and the Arcade birds and wildlife. It has 30 active mem- shrubs. Some 400 members pay minimum Bldg., publishes a quarterly bulletin, "His- bers. dues of $1. torical Footnotes," and has recently res- Officers: Mrs. Harriet C. Hughes, pres.; cued the Whitehall Mansion in Mystic Officers: Steven M. Castle, pres.; Ra- Mrs. Allan Dunning, vice-pres.; Mrs. Ed- from the path of new Interstate Highway phael Avellar, vice pres.; Mrs. Edward ward K. McCagg, treas.; Mrs. Harrison 95. To preserve the records and relics K. McCagg, secty.; Geo. E. Dyke, treas. Jewett, recrdg. secty.; Mrs. Dana Burnet, of the past and to encourage interest in corresp. secty. q klI•u i;•

H'Istor'lcal L. Footnotes

Bulletin of the Stonington Historical Society

A Slonington draggerman prepares to pull the rope which will api/i the contenl,r of the net 0)210 the deck of the boat. —Photos courtesy of Joseph Meringolo

Stonington's Portuguese II 4 Fishermen

By Donald Lewis

- nati%'e-horll Stoniiigtonian, Mr. Lewis is the staff (.orre- spon(lenl in this area oil'The Westerly Sun.

Over 300 years ago, in 1649, William Wilcox. While the activities recorded are wife, Helena DeCastro, who had been a Chesebrough and his family settled at the varied, the names are not. Those who lead teacher in the Azores. head of Wequetequock Cove and thus the Village of Stonington through its Joseph A. Vargas, Sr., the second of began the history of the Town of Ston- first 150 years had one thing in common, these men, was born in I 811 and in the ngton. their ''Yankee' background. 1850's came to the United States, first About 100 years later Edward and In the middle 19th century, however, heading for the gold mines of the West. John Denison built a home in what is two men came here from the island of After sometime on the west coast, he re- now the Borough, and the history of Fayal in the Azores, that group of is- turned and served on a cutter patrolling Stonington village started. lands which lies off the coast of Portugal, the east coast after the Civil War. From the time the Denisons first set- where the customs, traditions and lan- Meanwhile, in Stonington, Mr. and tled in the Village, a span of more than guage are Portuguese. Mrs. Sylvia had been blessed with seven 150 years, its history included exploring One of these, Frank G. Sylvia, was children: Ellen, Mary (Mrs. Manuel and such names as Fanning and Palmer; horn in the Azores in 1824 and ar- Amaral). Clara (Mrs. Manuel Perry), shipbuilding, Sheffield and Crandall; seal- rived in the early I 840's. Shortly after Josephine (Mrs. Joseph Rose), John who ing, Pcndleton and Dunbar; whaling, his arrival he acquired land at what is to- married Harriet Harvey, Manuel who Wayl.ind and Williams; government, day called Sylvia's woods and lived in a married Mary Duffy, and Frank who took Miner and Smith; railroading, Phelps large, white farmhouse which is now the Bridget Quilt)' as his wife. and Trumbull; and industry, Collins and home of Walter Cole. Sylvia took as his Vargas, after his cross ontnent travels 2 Historical Footnotes Mystic Fires and Firefighters 11-4 %iigiit 1965 Blazing Disasters That Gave the buildings on both sides of East Main Street from the bridge to Holmes Street came to Stonington where lie learned his Birth to the Fire District were blackened ruins. Six years later, former school teacher had become Syl- September 26, 1864, another serious fire via's wife and through this acquaintance and Two Illustrious met and married the Sylvia's oldest daugh. Volunteer Fire Companies destroyed the carriage shop of E. A. Den- ter, Ellen. He and his wife made their ison, where Campbell's Garage now stands "This Tuesday evening at 8:30 o'cloc<, on Pearl Street and the nearby residence first home in the Sylvia's Woods farm- (Sept. 22, 1858) smoke was discovered house and lie became associated with his of John Batty, which are now both part issuing from the roof of D. D. Mallory's of the Mystic Community Center. This father-in-law in the ice business which store and the appalling words 'Fire! remained in the family until 1947. threat roused Mysticans. Fire!' echoed through our streets"so Ira "What we need," exclaimed the Mystic The Six Vargas Children Hart Palmer began his story of Mystic's Pioneer in an editotial next day, "is a good most disastrous fire in his ''Boyhood The Vargas had six children: May, fire engine with sufficient rubber hose and Memories" which were published in the who married the late Joseph Menclonca; a truck with hooks and ladders. As soon Mstic Journal during the 1890's. Clara, wife of Matthew T. Leahy, and as the citizens furnish these, young mcii With terrifying rapidity the flames Miss Ann Vargas, a retired school teach- of the place will be ready to form a good spread to the United States Hotel (on er, all of whom now live in the ''Vargas company.'' the present site of the Whalers Inne) to home" on Gold Street in the Borough; the store of I. W. Denison & Company, First Fire Company Organized Frank A. of Westerly, Joseph A., Jr. who the building of Capt. Jeremiah Holmes, Mystic's first permanent fire company died in 1964 and Helena who died in on to the house at the northeast end of was organized July 6, 1874, in Washing- 1915. the bridge. The whole lower end of the ton Hall with Thomas W. Noyes, fore- After living for a time in the Sylvia village on the Stonington side seemed man; Eben A. Williams, secretary-treas- farmhouse, Vargas acquired land of his doomed. There was no fire company in urer; Charles W. Clift, engineer; and an own, extending from what is now called Mystic. executive committee of James W. Water- Vargas Corners, at the intersection of "Reliance" to the Rescue man, J. Alden Rathbun, John Cameron, Route 1 and 1-A, westerly to Collins' Men and boys formed bucket brigades George H. Greenman, and William For- Brook and north on Flanders Road; sev- from the riverbank and finally aid came sytli. It was christened "Mazeppa No. 1" eral properties in the Borough to one of with the fire engine from Upper Mystic. after the old hand-brake fire engine which be eventually moved to be closer It was the good old "Reliance," a hand- owned by the Standard Machinery Com- to the Stonington schools which his cliii- pump purchased back in 1837 which is pany, and the fire company promptly ac- dren attended; and also the "Mosquito now one of the most interesting relics quired another engine bought second- Farm" in Wequetequock, now owned by preserved on the Waterfront Street at the hand in New York City. the State of Connecticut. Marine Museum. Two weeks later, Jul), 20, came a cru- After h c r o i c efforts the fire was cial test. Fire broke out in the Cottrell & Wrecking the Wadawanuek Hotel brought under control. But not until all Continued on page 1 1 Getting back to Frank G. Sylvia, lie still has a sort of physical immortality in The 'Rli il/ce" hand-/moi/nr of 011 /6) ciii this New England village. By the 1890's, lie and his family owned more than a score of homes in and around the village. In 1893, he and his sons took on the job of tearing down the old Wadawanuck Hotel, on the site of the present library, and with the lumber they built sevcr.il more houses, in luding the present Main Street home of Dr. Frank A. Castaldi and Paul Previ ty. and rebuilt and repaired many others. Many years earlier, in 1851, Mr. Sylvia had helped to build the first St. Mary's Church iii Stonington, replaced recently by the modern brick church which now grace-s the corner of Main and Broad streets. About 1895, Mr. Sylvia gave th church the land which is now St. Marys Cemetery on Route 1, overlooking Ston in 1-la rho r. --I'hoto courtesy of Mystic Seaport ( out iuiiied OII pal-c 6 Historical Footnotes First Settlers Historical Footnotes Bulletin of the In the Borough 11-4 August 11965 3 Stonington Historical Society Founded 1895 Incorporated 1925 By will dated May 23, 1667 William P. 0. Box 103, Stonington, Conn. Chesebrough, our first settler, bequeathed Plans for the Capt. Robert J. Ramsbotham, President to his sons Nathaniel and Elisha 'ye Royce E. Gray, Vice President point of land named Wadonnwonet." Malcolm D. MacGregor, Treasurer Annual Meeting B. MacDonald Steers, Recrd. Secretary The Indians called it Wadawanuck. To Philip W. Cottrell, Corsp. Secretary the white settlers it was known as Long Aug. 28, 3 p.m. Mrs. Thomas W. Storrow, librarian Point, or simply The Point. Later, it was Befitting the broader scope and new Trustees called Windmill Point, because of a wind- activities of the Society, our annual meet- 1965—Mrs. Thos, G. Bradford, Mrs. J. Reid Johnson, Robt. J. Ramsbotham, Mrs. G. W. Blunt mill built to run a grist mill which could ing will be held at three in the afternoon White, Mrs. Jacques Wimpfheimer. never quite successfully compete with the at the Whitehall Mansion with an entirely 1966—Mrs. Stephen D. Hurlbut, Geo. L. Kent, water-driven mills. Today it is Stonington novel program. Mrs. Frank Lynch, Jr., John S. MacDonald, Mal- colm D. MacGregor, Mrs. Bradford Tilney. Borough. Members will have the opportunity 1967—Royce E. Gray, J. Reid Johnson, James to inspect this historic home, now in the Kleinschmidt, Charles Schultz, B. MacDonald This rocky finger of land was not set- Society's custody, and to see the first basic Steers. tled early. It is said that the Stanton boys, Honorary Life—Williams Haynes steps taken in the moving and restora- sons of Thomas, the Indian interpreter, tion work and the building of the drive- Publication Staff built some ships here for the West Indian way, parking lot, and proposed colonial trade—no doubt because of good launch- Williams Haynes, Editar gardens - Thomas G. Bradford, Business Manager ing sites on Stonington Harbor and the Guests of honor will be Dr. and Mrs. availability of fine timber—but nobody Mrs. Dana Burnet, Stonington DeWitt Keach, former owners, whose Mrs. Alan H. Donn, Road District lived there. In fact, Stonington township generous donation to the Society has made Mrs. Edward R. Pryor, Noank coLild have celebrated its first centennial B. MacDonald Steers, Stonington the move and preliminary restoration pos- before Stonington Point was inhabited. sible. It is hoped that Professor Keach Published Quarterly by the Society What is now Main Street was laid out will talk about the mansion's history and Vol. II, Na. 4 August 1965 $1.00 August 10, 1752, and a year later Elihu former residents. A talk on the famous Chesebrough, Jr., grandson of Elisha who houses architectural features will be made still owned The Point, sold to Edward by a competent authority. Personal: Not Confidential Denison three acres where the Wadawan- In addition to the regular business meeting with brief summary reports During the past year our membership uck Club now stands, for a shipyard, from the Treasurer and various Commit- has doubled. Nevertheless, above all else granting him permission to cut timber tee Chairmen, four new trustees will be what the Society most needs is more from the surrounding land. members - new members from Lord's elected. It was 1763 before there were enough Plans are in the making for a possible Point and Clark's Falls, from the North- inhabitants for anyone to propose a school auction of antiques for the benefit of the east Corner to Lower Pawcatuck, young- which it was decided to locate evidently Whitehall Restoration Fund and a cock- cr members, more summer residents, and somewhere in the neighborhood of the tail or punch party. While the business most especially more of the newcomers present Borough School. The townspeople meeting is for members only, members in our midst. chipped in for this communal object— will be urged to bring guests who might We have an ambitious, worthwhile, one, oak beams; another, shingles; 100 be interested in our activities. practical program of activities so varied nails, a day's labor, the services of a that they appeal to every historical, genea- yoke of oxen, etc., and Elihu Chese- logical or antiquarian taste. Yet we suffer brough, Jr., offered to donate the land. from a crippling lack of personnel to man The Stonington Line's Saratoga burned our committees. This last Chesebrough owner of The in Long Island Sound off Bridgeport on No two Connecticut towns have a Point was born Nov. 30, 1704. His moth- January 13, 1 8i0. Among the 250 per- richer heritage than Stonington and North er was Hannah Miner and he married sons lost in this disaster was Charles H. Stonington—so many distinguished sons Esther Dennis. They had three sons, Elihu Phelps whose widow, Anna Hammond, and daughters, such beautiful old houses, III, William, and Naboth and four later married the Rev. Jonathan Erskine so numerous famous historical sites. All daughters, Esther, Hannah, Elizabeth and Edwards. * * * this belongs to each one who lives here to Rebecca; and thereby hangs a long, acri- remember, to cherish, and to preserve for monious lawsuit. The Wadawanuck Hotel, on the pres- future generations. That is the overall The Stonington school project appar- ent site of the Stonington Library, was objective of this Society. We need more ently did not come forward very quickly built in 1837 by the railway company for help to accomplish more. and Elihu Chesebrough died Oct. 27, the accommodation of its patrons. It was Inside this copy of HisiorcaI Footnotes 1676, while the building was still being practically a duplicate of the Tuckwutten is a membership application blank. If erected. Thereupon his heirs refused to House in Providence, built by the railway each of us would get it signed, we would give the town title to the land and the for the same purpose. The local contract- again double our membership, a long litigation that followed filled many pages or was Benjamin Palmer and the first step forward. of our local court records. hotcikeeper, Ezra Chesebrough. Historical Footnotes Important Business

4 .iigtist 1965 I1-4 Trustees Hold a Three-hour Meeting: We Appreciate By B. MacDonald Steers, Secretary Appreciation The Trustees and Committee Chair- Lighthouse Museum Report men of the Society met at the Stonington By letter Mrs. Lynch raised the ques- Our c1uarterly Bulletin contains his- Library, June 24, 1965, at 8 p.m—pres- tion of bringing the painted portraits back torical and biographical material of per- ent Messers Bradford, Haynes, Johnson, to the Museum and Mr. Wimpfheimer manent value, and in response to several Kent, MacGregor, Ramshotham, Schultz, offered to investigate the matter of hu- suggestions, the following libraries have Steers; Mesdames Cottrell, Hughes, Pry- midifiers to preserve their condition. Mr. been named official depositories: the or, Storrow, Tilney, White, Wimpfhei- Schultz is investigating reproductions of Connecticut State Library and the mer; guests, Rand B. Jones and Mrs. some of our old precious documents for Connecticut Historical Society, in Hart- Reid Johnson. display at the Museum and the treasurer ford, Mystic and Noank Library, the Bill After approving the minutes of the reported recent damage by vandals had Library, Ledyard, the Groton Public Li- last meeting (Feb. 26) the treasurer re- been covered by insurance. brary, the Westerly Public Library, the ported all bills paid and $20,799.86, cash Mr. Kent reported progress in the Blunt White Library of the Marine His- in the banks including the Whitehall and choice of a standardized sign and the se- torical Association. Each has been sent a other specially reserved funds. lection of the historic buildings and sites complete file from Vol. 1, No. 1 to date worthy of being so designated in Ston- and will receive all future issues. Expenditures Approved ington, Mystic, Pawcatuck and North We have been encouraged and grati- After full discussion the following ex- Stonington. fied by the following acknowledgements: penditures were approved: Progress at Whitehall Mansion We look forward to receiving future $42 for clean-up of the Robinson Buri- Mr. Johnson reported the Restoration issues, as we find the numbers you have al Ground and $325 for repair and point- Committee has called for bids on certain sent most interesting and evidence of the ing up the wall; both to be paid from the fundamental repairs (roof leaks, a weak enthusiasm created in the residents of $400 previously voted for upkeep of this wall, new basement underpinnings) and Stonington in your revitalized Society."— cemetery. Continuing $25 monthly fee to the cus- without these costs determined no pro. Virginia A. Knox, Assistant State Li- gram can be formulated for approval. A brarian, Connecticut State Library. todian of the Whitehall property. $450 for replacing the present dirt floor roadside display sign has been ordered and will be installed shortly. 'On behalf of the Trustees of the of the Arcade Building with a concrete Mrs. Tinley is contacting the power Westerly Public Library, let me thank slab in order to make the cellar a suit- company regarding bringing electricity you for designating our library as a regu- able storage place for the tenants. into the Mansion and reports a co-opera- lar depository for your valuable quarter- $1.50 an hour remuneration for the tive spirit that is most encouraging. For ly periodical.' '—J. W. Hurkett, Librarian. hostess at the Lighthouse Museum from July 2 to Sept. 6 and continuing the ex- the Grounds Committee, Mrs. Cottrell re- We are endeavoring to improve our penses for the care of the grounds which ported that the access road has been moved and that the parking area will be local history collection in order that our to date have been $100 for this year. to the north of the house with a foot- newcomers and regular patrons may get path leading to the front door. The better acquainted with our beginnings. Annual Meeting and Nominations stonewall is to be extended and two Your interest in us is greatly appreciated." It was voted that the annual meeting trees, obscuring a view from the road, —Ella S. Goldthwaite, Gen. Mgr., Mystic and election be held during August at a and Noank Library. date set by the president and the follow- are to be removed. ing were elected a nominating commit- New Editor Sorely Needed Many thanks for the decision to make tee: Mr. Haynes (chairman), Mrs. Mr. Landry, the new editor, has been us a regular depository for Historical Foot- Wimpfheimer and Mr. Johnson. beset by extraneous problems and re- notes, and also thanks for the complete Mr. Steers questioned the expiration of signed. The June issue of Historical Foot- and perfect set which you have sent. We trustees' terms of office as recorded in the notes had been much delayed, but it is shall bind them when the accumulation president's communication of June 14, set in type and should be out soon. (It grows somewhat larger—Charles W. 1965 and Capt. Ramsbotham replied that was distributed a few days after the David, Dir, of Library Development, because ofthe inconsistencies in the records meeting.) Mr. Haynes agreed to resume Mystic Seaport. these were the best dates that he could the Editor's post, but urged that, as he ex- come up with after long study of the pects to be absent several months next Minute Book. On motion of Mr. winter, a new Editor is imperatively Haynes it was voted to use the president's needed. Wyassup was the name of a Pequot dates. It was pointed out that as each five sachem who claimed the land about this trustees are to be elected for three-year Two Very Active Committees pond was by hereditary rights as his per- terms this confusion will adjust itself in Mrs. Storrow, for the Library Commit- sonal hunting and fishing preserve. the next two years. tee, reported she is replying to many his- torical and especially genealogical sues- Stolen Ships Sold tions asked the Society and hoped that H istorical Footnotes 5 her paid assistant, who recently resigned, Into the Slave Trade 11-1 .iigiiI 1965 may be promptly replaced. The task of mapping the old cemeter- May 10, 1 8-1S, Starbuck's ShipplHll sul at Rio de Janiero, attempted to sell es of the Stonington area is nearly com- Regi.ter reported: 'The brig Herald sold her for the benefit of the insurance com- pleted as reported by Mrs. Pryor. These at Rio Janeiro by Captain. Also 600 panies which had held the risk. She was onerous activities have been going on for sperm." in shocking condition and buyers were over a year and the final results will be a Behind that stark, rather cyptic state- wary. rich store of genealogical source material ment is a tale of skullduggery at sea. Her ultimate fate is not known and of great practical value. Translated it means that the ship was whatever became of her rascally captain is The meeting concluded with an in- stolen from her owner, Charles P. Wil- also still a mystery. He vanished—some formal discussion of the plans for the liams of Stonington, and sold by her say up the Amazon into the interior of Annual Meeting presented by the Pres- master, Capt. Samuel Baker, and con- Brazil; others, that he took passage for ident and reported elsewhere in this is- verted by her new owners from the legiti- Amsterdam and eventually settled at Mar- sue. mate and lucrative trade of whaling into seilles where he kept a little shop. the nefarious and even more lucrative Accomplishments Reviewed Such 'additional and extraordinary Favorably slave trade. risks" had to be borne in the already Apparently the ex-Stonington ship hazardous whaling business. At least one After the meeting Mr. Jones expressed plied between Africa and South Amer- other Stonington ship, the C1nosiire, his regret at the President's discouraging ica, for two years later she was recovered owned by John F. Trumbull, was also letter to the Trustees and hoped that he at the same Brazilian port where she had stolen by her captain and sold to the would reconsider his resignation. Mr. been stolen. Edward Kent, American con- slave trade. Jones spoke for all present when he felt the Society is just beginning to show the resLilts of Capt. Ramsbotham's efforts. His remarks brought forth immediate expres- Claire's & Kerr's sions of confidence in Capt. Ramsbotham's French Cleaners leadership. Except to say that he would West Main Street Mystic, Connecticut give the matter thought, the president Mystic would make no promises.

* * * * * Ipa capt autt ae a S 19Of 'attée ea9

Our advance order for 150 flags with the 16 order before September 1st. stars and stripes sold out before the Anniversary Cele- This volunteer committee does not aim to bration last Summer. make money, but to cover costs and expenses of pub- So many people were disappointed that we have licity and delivery we are compelled to increase the re-ordered enough flags to supply all who place their initial price. * * * * * * * * Stoiiiiiçton Battle Flag: $ .v 5 P..I $10.00. Battle and U. S. Flac.l: ho/h 3 a .5 ft.: S] 5.00. Battle F/ac ui/h aliimminii bracket and pole, S 12. 50. Both flags ui/h 2 brackets & pole: 520.00.

IIags and braekeis on display and or(Iers token.

The Seaport Ford - Stonington -. ihone 535-I Ii 5

At the Pequot Press Booth at the Village Fair, Stonington, Aug. 7.

Or order direct by in oil The Battle Flag Comniittee P. 0. Box 151, Sioningion and Capt. Edwin W. French. North Mystic Flag Pole Stonington men made up most of the 6 Hisforcal Foo€notes An Historic Landmark 21st Conn. Regt., Co. G, Capt., later Lt. If-I %iigitst 1963 Col. James F. Brown. Patriotism surged wildly throughout The steamboat wharf has vanished. Stonington and North Stonington Town- Mystic Bridge has become Mystic. But Clang, Clang, Clang ships. Fort Sumter had been fired on. that Liberty Pole of '62 stands today at South Carolina had seceded. President the junction of East Main, Holmes, and Went the Trolley Lincoln had called for volunteers. At Cottrell Streets. On April 9, 1905, the second link in Mystic Bridge the visible symbol of the the trolley line between Groton and Wes- American spirit, the Liberty Pole of Rev- Portuguese Fishermen terly was opened when the first car ran olutionary memory, was eagerly discussed (Continued from page 2) over the new tracks from the Borough to at a meeting. Mystic. A fund-raising committee was named: Meanwhile, gradually after 1850 and George W. Mallory, P. E. Roland, Gur- more frequently toward the close of the This great improvement in the com- don Gates, E. P. Randall, Thomas Gates, last century, immigrants from the Azores munity's transportation was only achieved and Luther A. Morgan, treasurer. Charles were locating in Stonington. after a long, hard fight. Back in June Mallory donated a lower mast for the 1901, the Groton & Stonington Street bottom pole. Cash poured in and on May Exodus from the Azores Railway Co. had petitioned the Legisla- 17, 1862, the Stars and Stripes were These people of the islands were not tLire for a charter. This was strongly op- raised on the 100-foot pole near the only sea-farers, but farmers as well, and posed by the railroad and it was pigeon- Steamboat Wharf. in Stonington they found a coastal com- holed for two years. In 1903 the charter It was a gala day. The Hon. Nathan G. munity bathed by the same ocean which was obtained and the incorporators met Fish presided; the flag was hauled top- caressed their homeland isles with soil in Norwich and issued $400,000 worth mast by Capt. Jeremiah Holmes, hero of and climate which could produce the same of common stock to the incorporators and the Battle of Stonington in 1814; and the foods they had grown in their native voted to sell S200,000 worth of pre- orator—in those days orators really orat- land. ferred to raise working funds. ed—was Silas B. Randall. They came to Stonington—and they Recruits flocked to the colors from stayed. Dec. 19, 1904, the Mystic Division throughout the two townships and the Their family names were Pont, Medei- from Mystic to Groton opened with cars following Connecticut regiments were ros, Madeira, Souza, Luiz, Arruda, Sd- running an hourly schedule on a trip that largely enlisted from this section of the veira, Pacheco, Clay, Moniz, Amancio, took 45 minutes. During the building state: 5th Conn. Regt., Co. G, Capt. Santos, Furtardo, Serrano, Almeida and of this section, over 100 Italian laborers Thomas B. Sheffield, later Capt. Andrew Narcizzi, to mention a few. working on the trolley line lived in tents M. Morgan; 12th Conn. Regt., Co. K, The Title Is Misleading at Quiambaug. Capt. James V. Roach; 21st Conn. Regt., The title of this article is apt, but a bit Co. E, Capt. Thomas T. Stanton, later Big Archeological Find misleading, for all Stonington fishermen Major, followed by Capt. Walter D. Workmen laying the roadbed of the are not Portuguese and all Portuguese are Long; 26th Conn. Regt., Co. H, Capt. section to Westerly made two interesting not fishermen. Since the settlement of David Champlin; 1st Conn. Cavalry, Co. archeological discoveries. Near the mill "Long Point," fishing has been impor- C, Capt. William S. Fish, later Colonel, pond at the head of Weuetequock Cove tant to many families, in many cases as they dug up the skeleton of an Indian the source of their next meal, and since giant some 7 feet tall, a bigger man than the early settlement of the coastline, our pioneer Walter Palmer who is said men have harvested fish from the sea but to have stood 6 feet, 7 inches. While the methods and the catch have changed. levelling off the knoll on the west shore Newspaper accounts b e a r i n g 1900 of the Cove the construction gang ran dates report the following: into the excavation of an ancient cellar. January 7—The smack iMai;. Capt. Charred timbers told the story of a Smith, returned from Block Island Sun- burned house and many potsherds of the day with 1,300 cod and haddock, the old dark red pottery pointed to a very result of two days' fishing. early date. Local historians spotted the January 11—Capt. Frank Lamphere of site of William Chesebrou(Ih's house, thc the smack George B. Mi-Cleilan is arrang- first home in Stonington. ing to engage in trawl fishing. Another 1900 newspaper account re- ports: ''The following shipment of fish In 1715 Joseph Noyes was offered thc was made by the trawl fishermen ycster. assistant pastor's post under his father. day: M. H. Morris. 20 barrels; Mar1. 23 Rev. James Noyes at a yearly salary ot Ch,iriorw—I/ /i barrels, and Co pin. three barrels." 250. He declined and went to New sel-poue;'ec/ dragger, built in Maiiie in , Haven as pastor of the 1st Church at a 1929, was one of the first such cisift to hip1)ed by the Barrel salary of S600. operate out of Stoning/on Harbor. At the turn of the rentury smacks were Historical Footnotes 7 11-4 .%igtn.t 1965

About two years later, however, the Lathrop gasoline engine was expanded to c: a two-cylinder, two-cycle motor develop- ing 16 horsepower. Increased power did bring about changes in fishing. This en- gine made trawling standard operational precedure which had previously been pos- sible on only a small scale. The ''beam trawl," so named because t of the wooden beam which kept the top of the front or open end of the net afloat, came into regular use about 1908 in Ston- ington. The bottom of the funnel-shape net was submerged by heavy chains and . 5, hauled over the ocean floor. After each / /' .ii iii hare/inc of S/aiiinçton Point is it un in 1900, long bc'f Oic /he (i hni dragging operation crew-members hove boats, requiring deeper nate;'. moi'ed into the Harbor on the u'e.tt side of the li//age. to and pulled the net aboard, (Photo by the late Edwin Ripley.) Modern Trawl Developed the backbone of the Stonington"fishing was held down by anchors and the top The beam trawl was quickly followed fleet." These small, but seaworthy sail- held up by floating barrels. At one end of by the "otter trawl," the same basic net boats have been aptly described as over- the net was a corral with a small open- used by fishermen today. This was im- grown one-masted sloops. Some ran up to ing. Swimming along the net, fish enter- proved with the addition of dragging 30 feet in length. In these craft, Stoning- ed this enclosure with only a few finding boards, which insured the opening of the ton men went to sea, albeit none too far their way out before fishermen arrived mouth of the net at all times. The "bal- from home, and with hand-lines and by to reap their harvest. loon net," which followed, differs only in trolling, landed their day's catch, usually a large balloon-shaped sack at the end cod and haddock. These boats were also Enter the Lathrop "One Lunger" of the net, increasing the capacity of the used to bring in lobsters. About 1906, the Lathrop single-cylin- catch. der marine engine arrived and was grad- From about 1910 to 1920, big "bunker Hundreds of Hooks on One Line ually installed in the local fishing smacks. boats," pioneered locally by the late Hand-lining was not as simple as it These "one-lungers" developed eight George E. Allison, came into being, mak- sounds. A hand-line to the fisherman of horsepower and while they made the fish- ing their catches along the Rhode Island 1900 was a long line from which literal- erman's work easier, they did not sub- coast, in many cases, through the use of ly hundreds of hooks extended, each stantially change his methods. barrel traps. Among these bLinker boats baited with herring or mussels. After trolling, the line would be hauled in, The Walter Adams—Tjpi'a/ of the coal-burning "bunker boats" which uo;'ked out the fish taken from the hooks and thrown of Stonington Harbor betu'een /910 and 1920. into the well of the smack, brought to port, and shipped to New York, first by steamer and later by train. Twenty barrels of fish for a day's work was not Li n usual. Another method of fishing was by 'shore seines," a long net, one end of which was made fast ashore while the other end, aboard a smack, was carried in a great circle stretching the net be- hind. When the tow-boat returned to the starting point, the net was drawn in and the fish harvested. Still another method was the use of 'barrel traps,'' a method still used today in Narragansett Bay and along the New jersey coast. Similar to ''shore-seining," this involved the stretching of a long net across the water. The bottom of the net 8 Historical Footnotes 11-4 AiiCiist 1965 10-1

Nftw were the James Jr". GiJJord, McKeeier. and Nomad. Returning to the harbor after fishing. the skipper would sound one long blast on his whistle followed by a series of short ones, and Joe Vargas would know exactly how much ice was wanted. Clay's Dock Was Headquarters During the early 20th century, shore operations of the fleet, were primarily on the east side of the Borough, where Manuel Clay, Sr., operated Clay's Dock, Manuel Clays Dock on Hancox S/reel in Stoning/on as it was in the early 1900's. also known as the "Little Fulton Fish Fishermen are mending their lie/s with lobster pots stacked in the background. Market." The bigger the boats, the farther they Chesebrough Fishing & Trading Corpora- pass, a sextant, and depth-finder, the lat- could range and the more fish the), could tion, located on what is now the south ter a long line with a lead-weight shaped carry and the first known diesel engine in Bindloss dock and what was once known like a big sinker, 12 to 16 inches long our local fishing boats was installed in as the Pendleton Dock. The north Bind- and weighing about 16 pounds. In the Lawrence Clay's Lena about 1923. This loss dock, once a coal wharf, also became bottom of this sinker was a hole about motor, built in Sweden, developed 25 a fishing boat pier. To the north, Na- two inches in diameter. Into this hole, horsepower, powering a 36-foot dragger. thaniel Avery operated a fish dock on the navigator crammed yellow soap and In 1928 Harold McLaughlin's Zt4arise what had been the former steamboat when the sinker hit bottom, material and Hubert Lawrence's Mandalay. both dock on land owned by the New Haven from the ocean floor would adhere to the in the 60-foot class were both powered Railroad. During World War II, this soap. When the sinker was hauled up, the by diesel engines. The Manse still fishes property was acquired by Antonio Longo navigator had learned two things—the out of Stonington, still owned by Mc- and today, the Longo and Bindloss depth of the water and the type of bot- Laughlin. The Mandalay, subsequently docks are home for our fishing boats. tom, whether sand, gravel or rock. To- sold to Antonio Longo, was lost several day the draggers are equipped with fath- years ago. 50 Years Bring Drastic Changes ometers, loran, radar, direction finders, In 1929 the 62-foot Charlotte was Today's fishing is a far cry from what it radio-telephones and of course, a com- built in Maine for Lawrence Clay, she, was 50 years ago. pass. too, was diesel-powered and since 1930 Manuel Clay, Jr., a retired fisherman, Eight Sons Follow Father to Sea boats of 55 to 60 feet in length, all pow- tells of the big differences in navigation ered by diesel engines, are the backbone alone. Years back, a skipper had a corn- In 1907, Manuel Roderick and his of the Stonington fleet. family arrived in Stonington from Ter- One of the last smacks in local waters cera in the Azores group. Mr. Roderick was the venerable Kiondike, which over OLDRIDGE and his wife, Rose (Gill) Roderick, had FARM NURSERY the years was continually modified, keep- H 14 children: eight sons, who all followed ing pace with improvements in construc- Eastern Connecticut's their father to sea, and six daughters. The Most Complete Garden Center K/ondike fished Roderick family saga is the story of Ston- tion and equipment. The Ledyard Center, Conn. out of Stonington until only a few years ington deep-sea fishing for the past half- ago. century. It is the story of men who have Today, most Stonington boats are pow- taken to the sea for better or worse, ered by 110-horsepower, six-cylinder en- richer or poorer, in sickness and in gines. And most are New England rigged, THE WRIGHT AGENCY health, and—tragically, 'till death do them with the pilot house and engine room for- Real Estate part. ward. A few, among them the aforemen- Insurance Manuel Roderick, Sr., was a fisherman tioned Manse, and the Jane Done. are MYSTIC, CONNECTICUT all his life, a good one according to the schooner-rigged, the pilot house and en- severest of critics, his fellow fishermen. gine room aft. Bigger Boats Need Deeper Water As the boats became bigger, water- N. J. GORRA & BRO. front operations shifted to deeper water 239 State Street New London and the west side of the Borough where John Bindloss set up a marine station fol- Serving Fashionable Conneetieui Women for Over 50 Years lowing the failure of the Samuel Z. His sons, too were all solid fishermen, ligious queen prayed to the Holy Ghost among the most widely known on the east for relief from the floods which had in- I-lis€orica I Foo€noes coast. undated the land. The rains stopped and The sons and grandsons of Mr. and the waters receded, but the land was fl-4 .%iigiit 1965 Mrs. Manuel Roderick, Sr., continue to- barren. Queen Isabella then sold- her day to make their living from the sea. crown jewels to buy food for her peo- Three of their children, however, two ple. Each year, the people of the Holy He was reelected to successive two-year of them fishermen, have passed on, Man- Ghost Society bear a symbolic crown to terms through 1958, but in 1960 he uci, Jr., the oldest son, and George, who St. Mary's Church, recalling the generous suffffered his second defeat, losing out to was fatally injured aboard the still fam- act of their queen and offering prayer to Alfred Kupidlowski. Undaunted, Faria re- ily-owned dragger Luanu, which he skip- the Holy Ghost. turned to the campaign in 1962, defeated pered for many years. The other six Today the Holy Ghost Society, Inc. Kupidlowski and then won again in 196. sons are Geal, William, Joseph, John, of Stonington owns its own club building He died in October 1964. Frank (Sammy) and Edmund. The Roder- on Main Street, and continues to serve the In the election to fill the vacant office, ick's living daughters are Louisa Rogers, descendants of those who organized over another Portuguese immigrant, another Irene Debragga, Annie Suminski, Gene- 50 years ago. native of San Miguel, Alfred L. Lewis, vieve Fredella and Rose Warner. Also, as a social animal, the Portu- Sr., was elected to the mayoralty of the guese soon after their arrival became Borough. It has become standard politi- Brave Rescue from Block aware of their government and have par- cal practice for both parties to include a Islan(l Wreck ticipated in it. "Portuguese vote-getter" on their tickets. The elder Captain Roderick continued to go to sea until shortly before his First Portuguese Selectman Apple Pie and Pizza death in 1945 in spite of the fact he had Joseph Vargas, Jr., is believed to have While the Portuguese people in Ston- lost both legs. His last fishing trip was in been the first elected town official of Port- ington have not dominated the political, 1945, aboard the Alice & Jdnn)—when uguese ancestry. He served as a Demo- social and economic activities of the com- the dragger piled on the rocks west of cratic member of the Town's Board of munity, they have, nevertheless, contrib- Block Island. Capt. Roderick, tied to the Selectmen from 1921 to 1931. His fath- uted much to what Stonington is today wheelhouse chair, was cut loose and car- er had served as a Borough Burgess in and what it will be in the future. In a ried to safety, on the back of his son the early 1900's. quiet way, they have assumed the re- George, over rocks and through storm More recently, the late Jose Maria sponsibilities of their country, state, town Faria confined himself to Borough poli- tossed surf. That they made it to safety and village and have become solid, re- still amazes waterfront story-tellers. tics, had an enduring political career. He spected citizens. They have made all of Since the start of the 20th century, the was a native of San Miguel, the Azores, fishing industry in Stonington, and what where he was born in 1897. He came to us a little richer with their native mores remains of it today, has been the eco- Stonington in 1920, and 16 years later and folkways—bringing just a bit of their nomic base of the Portuguese people here. was elected to the Borough's board of Portugal to our shore, and at the same burgesses. He won further terms in 1938, time absorbing our customs and habits Holy Ghost Society is World-wide 1940, 1942, tasting political defeat in and becoming first and foremost, good In the years at the turn of the cen- 1944. He did not campaign again until tury, it was not uncommon to hear street- 1950 when he was elected to the Bor- American citizens—as American as apple corner conversations in the Portuguese ough's top administrative post—warden. pie, pizza, chop suey and massa de cevada. language. As the Portuguese increased in numbers there was a need for social ac- tivity and this was filled with the organi- Barstow's Anderson-Packer Co. zation, in 1914, of the local Holy Ghost Serving the Community society. The first officers included Man- Village Market Over 125 Years uel Luiz, Manuel Moniz, and Alavo de INSURANCE 2 Denison Ave. Mystic, Conn. Costa. Bank Square Mystic, Conn. 11 The Holy Ghost Society is common in Portuguese settlements throughout the EVELYN COLE, Inc. world and in addition to filling a social Real Estate need, has religious significance. Each year, 149 Water Street members commemorate the 16th-century Stonington, Connecticut feeding of the famine-stricken Portu- Since 1938 guese people by Queen Isabella. The re- 535-1018 - 535.1848 A

STONINGTON CRAFT PAUL SCHEPIS PACKAGE STORE, Inc, HOUSE Has a Choice Selection of Imported (Vintage) and Domestic Wines to 21 HIGH STREET Please Every Palate and Any Pocketbook Stonington, Connecticut We Deliver 535-1791 MYSTIC 535-1081 134 Water St. Stonington Last of the whaling ships, the Charles 10 H istorical Footnotes Morgan. permanently anchored at the The Friendly Shop 11- August 1965 Mystic Marine Museum, in its 80 years "Gifts for Happiness" of service made 22 million dollars for its owners. Virginia Perrin 536-9336 Samuel D. Babcock, one of the donors * * * Owner Mystic, Conn. to the Borough of the Wadawanuck The original name of Laurel Glen in -J Park and the Library, died in Lenox, North Stonington was Mudville, so called Mass,, aged 80 years. He was president because of the condition of the road. of the New Haven Railroad, a director of * * * 21 corporations and was the second old- DOYLE'S est man in active business in Wall The Greenman shipyard in Mystic Service Station Street. launched its first steam-powered ship in 16-18 Williams Street * * * 1842, the twin screw, Florida, 1400 tons, Mystic, Conn. The changeability of New England Capt. J. G. Fish. weather is famous—for instance, 1816 * * * was long remembered as the Freezing Courtland Palmer, founder of the Year) during which snow fell every Winchester Arms Co.; president of both month greatly damaging crops o that the Stonington railway and steamship MYSTIC prices of vegetables and fruit rose mark- companies; important organizer of the ICE & FUEL CO., INC. edly. New Haven Railway, was born Nov. 11, Phone 536-8859 * * * 1800 in the Boro. He was son of Amos Mystic, Connecticut Stonington's first public library was Palmer and Sally, a daughter of Col. started in 1887 when the Ladies Book James Rhodes. Club donated their books as a nucleus and the house at the southwest corner of Main and Church Sts. was rented for Berry's Mystic 5100 a year. Roland's Market PHARMACY

Spaulding Pond was named after Dr. 143 Water Street Stonington 17 E. Main St. Mystic, Conn. Asa Spaulding who had a bog iron works there about 1790.

Forty years ago, 1925, the Stonington Save Your Money At 6shing industry employed 42 men and J & M PACKAGE STORE New London Federal Savings had 533,115 invested in boats: catches Joseph J. Bruno for the previous year were cod, 96,500 We deliver - Phone 535-1342 and Loan Association lbs.; haddock, 58,000 lbs.; mackerel, 114 Water St. Stonington Broadway & E. Main St., Mystic 56,000 lbs.; flounder, 49,000 lbs.; eels, 21,600 lbs.; swordfish, 13,500 lbs.; lob- sters, 55,625 lbs.; total value, $51,987. R'ea1ie'S J1few4 /Jfte STONINGTON DEPT. STORE Most Everything from a 141 Water Street Stonington Auto Station Pencil to a Dictionary Stonington, Conn. Stonington 1 1 Alpha Avenue, Stonington 133 Water St.

- 1 CROSSOVER -BOOKS SANTIN Specializing in children's books, doll books, and books of local interest, out-of-print, rare and first editions. CHEVROLET Telephone: 535-1119 Route 1, Stonington Mystic, 1

HOXIE'S ART SHOP Stonington PuhHshing Co., Inc. Original Paintings 15½ W. Main St. Established 1869 Mystic ii C. Collins, M. H. Ricker, E. E. Saunders, Mystic Fires and kistorical Footnotes Henry W. Morgan, G. J. Hydecker, A. Firefighters B. H. Hunt, Alex and Arthur Brown, I1-4 Aitgiat 1965 and Ira C. Hoxie, to which were shortly (Continued from page 2) added Albert Williams, Walter C. Mor- Gallup Planing Mill. The young firemen gan, j. I. McDonald, N. Stanton Gates, responded with gusto, but here's what the Julius Mallory, Robert A. Stanton, Mar- Mystic Pre.0 said next day about their tin Kimpell, and George E. Tingley, the apparatus: The New York secondhand charter members of this famous company. DODGE engine was brought upon the grounds, Browne was elected the first foreman; but did not succeed in making a respect- Jackson, secretary; Avery, treasurer; and SHANNON MOTORS, INC. able fizzle. One boy with a bucket could Saunders, steward. beat it out of sight in throwing water." 11 Williams Street For $380 they purchased the Lily," That very night the volunteer firemen a decrepit hook and ladder truck. It never met and resolved that This company ac- Stonington Connecticut did prove satisfactory SC) it was promptly cept no other than a new hand fire en- unloaded on the unsuspecting firemen of Phone 535-0530 gine.' So Thomas W. Noyes, William H. Leominster, Mass., for S450. In his his- Grove, and Charles Clift were appointed torical paper read at the Hooks' banc1uet a committee, and thanks to the generosity in 1917, Charles T. Crandall con fessed of Benjamin F. Hoxsie, who donated that the shrewdest Yankee with the best S1,000, the company purchased a new wooden nutmegs never outshone the com- engine in Boston. mittee that negotiated this deal. Stonington Market Over the Baptist Chureh Steeple 132 Water St. In friendly competition with the "Nep- Gravel Street Lot Cost $300 tune,' a fireboat maintained by B. F. In January 1884, the lot on Gravel Stonington Connecticut Hoxsie and Charles H. Mallory for the Street, where the present house now stands protection of their own waterfront pro- was purchased for $200 and plans drawn perties, it passed its performance tests for a building. Allen Avery came to the rescue, offering the loan of $1,000 on a Kaplan's Travel Bureau handsomely. Both steamers threw wa- Arranges for ter over the top of the Liberty Pole, building to cost $1,100. It was his first and then while the engine remained on initial service to the Hooks whom he All Sorts of Travel served as treasurer from the first election the wharf with suction in the river, the Groton - New London entire available length of hose (1150 till his death, June 14, 1915. 32 years Norwich feet) was stretched along West Main later. Street to the top of Zion Hill in front of The building was erected and Dec. 6, the Baptist Church, an elevation of about 1887, a fine new ladder truck was pur- 60 feet. Here the new engine threw a chased for $635. Accordingly a strip of John L. Lathrop stream ec1ual to the height of the spire; land to the south had to be bought for Real Estate Insurance not playing upon the church steeple for $100 and a house for the new truck Flanders Road built at a cost of about S300; all of it Stonington, Conn. fear of injuring the clock with salt wa- Phone 535.1356 ter. raised the hard way by fairs, concerts, So in gratitude Mazeppa No. 1" and an occasional dip into members' changed its name to the B. F. Hoxsie pockets. Now the Hooks have a "plant" Company No. I of Mystic Bridge, and that cost $15,000—to say nothing of Buck Electric., Inc. the next year (1875) the Mystic Fire furni tore and 6 xi ngs—and from that Expert Electrical Service District, comprising the Third School modest, self-sacrificing beginning have be- come one of the most ecient, influential District of Stonington and the Fifth 62 ELm Street Stonington School District of Groton, was set up organizations in the township. -d with an executive committee of Thomas S. Greenman, John Williams, and Gor- Since 1880 - don Gates. Lu niber THE CORNER PHARMACY Paints Charter Meml)ers of the 'Hooks" 77 Main St., Stonington I tartiware in T. E. Packer's in- Aug. 27, 1883, Edward A. Bessette, Lumber sur.Ince o1Tfic, IS young men of Mystic, Stonington Co. Reg. Pharm. 101 Main Street lcd by Randall Browne, Eben Williams, A nd A. J. Mills, agreed to organize a hook and ladder company, the birth of wATcHE: CHINA t he "Hooks." aad q~ eaa',l Besides the three ringleaders, the fol- CRYSTAL q CLOCKS lowing were enrolled: Allen Avery, M. PEWTER CARDS JEWELERS & SILVERSMITHS D. Tompkins, Ira W. Jackson, John T. LEATHER Westerly, Rhode Island CUTLERY and Frank W. Batty, Harry Prentice, W . the largest—$168,185; the next highest Historical Footnotes Land Grab Scandal 12 560,000—and his bond was given "on August 1965 Continued from June issue demand." His company consisted of The bill was repealed. A substitute himself, Thaddeus Leavitt, Gideon bill had no better fortune. The new Granger, Jr., Luther Loomis and Eben- bill provided that the principal realized ezer King, Jr. The whole, vexing matter of the 'ugar au? #pirr from the sale of lands should be ap- portioned among the several school Western Reserve was ended and, as the societies and they were to hand over committee stated with relief, "nothing remains to complete (our) satisfaction The Gourmets Delight the interest towards the support of the 119 Wat.r St. Stonington schools or the ministry. The preachers but the approbation of this Honorable again came under attack, and the great Assembly, to whose candor the whole Dr. Timothy Dwight preached a ser- is submitted by your Honors." The mon defending them, and was then Honorable Assembly approved and thus Bendett's elected President of Yale College. He was consummated the sale of a domain The Specialty Shop called the objects of all this munifi- nearly equal to the present territory of cence not the "Schools and Clergy," but Connecticut, and the establishment of in Mystic "Knowledge and Virtue." the "School Fund," probably unique In 1795 the matter was settled by a among the fifty states. new Act (94 to 52) giving the interest —MacDonald Steers from the sale of the "reserve" lands to Source: History of The School Fund of Dtierr's American Station the support of the schools, but allow- Connecticut, by Henry Barnard, Su- ing the school societies to aid the re- perintendent of Common Schools. 24 E. Main St., Mystic, Conn. spective religious societies with a por- Hartford, 1931. 536-9031 tion of it if they so chose. A commit- *The Louisiana Purchase, 17 years lat- Ei...... tee was appointed to sell the lands, con- er, was cheaper-518 a square mile, or sisting of John Treadwell, James Wads- less than three cents an acre. worth, Marvin Wait, William Edmund, * * * Mystic Motors, Inc. T. Grosvenor, Aaron Austin, Alijah In 1791, 7403 horses, mules, and cat- Route 1 Hubbard and Sylvester Gilbert. Prospective purchasers sprang up tle were shipped to the West Indies from CHRYSLER from all directions. Oliver Phelps of- the New London Customs District, Ston- PLYMOUTH VALIANT fered 51,00,000 for the three million ington to Saybrook. acres, plus. Some 35 others offered va- rious other sums. Some out-of-staters muscled in, or tried to, by offering miss joan more: Col. Silas Pepoon of Stockbridgc, L. P. GAS - OIL gracious giving for gracious living $1,130,000. James Sullivan of Boston, GROTON SHOPPING PLAZA $1,010,000. John Livingston of New HARDWARE - PAINTS PHONE 445-6246 China - Silver - Giftware York, $1,255,000. Oliver Phelps then raised his anti, to $1,130,000. And fin- ally all the Connecticut hopefuls joined BIN DLOSS, INC. together and offered $1,200,000 pay- 72 WATER STREET ARCHIE'S SODA SHOP able in five years, plus interest, which STONINGTON, CONN, was accepted. There were 36 of these & LUNCHEONETTE "companies" in all. Oliver Phelps' por- Radicioni, Owner Arthur Q. tion of the linal purchase was by far 20 E. Main St., Mystic, Conn.

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At Oh! ,,oâ ,uze€Iew SINCE 1792 DAYTIME and EVENING WEAR

Eastern Connecticut's Most Distinguished Fashion Name HARTFORD

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THE BQOKSHOP, INC. Palmer Auto Sales BANK Church & Meridian Streets 1 Alpha Avenue and Trust Compuny New London, Conn. 443-3802 Stonington, Connecticut Member F.D.LC.

THE JENNIFER ANN 3&autj E7jmt- INFANT & TODDLER BOUTIQUE UNIQUE CUSTOM HAIRDRESSING 146 WATER STREET SOUTH BROAD ST. STONINGTON, CONNECTICUT HELP 5994230 PAWCATUCK PHONE 535-0430 Support the Hospital Ship

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Stonington Art Gallery Send contributions to Lower C eenh a venPawtuck Time - Life Building 50 Main Street A renowned country restaurant Tel. 599-4666 Closed Mondays New York 20, N. Y.

CLARK'S MARKET Westerly, R. I. KALAMIAN'S Complete Line of S.S. Pierce Fine Foods—U.S. Prime Beef Since 1872 RUG SHOP Delivery in This Area Tel. 596-2221, 2583

STONJNGTON BOOKSHOP 963 flank Street New London Connecticut GIFTS in Mystic 36 Broad St. Stonington

RCA APPLIANCES SALES & SERVICE ELECTRICAL CONTRACTING

Druggists and Stationers SHAUGHNESSY a WILLIAMS CLARENCE A. VARS, Ph. G. 41 West Main Street, Mystic, Conn. LOIS VARS, BA., B.S., M.A. We Service What We Sell Westerly, R. I 8-10 High St. 536-8144 536-9776 Telephone 596.2244 Our Advertisers' Historical Footnotes P. 0. Box 103 support makes it possible for the Stonington, Connecticut Society to give you this Bulletin.

Anderson-Packer Co., insurance Mystic Archie's Soda Shop and Luncheonette Mystic Borstow's Villoge Market Mystic B.auty Tyme, hoirdress.rs Pawcatuck lendeft's Specialty Shop Mystic Berry's Mystic Pharmacy Mystic Bindloss, oil, gas, hordwor. Stonington The Bookshop New London luck Electric, Inc. Stenington Claire's and Kerr'i, clothing Mystic Clark's Market, prim. meats Westerly Corn.r Pharmacy Stonington Coftrell's, gift shop Mystic Craft House, distinguish.d gifts Stonington Crossover Books Stonington kntnn 0aul-nos Bank Deyl.'i Service Station Mystic Du.rr's Ges Station Mystic Mystic, Connecticut Ernie's Delicatessen, fIn. feod Sfonington Ev.lyn Cole, r.aI .stat. Stonington Member F.D.I.C. Floodtide Restaurant Mystic Fr.nch Ci.oner. Mystic Fri.ndly Shop, gifts Mystic Gingham Gale, fabrics Mystic PHONE FRANK P. CROOKE We Specialize on CONNECTICUT Goodgeens, jeweleri Westerly 445-6362 OPTICIAN N. J. Gorra S Bro., fashion w.ar New London Lb j1ptic Jigookobop Greenhaven Inn, restaurant Pawcatuck The Groton Optical Co. Groton Motor Inn Groton Charles B. VInc.nt Groton Optical Co. Groton SNOFPERS' MART GROTON, COMM. 58 Main Street, Old Mystic, Conn. Groton Savings Bank Mystic Hartford National Bank & Trust Co. Hoidridge Farm Nursery l.edyard House of 1833, fashion w.or Old Mystic Hoxies Art Shop, paintings Mystic Toggle Hollow Greenhouses J & M Package Store Stonington Jennifer Ann, children's clothes Stonington John L. Lathrep, realtor Stonington Qulamboug Ccv., Rt. 1, Sf.nlngt.n, Conn. Kalamion's Rug Shop New London GIFT SHOP - BOUTIQUE Kaplan's Travel Bureau New London MYSTIC 535-0869 MYSTIC, cONN. Keane's News Office Stonington Jol. Anspr.ng.r Lucy D. Blake l(ent's Radio & TV Stonington 'I Miss J000, gifts Groton Mystic Ice & Fuel Mystic Mystic Motor Inn, motel Mystic KENT'S ERNIE'S DELICATESSEN Mystic Motors, Inc. Mystic and COFFEE SHOP New London Savings & Loon Groton Noyes, dry goods Mystic RADIO & TV 113 Water St., Stonington Old Mystic Bookshop, old books Old Mystic ERNEST VAN STIEPHAUDT, Prap. Palmer Auto Sales Stonington Flanders Rood, Stonington Prolect Hope New York 20, N. Y. Red Shed, antiques Old Mystic Roland's Market Stonington Sontin Chevrolet Mystic Paul Schepis, wines & liquors Stonington VOLKSWAGEN Seaport Ford, sales & service Stonington Sales & Service Shannon's Motors Stonington WElL MOTORS, INC. Shaughnessy & Williams, appliances Mystic Long 11111 Road, Groton Sugar & Spice, gourmet foods Stonington 117 — Stonington Art Gallery Stonington 445.7441 Stonington Auto Station Stonington Stonington Bookshop, gifts Stonington Stonington Department Star. Stonington Stoninglon Lumber Co., hardware Stonington Stonington Market Stonington Stonington Publishing Co., Inc. Stonington Toggle Hollow Greenhouses Mystic Gingham Gate Vors Bras., drugs and stationery Westerly In Mystic, Connecticut QQL TT)V Vaila, gifts Sloningtan Weil Motors, Volkswagen Groton FABULOUS FABRICS "The Crest of Fine Dining Wright Agency, insurance Mystic for You and Your House LUNCHEON DINNER SUPPER Headquarters for Knitters Open Every Day Thank Them at the by loyally supporting them regu- Needlepointers and MYSTIC MOTOR INN larly with your valued patronage. Crewel el's JUNCTION OF ROUTES 1 AND 27 Tel 535-3636