Town of Coventry Commemorative Brochure

For the 300th Anniversary - 2012

Published by the Coventry Tercentenary Committee - May 2012

All the land later known as Coventry, deed said there were already three settlers Tolland and Hebron had been left by there- John Sprague, Thomas Davis and Joshua, son of Uncas, Sachem of the Josiah Loomis. The triangle below this and Mohegan Indians, by his will made in 1676, adjacent to the Hop and Willimantic Rivers, to various men of Hartford, Saybrook and approx 1,500 acres, was deeded to the town Windsor. The will was considered highly in 1713/14 by Thomas and Dan irregular even though the legatees were Buckingham of Saybrook. among the most prominent men in the colony. The General Assembly finally The original land allocation included allowed the will to be probated on the 84 lots of 15-30 acres each. They were laid condition that the legatees act quickly to out on Ripley Hill bordered by Ripley Hill settle the lands. Disputes about title to the Road, Cooper Lane, Root Road and the lake; lands delayed matters for more then 35 on both sides of South Street from Pucker years. Finally the legatees agreed to settle Street to Daly Road; and on both sides of the claims. The Saybrook men took what High Street from the lake extending about was to be Hebron, the Windsor gentlemen two-thirds of a mile southeast. took Tolland, and the group from Hartford accepted Coventry as their share. The General Assembly ratified the agreement to the “plantation” of Coventry in May 1706, designating fifteen Hartford area men as equal owners of the land. Since twelve of the original legatees had died since Joshua’s will was made, and one had sold his right, a committee was appointed to arrange for the division of lands into lots.

The Committee completed their survey of the town bounds, “as near square as we can lay it”. This six-mile square encompasses Coventry and part of Andover, and is bounded on the north by Tolland, the west by Bolton, the east by the Willimantic River and on the south by the east-west portion of South Street (between Pucker and Plains Roads). The “Mile and a Quarter” is a strip of land just south of the above The town was incorporated on May 8th described and is one and one-quarter miles 1712 by the Connecticut General in width (north-to-south), approx 2,400 Assembly. acres. It was granted to the town by Peter Mason of New London in 1713/14 and the

The first tax was levied in 1712 and used The first road in town was South Street, then solely to pay for a minister and the church called "Long Street". building. For the Revolutionary War the tax rate was 2.5% on the estate.

2 Lake Wangumbaug

Lake Wangumbaug in summer as well as having a dock businessman, then in his later the Indian language means “lake for touring boats. With the years moved to Rockville, but of dew water” or “crooked lake”. advent of the trolley to was summering on the island in It is situated near the center of Willimantic in 1909, another the 1880's and '90's. Following town geographically, and is building was built for that, small cottages were built evidently of volcanic formation. recreational purposes. Both along today's Standish Road, The surface area is about 370 stand today on Lake Street. As Cheney Lane and Woodland acres and its maximum depth is the automobile became more Road around 1900 to 1909, when about 40 feet. Its watershed is prevalent, the lake became an the number totaled about twenty- 2,125 acres. The shore line at attraction for residents from one. (That number would grow to ordinary stage of water is five Willimantic and Manchester as a 125 by 1924, and 160 by 1934.) miles in length. The natural place to spend weekends in the outlet- the Mill Brook- was summer for fishing and dammed in the 1700’s then relaxation. Many individuals saw enlarged several times in the the opportunity here, and either early 1800’s. From the earliest purchased many of the farms or application of the water to divided their own farms into mechanical purposes (1716) it "lots" for sale to folks wishing to has afforded a uniform and have a summer "place". Most of constant a supply of water. The the original lots were 2,500 or water power of this lake has at 5,000 square feet with a right-of- various times in the past been way to a main road and to the utilized at sixteen places along lake. Lakeside "lots" were As families began to the Mill Brook’s two and on-half somewhat larger. Lots were sold afford automobiles in the 1920's mile course. with restrictions as to their and as the effects of the Great development and waste removal, Depression began to wither in Lake Wangumbaug was many would not allow the use of the 1930's, people looked for the primary attraction for the "intoxicating" beverages, and recreational opportunities away first English settlers in the very many had an annual fee (about from their primary homes. The early 1700's. Families from the four dollars) to be used for first recreational cottages were Connecticut River valley settled general maintenance of the area. built mostly by residents of here and incorporated the town Windham (on the southeast side in 1712. The first land allocations of the lake) and Manchester (the were farms of 15 to 30 acres near northeast side). Ownership and adjacent to the lake. A expanded to families from number of farms were created on Connecticut, New York and New Ripley Hill with a view to the Jersey as the realty companies lake, and more were created advertised and offered lots to a along today’s Cross and South wider audience. The original uses Streets adjacent to the lake. The included simple tents and camp first grist mill (1716) was fires for fishing weekends and established on the Mill Brook expanded to small cottages with where The Teleflex Corporation dug wells and rudimentary facility is today. The millers The first known septic areas. house (Thomas Porter) stood in recreational use of the lake front of the flea market on Lake properties was a cottage on the Beginning around 1910, Street. Properties surrounding north island (off Standish Road) and continuing for five decades, the lake included about nine in the 1870's. There are deed there was a virtual explosion of large farms which were active records for Brigham Payne (1831- small lots for recreational into the first part of the 1900's. 1911), owning the island. development around the lake.

Brigham worked for a local The Lisicke Beach area was the A pavilion was built on cartridge manufacturer in the old Clark farm until 1936 when it the lake around 1900 that sold mid 1800's. He moved to was sold to the Bevilles who ran ice cream and light fare in the Hartford and became a successful a concession stand and rented

3 boats for many years. Later, in The Actors Colony was 1930. The old Dimock house 1961, it was sold to the town. The the Parker farm to 1868 and sold remains today on Cross Street. Cheney Lane area was the old to the Beebes who maintained it Root farm to 1867, then sold to to 1928 and then sold to the Hillcrest was the old the Ayer family. They began Hinkels who divided it into 806 Manning estate that included the selling lots on the lake about lots of 100 x 25 feet. The first south island until 1906 when it 1900. cottage was erected about 1926. was sold to the Lake Waterfront Heights was Wangumbaug Land Association the old Clark farm (northeast of Gerald Park (and Avery and divided into 215 lots mostly Main Street) to 1936 then sold to Shores) was the Rose farm in 65 by 130 feet The first cottage Waterfront Realty and divided 1868 and sold to George Avery in was built ca 1914 though there into 940 lots most 100 by 25 feet. 1896 and then to James were earlier homes on the lake. Southwest of Main Street was Fitzgerald in 1920 and divided the old Austin farm sold to into 350 lots. Mr. Fitzgerald Hemlock Point was Waterfront Realty in 1936 who developed a few of the lots and originally the Root farm to 1850 divided the area into 507 lots. sold the rest to the Loesers and and then to various owners to The old Clark house remains the Hinkels. The first cottage 1945 when it was sold to today overlooking the beach. The appeared here about 1912. Hemlock Point realty and first cottage was built ca 1933. divided into 86 lots. The first Lakewood Heights was cottage appeared in 1946. the old Dimock estate until 1936 when it was sold to Katie The land encompassing Newcombe (wife of Harry, aka the lake associations includes Hank Keene), and divided into some 870 acres, mostly about 235 lots mostly 60 by 120 developed, and was at one time feet, the first cottage appeared in divided into a total of 5,740 small 1948. lots. Homes number about 1,180 today, with an additional 890 Lakeview Terrace was vacant lots, many only 2,500 the old Babcock estate until 1936 square feet. Oak Grove was the old when it was sold to the Austin farm to 1894 when a Beerworts and then to the portion was purchased by the Lakeview Terrace association Ayers family and divided into when it was divided into 300+ 170 lots (northwest of Daly Road) lots mostly 100 by 50 feet. The and 230 lots (between the road old Babcock house remains today and the lake). The first cottage and was, for a time in the 1940's appeared on the lake about 1900. and 50's, the Coventry Day

School. The first cottage was Bellevue was the Payne built about 1935. estate to 1868, and later sold to Daly, Rich and John Hand and divided into about 75 lots around 1930 when the first cottage was Lake Wangumbaug Threats built. Waterfront Park was the Wastewater, stormwater, old Tibbets farm until 1876, then sedimentation, and road runoff various owners to 1919 when it impacts have been quantified was sold to James Fitzgerald and and indicate that Coventry Lake then to Waterfront Realty in is a healthy ecosystem that has 1934 when it was divided into the characteristics of a high 380 lots (west of Daly Road) and quality water resource with a 700 lots between the road and Waterfront Manor was moderate amount of dissolved the lake. The old Tibbets house the old Dimock estate until 1936 nutrients. All physical, chemical, remains at the corner of South when it was sold to Orcutt & and biological evidence indicates Street and Daly Road. The first Bissel and then to Waterfront that if Coventry Lake has an cottages appeared ca1920. Manor and divided into 725 lots. increase in spring phosphorus The first cottage appeared in level, its resource quality will

4 decline. Restoration at that time loss has continued which could Recent surveys have would be costly, so preservation stimulate blue-green algae indicated small amounts of of the existing condition is growth. Zooplankton (which invasive species (curly pondweed desirable with preventative consume algae) population has and milfoil) in the lake which maintenance, primarily in the decreased somewhat, though not must be monitored closely. Steps limitation or elimination of alarmingly. Algae abundance has to eliminate them are being phosphorous from lawn increased over time, but the considered and the public needs fertilizers. general condition of the lake to be educated as to the source of remains stable with relatively these plants and their potential Other data shows that low phosphorous and a good iron negative effects on the lake. water clarity has decreased content. somewhat since 2000, and oxygen

The first house in town was about 1706 by The lake originally was about 2/3 the size it is

Samuel Birchard in the area of today’s Gerald today because there was no dam on the Mill

Park on the Lake. Brook.

Veteran’s Memorial Green

The Public Records of the Colony of Connecticut record that William Pitkin, Joseph Talcott, William Whiting, Richard Lord and Nathaniel Rust were charged in 1711 with laying out the Town of Coventry and "settling a minister of the gospel." The land was part of the trust east of the Connecticut River granted by "Joshua, Indian Sachem." Coventry Green was part of the church lawn until a road was cut in front of the building.

The Green is dotted with trees and is surrounded by Colonial residences interspersed with wooded fields. Once a training ground, it was the Veteran’s Memorial Green assembly site of those going off to fight in the Colonial Wars, the American Revolution, the War of Through the efforts of Royal Rose, who lived 1812 and the Civil War. A monument expresses the just south of the green, the U.S. government in 1928 townspeople's gratitude for their sacrifice, presented a commemorative cannon. An honor roll particularly noting 21-year-old Coventry-born school commemorates the men and women of Coventry who teacher-spy . The Friends of the Nathan served in World War II, while the Vietnam and Hale Memorial will be placing a life size bronze Korean Memorials cite those who gave their lives in statue of Captain Hale on the Green to celebrate the those conflicts. Nearby is the French Army Memorial 300th anniversary of his birthplace. erected "to pay tribute to the valor of General Rochambeau and the soldiers of his French army who One of the first women to own and operate a fought for American independence." factory in Connecticut was Sarah Bottum. She The first town clerk’s office was built in 1876 and is took over a silk mill (on Mason Street) at her now the Visitors Center in the Village. Prior to that, husband’s death in 1889 and operated it until all town records were kept in the town clerk’s 1901. private home. Virtually all those records exist today. Joseph Talcott, first native governor of the colony of Connecticut (1724-1741) was one of the The first ream of hand made paper in town was original land owners in Coventry. He received the produced by in 1795 by Elijah House in his mill land from his father John. Joseph resided in on the Skungamaug River near the Andover town Hartford and sold his Coventry land to several line. people.

5 Memories of Coventry

Written by long time resident Arnold Carlson, April 2011

In 1939 at 15 years I saw a little First Church and wrote a history Street became Coventry Day Coventry history. In 1937 the book. Dr. Higgins was busy with School for many years with the town received the Seymour site medical needs plus state and lake land used for Lakeview markers for significant sites. The national help for “Dirt roads”! Terrace subdivision. The Dimock WPA State Library group copied estate on Cross Street became old records in the Town Hall plus The sounds of bugle calls at the Waterfront Manor subdivision the Rochambeau troop graves at Salvation Army Camp could be and today the Long View Farm is Coventry Lake. Hale homestead heard across the lake at Oak the Crossen horse ranch, restored was still “Seymour private” until Grove. Today this is Patriots to perfection. The Ripley House the 1945 will. Frank Krasnickas Park. The second Salvation Army estate on Ripley Hill Road and Alan Olsen collected arrow camp site was never built in became the England farm and heads and bullet casings. The North Coventry when they England subdivision today. Most Woodworth cider mill operated moved to Ashford for a larger summer estates are gone today. (Lake Street) as did the fish line year-round facility. Today the factory (Monument Hill Road & Fox & Coon club maintains a Frank Krasnickas was born and Main Street). The National Silk facility for recreation. The lived on Route 31 and Sam Green Company (Mason St. and Crosby Camp on Merrow Road Road on a large family farm that Armstrong Road) had many operated a New York Fresh Air dates back to the 1700’s. As a employees and the roller rink Camp for many years. This camp school boy he learned about the was a summer operation. Meyers became the site for Coventry four companies in Coventry store and Wellwoods store Hills sub-division and condo which manufactured cartridges supplied the small population of housing. The “old cape” was sold for many guns. He was able to the Village. The Wolfe Ice House and restored. The Times Farm collect some and joined a cut ice blocks from the lake. Fresh Air Camp with a road collectors association. He later entrance from Andover provided moved out of town and expanded When Pratt & Whitney Aircraft camping for Hartford youths and his collection. He also helped began 24-hour production, many today is also a year-round nature other Coventry collectors. In new employees came to Coventry class. 2006 he published a 420 page for “Cottage” housing. Route 44 history of his information. He became a busy road. Some farms Several farms became summer passed away in 2007 leaving his received electricity from CL&P. estates for out-of-town families. brother Victor at the homestead. Rev. Robertson was active at the The Babcock farm on South

The most prominent Indian path in Coventry was The town’s first tavern keeper was Nathaniel called the “Olde Connecticut” path and was Rust who operated his tavern on the grounds of originally the only path leading from today’s “Daniel Rust House” on Main Street. Massachusetts to Connecticut. It followed Route 44 Jehiel Rose was licensed as a tavern keeper there from Bolton Notch to the intersection with Main in 1800. Another tavern was operated by William Street. It then followed Main Street to Sam Green Gardner on Ripley Hill Road (east side) and Road and then east to the present Route 44. It dates from prior to the Revolutionary War. It became the Boston Turnpike, when a company of serves as a B&B today. the same name was incorporated in 1797. The largest factory in town was the Mill Brook Woolen Company aka the Washington Mill. Its The first town-funded bridge was located on today’s main building was about 200 by 30 feet, three Pucker Street and crossed the Hop River. It is still stories and was located where the town garage named Roses’ Bridge as it was built on land deeded used to be located. It produced cassimere cloth, a to the town by Daniel Rose. Other river crossings at wool/cotton blend. It had up to 105 employees, 30 the time either had no bridge or one that was built looms and its power was water (30 HP) and by private citizens. steam (36 HP). It burned in 1885 at a loss of $100,000 and was not rebuilt.

6 Memories of Coventry

The following is taken from a paper written by Leonard Giglio about his life in Coventry.

Leonard came to Coventry employed at the Cheney mills, in In 1957 he purchased an at the age of twelve in 1919 to a the dressing mill on Pine Street. old house on Route 44 where his farm on Bread & Milk Street. He In 1926 his family purchased the descendents live today. Early in went to school at the #10 school on Oliver farm on Cedar Swamp 1958 he made plans to build a Cedar Swamp Road. He Extension. He wanted to start a supermarket on Route 44A. It was remembers building a float and gas station and general store, but named Allen’s Market. The taking part in a milking contest that dream never materialized. building houses Westons Auction winning second prize. The house today and is still in the Giglio had a party-line telephone. He In the spring of 1928, the family. He had to have the zone boarded with John Kingsbury for Cheney mills were losing work so changed to “commercial” and faced a few years and made $10 a Leonard took a job cutting wood a lot of opposition. A loan was month milking cows. The for Bill McKinney on Cedar approved in January of 1961. The Kingsburys retailed their milk in Swamp Road. He recalls betting building was finished later that Manchester and cut ice in the some of his friends that he could year, and Leonard was suffering winter from the Ash Brook pond cut five cords of wood in a day, with breathing problems and was in the back of the property. and working from 7AM to 5PM, he hospitalized for a time. The won the bet. In the 1930’s he lived grocery business did not do well He recalls the building of on South Road in Bolton and he until May of 1962 when he was the house which is now the cut and sold wood, worked for the able to get S&H Green Stamps, funeral home on Route 44. It was Town of Bolton and also for Harry then business almost tripled. built by a man named Pitkin in England doing carpenter work. He When Meadow Brook Shopping 1909 and sold to George Robertson also built stone walls and Center opened in 1972, business from Hartford in 1911. The house delivered milk. He rebuilt his fell. He increased the size of his later became a tourist home. The house in 1934. He did most of his building in 1974 and added a meat Pomeroy Tavern is mentioned shopping at Bolton Notch where cutting and an ice cream section. (#1801 Boston Turnpike) owned there was a railroad depot, a (Butterball Turkeys were $.69 a by Dr. Isaac Fisk who was the last general store and a coal and grain pound.) one in Coventry to raise tobacco. business. A bridge was built over Across the street was the Loomis the tracks in 1917. The first Library in town was house which had a sawmill and made possible by the legacy of lumber was cut year round. East The 1938 hurricane Mrs. Sarah Hale in 1803, with of the Grange Hall was Clarence destroyed every building on his a donation of $3,333. Sarah Fisk’s blacksmith shop which was property except his new house. All was the wife of John Hale, a destroyed in the 1938 hurricane. A his apple trees and corn crop were brother of Nathan. The new building was built where destroyed. Bolton Lake flooded principal use was for those Clarence shod horses and built and cut a 100-foot wide path wishing to study for the wagons and wooden sleds. through his property. They had no ministry. The library was Eventually the building was electricity for three weeks. operated by the First remodeled for apartments. Arthur Congregational Church. Vinton had a store and gasoline During WWII it became pump where Dimitri’s restaurant hard to get help even at $30 per Coventry’s medieval castle was now stands for many years. month with room and board. He built by E.L. Gardner prior to finally purchased a Case tractor in 1919 in Chester Mass. and was At age 15, Leonard took 1941 and his wife Alice would moved to Coventry and rebuilt over a milk route in Manchester, drive it. His farm was a dairy between 1929 and 1938. Then it peddling with a horse and wagon, farm during the war. After the had its own water-powered 17 the route taking ten hours to war they would clear more land kilowatt generator which was complete. At age 16 he got a job in and stones and stumps (a total of helpful during the 1938 a knitting mill on Manchester forty acres) to expand their farm. hurricane. It is located on Green and still delivered milk, Their neighbors were selling land South Street adjacent to the and also helped his brother Phillip for building lots. Skungamaug River. repair cars at Cooke’s garage in Manchester. Soon after he was

7 South Coventry Village

Coventry was incorporated in 1712 and for mill and an apple cider vinegar factory). The 1880’s nearly a century was a town of large scattered Tracy Mill on Main Street (produced recycled wool- farms. South Coventry’s “center” was on Lake Street shoddy), remnants of the Washington Mill ca 1880 where the church/meeting house, a school, the on Bradbury Lane (building to the right of the cemetery, the town clerk, a grist mill and a few chimney ca 1910, produced woolen cloth), and the small houses were located. Kenyon Mill on Armstrong Road (woolen cloth, and later various yarns).

The original church, located on High Street across from the Town Green burned in 1897.

Tracy Mill built about 1890

Lake Street house from the mid 1700’s. Kenyon Mill South Coventry Village, generally along Main Street and Depot Road, was created at the onset of the industrial revolution in the very early The Village began substantial development 1800’s. The Mill Brook, running two and one-half around 1812 concurrent with the emergence of the miles from Lake Wangumbaug to the Willimantic mills along the Mill Brook. Virtually all the River supported, over time, sixteen mill sites and buildings now standing were built due to the many of the houses were built for mill owners and demand for housing and services of the mills, and tenants for mill workers. The Village architecture later due to the wealth created by those mills. The ranges from early colonial through Victorian and area of Main Street between Stonehouse Road and includes Greek revival, Federal and Italianate. Snake Hill Road saw the first wave of development including Bradbury Lane, Woods Lane and School Street. Wall Street followed in the 1860’s and Prospect Street in the 1890’s.

Boynton Mill built in 1815

Four mill buildings remain including the

1815 Boynton Mill on Lake Street (produced wool #113 Lake St. built about 1772 carding machines, then Halladay’s windmills, a grist

8 it brought in material and coal and shipped out manufactured goods. Passenger service was ongoing through the mid 1900’s. All the buildings on Depot Road except the two at the corner of Main Street were built as a result of the mills (residences, tenement and a store).

#1129 Main St. built 1840- mill tenement

#143 Depot Rd. ca 1844, mill owner

#1218 Main St. Hotel built 1822

Depot Road- Development began on Depot Road about 1830 with a large mill on the brook making woolen cloth. The dam and pond remain, but the mill burned in the 1880’s. There was a revival of mill activity in the early 1900’s, but that ended just Depot Rd. Train Station built about 1850 after WWII. The train station was built in 1850 and train service was very helpful to all the local mills as The first patent granted to a Coventry resident was to John Boynton in 1811 for a wool carding In March of 1910 the Rockville-Willimantic machine which he produced at his mill on Lake Lighting Company added street lights to Main Street. Street in the Village, 25 of them, from Armstrong

Road to the Lake. Several residences and the public library were already wired and new wiring The first water-powered mill was a grist mill was placed on Wall and Prospect Streets and erected in 1716 and located at the corner of Main other short streets. Street and Monument Hill Road. It has been in continuous commercial operation since then- possibly a state record. The first automobile in town, a Stanley Steamer, was purchased by William Reeves, a foreman at the silk mill on Mason Street in October of 1903. The same month a Locomobile, produced in The first water company was formed in 1899. It Bridgeport, was purchased by George Phillips, a was called the South Coventry Water Supply druggist on the corner of Main and Mason Company and served many locations in the Streets. John Champlin bought a Cadillac in village by an underground piping system, June 1904. He lived on Main Street in the gravity-fed, from the Lake. Village.

9 Jesse Root

Jesse Root, the son of there were more opportunities General Assembly. He Ebenezer and Sarah Strong of for a young lawyer while purchased land in Hartford in Northampton was born 28 keeping his farm and house in 1784. He was one of the December 1736 in Coventry Coventry. His legal practice founders of the Hartford and died there 29 March 1822. grew and he set up an office County Bar Association and He attended college at on Main Street in Hartford, was appointed State’s Newark and Princeton from one block north of the Court Attorney in 1785, and in 1789 1752 to 1756. The curriculum House, and became very well- was appointed to be one of was designed to prepare known for his legal skills. four judges of the Connecticut students for the ministry. He Jesse was part of a group in Superior Court, where he then came home and began Hartford that prepared a became chief justice in 1796 his study of theology with the plan, and raised money, to and remained as such until he Rev. Lockwood of Andover take the British held Fort resigned in 1807. Jesse moved Society. In March of 1757 he Ticonderoga on Lake back to Coventry in 1790 was licensed to preach and, Champlain. Geo. Washington which entailed frequent 20- for a time, filled the pulpit at wrote, from New York, to mile trips to Hartford, but he the First Society Church near Jesse Root to raise money for wanted to be with his family. the lake. nine regiments of militia which he did successfully. During the War of He married Mary 1812, the older men in Banks in Newark, New Jersey He was commissioned Coventry, exempt from in 1758 and brought her to a captain in the Continental military service, organized a South Coventry. He gradually Army and was ordered to company under Colonel Jesse decided that law would be his raise a company of able-bodied Root. He continued to serve career rather than the men. He led that troop on foot his community until his ministry. He received a through western Connecticut death. He is buried in Nathan masters degree from Yale to the upper Hudson valley in Hale Cemetery. College in 1766 and was January of 1777. Later at age admitted to the bar of 40, he was named Lieutenant Windham County (Tolland Colonel. He remained with the County was not organized Connecticut forces in New until 20 years later) and Jersey and Pennsylvania for a practiced as the first and only time, then returned to lawyer in Coventry. Business Hartford. In October he was was slow, but he named to serve under the supplemented his income by Articles of Confederation at shop-keeping and inn-keeping the Continental Congress in at his home. He was elected as Philadelphia where he served The Jesse Root house on Main lieutenant of the local militia until 1783. He stayed in Street, one of the oldest in 1763. In 1767 he moved his Coventry practicing law and houses in Coventry. family to Hartford where representing the town in the

Famous vaudevillian, country-western singer The first article of clothing produced for and WTIC radio personality, Hank Keene (aka commercial sale in Coventry was “brown Harry Newcombe) lived in Coventry on South shirting” made by the Coventry Manufacturing Street from 1936 to the late 1950’s. He Company on Woods Lane in 1818 and sold by the developed Lakewood Heights. Daniel Buck Company in Hartford.

10 Daniel Halladay

Daniel was born in Marlboro Vermont, November 24, 1826. He apprenticed himself at the age of nineteen as a machinist and continued as a journeyman for six years. During this time he was foreman in the American Machine Works at Springfield and the machine works of Seth Adams and Company in South Boston. He had charge of the construction of the caloric engine invented by John Ericsson. During the World’s Fair in London in 1851, the caloric engine was part of the exhibit there in the Crystal Palace with Mr. Halladay supervising its erection and exhibition there.

Coventry’s wind turbine

Volunteer Fire Departments

Founded as a private corporation in 1936, The Coventry Volunteer Fire Association was originally the only fire department in town. The original fire station was located at 1216 Main Street just across from the Bidwell Tavern. The first chief was Arthur Woodward. This was the Returning to the U.S., Halladay became a home of the department for partner in a machine concern in Ellington Conn. for 64 years until May of 2000 a short time and then he moved to South Coventry, when the new station Conn., where he engaged in the manufacture of located across the street machinery under the name of the Halladay Wind from the Coventry Town Mill Company, from 1855 to 1863. The greater part Hall was officially dedicated. There is also a of the machines made were of his own design. He substation located on the corner of South and Judd accomplished what “the world of mechanics have road. sought in vain for centuries.” He put in operation a windmill with “self-furling” sails. The initial mill The North Coventry Fire supported a wheel of four paddle-shaped wooden Department, established in blades. A rigid rear vane always kept the wheel 1947, provides primary fire facing the wind. In light winds, the main blades protection to the northern faced the wind at an angle to derive the greatest portion of Town and rescue power. As the wind velocities increased, a services to the entire Town. centrifugal governor changed the pitch of the blades The first chief was Arthur to control their speed, all automatically with no Vinton. The department human assistance. In 1863 the company moved to has two stations. The main Batavia, Illinois to be closer to its customers and the station, a new building (2012) that replaced the business grew rapidly. Mr. Halladay eventually original built in 1950 is located at the corner of Main retired and moved to California and sold the Street and Wrights Mill Road and a substation is company for a handsome figure. located on Merrow Road at Laidlaw Park. The duties of the North Coventry Fire Department are not limited to fire suppression. They also include The first mass-produced metallic cartridge emergency medical services, HAZMAT operations, (ammunition) in the country was produced by technical rescue, vehicle extrication, ice rescue and Messrs. Crittendon and Tibbals at their factory mutual aid to surrounding departments. on Lake Street during the Civil War.

11 From the Town Manager

Coventry will celebrate its The First society, centered in the which flows two and one-half 300th anniversary in May 2012. village was created in 1712, the miles from Lake Wangumbaug to The land was known to the Second, north society, on the the Willimantic River. Sixteen Indians as “Wongumbaug” or Boston Turnpike was established mill sites were located here and, crooked pond from the shape of in 1740, and the third, or Andover over time, they produced 58 the large body of water within the society started in 1747. The early varieties of products mostly present town limits. It was set off people of Coventry were dairy and cotton, wool, silk thread and in 1706 to be divided by deed vegetable farmers, preachers, fabrics paper, woolen hats, holders from the legatees of early scholars of Yale and cartridges, wagons, paper boxes, Joshua, the third son of the Harvard, doctors, legislators, etc. Surrounding the brook is Mohegan sachem, Uncas. The judges, mill workers, shopkeepers South Coventry Village, an original town layout is a town- and patent holders. Here were the authentic 19th-century village with planning classic. The area was homes of Joseph Meacham, the majority of the present settled in 1709, named in 1711 pastor; John Potwine, silversmith; buildings built before 1900. from the city of Coventry in Daniel Burnap, clockmaker; England, and incorporated the Joseph Badger, miniaturist- Coventry Village was the following year. The land was fairly portraitist; Jesse Root, jurist; hub of activity from 1810 to the barren with trees and brush Lorenzo Dow, revivalist preacher; 1940’s. The mills there employed burned off to promote grazing John Turner, glass merchant, up to 400 people at their peak just land. John Boynton, manufacturer and after the Civil War. Industry and philanthropist; Henry Mason, commerce were augmented by the We are proud of our cartridge maker and Henry New London, Willimantic and history and our role in helping Farnum Dimock, lawyer and Palmer Railroad which was grow our nation with a long line of gentleman farmer. completed in 1850 and included a service to others and country. One station on today’s Depot Road. such example is our native son, Early leaders included Several businessmen/inventors the martyred patriot Captain Jesse Root (1736-1822), who was a provided the spark for industry in Nathan Hale (Yale College 1773), delegate to the Continental town. whose immortal last words on the Congress, 1778-1783, chief justice British gallows were: “I only of Connecticut, 1796-1807, a John Boynton patented a regret that I have but one live to member of the Hartford County textile carding machine in 1811 lose for my country.” Jeremiah Bar and who, in 1818, opened the and built a mill on Lake Street to Ripley, Continental Commissary, Constitutional Convention. In the build those machines. Daniel had a military provisioning depot 1880s, the South Coventry Library Halladay produced the first self- at his homestead on Ripley Hill Association was formed by a $500 governing windmill in Coventry in during the Revolutionary War for matching gift to the town for a the 1850’s. Addison Kingsbury pork, cider and gunpowder. The library. An old, small building was invented several machines for town was an important stop-over purchased in 1894 and served the making paper boxes and operated on the great Hartford-Boston town until the Booth and Dimock a mill on Mason Street from 1868 turnpike road opened in 1798, and Memorial Library was dedicated through the Great Depression. starting point of the Windham in 1913. Franklin Delano James Morgan built a silk factory Turnpike to Norwich (1820). Roosevelt was the attorney for the on Mason Street and employed transaction. The Library was many women who made thread The town’s population enlarged in 1989. and silk fringe. The wealth grew to about 2,100 residents in created by the mills contributed to 336 families by 1790 and From the beginning of the the varied architecture of the remained relatively constant until industrial revolution until the village with many homes, after WWII when suburban 1930’s Coventry’s waterways originally constructed by mill housing development exploded. supported one of the highest owners and very stylish, Today’s residents number almost concentrations of mills in New remaining today. Mulberry trees 13,000. The town was “divided” England. Thirty-six mill sites were grown to feed silkworms. into three societies connected to have been identified with the the early congregational churches. majority located on the Mill Brook

12 Coventry Lake, aka Lake and also at the training ground and to French soldiers who fought Wangumbaug is a natural, spring- near the lake. under Rochambeau, died of fed body of water covering about smallpox and are buried in 400 acres. It was a hunting and More than 116 men rallied Coventry. fishing resource in pre-Colonial in Coventry to answer the times, and, as the town was Lexington Alarm. Local graves In 2008, a statewide settled, became the site of several show the sacrifices made in the memorial was dedicated on early farms. It was a powerful French and Indian War, War of Veterans Memorial Green, the water source for the industrial 1812, and those afterward. In his original training ground, to the period in the 19th century. And return march from Yorktown in 612 Vietnam War dead from the finally, in the early 1900s, its 1782, Count de Rochambeau state. The dedication culminated beauty and recreational powers recorded that he spent the night the efforts of one Coventry drew vacationers, cottage at Kimball’s Tavern in Coventry. woman, Jean Risley, who was residents and even an Actor’s Washington recorded a similar inspired by local schoolchildren Colony of mostly vaudevillians entry when he “breakfasted at one and their project to compile stories who summered and retired there. Brigham’s in Coventry,” a site of the veterans into a book. It has been a recreational venue that later served the Underground Risley’s brother was one of the ever since. Railroad. 612.

Celebrations would be Coventry businesses often The decade of the 1960’s held at Lakeside Park (now supported the war effort. Deacon was significant for the town. Lakeview Restaurant area), with Richard Hale, the father of the Officials and prominent residents rides, boat trips and dances at the young war hero, banned his family succeeded in building the high pavilion. A trolley to the lake from from using wool from their farm, school in 1961 which meant Willimantic was constructed in saving it to make into blankets students did not have to travel to 1906 and provided transportation and clothing for the Revolutionary Willimantic or Manchester. The to Willimantic and Norwich for troops. present Town Hall building was visitors and residents alike for dedicated in 1964. Coventry has nearly two decades. A casino was A munitions shop run by had a Council/Manager form of built on the site and, in the 1930s Crittendon & Tibbals produced government since 1967 when the and ’40s, large crowds would enjoy millions of percussion caps for the selectmen of both parties decided the big band tunes of Sammy Civil War and were one of the first a professional manager was Kaye and Jimmy Dorsey. in the country to produce metallic needed to handle upcoming cartridge ammunition. The development pressures. Allen’s Vaudevillians Bill and Burkamp Mill made parachute Market on Route 44 and Coventry Mabel Loeser bought land, in the cords for the soldiers until it Corners on Main Street were built 1920’s, on which they sold lots and burned down in 1942. in 1961 which significantly built rental cottages. As the word increased retail space in town. spread, more and more Stories of slavery crop up entertainers came to Coventry in town history. In the Jesse Root Since its industrial Lake such as George Hinkle, Homestead, on Route 31 near heyday, commercial growth in James Fitzgerald and Hank Keene Ripley Hill Road, slave quarters Coventry has been slow. Many from the big cities to vacation and are located in the basement and, citizens hold fast to its rural and settle and develop lots on the according to legend, one of the historic bearing, a mission southeast shore. A trio of slaves is buried beneath the floor. incorporated in town planning showmen staged a Gay Nineties Jesse Root, a town leader and documents. A turning point in act as an annual fundraiser to state court justice, reported town development may have been develop the roads in the area. owning three slaves in the 1790 the early 1970s, when DevCo, the census. Some rough woolen goods Community At the time the first school from the mills were believed to Development Corp. formulated a was built, in 1728, two military have clothed slaves. plan to build 6,000 housing units companies were formed. They to serve a town of 20,000 within trained across from the home of Coventry is a place that the existing town. Devco began Jeremiah Ripley, a continental honors its war dead, with buying rights to develop farmland commissary who kept a military monuments to those who fought in north of Route 44. The public provisioning depot on Ripley Hill, World War II, Korea and Vietnam, organized protests, slogans (“Keep

13 the Cows in Coventry”), songs under the label “The Farmer’s does a police department, and fundraisers. A 1974 Cow.” distinctive for its full-time local newspaper poll showed 92 percent staff, a departure from most rural of Coventry citizens were opposed Adelma Grenier Simmons towns that are protected by state to the idea. Financial supporters (1903-1996) developed herbal troopers or local constables. from Chase Bank withdrew their gardening into a popular hobby, Coventry High School, Capt. money and the project fell showcasing her Caprilands farm Nathan Hale Middle School, through. on Silver Street. By the 1950s, George H. Robertson Intermediate hundreds attended her lectures, School and Coventry Grammar Entrepreneurial successes read her books and dined at her School serve the students. echo the rural mission. The farmhouse restaurant, where Coventry Farmers Market, held meals included unique herbal As we celebrate 300 years, Sundays on the grounds of the tastings and edible flowers. The we reflect and are grateful to Nathan Hale Homestead, is Coventry Historical Society, those who preceded us. As we look considered one of the biggest in formed in 1952, owns several to the future we know that the state, based on crowd sizes properties with the Strong-Porter Coventry will be a good place to and the number of local vendors. House being their research center, live and to raise the next A Coventry dairy farmer and a and they hold several community generation of children that will consortium of others in eastern events each year. become part of our wonderful Connecticut made headlines in community. 2005 when they marketed their Two volunteer fire milk, available in grocery stores departments serve the town as John Elsesser Town Manager

Businesses

The longest continuously operating commercial and it has had several owners since then. It was site in Coventry is located on the corner of originally a “general” store, becoming a grocery Monument Hill Road and Main Street. It started store in the 1900’s, an antique shop in the 1970’s as a grist mill in March of 1716. The grist mill and 1980’s and a country store since then. continued operation until the mid 1800’s and shared space with a cotton batting and shoddy mill The Bidwell Tavern on Main Street was originally for a time. In 1880 the site was purchased by part of the adjacent Bidwell Hotel from the early Thomas Wood who made silk fish line there until 1800’s. The current tavern was established in 1964 1961 when it was sold to the Sutures Company when the town sold the building, previously used who made medical sutures on the same machines as town hall and its widely known for its food and used to make silk fish line. The site has been historic nature. owned by several medical companies, the latest is Teleflex who make plastic sutures and for part of The longest existing retail/service business in the their processing, use the same machines that Welles Real Estate Agency on Main Street. The Thomas Wood installed in the shop in the 1890’s. Business was started by Ruth Welles as an Insurance/real estate agency in 1932. The longest continuously operating retail site is the Coventry Arts & Antiques on Main Street The currently existing commercial business with adjacent to the library. The store was built the longest continuous operation is the National adjacent to an existing house in 1845 by Walter Ribbon Company on Main Street in the Village. Loomis. Mr. Loomis owned the store until the They make “Lady Fair” wrist corsage bracelets and 1860’s. It changed hands several times until 1901 are one of the few companies still doing so. The when it was purchased by William Wellwood. The company was moved here from Long Island in the site is now generally referred to as the “Wellwood” 1960’s store. The Wellwoods operated the store until 1963

14 Early Articles in the Connecticut Courant: 1764-1769

The first college graduate in Coventry was Reverend Joseph Meacham, first minister in Coventry in 1712. He graduated at Harvard in 1683.

(Dr. Kimball lived on Boston Turnpike across from the now Peracchio farm)

227 men volunteered from Coventry to serve in the Revolutionary War: fourteen gave their lives in that service.

Ethan Allen's father, Joseph, bought his first house in Coventry, then moved (ca 1736) to Litchfield where Ethan was born.

(Mr. Turner’s works was located behind the old firehouse on Main Street in the village)

15 Coventry Historical Society

The Coventry Historical Society, formed several outbuildings, including a carpenter in October of 1952, is a non-profit group shop, carriage sheds, and barn are open to the dedicated to discovering, collecting and public. Of special interest is the 19th century preserving whatever pertains to the history of privy, recently returned to its original location the Town of Coventry and promoting historical and accurately restored. The Great Barn research in all its aspects and making available Foundation, located at the back of the property to the members of the Society and to the public, was uncovered in 2002. The barn originally the results of this research. The Society stood two-stories high, with livestock housed on provides local schools with materials and the upper, ground level floor that was accessed resources to tell children the story of Coventry's by ramps at either end of the barn, and rich history and its place in the history of our equipment and other farming implements being great nation. General membership meetings of housed on the lower level. the Coventry Historical Society are held in conjunction with special events several times a year. Go to www.ctcoventryhistoricalsociety.org for specific information. The Society's newsletter, The Signpost, is sent to members as well as other local historical societies and interested organizations.

BRICK SCHOOL MUSEUM Brick Schoolhouse - built 1823-25, is located on Merrow Road. This school is the center of study and research on what school was like in the early 20th century up through present day schools. The Society's Education Director, Ginney Dilk, has been working diligently to STRONG-PORTER MUSEUM Strong-Porter collect oral histories from people who attended Museum (2382 South Street) - circa 1730, is school in the one-room schoolhouses in listed on the National Register of Historic Coventry, and they will be available for public Places and serves as the Historical Society's viewing. Museum. Several rooms of the house, as well as

16 Farming

There are about 3,300 homestead and barn and acres of land in Coventry vegetable garden, pasture for classified as farm land. About 40% grazing livestock, grain fields and of that is wooded and most of the a wood lot. rest is actively farmed. There are also many small “farms” on Indian corn was the residential property where preferred first crop as the field residents raise chickens, alpacas, required no plowing, hoeing or goats, llamas and others. manure. Ashes from cleared land Coventry zoning regulations have provided some fertilization. One specific areas designated as man could plant one acre per day. “Commercial Agriculture” and Within each hill of corn was often Early deeds and historical allow limited farming and raising planted squash or bean seeds. records mention several orchards of animals on residential land. In Squash grew among the corn and in the North Society. Ebenezer 2011 the Coventry Agriculture beans climbed the stalks. After Stiles and Gad Hunt owned farms Committee was formed with the the first few years, wheat or oats, of at least 100 acres on Broadway expressed goal of establishing a vegetables, herbs, leeks, melon, just west of the Skungamaug, “right to farm” ordinance and to gourds, radishes, cabbage, peas which held thriving apple provide education and assistance and asparagus could be planted. orchards in 1740’s and for some to those currently engaged in all Rye was used to make beer and time later. Nathaniel Root’s types of farming and also those oats were used for animal feed. (Boston Turnpike and North River wishing to start a farm. Swine and cattle dominated the Road) property contained an livestock; little horse breeding was orchard in 1809. There were done locally. No fowl were raised hundreds of acres of apple as wild turkey, duck and chickens orchards in town in the 1700’s and were plentiful. Sheep were not 1800’s. Most all were cultivated by practical at first due to the local farmers using seeds from prevalence of wolves. Massachusetts and Rhode Island farms whose seeds originated in England in the 1600’s. Apple cider provided the most prevalent source of liquid refreshment for more than 100 years.

Early residents first settled on what grasslands they found for their cattle and began chopping down trees (for timber Until the late 1700’s, folks and cooking and heating) and were generally subsistence removing rocks to plant crops. farmers, consuming pea or bean Oxen were the prevalent work porridge or broth from boiled salt animals. Much of the land in meat mixed with meal and Coventry had been burned sometimes hasty pudding (flour or During the Revolutionary frequently by the Indians to oatmeal in seasoned or sweetened War, Coventry farms provided provide clear paths for their water or milk and quickly cooked) food and blankets to soldiers and arrows and to keep down the flies. and milk. The common bread was provisioned the army with large It was said that when the settlers made from Indian cornmeal or rye amounts of hogs and cider. arrived, an ox cart could be driven flour. Early farmer’s tools Jeremiah Ripley (Ripley Hill over most of the land in Coventry included the plow, hoe, pitchfork, Road) was a provisioning agent for with only saplings to drive shovel and cart made of wood the army. Cider was not the sweet through. Residents allocated their though sometimes a blacksmith cider of nowadays, but a property for the following would plate them with strips of fermented alcoholic beverage. purposes: a small portion for the sheet iron.

17 By the 1780’s the soil was Up to 1870 about 40% of Towards the end of the nearly exhausted, as crop rotation the land in the area was cleared century, while many farmers were and fertilization were not used for farming. By 1860 that striving for efficiency to compete extensively. Farmers began percentage reached 70% as a peak with farms in the middle of the migrating to upper New England and has fallen continuously since country, a new type of farmstead and then to the midwest where then. appeared in Connecticut: the land was inexpensive and more gentleman's farm. While fancy fertile. The remaining farmers The 1850 Federal Census barns had been a hallmark of began to concentrate more on a of Agriculture indicates Coventry economic success since early in livestock based (meat and dairy) held: 214 farms containing 15,636 the history of the state, these enterprise rather than crop based, acres of improved land and 5,196 barns were something new. Men and learned to employ crop acres of unimproved land totaling who had made fortunes in areas rotation and the use of fertilizers. nearly 90% of all the land in town. unrelated to farming began to The largest farms were Fred acquire farms as symbols of their Manning- 200 acres (Cross wealth. The barns on these Street), John Woodward- 220 properties were part of giant acres (Merrow Road and Goose complexes that combined the Lane) and Eleazer Pomeroy- 190 luxury of a weekend retreat with acres (Boston Turnpike). Over the grit of a working farm. Of 24,000 bushels of corn oats and course, the grit was kept out of rye were produced that year. The sight and the farms were as likely farms held 224 horses, 600 milk to produce prize animals as cows, 404 oxen, 909 other cattle, saleable crops. Some examples of 2,440 sheep and 495 swine. Farm these “gentlemen farms” include products included Irish potatoes, the Babcock/Prince place on South Indian corn, rye, oats, buckwheat, Street (later the Coventry Day clover, and honey. School), the Hale homestead Thomas Porter's (South owned by the Petersens of New Street) account book from 1787- York City, and several farms in 1812 provides a glimpse of the the South/Cross Street area activity on a typical large farm. owned by Henry Dimock, born in Wood, vinegar, turnips, potatoes, Coventry, but now a prominent pork, veal, cheese, butter, tallow, New York City lawyer. apples, quinces, corn, oats, hay, rye, beans, and a variety of cloth including shirting, white linen, and silk are indicated in the Nathan Potter owned a account book. Often rented were farm in southern Coventry in 1893 oxen and horses; labors included near the Willmantic River. It dressing flax and cradling rye. contained 140 acres of which 60 Thomas bought rum, tea, and were tillable. His herd of Jersey earthenware. Hired by Thomas, cows numbered thirty, of which possibly for textile production, twenty-two were giving milk. were two women, who apparently Thirty pounds of butter were Surveys in 1930 reveal labored in exchange for cash, churned each day using an that Coventry held 210 farms with snuff, shoes, rum, and other items. endless chain run by a 150-pound ~16,200 acres dedicated to St. Bernard dog. 250 quarts of farming or woodlots. Dairy Silk making flourished in sweet creamery milk were also farming was still substantial, but the area in the early 1800’s and produced daily. The butter was chicken breeding had become between 1800 and 1834 there were sold for thirty cents a pound and popular too. Relative to 1850, the a number of “silk orchards” - the milk for 2-1/2 cents a quart. number of farms was about the mulberry trees - which were a The products are well packaged same, but the acreage used had good environment for silkworms. and always contain a little more dropped about 20%, and livestock Two notable orchards were than the advertised weight. The was more prevalent now than Dimmick’s between Main and daily revenue of $15 provided a crops. Chicken farms appeared in High Streets and Bacon’s near relatively prosperous living. Coventry in the 1930’s and Springdale Avenue.

18 continued through the 1950’s. Melody Farm on South Street has grow crops to feed the animals. Some of the owners included; been in the Welles and Brainard Miller, Haven, Lipsky, Seplowitz, family since 1916. For over 40 Now the farm at the top of Popples, and Zimmerman. Most years in the mid-1900’s it was a the hill in Coventry has the fourth were breeders. It is estimated that full service dairy farm. generation of Peracchios working there were over a million chickens the land. Bill, Tom, and now Bill's in Tolland County in the 1930’s. A Hytone Farm's history son, Greg, work together to chicken by-products plant began in Coventry in 1944 when produce quality milk on the family operated on Hop River Road for a Giovanni Peracchio purchased the farm. They raise all their own short time in the ‘50’s but was land to grow fruits and vegetables Holstein cows for the farm and closed due to health concerns. with his son, Tony. A few cows currently have 165 young stock. were raised to milk during the Crops grown for the animals winter months, so year-round consist of 220 areas of corn for income could be ensured. In 1960, silage and 130 acres of grass for when Giovani retired, Tony silage. Hytone Farm has received purchased the farm and shifted many Distinguished Farming the farm to dairy cows, as demand awards through the years. They for New England vegetables recently formed a consortium and changed. Tony's two sons, Bill and produce the “Farmer’s Cow” brand The Edmondsons came to Tom, grew up doing chores and of fresh, local, hormone free milk. Coventry in 1932. The McKinneys learning how to operate the family taught them to raise chickens, farm. As the herd of Holsteins cows, and to start a garden. The grew, more land was acquired to

Sharing a Few Memories of Growing Up in Coventry

By Elizabeth (Betty) Pollansky Gonci and even a plum tree. Currant bushes were located I was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut on along the walk way as a hedge. My parents kept a May 11, 1917. I can’t believe it…at this age, being large garden. We had cows for milk, butter, and asked to write about how it was growing up in cottage cheese. We had a butter churn to make the Coventry. I am the oldest of nine children born to butter. The farm had chickens for eggs and these Michael and Julianne Varga Pollansky. Both were regularly harvested for meals. Mother always parents were born in Hungary, coming to the United made a pot of chicken soup or roasted a chicken when States in the early 1900’s. Around 1918 they company was expected. The farm also had pigs. One purchased a farm on Cassidy Hill Road in Coventry. or two pigs were butchered for use during the winter. The farmhouse was very old, built around 1750. The Naturally, we used all the parts of the pig in some homestead had a barn, an ice house, a blacksmith way. Mother made sausage and bacon and prepared shop next to the house, a smoke house for preserving her own lard. Some of the meat was seasoned in the meat and an out-house (toilet) hidden in the back of smoke house. I helped to can most of the garden the blacksmith shop. Father bought large quantities vegetables. Typically, we canned hundreds of jars. of flour, sugar, coffee beans (ground with a coffee We canned pickles, relishes, tomatoes, juices, stewed grinder), salt and pepper. Such items were bought in tomatoes, string beans, and applesauce. We would bulk because the country store was miles away. To slice some apples and air dry these for treats in the get to the store, one had to walk or use a horse and winter. wagon. Going to the store took most of the day and along the way, there were few houses and you did not Mother would bake all our breads. Typically typically see anyone along the way. A Mr. Clough eight loaves would just fill the oven. Sometimes she owned the country store in the center of Tolland. would make one or two loaves with raisins and cinnamon. When this happened, we would be close The old house was cold with no insulation. by the stove waiting for the baking to end. Mother is The cellar had a dirt floor with bins for potatoes and remembered for so many preparations of food. Her apples. The cellar had shelves to hold jars of canned pie crusts were ever so flakey, using the lard. When vegetables and jellies. There was a box of sand to she made pies, she typically made half a dozen. hold carrots and parsnips for winter keeping. The Certainly if she made only one pie, within a couple of farm had a large apple orchard but included pears minutes there would be only crumbs left.

19 With the large garden, we had beautiful big was our source of heat for the home and for cooking. watermelons for treats during haying time. We had When the children were quite young, without such large hubbard squash that mother would bake for us help, father would have to cut this wood with mother when we came home from school. These large working by his side. All this cutting was done squashes had such hard shells that mother would manually. Our home had no electricity, therefore need an axe to get to the contents. The garden had there was no radio. Also, there was no newspaper. all types of vegetables. For extra income, dad We really did not see people very often. When planted a large field of cucumbers for sale to the strangers came to the house, we would hide under Silverlane Pickling Company in East Hartford. The the bed. pickles were sorted by size and large bags (hundreds of pounds) of these pickles were sold. The main It was one of my jobs to see that the lamp source of income was milk. Large cans of milk were globes were washed and filled with oil. Laundry was sold. Each month, we received a check for the milk. done on a scrub board and of course the water was My parents waited for these checks just as people heated on the wood stove. wait for their social security checks today. In those days, there was no social security program. I remember walking to the little brick school with other children joining along the way. I did not I remember a peddler who regularly came start school until I was eight years of age because I from Willimantic. His name was Sheehan Haddad. wanted some company walking to school. I waited He had a van-type vehicle and sold various types of until my younger brother John turned six then we clothing including cover-alls, footwear, underwear, started school together. There was no kindergarten and other items. I hated to launder the dungarees at any school. The distance was at least three miles (now called jeans) because they were so stiff and and the road bed was dirt. It was often muddy and strong. Mr. Haddad knew there was not much typically slippery in the winter. Mabel Walbridge money for purchasing so, in return, he would receive was my first grade teacher. The family spoke vegetables from the farm. I also remember that Hungarian at home and I went to school not knowing Viking Bakery came with breads. Mother would buy any English. Ms. Walbridge taught me English a large, round loaf of rye bread that was still warm. sitting on the front stone steps of the school. My This loaf was so large that she had to secure it under younger siblings had it a little easier as they learned her arm to slice it. The bread tasted so good eaten basic English from me and my brother John. I with the homemade butter. remember Mr. Skelton who lived behind the school. He would start the fire in the stove at the school. Flour and sugar came in white sacks. Mother There was a woodshed in the back of the school. On would boil the emptied sacks to remove the labeling. each side of the woodshed were the toilets, one for the She had a foot-operated Singer sewing machine. On boys and one for the girls. During the winter, some stormy days, she made sheets, pillow cases, diapers, of the parents made a path to follow through the dish towels and bloomers for us girls with the sack snow. There was no town snow plow. Sometimes we material. She also did a lot of mending, often putting did not know where the road was when the snow was patches on top of patches, especially on the knees of very deep. During and after those snow storms, the coveralls to extend their life. In addition, for a there was no one else on the road except us kids while, grain for the chickens came in bags with floral going to and from school. All nine of us kids attended patterns. Mother made kitchen curtains, covers for the little brick school from first to sixth grades. After the featherbeds, aprons, and other items from these going to this school, I remember walking to route 44 grain bags. Aprons were very useful garments. to get the bus to the Red School on route 44 for the Mother wore an apron all the time. 7th and 8th grades. If we missed the bus, we would have to walk home. We would bring vegetables and There were two bachelors (brothers) that made a pot of vegetable soup in the winter for lunch. lived in a shack up the road. Their names were This was eaten with our homemade bread and jelly George and Harris Andrews. George would drop by sandwich. We had our own metal cups and spoons. once in a while to visit. Father realized that he was a Someone would bring water from the outside well good woodsman. Father asked him to cut the wood which had a hand-pump. for us; sometimes he did cut wood for a meal or a few dollars. We consumed a lot of wood because it

The Coventry Glass Company was formed in 1813 on the corner of Route 44 and North River Road. The War of 1812 created a market for glass formerly served by English manufacturers. Their products included medicine bottles, inkstands and commemorative flasks. The very first American portrait flask was produced here in 1824 to commemorate Lafayette’s visit to the U.S. The company left town in 1845.

20 Coventry Regional Farmers Market

Since 2004, the Coventry Regional “Connecticut’s Favorite Farmers’ Market” Farmers' Market’s mission has been to provide a American Farmland Trust, August 2011. profitable market for growers of agricultural “After traveling to over 50 markets while products and local food producers who sell those writing my book, Markets of New England, I can products directly to the consumer, and to build honestly say that the Coventry Regional community support and awareness of the value Farmers’ Market is easily one of the top five of Connecticut agriculture. The Market is held events in the region.” - Christine Chitnis. June through October, Sunday from 11 am to 2 pm on the grounds of the Nathan Hale The income derived by participating Homestead at 2299 South Street in Coventry, farmers, food producers who purchase locally- Connecticut. 2012 marks the eighth season, the grown ingredients, and handcraft artisans is fifth year at the Hale Homestead. The market extremely critical to their small, independent draws 75,000 visitors annually and generates businesses. sales exceeding $350,000 and is considered a “destination market” drawing nearly 50% of its The Coventry Regional Farmers Market patrons from beyond the local area. The market has become one of CT’s largest direct retail is run by a volunteer committee that operates agricultural marketplaces. Over 50 “regular” under a registered 501(c)3 organization. vendors participate each Sunday, June through October, and about 175 guest vendors join the market one or more times throughout the season. In 20 market days last year, the CRFM did over half a million dollars of sales and was visited by over 75,000 people. Vendors report that sales at the Coventry Regional Farmers’ Market range from 25% to 90% of their total farm income. Cato Corner Farm reports sales at the Each market is a themed celebration of Coventry Regional some aspect of Connecticut agriculture such as Farmers’ Market in three hours has on several the Beet-nic Bash, Seaside Social, and Fiber occasions this year exceeded ten hours of sales Twist. In its eight years of operation, the at New York City’s Union Square Green Market, Coventry Regional Farmers’ Market has grown with Coventry also saving them 4 hours of drive to become one of New England’s most acclaimed time and about $50 on the daily vendor fee. farmers’ markets. Additional benefits for vendors include the opportunity to generate wholesale accounts, sell “Best of the Best” Connecticut Farmers’ CSA shares, promote on-farm sales, enjoy strong Market, May 2011, Boston Magazine. marketing efforts and frequent media attention, “Best Farmers’ Market in Connecticut” July- and spark new customer relationships. Specialty August 2011, Yankee Magazine. food producers at the Market are encouraged to source locally-grown ingredients and many The first postmaster in town was Silas Hibbard purchase directly from farmers on market days, in 1802 and the office was located west of the further increasing sales for farmers. Second Church. In 1820, Jeremiah Parrish of

Cooper Lane was appointed the first postmaster of South Coventry. 21

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS (For updated information, see the town website www.coventryct.org)

MARCH 2012 AUGUST 2012 Saturday, March 10th GIRL SCOUTS will hold an open house, with activities, at the high school Saturday August 5th REMINISCE DAY at the cafeteria 1-4 PM, public is welcome. Brick School 1-4PM. Visit with one-room school alumni. Saturday, March 31st AMAZING RACE. See who knows the most about Coventry. Teams gather at Friday August 24th 7-11PM ROARING '20s Strong-Porter Museum, 2382 South St. at 1 PM. Dance, Patriots Park Lodge, Live band & MAY 2012 refreshments. Donation. Sponsored by the Coventry Senior Center. Sunday, May 6th FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH COLONIAL SERVICE. 10:30 AM All SEPTEMBER 2012 are invited. Saturday, Sept. 8th Jubilee Day of Play! Join Saturday May 18th 1-6PM, 19th & 20th 10AM- Parks & Recreation as we celebrate Coventry’s 6PM FIBER ARTS FESTIVAL at the Hale 300th Anniversary with a day of celebrations! Homestead, Sheep-to-Shawl competition. Celebrations will all be held at Patriots Park. The Saturday & Sunday May 19th or 20th 300 Coventry Boy Scouts will also be on hand with YEARS of COVENTRY QUILTS. Outdoor display their Pinewood Derby track! 9AM – 8PM. of 50-75 quilts. $5 donation, Noon to 4 PM, Strong-Porter Museum 2382 South St. Sponsored Saturday, Sept. 22nd GALA BALL at Georgina's, by the Coventry Historical Society and the 275 Boston Tnpke, Bolton. (Black tie optional) Tercentenary Committee. Social hour 6-7 PM (cash bar), Dinner 7:00PM followed by music and dancing. Advance tickets Sunday, May 20th Antique Glass and Bottle required: $45/person. Contact Joyce Bonney at Show at the Glass Museum, Route 44. 860-742-0332 or [email protected]. Monday, May 28th MEMORIAL DAY PARADE Sponsored by the Anniversary Committee. at 10 AM Saturday, Sept. 29th SCARECROW CONTEST JUNE 2012 setup on the Green by First Niagara Bank, corner Date to be determined, Dedication of the of Rts 31 & 44. Time: TBD. Sponsored by the NATHAN HALE STATUE on the Town Green, Coventry Recreation Dept. Lake Street. Saturday, Sept. 29th 300th ANNIVERSARY Thursday, June 14th, FLAG DAY, the Knights of PARADE. 10 AM. GHS School to Bradbury Lane. Columbus will display and have information on all Rain Date Sept. 30, 2PM. Sponsored by the 27 versions of the US Flag from 3-8 PM at the Coventry 300th Anniversary Parade Committee. Knights of Columbus Hall, 138 Snake Hill Road.

Sunday, June 17th SUNDAE ON A SUNDAY Sept. 30th Deadline for Coventry PHOTO from 1-4 PM. Visit the Brick School (1019 Merrow CONTEST Entries; see website for information. Rd) for a delicious sundae. $1.50/sundae, Dad’s sundae is free. Sponsored by the Coventry OCTOBER 2012 Historical Society. Sunday, Oct 7th, HALLOWEEN PARTY AT Saturday, June 30th CoventryFest at Patriots BRICK SCHOOL (Merrow Road) for children 8 Park sponsored by the Knights of Columbus. and under. Games, stories, crafts, food. Costumes Starts at 3 PM. Rain date July 1, 2012. optional. Reservations preferred 860-742-9656, $2/child. Sponsored by the Coventry Historical JULY 2012 Society. Saturday & Sunday, July 28 & 29th HALE AT Saturday, Oct 6th, TEA & FASHION SHOW at THE HOMESTEAD 11Am to 4PM. Saturday: Patriots Park Lodge. 11AM. Tea & pastries served encampment of Revolutionary War soldiers, w/fashion show to follow. Price: $20. To purchase artisans and camp followers. Sunday: musical tickets contact: Bev Rice at (860) 742-5508 or muster and parade at noon. Sponsored by the email [email protected] or Joyce Bonney at Nathan Hale Ancient Fife & Drums and the 860-742-0332 or [email protected]. Nathan Hale Homestead. Sponsored by the 300th Anniversary Committee. 22 Saturday, Oct 13th SCARECROW CONTEST DECEMBER 2012 winner announced, Time: TBD. Sunday, Dec 2nd Christmas in the Village. Kids Wednesday. Oct 31st Memorabilia due for the Photo Contest results announced 1PM. time capsule burial. Capt. Nathan Hale School students. Capsule to be opened 2037. Tercentenary Committee Members:

NOVEMBER 2012 300th Anniversary Parade Committee: Saturday, Nov 30 Adult Photo Contest results at Committee: Tim Ackert Cassidy Hill Winery, Time: TBD. Andrea Ader Lori Goodin Joyce Bonney Carla Kennedy Ginney Dilk Joan Lewis Bill Jobbagy Mark Palmer Beverly Rice Wendy Rubin Carl Schaefer Laura Stone

More Interesting Town Facts

. Austin Dunham, born in Coventry in 1834, . Ulysses S. Grant's grandfather, Noah, lived on was the first president of the Hartford Grant Hill Road from 1750 to 1787. Electric Light Company in 1882. . The first public library in Coventry was formed . Eighteen roads on the southwest side of the by the South Coventry Library Association in lake, in Actors Colony, were named for 1880 and books were loaned on a small yearly famous actors (i.e. Gable, Lombard, etc.). payment. The library was made free around . In 1790 (first Federal Census) the population 1913. It was originally located in a small of Coventry was 336 families, 2,104 total building on the lawn of the present Booth & residents. Dimock Memorial Library which was dedicated . On the various waterways of Coventry there in 1913. remain seven original man-made dams for . The first recorded hurricane in Coventry was water powered mills that still exist today and September 1797. It damaged houses and still retain their original ponds. The largest is orchards primarily on Parker Bridge Road, and over 100 feet long and 14 feet high. There are on the Boston Turnpike just west of the Second also 14 others dams that have been breached Church. but significant evidence remains in view . The town’s first school house was built in 1728 today. adjacent to the first church on today’s High . The first church (Congregational) was Street across from the Town Green. It was 18 by founded in 1712 and the “meeting house” was 20 feet in size. The salary for the schoolmaster built soon after on High Street across from the for the winter quarter was eleven pounds. Town Green. The building burned in 1897. . The first telephones (five of them) were The Second Congregational Church was first installed in the Village in the summer of 1882. built in 1744, about four years after the Wires were strung tree-to-tree to an exchange Second Society was formed. in Willimantic. . The first dam built on the Willimantic River . The first train depot was built in 1850 by the in the town of Willimantic was erected for a New London, Willimantic and Palmer Rail saw mill in 1727 by Daniel Badger, a resident Company. It still stands today on Depot Road. of Coventry. . The first trolley (from Willimantic to Lake . The first electric elevator in town was Street) began operation on August 18, 1909 by installed in the Kenyon Mill ca 1901. the Connecticut Company. The trolley ceased . The first ice cream “factory” in town was operating in November of 1926. operated by John Champlin in the Village . The oldest gravestone in town is that of Peter about 1903. Buell who died November 1715 at age 16. It is located in the Nathan Hale Cemetery.

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TERCENTENARY COMMITTEE PRSRT STD TOWN OF COVENTRY U.S. POSTAGE PAID 1712 MAIN STREET STORRS, CT COVENTRY, CT 06238 PERMIT NO. 106

POSTAL PATRON COVENTRY, CT 06238

This brochure is dedicated to all the Coventry residents who volunteer their time and resources for their community

American Legion Post 52 Inland Wetlands Agency Board of Assessment Appeals Insurance Advisory Committee Board of Education Knights of Columbus Booth & Dimock Memorial Library Lions Club Boy Scouts, Troop 57 & 65 Local Emergency Coordination Committee Building Code Board of Appeals Nathan Hale Ancient Fife and DrumCorps Cemetery Commission North Coventry Fire Department Building Conservation Commission Committee Conservation Corps Coordinating Committee North Coventry Volunteer Fire Department Coventry Farmers Market Parent-Teacher Organizations Coventry Garden Club Parks & Recreation Commission Coventry Glass Museum Pension Committee Coventry Grange Personnel Appeals Board Coventry Historical Society Planning & Zoning Commission Coventry Soccer Inc. Police Benevolent Association Coventry Vision Prince of Peace Lutheran Church Coventry Volunteer Fire Association Public Works Building Committee Coventry Water Ski Club Republican Town Committee Coventry Youth Baseball Second Congregational Church Coventry Youth Basketball Presbyterian Church Coventry Youth Football St. Mary’s Church Democratic Town Committee Storrs Community Church Eastern Highlands Health Tara Farm Rescue Economic Development Commission Tercentenary Committee Energy Conservation/Alternate Energy Town Council Committee Veterans Memorial Committee First Congregational Church Village Improvement Society Girl Scouts Water Pollution Control Authority Housing Authority Youth Services Committee Housing Rehabilitation/Fair Housing Zoning Board of Appeals Committee

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