Lebanon Vol. 3 No. 4 Summer 2011 Prov isions The Lebanon Historical Society Newsletter

Isaac Fitch, Lebanon's Master Joiner Calendar Of Events By Alicia Wayland All of our programs are open to the public. Isaac Fitch (1734-1791) was the 15th and last child born to his father Nathaniel Fitch of Lebanon. Crafty Fridays 10am-12pm Nathaniel’s first wife, Ann Abel, for Boys & Girls Ages 6 to 10 bore Nathaniel 12 children before July 22 her death in 1728. Nathaniel’s Paper Mache´ Bowl second wife, the twice-widowed July29 Mindwell Higley Hutchinson Fringed & Beaded Bag Tisdale, bore the next three after August 5 their marriage in 1729. Mindwell Naturalistic Necklace was the sister of Jonathan August 19 Trumbull’s mother, making Isaac Cast a Gravestone Ages 6 to 15 this craft only first cousin to the famous governor. In 1784 Governor Trumbull Saturday, August 20 wrote a letter to the mayor of 5pm to 8pm New London, recommending The intricately carved fireplace surround in the An Evening at the Isaac as the “best architect within southwest parlor of the Jonathan Trumbull Jr. Museum House was created by Isaac Fitch. the compass of my acquaintance” Tickets $25 per person to take on the work of designing $40 per couple grist mill indicate that he was doing the and building the new county complicated work such as constructing courthouse. The classically-designed Sunday, September 11 the wooden gears a grist mill required. building, at the head of State Street, 2:00pm Other payments show that he worked still stands, a testament to the genius Lebanon Lions Club Fair at the Trumbull shipyard in East of this little known master joiner Exhibit Opening and Haddam helping to build ships. One Community Conversation from Lebanon. unusual job was the construction of a According to William Warren, Fitch’s prefabricated building, the “Great biographer, nothing is known of his House” ordered by a London doctor Saturday, September 24 early training and who he might have for shipment to Grenada in the West 9am to 3pm apprenticed to. It is primarily from the 45th Annual Outdoor Indies in 1764. meticulous account books of Jonathan Antiques Show Other payment records show how Trumbull and later his sons that the $5 admission Isaac occupied his time between larger scope of Isaac’s ability begins to Free Parking projects. He fixed carts, made wheels, emerge. Payments for work on the Food for sale built a coffin, fixed broken doors, and, meeting house, Trumbull’s mill, his most importantly, made furniture. A store, and the Tisdale School are Turn to page 4 highboy, bedsteads, tables, chairs, were among the entries. for more programs all listed in Trumbull account books and Payments to Fitch for his work on the Continued on page 8 Lebanon Historical Society Newsletter Summer 2011 Page 1

From the President The mission of the Ed Tollmann Lebanon Historical th Society Our Annual Meeting was held May 4 and was well attended. We had plenty of food for The mission of the our pot luck dinner and a wonderful program “Going it Alone: Lebanon After 1804” was Society is to preserve presented by Alicia Wayland. I tried to keep the business meeting short to allow time for and to interpret all the program. After much thought I have decided that every year we will dispense with a aspects of the history of program which will allow more time for questions and possibly a power point program Lebanon, Connecticut covering some of the events of the year. from its earliest Jim Motyka, a teacher as well as advisor for Bulldog Productions at Lyman, and I have inhabitants to the been coordinating oral histories with veterans for the present day, with a Library of Congress. The last two years we concentrated special emphasis on the on WWII vets. This fall we’re going to set up at the role of Lebanon in the museum and American Revolution. hopefully record Board of Trustees more than one

President veteran each Ed Tollmann session. This is

Vice President an important Glenn Pianka project. If you Treasurer know a veteran Rob Slate who would like Secretary Sandie Chalifoux to be interviewed,

Buildings & Grounds please let Jim Mello me know. Second Saturday crafters Paul Rulli making custom furniture while his

Community Events Katie Lamb wife Lynn decorates freehand Keith LaPorte and I have started our oral histories of Lebanon residents. John Musial was interviewed Collections Brian Bartizek regarding Tobacco Street and what it was like up until WWII. We will be interviewing

more residents. Education Sara Cross We had a wonderful float in the Memorial Day Parade. Our theme was the 150th

Exhibitions Anniversary of the Civil War. We featured Frederick Schalk who died in the Battle Margaret McCaw of the Wilderness and is buried in Liberty Hill Cemetery. We won 1st place again!

Finance The attorneys and trustee from representing the Trust came to Lebanon Connie Berglund rd June 3 . Julie Culp representing the library, Alicia Wayland representing the Trumbull Jr. Membership & Development House and I had many questions answered about the Adams Family Trust. After our Mary Lou Beckwith meeting, they toured the green and we ended up at the Log Cabin for lunch. They Nominating Al Vertefeuille were very impressed with the museum and Lebanon. I have a very good feeling about

Personnel our relationship. Betty Forrest Our June Second Saturday got off to a soggy start but the weather cleared and Model T's

Publications could be seen carrying folks to our museum and around the green. A better than Jacy Worth expected group attended. The crafters who had set up were very happy with the

Trustees-at-large turn-out and the interest that the visitors showed. Linda Heatherly With a hard working Board of Trustees and a great director and staff the museum is a Suzanne Yeo Kirsten Westbrook hub of activity with more adult programs and children’s programs and our ever-changing

Ex-Officio displays in the multi-purpose room. Please stop by when you can. Remember, it’s your Archie Andrews III museum and your participation is greatly appreciated.

Director Thanks to our volunteers the museum grounds have never looked better. Stop by Donna Baron with your lunch some day and enjoy it on the patio! Page 2 Summer 2011 Lebanon Historical Society

Director’s Message Can you recommend

Donna Baron a musician or group who would be Tornadoes, floods, earthquakes and lightning continue to change the landscape of interested in southern New England. Although summer’s heat has pushed thought of January’s snow performing popular piles to the back of my mind, driving through town reminds me of how much damage American music of the the winter caused. There are fewer barns and sheds still standing, St Mary’s chapel 19th or early was damaged beyond repair, and trees and stone fences suffered. 20th centuries? The Historical Society cannot possibly save every building, tree or stonewall in

Lebanon, but we can and should preserve their memories. This is a project in which Performances are all our members can participate. Your help is needed and appreciated. currently being First, you could check through your family photos to find any that show Lebanon’s planned to run in buildings or landscapes. These could be really old pictures from the early 1900s or conjunction with our from the 1960s. There are very few images out along Amston Lake or Red Cedar Lake in our collection and none of the newer residential areas. If you find such views, Long, Long Ago please call the Historical Society staff. We’ll make an appointment for you so we can Lebanon’s History scan the images and record whatever information you can share. When you leave, you through Music will take your photographs home with you knowing that you have helped build the 1875-1940 visual archive of the town. Then, you could take new photos that document your neighborhood. Buildings at History Trivia Answer: different seasons from the same angle, buildings that are in danger of falling down and foundations you find in the woods are all important to record. We need pictures of A Broom At the broom shop contemporary events like farming, the farmers’ market and the Summer Dance Fest. between 1902-1918 Someday, images like these will form the basis of exhibits and publications – unless we you could purchase do not save photos now. So get those cameras out, take some pictures and then come Whisk broom...15¢ see us. Light house broom….20¢ Heavy house broom….25¢ We could even show you some of our favorite historic pictures. Perhaps you’ll be Regular barn broom...30¢ inspired to go back to the same spot and take a photo of what that place looks like Sturdy barn broom….35¢ in 2011. Preserving the past in this rapidly changing world could be as easy as taking a picture. Contact Us: The Lebanon 2011 Scholarship Recipient Historical Society 856 Trumbull Hwy The Lebanon Historical Society is committed to awarding scholarships to Lebanon high P.O. Box 151 school students who intend on furthering their studies in history and or who have Lebanon, CT 06249 shown a real interest in history, preservation and in their community. 860-642-6579 We are proud to announce this year's scholarship recipient is Stacie Savage from Lyman museum@ historyoflebanon.org Memorial High School. As part of the graduation requirements for Lyman Memorial www. High School, seniors must complete a "senior project." For her senior project, Stacie historyoflebanon.org set out to research and assist the Johnson Home in Norwich, a residence for elderly Museum Hours: woman run by a non-profit organization which was trying to achieve historic status to Wed. thru Sat. 12pm to 4pm qualify for much needed funding for repairs. Built in 1766, the original tavern and inn burned in 1821 and was rebuilt in 1829. Stacie's research uncovered many interesting Library & Research Center facts but unfortunately the Johnson home did not qualify for the historic status. Stacie Wed. and Sat. only was not discouraged and came up with a fundraiser to benefit the home and help with 12pm to 4pm or by appointment. the cost of the repairs. We applaud Stacie's initiative and look forward to more good works from her. Stacie plans on studying history at UConn this fall.

Lebanon Historical Society Newsletter Summer 2011 Page 3

Upcoming Intern Project

Programs & Events By Brittany Kozial WALKTOBER This past semester I worked as an intern way for me to map out the entire Sun., October 2 1pm at the Lebanon Historical Society. For cemetery, let alone be able to identify Bartlett Brook Wildlife Area the first couple of weeks I spent most of every stone. We had to decide which

Sat., October 8 10am my time becoming knowledgeable on the stones should be considered Up Commons Hill “important.” Since the town of Lebanon town of Lebanon, reading up on the Sun., October 9 1pm town’s history from the beginning of was most important during its role in the Trek to Five Mile Rock settlement to present day Lebanon. Revolutionary War, we decided that all

Sat., October 15 9am Once I felt comfortable with my of the veterans in that cemetery should Shutter Bugs on the Airline Trail knowledge of the town’s history, with a be mapped. We also decided that the special focus on the role of Lebanon Trumbulls were the most famous family Saturday, October 22 during the Revolutionary War, I started in Lebanon and they too needed to be 10am - 12pm learning about ancient burying grounds counted. We also tried to include many In Their Own Words: and how to preserve them. other people such as the Aldens, who Practical Approaches to ran a tavern during the Revolution, as My main task as an intern was to find a Oral History well as famous ministers like Solomon way to obtain mapping coordinates for Workshop leader is Williams. the tombstones in the Trumbull Melissa Josefiak Cemetery. At first we thought that we The majority of my semester was spent Saturday, November 5 might be able to go into the cemetery out in the cemetery with Lindy 10am - 12pm with a GPS you might use in your car identifying stones, recording parts of the Letterboxing Workshop and obtain coordinates that way, but it epitaph that were legible, measuring the Learn about the Revolutionary turned out that this kind of a GPS was stones, and retrieving GPS coordinates War letterboxing project not sensitive enough to obtain a different for the stones. Lindy and I collected data for about 100 different stones, and Sunday, December 4 set of coordinates for each stone (some a map is now available for use in the 6pm -9pm of them are less than a foot apart). library of the Historical Society. "Long Long Ago" I decided to get in touch with the

Exhibit Opening Geography Department at Sneak Preview Central Connecticut State University because I knew that Sunday, December 4 they had a mapping lab. Dr. 6pm -9pm Kyem, one of the heads of the Annual Tree Lighting department, was generous Mulled cider, molasses cookies enough to lend me a mapping and a holiday craft for the kids GPS for the duration of the semester. Vacation Week Crafts Receiving a GPS that Dec 27 - Dec 29 was sensitive enough to Paper making obtain different Along with this assignment for adults and kids I also edited and conducted a History in the Stars coordinates for each school program for a South evening workshops tombstone was the first of many hurdles in Windsor elementary school. With the help of Grace Sayles and many You can always visit completing my assignment of mapping volunteers, I led a scavenger hunt our website www. out the cemetery. According to the Hale historyoflebanon.org Records on the Trumbull Cemetery, around the cemetery, which highlighted to see a list of our current there are over 700 tombstones. Even Revolutionary War veterans as well as events and programs with the help of genealogist, Lindy J. the symbolism of Puritan art on the Brunkhorst-Olewine there would be no gravestones. Page 4 Summer 2011 Lebanon Historical Society

Featured Volunteer Dolle Fischer By Betty Forrest On a steamy June afternoon at Anchorage to Frankfort, Germany, where she to our newest Farm on Waterman Road, I enjoyed a worked with others to restore the art members great visit with Dolle Fischer. I had known that Germany had stolen from museums. Patron Dolle for many years, but I had never had Abruptly, Dolle and her coworkers were transferred to Berlin. They had to go Henry & Lynn Hinckley the privilege to really learn about who Willimantic she really is. My visit turned out to be a through several Russian command posts where the guards demanded cigarettes real treat. Senior and watches. Marlene Wilkinson She had neither! West Lake, Ohio In time, Dolle was able to go on furlough, and traveled to Sandra Carlson Paris, London, and Lebanon

Switzerland. Fulfilling a Individual promise to her mother, she Katie Lamb returned home and finished Lebanon college. She earned a degree in languages (French and Denise Philbrick Spanish). Next, she attended Lebanon the Latin American School in Dolle & Elmer Fischer taking a ride with Ted Swol in his New York City. However, Family Model T at an LHS Second Saturday event after seeing a story about the William & Barbara Born in Pittsburg Pennsylvania on July 2, American Northwest in a magazine on a Archer Lebanon 1924, Dolle was named after her newsstand, Dolle went home to Pittsburg grandmother Dorothea. When she was a where she shared her enthusiasm with her mother (her dad had died). She dropped Brian & Anna Beckwith teenager, demonstrating her independent Lebanon spirit, she changed the spelling of her out of the Latin American School, and with nickname from Dolly to Dolle. That was her sister and mother, drove to the Matt & Bonnie northwest. After visiting a number of McAneny only the beginning! After graduating as her Lebanon high school Salutatorian, she enrolled in cities, they ended up in Oregon, close to Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts. the majestic Mt. Hood. They found a Louise & Paul World War 11 had started and she was house on Paradise Lane-a good omen! Rheaume eager to enlist. However, she was only18 When she was a member of the Mazamas Lebanon years old. She waited another 2 ½ years, Club ( a mountain climbing group), Dolle and she was able to persuade her mother was set up on a blind date with a young People are the heart and to sign for her to enlist in the U.S. Army. Naval Officer who was stationed in New soul of this organization and She was sworn in on her 20th birthday. Mexico. She and Elmer Fischer had six we are so pleased to After receiving her basic training at Fort dates, her mother liked him, he met all of welcome new members. Oglethorpe, Georgia, Dolle was assigned the requirements of a son-in-law, and so We are also so grateful to to military intelligence in Newport, they were engaged! For their honeymoon trip, they packed skis and an ironing board have so many faithful long Virginia. Her job was to screen the time members who renew on their car, and they spend half of the wounded on ships returning from their membership each and European war zones. However, she had time camping and the other half in nice every year. her heart set on going overseas. In time, hotels. They’ve been married almost she sailed to Le Havre, France, on a C-3 63 years. Thank you for your Liberty ship. After leaving Paris, she went Elmer and Dolle settled into an efficiency continued support! Continued on page 9 Lebanon Historical Society Newsletter Summer 2011 Page 5

Tisdale Student: Augustus Porter A Good Read By Martha Kendall surveys, gradually learning the art of In our last issue we featured Nathan Tisdale, schoolmaster, and his brick surveying. In 1789, 20 years old, he set schoolhouse, where he taught from 1749 out to survey some tracts of land in New to 1786. The master was buried in the York owned by his father and several Trumbull Cemetery. His epitaph reads: others of Massachusetts. He tells of his "Reader, as thou passest, drop a tear to trips into the then wilderness of New the memory of the once eminent York, by boat, by horse and wagon, and Aademic Instructor, Nathan Tisdale, a on foot, from Schenectady, to what is lover of Science. He marked the road now Geneva, on to Canandaigua, to useful knowledge. surveying more and more townships. A friend to his country, he inspired the The land, part of the 6 million acres flame of Patriotism. Connecticut Needlework: Having devoted his Phelps & Gorham Purchase Women, Art, and Family, whole life from the 1740-1840 18th year of his age to Lake Ontario the duties of his Susan P. Schoelwer profession, which he The Connecticut Historical followed with Society © 2010 distinguished usefulness Distributed by Wesleyan to society, he died Jan’y University Press 5th 1787, in the 56

Researched and written year of his age." Lake Erie as the catalog for an Augustus Porter was outstanding exhibit of among the students New York under the Master’s Connecticut needlework from the tutelage for only a few Connecticut Historical months in 1786, Western Society collection, this studying particularly Reserve book is filled with stories surveying and of women and their mathematics. With the activities and families. death of Tisdale, For readers interested in Augustus returned to his father’s farm in Lebanon’s history, many Salisbury, where he had of these stories relate to grown up. His father, Lebanon families. The Joshua Porter, book also features had been born in beautiful photographs Lebanon in 1730, of some extraordinary attended Yale College examples of needlework: and became a physician bed rugs, quilts, and and then a farmer in Salisbury. When embroideries. Augustus attended the purchased by Oliver Phelps and Faith Trumbull brick school he was 17 years old, born Nathaniel Gorham from Massachusetts, January 18, 1769. Those few months Huntington’s is indicative of the complex land studying surveying launched Augustus embroidered chimney transactions following the end of the into many years as a pioneer and pieces are perhaps the Revolutionary War--and Augustus successful surveyor of some of the large best known of the Porter was right in the middle of it. He tracts of lands in New York and Ohio, surveyed unpopulated lands for Oliver Lebanon needlework's the Phelps and Gorham Purchase and the Phelps, then, for Robert Morris when included in the book. The Western Reserve. portions were sold to him. On a 1795 Continued on next page While home on the farm, he had assisted

a local landowner with some farm Continued on page 10

Page 6 Summer 2011 Lebanon Historical Society

Tisdale Student: Augustus Porter Thank you to this year's annual appeal donors A Good Read continued Your support made the difference in our efforts to protect and present Lebanon's stories narrative is accompanied by detailed photographs Mr. & Mrs. Ralph Adkins Ms. Pat Gandy Mr. & Mrs. Steve Olearnick of the front and back of Mr. William K. Beatty, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Kenyon Gardner Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Olsen each piece as well as the Pierre & Sandra Belisle Mr. Tip Garritt Mrs. Marjorie A. Page engravings that might Mrs. Carmen Bell Mr. & Mrs. Philippe Gaucher Mr. & Mrs. Earl Palmer have served as the inspiration for the Mr. & Mrs. William Goba Ms. Katherine C. Pellerin Mrs. Helen Bender designs. Other Lebanon Mr. & Mrs. John Bendoraitis Mr. & Mrs. James Hallene Ms. Rebecca S. Poetzinger pieces include a sampler Mr. & Mrs. Ken Benson Mr. & Mrs. Charles Haralson Richard & Jeannie Pogmore worked by Clarissa Cornelia Loomis who Corinne Berglund Henry P. & Lynn S. Hinckley Mr. & Mrs. David Postemski was probably instructed Everett & Evelyn Hopkins Thomas E. Raffa, Sr. Mr. & Mrs. Russell Blakeslee by Polly Kingsley. Polly is Mr. & Mrs. Alton Blodgett Dr. & Mrs. William Jahoda Mr & Mrs. Frank Rodriguez one of three embroidery Mr. William Brauch The Jeannotte Family Mr. & Mrs. C. J. Saar teachers working in Lebanon between 1820 Mr. & Mrs. John Kendall Ms. Judith Sasse Mrs. Lynda Breault and 1850. The Historical Mr. & Mrs. Delton Briggs Dr. & Mrs. David Klein Mr. David P. Schulze Ms. Shirley Brodeur Mr. & Mrs. John Knudsen Mr. Edward Schwarz Ms. Ann C. Brown Mr. & Mrs. Walt Koenig Ms. Sally Stark Seal Judith W. Cariglia Mrs. Claire Krause Nicholas Serignese Robert & Sandra Chalifoux Mr. & Mrs. Gregg Lafontaine Ms. Pamela Shine Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Charron Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Lathrop Mr. & Mrs. James Sinkewicz Mr. & Mrs. Robin Chesmer Mrs. Helen Littlefield Mr. & Mrs. Timothy Slate Mr. Dale Cloud Ms. Rebecca Lynn Mr. and Mrs. Kent Sleath Alveda Z. Cranick Mrs. Betty Mackey Mr. & Mrs. Roger W. Smith Society collection includes similar samplers. Ms. Lucy B. Crosbie Mr. Paul Maffiolini Mr. & Mrs. Tim Smith Other Lebanon Mrs. Gwendolyn Cross Mr. Lance Magnuson Mr. & Mrs. Jeffry Stober connections include the Mr. & Mrs. Todd Damiani Mr. & Mrs. David Martin Mr. & Mrs. Harry Teller work and teaching of Mr. & Mrs. Ken Davis Mr. Martin Masters Ed Tollmann Reverend Eleazar Mrs. Lucia Day Mr. & Mrs. Todd Matthewson Mr. & Mrs. Albert Vertefeuille Wheelock’s mother and sisters whose influence Mr. & Mrs. Robert McGray Ernest Watras Mr. Michael Deeley spread throughout Mr. & Mrs. James Donnelly Mr. & Mrs. Daniel McGuire Mr. & Mrs. Keith Wentworth eastern Connecticut and Mr. & Mrs. John Drum The McLellan Family Tim & Rene Wentworth needlework by Mary Johnson and members of Ms. Nancy E. Dubin Mrs. Martha McSweeney Mr. & Mrs. Wesley Wentworth the Geer, Huntington, Mr. & Mrs. William Merritt Mr. & Mrs. James Worth Mrs. Anne Dudar Brewster and Williams Mrs. Austin E. Emmons Mr. and Mrs. Tom Meyer Mr. & Mrs. David Yeo families. Whether you are interested in women’s Ms. Catey Farley Ms. Irene S. Morgan Acknowledgments history, local families or Ms. Corrine Nichols of donors to other Mrs. Joan Fazzino beautiful needlework, funds & programs Mr. & Mrs. David Fields Mr. & Mrs. Scott Nichols Susan Schoelwer’s book will be printed in Mr. & Mrs. Michael Okonuk is well worth exploring. Ms. Marianne Freschlin subsequent newsletters

Lebanon Historical Society Newsletter Summer 2011 Page 7

Fitch Another Fluted pilasters with Continued from page 1 Lebanon Master Carver Corinthian capitals Isaac undoubtedly are among the decorative Gottlieb Laibrandt made similar items for elements that Isaac Fitch 1885-1963 other people as well. made for the northwest Resident of the Village Hill parlor in the Jonathan In 1768 Fitch designed community in Lebanon. Trumbull Jr. House. and built a three- Gottlieb hand carved the story mansion house interior woodwork of the for Jonathan Deming, Lutheran Church and the a wealthy merchant First Congregational Church when it was living in Colchester. restored after in the The house had a hurricane of 1938. mansard-style roof and a ballroom on the third floor. This imposing building was demolished in 1958 and the Fitch woodwork scattered his new bride. to private homes and restorations. (The date of 1710 posted on a fence in However, the northeast parlor with its front of the house does not relate to elaborate woodwork was saved intact the construction date.) The house is First Congregational Church and erected in the American Museum in a private residence but the stunning

Palladian window pilaster capital Britain, located in Bath, England. architectural design can be seen from outside the property. Fitch was hired to help plan the new meetinghouse built in Isaac Fitch was twice married. With his Colchester 1770-72 and did all first wife, Susannah Blackman, he had the trim work and the cabinet four sons and a daughter, who married work on the mahogany pulpit. and moved to New Haven. His sons This building has also been worked for their father, learning his demolished. trade, but after the Revolutionary War the three moved to new settlements During the Revolutionary War, in and one to Maine. The New London County David Trumbull, the governor’s His second wife, Violetta Alden, was Courthouse, designed and built by son, ran a small arms salvage plant and the daughter of Elizabeth Alden, who Isaac Fitch in 1784, is shown on Isaac made the stocks for guns for the this early 1900s postcard. ran a famous tavern and shop on the army. He was also hired by Jonathan east side of the green. Their two Trumbull Junior between 1777 and 1784 daughters died young. For more information to make improvements to his house on on Fitch, see the biography by the east side of the green. This included Isaac Fitch died on September 25, 1791, William Warren, Isaac Fitch of the elaborately carved woodwork in the at the age of 58, fairly young even for Lebanon Connecticut Master two front parlors. The house is now a that time. He died intestate and deeply Joiner 1734-1791, published museum owned by the town of Lebanon in debt. The inventory of his estate lists by the Antiquarian & and visitors can see up close the fine three books on architecture, including Landmarks Society, Inc. workmanship of a master craftsman. “Gibbs Architecture,” indicating the (now Connecticut Landmarks) influence of James Gibbs, the great The house known as Redwood at the in 1978, second edition 1999, 18th-century English architect, on available at the Jonathan south end of the green was designed and Fitch. Had he continued working for Trumbull Library. built by Isaac Fitch in 1778-1779. David another decade his genius might be Trumbull commissioned the house for more heralded. Page 8 Summer 2011 Lebanon Historical Society

Dolle Fischer Continued from page 5 Exhibit News This is the last month apartment in Los Alamos, New Mexico, camped out for several weeks. They while Elmer continued his work on the A- also spent an entire summer in Europe, to see bomb. When Elmer was sent back to sea, crossing the Atlantic on the Queen The Goshen Society: Dolle, and their first child Frank, moved Elizabeth, and camping in most all of the Church & Community into a trailer in New Jersey. In five years, countries in their VW bus at $3.66 per in four more children arrived-Paul, Sally, person per day! Her children are display Judy and Ted. They moved back to geographically spread out, and have given our meeting room. Oregon where Dolle’s mother could help Dolle and Elmer 12 grandchildren. Their We will be taking down out. However, whenever Elmer would family is a great source of pride for them. the display in mid-August come into port, Dolle would load up her Between sports, the arts, history, to make room for our brood, and drive to wherever Elmer was volunteering in civic organizations (for 22 (the East Coast included) so that the “kids years she served as the municipal agent new community display would know who their father was!" for Seniors), 4-H, scouts and church, on the In 1964, the Fischers came to Lebanon. Dolle has been very involved in Lebanon. Lebanon Lions Although Redwood caught their eye, the She served as president of the Lebanon Club Fair $5,000 that they had did not convince the Historical Society for 2 years. bank to invest in their venture; however, Additionally, she was the secretary to The fair display will open they could buy the homestead where they the President of the Board of Trustees Sunday, September 11 still live. The main part of the house was of Windham Hospital for 15 years-a with a community built in 1850 and five additions have been volunteer position. Dolle loves Lebanon conversation about made. Although they had no farming for its prime land, and its beauty. experience, this “can do” couple raised She says it suits her temperament. the people and the Black Angus cows, alfalfa and corn on To ensure its continuity, the Fischers organization providing their 40 acres, one of the smaller farms have sold Anchorage Farm to their son decades of family fun. in Lebanon. Ted, who then gave a conservation Settling into town life, the Fischer easement to the town of Lebanon. Our major exhibits children excelled in their studies, no Be kind; be loving; and accept people will also be doubt spurred on by their high achieving for their ways. This is Dolle’s philosophy changing this fall parents. When her children were growing of life. I think that she lives it. I have up, Dolle made certain that they had always thought that Dolle was a lovely, Jonathan some world exposure. One summer she and vibrant woman. She is that and Trumbull: drove them to Mexico where they so much more! A Merchant Struggling for Success “Long Long Ago:” Will be replaced by Lebanon’s History through its Music 1800-1940 Long, Wanted to borrow for our exhibit:

Pictures of concerts, dances Long Ago: or family gatherings Lebanon’s History Musical instruments through Music Contact Donna Baron Early radio, gramophone or player piano 1875-1940 Lebanon Historical Society Stories about music in church, at the Grange or at home

Lebanon Historical Society Newsletter Summer 2011 Page 9

August Porter

Mile Marker Search Continued from page 6

expedition from Buffalo to Erie, Pennsylvania, Augustus and his party traveled on horseback, for “there of course was no road leading from Buffalo eastward except an Indian trail, and no settlement on that trail.” The next year, 1796, Augustus became the chief surveyor for the Connecticut Land Company, a group of Connecticut speculators who had purchased 3 million or so acres from the state, the Western Reserve. Its chief superintendent was Moses Cleaveland, for whom today's city of Cleveland is named. Cleaveland tells of the preparations for the expedition, gathering packhorses and supplies of flour, pork and cattle, and of their journey from Connecticut to Schenectady, on the Mohawk River into Oneida Lake, on the Oswego River into Lake Ontario to reach Canandaigua, then to Buffalo, Erie and finally into Ohio. Augustus relates that his assignment was to survey particular portions His great-grandson of the reserve, part of which was a boundary on writes of the many Lake Erie. To complete the survey, Augustus and General Cleaveland themselves made the survey of Indians who visited the the entire 120 mile shore. “At this time, there was Porter home, among not a white person residing on the reserve, except a Long time member John them the Seneca chief Frenchman who lived with the Indians at Sandusky Champe issues a challenge Red Jacket... Bay.” He was 26 years old; he was paid $5 a day. to all historical society After 1797 Augustus, now with a wife and child living members to find the mile in Canandaigua, left wilderness surveying, and continued surveying in New York markers lining the route for Oliver Phelps, and for the Holland Land Company. In 1806 he moved his from Norwich to Windham. family to , where he spent the rest of his life. He became a businessman, and with several associates, built a transportation network, including John has photographed all the building and owning of sailing ships to cross the to supply military the markers he could find. posts at Mackinaw, Chicago and Fort Wayne. Augustus’ own narrative is accompanied by one by his great grandson, who writes of the military contract Some are missing with the Secretary of War in 1800. If you'd like to look on your When Niagara County was formed from Genesee County in 1808, Augustus own or if you'd prefer to Porter became its first judge, and in the same year, he built a home on the take a copy of the markers Niagara River, overlooking the falls. His great-grandson writes of the many Indians who visited the Porter home, among them the Seneca chief Red Jacket, for with you then stop by the whom Augustus had prepared a survey between the Seneca nation and Lake Erie. museum and we will give But in 1813, while Augustus was traveling to the military posts of his contract, his you a picture of exactly home, mill and other property were burned by the British, his wife and children what you are looking for. escaping into the night only hours before the raid. The entire town was destroyed. In the following years Augustus returned with his family to Niagara, built a larger house, and soon became the first postmaster of Niagara County. He became a director of the newly organized Niagara Bank, and continued with his own businesses, a rope walk (rope for sailing ships), a saw mill, flour and carding mills and his farms. He was one of Niagara's most prosperous citizens. Augustus Porter died on June 10, 1849, and is buried at Oakwood Cemetery, Niagara Falls, New York. Could Nathan Tisdale, teacher, imagine that any of his students would be instrumental in the settlement of the new nation in the midst of separating from England? Augustus Porter had followed “the road to useful knowledge” from his old schoolmaster in the brick schoolhouse on the Lebanon Town Green. Sources: Narrative of Early Years in the Life of Judge Augustus Porter, by Augustus Porter and The Life of Judge Augustus Porter, a Pioneer in Western New York, by his Great-grandson, Charles Mulford Robinson. In the LHS library. Various websites describing and mapping the Phelps and Gorham Purchase and the Western Reserve. Find A Grave: Oakwood Cemetery, Niagara Falls, New York for his gravestone. Page 10 Summer 2011 Lebanon Historical Society

to mark your calendars for Without the people there is Don't no society. our biggest Thank you to all the Forget people who make this society fundraiser GREAT! of the year Once again Karen Saar has transformed our patio into a beautiful The 45th garden sanctuary Annual Outdoor

AntiqQ ues Show On the Lebanon Green Saturday, September 24 9am to 3pm $5 admission Kirsten & Charles Westbrook have been on hand for all our new Free Parking - Food For Sale projects and fundraisers

Jacy Worth Jim Wesolowski planting broom corn for Stone wall repair our broom shop

Jim Mello keeping the building and grounds looking sharp

Lebanon Historical Society Newsletter Summer 2011 Page 11

NONPROFIT ORG US POSTAGE P.O. Box 151 PAID Lebanon, CT 06249 WILLIMANTIC CT PERMIT NO 412 Many thanks to Howard & Alicia Wayland for sponsoring this issue of

Prov isions If you are interested in sponsoring the next issue please contact us 860-642-6579

History Trivia Question: In the early 20th c in Lebanon if you needed any of these, a whisk, a light house, a heavy house, a regular barn or a sturdy barn, what would you be purchasing?

An Evening Include charities in your estate planning and make a difference in the lives that follow. at the Museum Saturday, August 20, 2011 from 5pm to 8pm Every day, people from all

walks of life make gifts On the patio to charity through their Contemporary Music by Sequel wills, making a tremendous difference Wine Tasting and Micro-Brewery Beer in the world Hors d'oeuvres they leave behind. If you are interested in Silent Auction includes local artwork, leaving a legacy of your theme baskets, plants, elegant meals and more! own, please visit www.leavealegacyct.org $25 per individual or $40 per couple Your check will assure that your ticket will he held at the door Programs, exhibitions & services of the Lebanon Historical Society are made possible in part by a generous grant from the Connecticut Humanities Council.

Page 12 Summer 2011 Lebanon Historical Society