Wrapping up 2014 with Best Wishes to All in 2105
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The Old Saybrook Historical Society D E D ICATE D TO P RESERVING , P ROTECTING AN D P ROMOTING THE H ISTORY OF O L D S AYBROOK Winter 2015 Wrapping up 2014 with Best Wishes to All in 2105 Student volunteer Reagan Mason portrays Lady Fenwick during the Cypress Cemetery tour in October. See Page 3. (Photo: Tedd Levy) Marie McFarlin welcomes guests to the Wassail Party. (Photo: Lynn Riemer) The Hart House tree, donated by Mar. Floral and Botanicals, glows. (Photo: Bill McLaughlin) Kunsang Dorjee, our student volunteer “musican in residence,” entertains at the Wassail Party. (Photo: Bill McLaughlin) Society members and friends marched in Old Saybrook’s Torchlight Parade in December, including Torrance Downes’ granddaughter, Eva Louise Downes Deb Pegnataro crafted (looking at camera), black-hatted Society her creation at Sherry Secretary Judith Chase and be-hooded Eldridge’s November The October Annual Meeting drew a large number Barbara Maynard. (Photo: Torrance wreath-making event at the of Historical Society members who were updated Downes) Hart House. (Photo: Linda on the latest news and 2015 plans. ((Photo: Bill Kinsella) Roberts) 1 Dedicated to Preserving, Protecting and Promoting the History of Old Saybrook Officers Marie McFarlin, President President’s Message Ed Mosca, 1st Vice President Linda Kinsella, 2nd Vice President Ellen Lepak, Treasurer The two-year term for our officers camaraderie. Our coming spring and Judy Chace, Recording Secretary ended Oct. 31. Bob Pedemonti, our summer events will provide further Trustees dedicated treasurer for nine years, exciting times. Our membership J.H. Torrance Downes retired. The Nominating Committee renewals, coming from all over the Tedd Levy asked all other officers if they would take country, are inspiring. Carol Manning another term. After much reflection, they Donna DiBella, former president William McLaughlin Matthew Rubin all accepted the nomination. and outstanding “Ways and Means” Arlene Sakatos The slate of officers, with the Chair, recently received a message to Thomas Stevenson addition of our new treasurer, Ellen share from Elizabeth Titus Putnam, a Lepak, was approved Oct. 15 at the direct descendant of Gen. William Hart Chairpersons Annual Meeting. We all realize our and founder of the prestigious Student Administrative Assistant Archives Diane Hoyt tremendous responsibility, and with Conservation Association. our dedicated officers, trustees and “Please extend my congratulations Archivist Greg Thompson volunteers, will work tirelessly to to everyone on having been named the Facility Manager continue the Society’s mission. non-profit of the year by the Chamber Ed Armstrong The fall programs (Chapman of Commerce,” she wrote. “What you Gardens and Grounds Lecture, Cypress Cemetery tour, have done is truly extraordinary… and Linda Kinsella Bushnell Farm Open House and wreath- to think that this has all happened due to Hart House making weekend) were great. The the dedication of volunteers.” Donna DiBella Marie McFarlin Wassail Party, with our largest crowd May you have a wonderful 2015! Hospitality ever, filled the Hart House with joyful -- Marie Drinagh Garofalo Catherine Logiudice Christine Yanelli 350 Years Ago: Saybrook & Lyme’s Insurance Stanley Prymas “Loving Parting” Investment Arlene Sakatos (Acting Chair) Lectures In 1631, the Earl of Tedd Levy Warwick granted lands at Membership the mouth of the Connecticut Carol Manning River to several friends, Newsletter including Viscount Saye Bill Roberts and Sele, Lord Brooke and Public Relations Colonel George Fenwick. Tedd Levy These worthies chose John Registrar Diane Lyons Winthrop as governor and Assistant Registrar hired Lion Gardiner to build a Marie Vasile fort and lay out a town on the School Liaison west side of the river, which Deb Pegnataro he did in 1635. Winthrop Student Volunteers named the town Saybrook in Marie McFarlin Wendy Mill, Youth & Family honor of its founders. To conclude the process, Settlers gradually moved across the Ways & Means representatives from both sides of the Donna DiBella river to an area known unofficially as East river signed an agreement February 13, Webmaster Saybrook, establishing themselves over 1665, in an event known as “The Loving Jim Rothgeb a wide-ranging area, including today’s Parting,” due to its amicable nature. The Layout and Printing Old Lyme, Lyme, East Lyme and part name Lyme – attached to this new town Essex Printing of Salem. In 1665, they petitioned and in 1667 – is likely taken from Lyme Regis received permission from the Connecticut in England, a town from which some of General Court to establish their own town settlers may have had ties. (J.H. Torrance covering the area described above. Downes is Society liaison to “The Loving www.saybrookhistory.org Parting” initiative.) 2 Dedicated to Preserving, Protecting and Promoting the History of Old Saybrook Student Volunteers ‘Stand In’ for Noted Residents at Cemetery Tour On a bright October afternoon, Historical Society Meyden), Eric Mitchell (Gen. William Hart), Adam Nucci trustee Torrance Downes led a lively, informative tour (Giles Ward) and Jonah Nucci (Elisha Hart). of Cypress Cemetery, one of North America’s oldest, Historical Society president Marie McFarlin noted that continuously operating burial grounds. It was originally all of the students participate in the Society’s volunteer laid out in 1635 as part of the Saybrook Colony. program. “They are outstanding representatives of the Old The event was highlighted by presentations from Saybrook Public Schools. All of us in the Society appreciate seven Old Saybrook Public School students, each of whom their valuable contributions.” related the background of a notable individual buried in “It was a lot of fun,” said Reagan Mason in a the cemetery. follow-up email to Marie. “Thank you very much for the Standing beside the gravestone of “their” person, the opportunity.” Adam Nucci agreed. “I liked it very much. students gave informed and knowledgeable presentations It was a wonderful experience and I got a lot out of it.” in a poised and thoroughly enjoyable manner to an Angela Gaidry, Olivia Gaidry’s mother, said, “Thank audience of more than 100 area residents, including you for asking Olivia to participate; she truly enjoyed it. several beaming parents and grandparents. Also, my best friend (Olivia’s godmother) and her 10-year- The students participating in the event, and the old daughter (Alix) were visiting from France. So it was a historic figures they portrayed:Reagan Mason (Lady very special treat for them, too!” Fenwick), Ruthie LaMay (Lynde Family), Olivia Gaidry The Society also thanks Starbucks for its generous (Miss Anna James), Kyle Jackson (Louis Von der support of the event. Ruthie LaMay (Lynde Family) Kyle Jackson (Louis Von der Meyden) Eric Mitchell (Gen. William Hart) Jonah Nucci (Elisha Hart) Olivia Gaidry (Miss Anna Louise James) (Photos: Tedd Levy) 3 Dedicated to Preserving, Protecting and Promoting the History of Old Saybrook What’s Happening in the Archives Visiting researchers from Wisconsin, California, Saybrook families, map of New Haven Green, letters Colorado and Montana came to the source of their and genealogical research on Scovill family. From American ancestry this fall. I will never tire of their Mark Sanner. reactions upon seeing the records from so long ago. • Various Whittlesey letters given by Scott W. A couple from Montana came to our shoreline for a Brinkerhoff. family reunion not knowing that his ancestor was from • The family of Henry Austin Clark, Sr. has given two Old Saybrook. They received a call only that morning large Bibles, and a binder with handwritten family- from a relative who informed them that Capt. David tree records of Clark family. Newell, who was killed by slaves aboard his ship, was • Two newspaper articles about 18th century West their direct ancestor. They drove here on a whim and, Indies trade in the CT Valley and slaves, merchants as luck would have it, found it open. The Hart House, and crafters. Rae Ann Ferrialo, contributor. which has a portrait of Captain Newell, will be on their • Six binders compiled by David Naumec, agenda when they return next spring. Mashentucket Pequot Museum, from Anne Sweet’s Visitors from Colorado, who had only started their life-long research on early New England, Old research three weeks previously, contacted us after Saybrook, and Native Americans. Each binder has finding old records his father had kept. Doctor Leonard a different subject and has at least 75 pages. We are was a dentist from 1880s to 1904 in Old Saybrook. He expecting six more. What a treasure for us. married the daughter of D.C Spencer, a descendant of the Chapman’s, a founding family. They explored cemeteries, Fenwick (home of Dr. Leonard), Town Hall Library records, and old maps. Found photo of Spencers and info Donated by Gregory Thompson: in newspapers. • Booklet, “100 Years in Newspaper Clippings,” Avery A family researcher from California was here to Family & Avery Family Association. flesh out her Shipman family tree. We were able to help • “Thanksgiving”, a detailed, nonfiction recounting of her sort out the connections and show her who she was the first Thanksgiving. actually descended from. • “Without Reservation,” detailed account of the starting of the Foxwoods Casino, its trials and Newest Contributions tribulations. Once again, the vault swings open to welcome the Donated by Elizabeth Manning: newest donations to the Society and there are many. We • An account book from the Saybrook National Bank, are overwhelmed by the generosity. 1879-1881. • Papers pertaining to people who gave money ($15) • A book, “Early Domestic Architecture of to obtain use of upper meeting rooms of the Central Connecticut” (1924). School Academy for religion, singing schools, etc., for one year, commencing December 1838. Donated by Donated by Scott Brinkerhoff: Elsie Manning. • “Memorials of the Whittlesey Family,” an old copy • Pen-and-ink portrait of the second Chapman of the Whittlesey family genealogy. No publication homestead built by Caleb Chapman in 1740 and date.