CONNECTICUT TERCENTENARY

1635-1935

PROGRAM OF EVENTS

PLACES OF HISTORIC INTEREST

STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT

JUNE 7th-14th 1935 I

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1635- 1935

PROGRAM OF EVENTS

PLACES OF HISTORIC INTEREST

STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT

JUNE 7Lb® pS 1935 STwrfAmftr^jr i" • THE FEfiGUSCN LIBRARY STAMFORD, CsNM, STAMFORD TODAY EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

STAMFORD TERCENTENARY

HONORARY CHAIRMEN

HON. SCHUYLER MERRITT JUDGE CHARLES D. LOCKWOOD

CHAIRMAN KINGSLEY GILLESPIE

VICE-CHAIRMEN HON. ALFRED N. PHILLIPS, JR. BENJAMIN H. MEAD HON. JOHN T. HANRAHAN MRS. FERDINAND N. MONJO MRS. GOULD STEBBINS

SECRETARY

ELLIOT G. KINGSBURY

TREASURER

E. N. FAST

FINANCE COMMITTEE NORRIS E. PIERSON, Chairman

PUBLICITY COMMITTEE

R. H. GIIJ LESPIE, Chairman

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH COMMITTEE MRS. FERDINAND N. MONJO, Chairman

PAGEANT COMMITTEE

MARY HIGGINS, Chairman

PARADE COMMITTEE BENJAMIN H. MEAD, Chairman

COLONIAL BALL COMMITTEE

SARA MEAD WEBB, Chairman 31S-033 PROGRAM OF EVENTS

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH TERCENTENARY

JUNE 7TH

HISTORICAL EXHIBIT at 10 A. M. in the Church Parlors.

SHOWING OF OLD GOWNS at 4 P. M.

BANQUET at the Stamford Gas & Electric Company Auditorium.

DR. STANLEY HIGH, Toastmaster

GUEST SPEAKERS

HON. HOMER S. CUMMINGS, Attorney-General HON. WILBUR L. CROSS, Governor HON. SCHUYLER MERRITT, Congressman

JUNE 8TH

CHURCH PAGEANT at 3 :30 P. M. and 8 P. M. Written by Mrs. Doris Holsworth of Windsor. This Pageant will depict the history of the First Congregational Church from 1635 to the beginning of the present century.

JUNE 9TH

MEMORIAL SERVICE at 3 P. M.

GUEST SPEAKERS

DR. S. PARKES CAD MAX DR. A. G. WALTON STAMFORD HIGH SCHOOL TERCENTENARY PAGEANT

JUNE 11TH and 12TH at 8 P. M. in the High School Auditorium

This Pageant, written by Mary Higgins, will be enacted by 200 students assisted by the High School Band. PART 1—A Portion of Connecticut's Hall of Fame.

PART 2—Our Settlers.

TERCENTENARY PARADE

JUNE 13TH at 7 P. M.

The Parade will include representatives of the local military, patriotic, and fraternal organizations, together with floats and equipment depicting 300 years of progress.

COLONIAL BALL

JUNE 14TH at 9 P. M. in the Masonic Temple

The local chapters of the D. A. R. ask that as many people who have colonial costumes, wear them to add atmosphere to the Cotillion which will be a part of the dance program.

NOTE—Tickets for the Congregational Banquet and the Colonial Ball may be procured at $1.50 each. All other events are open to the public at no admission charge. FOURTH MEETING HOUSE BUILT IN 1790 PLACES OF HISTORIC INTEREST IN STAMFORD

By DR. PHILLIP W. PRIOR

CENTRAL PARK

HE boulder on the South side of Central Park was erected in memory of the 29 Congregationalists from Wethersfield, who came here and made the settlement called Rippowam in 16+1. By 1642 the name of the settlement was changed from Rippowam to Stamford.

THE FIRST MEETING HOUSE was a little distance South- west of this boulder, and was the first structure and the center of the settlement. It was a log cabin with hip roof, and surmounted by a plat- form from which the drummer sounded the call to service, or gave the alarm in case of attack by the Indians. The meeting house and the ground immediately around it, was enclosed in a palisade of logs within which a cannon was mounted. Inside the church four muskets were kept always loaded and primed. This palisade was gradually extended until the center of the settlement became a stockaded area, and served as the means of protection for 50 years when the fort wood was sold "per vote outcry" for seventeen shillings and "ye fort gates, ye wheels of ye great gun" for five shillings and six pence.

The first pastor of the meeting house, Reverend Richard Denton, became dissatisfied with the jurisdiction of the New Haven Colony and resigned in 1644. Accompanied by Captain John Underhill and many others, he crossed Long Island Sound and settled what became Hemp- stead.

THE THIRD MEETING HOUSE, 1703, was near the site of the first meeting house. This structure had a tower, but no belfry, the "drom" still being used for the call to service. THE FOURTH MEETING HOUSE, in 1790, was constructed within the park area, and was typical New England Colonial style with belfry and steeple. It was fitted inside with galleries and a raised pulpit. There were many square pews which were rented or sold to the most prominent families. It was heated with a brick stove which was replaced a quarter of a century later by one of iron. In 1858 it was removed to Gay Street, and converted into the Phoenix Carriage Manufactory.

ATLANTIC SQUARE TRIANGLE

THE SECOND MEETING HOUSE was a little distance to the Southeast in what is now Atlantic Square, but within a partly constructed stockade. It had benches instead of pews, and was not heated. Whether it should be square or rectangular was decided by lot at a Town Meeting, April 4, 1671.

In October, 1675, a communication from the Governor of Connecti- cut notified the officials of Stamford that five or six thousand Indians were in arms, and were preparing for an attack. Orders were issued that the "stockading of the Town shall be fully finished."

Beside the second meeting house referred to above, Atlantic Square was the site of the Stocks, Whipping Post and Pillory in 1648, and in after years, the Town Bulletin Board and the Watering Tank for horses.

THE THIRD TOWN HALL was constructed on the Northern part of Atlantic Square facing Central Park in 1829. This structure was removed in 1871, and was made over into the dwelling house which is now 52 River Street.

The Old Fire Engine House, in the rear of the Third Town Hall, was the last building within the Atlantic Square Triangle. It was re- moved a few years after the Town Hall Building.

CANAL

On Canal Street, near Atlantic Square, in back of the Quintard Block, was the Canal Landing and East of it, the Ships Basin. From here the waterway followed the line of Canal Street, which street was the tow path. The old canal entered the present one at Jefferson Street. THE OLD STAGE HOUSE

At the East corner of Main and Stage Streets stood the Old Stage House, the starting place of the mail and passenger route to Pound Ridge. It was afterwards called the Stamford House.

TOWN HALL AND BANK TRIANGLE

There was a swamp in the Town Hall and Bank Triangle in the early days. Probably the first building on this area was the School of 1800 in the Southeast corner, which later became known as the Academy. In the Town Hall Triangle in 1834 the STAMFORD NATION- AL BANK occupied a small building, faced with Gothic arches. The Universalist Church in 1845, stood on the land now covered by the Town Hall Plaza. After twenty-five years of service, this struc- ture was removed to make space for the TOWN HALL BLTILDING of 1870. This huge building was the pride of the Town for 34 years. It was five stories high, constructed of brick, with belfry and clock, and was considered a magnificent structure in its day. The first floor was used for stores, the Town Clerk's office and the Post Office. On the second floor, many leading lawyers of the Town had their offices. Above the office floor was a large theatre where plays by traveling theatrical groups were staged, as well as Town Meetings and political gatherings. Edwin Booth appeared here in Hamlet on February 2nd, 1877. This building was destroyed by fire February 4th, 1904, and the present TOWN HALL building erected. Where the Citizens Savings Bank now stands was the site of the fifth home of the Congregational Church, a Gothic structure built in 1857 and demolished in 1911. Where the Gurley Building now stands, was the home of Reverend John Bishop, who was minister of the Congregational Church for fifty years, from 1644 to 1694.

ST. JOHN'S PARK AND VICINITY

EAST FIELD GATE. At the Southeast corner of the Park be- yond Hawthorne Street was the entrance to the great common pasture fields extending to the Cove and Shippan. In Autumn the cattle were herded on the rocky neck known as Pfmnd Rocks. EAST FIELD. The common pasture was the land included in the original grant from Wascussue, Sagamore of Shippan, to Captain Turner, and retained as the "Reserved Land" until the departure of the Indians. In 1672 the Town deeded the land to Rev. Eliphet Jones "in lieu of land at Southfield."

THE GREEN SCHOOL formerly stood in the Northeast corner of St. John's Park, and the playground designated as the East Green. This was one of the school districts established in 1731. In 1851 the building was on the East side of the road facing Main Street, and op- posite its former position. Among the well known teachers who taught here were David Clark and Sipsco Stevens. The building was de- molished recently.

THE FIRST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 1743, was erected on land designated by the Town "between the Widow Holly house and the Nathan Steven's house, on a rocky ledge bounded on the Northeast by an impassable swamp." The present stone edifice was constructed on the same location in 1890.

THE SECOND EPISCOPAL CHURCH was constructed in 1842 on Main Street, near Suburban Avenue. It was destroyed by fire January 24, 1890.

South of St. John's Park, in the early days were "The Meadows." On the road leading to the railroad station, later called Hawthorne Street, was the site of the FIRST ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH. Ground was broken for this church on July 4, 1849. The first priest was Father John Brady. ST. JOHN'S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, the second structure, was erected on Atlantic Street in the early Seventies.

In St. John's Park on the 14th of October, 1880, on a stand erected for that purpose, GENERAL GRANT spoke at a political meeting in favor of the election of Garfield.

THE SOLDIERS MONUMENT now standing in St. John's Park was dedicated May 31, 1923, in honor of Stamford soldiers from 1642 to the close of the World War. It carries the names of 4,400 men. In 1806 the Old Toll Gate stood on the North side of East Main Street, just beyond Lawn Avenue, and one-half mile beyond the East Green, now St. John's Park.

Near it was the 43rd milestone from New York. The turnpike through Stamford followed the route of the Old Kings Highway.

The Toll Gate was standing in 1851 but was discontinued a few years after the construction of the railroad. WEST PARK AND VICINITY

West Park was a knoll granted to the Congregational Church in 1748 as a burial ground. Through the middle of it was a cart path. In 1806, in constructing a turnpike on the South side of the Park, the knoll was leveled and the tombstones removed to St. Andrew's and the Green- wich Avenue Cemeteries.

The old Post Road to Greenwich passed along the north side of the Park, down River Street and across the Main Street Bridge.

WEBB'S TAVERN. At the corner of Bank and Main Streets is the Washington Building. Here stood Webb's Tavern. It was famous as the stopping place for Generals Washington, Charles Lee and Israel Putnam. In front of it was held a "Tea Party" in 1775. It was demolished in 1868.

A bronze tablet erected by the D. A. R. commemorates Washing- ton's visit, October 16, 1789.

DAVENPORT HOUSE. At the corner of West Park Place and Summer Street Extension is the Lockwood and Palmer Building. Here stood the Abraham Davenport home. Lafayette was entertained here on his visit to America, 1825, by Major John Davenport.

In the spacious rooms and halls of the Old Davenport House during Lafayette's visit many brilliant receptions and banquets were held. Hundreds of Revolutionary War Veterans and citizens from the ad- joining towns and country came to pay their respects to the gallant General, and most devoted friend of Washington and America.

South of Main Street, opposite the East end of the Park, was a small building, where, in 1829, Holly began the publication of the "Intelligencer," later changed to "Sentinel," and now published as the "STAMFORD ADVOCATE." The "Stamford Advocate" is the oldest business establishment in Stamford today.

On the corner of Main and River Streets, where now stands the Methodist Church, the FIRST METHODIST CHURCH was erected about 1813, and the SECOND METHODIST CHURCH about 1843, at the Northeast corner.

LEEDS TAVERN. East of the corner of Relay Place, facing Main Street, stood Leeds Tavern. It was on the line of the turnpike in 1806—the place of the "re-laying" or changing of horses. FREDERICK WEBB HOUSE. On the East corner of Main "Street and Clinton Avenue, in back of a gas station, stands the Frederick Webb House, probably the oldest house along Main Street remaining in Stamford.

ALONG THE RIPPOWAM RIVER

The land within Rippowam Park was an Indian Cemetery pre- vious to 1642.

THE SECOND BAPTIST MEETING HOUSE was erected in 1856 where the Roger Smith Hotel now stands on River Street.

The Mill Pond, directly in front of it, served as the place of baptism.

At the foot of Mill River Street, in 1845, stood the fire-brick and -drain-pipe works of Charles Anness, and West of Mill River Street, on the slopes of Greenwood Hill, were large Potteries. Some of the very large pie plates bearing the inscription "Our Lady of Mt. Carmel" or "General Lafayette" were manufactured here, the latter in honor of the visit of Lafayette in 1825.

FIRST GRIST MILL. On Main Street, near the Bridge"~now the Diamond Ice Company, is the site of the. FIRST GRIST MILL. In September, 1641, a contract was given to Samuel Swayne "for the frame and body." Matthew Mitchell and Joe Ogden built the dam. The mill was destroyed and rebuilt in 1642. It has been a manufactur- ing site for 294 years.

This mill site was afterwards used as a flax mill and later as the Rippowam Rolling Mills. In 1840 Waring's Foundry was moved to this place. Later it became a woolen mill, and remained so until after 1880 when it was destroyed by fire.

SECOND GRIST MILL. In 1727, the Town granted permission to Vincent and Peter DeMill to construct a grist mill "20 rods South of the Harris Mill" (the first grist mill).

The mill was on the East side of the river and the dam is now under the Pulaski Street Bridge.

On the West Bank of the river, at the head of the harbor, was the OLD WEST LANDING. In 1677 the Town voted to Johnathan Selleck "all that piece of land lying upon the West side of the landing place, and beginning at a brook called 'Hardy's Hole'." He constructed a warehouse which afterwards was complained of by Governor Belmont as being the location of extensive smuggling operations. A century ago this was the shipping point for the iron mills at Main Street, Stillwater and Roxbury.

The road leading North to the West Main Street Bridge, now Greenwich Avenue, was called West Landing Road.

SHIPPAN POINT

Shippan Point was the site of an encampment of American Troops during the Revolution, marked by a permanent memorial near the Stamford Yacht Club. On the night of September 5th, 1779, Col. Talmadge left Shippan Point with 130 irnen and made a raid on Lloyd's Neck, capturing the Fort at that point with several hundred men, and returning safely the following day.

In December, 1782, Col. Talmadge assembled a force of 700 men here, intending to make a raid on Long Island, but was prevented by a violent storm.

Three scouting ships of the enemy appeared off the Point and Colonel Brewster succeeded in overtaking them in the Sound. He cap- tured two of the three. Col. Talmadge made a second attempt to raid the British on Long Island but was again thwarted by a storm, before he received orders to discontinue from Gen. Washington.

Another expedition left this vicinity in charge of Capt. Ebenezer Jones, Commander of the whale boats and Major John Davenport, in command of the local guard. They captured a sloop of war and smaller vessel at Oyster Bay and returned safely.

On the East side of Shippan Avenue may be seen the remains of the Manor House gate. This wall was constructed in the middle part of the 19th Century.

OLD HOUSES NOW STANDING

On the old route of the Bedford Trails, now Bedford Street, on the East side just above North Street, stands the old Barnum house, later the property of Theodore Ferris. This house, constructed ahout 1735, is one of the oldest houses standing in Stamford. Some of the boards on the rear porch are hewn staves or planks.

On the same side of Bedford Street, opposite Oak Street, is the old Hoyt Homestead, formerly owned by the Hoyts, who served in the Revolutionary War.

The land around these two houses is still fenced off as farming land, though the barns and cow sheds have long since disappeared. This is probably the only section of Stamford that remains as it was laid out two centuries ago.

On the West side of Bedford Street, facing the old North Stamford Road is the former home of Theodore Ferris, which was constructed by Capt. Thaddeus Hoyt in 1788, according to a stone marker on the Northern foundation. It is a type of Colonial house of the Romanesque style. Roman scrolls are carved on the front door.

OLD STAMFORD CEMETERIES

GREENWICH AVENUE CEMETERY. This cemetery was one of the oldest in the Town. It is the burial place of General David Waterbury, and members of the Webb, Hoyt, Scofield, DeMill and many other families. Some of the tombstones were removed from West Park to this cemetery.

ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH YARD on Franklin Street is the burial place of Rev. John Bishop and many other "Fathers of the Town." Mounted on the inside of the Franklin Street wall are many tombstones removed from West Park.

Near the church is the grave of Rev. Ebenezer Dibble, first rector of St. John's Episcopal Church, who died in 1799, after a rectorship of 51 years.

NORTH FIELD CEMETERY, at the corner of North and Franklin Streets, was the last burial ground of the Congregational Church. In the enclosure near the Franklin Street gate is the grave of Abraham Davenport, a table monument, surrounded with an iron fence. FORT STAMFORD

Located on the Westover Road, two miles Northwest of the center of the City. It is marked by an appropriate monument erected by the D. A. R. Fort Stamford, one of the forts constructed under direction of General Putnam, guarded the upper passage of the Mianus. It was a star fort with a bastion on each corner, composed of earthworks six feet high, and surmounted with a log palisade. Inside of this area a few years ago the well and remains of the old powder magazine were visible.

The only skirmish in this vicinity occurred in 1779. Col. Sheldon's Regiment of Connecticut Cavalry had raided over into neutral ground on several occasions and caused the enemy much annoyance. Col. Tarle- ton was sent to capture them. He succeeded in overtaking a portion of the Americans on a road between this Fort and Bedford, and pursued them nearly to Fort Stamford, killing, wounding or capturing 18 or 20 men. Tarleton then returned northward, raided Bedford Village and Pound Ridge, and a part of his detachment had a skirmish with the Americans below Trinity Pass.

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