Such was outlined as the boundary of the Parish of Mount Carmel, and this outline is still employed in the official business of the town of Hamden in allotting official work, designated as the Mount Carmel Society.

The southern portion of the town of Hamden is known officially as the East Plains Society, which, united with the Parish of Mount Carmel in 1786, formed the town of Hamden.

Mount Carmel of to-day, with five miles of electric road in Whitney Avenue, the macadam pavement, the named streets branching from Whitney Avenue, the the steam road with its convenient depots for passengers and freight, the numerous stores and elegant homes, abodes of refinement and wealth, that have been accumu­lated by development of natural resources here found, present so great a change from the native forest which covered the whole area less than two hundred years ago, as to cause the time to seem short in which such change has developed. The members of the Book Club now meet monthly in their parlors adorned with taste and art from the whole world-contrast it with the first log cabin, built with the axe of the pioneer who blazed his path hither from the settlement of New Haven, which then had struggled for an existence during its first hundred years. In those days mutual helpfulness was a trait of character found in every family-such as always exists more strongly among those people striving to promote a worthy cause; so long as an unsubdued wilderness covered the earth

10

and the sustenance of families depended on cultivation of the soil, sturdy muscular development was the energy by which bread was furnished (The following poem was read at a re-union of the Toddy family.)

In age we linger over youthful scenes And all the radiance of their lives outlined;
What passed, as all must pass, through sordid things, Is all forgot, and loveliness entwined.

We see a wreath where once there was a gnarl; We hear a whisper as an angel sings-

To them it may have been a scroll Of terror, fastened to the cross it clings.

Their lives were at the dawn-ours full day;
Their hopes were onward, of the future dream Their work is done-ours seems like play
Compared with marvels of their past revealing.

Yet. who are we who fill this link unbroken? And who will come to make the chain unending?
Can we a stroke of destiny or token Leave after us that will not mar the mending?

They wrought and built, art by their labor fashioned;
Time was too short while day illumed the sky; The moonbeams often fell athwart impassioned
Man who wielded thus the ax, the hoe, the scythe

For them a battle every day was raging;
Strength was the meed by which their goal was won;
Their crown was not an emblem, fleeting, fading,
But of a substance done.

Mark, yonder, where a marble shaft uprising,
Displays the names of those we here commend;
We feel they live, and in the future dawning
We meet again - a meeting without end.

There was much more than poetic fiction relating to work by moonlight with the ax or the cradle in securing the harvest. Those who still remember fireside tales of sixty years ago, listened to recounting of feats of their sires quite as remarkable, and performed with a worthier purpose, than the skilled athletes in their brutal contests on the ball fields. In the earlier days no call to stop work was heeded but the dinner horn. Up with the sun and work until dark, was the custom, and after that do the chores by the light from the tallow candle shining through punctured tin lanterns. "The plowman homward plods his weary way"

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was truth exemplified in many a household before the riding or sulky plow turned a furrow.

It was a day when the Lord reigned solitary in families. The meeting house, many miles from the home of a remote settler, might be visited but a few times a year. Yet there grew, in many a home circle, devout hearts that trusted in God. The fear of the Lord was in the land. There is a tradition of Josiah Todd awaking one morning to find the ground about his house filled with wild turkeys. The ready gun was brought at once, ready for use, when the solemn thought occurred that it was the Sabbath day. With reluctance-we imagine-the gun was put in rest, thinking a temptation from the Devil to him had entered the wild turkeys to thus expose themselves within grasp on the one holy day of the week. We know the house of this Josiah Todd was far from others, that the echo from his gun would have awakened no disturbing thoughts among his neighbors, that no law forbade him to supply his board with choice fowl, but the voice of conscience stirred him to keep one day holy unto the Lord. Of such character were made the men of our forefathers. When they listened to a sermon, they thought of it, and if the tenets taught did not agree with their version of the Bible, a new sect would soon arise, meetings would be held in private houses, where the people exhorted as they were led by the spirit. Such sturdy indepen­dence in thought may not have strengthened organized associations, but it filled a

12

people with bold and fearless thought; it inspired original expression in prose and verse, as appears in a Revery in the Blue Hills.

What do the trees say, tuned by the wind?
First into ecstacy deeply they bend;
Softly and slow the murmurs descend
Till, hushed into silence, no leaf is astir;
The carol of linnet, or pheasant's shrill whirr-
Naught else-shows that life is breathing the air.
The coney is sleeping, the fox in his lair.
The dim. fleecy clouds approach us above;
Suspended are we o'er the plain where we rove.
We sweep the full orbit by magical wand;
It seems as if Heaven had sought us, and found
: That our trust and our confidence stood us in need,
Has raised us high up over ocean and mead.
We drink the rich draught which so seldom befalls
To mortals who only in parlors and halls
See the kingdoms of earth spread their banners afar,
Or witness on plains the carnage of war.
Our victory here is one of good-will.
We listen again to the murmurs that thrill
All our fancies with longing, then silently sleep;
The cadence is softened and hushed as the deep.
In a mountain our Saviour with angels conversed;
In a mountain God gave His commandments to earth;
In the mountains our refuge has ever been laid;
Lot fled to the mountain for safety and aid.

Mount Carmel had other preponderating influence than agriculture. The towering hills, always in view when the first settlers sailed up the harbor, must have been a source of wonder, curiosity, and a certain amount of superstition

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which long haunted the gloomy forest of the Blue Hills. Reaching across the valley, on the west bordered by Mill River, an excellent mill site had been cut in the trap rock by the flow of a once mighty river, continued through the untold ages of the past. Late geological teachings include this valley to the north as once the bed of the Farmington and the Quinnipiac Rivers; a mighty torrent indeed, must have rushed through the narrow gorge at the western foot of Mount Carmel, spreading far and wide and below the dike of trap rock.

Depressions, washouts, gravel beds and a general rough and tumble makeup of the valley lands are explained by the knowledge that a mighty river Farmington and Quinnipiac united with Mill River once poured its waters onward to the Sound, depositing the great delta of "Hamden Plains" and the site mostly occupied by New Haven.

The glacial ice cap is credited with having produced the change in the flow of rivers and with having lowered the summits of Carmel and East and West Rocks, which are thought to have been two thousand feet higher than at present. Mt. Carmel as an intruded lava flow from beneath the crust of red sandstone which covers the valley, brought in its make-up the native copper which has been found here in nuggets weighing ninety pounds, and doubtless the two hundred-pound scrap dug from the soil a few miles to the south, was conveyed thither by ice. The deposits of gold-bearing rock with silver and large quantities of magnetic iron disclose a vast field fully worthy of investigation for mineral wealth.1 They fully justify the opinions expressed by the extensive examinations made of this valley by Professor Charles U. Shepard, published in his report of Mineralogy of Connecticut in 1835, where he predicts this valley will become the richest mineral producing of the whole area. Here is a field which carries us back to the remote past for investigation and leaves plenty of room for future speculation as to what may yet be found in the bosom of these eternal hills. Numerous traditions exist of early explorations here. We have the fact that the mountain gave the name to the settlement, but who was the individual who boldly proclaimed the name as a fitting emblem of the Mount known by that name in Palestine?

The unique situation and lofty views enjoyed from the summit, have always made it a favorite resort, and many attempts have been made to utilize and improve it in some manner which would benefit the promoters. In 1807 the proprietors of the land united in an association for that purpose, which continued in existence until 1842. The enclosing of the whole mountain by a lawful fence to protect the growing wood from stock, seems to be the extent of this association's improvements. Their work is of interest, as the records compiled show who

Note. Gold is found in assay by Arizona School of Mines, March 25, 1904, of which the Director, Professor William P. Blake, says: "The occurrence is very in­teresting to science and requires further careful investigation."

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then owned the land, and have been of much help in determining, at a later day, some of the original boundaries.1 So long as wood had a commercial value which placed a very favorable credit to the owner of woodlands, the sides and declivities were sharply defined by landmarks which denoted ownership. Economic changes which resulted from issues developed in the decade following 1860, tended to lessen the value of landed property and country holdings to such an extent that outlying woodlands were little appreciated. When the preceding generation had passed, most of the young men found wealth and pleasure in employments more congenial than the farm. Following such a course of evolution during forty years, land changed owners in some holdings, and boundaries were frequently defined with irregularity. The common form of conveying by deed, became, "bounded by land of" so and so, referring for more particular landmarks to "the original layout on record." By a tedious search of the Colonial Land Records, the original layout was at last found, and it is therein recorded in so definite measure that it is well worthy of perusal.

Reviewing the histories of North Haven and Hamden in which the historians have gathered from every available source all facts possible to obtain, a meagre field seems left to glean for further incidents "in pastures green." No historian can be more painstaking than Thorpe, none more able than Blake; their works can be read at every fireside. Still, there lingers a dearth of knowledge of what transpired in the immediate precincts of the historic mountain.

In Blake's history of Hamden, much is told us of the manufacturers who built up pioneer industries on Mill River. Very little is said about the erection of the dam at the "Steps." Of the milling, the kiln-drying of corn, the making of cloth, the saw-mill-such industries as are at first needed by the first settlers- we are left in the dark. Another mill site one mile north of the "Steps," where industries flourished during more than one hundred years, has no mention in contemporary histories. Few now living have recollections of what was done at these once centers of industry. Not even a water-wheel now remains at one of these designated spots to show that once on its site the grain was ground for the planters of the Colony, and that the rye gin distilled there had a reputation for excellence which made a market in foreign lands. The last mill man who lived on the spot and ran a saw-mill, Charles Downs, brought me a bunch of the finest wintergreen berries ever gathered, picked on the bank of this mill stream, and the same Charles Downs, then more than eighty years old, knew where to find the first blooming arbutus in its virgin growth.

On the morning of April 6th, 1902, the writer drove in quest of Charles Downs. Four score years had whitened his hair, but when last met his step was

1Note. Extracts from the Blue Hill Common Field Record Book are given else­where in this volume.

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firm and the characteristic vigor of early life seemed undiminished. Quick observation, with retentive memory, stored an active brain with varied experiences beyond the ken of most men now living".

With my first inquiry, came the reply-he no longer lives. The past had reclaimed him with the unnumbered host. Recollections none else can give, rest with him. Future people may appreciate history better from efforts to restore what is easy matter for the present to preserve, therefore make note of present events; the past will then be preserved, the future will always be at dawn.

Photographed by R. E. O'Brien. WEST WOODS CEMETERY.

REMINISCENCES OF THE INDIANS.

Thus the Carmel of to-day, earlier known as the "Blue Hills," and later christened "The Sleeping Giant," speaks to the lovers of two hemispheres.

When viewed from the north, the outlines from Mts. Tom and Holyoke embrace Carmel in their view. The veteran innkeeper on the Catskills said to a party from New Haven, "What do you call that mountain just north of your city which we see from here on a favorable day?" When viewed from the south, Carmel shows its noble proportions. To the early navigators of the Sound it must have been a familiar landmark, and attracted the notice of William Haswell when making the coast survey for the United States government, and he made his abode here at the summit three weeks, his camp consisting of a covered wagon and accoutrements. This was about 1830.

For more than two and one-half centuries after the settlement of New Haven, Carmel lay in comparative solitude. A new era dawned in 1888. Its hitherto impregnable fastnesses were broken when on July 4th of that year no less than fifty carriages and two hundred visitors ascended to the summit over the road just then completed. From that date, progress has been onward. House after house has found a nesting place where the outlook repays the ascent of toil. Nine such summer cottages now afford a vacation of luxury to the owners. As history is not concerned with what is to come, the future may be for others to record. Of the hamlet which clusters at its foot, the stage coach has given place to the trolley, the first line of which across the state is near completion, constructed in the most approved form of modern building, the heaviest rails and full-sized steam road cross-ties being used in its make-up, and the ride through the Parish of Mount Carmel will not be the least interesting part of the way between New York and Boston.

So much of future possibilities cluster about this spot, thought takes more kindly to prophecy than to tradition, but in writing history such must be ignored and left for the future historian to make record of the prospects in store for these everlasting hills. In thought we see the last of the Quinnipiacs looking

23

from the summit over the valley of their departing homes. We hear their last plaintive song as it sounded sixty years ago from the last remnant of the tribe, as the writer saw their picturesque figures poised one May morning on an overhanging crag of the rocky precipice.

-THIRD MOUNTAIN. HAS WELL LEDGE-
Photographed by H. B. Welch.

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With what lofty grandeur of spirit was uttered the acceptance of his death sentence, by the patriot of his band, "Nepaupuck" ("werein") "it is well." Historians applaud martyrs who die for their acts committed to save their country -if one such Indian is condemned as a murderer of white men, he suffers at their hands an ignominious death-of him no word has been written to com­memorate a lofty spirit. A distinguished professor of Yale University, in a public lecture, said of "British Rule in India": "The natives did not understand the nature of written contracts." Follow what DeForest says of the Quinnipiac Indians, "Knowing little of European modes of life, and judging of the colonists greatly by themselves, they supposed that the latter would cultivate but little land, and support themselves for the rest, by trading, fishing and hunting. Little did they think that in the course of years the white population would increase from scores to hundreds, and from hundreds to thousands; that the deep forest would be cut down; that the wild animals would disappear; that the fish would grow few in the rivers; and that the poor remnant of the Quinnipiacs would eventually leave the graves of their forefathers and wander away into another land. Could they have anticipated that a change so wonderful, and, in their history, so unprecedented, would of necessity follow the coming of the white man, they would have preferred the Wampun tributes of the Pequots and the scalping parties of the Five Nations, to the vicinity of a people so kind, so peaceable and yet so destructive."

Note the poetic thought in the mode of conveyance of the title of the land from the sovereignty of the tribe, to the English: "A follower hands to his chief a piece of turf and a twig. Anasantawae (the chief) stuck the twig in the turf and gave both into the hands of the English." Thus, forever, the land passed from the ownership of the "aborigines." And who were they, and from whence? We can only commemorate their memory and be thankful that this tribe, the Quinnipiacs, did not stain our soil (which they sold, comprising eighteen miles from east to west and thirteen miles from the coast line to the north) with the blood of our forefathers. The one patriot of their band, Nepaupuck, who fought for his race, strayed into New Haven in 1639, when he was apprehended and speedily executed.

The origin of the word trap as applied to rock, is Swedish, from "trappa," signifying ''stairs" this rock having that preponderating character in its forma­tion. These steps are found in various widths, sometimes narrow, frequently wide and covering a surface of several feet between each division; thus, at this particular spot in Mount Carmel they constituted an elongated plane ascending along the side of the dike until they reached the top, and were ascended and descended most frequently on horseback, not admitting the passage of wheeled vehicles until after a passage was cut through the dike and a large amount of fining done on the south side to build a road.

The course traveled is mentioned as a "path" in 1722, but it was a continu­ation of a highway ordered to be laid out in 1686 and that it should be six rods wide. This "layout" does not appear to have been complete until 1722, continuing through New Haven bounds where the north boundary was by the farm of Daniel Andrews. Broad ideas were held by pioneers of those days. The beautiful street laid out through the village of Mount Carmel, that for more than one mile has a straight and uninterrupted view, before 1800 was built up with two-story colonial houses with two rooms fronting the street, which was six rods wide. A few still remain, landmarks of a century's growth. Many have disappeared within the memory of the writer. The street has been narrowed to four rods, which for thirty years was occupied in part by a steam railroad, and at the present time by a trolley line. Had the six-rod width been preserved, few towns in the state could have presented a drive of more natural beauty.

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Nature bestowed large gifts on the make-up of Mount Carmel. Few localities exist where a river, with water power, a turnpike, a canal, steam railroad, and electric trolley are all combined in so narrow space. The benfits accruing where so many businesses converge have not accumulated the resident wealth that naturally flows to such a center. There has been much to mar the beauty here. Three well built homes were removed to make way for the canal. The houses now stand on the east side of the highway, in much inferior situations to the place where originally built. A fourth house, erected by Samuel Bellamy, stood near the present church. The house was commodious, two-story, in good colonial style, with a broad lawn in front, and ample space to the highway. This house was made the official home of Day Spring Lodge of Free Masons, organized in 1794. The canal cut through the front yard in 1825. Thereafter this place, and many other homes that faced the street on the west side, lost much attractive­ness. The canal proved a pecuniary loss to every one connected with it.

In 1800 the chartered Turnpike Co. had usurped the rights of the townsmen to their six-rod highway, and placed an obnoxious toll gate, collecting gate money on what had been a free road. Several town meetings were summoned in August and September, 1803, when votes were recorded to order the selectmen to remove the fence, only to leave so much as stood on the four rods, ceded to the Chartered Turnpike Company.

September 19, 1803. Voted, "That a petition be presented to the General Assembly, praying a removal of the Cheshire turnpike gate, established in this town so that the inhabitants can have the use of their old roads free of toll, or relief in some other manner, and the selectmen are hereby directed to have said petition, and to subscribe it in the name and behalf of the town." All these attempts proved utterly futile, as the narrowed highway continued, and toll was collected by the Turnpike Company later than 1850.

Ostensibly to shun the steam cars, but in fact more to clear the toll gate, a highway was built about 1850, east of, and crossing Mill River. This road was mostly built by private subscription. By making a detour of a little more than one mile, the toll gate was passed, and much danger from passing trains of cars avoided. So much were the profits eliminated from the gate fees, that the Turnpike Company relinquished their charter and the highway became once more a free road.

Mr. John L. Preston, of Cheshire, furnishes the following ancient document, which is of especial interest at this point in our history, as it refers to the Steps just described. The document is labelled, "Munson & Hotchkiss Covenant," and the saw-mill of which it treats was located at the clam on the river where is now the lower shop of the Mount Carmel Axle Works:

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"This INDENTURE MADE this ninth day of December, 1735, WITNESSETH that whereas Joel Munson of the town and County of New Haven in the Colonie of Connecticut in New England, have Erected and built a Saw mill on the River called New Haven Mill River, att or near a place called the Steps in New Haven afors'd,

"It is agreed between the sd Joel Munson on the one part and Jacob Hotchkiss of sd New Haven on the other part, that the said Munson shall keep and maintain a Good and Sufficient Saw mill, either by himself or his heirs or assigns att or near the place that the aforesd mill now standeth as long as the sd Munson his heirs or assigns or the Selectmen of the town of New Haven shall think and judge that a saw mill may or shall be accounted advantageous & profitable in sd place and as long as sd Saw mill shall so remain, I, the sd Joel Munson do bind myself, my heirs, exrs, admrs & assigns to saw the one half of sd term that the mill can run for the sd Jacob Hotchkiss his heirs, exrs, or admrs or assigns att any and all times when he or they shall have any loggs at the sd mill, and if in case he the sd Hotchkiss his heirs &c shall have no loggs att the sd mill then the sd Munson his heirs &c have libertie to Improve sd mill, the whole time to their best advantage until such time as that there be by sd Hotchkiss his heirs &c a supply of loggs provided and then the sd Munson shall again att the Request of the sd Hotchkiss Improve the sd mill the one half of sd time in the sawing of such loggs as he the sd Hotchkiss shall direct, either into board, plank, slit oak &c which by the judgment of two Lawyors if difference arise, shall be counted good and merchantable, and the sd Jacob Hotchkiss doth bind himself his heirs and assigns to Rendor unto the sd Munson his heirs &c the one half of the load plank, slit work &c that shall be sawed out of loggs that are twelve foot long and fifteen inches Diameter at the smallest end that did belong to and were the propertie of the sd Hotchkiss his heirs &c and for loggs of shorter dimentions as they the parties con­ cerned can agree or as two indifferent persons may or shall think just, each party to choose one. and if in case either party refuse, the other to choose both, to which agreement we as the parties before named viz: Joel Munson and Jacob Hotchkiss have hereunto Interchangeably sett our hands and seals and do by these presents bind ourselves our heirs, exrs admrs and assigns faithfully to keep and perform every clause and article of the foregoing Covenant and agreement according to the true intent and meaning of the foregoing and above written on the forfiture of one hundred pounds money payable by the party nott complying therewith to the party wronged or suffering thereby, upon demand or upon the breach of any part or articles thereof. Signed and sealed the day and year aforsd. "JACOB HOTCHKISS

"Signed Sealed and Delivered in presence of "ISRAEL SMITH" SAM'L DARLING."

A feature of our economic system is much to be regretted, that by review of the past, short as it is, compared with associations of country life in England and on the European Continent, we find here, allowing the full limit of two hundred years since our first houses were built, so few families at the present day, owning and occupying the land of their fathers. As it appears here, the same is true throughout New England. It is not sufficient to say this is all brought about by depletion of our soils, low prices for farm products, and Western farm competition. To one who has lived and farmed on the Western prairies,

3O

and known the personal inconveniences of life there, and truly compared the situation with a New England farm, the balance should be in favor of an Eastern home. We must look for other reasons that determine youth to leave the farm. The hatred of oppression that was a primal cause in settling New England, led the pioneers to abolish all tenures of land after the life of the testator; hence followed the law of distribution of the farm. The work of accumulation that has progressed by the united work of the family to the enriching of a homestead, is shortly dissipated, unless one of the many heirs assumes the load of responsibility to carry alone what has been previously borne by the united labors of the family. Is there reason to wonder that such a system can produce aught but abandonment of farms ? We have now arrived at that point in our economic situation where some of the immigrants landing in America, take up the phase much as our forefathers found it, and with a farm four-fold reduced in value from the demise of the last testator, begin the work of restoration, aided by a numerous family.

Thus we find the names of the descendants of our pioneer settlers of the Parish of Mount Carmel, such as Bradley, Andrews, Alien, Peck, Dickerman, Ives, Bellamy, Bassett, Munson, Tuttle, Perkins, Kimberley, Hitchcock, Brockett, Doolittle, Todd, and a host of others who have sought careers in different avenues of life, with the result that when now riding through the Parish of Mount Carmel, the individual descendants occupying the homes of their ancestors can be counted on the fingers of the hands. The rich inheritance of fathers to sons, of historic family associations, cannot endure where such short-lived customs of inheritance continue in vogue. There is a destructive competition carried on between pro­ducers engaged in similar lines of production. Much time is unnecessarily lost by farmers carrying to market small amounts of perishable products. In so doing they often beg a market from house to house, accepting any price offered. The total receipts of a day's sale will often fall below the compensation of a fair allowance for man and team. The demoralized condition of the market values, subject to such a system of sales, is destructive to a prosperous condition of agriculture in towns near manufacturing centers. The farmer who lives remote from the centers of consumption, unites all his efforts in the production of some staple crops, and by consigning to, or selling outright to men familiar with market values, reaps a much better reward.

In the old colonial days the landed "Proprietors" had a significance in their name that has long since departed. The earliest records are preserved under the title of "Proprietors' Records," which then extended chiefly to land. While this comforting assurance existed of a real worth in landed titles, agriculture flourished, measures were adopted for emulation in particular lines, and a distinction worth preserving was the approval of having the best stock exhibited at the County fair. The New Haven County Agricultural Society may have passed before the memory of the present generation. To its credit may be placed the record of one of

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the earliest, if not the first organization of the kind in the United States. It is known that leading farmers in Mount Carmel aided liberally in promoting success-ful exhibitions for a long period. Sterling Bradley, whose houses and barns still stand as he built them on the old colonial highway, afterward the turnpike, was an early promoter of choice cattle. His Durham stock long held precedence in the town, and his name became proverbial as associated with fine oxen. It was the custom at the County fair to award a liberal premium to the most numerous and best team of oxen exhibited by any town within the county. The team started at or near the home of Sterling Bradley and continued to augment as it proceeded through the town until one hundred and twenty-five yoke of oxen were gathered in the "round up" on New Haven Green. Mount Carmel always carried home the banner of victory when an effort was made to get out its full quota. On one occasion the returning team, numbering ninety yoke of oxen, was attached to a plow and turned a furrow up through Whitney Avenue, beginning near where Sachem Street intersects. Mr. Ford, a town resident of more than ninety years old, held the plow as it slowly proceeded through the avenue, directed by marshals on horseback, the victorious oxen decorated with blue ribbons.

Keeping in mind the fact that North Haven was settled many years earlier than Mount Carmel, gives sufficient cause for families going to "meeting" there.

North Haven Parish, chartered in 1716, extended to the land now occupied by the Mount Carmel church, and in 1757 embraced twelve families now included in Mount Carmel. The North Haven Parish then included about forty families. When Mount Carmel was made a parish in 1757, between twenty and thirty families were taken from North Haven, and included in Mount Carmel. In 1764, when Mount Carmel Church was formed, eighteen members from North Haven Church were embodied in the Mount Carmel Church. They had communed with the North Haven Church until that time. The population of North Haven Parish in 1700 was estimated as one hundred.

Following, in "North Haven Annals," appears the contest waged before the Colonial Assembly, to defeat the petitioners, and six months later to curtail an enlargement.

Choosing the site and the building of the first house for worship is relegated to the past. No tradition throws light on what may have hindered or advanced the work. During a period of forty years, there may have been comparative quiet. Nearby was erected a church building by Episcopal churchmen, which was later removed three miles south. Work for a new building in which to worship must have commenced near 1830. Mention is made of many meetings called before an agreement was settled as to a site for the new building. Members who lived south, sought to remove or build the new house one-half mile or more in that course. The members who lived north were obdurate. Their consent was limited to a removal only across the street, which there leads west, making it not more than two hundred feet. Such was the ultimate decision, and the new meeting house was complete in about 1835.

Although the name of the author who christened Mount Carmel is veiled in obscurity, the inspiration suggested by its reference to scenes of the Holy Land may have something in it to promote a favorite home for ministers of the church. Whatever may have been the leading tendency, we find no less than four ministers have here built homes for family residence, and six others, born to the manor, or from its immediate ancestry, have made the ministry a life-work. Those who here built homes, which are still an ornament in the parish, were: Rev. Nathaniel Sherman, 1772. Present residence of George A. Morton.

Rev. Israel P. Warren, D.D., 1850. Present residence of F. H. Pierce.

Rev. Stephen Hubbell, 1872. Present residence of Henry L. Ives.

Rev. Joseph Brewster, 1856. Rebuilt in 1880. Present residence of William Brewster.

Rev. Robert C. Bell, 1899. A mountain cottage.

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Native born:

Rev. George A. Dickerman, Rev. George S. Dickerman, D.D., Rev. Frederick Francis, Rev. William E. Todd, D.D., Rev. George Goodyear, M.A., graduate of Yale 1824, died 1844; Rev. Jason Atwater, B.A., graduate of Yale 1825, died 1860.

May we not construe inherent meditation filled the air of this guarded retreat of the mountain?

In the profession of medicine, we can quote but one, native born, Edwin Swift, M.D.

In law, two-Dennis Tuttle, Francis Ives.

It is difficult to write of Mount Carmel as seen to-day. Like a panorama, the scene is constantly changing. Within the lifetime of those now living, manufactories have been built, increased with great rapidity and shortly removed to continue enlarged operations in the nearby city. The Rubber Co., which first located here, also the refining of barytes, and the manufacture of wagon springs, the first boys' school to adopt the military uniform and drill, all the above have passed out of Mount Carmel.

Another now flourishing institution is the Children's Home, occupying the former residence of James Ives, which he remodeled into a dwelling from what was built and called the Young Ladies' Seminary, conducted by Miss Elizabeth Dickerman and sister; where a few boys, the writer being one of them, were in-

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CHILDREN'S HOME AT MT. CARMEL. Former Home of James Ives. structed in the sciences. Few in those classes now live and know the earlier history of the place. 'Tis not for those living that these reveries are conceived, but, rather, that those who come after may gain some recollections of former clays.

James H. Webb, Esquire, who, among other legal honors, was delegate from Hamden to the State Convention in Hartford in 1902 for remodeling the Constitution, has delivered this discriminating tribute to the farm:

"Mr. Chairman: We should appreciate the farm if only as a means of rescuing our boys from the eternal drudgery of an office or counting room, or from the possible slavery of becoming mere adding machines, or quill-drivers in the clerical department of some great Corporation."

Let the boys of the future ponder on this sentiment and compare with it the life of the boy on the farm, of the past. There was a time, no more remote than the days of the boyhood of our fathers, when the streak of light that ushered in the new-born day found the farmer boy astir, among the oxen and cows, which were foddered before daylight in winter, to be ready when day dawned to yoke to the sled, and when the snow queaked beneath the maple runners in the frosty morn, a load of logs was hurried on for the city market. Darkness often closed when the team again foddered in the barn, and a hearty supper was eaten before the fire of blazing logs.

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Quoting from Hamden Centenary:

"James Ives, one of the earliest settlers on his farm which lay just within the bounds of the Parish, and near the present manufactory of W. Woodruff & Sons, said to his son Elam, who called in early morn to see him in his last sickness,-'The sun has got up before me this morning, which it has not done before in twenty years.' "

Think of such a record to look back upon! No steam gongs or factory bells awoke the stillness of those early days. The boys here grew to know nature's laws, and they went forth to conquer. After the forests were subdued, such men conquered the forces of steam, of mechanics, of electricity. Men from the farm became the greatest Presidents of the Republic, and the most able generals. Are there not still forces on the farm to be subdued, worthy of the intelligence of the rising generation ?

JAMES IVES FARM. Later Known as "The Squire Todd Place."

Close by the historic farm of James Ives, now the property of William Brewster, Esq., in the brick hall built by James Ives, a descendant of later fame, literary entertainments of considerable originality have been acquitted with credit to all participants, and netted considerable amounts for the benefit of the Mount Carmel Library, and for the Village Improvement Association.

Well preserved is the Chatterton home,-a name once of fame in Mount Carmel, long- since ceased. Chatterton owned the grist mill at the "Steps." The last Chatterton remembered was Deborah, who married Preston, but long lived a widow. Eccentric, she lived alone, mowed her grass, and it was said if wet days interfered in drying hay, she carried it into the house to dry before the kitchen fire. Frank Warner succeeds to ownership, and well preserves the house

HOMESTEAD OF DEBORAH CHATTERTON PRESTON. photographed by R. E. O'Brien. 45 CHATTERTON HOMESTEAD. built more than one hundred and twenty-five years ago. One-fourth of a mile west of the home of Frank Warner, now stands the house formerly the home of Horace Doolittle, at present owned by John Rourke, but unoccupied. The place is said to have been built by the Chatterton family, and is one hundred and forty-five years old. A characteristic feature of age is the stone topped chimney, and small window panes.

The charm of woodlands is best appreciated after the home lover, who is born and reared among trees, lives for a period on a treeless waste, where the far away sky dips to meet the soil. Nothing in the interval catches the eye save perhaps a settler's cabin, or, if a railroad has been built, the smoke of a passing train crawls across the prairie. A single summer sufficed the youthful desire to "go west." By the return to New England, woods have become a perpetual charm.

T HE following is contributed by Mrs. Alice M. Peck, the wife of Friend Joseph Peck. Mrs. Peck is a graduate of the Emma Willard Seminary in Troy, N. Y.

"The house now owned and occupied by Friend Joseph Peck was built in the year 1794 by Joseph Peck, who was grandfather of the present owner. Joseph Peck was the son of Amos Peck, who was one of the founders of the North Church in New Haven. Later, he moved to Mount Carmel and was one of the first deacons in the Mount Carmel Congregational Church, holding that office from 1768 to 1783. Amos Peck was the grandson of Henry Peck, who settled in New Haven in 1638. He emigrated to this country with Governor Eaton and Reverend John Davenport in the ship Hector in 1637.

"The farm now owned by Friend J. Peck has been in the Peck family one hundred and fifty years, descending from father to son. The house occupied by Amos Peck, and later by Joseph Peck, was on the opposite side of the street, and a few rods north of the present dwelling. The nails used in building this house were all made by Joseph Peck." HOME OF FRIEND JOSEPH PECK. Built in 1794. This statement, brief though it is, conveys possibilities of long lives spent here in devotion to family trusts. The man who hammered out nails on his anvil

47 and made, as tradition says did Amos Peck, needles for his wife with which to make their home-woven cloth into garments to clothe the family, and then weekly take a horseback ride of nine miles to attend church on the New Haven Green, shows the mould of men who carved out homes in the wilderness. Of the long line of incidents which must have fallen to the lot of Mrs. Lois Peck, who was twenty-four years old at the Declaration of Independence, and who lived to the age of one hundred years in 1852, a whole volume should be filled with her memoirs. Nothing can be gleaned from this eventful life beyond what has been already given.

The Henry Peck home in 1826 was previously owned by Joseph Hough and the premises occupied for a tannery. The barn was remodeled from the tannery and used for a workshop to make and repair shoes. Ives Andrews here learned the trade from Henry Peck, and with Albert Hitchcock made more than seven hundred pair of shoes in one year. This was before 1840.

Henry Peck had the reputation of being first-class with the rifle. Custom then patronized turkey shoots. With his twenty-pound rifle Henry Peck was sure to win his birds at forty rods. The writer has often handled the gun, which until recent date was in possession of the family. The house now stands the same in outline as when built, and has been in continued occupation more than one hundred years. It is now owned by Thomas Bristol.

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Mr. Miller, who was formerly a resident of Woodbridge, Conn., brought from there (and which is still in the cellar of the home as a relic) a pork barrel made by Earl Sperry to hold the family supply of home made pork. It was the custom of Chauncey Miller to raise the largest hog in town, often tipping the scale at over six hundred pounds. Mr. Miller had the record of being the first man who ground carriage springs in the factory of Charles Brockett, which, it is thought, may have been the oldest industry of the kind in America.

A Sleeping Giant! lying there in state, His head
is pillowed on a running stream,
Which laves his temples, while night's shadows wait,
But noon still finds him in his quiet dream.

A MONG the dim traditions of Colonial life in Mount Carmel gleams that of a slave owner, Munson. His plantation was extensive. It appears that one or more grist mills yielded to him their revenues, and he exported to the West Indies their products of home-made gin and kiln-dried corn meal. To show the extent of his business, it is said that a single purchase of seven thousand bushels of grain was entered in his books, and also a record of sales of his slaves. Unfortunately these books have disappeared. It is said that they were in an old desk which was sold at auction, and the old mansion has been destroyed.

This business was not conducted wholly by one individual, there being apparently a partner by the name of Chapman who dwelt in the city.

It is possible that the first mill-dam and grist mill at the "Steps" was built by this Arm. It has been impossible thus far, to discover who actually built the first dam here; by whom the construction work was done remains to be unraveled by future historians in search of antiquarian lore. The name of Jacob Hotchkiss appears in the Proprietors' Records as a lessee of lands in this vicinity in 1733, but nothing is said there about the mill. Later, Chatterton, Hunt and Wyles each individually came into possession of the grist mill at the Steps before it was owned by Roderick Kimberly, but none of these was the builder of the first dam. Thus easily are the original settlers lost sight of.

The Fulling Mill was run by Ezra Kimberly, who afterward went to Spring­field; later, George Kimberly ran the. mill.

The Kimberly family has filled a prominent place in Mount Carmel as proprietors of grist mill and grocery store from 1840 to 1890. Business with them was a financial success and the accumulated earnings accrued to a small fortune in their day. Burton Kimberly was an early pioneer in the gold fields of California. During his life in Mount Carmel, in company with his father, Roderick, and brother Hobart, they bought a cargo of coarse salt shipped to New Haven and thence freighted by steam road to their grist mill, where they ground it and, put in small bags for family use, reshipped it to the city. Trade at their store (now the Mt. Carmel Centre post office) was always prosperous. The last of their line, Hobart, left an estate of considerable value which was adjudged by Probate Court should be divided among thirty-three heirs.

A large collection of manuscript was found among their assets, and from this the facts for the following curious letter written by a member of the family:

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New Haven. Conn.,

Aug. 2, 1775

. My Dear Cousin:

I must tell you of such a ludicrous affair as happened here last week. You know we live eight miles out of the city, near the place called the "Steppes," where the ledges of rock block the road like great steps,-but you know the place. Abigail's mother told me about this affair, and she had it from the girls and I saw them when they came home.

You see Abigail expected her cousin Prudence from Boston, and she had worked hard so as to have more time to visit with Prudence when she came. Abigail is a thrifty body and it would do you good to see the linen she has already spun and woven and has laid away with lavender in a great oaken chest. She had just finished weaving a piece and wanted to finish bleaching it before Prudence came, so she had refused to go to the greatest jollification of the year-the annual picnic at Oyster Point.

Now, as it happened, Prudence arrived by an earlier stage than expected, coming-just the day before the picnic. At the picnic they always see so many of the young people who seldom met, and have such good times bathing, clamming, the picnic dinner, and all, that both girls wanted to go, for now that Prudence had come, Abigail would not need to spend more time preparing for her. If only there were some way for them to go. But how? The young men had all made their plans and as the picnic would take place the next day, it was late to ask any of them to make changes.

Suddenly, Abigail said, "I'll tell you what we might do, Prudence. Cousin David would take us I am certain, if I asked him."

"Well," said Prudence, "Why not?" For Abigail's tones showed that, in spite of her statement, she felt some doubt upon the subject.

"Because, he is so queer the girls won't go with him. He likes to play practical jokes and don't care how rough they are. Still, he has never been really mean to me, and if you are with me I don't believe he would dare."

Now Prudence, in spite of her name, was fond of anything that promised a spice of adventure, so she speedily overcame Abigail's feeble reluctance, and it was planned to ask Cousin David if he would drive them to the picnic.

David had once or twice asked his fair cousin to accompany him somewhere but had been refused, and it mightily pleased him now to be called upon to act as escort for her and her cousin, 'though he understood well that he was chosen because no one else was obtainable, and therefore he cherished some resentment.

When he called for them on picnic day, his face, grave as usual, betrayed none of his emotions. He had two good horses harnessed up to the long springless wagon, and in lieu of a seat a board was laid across the sides of the wagon box. The three had a quiet time until, having passed through the city, they drove out the Allingtown road,1 George street being the boundary of the town you know, and the road again lay thro' country, and the south of the road was flanked by open fields of corn ridges. Over this rough ground David deliberately drove his team, though he strove to make it appear that his horses went there of their own accord and that they were for a few minutes unmanageable.

As they jolted over the ridges, the board seat slipped and let the girls into the bottom of the wagon where their fresh white gowns speedily became soiled. When David succeeded in pulling up his refractory steeds, the girls felt that they were

1 Now Congress Ave.

54

hardly in suitable gala attire. However, they were forced to make the best of a bad matter, and managed to have a pretty good time after they reached Oyster Point. The day there did not improve the appearance of their gowns, and when they started for home the girls begged David to drive around rather than through the center of the town.

David promised to please, and assured them he was sorry they had had such bad luck that day. He drove around the town to the small village of Hotchkissville,1 then deliberately turned clown the wide road" that leads back to town. Now, David knew most of the residents here, so met many of his acquaintances and stopped to chat with each one, taking pains always to explain that the girls were anxious to not meet many persons because of their bedraggled appearance.

To say that the girls chafed under this treatment would be to put it mildly, but being convinced that remonstrance would be unavailing, kept silence. At length they were once more on the Farmington road and again in the country, to the relief of the girls.

Perhaps you will remember that about half way out from the city is a tavern which all our people patronize pretty well when driving over the roads. Here David bethought himself to stop and procure a refreshing draught, for the many times recounting of the incidents of the day had parched his throat. He carefully tied his horses (for David was wary), and entered the house of refreshment.

After his departure, Prudence broke the long silence by exclaiming, "Now, Abigail, we're rid of him, we'll let him stay here or get home as best he can."

"But suppose he sees us start off," remonstrated Abigail.

"Oh, if he once gets to talking and drinking in there, he'll not notice what we do." Alas! for their plan, Prudence understood men in general better than she did this particular individual.

Abigail untied the team and they started, but David was drinking with one eye out. of the window and saw the action. Hastily dropping the half drained glass, he gave chase and being quick of foot came alongside the horses before they were fairly in motion. With a bound, he landed on the back of one of the horses and taking off his hat he waved it wildly in the air and cheered lustily.

If the girls had been chagrined before, now their mortification knew no bounds. Abigail buried her face in her hands and wept, while Prudence, sitting painfully erect, meditated all manner of vengeance upon David.

Thus they were forced to finish the ride home, David urging the team with a whoop and cheer whenever there was a chance of their being seen or heard. Upon reaching home, and before they could get a chance to speak, he said gravely, "Now, girls, I've taken you this time, but you needn't ever ask me to go anywhere with you again." This has taken so much space in the telling, that I must shorten the rest of my communication.

* * * * * * * Your most affectionate cousin,

MARY ANN.

lNow Westville. 2Now Whalley Ave.

The following account of Ambrose Tuttle. with extracts from records left by him, is contributed by his great-granddaughter, Mrs. Katherine Bassett, who has in her possession many interesting documents relating to that period.

A MONG the very earliest families to settle in Mount Carmel, we find the name of Tuttle. This branch, like the other members of the same family in the United States, are descendants of the brothers John and William Tuttle, who came to this country in the vessel "The Planter" in 1635. The ancestral line of the family has been traced to Alfred the Great and Charlemagne. William Tuttle figured in court as an advocate during his early residence in this country, and many of his posterity have followed legal practice as a profession.

Early in the eighteenth century we find records of the residence in Mount Carmel of Nathaniel Tuttle, who was born in 1714, and it is stated that he had eight children born in Mount Carmel,-the first, Uri, in 1738; Nathaniel (third), in 1742, and the youngest, Jesse, in 1759. This Jesse Tuttle lived north of the mountain, in a house not now standing, near the present farms known as those of Horace and Henry Tuttle, and he died at the age of ninety years. His three sons, Ambrose, Leverett and Jesse, all settled in Mount Carmel and were prominent in town affairs. The story is told that Leverett was of the same political affiliations as his father, but that Ambrose was of the opposite party, so that when weighing them in the balance for a certain town office, the father remarked that "both of 'em are pretty smart men, but Leverett is a leetle the best qualified." Leverett was representative to the Connecticut legislature and died at the age of ninety-one, then the oldest man in Mount Carmel. His children, Horace, Lewis, Julia, Henry and Dennis, are now of the passing generation, and of Lcverett's descendants there are four practitioners of the law, and also among the children of Jesse, who were John, Lucy, Charles, Dwight and Grove, Dwight was graduated from the Yale Law School and admitted to practice in 1867.

Of the oldest brother, Ambrose, born September 17, 1784, much might be said. We give in this volume pictures of himself and of the house which he built in 1829, known in recent years as the home of Deacon George H. Alien. His tax list for 1856 shows he possessed two hundred and fifty-two acres of land. He married Mary Alien, who was born October 4th, 1784, and they had a number of children, whom, as they formed families who have continued to be well known in the town, it may be of interest to enumerate.

Sylvia, born Jan. 2, 1804, married Julius Tuttle January 24, 1825. Henrietta, born

Jan. 4, 1806, married Jared Dickerman, died April 17, 1851.

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Alien, born Feb. 17, 1808, married Caroline Tuttle November 29. 1830,

Amos, born May 25, 1810, married Harriet Bassett of New Haven, Feb. 24, 1840.

Mary, born Sept. 28, 1816, married Medad Bassett Oct. 13, 1841.

Ambrose Tuttle was Sheriff or Constable of the Town of Hamden from 1806 to 1809, shortly after his majority. He was assessor of the town taxes and was selectman as early as 1819. Ambrose Tuttle was Captain of Seventh Com­pany of the Second Regiment Militia in the War of 1812, his brother Leverett being Lieutenant. Men were detailed from this company for the coast defense of New London. Groton and other places. The muster, which is still in perfect preservation, includes many well-known Mount Carmel names, such as

and many others."

He must have been a rigid disciplinarian, as we find many papers asking relief from fines imposed by him for neglect of military duty.

He was Justice of the Peace from 1830 to 1840, or longer. A book entitled

"At a meeting of the inhabitants of North School District in Mt. Carmel School Society, September 2, 1819, it was voted to move the school-house from where it now stands, to the brow of the hill"--

"Voted to adjourn this meeting to next Thursday evening at Sun one hour high in the afternoon.

AMBROSE TUTTLE, Clerk."

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And the following extract from the same book shows him to have been still clerk twenty-three years later when at a meeting of the North School District held March 31, 1842, at which Ambrose Tuttle was Clerk and Jotham Bradley Committee it was voted "that the Committee be authorized to hire Julia Tuttle to keen the school if she can be obtained for a sum not exceeding two dollars and fifty cents per week." At a subsequent meeting it was voted "that the Committee be directed to set up school on the best conditions he can," and that "the board be $1.50 per week."

Among other papers in his desk we find the following memorandum of expenses dated December, 1834, in a case of a man who beat his wife:

(need image) The list of charges in settlement of Estate of Joseph Johnson shows an item for Doctor's attendance of thirty-nine visits at fifty cents a visit, with credit of white cloth at $1.00 a yard. Also a charge for a whitewood coffin $4.00, against which a credit is made of 42 cents for the lining.

Among a large number of old deeds there is found a deed of Samuel Atwater, Jr., and Ruth Atwater to Nathan Ailing, dated January 29, 1787.

A Bible owned by him, printed in 1811, is in perfect preservation; also, a Columbian Register dated March 15, 1828.

Ambrose Tuttle united with the Congregational Church in 1832, his wife having become a member in 1815. There are papers concerning the church of Mount Carmel, embracing forty-six persons which gathered and organized the 26th of January, 1764. In 1824 he was Treasurer of the Church Society and in 1840 one of the building committee. On a paper dated September 21, 1839, we And his name with others who subscribed money for the purchase of a bell for the church. In one of his annual accounts as treasurer of the church we find this item:

"Cash for wood and candles for singing .................... $ 1.10"

also-

"Ecc. Society of Mt. Carmel, to Hobart Ives Dr. "For repairs on Bass Viol and strings for 2 yrs. ............. $ 1.50"

6l

Reverend S. E. Dwight seems to have received $8.00 per "Lord's Day" in 1836 for his services as pastor.

After a long life filled with many duties both public and private, Ambrose Tuttle died at the age of eighty-one April 26th, 1865. That he was well qualified to serve his town in a clerical capacity, is attested by the manner in which he kept his papers, which have all been carefully preserved in his own desk, and which are now in the possession of the family of the late Amos A. Tuttle. Among these papers are the many interesting documents already quoted from, and among others is a list of books in the Union Library. These books were bought by subscriptions given by four or more families of Bradley and Tuttle prior to, or near, 1800, and still are preserved in the former home of Horace Bradley, now that of his granddaughter, Mrs. Cornelia Dudley. Good taste is shown in the selection, and as they give an idea of the intellectual status at that time, the list is here given in full.

(need mage)

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DANGER in pioneer life was exemplified in travel when La Crosse was the north terminal of railroad travel on the Mississippi River. Icebound and covered with snow, teamsters made it their highway for freighting further north. Unmindful of thin ice covered with snow, a driver walking behind his team, without warning they plunged through the ice and, quickly swept away by the current, disappeared. The driver, with miraculous escape from death, plodded on to St. Paul, and entering the "Merchants' Hotel" wrapped in fur coat and carrying his driving whip, asked for accommodation. "Certainly," says the obliging landlord. "Have your team cared for?" "My team is cared for in the Mississippi," was the laconic response.

The city of Minneapolis had then a population of eight thousand, and twelve thousand more were in St. Paul when Jerome Tuttle, now a resident of Mount Carmel, wended his way from thence to look for a home. Purchasing an ox team for two hundred dollars, he pushed his way to St. Cloud and from thence to Painsville, where the first settler, Payne, gave name to the town. Extending his search for miles, Long Lake gave the ideal sought in a prairie home. A clear sheet of water with sandy shore-prairie on the one side and heavy timber opposite-gave to Mr. Tuttle the opportunity sought of which he was not slow to take avail. Happiness and content hovered there during the years following, until the uprising of the Sioux. Indians roved the land at will. The first question often asked of the wife by her husband and father on a return from a trip to town, was, "Have you seen any Indians?" Sometimes a "No" was given, but often the reply was, "Many of them have been here begging for something to eat." The custom in this home was, not to admit Indians inside the house when the husband was away, but to pass whatever was given through the door.

Mr. Tuttle relates that after selection of his claim, he slid off his wagon box and in that formed a camp for wife and children, while he returned to St. Cloud with his oxen for lumber to build his house. The trip of forty miles occupied three to four days, and was frequently made leaving the family alone on the prairie. Characteristic of Indian traits is an incident, not true of this family, but which occurred in some other home. An Indian entered the home where were present only the wife and child. "Give me the pappoose, I give you horse," says the Indian. The mother reflects on the situation, and not wishing to give offense, says, "No. I can't give pappoose for horse,-give pappoose for

63

boat." "Ugh," says Indian, "too much work to make boat,-me steal horse," who then departs in good humor at his display of Indian wit.

Mr. Tuttle also relates as illustrative of the silent ways of Indians displayed, that they often appeared in the field without their approach having been noticed, and invariably begged for tobacco, not satisfied with denial until they felt his pockets to see if a crumb of the coveted morsel remained.

The sight of, and the smell emanating from, an approaching tribe, invariably caused a stampede of cattle, and when meeting them on trail chaining his oxen to a tree became necessary to prevent them from turning to flee in an opposite direction. Of this peculiar circumstance I have questioned Mr. Tuttle closely, and he affirms that invariably cattle detected an offensive odor from the approach of Indians and from an Indian trail such as were then common where the tribes from the Red River of the north descended to St. Paul with wood carts, each drawn by a single bullock laden with furs. One or two hundred Indians were often encountered on trail, in warm weather without clothing except the waist, the chieftains decorated in their hair with feathers to denote the number of scalps taken. They carried bow and arrow with stone hatchets, but fire-arms were not in general use by them previous to the uprising. Conducive to this uprising was the withdrawal of troops hitherto stationed in that region, as the government injudiciously thought they could be better employed in the south. Many of the Sioux captured were in possession of new rifles and ammunition, and it became a much mooted question where they were obtained. Mr. Tuttle describes an affecting scene of his little girl of seven years, who was offered a home in Painsville, where she could attend school, and on the first alarm of Indians, not knowing how it might fare with her father and mother seven miles out on the prairie, she watched anxiously for their appearance, and on their approach in the ox wagon ran joyfully to meet them.

Indolence of Indian life was shown in the squaw drawing a deer fastened on two poles, one end resting on the ground, the other fastened to the waist, while two pappooses were strapped on her back. The feeling of repugnance to labor and reluctance to relieve woman of work, caused an Indian to shoot a white man for no other reason than that at the time he was carrying his child in his arms while his wife walked beside him. The Indian was apprehended and executed.

Mr. Tuttle's residence on the frontier commenced in 1856, and six years were passed in acquiring comforts for his family. He lived seven miles from a neighbor, fifteen miles from post-office, and with his ox team drove forty miles to mill. He had erected a log house and enjoyed the comforts of pioneer life, when one day while making hav, he saw a man, without a previous note of warning, running to meet him, worn by fatigue. Mr. Tuttle hastened to meet

64

the runner to learn his news. "Run for your lives!" was all he could articulate, and then ran back with all possible speed. His flight had been from Painsville, situate on north fork of Crow River, tributary to the Mississippi River. The mail carrier to Painsville had met death at hands of Sioux. Thus news had come of Indians close at hand. Mr. Tuttle's ox team and wagon were ready to receive a load of hay. Hastily starting his team, Mr. Tuttle caught up two families near, and with his own family, he thrust them all on his hay wagon and started a race for life. Goaded by the hay fork, the oxen took a rapid gait. His buildings were burned by Sioux shortly after he left them. Reaching Painsville, all the families there hastened their departure. The following morn­ing saw the town in flames. A dozen families here saved their lives by their rapid flight, which continued to St. Cloud and from thence to St. Paul-a running flight of near two hundred miles. Here they were safe, but suffered a loss of their accumulated labor of six years-fourteen cattle and buildings. One thousand settlers met death at the hands of Sioux. General Sibley, in command of United States troops, checked the on-rush of Indians and took more than one thousand captive. Thirty-nine captives were condemned to die and were executed at Mankato. Scenes of cruelty to the settlers were witnessed too horrible for record. The bodies of the thirty-nine captives executed were not suffered to remain interred in the ground, but were hastily disinterred and sent to medical schools by agents assembled there to secure Indians. A settler accom­panied by a boy, hunted down and shot "Little Crow," a big chief of the Sioux, to secure a reward of two thousand dollars.

The families from Mount Carmel who had settled thirty miles south of Mankato, forsook their homes in hasty flight, but after a prolonged absence of six weeks, returned to find that the Sioux had not penetrated the south tier of counties. Although the Sioux had been frequent visitors among these settlers previous to the uprising, they forever after were an enemy not be tolerated within the settled counties of the state.

WHILE the name of Dickerman appears as locating ten or more early homes on the main street in Mount Carmel, and nearly every one disseminated a numerous family, the name of Dickerman does not appear among the early settlers of North Haven, and only three families of that name have since located in that town.

The name of Todd appears as being largely represented in North Haven. Ithamar Todd may have descended from a North Haven family. His name appears as the owner of a farm, lying on the south side of the Blue Hills, and reaching across the valley at the foot of the mountain. It is believed his house was built near a spring, fifty rods south of the house built by Simeon Todd, his grandson, which still stands on the top of the hill. The old house was moved to a location opposite to the new house, and used for a cider mill. It was standing within the memorv of the writer and was noted for the heavy beams and timbers used in its construction. Job Todd, a son of Ithamar, built a house and lived where, later, a vineyard was planted and the foundation stones of the house were removed.

The descendants of Simeon Todd held a reunion on the 28th of March, 1900, at the invitation of Reverend William E. Todd, a grandson, who was then sojourning for a time in Mount Carmel, the home of his ancestors. On this occasion the following paper was read:

"Blessings brighten as they take their flight"-so the younger generation, with much research and trouble, probe among records and revive old traditions to find the missing links which would easily have made a perfect chain if a little writing and preservation had been given attention in due time. It seems somewhat contradictory that those people who do things worth recording, do the least to perpetuate their acts by writing; thus, the ancestors of those whom we com­memorate were mighty men of valor who were held in high estimation by their neighbors and fellow citizens, while we of the present day write more than we act, and perhaps make our greatest glory in extolling those from whom we are descended. Can we expect our children hereafter will do the like for us?

When we think of Simeon Todd, the father of William Todd, and behold him at the forge making his ox shoes and horse shoes and the nails to fasten them, which are now all made by machine work; then, burning his own charcoal in the dark forest on the top of Carmel, and repelling the bears by fire brands from the burning pit; and again, hauling timber and framing it-not in the balloon fashion of the present day, but by the old scribe rule; building his own buildings and those of his neighbors, and in the meantime working his farm to support his family, whose provisions were grown on the farm and not brought from the

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West as is the custom at the present day,-we have in all this a picture of a thoroughly "all-around" man, according" to modern phraseology.

And while the father was thus engaged, the girls, Polly and Louise and Angeline, milked the cows and drove them to pasture, and then worked the loom to make so many yards of cloth before noon or night brought the time for getting up the cows, and when tired of the heavy work, for a little respite would steal quietly down the back stairs and crack a few nuts which grew on the tree in the corner,-but woe to the truant when found away from work-the latch-string was pulled outside and no jailer further needed until the allotted task was done.

Orrin was first to leave the home, that he might better acquire the skill of master workman by learning the trade of building houses. His first masterpiece still stands a short distance south of the "Steps," which at that time was the name given to the locality now known as Mount Carmel Centre Post Office. This house built for his home proved emblematical of New England, for soon after built, the Chartered Canal compelled the moving of the house, and Orrin went West. Orrin had the record of serving his country in the War of 1812, but I think, not in action. His house was all built by hand labor and is now a marvel to look at in its fine mouldings, window sash and settings, when we think his hand did it all. Its present owner is Andrew McKeon.

Lewis and William were young men when Simeon was "called home" at about the age of sixty-five years, in 1834. William, by inheritance and education, became skilled in the various callings of his father, and added a wider scope in an improved and extended homestead, and in taking especial delight with good care of horses. In his early days, to be a horseman was thought an unusual accomplishment, while any boy could drive an ox team. The scale is now reversed. "The early bird that catches the worm" may well apply to the Todd family-particularly so to William. During a long period when he was often with my father in business, William was always first ready for the day's labor, and it was a standing piece of advice to be ready to start for school with cousins Kirtland and Richie. How pleasant now to think of those days, when running "cross lots" they entered the rear door of the kitchen, pails in hand ready for school, and the old grandmother used to come in by the same path, and sister Mary run to meet her,-and then up to see aunt Harriet, who was especially dear, and whose mince pies were of first quality and a piece always ready for the boys. And lo! there has grown up on the place, a wonderful tree, the like of which has never been seen elsewhere, which sprouted from in front of the door of the mother of Simeon and is a perpetual reminder of those whom we are thinking of. "As the days of a tree shall be the days of my people."

Fitting it is that a grandson of the same name should honor his ancestors by a sacred calling, and whose voice has been heard in the church where his ancestors worshipped, preaching the gospel of salvation.

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The day of foot-stoves and Sabba-day houses and lunches between sermons has passed, and by many are forgotten, and very soon few will know they ever existed, but memory lives with those who partook of them and enjoyed them and held friendship a sacred thing. The days of apple bees and husking bees and sleighing parties were their days, and William drove a good team, and Polly had rather dance than to eat, and Orrin was always fond of a book,-but what mother will reveal to her children her follies, so what shall I say of Angelina ?

But my subject given me is of William, he being a Todd,-and we are all Todd. What is for one belongs to all, and to those who came before must be given the greatest meed of praise. But where memory fails and tradition is in fault, the records are dim. Yet, certain it is that Ithamar Todd's farm was just inside the boundary line when the Mount Carmel Parish was granted the right to build a church by the Colonial Assembly. Hence, Ithamar must have settled some time previous to that date, and perhaps it was he who cleared it from the original forest. After him came Job, and Joel, the father of Simeon. Obed, a brother of Simeon, built the house in the valley from where his daughters Lodema, Caroline and Mary joined with Louise and Angeline in daily walks to school. We know little of Obed, yet he built a water power on the brook south of the house, made wagons and carts, and died at the age of thirty-three.

THE SIMEON TODD HOMESTEAD.

Were they not all heroes who stood shoulder to shoulder for one another? The wilderness had no terrors for them, or if they were terrors they conquered

OBED Todd, a brother of Simeon, built the house still standing in the valley. Obed died at the age of thirty-three years, but at that early age had accom­plished more than is the work of many men in a longer life. He constructed a dam across the brook which crosses the highway south of the house, and also built a shop for wood-work opposite the house. Two maple trees as planted by Obed, still stand in front of the house. One-half mile to the west stood the house of the second Jonathan Dickerman, and the fourth Jonathan Dickerman, who married Angeline, a daughter of Simeon Todd, soon after his marriage bought the Obed Todd homestead and in due time it became the home also of the fifth and the sixth John Dickerman. Thus, from the time of erection, this

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homestead remained in the same family until the fourth generation, when, from causes incident to the distribution of estates, it passed into alien hands. The profound affection of the family for the home of their forefathers is evidenced in the following poem, which was published in the Connecticut Quarterly in 1897:

Photographed by H. B. Welch.

And the dear old house is abiding still
By the northern mount and the western hill
Where the sun sinks nightly to his rest
On his daily round from east to west.
The whip-poor-will's note and the thrush's song
Are still to be heard the woods along; -
But I am a wand'rer far from home,
No longer my feet o'er meadows roam:
I walk instead through a city street,
With hurry and rush my pulses beat.
Ah, well for me that still there lie
Somewhere on earth such hills, such sky,
And in God's own-time shall I come once more
To the hills and the vales that I loved of yore.

"Mount Carmel has long been the Mecca of botanical students and the nature lovers of the city. Neither is it strange it should be so, for here may be found a fair representation of New England's flora. The valley, with its meadows

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and occasional swamps, the mountain with its wooded slopes and moss covered rocks offer opportunity for that which nature has to show us in this clime.

"It would be too tedious and textbook-like to attempt giving a full list of plant life to be found here, even if it were possible, but it may be of general interest to know some of the things that abound, and some rarely found plants that have here made a home for themselves. Undoubtedly there was a time when the foothills and meadows which now lie clear to the north and south of the mountain were nearly, if not quite, covered with timber. Of what varieties these trees were we can form a good idea from those now growing. The beautiful maples and elms that border the highways of the village prove themselves to be natives of long standing, the willows that border Carmel Lake form in spring and summer a golden frame for its silver surface. Across the road from this lake is one of Mount Carmel's beautiful elms, the branches of which overarch the street so that the tips may look into the river below. Then we follow the old road by the river's side where the swamp maple makes it crimson in the spring and fall, first with blossoms and then with foliage, while the alder fills the inter­vening spaces. This brings us to Spruce Bank, fragrant with the spicy odors of the hemlocks. The walk to this bank is a favorite one with many because of the charming view to the south. So dense is the grove of trees that crowns the summit of the bank that but little in the way of small plant life can be found there excepting the lace marked leaves of the rattle-snake plantain, the Indian pipes and dead looking beechdrops, all of which love the shadows. From here we can look north to the mountain and see its slopes covered with chestnut, hickory, and many varieties of oaks; these interspersed with the dark green of the white pine and cedar make a pleasing picture.

"It is on the mountain that most of our rare wild flowers are found. From the early hapatica and dainty anemone to the pungent odored witch-hazel of November there is always something to repay one for a walk in the woods. Indeed, some flowers have been found every month of the year in sheltered nooks. If they were listed we would find at least five hundred trees, shrubs, herbs and ferns. Trailing arbutus has long been sought on the mountain, but without success, but there are a number of places near where the sweet blossoms may be found.

"Violets are ever the spring flower of poetry and at least seven species and varieties may be found here, among the more rare ones being the bird-foot violet, which has a home on the mountain. Here, too, can occasionally be found the nodding white trillium (T. cernuum) in company with the purple birth-root; this latter can be found in abundance growing beside almost all the wooded brooks with its companion, but not its relative, jack-in-the-pulpit.

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"In the spring on a certain rocky spot of the Giant may be found a pale purple, or rather blue, clematis (C. verticillaris) which closely resembles one of the clematis of our gardens. This wild clematis is rare, indeed this spot on the Giant is the only one within the vicinity where I have heard of its being found, while its more plebeian sister, Virgin's bower, drapes the wayside fences and bushes with its feathery white blooms. Once has it been my good fortune to find the delicate violet wood-sorrel (Oxalis violacea) ; this is not called rare by Gray, but in this location it surely is.

"Among the picturesque flowers of the springtime and growing commonly in the woods, is the fringed polygala, and where one or two of its bright rose red blossoms are found one may be almost sure to find a bed of them. Once on the mountain top, in the very midst of such a bed, I found a number of pure white ones.

"Among the oddities in plant life both the pitcher-plant and sundew may be found in favored localities. Though not closely related they have a few characteristics in common; both are accused of being carnivorous, the pitcher-plant probably unjustly, and in both the leaves furnish the most striking appear­ance, indeed, no one could fail to know the pitcher-plant if fortunate enough to find it. The sundew is more obscure in its habits and would hardly be recognized without an introduction.

"In this season laurel and pinxter flower make the woods and hillsides one immense bouquet, and tempts one to carry off more than their share of the beauty so freely offered by nature. Thoreau says of Cape Cod that he did not need to go to other places to find different flora-they came there, and one is tempted to think the same of Mount Carmel when they find here such a strictly western flower plant as purple cone-flower (Echinacea angustiolia) and queen of the prairie (Spirea lobata) ,which, though belonging farther east than the purple cone-flower, cannot claim New England for its natural habitat. Most of the ferns native in New England may be found in Mount Carmel, even the walking fern, I have been assured on good authority, has been found here.

"Of orchids we can claim a fair representation of New England's best. It may not be amiss to append a list of those which have been found in Mount Carmel, as I am not aware that anything approaching a complete list has ever been published; a partial one may be found in Baldwin's Orchids of New England, where Hamden may safely be translated Mount Carmel:

"Orchis spectablis, Habenaria virescens, H. viridis var. bracteate, H. Hookeri, H. orbiculata, H. lacera, H. psycodes, Goodyera pubescens, Spiranthes cernua, S. Gracilis, Pogonia pendula, P. affrinis, Calopogon pulchellus, Liparis liliifolia, L. Loeselii, Corallorhiza odontorhiza, C. multiflora, Cypripedium parviflorum, C. pubescens, C. spectabile, C. acaule.

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Most of these I have myself found, a few are given on the authority of Mr. Baldwin, probably still others might be added. Most of the orchids are not plentiful, some of the Habenarias, the ladies' tresses and the moccasin flower are frequently found.

"It would not be within the scope of this paper to give the time of flowering and place of growth of all the plants found here, but those who truly love nature and wish to learn the flora of any locality must often visit that spot and find for themselves the treasures there stored."

augusta dickerman tuttle

Jairus Dickerman capitalized the expedition for John Mix Stanley and Sumner Dickerman to cross the continent and paint pictures of Indian life. Their route was through the then Indian Territory, and the tribes that had then but lately been placed there on government reservations in 1840, Creeks, Chero-kees, Choctaws, Blackfoot and other tribes, were freely mingled with during two years before arriving on the Pacific coast. In this time, two hundred life size Indian portraits were painted by hand on the canvas in the tent or wigwam in the great tract of the Louisiana purchase. Before General Fremont crossed the Rockies, before the war with Mexico, while California was little known as a province of Mexico, these two intrepid youths traversed the continent with pack mules, and emerged with the result of their labor, at the ranch of Captain Sutter. While enjoying here the rest due from so long exposure, Sumner Dickerman was assured by native Indians friendly to the explorers, that they knew of plenty of the yellow pebbles-the white man's gold. As they were in the Sacramento near the spot where gold was discovered six years later, a little confidence in the Indians and an examination would have made these two young men the first discoverers of California's gold, with possibly a different

JAIRUS DICKERMAN. future in the national outcome to the country. But the Indian tales seemed too incredible to believe, and did not receive even an investigation.

After a lapse of ten years their works of art were framed in costly gilt and placed on exhibition. But Indian scenes were then too much of a reality in vivid memories to draw audience, and after a few exhibitions in New England, were stored in Washington only to be wholly lost. One offer of fifty thousand was rejected, and a value of two hundred thousand dollars named as an equiva­lent for their labor and worth. If preserved to-day, one-half million, no doubt, would find a ready response.

An historical account of that time, such as their notes would give, has not been preserved, and no person now can give any details relating to the expedition.

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A short distance south is a highway running west from the Blue Hills to where it intersects the Cheshire road. The road was through a narrow vale, crossing Mill River at the southern point of Ridge Hill. Here was the home­stead of Isaac Dickerman, 2nd (son of Samuel Dickerman), born September 16, 1740. He received six acres of land on the Blue Hills in the "distribution" in the Ninth Division.

In this homestead of Isaac Dickerman was born Alien Dickerman, January 14, 1781. Alien Dickerman was the seventh child of Isaac Dickerman. His sister, Sybil Dickerman, born August 15, 1783, married Obed Blakeslee, who retained the old homestead and farm. The house remained until about 1850, when it was demolished and a new house built on the place by John Scott. The property is now owned by the New Haven Water Company.

Isaac Dickerman served as Lieutenant under General Wadsworth's Brigade, in the War of the Revolution. Four sons of Isaac Dickerman settled in Mount Holly, Vermont. Three of them married three sisters there by the name of Button.

Obed Blakeslee passed much time in the South in mercantile pursuits, in the sale of goods manufactured in Connecticut. He is well remembered by the writer, who often listened to his tales of Southern adventure when the slaves were their peculiar institution. Obed Blakeslee died about 1850.

Alien Dickerman, when in command of the Eighth Company, Second Regiment of Militia in Connecticut, performed manual of arms on the "green" just north of Mount Carmel Church. After the building of the turnpike road and placing of toll gate south of the "Steps" and in front of house now owned by Andrew McCune and collection of twelve cents for passing a team with load, those who lived south of the toll gate were permitted to pass "toll free" to their wood lots on the Blue Hills or within the town. It thus became the custom for Alien Dickerman and others thus placed, to cart a load of wood through the gate "toll free" to their house, and thence drive the same load to New Haven. The land owner who lived north of the toll gate must pay for the road.

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The peculiar expression of the above resolution, leaves much doubt as to what the payment of nine pounds money was meant to be applied. Was it for the construction of the bridge and fence, or a literal reading would carry the impression, the fence and keeping it in repair? The amount of money must have been a liberal allotment for those days, and would appear sufficient to cover the full cost and repair of the bridge. As we know the Chesire road of that day was across Shepherd's Plain, Mill River would not be met until the road was within one-half mile of the Cheshire line. The traveled road also left the straight line, followed by the turnpike, laid out in 1800, and made a detour to the east, crossing the Mill River adjacent to the farm later owned by Lambert Dickerman. All other brooks running into Mill River, intersected by the Cheshire road, were easily forded by teams in those days.

Quoting from book of "Dickerman Ancestry," "It appears that Isaac Dicker­man was the owner of large tracts of land in this region. These consisted of lots, laid out in the sixth division of sequestered lands. He began to buy these lots from those to whom they were originally assigned, as early as 1727, and continued their purchase until 1745. Toward the end of this period his two older sons, Samuel and Jonathan, were married, and most likely went out about that time, to improve these and make a home there. (The old folks used to say, they blazed their way through the woods by hatchet marks on the trees)." This settlement was on the spot now the property of Charles Clarke, including the land owned by Elam J. Dickerman, and the first house appears to have stood between the houses of the present owners just named. Much interest is associated with this event, as it denotes the condition of the place at that time. Jonathan Dickerman was born 1719, thus in 1745 he was twenty-six years old. The settlement would not appear probable before 1740, and was then a blazed path from the city. At the "Steps," one-half mile north of this place, was the saw-mill, built by Joel Munson in 1735. Two miles north were the Bradleys in 1730, while to the south toward the city, was an unreclaimed forest.

The Bellamy family, of whom little is known, were here shortly after, and doubtless built the first store at the "Center," so called in 1800 by Dr. Samuel

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Bradley. Thus we form a plan of the early growth, and find evidence of first settlements neat the north boundary of New Haven Colony and in the extreme northern and eastern part of the parish. Enos was the first son born to Jonathan Dickerman, 1743. The earlier homestead of Enos Dickerman was demolished by a descendant of the family, George Dickerman, who built a house on the historic site about 1850. Enos second, born 1775, lived on the old homestead, and was the ancestor of all families of that name in the western part of the parish, and of families who now live in New Haven, North Haven and in the south border of Hamden. The homes of Dickerman families were most numerous between the Bradley homestead north, and the Ives, south, nearly every house for a mile on the turnpike road being owned by Dickerman families. Samuel, the first, or a son of Samuel Dickerman, built a home east of Mill River. The site of the house still shows in a ruined cellar, east of the iron bridge near the clam of dark's Pond. Jonathan second built east of the river near the "Steps." The house still stands in fair preservation, built with hand-made nails, and "wrought" door handle, date of building about 1775. A large barn still stands directly opposite the house, and shows in its construction much to denote the man who built it. Dimensions, 40 x 42 feet, the frame all hewed from oak with great regularity and put together with extreme care. It is the largest and best preserved single frame ever built in the Parish, and stands to-day well protected and firm as when built one hundred and twenty-five years ago. The writer has during many seasons filled the barn with hay lifted by a horse fork, to its extreme limit of capacity, the hay being raised and gathered from the old Jonathan Dickerman farm. Great vicissitudes must have happened in his long life. He lived in colonial days and long after when the country became free and independent. Devoted to his home industries, profits accrued sufficiently to invest in "Vermont lands," which appeared as a field for improvements and attracted many settlers from Connecticut. The outcome of these investments were far from favorable and much loss ensued in principal and interest. His last days were much em­bittered in many ways and the estate again suffered division, to be reunited by the labors of Jonathan the fourth, and the fifth in the line, who made great advance in farming and in raising superior horses and cattle. By the continued system of re-distribution of estates, the farm has gone into decay and now shows little of its former producing capacity or of the prosperity once enjoyed there.

Doubtless no colonial house has suffered less change in its surro