tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63716795679046236052024-03-13T22:17:20.254-07:00Dean Remembers East HamptonDean Markhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00951635094816230395noreply@blogger.comBlogger109125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371679567904623605.post-45009596881962694202017-07-15T08:29:00.004-07:002017-07-15T08:29:57.885-07:00East Hampton Lions Club
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Sixty years ago on July 6, 1957, the
East Hampton Lions Club was Chartered at an installation, dinner and
dance held at the Terramaugus Hotel in East Hampton (now the Chatham
Apartments) with 26 inducted as Charter Members. G. Everend Wheeler
was installed as the first President with Directors Ted Amenta,
William Morrissey, Carl Terp and John Moriarty. Among those first
members were William O'Neill, who would become Connecticut's 84th
Governor, Frank Popowitz, our First Selectman, and others dedicated
to the betterment of our community including Ralph Adler, William
Bates, Ed Everitt, H. Carl Feist, Roy Goff, Robert Haas, Ken Hood,
Warren Hoyrup, Donald Markham, Marshall Nichols, Rudolph Planeta,
John Paonessa, William Proffitt, Edward Pratt, William Sladyh,
Anthony Sudak, Myer Taylor, Ubal Vincent and Charles Witkin.</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Today, the Lions Club International,
formed in 1917 and now celebrating its Centennial, boast 1.35 million
members in over 45,000 clubs across 206 countries - all dedicated "to
serve their community."</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The character that defines the quality
of life in a community can be measured by the camaraderie of those
working towards its betterment, embodied by a commitment to service.
We have all witnessed them in action, be they Lions, Rotarian's,
Democrats or Republicans, Masons or the Ambulance Association and
their many fine members working at the Old Home Day Celebration last
weekend. Those food booths, raffles, and other fund raising
activities all get put to work back in our community supporting
humanitarian service, eye screening, scholarships, the food bank, and
those in need. In this sometimes polarized world, its comforting to
see common energy for so many worthwhile causes.</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
And to newly installed President Allen
Guiot and Lion Club members - thank you for you dedication and
service as you embark on your next 60 years.</div>
Dean Markhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00951635094816230395noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371679567904623605.post-59110150363486148782017-07-15T08:19:00.000-07:002017-07-15T08:31:26.126-07:00The Beginnings of a new Township - Chatham<div style="line-height: 0.18in; margin-bottom: 0.11in;">
<b>In the Beginning</b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 0.18in; margin-bottom: 0.11in;">
The lands of
Mattabeseck – the Native American name by which Middletown was
first called, were owned and occupied by Sowheag and the Wonggom
Tribe. and so began the story of Chatham creation. A scant 15 years
after the first settlement in Windsor formed, Middletown was invested
with town privileges in September 1651, by the General Court of the
Colony with 31 taxable persons in the settlement north and south of
the little river – the Coginchaug or Mattabasset. This land had
been sold by Sowheag to John Haynes, a Governor of Connecticut. In
1662, Sepunnamoe, Terramuggus and other heirs of Sowheag, knowing of
the of the Hayes grant, sold to agents of the Colony Samuel Wyllys
and others, all of the remaining land in the Middletown township west
of the Connecticut River. Included in the bargain was a tract “three
miles in breath” across the river except for 300 acres, which was
reserved forever for the heirs of Sowheag and the Mattabeseck
Indians.</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.18in; margin-bottom: 0.11in;">
With the Wyllys
grant in 1673, Middletown was extended to the east side of the river
over a tract nine miles long on its eastern border and between three
and four miles wide at north and south ends; but owning to the
winding of the river, it was much less at what became known as
Knowles Landing at Middle Haddam and almost twice as wide against the
town of Middletown.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.18in; margin-bottom: 0.11in;">
By an
additional purchase in 1683, the township of Middletown was extended
still farther east over a tract three miles in breadth with an even
length of nearly nine miles. These two tracts east of the great
river were known as East Middletown until 1721, when the last tract
purchased from the Indians was called the Three Mile Division and so
written in the land records.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.18in; margin-bottom: 0.11in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 0.18in; margin-bottom: 0.11in; page-break-before: always;">
<b>East Middletown and the Divisions</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
From Middletown evolved Chatham. Land
on the western side of the great river was divided among the first
settlers to Middletown as they arrived and took up residence.
Records do not exist for this early period, thus the exact nature of
settlement in Middletown is not known, but likely was concentrated
around a small green, in the conventional New England manner, at the
northern end of Main Street, where each town member owned a home lot
nearby and some outlying land for cultivation. Middletown's original
settlers did not arrive as an organized group. They were from a
variety of different places. For this reason, Middletown's
establishment was less organized with a proprietor group as elsewhere
in founding communities such as Windsor, Wethersfield or Hartford.
The fact that this first generation neglected to officially establish
who the town proprietors were became an important issue in
determining the later disposition of Middletown land of the east side
of the river. In 1671, when Middletown decided to allot the
undivided land, the proprietor issue had to be resolved providing for
the proprietors or their descendants first claim on the land.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.01in; margin-right: 1.44in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; text-indent: -0.01in;">
It was decided that each of the 52 Middletown householders would be
entitled to a share in the undivided land based on their wealth as
determined by the tax grand list. The land would be allotted on two
occasions: the first according to the tax list of 1670; and the
second, by the tax list of 1674. The western portion of East Hampton,
including Middle Haddam, was distributed in 1674 as part of an
allotment called "The Great Lots," running from Glastonbury
to Haddam. Forty of the 52 lots were on the east side of the river,
divided somewhat evenly between present day Portland and western East
Hampton.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 0.18in; margin-bottom: 0.11in; page-break-before: always;">
<b>The Three Mile Division</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; text-indent: -0.01in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.03in; text-indent: -0.01in;">
In 1673, Middletown was granted an additional tract on the river's
east side, following the same southerly and northerly bounds
following the original 9 by 3 mile allotment. This grant would not be
apportioned for decades, perhaps in an effort to avoid further
entanglements with proprietors' rights. Complicating matters, a 350
acre grant within the bounds of the "Three Mile Division"
had been previously granted in 1661 by the General Assembly to Thomas
Judd and to Anthony Howkins, a member of the original eighteen
members of the "Company of English Colony of Connecticut"
without specifying the bounds. The 1673 grant referenced this prior
claim, "providing that Mr. Howkins hath liberty to take up his
former grant within this aforementioned town." Howkins however,
died in February 1673 with his estate selling his allotment to Thomas
Hart for ten pounds with it thereafter referenced as "Hart's
Farm." In 1687 the General Assembly granted James Wright of
Wethersfield 210 acres on the western shore of Lake Pocotopaug
requiring Surveyors to work around these two properties when
boundaries within the Three Mile Division were finally determined in
1721.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The proprietor issue once again became
a source of contention. The problem: the land had not been granted
until after the original Middletown proprietors had been finally
determined in 1671. Ostensibly, a share in this land reserve would
have been an inducement for settlement for those who arrived between
1671 and 1714. These later settlers therefore had a viable claim on
this land. After extensive debate, it was decided that the land
would be apportioned among all 176 Middletown householders on the
1714 grand list, with those men descended from the original 52
Middletown proprietors entitled to draw an additional allotment
according to the assessed value of the property owned by their
ancestor in 1670.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 0.18in; margin-bottom: 0.11in; page-break-before: always;">
<b>Final Apportionment of Three Mile Division</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Continuing, all the land north of Lot
227 had been set aside as common land, whose fate explains the slight
irregularity in the present East Hampton-Portland boundary. The
notch taken out of East Hampton's northwest corner was part of the
common land.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The records seem to indicate that each
taxpayer’s name was written on a slip of paper and draw, one by
one, from a hat perhaps, by some disinterested person and that the
surveyors laid out the lots or assigned the names accordingly, or,
the slips of paper were numbered and each man drew one for his
situation. It doesn’t go beyond notice that today’s lotto or
lottery derives from the colonial practice of drawing for “lots.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
In 1734, the Three Mile Division 1,200
acres of the common land was granted to William Whitmore as payment
and settlement for building a stone "cart bridge" over the
Sebethe River in present day Cromwell. The issue became quite
contentious when Whitmore demanded that those crossing the bridge pay
him a toll. At length a compromise was reached and Whitmore was paid
300 pounds in land as compensation not to collect a toll.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
By 1721, all the land in East Hampton
had been allotted, but settlement did not begin immediately. Since
heirs to the first proprietors subdivided the original estates under
the system of partible inheritance, the system of dividing estates
equally among the heirs, this land reserve had been a precaution
against an anticipated land shortage. In fact, by 1740 when land
actually began to be developed, about half the settlers were from
outside of Middletown. Most of the settlers who were from Middletown
acquired the land they settled on the east side of the great river by
purchase rather than inheritance suggesting that they had arrived
after the 1714 allotment.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 0.18in; margin-bottom: 0.11in; page-break-before: always;">
<b>The Lottery - Choosing the Owners</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
In apportioning the land, the records
indicate that each taxpayer’s name was written on a slip of paper
and drawn, one by one, from a hat perhaps, by some disinterested
person and that the surveyors laid out the lots or assigned the names
accordingly, or, the slips of paper were numbered and each man drew
one for his situation. It doesn’t go beyond notice that today’s
lotto or lottery derives from the colonial practice of drawing for
“lots” or land taxpayers were entitled to as proprietors.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
In 1734, the Three Mile Division 1,200
acres of the common land was granted to William Whitmore as payment
and settlement for building a stone "cart bridge" over the
Sebethe River in present day Cromwell. The issue became quite
contentious, however, as Whitmore demanded that those crossing the
bridge pay him a toll. A compromise was reached. Whitmore was paid
300 pounds in land as compensation not to collect a toll.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
By 1721, all the land in East
Middletown in the Three Mile Division had been allotted. Settlement
did not begin immediately. Since heirs to the first proprietors
subdivided the original estates under the system of partible
inheritance, which was the system of dividing estates equally among
the heirs, this land reserve had been a precaution against an
anticipated land shortage. In fact, it wasn't until about 1740 when
land actually began to be developed, with about about half the
settlers from outside of Middletown. This explains how East Hampton
and Chatham's names were derived as many of the first settlers came
from like named towns on Cape Cod. Most of the settlers who were
from Middletown acquired the land they settled on the east side of
the great river by purchase rather than inheritance suggesting that
they had arrived after the 1714 allotment.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Establishing Parishes - the Foundation
for new Townships</b></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The early settlements, East Middletown,
Middle Haddam, Westchester and East Hampton, outlier communities of
Middletown, sought parish rights once sufficient numbers arrived.
Ecclesiastical societies were established so that settlements could
attend Sunday worship more conveniently. Once a community felt it
had enough people, it would petition the General Assembly for a
separate parish, invariably citing the hardship of distant Sunday
travels as grounds justifying its establishment. Acknowledgment as a
separate parish had benefits, exempting members from paying taxes to
the central church and occasionally conferred other privileges such
as municipal improvement of roads that gave rise to their new meeting
house.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Until 1714, any resident on the east
side of the river had to attend church in Middletown proper. In that
year the Third Ecclesiastical Society of Middletown was granted,
whose petitioners all lived within the present bounds of Portland.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The first to break off from the Third
Society was the southeastern corner of the Three Mile Division,
incorporated as the Westchester parish in 1728, which included all of
the easternmost tier of lots south or east of the Salmon River to the
East Haddam bound.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
In 1739, a second parish was
established, including the present Middle Haddam and all of Haddam
Neck, roughly followed the course of Old Middletown Road through
Cobalt, extending from the Connecticut River and Salmon River to the
end of the "Great Lots" on Young Street.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
East Hampton, the final parish
established, formed in 1746. It included nearly all the remaining
land within the Three Mile Division bordering east of the hills now
dividing Portland and East Hampton. This ecclesiastical bound became
the municipal boundary when Portland separated from Chatham in 1841.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Seeking a New Township</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Early in the 18<sup>th</sup> Century,
residents on the east side of the Connecticut River began lobbying
for a separate town. In 1736, the residents voted to petition the
town of Middletown “that we the inhabitants of the east side of the
great river in Middletown might have the liberty to be a town with
all the privileges of a town by ourselves.” This initial attempt
was unsuccessful; but interest for a separate township grew as more
settlers located throughout all the parishes. In 1767, upon
petition, the Selectmen of Middletown voted favorably for the
creation of a new township on the east side of the Connecticut River.
Jabez Hamlin, Seth Wetmore and Mathew Talcob, Esq's. were selected
as a Committee to confer with such Gentlemen as the new town appoint
and to agree on such measures reasonable in order to make a just
division of the part of Each Town. Middletown's Representative Jabez
Hamlin, submitted the petition for a new township which was passed by
the General Assembly in the October Session of 1767. The Resolution
sited, among other things that the inhabitants on the east side of
the river are very remote from Middletown where public meetings are
held and that the condition of roads and difficulty crossing the
river by ferry in many seasons entirely deprive residents from
attending the public meetings. Because of these great
inconveniences, the residents no longer wish to be a part of
Middletown. The General Court Assembled approved the creation of a
new distinct town from the area of Middletown on the East Side of
Connecticut River, with all the liberties privileges and Immunities
which by law the other Towns have and do Enjoy and that said new
Constituted Town shall hereafter be Called and know by the name of
Chatham.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="line-height: 0.18in; margin-bottom: 0.11in; page-break-before: always;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Making it official - organizing the new
town called Chatham</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
One action remained to make the
creation of Chatham official after the General Assembly Act in
October 1767. The inhabitants needed to hold their first Town
Meeting to elect Town Officers. Held on December 7, 1767, (what I
believe would be the Town's actual "birthday"), at the
Meeting House - the Congregational Church, Capt. Jeremiah Goodrich,
Deacon Benjamin Harris, Silas Dunham, Ebenezer White and Elihew
Cheeny were elected Selectman and David Sage Representative to the
General Assembly. That first long meeting recessed until December 21
to complete all the work establishing the community – everything
from appointing a Constable to Fence Viewer.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Also elected was a Committee to Settle
with Middletown. Just because Middletown approved the creation of
the new town didn't mean they were going to receive fair compensation
for the loss of territory and resources. That Committee was comprised
of David Sage, Esq., Nathaniel Freeman, Esq., Mr. Elisha Cornwell,
Mr. David Robinson and Mr. Enoch Smith.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1in; margin-right: 1.93in; text-indent: -1in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #29303b;">One question
often arises. Why was the new town named Chatham? One source
thought it was done to honor the Earl of Chatham, a staunch supporter
of American Colony rights in Parliament. It probably did not come
from the English town of Chatham, famous for shipbuilding, as has
been speculated for many years because our own shipbuilding industry
in Middle Haddam had barely commenced in 1767. Most of the great ship
yards came 30 years after incorporation. It is possible that both
names, East Hampton and Chatham, were selected because many of the
early settlers who purchased lots or land from the initial
proprietors relocated from Massachusetts Eastham and Chatham on the
Cape. For many of the pre-1767 years the East Hampton section was
called Eastham Town when it was separated and received the current
spelling.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>THE NEW TOWN - CHATHAM</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
In 1767, upon petition, the Selectmen
of Middletown voted favorably for the creation of a new township on
the east side of the Connecticut River. Their minutes recorded
action as follows:</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.81in;">
Committee
to Settle with Chatham</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.81in;">
Voted
& Recorded</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: 0.81in;">
AD
1767</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1in; margin-right: 1.44in;">
Voted that Jabez Hamlin, Seth Wetmore and Mathew Talcob Esqs be a
Committee to Confer with such Gentlemen as the Town of Chatham have
or shall appoint and agree on such measures and means as are or
reasonable in order to make a just division of the part of Each Town
and any other affairs that be judged necessary and make report to
them at meeting.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1in; margin-right: 1.44in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Voted and So Recorded</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Representative from Middletown,
Jabez Hamlin, submitted to the General Assembly, the petition for a
new township which was passed by the General Assembly in the October
Session of 1767, which granted:</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0.5in;">
An Act for making and forming that part of Middletown which lyeth on
the East Side of Connecticut River into a Distinct Town - Oct 1767</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1in; margin-right: 1in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1in; margin-right: 1in;">
Whereas
the Assembly are Informed that the Inhabitants of that part of
Middletown which lyeth on the East Side of Connecticut River are many
of them very remote from the main body of the Town of Middletown and
place of holding their public Meetings; and that they are by their
situation the badness of the roads and difficulty of crossing the
ferry over said river at many seasons of the year almost entirely
deprived from attending the public Meetings in said Town; and suffer
great Inconveniences thereby, and that for them any longer to
continue as a part of said Town of Middletown is very Inconvenient
----</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1in; margin-right: 1in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1in; margin-right: 1in;">
Therefore</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1in; margin-right: 1in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1in; margin-right: 1in;">
Be
it Enacted by the Governor’s Council and the representatives in
General Court Assembled and by the authority of the same, that that
part of Middletown which lyeth on the East Side of Connecticut River
be, and they are hereby Enacted made and constituted within the
limits and bounds thereof a distinct Town, with all the liberties
privileges and Immunities which by law the other Towns have and do
Enjoy: and that said new Constituted Town shall hereafter be Called
and know by the name of Chatham with the limitation and restriction
that but One Representative which said new constituted Town shall at
any time choose to attend the General Assemblies Shall be at the
Public Expense.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1in; margin-right: 1in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1in; margin-right: 1in;">
And
be it further enacted by the Authority aforesaid that said Town of
Chatham shall have and hold their first Town Meeting for the Choice
of Town Officers for the year ensuing sometime in the month of
December Next, which Meeting shall be warned by a Warrant Signed by
an Justice of Peace in the County of Hartford to be directed to some
indifferent person to Serve on which Warrant shall appoint the time
and the place at which said Meeting is to be held and shall be Served
at least five days appointed for holding said meeting.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1in; margin-right: 1in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1in; margin-right: 1in;">
Passed
in the lower House</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1in; margin-right: 1in;">
Atest:
Wm Williams Clerk</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1in; margin-right: 1in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1in; margin-right: 1in;">
Consent
in the upper House</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1in; margin-right: 1in;">
Atest:
George Wyllys Clerk</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1in; margin-right: 1.44in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1in; margin-right: 1.44in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
`</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
One action needed yet to occur to make
the creation of Chatham official. The inhabitants of Chatham needed
to hold their first Town Meeting in December 1767 to elect Town
Officers and their Representative to the General Assembly. Held on
December 7, 1767, at the Meeting House, Capt. Jeremiah Goodrich,
Deacon Benjamin Harris, Silas Dunham, Ebenezer White and Elihew
Cheeny were elected Selectman and David Sage Representative, during a
long meeting that recessed until December to complete all the work
establishing the community – everything from Constable to Fence
Viewer.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
At this Town organizational meeting, a
Committee to Settle with Middletown was elected.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1in; margin-right: 1.93in; text-indent: -1in;">
“Chosen by this meeting a Committee in order to adjust and settle
sum accounts with the Selectmen or a committee for the same purpose
at Middletown, the persons for the Committee are David Sage, Esq.,
Nathaniel Freeman, Esq., Mr. Elisha Corwell, Mr. David Robinson and
Mr. Enoch Smith.”</div>
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Dean Markhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00951635094816230395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371679567904623605.post-51230317836994072622017-04-30T07:31:00.002-07:002017-04-30T07:31:43.811-07:00Early Industries of Chatham and East Hampton
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I thank you for
your attendance and participation (April 29, 20117), and the East Hampton Library, the
Chatham Historical Society and the East Hampton 250th Anniversary
Committee for hosting a series of lectures and presentations about
various topics illuminating our town's rich history during this
milestone year. And thanks to Debbie Day who was most persuasive
asking me if I could talk about aspects of East Hampton's early
industrial history from its founding to the industrial revolution in
the mid-1800s.</div>
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In my own mind
there has been a question or puzzle gnawing at me for a long time.
Through reading and research to prepare for this gathering and for
many of the articles I've written, I thought I would attempt to
answer this burning question WHY? We all know Chatham / East Hampton
became the bell capitol of the world, but WHY? WHY here of all
places?</div>
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My quest and my own
interest in East Hampton's history began as a 5th grade student of
Mr. Moore at our own Memorial School. Assigned to write a report,
one of those school chores we probably all detested at one time or
another, I was stymied for a topic to research. Talking about my
dilemma with my grandmother, Rose Markham, it was she who suggested
looking at Carl Price's book <i>Yankee Township</i>, especially the
chapter on "The Bells of East Hampton." She thought I
might find it interesting as my parents Don and Pauline had recently
purchased the William Barton house at the crest of Barton Hill.......
From that book I would find a certain kinship, not only to the
founder of our bell industry, but the historical significant of the
house we lived in and our town as a whole. I still remember the
title of that report - "Mr. Barton and His Bells." That
school report has fostered a lifelong interest in our history,
collecting information, studying what others have researched and
written, and has manifest itself in recent years to writing about
East Hampton Past in letters to the Editor of the Rivereast. I also
preserve in greater depth these articles in my blog.</div>
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I guess one of the
other reasons that my report held such relevance is that my
friendship with my 5th grade teacher, Bob Moore, remained thorough
his life. He passed several years ago, but we had a mutual
interest beyond East Hampton history. We were both active
politically and Democrats.</div>
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At the April 3rd
event held at Angelico's Lakeside on Reminiscing about East Hampton's
Bars, Taverns, Inns and Resorts, I spoke about our town, and what I
characterize as its creation by water and fire - both important
components critical to our industrial development.</div>
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What greeted
settlers of Chatham in the late 1730s was predominantly hilly and
rocky terrain. Most of those receiving proprietor rights as
Middletown land owners, found minimal farming opportunities which
probably explains why the town had been surveyed and lots parceled
out by 1721 yet didn’t experience settlement in significant numbers
until after 1737, long after many of the original owners sold their
property without ever venturing east across the great river. Most of
the historical record on settlement centers on people beginning to
occupy the land, construction of homes, and petitioning the General
Assembly for the establishment of Congregational Church parishes.
Our earliest industries primarily catered to the settlement of the
town itself. It was related to the construction of homes.
Processing materials was key. Water played a significant role as at
least 3 mills were built along Pocotopaug Stream: grist mills to
process grain and sawmills to cut and finish lumber. In all there
were 13 or more mills in the Middle Haddam and 3-Mile Division.
Other areas of the town (East Middletown) experienced similar
ventures using the abundant forests for a steady supply of raw
material. Although I've seen a number of references to quarries in
the 19th century, I noted little or nothing to the 1700s. One must
assume that quarry work was quite significant as every home
constructed has huge granite blocks of which the cellar walls are
composed.</div>
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What really
advanced settlement was not the land for farming, but rather water,
and then fire!</div>
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Knowles Landing rested on the banks of the Connecticut River in the
village of Middle Haddam. It didn't go unnoticed to those first
residents, beginning around 1720, of the value of the river for
commerce and trade or how exceptional farm land was at a premium.
From its shipyards starting in the latter 1700s, 51 schooners, brigs
and sloops were built and launched. Margaret Faber will tell (or has
told) you about that great industry.</div>
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Inland, to the
east of Middle Haddam, was Pocotopaug Pond, the beautiful crystal
clear body of water from which a stream flows southwesterly through
our current village center. My great-grandfather, Newton Markham,
always referred to Pocotopaug as a pond, probably because in his
youth its high water mark was 15 or 20 feet from the current
shoreline. Then it was comprised of almost two distinct bodies of
water - the main with today's twin islands and Markham's Bay with a
roadway connecting Spellman and Markham Point. It became Meeks Point
in the 1940s when George Meeks from Meriden purchased the point.</div>
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The first dam
was constructed in 1903 by the Pocotopaugh Water Power Company, a
consortium of 5 mill owners including Bevin Bros., Gong Bell, Summit
Tread, Starr Bros. and N.N. Hill Mfg. Those industrialists desired a
way to more efficiently harness water to power machinery in their
factories and that happened through a series of 7 or 8 mill ponds,
remnants of which remain. Ironically, it was the dam, raising the
level of the lake that fostered our tourism and resort industry.</div>
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Our earliest
entrepreneurs had a similar use for the water exiting Pocotopaug. At
a site where the American Distilling driveway is located on the
channel of Pocotopaug Stream, Giles Hall and his partner Jabez
Hamlin, influential Middletown land owners and members of the General
Assembly, acquired the lots directly south of the outlet and in 1740
built an Iron Works, forge and smelting factory with a Great Hammer
driven by water power to form and shape the ingots. Although no
local source of iron ore, our Iron Works processed and refined pig
iron mined in Salisbury CT and ore shipped as far away as West Point.
We had one of the few forges not located directly at the raw
material source, but ours flourished and ultimately spawned our
infamous bell industry. Its great mechanically driven hammer was
able to pound and shape the iron, much of which was used in the
shipbuilding industry. The fire that stoked the forge of the iron
works came from another local industry - charcoal - produced from
nearby abundant hardwood forests.</div>
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Abijah Hall, an
iron worker from Lyme, and probably a relative of Giles Hall, was
first brought in to run the forge. His son Abijah Hall, Jr. ran the
forge from 1784 until 1812. In 1825 Jedidiah Barstow build a new
forge and scythe factory on the site of the old iron works, having
acquired a half interest in the "Iron Works" standing on
Pocotopauge Stream near the Pond and an equal one half of land and
buildings standing on or near said premises with all the
appurtenances and "privileges" thereto belonging. Although
not defined in the land records, the "privileges" most
likely relate to harnessing the flow of water out of Pocotopauge to
run water wheels as well as the rights to the forge. Many have
speculated that the Bevin's always owned the dam and rights thereto,
but that is not substantiated from the land records. Bevin Bros.,
founded in 1832, began acquiring the land and old forge rights once
associated with the iron works on East High Street in 1850, 18 years
after formation of their bell company. The Bevin Bros. factory had
always been located just off Summit Street until the horrendous fire
in May 2012. Acquisition of the old iron works site filled a
strategic need to incorporate water power to drive machinery for
their factory. To do so, control of the water flow was crucial.
Initially, small mill ponds retained the water and the flow from them
turned water wheels. The idea of a larger reservoir retained by a
dam on the lake came later. The concept was quite simple - more water
- more power. The flow from the Lake would be restricted during the
day. At night the water would be released which would fill the mill
ponds. The factories would then release the mill pond reservoirs
during working hours to drive the waterwheels and machinery.</div>
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Also, Bevin
Bros. never owned the Lake as others have speculated. They did
purchase the land at the outlet which allowed them to construct the
1903 dam. A gate and apparatus does allow them to control the lake's
water level. Today there would be a public out roar if someone just
tried to construct a dam. State regulators from DEEP, our Inland
Wetlands and Planning and Zoning Commissions would be putting the
brakes on such a project. In 1903 and again when rebuilt in 1953, I
suspect citizens were grateful the mill owners undertook the
construction at no cost to the taxpayers. Remember - the dam and
size of the lake benefited everyone.</div>
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But getting back
to the question WHY? Until recently I pondered why did East Hampton
become the center for the bell industry? We know William Barton
settled here after first crafting bells in Cairo, New York, but why
East Hampton? I've read books or papers by Carl Price, Olive Adella
Clark, Martin Roberts, and the Middlesex County Preservation Trust,
among others. None ever really addressed the WHY. After a fair
amount of research and reflection the answer became rather simple.
Although little has been written, East Hampton had become a metal
working center with its Iron Forge, and this was likely the
attraction to one William Barton in 1808 when he settled here and
began making bells. Barton with his father, had been instrumental in
the development of interchangeable rifle parts during the American
Revolution. In the early 1800s Barton turned his talents to the
casting of sleigh bells. As many of you know, the uniqueness of his
process was a single piece casting with a clapper cast inside - a
process devised with wet sand - and one that did not require welding
two halves of the bell together - a vary labor intensive and costly
process. Instrumental to the founding of the bell industry was the
iron forge which developed into the use of other metals, especially
brass, a good metal, clean and bright, well suited for clear-toned
bells that emerged from East Hampton's charcoal fired furnaces. The
other reason for Barton settling here was skilled labor - we already
had trained iron and metal workers. Just after Barton opened his
first factory to the east of his house on Barton Hill, the first Iron
Works Forge closed. As Barton and his apprentices expanded with bell
manufacturing, their own plants had forges. Those skilled men from
the Iron Works moved to more lucrative jobs in the emerging bell
industry, many becoming apprentices to William Barton. Barton's
unique single cast design eliminated the inefficient and costly
process of welding two halves with a clapper. Coupling the metal
working forge and skilled labor, Barton found a winning combination
with his casting design which he generously shared with any willing
young man. From that first shop came the whole array of bell
manufacturers.</div>
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Advances came
when Abner Bevin brought John Hodge from Scotland, who introduced the
Hodge Furnace which could take slag and sweepings of the foundry and
separate dirt and impurities from the mass, efficiently and cost
effectively, yielding a pure metal, well suited for bell making.
From William Barton's design and apprentices, over 37 bell companies
formed, producing millions upon millions of bells.</div>
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The second Iron
Works constructed in 1825 did not share the same success as it
predecessor. Each of the bell manufacturers built their own forges
and smelting operations within their shoppes and factories. Iron was
produced more efficiently near the raw material source thus the cost
of transportation fixed its demise. Bevin Bros acquired the Iron
Works, not for the factory, but to control the flow of water. Bells
were made of brass - an alloy of tin and copper. Specialization and
technology propelled East Hampton to earn the reputation - "Bell
Capital of the World!"</div>
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Thus, the WHY
was quite simple! Technology from the Iron Works Forge, Skilled
Labor from the metal workers at the Forge, and one other important
component, our River Port in Middle Haddam that provided the means
to market and distribute our precious bells throughout the East Coast
and ultimately the world.</div>
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That my friends
is a much abbreviated history of our early industry. I hope it
provided some insight on WHY this seemingly out-of-the way town with
few apparent resources achieved such notoriety.</div>
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Dean Markhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00951635094816230395noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371679567904623605.post-8941156760200220292017-04-30T07:26:00.000-07:002017-04-30T07:26:47.648-07:00How East Hampton Became a Resort DestinationHow did East Hampton become the raucous destination of nightlife, drinking, vacations and revelry?<br />
<br />It's a story of Fire and Water. The speakers this evening (April 3, 2017) that follow me will reminisce about East Hampton’s Bars, Taverns, Inns and Resorts. I'd like to set the stage how it all came about.<br />
<br />What greeted settlers of Chatham in the late 1730s was predominantly hilly and rocky terrain. Some of these adventurous folks found sufficiently arable land to support farming. Most of those receiving proprietor rights as Middletown land owners, found minimal farming opportunities which probably explains why lots had been surveyed and parceled out by 1721 didn’t begin settlement in significant numbers until after 1737, long after many of the original owners sold their property without ever venturing east across the great river.<br />
<br />Most of the historical record on settlement centers on people beginning to occupy the land, construct homes, and petition the General Assembly for the establishment of Congregational Church parishes. What really advanced settlement was not the land, but rather water, and then fire.<br />
<br />Knowles Landing rested on the banks of the Connecticut River in the village of Middle Haddam. It didn't go unnoticed to those first residents, beginning around 1720, of the value of the river for commerce and trade or how good farm land was at a premium. From its shipyards starting in the latter 1700s, nearly 200 schooners, brigs, sloops and lesser vessels were built and launched including the famous clipper ships.<br />
<br />
But inland, to the east, was Pocotopaug Pond, the beautiful crystal clear body of water from which a stream flows southwesterly through our current village center. My great-grandfather, always referred to Pocotopaug as a pond, probably because in his youth its high water mark was 15 or 20 feet from the current shore and it didn't have water lapping the sea walls until after construction of the first dam in 1903. That dam, constructed by the Pocotopaugh Water Power Company, was a consortium of 5 mill owners including Bevin Bros., Gong Bell, Summit Tread, Starr Bros. and N.N. Hill Mfg. Those industrialists desired a way to more efficiently harness water to power machinery in their factories and that happened through a series of 7 or 8 mill ponds, remnants of which remain. Ironically, it was the dam that fostered the tourism and resort industry, including where we meet this evening.<br />
<br />The earliest entrepreneurs had a similar use for the water exiting Pocotopaug. At a site where the American Distilling driveway is located on the channel of Pocotopaug Stream, Giles Hall and his partner Jabez Hamlin, influential Middletown land owners and members of the General Assembly, acquired the lots directly south of the outlet and in 1740 built an Iron Works, forge and smelting factory with a great hammer driven by water power to form the ingots. Although no local source of iron ore, our Iron Works processed and refined pig iron mined in Salisbury CT and as far away as West Point. We had one of the few forges not located directly at the raw material source, but it flourished and ultimately spawned our infamous bell industry. Its great mechanically driven hammer was able to pound and shape the iron, much of which was used in the shipbuilding industry.<br />The fire that stoked the forge of the iron works came from another industry - charcoal - produced from nearby abundant hardwood forests. <br />
<br />
East Hampton became a metal working center and likely was the attraction to one William Barton in 1808 when he settled here and began making bells. Barton with his father, had been instrumental in the development of interchangeable rifle parts during the American Revolution. In the early 1800s Barton turned his talents to the casting of sleigh bells. The uniqueness of his process was a single piece casting with a clapper cast inside - a process devised with wet sand - and one that did not require welding two halves of the bell together. Instrumental to the founding of the bell industry was the iron forge which developed into the use of other metals, especially brass, a good metal, clean and bright, well suited for clear-toned bells that emerged from East Hampton's charcoal fired furnaces. Advances came when Abner Bevin brought John Hodge from Scotland, who introduced the Hodge Furnace which could take slag and sweepings of the foundry and separate dirt and impurities from the mass efficiently and cost effectively yielding a pure metal, well suited for bell making. From William Barton, over 37 bell companies formed producing at count in the early 1940s of over 57 million bells.<br />Beginning just after construction of the dam in the early 20th century, inns and resorts began springing up around our Lake. <br />
<br />
The beautiful setting, pristine water and access to town via rail made this a vacation destination for city dwellers. In its heyday, from the early 1920s through the 1950s, East Hampton annually had over 1,200 visitors (increasing the town by a third) staying at inns and resorts such as the Lake View House, Clearwater Lodge, Pocotopaug Lodge, Terramaugus House, Edgemere, Oakwood, Hathaway, Hillside Inn, Ivy Inn, and the Candlelight Inn. The intentional damming of the Lake for the downstream plants thus presented unforeseen economic opportunities that spurred a great new industry.<br />
<br />Our resorts demise came as other areas of the country developed - the Catskills, Jersey shore, Cape Cod and the South. As ease of transportation and personal wealth increased, the ability to vacation, especially in warmer climates during winter, supplanted resorts like ours who could not afford to invest in upgrades.<br />
<br />So what finally happened here? Where are those taverns, inns and resorts? Look closely as several of those structures still survive. Unfortunately "fire" became a recurring event. A series of arsons in the mid-1960s saw Lakeview House, Carriers Casino and the Bowling Alley all go up in flames. Others such as the Pocotopaug Lodge and Hathaway transformed to meet changing times. And others still, such as Edgemere and Clearwater Lodge, because of their prime locations, were demolished; replaced with condominiums or other businesses. <br />
<br />Friends that is a much abbreviated history of East Hampton that led to the resort and entertainment venues, but leads into the many stories and memories the next few speakers - Ron Christopher, Nikki O'Neill, Monsignor Ryan and Kate Morris - will reminisce about this evening.<br />Dean Markhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00951635094816230395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371679567904623605.post-15478790956228843912017-02-01T12:57:00.004-08:002017-02-01T13:05:24.643-08:00American Legion Color Guard & Drill Team<div class="Standard">
Everyone loves a parade.
East Hampton has seen the annual Memorial Day Parade going back to the
late 19th century and our Old Home Day Parade since 1910, it now an annual
event since the late 1970s. With the Old Home Day revival in 1953, suspended since WWII, the local American Legion Post No. 64
felt it fitting to participate in a grand way.
Legion members formed a Color Guard and Drill Team which represented the
Legion Post and our Town into the 1960s in various competitions in the State
and in National Parades and Conventions including Atlantic City and Washington
D.C., in the latter receiving the third place trophy as the best performing
Color Guard and Drill Team among the numerous teams participating from around
the country. The irony of these honored
veterans who served in World War II and the Korean Conflict forming a drill
team and voluntarily marching can't be overlooked. Most, if not all of these veterans, while in
active military service, had a disdain for any further organized marching. I'm sure most uttered on numerous occasions,
probably in a somewhat unflattering manner while in their respective branch of
service, that the last thing they would ever do again when discharged is march
- yet here they were. Over that decade
from formation, over 20 veterans - Legion members participated, with weekly
practices, in parades and full recognition of deceased veterans. Participating were Gilson Hall, Richard
Hitchcock, Charles Walton, James Wall, Jr., Donald Markham, Arthur Jacobson,
Jr., Hilding Hanson, John Jacobson, John Hanson, Francis Phillips, Edgar
Prince, Henry Fielding, Richard Bertrand, Rev. John Hosmer, Byron Clark, Lester
Hammond, Harold Lord, Louis Valli, William Marquess, and Francis Valli.
Gentlemen! We salute you and thank you for your service.<o:p></o:p><br />
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L-R Gilson Hall, Charles Walton, Donald Markham, ___________, Francis Valli, ___________, Arthur Jacobson, Jr., _____________, Lester Hammond, Louis Valli, _________________, Richard Hitchcock, Byron Clark, _______________, Harold Lord</h4>
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Dean Markhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00951635094816230395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371679567904623605.post-55296571753530243312017-02-01T12:54:00.000-08:002017-02-01T12:54:00.558-08:00A Rose by any other name - Hog Hill<div class="Standard">
Many of our street name origins are reasonably apparent. Lakeview Street adjacent to Lake View
Cemetery overlooks Lake Pocotopaug. Barton Hill was the home of William Barton,
the first bell maker. Miller Hill the
farm of an early resident. You probably
won't find the street in any current town road index as it is now Main and
South Main Streets, but a "native" would likely know its
location. Hog Hill would be equally evident
other than the fact there have been no hogs in recent history. Located eastward from Middle Haddam along
Route 149, the ground rises from the Connecticut River, in some places quite
steeply and very boldly. Here a hill of
great natural beauty and enchanting scenery was to become known as "Hog
Hill" bearing this unbecoming name with originates from colonial days
because of a particular episode. Shortly
after settlement, the General Court (the General Assembly) in 1740 granted
Middle Haddam settlers its petition to incorporate as a parish, The first
meeting house (the church) was erected on the side of this lovely hill. The meeting house was stoned up underneath
(its foundation) and a small aperture left to access under the church. As was the practice, hogs belonging to the
early settlers were allowed to roam at large, foraging unattended. During a rather violent thunder and lightning
storm the swine took refuge under the church.
Some party, likely some mischievous children, closed the entrance
shutting in the swine. Since they
normally roamed free, no one noticed them missing until the Sabbath day. Worshipers were serenaded by the snorting and
sequels of the trapped hogs as services began.
Service was temporarily halted as the prisoners were released. Hog Hill has retained its name ever since.<o:p></o:p></div>
Dean Markhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00951635094816230395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371679567904623605.post-83097324072537066532017-01-06T09:15:00.000-08:002017-01-06T09:16:16.860-08:00Charter Oak Surveys<div class="Standard">
Our history and Constitutional Government is enshrined in the
legend of the Charter Oak. In the 1600s
the colony of Connecticut was ruled by a governor and 12 member council under a
charter approved by the British King, Charles II. When James II assumed the throne upon his
brother's death, the Charter, which granted the colony elements of self-rule
was in peril, when the new king appointed a British nobleman, Edmund Andros to
be governor of a consolidated New England territory, nullifying the benefits of
the Connecticut Charter. Andros demanded
that the charter be sent to him. When Colony
leaders refused, Andros went to Hartford on October 31, 1687 to announce his
governorship and collect the Charter. He
met with Gov. Robert Treat and his council who waged a filibuster well into the
evening, when, a council member stood and gave a short impassioned speech about
the meaning of the Charter to Connecticut, ending dramatically by falling on
the table knocking over the candles. In
the darkness, the Charter was passed out the window to the widow of Joseph
Wadsworth who fled to the Charter Oak hiding it in the hollow of the great
tree. Connecticut since that time has been known as the C<b>harter State</b>.</div>
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Two Hundred Fifteen years later,
at the 1902 Constitutional Convention in Hartford, Gov. Hawley presented each
delegate a sapling, a descendant of the original Charter Oak which had stood
until 1856 when struck by lightning.
Chatham's representative, William N. Markham, along with James Costello,
Sr. and Ernest Markham planted the sapling in front of the Skinnerville Cemetery. In 1932, a granite marker was placed at the
foot of the oak tree by the Village Improvement Society (fore-bearer of the Old
Home Day Committee) with a description "Constitutional Oak." Similar to Connecticut's state motto <i>Qui transtuit sustinet</i> (Latin) for "He Who Transplanted Still Sustains," our oak has fared well as it stands today, the steadfastness of our heritage and rule of self-government.</div>
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East Hampton Charter Oak seen center of two large monuments</h4>
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Village Improvement Society monument placed in 1932 at base of our Charter Oak</h4>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
Dean Markhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00951635094816230395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371679567904623605.post-29869948077128460632016-12-26T07:35:00.001-08:002016-12-28T07:51:06.240-08:00A Most Unusual Christmas Present<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t7Ni96jI-0g/WGE5kbpOa2I/AAAAAAAAAhg/3x9_5yvVnE4uvjqKe0Ss1tX7GwctT5mvwCLcB/s1600/Uncle%2BBuster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><i>All I want for Christmas is my two
front teeth</i>, a seasonal favorite written in 1946, was a far cry
from the present, Bruce Tolhurst, my neighbor and best friend growing
up on East High Street, his sisters Kathy and Misty and cousins David
and John Purple, received in 1951. Imagine the most unusual
Christmas gift you might ever receive. Theirs topped it. Shipped by
train from Texas in a wooden crate was a Mexican Burro - Uncle
Buster!<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HGo01Kbl8Aw/WGE7xMkY7eI/AAAAAAAAAhs/ZxR2mf9xmk4IHooB-0OBSYW8xUyMNU9xQCLcB/s1600/Uncle%2BBuster%2Bedit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HGo01Kbl8Aw/WGE7xMkY7eI/AAAAAAAAAhs/ZxR2mf9xmk4IHooB-0OBSYW8xUyMNU9xQCLcB/s320/Uncle%2BBuster%2Bedit.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
Uncle Buster ca. 1956</h4>
<br />
As the story goes, aunt Mary Purple Newhall hadn't called
Bruce's father or mother, Allen or Eleanor (her sister) of the
impending arrival. The good news arrived when the Hartford Station
Master called Allen asking him to "come pick up his ass!"
Allen arranged with his best friend Jack Peters, owner of a pickup
truck, to transport the burro back to East Hampton where a stable was
created from an old shed at the rear of the property. I remember
Uncle Buster fondly as his pen enclosure of over two acres came up to
our family's property line. In the summer after shucking corn husks,
we would feed them to a very happy burro - a nice variety from dry
oats. Apples and carrots were other favorites. That Christmas, Mr.
and Mrs. Tolhurst decided that Uncle Buster was going to be a real
surprise. Besides not telling the children, they also kept the secret
from Louise and Nelson Purple, David and John's parents, and
grandmother Eleanor Purple. On Christmas morning the families
gathered together for 'presents and dinner.' After opening presents,
Bruce's father retrieved Uncle Buster from the shed and brought him
to the kitchen door of his grandparents apartment, announcing
"surprise, another present." The kids were thrilled. Aunt
Louise apparently not so much. She was quoted as saying: "Oh
no, not another mouth to feed!"<br />
<br />
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Allan Markham feeding Uncle Buster ca. 1956</h4>
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<h4 style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Mark Condon, Kathy Tolhurst, Bruce Tolhurst with dad Allen Tolhurst holding reins</h4>
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Peter, Bruce, Kathy & Misty (holding Buster)</h4>
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Dean Markhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00951635094816230395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371679567904623605.post-35765798638429977292016-12-22T12:11:00.000-08:002016-12-22T12:11:07.427-08:0075 Years Ago - the Weeks After Pearl Harbor<div class="Standard">
75 years ago on December 7, 1941, America was plunged into
war with the bombing of the U.S. Naval Fleet at Pearl Harbor. One would think, based on today's immediate
live broadcasts and social media accounts posted from cell phones or tablets with on the spot videos or
pictures that the mobilization for war would dominate all aspects of the news. Once that initial shock subsided, news
accounts portrayed a much different setting in our local community. Of greater immediate impact had been the fire
destroying the village center Congregational Church, immediate efforts to find
alternative worship facilities and begin the arduous task of rebuilding (not to
occur until 1948 due to war efforts and scarcity of supplies). The locally reported news in the weeks
following Pearl Harbor depicted the day to day events in the life of a small,
close-knit New England community.
Headlines ranged from "Will Present Yule Program - Entertainment is
Planned at Swedish Zion Church"; the untimely death of Mrs. Hazel Robinson
Carlson; the local Defense Council seeking a $500 appropriation at Town
Meeting; a play planned and written by Center Grammar School Students entitled
"Nutcracker Prince"; ads from local merchants or Middletown's big
city stores describing the latest merchandise for Christmas shoppers; an editorial providing reviews and praising
Carl Price's new book <i>Yankee Township</i>; and the personal notes announcing
soldiers home on leave - men such as Pvt.s John Peterson, Leroy Bissell, Leon
Goff, William Valli and Cpl. Albert Hansen.
It was noted Pvt. James Baxter's leave had been canceled and that he
wouldn't be home for Christmas - something that would occur for the next three
years for over 400 other young men and women from East Hampton serving in the
Army, Navy, Marine Corp, Coast Guard and Merchant Marine during World War II.<o:p></o:p></div>
Dean Markhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00951635094816230395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371679567904623605.post-2396639544488671452016-12-02T10:14:00.000-08:002016-12-02T10:15:42.918-08:00Ambulance Association Formed 1953<div class="MsoNormal">
Recently, while waiting for a family member being treated in
the Middlesex Hospital Emergency Center in Marlborough, the Town’s ambulance
arrived, doing as it has done for 60 years – transporting, without fanfare,
those from our community in need of emergency service. Arriving with the patient was EMT Kate Morris,
who along with the 35 or more volunteer EMT’s and drivers, respond to nearly
1,200 calls annually. This encounter was
fortuitous since I had just met with Kate a few days prior to obtain
information on the history of the East Hampton Ambulance Association. Seeing these dedicated members of our
community in action reminds me and us all of the important service volunteers
provide – an important component in small communities such as ours where the
well being of our families, neighbors and townsfolk becomes a common bond and an
important feature of community pride.
Without this volunteer corps, response time to emergencies would
escalate from minutes to hours if we relied solely on paid responders from
Middletown or Hartford to respond to emergencies – all when time is of the
essence.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
EHAA formed when First Selectman Milton Nichols convened a
committee on May 6, 1953, composed of local businessmen and members of Rotary,
to evaluate, design, structure and determine the need for an ambulance
association. Incorporated shortly
thereafter by members of the committee, Chauncey Bevin, Eleanor Fazzino and Jim
Walsh (Kate Morris’s father). Frank
Popowitz was appointed the EHAA’s first President. Its original mission was to provide
transportation for patients in need of emergency medical care to the doctor’s
office (Dr. Louis Sorreff or Dr. Norman Gardner) or hospital. The basics have not changed, but the delivery
of service has. In those early years speed
was tantamount, transporting the patient for medical attention quickly and as comfortable
as possible. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With a major transformation in The 1970s transformed service
as medical attention on route became important.
Since the mid 1990s, EHAA has been affiliated with the Middlesex
Hospital Paramedic Service providing advanced medical care which significantly
improved the quality of service in emergency situations, and since 1998, the
corps has been AED (defibrillator) certified, keeping pace with training and
protocols from their medical control facility, Middlesex Hospital.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As previously noted, early supporters included businessmen
of the community and Rotarian's who comprised many of the Town’s professionals and
merchants. Their support was critical as
they possessed a firsthand view of much of the emergency requirements. If a valued employee suffered an injury in
the work place, it was imperative to get that worker treatment as quickly as
possible. As you may recall, East
Hampton had several bell manufacturers and numerous other machine shops. Long before OSHA, much of the machinery
lacked what today we consider essential safety measures. Speed getting an
employee to medical treatment could me the difference of saving versus losing a
hand or arm. Workers were not just
valued employees. The closeness of the community and years spent together made
them all like families. Unlike today, it was common for owner and management to
be on the shop floor, running machinery or overseeing production. They knew
their workers on a personal level. They
often attended the same churches, shopped locally, and recreated together, in
the business and professional baseball or basketball leagues. The formation of the EHAA included not only
our business and political leaders, it was staffed by a volunteer group of
twelve First Aiders, trained from the ranks of volunteer firemen, who responded
to calls for aide “as often as they could” and were literally from the old
school of “you call – we haul!” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our first ambulance was a 1939 Cadillac housed in one of the
Bevin Bros. Manufacturing Co. barns on Bevin Court. A few years later, a 1953 Cadillac was
purchased and served the community, with the EHAA acquiring its first box type
vehicle in 1976. Today, we are served by
two state of the art Ambulances and a proud group of highly trained and
dedicated volunteers available to help any who call at a moment’s notice.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The First Aiders, volunteers from the fire department,
coordinated by Captain Don Ingraham, provided emergency support until the early
1970s, when Ron Brady, one of our EHHS teachers, became coordinator and began
an intensive training program to certify personnel as EMTs. From formation, townspeople became “members”
of EHAA for $5 a year which guaranteed transportation to hospital. If you didn’t join, you were still guaranteed
care and a ride to hospital. Many
families contributed because without the support, vehicles and equipment that
might save their lives could not be purchased. In 1997, the corps moved away
from the annual membership drive and became an insurance supported response
team. 2005 saw the opening of the EHAA
new headquarters on Middletown Avenue.
This three-bayed facility, made possible with bonding from the Town and
significant financial contributions from our citizens, is equipped to become a
regional center for emergency personnel in time of disaster.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
So what could you do?
Kate Morris explained that many of the volunteers who start out as
drivers train and become EMTs. This is
wonderful for the EHAA and our community, but often leaves us short of
drivers. You could give your town a
wonderful Christmas or Holiday gift - volunteer your time to become an ambulance
driver! Give Kate Morris a call for
further information. 860- .
Remember, EHAA has never abandoned what it calls itself, “Neighbors
Helping Neighbors.”<o:p></o:p></div>
Dean Markhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00951635094816230395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371679567904623605.post-14852277764191053832016-12-02T10:05:00.001-08:002016-12-02T10:05:28.318-08:00Treasure Hunters in Ruins of Old House<div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Fortune hunters are an intriguing lot. Whether it’s Lord Carnarvan and Archaeologist
Howard Carter excavating Tutankhamen’s tomb, or the dismantling of an old
house, the intrigue entices the imagination.
In July 1938 Howard and Clark Rich of East Hampton and Spencer Jewell of
Hartford (later to operate a plumbing business and own the Carrier Block at 82
Main Street) were tearing down a house built in 1750 by Nathaniel Markham, who,
according to the last resident Charles Darling, is said to have hidden a
fortune in bills and coins among stones of the Chimney. Perhaps this early date is derived from the
opinion of a local authority on art, who says its architecture resembles that
of house build around 1750, rather than from the sign that has been on the
house since the Connecticut Tercentenary, “Nathaniel Markham, 1786.” And likely, the legend of the “hidden
fortune” has come from the well-accepted tradition that in the War of 1812,
when the British fleet was raiding the Connecticut shore towns and venturing up
river, nearly discovering the American fleet harbored in Hamburg Cove, some
Chatham householders hid their silver plate at the base of an old chimney. Silver plate is the British definition of
solid silver which differs from the plated tin or pewter often found today. The
house by the way, was a tavern on the main highway passing along the east side
of Lake Pocotopaug across a shallow ford from Markham’s Point (Meeks Point) to
Arrow Point (Spellman Point) and thence along the north shore of the lake to
Clark’s Hill and on to East Middletown, present day Portland. In the end, no precious metal treasures
however. The only silverware that had been found in dismantling the ancient inn
was four rusty forks. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="Standard" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Carl Price, author of <i>Yankee Township</i>, investigated the
dismantling process by the treasurer hunters of the Nathaniel Markham homestead
and managed to rummage through a box of literary treasure trove, rescued from
the attic, with little intrinsic value, but of great interest and certainly the
only fortune the house yielded. There
were readable books of ancient vintage in this box: “the Village Blacksmith – Life of Samuel
Hicks” 1842; “Anecdotes of the American Revolution” 1844 along with a dozen
others. The manuscript diary of C. N.
Darling for 1875, neatly written, was full of East Hamptonian (what the Town
was called by my High School Principal Andrew D. V. Ferrigno) interest. For each day the weather was fully recorded
with special reference to the clouds, with whose scientific names the author
was quite familiar, and also as to the temperatures – frost on June 13 and
September 22; six below zero on February 9.
A record of carpentry work as billed against various distinguished
citizens, Dr. Notling, Horatio Chapman, W. W. Watrous, Joel S. Ives, Leonard
Willey, John M. Smith; Chancy Bevin for filing 1 saw 25 cents; Augustus H.
Conklin to making conductors 40 cents.
Work on the new Methodist church building was recorded throughout the
year, and a catalog of all its spruce timbers up to the time of its dedication
on Wednesday, October 20, 1875, when 100 were present for exercise beginning in
the afternoon and lasting until midnight.
One item proved, however, that life was not all work: “November 12.
Went hunting today. Father Herm
(Rich), myself, with dog, 7 greys.” A
final notation from the diary: “East Hampton needs a Board of Trade to induce
manufacturers to locate here. Western
enterprise can well be imitated.” We’re
still talking about how to attract business 138 years later!</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Dean Markhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00951635094816230395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371679567904623605.post-86606849319357550792016-10-31T13:17:00.001-07:002016-10-31T13:17:29.185-07:00Why I'm Voting Hilliary Clinton for President
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
From childhood we've heard that America
is the land of opportunity. Other than my Native American friends such as those from the Schaghticoke Tribal Nation,
all of us and our fore-bearers immigrated here in search of a better
life - one where hard work, imagination, drive and ingenuity could
provide the opportunity to succeed. America was a land where anyone
could achieve their dreams. Our Constitution provided equal
protection and equal opportunity. Indeed - very lofty ideals, words
and sentiments! There are more than a few who would question that.
It took a Civil War that nearly ended our American experiment as a
Democratic Republic to free those in slavery and another 100 years to
assure them full voting rights. It took until 1920 for women to
receive the right to vote. Full equality and opportunity haven't
just happened. Its taken sustained effort and some of the battles are still being fought today.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We have an opportunity on Nov. 8th to
break the ultimate glass ceiling - the Presidency. Only one candidate
in my mind has the experience, tenacity, intelligence and temperament
to serve as President. That lady, that candidate, is Hillary
Clinton. Her qualifications and experience as Secretary of State and
U.S. Senator, touted by most prominent news analysts, tell us that
she is the most qualified person ever to seek the Presidency. I
agree! To even be considered as a major party candidate, more was
expected.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Bottom line! I have 3 very special reasons
why I am voting Hillary Clinton for President - Sandra, Eva and Isla
- my granddaughters. I want them to grow up in a country where there
is truth in the law; where opportunity is equal and real, and being a
woman does not make them a second class citizen. I don't want to ever
have to answer a question - Grandpa - I've worked so hard, why can't
my dreams come true?</div>
Dean Markhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00951635094816230395noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371679567904623605.post-91157225319765710692015-12-27T09:08:00.000-08:002015-12-27T09:08:19.684-08:00General Henry ChampionHave you ever discovered something in plain view yet you never really noticed it? I found such a situation, a road sign, as you turn onto Rt. 16 towards Colchester entitled “Henry Champion Highway.” Some questions – who was Henry Champion and why is a highway named for him? There seem to be at least four Henry Champion’s, the most prominent being father, Henry, Jr., aka Colonel Henry Champion, and his son Henry III, an officer in the American Revolution.<br />
<br />
Henry Champion III was born in Westchester (the western section of Colchester) at his family’s magnificent Federal style house (located near intersection of Rt. 16 on Rt. 149). Although not an East Hampton resident, Westchester, a part of Colchester, had close ties locally as the Champion's owned various properties in Chatham. The Champions also owned several parcels in Chatham.<br />
<br />
Born in 1751, Champion entered into service in the Continental Army at the Lexington Alarm, served as Ensign for 22 days before being promoted to 2nd Lieutenant of Eighth Company, Second Regiment on April 26, 1775. In May in became a 1st Lieutenant and was one of the men who fought at Bunker Hill. Promoted to Adjutant on the staff of Col. Samuel Wyllys, he became of the First Connecticut Line. In July 1779, Champion was detached from his old regiment and appointing Acting Major of the First Battalion Light Brigade, organized by General George Washington to attempt the capture of Stony Point on the Hudson. This corps was composed of men picked from all regiments and under direct command of General Washington.<br />
<br />
Major Champion continued his military career until the close of the Revolutionary War, returning home to Westchester and entered life in politics. The designation “General” was likely an honorary title of respect conferred for the meritorious service during the Revolution. Champion, with a partner, Moses Cleaveland, dabbled in land development in the Western Reserve and founded current day Cleveland.Dean Markhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00951635094816230395noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371679567904623605.post-43536564074559706212015-12-26T08:41:00.000-08:002015-12-26T08:41:30.512-08:00CCC Camp Jenkins Secret Society - 1933<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
During the Great Depression, the
Civilian Conservation Corps, had two locations in East Hampton - one
at Salmon River on Gulf Road near the Comstock Covered Bridge and a
second, the 181st Company at Camp Jenkins, north of Cobalt near Great
Hill. The CCC program, which local resident Martin Podskoch has
written extensively, was founded by President Franklin D. Roosevelt
to provide work opportunities for young men in a wholesome
environment. Organized work initiatives, including stabilizing
embankments along the Salmon River or clearing brush in our State
Forests, were some of the many projects tackled. For two years, CCC
members encamped only a few hundred feet from the Cobalt mine sites,
and working in conjunction with the State Forest and Park Commission,
cleaned up forest debris and underbrush that had accumulated for
years, building tables, benches and cement fireplaces for picnickers
and cleaned out the longest of the two horizontal mine shafts still
easily found in 1933. Although no longer accessible, for years
visitors could walk on logs on the muddy mine floor to its very end,
approximately 75 feet in length.
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
During their work experience, sixteen
of the men, CCC members at Camp Jenkins, banded together to form what
was believed to be the first secret society of the forest recruits in
the U.S. The society, known at I.D.K. Sunset Lodge, No. 1 with
officers' stations named after trees, adopted by-laws and elected
officers. A prerequisite to admittance in addition to being a member
of the CCC was "good character" and the society, advanced
by many standards of the era, was open to any race, creed or
denomination. The first officers were Great Oak, A. G. Kamm
(recreation directors of the camp); Small Oak, Albert Budrow; Sturdy
Elm (secretary) Frank Wodin; Tall Pine (historian and publicity
agent) Henry Kunz; Hemlock (treasurer) Michael Reynolds; Walnut
(outside guard) W. H. Bartlett; Hickory (inside guard) William
Kruger; Spruce (guide) Joseph Perkowski; and, Willow (chaplain)
Archie L. Brown.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The purpose of the organization was to
promote goodwill, entertainment, recreation and the welfare of the
majority of young men working at the camp.
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The society had six committees
including investigators (known as the Birches); membership (Ashes);
grievance (Cherry); board of inquiry (Poplars); athletic (Brush) and
refreshments (Tall Timber). The right and left supporters to the
Great Oak were known as Cedar and Chestnut.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Lodge meetings were held in a log cabin
constructed at the camp (no longer standing). Its entertainment
committee planned a dance inviting the local public to tour the camp.
The first "Sapling" to be initiated was Al Kuchl of
Hartford. Ritual included three degrees performed by a team of
officer members and regular meetings were held on Tuesday evenings.</div>
Dean Markhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00951635094816230395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371679567904623605.post-64143070955281381752015-12-26T08:39:00.000-08:002015-12-26T08:39:36.226-08:00Walking tour Edgewater Hill<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Remarks
by Dean Markham</span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sunday
April 19, 2015</span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Chatham
Historical Society Walking Tour of Edgewater Hill</span></span></span><br />
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Many
thanks to Mary Loos for sharing the background of her father John
Weinzierl and history of the family and this property here at 140 East High Street; and to Steve
and Lisa Motto for including me today, as I've found from some of my
research that I also have some personal and family ties to their property here at
Edgewater Hills.</span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">One
of the iconic landmarks dotting the countryside as Americans ventured
forth to explore this vast country and recreate from their toils was
the wayside inn or hotel, or what we fondly call the motel. East
Hampton, through the likes of a Bavarian immigrant, John Weinzierl,
saw his dream come to fruition in 1952 when he started the White
House Motel that until a year ago, stood on this site.</span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Let’s
jump back, however, to 1673. Middletown was awarded additional land
by the General Assembly on the east side of the Connecticut River -
what was called the second Three Mile Division. This tract started
at the boarder of East Middletown, what is now Portland, running
north-south about 9 miles and east 3 miles to the Colchester line.
The Selectmen in Middletown impaneled a surveying or proprietors
committee in 1714 headed by Captain Cornwell and later William
Whitmore whose task it was to survey the 3 mile division and lay out
parcels of land. This process took over 20 years. The term "lots"
derived from the lottery process that Middletown land owners were
able to select a parcel in the new territory. They drew lots or
numbers that entitled them to receive one or more of the predesignated parcels. There were 273 - 40 acre - parcels.
Depending of your assessed property value in Middletown, you received
rights to full or partial shares. One had the option of paying the
per share price for the lot, selling or trading it. The wealthier or
more enterprising drew multiple lots. My ancestor, John Markham, had
the fortune of selecting the equivalent of 2 1/2 lots or 100 acres.
His draw, as it happens, included the land from Pocotopaug on the
point, along the shore of the bay and eastward to this site.
Originally known as Markham's Point, it is now Meek's Point, after
Arthur Meek acquired most of it in the late 1930s early 1940s. The
first Markham home, constructed around 1750 is a Cape style home just
across the way on Old Marlborough Road, owned by Steve and Rhonda
Kissinger. John Markham also acquired land to Bear Swamp including
this Edgewater Hills site. And I guess my family surrounded this
site as my Great-Great Grandfather, Edwin Baker, owned what is now
the Lake Vista Condo's - it being referred to as Baker Hill.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">John
Weinzierl, as an 18 year old with $10 in his pocket, and a cousin,
Joe Rankl (Marlborough) as a sponsor, came to the United States.
Enterprising, John did odd jobs - worked in the bell foundry, did
haying and bought land from tax or estate sales - piece by piece. He
married at St. Andrew's Church in Colchester in 1935, living on the
lake but planning to build a house at 138 East High. John saw the
design of a house he liked in Southington while driving his truck,
and commissioned Ralph Strong to put his saw mill here on the
property (Steve Strong now operates the mill) who cut the lumber. In
1937, Al Knotek (my Grandmother Rose's brother) built the house.
John did the bulldozing and excavation and sold wood and fence posts
from the lumbering.</span></span></span><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Many
people who visited our Lake Resorts desired rooms with private
bathrooms, so in 1952, to meet the budding demand, John built the
White House Motel with 8 rooms. He added efficiency apartments and
finished the office on June 24, 1955 in time for his daughter Mary's
wedding to George Loos. The old garage at 140 East High was
converted to a house in 1965. George and Mary bought the motel in
1966.</span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In
1989 they sold the White House to their daughter, who in turn sold
the property to Steve and Lisa Motto. I think John Weinzierl would
have been very impressed and proud of what has developed here,
beginning with the entrepreneurial aspirations of a young man seeking
his fortunes and opportunity in America to a new generation carrying
on the tradition.</span></span></span></div>
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Dean Markhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00951635094816230395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371679567904623605.post-81019901311489949252015-12-26T08:33:00.000-08:002015-12-26T08:33:26.916-08:00Speaking at Town Meeting concerning Purchase of New Ladder Truck
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Public
Remarks by Dean Markham to the East Hampton Town Meeting, December
21, 2015 concerning the purchase of a aerial ladder truck produced by
Pierce Manufacturing</b>.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> I rise
to support the replacement of a 30 year old ladder truck in use well
past its functional prime with no reasonable expectation of continued
cost effective maintenance. Its replacement probably should have
occurred 5 or more years ago. It's significant replacement cost has
annually put such consideration on the back burner - until now. </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> A year
ago the only option available was a dual rear axle ladder truck that
probably would have cost equipped near $1.5 million. Our fine and
dedicated Fire Commission, Chief Greg Voelker and Company Members did
the due-diligence to present to the town a superb alternative with
significantly improved features and capabilities at nearly 50% of
that original estimate.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> One of
our highest priorities as citizens is protection of the public health
and safety. Often overlooked are the dedicated volunteers who jump
to the call to battle fires and other emergencies. This piece of
equipment provides safety to them as they serve us. There are also
hidden savings that we rarely think about. For example, one increase
in the ISO (insurance rating) of our town would cost each homeowner
and businesses substantially more annually than any tax increase to
pay for the vehicles and equipment appropriate for our firefighters.
And, there is an unmentioned expense that would pale this apparatus
purchase. How much do you think a full-time paid fire department
would cost? We should all be standing and applauding these dedicated
volunteers.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> The
rub tonight is that we are faced with a damned if we do - damned if
we don't situation. Our new Republican majority council (Patience Anderson, Ted Hintz, Jr., Mark Philhower, Josh Piteo and Melissa Engel) has decided,
for lack of any understanding on my part, to punish all our
taxpayers for bringing this expensive piece of equipment before us.
They have totally disregarded the recommendation of our Finance
Director and a unanimous vote of the Board of Finance to
lease-purchase the truck over 10 years (citing what would be a
savings of approximately $8000 a year) by robbing the budget
referendum approved capital reserve fund to pay cash for this major
item. How many of you would pay cash for a new automobile? </span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> Our
capital reserve fund, voted by you, was to smooth the impact of the
High School renovation project. I can only surmise that our Council
is also punishing all of us for approving that project. Under this
plan, you will see a significant mill increase, far, far beyond what
is reasonable and what prudent Boards of Finance and prior Town
Councils had planned. The current rationale evades me because we all
pay. Considering the near record low of interest rates, it would
behoove our town to take advantage using the power of our AAA
Standard and Poor Rating. We've all heard the rumblings that the
Federal Reserve intends to begin raising rates. Now is an opportune
time to finance this long-term asset.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> So
what's the solution? Our public safety or our wallets. You could
vote the resolution down. But does that really make sense? NO.
The better solution is to adopt the Resolution, <u>and</u>, if our
Town Council is wise, in the next few weeks, they have the power to
reconsider how the ladder truck is acquired. The bid remains in
place until February 7th. Seems like plenty of time to do the smart
thing.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> I hope
you will support the Ladder Truck purchase this evening. Overall it
is in everyone's best interests.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> <i>Note -
The resolution passed by unanimous voice vote of the nearly 250
townspeople in attendance and was declared approved by Moderator Red
(Robert) McKinney.</i></span></div>
Dean Markhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00951635094816230395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371679567904623605.post-89550118729699472702015-04-06T09:53:00.002-07:002015-04-06T09:57:43.509-07:00Technology Infrastructure Initiative - Board of Finance<br /><br />
<br /><br />
From comments and remarks by Dean Markham to Board of Finance - March 30, 2015<br />
<br /><br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">We as a
Board of Finance have been evaluating over these past several weeks,
the thoughtful requests and needs by our Department Heads, Town
Manager, Board of Education and Superintendent. I believe all of us
are impressed by the professionalism and creativity of all who
testified before us and believe our Town is fortunate to have
serving, so many very capable, dedicated and quality personnel. This
is a major plus as we face enormous challenges on so many fronts.
Regardless of our personal views as elected officials on how best to
deliver, we do all agree that we want a better future for our
citizens and community.</span></div>
<br /><br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">As
we've listened to all these presentations, one overriding theme
permeates almost every message - building or improving our
infrastructure. That infrastructure takes on many forms - roads and
bridges, an environmentally sound lake, facilities such as police
station, town hall, schools, fire or public works equipment - much of
which we are providing some funding or which the Town Council has
begun addressing, and finally, an infrastructure of a different sort
- our students ability to excel.</span></div>
<br /><br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">It is
this last item - our children's ability to excel - that Mr. Turner,
Mr. Hurst and I have been pondering and asking what could we do to
provide a "game changer" in the equation and how do we
reasonably fund it. As we listened to various presentations, several
key elements to what we would like to propose emerged. Common Core
State Standards has changed the educational outlook and presented
more unfunded mandates. Technology is a key component and will be
ongoing in our schools, as it is and will be within business,
government and throughout our society. But we have constantly been
behind the eight-ball, in many cases a day late, a dollar short and
chasing the pack, rather than leading. We have so many talented
students, and with the right tools, could make the opportunity for
all.</span></div>
<br /><br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">It is
with this in mind that we propose a major Technology Infrastructure
Initiative for the Memorial and Middle Schools with an estimated cost
of $750,000 - a program on the scope of that included for the High
School technology component of the rebuilding program. Obviously the
High School will have the programs. We exclude Center School at this
time because of the RFP the Town Council voted on last week. A solid
direction must be established for that facility. </span>
</div>
<br /><br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">The
cost would entail a $750,000 addition to the Capital Program and
Budget to be financed with a capital lease. First year lease
payments are provided for the initial $250,00 of work under a 3 year
capital lease / purchase. Leasing or short term notes provides
rational funding during the life of much of the equipment. This
initiative is not just a "hand me the money!" It will take
a comprehensive plan that the three major Boards - Education, Finance
and Town Council must agree to. But as I said - this could be a
"game changer" for our community.</span></div>
<br /><br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">With
such an initiative comes challenges and a bite of reality. Studying
our Student Enrollment Projections, East Hampton has experienced a
13% reduction in student population over the past 10 years and NESDC
projects another 14% reduction in the next 10 years, even taking into
account several significant building projects such as Hampton Woods,
Edgewater Hills and Skyline Estates. The Board of Education must
face the reality that reductions of instructional staff must be
addressed. The immediate implementation of this Technology
Infrastructure Initiative will put East Hampton well ahead of our
pier communities - maybe into the elite school systems in our state.
And to our many parents who may have struggled with a decision to
send or not send their children out of district to a magnet school
for instance, we are proposing the changes for excellence.</span></div>
<br /><br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">In
closing, our citizens and taxpayers demand the best but at a
reasonable cost. The challenge to our Board of Education comes
quickly - redesigning and reducing the budget with the radical
changes implemented.</span></div>
<br /><br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<br />Dean Markhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00951635094816230395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371679567904623605.post-5745492910701833822015-01-19T11:30:00.000-08:002015-02-03T12:17:21.056-08:00Married Teachers Dismissed - 1933<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Almost daily, reminders of discrimination permeate media
reports, but at one point East Hampton witnessed a situation that would seem by
2015 standards a bit draconian – the dismissal of female teachers – because
they were married!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On May 11, 1933, with
four of the ten members absent, and Chairman Charles Torkelson abstaining, the
Board of Education passed a resolution on a 4-to-1 vote to dismiss (terminate)
four married teachers and reduce the salaries of eight others one-third percent
(about $50) due to “economic conditions,” effective upon the expiration of
teachers’ contracts in June.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
resolution, sponsored by Mrs. Howard W. House, included a provision to fill the
positions with un-married teachers. Mrs. House, explained that it was presented
“to save money and to open jobs for competent, single and unemployed
teachers.” Joining Mrs. House in support were Mrs. Samuel Stewart, Leon Voisin
and Richard J. Wall with Deaconess Harriet G. Hyde opposed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Two of the married teachers, Alice S. (Mrs. Ralph)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thatcher and Regina Cheney began a campaign
to fight the dismissal, threatening court action, if necessary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Backed by a strong community effort, a
petition was circulated calling for the Board to hold a special meeting to
rescind its action.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Other teachers
affected were Beatrice H. (Mrs. Raymond) Thatcher and Dorothy Parker. All four
had taught for several years and were regarded as experienced and capable
teachers. Commenting as President of the Taxpayers’ Association, Hubert Hodge
stated that he was thoroughly in accord with any action taken by the Board, or
any other official group, to reduce the town’s expenses, and so reduce the
heavy burden now resting on the general public. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The Board of Education resolution and action to dismiss
four married teachers spurred considerable community debate. The petition had a
mixed results - 71 supporting reinstatement of the teachers and 75
against.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was however enough to bring
the issue back. The depression, then in its fourth years, had engendered many
ideas for cost cutting and what many thought - fairness. If the husband, the
primary breadwinner, had employment, why not give positions to unemployed
single teachers? It would give more townspeople at lease some income.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At a Public Hearing and Special Meeting of
the Board of Education on May 31st, the action previously taken was rescinded
on a 5-to-4 vote after lengthy discussion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Opposition to the dismissal was led by A. D. Williams who challenged the
“economic issue” as “petty,” and was supported by the Rev. Edwin C. Field, Dr.
John D. Milburn, Mrs. Milburn and Achille Cozzi.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mr. Williams noted that the possible minor
saving was estimated to be<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>$900 or less
than 75 cents per taxpayer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Members Edward H. Wilkins, Mrs. Nellie Barton, Forest G.
Thatcher (not husband of either of the dismissed teachers) and Mrs. Ethel
Butler joined in the vote to overturn the previous action.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Speaking at the public hearing, Mrs. Regina
Cheney, one of the teachers to be dismissed<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“deplored the method and secrecy of the Board action in dismissing
her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She noted that she was informed by
one of her pupils the following day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
thought it most unfair to ask her to move to town and to transfer her from one
grade to another with the implication that she was to remain, and then dismiss
her.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mrs. Cheney even suggested that
she would be willing to consider a reduction in salary if the economic
conditions of the Town warranted it. Mr. Field pointed out that it was more to
the point to consider the competence of teachers than to put a premium on the
"M-R-S" in front of a woman's name and stressed the fact that
children should be considered before economics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The final outcome actually surprised many. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
After being reinstated with
the Board's rescission of the Resolution, Beatrice Thatcher, Alice Thatcher and
Dorothy Parker tendered their resignations shortly after the close of the
school year.</div>
At the end of July, Mrs. Regina Cheney's contract was not renewed by the Board of Education, thus ended the East Hampton teaching careers of four married teachers.Dean Markhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00951635094816230395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371679567904623605.post-67963090670624397032014-06-01T10:45:00.005-07:002014-06-01T10:46:03.595-07:00Lake Pocotopaug Dam and Water Rights
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<br />
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<strong>Exploring Lake Issues by
Round Table Meeting</strong></div>
<br />
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The March 6, 2014, at an East Hampton
Round Table meeting organized by Chairman Barbara Moore of our town
Council, once again raised concerns, questions and challenges
pertaining to the future of Lake Pocotopaug, specifically with
control of the dam and level of the water in the lake, all of which
have irrefutable ties to the very formation of the town. Those
attending questioned why a private party controls the Lake's water
levels, a perennial theme of lake area property owners and boating
enthusiasts since the 1940s. Nearly every summer someone or some
group questions why the water level is so high or low, and like the
weather being too hot or cold - is often a personal perception! Who
controls that level, what is done to monitor it, and finally, what
could be done about the situation so that the Town and its people
could assume that responsibility emerged as objectives coming from
the Round Table and forwarded to the Town Council. Over the years,
numerous demands, requests, or petitions to Selectmen, Town Council
or Town Manager or in 1976 to the Inland Wetland Commission, by irate
homeowners have been met with the same response. After review,
usually by town legal council, none of which has been particularly
thorough, it has been surmised that since "The Bevin's"
(Pocotopaug Water Power Company) own the dam, that they control the
water flow and lake level and there is little the town can do unless
it wants to purchase that property and the "so called"
rights to control that water flow and thus control the level of water
in the Lake. To begin to tackle the question one needs to jump back
in time to 1714 when a 5 man Proprietor's Committee was appointed by
Middletown Selectmen and Town Meeting to survey, divide and award
lots to property owners in proportion to the assessed value of their
Middletown property.
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<strong>The Gordian Knot</strong></div>
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<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Lake Pocotopaug dam, its ownership,
operation and historic rights, are a huge Gordian's Knot, not easily
unraveled. Yes the Bevin's (Pocotopaug Water Power Company) acquired
some right in the 1850's, but not what they now claim or have
expropriated over time. To unravel the questions one must begin in
1714 when a five man Proprietor's Committee was appointed by the
Middletown Selectmen to survey, divide and award lots in the
Three-mile Division to property owners in proportion to the assessed
value of their property. This process took over 25 years. After
accounting for previously granted land to James Wright and others,
common areas and highways and Pocotopaug Pond of 540 acres, the
remaining 12,576 acres were allotted in 43 acre Lots. What we know
as East Hampton was the unsettled territory East of the Great River -
land granted ownership and rights by the Colony's Governor and
General Court (the predecessor of our Governor and General Assembly).
This territory encompassed three areas of settlement - East
Middletown (today's Portland), Middle Haddam and Haddam Neck, and the
3-mile Division we know as East Hampton. It wasn't until 1739 that
settlers began moving into the area, there to find much of the land
not suitable to farming. Of immediate value was the Pond -
Pocotopaug - not commonly referred to as a lake until 1900. In
colonial times this body of water was not what we perceive today - a
recreational treasure for boating, swimming, fishing and its lovely
vistas. The gem in 1740 was the water flowing from the southerly
outlet of the Pond. The Pond itself was of little value, at least
not until the mid 1800s when ice was harvested during the winter and
stored in several ice houses for cooling and preserving food. The
real value of the lake was the power that could be provided to run
water wheels to saw logs and timber, mill grain, and hammer the iron
from forges in an emerging industrial age.</div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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</div>
<br />
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<strong>Pocotopauge Water Power
Company</strong></div>
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<br />
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Pocotopauge Water Power Company,
incorporated November 28, 1899, was formed by owners of the 5 major
mills along Pocotopaug Creek - Ernest G. Cone - Summit Tread Co., J.
M. Starr - Starr Bros. Manufacturing, A. Avery Bevin - Bevin Brothers
Manufacturing Company, H. N. Hill - N. N. Hill Company and George W. Goff
and A. H. Conklin - Gong Bell Mfg. Co. The purpose of PWPC was "to
own and secure water rights, lakes and ponds, wherever the same may
be situated, and in connection therewith to build and acquire
reservoirs, aqueducts and canals for the purpose of supplying water
for power, domestic and all other uses, within the Town of Chatham;
and in pursuance thereof to build and lay water mains through the
streets and highways of said town, and generally do all things
incidental to said business." Certainly an ambitious
undertaking, since there seems to be no approval by the Town, its
Selectmen or Town Meeting. In pursuance of PWPC objectives, it
acquired property of Bevin heirs on May 15, 1900, which conveyed a
certain piece or tract of land known as the "Forge Privilege."
Interestingly, the deed specified only that the "right is
herein reserved to heirs of Chauncey, Abner and Philo Bevin to raise
the water in their factory pond to the level of the lower side of the
bottom stone in the east end of the old Forge Dam." The
location of the Old Forge dam is uncertain but unlikely not on the
Lake, nor does there appear to be any indication of a right to
construct a dam or control the water level on Pocotopaug - only the
"Bevin" factory pond which was dismantled in the mid 1980s
after DEP determined it unsafe following an Army Corps of Engineers
inspection.</div>
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<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<strong>Iron Works Rights and
Privileges</strong></div>
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</div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Bevin brothers, Abner, Chauncey,
William and Philo began acquiring the land and old forge rights once
associated with the iron works on East High St. in 1850, about 18
years after formation of their bell company. Bevin Bros. has always
been located just off of Summit Street – the site of the horrendous
fire in May 2012. Acquisition of the old iron works site filled a
strategic need to incorporate water power to drive machinery for
their factories. To do so, control of the flow of water was
required. This was accomplished first, by construction of a holding
pond on their property on Pocotopaug Stream, and second, acquisition
of the iron works property whose land ran to the southern shores of
Pocotopaug Pond and its outlet. In the 19<sup>th</sup> century, some
damming with water flow control enabled them to fill the Bevin Pond
at night and drain the pond to operate the water wheel during the
business day. The ownership of the “forge privilege” dates back
probably to the 1740s but there is no indication in records that
those rights included any right to dam the Lake. During the late
1700s up until the first iron forge was torn down in 1810, several
men including Abijah Hall and Abijah Hall Jr. owned the land and the
forge privilege. In 1795 the Rev. Joel West acquired the land and
Cape style house (standing behind Island Coffee Trader on East High
Street) along with all the land on West Point; however, the “forge
privilege” which apparently included the use of the land and the
buildings thereon, was retained. Those rights were sold at various
times to others such as Elijah Buell, Elijah Buell, Jr., Joseph
Buell, Nathaniel & Jobe Doan or Isaac Riley and Elkanah Sears who
continuing operation until 1810.
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<strong>The New forge and Expanded
Rights</strong></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
In 1825 Jedediah Barstow built a new
forge and scythe factory on the site of the old iron works, having
acquired a half interest in the “Iron Works standing on Pocotopauge
Stream near the Pond and also one equal half of all the land and one
equal half of all the buildings standing on or near said premises
with all the appurtenances and privileges thereto belonging –
reference to Joseph Buell being had for bounds” from Henry Strong.
In 1830, Barstow purchased the land including West Point and the 1.5
acres from the Hebron – Middle Haddam Highway from the heirs of
Rev. West and others and on a parallel track began acquiring the
remaining shares of the Iron Works owned by various parties including
Henry Strong, David Buell, William Sears, Henry Bailey, Harry Roberts
and William Richmond. The deeds as recorded state that Barstow
acquired “one undivided sixteenth part of the Iron Works standing
on Pocotopauge Stream near the Pond in Chatham also one undivided
sixteenth part of Dwelling house & one coal house with all the
privileges, lands and appurtenances therewith belonging – reference
to Elkanah Sears deed may be had.” Elizabeth Barstow sold the
forge to Charles Shepard in 1847 upon her husband's death. That deed
describes a parcel on the Hebron & Middle Haddam Turnpike
extending Northerly to Pocotopaug Pond until you come to the east
side of the trench leading out of said pond south then along the East
side of the trench by lands, heirs of Rev Joel West back to
turnpike…with all the buildings, mills, mill privileges, rights of
Pond and water appertaining or belonging thereto or to the forge or
Iron works or other works thereon standing.” Amazingly, this deed
transferred rights never previously granted in prior deeds.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<strong>Rebuilding the Dam - 1953</strong></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Spring storms had pushed the 50 year
old dam to its limits. The gate controlling the flow of water jammed
under the immense pressure thus keeping it in nearly a fully opened
position prompted several meetings of the Pocotopaug Property Owners
Association. Mr. Chauncey Bevin trustee of the Pocotopaug Water Power
Company reported plans had been in the works for some time to repair
the dam. This work commenced in November by the Hubert Butler
Construction Company and completed Dec. 8, 1953. The Middletown
Press reported on Nov. 3rd, that "The normal high water level
will be the same as it has been in the past. This portion of the dam
will contain a gate for controlling the flow of water for use by
local industry. Inasmuch as no local firm is dependent upon water
for power any more, the maximum rate of flow should be less than half
that which was formerly maintained during the working day."
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
So, why rebuild the dam? The reason
was likely economic. The owners all had operating mills along
Pocotopaug Stream. The dam was a way to monitor water flow to
protect their facilities. People had become accustomed to the higher
levels of the lake. Disruption from status quo might raise questions
as to exactly what rights existed. If the dam and higher water level
were not maintained, the entertainment and summer resort industry
that grew in the teens and early 20s, which contributed significantly
to the property tax base, could be decimated. The taxable value of
individual lake properties would plummet. All the factory owners
were residents of the Town and they too enjoyed the beauty of the
lake. Had the dam not been repaired, the end result would have been
significantly higher property taxes to the 5 factory owners of the
PWPC.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<strong>Inland Wetlands Commission</strong></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
Responding to Mr. Robert Crammer, Chairman, regarding Inland
Wetlands Commission requests for the Pocotopauge Water Power Company
to file for and obtain a permit to operate the dam, Chauncey G. Bevin
wrote on June 29, 1976.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
"In an attempt to be brief, I am advising that the only
purpose I have for having built the dam at Lake Pocotopaug,
maintaining and operating it is to provide a service to the town, its
residents and property both public & private.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The service is provided at no expense whatsoever to the town and
includes among others the following:<br />
<br />
(1) a large recreational area for various water activities (2) a
tremendous reservoir of water for whatever the needs might be (3) a
means of controlling the flow and volume of water which is on
occasion used to prevent flooding and possible disaster to private
and public property (4) a means of controlling dangerous ice
conditions in the winter season thereby preventing damage (5)
personnel on duty in my employ 24 hrs per day to provide surveillance
of unusual conditions (6) numerous other services and actions
required<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The entire cost of the operation is assumed by myself. In
addition, the town further benefits from the taxes I pay on the dam
for the privilege of providing this service.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I would again call to your attention the fact that I do not make
the weather nor control it. I do however to the best of my ability,
and in the overall best interest of everyone, attempt to co-exist
with it.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I also would point out that before I took charge of this
operation, there was no water to control. We now have a beautiful
lake instead of a nearly dry puddle.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
In view of the fact that this dam is in operation and has been for
over seventy years <span style="text-decoration: none;">under the
permit of the DEP and its various predecessor</span>, I believe any
other permit is not required. To do so would conflict with State
Statutes long in existence. (Ref. Chapter 479 Section 25-110 thru
25-119). Further, your fee for this application you refer to would be
$2,558.50."<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="CENTER">
<strong>Attempt to Permit Water Flow</strong></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
In the early 1970s after the formation of the town's Inland
Wetlands Commission, it had questioned the ownership of the dam and
control and discharge of water flow, requesting that the Pocotopauge
Water Power Company file for a permit to use and discharge water from
the Lake. Represented by Attorney Edward F. Woodward, PWPC met with
the Commission and provided documentation back to 1900 of the it's
ownership and understood rights acquired pertaining to the property
and dam built thereupon. Town Counsel, Edward C. Wynne of the firm
Wynne, Pontillo & Lynch provided support and opinion to the IWC.
In an opinion letter dated October 21, 1976, to Mrs. Doris Barton,
Application Coordinator, Attorney Wynne addressed several issues
raised by the Commission, including their efforts to require the PWPC
to file for and obtain a permit. Mr. Chauncey G. Bevin, graciously
met with and provided information and tour of the dam, demonstrating
its operations as well as those of Bevin Pond and explained the
history of the dam and the other mill ponds that had been constructed
on Pocotopaug Brook. He also described conditions, safety measures,
and history of hurricanes and floods and damage done by them in past
years and decades.
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Inland Wetlands Commission meetings in 1976 centered on the issue
of control of water flowing from the Lake and the possibility of
obtaining permits to do so. Mr. Chauncey Bevin, Pocotopauge Water
Power Company trustee and President of Bevin Bros. Manufacturing Co.
appeared before the Commission and explained earlier methods of
damming, raising and lowering the level of the Lake prior to
construction of the 1953 dam. At that time it was Attorney Wynne's
(East Hampton Town Counsel) opinion that "if the PWPC was forced
to apply for a permit and a permit was issued limiting its right to
raise or lower the level of the lake as to water level or as to
method or time of raising or lowering such water level, such
limitation might well be a taking (condemnation) without
compensation, which would be set aside by the Superior Court upon
appeal." This apparently was determined from conversations with
and correspondence from Mr. Bevin's attorney Edmond F. Woodward, who
performed a cursory examination of title, ownership and rights -
particularly with respect to damming the Lake. However in an August
20, 1976 letter to Town Counsel Wynne Attorney Woodward stated "the
control of the dam and flow of the water has been controlled by Bevin
Bros. Mfg. Co. and PWPC since the 1830s and probably long before
without question and without challenge. Until very recently, neither
the State nor the Town nor any has ever questioned such control."<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
It is here that Town Counsel Wynne nor Mr. Bevin's attorney
failed to conduct a complete and accurate examination of the titled
rights, just assuming what was claimed actually existed. Clearly,
Bevin Bros. Mfg. Co. only acquired the old Jedidiah Barstow rights in
the 1850s - not in the 1830s or earlier.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="CENTER">
<strong>The Iron Works</strong></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The water flowing from Pocotopaug Pond
provided immediate value to new settlers of the three-mile division.
Lot 132 was awarded by the Proprietors Committee, then sold to Giles
Hall sometime in the 1730s, Mr. Hall and his partner, Jabez Hamlin,
enterprising entrepreneurs both within Middletown and on the east
side of the Connecticut River, constructed the Iron Works and in
subsequent property purchases and sales established easements for
"Forge Rights and Privileges" pertaining to the use of
water flowing from the outlet of the Pond to power a water wheel.
Today it would seem absurd, but in the 1740's East Hampton had one of
the only iron works and forges in the Northeast. Iron discovered and
mined in Salisbury was smelted into pig iron and carted by oxen 60
miles to be refined. Then, with the mechanical power from one or more
water wheels, it employed its great hammer to prepare iron into
workable thicknesses. This product was instrumental in the Middle
Haddam shipbuilding industry and provided a laboratory where
generations of East Hampton men could observe firsthand the process
of metal making. This familiarity became crucial for the emerging
bell industry of the 19th century. The Iron Works, located on
Pocotopaug Stream near the shores of Pocotopaug Pond, is now part of
the American Distilling Plant. The earliest land records refer to it
as Iron Works Highway, later the Hebron Middle Haddam Turnpike, Smith
Street and finally East High St. The original "forge privilege"
does not appear to be granted by any political authority such as
Middletown Selectmen. The Hall family built the iron works with
operation passing to Abijah Hall and later his son up until 1810. A
new forge was constructed in 1825 along with a scythe factory when
Jedediah Barstow acquired the land and "old forge privileges."</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<strong>When you don't have the
right - Get Creative!</strong></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Pocotopauge Water Power Company,
incorporated in 1899, began an ambitious construction project to dam
the Lake and provide controlled water power through a series of mill
ponds along Pocotopaug Stream as it traversed through the village
center. In 1899, no laws or regulations existed by which PWPC would
be required to apply to construct or operate a dam or regulate and
control the level of water in the Lake or water flow. The fact is
that PWPC incorporation preceded the current State regulatory
authority, DEEP or its predecessor, the Parks and Forest Commission
by over a dozen years. So how did PWPC gain such control? The simple
answer, they acted as if they owned the right! The more complex
answer lies in several documents executed in 1903. The PWPC officers
and trustees had commenced construction of the dam and apparently
determined they possessed no such rights. In an ingenious plan, the
officers obtained a number of 999 year leases were negotiated first
with Lorenzo Rich and then a number of other Lake front property
owners. Mr. Rich and the others, even though they did not possess
the rights, granted the PWPC "full leave and liberty to erect
and maintain and permanently establish their dam across the outlet to
said Pocotopaug Lake, one foot higher than the present dam, to wit,
as high as a certain bronze bolt set in a boulder near the middle of
the present dam, and to flow water so much." Lacking any
rights, the PWPC officers tried the next best thing. Secure from
every Lake front property owner the above mentioned contractual
provisions. Unfortunately, only about half the property owners
entered into said leases. In the end, the Town, the Sears family,
among others, didn't. Not to be stymied, the PWPC just pretended
from the few leases executed to possess such rights and for well over
a hundred years perpetuated the myth that the PWPC and Bevin family
or Bevin Brothers Manufacturing Co. owned the rights to control the
water in and flowing from the Lake.</div>
Dean Markhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00951635094816230395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371679567904623605.post-80082681249252355702013-08-28T08:03:00.001-07:002013-08-28T08:03:47.797-07:00Education in East Hampton
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Among the most compelling reasons for a strong educational
system are its impact upon our quality of life and progress in our community. On June 4th,
citizens supported a monumental rebuilding of the 50 year old High School.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although the vote was relatively close -
1,536 yea with 1,259 nay - I am comfortable in believing that the vast majority
of all voters did not object to the goals to make East Hampton's educational
system among the best in the State.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
all want our children to have the tools to excel in whatever endeavor, vocation
or career they choose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An exceptional
school system brings other quality students to our community that add to the
diversity, competition and challenges that hone the minds and talents of all.
Among the several concerns raised, the most loudly articulated was the impact
on property taxes. The other most discussed was that the plan was too plush -
beyond the scope of needs cited by the New England Secondary Education
Accrediting Board.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Similar concerns were
expressed in the late 1950s when the current EHHS was first proposed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Often the shock of a tragedy unites us for
the greater good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That happened in 1962
when a fire broke out in the then High School decimating the north wing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not only did the community come together to
renovate and reconstruct that facility, within months, not unlike the actions
of the current High School Building & Planning Committee, that building
committee produced a plan for a new facility on North Maple Street.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Changing times or events have unthinkable
impacts on people's moods and thinking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In the 1760s succeeding from Great Britain was unheard of.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ten years later the abuses and intolerance
ran so high that delegates of the 13 colonies signed our Declaration of
Independence.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Other events have impacted our views. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 1958, the America was just beginning to get a
taste of the "space race" when the USSR launched Sputnik.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can remember watching with my dad the night
sky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The light from the Russian
satellite orbiting earth was quite visible to the naked eye.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The next year John F. Kennedy was elected
President, initiating a program for the US to send a man to the moon, land and return
him safely by the end of the decade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Education, especially science and math, was on everyone's agenda.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We couldn't let the Russians beat us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Had we as a nation and community not invested
in our children, think what might be missing from our daily lives - personal
computers, the internet, teflon, and product after product. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
In 1937 the
Town faced a huge dilemma.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Up until this
point EH students attending High School took the train to Middletown, until
daily service ceased in 1931, with private vehicles making daily commutes
thereafter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still in the height of the
depression, the Town came together to approve building the high school at a
cost of $120,000 (can you believe that?). The special committee appointed at
the town meeting on January 31, 1938, was charged to obtain architect's plans
and estimate of the cost for a new school, were: Edwin W. Markham and Loyd E.
Cone, named by the Board of Finance; Robert Starr, Robert Ostergren, Charles E.
Torkelson and Percy P. Markham from the Board of Education; Samuel Stewart and
Lewis T. Evans from the Board of Selectmen and Morris Lanzi and Leon Voisin from representatives of the general population .<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Times changed!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The special building committee for the first East Hampton
High School had a rocky road during the years of the Great Depression. In 1935
the entire Board of Finance rejected the plan to build a high school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The times dictated frugality and cautious spending.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Three short years later in January 1938, the
six member Finance Board, in an about face,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>voted unanimously to approve a new high school and sent the resolution
to Town Meeting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One might think the
Board of Education would also be in unanimous support - a driving force for
education.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not so!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only seven of the nine members voted
affirmatively. Key support, however, came from the EH Chamber of Commerce with
not a dissenting vote among its 45 members.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Although conscious of the impact on taxes as they struggled in their own
businesses, these enlighten citizens understood the importance of a well
educated and trained workforce and the long term benefits to society and
ultimately our tax base.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Today, as we embark
on the “re-build and renovate as new” high school project, none of us,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>now or in the past, want<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>hard earned dollars to be misspent or
foolishly applied.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In proceeding with
this significant project, our citizens expect that those on the special
building committee and, thereafter, the office of the superintendent, school
administrators and educational staff be frugal and conscientious, as if in
their own households, in administering the education budget.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With an eye toward preventing wasteful or unnecessary
spending - simple tasks such as turning off the lights in unused classrooms or
air conditioning in classrooms after school has recessed for the summer - should
become a priority. The precious dollars remaining can then go for their
intended use – quality education for our children. Our townspeople expected
that in 1938, 1962 and do today.</div>
Dean Markhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00951635094816230395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371679567904623605.post-16714232517853084902013-08-02T07:43:00.001-07:002013-08-02T07:43:23.987-07:00Old Home Day 1934
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Old Home Day 1934 marked the 2nd year the event had been
sponsored by Treadway-Cavanaugh Post No. 64 American Legion and Auxiliary aided
by 9 other Legion Posts from around Middlesex County.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Billed the 17th annual OHD,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>it actually had been suspended for five years
beginning in the late 1920s before our very active Legion members stepped up to
revive this important community event.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Similar actions by member of the EH Fife and Drum Corp in the late 1970s
revived the modern OHD now in its 35th year.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
As now, the biggest day of the year for EH and its former
residents who wandered far and wide from their childhood homes, the combined
OHD observance and the Middlesex County American Legion Fair arrived with it
thousands of townspeople, former residents, friends, visitors, guests, and the
curious to partake in the huge celebration.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Then as now, the colorful and lengthy parade, still
acknowledged as one of the largest in Connecticut, featured snappy colored
uniforms of many state Drum Corps, each competing for viewers attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Interspersed between marching units were
picturesque floats designed and staffed by local organizations, each depicting
the parade theme of "name a song." A baseball game between the East
Hampton Bombers and the Middlesex County All Stars followed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Maybe something our current OHD Committee
might re-institute).</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The evening held a variety show with dance and song
performers such as Clara and Sidney Bradley, a one-man act by Harry Bolden, and
strong-man stunts by Richard Vintour, who had appeared at Radio City Music
Hall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Later, a fireworks display on the
school grounds followed by dancing and other activities at Carriers Casino and
other venues such as Clearwater Lodge on Lake Pocotopaug.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Event officials included Paul Voelker, Chairman, Mrs.
Phyllis Thatcher, Vice Chair, Mrs. Mary Garvey, Treasurer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
Dean Markhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00951635094816230395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371679567904623605.post-5926578775945080172013-05-14T05:40:00.000-07:002015-12-27T09:10:32.574-08:00Train Wreck on the Air Line Trail<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
On April 25, 1873, East Hampton (then
Chatham) lost its distinction of being a backwater community as the
Air Line roadbed opened rail service from New York to Boston.
Although not entirely backwater, Chatham did have the benefit of
travel and commerce on the Connecticut River and in its height had
launched over 300 sea-going ships from the yards in Middle Haddam.
Otherwise travel by road was limited and limited shipment of freight.
The completion of tracks and trestles and bridges opened our town to
passenger rail service with several trains running daily in each
direction. Of greater importance, and something we desperately need
to expand our economic base today, was the freight service that
enabled our bell industry and emerging silk industry to become
industrial powers. There was now an economical means of shipping the
millions of bells produced by Bevin Bros., the Gong Bell, Starr Bros.
and N. N. Hill among others, along with silk and thread throughout
the world. Although the bell industry achieved its heyday in the
early 20<sup>th</sup> century, some of those fabled companies such as
Bevin Bros. continue manufacturing today. The fire at the Bevin
Bros. Manufacturing Co. last May ignited (no pun intended) a renewed
interest in our towns history and of the importance the bell played
in it. Plans for the railroad line, running from Portland onto
Willimantic were started in 1862 with construction commencing in
1867. For years, high school students took the train daily to
Middletown through 1931 and was pressed into service once again after
the great hurricane of 1936 when roads were washed out. During WW II
the line carried strategic materials and troop trains to lighten this
type of loan on the shore line which was vulnerable to submarine
attack. And then August 2, 1962!</div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We often take for granted our
accomplishments. Great buildings and other monuments to our design
creativity seem indestructible. We all remember the somber reality
of their vulnerability on September 11, 2001. Here, on August 2,
1962, the end of East Hampton as a manufacturing hub came to a
screeching halt as three diesel engines and a freight car derailed at
the siding switch about 200 feet east of Watrous Street. New Haven
Railroad engineers and mechanics brought in a 250-ton crane. None of
the engines or the car overturned so the task of righting them back
onto stable track went quickly. A report at the time indicated that
the lead engine went over the switch on the main line and two other
engines and head car went into the siding at the Gong Bell spur. The
heavy engines plowed into the ground like a garden plow, pushing dirt
on both sides of the track and ripping ties over a 100-foot area. At
the time, railroad investigators and the local EH police department
consisting of Sgt. George Fowler, had two theories on the derailment.
One was a poorly maintained switching mechanism. The other a vandal
placing some impediment in the switching mechanism that caused a
malfunction. The answer was never conclusive, but with the New York,
New Haven and Hartford bleeding financially, the decision not to
repair the tracks ultimately resulted in the discontinuance of the
line by the Interstate Commerce Commission in February, 1965. The
decision left many residents with bitter feelings over the town’s
inability to either have the line revived or to acquire the roadbed
since the town had underwritten $112,500 of costs of the line between
1867 and 1891. The initial investment would have been worth millions
at the time the line was abandoned.</div>
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It took 4 short years after the August
1962 derailment, but by the spring of 1966 the rails from Colchester
to Cobalt had been removed leaving a winding trail of rotting ties
becoming overgrown with brush. This last sad act closed the final
curtain on a colorful era in the town’s history, the age of the
railroad in East Hampton. We reverted somewhat to an industrial
backwater with the loss of rail service. Only with the advent of
more versatile trailer trucks were our few local bell industries able
to survive and distribute their production. Since then, East Hampton
has not been blessed with any reasonable semblance of means for
transporting goods as our closest highways are five miles to our east
on Route 2 or ten miles our west on Route 9. As State
Representative, I was able to secure the area of the trestle and
abutment in the Village Center which was removed for parking. Then,
after years of abandonment, the state in its “rails to trails”
program in 1996 proposed the rehabilitation of the rail bed as a
multipurpose trail and linear state park. The Air Line Trail is now
part of 22.95 miles of recreational use walking-jogging-biking trails
extending from East Hampton center to Lebanon and Willimantic.
Recently, First Selectman Susan Bransfield from that spun off
portion of Chatham (Portland in 1841) announced plans to begin the
process of seeking funding and grants to rehabilitate the Air Line
trail, connecting it to East Hampton in the hopes of extending the
recreational use and park another 10 miles. Not the ending we would
have liked for rail serve, but not bad either.</div>
Dean Markhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00951635094816230395noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371679567904623605.post-40580855390313215392013-05-01T07:57:00.001-07:002013-05-17T07:38:35.827-07:00Eulogy of Donald P. MarkhamWords by Dean P. Markham eulogizing Donald P. Markham at his funeral held on April 30, 2013, at Spencer Funeral Home in East Hampton.<br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">On behalf of my
Mother, Pauline,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and our family I
welcome you today as we celebrate the life of my dad, Donald Markham. The
printed obituary chronicles in a neat package the "what" one
accomplished but fails to capture the essence of the individual - the qualities
of character that define the "who.". <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">To some Don had a
rather gruff exterior, and even at times could be slightly abrasive, but
underneath, he was really caring, loving and committed, with a sense of humor and
devotion to family, friends and community - especially his grandchildren
Nicole, Danielle and Gregory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would
like to share just a few stories about the "who" that made up my Dad.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Cherished family
times often revolved around his stories growing up in East Hampton,
particularly with his compatriot in crime, Bobby Dix.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once, probably when he was in the 3rd or 4th
grade, he was sent to detention in the cloak room for talking in class.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Knowing my father, it was probably for doing
something much more heinous, like snapping elastic bands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Center School you see, had,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>room the length of the front of the class for
storage of coats, lunches and the like, but not visible by those in class.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He thought he had not been the perpetrator
and that others rightfully should be equally punished.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As Flip Wilson used to say, "Here comes
the Judge!"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On that particular day
it either rained or snowed and his classmates, all of whom walked to school,
wore artics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For those of you who aren't
familiar, artics were rubber boots that went over your shoes and had buckles or
clasps to tighten them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don came up with
a stroke of brilliance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He proceeded to
buckle the boots - not just to fasten the fronts, but one to each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And if that weren't enough, he mixed
different boots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the dismissal bell
rang, he raced out,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>hightailing it for
Miller Hill (Spencer's is on Miller Hill) as his classmates struggled to
unclasp and match their boots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said
he really enjoyed his afternoon snack of milk and cookies that day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, in spite of this episode, my father
remained in very close contact with his classmates, planning, communicating
with and attending class reunions every 5 years.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Politics -
Democratic Politics - played a significant part of Don's life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He experienced first hand the traumas growing
up during the Great Depression.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was a
Roosevelt Democrat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With a twinkle in
his eye he would say he spent 4 terms in the 2nd grade - Roosevelt's!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was just one of the many corny jokes he
told and we'd all groan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He fondly
reminisced about the few Democratic triumphs in this very Republican Town at
that time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 1948, while building their
house from an old barn on East High Street, we lived with Ed and Jeanette
Barton, my mom's sister and brother-in-law. That election day, Ed, a very very
Republican, came home from the J. C. Barton Co, sporting his patented Cheshire
cat grin,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>rocking back and forth on the
balls of his feet, proceeded to turn on the radio news reports and taunting my
father, as every newscaster predicting a Dewey landslide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The next evening, after the final tally was
announced, my Dad secured a copy of as different newspaper as he could, some of
which carried stories "Dewey Wins",<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>but with the afternoon papers correcting the story line of Truman's come
from nowhere Democratic victory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My Dad,
placing a copy on every chair in the entire house and then sat quietly in the
corner as Ed arrived home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I understand
Ed wasn't quite as jovial that evening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Regardless, they remained good friends and as was typical, worked
together on many many projects for the good of our town.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MnJXHticrBk/UZY9DoMPb0I/AAAAAAAAAcY/2RG-UktdSzk/s1600/at+Gov+Mansion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MnJXHticrBk/UZY9DoMPb0I/AAAAAAAAAcY/2RG-UktdSzk/s320/at+Gov+Mansion.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Donald Markham and High School Friend Governor William O'Neill at Governor's Mansion.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Korea changed my
Dad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Watching NCIS, we know about the
character of Marines - the duty, commitment, pride, honor and patriotism -
hallmarks of those who serve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tom Brokow
wrote about men like my Dad in his book "The Greatest
Generation."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They did their duty,
not believing themselves to be special nor wishing to be pointed out for the
obvious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They just quietly did the job
that needed to be done. My Dad rarely talked about his war experiences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few years ago, he shared with my son
Gregory a different picture of Korea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
one particularly severe battle, his entire squad, the men he was closest to
were killed by a mortar barrage, leaving him wounded. Call it fate. Call it
coincidence (I've learned from experience there is no such thing as
coincidence) Or call it the hand of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There were things that still needed to be done and I think that day the
Lord had Don in mind to do a lot of good for a lot of people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He did not shurk from that duty.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XivUce_9_Ys/UZY8W5JSOEI/AAAAAAAAAcA/WypLUiJCE-M/s1600/Marine+Squad+Korea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XivUce_9_Ys/UZY8W5JSOEI/AAAAAAAAAcA/WypLUiJCE-M/s320/Marine+Squad+Korea.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p>Donald Markham with Squad before mortar attack. Circa 1950.</o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Discharged, Don
jumped into the life of the community he loved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He was a product of the Great Depression.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People didn't have much then, but here, they
gave of themselves as they could.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Old
Home Day had been an anticipated annual event but during WWII, it had been
suspended.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Revived briefly to welcome
home the Vets, it didn't continue as people were too busy rebuilding lives
after 20 years of depression and war.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">In 1953, my Dad,
along with other Veterans such as Dennis Erickson and Bill O'Neill decided to
revive Old Home Day. He served as Co-Chair for a couple years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He also knew it would take more than one or
two people to make it a success.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It took
a team - which he recruited - to oversee, plan and execute. My Dad was able to
get the best out of people and recognized their special talents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In those days and years later in the
Bicentennial Celebrations of our Town and Nation, all the marchers and band
performers were fed after the parade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Time and time again he called upon a lady who seemed to have a special
knack to organize and feed the troops - Mrs. Emma Prince who performed
splendidly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My Dad knew how important
this was to the success of Old Home Day and in 1976 asked the Bicentennial
Committee to recognize Emma for her outstanding contributions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They dedicate the historical brochure of the
town's history to her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Emma was truly
surprised to be so honored ... didn't feel she had done anything special ...
but confessed, her hat was a little too small for her head that day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What struck me about this was the importance
my Dad placed on recognizing the team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It wasn't about him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was about
the many.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No job was too small and every
cog of the wheel was a critical component.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Pauline and Don
liked to travel and had many adventures planned until poor health curtailed
these excursions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like Dorothy in the
Wizard of Oz, he always wanted to go home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A little excessive compulsive, the day of return would normally see him
packed and at the hotel front desk by 6 am, even if check out and departure
weren't until 4 in the afternoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had
to get home to his family.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zYhNCXLKkxY/UZY8kAo9nHI/AAAAAAAAAcI/3iZStqz9-Zg/s1600/traveling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zYhNCXLKkxY/UZY8kAo9nHI/AAAAAAAAAcI/3iZStqz9-Zg/s320/traveling.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Pauline and Don on Cruise to Alaska.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I guess I'd like
to sum it up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My Dad was extraordinary
in many ways, but deep down, just an ordinary guy, who was committed. Just ask
my Mom - how else would you stay married for 65 years?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ww1DZ6O-spo/UZY8ud74fxI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/jfioAwM7zNk/s1600/Dad+Mom+date.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ww1DZ6O-spo/UZY8ud74fxI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/jfioAwM7zNk/s320/Dad+Mom+date.jpg" width="243" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">On a date at old K of C Hall on Newfield St. in Middletown.</span></div>
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> He loved his family, this town and
Nation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He fought for the freedoms we
enjoy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He donated at every Blood Drive
and he prided himself on always voting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Not bad attributes for any of us to emmulate. </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Dad, we will miss
you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Dean Markhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00951635094816230395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371679567904623605.post-68190853707563644722013-05-01T07:50:00.000-07:002013-05-17T07:35:09.076-07:00Former Town Council Chairman Donald P. Markham <br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Donald Prescott Markham,
85, beloved husband of Pauline (Lindquist) Markham, passed away Friday April
26th after a long convalescence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
life-long resident of East Hampton, Donald, born November 5, 1927, was the son
of the late Percy P. and Rose (Knotek) Markham.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Family, community, service and commitment defined him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Donald, who preferred to be called Don, upon
graduation from East Hampton High School in 1945, enlisted in the U.S. Marine
Corps. WWII ended during his basic training, but he was placed as a member of
the inactive reserves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He worked for the
FBI in Washington, DC from 1946-1947, and in 1949 was called to active duty,
becoming a decorated Veteran of the Korean Conflict.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Upon returning to East Hampton, he worked for
Thatcher Drug and then the Sisson Drug Co. of Hartford until 1961, at which
point President Kennedy appointed him East Hampton Post Master; a position in
which he proudly served for 26 years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Don was actively involved in the life of the East Hampton community in
various capacities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was a Master
Mason for over 50 years and served as Master of Anchor Lodge No. 112 AF &
AM during the 100th Anniversary (1971), as well as serving on the Masonic
Temple Association Board.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was a
founding member of the East Hampton Lions Club, Inc. in 1957.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don served as Commander of American Legion
Post No. 64 and was a life member, and, along with other veterans, revived Old
Home Day, serving as Co-Chair in 1953 and 1954.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He was a Charter member and first President of the Chatham Historical
Society, and was honored as Chairman of both the East Hampton Bi-Centennial
Committee in 1967 and the local Bi-Centennial Committee celebrating the
founding of our Nation in 1976.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was
also a board member of the Lake View Cemetery Association.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Serving his fellow citizens in town politics,
Don, a lifelong Democrat, was elected to the Board of Education in 1956, and
from 1969 to 1976 was an appointed member of the Water Pollution Control
Authority.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From 1952 through 1960, he
served as the Democratic Town Committee Chairman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don was elected to the East Hampton Town
Council in 1995, serving as Chair, and was reelected to 4 more terms (serving
through 2005).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9MLA0FGwNGI/UZY_B6leOiI/AAAAAAAAAco/RSrqHJekPfs/s1600/dad+town+council.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9MLA0FGwNGI/UZY_B6leOiI/AAAAAAAAAco/RSrqHJekPfs/s320/dad+town+council.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Donald Markham - Town Council Chairman with (l-r) Chris Goff, William Farrell, Thomas Distefano, & Jane French.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Don is survived by
Pauline, his wife of 65 years, and sons: Dean P. Markham and his wife Debbie of
East Hampton, their children Nicole F. Markham of Newport, RI, Danielle P.
Mathias and her husband Greg and great-grandson Desmond of Phoenixville, PA,
and Gregory D. Markham and his wife Kira and great-grandchildren Sandra and
Alexander of East Hampton; and Allan N. Markham and wife Sharon of East
Hampton, and their sons David A. Markham of East Hampton, and Stephen P.
Markham and his wife Colleen and great-grandson Chase of Pembroke, MA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The family sincerely thanks the caring and
loving staff of Middletown Health Care who provided for his well-being and
comfort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Friends are invited to call at
Spencer Funeral Home 112 Main Street East Hampton on Monday April 29th between
the hours of 5-8 P.M.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Funeral services
will be conducted by The Rev. Michelle Madsen-Bibeau (Haddam Neck Covenant
Church), at Spencer Funeral Home on Tuesday April 30th commencing at 11
A.M.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Burial will follow at Lake View
Cemetery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Pall Bearers were Robert Lanzi, Robert McKinney, Evan Rea, Philip Visintainer, Gregory Mathias and Gregory Markham.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>In lieu of flowers, the family
would appreciate a donation in Don's memory to a local charity or organization such
as the East Hampton Food Bank, 20 East High St.,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the East Hampton Ambulance Association at
P.O. Box 144, or the Lake View Cemetery Fence Restoration Project at P.O. Box
71,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>all in East Hampton at 06424, or
give the gift of life - become a blood donor with the American Red Cross.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
Dean Markhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00951635094816230395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371679567904623605.post-88880731509512008822013-03-15T04:26:00.000-07:002013-03-15T04:26:33.538-07:00Blizzard of 1934<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The 1934 Blizzard, although stranding many in town for a
week or more, made for some interesting experiences as people passed the time
and adapted to the situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Supply and
demand ruled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Snowshoes and skis were
greatly desired articles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stanley Bevin
and Wayne Denman walked to work on snowshoes and Ed Barton and Avery West made
good use of skis, carting bread to the First Nation Store at the Four Corners
from the Sanitary Bakery in the Village Center.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Down at the Pocotopaug Pharmacy, which many knew at Thatcher Drug Store,
the clerks engaged all comers at setback.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“All comers” were few and far between however, with seldom enough
customers to play four-handed. And the electric company fared no better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Several breaks in the 4600 volt power lines
supplying Haddam, Haddam Neck and Higganum on a “ring feed” circuit were caused
by the heavy snow, which bent tree branches over the wires (sound
familiar to the hurricane and early snow in 2011).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As soon as the breaks were
reported, Charles Beyer, Albert Anderson and Stanley Nichols (the father of
school bus contractor Charles Nichols), local trouble-shooters, were sent out a
2 am on Feb 21<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Proceeding
by auto, it took them 12 hours to reach Haddam by way of Moodus and East
Haddam.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Haddam had power restored by 5
pm but Haddam Neck remained powerless for a couple more days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That morning another work gang, headed by
Charles Jones, started for Leesville on the Skinnerville Road with a horse and
sleigh and a pair of horses and bobsled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Neither could get father than Skinnerville Four Corners (intersection of
Rt. 16 and 196), the drifts averaging four feet in depth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The horses just floundered about, so efforts
were curtailed.</span></div>
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Some things never change.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>President Obama talked about tackling the issue of global warming and
climate change in his inaugural address Monday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Severe weather and storms are hardly a recent phenomena. On February 20,
1934, the northeast was struck by a storm that rivaled the famous Blizzard of
1888.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Headlines "Blizzard Buries
Community, Highways Blocked By Snow" written three days later report of
our town whose roads were still unploughed and the community isolated as
multiple plow trucks broke down becoming stuck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Whipped by wind gales in excess of 35 mph, drifts up to six feet formed
effectively blocking all highways and cutting the town off from all but
telephone and radio communications with the outside world<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>as temperatures hovered at 10 degrees above
zero . With roads blocked, buses, trains and private cars were all
useless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The State Highway Department
began plowing at 10 P. M. Monday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By 6
o'clock the following morning, both plows got stuck at the south end of Lake
Pocotopaug. Heavy wind, blowing snow soon froze the engines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The men, Timothy and Joseph Wall and workers
Frank Pelletti and Charles Anderson finally abandoned the trucks and fought
their way through deep snows to their homes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A relief plow was sent from Portland and it too became stuck in the deep
drifts and required a tow truck to extricate it from its predicament.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The second Portland truck reached the EH Four
Corners at 10:30 Wednesday having left Portland at 3 P. M. Tuesday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of our citizens made due with the
situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Fred" Fitch,
"Bub" Wall and Ed "Wynn" Barton enjoyed a new sport on the
snow -covered ice of Lake Pocotopaug. Fred drove his car round the lake with
the others being towed behind on ski’s.<br />
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Certainly, we experienced a significant
storm with blizzard <i>Charlotte</i>. The advancement of media
coverage and instantaneous on-the-scene news enables us to glimpse
first hand conditions from around the state (unless of course you
were without electricity), and, based on these experiences, many
viewed<span style="font-style: normal;"> this storm </span>historic,
yielding the most snow from one storm in their lives. From my
recollection, the 1978 blizzard equalled this present storm and from
what I read, none come even close to the great blizzard of 1888; but
regardless of which has bragging rights, I'm ready for summer sun, 90
degree temperatures and even some humidity. Accounts I've studied of
the 1934 blizzard noted one significant difference from today. In
spite of the inconvenience and adversities, people seemed to enjoy
the situation. Sure, roads were not passable nor cleared for nearly a
week. Food was scarce, mail service curtailed and travel limited, but
people did not take themselves quite so seriously or were not so
demanding as I observed in several situation after the recent storm.
It seems the "now generation" requires "instant
gratification." If parking lots or walkways were not cleared
immediately, demands to know why were voiced. "Why" was
quite obvious. But in 1934, our citizens seemed to do what needed to
be done. For instance, "Jacob Day of (Old) Marlborough Road, on
his way to Day and Hansen's Garage (now the home of Jack & Janis
Solomon)</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zXe7gV39Two/UUMFFIJePSI/AAAAAAAAAbo/TWSy5FWjnDk/s1600/Hansen+Day+Garage+Old+Marlborough.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zXe7gV39Two/UUMFFIJePSI/AAAAAAAAAbo/TWSy5FWjnDk/s320/Hansen+Day+Garage+Old+Marlborough.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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found his path blocked in front of the garage by a six-foot
drift. Walking proved ineffectual, but Mr. Day declined to be
stumped by such an obstacle, while so near his destination. The
solution! He laid down in the snow and rolled to the garage door!
Just one of the unusual incidents of an unusual storm..."
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Dean Markhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00951635094816230395noreply@blogger.com0