East Hampton Lions Club

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.

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."

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.

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.

The Beginnings of a new Township - Chatham

In the Beginning

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.

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.

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.

East Middletown and the Divisions

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.

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.


 

The Three Mile Division

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.

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.

Final Apportionment of Three Mile Division

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.

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.”

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.

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.

The Lottery - Choosing the Owners

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.

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.

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.

Establishing Parishes - the Foundation for new Townships

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Seeking a New Township

Early in the 18^th 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.

 

Making it official - organizing the new town called Chatham

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.

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.

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.

THE NEW TOWN - CHATHAM

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:

Committee to Settle with Chatham

Voted & Recorded

AD 1767

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.

Voted and So Recorded

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:

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

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 ----

Therefore

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.

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.

Passed in the lower House

Atest:  Wm Williams Clerk

Consent in the upper House

Atest:  George Wyllys Clerk

`

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.

At this Town organizational meeting, a Committee to Settle with Middletown was elected.

“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.”

Early Industries of Chatham and East Hampton

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.

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?

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 Yankee Township, 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.

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.

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.

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.

What really advanced settlement was not the land for farming, but rather water, and then fire!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!"

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.

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.

How East Hampton Became a Resort Destination

How did East Hampton become the raucous destination of nightlife, drinking, vacations and revelry?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.
The fire that stoked the forge of the iron works came from another industry - charcoal - produced from nearby abundant hardwood forests. 

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.
Beginning just after construction of the dam in the early 20th century, inns and resorts began springing up around our Lake. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

American Legion Color Guard & Drill Team

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.

L-R Gilson Hall, Charles Walton, Donald Markham, ___________, Francis Valli, ___________, Arthur Jacobson, Jr., _____________, Lester Hammond, Louis Valli, _________________, Richard Hitchcock, Byron Clark, _______________, Harold Lord

A Rose by any other name - Hog Hill

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.

Charter Oak Surveys

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 Charter State.

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 Qui transtuit sustinet (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.

East Hampton Charter Oak seen center of two large monuments

Village Improvement Society monument placed in 1932 at base of our Charter Oak

A Most Unusual Christmas Present

All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth, 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!

Uncle Buster ca. 1956

 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!"

 

Allan Markham feeding Uncle Buster ca. 1956

Mark Condon, Kathy Tolhurst, Bruce Tolhurst with dad Allen Tolhurst holding reins

Peter, Bruce, Kathy & Misty (holding Buster)

75 Years Ago - the Weeks After Pearl Harbor

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 Yankee Township; 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.

Ambulance Association Formed 1953

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.

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. 

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.

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!” 

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.

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.

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.”

Treasure Hunters in Ruins of Old House

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. 

Carl Price, author of Yankee Township, 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!

Why I'm Voting Hilliary Clinton for President

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.

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.

 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?

General Henry Champion

Have 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.

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.

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.

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.

CCC Camp Jenkins Secret Society - 1933

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.

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.

The purpose of the organization was to promote goodwill, entertainment, recreation and the welfare of the majority of young men working at the camp.

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.

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.

Walking tour Edgewater Hill

Remarks by Dean Markham

Sunday April 19, 2015

Chatham Historical Society Walking Tour of Edgewater Hill

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Speaking at Town Meeting concerning Purchase of New Ladder Truck

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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, and, 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.

I hope you will support the Ladder Truck purchase this evening. Overall it is in everyone's best interests.

Note - The resolution passed by unanimous voice vote of the nearly 250 townspeople in attendance and was declared approved by Moderator Red (Robert) McKinney.

Technology Infrastructure Initiative - Board of Finance

From comments and remarks by Dean Markham to Board of Finance - March 30, 2015

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Married Teachers Dismissed - 1933

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!  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.  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. 

Two of the married teachers, Alice S. (Mrs. Ralph)  Thatcher and Regina Cheney began a campaign to fight the dismissal, threatening court action, if necessary.  Backed by a strong community effort, a petition was circulated calling for the Board to hold a special meeting to rescind its action.  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.

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.  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.  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.  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.  Mr. Williams noted that the possible minor saving was estimated to be  $900 or less than 75 cents per taxpayer. 

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.  Speaking at the public hearing, Mrs. Regina Cheney, one of the teachers to be dismissed  “deplored the method and secrecy of the Board action in dismissing her.  She noted that she was informed by one of her pupils the following day.  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.”  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.  The final outcome actually surprised many.

 

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.

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.