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.”

Train Wreck on the Air Line Trail

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^th 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!

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.

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.

Bevin, Bells and the Fire

Dozens of stories and tributes emerged in the aftermath of the horrendous inferno that destroyed the Bevin Bros. Manufacturing Co. factory beginning Saturday night May 26, 2012 - the last of the nearly 45 bell manufacturers that operated in East Hampton since 1807. Matt Bevin, the 6th generation family President, who has become an impassioned advocate of the company's history and its tie to East Hampton, took valuable time from his hectic schedule to tour the remnants of the 130 year old factory with me on June 6th and discussed the tedious process sifting through rubble in hopes of recovering the key component that could enable Bevin Bros. to be the Phoenix that rises from the Ashes - the dies and molds of the fabled bells for which this town identifies itself. Many factors contributed to the success of the bell industry and with some good old Yankee ingenuity, a bright future may emerge yet. The growth of the bell industry can be traced to a myriad of factors, but I believe several most important. First and foremost, William Barton, the founder and first bell maker laid the ground work for the industry's future. It was Barton, in his small foundry just east of his home on the crest of what is now Barton Hill that took so many of the young men of Chatham into apprenticeship and taught them the trade and encouraged them to venture out on their own. Many of the apprentices also worked in Cairo, New York before coming back to East Hampton. It was this freely given training and information that ultimately served the impetus for growth. Among the many apprentices were Barton's sons Hiram and Hubbard and grandson William E. Barton and two young men, William and Abner Bevin, who learned the trade and in 1832 with brother Chauncey, established Bevin Bros. Manufacturing Co.

In the aftermath of the recent fire, many have recounted the importance the bell industry, and in particular Bevin Bros., has had on our community. I doubt that William Barton had any idea how significant and extensive his teaching would extend, and it is only with the destructive force of nature, sparked by lighting, that we seem to appreciate it. In 1832 when Bevin Bros. formed, East Hampton would hardly be considered a suitable location to develop a product or industry that would stretch to the far corners of the world - but it did. William Barton's generosity to train the men of Chatham was the first key factor. The second factor that propelled the industry into national prominence was the railroad. In the 1860s, tracks were laid for the New York and Boston Railroad (which went through bankruptcy and was reformed as the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad Company) through East Hampton over the Airline which was dubbed the shortest route between New York and Boston. The introduction of mass transportation enabled East Hampton products to be distributed inexpensively throughout the country and ultimately the world - a fact that did not go unnoticed locally as other entrepreneurs created sister companies. In 1866, H. H. Abbe, E. C. Barton, E. G. Cone and A. H. Conklin formed the Gong Bell Manufacturing Company. Based on a design by Elijah Barton, the company created revolving chimes in bell toys on wheels. Some of these toys were among the earliest promoting Disney cartoon characters such as Mickey Mouse. Bevin Bros. as you may remember, specialized in sleigh bells from which the town became known as the "jingle bell town" due to the distinctive sound they created in the horse drawn carriage era. N. N. Hill Brass Co. became the first to stamp bells from sheet metal.

The success of the East Hampton bell industry, which started with limited capital in one or two man shops or barns, is a microcosm of so many other industries that developed in America and elsewhere around the world by enterprising entrepreneurs. Three key components melded small artisans into the world's largest producers. The first was the education and training young apprentices from Chatham received from William Barton as they learned how to blend base metals - iron, tin, silver and nickel - into alloys that would produce those sweat sounds and chimes from the forged bells they crafted. The second, the development of rail service through our community enabled cost effective distribution throughout our nation. But the third and often overlooked component for the transformation of small handcrafted bells produced in charcoal fired foundries to mass production of millions of bells, was inexpensive energy. For our bell industry that energy source was water. Still in use at the time of the tragic fire on May 26th, water power was used to operate the presses and machinery at the factory. A water turbine powered shaft, pulley and belt system drove many machines with safe, clean and non-polluting energy. The flow of water from Lake Pocotopaug powered not only Bevin Bros. but the other factories along Pocotopaug Creek, and, water power may yet be part of the salvation of Bevin Bros. and the bell industry in days to come. Until the early 1960s, mill ponds dotted the landscape as Pocotopaug Creek tumbled from the lake's outlet and dam near the American Distilling Plant (our other major industry and the world's largest produceer of Witch Hazel) through the center of town exiting our community through the great meadows between Young Street and Chestnut Hill.

Tranformation to world's largest bell producer required an inexpensive energy source. The water flowing from the lake became essential, and with a bit of Yankee ingenuity, a constant flow or head was maintained. The "Head", defined as "a body of water kept in reserve at a height; the containing bank, dam or wall; a mass of water in motion; and the difference in elevation between two points in a body of fuid," quite simple explains how water pressure drove the turbines that powered the machinery that produced bells, bells and more bells. To provide a constant water flow, retaining ponds, beginning with Bevin's Pond were created enabling constant flow regardless of weather conditions as Pocotopaug Creek descended nearly 100 feet from the lake's edge until exiting town. Although most have been reclaimed over the years, I remember the mill ponds situated near each factory as Pocotopaug Creek headed toward the Salmon River. A small pond remains between Bevin's and the Summit Tread building and a parking lot now exists in front of Sal Floridia's small engine repair shop that was once the reservoir for Starr Bros. Mfg. Co. The J. C. Barton building on Skinner Street was built on the former retaining pond for N. N. Hill Brass. Others existed as well. Bevin's Pond is also but a small remnant from my youth. After the disasterous rains and flooding in June 1982, the State DEP, at the direction of Governor William O'Neill, performed a complete inventory and comprehensive evaluation of all dams throughout the State. Owners were required to upgrade the dams to comply with 100 year storm standards or dismantle the dam for safety reasons. Because of the significant cost to reconstruct these private dams which held retaining ponds, many owners, including Bevin Bros., opted to dismantle rather than rebuild.

The mill ponds, important storage reservoirs to maintain a constant water flow year round to power turbines, have become another vestige of our once prominent bell industry here in East Hampton. Perhaps when Matt Bevin and Bevin Bros. Manufacturing Co. rebuild their plant, plans will include repair and reconstruction of the dam and revival of the once prominent Bevin Pond. Although a small pond remains, I have visions as a small boy casting my fishing line into much grander expanse. Over time, memories fade. I always thought the pond was 10 or 12 feet deep, which one might expect when you see the back side of the dam, or what remains of it. When it was drained in the mid 1980s, I was amazed to find the pond never reached a depth of more than 3 or 4 feet. It also occurred to me that until the notoriety of the Bevin Bros. fire a few weeks back, only a small number of residents actually knew where the Bevin Bell Factory was and far fewer had actually ever visited it. Tucked behind the old Summit Thread Mill on Summit Street and shielded by trees, one would hardly know it existed or that millions of bells were manufactured there and shipped throughout the world.. Even when thousands return to East Hampton for Old Home Days festivities at the Center School grounds, I suspect few have been aware of the 1880s factory only 500 feet away, nor do we think about the generous gift by the Bevin family of those very grounds we tread upon while partaking of hamburgs, cold drinks, pizza, baked potatoes, a dozen other treats and enjoying the variety of entertainment organized by the Old Home Days Committee

Tennis Chamption - Howard Taylor

Although St. Clements (now a banquet and conference center) is situated in Portland just west of Cobalt, its builder and original owner, Howard Taylor and thereafter his daughter Prudence Palmer and their families, solidly identified with the Middle Haddam and Cobalt areas of Chatham - not Conway, Gildersleve or Portland - tracing their ties back to 1721 when great grandfather John settled in Chatham. St. Clements' construction commenced in 1902 by Howard and Gertrude Taylor on a bluff overlooking the Connecticut River in a design reminiscent of European castles overlooking the Danube or Rhine.

Howard matriculated to Harvard University after preparing at St. Paul's School, graduating in 1885. At Harvard, Howard was a member of the Cricket Club and varsity Tennis Team. While at Harvard, Howard Taylor captured the NCAA singles and doubles tennis championship in 1883.

Over the decade of the 1880s, Howard played in the U.S. Nationals which began its tournament in 1881 at the Newport Casino on Bellevue Avenue, a stones throw away from the famous Newport cottages such as the Breakers, Marble House, or the Elms built by the Vanderbilt's, Astor's and other wealthy elite of the late 19th century.

Known today at the U.S. Open Tennis Tournament played in Flushing Meadows, New York, this tennis equivalent of the Master's in golf, the World Series in baseball or the Super Bowl in football, is currently holding court ready to crown new champions. Taylor competed in the U.S. Nationals, being defeated in 1884 in the Men's Singles by Richard Sears and in 1888 by Henry Slocum. In 1886, Taylor and Godfrey Brinley were defeated in the U.S. National Men's Doubles by Richard Sears and Dr. James Dwight and also in 1887 when Taylor teamed up with Henry Slocum. But in 1889, Taylor and Slocum defeated Valentine hall and Oliver Campbell for the National Men's Doubles title.

A gentleman's sport, professional tennis players, like golfers, did not begin to flourish until 50 years hence with a total break from amateur champion not occurring until the 1950s.

Taylor, who never abandoned his love for the game, had courts constructed on the grounds of St. Clements, where he hosted a number of friends, colleagues and celebrities.

I thank my daughter, Nicole F. Markham, Curator of Collections at the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport for suggesting this topic to me.

July 4th, 1776 - 2011

The 235th anniversary of the signing of our Declaration of Independence, this Monday July 4th, peaked my curiosity - what did our Chatham Selectmen or Town Meeting (Chatham was then the Town that composed all the land of Portland as well as East Hampton, Cobalt and Middle Haddam) do to recognize this momentous event? The answer, simply - not much - at least immediately! Today, Town cuncil meetings are posted and regularly held. Meetings then were not held at regular dates nor were there instantaneous news updates. Selectmen, elected at the annual town meeting of land holders, would attend to town business as needed and the annual meeting appointed committees to deal with specific issues of the day. For example, there was a committee to oversee hogs. You see, hogs were allowed to roam free and it was the duty of the committee to enforce control over the swine making sure owners had properly tagged their animals. But in light of those types of actions and responsibilities, at the December 9, 1776, meeting, interesting action did occur. Created and empowered was a Committee on Observation. I'm not sure if the purpose or intent was for patriotic citizens to observe their neighbors loyalty to the American Revolution, but that information may come with further research. From those minutes I was able to decipher the archaic handwriting that recorded the events and resolution adopted, which stated:

At the same meeting was voted that this town do accept and approve of the doings of the Continental Congress held at Philadelphia in September last and agree to keep and observe the same and do our utmost that the same shall be purcisely (sp) kept and observed according to the true intent of the Congress and the following persons are appointed as a Committee of Observation according to the Eleventh Article of the Association with the powers and authorities therein mentioned. Committee on Observation - Ebenezer White, Esq., John Cooper, Capt Moses Bush, Charles Goodrich, Capt John Penfield, Enoch Smith, Jeremiah Bradford, Capt George Stocking, Capt Stephen Olmsted, Capt Abijah Hall and Capt Silas Dunham.

One can surmise from the dates that July 4th, in and of itself, was not immediately significant at the time but rather the September actions which were likely printing and dissemination of the Declaration of much greater importance. Regardless, our town stood tall as a new world unfolded whose words that came forth from the Philadelphia Hall ring as true today as then - "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed, by their Creator, with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

Chauncey Griswold Bevin

Known as Belltown since the mid 1800s, East Hampton was the epicenter of an international market of talented bell makers and manufacturers in an industry that produced and shipped millions upon millions of bells and related products. The premier manufacturer was, Bevin Brothers Manufacturing Co., which continues is operation today, 179 years after its founding. Started in 1832 by brothers Abner, William, Chauncey and Philo, the company grew from the roots and apprenticeship with William Barton and his sons, founders and first bell makers of this fabled industry. Barton was noted for his generosity and willingness to train young apprentices is his trade, production methods and secrets and encouraged those who worked with him to venture out and ply their trade in their own enterprises. In 1946, Bevin Bros. President, Chauncey Griswold Bevin, was honored at the 55th Annual Congress of the National Association of Manufacturers as being one of the oldest active business leaders in the world. At 95, Bevin had overseen the transformation from the 35 or so small foundry shops that sprang from the Barton first foundry just south of their family home at 25 Barton Hill, to modern large scale production and worldwide clientele. Known to all in the community, his employees and his extensive family as “Uncle Chan,” Bevin was also a founder of the Gong Bell Mfg. Co., a worldwide maker of children’s toys incorporating bells. These toys were the first to use the Walt Disney characters in their designs - endearing cartoon personalities such as Mickey Mouse. And ironically, when honored, two other local businessmen and company Presidents, N. N. Hill of the N. N. Hill Brass Co., age 84, and Clifford M. Watrous, of the Gong Bell Mfg. Co., age 74, remained active in their respective companies. Maybe it was something in our local water, but Bevin stated in an interview, “I’ve never had to go to a hospital in my life. Of course I don’t work like I used to. I try to be temperate in all things. Always was. Don’t drink. I cut out cigarettes a few years ago. I felt better.” Chauncey built his home on Bevin Court on a piece of land purchased from his father Abner, overlooking the family manufacturing plants. This spectacular circa 1880 Queen Anne style country home in the middle Victorian Period presented, in a tasteful manner, the wealth and success befitting the successor to the founders of the Bevin Bros. Manufacturing Co. The Bevin family, among the early settlers of Chatham and the East Hampton society were strict Congregationalists. Moderation and hard work were ingrained in their demeanor and lifestyle, thus the exterior of the home did not present some of the more decorative embellishments of other Victorian architecture. Those features were showcased within the four walls.

Sears Park Through the Years

The Gift

Nestled on the westerly shore of Lake Pocotopaug is our beautiful Sears Park. In the summer of 1909 Sears family members, Dr. Cushman A. Sears, Mrs. Mary S. Gillette and Miss Carolyn “Carrie” D. Sears, approached the Selectmen offering to gift 3.93 acres of land situated on Lake Pocotopaug for the establishment of a park. The three were the surviving children of Stephen Griffith Sears who had resided in Chatham.

A study committee comprised of the Rev. H. E. Brown, Joel W. Smith and Fisk Brainard, was empanelled at a Special Town Meeting on October 4, 1909, to evaluate terms of the proposed gift. The Committee reported back to the Selectmen in late December 1908 and at a Special Town Meeting held January 8, 1910, the Town graciously voted to accept the gift, with the property and its care and maintenance to be held and administered by Trustees of Sears Park – a 9 person committee, 3 of whom would be the members of the Board of Selectmen (Ex-officio) and 6 others named in the title transfer. Title formally transferred on May 26, 1910.

Terms of the Gift

Among the terms of the gift in the “Memorandum of Organization” were:

Ø The first Board of Trustees was: Selectmen Fred S. Hall, Charles F. Shepards Jr., and William N. Markham, Ex-Officio, and Augustus H. Conklin, George W. Goff, George N. Lawson, Carl O. Johnson, Fred H. Barton and Ernest G. Cone Voting Trustees.
Ø The six non selectmen will have staggered terms of 1 to 6 years and successors will be elected by the remaining members of the Board with due notice to the towns people of the meeting date.
Ø Trustees to have the care of the Park with power to grade, plant, construct walks or Buildings or otherwise improve the grounds and structures as may be deemed by them best, providing that no moneys are expended or contracts entered into in excess of the appropriation for the park by the town, or are received as gift or from other sources or to contract any debt or other obligation except by special vote of the town.
Ø Said Trustees shall have the power to make such rules or regulations for the management of the park and the conduct of the people as seems to them best and to provide penalties for their violation, providing such rules and regulations are approved by the town at a regular town meeting and are posted conspicuously on the park.
Ø Said Trustees to have the right to let concessions for boating, restaurants, amusements or for other purposes which in their judgment are for the pleasure, comfort or convenience of the public, or may themselves purchase and let for hire such board, public amusements and conveniences providing that under no conditions shall alcoholic drinks, cigarettes or injurious drugs be sold there. (Notice this does not stipulate consumption)
Ø Said Trustees to submit annually to the town a report of their doings, giving in detail full statement of their receipts and expenditures and such other matters as may be of interest to the public.
Ø Said trustees shall have power to employ such landscape architects, engineers, superintendents, foremen and workmen or any other help as they may require on such terms and for such time as needed provided the compensation for service or amounts paid shall not be in excess of the income of the park for the year and whenever such expenditures seem liable to exceed such income said trustees shall discontinue services of all employees or as many of them as may be needed to prevent an excess of expenditures over income.
Ø The trustees shall serve without pay and shall not be interested in any of the financial transactions of the park or in any concessions or privileges given for a valuable consideration.
Ø The town shall appropriate not less than $100 a year for maintenance
Ø The trust may be transferred to a Board of Park Commissioners wherever the town provides such by a two-thirds vote at any regular called town meeting in conjunction with a two-thirds vote in its favor by the said trustees but in case such transfer is made the name of the park is to remain “Sears Park” and no and no alcoholic liquors shall ever be allowed sold on the park.

Ironically, the property that encompasses the park is part of the original 640 acres granted to James Wright who was the first land owner in Chatham in what was to become the East Hampton Society - this predating the creation of the second three mile division known as East Middletown.

Facilities at Sears Park

In 1914, the Casino was built at a cost of $1,409 by John A. Rich with the Village Improvement Society – the forerunner of the Carnival and then Old Home Day Committees – gifting $700 towards its construction. Those of recent memory recall that this original Casino or Pavilion as it has been known by for many years, burned to the ground on Saturday night, March 15, 2003; the fire being of suspicious origin. The Town Council [Donald P. Markham, Chairman, Christopher Goff, James E. “Pete” Brown, William Farrell, Jr., Thomas DiStefano, Jr., Melissa Engel, and Thomas Cordeiro, with Town Manager Alan Bergren] voted to rebuild the Pavilion at Sears Park at a cost of $301,000 from insurance proceeds along with a donation from the East Hampton Rotary Club of $26,000 for enhancements to the Pavilion. This was a three year project honoring the Centennial Anniversary of Rotary International. The new pavilion was dedicated May 1, 2005.

On May 11, 1961 the Trustees of Sears Park voted but failed to obtain the required two-thirds vote necessary to turn ownership, maintenance and operation over to the Parks and Recreation Commission created by the Town. At the adjourned meeting on May 18th, the Trustees in a second vote adopted a motion that turned “the Trust Land and Assets over to the Park and Recreation Commission of the Town of East Hampton.”

On March 16, 2004, the East Hampton Lions Club donated a 20’ by 40’ Gazebo / Picnic Shelter at an estimated cost of $15,000.

For many years, an excursion motor launch was docked at the Park. Other minor buildings – concession stands - stood on the easterly boundary but were demolished after the first land addition in 1968 from the Nichols Estate. Shortly thereafter, in 1970, the Town constructed both new public restrooms which are located near the entrance and tennis courts. In 1974, the boat launch area was graded and improved and rock obstructing the channel was removed from the water.

Under the auspices of the Town Council, and Board of Selectmen prior thereto, and Park and Recreation Commission have overseen the operations and maintenance of the Park and have made numerous upgrades to this pristine location used by so many for recreation, boating and swimming in our Lake.

Park Expansion

The Park has been expanded five times since 1910. Today it encompasses approximately 6.53 acres. From the first gift in 1910, the Town has taken advantage of other properties which have become available to expand it boundaries.

First, as approved by Special Town Meeting on June 26, 1968, .22 acres of land adjacent to Sears Park from the Estate of Mary K. “Mae” Nichols that was bounded by the Lake and Sears Park at a cost of $6,000.

The second, as approved at Special Town Meeting on August 8, 1972, appropriated $10,000 to acquire 1.29 acres of land from Marian R. Dunham, Charles B. Stone Sr. and the Estate of Florence Blau bounded by North Main Street, Sears Lane and Sears Park which is now the site of tennis courts and a parking area.

The third piece approved at Special Town Meeting on January 28 1986, acquired .74 acres on the northerly boundary of Sears Park running from North Main Street to the Lake from Richard and Maria Davilla with an appropriation of $132,000.


The fourth piece approved at Special Town Meeting on June, 1996, acquired .11 acres on the northerly boundary of the Davilla parcel running to the Lake from Edith Anderson as a gift to the Town.

The fifth piece approved at Special Town Meeting on October 7, 2004, acquired .14 acres on the northerly boundary of Sears Park running from North Main Street to the Lake from he northerly boundary of the Davilla parcel with an appropriation of $310,000 from Florence Smith.

Through the Years - Notably Events

At the February 22, 1933 Trustee Meeting, it was voted “to appropriate the sum of $100 for the purpose of clearing the park of surplus trees, bushes and rocks to provide work for the unemployed,” this being the height of the Great Depression.

At the September 11, 1934 meeting it was voted that “the Trustees accept the proposition of Selectman Merton Weir to build suitable Pillars at the entrance and Wall to extend along the front of Sears Park, the labor to be paid for by F.E.R.A. [the Federal Emergency Relief Act] and material and truckage to be paid from the Trustees of Sears Park. Provisions to be left are the right hand Pillar on which be placed a Bronze Tablet as a memorial to the heirs of Stephen G. Sears.” The tablet with anchor bolts made by the Bradley and Hubbard Mfg. Co. cost $87.50.

At the April 22, 1935 Trustee meeting, resolution passed that “granted the Central Connecticut Council Inc. of Boy Scouts of American the privilege of erecting and maintaining a temporary dock and roadway to said dock as per Scout Executive John D Roberts letter dated March 7, 1935, such privilege to extend for a term of eight years.

At the same meeting, the Trustees voted to accept Mr. Eugene Nichols gift of $200 and thank him for the services to the park for the many past years. The Trustees then voted that they would grant no concessions in the Park for a term of two years. Mr. Nichols operated his own concession stands from his property which was eventually purchased by the Town.

At the July 8, 1946 meeting, the Trustees voted to increase the insurance coverage on the Pavilion not to exceed $4,000.

At the May 25, 1948 trustee meeting, voted to charge a fee of 25 cents for parking cars in the Park on Saturdays, Sundays and Holiday in order to provide extra revenue for the Park. On June 15th, a short meeting was held with William and Milton Nichols at the Park. The Nichol’s Brothers offered the Trustees a donation of $200, which was accepted. In view of this gift, the Trustees decided not to charge parking during the 1948 season.

At the June 7, 1951 meeting, the Trustees continued the policy of no concessions after receipt of a $125 gift from Mr. William Nichols. The Trustees also voted to reject the request from the Village Improvement Society for a “Merry Go Round” or similar amusement devise at their Carnival to be located in Sears Park.

At the July 8, 1952 meeting, Mr. William Nichols was not reappointed a Superintendent as he was no longer a resident of East Hampton. Motion was made by Trustee Leon Voisin that Christopher Christopher be contacted to see if he would act as Superintendent. Following the meeting, Mr. Christopher was contacted and agreed to act as Superintendent for the year.

The Sears Family

Deacon Stephen Griffith Sears was born in Chatham September 27, 1803, married Emily Veazey, daughter of Eleazar and Elizabeth (West) Veazey on May 3, 1831 and died in East Hampton Society on October 12, 1874. Sears was descended from a long line of family in Yarmouth and Harwich on Cape Cod. They had four children: Mary Elizabeth, born January 12, 1835, who married Bennette Gillette; Clark Osprey, who was a State Representative in 18756-76 and appointed Postmaster in 1885, was born July 24, 1836, and married Charlotte Josephine Fielding; Cr. Cushman Allen Sears, born September 26, 1838 and married Evelyn Lay; and, Caroline Desire Sears, born April 24, 1843.



The eulogy delivered at the funeral of Stephen Sears from a book recorded on the Sears Genealogy was as follows:

“In the life of Deacon Sears, there were no striking events, nothing that could be called great or grand, yet the whole life, viewed in its course of seventy years, leaves the impression on the hearts of all who knew him, of completeness, of beauty, of harmony; his best eulogy is in the hearts of those who knew him best and longest.
One who knew him from youth to old age, testified, that he was never guilty of a mean action, even as a boy; that even then his conduct was irreproachable.
He was a perfect example of a man whose life was a continuous moral growth, and yet he sought for the deeper life based on faith in Christ.
His whole speech was a witness to the need of the Christ-life in the soul; but not only in words did his witness consist, it was in the course of his daily life, in the faithful performance of all his duties, that he gave testimony to Him who came to do His Father’s work.
Those who loved him well, tell how scrupulously he performed every little duty in the family, and how anxious he was to relieve his family, and make their burdens light.
Like a true Christian, his light threw a cheerful glow around his household hearth, and made his home one of happiness and content.”

Knowing Our Past Gives Me Better Information to Serve You

WILLIAM BARTON House circa 1765 - located at the crest of Barton Hill

William Barton was the Founder of the Chatham Bell Industry. From has hands and apprenticeships, no less than 37 other bell maker companies were formed and operated in the East Hampton Society area.

Understanding the past can often prevent you from making an incorrect decision about your future - especially when buying or selling your most valuable asset - your home!

I have the knowledge of our Community's past and the proven experience and ability to serve your current Real Estate needs - whether you are marketing an antique or historic home or a house constructed last week.

Please remember, I'm never too busy for your referral at Prudential Connecticut Reality. I'm always available to take your call and can be reached at (860) 918-4400.

Gold in Cobalt Hills

There’s gold in them there hills! With the market price at record highs near $1,200 an ounce and Good Ole Tom and the new businesses of the decade telling us to bring our old jewelry to harvest excess cash, it reminded me of Chatham’s gold, or more precisely, Cobalt. Named for the ore mined there along the creek east and south of Great Hill, it was also the site of gold mining in Colonial times. Although the lure of gold attracted not the throngs California in 1849 or Alaska in 1896 did, there was enough interest by Governor Jonathan Winthrop (1651, 1659-76) of his belief of mines and minerals in Middletown. This area was granted in the formation of Middletown and designated East Middletown or the area east of the Connecticut River. Winthrop, so convinced of their (the minerals) value as to think seriously of setting up works for improving them is evident from the grant made to him after the initial settlement of Middletown.



By resolution of the Middletown Selectmen, “The inhabitants of Middletown for the encouragement of the designs of our much honored governor, Mr. John Winthrop, for the discovery of mines and minerals and for the setting up of such works as shall be needful for the improvement of them, do hereby grant unto our said much honored governor any profitable mines or minerals that he shall find or discover upon any common land with the bounds of our town and such woodland as may be convenient for the use of the same, to the value of 500 to 1,000 acres, as it may lie so that it be not nearer than two or three miles from the present dwelling houses of the Town, and as the Town shall judge to be lest prejudicial to themselves for their necessary firewood, provided the Town shall have free liberty of commonage, as far as our Town bounds go, until the improvers shall see good to impropriate the same with inclosures – provided further that said governor, and such as may be co-improvers with him, will set up the works to improve such mines and minerals as he shall find, within these 5 years and let us know whether he doth accepts of this our grant with two years; and so be it to him and his heirs and associates from the time of setting up such works, else at two or fives years, and to be in liberty of the Town to grant the same to any other. May 23, 1661.”

President Stiles of Yale College wrote, “1787, Jan.1, Mr. Erkenlen’s (developer of Cobalt mine) visited me, full of his Cobalt mine and China voyage. He some years ago bought the Governor’s Ring, as it is called, or a mountain in the N.W. corner of East Haddam (Middle Haddam), comprehending about 800 acres, or about a square mile area. Here he finds plenty of Cobalt, which he manufactures into smalt with which is made the beautiful blue on China ware, etc.” “Gov. Trumbull has often told me that this was the place to which Gov. Winthrop of N. London used to resort with his servant, and after spending three weeks in the woods of this mountain, in roasting ores and assaying metals and casting gold rings, he use to return home to New London with plenty of gold. Hence this is called the Gov. Winthrop ring to this day.

From correspondence of the governor with learned men in England, it is possible that some knowledge of this locality crossed the Atlantic in his time (Winthrop’s). Be this as it may, no considerable efforts appear to have been made to find gold or any other mineral in this hill, for about a century after this grant was made. But about 1762, Dr. John Sebastian Stepancey, a German, employed a number of men, and made a horizontal opening into the hill in search of hid treasures. He continued his exertions but a short time. About 1770 he renewed them, in connection with tow other Germans, John Knool and Gominus Erkelens; but at length it appears that he made over the management of the concern to his associates, reserving to himself only a portion of the profits, and there was an agreement that what metals and minerals were sent to Great Britain should be consigned to Knool’s friends, and those sent to Holland to Erkelens’.

Geologists and Professors from UCONN actually did some experimental mining in the late 1980s recovering a reasonable (maybe an ounce or two) of gold, but determined there was insufficient quanity to ever make mining a commercially viable enterprise.

Venture Smith - Africian Yankee

Chatham, Haddam Neck and East Haddam in the late 18th century all shared the industriousness of neighbor and friend, Venture Smith. Born “about 1729,” the son of Saungm Furro, the king of Dukandarra, in Guinea, West Africa, he was the equivalent of a “Crown Prince.” Captured by the ruler of a neighboring land, Smith, then a 7 year old boy, was sold into slavery, sent on a slave ship first to Barbados, finally ending up in Rhode Island. His African name Broteer was changed to Venture during this ordeal. Enduring a long and arduous life and being sold several times until a Colonel O. Smith bought him at age 31, who permitted Venture to purchase his own freedom, though on terms that yielded an exorbitant profit. Working on Fishers Island and Long Island for several more years he earned enough to purchase the freedom of his wife Marget and 3 children. At age 47, Venture sold his Long Island property and moved to East Haddam, finally buying 10 acres in Haddam Neck were he engaged in numerous businesses including owning a score of boats and sailing vessels. Smith wrote his autobiography in 1798 and lived to the year 1805.

One of his many stories related to the day he married Marget in 1751. Apparently, he threw a rope over his master’s house and told Marget to pull on one end, while he pulled on the other. Neither budged the rope. Then he called her to his side of the house, and together they pulled it off in a jiffy. He then told her, “Marget, if we pull in life against each other, we shall fail; but if we pull together we shall succeed.” And so, together they pulled all through their difficult life and their mutual affection continued to the end.

Sears Park - 100 Year Old Gift

On Saturday January 8, 1910, exactly 100 years ago today at a Special Town Meeting, the citizens of Chatham, voted to accept a most generous gift of 3.93 acres of land from the heirs of Stephen G. Sears on Lake Pocotopaug, creating “Sears Park.”

Recently, our Park and Recreation Department has begun planning a 100th Anniversary Celebration of “Sears Park” to unfold later this year and all are welcome as volunteers to assist with the festivities. You could make a difference to our community by joining the committee and contributing valuable commodities - your time and talent.

Much more will be written documenting the centennial span of Sears Park in coming months, but today’s date, coinciding with the acceptance by the people of Chatham (our name wasn’t changed to East Hampton until 1913), served as a wonderful reminder of certain aspects here that enhance our quality of life. Many communities glare with envy at this wonderful asset, the panoramic views all can enjoy from the casino (as it was originally called) deck overlooking the seven hills of East Hampton or just lounging on the beach.

Up until the late 1960s, there were several concession stands operated along the southerly boundary line but these were demolished after an additional piece of property was acquired in 1968 from the Estate of Mary K. Nichols. The excursion boat moored here was one of several on Lake.

The outcome at that meeting in 1910 was obvious. Our forebearer’s valued the pristine waters of the Great Pond, Lake Pocotopaug, as described in the deed to the Town’s original settler, James Wright, from which this Sears plot of land emanated.

Sears Park’s value is explicably tethered to the abutting but fragile Lake Pocotopaug, which too needs our immediate attention. To once again enjoy crystal clear waters as seen in 1910, to witness a summer where the algae has not turned our Lake pea green, to once again have fresh water mussels abound and crayfish dwell along the rocky shores will take the voices and diligent efforts of us all. It will take every property owner in the Lake watershed to abate harmful fertilizers. The new “green” isn’t a lawn! It’s a way of preserving planet Earth and I for one Lake Pocotopaug.

East Hampton - West of Hampton

Several friends have inquired why “East” Hampton is so named since it is situated 35 miles west of Hampton. There is a certain oddity about this and begs the question, why? In 1748, the General Assembly granted the establishment of the East Hampton Society – the Congregational Church District. All the area on the east side of the Great River, the Connecticut River, was originally called East Middletown and included Portland, Middle Haddam, Cobalt and East Hampton and became Chatham. The Town of Chatham was incorporated in 1767. And that is where the problem begins. Hampton, which was divided off of Windham (Willimantic), became incorporated as a town in 1786.

As I had previously noted in September, our Town’s name was changed in 1915 from Chatham to East Hampton. So where did the East Hampton name come from? Shortly after settlers of Knowles Landing, later to be called Middle Haddam, petitioned for their own Congregational Society in 1738, a band of émigrés from Eastham, Massachusetts arrived. Eastham is a coastal town on Cape Cod and although many of these transplants remained tied to the shipbuilding industry that flourished in Middle Haddam, a goodly number moved inland, first to Hog Hill and then near Lake Pocotopaug, where ample acreage was available to farm. The ecclesiastical area or Society, initially took the name Eastham Town, eventually settling on the preferred two word spelling East Hampton.

Apparently the issue was never raised or questioned in 1915 when the Connecticut General Assembly changed the Town’s name after adoption at Town Meeting. Today there would be exhaustive studies and public hearings before action occurred to change a Town’s name. The fact that the area had been known as East Hampton since the 1740s evidently weighed heavily in the decision.