Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1839-10-04
INCIDENTS IN THE HISTORY OF
CONNECTICUT.

CONNECTICUT.
We find tho following incident recorded
in Hayward's New England Gazetteer #
is said to have taken place, something like
century ago, in the town OF Ashford, in
this S,atc.--HarJord Times
"A concourse of people were assembled
on the hill in front Of the meeting house, to
witness the punishment Of man who had
been convicted of neglec,ing to go to NEE
ting on the Sabbath, for period of three
months. According to the existing law for
such delinquency, the culprit was to be pub
iIcly whipped at the post. Just as the whip
was about to be applied, a stranger on
horseback appeared rode up to the crowd
OF spectators, and inquired Tor what purpose
they were assembled. Being informed of
the state of the case, the strange gentleman
rose upright in his stirrups. and with EN-.
phasis addressed the asionished multitude
as follows: You men Of Ashford, serve
God as ifthe d. was in you Do you
think you can achip the grace Of God into
menu Christ will have mona but volunteers
The people stared, while the speaker. prob
ably not caring to be arraigned for contempt
OF court put spurs TO his horse, and was
soon out of sight; nor was he ever more
seen or heard fly the good people Of Ash
ford"
We find the following anccdo,o recorded
in the same work
"The Rev. Mr.. Buckley OF Colchester.
Conn, was famous in his day ms a casuis,
and sage councillor A church in his
neighborhood had fallen into unhappy di.
visions and contentious, which they were
unable to adjust among themselves They
deputed one ofther number to the venerable
Buckley for his services, with request
that be would send it to them 10 writing.
The matters were taken into serious consid.
GRAFTON, and the advice, with much delibera.
ton, committed TO writing. 1t so happened.
that Mr.. Buckley had farm in an extreme
part OF the town, upon which he entrusted
tenant In superscribing the two letters,
the ono for the church was directed TO the
tenant and the one for the tenant 10 the
church The church was convened TO
hear the advice which was TO settle all their
disputes. The moderator read as follows ::
You Will see 10 the repair of fences, thai,
they be built high and strong, and you will
take special care of the old black bull.
This mysical advice puzzled the church at
nrst, but an interpreter among the more dis
corning ones was soon found, who said
Brelhren, this is the very advice we mos,
need the direction TO repair the fences is TO
admonlsh US to take good heed in the ad-
mission and government of our members
we must guard the church by our Masters
laws, and keep out strange cattle from the
fold. And we must in q particular man
ner set a watchful guard over the Dera the
old black bull, who has done so much hurt
oil late. All perceived the wisdom and fl.
ness OF Mr.. Bulkley's advice, and resolved
10 be governed by it. The consequence was
all the onimosities subsidized, and harmony
was restored TO the long afflicted church,
The following historical facts in relation
10 the Town OF Lyme, are also given -
a tract oil land, once an Indian reserya.
tion. was Tor some time in dispute between
the towns oil Lyme and New London. Ii
was hnaliy agreed to settle their respective
titles 10 the land in controversy, by COM
bat between two champions, 10 be chosen
by each for that purpose. The comba,ants
were chosen, and on day mutually appoin.
ted the champions appeared in The field
and fought with their fists till victory declar,
ed in favor OF each OF the LYME comba,ants
Lyme then quietly took possession of The
eontroverted tract and has held il nm lsnn
ted, to the present day.
Dsaeon Marvin. large land holder md
an exemplary man, was exceedingly eccen
trio in some Of his notions. His coursbip
it is said, was as follows Having one da,
mounted his horse, with only sheepskiII
Tor saddle, he rode in front of the hous,
were Betty Lee lived, and without dismoun
renIlacfan Rnit 10
coming, he told her that the Lord had sen
him there to marry her. Betty wilhou
much hesitation, replied. "TNs Lords pil
be done"
The following is on the Deacon's monu
ment in the grave yard, dated October Is
1897. 20
This Deacon aged CO;
Now freed on earth from serving.
May for crown no longer wait
Lyme's Captain Reynold Marvin