Connecticut western news., 1872-06-14

ceremonies were then called, which 1 evel attended, was in Norfolk in ls09.-Majol Nathaniel Stevens and Colonel John Dick inson were elected the representatives, The late Samuel Johnson, whom I after wards knew while lived, was made free naGrs at that meeting. I notice that the house of Major Stevens, opposite the ceme tery and in plain view of the railroad, is still standing, as was the house of Colonel Dickinson two years ago when passed it, standing near the line of Goshen. Colonel Dickinson was the uncle of the late Hon. Daniel s. Dickinson, who, for many years was prominent in the political history of New York.
 Mr. Auren Rice, (Roys, pronounced), kept an apothecaries' store in the lower village in the old building with gambrel roof. standing close by the house of Dr. Welch, and from that circumstance, that locality was called The Potticory. If we had occa- sion to visit that neighborhood, we spoke of going down to the Potticary.' The post office was kept there by Michael F. Mills, Esq. then a young lawyer, and that cir cumstance rendered such visits frequent and the name familiar. Augustus Petit bone, Esq, better known in current tradi- tions as Judge Petts6one, was also a law yer then in practice and instructed many students in their legal studies, and two of those who were in his training became en- inent in their profession. Lavinus Monson, son of Joshua Monson of Canaan, was 8 distinguished lawyer in Delaware Co.,, N r., and for tune was judge of the su- preme court of that state. Another of the young men then in the office of Judge Pet tibone was John c. Thompson. knew him in Cornwall Hollow as a laborer by the month, and I often Saw him clad in the usual habiliments of a working farmer of those days, to wit: frock and trowst 5 made of tow cloth. was not little sur prised when be appeared at Norfolk as a student ct law, but bis exercise in a debat- ing club which the students maintained, showed that he was young man of supe- rior talents. He completed his professional studies with Judge Burrall of Canaan and settled in Vermont, first at Brattleboro, and afterwards at Burlington, and at the time of his death, which occurred when he was a llttle more than forty years old, he held 8 . seat on the bench of the supreme court of his adopted state.
 A theatrical performance came off during the winter of lsOs-9, which excited much attention at the time. It was the exhibition of tragedy in which many of the middle aged and young people of the town took part. Among the gentleman actors were Ezra Jewell of Salisbury, law student :; Jonah Pettibone, Benjamin R. Stevens and several others whose names l do not rec ollect. Miss Ann Phelps, afterward Mrs. Hurlburt, was the principal actress and her performances elicited much admiration. A very large gathering from Norfolk and the neighboring towns attended the perform ance, and handsome sum was raised for tickets sold. MT. Robbins lamented deeply tha: the meeting house should be desecra- ted by such profane doings, saying that we had death often enough in reality to remind us our mortality, without having it exhibit ed in such thoughtless mockery. remem- Der hearing him say that if old Esquire Ste- 0eas had been alive he believed he could have prevented this profane abandonment of the church to such an improper use of it. He said he was one of the pillars of the town. He was the father of Major Ma thaniel Stevens whom I have mentioned, and had died just before the events now spoken of took place.
 Dwellings and other buildings have very much increased in number in Norfolk du- ring the last sixty years. When I resided in that town there was but one house and no other building between the bridge in the lower village and the turnpike gate, and but two or three beyond to the Canaan line. There were but three houses between the Green and the house of Ezekiel Wilcox, now occupied by MT. Bigelow on the road to Winsted, where now there are many, and around the Green the dwellings have doubled in number.
 The congregations on the Sabbath filled the old meeting house to repletlon. A great proportion of the worshipers came on horseback both male and female, and the most distant parts of the town were well represented. The Deacons of the church were Deacon Frisbee from the east, Butler from the extreme north, and Gaylord from the south. They were all gentlemen of pure morals, thoroughly educated in the theology of those days and well qualified to take the lead in public worship when MT. Robbins was absent. They occupied the seat under the pulpit, which formerly was appropriated in Congregational meeting houses to the use of the Deacons, and their official character gave them a well deserved pre-eminence among the Christian people of Norfolk.
 The church music was in the best style of the psalmody of those days. The chor. ister was Barzel Neat, young man then ir good repute who lived nearly opposite the parsonage, but whose subsequent life wal darkened by grave delinquencies. I re member MT. and Mrs. Batten and the latt Deacon Pettibone as prominent among thu choir. Darius Phelps, who afterward ob tained much eminence as teacher of mu sic, and who was then of the age of tel years, had seat in the choir next the chor ister.
 have no time to speak of individuals, mel ofnote and position with whom Ibecame ac quainted in those olden times. It may b said of them in general, that they were
 sensible and worthy race of men. The. filled their paths on the stage of life, bu now, one after another they have all passe' away.
 Sharon, May 29, 1872.