Connecticut western news., 1873-04-11
Barkhnmsted Light-housc.

Barkhnmsted Light-hOusc.
 Editor Conn. Western News When you and l were boys at school and studied Olney's Geography we used to see Bark hamsted Light House" put down on the bank of tue Farmlngton river, in the ex- treme northern part of Litchfeld County During our earlier years canal navigation was in flourishing condition and as there was Pennington and Middlesex canal somewhere we naturally associated the light house on the Farmington river with the canal and canal navigaticn, not know ing how many times it's welcome beacon had guided the storm tossed canal boatman to haven of safety beneath the sheltering hills of Barkhamsted. From our boyhood days we have heard people speak of the Barkhamsted Lighthouse, and have been led to associate as much importance to it as we did to Cape Hatteras light thouse, or any other prominent point on our coast. On all or nearly all the large maps of the state that have been published flor offices, dwell lings, &c., the Light house tis put down as one of tue important places in the county. These maps have been sent by emigrants in this state to their friends at home, in al- most every country in Europe. The name has gone forth and travellers from the United States to Europe have been ques- toned about the navigation of the Farm ington river, supposing it must be naviga- ble, from the circumstance of a light house having been built on it's shore. Having had occasion during the last six months to tread every highway and byway in this part of the country. and of the town of Barkhamsted in particular, besides explor- ing the banks of the river for miles above and below, and not seeing anything that looked like lighthouse, or Pennington 6 Middlesex canal, or navigsble river, 1 applied to one of the oldest inhabitants (Mr. Harlo Case) for information, and these are the facts as I learn them from him:
 More than one hundred years ago young lady from the eastern part of the colony contracted matrimonial engagement very much against her parents wishes; in fact their opposition was so strong that the en- gagement was broken off, Tn consequence of whicE she fled from home and came in the vicinity of Barkhamsted and said she would marry the first man that offered himself. At that time there was an Indian by the name of Choggum living near here who aspired to an alliance with the pale faces and he offered himself to her as candidate and was accepted. Ia due time they were married and she became Mrs. Choggum. l was unable to learn her mai den name or family history. Immediately after their marriage they settled at the light 1 house and lived there during their lifetime. Mrs. Choggum attained the age of nearly 1 one hundred years at the time of her death. They have one son and nlne daughters, and five of the daughters were named respect lively Esther, Polly, Elizabeth, Massy and Roxy. The names of the other four daugh. ters and the son was unable to learn. Esther married and went West; Massy married Spaniard by the name of John Jacklin, one of whose sons lives in Win. sted Polly married Wm. Wilson, who | lived on the old homestead and took care of the old people. They had three daugh. ters and oue son. At the time Choggun married and settled here this part of the county was one unbroken forest aud set tiers just began to come in along the river l tiers further up the rivcI near New Boston, in Berkshire Co.,, Mass, and others furtbel down, about New Hartford and vicinity | Communication was kept open between the two settlements by bridle-path along the river bank. Soon after Choggum set | tied here two negro families came and set. tied near him, and the light from the cabin windows of this settlement was beacon for the settlers below in their travels up | and down the river and was called by them ! at that time the Barkhamsted Light house. l am told that the descendants of the Choggum family and the negro families in termarried, and the 5urlal place of the mix ed tribe is still pointed out, 1t being & pine knoll near by, where more than one hun dred of their descendants were buried.
 They have now all passed away and nothing remains of the settlement except the place of sepulcher. A barn belonging to Judge Goodwin marks the sight of Choggum's cabin, which was 80 long and familiarly known as the Barkhamsted Lighthouse.
 In my next communication will send you an account of the manufacturies of this valley. N.
 Barkhamsted Lighthouse, April z, 1878.