Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-09-19
LETTER FROM AN OLD C0NNEC TIcU7
TOWN.
WINDSOR. Conn, Sept. I,

WINDSOR, Conn, Sept. I, 1876.
To the Editor Of the heaRtbee Journal.
After having been citizen of Maine and resi-
dent of good old Hsowell for nearly sixty years
now find myself quietly settled In the staid old
State of Come cticut, and Windsor the Oldest
town in this State, finds me one of her townsmen'
MANY interesting incidents are historically con-
nected with this ancient town, of which may at
some future time write you. Windsor is most
beautifully situated on the west bank of the Con
nectlcut river aud has population of about oooo
inhabitants. Being but six miles from the city OF
Hartford and six trains each way every day, in
duces many from the ctv to take up their abode
here property in consequences is in ready demand
at extravagant prices. Farming is extensively
carried on and tobacco raising is the chief pro
ducton. Ia years past farmers have realized
large profits aud not few have made themselves
wealthy but this branch of farming has been over
done and the market over run and many have
lost the fortunes they at first made. The old blue
laws of the State forbid minors using tobacco and
made it a criminal offence, but now the descend
ants Of those who made those laws raise and there
by encourage its use.
Potato bugs have truly been pest among us
this year, and the potato crop is failure and IN
many instances has been entirely destroyed; and
having ruined the potato crop they were still dis
satisfied and made raids on our tomatoes, peppers,
and almost every kind of vegetables. They have
even presumed to surround our dwellings and had
they gained admission would have undoubtedly
unceremoniously made their appearance at our
sleeping apartments and demanded our immedi-
ate evacuation l sincerely hope that Maine may
escape this pest, but they seem to be travelling
eastward, and you will probably receive an unwel-
come visit from them.
| Windsor is strongly q democratic town, and in
conversation with her Oldest inhabitsnt, he in
formed me that the democratic party had con-
troed the town affairs for seventy five years, that
he as a democrat, represented the town in the
State legislature in lS26-27 and 2S. That ne was
a regular subscriber to the New York Herald I'M
til it became of too large dimensions for him to
read when he was obliged to stop his subscrp-
ton. This perhaps may be q warning for news
paper publishers to consider how they spread their
ink and govern themselves accordingly.
Windsor boasts Of having the Oldest church in
the State, this society, Congregationalist hav-
ing been org an ICED about 1884. visited the Gem
etery connected with this old church short time
since There found tomb stones which mark
the last resting place Of the towns ear lest settlers
all of whom their tomb stones tells us were true
and devoted christians, maintaining the cause OF
Christ in all their walks in life. Many Of them
were called upon to fill high official stations for
the colony, and later for the State and United
States government. Would to God our officers Of
trust might be filed by men of equal christian In
tegrity and with the same conscientious honesty
as our Puritan fathers. Ephram Hyit who diem
| 1914 bears the following inscription.
"Heere Lyeth Ephrism Hyit sometimes teach
er to the church of Windsor, who dyed September
4tb, 1884,"
"Who when hee lived wee drew our vital breath
Who, when he dyed. his dying was our death,
Who was ye stay of State, We churches staff,
Alas We times forbid an Epitaph.
Other stones mark the spot Of the last resting
place OF this churchs subsequent preachers"
The Rev. G. G. Wilson, whom many Of our Hal
lowell friends will remember as the very exem-
plary young man who was once teacher Of the
high school in that city, is at present pastor over
this society, and well does he maintain the chris
tan integrity of its early and pious divines,-for
| believe Bro. Wilson to be one of the most de-
voted christians with whom have ever had the
pleasure of meeting. May he live many years to
advance the doctrines as taught by his ancient
and God-fearing predecessors.
At future period shall be pleased to write
you a synopsis Of the history of old Windsor
many incidents which transyired in its earliest
days being interesting as we'll as instructive.
Truly yours, HIRAM ALBEE.