Morning journal and courier., 1883-11-09

This tree stood in what was formerly the prettiest spot along the New Haven shore, one part shading the water and the other part a grassy lawn Seated under it's wide spread ing branches one had an uninterrupted view of the harbor and Sound. For @ hundf ed years it was favorite place for mariners and ship owners to watch their vessels entering or leaving port. Laborers and carmen par took of their monday meals under it's grate- full shade. School boys played tag and ''peg- the-top" beneath it's branches, and on s'Inde- pendenee day" the young New Haveners of long ago burned their powder and fired their cannon at it's roots. The bulk of our population was then near the water side. It was a favorite resort in those days, when our town was but 8 village, for mothers and nurse girls to go and sit with the little ones and look out upon the waters. Intercourse with the West Indies was then great and families from the islands were wont to come here to pass their summers, bringing their slave nurses with them, and these negresses 1n charge of children were often seen upon the greensward under the elm, their gay head dresses helping to enliven the spot. Young people are not aware that all the tract beyond the Derby depet is made land that the water used to flow over that spot and boys under cover of night went in there to bathe. The branches of the Greenough elm extended over the water. Large sloop sailboats used to come up and under the shade take aboard pleasure parties. Among the names of these boats are rccolIected the ''Rowena," ''Una" and the 70. K" Just east of the elm stood the famous Hong house." Q block of five wooden houses The westernmost, having the best outlook upon the harbor and getting the benefit of the afternoon shade of the elm, brought the highest rent
 The first postoffice in New Haven was on the opposite corner in the dwelling now standing and known as the Totten mansion. During the Revolutionary war Captain Rice resided in this mansion, and being loyalist he, at the time of the invasion of New Haven, July 5, 1779, entertained several of the principal British officers. After dinner these red coated gentlemen were invited by him out to this tree where, seated under it's branches, they smoked their pipes and expressed their intention of pillaging and burning some of the houses in the vicinity belonging to the 'tWhigs," as the patriots were then called. Rice earnestly entreated them to forbear thus bringing ruin upon his neighbors, and with such eloquence that they yielded to his entreaties. When this elm was cut down to make room for the depot the old citizens living whereabouts felt heart sore at it's loss, for around it had clustered the sweet memories of boyhood.
 The Trowbridge elm is shapely tree and stands on the corner of Columbus and West Water streets. It was set out in 1772 by Rutherford Trowbridge, who was 
 at that spot. Five feet from the ground it's girth, notwithstanding it's age, is under eight feet. A similar tree many years since stood on the corner above in front of the brick house built in 1773 by Thomas Trowbrjdge, who set it out. He was an officer of the Revolution and died prisoner in the old Jersey prison ship in the East river, New York harbor. He was one of the many thousand prisoners who perished in that living tomb, largely Con- necticut men. To be consigned there was equivalent to 8 sentence of death. Now and then one escaped, as it were by miracle. Such was the case with Captain Thomas Painter, of West Haven, who is remembered by our old citizens. He was taken aboard with others. They were ordered to strip and take a swim and be cleansed before being sent between decks. At this the captain was in great alarm. 70, can't swim," he ex- claimed, 'tthe water is too deep; shall cer- tainly drown" He was excused, and as he couldn't swim had unusual liberty upon deck. One afternoon toward dusk when no eye was upon him he quietly slipped overheard, swan ashore and secreted himself under juniper bush on the edge of a swamp. He had scarcely got under cover before British officer in company with 8 woman came along and brushed right by the bush. When night dropped down Painter crawled out of the juniper and made his way into the interior.