The Press., 1886-06-17


 In her early history Coventry boosted of four prominent and highly capable men, who acted as solons for the town, and were greatly respected for their high moral worth and mighty influence which they yielded in the advancement of tho towns interests. The names of these leading characters were Judge Jeremiah Ripley, who resided in the loftiest height of Rip ley Hill, while directly opposite stood tho less pretentious residence of Judge Jesse Root, whose owner, however, was none the less noted. Farther down to the south- ward stood the residence of Judge Strong, while few miles to the westward was the grand old residence of Dea. Hale, father Hof the martyred heio, Capt Nathan Hale With the exception of the Strong home. stead, the dwellings are still in existence, and in good repair. -.a.
 Amusing incidents and interesting an ecdotes are occasionally related of those men of early days. It is said of Judge Strong, who was very stern mab, that upon the occasion of his boy carelessly leaving down the bars, thereby causing the cattle to go on a rampage through the fields, much to the detriment of the crops, the irate judge kept the needless boy con stantly putting up and letting down the bars through the day for 0 punishment, which proved very effective, as the son re. marked in subsequent years that he never afterwards forgot to put up the bars." Whenever the judge had a difficult law case to decide, with head bowed and wear tug a pensive look, he would walk three times around the "corn house, evidently in. deep meditation on the grave question under consideration.
 Judge Root was man of high distinc- tion, and the recipient of worthy honors. The father of our country, on the occasion of journey over the Hartford and Provi- dence turnpike, honored the Root mansion by nights halt. The judge was entrust- ed with important offices of town and state ln recognition of his executive ability. He was ancestrally related to the lamented Gen. Grant, whose father, Jesse, was named after him.
 Mir. William O. Gardner. to whom we are indebted for many interesting facts of history, has in his possession m ancient wrltlng-desk, originally the property of Judge Root, which was in daily use by hlm, owing to his large correspondence and legal matters. The judge once per. formed the journey from his residence on Ripley Hlll to Boston on horseback, dis tance of 90 miles, accomplishing the trip between sunrise and sunset.
 Jeremiah Ripley was one of the judges ot the court of common pleas, Holland County, and another of the aristuorats of ot Coventry. The line of lofty naples, upwards of sixty in number, on the high est point of the Hill" were set out by his command, he paying twenty-five cents per tree for the work. They are noticeable for many miles around, and are the ad- mlrGtiOn of all who see them.
 Dea. Hale was returning from Norwich with load of lumber for his new house, then in' process of erection, when the sad news reached him of the ignominious death of his noble son, which almost completely prostrated him with grief. He arrived nome sadly disheartened, and the new house was eventually finished, and stands to-day in good state of preservation as one of Coventry's historical features.