The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1889-05-09
CORRESPONDENCE
Connecticut Notes.

EAST WOODSTOCK Ct. May 8, 1889.
To the Editor Of the Banner DEAR
SIR Thanks for the copy Of the Sum-
mer Homes received, and for the back
numbers Of the BANNER. It is almost
the only connecting link between my
wandering life and the home of my
childhood. The others ties have been
severed one by one until there is none
left. 1t mskes me little sad sometimes,
but such is life.
have in my hand a coyy OF a letter
cut from your paper last winter. 1t was
from Pontiac, Mich, dated Feb. IS. l
am not acquainted with the author, but
how heartily concur with the sentiment
OF the opening paragraphs. ltoo enjoy,
equally with him, my weekly visit to
the Green Mountain valley"
This is now month that have been
here in the LAND of steady habits"
find some interesting history and will
give you few notes. find here, as in
so many OF the New England settle
ments, much Of the early history clusters
around the first church. The one here
antedates by nearly thres-quarters Of a
century, the old First Church in Ben
nington. It was the early residence OF
the Holmes family. AbdIck Holmes, ID.
D., father Of Oliver Wendell Holmes,
was native, and died here in 1887. In
the old First Church is Memorial win
dow given by the son. The oldest grave
in the cemetery is that OF Edward Nor
ris, pioneer who died in 1899.
Woodstock celebrated its bi centennial
anniversary in September, 1885, Only
few hundred rods from the church is
Pulpit Rock, made memorable by Elliot
the Apostle to the Indians, who preach
ed a sermon the first one eyer preached
here by a white man, from the text,
"But II thy eye be evil thy whole body
shall be full OF darkness" Matt. VI, %.
He used the rock as pulpit and preach
ed to the Indians in their own language.
1t was Sept. 18th, 1874.
i Wabboquosset was an Indian village
where Woodstock now is. AS early as
1870 Elliotl'S influence became felt here
by the preaching OF some Of his con-
verts.
The churches founded by these cou-
verted Indians became prosperous and
it was the favorable reports which he
heard from here that led Elliott to I'M
dertake his missionary tour in 1874
The Apostles visit here is spoken Of as
the most noteworthy event OF AborigInes
history OF this section.
Some of the Indian names compare
favorably with WEIGH for length. For
instance, Tokekamowootchang the
name of chief Of the tribe here.
Another jaw. breaking name is that OF
q lake In Mass. Lake Chanbunagung-
| 00 No q 40 Nnr Gahtao,
The principal river of this section is the
Quiuebany, q name which means Long
Pond"
know you will be sick Of me il dc
not quit these long names, so l will only
try your patience with one more, not a
long one but rather curious, "Cowsick
Brook
Soon after the arrival OF Winthrop's
Colony in Mass, they got scarce of pro.
visions and Acquittimany, an Indian
living here. went with several others
through the woods carrying what corn
they could on their backs, for their re-
lief, over go miles. The town was first
called New Roxbury, after the town
where many of the first settlers came
from, but was soon changed to Wood
stock after q town in England, famous
in Queen Eiizlbeth's time.
This county is Putnam's native place,
and when get time to visit the den
may perhaps review the biography OF
his famous wolf.
Cherries have been in bloom three
days and it will be two or three more
before peaches will be fairly out.
Yours truly.
G. E. BRECKENRIDGE.