Morning journal and courier., 1891-06-19
nonTH HAVEN ANNALS.
An Interesting Medley Of Reminds
cences.

cences.
NUMBER 70.
This history has now reached a point
within the memory of many of the citizens
and before quite taking leave Of the old
days dwelt upon so long, the writer has
concluded to add chapter of odds and
ends Of history and tradition, which have
accumulated in his researches, but sustain
no connected relation to the narrative.
EARTHQUAKES.
In the fall of 1854 severe earthquake
shock was felt in New England. = Hannah
Heaton of Muddy River says of it in her
"journal:" CHOW about this time in Sep
TENDER there was great earthquake in the
night. heard it. It was terrible" This
visitation was SO alarming that the gen
eral association of ministers of the colony
of Connecticut at their meeting the follow
ing June took this action:
'eIn consideration of the threatening Aspect of
''Divine Providence at this day particularly in
s'the frequent and amazing Earthquakes &c
''this Association think it advisable that some
aser to aod to avert
..token Of his displeasure and save us from Sin
lana Rum"
Another noted shock was felt in North
Haven, May 7. 1874, and very heavy one
May is, 1871.
SIGN POSTS.
It early was the custom to make the
meeting house door the sign post of the
parish. Notices of town meetings, train
ings, auctions, dyke meadow and fishery
meetings, singing schools, etc., ETC., were
all posted there. So obnoxious did this
become that it finally was made lawful for
any person, and especially the duty of the
tithingmen, to remove every such notice,
and if the offender posting the same could
be found, a fine of ten shillings was i'm
posed. The only exceptions to this rule
was in the case Of "intention of marriage
CROWS.
In 1859 if the North Havener killed an
''old crow" he was entitled to bounty OF
one shilling for every such head shown the
town authorities, and sixpence for each
'tyoung crow" A year or two later on &C
count of threatened bankruptcy to the
treasury by such munifcence, the bounty
was reduced to an all round sum of four.
pence.
MINING.
In 1871 the 'tBlue Hills" were leased tx
New York city parties for the privilege Of
mining thereon for copper and all metals
but iron. In 1890 Robert Brockett, ma
tive of the town and mining expert of thu
Black Hills, Colorado, made a partial sur
vey of this ridge. Several blasts of dyna
mite we're discharged and veins of cope,
found, but in no paying quantity.
| AN OLD ACCOUNT BOOK.
In an old account book are found tn
following samples of photography in IT'S
"Shugar," "aacks," "chridit" (credit)
"deator" (debtor), ''puter" (pewter), "seat
en-" (setting), "quartes" (quarts), "shurte,
"shues," "briches" (breeches), 'taters
(potatoes), f'storks' (stalks), 'parsen
pasturing), etc., etc.
SAMUEL MoULTHROP.
In May, 1885, one Samuel Moulthrop, t.
quote his words, event on frolic" T
enjoy himself he bought "beever hat
and quarts of rhum." Now Samue
made carts by trade, but none of them eve
carried the lag" that he did on this occa
sion.
One would imagine that in the earl
days of the parish land would have been il
plenty for all and at cheap rates, but it
found that in 1853 some of the settlers at
tempted to squat on the unused highway
of the community. The grand jury an,
constables were called out and the tres
passers summarily elected.
DoG-MADNEss.
In 1771 Daniel Pierpont charged tn
town three shillings for writing "thre
papers on dog-madness."
| DRoUTH.
| In 1882 great drouth prevailed in tn
parish. Springs, brooks and wells drie,
up, crops were cut off, vegetation shrivel
| ed and, even many large trees died
Great distress was felt in all quarters.
A FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION.
On July 4, 1900, one Joel Barnes was o
the opinion that the day was not bein
kept as it should be, at least that Their
was not that spirit of Independence mani
tested suitable to such an occasion. Ac
cordingly he bought of Daniel Pierpon
one quart 'told rum" and two quart
'fKil1-devil," and sailed forth to shov
how in his opinion it should be observed
Result: Ignominious landing of Joel Of
his back drunk in the county goal.
REAL ESTATE CLAIMS.
In 1888 Amos and Philemon Blakesle,
claimed discovery of an island in Eas
river. A stake was driven thereon ant
their names affixed to it. This proceed
ing was held as good title. In 1925 Lev
| Cooper made and held similar claim.
| A MEDALLION PORTRAIT.
In 1884 Mary, wife of Joel Ives, dice
and was buried in the Muddy river GENE
| terry. A fine profile of her face is cut il
| relief on her gravestone, the only instanc,
| of the kind in the town.
BRIDGE.
In 1893 the first bridge near the resi-
dence of Willis Hull, was constructed by
II Pierpont for ..13e lawful money.
This was ''swing bridge" and the cos
covered both wood and stone work.
LAWSUIT.
In 1914 the town was defendant in
lawsuit brought by the town of New Ha
ven to compel payment of support of one
"Nance Arabus," a pauper. Judgment
was rendered against North Haven fol
$3.50
In 1887, Philemon Blakeslee, Ward Peel
and Levi Bigelow, being selectmen, warned
all Irishmen out of town.
PEST HOUSES.
During the smallpox excitement succeed
ing the revolutionary war one of the pest
houses was located near the present resi-
dence of Henry Hull. Another was on thu
ridge between the town and Hsmden and
below Elihu Dickerman's.
'sPROxIN"
In 1908 at s.proxin" the vote of the town
was 81 democrat and 81 whig.
PAUPERs.
In 1905 Jonathan Ralph kept one Dan
Todd "a pauper) thirteen weeks for nine
teen cents per week. This was the lowest
sum ever reached for the support of the
town poor.
THE EAGLE BANK
The town lost 500 in bank bills on this
defunct institution.
LARGE FAMILIES.
Benjamin Doolittle, 1717, had twelve children
Joel Todd - had ten children.
Samuel Brooks, 1786-18O6, had nine children
Oliver Blakeslee, 1762-179O had twelve children
lothian Alien, 1770cl7s9, had eight children.
Oliver Todd, 17S6-1SO7 had nine children
Isaiah Tuttle had twelve children
Asa Thorpe, had ten children.