Arizona republican., 1892-04-28
OLD LIroHFIELD.


Correspondence OF TIE REPUBLICAN,.
LITCHFIELD, Conn, April 20.--This ole
county seat has long been famous for It's
refined society, Last century and the
fore part of this the village might aptly
have been styled the Athens of western
Connecticut. Many statesmen, jurists,
diviDes and men of letters have attended
school or made their home in Liichfeld
In the past, The Wolcott family, long
prominent in the history of the state
and nation. was from the earliest days
closely identified with the life of the
town. Several goveruorships were held
by the Wolcotts Washington's first
secretary Of the treasury was Wolcott
and senator of that name now repre-
sents Colorado at the national capital.
The two Woicott houses, built by the
first and second governors, are still in
an admirable state of preservation. The
old home of Oliver, the second. is now
the residence of Colonel Sanford. of the
United States army. II is rich in colo
nial carving and decoration. The first
governor, Oliver Wolcott, planted thir-
teen sycamores along the street and
named them after the thirteen colonies
Curiously enough, the only one remain
ing is that named Connecticut" and.
it is in fourishing condition. An
other prominent family were the Sey-
mours. Major Moses Seymour, of the
Continental army. present at the sur
render of Burgoyne, was the grand.
father Of Governor Horatio Seymour, Of
New York.
Lirhfield is the birthplace of Ethan
Allen. of the poet John Pierpont, of
Mrs. Harriet Beecher Stowe and of
Henry Ward Beecher. The house where
the author Of "Uncle TOMS Cabin" and
the eloquent Brooklyn divine were born
has been removed from its old location
and now forms part of private insane
asylum, being used as the meas ward.
1t was rooiny home, plain looking, with
quaint windows in the gables, and stood
on North Main street. The school house
where Henry Ward taught is now a
dwelling.
No doubt the celebrated schools which
fourished in Litchfeld were what
brought together such cultivated body
Of people. Miss Pierce's seminary for
young ladies was the first institution Of
its kind in the country and drew pupils
from far and near. But the educational
glory OF the town was its law school,
founded in 1884 by Judge Tapping
Reeve This was the first law school in
the United States and long retained its
1t is said of Judge Reeve
that he first made of the law liberal
science. He was a brother-in in-law of
Aaron Burr, became chief justice of the
state, and died in 1928 The school was
carried on for many years afterward by
Judge Gould. Over thousand law
yers received their legal education here.
II this number seems small as compared
with the great shoals of young "a limbs"
now annually turned loose ON a suffer
ing public, we must remember that
hose were the days of small numbers.
Among the students at one time were
Aaron Burr and John Z. Calhoun, and
70 this institution fifteen United States
fifty members Of congress and
i've cabinet ministers owed their legal
The old shrine of Black
'tone is now the residence of Yale col
ege professor. Some additions have
been made, but the elaborate front dou-
Die windows and the ''handmade" Co.
'inthian pillars brought from Europe are
,nough to stamp the house of approved
lineage. The legend. "a. d. 1900" ap-
pears on the front gable
Several other houses have their date of
,rection inscribed ON or over the door,
or antiquity is at a premium in these
PARTS. The wealth of heirlooms bric-a-
)rac and antiques preserved in the old
'amilies is the envy and delight of col
ectors. The Cii!ed States hotel, a
arge. square structure ere;tcl in 1887,
$ venerable landmark The old brick
all. painted duh brown, has stood for
'ver century or the corner of the vii
age square. II WAS formerly a tavern
md Jail combined. with dancing hall
Ibove. Prisoners were fed on the leay-
ngs of the guests by the thrifty landlord
ailor. some time ago patient dis
hargsd from the insane asylum. CRATE.
nj for his restored reason. set apart q
md 10 endawn Thanksgiving dinner at
e. aN