The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-03-17
A CENTURY-oLD DoMICILE.
The Colonial Furnishings of an Old
Connecticut Mansion.


In the old town Of Essex. on the very
bank of Middle Cove, It's pretuest sheet
Of water: with view commanding the
southern part of the town, two miles OF
water NOW snow-covertd ice), the brown
and green WOODS beyond and long e&panse
Of river with the church spires OF Old
Lyme to the south and east, stands the
old homestead in which Henry g. Pratt,
now eIghty-seven years old, was born and
has lived all his life. The house antedates
its owner by a number Of years, having
long since passed the century mark. 1t
stands back several hundred feet from
Main Street, and only a few feet from the
water an earthen dock. smooth and green
in the summer. separating house and cove.
1t is one of the pleasantest locations in
the village. especially TO those VINO lore a
boat and the water.
Sixty-three years ago Mr. Pratt brought
his bride to the old house. The UNION, a
happy one was broken by death on the
4th OF December last. Mrs. Pratt was an
original Daughter of the Revolution her
father being Sergeant HrDCkWay, Of l. me,
who served three years in the Continental
army. In 1898 Mrs. Pratt was gwen a
gold spoon and a certificate Of member
ship by Susan Darlington Chapter. ID. A
r. of hesiden. These are highly esteemed
and shown 10 visitors with much reve-
renee by the remaining members Of the
family. Mrs. Pratt was a comely woman
ia all respects. even in old age fshe was
cighty-iiVe at the time OF her death) and
il was a matter OF much pride with her
children that their father and mother
we're said 10 have been the handsomest
couple IN Hamburg at the time Of their
marriage. That seems 10 have been a
family characteristic on the brides side
OF the house, however. as the same repu-
LatlOn Tor beauty was given her mother
and grandmother. Four years previous
10 her death Mrs, Pratt was in iured BY a
fail and ever after her only means Of get
ting about in rolling chair. She was
a sweet. patient old soul with much
pride in her ancestry and love for husband
and children.
oUghbred New Englander. Despite his
advanced years. there is no impairment
Of faculties and his eyes are twinkliug
and bright He has fun, kindly face,
set on with a fringe of the real old-fash-
toned iron-grry neck whiskers He is
or has been cabinet maker carpenter,
and shipbHilder, and has been all his life
Il busy man. He learned his trade in
Norwich and went to school there as "A
boy and apprentice He tells with "A
iinge Of romantic sentiment how. in his
school days there, he and his future wife
were On the same school and did not
know each other.
MANY years ago Mr.. Pratt fell from a
building upon which he was at work and
injured his hip. causing permanent
lameness, but that has not prevented him
from working steadily. Now. however he
finds that his limbs are losing their
strength, making locomotion difficult. and
even dangerous for one so old. When
eighty-three years of age he built a two
story addition to the old house, without
spectacles.' as he proudly expresses it,
and the work would be credit to the
best workman in the trade. Mr. Pratt
says that there Is not a person now living
ON tho Point" as the old part of the
town IS called. who was alive when he
was born.
The old home, though well preserved.
in perfect repair. and always bright with
i-sf nj is atIr re l0VpFS nf he
colonial style OF architecture and furni-
lUre. Several Old high-backed, spindle