The times., 1901-03-17
4 CENTURY-oLD DoMICILE.
The Colonial Furnishings of an Old
Connecticut Mansion.
fE-sT the Hartford Times


In the old town OF Essex. on the very
bank Of Middle Cove. its pGetJesJ sheet
of water. with d view commanding the
southern part of the town, two miles OF
water tuOW slOw-COVertd lceb, the brown
and green woods beyond and long eEpanse
of river with the church spires Of Ola
Lyme 90 the south and east. stands the
old homestead in which Henry g. Pratt
now elghJy-seveH years old. was born and
has lived all his life The house autedates
its owner by number Of years having
long since passed ihe century mark II
stands back several hundred feet from
Main Street and only few feet from the
water aU 81 rtheu dock, smooth and green
in the summer. separating house ana cove,
ID Is one OF the pleasantcst locations In
the village. especially 10 those VINO lo.e a
boat and the water.
Sixty-tnree years ago Mr.. Pratt brought
his bride 10 the old house. The union,
happy one was broken 10y death on the
sfn of December last Mrs. Pratt was an
original Daughter of the Revolution. her
father being Sergeant Br0ckway, of Lyme.
who ed three years iu the Continental
army IN 1895 Mrs. Pratt was given
gold spoon and certificate OF member
ship by Susan Darlington Chapter -. A.
r. OF Me!iden. These are highly esteemed
and shown 10 visitors with much reye-
renee by The remaining members ot the
family Mrs. Pratt WAS Il comelE woman
iu all respects even In old age fshe was
oiEnty-iiye at the time Of her Geath) and
lt was matter OF much pride with her
weTe said 10 have been tine handSomest
couple ia Hamburg at the time Of their
marriage. That seems 10 have been a
family characteristic ou the BRIDE $ side
Uf the house however. as the same repu-
tallOu Tor beauty was given her mother
and pEaudmorher. -Four years previous
80 her death Mrs. Pratt was in iured by "A
fail and ever after hcr only means OF get
ting about WAS ia q rolling chair. She was
sweet. patient old soul, with much
pride iu her ancestry and love for husband
and children.
Mr Pratt is a good type Of the thor
oUghhrcd New EuglaHder. Despite his
advanced years. there is no impairment
Of faculties and his eyes are twinkliug
and bright. He mas q fun, kindly face,
set on with fringe OF the real old-fash-
toned irou-grey neck whiskers. He Is
or has been cabinet maker, carpenter,
and shipbullder and has been all his life
busy man He learned his trade in
Norwich and went TO school there as
boy and apprentice. He tells with "A
tiuge of romantic sentiment how. in his
school days there. he and his future wife
we're in ihe same school aud did not
know each other.
A1auy years ago SIR Pratt fell from
building upon which he was at work and
injured his hip, causing permanent
lsmeHcSS, 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
eight y-three years Of age he built q two
story addition to the old house, without
spectacieS. as he proudly expresses IT,
and the work would be credit 90 the
best workman IN the trade. Mr. Pratt
says that there is not 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
paint Is a treasure troye for lovers Of the
colonial style OF architecture and furni-
lgre. Several old high-backed, spindle