The Newtown bee., 1902-08-08

New Milford, and the children by this marriage, Benjamin N. Couch and Miss D. Albina Ceuch, survive him and live on the homestead on Church Hill. MT Couch began housekeeping in to Merryall in New Milford, where he remained for about three years. In 1859 he came to Washington and bought the Mrs Hawley Warehouse farm on Church Hill, where he lived for over 40 years. The daughter by his first marriage, Mary, married Charles Lowell and lives in Sharon. They have six children: Helena, Her. bert, Arthur, Howard, Amy and Lawrence. MT Couch had a passion for music. He was very anxious as young man to purchase an organ for Christ (Epis copaD church in Bedding. raise the money if he would learn to play it, which he did. In l849 while living in Bedding he represented the Legislature. About this time he started to manufacture a pipe organ for himself and although he had on- ly seen the church organ he persevered and to-day in an upper room in the Couch homestead on Church Hill stands complete pipe organ. The instrument is nine feet high, six feet by four feet, seven inches. It has IA stops and is an organ of fine tone. MT Couch worked for years on it in his spare moments. For a number of years MT Couch .officiated as organist in St Johns (EpiscopaD church in Washington. MT Couch could also play the violin and he made a violin himself which is a fine instrument and highly prized by his son. MT Couch did military service as young man in Bedding and was honOrably discharged in 1843. Following is a copy of two interesting old documents the family have in their possession: State of Connecticut, United States Colonel Commandant of the 24th Reg iment of Infantry of the State of Connecticut, to Henry Couch, Greet ing: You having been chosen Sergeant in the 8th Company of Infantry in said Regiment: and reposing special trust and confidence in your courage, fidelity and good conduct, I do, by virtue of the Laws of this State, me thereunto enabling, hereby authorize you to act as Sergeant of said Com. pany, in ordering and exercising the ing to the Rules and Discipline Of War; keeping them in good order and government, and commanding them to obey you as their Sergeant, and they are to obey you accordingly. And you are to obey all such orders as from time to time you shall receive from me or other your superior officers, and carry them into execution, pur- suant to the trust reposed in you, for which this shall be your sufficient Warrant. Given under my Hand and Seal, in Bedding this 1lth day of August, Anno Domini 1883, Eli Nal Tory, Col 24th Regt Infantry.
 William w. Ellsworth, Captain and over the State of Connecticut, in the United States of America to Henry Couch, Gent, Greeting: You being, by the General Assembly of this State, accepted to be Captain of the 9th Company of the 24th Regi- ment of Infantry in the Militia of this State, to take rank from the 22d day of April, A: D., 184l; reposing special trust and confidence in your fidelity, courage and good conduct, I do, by virtue of the Laws of this State, me thereunto enabling, ap- point and empower you to take the said Company into your care and charge as their Captain, carefully and diligently to discharge that office and trust, exercising your inferior officers and soldiers, in the use of their arms, according to the Rules and Discipline of War, ordained and established by the Laws of this State, keeping them in good order and government, and commanding them to obey you as their Captain; and you are to observe all such orders and directions, as from time to time you shall receive, either from me, or from other your superior Officers, pursuant to the trust hereby reposed in you. Given under my hand, and t..e Public Seal of the State at Hartford the 23d day of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty-one. By His EXcellency'S command, Royal N. Hin- man, Secretary. William w. Ells- worth.
 Benjamin N. Couch has now in his possession an old f1int-lock musket which was used in the Revolution. One of his ancestors used it to fire at the British soldiers, as they were land ing from boats near Fairfield. In Revolutionary times many of the old New England families kept slaves. The story is related of Henry Couch's great-grandfather that one time he heard party of slaves having a high time out in his back kitchen. A thunder storm was in progress and opening the door to the back room he stepped up behind one of the colored men and hit him a sharp rap on the
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