The Newtown bee., 1902-08-08
New Milford, and the children by this marriage, Benjamin N: Couch and Miss D. Albina Couch, survive him and live

New Milford, and the children by this marriage, Benjamin N: Couch and Miss D. Albina Couch, survive him and live on the homestead on Church Hill. MT Couch began housekeeping in Sharon. After a few years he moved 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 his first +o nsrriage, si G Mary, %arriea e} Charles Lowell and lives in Sharon. They have six children: Helena, Her. bert, Arthur, Howard, Amy and Lawrence. Mir Couch had a passion for music. He was very anxious as a young man to purchase an organ for Christ tEpiscopaD church in Bedding. The church officials finally agreed to raise the money if he would learn to play it, which he did. In 1849 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 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 number of years Mir Couch off1ciated 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:
 of America. Eli Mallory, Esquire, Colonel Commandant of the 24th Reg iment of Infantry of the State O1 Connecticut, to Henry Couch, Greet. ing: You having been chosen Sergeant in the 9th Company of Infantry ir 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 Ghereunto enabling, hereby authorize you to act as Sergeant of said Com: pany, in ordering and exercising the men in the use of their arms, accord l AA6 oo oAAS ACulOO dtlO DlSClpllIlc Ol War; keeping them in good order ano government, and commanding then 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 11th day ot August, Anno Domini 1883, Eli Nal. lory, Col 24th Regt Infantry.
 William W. Ellsworth, Captain General and Commander-in-Chief, in the United States of America to Henry Couch, Cent, Greeting: You being, by the General Assembly o1 this State, accepted to be Captain ot the Sth 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., 1S4l; reposine special trust and confidence in your fidelity, courage and good conduct, l 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 1 CldASC ShpUdI1l, dllU 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 tse 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 fint-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-grandfathe 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 SharD ran on tho