The Newtown bee., 1904-02-26
BETHEL.
AN INTERESTING BIT OF HISTORY.

BETHEL.
AN INTERESTING BIT OF HISTORY.
For the past three weeks gang Of
workmen have been engaged IN cut
ting a score or more of ancient timber
trees. Two white oak trees which
measured three and half feet through
by counting the rings, or yearly growth,
indicated an age of about 200 years.
The trees were sawed off near the base
and were found to be sound to the core,
and probably would have withstood
the storms and decay Of another CEN
fury or more. How the old trees were
preserved is matter of history. Per-
haps q reader OF The BEE may be in
terested. This choice piece of timber
has been an heirloom from nearly the
first settlement of Danbury. About
| two centuries ago the first settlers of
the town made what was called the
second division Of public lands. The
young men wanted farms to cultivate
and improve. The Taylor family be-
came largely interested in a tract of
land laying south of the present Dor
ough of Bethel, down to the Redding
line. Samuel and Thomas Taylor, two
brothers., built their homes on This
tract Of land. Samuel Taylor's home
stead stood on what is now called South
street, and the site Of the old house is
where now stands the Waterman
house. Thomas Taylor built his
dwelling on Elm street, the site now of
William Stones house. Thomas took
the meadow land and part of Hoyt's
Hill. Samuel took up the meadow
land south Of his house and best les q
large tract of woodland between Wolf
Pits district and what is now called
Chestnut Ridge. This included the
fine timber land which became an
heirloom in the family for many years
after. Eli Taylor, a son of Samuel
Taylor, after time became the owner
of the timber; from him it descended to
his daughter, Mary, who became the
wife of John Lyman Andrews, and
from her the property descended to a
son, Eli Taylor Andrews, and from his
estate it became the property of q
daughter. Mrs Jennie Andrews Bel.
KNAPP, and her two brothers, Edgar T.
and John Andrews. The present right
and title is held by R. J. Signor, who
is reaping the profits Of two centuries
growth.
i WOLF PITS.
, Edward DeGraw, who has rented
, the Fennnel place for the last year
+ expects to move to York state about
Ma rch l.
Mrs Seeber, who has been sick, is OF
the gain.
Almira Mead, 88 years old, mothe
Of Edward Mead, died at the home O
her grandson, February 10, and wa
9 buried Monday in the Wolf Pits GENE
: terry. Rev Mr. Griffith of the Episcopa
church offlciated.
e Mrs W. F. Hoyt and daughter hav
visited her uncle in Norwalk.
For the past week q very large CO.
ony Of crows have been roosting i
Judd's woods, a tall piece Of timber O
the hill west Of Maple street. Th
birds begin to congregate about sur
down and come in from all direction
until the trees are black from nun
bers. When disturbed the flock rise
~ and gyrates through the air like
:, swarm of bees. Their noise becomes
u roar until darkness sets in, when all
, still for the night. At daylight tn
birds begin to fly away to their fee6
q ing grounds in small numbers. Th
It sewer bed is favorite resort throug
the day.
n Miss Sara Alice Nichols of Milfor
g has been visiting her parents on Sout
b street.
Sidney Judson of Fleetwood avenu
is quite i'll with pneumonia.
q Harold B. Judd of Cornell Medics
. college has been the guest of his pal
ents on Chestnut street.
u Miss Florence Gorham of Westpo1
l. spent Sunday with friends in town.
John T. Andrews of Schenectad,
N. Y, spent Sunday with his parent
y on Elm street.
Miss Grace Twiss took part in Col
cert given by Prof Baker, Saturday,
Carnegie Hall, New York.
Revl F. fairfield of Brewsters
+ N. Y, will preach in st Thoma!
church, Friday evening.
10 The B. G.. L. S. club will meet wit
a Miss Jennie Mansfield, Division stree
Thursday evening.
10 Ethelbert Judson of the New Yor
Dental college spent Sunday wit
his parents on Fleetwood avenue.
Mrs N. Ellis of South street has bee
visiting friends in Newark, N. J.
Miss Marguerite Morrall, formerl
of this place, has been the guest {
2, friends here.
Thomas Howley of Wooster stree
n has returned home after spending
few 0avS in RrOok fAl6