The Newtown bee., 1905-08-25

which was owned and ruled over by
the famous old Indian chief, Wara-
maug. In the year 1749, Samuel Ave
rill, the great great grandfather of the
present owner of the homestead, pur-
chased from Cheree Waramaug, 200
acres of land in the Waramaug Re
serve, county Of Hartford, Colony of
Connecticut, province of New England,
as the deed reads.
In return for this land Waramaug
received 500 pounds money, old tenor.
1t will be noticed that the deed reads
the County of Hartford. At the time
Samuel Averill purchased the land.
Litchfield was unknown, but the two
chief counties were Hartford, the
northern portion of the state, and
New Haven, the southern.
In the year 1740, Samuel Averili
large house which he occupied, with
his father, Isaac Averill. Until the
year 1881 this house stood, but during
that year the present homestead was
built. The present building is built
entirely Of stone, which was taken
from the farm. The timbers of the
house, wainscotings, flooring and fin
| ishings are made by hand, and many
of the timbers are hewn from solid
oak, strong enough to support facto-
| ry.
Since it's erection and founding the
Averill Homestead has descended
from father to son in successive gener-
ations. From the founder the farm
went to Col Perry Averill, who lived
during the time of the Revolution.
of three commissions from governors
of this state. From Governor iona.
than Trumbull be received a commits
sion as ensign of the 18th company of
trainband of the First regiment. From
Oliver Wolcott came the commission
as lieutenant colonel commander of
the 10Th regiment, militia, and from
Governor Samuel Huntington he re-
ceived the commission as major of the
Doth regiment.
The next occupant of the grand old
homestead was Samuel Averill, who
passed the home on to his son, Samuel
J. Averill, the father Of the present
owner.
Such in brief is the story of the
founding and continuance of Averill
Homestead.
The farm is located at the top of
what is locally known as Baldwin
Hill. The house is situated in the
center of large plateau, and the farm
lands form a great circle about the
| dwelling. From the dooryard of the
| homestead one may stand and look off
into the valley where winds the She
paug river. Rising out of that is tier
after tier of dark green hills, noun
tain peaks, reaching away into the dis
| lance until mountain of earth and
mountain Of cloud blend into one in
distinguishable and beautiful whole
On every hand one may look down in
| to fertile valley and then casting the
eye upward look off over mountain
| range after mountain range, until it
almost seems as though one stood on a
| high cliff and looked off at the tossing
pillows Of the sea.
Mountain after mountain fades
away into the blue haze of the dis
lance. One shade of green blends in
to another in one vast vista of foliage.
IT'S the clear, sweet air which lends
vigor to body and mind, and has had
much to do with growing up the stur-
dy and upright race Of men, who from
generation to generation have occupi-
ed the old homestead.
The house itself is quaint and ram
bling in construction. In it are many
odd corners, winding of hall and STAIR
way, steps down and steps up, such as
are found in all old houses. The rooms
are large and airy, with high ceilings
and carved woodwork. Each room
has it's quaint and valuable pieces of
furniture, many Of them 200 years old,
and all handmade. Among the most
priced pieces in the house is very
Maidstone high-boy made of solid ma
hogany. This handsome piece has
the famous claw feet and wrought
brass trimmings. 1t is highly polished
and no more handsome piece can be
found anywhere. There are also sew
eral handsome low boys, old chairs.
secretaries, spinning wheels and car
pet looms, all handmade, without the
use.of nails. One particularly hand
some piece is swell bodied sideboard
of solid cherry and inlaid with strips
Ct maple. A very artistically made