The Newtown bee., 1908-03-20


 people had at that time respecting as
 tronomy. One of Mir Hawley's neigh
 bors came to visit him, after he ha,
 been here some time. One evening ol
 going out, they saw the full moon ris q ing in the east, upon which he ex a claimed with surprise, "Why, Ben!
 don't see that the moon is bit farthel Q off here than it is at Stratford." New
 town and vicinity has always been no l ted for it's remarkable salubrity of eli
 mate. This cannot be better illustra-
 ted than in the lives of two very an. , cient inhabitants of the district o1 , Lands End. These inhabitants are ar , old negro and an old turtle. The ne. , gro is known as Jack Dibble. believe , we cannot claim him as native, as he
 was born in Africa and was brought as slave to Virginia, where he was sold many times. He says he remembers going to a neighboring town near
 where he lived, to see Gen Washing tons army pass through. He has now resided in Newtown about 50 years. His age IS not exactly known but it is supposed to be about 12O years. Upon being asked he always says about 21 and that has been his answer as long as l can remember. He made free to go into any ones house to sit by the fire and no one ever turned him away. He had keen original wit. Once sitting by Beach Camps fire, Mrs Camp, whose head was almost as bare as lap stone, said, "Jack, how old are you," to which came the proverbial answer, About 2l." Mrs Camp said, "Why, Jack, you're more than hundred. you haint got bit of wool on your head" Look at yer own hald!" said Jack. Now for the turtle. This old fellow was born in Lands End. He was seen in garden not long ago in Hawleyville. On his back were the initials "J. H." and the figures "A. D. 1S16." This much for the antiquities of Lands End, and the remarkable salubrity of climate in Newtown. Benjamin Hawley was the ancestor of the numerous Hawleys who inhabit that district and among whom is your humble servant.
 William G. Hawley. LANDS END.
 The district of Lands End is situ- ated in the northern part of Newtown. It is one and quarter miles in length and about the same in breadth. At what time it was settled is not exactly known; but is supposed about 25O years ago, by one Benjamin Hawley, who came from Wales in company with two of his brothers. They stopped at Strat- ford and from thence he started on horseback and alone, on an exploring expedition. After travelling a day or two he came to place now called Botsford's Swamp. Here his horse be- came mired and he bewildered. He wandered around awhile, hoping he should find his way through, but the farther he went. the more bewildered he was and the more marshy the ground was, and he thought he could not be far from the ocean. But to his great joy, he saw not far distant, place that appeared like an opening. To this, he directed his course, and was soon on a beautiful plain, where he encamped for the night. The next morning he arose and took view of the country, which pleased him so we'll. that he concluded to settle there. On going back to Stratford, the people crowded around him, and eagerly ques- tioned him, where he had been, eX- pecting to hear him relate some dread ful encounters with some of the sav- ages, or wild beasts, with which the country then abounded. But he had only his adventure in the swamp to re- late; he told them he had been, to "the end of the land." From this circum- stance 1t is said this place derived its name. He immediately removed his family to this place, and from him have descended the numerous Hawleys who still inhabit the place. An anec- dote is related. which goes to show the intelligence and enterprise of this race of people. The person of whom 1 am about to speak, lived in the time when thatched roofs for barns were fashion able. His barn roof being rather old, he thought he would put on a new one, and, to do this, he, of course must first take off the old one, so, thinking no harm, he set fire to it, when, to his ut ter astOnishment, his barn was soon in flames, and was burned to the ground.
 The first school house in Lands End was one moved from the district above this, called Whisconier. In 1791 these districts united, and the house of Whis. confer was moved on the boundary line