Connecticut western news., 1911-04-20
LIBRARY HISTORY
DEACON STEVENS TELLS
 OF DOUGLAS REQUEST
How the Canaan Library Was Estab- Iished and How it Has Crown Other Interesting "Reminiscences Oi Old Canaan Families.
(BY II. B. sTEvKNs)

The elder William Douglas died 6 bachelor leaving legacy for the found ing of a library. will now quote from the Douglas library catalogue: Douglas Library was founded in 1891 by a legacy in the will of the late William Douglas. the privileges of the Library being ex- tended to the inhabitants of the town of Canaan as the town was then constituted. The fund was increased in 1889 by tho will of the late Robert Baker. and at the present time amounts to $l.300, the in- come from which is used annually for the purchase Of books. After the town of North Canaan was set off in 1858, the town of Canaan still retained an interest in the library, but this interest was se- cured by the town of North Canaan by purchase in 1890. The library building aud the land on which 1t stands were presented to the town in 1888 by Ed mund D. Lawrence. In 1895, by, vote of the town the library was made free public library to comply with the pro visions of the state law granting state aid to such institutions"
 also quote this statement accompany ing the catalogue. Previous to 1891 there was circulating library named the Phoenix Library Tn the town. In 1891. William Douglas, an inhabitant of town, died and left by will the sum of $500, one-half of said sum to be expended in books to establish a town library md the other half 10 be held as a fund and the money used to purchase books. Tho gift was accepted and a library estab- lished and named Douglas Library. Phoenix Library was then dissolved and the books distributed among the contri- butors. In lS45 another resident of the town. Robert Baker, died and left by will $l 900 to be added to the fund, the interest to be used for the purchased of books. Some years ago, as the fund was not kept together, little confusion oc- cured and hundred dollars of the prin- cipal was spent for books and therefore the fund is now $i ,SO0 instead of S1 400, as originally" Other bequests were Oct. 2. 1900, $970 by the will of Mrs. Irene Church. Oct. 80, 1908, $500 by the will of Miss Kate Lawrence. ...
 This, as we'll as can give it, is the history of the Douglas family. The Douglas property with the exception of the Mary Watson Home is now owned by Frank Hitchcock, who has greatly improved the building and is a first- class farmer. His wife was Belle Parsons, daughter of Marion (Granger) Parsons, and niece of the late Judge Granger. They have two sons, Cornish and Samuel Hitchcock.
 In the fork of the roads leading to Falls Village and South Canaan was B building used at one time as store by man named Thorpe and also for some years by the town for public meetings The library was also kept there. This house was later moved across the way aud fitted up as a dwelling house and is now owned by Frank Hitchcock. could relate some exciting incidents that happened at town meetings in those days, but time and space forbid.
 On the road to Falls Village we como first to the house of John Fl. Richmond, whose wife was Curtiss. They had two sons, John Gland Charles Richmond. ] fContinued on Eighth pare)