Connecticut western news., 1911-02-23
Almerin Gillette's Letters
Epstles Written Over HaIf-Century
 Ago by Old Canaan Resident.

Epistles Written Over HaIf-Century
 Ago by Old Canaan Resident.
 We give this week some extracts from old letters written by Almerin Gillette, who lived and died in the old Gillette homestead now owned by his son Fred erick, and who with his wife celebrated the seventieth anniversary of their we'd ding in 1884. The letters were written half century and more ago to his brother Jonathan Gillette, who was born in East Canaan and who kept a store there as young man. But later he emigrated to Ohio along with others from this section and became a success ful merchant in the village of Kings vile. His grandson, Rev. k. 0. Gillette, furnishes us with the extracts from the letters. They give us some interesting sidelights on affairs in Canaan and reference is made to some of the we'll known inhabitants. The father of tbeSe men to whom reference is mad,4 was Jonathan Gillette, and is remembered by some of the older inhabitants of tine village as a venerable old Revolutionary veteran. He lived at one time on "the College" where the cellar hole of the house still stands. Later, over hundred years ago, he bought the farm at the end of Pudding Lane" where he died. He was also cabinet maker and much of the old cherry and maple furniture found ill the old houses of Canaan was made by him. Practically all the land from the post office to the Housatonic river has been held by him or his descendants at some period or other.
 The first of the letters was dated at Canaan. Feb 18th, 1850. The bracketed parts are explanations by the editor.
 Father has entered upon his 8ath as you know. Sister Flava [The widow of Sereno Gillette who lived in an old red house which stood where Dr. Camp now ivesl and her family are we'll. They are all at or near home except Franklin who is living in South Canaan. Law renee has built him house between
 
 Wm. Lawrence house is now owned by MT. Snyder and the house built by Law renee Gillette is now owned by Harmon Schamerhorn].
 Farming in this part of the country is poor business and could wind back twenty years think l should emigrate to California or somewhere else.
 "With regard to the business of fathers obtaining bounty land I think with you that the evidence that gave him his pension is sufficient. He had a corporal's warrant from Col. Canfield of New Milford which is at Washington also with the rest of his papers. Con- cerning grandfather services in the Revolutionary war we have not obtained any information yet. l expect man by the name of Colton here from Hart ford who it is said possesses the most information on the subject of pensions, is well acquainted with the state records, etc. He is coming to Canaan on visit to Nath'l Stevens. will now
 
 He says in his fathers last sickness when he was watching with him, his father says to him, The was then seven teen years oldl The war may continue some years and if you should enlist or be called into the service you may be taken prisoner and you may be carried into New York. if so I would have you enquire for MT. John Archer. a man with whom boarded after came from the Prison ship and was ou parole and he will assist you for my sake Now singular as it may seem all these things did actually occur. Father did enlist into the service, was taken prisoner at Horseneck by Delancey's light horse and Robertson's corps of infantry and taken to N. York and imprisoned in the Old Sugarhouse and on recollecting
 Continued on page 5.)