Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1912-02-01


Miss Ellen D. Larned, Windham
county's historian, died at her home
In Thompson at 430 o'clock Wednes-
day morning. This news came as a
surprise to the great number who
knew her in this section, but in her
home town the sad event was expect
ed. She had been in poor health for
about a year, it being about that
length of time ago that she was a pa
tient for several weeks at the Day
Klmball hospital in this city. At
Thanksgiving time her health finally
began to break down and for a week
past her strength failed rapidly. The
end was peaceful. Miss Larned's
death was due to heart trouble and
general ailments incidental to her
years, her age being So.
Miss Larned was recognized as one
Of the most remarkable and talented
women that Windham county has ever
produced. Her intellect was deserved
" described as brilliant and it was
developed and employed along lines
that have borne fruit in the form of
historical records of the greatest VAL
ne.
The last of her family, Miss Larned
was the ninth Of ten children born to
George and Anna Spalding (Gay)
Larned. Her father was the son of
General Daniel Larned of revolution
airy fame, Of whom it is related that
his intellectual powers were SO great
that he was able in the short space of
two hours to memorize the Greek al
phabet, and who, fully equipped to do
so, entered Brown university at the
age of II years, later becoming a
prominent member of the Windham
county bar and one Of the three Wind
ham county men selected to frame the
constitution of Connecticut.
Miss Larned was true to the high
standard of intellectual attachments
set by this distinguished ancestor. Her
literary achievements bear out even
r stronger claim than this.
Her home has always been in the old
town of Thompson, where her fore
bears lived and where she was born.
She died in the old home, where she
alone Of her family remained. She was
known, loved and appreciated in de-
gree that seldom has been the lot Of
a Connecticut woman.
Ellen Douglas Larned was born July
10, 1925, and since 1891 had been the
sole surviving member Of her family.
Her life had been mainly passed in
Thompson village in the usual round
OF churcn1 houSenolQ ana social du-
ties. To these, however, were added
historical researches in her own coun-
ty, resulting in q work of prominent
interest and value, The History Of
/ Windham County (two vols. 1880 en-
bodying the fruit OF fourteen years Of
labor. This work won for her a repu-
tation for accuracy, thoroughness ant
literary skill, extending far beyond the
| liYnita of the county
A supplementary volume Of Historic
! Cleaning, in the same field, published
| in 1899, included a number of interest
| ing papers illustrative Of various
phases Of colonial and early nationa
| life.
Miss Larned was a contributor o.
| historical sketches to the Connection
! Magazine, and assisted as historian a
many church and town centennial anC
bi-centennial commemorative.
Familiarity with town and count!
/ affairs naturally led to mort specific
/ interest in families. The greatly in,
J creased demand for genealogical re
searches since the confederation Of thu
Sons and Daughters of the American
Revolution made Miss Larned's spe
| cial knowledge to aid others, and sh'
many times had the pleasure of as