Norwich bulletin., 1913-11-27
OLD HAMPTON PAPERS
TRADITIONS IN THE JEWETT
 FAMILY


 Among the many old cellar places in the town showing where homes once stood are the walls of the cellar which once belonged to Benjamin Jewett, who two hundred years ago moved from his home in Ipswich or Rowley, Mass, to the new settlement IN. E. of Nor wich. Conn
 He located on what was then called the Gates Road, a road leading from Scotland over the hill to what was then called Windham Village and is now known as Hampton street. He built his house and blacksmith shop on the hill beyond and west of the CoWhantic Rocks, giving his name to the hill which is called Jewett Hill to this day. The land is now owned by Patrick Mclaughlin. His house and farm lay somewhat back from the main road of to-day. He was the great gFandfa ther of Ebenezer Jewett who, when young boy often heard the family relate stories concerning him and his family.
 His wife's name was Hannah Bid lack and he wooed and won her in quite the modern fashion Calling one day he found her making a new calico gown for her approaching marriage. Cotton cloth was righ priced at that time and the young girl had spun and Wove in order to earn money for her dress. While entertaining Benjamin she forgot about the mischievous dog playing around until she saw it dart from the door with one of her sleeves in it's mouth, whereupon the chase be- gan, as the dog made for the woods. A log was in the way. Benjamin jumped upon it but it rolled with him and in some manner pinned him un- derneath. But, un1nindful of the pup which delightedIy chewed up the sleeve Hannah came to the rescue, saying that she would rather lose all her wedding garments than to lose Benjamin.
 Well, as the old story goes they mar ried and lived happily ever afterwards, According to family traditions they lived and prospered on Jewett hill where they raised their large family of children. He frequently made trips to the market town of Norwich with his oxen. selling his produce and bring ing back supplies needed for his fam fly It was on one of these occasions when his wife was alone with the young children that they heard 8 ter rifle comTnotion in the cellar one even ing. The bulkhead door had been left open and fearing Indians or she knew not what-she dared not investigate. But the following day on Benjamin's return, she hastened to tell him that something terrible had transpired in the cellar for even in broad daylight she dared not investigate. Without waiting to unyoke his oxen he took his flint lock and carefully entered the cellar Wehe he found that a venture some young bear had been drowned in half barrel of molasses. It is said that his wife declared that he was the Sweetest man" she had ever seen, by the time he succeeded in fishing the bear from the barrel.
 Another story is that during an ice storm in Hampton, when he was haul ing SOW and pigs up the long Bige- low hill on his OK sled, the box which held the protesting family slipped backwards down the icy surface to- wards the bottom of the hill, collidIng with another sled, which capslzed the box, liberating the SOW and family who forthwith started back towards Brooklyn leaving Benjamin to capture them the best way he could.
 Benjamin JeWett was a practical joker His wife was 3 determined woman and would get her own way whenever possible On one of his trips to Norwich he bought a watch which she did not think he needed. In a. few days he missed 1t and she would not tell where it was. All that she would say was: T have watch and you haven't" Benjamin bided his time and a few days later saw his chance to get even. Consequently when her Dutch Oven" was filled with her Saturdays baking it suddenly disappeared No trace of it could be found. All that Benjamin would say was: T have an oven and you haven't. She saw the point produced the watch and peace reigned on Jewett hill.
 They were q religious family. and oc cupied their pew in church on the FIfD every Sabbath. One Sunday .nornine grandfather found a nest of youna rats Thinking to get even and also scare Hannah he wrapped them in her handkerchief and concealed them in her pocket thinking that she would find them before church time: but he for got about them and she knew noth- ing about them until long after ser vice had commenced She. sat at one end of the pew Benjamin at the other with their children between Need ing her 'kerchief she put her hand in her pocket to take it cut. It squirned She gave one glance, uttered a fright ened scream and threw the handker- chief with its contents as far as she could throw it. It landed on the bald head of the church deacon and the mice sought refuge down his neck. ''D--!" roared the good man. 'eWh- -Wh- What?" sputtered the minis ter from his tall pulpit stopping in the midst of a sevnthIy. "Rats!'' shouted a small boy in the gallery. Get the cat!'
 The disturbance was quieted after a while but strange to say the Deacon never forgave Hannah and she never forgave Benjamin, but they still at- tended church until the bass viol was introduced to lead the choir. A square place was made in the floor of the gal lery for 1t. which disturbed good many of the worshippers including Benjamin Jewett. He refused to at tend church after that believing 1t was wicked to Fiddle in the House of God" He had always worn a clean b1acksnniths apron to church as a dress affair, but after that he read his Bible at home, dressing up in his ap- ron in respect of the day. He had two brothers Daniel and Thomas. Dan iel was thrifty farmer, but Thomas