Norwich bulletin., 1913-11-07
OLD HAMPTON PAPERS
EARLY HAMPTON DAYS


 In 1716 when the General Court be- gan to grant privileges to Canada Parish and Windham Village, now known as Hampton and Hampton Hill, they granted them privilege to build a Pound, providing they would do so "at their own expense" and build it on the Great Street. near the Meeting House. And as the Pound is still standing with its waHS firm and en- during &S ever, in one corner of the farm of Joseph BurehneI, whose land lies a few rods west from the north end street on Hampton Hill today we must conclude that the Great Street of that day and the Meeting House were farther to the West than at the pres ent time. and on what is now called 8 back road
 Robert MouHon was appointed the first Pound Keeper and brander but he was obliged to furnish his own brand ing irons. 1t covers a plot of ground perhaps fifty foot square. A gateway the North is the only entrance. Eb enezer Jewett, remembers when boy, that a heavy gate closed it's entrance, fastened with 8 stout chain and pad lock MT. Burchnen occupies what was known as the Wild Homestead, perhaps the only house left standing of the ancient Windham Village.
 As related in another paper the sec ond Pastor of the Church was Samu- el Moseiy. the famous Priest Mosely, who married the widow of the first Pastor. MT. Billings He was Pastor for 57 years, living to see the moor poration of the new town as Hamp- ton in 17S6 Failing health at last pre- vented him from preaching and his pulpit was supplied by other ministers, although he remained as it's Pastor, until his death July 26, 1791 in his S3rd year.
 I,udovicus Wild of Braintree was
 h D Jo q called one of Windham's foremost Ministers Being especially notable for his skill in producing sermons. He purchased land and erected a fine farm house where he lived for 32 years as Pastor of the Church, resigning at last on account of ill health.
 Hampton was progressing finely. The settlers had prospered and aband- oned their first log cabins had built homes elsewhere, settling on what is now Hampton Hill and elsewhere throughout the town. Bridges had been built, new roads laid out; farm ing improved and cattle imported. The old roads became mere lanes with the passing of the years
 Mir Wild seemed to understand how to get the good will of his people; for tradition tells us that when the un kindly blzzards would fill the high ways with snow the sturdy shovelers would work their way through the drifts as far as the Parsons when he would come out with great pitchers of cider and treat the men. There is still a closet in. the Wild Homestead where 1t said the good Parson kept his wines. But as everyone else did the same he was not condemned which shows the Temperance spirit of those days.
 Another story illustrating those days is of lady who with a young child in her arms, was driving across Lakt Champlain with a noted Clergyman on a bitter winters day. Before cros- sing the ice he stopped at a tavern and brought her out a glass of hot toddy and water insisting that she drink it, as she would freeze without it. She replied that if she froze she would freeze sober. Years after she attend ed a Temperance lecture and was astonished to hear the same minister advocating strict temperance. He told