New Britain herald., 1915-04-08

An interesting history of Stanley Quarter was given last night by Miss Elizabeth Andrews, of 14S4 Stanley street at the meeting of the Stanley Quarter Parents and Teachers asso- citation.
 Louis P. Slade, principal of the New Britain High school, who was president of the association during the past year, presided. Miss MaJorie Woodford sang several songs. being accompanied by Mrs. Herbert Blake.
 The following officers were elect ed: ....
 President-E. o. Kilbourne.
 Vice President--William lbelle.
 Treasurer-Mrs. Berrish.
 Following is the history as given by Miss Andrews: ...H.H
 It is a source or much regret to me that the request to tell you little of the history of Stanley Quarter dld not come to me about ten years ear Her, for then I could have given you many more details, as l could have consulted those whose lips are now sealed forever. The generation pre- cedfng ours was familiar with. so many of the timers, and so full of anec- dotes of those early days, and I can even now, see their. eyes sparkle, and their eager faces as they gathered in groups to discuss old times; times that in the opinion of many of them, were, with all their lack of those things that we consider ordinary conven- fences, far superior to these sadly de- generate days.
 To most of you the name Stanley Quarter carries with it little of in- terest or significance. Just name for a certain locality, but to us who have lived here To! these many years. the name is associated with, the very most delightful region in the whole city of New Britain. If any one pres ent ventures to even intimate that any other part of New Britain is so attractive so healthful, or so alto gether desirable as a place of resi- dence, let him do it with bated breath and due regard for the risk he runs by his so rash an expression of opin- ion. 2.
 There seems little doubt that the year 1750 was about the time the first settlers came to Stanley Quarter, and as possibly you may imagine, they were largely of the Stanley family, h, |, Kilbourne, Smith, Richa rds and Gris- wold must have place high in the roll of honor. Thomas Stanley was the first of his name, and with his four sons Thomas, Noah, Timothy and Cad, occupied homes near each other and had large oand we'll r cultivated farms, Noah Stanley lived where our neighbor Herbert Blake now does, and not only conducted 8 well kept and successful tavern there; but his house was a place where military officers often met and discussed the affairs of the state militia, and made plans for the famous old general trainer days" Would 1t not be interesting if these old walls could speak and tell us of those sturdy souls, who were so true to their allegiance, first to King George, and later to their own con- victions as an independent country;
 As we must know, community like that was almost entirely self support ing and dependent, and could we be taken back to those early days and go for stroll along that old road, deep In dust in summer and mud or snow in winter we should see the the cheer ful glare of the forge In the blacksmith
  shop of Thomas Richards on corner south of Stanley's tavern. Here he and his son John attended to the needs of horses and cattle of the thrifty farmers round about. And I wonder how many of you ever saw an OK shod? Not many feel sure. Indeed. the very sight of l yoke of oxen in these latter days is novelty in itself. The shoeing of an OK is funny sight. Did you know that they placed a stout leather belt around the body of the beast. and havlng elevated the animal above the earth by the means of a block and bully, proceeded to affix to the not all ways willing feet, the funny little shoes. of course ono for each half of the split hoof. Never shall I forget coming home from school one day as a child, and meeting Hiram Smiths i oxen running away! Such clouds of l dust and clattering of hoofs I have never beheld since An Attempted Robbery.
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