The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1915-04-30

is still doing business, and the
records also show that the start of the
industry was 264 years ago. The old
town mill is one of the relics in which
New London, Conn, takes special
pride, and the operations of the huge
overshot waterwheel are watched
with wonder by great many visitors
in the course of year. The mill is
public property, and while the rental
that the city receives from it's use does
not make it much of an investment IN
financial way. it is a great historical
asset and 1t would be difficult to place
valuation on the property that would
be adequate to cover the humble struc.
ture.
While the age of the mill is gen.
orally exploited, there are great
many people, New Londoners included,
who are not aware of the fact that it
is not only old but that it was one of
the first monopolies ever established
in the commonwealth of Connecticut
by the authority of a town.
Was First Monopoly.
The town records show that town
meeting was held on November 10,
1860, to arrange system Of co-opera.
ton with John Winthrop, the younger,
in establishing mill to grind corn,
and the interest in the project is
shown by an attendance of sixteen of
the freemen. There was no question
about the desirability of having a mill
to furnish meal, and 1t was decided at
that meeting that the people of the
town should be at the charge of max
ing the dam and heavy work belonging
to the milne" Six men were selected
to do the work, and were ordered to
make it substantial and sufficient.
They were to be paid two shillings a
day for their services and six other |
men were to rate the town to defray
the charge. The work was started in
1861.
The monopoly feature Of the mill
proposition showed at that town meet
ing for the records say:
Further, it is agreed that no person |
or persons shall set up any other milne !
to grind corn for the town of Pequett
within the limits of the town either for |
the present, nor for the future, so long
az Mr.. John Winthrop or his heirs, do
uphold a milne to grind the town
corn"
The dam was constructed in due |
course of time and the mill began Its
operations. AS far as the records in
dictate it was conducted to the salts |
faction of the people for a while. but
John Winthrop became governor and
moved to Hartford, and his death on
April S, 1876, in Boston, left the mill,
with his other property, to his heirs,
and they evidently didn't care very |
much whether the people had their |
corn ground or not, particularly as no.
body could set up an opposition mill
without taking a risk Of getting into
trouble.
People Make a Flight.
The monopoly clause in the vote OF
the town in 1850 was in force for near.
~ sixty years, but finally the condi-
tions became so serious that 1t was
necessary to make other provisions for
the grinding of meal. In town meet
Inc. held December 26, 1909, the fol.
lowing vote was adopted:
"Whereas, The town has suffered
manv wears for want Of a gristmill, and
m care taken by the heirs Of former
Governor Winthrop for our relief there
IN who have some time claimed the
nrsvilege of supplying the town with
chat eristmills are necessary, and the
present gristmill belonging to the late
Governor Winthrop being like to be
a,topethcr useless in little time, the
town therefore sees cause upon the re-
ouest Of Robert Latimer. Stephen
1s-.rt,s John Daniels, Richard Man