Putnam patriot., 1915-09-03
HISTORIC POMFRET
Old Homes and Hearths in POulfret

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 uam Chapter, D. A R
 In 1868 twelve men ef RoXbury, Mass, bought l5,O00 acres of land in the Nipmuck Indian territory, and de- signated the tract as the Mashmoqnet Purchase, from the name of it's princi- pal stream. Settlement was delayed, but most of the proprietors took pos. session in 1700 or soon after. Town or. ganiZation was effected in l7l3 ard the General Assembly ordered the said l Mashmoquet shall be, called Pomfret.n n Two hundred years have passed and today elegant villas with beautiful sur toundings, costly school buildings and attractive farm houses invite the atten- ton of visitor and passing 'traveler. The modern dwellings are interesting, but there is charm about old-fash- , toned houses, especially colonial homes where generations have lived and died, for they seem haunted by hints and echoes from the misty past.
 This afternoon we will visit some of the ancient houses of Pomfret and with the aid of record and tradition learn l about the people and events of long ago. Leaving Cargill Falls we climb the hills, striking the old Windham road as we enter Pomfret street. Our irst call is at Robert Harris vine cov- cred house overhung by venerable ems. If we could turn back ward the hands on the dial of time a hundred and fifty years, we would enter at once, confident of a hearty welcome from mine host, for we know that
 "Who e'er has travelled earth's dull
 round
 N hate'er his stage may have been
 May sigh to think he yet has found
 His warmest welcome Al an inn"
 And this is an inn, Landlord E6ene- ger Grosyenor's inn, opened few years previously for the entertainment of man and beast. The house is iden- tified with some of the most thrilling events in the history of the town. In response to the Lexington Alarm of Wednesday, April 19, 1775, the mili- tia from some of the neighboring towns to the number of l200 met in Pomfret the following Saturday. Landlord Grosvenor entertained the officers and the men bivouacked wherever conven- tent. After consultation ths officers agreed to sand one-fifth of the men to Boston, and to the lasting credit of Pomfret Capt Zebadiah Ingall's com pany of S9 men was chosen on account Of superior drili and equipment, Civ il and military officials met here as oe. casion required in the time of the Rev oiution. The inn was on the Wind ham road, the thoroug ghtare from Windham to Boston, and soldiers on fnrlongh, bearers of despatches, and teams loaded with provisions for th9 army were constantly passing, and and neighbors came in to learn the news about the war. We see the gen ial landlord thrusting the hot iron in to the mug of flip just ordered, the pot of bean porridge hanging from the crane. We see the huge loaves of brown bread, the Indian pudding ard the chicken pie that Landlady Gros- venor is putting into the sbrick oven. Tavern business was thriving in Revo lutionary days.
 The following is one of many similar orders found among Capt. Ingalls, pa pers
 To Capt. Zebadiah Ingalls; In con. sequence of orders received from His Honor the Governor of this state to raise soldiers with all spead and for, ward them to New London, this is therefore to request you 10 meet me to- morrow ye 9th instant at nine of the clock in the forenoon at the house of Ebenezer Grosvenor innkeeper, also to notify your subalterns to attend at same time and place.
 Joseph Abbott, Major.
 May ye 5th, TIT.
 It is of additional interest, that Gen. eral N arlington, returning from the presidential tour to Boston in 17Si, WAS eHieild1uSu py Noi. Ao'. - O''N nor. Gen. Washington then pushed on over Ragged Hill to Ashford.
 Gov. Hancock first signer of Declara- tion of Independence, and social lead CT of aristocratic Boston, was an occa- sional guest when he came to look af- ter his land in Pomfret.
 We will retrace our steps a short dis tance to the home of Andrew C. Will. Hams, built soon after the Revolution by a.son of Landlord Grosvenor: Lem- uel Grosvenor, born in l752. He chose a "real daughter" for a wife-Eunice, daughter iof Gen. Putnam. He was commissioned General of militia in the war Of 1872 Gen. Lemuel Grosvenor has the distinction of being the first postmaster of Pomfrrt. The post of- flee was opened in l795 and he was ev- idently proud of his office as he always added P. NJ. to his signature. The let- ters of his day were large sheets Of DE- per folded and sealed, and the postage was according to distance. A post rider went to Windham once week