Norwich bulletin., 1917-06-19

Several gigantic eirns formerly stood upon the green in front of the house his troops. Next to the right is the Pequawket school house and as an indication that the farming districts gre not being depopuiated we would say that whereas a few years ago the scEoo1 was closed because there were teen attend this school. quarter of mile north from the school house, on the right, is the cellar of the old Rood house. The Roods were among the first settlers and had one of the first saw and corn mills. The early town records has this entry:
 ''Westerly ye day Of ye month called May A. D. 1755, these inform phen Roude of ye town of Plainfield in the Colony of Connecticut to attend our meetings at Westerly and at Exc ter as Opportunity seems to present these by consent of ye Elders of our meeting and signed by order John Hopfire, John Robinson, Lot Tripp,r This document probably exempted them from paying church rates in Plainield- About three-quarters of a mile further north, on the left is the Branch road, leading to Packer vile and Canterbury. Near where this road leaves the state highway the tavern of Captain Moses Branch-an next house on the left was built by Amos Witter some seventy live years ago and the architecture and hand made trim are worthy of particular notice. At the foot of the hill, a few rods north of the witter house, is the old toll gate house of the Windham Turnpike company. The toll gate at this spot was discontinued some sew brook and few rods down the stream from the highway is where the first saw and corn mill in Plainfield stood. The tail-race can still be plainly seen. The next house on the left after turn ing the corner (now the home of Hon. Henry F. Newton), was built upon the site of the General John Douglas house.
 General Douglas was one of the Sons Of Liberty who responded to became brigadier general in the War of the Revolution. The knocker and latch, combined. that adorned the front door of the Douglas house still does service on the back door of the pres ent dwelling. Just opposite this house is one of the old mile posts placed there in stage coach days. The inscription on it reads, "14 NJ N. P" which, translated, means it is four teen miles to Norwich port.
 The long, two-story wood building on the left, a short distance north of the Douglas site. was the Stringer tavern It was a noted resort, where teamers stopped to rest and refresh teams-en route to or from Norwich or Providence a century ago. Nearly opposite the old tavern stands the old White Half' school house-now used as dwelling house. It was built soon after 17s2 and was one of the trio of Plainfeld Academy buildings and was used for the English depart ment- On the corner opposite the school house was the bia cksmith shop of one Cengden, full blooded Indian their children have died within few years.
 We regret that they cannot partici- pate in the celebrat ton of June e2nd, of the founding of Norwich. A few rods further north, on the right, form erfy stood a large tin shop" This was when tin-Eare was all made by hand and large force of men, (for those days), was employed in making all manner of tin utensils, most of which were sold from the old fash toned tin peddlers' carts. The large square house on the left, with double front doors. few rods further on. General Douglas daughter and was surgeon in the Revolution. He also invented Metallic Tractors that won for him a worldwide repu-
 
 septic preparation for the prevention of yellow fever and such was his faith in it's virtue that he spent several weeks among those afflicted with that disease in New York city in 179e-and then died martyr to his convictions. of yellow fever. The next place on the right, by the brook. was long used as q saw and grist mill and here one of the first tanneries in Plainf1eld was esta blished There was another tan ha hYna and depresSionS in the ground still show the location of the old tan vaE On the opposite of road from the mill lived Isaac Colt. Esq. It was he who Fifty Pounds, l. Money, to be lon'd out on interest for ever, & ye interest to be annually paid & :mprev'd for We use & purpose of maintaining a Latin or Grammar School in ye new Brick House, in sd PIainf1eid. more es- pecially for ye use & benefit of poor children who appears to have good genius x their parents not able to give them suitable learning"
 The house nearly opposite the large. brick school house was the home of Hon. David Gallup. once Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut.
 Continuing north about half a mile to the top of the hill, in the corner On the right is the old Eaton tavern. It was built long before the RevoIu-
 
 organized and met. Lafay- cite and his body guard were guests of the house and for many years it was one of the famous hostelries of Con- necticut. A little further north. on he left, is the First Congregation Church of Plainfield. It was built 1 m 1918 to replace one built on the same site in 17s6, and which was blown down in the September gale of | 1915. A few rods north, on the right | md in the angle of the rOads stands | New Hall. now dwelling house It i s one of the buildings erected by the | academy proprietors in 17S2, and was i sed for the Classical department On l he opposite corner is brick build | ne now owned and used by the Plain field grange. This building was also 1 -rected by the academy proprietors ] md was used for Mathematical de- ,artment. It stands upon the site of | he first academy built in TITO, and 1 which was also of brick About 1775 l he first building was taken down and he brick used in part in building