Norwich bulletin., 1922-06-30
GOSHEN

FATTY GoShen Homes was the subject of talk given at the last meeting of the Goshen Community club. The first homes in Goshen, or Pomakuk, as it was then called, were the wigwams of the Indians. The numbers of knives arrowheads and other stone implements show that this was once a fayorite haunt of theirs. In 1885 Major John Mason was given a grant of 500 acres of land in what is now the parish of Goshen. His sen-in-law, Rev. James Fitch, first pastor at Norwich Town, was given 120 acres of land ad- joining Masen's tract. h 1892 the five mile purchase" was made from Owneeo
 This land was north and west of the Fitch and Mason grant and as it was nearer seven miles than five, includes a large part of the town. On James Ran
 dall's farm there is still to be seen
 marked rock which shows the southern corner of this grant.
 Jeremiah Mason, IT,, was the first to build house on the Mason grant The Fitch family became prominent in the town of Bezrah. The first house in Go- shen was built in 1T02 by John Fowler. This house remained until 1899 and five generations of the family occupied it. His son, Capt. Dwight Fowler, who was born here was a corporal in the Revolutionary army and one of Washingten's life guards and was in the battle of Long Island. An other old Fowler house IS still standing Several of the early settlers still have descendants living here. Mccall, Hinck- ley, Waterman, Thomas Randall and La
 throp were early names.
 Goshen Hill was once important enough to have store and postofice as we'll as a resident physician The house now owned by Andrew Lathrop, with it's broad and handsome stairway, was called the
 finest on the hill. Rev. MT. Ripley lived there. pr. Osgood and then Dr. Champ lin practieed medicine here. Ceddington Smith was the next owner. MT. Morgan. who kept the store and postoffice, was brothe-in-law to Dr. Osgood. The TO- mantle ruin which stands on the site of the first church was also pastors and physicians home. Rev Me Otis lived here. His wife was Dr. osgood's daugh- ter. Later Dr. Wattles lived here and his son John became publisher of the Sunday School Times Frank Wattles t-now owns the place.
 i Goshen boasts one governor, Clark BisseH. who was governor of onnectic1t from 1S471s49. He was born in the house known as the Deacon Saxten house which was burned a few years ago. Mrs. Saxton had a beautiful flower garden here. There Is a pool surrounded by evergreen which marks the spot once center of the garden. The McCafls were the most nu- mereus family in early times. The Jacob Mccall house was built by Arehippus Me- l Call about 1774. There was still earlier 1 house down the lane back of the present i house. Green Mccall purchased the facm
 known as the Deacon Jabez Mccall place
 in 17SS and built the house there The l large red house south of Goshen Hill was built by Deacon Henry Mccall in 1907. 1 His wife was a niece of Nathan Hale l The Hobart Mccall farm was always in l that family until recent years. The York
 house was another old Mccall house. The house now owned by William Thomas was l built by a Mccall but was owned by a Hinckley 150 years ago. The F. G. Stark
 house and G. H. Thomas farm were own. l ed by Hinckleys at that time Then as
 now there was a Charles and a Jared ir that family. They had grist mill on the Elliott brook. When this mill was givef
 up it was moved to the farm yard where George Thomas uses it as a tool house.
 The old mill wheel lies near the drive