Putnam patriot., 1928-09-06

Thompson was named in 1730 for Robert Thompson of North Newing- ton, Middlesex, England, who bought from Joseph Dudley 2.000 acres in 1883. This land remained in the fam lily of Thompson 100 years. It was incorporated from Killingly in l7s5. The first known and datable settler within the present town of Thompson was Richard Dresser of Rowley, Mas sachusetts. His son Jacob, born in ITO. was the first white boy born upon Thompson territory. Sampson Howe followed the next year, settling between the Quinebaug and Myanexet or French river near the present Me- chaniesville. Farther north. between the rivers. land was taken up by Isaac Jewett and John YounElove, whose premises were infested with bears, wolves and Indians so that a log fort WAS needed for protection.
 Old Mother Younglove
 @Old Mother Youngloye" is some what shadowy parsonage. appearing only in connection with His Majesty's wizards and witches among local towns forlorn old people, who from poverty or ill.temper drew upon them selves the suspicion of their neighbors and the pranks of the inischievous ur- rhins. These worn and haggard but pitiful old peoples power of mischief seemed very limited and showed little variety or invcntion--so devoid of thought were these poor old souls. There were two of these unfortunate characters in Thompson, in all prob ability contemporaries, although living in opposite sections of these thinly set fled places Ghostly visitations and supernatural powers whose chief amusement was of assuming the form uf different animals for the terror and torment of those who had offended them were not uncommon.
 ..Old Mother Younglove" may have been a descendant of John Younglove NO much preyed upon by the deniizens of the forests and Redskins. Her young love may have suffered bitter ointment--whatever the cause, hereditary or acquired, she became an ungodly parsonage in the eyes of the community. The story runs that she sold ashes to vendor for which he re- fused to pay the full price as he claim ed them to he of inferior quality. She followed the cart with malediction; the cart ran smoothly for a while and then stood stock still and could not be made Co move an inch by tugging and pulling, pushing and prying and bawi- ing, but remained held fast in the rut. The victim was compelled to throw away the be-deviled ashes---then he proceeded over the country road won dering at the ease his lightened load had made and his journey was effected
 Hay Disappears
 A neighbor to Mother Bewitched found his hay mysteriously disappear ing. Upon entering the barn at an unaceustomed hour, he saw a great white horse munching away at the top of his haymow. Having a pitchfork in his hand he hurled it at the thievish creature and hit it on fore leg. The animal vanished instantly with n psercing cry that shook the rafters. The children calling at the house the next day, found Mother Younglove. with arm bound up. suffering as she said with rheumatic pains and bad sprain.
 Another neighbor who had refused
  her COW gave bloody milk. She was advised that the fresh milk she then had be thrown upon the blazing coals of the hearthstone. She did as was suggested. A few hours later, callers at the Youngioves' found the witch laid up from severe cold which put her in bed. The cause of the cold, she said. was from overturning the coffee pot that morning on the red hot coals of the fireplace. Next mornings milk was creamy white with no stain of blood.
 Rhoda utter's Mutter
 There is no doubt about Rhoda ut- 1 ter's personality. as her name appears on the church records with other bap- tized children. In the early days of the settlement of a parish or town tract of land we look in the church records for the names of the early set tiers. After the incorporation of the town we study the town records as the church records the church-going peo- pie. The latter are often prominent in town affairs Rhoda's parents were respectable church attendants, living on the eastern border of the town on the verge of a vast wilderness that may have invested her with supernat- ural glamor. 1t seems as though she was sprightly young woman of a bad sulky temper, and a person of unbe- coming demeanor when she fell under suspicion. Pouty, sulky children were often admonished with a local proverb ; "Mutter, Mutter, Rhoda Utter" and