Putnam patriot., 1928-10-18

Tn the early days of America the hardships of living made this mans world. The men ofter had two or three wives, the women dying under the hardships of the grind of daily toll. the patient care in health, the watching over the numerous children in all child's diseases. the seif-denials that the families might be fed and clothed, the dangers braved, which were the part of the women of the early settlers.
 The unique and pathetic story of the courage and industry, the perse- verence and faith of Mary Utter is to leave to her debt of gratitude, as she is one of three women of Windham County who has come down to us with more than the date of birth, marriage, death. and birth of children. The beautiful tract of land directly south of Mashamoquet Ca tribal name mean ing near the great mountain" or, ac- cording to another authority. "at the great fishing place'), was purchased by Sir John Blackwell in l6S6. as agent in behalf of company of Eng fish and Irish Dissenters. with expec- tation of founding a colony upon it. Capt. Blackwell also received from Connecticut grant for township, including his purchase. which was to be laid out as a separate town or man or. by the name of Mortlake for the Mortlake parish on the Thames up the river from London, and 1t is the ter minus of the course of the Oxford and Cambridge boat race that starts at Putney. and next to Kew, where the observatory and botanical gardens are located. It has church with tower dating from 1543. In the church there is tablet to Sir Philip Francis (l1sSl usually identified with Junius- letters. Two famous astrologers, Dee and Partridge, lived there, where Queen Elizabeth Is said to have con suited the first named.
 Mary Utter. pioneer of Windham County, tells in effective utterances" the story of her election from her home in the Mortlake purchase in what is now Brooklyn.
 King Williams accession in 1888, and the religious privileges granted in Great Britain, put an end to these plans. Blackwell returned to England, and his purchase was neglected until after his death in i713. His son "con- yeyed it to Jonathan Belcher, Boston. who entrusted Capt. John Chandler of Woodstock with it's survey and divis- ion.p The tract was in native will derness, save for one small clearing taken by a squatter. Jabez Utter. To him Chandler granted at first a deed of the premises for his labor and ex- pense "in building. fencing. clearing, breaking up, improving and subduing the same" This bargain was not car ried out. On the very date. according to New London court records, Jabez Utter was arraigned for horse steal ing. and sentenced Co return the horse and pay the owner ten pounds and the County Treasury forty shillings, or be whipped Mary Utter. the wife. was alone in the house with her children when the sheriff came to demand pos session of the premises; she harricad- ed doors and windows and refused to admit anyone. All efforts failed to move her. so young John Chandler was sent to "effect ejection." Boys fight naturally from excess of spirit seeking vent for the astounding deviltry that is in us all. But a sporting com bat of a dozen young men upon the lonely woman with wee children in the desolate wilderness was a hardship prompted and commanded by the de- mons of the deepest Pit.
 Mary Utter's Story
 Mary Utter tells the story in vigor- ous English (that no woman of Brook lyn or Windham County could surpass in these daysl. Tn her narrative she gives the names of a dozen young fel- lows from neighboring towns. who aid cd in the raid. bringing with them drums. clubs, axes and all "needful implements" Upon her utter re- fusal Co grant possession they pro- ceeded to tear down the fences. club and stone the house, set up "cnsigns of divers colors. drink to the health of King James. committing" she says many high and grievous wickedness. 2 After earousing all day they had an in- terval of quiet till morning, when "they revived their noise, marching round the house beating drums. and singing psalm tunes" as though they were initiating the siege of Jericho, but Marv's house stood firm as a rock.
 But the powers of the besiegers did- nit stop therc--then young Chandler made proclamation: "Now we have gotten the victory; now the day is ourS.r and raising poles against the guest of her parents. Mir and Mrs. rr f.. Al