The Willimantic Journal

An Independent, Local, Family Newspaper.

Published Every Saturday Morning

Office in Franklin Building, Up Stairs

[issue of January 3, 1862 is missing]

1. TWJ Fri Jan 10, 1862: Business Cards.

John G. Keigwin. Dealer in ready made clothing, furnishing goods, hats, caps, trunks, valices, carpet and enameled bags, &c. No. 2 Brainard's Building, opp. the Depot. Willimantic, Conn.

James O. Fitch, Surgeon Dentist, office and rooms, second floor of Atwood's Building, opposite the depot. Operations on the teeth.

Willimantic, June, 1857.

Wm. H. Wood, importer, wholesale & retail dealer in foreign and domestic hardware, cutlery, nails, shovels. Joiners' tools, builders' trimmings, cotton and woolen Mfg supplies, leather belting, all kinds of banding, lace, leather, paints, oils, varnishes, window glass, brushes, &c. &c. Bassett's block, opposite Rail Road Station. Willimantic, Connecticut.

Horace Hall, dealer in groceries, provisions, flour, grain and meal. Also, drugs, medicines, dye stuff, paints and oils. Main street, Willimantic, Conn.

Joel R. Arnold, attorney and counselor at Law, office in Atwood's Building, (Number 1), Willimantic, Conn.

Davison & Moulton, dealers in furniture, hardware, crockery, cutlery, groceries, provisions, boots, shoes, &c. &c., coffins, of all descriptions, constantly on hand, at the lowest possible prices. Corner of Union & Jackson Sts., Willimantic. Broderick Davison, John H. Moulton.

Iron and Steel Warehouse, Commerce Street, Norwich, Conn. J.M. Huntington & Co. Importers and Dealers in bar, hoop, rod & sheet iron, steel and other metals, offers to consumers a large and well selected assortment of metals, on the most favorable terms. J.M. Huntington, Theo. Raymond.

Aetna Insurance Company of Hartford. Incorporated in 1819. Charter Perpetual. Cash Capital, $1,000,000. Insure against loss and damage by fire, on terms adapter to the hazard, and consistent with the laws of compensation. A.W. Jillson, Agent for Willimantic and vicinity.

Good News! Two thousand yards of those fashionable grey dress goods, just received, only 8 1-2 cents per yard. Give me an early call, Ladies. Thomas Turner. Willimantic, June 14th, 1861.

Millinery. Miss L.M. Kingsley would inform the public that she is constantly receiving bonnets, ribbons, flowers, and all kinds of millinery goods of the most approved styles, and would extend an invitation to her former patrons, and others, who may feel disposed to call at Bassett's Block, No. 1, Up Stairs, where Miss Brainard will be pleased to do all she can to satisfy the demands of customers.

Millinery, in all its branches, done at the shortest notice, A.L. Kingsley. Willimantic, Sept. 25, 1861.

Williams & Converse, (Successors to Charles A. Converse) importers and dealers in English, German and American Hardware, cutlery, fire arms, heavy goods, lead pipe, ship chandlery, metals, nails, axes, cordage, iron safes, &c. A full assortment of Manufacturers', machine builders and mechanics' articles and tools, also an extensive assortment of carriage hardware, consisting in part bent rims, thills, hubs, spokes, springs, axles and mallable castings of all kinds. Top and dark leather enameled cloths, laces, fringe &c., all of which will be sold at Manufacturers prices. Uncas Hall Building, Norwich, Conn. Norwich, July, 1, 1859.

Nash, Brewster & Co., have purchased of H.W. Birge his entire stock of lumber & nails, and will continue the business recently carried on by him, on Central Wharf, Norwich, Conn.

J.E. Cushman, Junction of Main and Union Sts., Willimantic manufacturer and dealer in furniture of all descriptions. New work, picture frames, &c., to order, Repairing done with dispatch. Willimantic, Nov. 9, 1860.

David K. Tucker, Hair Dresser, and manufacturer of hair dyes, oils, perfumery, &c. Under Brainard's Hotel.

Now is the time to buy goods! The assigned stock of goods, in the store formerly occupied by A.B. Adams, Bassett's Building, consisting of dry goods, fancy goods, carpets, ready made clothing, boots and shoes, hardware, cutlery, crockery, &c., &c., will be sold for the next thirty days, at prices from 30 to 40 per cent, below cost. A.W. Jillson,

Trustee, Willimantic, Oct. 23, 1861.

Singer's Standard Sewing Machines. Great reduction in prices. $75 machine only $50 with Hemmer. $100 standard only $75 with Hemmer. Thos. Turner, Agt. Willimantic, Aug. 1, 1861

Waffle Irons. A good article, for sale at the New Hardware Store. Wm. H. Wood.

Floral Garden Hoes for sale at the New Hardware Store, Wm. H. Wood.

2. TWJ Fri Jan 10, 1862: John Cates*, the first settler of Windham. (from Wm. L. Weaver's forthcoming History of Windham) *The name is written Cates, Cats, Ceats, Kats, Kates and Keats, in the Windham records. Joshua Ripley the first town clerk, in recording his death spells it Keats, but it is more generally Cates in the town records. As the "first settler" invariable made his mark, it is presumed he could not write; but if he could, and had left his autograph, it would not have been conclusive in regard to the orthography of his name; for people in his day were not particular to write their names uniformly. The name Cates is not found in Burke's Heraldic Dictionary, or in the "Patronymica Britannica," though Cater is in both. It does not appear in English bibliographical works, yet there certainly was an author of the name in the time of Queen Elizabeth. Mr. Thomas Cates accompanied Sir Francis Drake in his celebrated expedition against the Spaniards in the West Indies and South America, in 1585, and on the return of the fleet, published an account of it. Mr. Allibone in his recent and comprehensive work, omits to notice this author. Although Cates is not a very common name, yet it is found in some portions of New England. Ten of the name were in the Boston Directory for 1861. It would seem to be more rare in England. In the great Commercial Directory of London published in 1855, there are but two names that appear to be identical with that of the Windham settler. One is written Cate and the other Kates. All that is known of this somewhat mysterious personage, except what may be learned from his will and the town records, is derived from tradition. The Rev. Elijah Waterman, in his "Century Sermon," (A.D. 1800, p. 23, 24.) gives the traditions current in Windham in his day respecting him, which have been very generally received as a true history of the man. If credit should be given to any of the reports respecting Cates, Mr. Waterman's account would naturally be entitled to weight, because he was a careful and accurate chronicler, who felt a deep interest in the matter, and undoubtedly took much pains to learn what had been handed down by the fathers of the town respecting the "first settler." His facilities for making investigations were good; for, when he first came to Windham, there were a number of aged people living whose fathers were contemporary with Cates. But when we consider how little reliance can be placed on any such statements founded on mere tradition, it is not wise to be too positive in regard to their truth. Mr. Waterman's account, like others of the same kind, must be received according to its inherent probability. He says: "Lieut. John Cates, a pious puritan, who served in the wars in England, holding his commission under Cromwell, when Charles II came to the Throne, fled to this country for safety. He landed first in Virginia where he procured a Negro servant to attend him. But when advertisements and pursuers were spread through this country, to apprehend the adherents of the Protector, he left Virginia, came to New York, and from thence to Norwich. Still feeling that he should be securer in a more retired place, he came to the New Plantation, dug the first cellar, and with his servant, raised in Windham the first English habitation inn the spring of 1689." This statement, though quite definite and plausible, is open to objections in some of its particulars, as will be seen. There is a variety of opinions in regard to the time when Cates came over. Some have supposed that he was the same as the John Catts or Kates, aged 23, who was a passenger from England to Virginia in the Safety, in 1635; but is not at all probable that he came so early. The fact of his leaving a family in England, and the tradition that he fled on the accession of Charles II, are both opposed to this supposition. A gentleman distinguished for his antiquarian and historical researches in New England and Great Britain, is inclined to the opinion that Cates came to this country about the beginning of the Civil Wars between Chas. I. and his parliament; that is, from 1640 to 1645: but this for several reasons would also appear to be too early, Mr. Waterman states that he fled when Charles II came to the throne, which was in 1660. There would be no serious objection to this date, were it not for the cause assigned for his flight, and some of the circumstances mentioned in connection with it; though it is more probable that he came at a later day. Mr. Waterman says that he fled because he was an adherent of the Protector, having served as a commissioned officer in his army. Shortly after Charles came to the throne, an act was passed by parliament, securing from legal prosecution all those who had borne arms against Charles I. excepting "those who had an immediate hand in the Kings death," and a few others. There are no good reasons to suppose that Cates was one of these few persons and the time of his appearance here is against the theory that he was fleeing from the officers of the crown as having been an adherent of the Protector. For, Cromwell had been dead thirty years, Charles II died in 1685, four years before Cates settled on the Windham plantation, and William III Prince of Orange, a protestant king, had been on the throne of England about a year when Cates built the first house in Windham. When these facts are taken into consideration, and when it is remember that the efforts made to arrest the regicides who fled to this country, were made many years prior to the settlement of Windham it is hardly probable that Cates retired from Norwich to the "new plantation" for security from arrest in 1689, because he had served under Cromwell more than thirty years before. True, it has been surmised that Cates was a regicide, and on equally good grounds that he had been a robber or buccaneer; but all such conjectures are idle being without any warrant. The writer is rather inclined to believe that Cates came to this country at a later day than that assigned by Mr. Waterman, probably during the reign of James II Duke of York, (from 1685 to 1688) and if so, he may have fled because he became involved in some of the political disturbances of that unsettled period, such as the abortive attempt of the Duke of Monmouth to dethrone the king and establish the protestant fait; or, considering what is known of the character of Cates, it is quite as probable that he left on account of religious persecution, which was rife at that time, by the "arbitrary and scandalous proceedings carried on against the Protestants at the instance of the King." It has been suggested that Cates was not his true name; but it is evident from his will that this was the family name by which he was known in England. With regard to the statement that he had been a lieutenant, there is nothing in the Windham records to indicate that he had been a military officer, or that he was considered by the early settlers a man of note. In no case is he called Lieutenant, or is any other title ever coupled with his name. Instead of appearing as one of the prominent men and taking a leading part in the affairs of the town, he occupies quite a subordinate position. Nothing appears, however, which would lead to the belief that he was not respected by the other settlers, or that he was regarded by them with suspicion. On the contrary there is much incidentally, to warrant the opinion that he was highly esteemed by his contemporaries. The erection of a monument to his memory is an evidence that his name was gratefully cherished by the immediate descendants of the early settlers. All traditions agree that Cates was a pious and benevolent man, and his will and all that can be inferred from what is actually known in regard to him, confirm this view of his character. The reasons why he took no more prominent part in town affairs, may have been that he was naturally averse to such business, or that he was not particularly well qualified for it; or, possibly, that he was excused from these duties by reason of age or infirmities. No tradition has come down respecting his age, and the grave stone gives no information. But it is quite probable that he was somewhat advanced in life when he began the settlement. In regard to the account of Mr. Waterman, it may here be remarked: it is quite probable that Cates landed in Virginia, and came from there as stated. The fact of his having a negro slave is presumptive evidence that such was the fact. Of course it is not very improbable that Cates had served under Cromwell, and been an officer in his army, even if he fled because he was engaged in a later rebellion. Nothing would have been more natural than for one of Cromwell's veterans to rush to arms under such a chief as Monmouth, when he raised the protestant standard against so infamous a king as James II. The most improbable part of Mr. Waterman's narration is, that Cates fled, and feared pursuit and arrest as an adherent of the Protector, so long after the death of the latter. If, however, Cates was fleeing because he had been compromised by some connection with the revolutionists in the earlier part of the reign of James II the traditions given by Mr. Waterman would, in other respects, be rendered more probable and consistent. Whatever motives may have led Cates to settle on the Windham plantation, it would not seem that he lived there in any fear of arrest. Although he was probably pretty much alone with his servant for about a year, before the other settlers began to locate, yet there is nothing that looks like concealment. He bought and sold lands in his own proper name, he was a freeman of the town, took some part in local affairs and his house was near the centre of the principal settlement. The impression left on the mind of the writer after a careful examination of all that can be found in regard to him, is, that he was a private gentleman of some property, who had left his country and family for reasons that do not appear; but as a christian and benevolent spirit is manifested in his will, and as nothing wrong is known in regard to him, we may charitably believe that he became an exile for no reasons derogatory to his character; that like many others in his day, he probably fled from his native land on account of some political or religious difficulty, and sought a refuge in the wilderness in order to enjoy liberty, civil and religions. He died July 11th or 16th, (both dates are found in the records) 1697, and was buried in the first burying ground near the north end of the "town street." His remains were subsequently removed to the present burying ground. His negro man "Joe Ginne," was of course the first black and the first slave in the town. At this period there were but very few slaves in the colony. Tradition says that "Joe" was most devotedly attached to his master, and when the latter died he manifested his grief in a most frantic manner, refusing to be comforted. He did not long survive, but died April 16th, 1700, and was buried beside his beloved master. It was thought by some that his remains were taken instead of Cates when it was intended to remove the later, but probably this was not the case. The people of Windham certainly have reason to cherish the memory of Cates, not only because he was the earliest settler, but for the generous and considerate legacies that he left, the benefits of which have been so long enjoyed by the town; and it is to be hoped the prostrate, and fast crumbling stones that mark the spot where his ashes repose, will ere long, give place to a suitable monument to his memory. The following is an exact copy of his will and inventory, as found in the Hartford probate records: In the Name of God: Amen: I John Kates of Windham in the colony of Connecticut, being but weak in body but in sound and disposing memory, prais bee Given to God for the same, do make this my Last Will and Testament in manner and form following, viz: First and Principally I Resigne my soul into the mercifull hands of Almighty God my creator, assuredly hoping through the merits of my blessed Saviour to Obtayn pardon and remission of all my sins and my body I commit to the earth whence it was taken, to be decently buried by the discretion of my executor herein after named; and as for the worldy Goods and estate the Lord hath lent mee I dispose thereof as follows: Imp's I give two Hundred acres of my land not yet layd out to the poor of the Towne of Windham to be Intayled to said poor for their use forever. I do also give and Intayle two hundred acres more of my Lands not yet laid out to a School House for the use of the above said Towne for ever; and further I doe Give unto the Reverend Mr. Samuel Whiting, (minister of the Gospell) of said Towns, I say I give unto him my negro Jo, and one bed and bedd cloaths, one chest and my wearing cloaths and further I doe Give unto the Church of Windham Tenn pounds in money, and I doe make Mary Howard my executrix, and doe Give unto herr all my estate not above mentioned boath personall and Reall, and I desire an appoint my Loving neighbors Ensigns Jonathan Crane and Sergt. Thomas Gingham to be overseers of this my Will; always provided that if my children one or more of them com over out of England then my Will is that they or hee or shee should Injoy my estate notwithstanding what is above exprest, otherwise to stand exactly in all points, and to my honesty and truth herein, I have hereunto sett my hand this fifth day of May in the year of our Lord One Thousand six Hundred ninety and six.

Signed and Delivered In presence of uss

The mark of Jno. Kates.

Exercise Conant, Sarah Conant.

For the explanation of my Will I say if any of my children shall come from beyond sea to these parts after the fo'sd Jo negro which I Give Mr. Whiting, said Mr. Whiting shall not pay anthing although the Negro should dy in his hands. Lieut. Exercise Conant and Mrs. Sarah Conant coming personally to mee Gave oath that they were present when John Kates did sign this instrument and Judge he was in a disposing frame.

Windham, July 16, 1697. Joshua Riply, Commis'r.

An Inventory of the Estate of John Kates, late of Windham, who dyed on the 11th* day of July anno ye Dom. 1697, as it was taken and Vallued as money by us whose names are underwritten, &c. Viz: *Here is a discrepancy. While the town record, evidently made soon after his death, and the grave-stone, both have the date the 16th, it is here stated that he died the 11th. From the fact that the will was attested and the inventory is dated the 16th, it is more probable that July 11th was the true date of his death.

Imp's.

[4 columns: description "L." "ls." "ds."]

In Cash 40 00 00

In apparrell, 41,3s, a negro man, 30l, 34 03 00

In an allottmen tof Land, 40 00 00

In neat cattle, 261, Horese kind, 32 00 00

In swine, 31, 10ls, 1 cart & wheels, and other husbandry, 10l, 13 10 00

In a bed and bedding, 10s, one more bed and bedding, 25s, 2 05 00

In a bedstead and cord, saddle and bridle, as 0 13 6

In tubs & Barrills, & other house all lumber, 3 16 00

In a bagg of wool and yarne, 1 16 06

In brass, iron, pewter, and other small things, 8 12 00

In tabling linning, 0 08 00

Aggreg.,

177 04 00

Taken by us, Joshusa Ripley, Jonathan Crane, Townsmen.

The estate is indebted, 14L. 16ls. 03ds.

Another debt is 00L. 11ls. 03ds.

Mary Howard, Executrix of the Will of John Kates, deceased, made oath to the Inventory, that it is a true accouy't of the estate of the said Kates, boath reale and personall; and that if any more appear she will cause it to be retirned that it may be added to the inventory.

Windham, July 16, 1697

Sworn to before me, Joshua Ripley, Commis'r.

Serg't Thomas Bingham refused to act as one of the overseers, "he not having intermeddled with that affair yet."

"The court having considered the Will, do find that the greatest part of the estate was given to some person or persons living in England," required Mary Howard to appear and give a bond that the estate might be secure for those to whom it was given. This she refused to do, but agreed that she would not "act nor transact in any matter relating to the estate without the advice and approbation of Ensigne Jonath'n Crane, who is appointed an overseer to said will." And the Court, after strictly enjoining the said Crane "that his utmost care be exercised to inspect that mater, and if the estate be embeselled or wasted, that he forthwith give an account thereof to the court," admitted the will to probate, July 20, 1697.

The lands given to the town by Cates, in his will, were leased for 999 years, and the avails of these legacies are still enjoyed. Mary Howard, to whom he gave the largest portion of his estate, and made his executrix, was probably his housekeeper, and the daughter of Thomas Howard, of Norwich. Her brother Benjamin was na early settler, as will be seen by reference to the genealogy of these families. Mary Howard married Jonathan Gennings, (Jennings) May 1, 1701, and died Sept. 15, 1703, without issue. She was his second wife. Before her death she gave to her husband a deed of all the lands bequeathed to her by Cates, described as a 1000 acres, in Windham and Mansfield, besides one-fourth of a share of wilderness land, probably in Coventry, for her "love and regard to him," and because he had been at "great trouble and charge about her in time of long sickness." It is uncertain when the remains of Cates were removed to the present burying ground. The fathers of some now living can remember the time, but the date cannot be ascertained. It was so long after his death, however, that his body had crumbled back to dust. The stones that now mark the resting place of Cates were prepared by Josiah Manning, who lived near Manning's bridge. The following is a faithful copy of the inscription: In Memory of Mr. John Cates. He was a gentleman born in England & the first settler in the Town of Windham by his last Will and Testament he gave a generous Legacy to he first Church of Christ in Windham in plate & a generous Legacy in Land for ye support of ye poor, another Legacy for ye Support of ye School in Said Town [unreadable]; he died in Windham July ye 16th A.D. 1697.

The following is on the foot-stone: Mr. John Cates. This Monument is Erected upon ye Town's Cost in 1769.

3. TWJ Fri Jan 10, 1862: To the Old Friends, and New, of a Willimantic Newspaper. The Project and Prospect. For about fourteen years I have been the real if not nominal owner of the Journal establishment, and yet so varied has been my fortune with it, that I find myself at this late day questioning whether Willimantic can and will support a village newspaper. Of the first eight years, while the paper was under my own personal management, I have no disposition to complain. Taking that term for a basis of opinion, and I should have no hesitation to decide in the affirmative; but of the six following years, while the paper was published by Mr. E.S. Simpson, I have a different tale to tell, and by the way, it will serve at the same time to set right a feeling which I have heard has been expressed by one or two citizens, to the effect that it was cruel or unjust in me to dispossess him. Whatever he made out of the office, I know it was a very unprofitable business for me. During all the six years he was using the materials and the pre-established business, to make a living for himself and family he never paid one cent of the price he agree to pay, and for four years, not a cent of interest. And at the end of six years, when I had determined to bear with broken promises, and consequence trouble, expense and disappointments no longer, he owed me over $300 more than he did at the beginning. Besides that, I lost moneys which he had collected in advance, by continuing the paper, &c., to those who had paid him, on account of those moneys at my brother's and my own cost, for the sake of the credit of the office. And added to all - and worst of all - after I had acceded to his request to spare the mortification of a foreclosure and a sheriff's sale, which also would have left him indebted to me as the materials would have sold at forced sale, $700 or $900 over and above the materials, - after acceding to his wishes, and taking a bill of sale of the office for the whole amount of the indebtedness (excepting $50 of a separate transaction) he absolutely carried off a few dollars worth of the materials without my consent or knowledge. Let the public give the act its name. On the other hand, to give him to the utmost all the credit that is his due, in the course of the six years he replaced some of old materials with new, and the last two years he paid considerable of the interest, the great increase of the debt arising not alone from unpaid interest, but much from the expenses of the prosecution of one of his worthless endorsers and two or three allowances to me of traveling expenses waiting upon him, in consideration of my repeated indulgences. Supposing, then, his renewal of part of the materials to make good the six years wear and tear of the whole, and the office therefore to be worth as much to me back again as it was when I sold it to him, and my direct loss by him is as before stated, over $300. But the whole loss is more than that. I put the office into his hands in a prosperous time of peace. He returns it at the beginning of a war that paralyzes all business, in consequence of which I lost in cash paid out to meet deficiencies $100 more, in lieu of gaining as much the first three months thereafter. Such has been my cruelty to Mr. Simpson, and such that part of my experience in the Willimantic newspaper. He assigned want of patronage, or nonpayment by some of what he had, for his breaches of faith with me. Well supposing he told the truth in that instance, it affords no light on the great question, or excuse for himself. It is possible for the character of the publisher and his paper to account for a deficiency of patronage, without supposing an illiberal spirit on the part of the community; he felt much encouraged in the first part of his career; and as to bad debts, which every publisher has, in the whole of eight years before never did they oblige his predecessor to violate a single promise, while Mr. Simpson in his six years' obligations to me never, I believe, fully kept on. At any rate an honest man would not have required six years use of another man's property to ascertain one fact or the other. Well, the brief experiment of Mr. Chas. P. Evans, as Mr. Simpson's successor, furnishes perhaps equally unsatisfactory light upon this interesting subject. The general depression of business, &c., above alluded to, make unnecessary the adduction of any other cause for his want of encouragement. So far, then, the first eight years' experience forms the only reliable evidence on the subject and that preponderates in favor of Willimantic's ability and willingness to support a village paper and printing office; enough so, at any rate, to induce me to stick to the enterprise a little longer rather than box up the materials and make remoter and less probable the chance of the village getting a local paper again. While I may not in truth say that I ever received anything by the paper or otherwise that I did not industriously earn (not excepting one little personal animosity which I still remember, though only as a schoolboy circumstance to laugh at), yet I am not indifferent to the fact that many of the citizens took a substantial, liberal interest in the origin of the village paper when I was a stranger, and had only my industry and frugality to recommend me to their confidence and patronage; and as far as I can be constantly with my duties, it will afford me pleasure to be instrumental in continuing, to the advantage of the village, what they so well began. I have therefore another gratification than that of anticipated business success, in making the following announcement to you of the character of my present experiment: Wm. L. Weaver, Esq., (whom many of you have known even longer than I, but whom none can esteem more highly) has entered into partnership with me for the resumption of the Journal, he to be the sole manager. Arrangements are at present made for no more than three months, leaving to that trial the decision for the future. I feel satisfied that "grim-visaged war," will have "smoothed his wrinkled front," somewhat in the course of that short period, and will l et the scared lifeblood return back from its hiding place to the channels of business sufficiently to give the friends of this paper under the new regime a fair chance to exhibit the capability and disposition of the village and surrounding communities to support it. If the paper meet with encouragement it will become a permanency; and I should hope, in that event, would soon have to acknowledge Mr. Weaver as sole proprietor as well as manager. In the paper Mr. Weaver will find a sphere of employment for which he is most happily fitted, and the most congenial mode of making a comfortable living open to one of his confirmed ill health and disabled condition; and his son who is rapidly becoming familiar with the mechanical department, will afford his father peculiar facilities for carrying on the business within himself. On the part of the public a local paper in the conduct of a man of our friend's absolutely unexceptional moral character, excellent intellect, general intelligence and literary genial taste, is something, it seems to me, earnestly to be wished. Fancying myself a pere de femille in your midst, and I should certainly consider it an institution worth at least one church and a public school combined. Thus much for my share in the matter. Mr. Weaver will speak for his, and I must stop to give him room. But he will have all the field to himself hereafter. I have done, with the remark at Mr. Weaver's request, that I hold myself pecuniarily responsible to the public for our experiment, whatever may be the result and warrant the repayment of every cent paid in, or its equivalent as bargained for. Respectfully yours, John Evans.

4. TWJ Fri Jan 10, 1862: Salutatory. In accordance with the above announcement, the undersigned has taken charge of the Journal, both as its editor and business manager. His ambition will be to make it a useful and interesting local paper - a convenient and desirable advertising medium - and of such a character that it will be a welcome visitor in every family. Of our ability to make the paper what we think it should be, we have our doubts, notwithstanding the "favorable mention" of our presumed qualifications by our friend Evans. We have had but a limited experience in writing for the press, and none as an editor. It is supposed to require peculiar tact and skill to edit acceptably even a village paper; and experience alone can determine who possess the requisite qualifications for such a task. We can only promise to use our best efforts to deserve success. In one particular we shall have the advantage of our predecessors; they all came among us as strangers, while we have been a life-long resident of Willimantic, familiar with its history and business affairs, and identified with all its interests. We have ever believed that a well-conducted paper in this village would be a public benefit, and when in business, contributed our full share to establish and support such a paper. As Mr. Evans has stated, arrangements are made to continue the paper three months. If at the end of that time it shall be found not to have paid expenses, or if it becomes evident that the undersigned is not the man to conduct it, he will retire from its management. Meantime, if the paper is to be sustained, and pay something for outlays and trouble, it must have at least as much advertising as heretofore, and a large addition to its subscription list. If some two or three hundred additional subscribers can be obtained in the village, and if the merchants and others will continue their advertising, and give us every dollar's worth of jobbing they may have, the success of the paper will be insured. It is but a trifle we ask, and that not as a gratuity; we mean to render full and fair equivalent for every cent received. The question of the future continuance of the paper rests mainly with the business men and citizens of Willimantic. Those who think well of the present experiment, and feel interested in having the paper continued, are invited to give us their advertising, if they have any, and become subscribers. It is well known in this community that the undersigned has been an invalid for more than six years, unable to engage in active pursuits; and being still disabled, and confined to the house, will labor under some disadvantages in his present undertaking. Yet, he is able to read the papers, can use a pair of scissors, and hopes to be able to perform the mental labor necessary to prepare the matter for the Journal, and oversee its business affairs. In conclusion, we would say that it affords us a real gratification to be able to communicate with so many friends and acquaintances with whom our relations, in other days, were most cordial and pleasant. Respectfully, Wm. L. Weaver.

5. TWJ Fri Jan 10, 1862: We are authorized by power of attorney from John Evans, and by the subjoined notice from Chas. P. Evans, to collect all dues to the Journal. Those indebted for subscriptions, advertising, or jobbing, will please make immediate payment, as it is important that the old accounts should be settled: To my late Patrons in Arrears: I hereby authorize W.L. Weaver, Esq., to collect all outstanding debts due me as publisher of the Willimantic Journal, and job printer in the Journal establishment; and his receipt shall be my acquittances for the same. Chas. P. Evans. Willimantic, Conn., Dec. 28, 1861.

6. TWJ Fri Jan 10, 1862: Next week we intend to commence a series of articles entitled, "Historical Notes on Willimantic;" to embrace an account of the early settlement, the rise and progress of the present village, history of our manufacturing establishments, &c., which we hope will prove of local interest. We shall also publish an original letter written by Lieut. Col. Ebenezer Gray, of Windham, dated in Camp, Jan. 7, 1770. Because we have published a historical article this week, and promised others, we trust our readers will not think we intend to devote our paper to the Past during these stirring times. We shall hereafter occupy but a small space with such articles, though we intend to give occasionally items of historical and local interest respecting Mansfield, Hampton, Chaplin and Scotland, all originally in ancient Windham.

7. TWJ Fri Jan 10, 1862: Terms - The Journal is published at $1.50 per annum, 75 cents for six months, and 38 cts for three months - invariably in advance. Single copies may be had of Jas. Walden, and of the carrier, (in wrappers when wanted.) Price 4 cents. The money should accompany all transient legal and foreign advertisements, to secure insertion.

8. TWJ Fri Jan 10, 1862: A word of explanation in regard to our present number. Our paper is not exactly of the right size, nor of as good quality as it should be; and owing to delay in completing arrangements, we have had no time to make needed improvements in the appearance of the paper, but hope to do so before long. It take a little time for new hands to get an old machine in good running order.

9. TWJ Fri Jan 10, 1862: Send Papers to the Volunteers. Next to letters from "the loved ones at home," the soldier prizes the local paper, with its lists of marriages, deaths, and other news. Send our brave boys the Journal.

10. TWJ Fri Jan 10, 1862: We do not give the amount and variety of news and miscellaneous matter this week that we intend to hereafter. Want of exchanges, and the limited time allowed us to get out this number, just be our excuse.

11. TWJ Fri Jan 10, 1862: Hon. A.A. Burnham will please accept our thanks for a beautifully illustrated copy of Exploration for a Route of a Pacific Railroad.

12. TWJ Fri Jan 10, 1862: Surgeon McGregor, of the 3d Connecticut regiment who was prisoner at Bull Run, is now confined at Charleston, on charge of having used his badge (a piece of red flannel in a button hole, designating his position) to facilitate the escape of a prisoner from the tobacco factory in Richmond.

13. TWJ Fri Jan 10, 1862: The second volume of court records of the colony of Connecticut, which has been missing for over forty years from the state archives at Hartford, was returned this week, to the great joy of antiquarians and record searchers. It is in perfect preservation, covering the period from 1649 to 1663 and renders the series of public records complete from the beginning of the colony. About 186 pages are taken up with wills and inventories of the early citizens as this "particular court," so called transacted all sorts of all business prior to the division of the colony into counties in 1663.

14. TWJ Fri Jan 10, 1862: Volunteers from Willimantic. The following list of Volunteers is as perfect as we have been able to make it after much inquiry. If any can furnish additional names or make corrections we shall be obliged, and will publish them next week.

Atwood, Chas. W., Co. K, 5th Reg't.

Andrews, Oliver C., Co. F., 12th Reg't.

Burlingame, Joseph, 8th Reg't.

Burlingame, William, 8th Reg't.

Babcock, Henry, 5th Reg't.

Bliven, James, Co. B, 2d Reg't, 3 mo's, died injuries by the cars at Norwich.

Braley, Lester E., Capt. Co F, 12th Reg't, private in Co. A. 1st Reg't 3 mo's.

Benedict, Chas, Co. .F, 12th Reg't.

Bishop, Emery, Co. F, 12th Reg't.

Brown, Henry, Co. B, 5th Reg't.

Brown, Henry, Co. C, 1th [sic] Reg't.

Cranston, Stillman, 29th Reg't N.Y.V.

Cranston, Earl S. Co. B, 5th Reg't C.V.

Campbell, George C., Acting Masters Mate, U.S.N.

Cary, Julian, Co B, 5th Reg't.

Champlain, Henry, 11th Reg't.

Connell, John, 11th Reg't.

Clark, Albert, Co B, 5th Reg't.

Cables, Chas, 3 mo's.

Campbell, Horace, 12th Reg't, quartermaster's waiter Carney,

Dean, Laban, Co B, 10th Reg't.

Davis, Wm. 3d Reg't, 3 mo's

Duffy, Michael, 37th N.Y. Reg't.

Dexter, A.W., Co B, 10th Reg't, discharged on account of sickness

Evans, Chas. P., 2d Serg't, Co F, 12th Reg't.

Flynn, Luke, Jr., Co K, 5th Reg't.

Fitzpatrick, Patrick, Co F, 12th Reg't.

Farrell, James, Co F, 12th Reg't.

Faun, John, Co H, 11th Reg't.

Floyd, Patrick

Foley, Patrick, Co F, 12th Reg't.

Gay, Augustus, Co F, 12th Reg't.

Geer, Chauncey, 7th Reg't.

Gavigan, Thomas, 5th Reg't.

Green, Cyrus, Co B, 10th Reg't.

Gallagher, Wm., 37th N.Y. Reg't.

Gray, Henry, Co F. 12th Reg't.

Herrick, James, Co K, 5th Reg't.

Hoy, Patrick, Co F, 12th Reg't.

Hart, Henry, Co K, 5th Reg't.

Harvey, Edmund,

Harvey, Frederick, Co. B, 10th Reg't.

Hovey, Andrew, 2d serg't Co B, 10th Reg't.

Herrick, Henry, Co F, 12th Reg't.

Harris, Wm., Co F, 12th Reg't.

Holland, Co B, 10th Reg't.

Harris, George, 5th Reg't.

Hooper, Wm. U.S.N.

Howard, Henry, Co F, 12th Reg't.

Howard, James, Co F, 12th Reg't.

Hulin, Co F, 12th Reg't.

Jordan, Elisha, Co F, 4th Reg't.

Jackson, Chas, 8th Reg't.

Kenyon, Dwight, serg't, Co F, 12th Reg't.

Kidder, Warren, Co F. 12th Reg't.

Lewis, Henry, 2d Lieut. N.Y. Fire Zouaves

Long, James, Co B, 1st Reg't three mo's.

Lyman, Chas, Co K, 5th Reg't.

Millar, Samuel, Co K, 5th Reg't.

Monahan, James, 5th Reg't.

Herril, D.E, Recruiting Officer

Murphy, Michael, Co F, 12th Reg't.

Mathews, George, Ira Harris Cavalry,

McDermot, John, 5th Reg't.

Maine, Chester, 5th Reg't.

Nixon, John

Palmer, Willard, L, Co F, 12th Reg't.

Purington, Salem, Co B, 5th Reg't.

Palmer, Dan, Co B, 5th Reg't.

Perkins, Ephraim, Ira Harris Cavalry

Possle, Thomas, 10th Reg't.

Quinn, Thomas, Co K, 5th Reg't.

Robinson, David, Co B, 10th Reg't.

Roberts, Wm. 8th Reg't

Roberts, James, 2d Lieut, Co B 5th Regiment

Roberts, Chas. 8th Reg't.

Rice, S.W., Co K, 12th Reg't.

Robinson, Remus, 11th Reg't.

Snow, Bonaparte, 8th Reg't.

Snow, James, 8th Reg't.

Snow, Geo, 1st corporal Co F, 12th Reg't.

Shea, Michael, died from wounds,

Scott, Andrew, Co. F, 12th Reg't.

Sullivan, Jas, Co B, 5th Reg't.

Sullivan, Dan, Co F, 12th Reg't.

Smith, Henry, Co F, 12th Reg't.

Tew, Peleg N, Fife Major, 5th Reg't

Tew, John, Co K, 5th Reg't, Farrier

Thompson, Chas. Co B, 5th Reg't.

Turner, Rufus, Co B, 5th Reg't.

Taylor, Thomas,

Taylor, Sam'l

Trant, Wm., Co F, 12th Reg't.

Weaver, John N, Co B, 5th Reg't.

Wilson, Albert, Capt's waiter, Co F, 12th Reg't.

Williams, Herbert, Co F, 12th Reg't

Wilson, Geo H. Co F, 12th Reg't.

Weaver, Chas M. Co F, 12th Reg't

Weaver, E.M., 8th Reg't

Walker, Chas.

15. TWJ Fri Jan 10, 1862: As we go to press, the telegraph announces the death of Col. Sam'l Coit, of Hartford.

16. TWJ Fri Jan 10, 1862: Fifty pair of soldiers mittens have been knit by the school girls of Brooklyn, Conn, who resolved themselves into a "mitten bee." The "bee" worked five weeks.

17. TWJ Fri Jan 10, 1862: Marriages.

In Windham, Dec. 28th, J. Randolph Abbe and Miss Josephine L. Robbins.

In Windham Center, Christmas evening, by Rev. J.S. Horton, Mason Loomis, of Sackett's Harbor, N.Y., and Eliza h. Walcott, daughter of H.S. Walcott, President of Windham Bank.

In Springfield, Dec. 15, 1861, George T. Weaver, formerly of Willimantic, and Miss Julia Strong, of the former place.

18. TWJ Fri Jan 10, 1862: Deaths.

In this village, Dec. 31, Mary E. Kidder, aged 12 years.

In South Coventry, Dec. 21, Leander Curtis, aged 20 years.

19. TWJ Fri Jan 10, 1862: Watches, Clocks, jewelry, spectacles and Fancy Goods, for sale at very low prices for cash. Also watch and jewelry repairing in all its branches, and satisfaction guaranteed. Prices moderate. Engraving and lettering on gold and silver in the most approved style. Give me a trial. J.R. Robertson.

20. TWJ Fri Jan 10, 1862: Closing out sale for the season, for thirty days previous to taking account of stock. Great bargains in dress goods! .. Goods cut and made to order at short notice. I.M. Singer's celebrated Sewing Machines for sale, the best for Family Sewing or Army work. Store next East of the Brainard House. Willimantic, Jan. 9. Thos. Turner.

21. TWJ Fri Jan 10, 1862: Removal. William H. Wood has removed his large and extensive stock of hardware, builders' trimmings, manuf'rs supplies, paints, oils, &c. &c. &c., from the basement of Bassett's Block to the large and commodious store (up stairs) lately occupied by A.B. Adams.

22. TWJ Fri Jan 10, 1862: List of Letters remaining in the Post Office Willimantic, January 7th, 1862.

Adams, Sam. G.

Ackley, Susan

Bassett, Robert

Bridge, J.

Bracy, Evelyn 2

Brown, Ellen

Canada, E.

Dillworthy, H.

Dewey, S.H.

Davenport, S.

Earl, Wilber 2

Heart, J.B.

Hartley, James

Huling, S.B.

Hall, Sarah

Huntington, D.W.

Jenks, M.

Kelly, Robert 2

Lyman, George B.

Matteson, Amy E.

Moulton, Philena

Powers, Margaret

Potter, J.A.

Robinson, Jane

Roberts, Robert

Rouse, A.E. 2

Southworth, Louisa

Stanton, Abel

Stebbins, Ebon R. 2

Taylor, J.M.

Treadway, Minnie

Watson, Lucy

Whittaker, Lucius

Persons calling for the above will please say "Advertised." J. Walden, P.M.

23. TWJ Fri Jan 10, 1862: Exchange Place! May be found constantly on hand at the old stand, a full assortment of groceries, provisions, & crockery to be disposed of for cash or produce. Also a good assortment of hardware, which will be sold very low. Farming tools of all kinds, consisting of ploughs, horse hoes, cultivators, feed cutters, corn shellers, winnowing mills, horse rakes, &c. &c. Also thermometer and cylinder churns. Fertilizers of all kinds, viz: Peruvian guano, superphosphate, plaster and powderett. Also lime and hair. A share of public patronage is solicited, of which a guarantee for equitable trade is always warranted. Geo. W. Burnham.

24. TWJ Fri Jan 10, 1862: Superior Kerosene Oil for sale wholesale & retail. J.R. Robertson. Next door to Adams Express Office.

25. TWJ Fri Jan 10, 1862: Kerosene Oil. A few barrels superior kerosene oil for sale at wholesale and retail, very low for cash, by Wm. H. Wood.

26. TWJ Fri Jan 17, 1862: Our Manufacturing Establishments. We learn that the Linen Co. are now (since the 1st inst.) running full time - their superior Spool Cotton for making arrmy clothing being in good demand. Working a limited amount of stock, the impending "cotton famine" does not affect them so seriously as others. The Duck and Dunham mills are also on full time, the former making warps for army cloth, and the latter thread. The Windham Co. are running eight hours per day, and the Smithville Co. but six hours. We have been more fortunate than some villages, and it is highly creditable to our manufacturing firms that they have so timed their operations in working up stock as to most benefit their employees.

27. TWJ Fri Jan 17, 1862: Rev. J.S. Horton, for ten years Rector of St. Paul's Church, at Windham Centre, and Principal of the School for Boys in that village, has been elected Principal of the Episcopal Academy of Connecticut, located at Cheshire, in this State. We learn that he opened his school at the latter place on the 7th instant with very flattering prospects, most of his Windham pupils accompanying him. We wish him abundant success in his new field of labor.

28. TWJ Fri Jan 17, 1862: Letter of Col. Ebenezer Gray, of Windham during the Revolutionary War. Lieut. Col. Ebenezer Gray, of the Sixth Regiment of the Connecticut line, (Return J. Meigs Colonel,) received his first commission on the first day of January 1776. He was appointed Major in 1777, and Lieut. Colonel Oct. 15th 1778, which rank he held until the close of the war. He served in the army of the Revolution during the whole period of seven years. He was the son of Samuel and Lydia (Dyer) Gray and a brother of the late Samuel Gray, Esq. He was the grandfather, of Anne C. Lynch the poetess, now the wife of Prof. Botts of New York. The following letter with others, was furnished us by the late Thomas Gray, Esq., as a contribution to the history of Windham. Our reader, and especially our soldiers will be enabled to compare the rations furnished to the soldiers of the Revolution, and those supplied at the present day. The letter is addressed to his brother Samuel. Camp, Jan. 7th, 1779. Dear Brother: I wrote several times to my Father and Doctor Elderkin, to procure me some Butter and Cheese; if they should not do it pray procure me some, and forward it by the first State or Continental Teams that come to the army for I am in great need of something, as there is nothing to be bo't here, and our allowance very short; only 14 oz. Of meat for seven days or 3 gills of Rice, or 3 4 lb corn Bread - of Buckwheat and corn not sifted - per diem, and sometimes neither. I have been credibly informed that some officers have been so hard pressed by hunger as to kill and eat their Dogs; we certainly fare very hard. My own hunger and the cries of a distressed Reg't for victuals, as well as for Clothes, gives me sensible Pain, and in such a manner that I never felt before. I hope that I shall be able to get well through it. I have no news only our present difficulties for want of Supplies; the patience and Submission of our men under such Difficulties and trying scenes is incredible. The avarice of the People which Depreciates the currency I believe is the grand Source of our present Troubles. My duty to my parents Love to Brothers Sisters little ones and Cousins. From your affectionate Brother. Eben'r Gray.

29. TWJ Fri Jan 17, 1862: I.A. Clark invites all who may wish to purchase boots, shoes or clothing, to inspect a new stock which he has just purchased and added to that recently kept by H.W. Avery, in the Twin Building. Mr. Clark displays an assortment of latest styles.

30. TWJ Fri Jan 17, 1862: Mrs. Anna M. Middlebrook, of Bridgeport, is to speak I the Spiritualist Church next Sabbath afternoon and evening.

31. TWJ Fri Jan 17, 1862: The Republican State Convention at Hartford yesterday adopted the following ticket - being the same nominated by the Union Convention on the 8th inst.: Governor - Wm. A. Buckingham.

Lieut. Gov. - Roger Averill.

Secy. Of State - J. Hammond Trumbull.

Treasurer - Gabriel W. Coite.

Controller - Leman W. Cutler.

32. TWJ Fri Jan 17, 1862: The rebels, it is said, are being shod with wooden shoes. We fear it will somewhat interfere with their fleetness of foot, for which they are becoming celebrated.

33. TWJ Fri Jan 17, 1862: The returns to the Registrar of Windham for 1861, are: Births 118, Marriages 53, Deaths 60.

34. TWJ Fri Jan 17, 1862: Historical Notes on Windham. No. 1. Introduction.

We propose in this series of articles to give a brief account of the early settlement of this place, the rise and progress of the present village of Willimantic, with some notice of our manufacturing establishments. Some of the facts have been already given to the public, but no consecutive account, and probably but few of our readers have ever seen the fragments that have been published. In order that the subject may be fully understood, it will be necessary to go back to the original grant of the lands and to the early settlement of Windham, Willimantic being still included as our readers are well are [aware?], in the old town. In the spring of the year 1676, during the bloody and desolating Indian war of King Phillip, Joshua Attawanhood, one of the favorite sons of Uncas, the "great sachem of Mohegan," died leaving by his will large tracts of land, to some of the principal men of the colony, situated in the counties of New London, Windham, and Tolland. Among these bequests was one to a number of gentlemen, mostly "Norwich men," of a tract of land to the "northward of Norwich" comprising ancient Windham and embracing most of the territory now included in the towns of Windham, Mansfield, Hampton and Scotland, with a portion of Canterbury. The initial boundary of this tract was at a place called by the Indians Appaquoge, near the north east corner of Hampton. Starting from this point the line run south eight miles, thence west to the river, thence on the Willimantic to about the north-east corner of Mansfield, thence east to Appaquoge, or place of beginning. These were the original limits of Windham which embraced a tract of some 50,000 or 60,000 acres of land. Several additions were afterwards made to the town, and some alteration in the boundaries. Among the additions was one which has proved quite important to Willimantic, and included all the territory west of the Shetucket and south and south west of the Willimantic rivers now included in the town of Windham. Lebanon was settled soon after Windham and it would be supposed that their territory would extend to the river; but the principal Lebanon grants did not embrace the lands bordering on or near it, and of course this tract as not claimed by Windham. Several of the Lebanon grantees, however, purchased considerable tracts in this undisputed territory and some of the Windham settlers, among whom was the Rev. Mr. Whiting, also purchased large lots of this "wilderness land". As these lands began to be settled, some by Lebanon and some by Windham men, the question arose to which town they belonged and the subject being in doubt, was referred to the General Court. A committee was appointed who decided that it would be for the advantage of these outsiders to belong to Windham. It is said, with how much truth, I know not, that both parties were well satisfied with the decision, but for different reasons. The Windham settlers believed the fishing interest would be an important one, and desiring to monopolize it were, anxious to exclude Lebanon from the banks of the river; while the Lebanon folks looking a little further ahead, believed there would by and by, be a considerable number of bridges to build and keep in repair, were very willing to let Windham have the shad if they would also take the bridges. On the 23d of Sept. 1701, the joint committee of Lebanon and Windham agreed to a boundary which as ever been maintained between them. It is as follows: Beginning at a white oak tree 80 rods south of the mouth of Hop river, about 12 rods west from Willimantic river, to run a straight line to Norwich town bounds, which would strike the Shetucket near Manning's bridge. Our friends "over the river," and in South Windham will understand that they are not located on the original Windham tract. It is quite fortunate for Willimantic that this matter was thus settled at that early day for had Lebanon extended to the river, it might have been more difficult at a later day to obtain a satisfactory division, and possibly a part of one present village would now be in Lebanon. In our next number we intent to give up an account of the first settlement of Willimantic Falls, or old Willimantic. W.L.W.

35. TWJ Fri Jan 17, 1862: James D. Mowry, of Norwich has received a contract from the United States government for 80,000 rifle muskets, after the latest Springfield model.

36. TWJ Fri Jan 17, 1862: Rare Honesty. When Wm. Jas. Hamersley settled his account with the government as Post Master at Hartford, the administration asked him to pay over $3,100, which he did; but with a very unusual honesty, he told the Government that that was not enough; got the accounts opened, and brought himself in debt $3,900 more which he handed over. Had he been a rascal, he might have kept the money and his fraud escaped discovery.

37. TWJ Fri Jan 17, 1862: The Mystic people are taking up the project of having a new town - the town of Mystic - clipped out of Groton and Stonington.

38. TWJ Fri Jan 17, 1862: Volunteers From Willimantic. We republish the list of Volunteers, with such additions and corrections as we have been able to make. We believe it is now very nearly complete. As our population is 3000 and the number of volunteers 126, it gives one soldier to about 24 inhabitants. We think few villages in the State have done better.
Atwood, Chas. W., Co K, 5th Reg't.

Andrews, Oliver C., Co F, 12th Reg't.

Burlingame, Joseph, 8th Reg't.

Burlingame, William, 8th Reg't

Babcock, Henry, 5th Reg't

Bliven, James, Co B, 2d Reg't, 3 mos, died injuries by the cars at Norwich.

Braley, Lester E., Capt. Co F, 12th Reg't, private in Co. A. 1st Reg't 3 mo's.

Benedict, Chas., Co F, 12th Reg't.

Bishop, Emery, Co F, 12th Reg't.

Brown, Henry, Co B, 5th Reg't.

Brown, Henry, Co C, 1th [sic] Reg't.

Cranston, Stillman, 29th Reg't N.Y.V.

Cranston, Earl S., Co b, 5th Reg't. C.V.

Campbell, George C., Acting Masters Mate, U.S.N.

Cary, Julian, Co B, 5th Reg't.

Champlain, Henry, 11th Reg't.

Connell, John, 11th Reg't.

Clark, Albert, Co B, 5th Reg't.

Cables, Chas, 3 mo's

Campbell, Horace, 12th Reg't, quartermaster's waiter Carney,

Cronen, David, 7th Reg't.

Gallam, Wm. 5th Reg't.

Costello, Thomas, 8th Reg't.

Costello, Patrick, 8th Mass. Reg't.

Dean, Laban, Co B, 10th Reg't.

Davis, Wm, 3d Reg't, 8 mo's

Duffy, Michael, 37th N.Y. Reg't.

Dexter, A.W. Co B, 10th Reg't, discharged on account of sickness.

Evans, Chas. P, 2d Serg't, Co F, 12th Reg't.

Flynn, Luke Jr., Co K, 5th Reg't.

Fitzpatrick, Patrick, Co F, 12th Reg't

Farrell, James, Co F, 12th Reg't.

Faun, John, Co. H, 11th Reg't.

Floyd, Patrick

Foley, Patrick, Co F, 12th Reg't.

Flynn, Michael, 7th Reg't.

Faren, John, 10th Reg't.

Gay, Augustus, 10th Reg't.

Geer, Chauncey, 7th Reg't.

Gavigan, Thomas, 5th Reg't.

Green, Cyrus, Co B, 10th Reg't.

Gallagher, Wm., 37th N.Y. Reg't.

Gray, Henry, Co F, 12th Reg't.

Gallagher, Frank, 7th Reg't.

Grimes, Michael, 7th Reg't.

Herrick, James, Co K, 5th Reg't.

Hoy, Patrick, Co F, 12th Reg't.

Hart, Henry, Co K, 5th Reg't.

Harvey, Edmund,

Harvey, Frederick, Co B, 10th Reg't.

Hovey, Andrew, 2d serg't Co B, 10th Reg't.

Herrick, Henry, Co F, 12th Reg't.

Harris, Wm., Co F, 12th Reg't.

Holland, Co B, 10th Reg't.

Harris, George, 5th Reg't.

Hooper, Wm., U.S.N.

Howard, Henry, Co F, 12th Reg't.

Howard, James, Co F, 12th Reg't.

Hulin, Co F, 12th Reg't.

Hooks, Charles, 7th Reg't.

Jordan, Elisha, Co F, 4th Reg't

Jackson, Chas., 8th Reg't.

Kenyon, Dwight, serg't, Co F, 12th Reg't.

Kidder, Warren, Co F, 12th Reg't.

Kenyon, Chas., 5th Reg't.

Lewis, Henry, 2d Lieut. N.Y. Fire Zouaves

Long, James, Co B, 1st Reg't three mo's.

Lyman, Chas., Co K, 5th Reg't.

Millar, Samuel, Co K, 5th Reg't.

Monahan, James, 5th Reg't.

Merril, D.E. Recruiting officer

Murphy, Michael, Co F, 12th Reg't.

Mathews, George, Ira Harris Cavalry,

McDermot, John, 5th Reg't.

Maine, Chester, 5th Reg't.

McCann, Michael, 5th Reg't.

McCann, John, deserted

McCarthey, John, U.S.N.

Nixon, John,

Nixon, Wm.

Palmer, Willard L., Co F, 12th Reg't

Purington, Salem, Co B, 5th Reg't.

Palmer, Dan, Co B, 5th Reg't.

Perkins, Ephraim, Ira Harris Cavalry

Possle, Thomas, 10th Reg't.

Popple, Willard, Connecticut Cavalry

Quinn, Thomas, Co K, 5th Reg't.

Robinson, David, Co B, 10th Reg't.

Roberts, Wm, 8th Reg't.

Roberts, James, 2d Lieut., Co B, 5th Regiment

Roberts, Chas, 8th Reg't.

Rice, S.W., Co K, 12th Reg't

Robinson, Remus, 11th Reg't.

Root, Edward, 5th Reg't.

Snow, Bonaparte, 8th Reg't

Snow, James, 8th Reg't

Snow, Geo, 1st corporal Co F, 12th Reg't

Shea, Michael, died from wounds

Scott, Andrew, Co F, 12th Reg't

Sullivan, Jas., Co B, 10th Reg't

Sullivan, Dan, Co F, 12th Reg't

Smith, Henry, Co F, 12th Reg't

Scranton, Wm.

Smith, Wm, 5th Reg't

Smith Frank, 8th Reg't

Shea, Dennis, 8th Reg't

Tew, Peleg N., Fife Major, 5th Reg't

Tew, John, Co K, 5th Reg't, Farrier

Thompson, Chas., Co B, 5th Reg't

Turner, Rufus, Co B, 5th Reg't.

Taylor, Thomas

Taylor, Sam'l

Trant, Wm., Co F, 12th Reg't

Underwood, Thomas, 5th Reg't

Underwood, Chas.

Underwood, George

Weaver, John N., Co B, 5th Reg't

Wilson, Albert, Capt's waiter, Co F, 12th Reg't

Williams, Herbert, Co F, 12th Reg't

Wilson, Geo H. Co F, 12th Reg't

Weaver, Chas M., Co F, 12th Reg't

Weaver, E.M., 8th Reg't

Walker, Chas.

Wood, orderly serg't 7th Reg't.

39. TWJ Fri Jan 17, 1862: Deaths.

In Lebanon, 8th instant Mary Sherman, aged 86 years.

In Andover, [looks like 8th or 9th] instant, Amos E. Loomis, aged __years.

In Willimantic, 11th instant, Nellie D. H__ertson, aged 6 years.

In Willimantic, 15th instant, E. Edwin Andrew, aged 24 years.

40. TWJ Fri Jan 17, 1862: Boots, Shoes, and Clothing. Isaac A. Clark, having purchased H.W. Avery's entire stock of Goods, and united with it his own, would invite the attention of those wishing to purchase Boots and Shoes to the largest and most desirable stock now offered in this market. Over $1000 worth has been purchased at a recent date, and is new and fashionable, comprising every variety of style adapted to village and country trade, and will be sold at reasonable figures. The remaining portion will be sold without regard to cost. Repairing done with neatness. Call and examine the goods. Store in Twin Building, Willimantic, Conn. I. Alonzo Clark.

41. TWJ Fri Jan 17, 1862: Buy your goods at the one price store, where they are the cheapest! Notwithstanding the noise and humbugging advertisements. S. Lewis continues to sell as low as the lowest, and if you wish to get the worth of your money, call at The Windham Co. Store. We have [not?] time or space to enumerate, but you can find a good assortment of Dry Goods, Groceries and Provisions, Flour and Grain, Boots and Shoes, Crockery and Glass Ware, Tin Ware, Cutlery, Wooden Ware, &c. &c. &c., cheap for cash or its equivalent. All goods warranted as represented, and is not approved of, can be returned and the money refunded. Farmer's produce take in exchange for goods. Call and see for yourselves. Stephen Lewis.

42. TWJ Fri Jan 17, 1862: Store to Let. The large and commodious store in Bassett's Block, fitted up in the best manner for Dry Goods. Bassett's Hall. This large and splendid Hall, in the same building, is now ready to rent for Balls, Lectures, Exhibition, &c. Inquire of J.C. Bassett. Willimantic, Jan. 15, 1862.

43. TWJ Fri Jan 17, 1862: U.S. Army & Navy Express, Washington, D.C. All goods or packages forwarded through Adams Express Co., Care of U.S. Army and Navy Express, 207 Pennsylvania Avenue, will be promptly delivered to the Camps or Naval Stations, as directed.

44. TWJ Fri Jan 17, 1862: Willimantic Book Store. James Walden, bookseller and Stationer, east of Franklin Building, Main Street. Depot of all the Newspapers, Magazines, New Publications, Standard and Miscellaneous Works, School Books, Stationery, &c. Also, a large assortment of Paper Hangings always on hand. Office of Adams Express and American Telegraph.

45. TWJ Fri Jan 17, 1862: James O. Fitch, Resident Dentist. Office in Atwood's Block. Where he is ready to do all kinds of Dental Work in the best manner, and with the best materials. Ether used in the extraction of teeth. References - Citizens of the village and vicinity.

46. TWJ Fri Jan 17, 1862: List of Letters remaining in the Post Office, Willimantic, January 7th, 1862.

Adams, Sam G.

Ackley, Susan

Bassett, Robert

Bridge, J.

Bracy, Evelyn

Brown, Ellen

Canada, E.

Dillworthy, H.

Dewey, S.H.

Davenport, S.

Earl, Wilber 2

Heart, J.

Hartley, James

Huling, S.H.

Hall, Sarah

Huntington, D.W.

Jenks, M.

Kelly, Robert

Lyman, George B.

Matteson, Amy E.

Moulton, Philena

Powers, Margaret

Potter, J.A.

Robinson, Jane

Roberts, Robert

Rouse, A.E. 2

Southworth, Louisa

Stanton, Abel

Stebbins, Eben R.

Taylor, J.M.

Treadway, Minnie

Watson, Lucy

Whittaker, Luci___

Persons calling for the above will please say "Advertised."

47. TWJ Fri Jan 24, 1862: Some little excitement has been created among our 'able bodied" men during the past week by the drafting of our quota for the "active militia" of the State. The force to be raised is 6500. This proportion for Windham is fifty-three. It should be understood that it is not raised for the present war, and not to be mustered into the United States service, but to be employed by the State, and then only in case of invasion or insurrection. Should we have war with Great Britain, they might be called on to defend the sea-board, as our militia was during the last war, but otherwise their chance of seeing active service is very small. The following is a list of those drafted in this town. We could almost wish that we were among the able-bodied, as we should consider it quite a privilege to "train" with such a respectable and highly favored company of men - the very "bone and muscle" of the community: George Stimpson, Edwin Thomas, James White, Wilbur Gleason, Wm. H. Hall, A.L. Winchester, Alfred W. Gordon, Edward R. Chappell, Burrows Palmer, Joseph Watts, Charles H. Little, Benj. Jones, Seneca S. Thresher, Levi Brown, Sam'l B. Ford, Henry Maxwell, Edwin H. Hall, Lucien Hicks, Nelson Whitman, Charles H. Hoxie, George A. Murdock, Charles Chappell, Joseph A. Lewis, John Q. Adams, Abel F. Starkweather, Francis E. Lewis, John M. Alpaugh, Peter Clark, Charles E. Carpenter, Reuben M. Cheesebro, Joseph R. Fry, John Morse, Charles Stebbins, Edwin C. Mahoney, William H. Maloney, Courtland Chappell, Joseph B. Spencer, Wm. H. Cranston, James H. Campbell, James Gallup, Rob't W. Hooper, Milton Shew, Ira T. Hoxie, Wm. W. Perry, Albert Harris, Edw'd Hebbard, Wm. Moulton, Philander Willis, Charles H. Chase, Samuel Pearl, Henry E. Staniford, Elijah P. Hatch, Oliver C. Johnson, Total, 53.

48. TWJ Fri Jan 24, 1862: History of Windham. Our present engagement may postpone, but we trust it will not prevent the completion of the History of Windham, on which we have been for some time engaged. For the information of those who feel an interest in the work, we would state that most of the historical and genealogical materials have been collected, and to some extent arranged. The work, on the whole, is in such a state of forwardness that it can be ready for the press as soon as the times indicate that its sale will pay the cost of publication.

49. TWJ Fri Jan 24, 1862: Change of Landlords. Mr. Henry Brainard, so long the proprietor of Brainard's Hotel in this village, has retired from the business, and is succeeded by Mr. Pember, formerly of the Humphrey House, New Britain. The numerous friends of Mr. Brainard sincerely regret his withdrawal, and will long remember the capital dinners and generous bill of fare which he was wont to dispense to his patrons.

50. TWJ Fri Jan 24, 1862: The Sixteen Original Proprietors of Windham, or (Norwich) Legatees of Joshua Uncas. (From Weaver's forthcoming History of Windham.) Capt. John Mason, was a son of Major John Mason, the famous commander of the Pequot expedition in 1637, and founder of Norwich. He settled at Stonington and was one of the magistrates of the colony. He was wounded in the fearful swamp fight at Narragansett, Dec. 19, 1675, and died from the effects of that wound at New London, Sept. 18, 1676. Lieut. Samuel Mason, son of the Major, and brother of Capt. John, above named, with a prominent man in his day, and one of the assistants of the colony. He lived at Stonington, where he died March 30, 1705. Daniel Mason, brother of the two preceding, also lived in Stonington, and died there about 1736. One of his sons, Hezekiah, settled at Windham.

Rev. James Fitch, was minister at Saybrook, and the first minister of Norwich. John, his fourth son, was an early and prominent settler of Windham. Other descendants of his settled in the town at a later day. Major James Fitch, eldest son of Rev. James Fitch, was an assistant of the colony and a man of note. He was one of the first and most prominent settlers of Canterbury, where he died in 1727.

John Birchard, was one of the original proprietors of Norwich, and one of its first magistrates. He married Christy Ann Andrews of Saybrook, had fourteen children, and died in Norwich, 1702.

Lieut. Thomas Tracy, one of the thirty-five proprietors of Norwich, where he died in 1685. Some of his descendants settled at Windham at a later day.

Thomas Adgate, a proprietor of Norwich, and deacon in Rev. James Fitch's church. He died at Norwich, in 1707. His daughter Rebecca married Joseph Huntington an early settler of Windham.

Simon Huntington, was one of the proprietors of Norwich, born at Norwich, England, was one of the deacons in Mr. Fitch's church, and father of Joseph above named.

Lieut. Thomas Leffingwell, one of the proprietors of Norwich, married at Saybook and had six children. His son Thomas was a prominent operator in Windham lands during the period of early settlement, but none of his descendants in the male line located in the town.

John Olmsted, was one of the proprietors of Norwich. He was a physician, and married Elizabeth, eldest daughter of Matthew Marvin the first of Hartford. They died at Norwich without issue.

William Hyde, one of the original proprietors of Norwich, was born in England and died at Norwich, 1681. His grand-son Samuel Hyde settled at Windham, but removed to Lebanon.

William Backus, was one of the proprietors of Norwich. His sons William and John were early settlers of Windham.

Hugh Calkins, also a proprietor of Norwich, was born in Wales, came to Gloucester Mass, in 1641, to New London in 1651, and to Norwich in 1660, where he died in 1690. He was a member of the colonial Legislature, from the above named places. By his wife Ann, who came with him from England, he had seven children.

Capt. George Denison, the famous Indian fighter and partisan during Phillips's war. He lived at Stonington, and died at Hartford, in 1604, while attending the colonial Legislature as a member. Some of his descendants settled in Windham, but not very early.

Daniel Wetherell, born Nov. 29, 1630, at Maidstone, in Kent, England, came to New London, in 1659, married Grace, daughter of Jonathan Brewster, of New London. He was an assistant of the colony, Judge of probate, Judge of the county Court, and town clerk of New London. He was highly respected, and died April 14, 1719. He had four children, but his sons left no issue, and his family in the male line became extinct.

Those of the legatees whose descendants settled in Windham, will claim further notice under the genealogical head.

51. TWJ Fri Jan 24, 1862: Communications. (Extract of a private letter to a Windham lady, communicated for the Journal.) Louisville, KY., Jan. 13, 1862. As for Kentucky she is utterly distracted. Secessionism and Unionism, both run high; very often in one family. It is no unusual thing here for strong Union parents to have sons fighting against the warmly espoused cause of the parent, and there are many instances of husband and wife being divided in sentiment on the all-absorbing subject, often causing, to say the least, a highly unpleasant state of domestic affairs. Our Autumn extended to the first of January. On the 9th of December it was so warm that we had open windows, and our fires went out during the middle of the day. The season has been unprecedently mild, and we have rejoiced in it exceedingly for the soldiers' sake. Since New Years we had a cold sleety rain which makes us think of the soldiers' fingers, ass they handle the cold steel, and bless the busy fingers that are knitting warm mittens. These are indeed terrible times, and we here realize it much more fully than it is possible for you to do who are so far removed from actual hostilities; but here where armies pass our door, regiment after regiment, with the splendid trappings of war, the bristling steel, the gleaming sword, and prancing steed, and bodies of armed men, almost continually before our eyes, (for we cannot look out at any time without seeing soldiers somewhere,) we feel that there is indeed a war in the land. Then our hospitals with their long wards, filled with the sick, who have periled their lives for their country, excites our sympathies and makes us wish that all the suffering and sorrow produced by this terrible war were concentrated and inflicted upon the vile traitors who have been the cause of all this. My husband waves the star-splangled banner with added interest for each succeeding regiment that passes.

52. TWJ Fri Jan 24, 1862: To the Editor of the Journal: Will you please insert the following List of Volunteers from the town of Chaplin, and let them see that we are some, after all:

Allen, Henry, 7th Reg't.

Button, Lorenzo, 7th

Church, Morris, 11th

Clark, Wm. Mason (Cor.) 11th

Ferrill, Dick, 3d

Griggs, John, 11th

Griggs, Daniel, 11th

Green, Charles, 12th

Gurley, Asher, 12th

Ingraham, Wm. H. (Serg't), 5th

Kendall, James, 7th

Marsh, Newell, 12th

Mack, George, 11th

Mack, Jesse, 11th

Plumbley, Walter (Serg't), 5th

Snow, Lowell M. (Cor.), 5th

Snow, Hiram A., 11th

Storrs, Daniel, 11th

Shoars, Joseph, 7th

Seagraves, Brasillion, 12th

Sanford, Charles, 12th

Welch, Elisha, 7th

Weaver, Morris, 8th

Winship, Charles, 12th

Walton, Henry, 12th

The above, we think, will do very well for the small town of Chaplin, which enrolled but twenty-two as subject to military duty. The population of the town is 788. Yours, respectfully, J.W. Lincoln. Good for Chaplin. - (Ed. Jour.)

53. TWJ Fri Jan 24, 1862: To the Editor of the Journal: The deaths in Columbia for the year 1861 were as follows: 1861.

January 1, Mrs. Harriet Yeomans, aged 45

January 18, Ellen S. Collins, aged 12

January 19, Carrie Ida Richardson, aged 2

Feb'ary 3, Capt. Roger Loomis, aged 66

Feb'ary 19, Dea. Silas Holbrook, aged 79

March 17, Miss Hannah Clarke, aged 68

George Hall, (pauper), aged 83

Aug'st 18, Mrs. Maryette Hall, aged 24

Aug'st 18, Almond Cook, (in Wil'mtc), aged 21

Aug'st 19, Alanson Little, aged 71

Sept'br 17, Mrs. Betsey Cook, aged 61

Nov'br 4, Mrs. Lucinda Bliss, aged 79.

- Richards, (col'rd child).

J.S. Yeomans. Columbia, Jan. 21, 1862.

54. TWJ Fri Jan 24, 1862: Windham, Jan. 23, 1862. Mr. Editor: I send you a list of soldiers from this part of the town:

Waldo Plumbley, 5th Reg't, (discharged)

Philliphs [sic] Fisher, 5th "

Rufus Rood, Jr., 5th ", (dead)

Edward Young, 4th "

Charles Ripley, 7th "

Eleazer Ripley, 8th "

Geo. M. Chamberlin, 8th "

Sam'l H. Smith, 8th "

Geo. H. Chappell, 8th "

Alvord Chappell, 8th "

John Chappell, 8th "

Stanton Owen, 8th " (discharged)

John H. Spencer, 8th " do.

Henry Bassett, 8th "

George Fisher, 11th "

Chester Dennison, 12th "

Yours, truly, Wm. Swift.

55. TWJ Fri Jan 24, 1862: Commodore George Nutt, of Manchester, N.H., the dwarf, has been engaged by Barnum to exhibit for three years, the showman paying the Commodore thirty thousand dollars a year for the favor. He is a head and shoulders shorter than Gen. Tom Thumb.

56. TWJ Fri Jan 24, 1862: Col. Ladd of Sterling fell dead on the 8th inst., while walking by the side of his team. Wishing to walk up a hill, he slighted from the carriage, but had gone only a few steps when he fell and instantly expired.

57. TWJ Fri Jan 24, 1862: Mr. Rufus Waldo of Canterbury, aged 64, committed suicide at Danielsonville, on the 8th by hanging himself. The loss of a son on the ill-fated "Lady Elgin," and the recent death of his wife, had depressed his mind exceedingly.

58. TWJ Fri Jan 24, 1862: Abner and George Gilbert killed two wild cats in the woods near Redding last week. The largest measured four feet in length.

59. TWJ Fri Jan 24, 1862: William Fitch of New Haven was to-day (18th) appointed Paymaster General of the state of Connecticut, vice Col. Wm. O. Irish resigned.

60. TWJ Fri Jan 24, 1862: The Fourth Regiment is in snug barracks at forts near Washington, with light duty and a full supply of hospital stores and other necessaries for comfort. The Fifth is almost continually on the march, and, we learn by private letters they receive but little from home, and are greatly in need of shoes, stockings, mittens, etc. Will not our folks remember their sons and brothers in the Fifth.

61. TWJ Fri Jan 24, 1862: Marriages.

In Windham, Dec. 31st, 1861, by the Rev. Mr. Stearns, Mr. Jacob Burnett to Mrs. Eliza Clark.

In Columbia, on the 2d inst., by Rev. F.D. Avery, Colonel Samuel West to his fourth wife, Miss Amanda Woodward. By this marriage the bride becomes the mother-in-law to her own brother, and the bridegroom becomes the brother-in-law to his own daughter - calling her mother-in-law who is seven years his junior. Col West is aged 86 years, yet he is in possession of mental and physical powers almost unimpaired.

62. TWJ Fri Jan 24, 1862: Deaths.

Died in Willimantic, Jan. 23d, very suddenly, Edwin Andrew, aged 4 years. He was son of Mr. E. Edwin Andrew, who died quite suddenly last week of scarletina.

In Knoxville, Ill., Sept. 30th, 1861 [sic], Elijah C. Moulton, formerly of Chaplin, Conn., aged 55 years.

In Chaplin, 19th Dec. 1861, Esther Moulton, aged 86 years.

In Windham, 22d inst., Mrs. Mary Follett, aged 70 years.

In Columbia, 11th inst., Nellie D. Robertson, aged 6 years.

In Vernon, 19th inst., Mr. John Little, aged 76 years. Mr. L. was a native of Columbia, and had always resided there till about three years since, when he went to reside near his children in Vernon. His funeral was attended at Columbia on the 21st inst.

63. TWJ Fri Jan 24, 1862: At a Court of Probate holden at Mansfield, within and for the District of Mansfield, on the 20th day of January, A.D. 1862 - Present, Oliver B. Griggs, Esq., Judge. Upon the petition of Albert D. Saunders, of Williamsburgh in the county of Hampshire, state of Massachusetts, showing to this court that he is guardian of Sarah E. Baxter, and Everett R. Baxter, minor children of Samuel R. Baxter, of Mansfield, within said district, deceased; that said minors are the owners of real estate situated in the northwesterly part of said Mansfield, near Mansfield Depot, so called, and formerly owned by Samuel R. Baxter, deceased, and is bounded and described as follows, viz: Beginning on the highway leading past the premises and near where the Mansfield Manufacturing Co's Factory formerly stood, at a pile of stones then southerly eight rods to stones; then westerly ten rods to stones; then northerly eight rods to stones; then easterly ten rods to the first mentioned bounds, containing eighty rods of land, with the buildings thereon standing, valued at about One Hundred Dollars, That it would be for the interest of said minors that said property be sold and the avails thereof invested for their benefit according to law, and praying for liberty to sell said property for the purpose aforesaid, as per petition on file. It is ordered by this court that said guardian give notice of said application by causing the same to be published in a newspaper printed in Willimantic, in the county of Windham, three weeks successively, at least six weeks before the hearing and that said petition will be heard at the Probate office in said district on the 10th day of March next at 10 o'clock A.M. Certified from record, O.B. Griggs, Judge.

64. TWJ Fri Jan 24, 1862: At a Court of Probate holden at Coventry, within and for the district of Coventry, on the 10th day of January, A.D. 1862: Present Andrew R. Brown, Esq., Judge. On motion of the trustee on the assigned estate of Charles Carpenter, of Coventry, within said District: It is ordered by this Court that notice be given that the Trustee Account in said estate will be exhibited for settlement at the Probate Office in said district on the 1st day of February, 1862, at 10 o'clock A.M., by posting a copy of this order on the public sign post in said town of Coventry, and by advertising the same in a newspaper published in Willimantic, in the country of Windham, one week. Certified from record, A.R. Brown, Judge.

65. TWJ Fri Jan 24, 1862: The London Star gives statistics to show that there was actually more cotton in England on the 20th of December than at the same date last year, and it tells the Southern rebels they are mistaken in supposing the world is dependant on them; that in fact they have taught Europe the necessity of becoming independent of them, and it will be done.

66. TWJ Fri Jan 31, 1862: The following gentlemen are authorized to act as Agents and receive subscriptions for the Journal:

Willimantic, James Walden.

Windham Centre, Wm. Swift.

South Windham, Sam'l G. Byrne

North Windham, P.B. Peck

Scotland, James Barnet

Chaplin, Allen Lincoln

Mansfield Centre, George F. Swiff

Gurleyville, John Clark

South Coventry, George B. Grant

Columbia, John S. Yeomans

67. TWJ Fri Jan 31, 1862: H.B. Storer, of N. Haven, speaks at the Spiritualist Church next Sabbath.

68. TWJ Fri Jan 31, 1862: Births, Marriages and Deaths in Mansfield. From the records of births, marriages and deaths in Mansfield, it appears that there have been in the town, during the year ending Dec. 31st, 1861, 35 births, 12 marriages, and 49 deaths. Of the births, 17 were males and 18 females; of the deaths, 19 were males and 30 females. Of this number, 26 were over 50 years old; 21 over 60; 15 over 70; 10 over 80; and 1 (Mrs. Lydia Dewey,) over 90 - 95 years and 11 months; being the oldest person in the town at the time of her death, and, it is believed, the last remaining revolutionary pensioner in Tolland County. Of the marriages, all were native Americans and all residents of the State, except one individual. O.B. Griggs, Registrar.

69. TWJ Fri Jan 31, 1862: J. Sweet, of Hampton, committed suicide by shooting himself through the head, on the 14th inst., while deranged.

70. TWJ Fri Jan 31, 1862: Historical Notes on Willimantic. No. II. (We have thought best to publish one more introductory article before giving an account of the first actual settlement.) The name of the village of Willimantic is derived from the river that passes through it. It was applied to the place where the first lots were laid out, in 1686. The aboriginal names of our lakes and streams are significant, and often highly poetic. That of our own river - if its meaning is rightly apprehended - is beautiful and expressive. The following note in regard to the signification of Willimantic has been kindly furnished us by the Hon. J.H. Trumbull, our accomplished Secretary of State, who has devoted much time to investigating and translating Indian names, and who is authority on all historical and antiquarian matters relating to Connecticut. He says: "I find the name of your river variously written, Walamanitticuk, Wewemantick, Weammantuck, Waramantick, Wallamantuck, and a half-dozen other forms. In Chandler's survey of the Mohegan country, it is written, and divided, 'We-am-man-tuck." I suppose the name to be composed of Wunne, Winne, Willa, Walla, Warra, - for the same word, in various dialects, was thus differently pronounced and has been thus written, - meaning good, or fair; Monoi, deep, or abbundant; and Tuck, river. This gives Winne, or Wille-monoi-tuck, the fair deep stream, or the fair, full watered river. The name of a pond in Wrentham, Mass., called Wallamonopaug, elsewhere written Wanamanpaug, and Wollomanuppoag, is similarly compounded of Wunnemonoi paug, 'fair, deep pond,' paug meaning a 'fresh water pond,' as tuck means 'river.' The Winne, or Wille, was a common prefix to Indian names; as for example, In Winne-piseogee, or Winnegesaug, Lake, and in Winnebago." We must remember that the Willimantic is not exactly, - in appearance, at least, -

"The same bright river as of yore,

Where down to drink the wild deer came,

Or red man roamed they forest shore,

And called thee by thy sweet, wild name!"

For-

"The hand of Art hath worked thee wrong,

And bound thee slave to selfish trade;

Tamed is thy current free and strong,

And broke with wheels thy wild cascade!"

Our poet, (Jas. S. Babcock) who was born and reared near its banks, in Coventry, seems to have had a clear perception of the meaning of the name, when he sang -

"Fair Willimantic! Gentle stream!

In beauty winds your meadow'd way,

Still resting like a happy dream,

Still ever gliding far away."

But we must not dwell on the poetical, but turn to the prose (and we fear, to some of our readers, the prosy) side of our subject. In the month of February, 1682, the "Norwich" legatees entered into an agreement to "settle a plantation in four years," on the land "bequeathed to them by Joshua, Sachem, sonne of Uncas, deceased;" and at a meeting February 23, 1685, it was agreed "by the said legatees to settle a Towne in three places for the sake of convenience of lands and meadows." The first location selected for settlement was then called the "Hither Place," or "South East Quarter," now Windham Centre; the second place was at the "Ponds," or "Pond Place," now Mansfield Centre; and the third was at the Willimantic, then written Williamantuck. In the month of May, 1686, active preparations were made to commence a settlement at the above named places, and the lots and streets were laid out in each section. At "Willimantuck," twelve lots were laid out, containing six acres each, butting southwesterly on the river, and north-easterly on a highway - which was marked out at the same time. These lots were bounded, as a whole, south-easterly and north-westerly on the commons, and it is now impossible to determine their exact location. The writer is of the opinion, however, that they extended along the bank of the river to the westward of the present village, probably on the present farms of Elias P. Brown and William Avery. As the proposed settlement here, for some reason, proved an entire failure, it is not so important to ascertain the location of these lots. The Willimantic "home lots" were drawn on the "last of May," 1680, (at the same time with those at the other places,) by the following proprietors:

Daniel Mason, No. 1

Lieut. Thos. Leffingwell, No. 2 and 10.

Capt. Samuel Mason, No. 3

Rev. James Fitch, No. 4

John Birchard, No. 5

Lieut. Thomas Tracy, No. 6

Thomas Adgate, No. 7

Ens'gn William Backus, No. 8

Capt. John Mason, No. 9

Capt. Jas. Fitch, No. 11 and 12

A word of explanation may be necessary in regard to the mode of distributing the shares of land to each legatee. The whole tract was divided into 48 shares, estimated to contain 1000 acres each. They were not distributed pro rata to the legatees, but according to the royal favor of Uncas; some had but one, while others had half a dozen shares. The whole allotment was not laid out in a body to each proprietor, but was so distributed that every one had a certain portion of land in each part of the tract, such as meadow, pasture, upland, &c., The lots at the different places where it was intended there should be a village, were called "home lots." The Willimantic proprietors sold their rights, including those home lots, to actual settlers, who exchanged them for what they considered more desirable locations. Most of them obtained, "home lots" at a place called the "crotch of the river," which was at or near "Brick-top" of the present day. One reason why this place was preferred to Willimantic, was because the proprietors believed it would soon become the centre of the principal settlement, on account of its situation between the "Hither Place" and "Ponds." It was sometimes called the "Centre," in the deeds of this period, and it was once voted to locate the first church here; but owing to a disagreement between the settlers at the "Ponds" and those at the "Hither Place," the vote was annulled, by which "Brick-top" lost the prize, and failed to become the "town." The controversy which originated respecting the location of the meeting house, finally resulted in the first division, in 1703, when Mansfield was set off, and became a separate town. The first attempt to form a settlement at Willimantic having proved a failure, no further efforts were made in that direction for nearly twenty years; when, as we shall see in our next article, the actual settlement was commenced.

71. TWJ Fri Jan 31, 1862: Communications. To the Editor of the Journal: Sir: In the list of volunteers from Chaplin published last week, the following names were omitted:

Waterman Griggs, Dwight Flint. Yours, J.W.L.

72. TWJ Fri Jan 31, 1862: Yale College, Jan. 22d, 1862. The remaining Prize Debates alluded to in my last, were among the members of the Sophomore Class, the first on the evening of Jan. 15th, before the following Committee of Award viz:

Prof. Hubert A. Newton

Rev. Joseph Brewster

Rev. S.W.S. Dutton, D.D.

Out of six competitors, the three who received prizes were -

H.P. Boyden, Worcester, Mass., 1st Prize, $20;

S.C. Darling, St. Stephens, N.B., 2d Prize, $10;

Lewis Gregory, Wilton, Conn., 3d Prize, $5.

The next evening in Brothers' Hall there were seven competitors before the following judges, viz: Hon. Henry Dutton, L.L.D.

Rev. E.L. Cleaveland, D.D.,

Prof. Wm. A. Norton.

The three who were decided to have merited the prizes were -

M.H. Williams, Terryville, Ct. 1st Prize, $15;

M.C.D. Borden, Fall River, Mass., 2d Prize, $10;

H.D. Paine, Woonsocket, R.I., 3d Prize, $5.

These comprise the Prize Debates of this term, and the usual routine of college life continues with little of interest except occasionally. Within a day or two the Senior Class elected an orator and a poet to represent them on Presentation Day, as follows: -

D.H. Chamberlain, Orator;

Henry Holt, Poet.

The weather continues cold and windy, with a snow squall once in a while to vary the monotony and keep the sleighing good. Student.

73. TWJ Fri Jan 31, 1862: Military Items.

The Twelfth Regiment is to leave for the war next week, it is said. One indication is that the Quartermaster advertises to sell all the lumber used in the construction of temporary buildings in camp, at auction. The First Connecticut Battery of Artillery has embarked for Port Royal. They have Parrott rifled cannon. The total number of men is 154, and they take 134 horses and about ten tons of ammunition. The 5th Connecticut regiment must have learned to march pretty well of late, as a soldier writes that the whole Division have been kept on a "regular trot." He says the 5th have averaged about sixteen miles a day for the last 40 days. The correspondent of the New York Times with Burnside's expedition, mentions that on the New Brunswick transport, the Connecticut 10th had concerts, charades, theatricals and negro delineations on the passage down, under the lead of Capt. Benjamin Jepson of New Haven.

74. TWJ Fri Jan 31, 1862: There are now 135 boys in the State Reform School at Meriden, all in good health, and the school was never in a more flourishing condition.

75. TWJ Fri Jan 31, 1862: The widow of the late Col. Sam. Colt is still further afflicted, in the loss of an infant daughter, at the age of seven months and twenty seven days. A son, four years of age, is the only remaining child.

76. TWJ Fri Jan 31, 1862: The Registration returns of New London for 1861 are as follows: Births, 210 - males 94, females, 114; sex not stated, 2. Marriages 90.

77. TWJ Fri Jan 31, 1862: Alfred P. Brockwell, of Norwich, has been appointed Captain of the 1st Connecticut Light Battery.

78. TWJ Fri Jan 31, 1862: In Norwich, in 1861, the number of marriages was 167; births, 407; deaths 533.

79. TWJ Fri Jan 31, 1862: A son of Thomas Loby, while sliding down hill in Putnam, on Thursday, came in collision with the wheel of a wagon, inflicting wounds that caused his death in thirty-six hours. The same day, the wife of John Kelly fell and broke her arm.

80. TWJ Fri Jan 31, 1862: There were 50 marriages in the town of Killingly during the year 1861; births 140; deaths 73, of whom 20 were children of less than a year of age.

81. TWJ Fri Jan 31, 1862: Dr. McCregor, of Thompson, prisoner at Columbus, S.C., writes hone that he is in good health and spirits, and has better quarters than he had at Charleston. James Cruff and Luman H. Comins, both of Thompson, are also prisoners.

82. TWJ Fri Jan 31, 1862: There is to be a Grand Ball in New London on the 6th of February, for the benefit of "The Ladies Soldiers' Aid Society" - music by the U.S. Band, stationed at Fort Trumbull.

83. TWJ Fri Jan 31, 1862: D.F. Robinson, late president of the Hartford Bank, and one of the worthiest and best citizens of Hartford, died on Sunday last at the age of 61.

84. TWJ Fri Jan 31, 1862: Capt. Kellog, the Captain of the Scott Guards, who has been a prisoner at Richmond for several months, and who was recently exchanged, arrived home at Winsted, Saturday.

85. TWJ Fri Jan 31, 1862: Dr. Barrows, of Hartford, was thrown from an overturned sleigh on Front street, Tuesday, and received several cuts on the face, though none of a serious nature were sustained.

86. TWJ Fri Jan 31, 1862: A few years ago seventeen vessels hailing from Mystic were engaged in the whale fishery. The Coriolanus, which was recently condemned, is the last of the seventeen.

87. TWJ Fri Jan 31, 1862: The State Normal School at New Britain has commenced its winter term with over ninety students, although several young men had left the school to join the army.

88. TWJ Fri Jan 31, 1862:Col. Deming of the 12th Reg't resigned the office of Mayor of Hartford on the 25th inst.

89. TWJ Fri Jan 31, 1862: A pleasant state of things, we are told, exists in Canterbury, (Westminster Society). Ten or more have been hopefully converted. Rev. L. Burleigh is preaching there at present.

90. TWJ Fri Jan 31, 1862: Rev. S.B. Morse, late pastor of the Central Baptist Church in Thompson, has become pastor of the Baptist Church in South Wilbraham, Mass.

91. TWJ Fri Jan 31, 1862: Rev. Merrick Knight, late of Hebron, has declined the call to settle as colleague pastor with Dr. Calhoun, over the Congregational Church and Society in North Coventry, but will continue his labors there until the first of April next.

92. TWJ Fri Jan 31, 1862: The Rev. Charles Little, a native of Columbia, and late missionary to India, has been installed over the Congregational Church at Cheshire, Conn.

93. TWJ Fri Jan 31, 1862: Cheshire Academy. Rev. J.S. Horton, the Principal of the above time honored institution, and his assistant, Mr. Newton Perkins, gave the pupils an afternoon's recreation, by the way of a sleigh ride to Waterbury and back, on Friday afternoon of last week. After riding about the city and seeing what was going on, (says the American) the party, between 7 and 8 o'clock in the evening, partook of an excellent supper at the Scovill House, where they appeared to enjoy themselves, as well as their excursion, with great zest.

94. TWJ Fri Jan 31, 1862: Deaths.

In Boston, Miss Nancy Young, eldest daughter of the late David Young, Esq., of Windham, aged about 56 years.

In Leavenworth, Kansas, on the 2d inst., Mrs. Elizabeth Johnson, widow of Murry Johnson, formerly of Plainfield, and daughter of the late Roger Huntington of Windham, aged 71 years.

In Coventry, Jan. 27th, James E. Hunt, aged 14 months.

In Eagleville, Jan. 27th, Ellen Pierce, aged 2 years and 8 months.

95. TWJ Fri Jan 31, 1862: District of Thompson, ss., Probate Court, January 25th, 1862. Assigned estate of Paris Walker, and Charles H. Sharpe, copartners under the name and style of Walker & Sharpe, of Thompson in said District. The Court of Probate, for the District of Thompson hath limited and allowed two months from date of this order, for the Creditors of said Estate represented insolvent, in which to exhibit their claims thereto; and has appointed Franklin Baily of Putnam, and Lucius Briggs of said Thompson, Commissioners to receive and examine said Claims. Certified by James S. Crosby, Clerk. The subscribers give notice that they shall meet at the store of Walker & Sharpe, in said town of Thompson, on the 22d day of February, and 22d day of March, 1862, at 2 o'clock in the afternoon, on each of said days, for the purpose of attending to the business of said appointment. Franklin Bailey, Lucius Briggs, Commissioners. All persons indebted to said Estate are requested to make immediate payment to Asbury Nichols, Assigned.

96. TWJ Fri Jan 31, 1862: Union Feeling at the South. Letters received in this city from prominent families in South Carolina state that their members are heartily tired of the experiment of seccession; that they went into it as a matter of enthusiasm and State pride, but that nothing save misery and ruin has attended it, and that they long for the protection of the Stars and Stripes. Our prisoners just released from the Richmond prison houses, bear united witness to the existence of strong Union feeling in that city, the seat of the rebel government, where almost all the mechanics and working men are the secret friends of the nation, and took every opportunity they could get for conversing with our men and declaring their real sentiments. In New Orleans there are 5,000 natives of the North, 5,000 Irish and German naturalized citizens, who have mostly a decided feeling of love for the Union, but who have as yet no means of proving it with effect. N.Y. Post.

97. TWJ Fri Jan 31, 1862: The Boarding Pikes, a couple of thousand of which the Wilson Manufacturing Company have been making for the U.S. Navy Department, are not very bad looking tools. The rebel who gets killed with one of them will be dispatched to the other side of Jordan by a very neatly made and nicely polished instrument - which, if he is particular about such things, will be a great comfort to him. Compared with the rough-looking stickers with which poor, spunky old John Brown undertook to persuade our Southern brethren to consent to the abolition of their peculiar institution, they are vastly superior, so far as appearance goes. How they would compare for service we cannot judge - as neither of the two kinds have been tried by (or upon) us. - N.L. Chronicle.