The Willimantic Journal

An Independent, Local, Family Newspaper.

Published Every Saturday Morning

Office in Franklin Building, Up Stairs

The Willimantic Journal, March 1862

214. TWJ Fri Mar 7, 1862: Old Fashioned Comforts. Our ancestors were a frugal, self-denying people, inured to hardship from the cradle; they were content to be without almost all the luxuries of life, but they enjoyed some of its comforts to which many of us are stranger - old fashioned comforts, we may say - and among these the old fire-place, as it used to be termed, held no mean rank. How vividly the picture of one of those spacious kitchens of the olden times comes to our mind with its plain furniture and sanded floor, innocent of paint, but as white as the neatest of housewives could make it! In one corner stood the clock its very face wearing an aspect of good cheer, and seeming to smile benignantly upon a miniature moon over its head, which, tradition said, had, at a remote period, followed the rising and setting of its great prototype in the heavens, though its day of active service were long ago over. But the crowning glory of that kitchen was not its sanded floor; nor the high desk, with its pigeon-holes and secret drawers, which no venturesome youngster ever dared invade; nor yet the old clock ticking so musically in the corner; but it was the old-fashioned fire-place, with its blazing embers, huge backlogs and iron fire-dogs, that shed a glory over the whole room, gilded the plain and homely furniture with its bright light, and rendered the place a type of true New England homes in "ye olden time." Never were there such apples as those which swung round and round upon strings before the bright fire of a winter's evening, never such baked potatoes as those buried deep in the ashes on the hearth, never such cornstalks as those which caught a golden hue from the blazing embers, or turkeys like those turned upon a spit, filling the room with dainty odors, so suggestive of a dainty repast. Before the fire was the wooden settle and here the children were wont to sit in the long evening, telling stories, cracking nuts, conning their lesson for the morrow, or listening in silence to the words of wisdom that fell from the lips of their superiors, and anon gazing in silence into the fire, and conjuring up all sorts of grotesque, fanciful images from among the burning coals. No fabled genii, with their magic lamps of enchantment, could build such gorgeous palaces, or create such gems as the child could discern amid the blazing embers of the old-fashioned fire-place. And we must not neglect the chimney corner, where sat our grandfather in his accustomed seat, his hair silvered with the snows of many winters - a venerable man, to whom old age had come "frostily but kindly," and whose last days were like those of an Indian summer, serene and beautiful even till the stars appeared in heaven. How pure was the air in those days! The huge fire-place with its brisk draught carried off the impurities of the atmosphere, and left the air pure, life-giving and healthful. Now, we crouch around hot cooking stoves, and think it strange that we feel so stupid and drowsy of an evening; or we huddle about air-tight stoves, and wonder that the air seems burning and impure; or we sit down in chilly rooms heated by a furnace, and marvel that with all our costly furniture soft carpets, bright mirrors and damask curtains, they are cheerless places - so unlike our ideas of a New England home. Alas! That with all the so-called improvements of our advanced civilization the fire should be permitted to go out forever in our old fashioned fire-places thus burying in the ashes of the past so many means of health, home comfort, good cheer and happiness. - Scientific American.

215. TWJ Fri Mar 7, 1862: A Waif from Dixie. Mr. John Hetherington, a Webster member of the 21st Mass. Regimental Band, sends the editor of the Webster Times the following letter which he found among the effects of a secesh prisoner taken at Roanoke Island. As a literary curiosity, the letter is slightly ahead of anything we have ever seen. We copy it verbatim: December the 28 1861

Dear lov I now tak my pen in hand this morning to Drop you afew lines to inform you that my helth is very good at this time Dear lov and I hop and pray that these Few lines may Find you inJoying the same Blessing of helth my Dear lov I reseved your kind letter that you sent By mr Tate A crismas Day and was more than glad to heir From you Dear lov and to heir that you was well Dear lov I can tell you the gratest plesher I hav seen this crismas and all that I hav seen yet was reading your letter Dear lov and heiring From you and heiring you was as well and as Fat as a hog Dear lov and o how I wish that I could see you now Dear lov and talk together sweet as we once Did Dear lov I would like to know when you can come and see us all. you sent me anice present Dear lov and I hav got one to send you Dear lov that is a par of gloves and a Comfort For a crismas gift if I can git a opertunity to send it to you Dear lov let you be on land or sea Do not Ferget to think of me and I will not Ferget to think of you Dear love me and susan is By our selves and has Bin all the crismas mother and cath is gon to mary anns and we hav not seen a yong man this crismas you wanted to now if I had lurnt your Favert tune Dear lov I have got the two songs & Balets From Down thare and cant reed them good anuff to lurn them if they are your Favert onse the World is round and has no end so is my love to you my Friend the ros is red the vilet Blue I hav seen boys that I loved But not lik I do you Dear lov I am a going to send you this But I had much rother see you my self Dear lov Do you ever think of the last time you was with me and talked with me Dear lov I want you to tak care of your self Dear lov till I see you agane Dear lov I hav nothing more at present to rit you my pen is Bad my ink is pale my lov to you shall never Fale Dear lov I must Bring my Short letter to a close

By saing rit soon I remain your Dear lov till Deth parts us Francis AlisaBeth

Barker to mr John H. Price

Here is my hart and

Here is my hand I

Hop to meet you in

The happy land Dear love

Plese rit soon Dear lov

Francis A. Barker.

216. TWJ Fri Mar 7, 1862: A Model Proclamation - The present is a war of long-winded proclamations. The people would be glad, however, if our generals would borrow some of that terse and direct style which distinguished the fathers. Witness the proclamation of old Ethan Allen to the rebellious town of Guilford, Vermont, in 1790: "Proclamation. - I, Ethan Allen, declare that if the inhhabitants of Guilford do not instantly and peaceably submit to the constituted authorities of the State of Vermont, said town shall be rendered as the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Ethan Allen." History tells us that the Guilfordists read the proclamation and very sensibly acquiesced.

217. TWJ Fri Mar 7, 1862: Probate Convention. The Republican Electors in the towns of Windham and Scotland are requested to send the usual number of Delegates to a Convention to be held at the Probate Office in Windham, on Thursday, March 20th, 1862, at two o'clock P.M., for the purpose of nominating a candidate for the office of Judge of Probate for the District of Windham. James Burnett, Committee. Scotland, March, 6, 1862.

218. TWJ Fri Mar 7, 1862: Washington's Birth Day in Windham. We are glad to learn (as we did not happen to, before our last issue,) that the 23d of February was appropriately noticed at the Centre. Quite a large number of citizens met at the Congregational church at 2 o'clock, Saturday afternoon. Col. Baker presided. The meeting opened with singing "The Star Spangled Banner." Prayer was offered by the Rev. David Breed. Song; "The Flag of our Union." Reading of Washington's Farewell Address by Henry S. Walcott Esq. Hymn; "America," by the congregational concluded the exercises.

219. TWJ Fri Mar 7, 1862: Letters for those in the Burnside expedition should be directed to "Gen. Burnside's Division, Roanoke Island, N.C., via Fortress Monroe.

220. TWJ Fri Mar 7, 1862: We have been much interested in the perusal of a couple of letters written by Eugene Chaffee, son of Mr. Z.E. Chaffee, formerly of Willimantic. The writer is a soldier in the 10th Conn. Regiment, was in the battle of Roanoke, and details to his parents his experience in the fight. As the record of an intelligent and conscientious young man in regard to his first battle, we have thought the following extracts from his account might be interesting to some of our readers: The Island is almost a complete swamp, but about the middle and in some places inland it is sandy. There seems to be a road the whole length of the island, and in all our marching we have had to march in the mud more or less. Saturday morning we had gone but a short distance before we heard occasional shots. We did not mind much about it. Soon the rattle became more frequent, and the rebel battery fired a few shell. Then for the first time I began to realize that I was marching to battle. All this while we got along very slowly, stopping long and frequently. Now we began to march faster, and as we were trying to pick our way through a mud puddle, an aid came along and told us to hurry, for that was nothing. Soon we had to wade to our middle in a large puddle. After this came the order, "double quick," and on we went up the hill. Still we joked about the water, &c. The next thing that met my gaze was a litter, and upon it a wounded man. This took me aback, and as it was followed by many more at every step, wounded in every form, I forgot the glories of war, I forgot to be brave, and doubt not I was pale. Just before we got where the bullets rattled about us, I saw a man who had been shot in the temple, lying upon his back and gasping, no doubt, his last, a stream of blood as large as a bullet flowing from his head. It was terrible, but I could only glance at it and hasten on. Soon we came where bullets flew, and near where shells were bursting, when the right wing formed line of battle and opened fire on the enemy. We could not get a suitable place, and being under fire we were ordered to lie down. I did not mind much about the bullets, as none near me were hit, and I was busy trying to keep my place in line, pitching into every mud hole, once most all over. When we lay down I had plenty of time to think. When we come to the field I rather dreaded to go, although I would not have gone back had I permission. Then I began to think why I dreaded it. I could not make out that I was afraid to die or be wounded, but the dread seemed to be instinctive. We lay here in the water more than two hours, during which the Massachusetts men gained the flank of the enemy, and taking them in plain sight opened a tremendous fire. It was more than the rebels could stand, and they began to retreat, when the Zouaves came past and down upon their front, and the day was ours. While we lay here the wounded of the right wing were being brought past us in appalling numbers, as it seemed; one Lieut. mortally wounded, and to complete the shock our Colonel, who had fought all day among the whistling bullets bravely and well, came borne past a corpse. I felt relieved and glad when I knew that the day was ours, and saw no bullets whistling about me or shells bursting over my head.

221. TWJ Fri Mar 7, 1862: The following letter was found on Roanoke Island and sent home by Dr. Lathrop to his family as a curiosity. The Doctor says that of 450 prisoners who were required to sign their parole, only 16 could write their names. The writer of this letter it seems had two sons in the rebel army to whom it is addressed: Stokes C'y N.C. January 18, 1862

Dear Sons I this day Take pleasure of dropping you Both A few lines Hoping when Tha reach you tha may find you Both well and enjoying good Health and All the pleasure That A poor Soldier Can Be Blessed with By the marcies of god. these few lines leave my self and family well At present Jackson your family is yet with me and you have A fine son Both your sons is well and the Committee men Has quit furnishing them any thing and Has not furnished them anything in 2 months you must try and Help them. By some means as I Have to leave Hear and I don't noe where I will goe To and may provably leave your family in distress. Jackson you left Be Hind you A fine and good woman and a woman of truth and everything is very High Hear and you Have A prosperous family Hear and if your wife Had not Bin A woman of truth and A smart woman she woouled of not been with me now. Send Her money to Buy Her A Cow for Her family and I will Buy the Cow while tha are Cheap Also your family must Be supported with your Help and by no other means Can it Be done so I will come to A Close By saying I remane your Affectionate farther until death Uzin_ sends her love and Best Respects to you Both also I send All my love to you Both and Hope to see you Both Again doe not be out of Hart So far well you wish to noe something About your sister mary she is almost at the of death She is thought to be some little Better She Has A fine son your Sister Elly and family is well. you must fetch me one piece of lincons Scalp As I think you Have Bin gone long enough or I Will Come and Atend to His case myself and when I Come I will form my potal lion on Him or His Council fail not to rite to me forth with for I will move in A few days Direct your letere to Francisco n. C. Stokes city no more At present so far well John McHone you will find that Alfred sends His love to you Both and to nathon DurHam and be certain to Gave His love to milt smith and martan an Edward frank owens and All the Boys that was in his Acquaintance. Anderson I Cannot tell you nothing of your family I Have not seen Her but once since tha left martha Williams has a fine daughter Every thing Hear is High I Cannot kill my pork for the want of salt it is worth what Any Body askes for it and times is so Hard that people can feel them Besides seeing of them you Both will please to rite me one complete letter and with some understanding All matters As complete one as you Can. Joh mCHone

222. TWJ Fri Mar 7, 1862: Ancient Indian Deed to one of the Early Windham Proprietors. (The following deed (copied from Windham records,) enabled the writer to decide several questions in regard to the genealogy of the Brown and Mason families, whose descendants have been quite numerous in Windham. We publish it as an introduction to our next "Notes on Willimantic.") To all people to whom this presents shall come: Owaneco Sachem of Mohegan in the County of New London In his majesties Collony of Connecticut in New England sendeth Greeting: Know ya that whereas my father Vncas had in his life time a great Love and respect unto Captn John Brown of Swanzey in the County of Bristol in his magesties Colony of New Plymouth in New England aforesaid for that he the sd John Browne is Grand Son of Mr. John Browne of Rehoboth alis Secounk In the sd Colony of new Plymouth Deceased but in his life time was some time one of the Commissionors of the united Colohnyes of whose Justice prudence and kindness he had great experience and for that the sd John Browne married with one of the Daughters of his singular friend Major John Mason Deceased, of whose Courage prudence justice faithfulness love and kindness he had large and ample experience and benefit: And for the good opinion he had of the sd John Browne for several reasons did often Inuite and request the said John Browne to Come and settle in the mohegan fields and he would give him two hundred acres thereof and also foure or five hundred acres of land something more remote to him & his heirs for ever not doubting but that he the sd John Browne would have bin Instrumental to defend him from Intrusions and Injuries all which was well pleasing to his Councell and people; And whereas I often have desired the sd John Browne to come and accept sd Lands with Inlargements and although the sd John Brown hath not as yet Come nor his son yet notwithstanding Know yee that the affore sd Owaneco for the reasons afforsd and for the experience he hath had of the love and kindness of the sd John Browne to him and for divers good causes and considerations him moving hath given granted enffeofd & confirmed and by these present doth freely clearly fully and absolutely give grant enffeof and confirme him the sd Owaneco his heirs executors administrators and assignes forever unto him the sd John Browne his heirs executors administrators and assigns forever foure hundred acres of land att the least to be taken up layed out butted and bounded by him the sd John Browne his heirs executors administrators or assignes or any of them att any time place or places within my Lands the Mohegan fields excepted to have and to hold the afforesd foure hundred acres of land att the least however It shall be sittuat butted and bounded with all and singular the timber wood underwood stones mines mineals waters water courses hearbeg grass feedings erths profits mowings hereditiments Immunityes privaledges and appurtenances thereunto belonging or in any ways appertaining with the revertions and reveriteons Remainder and Remainders to him the sd John Browne his heirs executors administrators and assignes for ever and to the onely proper use and uses benefit and behoof of him the sd John Browne his heirs executors administrators and assignes for ever and ever: And the sd Owaneco doth hereby promise Covenant and grant to and with the sd John Brown his heirs and assignes that att the time of the sealing and until the deliverery of these presents he the sd Owaneco Is the true and lawful owner of the above given and granted premises and of every part and parcel thereof: And that he is Lawfully seized off and In the same in his owne proper right and that he hath in himself full power good right and lawful authority to give grant conuey and assure the same unto the said John Brown his heirs and assignes for ever as a good sure perfit and absolue estate of Inheritance in ffee simple without any manner of Conditions reuring title of dowry or limitation of usesses what so ever so as to alter change defeat or make void the same and that the sd John Brown his heirs and assignes shall and may by force and Virtue of these presents from time to time at all times hereafter for ever lawfully peaceably and quietly hold possess and occupy enjoy all & Singular the above given and granted premises and every part and parcel therof free and Clean & Clearly acquitted and fully discharged of & From all and all manner of forms & other gifts grants bargains sales leases morgages Joynture Dowres entails Judgments executions and entents of and from all other titles troubles charges & Incumbrances whatsoever had made Committed Omited or suffered to be don by him the sd Owaneco or by his privity and the sd Owaneco doth further Covenant with the sd John Brown his heirs executors administrators & assignes that att the reasonable request and proper Charge to the sd Owaneco & his heirs shall and will do such further lawfull and things for the Confirming and sure making of all the above mentioned premises to him the sd John Browne his heirs executors administrators and assignes as shall by ther Councel Learned in the law be reasonable devised advised and required. In Witness whereof he the sd Owaneco hath hereunto set his hand and seale this twelfe day of December Anno Domini One thousand six hundred and eighty nine. Owaneco (his mark), and seal O Signed sealed and delivered in presence of us witnesses Samuell Mason, John Mason. Owaneco the subscriber acknowledged the above written deed before me in Stonington. Samuel Mason Assist.

223. TWJ Fri Mar 7, 1862: Communications. Moodus, Conn., Feb. 24, 1862. Mr. Editor: I observed in the Journal and other papers, a few weeks since, a notice of an earthquake in your vicinity; and as you are not entitled to claim its origin, having "stolen our thunder," will you permit me to give your readers an account of it from the place of its nativity. Noises of that nature (here called "Moodus Noises,") have been peculiar to this place from time immemorial, and it is from them that the place takes its name. The original Indian name of this place was Machimoodus, which being interpreted means a place of noises. These noises, or miniature earthquakes, were formerly much more frequent and severe than of late years. One of the oldest citizens of the place (now dead) informed me that when he was a boy, a great number were heard in one day, and so violent were some of them that large stones were thrown from the top of the chimneys, crockery was thrown from the shelves, and general consternation prevailed. This was probably the most severe succession of shocks since the settlement of white men. These noises have been much less frequent and violent of late years, and during the thirteen years in which I have lived here there has been but few, and those very slight. But at the time noted in the papers of the surrounding towns as an earthquake having occurred, at about seven o'clock, as I was writing, I was startled by a sudden crash, as if a man weighing not less than two hundred pounds had fallen out of bed, and accompanied by a severe jar, was passing off in a southerly direction with a noise resembling distant thunder. This was followed an hour or two later by a slighter shock. There had not occurred so violent a shock for many years, but it is an invariable fact that when we feel a shock of such severity the papers notice and report an earthquake in neighboring places. There is in the configuration of the surrounding country many indications of most powerful convulsions of nature at some remote age, and very probable in connection with these noises, of which I may at the future time give you a description.

224. TWJ Fri Mar 7, 1862: Washington, Feb. 26, 1862. Friend Weaver: Lieut. R.H. Lee, son of Dr. Lee, of Willimantic, and another of our "Boys," resigned his commission f 1st Lieutenancy in the Lincoln Cavalry several days ago, and left here for Binghampton, N.Y., on a visit to his parents. Several causes combined to prompt him to this step, among them the erysipelas, by which he was repeatedly attacked, and of which he was continually in danger from exposure In camp life. He was held in very creditable esteem by his Colonel and all the officers of the regiment, and the leave-taking occasion which his brother officers made in testimony of their affection and respect was marked by unmistakable tokens of deep regret. The Colonel assured him that a place should be made for him in the regiment, on reasonable notice, if he should decide to return at any time. There have been more snow and rain since I wrote you before. Ever since the last of December have we had this kind of weather. Yours, J.E.,

225. TWJ Fri Mar 7, 1862: On Tuesday, Lieut. P.B. Learned brought from Norwich, over forty recruits for the first Connecticut Artillery, now in barracks at National Hall New Haven.

226. TWJ Fri Mar 7, 1862: It is told of a Connecticut Field Officer, better acquainted with farming than soldiering, that when circumstances placed him in command of his regiment at Hatteras, he desired to oblique his column in marching, and gave the order, "Haw around that mud puddle."

227. TWJ Fri Mar 7, 1862: Among the list of confirmations by the Senate on Monday was that of Col. O.S. Ferry of the Fifth Connecticut as Brigadier General of Volunteers.

228. TWJ Fri Mar 7, 1862: The Transcript says that Edward P. Dunn, a volunteer in the Thirteenth C.V., Co. E., while at home on a furlough, on Thursday last had three fingers of his right hand completely severed, by a glance of an axe, while splitting wood. He was to return to New Haven that day, and was soon to leave with the regiment for Ship Island. He is of course unfitted for further service.

229. TWJ Fri Mar 7, 1862: Deaths.

In Willimantic, 6th last, Mrs. Cordelia Newcomb, aged [42?] years. She was the widow of Mr. Jabez Newcomb, killed a few days since while loading lumber at the R.R. station.

In Willimantic, 1st inst., Jas. M. Hawkins, aged 45 years.

In Willimantic, 5th inst., Amanda F. Reed, aged 31 years.

In Coventry, 1st inst., Jennie M. Wallen, aged 2 years and 6 months.

In Coventry, 1st inst., Mary Woodworth, aged 4 years.

In Chaplin, 3d inst., James Utley, aged 80 years.

In Lebanon, 5th inst., Sally Champlin, aged 90 years

In Lebanon, 5th inst., Sally Champlin, aged 90 years.

In Stafford, 26th ult, Hannah, wife of E.H. Hyde, Esq., aged 47 years.

In South Coventry, 12th ult., Mrs. Rachel Huntington, aged 75 years.

On Sunday, Jan 25th, 1861, at her residence in North Bloomfield, Trumbull County, O., Mrs. Mary Buckingham Brown, aged 74 years. The deceased was born in Windham, Conn., Aug. 27th, 1787, her maiden name being Mary Buckingham Huntington. She was married to Ephraim Brown, in Westmoreland, N.H., A.D. 1806. The family moved to North Bloomfield in 1815, where Mrs. B. resided till the time of her death. She was a woman possessing the highest and purest qualities of head and heart, and beloved and respected during all the years of her long and well-spent life by all who knew her. Possessing a well-balanced and vigorous mind, she united thereto a kindliness of feeling and comprehensive benevolence wide as humanity itself, and never during her life came up to let the cry of the needy and oppressed unheard or unheeded. To these distinguished natural gifts were added the charm of a high and refined cultivation, insomuch that few indeed could rival her in the acquirements of knowledge and taste. The remarkable powers of her mind continued up to the time of her death unimpaired, ,and never did the high sentiments of the philanthropist and true patriot cease to animate her noble heart, till its pulses were stilled by the cold hand of Death.

230. TWJ Fri Mar 7, 1862: Collector's Notice. The subscriber, Collector of taxes for the town of Coventry, hereby gives notice to all persons whether residents of said town or not, who are liable by law to pay the taxes herein named, that he will be at the town house in the South Society of said town, on Friday, the 28th day of March, and at the town house in the North Society, on Saturday the 29th day of March, 1862, from 10 o'clock A.M., until 3 o'clock P.M., on each of said days, to receive of each their proportion of the following named taxes, agreed upon and voted by the inhabitants of said town legally assembled on the 7th day of October, A.D., 1861, to wit, a town tax of 4 1-2 mills on the dollar, a school tax of 3-10ths of a mill on the dollar, also a military commutation tax of one dollar on each military subject, and a dog tax of fifty cents on each dog, and one dollar on each slut, on list of October 1st, 1861. All persons not paying their proportion of said taxes at the times above named, will be required to pay lawful fees for collecting the same. Wm. M. Cummings, Collector. Coventry, March 7th, 1862.

231. TWJ Fri Mar 7, 1862: Collector's Notice. All persons by law to pay taxes in the Borough of Willimantic, on list of 1861, are hereby notified that the subscriber will be in attendance for the purpose of receiving said taxes, at the store of James Walden, in said Borough, March 24th, 1862, from 10 o'clock A.M., till 4 P.M., A.B. Green, Collector.

232. TWJ Fri Mar 7, 1862: Tax Notice. All persons to pay taxes on list of 1861, are hereby notified that we have in our hands a rate bill with warrant attacked for town and state tax of three mills on the dollar; and we will meet them to receive the same at Webb & Wales' store in South Windham, on Friday, March 21st, from 10 A.M., to 12; at J. Walden's in Willimantic same day and hour; at Windham Centre on Monday, March 24th, from 10 A.M. to 12; and at F.M. Lincoln's store in North Windham on Tuesday, March 25th, from 11 o'clock A.M. till 1 P.M., S.G. Byrne, L. Jordan, Collectors.

233. TWJ Fri Mar 7, 1862: At a Court of Probate holden at Windham within and for the district of Windham, on the 6th day of March A.D. 1862 - Present Justin Swift, Esq., Judge. On motion of Julia S. Hosmer and Joseph C. Bassett, Administrators on the estate of Mrs. Julia A. Hosmer, late of Windham within said District, deceased; This Court doth decree that six months be allowed and limited for the creditors of said estate to exhibit their claims against the same to the administrators and directs that public notice be given of this order by advertising in a newspaper published in Willimantic and by posting a copy thereof on the public sign post in said town of Windham nearest the place where the deceased dwelt. Certified from Record, Wm. Swift, Clerk.

234. TWJ Fri Mar 14, 1862: Expensive Shot. The "Ericson" iron-plated floating battery at Green Point has been armed with two 11-inch columbiads, which have been furnished with 400 wrought iron shot, each ball costing $47, and weighing 184 pounds. These balls were made by forging square blocks of iron at the Novelty Works, then turning them at the lathe. The cost of the 400 amounts to $18,000, and their total weight is 73,000 pounds. Cast-iron shot are liable to break in pieces when fired against thick iron plates. These wrought iron shot are for smashing through the sides of such secession floating batteries as the "Merrimac" at Norfolk, and Hollins' "Turtle" at New Orleans. - Scientific American.

235. TWJ Fri Mar 14, 1862: Owing to a press of work which could not be put off, and being short-handed, we are unable to give our usual amount of reading this week. Most of the matter intended for this number goes over, our historical article among the rest. If our readers will pardon the deficiencies this week we trust we shall have no occasion to ask their indulgence hereafter.

236. TWJ Fri Mar 14, 1862: Death of the Rev. Mr. Stearns, of Windham. The Rev. George Ingersoll Stearns, pastor of the Congregational Church in Windham Centre, died very suddenly, early this (Friday) morning, aged thirty-six years. He had been in declining health for some two or three years, but not strictly confined. He was able to be out doors yesterday afternoon. He was attacked with apoplexy last evening about nine o'clock, and died at half-past twelve this morning. His funeral will be attended at the Congregational Church in Windham Centre, at two o'clock on Monday afternoon.

237. TWJ Fri Mar 15, 1862: Our old friend, Lieut. Geo. H. Tracy, of the 15th Regular Infantry, has opened a recruiting office in this place. His advertisement appears in another portion of our paper. The regular service, as at present organized, presents a brilliant opportunity for young men desirous of military distinction. One third of the commissioned officers appointed hereafter are to come from the ranks, and to those fortunate enough to merit this promotion, a position is thus secured for life. Lieut. Tracy is well known in Connecticut, having been the editor of the Hartford Post during the last Presidential campaign. He is stopping at the Brainard House.

238. TWJ Fri Mar 15, 1862: We understand that the North Windham Singing School, assisted by members of the Willimantic Glee School, will give a Concert, under the direction of Mr. A.A. Hall, at North Windham, on Tuesday evening next. The performance of the Glee School here, the other evening, was a most decided and gratifying success, and we assure our North Windham friends that a rare musical treat is in store for them.

239. TWJ Fri Mar 15, 1862: Accident. Mrs. Casey, of the lower village in Willimantic, while on her way to church on Friday, fell upon the ice and fractured both bones of the fore arm. She was attended by Wm. R. Otis, M.D., of this village, who replaced the fractured bones, and the patient is now doing well.

240. TWJ Fri Mar 15, 1862: We can assure our readers that the publication of the Journal will be continued after the first of April (when the three month's experiment ends) and probably under the same arrangement as at present. A definite statement will be made next week.

241. TWJ Fri Mar 15, 1862: Wm. B. Hawkins, Esq., of Columbia, formerly of Willimantic, has received the Republican nomination for Senator in the 21st district.

242. TWJ Fri Mar 15, 1862: John Tracy, Esq., of this village, has received the Republican nomination for Senator from the 18th district.

243. TWJ Fri Mar 15, 1862: General Price's Army Defeated. The forces of Van Dorn and McCulloch routed. Three days of hard fighting. McCulloch killed. Union Loss 1000! St. Louis, March 10. The following is an official dispatch to Maj. Gen. McClellan: "The army of the southwest under Gen. Curtis after three days hard fighting has gained a most glorious victory over the combined forces of Van Dorn, McCulloch, Price and McIntosh. Our loss in killed and wounded, is estimated at 1000; that of the enemy was still larger. Guns, flags, and provisions were captured in large quantities. Our cavalry are in pursuit of the flying enemy. H.W. Halleck, Maj. Gen." Springfield, Mo., March 10. A messenger arrived at 3 o'clock this morning. He reports that the battle lasted from Thursday morning till Saturday evening, and that our loss was about 450 killed and wounded. The rebel loss was about 1000 killed and wound and 1000 taken prisoners. The attack was made from the north and west, our army being completely surrounded. Generals Van Dorn, Price, McCulloch, and McIntosh were present with 21,000 men. Gen. McCulloch is killed and McIntosh is mortally wounded. The attack from the rear was made by McCulloch, and was met by Siegel, who routed him completely. We have also captured a large amount of stores, cannon, teams and ammunition.

244. TWJ Fri Mar 15, 1862: Manassas Evacuated. Its Occupation by our troops. Centreville, March, 11. Yesterday morning our forces, amounting to upwards of 2,000 proceeded to Centreville and occupied the village about 4 P.M. It was altogether deserted. The entire command then proceeded to Manassas, arriving there in the evening. The rebels had left destroying as much of their property as they could not carry away, by fire and otherwise. The bridges, railroad track and depot in that were extensively damaged, and nothing but wreck and desolation was apparent. There is satisfactory evidence that the main body of rebels left nearly two weeks ago.

245. TWJ Fri Mar 15, 1862: The President sent a message to Congress on the 6th instant recommending the passage of the following resolution: Resolved, That the United States ought to co-operate with any State which may adopt a gradual abolition of slavery, giving to such a State pecuniary aid to be used by such State in its discretion, to compensate for the inconveniences, public and private, produced by such change of system.

246. TWJ Fri Mar 15, 1862: Tax Notice. The subscriber, collector of taxes for the town of Mansfield hereby gives notice to all persons liable to pay taxes in said town, residents and non-residents, that he will be at the store of John P. Wood at the Hollow on Friday, April 4th, from 9, to 12, A.M., at the store of Isaac P. Fenton at the Centre, April 4th, from 1, to 4 P.M., and at the town-house April 7th, from 9 A.M. till 4 P.M., to receive said taxes. All persons who pay their taxes on or before April 7th will be entitled to a deduction of 4 per cent. Norman B. Perkins. Mansfield, March 13th 1862.

247. TWJ Fri Mar 15, 1862: At a Court of Probate holden at Brooklyn within and for the said District of Brooklyn on the 8th day of March, A.D., 1862, present, S. Davison, Esq., Judge. On motion of Uriel Fuller, Esq., trustee of the assigned estate of Bard Brothers and company, this Court allows and limits six months to the creditors of said estate, to exhibit their claims against said estate to Enos L. Preston, and Edward L. Cundall, of said Brooklyn, commissioners appointed to receive and decide upon the claims against said estate, and said trustee is directed to give public notice of this order and of the times and places of meeting of the commissioners to receive claims against said estate by advertising for one month in a weekly paper published in Killingly, and in a like paper published in Willimantic, and by posting on the public sign post nearest the place of business of said assigners, and said trustee is also directed to cause a copy of such notice to be sent by mail or otherwise to every known creditors living without this Probate District, within one week after the date of this order. Certified from record, S. Davison, Judge. The undersigned, Commissioners on the assigned estate of Bard, Brothers, and Company, will meet at the office of Uriel Fuller Esq., in Brooklyn on the 9th day of June, and the 8th day of September, 1862 at one o'clock P.M., for the purpose of attending to the business of our said appointed. E.L. Preston, Edward L. Cundall, Commissioners, Brooklyn, March 8th, 1862.

248. TWJ Fri Mar 15, 1862: At a Court of Probate holden at Hampton within and for the District of Hampton on the 8th day of March, A.D., 1862, present Charles I. Grosvenor, Esq., Judge. On motion of David Greenslit, Trustee on the assigned Estate of Lyndon T. Button, of said Hampton. This Court doth decree that two months be allowed and limited to the creditors of said estate to exhibit their claims to Alfred Hammond and Patrick H. Pearl of said Hampton, Commissioners appointed to examine and adjust the same, and said trustee is directed to give public notice of this order and of the times and places of meeting, of said commissioners for that purpose by advertising in a newspaper published in Killingly, and also in a paper published in Willimantic four weeks successively and by posting on the public sign post in said town of Hampton nearest the residence of the assignor, and said trustee is directed to cause a copy of such notice to be sent by mail or otherwise to every known creditor without this Probate District within one week and make return to this Court. Certified from record. E.H. Newton, Clerk. We the undersigned having been appointed by the Court of Probate for the district of Hampton, commissioners on the assigned estate of Lyndon T. Button of said Hampton will meet at the office of David Greenslit in said Hampton on Monday the 24th day of March and on Monday the 28th day of April A.D., 1862, at 9 o'clock A.M. on each of said days to attend to the duties of our appointment. Alfred Hammond, Patrick H. Pearl, commissioners. Hampton, March, 8th, 1862.

249. TWJ Fri Mar 15, 1862: Men Wanted for the 15th Regiment Infantry, U.S. Regular Army. This Regiment is commanded by Gen. Fitz John Porter, a gallant and experienced officer. The headquarters are at Newport Barracks, Ky., opposite Cincinnati, where Recruits are thoroughly prepared for the duties of a soldier. The new organization of the Army offers an excellent opportunity for young energetic and ambitious men, as the non-commissioned officers and a certain number of commissioned officers, will be promoted from the ranks. Recruiting Rendezvous, No. 6 Franklin Building. Geo. H. Tracy, 1st Lieut. 15th Inf'y, Rec'g Officer.

250. TWJ Fri Mar 15, 1862: Farm for sale or exchange. A farm in North Coventry situated one and half miles from Mansfield Depot, consisting of about 72 acres of land under good cultivation, suitably divided into mowing, pasture, and woodland, containing an orchard of excellent fruit, with a good home, barn, &c., all in good repair. The above farm will be sold on reasonable terms and payment may easy, or exchanged for a house in Willimantic. Enquire of Michael Nelligan, Willimantic, March 14, 1862, Jackson Street.

251. TWJ Fri Mar 15, 1862: Notice. By order of the Court of Probate for the District of Windham, I will sell at public auction all the real estate late belonging to Silas Frink late of Scotland, in said district, deceased, on the 22d day of March, 1862, on the premises, at 10 o'clock in the forenoon, unless previously sold at private sale. Jeptha Geer. Scotland, March 5th, 1862.

252. TWJ Fri Mar 15, 1862: Millinery. Miss L.H. 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. I, 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.

253. TWJ Fri Mar 15, 1862: Apple Parers. A new thing, and will pare an apple by a single turn of the crank. Call and see them, only $1.00. For sale by Wm. H. Wood.

254. TWJ Fri Mar 21, 1862: Nothing like the recent floods in California, have ever been witnessed on this continent, within the knowledge of its civilized inhabitants. The San Francisco Herald says it has inflicted a blow upon the State from which it will not recover in half a century. Thousands of the citizens have been utterly bankrupted, and in round numbers the loss may be estimated at $50,000,000. A great many deaths by drowning are reported, and probably many hundreds have met with a watery grave. The town of Alvarado was six feet under water at one time, and the inhabitants fired minute guns, to call attention to their distress; but it was impossible to render them any assistance.

255. TWJ Fri Mar 21, 1862: There will be six eclipses in 1862, three of the sun, two of the moon and one of the Southern Confederacy. The latter will be total, and so obscured that it will never see daylight again.

256. TWJ Fri Mar 21, 1862: An Iowa regiment has a rule that any man who utters an oath shall read a chapter in the Bible. Several have got nearly through the Old Testament.

257. TWJ Fri Mar 21, 1862: To Advertisers. We invite attention to our new terms for advertising. They are marked down to correspond with the present times. The circulation of the Journal has nearly doubled under its present management. It is scattered all over the village and read by all or nearly all of its three thousand inhabitants who can read. The circulation out of town was never so large as now. We send bundles (some of them pretty large ones) to Windham Centre, North and South Windham, Scotland, Hampton, Chaplin, Mansfield, South Coventry, Columbia, and other towns and villages round about. We occupy a field exclusively our own with no near competitor, and have many subscribers who take no other paper. We think the Journal has some five thousand readers and we trust it will have many more after the first of April. Few village papers afford a better advertising medium. The Spring is opening, business is beginning to revive, and now is the time to advertise. Do our merchants and those who have anything to sell wish to let our thousands of readers know the fact? We trust they do, and we shall soon expect a rush of advertisements. Special contracts will be made with yearly and quarterly advertisers.

258. TWJ Fri Mar 21, 1862: We are glad to find, as we do by our correspondence, and otherwise, that our historical articles are valued by many. We are aware that they are rather dry, to those who have no taste for such matters, but these persons should remember that we have a number of subscribers who take the Journal solely on account of these articles. In regard to Willimantic, we desire to present all the facts and records that will be of interest to its present and future inhabitants. After we are through with ancient Willimantic, and come down to events within the memory of those living, we trust the mass of our readers will find the articles more interesting.

259. TWJ Fri Mar 21, 1862: We have learned by a notice in the Cincinnati Daily Press, that M.D. Hanover, Attorney at Law in that city, formerly of Willimantic, has associated with him Hon. Horatio King of Washington, late Post Master General, in the pension and claim agency business. Marcus was a smart active boy, and we are not surprised to hear that he is making his way up in the world. We wish him much success.

260. TWJ Fri Mar 21, 1862: We can only announce this week, that the arrangement between Mr. Evans, and ourself, will be continued for the year, and the Journal published under its present management. We shall have something more to say on the subject hereafter.

261. TWJ Fri Mar 21, 1862: Rev. G.I. Stearns. Last week we had barely time to announce the death of the pastor of the Windham church. The loss of such a man is a public calamity, and requires more than a passing notice. Mr. Stearns was a native of West Killingly, and the son of Dea. Warren Stearns, whose death occurred in January last. His boyhood was spent chiefly in the public school and on his father's farm. Desirous of preaching the gospel, he made earnest and persistent efforts to obtain a suitable education. He graduated at Amherst in the class of 1849, and East Windsor Theological Seminary in 1852. He had previously taught with gratifying success in Scotland and Chaplin. He was ordained at Windham Sept. 22, 1852, so that he had been pastor about nine and a half years. The first five or six years showed him to be well adapted to his position, and afforded much promise of future usefulness. But he began to suffer from ill health, and life became a protracted struggle with disease, with constantly diminishing hopes of success. About a year since he was obliged to remit pastoral labor, since which his pulpit has been mostly supplied by the ministers of New London and Windham counties, with some from Tolland county and East Windsor Seminary. His death was sudden. His health had been much as usual for a few days previous, and he was at church a part of the previous Sabbath. He retired at 10 o'clock on Thursday evening, but was shortly after seized with intolerable pain in his head. He soon became unconscious, and died at midnight. Mr. Stearns possessed many excellencies which his severe afflictions served to bring out and beautify. He made many friends, who did not forsake him in adversity. He was for several years actively engaged as school visitor, and he possessed a happy tact for interesting and instructing the young. He did not forget he was a citizen because he was a minister, but endeavored to do faithfully what he esteemed to be duty. He was well acquainted with botany, geology and astronomy, and delighted to converse on these and kindred subjects, tho' he made no display of knowledge. He was a sincere and devout christian. His long illness was borne with exemplary patience, and his life illustrated the doctrines he preached. He leaves a widow and two children to mourn his early death.

262. TWJ Fri Mar 21, 1862: Funeral of Rev. Mr. Stearns. At two o'clock P.M. on Monday, the 17th, a large company had gathered at Mr. Stearns' late residence. Prayer was offered by Rev. A.S. Atwood. Preceded by several ministers, the coffin was borne to the church, by Rev. Messrs. Hine of Lebanon, Long of Mystic, S.J. Horton of Cheshire, Bently of Willimantic, Breed of Windham, and Barber of Scotland. Rev. Mr. Breed read an anthem "Weep, Christian, weep" which was sung by the choir; Mr. Long read the 90th Psalm; and Mr. Tallman of Groton (formerly of Scotland) prayed. After Montgomery's hymn "Servant of Christ, well done," had been sung, Mr. Willard preached from Acts, 14:22 - "We must through great tribulation enter into the kingdom of heaven." Mr. Williams of Chaplin, followed with prayer. Mr. Breed briefly spoke of Mr. Stearns' strongly expressed wish a few days before for a revival of religion among his people; and Mr. J.W. Salter pronounced the benediction. While the congregation were passing to take a last look of the beloved pastor, the choir sang Dodridge's hymn "Now let our mourning hearts revive;" after which the long procession moved to that ancient burial place, where the dust of so many of the honored and wept of Windham sleep. Rev. S.J. Horton, who till quite recently was the nearest neighbor, and trusted friend of the deceased, read the burial service, and expressed in a few warm and earnest words, his estimate of Mr. Stearns, as a man and a christian. Then the choir with plaintive voices, sang an appropriate piece, and the company sorrowfully turned homewards, long to remember and tell to another generation of the gloomy March day when the earth, hid by wintry snow, and the sun by cheerless clouds, the ninth pastor of the old Windham Church, cut off before his life's work seemed half done, was borne by devout men to his burial.

263. TWJ Fri Mar 21, 1862: Savage Rats. A steer belonging to Mr. Elmer Dewey, of Columbia, while secured in the barn, was attacked the other night by a savage rat, and considerably injured. The animal pounced on the back of the steer, and actually gnawed out several square inches of the hide leaving a bad sore which bled freely. We hear that the cattle of one or two other farmers in the same town have been attacked in a similar manner by these blood thirsty "Varmints."

264. TWJ Fri Mar 21, 1862: "Ponde Town" or the early settlement of Mansfield may be looked for next week.

265. TWJ Fri Mar 21, 1862: We understand that Mr. Whiting Hayden has purchased the Prentice house and lot in the West District, where he intends putting up during the coming season, a large and commodious store. Everybody knows that if Mr. Hayden does put up such a building, it will be a good one and a credit to the place, as he has nothing to do with sham buildings, unless it may be to demolish them. We accept this as an indication that enterprise is not entirely dead among us, notwithstanding the hard times.

266. TWJ Fri Mar 21, 1862: Small Pox and Varioloid. There have been but two or three cases of small pox among us, so far as we can learn, and but one death that being outside of the borough limits. There have been several case of a light form of varioloid, but we hear of no new cases of either. It is now confined to one locality, and we believe to one house, and all those that have been down with it are either recovered or convalescent. We think the disease has run its course and is dying out.

267. TWJ Fri Mar 21, 1862: Saint Patrick's day was honored by our Celtic citizens in a very quiet way, by appropriate services at the Catholic Church.

268. TWJ Fri Mar 21, 1862: We take the liberty to copy the following extract from a private letter received from a gentleman known to some of our old residents now a respected citizen of western New York. He was born and reared so near this village that we are inclined to claim him as a Willimantic man. We thank him for his kind wishes, and communications; the latter will receive early attention. He says: I am glad to see you have taken up the early history of Willimantic and its surroundings. To me no subject could be more interesting. I have traveled many a time through Willimantic a barefooted boy, when, beside one or two dilapidated houses, crooked stone walls tending to the centre of gravity, and broken down fences there was nothing to attract the attention of passer by but the murmuring of the Willimantic among the rocks and bushes. I helped build the first dam at the then Richmond factory, helped draw and raise the timber for the frame for the first house at the now Windham mills - have seen the Browns and Fowlers take salmon from the river over flowed by the ponds of those mills, and have heard the eccentric Lorenzo Dow preach from a platform erected between Jillson's factory and the highway. Well do I recollect my first investment in the purchase of an old gun of an apprentice of Guy Hebard who worked in the old shop fronting the "Iron Works" bridge. This was about my first venture in trade. I obtained my capital from the sale of walnuts and black cherry juice, and like Dr. Franklin's whistle proved to be one of the best investments I ever made. A thousand incidents connected with the early history of Willimantic and its inhabitants while writing, are brought vividly to my mind.

269. TWJ Fri Mar 21, 1862: The Hartford Press relates the following incident of the late Naval engagement at Hampton Roads in which one of our Willimantic boys acted a prominent part. From a boy, young Campbell, exhibited those qualities of self-reliance, cool courage, and determined will, which fit one for trying emergencies. When we heard of his appointment in the Navy we felt sure there would be no flinching on his part, for we believed he had in him the genuine stuff of which heroes are made. All honor to the brave George C. Campbell, who rendered an important service to his country in a trying hour. When the "Minnesota" was found to be aground, and in danger of being destroyed by the "Merrimac," all the available tugs at Fortress Monroe, were sent to her assistance. At that time the "America," a very powerful steam propeller in the employ of the government, was lying off the fort, and was ordered to go to the relief of the "Minnesota." The Captain refused to get up steam on the vessel. The Provost Marshal immediately called for volunteers to man the "America." The barque "Amanda" 96 guns) which had arrived a few days before from the blockade off Wilmington, was lying at anchor near by, and the 1st Lieutenant and Master's Mate George C. Campbell, of Willimantic, Conn., with 13 men, volunteered immediately, went on board the propeller, ordered the engineer to get up steam, put the captain and crew under a guard of marines and sent them to the fort, hove up anchor, and went up and staid by the "Minnesota" until she was brought to her anchorage abreast of the Rip Raps, on Monday morning. The "America" was under fire during the whole engagement, and the officers without sleep or rest from Saturday until Monday but no lives were lost, though the vessel was a good deal damaged.

270. TWJ Fri Mar 21, 1862: We have to thank the Hon. L.F.S. Foster for a copy of the Richmond Enquirer, of the 28th of February. It looks as dingy and dirty as the cause of secession, and contains the usual amount of southern gasconade, lying and bragg. It speaks of the regret, anger and shame which they feel in regard to the recent surrenders at Roanoke and Donelson, and assures us that "no Southern force, however small, will hereafter surrender to any Yankee force, however large." We shall see.

271. TWJ Fri Mar 21, 1862: Historical Notes on Willimantic. No. IV. (In the genealogies we shall use b for born, m for married and d for died.) The next settler of Willimantic, after Thomas Hartshorn, (unless Thomas Davis had located before,) was Jonathan Badcock, now written Babcock. He was unquestionably the first actual resident west of Hartshorn's and west of the Iron Works bridge. Capt. John Mason's heirs drew the home lot No. 9 at Willimantic, with the thousand acre right belonging to it, which was laid out in 1686. This was exchanged by the town for lot No. 3 in the "crotch of the river," Dec. 26th, 1695. It passed into the hands of James Allen, of Chilmark, Martha's Vineyard, who gave it to his son Benjamin, May 14, 1708. The latter sold it to Samuel Webb and George Lilly, August 23 [or 28], 1708, and they conveyed it (except 10 acres) to Jonathan Badcock, of Lebanon, Sept. 15, 1709. The home farm of this right was laid out on the 17th of April, 1706, and was butted "northwest on Willamantuck river one hundred fifty and foure rod: the west corner being a double whit oak, the south corner being a walnut; abutting southeast on the commons one hundred sixty and four rods, the east corner being a black oak; abutting north west on the commons one hundred fifty and four rod, the north corner being a whit oak bush; abutting northwest on Captain John Browne's land one hundred sixty & four rod, the Lot contains one hundred fifty and foure acres, besides allowance for a highway four rod wid." &c. This farm corresponds to some extent with that now owned by Mr. Miles Potter, just beyond the western limits of the present borough, and the house built by the Babcock family near his present residence was without doubt the first one erected in Willimantic west of the old "State." Jonathan Babcock was admitted an inhabitant of Windham Dec. 10th, 1711, and was a member of the first church; but as the early records are defective, the date of his uniting with it is not found. Although called "of Lebanon" no trace of him is found in the records of that town, and his residence there was probably brief. If the record of Hinman is reliable, he was probably the son of James Badcock, Jr., and was born at Dorchester, Mass., in 1651. His children were all born before he settled here, but the place and record of their birth have not been found. His first wife, Mary, died March 28, 1719, aged 63. He then married Mary Hebard, probably the widow of Robert, Oct. 19, 1719. Jonathan Babcock died at Coventry, where several of his children settled, Jun 5, 1731-32, aged 80 years and 5 days. He certainly had the following children, and possibly others:

1. Caleb, b about 1677, m 1st Abigail, dau. Of Wm. Moore, Jan. 21, 1712-13; she died April 21, 1719, aged 30; m 2d Susannah Glover, or Grover, May 13, 1721; she d Sept. 5, 1727; m 3d Miriam (Allen) Simons, widow of Jonathan, May 11, 1722. Caleb Babcock d Aug. 6, 1741, aged about 64 years. He resided on the Willimantic homestead, which he left to his only surviving son Jonathan, who lived on it until his death, in 1781. The latter had a wife, Susannah, but they had no issue, and the Willimantic branch of the Babcock family became extinct.

2. Daniel, son of the first Jonathan Babcock, was b about 1690, m Sarah Allen, and settled at Coventry, where he had a family and died Feb. 10, 1734, aged 44. He was called Sergeant.

3. Ebenezer, b about 1699, m 1st Mary Burgess, of Yarmouth, Oct 9, 1723; she d Jan. 2, 1723-4; m 2d Mehitable Burt, Sept. 14, 1725. He settled first at Windham, but removed to Canterbury, where he had a family and left many descendants.

3. [sic] John, son of Jonathan Babcock, m 1st Martha, dau. Of Samuel Storrs, of Mansfield; she died May 18, 172_ ; m 2d widow Elizabeth Barker, who survived him and m Seth Cutler; John Babcock died Aug. 17, 1731. He settled in Mansfield, where his descendants lived for several generations.

4. Robert, son of Jonathan, settled also at Coventry, where he died May 11, 1728, leaving a widow Lucy.

5. Mercy, daughter of Jonathan Babcock, m Joseph Sweatland, of Hebron.

6. Martha, m Daniel Davison, of Mansfield.

7. Thankful, m Thomas Porter, who was an early settler of Lebanon, but removed to Coventry, where he was an early and prominent settler, and the first town clerk.

8. Dorothy m Joshua Moore, of Mansfield, alluded to in our last number; she died at an advanced age, without issue.

9. Mary m John Sprague, of Lebanon, and had a family.

Jonathan Babcock, the Willimantic settler, was the common ancestor of the Coventry and Mansfield Babcock families, and possibly of the present Windham and Lebanon Babcocks. James Badcock, who purchased a tract on or near "Babcock Hill," in 1702, may have been his son, although we have no proof of it. There is, however, strong presumptive evidence that there was a connection between the families, and they were without much doubt of the same stock. We hope yet to be able to decide the question.

We had intended to include genealogies of the Skiff and Brown families, the next settlers in order, in this number, but find we cannot do so without occupying too much space.

272. TWJ Fri Mar 21, 1862: Some two weeks since, Rev. R.C. Learned, of Plymouth, Ct., and well known to many of our readers as the former pastor at Canterbury, and the historian of the Congregational churches of Windham County, fell over the baluster in his house, striking his head upon the stairs below. He was taken up insensible, but is reported as recovering, and nearly out of danger. Mr. L. had one of his children in his arms, at the time of his fall, who happily escaped without serious injury.

273. TWJ Fri Mar 21, 1862: The 8th, 10th, and 11th Connecticut regiments were in the fight at Newbern and bore themselves bravely. We have no time to give details this week. We do not notice the name of a single Willimantic soldier in the list of killed and wounded. Let us be thankful for their preservation, thus far. John Packer, Jr., of Coventry, a private in the 10th was wounded, Justus Rindge of Hampton, and Geo. N. Brown of Canterbury, privates in the 11th, were wounded, the latter having his right arm shot off.

274. TWJ Fri Mar 21, 1862: We are requested to publish the following list of articles furnished by the Willimantic ladies in their patriotic zeal, and forwarded some time since to the solders: 12th Regiment: 56 pairs socks, 50 pairs mittens, 115 finished needlebooks; One box for the Hospital of the 4th Regiment, containing: 15 cotton sheets, 3 linen sheets, 1 kersey blanket, 1 Bedquilt, 18 napkins, 19 pairs pillow Cases, 4 shirts, 4 feather pillows, 27 husk pillows, 3 hay pillows, 6 hay cushions, 12 pairs socks, 1 bed tick, 3 spoons, 400 yds Bandages, 2 large rolls linen; 5th Regiment: 68 pairs socks, 2 bedquilts. Freight paid, $4.00. The value of the whole, not less than $136.

275. TWJ Fri Mar 21, 1862: Marriages.

In this village, by Rev. Mr. Kellen, 16th instant, Mr. Austin Kenyon to Miss Rosella A. Robinson, all of Willimantic.

276. TWJ Fri Mar 21, 1862: Deaths.

In this village, 20th instant, after a long and most painful illness, patiently endured, Miss Abby Wilkinson, aged 70 years. The funeral is appointed at 2 o'clock Saturday P.M. at her late residence.
In Philadelphia, March 4, Aaron H. Storrs of Mansfield Centre, aged 25. He was a brother of Mr. Wm. _ Storrs, formerly of this village. He had been appointed Master's Mate in the Navy but a short time previous to his death. His remains were brought to Mansfield for interment.
In East Killingly, March 8th, Mrs. Mary Potter, aged 33 years.

In Scotland, March 6th, Capt. H.M. Baker, aged [looks like 66 or 68] years.

In Scotland, March 18th, Mr. Gilbert Ashley, aged 40 years.

277. TWJ Fri Mar 21, 1862: At a Court of Probate holden at Windham within and for the District of Windham, on the 15th day of March, A.D., 1862 - Present Justin Swift, Esq., Judge. This Court doth direct John S. Smith, administrator on the estate of James B. Hawkins, late of Windham, in said district, deceased, represented to be insolvent, to give notice to all persons interested in the estate of said deceased, to appear, if they see cause, before the court of probate to be holden at the probate office in said district, on the 25th day of March, 1862, at 10 o'clock A.M. to be heard relative to the appointment of commissioners on said estate, by posting said order of notice on a public sign post in Willimantic, and by advertising the same in a newspaper published in said town. Certified from record. W.L. Swift, Clerk.

278. TWJ Fri Mar 21, 1862: At a Court of Probate holden at Mansfield, within and for the District of Mansfield, on the 11th day of March, A.D. 1862. Present Oliver B. Griggs, Esq., Judge. On motion of Dwight Spencer, Administrator on the estate of Christopher A. Spencer, late of Mansfield within said district deceased. This court decrees that six months be allowed and limited for the creditors of said estate to exhibit their claims against he same to the administrator, at the late residence of the deceased, and directs that public notice be given of this order by advertising in a newspaper published in Willimantic, and by posting a copy thereof on the public sign post in said town of Mansfield, nearest the place where the deceased last dwelt. Certified from record. O.B. Griggs, Judge.

279. TWJ Fri Mar 21, 1862: At a Court of Probate holden at Chaplin, within and for the district of Chaplin, on the 17th day of March, A.D. 1862. Present Lester Bill, Esq., Judge. On motion of James R. Utley and John K. Utley, executors of the last will and testament of James Utley, Esq., late of Chaplin, within said district, deceased. This court doth decree that six months be allowed and limited for the creditors of said estate to exhibit their claims against the same to the said executors, and directs that public notice be given of this order by advertising in a newspaper published in Willimantic, Ct., and by posting a copy thereof on the public sign post in said town of Chaplin, nearest the place where the deceased last dwelt. Certified from record. Lester Bill, Judge.

280. TWJ Fri Mar 28, 1862: Victor's History of the Southern Rebellion and War for the Union. We were agreeably surprised the other day by a call from our friend Mr. Edward F. Hovey, a Willimantic "boy," as our Mr. Evans would say, who had just returned from a business trip to Washington. We learn that he has taken the general agency for the sale of the above named work for the entire United States, and through his agents, intends canvassing for its sale in every State, county and town throughout the country. With regard to the merits of the work - which is to be brought out in good style - we cannot speak from personal examination, having only looked over the first volume - the only one yet issued. But it has thus far received the highest commendations, of the press and public men, and Mr. Hovey, in his recent canvass in Washington, obtained the names of President Lincoln, Secretaries Seward, Chase, Welles, Smith, Gen McClellan, and a large number of members of Congress, as subscribers. This fact itself is an indication that the work is of the highest character. Mr. Hovey will remain at the second house west of the Windham Co.'s store for some two or three days, for the purpose of engaging agents to sell the work; after that his permanent address will be 13 Spruce st., New York. We wish him abundant success in his new enterprise, and if he fails it will not be for lack of talent, energy and zeal.

281. TWJ Fri Mar 28, 1862: Next week we shall give some account of Willimantic, (not historical) with statistics of business and population. We shall also give a record of the first town meeting in Windham, June 11, 1692, and various other matters of local interest. We shall print an extra edition for new subscribers, &c., and expect to publish early Friday morning.

282. TWJ Fri Mar 28, 1862: Local History. We intend to give a column or two of historical and genealogical matter every week, of special interest to the natives of Windham, Mansfield, Hampton, Chaplin, Scotland and Willimantic. Besides the records, &c., we shall give traditions, incidents and anecdotes, which we trust will add to the interest of this department.

283. TWJ Fri Mar 28, 1862: To Advertisers. We intend to publish next week, an edition of 1000 copies of the Journal, more than was ever printed of any paper in Willimantic before. They will be distributed all over this and neighboring towns, and will afford a rare chance for advertisers at the opening of the spring business season. We hope to have something from every firm, even if no more than a business card. We shall give all our advertisers a brief editorial notice next week. Advertisements for the next issue should be handed in, if possible, by Tuesday. For One Dollar we will furnish the Journal for the balance of the year after the first of April, (nine months) to both old and new subscribers, if paid in advance. Terms. $1,50 per year, 75 cents for six months, 38 cents for three months, $1,00 for nine months, from April 1st to the end of the year, strictly in advance. Subscribers can pay to any of our authorized agents, or send by mail. New Subscribers. Our old subscribers are entitled to the first paper in April to make up the quarter, but we wish all new subscribers to begin with the next week's number.

284. TWJ Fri Mar 28, 1862: Ralph Robinson, Esq., of Hampton, has been nominated for Senator in the 13th District, by the Democrats.

285. TWJ Fri Mar 28, 1862: We learn that Dr. F.P. Coe, who lies sick at Lebanon, is failing, with no expectations of recovery.

286. TWJ Fri Mar 28, 1862: Congress is principally engaged on the tax bill, which can never be made to suit every body, and it is doubtful if it will finally suit anybody.

287. TWJ Fri Mar 28, 1862: We are sure the letter of our partner Mr. Evans, will be read with interest. He is now with the Grand Army of the Potomac, as correspondent for several New York papers; we shall expect to hear from him again.

288. TWJ Fri Mar 28, 1862: Governor Buckingham has received from the Government a certificate of indebtedness, amounting to six hundred thousand dollars, towards reimbursing Connecticut for war expenses.

289. TWJ Fri Mar 28, 1862: By late foreign arrivals we have reports of quite interesting debates in Parliament respecting the blockade of our Southern ports. It was shown that there was no excuse for interfering with it, and there was no disposition on the part of the government to do so. The question brought up by the rebel sympathizers was disposed of without a division. There certainly is no present danger of European interference with our troubles.

290. TWJ Fri Mar 28, 1862: Obituary. Died, in the hospital at Roanoke Island, of lung fever, March 1st, 1862, T.B. Pierson, aged 21 years, of Co. F, 8th C.V. - a resident of Tolland. He left his home buoyant with hope, in response to his country's call, six months ago, and has endured the privations and hardships incident to a soldier's life, without complaint. While at Hatteras Inlet he took a severe cold, and when his regiment disembarked on the Island the night previous to the battle of Roanoke, his friends tried to persuade him to remain on the boat, but his desire to participate in the expected engagement was so ardent that he also landed, camping out in the open air eight nights, through mud and rain, which added to his illness. He remained with his company several days after they pitched their tents, but, failing rapidly, he was taken to the hospital, and was there an example of patience, not a murmur escaping his lips during his entire illness. He died without a struggle, and was buried under full military honors, his entire company following him to the grave, where our beloved chaplain gave us an appropriate address, endeavoring to impress upon our minds the frailty of man. Though he had died far from home with no loved one to wipe the death-damp from his brow, and is buried among strangers in a strange land, yet he is just as precious in his country's memory as though he died on the battle field, and will be cherished through coming times as one who fell in defence of freedom.

291. TWJ Fri Mar 28, 1862: History of "Ponde Towne." Or, An Account of the Early Settlement of That Part of Ancient Windham Which is Now the Town of Mansfield - From 1686 to 1703.

No. I.

It will be recollected by those who have read our articles in reference to the settlement of Windham and Willimantic, that the Windham tract was devised to a number of "Norwich men," by Joshua, son of Uncas, by his will in 1676. The legatees, in 1682, agreed to "settle a plantation in foure years," and on the 23d of February, 1685, (1686 as we now reckon) it was agreed to "settle a Towne in three places for the sake of convenience of land and meadows." In the month of May, in that year, (1686) the lots were laid out at the three places selected for settlement; and on the "last of May" the "lotts were generally drawn for the three sevrall places, after seeking unto God for his Direction and Blessing." The first place selected for settlement, as we have seen, was at the "South east Quarter," - now Windham Centre. The second place was at the "Ponds," or "Ponde Place," called sometimes at a later day, "Ponde Towne," from a small pond near what is now, - not very appropriately, - named Mansfield Centre. It is in the southern, or more correctly, southeastern part of the present town. The Indian name of the place was Naubesetuck* (*Thee is some doubt in regard to the true meaning of this Indian term, as it may have - and probably has - suffered in its orthography by transmission. Hon. J.H. Trumbull says "The root of Naubesetuck is distinguishable enough, in spite of its disguise; - in nippe, or nuppe, water. The diminutives of this word were nippees, or nuppisse, little water, and nippeemes, very little water. The first was applied, especially, to ponds, but sometimes to streams: Nuppissepog was a small pond, or spring. Nuppisse-tuck would be small river, or more exactly, scanty-watered river." "If, as appears, the name means small-watered river, it doubtless belongs, primarily, to the Fenton, or Hope River, - small by comparison with the Willimantic; to which they were tributary, and was subsequently applied to the neighboring territory; as the name of "the long river" was to the State, (Connecticut).") Twenty one home-lots were here laid out, beginning at the pond and numbering to the south. A highway was also laid out at the same time. The lots were all on the east side of the main street, except numbers three and five, which were on the west side. There was another highway on the east side of part of the lots., and the more southerly ones were bounded east on the river. Most of these lots were from 20 to 24 rods wide on the street, and from 40 to 60 rods deep, containing six acres each. The following is the boundary of the first lot: "The first lott at the ponds abutting on the highway Westerly and on the pond Twenty Rodds, abutting northerly on the first Division lott fifty Rodds; abutting southerly on the second lott fifty Rodds; abutting easterly on the foote of the Hill." The nineteen lots on the east side of the street extended from the pond south 436 1-2 rods. It would appear by the boundary of the first lot, that the main street, as originally laid out, did not run where it does now; but, starting from the pond, it ran nearly south, striking the present Mansfield road near the Hollow school house, or perhaps nearer the house of Mr. Phares Barrows. Those acquainted with the localities may be better able to decide these questions than the writer. The following were the original proprietors who drew the lots at the "Ponds:"

George Denison, No. 1

Thomas Leffingwell, No. 2

Rev. Jas. Fitch, Nos. 3, 4

Capt. Jas. Fitch, Nos. 5, 11

Capt. Samuel Mason, Nos. 6, 19

Daniel Mason, No. 7

Thomas Adgate, No. 8

Capt. John Mason, Nos. 9, 10

Simon Huntington, No. 12

John Olmsted, Nos. 13, 20

Ens'gn Wm. Backus, No. 14

Hugh Calkins, No. 15

Lieut. Thomas Tracy, No. 16

Wm. Hyde, No. 17

Daniel Wetherell, No. 18

John Birchard, No. 21

Precisely at what time the settlement of the "Pond Place" was commenced cannot now be definitely ascertained, but it was very soon after Cates located at the "South-East Quarter" - certainly within two or three years. The earliest intimation that there were inhabitants at the North End, or "Ponds," was May, 1691; but in October of that year, when the first petition was presented for a town, there were no names on it except those of the Windham Center settlers. A meeting of the "Inhabitants of the South East quarter," Dec. 17, 1691, would imply that there were then settlers at the Ponds. At the first town meeting after Windham had been invested with town privileges, June 11th, 1692, there are three men who had already settled at the Ponds, viz: Jonathan Hough, Samuel Hyde and John Royce. In the first list of freemen, made May 30th, 1693, there were eight out of the twenty-three that were settlers at the Ponds. It is possible that they had not then all located there, for the deeds of some of them bear subsequent date. The following are their names: Jonathan Hough, Samuel Hyde, John Royce, Samuel Birchard, Robert Wade, Peter Cross, Samuel Lincoln, John Arnold. In 1694 were added Robert Fenton, Joseph Hall and Samuel Gifford, and in 1695 Benjamin Armstrong, Nathl. Basset, Joshua Allen, John Allen, and Wm. Hall. These were the earliest settlers. The following Mansfield settlers were the only other ones admitted inhabitants in Windham before the division of the town. Dec. 12, 1698: Samuel Storrs, Senr., Samuel Storrs, Jr., and Thomas Dunham. Dec. 22d, 1699, Mr. Dimock (Dea. Shubael.) Without some kind of a diagram of the lots (which we may be able to give hereafter) it is difficult to indicate precisely where the earliest settlers located. If the highway (Main street) was subsequently changed, it would of course make some change in the boundaries of the lots. Some of the more southerly lots were the first ones settled, as was quite natural, they being nearest the Windham Centre settlements. But other and more definite particulars must be deferred till our next number.

292. TWJ Fri Mar 28, 1862: John R. Washburn, of West Stafford, has been nominated as a candidate for Senator in the 20th District by the Republicans and Union men.

293. TWJ Fri Mar 28, 1862: Rev. Horace James of Worcester, Mass., chaplain of the 25th Massachusetts regiment, helped work a battery in the battle of Roanoke Island.

294. TWJ Fri Mar 28, 1862: On Monday night, Richard Collins of New London had taken from his house $247 in bills and specie. A person lodging in his house previously has not been seen in New London since.

295. TWJ Fri Mar 28, 1862: At East Suffield, March 17th a son of Addi__Griswold had his hand so badly injured from the bursting of a gun that a partial amputation was necessary.

296. TWJ Fri Mar 28, 1862: Patrick Kinny has been sent to the Reform School, from Thompsonville, for stealing $50 from Dr. Woodman's drug store on the evening of March 9.

297. TWJ Fri Mar 28, 1862: The remains of Dwight Lester, W.H.H. Gorton, and Thomas Goff, members of Capt. Legget's company, Tenth Regiment, who fell at Roanoke Island, reached New London Tuesday night. On Wednesday their bodies were removed to the Court House, where they lay in state.

298. TWJ Fri Mar 28, 1862: We learn that a very interesting revival of religion is in progress in Bolton, in connection with the labors of the Rev. Mr. Chapman, who is supplying the pulpit there. A goodly number already indulge hope of an interest in Christ.

299. TWJ Fri Mar 28, 1862: The Aurora says that Col. Kingsbury will be succeeded in the command of the Eleventh regiment by his nephew, a recent graduate of West Point, and a capable man.

300. TWJ Fri Mar 28, 1862: The 1st Conn. Artillery, to consist of over 1800 men when filled, is entitled to three Majors. In addition to Maj. Hemingway, Adjutant Thomas S. Trumbull of Hartford, and Capt. Elisha S. Kellegg of Derby, have each been promoted to be Major.

301. TWJ Fri Mar 28, 1862: Rev. B.F. Hedden, late of Mansfield, was installed pastor of the First Baptist Church in Camden N.J., on the 6th inst.

302. TWJ Fri Mar 28, 1862: Rev. N.S. Wheaton, D.D. , second President of Trinity College, died on Tuesday, 185th inst., at Marbledale, Mass.

303. TWJ Fri Mar 28, 1862: Rev. Alex B. Thompson of Bridgeport, has received a call from the Reformed Dutch church in Twenty-first street New York.

304. TWJ Fri Mar 28, 1862: Three small burglaries were committed in Mystic, on the night of the 15th. From the store of F. Manning the rogues stole $25 worth of drugs.

305. TWJ Fri Mar 28, 1862: Charles Buckminster of Rockville, while out hunting muskrats last Friday, was shot in the head and killed by the accidental discharge of his comrade's gun. He died Saturday, exonerating his comrade from any blame in the matter.

306. TWJ Fri Mar 28, 1862: Rev. W.A. Moore, of Newtown, has been appointed to fill the office of evangelist and superintendent of evangelization, recently vacated by Leonard W. Bacon, of Stamford.

307. TWJ Fri Mar 28, 1862: David Smith of Norwich is the Republican candidate for Senator from the Eighth, (Norwich) district.

308. TWJ Fri Mar 28, 1862: The Baptist state missionaries, Rev. Messrs. Shailer and Swan, are laboring in Mansfield, where the church has been nearly broken up by internal troubles. They preach to full congregations, and with good effect.

309. TWJ Fri Mar 28, 1862: Wm. Leffingwell Foote, second son of Commodore Foote

of the U.S. Navy, died in New Haven on Friday, 14th inst., of scarlet fever at the age of thirteen years. His death was sudden and unexpected, and the whole country will sympathize with the brave man in his family affliction.

310. TWJ Fri Mar 28, 1862: Marriages.

In this village, March 23d, by the Rev. S.G. Willard, Courtland Palmer and Harriet F. Upton, all of Willimantic.

311. TWJ Fri Mar 28, 1862: Deaths.

In Windham Centre, March 23d, Mr. Joshua Huntington, aged 69 years.

In Coventry, March 25, Frankie B. Chadwick, age 6 years.

In Coventry, March 19, Larilla A. Smith, age 17.

In South Coventry, March 18th, of scarlet fever, Melville Payne, aged 24 years and Georgie Payne, aged 2 years and 6 months. By these sad dispensations a father and son, in health and promise on Sunday evening, were called away from loving friends and earth on Tuesday.

In Lebanon, March 22, Mrs. Nancy C. Fuller, aged 66 years.

312. TWJ Fri Mar 28, 1862: District of Windham, ss. Probate Court, March 24th, 1862. Estate of James M. Hawkins, late of Windham, in said district, deceased. The Court of Probate for the District of Windham hath limited and allowed six months from date hereof for the creditors of said estate, represented insolvent, in which to exhibit their claims thereto; and hath appointed George Lathrop and Asa W. Jillson commissioners to receive and examine said claims. Certified by Wm. Swift, Clerk. The subscribers give notice that they shall meet at the office of A.W. Jillson, in said Windham, on the 19th day of May and 22d day of September, at two o'clock in the afternoon on each of said days for the purpose of attending to the business of said appointment. Geo. Lathrop, A.W. Jillson, Commissioners. All persons indebted to said estate are requested to make immediate payment to John S. Smith, Administrator.

313. TWJ Fri Mar 28, 1862: At a Court of Probate holden at Windham within and for the district of Windham, on the 11th day of March, A.D. 1862. Present Justin Swift, Esq., Judge. On motion of Asa W. Jillson, Trustee on the assigned estate of Amos B. Adams, of Windham within said district - it is ordered by this Court that notice be given that the Trustee's account in said estate will be exhibited for settlement at the Probate Office in said district on the 2d day of April next, at 9 o'clock A.M., by posting a copy of this order on the public sign post in said town of Windham, and by advertising the same in a newspaper published in Willimantic. Certified from record. Wm. Swift, Clerk.

314. TWJ Fri Mar 28, 1862: Clear up the Highway. One of the greatest trials to a neat and orderly man, is the practice of obstructing the public roads in various ways. This is sometimes done from mere shiftlessness, and sometimes from stinginess - a desire to get as much as possible out of the public. Often we see piles of wood stretching along the sidewalk, and tumbling down upon it; also stacks of boards in the same precarious condition. Opposite a certain man's premises we constantly see fragments of old carts, sleds, and barrels, rotten logs, heaps of brush, and other nuisances. And this man cannot see any impropriety in this conduct. Is not the land his own - the middle of the road? Now to say nothing about the looks of the thing, streets so encumbered are unsafe. Many horses take fright at such "pokerish objects," and become ungovernable. Every man, probably, must have piles of rubbish somewhere, but let them be within his own gates, and as much as possible out of sight.

315. TWJ Fri Mar 28, 1862: How Soldiers Make Doughnuts. A member of Manning's Battery, at Ship Island, in a recent letter describes the way soldiers make doughnuts, as follows: "Some of us when we get home will be quite capable of taking in washing; I rather think the ladies would laugh to see us washing stockings, shirts, &c. And by the way we can cook up nice things, if we only try hard; for instance, we make doughnuts in the following manner: Take a good quantity of flour in a mess pan, and after putting in some yeast powder, water, and molasses, stir it up till it is quite stiff, then take it out on a clean piece of board, and with a champagne bottle for a roller, we make it thin, take a knife, cut it into narrow or square strips, put them into a frying pan until nicely browned, and then eat. I guess some of us will be quite "handy" round the house, as a better-half once said of her husband.