Business and Finance in Early Thompson, Connecticut
After the death of Samuel Morris, the valuable farm upon the Quinebaug
was sold by his son. to Benjamin Wilkinson, of Rhode Island, a man of
great energy, but of restless and roving spirit. The capacious " Morris--
House " was now opened as a tavern. A shabby old traveler passing the
night there, asked Mr. Wilkinson casually what he would take for the whole
establishment. He named a large sum and thought no more of it till within
a few weeks the old man appeared with a bag full of gold and silver, ready
to close the bargain and pay hard cash for it. Amazed at his promptness
and ever ready for trade and change, Wilkinson yielded the Morris purchase
to the wily old man (Mr. John Holbrook, of Woodstock), and himself removed
to Thompson hill, purchasing the "old Red Tavern" and Sabin farm, then
thrown into market by the death of Lieutenant Sabin and the removal of his
sons. The restless energies of Mr. Wilkinson found ample scope in this new
field. As yet tavern and meeting house stood alone on the bare, broken
hill-top. The minister's house, built by John Corbin, occupied the present
site of Mr. Chandler's residence, southward. The small house built by
Samuel Watson was north of the hill, and so encompassed by underbrush that
it was said Mrs. Watson lost her way when trying to go to meeting. Mr.
Wilkinson cut down the brush, routed off stones and ousted the aboriginal
tree-stumps, transforming the rough field into a comfortable common for "
trainings." He " rectified " the pound and set out an extensive peach
orchard east of the meeting house.
It was his benevolent practice to plant a peach stone by every rock on the
road side, that boys, travelers and church attendants might have a free
supply. He also served as the committee for enlarging the meeting house,
which was done by cutting the same in two and inserting a strip fourteen
feet wide between the bisections. This feat being accomplished, the
society proceeded " to culler our meeting house," voting " That the
cullering of the body of our meeting house should be like Pom-fret and the
Roff should be cullered Read;" Mr. Wilkinson's artistic instincts thus
anticipating modern fashions. The inserted strip was laid out into pew
spots and sold to such parishioners as were able to build upon them. Other
spots were obtained by taking seats from the ancient ``body," and little
twentyinch alleys were promiscuously devised " for the people to go into
their seats." Three choristers were needed to lead the singing in the
enlarged meeting house, together with Joel Converse and Thaddeus Larned,
to assist the above " in tuning the psalm." Jacob Dresser, Lusher Gay and
Simon Larned now served as deacons.
Mr. Wilkinson's tavern might have been considered as an adjunct to the
meeting house, so much was it resorted to before service and at
intermission. As a native Rhode Islander he was less strict in his views
of Sabbath keeping than his Connecticut neighbors, but only on one
occasion incurred official censure, after the whole congregation had been
disturbed one hot summer day by what seemed the lugubrious creaking of a
very rusty grindstone upon his premises, and after service he was waited
upon with formal remonstrance. But to the great astonishment of the
committee Mr. Wilkinson had the effrontery to deny the charge, even
against the present evidence of their own ears. " Why, there it is
grinding now louder than ever," they rejoined.. " Come into the orchard
and see for yourselves," replied the smiling landlord, and then formally
introduced them to a pair of Guinea liens, a novel importation, whose
doubtful cries, aggravated by homesickness, had subjected the rash
experimenter to such official visitation. The " Red Tavern," under Mr.
Wilkinson's administration, increased greatly in popularity, and was the
scene of many a dance and merry-making. Taverns were also kept by Edward
Converse, James Dike and John Jacobs-the latter tavern becoming in time
very famous as the halfway house between Boston and Hartford.
Although money was very scarce in those early days and the resources of
the people very limited, Thompson, in some unaccountable way, seemed more
favored than its neighbors, its taxlist considerably exceeding that of
Killingly's first society. Its main industry was farming; its most
convenient market the town of Providence, over the cart road constructed
by Nathaniel Sessions of Pomfret. The first reported trader was Mr. Samuel
florris, who improved his eligible position on the old road to Boston by
taking in his neighbors' produce and forwarding it to market. Business was
carried on in other parts of the parish through the agency of a peculiar
institution known as " the Butter cart " which picked up butter, eggs and
all sorts of domestic products, to be exchanged for " store goods " in
Boston and Providence. This institution was peculiarly valued by the wives
and daughters, supplying them with pins, needles, beads, ribbons and
little articles of finery dear to the feminine heart, and the return of
the freighted vehicle was hailed like a ship from the Indies.
A very flourishing business was started in the South Neighborhood by Mr.
Daniel Larned about the year 1770. A great revival of trade had followed
the return of peace, especially between Providence and the West Indies,
exchanging all kinds of colonial produce for those vital necessities, rum,
sugar and molasses. Beginning in a small way by taking in the surplus
products of his own neighborhood, Mr. Larned gradually extended business
operations over a large section of country, sending carts and agents far
up into the new settlements of Vermont and New Hampshire, buying up beef,
pork, grain and ashes for Providence market. Taking for a partner Mr. John
Mason, of Swanzey, the business increased in magnitude. Larned's store
became a great place of resort for all the surrounding country. Rum,
molasses, spices and even tea came into common use. It is said that the
arrival of the first whole hogshead of molasses at this store was made a
matter of public celebration, the children being allowed to indulge
without stint in their favorite daintyroasted potatoes and molasses,
crammed down their throats sizzling and dripping. The ideal of supreme
felicity, as expressed by a youth of that generation, was to sit "in the
great room," with his especial adorable, and eat fried potatoes and
molasses. Larned's store and residence were under the famous Revolutionary
Elm," of the South Neighborhood. Mason built the house now occupied by Mr.
William Converse, of Putnam.
Their business, though much impeded by public disturbances, was kept up
throughout the war period, and greatly revived after its close. New roads
were laid out to accommodate "Larned and Mason." A nail shop was set up
for the manufacture of iron utensils; potash and pearl ash made in large
quantities; pork and beef packing carried on; great supplies of grain and
produce taken in. Finding the maritime transfer of so much merchandise
costly and inconvenient, Larned and Mason decided to build a special
carrying-ship for themselves. A body of stalwarts was dispatched to cut
and hew timber in' the Thompson woods, and Green's saw mill engaged for
the season. Captain Jonathan Nichols, a newly arrived citizen of much
mechanical ingenuity, had charge of the work, and in a few months a neat
little sloop was constructed and on exhibition at Quadic ship yard, a
truly remarkable specimen of inland enterprise and architecture.
Transported by sections to Providence, it was there carefully put
together, and successfully launched as the sloop "Harmony," and brought
its plucky owners both profit and glory. Under the stimulus and increased
population of this flourishing business, the South Neighborhood was
considered as quite the head of the new town which took the place of the
old parish" District No. One," as it was named in a revision of school
districts.
Back to: Thompson, Windham
County, Connecticut History
Source: History of Windham County, Connecticut,
Bayles, Richard M.; New York: W.W. Preston, 1889 Back to: Windham County, Connecticut
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