National Firefighters’ Day Special!

While most of us run from disaster, firefighters face the danger head on, providing life saving support to protect their community. They are true heroes whose selflessness is magnified by the fact that most are volunteers, risking their lives simply because they feel it’s the right thing to do. The admirable character of volunteer firefighters may be exemplified by those who served as such in the past including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Samuel Adams, Paul Revere and Alexander Hamilton. Thank you to firefighters everywhere!

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Although 1736 marks the first American volunteer fire company, it wasn’t until 1938 that first steps were taken in South Windsor towards the formation of such a department. At a Town Hall meeting on February 1st, a committee of 15 headed by Harold Newberry was appointed and tasked with recruiting volunteers. By March 7th, a vote was held to appropriate $7500 towards the construction of a firehouse/garage and purchase of a fire truck in addition to the $1000 that had already been raised for other equipment. At the end of July, a charter of 65 firemen was drawn up and the Diamond-T Maxim fire truck was delivered. 

The significance of July continued to the next year, as the first annual field day was held on the 8th at Station 31 on Main Street. Invitations were sent out to similar units throughout Connecticut, advertising a program of entertainment including a water circus. At the event, a parade was held with the 36 companies that attended and 15 gold trophies were awarded to the winners of various competitions including company coming the longest distance, best appearing company, and the champions of hose laying, tug of war, musical drilling and the 100 yard dash. 

As South Windsor grew, the fire department found itself needing more advanced equipment such as new trucks, engines, alarm systems and headquarters. But most importantly, new members attracted through various programs. In 1966, the minimum recruitment age was reduced from 21 to 18. Three years later, the department went a step further, creating an Explorer Troop for boys ages 14 to 18 who would assist firefighters at the alarm and perform many of the same duties. The first charter began with 4 members who were given the same training as regular firefighters and attended weekly drills. By 1976, an arrangement was reached with the school system allowing high schoolers in the troop to leave school during fires and serve as backup. In addition, a company of volunteers who worked in town was assembled. The employers of the volunteers allowed them to answer major emergencies and attend a 2 hour training every week. 

Our town’s fire department has now expanded to 130 firefighters and 3 stations. Hydrants that were previously only along Route 5 can now be seen every few feet. Many citizens remain unaware that our firefighters are volunteers (a 1988 survey found 72% thought they were paid) and it’s easy to take them for granted. However, it’s important to remember their constant sacrifice and stay grateful. 

The Law that Originated in SW

The word “lemon” originated in Britain where it was not only used to refer to the fruit but also something worthless. This practice soon translated to America where by 1960 defective cars were commonly referred to as lemons. 12 years later, in an attempt to relive the sour feeling of buying a ‘lemon’, CT Representative John J. Woodcock III proposed the Lemon Law, formally titled “An Act Concerning Automobile Warranties”. 

Born and raised in South Windsor, Representative Woodcock (D) became a town attorney after graduating Suffolk University Law School. After a successful run for town council, Woodcock drew on his experience as an attorney during which he noticed an increase in lawsuits relating to poorly made vehicles. It was then that the freshman representative sponsored the Lemon Law, believing people needed a new mechanism to regain confidence in the car market. He modeled it on a similar law that had been introduced in California just two years earlier, but stopped by automobile companies. On June 4th, 1982, the first Lemon Law was passed. 

The passage made waves: by 1983, 17 states created their own set of lemon laws and today all 50 states have adopted similar legislation. In general, the law requires automobile manufacturers to repurchase vehicles that have significant defects, taking into account the number of days it is unavailable and the number of repair attempts made (exact criterias vary state to state). As for CT specifically, if the issues couldn’t be repaired within 4 attempts, the manufacture is required to either replace or provide a full refund. 

With the high success of the first lemon law, Woodcock soon proposed another concerning used cars. In 1985 his interests then further extended to laws against odometer tampering. Today, the lemon law is responsible for the return of over $60 million to CT consumers. 

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FURTHER INFORMATION:

• The backbone of the Lemon Law on the federal level is the Magnuson-Mass Warranty Act (1975) which is broader and more general, leading to most enforcement being from state level legislation → https://portal.ct.gov/DCP/Common-Elements/Consumer-Facts-and-Contacts/Magnuson-Moss-Warranty-Act
• A brief story of the first family to benefit from the Lemon Law. Includes a lot of great information on opposition from manufacturers as well → https://www.nytimes.com/1988/07/02/style/consumer-s-world-car-makers-fight-back-on-lemon-laws.html
• A more detailed history of the lemon law: https://lawecommons.luc.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=https://www.google.com/&httpsredir=1&article=1563&context=lclr

The FIRST Ferry in the United States

Born right here in South Windsor was the first ferry to cross the Connecticut river, more impressively, the oldest ferry in the United States. Early Windsor was split by the river, so on the east side (modern day South Windsor), pastures and eventually homesteads were built while colonists settled on the west. Crossing was necessary for visits and transporting animals/farmers to pasture lands. Without means to construct bridges, citizens turned to ferry boats. 

In January of 1648 (over a century before the US was founded), the General Court of Connecticut contracted John Bissell to “keep and carefully attend the ferry over the Great River”. Under the contract, Bissell charged 3 pence for a single passenger, two pence per person with multiple passengers and 8 pence for each horse brought on the boat. To travel to each end of Windsor, Bissell’s boat used a cable-pulley system. A submerged cable secured to trees at both banks of the river would pass through a pulley on the side of the ferry scrow. A ferryman would angle the boat so the current of the river would propel it in the desired direction. Even in later years of the operation, Bissell’s ferry’s continued with the system and avoided installing motors.

Despite growing competition from numerous other ferries, the Bissell Ferry managed to maintain local prominence until bridges in the early 20th century gained popularity. As customers were lost, the ferry was forced to close, but the exact date remains in dispute. While many signs and publications say that it was decommissioned in 1917, local news articles indicate the ferry was being taken over by the state and upgraded in 1917, only ending around 1924-25. Either way, the Bissell business lived a long life and was essential to life in Windsor.

John Fitch’s Inventing of the First Steamboat

In 1785, former South Windsor resident John Fitch moved to PA attempting to design a steam engine. Building an entire engine from scratch, was a difficult and expensive endeavor only possible with the help of a few Philadelphia investors and partner, Henry Voigt.

By 1787, Fitch had built his first steamboat, the 45-foot Perseverance with 12 paddles. On August 22, he demonstrated the boat to constitutional convention delegates in hopes of receiving financial backing, but was simply left with words of praise. It was only through exclusive grants for steam water travel in Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware and Virginia that Fitch could begin commercial travel in 1788 then again in 1790 along the Burlington-Philadelphia-Trenton route. However, free beer and low prices to compete with stagecoaches caused Fitch to loose money on every trip, forcing investors to back out. Even the patent he received in August of 1791 was also given to James Rumsey meaning neither earned money.

In 1793, with an exclusive patent and the promise of an investor, Fitch left for France, only to arrive during the Reign of Terror. After another failed attempt in London, Fitch returned to the US in 1794. 4 years and many failures later, on July 3, 1798, Fitch ended his life by an opium overdose. He left the world with neither fame nor fortune, only a feeling of disappointment. As Fitch put it, “I know of nothing so perplexing and vexatious to a man of feelings, as a turbulent Wife and Steam Boat building. I experienced the former and quit in a season, and had I been in my right senses I should undoubtedly have treated the latter in the same manner, but for one to be tested with both, he must be looked upon as the most unfortunate man of this world”.

The Seal That Represents Our Town

The town seal is used on almost every important town document, from certificates to oridiances to resolutions and proclamations. As such an essential part of our town, the authenticating seal’s design must embody our unique town. And thus, it’s creation was no easy feat. 

In 1845, when SW split off from East Windsor, it quickly adopted its own seal which by the late 1900’s, was described by the mayor as “ordinary, without design and wearing out”. In 1968, a special committee composed of 2 art specialists, an engineer, the school superintendent and town clerk formed for the purpose of finding a new seal. They launched a contest for the design, but felt none of the entries were acceptable and in the spring of 1969 resumed the contest. This time, the committee would also accept an idea for the seal in 25 words or less in lieu of a sketch. It was in this subsequence contest that Doris Burgdorf, a lifelong SW resident, historian and freelance artist, entered and won. Adopted June 2, 1969, Burgdorf’s seal was termed “a work of art” by the town council. 

Every element of the seal is specific to our town. Arrowheads honor the Podunks, while fish and flowers specific to the CT River coastline honor our “wealth of nature”. A rocket symbolizes our innovative future while a tobacco plant honors our agricultural past. Finally, the shield, a simplified version of the CT emblem and borrowed from East Windsor’s town seal, associates us with the town we were once part of and the state we are united by. It lies on a latticework background, an intricate design used by early SW craftsmen. 

Since its creation over a half a decade ago, this seal has proudly representing our town.

Benjamin Franklin’s Son’s Connection to South Windsor

Like any other major conflicts, the Revolutionary War divided those involved, even splitting up families. Perhaps one of the most well known cases is that of Benjamin Franklin and his son William Franklin. Through the influence of his father, William maintained a prominent role in American history and in August of 1762, became the royal governor of New Jersey. As American’s started growing restless of British control over the colonies, William’s father sent him numerous letters advising that he resign and join the resistance. William refused and would soon face the consequences of his choice.

By fall of 1775, he was the only royal governor in all of the 13 colonies. But Franklin’s downfall was inevitable and in June of 1776, the New Jersey provincial congress declared him “a virulent enemy to his country,”. Less than a month later, William was formally arrested and incarcerated in Connecticut where he stayed in Wallingford then in Middletown. Refusing to stay complicit, William gathered intelligence for the loyalists and protected the properties of CT tories by issuing royal pardons. These defiant actions prompted his solitary confinement at Litchfield in May of 1777. Falling ill, desperate and mourning the death of his wife, he wrote to CT Governor Trumbull, “I suffer so much in being thus buried alive, having no one to speak to day or night, and for the want of air and exercise, that I should deem it a favor to be immediately taken out and shot.”

Finally heard, 4 months later, he was removed from the cell and imprisoned in Capt. Ebenezer Grant’s house on Main Street, SW. Although Franklin remained a prisoner until 1778, he was treated more humanely at the Grant house which still stands today. It serves as a reminder of a time when our nation stood divided and had fought so desperately for its independence.

Our Haunted Town

Halloween – a time to dress up in spooky costumes, devour candies and watch scary movies with friends. Most importantly, a time to tell scary stories. In the quiet town of South Windsor, not many myths involve paranormal activity, except for the legend of Screwy Louie and Beelzebub Road.

A wealthy family was said to have lived in the old Ellsworth School. The family’s son, Louie, had special needs during a time when it was considered an embarrassment to be disabled. Ashamed, the family supposedly chained and hid Louie in the attic of the school. As the legend goes, attempting to escape, Louie pushed too hard on the window and fell onto the playground below, immediately dying. It is said that his spirit lived on and he roams the halls of the Ellsworth School to this day. Some believe that if the sun shines on the window right, you can still see his silhouette. 

Ironically, until the 1920’s, Beelzebub Road was a quiet road called Lovely Street. Supposedly, the change in the name was in response to a man named Walter Green. In 1901, Green was committed to the Hartford Retreat for the Insane, where he soon escaped. It was after his escape that 2 women associated with Green were found dead within months of each other, one of whom was his mother, Elmina (Mina) Bissell. According to the legend, the townspeople started to gossip behind Green’s back, calling him “old beelzebub”, giving the road it’s now haunted name. It is said that the spirits of the two girls and Walter Green still remain on the road to this day. Believers of the story think the haunted nature of the road is the cause of an unexplained fire that burned down a church residing on the street in 2003. 

John Adams’ Visit to SW

“I spent this morning riding through Paradise” – John Adams on South Windsor

John Adams, two-term vice president and second President of the United States visited South Windsor in 1771. From Friday night of June 7, to Saturday morning of June 8, Adams stayed at the Bissell Tavern in South Windsor. Back then, much was different. John Adams was just a lawyer and politician. Main Street had just a general store, some old houses and a church or two. 

On June 1771, Adams wrote in his diary that he “rode along the great river to Windsor, and put up at Bissell’s”. The Bissell Tavern was located on the south edge of where Ferry Road came up to Main Street in East Windsor (modern day South Windsor). Adams praises Main Street on his June 8th entry where he writes, “my eyes never beheld so fine a country; from Bissell’s, in Windsor, to Hartford ferry, eight miles, is one continued street, houses all along, and a vast prospect of level country on each hand; the lands very rich and the husbandry pretty good.” While he seemed to have adored South Windsor, Adams was not as happy in the tavern. If anything, he sounded a little home sick when he explained, “I begin to grow weary of this idle, romantic jaunt….I want to see my Wife, my Children, my Farm, my Horse, Oxen, Cows, Walls, Fences, Workmen, Office, Books, and Clerks. I want to hear the News, and Politics of the Day. But here I am, at Bissills in Windsor, hearing my Landlord read a Chapter in the Kitchen and go to Prayers with his Family, in the genuine Tone of a Puritan.”

The Bissell Tavern was torn down in 1901 but it stays in our memory, as it was where John Adams once stayed and marveled at our beautiful small town.