Connecticut’s First Black Soldiers: the 29th Regiment Colored Volunteers

In late 1863, Connecticut created its first all-Black Civil War regiment. The 29th Regiment was launched almost 10 months after Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation and months after Massachusetts and Rhode Island created their own African American regiments. 

Despite Connecticut’s late start relative to some of its northern neighbors, Blacks rushed to enlist in the 29th Regiment. In fact, so many men wished to join the cause, that a second regiment, the 30th, was established to accommodate the surplus of volunteers. Even with their willingness to serve a country that had brought upon them so much trauma, African Americans were still looked down upon. Connecticut Democrats feared allowing Blacks to fight in the war, for “it would let loose upon the helpless South ‘a horde of African barbarians.’” It was decided that white officers would lead the Black regiments, ensuring law and order. 

The 29th and 30th Regiment troops got a morale boost on January 29, 1864 with a speech from renowned Black abolitionist Frederick Douglass. In his address, Douglass reminded the soldiers they were fighting for the freedom of four million Blacks still enslaved in the South. With Douglass’ words ringing in their ears, the 29th Regiment went on to fight in many of the war’s most important battles. In September 1864, they helped capture Fort Harrison, less than 10 miles from the Confederate capital in Richmond. In late October of the same year, the men of the regiment held back the Confederacy at the Battle of Kell House. The regiment participated in the very last offensive attacks of the war, overtaking Richmond. In April 1865, the regiment was among the first to march on the former Confederate capital.

In 2008, Connecticut’s first monument honoring Black soldiers was erected in New Haven, commemorating the men of the 29th Regiment.

From Mom-and-Pop to Mass Production: Eli Terry’s Clockwork Magic

In the early 1800s, during the Industrial Revolution, stand-alone clocks and watches were an
indicator of class. The high cost of brass, used to fashion the timepieces, coupled with the long
hours required to put together a finished product, meant that a clock was a relatively expensive
purchase. This changed with the work of Eli Terry, a South Windsor, CT native.
As an apprentice in the 1780s, Terry mastered the aesthetic work of engraving brass clock faces,
and the technical skills needed to program hand movements. Upon completing his
apprenticeship, Terry established his first clock shop on Niagara Brook, also the first hydro-
powered clock factory in the U.S. Soon, Terry moved to Plymouth, where he switched from
brass to wood gear clocks, a much more affordable material. Around this time, he also began
experimenting with mass- producing 200 clocks at one time. Like most individuals looking to
change the status quo, Terry had his detractors , with one saying, “[Terry] never would live long
enough to finish [the clocks].” Well, he did finish them, quickly and efficiently, using water to
power his machinery. Terry got his big break in 1807, signing a three-year contract, The Porter
Contract, with two Waterbury investors. He was enlisted to manufacture 4,000 wooden longcase
clock movements, what we know today as ‘grandfather clocks.’ Terry completed the task

successfully and, a few years later, created the first fully self-contained and compact version,
priced at $15.
By 1823, Terry had established his own shop, which he ran with his two sons, eventually
producing an unprecedented 12,000 clocks a year. Terry’s achievements made the timepiece a
largely accessible item, allowing a greater portion of the population to own what was once
considered a luxury item. His accomplishments also led to the creation of Connecticut’s famous
clock making industry.

Jonathan Edwards: Father of the Great Awakening

The son and grandson of preachers, Jonathan Edwards would become not only a minister but one of America’s greatest theologians and philosophers. His work would become significant to the 1st Great Awakening and greatly contributed to the revival of religion in the colonies. 

His life began on October 5th 1703 in what is now South Windsor, where he was born to Esther and Timothy Edwards, both of whom were reputed to be extremely smart. The 5th of 11 children and only son, Edwards’ intelligence was clear from an early age. He was educated by his father who ran a preparatory school for local boys. At 11 years old, Edwards wrote an essay on the ballooning behaviors of spiders through observation. Just 2 years later, he was admitted to Yale College which required fluency in Latin, Greek and Hebrew. It was here that he would meet his future wife, Sarah Peirpoint, the daughter of one of Yale’s founders who was also extremely religious. After his graduation as valedictorian, Edwards pursued his Masters in Divinity. 

He quickly found his first job as pastor of a new church in Bolton, CT but the small agricultural community wasn’t enough for his aspirations and Edwards left soon after. He filled his time as a tutor at Yale College for two years before finally becoming an assistant to his grandfather, Reverend Solomon Stoddard, in Northampton. After Stoddard’s death in 1729, Edwards fully took over and would remain for the next 21 years. He is considered one of the main fathers of the Great Awakening and in 1741 would deliver “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”, one of the most influential sermons of the time which stated humans were sinners who needed to ask God for forgiveness. The message quickly spread through the colonies. 

Although Edwards found strong support outside, he began to have tensions with his own congregation over membership qualifications. His rejection of his grandfather’s relaxed standards and insistence on religious experience for eligibility eventually lead to his dismissal from the church. By 1751, Edwards found home at a Native American mission in Stockbridge. It was here that he published many more famous works including “Freedom of the Will”. 
His last job would be as president of Princeton University in 1757. He would die that year from complications due to a smallpox vaccination. Still, Edwards’ legacy would live on passing through his many disciples and descendants including Aaron Burr, the 3rd US Vice President. Furthermore, in 1933 he became the namesake of Yale’s first residential college.

Edith Watson: A Revolutionary Photographer

This South Windsor native became known for her revolutionary portraits of rural women performing grueling daily tasks during a time when most photos were of men. Her photographs brought to light unique depictions of ordinary people, telling otherwise untold stories. Her tag: Edith S. Watson.

Watson was born in East Windsor Hill (now South Windsor) on November 5th 1861. The youngest of 4 girls, she was raised by her parents Sarah and Reed Watson. The family owned a local Hartford newspaper business and farmed tobacco. Although money could be tight, the girls were encouraged by their parents to pursue their passions and explore the arts. 

At age 19, Watson took her first trip. She set out to Massachusetts for 2 weeks, taking only 5 dollars and her donkey Jaffa. Immediately taking a liking to traveling, she never stopped since. For about a decade after, Watson traveled across New England with her sister Amelia as they sold watercolor paintings to various galleries. But by the early 1890’s, Watson had discovered her love for cameras. She begun studying under her uncle who taught photography at Harvard and by 1896 was ready for her first photography trip. Watson traveled by boat to coastal Canadian communities, taking photographs of the working people and landscapes. By selling the photos to newspapers and magazines, Watson was able to continue supporting her travels around the world. 

She visited areas from the Caribbean Islands to Yucaton but often focused on rural Canada. Her photos explored the ‘Canadian Mosiac’, and photographs included woman making soaps, harvesting beets, mending nets and much more. Her work was quickly noticed and Watson was able to get top prices for them during a time when pictures were simply considered fillers. Still, money could be tight especially during WW1 and the Great Depression. For this reason, Watson often had to get creative, developing her photographs in streams or strangers’ sheds. She used various travel methods including dog cart, steamship, train and horseback. 
In 1911 Watson would meet Victoria “Queenie” (after Queen Victoria) Hayward, during her winter stay in a Bermuda cottage. The two hit it off and from then Hayward and Watson would be partners in both their work and personal lives. As a journalist, Hayward was able to provide descriptive commentary on many of Watson’s photographs. By 1922 the two published Romantic Canada, and photographic travel book of their journeys across Canada. It was not until Watson’s 70th birthday that they finally settled down. 12 years later, Watson died from a ruptured ulcer during a trip to Florida.

Great Awakening Leader George Whitefield’s Visit to South Windsor

America’s first major mass movement began in the early 1730s. It would become known as the First Great Awakening, a period of religious revival during which a personal, heartfelt relationship with God was emphasized rather than instruction through ministers. The movement would be led by Angilican evangelist George Whitefield.

Whitefield began preaching outdoors in England, reaching out to those who didn’t normally attend church such as slaves. Often this practice meant he went over the heads of other priests while speaking to their congregations, a point that was disapproved of by many church elders. However, Whitefield quickly became popular for his passionate and dramatic sermons that greatly contrasted the monotone voices of traditional preachers. Crowds were often so engaged they were found sobbing by the end of his sermons. In 1740, Whitefield traveled to America where he began a preaching tour across the colonies, earning record audiences at every stop. Even Benjamin Franklin, known for his skepticism of religion, was charmed by Whitefield’s sermons. 

Overall, Whitefield traveled 5,000 miles in America, preaching over 350 times in just that one year! In October specifically, he visited Northampton, where he met Jonathon Edwards who he noted was a “solid excellent Christian”. After preaching to Edwards’ congregation, the two rode together to what is now South Windsor to meet with Edwards’ father, Reverend Timothy Edwards. On October 21st, Whitefield preached at the First Congregational Church and afterward had dinner at Timothy Edwards’ house. His journal details the events of the trip: 

“As soon as the sermon was over, I rode a mile and a half, and preached to a thronged congregation belonging to old Mr. Edwards, father of Mr. Edwards of Northampton.  After exercise [preaching], we supped at the house of old Mr. Edwards. His wife was as aged, I believe, as himself, and I fancied that I was sitting in the house of Zacharias and Elizabeth. I parted from him and his son (who came with me thus far) with regret; but, blessed by God, we shall meet in eternity! Lord, grant that I may always comfort myself with this thought!”

Although brief, Whitefield enjoyed his trip to South Windsor and was sure to have been enjoyed by those he spoke to!

Declaration of Independence Signer: Oliver Wolcott Sr.

The Wolcott family tree is filled with some of the most remarkable men in the Connecticut area. In the New World, it begins with Henry Wolcott Sr. who gained prominence as Windsor’s founder and ensured his kin capitalized on this success, expanding the family’s already impressive status. Oliver Wolcott Sr., grandson of Henry and the youngest son of Governor Roger Wolcott, serves as a prime example of the impressive character and abilities within the Wolcott Family. 

Born in 1726 in South Windsor (then Windsor), Oliver was the 14th of 15 children between Roger Wolcott and Sarah Drake. At 21, he would graduate from Yale College (roommate of Noah Webster) at the top of his class with a captain’s commission from NY Governor Clinton to create a volunteer militia to aid in King George’s War. He would proceed as captain of the company, defending the Northern Frontier until the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle. With the company disbanded, Wolcott returned home in 1748 and studied medicine with his brother Dr. Alexander Wolcott, intending to practice in Goshen. However, in a turn of events, after Litfield County’s creation in 1751, Oliver moved 30 miles westward into the area, following in his father’s footsteps with a career in law and politics. 

By 1753, Wolcott’s home on South Street was finished and two years later he married Laura Collins with whom he would have 5 children. Both congregationalist and devout Christians, Wolcott was reported to be “dignified, [a] man of integrity and deep Puritan Faith” while Collins was described as “a woman of almost masculine strength of mind, energetic and thrifty”. With such a capable wife, Wolcott was able to dedicate his life to public matters knowing his domestic affairs were in good hands. In Litchfield specifically, he served numerous positions including county sheriff, member of the colonial legislature, and county court judge.

As revolutionary war tensions grew, Wolcott rejoined the militia as captain in 1771. He was soon promoted to major then again in 1774 to colonel. By 1775, Wolcott was elected to the continental congress, from which he was mostly absent due to his heavy involvement in military affairs. Believing a separation between the colonies and Britain “unavoidable”, Wolcott committed his time and resources to the patriotic cause. His dedication is reflected by his sacrifices: “with regard to my own business, I now have neither time nor opportunity”. As commissioner of Indian affairs for the northern Department, he attended a conference with the Iroquois that temporarily gained their neutrality in the war. 

Wolcott remained present in Congress during the main debates about independence but by June of 1776 was forced to return home due to serious illness. (Missing the main signing ceremony for the Declaration of Independence, Wolcott put down his signature sometime in Autumn). After recovery from his illness in August, he was appointed Brigadier General and took over command of 14 CT Militia Regiments. The force served on Long Island during the Battle of Brooklyn and the summer of the next year reinforced General Putnam on the Hudson River. Perhaps their most notable feat however, was supporting General Horatio Gates in the defeat of General Burgoyne at Saratoga in the fall of 1777. 2 years later, Wolcott was promoted to major general and successfully defended the CT coast in Fairfield and Norwalk against the raids of NY Royal Governor William Tyron. 

After the successful Revolutionary War win in 1783, Wolcott went on to continue his career in politics. He helped negotiate both the Second Treaty of Fort Stanwix and Treaty with the Wyandottes, in which land was ceded from the natives to the United States. His life accomplishments were acknowledged through an honorary degree from Yale and appointment as President of the CT Society of Arts and Sciences. Wolcott then served as Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut from 1786 to January of 1796 – when the death of Samuel Huntington led to his assumption of governorship until Wolcott’s own death at 71. 

Roger Wolcott (Pt. 2)

On January 4th 1679, Roger Wolcott of Windsor CT would be born as the tenth child and youngest son of Simon and Martha Wolcott. Despite losing his father at the age of 8 and being deprived of a formal education, Wolcott was able to rise through the ranks becoming a Major General, Chief Justice of the Superior Court, Governor and published author. 

Part 2 focuses on his various pursuits not relating to public life:

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At the age of 15, Wolcott was apprenticed to a ‘clothier’ in Windsor and just 5 years later would leave to set up a successful business of his own. With these prospects, Wolcott married Sarah Drake in 1702, with whom he would go on to have 15 children including Oliver Wolcott, signer of the Declaration of Independence. Soon after the marriage, Wolcott built their family home on 1169 Main Street, South Windsor – east of the CT River. 

In October of 1735, for personal reasons, Wolcott petitioned the CT General Assembly for leave to establish a double ferry across the River. The first ferry would land on a peninsula between the Great River and Little River. After a brief cross by foot, the second ferry would cross to Plymouth Meadow. Although Wolcott paid for the road on the east of the CT River (called Governors River due to his later time in governorship), he sought for the second road to be paid for by the town. His request led to backlash resulting in much litigation, however Wolcott had been rising in ranks during the time and his influence allowed him to get his way. The following year, the Ferry would be bought by the town.

More notable however, is Wolcott’s many years aiding war efforts. His first experience was in 1711 when he was appointed Commissary, or supply master, for Connecticut forces in Queen Anne’s War. Joining the CT Militia in 1722, Wolcott would be appointed Captain of the Trainband of Windsor. By 1724, he was promoted to Captain of the Troops and in 1739 Colonial Commander for the CT First Regiment. At 66, he would serve his final position as Major General, second in command to Sir William Pepperell in an expedition against Louisbourg in King George’s War. 

Following his loss for reelection as Governor in 1754, Wolcott began focusing on literature. Although his first work titled Poetry Meditations being the Improvement of Some Vacant Hours was published in 1725, he took a considerable leave in his writing as his public service opportunities began to expand. It was only in 1759 that he wrote Roger Wolcott’s Memoir Relating to the History of Connecticut and later in 1761 when he publishing a pamphlet about the history liberties of congregational churches. 

On May 17, 1767, Wolcott died a respected man. He is buried in the Windsor Palisado Cemetery and commemorated by the Roger Wolcott School.

Roger Wolcott (Pt. 1)

On January 4th 1679, Roger Wolcott of Windsor CT would be born as the tenth child and youngest son of Simon and Martha Wolcott. Despite losing his father at the age of 8 and being deprived of a formal education, Wolcott was able to rise through the ranks becoming a Major General, Chief Justice of the Superior Court, Governor and published author. 

Part 1 focuses on his legacy in public service:

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Wolcott’s career in public service began in 1707 when he would be elected selectman of the Town of Windsor. It is thought that his prowess to run a successful business and knowledge in law contributed greatly to this appointment. Although Wolcott never received a formal education in law, he borrowed many books over the years and became a self taught lawyer. In 1709, he would be admitted to practice at the Bar and subsequently be elected Windsor representative to the CT General Assembly. In the following years, he held numerous positions including Justice of Peace, Clerk of the House, Deputy to the Lower House, member of the Upper House (Governor’s Council) and Commissioner of CT for adjustment of colonial boundaries. In 1721, he was chosen as Judge for the Hartford County Court where his skills would be so recognized, he was promoted to Judge of the CT Supreme Court in 1732. 

In 1741, elections for the 27th Governor of the CT Colony were held and won by Jonathan Law who, following customs, selected Roger Wolcott, the Chief Justice of the Superior court, as Deputy Governor. Following Governor Law’s death in November of 1750, the general Assembly convenieved, electing Roger Wolcott as governor and Thomas Fitch as Deputy Governor. They served until the regular election of May 1751, where both were reelected. 

November of the following  year, a Spanish Ship named St. Helena carrying cargo worth almost 4 million in today’s money ran aground near New London. As conflicting claims were investigated, Wolcott ordered the ship to be seized and the cargo to be offloaded. Parts of it were stored in the port’s customs house and the rest with Gurdon Saltonstall Jr., under whom Roger Wolcott had previously served. During this time, large portions of the cargo mysteriously disappeared leading to accusation of collusion between Saltonstall and Wolcott. It was then that a man named Henry Lane pressured Wolcott to relieve Saltonstall of the cargo. Under his authorization, Lane used the opportunity to appropriate 4 chests of silver for himself. Tensions ran high and many blamed Wolcott for his poor handling. Tainted with the scandals surrounding the case, Wolcott was defeated in his run for reelection.

Following the loss, he withdrew from public life and began pursuing other interests.

Eli Terry’s Lesser Known Teacher

Every morning the vast majority of us wake up to an alarm. We schedule our day based on the time and watch the ticking of a clock as the hours pass in the day. The introduction of clocks in our lives have had an immeasurable impact. It has fostered innovation and progress and arguably serves as the backbone of our working society. And just a few centuries ago, it was Connecticut that was the center of this business. 

Connecticut’s timekeeping roots can be traced back to the immigration of Thomas Harland in 1773 from London to Norwich, Connecticut. It was there that he set up shop, repairing watches and making clocks with the help of numerous apprentices including Daniel Burnap who was born on November 1, 1759 to Captain Abraham and Susan Burnap. At around the age of 15, Burnap began his apprenticeship under Harland where he learned the art of clockmaking, watch repairing, silversmithing, engraving and other related skills. 

In 1780, Burnap began his own business in his hometown of Coventry which he later moved to East Windsor (current day South Windsor) near the Bissell Family Tavern. With the advantages of his quality training under Harland and favorable timing due to the reduced importation of goods from England after the Revolutionary war, Burnap’s business prospered. Specializing in brass movement musical clocks in tall cases, Burnap produced clocks known for their incredible timekeeping accuracy due his signature use of ‘dead-beat’ escapements and count-wheel strike system. Although “clockmaking [was] intended as the governing business of his shop”, Burnap also served the general needs of his community. He produced items from surveyor’s instruments to brass buckles, from silverware to gold jewlery, all of which had the same reputation for high quality craftsmanship. 

During his time in East Windsor, Burnap took on at least 11 apprentices, most notably Eli Terry, who served his apprenticeship from around 1786 to 1792 and went on to forever transform the clockmaking industry.  

Sometime after 1800, Burnap sold his home in what is current day South Windsor (1892 Main Street, East Windsor Hill), and moved back to Coventry. By 1805 he had built the home he would live in for the remainder of his life. It is reported that here, Burnap began looking into new fields of work. He became a farmer, built and operated a sawmill and later established a still for a short time. As for his business, Burnap continued to make clocks and various similarly needed items until 1815 when he turned over the shop to an apprentice. Still, he would spend the rest of his life repairing watches, engraving and making buckles in the attic of his house. 

In his later years in Coventry, Burnap became an extremely active citizen. He served in various positions including a tax assessor, tax collector, highway surveyor and a Justice of Peace, holding court in an open room on the first floor of his house. On September 26, 1838, Burnap died a prosperous and well respected citizen. 

**It should be noted many sources report contradicting information relating to dates and locations

Timothy Edwards: The Man Honored By Our Middle School

Our town’s middle school proudly displays his name: Timothy Edwards Middle School. His name is spelled out in bold white letters on the school because of his contribution to the church and the legacy he left behind with his children. 

On April 14th, 1669 in Hartford, Connecticut, Timothy Edwards was born to Richard Edwards and Elizabeth Tuttle. He married Esther Stoddard, the daughter of a Massachusetts reverend on November 6th, 1694 and graduated Harvard in 1691. An uncommon mark of respect, Edwards received his masters and bachelors of arts on the same day. He was a brilliant scholar, renowned preacher and amazing theologian. For these reason, on May 28th, 1698 he was ordained pastor of the New Church of Christ in East Windsor (current day South Windsor), making him the first minister of the first church in South Windsor. Edwards remained pastor of this church for more than 60 years until his death on January 27th, 1758. He was buried in a cemetery located on Main Street near the church. Besides serving as a pastor, in 1711, he was Chaplain of the colonial forces in the war against the French in Canada and for extra money often tutored boys for college.

Edwards had 11 children – ten girls and one boy, all of whom grew up in South Windsor. Their kids grew up in an atmosphere of affectionate parents, learning and Puritan piety. Edwards made sure all of his children were very educated and trained his son personally for college. He is most famous for being the father of Jonathan Edwards and great-grandfather of Aaron Burr. Although less famous than both, Timothy Edwards played an important role in our community during the early 1700’s. The legacy he left behind and values he held will forever be remembered.

An Early South Windsor Laywer

One of the earliest South Windsor settlers was Thomas Burnham, a Puritan born around 1617 in England. Although the exact date of his arrival is unknown it is assumed to be before 1635. After initially settling in Hartford, Burnham married Anna Wright and together they had nine children between 1640 and 1656 – Elizabeth, Mary, Anna, Thomas, John, Samuel, William, Richard and Rebecca. Decand Burnham, a descendant of Thomas, has a great book with the family’s genealogy research!

Burnham came to Connecticut as a lawyer. One of his most known cases is that of Abigail Betts, a school teacher who was accused of blasphemy after she claimed Christ was a bastard and that she could prove it through scriptures. Burnham successful defended her by arguing that blasphemy was not a capital crime in England, so it could not be one in Connecticut based on it’s charter. However, the win came at a price and authorities prohibited him from practicing further law.

An inventory taken after Burnham’s death in his South Windsor home in 1688 showed that he had done well for himself. The items’ total worth was 69 pounds, 6 shillings and 6 pence. It included 3 horses, a pig, plough, two guns and cattle. Furthermore, besides owning a house, barn and shop, Burnham was also a prominent landowner. In 1659, he purchased lands of modern day South Windsor and East Hartford from Tantonmi, Chief of the Potunke Native Americans. His large holding lead to numerous lawsuits from the government that ordered it to be divided. Burnham continually refused and defended himself in numerous trials from 1649 to 1660. In his will, he divided most of the land to his children with the provision that they don’t sell any of it except to siblings or children, so the lands could stay in their family for generations to come.

Dr. Primus Manumit: What He Left Behind (Pt. 2)

On April 20, 1782, Dr. Manumit passed away with an estate valued around 128 pounds, placing him in the upper class of the black community and modestly wealthy among his white counterparts. However, by borrowing small amounts from numerous people, he had also accumulated a debt of 135 pounds. This relatively large amount may be attributed to many high-profile investments such as a dwelling house assessed to be around £40, a barn (£15), and horse (£8). Indeed, he owed the largest portion of his debt to Benjamin Cook, from whom he was leasing his land.

A further look into Dr. Manumit’s inventory indicates that he strongly valued his appearance and intellect. His clothing collection included three vests, four coats, a great coat, 12 hats, silver shoe buckles, and a silver watch – uncommon for any man regardless of race. He also owned a bookshelf with four Latin books and numerous religious pieces such as Whitefield’s Sermons, a psalm book, and scripture history. These items comport with white Windsor historians’ descriptions of his manner and appearance as “well informed,” “fine-looking,” and “quite gentlemanly.”

In the end, with such limited documentary resources on Dr. Primus Manumit, it is difficult to get a complete understanding of his life. There are many missing details that would be interesting to explore, such as when and how he ended up enslaved by Dr. Wolcott, his early life, and possible military service. Dr. Manumit was an extraordinary man with countless accomplishments and we can only hope to learn even more about him.

Dr. Primus Manumit, South Windsor’s First Black Doctor (Pt. 1)

Primus resided at the Wolcott house on the north end of Broad Street in the center of town, where he was given full access to their extensive library containing both English and Latin books. A keen mind and curious soul, he took full advantage of these opportunities, and learned to read and write in English as well as Latin. Stiles quotes a historic source that suggests that at some point it simply “occurred” to Dr. Wolcott that Primus should be freed after years of faithful assistance. However, records suggest that he served in the French and Indian War and/or the Revolutionary War, and thereby earned his own release from bondage.

As a freed man, Primus selected the surname Manumit (Latin for manumission, or release from slavery), a choice that represents the importance liberty undoubtedly held for him. With this newfound freedom, he moved across the Connecticut River to East Windsor (in what is now South Windsor), and by 1778 he had rented a small parcel (three rods by two rods, or 49.5 by 33 feet), which included a two-story Federal-style house on Old Main Street from Benjamin Cook. The details of the lease included that he maintain the house and fences, pay taxes on it, and give Cook three bushels of wheat per year for his stay. This house was located in the East Windsor Hill area, now a historic district. At the time he lived there, Dr. Manumit’s elite neighbors included renowned merchants Capt. Ebenezer Grant, Aaron Bissell, and John Watson.

Capitalizing upon his experience and recognition as an assistant to Dr. Wolcott, Dr. Manumit began practicing medicine on both sides of the Connecticut River. In the late 1700s, his job as a surgeon entailed extracting teeth and performing limited surgery (as opposed to physicians who in that era mainly healed illnesses through herbs and medications). Interestingly, while his estate inventory lists medical equipment like “toothe instruments,” “surgeon’s instruments,” and a “chamberlains midwifery” along with shop furniture and medicine, no mention is made of an actual shop.

His prescriptions were written in English but also contained various Latin terms, a reference to his past with Dr. Wolcott, who history recalls, was somewhat upset with Dr. Manumit’s success. As Jabez Hayden, another Windsor historian, records, when Dr. Manumit passed him in his sulky, Dr. Wolcott exclaimed in disgust, “and the [n-word] doctor has got a sulky too!” (Sulkys were one-horse, two-wheeled buggies preferred by doctors because it only allowed room for one person during a time when it was customary to pick up those they passed on foot).

John Fitch’s Early Life in South Windsor

John Fitch’s life began on January 21, 1743 in modern day SW. His mother died when he was young and at 10, he was removed from school by his strict father to work on their farm. Still, self motivated, Fitch self-taught himself then left home at 15. In 1760, he spent a short time trying open water navigation in Providence then apprenticed under clockmaker brothers Benjamin and Timothy Cheany both of whom treated him poorly. Buying his freedom in 1764, Fitch then opened a relatively successful East Windsor brass work and watch repair shop. However, a failed investment in potash, left him heavily in debt. 

On December 29, 1766, Fitch married Lucy Roberts with whom he had a son. Unhappy, in 1769, Fitch abandoned his family along with, unknowingly, a baby girl on the way. He settled in Trenton, NJ and worked with silversmith James Wilson. An alcoholic, Wilson’s business failed in 1770, allowing Fitch to buy his tools and open a successful shop on Kings Street as a brass/silversmith. In the summer of 1776, he became First Lieutenant in the NJ militia, but rank disputes caused him to leave, only to find that his shop had been destroyed by the British. He then became an armorer for the NJ troops and by fall of 1777 moved to PA where the following winter and spring, he worked as a sutler at Valley Forge. 

Eventually, Fitch moved to VA and became deputy surveyor for the Ohio-Kentucky territory where in March of 1782 he was captured by Native Americans and turned over to the British. Upon his release, Fitch returned to Trenton where he surveyed Ohio land, producing a map in 1785 which allowed him his first taste of fame. But, it was the steamboat hypothesized soon after that allowed him his true claim to fame. 

A Local Woman’s Role in the Introduction of Cigars

Connecticut’s tobacco, generally grown for the outer two layers of a cigar (binders/wrappers) are considered some of the finest in the world. Our fertile soil and adequate rain and sunshine make Connecticut a prime location for tobacco production. In fact, the CT River Valley’s wrappers are exclusively relied upon by numerous premium cigar brands, and among the most expensive. So how was this prized product introduced to the New England area? 

A possible answer lies in the local legend of Sally Prout, an East Windsor (modern day South Windsor) resident and a farmer’s wife. In her book Connecticut Valley Tobacco_, Brianna Dunlap, former director of the Connecticut Valley Tobacco Museum sums up the story perfectly. Essentially, a shortage of tins during the early 19th century meant many couldn’t enjoy chewing tobacco. Capitalizing on this opportunity, it is believed that Prout rolled the tobacco lengthwise and sealed it with a damped tobacco leaf, eliminating the need for tins. Still, this is an unlikely prospect as although records show a woman named Sally Prout around the area, baptism records indicate she would have been much too young. Another rumored legend states that Prout was born in VA, the earliest tobacco center of the country and brought to CT through a chewing tobacco manufacturer. Supposedly, she and a few other female workers produced “paste segars”, selling a thousand for 1-2 dollars. 

However, without many sources, it’s almost impossible to separate fact from fiction. The numerous other legends, such as one revolving around General Israel Putnam simply add further confusion. (It is said that after a 1762 British expedition to conquer Havana, Putnam, a CT settled farmer, brought home around 30,000 Cuban cigars and seeds, planting them in Hartford). With such limited evidence, it’s impossible to truly tell if there is any truth to these various stories. 

Ulysses S. Grant’s Origin From South Windsor

He was a hero, a president, a general and he has a connection with South Windsor. More commonly, he is known as Ulysses S. Grant. The 18th President of the United States and commanding general of the Union who lead the victory over the Confederacy in the American Civil War.

General Grant knew much about his ancestors. As he explains it, “Her [Grant’s mother] family took no interest in genealogy….On the other side, my father took a great interest in the subject” and through his father, Grant learned a lot, much of which he explains in the first chapter of his personal memoir. 

It all started in 1630 when Mathew Grant reached Massachusetts from England and two years later, moved to what is now known as Windsor. Mathew’s eldest son, Samuel Grant later took lands on the east side of the CT River, also known as South Windsor. Six generations of the Grant family lived in South Windsor until Noah Grant. As an adult, Noah went with the Connecticut company to join the continental army and served through the entire revolutionary war. Afterward, he emigrated to Pennsylvania where he married a Miss Kelly in 1799 and once again emigrated. This time, to the western reserve area of Ohio, which was sometimes referred to as New Connecticut, since it had once been owned by CT. With Miss Kelly, Noah had 4 more children. The eldest of which was Jesse R. Grant, also known as General Grant’s father. On April 27, 1822, Hiram Ulysses Grant entered the world. 

Not only are Ulysses S. Grant’s ancestors from South Windsor, but it is rumored that he himself once stayed at a home in Main Street. Still on this street to this day, is a house built for Ebenezer Grant in 1757. Ebenezer is the brother of Ulysses S. Grant’s great-great-grandfather.

The FIRST Man to Stay in South Windsor

Around the time of the St. Bartholomew’s Day massacre, a French Protestant Huguenot named John Byselle left France and escaped to England due to persecution by the Catholics in power. Byselle and his wife had three boys. The middle child, John Bissell Sr., was born in Somersetshire England around 1591. His story starts after he immigrated to America around the 1630’s, landing in Plymouth Massachusetts then moving to East Windsor in 1639.

Bissell is responsible for many firsts. He built and operated the first ferry to cross the CT River. Then, around a decade later, built the first and for many years only dwelling house in South Windsor. The house was located just south of of the mouth of the Scantic River. Bissell was also a prominent and involved figure in the area. In 1624, he was a deputy for the General Court and representative from 1648-57. Additionally, he was a juror at Hartford 5 times between 1640 and 1648, and enlisted as a trooper for Windsor in 1657-58.

Bissell had 6 children with his first wife, supposedly named Mary, who died May 21, 1641. Before January of 1660, he had remarried but had no children with his second wife. The 3 eldest, Mary, Thomas and John Jr. were all born before Bissell came to America. Then, around 1635, Samuel was born at Plymouth. Nathaniel and Joyace were born in Windsor in 1640 and 1641, respectively.

On October 3rd, 1677, John Bissell Sr. passed away, but his legacy still lives on. In addition to his descendants, most of which live in or around CT, Bissell’s will dated April 1, 1677 has been saved. Several sites such as his homestead, the Bissell Family cemetery and several Bissell homes still exist in the South Windsor area today.

South Windsor’s Band of Brothers: The Porcaro’s and TOTO

The band TOTO contains 3 members who make up a band of brothers: The Porcaro’s. Jeff, Mike and Steve Porcaro are all members of the infamous band TOTO and according to reports were born right here, in South Windsor. 

TOTO is an american rock band formed in 1977 which quickly became one of the best selling music groups in their era. They’ve released 14 studio albums and sold of 40 million records world wide. Their fame has lead them to work with Michaal Jackson, Paul McCatney, Madonna and countless others. Throughout the years, they’ve collected 5 Grammy nominations, 3 wins and were indicted into the Musicians Hall of Fame. As their website proudly states, “It’s not an exaggeration to estimate that 95% of the world’s population has heard a performance by a member of TOTO”.

But the true story of TOTO is the Porcaro family and it all starts with their father, Joe Porcaro. Joe left school after the 8th grade to support his family but never forget his dreams of music. He lead a hardworking life, sometimes even holding 4 jobs just to move his wife and 3 sons to Los Angeles, where they would be raised in San Fernando Valley. At a young age, all 3 brothers were taught drums by their father at his drum shop every weekend. Mike soon switched to bass guitar and Steve, piano while Jeff continued with the drums. Each brother pursued and shared their father’s dream of music as they grew up. Steve and Jeff became original founders of TOTO and Mike joined in the band 1982, replacing David Hungate. 

Jeff passed away at 38 due to a heart attack as did Mike 23 years later due to ALS complications. Steve continues his passion for music and even released a solo album in 2016.