Sketches and chronicles of the town of Litchfield, Connecticut, historical, biographical, and statistical;

Front matter

mi:-

mil

M;

Chapter I

Events in Connecticut preceding the settlement of Litchfield. Bantam, &c. — Reference to the Old Patent of Connecticut; the Constitution of 1639 ; Sir Edmund Andros ; the Western Lands conveyed away ; trouble arising therefrom ; a compromise etfected ; earliest record relating to " the New Plantation ;" Indian Deed ; List of Original Proprietors ; confirming Act of the Assembly; the word Bantam ; Lichfield, in England ; derivation of the word.

CHAPTER IL

Incidents of the First Settlement. — First Town Meeting ; first list of Town Officers ; conditions annexed to the Deeds ; forfeited Rights ; second list of Town Officers ; first meeting-house ; village streets ; choice of home-lots ; capture and escape of Captain Griswold ; President D wight's account of the Restored Captive ; murder of Joseph Harris by the Indians.

CHAPTER IIL

Alarms and Measures of Defense. — Litchfield in 1723 ; list of First Settlers ; Garrisons erected ; soldiers sent to the relief of Litchfield ; Governor Talcott's memoranda ; Memorials of the settlers ; Acts concerning non-resident proprietors ; Bounty for killing Indians ; Samuel Beebe'e testimony ; Petition of Rose and others ; more soldiers for the defense of Litchfield ; Petition for a Patent ; Copy of the Patent.

CHAPTER IV.

Miscellaneous Events. — Condition of the settlers ; Roger Wolcott ; guardianship of Hartford and Windsor ; Bantam Swamp ; Education ; iirst School House; lease of the School Right; seating the meeting-house ; north and south Boundaries ; Davies Hollow set oif to Washington ; South Farms, Northfield and Milton incorporated ; town of Goshen organized in Litchfield ; wild animals ; Litchfield in 1760-78 ; the Fisheries of Bantam ; the Bantam Indians; the Mo-

VI

INDEX.

hawks; Indian Relics; carved Stone Image ; Human Sacufice. Raumauc; Parson Boardman's Long Prayer ; locatioii of the Gai- Sonsrorthography; the West Burying-Ground ; John Marsh and John Buel.

CHAPTER V.

Events Peeceding the Revolution.— Litchfield County or- ^aSled first County Officers; opposition of Woodbury ; Sabbat - f^r Houses- the Acadians or French Neutrals; French War; LUchfield officers and soldiers ; Roll of Captain McNeile's company ; Colonel Beebe ; the Stamp Act ; proceedings of a meeting in Li chfield; Revolutiinary preparations; indications of Progress; highways to Goshen and Cornwall laid out.

CHAPTER VI.

The Revolutionary ERA.-Proceedings of a town meeting ; Committees of Inspection appointed; Aaron Burr; Ethan Allen CaXin Beebe's company ; memoranda relating to them ; captui^ of For Washington; terrible fate of the prisoners ; Lieut^ Cathn. sfx emit the leaden statue of King George brought to Litchfield, ann? into bullets ; account current ; Litchfield officers and soldiers ; ;^Ue s from Dr. Smith to General Wolcott ; Paul Peck killed; prisoners of war in Litchfield Jail; Governor Franklm ; Mayor Matthews ; the Episcopalians and the Revolution.

CHAPTER VII.

The Revolutionary Era-continued.— Depots for military stores and provisions ; workshops for the army; team sent here mth Z' errsbot, and leLd ; General Wolcott; Sheriff" Lord; clothing ^^d i^ovisions for the army ; teams pass through Litchfield foi^he array : votes in town meetings ; committees appointed ; Father Chamnion's Prayer ; a Prussian General arrives m town ; Wa.hhS visits Litchfield ; anecdotes and incidents; desertions from the enemy ; the Morrises ; Gatta, the Hessian.

.CHAPTER VIII.

Men of the Revolution— Biographical Sketches of Ethan Allen. Ehsha Sheldon, Oliver Wolcott, Andrew Adams, Bezaleel bS, Jedediah Strong, Benjamin Tallmadge, Tapping Reeve, Moses Seymour, and Elisha Mason.

CHAPTER IX.

Progress and IMPROVEMENT.-Pastimes of our ancestors ; tlie Stolen Bride ; the Law School, and the Litchfield Monitor ; anecdote of General Tracy; opposition to Stoves in the old '^^'iting-house ; modes of iraveling; the first Post Office in this town; list of Lette.^ , Turnpikes and Stage-Coaches ; list of Postmasters.

INDEX. Vll

CHAPTER X.

Ecclesiastical BIatters. — First Society. — Difficulties with Ml" Collins ; votes relating thereto ; sketch of his history ; settlement of Mr Champion ; building of the second meeting-house ; first society organized ; votes at its meetings ; settlement of Messrs. Huntington, Beecher and Carroll ; new house of woi'ship erected ; settlement of Messrs. Hickok, Brace, Swan, and Bacon ; officers of the church and society. Episcopacy. — John Davies the first Episcopalian in the town ; first Episcopal society organized ; lands given to the society ; church named St. Michael's ; the Davies family ; sketches of the early Rectors ; application for a Justice of the Peace denied ; formation of the 2d Episcopal society ; the West Church erected ; Episcopalians in Milton and Northfield. Methodism. — Visits of Garretson and Asbury to Litchfield ; Litchfield Circuit formed ; list of ministers on the circuit ; names of methodists in the town in 1805 ; church erected in this village in 1837 ; list of pastors. Baptists.

Biographical Notes, 188

Appendix

Colonial and State Officers; Chief Justices and Judges of the Superior Court and Supreme Court of Errors ; Commissioners of the Superior Court ; Justices of the Peace for Litchfield ; Judges and Clerks of the Probate Court ; Judges of the County Court ; U. S. Senators, members of Congress 'and members of the Council, from Litchfield county; Senators from the 15th District; County Officers, Borough Officers, Town Officers ; Prosecuting Attornies for the county ; Corporations, Societies and Institutions in Litchfield ; Roll of Representatives, List of Graduates, Physicians, &c. Miscellaneous Articles. Biographical Addenda. 201

HISTOEY OF LITCHFIELD.

CHAPTER I.

EVENTS IN CONNECTICUT PRECEDING THE SETTLEMENT OF LITCH- FIELD. BANTAM, ETC.

In 1630, about ten years after the landing of the pilgrims on Plymouth Rock, the whole of the territory of the present State of Connecticut was conveyed by the Plymouth Company to Robert, Earl of AVarwick. On the 19th of March of the succeeding year, the Earl executed under his hand and seal the grant since known as the Old Patent of Connecticut, wherein he transferred the same tract to Viscount Say and Seal, Lord Brooke, John Hampden, John Pym, Sir Richard Saltonstall, and others. In the summer of 1635, the towns of Hartford, Wethersfield and Windsor, on the Connecticut river, first began to be settled by emigrants from?.the vicinity of Boston in Massachusetts. Still a year later, the Rev. Thomas Hooker and his congregation made their celebrated journey through the wilderness, from Cambridge, Massachusetts, to Hartford, where they took up their permanent residence. In 1637, the Pequot War was begun and terminated — resulting in the expulsion and almost total annihilation of the most formidable tribe of Indians in the colony.

The first Constitution adopted by the people of Connecticut bears date, January 15, 1638~'9. This continued to form the basis of our colonial government until the arrival of the Charter of Charles II., in 1662, when it was nominally superceded.

Alternate troubles with the Dutch and Indians kept the settlers, for many years, in a perpetual state of discipline and alarm. But while the political commotions in the old world sometimes agitated the other American colonies, the people of Connecticut had from the first felt that their civil rights were guaranteed to them beyond the reach of any contingency. The

Royal Charter was but a confirmation of privileges which they had long enjoyed. No king-appointed Governor or Council annoyed them by their presence or oppressed them by their acts ; but tlie voters were left to choose their own rulers and enact their own laws. Indeed, the influence of the crown was for a long period scarcely felt in the colony. On the accession of James II., however, in 1685, the whole aspect of affairs was changed. It was soon rumored that His Majesty had determined to revoke all the charters granted by his predecessors. The arrival of Sir Edmund Andros at Boston, in December 1686, bearing a commission as " Governor of New England,^^ was an event not calculated to allay the apprehensions of the people of Connecticut. His reputation was that of a selfish, grasping despot, bent upon enriching himself and immediate friends at the expense of the colonists. At this time, the entire region now known as the County of Litchfield, (except a solitary settlement at Woodbury, on its southern frontier,) was an unexplored wilderness, denominated the Western Lands. To save these lands from the control and disposal of Andros, the Legislature granted them to the towns of Hartford and Windsor — at least so much of them as lay east of the Housatonic river. When the usurpations of Andros were over, and the charter had found its way back from the hollow of the oak to the Secretary's office, the Colonial Assembly attempted to resume its title to these lands ; but the towns referred to steadfastly resisted all such claims. The quarrel was long kept up, but no acts of hostility were committed until efforts were made to dispose of the tract. Collisions then became frequent. Explorers, agents and surveyors, of one party, were summarily arrested and expelled from the disputed territory by the contestants. On one occasion, several offenders belonging to the Hartford and Windsor party, were imprisoned by the colonial authorities. A mob assembled, broke open the jail, and set the prisoners at large. A compromise followed, confirming to the towns and the claimants under them, the lands of Litchfield and a part of those of New Milford. The other portions of the territory were intended to be equally divided between the colony and the claiming

EXPLOEATION AND PURCHASE OP THE TOWNSHIP. 19

towns. Thus Torrington, Barkliamsted, Colebrook, and a part of Harwinton, were appropriated to Windsor ; Hartland, Winchester, New Hartford, and the remaining portion of Harwinton, were given to Hartford ; the other lands in dispute, now constitu^ting the townships of Norfolk, Goshen, Canaan, Kent, Sharon and Salisbury, were retained by the colony. It should be added, that a small portion of the township of Litchfield was claimed by certain citizens of Parmington, by Adrtue of a deed of purchase from the Indians, dated August 11, 1714. On the 11th of June, 1718, the Parmington claimants relinquished their rights to Hartford and Windsor, and in lieu thereof received one-sixth of all the lands of the town in fee. All business relating to the Western Lands was transacted by committees appointed by the claiming towns and by the General Court. In 1715, these towns (Hartford and Windsor,) took the initiatory steps toward exploring that portion of the western wilderness now embraced within our corporation limits, and purchasing whatever rights the natives possessed, or claimed to possess, to the soil. It would be interesting to know who was the first individual of the Anglo-Saxon race that ever visited the localities so cherished by. us all. The earliest record-evidence on this point, is contained in an entry in the first Book of Records in our Town Clerk's office,* which is as follows :

" The Town of Hartford, Dr.

To John Marsh, May 1715, For 5 days, man and horse, with expenses,

in viewing the Land at the New Plantation, £ 2 0 0

The Town of Hartford, Dr.

Jan. 22, 171o-'16, To 6 days journey to Woodbury, to treat loith the Indians about the Western Lands, by Thomas Seymour, £ 1 4 0

To expenses in the journey, 114 9

£ 2 18 9

* The following is written on the first page of the book referred to — "This booke belonging to the Towne of Hartford, into which we, the Committee for Managing the affairs of the Western Grants, have entered our proceedings relating thereto, in conjunction with the Committee for the Towne of Windsor — as also an account of our di.v? bursements therein." Dated June 17, 1718.

£0

2 6

4 9

1 7

10 0

11 0

10 0

2 0

1 8

£ 1

10 0

18 0

0 0

7 0

4 0

£49

10 0

10 0

7 0

0 0

3, 1

6 4

0 4

The Town of Hartford, Dr.

To Thomas Seymour, Committy,

May 1716, By 2 quarts of Rum,

Expenses at Farmington,

Expenses at Waterbury,

Paid Thomas Miner towards the Indian purchase,

Expenses at Woodbury

Expenses for a Pilot and protection,

Fastening horse-shoes at Waterbury,

Expenses at Waterbury,

Expenses to Col. Whiting for writing 40 deeds,

" to Capt. Cooke for acknowledging 18 deeds,

" to Ensign Seymour,

" at Arnold's,

" by sending to Windsor, August 4, 1718.— Sold 11 lots for

Expenses for writing 20 deeds, to Mr. Fitch,

" to Capt. Cooke for acknowledging deeds,

" for making out a way,

" at Arnold's,

" to Tho's Seymour for perambulating north line,

" at Arnold's, Feb. 10, 1818. — At a meeting of the Committees, then sold

16 lots reserved by Marsh for Hartford's part, 37 17 9

At same meeting, paid by John Marsh for expenses, 12 0

At same meeting, loss of money by mistake in acc't. 3 0

April 14, 1719". — A meeting of the Committees, expenses, 6 0

April 27. — At a meeting of the Committees, expenses, 7 ."

By the earliest of these entries, we learn that Mr. John ■ Marsh was sent out from Hartford " to view the lands of the new plantation," in May, 1715. He may, therefore, be regarded as emphatically the pioneer-explorer of this township. It is not improbable that an occasional hunter or adventurer had previously visited these hills, and carried hence an account of our beautiful lake and the rich alluvial meadows on its banks ; but there is extant no written or traditionary evidence pointing to such an event. Mr. Marsh became an original proprietor and early settler of the town, and was one of its most important and useful men. He was the progenitor of all bearing his name in Litchfield — a numerous and respectable family. Mr. Thomas Seymour, of Hartford, appears in the record as the next explorer, and as the agent " to treat with the Indians" relative to the purchase of these lands. The subsequent items, though unimportant in themselves, are never-

INDIAN DEED. 21

theless deemed worthy of preservation, as they embrace all the information contained in our Town Books touching the action of the Committees relative to the lands in question, previous to the settlement.

The negotiations resulted in purchasing from the Indians all the lands in the original township of Bantam or Litchfield. The sum paid therefor in behalf of the Committees, though seemingly small, was doul)tless satisfactory to the natives. Their estimate of land was founded mainly upon its value to them for hunting ; and as they made a " reservation " for that purpose, the " fifteen pounds in hand received " was, we have reason to believe, to their " full satisfaction and contentment," as is expressed in the Deed — which was executed at Woodbury, March 2d, 1715-'16 :

" To all People to whom these Presents shall come, Greeting :

KNOW YE that we, Chusquenoag, Corkscrew, Quiump, Magnasli, Kehow, Sepunkum, Poni, Wonposet, Suckqunnokqueen, Toweecume, Mansiimpansh, and Norkgnotonckquy, Indian Natives belonging to the Plantation of Potatuck within the Colony of Connecticut, for and in consideration of the sum of fifteen pounds money in. hand received to our full satisfixction and contentment, have given, granted, bargained and sold, and by these presents do full}', freely and absolutely give, grant, bargain and confirm, unto Col. William Whiting, Mr. John Marsh and Mr. Thomas Seymour, a Committee for the town of Hartford ; and Mr. John Eliot, Mr. Daniel Griswold and Mr. Samuel Rockwell, a Committee for the town of Windsor, for themselves and in behalf of the rest of the Inhabitants of the towns of Hartford and Windsor,a certain tract of Land, situate and lyino- north of Waterbui'y bounds, abutting southerly, partly on Waterbury and partly on Woodbury ; from AVaterbury River westward across a part of Waterbury bounds, and across at the north end of Waterbury bounds to Shepaug River, and so northerly in the middle of Shepau"- River, to the sprains of Shepaug River below Mount Tom, thence running up the east branch of Shepaug River to a place where the said River runs out of Shepaug Pond, from thence to the north end of said Pond, then east to Waterbury River, then southerly as the River runs, to to the north end of Waterbury bounds upon the said River ; which said Tract of Land thus described, To Have and to Hold, to the said Col. William Whiting, Mr, John Marsh and Mr. Thomas Seymour, Mr. John Eliot, Mr. Daniel Griswold aud Mr. Samuel Rockwell, Committees of the Towns of Harttbrd and Windsor as aforesaid, m behalf of themselves and the rest of the Inhabitants of said Towns, to them, their heirs and assigns, to use, occupy and improve, as their own proper right of Inheritance, for their comfort forever; together with all the privileges, appurtenances and conditions to the same be

22 HISTOEY OP LITCHFIELD.

longing, or in any wise appertaining. And Further, we, the said Chusquenoag, Corkscrew, Quiump, Magnash, Kehow, Sepunkum, Poni, Wonposet, Suekqunnokqueen, Toweecumo, Mansumpansli and Norkgnotonckquy, owners and proprietors of the above granted Land, do, for ourselves and our heirs, to and with the above said William Whiting, John Marsh, Thomas Seymour, John Eliot, Daniel Griswold and Samuel Rockwell, Committees as aforesaid, them, their heirs and assigns, covenant and engage, that we have good right and lawful authority to sell the above granted land ; And Futher, at the desire and request of the aforesaid Committees, and at their own proper cost and charge, will give a more ample deed.

And for a more full confirmation hereof, we have set our hands and seals, this second day of March, in the second year of His Majesties Reign, A. D. 1715.

Memorandum. — Before the executing of this instrument, it is to be understood, that the grantors above named have reserved to themselves a piece of ground sufficient for their hunting houses, near a mountain called Mount Tom."

This document is subscribed by the Indians named in the beginning of the deed — the last one excepted. As the " uncouth scrawls " used by them for signatures, are meaningless, and were undoubtedly drawn quite at random by the aboriginal signers, no attempt will here be made to imitate them. The names of the witnesses subscribed to the deed are, Weroamaug, Wognacug, Tonhocks, John Mitchell, and Joseph Minor. It was " acknowledged" before Mr. Minor, the Indian Interpreter, as follows :

" The Indians that subscribed and sealed the above said deed, appeared personally in Woodbury, the day of the date thereof, and acknowledged the said deed to be their free and voluntary act and deed Before me, JOHN MINOR."

In 1718, a Company was organized for the settlement of Bantam. The township, which contained about 44,800 acres, was divided into sixty rights or shares — three of which were reserved for pious uses, viz., one share to the first minister and his heirs forever ; one, for the use of the first minister and his successors in the pastoral office ; and one, for the support of Schools. Purchasers having been found for the remaining fifty-seven rights, deeds of conveyance were made by the Committees, confirmijig the entire plantation to the new proprietors. These deeds are dated, April 29, 1719 — fifty-five of which are recorded on the Litchfield Land Records. The con-

OEIGINAL PEOPRIETOES OF THE TOWN.

sideration for forty-eight shares, was <£229 10 0, in bills of credit ; for seven shares, the sum of .£31 4 0 was paid. Mr. John Marsh purchased the two remaining shares, but the price paid therefor does not appear. The average cost of the land to the first purchasers, did not exceed one penny and three farthings per acre.

The subjoined list contains the names of all the " original proprietors" of the township :

John Marsh * (2 Rights,) from Hartford. John Stoddard,* Wethersfield.

Samuel Sedgwick, Jr, Nathaniel Goodwin, Timothy Seymour, Paul Peck, Jr.,* Joseph Mason,* Nathaniel Messenger, Benjamin Webster,* Joshua Garrett,* Samuel Forward, Thomas Griswold, Jr., Jacob Gibbs,* Joseph Birge,* Benjamin Hosford,* John Hart, Timothy Stanley, John Bird,* Joseph Bird,* Samuel Lewis, Ebenezer Woodruff, Samuel Eoot, Nathaniel Winchell, Hezekiah Winchell, Joseph Gillett,* Jonathan Buck, William Goodrich, Jr.*

Windsor.

Farmington,

Colchester.

New Milford.

Wethersfield.

Ezekiel Buck,*

Jacob Griswold,* "

John Buel,* (2 Eights,) Lebanon.

Edward Culver, "

Hezekiah Culver,* "

Thomas Lee,* "

Eleazer Strong,* "

Supply Strong,* "

Caleb Chapel, (2 Eights,)

Thomas Treadway,* "

John Caulkins, "

Ezekiel Sanford, (2 Eights,) Stratford.

Nathan Mitchell,*

Thomas Pier,* "

John Mann, "

Joseph Peet, "

Samuel Somers, "

Nath'l Smith,* (2 Eights,) Taunton, Ms.

John Collins, "

Ephraim French, "

Josiah Walker,* Woodbury.

Samuel Orton,* "

Joseph Waller,* "

Isaac Judson, "

Those proprietors whose names are here designated by a star (*) became settlers in the town. The Rights of a few others were settled upon by the sons of the first purchasers ; others sold out their interest to persons who became permanent residents ; while a few forfeited their shares by neglecting to comply with the terms of the purchase.

The title thus acquired was soon after confirmed by the following Act of the Legislature :

" At a General Assembly holden at Hartford, May, A. D. 1719 :

UPON the Petition of Lieut. John Marsh, of Hartford, and

Deacon John Buel, of Lebanon, with many others, praying hberty,

under Committees appointed by the Towns of Hartford and Windsor,

to settle a Town westward of Farmington, at a place "called Bantaji.

This Assembly do grant liberty and full power, unto the said John

Mai'sh and John Buel and partners settlers, being in the whole fifty-seven in number, to settle a town at said Bantam : the said town to be divided into sixty Rights, three whereof to be improved for pious uses in said town. And the other fifty-seven shall, as soon as may conveniently be, settled upon by the undertakers, or, upon their failure, by others that may be admitted. . Said town to be in length, east and west, eight miles, three-quarters and twenty-eight rods, and in breadth seven miles and an half — being bounded eastward by Mattatuck River, westward the bigger part upon the most western branch of the Shepaug River and partly upon the wildei-ness, north upon the wilderness, and south by Waterbury bounds and a west line from Waterbury corner unto Shepaug River ; said town to be known by the name of LITCHFIELD, and to have the following figure for a a brand for their horse hind, viz, 9. And the same powers and privileges that other towns in this Colony do enjoy, are hereby granted to said town."

As this chapter may be regarded simply as an introduction to the subject-matter of the volume, a brief reference to the origin and meaning of the names by which this locality was and is known, will not be out of place here.

The earliest designation applied to this particular portion of the Western Lands, was Bantam — and the name is still borne by our principal Lake and one of our largest Rivers. Historians have generally concurred in calling this the Lidian or Aboriginal name of the place. There appears to be good reason, however, to doubt the correctness of such a conclusion. Impressed with the belief that the word had a trans- Atlantic origin, I have occasionally asked the opinion of such friends as I knew to be familiar with the construction of languages, and likely to be much better informed on the subject than myself. 1\\ November, 1856, the Hon. Charles W. Bradley, LL. D., formerly Secretary of State, and now an American Consul in China, thus responded to my enquiry and suggestion :

" As to the name " Bantam," I fully agree with you that it hath a very un-Indian look and sound, nor have I ever regarded it as belonging to any of our native dialects. I have no idea how it got there. The only place of that name, within my ken, is near my late residence (Singapore,) where, in the Island of Java, is a town, once the capital of a District of the same designation, containing 3,428 square miles. Bantam is in lat. 6° S. long. lOC^ 13' E — forty-seven miles W. from Batavia."

Prof W. G.-Peck, of Columbia College, New York, in October last, wrote :

BANTAM — LITCHFIELD. 25

" You will remember our conversation about the word Bantam, and that I took the ground that it was not of Indian origin. In looking over an old History of Java, the other day, I came across the fact that an expedition was fitted out in 1601, consisting of four ships belonging to the then newly-formed " East India Company ;" and that the expedition sailed under Captain Lancaster in 1 602, touching first at Acheen and then at Bantam in Java. Captain Lancaster, during the latter year, brought home a letter from the " King of Bantam " to Queen Elizabeth. From all this, you will see that the Java Bantam was in existence and had a king, eighteen years before the landing of the Pilgrims — and I don't know how much earlier. Bantam was occupied by the Dutch in the sixteenth century, and was a place of much consequence. In the Portuguese writings of Jono de Barras, (Lisbon 1777,) the place is called " Bintam or Bantam." I am unable to ascertain whether the word is Dutch or Javanese ; at any rate, it is quite clear that the name is not of Connecticut origin."

The English and Danes had factories at Bantam previous to 16S2, at which date they were taken by the Dutch. The harbor was long a favorite rendezvous for British shipping in the East. Of course the name was a familiar one in the English colonies at the time of the exploration of these Western Lands. Why it was transferred to this locality, must remain a matter of conjecture ; perhaps it was because, like the Bantam of the old world, this was a wild and almost unknown region, inhabited by a race of barbarians ; perhaps, as has been suggested by a distinguished antiquarian scholar, the name may have first been given by the settlers on the Connecticut to an Indian sachem residing in this vicinity, and, at a subsequent date, . the country may have been named from him. At all events, it appears to have been the first designation by which this township was ever known to the Anglo-Saxon race ; and as such, is worthy of l)eing retained and cherished.

The Town, as we have seen, was first called Litchfield in the act of incorporation, passed during the May Session, 1719 and was so named from the ancient city of Lichfield, Staffordshire, England — the t being added, probably by the legislative clerk, and has ever since been retained. It was witli a sort of hallowed, home-sick feeling, that, in July 1855, the author of this volume (then on his way from London to North Wales,) made a brief stop at this famous ecclesiastical emporium. Long before reaching the Lichfield Station, the spires of the noble Cathedrjj,! attracted the attention and elicited the remarks of the numerous strangers on the tram. It is hardly to be presumed that this place received the name it bears, on account of any supposed resemblance of its location to that of the city whence its name is derived. The English Lichfield, it is true, stands upon elevated ground, and is surrounded by rural beauties which are rarely surpassed even in the British Islands ; but the city cannot be said to stand on a liill^ and the face of the surrounding country is materially different from the scenes upon which we are accustomed to look. With the same broad meadows, pastures and cultivated fields, interspersed with patches of wood-land, they lack the lake, and forest, and mountain scenery, which forms a principal attraction of our landscapes. Lichfield is said to have been erected into a bishopric as early as A. D. 656 — the first bishop bearing the name of Diuma. The first cathedral was completed about the year 700, in the time of Bishop Hedda. The founder of the present edifice is stated to have been Roger de Clinton, who came to the see in 1138 ; though, from the style of arcliiitecture, it is believed that much of the building was erected during the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. At the commencement of the civil wars, the Close of Lichfield was fortified by the royalists, and the command entrusted to Lord Chesterfield. In March, 1643, the garrison was attacked by the parliamentary forces under Lord Brooke, one of the Patentees of Connecticut, who is said to have made a vow that if he should succeed he would level the cathedral with the ground. A day or two after, however, his lordship was shot dead, as he walked along the street below, by a gentleman stationed on the great tower of the church. The garrison soon surrendered to the puritan army, who, if we are to believe Dugdale, demolished all the monuments, pulled down the curious carved work, battered in the costly windows, destroyed the records, stabled their horses in the aisles, and " every day hunted a cat throughout the church, delighting themselves in the echo from the goodly vaulted roof." These were strange pastimes, surely, for puritan soldiers ; but doubtless the picture was somewhat overdrawn by the royal historian. The garrison was again captured by the royalists, and re-captured by the puri-

ETYMOLOGY OF LITCHFIELD. 27

tans. The cathedral suffered greatly from these successive sieges. It was estimated that not less than two thousand cannon-balls and fifteen hundred hand-grenades had been discharged against it. It was completely renovated by Bishop Hacket during the reign of Charles II. The city contains several churches, schools, and charitable institutions, and, in 1841, had a population of 14,754. Its streets are narrow, but well paved and well lighted ; many of the buildings are handsome, and its general appearance is much above the average of English towns of its size. Its municipal officers are, a mayor, recorder, five aldermen, and eighteen Councilors. It is entitled to two members of parliament. In this place were born Garrick, Johnson, Lady Mary Wortley Montague, and other eminent characters.