Who, When and why did Norwich begin touting its architecture and history? This was a long and substantial article from the Emporia Kansas Weekly News 11 July 1889 page 2. This is column two in the series of columns needed to present this one article entitled – Substantial Dwellings That Were Old Before the Herniation House In Which Benedict Arnold Learned to Be a Druggist and John Trott’s Cider “Flips.”
A few rods south of Bliss mansion stands another ancient building, an odd, angular, unpainted, gambrel roofed structure, which is now used as a dwelling by a very old lady. This little building was erected long before the revolution for the purpose of weaving stockings in. The sign which for years hung over the door represented an unsymmetrical leg clothed in a gaudy stocking. But this industry was evidently unprofitable, and it was succeeded by a newspaper, the first in Connecticut. Separated from this building by a narrow lane is the Reynolds homestead, and above the front door are scrolled, the figures 1609, representing the year in which it was built. This house has remained in the Reynolds family since the land was set aside for them, and is now occupied by the family of the late Henry L. Reynolds.
Diagonally across the street from the Bliss place, partially hidden by shrubs and trees, is a brown two story dwelling known as the Thomas Leffingwell house. It is fully 200 years old. The old stone
chimney, which is twelve feet square at its base, and the stones of which were laid in clay instead of mortar, the material that is used in the construction of walls today, still performs its service.
The old drug store.
Above this place is another but more unpretentious house, also once the property of the Leffingwells. It is, if anything, a trifle older than the former and much smaller. The Leffingwells were a big family and very prominent in early history. CoL Christopher Lcffingwell’s massive mansion is next in order. – The
colonel was methodically correct, and the house stands due north and south, one angle of it3 frame protruding partially out into the road. CoL Leffingwell was the first postmaster of the old town,
operated the first paper mill in eastern Connecticut, and carried on various other industries.
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