Monthly Archives: August 2014

The Birds of Norwich

On a recent visit to Liberty State Park I picked up a brochure from the State of New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Division of Parks and Forestry titled “ The Birds of Liberty State Park.”

It is a single, folded, photocopied page. The key indicates when the birds are most likely to be found in the area.

R – Resident;  present all year, abundance may vary.

S -Summer visitor (including spring and fall)

W – Winter visitor (including spring and fall)

V – Visitor

Status was simply E – Endangered species in CT, T – Threatened species in CT, D – Declining species in CT

There was a total of 195 species found in the Park, 410 species sighted in the state of NJ and a quick brag that New Jersey is one of only four states with a total of over 200 species of birds counted in one 24 hour period. Then it was just lists of birds.

Does anyone else think it would be worth-while to apply for a grant to print a brochure like this for Norwich? Much of the information is available through the annual bird counts of the Cornell Lab and the Audubon Society. But a sponsoring organization is also needed.

If you are a part of or know of an organization that would be willing to sponsor the writing of a grant to cover the cost of the printing and distribution of a Birds of Norwich or Birds of Mohegan Park brochure please contact me at berylfishbone@yahoo.com and I will happily supply as much further information as I have.

Comments on this blog should be e-mailed to berylfishbone@yahoo.com

Risley Pottery

No. 4 Cove Street, Norwich was the home of the Sidney Risley Pottery, a manufacturer simple utilitarian stoneware and slightly more elaborate forms incorporating molded decorations and colored glazes. Some works were signed, “S RISLEY/ NORWICH.” There were sheds, workrooms and an old style kiln on the bank of a cove that does not exist today. The clay was imported from New Jersey and Long Island by schooner and wood for the kiln could be brought by boat or by wagon and when burned the three foot logs would create a dense black smoke that filled the sky for 30 to 50 continuous hours according to the particular kind of work being done.

Then the finished wares of the pottery were loaded onto wagons and peddled throughout New England. Advertised items included money safes for children and a cider bottle in the shape of a hollow ring made to be carried on the arm of a mower in the field.  Alvin T. Davis was one of the drivers for Risley and leading his pottery wagon were two huge Newfoundland dogs hitched ahead of the horses.

Sidney Risley died April 26, 1875 and his son, George L. Risley continued the business until his death on December 24, 1881. In the morning, as George lit a fire beneath the upright boiler something went horribly wrong and  the force of the explosion caused the 1,500 pound boiler to pass completely over a fifty-foot elm tree at the rear of the pottery and roof of the building to land in the cove over 120 feet away. Mr. Risley was so badly injured that he died that evening and an account of the accident was printed in the January, 1882 issue of “Scientific American.”

Thereafter known as the Norwich Pottery Works, the business was run by Benjamin Cartwright Chance (1883-86) , then by George B. Chamberland and finally by Otto N. Sudarberg (1887 to its close in 1895.) After an entire baking of pottery was lost when the waters rose so high the fires of the kiln were put out in 1889, Sudarberg added a second kiln and enlarged the facilities for working and storage further back from the cove.

 

 

What is a story?

“Story” is frequently our children’s first sentence. One word that is instantly understood and can completely demand and command our attention so,  I looked up its meaning in the dictionary.

The word “story” as early as the 13th Century meant an account of some happening. It was considered to be a “narrative of important events or celebrated persons of the past. ” From the Old French estoire, and from the Low Latin storia and the Latin historia its accepted meaning was a history, account, tale, or story. Then through the 14th Century, “story” was a “recital of true events.”

Then something happened and from around 1500 there was a change in the definition and interpretation and “story” began to be a  “narrative of fictitious events meant to entertain.”

From records described as “meticulously kept” the word “story” as a euphemism for “a lie” dates from the 1690’s. The word “Story-teller” is from 1709. “That’s another story;” requiring different treatment was first used in 1818. Story as a “newspaper article” is from 1892 . Story-line is from 1941.

What is your story?

Norwich Roots in Decatur NY

I am always learning something completely new to me while watching others learn the same news nod their heads sagely as if they knew it all along and are not surprised by the news.

I just learned that the Town of Decatur, New York on the eastern border of Otsego County New York with its population in the 2000 U.S. census of 410 was named for the naval hero Stephen Decatur.

He served a distinguished career in the US Navy from the Barbary Wars of North Africa through the War of 1812 until losing his life in a duel with a rival officer. Stories of his exploits rival those of John Paul Jones and he became a hero during his own lifetime.

Anyway, the settling of the Town of Decatur began in 1790 its land well known for its hills, narrow valleys and two tributary rivers. Sound familiar? Every settler had a purpose and that purpose was of course recorded. Nahum Thompson was the first merchant of the village and the first town clerk was Lemuel Fletcher. Samuel Turber taught in the first school in 1798. The first grist mill was built by John Champion and James Stewart built the first carding mill. Then after the American Revolution came the brothers Elisha, John and Samuel Waterman from Norwich, CT.

You may also recognize the Waterman name as descendant of Elisha was Lewis Edson Waterman (1837-1900), the inventor of the “Waterman Ideal Fountain Pen.”

This is just another example of the inventiveness that is so inherent in the people  of Norwich, CT and their ability to transport those skills to other places and situations. Now is a good time to create your own future and to create it here in Norwich. Don’t listen to the nay sayers. Listen to your heart and take the chance. Take the leap of faith and let your friends and neighbors help support you.

Comments on this blog should be sent to berylfishbone@yahoo.com.

Yantic River Paper Mills

A recent closing in our area reminded me of this 1913 poem available to all on Connecticut History Online. org originally written in two columns to memorialize the burning of one of the paper mills along the Yantic River. Thank you for your indulgence.  

In Memoriam

Yantic River Paper Mills

Cremated at the “Mill Pond” Crematory Feb, 3, 1913

 

Ode (Owed) to the Creditors

On a bank of the Yantic where once stood a Mill,

Now all is quiet and placid and still,

No more can be heard the wheels busy hum

For the Y. R. P. M. is now on the “bum.”

Returning from Norwich at around midnight,

Like a man in the Bible, I “saw a great fight.”

And the thought that was first to enter my brain,

It looks like my ticket is for the “Hog Train.”

 

There was a “bright side” to this sad affair,

For it lit up the sky with a lurid glare.

I felt, as I gazed on the Heavens so glowing,

As a “shining success” the mill was making its most “brilliant showing.”

 

In the cold, gray dawn of the morning after

“Yours truly” was in no mood for laughter.

For while from some cares I knew I was free,

I was as blue, as blue could be.

 

Just take it from me, it is no joke

To realize you are worse than “Broke.”

For on the wings of success to fly I had yearned,

But walking looks good since the old mill burned.

 

I happened to be a Spinster Man, this was “my only child.”

And together, for many an hour, the time we had beguiled.

When she would make a decent run,

Out of  my “Job” I got some fun.

(But never any real money)

 

But when she did not do so well,

I wished, by Jove, she was – well, what I wished I need  not tell.

But now she is a departed saint,

For where she once was, now she ain’t.

 

This surely for all was a bad mishap,

For what was machinery is now only scrap.

I wrote a friend the bad news to tell her,

But added: “All is not lost for we saved the cellar.”

 

All of these ills could be promptly cured

If I had had her well insured.

But no company wanted their money risked –

At the asking you’d think they were being “frisked.”

 

The main assets consist of two water powers

That are very good when the Lord sends showers.

So, creditors, do not worry and fret,

For we’ll find a way to pay your debt.

 

These verses, kind friends, do not “scan” too hard,

For I know I’m rotten as a Bard.

My excuse for inflicting this humble rhyme

Is to beg your indulgence and ask for time.

 

Particularly, in a case like this,

These parting words do not seem amiss:

“Dust to dust and ashes to ashes,“

As I wipe the tears from my quivering lashes.

 Yours Insecurely,

 The Yantic River Paper Mill-less,

 E. Mortified Harrison, Mis-Manager.

E-mail your comments on this blog to berylfishbone@yahoo.com

Tourist Destination Bean Hill

Can we please have an honest talk about Bean Hill? Every time the word “tourism” is mentioned someone will call out and “Bean Hill.” Since the 17th century, West Town Street has been a major highway leading north out of Norwich.

The Bean Hill Historic District is a tiny group of 18th- and 19th-century buildings still in their early configuration around the Bean Hill Green and up West Town Street. Bean Hill’s earliest house was demolished in 1868, the surviving Bean Hill houses are from the first quarter of the 18th century.

The Yantic River, provided water power at several falls, at Bean Hill and at Yantic, just north of Bean Hill. By the 1790s, grist, saw, fulling and linseed-oil mills had appeared along the Yantic River at Bean Hill. There were also small machine shops for carders and looms as well as a pottery, established in 1766. No evidence remains above ground of these early manufactories, although the architecture of Bean Hill reflects the lifestyle of the mechanics and artisans who lived there. Because of West Town Street’s importance as a thoroughfare from the hinterlands down to Norwich, even throughout  the 19th century, taverns, dry-goods shops, groceries, a hat shop, a shoemaker’s, and several other small shops appeared there. Just beyond Bean Hill, the land was farmed.

Bean Hill’s citizens were humble people, respected but not renowned. The limited prominent exceptions were the Clevelands. Aaron Cleveland, ran a Bean Hill hat shop (now standing at 122 West Town Street but originally located next to the Bean Hill Methodist church.) He was an early abolitionist who wrote poems, essays, and sermons on the political, social, and religious questions of the day; he was president Grover Cleveland’s great-grandfather.

My personal hero, from Bean Hill was Colonel John Durkee, a tavern-keeper spearheaded the drive against the Stamp Act (taxes) with other Connecticut patriots and forced the resignation of Stamp/Tax Collector Jared Ingersoll.

But now, when was the last time you heard a poem or an essay read on the Bean Hill Green? Have you heard a band play there? Was there a fair there that I missed? Is there a farmers market there?

Tourism is not just words, its actions. Without actions there is no tourism. Don’t just list places as history. Show people that the area is still alive.