June 4, 2021
John Adams
“…I have spent this Morning in Riding thro Paradise" |
On June 8, 1771, John Adams was in town and he had some very nice things to say about the area in his diary. This Musing celebrates the 250th anniversary of John Adams' travels down "old" Main Street in what is now known as the town of South Windsor. (All quotes contain their original spelling, punctuation and syntax.)
Unfortunately, the Bissell Tavern where John Adams stayed has been torn down, but if you would like to spend some time "Riding thro Paradise", below are some of the buildings, houses and landmarks on historic old Main Street that would have been around for John Adams to gaze upon. |
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The black and white photograph above is of the Bissell Tavern and homestead, home of David Bissell and Aaron Bissell, East Windsor Hill, where John Adams stayed in 1771. Circa1890-1930 Hildred Raymond Photo Collection Object ID number R1993.24.576
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“…I have spent this Morning in Riding thro Paradise. My Eyes never beheld so fine a Country. From Bissills in Windsor to Hartford Ferry, 8 miles, is one continued Street — Houses all along, and a vast Prospect of level Country on each Hand, the Land very rich and the Husbandry pretty good."-John Adams (diary pages 37-38)
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The black and white photograph to the right is of East Windsor Hill post office and Bissell/Sperry Tavern ca. 1900 Watson Family Collection Object ID number 1990.13.001.10
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"…Rode along the great River to Windsor, and put up at Bissalls -- i.e. in East Windsor, for the Town of Windsor it seems lies on the West Side of the River...The Soil as far as I have ridden upon the River if I may judge by the Road is dry and sandy. But the Road is 3/4 of a mile from the River and the intervale Land lies between." |
"I begin to grow weary of this idle, romantic jaunt. I believe [it] would have been as well to have staid in my own Country and amused myself with my farm, and rode to Boston every day. I shall not suddenly take such a Ramble again, merely for my Health. 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 Politicks 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." -John Adams (diary pages 37-38)
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Matthew Sadd House 1750
Doris Burgdorf, author of A Country Mile, writes that Matthew Sadd, a 25 year old carpenter, built this saltbox house and sold it to a cousin in 1753. The Matthew Sadd home, is pictured here circa 1880-1920. (A Country Mile, page 58)
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Bissell's Store 1757
As Adams left "Bissills" he would have seen what we now recognize as the East Windsor Hill Post Office. The ell, or perpendicular wing of the building, was built in 1757. A shop selling sundries and a storehouse were added a few years later. The building was also used as a saddle shop and then a gold and silversmith's shop in approximately 1770 around the time Adams would have been traveling through. (A Country Mile, pages 26-27)
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Photograph of 1728 Main Street Matthew Sadd home, built in 1750. circa 1880-1920 Object ID number 1994.10.109
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Photograph of 1865 Main Street EW Hill store and Post Office , built in 1757-1770 pictured here circa 1880-1920 Object ID number 1993.16.004
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Black and white photograph of the Ebenezer Grant house, 1653 Main Street. pictured here circa 1890-1910 Object ID number 2016.16.008
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Photograph of Timothy Edwards (God's Acre) Cemetery, looking North to McNary's, now the Masonic Hall, pictured here circa 1880-1920. Object ID number 1993.16.006
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| Ebenezer Grant House 1757
The first Grant house, was built before 1700 and became the kitchen ell of Ebenezer Grant's House. The current house was built in 1757. According to Doris Burgdorf, "With its authentic Grant family records, and its excellent state of preservation, this house gives us a visual and factual example of the highest social position of a prosperous merchant farmer in the colonial Connecticut River Valley..." (A Country Mile, page 81) |
Old Burying Ground "God's Acre" 1708
Edwards Cemetery, also known as God's Acre or the Old Burying Ground, dates from 1708 and is the oldest burying ground in South Windsor. Deacon Job Drake donated the land for this burying ground and "was to have herbage for any creatures except swine." The first person buried here was Thomas Morton, the father of two small children who broke his neck when he fell from a cherry tree. (A Country Mile, page 94)
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