Supporting Our Constituents

In about 1810, after Nelson Twp.  had already been settled, a Captain Mills from that area, made his way back to Becket, Mass. for a visit. He described the Twp. directly south and created so much excitement, that soon a group of men formed to inquire about purchasing it, they were later known as “The Becket Land Company.”

 

In July of that year the group appointed Benjamin Higley to contact Governor Caleb Strong of Massachusetts,  to ask if he would sell it. He was the principal owner of what was then known as; 

“Town 4 Range 6 of the Connecticut Western Reserve. “

In September, Dillingham Clark and Jeremiah Lyman journeyed on horseback and along with the help of Capt. Delaun Mills, an expert guide from Nelson, they scouted every lot of the township, returning to Becket 46 days later, with rave reviews. 

By Oct. 31 arrangements were being made to finalize the purchase of 14,845 acres at $1.76 each.  There were 16 owners and by March 15, 1811, all deeds had been delivered and they voted to name the township after Governor Strong… they called it Strongsburgh. 

Soon 4 young men traveled to Strongsburgh to clear land on Lot 84 and build a 20’x15’ cabin, as temporary shelter for others as they arrived. They were Elijah and Oliver Alford and Ebenezer and Nathan Messenger. 

Before leaving Becket, 11 members had organized into a Church on May 2nd. Most set out in groups of 3-4, as inns were not plentiful and their route was by way of the Mohawk Valley. Jeremiah’s wife got ill and died in New York and although he was grieving, he had 4 children to care for and had no choice but to bury her and move on. 

The last family arrived on July 27th, and the next day was the Sabbath. The first church service was held in the woods on July 28th, 1811, at the home of Alpheus Streator, with 42 persons present. 

In 1813 they separated  from the Hiram voting district, their name was changed to Sharon and they held their own elections. The first Trustees elected were Thatcher Conant, Jeremiah Lyman and Benjamin Higley. The personal property taxes for that year, were based on 8 horses and 45 cattle

In 1820, the name was again changed… this time to Windham, which it has remained for over 200 years. 

The first business district was near the corner of St. Rt 82 and Windham Parkman Rd. The church services, school, post office, stage coach stop and stores were all was located near that area. Later church services were also held near the Township Green, but it wasn’t until 1834 that the first store moved down to the corner of Main and Center.  The Town Hall, as it was called then, was built in 1868.