Winter/Spring 1997 Coley Barn Fire Recently, Herb Day, Coley House Historian and barn curator, had begun to question the authenticity of reports of our barn having burned back in 1882. Herb could find no signs of burnt or charred wood in the barn, he then came across an account of Mrs. Betsy Coley's barn having been burned about the same time, so these two things compounded his suspicions. However, in a recent memo sent to us from Mr. Day, it does appear that there was a fire in our Coley barn. Herb found the following in the Norwalk Gazette: December 12, 1882 ''About half-past seven on Thursday evening, our citizens were startled by a bright light in the Northeast giving an indication of a large fire in the near vicinity. The fire laddies were out in force but after proceeding a short distance found that the fire was beyond their limits. It proved to be two large barns in Weston owned by Demon (sic) Coley. They were totally consumed together with about forty tons of hay, a lot of farming utensils, one fine horse, two cows, twelve sheep, two yearlings and several pigs. The fire was undoubtedly of incendiary origin." January 2, 1883 ''Mrs. D. D. Coley is building two new barns to replace those recently destroyed by fire." These two reports have confirmed that our barn was burned. Because it was totally consumed, there was never any evidence of charred timbers. Herb will continue to investigate the burning of Mrs. Betsy Coley's barn. Back to contents.

Jarvis Military Academy Although much has been written lately in the Weston Forum about the house at Norfield Corners, we felt this part of our history certainly could be repeated. Although built as a residence in 1796 the building and property were purchased by Matthew Bulkley in 1835 where he founded the Weston Boarding School. The school was operated by his son-in-law, Andrew Sanford Jarvis (the property also was known as the Jarvis Academy). The school was military in its organization and offered a classical or a business curriculum. Approximately 50 students were accepted each year. The tuition was $200 which included board, laundry, fuel, and lights. Excerpts from an old newspaper report of the first reunion of the students (held June 20, 1914), reveille was at 6:00 a.m.; bathroom call, 6:15; breakfast call and inspection 6:30, study hour, 7:30 to 8:45, inspection 9:00; recitations and devotions, 12:00, recitations 1:00 to 3:30; supper call and inspection 5:30; battalion drill 6:15, evening dress parade, 7:00, roll call and study hour, 7:30 to 8:45, and taps, 9:00. Despite the rigorous schedule the boys (it was reported) still had time for merriment and mischief. One year the Governor of Connecticut came for the review and a large ball was held. It was reported to have been the greatest moment in the history of the Military Institute. However, the boys still seem to have time to harass the Weston farmers. Stories were told of how many chickens the boys stole, wood piles that were rifled, cherry trees that were "skinned" and many other nightly raids upon the good things the farms had to offer. The boys also wrote their own newspaper the "Weston Boarding School Cadet" This included writings from Thackery, excepts from Hamlet and local events such as a musical soiree, a parade in Norwalk, sleigh riding and skating. Lastly there was a song held near and dear to the cadets which went: In the Southwest corner of the Nutmeg State, There lies a little town Which though no city at the present date Is getting great renown. For there a nursery of great reach, Has firmly taken root, Designed in country air to teach Young city sprigs how to shoot. CHORUS Hurrah! boys, Hurrah! for the Weston Boarding School We'll give a hearty three times three for the Weston Boarding School In spite of hours on Saturday for those who break a rule, Yet after all a jolly place is the Weston Boarding School! Just fifty boys are gathered here, some short and thick, some tall, Some that away from home feel queer, some that this place home call Some that by Coleys frantic rush For fear they shall see ghosts, And some who scorn the blacking-brush, And some stand on school yard posts. But when June's scorching sun beats down They bathe at Compo Beach, And when there's snow they hie to town In sleighs of four horse each. A field for ball, a pond to skate, A gymnasium when it rains -- Oh tell us of a school to mate, And we'll thank you for your pain. Unfortunately, by 1875 the school had fallen on hard times and by 1888 had closed altogether. The buildings, a dwelling house (still standing), a dormitory, and school building which included a gymnasium - complete with bowling alley - sat empty in the center of town. The main hall burned down and the brick oven where the baking was done was moved to Hurlbutt street and turned into a house. New people by the name of Amis bought and lived in the house. In the 1940’s Peter Vetromile, owner of the Bridge Market in Westport and later Peter's Market in Weston purchased the home and his wife Helen remained there until 1996. Back to contents.

A Thread Through History The name Squires is threaded throughout the history of Weston from its earliest days. According to an oral history done by Anson Morton*, the Squires family came from Cambridge, Massachusetts, to Fairfield, then to Weston in the early 1700s. Mrs. Squires was a Merwin, and their history goes back to the 1600s. It was believed that a Nathanial Squires began operating a mill on Godfrey Pond as early as 1767. A Nathan Squires was elected moderator of the first meeting of the Norfield Parish in June, 1757. David Squires lost both hands and an eye while on duty at the fort at Black Rock Harbor in Fairfield during the Revolutionary war. Nathan Squires of Captain Cooley's Company was called upon to head a detail to voyage down the Sound to help George Washington who was preparing the defenses of New York City. Edson Squires and his wife lived in the house (recently torn down) at the corner of East Godfrey Rd. and Tubbs Spring. Edson's son Levi was born in the same house and owned about 80 acres, most of which ran up to the Weston Gun Club. Levi one of the original volunteer firemen, pledged his property, along with other volunteers to guarantee a loan needed to acquire fire-fighting equipment. Charles (Charlie) Squires was also born in the same house and remembers his Dad raising potatoes, corn and vegetables for their own use, but sold chickens and eggs. They would sometimes get calves from the milk man and keep them until they were 6 weeks old when they would sell them for veal. They also raised pigs and sold them. At one time they had 85 pigs. They all worked at odd jobs around town including putting the siren on top of the old Town Hall building, located behind Norfield Church. Charlie attended the Upper Parish School on Godfrey Road where his mother also went to school. He also remembers some of the houses and an old mill that stood where the Saugatuck Reservoir is now. His fondest memories are of the Weston Gun Club where members such as Woody Cowan (cartoonist and Weston resident) would come every Sunday rain or shine to shoot. Charlie either pulled skeet or trap. Charlie has many memories of Weston's past and we thank him for sharing these and the wonderful pictures included in this issue. *(whose sister was Lillian Squires, Levi's wife) Back to contents.

"The Old Homestead Has Been Saved Boys." One of Weston's most unique characteristics has always been the spirit of volunteerism that has existed here over the years. One fine example of this spirit was a program put on by the citizens of Weston - the "old-timers" who had roots in the community, and the "newcomers" who came from New York City in the 1930s to escape the hustle and bustle for the peace and quiet of the country. The program was the "Firemen's Frolic" held July 9 & 10, 1937. The purpose of the program was to raise money to pay off the mortgage on the fire engine purchased for the Volunteer Fire Department when it was founded in 1931. Among the participants were old names such as Willis Banks, George Guidera, Levi Squires, Anson Morton, Chester and James Coley, E. O. Budd and Roland Gifford (Weston's first Fire Chief). These men (and some wives) served as Chairmen for the various committees box office, ushers, parking, cold drinks, lights and scenery. Many wives of the new folks in town served on the Executive committee and Ticket Sales. Included in this list were businessman, John Orr Young (founder of Young & Rubicam advertising agency in New York City) H. Clinch Tate (former owner of the Revson property including down to Tobacco Road), H. Douglas Hadden; artists Wood Cowan, Frederick C. Painton, William Meade Prince, Charles Brock and Ralph Coykendall. Other names included James Melton, Metropolitan Opera Tenor, Mrs. Frederick Wierk (wife of the school principal, Edwin L. Howard an architect who designed the Shakespeare Theatre, Percy Stone, journalist, and John Cecil Holm who wrote a very popular Broadway show in the thirties "Three Men on a Horse." The Frolic was a great success due to the efforts of all involved. With ticket sales and advertisements, it is believed to have raised a grand total of $7,000. Printed on the last page of the program was a thank you which read: "The Weston Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. takes this opportunity of thanking all those who by their hearty cooperation have made the FROLIC an outstanding success. By their efforts the mortgage can be entirely lifted on the fire engine -- the old homestead has been saved boys." Volunteerism still remains one of Weston's unique qualities. It in certainly no more evident than the Weston Volunteer Fire Department and the men who give their time. (Ed. note. My thanks to Tom and Olive Phillips and to Percy Stone for recalling many of the people named in the program.) Our thanks to William (Bill) L. Gifford for sending us a copy of the Firemen's Frolic program. William's grandfather George D. Gifford, one of the founders of the Norfield Church, moved to Weston in 1910 around the time of the sighting of Halley's Comet. The Giffords lived at the corner of Weston Rd. and River Road (thus the name Gifford's Hill). They later moved up to the corner of Weston Road and Kettle Creek. George had four sons, Allen W. Gifford, Vernon E. Gifford, Rolland W. Gifford (William's father) and Brundage Herbert Gifford (who was 2nd Selectman for a time). By 1946 the Giffords had all moved from Weston, but not before leaving their mark on our history. Back to contents.