Tale of Three Centuries Told of Our Quaker Ridge by Edna Fulton (1967)

Source: The Greenwich Mail. March, 1967. Page 5.

The Benjamin Mead II House (1728) Riversville and Cliffdale roads, North Greenwich. 

Young Obadiah Mead darted from the shadowy barn started running in his father's lane. Even a sixteen year old couldn't outrun a British rifle ball. Obadiah Mead fell dead.

Two women who had been watching the raid from a peephole at the head of the stairs in the family homestead, turned and ran to hide in a closet. There they wept silently, listening for the heavy tread of boots, waiting in apprehension for the first step of the raiders on the stairs.

From the barnyard came a great to-do, cackling and squawking as the British plundered among the terrified fowl. When all was quiet, the women ventured as far as the peephole. The farmyard was deserted. A few feathers blew about. The remaining fowl resumed their scratching and gobbling. 

The shirt worn by Obadiah Mead when he was shot and killed. 

In desperation, the women left the house, their fear centered on what they would find in the lane.

Where were the Mead menfolk when this tragic happening took place? Possibly they were on a remote part of Mead farm or in the tree covered gorge in Byram Woods where the young lad had hoped to find escape. 

Mead farm was part of a large land grant of the seventeenth century. It was located on Quaker Ridge, in early times known as Byram Long Ridge. The buildings and farmstead were at the intersection of Cliffdale and Riversviulle Roads. The farm had been handed down from father to son for over 200 years, then in 1896 it passed into other hands.

The old "Revolutionary House" with its peephole over the door was possibly built in 1728. It had loving care through the centuries for it is still standing, the sweep of the roof, the rounded hand-made singles and the glassed in peephole attesting to its antiquity.

In 1808 a two story colonial was built facing Cliffdale Road. The date was carved on the big fieldstone fireplace. Here the Mead's lived until 1911. Solomon Mead had leased the farm from the new owners of 1896 for 15 years.

One of the outstanding features of Mead Farm was its water tower. Built 200 feet from the outbuildings, it stood on a 40 foot rise of ground. The wood-shingled building was 56 feet high, its capacity 7,500 gallons. The water was supplied from a well by a Delameter hot air pump. 

The tower was a familiar landmark for miles around, raising its sphinx-like head about the highest part of the farm, it looked over Round Hill, King Street and Long Island Sound.

At the same time the tower was erected, extensive repairs took place on the family home. It is interesting to note that the ancient hand-made nails were resharpened and used again. A new barn was built. 

Solomon Mead was a well known stockman. Blooded horses, his own and those he boarded for wealthy New York horsemen, were kept in the stables.

As a precaution against fire, eight fire hydrants were installed around the buildings.

During the disastrous fire before 1911, one of the big barns burned to the ground and some valuable horses were lost. The water supply failed to save the barn but protected the rest of the buildings. 

Solomon Mead showed his love for horses by installing a hand pump and large wooden tub at his roadside as well. here teams could stop to drink. It was the only watering trough for miles.

With the coming of power lines to Quaker Ridge, the tower water tank was no longer necessary. During World War II it was used for "skywatch." Let to the vagaries of wind and weather, it began to disintegrate. In 1959 it was torn down.

After 1911 Mead Farm became a "summer place." Among the prominent "summer people" were Walter Huston and J.C. Penny.

The youth who died a martyr to British tyranny lies in an unmarked grave, possibly in the family burying ground over in the orchard. Dangerous times forbade the trip to the Mead burying ground in Cos Cob, and records fail to establish the site of the young lad's unmarked grave. 

"Rock Ridge Farm" (1897)

Original Zacheus Mead Farm House, Rock Ridge Farm, Greenwich

Source: Greenwich Graphic. Saturday, February 20, 1897. Page 2, column 1.



"Rock Ridge Farm" comprises about 162 acres of land and was formerly known as the Zacheus Mead farm. It is situated near the Glenville Road and is but a short distance from the village. It was purchased by Mr. Nathaniel Witherell in May, 1893, to be fitted up as a summer home for the poor children and shop girls of the crowded city where they might spend a few weeks vacation during the summer months.

"Rock Ridge Farm" is divided into three sections or departments. "The Fold," the children's home, "Cherry Vale," the working girls quarters, and the farm proper. There are on the farm about twenty buildings. 

WANT A TOWN DOCK AT BYRAM: "NO TRESSPASING" SIGNS CONSPICUOUS ALONG SHORE (1903)

Source: Greenwich Graphic. Saturday, May 9, 1903. Page 1.

No Place to Land from the Islands Off East Port Chester-A Town Dock Would be of Great Benefit to that Section and People Could Get to the Water Without Going Over Private Property-Could be Built for $1000.

At the special town meeting to-day the question of a public dock on Byram Shore at East Port Chester is to be considered. 

The dock which will be asked for is to be built out from the sore straight off Huckleberry Island where Dr. Naigel has just built a splendid cottage. It is to be built of stone, and to extend out at least 100 feet from the shore line, and to be 50 feet wide. The bottom for  fully 100 feet out is hard and would need very little work to set up a solid foundation. It is estimated that the cost of such a dock would be only about $1000.

The point where the dock would be built is beside the road leading down to the houses owned by Mrs. Waterman, Mr. Rogers, Mr. Gardner and Mr. Lyons. This roadway which leads off the Byram Shore road to the water has never been accepted by the town, but has for over 50 years bee used by the public without complaint from anyone. No one now claims the road, so that it is thought that the road has become the property of the town. 

About 50 or 60 years ago bars were put up across the road, but since that time there has been no obstruction and the public has used it constantly. At one point it runs directly alongside the shore at the high water mark. The roadway averages about 22 feet in width and can with very little work be made into a good thoroughfare.

To the south of the road just after it leads off from the Byram Shore road, is an old graveyard. No one claims this cemetery and no lots have been sold there for many years. Further down toward the shore is another burying ground where a number of colored people were buried, but this has long been obliterated, nothing remaining now to suggest the fact.

The people of Byram Shore are earnest in their request that the dock be built by the town as they claim that it would be a great public convenience. One of the most prominent men of that section and a man who has always stood for everything that would be a public benefit, is Mr. Milo Mead, who for some time has been trying to get the town to build the dock. Mr. Mead thinks that as the dock would be used by the public the town should be the sole owner of the property and should build it.

If such a dock were built Mr. Mead says it would be used freely by the people of that section. As it is now there is no public doc from Byram Point to Greenwich village and one is very much needed. At no place along the shore can vessels of medium depth make a landing, so that all material needed there must come from overland. 

The people of Byram Shore have been accustomed to go to the shore by crossing the property of the stone company, which is nearby, but that has been prevented recently, and no recurse to the water is allowed except over private property, as the water in shore near the roadway is not deep.

The people who have built cottages on the islands just off the shore there, are in straits to find a landing place when they wish to come off, unless it be on some one's private property, and where no good landing has yet been made. 

The new dock, if built, will furnish this landing place, where vessels of two or three hundred tons burden could be tied up, and where the inhabitants of that section would be able to have their merchandise come by water. They say it could give them an opportunity to reach the water, whether for business or pleasure, without encroaching or trespassing. Moreover, it would probably help the growth of the place, and thus increase the revenue of the town through it's taxes.

At the meeting the plan of the dock and its purposes will be clearly laid before the taxpayers by a representative of the people of that section, and it is hoped by them that there is little opposition to the town taking charge of the property and erecting a dock. 

Why Not Build It (Milo Mead, 1903)

Source: Greenwich Graphic. March 21, 1903. Page 3.


Editor of the Graphic:

There is to be another application by the Ridgefield and Port Chester railroad company to the legislature of the State of Connecticut. It allows more time to finish the building of the road. It is said by some persons that the New York and New Haven Company, owns the road that has been de__d. 

If that company does not own it, who does own it? Does a man in this town own it, if he does perhaps it would be a wise plan for him to toss up a penny to decide whether it should be finished or not. He might say, heads finish the road, tails wait two years longer, before the work is begun. Those who advocate an extension of the time, at least it is not publicly stated, is it because it is such an immense work.

The road is only thirty-one miles long, there are men in this town, who would have the work done in ___ months if they had a clear course. There has been enough work done in New Lebanon in that time to nearly half ___ the road. For instance Church ____ one thousand cubic yards, Richard _____ hundred and sixty cubic yards, Oak Street about eight hundred cubic yards of excavation and the blasting of the ledge of about fifteen hundred cubic yards. It seems as if men of business would be ashamed to make the proposition, so many times without doing anything. They would, only there is supposed to be a ___at under the meal. 

This plan of extension of time, might be compared to "a dog in a manger," he won't eat the ha_ himself nor let the oxen eat it. Take a pitch fork and rout him out, let this child's play of "make believe" and tomfoolery be stopped. If the Ridgefield and Port Chester railroad company means business, let them go to work now, the f___ is out of the ground thirty-one miles ____ railroad ought to be finished by the fourth of July without any extension of time. Here is an example in what is called the rule of three, they talk of building a railroad the whole length of the two American continents. North and South America, if it takes twenty years to propose to build thirty one miles of a railroad in Connecticut, how long would it take to build a road the whole length of North and South America.

MILO MEAD

New Lebanon. March 17th, 1603*

*In the published text the year is mistakenly stated as 1603, whereas it should be 1903.

Zebediah Mead House (Circa 1745) Greenwich Audubon Center

I've lost count of the number of times I've driven by the Zebediah Mead House on John Street. 

For years I have been intending to stop by, look around -and, of course, life interferes. It happens all of the time.

Today was different. 

This has been my first Greenwich winter in five years. The weather was astoundingly warm in the mid-60s. Everyone I ran into just smiled at the Spring tease we were being treated to, knowing full well that time and weather in this part of the world are transitory. 

The house and farm have been the main part of the Greenwich Audubon Center since 1942, as stated in this New York Times piece:


THE Greenwich Audubon Society was established by the National Audubon Society as its first such center in the country. It grew from 281 acres of the 1746 Zebediah Mead Farm, purchased in 1942 by Eleanor and H. Hall Clovis and donated to Audubon. The original farmhouse is occupied by Mr. Baptist and his family, while two antique barns are still in use, one as a meeting and dining hall and the other as exhibition space, offices and gift shop. The latter building also houses an indoor bird-watching station replete with a powerful telescope and binoculars, 24 pictures and text on local birds, and a copy of Roger Tory Peterson's Field Guide to the Birds. The bird station will be moved to the new building and expanded. (CLICK HERE for the full text)


The house is presently vacant. It is in no danger of demolition. I was assured of that by a staff member at the Center's reception area. 

She did tell me that there is a mold problem inside -and that as a nonprofit, the Greenwich Audubon Center was not able to do what was needed make the house habitable again. I'm told the issue can be resolved. As I stated on my Facebook wall earlier today, #DutyCalls. 

Please enjoy the pictures I've posted below. I found my experiences walking the trails and savoring both Nature and history to be rewarding. The skies were nearly cloud-free. 

Please contact us if you'd like to join my efforts to bring the Zebediah Mead House back to a life it sorely deserves. 

That Byram Dock (Letter to the Editor, 1903)

The Home of Milo Mead, Byram Shore. 

Source: Greenwich Graphic. Saturday, March 14, 1903. Page 3.

Editor of The Graphic:

It is stated in the Tribune of the 10th, "the people of Mount Vernon, New Rochelle, Port Chester and other towns on Long Island Sound, are to have an opportunity this week to get coal cheap. A barge loaded with two hundred tons of the best anthracite coal is to be sold in each of these places at auction to the lowest bidders. It has been asserted that the coal will sell at about $3 or $3.50 a ton. How nice it would be, if we had a dock so that we could have a barge load landed at the port of Byram, and we could come in with a bid as well as any of the rest of them, we could afford to deliver it and put it in the cellar at $3 per ton, from Byram bridge, to Byram Point, and from Byram river to Byram shore.

MILO MEAD

New Lebanon, March 10, 1903. 

Among the Flowers in Mid-Winter (Alexander Mead 1903)

Source: Greenwich Graphic. Saturday, January 3, 1903. Page 1, col. 6.

"Spake full well, in language quaint and olden,

One who dwelleth by the castle Rhine,

When he called the flowers so blue and golden,

Stars, that in Earth's filament do shine."

How beautifully true are the words of this greatest of all American poets. The beauty of flowers touches a cord in the hearts of everyone. No one can be so hardened that their beauty and scent does not bring a quickening of the heartstrings and a realization that there is a Divine Creator above all. 

Anyone who loves flowers would find it very interesting to make a visit to the greenhouses of Alexander Mead & Son. Even in his early youth the elder Mr. Mead had a great fondness for flowers. It was but natural that he early undertook the study of the growth and culture of flowers. Mr. Mead has been in the business for many years. His early tendencies have given him the secrets of his profession. Many years ago he built a few greenhouses in Greenwich and the success which he immediately achieved led him to make additions until now his nurseries constitute a large and well equipped plant. His houses now number eleven and two new sections are going up. All are of the most convenient size for growing plants. His son Henry whose inclinations were like his father's has taken upon himself a part of the responsibilities of the splendid business which his father has built up, their plant growing has been successful from the start. 

Few people realize what an enormous care the plants must have at all times, and especially in the cold winter months. The greenhouses must be kept at a certain temperature, the plants must be watered at certain intervals and great care must be taken of each and every plant. Each separate plant must have a different soil. The mixing of these soils involve a great deal of care, the soil must be neither too rich nor too sterile. At certain seasons the soil must be renewed. The plants are then taken from their beds with the greatest care and are again planted in the new. Tender and wise handling is necessary in their transplanting.

How many know that the beautiful lilies which we have at Easter time are now but little shrubs. The tall geraniums and the sweeping ferns which we see at that time are now but tiny shoots. As we go through the long lines of beautiful roses and carnations dripping with the silver drops of water which hang on their petals we are reminded of the glorious springtime when wild flowers are in abundance, the scent of flowers is everywhere. How beautiful all are in their winter homes. Yet the beds have just been robbed of their most beautiful blossoms for the holiday trade. The demands upon them have been great, yet in a short time all their wealth of beauty will be lavished on those which remain.