Greenwich Life As It Is-And Was: Edward Mead and His Beautiful Home-Other Prominent Men (1923)

Edward Mead House (1832). Known as 'Boxwoods,' it is at the 
intersection of East Putnam Avenue and Indian Field Road. 

Source: Greenwich News and Graphic: Friday, June 8, 1923. L.B. Edwards. Page 7, Column 1. 

In the article of a few weeks ago, relative to the strong men, mentally and physically, living in Greenwich about the time the Greenwich Graphic was first issued, the statement was made that there may have been others.

Interred in New Burial Grounds Assoc. Cemetery,
next to the Second Congregational Church of Greenwich. 

One in mind was Edward Mead. He passed away a few years previous to that time, but for the greater part of his life was contemporaneous with them. He was a man so universally respected, and of such admirable qualities of character that some mention should be made of his life in the community.

He lived on what may be called the ancestral estate, a large farm located on the Boston Post Road, the land being situated on both sides of that now greatly traveled thoroughfare, in the vicinity of what is now Indian Field Road and in the fine white frame two-story and a half house on the north side of the road, having been a conspicuous landmark for years.

The farm has been in the possession of this branch of the Mead family for a longer period of time than any other farm has been owned by any one family in the Town of Greenwich, it is safe to say, members of Edward Mead's family still owning most of the farm and living in the attractive house.

Until a few years ago there was a number of farms that had been owned by one family in each instance, since pre-Revolutionary days, but they have now become the costly estates for which Greenwich is noted.

Mr. Mead's son, Daniel Merritt Mead was the first Captain of Company I, Tenth Connecticut Volunteers. Benjamin Wright, father of Wilbur S. Wright, was made lieutenant when the company was organized, and when Daniel Merritt Mead was promoted to Major of the regiment, soon after the Greenwich company had gone to the front Benjamin Wright was made captain. Robert M. Wilcox, vice-president and secretary of the Putnam Trust Company, is a grandson of Edward Mead. 

Previous to 1832 the house in which the Mead family lived was situated on the opposite side of the street from the present residence. In 1832 the present house on the north side was built and when completed was considered in every way one of the finest houses in Greenwich. 

This is the rear side of the Edward Mead House (1832). 

Stage coaches were making regular trips between New York and Boston then and the attention of the passengers in them almost always was called to the house as one worthy of especial notice on the stagecoach route.

But the chief feature of interest was the front door entrance; that is probably the most beautiful one architecturally of any house in the Town of Greenwich. There are those much more costly, but none of more artistic appearance. 

The entrance became so noted that the attention of Wallace Nutting the artist, whose pictures and colors have been sold in large numbers in all parts of the country, was attracted to it, with two young ladies of Greenwich dressed in colonial style, ascending the front steps, the title of the picture being, "A trip to the Squire's." (See above)

Other objects that are of interest at the front of the house are the box shrubs. There are three of them, gigantic specimens each side of the front steps having one and they are probably 92 years old, the same number of years as the house. The one in the garden just west of the front lawn is 114 years old, having been planted in 1809.

Another old resident who should receive special attention is the 'Sage of New Lebanon,' as he was called, Milo Mead, whose memory is revered by the older residents of the East Port Chester District, for which section he was always ready to spend his money and time to improve in every way possible, and although he did not succeed in having the name changed to New Lebanon, much to his regret, that did not deter him from working for the interest of that section. 

He gave away his land and money freely for public improvements. He was a fine old man, and it was certainly a great pleasure to talk with him. He lived in the little story and a half frame house on a knoll at Byram Shore facing Long Island Sound, from which there was an unmolested view of Long Island and the Sound. The house looked somewhat incongruous situated near the fine residences of Byram Shore, but certainly added a picturesqueness to the scenery thereabouts that it would not otherwise have had.

Mr. Mead's latch string was always out, and he welcomed stranger as well as friend to his home,And he welcomed stranger as well as friend to his home, and seemed delighted to talk about New Lebanon and the days that have passed during his long life in Greenwich.  

He had amassed a considerable fortune that he had acquired by the sale of a large part of his farm land for Byram Shore residences. He always lived the simple life, however, and was noted for his generosity and kindness of heart as well as his interest in New Lebanon.

Then there was Shadrach M. Brush. What a fine old gentleman he was too! Having deserved reputation for his over gentle disposition, yet, it was not always that way, according to a statement made by him in the presence of the writer. He had an ungovernable temper when a boy and young man, and only narrowly escaped injuring a companion by losing it. That taught him a lesson and ever after that time he controlled his temper and was known to be a man of the gentlest ways. 

Mr. Brush was a public spirited man. Besides the fine farm in Stanwich that is still owned and occupied by members of his family, Mr. Brush possessed large holdings of real estate located in the Borough, much of which he improved. He was engaged in retail business in the borough for a number of years, retiring after he had become advanced in years, his sons succeeding him. 

His home in the Borough was sold not long ago to the Knights of Columbus for their headquarters, which makes a central and desirable location for this prosperous organization which makes a central and desirable location for this prosperous organization, so well known for activities in the late war.