Benjamin Mead II House: Circa 1728 on the Former Solomon Mead Farm, North Greenwich

Hydrants and History in North Greenwich (Solomon Mead Farm, North Greenwich)

You don't see these too often. There are at least two hydrants on what was the Solomon Mead Farm in North Greenwich. While spring cleaning the family cemetery off Cliffdale Road we found two of these. 

The one pictured above is located near where the Benjamin Mead III House stood at the corner of Riversville and Cliffdale roads. 

These were installed at a time when fire protection was the responsibility of individual land owners, especially at a time when most of Greenwich's backcountry consisted of farms and estates. You were left on your own should your house, barn or whatever outbuilding was in flames. We suspect that under the sod are underground talks where rainwater was stored. 

Spring 2016: Clean-up at the Mead Family Cemetery at North Greenwich

Winter's wrath has dissipated and Spring is underway! 

The association is pleased to report that spring clean-ups are well underway at the family cemetery plots under our care.

These images were captured today of the family cemetery plot in North Greenwich. Work was performed over this past weekend. 

Obituary: Deacon Obadiah Mead (1878)

Source: Greenwich Observer. February 28, 1878.

Deacon Obadiah Mead who died at his residence in North Greenwich Feb. 20th, was the oldest person in town, being nearly 93 years of age. He is the last of the large family most of whom lived to an advanced age. Deacon Mead was a man of remarkable power of body and mind and he had never known a day's until his last sickness -his erect form and intelligent conversation would have done credit to a younger man and he totaled his remarkable memory till the last. There are few men who have so great knowledge of Scripture as he. He was very apt in his quotations and if asked where to find a certain passage could usually tell the chapter and verse and would repeat the connection, and his life showed his knowledge to be practical. No hurry of business caused him ___________ the family altar. Never did he __________ sanctuary when it was possible ______ be there. During his illness he _______ facing was borne with the most __________ patience, and he always had _______ thanks for every act of kindness ______. His funeral was attended by a ______ course of people. The services ______ -ducted by the Rev. Mr. Winter ________ fitting tribute to one so greatly ___________ respected. 

Greenwich Pupil is Prize Winner (1930)

Source: The Greenwich Press. May 8, 1930. Page 14

Aubrey Mead, of Greenwich High school, and Elizabeth G. Block, of Bulkeley High school, Hartford, were among the Connecticut state prize winners in the list of 400 selected from more than 30,000 student entries by the judges in the National High School Awards, 40 South Third Street, Columbus, Ohio. This annual scholarship contest brings together the best short stories, essays, poems, articles and plays written by students in High schools throughout the country. The Greenwich and Hartford pupils have submitted the best one-act plays.

The other Connecticut state prizes were awarded to Rachel Mittlestein, Commercial High School, New Haven, for the best short story; to Minter Somersville, Miss Porter's School, Manchester, for the best poetry; to Elizabeth Hendee Rice, Oxford High School, Hartford, for the best book review; to Clayton Hansen, High school, Manchester, for the best sports story.

The three national prizes for the short stories were won by Frances LaPorte, St. John's Cathedral High, Fresno, Calif.; John Moomaw, Central High School, South Bend, Ind.; Constance Olsen, High School, Stoughton, Wis. 

In the essay group first prize was awarded to Sophie Fox, High School, Webster Grove, Mo.; second prize, to Ferne Quillen, High School, Pontiac, Mich.; third prize, to Andrew Hilen, Garfield High school, Seattle, Wash. 

In the field of poetry the national prize winners included Margaret Demorest, Scott High School, Toledo, Ohio; Dorothy Price, Central High school, Tulsa, Okla.; and Elizabeth Snell, High school, Oak Park, Ill. 

The contests were jointly sponsored by a group of leading standard magazines. The jury of awards included the editors and representatives of the Atlantic Monthly, Bookman, Current Literature, Forum, Harper's, Ladies Home Journal, Saturday Review of Literature, Scribner's, World's Work, World News and Elsie Singamaster, Sterling A. Leonard, Max J. Herzberg, Elias Liberman and Karl S. Bolander, Diretcor Columbus Gallery of Fine Art.

In announcing the awards, Harrison M. Sayre, Director of the National High School Awards, stated, "This contest clearly shows that our schools are developing creative minds. The quality of the works submitted speaks volumes of the high type of training given in both private and public schools. Our congratulations go to the winners. Our honest complements to the many contestants whose work fell short of winning a prize. It should be a consolation to know by how narrow margin some of the winners excelled losers. The nation-wide endorsement given to this scholarship contest has been so enthusiastic that I am glad to announce that the National High School Awards will be continued next year."

In addition to the cash prize to each winner, handsome loving cups will be presented to the schools attended by the first and second prize winners in each contest.

Captan Matthew Mead Branch, Sons of the American Revolution (1930)

Source: The Greenwich Press. Thursday, May 8, 1930. Page 10.

Captain Matthew Mead Branch, No. 11, Sons of the American Revolution, has been organized in Greenwich at a meeting of nearly 20 eligible members. Th Sons of the American Revolution is a companion organization to the Daughters of the American Revolution, of which there is a strong chapter in Greenwich, although there is no actual affiliation between the two.

Captain Mead was one of the most important figures in the early history of Greenwich, of which he was a lifelong resident, born in 1734 and dying in 1812 at the age of 78 years. He married Miss Mary Bush in 1759, and to them were born 12 children.

Even before the Revolution started, he was active in military affairs. On May 13, 1773, we find him commissioned captain of a new company, or "train band," as it was called. With the outbreak of the war he was made captain of the 13th Company, Ninth Regiment, Connecticut Militia, commanded by his brother, Lieut. Col. John Mead, whose date of marching was August 13, 1776. He was discharged on September 23, 1777, and on December 19, 1778, was made a member of the committee of safety.

It is indeed fitting that his name should be perpetuated thus by the Sons of the American Revolution in Greenwich. The D.A.R. is an organization that has long played an important part in the life of the community, and there is every indication that the new organization will play and equally important role. It certainly will not lack historic background.

Willis T. Mead Will Revoked (1930)

Source: The Greenwich Press. Thursday, May 8, 1930. Page 2.

The will of the late Willis T. Mead, who died on March 4, 1930, at the age of 71 years, has been revoked by Judge Steven L. Radford because since the date of the will, Dec. 18, 1878 the deceased married and had three children. The estate is therefore declared intestate, and S. Warren Mead, a brother, has been named administrator. 

The will left all of the real and personal estate of the deceased to Alice Acker, daughter of Abrahim Acker, of Greenwich. Julian B. Curtiss was named as executor, Mr. Mead's wife died several years ago. He leaves three children, Adele Kendrick, of Miami, Florida; Truman Mead, of Mount Vernon New York and Harold Mead, of Flushing, L. I. The petition filed with the will sets forth that the personal estate does not exceed $300.