HISTORY OF HAMPTON, CT.

November 2013

1600’sNipmuc Tribe

Who were the Nipmucs of Hampton during the 1600’s? They liked to feast and gamble. They ate fish, corn and beans. They liked to dance. They went hunting for their meat, like deer.

1600’sWampum

What does wampum have to do with the Nipmucs of Hampton during the 1600s? They used wampum to trade, and they wore ornamental jewelry. Wampum is made of clam shells. The jewelry was also used in ceremonies.

1600’sCorn Husk Dolls

The corn Husk doll story is about a girl that was bragging about being pretty. She stopped helping people and they got upset.

The Great Spirit told her to start helping people again but she didn't so the Great Spirit took her face away. This is why corn husk dolls have no faces.

1700’s Peter Foster and his sons

Who was peter foster? He was a man who lived in Hampton during the 1770s. He and his 12 sons fought in the Revolutionary war. This is special, unique because no other family of this size joined the military.

1700’sJohn Brewster, Jr.

What famous portrait painter lived in Hampton?

John Brewster, Jr. was born and raised in Hampton . He was born deaf, so he could not hear or speak. This did not stop him from becoming an artist. His work was very serious to him and he used eye contact to paint his pictures to show the feelings of the person.

1700’sHampton Ingenuity

What in products were made Hampton during 1700’s? They made buttons, silver spoons, and eyeglasses.

1786Incorporation of Hampton

When did Hampton become a town? It became a town in 1786. Before that it was part of Windham, Pomfret, Canterbury and Mansfield. The population then was 1333.

1800Governor of Connecticut

Was there ever a governor of CT. from Hampton?

Yes, his name was Chauncey Fitch Cleveland. He arranged to have a train stop in Hampton.

1800 John GoodwinEdwin TealeWho were John Goodwin and Edwin Teale?

John Goodwin made trails in Hampton and enjoyed people going on his trails. He had a house built there by his brother. It is one of the largest state forests in CT.

Hampton Fire Department and Hampton Elementary School

Did you know that Hampton’s Fire Department started in 1929?

They respond to about 70 calls a year.

Did you know there have been about 7 schools in our town? Right now, we have Hampton Elementary School.

My Town Wish

My wish for the town of Hampton is to have bumper cars because you get to drive. I can not drive a car right now but I could drive bumper cars.

Bibliography

Sources we used

Book

Magazine

Internet Site