History of Hampton, CT.

November 2013

1600’sNipmuc TribeNipmuc Who were the Nipmucs of the 1600s? They were hunters and fishers.The Nipmuc people were really good gatherers and hunters for birds. The women farmed and prepare meals. At first the Nipmucs needed help surviving. A mishoone is a boat that the Nipmucs used when they went fishing.

1600’sWampumWhat does wampum have to do with the Nipmucs of Hampton during the 1600’s? Some of the ways the Nipmucs use wampum was to trade them after they made them into jewelry.

1600’sCorn Husk Dolls

Many years ago a woman wanted to make something different, so she made a beautiful corn husk doll. She wanted it to be special. The Great Spirit gave her permission. She made little people out of corn husk, and they were to roam the Earth and bring peace to the Nipmuc tribe. But she made one that was very beautiful. The beautiful doll went to the pool and saw her face. She became very vain and naughty because she saw her beautiful face. The people became very unhappy, so the Great Spirit gave a warning. The last time someone came to tell the Great Spirit that she was still bragging, it was decided that she would no longer have a face. The corn husk doll would not talk to the birds or animals. She’d roam the Earth forever trying to find her face again. So that’s why corn husk dolls don’t have faces.

1700’s Peter Foster and his sons

Who was Peter Foster? He was a man who lived in Hampton during the 1770’s. He and his 12 sons fought in the Revolutionary War.

1700’sHampton IngenuityWhat products were made in Hampton in the 1700s? They made brooms, buttons and eye glasses .

1786Incorporation of HamptonHampton became a town in 1786. Before then, it had been part of Brooklyn, Pomfret, Windham Canterbury and Mansfield.

1800’sTrain Stop and the Governor

Was there a governor of CT. from Hampton? Yes, his name was Chauncey Fitch Cleveland.

1800 John GoodwinEdwin TealeJohn Goodwin was a man who loved nature. His family bought the land that is now called Goodwin Forest.

Edwin Teale is another man who loved nature. He bought the land over by Kenyon Road. He wrote books about it. These books won him awards.

1900’s Volunteer Fire CompanyHampton Elementary SchoolDid you know Hampton's fire department started in 1929? Did you know that there have been at least 5 schools in Hampton? The Town Hall of today used to be a school for elementary school children.

2000Hampton WishesMy wish for Hampton was for flying cars, because I use my imagination often and this would be fun to really do.

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