May 2015 – Digital Farmington

Joseph Johnson and the Farmington Indian School (ca. 1772/3)

May 27, 2015 Dr. Katherine Hermes Comments 3 comments

Author: Katherine Cotuc It was a usual busy day on January 22, 1776 for Joseph Johnson. Back in Mohegan, Johnson was living on a farm and spending most of his time completing everyday chores. He looked over his horses, worked on construction around the house, cut wood, and questioned the state of his immortal soul. Johnson was born and raised in Mohegan, Connecticut as a Christian Indian. He was baptized in a Christian church and sent to Eleazar Wheelock’s Charity…

Taverns of Colonial Farmington

May 16, 2015 Dr. Katherine Hermes Comments 1 comment

Author: Alex Tremblay There was no place more necessary to early American life than the tavern. For travelers it was a much needed place for rest and food, and for locals, a place of fun and respite from daily life. Yet taverns were a constant thorn in the side of those trying to keep civil order or lead a religiously upright life. In a meeting of the General Court of Connecticut on June 3, 1644, representatives passed a law requiring…

Sickness and Disease in Colonial Farmington

May 3, 2015 Dr. Katherine Hermes Comments 2 comments

Author: Samantha Kissko Various diseases and illnesses have plagued people for centuries, and Farmington, Connecticut, was not without its fair share. Disease often spread quickly in colonial Farmington. If one household became ill, chances were that several more would fall ill before anyone even had the chance to stop the disease from spreading. One of the diseases that spread the most rapidly during this time period was smallpox. Smallpox, named “The King of Terrors” by the United States’ second president…