How Bean Hill Got Its Name
In the 1850’s several Norwich residents were convinced that gold and other precious metals had been found in the northwestern part of Norwich. A start-up company the “Wawecus Hill Gold, Silver & Nickel Mining Company, sold mining rights. The company was first formed in 1851 and was organized with a capital of $500,000. ($15,700,000 in today’s dollars). Jesse Fillmore of Providence, RI was its President and largest stockholder.
The company was based upon the supposition that rocks in the area contained gold, silver, and nickel. A 100 year mineral lease for a land area of approximately 100 acres was obtained.
“The origin of the savory old name, Bean Hill, is thoroughly affirmed, I think, by several histories of the settlement of New England, which assert that those who first visited this region were prospectors under an invitation from Uncas. They struck upon this cozy little patch of table land having its rear a rolling meadow in its warm southern front divided by a beautiful fish-stocked river, beyond which lay another strip of tableland skirted by a romantic range of highlands, the Wawecus Hills.”
“The weary and hungry prospectors, being favorably impressed with the locality, halted, and casting about for greatly needed food, they discovered pots of beans deposited in the earth. Considering them an equivalent to the manna sent to the Israelites, they joyfully appropriated them, and for the time being acknowledged with thanksgiving the providential meal, since which time, and most appropriately, too, not only upon and around this original Puritan bean mount, but wherever the foot of her descendants press the soil, the savory rye and Indian bread and dish of baked beans continues to be the Saturday night and seventh-day meal.”
Excerpt from Info Source
Acknowledgements
“Reminiscences of Bean Hill”, (1896), page 295, by Burrell W. Hyde
Why Founders Moved From Saybrook To Norwich
“It has been said that the Norwich settlers, being for the most part farmers, were driven from Saybrook by the crows and blackbirds. This story is at least suggestive of a great nuisance in the early days of our country. It is well know that clouds of the gormandizing fowls, darkening the sky, and filling the air with clamor, would come down upon the newly planted maize, in the late May or early June, when the young shoots could be easliy torn up, and in a few days leave the fields of a whole district in ruin. These cormorants were peculiarly troublesome upon level corn-fields, near the sea, or large rivers, obliging the farmer to plant and replant, and sometimes destroying prematurely the whole harvest.”
“In most of these settlements by-laws were made rendering it obligatory upon every man to destroy, during the three spring months, a certain number of crows, black-birds, wood-peckers, jays, and other grain-devouring birds. A dozen was the usual number required, with a premium for all over a dozen, and penalties imposed on those who fell short. Thus, it appears an annual war, not only with wild beasts, venomous serpents and pilfering animals that burrowed in the ground, but with predatory fowls swarming in the air.”
“But that the people of Saybrook were routed from their habitations, and forced into exile by the inroads of voracious birds, was doubtless a pleasant satire rather than a fact.”
Excerpt from Info Source
Later in text from the Info Source the author wrote:
“most people who consider the circumstances will coincide, that Mr. Fitch and his congregation relinquished their Saybrook grants in the hope of finding accommodations better adapted to their pursuits and aspirations at Norwich.”
Maybe it was the birds, …. but, no one really knows for sure why the Norwich founders left Saybrook.
Acknowledgements
“History of Norwich, Connecticut: From Its Possession From the Indians, to the Year 1866”, page 55, by Frances Manwaring Caulkins
Norwich Pied Piper
“An early Norwich Pied Piper used a violin to charm rattlesnakes and is reported to have come into town from Waweekus Hill with assorted snakes, varmints and goats trailing after him. Many settlers raised goats because those animals could resist rattlesnakes and subsist on the rocky pastureland.”
Excerpt from Info Source
Acknowledgements
Methodist Chapel Floats Down River
“One of the most interesting legends of Norwich – and a favorite story of Aaron Cleveland, the great-grandfather of Grover Cleveland, who was a noted politician, speaker, writer, Congregational minister and abolitionist – concerns the overflowing of a stream in March 1823. The sudden rise of water washed away the Methodist Chapel which, with its lights still burning, is reported to have sailed serenely down the river and past astonished skippers on Long Island Sound.”
Excerpt from Info Source
Acknowledgements
“Connecticut Encyclopedia” (2015), page 256, by Jennifer Herman
1851-1870
Wawecus Hill Gold, Silver & Nickel Mining Co.
In the 1850’s several Norwich residents were convinced that gold and other precious metals had been found in the northwestern part of Norwich. A start-up company the “Wawecus Hill Gold, Silver & Nickel Mining Company”, sold mining rights. The company was first formed in 1851 and was organized with a capital of $500,000. ($20,550,000 in 2024 dollars). Reverend Jesse Fillmore of Providence, RI was its President and largest shareholder.
The company was based upon the supposition that rocks in the area contained gold, silver, and nickel. A 100 year mineral lease for a land area of approximately 100 acres was obtained.
Jesse Fillmore 1795-1878
Jesse Fillmore was born in Franklin, Connecticut on July 9, 1826 to Amaziah & Hannah Fillmore. Jesse and Millard Fillmore, the 13th President of the United States, were cousins. Jesse’s great-great grandfather, John, was also Millard’s great-grandfather. Millard’s grandfather, Lieutenant Nathaniel Fillmore (b1739-d 1814) was a farmer who was born, and lived in Franklin. Ct. throughout his youth. However, in search of greener pastures, he bought a farm and moved to Bennington, Vermont. Jesse’s side of the Fillmore family remained in Franklin. However, Jesse moved to Providence, RI around the age of 11.
In 1859 former President Fillmore marched in Norwich’s 200th Jubilee Procession as an honored guest. Jesse Fillmore’s Wawecus Hill Gold, Silver, and Nickel Mining Company was in operation in Norwich at the time. It is likely that Millard, Jesse, and Jesse’s uncle Reverend Comfort Day Fillmore visited with one another and discussed the Company during the former President’s visit.
The idea that the area contained valuable minerals was first suggested by George M. Roberts, a young man whose interest was first aroused to the idea, by what seemed to him, as the smell of sulfur when rocks in the area were broken apart. Subsequently, Reuben Safford, an agent of the company, spent a considerable time on the premises in search of fortune. He made repeated digging and exploring efforts in the bed of rock where the minerals were supposed to be situated.
The October 12, 1860 Norwich Evening Courier article shown here gives notice of the first shareholder meeting of the Wawecus Hill Gold, Silver and Nickel Mining Company.
It is interesting to note that the meeting took place in Augustus Hyde’s home. Augustus Hyde was married to Lafayette Foster’s sister.
The Norwich Weekly Courier (12/19/1861) article shown on the left provides an update to the George M. Roberts vs. Hiel Fillmore court case. Hiel Fillmore was Jesse Fillmore’s younger brother who lived in Franklin. It is believed that Hiel ran the day-to-day operations of the company because his brother, the company’s President lived in Providence, RI.
It was established that the company had not paid George M. Roberts (a large share holder) a promised fifty-cent per share assessment, and had not paid any dividends.
Another important question discussed in the case was the value of the stock of the Wawecus Hill Gold, Silver and Nickel Mining Company. Some professors assessed the value of the ore found at the site to be between $4 and $4,000 per ton. Other professors stated there wasn’t even a particle of gold.
The article notes that several people testified to the value of the rock found on Wawecus Hill to be valued between $4 and $4,000 per ton. However, two professors from Yale College also testified there was not a particle of gold there. Some miners from California testified they had “washed gold from their boards.”
The Wawecus Hill Gold, Silver, & Mining Company January 16, 1868 Company Report is shown below. It identifies 37 investors owning a total of 20,000 shares of stock. There were 7 investors who held more than 1000 shares. 1000 shares would equate to a value of approximately $783,000 in today’s dollars. The report lists the par value as $25 per share, and the market value is listed as “unknown.”
It is interesting to note that more than half of all the shares were owned by direct members of Reverend Jesse Fillmore.
Evaluation of Company Shareholders
Rev. Jesse Fillmore (5794 shares): President of company & Methodist Rev. who lived in Providence
Miss Hiel Fillmore (800 shares) Jesse’s younger sister.
Joseph B. Jennings (3553 shares) Jesse’s brother-in-law (married to Almira). A druggist who lived on Bean Hill (along with Reverend Hiel Fillmore (Jesse’s brother) and Reverend Comfort D. Fillmore (Jesse’s uncle)
Almira Jennings (800 shares) Jesse’s sister & Joseph B. Jennings’ wife.
William Hurst Wilson (120 shares): Jesse’s brother-in-law. Mary Ann Wilson’s older brother.
Thomas Wilson (10 shares): Jesse’s brother-in-law. Mary Ann Wilson’s younger brother
Reverend James Wilson (10 shares): Jesse’s father-in-law. Mary Ann Wilson’s father
Reuben Safford (1514 shares): He mined the property
George M. Roberts (1413 shares): A miner and stone cutter. He lived on Wawecus Hill for several years.
Catherine Roberts (150 shares): George’s wife
Amy Roberts (100 shares)
Mary E. Roberts (100 shares): George’s daughter, a seamstress
Edwin Rose (6 shares): He was the company secretary
Augustus Hyde (12 shares): Lafayette Foster’s brother-in-law
The 18xx newspaper announcement shown on the left states that five pounds of ore was assayed (i.e. mined) and yielded $1,300 per ton (1,000,000 in 2024 $).
The 1869 article shown in the middle-left states that “some rich ore was taken out this year.”
These two articles are the only known evidence that the Company actually produced gold, silver, or nickel.
The article shown on the bottom-left shows that the company was purchased by A.R. Bingham of Norwich. It is believed that he was Andrew R. Bingham, a Norwich-based grocer and blacksmith.
It is a verifiable fact that the brook that runs through the area still bears the name proudly, “Goldmine Brook.”
Acknowledgements
“History of Norwich, Connecticut: From Its Possession From the Indians, to the Year 1866”, page 624, by Frances Manwaring Caulkins
Connecticut Historical Society
Marshall County Republican, Vol. 14, Number 2, (11/18/1869), page 1, column 6
Norwich Weekly Courier, (12/19/1861)
The complete list of sources may be found by clicking the “Bibliography” button, and, then typing “Wawecus” in the SEARCH box.
Ghosts in Leffingwell House
The following is an excerpt from Info Source 1:
Built in 1675 in Norwich, Leffingwell House has a rich history in Connecticut. But there’s also been some spooky activity there, which is why The Atlantic Paranormal Society, or TAPS, was sent to investigate. “Leffingwell was Lieutenant Thomas Leffingwell and he acquired the home and turned it into a tavern,” explained tour guide Arthur Mueller.
During the Revolutionary War, George Washington was known to visit the tavern to conduct important business. “He ordered supplies here from the Leffingwell family who basically provided commissary services for the army,” Mueller explained.
But amongst this rich history, also lies some mysterious activity. “Several of the guides here other than myself have had doors close on them,” Mueller said. “Others have not been pushed but perhaps stumbled when they felt that they should have had sure footing.”
That’s where TAPS comes in. “TAPS is a very science-based organization,” explained lead investigator Traci Boiselle. The team uses devices to detect electromagnetic fields, read temperature, and record audio and video. “So we’re trying to document quantitative data that we can provide to clients and say here’s what we can prove,” Boiselle said.
TAPS’ investigations of Leffingwell House revealed some spooky findings. “We heard a lot of unexplained knocking in the house that seemed to be in response to our questioning and at our request at times,” Boiselle explained. “Footsteps were heard across the main floor and we heard those as well in the basement coming from above us. The door handle right here on the front door rattled on its own and moved.”
An investigator’s headphones mysteriously swayed as they rested on his laptop, and a group of people saw a dark figure dart in front of a tavern room window. “It actually made me step back because it was one of those things that it was so shocking that your brain is trying to figure out what’s going on,” Boiselle said.
After the investigation, audio was combed through for electronic voice phenomenon, EVP, believed to be spirits from beyond communicating. In one clip, you can hear investigators as they wrap up their research, and a voice respond, ‘Good.’” In another from the tavern room, a male voice can be heard grunting.
“So from our two investigations here at the Leffingwell House, definitely would say there’s some sort of paranormal activity,” Boiselle said. “I’m not sure who or why. Definitely audio evidence indicates the presence of at least one male or one female spirit in the home.”
Acknowledgements
“Tales of Ghosts at the Historic Leffingwell House in Norwich, Connecticut”, (10/31/2018), by Meghan Yost, WTNH
Legend of Micah Rood
Why does this apple have blood dripping down from its core?
The Micah Apple, (a.k.a. the Mike Apple“) was the fruit of a cursed apple tree in West Farms (today’s North Franklin, Connecticut). Many historians have documented the story tree’s origin and its fruit. At the heart of the legend is the story of an alleged murderer, Micah Rood, and his family ties.
Unfortunately the Micah apple tree is now extinct.
*Place cursor over image to magnify
In 1866 Frances Manwaring Caulkins wrote:
“Thomas, Micah, Samuel and George Rood are on the roll of inhabitants in 1702. Micah obtained some local notoriety on account of a peculiar variety of apple that he brought to market, which was called from him the Mike apple, and has since been more extensively propagated. It is an early species, has a fair outside, an excellent flavor, and each individual apple exhibits somewhere in the pulp a red speck, like a tinge of fresh blood. Several fanciful legends have been contrived to account for this peculiarity.” (Info Source 1)
“The Tradition of Micah Rood,” by P.H. Woodward, Esq. (1891)
“Micah Rood the youngest son of Thomas Rood, who was an early settler upon the east side of the Shetucket, removed in 1699 to West Farms, and located in Peck Hollow. Micah had upon his farm an apple tree which bore large, fair fruit, but always with a red globule, like a clot of blood, near the center of each apple. The apple, which has become a great favorite in this vicinity, and is called the Mike apple, from its originator, still retains this peculiarity and is the object of much curious inquiry.
The drop of blood invariably found in every apple is a standing wonder in childhood’s days, and the story of its origin handed down from father to son for over a hundred years, has at length grown to be a fixed tradition, and implicitly received.
As the story runs, a peddler entered town, vending such costly and luxurious wares as had never before been seen in the settlement. The simple Micah, dazzled by the display, invited the peddler to his house, and at an evil moment plunged a knife to his heart beneath this very tree, so that his life blood flowed down and mingled with its roots.
The next spring its blossoms changed from snowy white to red, and in August when the apples came tumbling down, large and yellow and juicy, horror of horrors, there hung in every one a drop of blood. There they lay before the terrified Micah, the evidences of his now never to be forgotten deed. With nature in springtime and autumn so strangely prompting the goading of his conscience, who shall wonder that the simple-hearted Micah should change into a morose and melancholy man, and lead an accursed life? Such was the fact.
Time went for naught but the memory of his crime, business was neglected, and soon from a prosperous farmer he became a pauper, dependent upon the charities of the community. In 1717 he was glad to increase his slender means by assuming charge of the meeting house, receiving therefore a peck of corn yearly from each family in the society.” (Info Source 2)
For generations readers have questioned how the blood-red color in the center of Micah’s apples came to be. Many believe the blood appeared due to the sins of his father. Micah’s mother, Sarah White Rood, bore nine children to Thomas Rood during the years of 1649-1666. Unfortunately at the age of 38 she passed away. Thus, her young children were left to be cared for by her husband and eldest daughter, also named Sarah. At the time of her mother’s death, Sarah was only 19 years old.
By the age of 22 Sarah became pregnant and a few months later bore a child, George Rood, in 1672. The locals were surprised at this event because Sarah lived at home with her father and tended to the family. She served the role of mother to her younger brothers and sisters.
After Sarah and her father Thomas admitted that George was the offspring of she and her father, Thomas was tried in court and condemned to death by hanging in New London, Connecticut. It was the first case of incest proved in New England. Sarah was stripped and whipped in both Hartford and Norwich.
Many believe that Micah’s apple tree was cursed due the sins of his father and older sister ……
p.s. – Yes, the image of the apple shown above is fake 
Acknowledgements
“History of Norwich, Connecticut: From Its Possession From the Indians, to the Year 1866,” page 239, by Frances Manwaring Caulkins
“Micah Rood, (b1653-d1728)” , FindAGrave.com
“The Mike Apple”, Aspen Daily Times, (11/09/1895)
“The Disturbing True Story Behind Franklin’s Cursed Apple Tree,” (09/19/2019), by Erik Ofgang, The Connecticut Magazine
“Micah Rood Apple”, by Bob Dees
The complete list of sources may be found by clicking the “Bibliography” button, and, then typing “Micah Rood” in the SEARCH box.