1. Lt. William King (1695-1774), whose house still stands on North Street, was a weaver, farmer, military and town leader and a representative of the General Assembly. According to Alexander King, he was sarcastic and entertaining and a fount of medical knowledge which he shared with Alexander. At his death William bequeathed ten dollars to Ebenezer Gay, the minister of the First Congregational Church. What was the intent of his bequest?
a. It was to augment the salary of the minister.
b. It was used to provide the minister with a slave.
c. It was used to furnish the communion table and purchase four silver communion cups.
2. Until the mid-18th century, skilled workers were known as
a. Artisans
b. Master craftsmen
c. Mechanics
3. From 1910 to 1940, Hartford experienced a large increase in black population. What was the percent increase?
a. 35.5%
b. 17.2%
c. 23.6%
4. At Suffield’s first town meeting held on March 9, 1682, property owners chose town positions but no town treasurer. Why?
a. John Pynchon, the founder of the town, was the treasurer.
b. Town taxes were paid with grain.
c. During the early years of the town, no tax was collected.
5. When colonists first arrived in Connecticut, they named three settlements Newtowne, Watertowne and Dorchester, but the town names quickly changed. What were the names changed to?
a. Newtowne became Hartford; Watertowne became Wethersfield; Dorchester became Windsor.
b. Newtowne became Wethersfield; Watertowne became Windsor; Dorchester became Hartford.
c. Newtowne became Windsor; Watertowne became Hartford; Dorchester became Wethersfield.
6. David L. Coffin was the Chairman of the Board and CEO of what company which was located in Windsor Locks.
a. The Dexter Corporation
b. J.R. Montgomery Company
c. Ahlstrom
7. In 1962, the fiscal year for the Town of Suffield changed. What was it before 1962?
a. July 1-June 30
b. January 1-December 30
c. October 1-September 30
8. Dr. Amos King, born in 1715, was a doctor in Suffield. He was the seventh son of James King II. Why did he become a doctor?
a. Because of a belief that the seventh son possessed healing powers.
b. He was a wrestling champion who wanted to heal injuries which occurred in the sport.
c. He was unsuited for farming.
9. According to Richard Phelps in his book Newgate of Connecticut, the prison was more comfortable than local jail cells. Choose which answers are correct.
a. Lice did not survive in the cool temperatures of the prison.
b. In the winter, the temperature in the prison was warmer than the summer temperature in the prison.
c. If a prisoner’s daily task was done, he was able to work for himself.
10. In 1897, a fire company was formed in the center of Suffield. Despite having a hook and ladder and leather fire hoses, fire buckets and chains of people were still necessary to put out fires. In 1906, the Village gave two dollars to compensate firefighters for their reasonable promptness to a fire. Five dollars were given to the first person to show up at a fire with a horse. The late Fire Chief Raymond Potter told of this controversy in the company’s early years.
a. Over a period of years, a man stole the leather hose to make shoes to sell.
b. Firefighters began to fight each other at the fire to settle who had arrived first to get the five dollars.
c. A bank president repeatedly won the five dollars incentive.
Answers
1. c. It was used to furnish the communion table and purchase four silver communion cups which are still owned by the church.
2. All three answers are correct.
3. c. 23.6%. Blacks were drawn to Connecticut because of the shade tobacco industry.
4. b. Town taxes were paid with grain.
5. a. Newtowne became Hartford; Watertowne became Wethersfield; Dorchester became Windsor.
6. a. The Dexter Corporation. Started in 1767 as a saw and gristmill business, it then manufactured specialty papers, including teabags. The Windsor Locks Canal was built to provide transportation for the company. David L. Coffin was the seventh and last generation of the family to work in the company.
7. c. October 1-September 30. From 1962 to the present day, the fiscal year is July 1-June 30.
8. a. Because of a belief in English folklore dating back to the 16th century that seventh sons (and daughters) possessed healing powers. Amos King was also a wrestling champion. He suffered a back injury after being thrown during a match. The injury led to his death two years later when he was just 30 years old.
9. All answers are correct.
10. c. A bank president repeatedly won the five dollar incentive. The fire company was near the bank. When the alarm sounded, the president tied his horse to the ladder truck and drove to the fire. z