Donations

The Old Saybrook Historical Society is an all-volunteer, tax deductible 501 C (3) organization.  It is totally dependent on the generous donations of its supporters who are devoted to the preservation of its campus and the rich history of Old Saybrook.  This donation works harder than any other tax-deductible dollar in town.

Ways to make a tax-deductible donation:

VIA CHECK: Make checks payable to the Old Saybrook Historical Society and mail to Box 4, Old Saybrook, CT 16475

ONLINE: For online donations select from the following options below.

For other donation amounts via checks: Make checks payable to the Old Saybrook Historical Society and mail to Box 4, Old Saybrook, CT 06475

We are grateful for the 2019 legacy gift to the Society from the estate of William E. Phillips, devoted member and benefactor.

The Old Saybrook Historical Society is the caretaker of the documentation of one of America’s earliest settlements, dating from 1635. The Saybrook Colony Legacy Guild has been created to provide long-term support for the research, preservation and maintenance of the heritage of Old Saybrook.

Why become a member of the Saybrook Colony Legacy Guild?

Two brothers, Coleman and Steven Bushnell, descendants of Saybrook’s famous 17th century Bushnell family, recently donated their father’s military memorabilia to the Historical Society. Edward C. Bushnell Jr. (1925-2018, 93 yrs.) was a lifelong resident of Old Saybrook, and Chief of the Old Saybrook Fire Department in the early 1970s. He was a decorated WWII and Korean War bomber pilot, flying a combined 88 combat missions in both the Pacific Theater and Korea.

The memorabilia includes photographs, numerous service records as well as a graduation program from Old Saybrook High School. Edward left high school in 1943 to enlist in the US Army Air Corp.

A sampler created by 11 year old  Mary Jane Chalker was acquired with the assistance of the Huber family and funds from a direct descendent of Robert Chapman, one of the first settlers of Saybrook.  Miss Chalker was born in the Westbrook section of Saybrook in 1814 and died at the age of 94.  She was the 6^th generation of the founder Alexander Chalker.  Her parents were Stephen Chalker, the 4^th by that name, and Silence Breed.

A collection of wooden decoys made by Old Saybrook artisan Bob Harris has been donated by his daughter, Tammy Eustis.  Bob Harris started carving decoys at age 12.  He became an award winning decoy carver and his decoys are now prized by collectors.  The collection includes a Canada Goose, a pair of buffleheads, a sandpiper and blue-winged teal, among others.  They are on display in both the Hart House and Archives building.

Letters and legal documents were purchased from the estate of Edward Mortimer Chapman (1882-1952) and recently donated to the Historical Society. Funds were provided by a direct descendent of Robert Chapman, one of the first settlers of Saybrook. E.M. Chapman was an 1890 graduate of Yale and pastor of the old Lyme Church from 1906-1915. The letters are in excellent condition and deal with the Saybrook College at Yale and local land sales and legal proceedings in the late 1700s.

The letters and documents mention many notable Saybrook families including Chapman, Bushnell, Pratt, Lynde, Kirtland, Ely, Samuel, Shipman and Griswold. Many were signed by John Tully, Saybrook Justice of the Peace in 1793.

Local artist Tom Torrenti recently donated two original oil paintings to the Historical Society.  The one titled “Gardens” depicts the Hart House Heritage Gardens and the other titled “Prodigy” depicts a waterside location on the river.

Tom is also an instructor and an elected member of the Lyme Art Association. He has been exhibiting there since 1969.  He occasionally conducts plein air classes in the Hart House Heritage Gardens as well as other locales around Old Saybrook. The “Gardens” oil painting was part of a class study with Lyme Art Association students.  The “Prodigy” scene shows the five-year-old son of one of the painters doing a quick sketch of the river, looking north from Saybrook Point Park.

A replica by Theodore Alexander of a Louis XVI mahogany and brass mounted cylinder writing desk, the pierced brass galleried top above three drawers and the solid cylinder, the frieze with a kneehole flanked by two frieze drawers with dog’s head handles, on turned and fluted tapering legs with brass cappings.  The original circa 1786.

The design based on a desk by Saunier’s and suppled to Althorp by Daguerre of Paris through Henry Holland.

Original in Princess of Wales bedroom.

Donated by a direct descendent of Robert Chapman.

Amelia Hart Sheffield’s 3-drawer Mahogany writing desk was purchased through the generosity of a direct descendant of Robert Chapman.  It is inscribed “Amelia Hart Sheffield, May 28 1824 Saybrook, Conn” (year she was married) and has all the original hardware.  One of the drawers has a writing surface.  The Society also has her portrait and father’s writing desk.

From Georgia to Saybrook – Fourteen Hours and 200 Documents

It is surprising how far Saybrook documents and other materials travel over time and heartening how some eventually make their way home again.  And, the journey often begins with a phone call or email which is how the most recent example began.

Several months ago Historical Society president Marie McFarlin received an email from a women in Georgia asking if we would be interested in Saybrook documents.  Assuring the writer that we would, Ms. McFarlin asked for more information and, with the exchange of several emails over a period of several weeks, was informed that the writer possessed a large number of early 19th century documents.

It turns out that the writer and her husband were renovating the Mercer Spencer house in Woodstock, Georgia.  In the process of renovating the structure they were throwing out trash.  While in the attic above the garage, Carmen Kruger found some old newspapers, a 15’ x 7’ 45 star U.S. flag and an old small trunk.

Opening the trunk she was surprised to find dozens of old letters, deeds, wills, and photos which, along with the flag, were taken home.  They had no idea how they got there but were thankful that they did not just throw them out.

For the next several weeks Carmen and her husband Elliot struggled to read the old script and research the people who originally wrote or received the documents.

They saw that the material came from Saybrook and decided that they should be returned.  Responding to the request for more information, they prepared a list of more than 200 documents.  They also indicated that they would like to sell the entire collection to the Historical Society.

Unable to put a price on the collection and hesitant about sending it through the mail, the Krugers’ made arrangements to bring the documents to Old Saybrook.  They arrived after a 14-hour train ride from Georgia and the following day brought the items to the Archives.

President Marie McFarlin, vice president Wayne Harms and members Tedd Levy reviewed the material and decided it would enrich our knowledge of Saybrook history and be a worthy addition to the Archives.  The entire collection of 200+ items was purchased through the generosity of a member who wishes to remain anonymous.

A sampling of documents recently obtained by the Historical Society:

• In January 1842, George Pratt wrote to President John Tyler urging the reappointment of William Willard as surveyor and inspectors of the port of Saybrook.  Another term of four years, he wrote, “would be a convenience in the down hill road of life – especially with several young children.”
• Another letter supported the appointment of Catherine Whittlesey as keeper of the Lynde Point Light House, who would be a ”most efficient and faithful Light House keeper.”  She eventually got the job and was one of the early female light house keepers.
• A small scrap of paper, dated April 1852, outlines an agreement with William Wood to instruct Samuel Pratt “in learning the piano forte for three years…at $50 per annum,” a rather significant amount in the 1850s.
• Several years later in 1866, Gilbert Pratt wrote a letter to his son Samuel saying “I am pleased to see you have ambition enough to try to do something, and be something.  It gratifies me very much.”
• He told young Samuel to  “Improve all your leisure time in reading & figures & writing – read good, sensible books & papers … avoid all bad company.  I think this is a good opportunity to begin business, and as you progress I will help you along….
• “Have no confidants.  If you wish to say anything about your own affairs or your business, say it to me only, and if you require anything for your own need, ask me for it.  Write home once a week.  Take care of all your clothes, and don’t spend your money for needless things….”
• In an inventory associated with his will, William Hart leaves funds to the “Presbyterian Gospel” and “also gives to my said wife the services of Henrietta…eldest daughter of Rose, nine years old last March, until she become lawfully free, say to the age of twenty-one.”
• In a document dated September 23, 1846  the commissioners of the ferry write to Capt. Jedidiah Tyron, Jr. complaining about “the conditions and bad management of said Ferry, they have examined and inquired into the facts of the case, and do find just and reasonable cause of complaint.
• Told to immediately produce larger & more convenient scow during the repairing of the present Horse Boat…. And the horses used are “wholly and entirely unfit for the business…Capt. Must procure two good and suitable horses for the business of said Ferry….and to have repairs & horse ‘for the accommodation of the public within two days from the date hereof.”

Our Purchase of Sheffield Portraits From the First Church of Christ –  Donation given by a direct descendant of Robert Chapman, one of the first settlers of Saybrook Colony.

Amos Sheffield (1789-1868, 79 yrs.) and Amelia Hart Hotchkiss Sheffield (1793-1869, 76 yrs.)  Amos was a prominent Old Saybrook merchant who at one time operated a store on Main Street with Elisha Hart, Gen. William Hart’s youngest brother. Amelia was the daughter of Gen. Hart’s youngest sister.

Presented to the Society from the Scoville Family Charitable Fund a Grant of $70,000 for the kitchen and half bath remodel/repair in the General William Hart House.  This charitable fund is devoted to organizations who contribute to the quality of life in Old Saybrook.  The Scoville family has strong ties to the town.  We are very grateful for this generous contribution.

Donated by Elaine Yang – 2019 Senior Project at Old Saybrook High School.
It is a tribute to Bonnie Penders, a Society Volunteer Gardener and mentor to Elaine and to the commitment of the Society to its public gardens.

The original painting by Rufus Grider is in a “hidden collection” at the New York Historical Society in New York City.  The only copy was donated to the Society by Pamela Vittorio who purchased the rights to reproduce the image from the New York Historical Society.

The Oliver Graham 1777 powder horn is in our collection in the Hart House Winthrop Room annex

— Pamela Vittorio is an associate professor at the New School, historian, linguist, professional genealogist and direct descendant of Oliver Graham.  

The Society is grateful to the following members for the $15,000 donations to complete the matching funds to apply for a 1772 Foundation Grant to restore all 32 windows in the Hart House:

Window Matching Grant enabled the Society to receive a $12,000 matching grant for Hart House window restoration from the 1772 Foundation working the Ct. Trust for Historic Preservation.  David and Marie McFarlin, Arlene and Steve Sakatos, Tedd and Carol Levy, Wayne and Barbara Harms, Sallie and Robert Boody, Sally and Sal D’Aquila, Ken and Aurelie Lewis, a Direct Descendant of Robert Chapman (who wishes to remain anonymous), Marge Anderson Legacy Funds, William E. Phillips and Barbara Smith, Linda Kinsella in memory of her husband George “Pete” Kinsella, friends and family of deceased member and volunteer Drinagh Garafulo.

New shed courtesy of William Childress and a direct descendant of Robert Chapman

Marek Sarba, the artist and Old Saybrook resident who painted the portrait of General William Hart (below) , also has painted a beautiful portrait of General Hart’s younger brother, Elisha, that he has also donated to the Old Saybrook Historical Society.  The beautiful portrait is hung over the fireplace in the dining room of the Hart House.  Elisha was the father of the seven daughters renowned for their “beauty” and energy.  Elisha and his family lived next door to his parents, Reverend and Mrs. William Hart, near the properties now occupied by the St. John’s Catholic Church and Rectory on Main Street.

This portrait was received directly from Ms. Hepburn in 2002, a year before she died, as a personal gift to the Society.  It is 46 inches by 28 inches, oil on canvas.  It hung in her New York City apartment and was a favorite of hers.  She originally planned to give the portrait to the Smithsonian and then the Connecticut Historical Society, but was not satisfied with their plans to display it.  Instead, she decided it should live in Old Saybrook at the Historical Society.

Ms. Hepburn is shown at the artist’s home on Vancouver Island, sitting on concrete steps leading down to the water.  She sits next to a script, dressed in her familiar, casual attire.

Marek Sarba, an artist and resident of Old Saybrook, at our annual meeting, presented a portrait of General William Hart that he painted for the Society. It was after his first visit to the Hart House this summer that he decided to research and use his talents to do this and gift to our organization. He traveled to the Wadsworth Atheneum to view the small locket that shows the only known likeness of William. His gift is a wonderful work of art. As he spoke to the members, he stressed the importance of history and his admiration for the work of the Society and all its volunteers. Marek’s paintings are on display at Mystic Seaport’s Maritime Gallery, the Historical Society of Maryland, Mariner’s Museum in Newport News, VA, Merchant Marine Museum in Kings Point New, NY, Great Lakes Historical Society, etc. We are thrilled with this special gift.