THE HEAD OF THE POND

Within the past year a great deal of interest has been generated regarding property north of the Falls River in Centerbook/Ivoryton, both from conservation and commercial viewpoints. Over twenty acres has been set aside recently for "open space", while a near-by parcel is being proposed for multi-family dwellings. It might be well to consider this land from an historical viewpoint and see what what has happened here since 1700.

Dams were built at the greatest drop on the Falls River in the late 17th and early 18th centuries to power a gristmill, sawmill, iron works and trip hammer shop. While the initial proprietors and dam builders here (where Centerbrook Architects is located today) were a consortium of prominent community figures, including Ensign John Pratt, his brother Nathaniel Pratt, Lieutenant John Clarke, Deacon William Parker, Nathaniel Chapman and Samuel Hough there was no "Bloomer" (iron worker) included. Consequently, Charles Williams was brought in from Rhode Island to act in this capacity. This started a chain of entrepreneurial activities by Charles and his heirs that would have enormous repercussions on our town, not only in an economic manner, but socially, technologically and spiritually as well.

Charles Williams gained control of most of the land surrounding the new pond formed by these dams. The well known "island" north of the Swedish Lutheran Church in Centerbrook was formed by this process as well as the large pond that borders the Falls River Farms sub-division and Main Street. The entire area north, south and west of the "island" was "The Head of the Pond". This property passed through four generations of the Williams family, ending with its distribution in 1803 to Samuel, Benjamin Jr., and Richard, the three sons of Benjamin Williams. At this time it consisted of 254 acres. (SPR 4/135). Benjamin Williams had moved the "ironworks" to the first dam on the Falls River (near Heritage Cove Condominiums) in 1767 and had done all the iron work for the "Oliver Cromwell" there, while still maintaining ownership of all this property in Center Brook/West Center Brook. He lived in Center Brook, was a leader of the Center Brook Congregational Church, representative to the State Legislature, as well as running his forge and being a Sea Captain.

This land was subsequently subdivided to Freeman/Ebenezer Snow, Daniel Griswold, Benjamin Spencer, and the Bull family among others. This led to economic growth at "The Head of The Pond" as the Bull dam was built, and a gristmill, fulling mill and cider mill operated from it. This was located just east of where the Ivoryton Congregational Church stands today and was the place where Samuel Merritt Comstock initiated his ivory factories, and essentially founded Ivoryton. The land east and north of this dam (which stands today after being rebuilt) was not effectively developed until after May, 1955, when it was purchased by the Mitchel family (ELR 36/580). For the first 300 years of the history of our town, this land north of the Falls River had remained dormant. Actually, a careful reading of deeds reveals that the people owning property here, such as the Williams family, considered that they owned the Falls River as well as the pond. Indeed, Benjamin Spencer (a later owner) transferred 25 acres and a dwelling house here to Rebecca Spencer in 1862 (ELR 1/545), which included land from the North Killingworth Turnpike (Main Street in Centerbrook) north to the land of Dan Griswold. While this may seem confusing to the reader and inconsequential at first, consider that this house is immediately to the west of the Swedish Lutheran Church and borders directly on the Falls River. Benjamin owned the land north of this stream, therefore presumed he owned this section of the stream/pond also. By 1899, the estate of Rebecca Spencer, transferred this land to a local developer, Chauncy Spencer (he built the row of homes immediately west of Behrens & Bushnell garage) and it consisted of only 20 acres. The water section (of the stream) was not considered private property anymore.

The transfers in the late 18th and early 19th centuries of this land to the Williams heirs and finally out of the Williams family always emphasized one factor: the right to raise the level of the water at the dam (there was only one now) and flood certain parcels at the "Head of The Pond". This of course, reflected the need for more water (and more power) depending upon demand and the time of the year. While it may seem of little consequence today, it was of great significance until the widespread use of steam power and finally electricity.

In summary, any person who remembers the great flood of 1982, knows the power and/or potential power of water. The dam at Centerbrook Architects was partially destroyed, leaving only a stream running from the "Head of the Pond". The "Pond" was gone! Centerbrook Architects did a wonderful job rebuilding the structure, recreating an atmosphere that had existed since 1700. The ultimate and haunting question remains: was this flood a "500 year" event as claimed?