He wrote a history book on the life of General Israel Putnam, although his main claim to fame rested with his poetry. He was considered one of the "Connecticut Wits." This group included Joel Barlow, Timothy Dwight, John Trumbull and Lemuel Hopkins. Their writings influenced acceptance of the Federal Constitution in Connecticut.
    Humphreys was a member of the Society of the Cincinnati, an organization of officers from the American Revolution. This society was forced to dissolve due to opposition which regarded it as "originating in motives of ambition and intended to imitate the privileged orders of Europe." Humphreys pleaded that the purpose of the organization was charitable - to support widows and orphans of officers who were in need and to aid officers who were unable to make a successful adjustment to civilian life.
    At a visit to the village of Humphreysville in 1818, Humphreys suffered his first serious illness - diagnosed as an attack of dropsy of the heart. He died on February 21st. His funeral was held in New Haven with burial in the Grove Street Cemetery.

Chapter 8

THE MERINO SHEEP AND VALLEY INDUSTRY

    David Humphreys is popularly credited with being the first to import Merino sheep into this country. While that is apparently not precisely correct, he was the first successful importer of that breed. His mills at Humphreysville (later Seymour) became famous for the excellence of its work, and his factories were cited as models for the concern which Humphreys exhibited for his employees.
    Merino sheep are raised for their wool. Each fleece weigh between 15 to 20 pounds. This fleece can measure up to six inches long across the back and side of the sheep. The importation