Retracing our steps to the Enos Chatfield corner and following the road toward the center, we pass through a very picturesque region, interspersed with meadow, orchard and forest, until we come to the foot of the hill, to a place known to the older people as the Thomas place. This house was built by George Thomas many years ago, long before my memory.
After his death it was owned and occupied by John Braton who married the widow who was Mary Sackett of Bethany. Two children were born to them, Emma and Sarah. After his death Edwin W. Stuart came into the field and married the widow. Mr. Stuart was a blacksmith and conducted the business in a portion of the old hat shop, just north of the corner. At the commencement of the Civil War he enlisted in Company B, 20th Conn. Vol. and served during the war, after which he returned to Oxford and continued in the blacksmith business for many years until his death.
He was as musician and played the violin to perfection. His services were in great demand during the fall and winter festivities in Oxford and in the surrounding towns. As a blacksmith he was one of the best in the Naugatuck valley. Many of the farmers would travel a long distance to get their work done by him. His untimely death was caused by falling down the stairs leading to the town hall at Oxford Center.

Retracing our steps to the Enos Chatfield corner and following the road toward the center, we pass through a very picturesque region, interspersed with meadow, orchard and forest, until we come to the foot of the hill, to a place known to the older people as the Thomas place. This house was built by George Thomas many years ago, long before my memory.
After his death it was owned and occupied by John Braton who married the widow who was Mary Sackett of Bethany. Two children were born to them, Emma and Sarah. After his death Edwin W. Stuart came into the field and married the widow. Mr. Stuart was a blacksmith and conducted the business in a portion of the old hat shop, just north of the corner. At the commencement of the Civil War he enlisted in Company B, 20th Conn. Vol. and served during the war, after which he returned to Oxford and continued in the blacksmith business for many years until his death.
He was as musician and played the violin to perfection. His services were in great demand during the fall and winter festivities in Oxford and in the surrounding towns. As a blacksmith he was one of the best in the Naugatuck valley. Many of the farmers would travel a long distance to get their work done by him. His untimely death was caused by falling down the stairs leading to the town hall at Oxford Center.

Retracing our steps to the Enos Chatfield corner and following the road toward the center, we pass through a very picturesque region, interspersed with meadow, orchard and forest, until we come to the foot of the hill, to a place known to the older people as the Thomas place. This house was built by George Thomas many years ago, long before my memory.
After his death it was owned and occupied by John Braton who married the widow who was Mary Sackett of Bethany. Two children were born to them, Emma and Sarah. After his death Edwin W. Stuart came into the field and married the widow. Mr. Stuart was a blacksmith and conducted the business in a portion of the old hat shop, just north of the corner. At the commencement of the Civil War he enlisted in Company B, 20th Conn. Vol. and served during the war, after which he returned to Oxford and continued in the blacksmith business for many years until his death.
He was as musician and played the violin to perfection. His services were in great demand during the fall and winter festivities in Oxford and in the surrounding towns. As a blacksmith he was one of the best in the Naugatuck valley. Many of the farmers would travel a long distance to get their work done by him. His untimely death was caused by falling down the stairs leading to the town hall at Oxford Center.

Emma Jane Brighton, Mar. 23, 1855: sponsors Mr. & Mrs. C. M. Hatch, Delia Fairchild.