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In
March, 1768,
the 12 mile stake is mentioned, but by this time the stake had
disappeared and a living apple tree stood where the 12 mile
stake had
stood. The apple tree died and a pile of stones replaced it. In
June,
1905, the D.A.R. Chapters of Derby, Naugatuck, Seymour and
Ansonia
gathered at 12 mile stake and dedicated a boundary stone.
Miss Sarah Prichard in her chapter on English
place
names in the Waterbury history says, "The restoration of the
name of
this ancient hill, and the replacing in enduring and suitably
inscribed
stone, of the 12 mile stake, is an honor which Naugatuck might
well
have conferred upon herself, if indeed the ancient towns of
Derby and
Waterbury neglected their opportunity of an anniversary meeting
on the
same hill for the same purpose."
The D.A.R. Societies must have heard of Miss
Prichard's remark, and as one of their interests is the marking
of
important historical spots, decided to replace the marker with a
permanent stone. On June 14, 1905, 200 members of the chapters,
including, I believe, some members of the Waterbury Historical
Society,
arrived by carryall and carriage, on steep Andrews Mountain, to
dedicate a stone marking the ancient division line. The day was
a
perfect one and they could look across the country to Waterbury
on the
north and Naugatuck toward the east and Long Island Sound on the
south.
Andrew's Mountain is said to be 25 or 30 feet higher than any of
the
hills for miles around.
The ladies enjoyed a lunch at the Andrews
summer
home and held their meeting on the porch.
Mrs. Maria Pinney, of the Derby chapter, gave
the
historical facts concerning the old town of Paugassett. Rev.
Joseph
Anderson gave the address of dedication, and closed his talk
with this
thought -- "and so a wood stake decays, a tree dies, and a heap
of
stones becomes scattered, a rock with this inscription may
become an
enigma, but as long as the human heart throbs responsive to a
story,
that stone will live and will convey its gentle lesson to the
generation of men."
The boulder is about 40 feet from the Andrews
home.
It is about 4 feet long, 2 feet wide and stands about 2 feet
above the
ground.
On top, the ancient boundary line divides the
rock
into two parts. On the south side in the word "Paugassett" and
on the
north side, "Mattatuck", Ancient Boundary, 1680, On the front of
the
boulder is inscribed, "Marked by the Daughters of the American
Revolution of Derby, Waterbury, Seymour, Ansonia, 1905,"
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The stone referred to in the speech still
stands, and was placed by the cooperation of Robert W. Hill, who
supervised its placement with seven men, six horses, and a full
equipment of ropes and tackle.
