THE TOWN GETS A NEW NAME
rocks by the New York Mining Company. The ore raised is chiefly yellow copper pyrites, associated with variegated copper, and faint arborization of native copper. Copper pyrites are found in similar circumstances near the three-mile gate, on the Milford Turnpike. Asbestos is abundant in the serpentine rocks which abound in the southern section of the Township."
In the early days of the town, there were at least a dozen or more Negro slaves, who were treated more as members of the family. Some of them were given their freedom upon the death of their master; otherwise they were handed down to the children of the family. If they had not been freed before, they all obtained their freedom in 1848, when the state legislature passed a bill abolishing slavery in the State of Connecticut. The deeds of sale, which read like the sale of real estate, are interesting souvenirs kept by some of the citizens. The sale price varies from ''fifty pounds, lawful money'' to one who was sold for ''twenty barrels of merchantable pork."
Joseph Treat owned two slaves, whom he inherited from his father. One of these was always called "Clock Tom'' because every day at noon he blew a conch shell from the roof of the house, giving the time to that part of town. This was regulated by his master's brass clock, which was at that time the only one in North Milford. So, in a way, he was the forerunner of the radio announcer.
Samuel Prudden, a direct descendent [i.e., descendant] of Rev. Peter Prudden, also owned a slave. He lived at the place now owned by Everett B. Clark, II. The story is told that once Mrs. Prudden was ill, so she sent her servant to a neighbor's to borrow some metheglin, or mead, which was a drink made of honey and water, fermented by yeast, a very popular Colonial beverage. When the girl returned, there was a very small quantity in the bottle, so her mistress accused her of drinking it. Whether the girl was guilty is not told; however, she was so indignant at being blamed that she went out and set fire to the house, which was totally destroyed. Mr. Prudden rebuilt on the same foundation,
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