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Acknowledgements A book like this requires a prodigious amount of research. Among other things, it is the result of stories, reminiscences, and anecdotes as well as historical and genealogical material supplied by hundreds of people, who surrender these priceless treasures so that a small—but important—piece of history can be preserved. First, I would like to acknowledge the great debt that I owe to my parents, Bob and Mary Murphy for giving me life, a first-class education and a million incidentals along the way. A very special thanks goes to Bill and Rosalie Rishar who, through their great generosity, gave me the perfect place to write, with luxurious quiet and almost complete freedom from financial worries. Lastly, I must extend a heartfelt thanks to all of my family members, friends and neighbors in Wethersfield, who have read the rough drafts of my work through the years and offered important feedback. Included in this last category are: Sue Jensen, Liz Kirkpatrick, Lee Ann Forsdick, Carol and Art Bruce, Jack and Billye Logan, and Deal, Kris and Linde Aseltine. At the Metropolitan District Commission, I owe a great debt to the company’s CEO Charles P. Sheehan, the Chairman of the Board of Water Commissioners, Bill DiBella, and the firm’s former Director of Community Affairs, the late Matt Nozzolio; also due thanks are engineers and employees Stanley Johnson, Jim Randazzo, Bob Kerkes, Susan McLaughlin, Dick Allen, Leland “Bud” Sanders, Sal Gozzo, Frank Dellaripa, Alan King, Fred Barbieri, Daisy Chavez and Jennifer Ottalagana, all of whom contributed mightily to this book. Credit goes as well to some retired members of the MDC, who provided anecdotes and information that could only have come from those who were there “back when”—Gerry and Paulette d’Avignon, Paul McCarthy, Richard “Dick” Phillips, Arthur Sweeton III and Mrs. Anthony Fornabi. I am grateful for the patience of the staff at the Connecticut State Library, particularly Dick Roberts, Mel Smith, Carol Ganz, Carolyn Picciano, Jeannie Sherman, Bonnie Linck, Steve Rice, Kristi Finnan and Kevin Johnson. Further historical and genealogical contributions were made by the able staff of the Connecticut Historical Society with generous help from Judith Ellen Johnson, Nancy Finlay, Ava Bolkovac, Martha Smart and Rich Malley. At the Hartford Public Library, I am indebted to Bob Chapman and, also, Janice Mathews, administrator of the Hartford Collection. Deep within the bowels of the Watkinson Library at Trinity College, warm regards go to Peter Knapp, head archivist. vi At the Hartford Town Clerk’s Office, I would like to recognize the aid of Winston Smith with old land deeds and at the city’s Building Department, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Joseph Hewes. For the delicate information regarding the final disposition of Caleb and Elizabeth Saville, a note of thanks is extended to D’Esopo’s Funeral Home of Wethersfield and Joan Kaufman and Janet Heywood of Mt. Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The information about EPA regulations was generously given to me by Bill Warzecha and Bob Hurst of the Connecticut State Department of Environmental Protection. In Barkhamsted, I was aided greatly by Town Clerk Maria Mullady as well as Harriet Winchenbaugh, Sharon Neumann-Lynes and Charles Lynes of the Barkhamsted Historical Society. For background information, generous contributions were made by the following former and present residents— Laura LeGeyt Merrill, Bertha LeGeyt Warner, Walt Landgraf, Ken Church, Nancy Winn, Robert Hart, David Gidman and Herbert Case. In Hartland, immeasurable assistance was rendered by Town Clerk Betty Hillbrect, and by Marge Nurge and Karen McNulty of the Hartland Historical Society. This book was completed only with the assistance of the following present and former residents—Evelyn Peterson, Barb Wright, Marianne “Magi” Holtham, Joan Stoltze, Joan Schramm, Virginia Lewis, Pauline Emerick Skaret, Paul Crunden and Doug Roberts. In Colebrook, I was aided by the kindly attentions of Town Clerk Joyce Nelson and Robert Grigg of the Colebrook Historical Society. Among the present and former residents who helped assemble the story in Colebrook were—Mildred Church, Floyd Jesperson, Katherine Doty, Eugene Carrozza, Lillian Hamilton, Agnes Harrington, Mary Gray and Juanita Dustin. A special note of gratitude is extended to another writer, Claire Vreeland, for her help. Staffers of other historical societies around the state lent a hand as well, including Jim Bennett and Doris Armstead of the Glastonbury Historical Society and Marjorie McNulty, Town Historian of Glastonbury. For birth certificates and more genealogical information, I am grateful to Cynthia Cole of the South Glastonbury...

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