Comments on The Distracted Wanderer: Enchanting Essex

Interesting! We must be related in some fashion. ...

2016-05-26T11:12:04.241-04:00

Interesting! We must be related in some fashion. Uriah Hayden is my great-grandfather (6x removed) Great article! My cousin is going to Essex in a few weeks to research for more info and to visit the properties etc. Small World! Wendy Hayden Madisonville, LA

What a great article! Just found out today from Ge...

2016-04-20T22:19:45.634-04:00

What a great article! Just found out today from Gerald Hayden Sr. that I am a direct descendant also. This is fascinating! Wendy Hayden Tierney
East Hampton, CT

As a youg boy ,I learned of Essex and the Dauntess...

2012-06-17T15:55:32.551-04:00

As a youg boy ,I learned of Essex and the Dauntess club wich was the Old Ship's Tavern and Hayden's House.till now, I had little knowledge of the history here.

My mom and dad had both worked full time and sometimes (dad)had 2 jobs to support our medium sized family of 6 in Bridgeport,Ct.In the summer when school was out I stayed at the club a short time with my grandmother's sister Vita Jensen as she (Vita) was "in charge" of the grounds.

I have some fond memories of Vita and the club house and grounds.Recently, I was invited to a party at a near-by Yaht club and as chance would have it, nearly 100 feet to the my left while viewing the river I instantly recognized the Dauntless property, so excited I walked over to it with my wife of 33 years and shared some wonderful boyhood stories with her about the time I had stayed there.

Shy as I am, I only was able to get within a few feet of the home not knowing the present situation there. I had not kept up with the history of the Dauntless and have not been in Essex nearly 50 years except for a "fun" train ride some years back.I only remembered it(Dauntless) was in a small town called Essex far away from Bridgeport.My wife took some pictures of me on the property as we were to take some pictures at the party a few yards away.Soon sadness crept over me as I thought of my great aunt and the joy I had there with her.

I'm not sure if this is borring to you, and probably is, but I feel a kind of closure in a sense (by writing this letter).My Grand aunt moved back to Denmark many years ago and had since passed on .With our ever-so-busy lives ,I never said good bye to her,thus never returning to the "Tavern".This experience I had this weekend was wonderful and rewarding personally to me.Thanks for listening.

Jens Mandanici

Enjoyed reading your web site. Well done! I am a...

2012-01-02T09:40:16.462-05:00

Enjoyed reading your web site. Well done! I am a direct descendant of the Hayden Family of Essex, Connecticut and also a Geneologist. Uriah Hayden was my 5th Great Grand Uncle.

Gerald W. Hayden, Sr.
South Windsor, Connecticut

I really enjoyed that tour. Quite thorough for a ...

2011-06-26T17:37:21.923-04:00

I really enjoyed that tour. Quite thorough for a little day trip that wasn't planned.

Beautiful photos of a mighty interesting, very his...

2011-06-23T13:48:30.702-04:00

Beautiful photos of a mighty interesting, very historical place. Glad the town name was changed...

Such a beautiful little town that has lost none of...

2011-06-23T12:33:33.850-04:00

Such a beautiful little town that has lost none of its charm, my type of place:-) You know how much I love learning the history behind everything so I thoroughly enjoyed this post. The architecture of these houses and buildings are simply stunning. When you go to Niagara on the Lake, you'll love it there because so many of the homes there were built in the 1800's and have that same style.

Speaking of which, did your daughter get her passport yet? Will get in touch with you by email:-) xoxo

"I know absolutely nothing about the town'...

2011-06-23T06:50:13.875-04:00

"I know absolutely nothing about the town's Post Office other than it looks really nice!" cracked me up!

I miss New England architecture and charm. There is very little charm to be found here in the south. Some but not much. Certainly not much that has been built in my lifetime has any character and none of it has been built to last. The travel journalist historians of the future will not have much to write about this generation's architecture! Cookie Cutter Cheap is the style they are building now.

Funny that you mention that book, Jamie, as I actu...

2011-06-22T23:41:12.100-04:00

Funny that you mention that book, Jamie, as I actually did use it as part of my research for this post. One of the things I find highly interesting is the fact that when you look at pictures from that long ago, the foliage of the area is completely different. When you go to Essex now there are lots and lots of big beautiful trees but in pictures from the past - not so much! The real advantage to taking pictures back then though would have to be the lack of electrical wires! Those darned things are becoming one of my biggest headaches as a photographer!

In regards to Emerson's house, I've driven by the place several times but have yet to stop in. I shall have to see if I can remedy that and get back to Concord then let you know when a post will be forthcoming. I did do a post with his grave-site but I suppose that doesn't count??

You might enjoy the black and white photographs fr...

2011-06-22T23:21:37.015-04:00

You might enjoy the black and white photographs from Around Essex as it shows many of the same locations

Love this last tour of beautiful architecture. As...

2011-06-22T23:09:17.387-04:00

Love this last tour of beautiful architecture. As it happens I was rereading my Emerson and that gave me a reason to look through the "Let's Go Someplace" tab. You haven't done the Emerson home. Let me know when you do and I'll do a bio on Mr. Emerson on my blog to match.

Thanks Linda for your visit!! What a wonderfully ...

2011-06-22T23:00:46.185-04:00

Thanks Linda for your visit!! What a wonderfully written and well researched article....can't wait to see what you have to say about the World famous Griswold Inn!!

I love the last home, the Uriah Hayden one. Looks ...

2011-06-22T22:22:00.544-04:00

I love the last home, the Uriah Hayden one. Looks so cozy and inviting. Now, I love how the architect incorporated the pilaster columns in the front of Judge Phelp's Greek revival home -- not only in the porch, but all the corners as well.

Gorgeous!! Love the photos and the history.

2011-06-22T21:18:16.220-04:00

Gorgeous!! Love the photos and the history.