Gift of John Howard Morse, 1939.16.5 © 2012 The Connecticut Historical Society.

The Beckley Elm, Wethersfield

PhotographerPhotographed by Frederick S. Brown 1822 - 1892

Date1886

MediumPhotography; albumen print on paper on cardboard mount

DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (image height x width): 17 x 22 1/2in. (43.2 x 57.2cm)
Sheet (height x width): 17 x 22 1/2in. (43.2 x 57.2cm)
Mount (height x width): 20 x 27 1/2in. (50.8 x 69.9cm)

ClassificationsGraphics

Credit LineGift of John Howard Morse

DescriptionA large elm tree is in front of a center-chimney frame house with pedimented doorway and windows. Additional trees, a rail fence, and farm buildings, probably barns or sheds, are in the background. A grassy lawn is in the foreground. Fallen limbs lie beneath the central tree.

Object number1939.16.5

InscribedOn verso, upper left, in black ink, "539"; in black ink, "This tree is known as the Beckley Elm. / It is located in a section of Wethersfield known as / Beckley Quarters, adjoining the town of Berlin. / At this date it must be about 150 years in age. / It is noted for its great spread of branches / Being about 125 feet from one extreme to the other. / Its girth is about 18 feet which is not remarkable. / Its companion stands a few feet out of view in this / plate and can be seen on another plate, its proportions / and development are interesting for its extreme height. / Aug 8th 1886 Fred. S. Brown"; in brown ink, in a different hand, "In the History of Hartford County Chapter II in the 2d volume in a chapter on the town of Berlin in which it is said of Richard Beckley, / 'The first settler was Richard Beckley. He appears to have been one of the early planters of New Haven and to have removed to Wethersfield in 1668. / (This house was his homestead and the trees were probably set out at that time.) / The records of the Colony of Connecticut show that in that year the / General Court granted to Sergeant Richard Beckley three / hundred acres of land lying by the Mattabessit River. The records of lands / for Wethersfield / show that he purchased his grounds from Terramosgus (Indian) with the consent of the court and town of Wethersfield. This tract of land thus granted to Richard Beckley on which he probably settled / in 1668 or soon after is the northeast part of the town of Berlin / in what from time immemorial has been called Beckley Quarter. / See the companion picture which shows the house with the companion free from the south. This view is from the north."; lower right, in pencil, accession number.

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