By Florence Goodman

This month I'd like to continue my discussion of early farms in our town with another new farm that was brought to my attention by Paul Chase who lived on the farm from 1942 until 1967. Paul had not been to Wolcott for over fifty years, but he met with me at the Center School History Museum in September to share the history of the farm, some wonderful old photos, some antique glassware and a box of journals written by his grandfather and his mother. These beautiful handwritten books paint a picture of life on Judd Farm from 1904 to 1934. They will now be housed at our museum for all to enjoy.

Farming was a way of life for many residents of Wolcott, but it was not an easy task. It's evidenced by the old stone walls that border many properties around town and you quickly realize that those rocks were dug from the thin, rocky soil in the process of tilling the land. This land was far from ideal for growing crops so many farmers raised cattle, dairy cows, poultry, ducks and pigs mainly to feed their families.

Judd Farm was located about 500 feet off the road at 1543 Wolcott Road in the northern section of town about a mile south of Cedar Lake. It was approximately eight acres in size and was purchased in 1904 by George Talmage Judd (1863-1933) and his wife, Augusta May (Kellogg) Judd (1867-1957), Paul's grandparents. The farm consisted of a house and a barn and several chicken coops. Behind the house was a shed with three bays that was used to store automobiles. Paul's mother, Alice Iva (Judd) Chase was born on the property in 1906, and she lived there throughout her life. She spent her elementary years attending the old North School that was located on North Street. She then went on to attend secretarial school in Bristol and became an office manager at a plumbing store in that town. Alice had a brother, Chester Kellogg Judd who was born in 1894 and lived on the farm until he enlisted in the service in 1917 at the age of 23.

In 1933 when George Talmage Judd died the farm was passed on to his daughter, Alice and her husband, Aaron Herbert Chase with the stipulation that they would take care of his wife and maintain the farm. This request was easy to accept because Alice and Aaron loved the farm, and Aaron had graduated from UCONN School of Agriculture so he could easily put his education to good use on the property. The farm served as a subsistence farm which means animals and crops on the farm served the everyday needs of the family. It included a large apple orchard as well as many peach trees and blueberry bushes. The family had one milking cow and a pig for sustenance, but they raised about 150 to 200 chickens for egg sales. The egg sales helped the family through the hard times of the Depression.

Paul was born in 1942, and he too enjoyed growing up on the farm. He attended the new Woodtick School for the first two years of elementary school, which was located where the Police Department is today. He then went on to attend Alcott and Frisbie Schools. He has fond memories of attending Alcott School and mentioned his favorite teacher was Helen Dunlap. I had to agree with him because she was my 4th and 5th grade teacher and my inspiration to become a teacher. Since Wolcott did not have a high school at the time of Paul's graduation from 8th grade he attended Bristol High School. Paul shared several interesting memories about growing up on Judd Farm. He remembers people stating that the house on the farm was moved from the land that was flooded in 1917 when Scovill upper Reservoir was built. He also stated that although his father was a carpenter, during WWII he worked at New Departure in Bristol. Lastly, Paul recalls that his parents were very good friends with Clarence and Gloria Atwood. He remembered that the families met at the Wolcott Congregational Church and spent many enjoyable occasions together. Paul left Wolcott in 1967, but his memories of growing up in this wonderful little town have stayed with him his whole life.

In 1972 the farm was sold to the Dance family who raised horses and sold horse carriages for many years. Town records indicate that in 2004 the property was sold to James and Marion Dance.

(All information for this article was supplied by Paul Chase, Suffield, CT through emails, photos, and an interview on 9/9/24 at the Center School History Museum)

The old barn found at Judd Farm.

The house located on Judd Farm.

The old farm truck loaded with hay.

Paul as a child standing in front of the barn.

George and Augusta May Judd.

Chester Judd in 1917 in his military uniform.

All material at Wolcott Historical Society Web sites Copyright © 2000-2024 Wolcott Historical Society