2.75 Finding the Way to Moose Meadow - Ashford & Willington, CT

Rediscovering the Route: Field Notes

David Chism's Map

The map of the Old Connecticut Path drawn by David Chism was supported by the description of landmarks along the way written by his brother, Charles Chism. While the map and description have proven to be accurate from Crystal Pond in Eastford to Westford Hill in Ashford, the description of landmarks ended at their uncle's farm on Lipps (Codfish Flats) Road. Using David Chism's map, it is possible to identify the intersection of Howey and Seckar Roads as a key landmark for the Path going west. The map (left) displays the portion of the map by David Chism from Lipps Road to Howey/Seckar Roads. The map can be enlarged by clicking on the image.

Click on the link below to see an excerpt from Harral Ayres The Great Trail.

Read Charles Chism's description of the route of the Old Connecticut Path from Crystal Pond in Eastford to Westford Hill in Ashford.

To see the map drawn by David Chism, click on the link Chism Map

Review of antique and current maps did not indicate that a road existed along the route between Lipps Road and the intersection of Howey/Seckar Roads as mapped by David Chism.

Over the course of several visits to explore the area between Lipps Road and Zaicek Road, no clear continuous route was able to be identified. This area proved to be challenging due to a steep hill on the east side of Knowlton Brook, dense thickets of Mountain Laurel, heavy underbrush, and areas of wet lands along Knowlton Brook. Lands closed to public access by the owners further restricted exploration for possible trail fragments east and west of Zaicek Road. The map (left) displays the GPS points recorded during the exploration of the area. The map can be enlarged by clicking on the image.

Based on field exploration, the map (left) displays fragments of a possible trail that could be part of the route that was mapped by David Chism. The yellow line represents the approximate route mapped by David Chism. The red dashes indicate the fragments found along the route that may have been part of the path known by Chism.The steep hill with no traces of a path would have been difficult for travel by large groups, horses, wagons, etc. While the steep grade would not have been a challenge to the Natives, it did not appear likely to be used by groups migrating to the Connecticut valley. Over the span of almost 75 years since David Chism drew his map, traces of the path known to him may have been erased. Given the fragments of a path that align with Chism's map of the Old Connecticut Path, it is likely that there was a route known to him that was an "express" route across Knowlton Brook.

Alternate Route

While exploration of the area between Lipps and Zaicek Roads in Ashford did not reveal a complete, coherent route consistent with David Chism's map of the Old Connecticut Path, an alternate route was found that provided a clear connection with the route from the east. The alternate route is displayed in the map (left) as a dark green line that continued on a southwest track to the old Howey Road. The route provides easy travel on firm ground along an old cart way between ponds and passes beaver dams to reach old Howey Road. The route down hill to Knowlton Brook following the old Howey Road continues along the south side of the hill avoiding any steep grades. The old Howey Road climbs an easy grade towards Zaicek Road passing through the Joshua's Trust Fliegel Farm Woods preserve. The route continues to the intersection of Howey/Seckar Roads.