On March 22nd in 1816, master American artist and internationally acclaimed landscape painter John Frederick Kensett was born in Cheshire, Connecticut to Thomas Kensett, an English-born engraver, and Elizabeth Daggett Kensett, his Connecticut-born wife. Displaying an early aptitude for art, John was working in his father’s engraving studio by age 12, honing his keen eye for fine lines and details. He continued in that line of work until his mid-20s, when he decided to move to England in search of formal training as a fine artist specializing in landscape painting,

Kensett traveled extensively around Europe for seven years, perfecting a landscape-painting technique that emphasized contemplative, simplified scenery illuminated by a cool, hard and diffuse lighting style. Kinsett occasionally sent works to his friends in New York City for display in exhibitions. By the time he returned to the United States in 1847, Kinsett had already achieved a small but rapidly growing reputation as an artist. Greater recognition soon followed, as Kinsett became nationally renowned for his expressive brushstrokes, attention to natural texture and detail, and use of color to imply natural light.

Most of Kensett’s landscapes depicted scenes from across the northeastern United States, including Lake George in upstate New York, the White Mountains of New Hampshire, and especially, beautiful views of Long Island Sound from the Connecticut coast. In 1867, Kensett purchased Contentment Island off the coast of Darien, Connecticut, where he set up a studio and painted some of his most iconic coastal scenes. In 1870, he helped found the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

In late 1872, a double tragedy struck when Kensett’s close friend and his wife came for a late autumn visit to the artist’s home on Contentment Island. His friend’s wife fell into the frigid waters of Long Island Sound and drowned, despite Kensett’s brave attempt to save her by leaping into the dangerously cold water himself. Kensett caught pnuemonia as a result of the failed rescue attempt, and died just a few weeks later in New York at age 57.

After Kensett’s unexpected death, his brother donated many of the artist’s unfinished works to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the institution that John Frederick Kensett had played such a large role in founding. This provided a lasting legacy to a luminous artistic career that had its origin in a small Connecticut town, today in Connecticut history.

An Article by Peter Vermilyea which appeared on connecticuthistory.org

Once called Middle Street, its 28 rod span (154 feet) made it the widest in Litchfield. Most town residents have heard the story that the street got its current name because executions once took place there. The historian–trained to be a skeptic–questions this piece of lore. But it’s true. And the story reveals crimes of a bloody nature we don’t often associate with our forefathers.

Robbery, Arson, and Murder

He took a job with Caleb Mallory, a farmer who operated a grist mill along what is now Route 109 in Washington. Mallory and his wife Jane had two daughters who lived in the area. Davenport had entered the home on the night of February 3rd and beat Caleb, Jane, and Charlotte to death. Looting the house of its valuables, he set it ablaze as he left, killing John and Sherman.

Davenport escaped on foot and hid out in a cave in Cornwall for six days. Captured, he was brought to Litchfield where he was arraigned and gave a full confession, likely to Reverend Judah Champion of Litchfield’s Congregational Church. The confession is now in the archives at the University of Virginia.

Davenport’s trial was presided over by Roger Sherman, who previously had served on the committee that wrote the Declaration of Independence. Sherman sentenced Davenport to 40 lashes and then to be hanged. The execution took place at Gallows Hill on May 8, 1780. The hill, as it name implies, served as an execution site. In 1768, a Native American named John Jacob had been hanged there for the murder of another American Indian. In 1785, Thomas Goss of Barkhamsted was also hanged on the hill, for the murder of his wife.

Davenport would likely have been led in a procession from the Litchfield jail to the site of the gallows. It was quite common in early America for large crowds to turn out for an execution, as it was considered an opportunity for moral instruction for children. The sheriff would read the sentence to the condemned, who would be hooded and mounted on the stand. A minister would give a sermon. With the noose placed around Davenport’s head, the trap door was sprung. The body would be left hanging for some time, a reminder to passersby of the dangers of immorality.