Tales of Old New Milford
Tales of Old New Milford: The History, Legend and Lore of a Connecticut Frontier Town by Michael-John Cavallaro,
ISBN 978-0-9816781-0-8, is published by Arkett Publshing, a division of Arkettype, PO Box 36, Gaylordsville, CT 06755,
860-350-4007, www.arkett.com. Cover Design: Wendell Minor. Indian Princess artwork courtesy of Texas & Pacific Railway.
Image above is ©2008 Michael-John Cavallaro.
Tales of Old New Milford is the latest history book to be published about the Town of New Milford’s colorful and eventful early history. Focusing on the land and the people who surveyed and shaped the land, it is filled with colorful and flamboyant characters.
Mr. Cavallaro has spent ten years researching and writing this insightful and entertaining tribute to the first settlers and Proprietors who inhabited the early frontier that became New Milford. From its humble beginnings as Weantinock Plantation to the town acquisition of The North Purchase, which later came to be known as Merryall, the stories of land speculators and the early forays into Colonial capitalism are presented in a way that has never been examined before.
Subtitled, “The History, Legend and Lore of a Connecticut Frontier Town,” the book features chapters that examine New Milford’s primary ancient legends and folk tales. From the iconic first girl child, Sarah Noble, who arrived upon the frontier in 1707, to the legend of Princess Lillinonah and the story of “Tories Cave,” each legend is carefully examined and lovingly told in a new light that only modern research can finally reveal.
The book is generously filled with photos, illustrations and modern maps that reveal for the first time how the ancient land was surveyed and divided. A full color fold-out map is included of the boundaries of The North Purchase, the first such map ever created in the town’s history. A chapter entitled “Place Names” explains how the major features upon the landscape came to be named and entered into the modern vernacular. Several mysteries surrounding the land and some of the characters that inhabited it are explored and related in a way that will appeal to the “arm-chair” detectives who revel in such historical narrative.
This first edition is limited to one thousand copies and is sure to sell out fast. Watch for local media listings as several book signings will be offered. The price is $20.00 (plus $1.20 tax) and shipping and handling charges if sent through the mail (total $25.00 by mail).
To purchase, contact the author at 860-354-1824 or Arkett Publishing at 860-350-4007 or use the form below to order your copy.
Thank you for your interest.