A Family History Comprising the Surnames of Gade, Gadie, Gaudie, Gawdie, Gawdy, Gowdy, Goudey, Gowdey, Gauden, Gaudern, and the Variant Forms From A. D. 800 to A. D. 1919 - Compiled From Authentic Public and Private Records, Documents,... #227827

Death is a debt to Nature due That I have paid and so must vou. While passing over the splendidly graded Broad Brook Road, between the villages of Somers and Broad Brook, the stately residence of the late Theodore Gowdy was seen; then, following the same course. The residence of the late Tudor Gowdy was passed and after that the residence where the late Myron F. Gowdy and three generations of the family had lived. Here a longer stop was made. For here had been situated an older residence of the family. Upon this extensive farm only a few rods from the present mansion stood the old-fashioned homestead owned and occupied by the grandparents of the author. This old house and low connecting buildings. Long ago dismantled, were constructed upon the peculiar plan seen only in the New England states. The main part of the residence was large on its foundation with low posts and broad gables. The central chimney stack was very large, comprising several flues. The windows were small and lighted with eight-by-ten glass. There was a long, low woodshed connected with the house extending nearly to the barn. Across the road and nearly in front of this venerable homestead there is an enormous white oak tree that has stood a sentinel and landmark in the neighborhood for more than two centuries, the chronology of its years securely preserved within its trunk. The branches of this remarkable tree stretch away at right angles with its enormous body more than a hundred feet, and the circumference of the trunk at the base is 17 feet, 4 inches, 3 feet, 6 inches above the ground. While we are considering trees it seems pertinent to mention the fact that this section of the state is notable for the great number of such oaks that were the kings of trees a hundred years ago and now lift their heads above the cleared fields and diffuse their gracious shade far and wide over the acres of fragrant clover and billows of gilded grain. For the beauty of the rural landscape the pioneers wisely spared these monarchs of the forest when they hewed down the surrounding trees, and they stand in their stately grandeur to remind the traveller of the past and guard the territorial expanse around them.