Mabel Chittenden
September 8, 1891-October 19, 1989
Mabel Chittenden was the second of 6 children born in a small house next to the East River Reading Room on the Boston Post Road in Madison, Ct
In 1898 she moved to the family home built by her grandfather, John Newton Chittenden, in 1854 on the family’s original land grant set aside to Sergt. John Chittenden in 1685, a fact of which she was very proud.
Mabel lived there with her parents, Edward Augustus Chittenden, Sr. and Clara Eliza Munger Chittenden, and her 5 siblings, until they married and left, for 90 some years. She and her brother, John, lived under the same roof all of their lives!
Mabel was devoted to her parents. As her mother was not very strong, it was Mabel who rode the train into New Haven to purchase clothes for her brothers. She was especially fond of her father and he of her—a very strong bond.
A fine student, Mabel attended Morgan High School in Clinton where she won several academic prizes.
Mabel displayed musical talent at a young age, singing solos as a child in plays, churches and later at funerals. She also showed remarkable ability as a pianist, studying with Miss “Bessie” Bacon and Mr. Bristol from New York City. Her fingers were strong, nimble and accurate.
One might ask, was it her music, her interest in local history or her family which played the dominate role in her life? The answer would have to be all three.
Although Mabel never married, she doted on her seven nieces and five nephews. She longed for the time when they would return to Smith’s Bay for the summer. Then she would give them parties, picnics, journeys via horse and wagon with nieces on horseback to the back country. She attempted to instruct them on the piano but she was too hard a disciplinarian for success in this endeavor—their fingers were not as dexterous as hers. She’d invite them for overnight visits and, if they misbehaved, there were proverbs to be learned. She arranged for aspiring violinists to play in local churches—especially Clara who often played in the Madison Congregational Church. And there were trips to the Small Pox Cemetery and Mt. Cruttenden.
Although very thrifty when spending on herself, she was exceptionally generous to her nieces and nephews and great nieces and great nephews. She established savings accounts for each and every one besides giving monetary gifts, paintings, furniture, keepsakes, etc.
Mabel was also devoted to the Eliot family in Clinton. Rebecca Eliot Chittenden was the wife of Mabel’s brother, William, and her dear friend. She spent many hours with Mrs. Susan Pearson, Mrs. John Eliots’s aunt, who was well traveled, well educated and a lover of music. Mabel sang at many Eliot funerals that were always held in the Eliot home.
Mabel was always called Aunt Hoppy although the origin of that name remains a mystery.
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