Last year around this time, State officials were hard at work on the Infrastructure Project rebuilding the bridge over Fuller Brook that feeds into the Little River further down in the valley. It tore up much of both sides of the road, testing the patience of Arlene Becker, and exposing the dam below the old Utley Farm. The State did much to beautify the landscaping including many trees and shrubberies that have budded out this Spring.

It was also a time of historic discovery, as we met ethnic Dutch gnomes Ebenezar Button and his delightfully clever wife Eliza. Although they have lived in Hampton for about as long as the Town has been incorporated, they still feel like newcomers, having not sat in the same pew in any church for the last two hundred years.

“The Little River is my church”, says Ebenezar. “I learned that from our friends Nellie and Edwin, as they often sat staring quietly at the beaver pond from his writing cabin.”

Many bodies of water are blessed by the journey of the Little River as it makes its way from the Hampton Reservoir on Kenyon Road.

When the Button Family’s home and gristmill was uprooted last year by the construction project, their life was exposed for the first time in over three hundred years. Neighbor Paul Pribble and a bevy of Scouts came to help gently take the property apart piece by piece numbering every single beam, clapboard, and stone to be moved. Eagle Scout Jonah Mlyniec handled the direction of the project, due to his recent expertise at the Little River Preserve on Hammond Hill. The Scouts were wowed by the seemingly elderly Ebenezar’s strength, as he hefted a large branch over his back without help.

While the move slowed the State’s work on the road, First Selectman Allan Cahill stressed the importance of supporting such a longtime Hampton family. “Clearly, they’ve had an impact on so many here, it’s time we give back where we can”, Cahill stated. “…we wait on the State plenty. It’s their turn, now.”

The Button Family is grateful. With the move came their children home to help as well, daughter Katrina and husband Joost, as well as son Piet and his husband Kaspar— his first visit to Hampton. Kaspar, a competitive kayaker, will be making his first trip down the Little River from its source in a specially built “Pakayak” designed and built by Zinelle Peterson Mackro, who grew up near Hampton Brook which feeds into the Little River. “Honestly, I don’t know why more of our people have not settled here. It’s so beautiful!”

Many springs and brooks proliferate the Town: Little River winds its way south across Route 97, falling dramatically at Hemlock Glen, and then to Old King’s Highway, feeding yet more ponds as it meets and merges with the Fuller and Pearl, strengthening the Little River as it meanders toward North Bigelow and East Old Route 6, crossing US Route 6 and along Drain Street, and finally making its way to Scotland past Sand Hill and Windham Roads. It finally joins with the Shetucket, one of the “Three Rivers” (with the Quinebaug and Natchaug) that becomes one in the Thames, finally unifying with Long Island Sound.

“We weren’t sure when the State found us what we would do,” Eliza commented; “we were overwhelmed by everyone’s generosity and respectful consideration of how quietly we prefer to live. Of course, all that’s out the window, now, Ebenezar’s fairly as famous as Paulie Tumel now that people know he can lift most things better than Paulie’s backhoe. I’m not sure if they hire him out for his strength or his stories!”

“Good thing that Peter Thompson is nearby when I tweak my back—or anything else—you know, at almost 275, I’m not that young anymore!” exclaimed Ebenezar.

Eliza continued: “we really appreciate the simple living here. Everything here provides for us, and we are grateful. We were especially surprised when Pastor Paula came down in her penguin suit to bless the house and mill, and in Dutch, no less! In our new place on the Pribble Dam, we have elderberries and we were able to make immune building syrups for the winter. The best part is the neighbors we barter with, Renée Cuprak makes the best jams, and is so kind to find just the right size jars for us. Molly Miller saves me the best bits and bobs of fleece from her sheep, for my spinning and weaving, and of course, we love trading our flour with Rosetta Fisher for the best sourdough around.”

Katrina and Joost (expecting twins this summer) have already decided to settle and raise their children here. With Rich Schenk’s help, they are considering a niche at Old King’s Highway, not too far from their parents.

As for Kaspar and Piet, they are considering Hampton as well, not realizing how warm and accepting the community is for everyone. “As LGBT (Loving Gnomes Being True)”, Piet explained, we’re not always welcome everywhere. Here, it matters, here, people care. When our parents were in need, the community showed up, like they always have. And that’s a special thing. Like the heart of the Little River, THAT is Hampton.

Mary Oliver