USA > Connecticut > New London County > A modern history of New London County, Connecticut, Volume I > Part 1
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GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01151 3683
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Jon Trumbull
A MODERN HISTORY
OF
NEW LONDON COUNTY
CONNECTICUT
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
BENJAMIN TINKHAM MARSHALL, A.M., D.D.
PRESIDENT OF CONNECTICUT COLLEGE, NEW LONDON
1761
VOLUME I
1922 LEWIS HISTORICAL PUBLISHING COMPANY, NEW YORK CITY
COPYRIGHT LEWIS HISTORICAL PUBLISHING COMPANY 1922
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1128326
FOREWORD
The early history of New London County has been well covered by Miss Caulkins' histories of Norwich, and of New London, in various, local addresses on special occasions, and in more formal articles prepared for the 200th anniversary of the founding of Norwich. Notable amongst these was the historical address of Daniel Coit Gilman, delivered at Norwich on Sep- tember 7, 1859. To enumerate the special papers delivered at the meetings of the New London County Historical Society, at the dedication of monu- ments and public buildings of the county, on patriotic occasions, on the 250th anniversary of the town of Norwich (1909), and in almost countless addresses on special topics given before interested audiences in churches and halls, not to mention the many excellent contributions of the press, would in itself be an arduous task, interesting though it might be.
Very few parts of our country are more filled with historical associations. Indian legends, mingled with a vast amount of verifiable Indian history ; Revolutionary stories, with a record of honorable action surpassed nowhere ; loyal patriotism in the days of the Civil War, under the leadership of Governor Buckingham, himself a- resident of Norwich, all these offer a wealth of material to the investigator. Out of the great mass of historical writings inspired by such a splendid past there looms up a background, a heritage of memories, that should urge on every citizen of New London County today to better citizenship, to more devoted public service.
From some of these records and addresses we have quoted-they were written by men and women who were near the events described-for we believe that true patriotism is a deep sentiment toward one's native land, not simply a series of outward acts. This abiding sentiment of affection and unselfishness in a people, as in an individual, is rooted in memory. By the memory of earlier days, by knowledge of the sacrifices of earlier patriots who made liberty possible for us, will the true spirit of Americanism be best nourished. Nor is the Indian history without value. Even if, in the light of history, "the noble red man" of Cooper's novels seems a somewhat idealized figure, surely nowhere else in America may be found a better typical picture of the early relations of the white settler and the aborigine. We see them both at their best and at their worst. We have the grim picture of John Mason as he leads his resolute forces on to the utter destruction of the Pe- quots, and we have the picture of Uncas in all things, "Wauregan," living in unbroken amity with the Norwich colonists; we learn of Samson Occum, the Mohican who visited England and brought back ten thousand pounds to Dartmouth College. The present work, then, aims to emphasize only such features of the early history of our country as are helpful to the modern reader in visualizing the days of occupation, of settlement, and colonial devel- opment, the essential background by which to emphasize modern conditions.
Our history for the last fifty years, inasmuch as this has not been printed in any one volume, will be described with greater minuteness. It is hoped
that this portion of the work may be helpful for some years to come as a storehouse of information.
Among the well informed persons who have labored in this under- taking, the principal place is to be given to Professor Henry A. Tirrell, Principal of the Norwich Free Academy, as the author of the exhaustive chap- ter on Education, and writer on other topics. Other more important papers and of enduring value are those on "Church History," by Rev. Henry W. Hulbert, D.D., Pastor of the First Church of Christ, Groton; on "Medicine, Physicians and Surgeons," by Charles B. Graves, M.D., former President Connecticut State Medical Society ; on "Insurance," by Walter F. Lester, President New London County Mutual Fire Insurance Company ; on "Vol- unteer and Paid Fire Departments," by Howard L. Stanton, Chief Norwich Fire Department, and on "Old Families and Old Homes of Norwich" and kindred topics," by Mrs. Edna Miner Rogers, Regent of Faith Trumbull Chapter, D. A. R.
The publishers of the History, The Lewis Historical Publishing Com- pany, through its agents, editors and official staff, has secured and arranged all the genealogical and biographical matter proper, which appears in the work, and for this material the Editor-in-Chief bears no responsibility.
CONTENTS
Chapter I-General Facts About New London County-Naming and Earliest Settlement of the Twenty-one Towns-Scenery-Geography -The Aborigines-Uncas and the Mohegans-John Mason-Mian- tonomah-Early Government-Customs of Settlers-Journal of Madam Sarah Knight-Religious Conditions
Chapter II-The Beginnings of Education-General Definition of Edu- cation-Outline of Educational Development in Connecticut-Early Schools in Norwich-Early Schools in New London-The "Norwich Tests"-The District System-Supervision-Trade Schools-Model Schools-Normal Schools-Education of Indians in Early Days- Founding of Dartmouth-Samson Occum-Dr. Nott's Sermon -- Music Vale Seminary
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Chapter III-An Era of Unrest-Revolutionary War-Nathan Hale --- Battle of Groton Heights-Rathbun's Narrative-Account of Rufus Avery-Of Stephen Hempstead-Allyn's Account of Death of Col. Ledyard-The War of 1812-Early New London Whalers-Early Manufactures-Life of Daniel W. Coit
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Chapter IV-Little Known Facts About New London County-Begin- nings of Railroads and Telegraphs-Shipbuilding-Adams Express Company-Donald G. Mitchell's "Looking Back at Boyhood" -- Ancestors of Six Presidents-Father of Oliver and Matthew Perry -Wolves in Early Days-Shaw Mansion-Celebrated Sons and Daughters of New London County - 81 - Chapter V-The City of New London-"Edelwiss"-John Winthrop the Younger-Natal Day-Bride Brook-Home Lots-Will of Mary Harries-Estate of Governor Winthrop-Anecdotes of Revolutionary War-Arnold's Account of the Expedition Against New London- Whale Fisheries at New London and Stonington-Stephen Decatur- Voyage of the "Savannah"-The Early Press-Poem on the Old Mill 97 Chapter VI-The City of Norwich-Stedman's "Inland City"-Deed of Norwich-First Proprietors-Settlement from Saybrook-Life of Capt. Mason-The Early Press-Visits of Eminent Men-Effects of War-Benedict Arnold-Anecdotes of Early Times-Early Indus- tries-Early Physicians-Lincoln at Norwich-Data About Founders and Interesting Spots
- - 133 Chapter VII-Other Towns of New London County-Colchester-East Lyme-Franklin-Griswold-Groton-Lebanon-Eminent Men- The War Office-"Brother Jonathan"-Early Settlers-Lisbon- Lyme and Old Lyme-Salem-Sprague-Stonington-Voluntown- Waterford - 177 -
Chapter VIII-New London County Today-Its Population-Improve- ments-Scenery-Historic Relics-Public Buildings-Industries-
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Grand Lists-Index of Manufactures-Anniversary Celebrations at New London and Norwich - - 211
Chapter IX-Miscellaneous Information-Resources of the County- Character of Industry in Each Town-Assets-Changing Population -Financial Statistics-Lists of Public Officials-Significant dates -Representatives and Senators (State) - 227
Chapter X-Educational Institutions-Connecticut College-Norwich Free Academy-Bacon Academy-The Bulkeley School-Williams Memorial Institute-New London Vocational High School-Mystic Oral School for the Deaf-The Wheeler School
Chapter XI-Religion in New London County-Early Conditions- Various Types of Churches-Theological Differences-Foreign Service-Connection Between Church and School-The Colonial State Church-Preaching to the Indians-"Rogerenes"-"Half-Way Covenant"-Parishes and Towns-The Congregational Denomina- tion-Baptist Churches in the County-The Episcopal Church- Methodism-Various Religious Bodies-Roman Catholic Churches -Universalists
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Chapter XII-Counts and Lawyers in New London County-New Lon- don District-Norwich District-Bozrah District-Colchester Dis- trict-East Lyme District-Groton District-Lebanon District -Ledyard District-Lyme District-Montville District-North Stonington District-Old Lyme District-Salem District-Stoning- ton District-Lawyers of Note-Members of County Bar-Memorial Addresses-County Court House-Eulogies 323 Chapter XIII-Medicine and Medical Men-Early Life of the Pioneers- Primitive Conditions of Medical Practice-Epidemic Diseases- Cholera-Medical Organization-Early Physicians-References 363 Chapter XIV-New London County Press-New London Day-Nor- wich Bulletin-Cooley's Weekly-Editors and Managers - - 401 Chapter XV-Banks-Early Banking-Famous Banks-National Bank System-Union Trust and Bank Company-New London City National Bank-Merchants' National Bank of Norwich-Norwich Savings Society-Thames National Bank, Norwich-Savings Bank of New London-National Whaling Bank-Mystic River National Bank-First National Bank of Stonington-National Bank of Com- merce of New London-Uncas National Bank-Groton Savings Bank -Chelsea Savings Bank-Mariners Savings Bank-Dime Savings Bank-Jewett City Savings Bank-Jewett City Trust Company- Bankers Trust Company -- Pawcatuck Bank and Trust Company- Winthrop Trust Company
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Chapter XVI-Fire Insurance in New London County-A Primitive Necessity-First American Companies-Mutual Assurance Company . of the City of Norwich -- Last of Eighteenth and First of Nineteenth . ยท Century-The Norwich Fire Insurance Company-A New London Company-Other Early Companies in Connecticut-New London
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CONTENTS
County Mutual Fire Insurance Company-Fire Insurance Agents in the County-List of Agencies in the County 457
Chapter XVII-Norwich Fire Department-Early Days-Serious Fires -Actions of Common Council-Norwich Companies at Boston Fire in 1872-Various Ordinances Regulating the Fire Department- Statistics of Alarms "Rung In"-Pension Fund-Equipment - 475
Chapter XVIII-New London Fire Department-Early History-First Companies-Chiefs and Other Officers-Groton Fire Company - 489 Chapter XIX-Community Activities-History of Various Firms- Manufacturing-Taftville-Civic Spirit 493
Chapter XX-Fraternal Brotherhoods-Masonic-Odd Fellows-Other Orders-Fourteen Lodges of New London County-First Building in the World erected by Masons exclusively for Masonry-Elks 50 Chapter XXI-Patrons of Husbandry-History of the Grange-Oliver H. Kelley-Granges in New London County-Picture of the Grange 521 Chapter XXII-The Red Cross-The Four Chapters of New London County-Work of Norwich Chapter-New London Chapter-Vari- ous Activities 529
Chapter XXIII-Notable Places and Homes-Washington's Visits to the County-Stage Coach and Tavern Days-Various Famous Taverns -Potteries of Norwich-Silversmiths of New London County-Pine- hurst-The Barrel House 533
Chapter XXIV-Military History-Civil War-Spanish War-World War-Muster Roll of Spanish War-Honor Roll of Various Towns 581 Addenda-Mary Lydia Bolles Branch-Benedict Arnold-The Groton Massacre-Fire Insurance-Norwich Fire Department - 617
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OLD LIGHTHOUSE, NEW LONDON.
CHAPTER I GENERAL FACTS ABOUT NEW LONDON COUNTY
The Early Towns-Natural Features of the Region-The Indian Occupants-First White Settlers-Illuminating Documents from the Past.
New London County, occupying the southeastern part of Connecticut, is bounded on the east by the State of Rhode Island, on the south by Long Island Sound, on the west by Middlesex and Tolland counties, and on the north by Hartford, Tolland and Windham counties.
The county, with an area of approximately seven hundred square miles, is composed of twenty-one towns, Bozrah, Colchester, East Lyme, Franklin, Griswold, Groton, Lebanon, Ledyard, Lisbon, Lyme, Montville, New London, North Stonington, Norwich, Old Lyme, Preston, Salem, Sprague, Stoning- ton, Voluntown, Waterford; and has a population (census of 1920) of 155,31I.
This county was one of the first four counties of the State, organized in 1666, and originally included a considerable part of the present Middle- sex county, extending as far west as Clinton. Of the five first cities of Connecticut chartered in 1784, New London county had two, New London and Norwich. Of the twenty-one towns of the county :
New London was settled as "Pequot" in 1646; named from London, England. and authorized as a town in 1658.
Stonington was settled in 1649 and named Stonington in 1666.
Norwich, named from Norwich, England, in 1659, was settled by a Say- brook colony in 1660.
Lyme, named from Lyme Regis, England, in 1667, was set off from Saybrook in 1665.
Colchester was settled and named from Colchester, England, in 1699.
Preston was named in 1687 from Preston, England.
Lebanon, named from Lebanon in Syria, was incorporated in 1700.
Groton, set off from New London in 1704, was named from the English home of Governor John Winthrop in 1705.
Voluntown, "Volunteers Town," named in 1708, was settled in 1719.
Bozrah, with Biblical name, was set off from Norwich in 1786.
Franklin, set off from Norwich, in 1786, was named for Benjamin Franklin.
Lisbon, set off from Norwich in 1786, was named from Lisbon, Portugal.
Montville, set off from New London in 1786, took the French name of "Mount Ville."
Waterford, set off from New London in 1801, took a name descriptive of its nature.
North Stonington was set off from Stonington in 1807.
Griswold, named from Governor Roger Griswold, was set off from Preston in 1815.
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NEW LONDON COUNTY
Salem, named from Salem, Massachusetts, was set off from Colchester, Lyme, and Montville in 1879.
Ledyard, named from Colonel William Ledyard of Fort Griswold fame, was set off from Groton in 1836.
East Lyme was set off from Lyme and Waterford in 1839.
Old Lyme was set off from Lyme in 1855, and named Old Lyme in 1857.
Sprague, named from its founder, William Sprague, was set off from Lisbon and Franklin in 1861.
The following note is prefixed to the list of Connecticut towns printed in the Connecticut Register and Manual (1920).
Until 1700, almost the only official action of the colonial government (General Court) in regard to town organization, was to authorize the town name, usually chosen by its leading man, from his home in England. In October, 1700, we find implied or quasi incorporation, such as exists to this day, in the records : "This assem- bly doth grant to the inhabitants of the town of Lebanon all such immunities, privi- ledges and powers, as generally other townes within this Colonie have and doe enjoy." The authoritative legal definition of a town in England, contemporary with the earliest Connecticut settlements, is given in the first edition of "Coke's Commentaries upon Littleton," published 1628; "It can not be a town in law, unless it hath, or in past time hath had, a church, and celebration of Divine services, sacraments and burials." The church bodies which moved bodily with their pastors from Massachusetts to Con- necticut, proceeded to exercise the secular powers which we regard as those of the town, but the English township is known by its ecclesiastical name of parish. Several of our towns were first set off as parishes, from great town tracts; yet the town in Connecticut colony essentially separated church and state in government, in that it never restricted political suffrage to church-members. As to dates, the official colonial records are followed, as soon as they begin, 1636.
For the beauty and variety of its natural scenery, New London county is excelled by very few regions of equal area. Its southern shore, from the broad sweep of the Connecticut river eastward along a coast of singular charm, with its jutting points and its alluring inlets; by Niantic bay, which Governor Winthrop, as he looked off from the heights above, called one of the most beautiful spots he had ever seen, outward to the majestic estuary of the Thames with its noble harbor; still eastward by the beautiful islets of Noank and Mystic till that point is reached where the States of Rhode Island, New York and Connecticut meet near the harbor of Stonington, is as wonderful today as when the Indians gazed upon its beauties.
And the scenery of the coast is matched by the wooded hills, the rushing streams, the placid lakes, the rich valleys, farther inland. The summer visitor today is found in all parts of the county, not only in the summer colonies built up near the coast, but in many a broad estate whose owner is content to preserve the forest, the rockbound glens, the rich verdure that Nature has so generously supplied.
The chief waters of the county besides its large ponds and lakes are the Connecticut, Thames, Shetucket, Quinnebaug, Yantic, Pawcatuck, Mystic, Poquonock, and Niantic rivers, all flowing in a general southerly course to
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GENERAL FACTS
the Sound. Its navigable waters and its abounding water power have con- tributed largely to its economic development, from the early days when extensive commerce sprang up with all quarters of the globe, to the later times when manufacturing founded the fortunes of many of its citizens. With such natural advantages Connecticut enterprise and ingenuity have made possible a growth far beyond the expectations of the men of even fifty years ago. One part of this history will be devoted to this remarkable expansion of recent years.
No true conception of the growth of the county is possible without an understanding of the character and customs of the early settlers, the diffi- culties they had to overcome, their relations with the Indians, their participa- tion in the broader colonial interests, in the Revolutionary War, in the affairs of the State and Nation.
The first settlers, many of them of Pilgrim stock and practically all of them of Puritan origin, had the same deep religious convictions and the same stamina that other New England colonists had. They had inherited from their Anglo-Saxon ancestors a genius for self-government, which, checked by the Stuart despotism in England, burst into bloom in the new life of a New World. Hardships were endured and overcome. Yet in the midst of a severe struggle for existence, they never lost sight of the great things of life. Religion, education, and morality were the strong supports of local governments founded on law and order. Difficulties strengthened their characters both individually and collectively. It may well be said that the menace of hostile Indians was one of the main incentives to co- operation amongst the early settlers of New England.
The Pequot War was undoubtedly the first step toward the settlement of New London county, for it was not until that tribe had been virtually annihilated that it was safe for colonists to settle in this region. Of the many anecdotes connected with the war, some will be given in the histories of separate towns. We print a general survey from Hurd's "History of New London County":
The territory was preoccupied by the Pequots, a powerful tribe of Indians belonging to the widespread Algonquin or Delaware race. This powerful tribe had by their cruelty become the dread of the whites far and near. Rendered bold by numbers, and jealous of every encroachment, they had resolved upon nothing less than the utter extermination of the whites, and shrank from no means, however appalling, which might conduce to the accomplishment of their bloody purpose. Massachusetts had in 1634, with much effort, induced them to allow the peaceable settlement of certain por- tions of their domain, and to offer satisfaction for former outrages. But the natives were slow to fulfill the conditions of this treaty, and Captain Endicott was sent out by the Massachusetts colony, at the head of ninety men, to enforce the treaty and to chastise them for their past offenses.
This ill-advised expedition failed utterly of its objects, and only tended to exasperate the Pequots, who during the succeeding fall and winter were untiring in their attempts to league the other Indians with them in a war of extermination against the whites, and redoubled their own efforts to rid
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NEW LONDON COUNTY
themselves of the noxious strangers. Savages lurked in every covert, and there was no safety for life or property. The colonists could not travel abroad, or even cultivate their fields, but at the peril of their lives. Their cattle were driven off, their houses burned, the navigation of the river was seriously impeded, and even the fort at Saybrook was in a state of constant siege. By spring the situation had become critical in the extreme. Nearly thirty murders had been committed, and utter ruin threatened the colony unless decisive measures should at once be taken. In this emergency a General Court was convened at Hartford on the IIth of May, 1637, at which it was decided to proceed at once to an offensive war against the Pequots, and for the first campaign to send out a force of ninety men under Capt. John Mason, then in command of the fort at Saybrook.
About this time, Mason and the warrior Uncas met and formed a temporary alliance, which was, however, destined to continue without serious interruption for a long series of years, and prove of great and lasting benefit to the settlements. Uncas was related both by birth and marriage to the Pequot royal family, but soon after his marriage he became involved in diffi- culties, the nature of which is not exactly known, which resulted in his banishment to the Narragansett country. He was afterwards permitted to return, but a recurrence of the same troubles led to his banishment for a second and even a third time. He thus at length became permanently exiled from his own people, and we find him upon the Connecticut river, near the infant settlements of Hartford and Windsor, in the spring of 1637, at the head of about seventy warriors. Both Mason and Uncas were eminently fitted to be military leaders, each of his own race. Mason possessed marked military tastes which had been developed and trained in the wars of the Netherland under Lord Fairfax; while Uncas, by nature brave and shrewd, had, as a member of the royal family of a strong and warlike nation, abundant oppor- tunity to acquire a thorough knowledge of the methods of Indian warfare. An alliance of two such representative men of the two races then competing upon American soil could not fail to make an impress upon their peculiar surroundings. Uncas agreed to join the expedition with his warriors, and the united forces embarked at Hartford on the 20th of May of the same year and proceeded to drop down the river. In the course of the voyage the Indians had opportunity to demonstrate their fidelity, which had been unjustly suspected by some. As the water in the river was low and the passage tedious, the Indians were at their own request allowed to disembark and proceed along the bank. When near Saybrook, they met and defeated a party of Pequots, killing seven and taking one prisoner. After their arrival at Say- brook, the commandant of the fort, still distrustful of Uncas, addressed the sachem as follows: "You say you will help Captain Mason, but I will first see it; therefore send twenty men to Bass river, for there went last night six Indians there in a canoe; fetch them, dead or alive, and you shall go with Mason, or you shall not." Uncas did as he was required. His warriors found the enemy, killed four of them, and took another prisoner. This exploit of the sachem was regarded by Lieutenant Gardiner as a sure pledge of his fidelity.
Captain Mason had received instructions to land at Pequot Harbor, but his military judgment led him to sail direct to the Narragansett country and make his attack upon the enemy from a point whence they would least expect it. He accordingly proceeded thither, and on Saturday, May 30th, towards evening, dropped anchor off the shores of the Narragansett. As there was a strong northwest wind, they remained on shipboard until Tuesday, when Mason landed and marched directly to the residence of Canonicus, the Nar-
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GENERAL FACTS
ragansett chief, and informed him of his design of attacking the Pequots in their strongholds, and demanded a free passage through the Narragansett country. The request was readily granted, and Miantonomoh, nephew of Canonicus, suggested that the numbers of the English and Mohegans were too small for an invasion of the Pequot country, and volunteered to send two hundred of his braves with the expedition, though he did not himself offer to accompany them.
On the following morning the vessels were manned with a small force, as a larger could not be spared, and were ordered to sail for the mouth of Pequot river. The land force, consisting of seventy Englishmen, and sixty Mohegan warriors under Uncas, with the addition of two hundred Narra- gansett volunteers, commenced its march westward. After proceeding about twenty miles through a rough country, with only a narrow Indian foot-path for their passageway, they arrived at a place called Nehantic, where they remained overnight. When the English resumed their march on the follow- ing morning they were overtaken by others of the Narragansett people, so that they were followed, as they supposed, by near five hundred warriors. As the day was warm and the way rough, several of the men fainted from exposure and want of food. After a march of about twelve miles they reached a ford in the Pawcatuck river, where a halt was made for rest and refresh- ment. It had been ascertained that the majority of the Pequot warriors were in two forts or inclosures of palisades, one of which was commanded by Sassacus in person, and both regarded by the Indians as within and without impregnable. Mason had originally designed to divide his forces and attack both places simultaneously, but from information received during the halt upon the Pawcatuck he learned that the forts were situated at too great a distance apart to allow of a division of his force, and he decided to advance at once upon the fort on Pequot Hill. The Narragansetts, on learning of his design to attack Sassacus in his stronghold, were smitten with deadly fear. "Sassacus," they said, "was all one god, and could not be killed." So . great was their trepidation that a hundred of their number beat a precipitate retreat, and reported in the Providence plantation that the English had all fallen.
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