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GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01105 5701
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HISTORY OF
WATERBURY
AND THE
NAUGATUCK VALLEY CONNECTICUT
ILLUSTRATED
VOLUME II
CHICAGO-NEW YORK THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY 1918
1140690
im covill
BIOGRAPHICAL
JAMES MITCHELL LAMSON SCOVILL.
A modern philosopher has written: "Not the good that comes to us, but the good that comes to the world through us -is the measure of our success," and judged by this standard the name of Seovill has become a synonym of the term success, not only in its meaning of prosperity, but also in "the good that comes to the world," for the establishment and pro- motion of the Scovill interests have practically meant Waterbury's industrial history, its growth and its prosperity, with all the consequent development that comes through the demands of an advancing civilization. The record of the family constitutes a most important chapter in Connecticut's history. From a very early epoch in the annals of the colonies frequent mention of the Scovill family is made, the name being originally spelled with one 1. One of the first settlers of Waterbury was Sergeant John Scovil. the son of John Scovil, of Haddam. In 1693 he wedded Hannah Richards, a daughter of Obediah Richards, and became one of Waterbury's first residents. His son, Lieutenant William Scovil, was born in England in 1703 and in 1729 wedded Hannah Richards, a daughter of John Richards. They were the parents of the Rev. James Scovil, who was born January 27, 1732 or 1733 and in 1762 married Amy Nichols, a daughter of Captain George Nichols. It was in the year 1757 that James Scovil was graduated from Yale College and two years afterward he became the rector of the Episcopal church in the mission field of Waterbury, Northbury, and what is now Bristol, Connecticut, becoming the first resident rector in Waterbury. He devoted nearly thirty years to work in that pastoral field and in 1788 accepted the pastorate of the church at Kingston. New Brunswick, where he passed away December 19, 1808, in the fiftieth year of his ministry.
James Seovil, son of the Rev. James Scovil, was born in Waterbury, March 19, 1764, and when after the Revolutionary war the family removed to New Brunswick he was the only one of the children who remained in Waterbury. He became a large land holder and a very prominent and influential resident of his town, where he filled the office of justice and was always known as Esquire Scovil. While the War of 1812 was in progress he established a woolen mill on East Main street in Waterbury at a place known as the "old leather factory" site and in the undertaking was associated with several others. With the declaration of peace the markets were opened to foreign goods and domestic mammfacturers could not compete with foreign trade, so that the owners of the woolen factory retired from the business with considerable loss. He resided at the old family residence at the corner of North and East Main streets, his homestead including the ground now occupied by the Irving block and a neighboring building from Phoenix alley on East Main street to the Dime Savings Bank on North Main street. Anderson's History speaks of him as "a man of fine presence and much dignity of manner and character." He married Alathea Lamson, a daughter of Mitchell Lamson, a merchant of Woodbury, the wedding being celebrated November 16. 1788.
The son of this marriage was James Mitchell Lamson Scovill, who was the first of the name to use the present form of spelling. His birth ocenrred in Waterbury, September 4, 1789, and his life compassed the years to the 16th of May, 1857. He was one of those who gave impetus to the industrial activity of Waterbury, becoming one of the pioneer manu- facturers. He was a youth of seventeen when he became a clerk in his father's store and when nineteen years of age he was carrying on business on his own account. On the 19th of September, 1811, when a young man of twenty-two, he became a partner in the firm of Leavenworth, Hayden & Scovill, his partners being David Hayden and Frederick Leaven- worth. They purchased the gilt button business of Abel Porter & Company and this gave rise to the mammoth manufacturing interests now conducted under the name of the Scovill Manufacturing Company. In 1827 his brother, William H. Seovill. purchased the interests of his partners and the firm style then became J. M. L. & W. H. Scovill. The business had enjoyed a steady growth but in 1829 the factory was destroyed by fire. With its rebuilding their business increased and after a decade or more the brothers were joined in the enter- prise by S. M. Buckingham and Abraham Ives under the firm style of Scovill & Company. There was a gradual transformation in the manufacture, which was centered more and more largely upon the rolled brass and plated metal part of the business. This was continued under the old firm style of J. M. L. & W. H. Scovill, while the button manufacturing business. as stated, was carried on under the style of Scovill & Company. With the continued develop-
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ment of their interests John Buckingham became associated with the brothers in the manu- facture of patent brass butts under the style of Scovill & Buckingham, and about that time they also began the manufacture of daguerreotype plates, a business which was then being developed following the invention of Daguerre. This branch of their interests soon assumed extensive proportions and in January, 1850, all of the different interests of the various companies were merged in the form of a joint stock company under the style of the Scovill Manufacturing Company, at which time several of their old employes became stockholders, the original capital being two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. After some years this was increased to three hundred thousand dollars. The status of the business in 1858 was given in Dr. Bronson's History of Waterbury as follows: "The present manufacturing interests of Waterbury are perhaps more indebted to Lamson Scovill than to any other one man. He was bold, energetic and sagacious He had enlarged views and that degree of confidence in the future which ensures success. As soon as he got strength of his own he was ready to lend assistance to others. Many enterprises have been carried forward to a successful result by his relations, but his friends in the largest sense shared in his financial prosperity. He was foremost in all the improvements of his native village. His own generous impulses he did not hesitate to follow even when indulgence was expensive. He was a large-hearted man with social. kindly feeling. Few persons have been equally respected or more beloved. He was a member of St. John's church, of which he was an important benefactor. His generosity and that of his brother William founded a professorship in Washington College, which is named after the donors."
In early manhood James M. L. Scovill made a home for his mother and his unmarried and widowed sisters and with them resided, but one after another left and on the 9th of October, 1849, he wedded Mrs. Sarah A. Morton, a daughter of Charles Merriman, of Water- town. He was at that time sixty years of age. In early manhood he had proposed to Miss Ann Buckingham, who became the wife of Charles Merriman, and in 1849 he proposed to her daughter, who. however, first married Mr. Morton, but after his death she became the wife of Mr. Scovill, who thus married the daughter of his first love. They became the parents of three children: James Mitchell Lamson, who was born September 3, 1850, and died July 9, 1862; Sarah Alathea, born February 15, 1852; and Henry William, who was born November 11, 1853. The daughter was married September 27, 1871, at Waterbury, to Joseph Thomp- son Whittlesey, who was born October 20, 1843, in New Haven, a son of Henry Newton and Elizabeth A. (Wilson) Whittlesey. Mrs. Sarah A. Whittlesey passed away December 15, 1877. The children of that marriage were: Sarah Scovill, who was born July 12, 1872, in Paris, France. and who was married June 22, 1905, to Percy Talbot Walden; Mary Eliza- beth, who was born May 5. 1876, in New Haven. and was married November 9, 1907, to Frank Dunn Berrien. Mr. Scovill was a lover of children and in passing the schoolhouse he would load his buggy or his sleigh with children and take them home. When returning from his trip to New York at Christmas time he would fill his trunk with wax dolls and bring them to the little girls of his acquaintance. On one occasion, when visiting in Philadelphia. Mr. Scovill was served with "frozen cream" and after inquiring about this new dainty he brought the first ice cream freezer to Waterbury. At a social gathering at his home this new dish was served and one of the ladies of the company was overheard to say: "How bad Miss Scovill would feel if she knew her pudding was 'friz.'" It was also Mr. Scovill who brought the first coal stove to Waterbury. He was charitable to a fault, giving freely and generously wherever aid was needed, and he was a lover of the "common people," of whom Lincoln said: "God must have loved them, since he made so many of them." Love of country was also numbered among the strong characteristics of Mr. Scovill, whose patriotism was manifest in many ways, particularly in his efforts to upbuild the city and state of his resi- dence. One New Year's eve, while sitting in front of the grate fire (in the then finest hotel in New York) some one of the party said something insulting of the flag. As quick as a flash he threw the contents of his glass of eggnog full in the face of the speaker and all over his shirt front. He ever felt that loyalty should be manifested by all those who live beneath the stars and stripes and shared in the protection of the laws of the country. He did every- thing possible for the upbuilding and improvement of his city. It was ever a joy for him to do for his city and advance its welfare and upbuilding in every possible way. Beautiful Riverside cemetery never would be what it is today had it not been for the efforts of Mr. Scovill, his care and his liberality in contributing to its improvement. He watched the planting and directed all of the work, was proud of the result accomplished and put forth every possible effort to make this silent city of the dead one of great beauty. It was also Mr. Scovill who took an active part in assisting in planting the elms on the green in Water- bury. His life was ever the expression of high and manly purpose. of lofty ideals and of noble sentiments.
The high regard entertained for J. M. L. Scovill was indicated at his death. which
Henry N Scorul
עשוי יפי טו
*********.
مستعد
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WATERBURY AND THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY
occurred May 6, 1857. when all the factories, stores and public buildings of Waterbury were closed in his honor. Perhaps the best characterization of the man may be found in obituary notices which appeared in Waterbury and which contained the following: "Those who remem- ber him in those early days will bear witness to his native kindness of disposition, the manly traits of his character; an infusion of a certain magnanimity which won for him the love of his associates that made him always their idol-high-toned qualities that never forsook him under any circumstances and which were an index of that honorable and useful career that has since associated his name with all that is good, upright, enterprising and prac- ticable, not only in the community in which he lived, was born and died, but his influence has been as broadcast as his views were noble, unselfish and expanded. On reviewing the gradual steps by which he rose to the lofty eminence which he attained with his fellowmen we have a practical commentary on what can be achieved by a single individual who steadily pursues the well-trodden path of industry, guided by perseverance, integrity and prudence. With a well-balanced mind, without any pretensions to brilliancy, there was a massiveness in his intellect which enabled him to grapple with circumstances, to concentrate and apply the means of success to a remarkable degree. He would perhaps be classed by some as rather a slow thinker, but when he made up his mind to do a thing it was as good as accomplished. Though progressive he was not speculative. He required to be convinced before he adopted a course of action, that done, no more was to be said: and, as in his business career, so was it in his general intercourse in the ordinary duties of society. Never obtrusive. he was ever forward in every enterprise that would promote the public good, lending not only his per- sonal influence but lavish with those means with which fortune had favored him. He took a lively interest in the politics of the day, yet had no aspiration for office although elected at various times to represent his native town in both branches of the legislature, rather at the intercession of his constituents than from his own choice. In his private relations he was the soul of honor. never forgetting a favor nor neglecting a friend. As he lived, so he died -the same Lamson Seovill. as fresh in his feelings and sympathies as he was in his boyhood."
Of him the Anderson history says: "Mr. Scovill was a man of fine physique and in- domitable energy and perseverance. He had a retentive memory, a ready address, a hearty manner united with a certain dignity of bearing that begat confidence and made a favorable impression. His place was in the market, and for many years in New York. Philadelphia. Baltimore and Boston his was a familiar figure. He was quick and generous in his sympathies. easily moved by the sight of suffering. or by accounts of it, quick to the rescue when aid was possible. and equally indignant at the cause of it when that cause was to be reached. It was not long before his death that he left his horse standing in the middle of the road to lay his whip over the shoulders of a man in a field nearby, who appeared to be treating a boy with uncalled-for severity. although it was the man's own son. He was, as this would indicate. somewhat impetuous in his nature. but his impulses were so clearly on the right side, and his courage so undaunted that his impetuosity seldom, perhaps never, led him into serious tronble."
It is not difficult to speak of Lamson Scovill. for his life and his character were as clear as the sunlight. Not a man came in contact with him but speedily appreciated him at his true worth and knew he was a man who cherished not only a high ideal of duty but who lived up to it. He constantly labored for the right and from his earliest youth he devoted a large portion of his time to the service of others. He was not an idle sentimentalist but a worker. He was at the head of large business interests which he managed successfully, yet it was his rule to set apart some time each day for the labors of love to which he was so devoted. His friends and associates have long missed him, but the memory of his sweet and beautiful life, of his sincerity and simplicity will not be forgotten.
HENRY W. SCOVILL.
Henry W. Scovill, the youngest of the three children of James Mitchell Lamson and Sarah A. (Merriman) Scovill was born in Waterbury, Connecticut, November 11. 1853, and after attending the public schools of his native city continued his education at Hamden and in the Poughkeepsie (N. Y.) Military Academy. When his school days were over he returned to Waterbury and entered into active connection with the Scovill Manufacturing Company. of which his father was one of the founders. He was in the business for a year and then retired from active participation in the business and from 1903 until 1912 traveled extensively in Europe and elsewhere. On returning to Connectient he purchased a place in Watertown which had formerly been owned by distant relatives of the same name. This home, known as "Rest-a-while," is now located on Woodbury road and there he is now living a quiet.
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retired life, although he is still financially interested in several industries of Waterbury as a stockholder and director, including the Scovill Manufacturing Company. He is a man of quiet disposition and a lover of nature, his home and his surroundings bespeaking his ardent appreciation of flowers.
In Stillmanville, Connecticut, on the 5th of March, 1874, Mr. Scovill was united in mar- riage to Miss Ellen Whittaker Hyde, who was born April 15, 1853, in Stillmanville, a daughter of Theophilus Rogers and Fanny Hazard (Brown) Hyde, of Westerly, Rhode Island. Mr. and Mrs. Scovill have become the parents of two daughters and a son: Elsie Margaret, born October 2, 1877; Jeannette, born December 30, 1878; and Henry Lamson, born December 1, 1880. The second daughter was married in Waterbury, her native city, January 1, 1900, to Clarence Aiken Aspinwall, who was born August 6, 1874, in Titusville, Pennsylvania, a son of Algernon Aiken and Martha A. (Humphrey) Aspinwall. Their children are: Margaret Seovill, who was born November 6, 1900; Algernon Aiken II, born September 25, 1902, who died in the spring of 1910; Seovill Hazard, born February 23, 1906; and Ellen Hyde, who was born February 19, 1909, and died on the 9th of March, 1912. The only son of the family, Henry Lamson Scovill, was born December 1, 1880, in Waterbury, and on the 17th of April, 1906, was married in Madison, New Jersey, to Adelaide Buttenheim, who was born September 29, 1880, in Jersey City, New Jersey, a daughter of Joseph Harold and Margaret (Collier) Buttenheim, of Madison, New Jersey. The children of this marriage are: Dorothea Hyde, born January 13, 1909; Lamson Merriman, born August 20, 1912; and Henry William, born February 10, 1914. The father is now engaged in business in New York eity and makes his home in Madison, New Jersey.
Loyalty and patriotism have ever been inarked characteristics of the Seovill family. Their spirit of devotion to eity, state and nation has been manifest in many tangible ways. Mrs. Seovill also comes of a family that has ever kept the fires of patriotism burning brightly. It is said that her grandfather, Orsemus M. Stillman, after the Civil war, during the general financial depression, operated his faetory for a considerable length of time at a loss, so as to keep his employes from suffering, as they could not secure work anywhere else. While Mrs. Seovill traees her ancestry back through many generations, being a deseendant of one of the old families of New England, she follows in the footsteps of her father, who was too democratie to use his eoat of arms. Her religious faith has found expression in her helpfulness toward others. She rejoices in her prosperity in that it enables her to give and to serve those in need. At one time two foreign missionaries were entertained by Mr. and Mrs. Scovill. They were apparently supplied with everything for the trip to their Afriean mission field when Mrs. Scovill, remembering that her husband's father had said at one time that the best way to lead the heathen Africans to Christianity was by sending them a hand organ, said to Mr. Seovill, "Let's give them Father Scovill's hand organ." The little incident is but an indication of the thoughtfulness which Mrs. Scovill is continually manifesting in her work toward helping others. Her mental alertness combined with ready taet enables her to understand best how and when to give assistance. Both Mr. and Mrs. Scovill are widely known for their many acts of charity and benevolence, which have made their names a household word throughout this section of the state. They are continually giving where aid is needed, yet their charity is most quiet and unostentatious. They are always ready and willing to support worthy eauses, no matter from what section the eall eomes. In the Young Men's Christian Association they have ever taken a very deep interest and have done much to promote the growth and success of the association in Waterbury. Mr. Scovill gave the site for the building which was sold for ten thousand dollars. He contributed liberally toward the construction of the association building and he also filled the office of president of the association. Both he and his wife are especially interested in the growth of Waterbury and the development of its resources and the name of Scovill will go down in history in association with the rapid growth and marvelous improvement of Waterbury and with the maintenance of its most sub- stantial and worthy institutions. Both Mr. and Mrs. Scovill are members of the Second Congregational church of Waterbury and their lives in every way conform to its teachings, and the high ideals which they have cherished have found embodiment in practical effort for their adoption. Because of an innate refinement of nature they reject everything opposed to good taste. but their family associations, their personal worth and their activities have long given them a central place in the life of their community.
THE HYDE FAMILY.
On the pages of Connectieut's history the name of Hyde is indelibly written. The progenitor of the family in Connecticut was William Hyde, who settled in Hartford in 1636 and whose name is found in the old cemetery there as that of one of the original settlers.
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He afterward located in Norwich, Connecticut, his name being found on the list of the thirty-five original proprictors of that town, and there he passed away January 6, 1681.
His son, Samuel Hyde, was born in Hartford, Connecticut, about 1637, dying in Nor- wich in 1677, at the age of forty years. In June, 1659, he married Jane Lord, a daughter of Thomas Lord, and they became the parents of eight children, the youngest of whom was Jabez Hyde, who was born in Norwich in May, 1677, and was married December 29, 1709, to Elizabeth Bushnell. His death oceurred September 5, 1762. Phineas Hyde, son of Jabez Hyde, was born February 20, 1720, and was married April 5, 1744, to Anna Rogers. Their son Phincas, born at Norwich, Connecticut, November 5, 1749, was married in Sep- tember, 1782, to Esther Holdridge, a daughter of William aud Prudence (Gavitt) Holdridge. The father was a physician and settled in Poquetamick, Connecticut, but afterward re- moved to Mystie about 1796. He served in the Revolutionary war as a surgeon in the navy and passed away September 5, 1820, having for a decade survived his wife, whose death occurred July 6, 1810. They were the parents of eleven children.
John Hyde, son of Dr. Phineas Hyde, was born at Poquetanuck, Connecticut, June 16, 1783, and was married on the 21st of February, 1808, at Mystic, Connecticut, to Lucy Ann Burrows, who was born January 8, 1789, at Groton, Connecticut, a daughter of Enoch and Esther (Denison) Burrows, of Groton. John Hyde was a manufacturer and made his home at Mystic, Connecticut, where he passed away in 1861. His wife died January 22, 1844. Their children were: Joshua Burrows, born June 29, 1809; John Jay, born February 15, 1811; Enoch Burrows, born January 20, 1815; Silas Burrows, born September 27, 1816; James William, born May 30, 1818; George Denison, born April 13, 1822; Theophilus Rogers, born May 20, 1824; Charles Carrol, born February 1, 1826; William Penn, born February 15, 1828; Joseph Augustus, September 21, 1829; and Edward Lawrence, born May 21, 1835.
Theophilus Rogers Ilyde, son of John Hyde, was born at Mystic, Connecticut, May 20, 1824. Ile made his home at Stillmanville, in the town of Stonington, and became prominently known as a manufacturer, being in business with his father-in-law, Orsemus M. Stillman, known as "O. M." Stillman. Their manufacturing interests constituted an important ele- ment in the business activity of Stillmanville. He died in 1906. On the 30th of April, 1850, he had married Fanny Hazard Brown, who was born in Stillmanville, a suburb of Westerly, a daughter of Elnathan and Franees Gardner (Hazard) Brown and a descendant of one of the best known families of Rhode Island. The children of this marriage are: Orsemus Stillman, who was born February 3, 1851; Ellen Whittaker, born April 15, 1853; Theophilus Rogers, born December 18, 1855; Charles Carrol, born 1859, who died at the age of seven months; Francis Hazard Stillman Hyde, born June 19, 1863: Fanny Hazard Hyde, born Ian- uary 15, 1865; and Edward Addison Hyde, born September 29, 1867.
HON. FREDERIC M. WILLIAMS.
Hon. Frederic M. Williams, attorney of Waterbury and compensation commissioner of the fifth congressional district of Connecticut, was born in Washington, this state, November 27, 1862, the only child of Stanley and Esther C. (Meeker) Williams. The latter, also a native of Connecticut, could claim descent from a Revolutionary war ancestor of the name of Tracy. The father was born at Washington, Connecticut, and was a representative of an old family of this state dating back to colonial days. The great-grandfather, Jabez Williams, served throughout the Revolutionary war with the Continental army and spent the memorable winter with the American troops at Valley Forge. Because of the rigors of the winter and the hardships there endured he contracted an illness that ultimately ended in his death. The marriage of Stanley Williams and Esther C. Meeker was celebrated in the late '50s and the former passed away in 1892, the latter surviving for about ten years.
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