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REV. HOLLIS ANDREW CAMPBELL, A. B., B. D.
SEYMOUR,
PAST AND PRESENT, BY
REV. HOLLIS A. CAMPBELL,
WILLIAM C. SHARPE
AND
FRANK G. BASSETT.
W. C. SHARPE, PUBLISHER, SEYMOUR, CONN. 1902.
THE LIBRARY OF CONGRES3, TWO COPIES RECEIVED APR. 11 1902
COPYRIGHT ENTRY Jan. 25-1902 OLASS OU XXX. No. 25678 COPY B.
Entered acco ding to Act of Congress. in the fear ful, BY WILLIAM C. SHARPE.
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington
JET
ILLUSTRATIONS.
Those marked with a star are from Photographs taken and finished by Rev. H. A. Campbell.
The Spinner and Wheel,* Rock Rimmon,
Seymour from Castle Rock,
24
Old Miles Homestead, *
97
The Falls from Broad Street,
26
The Samuel Botsford Homestead .* 98-99 The Russell Tomlinson House,* 104
The Capt. Abel Holbrook House,* 107
The Home of Rev. Richard Mansfield, * 29 Front View of Heury Wooster Place, * 31 Rear View of Henry Wooster Place,* 32
Priest Abner Smith House .* 108 108
View on South Main Street .* 37
Old Cong'l Communion Service .* 109
The Dr. Thomas Stoddard Place .* 37
40
Christopher Smith Homestead .* 114
116
The Sheldon Tucker Homestead .*
Old Tavern Sign .*
The Old Blacksmith Shop. *
45
One of the Oldest Chestnut Trees,*
120
The old Congregational Parsonage,*
46
The Rocks at "The Falls," 121
47 View on the Naugatuck River,* 122
48 Rock Rimmon, 124
The Naugatuck above Kinneytown,* The Deacon Lum House, *
Congregational Church and Parsonage'126 49
View on Bladeu's Brook,
51
Interior of theCongregational Church. * 128 Second Methodist Episcopal Church, 133 Present Methodist Epis. Church 1891, 133 Interior Methodist Episcopal Church, 34 Trinity Church, 136
By Rimmon Pond, near the Wolf Pit .* 57 Rock Rimmon and Rimmon Pond,*
58
Interior of Trinity Church,
137
The Capt. Robbins House,
60 The Church of St. Augustine. 140
The DeForest-French Place .*
Humphreysville in 1838,
63 Great Ilill Methodist Church 147
64 The Falls and Vicinity in 1872, 150
65 The Stone Bridge and Vicinity. 152
66 The Old Woolen Mill, built in 1806, 155
68 The Kinneytown Dam,* 160
161
Back Porch of Abel Bassett House .*
72 Humphreysville, from an old print. 163
74 Rimmon Falls and Rock Rimmon .* 166
Judge John Humphreys Place,'
75 The Mills and Falls in 1803, 167
78 Facsimile of Gen. Humphreys Letter, 168
80 Gen. Humphreys' Seal and Flag. 170
82 An Old Broadaxe. 171
83
The James Swan Manufg.Co 's Works, 172
85 |The Humphreys Building, 174
87 The Fowler Nail Company's Works, 175
88
The Tingue Manufz. Co.'s Works, 176
91 Southerly View of Lower Falls, etc., 177
The Clark-Hine Homestead,*
Old Chestnut Tree on Rimmon Hill .*
92
The II. A. Matthews Mfg Co. Works, 178
93 The New llaven Copper Co.'s Works, 179
The Old Rimmon Cemetery,"
60 Interior of Church of St. Augustine, 141
61 The German Lutheran Church, 143
Birthplace of Mrs. Ann S. Stevens .* The Seymour House, ·
By the Falls,* Foot of Falls Hill."
George Hurlburt House,"
69 F. H. Beecher's Works,
Old Canfield House,*
The Walter French House
The Old Saw Mill,*
View of Little River,
Eugene Wyant's House, *
The Wooster-Church House,
The Washburn Homestead, * Indian Tree.
15 Fireplace in Alex. Johnson's House .* 95 Rock on Bungay,* 96 16
Birthplace of Gen. Humphreys,* 27
Moses Fanton-Benham House .*
Joseph Tomlinson House,* 111
The Dayton Tavern, *
42 The Holbrook-Russell Place,*
43 The Capt. Nettleton Place, south view."117
43 The Capt. Nettleton Place, east view,* 118
The Bell School House, *
First Congregational Church,
Home of Joel Chatfield and son Leman, *52
D. Holbrook and Chatfield Homestead, * 54 The Jesse Johnson Place,* 55
59 View from Castle Rock, looking north, 138
The Gen. Humphreys Mill,'
Capt. Philo Holbrook House,*
W. R. Brixey's Works,
181 Dr. Abiram Stoddard,
182 George W. Divine, 257
1-3 Samuel R. Dean, 959
183 Lugrand Sharpe, 262
184 Jason Bassett, 265
185 Charles Swift.
266
The Rimmon Manufg. Co.'s Works. The Seymour Iron Foundry,
187
Egbert R. Warner, M. D., 275
Arethusa Spring Water Co.'s Works. Bank Street, looking toward Bridge. 189
Hon. Carlos French.
278
The New Depot .*
190
James Swan,
280
Rear View of Depot and Freight Yard, *191 View from Castle Rock, looking East, 192
Thomas L. James,
283
The Seymour High School, 194
Albert B. Dunham. 286
The Cedar Ridge School House,* 197
Charles II. Lounsbury,
287
Court House and Public Library.
199
Lewis A. Camp,
289 290
The Steam Fire Engine,
202
Andrew Y. Beach.
291
Tingue Opera House after fire in 1886, 204
Capt. W. W. Smith.
993
The Engine House,
206
Edwin A. Lum,
294
The Engine House Parlor,
207
Frank G Bassett.
295
Looking West from the Park.
210
Rev. Edgar C. Tullar,
297
Facsimile of Letter to Col. E Johnso 1, 216
Rev. W. A. Woodford. 298
299
Map of the Town of Seymour, 1856. 223
Rev. Paul E. T. Lempke.
300
Residence of James Swan.
225
Rev. Henry Davenport Nor hrop,
301
Residence of llon. Carlos French,
226
Frank A. Benedict, M. D .
303
Re-idence of A. B Dunham,
227
Charles H. Pulford, M. D.,
304
Residence of Mrs. S. H. Canfield
228 William L Ward,
306
Residence of Dr F. A Benedict,
239
Frederick A. Rugg.
307
Residence of A. Y. Beach,
230
Clayton S. Boies,
308
Residence of C. E. Fairchild,
931
Frederick B· echer.
309
Residence of Edmund Day,
282
Theodore B. Beach.
310
View from Church Hill, looking east, 302
S. Hart Culver,
311
View from Broad Street Bridge,
312
Robert Healey,
313
View of Broad street and vicinity.
329
Thomas Sharpe.
314
The James Swan Co.'s lower falls,
331
Williamı B. Swan,
315
The Windsor Hotel,
333
Clifford J. Atwater,
317
View on Little River,
349
George A. Divine,
318
PORTRAITS.
Sharon D. Beach,
319
James M. Smith,
320 321
Gen David Humphreys,
233
Albert Swan,
322
John H DeForest,
235
Charles H. French, 323
Walter French,
238
Curtis W. Thrall, 323
325
Thomas James,
244
Albert E. Clark,
327
Austin Goodyear Day,
345
Julius H and Junius N. Benham,
328
Sharon Y Beach.
247
Upson Post, G A. R., May 30, 1891.
341
Dr. Joshua Kendall,
252 Lieut. Hiram Upson, 358
A. G. De Wolfe,
353 Group of Ladies,
360
Residence of W. R. Brivey,
The Seymour Manufg. Co.'s Works, Electric Light Company's Building, The S. Y Beach Paper Co.'s Works. The Falls in Time of Flood,
255
Rev. Hollis A. Campbell, frontispiece.
Rev. Richard Mansfield,
30
John Swan,
Raymond French,
239
William C. Sharpe,
285
Valley National Bank,
200
Edward A. Klatt,
Map of the Center. 1856.
Rev M. F. Rigney.
William R. Brixey.
186 Oliver Stoddard Chat ield. 271
188 Henry A Rider, 276
PREFACE.
The lover of history looks with interest upon the old homes and landmarks of a New England village. But if inquiry is made con- cerning many of these old places, there is disappointment in learn- ing their history, because of the indefinite answers given. Having had this experience, the writer has been gathering, for seven years, items of interest relating to the old landmarks, homes and families located in Seymour. Of the old places remaining, the writer has taken many photographs, which led to further inquiry into their his- tory. The suggestion to combine the illustrations and history natur- ally followed.
In May, 1900, I wrote an article upon the subject, "Old Land- marks of Seymour," for the Connecticut Magazine, but this was in- complete for the lack of space.
The interest taken in this article led to the plan of putting in book form what information was gathered relating to the old homes. In so doing it is my aim to present the information in such a way as to revive the public interest in our local history, that has clustered about the old homes and landmarks for two centuries and more.
It has also been my aim to point out these places, and to briefly describe them, treating of their history in localities, if not altogether in the order of time. This method will, with the history of the fam- ilies, give greater variety, and add to the local and general interest.
Any effort of this kind will, by necessity, be incomplete, be- cause many facts of history and the traditions have departed with the fathers.
The most instructive and interesting history is that which re- lates to all sides of life, classes and conditions of men. The history of the people has been too brief. It has been too much confined to the civil community. Therefore it is hoped that the present meth- od of presentation will be a pleasant change, that is, by more fully considering the homes, families and life that make up the civil com- munity. The home and home life are nearest the hearts of men. The social, religious and political institutions have been closely re- lated to the old homes, to touch the inner life of the people. All these come into our brief history.
4
PREFACE.
I am indebted to many friends for the information that is given in these pages. I wish to express my thanks to all who have in any way contributed to this work; and for the generous public response in encouraging the work, by subscribing for the same.
My constant aim has been to present an interesting book to read and also to make it of sufficient value to be useful for future refer- ence.
Among the books for reference were the following: "The His- tory of Seymour," 2 vols., by W. C. Sharpe; "History of Derby," by S. Orcutt; "The History of New Haven County," by J. L. Rockey; "Derby Records," manuscripts, deeds, etc.
No sooner was this book begun than there appeared the need of enlarging it upon the original plan. It was therefore arranged that W. C. Sharpe should have the exclusive preparation of the bi- ographies.
In preparing notes for the churches, manufacturing industries and fraternities, I found the time too short to do the subjects justice and consequently these were left to W. C. Sharpe, who prepared these articles.
It was further arranged with F. G. Bassett for the preparation of the genealogies, which he has done with much labor, faithful- ness and success, thus greatly increasing the value of the book.
Concerning the illustrations, more than sixty of these were from photographs taken and finished by the writer (H. A. C.) Others were from cuts made for "The Seymour Record," and furnished by W. C. Sharpe. Still others were from cuts generously loaned by the "Connecticut Magazine Co." of Hartford. The photographic work of Ralph S. Beach is illustrated in these pages, and also that of W. C. Bryant of New York.
From the department of the U. S. Geological Survey, Wash- ington, D. C., there was secured a special edition of 500 copies of the map, "Derby Sheet," made for this book, and given by the writer. This is the topographical map of Seymour and surrounding towns, and is one of the best maps made.
Special thanks are due to the Town of Seymour for having a map of the town made, and also for furnishing copies of said map for this book, "Seymour, Past and Present." This map was ordered after most of this book was written.
H. A. CAMPBELL.
SEYMOUR, Conn., Jan. 23, 1902.
CONTENTS.
PART I. - BY REV. H. A. CAMPBELL.
HISTORICAL DATA AND SKETCH, AND OLD LANDMARKS. DIVISION I. Important Events and Dates and Historical Sketch.
Chapter I .- Important Events and Dates, page 9. Our Naugatuck, Poem, by M. S. Noyes, 15.
Chapter II. - Historical Sketch, 17. DIVISION II. Old Landmarks, Homes and Families.
Chapter I. - Fishing Place, Indians, etc., 25. Additional Notes, see p. 21I. To Rock Rimmon, Poem, by A. F. Rider, 124. PART II.
Chapter I. - The Churches of Seymour, by W. C. Sharpe. The Congregational Church, 125.
The Methodist Episcopal Church, 130. Trinity Church, 136.
The Church of St. Augustine, 140.
The German Lutheran Church, 143.
The Great Hill Congregational Church, 144.
Great Hill Methodist Episcopal Church, 147.
Chapter II. - Manufacturing Industries, by W. C. Sharpe. Industries of the Past, 151.
Present Manufacturing Industries, 172.
Chapter III. - The Public Schools, Library and Bank, by Rev. H. A. Campbell.
The High School, Second Street, Bell, Cedar Ridge, Bungay and Great Hill Schools, 193. The Public Library, 199. Valley National Bank, 200.
6
CONTENTS.
Chapter IV .- By W. C. Sharpe.
The Seymour Fire Department, 201. The New Park, 210.
Chapter V .- By Rev. H. A. Campbell.
Old Homes, Families and Landmarks-Additional Notes, 211. Early Dealings with the Indians, 215.
Chapter VI .- By W. C. Sharpe. Early Settlers, Indian Hill and Success Hill, 218.
Chapter VII .- By Rev. H. A. Campbell. Dates of Houses, Factories and Public Buildings, 225. Chapter VIII .- By W. C. Sharpe.
Biography, People of the Past, 233.
Biography, People of Today, 277.
Selectmen, from 1850 to 1902, 329.
Town Clerks, Treasurers and School Visitors, 330. Members of the Board of Education, 332.
Postmasters, 333.
Representatives, 334.
Chapter IX .- Patriotic Services in Time of War, by W. C. Sharpe. In the War of the Revolution, 335.
In the French and Indian Wars, 339.
Soldiers in the War of 1812-1814, 339.
In the Mexican and Florida Wars, 340.
In the War for the Preservation of the Union, 340.
Chapter X .- Fraternal and Patriotic Societies, etc., by W. C. Sharpe, 349.
PART III .- BY FRANK G. BASSETT.
Genealogies, 361.
Index, following Genealogies.
Map of Seymour, presented by the Town, and Derby Sheet of U. S. Survey Map, inside back cover.
PART I. BY REV. H. A. CAMPBELL.
HISTORICAL DATA AND SKETCH, AND OLD LANDMARKS.
DIVISION I.
IMPORTANT EVENTS AND DATES, HISTORICAL SKETCH. CHAPTER I. IMPORTANT EVENTS AND DATES.
1614, Adriaen Block discovered Connecticut coast and river
1630, The Council of Plymouth (or for New England) granted the tract including Connecticut to Earl of Warwick.
1631. The Earl of Warwick granted to Lord Say and Sele and others the tract from Narragansett River west 120 miles includ- ing all of Connecticut.
1633, The earliest date used relating to the Indians at the Falls, Seymour.
1637-8, New Haven was first settled.
1639, Apr, 25, New Haven Colony was founded.
1639, Milford was settled.
1642, Mr. Wakeman established a trading post at Derby.
1654, Edward Wooster was the first permanent settler in the Naug- atuck valley at Derby.
1665, New Haven county was named.
1665, The union of the Connecticut and New Haven colonies was made.
1670, Date of the Great Hill and Hawley purchase.
1675, Derby town was incorporated with 12 families.
1677, Waterbury was settled, and was incorporated in 1686.
1678, Apr. 22, Ebenezer Johnson became the first owner of land in Seymour, purchased of the Indians, near Rock Rimmon. 1678, Apr. 22, The inhabitants of Derby bought of the Indians the land about the Falls, except the Falls and reservation eastward. 1683, Samuel Riggs' cellar was located southeast of Rock Rimmon. 1685, The first Milford purchase south of bladens brook one mile and 120 rods wide, along New Haven line.
IO
SEYMOUR
PAST AND PRESENT.
1687, Aug. 6, Quaker Farms and Rockhouse Hill region was bought of the Indians.
1687, Aug. 6, mention made of Woodbury path or road over Rock- house Hill.
1690. Before this date there were two or three settlers near Rock Rimmon.
1692, David Wooster, son of Edward Ist, bought of Indians land between Castle rock and the river.
1693, Aug. 15, Land bought of the Indians, by Wm. Tomlinson, J. Hard, J. Lum and T. Wooster, etc., located between 4 and 5 mile brook, now Rockhouse Hill, a part of the 1687 purchase. 1700, Feb. 29, The 2nd Milford purchase, "two bit purchase," north of Bladens brook, along New Haven line.
1702, Feb. 23, the 3d Milford purchase, "one bit purchase," north of Lebanon brook, now west part of Bethany.
1702, The "Camp's mortgage purchase," a tract 3 miles square on Great Hill was divided. The Indians or the town of Derby had previously given this mortgage to Nicholas Camp of Milford. 1707, There were settlers at Pinesbridge.
1708, Division made of land at Rock Rimmon and Pinesbridge between Eb. Johnson and Sam. Riggs.
1712, The first roads or paths were constructed in the north part of Derby town.
1731, There were settlers along Little River.
1731, The Indians sold their reservation except the Falls and plain adjoining.
1738, About this date Chief Chuse settled near the Falls.
1740-2, There were about twenty families in this part of the town. 1747, The date of sale of the Abbott's house and mills on Little river near Park and Oxford roads.
1750, About this date the Woosters had a deer park of 100 acres west of corners of Park and Oxford roads.
1759, New road was laid out at the foot of Indian Hill, south of the bridge, now South Main street.
1760, The town granted to James Pritchard the site on Little river for a corn mill.
1763, Oct. 4, The Indians sold the Falls and 212 acres of land to Keeney, Wooster and J. Hull, Jr. The first industries were soon established.
II
IMPORTANT EVENTS AND DATES.
1766, A school is mentioned on Great Hill. The first schools in town were in private houses.
1775, Nov. 29, Great Hill ecclesiastical society organized, and in- corporated in May, 1779.
1780, About this time Chief Chuse went to state reservation, Scat- acook.
1781, The Great Hill Congregational church was built. The first meeting was held in March, 1782.
1783, Plans begun, and road built soon after, from Woodbury along Housatonic river to Derby.
1783, The graveyard was established on Great Hill.
1784, The town of Woodbridge was incorporated.
1785, Capt. Bradford Steele built a shop with hammers at the Falls, run by water power.
1787, Dec. 21, Rev. Abner Smith was called to the church on Great Hill, remaining until 1829 or 1830.
1789, Nov. 3, Congregational church, Seymour, organized with 26 members.
1790, Congregational church was built on Pearl street.
1793, The first physician, Dr. S. Sanford, came to town.
1793, About the date of the first Methodist preaching.
1795, The Oxford turnpike constructed by the second turnpike com- pany chartered in the state
1797, Feb. 20, Trinity Episcopal church was organized.
1797, Feb. 7, Methodist church was organized.
1798, The town of Oxford was incorporated.
1798, The New Haven turnpike was constructed, now Maple street, beginning at Pearl.
1799, (1790?) Titus Beach built fulling mill on Bladens brook, now the Beach paper mill.
1802, Road was built from iron bridge, Broad street, up the hill to the old blacksmith shop.
1802, Gen. David Humphreys imported 100 merino sheep from Spain to Derby.
1803, Gen. D. Humphreys purchased the property at the Falls.
1804, The name Humphreysville was given to this part of the town. 1804, Dr. Abiram Stoddard, M. D., came to town.
1804, Oct. 18, Morning Star Lodge, No. 47, F. & A. M., was organ- ized in Oxford with 20 members. Revived and moved to Sey- mour, May 14, 1851.
12
SEYMOUR PAST AND PRESENT.
1805, Gen. D. Humphreys established the first paper mill in town. 1805, The road on the west side of the river was laid out, extending to Derby Narrows.
1806, June 5-6, Gen. D. Humphreys raised the frame of the woolen mill.
1806, The Humphreysville Mfg. Co. was established.
1807, Thomas Gilyard and John Winterbotham came from England. 1812-12, The last of the Indian lands were sold on and near Indian Hill, now Promised Land.
1810, Date of the birth of Mrs. Ann Stephens, daughter of John Winterbotham, born on West street, died at Newport. R. I., Aug. 20, 1886.
1810, About this date Walter French began to make twisted augers and bits in a blacksmith shop on the corner of Pearl and Maple streets.
1818, Feb. 21, Gen. D. Humphreys died suddenly in New Haven, and was buried there. Born in Derby, 1752.
1828, The first bell and stove used in Trinity church.
1837, The first paper made of straw in Connecticut was at the Smith paper mill.
1842, The Humphreysville Grave Yard Association was organized, that is, Union Cemetery; and the first burial was in October, Curtis Randall.
1844, Raymond French built the dam at Kinneytown.
1844, The town of Naugatuck was incorporated.
1844, The road from Blueville ( Rubber mill ) was cut through to the village.
1846, The Congregational church building was begun on Broad street, and was dedicated April 20, 1847.
1847, The dam at Rimmon Falls was begun and was flooded Oct. 27, 4867. Cost $65,000.
1848, The New Haven Copper Co. was incorporated. Capital,
$200,000.
1849, The first railroad locomotive ran into Seymour, May Io, and on May 14 the Naugatuck road was opened from Bridgeport to Seymour.
1850, Seymour was incorporated as a town, with a population of 1,677.
1850, The dam at the Falls was rebuilt with solid masonry by Ray- mond French.
13
IMPORTANT EVENTS AND DATES.
1851, The first town bank was incorporated.
1853-4, The Great Hill M. E. church was built.
1854, Austin G. Day began the manufacture of hard rubber goods, etc.
1856-7, The wooden bridge across the Naugatuck river, Bank street, was built.
1857, The Hoadley bridge was built at west end of Bank street.
1866, The Fowler Nail Co. was incorporated. Capital $60,000.
1867, Oct. 27, The Rimmon Falls dam, gates first closed.
1869, Printing office opened by William C. Sharpe.
1870, The population of Seymour was 2, 121.
1871, Beacon Falls was incorporated as a town, formed out of the adjoining towns.
1871, The Seymour Record was first published by W. C. Sharpe. 1880, The population of Seymour was 2, 318.
1880, The Tingue Mfg. Co. was incorporated. Capital $200,000. 1880, The Seymour Mfg. Co. was organized May, 1880. Incorpor- ated January session, 1887. Capital $500,000.
1880, The S. Y. Beach Paper Co. was incorporated. Capital $10,000.
1882, Fire on Bank street destroyed the furniture store of E. F. Bassett and store of S. Y. Beach.
1882, Oct. 21, The Fire Company was organized, and incorporated March 17, 1886.
1883, The iron bridge at Broad street was built.
1884, The High School building was begun on Bank street and was occupied the fall of 1886.
1886. Aug. 20, Mrs. Ann Stephens died in Newport, R. I., aged 76. 1888, July 15, The Church of St. Augustine cornerstone lid. Ded- icated May 18, 1890.
1889, Ansonia was incorporated as a town, separating from Derby. 1889, The "Pines" was converted into a public park. Purchased in 1869.
1889, Jan. The Seymour Electric Co. was incorporated. Capital $28,000.
1890, The population of Seymour was 3, 300.
1890, The H. A. Matthews Mfg. Co. was organized. Capital $85,000. 1892, The Arethusa Spring Water Co. of Seymour was organized by Hon. C. French.
1892, The Seymour Free Public Library was organized.
14
SEYMOUR, PAST AND PRESENT.
1892, Nov. 21, The German Evangelical Church was organized. Church built 1894.
1892, Jan. Dr. Frank A. Benedict, M. D., began practice in town.
1892, Dr. E. W. Davis, M. D., began practice in town.
1895, The James Swan Co. was incorporated. Capital $125,000. J. Swan, Supt. and Manager 1865, full owner 1877.
1898, The Seymour Water Co. was organized. Capital $60,000.
1898, The Seymour Iron Foundry was established by E. A. Klatt. 1898, May 3, The Board of Trade was organized.
1898, May 4, The E. C. Sharpe B. & L. Co. was incorporated. Capital, $5,000.
1898, Oct. 15, The new Railway Station was opened.
1899, Apr., Water Works completed of S. Water Co.
1900, Population of Seymour, 3,541.
1900, July 16, the charter of the Valley National Bank of Seymour was granted. The bank was opened Ang. 14, with W. L. Ward as president and C. S. Boies cashier.
1900, Jan., the Rimmon Mfg. Co. was incorporated. Capital, $30,000.
1900, Oct., the New Park, the gift of Hon. Carlos French, was accepted by the town.
1901, Charter was granted for Electric road from Ansonia to Sey- mour. S. Hart Culver was Representative to Conn. Legislature.
POPULATION OF DERBY.
1756, including Oxford, 1080: 1774, population 1889; 1790, popu- lation 2994 ; 1800, Derby alone, pop. 1878 ; 1810, pop. 2,051. SOME OF THE GREAT FLOODS IN THE NAUGATUCK RIVER.
Jan. 13, 1835. Jan. 7, 1838. In 1847 there were three heavy freshets-Feb. 3d and 8th, and March 10.
On Nov. 12, 1853, the water rose 18 ft. 11 in. The south part of the railroad bridge was carried away with the abutment. The bridges at Beacon Falls, Pinesbridge and Ansonia were carried away.
Jan. 8th, 1854, the water again swept away the railroad bridge, and also the dam at the rubber mill.
April 30, 1854, there was a rise of water 19 ft. 5 in., and Derby avenue was washed out to the depth of three feet or more, and boats were used in the avenue.
15
IMPORTANT EVENTS AND DATES.
Oct. 4, 1869. 15 ft. 9 in. Two bridges on Bladens brook were swept away. Feb. 19, 1870, 14 ft. Jan. , 1874, 17 ft. 6 in. Aug. 19, 1875, 13 ft. Dec. 10, 1878, 17 ft. tin. Feb. 12, 1880, 9 ft. 5 in. Dec. 18, 1888, 13 ft. 11 in. Feb. 7, 1896, 16 ft. 5 in. March , I 1901, 16 ft. 6 in.
-
Our Naugatuck.
Down through the shadowy valleys green Where ferns and grasses grow, Winding the fragrant banks between, Its water onward fow. Through sunny dale and shady nook, Through forest, field and g en, Mid song of birds and babbling brook, Afar from haunts of men.
Past towering rocks whose mossy crest In summer sunsets glow. And vineclad hills in verdance drest, Where pale, sweet violets grow Through quiet vale and busy town, With sound of wheel and loom, 'Mid morning sunbeams dancing down, And evening's shade and gloom.
Past eities 'mid whose grassy waves The sculptured marble keeps It's silent vigils o'er the graves Weere many a loved one sleeps, It gently glides in tranquil mood, When skies are fair and bright And rushes on in storm and flood, With mad resistless flight
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