USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Bridgeport > A History of the Old Town of Stratford and the City of Bridgeport, Connecticut, Part I > Part 53
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Mr. Bronson continued in the direction of the bank for twenty-five years. He was president for the whole period, except an interval of four years, from 1823 to 1827, when he gave place to John S. Cannon, returning to the position on Mr. Cannon's death in 1827. Capt. George Hoyt continued cashier for eighteen years, until his death in 1825, when he was succeeded by his son, Josiah S. Hoyt, for seven years. During this period the bank prospered, outrode the storms of war and financial crises without the suspension of specie pay- ments, and paid regular, and some large, extra dividends. To do this it went outside of Bridgeport and its vicinity to make loans. In 1832 Mr. Bronson sold his stock and retired from all connection with the bank.
On November 7, 1832, Ebenezer Jessup, of Saugatuck, was elected president, and a month later, the health of Josiah S. Hoyt having become impaired, Charles Hill, of Catskill, N. Y., was elected cashier. Mr. Jessup remained president until 1838, when Sylvanus Sterling, of Bridgeport, was elected president and George Burroughs cashier. Several changes were made in the amount of capital, reducing it to $110,000, but in 1838 it was again increased and made $210,000.
Sherman Hartwell was elected president July 4, 1849, and continued in the office until July 6, 1869, when he posi- tively declined a reelection. During this period, in 1854-5, the banking house was repaired, another story added, and the exterior improved, at a total cost of $6,000. At his retirement from the presidency of the bank, Mr. Hartwell had served it thirty-six years as a director, and twenty years as president ;
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History of Stratford.
and the directors passed the following : " Resolved, That the thanks of this board are due, and are hereby tendered to Sher- man Hartwell for efficient and valuable services as president of this bank for the last twenty years, and as evidence of the prosperity of the bank it may be stated that it has during the said twenty years paid its stockholders in dividends the sum of $430,700, on a capital of $212,000, and increased its surplus $40,000." Mr. Hartwell survived in quiet retirement until January 16, 1876, when he passed away in the fulness of years, esteemed and honored.
Mr. Munson Hawley was elected president July 6, 1869, to fill the place made vacant by the retirement of Mr. Hartwell, and proved a worthy successor. His administra- tion for more than sixteen years has been economical, efficient and successful, for there has been paid during this period the sum of $399,320 in dividends, and the surplus increased about $40,000.
George Burroughs, the veteran cashier, continued his faithful service nearly four years longer, when his labor closed suddenly as he entered the banking house on the morning of March 12, 1872, having served as cashier nearly twenty-five years and as director ten years. The following was passed by the board of directors: " Whereas, by the death of our highly esteemed friend and associate, Mr. George Burroughs, who for nearly thirty-five years faith- fully performed his duties as cashier of this bank, we feel that this institution has suffered an almost irreparable loss. Always at his post of duty, kind-hearted and obliging in his business transactions, honest and true in all his dealings, we most sincerely regret his loss, not only to this institution, but to the community, and we extend our united sympathy to his afflicted family in their sad bereavement which a wise Providence has called them to sustain. Resolved, That as a token of our regard for our late esteemed friend, the Board of Directors of this bank will attend his funeral in a body."
At the death of Mr. Burroughs Mr. Frank N. Benham was appointed cashier and has served faithfully and accepta- bly for twelve years, and for the last three years as a director.
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Bridgeport.
The list of directors during the existence of the bank, numbers eighty-five names.
Of the present board of directors, only one, Mr. R. B. Lacey, served under the old system, he having first entered the board in 1857, and none of the rest earlier than 1869. The names of the present board are: Munson Hawley, Thomas B. Bartram, Plumb N. Fairchild, Carlos Curtis, Thomas B. DeForest, Rowland B. Lacey, David M. Read, John M. Wheeler, Frank N. Bartram.
The bank has had seven presidents: Isaac Bronson, who served twenty-one years; John S. Cannon, four years; Eben- ezer Jessup, five years; Sylvanus Sterling, eleven years; Hanford Lyon, one year; Sherman Hartwell, twenty years; Munson Hawley, sixteen years; and it has had five cashiers ; George Hoyt, eighteen years; Josiah S. Hoyt, seven years; Charles Hill, five years ; George Burroughs, thirty-five years ; Frank N. Benham, twelve years.
Doct. Isaac Bronson, son of Isaac and Mary (Brockett) Bronson, was born in Middlebury, Conn., March 10, 1760. After improving the privileges of the common schools and studying medicine with Doct. Lemuel Hopkins, of Hartford, he entered the Revolutionary army as a junior surgeon, Nov. 14, 1779, in the Connecticut line under the immediate com- mand of General Washington, and served efficiently through the war. He then made a voyage to India, traveled in Eu- rope, returned to the United States about 1789, and soon after married Anna, daughter of Thomas Olcott, of Water- bury, but previously of Stratford. About the year 1692 he settled in Philadelphia, where he remained two years, during which that city was visited with a severe yellow fever epi- demic, in which the doctor served very successfully as a physician, and it has been currently reported that he there accumulated property which was the foundation of his subse- quent financial success.
After this, for a time, he pursued the business of a banker in New York City. In 1796 he purchased the property of Timothy Dwight, D.D., on Greenfield Hill, Conn., intending it for a summer residence, but it became his settled habita- tion, and while residing there in 1807 he became the presi-
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History of Stratford.
dent of the Bridgeport bank. In this office he continued- with an interval of four years-a faithful and honored officer until 1832, when he retired. He died at his home on Green- field Hill May 19, 1839, in his 80th year.
Doctor Bronson's banking career, extending, as it did, through two great financial crises-that of 1812 and 1836 and 7-was one of extensive influence as well as financial success. The papers of Hon. Roger Minot Sherman show that there was much conference between himself and Doctor Bronson in regard to financial questions, and there is good reason to believe that the independent treasury-system of the United States, which succeeded the breakdown of the United States Bank under the administration of General Jackson, was form- ulated after and mainly in accordance with the suggestions of these masterly minds.
Doctor Bronson gave much attention to his farm at Greenfield Hill, supervising personally the smallest matters, as well as the greatest, of improvement about his home, which still exhibits his genius, skill and labor.
John S. Cannon came to Bridgeport from Norwalk about 1790, a merchant of some wealth. His residence was on the site of the Waller Building, corner of Water street and Fairfield avenue, and was associated in business with Lambert Lockwood. They built their store and wharf on the present site of Baruch Ellis's stone yard about 1792, and conducted a general trade in dry goods and groceries, and run a regular packet to New York, the vessel being the sloop Juba, sailed by Capt. John Brooks, Sen. Mr. Cannon owned the next store south of the above, which he rented to Isaac Sherman and John Brooks, Jr., and others.
Lambert Lockwood came to Bridgeport from Wilton, Conn., about 1790, and had his residence on the north side of State street, on the site of the brick block between the houses of the late Doct. David H. Nash and Doct. Robert Hubbard. In personal appearance he was possessed of a full stature, fine presence and affable manner.
He was a public spirited man, connected with the Con- gregational church. His house, more than any other, was a
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Bridgeport.
home for visiting clergymen in his time. Lockwood, was a well known bookseller o Another of his sons, the Rev. Peter Lockwood Presbyterian minister. In later life he was c books and stationery and printing, having ti Sterling, Jr., as an assistant or partner. He the peace and grand juryman and sometimes w to quell disturbances.
On one occasion Mr. Lockwood made a call upon John S. Cannon, wearing a new bro When about to leave for home it was found severely. Mr. Lockwood remarked that he c wet his new coat and inquired of Mr. Cannon il' coat he could wear instead of his own. Mr. C had, and soon brought it forth. This Mr. Locl and departed for home, leaving his new coa reaching home he heard a rap at his door, al Cannon appeared wearing Mr. Lockwood's coal another shower that had overtaken him on the the exchange before he should sleep.
Salmon Hubbell came to Bridgeport, als: about 1790, and had his residence on the bluff, street, south of and adjoining Mr. Cannon; the been taken down about 1873. . He was a caj master in the Continental army, and partici taking of Stony Point fort under General Way : a peculiarly elegant hand, which may be seet borough and town records. He conducted a grocery store on the northwest corner of W. streets more than twenty years, to 1815. H .: town clerk of Bridgeport, to which office h several years from 1820. He was brother of ( ; Hubbell.
Isaac Hinman came from Trumbull. 11 on the corner of Main and Bank streets and aft : corner of Wall and Water streets, which lat : Washington Hotel and was kept for many yı: the well known Capt. Munson Hinman. He !
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History of Stratford.
the south side of State street, but on the erection of the new block-now old-on the north side of State street, between the post office and Main street, he removed to it and opened a distinctively dry goods store. Richard Hyde married one of his daughters, and was associated with and succeeded him in the business. Mr. Hinman died in middle life. Mr. Hyde was prominently identified with the dry goods trade many years.
William Peet was a successful business man of the old school. His residence was a large old fashioned house with two front rooms with a wide hall extending from the front to the rear, standing on the site of the present post office build- ing, fronting on State street. Though in later years it was skirted with stores on each side, yet with its liberal piazza and front yard filled with shrubbery, it was very noticeable and attractive. He was a tanner and currier, and his yard was located on Broad street between Cannon and John streets. The remains of the old vats were but recently taken from the site of Messrs. Hincks and Johnson's new factory. In connection with Sheldon Smith, as Peet and Smith, he conducted the manufacture and sale of saddlery in and over the store next east of and adjoining his residence on State street. This business was enlarged by adding to the firm William Wright, who opened a store in Charleston, S. C., soon after the close of the war of 1812, under the name of Peet, Smith and Company. The business was successful and although he retired from it early, it added much to Mr. Peet's wealth.
He reared an excellent family ; among them was an Episcopal clergyman and two successful business men in New York City, while another followed the business of his father in this city. One daughter married William Wright, above mentioned, who, after a successful business career, became governor of New Jersey and United States senator from that state; and another married the late Hon. Henry . K. Harral, who also followed the saddlery business in Charleston, S. C., New York city, and Bridgeport, with great success. Mr. Peet survived most of his associates and came to his death full of years.
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Bridgeport.
Capt. David Minot was a man of wealth His business firm consisted of David Minot, Stepl and William DeForest. They carried on the Bo trade successfully for a number of years previc the store located a little north of the foot of which had been previously occupied by Richal Hubbell. He was quite a conspicuous person munity, ranking, probably, next to John S. Cil were leaders in public matters, and each retainer tion with the bank until his death. Mr. Mind was on State street identical with the green on of the present court-house. He died in 1830.
Samuel William Johnson, of Stratford of Judge Wm. Samuel Johnson and grandson c. Johnson, and was a prominent citizen of the State. He served the bank eight years, freque dent pro tem. of the meetings of the board of : relation ceasing in 1814.
Ezra Gregory, Sen., came to Bridgeport in 1796. His house, situated on the west side of at the head of Wall, was occupied by him for as a public house or tavern. He was one of stockholders of the bank and all the early me stockholders and board of directors were held ; until the bank building was completed. He wi of the bank from 1817 to 1821. His house was many others in the great fire in 1845. He was c and a prominent citizen, as was also his son, Ezr: and many years after. His daughter married Je from Trumbull, a successful dry goods merchant and in the later years of his life, treasurer of th Railroad Company.
Hon. Elijah Boardman was a prominen merchant of New Milford. He was a grandson Daniel and Jerusha (Sherman) Boardman and th great grandson of Dea. David Sherman, of Sti business career extended from 1782 to 1819, a successful. In 1795 he became leading member
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History of Stratford.
necticut Land Company, and therefore one of the purchasers of the Western Reserve, now comprising a considerable portion of the northern part of the State of Ohio. He attended in person to the survey and sale of a large propor- tion of the section divided to his company, and derived con- siderable income from the sale. He was a representative in his own State and in the upper house or senate from 1818 to 1821, and was a representative in the 17th congress, and hav- ing been elected to the United States senate for six years, was a member of that body at his decease, which occurred in Ohio during one of his visits there in 1823. He was a director of this bank from 1808 to 1817-18. His personal appearance was unusually elegant, affable and refined. His business talents were uncommonly good and his constancy in their use was rarely surpassed. The late Hon. William W. Board- man, of New Haven, was his son.
Capt. George Hoyt was a native of Bridgeport. He owned and resided in a house built by his father before the Revolution on the high bluff on the west side of Water street, about two hundred feet south of State street. In his earlier days he was a seaman in the employ of John S. Cannon or his firm. His fine business qualities were well known and at the organization of the Bridgeport bank he was elected the first cashier, which position he filled with great acceptance eighteen years, until his death in July, 1825.
Abijah Hawley was a representative of one of the old- est, most numerous and prominent families in the early set- tlement of Stratford and Stratfield. The Hawley family was among the most wealthy at the start, and as they branched out from the old homestead they were everywhere thrifty, acquiring large tracts of land, and in Bridgeport they were among the first for adventure and successful trade. "As rich as the Hawley's," was a familiar phrase among the people seventy years ago. The rule had its exceptions, but was so applicable as to become a common saying. Isaac Sherman, Esq., speaks as follows of the firm of Abijah Hawley and Company : " It was composed of Abijah, Aaron and Wilson Hawley. They carried on the Boston coasting grain business
UNITED BANK BUILDING
BANK
CITY
UNITED BANK BUILDING, ERECTED IN 1884 AND 85.
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607
Bridgeport.
and West India trade. Their coaster was called the Three Sisters, probably from the wives of the partners, who were all daughters of Capt. Stephen Summers; and their New York packet was the sloop Caroline, and they were very successful for many years. Their store and wharf were on Water street a little south of State street, the grain elevator of Mr. John Hurd occupying about the same site. Abijah Hawley was the sixth generation from Joseph Hawley, the first settler of the name in Stratford, through Samuel, of Stratford; Dea. Thomas, Capt. Ezra and Thomas, of Strat- field. The last was the father of Abijah, whose residence was on the west side of Water street corner of Thomas. The following were children of Abijah and Polly (Summers) Hawley : George, Abijah, Thomas, Emeline and Munson. The first two followed the water for many years. Thomas was a merchant, the founder of the well known hardware house of T. Hawley and Company. Emeline married Dea. George Sterling, and Munson, who has been a successful merchant, and who in later years has given his attention to banking, has been for the last sixteen and a half years the efficient president of this bank, and now at the age of more than four score years it may be said of him, that his eye (to business) has not become dimmed, nor his natural force abated.
The United Bank Building, erected in 1885, by the Bridgeport National Bank and the City Savings Bank, sit- uated on the northeast corner of Main and Bank streets, is constructed with granite copings and steps, with rock-faced Springfield brown stone extending to the height of the second story on the front and one story on the side. Above, the materials are Trenton pressed brick with brown stone trim- mings. The main entrance is situated in the center of the building, on Main street, and the banking room floor is reached through a commodious vestibule by a broad flight of slate steps. The side walls of vestibule and main halls are composed of enamelled brick laid in neat geometrical patterns. The floor of the hall on the first floor and of the business por- tion of both banking rooms is of white marble tiles. There is a commodious staircase leading to the second floor, composed entirely of iron and slate.
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History of Stratford.
The building contains three stores, accommodations for two banks, and thirteen offices; it has also ample storage room on the third floor, which is reached by a circular iron staircase. The structure is heated throughout by steam and the best of plumbing appliances have been introduced. The store and office floors are finished in pine; the banking room floors and halls in cherry in the natural wood. The vaults in the banking rooms are among the best ever built in this country and are furnished with the latest improvements of all kinds; their exterior surfaces are built of enamelled brick in the same manner as the main halls.
The building was designed for strength, convenience and utility ; no effort was made for elaborate or ornate architect- ural display, but a general appearance of solidity and strength was aimed at: it was the aim of the designer to indicate ex- teriorly the purpose for which the interior was to be used. The style of architecture adopted was a modified Gothic in combination with heavy Romanesque arches; the architect relied more upon the contrasting colors of the materials used and the grouping of the entrances and windows for his effects than upon elaborate detail. He aimed not only to obtain pleasant and commodious quarters for the banks, at an easily accessible height above the sidewalk level, but at the same time to utilize the space underneath the banks for business purposes. The problem thus presented was solved by the introduction of stores with areas in front. This led to much adverse criticism while the building was being constructed, but the ready rental of the stores and their popularity is the best and most conclusive argument that the bank officials acted wisely in adopting this mode of construction.
Shipping and Shipmasters.
As early as 1760 the mouth of the Pequonnock river was called the harbor, but previously it had been called the Pequonnock river, showing that not very remote from that date vessels began to come up the river to load and unload. Previous to the death of Richard Nichols in 1756, the ship- ping business-whatever it was-was done at what is called the Berkshire Pond. Not long after this a store and wharf
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were built by Philip Nichols at the south end of Pembroke street, or the Point, and about the same time or soon after- a little before the Revolution-loading and unloading vessels began on the west side of the harbor, and this locality as early as 1777, was called Newfield, and the mouth of the river Newfield Harbor."
The beginning of shipyards in the Pequonnock river must date about 1720 and continued to enlarge in propor- tions until after 1800; and the result was that many of the farmers held property in vessels and their sons learned to be sailors and commanders of these and other vessels. Before the Revolution, but especially after it, trade with the West Indies was of commanding proportions, and when Bridgeport began to spread out as a seaport town just after the year 1800, the coast trade to Boston, New York and Baltimore and the West Indies was largely the cause of the rapid growth of the borough. "The West India trade was a very considerable interest quite early and continued to be prose- cuted as late as 1840. The parish mill site was on Pequonnock river at what is known as Pequonnock Mills. The West India trade made brisk times for the coopers and millers, and led to the construction of the Yellow Mill and Berkshire dams and mills, using tide water as a power."
"The success of the whaling business in eastern ports led to investments in that business here.""
The Bridgeport Whaling Company was incorpo- rated in May, 1833, with a capital stock of one hundred thousand dollars; the following persons being named as corporators : Eben Fairchild, Daniel Tomlinson, David P. Minot, Samuel F. Hurd and David Perry." This company owned and fitted the following ships-the Harvest, Hamilton, Atlantic and Steiglitz.
A company was also formed for fishing on the banks of
· Historical Notes of Major Wm. B. Hincks.
" Report of Bridgeport Board of Trade for 1878, p. 32.
8 Conn. Private Acts, First Series, i. 590.
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History of Stratford.
New Foundland, in charge of Captain E. Doane, but the com pany was not particularly successful.º
The Bridgeport Steamboat Company was incorpo- rated in May, 1824; the persons named being : Daniel Ster- ling, Enoch Foote, Ransom C. Canfield, Isaac Sherman, Thomas C. Wordin and Wilson Hawley, with a capital stock not to exceed thirty thousand dollars. Wilson Hawley, Daniel Sterling, Thomas C. Wordin, Reuben Tweedy and Isaac Sherman were the first directors of this company."
Only two companies had been previously incorporated in this State for the purpose of navigation by steam ; the first was secured in October, 1818, and named "The Connecticut Steamboat Company ;" the second, The Connecticut River Steamboat Company, in May, 1823.
' Log-Book of Ship Atlantic
On her third voyage to the south Atlantic and Indian Oceans, whaling, during the years 1837-8 and 9; having departed from Bridgeport, Conn., on July 22d, 1837, returning on April 12th, 1839.
Master, WM. POST.
Ist Mate, JOB BABCOCK. 2d " JOHN LEWIS.
3d EDWARD HOWEL.
Recapitulation.
The voyage has occupied 629 days. The ship has been at sea 567 days. According to calculations made at the end of each day the whole distance sailed is 46,640 miles. The whole number of whales seen, making no allowance for the same ones seen at different times, is 901, of which 165 are sperm. The total num- ber struck is 75. The number of whales taken, including one found dead, is 34, of which ten were females. The whole number of pleasant days (tolerable whaling weather), is 462, as may be seen by the following table, where the pleasant or whaling days, whales seen, whales struck, and whales obtained, are arranged against the several days of the week.
Pleasant.
Whales seen.
Whales struck. Whales obtained.
Sundays,
70
170
15
9
Mondays,
64
181
6
4
Tuesdays
66
114
13
6
Wednesdays,
69
127
18
5
Thursdays,
65
123
10
4
Fridays,
65
86
8
5
Saturdays,
63
106
5
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462
907
75
34
10 Conn. Private Acts, First Series, ii. 1106.
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Bridgeport.
The following charters were granted by the Connecticut General Assembly with and following that of Bridgeport :
The Bridgeport Steamboat Company, May, 1824.
The Hartford Steamboat Company, May, 1824.
The New Haven Steamboat Company, May, 1824.
The Norwalk and New York Steamboat Association, May, 1824.
The Ousatonic Steamboat Company, May, 1825. This com- pany was to run steamboats between Derby and New York, and their boat "Ousatonic" was running on that line the next year.
The Stamford Steamboat Company, May, 1825.
The Steam Navigation Company, May, 1825.
By a letter to Roger M. Sherman dated January 8, 1838, it is seen that the boat named Fairfield was running on the Bridgeport line, but had then discontinued her trips for the winter. The steamboat Nimrod, Captain John Brooks, was on this line quite a number of years, and is still remembered by many individuals.
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