A History of the Old Town of Stratford and the City of Bridgeport, Connecticut, Part II, Part 13

Author: Orcutt, Samuel, 1824-1893
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: [New Haven, Conn.], [Press of Tuttle, Morehouse & Taylor]
Number of Pages: 904

USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Bridgeport > A History of the Old Town of Stratford and the City of Bridgeport, Connecticut, Part II > Part 13

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Young Ladies' Seminaries have been as follows : Mrs. M. M. Mallapar, daughter of William Eaton, Esq., first located at the foot of Toilsome Hill-Park avenue-about 1837, removed to 89 Courtland street, where the institution flourished as a popular boarding school a number of years. Mrs. Mallapar was the organist at St. John's Church, also, many years.

Misses Lydia R. and Susan C. Ward conducted a very popular select school for young ladies from about 1835, in the basement of the South Church, and later for many years at 307 Lafayette street, to about 1870. In the later period they educated many of the daughters of their earlier pupils. The Misses Hinsdale succeeded the Misses Ward for a few years.

Miss Emily Nelson conducted a select boarding and day school for young ladies at 23 Harrison street, known then and since as Golden Hill Seminary, and after some years removed to her present elegant location, 107 Golden Hill street, as heretofore noticed.

Miss Whiting commenced the Hillside Seminary which has been continued by others at 235 East Washington avenue.

" Received too late for insertion in the proper connection.

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Bridgeport.

Hillside Seminary, a boarding and day school for young ladies and children, is advantageously located on Golden Hill in Bridgeport. In 1856 or '57 Miss E. B. Whiting opened, on Gilbert street, with four children the school now known as Hillside Seminary. It soon became too large for its accommodations. The room was enlarged, but proving, then, insufficient, Miss Whiting, in 1867, secured the present location on Washington avenue, known as the "Old Bost- wick Place." In 1868 the building was enlarged and improvements made. The school was prosperous, when in 1871, Miss Whiting married Mr. T. James Rundel, and Miss Wolcott took her place for three years. Then Mrs. Whiting-Rundel renewed her connection with the school, remaining as its principal and owner until her final withdrawal in 1876. During these years the school was particularly known as a French and English institution, and earned for itself the highest reputation.

In 1876, Miss A. J. Stone, Miss Knowles-afterwards Mrs. F. E. Fitch-and Miss Slade-afterwards Mrs. W. R. Hopson-succeeded Mrs. Rundel, continuing the line of studies much the same as it had been, but gradually bringing science and classics to the front. In 1881, Mrs. Knowles-Fitch removed from the city, and Miss Stone and Mrs. Slade-Hopson continued the institution. Extensive additions and alterations were then made in the building, which under successive improvements has been most excellently arranged for school purposes. Under its present principals the school has maintained its previous creditable reputation and high standing, and laid the foundation for increased estimation. Its grad- uating courses have been made more and more systematic and thorough, and the Alumna of Hillside Seminary have maintained creditable standing compared with similar institutions.

The First School in the Bridgeport school district was located on the north side of State street at what is now No. 200. The building was built of brick in octagonal form, and the teachers were changed every year. Among them were Rev. -- Bronson, a Baptist clergyman, who served the Stratfield and Stepney churches ; and James Seeley of Easton, father of Mr. William K. and Fred. O. Seeley, of Bridgeport.

About the year 1826, the old brick building was removed and another. three stories high, built of wood, was erected, which was dignified with the name of the "High-School house," but which was really "high " only in the eminence ot the structure. The public school occupied the first and second stories of this building while the upper story was the room of St. John's Lodge. Up to 1840, the town and other meetings were held at this house. Here the late Eben French of North avenue-Fresh Pond-wielded the rod a number of years. He was an excellent penman and left his mark as a teacher of that art, in the hand-writing of many of the citizens of this town.

In 1827, in a spasmodic attempt to improve the schools, Miss Lydia R. Ward, a native of Salem, Mass., was secured as a teacher, to introduce the moni- torial or Lancasterian system. But little success attended this effort. On the erection of the Second Congregational Church in 1830, Miss Ward with her sister Sarah C. Ward, opened a select school for Misses and young ladies and achieved therein great success. These ladies afterwards purchased a fine lot on Lafayette street and erected on it their ample residence, No. 309. In 1846 they erected on the same lot their Gothic school building and occupied it until 1876, when their

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History of Stratford.

personal supervision was relinquished. Few teachers have made a longer, more successful or honorable record. It must be a matter of great satisfaction to look over the long and distinguished list of the Alumni, including the wives and daughters of many of the best citizens of this region of country. It has been Miss Ward's rare fortune to educate the daughters of many of her former pupils. Miss Ward excelled in penmanship and was very successful in imparting her own style and quality of writing to her pupils, which were in decided contrast with the angular scrawls which characterized other schools then and since. These qualities she still retains in a remarkable degree, even at the advanced age of more than four score years, although the lines give unmistakable evidence of the trembling hand, as appears in the following fac-simile of a note of a recent date, here inserted by permission, and which will introduce Miss Ward in another rôle as the President and Patron of the Bridgeport Protestant Orphan Asylum :

309. La Fayette 9. Sept 8 ch /04

Po. B. Lacey Easy.

Phase present to the gentleman, who so kindly varrembered the children , the thanks of the officers of the asylum for $ 3.5/. received by me , and the Showich also accept our gratitude to yourself , for your kind appreciation of our work, Cours, truly . Lydia o. Ward, Pres.

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Bridgeport.

The Public Library .- In the beginning of the sketch of the Bridgeport Public Library and Reading Room, on page 688, some erroneous statements are made and some items are left out, which are here corrected and supplied from the records of the old library association. After many fruitless efforts to render the library self-supporting, the Directors of the Library Association at a meeting held May 27th, 1881, resolved : "That the Library be closed on and after June 15th, 1881, until further notice." Mrs. Hills, the Librarian, signified her willingness to serve as librarian without charge on Thursdays during the enforced closure, which offer was accepted. No further action was taken by this meeting, as Mr. D. B. Lockwood, president of the Library brought copies of the law passed at the last session of the State Legislature in regard to public libraries, and it was thought best to see what action the citizens of Bridgeport would take towards availing themselves of the Act.

On the 28th of May an article by Judge D. B. Lockwood appeared in the Bridgeport "Standard," explaining to the public the provisions of the Con- necticut Public Libraries Act, and suggesting that the city should found a public Library provided the directors of the Bridgeport Library Association would transfer their property as a nucleus for it. A letter signed H. (Mrs. Hills) sug- gesting a petition to the Common Council was published in the "Standard " of June 3d. The following day Rev. Dr. Powers circulated a petition among the most prominent tax-payers, and on June 5th Mr. W. J. Hills had 1,000 petitions printed from Rev. Dr. Powers' copy, which, with the aid of Mr. Clarence Sterling and others were circulated in stores and factories.

On the evening of June 6th, Alderman Charles Sherwood presented petitions bearing 1,963 signatures (this was afterwards increased to over 3,000), headed by the petition circulated by Rev. Dr. Powers, to the Common Council. Under the rules the hearing went over to the next meeting, Monday, June 20th, when Judge D. B. Lockwood explained the legal aspects of the case, and speeches in favor of the library were made by Alderman Charles Sherwood, Councilmen J. J. Phelan, Clarence Sterling, G. W. Warner and others. Only one speech opposing it was made. The establishment of a Free Library was passed by a vote of 20 to I-three members of the council being absent.

After many efforts to get a quorum of the Directors of the Library Associa- tion together, and many legal technicalities of the law unravelled by Judge D. B. Lockwood, the formal transfer of the property of the old library to the Free Public Library took place August Ist, 1881.

The Bridgeport Hospital was incorporated by the Legislature in January, 1878, and is probably as complete in its adaptation and appointments as any institution of the kind in the country. The marble tablet in the spacious corridor of the main building has inscribed the name of Mrs. Susan Hubbell as the first donor towards founding a hospital. Her bequest was originally about $13,500, with an acre of ground on Mill Hill avenue. The fund accumulated. and by donations and collections from churches, societies, and other sources, the amount was increased to over twenty thousand dollars. Upon an appeal to the Legislature, it appropriated $50,000 for this object, when the corporation had $50,000 subscribed and paid in, besides the site. This was accomplished through the indefatigable efforts of Dr. George F. Lewis of the soliciting committee, assisted by the other members, Robert J. White, William B. Hincks and D. N. Morgan.

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Bridgeport.

The following were the first officers of the corporation : P. T. Barnum, Presi- dent ; E. F. Bishop, Vice-President ; George F. Lewis, Secretary and Treasurer ; Jarratt Morford, Wm. B. Hincks and Robert White, Executive Committee ; P. T. Barnum, Samuel W. Baldwin, George F. Lewis, F. B. Hall, R. W. Bunnell, E. F. Bishop, Robert J. White, Amos S. Treat, William B. Hincks, Charles B. Hotch- kiss, Jarratt Morford, Samuel C. Trubee, Directors. The building was erected under the direction of the executive committee at the time consisting of Samuel W. Baldwin. Wm. B. Hincks and D. N. Morgan, at an expense of over $100,000. It was opened to the public November 11, 1884, and since that date to June 28. 1886, 290 patients have been received.

The present officers of the corporation are : P. T. Barnum, President ; Jarratt Morford, Vice-President ; Dr. W. H. Bunnell, Secretary ; S. C. Kingman, Treas- urer ; Samuel W. Baldwin, Wm. B. Hincks and D. N. Morgan, Executive Com- mittee ; Wm. H. Rockwell, Auditor ; P. T. Barnum, R. W. Bunnell, S. W. Baldwin, David W. Plumb, D. A. Morgan, Joel Farist, Wm. B. Hincks, Charles B. Hotchkiss, Jarratt Morford and Samuel C. Trubee, Amos S. Treat (deceased), Directors. The physician in charge is George F. Lewis, M.D., and the House physician George V. Price, M.D. The consulting and visiting physicians and surgeons, also the specialists, have taken the deepest interest in the success of the institution since its formal opening. This hospital, although now finely equipped, will, in the future, need additional facilities, but it is believed that an institution so' grand and humane in its object, cannot fail to meet with generous remembrances by those who may be able to render such aid as it shall need.

A Young Men's Christian Association was organized in Bridgeport in 1868, with a constitution and by-laws. In 1869-70 the officers were : Dabney Carr, President ; Henry Sterling, Emery F. Strong, and R. P. Chapman, Vice- Presidents ; C. P. Porter, Treasurer ; and William F. Fosket, Secretary. This society continued its work with much effort and success, held regular meetings, maintaining a free reading-room and doing much work by committees, in the idea of evangelical Christian work, until 1872, when the efforts were discontinued.

The Young Men's Christian Association of Bridgeport now in operation, was organized June 4, 1883, and incorporated in February, 1884. Dur- ing the summer of 1883 the association employed Mr. W. E. Colley, then general secretary of the Salem, Mass., association, as general secretary, and he entered upon his work September 1, 1883. The next November the association took possession of their present rooms, which were fitted by the proprietor with special view to the needs of the association, and the work has gone forward with decided success to the present time, so much so that they are in need of much more ample quarters for the accommodation of their work.

The public services are held regularly in their hall at four o'clock on Sunday afternoon, consisting of addresses and singing, accompanied by an effective and pleasing orchestra, and devotional exercises. Besides this service and other meetings during the week, they have an educational department, consisting of classes in vocal music, penmanship, educational studies, and the reading-room, all free to the members of the association. They have, also, the social department, physical culture, employment and boarding house, and boy's department, each of which is placed in charge of a special committee. Under this generous arrange- ment much very valuable work has been accomplished.

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History of Stratford.

The officers of the association are : President, Doctor I. DeVer Warner; Vice- Presidents, Daniel W. Kissam, Daniel E. Marsh, Marshall E. Morris ; Treasurer, Francis W. Marsh ; Recording Secretary, Doctor W. H. Donaldson ; General Secretary, W. E. Colley ; Auditor, George Munger.

The Philomathean Society .- The society which was well known in Bridgeport by this name twenty years ago, was a literary association of unusual excellence, dignity and tenacity of life. It was the successor of a society formed about 1854, of which James L. Gould, Lemuel J. Beardsley, John Coggswell, Curtis Thompson, Luther R. Riggs, John B. Dunning, and others were members. The Philomathean society was probably organized in 1855 and continued in active operation most of the time till the latter part of 1866. It had at one period over seventy members and many will remember its public debates and entertainments, notably those of January II and April 19, 1858. The following annotated list of members is interesting and shows concisely the make-up of the society.

NOTE .- Those marked t died in the service of their country in the war of the rebellion. c, became clergyman. /, lawyers. p, physicians.

George W. Banks.

John A. J. Barnes.

John Samuel Beers. c

George K. Birdsey. Charles K. Bishop. Robert C. Booth. c James S. Bunnell. Samuel R. Calthrop. Oscar Chamberlain. H. W. Chatfield. + Thomas Connor.

William H. Hawley. + Edward Y. Hincks. c Enoch P. Hincks.

John H. Hincks. c William B. Hincks. Charles E. Hubbell. William L. Hubbell. Peter Hughes. O. S. Jennings.

H. P. Pelton. Benjamin P. Penfield. Noel B. Sanborn.

L. A. Sanchez. C. E. Sanford. ₱ William E. Seeley.

Henry M. Sherman. c

R. R. Crawford. + Heman Crosby. Frederick L. Curtis. Wright Curtis. Charles F. Daniels. L. W. Eaton. Walter Fletcher. William H. Foote. G. Fredericks. John S. Gaffney. L. Gannon.

Courtland Kelsey.

Henry S. Sterling. Sherwood Sterling, Jr. H. Stevens.

E. A. St. John. E. A. Thayer.

Frederick Giraud.

James L. Gould. 1

Henry S. Gregory. Andrew Grogan. Henry T. Hanford. Chauncey M. Hatch. Alexander Hawley. Marcus C. Hawley.

Thaddeus E. Peck. Gilead S. Peet. p

N. Eugene Wordin. p

The society gave to the Bridgeport library association at different times $150. It was succeeded by the Philologean Society, composed of younger members, which existed but a short time.

Frederick N. Judson. Pixlee Judson. Walter Judson.

S. Clayton Kingman.

Curtis Thompson. 1 Frederick H. Thompson.

C. Edward Toucey. Joshua G. Towne. Morris Tuttle. 1 Daniel H. Wardwell. Clarence H. Waugh. Charles B. Wheeler. Alva E. Wilcox. + Henry T. Winslow. Augustus N. Wood.

Charles F. Lemon. Benjamin B. Lewis. George F. Lewis. p Philip E. Lockwood. Roger H. Lyon. 1 Brainard W. Maples. Edward W. Marsh. J. H. Osborn. John Ogle, Jr. Albert M. Palmer. J. Wilbur Parrott. Jewett Peck. Nathan F. Peck.

Lucuis Sherwood. E. Silliman. Lewis B. Silliman. Frederick W. Simmons. John B. Snow.

Charles N. Judson.

BISHOP

BARKOM

GATE OF MOUNTAIN GROVE CEMETERY.

· 4

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Bridgeport.

Delightful reunions were held in the summers of 1875 and 1876; several numbers of an interesting and able manuscript paper called the "Philomathean Review," were at different times prepared and read. These, with the records of the society, were carefully preserved by William B. Hincks, Esq. "A large num- ber of the former members of this society are among our foremost citizens, and it is not too much to say that they owe much of their success to the practical train- ing which they received at its meetings.

The Cemeteries of Bridgeport are six in number ; two having been removed to the later ones.

Mountain Grove Cemetery contains about 80 acres and is located in the northwestern part of the city, and is bounded on the west by the beautiful, meandering stream called Ash Creek, but in early times Uncoway River. The Association, for its construction and care, was organized in 1849, and opened with appropriate ceremonies on June 7, 1850. In 1852, Miss Hayes-a celebrated singer-while the guest of Mr. P. T. Barnum, preparatory to a professional tour in California, was induced to give a concert for the benefit of this cemetery, and the proceeds were devoted to the erection of the beautiful stone tower and gateway at the entrance of these grounds.

In 1878, a fair held by the citizens of Bridgeport, at St. John's Hall, realized eleven thousand dollars profits, which were expended in grading and beautifying the grounds of this cemetery.

The grave stones with a large proportion of the remains of the old Division street or Park avenue burying ground were removed to this cemetery in 1873.

Pembroke Cemetery is situated in the northeastern part of the city. north of Old Mill Green, and bordering on Stillman's Pond. It was chartered in October, 1811, and originally contained but one acre of ground, to which 77 rods were added in 1844. From 1862 to 1872, the old ground being full, it became overgrown with brush, and burials in it ceased. In 1872, the charter of the association was amended, permission being given to purchase one hundred acres of land, to sell the old ground, and to remove the dead to the new inclosure. Sixteen acres were accordingly purchased at the above described place, and fitted in good style, and the place is fast being filled with monumental stones.

Park Cemetery is located in the northern portion of the city territory, and was organized in 1878. It contains about 44 acres, and many interments have already been made in it.

The Stratfield Cemetery is located in the northwestern part of the city, and is described on page 541 of this book.

Two Catholic Cemeteries are located within the city limits ; one between Arctic and Shelton streets in the eastern part of the city, fronting on Pembroke Lake, and the other on Grove street-formerly Cook's lane-in the western part of the city. In 1885, another Catholic cemetery was secured and the grading of the grounds commenced, in West Stratford. It is extensive and very fine in location, and sandy soil.

The Sea-side Club was organized at a meeting held at the Sterling House on April 30th, 1884. The following is a copy of the original call for this meeting, issued in. circular form :

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History of Stratford.

"Dear Sir :- There has been for a long time an expressed desire among many " BRIDGEPORT, CONN., April 26, 1884.

gentlemen in this city owning and interested in 'Road Driving Horses,' that an association be organized and have for its purpose of meeting a suitable room or rooms, where pleasant 'Horse Sense' may be indulged in and anything per- taining thereto discussed. To this end the following named gentlemen have been invited to meet at the Sterling House parlor, on Wednesday, April 30, 1884, at 8 o'clock, P. M., to have an expression of opinion. As your name appears in the list, it is hoped that you have an interest sufficient to be present and help organize, as a charter member, what is thought will be a pleasant and most desir- able association. Nathaniel Wheeler, Wm. H. Perry, E. G. Burnham, Clapp Spooner, D. M. Read, Francis Ives, Thos. DeForest, Joel Farist, Chas. F. Wood, E. R. Ives, Dr. I. DeVer Warner, Col. T. L. Watson, E. C. Bcssick, David Trubee, D. E. Marsh, Eleazer Parmly, J. C. Tallman, C. G. Lyon, Frank Miller, Edward Downs, Saml. T. Banks, Wm. T. Hubbell, Edwin Banks, Zalmon Goodsell, Chas. R. Willett, Frank H. Whiting, W. Minor Smith, Erwin Strickland, Chas. A. Ives, Geo. Bushnell, Henry Setzer, Jr., B. F. Lasher, S. T. Cate, O. C. Smith, S. M. Cate, Jr., Henry B. Drew, L. W. Besse, Tracey B. Warren, Geo. E. Botsford, Chas. Wilson, Alex. Leverty, Chas. F. Williams, and F. J. Naramore. Making a total of forty-three names." In response to this call twenty-eight gentlemen were in attendance at this meeting and completed the organization with E. R. Ives as President, Chas. F. Williams, Treasurer, and F. J. Naramore, Secretary. At a sub- sequent meeting Mr. Ives resigned and Mr. Nathaniel Wheeler was elected in his place, and Mr. E. G. Burnham Ist Vice-President, Francis Ives, ad Vice-President. The following named gentlemen were chosen as the Executive Committee : E. G. Burnham, Francis Ives, D. M. Read, Erwin Strickland. B. F. Lasher, W. R. Briggs, E. R. Ives, and the President, Secretary and Treasurer, as members ex-officio. The present rooms in the Bishop building were selected and some $8,000 expended in fitting up and furnishing. This money was realized from the membership fees and yearly dues without any assessment, and was entirely paid for the first year. Every gentleman in the original call became a member, and after several meetings had been held, there were so many who expressed a desire to become members, and yet were not owners of horses nor particularly interested in them, it was voted to drop the word "Driving" and make the club name " The Sea-side Club," and under this cognomen make it a social or business men's club. From this time the membership constantly increased, and at the present time the membership roll is two hundred and eighty. Nothing can speak louder in terms of praise for the character and stability of this club than the fact that in many cases fathers have proposed their sons for membership into this club to become acquainted and associated with sound conservative business men, men who represent the large manufacturing and mercantile interests of our city. On many occasions the club have extended to out-of-town bodies the use of their rooms for meetings, which has been highly appreciated, and these handsome rooms have reflected great credit not only upon the club, but upon our city and its citizens. The constitution and by-laws of this club are very conservative and quite different from those generally governing organizations of this kind.

The Bridgeport Board of Trade was organized at a meeting of citizens in the Mayor's office, January 15, 1875, and the following officers elected : . Hon. Robert T. Clarke, President ; Nathaniel Wheeler, P. T. Barnum, Jarratt Morford, E. V. Hawes and J. D. Alvord, Vice-Presidents ; T. R. Cruttenden,

-- 1

IRANISTAN : THE RESIDENCE OF HON. P. T. BARNUM IN 1848.

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Bridgeport.

Secretary ; Thomas L. Watson, Treasurer. The following Directors were also elected : Robert T. Clarke, N. Wheeler, J. Morford, E. V. Hawes, B. Soules, M. W. Seymour, D. W. Sherwood, C. B. Hotchkiss, Handford Lyon, P. T. Barnum, J. D. Alvord, James Staples, George Mallory, D. M. Read, Wm. H. Noble, Frederick Hurd, S. C. Kingman, E. S. Burnham, Charles Hough, E. G. Westcott, S. W. Baldwin, R. Kost, Z. Goodsell, G. W. Bacon, W. H. Wessels, S. C. Nicker- son, E. Parmly, N. Buckingham, A. C. Hobbs, E. L. Gaylord, R. B. Lacey, N. G. Miller.

The scope and objects of the Board are set forth in the following extract from the original articles :

" It shall be the duty of the Board of Directors to encourage and stimulate in every suitable way the business interests of the city. They may appoint com- mittees from the members of the association to examine all plans and suggestions that may seem important to the general interests of our city, to investigate mechanical inventions, and manufacturing and other enterprises, and report to the association the value of the same and what steps, if any, may be necessary to procure their development and location in our midst. Also to receive applica- tions in behalf of meritorious inventions and enterprises and bring them to the attention of capital seeking investment."

At the end of the first year the secretary reported 144 names on the roll of membership. The Board was incorporated by act of the Legislature at its May session in 1876, which was accepted ; a new code of by-laws adopted and the old organization merged into the new one. On due application the Board became associated with the National Board of Trade, in which it holds an honorable position. The first annual banquet of the Board was held at the Sterling House February 3, 1876, and these annual gatherings have been a marked feature of this successful organization ever since.

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A History of the Old Town of Stratford and the City of Bridgeport, Connecticut, Part II, Part 13

Author: Orcutt, Samuel, 1824-1893 Publication date: 1886 Publisher: [New Haven, Conn.], [Press of Tuttle, Morehouse & Taylor] Number of Pages: 904

Author: Orcutt, Samuel, 1824-1893
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: [New Haven, Conn.], [Press of Tuttle, Morehouse & Taylor]
Number of Pages: 904