A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume I, Part 12

Author: Lincoln, Allen B
Publication date: 1920
Publisher: Chicago : S. J. Clarke publ. co.
Number of Pages: 930

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To a native of South Windham is also due the cheapening and increasing demand for wood type. Edwin Allen invented a machine which did away with the old-fashioned method of hand work, and which has never been im- proved upon. In 1852 the business which he founded was sold to John G. Cooley, and transferred to New York City. Guilford Smith, a grandson of Joshua Smith, purchased Mr. Allen's property and made woolen felts there until after the Civil war. In 1878 the American Wood Type Company used the old mill for its original purpose.

Since 1850, in the old grist mill, built by Elisha Holmes, thousands of tons of gypsum have been ground and distributed.

The old buff wheel manufactory, near the Central Vermont Railroad, now used as an electric light plant by Smith & Winchester, was built for the Adams Nickel Plating and Manufacturing Company.

This is in brief the manufacturing history of Windham proper. The greater history of the manufactures of the town deals with her offspring, the City of Willimantic, the rise of which contributed to the decline of old Windham. In 1818 the horseshoe bridge over the Natchaug River was built, and this, together with the removal of the county seat to Brooklyn, in 1819, hastened the downfall. The growth of the young city, however, was the chief factor in the change.

The territory of the Town of Windham has been changed several times, the ownership of land lying between the original boundary and the boundary of Norwich, a tract of 10,000 acres, known as the Mamosqueage lands, the title to which was contested by the Indians and white men, was confirmed by the General Court to the purchasers, Messrs. Crane and Whiting, and included in the Town of Windham at an early date.

VCHESTER MF.G. COMPANY

SMITH & WINCHESTER PLANT, SOUTH WINDHAM

HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY

In 1701 Mansfield, or Pondetown, which was settled about the same time as Windham and was part of the original town, disagreed on certain religious mat- ters, and was separated from her. In 1703 the Town of Windham was recon- structed with half the original Joshua's tract and the Crane and Whiting tract added to it. In 1786 Hampton or Canada, so named after the first settler, David Canada or Kennedy, was set off from Windham. At the same date the General Assembly gave to Windham the tract of "no man's land" which lay between the southern boundaries of the original grant and the rivers which were the natural boundary, and was in dispute between Lebanon and Windham.

The final divisions were made in 1822 by the formation of Chaplin, and in 1857 by the formation of Scotland.

The patriotism of Windham has always been a notable feature of her history and old Windham Green was the training ground for many heroes of the nation's battlefields. Three sons of Rev. Samuel Whiting were colonels in the French and Indian war, and Col. Nathan Whiting and Col. Eleazer Fitch were at the fall of Montreal.

Local citizens were roused to fury by the passage of the Stamp Act, and caused Jared Ingersoll, the stamp collector, to resign, afterwards burning him in effigy.

Colonel Elderkin's regiment numbered four companies of 150 men each, in the battle of Bunker Hill. During the Revolutionary war Windham alone sent 1,000 men to the field. Elderkin and Wales manufactured most of the powder used by the Continental army in their mills in Windham, while Hezekiah Hunt- * ington manufactured and repaired firearms at his iron works.

In the War of 1812 The Windham, Mr. Abbe's little coasting schooner, was confiscated, and a number of young men saw service guarding New London harbor, but participated in no actual warfare. In the regular army, however, we find the names of Maj. Charles Larrabee, who served with General Harrison, and Capt. Adam Larrabee, who was placed in command at the battle of French Mills, near Plattsburg, when his captain was disabled, and was wounded.

In 1861 we find the little town well to the front. Lester E. Bradley was the first to enlist and became captain of the Lyons Guards, Company G, 12th Connecticut Volunteers. Other Windham boys who went to the front were Charles D. Bowen, captain Company H, 18th Connecticut Volunteers ; Francis S. Long, first lieutenant and captain, 21st Connecticut Volunteers, who fell at Petersburg in 1864, and for whom the local post, No. 30, G. A. R., is named ; Henry E. Taintor, second lieutenant, Company H, 18th Connecticut Volun- teers; William H. Locke, second lieutenant, 17th Connecticut Volunteeers; the four Ripley brothers, one of whom became captain in Company D of the 8th, and lost an arm in service; Andrew Loomis, lieutenant, Company H of the 2d; Joel R. Arnold, lieutenant and aide on colonel's staff of the 165th New York; Lieut. Charles Wood, killed at Petersburg in 1864; Doctor Lathrop, who lost his life in hospital service and many others.

James Haggerty of Willimantic was the youngest Connecticut volunteer. He went out in Company H, 16th Connecticut, January 5, 1863, aged thirteen years and one month. Altogether 304 enlisted from Windham during the war in twenty-two different regiments, fourteen of whom were killed, twenty-five died and thirty-nine were wounded.

The town has appreciated the services of the veterans by supplying fine quarters for the Francis S. Long Post G. A. R. in the Town Building.

VIEW OF EAST SIDE OF WINDHAM GREEN WITH FAMOUS WINDHAM INN ON LEFT AND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH IN CENTER

HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY

At the time of the Spanish war some two hundred young men of Willimantic volunteered, a hundred of them going out with Company E in the Third Regi- ment under Capt. Edward F. Flynn, with Michael Cronan and James Coch- rane as lieutenants. They never reached the front but were moved from camp to camp and it was said that Company E was among the best drilled companies of any in the big camps in Carolina and Pennsylvania.

THE IRISH IN WINDHAM.

The records of the Town of Windham disclose that Irish families settled there about the time or shortly after its incorporation in 1692. The real estate trans- actions of the Careys, Caseys, Kennedeys and other names of pronounced Irish origin during the eighteenth century is evidence of their financial standing in the community. That these early settlers were imbued with the patriotic fervor of colonial times is manifest by the seven members of the Carey families who marched from Windham to the relief of Boston in April, 1775, and William E. Dodge and David Kelley who responded with rifle on shoulder to the Lexington alarm.

Centuries of local misery and national discontent in Ireland culminated in wholesale emigration to "The paradise of poor men" during the three decades between 1840 and 1870. While it was not a voyage such as the Pilgrims made, yet similar hardships confronted these Irish refugees. They were leaving home . and kindred with no possibility of return. They were going to a country un- known to them in manners and customs, whose religious belief was not that wherein they were reared. With no relatives in that strange land to welcome them, yet, with stout hearts, and a trust in Divine Providence, they departed for "the Land of the Free and the home of the Brave." On landing in America they settled in all parts of the union and became "hewers of wood and drawers of water." They were an industrious race. They worked at any thing and everything. In time they became accustomed to conditions and developed into first-class citizens.

Among the immigrants to Windham during this period were William Ahern, Thomas Anderson, John Brennan, Patrick Brennan, Edward Broderick, Thomas Burke, David Burke, Bartlett Burns, Michael Burns, Timothy Cahill, Edward Carey, James Carey, John Carey, Joseph Carey, Stephen H. Carey, James Carney, Patrick Carrigan, James Carroll, Michael Casey, Patrick Clancy, Timothy Clancy, Michael Cleary, John Clifford, Michael Clifford, Patrick Clif- ford, Patrick Clune, Jeremiah Coffee, Timothy Colbert, James Conaughton, James Conlon, Timothy Connoly, Edward Connor, John Connor, Timothy Con- nor, Michael Coonan, Daniel Coonan, John Cooney, Michael Cooney, James Cor- coran, William Cotter, John Crawford, Patrick Crocan, Martin Cryne, Owen Cryne, Daniel Culhane, Bernard Cunningham, Robert Cunningham, Patrick Curley, James Danehey, Dennis Devine, Daniel Donahue, John Donahue, Michael Donahue, Jeremiah Donavan, Patrick Dunn, Phillip Dwyer, Patrick Elliott, Patrick Falvey, Thomas Fenton, Thomas Finnegan, Patrick Fitzgerald, Patrick Fitzpatrick, Luke Flynn, Peter Flynn, Patrick Foran, Thomas Fox, Daniel Gallivan, James Gallivan, John Gallivan, Thomas Gavigan, Jeremiah Geary, Matthew Geary, Peter Gillhooley, Bartholomew Grady, John Grady, Patrick Grady, Luke Grimes, John Haggerty, Michael Hart, Christopher Healey, George

HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY

Healey, James Healey, John Heaney, Anthony Heverin, Thomas Hinchey, Daniel Hennesey, John Hickey, Michael L. Hickey, James Hurley, John Hurley, William Judge, John Keating, Thomas Keating, John Kelley, Thomas Kennedy, Daniel Killourey, Daniel Leary, Michael Leary, Timothy Leary, James Lee, Jeremiah Lee, Patrick Lee, Cornelius Lucey, John Lynch, Michael Lynch, Timothy Lynch, Dennis Lyons, William J. Magee, Jeremiah Mahoney, Henry Maxwell, James Maxwell, Thomas Maxwell, John McCann, Bernard McCaffrey, Dennis McCarthy, John McCarthy, Henry McDermott, David McGill, Henry Mc Vey, Patrick Meehan, John Monday, Patrick Monyhan, Dennis Moran, Dennis Moriarty, Edward Moriarty, Patrick Moriarty, Martin Morrisey, John Morrison, Jeremiah Murphy, John Murphy, James E. Murray, Jeremiah Nash, Daniel Nelligan, Michael N. Nelligan, Martin Nevins, Peter O'Brien, Michael O'Neill, Roger O'Neill, Michael O'Loughlin, Ross O'Loughlin, Thomas Otis, Thomas Owens, William Rafferty, Timothy Reagan, Timothy Regan, David Roach, Thomas Ronan, Patrick Ronan, Felix Rooney, James Rourke, Thomas Rourke, Patrick Rowen, John Ryan, James Savage, Thomas Saxton, John Shannahan, Dennis Shea, James Shea, John O. Shea, Patrick Shea, Owen Sheehan, James Shugrue, Timothy Shugrue, William Smith, Michael Somers, Patrick Spellman, Thomas Stackpole, Cornelius Sullivan, Daniel Sullivan, James Sullivan, Jere- miah Sullivan, John Sullivan, Martin Sullivan, Michael Sullivan, Thomas Sulli- van, Timothy Sullivan and John Sweeney.

The foregoing families were a hardy stock, industrious of habit and peaceful of disposition. They raised large families. They were determined that their children should get a good education-those early Irish pioneers. In time they acquired property and many of them became men of means and of large influence in civic affairs. They performed their full share in the development and growth of the town and particularly of the City of Willimantic.

Their loyalty to their adopted home stands unquestioned. When the country was plunged in civil strife the great number of these immigrants and their descendants who enlisted for the preservation of the union is sufficient testimony as to their patriotic spirit and grateful appreciation of the benefits of a free government. The casualties of war suffered by them is perhaps the best evidence of the sacrifices made to uphold and preserve "a government by the people, of the people, and for the people." Of the Clancey family, John was killed at the battle of Snickers Ford, Virginia, Peter was seriously wounded at Antietam, and James was wounded at Piedmont. Thomas Quinn was killed during the battle of Cedar Mountain, William Gallagher lost his life in the battle of Seven Pines, Virginia, and his brother Frank was badly wounded. David Cronin lost an arm while participating in the engagement at James Island. Patrick Dunn, father of Mayor Dunn, was wounded at the taking of Drurys Bluff. James Kenneally was killed during the seige of Petersburg. John Haggerty was wounded at the assault on Fort Fisher and his brother James was wounded at the campaign of the Wilderness and was captured and confined in Anderson prison. Michael Shea received a serious wound at the battle of Cedar Moun- tain. John Foran was seriously wounded during the advance on Richmond. Martin Cryne received a bad wound while advancing on Winchester. Thomas Gavigan was killed in front of Atlanta. This necessarily is an incomplete list of those who died and suffered disabilities while serving with the Union forces to crush the rebellion, and limited space prohibits a publication of the roster of Vol. 1-7

HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY

soldiers of Irish extraction from Windham who escaped injuries yet endured the exposure and willingly encountered the chances of war in defense of institu- tions greater endeared to them by contrast with those of the "old world."

Among the crew of the United States Battleship Maine that went to their death when that noble vessel sank in the harbor of Havana was Michael Shea, a Windham boy.

In the Spanish-American war that immediately followed, Company E, 3rd Conn., Regiment of Willimantic, was summoned for foreign service. Imme- diately before entraining more than one hundred members of that company attended St. Josephs Catholic Church in a body and participated in the sacra- ment of communion.

In the recent World war members of practically every Irish family were en- listed for over sea service. Michael Casey's family was represented with five sons, Col. John H. Morrison's family with four sons, as also was attorney Thomas J. Kelley's family with four sons. The families sending two or three sons were numerous. The splendid record made by many of these boys during their short military career give promise of their living up to the record of their sires for loyalty to home and country.

Aside from the martial spirit so characteristic of the Irish race, and so freely displayed throughout American history, the people of Irish origin have taken a prominent part in the development of Windham's industrial and civil life, and performed a creditable part in the administration of its government. They are primarily a working people and have supplied a large percentage of the labor required to run the cotton and silk manufactories that constitute the principal source of revenue to the town. They have built, maintained and func- tioned the many railroads that intersect each other at Willimantic. Several settled upon farms and made a success of agriculture. Others engaged in busi- ness and acquired some of the most desirable real estate holdings in the com- munity. Many of the leading merchants of today are descendants of those early pioneer Irish settlers, and are now reaping the benefits of a reputation for probity and honesty established by their progenitors. Among the first to engage in mercantile pursuits were the Hickey Brothers, Andrew Haley, Luke Flynn, Edward F. Casey, James E. Murray, James Maxwell, John C. Shea, Dennis Shea, Patrick Cunningham, Patrick Moynahan, and Ross O'Loughlin. Of that number only Mr. Casey now remains in active business.

The prominent contractors were Patrick Curley, Patrick Clune, Thomas Stackpole, Patrick Mulligan, Michael Cunningham and Jeremiah O'Sullivan.

The descendants of the early Irish settlers have furnished a generous quota to the professional ranks. Among the clericals they have been represented by Rev. Thomas Broderick, Rev. John Broderick, Rev. Edward Broderick, Rev. James Broderick, Rev. Thomas Walsh, Rev. Dennis Moran, Rev. Edward Cryne and Rev. Eugene Cryne. When Willimantic was but a Catholic missionary society the visiting priests were Rev. Michael McCabe, Rev. Hugh O'Reilly and Rev. Daniel Mullen, who later became chaplain of the Ninth Connecticut Regiment in the Civil war.

Included in the list of physicians of Irish ancestry we find the names of Daniel C. McGuinness, John Weldon, Owen O'Neill, William S. P. Keating and Michael D. Riordon, who were all Windham practitioners, and Daniel Sullivan an eminent surgeon in New London, and Daniel Sullivan now practising in Norwalk, Connecticut.

HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY

In the ranks of the legal profession they were represented by James T. Lynch, Thomas J. Kelley and Patrick J. Danahey.

It is generally conceded that the Irish people have a special aptitude for political life and administration of government, and those of that race in Windham are no exception. Before Willimantic was incorporated as a city we find among the names of burgesses those of Luke Flynn and Jeremiah O'Sulli- van, and since its incorporation the common council has always had members of Irish extraction on the board, and Daniel P. Dunn has held the office of mayor for twelve consecutive years. In addition .Mr. Dunn has represented the town twice in the legislature and filled the office of state comptroller for one term of two years. In the town Thomas J. Kelley filled the office of town clerk and treasurer for three terms and was representative in the Legislature; James F. Twomey held the office of judge of Probate for Windham and Scot- land for one term. An active interest in educational affairs has been manifested by John Weldon, Thomas J. Kelley, Jeremiah O'Sullivan, W. P. S. Keating, James F. Twomey and William J. Sweeney as members of the town school com- mittee. In the minor offices the representation has been constant, proportionate and creditable.

In 1864, St. Joseph's Catholic congregation was organized as an ecclesiastical corporation and the Rev. Florimond DeBruycker appointed its permanent pastor. The congregation at the time was lacking in members but gave evidence of pros- pective growth. Father DeBruycker was of forcible character and a gifted organizer. He immediately inaugurated a successful movement for a new church edifice and later for a parochial school building, convent and hospital. He lived to see his aims and objects achieved. During his pastorate he strongly advocated abstinence in the use of intoxicating liquors, and as president of St. Joseph's Temperance Society, ably assisted by the vice president, Dennis Mc- Carthy, he succeeded in securing the major portion of the male population of his congregation in taking the pledge of sobriety. The society maintained a numerous membership and powerful influence for many years. Under its en- couragement St. Joseph's Temperance Cornet Band was organized in 1872 with Thomas H. Rollinson as instructor. The band maintained its membership for several years under the successive leadership of James E. Murray, James F. Carey and Thomas J. Kelley until lack of funds and patronage caused its dis- solution.

On March 12, 1885, San Jose Council of the Knights of Columbus was char- tered with James E. Murray as grand knight. It has steadily grown in member- ship until in that respect, it probably has become the leading order in the town.

In May, 1892, the town abandoned its intention to celebrate the centennial of its incorporation, and Father DeBruycker took up the project and carried it to a very successful termination.

After the decease of Father DeBruycker an attempt was made to arouse the dormant spirit of nationality among the people and the response was a sudden membership of some four and fifty men to the local branch of the Ancient Order of Hibernians under the presidency of Thomas J. Kelley. The society flourished for a time, organized a glee club, revived Irish songs and plays, par- ticipated in a few parades, and then returned to normal membership.

It would require a long story to tell of all the later-day citizens of Irish descent who have been and are active in professional business and civic life, but a few may be mentioned whose careers are typical.

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY

The record of the remarkable Broderdick family is of special interest. The late Edward Broderick and his wife Joanna Morrison were both born in Ireland. They were married at South Hadley Falls, Massachusetts, in 1846, and came to Willimantic in December, 1847, one of the pioneer Catholic families in this part of the state. Mr. Broderick was for many years a trusted and responsible section foreman of the Hartford, Providence & Fishkill Railroad. His wife was a woman of superior qualities, of unusual spiritual devotion, with noble ambitions for her children. There were nine children of whom three now survive. Four of the boys became priests, one a business man, Mr. Dennis Broderick of Meriden, who married there a daughter of Mayor Tracy. A sister, Ella M. Broderick, lately deceased, was for many years a member of the faculty of the State Normal Train- ing School at New Haven. The eldest son, Rev. Thomas Broderick of Hartford, became widely known and one of the best beloved priests of the diocese. The youngest, Rev. James Broderick, is now pastor at Terryville, Connecticut.

The second son, Rev. John H. Broderick, was born at Willimantic November 4, 1857, attended Natchaug School, under Principals Corbin, Fuller and Welch ; received his religious education at Catholic Preparatory College of St. Hyacinthe, Canada, St. Bonaventure College and Seminary at Albany, New York, and was ordained to the priesthood June 17, 1885. He began his ministry as assistant rector at St. Patrick's, Norwich, thence served successively as pastor at St. Patrick's, Thompsonville; St. Rose's, Meriden; at All Hallows Church in Moosup, 1895-1912 (see. History of Churches) and in October, 1912, he came back to St. Patrick's in Norwich where he began his priesthood.

Father John Broderick is an indefatigable worker for the interests of his church and people, and exerts a strong influence to uphold and promote the best interests of the social order wherever he dwells. He possesses the respect and confidence of the entire community.

Thomas F. Somers is one of the best known business men in New York City, member of the Birdseye-Somers Corset Company, where his brother James is also associated. Thomas was born in New York City, but in his childhood the family removed to Willimantic, where he attended Natchaug grade schools. He has always felt especially grateful to the late Julia M. Peck for her remarkable success in awakening her pupils to do their best, and in 1915 he started a fund in her honor at Natchaug School, the income of which is used to reward special merit in pupils.

Thomas F. Henry is another successful Irish lad who went out from Willi- mantic. His wife is Mary O'Loughlin, sister of Dr. Thomas O'Loughlin. Thomas has been for many years with the Swift Brothers packing firm, and is especially interested in the possibilities of sheep culture. He is now located at New Haven.

Among other children of the earlier settlers who became active factors in business and professional life may be named Dennis McCarthy, for many years locomotive engineer between Willimantic and Providence, and meanwhile active in church and temperance work, later removing to Providence, and becoming prominent in the fraternal and public life of that city ; Timothy Lynch, who read law with John M. Hall and took up practice in Bridgeport; William Foran, long-time engineer, father of William Foran, the actor; his brother, Thomas Foran, furniture dealer and undertaker in New London, and who has compiled a book of quotations from English literature which has been very favorably re- ceived; the Cunningham boys : Michael, contractor and builder in Willimantic ;

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY

Patrick, leading merchant in Danbury; Martin a successful lawyer; the Kil- loureys, John and Dan; the sons of the former now continue his undertaking business; Dan has been for many years on the Willimantic police force, and is now its chief; the Casey brothers, Edward F. and Lawrence, who are more fully mentioned in the Biographical Volume.

Among other Willimantic boys who have won success in the outside business world, may be mentioned William Murphy, manager for the Kitson Light Co. in New York; Timothy O'Connor, superintendent for a machine company in Westfield, Massachusetts; Timothy Nelligan, superintendent of a silk company in Pittsfield; William O'Connor, an M. D. in Jersey City ; James Burke, Jr., agent for the Lyman Mills in Holyoke; James Casey a carriage manufacturer in Holyoke; John McCaffery, superintendent for Pennsylvania Railroad at Pier 40, New York ; Frank and Michael Curley, managers for Standard Oil Company at Titusville, Pennsylvania; Thomas O'Connor in charge of advertising for Ringling Brothers Circus at Philadelphia; Andrew Keneally, a carriage manu- facturer at Waterbury, Connecticut.

Thomas Francis O'Loughlin, was born in Willimantic in 1872, son of Ross and Hannah (Kelliher) O'Loughlin. Attended the First District schools, St. Joseph's, graduated high school in 1890; studied law one year, was the first reporter on the Willimantic Daily Chronicle, entered the medical department of the New York University in the fall of 1892, graduating in the class of 1896. His first and only place of engaging in the practice of his profession has been in Rockville, where he has enjoyed an extensive and successful practice. He has been city health officer; for twelve years a member of the High School Com- mittee, and acting school visitor for several years.

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A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume I, Part 12

Author: Lincoln, Allen B Publication date: 1920 Publisher: Chicago : S. J. Clarke publ. co. Number of Pages: 930

Author: Lincoln, Allen B
Publication date: 1920
Publisher: Chicago : S. J. Clarke publ. co.
Number of Pages: 930