A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume I, Part 20

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

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Thomas Hart Fuller, Yale '62, who succeeded Mr. Corbin as principal of Natchaug School, 1868-72, was a native of Scotland, Conn. He taught at Chesh- ire Academy and at Birmingham, Conn. He entered the government postal service about forty years ago, with headquarters at Washington, traveling all through the East, but in later years his duties kept him in Washington where he resided for many years with his brother, Luther Fuller, also a Scotland boy. Thomas Hart Fuller died June 8, 1919, and was buried in Scotland. Mr. Ful- ler was very popular with his Willimantic pupils, and inspired a number of young men to go to college from Natchaug.

He enjoyed a lifelong friendship with the late Prof. Andrew W. Phillips of Yale, which began in an interesting way and had important sequels. Away back in the days just before the Civil war, "Andy" Phillips was a country boy over in Lisbon, near Jewett City, New London County. He had a wonder- fully bright mind and was eager for a college education. In the early summer of 1860 a certain Yale Junior, then half-way through his course, and himself, desiring to earn money to continue his studies, came over to Jewett City one morning and tacked up in the village postoffice a self-written notice that he would like to get scholars to tutor for entrance to Yale College. "Andy" Phil- lips, then in his 'teens, came over to the village and saw that notice, and at once enrolled with the new Yale tutor-none other than Thomas Hart Fuller, Yale '63! Mr. Fuller tutored in Jewett City the following summer also, with Phil- lips among his pupils. Concerning their acquaintance and friendship thus begun, and continuing unabated through life, Mr. Fuller in 1915 wrote Editor Lincoln as follows :

"Phillips was to me more than a friend. He and I were in more or less frequent communication for about fifty-five years. I appreciated his geniality,

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his versatile talent and real genius when he was only a youth. He had a com- prehensive mind for other things as well as the mathematics, for which he had wonderful aptness and which he made his specialty. I indulge a little pride in having taught one of his mathematical genius the differential and integral calculus. But he used to work it out himself. I rarely had to help in it. I used to hunt up difficult problems specially to give him. He would solve any- thing within range of principles that he had had."

A few years later Phillips entered Yale, getting his degree at Sheffield Scientific School in 1873. Mr. Fuller was influential in getting Phillips a posi- tion as teacher of mathematics at Cheshire Academy, and this was the beginning of a lifelong association of Mr. Phillips with that school as teacher, trustee and counsellor. Later, while Phillips was at Cheshire, Mr. Fuller was the means of introducing him to Hubert A. Newton, a professor at Yale, the same Newton who was even then famous among astronomers and afterwards won world-wide fame in that field.

"Andy" Phillips always held Thomas Hart Fuller in deepest gratitude as the teacher who had first inspired him to excel in the talents he possessed, and who later brought him into touch with Yale, and especially into a lifelong association with Yale's great astronomer. The association of Newton and Phil- lips-Newton, the deep student of the mysteries of the stars, and Phillips, master of the higher mathematics, so useful to astronomers in their calcula- tions-is one of the dearest of Yale memories, and was of large benefit to scien- tific research.

John B. Welch, Wesleyan '70, was principal of Natchaug, 1872-1884, the longest period of service in the history of Natchaug High. He was a veritable inspiration to a large number of boys and girls who have held him in lifelong esteem and have paid him notable tribute. He was also a severe disciplinarian, and insisted upon thorough and efficient work or he would know the reason why. Yet in 1905 a notable assembly of more than one hundred of his former pupils greeted him in Reunion Banquet at Willimantic, gave him a beautiful loving cup, and established in his honor a permanent fund (now over twelve hundred dollars, and soon to be increased to about fifteen hundred dollars by gifts of former pupils in honor of Principal Welch) of which the income is used each Commencement in awards for excellence in high school work. This meet- ing of 1905 was so delightful to all concerned that it was resolved to repeat it "ten years later." Therefore in June, 1915, in connection with "Old School and Old Home Week," the "Old Natchaugers" came again from far and near to greet their beloved schoolmaster. Gilbert D. Lamb, Natchaug '75, a Franklin boy, and now a prominent New York lawyer, and first president of the Natchaug Alumni Association, pledged $500 additional to the John B. Welch Fund, and still further additions were made during the celebration by former pupils.

Colonel Welch was then proprietor and principal of the University Military Academy at Columbia, Mo. He was born at Cromwell, Conn., seventy-seven years ago; was graduated from Wesleyan University in 1870, and began his service as instructor of Latin and Greek at Cheshire, where he formed a close personal and lifelong friendship with Prof. Andrew W. Phillips of Yale. After leaving Willimantic he was principal of the high school at Westfield, Mass., and also at Pittsfield, also principal of McCollom Institute at Mt. Vernon, N. H. Twenty-five years ago he went to Missouri and established at Columbia, the private military academy which he conducted until the fall of 1916. His

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academy was part of the Missouri National Guard, and Principal Welch was . commissioned a colonel by Governor Hadley. About twelve years ago the main building of his academy was destroyed by fire, and for a short time Colonel Welch was tempted to retire to private life; but his indomitable spirit could not bear defeat, and within a year a new and larger school was in session. Mrs. Welch was matron and two of their four children were members of the faculty. The school property, comprising about twenty acres, became valuable because of the growth of the town. Colonel Welch decided to retire from teaching about three years ago and now lives in retirement at Columbia, Mo., having disposed of the academy, but still holding the valuable land adjacent.

In June, 1920, he came east again to attend the fiftieth anniversary of his graduation from Wesleyan, and so the "Old Natchaugers" rallied for the third time to give him welcome at a banquet held at the Congregational Church House, Willimantic, on the evening of June 23d. About eighty persons were present, including Mrs. Welch, several former Natchaug teachers, about fifty former pupils, with wives and husbands. Mrs. M. Eugene Lincoln (Edith M. Lincoln) was the only former high school assistant present. Letters of greet- ing were received from Mrs. Eva Bingham Robinson, now of Amherst, Mass., Mrs. Frances Topliffe Palmer, now of South Hadley, Mass., and Miss Elizabeth H. Rollins, now of Roslindale, Mass., former high school assistants. Speakers at the banquet were State's Attorney Hadlai A. Hull '74, of New London ; George A. Conan '74, Clerk of the Superior Court for Hartford County; Fred- erick D. Jordan, president of Willimantic Trust Company; Judge Edwin B. Gager '72, Justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court; Miss Harriet Merrow of the faculty of Rhode Island State Agricultural College; Mrs. Alma Chesbro Cauter of Tenafly, N. J .; Mrs. Helen Avery Cross, wife of Dean Wilbur L. Cross, Editor of the Yale Review, both of them Natchaug graduates; Judge George E. Hinman, of the Connecticut Superior Court, who married Nettie Williams of Natchaug '95 ; Frederic O. Vinton, High Sheriff of Tolland County, and Allen B. Lincoln, "ye editor." George F. Taylor '73, of Willimantic, was president of the local Natchaug association and Col. William Henry Hall '87, of South Willington, was toastmaster. Col. George D. Post, of New Haven, and Walter Z. Brown, of Chicago, were among those sending letters of regret.

William L. Burdick, Greenwich Academy '78, Wesleyan '82, succeeded Mr. Welch as principal of Natchaug and remained four years. He is now dean of the law school at the State University of Kansas.

George A. Cadwell was the first principal of Natchaug grade schools after the high schools of the First and Second districts were united to form Wind- ham High School in 1888. Mr. Cadwell held the position four years. Later he took up salesmanship of school supplies and is widely known among Connecti- cut school teachers in that business. He resides in New Britain.

James L. Harroun, present principal of Natchaug, has held the position for twenty-six years-a long and honorable record. He was born at Corfu, N. Y., and fitted for teaching at Brockport Normal, and Rochester University; began teaching in New York State, in 1890 became principal of the public schools at Taftville, Conn. He is recognized as one of the most thorough and efficient grammar-school masters in the state. He also takes a keen interest in school athletics. He devised a plan of attendance credits under which any room in the grades could gain a half holiday a month if showing a perfect attendance for the preceding month, and by this means each pupil was not only ambitious

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to be on hand for every session, but also to see to it that others were, and woe be to the pupil that imperiled that half holiday by absence or tardiness without unavoidable cause. The plan worked well. Mr. Harroun has written, and the town school committee has published, a course of study for grade schools, which is of unusual merit, not only because of its practical methods, but also for its suggestions as to how character building may be interwoven with daily teach- ing. He was also principal of the local evening schools for the years 1907-17. He was first president of the Willimantic Young Men's Christian Association and served thirteen years. He holds the bowling record of the town with a score of 233 big pins. He has attained not a little fame among American chess players, having won some notable games with skilled players and once played a draw game by correspondence with Mr. J. H. Stapfer, this game lasting a year and a half.

WILLIMANTIC HIGH SCHOOL

Following John D. Wheeler as principal of the First District schools came successively Charles F. Merrill and Charles A. Holbrook. During their respec- tive incumbencies the Willimantic High School was established and graduated four classes (1885-6-7-8) ; but this plan was merged with Windham High in 1888; the new town high school graduating its first class in 1889.

WINDHAM HIGH SCHOOL, WILLIMANTIC

In 1889 the First District grade schools, by special agreement between the town and the state, became Model schools, under the supervision of the State Normal Training School; later, in 1908, the property was deeded to the state.

Mr. Holbrook, after leaving Willimantic, was for several years principal of Vol. 1-11

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the high school at Chelmsford Center, Mass., and is now teaching in Beverly, Mass. Mr. Merrill entered newspaper work at Middletown, Conn., after leaving Willimantic and died at Millville, N. J., July 11, 1911, as a result of sunstroke. He married at Willimantic Ella Chandler, daughter of the late Thomas C. Chandler, for many years superintendent of the Windham Company mills.

WINDHAM HIGH SCHOOL

Windham High School was established in 1888, by union of the high schools at Natchaug and First District and graduated its first class in June, 1889.

Frank H. Beede, Yale '83, was the first principal, having been principal at . Weymouth, Melrose and Watertown in Massachusetts. He proved a fortunate selection, and during his incumbency (1888-1895), established the new high school on a sound and thorough basis. He has been superintendent of schools in New Haven for the past twenty years, and is widely recognized as one of the most level-headed and practical educators in New England.

Successive principals of Windham High, following Mr. Beede, have been : S. Hale Baker, 1895-1900; Alfred E. Peterson, 1900-1904; Edmund J. Bugbee. 1904-1907; John J. Maddox, 1907-1910; Egbert A. Case, 1910 to date. The school has steadily grown and now numbers about four hundred and fifty with graduating classes of sixty or more.

FURTHER REMINISCENCES

Interest in old-time schools, aroused by the celebration of Old School and Old Home Week in 1915, brought to light the names of many of the earlier teachers of the vicinity, who are still living.

John F. Peck, principal of First District schools, 1856-59, was present at the 1915 celebration. He is now in his eighty-seventh year and resides at Winsted, Conn., with his daughter, whose husband is Robert M. Ensign, a pupil at Natchaug in 1874.

Gilbert A. Tracy, now living at Putnam, was a teacher at the First District schools about 1860. Among his pupils he recalls Samuel L. Burlingham, Charles B. Jordan and Charles L. Ford of Willimantic, and Herbert D. and Edgar F. Burnham of Hartford.

Dr. Ahab G. Wilkinson, the veteran examiner in the department at Wash- ington, and known to some of the older residents, contributes some interesting reminiscences of the early days in Willimantic. He speaks of the "Old Stone Schoolhouse" as in the early '40s, the only free public school in the town, and the children of well-to-do parents attended there from all the region round about. "I do not think that many of the children of the mill workers attended school much," says Mr. Wilkinson, "as at the age of ten they began to work in the mills, not only in the daytime, but quite a time after dark, by artificial light." There were also at intervals private schools, as in the basement of the old Congregational Church (Melony Block, opposite Hooker House) ; also in basement of Methodist Episcopal and Baptist churches. One of the best schools of that time was that of Prof. W. E. Jillson, during his vacations from Brown University, where he afterwards became a professor and later became professor in the Columbian (now George Washington) University at the National Capital. The private schools, however, as Doctor Wilkinson recalls, were not well patron- ized, and often the teacher became discouraged and gave it up. Among the families sending children to private schools, Doctor Wilkinson recalls the Jill-

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sons, Lyons, Carpenters, Woodwards, Lees, Keyes, Williams, Haydens, Bald- wins, Campbells and Tracys. Doctor Wilkinson went to Yale, graduating there in 1856 in the same class with Chauncey M. Depew. This was also the class of Theron Brown, author of "The Epic of Windham." . Doctor Wilkinson has been principal examiner of the patent office at Washington since 1864.

Doctor Wilkinson is probably the oldest living pupil of the "Old Stone Schoolhouse," attending under Principal Barrows. He studied medicine in Paris, practiced in Missouri and was three times member of International Jury of Award at Paris expositions of 1878, 1879 and 1900; was president of a sec- tion of the International Patent Congress in Paris in 1889, and in 1911 was secretary of the Washington Patent Congress.

Hon. Guilford Smith of South Windham, for many years one of the leading residents of Eastern Connecticut and a man of unusual public spirit and a builder of valuable community enterprises, was born in South Windham and attended the Fitch Academy in his youth. He recalls that South Windham was formerly called "Spaffordsville" and states that his first recollection of. a schoolhouse at Windham Center was "the little red schoolhouse" as it was called, and which stood on the ground now occupied by the present school build- ing. The present building was made up of the former town house that stood on the Willimantic Road nearly opposite the Lockman residence, and under which another story was built after it was moved; the upper story being at first used in the new location as a public hall, and the lower part for school, but later the entire building used for schools. Plans are made for a new school building at Windham Center, and it will probably be erected in the near future.

CHAPTER VII TOWN OF PLAINFIELD

EARLY HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD-CHURCH AND COMMUNITY LIFE IN OLD PLAINFIELD -PLAINFIELD IN PUBLIC LIFE-BEGINNINGS OF WOOLEN INDUSTRY IN THE TOWN OF PLAINFIELD-PLAINFIELD ACADEMY-PLAINFIELD'S BI-CENTENNIAL.

Plainfield was laid out in the Quinebaug Country, east of Windham, in 1699. It was the third town in the county to be incorporated, and the thirty- fifth in Connecticut. It has an area of 27,119 acres.

The territory in this tract was claimed by the sons of Governor Winthrop, and also by Maj. James Fitch, the guardian of the Indian, Owaneco. The first lands laid out in the disputed country were the 600 acres levied from Owaneco "for satisfaction for their men's burning the county prison," and the richest part of the Quinebaug Valley was selected,-a tract bordering both sides of the river. Deeds of sale in 1680 transferred this land to John, Daniel and Solo- mon Tracy and Richard Bushnell, all of Norwich, who "seized and quietly possessed it." A neck of land "below the river island, Peagscomsuck" granted to Fitch by Owaneco, was laid out in the same year. Other tracts given to Fitch by Owaneco, some of the land lying east of the Quinebaug, some on both sides of "the little river that comes in at Wequanock," some east of the little river, and some a mile wide from Appaquage to the Quinebaug. No organized colony cared to settle on these lands, then under dispute, and both claims being justifiable, much trouble was liable to ensue for the new colonists. Only in- dividuals who dared to risk future trouble settled there,-some from Massa- chusetts and some from Connecticut,-most of them buying their land from the Winthrops. Two settlers bought the land further north, at the mouth of the Moosup River. Nearly all of the settlers were south of the present Town of Plainfield.

Very little is known of the early days of the settlement. There was no at- tempt to organize, and the settlers were content to break land, and build their houses and garrison houses. The latter were little used, for the Indians were found to be friendly, and shared their fishing and hunting grounds and planting lands with the new settlers. Supplies were brought from Norwich, New London and Windham, and occasionally church was attended in those towns. The tenants of Major Fitch and of Winthrop were hostile to each other, but in spite of that the colony grew in strength and numbers. The west side of the Quine- baug was settled, and Major Fitch chose that spot (which is now in the Town of Canterbury) for his own house. He was exceedingly well known through- out all that country, he had authority over the Mohegans, and had held many prominent positions, both civil and military, although he had many enemies. Nine sons and daughters came with Major Fitch, and soon his plantation be- came the center of the colony,-court was held there, tired travelers were wel- comed to his house, and many men, prominent in civil and military affairs, found

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NEW BANK, PLAINFIELD

STREET SCENE, PLAINFIELD

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their way to that remote place. A road was built from Windham to his settle- ment, and many other settlers followed Fitch to that part of the country.

In 1697 Quinebaug was made a part of New London County, and in 1699 it was made a township. A town meeting was held, officers were chosen, and a minister selected. The following year the town was given the name of Plain- field. An attempt was made to accurately determine the boundaries of the plantation, but this was found to be impossible of accomplishment. Up to this time the colony had had neither roads, bridges, mills, schools, meeting-house, nor even a record book. A pound was built on each side of the river in 1702. Soon after a meeting-house was erected near the river, so that it should be con- venient for both sides. Plainfield had her first meeting-house six months in advance of Windham, in spite of the difficulties that had been hers. On ac- count of the inaccessibility of the meeting-house for those living on the opposite side of the river (there being no bridge), and by reason of a natural adherence by those on one side of the river to Winthrop, and those on the other to Fitch, it was decided that there be two townships, the one on the west side of the river to be named Canterbury. The church had been built on the Plainfield side, and was to be paid for by the inhabitants of that town only. Mr. Coit, the minister, was asked to remain in Plainfield. He agreed to do so, and was ordained in 1705. In 1704 Plainfield was divided into regular allotments of land, many of them extending up the Moosup River. In the same year came the Indian war, a train-band company was formed, and the town closely guarded. The Quine- baug Indians, however, did not join the warring tribes. After the war the inhabitants turned their attention to the extension of their boundaries, for after the loss of Canterbury there was much dissatisfaction. After much controversy an agreement was made between Governor Winthrop and his brother on one side, and Plainfield on the other, whereby an extension of territory east of the Quinebaug was granted to Plainfield, this causing much opposition from Canter- bury and Quinebaug proprietors.

After Plainfield had full possession of her territory it was judged that she could bear public charges. In 1705 and 1706 roads were laid out, one of them leading to Moosup; and a corn mill was built. Two years later it was decided to provide a school, and the next year a school teacher was secured. In 1709 a bridge was built across the Quinebaug, and probably paid for by private means. So much grain was raised that it was found necessary to built a sec- ond corn mill, this one north of Moosup. In 1711 Plainfield was able to have a full train band. Both Rhode Island and Connecticut in the next few years built highways that connected Plainfield with Providence and Boston. When Killingly was settled in 1708 Plainfield lost all hope of claiming territory in the north. There was still constant border warfare between Plainfield and Canter- bury, and so much dissension that the land under discussion was surveyed again, Plainfield losing part of the land in the Quinebaug Valley that she had held. In Plainfield's anxiety to claim more land east of her,-grants of Major Fitch within her own borders,-there were other disputes.

Better accommodations were provided for the new school teacher, and school was kept in three places in Plainfield, part of the school year in each place. A dam was built across the Moosup River for the setting up of mills. Although difficult to find a location convenient for all, a new meeting-house was built, and was ready for use in 1720. Between 1720 and 1725 three new schools were built, one in each part of the town. The bridge over the Quinebaug was car-

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ried away, and a ferry boat was provided and was allowed by the Assembly for five years. The land east of Plainfield was incorporated into Voluntown, Plainfield refusing to accept the decision. The border disputes with Canter- bury still continued, retarding Plainfield's growth and development, and creat- ing much lawlessness among the inhabitants. In 1725 an epidemic broke out, and many died.

In 1726 Plainfield, with other towns, became a part of Windham County. After its boundary disputes Plainfield settled down to years of peace and pros- perity. In 1728 a substantial toll bridge was built over the Quinebaug, which was destroyed in 1737 and again had to be rebuilt. A bridge was built over the Moosup the next year by Samuel Spalding, and another over the same river in 1740. Little is known of the extent of the revival movement in Plainfield in 1742, but it is believed that a large number were converted and united with the church. A deep impression was made upon the Indians of the town, and much good was accomplished for them. The revival was followed there as elsewhere by church division, and the formation of a separate church. Friction between these two churches continued for years, and finally the Congregational Church diminished in strength and numbers, and the Separatist Church grew and flourished. This religious dissension prevented the town from making any decided progress in other ways. In 1756 many French-Canadians from Acadia were assigned to Windham County, but Plainfield seems to have been the only town to make provision for them. At that period of its history Plainfield was included in the district with Canterbury, Killingly, Pomfret and Voluntown for holding Probate Court.

In 1760, after the close of the French and Indian war, the Separatists, by their overwhelming numbers, voted to hold services in the Congregational Church, as theirs was inadequate, and for the reason, too, that the Congregational Church had no minister. This, of course, did not please the old church people, and as they could not come to an understanding a committee was appointed to endeavor to unite the two factions, Jonathan Trumbull being one of the committee. Through his efforts concessions were made by both sides, and a new Separatist minister was installed in the Congregational Church, thus early in its history Plainfield had religious freedom and it was also free from church taxes. School facilities were improved. Roads and bridges were repaired,- the bridge over the Quinebaug again being swept away in 1767, and having to be rebuilt. In 1768 a weekly stage started running between Providence and Norwich, thus stimulating business interests in Plainfield. Taverns were opened also. In 1771 it was voted to build a poorhouse. Some of Plainfield's valued citizens migrated to new lands about that time, and their loss was greatly felt by the town. Plainfield's Academy was opened during the years of the Revo- lution, and was very successfully conducted, one hundred or more pupils com- ing there from other towns, and later even from other states, as well as from Plainfield itself. It was managed by trustees, and was one of the three incor- porated schools in Connecticut. Houses were erected for the accommodation of the out of town pupils, and private houses gladly welcomed others to their homes.

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A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume I, Part 20

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