A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume I, Part 23

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

USA > Connecticut > Windham County > A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume I > Part 23

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

The historical paper by the Rev. Mr. Fellowes showed painstaking research and placed in enduring form many facts of interest as to the agricultural, indus- trial and educational and religious history of the town. Dr. J. L. Gardner read a valuable paper concerning members of the bar and the medical profes- sion, with selected lists of public officers. The Rev. Henry T. Arnold gave a concise history of the churches of Plainfield while Editor Charles F. Burgess and Frank H. Tillinghast recounted Plainfield's military record. The entire proceedings of the celebration, with full text of the historical address, the poems, special papers, etc., are preserved in the pamphlet "Plainfield Bi-Centennial," which is readily accessible in public libraries and in many homes and therefore not repeated here. Reference is also made to the beautiful illustrated souvenir volume of the Town of Plainfield, published in 1895 from the office of the Moosup Journal, which preserves many invaluable records.

CHAPTER VIII TOWN OF CANTERBURY

EARLY HISTORY OF CANTERBURY-THE TOWN OF CANTERBURY-WESTMINSTER SOCIETY-CANTERBURY INDUSTRIES-CANTERBURY IN PUBLIC LIFE-REMINIS- CENCES OF CANTERBURY AND PLAINFIELD.

Canterbury was in its earliest days a part of that much disputed land lying west of the Quinebaug River, and was claimed by both Winthrop and Major Fitch as early as 1653. Deeds of sale transferred this land, with other tracts, to John, Daniel and Solomon Tracy and Richard Bushnell, all of Norwich, in 1680. A neck of land "below the river island, Peagscomsuck," and granted by Owaneco to Fitch, was laid out in 1680. The first settlers were probably those of Peagscom- suck, who came there in 1691, but very little progress was made until 1697 when Major Fitch with his large family of nine children moved to "a neck of land" in a curve of the Quinebaug. Major Fitch, prominent throughout that part of the country in both civil and military affairs, and having authority over the Indians, soon made his house the center of the settlement for both sides of the river, attracting there land traders, officials, both civil and military, and hordes of Indians. A ready welcome was given to tired travelers. It was owing to his residence there that many other substantial people settled in that part of the country, and a road was laid out from Windham to his plantation.

In October, 1697, it was ordered by the General Court that "the people inhabiting upon Quinebaug River" belong to the County of New London. The settlements on the west side of the river were a part of the Quinebaug Planta- tion at that time, and in 1699 became a part of Plainfield, when it was made a township. In 1697 a minister was procured for Plainfield, preaching one Sun- day on the west side of the river, and the next on the east, and later one-third of the time on the west side. When a church was erected in 1703 it was set on the east side of the river, but was found to be inconvenient for those on the west side-there being no bridge. Besides this natural division of the two set- tlements, the fact that the west settlement adhered to Major Fitch, while the east side favored Governor Winthrop in their controversies, divided them in another way, and for these two reasons it was thought best to set aside the west part of the town, and in 1703 it was given the privileges of a township and named Canterbury. At that time its inhabitants were few, but they were sub- stantial people and of good character. That first year a corn mill was built. Roads connected the town with Norwich, Windham and Woodstock. A tavern was opened, and town meetings and all business conducted there. There are no records of those early days, but it is known that it was not easy for new settlers, who, after being deceived about the character of the land, found, when they came to possess it that it was poor and rocky, the best having been taken by the earliest settlers. So many proprietors laid claim to these tracts that the set- tlers were obliged to pay for them over and over again.

A minister was obtained and land was given in 1705 for the erection of a

186

187

HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY

meeting house, but the inhabitants were too poor to build as yet. It was found difficult to establish the boundaries of Canterbury, the western part remaining under discussion for nearly fifty years. In 1707 Canterbury organized her first military company. The next year the colony released her from the payment of rates, so that she might build a meeting house, and in 1711 the church was established. The ancient dividing line between Canterbury and Windham was found in 1713, which ended much uncertainty. The line between Canterbury and Plainfield was extended in 1714, as rightfully belonging to Canterbury. This extension brought in new settlers, some of them desirable, others worthless. Major Fitch created a great deal of excitement, when, after having made arrangements for the settlement of a township north of Tolland he was forbid- den by Governor Saltonstall, with the advice of the council, to proceed further, they. claiming that the land belonged to the government and colony ; whereupon Major Fitch became insolent and was obliged to make an apology to the Assem- bly. In his later years some of his property became almost valueless; the gov- ernment refused to confirm the sale of some land; and some land he was forced to sell for the payment of debts.

The first report of a town meeting was that of 1717. It was voted to lay out a highway connecting Norwich and Windham, and also to hold school two months each in three different places in the town, and later three months in each place. In 1720 a full military company was organized. In 1723 the long- contested Canterbury land was equally distributed and new highways con- structed. In the border dispute between Canterbury and Plainfield the former town did her share, and many were brought to account for damages inflicted. The church was prosperous, and at the time of the religious revival in Wind- ham in 1721 its influence was felt also in Canterbury, many members being added to the church.

In May, 1726, Canterbury, with Lebanon, Windham, Mansfield, Plainfield, Killingly, Pomfret, Coventry and Ashford, became a part of Windham County. Until 1726 Canterbruy had been very free from disease, but for some time after that date there were a great many deaths-among others. Major Fitch and the minister and his wife. A meeting house was built in 1731, soon after a new minister had been procured. Another settlement sprang up in Canterbury, in the northern part of the town. Then arose a controversy between Windham and Canterbury over the boundary line, which was not settled until 1752, when Windham gave up her claim to the disputed territory, and acknowledged the original boundary line. The controversy was so absorbing that little else was done during those years. However, the following three things aided the advance- ment of the town-men over twenty-one were given the right to vote; a stock of ammunition was provided for the town; and a schoolhouse was built on the green. There was much trouble encountered in erecting and maintaining bridges, the current of the Quinebaug being so strong, and the iee jams in winter so destructive, that two bridges put up by Plainfield were carried away. In 1733, Jabez Fitch, son of Major Fitch, erected a new one, and was allowed to collect toll in 1740. One end of a bridge being raised over the She- tucket River gave way, one Canterbury young man being drowned and others hurt. A military company was formed in 1740. The next year the north set- tlement of Canterbury, with a part of Pomfret and Mortlake, were set aside as one society and called Mortlake. Under the new minister the church gained in members, but the controversy over the location of the church, and a charge

188

HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY

against the minister, left it crippled, and so was one of the first to be roused by the great revival of 1741. Disorders followed the revival, and the Assembly attempted to suppress the evils and to forbid preaching except by regular min- isters. This served only to aggravate the troubles, which had by that time spread to Canterbury-one of their number having preached in different places was imprisoned, and this aroused strong feeling. Because of the trouble within the church it was impossible to make satisfactory arrangements for a minister, and the Windham County Consociation was called upon to help them out in their difficulties, relieving the situation to such an extent that a minister could be called. The revivalists, however, were dissatisfied, and more serious trouble ensued, lasting for some time after that. The church was called the Church of Canterbury, or the Separate Church, having adopted Saybrook regulations. The real Separatists had great difficulty in obtaining a minister, but in 1746 Solomon Paine was ordained.

In May, 1747, Canterbury became a part of a Probate Court district com- prised of Plainfield, Canterbury, Killingly, Pomfret and Voluntown. Very few new families came to Canterbury, and the town was occupied almost entirely by the descendants of the first settlers. Canterbury took an active part in the French and Indian war, and after that became absorbed in re-settling her parishes and repairing bridges. Much to the dismay of the town some of the residents in the southeast section joined with parts of Scotland Parish and Newent, formed the Society of Hanover. The next winter the bridge over the Quinebaug, which had been repaired in 1760, was carried away by the ice, and in 1763 the Assembly ordered Canterbury to build a new bridge. Roads had to be kept up on account of the increased travel, for many were venturing forth into the new lands just opened for settlement. A new highway connected the town with main roads to Providence and Hartford. Mills were in opera- tion, and a tannery did business. There were also several taverns. The Church of Canterbury flourished, and Baptists were more numerous, but the Separatist Church declined. The inhabitants of the western section of the town, stating that their numbers had increased and that they desired to become a separate society, or to build a meeting house of their own, Canterbury permitted them to form an ecclesiastical society, and named it Westminster. The enterprising citizens of the new society at once set to work to build a new meeting house, and to provide a common and burying ground, and in 1772 a minister was called. Schools before that time had received very little attention, but in 1770 there was a change made in the system and the number of Canterbury schools in- creased. A public library is reported to have been founded in 1771.

After the Revolution there were many enterprising young men who atttained prominence in their home towns, and in various parts of the country. Plain- field's Academy, suffering temporary depression in 1796, the opportunity was seized upon by Canterbury to establish a rival academy with Master Adams in charge. Many new stores and industries were started at this time. A post- office was established in Canterbury in 1803. A new school was built, and tanneries were set up in various parts of the town. Growth in the churches was retarded by a lack of clergymen. Westminster, too, was prosperous, her schools ranking well with those of Canterbury. In 1801 the academy in Canter- bury was given up and Master Adams returned to Plainfield. Then came many deaths, and more emigration, but Canterbury in spite of handicaps, took advan- tage of the new manufacturing and mechanical inventions, and linked them

189

HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY

with her splendid water power. Hat making became one of the chief indus- tries, and various industries were maintained in Westminster. Canterbury was noted for her public spirit and the high character of her citizens. The town furnished many of the officers for the Twenty-first Regiment. The churches in Canterbury and Westminster were in sound condition.

THE TOWN OF CANTERBURY

By Levi N. Clark

The Town of Canterbury was incorporated in October, 1703, taking the western part of the territory of Plainfield and having the Quinebaug River for a dividing line on the east for about one-half the distance from the north when it crossed the river, extending east so that it includes part of the little Village of Packerville, now called Packer. The postoffice and railroad station are now called Packer. The railroad station is located in the Town of Plain- field and the postoffice in the Town of Canterbury. Canterbury is bounded by Hampton and Brooklyn on the north, Plainfield, East Griswold, Lisbon and Sprague on the south, and Scotland and Hampton west. It contains about forty square miles in an irregular parallelogram, about eight miles from north to south and five miles from east to west.

The population, 1910 census, was 868, and in 1782, 2,514. The people have always been engaged chiefly in agriculture, no large factories having been established within the town. There were several small mills, the largest one being at Packer, where cotton goods were manufactured, the others manu- facturing carpet yarn, candle wicking, twine, etc. Nothing of the kind is now done in Canterbury, the mills being nearly all gone. At one time two foundries were doing a good business, one by Isaac Backus at what is called Backusville in the western part of the town, the other owned by the Robinson, Fowler & Company at Canterbury Plains, the building being gone nearly fifty years.

There are two postoffices in town, one at Packer to accommodate a few peo- ple on the eastern side of the river, the other near Canterbury railroad station and called Canterbury, from which the rural free delivery route starts, which covers a good part of the town. There are three other routes which extend into Canterbury, one from Baltic in the Town of Sprague, one from Hampton and the other from Brooklyn-express office Plainfield.

The first settlement made on this territory was about the year 1690 by men who came in part from older towns in the vicinity, but mostly from Massachu- setts. A leading man was Major James Fitch, of Norwich, a large landholder and influential personage in the colony at that time. With him there came from Norwich individuals belonging to the Adams, Backus, Bradford and Tracy families. There were also Adamses from Medfield, Browns, Cleavelands and Spaldings from Chelmsford, Hydes and Woodwards from Newton, Frosts from Charlestown, Davenports from Dorchester, Baldwins from Woburn, and Paynes from Eastham. These settlers first established themselves along the river val- ley and slowly spread themselves back on the less inviting hills in the western part of the town. In 1705 Robert Green for thirty shillings deeded to the inhabitants of the town three acres and a half on a hill near his home, "to build and erect a meeting house on, or for training or any other use the said inhabi- tants of Canterbury shall see cause for."

This is the plot of ground long known as "Canterbury Green," which has

190

HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY

been from the beginning the site of the meeting house of the first ecclesiastical society. No records remain to show when the first house of worship was erected, and it is found that in 1719 the selectmen were ordered to "get the meeting house glazed at the town's charge."

At an early date, Mr. Samuel Estabrook, a graduate of Harvard College, and son of the pastor of Concord, Mass., was employed as a minister, and on the 13th of June, 1711, he was ordained pastor of a church that day organized. The elders or pastors present and assisting on this occasion were Revs. Samuel Whiting of Windham, John Woodward of Norwich, Salmon Treat of Preston, and Joseph Coit of Plainfield. The charge which Mr. Estabrook then received he retained until his death, which occurred June 26, 1727, at the age of fifty- three.

The place thus vacated was filled September 3, 1729, by the ordination of Mr. John Wadsworth, a native of Milton, Mass., and a graduate of Harvard College. He continued in charge until May 27, 1841, when he resigned in con- sequence of charges seriously affecting his reputation.

During his ministry, the second meeting house on the green was built, the expense being partly defrayed by the proceeds of some town lands; this was in the course of 1731-35.

About the time of Mr. Wadsworth's departure, there occurred one of the most powerful and extensive religious awakenings ever known in this country. The people of this town were not a little affected by it, and a division of senti- ment that arose thereabouts prepared the way for divided action with regard to a new pastor. The pulpit had been supplied by various persons for a while, but in June, 1744, Mr. James Cogswell, a native of Saybrook, and a graduate of Yale College, was employed as a candidate. On the question of settling him, an open schism took place, about half of the church separating permanently from their brethren. Notwithstanding this, however, Mr. Cogswell was or- dained by the consociation, after careful deliberation, December 28, 1744. He continued in the pastorate nearly twenty-seven years, much longer than any other pastor of the same church, and retired at length to accept a similar office in the neighboring Parish of Scotland.

During the long and dark period of 1770-83 the church remained dependent upon supplies which were often changed and probably sometimes failed alto- gether. The pastor next installed was Rev. Solomon Morgan, who continued for about eleven years. In 1803-05 the third house of worship was erected on the green, part of the cost being paid by the avails of a lottery, granted for the purpose by the Legislature. Since then there have been the following pastors in succession : Rev. George Leonard, from February, 1808, to August, 1810; Rev. Asa Meech, from October, 1812, to May, 1822; Rev. Thomas J. Murdock, from November, 1822, until his death, December 15, 1826, at the age of thirty- six ; Rev. James R. Wheelock, from December, 1827, to April, 1829 ; Rev. Dennis Platt, from March, 1830, to January, 1833; Rev. Otis C. Whiton, from June, 1835, to January, 1837; Rev. Charles J. Warren, from September, 1837, to April, 1840; Rev. Walter Clarke, from May, 1842, to May, 1845; Rev. Robert C. Learned, from December, 1847, to November, 1858; Rev. Charles P. Gros- venor, from March, 1859 to 1871.

It was intimated above that the time of Mr. Cogswell's ordination, a part of the people formed a new ecclesiastical organization. They claimed, indeed, to be the original church of Canterbury, and retained the ancient books of rec-

191

HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY

ords; but they were commonly known as the Separate Church, or perhaps the Strict Congregational Church of Canterbury. This, in fact, was the first of a number of churches that were organized about this time, not differing materially in theory from the Congregational churches of the present day, but more evan- gelical in sentiment, and more enthusiastic in their practice than were these same churches and their pastors at that time.

Gradually some of their views came into general acceptance and the others were abandoned by them, until at length they were dissolved or united with other denominations. Thus the Separate Church in Canterbury, after a vig- orous outset, during which they erected a meeting-house on the high ground west of the green and chose for themselves a pastor out of their own number. Rev. Solomon Payne, ordained September, 1746, and died October 25, 1754, began soon to lose ground. They, indeed, chose a second pastor, Rev. Joseph Marshall, ordained April, 1759, and dismissed April, 1768, but they never afterward had a pastor. It is difficult, indeed, to trace their history particu- larly.

About 1790, they removed their meeting house to "North Society," so called, where it stood until the winter of 1852-53, when it was taken down, having been some time in a ruinous condition. Various ministers had been employed by the people in that vicinity at different periods, but the church had long since wasted away. Just before Mr. Cogswell's dismission from the First Church, the Society of Westminster was incorporated by the General Assembly, including all the western part of the town, except a small portion already embraced in Hanover Society, Lisbon, now Sprague. The church was gathered in this society, November 20, 1770, and has had five pastors up to 1861. Rev. John Staples, a native of Taunton, Mass., and a graduate of New Jersey Col- lege, was ordained April 17, 1772, and continued his care of the church until his death, which was occasioned by a putrid fever February 16, 1804, in the sixty-first year of his age; Rev. Erastus Learned, a native of Killingly and a graduate of Brown University, had been pastor at Charlton, Mass., was installed at Westminster, February 6, 1805, and continued in charge until his death, January 30, 1824; Rev. Israel Gurley Rose, who was a native of Coventry, and a graduate of Yale College, was ordained at Westminster, March 9. 1825, and dismissed October 11, 1831; Rev. Asa King, a native of Marshfield, had been pastor at Pomfret and Killingworth, before he was installed at Westminster. January 23, 1833, where he died December 2, 1849, in his eightieth year: Rev. Reuben S. Hazen, a native of Danbridge, Vt., and graduate of Yale College. was pastor at Agawam, Mass., and Barkhemstead, before he was installed at Westminster, September 26, 1849, where he still continued in 1861.

Other denominations have not flourished in this town. A Methodist class was organized many years since and then dissolved. Again reviving, this people held their meetings for some years in the Town House near the center of the town, and in 1858 removed to a house in the village, which had been erected about fourteen years previously by parties attached to the Universalist faith. They are now regularly supplied with preachers by the Providence Con- ference. About 1873 they built a new church at Canterbury Plains, the land being given for that purpose by vote of the town, the land being part of the "Town Farm."

A number of Baptist families in Canterbury attended meetings at Packer-

192

HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY

ville and Unionville in Plainfield, but no other denomination has ever had a settled habitation in the town.

Of the literary history of the town there is no need to speak largely. The public schools were at first kept in private houses and sometimes the same teacher migrated from neighborhood to neighborhood, teaching perhaps ten weeks at one residence, four weeks at another, and six weeks at another, and so on. By degrees the town fell into the district system, so long followed in Connecticut. No incorporated academy was ever established in Canterbury. About the year 1840 Miss Prudence Crandall established in this town a board- ing school for young ladies, which her interest in the colored race induced her to convert into a school for a special benefit. So displeasing was the latter arrangement to the people of the town that measures were successfully taken to break up the school by the enactment and enforcement of a special statute law, for "such cases made and provided." Reference to the later life of Miss Crandall will be found in the history of the Packerville Church and also in C. B. Montgomery's article in this chapter. Canterbury bore its full share in the toils and trials of the Revolutionary war, furnishing, according to tradition, some thirty men for the army. Some thirty Congregational clergymen have originated here, besides some of other denominations up to the year 1861.

WESTMINSTER SOCIETY By Mrs. T. Edward Davies

Canterbury was at first a village or settlement within Plainfield which was established 1689 as the thirty-fifth town, incorporated 1699. Its off-spring, Canterbury, was established 1690 and incorporated in 1703 as the thirty-eighth town in the state. For eight years its inhabitants attended "Divine Service" in Plainfield, but in 1711 were organized into a separate parish and built their church edifice. For some reason best known to themselves, this was placed on the eastern border of the town, near the river at that portion where the Quine- baug marks its division (the division of the town) from Plainfield. The Town of Canterbury prospered and grew; the bulk of its growth being toward the west where there were many more small water powers, utilized for sawmills and numerous small factories. The western part of the town also had at least four foundries, one especially well known outside of the town as the "Backus Foundry," which sent its products to Europe, as well as to many cities and towns in Connecticut and other states of our Union.

An evidence of size of the western half of the town is found in the number of schoolhouses within its borders, not all now in use.

A stage-coach toll-line from Hartford to Providence went through the place twice a day. The remains of the toll-gate are still to be seen close to the top of the hill above Little River, near the boundary of Scotland. The present manse or parsonage was a roadhouse or tavern on this route, and has a fine colonial entrance and decorations, "worthy to be classed with those of Salem," according to some who have seen both. The manse contains the old ballroom of the roadhouse, with semi-cylindrical ceiling and stucco ornamentation. When purchased for the manse, the house was remodeled; the old square chimney, a monster, being removed at that time.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume I, Part 23

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