USA > Connecticut > Windham County > A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume I > Part 4
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The outstanding feature of the second century, especially its latter half, is the industrial development; the coming of the railroads and the passing of the stage-coach; the upbuilding of the manufacturing villages; the gradual trend of population to the industrial centers; the gradual abandonment of the farms; the changes brought about by immigration; the large influx of Irish families and of French-Canadians. The various factors all contributed to a really wonderful development of the larger towns like Plainfield, Killingly, Putnam and Windham (Willimantic). The industries are chiefly textile, in cotton and wool, and the factories of Windham County have contributed largely to the practical needs and comfort and utility of mankind.
The history of the development of these industries is so fully brought out in the personal sketches of the various "captains of industry" in the Bio- graphical Volume of this work that no special history of the manufactories has been attempted. Some of these personal histories contain very interesting rec- ords of industrial expansion, and of mechanical inventions or improved meth- ods of production.
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28
HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY
During the first half of the nineteenth century, agricultural production was still able to keep fair pace with the factories; and during the latter half the farmer found an increasing market for his products at a fair measure of profit; but the steady drain upon rural population, the opening of so many larger opportunities for the boys and girls in the growing centers of population and the lack of transportation facilities finally began to have very serious effect upon the back-country towns.
In this connection a study of the tabulation of populations and grand-list valuations as elsewhere recorded will prove of much interest. By the census of 1920 it appears that seven of the fifteen towns have shown an increase in population during the past decade, while eight show a falling off, but as a whole the population of the county has increased from 48,361 in 1910 to 52,816 in 1920, a gain of 4,455.
CENSUS AND VALUATIONS, WINDHAM COUNTY
1860
1870
1880
1890
Pop.
Valuation
Pop.
Valuation
Pop.
Valuation
Pop.
Valuation
Ashford
1,231 $
428,452
1,242 $
452,411
1,041 $
325,737
778
$ 266,459
Brooklyn
2.132
925,835
2,355
1,248,467
2,308
1,534,714
2,628
1,396,211
Canterbury
1,592
670,722
1,552
673,875
1,272
566,851
947
481,741
Chaplin
788
256,171
704
271,594
627
241,006
542
216,498
Eastford
1.006
265,573
984
265,047
855
235,913
561
186,333
Hampton
989
400,910
891
483,492
827
370,478
632
309,812
Killingly
4,960
1,323,220
5,712
1,809,332
6.721
2,172,767
7,027
2,248,878
Plainfield
3,665
1,322,141
4,521
2,102,743
4,021
1,880,002
4,582
1,692,413
Pomfret
1,660
999,569
1,488 .
896,017
1.470
772.216
1,471
818,151
Putnam
2,208
787,087
4,192
1,572,037
5,827
1,800,986
6,512
3,294,793
Scotland
735
343,913
648
380,420
590
338.102
506
251,488
Sterling
1.050
313,056
1,022
353,927
957
304,380
1,051
314,204
Thompson
3.995
1,472,782
3,804
1,639,640
5,051
1,821,915
5,580
1,616,123
Windham
4.261
1,359,521
5,413
2,618,441
8,265
3,534,197
10,032
4.368,446
Woodstock
3,285
1,204,360
2,955
1,192,601
2,639
992,663
2,309
944,256
* 34,618 $12,304,103 |*38,535
$16,198,472 42,471 $17,106,115
45,158 $18,405,806
1920
1900
1910
Pop.
Valuation
Pop.
Valuation
Pop.
Valuation (1918) +
Ashford
757 $
208,137
668
$ 305,363
673
$ 385,117
Brooklyn
2,358
1,263,092
1,858
1,189.343
1,655
1,276,368
Canterbury
876
375,597
868
330,914
896
420,565
Chaplin
529
173.277
435
169,271
386
244,617
Eastford
523
155,984
513
186,163
496
245,899
Hampton
629
283.850
583
312,201
475
463,422
Killingly
6.835
2,080,745
6,564
4,016,726
8,178
4,795,453
Plainfield
4,821
1,940,341
6,719
3,048.797
7,926
4,020.632
Pomfret
1,831
1.129,461
1,857
1,514,232
1,454
1.663,714
Putnam
7.348
3,144,294
7,280
3,434,959
8,397
5,061,759
Scotland
471
. 192.905
476
203.388
391
232,196
Sterling
1,209
459,827
1.283
484.730
1,266
733.667
Thompson
6,442
1,996,749
4.804
2,220.515
5.055
2,527,963
Windham
10.137
4.219.464
12.604
5,284.207
13.801
15,427.202
Woodstock
2,095
821,823
1,849
909,328
1,767
979,843
46,861 $18,445,546
48,361 $23,610,136
52,816 $38,478,417
THE CITIES AND THE BOROUGH
The population of the two cities of the county is as follows :
Putnam, 7,711; and by wards, first, 1,548; second, 1,747; third, 3,054; fourth, 1,362.
Willimantic (in Windham), 12,330; and by wards: first, 2,697; second, 2,195; third, 3,054; fourth, 4,023.
The Borough of Danielson (in Killingly) shows a population of 3,130.
* Voluntown included in totals up to date of separation.
+ Latest available list.
Grand lists taken from State Registers.
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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY
A vigorous protest has come from Putnam, claiming that the work of the census takers there was not carefully done, and that the population should total at least 1,000 more, or as one citizen expresses it, "is really nearer 10,000 than 8,000." So far as heard from, the figures for the other fourteen towns are accepted locally as substantially correct.
Of the last twenty years, which mark the beginnings of the twentieth century, the Editor dislikes to write-there is so much to be regretted. Not of anything peculiar to Windham County, but as the tendency of the times, and the inevit- able outcome. Not that the later-day events reveal anything new in historic development, for it has ever been the way of the world to proceed through hard- ship to success, thence to excess and disaster, and reaction; and then to begin all over again the reconstruction of "civilization," with slow realization of what these sequences all mean, and whether there be any way to avoid them and to secure a more steady and stable progress without such excesses and reactions.
If in Windham County we could have preserved a fair balance of produc- tion as between agriculture and factories; if we could have realized earlier, say in the mutually prosperous years of the last quarter of the nineteenth century, a fuller measure of co-operation; if we had not become so obsessed by "pros- perity" and the "chasing of the almighty dollar" as to join in the mad race for so much "that is not bread," there is no doubt that a better balance of conditions could have been preserved.
It is of course something of an assumption to suppose that we of Windham County could perhaps have done differently with our own "city and country" problems, than has the rest of the "civilized" world. Professor "Billy" Sum- ner, Yale's popular instructor and great political economist of a generation ago -than whom no man had clearer vision of what was coming-used to thunder at his classes : "Young men, remember this : Things follow their tendencies." And so it has proved; we are in the midst of the consequent disaster. And whether or not any locality could have resisted the general tendency, certain it is that the immediate problem now confronting each community is its own reconstruc- tion on rational lines. "Oh, yes," said the editor of The Ram's Horn some years ago, "a man can run into debt, but when it comes to getting out, he has to walk." It is equally true of communities and of nations and of social devel- opment everywhere.
It is entirely practicable, and the part of wisdom, for each community of Windham County, as for example Willimantic and its surrounding towns, Put- nam and its surrounding towns, Plainfield and its surrounding towns, Danielson and its surrounding towns, to confer and plan for more normal relations between factory and farm, between food supply and consumption, with a view to develop sane mutual dependence and co-operation, rather than so much to seek the dollar in remoter parts; and with less ambition to strip our native resources and trade them for that which impoverishes more than it upbuilds. Chambers of commerce and farmers' associations may well confer on these vital points.
The reader of this second or Historical Volume will not find herein any consecutive record of dates and events, either of the county as a whole or by towns. Not as "historian," but as "editor," has the writer hereof compiled this work, and his special purpose has been to present, particularly by repre- sentative contributions, vivid "pen pictures" of the life of Windham County and its fifteen towns during the past sixty years, or since the Civil war. The
30
HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY
critical reader will think of a hundred things which might have been included, many of them, no doubt, of greater importance or significance than what is here recorded ; but it was manifestly impossible to include everything, nor, we repeat, has any attempt been made to produce a consecutive or consistent "history."
But it is believed that the reader of this volume will find here thoroughly typical sketches and pictures of Windham County life, its men and women, its institutions and events since 1860, so that on the whole he may feel that the work reveals Windham County as it is, to the degree that he may understand it as an integral part of state and nation, and the trend of its civilization in these later days.
Interesting references will be found here and there in the town sketches as to the coming of the later-day immigration, which is presenting a more acute problem than the immigration of earlier days. Those of English, Irish, French, Swedish and German descent were readily assimilable, because so directly kindred in historic traditions, while those of later arrival, especially of Slavish, Greek or Italian origin, have on the surface seemed of different ideals. And yet this indication is only superficial, more of manner than of substance; they are not really different. The aspiration for free government and personal lib- erty is the same in every human breast.
Read carefully the words of Bishop Brent or Mary Antin, as quoted in the chapter on "The Meaning of America." The true spirit of approach to the foreigner is well expressed in the Hampton chapter by Susan Jewett Howe. The restraints imposed upon personal liberty, under the purpose of "the gen- eral welfare," as to be achieved by constitutional government, were finely expressed by ex-President William Howard Taft in his memorable address during the "Old School and Old Home Week" celebration in Willimantic in 1915, from which significant quotations are made in the story of that event.
Our people of the native stock can render no more faithful or effective loyalty to American ideals than through the kindly spirit and active practice of genuine brotherhood among these newcoming peoples. And keep it con- stantly in mind that we can learn quite as much from them as they from us!
A word should be said in recognition of the subscribers to this "Modern History of Windham County," whose generous support has alone made the publication possible. It is rarely that local histories can be made self-sustain- ing financially, and we know of no other way by which adequate support can be obtained for so extensive a publication.
Acknowledgment is due to photographers who have contributed : To Towne of Putnam for the excellent likeness of Miss Larned; to Gerry of Willimantic for that of Mrs. Preston; to Webber, of Willimantic, for the Polish band and several others. That vivid portrait of "Old Put" dashing down the steps be- yond Horseneck was found among the relics of Oliver Hiscox.
Certainly the Editor has been fortunate in his associates, who have so gen- erously contributed to this volume. Let it be distinctly understood that it has been on the part of all these many contributors a veritable "labor of love," for, barring certain expenses incurred for special research, not one dollar of com- pensation has been paid to any contributor. The Editor therefore may fairly express the gratitude of the people of Windham County for such service, so loyally rendered by those who have been interested to record and preserve these stories of the life of the county, whose history and traditions we all love and venerate.
31
HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY
The people of Windham County will be especially grateful to the Hon. Isaac Newton Mills for his just and eloquent appreciation of our beloved historian, Miss Ellen Larned.
Judge James N. Tucker's contribution, "The Mills of Chestnut Hill-The Story of a Connecticut Village," tells with a veritable touch of romance a typical story of those earlier days when busy industries fairly lined the banks of the leaping, powerful streams coursing through villages now remote from modern mechanical centers. Levi N. Clark's record of former Canterbury industries tells the similar story of a smaller town. Charles E. Bragg's story of the woolen industry of Plainfield indicates a modern development.
It is eminently fitting that Woodstock, first town to be settled in Windham County, and where from that ancient time even unto this day, the traditions of the founders have been most carefully guarded and adequately expressed in frequent public assemblies-that Woodstock, with its beautiful Roseland Park, where so many great public gatherings have been held, should be the first of our communities to commemorate the Pilgrim Tercentennary in an elaborate, spectacular pageant, in which a large share of the population took part, and which thousands for miles around gathered to see. And the "Modern History" is indeed fortunate to secure a graphic description of this patriotic festival from one who embodies so much of the event and of the historic traditions, and is withal so gifted in the art of accurate and graceful description-Mrs. Elizabeth F. Bingham.
Of no less historic inspiration and significance was the recent patriotic celebration in Brooklyn and at the Wolf's Den, to unveil tablets in memory of him "who dared to lead where any dared to follow;" and here again the "Mod- ern History" is most fortunate that the story of "The Three Putnam Societies" and "Old Church Street" is accurately and fully told in these pages by a lineal descendant, Rev. George Israel Browne.
The marked characteristic of the special contributions is the note of high idealism and religious devotion which was the moving power of the founders of New England, and which has permeated the entire civilization of this western continent. Not only in the history of the churches is this spirit found, as especially in that serious account of the Packerville Baptist Church by Mrs. Mary E. Bishop, or in that delightful community sketch by Sarah Francis Dorrance of Plainfield; but also in the record of patriotic celebrations; in the thoroughly-typical story of Abington Society by Miss Mary Osgood ; or in "The Story of Eastford," by the Rev. John Philo Trowbridge.
An especially interesting chapter is that relating to the memorable expe- rience of the First Congregational Church of Willimantic in casting off the outworn forms of "the old orthodoxy;" the serious schism which was threat- ened; the skillful welding together of the older and younger elements, and the reconstruction of the church upon the essentials of the old faith, as expressed by modern interpretation.
The Chapter on "Windham County Verse" will prove of great interest, not only because republishing Theron Brown's "Epic of Windham" but as recalling Louise Chandler Moulton, Jane Gay Fuller, Caroline Fairfield Cor- bin; and presenting selections from several present-day writers. It has not been possible to make this chapter complete, but it is perhaps fairly suggestive and typical. A very entertaining chapter is that recounting what the people have done for amusement; in charades, tableaux, dramatics, "movies"; brass
32
HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY
bands and orchestras; dancing, baseball, track-athletics, horse-racing, sparring matches; and for this chapter "Tom" Connolly of the Willimantic "Chronicle" has done yeoman service. By request of the editor, "Tom" retains here the current vernacular of later-day sports, in which he is an adept. This style of English is not recommended for high-school study, but it is interesting, and most of the young people of today readily understand it,-however we elders may gasp!
The chapter entitled "My Neighbor-Windham County," by Mrs. Annie A. Preston of Willington Hill, will be especially gratifying to a large circle of her friends and acquaintances and very interesting to all readers. Probably no one could have been chosen better adapted to write such a message as she brings. Living just over the line in Tolland County, and for many years widely known as a contributor of special stories and character sketches in prose and verse, especially reflecting the life and spirit of her day and generation, she has been brought particularly into touch with Windham County, and tells her story with charming touches of personal intimacy. Her appreciation of Theron Brown, author of the priceless "Epic of Windham," will be read with keen interest.
Don't fail to read President Luther's delightful reminiscences of his child- hood in Brooklyn, and recalling his last day as a boy. Personal recollections of Governor Chauncey Cleveland by State's Attorney Searls and Allen Jewett give a realistic picture of the rugged dignity and noble character of Hampton's most distinguished son. Mr. Searls and State's Attorney Hull bring us vivid pen portraits of some of the famous lawyers of earlier days. Oliver Hiscox's neighborly journey along the streets of Woodstock one day in the early '80s ; his special articles about the "Forests" and "Streams" of Windham County ; sketches of Thompson life and scenes by R. A. Dunning and Grace Granger ; the historic studies of Professor Eno; the accurate descriptions of early con- structive periods by Henry Vernon Arnold ;- these and scores of other features, actually "too numerous to mention" will be found intensely interesting.
The war story of Lester Hart Larrabee, recounting his experience and obser- vations while at the front in the ambulance service of the French government, and Pauline Comfort Bill's letters, relating her unique experience with the Near East Relief Expedition, preserve remarkable records of the World war and its aftermath.
When it is remembered how many of those who go to war from any com- munity are apt to become widely scattered immediately thereafter, the difficulty of obtaining a complete record of the men who entered the service from each town will be understood, and the success of "The Modern History" in securing so nearly a complete record of those who served in the World war will be appreciated. Our sincere thanks are due to those who have cooperated to com- plete this record, especially to Dr. W. P. S. Keating for his painstaking work on the lists of the town of Windham. These records from the fifteen towns clearly indicate that Windham County did her full share in the great struggle for the ideals of liberty and democracy. It is now the high privilege and sacred obligation of each community to sustain in daily civic life the ideals for which the men and women in the war nobly carried the standards of service and sacri- fice, with loyal memory also of those who made the supreme sacrifice that the priceless American freedom and opportunity might be preserved.
There is such a wealth of interesting and, valuable material in the many
.
33
HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY
chapters, that no further summary is here attempted. Suffice it to leave the reader to peruse the pages and to find there what is revealed as to many phases of life in Windham County. The Editor is confident that when the full value and significance of the contributions shall be realized, there will be general approval of our secondary title, "A Windham County Treasure Book."
Vol. 1-3
CHAPTER I CORPORATE ORGANIZATION
EARLY ATTEMPTS TO FRAME WINDHAM COUNTY-ACT OF INCORPORATION-THE ORIGINAL BOUNDS-EARLY APPOINTMENTS-FUNCTIONS OF THE COUNTY
By A. Mcclellan Mathewson
After the Colonies of New Haven and Connecticut had wrangled for three years over the charter which had been granted to the Connecticut Colony by Charles II in 1662, extending its jurisdiction over all the territory from Narragansett Bay westward, absorbing New Haven, representatives of the com- bined territory met under the Charter at Hartford in May, 1665. One year later this territory was divided into four counties, and named Hartford, New London, New Haven and Fairfield counties, but a reference to the Act shows that no definite lines were determined upon, but the purpose of establishing counties wa's purely to locate centers for the holding of courts and maintaining the gaol. This division into the four counties remained until 1726 when Windham County was established, followed by Litchfield County in 1751 and Middlesex and Tolland counties in 1785, and that county division has continued until the present time, although a few towns have been taken from one county and given to another.
The first attempt to establish Windham County was made in 1717 and again in 1718 and 1723 all of which attempts passed the lower house but failed in the Council. In 1725 another attempt was made but this act was deferred until the May session, 1726, when the county was finally organized. The territory of Windham County had previously been under the jurisdiction of New London and Fairfield counties and it included the whole territory now under the juris- diction of Windham County except the Town of Woodstock which was then claimed by the Massachusetts Colony and in addition the towns of Voluntown, Lebanon, Columbia, Coventry, Mansfield, Union, and part of Andover. When Tolland County was established in 1785-86 the towns of Union and Coventry were taken from Windham and included within its jurisdiction. In 1827 the towns of Columbia and Mansfield were transferred from Windham to Tolland County. In 1824 Lebanon and in 1881 Voluntown were transferred from Wind- ham to New London County. In 1749 Woodstock by its own act severed its connection with the Colony of Massachusetts and became a part of the Con- necticut Colony and included within Windham County. New towns have been incorporated from parts of other towns since the organization of the county. Thompson was incorporated in 1785 from the north part of Killingly ; Hampton, 1786, from parts of Windham, Pomfret, Canterbury and Mansfield ; Brooklyn, 1786, from parts of Pomfret and Canterbury and included the old Mortlake mentioned in the original Charter of Windham County; Sterling, 1794, from a part of Voluntown; Chaplin, 1822, from parts of Windham, Mansfield and Hampton ; Eastford, 1847, from a part of Ashford; Putnam, 1855, from parts of Thompson, Pomfret and Killingly ; Scotland, 1857, from a part of Windham.
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35
HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY
The act establishing the County of Windham provides as follows: "An Act for the setting off and establishing a New County in the northeasterly Part of this Government, declaring and settling the Boundaries and Limits thereof, granting the Privileges thereof, and giving a Name thereto.
"Be it enacted by the Governour, Council and Representatives, in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, That the west bounds of the town of Lebanon, the north bounds of Coventry, the north bounds of Mansfield till it meet with the southwest bounds of Ashford, the west bounds of Ashford, the east bounds of Stafford, the Massachusetts line on the north, and Rhode Island line on the east, the north bounds of Preston, and north bounds of Nor- wich, containing the towns of Windham, Lebanon, Plainfield, Canterbury, Mans- field, Coventry, Pomfrett, Killingly, Ashford, Voluntown and Mortlake, shall be one entire county, and called by the name of the County of Windham.
"And it is further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That the said town of Windham shall be and remain the county or head town of the said county; and that there shall be there held annually two county courts, one on the fourth Tuesday in June, and one on the second Tuesday in December, in each year; and two superior courts for the tryal of all causes both civil and criminal, as, and endowed with the same powers and authorities wherewithal the courts in the other counties in this Colony are by law impowred. The superior courts shall be held on the third Tuesday in March and the third Tuesday in September, annually. 1351102
"And further it is enacted, that the district of Windham, heretofore appointed and limited for the probate of wills and testaments, etc., shall be extended to and limited by the bounds of the County of Windham; and all cases therein now depending, or in any of the neighboring districts, shall be determined in the probates where they are already brought; and all appeals which shall be granted shall be to the superior courts in the counties as they are now stated.
"And it is further enacted, That all officers, civil and military, proper to a county, and allowed and improved in other counties, shall be allowed, appointed and established, for the county aforesaid.".
During the May session of the General Assembly a memorial of the justices of the County of Windham was presented representing that they had agreed to build a court house in the Town of Windham for the county, to be forty feet in length, twenty-four feet in width, and twenty feet between joints and asking for the approbation of the Assembly. The Assembly voted to empower the judges and justices of the County Court to assess the inhabitants of the several towns for the building, repairing, and maintaining the said house.
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