USA > Connecticut > Middlesex County > A statistical account of the county of Middlesex, in Connecticut > Part 5
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15
There are now two printing offices in the city. The first was established in 1785, the same year in which this county was formed, and has ever since published the Middlesex Gazette : the other has been recently introduced.
The Custom-house Office was established in 1795, and collects the customs from a district, embracing the counties of Middlesex and Hartford.
Middletown Bank was incorporated in Oct. 1795, with a capi- tal of $100,000, which was increased in May 1812, to $500,000.
The Branch of the Bank of the United States, located in this place, began its operations in Sept. 1817.
The Insurance Company was incorporated in Oct. 1803, with a capital of $60,000.
The Fire-Insurance Company was incorporated in May 1813, with a capital of $150,000. A fire-engine company had then existed ten years in the city : there is now a second of later for- mation.
A rum distillery was set up in this place in 1791, which dis- tils 600 hogsheads of rum annually. Were it driven steadily through the winter, it might distil 1000.
In 1810, a woollen factory, owned by the Middletown Manu- facturing Company, was put in operation on Washington-street. The various machinery in this extensive establishment, was mov- ed by a steam-engine, equal to a 25 horse power. The principal building, (originally erected for a sugar house,) is of brick, 40 feet by 36, 5 stories ; with which is connected a rear building, 40 feet by 20, a dyc-house, &c. From 60 to 80 hands were employed in this factory, and there was room for 100. Forty yards of fine cloth were sometimes manufactured in a day, and 70,000 dollars worth in a year. The consumption of fuel was a serious draw-back upon the profits ; but the factory was supposed to have been ad- vantageous to the company, until the sudden fall of goods, upon the late peace with Great Britain, since which it has not been much improved.
Another woollen factory was erected in the city in 1814, on
42
Statistical Account of Middlesex County ;
Pameacha river, called Watkinson's Factory, from the name of the owner. The machinery generally, is in a fine brick building, 64 feet by 34, 3 stories. Here 25,000 pounds of Merino wool are annually manufactured into blue broad-cloths. The color- ing is done wholly in the wool. The number of hands usually employed is 40.
On the west bank of West river, is Starr's Sword Factory, erected in 1813. The building is of stone, 81 feet by 33, 3 sto- ries, having a wing 35 feet square, fire-proof. Here are sufficient room and machinery for the employment of 100 hands. The number actually employed has been much less, but various. The swords annually manufactured, have been about 5,000, for seve- ral years past.
Half a mile southwest of this factory, on the opposite side of the same stream, is North's Pistol Factory, built in 1813 and 14, 84 feet by 37, 3 stories, the first story being of stone, and the other two of brick, fire-proof. In this, from 8 to 10,000 pistols are annually made. The workmen employed, inclusive of ap- prentices, are from 55 to 70.
Thirty or forty rods below Watkinson's Factory, on Pameacha river, is Johnson's Rifle Factory, which began its operations in 1815. In this, from 25 to 30 hands are employed, who manu- facture from 10 to 1200 rifles in a year.
The swords, pistols and rifles made in the above factories are sold generally, to the Government of the United States.
In these factories, and in Watkinson's Factory, it is made a rule, that no ardent spirits shall be used, and no gambling practised by the workmen. By this rule, the order and peace of the fac- tories are promoted, and the wages of the workmen secured for the benefit of themselves and families.
West of Pameacha Bridge, on the site of an old gun factory, is Phoenix-Mill, for grinding dye-woods, with which an oil-mill has recently been connected.
The two woollen factories, and the Rifle Factory, are within the limits of the city; the sword and pistol Factories and Pho- nix-Mill are on, or near its borders.
Besides these factories, there are several others in other parts of the town, some of which are owned in the city.
In Middlefield a Snuff-Mill and a Nail Factory, were improved some years ago, on West river. There are now on the same stream, a Paper-Mill and a Powder-Mill.
The Paper-Mill was built in 1793, employs from 9 to 1º hands, and manufactures annually from 12 to 1600 reams of writing, printing and wrapping paper, together with considera- ble quantities of bonnet, press and sheathing paper.
The Powder-Mill, also built in 1793, has 39 pounders. It
43
Town of Middletown.
might manufacture 4 or 5,000 casks of powder annually. It now manufactures about 1000.
In the Upper-Houses, are two Cotton Factories, standing near each other, on a small stream, fed by springs so deep in the earth as not to be much effected by drought. The first, erected in 1808, is calculated to contain 500 spindles, and has now 330. The latter, erected in 1814, contains 300 spindles, and might con- tain twice that number.
On the principal branch of Pameacha river, in the First Socie- ty, Green's Factory or Clothier's Works, was built in 1812. In this, in one season, a considerable quantity of the cloth was manufactured, which is called Columbian Cloth, a fabric of wool- len and cotton.
In 1817, an Ivory-Comb Factory was established on Miller's brook, a mile south of the city. Here was also established the last year a Pewter Factory, and a Factory of Block-tin Buttons. In all these, 30 hands are employed.
Not long after the settlement commenced in Middletown, the people employed Mr. Samuel Stow, a native of Concord, Mass. and graduate of Cambridge College, as a candidate for the minis- try. In Aug. 1657, they voted to continue him on trial, and ap- pear afterwards to have made some further advances towards his settlement. But some difficulties arising in the town re- specting him, a vote was passed in 1659, that they did not wish to continue him, but to look elsewhere. In 1661, the difficulties came before the Legislature, who declared the town of Middle- town to be free from Mr. Stow, as their engaged minister ; and a committee which they then appointed to further the settlement of a minister, encouraged the people to settle the Rev. Nathaniel Collins, of which there was an existing prospect ; and further- more advised Mr. Stow and the inhabitants, to a loving carriage towards him. These measures appear to have finished the bu- siness respecting Mr. Stow's settlement ; he gave up his designs of the ministry, and lived in the town as a private citizen; and the people went forward according to advice, and with entire unanimity settled Mr. Collins. His ordination took place Nov. 4, 1668, at which time the church was gathered, consisting of ten male members, including himself.
Mr. Collins was the son of Dea. Collins of Cambridge. An elder brother, by the name of John, was publicly educated, and settled in the ministry in London. Both were famous ministers in their day. The church and people of Middletown were unit- ed and happy during Mr. Collins' life ; and the country was bless- ed by his labours. He deceased in the midst of his usefulness in 1684, greatly lamented. Cotton Mather says, in his peculiar language, that " more wounds were given" by his death " to
6
44
Statistical Account of Middlesex County ;
the whole colony of Connecticut, than the body of Cæsar did re- ceive when he fell wounded in the senate house-that the church of Middletown upon Connecticut river, was the golden candle- stick from whence this excellent person illuminated more than that whole colony ; and that all the qualities of most exemplary piety, extraordinary ingenuity, obliging affability, joined with the accomplishments of an extraordinary preacher, did render him truly excellent. In saying this of him, I may confirm what I say," he adds, " in words like those of Jerome on a like occasion ; Testor christianum de christiano, vera proferre ; in speaking of a christian I will as a christian say the truth; and for this cha- racter add this epitaph :
Ille pius pastor, quo non præstantior unus,
Qui faciendo docet, qua facienda docet :"
That is the pious pastor, than whom none is more excellent, who shows by his practice the same things, which he teaches ought to be done.
One of Mr. Collins' sons was the first minister in the town of Enfield.
The congregation having remained vacant somewhat more than three years after the death of Mr. Collins, settled the Rev. Noadiah Russel, with the greatest harmony.
Mr. Russel was born at New-Haven, and left an orphan, with an elder sister, when about a year old ; but through the friend- ship and benevolence of Mrs. Elin Glover, he was publicly edu- cated. Where he was brought up is unknown, but it is not im- probable at Ipswich, in Massachusetts, as he became a member of the church in that place, and was thence recommended to the church in Middletown. Concerning his character, no particular information has been obtained ; but as he was one of the found- ers and trustees of Yale College, and one of the framers of Say- brook Platform, he must have held a respectable rank among his brethren. He deceased in 1713.
Two of his sons, viz. William and Daniel, were educated at the seminary which he had assisted in founding and governing. With this, William was connected for a time as a tutor, and af- terwards as a trustee. Both became ministers of the Gospel. Daniel settled in the parish of Stepney in Weathersfield, and William succeeded his father in the congregation in Middletown, Junc 1, 1715.
Of this Mr. Russel it is very remarkable, that he laboured in the ministry just forty-six years, dying in the same month, and on the same day of the month, on which he was ordained. He was " a gentleman," says Dr. Trumbull, " of great respectabili- ty for knowledge, experience, moderation, and for pacific mea- sures, on all occasions."
45
Town of Middletown.
The year after Mr. Russel's death, the Rev. Enoch Hunting- ton was ordained in Middletown.
While at College, Mr. Huntington made distinguished im- provements in science, and for several years after he entered the ministry, his public services were very acceptable. His clocu- tion was uncommonly fine. But by an attempt to speak when afflicted with a cold, his voice was unhappily injured, and it ever after required increased exertion in him to speak, and in the peo- ple distinctly to hear him. He however was able to perform pub- lic labours till nearly the time of his death, in 1809, and by his family visits particularly, was dear to his people. He was a fellow of Yale College twenty-eight years.
The Rev. Dan Huntington, who had been previously settled in Litchfield, was installed in Middletown a few months after his predecessor's death, and was dismissed, at his own request, in 1816. He now resides in Massachusetts.
In July of the same year, the Rev. Chauncey A. Goodrich was ordained in this place, and in December 1817 was dismiss- ed, in consequence of ill health. He is now professor of rheto- ric at Yale College.
The present pastor of this congregation, is the Rev. John R. Crane.
There was but one society in Middletown, for half a century after the settlement began. During this period, the inhabitants lived within the limits of what are now the two first parishes. The convenience and friendship of the people at the Upper- Houses were consulted, by the erection of the two first meeting- houses near the north end of the city, and by the appointment of a portion of the town officers, from time to time, from among them. But the inhabitants there had become so numerous, that on the 18th of January 1703, the town agreed, that the people on the north side of Little river, might settle a minister, and build themselves a meeting-house, provided they settled a minister within six, or at most twelve months from that time ; and the Legislature incorporated them as a society, at their session in May following. To this parish the east street in Worthington. in the town of Berlin, belonged until 1790.
From the time of their incorporation, the inhabitants of the Upper-Houses appear to have maintained public worship among themselves, and for a portion of that time at least, they enjoyed preaching; but twelve years instead of twelve months elapsed, before they settled a minister.
On the 5th of January 1715, the church was gathered, con- sisting of 23 members, 20 of whom had belonged to the church in the First Society, one to some other church, and two were taken from the world.
46
Statistical Account of Middlesex County ;
At this time, the Rev. Joseph Smith, who had already preach- ed for them two or three years, was ordained their pastor. He died in 1736.
In 1738, the Rev. Edward Eells, son of the Rev. Nathaniel Eells of Scituate, Massachusetts, was ordained in the Upper- Houses. Mr. Eells acquired some celebrity, by a pamphlet which he published in 1759, on the Wallingford Case. For se- veral years he sustained the office of a trustee of Yale College, where three of his sons were educated, who were ministers in East- bury, North-Branford and Barkhempsted. He deceased in 1776.
The Rev. Gershom Bulkley was ordained in this place in 1778, and dismissed, pursuant to an agreement between him and his people, in 1808. He is still living.
The Rev. Joshua L. Williams, ordained in 1809, is the present pastor of this congregation.
Middlefield, the south-western section of Middletown, was inade a society by act of Assembly, in Oct. 1744.
At what time the church there was embodied does not appear, as the ancient records are lost. It may have been embodied at the ordination of the first minister, the Rev. Ebenezer Gould, in 1747.
Mr. Gould was dismissed about 1756, and afterwards settled in Granville, Massachusetts.
The Rev. Joseph Denison succeeded to the charge in Middle- field in 1765, and died in 1770.
The Rev. Abner Benedict was ordained in 1771. In 1785, he obtained a dismission from Middlefield, and moved to New- Lebanon in the State of New-York, that a feeble and afflicted daughter might constantly enjoy the benefit of the medicinal waters of that town. He was there installed, and laboured in the ministry six years. He afterwards preached in various places, and on the 19th of November last, died in New-York, in the town of Roxbury, county of Delaware, aged 78.
Mr. Benedict was a man of strong and benevolent affections, and an intelligent and able divine. While in Middlefield, he accom- plished by his address and efforts, the freedom of all the slaves held by his people. Some manuscripts, on which he had be- stowed much labour, particularly a dissertation on the Book of Revelation, may yet be published.
The congregation in Middlefield has remained vacant ever since his dismission. Previously to 1808 the church had become nearly extinct. In December of that year, there hav- ing been some revival among the people, the church was or- ganized anew, and 29 persons entered into covenant with God and with one another. With these, 21 persons had united. prior to April 1818.
47
Town of Middletown.
The Society of Westfield, lying directly north of Middlefield and west of the city, was incorporated in May 1766.
The church was formed Dec. 29, 1773, consisting of 26 mem- bers, 21 of whom were taken from the church in the First Society, and 5 from the church in the Upper-Houses.
At that time, the Rev. Thomas Miner, who is still living, was ordained their pastor.
But one mode of worship was observed in this town till after the lapse of nearly a century. Besides the Congregational churches, there are now, an Episcopal church, a Strict-Congre- gational church, three Baptist churches and a Methodist church.
The first records of the Episcopal society are dated Decem- ber 1749. It then embraced sixteen families. For the nine years following, it had an average annual increase of six families.
No records of communicants among the Episcopalians exist earlier than 1799, when they had 47. Since then these have been more than doubled.
With this people the following persons have been connected as pastors.
The Rev. Ichabod Camp divided his labours among them, and the Episcopalians in Wallingford, from 1.752 to 1760, when he removed to Louisburg in Virginia. Some years after, he was murdered by a son-in-law.
The Rev. Abraham Jarvis, D. D. was reader for this congre- gation from 1760 to 1764, when he became their rector. In this capacity he remained with them until 1799. At this time, hav- ing been elected bishop of Connecticut, he removed to Cheshire and afterwards to New-Haven; where he died, May 3, 1813, aged 75.
The bishop was succeeded in the charge at Middletown by the Rev. Messrs. Calvin White, Joseph Warren and Clement Merriam, whose terms of service were very short. Mr. White is now rector of the Episcopal church in Derby.
The Rev. John Kewley, an Englishman, was rector of this church from 1809 to 1813. Previously to his coming to Middle- town, he had practised physic in the West Indies and in Penn- sylvania, and had been minister for four years in Chester in Ma- ryland. After leaving Middletown, he settled in the city of New-York, but has since returned to England.
The present rector of this church, is the Rev. Birdsey G. Noble.
About the time of the great revival in New-England in 1741 and 2, a few individuals in the towns of Middletown and Weath- ersfield, embraced the principles of the Strict-Congregationalists. These were formed into a church at Weathersfield, Oct. 28, 1747, and the Rev. Ebenezer Frothingham was, at that time, ordained their pastor. But as the principal members in Weathersfield, within
18
Statistical Account of Middlesex County ;
a few years, emigrated into the State of New-York, Mr. Frothing- ham removed to Middletown, and was installed over the Strict-Con- gregationalists living there, about 1754. These resided in the first and fourth parishes. They were few in number, but in- creased considerably under his ministry. In 1788, they were divided into two churches, those in the First Society of Middle- town constituting one church, and those in Westfield the other. Mr. Frothingham was dismissed about the time of this division. but remained in Middletown through life. He died Nov. 30, 1798, aged 81.
The Rev. Stephen Parsons became the pastor of the Strict- Congregationalists within the First Society, in 1788, and was dis- missed in 1795, having changed his sentiments on the mode and subjects of baptism.
The Rev. David Huntington who had been previously settled in Marlborough, was installed over this people in 1797. He la- boured with them until 1800, and was afterwards settled in the Third Society of Lyme; where he died, April 13, 1811, in the 67th year of his age, having sustained the character of a very pious man.
The Rev. Benjamin Graves, who had been previously or- dained by a council of Strict-Congregational churches, succeed- ed to this charge in 1803, and was dismissed in the close of 1811, or the beginning of 1812.
Not far from the time of his dismission the church was dissolv- ed, and the prospects of this denomination were gloomy. But on January 11, 1816, four males and nine females, who had be- Jonged to the old church, were formed into a new church, and the congregation was in some measure collected.
Soon after this, the Rev. Ahab Jinks was procured to preach to them, and on the 7th of August 1816, he was ordained by the Presbytery of Hudson, with which he was connected, with a view to his becoming their pastor. Under his ministry the church has increased, and its prospects brightened.
Individuals in Middletown are said to have believed in the sentiments of the Baptists for a considerable time. But they have not been known as a denomination till lately.
The first Baptist church in Middletown was formed in the city, Oct. 19, 1795, consisting, at that time, of 5 male and 6 female members. This has enjoyed the instructions of the Rev. Messrs. Joshua Bradley, George Phippin and Jeremiah F. Bridges.
The Baptist society in the Upper-Houses was formed January 2, 1801, and the church February 6, 1802, consisting of 16 members.
The Strict-Congregationalists in Westfield, professed them- selves Baptists in 1804, and a Baptist church was then formed among them, having 12 members.
49
Town of Middletown.
All these Baptist churches have increased considerably since their formation.
The Methodist congregation in the city was formed in Dec. 1791: and the Methodists occasionally hold meetings in other parts of the town.
But one school was kept in Middletown prior to 1683. At that time, the inhabitants of the Upper-Houses were allowed their proportion of a school rate, for the maintenance of a school among themselves. For thirty years after, only two schools were kept in the town. There are now 24, viz. 12 in the First Society, 5 in the Upper-Houses, 3 in Middlefield and 4 in West- field; in which, between 12 and 1300 children are annually in- structed.
The First Society has a fund for the promotion of schooling ; derived partly from the legacies of Jasper Clements, Samuel Stow and Nathaniel White, proprietors of the town; and partly from the sale of Litchfield lands, amounting to about $ 2,166. Money, from the last mentioned source, was not received till 1802. From the same source, the Society of Upper-Houses received at that time $ 103 45, Middlefield $ 88 22 and Westfield $88 99.
Several distinguished characters, who have been natives or in- habitants of this town, deserve to be mentioned in this work.
The Hon. Giles Hamlin, ancestor of the very respectable family of that name, emigrated from some part of England, and settled in Middletown as early as 1654, and probably as early as 1650. From the inscription upon his monument, he appears to have followed the seas ; but his mode of life, neither prevented his attention to religion, nor his promotion to public office. He was the first person admitted to the communion of the church, after the settlement of Mr. Collins ; and in 1685 he was elected into the Council of the Colony, and was annually thus elected till his death, except as the privileges of the freemen, and the proceed- ings of government were suspended, by the usurpation of Ma- jor Andross. The inscription just alluded to, deserves to be recited, not only as giving his character, but as furnishing a spe- cimen of that style of writing, which prevailed in the early pe- riods of Connecticut. This is as follows :
" Here's a Cedar tall, gently wafted o'er, From Great Britain's isle to this western shore, Near fifty years, crossing the Ocean wide, Yet's anchored in the grave from storm or tide, Yet remember, the body only here, His blessed soul, fixed in a higher sphere.
Here lies the body of Giles Hamlin Esq. ; aged 67 years, who departed this life the first day of September, A. D. 1689."
The Hon. John Hamlin, eldest son of the above, possessed
50
Statistical Account of Middlesex County ;
the abilities and virtues of his father, and had a larger share of public employment. For more than forty years he adorned the christian profession, and by the wise and faithful discharge of many public trusts greatly promoted the welfare of the town and Colony. From 1694 to 1730, he was advanced by the suffrages of his fellow-citizens to the station of an assistant. In 1715, he was appointed judge of the court of Common Pleas for Hartford county, and from 1716 to 1721, he was appointed an assistant judge of the Superior Court. He died in 1733, in his 75th year.
The Hon. Jabez Hamlin, son of the last mentioned Mr. Hamlin, was equally beloved by the people of Middletown and of the Colony and State, with his father and grandfather, and was even more extensively employed in public life. A pleasant and mild disposition, hopefully sanctified by grace, a liberal educa- tion and respectable talents, eminently qualified him to secure and retain the affections and confidence of his fellow-citizens. He was advanced to the rank of a colonel in the militia of Coll- necticut, at a period, when a military commission entitled a man to very great respect. He was put into the commission of tlie peace as soon as 1733 or 4, was a justice of the Quorum for Hartford county from 1745 till 1754, and judge of that court from the last period till 1784; was judge of the court of probate, from the formation of Middletown district in 1752 till 1789, and mayor of the city of Middletown from its incorporation in 1784 till his death. The freemen had annually elected him an assistant from 1773 to 1777 or 8 ; but the approbation of an unpopular measure excited a prejudice against him, and several of his brethren, and they were all dropt from the Council. Above this prejudice none of them ever rose, but the subject of this sketch. This appears to have had no operation against him at first in his native town, nor among the more enlightened portion of the community : for the freemen of Middletown sent him immediately a representative to the Assembly, where he was appointed speaker of the house of representatives and member of the Council of safety ; and he was representative and speaker generally at least, till he was return- ed into the Council in 1783. To this board he was returned the two succeeding years. He was long a professor and a dea- con in the first church in Middletown, and in 1791, at the age of 82, he descended to the grave, " respected, beloved, lamented."
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.