USA > Connecticut > Middlesex County > A statistical account of the county of Middlesex, in Connecticut > Part 7
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Town of Chatham.
tion of the multitude for the moment, yet his prayers were dis- tinguished for appropriateness and solemnity, and his sermons for clear reasoning and sound instruction. Several of his occa- sional sermons and controversial pieces are in print, and do ho- nour to his understanding and to his heart. The principal of these, are an election sermon, and two inquiries, respecting the nature and design of christian baptism. In the midst of numer- ous trials, with which it pleased the Lord to afflict him, he was calm and resigned. The prominent features of his character, are happily expressed upon his monument : " In morals exem- plary ; in doctrine uncorrupt ; in reasoning profound : in de- claring God's counsel perspicuous and solemn, and in death peaceful."
The Rev. Eber L. Clark succeeded Dr. Strong in 1812, and was dismissed in 1815. He is now settled in the parish of Tur- key-Hills, in Granby, and preaches alternately to the congrega- tion in that place, and to the convicts in the state prison.
The Rev. Hervey Talcott, the present pastor of Chatham church, was ordained in 1816.
The church in Middle-Haddam was gathered, Sept. 24, 1740, and then consisted of 13 male members, 7 of whom lived on Had- dam-Neck.
At the same time, the Rev. Benjamin Bowers was set over them in the Lord. He died in 1762, having sustained the repu- tation of a faithful minister.
The Rev. Benjamin Boardman, who had been a tutor at Yale College, succeeded Mr. Bowers in 1762. As difficulties from two or three causes, arose between him and his people, he was dismissed in 1783. On the 5th of May, in the following year; he was ordained in the south church in Hartford, where he died Feb. 12, 1802, aged 70.
The Rev. David Selden, now pastor of Middle-Haddam church, was ordained in 1785.
The church at East-Hampton was organized, Nov. 30, 1748, and the Rev. John Norton, who had been settled at Bernards- town in Massachusetts, was at the same time installed its pastor.
In the first French war, Mr. Norton acted for a season as chaplain, at the fort which was then kept at Hoosuck, now Adams. He was there at the time that was surprised and taken, by a party of French and Indians ; whence he was carried cap- tive into Canada. After his release, he came to this place, where he died of the smallpox in 1778.
The Rev. Lemuel Parsons succeeded Mr. Norton, in the charge at East-Hampton in 1779, and died in 1791, two days after he had closed the twelfth year of his ministry.
62
Statistical Account of Middlesex County.
The Rev. Joel West, the successor of Mr. Parsons, was or- dained in 1792.
A revival spread in this parish to some extent the last season, and also in Middle-Haddam.
A small Episcopal society was gathered in the eastern section of the latter parish in 1771. This held meetings for a few years. but is now dissolved.
The Episcopal society, at Middle-Haddam Landing, was form- ed April 25, 1785 ; and the Episcopal society in Chatham pa- rish, April 17, 1789.
These belonged to the care of Mr. Jarvis of Middletown un- til April 1791.
For the two succeeding years, the Rev. Tillotson Bronson. now preceptor of the Episcopal Academy at Cheshire, divided his labours equally between them; and then they reverted to the care of Mr. Jarvis.
From 1796 to 1810, the Rev. M. Smith Miles was considered as settled over them. Since the last mentioned period, he has preached to the Episcopalians in Chatham parish, and in Glas- tenbury ; and the Episcopal society at the Landing, has receiv- ed occasionally the services of various ministers, or of various ministers for short periods.
A Baptist church which was formed in the northeast extremity of Chatham parish, in 1783, and which received a part of its members from Glastenbury, has been since dissolved.
A few Baptist families by the name of Morgan, Webb and Welsh, who had lived for a time in Nova-Scotia, but were pre- viously from Colchester in this State, moved into East-Hampton about 1775. A Baptist church was formed among these, Sept. 10, 1784. The Strict-Congregationalists in Haddam, professing themselves Baptists, united with them in 1792. The two branches of the church have ever maintained public worship se- parately, but remain connected.
The Methodists arose in Middle-Haddam, in the summer of 1792, and thence spread into East-Hampton. They had at one time fifty communicants : but the number of professors among them, has greatly diminished.
The first parish in this town has a fund devoted to schooling, derived from various sources, which yields annually $ 24. The number of schools in this parish is 7. The number in that part of Middle-Haddam, which belongs to Chatham, is 5, two of which are taught by men the year round. East-Hampton has 6 schools, and there is one in Waterhole.
A
STATISTICAL ACCOUNT
OF THE
TOWN OF HADDAM.
THE lands in this town, together with those in East-Haddam, were long denominated, the lands at Thirty-mile island, from Haddam island in Connecticut river, which was calculated to be the distance of thirty miles from its mouth.
On these lands, individuals contemplated making a settlement in 1660, and the Legislature, apprized of their designs, appoint- ed a committee in October of that year, to purchase them from the Indians. But prevented by some unknown cause, the committee did not accomplish the object of their appointment until the 20th of May 1662 ; when they obtained from the Indians a deed of all the lands from the Straits, six miles east and west of the ri- ver, down to the lower side of Pattaquounk, now Chester mea- dow, at the crooks or bends of Chester river : excepting Thir- ty-mile island, and forty acres at Pattaquounk, Twenty-mile island, and a tract on the adjacent shore eastward, running up to Salmon-river cove.
Thirty-mile island and the forty acres at Pattaquounk, the In- dians reserved for themselves; as they did also the right of hunting and fishing where they pleased, provided they did not wrong or abuse the English.
Twenty-mile island, (now Lord's island,) and the tract east- ward, they had previously disposed of, and these had been al- ready laid out ten years for Capt. John Cullick, for some time secretary of Connecticut Colony.
The consideration for this purchase was thirty coats, which may have been worth one hundred dollars.
The lands, thus purchased, were taken up by twenty-eight young men, who settled upon them in the summer of 1662 or soon after: but the entire territory contemplated in the Indian
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Statistical Account of Middlesex County ;
deed, was never confirmed to them. It interfered with the ter- ritory already confirmed to Middletown, and of course Middle- town south bounds, some distance below the Straits, were established as their north line. Concerning their south line, much difficulty arose between them and the people of Say- brook. Some time prior to 1662, the Legislature had granted to Saybrook, (then including Lyme,) to extend their bounds four miles northward. These four miles were covered by the deed, which the people of Thirty-mile island held from the Indians. Saybrook therefore claimed the tract, by virtue of the grant from the Legislature ; and Thirty-mile island, by virtue of the pur- chase from the Indians, which the Legislature had authorized. In May 1667, a committee was appointed to examine the difficul- ties between these two plantations, concerning this subject. Saybrook expressed a willingness to divide the contested land equally ; a proposal, which the Legislature in 1668, advised Thirty-mile island to accept. But as the matter remained un- settled, an order was issued the following year, that it should be thus divided ; one half to Haddam, and one half to Saybrook and Lyme ; and the division was made accordingly : but the in- habitants of Haddam are dissatisfied respecting it to this day.
By these alterations their purchase was considerably reduc- ed, both in quantity and value. But in Oct. 1673, it was grant- ed to them, on certain conditions to extend their north line so far eastward of Connecticut river, as to make their east bounds a north and south line, and it was extended accordingly. By this grant their territory east of the river was increased about one third, and their previous losses in part made up to them.
The lands thus reduced on the north and south, and thus in- creased at the northeast, constitute the two townships of Had- dam and East-Haddam, and that part of Durham which is called Haddam-Quarter.
Haddam, (of which an account is now to be given,) consists of Haddam Society, and Haddam-Neck, belonging to the Society of Middle-Haddam.
Haddam Society lies west of Connecticut river, and is bound- ed on the south by Saybrook and Killingworth, on the west by Durham, and on the north by Middletown ; being at a medium seven miles long and from four to six broad.
Haddam-Neck is a point of land east of Connecticut river, be- tween that and Salmon river, four miles across on the north, and four miles long.
The number of acres in the whole town is computed to be 29,460.
All the proprietors of Haddam settled at first within the limits of Haddam Society. Their names were Nicholas Ackley, Jo-
65
Town of Haddam.
seph Arnold, John Bailey, Daniel Brainard, Thomas Brooks, William Clarke, Daniel Cone, George Gates, Thomas Shayler, Gerrard Spencer, John Spencer, Simon Smith, William Ventres, James Wells, James Bates, Samuel Butler, William Corbe, Abram Dibble, Samuel Ganes, John Hannison, Richard Jones, Stephen Luxford, John Parents, Richard Piper, Thomas Smith, Joseph Stannard, John Webb and John Wiat.
Those whose names are printed in italics, are known to have emigrated immediately from Hartford, and most of the others, probably emigrated from that town, or the neighbouring towns of Weathersfield and Windsor.
They settled generally on the rising ground back from the town meadow, beginning at the eastern point of Walkley-hill, and so extending down to the town grave-yard, where some of their cellars are still visible.
James Bates, Abram Dibble, Samuel Ganes, John Hannison, Richard Jones, John Parents and William Ventres, settled on the plain below Mill creek, and were called the Lower Planta- tion.
These settlers were invested with town privileges in Oct. 1668, and the town was called Haddam; probably from Haddam or Hadham in England, in both which ways the name of this town was formerly spelt.
Not far from this time, Richard Walkley from Hartford, John Bates, William Scovil and some others settled in the town, and on Feb. 11, 1686, the Assembly gave to the inhabitants a patent, of all the lands which had been previously granted them, thereby confirming the grants, with all their appurtenances and privi- leges, to them, and their heirs and assigns for ever.
The settlement in this town was confined to the western bor- der of the river for thirty or forty years. After this, individuals began to move into the back parts of Haddam Society. Within the limits of this society, the ancestors of the Dickinsons, Hub- bards and Rays settled, about the commencement of the last cen- tury ; and the ancestors of the Lewises, Hazeltons, Tylers, Hig- ginses, Thomases, Knowleses, Burrs, &c. at after periods.
Stephen Smith from West-Haven, John Sutliff, Nathaniel Sut- liff, and Joseph Sutliff, were early settlers in Haddam Quarter. The settlers in this quarter were long permitted to attend public worship in Durham, and in Oct. 1773, they were formally an- nexed to that town.
Thomas Selden immediately from Lyme, but previously from Hladley in Massachusetts, and one or two families of Brainerds, settled on Haddam Neck about 1712.
The Indians, who reserved Thirty-mile island and forty acres at Pattaquounk for themselves, remained on those reservations
66
Statistical Account of Middlesex County ;
for many years ; but the latter, in consequence of the alteration made in the bounds of Haddam, lies within the present limits of Saybrook. A few inhabited Thirty-mile island, within the memory of persons living ; and had a place of resort in a deep hollow on Haddam-Neck, to the northeast ; which is still known by the name of Indian hollow, as the brook running through it is, by the name of Indian brook.
They had no name for the township of Haddam at large, but called the northern part of Haddam Society, Higganompos ; which the English have changed to Higganum, and now apply to a stream of water, and to the neighbourhood about its mouth. The west part of this society they called, Cockaponset; which the English have changed to Punset and apply to the same region.
In the introductory part of this work, it was observed, that the land south from the Straits rises into hills, at small but unequal distances to the right.and left of Connecticut river, to within a few miles of its mouth. This is particularly the fact throughout this town. The northwest corner of Haddam Society is also passed by the Strait-Hills, nearly parallel with which is a range of hills of no particular name, between the middle and south branches of Higganum river. South of Mill creek, west of the range of hills near the river, is Long Hill. On Haddam-Neck, beside the hills in the vicinity of the Connecticut, is a range or collection of hills between Pine brook and Salmon river. The tract between these streams has sometimes been called Little- Neck.
Higganum river is the principal stream in Haddam Society. This has three branches ; the northern rising in Middletown, the middle in the northeast extremity of Killingworth, and the southern in the western part of Haddam. These unite half a mile from the Connecticut, and form one of the best stands for a large manufacturing establishment to be found in the County or State. In the course of twenty-five rods, the water falls thirty- one feet, and the fall might be considerably increased by means of a dam. In this distance the whole stream may be used three times ; and in the last instance, in which the fall is the greatest, there is always a sufficiency of water for tworun of stones. To this spot the river is navigable for boats. On this site a mill has been erected within a few months, containing three run of stones and an oakum factory ; and one of the other sites has been im- proved several years for a clothiers works. It is probable that other mills or factories will be erected here at no very distant periods, and that a village will be raised up in the neighbour- hood. Were heavy machinery placed here, light machinery might be turned by the branches of Higganum river within a little distance. In addition to these advantages, this stand is
67
Town of Haddam.
favorably situated in regard to public roads, and can be more easily supplied with materials for building, and with fuel, than inost manufacturing stands in this part of the Country.
Mill Creek, the only other stream of consequence in this Socie- ty, is formed by two branches, which rise near the northwest cor- ner of Saybrook. After a course of two or three miles, they unite, within a mile of Connecticut river. On this stream the first corn-mill in Haddam was erected, which has given to it its name.
Some of the intervals on these streams, and some larger tracts near the Connecticut, are rich and productive. The other lands throughout the township are generally hard, and of an indifferent quality ; and considerable tracts are too rough for tillage, but yield some pasture, and a pretty heavy growth of wood.
The numerous granite quarries in this town bid fair to be a permanent and important source of wealth.
In some of the quarries the stone are finer and softer than in others ; but in all are considerably harder than the free-stone in Middletown and Chatham ; and less suitable, of course, for any purpose in which nice operations of the chisel are needed. But as taken from their beds, one surface is generally smooth, or sufficiently so for curbing and paving, the purposes to which they are more generally applied. They are also prepared abundantly, and are very useful, for underpinning and step- stones, and for fire-places. In their natural situation, they some- times rise above the surface of the ground, in others sink below it, or are covered with shelly and useless stone. The seams in the principal openings run almost perpendicularly, at different distances from each other, and descend to different depths. Blocks of various dimensions, are therefore taken from their beds, and then split and broken as is wished.
The first opening was made at Quarry-Hill, on Haddam-Neck. about 1762. Since that time, several other openings have been made in this hill. They are from fifty to seventy rods from the river ; and the descent for a portion of the way is so great, that. the removal of the stone is attended with some difficulty.
Half a mile south of Quarry-Hill, and at about the same distance from the river, a quarry was opened ten or twelve years ago, called Shayler's Quarry.
On a hill, below Haddam-street, ninety or a hundred rods from the river, a quarry was opened about 1794. Of this quar- ry it is worthy of remark, that the stone range exactly with the stone in the oldest quarry on Haddam-Neck, which has given rise to an opinion that the quarries extend under the bed of the river. On this hill several quarries are now improved ; some
9
68
Statistical Account of Middlesex County ;
are improved on Long-Hill further south ; and very recently two or three have been opened in the western part of the town.
In all these quarries, from eighty to ninety hands have been employed, in some seasons, in getting out and preparing the stone, and in carting them to the wharves on the river: whence they are transported, not only to the neighbouring towns, but to Rhode-Island, Boston, New-York, Albany, Baltimore, and as far south as Petersburg. New-York, however, is the principal market.
They are sold by the foot; for curbing, of four inches thick- ness, from 17 to 21 cents ; for paving, of two inches thickness, from 10 to 14 cents ; for underpinning and other uses, they are sold higher, according to their thickness, quality, and the labour bestowed upon them.
More wood is exported from this town than from any other town in the county. From Higganum Landing 2000 cords were exported in 1807, and probably 1000 from other places, making 3000 from the town : and it may be fairly calculated that from 2500 to 3000 are annually exported. This is also carried prin- cipally to New-York.
A scythe factory was improved some years ago on Pine-brook, but has now gone to decay.
A gin distillery set up in Haddam Society in 1813, distils 250 hogsheads of gin annually.
Shipbuilding was begun a century ago in this town, on the bank of the river, west of Haddam island. It was afterwards carried on in the lower part of the town ; and vessels have been occasionally built at various places. A sloop was launched at Higganum Landing in 1754 ; a few vessels were built there soon after ; and since 1760, shipbuilding has been a regular business at this place. Two yards are usually improved : for which, oak timber and plank are procured from the back parts of Haddam, and from North Killingworth.
A store was opened at this landing in 1752, and since that time, more business has been done there, than at any other place in Haddam.
The inhabitants have five or six vessels usually employed in coasting, and sometimes two or three employed in trading to the West Indies.
The emigrations from this town have been very numerous. Of the twenty-eight proprietors which have been mentioned, the fourteen last named have no descendants in this town at the pre- sent time, or none of their names ; nor indeed in East-Haddam. The names of some later settlers are now extinct with us. With- in the compass of twenty years a number of families have remov-
69
Town of Haddam.
ed to Leyden in the State of New-York; others have removed to other parts of the country.
Public worship has been observed in this town from the be- ginning ; and for ten or twelve years it was attended in a pri- vate dwelling.
In dividing their land, the proprietors reserved one right for him who should be their first minister, and one right for the sup- port of the ministry for ever ; and they made commendable ef- forts to support the institutions of the Gospel.
The first minister of whom any mention is made in the early records of the town, was the Rev. Jonathan Willaube, who re- mained with the people only a short season.
The Rev. Nicholas Noyes, a native of Newbury, Mass. and graduate of Cambridge College, succeeded him in 1668, and re- mained in the town thirteen or fourteen years. He afterwards settled in Salem, and was greatly distinguished in his day, as a scholar and a divine. Salem, and the adjacent part of the coun- try, the churches, university and people of New England, are said to have esteemed him a principal part of their glory. The greatest blot upon his character was occasioned by his efforts against those who were charged with witchcraft at Salem; an error which he afterwards lamented, and abundantly confessed. He died Dec. 13, 1707, in the 70th year of his age.
An effort was made early in 1682, to procure the Rev. John James to preach in this town, and he afterwards instructed the people ; but how soon, and for how long a period, does not ap- pear. After leaving this place, he settled in Derby.
Mr. James is supposed to have been a native of Wales. He possessed a respectable character both for learning and piety, but was distinguished by very great singularities. Some ludi- crous anecdotes are transmitted respecting him, and are now widely circulated in the country.
Neither of the above ministers were ordained in Haddam, and during their continuance, professors of religion repaired to Mid- dletown, and perhaps occasionally to Saybrook for special ordi- nances : but Mr. Noyes remained with the people so long, that they gave him the right of land reserved for the first minister.
In 1690 or 91, the Rev. Jeremiah Hobart, who had been set- tled for a time in Topsfield, Massachusetts, and in Hempstead, on Long-Island, was employed as a preacher in this town ; and in August of the latter year, the inhabitants made him proposals for settlement; which he accepted. From this time they ap- pear to have regarded him as their pastor, although not for- mally installed, and he probably administered ordinances to those who had named the name of Christ ; but as some difficul- ties arose afterwards, they voted, in April 1695, that they did not
70
Statistical Account of Middlesex County ;
consider themselves as under the charge of Mr. Hobart as pas- tor, and that with consent of the General Assembly, and of neigh- bouring churches, they would embody in church way and order, according to the Gospel. Accordingly the church was regularly organized the next year. But the difficulties continuing between Mr. Hobart and the people, a respectable committee, appointed by the Assembly at their joint request, met in Haddam Nov. 25, 1698 ; who, after passing various resolves with a view to the re- storation of harmony, declared upon deliberate consideration, that the agreement between them, was, both in point of law and equity, valid and binding to 'each party, and they advised the people to call Mr. Hobart to the full execution of the office of a pastor among them. This advice seems finally to have been ac- cepted, for in June 1700, they voted to call a council to install him ; andhe was accordingly installed the Nov. following ; when he was in the 70th year of his age. Of his talents and charac- ter very little is known. He became the subject of infirmities some years before his death, and was unable to perform official services. Nov. 6, 1715, being the Lord's day, he attended pub- lic worship in the forenoon, and received the sacrament; and during the intermission expired, sitting in his chair.
The Rev. Phinehas Fiske, son of Dr. John Fiske of Milford, was ordained colleague pastor with Mr. Hobart in Sept. 1714.
This excellent man received his education at Killingworth, un- der the venerable rector Pierson, where he became a tutor in the autumn preceding the rector's death. Upon that afflictive event, in March 1707, the senior class being removed to Milford, the other classes were placed under the special care of Mr. Fiske at Saybrook, until commencement. After that, all the classes were instructed at Saybrook by him and a fellow-tutor for several years, with great fidelity and success. While the churches in the Colony were looking to this institution for pastors, he was the honoured instrument of preparing a number in part for their work, and rendered great service to the cause of literature and religion. His fame as an instructor, at that time, was very great. Before he left the tutorship he became a licentiate, and preach- ed occasionally in Haddam. His talents were solid rather than ยท brilliant, and his sermons of course were better calculated to in- struct the understanding than to move the passions. He was uniformly regarded as a gentleman of science, and as a serious and excellent character; and his name is precious among the people of Haddam and of the vicinity to this day.
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