USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Bristol > Bristol, Connecticut : "in the olden time New Cambridge", which includes Forestville > Part 33
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The town was not without its holidays. The spring gathering of the militia was a gala time for the boys as they watched the evolutions of the red-coats, every man from eighteen to forty-five being required by law to have a suitable gun, length and calibre being given, and to do duty as warned. There were three companies in town; regulars, a rifle company, and an artillery company, with two field pieces; also part of a cavalry company, the other part being composed of Southington men. This made quite a display. The annual regimental review, generally held in Plainville in the fall, made another day for sight-seeing and ginger-bread sale.
Athletics were in common repute in the state, and the town was not without its representatives at either wrestling or kicking; and the spec- tacle of a man standing on his head on the ridge-pole of a building frame was not unknown; or kicking an object six inches above his head, while standing on one foot, kicking with that foot, and returning to the original position without touching the other foot to the ground, was one of the
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ataloque of the Names
of those Who have not Mis,d a thord in Spelling twenty nine of the Most Dificull and, Irregulglar Tables in M5 Noah Websters Spelling
extus,
Lewis
Altites, Sawis.
offy, Sewis.
Abraham, Sewis.
ysia. Prisley.
Amy, Sewis. Pilvia, Lewis
Sevi. 2010is Canis, Sewie. Eraudifon, Juss, Sten. Lewis.
Down, Lewis.
Mimira, Rood.
Siaffer.
This Diploma was given as a prize to the scholar who stood at the head of the spelling at the close of the winter term. It must have been in the early 1790' ... You will see that ten of the fifteen names are Lewis-all descended from one grandfather. MRS. ELLEN L. PECK.
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feats reported. Rivalry between towns was ordinarily decided by a wrestling match between chosen champions, and even fistic encounters decided the division lines between towns.
Human nature was much the same then as now, and if work could be turned into play it seemed all the easier; so the husking to assist the farmer in storing his corn crop made the barn echo with laughter, as red ears were found, and forfeits were claimed of the fair sex. The apple-paring bee, to aid the farmer's wife in preparing her winter store of apple sauce, turned many a cold, fall evening into a scene of merri- ment. Busy hands with sharpened knives passed deftly around the bright, red apples. Circling the unbroken paring two or three times around the head and then dropping it to the floor to see if it formed the initials of the one whom it was hoped would be a life companion, was one of the pastimes of the occasion. The evening's sport was closed by the young people, hand in hand, with the old-time plays and songs:
The needle's eye, it doth supply The thread that's running through; It hath caught many a smiling lass, And now it hath caught you.
This was accompanied by the usual suiting of the action to the words of the song, and the not unwilling osculation that closed each melodious act. Another of the old jingles ran:
Pretty Pink, I s'pose you think, I cannot do without you; But I'll let you know, before you go, I care but little about you!
The hearty smack that followed this verse would not be very convincing to the fair maiden involved, as to the sincerity of the poetical utterance.
The close of the winter's term of school was often accompanied by an exhibition in which declamation, recitation and dialogue, from
You'd scarce expect one of my tender age,
The boy stood on the burning deck, to
the Indian Chief, and selections from Shakespeare, with all the accom- paniments of sword and bugle blast. For want of better theatre a barn, with a temporary floor laid over the bay, now empty of hay, for the stage, carpeted and hung with quilts; the barn floor seated for the pit, and the loft over the stables for a gallery; the violin orchestra to fill in the time between acts, afforded a good deal of pleasure to the par- ticipants, as well as to the parents of the rising generation.
THE CURFEW BELL.
T HE curfew bell, which for so many years has tolled its ninety- and-nine strokes at nine o'clock, formerly did duty at the copper mine, in calling the men to their work and dismissing them at noon and night. It was purchased by Col. E. L. Dunbar, when the old mine buildings were dismantled, to be placed in the belfry of his new spring shop, which was built upon the foundations of the burned factory of the Union Spectacle Co., and other concerns. But this was not the first nine o'clock bell in Bristol, by any means. The old Con- gregational church, previous to 1795, was without a steeple. It was
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then that the time seemed propitious for raising the amount necessary to add this desirable feature to the meetinghouse, and liberty was se- cured, at a meeting of the society, to build a steeple. In 1796 a tax of one cent on the dollar was levied for the purpose of procuring a new bell for the steeple. George Mitchell, David Granniss and Gideon Rob- erts were appointed a committee to procure the bell. In 1797 a tax of eight mills was laid to pay arrearages on the steeple, any surplus remaining to apply on the bell. On the eighth of January, 1798, the following vote was passed at a society meeting:
"REGULATION FOR RINGING THE BELL."
(Copied by Roswell Atkins.)
"Voted, that the bell shall be rung at nine o'clock every night in the year, except Saturday night it is to be rung at eight o'clock; and in the months of July and August it is to be rung at twelve o'clock, or midday, in the room of nine at night. . To be rung each Sunday, Thanks- giving and Fast, one hour before the time of exercise, and to ring until the Priest comes in sight south of Mr. Royce Lewises, and then to toll until the Priest enters the Meeting House. To be rung at the public meeting one hour before the time of meeting, and at the time of entering on business until the meeting is opened. To be rung and tolled at fun- erals. That the bell be rung at Society's cost till the next annual Society meeting."
That the youthful American may have had an existence even in those Puritan days, may be conjectured from the following vote, passed December 14, 1797: "Voted, a fine of 50 cents on any one who shall ring the bell after this date without orders from the Society's Committee, and applied to the use of the Society."
It may be possible that the new bell of 1796 was too small to be heard over the entire township, with its sparse and scattered popula- tion, for on February 29, 1808, the odd day of leap year was utilized for the purpose of holding a Society meeting, at which it was "Voted, to procure a Meeting House bell that will weigh about 650 pounds."
As affording a glimpse into the methods and requirements of the past, the following report of a Society's Committee may be useful. The report bears the date of January 8, 1798:
We, the subscribers, being appointed a committee by the inhab- itants of the First Ecclesiastical Society of the Town of Bristol, to ex- amine the certificates lodged with the clerk of said Society, and having attended to the business of our appointment, beg leave to report that having examined the law respecting certificates, are of the opinion that the statute is calculated to give the most free and ample liberty to the good people of this State, to worship God in that way that is most agree- able to the dictates of their own conscience, while, at the same time, it is wisely guarded against exempting any from (omitting) the joining and attending public worship in some religious congregation of Chris- tians allowed by law in this State; and that in order to exempt a person from being taxed by the located societies, there must not only be a joining to some other denomination of Christians, but a common and ordinary attendance at the public worship of God with such denomina- tion of Christians; and that having examined the certificates as afore- said, lodged in the Society Clerk's office by John Hendricks, Jacob Linds- ley, Doctor Josiah Holt, Seth Roberts, William Rich, Thomas Yale, James Stone and Elias Wilcox, do not come within the meaning of the statute, but are liable by law and ought to be taxed by the inhabitants of this Society for the support of public worship; but, as lenient and mild measures are always preferable to more harsh and coercive, and as we earnestly wish for peace and harmony among all the inhabitants of this Society, we beg leave to recommend it as our opinion that it is
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best to cancel all the taxes that are already become due from all or any of the above named persons, and at the same time we would let them know that we consider them to be holden for the payment of all taxes which may become due at any future period: all which is humbly sub- mitted by your most obedient humble servants.
ASA UPSON, ZEBULON PECK, STEPHEN DODGE, ENOS IVES, Committee. .
SOME BRISTOL PUPPIES. Photo by Moultrope.
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Berman Evangelir Lutheran Zion Church
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By REV. G. GILLE, GERMAN LUTHERAN PASTOR. TRANSLATED FROM THE ORIGINAL GERMAN MANUSCRIPT.
REV G. GILLE.
T HE German Evangelic Lutheran Zion Church in Bristol, Conn. was founded under the name of German Lutheran Church on August 19, 1894, by Rev. H. Weber, after a religious service in the Temperance Hall. The first officers were Mr. Curell, president, Mr. Wahl, secretary; Mr. Blank, treasurer and Mr. J. Rind- fleish, elder. As there were extraordinary difficulties in the way of erecting a church edifice, it was decided to hold services in the above named hall.
Under the leadership of the third pastor, Rev. G. Brandt, the second being Rev. Handel, a church was erected on School street in the year, 1896.
As fourth pastor, the late Rev. Gross of New Britain officiated. His three predecessors had preached in the spirit of the great reformer,
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GERMAN EVANGELIC LUTHERAN ZION CHURCH.
Dr. Martin Luther, and his fellow workers. Their doctrine is still preached and has been preached in all Lutheran churches of Germany for nearly four hundred years. Rev. Gross, on the contrary, was a member of the so-named Lutheran Missouri Synod and he introduced, without the knowledge of the congregation, the doctrine of the above named synod. The point on which these two doctrines differ is the question . of predestination. According to this doctrine, since eternity God has chosen a certain number of human beings and decided that these should and must become saved; that salvation through Christ is offered to all, but only by the chosen ones does God guarantee that they surely grasp it and never lose it. On the other hand, it is impossible for those who are not chosen to become saved.
Luther, and with him the Lutheran church of all lands and times, has pronounced this doctrine unbiblical and affirms that God has chosen all human beings to be saved and that He does all to help them gain this end; that it is the fault of man if he does not grasp it.
That these differences should be put out of the way, a conference was held in St. Paul's Church, Middletown, Conn., on April 8, 1901. A number of ministers of both doctrines were present. The same did not lead to an understanding.
The successor of Pastor Gross still officiates in Bristol and on the ground of the doctrine of Evangelical Lutheran Missouri Synod, so-called.
For various reasons, confessional reasons, a few of the original members were not allowed to attend the Lord's Supper and since the year, 1899, attended the St. John's Church in New Britain, until they built a church of their own and formed an independent congregation. When they did form such a congregation they looked upon it as a restoration of the original congregation.
With the constitution of St. John's Church of New Britain as a
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constitution the following officers were chosen: Henry Redmann, pres- ident; Joseph Rindfleisser; Michael Rindfleissurer; Fred Stanke, secretary; John Grünewald, trustee.
Rev. M. W. Gaudian was given a call to act as pastor. As places of worship the W. E. T. & W. Hall and then the A. O. U. M. Hall were used. The president of the Prospect Methodist Episcopal Church kindly offered them the use of the basement of their church, which the congregation then gratefully accepted.
In a regular meeting, in which the forty-five members of which the congregation consisted were present, on the 26th of May, 1902, it was decided to build a new church. The kind offer of Mr. W. E. Sessions to present them with a building lot on Judd street and plans of a church, were thankfully accepted. The contract was given to Contractor Thompson. The manner in which the citizens of Bristol came forward with pecuniary help, the congregation always will gratefully remember; how a strange people of strange tongue extended the friendly helping hand.
With glad courage and thanks to God, the congregation laid the cornerstone of this church on June 25, 1906, and on October 12, 1906, it was dedicated. On both occasions, many of the American citizens of Bristol were present. The sound and clear words of the English sermons apparently made a deep impression upon them and gave them a glance into the deep soul and spirit of the Germans and their church, showing, at the same time, their value to religion and learning in America.
As expected, the congregation, which was bound heart and soul to its new church, grew very well. Almost every month new members joined them. As the most of these were young unmarried people, many of them often changed their place of residence to other towns, but in spite of this, the congregation grew steadily.
At this time their pastor, Rev. K. Riebesell, followed an urgent and repeated call to Englewood, N. J. Almost at the same time, their capable first president, Henry Redmann, was taken from them by death. From June, 1905, to July 1, 1906, at which time their present pastor, Rev. G. Gille accepted a call, the congregation could not get, that is keep a minister. Rev. O. Konrad, after staying with them three months followed a call to the larger congregations of Seymour and Shelton. It will be readily understood, when it is said that these mis- fortunes dampened the courage and hope in the congregation.
Under the leadership of the present pastor, who is on the ground of a new constitution, at the same time president of the congregation, matters have acquried a brighter outlook. Apparently the congregation have great love and faith in him and there is, with God's help a good future before them, both in material and spiritual matters.
BEAUTIFUL SPECIMEN OF INDIAN PESTLE. Found on Chippen's Hill by Frank J. Smith. Now in collection of A. E. Kilbourn, So. Windsor, Conn.
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The Swedish Congregational Church*
The Swedish Congregational Church was organized in Bristol the 7th of February, 1890, with a membership of nine.
Rev. E. G. Hjerpe of New Britain, Conn., was invited to attend when the church was organized.
On account of the small membership the church could not afford to have a regular pastor, but depended upon the ministers of nearby towns to preach in turn for them. Rev. Hjerne of New Britain being near to Bristol took special interest in the church, for which the church thanked him most heartily.
REV. P. G. FALLQUIST.
Pastors of nearby towns preached here in rotation until 1893, when Rev. A. Abrahamson, who had charge of the Swedish in the Chicago Theological Seminary, arrived here to take charge of the church.
He told the congregation that they should have a regular pastor. Money being scarce, they decided to appeal to the American people in Bristol for help, and had very much success. Rev. Abrahamson re- mained here until November, 1893, when he resigned.
Rev. Otto Svenson then took charge of the work and under his leadership a church was built. Until this time the church meetings were held in halls. The church was dedicated December 29, 1895, the
[*This article was written by Mrs. Johnson of Goodwin Street and translated by George Malmgren.]
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same year that it was built. Under the leadership of Rev. Svenson the church took great strides towards increasing its membership and prosperity. Rev. Svenson resigned the 10th of March, 1896.
The church was without a pastor until July of the same year, when Rev. H. Palmer arrived here. Rev. Palmer was well liked by the con- gregation and there was very much regret when he resigned in the latter part of the year, 1902.
Rev. A. G. Nyreen came here the first of December, 1902. He stayed but a short while, leaving Bristol in the month of October, 1903.
The congregation then voted to call Kenneth A. Bercher, who ar- rived in Bristol on Thanksgiving Day, 1903. He remained here a little over a year, leaving in December, 1904.
Until this time Bristol and Plainville churches had been combined, but now decided to each work by themselves.
Rev. David Brunstrom of Yale College then preached in Bristol until March, 1906, when Rev. Avel Olson came here and remained for three months.
On the first of October, Rev. P. G. Fallquist came and at the present writing is still pastor.
The congregation at this writing has a membership of 25.
THE SWEDISH CONGREGTIONAL CHURCH, QUEEN STREET.
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THE SWEDISH LUTHERAN LEBANON CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
BY REV. NIMROD EBB.
T HE Swedish Lutheran Lebanon Congregation of Bristol, Conn., was organized October 20, 1887, with fifty-six communicant members. The church was built in 1891 and has a seating capacity for two hundred persons. The cost of the church and parsonage is $9,200.00. At the present time the congregation consists of 220 members.
REV. O. NIMROD EBB. Photo By Elton
The first Swedish ministers who visited and preached at Bristol were Rev. Ludwig Holmes, D. D., now at Portland, Conn., and Rev. O. W. Ferm, now at Sioux City, Iowa. Rev. A. F. Lundquist was the first local pastor and came here in the spring of 1893. In 1903 Rev. Lundquist resigned his charge of this church and moved to Mckeesport, Pennsylvania, and was succeeded by Rev. E. C. Jesseys, who moved to Kiron, Iowa, in May, 1906. The present pastor, Rev. O. Nimrod Ebb, B. D., was called from Duquesne, Pennsylvania and took charge of the congregation, September 30, 1906.
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THE SWEDISH LUTHERAN LEBANON CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
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SWANSTON'S ORCHESTRA
O RGANIZED in 1903, is now in its fourth season. With Chas. A. Swanston, first violin and leader, Robert H. Woodford, clarinet, Fred C. Galpin, cornet, Lucien E. Rouse, trombone and Walter H. Porch as pianist, the personelle is the same as when organized with the exception of Mr. Porch, who succeeded Mrs. Florence Tucker after the first season.
With a reportorie of standard and popular concert and dance music, they have been heard at almost all of the clubs, societies, and assemblies in town, also High School "Class Nights" and graduation. Music at basket ball games for two seasons were furnished by them
They do not aspire to the ranks of professionalism, but rather for the sake of congenial fellowship among themselves, and the love of music. They hold rehearsals every week. The financial remuneration from engagements being sufficient to create and maintain an interest that has brought them to a state of proficiency that is very creditable to an amteur orchestra and with the five "regular" men they can at short notice procure musicians in town to make a good orchestra of eight to ten pieces.
SWANSTON'S ORCHESTRA. Photo hy Elton.
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Natural History Photography*
BY GEO. E. MOULTHROPE.
D URING 1902-1903, I was engaged supplying photographs and data for several Ornithological and Natural History Pub- lications and soon found I had attempted by far the most difficult, as well as the most interesting branch of photography. The ordinary camera and lens not being equal to produce the ob- jects large enough, the extreme long focus instrument, with the most powerful lenses are required, which, with the various other articles used, made an equipment which carried for 8 or 10 hours on a trip through brush, swamps, briars, over stonewalls and barbed wire fences, makes one aware of the fact that he had well earned a week or two's salary, even if, as often was the case, it was acquired in a single day.
On my first outing I was requested to secure pictures showing a phœbe, also her nest and eggs. The scene began at the Log Cabin on Fall Mountain, on a beautiful May morning. A Phoebe was found to have constructed her nest on a beam under a shed facing the north.
Of course photographing a live bird under these conditions, was out of the question, and I had to resort to some way of throwing sun- light under the shed onto the nest and bird, thus lighting it sufficiently to admit of a snapshot.
I had in the outfit two mirrors, about two feet square, one of which I placed outside at the correct angle to throw the light on the desired place. What a change this made. The nest and woodwork surrounding it was transformed from a dark shed into a spot of dazzling brightness.
*The following is a description of cuts on Page 391,
(1) KING BIRD'S NEST IN AN OLD APPLE TREE. (2) LIVE QUAIL ON HER NEST.
(3) GREEN HERON'S NEST IN MAPLE TREE.
(4) CROW'S NEST IN PINE TREE. PHOTOGRAPHED 60 FEET FROM THE GROUND. CAMERA AND ARTIST HAD TO BE STRAPPED TO
THE TREE IN TAKING PHOTO.
(5) BANK SWALLOW'S NEST IN SAND BANK. PART OF BANK HAD TO BE DUG AWAY TO SHOW NEST.
(6) BLUE JAY'S NEST IN A DENSE PINE TREE.
(7) WHIP-POOR-WILL'S EGGS ON GROUND. THEY BUILD NO NEST.
All of these were photographed in their natural location and with the exception of the Bank Swallow's, were undisturbed and that only slightly. As I had to furnish data regarding the nests, birds, etc., as well as the photos, I made several visits to most of the nests.
The eggs all hatched in due time, and in case of the quail, 15 little fuzzy balls, a little larger than bumble bees, darted away at my second visit to their home.
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What bird would have the hardiness to return under such changed conditions!
Before trying the old bird I thought it would be a good idea to secure photos of the nest and eggs, but here another difficulty.
The nest was situated above my head and close to the roof of the shed so that the eggs could not be seen. I could easily photograph the nest on the beam, but I had to furnish photographs showing the eggs also.
The second mirror helped me out of this difficulty and after I had placed it in position above the nest I made the exposure and secured the photo shown here.
A barn swallows' nest was photographed from the top of a 30 foot ladder with the aid of the mirrors and reflected sunlight, later in the season in the same manner.
The Phoebe's nest I secured and printed here is shown right side up, but immediately upon handing the photo to anyone they invariably quickly turn it around as if afraid the eggs might fall out, and it takes a little explanation on my part to show them that they are not looking at the eggs but only at their image in the mirror placed over them.
Now to the old bird. The second mirror was removed and after attaching several yards of rubber tubing to my camera shutter, I hid myself and with the aid of my field glasses I watched and waited for
YELLOW HAMMER'S NEST-IN HOLLOW TREE.
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the old bird's return. The shifting sun made it necessary to adjust the mirrors about every five minutes, which undoubtedly delayed the Phœbe in her decision to return to her nest, although she made several hundred attempts during the next few hours. She finally settled on the nest for a fractional part of time, the instant was the one I had been watching and waiting five long hours for and the click of the shutters announced that I had won in my contest with the phoebe, two first class photos being secured, showing the bird in two positions.
During the next two years several hundred photos were secured under similar circumstances, including birds, nests, game, and hunting scenes. The subjects varying in height from the ground, as in case of the quail on her nest, and whip-poor-will photos, to the crow's nest, which was photographed 60 feet from the ground in the top of a swaying pine. In this instance, as in others, I had a large limb to stand upon, but having to use both hands in the taking of the photos, I had to strap myself to the tree, draw up my outfit with rope, securely strap it to the tree and then proceed with taking the photos.
It is needless to say that this line of photos is in a greater demand by many publications than any other. A few of the photos I secured are reproduced here.
VIEW OF PHOBBE'S NEST.
Photographed with the aid of mirrors.
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Present Industries of Bristol
THE SESSIONS CLOCK COMPANY.
T HE Sessions Clock Company is one of the leading industries of the town, and is located at Forestville which is another village and post office in the town of Bristol, about three miles east of the borough on the direct line of travel to New Britain and Hartford. The company which they succeeded was founded by Elisha N. Welch in 1855. He was for a generation a very prominent manufacturer of the town and interested in many of its leading manu- facturing industries. Mr. Welch bought the property and business of the assignee of J. C. Brown, who was a large clock manufacturer until 1855. He also purchased the factories of F. S. Otis and the Forest- ville Hardware Co., all of which he devoted to the manufacture of clocks. In. 1864 he organized the E. N. Welch Mfg. Co., associating his son James Hart Welch and his son-in-law, George Henry Mitchell, with
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