USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Bristol > Bristol, Connecticut : "in the olden time New Cambridge", which includes Forestville > Part 37
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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 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50
From the old shop across the stream Ephraim Downs' Yankee clocks went to New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Missouri, Louisiana, Mississippi and elsewhere. An old letter states that clocks shipped to "Washington City," D. C., May 21, 1824 were received there June 17. These undoubtedly went by sailboat from New Haven. The "looking-glass" clock was a favorite. "Carved" and "bronzed" cases with "square" or "scroll" top were good sellers. One bill, 1831, gives an "alarm" eight dollars. Many are still in existence-fine examples of Bristol's great industry in its infancy.
In Ephraim Downs' day, notes were given almost entirely in settle- ment of accounts, but it is said that his name was never upon a note, except as endorsed for collection; and to this may be attributed the
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fact, that, of all the Bristol clock makers, he alone neither failed nor made assignment in the "hard times" of 1837.
In 1842-3 he retired from business owing to failing health. He was representative and first selectman, being a Jeffersonian democrat in politics. He was a prominent Mason and church worker. He died in 1860 at the homestead on Downes street, bought when he first removed from Plymouth. His children were Rosetta, Franklin, George, Robert, Adeline, Adelaide and Helen. none now living
Franklin Downs was born June 12, 1824, at Hoadleyville, now Greystone, from whence his father Ephraim Downs, one of our pioneer clock-makers, came to Bristol, about 1825. He worked at clock-making for a time with his father, but afterward became a miller and dealer in grain, Downs' mill being one of the most widely known stands in this section. He was also interested in the firm known as the Bone & Ivory Manufacturing Co., situated on the site of the original Downs' clock shop. He married Emeline M. Upson of old colonial and revolutionary ancestry, in Waterbury, in 1844. Their children were: Ella A., married Dr. Charles R. Upson; Florence E., married Sen. Adrian J. Muzzy; Fannie A., married Thomas F. Barbour; Frank Ephraim, married Mary Annetta Sprague; Mabel G., married Reese McCloskey. Their grand- children numbered eight; living, Marguerite Barbour, Adrienne Muzzy Downs, Jean and Gail McCloskey. Franklin Downs died August 24, 1898.
RANSOM MALLORY.
One of the prominent business men of Bristol, of a generation ago, who helped to build the foundations upon which the prosperity of Bristol rests, was Ransom Mallory, a man of sterling integrity, quiet and un- ostentatious in his manner, a consistent Christian, and a valued citizen.
Peter Mallory, the first of the family in Connecticut, came from England to New Haven, where he joined the infant colony, and signed the Planter's Covenant in 1644. To him and his wife who came from England with him, were born twelve children, all of whom settled in New Haven and vicinity. Ransom was of the sixth generation, of the line of Thomas, second son of Peter, and was the son of David Mallory, a revolutionary soldier, who was with Washington when he crossed the Delaware, and who served through the war, undergoing the severest. hardships unflinchingly, with a sublime confidence in the righteousness of the colonial cause. Ransom was born in Oxford, Conn., December 25, 1792. May 15, 1814, he married Lucy Candee, of Oxford, who was born September 26, 1790.
He learned his trade as carpenter and cabinet maker, in Oxford, serving seven years, as was the requirement at that time. During his apprenticeship he was employed on two different occasions upon the capitol, at Richmond, Virginia. He came to Bristol in 1821, and brought his family here the following year, living in the house then owned by Col. Botsford, afterward owned by Samuel Terry, and now owned by Frank Terry. His first work in Bristol was clock-case making, at a private house, since known as the Alfred Way place, on South Street. He was a contractor at the Jerome clock shop, for some years, and, while there, built the house which stood on the site of the Masonic building, and which was recently torn down to make room for the new bank at Muzzy's corner. It will be remembered as the Lord Hills place. He left the Jeromes to form a partnership with John Birge, under the firm name of Birge & Mallory, for the manufacture of clocks. Sheldon Lewis, Thomas Fuller and Ambrose Peck were also interested in the business. The shop stood on Riverside Avenue, near the factories for- merly owned by Welch, Spring & Co., later by the Codling Manufacturing Company.
This was previous to 1837, for, while the hard times of 1837 caused
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RANSOM MALLORY.
many failures, Birge & Mallory were able to continue their business uninterruptedly through the whole disastrous period, paying their indebtedness in full, notwithstanding the fact that their agent in the West had taken many deeds for land in payment for clocks, and most of these were spurious, resulting in an almost total loss to the manu- facturers. Mr. Mallory continued in this firm until its dissolution. He bought the house now occupied as a parsonage by the Congregational Society, of Samuel B. Smith, in 1838. At this house he passed away, January 10, 1853.
Mr Mallory was a member of the Congregational Church, and was a man universally esteemed. In a letter to his daughter, Mrs. Catherine C. Hayden, recently removed to New York, Dr. Levi Barnes, of Oxford, who once taught in the academy on Federal Hill, wrote of Mr. Mallory as follows: "He was, as I remember him, a man universally esteemed, of great force of character, energetic in business, honest, and a staunch, quiet Christian man, upholding all good, including religion, education, and everything promotive of the public welfare. But no one could write a biographical sketch of your father better than a loving daughter, and then the half has not been told."
From Mrs. Hayden, now in her eighty-second year, these data con- cerning Mr. Mallory were received, necessarily condensed on account of limited space.
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DEACON BRYAN HOOKER .*
Deacon Bryan Hooker was a descendant of the fifth generation from Rev. Thomas Hooker, one of the founders of Hartford, the line of descent being through Samuel, John, Hezekiah and Asahel of Woodbury. Asahel Hooker married Anne Parmeley and their third son Bryan, was born in Woodbury, August 15, 1764 and died in Bristol, July 22, 1826. He is buried in the North Cemetery.
Mr. Hooker came to Bristol in early life and established one of the first woolen manufacturies in the state. His fulling mill was long known as the old yellow shop, near the bridge on the corner of East and South Streets. It was destroyed by fire in 1903.
Mr. Hooker first married Lydia Lewis, October 7, 1790, daughter of Eli Lewis of Bristol. She died without children April 20, 1804, at the age of thirty-nine. On October 7, 1804, he married the widow Nancy Lee Fuller, daughter of William and Elizabeth Gilbert Lee of Bristol. Mrs. Fuller had two children, the eldest daughter, Rhoda, married Samuel Augustus Mitchell, publisher of geographies; their descendants are now living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The son Thomas Franklin, married Lucy Winston, and always lived in Bristol. He built the Saw Shop on Riverside Avenue for the manufacture of tinder boxes and curry combs. His daughter, Mrs. Mary Martin, and his grand- children Mr. Carlyle F. Barnes and Mrs. Wyllys Ladd are at present well known residents of Bristol.
Mr. Hooker was a man of mark and influence both in church and state and filled many offices of trust. The town records tell us that he took the Freeman's oath in September, 1796. In 1806 and again from 1811 to 1820 we find continuously as the second item of business at the town meeting, the note "Voted and chose Bryan Hooker, Esq., Town Clerk for the year ensuing." When he was not Town Clerk he was often Moderator of the meeting.
He represented the town at the General Assembly in 1812, 1813, 1814, 1817, and on July 4th, 1818 was appointed "a delegate to meet in convention in Hartford on the fourth Wednesday of August next,
*This sketch was prepared by Miss Clara Lee Bowman. The likeness shown of Deacon Hooker was taken from a colored minature in the possession of Miss Bowman.
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for the purpose of framing a Constitution of Civil Government for the people of the state."
In the records of this Constitutional Convention, we find Bryan Hooker always voting on the extremely conservative side and his report to his fellow citizens could not have been very favorable, as we find that "one hundred and five voted against the approbation and ratifi- cation of the Constitution of Civil Government framed for the people of the State by the said Convention, and ninety-five voted for its ap- probation and ratification."
He was chairman of many important committees such as the In- spection of Bridges and Highways, and appointed to make a draught of laws to prevent hogs, sheep, geese, turkeys, etc., going at large. He served several times as Selectman and was often on the Board of Relief. He filled the office of Justice of the Peace for some years and often held court in the large living room of his home on East Street.
He united with the Congregational Church, September 29, 1799, under the preaching of the Rev. Giles Cowles, a year in the church his- tory "long to be remembered." Mr. Hooker immediately took an active part in church work and in 1801 he was elected deacon which position he held until his death in 1826. A rounded out quarter century of earnest Christian life. We find in the church records that he was often moderator in cases of discipline brought before the church, especially of Sabbath breaking, and his own views were so strict that he would stop people driving by his house on Sunday, in order to ask them who was sick and if they were going for the doctor.
His interest and sympathy for the poor and unfortunate were un- bounded. As has been noted he frequently served on the Board of the poor relief and his private charities were numerous.
Mr. Hooker's first recorded purchase of land in Bristol was Sep- tember 22, 1791, but on April 16, 1793, he bought from Reuben Thomp- son the fulling mill on East Street near the river and half of the little gambled roofed red house near by, which was his first home here. It has long given place to factories and store houses, but at the same time he brought ten acres of land on the opposite side of the street upon which. he built his house on East Street in 1811, which is still occupied by his descendants of the fourth generation.
A carefully itemized bill of expense for the building of this house was found among his papers and may be interesting as a comparison of prices and orthography of the present day.
Bill of expense for building my house done in the year 1811:
Frame
$230.00
Brick. 1100 at $8.34
Pine boards 12 000 feet
91.74 130. 66.
transporting the same
Shingles 16 500
49.50
transporting the same 8.
Ruff boards 2 000 feet at 75 cents
15.
Flour boards for the wood house and garret
12.75
other flour boards
55.00
Lath boards 5 000 feet at 67 cents
33.50
Lining boards 2 000 feet at 62 cents
12.40
Petition plank 1 200 feet at 1.60
20.
Joiner bills
363.
Daily & Churchels bill
75.84
Miles Lewis about 25 cotton bails 5
30.
Glas 48 dollars
48.
200 1b. cut nails
22.92
75 1b. raut nails at 12
9.37
Brads
5.
12 bbs. double tins
1.50
Mantletrys and Jams at Farmington
9.
ยท
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Expense of cellar of the mason's bill
100
Shingle nails
20.
4 casks Canan lime. 20.
8 casks lime 30.
Masons bill for plastering
36.
Making morter and tending mason
40.
Door hangers etc.
20.
Iron barrs for mantletrees
2.
Oil for painting 36 gallons
36.
White led 225 bb white led
37.
other paint about
8.
Johnsons bill for painting
21.50
Painting the inside paid the Rands & Co.
20.
House sink.
7.
Expense of raising
25.
My own time $50
50.
Board 156 dollars
156.
Rum and brandy
30.
Contingent expenses not recorded above
53.
$2000.00
The farm which surrounded the old homestead, was a large one reaching from the river to the top of the hill and extending as far west as Main Street, which was not laid out until 1827, the year after his death. The farm was first cut into by the laying out of the road now Riverside Avenue and later by the railroad. He apparently bought land very extensively as his name appears twenty-one times on the record between 1791 and 1813, and after his death his estate figures as frequently in selling it off.
'For those days Mr. Hooker was a prosperous man, but his modesty and humility were strong traits of character and his daily morning prayer always included the petition, "May we carry the cup of prosperity with a steady hand;" and another phrase long remembered by his chil- dren was "may we use this world as not abusing it, remembering that the fashion thereof passeth away."
The fulling mill required many hands and the apprentices all boarded at Mr. Hooker's house. Some of Bristol's prominent men were num- bered among them. He always felt a responsibility for their spiritual as well as physical welfare, and would not allow any of them to read the writings of Thomas Payne while they were members of his family. He died at the age of sixty-two, lamented, revered and respected, a worthy representative of his name and generation. He left three chil- dren, Lydia, Lewis named for his first wife. She married Cyrus Porter Smith and moved to Brooklyn, New York, where her descendants are still living. Nancy, who married William Hill of Troy, New York, but who was a son of Gaius and Mary Wheeler Hill, of Chippin's Hill in this town. He lived but a few years and Mrs. Hill returned to the old homestead for the remainder of her long life. She died May 26, 1902, at the age of ninety-three. Her daughter, Mrs. George R. Bowman and granddaughter, Miss Clara Lee Bowman, still live in the old house at 60 East Street.
Mr. Hooker's only son, Bryan Edward Hooker, was for many years a resident of Hartford and deacon in the Center Church, where a me- morial window has been placed to his memory. His son, Edward Wil- liams Hooker, at present Hartford's representative in the Legislature, Thomas Williams Hooker, and a grandson, Joseph Hooker Woodward, are all well-known and influential men in the Hartford of today.
1947.00
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ELDER SAMUEL C. HANCOCK.
Samuel Cooley Hancock, widely known as "The Blind Preacher," and who was for many years a resident of Stafford District, was born at East Hartford, September 16, 1828. When about four weeks old he became nearly blind from inflammation of the eyes. At the age of nine years he was sent to the Perkins Institution for the Blind, at Boston, where he remained five years, receiving a thorough education in the ordinary English branches, and in music, in which he was an adept, both in instrumental and vocal music. After leaving the Institution, he resided at Meriden for some years, playing the organ of the Episcopal church, and teaching music. In 1851 he contracted the smallpox at Hartford, which resulted in the total loss of his sight, as, previous to that, he had been able to discern light, and plain colors. For several years afterward he was engaged in the sale of memorandum books and diaries, with a boy to lead him, visiting many towns in this and ad- joining states. He was married to Susan D. Sims of Westerly, R. I., November 27, 1853, and resided, for a short time afterward at Farm- ington. He then purchased a small place two miles north of Forest- ville, where he resided up to the time of his death.
Mr. Hancock early united with the Methodist Episcopal church, of Meriden, but became convinced of the truth of the Advent doctrines, also of the observance of the seventh-day Sabbath. At a conference of the Advent denomination, held at Providence, R. I., December 1860,
he was ordained a preacher of that faith. During the remainder of his life he traveled extensively throughout New England and the Provinces, preaching the Gospel, sometimes laboring for months in a place, but more frequently journeying from place to place, as an Evangelist and vocalist. He was a composer of fine piano and vocal music, some of his hymns finding a place in the regular hymnals of . the denomination After his death his devotional songs were compiled in book form and sold for the benefit of his widow, by Milo Leon Norton. They are now out of print. Mr. Hancock died at Springfield, Mass., August 23, 1874, in the 46th year of his age. He had but one child, Florence Eliza, who died in 1862. His widow survived him only a few years.
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RODNEY BARNES.
Rodney Barnes was born in Burlington in 1818, of old colonial stock, in a house which stood near Monce's trout pond. His father was Sherman Barnes, who was an American soldier in the war of 1812. His mother was Miss Luanna Smith, daughter of Gideon Smith, and Rodney Barnes' parents lived for many years at the Milo Schriver place in Whigville. Here it was that Mr. Barnes spent his boyhood days except when living out with farmers of Burlington and other towns. As his father was a most versatile mechanic, being a millwright and machinest, it was not strange that the son would also have mechanical ability, and at the age of 18 years, Mr. Barnes entered the employ of Elisha Manross, who conducted a small shop near where the Laporte Hubbell brick factory now stands. In 1848 he was active in the forma- tion of a company to manufacture marine clocks, the movement of which was a product of his brother's idea, Bainbridge Barnes. In company with Ebenezer Hendrick, Daniel Clark, Laporte Hubbell and his brother Bainbridge, Mr. Barnes succeeded in promoting the com- pany which for many years continued in the clock industry. After- wards Mr. Barnes sold out his interest to Messrs. Hubbell and Beach.
On February 27, 1842, Mr. Barnes was married to Miss Roxana Horton, an estimable daughter of Jared Horton of Wallingford. Of the eight children who blessed this union only two are now alive, Watson E. Barnes of Forestville and Roland D. Barnes of Bristol. Mr. and Mrs. Barnes celebrated their golden wedding in 1892 and congratula- tions were received from all the townspeople who realized that Mr. Barnes was one of those instrumental in building up Forestville.
After disposing of his interest in the clock industry, Mr. Barnes entered the real estate business for the purpose of developing and build- ing up Forestville which in the days gone by was in many localities noth- ing but a forest of white burches. His energy and foresight was eventu- ally rewarded as under his leadership houses sprang up in what was then considered isolated sections, and today in almost any part of Forest- ville houses can be pointed out that were built under the supervision of Mr. Barnes.
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As the years grew on apace, Mr. Barnes was looked upon as an authority upon local history and genealogical matter. His fine reten- tive memory and cheerful consideration of the rights of others gained him the friendship of the citizens at large, and his death at the age of 80 years and eight months was deeply deplored. Although always prominent in town affairs Mr. Barnes refused to accept any pubic office except in 1873 and 1875 when he served on the board of selectmen.
After coming to Forestville in 1836, he, with the exception of one year, 1839, spent sixty three years of his life in Forestville, which he saw grow and expand from a few settlement houses to a commodious prosperous community.
EDWARD PRINDLE WOODWARD.
Edward]Prindle Woodward, son of Asa C. Woodward, M. D., and Amanda Warner Woodward was born on February 5, 1837 in Litch- field, Conn., where his father was at the time a practicing physician. He first attended lectures in the Boston University School of Medicine, but completed his medical studies at the Yale Medical School. After graduating in 1860, he began practice in Cheshire, Conn., but a few years later removed to Bethany, where his father was then practicing. In the spring of 1868 he settled in Bristol, and there he gained the esteem and confidence of all classes, and for over thirty years had a large practice.
Upon the organization of Bristol as a borough in 1893, Dr. Wood- ward was elected the first warden and reelected the next year. This shows the esteem in which he was held, as he had not approved the change in form of government.
Dr. Woodward was a member of several lodges, Odd Fellows, Masons, Commandery and Shrine of Mystic Temple.
In the fall of 1900 he suffered a stroke of paralysis, but at length rallied sufficiently to be about the streets. He died at the home of his daughter, the wife of Dr. B. B. Robbins in Bristol, on March 19, 1904, at the age of 67 years.
He was a member of the Protestant Episcopal church. Burial was at Bethany in the family lot.
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BRISTOL, CONNECTICUT
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HERBERT N. GALE.
A native of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, where he was born April 2, 1859. When ten years of age he came here with his parents, Daniel and Lucy A. Gale, and attended the public schools. At the age of eighteen he took up the work of mechanical drafting, being employed at the office of James Shepard, Patent Solicitor, at New Britain. While there he learned the process of making blue-prints of drawings, which suggested to him the taking of photographs, which he took up, being self-taught, his first work being the making of stereoscopic views of local scenery, in partnership with W. H. Wright. From scenic photography, he took up 'portrait work, and, in 1878, in company with Elias Burwell, he opened a studio built for the purpose, on Main Street, just north of the present Masonic Temple. In two years he had prospered sufficiently to be able to buy out his partner, and became the leading photographer of the town.
Being an inventor, he introduced several improvements in the mounting of photographs, the Gale Glass Mount being a popular and profitable device. His death was hastened by an accident while taking a flash light picture of the employees of A. J. Muzzy & Co., on the evening of September 30, 1902. He was using a new flash lamp, which he was holding in one hand while preparing to flash it by blowing through a tube. W. E. Throop was operating the camera. In some manner the lamp exploded with tremendous force, shattering his hand so that the flesh hung in shreds. He was taken at once to the office of Doctor Gris- wold, where the hand was amputated above the wrist by Dr. Demarais, assisted by Dr. Robbins. He received other injuries of a less serious nature. The wounds were healing, and it was thought that he would. recover, but Bright's disease set in and he died, October 21, 1902. The picture taken at the time was developed, and is presented herewith.
Mr. Gale was an inventor of much ability, some of his inventions proving useful and their manufacture profitable. Among the number, were the following: A trolley fork for electric tramways; a bicycle bell; a compact stationary engine, something after the model of the Case engine and a band-saw joint.
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IT WAS IN TAKING THIS PHOTOGRAPH THAT MR. GALE RECEIVED THE INJURIES THAT LATER RESULTED IN HIS DEATH.
While very young, about fifteen years of age, with the assistance of Horace Campbell, a lad of about his own age, he built a working miniature locomotive and tender, which was a model of perfection in workmanship, and attracted much attention wherever exhibited. He purchased the second automobile owned in Bristol, a steam-driven car, in which he took much interest.
His wife was Lola M. Whitman, who survives him. His sister is the wife of Ex-Chief of Police, Howard G. Arms. The business has been continued by W. E. Throop the present proprietor, who, when compelled to move out of the original studio to make room for a new building, fitted up another in the second story of the Muzzy building, which was afterward moved across the street to make room for the new building of the Bristol Trust Company. It is equipped with all the modern improvements for taking portraits by night or by day.
EDWARD INGRAHAM.
Entered into partnership with his father in the clock business in 1859, and conducted the increasing business of the company until his death in 1892, with the assistance of his sons, who have increased the business and enlarged the plant materially since his death. A public- spirited man, genial and companionable, and one of the most potent agencies in developing Bristol's phenomenal prosperity, his death was greatly lamented by the entire community. The great plant of The E. Ingraham Co., is the most fitting monument that could be reared to his memory, for it speaks in unmistakable tones of his genius and business ability that developed from small beginnings so gigantic an enterprise.
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BRISTOL, CONNECTICUT
EDWARD INGRAHAM.
LESTER GOODENOUGH.
Was born in Burlington, September 18, 1820. He worked for a time at clock-making in Whigville, and then came to Bristol, in 1837, working for Chauncey Boardman, and afterward forming a partner- ship with Asahel Hooker, in the brass foundry business, which Mr. Goodenough continued after the death of his partner, in 1865. Mr. Goodenough died December 26, 1898. He was never an office seeker though he held several positions of trust, and was a quiet, reliable citizen and business man, a model of integrity, and respected by all his towns- men.
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