USA > Connecticut > Middlesex County > Middletown > Centennial address and Historical sketches > Part 18
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William Redfield Stocking, like the worthy man after
* 21
252
SKETCH OF UPPER MIDDLETOWN.
whom he was called, with small means, has risen to an important station. To him the Friendly Association and the Academy were blessings. About 15 years ago he went out as a teacher to Oroomiah in Persia, where he is said to have become well acquainted with the lan- guage of the country and where he has been ordained a preacher of the Gospel.
CROMWELL POST-OFFICE ESTABLISHED IN 1809.
Post Masters.
Samuel Rose, from Sept.,
1809 to Jan. 11, 1813.
Josiah Sage, from Jan. 11, 1813 to April 16, 1839.
C. N. Cannon, from April 16, 1839 to July 3, 1841.
N. Bushnell, from July 3, 1841 to Oct. 1,1845.
R. Hubbard, from Oct. 1, 1845 to May 29, 1849.
H. Stocking, from May 29, 1849.
Town Clerks in Cromwell.
Samuel G. Wilcox, elected, July 16, 1851. Lorenzo H. Treat, 66 Oct. 6, 1851.
Representatives.
Marvin R. Warner, elected in April, 1852 ..
SKETCH OF PORTLAND, More particularly of its Ecclesiastical History, of its Ship Building and Quarries.
Very considerable settlements were made in the First Society of Middletown, and in Cromwell, before any were made in Port- land. One reason for this delay probably was the danger of · attacks from the Indians, particularly in the night season, and the difficulty then of fleeing across the river to their brethren, or deriving aid from them. The first two persons who settled in Portland were James Stancliff and John Gill. The former had a house on the bank of the river at the end of Portland street about 1690, perhaps a little earlier. The latter had a house not far from him about the same time. The third settler was William Cornwall, who settled back from Portland mead- ow. Other settlers joined them from time to time and occupied various portions of the fine arable and productive lands in the western part of the township.
These were accustomed for more than 20 years to attend pub- lie worship on the western side of the river. In May, 1714. 31 persors, who were doubtless generally heads of families, peti . tioned the General Court for parish privileges. The petition was granted, and the parish was named East Middletown, a name which it retained until its incorporation with most of M.d- dle Haddam and East Hampton as a town, by the name of Chat- ham in Oet., 1767, when this parish became the first parish of Chatham, and was usually called Chatham.
The names of the petitioners were, Bariah Bacon, Shamga Barnes, John Bevin, Samuel and Nathaniel Bidwell, Thomas Bucke, William and Jacob Cornwall, Richard Sill, John Gaines, Ebenezer and Joshua Gill, Richard Goodale, sen., Richard and Ebenezer Goodale, Thomas Hale, Samuel Fall, Walter Harris, Ebenezer Hurlbut, John Miller, Job Payne, Jonathan Sleed, Na- thaniel Savage, Jonathan and Ebenezer Smith, James and Will- iam Stancliff, Joseph Warner, Joseph and Nathaniel White, and Thomas W:ight. The aggregate of their list as taken the year preceeding was £1383:09.
Other persons settled there soon after by the name of Hub- bard, Barney, Stoeking and Wilcox. Noadiah, son of Rev. Noadiah Russell of Middletown, settled about 1720, on the site now occupied by his great grandson Daniel Russell. With
254
SKETCH OF PORTLAND.
these were united Lemuel Lewis from the county of Barnsta- ble, Mass., John Penfield from Rhode Island, Joseph Blague from Saybrook, John Churchill from Wethersfield, and some others. The population and property of the parish were much increased before the incorporation of the parishes of Middle Haddam and East Hampton, the former in 1740, and the latter in 1748 Almost all the inhabitants until this time supported their families by agriculture, though long before this the' free stone of Portland excited considerable attention, and ship-building was commenced.
The people having been formed into a society they built a meeting house in 1716, 40 feet by 26. This stood upon the hill, south of the present town-house.
The church was organized Oct. 25, 1721, and consisted of 29 persons, most of whom were probably recommended from the churches in Middletown and Cromwell.
At the same time Daniel Newell, native of Bristol and gradu- ate of Yale College, 1718, was ordained their pastor. He is spoken of as a worthy man and some special attention to reli- gion among his people attended his labors. He died Sept. 14, 1731, aged 31 years.
Moses Bartlett, born in that part of Guilford, which is now Madison and graduated at Yale College in 1730, studied both theology and medicine with his distinguished father-in-law, Rev. Phineas Fisk of Haddam, became the successor of Mr. Newell, June 6, 1733, and besides discharging the duties of the minis- try, he was like his instructor, physician for the bodies of his people, and the only physician living within the limits of his pa- rish. He died Dec. 27, 1766, aged 58, and his people in respect to his memory erected a monument over his grave.
Cyprian Strong, born in Farmington, graduated at Yale Coll lege, in 1763, D. D., was ordained the successor of Mr. Bartlett, Aug. 19, 1767, and died Nov. 17,1811, aged 67 years.
Dr. Strong was highly esteemed for his good sense, his thor- ough acquaintance with theology and his uniform and blameless life. In his private relations, as a companion and friend few have been more beloved; and though as a preacher he had not that fervency of address and brilliancy of imagination which are requisite to catch the attention of the multitude for the moment, yet his sermons were distinguished for clear reasoning and sound instruction, and his prayers for appropriateness and solemnity.
Several of his occasional sermons and controversial pieces are in print, and do honor to his understanding and his heart. The principal of these are an election sermon, and two inquiries, re- specting the nature and design of christian baptism. In the midst of numerous trials he was calm and resigned. The prominent traits of his character are happily expressed upon his monument. " In morals exemplary ; in doctrine uncorrupt; in
255
SKETCH OF PORTLAND.
reasoning profound ; in declaring God's counsel perspicuous and solemn, and in death peaceful."
Eber L. Clark, native of Mansfield, graduate of William's College, 1811, was settled in Portland, Sept. 25, 1812, and dis- missed Aug. 18, 1815. He afterwards settled in the parish of Turkey Hills, in Granby, and preached, alternately to the eon- gregation in that parish, and to the convicts in the State Prison, which was then in that town. In 1820 he was settled in Winchindon, Mass., where he remained until Feb., 1835, Since June, 1838, he has been pastor of the congregational church in Richmond.
Hervey Talcott, the present pastor, born in Coventry, gradu- ated at Yale, 1810, was settled here Oct. 23, 1816.
The constituent members of the church, as just stated
were
29
Mr. Newell admitted
50
Mr. Bartlett,
114
Dr. Strong,
193
Mr. Clark,
24
Mr, Talcott has admitted
207
Total of members,
617
The number of members, Jan. 1, 1852, was 82.
Deacons of the Church.
Elected. Dred.
Agc.
Samuel Hall, - Nov. 9, 1721. | March 6, 1740. John Gaines, July 27, 1748. 72
76
Joseph White, Esq.,
Jan. 22, 1724.
Dee. 11, 1770.
82
David Sage, Esq.,
Dec. 15, 1748. April 21, 1768.
Nov. 25, 1803. July 29, 1817. 90 70
85
Dr Moses Bartlett,
Oet. 27,1791. do do
March 3, 1810.
Jonathan Brown,
June 25, 1795. March 15, 1810.
March 9, 1826. Oct. 24, 1850.
77
Daniel Shepherd, Esq.,
Joel Strickland,
Nov. 2, 1821. Nov. 2, 1821.
Dismissed, 1851. 66
Dr. G H. Gilbert,
Franklin Payne, do
Feb. 7, 1851. do
On the first Sabbath in Jan., 1852, the Rev. Mr. Talcott stat- ed to his congregation that since he came to Portland he had been called to officiate at the interment of 326 persons, that three of these were said to be 100 years old or more, one, 105- that thirteen were over 90-eighty-three over 70-one hundred and twenty-five under 20, and ninety-four, under 5.
The Congregational Society has the following funds for the support of the gospel, $8,428 77, with lands in addition, valued at $250.
The congregation for the last ten years has contributed for publie benevolent objeets, taking one year with another, about $150 annually. The largest amount ever contributed in a year is $184,03.
97
Job H. Payne,
Became Epis.
Hezekiah Goodrich, Esq.,
Ebenezer White, Esq.,
256
SKETCII OF PORTLAND.
The second meeting-house was built in 1750, 56 feet by 42, and placed north-east of the site of the first meeting-house. In this the congregation met much longer than they would have done, had it not been for a difference of opinion among the members of the Society, as to the most suitable place for build- ing a third honse for public worship. A new house however, was built in 1850, a short distance west from the second house, and dedicated on the 18th of December in that year. This is of brick, 70 feet by 39, and cost $6,200 ; the site, bell, furniture and other accommodations $1,450 more; total, $7.650,
Central Church ..
About the time that the meeting-house, just spoken of was begun, a portion of the Society, dissatisfied with the sitc, in connection with others, began the building of another meeting- house, a short distance eastward from the site of the second meeting-house. This is of wood, 60 teet by 40, and cost $4,000.
On application, thirty-cight members of the old church were dismissed in Feb, 1851, that they might be organized into a new church. They and another individual, were thus organiz- ed, Jan. 30, 1851, and on the same day, their meeting-house was dedicated. They take the name of the Central Church, and, since their organization, have received twenty-nine members.
Joel Strickland and Job H. Payne, who had been deacons in the old church, and were included in the number dismissed from it, wore re-elected deacons of the new church, Sept. 5, 1851.
Rev. S. G. W. T. Rankin, who was engaged to preach to the congregation before the organization of the church and the dedication of their meeting-house, still supplies them. He re- ceived his classical education at Ripley College, Ripley, Ohio, and his Theological, at the Lane Seminary.
The number of members in the church January 1, 1852, was seventy-eight.
The Episcopal Church.
The following account is furnished by Rev. Mr. Emory, the present Rector.
A Church, "according to the order of the church of Eng- land," was organized in the first Ecclesiastical Society of Chat- ham, on the 17th of April, 1789, and immediately placed under the pastoral charge of the Rev. Abraham Jarvis, then Rector of Christ Church, Middletown. The Church consisted of fourteen families ; and divine service was held and the ordinances admin- istered in private houses, till their church edifice was completed
257
SKETCH OF PORTLAND.
some time in 1790. Before this time thirty-four families con- nected themselves with the church, making the number about fitty.
On the 24th of June 1789, ten adults and eighty-one children were baptized.
The church remained under the charge of the Rev. Abraham Jarvis, till Easter 1791. From 1791, till Easter 1793, the Rev. Tillotson Bronson was the minister, when Abraham Jarvis again took charge of the church and continued to have the charge, until April, 1796. From 1796 till 1820, this church, with the church in Glastenbury, and the church in Middle Haddam, composed one cure, and the Rev. Smith Miles was the minister. From 1820 to 1828, Mr. Miles confined his services to this church alone. He died Feb. 3d, 1830, aged 64 years. On the 7th of June, 1829, the Rev. William Jarvis was chosen Rector, and continued so till Easter, 1837, when in consequence of the loss of his voice he resigned the charge of the parish, and the Rev. Samuel M. Emory, was chosen Rector, having been the Rev. Mr. Jarvis' assistant for the year and a half previous.
In January, 1832, a new church edifice of stone was comple- ted, and was consecrated by the Rt. Rev. Thomas C. Brownell, Bishop of the diocese of Connecticut, on the 15th of May, in that year, with the title of Trinity Church .* The old church edifice was afterwards presented to the town of Portland as a town house. +
The annual average number of communicants, for the last twenty years is 99. The whole number of baptisms since the church was organized has been 1890; the whole number of deaths 420.
The amount of available funds. the interest of which goes to the support of the church, is $6,000; the average annual collec- tion for missionary purposes in the last twenty years has been $645 49.
Former Baptists in Portland.
A Baptist Church was formed in the northeast extremity of this place, in 1783, which received a part of its members from Glastenbury. This many years since was dissolved.
Several years since a Methodist Episcopal Society was formed in the north part of Portland, toward Glastonbury, where they have a small church edifice and where they still hold meetings.
Measures are already taken by the same denomination, for
* This is 70 feet by 48, and cost $8,000.
t This is of wood, 50 feet by 36.
258
SKETCH OF PORTLAND.
the erection of a new church edifice, on Portland street, nearly opposite the Episcopal Church, and money raised to pay the expense.
PHYSICIANS IN PORTLAND.
In the Address it is stated that the Rev. Moses Bartlett, the first minister of Portland, studied both theology and medicine with his father-in-law, Rev. Phineas Fisk of Haddam. He ap- pears te have been the first physician in Portland as well as the first minister.
Moses Bartlett, Jun., graduated at Yale in 1763, studied medi- cine with Dr. Benjamin Gale of Killingworth, now Clinton. He doubtless entered upon practice before his father's death in 1766 and survived him more than forty years. He was a deacon in the church. Another son of Rev. Moses Bartlett, Phineas Bartlett, also studied medicine with Dr. Gale and was a physi- cian in Ashfield, Mass.
Thomas Wells, acted as a surveyor as well as a physician .- Ile died in 1790 aged 40 years.
Elisna Phelps came from Colebrook or vicinity, to Portland as early as 1783 or 4, and practised there until about 1792, when he removed to Hanover or near there, in New Hampshire, where he died in 1819.
Isaac Smith. See onward.
Isaac Conkling. See Middletown physicians.
Newell Smith, was born in Middle Haddam, studied medicine with Dr. John Richmond, of East Hampton, practiced 25 years in Otsego and Oneida counties, N. Y. afterwards 10 years in Portland , where he died Jan. 28, 1844 aged 60.
George O. Jarvis, native of New Canaan, received his profes- sional education in the medical department of Yale College, practiced 5 years in Torringford, 18 in Colebrook and has prac- ticed in Portland since 1840, received the degree of M. D. from Yale College in 1846.
Gershom C. H. Gilbert, native of Mansfield, received his pro- fessional education also in the medical department of Yale Col- lege and commenced practice in 1844.
Stephen A. Fuller, from Vershire, Vt. came to East Haddam, a few years since, and more recently has come to this place.
Henry Everlin Cook, a native of this place, who studied with Dr. Sperry, of New London, commenced practice as a Thomso. nian physician here about 1835, where he remained about three years, and then removed to Moodus in East Haddam.
Dr. Isaac Smith, whose name appears in the preceding list, was the son of Dea. Isaac Smith of East Hampton. He studied medicine with Dr. William B. Hall of Middletown, and com- menced practice in North Killingworth, now the town of Kil-
259
SKETCH OF PORTLAND.
lingworth. Having spent a few years there, he removed to Portland, where he practiced until his death, a period of 39 years.
A memoir of him was prepared by his neighbor and friend, the late Dr. Thomas Minor of Middletown, which is published in "Williams' American Medical Biography."
The surviving acquaintances and friends of Dr. Smith will be gratified by reading the following paragraphs :
" In his deportment and intercourse with the members of his profession, he was always open, candid, frank and hospitable ; with the sick, upright, beloved, kind, attentive, sympathizing, always ready to sacrifice his comfort, ease and happiness for the good of his patient. His practice was plain and well adapted to the case, and his native judgment and long experience gave him a claim to confidence which was rarely disappointed. He was a regular attendant upon divine service and a communicant of the Congregational church, always appearing to rejoice in christian privileges and duties .??
" Though the friends of the deceased wish not for the lan- guage of panygeric, nor do we claim for him the more distin- guished talents, or that he was pre eminently skilful in all the diseases to which a community is incident, yet he possessed, in an eminent degree, the key to the fine sensibilities of the soul, and knew the sympathies and idiosyr. cracies of his subjects and would more readily address his conversation and adapt his pre- scription, in their case, than now can any other.
"The disease which caused his death was a fever, but so mild in its early stages that he was not prevented, but with few exceptions, from attending to his professional duties, but about a week before his death. During that week his sufferings were great, and yet he was seldom heard to complain. "With strong reliance upon the Saviour, and his soul firmly stayed on God, he bade adieu to his family his friends and the world on the night of the 19th of Dec. 1839, aged 67 years, in the full hope of an immortality beyond the grave."
LAWYERS IN PORTLAND.
Oliver Overton, son of Gen'l. Seth Overton, studied law with Judge Hosmer, commenced practice as soon as 1812, practised in Portland only one or two years, moved to Cherry-Valley, N. Y., and thence to Belfonte, or Belfontaine, Ohio, where he died, in 1825. aged 38 years.
Alfred Hall. See Middletown.
22
260
SKETCH OF PORTLAND.
GRADUATES FROM PORTLAND, In addition to those mentioned in the Address.
Elihu Bartlett was a son of the Rev. Moses Bartlett, and graduated at Yale in 1764. Ile would probably have studied theology had his health permitted, but was feeble several years. He settled in East-Guilford, now Madison, where he died in 1779, aged about 36 years.
William Payne. graduate of Trinity College, 1834, Tutor, a elergyman in Litchfield, now in Schenectady, N. Y.
Daniel Shepherd, g. aduate of Trinity. 1836, clergyman and teacher in Delhi, N. Y .. where he died, Sept. 29, 1846.
Nathaniel Ogilvie Cornwell, Trinity, 1839, a teacher and phy- sieian in South America.
Frederick Hall, graduate of Yale, 1841, merchant.
Richard Hurt Jarvis, Trinity, 1848, studied law in New Haven and New York, and is now a practitioner in the latter city.
The question has been raised, whether Rov. Joseph Washburn was not a native of Portland. See list of Middletown graduates.
I have already had occasion to advert to the Quarrying busi- ness and the Ship-building of this town. The quarrying busi- ness has excited more or less attention from nearly or quite the time of the first settlement of Middletown, as will be shown hereafter. But for some time before the incorporation of East Middletown with most of Middle Haddam and East Hampton, as a town, ship-building was a more engrossing concern in East Middletown, and was also pursued at Middle Haddam Landing. Hence the town was called Chatham from the importance of its ship-building, in allusion to Chatham in England. The name appeared more and more appropriate for years after it was given than before.
The first vessel built in Portland was launched in Oct., 1741. This was a schooner of 90 tons, built, as is supposed, at Lewis' Yard, where very many vessels have been built since that period. Besides merchant vessels, the following ships of war and priva - teers have been built in Portland at different places :
The Trumbull and Bourbon were built during the Revolution near the quarries, the former of 700 tuns, 36 guns; the latter of 900 tuns, and intended to carry 40 guns, but not armed on ae- count of the occurrence of peace. The Connecticut was built at Stevens' Wharf, in 1798 and 9, of 514 tuns, 20 guns. Ship. building was begun at Churchill's Yard in 1795, and at this yard the armed vessels and privateers about to be named were built. The Holker was built in 1813, 350 tuns, 18 guns. This was driven on shore by the English at Narragansett. and lost. Another vessel of the same name was built in 1814, of 400 tuns,
261
SKETCH OF PORTLAND.
20 guns. This was cast away in a storm on the coast of Long Island. The Macedonian was built the same year, of the same tonnage and form. The Saranac and the Boxer were built in 1815, the former 373 tuns and the latter of 367, each 16 guns. The three first of the above vessels, the Trumbull, Bourbon and the Connecticut, and the two last were built for the United State». In Church.Il's yard 12,500 tuns of shipping were built between the beginning of 1806 and the close of 1816. No res- sels of war have been built in Portland since 1815. nor vessels of any kind to an equal amount of tunnage as before. Still there have been built since then 1044 vessels, 35 by Elizur Athey from 75 to 300 tuns and 69 by S. Gildersleeve from 75 to 700 tuns.
In the autumn of 1836, William and Joseph J. Hendley and Alexander Keith, of Middletown. and S. Gildersleeve of Portland built the schooner called the " William Bryan," which was the first vessel that ever sailed as a regular packet from New York to Texas. From that vessel has arisen the New York and Gal- veston line which now consists of five ships and two barques. The ships have all been built in Portland since 1847, the largest of which 700 tuns. They are called after the Texan patriots, Stephen F. Austin, Benjamin R. Milam, William B. Travis, James 11. Fanning and William H. Wharton.
Ship building as well as the quarrying business has employed many hands and sustained many families; and both have stimu- lated husbandry. In these three great branches of industry most of the inhabitants are now occupied, though more arc en- gaged in merchandise than formerly.
In 1814 or about that time, there were but two merchant stores in Portland, and the people then and many years after- ward resorted mainly to the city of Middletown for dry goods. The same is done to a great extent now. But as the quarrying business has vastly increased within a few years, stores have been increased in number and furnished with a greater variety and amount of articles. The number of stores is 8, all dealing in groceries and some in dry goods.
There is also in the town s me increase of manufactures. About 1834 Mr. Gilbert Griswold began the manufacture of gold and silver spectacles and employed 3 or 4 hands. He is now engaged principally in making gold spectacles, and also deals in various articles such as watches, clocks, jewelry, cutlery and small arms. Within a few years a cabinet shop has been established, there is a wagon shop, and a number of other shops have been opened in which such articles as are most needed by the inhabitants are either prepared, or procured elsewhere, and kept on hand for sale.
And now let us turn our attention more particularly to the great and increasing business of the quarries.
The first quarry in Portland was opened where the stone origi- nally rose high and hung shelving over the river; or rather
262
SKETCH OF PORTLAND.
perhaps for a time such stone only were taken as had been bro- ken off from the cliffs by the action of the atmosphere and were thrown about the banks. They were sought soon after Middle- town began to be settled, for building and for grave-stones. Thus they were sought not only by the inhabitants, but by per- sons from other places. Soon they began to be dug and raised possibly from the earth around, into which they had fallen, or in which they had been buried by the action of the waters of the river in times of freshet. Strangers thus got them as com- mon property, it would seem, without leave from any one and without giving any thing as an equivalent. This is evident from a resolve of the Town passed in 1665, "that no one should dig or raise stones, at the Rocks, on the east side of the river, but an inhabitant of the Town, and that twelve pence should be- paid to the town, for every ton of stone taken." As early as this they were carried away to other places in scows or some kind of water craft. By several subsequent resolves they appear to have been regarded as valuable and considerably sought, as is attes- ted too by ancient tombstones, and building stones found in va- rious towns. How soon the high and shelving rocks were re- moved and efforts made to procure stone further from the river and below the surface of the ground it may be impracticable to ascertain at the present time. The Quarry thus began was at length disposed of by the town and passed through various hands, among whom the names of Shaler & Hall are conspicu- ous. They pursued the business vigorously, secured a hand- some profit and after them the quarry was long called, the " Shaler & Hall Quarry." In this, in some places there were but about five feet of carth necessary to be removed to uncover good stone, while in other places there were four or five feet of shelly rock below the earth. In this quarry for several years, between 1810 and 20, thirty hands were employed eight months in the year, and from four to six teams. The quantity of stone prepared for market and sold to the inhabitants of thisand neigh- boring towns, and exported to distant parts of the country was then regarded as very great, though small in comparison with what is now prepared.
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