USA > Connecticut > Middlesex County > Middletown > Centennial address and Historical sketches > Part 9
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Although centrally located, it has, nevertheless, in its connections with the business and traveling public, been almost isolated, like a cast-off member of a family, from the rest of the State, and as little sought by in- quirers seeking to establish themselves in trade. With no means for the egress and ingress of trade, save by river navigation, and, during its close four or five months of the year, by means of teaming to some point of trans- portation, it is not strange that its business prosperity in times past should have failed to keep pace with that of sister towns. One advantage, it is true, it has pos- sessed, and still possesses to much greater extent than formerly, over most other manufacturing districts of the State,-the cheapness of freight on heavier materials for home consumption. The large number of vessels employed by the Portland quarries, (now some seventy sail,) return in ballast after discharging their cargo, con-
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MIDDLETOWN-ITS MANUFACTORIES.
sequently bring freights of all kinds on return trips at a much less price than could otherwise be afforded, and as low, if not even lower, than the same tonnage can be had at New Haven, and at quite a deduction from the cost to places reached only by railroad communication. The vantage ground thus given manufacturers of Mid- dletown, in connection with the " swift-winged " loco- motive, which now comes in to supply, in part at least the deficiency heretofore experienced during the suspen- sion of river navigation, makes it second to no other place in Connecticut as an available manufacturing lo- cality,-a fact beginning to be understood as well as put to practical use.
Notwithstanding the limited facilities, especially in winter, for forwarding goods to market, against which manufacturers have had, until quite recently, to contend, the business of Middletown is much more extensive, taken as a whole, than is generally supposed, and no small item in making up the aggregate of the manufac. turing interests of the State. Among those, who, de- spite of these minor difficulties, have profitably establish- ed themselves in various branches of wholesale manufac- ture ; successfully competing with those elsewhere and more conveniently situated ; some of whom have gained a well deserved reputation throughout the Union for the superior quality of their wares,-we find the following named ; the statistics of whose business and the kinds of goods made, have been gathered during our peregrin- ations about the place, with no small degree of care in reference to their correctness, as well as entire com- pleteness.
Commencing with the factories on the " Pameacha,'' a narrow stream which finds its way along the outskirts of the city, over a rocky bed deep buried between high
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MIDDLETOWN-ITS MANUFACTORIES.
and rugged banks, we find, first, in one factory, H. L. Baldwin, and F. Baldwin, the first making bank and store locks, and night latches, employing twelve hands ; and the latter plate and closet locks, with eight hands, each turning out their appropriate quantum of work. Following up the stream, next comes the factory of Wm. Wilcox & Co., who make a superior article of plate lock, together with a more common lock of the same pat- tern, employ twenty hands, and turn off $10,000 worth of locks per year. In another part of the same build- ing L. D. Vansands makes improved blind fasteners and saw-strainers, to the amount of $10,000 annually-and gives employment to fifteen hands. Further on stands the extensive sash and blind, flooring and planing mill," of I. W. Baldwin, who is driving a profitable business, and keeps employed some twenty-five hands ; and again, the Tweed or Jean mill of the Pamcacha Manufactur- ing Co., with its twenty operatives, and business of $20,000. Still further on, near the juncture of this and the Sanseer stream, are the works of- Wm. Stroud, where machinery, castings, iron dirt scrapers, corn shel- lers, plows, &c., &c., are made, employing in the differ- ent branches twenty hands. In the same buildings, Nel- son & Hubbard make rules, squares, and bevels ; and employ fifteen hands ; A. H. Derby also has his apart- ments for the manufacture of Britannia ware ; and F. W. Atkins, for making blind fasteners-each and all of whom, judging by the prevailing activity in their sev- eral departments, find a ready sale for their labor.
Crossing from the last named works to "South Farms," a village about fifteen minutes walk from the Post Office, we find located on the " Sanseer Stream," the three Factories of the "Russell Manufacturing Company," who have an invested capital of $100,000,
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MIDDLETOWN-ITS MANUFACTORIES.
and employ about two hundred operatives in the manu- facture of India Rubber Suspenders, cotton, and worst- ed webbing, of which they make at the present time the amount of from $150,000 to $200,000 a year. On the same stream stands the machine shop of the " Sanseer Manufacturing Company," where are made various kinds of machinery, by some sixteen workmen. This com- pany have considerable repute for the excellence and cheapness of their work ; more particularly is this true of their machinery for making fine ivory combs.
Leaving the more eastern suburbs, and retracing our steps back to the city, we are attracted when near its center by the commingled sounds of the ponderous ma- chinery performing its part of the labor in the heavy es- tablishment of W. & B. Douglas, who employ about eighty workmen, and are sending into all parts of the country their highly celebrated " Patent Metallic Pumps, and Hydraulic Rams"-articles that have gained a widely extended name for their superiority over any kind of pump, or water elevator now in use. In connection with these, they are making " Patent wrought iron Butts and Hinges " which, like their pumps and rams, are fast superseding in market other and less approved styles. These gentlemen use, of the raw material, of iron some six hundred tons, twenty tons of brass, and in working it up, three hundred tons of anthracite coal. Besides the articles above named, they also make of hardware, " wrought iron washers, well wheels, friction rolls, &c.," and a new article of "chain pump." Their entire ma- chinery is driven by a powerful and skilfully perfected engine of their own manufacture.
The Messrs. Douglas have raised themselves, increas- ing year by year to their present business standing (now from $80,000 to $100,000 per year) entirely by their
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MIDDLETOWN-ITS MANUFACTORIES.
own inventive genius, artistical skill, and the aptness of their inventions to the wants of the public. And the demand for the labor of their heads and hands, is the best evidence that their calculations were based upon no visionary and unsound theory, as to what was really need- ed to supply the deficiency hitherto experienced in find- ing a successful, convenient, and cheap mode of forcing water for the various uses to which their Pumps, Rams, and other Hydraulic machines are applied.
Next comes Jesse G. Baldwin, who is largely engaged in the silver-plating business, such as tea, table and des- sert spoons, forks, fish and butter knives, soup ladles, &c., together with the manufacture of patent wire, strengthened britannia, and common britannia spoons, wares, which, for beauty of finish, diversity of pattern, and favorable notoriety, will not suffer, we will venture to say, in comparison with anything of the kind made in the Union. It is the boast of Mr. B. that he has work- men equal in mechanical skill, in his line, to any in the country, and from the attractive appearance of the wares shown us at his packing and forwarding rooms, the boast is far from being an idle one. He employs thirty hands, and does a business of from $60,000 to $75,000 per year.
Continuing on through the city, we find Cooley & Danforth engaged in getting up the patent abdominal supporters and trusses, of Drs. Banning, Fitch, and Battle. Aside from the painful necessity of wearing these artificial props and supports, it would seem almost a pleasure to be braced up in so highly finished and beautifully wrought instruments. F. A. Hart & Co., employing about thirty operatives in making silk and cotton corset and shoe lacings, welting cord, shoulder braces, &c. Tewksbury & Tattle, turning out bevels
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MIDDLETOWN-ITS MANUFACTORIES.
and squares. H. H. Graves & Co., making a very pretty and substantial article of britannia coffee and tea urns, sugar and cream cups, lamps and candle sticks, with twelve hands. Nathaniel Bacon, a gentleman quite ex- tensively known as the maker of superior bank and safe locks. H. E. Boardman, manufacturer of gaiter boots to the amount of $12,000 per year, employing some fif- teen lands. H. & W. Johnson, making the same style of boots to the amount of $5,000 or $7,000 per year. J. K. Penfield, turning out any quantity of patent grum- mets. Penfield & Camp, are doing a business of $6,000 per year in the manufacture of Judd's medicated liquid cuticle, a substitute for sticking and court plasters in surgical operations, and for dressing wounds, a remedial agent that has only to be tried to know its intrinsic value. H. Salisbury & Co., exclusively engaged in making gold spectacles to the amount of $20,000 yearly. Gleason & Dickinson, doing perhaps a less, but the same kind of business. C. F. Smith, who has recently commenced the manufacture of sand paper. This last named com- pletes the list of wholesale manufacturers in the city.
Again leaving the city, we will spend a few moments among the factories in Upper Middletown. First in the list is that of J. & E. Stevens & Co., who are; making wardrobe, coat and hat hooks, surplice pins, door but- tons, shutter screws, toy and sad iron stands, axes, tack, shoe and other varieties of small hammers. We might thus go on in enumeration until we had reached the sum of about seventy different articles made at this establish- ment. Half a ton of iron wheels for children's toy wag- gons, is here made per week. This kind of wheel was, until a very short time since, wholly imported; now, however, those of homemake have, owing to their lesser price, and equal quality, driven the foreign make almost
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MIDDLETOWN-ITS MANUFACTORIES.
entirely out of the market. There is another interest- ing fact connected with the article of tack hammers here made, which is only another of the many instances where Yankee inventive ingenuity has triumphed over the slower movements and less fertile genius of manufac- turers across the water. These miniature hammers are made of Scotch iron, which, of course, must first be im- ported, and duties paid. A large invoice of the same was, a short time since, exported and sold in Liverpool in competition with home make, or pauper labor, at a clear advance to the shipper of twenty-five per cent. The Messrs. Stevens & Co., employ at their works for- ty hands, and do a business of from $35,000 to $40,- 000 a year. William P. Allison makes hammers of the Allison, Browns, S. F. Claw, Warner, and cast steel stamps, said to be of very desirable styles and quality, to the worth of $10,000 a year, and keeps employed twelve hands. The Messrs. Norths are manufacturing brass knob chamber or shutter bolts, brass knob barrel, flat shutter, and improved tower bolts, also steel spring square bolts and japanned lifting handles, employ ten hands, and do a business of $8,000 to 10,000. Kelsey, Wright & Co., get up a fine article of suspender buckles, to the amount of $12,000 to $15,000, and employ some twenty hands. Still further up, or at Upper Houses, Warner & Noble manufacture hammers of the same styles as those made by W. P. Allison, and do about the same amount of business.
Once more taking our "note book," we will extend observations along the " Arrowmammett" River, which rises at Durham, flows through Middletown, (Middlefield Society) and empties into the Connecticut, affording many excellent water privileges yet unoccupied, besides "those already in use. Commencing at the Reservoir,
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MIDDLETOWN-ITS MANUFACTORIES.
some five miles out of the city, is the horn button facto- ry of Alfred Bailey & Co., who are having a successful run of business. Turning our face towards the city, we successively meet in their order, the works of Mark Mil- drum & Co., where are made brass and copper wash ba- sins, coal shovels, sifters, &c. ; bone grinding mill of Andrew Coe; the Falls Manufacturing Company, at Middlefield Falls, who, with thirty operatives, make sus- pender twist, to the amount of $20,000 per year. This company have just increased the size of their mill, and are otherwise extending business. H. Aston & Co., pis- tol factory, in the employ of the United States, have fif- ty hands, and make six thousand pistols a year, worth $35,000. Blasting powder mill of D. C. Rand, with six workmen -- the powder here made is principally used at the Portland quarries. Paper mill of R. F. Brower -the style is light and heavy hardware wrapping. Carbine Factory of North & Savage, at work for the United States. This factory is not now under full blast, having just gone through thorough repairs, in anticipa- tion of an enlarged business. Factory formerly known as Starr's Pistol Factory, now occupied by William Ashton, in the manufacture of pistols, and James Tidge- well & Son, try-squares, bevels and guages. Comb factory of Buckland, Stearns & Co., who employ sixteen hands, and turn off from $25,000 to $40,000 worth of ivory combs annually. It would seem hardly possible for human skill to invent machinery to work more pre- cise, and we might say delicately, than that used at this establishment, or to find ivory combs possessing a more perfect completeness when finished, than those made by this firm. And last, though by no means least, the plane factory of Austin Baldwin. Mr. B. has been long and extensively known as a maker of joiner's
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MIDDLETOWN-ITS MANUFACTORIES.
planes, and by none better than those who have had oc- casion to experience the advantages of a good plane over a poor one. Planes of all patterns are here made to the amount of $25,000 a year, by twenty-eight workmen.
Again, in Westfield Society, a pleasant village some two miles west of the city, there is a never failing stream called " Willow Bridge Brook," having its rise in the mountains, and flowing into the Connecticut. There are several unimproved water privileges along its course, where a fall of twenty to thirty feet might be obtained with limited expense. Although it is but quite recently that attention has been turned to this stream for its manufacturing importance, there are already located here a factory owned by James O. Smith, extensively engag- ed in making Japan varnish, which has a large sale ; the various articles in the line of tin and japanned ware, which, owing to its superior quality, lias a successful competition in market with the foreign make. Mr. S. employs twenty hands, and supplies a demand for his goods to the amount of from $25,000 to $30,000 per year. A mill for weaving coach lace, with some six operatives, owned by J. B. Rose. And the factory of H. H. Graves & Co., where in addition to their works in the city, they make some $5,000 worth of Britannia ware.
As may be inferred from what we have already said, Middletown is evidently arousing herself, and shaking off the rust that has been allowed to gather and eat in- to her vitality for years past, and will soon have secured an honorable name beside the more noted manufactur- ing districts of the State. The factories herein named, located in Upper Middletown, have all risen up within five years, and other sections of the town give good evi- dence of newly infused business life. The Branch Rail-
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MIDDLETOWN-ITS MANUFACTORIES.
road to Berlin, little as it meets the actual wants of the whole community, has unquestionably assisted to add new impetus to manufacturing, as well as to other branches of home industry. One manufacturer stated to us, that he saved by it in the transportation of his wares during the close of the river, at least one dollar per day ; and, we presume, the same is true of others who have been compelled, at such time, to team their goods to a point from whence they could be taken to places of destination.
It is said that more building has been done during the past year, than in any previous year within recollection, while important projects have taken root which are calcu- lated to add very materially to the prosperity as well as attractiveness of the place. Not among the least, is the purchase and appropriate laying out, by an association of gentlemen, of ground for a cemetery. This new place of sepulture is a vast and beautiful mound, rising to an elevation of some two hundred and twenty-seven feet above the river, about one mile from the centre of the city and bears the name of Indian Hill Cemetery, its name derived, it is said from traditionary story, which makes it the place where the Red men of the forest once lighted their council fires, and where are deposited the bones and hunting implements of several noted chiefs. The mound contains some forty-five or fifty acres, tow- ers majestically above the surrounding country, and com- mands at once a most magnificent view far up the river, and overlooks the city with its busy life-ever standing like a faithful monitor to warn the thoughtless living of the fleetness of earthly existence, and to call their at- tention from worldly scenes to the solemn spot where sleep their kindred and friends. From this calm emi- nence, the grave side mourner may, from among the habi-
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tations of the dead, also catch the inspiration of full- lifed nature, and in holy adoration contemplate the good- ness and greatness of God, as displayed in his mighty works, as well as in his no less instructive bereavments. We know of no cemetery in New England more pleas- antly located, or susceptible of greater desirable improve- ments. Seven hundred lots, each containing six hundred and twenty-five square feet, have been staked off, leav- ing still ground enough for some seven or eight hundred more of like dimensions.
But to dwell on all that is indicative of the awakening of a correct public sentiment as to what is really needed to make Middletown what it should be, and what nature has designed it to be, would require too much time and space. It is enough to say that its course is, in all re- spects, if we can frame a conclusion from present eviden- ces, henceforth to be onward and upward, and that a very few years at the most will place it by the side of the most important manufacturing towns of Connecticut.
E. M. GORHAM.
MIDDLETOWN, January 22, 1851.
NOTES,
Prepared by Dr. Field to follow his address ; Indian Deed ; Origin of early settlers.
Sketches of the Towns and Socicties within the origi- nal limits of Middletown, together with the Rise of dif- ferent Denominations, their Churches and C. Officers ; Lists of Civil Officers, &c.
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(NOTE A.) Deed of the Indians to the Inhabitants of Middlefoton.
This writing made the twenty-fourth of January 1672, between Sepunnamoc, Joan, alias Weekpissick, Machize, Wesumpsha, Wamphanch, Spunno, Sachamas, Taccom- huit, proprietors of Middletown, alias Mattabesett, of the one part, and Mr. Samuel Wyllys, Capt. John Tal- cott, Mr. James Richards, and John Allyn, in behalf of the inhabitants of Middletown, on the other part, wit- nesseth, that the said Sepunnamoe, Joan, alias, Week- pissick, Machize, Wesumpsha, Wamphaneh, Spunno, Sachamas, Taccomhuit, being privy to and well acquain- ted with Sowheag, the great Sachem of Mattabesett, his gift of great part of the township of Middletown to the Honorable Mr. Hanyes formerly, and for a further and full consideration to us now granted and paid, by the said Mr. Samuel Wyllys, Capt. John Talcott, Mr. James Richards and John Allyn, have given, granted, bargained, sold and confirmed, and by these presents do fully and absolutely give, grant and confirm unto the said gentlemen, all that tract of land within these fol- lowing abutements, viz. on Wethersfield bounds on the north, on Haddam bounds on the south, and to run from the great river the whole breadth towards the east six miles, and from the great river towards the west so far as the General Court of Connecticut hath granted the bounds of Middletown shall extend ; to have and to hold
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NOTE A.
the aforementioned tract of land as it is bounded, with all the meadows, pastures, woods, underwood, stones, quarries, brooks, ponds, rivers, profits, commodities, and appurtenances whatsoever belonging thereunto, unto the said Mr. Samuel Wyllys, Capt. John Talcott, Mr. James Richards and John Allyn, in behalf and for the use of the inhabitants of the town of Middletown, their heirs and assigns forever ; always provided, there be three hundred acres of land within the township of Middle- town on the east side of Connecticut river, laid out, bounded, and recorded to be and remain the heirs of Sowheag and the Mattabesett Indians and their heirs forever ; as also one parcel of land on the west side of Connecticut river, formerly laid out to Sawsean, shall be recorded and remain to the heirs of the said Sawsean forever, any thing in this deed to the contrary notwith- standing. And the foresaid Sepunnamoe, Joan, alias Weekpissick, Machize, Wesumpsha, Wamphaneh, Spunno, Sachamas, Taccomhuit, for themselves, do cove- nant to and with the said Mr. Wyllys, Capt. Talcott, Mr. Richards and John Allyn, in behalf of the inhabi- tants of Middletown, that they the said Sepunnamoe, Joan, Machize, Wesumpsha, &c., have only full power, good right and lawful authority, to grant, bargain, sell and convey all and singular the before hereby granted, or mentioned to be granted premises, with their and every of their appurtenances, according as is above ex- pressed, unto the said Mr. Wyllys, Capt. Talcott, Mr. Richards and John Allyn, in behalf of the inhabitants of Middletown aforesaid, their heirs and assigns forever, and that they, the said inhabitants of Middletown, shall and may by force and virtue of these presents, from time to time and at all times forever, hereafter, lawfully, peaceably and quitely, have, hold, use, occupy and pos-
NOTE A.
139
sess and enjoy the aforesaid parcel of land with all its rights, members and appurtenances, and have, receive and take the rents, issues and profits thereof to their own proper use and behoof forever, without any let, suit, trouble or disturbance whatsoever of the said Sepunna- moe, Joan alias Weekpissick, Machize, Wesumpsha, Wampaneh, Spunno, Sachamas, Taccomhuit, their heirs or assigns, or of any other person or persons, claiming right, by, from or under us, or any of us, or by the means, act consent, privity or procurement, and that free and clear, and freely and clearly acquitted, exhon- erated and discharged, or otherwise well and sufficiently saved and kept harmless by the said Sepunnamoe, Joan, Machize, Wesumpsha, Wamphaneh, Spunno, Sachamas, Taccomhuit, their heirs, executors and administrators, of and from all former and other grants, gifts, bargains, sales, titles, troubles, demands, and incumbrances what- ever, had, made, committed, suffered, or done, by the said Sepunnamoe, Joan, Machize, Wesumpsha, Wamp- haneh, Spunno, Sachamas, Taccomhuit. In witness hereof they have signed, sealed and delivered this writ- ing with their own hands the day and year first above written.
Signed, sealed and de-
livered in presence of us,
Joseph Nash,
George Graves,
his
Thomas Edwards, Robert Sanford, his
Wesumpsha K mark his
his
Nessehegen K mark
Mamphaheh & mark
his
Wannoae × mark
Spunno X mark his
Tarramuggus X mark his
Sachamas X mark his
Puccacun X mark his
Tacumhuit mark his
Sachamas' her
mother mark
Sepunnamoe A mark his
Joan, alias his Weekpissick, mark
Mamachize, K mark
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NOTE A.
The original is entered in the old Court Book of Re- cords, fol 70, April 5th, 1673, per me, Jolın Allyn, Sec- retary.
Middletown, April the eighth, one thousand, six hun- dred and three, Pashama, Rashiask, Massecumb, Robin, Pewamskin, with consent of the natives, who signed and sealed the deed above written, were acknowledged to be interested in this land reserved to them therein and for themselves, their heirs and assigns, did and by these presents do give grant and confirm unto the inhabitants of Middletown their heirs and assigns, forever all their right, title, interest, in all that tract of land granted by the above written deed unto the said inhabitants of Mid- dletown fully and largely as is expressed in the above written deed, as witness our hands the day and year first above written.
Signed, sealed and deliv- Rachiask's × mark.
ered in the presence of us,
Pashunna's × mark.
Nathaniel White, Massakump's × mark.
John Hall, Robin's × mark.
Samuel Stocking, Pewampskin's × mark.
The above written is a true record of the deed of the land within the township of Middletown, from the Indian proprietors.
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