USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Southington > Ecclesiastical and other sketches of Southington, Conn > Part 46
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
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 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89
Same, carriage step.
Dec. 12th, 1871.
Same, die for making carriage steps.
Jan. 3d, 1871. ROBERT R. MILLER, method of forming body-loops for carriages.
June 27th, 1871. Same, body-loop.
June 13th, 1871. ALFRED MERRIMAN, assignor to self, and FREEMAN CARLTON, mollers' flask.
June 27th, 1871. WILSON W. KNOWLES, die for forming carriage clips.
July 18th, 1871. Same, body-loops for carriages.
June 27th, 1871. WILSON W. KNOWLES and LEROY S. WHITE, die for forming carriage clips.
June 20th, 1871. JAMES B. CLARK, Plantsville, apparatus for heating bolt blanks.
June 20th, 1871. HENRY M. BEECHER, die for forming carriage shackles.
Sept. 12th, 1871. Same, carriage clip blank and die for making the same.
Oet. 3d, 1871. FRANKLIN B. PRINDLE, assignor } to John Deeble, die for clip king bolt.
May 9th, 1871. GEORGE H. FULLER assignor to self, and A. J. FULLER, Union- ville, ROSWELL A. NEALE, and AMZI P. PLANT, nut machine.
Jan. 2d, 1872. WILLIAM C. DOOLITTLE, adjustable umbrella holder for carriages.
Jan. 2d, 1872. HENRY M. BEECHER, spring clip and plate for carriages.
Jan. 30th, 1872. Same, manufacture of carriage spring clips.
Apr. 30th, 1872. Same, die for forging carriage shackle eyes.
Jan. 16th, 1872. JAMES B. CLARK, machine for upsetting bolt blanks.
Jan. 30th, 1872. Same, dies for heading bolts.
Jan. 9th, 1872. F. B. MORSE, assignor to H. D. Smith & Co., axle boxes for carriages.
Apr. 16th, 1872. Same, dies for forming felloe plates.
July 2d, 1872. Same, felloe plate.
May 14th, 1872. Same, die for forming blanks for carriage elips.
Dec. 10th, 1872. WM. S WARD, assignor to H. D. Smith & Co., machine for forming carriage elips.
Feb. 28th, 1872. Jos. W. SHEPARD, slat irons for carriage tops.
Feb. 20th, 1872. Same, dies for making perch irons.
July 16th, 1872. HENRY LUDECKE, fire proof safes.
July 9th, 1872. LUCAS C. CLARK, dies for making felloe plates.
Feb. 20th, 1872. Same, whip socket.
Apr. 23d, 1872. JAMES F. BREWER, pie-tongs.
Aug. 6th, 1872. JOHN P. PULTZ, assignor to self, and L. V. WALKLY, tags.
431
HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.
Apr. 2d, 1872. O. W. Srow and AUGUSTUS BARNES, assignors to Peck, Stow & Wilcox Co., candle snuffers ; re-issue.
Dec. 14th, 1872. JULIUS B. SAVAGE, extension machine for making nuts.
Nov. 4th, 1873. JOHN DEEBLE, assignor } to Atwater Mfg. Co., king bolt for vehicles.
May 13th, 1873. WILSON W. KNOWLES, shaft irons for carriages.
July Ist, 1873. HENRY SMITH, wire ganges.
July Ist, 1873. Same, assignor to Peck, Stow & Wilcox Co., stove-pipe thimbles.
May 6th, 1873. PERLEY M. LOWE, assignor to self and E. W. DOOLITTLE, die for forging stay ends.
Dec. 16th, 1873. JOHN DEEBLE, assignor 2 to Atwater Mfg. Co., die for forming ox shoes.
Feb. 18th, 1873. WM. S. WARD, assignor to H. D. Smith & Co., tools for milling carriage shaft eyes.
Feb. 11th, 1873. ROBT. R. MILLER, assignor to self, and J. B. SAVAGE, Inar- tingale.
March 18th, 1873. EBENEZER H. PLANT, die for making carriage bolts.
April 1st, 1873. WM. S. WARD, assignor to Il. D. Smith & Co., machine for forming clips.
May 27th, 1873. ROBERT R. MILLER, dies for swaging carriage clips.
June 17th, 1873. HENRY M. BEECHER, assignor to Beccher Mfg. Co., clip king bolts and plate.
Ang. 12th, 1873. Same, mode of making axle clips.
Dec. 23d, 1873. AMOS SHEPARD, drawer pull, design.
Nov. 4th, 1873. ORSON W. STow, paper bags.
Dec. 23d, 1873. CHAS. W. BLAKESLEE, tack puller.
June 3d, 1873. ROBERT DODS, whip socket attachment.
The file in the case of Amos D. Allen being destroyed, there is no way of determin- ing what township he is from.
Feb. 28th, 1874. ORSON W. STow, extension, machine for bending sheet metal.
Mar. 17th, 1874. FRANKLIN B. PRINDLE, bolt heading machine.
Apr. 7th, 1874. GEORGE F. SMITH, thill coupling.
Apr. 7th, 1874. H. D. SMITH & Co., assignor of F. B. Morse, (re-issne) die for swaging carriage clips.
June 23d, 1874. GEO. F. SMITH, assignor to H. D. Smith & Co., design for car- riage clips.
July 21st, 1874. CHAS. A. CADWELL, printing press
Aug. 11th, 1874. JOHN NORTH, direct acting steam pumps.
Sept. 15th, 1874. WM. S. WARD, assignor to H. D. Smith & Co., re-issue, ces for making axle boxes.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
EDUCATION AND SCHOOLS.
Colonial Schools; Early Grants ; First Schools of Southington ; Teachers ; Select School in 1813; Mr. Robinson's Effort; Mr. Ogden's interest in Schools; Miss Delia Bacon ; School in the Old Baptist Church; Tribute to Mr. Olney ; "Sally Lewis' Fund;" Lewis Academy ; Sketch of Addin Lewis ; His Will; Groundless Charge of Bigotry; Explanation of the Clause; Decision of the Courts; First Trustees ; Building Erected ; Teachers, John B. Woodford, M. K. Booth, Elias B. Hillard, E. D. Morris, N. S. Manross, Stephen Fenn, Gny B. Day, E. J. Avery, Simeon T. Frost, Cornelius Hedges, W. R. Walkley; Libraries.
THE "fathers" in Connecticut, as in Massachusetts, from the first encouraged, and laid the foundations of a substantial education. In the latter state, it was enjoined (1642) by the General Court, that town authorities " have a vigilant eye over their brethren and neigh- bors, to see, first, that none of them shall suffer so much barbarism in any of their families as not to endeavor to teach, by themselves or others, their children and apprentices so much learning as may enable them perfectly to read the English tongue, and obtain a knowledge of the capital laws &c." And in case parents and guardians neglected such duties, the proper authorities could remove the child or appren- tice to such place as would offer these advantages. And in 1647, it was enacted there should be at least one school to every fifty house. holders. In Connecticut, a similar attention was given the subject. Hartford in 1642, voted "thirty pounds a year to the town school:" and other ancient towns show like action. This whole subject was left to the voluntary action of the towns until 1644, when the General Court enacted, that there should be, for every fifty householders, a teacher appointed; and when there were an hundred households, a Grammar school should be "set up." By Act of 1750, towns where there was but one ecclesiastical society, were compelled to keep a good school one half of the year, and taxes were levied for this ex- pense. In 1792, the sum of $1,200,000 was realized from the sale of Ohio lands owned by the State of Connecticut; which large sum was invested, and the income therefrom was to be appropriated for "the support of schools in the several societies constituted, or to be con- stituted according to law." In 1798, "school societies " were consti-
433
HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.
tuted, and were regulated by the same laws as had governed ecclesias- tical societies or towns, and the limits of school societies might or might not be the same as of the towns, according to the convenience of the people.
Before this law of 1798 was passed, the schools of this town had been exclusively controlled by the Congregational society.
The first school-house in the parish1 is supposed to be that which was situated in the Flanders district, south of where Edwin Woodruff now lives, and on the site of the barn now owned by Arthur Gridley. As the population stretched from the north part of the town, through Flanders, and down to Clark Farms, this situation was perhaps as convenient for all the families as any.
The second school-house was probably that situated in the lot just north of Mr. Reuben Jones, and in the north-east corner. This was burned 2 down about 1765, when the site was selected a half-mile north.
The North Centre (the 11th now called) embraced until within a few years, what is now called the 1st district. The organization dates back to about the time Mr. Chapman came here (1757). The build- ing, recently changed into a dwelling, covered the site of the original school-house, or nearly so; the site was changed this year (1875) and the present commodious building occupied.
At the South End, the original building stood several rods east from the present. It was taken down at the close of the last century,3 and is supposed to have stood there about forty years. This would make the date of the first building about 1760.
The school-house on East street, originally stood near the Truman Barnes place, on Pudding Hill.
The first school building in the south west part of the town, was near Clark's Mills, and about seventy rods north of the present home of Mr. Carmi Johnson near the old cider mill; and when torn down, about eighty years ago, was removed to the Corner (Plantsville) near the bridge.
The Northwest district had its origin probably about 1760. That street was early settled and quite numerously, and passed its meridian
1 So thinks Mr. Gad Andrus.
" The mother of Mr. Artemas Gridley attended school here, and had a new spelling- book or primer burned with the building. She often spoke of her sense of " loss," when she learned of the event.
3 The town voted, Dec. 31, 1792, " that the South west district [ an error of record- should read South east, as description shows, ] be allowed to erect a school-house on the top of the hill, on the west side of the highway northeasterly from the dwelling honse of James Root." This James Root lived at South End, a little below the present school-house.
55
434
HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.
during the Revolutionary war. In 1780 a committee was appointed by the parish to visit this district and investigate some local troubles.
On an old map of 1786, a school, or school-house, is indicated on the "little plain," near or at the house of Rev. John Merriman. Tradition tells of a school there in a private house. Afterwards a building was put up on French Hill, and subsequently removed to about where the Marion school-house now stands.
The Mt. Vernon district is of more recent origin ; and it is within easy memory when the Central district was divided and became two.
In all of these old buildings " school was kept " only a part of the year; generally from October to April. After Mr. Robinson came here, a " summer school " was opened, and one quarter of the public money was voted for it. This met with violent opposition. It was " too much education " for the people of that generation. In 1799, (Apr. 9,) Mr. Robinson offered to pay "one month's wages of the teacher," and "Samuel Andrus and Isaac Lewis. each a } month's wages," if they could be exempted from taxes. The offer was ac- cepted, and the following summer there was a school for five months. For the summer, a woman was usually engaged, who, besides her "dollar a week " for teaching, had "six shillings per week " allowed for board.
At various times the schools were taught by some of the more sprightly and aspiring young men of the town, who, after a " winter's" experience here, would pass over into N. Y. State and engage in the same work. But there were here, as teachers, several who afterward became distinguished men. Levi Hart, D.D., of Preston. Rev. Levi Lankton, Rev. Gad Newell, Rev. Giles H. Cowles, Rev. Asahel Hook- er, Rev. Ebenezer Porter, D.D., Prof. in Andover Seminary, Rev. R. H. Neale, D.D., William A. Alcott, and others, taught in the town. Dr. Porter taught two winters at the Centre. Mr. Alcott taught at Marion. Besides these, were Chester and Asaph Whittlesey-remem- bered as furnishing a strange contrast of tact and disposition-the former very severe, and the latter very mild; but both good teachers. Rev. Fosdick Harrison taught while pursuing his studies with Mr. Robinson. Hon. Charles C. Langdon of Mobile. Ala., taught in two of the districts; Hon. Judge Upson of Michigan, and his brother Rev. Josiah Upson; Deacon Theophilus Clark, Stephen Walkley, Roswell Moore, and others, tried their hand at this profession. And among the most successful and accomplished, was Miss Paulina Beech- er, now Mrs. Batterman of Boston.
In the beginning of this century, Mr. Robinson, feeling that the youth of his congregation needed a higher order of training than the common schools furnished, began to move in the matter of a
435
HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.
select school. This movement resulted, in 1813, in an organization consisting of about thirty citizens of the place, called the Grammar School Society. A constitution was adopted, and the purpose of erecting a building executed. Mr. Robinson led the subscription list, and a sum necessary for the purpose was raised. The site selected was that now covered by the first two-story house a few rods north of the Town Hall, and a suitable building put up. The upper rooms were to be used for school purposes, and the lower, as a "Sabba-day1 house " for the proprietors. The first teacher was a Mr. G. Wells, and the second Alpheus Brockett. How long this school continued is not known, but in a few years the building was sold and removed, to give way for the present dwelling.
Several attempts were afterward made to have a select school, with only partial success. Mr. Ogden again agitated the matter in 1826, and as a result, Miss Delia Bacon,? since widely known in the literary world, was secured. The room she occupied was in a building stand- ing where the Baptist church now is. She remained a year or two, and was highly esteemed.
From 1825 to 1829 a private school was taught in the house where William Wilcox now lives, by Cephas Johnson, and then by Josephus Hitchcock.
In 1833, the old Baptist meeting-house, standing on the hill where Mrs. Helen Finch lives, had been abandoned for church purposes, and this was fitted up for a select school. A few years later the lecture room, that stood on the present site of the Town Hall, was used for a school. Here George Richards (afterward Rev. Dr. Richards of Boston and Bridgeport), Henry D. Smith, Edward G. Gould, and R. L. Stan- ton taught.
It would be doing injustice to one of the most earnest patrons of education in this town, were the name of Jesse Olney omitted. He came here to live in 1829, and immediately entered into close and effective co-operation with Mr. Ogden in school management. Both public and private schools were tenderly fostered by him.
An educator himself, and author of numerous text-books, he was an important ally in this work. To him and Mr. Ogden, more than to all others of that time, is this town indebted for school improvement.
THE SALLY LEWIS FUND.
It was while Mr. Ogden and others were pressing the matter of popular education, that Miss Sally Lewis, in 1828, made a provision in
1 At this time the ordinary Sabba-day houses had fallen into decay.
2 Sister of Rev. Dr. Bacon of New Haven.
436
HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.
her will in this behalf. After making various bequests, she thus proceeds :
"And all the rest and residue of my estate, both real and personal, I give to my executors hereinafter named, whom I appoint Trustees to have my estate in trust with power to sell the same if they shall judge best, to hold the whole in trust and to apply the rents, interest or income thereof to assist in maintaining a school of the higher order within the limits of the First School District in Southington forever, that is a school for the instruction of youth in the Latin and Greek languages, Mathematics, Geography, and other branches of science higher than are taught in the common schools, under the direction and management of my executors, and such other persons as may be appointed to execute the trust herein reposed in them."
But keeping in mind the possibility that her purpose might be frustrated by neglect or design, she adds this conditional clause:
" Provided however if the said trustees shall at any time for the term of two years together neglect to appropriate the arails of my property according tothis my will as herein provided for the support of u school, I give the same to the Congregational Society in South- ington for the support of the gospel ministry; that is, I direct the same to be kept at interest, or placed so that the rent, interest, or avails thereof may be annually appro- priated toward the support of the gospel ministry in said society forever."
The provisions of the will were carried out, and a school of a high order was opened, but subsequently the avails of the fund were given to Lewis Academy, since the intent of the testator would be as truly met.
Sally Lewis1 died in 1840, and her will was admitted to Probate Jan. 4, 1841. The property was settled, and the residuary sum was placed in the hands of trustees May 28, 1842, amounting to $3,579.62. As some of the securities were of no value, the absolute sum was $3,040.76. The first trustees were Rev. E. C. Jones, Romeo Lowrey, and Oliver Lewis. Later trustees have been Dr. J. S. Barnes, F. D. Whittlesey, Lucas Upson, Samuel Pratt, and others. For a num- ber of years the fund vascillated, first gaining and then losing in value. In 1849 it had diminished to the amount of $240. In 1854 it had regained its original value, but in 1857, it had diminished $700, and in 1860 about $800. At this date (1875) the amount is nominally $2,390.
After several years the condition by which the fund was to be used for the support of a school was violated-two years having elapsed before the income was applied for. Complaint has been made because it was received by the Congregational Society, and is now used by it. But the fault lies in the trustees who neglected their duty at the time. If the fund should be relinquished by the Ecclesiastical Society, it would not revert to its original use, but fall back under the law providing for such trusts as are forfeited.
3 See name Lewis, in Genealogies, for u sketch of her.
437
HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.
LEWIS ACADEMY.
The history of Lewis Academy is so recent that it might seem need- less to give it at length, but the origin and conditions of the fund that built and supports it are often misunderstood. That the facts may be accessible to all, and in order to excite a deeper interest in the institu- tion, quite a full account of its history will be given. But in this connection a sketch of the life of the founder and munificient donor will be in place.
ADDIN LEWIS was the son of Capt. Nathaniel and Sarah (Gridley) Lewis, and was born Jan. 4, 1780, in that part of Southington that is now the eastern part of Wolcott. His youth was spent with his father upon the farm. It is supposed that he pursued his preparatory studies under the direction of Rev. Israel B. Woodward, pastor of the Wolcott church. Mr. Woodward was much interested in the education of youth, and prepared several for college. It is not known that Mr. Lewis attended school out of the bounds of his native district. At the age of nineteen he entered Yale College, and graduated with that rank in scholarship, in 1803, that he was recommended by President Dwight for a position in the University of Georgia as Tutor. He continued here, teaching in several departments, for about ten years. The influence he exerted and the name he had secured, are exhibited in the fact that he was appointed Collector of the Port of Mobile without his solicitation. It was a most responsible and delicate position for any man, for at that time this section of the south was in a disturbed con- dition. Neither the size of the place nor emoluments of the office could offer inducements for him to remove thither, but as a government office, it was at that time among the most important. It required a mind well balanced, discriminating, and decided. These 1 traits Mr. Lewis had, and withal, the intelligence and gentlemanly bearing becom- ing the place. Entering upon his duties, he found that the office would require the utmost patience and prudence. He started out with thorough system, and adhered to it strictly. As the city grew, his responsibilities increased, for as the chief government officer he was naturally consulted on all important questions. He was made Post Master, an office in those days of far more importance and influence than now. The people elected him Mayor, and he was also the
1 An anecdote of his decision is related (of its truthfulness I know nothing) ; that Gen. Jackson ordered the city through its Mayor to supply a certain amount of stores for his army. Mr. Lewis, doubtful of his anthority and of the rightfulness of the requisition, at once declined. Gen. Jackson sent him word "Tell the Mayor, if he does not send on the supplies at once I will hang him higher than Haman." The supplies were sent.
438
HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.
President of a Bank. As the years passed, he had become identified with every public interest of Mobile and the region of which it was the metropolis. One,' writing of his character and reputation in that city now, says that most justly is he called "The Father of Mobile." On good authority we have it that " making money " was not with him an end, but his investments proved safe and profitable, so that in a few years he had quite a fortune. Wearied of public service, and suffering somewhat in health, he decided to retire to private life. When he finally left Mobile as a place of abode, he received flattering public testimonials of the esteem in which he was held. For a few years he spent his summers in his native State, and his winters at the south. But finally becoming a good deal deaf, and also warned that he was incurably affected with consumption, he selected New Haven as his home, and here spent the remainder of his days. He died April 7, 1842.
He remained a bachelor until he was forty-three years old, when Sept. 29, 1823, he married 2 Fanny (Lewis) Judd. widow of Anson Judd of Philadelphia, and daughter of Seth and Hannah (Curtiss) Lewis. She died Dec. 2, 1832, leaving him three little girls. To them he devoted himself, but he was compelled to bury one the year after his wife died, and another five years later. His eldest daughter survived him only two years.
At what time Mr. Lewis first conceived the plan of leaving property as an endowment for educational purposes in this town is not known; but after the purpose was formed, he consulted friends as to the method of carrying it out.
Although the will that he finally executed bears the date of June 9, 1838, yet it is known that years before this time he had drawn up the outline, if he had not executed others, and various changes were made. A codicil to the will was executed June 28, 1841.
The following is an extract from the will in so far as it bears upon the bequests to this town, and is taken from a printed copy :
" If my said daughter shall die without disposing by her will of the estate mentioned in the foregoing Article, I do give, devise and bequeath all said estate (so not disposed of by her) to her lineal decendants who shall be living at the time of her death, in the same manner and proportions as the same would have descended and been distributed to them if she had then owned the same as her own proper estate and had died intestate and solvent ;- and if there should be no lineal descendants of my said daughter living at the time of her death,
1 Hon. Charles C. Langdon.
2 It is said that this marriage was only the consummation of hopes and affections cherished at a former period.
439
HISTORY OF SOUTHINGTON.
I give, devise and bequeath ten thousand dollars of said estate to the School Society of the Town of Wolcott in Connecticut for the purposes hereinafter expressed; and fifteen thousand dollars of said estate to the School Society of the Town of Southington in Connecticut for the purposes hereinafter expressed ; and five thousand dollars of said estate to "The President and Fellows in Yale College in New Haven " for the purpose hereinafter expressed; and the balance of said estate shall go to increase proportionally the devises and legacies given in the fol- lowing Articles of this Will :-
" And as to the said ten thousand dollars given as aforesaid to the School Society of the Town of Wolcott, I direct that said Society shall hold the same as a permanent fund for the encouragement of the district schools in said town; and said society shall annually pay the nett income of said fund to the different school districts in said town in proportion to the number of children as ascertained by law; but every school district shall raise and expend for the support of district schools in such district during the year a sum equal to the sum to be paid to such district from the income of this fund, otherwise such district shall not for such year receive any part of said income, but the proportion of such district shall go to increase proportionally the sums to be paid for such year to the other districts as aforesaid ;- and if all the school districts in said town of Wolcott shall neglect for any year to comply with the conditions aforesaid, then the whole of the nett income of said fund for such year shall be paid to the different school districts in the Town of Southington for the purposes and on the conditions aforesaid; and if all the school districts in the town of Southington shall neglect for any year to comply with the conditions aforesaid, then the whole of the nett income of said fund for such year shall go to increase proportionally the devises and legacies given in the following Articles of this Will :-
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.