USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Southington > Ecclesiastical and other sketches of Southington, Conn > Part 47
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" And as to said fifteen thousand dollars given as aforesaid to the School Society of the Town of Southington, I direct that said society shall use five thousand dollars of the same in erecting near the present center of said Town, a building suitable for the accomodation of an Academical Institution; and the remaining ten thousand dollars said Society shall hold as a permanent fund for the school or schools of said Academical Institution, and the nett income of said fund shall be used for the benefit and encouragement of said Institution in paying teachers and other necessary expenses; and said Society shall annually appoint not exceeding five persons to be the Trustees of said Academical Insti- tution, which Trustees shall be members of the Congregational and Baptist Societies in said town ; and no religious preference whatever shall ever be given in the admission of pupils to the privileges of said Institution ; and
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all pupils from the Town of Wolcott, not exceeding ten at any one time, who may wish to receive instruction in said Institution shall re- ceive the same without any charge for tuition; but before said School Society of the Town of Southington shall have right to demand any part of said fifteen thousand dollars for the purposes aforesaid, there shall be raised in said Society a sum not less than two thousand dollars to be added to said fifteen thousand dollars as an addition to said permanent fund ; and if said additional two thousand dollars shall not be raised, then said fifteen thousand dollars shall go to increase propor- tionally the devises and legacies given in the following Articles of this Will:
" And as to said five thousand dollars given as aforesaid to "The President and Fellows of Yale College in New Haven," I direct that the same be applied by the corporation to increase the library of the college and either the principal or only the income of said five thousand dollars may be used for that purpose at the discretion of the corpora- tion."
When Mr. Lewis drew his Will, it did not appear to him that there was really more than one society, and hence his first idea was to limit the trustees to the Congregational. This he naturally did, because in all these old towns this denomination had for years been generally the exclusive guardians of education; and certainly it had been so here. But at this time Mr. Olney was a tried friend of education, and he belonged to the Baptist society, and this was the reason that the change was made. It is evident that he meant that the Congregational body should be the preponderating one in the board of trustees, and he purposely 1 drew the instrument to exclude the other denomina- tions that had only a limited influence and membership. But while he expected the Congregationalists to control the institution through the trustees elected, he nevertheless would throw about them restraints so that even if they wished they could not make it denominational or sectarian, by the clause " and no religious preference whatever shall erer be given in the admission of pupils to the privileges of said Institution." He wished to provide for the education of youth whose parents might hold a religious belief with which he could not and did not sympa- thize. The withdrawal of Mr. Olney 2 afterward from the Baptist
1 It must be kept in mind that Episcopalians and Universalists had a nominal ex- istence, and were practically one in sentiment. See pp. 347-51. Mr. Lewis wished to fix the limits from within which the trustees were to be chosen, and avoid for all time any question that increase of the town or religious denominations might possibly raise. He felt that to restrict the boundaries as he did, was safer than to trust to the future, wherein denominational prejudices might arise.
2 He did hold the office for a short time in 1853, but perceiving legal objections to it he resigned.
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society to organize a Unitarian society, necessarily excluded him from the position that Mr. Lewis would have gladly seen him occupy when he executed his will.
It was both a misapprehension of the wish of the testator, and a wrong construction of the law bearing upon the question, that led some parties to attempt an evasion of this provision of the will, in order that the Unitarian body, as being Congregational in polity, might be allowed representation upon the board of trustees. The matter was finally brought before the Courts 1 by the First Congrega- tional Society. Orrin Atwater, who was a member of no Ecclesiastical society, and Lorin Campbell, a member of the Unitarian, had been elected trustees, and insisted upon their right to a seat in the Board. This was contested, and the Supreme Court 2 decided that "as neither of the defendants (Atwater and Campbell) was a member of either of these two societies (Congregational and Baptist) they are not entitled to exercise the power and duties of trustees of the Lewis Academy, and the Superior Court is so advised."
The steps 3 by which the School society in the town proceed to secure the benefactions of the Will, are not important to trace. A vote was passed appointing Romeo Lowrey, Jesse Olney, F. W. Wil- cox, Stephen Walkley, and J. S. Barnes, a committee to look after the interests of the bequest; and later still the conditions of the Will were complied with so that $2,000 was raised and appropriated as the testator proposed.
But difficulties arose that delayed the paying over of the bequests, but finally, Sept. 14, 1846, the sum was realized, and a committee 4 was appointed to erect a suitable building. The trustees elected were Stephen Walkley and Lucas Upson of the Congregational, and Jere- miah Neal of the Baptist society. But still further embarrassment was experienced because of peculiar circumstances surrounding some of the property that was accepted as part of the bequest. After diligent search and study I am unable to understand the precise na- ture of the embarrassment. Evidently obstacles were thrown in the way by parties in New Haven, and the committee of the school society do not seem to have done their work wisely.
Since 1856 the school society has been abolished, and the town as
) For an outline of the controversy, and the decision, see Conn. Reports, Vol. XXIII. pp. 34-43.
2 Decision rendered by Chief Justice Church.
3 In the Southington Mirror of 1865, Mr. Webster Walkley wrote a series of artieles, giving a full history of the matter. With the exception of some trifling errors, those articles can be accepted as trustworthy.
4 Consisting of Levi Upson, Amon Bradley, A. P. Plant, and S. S. Woodruff.
56
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such takes its place. But although thirty years have passed since the Academy was founded, its affairs have never been in a state satisfac- tory to the town.
It was voted Sept. 21, 1846, that the name Lewis Academy be given to the Institution in honor of the Founder. The building was erected in 1848, and opened for pupils Dec. 4th, of that year. Before this time the school had been carried on in the Lecture Room of the Congregational church that then stood on the site of the present Town Hall. The first Principal of the Academy was JOHN B. WOOD- FORD, a graduate of Yale College in 1839; beginning his work Nov. 16, 1846, and continuing one year. He was followed by Moss KENT BooTH, of Ballston Spa, N. Y., and a graduate of Union College in 1847. He taught for the year beginning Dec. 1, 1847. Since then he has studied law, and has resided in Boston, Mass.
The next Principal was ELIAS B. HILLARD, a native of Preston, and born Sept. 6, 1825. He graduated at Yale College in 1848, and taught here two years. After leaving here he entered Yale Divinity School, graduating in 1853; was ordained at Hadlyme, Mar. 15, 1855, and is now a pastor at Plymonth. His two assistants deserve notice. One was E. D. MORRIS, a senior from Yale College, where he gradu- ated in 1849. He was born at Utica, N. Y .; studied theology at Auburn Theological Seminary; has been settled at Auburn, N. Y., and Columbus, Ohio; and is now a distinguished Professor of Theology at Lane Theological Seminary, Cincinnati. He received the honorary degree of D.D. from Hamilton College in 1863. A son of his grad- uated at Yale in 1874. The other assistant was N. S. MANROSS, a native of Bristol, and who with rank of Captain fell at the battle of Antietam. He had been elected to the Chair of Natural Philosophy at Amherst College.
STEPHEN FENN succeeded Mr. Hillard, and assumed charge Oct. 30, 1850, remaining one year. He was faithful, but met with only moderate success. Graduating at Yale in 1849, and the Divinity School in 1854, he was ordained at Torringford, Nov. 16, 1854. He died at Vernon, Feb. 19, 1875.
REV. GUY B. DAY followed Mr. Fenn, and taught for three years, beginning December 1, 1851, the number of pupils gaining gradually. Mr. Day was born in Colchester, July 21, 1818; gradnated at Yale in 1845, and at the Divinity School in 1848; was ordained September 25, 1849, but has spent most of his life in teaching; is now in charge of a school at Bridgeport.
REV. E. I. AVERY became Principal in the fall of 1854, and continued three years and a half, and at the same time supplied the pulpit of the
-
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Baptist Church in this place (see page 332). During the last year of his teaching the Academy Library was founded.
SIMEON T. FROST succeeded Mr. Avery in the spring of 1858, and remained until 1861. He graduated at Yale College in 1857, and has pursued the profession of teaching. He was for a time a classical teacher in the Hudson River Institute, Claverack, N. Y., and is now Principal of the High School, Danielsonville, Conn.
CORNELIUS HEDGES assumed charge of the Academy in 1861, and continued one year. He was born in Westfield, Mass., in 1831; pre. pared for college in his native place; graduated at Yale in 1853; studied law with E. B. Gillett, of Westfield, Mass .; attended Cambridge Law School, and was admitted to the bar in 1856; opened an office in Inde- pendence, Iowa; taught here in 1861; removed to Helena, Montana Territory, in 1865, and is now Superintendent of Public Instruction in that territory; in 1875 was candidate for Congress.
WEBSTER R. WALKLEY entered upon his duties as Principal in the fall of 1862, and he proved himself one the most energetic teachers the Academy has had. His enthusiasm and zeal led to many improve- ments, the effects of which are very apparent to-day. It was through his instrumentality that the Academy grounds were improved, and the fence erected. He also added to the library, and la bored hard to per- fect every thing about the institution. Mr. Walkley was born in Dur- ham; graduated at Wesleyan University; and after teaching several years, engaged in business in New York City, where he now lives.
Since Mr. Walkley left there have been several Principals whose residence has been too recent to demand special notice.
LIBRARIES.
The literary and social life of the last century was, in many respects, far in advance of that of the present. Then the people of this town had fewer advantages, and less stimulus, but they certainly availed themselves of their privileges to an extent that is worthy of imitation by their descendants. The pastors of the church were all interested in education, and were themselves highly educated. The leading men of the parish, church, and town, were intelligent, and many of them ex- erted an influence far beyond parochial limits. The young men were encouraged to secure a liberal education. A large number graduated at Yale College, and still more entered, but from want of means and other causes were unable to complete the course. And among the influences brought to bear upon the young, those flowing from the "library " can not be overestimated. When the first circulating library
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was founded we know not, but Mr. Robinson1 found one here when he became pastor. In old letters and diaries appear constant allusions to books taken out and read. Religious and political questions were dis- cussed with intelligence and independence, in social circles, in "Sabba- day houses," and in local lyceums. At the beginning of the century three distinct literary and debating ? clubs were sustained.
In January, 1797, the Union Library Society was organized. Whether the preceding society or societies had dissolved I can not learn; but from the names attached to the Constitution and By-Laws of this, it is apparent that whatever remained of former organizations was merged into the new. The library was open on Sabbath evenings, when books were returned or taken out. For forty years this association was well sustained, and its influence was excellent, but after 1835 the inter- est in it flagged, until finally in 1847 the books were distributed among the seventeen remaining members, and the society voted its own disso- lution. The catalogue of books shows that good judgment had been exercised in the selection. Since that date there has been no library for the town as such, but it is hoped that the urgent wants of the com- munity will invoke one.
1 He states this in a letter to Dr. Trumbull, the original of which is now in the library of Yale College.
2 The diary of Stephen Walkley has come into my hands since this was written, and he frequently alludes to the Library and such societies.
CHAPTER XXIX.
LAWYERS, PHYSICIANS, AND OTHERS.
Roger Whittlesey ; Samuel Woodruff; Samnel H. Woodruff; Romeo Lowrey ; Royal R. Hinman ; Henry R. Bradley ; M. L. Delevan; Charles Robinson ; Charles Upson ; Franklin Merriman; Physicians, Historical Sketch; Samuel Richards; Henry Skilton ; Joshua Porter; Robert Kinkaid; Jesse Cole; Jacob Carter ; Jona- than Blakesley ; Hezekiah Beardsley ; Theodore Wadsworth; Josiah Root; Amos Beecher; Mark Newell ; Timothy Jones; Doctor Merriman ; Horace Ames ; Julius S. Barnes; Miles H. Francis; Carl Lorentz; Lucy Hudson; E. W. Kellogg; Wyllys Woodruff; Chauncey Andrews; Harvey B. Steele; Giles N. Langdon ; Nelson Walkley ; Other Public Men, Joel Root; Charles C. Langdon ; Jesse Olney ; Stephen Walkley ; Gad Andrews; Henry D. Smith.
LAWYERS WHO HAVE PRACTICED IN SOUTHINGTON.
HON. ROGER WHITTLESEY.
He was born in Newington, Dec. 9, 1767, and was the son of Lemuel and Hannah (Wells) Whittlesey. He graduated at Yale College in 1787. He studied law and settled in Southington about 1790, where he remained in practice until his death, Oct. 5, 1844. He was the first lawyer who settled within the limits of this town. His contemporaries at the bar have passed away, and I have been unable to learn much of his general standing. From an examination of the records of the Court, it seems that for many years he had but little general practice. This doubtless was owing to the fact that there was but little law busi- ness of any kind in the town. Samuel Woodruff, a native of South- ington, but settled in Wallingford, had a considerable practice of the town, as Court records show. But Mr. Whittlesey gradually gained in business, and secured the larger share of local business, or such as pertains to conveyancing, &c., while the Woodruffs appeared more frequently at Hartford. Dr. Edward Robinson speaks of him as "a sound lawyer and upright man." He represented the town several times in the Legislature. His physician, Dr. J. S. Barnes, thought that he exposed himself to the disease that afflicted him for many years, by his riding so often in the night time between Southington and Hartford or New Haven, to attend the sessions of the General Assembly. If any business called him home, he would take the evening and early
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morning for the ride. He is said to have been a man of decided con- victions, slow in his judgments, unwilling to confess an error, and severe in his criticisms of men. In connection with his profession he also had a farm in which he took much pride ; the homestead of which is still occupied by his son, F. D. Whittlesey. He united with the Congregational Church, Dec. 1, 1833.
SAMUEL WOODRUFF.
He was born in Southington, Feb. 19, 1760. and was the son of Samuel and Ruth (Lyman) Woodruff. He was the second of eleven children, and spent his youth on his father's place about a mile and a half east of the village. He graduated at Yale College in 1782, and soon settled at Wallingford in the practice of the law. Here he re- mained until 1802, when he returned to Southington and opened au office. He lived in the house on Berlin avenue now owned by William Wilcox. He removed to Granby.
SAMUEL H. WOODRUFF.
He was the son of Samuel and Esther (Sloper) Woodruff, and born March 7, 1787. He entered Yale College, but did not remain long, owing to his aversion to hard study. Upon his return home he began reading law, and in due time was admitted to the bar. From boyhood he betrayed an erratic genius that did not desert him in later life. Those who remember him speak of him as having some rare gifts, and that with close application he might have been among the first lawyers of the State. Judge Dutton, of New Haven, remarked ' once that "when Mr. Woodruff was a young man he was the most promising member of the Hartford bar." But unfortunately for him he fell into habits that blasted the promise of greatness, and that occasioned bitter sorrow to his friends. He removed from Southington to Tariffville, where he died, April 11, 1859.
After years of dissipation, during which he sunk out of sight, and lost Inost of his practice, he had a case accidentally put into his hands. It was of considerable importance, and Judge Williams was the opposing counsel. The latter regarded his antagonist as of little account, and felt that he would have an easy victory. But Mr. Woodruff seemed to be impressed with the fact that he had come to the last crisis of his life, and hence roused himself to make a desperate effort for recovery of his lost position. He appeared in the trial, and threw himself with- out reserve into the preparation and argument of his case, and tri- umphed. This effort and success gave him a new lease of professional life.
1 To Rev. Seth Bliss, of Berlin.
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HON. ROMEO LOWREY.
He was born at Redstone Hill (now Plainville) Oct. 3, 1793, and was the son of Daniel and Anna (Munson) Lowrey. With a great desire for knowledge, he early decided to enter College if it were possible. When attending the district school he was not only attentive to studies. but won the teacher's interest and sympathy by his perpetual inquiry as to facts. It is said that he was much given to " moralizing " among his mates, and this seemed to be a habit with him if we may judge from scraps of his diary, which are preserved. He entered Yale College feeling that he must practice the most rigid economy in order to make his means hold out. Among his class-mates he was popular,1 often amusing them with his poetical efforts. He graduated with honor in the class of 1818. He was recommended by the President, for the position of tutor in a private family at Aldee, near Winchester, Va., and secured the place. The salary was $400 per year and board. In his diary he says, "I was daily running in debt without knowing in what manner I should extricate myself." This was a sore trial to him, but when a place opened before him with $400 a year, it seemed indeed a special providence. His indebtedness at graduation, he states to be be- tween eight and nine hundred dollars. After a brief vacation, visiting home and friends, he sailed Sept. 16, 1818, from New Haven in a packet for New York, making the trip in forty-eight hours. His diary of experiences in New York is amusing and instructive. He went to the theatre for the first time in his life, and saw Pizarro played. But the place had no attractions for him, and he moralizes upon the evils of theatre-going. He then started south, crossing Staten Island to Amboy, and thence by stage through New Brunswick, Princeton, Tren- ton, to Philadelphia. While in this latter place he had his overcoat stolen, a real "catastrophe " to him in his financial condition. But none disheartened, he took a steamboat down the river to Newcastle, Del., crossed over to Baltimore, thence to Washington, Alexandria, Winchester, and finally to his post of duty, which he reached Sept. 24. Here he remained a year, and returning north, placed himself in the office of Hon. Anson Sterling of Sharon, Conn., then quite distinguished at the bar of Litchfield Co. In 1820 he was admitted to practice, and after a time opened an office in Southington. where he remained until
1 Rev. T. L. Shipman, of the same class, in a private note writes : "Romeo Lowrey, dear old classmate and fast friend ; how I loved him ! A plain man, but as honest as plain ; you always knew where to find him ; his word was as good as his oath ; a very respectable scholar; given to saying things that would stick. I recall at this moment his criticism of Prof. Fitch : 'He's nothing special in prayer, but he'll hang a sermon so that it will cut.' * * * If your town has many men as worthy as Romeo Lowrey, it is highly favored."
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his death, Jan. 30, 1856. Here he rose in reputation and influence until he not only commanded the confidence and respect of the town, but took a high rank at the Hartford County bar. He had not the bril- lancy of Woodruff, but he had a combination of qualities that in the aggregate gave greater power. As a counsellor he was cautious, and consulted always the interests of peace and good feeling. In both branches of the Legislature he made a favorable impression. And on the Bench, he was sound and practical. From the beginning of his professional life he gave himself to a liberal course of reading, so that he was familiar with literature and all current events. He united with the Congregational Church, April 6, 1834. and until his death was a consistent and helpful member.
HON. ROYAL R. HINMAN.
He was born in Southbury ' June 5, 1785, and was the son of Gen. Ephraim and Sylvania (French) Hinman. He graduated at Yale Col- lege in 1804, and had for classmates John C. Calhoun, Ezra Stiles Ely, Abel MeEwen, John Pierpont, Bennett Tyler, and others who after- wards became widely known. He studied law with Hon. D. S. Board- man, Hon. Noah B. Benedict, and Judge Reeve, and when admitted to practice, opened an office in Roxbury. He represented this town four years in the Legislature, and in 1835 was elected Secretary of State to succeed Hon. Thomas Day, and was re-elected for seven consecutive terms. In 1836 he published, under the title of " Antiquities of Con- nectient," a volume containing the colonial correspondence of the kings and queens of England. In 1842 he published a volume of official records pertaining to the Revolutionary war. In 1844 he was appoint- ed collector of customs at the port of New Haven. In 1846 he pub- lished his Genealogical pamphlets. He also was appointed at various times upon committees to publish the revised statutes and private acts of the State. In 1827 he was admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of New York. He was one of the original incorporators of the "Connecticut Historical Society " in 1839.
His life in Southington covers a period of only two years. The last fifteen years of his life he spent in New York City, where he died, Oct. 16, 1868. Although indefatigable as an antiquarian and writer, yet from some cause he has not made his books absolutely trustworthy.
LEVI B. BRADLEY.
He is the son of Jason and Phebe (Barnes) Bradley, and born Jan. 15, 1826; graduated at Yale College in 1849. Studying law with Hon. Isaac Toucey, he was admitted in 1851 to the bar, and settled in South-
1 There is an error on page 8, where Mr. Merrell makes him born at Southington.
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ington. His office was in the building now occupied by Slate & Tem- ple. He removed to New Haven about twenty years ago, and has been Judge of that Probate district for the past twelve years.
HENRY R. BRADLEY.
He was the son of Roswell and Julia (Newell) Bradley, and was born in Southington, May 7, 1832, in the Flanders district, and where his brother Austin now lives. He graduated at Yale College in 1852, and was admitted to practice in 1854. He located in his native town and here spent his days. His mental constitution was of a peculiarly sensitive type. With perceptions ready and keen, nothing escaped his notice. His emotional nature was so tender that the least assault upon it was successful. A love of the beautiful shone out in every thought. A bodily defect was indeed to him a "thorn in the flesh," and his exquisite sensitiveness often led him to avoid society lest the defect would attract attention. This feeling overpowered him, and but for its reign he would have adorned social life as he did his profession. His generosity appeared in many ways. The steel plate engravings in Lewis Academy were donated by him. The poor received many benefactions from him. He was popular among his townsmen, and he represented this Senatorial district in the Legislature in 1863. He died July 22, 1870.
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