USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Farmington > Farmington town clerks and their times (1645-1940) > Part 22
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
"Resolved Ist That cherishing as we do a profound sense of the great value of this gift and of the great amount of time and research which its preparation involved and of the kind interest shown by Mr. Burritt in the citizens of the Farmington Family of towns and in their descendants and successors, we gratefully accept the proferred gift and that the Town Clerk is hereby in-
Elihu Burritt
249
Thomas Treadwell
structed to carefully preserve it among the valuable town docu- ments.
"That in the opinion of this meeting it is desirable, if practi- cable, to have it printed for its better presentation and wider diffusion and usefulness.
"That we hereby express our high appreciation of the great personal excellences and ability of our distinguished friend, the Hon. Elihu Burritt and of the remarkable history, attainments and services as a scholar and philanthropist, and of his life-long and unselfish devotion to the best interest of humanity, espe- cially to the community and vicinity in which he now resides. And that we esteem the man and his deeds as an honor not only to the Farmington Family of Towns of which he has become the historian, but the State of Connecticut and to our nation.
"That John E. Cowles, and the Rev. Edward A. Smith are hereby appointed a committee to communicate these resolu- tions to Mr. Burritt and after conferring with him to take into consideration the possibility and expediency of the early publi- cation of the History."
This history of the Farmington Family of Towns was pre- sented to the State Library by Mr. Charles Brandegee when he became town clerk and it has been very beautifully mounted and rests in the vault in the reference room.
Thomas Treadwell came of a long and illustrious line of Farmington ancestors. His father was George Treadwell, son of "the last Puritan Governor of Connecticut," John Treadwell, who was also a son of Farmington, John's father being Ephraim. Thomas Treadwell was born in 1810 in the family homestead, an old red house which stood near the huge rock at the corner of Mountain Spring Road and Hartford Road, now part of the Barney homestead. Ephraim Treadwell lived there, but whether he built the house, or it was originally a Woodruff house is not known. Ephraim's son John inherited the home from his father and mother and willed it to his children and grandchildren after the life use of his widow Dorothy Pomroy. Thomas was born in the old red house in 1810. Governor John Treadwell died there in 1823 and in 1824 John Treadwell Norton, son of Dolly Treadwell who had married Romanta Norton in Bristol in 1794,
250
Farmington Town Clerks and Their Times
acquired full title to the place and after removing the old home- stead, built the present thirty-four-room house, landscaped the ten acres with flower gardens and trees and maintained a gen- tleman's farm there until the place was purchased by the late Danford Newton Barney.
The Treadwell family had business interests in Albany and there the children of Thomas Treadwell were born. Camella Treadwell married Edwin S. Taylor of New York, and Robert Treadwell married Anna M. Williams of Springfield, Massa- chusetts.
During part of the last year which Thomas Treadwell served as town clerk, the work was done by his son Robert, which leads one to believe that Thomas may not have been well. He died September 3, 1883, aged 73 years.
In 1872 one of the noteworthy historical celebrations took place here. On Wednesday, October 16th, of that year, the Con- gregational Church celebrated its one hundred years since the erection of the present building, and as was eminently proper, President Noah Porter of Yale, who had delivered the "His- torical Address at the Two Hundredth Anniversary of the Settlement of the Town of Farmington" in 1840, at the rather immature age, for historians, of twenty-nine, returned to his native town to make the centenary address. His father, the Reverend Noah Porter, had been pastor of this church for sixty years, from 1806 to 1866, and his sister, Miss Sarah Porter, had been maintaining her famous school for young ladies since 1843. In his address Dr. Porter confined his history to that of the church, but even at that period of growing separation of church from state, the history of the church was very much a history of that particular hundred years of the town. Julius Gay, Ed- ward T. Norton, Thomas Cowles, Samuel Smith Cowles and Hon. John S. Rice were the committee in charge and an invita- tion was sent to all those who might be interested in attending the services. The invitation had a final clause stating that "trains from New Haven, Northampton and Hartford arrive at Farmington Station at 8.08 A.M. and evening trains leave for these places at 7 P.M." And the minutes of the meeting stated "The 16th of October was a pleasant day. The church
St
ph be
ch
L G -
te
ye an
Co bo of Le
H.
b
ca
a
251
Thomas Treadwell
was crowded. The pulpit, the communion table and the adja- cent walls were covered with floral decorations, amid which appeared the names of former pastors of the church and of the building committee, and the text: 'One Generation passeth away and another Generation cometh.' By the side of the pul- pit were exhibited the drum by means of which the people were formerly summoned to church on the Sabbath, and some of the carpenter's tools which were used on the construction of the building. After the delivery of the address, the audience was invited to partake of a collation prepared by the ladies of the church. The afternoon was devoted to short addresses appro- priate to the occasion and remarks were offered by Rev. J. F. Merriam, the pastor of the church, Rev. Seth Bliss of Berlin; Elihu Burritt Esq .; Gen. Joseph R. Hawley Hon. Francis Gil- lette, Rev. J. R. Keep, R. G. Vermilye, D.D., F. Hawley, Esq., Leverett Griggs, D.D., Rev. T. K. Fessenden, Rev. C. L. Goodell, D.D., Dr. Isaac G. Porter."
It appears that in the address of Elihu Burritt originated the phrase of "Farmington a mother-town. So she is; so she has been, a kind and generous mother, for nearly two hundred years, to the communities she has begotten. She is the mother of full twelve tribes, who recognize that affectionate and ma- ternal relation here today."
All of the speakers showed clearly their happy and affec- tionate regard for the Farmington of that day and for many years previous. Hon. Francis Gillette's address was eloquent and scholarly and easily proved the ability which had taken him to the highest honor the state might confer, that of United States Senator to Washington.
Robert Treadwell was a musician and in 1876 organized the Cornet Band of Farmington. According to their old minute book, they met at first in the schoolhouse back of the home of Mrs. Edward L. Hart, and the members were Charles W. Lewis, Erastus Gay, William D. Hurlburt, Frederick F. Hurl- burt, Isaac Miles, David Lawrence, John Thompson Jr., Ed- mund B. Cowles, Franklin Woodford, George E. Mills, Edgar H. Parsons, Alonzo I. Hart, Edwin W. Tillotson, Robert B.
ok on- he er, IS- he ner his the ty ad 43. the rch bry nd ta- ng lat ive Ive ing ch
le- he n- te
nd lla ert sa-
ed ch He
252
Farmington Town Clerks and Their Times
Treadwell, Adrian R. Wadsworth, Henry W. Barbour, Henry A. Cowles, Gustavus Cowles, W. DeWolf and Henry White.
Robert B. Treadwell was chosen president and Henry A. Cowles secretary and treasurer. There was a constitution and by-laws and for three years the organization worked with great industry, giving concerts, playing on Decoration Day and marching in local affairs. On June 11, 1879, they voted "that all band dues cease from June Ist and that all expenses be stopped. (Mrs. E. L. Hart having been notified on the 5th inst. to which time rent had been paid). That the secretary and treasurer be directed to call in all instruments and collect all property for storage at a reasonable expense."
October 26, 1878, the adjourned annual town meeting with Thomas Cowles as moderator:
"Voted That no one shall speak over five minutes, except Selectmen.
"Voted That the surveys and maps, made by Hubert C. Ward, surveyor, of the roads and highways of this town, be accepted as the Lines and Bounds of the same - except where the measurements are well known and easily proved."
November 30, 1878, at a special town meeting with Thomas L. Porter moderator:
"Voted That the Selectmen be and they hereby are in- structed to lay out and build a three rod highway commencing at some point on the highway near the residence of Thomas Trainor and extending easterly across land owned by Frederick Gillette, H. H. Chidsey and others to old highway at the east- erly line of land owned by James McCann and John Gillmore. Provided that it shall be no expense to this town except the building of necessary bridges and the right of way across land owned by the said F. Gillett and H. H. Chidsey."
October 6, 1879, at the regular town election Thomas L. Porter was elected town clerk, Chauncey D. Cowles town treasurer, and the selectmen were Winthrop M. Wadsworth, Phineas B. Goodwin and Paul Hayes.
November 4, 1879, at the state election, Edward Norton and Samuel Q. Porter were elected representatives and Andrew S. Upson elected senator.
-
S
R
A
Y E
B U S Y
Finnas & Pal
1879-1895
FOR THE sixteen years from 1879 to 1895 that Thomas L. Porter was town clerk, Farmington went through another grow- ing period. There were no wars, nor other major disasters until the "hard times" of 1893-95, and the townspeople had ample opportunity to catch up on many small details of town government.
In addition to building two town halls, one for each district of the town, many new roads were laid out, and efforts were made to divide the town in such a manner that Unionville would have become a separate town.
Every item brought before a town meeting received full and painstaking attention, no matter how small a detail it might appear to be. It was as though the town fathers were building another wall on the foundation already laid - and every stone used was inspected and its place in the structure carefully planned, that it might not only be worthy of what had been built before, but be an example for the future.
The voters could discuss, almost in one breath, the building of an adequate town hall, proper punishment for perpetrators of unsanitary pranks and deal eloquently with those whose sense of civic duty was so lacking that they could expect the town to clear roads of snow rather than shovel themselves out. They went resolutely after all those law-breakers whose dis- regard for town property led them to trot their horses over the covered bridges, and responsible citizens were chosen to keep watch and apprehend and fine such as were discovered break- ing the law. As an added incentive to watchfulness the com- mittee was allowed to try the case, set the fine and keep the
P
254
Farmington Town Clerks and Their Times
costs. All in keeping with the determination shown in earlier years to publicly reprimand Tory tea drinkers, or keep daily tabs on thieving Indians.
When Thomas Porter was first chosen town clerk in 1879, Chauncey D. Cowles was again elected town treasurer, Robert R. Treadwell was elected one of the auditors, and the vote on license to sell spiritous liquors was fairly close - yes 192, and no, 142. Winthrop M. Wadsworth was still first selectman and was leading all other candidates for representative.
There seems to be no more eloquent way of telling the story of the development of the town than to let these earnest, honest men tell it in their own words:
At the annual business meeting November 8, 1880, with Newton Hart moderator, it was:
"Voted That we appropriate sixty eight hundred and fifty dollars for the use of the schools for the year ensuing being the same amount appropriated last year.
"Voted That the town treasurer be instructed to pay to the Union School District One Hundred and twenty five dollars the same being for interest on the Solomon Langdon Fund, 'Referred to a Committee of three consisting of Julius. Gay, Samuel Frisbie and John S. Rice to report to a future meeting.'
"Voted That the Selectmen be and they hereby are instructed to lay out and build a suitable highway commencing at a. point on the highway adjoining lands of Hiram Clark and James L. Cowles at Unionville and extending along passway known as Water street to a point where the underground canal commences or ends.
"Voted That the selectmen be instructed if they deem it for the public good to hire some Hall at Unionville by the year for the transaction of all public business such as town and election meetings, courts, coronors inquests and such other purposes as are for the public good.
"The Cabinet Company Building was hired for that year.
"At the annual business meeting November 7, 1881 with Newton Hart Moderator the committee investigating the inter- est due from the Langdon Fund reported, in part: 'We find
255
Thomas Lewis Porter
that the School Society of Farmington accepted a legacy of Two Hundred Dollars from the Estate of Solomon Langdon with the condition of paying the interest on the same annually to Union School District. The obligations of the School Societies were transferred to the towns in which they were situated by the law of 1856 and the last payment of $12.00 was made under that law to Union School District March 2, 1869. By the law of 1870 the interest of the several school funds of whatever nature is paid directly into the town treasury with no special provision for keeping the avails of the Langdon Fund separate. From 1856 to 1878 the town has received interest on the $200.00 at six per cent. At the annual meeting of October 1878 it was voted that the rate be five per cent per annum and that the town itself borrow the money. We are therefore of the opinion that the town should in justice pay over to said Union School District $12.00 per annum for 9 years and $10.00 per annum for the years 1879, 1880 and 1881 each making in all the $138. And we further recommend that hereafter on the first day of May in each year the selectmen draw an order on the Treasurer of the town for the annual interest on $200.00 at such rate per cent as the town is at said time deriving from said Langdon Fund and shall accept receipt of the committee of said district as a sufficient voucher for the same.'
"Voted That the Town accept the public passway in the District of Unionville from Main street to the Valley Hard- ware shop, known as Battle Street. And Bidwell street from the Catholic church around the square to the Robotham place and that the same be properly surveyed and recorded and that the road commissioner be instructed to repair the said pass- ways at the earliest opportunity Provided that no portion of the said Roads be accepted unless of the width of two rods."
November 8, 1881, Thomas Cowles and Lucius C. Humphrey were chosen representatives and Andrew S. Upson was elected senator.
November 13, 1882, at the annual business meeting, with Newton Hart moderator, it was:
"Voted That Eight thousand one hundred fifty dollars be
Ir. with ter find
year and ther
to IV: on 10. ura
ted t ano wa na
d
256
Farmington Town Clerks and Their Times
appropriated for the use of the schools of this town for the year ensuing. . . .
"Voted That the Selectmen and Road Commissioner be directed to put the highway called Maiden lane from Main street to New Road in good order Provided the land owners shall make the highway two rods wide and remove nuisances.
"Voted That Public Spirit be encouraged by forbidding the Selectmen or Road Commissioner from paying for opening roads in Winter except in extreme cases.
"Voted that a committee of three be appointed by this meeting as agents of this town for the removal of all encroach- ments on the highways of said town. Julius Gay, Charles L. Whitman, Carlos L. Mason, committee.
"Voted That the selectmen be and they are hereby instructed to lay out and build a suitable highway commencing at a point on Bridge street at Unionville near the new watering trough and extending to the highway near office of Platner and Porter Mfg. Co., following present passway. Provided the land owners make it two rods wide."
At a special town meeting June 16, 1883, with John P. Lewis chairman, it was:
"Voted That the Selectmen of the town of Farmington be and hereby are directed to offer a Reward of fifteen hundred dollars for information which shall cause the arrest and con- viction of the person or persons who committed a burglary at the house of William Vickers of Farmington and a criminal assault upon a member of his family during the night following Saturday the second day of June 1883.
"Voted That the selectmen of this town take active meas- ures for the strict enforcement of the present tramp law espe- cially by the posting of durable hand bills and the offer of a reward of ten dollars for the arrest and conviction of each tramp under this law and by the appointment of special agents for enforcement of the laws in each district of the Town. Also that the selectmen in the neighboring towns be requested to cooperate in the same way with this town within their respective town limits.
"Whereas Some person or persons placed poisened and dead
-
-
--
257
Thomas Lewis Porter
cats in the wells of water of several of our respected citizens and our Selectmen have offered a reward of one hundred dol- lars for information which shall convict of that offence Now Therefore we as a Town do hereby Vote to sustain them in that action and will pay the reward as offered by our selectmen.
"Voted That the proceedings of the meeting be published in the three leading papers of Hartford."
October 30, 1883, at the adjourned annual town meeting with Newton Hart as moderator, it was:
"Voted That the old highway leading to Burlington by the Samuel Johnson place be discontinued."
At an electors' meeting November 6, 1883, Erastus Gay and Sherman Sanford were elected representatives.
Under the heading "Take Particular Notice" the selectmen called a special town meeting for April 12, 1884, to consider and act upon a vote passed .. . to offer a reward of $1,500 for certain purposes. . . .
"Voted That the matter of the award of the reward offered by the town at a special town meeting held June 16, 1883 be referred to the selectmen for adjustment and division after having advertised for one month for presentation of claims for the reward. And if upon a consideration of the claims they are unable to divide the reward to the satisfaction of the claiments they are authorized and empowered to settle the same by payment thereof from the amount voted as above described. If no satisfactory settlement can be made with the claiments then in that case they are hereby instructed to apply to the Superior Court for a commission to adjust and discharge the reward."
At the adjourned town meeting November 10, 1884, Newton Hart moderator, it was:
"Voted that there be no more interments allowed in the Old Cemetery on the east side of Main street in Farmington Center, except of those whose husbands or wives are already interred therein, or unless in extraordinary cases when a Special permit be obtained of the selectmen.
"Voted That hereafter all bills and vouchers pertaining to the expenses of the town be deposited by the Selectmen in the
ng 1er led
be
on- at
red
the be
ers es. ing Ing his ch- L
258
Farmington Town Clerks and Their Times
Town Record office immediately after the adjourned town meeting.
"Voted That the selectmen be authorized to furnish a suit- able lock-up for the use of the first voting district.
"Voted That the Town discontinue the road running from the West District school house to the old Scott Swamp road."
October 19, 1885, at an adjourned town meeting with Newton Hart, moderator, it was:
"Voted To instruct the Selectmen to lay out a highway from Platner & Porter Cos. premises along the bank of the lower canal to intersect with the road leading from the Bridge in the center of the village and to put the same in good repair.
t
"Voted To accept the bridge across the canal of the Union Water Power Co. at the upper end of Main Street, said Water Power Co. agreeing to maintain and keep in repair the abut- ments of said bridge.
"Voted That the road commissioner be instructed to gravel the road in Unionville called Main Street - Also the street in the Old Town of Farmington called Main Street.
"Voted That the Selectmen be empowered & instructed to lay out and build a road from a point on the Avon road run- ning westerly and connecting with a road built by Sherman Sanford and John Merriman, at an expense not to exceed five hundred dollars.
"Voted That the Town shall not pay any officer or indiffer- ent person for notifying town officers that they are elected. Except by mail.
"Voted That the selectmen be and they are hereby directed to close up one of the highways over the Hill near residence of Jerome T. Ball in West District. Either the old one or the new, as in their judgment will be best for the town."
At the adjourned annual town meeting held December 14, 1885, with Newton Hart moderator, it was:
"Voted That the Selectmen be instructed to have a survey and estimate made of the Hill near John Cadwell's for different grades. And that they shall decide what is in their opinion a proper grade for the common travel. ... But if the road can-
D
th
d
a
to CO
n
259
Thomas Lewis Porter
not be made for five hundred Dollars or less they shall report at the next annual town meeting.
"Voted That the acts of the New Haven and Northampton Rail Road Company in taking up farm and private crossings in this town after being nearly 40 years in use is an outrage upon the Farmers not noticed by the Rail Road Commis- sioners and which loudly calls for Legislative action.
"Voted That this Vote be published in Hartford Papers.
"Voted That a Committee composed of the Board of Select- men be appointed to consult with the Rail Road and Legal Authorities to ascertain if a compromise can be made in regard to the evils existing in regard to farm and private crossings and report at a future annual Town Meeting.'
At the adjourned annual meeting November 8, 1886, with Newton Hart moderator, it was:
"Voted In view of the fact that there is a law on the Statute Books of the State of Connecticut granting towns the privilege of making a suitable appropriation for Memorial Day would make a motion that the Town of Farmington appropriate the sum of One Hundred Dollars to be expended in decorat- ing the graves of our fallen comrades and to meet all other expenses incidental to the day. Said sum of money to be paid to the organization known as Burnside Post No. 62, G.A.R. department of Conn. located at Unionville State of Conn. on or before the first day of May 1887. Signed Geo. L. Hill, Post Commander.
"Voted That the Selectmen be and are hereby instructed to pay George H. Root thirty dollars for expenses incurred in contesting the question of who was elected First Selectmen at the meeting held on the first Monday of October 1886.
"Voted That the Town pay W. M. Wadsworth for time and expenses in contesting the case of Ist Selectman, the sum of thirty Dollars.
"Voted That the Selectmen be instructed to close the new road leading past the residence of Jerome T. Ball in West District.
"Voted That the road commissioner be instructed to put
nt a
It-
m
on av he ge on er It-
el et to n- an ec er- d. ed ce he
260
Farmington Town Clerks and Their Times
the Old Road running past the residence of Jerome T. Ball in proper repair.
"Voted That the Selectmen be required to procure a Lockup for the use of the first Voting district with at least two cells within one fourth of a mile of the Record Office if possible at a cost not to exceed Five Hundred Dollars.
"Voted That cheap but suitable cot beds with canvass stretched between the frames be purchased for the use of persons lodging in the Town House."
At the adjourned annual town meeting November 7, 1887, with Adrian R. Wadsworth moderator, it was:
"Voted That Ninety Three hundred and fifty dollars be appropriated for the use of the public schools for the year ensuing.
"Voted At the annual Town Meeting of Farmington Novem- ber 7, 1887 by a Vote of not less than two thirds of the electors present - That the Town of Farmington transfer to the Farmington Cemetery Association all right title and control of the Cemetery described in the Act of Incorporation of this Association - And this Association shall have full control of the said Cemetery and shall enclose it and keep it enclosed when enlarged and may improve and ornament it in any proper manner - Provided That nothing shall be done incon- sistant with the charter of the association or the laws of the State or with any existing rights. This vote passed unanimously.
"Voted That the Selectmen take such measures as shall be deemed best to save this town from great expense in the matter of a free bridge at Hartford or on account of the Rail Road grade crossings in this town.
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.