USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Brookfield > Historical sketch of the First Congregational Church of Brookfield, Connecticut, and of the town of Brookfield > Part 6
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From 1868 to 1878 a select school was conducted here under the patronage of Mrs. C. V. B. Booraem. The school building was opposite the Episcopal Church.
From 1879 to 1881 Miss Emily C. Hawley taught a private school in the school building now occupied by the Curtis School.
Miss Wilhelmine Skidmore, after a course of study at Windsor and Wellesley College, opened in 1889 a private school in her home, which she conducted for about ten years. Since 1904 Miss Skidmore has been assistant instructor at the Curtis School, Brookfield.
Boarding Schools
ST. PAUL'S SCHOOL FOR BOYS was founded in 1858 by Rev. Henry D. Noble, at one time Episcopal rector
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FREDERICK S. CURTIS MASTER OF THE CURTIS SCHOOL
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SCHOOLS
here; the school secured a wide popularity. The school property being the present residences of S. B. Terrill, Esq., and Mrs. Skidmore. This school was conducted for ten years or more, Mr. J. W. Sagendorf being assistant principal during the later years. The double row of beautiful elms at this site was planted by Mr. Noble.
The CURTIS SCHOOL FOR BOYS, established in 1875 by Frederick S. Curtis, a Yale alumnus, was removed from Bethlehem, Conn., to Brookfield Center, Conn., in 1883,and has been a permanent and growing institution here for twenty-four years. Mr. Curtis was located from 1883 to 1886 "on the hill," but in 1886 purchased the present school property of the Goodsell estate, which he has greatly enlarged and beautified. Mr. Curtis, by methods entirely his own, has built up a school which is to-day widely known and of high reputation ; pupils from remote parts of the country are students here. The school at present numbers twenty-eight pupils and five instructors beside numer- ous helpers. The school property comprises a large modern dormitory and home, a schoolhouse, gym- nasium, master's study, caretaker's home, and about fifty acres of ground. In November, 1906, a fire de- stroyed the gymnasium, which has just been rebuilt. The school is unsectarian, but the pupils and teachers attend the Congregational Church, and because of their
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numbers and interest have made a place for themselves in the local church.
The "John Hawley Bible Training School" was opened by Rev. Frank K. Hawley in 1895 at his com- modious home on Whisconier Hill. The school was in active operation for seven years, the object of school being to train laymen for home and foreign mission work. Six persons went out from the school to the foreign field, among the number Rev. William P. Knapp and wife. Monthly religious services are now conducted by Mr. Hawley at his home, including a summer gathering for conference. Mr. and Mrs. Clar- ence Keeler are also interested in this work.
School of Music
In 1901 Prof. Herbert W. Greene of New York City removed his Summer School of Music to Brookfield Center, and during the seven years of its residence here over two hundred pupils have been in attendance, who represent many states. The school property em- braces five buildings pleasantly located. A course of instructive lectures and recitals is annually given by the school, the lecturers and artists being of high grade. The department work is as follows: Pianoforte, theory, vocal, organ, violin, sight singing, and art.
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CHURCHES
CHURCHES
Episcopal Society
January 21, 1785, fifty-five persons lodged a certifi- cate with the clerk of the First Ecclesiastical Society of Newbury, declaring themselves "to belong to the Episcopal Church." They built a church edifice on the triangular spot opposite the residence of Elmer H. Northrop, Esq., where they worshiped until their present church edifice was constructed in 1837.
For a complete list of the rectors of this church see the Addendum. Rev. E. L. Whitcome was the faithful rector of this parish from 1877 to 1906, a period of about thirty years, being closely identified with the in- terests of this town. He resigned in 1906 and is living at Poughkeepsie, N. Y. Rev. Clarence S. Mullikin be- came rector of this church early in 1907. Mr. Mulli- kin is a graduate of Virginia Theological Seminary, class of 1902-03. He was ordained to the diaconate in 1903 and settled in Alaska, remaining one year and a half at Sitka and the same length of time at Skaguay. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1906 by Bishop Rowe. Frederick Beers and Stanley B. Terrill are the wardens of this church, and Charles Stuart is the treas- urer of the society.
It is interesting to note at this time that the Episco- pal Church in Connecticut celebrated her bi-centennial
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in June, 1907, at Stratford, where the First Episcopal Church in Connecticut was organized two hundred years ago.
Methodist Society
In 1837 members of the Methodist faith residing at Southville and Brookfield purchased the old Episcopal edifice and organized a society, worshiping in this building until about 1857, when they built an edifice at Brookfield (Iron Works), which they occupied until 1867, when the society became extinct. Methodist brethren living north of the Iron Works worshiped in this church after services were abandoned at Gallows Hill Church.
Reformed Church
In 1868 Henry B. Hawley, Esq., purchased the Methodist Church edifice and remodeled it.
In 1869 Mr. Hawley invited the Reformed Church of New York City to organize a church. This was done by "classis"; twenty persons constituted the orig- inal membership, eleven persons coming from the Con- gregational Church. Sabbath school was gathered February, 1869, consisting of thirty scholars and six teachers. It increased in five years to seventy-five scholars ; church membership to about eighty members. During a revival season in 1876 thirty-six persons united with the church on profession of faith.
HENRY B. HAWLEY
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CHURCHES
The Reformed Church organization existed for six- teen years, or until 1883, with pastors as follows: Rev. Sanford W. Roe, Rev. Ransford Wells, D. D., Rev. F. E. Allen, Rev. F. M. Bogardus. Ordained elders were: H. B. Hawley, R. G. Knapp, J. F. Ben- nett. Deacons were Hiram Manville and A. S. Osborne.
Episcopal Mission
In 1883 Mr. Hawley removed to Danbury and in- vited the Episcopal and Congregational churches to assume charge of the religious services at the Re- formed Church edifice. Rev. E. L. Whitcome, rector of the Episcopal Church, accepted and for more than twenty years conducted Sabbath day services in this church (from 1884 to 1906). Rev. C. S. Mullikin has continued the services since 1907.
Mr. John Bateman has been the faithful superin- tendent and chorister for more than thirty years, dur- ing the period of Reformed Church and present mission.
Baptist Church
In 1846 the Baptist Church edifice was built. Rev. William Biddle was the first pastor and remained so until 1854. He resided near the church until his death in 1877 and frequently preached in this church.
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Building was converted into a dwelling a few years since.
Catholic Church
About the year 1867 the Catholic community at Brookfield gathered for religious services in the home of Mrs. Mary Meaney, and for twenty-five years her home was their meeting place. This mission at that period was in the parish of Newtown.
In 1892 St. Joseph's Catholic Church was built here. Since 1881 this church has been within the parish of New Milford, and Rev. John Burke, curate, and Father T. J. Cronin officiate. The present membership is about two hundred.
PHYSICIANS
DR. PRESERVE WOOD was the first resident physician in Newbury-Brookfield ; he is frequently mentioned in the Society records, being prominent in the affairs of Newbury. Dr. Wood was born in Danbury in the year 1756. He was the grandson of Danbury's first physician, Dr. Samuel Wood, who came from England. I am unable to ascertain the number of years he practiced in Newbury, but judge that it was twenty- five at least. Dr. Wood died in Brookfield in 1806 and was interred in the South Cemetery ; his brother, Dr. John Wood, was practicing physician in Danbury.
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PHYSICIANS
DR. PHILO MERWIN, born on the site of the present Merwin residence in the year 1765, practiced medi- cine in this town for thirty years; he studied with Dr. Preserve Wood. In 1825 Dr. Merwin retired from active practice, but was called in consultation up to the time of his death in 1844. He lived to the age of eighty-three years.
DR. LEMUEL THOMAS practiced in Brookfield at one time, but removed to New Milford, where he died in 1798. He was born in Newtown, Conn.
DR. ARZA CANFIELD was born in 1798. He came from Bridgewater and practiced here, where he died in 1826, in his twenty-eighth year. He was interred at South Cemetery.
DR. ELI PERRY was practicing physician in the early days of the town. He lived on the site where Benjamin Hawley built a residence in 1854, now the home of Stephen Osborne, Esq.
NOAH LACEY, M. D., practiced in Brookfield many years. His residence is now owned by Lucius S. Hawley. Dr. Lacey was a man of ability ; he was a member of the Constitutional Convention which formu- lated our state constitution in 1818. He died in Wis- consin, being nearly one hundred years of age. Three of his sons were physicians-Edwin Lacey, William F. Lacey, Thomas Lacey. Dr. Edwin practiced in
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Brookfield, Dr. W. F. in Danbury, and Dr. Thomas in Racine, Wis.
DR. CHAUNCEY STEWART, who came from Sherman to this town, was resident physician in 1830-1833 and later.
DR. CHAMBERLAIN was also engaged in medical practice in Brookfield. I believe that he lived where Hiram D. Hawley now resides.
DR. EDWIN LACEY, son of Dr. Noah Lacey, was born in Brookfield. He lived and practiced his pro- fession in the house formerly used as an Episcopal rec- tory, and removed when present rectory was built. His brother, W. F. Lacey, M. D., was practicing physician in Danbury from 1844 to time of his death.
DR. AMOS L. WILLIAMS located in Brookfield in March, 1833, his professional life here extending over sixty-three years. Dr. Williams was born in 1811 in Lebanon, Conn. He studied with his brother, Dr. W. C. Williams of Roxbury, Conn., for two years, and in 1831-32 attended a course of medical lectures in New Haven, after which he was licensed to practice. In a few months Dr. Williams located in Brookfield. In 1840 he attended a course of medical lectures and was graduated from Jefferson Medical College, Phila- delphia, Pa. Dr. Williams was widely known and
JUNIUS F. SMITH, M. D.
FOR SEVENTEEN YEARS PHYSICIAN IN BROOKFIELD
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highly esteemed. He served the town in various capacities for more than half a century, being medical examiner, postmaster, registrar, and in 1883 repre- sented the town in the legislature, being a member of the committee on humane institutions. Dr. Williams died in 1896 in his eighty-fifth year, being the oldest member of the Fairfield County Medical Society.
DR. JUNIUS F. SMITH located in Brookfield in 1890. He was born in New Marlboro, Mass., in 1865. In 1887 he commenced the study of medicine with Dr. W. S. Watson of Danbury, Conn., and entered the Long Island College Hospital in Brooklyn in the year 1887, from which he graduated in 1890. Dr. Smith also received a post graduate course in New York City and took a position on the staff of the Manhattan Eye and Ear Hospital for several years. In 1898 Dr. Smith opened offices in Danbury, which he continued until the time of his death. Dr. Smith's professional life in Brookfield extended over seventeen years, and he was regarded as a physician of skill and ability. Dr. Smith was a member of Fairfield County Medical Society, and the state society. In 1906 Dr. Smith was elected to represent Brookfield at the General Assem- bly. His death occurred in Brookfield April 22, 1907, in his forty-second year.
DR. ARTHUR W. GRISWOLD practiced here, residing
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at the Iron Works, for a few years. He left Brook- field about 1902.
DR. CHARLES A. RYDER commenced the practice of medicine in Brookfield February, 1904. Dr. Ryder was born in Redding in 1874; prepared for college at Betts Academy, Stamford, Conn .; graduated from Yale University Medical School in 1898; was interne for one year in the Willard Parker and Riverside Hos- pital, New York City. Practiced medicine in Water- bury four years, and at Cornwall-Bridge one year previous to locating in Brookfield.
DR. OTIS W. SEDGEWICK commenced the practice of medicine in Brookfield in the spring of 1907 in the office of Dr. Smith.
CHAPTER XIV
TOWN AFFAIRS CONTINUED
L
Revolutionary War
The first military company was organized in New- bury-Brookfield in 1761. The General Assembly ap- pointed Capt. Joseph Ruggles, Jr., the captain of this company ; he was then thirty years of age. This mili- tary company served under Wooster at Danbury in 1777. Pastor Brooks was without doubt an ardent defender of the Declaration of Independence, as I find that he appeared before the town clerk at Newtown in October, 1777, and then and there took the oath of fidelity to this declaration.
Four of Pastor Brooks' sons served in the Con- tinental army. One of these sons, Samuel Lewis Brooks, born in 1750, commanded a battery of artillery under General Washington at West Point; also served under General Lafayette and was with him at the siege of Yorktown. He died in 1846, being ninety- six years of age. A complete list of men who served in this war from Newbury may be found in "Men of the Revolution in the Continental Army."
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War of 1812
In 1812 Lieutenant Ruggles, descendant of Capt. Joseph Ruggles, Jr., headed a company of volunteers and went to New London for service.
Congress in 1818 adopted the flag designed by Captain Reid, a Fairfield County man.
In 1840 the Fairfield East Association of Ministers opposed the idea of holding a convention of ministers in Hartford to discuss and take action on the slavery question.
The writer's father has related to her that in 1837, when an anti-slavery sermon was being delivered from the pulpit of this church, his father leading him by the hand, and in company with other men, left the church. These men subsequently became strong anti-slavery men.
War of the Rebellion, 1860-1865
Fifty-seven men enlisted from Brookfield, and ten died in the service of their country. William H. H. Williams, son of Dr. Williams, entered the navy as as- sistant quartermaster ; he became later quartermaster ; he was presented with a sword by the townspeople. Major Williams now resides in New York.
The ladies of this town frequently met to sew for the soldiers and to assist in supplying them with com- forts.
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I find on the church records in 1864 the following : "It was voted at a church meeting that Miss Augusta Pugsley be sent to the hospital to assist in the care of wounded soldiers." Whether Miss Pugsley undertook this work or not I do not know. The writer can recall, as a little child, the death of Lincoln. Riding with my parents from New York City to this town the morning following this dreadful event, I remember the ex- cited and sorrowful crowds of people at every sta- tion. A great man had fallen, for, as Maurice Thomp- son wrote of him :---
"He was the Southern mother leaning forth, At dead of night to hear the cannon roar, Beseeching God to turn the cruel North And break it that her son might come once more; He was New England's maiden, pale and pure, Whose gallant lover fell on Shiloh's plain ;
He was the North, the South, the East, the West, The thrall, the master, all of us in one; There was no section that he held the best; His love shone as impartial as the sun."
The Spanish-American War, 1898
The Spanish-American War of 1898, undertaken by our government to free Cuba from the yoke of Spanish
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misrule, was of such brief duration, happily, as not to demand the service of volunteers from this community, although men were called into the service from neigh- boring towns.
John W. Sagendorf of Brookfield went to Cuba, being employed as clerk to the assistant quartermaster of a transport which conveyed United States troops to and from the island. His position was a civil service appointment.
Representatives
The charter under which Connecticut lived from 1662 to 1818 provided that the legislative power be vested in two branches, the Council and House of Representatives. The old towns were entitled to two representatives elected in the spring and fall, being chosen for six months each; but after 1818 there was but one stated session, in May. After the change in the constitution in 1876 the session was in January. Brookfield's first representatives were Henry Peck and Joseph Smith. It was no small undertaking for the representatives of the early days to discharge the duties of their office ; the journey to and from the legis- lature was taken by private conveyance, sometimes on horseback, all of which necessitated long journeys and protracted absence from their homes. For a complete list of town representatives see Addendum.
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Probate Court at Brookfield
Previous to the year 1850, all estates settled in this town were probated at Newtown. Newtown was a part of the probate district of Danbury from 1744 to 1820; therefore, up to 1820 the records of Brookfield estates are to be found at Danbury, and from 1820 to 1850 at Newtown. In the year 1850 a probate dis- trict was established for Brookfield, and the first estate probated here was that of Mrs. Philena Wildman, who died at the Iron Works in November, 1850, and was interred at Gallows Hill Cemetery.
Judges of Probate in Brookfield
JUDGE EBENEZER BLACKMAN was the first judge of this district, serving from 1850 to 1859.
JUDGE CURTIS MORRIS served from 1859 to 1867.
JUDGE ROBERT G. KNAPP followed from 1867 to 1869.
JUDGE HOMER LAKE, elected in 1869; died soon after.
JUDGE HENRY O. LAKE served from 1869 to 1873.
JUDGE SAMUEL SHERMAN held the office from 1873 to 1874.
JUDGE BENJAMIN GRIFFEN, elected in 1874, served until 1905, a period of thirty-one years. Judge Griffen
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was an efficient and valuable incumbent of this office. He died September, 1906.
JUDGE HENRY W. GRIFFEN, his son, occupied the office from 1905 to 1907.
JUDGE WILLIAM B. ROE was elected to the office in 1907. Judge Roe is the grandson of the first probate judge of Brookfield, and the ninth judge in this pro- bate district. Judge Roe has held various town offices, and brings to this office experience and legal knowl- edge.
From 1850 to 1876 the probate judge was elected annually ; since 1876 the term has been two years.
It may be here stated that previous to our incorpora- tion in 1788, some estates may have been settled in New Milford. If so, they would be found in Wood- bury Probate Records, as New Milford was included in that district up to 1789.
Population
In 1810 I find that the town of Brookfield had a population of 1,037; a company of militia ; two grain mills; a fulling mill; four taverns; a social library ; one physician ; two clergymen; two attorneys; several quarries were in operation.
In 1840, the population of Brookfield numbered 1,445 ; in 1844 it was reduced to 1,250.
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The last enumeration showed 1,060. In common with a large number of the New England country towns there has been a slow but sure decline in population, and a change in the character of the community life. Other types are manifest, and these elements are shap- ing themselves into a new American character, which must solve new problems, even as those of earlier generations solved those of the formative period of New England life.
Railroads
In 1840 Brookfield came into connection with the outside world by railroad, as during this year the Housatonic Railroad was constructed from Bridgeport to New Milford, largely through the enterprise of Alfred M. Bishop, Esq. In 1842 this road was con- tinued to the state line. The Housatonic was one of the first railroads constructed in the country. At Bridge- port passengers took boat to New York City. The writer's father has often related his first ride by rail from this town to Bridgeport in 1840, he being a lad of thirteen years was accompanied by his older sister (afterward Mrs. L. A. Weed). The trip was made in open cars and fraught with more or less excitement, inasmuch as the iron strap which was used as a rail would occasionally become loose and the car leave the
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track. The journey, however, was made without se- rious disaster. In the year 1869 Brookfield was con- nected by rail with Danbury, the road being long known as "The Dummy" road; very amusing are the experiences related by those who first became the patrons of this road, as the dummy engine sometimes refused to work. Seventeen years later this branch railroad was leased by the Housatonic. The Danbury & Norwalk Railroad, constructed in 1852, was also leased by the Housatonic road in 1886. The entire Housatonic system passed into possession of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad in 1892. Charles S. Mellen is president of this system at this date.
Federal Lodge
Brookfield had a Masonic lodge. It was known as Federal Lodge, No. 41, and was chartered November 7, 1797. The charter members were Eli Perry, Ben- jamin Bostwick, Lemuel Hawley, Rufus Sherman, Solomon Warner, Peter Hurd, Benjamin Warner, Nathaniel Ruggles, Jabez Hurd. The first three per- sons given on the list held respectively the offices of master, senior warden, and junior warden. In 1826 the Congregational Church at Brookfield voted to give Federal Lodge, No. 41, the privilege of erecting a Masonic hall on the north side of the meeting house,
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provided they do not locate within twenty-four feet of the church. The lodge did not conclude to build near the church, but erected a two-story hall just south of Hiram Fairchild's residence and on his ground. This building was subsequently used for select school, store, and dwelling, and was removed some years since. Mr. Ira Keeler was one of the last to be interested in this lodge, and in the closing up of its affairs, May 8, 1844, the charter was revoked by the Grand Lodge of Connecticut.
The Grange
A local Grange was organized here in 1894. It was auxiliary to the Pomona Grange of Fairfield County. The society's headquarters were in Peck's Hall, the use of which was donated by Mrs. Eliza G. Peck. Meet- ings were held twice during the month. Papers were prepared and delivered by members of the society on various subjects relating to agriculture. This or- ganization was successfully managed for some thir- teen years, enjoying a good degree of prosperity ; but owing to the removal of some prominent members of the society from the town, and the death of others, it was thought best to discontinue the meetings in the summer of 1907. The hall in which the Grange had conducted its meetings was also, at about this time, used for other purposes.
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Village Improvement Society
At the suggestion of Mr. H. Allen Smith, and very largely through his efforts, a Village Improvement Society was organized here December 2, 1893. The first officers of the society were: President, Hiram D. Hawley; vice president, Alfred Somers; secretary, Minnie Somers; treasurer, Sidney E. Hawley. The executive committee, of which Mr. H. Allen Smith was the chairman, included also Rev. E. L. Whitcome and Stanley B. Terrill, Esq. This committee had the en- tire work in charge from first to last.
It was decided to construct a sidewalk on the east side of the village street, and the society immediately took steps to raise funds for this purpose. This was accomplished by subscriptions, membership fees, and moneys raised through public entertainments. H. Allen Smith contributed very largely toward the latter, giving illustrated lectures by means of the stereopticon, which were highly entertaining as well as a source of revenue to the society.
A concrete sidewalk, five feet in width and nearly three quarters of a mile in length, has been constructed through the village at Brookfield Center, at a cost of nearly two thousand dollars, including crosswalks.
The society raised about fifteen hundred dollars, and three property owners (Mrs. Skidmore, Esther M. Hawley and Mr. Houseman) paid for the construction
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of the walk in front of their respective properties, amounting to about four hundred and fifty dollars ad- ditional. The work was done by John P. Beard, Esq., and Benjamin Brothers, all of Danbury, in the years 1898-99, 1900-01 and 1903-04.
The present officers of this society are: President, F. S. Curtis ; vice president, S. B. Terrill; secretary, Miss Somers; treasurer, Alfred Somers.
The Village Improvement Society is also credited with securing the first telephone installed in Judge Griffen's office.
CHAPTER XV
A FEW SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF BROOKFIELD WHO HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE WORLD'S WORK
Ministers and Editors
REV. ALBERT E. DUNNING, editor-in-chief of The Congregationalist, the national organ of Congrega- tional churches in this country, was born in Brookfield, Conn., January 5, 1844. A graduate of Yale College, class of 1867, and of Andover Theological Seminary, class of 1870. Mr. Dunning became pastor of High- land Church, Boston, Mass., in 1870 and served the same until 1881, when he was appointed national superintendent of Sunday-school work for Congrega- tional churches. From 1897 to 1902 he was secretary of the International Sunday School Lesson Committee ; also connected with the publishing society.
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