History and antiquities of New Haven, (Conn.) from its earliest settlement to the present time, Part 10

Author: Barber, John Warner, 1798-1885, comp. cn
Publication date: 1831
Publisher: New Haven : J. W. Barber
Number of Pages: 264


USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > New Haven > History and antiquities of New Haven, (Conn.) from its earliest settlement to the present time > Part 10


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A number of respectable gentlemen of the town dined togethour at the Coffee-House : after dinner several patriotic toasts were drank.


At 3 o'clock were discharged thirteen cannon-at 4 twenty one ditto -- at 5 seven ditto-at 6 thirteen ditto-at 7 were displayed the fire-works, with rockets, serpents, &c .- at nine o'clock, a bon-fire on the green con- cluded the diversions of the day. The whole affair was conducted with a decorum and decency uncommon for such occasions, without any un- fortunate accident ; a most pacific disposition and heart felt joy was uni- versally conspicuous and most emphatically expressed by the features of every countenance.


In 1281, New Haven, together with Middletown, New London and Norwich, were constituted cities by the Legis- Jature.


New Haven, October 15th.


At a City Meeting of the City of New Haven, holden on the 22d day of Sept. 1784,


Voted, That the streets in the city of New Haven, be named as fol- lows, viz.


The street from Capt. Samuel Munson's corner, to Thomas Howell Esq's shop, State Street.


The street from Cooper's corner, to Captain Robert Brown's corner, Church Street.


The street from Dixwell's corner, to Dunbar's corner, College Street. The street from Tench's corner, to Andrus's corner, York Street.


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The street from Capt. Samuel Munson's corner to Tench's corner, Grove Street.


The street from Bishop's corner to Darling's corner, Elm Street.


The street from Rhode's corner, to Mr. Isaac Doolittle's corner, Chap- el Street.


The street from Andrus's corner, to Thomas Howell, Esq's, shop, George Street.


The street from John Whiting, Esq's corner to the head of the Long Wharf, Fleet Street.


The street from captain Thomas Rice to Ferry.Point, Water Street.


The street from colonel Leverett Hubbard's corner to captain Trow- bridge's corner, Meadow Street.


. + The street from Mr. Hezekiah Sabin's to Douglas's house, Union Street.


The street from the Rope Walk, to Storer's Ship Yard, Olive Street.


The street from Major William Munson's to Capt. Solomon Phipps's Fair Street.


The street from Grove street, across the squares, a little west of Pier- pont Edwards Esq's. house, over into George street, Orange street.


The street across the middle squares, in from off the Court House, and the other Public Buildings, Temple street.


The street between the dwelling houses where Mr. Timothy Jones, deceased, dwelt, and where Mr. David Austin, Jun. now lives, up through the squares to the Green, and across the opposite square, near the new Goal, Court street.


The street across the upper squares, from Grove street, to George street, which runs between the Dwelling House and store of Henry Daggett, Esq. High Street.


The street from Mr. Joseph Howell's, across the squares, between the old and new houses of Mr. Joel Atwater, Crown street.


The street from Mr. Ebenezer Townsend's corner, to Capt. Moses Ventre's house, Cherry street.


The street or ways from Mr. Josiah Burr's house, out on Mount Car- mel, and Amity roads, Broad Way.


Test, TIMOTHY JONES, Clerk.


New Haven, June 1, 1785.


The General Assembly, at their present session, have incorporated the Parish of East Haven into a Township, by the name of East Haren, with the privilege of being represented in the General Assembly by one Member.


April 13th, 1755, the "Connecticut Silk Society" was established by a number of the principal inhabitants of New Haven, which had for its objeet the " culture and manufac- ture of Silk throughout the State of Connecticut." A large number of Mulberry trees for this purpose were plant- ed on the outskirts of the city, many of which are still re- maining.


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On Wednesday, the 21st. (Jan. 1795,) entered into the Connubial cir- cle, Mr. John Elliot, late an instructor of youth in the City of New Ha- ven, with Mrs. Sarah Harlow, of Branford.


Whereas, at the present period, we the subscribers find ourselves un- der an indispensable necessity to desire, and do hereby forbid all persons whatever, trusting or trading with any one, (not excepting Mr. John Elliot, who published his "entrance into the connubial circle," in the Connecticut Journal, No. 1422,) wherever our particular interest is con- cerned, whether joint or separate, without our special order, for we will pay no debts otherwise contracted, after this date, nor any other pre- vious, that ourselves did not contract.


MARTHA BAKER, S. HARLOW, alias ELLIOT.


Branford, Jan. 31, 1795.


Whereas, Mrs. Sarah Elliot, whom I charitably think to be no faint portrait of Mary Magdalene, has undertaken to publish my name in the Jast paper, where she dropt her delicate pen, there I beg leave to take it up, and in my turn to add,


2dly. That I hereby forewarn all persons from paying her any bonds, obligations, or book debts, and from trusting her to the complete value of one farthing, which from this date, I will not pay ; and although the offenders in the premises may not be in the connubial, yet they will soon find themselves in the legal circle.


Witness my hand, at North Branford, this 23d Feb. 1795. JOHN ELLIOT.


The Roman Catholics of Connecticut are informed that a Priest is now in New Haven, where he will reside for some time .- Those who wish to make use of his ministry, will find him by enquiring at Mr. Azel Kimberly's, Chapel Street.


New Haven, Jan. 28, 1796.


The Printers of this State are desired to insert this advertisement.


Les Francois sont avertis qu'il y a un PrĂȘtre Catholique en ville .- On le demandera chez Monsieur Kimberly, Rue de la Chapelle, New Haven.


The following account of the most destructive fire which erer occurred in New Haven, is copied from the Colum- bian Register, of Oct. 25, 1820.


" On Thursday night the 26th inst. at about 12 o'clock, our citizens were alarmed by the cry of fire. The fire originated near the head of Long Wharf, in a wooden building owned by Mr. Isaac Townsend, the lower part of which formed two Grocery stores, occupied by Mr. Charles Leek, and Mr. Eli Humiston, and in one of the chambers was the Counting Room of Hinman, Burritt & Co. who had a Lumber Yard aijoining the building. The fire was not discovered till the flames were bursting out of the windows and roof. Although every exertion was made to get it under, yet such was the quantity of lumber and other combustibles in the vicinity, that the destructive element was caught and communicated to the adjacent buildings, almost with the rapidity of


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lightning. The fire was arrested in its progress north by the fire proof brick store of J. N. Clark, & Co. This building from the intensity of the heat without, was frequently on fire within, but by great exertions the building, with its valuable contents were preserved from destruction ; the rafters now appear to have been burnt to a coal .- But for the saving of this store, a considerable number of valuable buildings on the north must have been destroyed.


Unfortunately the tide was out, and whilst the flames were making progress south, the very scanty supply of water for the two Engines in that direction, could only be obtained from the pumps at the head of the wharf. It was difficult to preserve the line, which was necessarily so near the fire, that the people were literally scorched ; the wind, though light, was N. W. favoring the progress of the fire down the wharf, and driving the flames across the line, whilst the burning materials were falling in every direction. At this time, the store of E. & J. Shipman, in which was the Marine Insurance Office, and the store of Mr. Abra- ham Heaton, partly occupied by him as a counting room, and by Mr. J. Darrow, as a Grocery, were on fire, and the heat became so insufferable that the line broke, and formed on the line below, where the tide began to favor them ; the flames soon cut off all communication with those above. The fire had still to pass the store of S. Collis & Co. the store of Thomas Ward, occupied by S. Jackson, and the store occupied by E. Beecher & Co. before it should reach the large brick store of R. & E. Hotchkiss. With this building it was hoped to make a stand against the fire. When the flames reached the large quantities of lumber in the yard of R. & E. Hotchkiss, every effort to save their store proved un- availing. Little remained to be done besides saving property ; great quantities of Rum and Molasses were rolled out, and other articles carri- ed across the bridge below out of danger. The fire advanced and destroy- ed two wooden stores of R. & E. Hotchkiss, in one of which the Ocean Insurance Office was kept, by Truman Woodward, -- three stores occupied by Prescott and Sherman,-Kidston & Fenn's store and lumber yard -- store of Henry Trowbridge, -- two stores of Hotchkiss & Harrison, in one of which was the Sail Loft of Mr. John Hempstead, and lastly the long range of ten stores,* owned and occupied by Atwater & Daggett, Tho's Ward, Samuel Langdon, Prescott & Sherman, Bush & Beach, &c. a building at the end of this range, owned by Capt. Goff Phipps, and oc- cupied by J. Graham, as a Grocery, was pulled down, and the progress of the fire arrested about half past 4 o'clock in the morning. The wharf is now stripped of buildings, except one brick, two stone, and four wood- en stores, below where this fire has wasted-the two stone buildings out of this number were also erected in place of two wooden stores belong- ing to J. Forbes & Son, burnt about two years ago.


* These buildings were erected by the Rev. David Austin. It is said by some that he built them for the purpose of acconunodating the Jews, whom, he was persuaded, would come to his native city. About the year 1800, Mr. Austin was sanguine in his belief that the Millenni- um was at hand. It is said that in a public discourse he remarked, " that before the leaves fell from the trees, his prediction would be verified." Mr. Austin was distinguished for his efforts and sacrifices in promoting objects of public utility .-- The elm trees which now adorn our public square, and its vicinity, were set out by him and the Hon. James Hillhouse. New Haven owes much to these two public spirited individuals.


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About twenty six stores and warehouses, many of them filled with West India produce, are reduced to ashes. Besides these, there were several large storage buildings in rear of the stores which were also de- stroyed.


New brig Hannah, on the west side of the wharf, unable to move on account of the tide, was in great danger, and it was by the most daring exertions that she was saved,-her masts and rigging were ent away. A sloop on the east side of the wharf caught fire, and her mast was de- stroved.


Several of the sufferers have saved little besides their books and pa- pers. The buildings were so generally filled with rum, tar, and other combustible materials, and the yards many of them so blocked up by dry lumber, that the flames baffled every effort to subdue them. New Ha- ven was never visited by such a dreadful calamity before. It is fortu- nate, however, that no individual was seriously injured during the fire. The principal sufferers are,-Messrs. Prescott & Sherman, Thomas & Henry Ward, R. & E. Hotchkiss, Kidston & Fenn, Truman Wood- ward, Atwater & Daggett, E. & J. Shipman, Hinman & Burritt, Solo- mon Collis, Abraham Heaton, Eli Beecher & Co. Henry Trowbridge.


Indeed there are few of our merchants engaged in commerce, who have not suffered more or less by this disastrous conflagration.


The loss is differently estimated at from $150,000 to $250,000.


The following is an account of General La Fayette's visit to New Haven, 21st of August, 1821.


On Tuesday, the 17th of August, news was received of the General's arrival at New York. This joyful intelligence, was announced here by singing all the bells, and a discharge of 24 guns.


A delegation was immediately sent on to New York, to invite the General to visit New Haven, which invitation he accepted. He was expected in this city on the night of the 20th, in consequence of which the whole city was illuminated, and a large and splendid transparency, with the words " Welcome La Fayette," legible at a great distance, appeared aloft, in front of Morse's Hotel, Church Street, with American and French flags waving around it. Smaller transparencies, with the same words, were seen over the doors of many houses. The shops were full of people, old and young, ladies and gentlemen, enquiring for the General. Owing to numerous detentions on the way, he did not reach the city, until 10 o'clock next day, when his arrival was announ- ced by the discharge of 24 cannon, and a procession formed, by which the General was conducted to the room of the Court of the Common Council, and an address presented to the General, by the Mayor.


The General was presented to the Governor, those officers of the Re- volution who were in New Haven, the civil and military authorities, the Faculty of Vale College, the Clergy, and hundreds of the citizens, and as they were presented, the General took them cach by the hand.


The troops were paraded in front of the Hotel, and fired a salute. They then marched by in review, followed by a train of three hundred Students of the College, two and two, with the badges of their several societies. He addressed them to the following effect.


He thanked them for the very kind reception they gave him. He had passed through the town in 1778. He was now most agreeably sur-


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prised at the great improvements since made. To see such very fine troops had given him a particular pleasure ; but above all he should al- ways have the profoundest sense of the cordial welcome given him here. Pressing his hand on his breast, he said he was delighted with the inan- ner of his reception by every kind of person.


At 11 o'clock, the General, with his suite, sat down to breakfast with the Common Council. Among the guests, were His Excellency, Gov. Wolcott, and all the authorities, civil and military, the Rev. Clergy, the Faculty of the College, the New York Committee, and the surviving officers of the Revolution. At the same time refreshments were fur- nished to the Military.


While at Breakfast, the rooms just left by the gentlemen, were imme- diately occupied by the ladies, more than three hundred of whom, with their children, had the pleasure of a particular introduction to the Gen- eral.


At 12 o'clock, the General passed to the Green, and reviewed the troops, consisting of the Horse Guards, commanded by Major Huggins, a squadron of Cavalry, by Adjutant Harrison, the Foot Guards, by Lieut. Boardman, the Artillery, by Lieut. Redfield, the Iron Greys, by Lieut. Nicholl, and a Battallion of Infantry, by Capt. Bills, the whole under Major Granniss. The General walked down the whole line, shaking hands with the officers, and bowing to the men, making appropriate re- marks on the troops; and he observed that such an improvement in the appearance of the troops he had not expected.


Standing in the door of Mr. Nathan Smith, in whose house he was introduced to the family, he received the marching salute of the troops, and whilst waiting for the barouche volunteered by Mr. Street, he was introduced to the house of David C. Deforest, Esq. where after partaking of some refreshments, he stepped into the carriage, and riding to the south gate of the College Yard, was there received by the President at the head of the Faculty, who conducted him through a double line of Students, to the Lyceum, visiting the Cabinet and Library.


Passing through Chapel and York streets, to the new Burying Ground he stopped a moment to view it. He was pointed to the graves of Hum- phreys, the Aid of Washington, -- of Dwight the Chaplain of Parsons, whom he remembered in the war of the revolution. He then proceed- ed to the house of Professor Silliman ; here he made a short visit to Mrs. Silliman's mother, Mrs. Trumbull, the widow of the late Gov. Trumbull who was in the family of Washington through most of the Revolutionary War.


Returning, the Students again met him, at the bottom of Hillhouse Avenue, and entered Temple street, passing the graves of Whalley, Dixwell and Goffe, he again entered the Hotel.


In a few minutes, it being past two o'clock, he ascended the carriage to depart. The citizens again repeated their acclamations. A squadron of Horse led the way, and a long train of coaches, and mounted citizens followed. Fifteen guns announced his departure, The city authorities accompanied him to the East Haven Green, and then took leave. He expressed his thanks in a very touching manner for the kind reception he had met with from the New Haven citizens.


Note .- The New York Corporation had resolved to deliver the Gen- * eral in Boston, free of expense, and had paid to New Haven, ; but the New Haven Committee insisted on taking him out of their hands, and furnished horses and carriages, and provided for all expenses as far as. New London.


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The following account of the Canal, &c. was furnished by a gentleman who was one of the first projectors of the Canal, and who is well acquainted with its origin and progress.


In 1819, a Newspaper discussion commenced in the several journals published in New Haven, urging the great importance to this city, and to the country within the sphere of its influence, of a canal extending to the north line of the state, with a view to its ultimate extension to the Connecticut River, at Northampton.


This discussion kept the subject before the public until a company was incorporated, and a charter, with liberal provisions obtained, for its exe- cution through Connecticut, a distance of 58 miles. This was in 1822. A general survey of the proposed route had been previously made by Benj. Wright, Esq. Chief Engineer on the Erie Canal, attended by Mr. Andrew A. Bartow, Assistant Engineer on the same. In 1823, the Le- gislature, (upon application of the Company,) passed a supplementary act, exempting the Stock from taxation forever, saving when its clear income should exceed six per cent ; of which excess, one sixth part is payable into the State Treasury. In 1823, a company was incorporated in Massachusetts for continuing the Canal from the north line of this


state, to its conjunction with the Connecticut River at Northampton. The Charter is generally liberal. Our Canal passing through the four- ishing and nearly central village of Farmington, was for brevity sake, chartered under the name of the Farmington Canal. Its continuation in Massachusetts, bears the name of the Hampshire and Hampden Ca- nal, intersecting these two counties. In 1823, a minute scientific sur- vey was taken of the entire route from New Haven to Southwick, (Mass.) and staked out for excavation, &c. Judge Wright made the estimated cost to be four hundred and seven thousand dollars. But the subject of canalling was new in Connecticut, and the stock bat partially taken. Under these circumstances, a memorial was presented to the Legislature in May, 1824, setting forth the difficulty of procuring a sul- ficient direct subscription to the stock, and petitioning that a Bank might be chartered with a capital of $500,000, endowed with high and exclu- sive privileges, provided that not less than one, nor more than two hun- dred thousand dollars of its capital should be liable for subscription to the canal stock. In all other respects, the bank is entirely distinct, and sub- ject to no interference whatever from the canal corporation. The po- tition was granted, and the " Mechanics' Bank" incorporated, with an existence having no limitation, and its stock being forever exempted from taxation. It also enjoys other peculiar privileges.


Adequate funds for making the canal through this state were now supposed to be secured, and the ensuing 4th of July was appointed to break ground, pro forma, at the head of Southwick Ponds; being the di- viding line between the two states, and the highest summit between tide water and Northampton. On that day, several hundred citizens, (Gov. Wolcott among the number,) assembled from distant places at Granby, there formed a cavalcade of almost every description of vehicle, and on horse, to the scene of action, about three miles distant.


Arrived at the ground, an address was made to the concourse of citi- zens by Jonathan Lyman, Esq. of Northampton. This address was an elegant, animated effusion, springing spontaneously from the glowing patriotism, the cultivated intellect, and gifted genius of its lamented au-


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thor." The orator having finished, a sinewy, robust citizen of New Haven took spade in hand, and placed himself on the spot designated as the line dividing the two states. At a signal from the canal commis- sioners, he broke ground, and-doubly nerved with zeal and energy- soon broke the spade.


Must we believe that this was ominous of the future grievously slow and broken progress of the embryo canal ? Another spade was handed him, which sustained the shock of our vigorous Hercules. These cere- monies performed, the pageant returned in procession to Granby. Here an arched bower, formed of cedar branches closely interwoven, was erected on a spacious area of level grass ground, admirably adapted to a sultry day. The space and tables were sufficient for several hundred, and amply supplied with substantial good cheer for that number of guests. Soon after dinner, and the toasts, those persons residing at a dis- tance were seen dispersing towards their respective homes. The day had passed off with great hilarity, zeal, and good feelings; and nothing had occurred to mar the animating scene-saving and excepting the ominous broken spade.


But the most amusing and unique appendage to those interesting days is yet to be described .- Captain George Rowland, ever among the fore- most in promoting objects of public utility, had procured a ship's long- boat, skillfully equipped it for a voyage, mounted it on wheels, provided it with an awning to protect the passengers from rain and sun, and hoisting the national flag at the stern, took his land tack bearings for the port of Southwick. The ship and passengers easily maintained an equal speed with those gentlemen who travelled in ordinary land conveyan- ces, being drawn by an adequate strength of team. This novel mode of land sailing nearly one hundred and twenty miles (out and in) produced numerous exhibitions of grotesque wonderment, from the surprised star- ing residents on the road. The commander, passengers, ship and team, all returned without accident to their port of departure.


The Canal, instead of stretching across the state in two years-which it might have done as easily as in twenty-has " dragged its slow length along" through about five. The estimate of costs (58 miles) calculated by the most experienced canal engineer in the country, amounted to little more than $100,000 : the actual cost exceeds $650,000! Cruel to the stockholders has been this "hope long deferred," and cruel this lavish expenditure.


During the past year, the canal was extended to the fine village of Westfield, in Massachusetts, seventy miles from New Haven ; and will probably reach the Connecticut valley in course of the ensuing year. When completed to this point of destination, the transit upon it must be immense, and the Stockholders' income sufficient to satisfy all reasonable desires. To New Haven it will be a source of permanent prosperity : and both the present and unborn generations will bless the spirited few who accomplished for them a work of so great, so very great and du- rable utility.


* Mr. Lyman was then deep in the consumption, and survived but a short period after this event.


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The following communication is from a gentleman who has long been a resident of this city, and who is well ac- quainted with the localities, &c. which he describes .- The compiler of this work would state, that he does not con- sider himself as competent to decide upon the merits of the proposed undertaking, but it is thought to be a subject well worthy the attention of the citizens of this place.


It is known to all our citizens, who have long been residents, that the harbor on both sides the Long Wharf has been steadily filling up with a species of vegetable mud ; and that within the memory of middle aged men, this mud has so encroached upon the water, that formerly vessels of considerable burthen floated with their cargoes, where flourishing crops of sea grass are now shooting forth in their places. This formida- ble evil, which has threatened to reduce the landing ground for shipping to the extreme end of the wharf, and the Harbor Bridge, and which if suffered to accumulate for forty years longer as it has done for forty years past, would have made the entire harbor, north west of the chan- nel, a compact body of marshy grass, is now under partial recovery. The Canal, discharging its water into the spacious basin beginning at the head of the wharf, and from that basin again through two distant outlets, will keep in subjection, and annually reduce the mud, in the eastern section of the harbor. But for the section west of the wharf, no remedy is yet provided. A most efficient one, however, will, I am persuaded, be in operation there also, within a few years. Nor will its benefits be limited to the removal of this vegetable nuisance. It will open a far greater depth of water, and force of current in the channel, than was ever before known, since our harbor received around it the im- print of civilized footsteps. I proceed to show how this is to be accom- plished.




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