History and antiquities of New Haven, (Conn.) from its earliest settlement to the present time, Part 2

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 2


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The second compartment in front of the tower, is thirty feet high, and has an embattled belt at its top, and a recess twenty five feet high, and fourteen feet wide, divided by four mullions, and having a small window. and various Gothic arched work and blank tracery, within a margin of hewn stone.


The upper compartment is the same on all four of the sides, and has a . recess in each, twenty-six feet high and fourteen feet wide, divided by mullions, and formed into pointed arches, variously ornamented, and large blinds for the accommodation of the bell, which is placed on a roof against the lower belt of this compartment.


There are five window's on a side and two in the rear end, that are twenty five feet high, and eight and one third feet wide within their fa- cings, which are of hewn stone, ten inches wide ; and an altar window in rear, forty feet high, and twenty two feet wide, including its facings, and a small window over it to light the roof, of a figure made by the ad- dition to a pentagon, of five semicireles, having their diameters equal, and coincident with the sides of it. The windows and doors have the pointed arch, and the side windows have a mullion, which divides them into two parts below the arch, and by the branching of the maullion at the top, the arch is divided into three sashes of ornamental figures. The


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altar window, below the arch, is divided into five parts, by mullions, which branch at the top, and connect with a large circular mullion, which circumscribes four squares placed diamond-wise, and elegantly connec- ted by sashes of various ornamental figures. Indeed, the bold and ma- jestic appearance of this window, in consequence of its size, (containing about one thousand four hundred panes of glass,) and elegant tracery, it is presumed, is not equalled in the United States.


The windows are all glazed with diamond glass; the corners of the building and of the tower, as well as the jambs of the windows, are of hewn free-stone; and all the wood work on the outside is painted in im- itation of it; except the sashes, which are lead color, and the doors, which are a dark green.


The front appears elevated, and is entered by spacious and convenient stone steps. And when the building is examined from any point of view, its appearance is majestic and pleasing.


The interior of the Church, although somewhat obstructed by its wide galleries, is elegant ; and has an air of uncommon grandeur, arising chiefly from its size, vaulted ceiling, aud large diamond windows. The ceiling is divided into three pointed arches lengthwise of the Church ; the center one is forty-six feet high and thirty four feet wide, the side arches are thirty-seven feet high and fifteen and a half feet wide : and these three arches are intersected at right angles with four other equal arches, of the same height as the side arches, and eighteen feet wide, and corresponding in figure and position to the side windows as the other three do with the rear windows. Thus a very bold groined vaulting is formed, supported by eight clustered columns, ornamented with cap- itals ; with corresponding half clusters on the walls. The ceiling is appropriately ornamented with ribs, running in various directions, with knots and roses at their intersections. The pulpit and canopy are constructed like those in the Cathedral at York, in England, and are richly ornamented. The ornaments of the ceiling are also similar to those in that Cathedral. The chancel floor is elevated three steps, and enclosed by a mahogany railing, with suitable ornament work under it. The altar is composed of the imitation of eight large books, relating to the government and worship of the Church, two of which, in front are open ; the idea is a very interesting one, and the execution of their pain- ting is masterly. The front of the galleries, the reading desk, archi- traves of the doors and windows, &c. are finished in a corresponding style with the other parts. The slips are capped with mahogany, and painted dead white-as are also the front of the gallery, columns, pulpit, and other inside work.


There are one hundred and forty-six slips on the lower floor, and sev- enty five in the side galleries; besides the organ-loft in front, where a new organ is now nearly completed. The cost of the Church, without the organ, bell, and other furniture, was $29,000. Its walls contain about fifty thousand solid feet of hewn and rough stone."


The other two churches are Congregational ; the middle belonging to the first, the other to the united societies. The white building immedi- ately in the rear of the center church is the new state house, which was completed in 1831. "This building, constructed of stone and marble under the superintendence of Mr. Ithiel Town, an architect of cultiva- ted taste and talents, forms a prominent ornament of the city. It pre- sents one of the best copies of ancient models, which our country affords, and is worthy of an artist who has evinced his fondness for his profession by visiting the best schools in Europe, to perfect himself in his art."


VALE COLLEGE.


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The space back of the churches is generally denominated the Upper Green. It was formerly used as a burying ground, but in 1821 the monu- uments were removed to the new burying place, and ground leveled .- In this burying ground immediately back of the center church, were buried Dixwell, and as tradition says, Goffe and Whalley, all three of whom were the judges of King Charles I.


The buildings beyond, seen indistinctly through the trees, are the colleges.


YALE COLLEGE.


THis seminary is commonly said to have been founded in the year 1700. In this year, ten of the principal ministers, nominated by a gen- eral consent, both of the clergy and the inhabitants of Connecticut, viz. The Rev. James .Voyes, of Stonington,


Israel Chauncey, of Stratford.


Thomas Buckingham, of Saybrook,


Abraham Pierson, of Killingworth,


Samuel Mather, of Windsor,


Samuel Andreu, of Milford,


Timothy Woodbridge, of Hartford,


James Pierpont, of New Haven,


Noadiah Russel, of Middletown, and


Joseph Webb, of Fairfield,


met at New Haven, and formed themselves into a society, which, they determined, should consist of eleven ministers, including a rector; and agreed to found a college in the colony. At their, next meeting, which was at Branford the same year ; each of them brought a number of books, and, presenting them to the society, said "I give these books for the founding a College in this colony." Antecedently to this event, the subject had been seriously canvassed by the clergy, particularly Messrs. Pierpont, Andrew and Russell, of Brauford, and by the people at large, during the two preceding years; and had come thus far towards matu- rity.


The act of Legislature which gave birth to Harvard College, was passed in 1636. Only ten years, therefore, elapsed after the beginning of a settlement in Massachusetts, before a college was commenced in earnest : whereas sixty five years passed away, after the colonization of Connecticut was begun, and sixty three after that of New Haven, be- fore any serious attempt was made toward the founding of Yale College. But we are not hence to conclude that the colonies of Connecticut and New Haven were less friendly to learning than those of Massachusetts. The project of establishing a college in each of these colonies was early taken up, but checked by well founded remonstances from the people of Massachusetts; who very justly observed that the whole population of New England was scarcely sufficient to support one institution of this nature, and that the establishment of a second would, in the end, be a sacrifice of both. These considerations put a stop to the design for a considerable time.


Of the serious intention of the New Haven colonists to establish a col- lege, the following document, copied from the records of Guilford, fur- nishes decisive evidence.


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" At a General Court, held at Guilford, June 28, 4. D. 1652.


" Voted, The matter about a College at New Haven, was thought to be too great a charge for us of this jurisdiction to undergo alone ; espe- cially considering the unsettled state of New Haven Town; being publicly declared, from the deliberate judgment of the most understand- ing men, to be a place of no comfortable subsistance for the present in- habitants there. But if Connecticut do join, the planters are generally willing to bear their just proportions for erecting and maintaining of a College there. However, they desire thanks to Mr. Goodyear, for his kind proffer to the setting forward of such a work."


In October, 1701, the Legislature granted the before named gentlemen a charter, constituting them "Trustees of a Collegiate School in his Majesty's Colony of Connecticut ;" and invested them with all the pow- ers which were supposed to be necessary for the complete execution of their trust. The following November, they chose one of their number, Mr. Pierson, Rector of the School; and determined that it should be fixed for the present, at Saybrook.


In the year 1702, the first Commencement was held at Saybrook; at which five young gentlemen received the degree of A. M.


From this time many debates arose concerning the place where the school should finally be established ; and continued to agitate the commu- nity, until the year 173S. In 1716, a majority of the Trustees voted, on the 17th of October, to remove the school to New Haven. Four of their number, out of nine, were however, strongly against it; and the com- munity was equally disunited. The Trustees, nevertheless, proceeded to hold the Commencement, the following year, at New Haven, and to order a College to be erected. It was accordingly raised in October, 1717, and finished the following year. This building they were enabled to erect by a considerable number of donations, which they had receiv- ed for this purpose, both within and without the colony. Their princi- pal benefactor, both during this period, and all which have succeeded was the Legislature.


Among the individuals who distinguished themselves by their benefi- cence to this infant institution, was the Hon. Elihu Yale, Esq. of Lon- don. This gentleman was descended of an ancient and respectable family in Wales. His father, Thomas Yale, Esq. came from England with the first colonists of New Haven. In this town his son Elihu was born, April 5th, 1648. He went to England at ten years of age ; and to Hindoostan at thirty. In that country he resided about twenty years; was made Governor of Madras; and married the widow of Gov. Hinmers, his predecessor. Having acquired a large fortune, he return- ed to London ; was chosen Governor of the East India Company ; and died at Rexon, July 8th, 1721.


This gentleman sent, in several donations, to the Collegiate School, €500 sterling, between 1714, and 1718 ; and a little before his death, ordered goods to be sent out, to the value of #500 more ; but they were never received.


In gratitude to this benefactor, the Trustees, by a solemn act, named their seminary Yale College ; a name, which it is believed, will convey the memory of his beneficence to distant generations .*


The College which was erected at this time, was built of wood, one hundred and seventy feet long, twenty two feet wide, and three stories


* Dr. Dwight.


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high ; contained near fifty studies, besides the Hall, Library, and Kitch- en, and cost about £1000 sterling. Before it was erected, the students were scattered in various places ; as Milford, Killingworth, Guilford, Saybrook, Wethersfield, &c. Soon afterwards, they all removed to New Haven. From this time the institution began to flourish. The number of the students was about 40 ; and the course of education was pursued with spirit. The benefactions, also, which it received, were increased in number and value.


In the list of its principal benefactors was the Rev .. Dr. Berkley, Dean of Derry, in Ireland, and afterwards Bishop of Cloyne. This highly respectable man came to America in the year 1732, for the purpose of establishing a College in the Island of Bermuda. The project failed, however, for want of assistance from England, which was promised him. While he was in America, he became acquainted with the Rev. Mr. Williams, and with the design and circumstances of the Seminary. With all these he was so well pleased, that he made a present to it of a farm, which he had purchased at Rhode Island, and after his return to Europe, sent to the Library " the finest collection of books that ever came together at one time into America .*


Jeremiah Dummer, Esq. of Boston, and the Hon. James Fitch, Esq. of Norwich, deserve to be mentioned as distinguished benefactors of the Institution. Sir Isaac Newton, Sir Richard Steele, Doctors Burnet, Woodward, Halley, Bently, Kennet, Calamy, Edwards, the Rev. Mr. Henry, and Mr. Whiston, presented their own works to the Library. Many other respectable men afterwards made similar presents.


In 1745, a new charter, drawn by the Hon. Thomas Fitch, Esq. of Norwalk, afterwards Governor, was given to the Trustees ; in which they were named The President and Fellows of Vale College. This is the present Charter of the Institution.


In the year 1750, another college was built, and named Connecticut Hall. The building, as originally constructed, was 100 feet long, 40 feet wide, and three stories high, with a cellar under the whole. It was built of brick, and contained thirty two chambers, and sixty two studies.


This is the only college of that period that now remains, and even this has been essentially altered and enlarged by the addition of a fourth story. It is known in the language of direction now used by the stu- dents, as the South Middle College. The expense of this building was £1660 sterling.


In April, 1761, a chapel was begun ; and finished in 1763. This chapel, in modern times has undergone much alteration, and is at this time devoted solely to academic purposes, under the name of the Atheneum.


In 1782, a brick dining hall was erected, sixty feet in length, and thir- ty in breadth. This hall has since been converted into a chemical laba- ratory and lecture room, and is now used for these purposes.


In April, 1793, the corner stone of the building usually designated as the South College, was laid. This building is of brick, one hundred and four feet long, thirty six feet wide, and four stories high, and was com- pleted on the 17th of July, 1791.


The Faculty, to whom is committed the government and instruction of the Students, consists of a President ; a Professor of Chemistry, Min-


* Pres. Clap.


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eralogy and Geology; a Professor of the Hebrew, Greek and Latin languages ; a Professor of Mathematics, Natural Philosophy and Astrou- omy ; a Professorship of Divinity ; a Professor of Rhetoric and Oratory; and eight tutors.


The whole course of instruction occupies four years. In each year there are three terms or sessions.


The general library of Yale College consists of about ten thousand volumes exclusive of pamphlets. The Linonian library consist of three thousand three hundred volumes. . The library of the Brothers in Unity comprises three thousand volumes. The Calliopean society, which is comparatively of recent formation, has made a collection of two thousand nine hundred volumes .- In addition to the several libraries, there is a col- lection of books belonging to the Moral society, consisting of five or six hundred volumes. The aggregate of books in the several libraries amount to nearly twenty thousand volumes.


The college possesses a handsome Mineralogical cabinet; in 1811 Col. George Gibbs deposited in this seminary, two cabinets, one consisting of more than six thousand choice specimens, and the other of about eigh- teen thousand, the two best collections ever opened in this country.


In 1825 this collection was purchased of Col. Gibbs, at a price of twenty thousand dollars; of which sum the officers of Yale College, and the citizens of New Haven contributed ten thousand dollars, the citi- zens of New York three thousand dollars, and the alumni of South Car- olina, seven hundred dollars, and an individual, five hundred dollars .*


The principal edifices of Yale College face the western boundary of the green, and present an imposing front, including passage ways, of about six hundred feet.


The buildings are chiefly constructed of brick, and consist of four spa- cious edifices, cach four stories high, one hundred and four feet by forty, containing thirty two studies; a chapel for religious worship, and ordinary public exhibitions; a Lyceum containing the library and recitation rooms; an Atheneum; a Chemical Laboratory; and extensive stone Dining Hall, containing also in the upper story apartments for the min- eralogical cabinet ; a separate Dining Hall for Theological students ; a dwelling house for the President ; and a large stone building occupied by the medical department.


In the plate, the first building with a tower, on the left, is the old chap- el or atheneum ; that on the right is the new chapel, erected in 1824. The middle building is the Lyceum. There are many more trees in the yard, in front of the college buildings, than are represented in the plate, but it was thought advisable not to insert the whole number, as it would much obscure the view of the buildings.


North East and North West of New Haven, at short distance from the town and from each other, rise two perpendicular eminences, exhibit- ing precipices of naked rocks called the East and West rock, varying in height from three hundred and fifty to four hundred feet.


These rocks are composed principally of hornblende and feldspar, through which quartz is sometimes interspersed ; iron enters considerably


* A well written work by Ebenezer Baldwin, Esq. entitled " Annals of Yale College," has been recently published in this city, to which the reader is referred for a more particular history, &c. of this institution.


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into their composition. Hence, during their decomposition, iron rust gradually covers the exterior of the stone, thus giving it a reddish brown appearance. It forms an excellent building stone, and is extensively employed for that purpose in New Haven. Their fronts are composed of vast assemblages of columns, more or less regular, and are full of cracks and fissures, from which cause it probably arises that they are li- able to break off and fall. Hence vast masses of broken rocks, from the smallest size to that of the largest columns are found sloping from the bases of these mountains up their fronts for more than half their height. They are also distinguished by their backs declining so gradually that whilst the ascent is often casy, in front it is impracticable.


WEST ROCK.


West Rock lies about two miles N. W. from New Haven, and is the southern extremity of the east ridge of the Green Mountains. It is a fine perpendicular bluff fronting the south, four hundred feet in height. Con- tiguous to West Rock, and similar to it in appearance, is a smaller emi- nence which runs off at right angles, in an easterly direction, and is called Pine Rock. (See Map of New Haven.)


At he base of this rock there was formerly a cave well known to the inhabitants of New Haven, as "Fry's Care" so called, from being first occupied by a family of that name who retained possession of it for several years. In front of this cave, there was a small level patch of ground which they converted into a neat garden. They obtained a sub- sistance principally by money received from those who visited their hab- itation, and by begging. The family of Fry's, left the cave in 1826. and its next occupants were a colored man and his wife, named McDaniel. These two persons lived in this cave above a year, supporting themselves by making baskets, but in consequence of the death of Mac, (as he was commonly called,) the cave was deserted. The falling of rocks from above, has ruined the habitation and garden which now has the appear- ance of a heap of rubbish.


EAST ROCK.


East Rock the southern termination of Mount Tom range of moun- tains, is three hundred and seventy feet in height, two miles E. N. E. of New Haven.


From the top of this rock, you have a bird's eye view of New Haven, and the surrounding country : you have also a fine view of the harbor, with the sound and Long Island.


A few rods from the highest part of this rock, on its northern de- scent a Hermit resided for several years. His residence was a cabin, built of earth and stone with an aperture which served both as an en- trance and a chinmey. At the extremity of this cabin was his bed, com- posed of husks and boughs. The only companions of his retirement


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were a few sheep, which he fed with care,-and they enjoyed all his tenderness. He was extremely taciturn in his manners-communica- ted little to enquirers, and was both ignorant and repulsive. In winter he appeared frequently at the doors of the citizens, with a basket-ask- ed for nothing-spoke little, but whatever was given him, he took away quietly. He was found dead in his cabin Nov. 2, 1823. His person was covered with rags, and in that part of them which served as trowsers, there was found upwards of forty dollars in silver. The only food found in his tenement was two or three birds, picked for cooking, and a few po- tatoes. Ilis name was Elias Turner, and he was believed to have been a native of one of the neighboring towns, but of his early life, or the mo- tives which led him to seek such an uncomfortable asylum from the vanities of life do not appear to be fully known : it is however, generally believed that


" The pangs of despised love."


led him to adopt this course of life. ITis habitation is now in ruins, and the scenery immediately around has lost much of its beauty, on account of its being cleared of trees.


An observer placed at the foot of East Rock, is forcibly struck with the grandeur of the numerous and lofty columns which there form an extended front.


On the left of the print is seen a building belonging to a manufactory of fire-arms, the property of the late Mr. Whitney. The other buildings connected with the establishment, lie immediately west of the one in- serted.


The machinery of this manufactory, is ingenious and peculiar, many parts of which were invented by Mr. Whitney. It is to this gentleman that the world are indebted for the introduction of a machine, for clean- ing upland cotton which annually saves millions of property to the Uni- ted States.


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W. side of the EAST BOCK, near New Haven Con


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HISTORY, &c.


THE local situation of New Haven appears to have been known to the Dutch some years before the arrival of the English settlers : they designated the place by the name of "Red Rock." It was doubtless so called from the appear- ance of the East and West Rocks near the place. Its Indian name was Quinnipiack, which name was given to the river forming the castern boundary of the township, and now commonly called Wallingford river; to the adjacent coun- try, and to the tribe by which it was inhabited. The Quin- nipiacks have long since been extinct : they dwelt in the summer on the shore, for the convenience of fishing ; and in the winter, in the forests, for the convenience of fuel.


They had a place for powawing in East Haven, about three quarters of a mile east of the harbor bridge. The spot was formerly a swamp, and is now a meadow.


Charles, the last sachem of this tribe, died nearly one hundred years since. He was frozen to death near a spring, about one mile north of the presbyterian church in East Baven.


They are said to have had neither marriages nor divorces.


'They caught round clams with their feet ; and taught the English to catch them in this manner.


The Indian arrow-heads, frequently found here, are ex- . actly like some which have been brought from Cape Horn.


At Fort Hill, or as it is now called, Beacon Hill, there was formerly an Indian fort, and an Indian burying ground, on the castern side of the hill. The name of this spot was for- merly Indian Hill .- The above is about all the account we have of the original inhabitants.


On the 26th of July, 1637, Mr. John Davenport, Mr. Sam- vel Eaton, Theophilus Eaton, and Edward Hopkins, Esq.'s, Mr. Thomas Gregson, and many others of good characters and fortunes, arrived at Baston. Mr. Davenport had been a celebrated minister in the city of London, and was a distin- guished character for piety, learning, and good conduct. Many of his congregation, on account of the esteem which they had for his person and ministry, followed him into


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New England. Mr. Eaton and Mr. Hopkins had been mer- chants in London, possessed great estates, and were men of eminence for their abilities and integrity. The fame of Mr. Davenport, the reputation and good estates of the principal gentlemen of this company, made the people of Massachu- setts exceedingly desirous of their settlement in that com- monwealth. Great pains were taken not only by particular persons and towns, but by the general court, to fix them in the colony. Charlestown made them large offers ; and Newbury proposed to give up the whole town to them. The general court offered them any place which they should choose. But they were determined to plant a distinct colo- ny. By the pursuit of the Pequots to the westward, the English became acquainted with that fine tract along the shore, from Saybrook to Fairfield, and with its several har- bors. It was represented as fruitful, and happily situated for navigation and commerce. They therefore projected a settlement in that part of the country.




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