USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > New Haven > History and antiquities of New Haven, Conn. : from its earliest settlement to the present time, with biographical sketches and statistical information of the public institutions, &c., &c., 3rd ed. > Part 15
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The following extracts are from the Columbian Register, published during the time of the last war with Great Britain.
New Haven, Sept. 14, 1813 .- The bodies of Lawrence and Ludlow passed through this city on Friday last, in covered waggons, on their way to N. York.
On Tuesday the 7th inst. 3 or 4 of the enemy's armed vessels passed through the Sound towards New York-they captured sev- eral sloops during their cruise. On Friday afternoon last, a frigate and a sloop of war were seen to pass this harbor, steering eastward, and were off Killingworth on Saturday afternoon. We understand that they sent their barges ashore at Guilford and fired a sloop, but that they were soon driven off, and the fire extinguished so soon as to save most of the vessel and property.
Lieut. John A. Thomas, with between 20 and 30 soldiers of the 4th regiment, left Fort Hale on Tuesday last for Greenbush. They embarked on board an Albany sloop, and proceeded towards New York, until they discovered the British force in the Sound, when they ran into some Creek and escaped capture.
New Haven, April 19, 1814 .- On Friday last a frigate, a gun brig and a small sloop, were discovered off this harbor steering west- ward-they proceeded as far as Stratford Point, where they came to anchor for the night .- On Saturday morning they passed this harbor, for the eastward.
The appearance of the enemy before this city at so short period after their depredations at Saybrook, aroused the citizens, and
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occasioned the meeting of the proper authority and principal gen- tlemen of the city at the State House, to devise means to repel any attack ; and we are happy to state that every precautionary mea- sure has been adopted, by furnishing the citizens with arms, am- munition, &c., and keeping a night-watch to give the first alarm should an enemy approach.
New Haven, April 26, 1814 .- On Friday last 4 seamen were brought to town by a patroling party of horse that had been order- ed out a few days past as a guard to ride along the coast near this city. The seamen were discovered near the light-house, 5 miles from this city, landing from a small open boat. They were sus- pected of being spies, but on being examined in this town they gave satisfactory evidence of being deserters, and were set at liberty. They say that they deserted from the British sloop of war Sylph, lately arrived on our coast. One of them had attempted to desert three times before, and had received 40 lashes, which fully appeared by examination.
New Haven, Sept. 6, 1814 .- His excellency Gov. Smith, visited this city last week. On Wednesday, accompanied by several gen- tlemen of this town he examined the new fortifications erecting on Prospect Hill. He then repaired to Fort Hale, when the command- ant, Captain Northrop, ordered a salute fired. The Governor has ordered a considerable force to this place ; and his exertions for the public good in this day of danger are highly honorable to him- self and the state.
New Haven, Oct. 4, 1814.
FORT ON PROSPECT HILL, NEAR NEW HAVEN.
This work has progressed with great rapidity, and is now nearly completed. The inhabitants of the neighboring towns deserve and receive the thanks of the public, for volunteering their aid in this patriotic labor.
On Wednesday and Thursday last one hundred men from Che- shire, under the direction of Andrew Hull, Esq. labored with great industry and effort at the fortifications, for two days. On their return through the city in waggons, with music playing, they were saluted with a discharge of artillery, and cheered by the citizens who had collected in great numbers at the Public Square.
On Thursday, one hundred men from the town of North-Haven, under the direction of their rev. pastor, Dr. Trumbull, the venerable historian of Connecticut, 80 years of age, volunteered their ser- vices and spent the day in the same patriotic work. This aged minister addressed the throne of grace, and implored the Divine blessing on their undertaking.
On Friday, the same number of men from Hamden, under the
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command of capt. Jacob Whiting, with great industry, labored at the same work, and were saluted and cheered by the citizens on their return.
The inhabitants of the town of Meriden, with a patriotism not exceeded by their neighbors, have volunteered their aid for Wednesday next.
It is confidently hoped, that our fellow citizens of other towns in this vicinity, and our own citizens, will in the course of the pres- ent week, complete the works which are now nearly finished. Parties who are willing to give their assistance in this preparation for the common defence, are desired to give notice to the Committee of the time when it will be agreeable to them to give their attend- ance. The enemy is hovering on the coast-Where the next blow will be attempted no one can tell. Preparation to repel invasion cannot too speedily be made.
New Haven, Oct. 18, 1814.
CAPTURE OF PACKET SUSAN AND CUTTER EAGLE.
On Sunday the 9th inst. the Packet Susan, John Miles, master and owner, left New York for this place, with several passengers, and a cargo of flour, goods, &c. to the amount of 12 or 15,000 dollars. On Monday morning, about 9 o'clock, off Mill-River, (a little west from Bridgeport) the Susan was boarded and captured by a British tender, commanded by a Lieut. with about 50 men, an 18 pounder and two 4 pounders. Information of this capture was received in this city late in the afternoon of the same day, when the Revenue Cutter Eagle, Capt. Lee, immediately prepared, and in addition to her crew took on board about 30 volunteer citizens, and put off in hopes to re-take the Susan. The wind being light they bore a little to the eastward and stood towards Long Island ; at day break they found themselves nearly under the guns of a sloop of war, when the cutter out sweeps and endeavored to get into a creek on Long Island shore-it being almost a calm, the enemy's vessel manned her barges and sent them in pursuit. Capt. Lee finding he could not enter the creek, (and the brig drawing near) ran on shore, under a high bluff, nearly opposite Falkland Islands, where he commenced a fire upon the barges and compelled them to sheer off. The crew with the assistance of the people who had collected on shore, took 4 guns from the cutter, planted them on the bank and succeeded in keeping the enemy from landing or get- ting possession of her. After injuring the cutter very much from their fire, the enemy's vessels stood to the eastward; but their barges made several attempts upon her during the night.
The next day Capt. Lee succeeded in getting off the cutter, and whilst attempting to remove her a few miles and place her under the protection of a small fort, the enemy returned and got pos- session of her. They will undoubtedly refit her to cruise in the Sound.
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The cutter carried four 4 pounders, and two 2's. No person on board her was injured in this affair.
The following are the names of those who volunteered their ser- vices on board the cutter Eagle, captain Lee, in defence of free trade and sailors' rights :
Capt. Elnathan Atwater, captain John Davis, Lt. Stephen Dum- mer, Thomas Miles, John Hoods, Asahel Tuttle, Chs. B. Lines, Simeon Chatfield, Ammi Harrison, Levi Collins, jr. Jas. Atwater, jr. John Munson, Samuel Hine, John Derrick, Ebr. Burrill, Andrew D. Mar- tin, Major Cook, Chs. Barker, Russel Warren, Pomroy Barney, David Moulthrop, John Hubbard, Mr. Mix, Mr. Lewis, Fred'k Brindsley, Cambridge Hall, B. Applewhite, P. Zainy, &c.
The flag that was sent off to the squadron returned here on Friday evening last with captain Miles and some others who were in the Susan when captured. The captain came home for the purpose of obtaining the means of ransoming the packet and cargo. He has returned to the squadron with the money, and will probably arrive here again with his vessel to-day.
The British will probably represent the capture of the Revenue Cutter as a Splendid Naval Victory. We think with them, that the capture of a Yankee vessel of this class, viz. of six pop guns, by only a gun brig and several barges, is something uncommon in British Naval History at the present time.
Our Patrons must pardon us for giving them a very inferior quality of paper this week. Fortune has frowned upon the printer, and placed in the hands of the enemy, by the capture of the Susan, our stock of paper for several months, worth between 2 and 300 dolls. It will be obtained, however, by paying nearly its value over again. Our friends who are in arrears at this office, it is hoped, will not remember to forget the publisher at this time
New Haven, May 13, 1815 .- The Steam Boat FULTON arrived here on Monday last at 6 o'clock in the afternoon ; she returned to New York the same evening, and arrived here again on Tuesday evening. At 6 o'clock on Wednesday morning she left here with about 80 passengers for Hartford, intending to arrive there on Thursday morning, the day of our great General Election and collection ; she arrived at Middletown, (a distance of between 60 and 70 miles, one half of which distance was on the Connecticut river, and against a strong current,) at 6 o'clock, P. M .- she stopped there until 4 o'clock on Thursday morning, when she proceeded on and arrived at Hartford in 4 hours, where she was saluted by the discharge of cannon and the huzzas of the multitudes who were gratified with the sight of a Steam Boat fifty miles above the mouth of Connecticut river.
The Steam Boat arrived here last night from Hartford, and proceeded this day to N. York.
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PLAN OF PART OF CHAPEL STREET, Showing the Buildings and Occupants about the Year 1786.
CHURCH
STREET.
R. Cutler. ...
- Thad. Beecher's House, Store and Warehouse.
....
Richard Cutler's --
Warehouse and Store.
John Miles, Tavern.
Hez. Beardsley's House and Drug Store.
Ruth Crane.
Eli Beecher .-
.--- John Beecher.
---- Maltby & Fowler, Grocers ..
EL
N. Kimberly, Painter: ...
John Cook's House & Tailor Shop.
Samuel Covert, mouse a Tailor's Shop.
Bishop & Hotchkiss, Hat Store. NOW ORANGE STREET. .......
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... Pember Jocelyn
Jeremiah Atwater.
Atwater & Lyon's Store.
-- Z. Read's House.
Z. Read's Saddlery.
· Mix's Bakery.
-Joseph Mix.
Watts House, occ. by Messrs. Sher- man, A. Bradley, 2d, D. Cooke."
Col. Lyon.
N. Lyon's Shop.
Warehouse.
Titus Street's House and Store ...
Bradley & Huggins' Store.
STATE STREET.
The above shows all the buildings standing in Chapel-street in the year 178l, together with the names of their occupants, &c. The plan was drawn by the late Charles Bostwick, Esq., and published in the Columbian Register, August 19th, 1845. At the period Deacon Bostwick drew the above (1845), he was the only person remaining who resided or did business, in 1786, in this section of Chapel-street, now the most compact business part of the city. At this time there was not a brick building in the street. The first brick building was erected by Col. William Lyon, and was occupied as a banking house for the New Haven Bank for several years.
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STREET
Old House, present site of New Ha- ven Bank.
Wm. McCracken's House & Store.
E. Beardsley, House & Drug Store
Theophilus Munson, House and Blacksmith Shop.
CHAP
Timo. Phelps, Dry Goods Merch't.
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James Luce Kingsley .- He was born at Scotland, a parish of Windham, Conn., August 28, 1778, and was graduated at Yale College in 1799. In September, 1801, he was appointed Tutor in the College; and having served in this office four years, he was, in 1805, elected Professor of the Hebrew, Greek and Latin Languages, and of Ecclesiastical History. After 1831, when a sep- arate Professorship of Greek was established, he ceased to teach this tongue, but continued to give instruction in Hebrew until 1835. From the year 1831, he considered the Latin Language and Literature his proper depart- ment. In August, 1851, just fifty years from the date of his first appointment as an officer of the College, he re- signed his place. In accepting his resignation, the Cor- poration requested him still to retain a connection with the College as Professor Emeritus. From 1805 to 1824, he was the Librarian of the College; and in 1845, he went to Europe at his own expense, in order to buy books for the Library. For fifty years he had charge of the Triennial Catalogue of the Graduates of the College.
He was distinguished for his accurate and thorough scholarship, and for his investigations as a critic and his- torian. Many important contributions, on literary and classical topics, were published by him in the reviews of his time. In 1838, he delivered a discourse at the second Centennial Celebration of the settlement of the Colony of New Haven. He died at this place, Aug. 31, 1852, aged 75. The following is the inscription on his monument :
"H. S. E. JACOBUS LUCE KINGSLEY, LL. D. in Collegio Yalensi, cujus lumen fuit atque columna, Latinæ Linguæ et Literarum Professor, qui, per totum vitæ cursum cultui deditus elegantium doctrinarum, ingeniosissimus in rebus reconditis et in dagandis et exponendis, veritatis studio- sissimus, justitiæ amator, Dei cultor sincerus, quum ingenii, eruditionis, probitatis, modestiæ fama usque ad senectutem floruisset, mortem non repugnans obiit ; a propinquis, col- legis, discipulis, aliis valde defletus, xxxI. die Augusti, Anno Domini MDCCCLII., muneris sui Academici LI., Atatis LXXV."
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The following, showing where some of the most promi- nent men of New Haven resided, may be of interest to some of our readers.
Mr. Newman's barn, where the first planters of New Haven con- vened [see page 70] to form a civil government, &c., was in the rear of the residence of Henry Trowbridge, Esq., corner of Grove and Temple streets. Theophilus Eaton, the first Governor, built his house on the North corner of Elm and Orange sts. Mr. Daven- port, the first minister, resided on the spot where the residence of Wm. A. Reynolds, Esq., now stands; a portion of the cellar is the same as when it was occupied by the Regicides in 1661. Rev. James Pierpont, lived on what is now the East corner of Elm and Temple streets. It was a stately mansion at the time it was built. It was afterwards occupied by Rev. Ebenezer Punderson, the first Episcopal Minister. It was taken down previous to 1800. Rev. James Noyes, who died in 1761, lived on the North side of Elm near the East corner of Orange st. Col. Dixwell, the Regicide, lived near the East corner of College and Grove streets. Rev. Chauncey Whittelsey, who died in 1787, lived on the W. side of what was formerly called Fleet st., now State, cor. of Whiting st.
Rev. Napthali Daggett, the President of the College, who died in 1780, lived on the west side of York street, on the site of the present Medical College; Rev. Moses Stuart lived also in the same house; President Clap, on the west side of College street, between Chapel and Crown streets; President Stiles, on the west side of College street, on the site of the College street church; President Dwight, on the College ground in front of, and between Divinity and the North College, his garden extended through to High street; President Day occupied the same house, while President, and afterwards on the north side of Crown street, the first house of wood west from College street; Rev. Samuel Bird lived on the site of St. Thomas Church ;- Rev. Bela Hubbard lived at one time on the corner of Church street and Gregson Alley, afterwards on the south side of Crown, near Orange street; Rev. N. W. Taylor, D. D., lived on the south west corner of Temple and Wall streets; Rev. Dr. Croswell on the north side of Crown, the first house west from Temple street.
Roger Sherman, signer of the Declaration of Independence, lived on the South side of Chapel st., a little west from the Colleges. Noah Webster, the author of the American Dictionary, on the South West corner of Temple and Grove Streets. Proffessors James L. Kingsley and Chauncey A. Goodrich in the same street in the immediate vicinity. Prof. Silliman lived on the North West corner of Hillhouse Avenue and Trumbull Street.
Many of the streets and avenues in the city were named from individuals ; those around the Public Square from some object in the immediate vicinity ; thus Church Street from the first Episcopal Church built on the east side of the street, a few rods south from Chapel street. Chapel street, from the old College Chapel standing near it; College street, from the College fronting it; and Elm Street, from two elm trees in front of Rev. Mr. Pierpont's house planted in 1686; Temple street, from the churches fronting it on the Public Square. York Street was named from Yorkshire, England, the native place of John Punderson, one of the "seven pillars," who located himself on this street. ;
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RECENT ADDITIONS.
INSCRIPTION.
[ West side.]-In memory of JEDEDIAH MORSE, the father of American geography. Borr in Woodstock, Windham Co. Conn., Aug. 23, 1761, died ir New Haven, June 9, 1826, ir . the joy of a triumphant faith in Christ.
[North side.]-A graduate of Yale College in 1783. Au- thor of the first geography printed in America, in 1784 Honored by the University of Edinburgh, Scot., with the de gree of LL.D., in 1794. Pas- tor of the first church in Charlestown, Mass., from 1789 to 1820. U. S. Commissioner to the Indian tribes from 1820 to 1822. The originator and efficient promoter of great and wise plans for the public good: the bold and firm defender of Evangelical truth.
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IN MEMORY JEDEDIAH MOSSE !iYxeno Miureninh
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[South side.]-In memory of ELIZABETH ANN MORSE, wife of Jedediah Morse, daughter of Samuel Breese, and grand- daughter of Samuel Finlay, Dr. Morse's Monument. President of the college of New Jersey, born in New York city, Sept. 26, 1766, died in New Haven, May 28, 1828. Eminent in all the virtues that adorn the Christian wife and mother.
[East side.]-This monument to the best of Fathers and Mothers, is erected by their sons.
Dr. Morse, on leaving college, opened a Young Ladies' School, in New Haven, and as no school geography had ever been printed in America at that time, he prepared one in manuscript, which was copied by his pupils, and in this way the study of geography was introduced into schools in this country. He then enlarged the work, and in March 1784, it was printed in 18mo., in New Haven, and was the first geography ever printed on the American Continent.
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Encouraged by the success of this small work. Dr. Morse traveled through all the States of the Union, to collect reliable, minute, geographical and other informa- tion for a full and complete description of the United States. This was published in Elizabethtown, N. Y., in 1789. This octavo geography was immediately reprinted in London, Edinburgh and Dublin; and was translated into French, and published in Paris, and into German, and published in Hamburg. From this work, and its successive editions, Europeans for twenty years derived their chief knowledge of this country. Dr. Morse was distinguished for his public spirit and efforts for the pub- lic good. In 1802, feeling a deep interest in the welfare of the colored people, he opened a course of Weekly Lec- tures for their especial benefit. In 1815, principally through his influence, the first actual colonization of American negroes in Africa was effected at Sierra Leone. In the fall of 1802, before any Tract Society had been formed in America, Dr. Morse selected 19 tracts, which he caused, by the assistance of his congregation, to be printed, making, in all, 32,600 tracts. He had the greater part done up in assorted parcels of 60 tracts, and then distributed in Maine, Kentucky and Tennessee.
The first Sabbath School Society in Massachusetts, was founded Oct. 1816, by Dr. Morse, and members of First Church in Charlestown, of which he was Pastor. His two sons, Samuel F. B. Morse, (afterwards the inven- tor of the magnetic telegraph,) Sidney E. Morse and Rev. Dr. Todd, of Pittsfield, Mass., were the three first teach- ers of the Society; S. F. B. Morse was also the first Superintendent of the school. After his visit to the Indian tribes, Dr. M. again made New Haven his resi- dence, where he continued till his death. His first pub- lication, a geography, was commenced and issued in New Haven; his last work, [just previous to his death, ] after a period of forty-two years, was one on the same subject, entitled, "Elements of Geography." It was printed in the same form as his first book, and is divided into "Ancient, Modern and Prospective Geography;" as it appeared to the author "to be the only natural plan for
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a first book on Geography. It embraces a view of the world in its origin, progress and end." Forty-four years since, the senior compiler of this volume, now in the hands of the reader, was employed by Dr. M. to design and en- grave three small cuts for this geography; the first was emblematic of the Creation, Gen. i., 2, the second, the Conflagration of the World, 1 Peter, iii., 10, the third, emblematic of the World rising, (Phoenix like,) or the New Heavens and New Earth, 2 Peter, iii., 13.
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NATH'L. W. TAYLOR GO
ILYMAN BEECHER" 775-1863
Monuments of Dr. Taylor and Dr. Beecher.
The middle monument seen in the engraving, is that of Dr. Taylor; the one on the right, a single block of. granite, on the upward face of which is a cross, in relief, is that, of Dr. Beecher, having only his name, with the date of his birth and death.
Nathaniel William Taylor, born at New Milford, June 23, 1786, graduated at Yale College, 1807; ordained Pastor of the first church in New Haven, 1812; elected Dwight Professor of Didactic Theology in Yale College, 1822; died March 10, 1858.
" ( how love I thy law."
LYMAN BEECHER was born in New Haven, Oct. 12, 1775, nearly on the spot where Mr. Davenport preached.
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his first sermon to the first settlers of New Haven, His mother, who was the daughter of John Lyman, of Mid- dletown, died of consumption, two days after his birth. He was such a puny child that it was thought he could not live. His mother's sister, the wife of Lot Benton, of North Guilford, took charge of the infant, who was car- ried to this place, his future home, on horseback in a bas- ket. He was educated in Yale College, studied divinity ander President Dwight, and commenced his ministry at East Hampton, L. I., about the beginning of 1789. In 1810 he was installed Pastor in Litchfield. In 1826 he com- menced his labors in Hanover Street Church, in Boston. In 1829 the Lane Seminary in Ohio was chartered. In order to establish it as a Theological Institution, it was deemed necessary by the trustees that the most promi- aent, popular and powerful preacher in our nation should be secured. In accordance with their views, Dr. Beecher was unanimously elected President, and Professor of Theology, and was inducted into this office. In 1846 Dr. Beecher took a voyage to England to attend the Temperance and World's Convention. In 1851 he left the West and returned to New England.
After his return to Boston, he continued to preach occa- sionally ; and part of his time was devoted to literary labors. The first volume of his works was issued in 1852; the third, comprising his Lectures on Political Atheism, his sermons on Intemperance, his occasional Sermons, and his views in Theology, in 1853. As time wore on, the infirmities of old age increased, till he was obliged so give up preaching, and at the same time the effort to compose his auto-biography was reluctantly abandoned, ind all his papers confided to his son. In 1856-7 he removed to Brooklyn, L. I., where he resided till his death, Jan. 10, 1863, in his eighty-eighth year. He was en attendant on divine worship, at Plymouth Church, of which his son, Henry Ward Beecher, is now pastor. During the last year of his life all the organs of communi- sation with the outer world seemed to fail. A few weeks before his death one of his friends tried to call to his memory a distinguished Pastor in Connecticut, he, how-
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ever, could not remember the man. Then the question was put, "Do you know Dr. Taylor?" He answered suddenly, placing his hand on his heart, "Part of me- part of me." Three or four years before this, he requested that he might be buried by the side of that old friend, "for," said he, "the young men (the students) will come and see where brother Taylor and I are buried, and it will do them good."
His daughter, Harriet Beecher Stowe, who attended him on Lis dying bed, relates that the vail on his mind was rent for a few hours. His countenance became luminous, his utterance full and strong as in his best days. He called her to sit beside him, say- ing : "I have had a glorious vision of Heaven. . . . I have seen the King of Glory himself. . ... I did not think I could behold such glory in the flesh. ... All was swallowed up in God him self." He continued for an hour in this ecstacy, talking and pray- ing. The last indication of life, on the day of his death. was a mute response to his wife, repeating,
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