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 17
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The necessity for a public building to accommodate the various public offices for the city and town, having become apparent, several committees were appointed to select plans, &c., for the erection of a fire proof building for the safe keeping of the Public Records.
A joint Committee appointed by the town and Com- mon Council of the city, held their first meeting July 18, 1860, for examining plans and procuring estimates. The plans of Henry Austin, architect, were adopted. Immediately the old County house and jail were taken down, and the foundations of the present structure were laid.
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NEW HAVEN COLONY HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
This Society was organized at a meeting of about thirty citizens, at the office of the Mayor of the city, November 14, 1862. A constitution was adopted, ir which it was stated, "The object of the Society shall be to collect and preserve such books, pamphlets, news- papers, broadsides, maps, plans, charts, paintings, engrav- ings, lithographs, and other pictorial representations ; manuscripts, autograph letters, curiosities and antiqui- ties of every kind, as may be connected with, or may illustrate the local history of the towns included within the ancient New Haven Colony; to preserve such tra- ditions as now exist only in the memories of aged per- sons, to encourage historical and antiquarian investiga- tions, and to disseminate historical information."
A Charter for the Society was obtained from the State Legislature, at the May Session, 1863. The follow- ing is a list of the first officers, elected at a meeting held November 28th, 1864 :
In 1862, the Town and City authorities granted the Society the use of a room and vault on the third floor of the City Hall. A Charter for the Society was obtained from the Legislature, in 1863. The following is a list of the first officers, elected at a meeting held November 28, 1864:
Henry White, President ; E. Edwards Beardsley, Vice-Presi- dent ; Horace Day, Secretary ; Nathan Peck, Treasurer.
DIRECTORS.
Leonard Bacon, William A. Reynolds,
Henry Bronson,
Samuel Punderson,
Thomas R. Trowbridge,
Henry L. Kingsley,
Elial T. Foote,
Eli ha L. Cleveland,
Charles L. English,
John W. Barber,
Charles R. Ingersoll,
Henry Dutton,
James M. Woodward,
Nathaniel A. Bacon.
About 800 volumes have been collected, with a large number of valuable pamphlets, many papers of historic interest, paintings, · engravings, ancient books, and many antique relics of the past. Vol. I. of the papers of the Society have been published. The Society has recently come into possession of a lot of valuable papers, once the property of Dr. Stiles, of Yale College. These papers were presented by Dr. E. T. Foote, of New Haven, who received them through his wife, the grand-daughter of President
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Stiles. Among the most important of these papers, is a manu- script history of the Regicides, written by Dr. Stiles, together with letters from John Dixwell, and letters from Hadley in rela- tion to the Judges. There were also among these papers, auto- graph letters of interest from Dr. Chauncey, of Boston, Gordon the historian, Dr. Franklin, and others.
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Post Office Building, New Haven.
This massive and splendid building, equal to any in the State, was commenced in 1856, and finished in 1860. It is built of Portland sandstone, each block lying hori- zontally, as it was taken from the quarry. It is built on ground which is elevated about sixteen feet above high water mark. The Post Office occupies the first floor, and has five entrances in front ; the Custom House occupies the second story, and the United States Court the third. The cost of the building was $142,000, exclusive of the land and furniture. The Post Office was first occupied April 2, 1860.
It is believed the first Post Office was near the head of the wharf, about the time the first newspaper was printed in New Haven, in 1755, (see page 109.) Its next location is believed to hase been at the corner of Chapel and College streets, where the New Haven House now stands. The third location, on the west side of State street, a few rods north of the Yale National Bank; the fourth, the south side of Chapel street, between State and Orenge,
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near where Nathaniel Lyon formerly lived; the fifth, to the brick building in Church street, nearly opposite to its present location. This was about 1820. William H. Jones was postmaster, and David Dorman (probably the first letter-carrier,) delivered them at two cents each postage. The sixth remove, was to the base- ment of the Tontine ; the seventh, to the first floor under Brews- ter's Hall, now occupied by the Second National Bank, the eighth, to the present building.
NEW HAVEN WATER WORKS.
Owing to the rapid increase of the city, it was deemed necessary to introduce water from abroad to extinguish fires, supply the demand for drinking, culinary, and other purposes. A company was formed to introduce the water from Mill river from Whitneyville. In 1861 a new and very substantial dam was constructed, across the river at the place where the bridge formerly stood. The dwellings on the sides of the stream above were r moved, and the interval between the high lands flooded, forming a narrow lake more than a mile long. The Reservoir, in two compartments, for the supply of the city, is situated on the elevated land between Prospect street and Whitney Avenue, on the boundary line between Hamden and New Haven, about one mile south-west from the dam. The pump, or apparatus by which the water is forced into the reservoir, is driven by the surplus water of Mill river, or by steam.
HAMILTON PARK.
This tract, comprising about fifty, or fifty-one acres, in the western part of the city, was opened to the public by a few public spirited proprietors in 1859. It is bounded north by Whalley Avenue, and is connected with the central part of the city by the Westville horse railroad. It is bounded on the west by the West Meadows. State and other fairs have been held here. There is a trotting course ofhalf a mile, and in the winter season the northern park within the course is flooded by raising water from the river, for a safe place for skating. On the south-west of the Park is a beautiful grove of evergreens.
MALTBY PARK.
The lands comprising this tract was recently purchased, and roads and walks laid out by an enterprising citizen. These grounds are about three miles westward of the central part of the city, on one of the elevated ranges of hills which encircle the city on three sides. The tract is upwards of a mile in length from north to south, and about a mile in breadth from east to west. Within the limits of the Park are reservoirs, or rather lakes, formed for the use of the Fair Haven Water Works, three of which are now com- pleted. These are made by damming the streams fed by springs. These re- servoirs range in height from 135 to 252 feet above the tide water level, and will, when they are all completed, contain upwards of 682.000,000 of gallons of water. The points of elevation on this tract range from 191 to 310 feet above the sea. At the end of one of the drives is a most beautiful view of the city and surrounding country, and part of the Sound. Fair Haven and East Haven are in full view. These points, to be seen to the best advantage, should be viewed in the afternoon. when the sun is shining on the buildings.
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Trinity Church Home, George St., New Haven.
The above cut shows all the buildings recently erected by Mr. Sheffield, in George St., as could be seen in one view, embracing the tenement houses, chapel, &c. The two buildings in front are designed for four first class tenements-two in each building. A few rods back are the Church Home buildings, three in num- ber, presented to the parish by Mr. Sheffield; the tenements were presented by Mr. S. to his four daughters.
The building seen fronting the entrance or passage way is the chapel, situated at the middle and rear of the lot; on the left is the Aged Ladies' Home, containing 20 lodging rooms, a dining room, &c. ; on the right is the Rector's Home and Parish School building. On the first floor, at the front end, is a large school room. In the second story are chambers. All these buildings are made of Philadelphia brick, with Nova Scotia stone trim- mings ; built somewhat in the Gothic style, with mansard slate roo's, turrets, &c. Both the Home and Rectory buildings are about 45x75 feet, finished in the most tasteful and durable manner.
The lot on which these buildings stand is on the north side of George St., fronting Broad St. ; cost about 15,000; the buildings over $100,000. This was bought, and the buildings erected at the expense of Joseph E. Sheffield. Esq .. an I the Church Ho ne buildings were given by him to Trinity Church Parish for the benefit of the Aged Ladies' Home. This noble and beneficient gift, with others this gentleman has made. are not only a honor to the donor, but to the city and country in which he lives. The following inscription is on a marble slab placed in the wall of the vestibule of the Chapel :
"This Chapel and the adjoining buildings for the Church Home and Parish School, were erected by Joseph E. Sheffield, in 1868, and, together with the land, were by him presented to the parish of Trinity Church, in trust, for the uses and pur- poses set forth in a conveyance which may be found on record in the Town Clerk's Office, and also on the records of Trinity Church."
"The poor ye have always with you."
FAIR HAVEN.
The flourishing village of Fair Haven is situated in New Haven and East Haven, about two miles from the State House in New Haven. It is divided by the Quin nipiac river, which is the boundary line between the towns. An iron bridge, 427 feet long, and 50 wide, is constructed over the river, standing on seven piers, over which the cars of the Horse Railroad, and other vehicles, pass to and from New Haven. This bridge was erected at an expense of $29,000, of which New Haven paid $19,000, East Haven $10,000. The place contains 5 churches ; 2 Congregational, 1 Methodist, 1 Episcopal, and 1 Catholic. Population about 5,000.
The leading business of the place is the oyster trade, and numerous vessels are employed in the business, which is said to be carried on to a greater extent in this place, than any other in the United States, with, per- haps, the exception of Baltimore. To this latter place, many who have their residence in Fair Haven, resort to carry on their business. During the winter months, oysters are brought to Fair Haven from various places, principally from Virginia. In 1868, about 95 cargoes, comprising about 400,000 bushels, were brought here, and great quantities are laid down in beds, which much improves their flavor. Considerable attention is also given to the culture of the oyster in the harbor. They are exported to all parts of our country, to Canada, West Indies, and other parts of the world.
Fair Haven was formerly known by the name of Dragon, from a sandy point of that name, about forty rods below the bridge on the eastern side of the river. The tradition is, that at the first settlement of New Haven, this point was a place of resort for seals, who lay here and basked themselves in the sun. The first settlers had probably never seen or heard of such look- ing objects before, and not knowing whether to call them fish or animals, concluded they were a species of dragons mentioned in the Bible, hence the name Dragon Point.
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FAIR HAVEN, CONN. As seen from the south, near the main railway.
The annexed view of Fair Haven shows the appearance of the place as seen from near the Marine Railway, about one mile south of the railroad bridges over the Quinnipiac river, seen in the distance. On the left is seen a portion of the ship and spar yards, and some or the buildings of the Oyster keg factories ; the spires of the 1st Congregational Church, the Methodist Church, and the graded school building on the New Haven side of the river. On the right, the East Haven side, are seen the spire of the Congregational, and tower of the Episcopal Church., The Horse Railroad bridge connecting the two portions of the village. and the elevated track of the Shore Line Railroad beyond, appear in the engraving. The Hanging Hill mountains in Meriden, nearly twenty miles distant, can be seen in the extreme distance.
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WEST HAVEN.
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West Haven was originally a part of New Haven, known by the name of West Side, and continued in the township till 1822, when, with North Milford, a parish of Milford, both were formed into the township of Orange. The first house in West Haven appears to have been erected by George Lamberton, on the old "Pent road," (now the most eastern road, or street, running to the Sound,) near the salt meadows. His father, George Lamberton, one of the original settlers of New Haven, is supposed to have located himself on Oyster Point, opposite West Haven, about the year 1650. He was a man of high respectability. The value of his estate in 1643, was £1,000. His son, George Lamberton, probably settled in West Haven soon after 1650.
The following persons are mentioned in the memoran- dum of 1686, as heirs of the Lamberton estate in West Haven : Samuel Smith, who married Obedience Lam- berton, Capt. John Alling, Mrs. Hope Herbert, and Wil- liam Trowbridge. Nathaniel Kimberly, who died in 1805, is supposed to have been one of the first inhabi- tants. Mr. - - Stephens, one of the early settlers, built on Water street, on the west side, about half way between North and South streets, once so called, at the east ends of which were located the Upper and Lower ship-yards. His son, Deacon Thomas Stephens, a ship- carpenter, lived in a house fronting the road running south from it, once called "Deacon's Lane." Deacon Stephens and his wife lived, each, to be considerably over one hundred years of age. Thomas Painter, one of the original settlers of West Haven, built his house a few rods east of the green. Two sons of John Benham, (one of the first planters of New Haven,) located them- selves at the west part of the parish, at the foot of the hill, and another son in the northwest part. Edward Thomas, the first settler of the name, lived on the north side of North street, and west side of Water street, at
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their intersection. Of the original New Haven colony, families of the name of Ward, Brown, Clarke, and Thompson, are believed to have settled in West Haven.
Ancient West Haven Congregational Church, Parsonage and School House.
[From a view taken by J. W. Barber, in June, 1831.]
It is believed that the first house erected for public worship in West Haven, was built in 1719, the same year in which the Society was incorporated. It stood on the spot of ground lying southwest of, and closely adjacent to, that on which the present church now stands. It stood till 1852, when, on the completion of the second structure,* it was sold, and removed a few rods north of the northeast corner of the Green, and was made into stores below, and a Hall above. The building seen in the engraving, about two rods from the Church, is the School House, in which evening meetings for prayer and praise were held. The upper room was, for some time, occupied by Mr. Stebbins as a high school.
The first house was a mere shell, of clapboarded sides and shingled roof, without any galleries, all open to the
* This building was burnt down in 185 -. The present church building, now (1869) standing, was erected in 1860.
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roof-the studs, beams and rafters all bare to the sight. In this condition of the house the people worshipped until 1829, when three galleries were added. As an increase of seating room had thus been made, the follow- ing year, 1730, Peter Roberts, Samuel Candee and Eben- ezer Smith, were appointed a committee to dignify the seats-a venerable custom borrowed from the mother Church in New Haven, by which the seats were appro- priated to the members of the Church and Society accord- ing to the age, rank and wealth; the forward and center seats being assigned to the chief ones in title and merit, and so on down, and likewise on the sides, on the same s' of graduation.
ue meeting-house was originally without a steeple, and until the year 1764, at which time one was added. In 1774 a bell was purchased and put into the belfry. Previously to this, it appears that a drum was beat to call the people together on the Sabbath. The first min- ister of the Church was Samuel Johnson, who was or- dained in 1820; the second, Timothy Allen, in 1738; the fourth Nathan Birdseye ; the fitth, Noah Williston ; the sixth, S. W. Stebbins, was installed in 1815; the seventh, Edward Wright, was ordained in 1843, and the eighth, Hubbard Bebee, was installed in 1854. The first two declared for Episcopacy, the next two, and the last, were dismissed, and the fifth, after fifty-one years of ministerial service here, died in West Haven. His suc- cessor, Mr. Stebbins, died in 1843. Mr. Wright, the col- league and successor of Mr. Stebbins, died Oct. 26, 1852.
The "Old Parsonage," the building seen on the left of the annexed engraving, venerated as the "home of the Prophets," was situate west, and a little south, of mid- way of the green, of the ancient gambrel-roof style. At what time this structure was built, or by whom erected, has not yet been ascertained. As the residence of the Pastors of the Church, it was used one hundred and thir- teen years, while it has been owned, virtually, by the Society one hundred and fifteen years. It has been the home of at least five of the Pastors of the Church. In 1857, Mr. David Smith, a descendant from the original colonists, having purchased the parsonage for a liberal
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price, erected a commodious and beautiful mansion just in the rear of the spot of ground where the parsonage stood. In anticipation of the demolition of the building, the Congregational Society had a general gathering of the people at the "Old Parsonage," on Friday P. M., April 3d, 1857. After a historical discourse at the meeting- house, by Rev. E. Colton, the assemblage repaired to the "home of the Prophets." Entering the house, they turned to the right into the "large front room," long ago so well known in all this region. In this room was formed the Connecticut Missionary Society, in the last century. Here was a collection of the portraits of the Pastors, and other prominent members of the Society, and relics of by-gone days. Tables were loaded with bountiful repasts for the visitors. Every room was visited ; almost all of which had been hallowed by the religious remembrances of three generations, where the mingled voices of prayer, thanksgiving and praise had ascended above. The occasion was one of deep social interest ; appropriate songs were sung, and kind greet- ings between the residents and the non-resident descend- ants who were invited to be present.
The Rev. Dr. Samuel Johnson, who was born at Guil- ford in 1696, the father of Episcopacy in Connecticut, may be considered as the founder of the Episcopal Church in West Haven. In 1720 was ordained Pastor over the Congregational Church. In October, 1722, he professed himself an Episcopalian, as did also Rector Cut- Ier, President of Yale College, Rev. James Wetmore, of North Haven, and David Brown, of West Haven, a tutor in Yale College. Mr. Johnson, in 1723, was Episcopally ordained in London, and then returned to this country and went to Stratford to preach, where the first Episco- pal Church in Connecticut was formed. The Episcopal Church in West Haven was formed in 1723, and their house of worship was begun in 1739. At the time Mr. Johnson connected himself with the Episcopal Church, some ten or twelve families of his former parishioners in West Haven, influenced by his example and arguments, became Episcopalians. Among the earliest were the names of Brown, Clarke, Humphreyville, Prindle, Ste- phens, Smith, and Thomas.
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Northern view of Savin Rock and Hotel, West Haven.
Four miles from the central part of New Haven city, and one mile from West Haven, is a bluff, or rock, which takes its name from the savin, or evergreen shrub, which formerly grew here. It is a place of historic interest, as it is the place where Gen. Garth, with a force of 1,500 British troops, in July, 1779, landed for the invasion of New Haven. Immediately adjacent to the rock is one of the finest beaches for bathing, on the Connecticut shore. From time immemorial, this has been a place of resort for parties from the country. Within a few years a first-class Hotel has been erected here, having accom- modations for about 200 boarders. A considerable number of its guests are made of families who spend the warm season at this place. The grove, near by, con- tinues to be a favorable place of resort for pic-nic par- ties, a trifling charge being made for the use of the grounds and tables. This place is now connected with the city by a horse railroad. Other public houses for the entertainment of visitors, have recently been erected at this place, which bids fair to become a great place of resort for bathing purposes.
At the time of the landing of the British troops on Savin Rock beach, Gen. Garth and his officers made their
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temporary headquarters at the old Kimberly House, about half way between West Haven village and the place of landing. The troops were mustered on West Haven green, and, after resting about two hours, com- menced their march for New Haven. They moved in a main column of three divisions of ten companies each ; Gen. Garth being in the middle of the column. The
marching of these troops along the road and summit of Milford hill, with their scarlet uniforms and well bur- nished arms flashing in the sun-beams, was described by eye witnesses as the most imposing military display they ever beheld. President Stiles, standing on the tower of the College, saw, with a spy glass, their movements, and communicating the intelligence, the whole town was at once filled with excitement and alarm. Adjutant Camp- bell, tall and elegant in person, of splendid military appearance, and the idol of the soldiers, commanded one of the advance guards of the enemy.
On his arrival at the Milford road, which passed up the hill, Adjutant Campbell, in order to communicate with the flanking party on that side, or to have a better view of the coun- try, passed nearly up to the summit, when he was shot by Amos Johnson, a young man living in the vicinity, who had concealed himself among the whortleberry bushes on the north side of the Milford road. Camp- bell fell from his horse, but was able to get to the side of the fence by the road on his hands and knees. The servant who attended him in his last moments (see page 131) was, it appears, either taken prisoner, or came into New Haven of his own accord, where he remained and sold some of his master's clothing. A small dressing- case of his was purchased by Mr. Townsend, which is now in possession of the New Haven Colony Historical Society .*
* In October, 1831, J. W. Barber, assisted by two young men in his family, set up a small stone to mark the place of his burial. The spot was pointed out to him by Mr. Chauncey Alling, the owner of the " Campbell lot," who saw the remains of Campbell depos- ited in his grave, which was visible at the time the stone was
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Though many outrages were committed by the Britis troops in the invasion of New Haven, yet among them were men of kind, humane and generous feelings. As the enemy were about entering West Haven village, Mr. Williston, the clergyman, discovering their ap- proach, fled for the woods west of the place, and jump- ing the fence, broke his limb. As he was known to be a firm and active friend of his country's cause, the British soldiers and Tories wished that he might be killed; but Adjutant Campbell interfering, he carried him into the house and ordered his surgeon to set his limb.
The house of Eben Huggins, in Crown st., was entered by the British soldiers, and finding Mr. H., who was staying at home, on account of his wife's feebleness, with much harshness carried him off as a prisoner. Mrs. H. preserved great calmness as the soldiers entered her room, and asked if it was possible they would injure a woman in her delicate health, she having a young infant. They refrained from brutal violence, except tearing her ear rings from her ears. The soldiers were everywhere pillaging and destroying what they could not take. At length a gentleman entered the house in the splendid dress of a British officer of the highest rank; every word he spoke was polite, kind and respectful to one he found so young, so beautiful, so helpless and desolate. He told her to fear nothing, that no one should enter there, and he wrote on the door of the house, "Let no one enter
erected, being designated by a sunken spot about six feet in length, filled up with small loose stones. It is proposed, by the Hist. Soc. of this place, by means of subscriptions, to erect a suit- able monument to the memory of Campbell, on the spot where he was buried, to perpetuate the remembrance of his kind act to the disabled minister of West Haven, and also to bear on one or more of its sides, the names of the patriots who fell in defence of their country on this occasion. It is to be hoped that this spirit, so much in accordance with the better feelings of our nature, will be carried out ; a feeling which can rise superior to the spirit of war and bloodshed, and honor the memory of a noble, kind and generous enemy. J. W. B.
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