USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Berlin > History of Berlin, Connecticut > Part 4
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The magazine, Outing, for January, 1902, contains an article by John Paul Bocock, entitled "Collectors and Collections of Pistols," in which he speaks of Mr. W. A. Hatch of South Columbia, N. Y., who, in his work as a collector of odd pieces of china in remote farm houses, occasionally happened upon curious old pistols. He goes on to say: "In this way he was enabled a few years ago to secure such a unique trophy as a pair of flint lock duelling pistols made in the United States by the first American pistol maker, S. North of New Berlin, Con- necticut, whose output since that day in 1813, when he got a contract from the United States Government for 500 horse pistols, has been dearly prized by all fanciers of American arms." In the same article Mr. Bocock shows a cut of four rare, early American horse pistols from his own collection, made, he says.
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HISTORY OF BERLIN
by the first official American pistol maker, S. North .* They were flint locks, dated 1813, 1818, 1821 and 1828, subsequently, with other flint lock arms in the government armories, altered by act of Congress to percussion lock.
By chance, an account book, kept by Reuben, the eldest son of Simeon North, has been preserved, and the entries, which began in 1808, throw much light on the business conducted in the factory at Spruce Brook.
In that year, 1808, many scythes were made and sold, mostly one at a time, to farmers in Berlin, Meriden, Middletown, Chat- ham, and Glastonbury. Occasionally there was a turn by barter, as on July 11, "to one scythe delivered to a Gentleman from Middletown Upper Houses to cancel a debt of $1.40 contracted for fish." The prices ran from seventy-five cents to $1.67, according to size and quality. The charge for a scythe four feet long was $1.50. One William H. Imlay, from whom the company purchased German steel at fifteen and one-half cents per pound-and blistered steel at sixteen cents, bought scythes by the wholesale. Twice ten and one-half dozen were delivered to him at $1.00 each. Sea coal was fifty cents a bushel and charcoal cost $7 per 100 bushels. Incidentally we learn that the workmen paid $1.25 a week for board and counted out all meals when absent. Washing was included.
A milliner's bill, entered July 16, 1809, "for making Betsey and Lucetta's Bunnets" was sixty-two cents.
A copy of a letter in the book, dated 1808, signed by Simeon North, shows that he had at that time agreed to make a quantity of pistols for the United States Government, and that he had procured bonds for the completion of the contract to be sent on to the Secretary of the Navy.
Work on this contract began Wednesday, September 14, 1808, and in November of the following year Reuben credited himself
* Since these papers were written, there has appeared a full and authori- tative treatment of Simeon North and his famous Spruce Brook industry. Cf. "Simeon North, First Official Pistol Maker of the United States," a memoir by S. N. D. North, LL.D., and Ralph H. North (Concord, N. H. The Rumford Press, 1913). This is a valuable contribution to the history of firearms in the U. S. and contains many beautiful cuts.
6. Simeon roth
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THE NORTH FAMILY
$432, for work he had done on 2,000 naval pistols. Special parts mentioned in his account were side pins, side hammers, sear hammers, hammer springs, sear springs, triggers, bridles, tumblers, cocks, and side straps or hooks.
In 1810-11 hammers were flying on the "second Job lot of 2,000 Naval Pistols," and the next year found the men busy on 2,000 horseman's pistols, and so we have evidence that at least 6,000 pistols were made in the Spruce Brook shop before the 1813 contract for 500 horse pistols referred to by John Paul Bocock.
When the War of 1812 came on, our government was unable to get arms fast enough to supply the troops. By a note in writing, for which Deacon Frederic North was given as author- ity, we learn that President Madison at this time visited the North factory in person and urged the company to increase their force.
As the water power there was already worked for all the machinery it could turn, a new factory was built by Simeon North at Staddle Hill, about a mile and a half southwest of Middletown center. Now, certain family historians have said that the son Reuben attempted to carry on the work in Berlin, but was unsuccessful. The truth was that the father who established the business, kept it, as was his right, in his own hands, and all finished arms bore his name, "S. North."
He removed to Middletown, but drove frequently out to Berlin where Reuben superintended the factory. Mrs. John North said he had the first carriage used in Berlin. It had a white top. In the old account book, names of twenty-eight men are found who came in 1813 to work for Reuben on the pistols. Of those names still remembered are Selah and Alvan North, Linas Hubbard, Abijah North, David North, Asahel and Jesse Root, Justus Buckley, John North, Ephraim Higby, and Selah Goodrich.
Most of the men lived with the North family and the price for board had now advanced to $1.50 per week. Butter was entered on the journal at ten cents per pound, and beef, "100 cwt. at 6 cts per lb." Wild pigeons made a fine stew, and they came
3
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HISTORY OF BERLIN
in great flocks. Mr. Bulkeley says they were so thick on their ledge that his father used to bring down six or eight at one shot.
Amos Kirby, who lived in what is now known as the Atwater place, peddled meat then. When he had a creature to kill he used first go around to see if he could get orders enough for the beef to save himself from loss.
Wages were low. Joseph Henderson "agreed to blow and strike awelding pistols at twelve dollars a month."
"Selah Goodrich came to work three months at six dollars per month and three months after at eight dollars per month."
This was in the days of apprentices. Many of the workmen after their trade was learned set up shops of their own.
In that year, 1813, besides the work on pistols, 2,000 spurs, 2,000 burrs for spurs, 2,000 back pieces for spurs and 2,000 straps for spurs were forged and turned in the Spruce Brook shop.
At the close of the war, Simeon North was commissioned by the State of Connecticut to make two pairs of gold mounted pistols to be presented as a testimonial for their services to Captain Isaac Hull of the Frigate Constitution and Commodore McDonough who captured, on Lake Champlain, the English squadron under Commodore Downie.
Mr. North had so much pride in the making of those pistols that he sent to England and brought over Peter Ashton a skilled artisan, who superintended the work.
Commodore McDonough's daughter, wife of Henry G. Hub- bard of Middletown, had her father's pistols. After much thought as to their disposal she decided to give them to the Hartford Athenaeum and they were deposited there some twenty years ago.
Who can tell us what became of Captain Hull's pistols ?
Nathan Starr, whose sword factory was at Staddle Hill on the same stream as that of Simeon North, made for Captain Hull a beautifully engraved gold mounted sword, presented to him by the State with the pistols.
It would seem an easy matter, when so many pistols were made in Berlin before 1813, to pick one up in any old garret,
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THE NORTH FAMILY
but they have disappeared, and it is next to impossible to find one on sale in antique collections. Alfred M. North, great- great-grandson of Simeon, recently came across one of the early makes in Philadelphia. Money, however, would not buy it, as the pistol was carried in the War of 1812 by the great-grand- father of the owner.
Later on the Norths made at Middletown and Berlin many guns, rifles, carbines and muskets with bayonets to fit.
Deacon Frederick North was authority for the statement that in 1781, when his grandfather Simeon was sixteen years old, he shouldered his gun and marched to Saybrook to enlist in the War of the Revolution, but when he reached his destination negotiations for peace were pending and he was not mustered into the service. He was Lieutenant Colonel of the Connecticut Sixth Regiment 1811-13 and was always known afterward by his title.
1378400
It is said that Colonel North would never employ a man who was intemperate or immoral in anyway, and that no one ever worked for him who did not love him. His business with the government called him often to Washington and on his return he would go around the shop and shake hands with every man. Once while in Washington he attended a reception given by Dolly Madison and he was greatly impressed by her beauty and affability.
When Lafayette made his last visit to America, in 1824, he was taken to the Staddle Hill pistol factory, as one of the sights of Middletown. In preparation for the event the workmen had their machines brightly polished, and in clean white aprons all stood in silence, backs to their machines. Instantly, as Lafayette entered the doorway, the power was started and the men whirled about to their benches and went on with the din and clatter of their work.
Lucy Savage, the first wife of Simeon North, died February 24, 1811, aged 45 years. He married, second, in 1812, Lydia, daughter of Rev. Enoch Huntington of Middletown. When he brought Miss Huntington out to Berlin to see her prospective home he had added several rooms to this house, purchased in
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HISTORY OF BERLIN
1796 from the Dudleys, and was about to build another addition, but she begged him not to do so. She said it would be work enough for one woman to keep the house broom clean as it was.
Doubtless she was pleased when Mr. North bought, March 11, 1812, her father's place on the west side of High Street, in Middletown, where they spent the remainder of their lives.
There was only one house on the east side of High Street then, that of Nathan Starr. Mr. North owned land on that side which he sold with the proviso that during his life no building should be placed there to intercept his view of the Connecticut River, south as far as the Narrows.
The second wife died in 1840, and Colonel North died August 25, 1852, aged 87 years. Their graves are at Indian Hill Cemetery, Middletown.
The old Huntington house was removed and the site is now occupied by the residence of the President of Wesleyan Uni- versity. A street called Willis Street has been cut through north of the house.
The pistol factory at Staddle Hill is now used by the Rock Fall Woolen Company.
The children of Simeon North and his first wife, Lucy Savage, daughter of Jonathan Savage and Elizabeth (Ranney) Savage, were Reuben, James, Alvan, Selah, Elizabeth, Lucetta, Simeon, and Nancy.
James, born September 16, 1788, was sent one day for grain to a gristmill in Westfield. He returned with the announcement that he had seen down there the prettiest girl he ever saw in all his life. It was a case of love at first sight. He waited until she was eighteen, and then, on October 24, 1810, he and Mary Dowd, daughter of Richard Dowd, were united in marriage. They "lighted their hearthfire and set up their family altar" in a part of the old Spruce Brook house, but afterward followed the father to Middletown. They purchased a large, pleasant house, built by Oliver Wetmore, out at Staddle Hill-a sightly place, where they lived to celebrate on October 24, 1860, the fiftieth anniversary of their wedding day.
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THE NORTH FAMILY
Fifteen children came to bless their home, thirteen of whom were living at the time of the golden wedding, and eleven were present on that occasion. James North died in 1865 and his wife, Mary, died in 1866. The names of their children were Henry, Lucy Ann, James, Mary, Norman, Harriet, Susan, Seth, Elizabeth, Richard (died in childhood), Frances, Richard, Luther, and Franklin. An infant son who lived only ten days made up the fifteen. The dates of their births ranged from October 11, 1811, to March 24, 1835. There were no twins. Lucy Ann was married to James L. Wright, and her sister Elizabeth was the wife of William S. Wright. Their husbands were brothers, both Congregational ministers.
Aunt Mary was a lovely woman all her days. Sometimes she was tired and discouraged with so many little ones clinging to her skirts, and then Uncle James would come around with the carriage and take her away for a long drive, until her nerves were rested again.
They kept open house and entertained many visitors. How did they ever manage to feed so large a family ? Well, for one thing they made apple pies without peeling the apples.
Alvan North married and had ten children. His son Ralph, born at Berlin, in 1814, studied law at Middletown and found his way to Natchez, where he became Judge and Chancellor of the 12th District of Mississippi. He died there in 1883. His daughter Florence was sent to Miss Porter's school in Farming- ton about the year 1854. After awhile she wrote home that she wished all the slaves could be freed.
Her mother then said that if Florence must live at the South it would be better to educate her there, and she was taken back to Natchez, where she was married.
The seed, however, sown at Farmington, had taken root and when the Rebellion broke she was loyal to the Union. Her husband was not permitted to continue his business, but she, by virtue of being a woman, contrived somehow to carry it on, and supported her family during those trying years.
Other children of Alvan North were Willis, Walter, Jane, Emily, Horace, Mary Ann, Alvan, and Dwight.
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HISTORY OF BERLIN
Selah North, born at Berlin, November 29, 1791, was killed by lightning August 13, 1850, while standing in his own door- way at Stow, Ohio. He had thirteen children. The names of eleven were Nancy, Egbert, Julia, George, John, Philip, Charles, Sarah, Newel, Charlotte, and Betsey.
Simeon North, Jr., the youngest son of this family, born September 7, 1802, prepared for college partly in the old Berlin 'Academy. He graduated from Yale, with honors and as vale- dictorian, in 1825, and from New Haven Divinity School in 1828. A fellow student with the Rev. Joseph Whittlesey, he always spoke of him with respect and affection.
While acting as tutor in Yale two years, 1828-9, calls to settle in the ministry came to him from Fairfield and Greenwich in this state. In 1829 he accepted the chair of ancient languages at Hamilton College. After ten years service as professor he was elected fifth president of the college. This office he held until 1857. He married, in 1833, Frances Harriet Hubbard, daughter of Dr. Thomas Hubbard, Professor of Surgery in Yale. Their only child, a beautiful boy, born in 1842, died in 1851.
Dr. Simeon North died February 9, 1884. His connection with Hamilton as professor, president, and trustee covered a period of fifty-five years.
Elizabeth North, born October 5, 1796, died of consumption March 25, 1831. She always entertained the boys who visited at "Grandfather's," and they thought Aunt Betsey very nice. Her beautifully wrought needle work has been exhibited at the Berlin fair.
One evening as the family sat around the fireplace burning corn cobs, her father said he would give five dollars to any one who would light a candle from a cob; Betsey said she wanted that money; she knew what to do with it, she would buy for herself some winter flannels, and she persevered until the candle caught the flame.
Lucetta North, born April 7, 1799, was the sister "Martha." It was she who kept the wheels of housekeeping in order, and she had not so much time to make herself agreeable to the chil- dren as had Aunt Betsey. She remained at home unmarried
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THE NORTH FAMILY
and cared for her father in his old age. She died January 24, 1863, at the house of her brother James, in Staddle Hill.
Lydia Huntington North, a daughter and only child of the second marriage, born in Middletown, March 26, 1814, was married March 2, 1836, to Rev. Dwight M. Seward of Durham.
He was ordained and installed February 3, 1836, at a salary of $750, over the Congregational Church of New Britain. Toward the close of his ministry there was much agitation over the question of dividing the church, and on that account he thought it wise to resign his charge. He was dismissed June 15, 1842, and on the 5th of July, 1842, "The South Congrega- tional Church in New Britain" was organized. Of its mem- bers 119 came from the mother church; 207 remained and their next minister was called at a salary of $600.
Gloomy prophets predicted dire disaster for both churches. The First Church now numbers 827 and the South Church has enrolled on its catalogue 1,111 members.
Mr. Seward was installed over the church in West Hartford, January 14, 1845, and dismissed December 18, 1850. Other churches which he served were at Yonkers, N. Y., where he remained twenty-five years, and at Portland, Me.
Dr. and Mrs. Seward spent their declining years at South Norwalk, where they celebrated their golden wedding in 1886. Mrs. Seward died there April 1, 1896. Dr. Seward retained much of his youthful vigor and continued to preach occasionally up to his ninetieth year.
He died in January, 1901.
Two children survive them, William F. Seward, editor of the Binghamton Republican, and Lydia E., wife of W. H. Gleason, whose son, Arthur Gleason, is managing editor of Country Life. Dr. Seward, in his address given at the golden wedding at Staddle Hill, said he feared that some branches of the family were deteriorating. For, he went on to say, "a few weeks ago I saw huge placards of a big show under the auspices of one Levi J. North, which seemed to be made up of ponies, circusdancers, banjos, and comic songs. Boys bearing the same honorable name were among the performers. I suppose the showman must be related to us, but I was careful not to inquire, I felt indignant
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that the venerable name of our 'Uncle Levi' should be thus dishonored. This is almost the first stain which I have seen on the family escutcheon." Now, curiously, a newspaper cutting without date falls from an envelope, and we read as follows:
Levi J. North, the famous old circus rider, died on Monday, at his Brooklyn home. He was born on Long Island in June 1814. As a boy he was so infatuated with a traveling circus that stopped in Brooklyn that he ran away and joined the company-becoming, before he was thirty, the most perfect horseback performer in the world-exhibiting himself before the crowned heads of Europe, as well as in all parts of his native country. Last Thursday he attended the funeral of his old time associate Frank Pastor (brother of Tony) and while standing at the open grave he turned to a little group of white haired veterans of the ring close to his elbow and said "Another one gone, boys. Who'll be the next?" On Tuesday night the same group gathered at Dent's chop house (a Brooklyn restaur- ant which North had been accustomed to visit) to arrange for their attendance at the funeral of North himself. He had fatally caught cold at Pastor's funeral.
Reuben North, the eldest son of Simeon North, born Decem- ber 11, 1786, remained on the Berlin homestead. By deed of date March 30, 1814, his father, for the consideration of $5,600 conveyed to him his farm of sixty-six acres, with all buildings thereon. This did not include the shop, and the privilege was reserved of flowing for benefit of the factory, and digging stone from the quarry in the Pond Lot, so called. By the way, the stone for the foundations of the Worthington Academy was given by Reuben North from that Pond Lot quarry, south of the bridge.
By a second deed, dated March 22, 1826, Simeon North con- veyed to his son Reuben one acre of land "at a place called Spruce Brook," with the shop and other buildings thereon, together with all the mill privileges thereto belonging. The price paid was $300. This water power was used to run a sawmill before and after the time, in 1795, when Abraham Sage sold one-ninth of his right in the mill to Simeon North. The logs were pushed in on a tramway from the east side.
Francis Abarth
Alface North
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THE NORTH FAMILY
Reuben North married, January 9, 1811, Lynda, daughter of Josiah and Huldah (Savage) Wilcox, who lived at what, in recent years, has been known as the Sherman Wilcox place. Their sons were Alfred, born October 3, 1811, and Samuel, born March 11, 1814. Lynda, the mother, died March 18, 1816, and an infant, Lynda Wilcox, the only daughter in this family, born March 17, too frail to survive, was laid in her mother's arms. Deacon Alfred North* was five years old at the time and he remembered that one of the neighbors lifted him up to look in the casket. He never forgot his mother and he fancied that his
" (Copied from papers of Catharine M. North) 1
Alfred North, eldest of the seven sons of Reuben North, was born Oct. 3, 1811. His education was obtained in the public and private schools of the neighborhood and in the old Berlin Academy. In early manhood he assisted his father on the farm and in the factory, and taught in the public schools of his native town and in Ohio.
In 1840 he started in business as a merchant in Litchfield. The next year, however, he returned to Berlin where he conducted a general store until 1886. He was a licensed pharmacist.
In 1844, six years before New Britain was set off from Berlin, he was chosen Town Clerk and Treasurer. For over forty years he was annually reelected to this office, until, in 1886, he resigned on account of failing eyesight.
Although a Whig and then a Republican, he received the votes of all parties, and for many years no other candidate was nominated for the office. He was also School Treasurer.
He was a member of the State Legislature in 1849 and in 1855.
As Recorder he received many mortgages held out of town, and he determined to have a savings bank established in Berlin. Through S. C. Wilcox, then representing the town in the Legislature, he obtained a char- ter and, although he met with much discouragement, he persevered until the bank was incorporated, June 19, 1873. Deacon North was elected first president and held the office for twenty years. When he attended the meeting of July, 1893, and resigned his position, the deposits amounted to 200,000 dollars.
In 1829, at the age of eighteen, lie joined the 2nd Congregational Church of Berlin, under Rev. Samuel Goodrich. At the age of twenty, 1831, he was elected deacon. For twenty years he was superintendent of the Sun- day School and was Clerk and Treasurer of the Worthington Eccl. Society, also of the Church, for 40 years. He died Jan. 14, 1894.
All his life Alfred North was characterized by a kind and generous dis- position. He was the general counsellor and adviser of the town and people of all classes came to him in their troubles and perplexities. He
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HISTORY OF BERLIN
own daughter was like her. Referring to her name, one record gives it as Belinda and a grand-daughter had to endure Melinda, but she herself always signed it Lynda, and she marked her linen the same way.
Reuben North married, May 2, 1817, Huldah Wilcox, a sister of his first wife. Their children were Reuben, Jr., born March 13, 1818; Edward, born March 9, 1820; Simeon, born Febru- ary 10, 1822; Frederic, born March 14, 1824, and Josiah Wilcox, the seventh son, born February 10, 1827. Huldah was so much afraid that people might accuse her of being partial that she was better to Lynda's boys than to her own. Some of the neighbors did not like her as well as they did Lynda, who was kind to everybody. They thought Huldah rather high feel- ing. She said, "Samuel, if you can't go in the best society there is in Berlin, don't go in any." The workmen used to sit at evening around a huge fireplace in the kitchen, and the boys
abhorred a quarrel, above all, a family quarrel, and he always strove to bring about a peaceful settlement in such a case.
He married May 8, 1834, Mary Olive Wilcox, b. Aug. 7, 1812. Her parents were Richard Wilcox of East Berlin, a descendant of John Willcox (Willcocks), orig. propr. of Hartford, and Olive [Porter] Wilcox, a descendant of John Porter, settler of Windsor. She died May 31st, 1882.
CHILDREN :
I. FRANCIS AUGUSTUS, b. June 4, 1835, assisted his father in the store and studied music under Dr. Barnett, organist of the Center Church, Hartford. In 1858 he accepted a position with Andre & Company of Philadelphia, Publishers and Importers of sheet music. Even- tually he purchased the business, but later sold to the Ditsons and started the Lester Piano Manufacturing Company. He died Sept. 9, 1904.
He married at Philadelphia, Oct. 10, 1867, Elizabeth W. Moor- head. Their two sons, Alfred M., b. Feb. 20, 1872, and Robert L., b. Nov. 19, 1873, educated in the schools of Philadelphia and at Princeton University, began business together in Philadelphia as manufacturers. Robert died Jan. 12, 1901, at age of 27.
(It appears that Alfred Moorhead North, who resides in German- town, Philadelphia, is the only living descendant of Deacon Alfred North. He is the founder of The American Metal Works, of which he is treasurer, and of the Chelten Electric Company of Philadel- phia .- Editor.)
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