USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Danbury > History of Danbury, Conn., 1684-1896 > Part 13
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It is expected that Mr. Babbit will preach at the Court House, next Sabbath, on the subject of the 'Restitution of All Things.' "
We have been unable to get any information in regard to Mr. Babbit, and therefore conclude that he was a stranger, and prob- ably preached at the Court House, Sunday, June 23d, 1805, as announced, but whether he had a large or small audience we cannot tell, for the paper of next week is silent on the subject. If any such announcement should be made nowadays we are certain that the papers in town would in their next issues give a good synopsis of Mr. Babbit's sermon and the number in attendance.
From the following it appears that editors at that time had their troubles as well as at present :
"' Be Just and Fear Not.'
" The present number completes the first quarter of vol- ume two of the New England Republican. Subscribers, &c., are desired to observe that by an immediate settlement they can save a discount, and enable the editor to fulfil his contracts for paper, payment for which must always be made (in cash) within ninety days. The office receipts for the last quarter do not amount to more than half the expense for paper alone. This is fact ; and while such is the case, we find no encouragement to make the improvements we wish-no stimulus to proceed with spirit. We are, in fact, 'spending our strength,' our time and our cash for that which profiteth us not. Those who wish us success at least are expected to act as consistently as they talk, for neither promises nor a string of names will appease the duns
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HISTORY OF DANBURY.
of our creditors. To such of his customers as have made punc- tuality their invariable rule, the editor returns his warmest thanks."
" To HATTERS.
" The subscribers have for sale a quantity of good Muskrat Skins, very low for cash, or will exchange them for good unfin- ished Knapped Hats. Also all kinds of Hatters trimmings.
" WHITE BROTHERS & Co.
"N.B .- The skins will be sold for 2s. 3d. cash (York currency), or 2s. 5d. in exchange for hats."
This firm consisted of Colonel Russell and Judson White. Their place of business was where the brick building just north of Main Street bridge now stands. Their factory was probably the largest and most complete of any in the country at that date. They employed about forty hands, and did an extensive business for the time.
Eliakin Peck wants "a Journeyman Blacksmith who is experi- enced in shoeing, also an apprentice to the above business."
Mr. Peck was the father of Stephen S. Peck, and carried on business at the corner of Main and South streets, where the old Episcopal church was drawn and converted into a dwelling.
Stephen Gregory wants " an active Lad of fourteen or fifteen years of age to serve as an apprentice to the Saddlers business."
The house, shop, land, and out-buildings of William A. Bab- cock, situated on Main Street, are offered for sale at public auc- tion. Mr. Babcock removed to New Haven, was major of a regi- ment there, and dropped dead as he was mounting his horse to go on parade. He was the father of Colonel James F. Babcock, who was for a long time editor of the New Haven Palladium.
Comfort Hoyt, Jr., says he " wants to purchase several tons of sumac of the present year's growth. If cut early and well cured, the price which he has commonly given will be paid for it ; or if those who gather it choose, he will receive it the day it is cut at half the usual price, in which case the gatherers will be saved the risk and trouble of curing it, and the loss of weight by drying. Those who have been in the habit of gathering it are in no need of being told that even children can clothe them- selves in that way easier than men and women can by spinning and weaving, if flax and wool are found them gratis."
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HISTORY OF DANBURY.
Gathering sumac is a branch of industry which has entirely disappeared from this community. It was used for coloring and also for tanning morocco. It is undoubtedly as plentiful as ever, but for some reason there is no demand for it. At the time Mr. Hoyt advertised for it it was in great demand and brought a large price. The mill for grinding it was on Still River, near Shelter Rock.
In 1810 servants were few in Danbury, as most women did their own housework, and the leisure hours of mothers and daughters were employed in spinning linen thread which after- ward was woven by hand. Those were the days of plain living, early rising, and constant labor, both in doors and out. At that time the West Street of to-day was spoken of as " up the lane," and Deer Hill Avenue, now lined with beautiful residences and shaded by fine trees, was a narrow and crooked lane used mainly for access to adjoining land.
There were no dwellings upon this hill except one at the corner of the present West Street, which was occupied by Andrew Beers, the celebrated " almanack maker," and one other known as the " old Andrews homestead," standing a little south of the Wooster Street of to-day.
On Main Street, between Elm and Wooster streets, there were nine houses, including one or two stores, and on the east side between the Wooster House and Liberty Street there were but five. The jail was in its present location, a building of wood, with the keeper's house just in front. In those days people were imprisoned for debt, and if a creditor had a particular spite against a debtor, he paid his board, and sometimes kept him in jail for a year.
It is a singular fact that, while the laws were very strict re- garding Sabbath-breaking and church-going, rum-drinking and lottery gambling prevailed everywhere. A man who thought it a sin to eat a warm dinner on Sunday had no scruples against drinking to excess, or taking a prominent part in a lottery scheme. The law required all members of the Grand Jury to stop any person found travelling on the Sabbath, and, unless his errand was of vital importance, such as going for a doctor, or hurrying to fill an engagement to preach, he was liable to arrest and fine. In all fast days " servile labor and vain recre- ations" were forbidden by law.
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HISTORY OF DANBURY.
During the War of 1812 the mail stages, from Hartford to New York, ran through Danbury in order to avoid the British troops on the coast. When peace was declared they returned to the old route along the shore. The New York mail came only once a week. Another mail ran once a week to Poughkeepsie.
There were two companies of foot militia in Danbury, and one in Bethel, each containing the usual number of men ; there was also an artillery company of six men, and one of cavalry. Two thirds of the members belonged in Danbury, and all furnished their own arms. The training days were the first Monday in May and in September, and a general regimental parade took place in October. Nearly every able-bodied man was required to serve, and any one absent at roll-call was fined $5. This law continued in force until 1845.
In 1810 the practicing attorneys in Danbury were Moses Hatch, Matthew B. Whittlesey, and Alanson Hamlin.
CHAPTER XXVI.
MAIN STREET IN 1815-20.
IT is likely that seventy years ago the view of Danbury, with few exceptions, was the same as at the beginning of the century. Main Street was then as now the principal thoroughfare. Run- ning from it on the east was North, White, and Liberty streets ; on the west, Franklin, Elm, West, and Wooster streets ; South Street at the foot. To this day we have not a single street cross- ing Main Street, although it runs the length of the village. The other streets were River and Town Hill. Deer Hill Avenue was then but a lane, chiefly used for the transfer of farm products.
MAIN STREET-EAST SIDE.
The first house, on coming into Main Street at the north, on the east side of the street, was occupied by Aaron Gunn. It was washed away by the Kohanza disaster in 1869. Mr. Gunn had two sons who were drafted in the War of 1812, and entered the army at New London.
The next house stood on the corner of North Street. It was occupied by Benjamin Barnum, and was a large, roomy build- ing. Some years ago it was moved north on Main Street, and still stands there.
On the opposite corner lived Noah Hubbell. Between there and what is now Patch Street there was but one house. It was occupied by William Patch, Jr.
Next to him was a small tenement owned by Mary Daniels, then occupied by a family named Barnum.
John Gregory's house came next. None of his descendants are living here.
Where Wildman's lane or court now is were two houses, since gone. One of these was occupied by Benjamin Cozier, and the other by William Patch, Sen.
----
RUSSELL WHITE.
MRS. RUSSELL WHITE.
HOMESTEAD OF EBENEZER RUSSELL WHITE.
ROSWELL WHITE. MRS. ROSWELL WHITE. AFTERWARD MRS. E. T. HOYT.
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HISTORY OF DANBURY.
The next premises were those of John Nickerson, a lay preacher in the Methodist church. The church in that day was supplied once a month by a circuit preacher, and in the intervals by some lay member vested with authority to preach. Nicker- son was an active man, and consequently well known to his fellow-citizens.
Then came another tenant house which was occupied by Zar Patch. It long ago passed away.
Following was the home of Archibald Benedict, a son of Captain Noble Benedict, our Revolutionary hero.
The residence now occupied by Harrison Flint was then the home of the late Enoch Moore. It was built by Amos Stevens.
Next in order came the home of Abel Gregory, now owned by Mrs. Henry Benedict.
And after this a school-house. Many years ago it was re- moved to Franklin Street, where it continued to be used as a school until about fifteen years ago, when it was turned into a tenement, and is thus occupied to-day.
Deacon Joseph Platt Cooke, son of the Revolutionary colonel of the same name who was in command of Danbury when Tryon came, occupied the next house. It stood on nearly the same ground at present occupied by the residence of Mrs. William Ja- bine.
Russell Hoyt lived next to Deacon Cooke in the house now occupied by his son Granville.
Just south of the house was a store where Daniel B. Cooke sold "shoes, sugar, shirting, and groceries." The building was subsequently removed to White Street.
Next came the home of Colonel Russell White, which stood on the site of the present residence of his son, William R. White. Colonel White was a prominent hat manufacturer.
The next house was owned and occupied by Nirum Wild- man.
Where the residence of the late Giles M. Hoyt now stands stood the home of Rev. Ebenezer R. White, grandfather of William R. White and Ebenezer R. Whittlesey. Between and partly in front of these two houses stood a small building once the store of Burr & White, but at this time occupied by the worshippers in the Sandemanian church.
The hat manufactory of White Brothers & Co. stood near
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HISTORY OF DANBURY.
the banks of the Still River, its site not at present being occupied.
Across the river, on the corner of White Street, stood the old home of Benjamin Knapp, with its sloping roof and immense stone chimney.
WEST SIDE.
Going back to the north end of the street and returning on the west side the first house was the home of Stephen Ambler, the grandfather of Mrs. A. A. Heath, and O. P. and W. H. Clark. He did active work in the war. It is said that he and five brothers, lying down on a thirty-six feet stick of timber, would just cover its length. His house stood under the hill next to the graveyard, and was long since torn down.
The graveyard itself was then there. It was not only opened to relieve the Wooster Street grounds, but to accommodate the districts of Middle River, King Street, and Pembroke, which then being sparingly settled, had no burial-place in their district.
Andrew Akin occupied the house now owned by George Downs. Next to it was the home of Mary Daniels, who owned property on the other side of the street.
John Foot, father of Mrs. Ezra Abbott, lived in the next house, then came Captain Foot's hat shop. Adjoining this was a tenement. Following came the home of Asa Hodge.
Thaddeus Morehouse lived next north of the Cowperthwait homestead. Adjoining was a small tenement which closed its existence in "a summary; and tragic manner, having been de- stroyed at the time of the mobbing of Rev. Mr. Colver, in 1830.
The next house was occupied by Knapp Boughton, who dis- tinguished himself by winning for a wife the young woman Par- son Robbins wanted. He was father of L. H. Boughton. His place was removed to make room for the spacious residence of S. H. Rundle.
Mrs. Boughton, mother of Knapp, occupied a house adjoining his. It was afterward owned by Nathaniel Bishop, and was removed. On the southeast corner of this lot was a brick build- ing occupied by Knapp Boughton as a store. It was removed a long time ago.
Mrs. Elias Boughton occupied a place where now stands George C. White's residence. The next building stood on the cor-
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HISTORY OF DANBURY.
ner of Franklin Street, and was occupied as a hat-finishing shop by Russell and Eli T. Hoyt. On the opposite corner stood the residence of William Cooke, who was a prominent member of the Masonic order. Mr. Cooke's house was removed to Patch Street.
Next to Mr. Cooke lived Starr Nichols, a large hat manufac- turer, and an active man in all enterprises. Following this was a tenement long since taken down.
Next came the residence of Samuel and William Tweedy, father and son. They were cutters off of fur, and their shop stood north and in rear of their home. Adjoining their house was the place of Gershom Nichols.
Where Charles H. Merritt's residence now is stood the house of Captain Elijah Hoyt. Daniel B. Cooke, son of Colonel Joseph Platt Cooke, the soldier of the Revolution, lived where does now L. P. Hoyt. Next to this place was a store occupied by E. M. White. It was removed to White Street. Following was a house belonging to Najah Wildman. Next south of Najah Wildman stood a house where is now the residence of Alfred N. Wildman.
On the river-bank stood a mill. It was built in the last cen- tury by Daniel Comstock for a grist-mill and occupied by Sam- uel C. Dibble. Afterward for many years it served as a hat- forming factory, and was owned by Niram Wildman. There was considerable feeling at one time in the community occasioned by this mill. The occupant wanted to build a waste-weir to empty into the stream at a point just below the opposite side of the street, but Mr. Knapp, who lived on the corner and owned the land, would not give him the right of way. The only alter- native was to tap Mad River just above its junction with Still River. The plan did not work, however, as the grade did not give sufficient fall to carry off the water. As the grist-mill was a matter of considerable importance to the people, public senti- ment took a hand in, and Mr. Knapp was induced to consent to the emptying of the river in Still River, in the rear of his house. The mill building was last occupied by Holly & Wildman, wool- hat manufacturers. It was destroyed by fire in 1868.
The building on the corner of Elm Street was at that time the homestead of Samuel Tweedy. It has been made into stores since then. In its rear stood a hat factory occupied by Tweedy and Benedict.
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HISTORY OF DANBURY.
MAIN STREET, BETWEEN WHITE AND LIBERTY STREETS.
There has been more change in that portion of Main Street between these points than in any other part of the thorough- fare ; and far less in Main Street as a whole than in any other street, except, perhaps, South Street.
In 1815 there were but eight buildings on the east side of Main Street, between White and Liberty, where is now an almost un- broken bank of business places. The space not immediately occupied by these buildings was used for gardens and fields, principally pasturage, while that portion in the neighborhood of the railroad buildings, as far as White Street, was swamp. Except in front of the buildings the wall the length of the block was a stone fence. Mullein, dock, milkweed, and brambles were conspicuous products.
The first building, passing down the street, was a small brown tenement. Close to it was the dwelling of Mrs. Betsey Benedict. She owned a store building which was next in order, and was then rented by Irel Ambler. Previously Eli T. Hoyt and his brother Russell occupied it. It stood where is now the station of the Danbury and Norwalk Railway. There was no other structure until the dwelling of Lemuel W. Benedict was reached, which stood where is now the house occupied by Mrs. David Pearce.
Mr. Benedict's neighbor on the south was Samuel H. Phillips. Near his house was a little store run by Mr. Phillips, who was a well-known character. He was deputy postmaster of Danbury, and kept the office in his store. Consequently his place was a resort for the various luminaries, and Mr. Phillips perhaps heard more mendacity than any other citizen of Danbury. He was a quiet man of a studious turn, and having a well-balanced mind was rarely surprised into states of undue feeling. One day a woman apparently very anxious for a letter came in and gave her name. There was nothing for her.
"I wish you'd look again," said she, "for I'm sure there must be a letter here for me."
He complied, carefully going over the stock in hand.
" There is no letter here," he said.
" Well, that's strange," she muttered, " I was sure it must be here. When do you suppose I'll get one ?"
THENAr PERRERS
TIN SHOP
STORE OF PECK & WILDMAN. SANDEMANIAN CHURCH IN THE REAR.
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HISTORY OF DANBURY.
History does not give his answer, but the anecdote may sug- gest a new form of torture for the post-office window.
Another well-known resident was the next neighbor to Post- master Phillips. He was Eli Mygatt, a heavy gentleman in knee- breeches. His dwelling stood where is now Baldwin Brothers' drug-store, and just south of it he kept a drug-store himself. There must be something in the locality favorable to the exist- ence of the drug business, as it has been used for that purpose by different parties since the day Uncle Eli began his enterprise. Both his residence and his store have long since passed away. Uncle Eli had charge of the Franklin Library, as it was kept in his store.
On the corner of Main and Liberty streets, where now stands Benedict & Nichols' block, lived Matthew Curtis. Mr. Curtis was a butcher, and had his slaughter quite convenient, it being on Liberty Street, in the rear of his house, where now stands the Disciples church.
WEST SIDE.
On the corner of Elm Street, the premises now owned by J. S. Taylor, stood the tavern of Dr. Jabez Starr, a prominent Revo- lutionist. Dr. Starr's swinging sign bore the simple inscription " The Inn," and was the headquarters on training days of the uptown military companies, which consisted of a cavalry and an infantry organization. These two organizations used to parade in the square fronting the tavern. On one of these occa- sions-in 1812, we believe-a corporal was to be elected. It ap- pears that the ladies who favored the military had the privilege of selecting the candidate for this honor. Their suffrage was given in behalf of a blushing youth from Great Plain District, then eighteen years old. On his election being announced, it was incumbent on him to step to the front and pledge himself to faithfully perform the duties of the office. The ladies were assembled in front of the residence of Samuel Tweedy, on the opposite corner, and the youth, in making his acknowledgment, was obliged to face them, an ordeal that very nearly prostrated him, but he got through with it. The eighteen-year-old boy was the late Deacon Eli T. Hoyt.
Peck & Wildman's grocery was then an unpretentious dwell-
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HISTORY OF DANBURY.
ing, little dreaming of the glory it was in time to ripen into, with a gorgeous landscape as a forepiece.
The dwelling and church in the lane, both the property of the Sandemanian Society, were standing then.
The King George Tavern, now the property of Mrs. Urana Barnum, was then occupied by her father, William Dobbs. Long before the period of which we write it had ceased to be a hostelry.
Next in order was the residence of Moses Hatch, or Judge Hatch, as he was called. He had an office built on the street line, now moved to rear of the post-office building. Moses Hatch was a prominent member of the Bar. He died at the early age of forty-one, at the threshold of what promised to be a brilliant career. He was the grandfather of our fellow-citizen, Alexander Wildman.
The residence of the late venerable E. Moss White stood where is now the Library building reared by the liberality of his sons. He was both a successful farmer and merchant of Danbury, a man well known, thoroughly trusted, and sincerely respected by his fellow-townsmen. Many knew well his quiet liberality and kindness, and the remembrance of his serene face and cheery smile is as a benediction. The old homestead became the resi- dence of his son, the late Colonel Nelson R. White, and after his removal it was used by the Library Association until the present building was begun, when it was moved to Library Place, where it now stands.
Next south stood the residence of Benajah Starr, which was built by his wife when she was the widow of Rev. Timothy Langdon. This was afterward the property of " Esquire Booth," and later the home of Hon. Roger Averill. The building has been moved and converted into stores, and brick buildings stand where once the green grass grew beneath the great black-walnut tree which marked the centre of the town.
Deacon Thomas Tucker lived next in the old house which still remains quaint and interesting. The "great pear-tree," supposed to be over one hundred and fifty years old, stands beside this old dwelling, which has been for over sixty years the home of Mrs. George W. Ives.
Next came the residence of Asahel Benedict. The present homestead of Mrs. Henry Benedict occupies its site.
1
MARTIN'S BUSINESS COLLEGE
BLOCK OCCUPYING SITE OF THE AVERILL HOMESTEAD. THE AVERILL HOMESTEAD, 1850.
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HISTORY OF DANBURY.
Mrs. Huldah Starr's house followed, standing on the corner of West Street. The dwelling and land were bought by James S. Taylor in 1864, and the present block of stores and tenements erected. The old homestead is among these, but its identity is entirely lost. There are those who remember well the quaint old house with its great dooryard, its apple-trees, and long lines of currant-bushes. They are all gone, with the grand old elms that once shaded this quiet home.
MAIN STREET FROM LIBERTY TO COURT HOUSE.
Major Seth Comstock, a brother of Dr. Daniel Comstock, lived in a substantial residence on the corner of Liberty Street. He was a merchant and had a store just south of his dwelling. Major Comstock was a man in good circumstances, who once in his life created quite a sensation in the community. He had a son Augustus doing business in New York City. The son was to be married and desired a wedding party in his father's house. He sent word to that effect, directing his father to fix up the place in the best possible style, and he would make good the expense.
The major accordingly proceeded to make the homestead into a wedding bower. Carpenters, painters, and upholsterers were set to work, and for days the transformation went on. Summer- houses, arbors, and grottoes were put up in the garden. The entire front of the house was changed by elaborate additions placed thereon, and the premises blossomed into the appearance of a small paradise. The place was daily visited by Danbury people, who were filled with pride and admiration as they viewed it. Even abroad went the fame of the change, and people from neighboring towns came to see the Comstock palace. The trans- formation was all the talk of the day, and supplanted every other subject.
The wedding was in keeping with the preparation therefor, and filled the street in the neighborhood with curious people. Among those who came from out of town was a young man hailing from the extremely rural district of Redding, below Bethel. He was barefooted and timid ; he had heard of the grand house and the beautiful garden, and he wanted so much to see it that he walked to Danbury for that purpose ; but when he got here and saw how grand was the place he dared not step
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HISTORY OF DANBURY.
on the premises. More than that, he feared to go on the same side of the street, but kept on the opposite side. Even at that he shrunk from stopping in front of the place, so timid was this rural lad.
That was long over fifty years ago, and the barefooted farm boy so overcome by the display that he dared not stop in front of it was the late Charles Hull, who became later the owner of the property. It reads something like a romance, doesn't it ?
In the place of the residence and store stands a large brick block, and the old house with its pretty surroundings of green grass, syringa bushes, and box hedges, has vanished into the past.
Rachel Barnum's dwelling came next, and then the residence of Friend Starr, afterward that of his son, the late Charles F. Starr. This house was built in 1796, just a century ago, and stood beneath the shade of a long row of elms that had been previously planted by Caleb Starr, the father of Friend Starr. Of these trees, which have been the pride of the town, there is left to-day but one survivor. This measures twenty feet in circum- ference, and towers high above the roof of the old dwelling which stands upon land now held in direct line by the sixth generation.
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