USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Danbury > History of Danbury, Conn., 1684-1896 > Part 40
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4. His fifth son and child was Rev. Ebenezer White, born in Weymouth, December 21st, 1709 ; died in Danbury, September 11th, 1779. He married, first, Mary, daughter of Rev. John Moss, of Derby, Conn., October 20th, 1736. She died July 30th, 1746, and he married, second, Mary French, of Weymouth. Rev. Ebenezer White graduated at Yale in 1733 ; joined the First Church in Stonington, March 28th, 1734; studied theology there ; was installed in Danbury, March 10th, 1735-36, and dis- missed March 18th, 1764.
5. His third child and second son, Joseph Moss White, born in 1741, died in 1822 ; married, January 15th, 1766, Rachel Booth, born May 10th, 1741, daughter of Ephraim and Sarah (Fairchild) Booth, of Stratford, Conn.
6. Their third son and fifth child, Ephraim Moss White, born in 1775, married May 6th, 1798, Charity Tucker. Their children were William Augustus, George Granville, Ann Maria, married
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Charles Hart Merritt, of Troy, later of Danbury ; Mary Amelia, married Charles Hart Merritt ; Hannah Bartow, married T. T. Merwin, of New Haven ; Nelson Lloyd, married Sarah Booth, of Kent, Conn .; Alexander Moss, married Elizabeth Hart Tred- way, of Hart's Village, N. Y.
CHAPTER XLII.
DANBURY'S CHARITIES.
The Danbury Home for Destitute and Homeless Children.
THE founder of this Children's Home was Miss Mary Bull, a daughter of Horace and Elizabeth (Dibble) Bull, who nearly sixty years ago began her ministrations to poor and needy chil- dren by taking one at a time into her father's house-then occu- pying the site of the present St. Peter's Church-and caring for them with tender love and a charity both broad and deep. There are those living to-day who pay her a deserved tribute of gratitude, and there are graves in the old burial-ground on Wooster Street where she laid to rest little ones whose last hours she had soothed with loving care. Neither days of toil nor nights of watching could chill the ardor of that unselfish love which for years brightened the lives of children who had none of their own to care for them.
After years of trial and disappointment, of difficulties courage- ously surmounted-years sometimes bright with hope, but often shadowed by discouragement-Miss Bull succeeded in building on Town Hill the present Children's Home. For some years this was used as a school, though always sheltering a few needy children of both sexes. In this building and its grounds Miss Bull invested her small patrimony, and here prosecuted her labor of love and benevolence until her death.
A granite headstone in the old Wooster Street burial-ground bears the following inscription :
" MARY BULL, Nov. 21, 1812. May 11, 1882. In memory of her noble work As Founder of the Children's Home."
Here she rests with her kindred, but most truly it may be
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said that her " works do follow her," for the needy and home- less children are still cared for, their bodily wants not only sup- plied, but instruction and guidance such as may fit for a good life are given. This was especially the desire of the founder, and her "alms and prayers are gone up as a memorial before God."
After the death of Miss Bull, her assistant, Miss Martha Stokes, carried on the good cause with varying fortunes, but with unflinching faith and courage, until the year 1884, when, through the efforts of Mrs. George W. Ives, by personal appeal, for subscriptions, the Home was rescued from the heavy indebt- edness which at one time threatened to engulf it, and became a permanent charity of the town.
The organization was duly incorporated in the spring of 1884, the officers consisting of eighteen managers, a president, vice- president, secretary, and treasurer.
The original incorporators were : Eliza W. Botsford, Mary Bull, Sarah H. Ives, Matilda A. Nichols, Mary P. Averill, Sarah M. Seeley, Mary Hatch, Sarah Wildman, Ann E. Whittlesey, Julia A. Wildman, Eveline Reed, Julia A. Leonard, Olivia Rider, Mary J. De Klyn, Fannie Griswold, S. A. Bailey, Anna Deming, Mary E. Stone, Caroline Bacon, Ella Wildman, Jennie Tweedy, George Starr, Eli T. Hoyt, Henry Crofut, William J. Rider, D. P. Nichols, Nathan B. Dibble, Stephen Bates, Ezra A. Mallory, Dwight E. Rogers, J. Amsbury, Joel Foster, Charles J. Deming, A. C. Hubbard, D. M. Hodges, J. J. Hough, J. L. Peck, Roger Averill, Charles H. Reed, of Danbury, C. H. Noble, C. A. Todd, D. A. Baldwin, Robert Erwin, T. T. Clemens, M. L. Delevan, Charles Randall, of New Milford, Lewis Bailey, Aaron T. Bates, Hiram K. Scott, of Ridgefield.
For the last ten years the Home has run along the comfortable road of " general prosperity ;" kind hearts have kept not only the "larder filled," but have ministered to the comfort and happiness of its inmates in many ways. Thanksgiving days have brought good cheer, and Christmas suns have shone on happy faces bright with joy over " Christmas presents."
The annual and monthly meetings of the officers and managers have been held at the residence of Mrs. George W. Ives, to whose sympathetic heart and persistent effort the Home owes its pres- ent well-being. Although an invalid for many months, her
MISS MARY BULL.
THE DANBURY HOME.
MRS. ELIZA BOTTESFORD. MRS. SARAH E. IVES.
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interest in this institution has never flagged, and her kind thoughts for the welfare of its inmates have been carried out through the ministry of willing hands.
From time to time goodly sums of money have been raised by fairs and entertainments gotten up by the ladies, and also by lectures, musicales, and other entertainments, instructive and amusing, given by charitably disposed individuals who had the interests of the Home at heart. Even the children of Deer Hill Avenue devised a lawn party in 1886 which netted $12 for the benefit of the Home. In October, 1889, the institution received by bequest of Darius Stevens $100.
At the Christmas gathering in 1891 Mr. Alfred N. Wildman presented to the Home, in behalf of Mrs. Folsom and others, an excellent photograph suitably framed of Mrs. George W. Ives, and in May, 1894, at the annual meeting, Mr. Charles Merritt, with fitting words, presented, in behalf of Mrs. Folsom, a fine photograph of the late James Montgomery Bailey.
The matrons of the Home have been Miss Martha Stokes ; Mrs. Jane Way, of Lee, Mass .; Miss Emma Way, of Bristol, Conn .; Mrs. Jane Graham, also of Bristol, and Mrs. E. A. Westerfield, of Norwalk, who still occupies that position.
At the annual meeting in May, 1895, the following officers and managers were elected for the ensuing year, most of them being re-elections :
President, Dr. W. J. Rider ; Vice-President, Dr. Sophia Pen- field ; Secretary, Mrs. C. M. Wheelock ; Treasurer, Alfred N. Wildman ; Medical Adviser, Dr. S. Penfield ; Legal Adviser, L. D. Brewster ; Auditors : E. T. Morris, D. E. Rogers.
Board of Managers : Dr. William J. Rider, Charles H. Merritt, Alfred N. Wildman, Joel G. Foster, Dwight E. Rogers, Henry W. Hoyt, Mrs. Carrie M. Wheelock, Mrs. James P. Peffers, Mrs. Frank L. Butler, Mrs. Sarah H. Ives, Mrs. Lyman D. Brewster, Mrs. Joel G. Foster, Mrs. Henry W. Hoyt, Mrs. Dr. Simmons, Miss Hattie Simmons, Miss Elizabeth Wildman, Miss Mary A. Brady, Miss Alice Williams.
Since the Danbury Home passed into the hands of the present duly organized society in 1884, Dr. W. J. Rider has filled the position of President, Mrs. C. M. Wheelock that of Secretary, and Mr. A. N. Wildman that of Treasurer. For the same length of time the following have been managers : Dr. W. J. Rider,
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A. N. Wildman, Dwight E. Rogers, Charles H. Merritt, Mrs. S. H. Ives, Dr. Sophia Penfield, Mrs. C. M. Wheelock, and Miss Elizabeth Wildman.
May the officers and managers of the future be as faithful and devoted as those of the past and the present.
Danbury Hospital.
On January 31st, 1890, the present hospital building, then just completed, was opened to the public for dedicatory services, and the citizens of Danbury thronged the place to overflowing. Well may Danbury be proud of this institution, with its airy rooms, its handsome furnishings, and its broad balconies, from which are obtained most beautiful views of the surrounding country. It means hours of continuous thought, days and weeks of persistent labor, and to the women of Danbury, its origina- tors, too much praise cannot be given. The first address at the dedication of this building was an historical sketch by James Montgomery Bailey, which we quote entire :
" An effort to establish a hospital in Danbury was begun in the winter of 1882. A number of the ladies of Danbury took up the interest, and got a number of gentlemen to act with them. The city doctors were consulted, and the result was a card to the public, which was signed by eight of the doctors. The card read :
"'The physicians of Danbury appreciate the necessity of some suitable place where the sick can be cared for and receive the comforts of a home. Believing that not only their comfort, but their chances of recovery also, would be increased by such an institution, we cordially recommend the establishment and maintenance of a home for the sick in the community.
"' E. P. Bennett, W. C. Bennett, A. F. Clayson, F. P. Clark, A. E. Adams, W. F. Lacey, William Buckley, S. M. Griffin.'
"The ladies succeeded in arousing sufficient interest to war- rant calling a public meeting. This was held on Friday, March
E. S. DAVIS.
THE HOSPITAL.
J. II. SHULDICE.
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24th, 1882. Hon. Lyman D. Brewster presided. Rev. Dr. Hub- bard presented the draft of a constitution, which was adopted. The meeting then elected the following named a board of man- agers : George Starr, Giles M. Hoyt, D. G. Penfield, D. M. Benedict, M. H. Foster, J. M. Bailey, Mrs. J. M. Ives, Mrs. Sidney Starbuck, Miss Jennie Tweedy, Mrs. C. H. Reed, Mrs. Theodore Tweedy. This board elected Mr. Bailey, President ; Mrs. Starbuck, Vice-President ; Mrs. Tweedy, Secretary ; Mr. Penfield, Treasurer.
" Of these original directors, Mr. Starr and Mrs. Tweedy are dead. Mr. Hoyt and Mr. Benedict were unable to attend to the duties of the office, and resigned. Miss Jennie Tweedy also resigned, being forced thereto by ill health. Miss Tweedy was one of the several ladies who started the project and worked for its adoption. But three members of the original board are still in office. These are Mrs. Rider, Mrs. Ives, and Mr. Foster. They have been continued in office right along, and their experi- ence and zeal make them invaluable officers. Those chosen by the board to fill the vacancies were E. C. Barnum, E. S. Davis, G. G. Durant, Mrs. Thomas Wildman, and Miss Sarah White.
"The first work undertaken by the society was to secure a location for the hospital. Several places were examined, but found not to answer the purpose. Three years passed along without much being accomplished. In the mean time, Dr. A. E. Adams, then a physician here, resolved to build a hospital on his own account. He put up two cottages which the hospital association are now about to vacate. Before he finished them he came to the opinion that a public hospital conducted by the people would be much better, and he offered to sell the buildings at a reasonable price to the association, or to lease them for one or more years for trial, and if found suitable the association to buy them. The latter proposition was accepted, and the associ- ation took possession in April, 1885.
" The following winter the institution was incorporated by the State, and in April, 1886, the incorporators assembled and elected managers, six for one year and six for two years. At the end of each year six new members were chosen to take the places of those whose terms expired. This board was composed of the following named :
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"One year : Mrs. W. J. Rider, Mrs. J. M. Ives, Mrs. Sidney Starbuck, E. S. Davis, M. H. Foster, J. M. Bailey.
"Two years : Mrs. C. H. Reed, Mrs. G. A. Shepard, Mrs. T. G. Wildman, E. C. Barnum, G. A. Shepard, M. H. Griffin.
" These managers elected E. S. Davis, President ; Mrs. Star- buck, Vice-President ; Mr. Barnum, Secretary ; and Mr. Foster, Treasurer. Mrs. Starbuck moved from the city, and resigned her membership in the board. Mrs. Rider was elected Vice- President.
" The present officials are those just enumerated and the fol- lowing named managers : Mrs. J. M. Ives, Mrs. James Rider, Mrs. Thomas G. Wildman, Mrs. H. E. Comes, Miss Susie Crofut, J. H. Shuldice, M. H. Griffin, and W. H. Humphries."
Having expressed his admiration for the beautiful building, and complimented with glowing words the unselfish devotion of the officers of the institution, Mr. Bailey gave place to Hon. Lyman D. Brewster, who gave his hearers a most entertaining talk, as follows :
" LADIES AND GENTLEMEN : I had intended that the first patient for this new building should be the last speaker, Mr. Editor Bailey-that is, if a vigorous assault and battery on my part could have made him a fit subject. Was it not a sufficient provocation that he had, without warrant, announced me in the News to speak on two distinct topics on this occasion ? But I want to read a letter from Dr. Todd, a friend and helper of this institution, and I cannot help expressing my admiration for a moment (even in this surging crowd) of this most admirable building.
" I congratulate you all on the completion of our new hospital. We are all proud of it, and we have good reason to be. It is just the thing. It fills the bill completely. Whether we con- sider the beauty and healthfulness of the location, the perfect equipment of the building from top to bottom, with all the ap- pliances and conveniences of modern science, or the way all this has been achieved, the labor of love of these workers, backed up by a generous co-operation of the city and State, each and all are worthy of our heartiest congratulations.
" The only statistics Mr. Bailey has left for me to state is the respective amounts contributed by the State and raised from
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HISTORY OF DANBURY.
other sources. The State has appropriated $14,000, and $14,200 has been received from other sources.
" We were wonderfully fortunate in getting last winter the full $8000 we needed for the completion of the hospital. And now let me read to you a letter from Dr. Todd, of Ridgefield, the Chairman of the Committee on Humane Institutions, to whom we are so greatly indebted for the ample appropriation.
" 'RIDGEFIELD, January 28, 1890. "' L. D. Brewster :
"' DEAR SIR : I beg to acknowledge the receipt of yours of the 27th inst., inviting me to be present at the opening of the new hospital. Nothing would give me greater pleasure than to be present, but I regret to say that I think it will be impossible. I have a previous engagement in New York Thursday evening, and will not reach home until 1 P.M. Friday, when numerous engagements will occupy my time.
"' I feel like congratulating the ladies especially, and all friends of the institution, for the magnificent result of their undertaking. The way has been long and oftentimes beset with discouragement, but a glorious end crowns their work. The hospital is beautiful in situation, broad-reaching in its concep- tion, and complete in all its appointments. May its friends never grow weary in the good work which is one of the distinctive features of our modern civilization. The building is worthy of the city, and the city is worthy of the building.
"' I shall always be glad and proud that I was instrumental, however feeble were my efforts, in securing the final apportion- ment which permitted the completion of the hospital. With great respect,
" ' I remain yours truly,
"' W. S. TODD.'
[Three cheers were given for Dr. Todd.]
" Allow me to observe, in connection with Friend Bailey's reference to the sins of Grandmother Eve, as the cause of all hospitals, that the first hospital known to history was founded by a woman. Fabiola, a noble Roman matron, instituted a hos- pital at Rome in the fourth century, and ever since women have been first and foremost in the work of hospitals. Our own is no exception, and none are readier to avow the fact that the larger
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portion of the work of supporting the hospital has devolved on the lady managers than their male colleagues on the board.
"Not only is the hospital, as Dr. Todd has told us, one of the distinctive characteristics of modern civilization, but I believe it to be its crowning glory. What other human institution so re- veals and represents the heart as well as the intellect of a people, the truest charity blended with the deepest science ? Of its effect on medical advance, Mr. Lecky, the able author of 'The History of European Works,' says that the indirect advantages derived from hospitals by the knowledge they have given to medicine and surgery are worth far more to the world than all their cost. How wonderful has been the progress in medical science since the discovery of anæesthetics, rendering the most critical of operations painless to the patient, and revolutionizing the methods and powers of the surgeon ! And speaking of an- æsthetics in connection with Grandmother Eve, and all that Friend Bailey thinks she has to answer for, let me tell you a doctor's story, and I will dismount from this rather unstable chair and give you a 'rest.'
"It is related on good authority that when ether was first introduced into the hospitals of Edinburgh, in Scotland, the good orthodox Presbyterian clergymen of that ancient city pro- tested with all the power of the pulpit. They said it was con- trary to the natural law of retribution, contrary to the ordering of Divine Providence. They said that pain was divinely or- dained to follow every violation of law, and was the inevitable accompaniment of fractures and diseases of the human system, and the doctors must stop in their impious course. And as the doctors of divinity were more powerful than the doctors of medi- cine, they did stop for a while. But one day there appeared in the Scotsman, the leading Scotch newspaper, this pungent argu- ment by an M.D. The doctor said : 'You dominies are all off your base. We medicos are not violating, but following a Divine precedent in this matter. Does not the Good Book say that the Lord caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept, and He took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh thereof, and of the rib formed him a wife ? Are we not following a good example ?' Well, the Scotch ministers saw the point and 'owned up,' and the hospitals of Scotland went on with their beneficent work with no more theological opposition.
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HISTORY OF DANBURY.
" Moral : Chloroform is not wicked. Every man should take a rib, and every city have a good hospital. Let me hope, in conclusion, that this charity will meet in the future the same generous support from the city and the State which it has had in the past."
In 1892-93 a training school was established, and its first class graduated in June, 1895.
The present officers of the institution are as follows : John H. Fanton, President ; Mrs. J. T. Bates, Vice-President ; Eli C. Barnum, Secretary ; Martin W. Foster, Treasurer. Board of Directors : John H. Fanton, Eli C. Barnum, Martin W. Foster, Joseph T. Bates, Wm. Humphries, Byron Dexter, Mrs. J. T. Bates, Mrs. J. M. Ives, Mrs. Henry C. Comes, Mrs. C. H. Brush, Miss Susan Crofut, Miss H. E. Averill.
Relief Society .*
The first step toward an organized charity was made at the suggestion of Mr. Edgar S. Tweedy and a few other prominent citizens of Danbury, who met on the evening of October 29th, 1879, for discussion of the project, which was the complete sever- ance of charitable relief from all questions of religion, politics, or nationality, the discouragement of pauperism, and the admin- istration of relief to the worthy poor. The co-operation of the public was asked and cheerfully has it been given, until the Relief Society has become the leading charitable institution of the city, and distributes not only many articles of clothing and other substantials which are donated by individuals, but about $800 yearly, never in money, but its equivalent in the necessities of life.
The work of this society is mainly confined to supplying the needs of deserving people who are suffering from temporary mis- fortune, and by the system employed any of its patrons can refer applicants for relief to the manager, with the certainty that any one deserving assistance will receive it, thus removing the doubt that may exist as to the worthiness of the case.
The society is in receipt of letters from the town authorities giving evidence of their appreciation of the excellent work that
* Contributed by Mrs. C. M. Wheelock.
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has been performed. The following is a copy of one recently received :
DANBURY, April 2, 1894.
To the Danbury Relief Society :
BOARD OF MANAGERS : The selectmen of the town of Dan- bury wish to express their thanks for the kind assistance and never-tiring energy which you have shown in investigating and helping the needy and destitute. We have been able to save by the help of your agents many hundreds of dollars for the town, and we cannot too highly commend your work. Your organiza- tion has proved itself a kind friend to the suffering and a care- ful agent of the taxpayer.
HENRY BERND, L. K. MANSFIELD, ALEXANDER TURNER.
For two years an employment bureau furnished sewing for many deserving women ; later this was discontinued, but work is still procured in different ways for men and women.
Mr. Edgar S. Tweedy was the first president of the society, which office he held with never-failing interest until his death, when he was succeeded by J. M. Bailey, " The Danbury News Man," who was removed by death in March, 1894. Mr. Bailey from the first had a live interest in the society, many being the substantial favors received at his hands, and " though dead, he speaketh," for it was remembered in his will, and the proceeds of this record of a city whose latter progress he did much to promote-a history begun by him and abandoned only when he was laid low in death-are to be given toward its maintenance. In this connection an extract from the minutes of the Executive Committee of December, 1895, may prove interesting.
"It was voted, That the Relief Society, in consideration of the receipt of manuscript History of Danbury, hereby discharges the executors of the estate of J. M. Bailey from all liability to account to said society for the bequest and devise to it in the will of said Bailey, and assigns to George W. Flint and William L. Smith, of Danbury, all of its rights to the property of said estate except said history.
" Voted, That Charles H. Merritt and Alfred N. Wildman be empowered to sign any papers necessary or proper to carry out the above vote."
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The present management of the society consists of : Officers : President, Sophia Penfield, M.D .; Vice-President, Charles H. Merritt ; Secretary, Mrs. C. M. Wheelock ; Treasurer, Alfred N. Wildman.
Superintendent, Mrs. M. L. Ward.
Managers : Charles H. Merritt, Alfred N. Wildman, Howard B. Scott, Joseph T. Bates, Edmund H. Allen, William W. Stevens, Mrs. M. L. Ward, Mrs. Julia E. Comes, Mrs. A. N. Wildman, Dr. Sophia Penfield, Miss Martina M. Griffing, Miss Susan Crofut.
Executive Committee : C. H. Merritt, A. N. Wildman, H. B. Scott, Mrs. M. L. Ward, Mrs. C. M. Wheelock, Dr. S. Penfield.
Auxiliary Committee : Miss Jennie B. Tweedy, Miss Helen Meeker, Miss Harriet E. Averill, Miss Maria W. Averill, Miss Martina M. Griffing, Miss Gertrude Hyde, Miss Josie Beers, Miss Mary Merritt, Miss Susie Crofut, Mrs. Hendrick W. Bar- num, Mrs. John C. Downs, Mrs. J. M. Tallant, Mr. W. W. Stevens.
Auditors : Ed. H. Morris, Martin H. Griffing.
Dr. Sophia Penfield ably fills the office of president, and Mrs. M. L. Ward, as superintendent, has done an immense work.
It is expected that the near future will witness the com- plete co-operation of all the charities of the city, and that they will work in the harmony which alone can produce the best re- sults according to the design of this organization, the distribu- tion of aid in such a manner as to avoid the overlapping of charity and the waste of money on unworthy subjects.
Almshouse.
Previous to 1859 the poor, dependent upon public charity for a home, were placed in the charge of whoever would care for them at the lowest price, in the phrase of that day, " Let out to the lowest bidder." In 1868 the project for a town farm and shelter for the helpless was broached. On February 1st, 1868, a call for a town meeting was advertised for the purpose of adopting some plan for the support of the poor of the town, and to authorize the purchase of land for a town farm. The meeting was held on February 23d, and passed the following vote :
" Voted, That the selectmen be instructed to ascertain the cost of a suitable quantity of land and the necessary buildings for
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HISTORY OF DANBURY.
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