History of Fairfield County, Connecticut : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 151

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) comp. cn
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co.
Number of Pages: 1572

USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > History of Fairfield County, Connecticut : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 151

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A lodge of Odd-Fellows was at one, time in opera- tion at Redding Ridge, but was long since disbanded.

ANTI-SLAVERY SOCIETY.

One of the earliest anti-slavery societies in the State was organized in Georgetown in December, 1838. Dr. Erasmus Hudson and Rev. Nathaniel Col- ver were appointed by the Connecticut Anti-Slavery Society agents for the evangelization of the State, and in October, 1838, entered Fairfield County in the furtherance of their mission. They lectured at Sher- mau, Danbury, Redding, Georgetown, and Norwalk, being driven from each place in succession by mobs, who abused and threatened, and in some cases stoned, them. At Norwalk they were burnt in effigy and as- sailed with brickbats and all manner of missiles. At Weston they organized the first society in the county. In November a call was issued for a convention to be hield in Redding (Georgetown), Dec. 12, 1838. On November 29th, Messrs. Colver and Hudson went to Georgetown to hold meetings. They met on Monday night in the Baptist churchi, but the mob was so vio- lent that the meeting was adjourned until Tuesday evening. All through Tuesday there was great com- motion among the enemies of the cause, and this cul- minated in the evening, when a mob composed of men and boys, some with painted faces and some wearing masks, surrounded the church and assailed it with stones, clubs, and hideous outcries. Being dis- persed by the citizens, the band betook itself to quieter forms of mischief. Dr. Hudson drove to the meeting a beautiful milk-white horse, and on that night his tail was sheared so closely that it resembled a corn- cob, and other outrages were committed. At this meeting a society was organized, called the George- town Anti-Slavery Society. The constitution of this Society · bears date Dee. 4, 1838; its officers were : President, Eben Hill; Secretary, William Wakeman ; Treasurer, John O. St. Johu.

SCHOOLS.

The first reference in the town records in regard to schools is under date Dec. 26, 1737, when it was voted to have a parish school. It was also voted that said school be divided into three parts,-that is to say, " five months in that quarter called the Ridge, five months on the west side of the parish near the mill, and two months at Lonctowne, understanding that the centre of division is the meeting-house, and that Stephen Burr belongs to the west side." The first school committee consisted of Jolin Read, Joseph Lee, Joseph Sanford, John Hull, Nathan Lion, Steplien Morehouse, and Daniel Lyon.

Dec. 19, 1792, appears the following vote: "That the school money be lodged with the treasurer, and he to collect the interest arising on the school-bonds annually by the first day of April, the interest already arisen and unpaid to be collected forthwith; and in failure of payment of back interest, lie to send the bond, or bonds, and collect principal and interest, and to conduct in the same manner on neglect of an- nual payment of interest on said bonds, and to pay said interest and school money to the school coul- mittee as it may be appropriated by the committee of the districts annually."

" As to the source or origin of these school bonds," says Mr. Todd, "or by whom taken, I am unable to give a positive answer. The town of Redding has a school fund of four hundred dollars, distinct from the State fund, and which dates back to a period beyond the reach of memory or tradition. It is more than probable, however, that it was the sum realized from the sale of lands in Litchfield County in 1733, called western lauds, and which was divided among the sev- eral towns in proportion to their poll-list aud ratable estate for that year, and to be secured and forever in- proved for the use of the schools kept in said towns according to law. Redding, unlike most of her sister towns, has preserved this fund inviolate, and still uses its proceeds in support of her schools. In 1795 came the sale of the Western Reserve and Connectient's munificent grant to her common schools, which has put them in the front rauk of educational forces and contributed so much to the material prosperity of the State. In October of that year the inhabitants of Redding met and formed themselves into a school so- ciety, in order that they 'might have the advantage of the moneys arising from the sale of western lands.' Peter Sanford, James Rogers, and Simeon Munger were the first committee chosen by this society. Prior to 1870 the cost of supporting the schools above that derived from the school funds was borne by the pa- rents or guardians of the scholars, but in that year the Legislature passed a law compelling the towns to maintain free schools, and this plan has since been pursued."

The town is organized into school districts as fol- lows: District No. 1, Centre ; District No. 2, Ridge : District No. 3, Couch's Hill ; District No. 4, Diamond

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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

Hill ; District No. 5, Boston ; District No. 6, Hull ; District No. 7, Umpawaug ; District No. 8, Lonetown ; District No. 9, Pickett's Ridge; District No. 10, Foundry ; District No. 11 (half-district), Georgetown ; District No. 12 (half-district), Florida; District No. 13 (half-district), Rock House.

For present condition of schools, see General His- tory.

The Hill Academy was incorporated in 1878 with the following trustees: Francis A. Sanford, Aaron Treadwell, John Todd, X. Alanson Welton, Stephen Sanford, Thaddeus M. Abbott, and Arthur B. Hill. The officers of the corporation are as follows: Presi- dent, Francis A. Sanford; Vice-President, T. M. Abbott; Secretary, Arthur B. Hill; Treasurer, Aaron Treadwell; Auditor, Stephen Sanford. This school was founded by Rev. Aaron S. Hill, of New Haven, who donated the sum of five thousand dollars for its endowment. The first principal was T. M. W. George, of Hartford, who remained until July 1, 1879. At present no school is being held, and the fund is left to accumulate.

SELECT SCHOOLS.

From a very early period to the present time Red- ding has had many very excellent select schools. Among the earliest were those kept by S. Samuel Smith, Esq., at the centre, and Rev. Jonathan Bart- lett, in the present dwelling of Mr. Lemuel Sanford. This latter school attained a high reputation. The first boarding - school was opened by Mr. Walker Bates in about 1825. A few years later a school was commenced at the centre by Eli Gilbert, and in 1836 two schools were established at Redding Ridge,-one by John Osborne, and the other by Aaron B. Wilson.

The Redding Institute was founded by Daniel San- ford, A.M., in 1847. It was a successful school, and Mr. Sanford remained in charge until 1867, when he retired, and Edward P. Shaw became principal, re- maining as such until 1873, when the institution was discontinued. A boarding-school was opened by Burton Bradley in 1850, and also one by Miss Polly Selleck in 1844 for young ladies, both of which were quite successful.

The Misses Sanford's School .- The school for young children conducted by the Misses Sanford is the only select school now in the town. This is an excellent and very successful school, where not only young children but more advanced scholars are pupils.

MANUFACTURING INTERESTS.

Although Redding is an inland town, and prior to 1850 was crossed by no railway, still some of the ear- liest manufacturing establishments in the county were located here. Here were the iron-smelting works of Oliver Sanford, at Sanfordtown, which were destroyed by the great freshet in 1805. Abraham Fairchild had a fulling-mill as early as 1742, on the Saugatuck, near Nobb's Crook. Comstock, Foster & Co. erected a woolen-mill in 1812, near the site of the old fulling-

mill; this was burned in 1843 or 1844. Ephraim Sanford commenced the manufacture of carriages in about 1800, which was continued by various persons with varying success and finally discontinued.

"Subsequently," says Todd's "History," "Mr. E. A. Sanford formed a partnership with Charles Dun- comb, and later with G. A. Sanford, by whom the business was conducted with varying success. In its palmiest days this firm did a large business, employ- ing from twenty-five to thirty men, and maintaining a depot for their goods in New York. Mr. Aaron Bartram built a carriage-factory in 1840 (now stand- ing), and in company with Mr. Eben Wilson did a large business for a term of years. Mr. Bradley San- ford began the manufacture of carriage-axles in San- fordtown in 1833, and continued it until 1838, when he was succeeded by Mr. G. A. Sanford .*

" Hat-making was at one time a prominent indus- try in Redding. To Mr. Billy Comstock is due the credit of erecting the first hat-manufactory, which stood near his house in the Boston District. Mr. Daniel Gould had a large hat-shop in Lonetown, and later Mr. Jesse Banks carried on tlie business some- what extensively in Sanfordtown. He employed at one time from twenty-five to thirty men, and supplied the Southern and West India market. Mr. Milo Lee also carried on the business for a number of years, first with Mr. Banks, and afterwards in a factory near his house. Bricks were made at one time by Mr. Alanson Lyon on Redding Ridge, and in the same district a large shirt-manufactory was once in success- ful operation under the management of Mr. Curtis Fanton and his son, Henry Fanton. In 1856 the Redding Manufacturing Company was organized in Sanfordtown for the manufacture of pins and other small articles in brass. The large building in San- fordtown still known as the pin-factory was built by this company ; for a time its prospects for a successful career were excellent, but, owing to some mismanage- ment on the part of the directors, it soon proved a failure.

"The Hill Limekiln in Lonetown is perhaps the oldest lime-burning establishment in the State. It was probably opened at an early day by Col. John Read, who was the owner of the tract of land in which the quarry is situated. In 1810 it came into the possession of John R. Hill, a grandson of Col. Read, who conducted an extensive business and ac- quired a fortune. Mr. Hill retired in 1823, and was succeeded at different periods by his sons Aaron S. Hill, Moses Hill, William Hill, and John L. Hill. These gentlemen conducted the business with the same energy and success that had characterized their father's management. Since Mr. John L. Hill's re- tirement the business has been conducted successively by Messrs. Ames & Osborne, Barnes, Smith, and Philo Wood.t

* This branch of business is discontinued.

+ It is now conducted by Mr. Wood, and is an extensive business.

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REDDING.

" In 1842, 'Squire James Sanford built a foundry on the Aspetuek River, in the Foundry District, and en- tered largely into the manufacture of agricultural implements. He had before invented an improved hay-cutting machine, in which the eutting was done by revolving cylinders furnished with knives, which he manufactured here, and which had an extensive sale throughout the country. This foundry is almost the only one of the old-time industries of Redding that remains in successful operation to this day.

"The Aspetuck River, dashing through a gorge in this district, furnishes abundant water-power, and this the skill and energy of the Sanford brothers has utilized in the manufacture of buttons. Their three button-factories have a capacity of between three hundred and four hundred gross of buttons per day. They employ twenty-eight hands, and have made this district one of the busiest and most prosperous lo- calities in the town."

THE GILBERT & BENNETT MANUFACTURING COMPANY.

The works of the Gilbert & Bennett Manufac- turing Company are located partly in this and partly in the adjoining town of Wilton, in the village of George- town. They manufacture iron and galvanized wire, iron, brass, galvanized, and painted wirc-eloth, sieves, riddles, coal-screens, cheese- and meat-safes, ox-muz- zles, galvanized twist wire. netting, ete.

This concern is one of the oldest in its line in the country. The business was established by Benjamin Gilbert in 1818. Some years after, a copartnership was formed by Wm. J. Gilbert, Sturges Bennett, E. O. Hurl- butt, and E. Gilbert, under the name of Gilbert, Ben- nett & Co., under which name the business was con- ducted until May, 1874, when the upper mills were destroyed by fire, causing a loss to the eoncern of over one hundred thousand dollars. At this time there were one hundred and twenty-five persons employed by the company. Immediately after the fire the coneern was incorporated under the name of the Gilbert & Bennett Manufacturing Company (capital, one hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars), with Sturges Bennett as president, David H. Miller secretary, and W. W. Beers treasurer.

The main factory, situated in Redding, and built on the ground formerly occupied by the one destroyed by fire, is a stone and brick building three hundred and thirteen by fifty-six and a half feet, three stories high, with a galvanized iron roof. The power used is a fifty horse-power water-wheel and a seventy-five horse- power steam-engine. In this building are the power- looms for weaving shade wire-eloth, twisting-machines for making wire netting and fencing. In the centre of the building is a powerful saw-mill, where all the lumber used in the manufacture of sieves, safes, etc., is cut up and prepared.

The. two mills owned by the company situated in the town of Wilton are used for drawing wire, weaving wire, and galvanizing. The power is improved by 40

two water-wheels of seventy horse-power. The force of mechanics employed at present is one hundred.

The officers are: President, Sturges Bennett; Sec- retary, David H. Miller; Treasurer, E. Gilbert; Su- perintendent, Samuel J. Miller.

BIOGRAPHICAL, ETC.%

"John Barlow, the poet and statesman, was born in Redding, March 24, 1754. He received his early edu- cation first from the Rev. Mr. Bartlett, pastor of the Congregational Church in Redding, and second at Moor's preparatory school for boys, near Hanover, N. H. He entered Dartmouth College in 1774, at the age of twenty, and shortly after removed to New Haven and was entered at Yale. His college course was a highly creditable one in many respects. During the college terms he was a faithful student, especially winning distinction for literary attainments; and during the long summer vacations he joined the Con- tinental army as a volunteer and aided in fighting the battles of his country. He graduated in 1778. From 1779 to 1783 he was chaplain of one of the Connecticut regiments in the Revolutionary army. Shortly after leaving the army, in 1783, he married Miss Ruth Baldwin, daughter of Michael Baldwin, Esq., of New Haven, and in 1785 settled as a lawyer in Hartford, Conn.

" In Hartford, Mr. Barlow appears as lawyer, jour- nalist (editor of the American Mercury), bookseller, and poet. In the latter capacity he produeed a re- vision of Dr. Watts' 'Imitation' of the Psalms, and also, in 1787, his famous pocm, 'The Vision of Columbus.'

" In 1789 he aceepted from the Seiota Land Com- pany the position of foreign agent for the sale of their lands in Europe, and went to England, and later to France, for this purpose; but shortly after his arrival the company made a disgraceful failure, and he was again thrown on his own resources. Fortunately, his literary reputation had made him quite a lion in the French capital, and he easily succeeded in obtaining work on the French journals. Later he embarked in some mercantile ventures, which proved successful and brought him a competenee. He at first partiei- pated actively in the French Revolution, which broke out soon after his arrival in France, but, becoming disgusted with the atrocities of the Jacobius, he with- drew and went over to England.

" In London, in 1791, he published his 'Advice to the Privileged Orders,'-a work which drew out a formal eulogium from Fox in the House of Commons. This was succeeded in 1792 by his 'Conspiracy of Kings,' a poem so bitterly hostile to royalty that he found it prudent to leave England for Franee imme- diately on its publieation. On his return to France at this time the privileges of French eitizenship were conferred on him, before aecorded to but two Auer- icans, Washington and Hamilton.

* The following is chiefly from Todd's " History of Redding."

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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

" In 1793 he accompanied Gregorie, former Bishop of Blois, and other dignitaries, to Savoy, and aided in organizing that country into a department of the re- public. While here he wrote his 'Hasty Pudding,' the mock-heroic, half-didactic poem which has chiefly endeared him to his countrymen.

"In 1795, President Washington appointed him con- sul to Algiers, with instructions to ratify the long-pend- ing treaty with the Dey and to liberate the American prisoners there. Col. Humphreys, American minister to Portugal, an old friend of Mr. Barlow, himself came to Paris to urge him to accept ; and, proving suc- cessful, the two friends left Paris on the 12th of Sep- tember, 1795, for Lisbon. From Lisbon, Mr. Barlow proceeded to Algiers via Alicant, and after a year and a half of effort succeeded in ratifying the treaty and in liberating the captives. He then returned to France. During the succeeding eight years he resided in an elegant villa near Paris, formerly the property of the Count Clermont Tonnere, enjoying the friendship of the chief men of the nation, as well as that of all Americans of eminence who visited the capital.

" But in 1805 the desire to once more revisit the land he had left seventeen years before became too strong to be resisted longer, and, disposing of his estates in France, he returned in July of this year to America. He was warmly received in his native land, and after an extensive tour, extending into the Western coun- try, he returned to Washington, where he built an elegant mansion called 'Kalorama,' and which was widely famed in its day for its beauty and elegance and as being the resort of all the famous men of the times. At Kalorama, Barlow gave his chief attention to the cultivation of the Muses and to philosophical studies. Here, in 1808, he finished his great poem, 'The Columbiad,' which was printed at Philadelphia, and was one of the most elegant volumes ever issued from the American press. He also busied himself with collecting materials for a general history of the United States.

"In 1811, President Madison offered him the re- sponsible position of minister to France, in the hope that his reputation and his influence with the French government might secure for us a treaty giving indem- nity for past spoliations on our commerce and security from further depredations. Barlow accepted the posi- tion from motives of the purest patriotism, in the belief that his talents and position might be made useful to his country. Hc sailed from Annapolis in July, 1811, in the historic frigate 'Constitution,' Capt. Hull, which had been placed at his disposal by the govern- ment. His negotiations with Napoleon while on this mission were conducted through the Duke de Bassano, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and covered a space of nearly a year and a half. Napolcon acknowledged the justice of the claims of the United States, and expressed a willingness to ratify a treaty of indem- nity; but he was so absorbed in directing the cam- paign against Russia, and in his other operations on

the European field, that it was very difficult to bring the matter to a satisfactory conclusion.

" At length, on the 25th of October, 1812, Mr. Bar- low received a letter from the Duke de Bassano, writ- ten at Wilna, Poland, saying that the emperor had deputed the business of the treaty to him, and that if Mr. Barlow would come to Wilna he had no doubt but that the treaty might be speedily ratified. Bar- low, on receipt of the note, at once set out, and, trav- eling night and day, reached Wilna about December 1st, only to find the village filled with fugitives from Napoleon's retreating army, while the duke was out on the frontiers hurrying forward reinforcements to cover the emperor's retreat. Disappointed in his mission, he hastened to retrace his steps; but at Zar- niwica, an obscure village in Poland, he was seized with an acute attack of pneumonia, the result of pri- vations and exposure, which terminated his life Dec. 26, 1812. He was buried in the little village where he died, and a marble pillar was erected by Mrs. Bar- low to his memory. No friendly pen has ever written the poet's biography, and his memory has pretty much faded from the minds of his countrymen; but there were few men of his day more widely known, or who did deeds more worthy of grateful recognition by the American people.

"'Stephen Russell Mallory, second son of Charles Mallory, of Redding, Conn., was born in the West In- dies in 1814, and came to the United States when but three months old. In 1819 he accompanied his father to Florida, and was placed at an "old field school" near Mobile, from whence he was removed to the academy at Nazareth, Pa., where he spent several years. He returned to Florida in 1830, and estab- lished his residence at Key West, where he embraced the profession of law. Mr. Mallory has filled many important trusts under the State and general govern- ments, and was collector of the customs and superin- tendent of the revenue at Key West under Mr. Polk. In 1850 he was elected to the United States Senate for the term of six years.' The above is from Glea- son's Pictorial Companion for 1853. Mr. Mallory's subsequent career as Secretary of the Confederate Navy is familiar to the reader.

" Dudley Sanford Gregory, mayor of Jersey City, N. J., and prominently identified with the early his- tory of that city, was a native of Redding.

"Maj .- Gen. Darius Couch was born of Redding parents, in South East, New York, July 25, 1822. The following sketch of his career, taken largely from Cullum's 'History of the Officers and Gradu- ates of the United States Military Academy,' will be read with interest :

"' Darius N. Couch, born in New York, appointed from New York, cadet at United States Military Academy from July 1, 1842, to July 1, 1846, when he was graduated and promoted in the army to brevet second lieutenant, Fourth Artillery. Served in the war with Mexico in 1846-48, being engaged in the battle of Buena Vista, Mexico, as second lieutenant in Capt. Washington's Battery, light artillery, for which he was brevetted first lieutenant for gallant and meritorious conduct. Participating in

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REDDING.

occupation of the Scminolo country in 1852-53, he planned and executed at his own expenso a sciontific expodition into Central and Northorn Mexico, the results of which were very creditable to his enterprise. Ho married, in 1854, a daughter of Hon. S. L. Crocker, of Taunton, Mass., and granddaughter of Isaiah Thomas, founder of the Antiquarian Society of Worcester, Mass., and author of tho " History of Printing." The next year lie resigned from the army. At the breaking out of the Rebellion, being settled in Taunton, Mass., he raised tho Seventh Regiment Massa- chusetts Volunteers, and procceded to Washington in July, 1861. Was made brigadier-general in Angust, and assigned to the command of a brigade in tho defense of that city. In Mcclellan's campaign on tho Peninsula, Gen. Couch commanded the First Division, Fourth Army Corps, holding the left of the lino at tho sicge of Yorktown. At tho battle of Fair Oaks his bravo division held their ground for moro than two hours against the combined attack of the Confederate troops. With part of his division he reinforced Hooker in tho hot action of Oak Grove, June 25, 1862, and was in various skirmishes during the Seven Days until July 1st, on which morning Gen. Mcclellan posted him on the main road leading to Richmond, whero was fought the successful battle of Mal- vern Hill.

'' Being promoted to the rank of major-general, July 4, 1862, ho joined Pope with his division on the retreat from Manassas, in the Northern Virginia campaign. October, 1862, in command of the Socond Army Corps, campaign of the Rappahannock. At Fredericksburg, December 12th, 13th, 14th, and 15th, it fell upon Gen. Couch to assault Marye's Heights, in which desperate work that brave magnificent Second Army Corps lost more than four thousand mncn. Tho loss of his corps at the disastrous battle of Chancellorsville, where he was second in command, was very heavy. In Noveniber, 1864, he joined Thomas, who was be- sieged at Nashville, and was assigned by the commander to the command of an army corps. In the battle which followed he commanded a divi- sion, turned Hood's left, and captured several pieces of artillery and many prisoners. In North Carolina, March, April, and May, aiding Sherman in closing the war. Resigned in June, 1865, the Rebellion having been crushed out.

"'The general has for several years resided at Norwalk, Conn., having been quartermaster-general at Hartford during the years 1877-78.'

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History of Fairfield County, Connecticut : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 151

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) comp. cn Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co. Number of Pages: 1572

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) comp. cn
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co.
Number of Pages: 1572