History of Litchfield county, Connecticut, Part 158

Author: J.W. Lewis & Company (Philadelphia, Pa.)
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1532

USA > Connecticut > Litchfield County > History of Litchfield county, Connecticut > Part 158

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

F. W. Gunn worked on his father's farm summers, receiving such advantages for an education as the schools of his own town and those of neighboring towns afforded. At seventeen years of age (in 1833) he entered Yale College, from which he graduated in 1837.

Among the most distinguished members of his class are Chief Justice Waite, Wm. M. Evarts, Profs. Lyman and Silliman, and Edwards Pierrepont. We quote the following from the pen of a personal friend :

"Mr. Gunn's long career and marked success as a teacher are deserving of something more than a mere passing notice. Shortly after his graduation from college he started an academy school at his native place, in 1839, which, with a few years' interval, he has kept up ever since. Of the character of so old and well-established an institution it is hardly neces- sary to speak. Mr. Gunn is a born teacher. With that remarkable faculty for interesting pupils in study, which normal schools may improve but cannot give, he has excellent methods of play, as well as study for young folks, and early recognized a fact now becoming generally understood, that the development of boys' bodies is as much a part of the teacher's duty as the development of their minds, taking into consideration also the most important fact that with him the boy finds a home as well as a school. We are not sur- prised at the evidence of increasing prosperity that strikes us at cach return to the old institution. One fact we can hardly pass by without duc reference. From the outset Mr. Gunn was an outspoken Aboli- tionist. At that time the Abolitionist was distrusted and disliked, if not persecuted, as a disturber of the peace. The effect on the school was for a time disas- trons. The number of pupils diminished, and for a year or two Mr. Gunn taught at Towanda, Pa. On his return from Towanda he started a boarding-school in Washington, which for the past ten or fifteen years has been well known ns the 'Gunnery.' Dr. J. G. Holland has introduced it as tho 'Birds' Nest' into his novel 'Arthur Bonnycastle,' while it appears as the 'Snuggery' in 'Pastoral Days,' n book writ- ten and illustrated by Mr. W. Hamilton Gibson, an old scholar of Mr. Gunn's."

Somo of Mr. Gunn's characteristics are untiring energy, devotion to his professional duties, liberal with his means, charitable towards those who differ

from him in politics or religion, and first and fore- most in his town in all enterprises having for their object the best interest of society.

He married Abigail Irene, daughter of Gen. Daniel B. Brinsmade, of Washington, Conn. She is a lady of culture and refinement, and universally respected.

They have one daughter, who married John C. Brinsmade, a graduate of Harvard College. They are associated with Mr. Gunn in the school.

REV. HENRY UPSON.

Rev. Henry Upson was born in Wolcott, Conn., May 21, 1831; was twin brother to Arabella Harriet Frances Upson, and the youngest of the thirteen children of Thomas and Jerusha (Upson) Upson, a grandson of "Esquire" Charles Upson, whose mother was a sister of the famous Dr. Samuel Hopkins, of Newport, R. I. His early school-days were spent in the Centre district school of Wolcott, of which he gave some reminiscences at the centenary meeting there in 1873. In 1837 the family moved to Berlin (Kensington parish), where was his home till his majority. Here he was " a farmer's son," fond of all domestic animals, his favorite then, as ever since, being the horse. With such education as the con- mon school afforded, in his teens he became a teacher, and exercised his gifts first in the South District in his native town, near the placo that had been the home of his grandfather, Isaac Upson. He after- wards taught in Southington, and received kind words of praise from his friend Isaac Burritt, brother of the learned blacksmith. During these years he was occasionally engaged as clerk in the store of his uncle Lucas and brother Samuel Upson, and later, in the store of his brothers Samuel and John Upson, in Southington.

Here, in March, 1850, he became a member of the Congregational Church, under the preaching of Rev. E. C. Jones, for whom he had the highest respect, and to whom he has ever felt himself greatly in- (lebted for good counsel and timely encouragement. Becoming a member of the church involved in the mind of the subject of this sketch another important step, viz., a liberal education in preparation for the work of the gospel ministry.

Filial duties to his mother, however, who became a widow in 1848, led him to spend most of the two succeeding years on tho farm in Kensington. Re- leased from these labors on his twenty-first birthday, he became a member of Lewis Academy in Southing- ton, and learned his first Latin lesson the next day. He began his warfare at his own charges and without money. By hard work and economy he entered Yale College in 1855, with a small sum of money at com- mand. College-life was congenial and delightful. In Freshman year he was chosen deacon, and nt the meeting there were no more votes cast than were persons present, which, it has been said, has not al-

658

HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

ways been the case in electing such officers. He was often called the "jolly deacon."

Though diverted from study by teaching in term- time, and by other employments in vacations for filthy lucre's sake, he stood well as a student, uever got a tardy mark, and graduated with honor in 1859. In the autumn of that year he became a member of An- dover Theological Seminary. A part of the next year he spent therc, and then joined the Yale Theological Seminary. Here, June 16, 1862, from Governor Wil- liam A. Buckingham he received a commission as chaplain of the Thirteenth Regiment Connecticut Volunteers. He was ordained June 22d, and subse- quently joined the regiment in New Orleans.

Col. Homer B. Sprague, in his history of the regi- ment, speaks of him as an earnest and eloquent preacher, but one who in his care for the soul did not forget the body, as many a load of chickens, turkeys, pigs, sweet potatoes, and the like brought into camp and distributed by him to the half-starved soldiers testified. He says, also, in time of battle " he displayed great courage, and rendered invaluable service in com- municating orders and dispensing refreshments and consolation to the wounded." He adds further that "the chaplain had a vein of fun in liis composition," and others have thought of the same thing before and since. He stood by the regiment in every march and battle and siege till Port Hudson fell. Then he re- signed his commission, and on Aug. 7, 1863, left the service of his country to return to Connecticut and become pastor of the Congregational Church of New Preston, from which he had received a unanimous call before he went to war. He was installed Sept. 23, 1863. Oct. 13, 1863, he was married to Abbie A. Platt, daughter of Professor Meritt and Abbie A. (Merwin) Platt, of Milford. They have had no chil- dren. For several years after his settlement he was almost constantly chosen moderator of ecclesiastical meetings on account of his unusual knowledge and tact in parliamentary usages. He continued in this pastorate longer than any one else since 1830. He preached here till Nov. 23, 1872. From Jan. 1, 1873, he supplied the pulpit of the old church on the hill for five years. In 1869 he first received some students into his family for special instruction and training. His success in eradicating bad tendencies and instill- ing good principles was so marked that applications increased, till, in 1878, he gave up preaching regularly and devoted his whole time to his school, which then had become widely known as "Upson Seminary." Having, in 1865, assisted in purchasing the old Eli- phalet Tomlinson place for a parsonage, when he gave up preaching in the village those who owned a ma- jority of the stock were willing to sell it to him that he might remain and continue his school in the parish. So the place came into his possession, and the house, in 1877, he greatly enlarged and improved, making it both convenient and pleasant for a family school. His school has been a great pecuniary and social

blessing to the place. From the first it has had the patronage of persons of national fame and great wealth. Hon. J. D. Camerou and Maj .- Gen. H. W. Birge were among its early patrons. A son of Rear- Admiral A. H. Foote was there, and from Chili a lineal descendant of Governor Jonathan Trumbull. Some Japanese students have been in the school, who have since occupied with honor high stations in the educational institutions and governmental offices of Japan. Among his later patrons have been Gen. Thomas J. Brady and Rev. Dr. T. L. Cuyler. For one so small in numbers the school has been remark- ably cosmopolitan in character. Students have come from the East and the West in our own country, and from Porto Rico, Chili, Japan, and Germany.

Upson Seminary is peculiar in having no vacations. Boys make it their home, those going away at the request of friends for occasional visits. The range of studies has been wide enough to fit for Yale College or scientific school, for West Point Academy, or for business.

The school, from the first day until now, has steadily grown in popularity, prosperity, and useful- ness.

GREGORY SEELEY.

Three brothers by the name of Seeley cmigrated from Wales-in what year perhaps no record can be found-and settled in Fairfield Co., Conn., near Long Island Sound, one in Stamford, one in Newfield (now Bridgeport), and the other in West Stratford. Samuel Seeley, a descendant, lived in Stratfield parish, and had a family of about twelve children, one of whom, Ezra, lived in Fairfield, Stratfield parish, and married Mary Sherwood. They had six children, viz. : Anna, Elijah, Aaron, Ezra, Eunice, and Sherwood. Their son Elijah, boru Nov. 27, 1769, and Patience Gregory, born March 17, 1774, were married March 3, 1793. He died at his home in Easton, Fairfield Co., March 9, 1851. His wife died at the same place, Feb. 2, 1863. Their children were Paulina, born Dec. 18, 1794 (now deceased, and was the wife of Benjamin Nichols, of Southeast, Putnam Co., N. Y.); Eunice, born Jan. 8, 1797, died May 9, 1861; Gregory (who is the subject of this sketch, and whose por -. trait may here be seen ) was born in the town of Easton, Fairfield Co., May 14, 1799, and died in the town of Washington, Litchfield Co., Jan. 28, 1867 ; Elijah, Jr., born Jan. 27, 1803, died Oct. 5, 1815; Calvin, born Jan. 13, 1806, and now living in Sandy Creek, Oswego Co., N. Y .; Harriet (wife of Titus A. Bryan, of Washington), born Oct. 19, 1814, died Feb. 19, 1836.

Gregory Seeley, born as above stated, and Polly Sherwood, born Dec. 24, 1803 (daughter of Walker Sherwood, Esq., of Easton), were married Nov. 28, 1820. In the spring of 1821 they commenced house- keeping in their native town, where their eldest son,

Samand & Averill

659

WASHINGTON.

Walker Sherwood, was born, Aug. 27, 1821 (now a farmer residing in Woodbury, Conn.).

In the spring of 1822, Mr. Seeley, with his family, removed to a farm which he had purchased in the town of Southeast, Putnam Co., N. Y. Here they lived for thirteen years, during which time five of their ebildren were born, viz. : Jane Ann, born April 22, 1823, died Oet. 8, 1860 (wife of Daniel S. Baker, of Washington) ; Calvin, born Sept. 15, 1825, died Dee. 15, 1842; Marriette, born May 31, 1828, died March 12, 1878 (wife of Ethiel S. Green, of New Mil- ford); Henry Warner, born Feb. 13, 1830, now a farmer, living in the town of Washington; Sarah Elizabeth, born Feb. 3, 1833 (wife of Richard A. Bryan, of Washington).

During the thirteen years that Mr. Seeley had lived in Southeast with his family he had been en- gaged, more or less, in the droving business, and had frequently gone into the southwestern portion of Litchfield Co., Conn., to purchase stock, where the cheapness of the land and its adaptation to grazing purposes led him to believe that he could better his lot by selling his farm in New York and buying in Connecticut. This he accordingly did, moving his family in the spring of 1835 to Washington, locating on a farm of nearly four hundred acres which he had purchased.

Here he commenced a system of farming altogether new in this section of country, and pursued it till his death. He devoted his farm especially to grazing purposes, and discovering that plaster was exactly suited to the soil he used it plentifully, and was boun- tifully rewarded.

As an omen of success, in the fall of 1835 (Novem- ber Ist) there was added to the family a pair of twin boys, named Edwin Gregory and Edson Elijah,-the former, a farmer, now living in Roxbury, Conn .; the latter, a farmer, living in Washington. Benjamin Nichols, the youngest son, was born April 24, 1839, and now owns and occupies the farm first purchased by his father in Washington. Harriet Bryan, the tenth and youngest child, was born Jan. 13, 1845, and is the wife of Andrew G. Barnes, of New Mil- ford.

As a man, Gregory Seeley was highly respected, being social and genial in his nature, and noted for his hospitality, his " lateh-string being always out."

As a farmer, he was energetic, persevering, and practical, consequently successful. Hle believed that to be a good farmer was as much of a trade or pro- fession as any other, and required as good judgment and close application. Often told his boys that "the theologian, physician, and lawyer could consult their books, the mechanic his square and compass, but the farmer must weigh and measure with his eye."

His sons all became farmers, and his daughters all became farmers' wives. Soon after his removal to Washington he purchased a small farm adjoining his land, and lying on the main road from Washington to

Woodbury, repaired the buildings, and made it his home while he lived. His widow owns and occupies the old homestead, and around the old hearthstone a large and happy group of children and grandchildren meet from time to time as the years roll by.

SAMUEL J. AVERILL.

The exact date of the Averills coming to this coun- try is not known, but a record in the town of Ipswich, Mass., in 1648, recognizes their presence. Isaae and his son Samuel (2), who was born in Preston, Conn., in 1715, and settled in New Preston in 1748, locating upon a portion of the Weraumaug Reserve. Samuel Averill bought the Indian title of Chief Weraumaug in 1749. The Averills continue to own and live upon the same to the present time, December, 1880. Perry (3), born 1754, upon the Averill homestead, was a sol- dier of the Revolutionary war, attached to Gen. Wash- ington's army in New York City, and afterwards a col- onel in the Connecticut militia. Samuel (4), born 1787, a farmer upon the homestead, where he built a substantial stone house, now occupied by his son, Samuel J., and his family. The widow, Betsey Averill, survives him, and was ninety-three years of age May 5, 1880, hale and vigorous in body, mind, and spirit. Samuel Averill was a zealous temperance and Christian worker, and performed a great amount of labor on the homestead, gathering out the stones, making walls, and smoothing it for permanent use, especially for mowing. Samuel J. (5), born Feb. 25, 1819, married Laura P. Platt, of South Britain, Dec. 4, 1844. Their children are Ellen M., Heman O., and Julia. They are the sixth generation living upon the Averill homestead. Sam- uel J., the subject of our sketch, was a diligent stu- dent and a good scholar in the school and academies of his youth, and taught school one winter. He has continued his practical education by reading not only the current news of the day, but also in the line of moral, religious, and scientific subjects, with a good degree of interest and intelligence. He brought # mowing-machine upon the farm Aug. 4, 1853,-prob- ably the first thoroughly successful one in the county, -and many more rocks and stones were removed for its free use and for other purposes upon the farm. The capacity of the farm to produce grass has been thoroughly developed in connection with fatten- ing cattle. He has learned how to make two spears of grass grow instead of one, and how to use that grass for practical purpose. The Averill homestead is a practical proof of the great capacity of the Litch- field County hills to produce grass and hay. lle was one of the representatives of the town of Washington in the State Legislature in 1856. He is a dencon in the New Preston Congregational Church, and is known as an active Christian and temperance worker in the vicinity. He has the courage of holding his

660

HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

own convictions, and while he holds strict allegiance to mere human creed and dogmas, considers it the duty of every one to execute loving obedience to all true law, and fulfill the deeper obligations towards God and man. In politics he is a Republican.

CHAPTER LXVI. WATERTOWN.

Geographical-Topographical-The First Settlements-The Pioneers- Organization of the Parish of Westbury-Incidents-Reminiscences of Ilon. F. J. Kingsbury-Physiciane-Men of Prominence-Lawyers- War of 1812-Votes-Evergreen Cemetery-Mortality List-Agricul- tural-Summer Resort-Railroad-Reminiscences of Mrs. Rev. Fred- erick Holconil.

WATERTOWN is located in the southeastern part of the county, and is bounded as follows : on the north by Morris and Thomaston, on the cast by Thomaston and New Haven County, on the south by New Haven County, and on the west by Woodbury and Bethile- hem. The surface is hilly and the soil fertile.

THE FIRST SETTLEMENTS.

The first permanent settlements within the bonnds of the present town of Watertown were made in about 1721, by Jonathan Scott, Sr., and Ebenezer Richason, son of Thomas Richason, one of the pioneers of Waterbury. The former located on Scott's Moun- tain, and the latter on the road leading to the moun- tain and near Steel's Brook.

John Warner, the first physician in the town, located in about 1723 near Steel's Brook, on the road leading to Scott's Mountain and Wooster's Swamp. Two years later, Isaac Castle and Samuel Thomas, son-in-law of Dr. John Warner, and Joseph Hurlbut, son-in-law of Jonathan Scott, Sr., joined the settle- ment, locating at Wooster Swamp. Jonathan Kelsey also settled during this year.

The beauty of location and fertility of the soil soon attracted others, and not many years elapsed ere this became one of the flourishing settlements in this part of the State.

Among other pioneers, besides those mentioned above, were Jonathan Scott, Jr., Gersham Scott, Ebenezer Warner, Joseph Nichols, Abraham Utter, John Sutliff, Henry Cook, David Scott, Obadiah Scott, Samuel, James, and Elam Brown, Lieut. J. Fulford, Capt. N. Arnold, Stephen Judd, Thos. Ham- mond, James Doolittle, Thomas Judd, Dr. Thos. Foot, Thos., Capt. Samuel, and Amos Hickox, George and James Welton, Thomas Matthews, Jonathan Gurnsey, Israel Woodward, Joseph Gurnsey, William Andrews, William Scovill, Samuel Frost, David Strickland, Thos. Dutton, Jonathan Prindle, Jeremialı Peck, Samuel Reynolds, Nathaniel Merrills, Abraham Andrews, John Judd, John Scovill, Edmund Scott, Joseph Hickox, John Welton, Obadiah Richards, and Daniel Porter.

The pioneers were industrious and enterprising, and as early as 1727 a road was laid out through the town.

ORGANIZATION OF THE PARISH OF WESTBURY.

The population increased rapidly, and in 1732 they presented a petition to the General Assembly for "winter priviledges." "Winter priviledges" meant the privilege of hiring a minister for themselves during the winter months, and being exempt during the time from the old parish rates. This petition was signed by thirty-two persons. The town appointed a com- mittee to appear before the Assembly and oppose the petition ; but, notwithstanding, the privilege was granted for four years.

In 1733 the "northwest inhabitants" presented a memorial to the General Assembly, asking to be set off as a distinct society, but it was not granted. The question of the new society came before the Legis- lature in 1734, and again the town resisted the move- ment. In 1736 another petition was presented, pray- ing to be set off as a distinct society, representing that the settlement numbered forty-five families. This prayer of the petitioners was also refused, but five months' " winter priviledges" were granted for two years. Another attempt was made in May, 1737, but was alike nnsuccessful. In the following October, however, a vote was passed by the town signifying a willingness that a Legislative committee should " come to view all the circumstances of the town."

A committee, consisting of Capt. John Riggs, Capt. Isaac Dickerman, and John Fowler, was sent by the Assembly, who reported, in May, 1738, in favor of the petition, and recommended a division line. The society at that time contained two hundred and thirty- five inhabitants. The report of the committee was adopted at the October session of the General Assem- bly, and the society incorporated by the name of Westbury.

The following referenee to the early settlement of the town is taken from the Connecticut Historieal Collection :

" The first settlement within the limits of Watertown was made ahout the year 1729, by a family of the name of Garnsey, from Milford, on what is now the farm owned by Andrew Darrow. It was considered such an undertaking at that period that prayers were offered for their safe arrival, etc. This town has been noted for the size of its forest-trees. It is said that one of the first settlers, having no shelter for the night, peeled off the bark of one of the trees which he had felled, and laid down upon the inside. In the morning, when he awoke, he found the bark rolled up so closely that it was with some difficulty he could extricate himself. It is also related that one of the first settlers, by the name of Brown, was so straitened in his circumstances that he sold one of his children (a son) to one of his neighbors for a harrel of pork, in order to obtain something for the rest of his children to subsist on."

Bronson, in his " History of Waterbury," says,-

"The first house which was erected in the northwest section of the town appears to have been built near what was afterwards called ' the village,' about 1701, by John and Obadialı Richards, son of Obadialı. The Indian disturbances at that period probably prevented its perma- nent occupation. Richards' house and buildings are occasionally re- ferred to in the laying-ont and conveying of land. In April, 1704, Abraham Andruss sold two acres on a hill westerly from Richarde' land,

661

WATERTOWN.

where their house and barn is, west of Wooster Swamp. The house is again mentioned in 1709.

" The ' village' (80 called) mentioned in the last paragraph was a tract of land in the northwest corner of the town, bordering ou Woodbury and Litchfield, the fertility of which had been discovered at an early period, and which at an unknown dete had been sequestered to prevent its being taken up in the ordinary land divisions. In November, 1722, the proprietors agreed to have a division of this sequestered land. At the same time land was reserved for roads and provision made for a village."

The following is an extract from the records :

" It was agreed by vote, that in dividiog of the sequestered land at the North West corner, there shall be three tears of Lotts,-viz., a highway next Woodbury of Two Rods wide, and then half a mile wide of Land to be paid out in lotts, and then a highway of eight rode to rua north and south, and then a nother tear of lotts a half mile, and then a highwey on the east side of eight rods (&c.), and the committee io laying out the lotts to leave a four- or six-rod highway every half mile or there abouts through the tears,-no lott to be divided.

" Several divisions were afterwards made of the village lands, but no settlement seems to have been begun there for some time. They were regarded as so much more valuable than the other undivided lands that, io some of the divisions, one acre was equal to five acres (or at a later period, to two and a half acres) in the other parts of the town. The ·village' is oow called Geraseytown, from the name of its early settlers, Jonathan Gernsey and his sous Aud Jolin Gernsey."

REMINISCENCES.

The following reminiscences of the town are taken from an address delivered by the Hon. F. J. Kings- bury at the centennial celebration at Watertown, June 17, 1880 :

" By about 1810 the new town might fairly be said to have outstripped the old (Waterbury). Several enter- prising merchants had established themselves here. Mr. Wait Smith, who was succeeded by his son, Gen. Genit Smith, Mr. Younglove Cutler, and the brothers John and Benjamin De Forest, were among the leading merchants whose enterprise materially aided in building up the young town. They received the produce of the farmers, and thereby stimulated production and introduced various new branches of industry. Cheese-and butter-making were largely entered into; the raising of stock also, and the pack- ing of beef and pork. From 1810 to 1830, Watertown as a commercial centre was a place of more import- ance than Waterbury, and there are many people still living who well remember when Waterbury people came to Watertown to do their shopping, much as Watertown goes to Waterbury now.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Litchfield county, Connecticut, Part 158

Author: J.W. Lewis & Company (Philadelphia, Pa.) Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1532

Author: J.W. Lewis & Company (Philadelphia, Pa.)
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1532