History of Litchfield county, Connecticut, Part 45

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 45

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188

HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

Deacon John Lee, Ephraim Scovill and son Reuben, Capt. Abijah Wilson, Capt. Zenas Wilson, Reynold Wilson, Abijah Wilson, Jr.

1793 .- Levi Ackley, Epaphroditus Bligh, Israel Douglass, Benjamin Whiting, Jr., Guernsey Goff, Enoch. Goff, William Merriam, Joseph Mitchell, An- drew Pratt.

1794 .- Thomas Boyd, Ananias Dearthick (a Baptist preacher), James Frisbie, Godfrey Jones, Joel Lucas, Zacheus Munsill, William A. Stone, Daniel Brown, Absalom Griffin, Timothy Cannon, David Collins, Samuel Cummins, Josiah Curtis, James Eggleston, Horace Higley, Asher Loomis, Seth Lucas, Truman Seymour, Amos Tolles, Elisha Lewis.

1796 .- Levi Barnes, Jehiel Burr, Eli Fox, Levi Fox, Dr. Aaron Moore, Gideon Hall, Nathan Rose, Samuel Westlake, Samuel Westlake, Jr., William Westlake, John Westlake, Thomas Westlake, Ran- dall Shattuck, Oliver White, Oliver White, Jr., Asa- hel Miller, Joel Miller, Timothy and William Soper (father and son), Daniel Wilcox, Frederick Eggleston, Samuel and Moses Camp, Moses Camp, Sr., Aaron Marshall, Daniel White.

1798 .- Merritt Bull, Cyrus Butrick, Joseph Cook, son of Aaron and Lydia, and a native of the town, is on the list of this year as a resident of the old so- ciety. In 1809 he bought the Aaron Marshall place, on the Pratt road, where he afterward dwelt until his death, Oct. 11, 1814, aged thirty-nine. Jonathan Douglass, hrother of Israel, owned, from 1798 to 1801, a part of the Kinney farm, on Spencer Street road, and lived on the west side of the road, not far from Amos Pierce's residence. Capt. George Frasier, a Scotchman, is on the tax-list of this year as a resident of Winsted. He was a trader near the Wallen's Hill school-house for a few years, and probably for the most part resided over the line in Barkhamsted. Levi Norton (2d), Elihu Rockwell, Reuben Rowley, oldest son of Ehenezer, and a native of the town, is on the list of this year. In 1801 he became owner of the portion of the East village bordered by the Holabird property on the north, Still River east, Main Street south, and Oak Street west, which he exchanged in 1802 for a farm in the northeast corner of the town, recently owned by Joel Mead, now deceased, on which he lived until his removal to Hitchcockville in 1847, where he died, May 2, 1851, aged seventy-four. Joel Wright, Joseph Holmes, Rufus Holmes, Willard Holmes.

The settlers for 1799 were Isaac and Mary Bellows, Roswell Marshall, Charles Osborn, Nathaniel Parks, Theodore Smith, and Henry Sanford.

The new-comers of this year, 1800, were Bissell Hinsdale, Philemon Kirkham, Josiah Apley, Elijah Benedict, Nathaniel Smith, Solomon Lemnley, Jacob Lemley, William Davis, Gedeliah Chase.

Philemon Kirkum, Esq., attorney-at-law, came from Norfolk to Winsted in 1800, and built a house on the site of Weed's Block, which was burned down March

25, 1853. He soon sold this house to Bissell Hins- dale, and in 1807 he built the original house on the lot next north of the Congregational chapel, which was taken down by Dr. Welch to make room for his present dwelling. In this house he lived until his removal to Norton, Ohio, in 1814. He was a native of Guilford, Conn., served for four or five years in the Revolutionary war, afterwards studied law with Au- gustus Pettibone, Esq., of Norfolk, and was in due course admitted to the Litchfield bar.

1801 .- Ezra Rockwell, Jacob Chamberlin, Aaron Loomis.

1802 .- Col. Hosea Hinsdale, Col. James Shepard, Jesse Clark, Nathan Wheeler Clark, Salmon Burr, Jacob Seymour, John Phillips, Thomas R. Bull, Tim- othy Persons, Alpheus Persons.

1803 .- Samuel and Luther Hoadley, brothers. They were for ten years prominent and highly-esteemed business men, and by their ingenuity and enterprise contributed largely to the growth and prosperity of the village. Samuel retired from business on his ap- pointment as major of volunteers in the war of 1812. He was promoted to a colonelcy. Hawley Oakley.

1804 .- Erastus Burr, Roswell Burr, Halsey Burr, Luke Hayden.

1805 .- Reuben Baldwin, Eliab Bunnell, Andrew Walter.

1806 .- Rev. James Beach, Capt. Ezekiel Woodford and son Erastus, Romanta Woodford, Ezekiel Wood- ford, Lester Woodford, Benjamin Barber Woodford, Erastus Sterling Woodford, Lucius J. Woodford, George Woodford, Joseph T. Cumming, Samuel Rowley, Jr., Benjamin Johnson, Bemsley Carpenter, Elizur Hinsdale, Elam Rockwell, Daniel Burnham, Joseph Miller.

1807 .- Benjamin Skinner, Capt. Lemuel Clarke, Lucius Clarke, Jasper Grinnell, David Tallmadge, Eben Coe, Deacon Elisha Smith.

1808 .- Dr. Lyman Strong, Hermon Munson.

1809 .- Deacon James H. Alvord.

1810 .- Jesse Byington, William Goucher, Joshua Hewitt, Isaac Johnson, Selden Mitchell, William Murray, John Rohrabacher, John Storer, Riley Whiting.

Settled from 1811 to 1821 .- Andrew Brusie, Russell Page, Charles C. Caul, Eleazer Hawley, John Malt- bie, Darius Turrell, Samuel Williams, Daniel Albro, Nathan Champion, William Green, Christopher Lyon, George Sage, William Caul, David Marble, Joseph W. Hurlbut, Dr. Henry Noble, George Roberts, Hor- ace Reynolds, Samuel Bartlett, James C. Cleveland, Lewis McDonald, Joel Miller, Dr. Luman Wakefield, Lucius Clarke, Alpha Rowley, Halsey Bailey, Silas Burton, Orrin Cleveland, Shubael Crowe, Reuben Hall, David Munson, Ansel Shattuck, Sheldon Kin- ney, Capt. Stephen Fyler, Harry Bishop, Leveritt Bishop, Seth Bishop, Jehial Coe, Willard Holmes, Henry B. Crowe, Riley Smith, Chester Soper, Whee- lock Thayer, Daniel G. Tuttle, Jesse Williams, Nisus

189

WINCHESTER.

Kinney, Silas Hoskins, Elias Rowley, Nelson Wilson, Norman Spencer, Stephen Rowley, Horace W. House.

1822 .- Elisha A. Morgan, William O. Taleott, M.D., Oliver Loomis, Alanson Loomis, Henry L. Gaylord, Luman Hubbell.

Among the more prominent inhabitants of the soei- ety not already named who came in during this decade (1830 to 1840) were Orentus Bronson, James Birdsall, Elliot Beardsley, George Taylor, Dr. James Welch, James Humphrey, Asa Parke, Alvin Gilbert, Am- brose Whiting, Horatio L. Wetmore, Anson Foskett, David N. Beardsley, Elisha Kilborn, William G. Batcheller, Caleb J. Camp, Seth L. Wilder, Normand Adams, Willard S. Wetmore, John G. Wetmore, and Chester Wentworth.

THE WINSTED BANK

was organized Nov. 20, 1848, with the following board of directors: George Dudley, William S. Holabird, Warren Phelps, Reuben Cook, William L. Gilbert, James Humphrey, and Everit Bevins. The officers were as follows : Presidents, George Dudley, from or- ganization until Dec. 2, 1862; Elliot Beardsley, until Nov. 13, 1865, when he was succeeded by Henry Gay, who officiated until Aug. 21, 1867. Cashiers: E. S. Hamilton, to Sept. 3, 1850; William HI. Hill, until Oct. 8, 1850; John C. Tracey, until Oct. 27, 1854; William H. Teller, to March 4, 1856; Henry Gay, until Dec. 7, 1863 ; Rufus E. Holmes, to Oct. 31, 1864; George Dudley, Jr., until Aug. 21, 1867. Closed.

TIIE HURLBUT NATIONAL BANK.

The Hurlbut Bank, of which this is a successor, was organized March 23, 1854, with the following board of directors : William H. Phelps, Lemuel Hurlbut, C. J. Camp, E. A. Phelps, Abraham Alvord, John K. Shep- ard, and Gorman Adams. The first president was William H. Phelps, who remained as such until his death, Aug. 27, 1864. He was succeeded by Rufus E. Holmes, who officiated until Jan. 19, 1874, when he was sneceeded by William L. Gilbert, the present in- cumbent. The first cashier was George Alvord, who officiated until Nov. 28, 1856, when he was succeeded by Rufus E. Holmes, who in turn was succeeded by George W. Phelps in 1863. Mr. Phelps resigned Nov. 1, 1865, and Warren Phelps was chosen his successor. Jan. 24, 1866, Charles B. Holmes was appointed cash- ier, and officiated until June 27, 1874, when he was succeeded by Henry Gay, the present incumbent.

The present board of directors is constituted as fol- lows : William L. Gilbert, George Dudley (deceased), Edward Camp, Elias E. Gilman, J. II. Norton, C. B. Hallett, and R. E. Holmes. The original capital was $100,000, which was increased to $205,000, Sept. 15, 1857. It was organized as a national bank in July, 1865. Surplus, Dec. 2, 1880, $102,500.

THE WINSTED NATIONAL BANK

was organized March 15, 1879. The first officers were John G. Wetmore, President; Henry C. Young, 13

Cashier, with the following board of directors: John G. Wetmore, Henry C. Young, Thomas M. Clarke, Orlow D. Hunt, Lyman W. Case, Augustus H. Fenn, Charles Alvord, and George H. Alvord, all of Win- sted, and George W. Beach, of Waterbury, Conn.

The present officers are John G. Wetmore, Presi- dent; Thomas M. Clarke, Vice-President ; aud Henry C. Young, Cashier. The present board of directors are John G. Wetmore, Thomas M. Clarke, Henry C. Young, Orlow D. Hunt, Lyman W. Case, Charles Alvord, of Winsted, George W. Beach and Lewis Beardsley, of Waterbury, and Solomon Sackett, of Colebrook, Conn.

The bank was organized with a capital of $50,000, with authority to increase to $250,000.

THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF WINSTED

was organized in 1879 with the following directors : David Strong, Lyman R. Norton, Francis Brown, Franklin Moore (deceased), Charles B. Hallett, George S. Burnham, and Elias E. Gilman. The present (188]) directors are the same, except I. B. Woodruff in place of the late Franklin Moore. The first president was Elias E. Gilman, and the first cashier Frank D. JJal- lett. They are the present ineumbents. The capital of the bank is $50,000.

THE WINSTED SAVINGS BANK

was incorporated in June, 1860. The corporators were George Dudley, William HI. Phelps, Elliot Beardsley, C. J. Camp, Warren Phelps, Moses Camp, E. S. Woodford, John Boyd, Lucius Clarke, Lyman Case, John G. Wetmore, T. M. Clarke, William L. Gilbert, N. Adams, Roland Hitchcock, Gideon Hall, Edward A. Phelps, George D. Wadhams, Dwight E. Williams, E. Grove Lawrence, Willard Gaylord, and Theron Bronson. The first officers were Warren Phelps, President ; Moses Camp, Vice-President ; Ly- man Baldwin, Secretary and Treasurer.

Warren Phelps was president from the date of incor- poration to July, 1862 ; Moses Camp from 1862 to 1874; John T. Rockwell from 1874 to 1878; John Hinsdale was elected to that position in 1878, which office he now holds. Lyman Baldwin was secretary and treas- urer from the date of incorporation to the time of his death, in 1874; Lorenzo M. Blake from 1874 to 1875; George S. Rowe was elected to succeed him in 1875, and is the present incumbent. The present amount of deposits is $851,000; surplus, $60,000. The first deposit was made by Jane Bartholomew, of Goshen, Conn., the amount being $76.

THE MECHANICS' SAVINGS BANK

was organized in 1875, with the following officers: Normand Adams, President ; Thomas M. Clarke, Vice-President ; Elias E. Gilman, Treasurer ; Wil- linm L. Gilbert, Harvey B. Steele, Charles B. Hallett, Joseph H. Norton, Harvey L. Roberts, Directors ; William L. Gilbert, Warren Phelps, T. M. Clarke, J. G. Wetmore, Elias E. Gilman, II. B. Steele, J. Il.

190

HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

Norton, C. B. Hallett, David Strong, N. Adams, Reu- ben Rockwell, John Hinsdale, J. R. Cooke, Roland Hitchcock, G. W. Phelps, C. H. Blake, H. L. Rob- erts, H. A. Bills, I. B. Woodruff, H. P. Lawrence, Delos Stevens, Timothy E. Williams, Trustees.

The present (1881) net deposits are about $300,000, and the total deposits have been about $400,000.

ST. ANDREW'S LODGE, F. AND A. M., No. 64,

was chartered in the spring of 1823, with the follow- ing officers : Josiah Smith, W. M. ; Hosea Hinsdale, S. W .; Wheelock Thayer, J. W .; Elisha Smith, Treas. ; James M. Boyd, Sec.

The first lodge-room was fitted up in the old acad- emy building, now a tenant-house, immediately north of Forbes' cabinet establishment, on Main Street, West village.

In 1853, on application to the Grand Lodge of members of St. Andrew's Lodge, its charter was re- stored, new officers were appointed, and work was resumed in Woodford's original brick block, which was burned down March 25, 1853, and the lodge was removed to the Clark & Wetmore store, then standing on the site of the Clarke House. This store was burned down in 1856, and the furniture, jewels, re- galia, and all the records of the lodge were consumed. The lodge was reopened in Chamberlin's store, 110w owned by John M. Burr, and thenee, in the same year, was removed to Weed's briek block, and thenee to Woodford's new block.

The present officers of the lodge are as follows : Ste- phen P. Goodsall, W. M .; Edwin S. Beecher, S. W .; D. P. Kilbourn, J. W .; Rev. G. W. Stanley, Chap. ; Henry H. Drake, Treas .; Wm. A. Warner, Sec .; Sylvester F. Rowe, S. D. ; F. J. Kilbourn, J. D. ; Harry Howe, S. Stew. ; Florin Benedict, J. Stew. ; John Van Ostrum, Tyler.

MERIDIAN CHAPTER, No. 15, ROYAL ARCHI MASONS,

was early located at Canaan, and its charter was re- voked by the Grand Chapter in 1839. It was rein- stated at New Hartford in May, 1848, but not reor- ganized. It was transferred and reorganized at Winsted in May, 1857, occupied the same hall with St. Andrew's Lodge.

The present officers are as follows: Edward G. Wallis, H. P. ; Frederick M. Cooke, K .; Stephen P. Goodsall, S .; Edwin M. Platt, C. of H .; Dwight Phelps, T. ; Henry H. Drake, See .; A. P. Balch, P. S. ; L. MeDermont, R. A. C .; Hugh Shepard, M. of 3d V. ; S. B. Horne, M. of 2d V .; J. F. Lin- coln, M. of 1st V .; J. A. Bushnall, S. S .; W. W. Weaver, J. S .; Rev. G. W. Stanley, Chap .; J. Van Ostrum, Tyler.

TYRIAN COUNCIL OF ROYAL MASTERS, No. 31, was chartered and installed in 1858, and has occupied the same hall with the preceding orders.

The present officers of the council are Edwin M.

Platt, T. I. M. ; E. A. Nellis, I. D. M .; F. M. Cooke, I. P. C .; Benj. Lawrence, Treas .; Dwight Phelps,* Sec .; L. D. Hart, C. of G .; John F. Peek, C .; E. S. Beecher, Stew .; Rev. G. M. Stanley, Chap.

MAGNOLIA CHIAPTER, No. 16, O. E. S.,

was organized by dispensation Feb. 24, 1875, and the Grand Chapter O. E. S. of Connecticut granted a charter Oet. 14, 1875, and appointed Charles J. York, W. P .; Abbie A. Fyler, W. M .; and Mariam R. Drake, A. M. The following members have been elected to said offices :

1876 .- C. Lyman Norton, W. P .; Abbie A. Fyler, W. M .; Mariam R. Drake, A. M.

1877 .- C. Lyman Norton, W. P. ; Mariam R. Drake, W. M .; Annie E. S. Hatch, A. M.

IS78 .- C. Lyman Norton, W. P .; Mariam R. Drake, W. M .; Delia M. Streeter, A. M.

1879 .- Henry H. Drake, W. P .; Harriet F. St. John, W. M .; Delia M. Streeter, A. M.

1880 .- Jenison J. Whiting, W. P .; Delia M. Streeter, W. M .; Ellen A. Nellis, A. M.

The present officers are Edward M. Platt, W. P .; Ellen A. Nellis, W. M .; Roxie M. Granger, A. M. ; Carrie A. Granger, Sec .; Mariam R. Drake, Treas. ; Ida Kilmer, C .; Ella Platt, A. C .; Hattie B. Rosset- ter, A .; Estella J. Plamb, R .; Etta D. Horne, E .; Alice E. S. Peck, M .; Ruth C. Benediet, E .; Lydia J. Miller, W .; Salvenah E. Granger, C .; John B. Riggs, S. The chapter has a membership of ninety.

The Odd Fellows have also had two lodges in this village, both extinct; these were "Orion Lodge" and " Union Lodge."

There have been several temperance societies ; all of which are now extinct. Among these was the " Winsted Temperance Society," organized Aug. 16, 1829, with the following members: Rev. James Beach, Solomon Rockwell, Asaph Pease, Willard Holmes, Salmon Burr, Austin Crane, Norman Palmer, William S. Holabird, Anson Cook, James H. Alvord, Lyman Case, Sidney Munson, Horace E. Rockwell, Erastus Woodford, Josiah Smith, Leumas H. Pease, and Eleazer Andrews. Accessions of members were rapidly made from month to month until, in 1836, there were enrolled two hundred and ninety-seven males and two hundred and sixty-eight females. Other organizations were the "Winsted Total Abstinence Society" and the "Washington Society."

PALMER POST, No. 33, GRAND ARMY OF THE . REPUBLIC,

was chartered March 11, 1869, with the following members: Samuel B. Horne, Frederick L. Pond, David W. Coe, Salmon A. Granger, Benjamin F. Marsh, Robert E. Horne, Charles L. Hewett, Whelock

* Past Grand Master of Grand Lodge; present Grand High Priest and ¡ Worthy Grand Chaplain; Past Worthy Past Grand Master of Grand Council.

191

WINCHESTER.

T. Bateheller, John J. Horne, Jeffrey Skinner, Wil- liam F. Hilton, Paul McLocklin, Joseph H. C. Batchelder. The first officers were Samuel B. Horne, Post Commander ; Charles L. Hewett, Senior Viee- Commander ; Stephen W. Sage, Junior Viee-Com- mander; Ralph Lina, Adjutant; David W. Coe, Quartermaster ; William H. Lewis, Jr., Chaplain ; Paul MeLoeklin, Sergeant-Major; Joseph H. C. Bachelder, Quartermaster - Sergeant ; W. A. Wads- worth, Officer of the Day; William C. Dennen, Of- ficer of the Guard.

The present officers are Charles L. Hewett, Post Commander; Lneins Bissell, Senior Vice-Commander; Darwin C. Andrews, Junior Vice-Commander ; John W. Fordyce, Adjutant; Benjamin F. Marsh, Quarter- master ; Henry L. Roberts, Surgeon ; Henry W. Baker, Chaplain ; Robert A. Cutler, Officer of the Day ; Tru- man Hyde, Officer of the Guard ; Jeffrey Skinner, Quartermaster - Sergeant ; John H. Thurman, Ser- geant-Major.

Total members mustered, one hundred and twenty- six. Of the original eharter members but two have died, Pond and MeLoeklin.

UNITY LODGE, No. 35, KNIGIITS OF PYTHIAS,

was chartered May 23, 1873. The first officers were Past Chancellor Commander, W. H. C. Batchelder ; Chancellor Commander, B. F. Marsh ; Vice-Chancel- lor Commander, F. J. Northrop; Prelate, J. L. Tatro; Master of Exchequer, H. M. Calder; Master of Fi- nanee, Ralph Hinman ; Kceper of Records and Seals, S. R. Hinsdale ; Master-at-Arms, George M. Brad- ford; Inner Guard, E. C. Dearborn ; Outer Guard, William H. Thorp.

The present officers are Past Chancellor Commander, George Jessup; Chancellor Commander, Samuel B. Horne ; Vice-Chancellor, Hugh Shepard ; Master of Exchequer, Stephen Crossman; Master of Finance, William B. Phillips; Keeper of Record and Scal, Charles Rowland ; Master-at-Arms, John Stacker; Inner Guard, Gustave Newman; Outer Guard, Ilenry Leversedge.

LIBRARIES.

There was a library in the old society prior to 1845; there was also one kept in the office of Solomon Rockwell & Brothers. In 1808 one flourished in the west school district. "The Winsted Historical and Theological Library" was organized by the Congre- gational Society about 1810. In 1812 one was organized by some young men in the West village and kept at the house of Col. Hosea Ilinsdale. The East village organized one in 1820, and the Methodist church subsequently formed one which was longer lived than any of its predecessors. All of the above are now obsolete.

BEARDSLEY LIBRARY, WEST WINSTED.

In 1874, Mrs. Delia R. Beardsley appropriated ten thousand dollars to the founding of a public library

in West Winsted. This amount was committed to a board of seven trustees, selected by herself, who were to expend five thousand dollars for books and maga- zines during the current year, invest the remaining half of the donation, and thereafter use the income derived from it for replenishing the library, its affairs remaining under their supervision. The institution was opened to the public, with three thousand hooks, on the evening of September 15th, by an address from the late Rev. Joseph Eldridge, D.D., of Norfolk, Conn. It is open afternoon and evening, Sundays excepted, with a librarian in attendance, and has in- creased to four thousand four hundred volumes.

Mrs. Beardsley furnished rooms in Beardsley Block, and gave their use for a term of years. Sinee ber death, in 1878, her family has generously continued the rooms rent-free. The expenses are paid by tickets of membership. While permanently benefitting the people of the village, Mrs. Beardsley designed this library to be also a memorial of her late husband, Deacon Elliot Beardsley, and placed a portrait of him in the rooms.

EARLY SCHOOLS.

The first recorded action in reference to schools is found under date of Dec. 17, 1773, the year of Rev. Mr. Knapp's settlement; it was voted "to raise two pence on the pound of the rateable estate for the sup- port of schools in this [ First] Society." It was also voted " that the north district begin at the house now owned by Medad Hills, and contain all the north part" (of the society), "that the west district contain all the inhabitants on the west road from the croteli of the paths and all west," and "the east district to contain all the rest of the Society ;" "that the money raised by the tax be divided according to the list, and that Warham Gibbs, Reuben Thrall, Ebenezer Pres- ton, Seth Hills, Oliver Coe, Samuel McCune, Benja- min Benedict, Abram Andrews, and Daniel Platt be school committee; that money [raised ?] in cach dis- triet be laid out in each district as shall best accom- modate the same, if it shall be laid out in the year ; if not laid out in the year, to be returned to the society treasury."

Jan. 6, 1774, it was voted "to reconsider all the votes that have been passed in this meeting concern- ing schooling." Here the matter rested, so far as tax- ation and the organization of school districts was con- cerned, until Dec. 2, 1777, when it was voted "to raise two penee on the pound on last August list, to sup- port schools," and Deacon Seth Hills, Ensign Ozias Brownson, Philip Priest, Eliphaz Alvord, Capt. Gibbs, Phineas Griswold, Lieut. Benedict, and Eleazer Smith were appointed school committee.

Whatever may have been done pursuant to these votes, there is no record of their repeal, and at the annual meeting in 1778 similar votes were renewed, and a rate of sixpence on the pound was granted, and a collector in each district appointed to collect the same.

192

HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

We have no means of ascertaining when or where the first school-houses were ereeted, or what teachers were employed, or for what length of time; but we have reason to suppose that schools were first opened in private houses by voluntary associations, and that these were aided, but not wholly sustained, by tax- ation.

The next action appears on the society records in 1786, when a new school district was organized, " be- ginning at Torrington line, by a stream called the Branch, and to extend up said Branch so far as that an east line will include Capt. Elmer [now Widow Norris Coe], from thence down ye country road, in- cluding Doctor Everitt [now Theron Bronson], John Nash, and all on the north side of said country road, and to include Phinchas Griswold's, from thence south to Torrington line," and Jonathan Coe and Levi Brownson were appointed district committee. This deseription is not very definite, but probably is in- tended to designate the district which built about this time the "Two-Chimney School-house," that stood, until burned down, in a southeast direction from the burying-ground.

In 1788, on the petition of Eliphaz Alvord and others, another district, to be called the Second Dis- triet, was organized, beginning on Long Lake, at the month of Sucker Brook, and extending up said brook to the north end of the third tier, first division (near the Dugway School-house), then to the northwest corner of the tier, then southerly along its west line to the southwest corner of the Gershom McCune, Jr., (late Sylvester Platt's) lot, thence easterly along his south line, direct to Long Lake, and thence northerly along the shore thereof to the mouth of Sucker Brook.

In January, 1790, we find the following appoint- ment of district school committees :

Samnel Clark, who lived in the Daniel Murray house, for the northeast district, which embraced the east part of Danbury Quarter, and extended south to Mr. Clark's.

Andrew Everitt, who lived in the old Everitt house, for the northwest district, embracing the principal part of Danbury Quarter.

Amasa Wade, for the southwest district, embracing the territory west of Branch Brook, nearly as far north as the Norfolk road.

Capt. Joseph Elmore, for the southeast district, em- bracing the centre and the southern portions of the society, lying west of Branch Brook, and southwest of Sucker Brook.

Capt. Elisha Wilcoxson, who lived in the William Johnson house, for the second or Sucker Brook dis- trict.

In 1798, by vote of the town, a new district was es- tablished, partly out of Winchester Society, and partly out of Winsted Society, the boundaries of which were directed to be placed on file in the town clerk's office, but, as no such file is to be found, its

limits cannot be ascertained. It probably embraced the northern half of the present Sucker Brook dis- trict, and extended easterly to the Austin Mill, or Mad River, in Winsted. The committee were Deacon David Austin, Levi Norton, and John Miner.

In 1792 another district was formed, embracing essentially the territory of the present West Winsted district, there then being no village in existence, all the inhabitants living on the Coe and Spencer Street roads to Colebrook, the two roads there diverging from the original school-honse, which stood on the site of the present West Winsted school-house, and was burned down about 1808 or 1809.

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History of Litchfield county, Connecticut, Part 45

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