History of Middlesex county, Connecticut, with biographical sketches of its prominent men, Part 129

Author: Whittemore, Henry, b. 1833; Beers, J.B. & Company, publishers
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: New York : J. B. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 818

USA > Connecticut > Middlesex County > History of Middlesex county, Connecticut, with biographical sketches of its prominent men > Part 129

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What care they, they cannot know."

The vexed question was finally settled, and the Mid- dlesex and Brainerd Quarry Companies became the pur- chasers; the First Ecclesiastical Society receiving $6,000.

The Legislature ordered the removal of the remains and appointed O. H. Platt as commissioner for that duty. The earth was removed to a depth of several feet and deposited on land bought for that purpose in the rear of the Episcopal cemetery. The stones were then carefully replaced in their original order, an exact record having been made of the inscription on every stone. This mode of proceedure cost the quarry companies a large sum. William Sellew superintended the removal.

THE WORK OF QUARRYING .- A brief description of the methods of working the quarries will doubtless prove interesting to many. Few people beside those actually

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PORTLAND-THE QUARRIES.

employed in the quarries are familiar with these methods, and some even who have lived all their lives in the vicin- ity have only a vague idea of this great industry. The work of quarrying begins about the last of March, or as soon as the river is open to navigation, and is steadily pursued until the close of November. The stone, when first taken out, is saturated with moisture, or " sap," as the quarrymen call it, and if it is exposed to the action of frost before it is dry, it becomes disintegrated and worthless. For this reason time is allowed for the stone to season before freezing weather, as, once seasoned, frost cannot affect it; and the surface of the rock, where exposed, is covered with soil. " The work of excavation is materially assisted by the rocks being broken up into natural beds by parallel or nearly parallel fissures ex- tending downward to an indefinite depth, verging slightly from the perpendicular, and in some instances sloping to an angle of 25 degrees." These fissures are called by the quarrymen "joints." At right angles to these joints are " keys " or cracks extending to one or more strata, so that the blocks of stone "lie in the beds from two to twenty feet thick, from 20 to 100 feet wide, and from 50 to 300 feet long, with generally a southeasterly dip." These joints and keys facilitate the work of quarrying. The earth and rubbish are first removed until the rock is exposed. It is then split by wedges and hammers when cut parallel to the strata. If contrary to the strata, greater force must be used, and blasting is re. sorted to if the strata are very deep and close. The large mass being broken up the stone is readily cut.

Blasting is quite generally done by means of electric- ity. From two to four holes are drilled in the rock intended to be blasted, according to its size and depth. These are charged with powder and connected with a battery by copper wires, protected from the weather by a covering of gutta percha. By a simultaneous dis- charge, the whole mass is moved without tearing it to pieces. The larger pieces are tilted over and hurled to the bottom, together with the debris. The large blocks are hoisted to the surface by the steam derricks. They are then hauled by the ox teamsto the scrappling grounds, " where they are cut as straight and even as their irregular outlines will allow, the greatest care being taken to break them as little as possible." This work is under the supervision of men experienced in the business, and every stone is carefully measured before it leaves the quarry. The descent into the "pit " is in some places made by ladders, which are securely fastened to the rock, and the horses, oxen, and wagons are let down and raised by derricks or cranes. The animals are led into a huge box, a bar put in place, and they are swung off the brink, to be lowered 150 feet into the quarry,and they appear too well accustomed to this mode of reaching their work to show the least fear. The oxen are very large and splendid specimens of their kind, but sometimes 12 or 14 yoke are seen dragging the immense blocks of stone. There is a blacksmith shop in each quarry, and extensive barns for the accommodation of the horses and oxen. The stone, after being roughly

dressed as mentioned above, are piled near the river bank and shipped as required, by the different vessels employed for that purpose. Each quarry has its wharf, cranes for loading the vessels, etc. As the cuttings in places reach many feet below the bed of the river, each quarry has a steam pump to carry off the accumulation of water. The great freshet of May 4th 1854, rising above the level of the quarries, completely filled them. They were emptied in ten days by the pumps, some of which threw a column of water 130 feet long and 2 feet in diameter every minute. It will be readily seen that these quarries must employ a small army of workmen. These would form an interesting study of themselves. Nearly all nationalities are represented. The majority are Swedes, who are strong and reliable and not given to strikes. The wages, hours of labor, etc., are regulated by agreement between the quarry companies. The workmen are cut- ters, rockmen, or teamsters, etc., according to their em- ployment. There are also bosses, measurers, time- keepers, etc. Every place where quarrying is carried on has its " rock boss," who oversees the gang of workmen, has charge of the blasting, etc. There are usually seven or eight rock bosses, each with liis gang of workmen, at work at once in the same quarry. Some of the men have been working here more than half a century.

The supply of stone is practically inexhaustible. Good stone has been found in several directions in sinking wells, etc .; and the piers of the Air Line Bridge across the river, it is said, rest upon a solid foundation of brown stone. It has been ascertained by means of the diamond drill that the stone is found, corresponding in quality and color with that now quarried, at the great depth of 313 feet. An interesting experiment tried in the Middlesex Quarry, at the joint expense of the three companies, re- vealed the fact just stated. The stone varies in all the quarries from fine to coarse, stones from the same stra- tum sometimes showing a difference in quality. The strata extend through all the quarries, with a southerly dip. The pitch from the Brainerd to the Shaler & Hall Quarry is about 20 feet. Any one who has seen the Portland quarries will not forget the sight. The im- mense blocks of stone, the magnificent oxen, the cheerful activity everywhere manifested. The sheer walls of rock from 100 to 150 feet in height with the black, sul- len pools of water at their base hint at tragic possibilities, though the fact is that accidents are few, and usually due to intoxication. The most interesting feature of the quarries to scientific visitors is, of course, the "tracks," which the gigantic birds or animals of prehistoric times left in the soft sand untold ages gone. These are com- prehensively treated of in another place. Stories are told of toads having been found as much as 25 feet be- low the surface in a joint lying close upon another.

DURABILITY OF THE STONE .- The firm texture and great durability of the Portland stone is now well known. It is also susceptible of receiving and retaining polish. It has steadily risen in the estimation of the public from the first. But its greatest recommendation to those who use it for building or for monuments to the memory of

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HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY.

the dead is its enduring quality, which defies the action of time and weather, and renders it well nigh as imper- ishable as the everlasting hills from which it is taken. In this respect it has been pronounced equal to granite. An association was formed in Hartford in 1836 to "repair the waste of time and accident among the monuments erected as memorials of their deceased ancestors " in the old grave yard of that city which had been abandoned for about 30 years. In the prosecution of this work:

" All the monuments were reset, in number about five hundred, and the tables-many of which had been suf- fered to fall-were rebuilt, supported by solid masonry, and when the monuments were broken they were repaired by being fastened with iron clamps. During the Revolutionary War some use was made of the Bolton stone: these had decayed somewhat in the ground. All or nearly all the marble monuments of 30 years standing, by the effects of the climate and the weather, were very much decayed; the upper parts of them being decom- posed and crumbling to pieces. It was found very dif- ficult to repair such of them as were broken, as they were not strong enough to bear the force of drilling. A large proportion of the monuments were of the Portland freestone. Some of these were over the graves of such as had been dead 190 years and were not in the least affected by the weather, nor had any of this description been injured by the seasons."

As the persons in charge of these repairs had the best opportunity to note the waste of time and accident and the damage caused by the alternations of the seasons to the various monuments, more convincing testimony to the durability and permanent value of the Portland stone could not be given. The account just quoted (which was written in 1852), adds " the obelisk erected in the old cemetery, in connection with these repairs is there- fore wisely built of the Portland stone, bearing the ven- erated names of the early settlers of Hartford."

The oldest gravestones in the cemeteries of Portland are of the native brown stone, and when the moss of nearly two centuries has been scraped away the carving is found sharp and distinct, every word of the long epi- taphs being easily read. The gravestone of the first per- son buried in the town, bearing date 1712, is found thus perfect. That this stone also resists the action of fire better than any building stone known, was proved in the great fires at Chicago and Boston. It was fitting then that the block sent from Connecticut, as her contri- bution to the monument erected to the Great Father of his Country,at Washington, should have been of Portland stone. It has already been placed in position in that structure. The graceful arch which stood near the Con- necticut building on the grounds at Philadelphia will be remembered by many who visited the Centennial. For carving and all kinds of ornamental stone work, brown stone is particularly adapted.

The Soldiers' Monument in Portland is a fine example of the capabilities of brownstone in lending itself to ar- tistic expression. While many might prefer the dazzling whiteness of marble, there is something in the soft, quiet

tint of brownstone which makes it harmonious to all sur- roundings, while its durability renders it particularly ap- propriate for the decoration of parks and pleasure grounds, in statues and fountains. It is well known that oiling stone prevents decomposition, and brown stone is now sometimes oiled to preserve it for a greater length of time; but whether oiled or not its great durability is beyond all doubt.

PROMINENT BUILDINGS .-- The old Hancock house at Boston was built of stone taken from these quarries, in 1737. The contract being between Mr. Thomas Han- cock, of Boston, and " Thomas Johnson of Middleton in the County of Hartford and Colony of Connecticut in New England, Stone Cutter," and Johnson was to receive the sum of "Three Hundred Pounds in Goods as the said Stone-cutter's work is Carryed on." The house was removed not many years ago and the stone found to be as good as when first used. A list of the modern build- ings erected with the products of these quarries, would include some of the handsomest structures in the coun- try. The palace built by William H. Vanderbilt, on Fifth avenue; the mansions of Frederick Gallatin and R. L. Stuart, on Fifth avenue; that of George M. Pull- man, Chicago; and George H. Corliss, Providence, R. I .; with the Union League Club House, Philadelphia, are composed entirely of brownstone, decorated in many cases with most elaborate carving. Stone is now being sent from the Middlesex Quarry for the magnificent resi- dence of James Flood, in San Francisco. The blocks are sent from the quarry to Newark, N. J., where they are dressed, carved, etc., ready to be put into the build- ing; they are then boxed carefully and sent by sea around Cape Horn. There are 14 columns, 13 feet 2 inches high, and 22 inches square. The steps are 23 feet long. Two stones now at the quarry, not yet shipped, weigh 18 tons apiece.

Truly Portland has contributed in no small degree to the building up of our country; and her contributions to the general good, not "clocks and wooden nutmegs" but the imperishable product of uncounted ages, lifted from its mysterious bed by appliances of modern skill, carved by the art which is the supreme inheritance of the century; these "hewn stones after the similitude of a palace " shall be poured forth from our quarries, till the cities of the New World also stand " blossoming in stone."

PHYSICIANS AND DENTISTS.

The physicians now resident in Portland are:

Cushman A. Sears, a native of East Hampton. After a course of medical lectures at Pittsfield he studied one year with Dr. Stocking. He then attended the medical department of the University of New York, and grad- uated in March 1862. After three years practice in Glastonbury he removed to this place in 1865.

C. E. Hammond, born at Ellington, May 7th 1824. He was a private student of Dr. Alden Skinner, of Vernon. He graduated from the medical department of New York University in 1848. He practiced medicine

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with Dr. Skinner, his former preceptor, for four years, then settled in Glastonbury, where he practiced 17 years, and came to Portland in 1870.

E. B. Morgan was born at Goodspeed's Landing in 1853. He studied one year with Dr. Turner, of Ches- ter, and graduated at the Long Island Medical College in 1881. He has practised in this place two years.

Dentists .- Dr. Weigh was here several years.

Dr. Edwin Day came here from Middle Haddam about 1876. He removed to Ellsworth, Kansas, _and is now mayor of that city.

Dr. H. J. Fisk was born at Heath, Mass., was edu- cated at Bloomfield, Mass., studied dentistry in New York city, and came to Portland, October 19th 1878.

PROMINENT PERSONS FROM PORTLAND.

Elihu Bartlett, son of Rev. Moses Bartlett, graduated at Yale in 1804. He intended studying theology, but his health did not permit. He settled in East Guilford, now Madison, where he died in 1779, aged 36 years.

Asahel Hooker Strong, son of Dr. Strong, born in Port- land, ranked among the very first of his class. He was a distinguished special pleader at the bar.

Dr. Ebenezer Sage, a physician, literary and political man, a member of Congress, settled in Hog Harbor, L. I.

Daniel Shepard, graduate at Trinity, 1836, was a clergyman and teacher in Delhi, N. Y., where he died September 29th 1846.

Rev. William Payne, D. D., graduate of Trinity Col- lege, 1834, a distinguished clergyman of the Episcopal church. Rector of a church in Schenectady, N. Y.

Nathaniel Ogilvie Cornwell, Trinity, 1839, teacher and physician in South America.

Frederick Hall, Yale, 1841; merchant.

DISEASES, EPIDEMICS, ETC.

From the very first the bank of the river and the low lands of our town have been the lurking places of mala- rious disease. In old times people built their houses back upon the hills to avoid the " shakes." Their de- scendants live among it and learn to endure it as " malaria." We do not find, however, any larger pro- portion of deaths in respect to the population now than then. In 1758 " thirty or forty " are said to have died with dysentery near Chatham quarry.

In 1777, the small pox prevailed to a great extent. It was probably brought by soldiers returning from the army. The church record shows eight deaths at about the same time, 1777, from this disease. It was also prevalent in 1781. Pest houses were built in retired localities, and several hospitals were advertised, where persons could be in- oculated for the small-pox and go through it surrounded " with every possible care and attention." This was esteemed a " safe and easy method."

February 20th 1800, we read of the departure of a party of seven to be "inocculated for ye Small Pox at ye Me- sawmesick house." Three days afterward their minister called upon them there. As to enter the house and go back to his parish would have spread the contagion

among those unprepared for it, he probably " blessed them afar off." A few days after, a lady went out and returned with the report that they had " plenty of it." All but one of these patients, went through with the disease, were thoroughly " disinfected," and returned to their homes in two weeks. In March 1801, a great num . ber were inoculated for the small pox, on Churchill Hill. The older citizens still remember these pest houses, fenced off from the public road, with the ominous sign displayed; with their arbitrary nurses who dictated the diet and kept the patients away from the fire. A two weeks' residence at these rural resorts was considered a small price to pay for immunity from the constant dread of contagion.

November 8th 1795, "Capt. Bidwell's son John died as soposed of ye Philadelphia fever." This was probably the yellow fever, which raged in Philadelphia in 1793. Its character was not at first known. A letter from a gentleman in Philadelphia, published in the Middlesex Gazette, calls it " a fever highly putrid and contagious, in its operation very violent and rapid." It is not known whether any other cases of this fever arose from the one mentioned. It was noticed that "persons who caught the Distemper at Philadelphia died without com- municating the Infection to their friends, who in most cases were unapprized of the nature of the Distemper." Chatham also suffered from yellow fever by direct importation from Cape St. Nicholas in 1796. The dis- ease, however, did not spread beyond Middle Haddam.

Summer diseases of children seemed also quite preva- lent the latter part of the last century, and the newspapers of that day contained many extraordinary recipes for prevention and cure. "Very old cheese powdered " and " Santa Cruz rum " seemed to be consid - ered efficacious.

About 12 years ago, the small-pox revisited the town, and there were several fatal cases.

POST OFFICES.

Portland post office was established in 1827. It was first kept in the building now occupied by Bransfield, afterward in the " brick store," now C. Bell's, in the build- ing at the corner of Main street and Waverly avenue, and then removed to its present location in the Edwards block. The postmasters have been: George B. Smith, from 1827 till June 20th 1833; his widow, Anne B. Smith, from June 20th 1833 till February 3d 1844; Charles Henry Sage, from February 3d 1844 till April 11th 1849; John Payne, from April 11th 1849 till his death, July 21st 1852; William S. Strickland commenced July Ist 1852; Captain George H. Taylor served four years; Gny Cooper, four years, till 1861; Richard Edwards, from 1861 till his death, in 1864; his widow, Mary J. Edwards, from 1864 till her resignation, October Ist 1879; Charles H. Edwards, since October Ist 1879.

The post office at Gildersleeve was established in 1872. Ferdinand Gildersleeve was at that time appointed post- master, and has held that position ever since.

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BANKS.

FIRST NATIONAL BANK .- The First National Bank of Portland, Connecticut, was chartered February 28th 1865. It has a capital of $150,000, and a surplus of $30,- 000. The first board of directors consisted of. Sylvester Gildersleeve, Joseph Hall, Erastus Brainerd, William R. Smith, F. W. Russell, William T. Gleason, Wellington S. Coe, John I. Worthington, James T. Pratt, Charles L Strong, and Hiram Veazey. The present directors are: Erastus Brainerd, W. S. Coe, J. I. Worthington, George Stancliff, Nelson Shepard, LeRoy Brainerd, W. W. Coe, Charles H. Sage, F. Gildersleeve, H. Gildersleeve, and John H. Sage. The successive officers have been: Pres- idents, Sylvester Gildersleeve, Ferdinand Gildersleeve, and William W. Coe; vice-presidents, Joseph Hall, F. W. Russell, Ferdinand Gildersleeve, W. W. Coe, and Erastus Brainerd; cashiers, Joseph Woods, William W. Coe, and John H. Sage.

FREESTONE SAVINGS BANK .- This institution was in- corporated in June 1865, the incorporators being Sylvester Gildersleeve, Henry Gildersleeve, Daniel Rus- sell, Joseph Hall, Erastus Brainerd, George Gillum, Wil- liam T. Gleason, John I. Worthington, George Stancliff, George H. Taylor, F. W. Russell, Franklin Payne, Heze- kiah Pelton, Hiram Veazey, Andrew Cornwall, Phillip Sellew, Charles C. Tyler, Nelson Shepard, William R. Smith, S. H. Stocking, Charles H. Sage, Joseph B. Cary, Gilbert Stancliff, Benjamin F. Brainerd, Wellington S. Coe, Joseph Woods, O. C. Buckland, Joseph Hall jr., Jesse Hall, and F. A. Parker.

The first officers were: S. Gildersleeve, president; F. W. Russell, vice-president; W. W. Coe, secretary and treasurer. The present officers are: Evelyn White, presi- dent; W. W. Coe, vice-president; John H. Sage, secre- tary and treasurer. The amount of deposits is $247,- 219.81; surplus, $9,000.

. LIBRARIES.

There were, in 1815, in Chatham, first society, the Chatham Library, established 1787, containing 322 vol- umes, and the Republican Library, formed in 1793, 200 volumes.

The Portland Library was organized April 7th 1884. The incorporators were Rev. J. S. Bayne, Rev. R. Povey, O. W. Mack, G. B. Cleveland, C. A. Jarvis, H. J. Fisk, J. H. Hall, A. N. Hale, Rev. F. W. Harriman, F. A. Lillie, T. R. Pickering, J. M. Murdock, R. N. Pascall, WV. A. Chapman, and W. H. Edwards. The directors are: C. A. Jarvis (also president), F. A. Lillie, A. H. Hale, T. R. Pickering, and F. W. Harriman.

Secretary and treasurer, W. H. Edwards; librarian, H. J. Fisk. There have been 350 volumes donated, and 100 purchased with the legacy bequeathed by the late Miss Maria Payne. The library is located at Dr. H. J. Fisk's dental office. All persons paying a subscription of $1.00 are entitled to use the library for one year. There are 54 subscribers at present.

PUBLIC HALLS.

Waverly Hall was built about 1868. It has a seating capacity of about 270. It is fitted with a large stage, scenery, etc., and dressing rooms.

Gildersleeve Hall was built in 1876, and presented to District No. I by Sylvester Gildersleeve. It is of suffi- cient size to comfortably seat about 200 persons. It has a stage, and is well lighted and heated. It is at present occupied during school hours by the Gildersleeve High School.

THE ALMS HOUSE.

This is the same building which was formerly the almshouse for the town of Chatham and for some time after Portland was set off it continued to be used by both towns. It was formerly the custom on the 20th of March of each year to farm out the town poor for one year. A new ell was built last year and the old one pulled down. There are now eighteen or nineteen persons supported in the institution. Mr. Titus S. Markham has charge. The care of its poor cost the town of Portland for 1883, $5,028.50; of this sum $1,361.86 was the almshouse ac- count, $2,973.35 expended for poor out of almshouse, $179.76 for poor in other towns, and $513.53 for the in- sane poor.

THE SOLDIERS' MONUMENT.

At a special town meeting, September 9th 1871, it was voted " that we erect a brown stone monument to the memory of our dead soldiers." The monument was to cost $4,000, and to be enclosed with a suitable fence. The committee to select a site and to superin- tend the erection were: Frederick A. Parker, Asaph Strong, John I. Worthington, Seth I. Davis, and Ferdi- nand Gildersleeve.

The monument is a graceful shaft of native brown- stone, 33 feet in height, surmounted by a life-like statue of a soldier standing at rest. It is placed in the north- ern part of the village near the First Congregational Church. The cutting was done at Batterson's in Hart- ford. Few towns possess so elegant yet imposing a monument to their fallen heroes. It cost $4,500 in all. The front is ornamented with an eagle and shield. The inscription reads:

" ERECTED MAY 30TH 1872 BY THE TOWN OF PORTLAND TO THE MEMORY OF HER BRAVE SONS, WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN DEFENCE OF THE UNION DURING THE WAR OF THE REBELLION 1861-65."

It bears the names of Samuel N. Gaston, Grove L. Bell, Owen Chapman, John Gasman, Samuel Potter, Samuel Salisbury, William De Bank, Heman De May, William Foster, Edward F. Pelton, Patrick Scanlon, Joel Smith, all of the 20th Connecticut Volunteers; James Smith and Charles E. Tryon, of the 13th Connecticut Vol- unteers; Thomas Kennedy, William McEwin, Sidney Val- entine, and Sherman Valentine, of the 7th Connecticut Vol- unteers; Daniel Sullivan, 3d Connecticut Volunteers; Ezeriah Hale, 16th Connecticut Volunteers; George

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PORTLAND-MISCELLANEOUS.

Edwards, 2Ist Connecticut Volunteers; Patrick Barry, 24th Connecticut Volunteers: Michael Flannigan and William J. Hall, Ist Cavalry Connecticut Volunteers; George I. Smith, 7th New Jersey Volunteers; William Mahar, roth New York Volunteers; John Colter, 99th New York Volunteers; Dwight Simpson, 37th Massa. chusetts Volunteers; William Matthews, United States Navy.

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History of Middlesex county, Connecticut, with biographical sketches of its prominent men, Part 129

Author: Whittemore, Henry, b. 1833; Beers, J.B. & Company, publishers Publication date: 1884 Publisher: New York : J. B. Beers & co. Number of Pages: 818

Author: Whittemore, Henry, b. 1833; Beers, J.B. & Company, publishers
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: New York : J. B. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 818