History of Middlesex county, Connecticut, with biographical sketches of its prominent men, Part 135

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 135

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DEEP RIVER NATIONAL BANK.

In 1849, at its May session, the General Assembly of Connecticut granted a charter to the stockholders of the Deep River Bank, and their successors, with a capital of $75,000.

On the 8th of August 1849, the commissioners ap-

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SAYBROOK-BANKS-HOTEL-SOCIETIES.

pointed to receive subscriptions to the capital stock, held a meeting for that purpose, and the whole amount was subscribed for, and 25 per cent. paid down.

The following persons were then elected as directors, viz., Joshua L'Hommedieu, George Read, Sedley Snow, George Spencer, Samuel P. Russell, Warren Tyler, Jabez Southworth, Ulysses Pratt, Calvin B. Rogers, William H. Goodspeed, Gilbert Stevens, Reynold S. Marvin, and Stephen Jennings.

At a subsequent meeting of the directors, on the same day, Joshua L'Hominedieu was elected president. On the 8th of October 1849, Gideon Parker was elected cashier, and has continued to hold the position to the present time. The bank began business by discounting paper, November 5th 1849.

Soon after the organization of the bank, steps were taken for the erection of a banking house, and the build- ing now occupied by the Deep River Savings Bank was completed, and the Deep River Bank moved its books and effects from the house of George Read, where they were previously kept, into its new banking house, in the latter part of November 1849, where it continued until the erection, in March 1879, of the present building

The present banking house is a unique and handsome building, of brick, with Ohio stone trimmings, and with its beautiful frescoed interiors, is an architectural orna- ment to the main street of the village.

Upon the petition of the directors and stockholders, the General Assembly, at its May session in 1854, au- thorized an increase of the capital stock to the amount of $75,000, making the total capital $150,000. This amount was soon taken up by the old stockholders.

In May 1865, the Deep River Bank was changed into a national bank.

In December 1853, Ulysses Pratt succeeded Joshua L'Hommedieu as president, and held the office until No- vember 1859, when. he resigned, and George Spencer was elected president.

In January 1865, George Spencer resigned, and in February following, Henry Wooster was elected, and acted until his death, in August 1866. He was succeeded by Richard P. Spencer, who has continued to hold the office to the present time.

DEEP RIVER SAVINGS BANK.

The Deep River Savings Bank was incorporated by the General Assembly of Connecticut, at its May session, 1851.

The following persons are named in the Act of Incor- poration, as incorporators, viz .: Alpheus Starkey, George Read, Zebulon Brockway, Sedley Snow, John C. Rogers, Joseph Post, Henry Wooster, Henry W. Gilbert, Joshua L'Hommedieu, Samuel P'. Russell, Joseph H. Mather, Ulysses Pratt, Ezra S. Williams, and Calvin B. Rogers.

The bank was organized, July 14th 1851, by the ap- pointment of the following officers and directors: George Read, president; Henry W. Wooster, vice-president; Sedley Snow, secretary and treasurer; directors, Joshua L'Hommedieu, Joseph Post, John C. Rogers, Ulysses Pratt, Zebulon Brockway.

George Read was continued as president until his death in 1859. His successor, Joseph Post, was ap- pointed in 1860, and continued until 1872, when the present incumbent, Asa R. Shaler, was appointed.

Sedley Snow acted as secretary and treasurer until his death, in 1873. He was succeeded by Richard P. Spencer, who held the position for two years, when the present incumbent, Henry R. Wooster, was appointed,

The total deposits, May Ist 1884, were. . . $626,797.18 The surplus and profits. 22,820.01

$649,617.19

The bank was located in a part of Mr. Sedley Snow's store, until May 1879, when it was removed into the present building on Main street.

THE WAHGINNICUT HOUSE.

The Wahginnicut House, the only hotel now in the town, derived its name from a sagamore of one of the local Indian tribes, who rendered friendly service to the white settlers. It was erected about 1854 by Mr. Still- man Tiley,now of Essex, who kept it as a hotel for about two years. He was succeeded by Mr. David Watrous, who continued about eight years. The present pro- prietor, Mr. William D. Worthington, has been estab- lished since 1864. The hotel stands on an elevation which was early known as " Kirtland's Rock," from the fact that the dwelling house of Mr. Stephen Kirtland,one of the earliest residents of the town, occupied for many years previously the same site. The hotel commands one of the most beautiful views on the Connecticut River, and is capable of accommodating twenty or more guests.

SOCIETIES.

TRINITY LODGE, No. 43, F. & A. M., in this town, is the successor of a lodge of the same name and under the same charter which formerly existed in the town of Killingworth. The original Trinity Lodge, No. 43, was organized in that town in November 1797, in compliance with a petition which was presented to the grand lodge in session at New Haven, October 18th 1797. So far as known, the petitioners were Noah Lester, Aaron Elliott, Eli Kelsey, Joseph Wilcox, and Nathan Wilcox, with others whose names cannot be ascertained, to whom a charter was granted empowering them to perform the functions of a masonic lodge within their territorial jurisdiction. Its first officers were the following: Noah Lester, W. M .; Aaron Elliott, S. W .; Eli Kelscy, J. W,; Joseph Wilcox, treasurer; Nathan Wilcox, secretary.

The lodge held its meetings regularly in Killingworth, till 1805, when, by application to the grand lodge in ses- . sion that year at Hartford, authority was obtained to hold its meetings a part of the time in the town of Say- brook; that is, in the months of March, April, May, and June of each year following, during the pleasure of the grand lodge.

The lodge continued to hold its regular meetings and was duly represented in the grand lodge until the

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HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY.

year 1822. Having for the three years following failed to comply with the laws of the grand lodge, its char- ter was revoked, and, with the jewels, returned to the grand lodge. Its early records not being returned were lost; consequently no definite information can be obtained respecting the membership at that time, nor of other facts which would be of interest to members of the craft in this section.

In the year 1854, the grand lodge, at its May session at Hartford, granted a charter or dispensation for the formation of a new lodge in the town of Chester, to the following brethren, who were previously members of St. John's Lodge, No. 2, at Middletown; viz .: Henry S. Russell, Samuel J. Auger, George D. Holmes, Samuel A. Wright, Daniel Barker, Daniel D. Silliman, and Robert M. Barnard.

At the suggestion of the grand master and the grand secretary of the grand lodge, the new lodge took the forfeited charter and name of the former Trinity Lodge, No. 43, in Killingworth.

The officers of the new Trinity Lodge, No. 43, when organized were: Henry S. Russell, W. M .; Robert M. Barnard, S. W .; Daniel Barker, J. W .; Samuel A. Wright, secretary; and Daniel D. Silliman, treasurer.

The lodge meetings were held for the first two years in the town of Chester, at the expiration of which time a dispensation from the grand lodge was procured to hold them in Deep River, town of Saybrook, where, since that time, they have continued to be held. The lodge room is conveniently located near the center of Deep River, in the upper story of Snow's building, on the cor- ner of Main and River streets. The present member- ship is 90, with the following officers: Frederick W. Williams, W. M .; Frank E. Phippeny, S. W .; Charles R. Marvin, J. W .; William H. Chapman, secretary; and John W. Marvin, treasurer.

WEBB LODGE, No. 81, I. O. of O. F., was instituted August 21st 1855, in compliance with an application previously made by the following petitioners, viz., Hi- ram G. Loomis, Albert J. Shipman, Rowley Flint, Harvey H. Brooks, Samuel M. Shipman, Frederick W. Williams, Henry W. Bogart, Bradley Terrell, and others. The in- stituting ceremonies were duly performed in the pres- ence of the most worthy grand master, Reynolds Webb (after whom the lodge was named) and his attendant grand officers; and the elective officers were chosen and duly installed, as follows:

Albert J. Shipman, N. G .; Nathaniel A. Starkey, V. G .; Rowley Flint, treasurer; Samuel C. Gladding, secre- tary.

The lodge continued to hold its meeting until Novem- ber 4th 1861, when, in consequence of the then dormant state of the order, it was deemed advisable to surrender its charter to the grand lodge.

After an interval of about twelve and a half years, pe- tition was made and granted for the restoration of the charter, and the lodge was reinstituted by the most worthy grand master, Stephen Terry and his attendant officers, at Masonic Hall, Deep River, April 7th 1874;

and the officers were duly elected and installed. The regular meetings of the lodge are now held every Thurs- day evening in its own lodge room, which is located in Pratt's Block on Upper Main street.

Since its reorganization in 1874, the prosperity of Webb Lodge has been very satisfactory. Its member- ship at the close of the July term was 67, and it has now in bank a fund amounting to nearly $1,000. During the past 10 years, it has expended for benefits between $600 and $700

The present officers are: Charles S. Phelps, N. G .; Frank L. Stimpson, V. G .; Virgil D. Norton, treasurer; William H. Chapman, secretary.

GOOD INTENT LODGE, NO. 144, I. O. of G. T., was organized in Deep River, February 7th 1871. At the time of its institution, its principal officers were: Virgil D. Norton, W. C. T .; Mary E. Dickinson, W. V. T .; Rev. William H. Knouse, W. C .; Henry N. Booma, W. S .; and Frederick R. Gilbert, W. T.

For more than 13 years this meritorious society has sustained itself, despite the fluctuations of public inter- est in the beneficent reform which it worthily represents. Rarely, if ever, has it failed to hold its regular meetings, and in a quiet and unostentatious way it has done much good, not only to its own members, but to the commu- nity as well.

It has a well selected library, which embraces, besides works on temperance, other volumes of a general char- acter, and an unexceptionable quality; it has also labored to promote the cause of temperance by the holding of public meetings, and the circulation of a temperance lit- erature. Its present membership is 20. Its lodge room is located on the southeast corner of Main and Kirtland streets.

The principal officers are: John B. Norton, W. C. T .; Rebecca Phelps, W. V. T .; Dolly L. Tyler, W. S .; Davis N. Tyler, W. T .; Jane N. Chapman, W. C.

WOMAN'S TEMPERANCE UNION .- No history of this town, especially in respect of its moral progress, would be complete without due recognition of this society and its good work. It was organized in Deep River, May 13th 1875, as a local auxilliary of the State Woman's Christian Temperance Union of Connecticut. Its name indicates its special object and the spirit in which its work is done. At its formation sixteen earnest women signed its pledge and engaged, as members to give their best endeavors for the promotion of its work. Mrs. Jane N. Chapman was its first president, with Miss Eunice Southworth as vice-president, and Miss Ellen M. Williams as its secretary and treasurer. Such was the modest beginning of an organized and united effort by the women of Deep River for the promotion of temper- ance upon Christian principles and by the use of Chris- tian methods; an effort which has proved to be of incal- culable benefit to the moral interests of the town.

Its membership rapidly increased, until it numbered 134, and its frequent meetings for discussion and prayer were fraught with growing interest and power. In May 1878, Mr. David Frost conducted a series of Christian

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temperance meetings in Deep River which, continuing for about two weeks, resulted in a .deep and general awakening of public interest in temperance reform; a large number were induced to pledge themselves to total abstinence, including not a few inebriates. But the ground was already prepared for this special work by the earnest labors, during the three previous years, of the ladies of the Woman's Temperance Union, who with characteristic zeal entered into the new movement. In every possible way they lent their encouragement and aid. When a fund had been secured for the purchase of the principal drinking saloon in the village, and a re- form club had been organized, the members of the Union collected an additional sum of $200 for the renovation and furnishing of the club room; and throughout the subsequent history of the club, they continued to be its warmest and most efficient friends. Though somewhat discouraged by the final failure of this club, which they did their best to prevent, the Union has never relaxed its faith and zeal in the prosecution of its work. Down to the present time it has sought to educate public sen- timent, and by constant agitation has endeavored to keep the cause of temperance before the community. It has secured from time to time the services of the ablest ad- vocates; to the extent of its ability, it has distributed a temperance literature; it has aimed to do a work of pre- vention, as well as suppression, by the introduction into the public schools of the town of suitable textbooks on physiological temperance.

The Union at present numbers about 50 members, and doubtless has a successful future before it. Its officers are: Mrs. Horace P. Denison, president; Mrs. Charles Jennings, vice-president; Miss Sarah J. Parker, record- ing secretary; and Mrs. Jane N. Chapman, correspond- ing secretary and treasurer.

In this connection, the fact may be noted that there are now no licensed drinking saloons in the town.

Since 1880, when the inhabitants almost unanimously voted no license, the sale of intoxicating beverages has been contrary to law.

BIBLE SOCIETY.

The Deep River Bible Society is a modest institution, which was organized as an auxiliary to the American Bible Society, February 20th-1837. After the formation of the Connecticut State Bible Society it transferred its auxiliary connection to that organization.

Its object is the circulation in the town, by sale at nominal prices, or by gratuitous distribation, of the holy scriptures, without note or comment. For this object it receives funds from any source, but depends mostly on individual donations. Its depository at the Deep River post office is, though small, large enough usually for the needs of the town, and contains 100 or more Bibles and Testaments, varying in size, style, and price. The bal- ance of receipts, in excess of the cost of keeping the de- pository fully supplied, is donated annually to the Con- necticut Bible Society for its general Bible work through- out the State.

SCHOOLS.

With the exception of the Young Ladies' Institute, be- fore mentioned as having had, under Rev. William Den- ison, a brief but useful career in Winthrop, and a board- ing school in Deep River, conducted from 1851 to 1858 by Mr. Giles O. Clark, this town has not been favored with any special educational advantages.

From the early settlement the common district schools have existed, and provided instruction in the elementary branches of knowledge. The oldest of these school dis- tricts in the town are the West District in Winthrop and the South District in Deep River. With the growth of the population, others have been added, until now there are four districts, collectively embracing six schools, one in Winthrop and five in Deep River. All these are primary schools, excepting one in the Centre District of Deep River, which, relatively to the others, may be called a high school. Each of these districts was, until 1867, independent of the others, paying its own ex- penses, and selecting its own teachers; but all were sub- ject to annual inspection and examination by school vis- itors, who were appointed by the town.

Among the early teachers in the old South District were: Mason Denison, Jared Shaler, Deacon Samuel Griswold, Miss Ann Lord, Henry Tyler, and Giles O. Clark.

This town is one of the comparatively few in the State which have taken advantage of the authority given by act of the General Assembly in 1866-67 for the consol- idation of school districts. Agreeably to a vote passed in November 1867, all the school districts of the town were consolidated into one Union School District; and in 1870 the town voted to assume the entire control of the schools. They were accordingly placed under the general supervision of a Board of Education, consisting of twelve members, four of whom are elected annually, to serve for three years.

The Board of Education, as originally constituted, consisted of the following members, viz .: J. Albert Ship- man, John S. Lane, Henry Fox, Rev. John N. Chase, Midian N. Griswold, Felix A. Denison, Ansel D. Platts, Henry S. Ward, James A. Erwin, Henry L. Denison, Lozel J. Platts, William Denison.

The school expenses, excepting in so far as they are met by the income derived from the State school fund, are now paid out of the general town tax. Reference may be made, however, in this connection, but only for its historic interest, to a small special fund belonging to the town, of $325, known as the "School Society Fund," the inconsiderable income of which is used for the pay- ment of school expenses. This fund is a legacy of the remote past, and its origin is involved in obscurity.

The following facts, derived from Field's " Statistical Account," may possibly throw some light on the question of its origin: " In addition to monies drawn from time to time from the treasury of the State, these schools " (in the original town of Saybrook) "have the benefit of a considerable fund, belonging to the inhabitants, derived from various sources. Mr. Edward Lorey, in his last

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will, dated June 17th 1689, gave to them £300, to be applied to the support of schooling. The Legislature, by an act passed in October 1718, gave to them £50 for the same purpose, in consideration of the removal of the college. They also received another sum afterward, accruing from the sale of Litchfield lands. A part of the legacy of Mr. Lorey was lost many years ago, by the reception of bills of credit from those who had borrowed it.

" The remainder was divided, in 1773 or 1774, to the several parishes in the town, according to their list; and all the school funds in the town are now " (1819) " given up to the parishes, to be used by them for the education of their children. Their whole amount is unknown. Potapaug (of which the present town of Saybrook was then a part) possesses $652.43."

Another important movement in the promotion of education has recently been made. As the result of a growing dissatisfation, chiefly in the eastern part of the town, with the extent and quality of our educational facilities, a vote was passed, June 14th 1884, to appro- priate about $9,000 for the erection, in Deep River, of a suitable building for a graded school. This act in- volves tlie substitution for all the primary schools in the town, except that in Winthrop, of a system of graded departments in one building. Provision was also made at the same time for the erection of a new and improved school house in Winthrop. The new building in Deep River, now in process of erection, is eligibly located on an elevation commanding a picturesque view of Con- necticut River, and is surrounded by ample and pleasant school grounds. It will have a depth of 54 feet and a width of 68 feet, and exclusive of the basement, will be two stories high, with gothic roof and a belfry. Com- modious class rooms will provide for five or six graded departments. When finished, it will be an ornament to the place, and with liberal equipment and efficient man- agement, will furnish far better opportunities for a good, practical education than the children and youth of the town have ever before enjoyed.

The present Board of Education is constituted as fol- lows: Horace P. Denison, president; George F. Spencer, secretary; Lozel J. Platts, Joseph C. Fargo, Dwight S. Southworth, Simeon H. Jennings, Ansel D. Platts, H. Christopher Kingsley, Rev. William H. Knouse, Rev. A. F. Perry, Emery C. Parker, and J. Lockwood Lamb.

The acting school visitors are Rev. William H. Knouse and George F. Spencer.

The number of children and youth in attendance at the schools is about 259.

INDUSTRIES OF THE TOWN.

Though the original settlers were almost universally farmers, agriculture long ago ceased to be the prevailing and most important industry of the town, which is now chiefly dependent upon manufacturing for its prosperity. The rocky character of the land in the eastern part,

which rendered it unprofitable for farming, provided, however, at an early period and for a number of years, a more lucrative business, that of

QUARRYING .- This business, from small beginnings, grew at length to be so thriving that at one time there were at least as many as eight quarries in more or less successful operation, in different parts of the surround- ing hills, which collectively employed about 100 men. The stone was shipped, for use in the construction of bridges and gutters, principally to the cities of New York and Philadelphia, and even as far as New Orleans.

The quarry most extensively worked was owned and carried on by Messrs. Jabez Southworth and Joseph Smith. It was opened June 13th 1821. Mr. Smith came to Deep River, from Haddam, in 1818. From Haddam came, also, other residents of the town who were orig- inally quarrymen. The business continued to be a pros- perous one for about 20 years or more, when it was ar- rested by the opening of new sources of supply on the Hudson River, which were in easier communication with the market, and supplied a better quality of stone. For a short time after the general demand ceased, the quarries were occasionally worked for the supply of local needs. The business is now entirely at an end.

THE IVORY BUSINESS .- This, in its different branches, constitutes the principal business of Deep River, and by its steady increase, it has contributed more than anything else, to the growth and prosperity of the place.

It began in a small way, in the manufacture, by hand, of ivory combs, which were first made by Phineas Pratt, as early as the year 1809. His father, Deacon Phineas Pratt, of Centerbrook, it is claimed, "was the inventor and maker of any machinery that would enable the man- ufacturer to compete with the English, a part of the same being indispensible at the present day."* After Mr. Pratt had begun the manufacture of ivory combs, as stated, Mr. George Read became associated with him. They continued together until 1816, when Mr. Read withdrew, and united with the firm of Ezra Williams & Co. Mr. Pratt was subsequently associated, in 1824 to 1825, with Mr. Alfred Worthington, under the name of Pratt & Worthington. When by the death of Mr. Worth- ington, this connection was dissolved, it was succeeded in 1830, by Mr. Pratt's sons, Ulysses and Alexis, under the name of U. & A. Pratt, for the manufacture of ivory turnings.

In 1844, they were succeeded by Pratt, Spencer & Co., and in 1850, this firm was changed to Pratt Brothers & Co. In 1856, this last mentioned company erected a new factory, which, from its location, came to be known as the West Factory. The manufacture of combs was transferred to the new building, while the old building on Main street was used exclusively for the manufacture of ivory veneers, for pianos. The company had pre- viously discontinued the business of ivory turning, and sold the turning machinery to Mr. Calvin B. Rogers. The firm of Ezra Williams & Co., which, as stated, was formed in 1816, began the business of ivory comb mak-

* Vide " Pratt Family." Page 353.

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ing in a small factory, on the west side of north Main street, a few rods south of the Pratt factory. This un- pretentious building was the precursor of the larger fac- tories which have since been required by the rapid growth of the business, and it was still standing, though not on its original site, until about 1877, when it was demolished. The new company, when organized, con sisted of Ezra Williams, George Read, Alpheus Starkey, and George Spencer (all of whom were then residents of Deep River) and Thomas Howard, of Providence, R. I., who imported and furnished the ivory.

In 1819, more than twenty men were employed, and 50,000 combs were annually manufactured.

In 1829, the name of the firm was changed to George Read & Co., who continued the manufacture of combs until a period prior to February 1839, when they com- menced the cutting of piano keys. The business was carried on in the old red shop, with various enlarge- ments, from 1816 to 1851, when it gave place to a new factory on the site of the present one.

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History of Middlesex county, Connecticut, with biographical sketches of its prominent men, Part 135

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