History of Middlesex county, Connecticut, with biographical sketches of its prominent men, Part 50

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 50

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The Chatham & Marlborough Turnpike Company, which was chartered in 1809, with a capital of $9,000, and whose highway extended from Middletown ferry to Marlborough, also crossed the northern part of the town, over what is known as Mott Hill.

All the turnpikes were long since given up by the com- panies, and the roads are now maintained by the town.

what is now known as Great Hill Cut, half a mile in length, and from 15 to 60 feet in depth, swings around to the northward over Muddy Gutter Stream on a fill 60 feet high, enters the village of East Hampton, north of the residence of William E. Barton, and, crossing the main street, between the Free Methodist Church and the store of C. O. Sears & Co., and Pine Brook, near the residence of D. W. Watrous, on iron bridges, enters the cut known as Bishop's Cut, or Hall's Summit, the highest point of the grade in the town, being something over 400 feet above the level of the river. Leaving this cut it swings around to the southward, and enters what is known as Linkpot Cut, of solid rock, 1,800 feet in length, and an average depth of 40 feet. After leaving this cut, it crosses Flat Brook, on the Rapallo Viaduct, an iron structure 1,37812 feet in length and 60 feet high, and, winding in and out of numerous cuts and fills, it enters the town of Colchester near the Lyman Viaduct, an iron structure similar to the Rapallo, but of much greater height. The benefit derived by the building of the road to the manufacturers and citizens of the town, though considerable, is nearly overbalanced by the debt of $112,000 incurred by loaning the town credit to aid in its completion, and thus entailing upon future genera- tions " a burden grievous to be born," which the rail- road company will not aid in lifting.

CEMETERIES.

The oldest cemetery in the town is the one on Hog Hill, near where the first meeting house stood. It was first laid out in 1742. Prior to this time the dead were interred either in the old yard, near the quarries, in Portland, or in the one in Maromas District, in Middle- town. The oldest headstone is that of Ebenezer Burr, . who died September 28th 1743, aged 33.

The oldest cemetery in East Hampton Society is the one near the lake, which was first used for a burying ground in 1743. Mary, the wife of John Bevins, jr., being, according to the record on the headstone, " the first person laid in this yard." She died September 17th 1743, in the 37th year of her age. The other cemeteries in the town are one at Middle Haddam, near the Con- gregational Church, laid out in 1794; one in Tarsia Dis- trict, East Hampton, 1776; one north of Pocotopaug Lake, 1787; one in Young Street, 1789; Waterhole, 1793; the Selden yard in Middle Haddam, 1825; and the Skinner yard, in East Hampton, about 1860. Scattered through the town are numerous private cemeteries, and unmarked graves of victims of small-pox and other con- tagious diseases.

COBALT MINES.

About the year 1762, Dr. John Sebastian Stephawney a German, opened a cobalt mine at the foot of Great Hill. He employed a number of men for a short time, and made a horizontal opening into the hill. In 1770, he renewed the works, in connection with two other Ger- mans, John Knool and Gominus Erkelens, but in a short

The Air Line Division of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad enters the town on an iron bridge 70 feet in height over the pond of the Cobalt Manufac- turing Company, and extends by a circuitous route across the town from west to east. It crosses the valley over Cobalt Brook on a fill 80 feet in height, and, entering |time made over the management of the concern to his

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HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY.

associates. A large opening was made in the hill, and the superincumbent matter was prevented by stanchions from falling upon the laborers. Many casks of ore were obtained and sent to Europe, but little was known as to its character or value. Erkelens finally became the principal manager of the concern, and operations were suspended about the year 1787. Nothing more was done there for about 30 years, or until 1818, when Mr. Seth Hunt, from New Hampshire, commenced operations, and continued them about two years. He and his asso- ciates, five in number, expended about $20,000, and ob- tained, as they supposed, 1,000 pounds of cobalt, which proved in England to be nickel containing from three to four parts of cobalt. This proof induced a suspension of operations. In 1844, the mine was again opened, by Professor Shepard, author of the " Report on the Geo- logical Survey of Connecticut. He employed a few hands for a short time, but it is not known what discov- eries he made. In 1850, Edmund Brown, with some friends, began operations a few rods eastward from the old excavations. He employed many hands, sunk a shaft 38 feet deep, worked from the shaft some 50 feet, and took from the opening a large amount of ore. They then commenced a tunnel 700 feet east of the shaft, at a ra- vine, and proceeded with it some 35 feet westerly, with a view of meeting the opening from the shaft, in the mean- time putting up stamping works, laboratory, and smelt- ing works. In the course of 15 months, after expending a large amount of money, the company failed, and Mr. Brown died shortly afterward. Dr. Eugene A. Frank- fort, a native of France, a graduate of the Medical School of Bonn, and of the Chemical School of Giessen, came to Middle Haddam, in 1857, to test the ores obtained by Mr. Brown. He practiced a short time as a physician, and then removed to Middletown. Through his influ- ence and report upon the character of the ore obtained, a company was formed, under the name of " The Chat- ham Cobalt Mining Company," with its principal office in Philadelphia. A large amount of money was expended in mining, but the cobalt could not be separated from the arsenic and nickel with which it was associated, and the works were abandoned, the buildings and furnaces taken down and carried away.

POST OFFICES.

The Middle Haddam post office was established in 1804, and John Hugh Peters was appointed postmaster. Since his death the postmasters have been John Stewart, John Stewart jr., Henry Stewart, Huntington Selden, John Carrier, Henry Hurd, Linus Parmelee, Josiah Ack ley, and John A. Carrier. East Hampton office was established in 1818. The postmasters have been Frank- lin G. Comstock, David Buell, William G. Buell, Noah S. Markham, Joel W. Smith, and Clark O. Sears. West- chester office, when first established, was within the limits of the town, being kept by Franklin S. Comstock, but six hands. As their business increased the old build- near Comstock Bridge. Moses W. Comstock also kept ings were torn down and new ones erected which cover over an acre of ground. The casting shop, which is the largest, is 35 by 174 feet, one story high; the finishing an office known as East Hampton Lake, afterward changed to Chatham, about 1851 or 1852. Cobalt post

office was established in 1851. The postmasters have been Charles Rich, Henry W. Tibballs, Daniel Judson, and Rufus D. Tibballs.

SCHOOLS.

Both of the ecclesiastical societies made early arrange- ment for the support of schools within their respective localities, and committees were appointed from year to year to take charge of educational matters. Of these early schools but little is known, and the names of but few of the teachers have been recovered. John Norton jr., William Bevin, and Joseph Frazier Montgomery were among the early teachers in East Hampton Parish, and later, Elisha Niles and Timothy Rogers served in that capacity. The town is at present divided into eleven districts for school purposes, and the contributors toward the maintenance of common schools are quite liberal. There is no academy within the limits of the town, and scholars desirous to obtain a more liberal education are obliged to seek it elsewhere.

INDUSTRIES OF THE TOWN.

MANUFACTURES IN EAST HAMPTON.

About 1743, a forge was erected near the outlet of Pocotopaug Lake, but little is known of the amount of business that was done, or how many hands were em- ployed while it continued in operation, which was until 1810. Captain Abijah Hall, an iron worker from Lyme, appears to have been the master workman up to the time of his death, when he was succeeded by his son, Abijah Hall jr. In 1825, a new forge and a scythe fac- tory were built on the site of the old one, and at these business was done for several years, but the buildings are now all taken down and removed. A few rods south of this formerly stood a bell foundry, 38 feet by 22, to which an iron foundry, 40 feet by 20, was attached. This was at first operated by Goff, Abell & Buell, and later by Buell & Veazey, then for a time by Hiram Veazey. These buildings have also been taken down.

BEVIN BROTHERS MANUFACTURING COMPANY .- The next factory in order, or the first one, in fact, that is now in active operation, is that of The Bevin Brothers' Manu- facturing Company, which stands on the site of the East Hampton Manufacturing Company's works, which were organized in 1830 by Butler N. Strong, Harry Strong, Dan. B. Niles, and Alfred Williams. They carried on a limited business in the manufacture of waffle irons, coffee mills, clock bells, and other metal goods. In 1837, Chauncey and Abner G. Bevin bought out the firm, and in 1838 admitted their brother Philo as a partner, under the name of Bevin Brothers. They manufacture sleigh, hand, house, cow, sheep, door, and ship bells; also pre- serve kettles and waffle irons. At first they employed

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shop 34 by 165 feet, two stories high. There is an office and nine other out. buildings. From 50 to 75 hands of both sexes are employed throughout the entire year, and the business continues to grow and increase, requiring constant changes to meet the demands of the trade. Soon after the great fire in Chicago, during which the court- house in that city was destroyed, the large bell which hung in that building, being ruined, was purchased by Everhart & Co., of Chicago, manufacturing jewelers, who shipped a portion of this famous bell to this firm, who cast it into miniature bells to be worn as a relic of the great fire. Many thousands of these little souvenirs were cast for the Chicago firm, who sold them readily at first for $3 each. It may be interesting to know that part of the metal of this court-house bell was from reninants of cannon used in 1832 in the defense of Fort Dearborn at the time of the Indian massacre. In 1868, they took the firm name of " The Bevin Brothers Manufacturing Com- pany," which they still retain.

THE EUREKA SILK MANUFACTURING COMPANY .- The next factory in order on the stream is The Eureka Silk Manufacturing Company, which is a branch of the | about 190,000 pounds of bell metal, besides other materi- largest concern interested in the silk manufacture in the als, are consumed annually. United States. The buildings were erected in 1880 by the Merrick & Conant Manufacturing Company, and were purchased by the present company in 1882. The main building is 50 by 105 feet; dye house, 40 by 75 feet; and store house, 25 by 50 feet. They employ about 80 hands, and consume about 30,000 pounds of silk per annum.

THE MERRICK AND CONANT MANUFACTURING COM- PANY was organized in 1880, with a capital of $50,000, which was increased, in February 1882, to $100,000. The incorporators were: J. L. Merrick, H. E. Conant, J. A. Conant, Bevin Brothers Manufacturing Company, Chauncey Bevin, H. H. Abbe, A. G. Bevin, Philo Bevin, A. H. Conklin, E. G. Cone, E. C. Barton, and H. D. Chapman. They sold out, in 1882, to the Eureka Silk Manufacturing Company. Their buildings stand on the site of a saw mill and carding works, formerly owned by Buell & Sears, and later by Bevin Brothers, who erected a building which was used by Markham & Strong, for the manufacture of coffin trimmings, for some years, when they united with parties in Winsted, Conn., formed The Strong Manufacturing Company, and removed the business from town.

story high; and two other frame buildings, 40 by 30 feet, and 120 by 20 feet. From 25 to 30 hands are employed. These works were built by the firm of J. S. Hall & Co., and by them sold to Veazey & White, who carried on the bell business here until 1882, when the above firm purchased the entire works. Veazey & White at one time manufac- tured church bells, which were mounted with a patented

contrivance, being a self-acting, rotating, automatic ap- paratus by which the clapper or tongue did not strike twice in the same place, thus obviating the liability to fracture, which so often occurs in large bells when much used.

THE EAST HAMPTON BELL COMPANY, formed in 1851, by J. N. Goff, Amiel Abell, J. S. Hall, D. W. Watrous, and G. S. Goff, for the manufacture of sleigh and other bells, occupies the next buildings on the stream, which stand on the site of Cook's ancient grist mill. In 1837, Mr. J. N. Goff, A. Abell, and Alfred Williams commen- ced the manufacture of waffle irons in a building that stood about 20 rods east of Buell's Hotel. They subse- quently took in Charles A. Buell as a partner, and re- moved to the Pocotopaug Stream, where they continued until the above company was formed. In 1854, J. S. Hall sold out to R. S. Clark, and in 1860 Clark and Watrous sold out to the other parties. Three large frame buildings are now used, one 25 by 90 feet, three- stories high, one 25 by 25 feet, one story, and an office, 18 by 30 feet. From 30 to 40 hands are employed, and

GONG BELL MANUFACTURING COMPANY .- The works of the Gong Bell Manufacturing Company adjoin those of the East Hampton Bell Company. The company is a copartnership concern, composed of H. H. Abbe, A. H. Conklin, E. G. Cone, and E. C. Barton. They com- menced the manufacture of gongs and other varieties of bells, in 1866. New patterns of almost endless variety, are continually added to their catalogue, and their goods are sought for by all the leading firms in this country, and in Europe. The following extract from the official reports of the British Commission at the exhibition of the world's fair in Philadelphia, in 1876, is a fair and truthful representation of the exhibits made by this company:

" The Gong Bell Manufacturing Company, of East Hampton, Conn., exhibited a case of polished bells for hand, eall, and sleigh bells, also a stand of gongs of which several were mounted. The samples were beautifully finished, and excellent in tone and quality. A specialty, called the Cone Globe hand bell, which is constructed by mounting two gongs on a frame with a hammer so arranged as to strike both gongs at the same time, the bells being tuned to accord, produces not only a full, clear tone, but a very musical sound."

Three large frame buildings, besides other smaller buildings, are required for their works. The main build- ing is 50 by 25 feet, three stories high, with a wing 22 THE STARR BROTHERS BELL COMPANY own and oc- cupy the next factory on the stream. They were organ- ized in 1882, under the general law, with a capital stock of $20,000, for the manufacture of bells of various pat- terns. The main building is of wood, 156 by 30 feet, by 22 feet, two stories high, and an additional building, 30 by 45 feet. They employ 35 to 40 hands, mostly skilled laborers. Upwards of 50 tons of bell metal, and 40 to 50 tons of iron are consumed annually in the manu- facture of these goods. Some 5,000 gross of bell toys, - two stories high; a brick foundry, 126 by 38 feet, one besides large quantities of door, hand, table, call, and sleigh bells, are produced annually. They were the pio- neers, in 1872, in the manufacture of revolving chimes on wheels, and they also control some 20 different patents.

THE EAST HAMPTON PLATE COMPANY, established in 1880, is one of the most successful in this line of busi- ness. Parties from New York, Philadelphia, and other large cities, find it to be for their interest to send their

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HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY.

goods here to be plated. The factory is directly oppo- site that of the Gong Bell Manufacturing Company, and it was formerly used by the East Hampton Silver Plate Company for the manufacture of coffin trimmings, until they removed to Ridgetown, Ontario. The building is of wood, 30 by 35 feet. Mr. A. D. Willard is secretary of the company and general manager.

WATROUS & CO., AND R. WALL 2D .- The next facto- ries are on the bend of the creek, and are occupied by R. Wall 2d and Watrous & Co. The buildings are of wood, one 200 by 40 feet, one-and-a-half stories high, one So by 30 feet, two stories high, and one 80 by 30 feet, one story high. Here formerly stood a saw and grist mill, and one of the buildings on this site was for- merly used by Newbury Darling for the manufacture of scythes, and after he removed from town Bosworth & Roberts occupied it about one year in the same business. Later, Noah S. Markham manufactured a concave oval shanked hoe of a superior quality of cut steel, in the building, until competition, by throwing an inferior arti- cle upon the market, compelled him to give up the busi-

ness. Afterward, Clark & Watrous carried on the man- ufacture of sleigh bells here, and later, D. W. Watrous & Co. manufactured both sleigh bells and coffin trimmings for a number of years. Watrous & Co. manufacture bells and toys of various kinds and patterns. Mr. Wall also manufactures bells of many varieties, among which is the Russian star saddle gong, of peculiar style and workmanship, beautifully finished, and of elegant design. Mr. Hall deserves great credit for what he has accom- plished. He came to this country about 30 years ago, from the Emerald Isle, a poor lad, and he is now a suc- cessful competitor of some of the oldest manufacturers in his line of business.

NILES, PARMELEE & Co .- The next buildings in order on the stream are those formerly used by Niles, Parme- lee & Co. for the manufacture of bells. They were erected about 1853. Later, they were used by D. B. Niles & Sons for the manufacture of bells and coffin trimmings, and still later by the Albany Casket Company for the manufacture of caskets and coffin trimmings. The buildings are at present unused, but are in good repair.

THE BARTON BELL COMPANY .- The next building on the stream is used by the Barton Bell Company, which was organized in 1881. The incorporators were: O. L. Clark, A. W. Barton, and A. G. Barton. Mr. Clark is president, and A. W. Barton secretary and treasurer. Mr. Barton is a descendant of William Barton, the pioneer of the bell business in this country. They man- ufacture bells of elegant form and fine workmanship, and some 25 hands, mostly skilled laborers, are employed. There are some specialties made by this firm, unlike the goods made by any of their competitors, and one of the most elegant and beautiful designs shown in their catalogue is that of "Barton's New Saddle Gong," which consists of a chime of gong bells mounted with plumes. They also manufacture the Globe bell, patented by William E. Barton. The building used by this com-

pany is of wood, 26 by 80 feet, three stories high, and was erected by the Union Bell Company.

SKINNER'S MILL .- Next beyond the Barton Bell Com- pany's works is the saw and grist mill of H. Skinner & Co., size 32 by 85 feet, three stories high, with a wing 45 by 28 feet, two stories high. Beyond this is a small building used by Joseph Arthur for smelting metals. It stands on the site of a building used by D. W. and L. S. Sexton, and afterward by Sexton, Veazey & Brown, for the manufacture of wrought iron cow bells.

H. B. BROWN & Co .- The works of H. B. Brown & Co., manufacturers of bolt cutting and nut tapping ma- chinery, are located about a mile beyond Skinner's saw mill. The business was first established by this firm at New Haven, in 1865, and removed to its present loca- tion in 1876, and the property purchased by H. B. Brown. The original building was erected for a cotton mill, by Henry Skinner, about 1860. It was 33 by 70 feet, three stories high, and provided with 15-horse water power. It was burned in the spring of 1884, and a new building is in process of erection, of the same size but two stories in height. About 20 hands are employed, mostly skilled laborers. The trade is principally with railroad companies and machine shops. The building stands on the site of Abell's saw and grist mill.

Beyond this, on the same stream, was the factory of the Pine Brook Duck Company, a saw mill, a pistol factory, and a satinet factory, formerly owned by Justin Sexton & Sons. With this latter a saw mill was connected. House's paper mill also stands on the same stream.

MANUFACTURES ON THE COBALT STREAM.

THE COBALT WATER POWER COMPANY was organized February 20th 1866, with a capital of $2,000. The in- corporators were: Harrison Brainerd, Daniel S. Tibballs, William Tibballs, David Dickinson, and Isaac E. Wills. The first officers were: president, Harrison Brainerd; secretary, A. B. Bailey; treasurer, James N. Tibballs. The present officers are: president, B. C. Clark, Boston; secretary and treasurer, F. J. Bailey. The large reser- voir, which supplies the several mills on the stream, was erected in 1866, on the site of the old dam. The com- pany purchased the right from the different parties. The dam is ro feet high and about 10 rods wide. If the water is used economically in the spring it will keep the mills running the whole year.

THE COBALT MANUFACTURING COMPANY .- One of the largest mills on the stream is that recently occupied by Bailey & Brainerd, for the manufacture of coffin trim- mings. One of the buildings was probably erected pre- vious to the Revolution, and was owned by Mr. George Hubbard, the father of Stephen Hubbard, of Cobalt, who is now about 90 years of age. It was used as a grist mill. The other buildings are of more modern construc- tion, and they were used at one time for the manufacture of hoes and axes. The works are now occupied by the Cobalt Manufacturing Company.

BAILEY & MARKHAM .- The grist mill now owned and run by Bailey & Markham was erected many years ago

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by John Stewart, and was used by him for the manufac- ture of oakum. It was subsequently used for working the cobalt ore by Brown & Risburg, and at a later period by Samuel W. Taylor for smelting brass cinders. It was next used by Brainerd & Cook for grinding feldspar. In 1860, it was purchased by Alexander Bailey and changed into a grist mill. In 1878, it was purchased by Bailey & Markham, the present owners, who continue to occupy it as a grist mill. The old building is 20 by 40 feet, two stories high. The stone building used for storage is 40 by 50 feet, one and one half stories high. They use water power, about 22 feet fall. Capacity, 75 bushels per day.

J. C. CLARK .- The business of J. C. Clark, manufac- turer of sleigh bells, located on the Cobalt Stream, was established here in 1865, under the firm name of Wells & Clark Brothers, composed of James J., Cyrus R., Watson W., and J. C. Clark, and Isaac Wells, a brother-in-law. The business was continued by them for seven years, when they dissolved partnership, Mr. J. C. Clark taking the business. He took Mr. P. H. Hilliard, of Westerly, Rhode Island, as a partner, and continued the business, under the firm name of J. C. Clark & Co., for one year, when Mr. Clark purchased his partner's interest. The buildings were erected by Wells & Clark Brothers. They are now owned by the Portland Savings Bank. These buildings consist of a casting-room, 16 by 32 feet, two stories high, and a finishing-room, 20 by 40 feet, three stories high. They use water of about 8-horse power, but they are provided with an 8-horse power engine for use when the water is low. They employ about 20 hands, and consume about 150,000 lbs. of bell metal per annum.

THE OAKUM MANUFACTORY OF TIBBALLS COMPANY is located on the Cobalt Stream, about seven-eighths of a mile nearer Middle Haddam landing on the Connecticut River. The business, which is now carried on by the Tibballs Brothers, was started by their father, Thaddeus Tibballs, in 1828, and with one exception it is the only manufactory of the kind in Middlesex county. Daniel, the oldest brother, was first taken into the firm. In 1873, he separated from his brothers and started an oakum manufactory in Boston, Massachusetts. The business is now carried on here by the three brothers, Russell, James, and Dana. The original buildings, which were of wood, were destroyed by fire in 1870, and were soon after rebuilt in a more substantial manner. There are now two large mills, one of brick, and the other of stone and brick. 'The brick mill is 30 by 30 feet, three stories high. The stone mill is 30 by 45 feet, three stories high. In addition to this the company have two large frame storehouses, and a large dock and storehouse on the Connecticut River. The large reservoir of the Cobalt Water Power Company supplies the mills with 25-horse power. Steam power of 12-horse is used in addi. tion to this when required. The firm employ about 14 hands, and produce about 60 bales, of 50 pounds each, per day. The transportation facilities by water and rail enable this firm to compete successfully with all others in this line of business throughout the country.

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History of Middlesex county, Connecticut, with biographical sketches of its prominent men, Part 50

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