History of Middlesex county, Connecticut, with biographical sketches of its prominent men, Part 73

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 73

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Meetings were held and associations formed to send aid to the sick and wounded. Money was freely voted to assist the families of volunteers and to encourage en- listments. Money was voted by the town in response to nearly every call for volunteers. Over $13,000 was paid by the town and nearly $5,000 by individuals.

A tall flagstaff was raised near the North Church, that could be seen from nearly every part of the town. The flag was raised for every victory, and its appearance, often accompanied by the ringing of the church bell, quickly gathered an eager crowd. It was sometimes hung at half mast; the last time being when Lincoln was assassinated.

The largest gathering ever assembled in Durham met in a grove in the northern part of the town, at the close of the war, to give the soldiers a welcome home.

The volunteers from Durham have always been highly honored by their townsmen. Perhaps it may seem un. fitting to single out names from such a company. They were taken from the best men of the town, and it is be- lieved that no town can furnish a list of men of higher average of character. Among the substitutes furnished there may have been bounty jumpers or deserters, but of the more than one hundred who were actual residents every man was honorably discharged, mustered out with his regiment, or died in the service.

Whitney S. Brainerd died first, Dallas Clark was the next. Thomas Francis was killed at Chancellorsville. His son, Thomas A. Francis, too young for a regular soldier, enlisted as a drummer and died at New Orleans. Another son enlisted. Some one expressed his surprise that Francis should let both his sons enlist as well as himself. He replied that he wished he had more sons to go. Calvin Albee was killed near Kingston. Lieutenant Edwin J. Merriam died of wounds. He was a true Christian and did good Christian work in the army. Henry Bemus was killed; John B. Clark was wounded and carried the ball for years, but it killed him at last. Ira A. Graham became a lieutenant, was wounded, and has since died. George H. Twichell died from the effects of the hardships of the service. John E. Vandervoort was wounded and discharged. William H. Augur became a captain. Seager S. Atwell enlisted as a private and rose to the rank of lieutenant-colonel. Leonidas M. Camp was wounded and reported killed. Col. F. E. Camp of Middletown was born and spent his youth in Durham.

The soldiers have celebrated every memorial day. Talcott P. Strong is the commander of the organization.

A list of the Durham soldiers, including substitutes and drafted men is given elsewhere. The following list includes only those who were actual residents of the town.

Calvin Albee, Francis L. Albee, Michael Angly, Curtiss C. Atwell, Seagar S. Atwell, Julius Augur, William H. Augur, Bartholomew Bailey, Ezra N. Bailey, Henry L. Bailey, Heman Bailey, Leonard Bailey, William Bailey, George H. Barnes, Henry Bemus, H. H. Bishop, Gilbert E. Blinn, Elijah N. Brainerd, Ezra Brainerd, Whitney S. Brainerd, Charles C. Camp, Eli S. Camp, Frederick E. Cump, Howard A. Camp, Leonidas M. Camp, Samuel A. Camp, Samuel G. Camp, William E. Camp, Frederick A. Canfield, Henry H. Church, William W. Church, Dallas Clark, John B. Clark, Russell P. Clark, Whitney D. Clark, William H. Davis, Edward Dempsy, George W. Farn- ham, Franklin F. Fields, Hosmer Fowler, Nelson Fowier, Wadsworth W. Fowler, Wedworth W. Fowler, Charles C. Francis, Friend H. Francis, Thomas Francis, Thomas A. Francis, William H. Francis, Ira A. Graham, W. R. Gris- wold, Samuel L. Hall, William H. Harrison, Charles E. Hart, Frederick J. Hart, Lewis W. Hart, Timothy E. Hawley, John Hearn, John Hickey, Timothy Hickey, Albert P. Hull, Henry S. Hull, Sylvanus Hull, Charles A. Justin, James Lyden, Leverett G. Lynn, Leonidas M. Maynard sen., Leonidas M. Maynard jr., Edwin J. Merri- am, Stephen Mix, Augustus W. Morse, Eckford 1. Morse, Robert M. Murdock, Edgar A. Nettleton, George Olin, Frederick Parmelee, Harry Parsons, Frederick J. Payne, Edwin W. Priest, Philip Reinhardt, John T. Rich, James F. Rich, Henry P. Rich, John R. Richmond, David W. Robinson, Norman Scranton, Edmund W. Shelley, Albert M. Sizer, Frederick M. Sizer, Franklin S. Smith, Howard A. Smith, Guernsey B. Smith, Phineas L. Squires, Arthur G. Strong, Talcott P. Strong, William H. Thomas, Charles M. Tibbals, Edwin L. Tuttle, George H. Twich-

HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY.

278

ell, John E. Vandervoort, Henry A. White, Luther B. library, and held debates. There began to be free White, Seymour L. White.

SWATHEL HOUSE.

A large building at the north end of Main street was formerly known as the Swathel House. The town being on the great mail route from New York to Boston, six stages passed through it daily; this was the half-way house between Hartford and New Haven, and passen- gers used to stop for meals. General Washington dined there. Silas Deane, Minister to France, also dined there, and a troop of boys trotted before his carriage and four horses for a mile before he arrived, and another did the same for a mile on his way to the south.

THE FALL OF MILL BRIDGE.

The story of the fall of Mill Bridge was for many years the most interesting narrative in the history of the town. Every child has heard the story. Over Mill Brook, or Allyn's Brook, was the Mill Bridge, which connects the north and south parts of the town. It was formerly of wood, and was 94 feet long and 21 feet wide. February 2Ist 1822, there was a great flood; the water rose rap- idly and poured over the mill dam just east of the bridge, bringing down great cakes of ice. Some of the supports of the bridge were carried away. Near noon the stage coach approached. It is said that the miller ran out from the mill to warn them of the danger, and some of the passengers desired to get out; but the driver said: " I will take you over," and whipped up his horses. The first pair of horses got safely over; the stage with the others went down. The current was very swift, and a moment sufficed to bring them all to Back Lane, where a huge log lay across the stream for the convenience of foot passengers. There was no bridge there. The stage struck this log, which was covered with water, and was overturned. The driver caught a limb of a tree, and saved himself. One passenger swam ashore and was saved; two passengers were drowned. One body was recovered that afternoon, the other the next day.

It was in the same stream, just north of the dam, that Frank H. Merwin, a young man of about 16 years, was drowned in the August of 1873. He was bathing in the pond, which is only a few feet deep. Where the current runs by the bank it is deeper; and walking along he stepped off the bank and disappeared. His body was only recovered after hours of search.

LIBRARIES AND LITERARY SOCIETIES.

October 30th 1733, the Book Company of Durham was formed with eight persons as members. It was a co- partnership for the purpose of buying books. This is supposed to have been the first institution of the kind in the State.

In 1788, the new library company was formed in con- nection with the old. These libraries were continued until 1856, when the books passed into private hands.

In 1787, the Ethosian Society was formed by people of the north end of Durham and Middlefield; it had a

thinkers in Durham, and this society was thought to en- courage infidel sentiments.

December 30th 1854, Durham Lyceum was organized. Dr. Benjamin L. Fowler, a young physician, was the leading spirit. The library is still in existence, being kept with the Academy Library. For a number of years, at different times, it has had a hall, and held literary ex- ercises, debates, etc., which have been generally attended. The library has upward of 500 volumes.

About 1876, Durham Academy Library was formed, largely through the liberality of S. S. Scranton. The Lyceum Library was placed with that of the Academy, and the joint libraries have about 1,500 volumes. It is open regularly for the drawing of books, and has been of great value to the town.

The largest private library in the town is that of the late W. C. Fowler. A noteworthy feature is his collec- tion of Connecticut books. Professor Fowler under- took to form a complete collection of all books written by Connecticut authors. He also had a large and interest- ing collection of ancient relics, among them a gun made in the 18th century.

TEMPERANCE SOCIETIES.

The first temperance pledge known to have been signed in Durham, is contained in a covenant signed by Rev. Nathaniel Chauncey and his wife, and several of their people. It contains covenants as to worship, reverence, observance of the Sabbath, business, lying, etc. The twelfth and thirteenth clauses are as follows: " 12th. We will watch agst. all Intemperance in ye use of Lawful things, and in particular agst. excessive drink- ing.

"13th. Wee will not allow ourselves in unnecessary frequenting Public or Private drinking houses."

June 30th 1828, a temperance society was organized, with the following pledge and members:

"Believing that the use of intoxicating Liquors is for persons in health, not only unnecessary but hurtful; that it is the cause of forming intemperate appetites and hab- its; and that while it is continued the evils of intemper- ance cannot be prevented,

" Therefore, we the subscribers for the purpose of pro- moting our own welfare and that of the community, agree that we will abstain from the use of distilled spirits ex- cept as a medicine in case of bodily infirmity; that we will not allow the use of them in our families nor provide them for the entertainment of our friends or for persons in our employment; and that in all suitable ways we will discountenance the use of them in the community.

"Rev. David Smith, Wedworth Wadsworth, Abner Newton, Roger Newton, Seth Seward, Talcott Barnes, David Johnson, Peres Sturtevant, David Harrison, M. D., Alfred Camp, Wolcott P. Stone, Nathan S. Camp, Wm. A. Hart, Silas Merriman, Allen Shipman, Alpheus W. Camp, Dennis Camp, Chs. Lyman, Horace Newton, Jo- seph Chedsey, Abner Newton jun., Samuel Newton."

Within eight years, it had 377 members. It has been followed by many other societies.

Maple Leaf Lodge, No. 64, I. O. of G. T., was insti- tuted, February 15th 1867, with 38 charter members. Its meetings were held in Academy Hall, and for some three

279

DURHAM-INDUSTRIES.

and a half or four years were attended with considerable interest. The population of the village was somewhat scattering and slowly diminishing, and in an almost strictly temperance community there proved to be a lack of incentive to temperance works that exists in other places. It was, therefore, deemed expedient to disband the lodge while it had a fair roll of members, and this was done, July 14th 1871. . During its existence 124 per- sons were connected with the lodge. The funds remain- ing from the sale of property, etc., were expended in a series of temperance lectures.

Before temperance societies were organized here there were twelve places where liquor was openly sold. Now there are none, nor are there any common drunkards in the town.

The last vote on the license question was 88 against and 8 for granting licenses.

Cider is still made and drank; and as the pledges of these times expressly exclude beer, wine, and cider, few are found to sign pledges, though public sentiment is very strong in favor of temperance.

DRAIN COMPANIES.

In 1716, the General Court granted a commission of sewers to drain a part of Coginchaug Swamp. The part to be drained seems to have included nearly the whole swamp south of the causeway. In the petition the swamp is described as " wet or flowed lands."

About a hundred years afterward the Superior Court for Middlesex county again appointed commissioners of sewers, with powers extending further north, nearly or quite to Middlefield.

In 1876, Miles T. Merwin procured the organization of a drain company, under the authority of the Superior Court, to drain the swamp between the causeway and Middlefield.

These meadows have become very valuable. Most of them produce heavy crops of coarse grass; some parts fair second quality hay. They require no cultivation and no mannre, and contribute largely to the present agricultural prosperity of the town.

DURHAM ACQUEDUCT COMPANY.

In 1798, Jeremiah Butler, John Johnson jr., and others, were incorporated as the Acqueduct Company of the Town of Durham, by the General Assembly of Con- necticut, for the purpose of conducting water into the town street of Durham. The water was brought from a spring near the top of Durham Hill, in the town of Mid- dletown; the pipes were of wood, and when these de- cayed, after some years, the company died out.

In 18-, the General Assembly chartered the Durham Acqueduct Company. This company brought water in lead pipes. The demand has steadily increased. In [ There were two distilleries, and several cooper shops. 1883, new pipes were laid throughout, at an expense of $2,500. There are now 41 shares which are worth $200 each. The water is excellent and abundant.

QUARRYING AND MINING.

Durham has an inexhaustible supply of excellent free stone which has been quarried in several places. The Quarry District is so-called from the quarry near the school house, from which free stone is taken when needed. The foundation of the North Church is built of Durham free stone, which has been thought to be supe- rior to the Portland stone.

Anciently the stone was taken from a quarry in Had- dam Quarter, near the house of the late Oliver B. Coe. This quarry is more than 200 years old. The stone was taken long distances. One of the old buildings of Yale College was built largely from this quarry, as were also the houses of Benedict Arnold and Pierrepont Edwards, of New Haven. The stone was also taken to Cromwell in considerable quantities. Grave stones were made there, and the old stones in the grave yards for miles around were made and sold in Durham. A few years ago a considerable amount of stone was taken from the premises of Samuel G. Camp. There is not and there never has been a brick house in Durham.

A company has recently been formed to mine for coal in the south part of Durham. A similar attempt was made a few years ago. A steam engine and diamond drill were employed in the work which resulted in the finding of an excellent spring of water.

There is a large quantity of excellent feldspar in Dur- ham.

MANUFACTURING IN EARLY TIMES.

There was much more small manufacturing in Durham formerly than to-day. On one brook, viz., Wheeler's Brook, which flows near the South School House, there were formerly two tanneries, one owned by Abram Scranton, and one by Jesse Atwell, one spinning wheel shop, one malt house owned by John Johnson, one grist mill by Joy Scranton, one cloth mill by John Chalker; in later tinies there was a comb shop by Carrington & Camp, and later still, a wheel and repair shop by Henry Bailey.

There was a tannery near the foot of Brick lane. There were four tanneries in the town.

These tanneries supplied leather for the shoe trade, which was by far the most important manufacturing in- dustry in the town. Shoes were made and sent to the Southern States. The houses on Main street were mostly occupied in that business. It is said that the shoe shops in Durham formerly gave employment to between 300 and 400 men. Potash was made in the northern side, at the hill, which still goes by the name of Potash Hill. There were three grist mills, and two or more siw mills. Cloth was manufactured in every house. Flax was raised to a large extent. There were many sheep.

W. C. Fowler, in his history, states that he remembers the time when there were three grist mills in the town, one fulling mill, and a clothier's shop, one butcher's

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HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY.

shop, one watchmaker, and a malt house, a corn kiln, and four blacksmith's shops, and a manufacturer of gravestones. This must have been during the present century.

MERRIAM MANUFACTURING COMPANY.

This establishment takes its name from L. T. Merri- am, of Meriden, manufacturer of japanned and stamped tin ware, tin toys, etc. He was induced to locate here through the influence of Miles .Merwin jr., and others. The company was organized January 25th 1851, with a capital of[$15,000. The first directors were Miles Mer- win jr., L. T. Merriam, Samuel Newton, William Wads- worth, and Enos Rogers. The first president, Miles Merwin jr., held that position till shortly before his death. He was succeeded by W. A. Parmelee, who retired from the company in 1882. Mr. Merriam's connection with the business terminated two years after its organization, but the name was retained for obvious reasons. Sep- tember 7th 1853, the capital was increased to $25,000. The success of the enterprise has been somewhat varied, but some of the permanent employes have added not a little to the social life of the village, and the support of its various institutions.

The concern has ample facilities for producing and distributing its wares, and has an established reputation for manufacturing reliable goods. About 20 persons are employed. The present directors are: W. H. Walkley, F. Hubbard, E. L. Johnson, S. S Scranton, and F. P. Hubbard. W. H. Walkley is president of the company, and F. Hubbard is secretary.

THE PRESENT TIME.

Durham, in the census of 1880, had 990 inhabitants The number is now probably somewhat less. July Ist 1884, there were registered, between the years of 4 and 16, 165' children-less than one-half the number in 1810, one generation ago. There are upwards of 75 persons over 70 years of age. The oldest man is Horace Newton, 85 years. The oldest person is Mrs. Parsons Coe, who is 88 years old.

Durham is noted for the longevity of its inhabitants. Most of the deaths are of persons over 70 years old. A little more than one per cent. of the population die yearly.

Most of the inhabitants are farmers. The crops raised are principally rye, oats, Indian corn, hay, and tobacco.

There are four churches, six district schools, one acad- eniy, two post offices, four grocery stores, two meat markets, one hotel, one barber shop, two tin factories, one livery stable, one saw mill, two blacksmith shops, and one lodge of Knights of Honor. There is a cream- ery in the south part of the town which does consider- able business. There are two resident physicians, two resident clergymen, and one lawyer. There is a factory in the south part of the town for the manufacture of Pond's Extract.

In politics the town is very evenly divided, the repub- licans having had the advantage for a few years past. It

was formerly strongly democratic. Samuel Parsons, in the times of the whig party, rallied and encouraged the whigs so that they brought the party nearly to an equal- ity with the democrats.

Samuel Parsons engaged in business in New York, and became by far the richest man in Durham.

In 1856, the republicans obtained a majority of 10. When the war began, party feeling almost ceased. In the election of 1862, the vote was 138 union to 65 demo- cratic.

The town has two representatives, and this, with its small vote, has caused it to be very fiercely contested. It is not uncommon for every vote to be cast, or accounted for as sick, absent, or paired. The closest vote ever had in Durham, and it may have been the closest vote ever had in any town, was in the town meeting of 1880. There were 14 names on each ticket, and the average dif- ference was one-seventh of one vote. Majorities of less than ten are very common.

The academy is now taught by Miss Pitts, a graduate of Cornell. Tlie attendance is small, because the num- ber of children in town is small.

There are about 450 church members out of a possible 650, and the town only needs to add a Catholic church, as the fifth, to make the competition reasonably close.

The number of summer visitors who are attracted by the quiet beauty of the town increases yearly. Among its attractive features are its long shaded streets, its pleas- ant green, its beautiful drives, and its fine views.

Among the men of Durham who have received a lib- eral education, should be mentioned S. W. Loper, who, though not a college graduate, has recently received the degree of bachelor of arts, causa honoris, in recognition of his scholarly acquisitions, especially in the line of ge- ology.

ASSESSMENT LIST.

The grand list of the town of Durham amounts to $467,430. The largest list is $16,290. There are five lists more than $10,000, only one of which, however, belongs to a single living person; one is the list of the Merriam Manufacturing Company, one of a partnership, and two of estates. There are five lists between $5,000 and $10,000. There are 87 polls, and 312 taxpayers altogether. The smallest list is $20. 166 pay taxes on less than $1,000; 36 pay on less than $100. These figures include non-residents. The usual tax is one per cent. There are few towns where prosperity is so evenly dis- tributed.

There are 226 houses, valued at $164, 425, an average of $727 each. The lowest valuation of a house is $100; the highest is $2,500, from that of the estate of Parsons Coe.

There are assessed, 12,649 acres of land, at $195,342, or $15 per acre. There are 20 mills, stores, and manu- factories, 210 houses, and 873 neat cattle. Among resi- dent tax payers there are 8 Baileys, 16 Camps, 6 Coes, 5 Davises, 7 Fowlers, 5 Hubbards, 5 Halls, 6 Johnsons, 7 Nettletons, 10 Newtons, 5 Parsons, and 5 Southmayds. The Camps were formerly much more numerous.

28I

DURHAM-BIOGRAPHIES.

DESCENDANTS OF THE SETTLERS.

Of the descendants of early settlers, the most numer- ous are the Newtons, Merwins, Camps, and Parsons. The first Newton who came to Durham was Abner New- ton, of Milford, who married Mary Burwell, and settled in Durham, north of the Mill Bridge, in 1724. He owned the grist mill which stood there. Those now living in Durham are descendants of his grandsons, Abner and Burwell. Abner Newton, son of William C. Newton, is the seventh in descent from the first Abner, who was a grandson of Roger Newton, who came from England to America soon after the first settlement. He graduated from Harvard soon after it was founded, preached ten years in Farmington, and then settled.in Milford. He is said to have been a descendant of a near relative of Sir Isaac Newton.

The Miles Merwin place, situated just east of the head of Brick Lane, is one of the oldest, perhaps the oldest house in the town. On the front of the chimney are the figures 1727, showing when the front part was built; on the rear of the chimney are the figures 1755, showing when the addition was built.

Daniel Merwin came to Durham from Milford, at some time before 1724. The favorite Merwin name in Milford was Miles; it was continued in Durham. Daniel Mer- win died in Durham in 1766, aged 79; Lieut. Miles Mer- win died in 1786, aged 66; Miles Merwin died in 1793. aged 50; Miles Merwin died in 1859, aged 8772; Miles Merwin died in 1879, aged 84; Miles T. Merwin, Miles Tyler Merwin, and Miles Herbert Merwin are still living.

Miles Merwin, who died in 1859, had at least 57 living descendants, nearly as many more having died. It is said that it was a descendant of Daniel Merwin, who drove a fat ox to Valley Forge in the Revolution.

W. C. FOWLER, LL D.

Most of the facts stated in this history have been con- densed from the History of Durham, prepared by W. C. Fowler, LL.D., and printed by the town.

The writer was acting school visitor jointly with him during the ten latter years of his lite. During this time Prof. Fowler lived on his place in Durham, and culti- vated his farm. He was remarkable for the correctness and certainty of his memory, which remained unim- paired. Aged people often remember what took place in their youth, and forget the things of the present. He remembered both equally well. He seemed to take as much interest in his farm as if he were a young farmer just starting. He watched the schools like a man of 45. He knew the village gossip, kept the run of the young - people, and what they were doing. He always had on hand some literary work, and occupied his time fully. He talked like a book, and it was a pleasure to listen to him. He loved his native place, and was zealous for its Interests. He was an illustrious example of the way in which old age may be used, enjoyed, and improved. His other public works are more widely known, but his His- tory of Durham should always make his name remem- bered among his town people.

CHAUNCEY GOODRICH.

Chauncey Goodrich was born at Durham, Connecticut, October 20th 1759: graduated from Yale College, in 1776, with a high reputation for genius and acquire- ments. After spending several years as tutor in that in- stitution he established himself as a lawyer at Hartford in 1781, and soon attained to eminence in the profession. He was a representative in the Legislature in 1793, and a representative in Congress from 1795 to 1801. From 1802 to 1807 he was a councilor of the State; and he was elected United States Senator from 1807 to 1813. He received the office of mayor of Hartford in 1812, and resigned his seat in Congress. He was elected lieutenant-governor of the State in 1813, and was also a delegate to the Hartford Convention in 1814. He died at Hartford, August 18th 1815.

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History of Middlesex county, Connecticut, with biographical sketches of its prominent men, Part 73

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