USA > Connecticut > Middlesex County > History of Middlesex county, Connecticut, with biographical sketches of its prominent men > Part 79
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" Ring in the valiant man and free, The larger heart, the kindlier hand ; Ring out the darkness of the land, Ring in the Christ that is to be."
EAST HADDAM LIBRARY.
The East Haddam Library was established in 1794, and has now about 700 volumes. It is kept at the store of Mr. H. H. Squire, under the auspices of the " Lady's Literary Association."
The following is a list of the officers of the organiza- tion: Miss Lorrissa Gelston, president; Miss Nellie Bab . cock, vice-president: Miss Nettie Warner, secretary and treasurer; Miss Jennie Arnold, librarian.
A library was formed about the same time in Milling- ton, but the company was dissolved after a few years. A company in Hadlyme was formed in 1790. There was also a library established in Moodus, which was soon after discontinued, but revived about fifteen years since. It numbers nearly 300 volumes, and is kept at the house of Amasa Day.
COLUMBIA LODGE, NO. 26, F. & A. M.
In 1794, an application was made to the "Grand Lodge of the Ancient and Honorable Society of Free and Accepted Masons in the State of Connecticut," by Epaphroditus Champion, William Higgins, Andrew Champion, Samuel P. Lord jr., Sylvanus Tinker, George Lord, Samuel Spencer, Daniel Chapman jr., Sylvanus
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HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY.
Lindsly, and Jonathan O. Mosley, masons, who at that time resided in and near the town of East Haddam, peti- tioning that they might be constituted a "Regular Lodge," and praying that Jonathan O. Mosley be appointed first master, Daniel Chapman jr., first senior warden, and Samuel P. Lord jr. first junior warden.
In compliance with the petition, Columbia Lodge, No' 26, was instituted, with the brothers named as first officers. The charter was witnessed by the Most Wor- shipful William Judd, Esq., grand master, and the seal of the grand lodge was affixed, at New Haven, the 17th day of October Anno Lucis Five Thousand Seven Hun- dred and Ninety-Three, and of Our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Ninety-Three.
Columbia Lodge was installed by the Most Worshipful D. G. Master Eliphalet Bulkley, master of Wooster Lodge, No. 8, January 8th 1794.
The first officers were: Jonathan O. Mosley, W. M .: Daniel Chapman jr., S. W .; Samuel P. Lord jr., J. W .; George Lord, secretary; Andrew Champion, treasurer; Sylvanus Lindsly, S. D .; Samuel Spencer, J. D .; Chevers Brainerd, S. S .; Hezekiah Mack, J. S .: David Belden, tyler.
The first communication of which there is any record was held in the house now occupied by Samuel Martin, familiarly known as "Oliver Attwood Hall." Meetings were also held in the dwelling now occupied by Mr. Maltby Gelston and the one now in possession of Dr. N. C. Harris.
January 3d 1817, a committee consisting of William Cook, Chevers Brainerd, William Jones, Samuel Crowell, and Elijah Ackley was appointed to treat with the in- habitants of the Landing School District for the pur- pose of ascertaining whether the lodge could have the privilege of altering and fitting up a room in the school house chamber in which to hold communications, but there is no evidence that they ever made any report to the lodge.
December 14th 1820, it was voted; "That the Lodge hold its sessions at a dwelling house near the Court House, in Haddam the year ensuing, commencing Jan- uary next,-the Haddam Brethren to pay the expense of moving the Lodge."
During the time intervening between 1820 and 1835, the lodge held some communications in Haddam and others in East Haddam.
In 1877, the "Haddam Brethren," withdrew from "Columbia Lodge " and instituted Granite Lodge, No. 119.
The present membership of Columbia Lodge is 64.
CHAMPION HOUSE.
Among the interesting land marks of this historic old town is the large, commodious, and beautifully located hotel on the banks of the Connecticut River, know as the Champion House, where visitors from all parts of phe-occurred off Goodspeed's.
the country come during the heat of the summer to enjoy the cool breeze and healthy atmosphere, As an evi- dence of the health of the locality, Dr. Bailey, who has
been located here for upwards of thirty years, states that while there has been no permanent increase in the popu- lation since IBro, the mortality has decreased 50 per cent. The building, which is of brick, was erected about 100 years ago by Mr. Lord, as a private residence. It was opened as a hotel in 1831 by Mr. George Doug- lass, and called the Steamboat Hotel. The building has since been enlarged by the addition of a story and an L, and other improvements have been made. The prop- erty changed hands two or three times, and the hotel was kept for some years by Captain James Selden. It was purchased about two years ago by Mr. Ferdinand Ward, of New York city, who made still further improvements. It was reopened on the 28th of May 1881, by Mr. F. D. Greene, brother-in-law of Mr. Ward, and provided with ample facilities for the accommodation of 60 guests.
MAPLE WOOD MUSIC SEMINARY.
This institution was established about twenty years ago, by Prof. Dwight S. Babcock. It was conducted ex- clusively by that gentleman, with marked success, until three years since. Students of the art attended this school from various parts of the Union, and the enter- prise bid fair to greatly enhance the prosperity of the town. However, about 1880, the malaria became so common in the locality that the patronage of the semi- nary was withdrawn, and the large building, with its spacious opera hall, and a capacity for accommodating one hundred pupils, stands unoccupied. Prof. Babcock removed to Providence, R. I.
GOODSPEED'S LANDING.
This beautiful village is located in the western part of the town on the Connecticut River, and is one of the principal landing places between Old Saybrook and Middletown. The railroad station known as Goodspeed's is on the opposite side of the river in the town of Had- dam. There is a ferry-boat which also bears the name Goodspeed, that plies from shore to shore.
John Chapman, the oldest son of Robert, the first set- tler, settled at Goodspeed's Landing, his dwelling stand- ing on the site now occupied by the Gelston House. He established this ferry which has always remained private property, and still retains its original name of "Chap- man's Ferry."
There are at Goodspeed's many beautiful homes; and several important industries, which are more fully men- tioned elsewhere. The elegant block in which the post office is kept is one of the finest structures in the county. It was erected by William H. Goodspeed. Ship building was formerly carried on at this point, but not so exten- sively as at the Upper Landing at an earlier date.
The burning of the Granite State-a terrible catastro-
Among the passengers aboard the fated steamer were a young man and his bride, the latter of whom was drowned in her efforts to escape from the flames.
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EAST HADDAM-GOODSPEED'S LANDING.
The wreck of this unfortunate vessel may still be seen about one-half a mile below the ferry.
GELSTON FAMILY AND GELSTON HOUSE.
Deacon Maltby Gelston, a farmer of Bridgehampton, I. I., during the Revolution, fled with his family, as refugees from British rule, to East Haddam. He occu- pied a house standing on the bank of the Connecticut River, near the one recently built by David Watrous. A part of the old foundation can still be traced. After the war closed he returned to his farm on Long Island. William Gelston, his seventh child, on his return from the war, in 1781, married Asenath Sayres, daughter of Matthew Sayres, who was then one of the largest land owners in the town of East Haddam. . He erected and lived in the large house near the Episcopal church in the year 1760. William Gelston, soon after his marriage, purchased the property where the Gelston House now stands, where he lived till 1826. A part of the old man- sion is now attached to the present house. Through purchase, and inheritance by his wife, he became possess- ed of a large tract of land, and for convenience he con- cluded to move. He bought of Samuel Crowell the house now occupied by the Gelston family. Soon after moving here in 1826, he sold his place at the ferry to Joseph Goodspeed.
More than 20 years ago the Gelston House Company was formed, the largest stockholders of the company being Hugh Gelston, of Baltimore, and George S. Gel- ston, of Fort Hamilton, two sons of William Gelston. The present hotel was built and named the Gelston House. Mr. Gelston reared a family of seven sons and three daughters. He was sheriff for 20 years, and filled inany town offices. He died at the age of 85. His son, William, followed him as the possessor of the landed estate, and died in 1875, at the age of 89 years. He left four children, Maltby, John, Mrs. West, of New Lon- don, and Lucy.
The Gelston House is to-day one of the popular hotels of the county. For several years the students of Wes- leyan University have taken their annual supper at this house. Mr. Ralph Swan is the present proprietor.
One of the largest trees in the State, an old landmark, stands in front of the hotel.
CHAPMAN'S FERRY.
As stated elsewhere Chapman's Ferry was established by John Chapman. The following is a form of the grant as given in the Colonial Records:
May 1694 .- "This Court grant Capt'n. John Chapman the priviledge of setting up a ferry over the Great River in Haddam for the future."
In October 1698 the General Court passed a vote that "Capt'n. John Chapman is by this Court allowed the same fare for keeping the ferry in the township of Had- dam as is allowed to the keeping the ferry in Saybrook."
It is said that the first ferryman at this ferry was one Ray, and that he continued to serve in this capacity for forty years. Having become somewhat superannuated, he
was by much persuasion induced to retire; but he never seemed to abandon the thought that he might some day return to his old post of duty.
" Many a year is in its grave Since he crossed the restless wave, But the evening, fair as ever Shines on ruin, rock, and river."
The ferry is now owned by W. R. Goodspeed.
INDUSTRIES OF GOODSPEED'S LANDING.
Many of the inhabitants of East Haddam are engaged in agricultural pursuits. Tobacco is extensively cultiva- ted,especially in the Wicket Lane and Red Lane Districts. Great quantities of wood and timber are annually expor- ted from the town. The latter business is largely carried on by W. C. Reynolds at Goodspeed's Landing.
A few rods from Goodspeed's Landing on the Con- necticut River, near the center of the village, are the works of W. J. Squire, manufacturer of Gilt Netting, established in 1872. Mr. Squire is the inventor of im- proved machinery for this purpose, by which he is able to tie 1500 knots per minute, thus materially reducing the cost of production from that by the old method. He is the pioneer in this special line of goods. He has a factory 30 by 64 feet, 2 stories high, which is run by steam, and employs from 12 to 15 hands. It produces annually from 50,000 to 60,000 pounds of goods.
Foremost to-day among the manufactures of nickel, silver, and silver plated flat goods, stands the firm of Luther Boardman & Son, of East Haddam, Connecticut. Mr. Luther L. Boardman was born in Rocky Hill, Conn., December 26th 1812, and at the age of 16 years, or in 1828, entered the employ of Mr. Ashbel Griswold, of Meriden, Coun., and in the spring of 1840 we find him upon his own resources, engaged in the manufacture of britannia spoons in a small building where now stands the shop of William D. Clark, of Chester.
On the 3d of May 1842, the works were moved to East Haddam, and Mr. Boardman took possession of the ground he now occupies. In 1865 he built his new shop, a commanding structure, 100 by 40 feet, and introduced a Kilbourn & Lincoln turbine wheel, and a thirty-horse power steam engine. The plating of britannia goods commenced at this shop in 1857, and the manufacture of nickel silver goods in 1865. The visitor at these works will be astonished at the endless variety of electro plated flat goods which are here produced. Their nickel tin- ned goods embrace the same large and tasteful assort- ment. Mr. Norman Boardman was born in East Had- dam, August 5th 1840, and after receiving all the advan- tages of an academic education was admitted into part- nership with his father, January Ist 1864. When in full operation this firm employs fifty operatives, with a monthly pay roll amounting to about $3,000.
Mr. J. S. Ray, who is located a short distance above the Boardman works, has been engaged in the manufac- ture of coffin trimmings since 1852. It is claimed that he made the first white metal handles ever produced in this country, and his goods have had a reputation equal, if not superior to any other establishment of the kind in
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HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY.
this country. His factory is 38 by 100 feet, two stories high, and is run by water of 20-horse power, except when the stream is too low. To meet this difficulty he has an engine of 20-horse power, so that his works are kept running throughout the entire year.
SHIP BUILDING .- George E. and William H. Good- speed were formerly engaged in ship building at this place. Among the vessels constructed by them were the following: the schooners Sidney C. Jones and Commodore, in 1846; the schooner Telegraph and ship Hero, in 1847. These were built on the sloping lawn in front of the Gel. ston House; subsequently the business was carried on at the ship-yard a little further down the river.
Between 1848 and 1854 the schooners Bay State, Agawam, Norfolk Packet, Peter B. Anderson, Almon Bacon, E. T. Smith, the barque Goodspeed, and the ship E. Bulkley were built.
From the latter date to 1860 there was a decline in this industry at Goodspeed's Landing, although during the period eight or ten coal barges were made for the Dela- ware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad.
In 1861, however, ship building was again begun and carried on quite extensively. Between 1860 and 1866, they built among other vessels the following: the gunboat Kanawaha, a ninety day craft, for the United States; the steamers Sarah S. B. Cary, El Cid, Chas. Benton, Dudley Buck, General Lyons, Wm. Kennedy, Chas. W. Lord, Tillie, Mary Benton, Silver Star, Sunshine; and the schooners Early Bird, Lodowick Bill, Right Bower, and Sandy Hook.
Upwards of 400 men were employed in and about the ship yard when the Kanawaha was constructed in order that she might be completed in the specified time.
NATIONAL BANK OF NEW ENGLAND.
This Bank was originally organized in 1854, and was then known as the Bank of New England. In 1865 it was reorganized, and was then named the National Bank of New England. It is located at Goodspeed's Landing, in the Gelston building. The president at the time of reorganization was W. H. Goodspeed. Thomas Gross jr., now president, was then cashier. The capital is $130,000, and surplus $40,000. This bank has been unusually prosperous having declared dividends regularly in Jan- nary and July of each year since its foundation. The present cashier is Arthur H. Dayton.
MIDDLESEX LODGE, NO. 3, I. O. O. F.
This lodge was instituted, April 22d 1840, at Moodus, in the house now occupied by William Gates, with Charles W. Bradley, John C. Palmer, Daniel B. Warner, George Douglass, and Watrous B. Smith, as charter members.
The following were the first elective officers: Charles W. Bradley, N. G .; John C. Palmer, V. G .; Daniel B. Warner, secretary; George Douglass, treasurer.
The lodge continued to meet in this place till October 28th 1840, when it was removed to East Haddam Land- ing, the meetings there being held in the hall over the store of the late R. S. Pratt. Meetings were held in that
room till January Ist 1860, when the lodge was again re- moved to the hall over the brick store at Goodspeed's Landing, where it is at present located.
The lodge has at this date 105 members, a fund of $3,500, and a library of 600 volumes. From its organi- zation to the present time the lodge has been in a flour- ishing condition.
The following is a list of the Noble Grands from the foundation of the lodge to the present time: Henry A. Palmer, Samuel Daniels, W. A. Babcock, J. O. Cone, O. C. Clark, Edward H. Purple, A. G. Palmer, H. F. Gard- ner, S. H. Edwards, William A. Chapman, J. R. Green- field, N. B. Palmer, O. E. Palmer, Robert R. Smith, E. S. Richmond, David Potter, J. McIntosh, J. F. Johnson, S. H. Fuller, Revillo Brooks, J. Attwood, F. W. Pen- field, C. S. Gates, Robert Mintie, A. S. Harvey, A. Drown, I. D. Brooks, H. R. Rogers, H. A. Bates, C. W. Bradley, J. C. Palmer, R. S. Pratt, D. B. Warner, T. C. Boardman, Nathan Pratt, William H. Kingsley, Porter H. Swan, G. E. Goodspeed, L. Boardman, William Paliner jr., Oliver Warner, William Marsh, Asa E. Gil- lette, William B. Dickinson, F. M. Palmer, William H. Goodspeed, Jonathan E. Clark, Henry Smith, Daniel Cone, Nathaniel Tyler jr., R. E. Hungerford, William S.
Tyler, F. A. Roberts, W. T. Holt, H. C. Emmons, H, G. Loomis, M. E. Bailey, C. A. Champlin, James I. Morgan, Lyman Loomis, N. S. Boardman, W. M. Smith, C. H. Belden, M. C. Morgan, J. R. Greenfield, L. Gladwin, N. Daniels, N. R. Stark, S. W. Smith, John M. James, A. H. Palmer, L. B. Williams, Frederick L. Ray, H. H. Squire, C. D. Sweet, A. G. Chapman, C. S. Gladwin, C. D. Payne, J. B. Boardman, James E. Williams, William H. H. Gates, George Rumney, W. R. Good- speed, D. W. Smith, D. R. Arnold, E. E. Grimshaw, D. R. Arnold, M. Emmons, C. D. Payne, C. W. Board- . man, A. H. Dayton, William A. Cone, George E. Em- mons, John P. Boardman, James E. Williams, C. W. Boardman, E. E. Grimshaw, G. S. Richmond jr., J. T. Martin, Charles L. Peck, R. S. Fuller.
MOODUS.
Moodus is a contraction of the Indian word Machit- moodus, meaning "place of noises." Formerly, the place was also called Mechanicsville. Prior to 1812 but very few dwellings composed the now flourishing village. There was no manufacturing, and the small hamlet was dependent upon East Haddam Landing and Leesville for its necessary domestic supplies. An old teacher gives a description of the place in 1815. "Assuming the boundaries to be the house of Wilbur Chapman on the west, Wigwam Brook on the south, the Alanson Gates House on the east, and the Methodist Church on the north, there were II dwellings and other buildings as fol- lows:
" The house of Mr. Chapman was then occupied by his grandfather, Robert B. Its roof was flat, covered with earth, from which sprang up a sparse vegetation, and
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EAST HADDAM-MOODUS.
protected by a balustrade. There was a square-roofed building on the opposite side, then occupied by Erastus Chapman. These were white, standing out in strong contrast of color from all other buildings in the vicinity. On the stream just south of the road, and approached by a gate, near where the road to the Neptune Twine Mills is now opened, was a saw mill, and just below a carding mill and clothiers' works, in one of which the rolls were prepared for the wheel, and in the other the cloth was colored and dressed.
" East of the Chapman House, on the same side, was the house of Ozias Chapman.
"Next came the house near the stream, occupied by ' Old Mr. Hurd,' who was on active duty at the grist mill when over ninety years of age. The stream was crossed by a bridge of planks a little above the present arch. Its position necessitated a curve in the road as we approached it, and an unfortunate young man, who had passed an evening with a young lady in the neighbor- hood, on taking a straight course for home instead of following the curve, found himself with a broken arm among the rocks in the stream.
"East of the bridge, occupying the ground where Smith's (Boies) factory now stands, was the grist mill with its overshot wheel, where boys, waiting for their grists, would look upon the mimic rainbows and fancy resemblance to those described in their 'American Pre- ceptor' as rising from the spray of Niagara.
" Passing east to the 'Plain ' the next building was a dilapidated old house occupied by Phineas Gates, which soon gave way to the dwelling occupied by Mr. Day. Across the street, in the house now occupied by Mr. Richmond, was Dr. Jonah Cone. This was only about two-thirds of its present dimensions. Quite a distance south was an old brown house, and a little south of that a small old house and a shoemaker's shop, and a small dwelling on the hillside sloping toward Wigwam Brook. East, on the Bashan road, was the Alanson Gates (Daniel Lord) house, unpainted and the grounds un- adorned.
"The street through the Plain was wider than it is now by nearly the depth of the yards on the east side, and was wholly destitute of trees. From Mr. Day's the road ' up town' descended the hill in a northerly direction. The stream was crossed by a bridge similar to the one described, and the road wound around the hill and came out at the foot of the hill south of the cemetery. Just north of the bridge referred to was a path running to the east, parallel with the stream, which passed a long low building known as the 'Old Malt House,' then curved and terminated at the grist mill which stood where the twine mill now stands. This path was the only approach to the mill, and was so obstructed by a point of rocks that it could be passed only on horseback, and then the boy had to keep the middle of it or his grist would be brushed off by the rocks, or the corner of the mill. On the knoll north of the mill stood a one-story gambrel roofed house for the accommodation of the miller.
"The house opposite the residence of Mr. William L.
Gates, owned by Harper Boies, was built by Erastus Chapman, the son of Ozias. Sylvester, one of the sons of Ozias Chapman, owned a store near the Congrega- tional church, and was a man of considerable influence. The family of Ozias was quite a large one, consisting of nine sons and six daughters.
"There may have been, and probably there were, a few more families in the vicinity, but we have mentioned the principal ones, and they were nearly all composed of Cones, Gates, or Chapmans. Thomas Gates was the original settler, and the old cellar still remains near the Daniel Lord place.
" This finishes the catalogue of buildings in Moodus in 1815."
The first step in advance was the erection of the stone mill and store and other necessary buildings.
The first school house in Moodus was built in 1828. Previous to that the children were divided between Red Lane and "Up Town " Districts. Now there is a com- modious school house with two departments located near the center of the village.
Dr. Jonah Cone was a practicing physician in the town for a period of forty years and was a very estimable as as well as a popular man. He was the brother of Joshua Cone, who was the father of Judge Hiram Cone, who died in Georgia during the year 1860, at which time he was judge of the Supreme Court of that State.
Joshua Cone had two other sons, who were graduates from Yale College, one of whom became quite prominent in the legal profession, the other died soon after leaving college.
Moodus at the present time is the business center and the most populous portion of the town. This has arisen from its fine water privileges on which have been built several large cotton factories. There are two hotels in the village-the Barker House and the Machimoodus House.
MOODUS NOISES.
The Indians who inhabited the place were numerous, and of a fierce and warlike character, remarkable for the worship of evil spirits. They called the town Machitmoo- dus, which means in English, " the place of noises "-a very suitable name because of the noises or quakings which were common, and which were familiarly called " Moodus noises." The noises sometimes resemble slow thunder; at others, the rattling of musketry or the dis- charge of cannon. They have been the subject of much discussion, and many theories have been advanced about their origin. An old Indian's reason was, that " the In- dian's God was very angry because the Englishman's God came here." Many persons credit the report of a transient person named Doctor Steele, from Great Brit- ain, who, hearing about these noises, came here and dug up two pearls, which he called carbuncles. He told the people the noises would be discontinued for many years, as he had taken away their cause, but as he had discov- ered other smaller ones they would be heard again in process of time. Notwithstanding the absurdity of this
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prophecy, it seemed to prove itself correct, for the noises did cease for many years, and finally returned. The Doc- tor was a mysterious sort of person, and in order to allay the fears of the simple and terrified inhabitants, arising by reason of the noises, attempted many magical opera- tions, and for this purpose took possession of a black- smith's shop, which stood on the hill northwest of the Atlantic Duck Mill, in which he worked night and day, excluding all light so as to prevent any prying curiosity from interfering with his occult operations. He claimed that the carbuncle had grown to a great size in the bow- els of the rocks, and must be removed. The Doctor finally departed, and has never been heard of since. From this circumstance arose this ballad, by John G. C. Brainerd, editor of the Hartford Mirror:
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