USA > Connecticut > New London County > Montville > History of Montville, Connecticut, formerly the North parish of New London from 1640 to 1896 > Part 41
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INDUSTRIAL.
who has erected a sawmill of the modern improved style. A considerable business in that line is now being done here.
The reservoir at the head of the Oxoboxo stream is now called "Oxoboxo Pond," a name given to this body of water by Lorenzo Dow. The original Indian name for it was "Op- sobosket," or "Little Pond," as called by the early settlers. This reservoir now covers an area of about one hundred and sixty acres. The dam has been raised from time to time since the original was built.
At the settlement of this town a dam was raised a few rods above the present structure, and a sawmill was set up, and afterwards a gristmill was started here by Jonathan Mynard. This mill site and a considerable portion of the surrounding land was conveyed by Owaneco, the chief of the Mohegans, December 11, 1698, to Thomas Stanton of Stonington. Mr. Stanton afterwards conveyed it to James Harris, a land spec- ulator, who sold it to Joseph Otis. Mr. Otis conveyed it to William Mynard, and Mr. Mynard left it by heirship to his son, Jonathan Mynard, who, by a deed of gift, conveyed it to his son, Jonathan Mynard, Jr., and he to his son, Henry Mynard, and Henry Mynard conveyed it to Lorenzo Dow in 1825. The distance from this reservoir to the outlet of the Oxoboxo stream at the cove, into which it runs, is eighteen hundred and sixty rods, or five and four-fifths miles. The
surface of the water in the reservoir when full is about three hundred and fifty feet elevation from tide water in the Thames River, it being an average of about twenty feet fall to each mill privilege on the stream. During the year 1826,
Lorenzo Dow raised the dam about four feet, "thinking," as he said, "it would be for the interest of the mill owners be- low." But Peter and Henry A. Richards, who were the owners of the mill at Uncasville, considered that the raising of the dam was an infringement upon their rights, they claim- ing that it was only intended to keep back the natural flow of the water. They therefore, in 1827, brought a suit against Mr. Dow for damage to their business. The case was tried
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HISTORY OF MONTVILLE.
before the County Court in New London, and the case de- cided in favor of Mr. Dow. The plaintiff's then took an ap- peal to the Superior Court of New London County, and the case was tried before a jury, who, upon rendering a verdict, said, "In this case the jury find that the defendant is guilty in manner and form as the plaintiffs in their declaration have alleged, and therefore find for the plaintiffs to recover thirty dollars damages, and their costs." The cost amounted to sixty dollars and ninety-four cents. After Mr. Dow settled with the plaintiffs, he at once raised his gates at the dam, and let the water run out as fast as the opening would allow it, which caused a great freshet along the stream, and doing con- siderable damage.
This privilege, with the reservoir, was, in November, 1829, sold by Lorenzo Dow to Robert Bowser and Hezekiah Goddard of New London, who shortly afterwards conveyed it to Charles A. and George R. Lewis, The dam was again raised several feet, and a cotton-mill started at this place, which was kept in operation for several years in connection with their mill at Uncasville. Sinee that time the pond has been used for a reservoir only.
One hundred years ago the assessed value of all the mill property located ou "Sawmill Brook," now called Oxoboxo, was only about two thousand dollars. The present assessed value is about four hundred and fifty thousand dollars, which is more than fifteen times greater than that of the whole town in 1820. There are other small streams in the town on which mills to a small extent are operated. In Chesterfield there is a saw and a gristmill owned by George Latimer, which has been in the possession of the Latimer family more than one hundred and sixty years. A saw and gristmill has been located near the head of Haughton's Cove, at the outlet of "Stony Brook," so called, for many years, and now owned by Charles S. Johnson. A grist and shingle mill is in opera- tion near the head of Stony Brook, owned by William H. Pal- mer. Several sawmills have at various periods existed on
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Stony Brook, but all have been abandoned except the two mentioned, one at the outlet, and the other at the head of the stream.
Other industries have at different times been carried on in this town besides those already named, such as the dis- tilling of cider brandy. During the early part of the pres- ent century several were running, and a considerable trade in that line was carried on. The article was shipped to differ- ent parts of this country and sold, it being a source of con- siderable income. The New London, Willimantic & Springfield railroad was built along the west side of the river Thames, through this town, in 1848 and 1849. The first trip over the road, from New London to Willimantic, was made Thanksgiving day, November 15, 1849.
CHAPTER VI.
ECCLESIASTICAL.
The inhabitants of that part of New London which was added to the township in 1703, and which afterwards was incorporated into the town of Montville, petitioned the General Assembly in 1714 that they be allowed to become a distinct and separate parish, and to settle an orthodox minister of the Gospel among them. The petition was granted and the parish, freed from all parish duties to the town of New London, or to the society for the public worship of God there, as soon as they should procure and settle among them an orthodox minister of the Gospel.
The people of the North Parish, not being able to agree upon the site upon which to ercet a meeting-house, were several years without any settled ministry. In the year 1722, through the influence of Governor Saltonstall, the services of Rev. James Hillhouse, then at Boston, were secured. For the further encouragement of the society, which had been previously formal, the General Assembly granted them a freedom from county taxes for the space of four years, and five hundred acres of land for religious purposes, this land to be laid out from the general purchase by John Livingston, Robert Denison, Samuel Rogers, and James Harris, in 1710. Two hundred and fifty acres of the land was to be settled upon the minister for his support, and the remaining two hundred and fifty acres to be used for " other pious purposes."
The first parish meeting was held January 22, 1721-2. George Richards was chosen clerk, and Robert Denison, Jonathan Hill, Jonathan Copp, Joseph Bradford, and Nathan- iel Otis parish committee. On the 5th day of February fol- lowing the first meeting it was voted " That Mr. Joseph Brad- ford be chosen a committee to go to the Governor and request
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ECCLESIASTICAL.
him to write to Rev. James Hillhouse to ascertain when he will come, and if he needs any assistance in coming up, and that Mr. Jonathan Copp go down and company him up." Rev. James Hillhouse commenced his ministerial labors in the North Parish of New London in February, 1721-2. His first meetings were held in the west rooms of Mr. Samuel Allen's tavern. He was installed pastor of the church Octo- ber 3, 1722. The following record is found on the first page of the church records in the handwriting of Rev. James Hillhouse:
" I received my call at Boston, dated February 5th, 1721-2. I was installed by the Rev. Mr. Adams of New Lon- don, Mr. Buckley of Colchester, Mr. Woodbridge of Groton, in October the third day, 1722. Mr. Adams preached from Acts 16, 9."
The church having been organized, consisted of seven members only at the installation of Mr. Hillhouse. They were Thomas Avery, Robert Denison, Jonathan Copp, Samuel Allen, John Vibber, Nathaniel Otis, and Charles Campbell. During the first year of Mr. Hillhouse's pastorate fifty-one persons united with the church, and one-hundred and twenty- three joined the church during his ministry of fifteen years. The society agreed to pay a salary of one hundred pounds, so long as he should continue their minister. April 30, 1722, the society passed a vote annexing the south part of Colchester and the north part of Lyme to the North Parish, and that a convenient site be agreed upon, as near the center of the parish as practicable on which to erect a meeting-house. June 13, 1722, Serj. Jonathan Hill, Lieut. Samuel Comstock, George Richards, Samuel Fox, and Benjamin Otis, were chosen a committee to lay out the minister's land. It was not until February, 1722-3, that arrangements were made to build a meeting-house. The size agreed upon was 35 x 45 feet, and 20 feet between joints. George Richards, John Vibber, and Jonathan Hill were chosen a committee to attend to the building of the house of worship. The site for the
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HISTORY OF MONTVILLE.
house was to be on the land given by Major John Merrett and Mrs. Mercy Raymond. The committee made an agreement with Mr. John Hough of New London to build the house and become responsible individually for the expense of its erection; " the parish to become obligated to the committee to indem- nify them against all damage that might come upon them."
At this date there were no publie roads in the north and west parts of the parish, and, considering the necessity, a committee was appointed to lay ont such highways as public interest seemed to require. Major John Merrett, Capt.
Robert Denison, Mr. Jonathan Hill, and others, were by the parish appointed such committee. The committee at once entered upon their duty and laid out the following roads: First highway "to begin where the road that comes from near Nathaniel Otis' house intersects the county road that leads from New London to Colchester, thence to the east gate of John Merrett, near Nathaniel Rogers'; thence through the land of Daniel Rogers to a large white oak tree; thence to a bridge: thence to a heap of stones by a ledge; thence to the road that leads from New London to Norwich; thence to the cove known as Baker's Cove. Also from said Otis to Capt. Robert Denison's. Also another road from the place selected for the church, southeasterly to the Widow Comstock's, and also a road from John Merrett's east gate northward by Charles Campbell's and John .Maples' house to the house of David Steel; thence westerly of Jonathan Hill's house to near the house of Adonijah Fitch; thence to a Norwich line. Also a road from John Merrett's dwelling house northerly to Jonathan Copp's mill." All the proprietors of the land through which these roads were laid out were " to have the privilege of erecting gates and to be maintained by the owners."
November 18, 1723, the following bill was presented at a parish-meeting covering the expense of building the meet- ing-house:
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ECCLESIASTICAL.
Paid out by the committee,
£179
9s.
6d.
To Jonathan Hill for services,
7
0
0
" John Vibber,
2
0
0
" Joseph Bradford,
2
15
3
" Nathaniel Otis, .
1
14
6
195 19 3
December 30, 1723, at a parish meeting, Nathaniel Otis was chosen clerk; Jonathan Hill, Deacon Jonathan Copp, and John Vibber, committee; Joshna Baker and Adonijah Fitch, collectors.
October 5, 1724, it was voted " to build a school-house near the meeting-house, the same to be 19 feet long, 14 feet wide, and 7 feet posts." The house was completed before the close of the year and a teacher hired. Mr. Allen Mullan was the first teacher approved by the committee. The parish settled upon him a salary of 24 pounds a year and ten acres of land forever. December 31. 1728, liberty was granted to John Vibber, Peter Wickwire, Jason Allen, Joseph Atwell, Samnel Fox, Jr., and John Nobles. " to build a stable on the southeast corner of the meeting-house lot, for the accommo- dation of horses when attending church."
The General Assembly was petitioned in May, 1729, for liberty to straighten the south line of the parish " so that it should run by the south side of John Congdon's farm, a due east course to the river, and a west course to Lyme line." In Tume, 1730, a survey was made by Josiah Conant, county surveyor, and the south line of the parish established, by its approval by the parish.
The following survey was found in the parish records: " I, the subscriber, being desired by Mr. James Otis and Mr. Joshua Raymond of the second society in New London, to run a divided line between the first and second parishes in said New London, in pursuant to an Act of the Honorable As- sembly holden at Hartford in May last, which was resolved as followeth: that for the future the dividing line shall begin
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HISTORY OF MONTVILLE.
on the south side of Mr. Condall's farm, and from thence an east and west line throughout shall divide between said parishes, and in pursuance hereof I took to my assistance Mr. William Miner and Mr. Joshua Weeks, who were chain-men under oath, and beginning at a white oak tree a little north- ward of Mrs. Mary Comstock's house, which tree was shown me by Capt. Joshua Hempstead, Esq., and Capt. Thomas Prentis of New London, and others, to be the most southern- most part or corner of said Condall's farm, and from said tree we run east and made large monuments of stones every eighty rods until we came to the river (Thames), and found the whole distance from said tree to said river to be two hundred and sixty-three rods, where we made a large heap of stones on the bank by the river side, and returning back to said white oak tree we run and measured west, making large monuments of stones every eighty rods until we intersected the line be- tween said New London and Lyme, when we made a large heap of stones around a small white oak tree, which stands close by the side of a small river, on the westerly side of said river, and here we found the distance from the first-mentioned white oak tree to the intersection of said line to be five miles and three-quarters and nineteen rods, which in the whole, adding the two hundred and sixty-three rods to five miles and three-quarters and nineteen rods, together makes in the whole six miles two hundred and two rods. This survey was finished June 26, 1730, by me,
JOSIAH CONANT, Surveyor for the County of Windham.
At a parish meeting warned to be held January 26, 1735-6, none of the committee being present, it was adjourned to February 9th, at which time the meeting was dissolved with- out taking action on the question for which they were called together. The question pending was " whether they would use means to recover fifty pounds allowed to Mr. Hillhouse by the auditors in their settlement with him for the time he was absent on a visit to Ireland shortly after his settlement
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ECCLESIASTICAL.
as pastor." At a subsequent meeting, held March 29, 1736, it was voted " that we use such means as are necessary to re- cover from Mr. Hillhouse the sum of fifty pounds as allowed by the auditors of account, and to appoint an agent to lay the matter before the General Assembly to be held in May following." Joshua Raymond was appointed such commit- tee. The meeting was adjourned to the 19th day of April following, at which time it was voted " to hire the Rev. Wil- liam Adams to preach to them three months." Peter Wick- wire was appointed a committee to see Mr. Adams and to en- gage his services for the period voted.
Mr. Adams was engaged to supply the pulpit until Novem- ber following. At the expiration of the time he was hired for three months more. About this time a committee of three was chosen to confer with Mr. Adams in regard to his settlement as pastor. Joseph Otis, Deacon Jonathan Copp, and James Harris were the committee. No arrangements having been made with Mr. Adams, whereby a settlement as their pastor could be accomplished, he, however, continued to preach to the church and society until some time in May, 1738, when the Rev. David Jewett was hired to supply the pulpit for a period of six months, and was afterwards settled and ordained pastor of the church and society.
At a parish meeting held January 13, 1736-7, and con- tinued, by adjournment, to the 13th day of February follow- ing, Joshua Raymond, James Harris, and Joseph Otis were chosen agents to manage the case depending between the Rev. James Hillhouse and the parish. The unhappy difficulties which had existed for several years between Rev. Mr. Hill- house and his parishioners continued to become more passion- ate, and both parties had to appeal first to the Ecclesiastical Council, and afterwards to the civil law.
The following vote recorded on the parish records was probably passed at an adjourned meeting of the society held May 31, 1737: "Voted, that Joseph Otis, Esq., Lieut. James Harris, and Joshua Raymond, agents, fully empow-
41
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HISTORY OF MONTVILLE.
ered to remonstrate the aggrieved state of the church of Christ in the North Parish in New London unto the Rev. Council of Elders, etc., to be convened at the North Parish in Stonington, June the second, Tuesday, and particularly to represent the conduct of the Rev. Mr. James Hillhouse, our former pastor, since the result of the Council convened among us, to hear, consider, and determine of certain articles exhibited in way of charge and complaint against him on the first day of July, 1735, by which said Council it was resolved that the said Mr. Hillhouse in many instances hath been unfaithful to the great trust reposed in him, which Council adjourned to the 23d day of July, 1735, and accordingly met at New London, North Parish, aforesaid, and entering into a further considera- tion of the premises relating to and in behalf of the parish to act and defend the same with the best advice they could obtain."
The agents were empowered to engage such attorneys as, in their judgment, was thought best to assist them in the de- fense, and to remove the action by a review or appeal, if occasion should require it. At the same meeting ten persons were chosen from the principal freeholders residing in the parish, " to consider the propriety of requesting the Indians," belonging to the Mohegan tribe, " to unite with the English in public worship, at one place, and also to consider the pro- priety of building a new meeting-house where it would better accommodate both the Indians and English." The com- mittee chosen was to consist of five persons residing west of the meeting-house, and five residing east of the meeting-house, with power to confer and treat with those persons in Boston who had the supervision and power of disposing of the money given to Christianize the Indians and to lay the circumstances of the Indians in their connection with the parish before the Boston gentlemen to consider, and if, in the opinion of these gentlemen, it would be advisable that the Indians unite with the English in the public worship at one place. This com- mittee were to ascertain what proportion of the minister's
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ECCLESIASTICAL.
salary the gentlemen would consent to pay out of the funds at their disposal for the Christianization of the Indians. This committee were also to arrange for a place of worship and designate the best site for the erection of a new meeting- house, and lay the matter before the parish for their ap- proval. Joseph Otis, Robert Denison, Willian Whiting, James Otis, and David Copp of this committee, residing on the west of the old meeting-house, and James Harris, Jason Allen, John Comstock, John Vibber, and Joshua Raymond on the east. Whether it was owing to some disagreement on the part of the committee, or whether the commissioners at Boston refused to allow the funds for the Indians to be used in the way proposed by the parish, or whether from some other cause, it is not shown what the difficulty was, but the matter of the uniting of the Indians with the English was deferred for several years, and was finally arranged after Mr. Jewett became pastor.
At a meeting of the parish held March 7, 1736-7, James Harris, Peter Wickwire, and John Vibber were chosen a com- mittee to treat with Rev. Mr. Barber and the Mohegan Indians in the matter of having but one place of public worship for both the Indians and the English settlers, and to lay the matter before the Honorable Commissioners at Boston and elsewhere, having the disposal of the money for Christianiz- ing the Indians, for their concurrence. The following vote, recorded on the parish records, was probably passed at a church meeting held May 10, 1737, and adjourned to May 31st:
" Voted, that Joseph Otis, Lieut. James Harris, and Joshua Raymond, agents, fully empowered to remonstrate the aggrieved state of the church of Christ in the North Parish in New London with the Rev. Council of Elders, etc., to be convened at the North Parish in Stonington, June the second, Tuesday, and particularly to represent the conduct of the Rev. Mr. James Hillhouse, our former pastor, since the result of the Council convened among us to hear, consider,
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HISTORY OF MONTVILLE.
and determine of certain articles exhibited in way of charge and complaint against him on the first day of July, 1735, by which said council it was resolved that the said Mr. Hillhouse in many instances hath been unfaithful to the great trust re- posed in him, which Council adjourned on the 23d day of July, 1735, and accordingly met at New London, North Parish, aforesaid, and entering into a further consideration of the premises relating to the former and later conduct of him, the said Mr. Hillhouse, did thereupon finally judge and determine it highly fit that the said Mr. Hillhouse should resign his pastoral office among the people of said parish, and thereupon ordered and directed that he resign said office ac- cordingly, and in consequence thereof advised us as speedily as might be to call some fit person to supply the aforesaid pastoral office, all of which fully appears by the result of the aforesaid Council. In compliance wherewith we have en- deavored to act in all things, and by the advice of the neighbor- ing ministers, have been very industrious to obtain another minister and the resettlement of ourselves. But, to our great surprise, the said Mr. Hillhouse, notwithstanding the justice and authority of the aforesaid result and his own submission thereto, hath yet ever since opposed himself to such of our en- deavors, challenges the office of pastor to us again and labors to discourage any ministers coming to preach to us, and charges them who come unto our help as being guilty of usurpation upon his office and care, and by his artful insinua- tions hath divided our people into parties and heads, a num- ber thereof unto whom he preaches in his private house every Sabbath day, and is resolute to persist therein, challenges salary since such result, and hath sued the society aforesaid therefor by an action now pending in the court. By which surprising conduct, and as we conceive great disorder to him, the said Mr. Hillhouse in contempt of the aforesaid result, our civil and religious interests and concerns much embroiled, perplexed, and destroyed, and a once well-organized church of Christ utterly destroyed and dissolved if some speedy
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ECCLESIASTICAL.
remedy be not provided and applied. Wherein the honor of Christ and His holy religion is so much concerned that renders the premises a just cause of their attention, together with the peace of the society and the good of souls, and the vacation of the authority of the result aforesaid. All which matters at large we desire to empower and instruct Joseph Otis, Esq., James Harris, and Joshua Raymond, our aforesaid agents, to lay before the Council in their next convention at North Stonington as aforesaid, and pray their effectual de- termination thereupon.
" Signed by Deacon Jonathan Copp, Moderator."
The association which met at North Stonington on the 7th day of June, 1737,> upon the consideration of the existing difficulties between the North Parish church and their pastor, advised the people of the parish to apply to the Consociation of New London County, " and request them to repair to the society " in the North Parish of New London " on Tuesday the 28th instant, to hear, consider and resolve upon such matters as shall then be represented and exhibited in charge against the aforesaid Mr. Hillhouse." There are no records that show whether the Consociation was convened as advised by the association, or whether they did not. The people were now divided into two parties, each claiming the house of worship and a right to the pulpit. Other ministers were em- ployed by the majority; the friends of Mr. Hillhouse appear to have been in the minority. Mr. Hillhouse continued to preach to a few of his parishioners in his own house. His admissions to the church were as late as May 1, 1737, and baptisms were made up to August, 1740.
In the year 1735 Rev. James Hillhouse brought a peti- tion to the General Assembly in which he claimed " that his parishioners have failed and do neglect to fulfill their covenant with him as their minister and praying for relief." The General Assembly appointed auditors " to adjust the accounts between the said Mr. Hillhouse and his parishioners relating to his salary." The auditors, upon examination of the case,
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