USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Farmington > History of New Britain, with sketches of Farmington and Berlin, Connecticut. 1640-1889 > Part 21
USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Berlin > History of New Britain, with sketches of Farmington and Berlin, Connecticut. 1640-1889 > Part 21
USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > New Britain > History of New Britain, with sketches of Farmington and Berlin, Connecticut. 1640-1889 > Part 21
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45
The books gathered by these different library associations, while including systems of theology represented by the works of Doddridge, Dwight, Hopkins, Edwards, Thomas Scott, and others, also comprised the works of Walter Scott, Irving, Headly, Prescott, Bayard Taylor, and other writers of his- tory, biography, and general literature. The regular taking of books from the library has fallen into disuse, and by sales, transfers, or lapses of rights, the number of proprietors in the Farmington Library Company has been reduced to less than half a dozen ; but about fourteen hundred volumes, chiefly standard works, are preserved in the town clerk's office, and may hereafter become the nucleus of a Free Public Library for the town.
In September, 1882, Miss Julia S. Brandagee, formerly of Berlin, opened a library of over four hundred volumes, known as the " Tunxis Free Library," near the north end of Farm- ington Village. While containing many standard works,
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the books selected for this library have been of a popular character, designed to interest and attract the young as well as persons of mature years. Bound volumes of magazines, the American Cyclopedia, and some other books of reference are also found upon its shelves. The library is entirely. under the charge of Miss Brandagee, the room, in a quaint old building, being opened twice a week for drawing books, which in 1889, numbered over twelve hundred.
There is also a " Ladies' Circulating Library " in Farming- ton. The association has twenty-five members who con- tribute three dollars a year each into a common fund for the purchase of books, which are circulated from house to house among the members every two weeks.
In Miss Porter's Seminary is a valuable collection of books designed primarily for the members of the school, but available for others in some circumstances.
Contributions for the new town hall now building (1889) have been made with the expectation that provision will be made in the structure for a public library.
A public library was established in New Britain, either during the revolutionary war, or soon after its close, and the books were in general circulation among the proprietors. The funds for this library were obtained from the contribu- tions of a number of persons who were organized into an association for the purpose of establishing and maintaining a library. Dr. Smalley, Col. Isaac Lee, and a few other of the leading persons in the parish were instrumental in found- ing it.
Some inconvenience having attended the mode of con- ducting the library, in the winter of 1791-92, several meet- ings were held to consider what improvements could be made. After considerable discussion, a new and somewhat lengthy constitution drawn up by Dr. Smalley was adopted. This instrument carefully guarded every privilege conferred. The fee of each member at the time of subscribing was three shillings, and an annual payment of two shillings was re- quired. Rights or memberships could be assigned to any
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person approved by a majority of the proprietors, and the shares could be devised by will, or descend by inheritance. Five directors chosen annually had the general care of the library, purchased books, and made the necesary by-laws and regulations. The eighth and last article of the constitution shows with what care the rights of members were guarded. This article is as follows :
"Eighth. These articles shall be deposited in the Library room, in a conspicuous place, for the inspection and perusal of all persons concerned. And they are to be considered as a MAGNA CHARTA of the constitution, and shall not be repealed, either together or in part, except by the votes of three forths of those who shall be present at a general meeting warned . for that purpose ; and which three forths of the members met, shall amount to more than one half of all the proprietors for the time being.
And the Librarian shall read, or cause to be read, these articles, or this constitution at the opening of every annual meeting on pain of such fine for failure as the Directors shall see fit to assess."
There were fifty-six subscribers to this constitution, the list being headed by Dr. Smalley. Though this library was not a church library in the sense of being the property of the church, it was considered an aid to parish work. Nearly all the proprietors were members of the church, and the library was kept at the meeting-house, or at Deacon Anthony Judd's. It was open for drawing books on the days of conference meetings and lecture before communion, for an hour or two, either before or after such meetings. Dr. Smalley took special pains to have the books distributed wisely, and read by those who would be most benefited. This library was continued during Dr. Smalley's life, and for a few years after his decease, but the books became worn and some of them lost, and the remainder were distributed among the few surviving proprietors.
Occasional volumes of the old library may still be seen in the households of the descendants of some of the older families. They have, usually, in addition to the original cover, a strong covering of leather, neatly fitted and carefully fastened with the flaxen thread of those early days.
The Library Association of New Britain, which was con-
D
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tinued until a few years after Dr. Smalley's death, was not allowed to pass wholly out of existence. On December 5, 1825, a new organization, composed principally of the mem- bers of the New Britain Library Association, was formed, and styled the Julian Society. This new society had thirty- five members when first organized. The number soon increased to one hundred, and in a few years there were more than one hundred and fifty on the roll. The records of the society for the first eight years are not all preserved, but the meetings appear to have been held once in two weeks, or oftener. At the bi-weekly meetings, books were drawn or exchanged, essays read, and discussions conducted with apparent interest and vigor. At a meeting held in November, 1834, Elihu Burritt read an elegy of over one hundred and fifty lines upon the death of Miss Augusta Stanley. The meetings of this society developed powers in some of its members which afterwards made them cele- brated as writers and speakers. At the annual meeting held October 5, 1836, the name of the society was changed to the New Britain Lyceum, a new constitution was adopted, and arrangements made for more efficient prosecution of the work of the association.
The presidents of the new organization were Emory A. Parker, George M. Landers, F. B. Eggleston, and Charles M. Lewis, successively. To the exercises which had been con- ducted by the Julian Society, a course of lectures, principally · upon scientific subjects, was added ; the library was more generally used, and a new interest was awakened in the work of the association. Town and county lyceums had been formed in other parts of the State. The American Lyceum, then in successful operation, invited the New Britain Lyceum to send delegates to its meetings, and the subjects discussed by the National and State lyceums were, to some extent, considered by the local society. By means of the library and the lectures and discussions, intellectual culture was pro- moted and the foundations laid for general intelligence in the community. With apparently some interruptions
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in holding the meetings, the lyceum was maintained with varying interest for several years. At a special meeting called for the purpose and held October 27, 1841, the interests of the society and the condition of the library were discussed at considerable length, a proposition to dispose of the books and effects of the society was voted down by a large majority, and a strong expression was made in favor of "the necessity and propriety of making all honorable efforts to sustain the lyceum, or some other literary institution, for the dissemination of useful knowledge and the improvement of the mind." At this meeting a vote was passed instruct- ing the librarian to take measures to obtain all books belong- ing to the library of the lyceum that were missing, and arrange them in the best possible manner.
The lyceum continued its organization for some time longer, but the interest was directed more to public lectures than to books, the library was closed, and the books dis- tributed.
After the suspension of the meetings and active work of the lyceum, there was, for several years, little united effort to maintain a library or any organized association for literary culture or improvement. The division of the First Church and the organization of the South Congregational Church, in 1842, for a time occupied the attention and absorbed the interest of many of the prominent members of the lyceum.
Soon after the organization of the South Church, a parish library of about four hundred volumes was established. This library included not only religious books, but the best works then published in biography, history, travel, practical science, and general literature. Additions were made until the library included over six hundred volumes, which were kept in the conference room of the South Church. This popular library was for many years quite useful to the parish, and the books were generally circulated. The multi- plication of Sunday-school books and the increase of the Sunday-school library of the church, made this library less necessary to the parish, and the books were transferred to the
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shelves of the New Britain Institute and loaned to that association, to increase the usefulness of the public library.
After the incorporation of New Britain as a town and borough, and the establishment of the State Normal School in the place, it was felt that some provision should be made for a public library. A library of several hundred volumes had been provided for the Normal School by the Educational Fund Company, but this was composed principally of text- books, works on the theory and practice of education, encyclo- pedias, and other books of reference, and was designed pri- marily for the use of the Normal School, though opened to some extent for consultation to students generally. "To meet the need so clearly seen to exist, and to provide a public library and reading room, the "New Britain Institute and Library Association " was formed in 1853. At first the organization of the Institute and Library Association were somewhat distinct, the former providing for an annual fee of two dollars to be paid by each of its members, which gave them the use of the library and reading-room, and the right to participate in the choice of officers to control the affairs of the institute, but not to control or dispose of the library. The payment of five dollars at one time, and an annual fee of one dollar, constituted a person a member of the Library Association, and entitled him to vote in its organization and in the management of its affairs. This association was managed by a library committee of five, who purchased all books and periodicals, and had charge of the same. The members of the Library Association were also members of the Institute. The latter could provide for lectures, when- ever in possession of sufficient funds. A few hundred dollars was raised by memberships in the Library Associa- tion, and by contributions ; books were purchased by the library committee, a room secured in Miller's Building, and the reading-room and library were opened. The annual fees were insufficient to maintain the institution, and, for several years, these were supplemented by subscriptions, amounting, in the aggregate, to more than one thousand dollars annually.
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The officers of the institute first elected were : John D. Phil- brick, president ; G. M. Landers, vice-president ; B. N. Comings, secretary ; Henry Alling, treasurer; and F. H. North, James Stanley, and William B. Smyth, directors. The officers of the Library Association were the library committee, consisting of David N. Camp, J. B. Talcott, Roger H. Mills, Henry E. Russell, and T. W. Stanley. In 1858 the New Britain Institute was incorporated.
" Act of Incorporation :
General Assembly, May Session, 1858.
Resolved by this Assembly : That D. N. Camp, C. B. Erwin, F. T. Stanley, G. M. Landers, Oliver Stanley, Lucius Woodruff, T. W. Stanley, John B. Talcott, William A. Churchill, and W. B. Smyth, their associates and successors, be and hereby are constituted a body corporate and politic, by the name of The New Britain Institute ; and by that name shall have perpetual succession, and be capable in law to purchase, receive, hold, and convey, all kinds of property, the annual income of which shall not exceed six thousand dollars ; * to establish, keep and maintain a Library, Reading Room, and system of Public Lectures, and promote such other literary and scientific objects as it may think proper ; to sue and be sued, defend and be defended, in all courts and places whatever ; may have a common seal and may change and alter the same at pleasure ; may elect a President, and such other officers and agents as they may find necessary and convenient : and make and carry into effect such By-Laws and regula- tions as they may deem necessary to promote and secure the objects of the corporation.
The first meeting of the Institute shall be holden on the first Monday in August next at such place as may be designated by a majority of the persons named by notice in the newspapers published in New Britain."
In 1872 the Institute received from the estate of Lucius Woodruff a legacy of ten thousand dollars, which is held in trust by the trustee of the estate, and the income appro- priated for the benefit of the Institute. This income, with an appropriation of five hundred dollars annually from the town and the amount received from membership fees and library tickets, has paid the annual expenses and admitted of small additions each year to the library.
In 1866 and 1867 the rooms were closed for a short time for lack of funds. When means were provided, the library
* In 1884 this sum was increased to $15,000.
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and reading-room were re-opened in Hart's Block, where they were maintained until March, 1886. At the re-opening of the rooms the reading-room was made free. The full capacity of the room was often tested by the number seeking its privileges, and its benefits were extended to a large number of young men who had no opportunity elsewhere for obtain- ing the information which was here gained. In March, 1886, a suite of rooms in the Russell & Erwin building, specially prepared for the Institute, was occupied, and both the library and reading-room were better accommodated than ever be- fore. Cornelius B. Erwin, one of the original corporators, who died March 21, 1885, left to the Institute, by will, thirty thousand dollars to be paid within eight years of his death, and also made the Institute a residuary legatee to the amount of one-third of four hundred thousand dollars.
A portion of the Erwin legacy became available in 1887,. and was securely invested, the income being devoted to the. purposes of the Institute. Since the Institute began to re- ceive this income, the number of books in the library has been increased to a larger extent, and additional reading matter has been placed in the reading-room. The reading- room is entirely free, and the use of the books in the library is free to those who read or study at the Institute rooms. There is a small fee paid by persons who take books home for reading.
The State Normal School has a library of 4,000 miscella- neous books and 500 text-books for the use of teachers and students, and its reading-room is supplied with magazines, educational journals, and miscellaneous papers.
There are in the libraries of the public schools: about 475 volumes in the schools of Farmington, 625 volumes in those of New Britain, and 800 volumes in the Berlin schools.
In the Sunday-schools of nearly all the churches there are Sunday-school libraries, some of which contain a variety of reading. The New Britain Scientific Association has a small library of books relating principally to science, and the Young Men's Christian Association has a public reading room supplied with papers and magazines.
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From a few scattering volumes which have been pre- · served, it would seem that collections of books existed quite early in the other parishes, similar to those in Farming- ton and New Britain.
Soon after the organization of the Worthington Society, a village library was established, to which Samuel Hart, the father of Mrs. Emma Willard and of Mrs. Almira Lincoln Phelps, had access, and to which these accomplished edu- cators attributed the origin, in part at least, of their great love of books. This library contained such books as Plu- tarch's Lives, Rollins' Ancient History, many books of travel, and the works of Addison, Steele, Milton, Pope, Thomson, Watts, and other celebrated British poets and essayists. The works of Gibbon and other historians were added when pub- lished. These books were read aloud by Captain Hart and his contemporaries at the family fireside; their contents were discussed, and their influence was seen upon the gen- eration that enjoyed even this limited use of books.
The Berlin Library Association located in the Worthing- ton Society has over nine hundred volumes in the library, and is open two afternoons and two evenings each month during the winter season.
In Kensington, there were valuable collections of books in the libraries of Dr. Robbins, Dr. Percival, and others, which were read by an appreciative community, before a pub- lic library was provided. The Kensington Library Associa- tion, established in 1829, soon became an instrumentality for good in that parish. The books were selected with care, and embraced history, biography, travels, poetry, and works on science and social economy, as well as fiction. For many years the library was kept in the Congregational Church, in a pew under the stairs. The books were sought by intelli- gent and willing readers, and as late as 1876, the library meeting was said to be well attended by those who were in- terested in the contents of the library. It contains about 700 volumes, but has been closed to the public for three or four years.
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NEWSPAPERS
For more than fifty years after the settlement of Farm- ington, there were no newspapers published in this country. None had been established when Kensington was first settled, and in the earlier history of New Britain, the only newspapers received were the few copies of the Boston and New York weekly papers, somewhat irregularly brought to the place, generally by the way of Hartford and Middletown. When the Hartford " Courant " was established ten years after New Britain was incorporated as a distinct society, a few copies of this journal were taken. It was the custom for many years before the post-office was established, for some person to go to Hartford once a week, usually on horseback, and bring back the few weekly papers that were taken in the parish. This service was sometimes performed by women. Mrs. Mary R. Eno, who died at the age of ninety-eight, was accustomed in her later years to refer to her experiences when riding to Hartford for the papers, so that the men should not be called from their labors in the fields.
In 1831, the publication of a bi-weekly periodical was commenced in New Britain by a few young ladies .* The manuscript essays which preceded the printed sheet had been read with interest by friends, and the publication, periodi- cally, of a printed paper was recommended and urged by persons whose age and culture entitled them to be heard. The character and object of this publication are indicated by the following sentence which was placed at the head of the paper :
" The 'Shepherdess' of New Britain, by a company of Village Girls, is an Original Miscellany, undertaken for their social gratification and improvement : Heretofore it has been conducted in manuscript, and confined to their own circle, but it is now printed to enable them to furnish their asso- ciates and friends without the trouble of copying "
The articles were mostly upon moral and religious subjects, seldom over six hundred words in length, and many much
* Its chief editor, Nancy Smith, was an accomplished teacher.
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shorter. The whole tone of the paper was elevating, and it well indicates the general thought and aspirations of the most cultivated young women of New Britain at that time. Some of the productions having been ascribed to other persons and more experienced writers, the ascription called out the following disclaimer, which appeared in one of the earlier numbers :
"Desiring to afford our critics and learned friends all the light in regard to the origin and authors of The Shepherdess, within the power of the association to impart, we desire them to be assured, that it was actually devised and originated by a company of 'village girls,' and that they alone are really and truly the responsible authors of every article and paragraph and sentence contained in it, claiming originality."
The first dozen or more numbers gave no news items; afterwards notice was taken of important passing events, generally with short comments on the same. This paper was a four-page journal, the pages nine and a half by six inches, published at cost of paper, composition, and press- work, and distributed every alternate Tuesday evening from the post-office. The last paper issued was probably in June, 1832, the publication being suspended on account of the marriage of its editor, Nancy Smith, to Horatio Waldo.
For several years after the publication of the " Shepherd- ess" was suspended, there appears to have been no direct effort to publish a paper in New Britain. The financial depression of 1837 was a severe blow to the business of the place, and for some time there was so little indication of a re- vival of business, that there was little encouragement to estab- lish new enterprises. But, before New Britain was incorpo- rated as a town or borough, a weekly newspaper had been is- sued, called the " New Britain Advocate." The issue of March 23, 1850, had for its heading, " New Britain Advocate Extra," and was mainly filled with an account of the celebration of the return of Elihu Burritt to the place, after he had been honored abroad, and of the welcome which was tendered him by his fellow citizens. It was published by James M. Phelps.
Zhu. ButtreIT:
Them, by JAWilhame
your faithful found. Elihu Burvitt.
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The pages of this extra, after giving a full account of the Burritt Jubilee, with the addresses made and letters read, had clippings from the newspapers of Boston and other cities, a few local notices, and several Hartford and New Britain advertisements.
In the account which is given of the Burritt Jubilee, ref- erence is made to New Britain as "Our Village" and to the people as " Our Villagers." The subscription price of the "Advocate " was $1.25 per annum.
During the next two or three years there were frequent changes both in the proprietorship and name of the weekly paper. The "Advocate " was discontinued ; the " New Britain Chronicle " was published a short time, and in 1851, the name of the paper became " The Journal and Chronicle," the publication office being on the east side of Main Street north of the railway crossing. O. P. Brown, for a time one of the proprietors, became interested in a patent medicine and removed to Brooklyn, or the vicinity of New York. Mr. Phelps first went to Middletown, and in 1852 to Meriden, where he issued from the printing office of F. E. Hinman, the " Connecticut Organ and New Britain Journal," edited by O. H. Platt, now Senator from Connecticut, and published both in Meriden and New Britain. This paper was after- wards sold to James Lewis, publisher of the " Whig." Dur- ing Elihu Burritt's residence in New Britain, he published and circulated a series of leaflets, pertaining to penny postage, peace, and international arbitration, and for a part of the time issued regularly a newspaper entitled " The North and the South," in which the subject of compensated emanci- pation, and other matters relating to the freedom of the blacks at the South, were discussed, and the general news of the day given.
" The New Britain News" was established by Valentine B. Chamberlain in 1860, and published by him a year, or until the breaking out of the civil war, when it was sus- pended, the proprietor going to the front in the defense of the government.
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" The True Citizen," which succeeded the "News," was published by L. M. Guernsey from 1861 to 1866. This was a weekly family journal of four pages, twelve by nineteen inches, issued at two dollars a year. It covered the period of the civil war, and kept its readers acquainted with the stirring events of those years, as well as with local news. A little more than half of its columns was occupied with advertisements.
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