USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Farmington > History of New Britain, with sketches of Farmington and Berlin, Connecticut. 1640-1889 > Part 29
USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Berlin > History of New Britain, with sketches of Farmington and Berlin, Connecticut. 1640-1889 > Part 29
USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > New Britain > History of New Britain, with sketches of Farmington and Berlin, Connecticut. 1640-1889 > Part 29
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Several of the members of Frederick Lodge were from New Britain and Berlin. Its first secretary, Samuel Rich- ards, Jr., was the son of one of the original members of the First Church of the former place. The lodge has for many years been located in Plainville.
Soon after Berlin was incorporated as a town it had a lodge which was known as "Berlin Lodge, No. 20," and which was represented in the Grand Lodge of the State. It
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received its charter from the Grand Lodge, and retained the name of Berlin Lodge, No. 20, until 1797, when it was changed to Harmony Lodge, No. 20. Dr. James Percival, father of James G. Percival, the poet and geologist, was master for several years. The majority of its members being in New Britain, the lodge was removed to that society in 1848. Its meetings are held at Masonic Hall, Russell & Erwin Building, on West Main Street.
Centennial Lodge, No. 118, F. and A. M., was chartered March 6, 1877.
Giddings Chapter, No. 25, R. A. M., was instituted May . 15, 1851.
These and the subordinate Masonic associations meet at Masonic Hall.
NEW BRITAIN TRACT SOCIETY.
One of the first union benevolent associations of the town for the benefit of the whole community, but especially designed to reach the poor, the neglected, and the sick, was the New Britain Tract Society. The special object of this association may be seen from the following extract from its twenty-fifth annual report :
"The Society was organized for the purpose of disseminating religious truth in this place, and particularly among those not enjoying the ordinary means of grace. It had been ascertained that there was a large number of families, that, for various reasons, were not attendants on public wor- ship; there were children unconnected with any Sunday School, and many young people growing up without any knowledge of the Bible, or any religious training whatever. To reach these families and households, to bring them under the influences of religion, and, if possible, within the sound of the gospel, and to distribute religious reading among them, seemed to be objects worthy of united Christian effort. After consider- able consultation in reference to the matter, it was resolved to commence the work of systematic tract distribution, and this Society was organized. May 7, 1852. The active working members have been chiefly ladies con- nected with the different churches of the place, who are associated under a brief and simple constitution, explaining the object and plan of the Society, but bound together more by a common interest in the work, and a desire to do something in the Master's service."
The prosecution of the work and the efforts to lead to the study of God's truth, soon developed the fact that there
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were a number of families in town having no portion of the scriptures. Bibles and Testaments were procured and placed in the visitors' hands with the request to supply every desti- tute family with the same. Those families that were able chose to purchase the Bibles at cost, but most were supplied gratuitously.
The visitors from the first did an important work in gath- ering children into the Sunday-schools. Such as needed cloth- ing were supplied and then visited at their homes and led to the different Sunday-schools.
It soon became evident that the society offered unusual facilities for ministering to the physical wants of the desti- tute. Food, clothing, and, in some cases, fuel was supplied to those in need. The monthly calls of the visitors gave them an opportunity to ascertain who were in want and to whom aid would be a real blessing.
During the first twenty-five years of the history of the society, 1,786,500 pages of tracts and 1,050 Bibles and Testaments were distributed, and several hundred children were gathered into the Sunday-school. The work was entirely undenominational. The society was conducted with- out any expense, except for the purchase of tracts, Bibles, and other books distributed. This amount, which was small, was received from the voluntary contributions of, individuals, or of churches.
For the purpose of securing regular visitation and prose- cuting the various departments of the society's work, the town was divided into nearly seventy districts, averaging forty or fifty families each. These were visited monthly ; cases of sickness or of need were noted, aid was rendered where necessary, and the general design of the society was prosecuted by personal work of the visitors in each district. After being continued with success and with excellent results for more than thirty years, circumstances led to suspension of the work in this form, and it was, in part, taken up by other organizations. The distinctive church societies, both in the Protestant and Roman Catholic communions, have
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undertaken some branches of the work formerly included in the plan of the Tract Society.
YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.
A few years after the incorporation of New Britain as a town and borough, efforts were made to unite the friends of good order and religion in devising some scheme to reach those classes which, in a rapidly growing village, were sub- ject to peculiar temptation and needed the encouragement and counsel of friends. Besides the efforts of the Tract Society, a work was undertaken, in some respects similar, but designed especially to benefit young men. An associa- tion was organized, called " The New Britain Young Men's Christian and Social Union." It was composed of young men from the different evangelical churches who were asso- ciated together for their own improvement, and also for the purpose of welcoming young men who came to the place as strangers ; inviting them to the various Sunday-schools and churches, and surrounding them with helpful and wholesome influences. The Union secured the delivery of public lec- tures and addresses in the different churches, and in various ways cooperated with pastors and other individuals in direct efforts for young men.
Seth E. Case was president of this association 1856- 1858, and E. B. Allen and M. J. Woodruff were successively secretaries.
On the breaking out of the civil war many of the mem- bers of the Union went into the army and the work was sus- pended. While the war was progressing, there was little of special effort for young men at home, except through the or- dinary work of the churches ; but soon after its close, and the community had fallen into its usual normal condition, atten- tion was again directed to the needs of young men. After several preliminary conferences, the "Young Men's Christ- ian Association of New Britain" was organized, October ber 23, 1867; and a constitution and by-laws were adopted. The first board of officers was as follows:
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David N. Camp, president; Charles E. Mitchell, vice- president ; L. M. Guernsey, corresponding secretary ; Fred- eric G. Mead, recording secretary; Theron H. Camp, treasurer. Board of directors, J. N. Bartlett, Albert Bennett, Waldo Corbin, H. M. Dates, W. N. Felt, James McLean, Charles Peck, A. E. Taylor, Bingham Taylor, and M. S. Wiard. Sev- eral committees were appointed, among which were the com- mittee on devotional exercises, consisting of Albert Bennett, John Wiard, Rev. W. C. Walker, Philo Andrews, and Charles Northend; committee on literary exercises, J. N. Bartlett, H. B. Sprague, John H. Peck, Oliver Stanley, and C. E. Mitchell; committee on rooms and library, Charles Peck, George Clary, M.D., Eugene B. Ripley, H. P. Strong, and Norman Eddy ; committee on ways and means, H. M. Dates, L. Woodruff, Augustus Stanley, J. A. Pickett, and Horace Eddy.
Rooms were obtained in Miller's Building, between the Park Hotel and the First Church, in which papers, maga- zines, and a few books for daily use were placed. This read- ing room became quite popular and was visited frequently by young men. In a few years, the reading room and office of the association were removed to the basement of Union Hall, where a greater variety of newspapers was provided, but no attempt was made to establish a library, as the New Britain Institute had a good selection of books which could be taken out by young men who had time for reading. The reading and social rooms were visited by many young men, and the association scemed to meet with success. After a few years the special work undertaken was partially provided for by other means; the building in which the rooms were located was burned, and the active work of the association was in a great measure suspended. Meetings of members continued to be held, and for a time religious meet- ings were held by the young men regularly in the outlying districts of the town. Three mission schools which had been sustained mainly by members of The Young Men's Christian Association were continued after much of the other work of the association ceased to be operative.
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The question of reviving the association or organizing anew, had been discussed both by young men and pastors of the churches, when at length, in the autumn of 1883, the in- terest in the matter led to definite action, and again "The Young Men's Christian Association of New Britain " was or- ganized Dec. 29, 1883. A constitution and by-laws were adopted, officers were elected, and in January, 1884, the association was ready to undertake its special work. The following officers were elected at the time of the organiza- tion : William Parker, president; John B. Talcott, R. G. Hibbard, J. C. Atwood, vice-presidents ; L. A. Rogers, recording secretary ; J. A. Pickett, treasurer. The board of directors consisted of H. E. Russell, Jr., Charles Peck, Oliver Stanley, Alfonso Eddy, W. F. Walker, G. L. Reynolds, F. L. Hungerford, F. G. Platt, Hiram Oldershaw, M. L. Bailey. On April 1, 1884, J. F. Landgraff was appointed general secretary, and suitable rooms in Central Block were engaged and were opened with appropriate exercises April 22, 1884. The work of the association was successfully prosecuted during the summer. In the autumn, Mr. Landgraff, the general secretary, resigned, and C. S. Ward was engaged to fill his place. Mr. Ward took charge of the work Nov. 12th, and soon introduced new measures which made it more effective. It was growing in power and influence, when on February 20, 1885, Central Block, in which the rooms were located, was burned, and the furniture and property of the associa- . tion were destroyed. The insurance of one thousand dollars was promptly paid, enabling the directors to secure new rooms and proceed with the work with little interruption.
The rooms temporarily occupied were near the Bassett House. Soon more convenient rooms over the New Britain Savings Bank were rented, and the work of the association was prosecuted with vigor.
An act of incorporation was secured in 1885, giving the association the requisite power to hold and dispose of prop- erty, and make all necessary business arrangements for the successful conduct of its work. In the autumn of 1886 a
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new building was commenced on the corner of Main and Court streets. The location is central and desirable, and the completion of the building in 1889 has provided for the asso- ciation convenient and inviting rooms, which have added largely to the facilities for the prosecution of its different lines of work.
The new building has a frontage of 41} feet on Main Street, and is 45 feet wide in the rear and 112 feet long, with the main entrance on Court Street. The first floor is rented for business purposes. On the second floor are the reception room, office of the secretary, reading room, parlors, class rooms, and a small lecture room, with cloak rooms and closets. In the third story are the prin- cipal hall, one class room, and bath and dressing-rooms. The rear of the fourth story, 57 by 43 feet, is occupied by the gymnasium, and in the upper story is a tenement for the janitor.
The cost of the lot and the new building was a little less than $50,000. A committee of ladies, of which Mrs. J. A. Pickett was chairman, had charge of raising funds for fur- nishing. The building complete was dedicated with appro- propriate exercises Feb. 11, 1889. At that time C. E. Mitchell was president of the association, L. A. Rogers was recording secretary, and M. C. Stanley treasurer. C. S. Ward was general secretary and the active executive officer.
NEW BRITAIN AGRICULTURAL CLUB.
The farmers of New Britain, about 1850, began to give more attention to the improvement of the land, the selection of the best seeds, and the raising of the best stock. Local fairs for the exhibition of fruits and agricultural products were held and the spirit of inquiry and improvement was stimulated. There was at first no formal organization, but on December 21, 1858, the New Britain Agricultural Club was organized and a constitution adopted.
William Whittlesey was chosen the first president and Elihu Burritt secretary. Mr. Burritt was active in securing
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the organization of the club, and by his zeal and service con- tributed very largely to its success. By its regular and special meetings, its fairs and social gatherings, the club was the means of diffusing information relating to agriculture and horticulture, and became a benefit to the agricultural interests of the vicinity. Mr. Burritt held the office of corresponding secretary until his death. L. S. Wells has for many years been president, and Arthur C. Blake secretary.
The New Britain, (Burritt,) Grange was organized Feb. 3, 1886. The principal officers chosen at its organization were Levi S. Wells, master; H. M. Clark, overseer ; Charles S. Andrews, lecturer; L. A. Vibberts, treasurer; Arthur C. Blake, secretary.
STANLEY POST, G. A. R.
Stanley Post, No. 11, G. A. R., was organized in the autumn of 1867, with eighteen members. After struggling several years against misrepresentation and misapprehension, it became firmly established and prosperous. The conditions of membership are an honorable record in the army, an honorable discharge, and the vote of the post upon admis- sion. The presiding officer is post commander. The past commanders living in 1889 were Ira E. Hicks, V. B. Cham- berlain, Frederick S. Seymour, Burr A. Johnson, Charles H. Beaton, William H. Gladden, Patrick Marr, and Francis H. Smith. The present commander is George H. Beckett. The meetings of the post were for many years held in the hall in the Post-office Building. In 1888 Grand Army Hall was removed to 299 Main Street, where the meetings were afterwards held. The post has of late years been active in its work, relieving the needs of its members and ministering to their welfare. It has 216 members. Stanley W. R. C., No. 12, is an auxiliary organization, composed of wives and daughters of soldiers.
LADIES' LITERARY CLUB.
The Ladies' Literary Club of New Britain was organized Oct. 4, 1875. Its object, as stated in its by-laws, is "the promotion of Literary and Scientific pursuits, and the
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increase of the social element among the ladies of our com- munity."
The general plan of the club has been to take some period of history as a subject, and connect with the sum of human events which this period included, and the philosophy which it illustrated, the art, literature, and science of the epoch; or, to take some particular department of art or science, and make it the subject for investigation. In either case, it has been the aim to give abundant time for the study of the theme, and an afternoon, or more than one, if neces- sary, for the presentation of the subject. Select committees have sometimes been appointed for each period or subject, who were held responsible for its development and proper presentation.
As a consequence, definite and careful reading and methodical study have been secured, and the results of such preparation have been helpful to the members, and through them, to the families which they represent, and the community in which their work has been performed. Some of the subjects of study have been as follows :
"Ancient Rome, English History, Elizabethan Age, Queen Anne Period, Shakespeare, Boston, its Early History in Colonial Times, Mexico, Egypt and the Eastern Question, Russia, Germany, Spain, Art, Schools of Painting, Ceramics, and miscellaneous subjects in Art, Science, and Sociology."
The meetings have been varied by musical performances and conversazioni. The membership the first year was eighty-three, and at some periods of the society has been greater. The presidents of the club have been Mrs. Mahlon Woodruff, Mrs. Thomas Conklin, Mrs. Emily A. Lyons, Mrs. J. W. Tuck, Miss Alice Stanley, Mrs. Charles E. Mitchell, Mrs. J. A. Pickett, Miss E. R. Eastman, Mrs. Charles Parker. The other officers are a vice-president, and a secretary and treasurer. The by-laws are few and simple, the annual fee small, and the expenses trifling.
In a quiet and unostentatious way this association is exerting a healthful influence, not only in promoting an
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enlarged and more liberal literary culture and more thorough scientific inquiry, but in stimulating thought, increasing the use of the best books, and awakening a desire for the most helpful knowledge.
NEW BRITAIN SCIENTIFIC ASSOCIATION.
The New Britain Scientific Association was organized Dec. 8, 1881, when its constitution was adopted and its first officers were elected. The design of this association is
"To afford assistance to its members in the study of science, and to encourage in the community an increased interest in the progress and results of scientific investigation.
It endeavors to accomplish this by essays, reports, and discussions, at the regular meetings, and by public lectures or other exercises of general interest from time to time.
In order to have the full range of science kept before the Association, the following has been adopted as the order of reports, it being under- stood, however, that no appropriate subject is excluded because not specially mentioned.
A. Anthropology, Archeology, Ethnology, Social Science.
B. Biology, Animal Histology, Zoology.
C. Botany, Vegetable Histology.
D. Chemistry.
E Geology, Paleontology, Mineralogy.
F. Mathematics, Engineering, Mechanics.
G. Microscopy, Photo Micrography.
H. Physics."
There is an admission fee of one dollar, and an annual due of one dollar paid by members, who are at first elected by votes of existing members. Members changing their residence from New Britain can be retained as non-resident members, without dues, by notifying the secretary annually of their post-office address. The total number of members admitted is 200. The number of active members in 1889. was 135.
The association has a library of over fifty volumes, com- posed chiefly of publications of the Smithsonian Institution, and a few other reports from the departments of govern- ment. It owns a stereopticon, a pair of gas cylinders, and a few other articles of apparatus.
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Until March, 1886, the meetings were held in the High School Building, then until March, 1889, in the Herald build- ing, and after that time in the Y. M. C. A. building. Be- sides its regular meetings and lectures, the association has held more than a dozen "field meetings" at various places of scientific or historic interest in other towns. By means of these several instrumentalities and agencies, it has awakened a spirit of scientific inquiry helpful not only to the members but to others.
The presidents of the Association have been Elihu Thompson, 1882 and 1883; John H. Peck, 1884 and 1885 ; Rev. I. F. Stidham, Ph.D., 1886-1889. Martin S. Wiard has been secretary from the organization of the association until the present time.
BENEFIT SOCIETIES.
There are in New Britain a large number of societies whose leading feature is mutual benefit. Some of these societies are secret orders ; others provide for some form of life or health insurance, and others combine with the prin- ciple of mutual pecuniary benefit, the idea of culture and intellectual improvement, or of social enjoyment.
Phenix Lodge, No. 52, Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, was first instituted Feb. 15, 1848, and for a time was flourishing. But in the general decline of the order between 1855 and 1860, there was diminished membership and interest, and near the latter date the lodge practically ceased active work. It was re-instituted Feb. 22, 1872, and has since increased in numbers and efficiency.
Gerstæcker Lodge, No. 96, I. O. O. F., was instituted June 3, 1875.
Comstock Encampment, No. 29, I. O. O. F., was instituted May 26, 1876. .
Stella Lodge, No. 11, D. of R., is mainly a social organi- zation, which was instituted Sept. 5, 1873.
The lodges, encampment, and other organizations of Odd Fellows, meet in Odd Fellows' Hall, Railroad Block.
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The New Britain Turner Society was organized in 1853. It is designed for those who use the German language, and is connected with the North American Turnerbund. It has been prosperous, and since its organization has paid, on an average, $100 annually in benefits.
St. Patrick's Benevolent Society, organized in 1855, is one of the oldest and strongest of the benefit societies. It has for many years distributed from $300 to $400 each year in benefits paid to its sick members and to the families of those who have died.
St. Mary's Temperance Society, organized as a total . abstinence and benevolent society in 1865, is one of the oldest temperance societies connected with St. Mary's Church. With a small initiation fee and monthly dues, it has been quite helpful to the families of its members.
The German Benevolent Society was organized Aug. 20, 1865. It provides a weekly benefit to its sick members, and in the case of the death of a member a funeral benefit is paid. In the event of the death of a member's wife, he receives a stipulated amount from each member. The society pays out several hundred dollars in benefits annually.
St. Elmo Lodge, No. 31, Knights of Pythias, was insti- tuted in June, 1870. It has over one hundred members, and pays in benefits more than $300 a year. The St. Elmo Sick Benefit Society, connected with the lodge, also pays weekly benefits in case of sickness. The Endowment Rank of the Knights of Pythias furnishes mutual insurance.
The New Britain Caledonian Club was organized in 1871. After experiencing various fortunes, it was re-organized Oct. 29, 1883. Though not large in numbers, it has proved help- ful to persons of Scotch birth and their descendants, for whom it is specifically designed.
Eintracht Lodge, No. 1, O. D. H. S., was organized Dec. 18, 1871. It has nearly one hundred members, and pays a benefit in case of sickness, or the death of a member or a member's wife.
Vater Jahn Lodge, No. 301, D. O. H., was organized
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Nov. 19, 1872. It provides a benefit weekly to sick mem- bers, and on the death of either a member or member's wife, a funeral benefit is paid.
Court Prosperity, No. 6230, Ancient Order of Foresters, was organized in March, 1873. It provides a weekly sick benefit, a funeral benefit, a payment of $50 on the death of the wife of a member, and has two classes of insurance.
The Knights of St. Patrick is an association which was established in 1874.
Phoenix Temple of Honor was instituted in New Britain in August, 1876. Founded by members of the Sons of Tem- perance, it has sought the diffusion of the principles of tem- perance while securing a small pecuniary benefit.
The Concordia Society was organized Jan. 29, 1878. It pays a weekly benefit to sick members and a grant to the family of a deceased member.
Elihu Burritt Lodge, No. 1186, of the Knights of Honor, was organized Sept. 4, 1878. Besides the sick benefits paid from the local treasury, its members become interested in the life insurance paid from the treasury of the Supreme Lodge.
New Britain Council, No. 8, Order of United American Mechanics, was organized in October, 1878, receiving its charter from the Council of the Order of the State of Con- necticut. There were in all nearly one hundred and twenty charter members. The objects of the Order are :
" To assist each other in obtaining employment, to encourage each other in business; to establish a sick and funeral fund, and a fund for the relief of widows and orphans of deceased members ; and to aid members who have been incapacitated from following their usual avocations in obtain- ing situations."
The New Britain Council is prosperous, with 348 mem- bers. It has pleasant rooms in Central Block, where its meetings are held.
The American Commandery, No. 5, Loyal Legion, the Sick Benefit Association, and the Lady Putnam Council, No. 4, Daughters of Liberty, meet in the same building.
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