USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Farmington > History of New Britain, with sketches of Farmington and Berlin, Connecticut. 1640-1889 > Part 7
USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Berlin > History of New Britain, with sketches of Farmington and Berlin, Connecticut. 1640-1889 > Part 7
USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > New Britain > History of New Britain, with sketches of Farmington and Berlin, Connecticut. 1640-1889 > Part 7
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The physicians who were born in the parish before 1800, and practiced in New Britain previous to 1820, were Isaac Lee, Josiah Hart, Isaac Andrews, John Andrews, Jesse Andrews, Thomas Mather, Adna Stanley, and Samuel Hart. Dr. Isaac Lee early removed to Middletown, and his practice was principally in that town. Dr. Thomas Mather married in Farmington, which became his residence, but his practice extended to New Britain.
Dr. Josiah Hart, a son of the first Deacon Elijah, gradu- ated from Yale College in 1762, and, though making his residence for many years in Wethersfield, was the physician of many families in Berlin and New Britain. Dr. Isaac Andrews lived in Hart Quarter after Dr. Hart left; he was several years younger, and his practice was chiefly in the western part of the place; he died in 1799. Dr. John Andrews, a brother of Dr. Isaac, lived on West Main Street west of Black Rock. He was a practicing physician many years, but devoted most of his time in the latter part of his life to his farm. Jesse, a younger brother, was also a physi- cian, but died before he had established regular practice.
Dr. Adna Stanley graduated at Yale College in 1787, and after studying medicine, entered upon his profession in New Britain. He had an extensive practice in this and some of
Samuel Hart_
79
NEW BRITAIN, 1800-1850.
the surrounding towns. He lived in Stanley Quarter, con- tinuing his practice until near the close of his life in 1825. Dr. Samuel Hart, son of the third Deacon Elijah Hart, re- ceived his medical diploma in 1808, and soon after com- menced practice. He was the first physician to locate in the center of New Britain, having his office at first in the house of Cyrus Booth on the west side of Main Street. A few years after, he built the residence in which he lived and died, on the present site of Rogers' Block. He had an extensive practice, being for many years the principal physician of the place.
Dr. John R. Lee and Dr. Thomas G. Lee, brothers, were born in New Britain, the first in 1804, and the second in 1808, but their practice was chiefly elsewhere. Both were connected with institutions for the insane, and became emi- nent in their specialties. The physicians of Farmington and Berlin for many years had some practice in New Britain, and were called in council after the latter place was provided with local physicians. The principal physicians in Farmington, who were born before 1800, were Daniel Porter, licensed in 1654; Samuel Porter, 1665-1736; * Thomas Thompson, 1674- 1748; Isaac Lee, 1691-1780; Samuel Richards, 1726-1793 ; Ebenezer Lee, 1727; Thomas Mather, 1741-1766 ; Timothy Hosmer, 1745; Theodore Wadsworth, 1752-1808; Eli Todd, 1769-1833; Harry Wadsworth, 1780-1813; Asahel Thom- son, 1790-1866. In Berlin were James Hurlburt, 1717-1794; John Hart, 1753-1798 ; James Percival, 1767-1807 ; James Gates Percival, 1795-1856 ; Horatio Gridley, 17 -- 1864.
The principal professional lawyers resident in Farming- ton or New Britain before 1825 were John Wadsworth, ad- mitted as Attorney in 1708; William Judd, 1765 } ; Timothy Pitkin, 1790; Daniel W. Lewis, 1791; John Hooker, 1803; Samuel Cowles, 1804; Joseph L. Smith, 1804; Martin Welles, 1811; Ethan A. Andrews, 1812; Alfred Cowles, 1815; Ira E. Smith, 1823.
* Date of birth and death.
t Date of admission to the bar.
80
HISTORY OF NEW BRITAIN, ETC.
The decade preceding 1820 had been marked by no local event of importance. The war of 1812 with England, and the events which attended it and followed the treaty of peace, had their influence upon New Britain ; but it was incidental, and affected but slightly the social condition of the place. The growth in population had been slow in all the parishes of the town. The increase in the number of inhabitants in the whole town of Berlin, which then included New Britain, was only seventy-nine in ten years. In 1820 and 1821 oc- curred one of the most remarkable revivals New Britain ever experienced. It seemed to pervade the whole community, affecting especially the business men and most prominent families in the place. Large accessions were made to the church, and a larger and more commodious house of worship became necessary. A new meeting-house at the corner of North Main and East Main streets was erected in 1822. The. year following Thomas Lee built the stone store on Main Street nearly opposite East Main Street, and soon after O. R. Burnham & Co. built on the site of Oswyn Booth's shop, on the west side of Main Street, near the present east end of Myrtle Street.
In 1828, the Baptist Society built its first meeting-house, a small building at the foot of Dublin Hill; and the Metho- dists, the same year, built the first house of worship of that denomination on the site of the present Methodist church. Neither of these buildings were completed in 1828, but they were so far advanced as to be occupied for meetings. In this year the building occupied for a time by F. T. Stanley & Co. as a store, on the east side of Main Street, was erected. Thus, while in 1820 there were less than twenty houses on Main Street south of Dublin Hill, in 1828 there were three meet- ing-houses, a post-office, two stores, and an academy, all located on or near Main Street, and all erected within about six years.
In the latter part of this decade, 1820-30, and in the first years of the next, a new impulse was given to manufacturing in New Britain ; larger buildings were erected, other impor-
81
NEW BRITAIN, 1800-1850.
tant improvements were made, and the parish was becoming somewhat noted for its enterprise and thrift. In the early part of 1829, Frederick T. Stanley and Curtiss Whaples opened their store on the east side of Main Street, nearly opposite West Main Street. The upper part of the building was fitted up for the manufacture of suspenders, by F. A. Hart & Co , Mr. Stanley and Mr. Whaples being interested in the business. The revival of business and the increase of population seemed to require additional tavern accommoda-
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NORTHWEST VIEW OF NEW BRITAIN (CENTRAL PART).
NOTE .- The above view, from a drawing made for the Connecticut Histor- ical Collections, in 1836, represents the central part of the village at that time. The principal buildings shown are the Methodist meeting-house, the Abner Clark and John Stanley houses, and the North & Stanley factory.
tion in the center of the place, and in the autumn of 1829, the house since known as the Hendrick place, and situated on the west side of Main Street, was erected by Dr. Samuel Hart for a tavern. It was opened by Ezekiel Porter as land- lord, and for a time kept as a temperance house. Previous to this, the tavern of James Booth, at the Horace Booth house, and of Samuel Booth on the site of the South Church, had been the principal public houses on Main Street. The latter place was kept as a tavern but a short time.
82
HISTORY OF NEW BRITAIN, ETC.
The Rockwell house, at the junction of Main and Elm streets, was built by John Stanley in 1831, and occupied by him and his family when completed. A number of houses on South Main Street, were built about the same time. Pearl Street was then a lane-way, extending from South Main Street easterly to the rear of the land of Wil- liam H. Smith, fourteen rods. This passway afforded access to the shops on Seth J. North's lot, and to a small tenement-house in his orchard. The Kelsey house on Orchard Street was built in 1831. The lot on which it stands, five rods by nine, was sold by Mr. North that year, for fifty-six dollars. The deed provided for an open pass- way to the rear of the lot. The first brick house, that of Lorenzo P. Lee, was built in 1832. The first use in New Britain of anthracite coal for melting brass and iron was in the shop of North, Smith & Stanley, at or near the corner of South Main Street and Pearl Street, in 1831. The first horse-power had been introduced in the same shop. The first steam engine in the place was in the factory of F. T. Stanley and his brother William, and was put up in 1832. In 1834, Alvin North & Company had one put in their shop, at the corner of East Main Street and Stanley Street. Alvin North bought the first coal stove used in New Britain, in Albany, had it shipped here by way of New York, and put it up in his own house.
The increase in manufacturing business from 1830 to 1837 resulted in an increase of dwelling-houses and various shops and stores, and some increase of population. The financial depression which was felt so disastrously in many parts of the country in 1837, paralyzed a large portion of the business of New Britain. Several shops were closed, large losses were experienced, and for a few years the growth of the place was much checked. But renewed efforts and some changes in the methods of business gave a new impetus to the enlargement of the place, and new enterprises were undertaken with courage and hope.
The organization of St. Mark's Episcopal parish, in 1836,
83
NEW BRITAIN, 1800-1850.
and the erection of the first building for the public worship of the Protestant Episcopal Church the next year ; the organ- ization of the South Congregational Church and Society, and the erection of an edifice for its use in 1842, and the com- mencement of regular services by the Roman Catholics about the same time, were evidences of the activity of thought, and the endeavor to provide religious privileges for all denominations. The growth of the place, resulting largely from the increase in manufacturing business, was much more rapid during this decade, 1840-50, than ever before. Some of the largest establishments in New Britain were organized or begun, and the foundations laid for their development during this period.
The establishment in 1849, by the General Assembly, of the State Normal School, and the location of the institution in New Britain, immediately brought the place into more general notice in the State, and stimulated local improve- ments. The opening of the New Haven & Northampton Railroad to Plainville, in 1848, and of the Hartford, Provi- dence & Fishkill Railroad from Willimantic to Bristol, in 1850, placed New Britain for the first time in direct railway communication with New York, and with Hartford, New Haven, Norwich, and New London, increasing the facilities for business, and communication with the State capitals and the metropolis.
The population of the society* of New Britain, which was less than 300 in 1754, had increased to 946 in 1800, to 982 in 1810, to a little more than 1,000 in 1820, and to 3,029 in 1850, when the society was incorporated as a town.
* By " Society " must be understood the territory as incorporated in 1754, with the small additions made by the legislature, and which, in 1800, consti- tuted the School society of New Britain.
CHAPTER V.
FARMINGTON AND GREAT SWAMP, OR KENSINGTON, CHURCHES
FARMINGTON CHURCH.
T THE early settlers of Farmington, Kensington, and New Britain not only provided the means for comfortable living, but also held constantly in view the great purpose which had led them, or their fathers, to emigrate to this country. They were nearly all God-fearing men, who sought to realize their ideas in their arrangements for establishing the institutions of the gospel.
The pioneers of Farmington, coming principally from the older settlements on the Connecticut River, seem for a few years to have worshiped with the First Church in Hartford, but within five years after the beginning of the Farmington settlement, a pastor was obtained, and preaching services were held regularly. The first pastor, Rev. Roger Newton, ministered to this town several years before the church was formed .*
In the organization of most of the colonial churches, the plan so strenuously advocated by Rev. Thomas Hooker of Hartford, Rev. John Davenport of New Haven, and other divines, was generally followed. Seven men were chosen from the whole body of believers, who constituted the seven pillars ; these were organized into a church to which other members were afterwards admitted in due form. The seven pillars of the Farmington Church were Rev. Roger Newton,
* For many years it was believed that the early records of the Farmington Church were burned or lost, but they were discovered in Hartford, in the winter of 1841-2, in a good state of preservation. The original record book, about five and a half inches in length by four in width is closely written, but the paper is frail from age. A careful copy of what pertains to the church was made by Rev. W. S. Porter, in 1842, and the roll of members, resolutions, etc., quoted are taken from this copy. The church in Farmington has very wisely taken care to have its records carefully preserved.
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FARMINGTON AND KENSINGTON CHURCHES.
Stephen Hart, Thomas Judd, John Bronson, John Cole, Thomas Thompson, and Robert Porter. These seven joined in covenant October 13, 1652, and constituted the church. Rev. Roger Newton was pastor, and Stephen Hart and Thomas Judd were chosen deacons. About one month after, John Steele, the town recorder, joined the church, and was appointed clerk. John Loomis, Mrs. Newton, the wife of the pastor, Mrs. Stephen Hart, Mrs. Thomas Judd, Mrs. John Cole, and Mrs. Thomas Thompson were soon after admitted to membership, so that at the close of the year 1652 these fourteen persons, representing nine families, con- stituted the Farmington Church.
The record then proceeds as follows :
"About the 30th of January, 1652(3), Nathaniel Kellogg and his wife, John Steel, John Standley, Thomas Newell, and Thomas Barnes were also joined to the congregation.
Upon February the 7th John Lankton was joined to the congregation. July the 12th, 1653, Thomas Newell's wife, and John Standley's wife, and Robert Porter's wife were joined to the congregation."
And thus this church was gradually built up by the accession every year of a few new members. Rev. Roger Newton remained in Farmington until 1658, when he removed to Milford. He was succeeded by Rev. Samuel Hooker, son of Rev. Thomas Hooker, of Hartford. During Mr. Hooker's ministry additions were made until, in the spring of 1680, the roll of church members included ninety- one names, thirty-four families being represented by the united head, or husband and wife, eight others by the hus- band, and twelve by the wife. The original record has the names of a number of children of tender years that were admitted to the church with their parents. The confession of faith was in the form of a catechism, with between forty and fifty questions and answers.
The meetings for worship were at first held in private houses, principally at Deacon Hart's, opposite the site reserved for a place of worship. A plain meeting-house was soon built, which was occupied for more than fifty
86
HISTORY OF NEW BRITAIN, ETC.
years. The second meeting-house, which was begun in 1709, was ready for use in 1714. It was fifty feet square, with a cupola in the peak of the roof for a bell. Before the bell was obtained the people were called together by the beat of the drum. In 1731 it was voted that a bell be purchased, and in 1738 that a town clock be provided. The form of worship was simple, the truth was presented in a homely style, suited to the circumstances of the infant church. At a meeting held in January, 1668-9, it was voted by the church :
"That with respect to the sacrament, each brother of the church should send to the deacons a peck of wheat, or the worth of a shilling, in current pay for the defraying of the next sacrament, and also for paying what was due on the last. . .. As for the future, every brother of the church should for each sacrament allow sixpence, except such of the brethren whose wives come not to the supper, because not members of the church ; and to them it is permitted to pay in 3 d. or 6 d. which they please."
Rev. Samuel Hooker was much esteemed both as a preacher and pastor, and his pastoral relation to the church continued until his death, November 6, 1697. During his pas- torate the church and parish were harmonious in action, and members from the remote parts of the town came long dis- tances to meeting without complaint. After Mr. Hooker's death there was a controversy in the town in reference to a minister, which finally called for the interference of the General Court. It was during this controversy, and possibly in consequence of it, that the few inhabitants at Great Swamp, including those residing in the southeastern part of New Britain, petitioned to be set off to form a new society. The General Court directed the applicants for advice "to seek counsel and help from Rev. Abram Pierson," first rector of Yale College, and " Mr. James Noyes, Mr. Taylor, Mr. N. Russell, Mr. Samuel Russell, and Mr. Thomas Ruggles." Mr. Noyes was the minister at Wallingford, Mr. N. Russell at Middletown, Mr. Samuel Russell at Bran- ford, and Mr. Ruggles at Guilford. The result was an application to Mr. Samuel Whitman, of "Nantascot near
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FARMINGTON AND KENSINGTON CHURCHES.
Boston," to become the minister. The salary offered "was £90 a year, with the use of the parsonage in Pequabuck Meadows, forty acres of land in fee, and a house, he finding glass and nails." The next year £200 was voted as settle- ment, the salary was increased to £100, and fire wood. Mr. Whitman was settled in 1706, and continued as pastor until his death, in 1751.
During Mr. Whitman's pastorate the half-way covenant was adopted ; after much debate and difficulty it was discon- tinued during the ministry of his successor. The second meeting-house was built during Mr. Whitman's ministry. Mr. Whitman built a pew in it at his own expense, which was purchased by the society after his decease. During his ministry, a serious controversy occurred in regard to the singing, which is explained in part by the following votes :
"April 7, 1724. It was proposed whether they should continue the present way of singing or would admit of regular singing. May 9, 1724, voted, to take a year's time to consider whether regular singing should be tried or not.
Voted, that if any person or persons shall presume to sing contrary to the lead of the Quoirister appointed by the church to the disturbance of the assembly, and the jarring of their melody, he or they shall be looked upon and dealt with as offenders.
March 1726-7. Voted, that we do declare our full satisfaction with the former way of singing psalms in this society, and do earnestly desire to continue therein."
But though so positive then in their adherence to the " old ways," thirty years later the tables were turned, and in 1757, the society voted and agreed that they would intro- duce Dr. Watts' version of the psalms, to be sung on the Sabbath, and at other solemn meetings. At the same time Elijah Cowles was requested "to tune the psalm," and for that purpose was assigned a seat in the fifth pew. In 1762, Mr. Fisher Gay was appointed to assist Mr. Cowles "in setting the psalm," and Stephen Dorchester was chosen " to assist the chorister in reading the psalms."
Rev. Timothy Pitkin was installed pastor of the church in 1752, and dismissed at his own request, June 15, 1785.
88
HISTORY OF NEW BRITAIN, ETC.
During his ministry the practice of owning the covenant was abandoned, and the method of singing psalms, already referred to, was changed. Some alterations had been made in' seating the meeting-house erected in 1709-14. About fifty years after its erection, the question of extensive repairs was considered. A committee appointed to examine it reported that it was not worth repairing, and the society, at a meeting held February 6, 1769, voted to build a new edifice. Col. Fisher Gay and Capt. Judah Woodruff, in compliance with a vote of the society, went to Boston for the timber, which was procured from Maine, and was very good, as the present condition of the building shows. The meeting-house was completed so as to be used for worship November, 1772, and the outside covering then on it is still sound.
The interior of the house at first had pews nearly square, with a high pulpit and huge canopy or sounding board. In the gallery were three rows of long benches in front, with pews back of them. The building was not warmed except by foot-stoves, until 1824, when wood-stoves were introduced. In the winter of 1825-26, the pews and long seats in the gallery were removed, and slips with doors substituted for them, and in 1836 the pews were removed from the floor, and the old pulpit with its sounding board gave way to a more modern desk. New windows with blinds were also pro- vided at the same time.
Rev. Allen Olcott was ordained pastor January, 1787, and dismissed August, 1791. After his dismissal, Rev. Edward Dorr Griffin received a call, which was accepted, but owing to divisions in the society, the call was withdrawn, and he was not settled. Soon after, Rev. Joseph Washburn was called, and he was ordained May 7, 1795. He died at sea, while on a voyage to Charleston, S. C., December 25, 1805.
Rev. Noah Porter, D.D., was ordained November 5, 1806. A descendant of one of the original proprietors of the town, son of a deacon of the church, fitted for college by its pastor, and a resident of the place for his whole life, except while in college, he was thoroughly identified with the history of the
89
FARMINGTON AND KENSINGTON CHURCHES.
town and church, and personally acquainted with nearly every family. His long and successful pastorate of nearly sixty years covered an important period of the history of the church and town. For a part of this time, his parish em- braced the entire population, which was almost exclusively Congregational, and the Sunday congregations numbered from six to nine hundred persons. The inception of the temperance movement, of special interest in the anti-slavery cause, and in Sunday-school work, occurred during his pas- torate. The American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions was organized at his house, and the American Home Missionary Society begun its work while he was in the vigor of manhood. In all these and similar enterprises the church at Farmington was enlisted. During Dr. Porter's ministry there were numerous revivals, and within fifty years after his settlement one thousand one hundred and thirty-eight members were received to the church.
A Sunday-school society was organized in May, 1818, with Rev. Noah Porter, president, Timothy Pitkin, vice- president, Horace Cowles, secretary, and George Cowles, treasurer. The Sunday-school was managed by this society until 1837, when it was commended to the immediate care of the church, by which its affairs were subsequently admin- istered.
Rev. Levi Leonard Paine became a colleague pastor October 9, 1861, and after Dr. Porter's death, in 1866, Mr. Paine was sole pastor until his dismission, March 22, 1870. The church was then without a settled pastor, until the ordination and installation of Rev. James Fisk Merriam, September 13, 1871. He remained less than two years, being dismissed July 1, 1873. Rev. Edward A. Smith was installed May 5, 1874. His pastorate was the longest the church has enjoyed since the close of Dr. Porter's min- istry. Mr. Smith was dismissed at his own request, October 23, 1888. Rev. George L. Clark was installed pastor the same day.
7
90
HISTORY OF NEW BRITAIN, ETC.
The pastors of the Farmington Church have been :
Rev. Roger Newton,
commenced,
1645, dismissed 1658.
66 Samuel Hooker, installed,
Samuel Whitman,
July, 1661, died Nov. 6, 1697. 1706, 1751.
66 Timothy Pitkin,
66
1752, dismissed June 15, 1785.
Allen Olcott, 66
Jan. 1787, Aug., 1791.
Joseph Washburn, 66
May 7, 1795, died Dec. 25, 1805.
66 Noah Porter, D.D.,
Nov. 5, 1806, "
Sept. 24, 1866.
Levi L. Paine, Oct. 9, 1861, dismissed Mar. 22, 1870.
James F. Merriam, 66
Sep. 13, 1871,
July 1, 1873.
" Edward A. Smith, 66
May 5, 1874,
Oct. 23, 1888.
George L. Clark,
Oct. 23, 1888.
KENSINGTON CHURCH AND SOCIETY.
Most of the first settlers of Great Swamp were from Farmington, and nearly all the adults were members of the church in that place, contributing their full share for the preaching of the gospel in Farmington Street. To attend meeting they were accustomed, on Sundays and lecture days, to go with their families from six to eight miles, up East Street, over or around the mountains, on roads which were little more than Indian trails. The journey was made on foot, or on horseback, and in obedience to the laws of the colony, as well as for their own protection against Indians or wild animals, the men were armed.
This weekly Sabbath-day's journey of twelve or fifteen miles in going and returning, must have been toilsome from the first, but there is no record of complaint, and no expressed wish for a change until after the death of the pastor of the Farmington Church, Rev. Samuel Hooker, in 1695. In the long interim between his death and the settle- ment of his successor, when preaching services were some- times intermitted, and attendance was irregular, the paths being blocked by snow or otherwise rendered almost impass- able, the people of East Street, New Britain, and of Christian Lane, began to inquire whether they could not have a minis- ter for themselves, at least a portion of the year. In 1705, petitions were presented to the town of Farmington and to the General Assembly for a new society.
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