USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume I > Part 24
USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume I > Part 24
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The post office bears the name of Westville and is quite import- ant, supplying also most of the inhabitants of Woodbridge with mail matter. For a time the appointment of the postmaster was presi- dential, but the office now ranks as in the fourth class. Since Sep- tember, 1885, the postmaster has been Willis I. Isbell.
At Westville were some of the first manufacturing interests of the town. In 1645, at a town court, "It was propounded that Edw' Chiss- field might have libertie to make bricks on the plaines, under the West Rocke, to wch there is a good highway, which was allowed of." Stone was also early quarried here and small mills put up. In the course of years a powder mill was operated on this stream, and about the time of the revolution there were two such mills on West river, one above, the other below the village. The business was carried on by Isaac Doolittle, Jeremiah Atwater and Elijah Thompson. It is probable that the manufacture of paper was here begun some time about the revolution, and it has for more than a century been a leading industry. In 1835 there were three paper mills and an iron foundry.
In 1789 Abel Buel, William McIntosh and others put up a large building at Westville, and commenced the manufacture of cotton cloths, being among the first in America to be thus engaged. After producing cotton cloths some years the machinery was changed to make woolen goods; and still later the building was used as a paper mill, and in 1837 it was burned. Another building on the same site for the same use was burned more recently.
Formerly the water power of the streams at Westville was used to much greater advantage than at present. Where are now the Pond Lily Paper Mills. Hotchkiss & Johnson made axles and springs. Their shop was burned in 1856. James Harper next improved the site for a paper mill, with the foregoing name, and John Thompson now occupies the mill for the manufacture of manilla wrapping paper. The capacity is small.
On the night of December 20th, 1842, Bunce's paper mill, at West- ville, was burned, leading the Millerites to think that the world was coming to an end. At the upper power in the village are now the extensive paper mills of Joseph Parker & Son, established in 1840, and operated for 16 years on book paper made from cotton waste. In 1856 Joseph Parker, the founder of the firm, began the manufacture of blotting paper, being the pioneer in America in that line. The manufacture of the two standard grades, then begun-" Treasury" and " Commercial,"-has been successfully continued. About half a hun dred men are employed.
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Below this power James Rawson had a knife shop, but removed his works to the lower part of the avenue. Next lower was the Peck & Smith paper mill. The latter died and Peck removed, the mill pass- ing to Albert Mallory. It was last known as Thompson's, burning some time ago, and the power is now idle.
Where are the main buildings of the match factory, in about 1850 Wales French made augers and bits, William A. Clark and Howard Blake being later owners. Anson Beecher & Son made strawberry bas- kets and matches here next, the latter business expanding until this has become one of the principal plants of the Diamond Match Company, whose headquarters are at Chicago. Of the works at Westville, which are extensive and well equipped, employing about one hundred men, L. W. Beecher is the manager.
Below these works a large brick shop was erected by William A. Clark for a bit factory, which was later occupied by his son, Frank, who sold to R. H. Brown & Co. The latter firm removed the works to New Haven.
Higher up Pond brook were the hardware works of the Blake Brothers-Eli W., Philos and John A .- which was once an important industry, employing in the neighborhood of a hundred men. This site is now idle. The business of the Fitch Brothers, in the lower part of the village, was removed to New Haven, as was also that of Henry Harrison, manufacturer of grist mill machinery.
Another abandoned interest is the sash and blind factory of Sheldon Hotchkiss, which was on the south side of Main street. Below are idle works, built for the manufacture of bolts and nuts, which were last occupied by the New Haven Nut Company, and which once employed a number of hands.
Other industries had their origin in Westville, which at one time bade fair to become an important manufacturing point, but for want of shipping facilities many industries were closed or removed to other towns. In 1891 there was little else besides the match works and the Parker paper mill.
Olive Branch Lodge, No. 84, F. & A. M., was instituted at West- ville, July 1st, 1856, and the charter was granted May 13th, 1857. to the following petitioners: Joshua Kendall, William W. Lee, Cyrus Crandall, Henry Norton, L. P. Woodworth, Lewis P. Spencer, William V. Spencer, Levi Baldwin, W. S. Thompson, A. C. Sperry and Sheldon Bassett. The lodge meets in a good room in Sperry's Hall and is prosperous.
In the same hall are held the meetings of Edgewood Lodge, No. 11, K. of P., which was instituted June 25th, 1869, with about thirty charter members. Soon after it increased largely, having at one time one hundred members. At present the number belonging is nearly
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fifty. One of the members of this Lodge, Willis B. Isbell, was grand chancellor of the state, 1885-7.
The Westville Methodist Episcopal Church is the oldest organiza- tion in that village. As the result of the preaching of Reverend Oliver Sykes, in 1810, a class was formed in 1815, which was composed of a few female members, among whom was Miss Harriet Hitchcock. the first Methodist in the village. In 1818 she married Benjamin Bradley, who, about that time came to Hotchkisstown to live, and their home was for twenty years the headquarters of itinerant Methodist ministers.
After worshipping in school houses the Methodists in 1835 pur- chased an abandoned school house, and thus having their own place of worship entered upon a new era, under the ministry of Reverend Abraham S. Francis. He was an able man and a successful revivalist. At this time Hamden and Westville were united as a circuit, and later Bethany was added, the church at Westville being at present united with the latter charge in forming a circuit.
In 1851 L. W. Peck, Augustus Parker and Guy C. Hotchkiss were appointed a committee to build a new church, which was completed during the ministry of Reverend J. B. Merwin, who preached the first sermon in the basement of the new building, June 20th, 1852. On the 4th of August following the church was dedicated. In 1869 the property was repaired, and in 1876 a pipe organ was supplied. In 1887 the church property was thoroughly improved, at an outlay of $2,895, $1,000 of which was contributed by Miss Caroline Warner. The church was reopened in October, 1887, in the ministry of Reverend C. IV. Fordham.
In 1877 Abigail Tyler bequeathed $10,000 to the church, and L.W. Peck was appointed agent of the same. He deceased in 1878, and upon the death of his widow in 1882, the society was willed their resi- dence as a parsonage. This property and the church building have been improved in the past few years under the direction of the pastor, Reverend Arthur McNicholl, assigned to this circuit in April, 1889. The church is now prosperous and is again increasing in numbers and influence.
The Westville Congregational Church was organized December 25th, 1832. The constituent members were 32, nearly all of whom had been dismissed from New Haven churches for this purpose. Among the prominent members were Isaac Dickerman, for forty years a deacon; Henry A. Murray, who was later elected a deacon, serving from 1850 until 1865; Silas Hotchkiss, who donated the lot on which the meeting house was built; Elias Bradley, Clement Goodel, Solomon Parker, Silas Ford, Frederick Hotchkiss and Miles Bradley. Enos Sperry and Sherman Warner, though not members of the church, were helpful in building the first house of worship. This was dedicated
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January 21st, 1836, and was a part of the present edifice, which was enlarged in 1859, and subsequently, during the ministry of Reverend J. L. Willard, which began October 18th, 1855, and still continues. Until 1855 the Home Missionary Society supported the church, but since that time it has been self-sustaining.
The Reverend John E. Bray was the first minister of the church, serving from September, 1832. for two years, when, for nearly eight years, owing to the poverty of the society, the pulpit was supplied. In April, 1842, Judson A. Root was installed as the pastor, and served until September, 1846. Again, for more than three years, the pulpit was supplied, when, December 6th, 1849, Reverend S. H. Elliott was installed, and remained in the pastorate until May, 1855.
Under the pastorate of Reverend J. L. Willard the church has prospered materially and spiritually, having 285 members. His min- istry here is among the longest continued in the county.
St. James' Church (Protestant Episcopal), of Westville, was organ- ized in 1835. A meeting to organize an Episcopal church was held January 20th of that year, 25 persons having united in a call for that purpose. Newell Johnson and Andrew M. Babcock were elected war- dens, and Philo Betts clerk. There being no house of worship in Westville services were now held in a room in Colonel Pendleton's tavern and in the upper room of the school house. But after much effort a church was begun, whose corner stone was laid June 21st, 1837. The church, however, was not completed for consecration until Sep- tember 17th, 1839. Its cost was $4,000. In 1865 this edifice was remodelled under the supervision of Donald G. Mitchell, at an outlay of about $2,500. A rectory, built in 1853, was remodelled in 1868, at a cost of $1,530. The property is nicely located and appears attractive. It was for many years burdened with a debt, which was fully extin- guished in July, 1881. Mrs. Ann M. Mix gave $1,200 toward this object. In 1882 a new organ was supplied, at an outlay of $600, and a fine chancel window was placed in the church in 1885.
The formation of this parish was encouraged by Trinity parish of New Haven, where many of the families formerly belonged. In 1837, under the ministry of Reverend Stephen Jewett, there were 55 com- municant members; in 1890 the number was 134.
The church has had the services of 22 clergymen, the minister in charge since 1888 being Reverend Charles O. Scoville. E. M. Hotch- kiss and William Bishop are the present wardens.
St. Joseph's Church (Roman Catholic), at Westville, sustains a mis- sion relation to St. John's church, of New Haven. It was built in 1872, and has 250 sittings. Recent repairs have made it attractive. About so families worship in it statedly. The Reverend B. W. Bray has pastoral supervision. Daniel Doyle and Thomas Cullen are trus- tees.
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
NOAH WEBSTER, LL. D., the great American lexicographer, died at his home in New Haven May 28th, 1843. He was born in the town of Hartford October 16th, 1758, and was a lineal descendant in the fifth generation of John Webster, one of the first settlers of Hartford. His mother was a descendant of William Bradford, the second governor of Plymouth colony. His father was a farmer in poor circumstances, but favored his son in his efforts to obtain a higher education. He com- menced the study of the classics in 1772, having as his instructor the clergyman of his parish, and two years later entered Yale College, from which he graduated in 1778, having served meantime, in his father's company, as a soldier in the revolution. Among his class- mates were a number of young men who also attained great distinction, as Joel Barlow, Oliver Wolcott, Zephaniah Swift, etc. Being thrown upon his own resources after leaving college, he supported himself by teaching school, preparing himself at the same time for the practice of law. He was admitted to the bar in 1781, but found little encourage- ment to locate in that profession, and again resumed his work as a teacher, and at the same time undertook an employment which gave a complexion to his whole future life. This was the compilation of books for the instruction of youth in schools. After submitting his plans to various educators and receiving their approval of the same, he revised what he had written, and in 1783 published at Hartford his " Elementary Spelling Book," which was the first work of that kind in this country. This was gradually introduced, and before many years its use became very general, so that in the past hundred years more than 50,000,000 copies have been circulated. Its almost universal use has been the means, more than any other cause, of producing a re- markable uniformity of pronunciation in our country.
In the spring of 1798 Noah Webster removed to New Haven, after having lived meantime in Philadelphia, New York and other places as teacher, author, editor and lecturer, achieving, for those times, con- siderable success in those occupations. He now devoted himself al- most wholly to literary work, and in 1806 published his " Compendi- ous Dictionary of the English Language." The favorable reception given it encouraged him to begin, in 1807, the compilation of his "American Dictionary of the English Language," which was made the basis for future revisions, and which has inseparably connected his name with this greatest of American reference books. For twenty years he labored incessantly upon this volume, which was first pub- lished in 1828. Finding his resources, which were almost wholly de- rived from the royalty of the sale of his spelling book, inadequate to support his family at New Haven, he removed in 1812 to Amherst, Mass., where he lived about ten years. In that period, with character- istic enterprise, he helped to found Amherst College, which became one of the best of the minor institutions of learning in all New Eng.
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land. In 1822 he became a permanent resident of New Haven, living thenceforth until his death at the corner of Temple and Grove streets. This house is still pointed out to strangers as one of the historic places of the city, and having for so many years been the home of this great literary man, richly deserves the distinction given it. During the spring of 1843 he revised the appendix to his dictionary, adding sev- eral hundred new words. He completed the printing of it in May, a few weeks before his death, and this, fittingly, was the closing act of his life.
NOAH PORTER, D.D., LL. D., the eleventh president of Yale Col- lege, and after his resignation Clark Professor of Moral Philosophy and Metaphysics, died at New Haven, March 4th, 1892. For many years he was one of the most eminent as well as one of the most ven- erated of the Congregational ministers of Connecticut. He was born in Farmington December 14th, 1811, and graduated from Yale in 1831. He was for several years master of the Hopkins Grammar School, in Boston, and was a tutor in the college. From 1837 to 1843 he served pastorates in New Milford, Concord and Springfield, Mass. In the lat- ter year he was appointed Clark Professor of Metaphysics and Moral Philosophy at Yale, and while occupying this chair issued his first im- portant work, "The Human Intellect, with an Introduction Upon Psychology and the Soul." A more elaborate task was the editing of the revision of " Webster's American Dictionary of the English Lan- guage," published in 1847. His last important work in this latter line was the preparation and issue of a new "International Dictionary."
In 1871 Doctor Porter succeeded Theodore D. Woolsey as president of Vale College, which position he held until his resignation in 1886. During Doctor Porter's administration the progress of the college was marked. Some of its finest buildings were erected during this time, including the Art School, the Peabody Museum, the new Theological Halls, the Sloane Physical Laboratory, the Battell Chapel and one of the largest dormitories.
As an instructor, and in his personal relations with the students, Doctor Porter was very popular. He was the last man to hold the presidency and a professor's chair at the same time. His degree of D. D. came from the University of New York in 1858, and that of LL. D. from the Edinburgh University in 1886. The latter degree also came to him from Reserve College in 1870 and from Trinity Col- lege in 1871.
He was succeeded in the presidency by Professor Timothy Dwight, a grandson of Doctor Timothy Dwight, who was president of the col- lege from 1795 to 1817. The latter was the eighth president of the college, and his administration marked a new era in its affairs, chang- ing it from a collegiate institute to a college proper and clearing the way for a transition into a university. The elder Timothy Dwight possessed an extraordinary range of information, which permitted him
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to clearly comprehend the possibilities of the modern institution of learning. He was also an excellent judge of men and their fitness for the performance of specific work, which enabled him to make a judi- cious selection of a faculty as his co-laborers, who assisted him in giv- ing the college an importance and character it had never before en- joyed. Three of the young men thus selected, who were for more than half a century associated with one another in the service of Yale. were Jeremiah Day, Benjamin Silliman and James L. Kingsley. A part of Doctor Dwight's plans for the elevation of Yale was the estab. lishment of schools, with separate faculties, in which should be im- parted instruction in medicine, theology and law, and several of these purposes had a favorable beginning in his presidency. His labors in the interest of the college were so arduous (Reverend Doctor Sprague said: " He continued through his whole presidential life to discharge the appropriate duties of four distinct offices, each of which might have furnished ample employment for an individual") that his health failed in 1816, and the disease which then took hold of him terminated fa- tally January 11th, 1817, when he was not yet 65 years old and while he was still in the maturity of his powers. Through his character and influence the tendency of the college toward materialism and infidel- ity was changed, and it was brought into a position which it has since held as one of the strongest bulwarks of Christianity in the land. Through his powerful arguments infidelity was vanquished and the truth of the Bible was fully substantiated; and that influence has per- vaded the life of the institution ever since, reflecting a luster of glory upon his honored name.
About a month after the death of Doctor Dwight, Reverend Jere- miah Day was elected as his successor, and he was the president from 1817 until 1846, when at the age of 73 years he tendered his resigna- tion. He had conferred degrees upon 30 successive classes, and his con- nection with the college was in the fullest sense useful and beneficial: and it has been said that at no time was the college more flourishing than under the administration of President Day. He survived the close of this splendid career many years, departing this life August 22d. 1867, at the advanced age of more than 94 years. He graduated from Yale in 1795, and returned to it in 1803 as a teacher, serving it therefore 43 years. In this period the projected plans of Doctor Dwight were fully carried out, the divinity school being added to those of medicine and law already fully established. The library was pro- vided with its first attractive and comfortable home, and a degree of literary activity was awakened which resulted in the publication of college periodicals, one of which, the Literary Magasine, has been con- tinued since 1836.
The successor of Doctor Day and the predecessor of Doctor Porter was Doctor Theodore Dwight Woolsey, the president from 1846 until 1871. His administration was progressive and energetic, and in this
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period of time the college was placed upon a better basis than before. The departments already established were enlarged, and in 1847 the new department of philosophy and the arts was created, and build- ings erected and equipped for its use, through the liberality of Joseph E. Sheffield and Augustus R. Street. He also succeeded in awakening the interest of the alumni in university matters, and their support and cooperation have been very helpful ever since. In 1871 proper recog- nition of this service was given by a change in the charter of the in- stitution which provides for the election of six graduates as members of Yale corporation, one to be elected yearly, and each to serve six years. This provision has been the means of securing the active in- terest of some of the most eminent men of the country, and their warm allegiance has given the university claims upon the public patronage which might otherwise have been denied. Hence the university has in late years prospered greatly, and it has attained a position of su- premacy disputed only by Harvard. How much of this condition has been the result of the labors and influence of the foregoing and the present president time alone can fully tell. But certain it is, judging from the immediate effects attending each administration, that Yale has indeed been fortunate in the selection of its presidents in the past 100 years, and that their zeal and devotion were at least the great in- spiring causes which brought about these desirable changes. All honor to them, and may their names and worth ever remain embalmed in the memory of every friend of learning and advocate of higher education.
LUZON BURRITT MORRIS was born at Newtown, Conn., April 16th, 1827. In his early life he suffered the privations incident to the life of a family in humble circumstances, and with much difficulty ob- tained his education. But toiling and persevering against many ob- stacles, he was enabled to prepare for college in the Connecticut Lit- erary Institution, at Suffield, and entering Yale he graduated in 1854. He now turned his attention to the profession of law and in 1856 was admitted to the bar. After practicing a short time in the town of Sey- mour, he removed to New Haven, where he has since held a most prominent place in the legal profession. He has been entrusted with many important interests, all of which he discharged with great fidel- ity. As the agent of Daniel Hand, the Guilford millionaire, recently deceased, he disbursed large sums of money, much of it in the direc- tion of charity and pure benevolence. His probity and faithfulness in many other trusts, whether in the care of public or private affairs, have caused him to become greatly esteemed and he has frequently been called to serve in public capacities. He was judge of the New Haven probate court from 1857 to 1863, represented Seymour in the general assembly two terms, and New Haven half a dozen terms in the same body and one term in the state senate. In both these houses he was very influential and held some of the most important committee posi-
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tions. The action recommended bears the stamp of his careful train- ing and indicates the judicial cast of his mind; and the laws enacted have well served the purpose for which they were designed.
The eminence and force of character of Judge L. B. Morris fitly suggested him as the leader of the democracy in the gubernatorial campaign of 1890. In that hotly contested struggle his ability and honesty were conceded by men of all shades of belief and many voted for him regardless of former political affiliations out of their admira- tion for his sterling character, notwithstanding his competitors were also popular and most deserving citizens. He received 67,658 votes against 67,597 for all others, including 100 disputed ballots. He was apparently the choice of the people of the state, but by the terms of the constitution, which should long since have been changed, he failed to secure a title to the office, but is honored none the less by all true citizens of this commonwealth, as a truly representative man.
GENERAL SAMUEL E. MERWIN, the chief competitor of Judge Morris for the office of governor, receiving 63,975 votes, is also an honored citizen of New Haven. He was born in the town of Brookfield, Aug- ust 23d, 1830, and is a lineal descendant of Miles Merwin, one of the early prominent settlers of Milford, whose name is still perpetuated in Merwin's Point, in the southwestern part of the sound coast of the county. He was educated in the schools of his native town, and after his removal to New Haven, when he was 16 years old, under private instructions. In 1850 he became associated with his father, also named Samuel E. Merwin, in the wholesale business of a pork packer, which avocation he has followed with success about two score of years. In addition to this pursuit he has been most active in other affairs and has been charged with a variety of private and public trusts, in the discharge of which his faithfulness and integrity have never been ques- tioned. He has been interested in the management of several mone- tary institutions and has been on the board of a number of public and charitable institutions, where his business skill has been of much ser- vice. Always active as a republican, his voice has frequently been heard in the councils of his party, and he served as senator from the Fourth senatorial district. He has also been the republican nominee for mayor of New Haven and congressman of this district. His mili- tary service has been active and highly creditable. For some years he was the captain of the New Haven Grays, and after filling other military offices in the state, served three years under Governor Jewell as the adjutant general of Connecticut and rendered most efficient and valuable service in the late civil war, at home, in New York during the draft riots and promptly volunteered to go to Gettysburg to repel the rebel invasion of Pennsylvania. General Merwin is liberal and public-spirited and on account of his interest in the welfare of his adopted city is deservedly popular and is highly esteemed.
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