USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume I > Part 44
USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume I > Part 44
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Some time after the completion of the Air Line railroad, about 1871, a station was opened on it in this town, with the name of East Wallingford. Later a post office was there established, with the same name, and a small hamlet has sprung up, in which are the usual occu- pations of such a place.
In 1890 the physicians of Wallingford were C. Hunt Atwater, Henry Davis, J. D. McGaughey. William S. Russell. D. J. Curtin, E. S. Vail, Vincent 1. Baldwin, J. M. Tabor and George Andrews. The town has had many medical practitioners, among them being, accord- ing to a local writer, the following. In addition to the eight Doctors Hull here named, five other descendants of Doctor John Hull located elsewhere :
1. Doctor John Hull, born in New Haven 1641; came here 1687. Practiced in Derby 20 years before.
2. Doctor Benjamin Hull, son of Doctor John, born in Derby. Commenced here 1693.
3. Doctor Jeremiah Hull, son of Doctor John, born in Derby. Commenced here 1695.
4. Doctor John Hull, second, grandson of Doctor John. Commenced 1725. Born in Wallingford.
5. Doctor Benjamin Hull, second, grandson of Doctor John. Com- menced 1735. Born in Wallingford.
6. Doctor Benjamin Hull, third, great-grandson of Doctor John. Commenced 1763. Born in Wallingford.
* See Manufacturing Interests.
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
7. Doctor Amos Hull, great-grandson of Doctor John. Commenced about 1786.
8. Doctor Amos G. Hull, great-grandson of Doctor John. Patentee of the Hull truss.
9. Doctor Aaron Andrews. Commenced in about 1771. Born in Wallingford.
10. Doctor John Andrews, son of Aaron. Commenced in about 1800. Born in Wallingford.
11. Doctor Moses Gaylord. Commenced in about 1800. Came from Durham.
12. Doctor Lyman Parker. Commenced in about 1815. Native of Wallingford.
It is said that Doctor John Andrews and Doctor Parker associated together about the time Doctor Parker commenced practice, and they bought off Doctor Gaylord from practicing physic and the like of fevers, but allowed him to doctor sores, ulcers and such like cases and set broken bones. Doctor Gaylord died in about 1830.
13. Doctor Brandiee. Commenced in 1828. Came from Cheshire. He owned and occupied the place where Mrs. Blunt now resides. on Main street, and for which he gave in exchange 1,000 boxes of Brand- iee's salve.
14. Friend Cook. Commenced about 1835. Native of Walling- ford.
15. Doctor B. F. Harrison.# Bought out Doctor F. Cook in about 1836. Native of Northford.
16. Doctor William Atwater. Bought out Doctor B. F. Harrison in about 1846. Native of Wallingford; and sold back to Doctor Harrison in 1848 or 9. Doctor Harrison died in 1886.
17. Doctor N. Banks.# Commenced here in about 1852. Practiced . in Cheshire before.
18. Doctor V. Baldwin. Commenced here in about 1860. Practiced in Meriden before.
19. Doctor Henry Davis. Commenced here in about 1870. Prac- ticed in Derby and elsewhere.
20. Doctor J. D. McGaughey.# Commenced here in about 1872. Came from Tennessee.
21. Doctor W. S. Russell.# Commenced in 1882.
22. Doctor E. S. Vail. Commenced here in 1886.
23. Doctor D. J. Curtin# has been located here since December, 1887, succeeding a Doctor Bailey, who had been here a short time that year. In the same period Doctor J. D. Brundage was here, but removed to East Haddam.
24. Doctor George Andrews is a native of the town, and after practicing elsewhere located here recently.
In addition to the foregoing. Doctor Davis in his history says that *See biographical sketches in the following chapter.
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
previous to 1800 there had been in the town: Doctors Isaac Lewis, Isaac Bull, Isaac Hall, Gad Pond, Ebenezer Bardsley, William B. Hall, Bilious Kirtland, James Porter and John Diekinson. He names as a contemporary of Doctor Aaron Andrews the celebrated Doctor Jared Potter, the author of Potter's powder, in its day a popular remedy . He was the surgeon of the First Connectieut Regiment in 1775, and died in this town.
Doctor Jared P. Kirtland was in Wallingford from 1814 to 1817, and a number of others for brief periods followed their professions in the town.
In 1889 the attorneys of Wallingford were: Seymour D. Hall, Henry F. Hall, Charles A. Harrison, Leverett M. Hubbard,* George M. Wallace, O. H. D. Fowler, Andrew J. Brown and Frederick J. Holmes. These have here been engaged in the legal profession from two to twenty years. Previous attorneys were: Eli I. Ives, many years; J. R. Merriam, A. B. Chapin, James J. Redmond, B. J. Smith, L. C. Hinman and others several generations ago.
Doctor Lyman Hall, a signer of the declaration of independence, was a native of this town. He graduated from Yale in 1747, and after studying medicine and theology moved to Georgia, from which colony he was sent as a delegate to the continental congress. Later he was elected governor of Georgia. He died in 1791, aged 66 years.
Compass Lodge, No. 9, F. & A. M., was the first secret order estab- lished in Wallingford. The introduction of Masonry into Walling- ford antedated the revolution. Compass Lodge was instituted under a charter granted May 1st, 1769, which was signed by John Rowe, provincial grand master at Boston. This charter was surrendered to the Grand Lodge of the state, which issued in its stead a new charter, which bears date August 17th, 1796, and under the authority of which the meetings of the Lodge have since been held. It is much to be regretted that the records of the early meetings are not available, as they might afford an interesting history of a period when most of the leading men of the town were connected with the order. From tra- ditionary accounts it appears that the Lodge at Wallingford had a flourishing existence until the height of the anti-Masonic feeling, occasioned by the disappearance of Morgan, when, in 1833, its meet- ings were discontinued, and the charter was returned to the Grand Lodge. After the lapse of eighteen years a legal number of the for- mer members made application for its restoration, which was done in July, 1851, and since that time the Lodge has been in active existence. The petitioners for this charter were: Elisha M. Pomeroy, Lyman Cannon, Medad C. Munson, Medad W. Munson, George B. Kirtland, Horace Hall, 2d, John M. Andrews, Randall Cooke, Lyman Parker and Almer Hall. Alfred Parker, Philo Hall and Harmon Morse were added as old members. Soon after the Lodge had resumed it had the
*See biographical sketch in the following chapter.
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
following additions: Lucius Pomeroy, E. M. Pomeroy, Jr., Henry Martin, Almer I. Hall and Selden J. Steele. In 1852 the membership was increased by the admission of twelve candidates. In 1856 23 per- sons joined, and in every subsequent year additions were made until there was a large aggregate membership. In 1889 the number belong- ing was more than one hundred, who met in a pleasantly furnished room in the town hall. Former Lodge rooms were in the chambers of some of the public houses.
Since 1795 the following have been the masters of the Lodge and the years when they were first elected to that office, a number serving more than one term or at different periods: Terhand Kirtland, 1795; Samuel Woodruff, 1796: Jesse Atwater, 1798; John Knott, 1801; Amos Dutton, 1804; Augustus Cook, 1808; Chauncey Cook, 1810; Solomon Hall. 1813; John Barker. 1820; Lyman Cannon, 1822: Lyman Parker, 1823; Constant Kirtland, 1826; Frederick Lewis, 1827; John Barker. 1828: Elisha M. Pomeroy, 1830-3; Elisha M. Pomeroy, 1851; Henry Martin, 1852; George D. Lane, 1853; Almer 1. Hall, 1856; J. B. Pom- eroy, 1861; Benjamin Church, 1862: Gustavus Phelps, 1866; Roswell Morse, 1867; William Gerety, 1870; J. H. Osborne, 1872; William Hodge- kinson, 1875: D. C. Dudley, 1876; Joel R. Boice, 1878: William M. Whittaker, 1879; J.W. Smith, 1881; W. N. Mix, 1882; William Hodge- kinson, 1884; W. B. Hall, 1885; W. H. Newton, 1887; J.W. Smith, 1888: WV. B. Hall, 1890. Associated with the latter were also J. W. Smith. S. W .; W. M. Whittaker, J. W .; R. Talbot, treasurer: O. E. Powers. secretary: F. J. Heavens, S. D .; C. H. Barnes, J. D.
Accanant Lodge No. 71, I. O. O. F., was organized August 14th, 1850, and the following were some of the early members participating in its affairs: John Munson, Samuel Simpson, Henry Martin, Asahel Andrews, Samuel P. Parmalee, George Hull, Jeremiah Hall, Stephen Northrop, Edgar Atwater, Doctor William Atwater, Samuel Dutton, Lorenzo Lewis, Israel Harrison and William Elton. For a few years the Lodge was prosperous, but owing to various causes its charter was surrendered to the Grand Lodge, February 20th, 1856. From that time on, for 19 years, the order had no public representation in the village, although a number of members remained. Through the efforts of a few of these the Lodge was reinstated May 12th, 1875, with George W. Elton, N. G .; L. M. Phelps, V. G .; George H. Yale, secretary: Lyman D. Allen, treasurer.
It now entered upon a career of prosperity, which, in the main, has continued to the present. In the fall of 1889 the Lodge property was worth about $1,500, and there were more than a hundred members. whose interests were looked after by the following principal officials : Trustees, L. M. Phelps, George E. Dickerman and Fraray Hale; noble grand, J. W. Douglass; vice grand, L. A. Young; R. S., Charles A. Barker; P. S., Fraray Hale; treasurer, F. W. Phelps. Interesting meet- ings are held in a well-appointed Lodge room.
370
HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
Putnam Council, No. 19. Order of American Mechanics, owes its existence, at Wallingford, to the efforts of Michael Simons and D. L. Barber, who were instrumental in organizing the above Council, De- cember 2d, 1885. The first meetings were held in T. A. B. & L. Hall, but a later place of meeting was secured in the hall of the Grand Army, which is its present home. The Council has been fortunate in the accession of membership and the accumulation of property, hav- ing had 120 persons belonging, with not a death since organization, and having, in 1889, an accumulated fund of $1,000 cash and other effects worth $500. These interests were in the care of trustees M. Simons, H. D. Kendrick and D. C. Porter. Other officers at this per- iod were: C., J. H. Arthur; V. C., E. C. Hastings; R. S., D. L. Barber; F. S., S. D. Johnson; treasurer, C. F. Harwood.
Ivy Lodge, No. 43. Knights of Pythias, was instituted February 4th, 1887, with 20 charter members. De Witt C. Porter was elected the first chancellor commander; Henry D. Kendrick, vice-chancellor: William H. Talcott, prelate; and Albert Goodrich, past chancellor. Since its organization the Lodge has had a steady growth and has at- tained a fine standing in the community. In the fall of 1889 there were 60 members, who met statedly in handsomely furnished rooms, in the Wallace Block. There was, also, a large fund in the treasury. Besides elaborating the usual work of the order, the Lodge has, in the past year, conferred the amplified degree, which is the highest in the order, and one of the finest degrees in any civic society. At the close of 1889 the principal offices were filled by Hubert R. Chamberlain, William J. Arthur, Charles A. Smith, Charles S. Allen, Henry C. Elton, E. M. Hall, C. O. Norton and William H. Talcott.
Arthur H. Dutton Post, No. 36, G. A. R., was organized in 1869 The soldiers of the war for the Union were quick to realize the benefit which must accrue from a well conducted order devoted to their in- terests, and in the year mentioned ten of them united in organizing the above Post. John R. Atwater was selected as their commander. Unfortunately, a waning interest caused the Post to disband in the course of a few years, and for ten years the comrades were obliged to connect themselves with Posts in other localities. On the 23d of No- vember, 1883, however, the Post was revived with 31 members and this corps of officers: C., William N. Mix; V. C., C. A. Harrison, Sr .; S., Thomas Pickford: chaplain, Charles H. Barnes; Q. M., William M. Whittaker; Adjt., Patrick McKenna; S. M., Charles A. Harwood; Q.M.S .. J. B. Mix. Before the end of six months the membership was more than doubled, and at the close of 1889 more than 100 names were on the rolls of the Post. Besides handsomely furnishing a hall, a relief fund of nearly $1,000 had been accumulated. The commanders of the Post since its re organization have been: 1883-5, William N. Mix: 1886, C. A. Harrison; 1887, Ira B. Smith; 1888, William J. Morse; 1889, Lewis A. Northrop. In 1890 the commander was Jacob Joab and the adju- tant H. C. Nettleton.
377
HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
The Arcanum Club was organized January Sth, 1881, by Christo pher Morgan and about a dozen others, for social purposes, and a room for use was secured on the third floor of the Wallace Block. The success of the project caused the members to apply for corporate rights, which were obtained March 19th, 1884. In February, 1887, the club held its first public assembly and concert in the armory, in Wal- lace Hall, which gave it a favorable introduction to the community, and a largely increased membership. Spacious and handsome quar- ters in the new Simpson Block were now secured, which have been fitted up for the convenience and comfort of the club, which has be- come a large and prosperous social body. December 6th, 1889, the second public assembly was held in the Simpson Opera House, and was a pronounced success.
Among the temperance organizations maintained in the town which have left their impress upon the community have been a strong Divi- sion of Sons of Temperance, prior to 1855; Phoenix Lodge, No. 28, of Good Templars, from 1867 for twelve years, had a large membership: a Temple of Honor, several years; and Perseverance Division, No. 12. Sons of Temperance, organized in 1883, whose meetings are still main- tained.
The Union Agricultural Society of Wallingford was incorporated July 23d, 1872. Henry L. Hall was the first president of the society. which had already held a meeting in 1871. which was attended with so much success that steps were taken to place the organization upon a permanent basis. William D. Hall succeeded as president, and Joseph W. Allen became the secretary, both continuing until the society disbanded, a few years later. For several seasons successful fairs were held at Morse's Park, on Cherry street, but adverse circum- stances produced a diminished interest in the later exhibitions, which made it advisable for the society to suspend its meetings, and the organization was given up.
Wallingford Grange, No. 33, P. of H., was instituted May 28th, 1885, at the house of M. E. Cook, who was the first master. D.W. Ives served as secretary. Thirty-three persons constituted the original membership, which was quickly increased, and in November, 1889, 91 members belonged, in active connection. The meetings were held in Grand Army Hall, and were occasions of unabated interest and instruction in rural affairs and the economic arts. A purchasing agency, in charge of F. M. Bartholomew, has been successfully main- tained by the Grange since 1887. Since the organization of the Grange the principal officers have been the following: Masters, M. E. Cook. G. W. Cook and G. A. Hopson; secretaries, D.W. Ives. G. A. Hopson and F. M. Bartholomew; lecturers, Z. P. Beach and H. W. Andrews. The Grange has made several fine exhibits at the state fair at Meriden, and was awarded the first prize for the displays made.
CHAPTER VIII.
THE TOWN OF WALLINGFORD (Concluded).
Educational Matters .- Establishment of Religious Worship .- First Congregational Church .- The Wallingford Controversy .- The Wells Society .- The Wallingford Baptist Church .- St. Paul's (Protestant Episcopal) Church .- The First Methodist Class .- Yalesville M. E. Church .- The Adventist Church .- Yalesville Baptist Church .- St. John's (Protestant Episcopal) Church, Yalesville -Second Advent Church of Wallingford -Holy Trinity (Roman Catholic) Parish .- The Wallingford Community .- Cemeteries .- Biographical Sketches.
A S soon as the town was fully organized, about 1678, the matter of maintaining a school was a subject for town legislation, and the selectmen were authorized to approve a schoolmaster at a salary of "ten pounds a yeare and three pence a weeke for all schollers males or females from six to sixteene years ould, so long as they goe to schoole." But it is probable that some arrangement for schools had been made as soon as the church was founded, in 1672, for usually these two institutions went hand in hand. In 1680 Elijah Preston taught a six months' school. Fifteen years later Eleazer Peck, John Parker and John Moss were chosen a school committee, and the town authorized them to hire a woman in summer and a man in winter. An effort to build a school house, made this year, was not realized until 1702. The building was small, not exceeding 20 feet square. In 1711 Henry Bates was the schoolmaster and Captain Merriman, Samuel Munson, Sr., and John Ives the school committee. A general school tax was laid upon all children between the ages of 6 and 16 years living within a mile and a half of the school house.
In 1715 the old town was divided into two districts, one on the east side of the river, the other on the west. Four years later a third school was started in the Andrews neighborhood. Henry Bates was the village schoolmaster a dozen or more years. In 1725 a new school house, 20 by 25 feet, was built. Schools were now held several months per year, on the farms, in various parts of the town, and separate dis- tricts were formed as the necessities of the different sections de- manded, until the system was thoroughly established. The shifting population made the change of location of many school houses neces- sary, and a few have been abandoned in consequence of the consoli- dation of districts. The Yalesville school house was originally on the east side of the river, the location being changed about 1800, when the district was enlarged.
379
HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
To secure schools of a better grade, Districts Nos. 5 and 6 were dissolved and united, December 9th, 1865, as the Central school dis- trict, whose first officers were B. F. Harrison, S. B. Parmalee, John C. Roach, committee; and John Atwater, clerk. The schools continued to be held in the old South Main street building of the 6th district; in the old Elm street house, where Senator Joseph R. Hawley attended while residing, as a lad, with his father, at that time the Baptist min- ister at Wallingford; and a new school was opened in the basement of tlie old Catholic church. But the question of building a centrally lo- cated school house was soon agitated, and October 26th, 1867, Samuel Peck, Samuel Simpson, E. H. Ives, Augustus Hall and John C. Roach were appointed a committee to select a site. Failing to promptly make a selection, the matter was settled when. on June 11th, 1868, Moses Y. Beach donated a plot of four acres of land, beautifully located, 011 which he had purposed to erect, at his own expense, a high school, but had been prevented by the civil war and his ill health to carry out his intentions.
Meantime the demand for school room on the "Plains" had be- come so great that in 1868 the brick school house was erected, at a cost of $7,500; and October 20th, 1868, it was voted to build the Cottage school house, on Quinnipiac street, on the " Plains."
On the 25th of October, 1868, it was voted to erect a school edifice on the Beach lot, at a cost of $25,000, and a building committee com- posed of Samuel Simpson, James B. Campbell, R. H. Cowles, Doctor B. F. Harrison. A. I. Hall, James M. Leavenworth and R. R. Bristol, was appointed to take charge of the work. This was postponed for a year, but September 4th, 1869, it was ordered to proceed to build. Subsequently bonds to the amount of $30,000 were issued, and on the 17th of April, 1871, the building was reported completed, at a cost of $31,896.73. A portion of it was occupied for school purposes, January 1st, 1871. As originally put up the house was 70 by 80 feet, basement half out of the ground, two stories clear and a mansard story, produc- ing a structure having a high and attractive appearance. August 9th, 1878, the entire upper part of the building was destroyed by the great tornado, and when the repairs were made the upper story was modified and the general shape changed. This was done at a cost of $8,500. Subsequent improvements have made this one of the most complete buildings of the kind in towns of this size.
In 1884 the district erected the Simpson school house, in the east- ern part of the borough, Samuel Simpson donating the lot on which the house stands. In 1887-8, the new and complete Colony street school building was erected, at a cost of $31,455.69, the committee hay- ing charge of the work being H. B. Todd, Reverend Hugh Mallon, Henry L. Hall, Michael O'Callaghan and Patrick Concannon. In 1889 the district owned school property, in the form of real estate, to the amount of nearly $60,000, and had a net indebtedness of $51.324.14.
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
There was a good supply of apparatus and modern fixtures, and schools were kept in 17 rooms. The teachers were paid salaries to the amount of nearly $10,000, and other expenditures increased the outlay for the support of schools to about $14,000 per year.
The first efforts to grade the schools of the district were made in 1871, but in 1887 a more complete grade was established, and June 14th, 1888, a revised course of study was adopted, requiring about ten years to complete, and including classical studies in the high school. In 1889 more than 900 pupils were registered in all the schools of the district. Joseph A. Kellogg was the first principal in the high school building, and since 1886 the principal has been F. J. Heavens.
On the school committee of the district Doctor B. F Harrison and C. H. Brown served many years, and Joseph W. Allen has been the clerk since 1868. Henry L. Hall has for many years been the acting school visitor, and to his interest in educational matters is due, in a large measure, the proficiency of the schools of Central district.
Union Academy was incorporated at Wallingford May 12th, 1812. on the petition of Samuel Cook and others. The stock of the corpora- tion consisted of 250 shares at $5 each, and in view of the fact that Porter Cook had donated the land on which the academy stood, he was given stock for the value of the same-$137.50. Joshua Bradley occupied the building as the first principal. He was an earnest, ener- getic teacher, and succeeded in gathering together a number of pupils, whom he carefully instructed several years, having usually a lady assistant. Elder Wright and Thomas Ruggles were also male teachers, the latter teaching in 1817. The pupils in 1818 numbered 45. In the course of time the academy building was converted into a residence, and as such was occupied many years.
In more recent years an academy was maintained on Centre street, in the so-called Mascnic Hall, where A. B. Chapin, a Mr. Keeler and others were the teachers. For short periods other select schools were taught in the borough, but since the grading of the public schools but little support has been given to such enterprises.
The public school building at Valesville is a fine two-story frame edifice, with vestibule extension, and was erected in 1874 at a ecst of $9,000. The lot on which it stands embraces three acres, nicely plotted and planted with Norway spruce trees. Three spacious rooms accom- mnodate the 150 pupils registered for attendance. In 1889 Henry Schwab was the school visitor of the district and Charles E. Vale the treasurer. The old Valesville school house, northeast from this site, has been converted into a residence, near the place where it originally stood. The schools of Walesville have a well-merited reputation for their excellence.
The early settlers of Wallingford were actuated by the same spirit as that which had moved the founders of other towns in that period. and endeavored, while their own humble homes were yet building,
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
to secure for themselves religious worship. Hence, at the second town meeting, held April 21st, 1671, they voted to lay a rate of 30 shillings on the owner of every twelve acre lot, and 20 shillings on those owning eight acre lots, to raise a fund for any fit person to be helpful in the ministry. For two years a Mr. Harriman preached on the Sabbath, performing this duty before a regular society was organ- ized or an ordained minister could be secured. The organization of a regular church was postponed several years, partly on account of the inability of the settlers to provide the requisite means and partly be- cause it was, like all the affairs of the town, made a matter for grave deliberation. But the meetings thus held were after the order of the Congregationalists, whose religious beliefs and forms had been legal- ized by the civil government as the established church.
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