USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume I > Part 77
USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume I > Part 77
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A short distance east of where Samuel Mallory last lived, at top of hill, was formerly the home of Sergeant Caleb Matthews, who settled here about the year 1715. About this time he, in company with Cap- tain Jolin Hotchkiss, purchased some 300 acres of land. A portion of this land they bought of Jonathan Atwater, and a part of Benjamin Beach, called second division land. The name of Caleb Matthews ap- pears among the first records of the Congregational society in 1723. where he was often elected to positions of influence. Sergeant Caleb Matthews married first, Elila, in 1715, and second, Elizabeth Frisbie, in 1736. the Reverend Mr. Whittlesey, of Wallingford, performing the ceremony. In the town cemetery, on an old brown stone, is recorded as follows: " Here lies ye body of Mr. Caleb Matthews. He died Aug. ye 23rd, 1755, in ye 81st year of his age." On a slate stone in close proximity is also inscribed: " Here lies ye body of Elila, being ye wife of said Caleb Matthews, who died Jan. ye 17th, 1736, in ye 27th year of her age."
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
In the southeast part of the town, and near where Albert Rice now lives, Matthew Bellamy settled about the year 1708, at which time he was married to Sarah Wood, who died within a few years, and in 1722 he again married Mary Johnson. He was the father of Matthew Bel- lamy, who settled on Cheshire street; of Aaron Bellamy, who lived many years in this place, and who married Desire Parker in 1753, and was interested in working for several years the copper mine in this locality. Another son of the first mentioned Bellamy was Joseph, afterward known as Doctor Joseph Bellamy. He was born in 1719, graduated at Yale College in 1735, when but 16 years of age. He re- ceived his theological education largely under the instruction of the Reverend Samuel Hall, who was then the pastor here, and also the Reverend Mr. Whittlesey, who took a deep interest in this young student. At the age of 18 years he was licensed to preach, and in 1740 was ordained and installed as pastor of the Congregational church in Bethlehem, Conn. He became eminent as a public speaker and as a writer, possessing a strong and well disciplined mind. Cheshire with pride records his name among the most gifted of her sons. He died in Bethlehem, Conn., in the year 1790, in the 72d year of his age, and in the 50th year of his ministry. His last days were spent among the people where for so many years he had been a faithful and devoted minister, and where, under his instructions, a goodly number of young men were fitted for the gospel ministry.
Nearly opposite the present residence of James White was in early times the residence of Henry Brooks and his son, Thomas. In the year 1685 Henry Brooks was conducting the blacksmith's business. He was a farrier and shoer of horses in Cromwell's army. He sold out his business in the mother country in the year 1687. Thomas, his son, in consideration of his father conveying to him one-half of his estate, took upon himself the maintenance of his father and mother during the term of their natural lives. William Tyler and Mary Tyler deeded to Thomas Brooks, in April, 1705, "102 acres of land. 2nd Di- vision land, called the Lathrop farm, lying one mile from the New Haven Mill-River, and bounded South on Capt. John Hotchkiss, Jonah Hotchkiss and David Smith. The South West Corner a little pond, dated 23rd April, 1705, and Eight Acres laid out on the East Side of the farm." From the above records, and from reports it would seem that Henry Brooks and Thomas Brooks, with their families, removed to Cheshire about the year 1705. They were from Cheshire, in Eng- land, and it is supposed by some (who furnish good reasons for the claim) that they were the ones who gave the name of Cheshire to this place. A vote of the First Ecclesiastical Society furnishes the evidence that at the house of Captain Thomas Brooks religious services were held previous to the erection of the first church in New Cheshire, in 1723. Thomas Brooks died of small-pox in 1732, and his loss was deeply felt by the new organization. Nearly all of the Brooks fami-
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
lies in Cheshire, of the different branches, trace their origin to this same Thomas Brooks, the descendants of whose sons are very numer- ous, and are scattered about in several different states of the Union. Several of them have become prominent in different positions in life.
A few rods west of the residence of Thomas Saults was in former times the residence of Henry Bristol, who was the first settler in what is now Cheshire, by the name of Bristol. He settled here early in 1700, and died in 1750. Henry Bristol was one of some 40 heads of families who colonized a section of the Connecticut forest claimed by the New Haven colony, which was at this time almost an unbroken forest, abounding in great oaks which some say were from "500 to 1,000 years old." It required not a little muscle and unflinching cour- age for a man with a family to settle down for life in a forest so wild and forbidding. In the valley a short distance east were Indian wig- wams, and the calls of the Indians upon the pale faces were not un- frequent, asking tribute of them for the privilege of living in their midst, and of clearing up the land claimed by the red men as their legitimate possession. In the house where Thomas Saults lives, Jona- than, a son of Henry, the original settler, and Gideon, a grandson, resided many years. The latter served six years in the war of the revolution, and was one of the tall and well built veterans sclected to receive the arms of the British soldiers who surrendered at Yorktown. He was a strong built man, brave and generous. He was also an ardent patriot, and when once enlisting in Washington's army he staid by it until the end of the war and until English domination in America had ceased.
North of William Johnson's house, about the year 1737, Ebenezer Atwater settled. One morning Mrs. Atwater was awakened by the shrill, pitiful cries of their pig, and hastily rushed to the window just in time to see a huge black bear jump out of the pen with the pig in its mouth. The neighborhood was soon aroused and started in pursuit. The bear took a southeasterly course, crossing the fresh meadows, coming up on the ridge near the old Johnson homestead, where it was shot by Daniel Johnson. It was a large one and weighed over 200 pounds. It was divided among the neighbors who went in pursuit, and all went home well pleased with their day's exploit.
East of the academy about 13 miles, and fronting the road a few rods south of the residence of William S. Baldwin, was formerly the old Tuttle homestead. Here Deacon Timothy Tuttle settled in 1706. He married the same year Thankful Doolittle. Here also his son, Ephraim Tuttle, resided, whose wife died of small pox in the year 1732, and also several families of his descendants made this place their home. Some think this was the first house erected in what is now Cheshire, but although among the first it is evident that a few at the southern part of the town have the seniority. The descendants of Deacon Tuttle were numerous, many of whom resided for many years
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
in this locality, but to-day not a single person bearing the name of Tuttle resides in this portion of the town. Deacon Tuttle was the first moderator of the Congregational society, one of the building committee of the first church and one of its deacons for 16 years. The old pine tree now standing near this old house place, has been sighing its mournful requiem for nearly a century and a half of years. It has been a guiding point to many a traveler passing over this highway between this town and Meriden.
In North Broad swamp, and sometime about 1700, the first settlers were, evidently, Caleb Hull, Doctor John Hull and Captain Samuel Hull, all grandsons of Doctor John Hull, who came to Wallingford from Derby, where he had been the first physician. He was at that time already an old man, but in order to secure his settlement in the town, the authorities of Wallingford granted him a tract of choice land which they supposed contained 700 acres; said land lving be- tween the north side of Broad swamp and the Quinnipiac river. This grant was more than a mile square, and was known as " Doctor Hull's large farm," the Hulls and the Atwaters owning at one time a long stretch of land between the Quinnipiac river and what is now Copper valley. At the top of the hill east of the residence of Josiah Hull was a dwelling, which was the home of Caleb Hull. He married Mercy Benham in 1724 and settled here when but 28 years old. In 1710 he received from his grandfather, Doctor John Hull, 100 acres of land in this vicinity, on the condition that he should come and live with his grandfather until 21 years of age, or until his decease. Doctor John Hull died in 1711. It is evident that Caleb accepted, for the grant of the 100 acres of land to Caleb is a recorded transaction. Doctor John Hull settled east of the brook near the place known as the Ben Hull place. He married Sarah Ives in 1727, and evidently located here about that time. He was the father of Doctor Zephania Hull, who moved to Bethlehem, and the grandfather of Andrew Hull, commonly known as Squire Hull. A hotel was kept at this place several years. Captain Samuel Hull married Sarah Hall in 1733, and settled still farther east. His house stood a short distance east of the Darius Hull place. Captain Samuel was a great-grandfather of Josiah Hull, now a resident in the swamp, and the father of Jesse, who was six years a soldier in the war of the revolution.
In the southeastern part of the town and nearly opposite the house of Warren Andrews was an old fashioned leanto house, a finely built one for those days, occupied first by Captain Elnathan Beach. He married Abigail Ufford, of Stratford, and settled here in 1720. She died in 1738, and in 1742 he married Hannah, daughter of Samuel Cook. Elnathan Beach was a man of great wealth for those days, and was of high standing in the new settlement. He presented the Con- gregational church with a bell for their meeting house, and by his last will left a bequest of several pounds as a fund for the relief of
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
the poor of the parish of New Cheshire. On a monumental tablet in the town cemetery may be seen the following tribute to his memory:
" Here lies intered the body of Elnathan Beach, a gentleman who from a small beginning, by an honest industry and dilligent applica- tion to business, raised a very considerable estate. His liberal bene- factions to the parish of Cheshire will perpetuate his name, and as he was perhaps the first in Conn. who began a fund for the relief of the poor, so he deserves a particular place in the memory of all who wish well to mankind. He died Aug. 16, 1742, in the 45th year of his age."
John Beach, a son of Elnathan, also resided here for many years. He was the father of Doctor Elnathan, Doctor Bildad, Doctor James and Abijah and others. John Beach was a very prominent citizen. He was elected to the position of the first selectman of the newly incorporated town of Cheshire in 1780, and was also its representative in 1782.
Doctor Abraham Beach, also a son of Elnathan, was born at this place in 1743, and graduated at Yale College in 1757, when but 14 years of age. He afterward became a distinguished clergyman of the Episcopal church in the city of New York.
A short distance east of the late residence of Burritt Bradley, was formerly the home of Moses Bradley, who lived here in 1752. He had a son named Stephen Rowe Bradley, who was so full of mischief that his father could do nothing with him and so he concluded to send him to college. This arrangement was made, and the youthful Stephen entered Vale College in the year 1772. Here the elements of mischief and sport so prominent in his character did not lie dormant. and many tricks are reported to have been played by him on college tutors and others, who were victims of his mischievous practices. Stephen R. Bradley, with all his inclinations for sport, nevertheless graduated with honors at Yale College in the year 1775. He after- ward settled in Vermont, and became one of the most popular inen in that state. He was elected to the United States senate, and continued a member for 16 years. He died at Walpole, N. H., in 1830, aged 75 years. How often it proves true that those who in their youth seem reckless and ungovernable, after sowing their wild oats, settle down to life's realities, and become the most useful and influential men.
In the extreme southern portion of the town and a few rods south of Leander Bristol's place, Daniel Andrews settled in the year 1712. His wife died of small pox during the scourge that visited this place in the year 1732. A short distance north, on the old colony road. Thomas Ives settled at about the same time. A young lady rode over daily from Wallingford, bringing the dinners to the men at work clearing up the land near this place. One day she broke off a twig from a pear tree in starting, which she used for a whip when riding on horseback. Upon arriving at her destination she placed the twig in the damp ground near by, and it grew and bore pears, and lived to be over 150 years old.
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
A short distance west of the Burritt Bradley place, Matthias Hitch cock settled in 1710. He was a useful and prominent member of the early parish of New Cheshire.
West of the late residence of Rier Bristol and a few rods south of the cider mill now standing, John Hitchcock, a brother of Matthias. settled in the year 1712, the same year of his marriage to Marlow Munson. He was a prominent official in the new settlement and was one of the first committees appointed to manage the affairs of the parish of New Cheshire in 1723. His descendants were numerous, several of them occupying positions of publie prominence in the state and nation.
The hill west of this place was known as Scotch hill. On the west side of this hill, a few rods north of the residence of Mrs. Alonzo Brooks, is a large rock, known as Scotch rock. Tradition informs us that a Scotchman, who had deserted from the English army, fled for safety to the large cave under this rock, and for several months made this cave his home and hiding place, the interior being much larger than it now appears. The names " Scotch hill," and "Scotch rock," were taken from this tradition of the Scotch refugee.
West of Scotch hill, and near where Samuel H. Brooks now lives, his father, David, his grandfather, David, and his great-grandfather, Enos, resided. Enos was a son of Thomas, the first Brooks settler in the new settlement. David Brooks, A. M., was a son of Enos. He graduated at Vale College in the year 1765, was ordained to the work of the ministry, occasionally preached but was never settled over any church. He was a delegate to the state convention held in Hartford in January, 1788, to ratify and adopt the constitution of the United States, and was one of the 40 who voted against ratification. He was a soldier in the war of the revolution and was among the first quota of men furnished by the parish of New Cheshire, entering the service first as a private soldier, but afterward was duly appointed the quarter- master of his regiment. At the request of his kinsman, General David Wooster, he prepared and delivered a discourse in Derby, Conn., in the year 1774, on the religion of the revolution. This discourse attracted much attention and was published and helped to move public opinion in favor of the struggle for independence.
A short distance north of the Southwest district school house, on the west side of the road, Ephraim Cook formerly lived. He was a tanner and had several vats north of his house. He also had a large bark mill west of his house. He was a shoemaker by trade, and was the first Cook settler in this locality, locating here in 1727. He had numerous descendants, many of whom moved out to Burton, Ohio. The diteli dug through the hill near the old house place, and which can now be seen, was the work of Ephraim Hitchcock, who here dug for silver. He was one of the many who sought but never found.
Near where Edward Doolittle now lives, in 1730 Jahleel Law settled.
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
He was the son of Governor Jonathan Law, of Milford, and was the father of Esquire William Law, who was afterward a prominent citizen of this town, holding many positions of public trust.
Near where Albert Stone resides, Thomas Curtiss settled in 1717. He was a prominent factor in the early settlement of New Cheshire. He was one of the committee appointed for building the first church in 1723.
On the road running southwest from the residence of Norman Beach is the place known as the Gaius Hitchcock place, where David, the father of Gaius, and also Peter, the grandfather of Gaius, resided. This house now standing was built by Peter Hitchcock in the year 1738. The rafters were taken from the first church built in the parish, and forming a part of the old house and its additions, are portions of the three Congregational churches which have been built in Cheshire. A deed is in existence in which Peter Hitchcock, Sr., conveys to " Peter Hitchcock, Jr., } of an acre of land, in the South East Corner of the home lot, for the love, good will and affection he cherished for his son Peter." David Hitchcock, a son of the elder Peter, also resided here. He was a revolutionary soldier, was an officer, with the rank of cap- tain, and was afterward generally known as Captain David. He was a true patriot in word and in deed, believing in those principles of freedom and independence for the establishment of which he was will- ing to lay down his life.
Amasa Hitchcock, another son of Peter, born in 1739, lived during the first part of his married life in the old leanto house, now standing a short distance north of his father's. He had a large family, twelve children in all, among whom was Amasa, who built and for many years dwelt in the house nearly opposite the Congregational green. He was the first postmaster of the town of Cheshire at a time when the letters were so few that Mr. Hitchcock pinned them to the window sashes, so that the names could be read from the outside, and persons could ascertain by this list whether or not they had such mail matter in the post office. Robert Hitchcock, a son, was here brought up. He graduated at West Point, and afterward became a naval officer of con- siderable distinction, having been promoted to the position of com- modore in the United States navy.
Silas Hitchcock, another son of Amasa, Sr., occupied for many years the house built by Bishop Abraham Jarvis, and here his widow now resides. Silas Hitchcock was a successful merchant in this place for many years. He was a very useful and exemplary citizen, filling nearly every office of public trust in the town. He was a man kind in heart, charitable in expression, whom many loved, and around whose bier many mourned. To leave such a legacy to survivors is altogether more to be desired than thousands of gold and silver. He died in 1849.
East of the center a few rods and near the factory of the Cheshire
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
Clock Company, Valentine Hitchcock, a brother of Amasa Hitchcock, Sr., settled. He was born in 1741. He was the father of the Rever- end Roger Hitchcock, who also here resided until his death. He was ordained as pastor of the Congregational church in 1820. The salary voted him was $500 annually, of which he refused to take but $400. requesting that $100 be put at interest and the same added annually to the principal and used if necessary in the future for the support of the gospel in the society. He lived but a few years and died greatly beloved by all who knew him. Reverend Reuben Hitchcock, another son of Valentine, was the pastor of a church in Georgia several years. He was also the president of an academy in that state for five years. Peter Hitchcock, another son of Valentine, graduated at Yale College in 1801, and studied law in Litchfield, Conn. After being admitted to the bar he moved to Burton, Ohio. He was sent to the legislature from that place in 1810, from 1812 to 1816 was a state senator, and was president of the senate for a time. In 1817 he was sent to the senate of the United States. He was judge of the supreme court from 1826 to 1852. He became one of the most distinguished men of the state of Ohio. Going through to Washington when first elected to Congress and being very plainly dressed, and having stopped at a hotel for din- ner, at once the inquiry was made by several loungers about the tav- ern, " Who is that seedy looking individual?" Very soon seated in the parlor several gentlemen came in and accosted Mr. Hitchcock, calling him in turn judge, general and senator. This greatly sur- prised the curious lookers on, who were led to conclude that they had greatly "missed their mark." Mr. Hitchcock went to Burton, Ohio, in the year 1806, with an ox team, consuming 40 days' time in the journey.
A short distance south of the center and nearly opposite the resi- dence of W. A. Lanyon, Josiah Hotchkiss settled in 1712. He and his wife both died of the small-pox in 1732, and it is generally believed that the disease which proved so afflictive to the infant settlement, broke out at the home of this family.
Near the residence of Samuel Kelsey, Deacon Stephen Hotchkiss settled in the year 1707, with his wife Elizabeth, who was a daughter of John Sperry, of New Hayen. He was one of the deacons of the first church, which was erected in 1723, a few rods southwest of the residence of W. A. Lanyon, and was its deacon for 31 years; also in 1723 he was selected to "Sett the Psalms" on the Sabbath. In 1724 the society agreed with Deacon Stephen Hotchkiss to sweep the meeting house for one year for one pound lawful money.
Near the residence of Doctor E. T. Cornwall, in an old-fashioned leanto house, Reverend Samuel Hall settled in 1723. He was the first pastor of the Congregational church or parish of New Cheshire, was ordained December 9th, 1724, and was its pastor until the year 1767, covering a period of 43 years, at which time Reverend John
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
Foot was ordained as colleague. Notwithstanding, Mr. Hall officiated nearly one-half of the time for nine years afterward, and then closed his ministry with a discourse from Samuel xix:35: " I am this day fourscore years old." He died February 26th, 1776, aged 81 years. Like a shock of corn fully ripe he was gathered to his fathers. Mr. Hall was well off financially for those times, even when he came to Cheshire, and was able to purchase land and erect buildings thereon. The green in front of the present Congregational church, and that part of the town cemetery west of the ravine was a portion of his benefactions to the parish of New Cheshire. Reverend Mr. Hall was an old light on the Dana controversy. His last sermons were deliv- ered at a time which tried men's souls. Lexington, Concord and Bun- ker Hill had already. met the smoke and carnage of battle, and so thrilled with patriotic enthusiasm was Cheshire's venerable pastor that he walked up and down the aisles of the old church, earnestly urging the young men to march as minute men to Boston to drive back the invading foe.
The house now standing on this site was built by Doctor Thomas T. Cornwall, who practiced medicine in this town for many years, and who was a successful practitioner. Also in still later times this was the residence of the Honorable E. A. Cornwall, a son of the doctor. who was a very prominent and useful citizen, filling in his lifetime nearly every position of public trust within the gift of his fellow citi- zens to bestow. He died in 1889.
On the opposite corner, where now resides Seth Calhoun, the Rev- erend John Foot settled about the year 1767. He married Abigal, daughter of the Reverend Samuel Hall. succeeded his father-in-law in the pastorate of the Congregational church and was its pastor from 1767 to 1813, a period of 46 years. During his term of service he adınitted to the church 549 persons, and officiated at 1,109 funerals. He died in the pastorate in the year 1813, after a long and useful service in the ministry of the word. It is related of Mr. Foot that when first settled as a colleague of Mr. Hall, then quite a young man, he was walking one day in the southern portion of the town, and meeting a man on the road with two dogs, he pleasantly accosted him with the usual salutation, and then asked him why he kept two dogs. The man replied: " For this reason; you will notice one of my dogs is getting old, and I got the other one as a colleague for him." Mr. Foot being in the same position to Mr. Hall, saw the point at once, and even in his old age acknowledged it to be the sharpest turn he ever received.
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