USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume I > Part 81
USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume I > Part 81
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A number of temperance organizations have been maintained in the town, doing effectual work for a space of time, then going down for want of active support and new membership. Among these have been Cheshire Lodge, No. 2, I. O. G. T., from September 20th, 1862, until May, 1879; Equality Lodge, No. 132, I. O. G. T., instituted in 1870 and continued for a few years; Crystal Spring Division, No. 28, Sons of Temperance, instituted January 28th, 1885, still continues its meetings, but with abated interest.
The Cheshire Farmers' Club was organized January 20th, 1879, with C. S. Gillette, president; Edward A. Atwater, secretary and treasurer. About 150 persons have belonged as members, and have derived sub- stantial benefit from the relation. In October of each year exhibi- tions of farm and orchard products are held in the E. P. Atwater lot; and spring sales of stock are held near the town hall, each occasion bringing together large crowds of interested spectators. In the winter lectures and social gatherings of an educational nature are main- tained. The last board of officers consisted of : J. D. Walter, presi- dent; Jesse N. Humiston and Darius Stebbins, vice-presidents; Fred. Doolittle, secretary and treasurer.
Cheshire Grange, No. 23, P. of H., was organized in January, 1885, at the residence of E. P. Atwater, north of the village, where its meet- ings have since been maintained. C.C. Lord was the first master and served two years, being succeeded by the present master, E. P. At- water, and J. N. Barnes, who also served two terms. E. P. Atwater has been the sole treasurer and one of the most active in promoting the cause of the order. The Grange has greatly prospered, its mem- bership increasing from a few persons to more than 200 in 1889, many of them being active workers.
The Soldiers' Monument is a handsome tribute to the valor and patriotism of the fallen heroes of the town, in the war for the Union, and occupies a prominent place on the village green, in front of the Congregational meeting house, where it is enclosed with a substantial iron fence. The purpose to build such a monument was formed in the summer of 1865, when the town tendered a reception to the returned volunteers of the Cheshire Company of the 20th Connecticut Regiment. On that occasion it was resolved that " a monument should be erected to the memory of those citizens of Cheshire who had lost their lives in defense of their country." Substantial encouragement
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
to this laudable project was at once given by a native of the town, George A. Jarvis, of Brooklyn, N. Y., who offered to donate $1,000 to further this end, if a similar amount would otherwise be raised. This was done by a Monument Association, composed of many citizens of the town, which raised $1,300 more. A design furnished by Robert W. Wright was selected for a monument, which was constructed of Plymouth (Connecticut) granite, and consists of a large square base, semi-base, die and shaft of rectangular shape, the whole presenting a plain but not unattractive pile, more than twenty feet high. On one of the faces of the semi-base is cut in large letters the name of the martyr president, Lincoln ; and on the reverse side appears the name of the honored Admiral Foote, who was reared in this town. The dedication of the monument is on the west side of the die :
ERECTED 1866 TO PERPETUATE THE MEMORY OF THOSE WHO LOST THEIR LIVES IN THE WAR OF THE REBELLION.
On the south face of the die are inscribed the names following :
LIEUT. EDWARD A. DOOLITTLE.
CORP. TiTUS MOSS. CORP. JOHN A. PETERS. CORP. THOMAS SIMONS.
REUBEN BENHAM.
LAMBERT H. BENHAM.
WILLIAM BURKE. JAMES R. BAKER.
WILLIAM BEADLE.
WILLIS BUNNELL.
EDWARD B. DOLPH.
JOHN LYNCH. WILLIAM WOODING.
On the east side are the names of :
EDWARD BARKER.
BERNARD REYNOLDS. GEORGE A. BARTON. FRED. E. HOADLEY. JULIUS H. HOTCHKISS.
GEORGE W. INGHAM.
HENRY B. MUNSON. CHARLES MULVEY. FRANKLIN MOSS. ALEX. MERCER.
JOHN MCLAUGHLIN. GEORGE W. MITCHELL. HORACE P. RICE. BENJAMIN Y. BEACH. NELSON BEACH.
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
And on the north side appear these inscriptions :
GEORGE BRISTOL.
JAMES TUCKER.
JOHN L. PRESTON.
MICHAEL REYNOLDS.
ALBERT F. RUSSELL.
HENRY S. STEVENS.
OLIVER T. SMITH.
AUGUSTUS TALMAGE.
WILLIAM UHL.
EDGAR UPSON.
PATRICK WELSH.
CHARLES BEECHER.
JARED BRADLEY.
AMASA L. DOOLITTLE.
This is one of the first soldiers' monuments in the Union, erected in memory of its defenders in the rebellion, and its dedication July 4th, 1866, was made the occasion of most impressive ceremonies. On the morning of that day a large concourse of people assembled in the village, animated by the dual purpose to celebrate the nation's inde- pendence and to pay homage to the men whose memory the monu- ment commemorates. O. T. Doolittle served as chief marshal ; Ed- ward A. Cornwall, Esq., was the president of the day; and the vice- presidents were : George A. Jarvis, Reverend E. Bull, Reverend O. P. Holcomb, Reverend S. J. Horton, Reverend Cyrus Pickett, Reverend J. H. Ward, Doctor W. T. Peters, Warren Doolittle, A. W. Welton, Nathan Booth, Joel Hinman, Seth Calhoun, Bradley Miles, William A. Brown, Henry Hotchkiss, A. S. Baldwin, Benjamin A. Jarvis, Mark Bishop, Benajah Ives, Elam Cook, Lloyd Moss, James Lanyon, George Bristol, Burritt Bradley and Edward Stevens. The Reverend Edward Bull was the chaplain of the day. The orator was Colonel William B. Wooster, the former colonel of the 20th Regiment, who paid a glow- ing tribute to the men who had been under his command, and whose bravery was attested by courageous action on more than a score of battlefields, some of them the most hardly-contested in the war. A fine eulogy on the life of Admiral Andrew H. Foote was delivered by Professor Hoppin, of Yale College, which was supplemented by the narration of some interesting reminiscences by a brother of the be- loved townsman, Hon. John A. Foote, of Cleveland, Ohio. Other exercises and diversions made it an occasion that will long be remem- bered as one of the most stirring and patriotic that has ever taken place in the town, impressing those present with the truth of General Sherman's maxim, that " Next to noble deeds, is the merit of com- memorating them."
The parish of New Cheshire was active in establishing schools, and two houses were built as early as 1728. The schools were under the control of the ecclesiastical society until the town was organized.
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
Under its corporate privileges a school tax of two farthings on the pound was levied in 1782, and the following appointed the school com- mittee: David Badger, Jared Hull, Asa Blakeslee, Jonathan Wain- wright, Jonah Hotchkiss, Oliver Bradley, Samuel Atwater, Jr., Abner Bunnell, Jr., Amos Atwater, Robert Rice, Enos Tyler, Jeremiah Brooks, Nicholas Russell, David Hotchkiss, Jonas Hill, Asa Wilmot, each to serve in his respective neighborhood. It does not appear that the bounds of these districts were clearly defined until 1794, when they were described and placed in charge of these committeemen: No. 1, Asahel Hitchcock; No. 2, Amasa Lewis; No. 3, Bela Andrews; No. 4, Lucius Tuttle; No. 5. Ephraim Hitchcock; No. 6, Reuben Roys; No. 7, Amasa Clark; No. 8, Andrew Hull, Jr .; No. 9, Jonathan Hall, Jr .; Nos. 10 and 11, Josiah Talmage: No. 12, John Williams; No. 13, Dimon Barnes.
After the lapse of nearly a hundred years the number of districts remained substantially the same, there being twelve in all, in 1889, having as district committeemen: No. 1, Reverend S. J. Horton; No. 2, Benjamin H. Peck; No. 3, Charles S. Gillette; No. 4, Edward A. Thompson; No. 5, Julius Moss; No. 6, Frederick W. Doolittle; No. 7, Henry W. Scott; No. 8, Franklin N. Hall; No. 9, Harrison A. Ives; No. 10, J. W. Moss; No. 11, Rienzi H. Stone; No. 12, C. R. Bannihr. The schools were maintained at an expense of $4,014.42, and 391 pupils were entitled to their privileges. Of the amount expended more than $3,000 was raised by a direct town tax. The tuition of each pupil in attendance cost about $12.75 per year. Teachers' salary $30 and $45 per month, but two males being employed. George R. Johnson, Charles T. Hotchkiss and Theodore A. Cook have been among the recent acting school visitors.
Many of the school buildings are old, and should be replaced by new ones. The house at Mixville is of more recent construction, and has a modern appearance.
Several select schools of character have been maintained in the town. In the house built by the Reverend Whiting, near the Congre- gational meeting house, the Reverend Edward Bull lived many years after 1836, and fitted young men for college.
In 1861 Miss Harriet E. Calhoun opened a school for young ladies, in the old Parson Foote mansion, which she has since successfully maintained. The attendance averages twenty pupils per session, and instruction is imparted in the English, the French and mathematical studies.
The Episcopal Academy of Connecticut is located at Cheshire village. After the war of the revolution a strong prejudice was manifested against the Episcopal church, as its members were sup- posed to have been in sympathy with the royalists; and there was. in consequence, no little intolerance of its adherents and those who held their views. In some instances they were prevented and denied
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
the rights to which they were entitled by their citizenship. Unfortu- nately this illiberal policy also prevailed at Yale, to the detriment of churchmen, to such an extent that the clergy of the diocese of Con- necticut were constrained to establish a college of their own, in which their religion should not only be tolerated, but should be en- couraged in its proper expression. In view of all the circumstances opposed to the inception of such an enterprise, it was a bold under- taking and one which could only have been inspired by their strong faith in their purposes and a devotion to their church. The move- ment which led to this project may have been brought about by the consecration of Doctor Seabury to the Episcopate, as he most keenly urged upon his brethren the need of such an institution. Accordingly, it was made a matter for the action of the diocese at its convention, February 15th, 1792, when it was voted " that the several clergy make inquiry of their neighboring towns and see what can be done toward erecting an Episcopal Academy, and report at the next Convention." By 1794 the plan for such a school was fully developed and an ad- dress was prepared, pointing out the importance of establishing an academy and soliciting subscriptions for it. Wallingford, Stratford and Cheshire responded so favorably that the convention was encour- aged at its meeting, held at Stratford, June 3d, 1795, to decide to found such an institution. Proposals from the three towns were now so- licited, and in July, 1795, the committee appointed for that purpose met at the house of Major Bellamy, in Hamden, and decided that the academy should be located at Cheshire. At the same convention the Reverend John Bowden, the Reverend Ashbel Baldou and S. W. Johnson, Esq., were appointed to provide for the temporary govern- ment of the academy, and to adopt a constitution for its future regu- lation, to be acted upon at the next meeting of the diocese. This con- vention was held at Cheshire, June 1st, 1796, which placed the institu- tion under the control of twenty trustees, who elected the Reverend John Bowden as the first principal.
Meantime, the work of building a suitable school for an acad- emy had been begun. The corner stone was laid with Masonic honors, April 28th, 1796, on which occasion Reverend Reuben Ives and Reverend Tillotson Bronson delivered addresses. Through the influence of the former more than any other the academy was located at Cheshire, thirty persons associating themselves for that purpose, and were designated the proprietors. Most of these were Episcopal- ians and were contributors not merely for the benefit of the town, but for the church. Others were Congregationalists who were actu- ated by local considerations. The building cost £702 lawful money, and was in beauty and convenience in advance of the architecture of its time. So substantially was it put up that it remains to this day with but a slightly modified exterior, and in the group of buildings is known as Bowden Hall. The interior has been so much changed that
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
it bears but little resemblance to the original. "For many years this humble building was the most celebrated seat of learning in the state, under the control of churchmen, and until the establishment of Trin- ity College, it was both college and theological seminary for this and other dioceses."
Although beginning with the scope of an academy, it was the in- tention of the founders to erect it into a college as soon as the finances would permit, and with this view some of the first books in the library -the gifts of private benevolence-were labelled, "Seabury College, in Connecticut." As a step in that direction an endowment fund was started, in 1797, and aid was solicited not only from churchmen in Connecticut, but from foreign parts. In the course of a few years a fund of $3,000 was secured. The academy, under the principalship of Doctor Bowden, prospered, and to give it still better standing the trus- tees, on the 14th of April, 1801, petitioned the general assembly to be incorporated as a body politic. This was done at the May session, when the present title was authorized. At this time 60 students were in attendance, which number was soon increased and the institution prospered. Doctor Bowden was a divine of great learning, and was well fitted for the work in which he was engaged, instructing some of his students in the whole collegiate and theological courses. On the 12th of April, 1802, he resigned to accept a professorship in Columbia College, N. Y., which he held until his death in 1817. He was suc- ceeded as principal by Doctor William Smith.
Under the direction of Doctor Smith a new impetus was given to the movement to secure college privileges, which was encouraged by the improved financial condition of the academy. Much of the fund secured was the proceeds of a lottery, authorized by the assembly in October, 1802, which netted the institution about $12,000. This plan of raising money was at that time entirely consistent with Christian morality, and was generally in vogue to further public objects. The application to the assembly in 1804 for a college charter failed, and it was not again renewed until 1810, when it was also denied. Doubt- less the proximity to Yale had much to do in influencing the legisla- tors to take this adverse action, and after another attempt to secure college privileges, the effort was abandoned, and the institution has since been content to sustain an academic position.
In June, 1805, Doctor Smith resigned as principal, when the Rev- erend Tillotson Bronson was appointed. "and his name stands out most prominently in the history of the academy. He was simple as a child, yet of profound attaininents. A correct scholar and deep thinker, he made a lasting impression upon the minds of his pupils, and we hear from their own lips of the love and respect they felt for him. Many a one who was favored by his instruction has stood by his grave in the cemetery and mourned as for a friend and father."*
* Doctor Horton.
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
Doctor Bronson died in 1826, in the 65th year of his age, and was buried at St. Peter's, Cheshire, where a monument to his memory has been erected. He was principal of the academy twenty years, and now, after the lapse of more than half a century, is still gratefully re- membered in connection with it.
The history of the academy for the next ten years was one of de- clining interest, and for a time it was in such a languishing condition that its existence was only nominal. The principals in this period were Reverend Asa Cornwall, Doctor Henry M. Mason, Doctor C. F. Cruse, in 1831, and Doctor Bethel Judd, from 1832 to 1835.
In 1836 the Reverend Allen C. Morgan became the principal, and under his administration a new impulse was given to the fortunes of the academy. He died suddenly, in 1838, and his loss was greatly felt by the friends of the institution, which was now taken charge of by the rector of St. Peter's Parish, the Reverend Ebenezer E. Beardsley. He was an excellent principal and under his care the academy pros- pered, but he felt constrained to resign in 1843 to resume his duties as minister. Up to this time the pupils resided with private families in the village, but they were now brought under immediate super- vision in the family of the principal.
Doctor Beardsley's successor as principal was Reverend Seth B. Paddock, who evinced great fitness and faithfulness in that office until his death in 1852. He purchased the old Dowd Doolittle tavern, where the courts used to be held, and converted it into a boarding hall, the principal occupying part of the building as a home. Later this place became the property of the corporation and was known as the Senior House. After 1858 a dining hall was built by Principal Babcock as an addition, and in 1863 Principal Horton caused a large three-story frame building to be put up in addition to former accom- modations. It was further improved in the summer and fall of 1873, so that its conveniences and capacity were greatly increased, when, on the early morning of September 25th, 1873, the entire structure was destroyed by fire. Although for the time being a calamity, the loss of the building proved a blessing in disguise, for in its stead was reared the handsome Horton Hall, one of the finest school buildings in the county. The edifice is a commodious three-story brick, attract- ively and conveniently arranged, and is the general home of the acad- emy. It was dedicated in July, 1874.
After the death of Principal Paddock, in 1852, Reverend Hilliard Bryant was for a short time in charge, when Reverend Edward Bal- lard was elected principal. He was both a preacher and a teacher of influence, and after leaving the academy in 1858, became the superin- tendent of the schools of Maine. In 1858 the Reverend J. H. Babcock became the principal, and although able as a teacher and liberal in his ideas, he was unfortunate in his management, so that he resigned
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
in 1861. For one season the academy was closed and the pupils scattered.
Under these discouraging circumstances the present efficient prin- cipal, the Reverend S. J. Horton, D.D., took charge of the academy January 1st, 1862. He brought with him as a nucleus his former school, consisting of fourteen boarding pupils, and from that meager number was reared the splendid school of to-day. Since his accession 267 young men have graduated with academic honors and the school has a yearly attendance of more than 75 students. The single build- ing of the last century has been improved and modernized, the cam- pus enlarged and made attractive, and the elegant buildings which now constitute the academy erected. These results were brought about mainly by the skill, tact and consecration to the cause of edu- cation and the church of the honored Doctor Horton, who has become inseparably identified with the welfare of the academy. In these projects he has had the hearty cooperation of the faculty of the acad- emy, composed of half a dozen instructors and the twenty members constituting the board of trustees. This was officered, in 1889, by the following: President, Right Reverend John Williams, D.D .; vice- president, Reverend Sanford J. Horton, D.D .; secretary, Prof. An- drew W. Phillips, Ph.D .; treasurer, Hon. George R. Curtiss.
The academy has also received generous support from former stu- dents and friends of the institution. Conspicuous among these has been Horatio N. Slater, son of Samuel Slater, the pioneer cotton manu- facturer of America, whose benefactions to the academy have been more than $10,000. George A. Jarvis and Arad W. Welton have also been liberal in their gifts. Mrs. Lucy HI. Boardman has founded and maintained a scholarship, which bears her name.
In addition to Bowden Hall, originally built in 1796, and Horton Hall, built in 1873-4, and already described, the academy includes Beardsley Hall and Bronson Hall. The former was built in 1865, by S. J. Horton, D.D., and was designed for the younger pupils, but since 1867 has been the home of the principal. It is opposite the old acad- emy building and stands on several acres of tastefully laid out ground. The latter, built in 1866, at the suggestion of H. N. Slater, contains the chapel and the recitation rooms. It is substantial and attractive. These buildings afford ample accommodations and Horton Hall is lighted by gas and heated by steam. There are a library, cabinet and laboratory, while a large gymnasium affords opportunity for physical exercise. All the students are dressed in gray cloth uniforms, and a military drill is part of the daily exercise ; and that system is one of the disciplinary means of the institution. That feature of academic life was introduced and has been successfully maintained by the pres- ent principal, Doctor Horton. In 1889 Edward I. Williams was the academy commandant, and the two companies of the school were officered by the students. The scheme of study covers a period of six
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
years and embraces classical, scientific, medical and business courses' whose graduates find ready admission into the colleges and universi- ties of the country.
Proper religious instruction is combined with the mental and physical training, and the obiect for which the academy was estab- lished has not been forgotten, its promoters still believing "that the greatest good that can be done is to educate the heart in accordance with the teachings of the Divine Law."
The first attorney in Cheshire of whom any account lias been pre- served was Samuel Beach, a son of Elnathan Beach. He graduated from Vale in 1757, and besides practicing his profession, was active in the affairs of the town and the church, of which he was an honored deacon. He was a son-in-law of the Reverend Samuel Hall, the first pastor, who took a natural pride in the attainments and character of this truly worthy man. He was a delegate to the convention which formed the Constitution of the United States. His son, Burrage Beach, who graduated from Yale in 1793, was also an attorney in Cheshire, where he died at the age of 70 years. The house the latter occupied, in the village, was long known as the " Old Squire Beach place," and is still standing.
Stephen R. Bradley was born in Cheshire October 20th, 1754, and graduated from Yale in 1775. Removing to Vermont, he became very popular, and was elected to the United States Senate in 1791, serving sixteen years. He died in New Hampshire. aged 76 years.
Peter Hitchcock, born in Cheshire October 19th, 1781, graduated from Yale in 1801. Three years later he was admitted to the bar and practiced several years in Cheshire. In 1806 he removed to Ohio, and there served as judge of the supreme court from 1826 until 1852.
Samuel A. Foote, a son of the Reverend John Foote, was born No- vember Sth, 1780. Graduating from Yale in 1797, he studied law and practiced to a limited extent in Cheshire. He married a daughter of General Andrew Hull, and was engaged in business in New Haven many years, but afterward lived in this town, He received many po- litical honors, and was elected governor of Connecticut. As a mem- ber of congress he introduced the celebrated " Foote Resolutions," which gave occasion for the Webster-Hayne debate. His son, John A., became an attorney at Cleveland, Ohio. Another son was Andrew Hull, honored as a distinguished admiral in the United States navy, and beloved for his manly character.
Tilton E. Doolittle, a graduate from Yale in 1846, after practicing here a short time, moved to Meriden and thence to New Haven, where he took a prominent place at the bar. Other natives of the town who became attorneys were: Jonathan Law, Charles Kelsey, Lucian R. Hall, Azariah Winchell and William Atwater.
William Kelsey, son of Joseph Kelsey, was born in Hartford, Conn., in 1818. He graduated from the Episcopal Academy, Cheshire, and
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Yale Law School. He was admitted to the bar of New Haven county in 1842, and has practiced law in Cheshire, Guilford, and four years in Winsted, Conn. He has served many years as justice of the peace. Mr. Kelsey was married in 1838 to Alma Hull, of Cheshire. They have had five children, three of whom are now living.
An alphabetical list of persons who were physicians in the town, or who became practitioners elsewhere, shows the names of the fol- lowing: Doctors Jeremiah Atwater, Isaac Bartholomew, Elnathan Beach, Bildad Beach, James Beach, Pierre E. Brandier, Augustus Bristol. Ne- hemiah Banks, Thomas Tryon Cornwall, John Cornwall, Edward T. Cornwall, Myron N. Chamberlain, Asa J. Driggs, Edgar B. Doolittle, Edward Fields, William Lambert Foote, Sydney Foote, John Alfred Foote, John Hull, Amos Hull, Zephaniah Hull, Amos Gould Hull, Henry Hitchcock, Henry L. Hitchcock, Henry Hotchkiss, Cyrus Humiston, Walter C. Hitchcock, William Horton, Benjamin Lewis, William Law, Henry Matthews, Darius Matthews, Edward Mills, Isaac Norton, Gold Gift Norton, William T. Peters, Henry Street, Charles Shelton, Edmund Tuttle, Anson Tuttle, Charles R. Upson, William C. Williams, William Edward Williams, George C. F. Williams, Henry Way, N. B. Welton, Edward Woodward.
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