USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume II > Part 16
USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume II > Part 16
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Within the past six years the cultivation of tomatoes has become an important industry in the town, and several canning establishments have been started. The Guilford Canning Company, composed of Messrs. Griswold, Dudley, Hubbard and others, put up a large cannery in the northern part of the village, which was extensively operated two years. On Water street is the cannery of the Sachem's Head Canning Company, which has a capacity of 20,000 cans per day. Since 1886 L. N. Benton has been the proprietor. In mid-season more than one hundred people are employed. The products have a most excel- lent reputation, widely advertising the name of the town.
The latest industrial venture is the Guilford Creamery, established in March, 1889, by a joint stock company, of which E. C. Bishop was the president. The creamery has a working capacity for 500 cows, and is fitted with modern machinery.
In 1837 the quarrying of granite for export was begun on an exten- sive scale in the southeastern part of the borough, near East river. The material for a number of public buildings in New York was here procured. In recent years the quarry has become subordinate to the one at Leete's Island, where building stone of superior quality abounds. It was opened about twenty years ago by John Beattie, and by him has been successfully developed into one of the most extensive and important industries in the town.
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
At Mulberry point were formerly fish oil works, carried on by Messrs. Fowler & Colburn. which have been abandoned.
Nearly eighty years ago the Farmers' Wharf was an important place in the town. It was built in 181? on the East river, at the foot of Harbor street laid out as early as 1665. to the tide mill formerly at that point , by the Farmers' Wharf Company, incorporated January 20th, 1812. Land for the wharf was purchased of Samuel Fowler. The company was composed of Samuel Elliott, William Hubbard, Joel Tuttle. Reuben Elliott & Co., Solomon Stone, Jr., Timothy Johnson. Daniel L. Benton. Peletiah Leete, William Landon. Jonathan Bishop, Abraham T. Chittenden & Co., Charles Chalker. Isaac Benton and Frederick Lee. of Guilford; and Silas Benton and Silas Benton, Jr., of Branford.
These parties not only used the wharf themselves. but gave that privilege to others, the charter permitting the charge of whariage. It has long since been abandoned. although small sloops still touch there and at other wharves in the town.
The village of Guilford was incorporated as a borough in October. 1815, and Jonathan Todd authorized to call the first meeting. It was held December 5th. 1815, when the following were elected : Warden. Joel Griffing: burgesses. William Todd, Reuben Elliott. Thomas Bur- giss. William Spencer. Abraham Coan. Jonathan Bishop: clerk. Sam- tel Fowler: treasurer. Timothy Stone; bailiff, Reuben Stone.
Extensive by-laws were passed January 12th. 1816, and the streets were officially named that year.
On the 17th of July. 1874. the charter of the borough was greatly amended, and the bounds as then set forth. in a general way. embraced the territory east of the West or Menuncatue river, and as high up that stream as the ancient Bradley ship yard. thence up the stream to North Guilford road. thence eastward to the Alder brook. and down to the East river. thence down that stream to the Sawpit bridge, thence in straight line to the eastern part of the old Farmers' wharf, on the bank of the East river, and thence to the place of beginning, at Hogs- head point.
This embraces the major part of the "Great Plain" of the early set- tlers, having a length from the sound northward of nearly 13 miles. and an average width from east to west of 14 miles. It contains all the public buildings of the southern part of the town and most of the population and wealth.
The privileges conferred by the charter are not fully realized, as most of the action of the borough has pertained to the restraining of live stock and seeking protection against fires. In 1851 the borough purchased a New Haven engine to displace an old small engine. pre- vously used. and which had become worthless. At Guilford the lat- ter machine became Engine No. 2. azi a company was organized to
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
properly man it. In 1890 the fire inspectors were: D. A. Benton, Wil- liam E. Weld, A. Hinckley, George W. Hill and Charles Griswold.
The following have been the wardens of the borough: 1816-8, Joel Griffing: 1819-20, William Todd; 1821, Nathaniel Griffing; 1822-4, Sam- uel Elliott: 1825-7. William Todd; 1828-9. Jedediah Lathrop; 1830-1, William Todd: 1832, Samuel C. Johnson: 1833-4, George Griswold; 1835-6. Samuel Scranton; 1837-8, George Hart; 1839-40, Anson Foote; 1841-2, Miles Munger; 1843-4, Elisha Hutchinson; 1845-8, Joel Tuttle; 1849-52, Ralph D. Smith; 1853-4, James A. Norton; 1855-7, Edward R. Landon; 1858-9, Russell Benton: 1860, Franklin C. Phelps; 1861, Reu- ben L. Fowler; 1862, William C. Dudley; 1863-8, Reuben L. Fowler; 1869-71, Russell Crampton; 1872-3, Reuben L. Fowler: 1874-7, George B. Spencer: 1878, E. C. Bishop; 1879. George B. Spencer; 1880, John Graves: 1881-5. John S. Starr: 1886-90, William T. Dowd.
In the same period the following have been the clerks: Samuel Fowler, Reuben Stone, Abraham Fowler. Amos Seward, Samuel Fow- ler. Jr., George C. Griswold, William Hale. Richard Weld, Roger Gris- wold, Charles W. Landon, Sylvenus Clark. Edward R. Landon, Bev- erly Monroe, John S. Elliott, John A. Stanton, Charles Griswold. L. O. Chittenden, H. Pendleton. Jr., Henry W. Spencer, George W. Sew- ard, F. C. Spencer.
The borough is sixteen miles east of New Haven, and since 18.52 has been a station on the Shore Line railroad. The situation is very pleasant, and the surroundings have been much improved by the planting of trees and the laying out of lawns, which give the village a quiet and restful appearance. Nearly all the buildings are of wood, many of them being large and substantial, their erection ante-dating the present century. Here is also the famous old stone house, built by the founder of the village. Reverend Henry Whitfield, in 1639, thus being the oldest English built house in America. There are two Congregational meeting houses, and Episcopal, Catholic and Method- ist churches: a public hall, a savings bank, several manufacturing es- tablishments and a dozen other business places. Within the limits of the borough are several thousand inhabitants.
When the town was first settled and the village established in the upper part of the plain, the custom of these times was followed, and a market place or public square set aside, on which the meeting house and other public buildings were to be set. Around the square the homes of the planters were to be placed. The tract thus reserved embraced nearly twelve acres of woodland. about half as wide as long. Its surface was broken by hillocks, rocks and depressions, forming pond holes or basins of stagnant water. Some of the trees were cut down when the first meeting house was placed upon the square, but measures were early taken to protect them, and they were ordered to be left standing. Other trees along the highways were preserved. be- cause they "are found by experience to be of public benefit and advan-
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
tage, therefore, for promoting the same, the selectmen are to mark them with a G, and then there is a penalty following their being cut down." In other ways, however, the square was allowed to become a nuisance. The public buildings were placed on it without regard to system, and the central part was unwisely used as a place of burial. Other parts, and even the sacred resting place of the dead, became the favorite hannt of hogs and cows, who revelled among rank weeds and garbage until the place looked very forbidding indeed, at the begin- ning of the present century. At night, when the sun set, the cows lowed, the geese screeched, and the swine lay off in sonorous sleep. Smartweed and milkweed had their rights there, and the scraggy sides of poplars and willows were polished by the scrawny hides of itching cattle. The gouty land rose in humps and knolls, and the water ooz- ing out formed natural cisterns, partly drained by those camp follow- ers, the hogs and cows. At the upper end stood the already aged town house and the academy, where Mistress Halleck, the poet's mother, once wielded the ferule. There was the whipping post, too, for larger children.
But soon after the public sense was quickened by the evil appear- ance of this spot, and its improvement began. The burial places were vacated in 1817 and new cemeteries begun about a mile away, on either side of the village. The rocks were removed, the low places filled up, and the unsightly poplar trees gave place to the more graceful and honored elms. The removal of the public buildings followed. The Congregational meeting house found a more suitable site north of the green in 1830, and the same year the town house and the old academy were removed to lots in the rear of that building. The last building removed was the Episcopal church, in 1838, which found a new site on the east of the green. The preceding year the ground was enclosed by a simple white railing, and it now began to develop into the beauty spot which is justly an object of pride of all good citizens. Much of the later embellishment was produced by the efforts of the ladies' society of " United Workers," formed in 1874, which has directed its further improvement with good taste and loving hands.
The green now has the appearance of an attractive green sward, studded with stately elm trees, whose grateful shade extends comfort and rest. But at stated periods, on important occasions, its quiet beauty is disturbed by gatherings of citizens, which give life and ani- mated aspect to its precincts. Near the center of the green a soldiers' monument has been erected, whose natural beauty is much enhanced by its sylvan surroundings.
The Guilford Savings Bank was organized October 1st, 1875. Its first officers were: Edward R. Landon, president; Alfred G. Hull, vice- president; Beverly Monroe, treasurer; Henry E. Fowler, secretary. Christopher Spencer succeeded Landon as president, and in 1884 was succeeded by Lewis R. Elliott, who has since been at the head of the
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
institution. Charles Griswold was elected secretary and treasurer of the bank in 1883, and so served until July 1st, 1889, when he was suc- ceeded by the present incumbent, H. W. Spencer. E. H. Butler is the present vice-president. There are 25 trustees. The bank was opened for business in Beverly Monroe's store, moving to its present house in 1883. The deposits, January, 1890, were nearly $142,000, and there was a surplus fund of $5,000.
The first periodical published at Guilford was the Clionian Banner, a small paper issued by the members of the Clionian Literary Society of Guilford village. It had a limited circulation and a short exist- ence.
The first general newspaper was the Shore Line Sentinel, whose first issue bore date March Sth, 1877. The office of publication was in the old Chamberlain building and the paper was here continued about a year, when for want of proper encouragement it was removed to the interior of the state. It was a large, handsome sheet, devoted to the local interests of the shore towns, and W. F. Hendrick was the editor and publisher.
In more recent years the Guilford Item was published as a more dis- tinctly village local weekly, but it, too, was short-lived. The office was in the Kelsey building, on Whitfield street, and the material was re- moved. Since that time several small job printing offices have been set up in the village.
The post office at Guilford village was established in 1789. In May, 1794, the office was supplied by the great mail route from Boston to New York. After 1837 the stages furnished a daily mail supply. The service since 1852 has been by railway and embraces several mails per day. Medad Stone was an early postmaster, as was also Reuben Elli- ott, the latter keeping the office many years on Boston street. Amos Seward, a later postmaster, lived on the west side of the green. George Hart, Albert Wildman, Elisha Hutchinson and Franklin C. Phelps were postmasters up to the close of the civil war. Henry E. Norton followed; and for sixteen years prior to 1885, Captain Charles Gris- wold was the postmaster. Then came Henry W. Spencer, four years, succeeded in 1889 by the present incumbent, George N. Bradley. Since the war of 1865 a post office has been established at Leete's Island, and for a longer period there has been an office at North Guilford.
Formerly the town had hotels of good repute, the Bradley inn, opposite the northwest corner of the green, being favorably known until after the building of the railway. The house was large and had pillars extending through both stories. It has been converted into a residence. Before the period of stage lines, in 1794, the town had ordinaries and inns, but they did not attain any special import- ance. Indeed, the custom of the town did not favor it. We are told that there was "no such thing as tavern haunting and little
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
wasting of time in drinking and fruitless diversion." These habits of sobriety and industry are largely continued to the present time. Along the shore a number of hotels were formerly maintained; the Harbor House, at the foot of Harbor street; the Pavilion Hotel, on Guilford Point, by Robert Hunt, and still continued as a sum- mer hotel; the Sachem's Head House, by Samuel Barker, burned in 1865; and the Walnut Grove House, on Leete's Island, by H. Ives, being the principal ones. At Sachem's Head, summer hotels have more recently been opened.
Among the merchants of the village are remembered the Chitten- dens, the Elliotts, and a few others of half a century ago. The Hales were in trade many years, Henry Hale continuing since 1856. J. Monroe & Son established a trade many years ago, which is also still carried on by Beverly Monroe. Russell Clark merchandised here before removing to New Haven.
At North Guilford stores have also been kept the greater part of a century, among those later in trade being Edmund Field, Charles Lane, and at that stand in 1890 was Jerome Coan. Half a mile north was the store of Baldwin C. Dudley, where was also kept the North Guilford post office. More recently stores have been opened at Leete's Island.
Prior to the revolution some members of the Masonic order resided at Guilford, who complained of the long distance they were obliged to travel to attend the meetings of the order. Desiring that a Lodge be established in their town, they made application to the Provincial Grand Lodge of North America for that privilege, and that body granted them a charter July 10th, 1771. The petitioners were Timothy Ward, Bilious Ward, David Landon, Timothy Ludinton, Eber Water- house, Asher Fairchild, Benjamin Stone, Giles Trubee and William Johnson. In due time the organization of St. Alban's Lodge, No. 38, F. & A. M., was effected, with Bilious Ward as the first master. He was also at the head of the Lodge the next two years. In 1774-5 the master was Eli Foote. The names of those who presided from 1775 to 1797 cannot be given, as the records of that period were burned in the fire of 1862, when Music Hall, where the Lodge held its meetings, was destroyed. Prior to the occupancy of that building the Lodge met in the old academy building. The present Masonic hall is in the up- per rooms of Henry Hale's block, which has been neatly fitted up for that purpose.
The Lodge met statedly until 1827, when its charter was revoked, and was not restored until 1851, when the Lodge was revived, and has in the main since had a fair degree of prosperity. In the fall of 1890 one hundred members were reported.
Besides the masters named the following brethren have served in that position: 1797, Isaac Chalker; 1798, George Cleveland; 1799, Oliver Bray; 1800, Jedediah Lathrop; 1801, George Cleveland; 1802-3, Joel
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
Griffing: 1804-6, Jeremiah Parmelee; 1807, William Spencer; 1808-9, Peletiah Leete; 1810, Thomas Powers; 1811, Jeremiah Parmelee; 1812 -13. Jedediah Lathrop; 1814, Abraham L. Chittenden; 1815-16. Joseph Griffing; 1817-19, Jedediah Lathrop; 1820 3, Amos Seward; 1824, Mer- ritt Foote; 1825-6, Jedediah Lathrop; 1827, Amos Seward; 1851, Charles A. Ball; 1852. C. L. Crowell; 1853, Charles W. Miller: 1854, C. L. Crowell; 1855-62. Asahel B. Morse; 1863-6, Henry B. Stannard; 1867-9, William T. Dowd: 1870-1, Henry B. Stannard: 1872-3, William T. Dowd; 1874 -5, C. H: Norton; 1876, William T. Dowd; 1877, C. H. Norton. And since that time, in the order named. Hart Landon, A. B. Palmer, George S. Davis, Charles W. Walkley, S. J. Griswold and Samuel W. Landon.
Halleck Chapter, No. 4. R. A. M., was instituted at Guilford, Octo- ber 3d. 1883, with H. I. Fisk as the first high priest. In that office he was followed by C. H. Norton, E. S. Bishop, C.W.Walkley and George S. Davis. Other officers in 1890 were: K., Nelson S. Leete; S., Francis Beattie; secretary. C. H. Norton; treasurer, J. T. Wildman; C. H., Charles H. Post; P. S., J. W. Oughton; R. A. C., Edwin S. Spencer. This is the only Chapter on the coast between New Haven and New London, and has 25 members. Its convocations are held in Masonic Hall.
Menuncatuck Lodge, No. 62, I. O. O. F .. was organized in 1849. Among the charter members were Reuben L. Fowler, Asahel B. Morse, Russell Crampton, Henry B. Stannard, Horace Fowler, Edward R. Benton, Amos Griswold and Alpha Morse. After an existence of a number of years the meetings were allowed to lapse and the Lodge went down. But on the 25th of February, 1880, it was resuscitated, with the foregoing charter members and these additional: H. Pendle- ton, Jr., Henry W. Leete, Charles W. Walkley, Richard E. Benton and Edwin H. Griswold. In May, 1890, the Lodge had 76 members and an accumulated fund of $1,200, which was in care of trustees: E. H. But- ler, George W. Walkley and George P. Rolf. The meetings were held in Masonic Hall.
Whitfield Council, No. 1034, Royal Arcanum, was instituted April 19th, 1887, with 27 charter members. In October, 1890, the Council had 45 members. It has had a continued growth and but one death, that of S. W. Landon, in the summer of 1890. The $3,000 benefit was paid to his heirs within a month of his decease. The first regent of the Council was H. S. Wedmore, and that office was filled in 1890 by F. P. Knowles. The trustees at this time were: George S. Davis, E. Il. Griswold and H. S. Putney. The meetings of the Council are held in Masonic Hall.
Parmelee Post, No. 42, G. A. R., was instituted June 17th, 1873, with the following charter members: Alfred N. Wilcox, Charles Griswold, Henry B. Dudley, Joel Griswold, Eber S. Fowler, John Coulter, Henry H. Mack, Julian F. Watrous, H. Lynde Harrison, Samuel J. Griswold. Edward Griswold. The Post has mustered a number of members, and
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had in the fall of 1890 65 comrades belonging. Captain Charles Gris- wold was the first commander. The other commanders, in the order of their service, were: H. Lynde Harrison, Alfred N. Wilcox, William H. Harrison, Julian F. Watrous, Edward R. Benton, L. Odell Chitten- den, Joel C. Page, Adolph G. Sommer, E. Roger Davis, Edson S. Bishop, John W. Oughton, Hart Landon, Sylvester R. Snow, Charles Griswold and L. Odell Chittenden. The Post was instrumental in the building of the soldiers' monument, and has promoted the decoration of the graves of deceased comrades.
A Woman's Relief Corps was organized in March, 1888, as an ad- junct of the above Post, Mrs. Charles Griswold being the first presi- dent and Mrs. Hart Landon the present. The original membership of 17 has been increased to more than 30.
The United Workers for Public Improvement, more commonly called the "U. W. P. I.," was organized February 9th, 1874, by some of the energetic, public-spirited ladies of Guilford, to beautify and im- prove the village. The society has been maintained in the spirit in which it was organized, ever embracing in its membership the leading ladies of the community. Their efforts have led to the material im- provement and embellishment of the village in the way of having trees planted, sidewalks built, streets lighted, and properly caring for the public grounds. As an incidental feature in the accomplishment of these objects, the society published in 1877 the MSS. History of Guilford, prepared by the Hon. Ralph D. Smith, under the direction of its committee, Miss Nettie Fowler and Mrs. Ripley Baylies, and devoted the proceeds from the sale of the book to the prosecution of its work.
The public efforts of the ladies have stimulated private and indi- vidual improvement to such an extent that much of old Guilford has been clothed with a new dress, presenting a clean, orderly and well preserved appearance.
The Guilford Agricultural Society, as a temporary body, was formed a few years after the war. Its permanent organization took place in 1872, and June 25th, 1874, it was incorporated with the following mem- bership, who had before sustained a voluntary relation to the society and Farmers' Club, viz .: John Elliott, Lewis R. Elliott, Henry Fowler, William T. Foote, William W. Fowler, Sidney Leete, J. W. Norton, Richard Wilcox, William E. Weed, J. S. Benton, Sylvester Snow, Henry R. Spencer, William D. Hull, Edwin O. Davis, Henry N. Davis, D. L. Davis, Lewis Fowler, Samuel Crittenden, Charles F. Leete. To these were soon added Jerome Coan, George B. Spencer, Richard H. Woodruff, Richard W. Starr, Arthur S. Fowler, E. Roger Davis, Charles L. Benton, Dudley Chittenden, Everett L. Dudley, Daniel L. Spencer, Roger C. Leete, H. Francis Dudley, William H. Lee, Henry H. Gris- wold, George W. Dudley, Wilbur F. Rossiter, Richard F. Kelsey, and many others.
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The society succeeded in awakening an interest in agriculture, which had been languishing, and has been carried on with general good results. Under its auspices more than a dozen of very success- ful agricultural, mechanical and industrial exhibitions have been held, which have stimulated competition and attracted large numbers of people annually. Usually these shows are held in the public green and in Music Hall. On these occasions the display of the famous Guilford red cattle is especially fine, affording a sight seldom witnessed in any other town in the county, hundreds of yokes sometimes being in the grand parade, preliminary to the competitive examination.
The society has a large membership, and in 1890 had the following officers: President, Robert E. Davis: vice-presidents, S. R. Snow, D. R. Spencer; secretary, George L. Griswold; treasurer, George B. Spencer; directors, George W. Dudley, Charles H. Davis, E. J. Chittenden, E. G. Davis, John Benton, William S. Leete, William H. Lee, George Rolfe, R. H. Woodruff, R. T. Kelsey, J. C. Potter, R. C. Wilcox, George Car- ter, Charles Walkley, R. L. Parker.
Guilford Grange, No. 81, P. of H., was organized April 6th, 1888, with 15 members. In May, 1890, those belonging numbered 50. Meetings of great interest are held semi-monthly in Armory Hall. The executive committee in the summer of 1890 was John B. Hubbard, George W. Dudley and J. W. Norton.
North Guilford Grange, No. 104, though but recently organized, has attained considerable prosperity. Its membership is mainly in the northern part of the town, where the Grange is looked upon with favor as an educational and social factor.
Undoubtedly the " great design " of the early settlers of the town was religion and the formation of a church in which they might enjoy Gospel privileges as best suited themselves. They clearly express this purpose in their " Plantation Covenant," June 1st. 1639, even be- fore their place of habitation had been selected, when they speak of being gathered together "in a church way after such time as it shall please God to settle us in our plantation." The latter object having been secured, they now turn to the accomplishment of the purpose which primarily led them into the new world, where they might better seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness; or, as they empha- sized the purpose in 1643, "The mayne ends which were propounded to ourselves in our coming hither and settling down together are, that we may settle and uphold the ordinances of God in an explicit Con- gregational church way, with most purity, peace and liberty for the benefit both of ourselves and posterity after us." This idea was fully consummated June 19th, 1643, when
The Guilford Congregational Church was formally organized. The method they pursued was the same as had been adopted by the New Haven and Milford churches: "Seven Pillars" were chosen as the basis
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of the organization, and to these the remainder of the company joined themselves to constitute the church.
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