History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume II, Part 28

Author: Rockey, J. L. (John L.)
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: New York : W. W. Preston
Number of Pages: 1138

USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume II > Part 28
USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume II > Part 28

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Shoe manufacturing has for many years engaged the attention of some of the people of Milford. At first small shops were occupied, in which the uppers were eut and given out to be bound and trimmed at home, when the shoe was returned to the shop to be completed. In this way shoemaking was carried on by Samuel C. Glenney, John Smith, Miles Davidson, Jonah Platt, Joseph Merwin and others, a con- siderable business in the aggregate being done. In about 1852 the factory system was adopted by Davidson & Clark. During the war a brisk business was done, manufacturing army shoes, the firm of J. O. Silliman & Co., in the Merwin shop, being very active, and it was the first in the place to use machinery. Silliman, Glenney and some others moved to New York.

In 1855 Albert A. Baldwin engaged in shoe manufacturing, occupy- ing a shop on the hill at the "West End," and having several appren- tices. In 1865 he more fully adopted the factory system, and employed the machinery at that time available, working with success, so that larger accommodations were demanded. In February, 1875, a part of the spacious factory on Broad street was occupied. In 1885 it was en- larged to its present proportions-a four-story building, 35 by 100 feet, with an addition 40 by 60 feet. The motor is a 60 horse-power engine, and the factory as equipped with modern machinery, has a working capacity for 200 people. Many hundred pairs of women's fine grade shoes are daily made, and this establishment is one of the most suc- cessful of the kind in the county. Albert A. Baldwin has been con- tinuously identified with this industry as the controlling head, but for a number of years has had Guy Lambkin, of Boston, as an associate partner, the firm being Baldwin & Lambkin. Distributing stores are maintained in Boston and New York, and a retail store in Milford.

In the northern part of the village a paper box factory was estab- lished by Payne & Todd. But after a few years the latter removed the interest to New Haven, and the building was enlarged for a shoe fac- tory by Walp & Co. After occupying it a short time the interest was removed to Lynn, Mass., in 1890.

N. A. Baldwin, of Milford, was one of the pioneer manufacturers of straw goods for headwear, by machinery. In 1853 he began work experimentally in a small shop at Bryan Wharf. His operations soon convinced him that there was a new era for straw goods manufacture,

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and that there was a possibility of one girl and the straw sewing ma- chine doing as much work as could be done by twenty girls working by hand only. Acting upon this idea he caused the sewing machine to be still further perfected and had scores of them placed in position in his newly-built factory. Operations were now extensively carried on, sewing braided straw he imported from China and Japan. The business having assumed such large proportions, in 1866, it passed un- der the management of the Milford Straw-Sewing Machine Company, of which N. A. Baldwin was the treasurer and manager; and it so con- tinned until the expiration of the Bosworth patents. In 1867-8 oper- ations were so extensive that about 700 persons were employed and thousands of dozens of hats were fully finished each day. In later years the working force has not been so great, but with the aid of im- proved machinery the product still attains immense proportions. The factory buildings, erected and enlarged from time to time, form a plant which had, in 1890, an aggregate floor space 25 feet wide and three-quarters of a mile long. The main buildings are brick, and there is also a fine block of brick tenements. An immense warehouse affords storage for finished goods, which embrace a vast variety of styles and many qualities of products. The plant has its own wharf, and manufactures its own gas for heating and lighting purposes, the coal used being unloaded from barges in its yards direct, and heavy goods find shipment in the same way.

To the manufacture of straw goods was here added, in 1888, the production of floor matting, by machinery, operated by steam power, which has already become an important industry, and the first of the kind in the Union. The machines designed and here constructed weave goods far superior to hand work, and will permit a variety of styles which will have a marked effect upon the matting trade. Both foreign and domestic straws are used, and this interest is being stead- ily expanded. It is carried on by the Mitchell Manufacturing Com- pany, incorporated May 28th, 1888, of which John M. Forbes, of New York, is president, and N. A. Baldwin, treasurer. Under his manage- ment it is becoming as great a success as the straw goods manufac- ture.

The Milford Steam Power Company was incorporated May 5th, 1873, with a capital stock of $25,000, to encourage manufacturing in- terests to locate and operate in the village. Soon after the organiza- tion James T. Higby was chosen president and P. S. Bristol secretary and treasurer, and these officers have since been continued. Ground for a plant was purchased, upon which the company erected substan- tial brick factory buildings, having an aggregate length of several hundred feet, and 32 feet wide, and a 25 horse power steam engine was provided. This has been occupied by various interests. From 1873 until 1879 Henry G. Thompson and others there manufactured shoe lasting machinery, removing to New Haven in the latter year.

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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

Next the occupants were the Automatic Tool Company, removed here from New York, and which remained about a year. Patent nippers and wire cutters were made.

The Connecticut Shoe Company, incorporated in March, 1882, for the manufacture of patent horse shoes, were the next to occupy the buildings, under a lease from the Power Company. They soon re- moved to a distant state. In 1884 an industry was there started as the Milford Harness Company, which name was changed to the Mil- ford Manufacturing Company. Hames and saddlery hardware were made. In the summer of 1890 this company removed to New Jersey, and in July of the same year the buildings were taken as the works of the National Electrical Manufacturing Company of New York city. The capital stock is $200,000, and all kinds of electrical appliances are manufactured. J. G. Noyes is the general manager of the company, and F. A. Lane the superintendent at Milford. About 100 skillful workmen are employed, and this promises to become an important in- dustry.

The seed growing interests of Milford have, in the past six years, attained generous proportions. The soil and climate of the town are well adapted, and with skillful cultivation good returns have been se- cured. Seeds were grown in this town and Orange many years ago, but lately a specialty has been made in growing onion, turnip and sweet corn seeds for the leading seedmen of the country. The prod- uct ranks high, the seeds here grown maturing finely. A number of farmers devote attention to this interest, growing seeds for local seeds- men more extensively engaged, such as Charles W. Beardsley, Dennis Fenn, Everett B. Clark. Alburtis N. Clark, George F. Platt and others of Milford; and S. D. Woodruff and others of Orange.

The oyster interests of Milford are important. The early settlers had a considerable source of food supply in the fish, clams and oysters afforded by the coasts of the town, and in more recent years the culti- vation and shipment of oysters, taken from beds off the sound shore, have been very profitable. So important was this matter, as early as 1764, that the town passed laws regulating the time and manner of taking oysters. In that year a penalty of £1 was imposed for every act of catching in the months between April and September. Subse- quently this has remained a matter for much legislation, both by the state and the town, and many regulations have been made to protect the interest.

Oysters were especially plentiful many years ago at Poconoc Point, and the lands laid out there in 1752 were called the "Oyster Banks." Clams were also abundant, and the Naugatuck and Pootatuck Indians used to resort there yearly, for the purpose (as they expressed it, " to salt,") of catching clams, which they dried and hung on strings to be carried inland, where. they used them with their fresh meat food. Later, the whites visited this point and remained a few days, until a

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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

supply of oysters could be obtained. Huts covered with moss and sea-weed were occupied by those engaged in the fishing business, and in 1836 it was said of this locality: " There is a street containing about 15 or 20 huts of this description, covered with sea-weed, etc., which are quite novel in their appearance. About 50 or 60 persons, engaged in the oyster business, reside in these habitations during the winter months, and four or five have their families with them."*

Along the east shore of the Housatonic river, from this point northward in the town, were also formerly valuable shad fisheries. Many seines were cast in the months of April, May and June, and vast quantities of that excellent fish were taken. But these industries have almost wholly passed away. Both oysters and fish have become scarce, owing to the changes in the beach at the Point and the defile- ment of the water in the river by factories on the streams above. At other points along the shore the natural oyster beds have been muchi depleted, but oysters and clams of good quality may still be obtained.

With a view of increasing the product of oysters by artificial plant- ing, the Gulf Pond Oyster Company was formed after the late war, having among its members William S. Pond, Edward G. Burns, Will- iam M. Merwin and others. The gulf was planted with oysters, and arrangements were made to regulate the flow of the tide so as to pro- mote their growth. But the waters were too muddy and shallow, and the experiment was not a success. But this venture led one of the old company, William M. Merwin, to engage in deep-water planting, a mile or more off the Milford coast, and after some effort he succeeded in establishing a large and profitable industry. His beds yield annu- ally thousands of bushels of fine oysters, which are dredged and brought to Merwin's wharf (where was the old Pond or Gulf wharf), where they are prepared for shipment to northern markets. Two small steamers are kept in this service, and the business on an ex- tended scale is still carried on by Mr. Merwin and his sons.

A menhaden fish rendering establishment at Welch's Point has had a checkered and unsavory existence at other points along the coast. Although an industry of some importance, it is so located that its operations have been enjoined as a nuisance.

The Milford Savings Bank was chartered in 1872, and organized January 18th, 1875, with the following officers: President, Isaac T. Rogers; vice-president. Albert A. Baldwin; treasurer, Phineas S. Bris- tol; secretary, John W. Fowler. In 1890 George M. Gunn succeeded Colonel Rogers as president, but the secretary and the treasurer have continuously served in those offices. The bank was opened for busi- ness in P. S. Bristol's store in February, 1875, but in 1887 the present banking house on Broad street was occupied. The bank has been a convenience to the village, and has been successfully conducted. In January, 1890, the deposits amounted to more than $210,000, and there was a surplus fund of $18,556.75.

* Barber's Hist. Col., 238.

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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

An earlier banking enterprise was carried on a short time about 1835 by the Milford Banking and Mining Company. The institution was known as the Phoenix Bank, and it was mainly a bank of issue, and was based on the mines at West Haven. Charles Clark was the cashier, and Doctor Andrew Franks the president, representing for- eign stockholders. The venture was not successful.

Among the newspaper ventures The Milford Telegram is given the priority. It was begun in January, 1873, by George H. Carpenter. After being issued a few years, the name was changed to the Milford Sentinel, and in 1876 C. D. Page was the editor. Not receiving suffi- cient patronage, it was discontinued not long thereafter.

The Milford post office was established at the beginning of the present century, and William Durand was a pioneer postmaster. Later, Jireh Bull was the postmaster, serving until 1824, the office be- ing kept on Broad street. William Strong was the postmaster in 1825 and later; Doctor L. N. Beardsley from 1841 to 1845. In the latter year D. L. Hubbell was appointed, and for three years had the office at the corner of Wharf and Broad streets, then at John W. Merwin's store, where letter boxes were first used, about fifty boxes being pro- vided. William Brotherton was appointed in 1854, and held the office until 1861. The subsequent appointees have been : Thomas Corn- wall, 1861-6; William Brotherton, 1866-9; Joseph L. Clark, 1869-87; William B. Brotherton, since 1887. The office is in a well-appointed building, has eight mails per day, and its business is steadily in- creasing.

The general assembly of 1838 authorized a fire company at Milford, which was organized in 1839 as a volunteer association-the Milford Fire Company No. 1, or the Wepowage Company. Of this body Theodore Buddington was the foreman. Subsequently in the same capacity were Wilson Plumb, David Miles and Mark Tibbals, and the company included some of the leading men of the village.

The first engine proving too large, it was returned to New York and a gallery or side-bar engine, requiring half a dozen men on each side to operate it, was procured. This was used a number of years, when a second-hand engine was purchased at New Haven, also like the first, with moneys raised by subscription.

The town having taken charge of the apparatus, sold both the old machines and had the present Button hand engine built to order for $1,800. This is called the " Arctic," and is a good machine, capable of throwing three streams to a perpendicular height of 150 feet. The company has two service hose carts and a fine glass hose parade car- riage, the latter purchased in the fall of 1890. The other equipments are ample for the service required. The company is fully manned, having 75 members and Charles H. Munson as the foreman.

In 1854 the town appointed William S. Pond, David Miles and Samuel B. Baldwin as a committee to select a site for an engine house.

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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

This was built on the north side of the railroad. In 1857 it was en- larged by the addition of fifteen feet to the rear. It has since been much improved. The second story has been handsomely fitted up as the company's parlor. In 1886 a good bell was placed in the tower.

The town has been exempt from general conflagrations, but in the fall of 1886 there were a number of incendiary fires, confined mostly to detached buildings.

The Milford and Orange Agricultural Society was incorporated in 1866, George Cornwall being a prime mover in its organization. For several years fairs were held on Milford Green, but in 1872 fine grounds were secured and fitted up on the "Meadow Side" farm of Nathan G. Pond, in the southwestern part of the village. A half-mile track was laid and considerable interest created in speeding horses, and the exhibition of the finer grades of live stock. A declining in- terest compelled the holding of fairs to be discontinued in 1881, and since that the existence of the society lias been nominal only. At the new grounds several very interesting and successful fairs were held.

Prior to 1800 a number of Masons resided in the town as members of King Hiram Lodge, of Derby, which claimed jurisdiction over this territory. About the beginning of the present century an effort was made to establish a Lodge at Milford, but the purpose was not carried out, and there was no such organization until Ansantawae Lodge, No. 89, F. and A. M., was instituted October 21st, 1859. There were but eight charter members, namely, Daniel Buckingham, John N. Buck- ingham, Thomas A. Dutton, Frank Mallett, David Miles, James Sweet, Harvey Treat and Stephen Trowbridge. To this small number have been added more than 200 members, the number belonging in 1890 being 112. Doctor Thomas A. Dutton was the first master, and also served in 1860 and 1866. Other masters have been the following, in order of service: John N. Buckingham, David Miles, Lockwood Burns, Alfred B. Mallett, Charles Davidson, Jr., Nathan E. Smith, Charles Van Horn, Phineas S. Bristol, Colin A. Campbell, William A. Bull, Samuel N. Oviatt, George H. Kingsley, Fred J. Pope, H. D. Simonds, George A. Roberts, Colin A. Campbell, Elbert D. Ford; the latter serv- ing since 1888.

After meeting nearly twenty years in a rented hall, the Lodge de- termined in 1878 to build its own home. A desirable lot on the north side of Broad street was secured, and the corner stone laid August 6th, 1878. The building is a substantial two-story structure of brick, and has an attractive exterior. The Lodge room, in the second story, is handsomely furnished, and the value of the Lodge property approx- imates $10,000. Ansantawae ranks as one of the leading Masonic bodies in the county, and since March 12th, 1889, has been an incor- porated body.

Lucia Chapter, No. 25, Eastern Star, was organized April 28th, 1886, and formally instituted January 6th, 1887. Its semi-monthly meetings are attended with interest.

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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

Wepowage Lodge, No. 14, I. O. O. F., was instituted July 11th, 1844. Among the charter members were John N. Buckingham, Ben- jamin D. Wells, F. C. Dayton and William Bush. The latter survived in 1890, being more than 85 years of age. The meetings of the Lodge have not been interrupted since the date of the charter. In July, 1890, the number belonging was 155.

The first meetings were held in the basement of the Plymouth church, from which they were moved to a room over G. & M. Tib- bals' about 1849. This place was occupied until 1880, when the pres- ent hall on Broad street was secured and furnished at a cost of $1,000. The regalia of the Lodge is valued at $900, and there is a benefit fund of nearly $8,000.

For 25 years David Miles was the secretary of the Lodge, serving until 1876. Since that time, Edward G. Miles, his son, has filled that office. William Bush was the treasurer more than 30 years, and was succeeded by Sanford Hawkins, since in office.

In 1890 the Lodge had 53 past grands, as follows: William Bush, C. N. Peck, Mark Tibbals, A. S. Bristol, Samuel C. Peck, Samuel A. Miles, George N. Osborne, L. M. Welch, Ralph W. Chidsey, Samuel R. Baldwin, Isaac C. Smith, Charles S. Bottsford, Ephraim Curtiss, Nathan C. Platt, Charles P. Morris, Theodore Platt, Charles M. Smith, James G. Peck, Edward G. Miles, J. F. Canfield, Henry E. Smith, Elli- ott N. Smith, Jasper L. Miles, T. F. Camp, John W. Buckingham, De Witt C. Beardslee, Owen T. Clark, D. P. Marvin, A. H. Bristol. E. C. Platt, S. H. Baldwin, George E. Baldwin. L. H. Northrop, William B. Bush, Samuel N. Higby, H. E. Baldwin. Alfred Plumb, Sanford Haw- kins, Charles W. Platt, Robert W. Clark, George S. Gillett, R. R. Hep- burn, Noyes R. Bailey, E. B. Heady. A. B. Gardner, F. E. Bradley, An- drew Clark, A. C. Tibbals, S. R. Smith, L. M. Fairbanks, W. S. Putney, W. M. Irving, W. S. Clark, E. J. Hungerford.

George Van Horn* Post, No. 39, G. A. R., was organized at Milford June 29th, 1871, with twelve charter members. The Post has since prospered, enough members being mustered to make the number 53 in November, 1890. It was largely instrumental in the erection of the soldiers' monument, holding a fair in the winter of 1887-8, at - which $2,100 was realized. The remainder of the amount needed, about $2,800, was raised by subscription, largely by the members of the Post. The following have been the commanders: 1871-2. John W. Buckingham; 1873, C. I. Isbell; 1874, George E. Tilton; 1875, E. B. Baldwin; 1876-80, John W. Buckingham; 1881. Charles W. Ford; 1882, John W. Buckingham: 1883, Edgar Van Horn; 1884, Charles J. Morris; 1885-7, Wallace S. Chase; 1888, George W. Coy; 1889, Nelson L. Stone; 1890, S. A. Warburton.

* Named for George Van Horn, one of the first at Milford to enlist in Com- pany D, Connecticut Volunteers, and was at the battle of Bull Run. Re-enlisted in First Connecticut Light Artillery, and served to the close of the war. Being ill, he took a voyage and died at sea, October 3d, 1866, aged 25 years.

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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

The George Van Horn Relief Corps, No. 33, was organized May 11th, 1888, with twelve members, which number has been more than doubled.

The Milford soldiers' monument was dedicated August 30th, 1888, with impressive ceremonies, which were witnessed by a large con- course of people. Governor Lounsbury and his staff were in attend- ance; Isaac C. Smith was the grand marshal, and Judge A. H. Fenn made an address. The well arranged decorations, consisting of thous- ands of flags and Japanese lanterns, added to the beauty of the occasion.

The monument occupies a central location on Broad street, and stands on a mound, graded and surrounded by granite coping. Ap- proaching it are wide concrete walks. It is a beautiful piece of work- manship, of Ryegate granite, weighing about 37 tons, arranged as four bases, inscribed die, plinth, second die and pedestal, on which is a life- size figure of a soldier at "parade rest," and facing east. On the same side of the monument is the inscription "Gettysburg," over the na- tional coat of arms, in relief, and underneath is "1888." On the east die are the words:

" To the bravery of the men who risked their lives that the nation might live-1861-1865."

On the west side of the monument, on the second die, is the word "Appomatox," over the Grand Army badge, in bold relief. A lower inscription is. "Erected by George Van Horn Post, No. 39, G. A. R., and Friends."

On the north side is " Fort Fisher," over a foul anchor and can- non balls, in relief ; and on the south, " Port Hudson," with crossed cannon, cut in relief.

The monument cost complete about $5,000, and is not only artisti- cally attractive, but very substantial.

The revolutionary soldiers' monument is in the southwest corner of the Milford cemetery. It is about 30 feet high, and the material is Portland free stone of a brownish color. It was erected under an act of the general assembly, passed in May, 1852, which appropriated $600 for that object, and appointed Charles H. Pond, John K. Bristol and John W. Fowler as a local committee to carry out the provisions of the act. The people of Milford also contributed labor and aided the project in other ways. The corner stone was laid October 28th, 1852, in the presence of 3,000 people, by Governor Seymour. Lieutenant-Governor C. H. Pond read a narrative, detailing some incidents in the history of the unfortunate soldiers, whose memory was thus commemorated.

On the south side of the monument are the arms of the state and the following words, giving the story of the memorial :

SOLDIERS' MONUMENT. 1776. IN HONOR OF

Forty-six American Soldiers, who sacrificed their lives in struggling for the Inde- pendence of their country, this Monument was erected in 1852, by the joint lib-

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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

erality of the General Assembly, the people of Milford and other contributing friends.

Two hundred American soldiers, in a destitute, sickly and dying condition, were brought from a British Prison ship, then lying near New York, and sud- denly cast upon our shore from a British cartel ship, on the first of January, 1777.

The inhabitants of Milford made the most charitable efforts for the relief of the strangers; yet notwithstanding all their kind ministrations in one month these forty-six died and were buried in one common grave.

Their names and residences are inscribed on this MONUMENT.

Who shall say that REPUBLICS are ungrateful ?

None of these unfortunates was from the county, but most of them were from this state or New England. A few only were from other states. It is said of these soldiers "that on being cast ashore as many as could traveled to town, in the snow; those who could not walk were conveyed to the town house, which was converted into a hospital, and some were quartered in charitable families.'

Captain Stephen Stow, one of Milford's citizens, was especially ac- tive in ministering to these poor men, doing so at the sacrifice of his own life. It was but proper, therefore, that his name should also ap- pear upon this monument, and July 11th, 1872, the legislature so or- dered. The inscription on the east side, as placed there by Commit- teemen Phineas S. Bristol, Samuel B. Gunn and James W. Beach, is as follows:

In Memory of Capt. Stephen Stow, of Milford, Who died Feb. 8, 1777, aged 51 years.

To administer to the wants and soothe the miseries of these sick and dying soldiers was a work of extreme self-denial and danger, as many of them were suffering from loathsome and contagious maladies.

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History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume II, Part 28

Author: Rockey, J. L. (John L.) Publication date: 1892 Publisher: New York : W. W. Preston Number of Pages: 1138

Author: Rockey, J. L. (John L.)
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: New York : W. W. Preston
Number of Pages: 1138