USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume II > Part 39
USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume II > Part 39
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Nehemiah Tolles, born in Bethany in 1810, died in 1853, was a son of Daniel, and grandson of Daniel, who was a resident of Derby, Conn. Nehemiah Tolles married Polly, daughter of Captain Jesse Beecher. Their children were: Daniel, married Maria Newton; De Etta, married Jerome Downs; and Christine, married Edward Beecher, son of Lyman Beecher, and had one daughter, Leta Beecher. Edward Beecher was elected representative from Bethany in 1878. He died in 1881. Daniel Tolles, father of Nehemiah, married Mary Hine. Captain Jesse Beecher (named for his father) married Sarah Lines, and their children were: Hoel, Jesse, Emeline, Saralı, Polly and Hen- rietta.
Benajah Tuttle, born in Woodbridge (now Bethany) November 3d. 1812, is a son of Calvin and Sylvia (Smith) Tuttle, and grandson of Uri Tuttle, who came from Hamden and settled in Bethany Decem- ber 5th, 1764. Uri was the fifth generation from William Tuttle, who came from England in the ship " Planter" in 1635. He landed in Boston and settled in or near New Haven. Calvin Tuttle was born in Bethany in 1786. In his family were six children: Benajah, Jere- miah, Elizabeth H., Edwin A., Horace and Sylvia E. Only two are living, Benajah and Elizabeth H. Edwin A. married Malinda Tuttle in 1862. Benajah married Mrs. Alice C. Sperry in 1869. Benajah learned dentistry, and that, in connection with farming, has been his business. Uri Tuttle, born 1737, married Thankful Ives. Their chil- dren were: Jeremiah, Amasa, Uri, Chauncey, Mary, Uri2, Elam, Ben- ajah, Seymour and Calvin.
Lambert Wooding, born in Bethany in 1825, is a son of Levi and Polly (Bradley) Wooding of Woodbridge, grandson of Elijah, and
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
great-grandson of John Wooding; all residents of Woodbridge. Lam- bert Wooding was married in 1865 to Celia A., daughter of George W. Royce. They have two children living, George L. and William L. Winthrop D. died in 1868, Frank H. died in infancy in 1875, and Grace A. died in 1873.
Samuel R. Woodward, born in Morris, Conn., in 1844, is a son of Sherman P. and grandson of Reuben S. Woodward. He settled in Bethany in 1872. He has been highway commissioner, justice of the peace and secretary of the board of education; was elected selectman in 1878, and first selectman in 1879, and with the exception of nine months has been first selectman and town agent to the present time; and was elected representative in 1882. He was married in 1872 to Mrs. Charlotte F. Bigelow, daughter of Justus Peck. Their children are: Daisy E., Florence E. and Sherman P. Justus Peck, born in Cheshire in 1809, was a son of Asa Peck. Justus worked on the old Farmington Canal, and ran the first through boat on the same. He came to Bethany in 1843. He was a farmer, and was a prominent member of the Bethany Congregational church. He held the office of selectman several years, and was justice of the peace. He married, in 1834, Marietta Moss, and for his second wife, in 1839, Jane, daugh- ter of Harry French, of Bethany. Their children were: Harry F., Charlotte F. and Marietta J., who married William J. Francis, of Wallingford. Charlotte F. married Henry M. Bigelow for her first husband and Samuel R. Woodward for the second. Harry F. Peck married Lydia A. Wood, of Beacon Falls. Their children are: Henry B., Nelson J. and Edwin H. Justus Peck died February 3d, 1885.
CHAPTER VIII.
THE TOWN OF ORANGE.
Location and Natural Features .- Incorporation .- Civil List .- Highways .- West Haven Village and its Various Interests .- The Village of Orange .- Tyler City .- Alling- town .- West Haven Congregational Church .- Christ Church (P. E.) .- West Haven M. E. Church .- St. Lawrence Church (R. C.) .- Orange Congregational Church .- Orange Cemetery .- Biographical Sketches.
T' HE town of Orange is west of New Haven, north of Long Island sound and Milford, and south of Derby and Woodbridge. On the west are Milford and the Housatonic river. Its length from east to west is more than six miles, and the average width is about three and a half miles. The shape of the town is somewhat irregu- lar, in consequence of taking some natural features as boundary lines. On the southeast they follow the waters of New Ilaven bay or harbor, with West river as the upper line of division from New Haven. On the southwest, separating the coast ports of Orange and Milford, is Oyster river. Eastward, to the New Haven harbor, much of the sound shore affords a very fine beach, a part of which has been im- proved for a pleasure resort. The principal improvements of this nature are at and near Savin Rock, less than two miles south of West Haven green, and consist of several dozen villas and buildings for the accommodation of the public. Savin Rock is a large ledge ex- tending some distance into the sound. Here General Garth's division of British troops landed, July 5th, 1779, when occurred the invasion of New Haven. It is said that the locality was so named on account of an evergreen shrub which grew upon this shore when the country was settled. The shore surroundings at this point are very pleasant, and their attractions are constantly increasing.
The general surface of the town is hilly, but there are some level lands along the streams-Indian river, Wepawaug and Bare brook- where productive farms are cultivated, and are especially adapted for the growth of vegetable seeds. In several localities mineral deposits, principally silver and copper, have attracted the attention of ininers, in consequence of the discoveries of David Lambert in 1818. Later a New York mining company developed a copper mine in the same range of rocks, but the operations did not yield profitable returns. Agriculture has, from the beginning, been the chief occupation, but in recent years manufacturing has received more attention.
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
The grand list of 1889 indicated taxable property to the amount of $2,657,342, some of it being detailed as follows: Acres of land, 16,185, value $1,146,006; dwelling houses, 1,016, value $1,002,729; manufac- tories, 20, value $33,150; horses, 590, value, $31,446; neat cattle, 1,469, value $29,751; stores, 11, value $13,450; capital in trade, $27,825; manu- facturing operations, $107,325; earnings of vessels, $7,754; oyster grounds, $31,516.
Orange was incorporated May 28th, 1822, to include in its body politie the parish of North Milford, in the town of Milford, and the parish of West Haven, in the town of New Haven. A new name being necessary, many terms were suggested, but the present title was selected, finally, " in commemoration of the benefits received from William, Prince of Orange, by Connecticut when a colony; par- ticularly in the restoration of their charter privileges, after the tyr- anny and usurpation of Sir Edmund Andross."*
The first town meeting was held at the North Milford meeting house, on the second Monday in June, 1822, when the following were chosen as the principal officers: Town clerk, Benjamin L. Lambert; selectmen, John Bryan, Jr., Ichabod Woodruff, Aaron Thomas, Lyman Law; treasurer, Nathan Clark; tythingmen, George Treat, Aaron Clark, Jr., Simeon Smith, Bradford Smith, Lyman Pruitt, Samuel L. Pardee.
Since that time the town clerks have been: 1823-33, Solomon John- .son; 1834, Lyman Prindle; 1835-49, William Woodruff; 1850-4, Sidney Pardee: 1855-6, J. Seymour Pardee; 1857-87, Elias T. Main; 1888- , Walter A. Main.
Among others who served as selectmen or town agents were: Nathan Merwin, Aaron Clark, James Reynolds, James Fitts, Albert F. Miles, Benjamin T. Clark, from 1850 until 1879; Albert Candee, Henry WV. Palmer, Dennis B. Stone, Isaac Hine, George H. Alling, Enoch Clark, George W. Tuttle, Samuel L. Smith, James Graham, Luther Fowler, David Platt, George R. Kelsey, Isaac P. Treat, E. W. Wilmot, Charles T. Sherman, Charles F. Smith, Elbee J. Treat, Joseph An- drews, Andrew D. Thomas, David Platt, William C. Russell.
The town affairs are carried on at an outlay of about $30,000 yearly, about one-third being for the benefit of schools, and another third for the improvement of the highways. The Derby turnpike, passing through the upper part of the town, is still a toll road. The Milford turnpike, through the town, nearer the center, was vacated and be- came a publie highway many years ago, its usefulness having been destroyed by the New York & New Haven railroad, which was built through the town in 1848. A well-ordered station is maintained at West Haven. The Derby railroad built through the town, in recent years, has stations at Orange, Tyler City and Allingtown. By these means the towns has easy communication with outside points.
* Barber's Hist. Col., p. 246.
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
West Haven village is on the west side of New Haven harbor, and about one mile from Long Island sound. It has a pleasant location, on an elevated plain, and has a number of handsome, wide streets, some of which are well shaded by large trees. The buildings lots are large, and some of the residences stand on spacious, well-improved grounds, which contribute to the pleasing appearance of the place. The center of the old village was at West Haven green, about three and a half miles from New Haven green. The railway station is half a mile nearer the city. Since July 4th, 1867, the old part of the village has been connected with the city by the West Haven horse railway. The same company afterward extended its lines through the village to Savin Rock. The system is well managed, and has advanced the prosperity of the town. The headquarters of the company are at West Haven, and, in 1891, it was officered by Israel A. Kelsey, presi- dent; William H. Tallmadge, secretary and treasurer, and W. W. Ward, superintendent. West Haven green was formerly somewhat marshy, but more that 50 years ago its improvement was begun, and it has been carried on to a considerable extent. It now has a fine lawn-like appearance, with regular paths laid out through it. It is graced by a fine liberty pole, and contains also the Congregational meeting house and the old burial ground. On the south are the Epis- copal church and grave yard. In the east part of the village are Methodist and Catholic churches. Near the same locality are Tem- perance Hall, used by the Sons of Temperance, and the Women's Christian Union, and the magnificent Union school building, which was first occupied in the fall of 1889. The rooms are 10 in number, each one capable of accommodating 50 pupils. It is one of the most pleasing edifices of the kind in the county. On the corner of Main street and Campbell avenue is Thompson's Block, a public business building, erected in 1874. In it are the public offices, halls and the West Haven Reading Rooms, recently established under favorable auspices.
In this building is also kept the West Haven post office, finely fit- ted up, and which supplies mail for 3,000 patrons. The service is five mails per day. Harris G. Eames is the postmaster, serving since De- cember 6th, 1890. His predecessor was George H. Thomas, who suc- ceeded Frederick Bishop.
West Haven was incorporated as a borough in 1873, and is gov- erned by a board of warden and burgesses. These were, in 1891: Warden, E. J. Crawford; burgesses, Dennis Kimberley, Samuel Bry- ant, Lee Bishop, Charles Sherman, Israel Kelsey and Arthur Ben- ham. A. C. Heitman was the clerk, and John F. Barnett the treasurer. About $10,000 is expended yearly in public improvements and main- taining public interests.
There is a system of public water supply, furnished by the West Haven Water Company, which has been in operation the past five
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
years. Several reservoirs have been built, northwest of the village, into which water from a brook is pumped and carried thence by mains through the principal streets and to the sound shore. There are 19 street hydrants and 3 public water tanks, maintained at a yearly out- lay of about $500. The borough has a fire warden and owns a fire en- gine, which is manned by a volunteer company. Since 1887 the borough has had its streets illuminated by electricity, there being 46 public and 3 private arc lamps. There are also gas lights, both illum- inants being furnished by New Haven companies. These improve- ments have been conducive to the prosperity of the borough, whose present growth is measured by 50 new houses erected yearly.
For many years the development of the village was slow, and for a term of years was practically at a standstill, the most of the improve- ments having been made within the present half century. Prior to this century this locality was generally called the "West Farms " of New Haven, and the inhabitants of this section were usually spoken of as the "West Farmers." One of the houses occupied by one of these farmers, and which was built in 1695, is still standing as the property of the Collins family. A house, built in 1745, which was long owned by Captain Anson Clinton, stood until 1889, when it was removed to make place for the new mansion of Rollin W. Hine.
George Lamberton owned property on the " West side," which was divided among heirs, Samuel Smith, Captain John Alling and William Trowbridge. Deacon Thomas Stephens was an early settler and be- came very aged. Thomas Painter was one of the original settlers, having Edward Thomas as a neighbor. The Benhams, Wards, Clarkes, Browns and Thompsons were also here as pioneers. Later, some of the principal farmers of West Haven were Thomas Painter, James Reynolds, Newton Stephens, Eli Kimberly, Ezra Candee, Nehemiah Kimberley, Albert Candee, Isaac Hine, Joseph Prindle, Captain Icha- bod Smith, Captain Anson Clinton, Captain Albert Thomas and the Ward brothers-Henry, Thomas, Elliott and Jacob-who were also vessel owners and seamen. Formerly many of the inhabitants were thus engaged, and boat building was also carried on. For a number of years a ship yard has been kept up, on the West Haven side of the harbor. In 1891 four-masted schooners for the coastwise trade were built there by Gessner & Marr, employment being given to a large number of men. Henry Sutton was a former ship-builder, and launched a number of schooners of large capacity.
Most of the manufacturing interests of the town have been cen- tered at West Haven. One of the first factories opened here was that of the West Haven Buckle Company, which was incorporated in 1853. Among those interested were S. S. Hartshorne, Silas Thompson, Edgar M. Smith and George R. Kesley. Since that time operations have been carried on successfully and profitably, over three-quarters of a million of dollars having been paid to the stockholders of the com-
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
pany as dividends. Nearly a hundred persons are employed. In 1891 the secretary and treasurer of the company was D. S. Thompson.
For many years George R. Kelsey was the successful manager of the above company, and his patents contributed much to the success of that corporation. In 1883 he established the American Buckle & Cartridge Company, of West Haven, of which Israel A. Kelsey was the president and treasurer in 1890. This company occupies works in the southern part of the village, and several dozen hands are em- ployed, under the superintendency of M. L. Bassett. Buckles for men's wear are the principal manufactures.
In the same locality are the extensive works of the Mathushek Manufacturing Company, manufacturers of musical instruments. Operations were here begun in 1876, as the Parmalee Piano Company, from which has been evolved the present corporation, one of the most successful of the kind in the state. From 40 to 60 superior pianos are made every month, and many skillful mechanics are em- ployed. Piano stools have also been manufactured in the town by various corporations.
The Graham Manufacturing Company manufactures keys and key blanks; water pipes are made by the Connecticut Patent Water Pipe Company; carriages by Grannis & Russell, and adjustable carriage poles by the Bishop Pole Company. All these industries give em- ployment to hundreds of men.
The West Haven Budget, a local weekly paper, was established in January, 1885. The past four years it has been edited and published by F. S. Tower. An earlier paper published here was the Church and Home, issued in 1882-3, as a monthly, devoted to the objects indicated by its name. Reverend Norman J. Squires was the editor.
Physicians have for many years resided at West Haven, those lo- cated there in 1890 being Doctors John F. Barnett, Durell Shepard, William V. Wilson and C. A. Bevan.
Annawon Lodge, No. 115, F. & A. M., was chartered June 16th, 1873, upon the petition of the following Masonic brethren residing in West Haven: D. S. Thompson, Jarvis E. Kelsey, Stephen G. Hotch- kiss, M. S. Leonard, James C. Hyde, W. W. Ward, Joseph Andrews, William A. Cross, Isaac T. Baker, Henry C. Thomas, James McAlpine, James H. Peck, James B. Thomas, Norman W. Domkee, John E. Marr, E. E. Wildes, George Warner, Francis Kettle, David T. John- son, Luther C. Fowler, Elizur Pond, Frederick W. Bishop, Charles C. Adams, William Church, John M. Aimes, Joel N. Andrews, Stephen E. Booth, H. I. Thompson, Samuel Mallory, Henry A. Thompson, Joseph B. Thompson, George Edward Cleeton, Franklin Robinson, Robert M. Gesner, Zadoc R. Morse, Nelson S. Wilmot, Charles C. Smith. J. J. Butler, Edward Pritchard, Edward L. Bradley, Edgar M. Beebe, T. W. Johnson, Thomas E. Newton. The Lodge has prospered, and now has about one hundred members.
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
The West Haven Volunteer Memorial Association was organized in 1886. In June, 1888, the Oak Grove Cemetery Association pre- sented the former body with a lot in its cemetery, in which Union sol- diers could be interred and a memorial erected. The lot was dedi- cated to this use in May, 1889. William E. Augur, W. L. G. Prichard and Harry I. Thompson were appointed a committee to raise funds to erect a memorial. This was properly dedicated September 10th, 1890.
The first interments at West Haven were made on the public green, which was used for that purpose until about thirty years ago, when a more secluded place for interments was provided by the Oak Grove Cemetery Association. This body was incorporated Novem- ber 27th, 1860. The cemetery has been tastefully laid out and is neatly kept.
The village of Orange, often called the "Center," is west of the center of the town. It is a station on the Derby railroad, and is lo- cated in one of the pleasantest parts of the town. In this locality are some good farms and substantial improvements. The lands here were surveyed and laid out in 1687, but no settlement was made until a number of years after 1700. Richard Bryan, Jr., son of Richard Bryan, of Milford, was the first to locate here permanently, opening some good farms. From this circumstance this part of the town was called " Bryan's Farms." A descendant, John, lived south of the "green," and his son, Richard, had a store on the west side of that plot of ground. The settlement of other farmers was invited, and as early as 1750 the inhabitants were so numerous that a winter school was set up.
After 1804 the locality became known as "North Milford," retain- ing that title until after the formation of the town, in 1822. In the year first named a public library was here established, which had, in 1816, 144 volumes, mostly on religious subjects, which is an index of the character of the inhabitants-they were sober, intelligent and in- dustrious. Among the inhabitants of this period was Jonathan Rogers, having a homestead south of the green. His sons, Jonathan T. and Jonah, remained in this locality. Benjamin Clark lived on the east side of the green, where his son, Benjamin T., an aged and respected citizen, still resides. Colonel Alpheus Clark lived on the present Wellington Andrew place; Colonel Asa Platt, a large and wealthy farmer, on the Ed. Russell place. North of the church lived Deacon Jonathan Treat, who died in 1829. His sons, Jonathan and Jireh, also opened farms and long occupied them. These places are now in the possession of their grandsons. Northwest of the church lived David Treat, the father of sons named William, Leverett and David. In the same locality were Josiah and Jonathan Fowler. Other well-known residents were Matthew Woodruff, Benedict Law, Curtis Somers, the Fenns and the Andrews. In many instances the de- scendants remain.
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
In more recent years stores have been kept in this village by Rich- ard Bryan, S. F. Oviatt and others. William J. Scobie has traded here a few years. The latter is also the postmaster of the Orange office, succeeding S. F. Oviatt, who had kept it in the railway station, where he was the first agent. Preceding him as postmasters, before 1861, were William T. Grant, Benjamin T. Clark and Dennis B. Stone. The office has two mails per day.
I11 1822 Doctor Josiah M. Colburn, who had that year graduated from Yale, located here as a practicing physician. He continued, with mitch success, until 1839, when he removed to Derby. An extended biographical sketch of Doctor Colburn appears in another part of this volume. Other physicians remained only short periods.
The water power of the Wepawaug in this locality was early util- ized in operating small mills, some of which are continued, on a lim- ited scale, for the accommodation of the community. The Allings successfully manufactured woolen goods in a small factory on this stream, but many years ago removed to Birmingham, where their Wepawaug mill has become noted for the variety and extent of its productions, that industry being among the largest of the kind in the county.
Many years ago an academy building was put up, a short distance from the green, in which good schools were kept. The ruins of this house still remain. Within the past decade a fine two-story school building and public hall has been built on the east side of the green, where the youth of the hamlet are well instructed.
Tyler City is a hamlet two miles east from Orange village and four miles from New Haven. It is a station on the Derby railroad. It contains a few buildings, among them being a shop occupied by the Peerless Button Hole Attachment Company, which was incorporated in 1887. A large building was erected here for a private school, which was later occupied as the county home of refuge. A post office, with the name of the station, is maintained.
Allingtown, named for the Alling family, is near the West river, two miles from New Haven station. It is mainly suburban to New Haven city. Besides a number of residences, it contains a Gospel Union chapel, which was dedicated December 7th, 1890. Near this place is the grave of the British Adjutant Campbell, who was killed while leading the advance on New Haven. A monument has recently been set to mark the spot so long neglected.
An effort was made as early as 1712 by some of the " West Side Farmers" to secure parish privileges, and the general court was peti- tioned to forni them into a separate society. New Haven strongly opposed such a movement, claiming that the farmers were too few in number to maintain a society. But in May, 1715, the court at Hart- ford granted the request, in spite of the protests of New Haven, whose cause was argued by Samuel Bishop and Samuel Cook, and ordered
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
that a Congregational society be established with the following bounds: " Beginning at the West river and running from the said river on the south side of Mr. John Allyn's meadow, thence to the upland and on the north side of Mr. Thompson's, till it come to the highway, between John and Jonathan Allyn, and thence along the county road to Milford line."
The society being formed, a meeting house was built in 1719, and in 1720 Reverend Samuel Johnson was settled as the first minister. In October, 1722, he publicly professed his belief in the doctrines of the Episcopal church, and left this church. Subsequently he removed to Stratford, where he became widely known as an Episcopal mission- ary. Later he was the president of Columbia College, New York.
In 1725 Jonathan Arnold was ordained as the second minister at West Haven. The church increased, under his preaching, so that, in 1729, it was found necessary to build three galleries in the meeting house. In 1734 Mr. Arnold also became an Episcopalian. and the church was again without a pastor, and so continued until 1738, when the Reverend Timothy Allen was ordained. Soon after he professed himself a " new light," and in 1742 was deposed from his pastorate.
Not long after Mr. Allen had become the pastor, the following per- sons united in establishing a church fund: Thomas Trowbridge, Sam- 11el Smith, Nathaniel Beecher, Samuel Stevens, Daniel Mallory, Israel Bunnell, Samuel Candee, Ebenezer Smith, Samuel Downs, Joseph Thompson, Samuel Humphreville, Daniel Clark, John Benham, Thomas Painter, Nathaniel Kimberley, Eliphalet Bristol, Andrew Smith, Josiah Platt, Stephen Bristol, John Stevens, Samuel Candee, Roger Alling, George Clinton, Joseph Benham, Deliverance Painter, Nathaniel Smith, Shuball Painter, Samuel Sherman, Thomas Painter, Jr., and Jonathan Smith.
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