History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume II, Part 4

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 4
USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume II > Part 4

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The company has since 1865 been officered by J. J. Walworth, presi- dent; E. C. Hammer, secretary and treasurer; T. F. Hammer, general manager at Branford; and R. E. Hammer, general superintendent. Under the direction of the Messrs. Hammer the business has become very prosperous and is continually increasing.

The manufacture of carriages was for many years an important industry at Branford, F. A. Holcomb & Sons being large builders, in the eastern part of the village, before their removal to New Haven. Another company had its works on Page's Point, where they were de- stroyed by fire and not rebuilt, when the business was wound up. At the old Dutch House wharf, in shops which are now idle, Alexander Van Wie at one time made carriage parts on an extensive scale. These

HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

buildings were occupied in 1874-9 by James E. Russell and others in the manufacture of large and small safes, patented by Russell.

Another abandoned interest is ship building, which, about eighty years ago, gave occupation to scores of people, and yards were main- tained at various points on the Branford river, as high up as Mill Plain. At the latter place a vessel called the " Laura Hoadley " was built. The yard at Hubbard's bridge was occupied by various build- ers, and was used as late as 1875, when Captain Russell Pond built a small craft at that place. Here was built a vessel called the " Lottery." " which was cast away at Little Egg Harbor, and all her crew lost with her."

At Page's Point a number of vessels were built, among them being the "Friendship." the "Ariel," and the " Mary Ann." The last was named for the daughter of Rosewell Sheldon, who presented the colors and a looking glass when she was launched. This vessel was also ill-fated, and was lost on Oyster Pond Point. At Goodsell's Point Harvey Frisbie built small vessels, and had the conveniences for "grav- ing " vessels.

In this period of vessel building coastwise commerce was quite active, but has been very limited since the era of railroads. Quite a trade was carried on with the upper New England states in shipping thither dried fruit and other farm products, and bringing back fish and ship timber. Many of the young men led a seafaring life, and the young women and boys found occupation on the farm, picking juniper berries and wax berries, or sewed buckskin gloves or bound shoes for parties outside of town. The spinning of twine for ship- ment to the fishing coasts was much followed at one time.

The town also had some trade with foreign ports, and near the close of the last century Branford was made a port of entry. The harbor master lived at Dutch House wharf, and the building used for the cus- toms service stood there many years after the port was abandoned. Some time after this Elnathan Linsley built a wharf at Branford Point, and that became the principal landing point. The water there at the highest is about 15 feet deep, and steamboats land there in summer. The place later became more important as a summer resort. Among the mariners of the town were members of the Blackstone, Harrison and Palmer families, who were also ship owners. Captain John Black- stone settled here after 1700, coming from Rhode Island. He pros- pered in his affairs and became a large landowner, at the place called " Blackstoneville," where some of the property is still held by de- scendants. Captain James Blackstone, of this family, became very aged, and had a long and varied experience as a seaman. Captain Farrington Harrison was in the West Indies trade, carrying cattle to those islands. He died in 1808. Captain Ammi Harrison was also a well-known mariner. Captain Edward Palmer was the owner of a good schooner, called the " Betsey." Only small vessels now ascend

HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

this river, the traffic by this means being very limited. But few sea- men now reside in the town.

For more than a century of years many of the inhabitants found much subsistence in the sea food afforded by the Branford coast, and for some years oysters were an article of commerce. This extraor- dinary demand upon the natural beds exhausted them, and regulations for their protection were early found necessary. In 1789 the town voted to regulate the catching of oysters; and it was provided that from April 1st to November 1st of each year no bivalves should be taken, under a penalty of $7 for each offense. From November 1st to the following April permits might be obtained to take two bushels in the course of 48 hours, one permit only being issued to a family. For many years the natural beds afforded delicious oysters, and the Branford river and other inlets were much frequented by fishermen. " In Branford Harbor no oysters are raised to sell, and the outside oyster grounds in town jurisdiction are, as a rule, too shoal for safe cultivation."" In recent years the interest in this business has in- creased, and under a system of cultivation the oyster fisheries of Bran- ford have become important industries. There are about 1,000 acres under the jurisdiction of the town, and more than 1,300 acres con- trolled by the state. In 1890 the town had 13 oyster planters, among them being Lewis Shepard, E. B. Beach, N. H. Bishop, N. C. Frink, Henry Hall, Oliver Knowles, C. C. Smith, G. Smith & Sons, and the Stony Creek Oyster Company. The latter corporation was organized after the late civil war, and in 1868 reported a capital of $28,000, and a board of directors composed of Nathan C. Frink, H. Lynde Harri- son, William H. Holt, T. N. Parmalee, William Blackstone and F. A. Holcomb. Henry Rogers was the president. In 1890 the capital was reported at $42,000; real estate valued at $9,500; and had personal property to the amount of $7,500. W. J. Clark was the president of the company, and F. E. Smith, secretary.

Nearly the entire oyster business has been centered at Stony Creek, where it gives employment to a number of men. Five vessels are employed in the business. The oysters grown at Stony Creek are of superior quality, and are in demand beyond the supply. Even while yet confined to the natural beds they were much sought, and frequently parties from the interior would visit this place, encamping for several days, until a supply of oysters had been obtained.

On Indian Neck salt was made in limited quantities in the early part of the present century; and along Saltonstall lake an effort was made to manufacture peat fuel by a company organized for that pur- pose in 1871. The project was, however, abandoned before any satis- factory results were obtained.

Near the same time the Pine Orchard Granite Company was organ- ized, with a capital of $50,000, to develop the granite deposits in that

*Henry H. Stedman, 1890,

HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

section, but that project was also abandoned. The granite quarries at Stony Creek have been more successfully operated, there being sev- eral which are carried on extensively. The quarry near the railway station was opened by B. N. Green, and the one farther east by John Beattie. From the quarry at " Red Hill," on the north side of the railway, a stone is taken which closely resembles the red Scotch granite, and is susceptible of a very fine polish.

These interests are more fully noted in the account of Stony Creek.

Branford Village, long called Branford Center, is about eight miles east of New Haven, on Branford river, several miles from the sound. It has a very pleasant location, the principal part being on a consider- able elevation, which also affords good natural drainage and sites for attractive homes. Until 25 years ago the village was less important that at present, much of its growth having been made in this latter period, in consequence of prosperous manufactories and the desirabil- ity of Branford as a summer resort. These circumstances have also made Branford one of the most important stations on the Shore Line railroad, both the freight and passenger traffic for this point being heavy. When the road was completed, in 1852. the station was located at the foot of Montowese street, where was also the village wharf. A few years later Elizur Rogers began his improvements at Page's Point, opening a new street to that place from Main street, in the old village, and the depot was soon after located west of the Page Point wharf. In 1887 a very spacious and handsome station for passenger use was erected and has since been occupied. It is of brick and is one of the finest structures of the kind in the county.

The upper or older part of the village is built around the green- an irregular tract of land, nearly three-fourths of a mile in length, and coming to an apex at the west end. The east end is about 30 rods wide. For a long time it was much neglected, but has been made at- tractive by planting it with elms and maples. Upon it stand three church edifices (Congregational, Episcopal and Baptist), the old acad- emy, the town hall and the soldiers' monument. On the north side is the principal business street of the village, which is also the main high- way from New Haven east. Formerly that thoroughfare was chiefly on the south side of the "Green," to Montowese street, down to Ho- bart's bridge, thence east to Stony creek. On these streets were built the first good homes of the early settlers, and some of the old build- ings still remain. The first house south of the cemetery, on the east side of Montowese street, was the Russell place, where were kept for several years the books which formed the nucleus of Yale library. Opposite was the Welford place. Lower down the street lived David Staples, father of Captain Enoch Staples, who is credited with com- manding a privateersman in the revolution, and it is said that he lost his life while attempting to board one of the enemy's vessels. The building on the other side of the street is the Bradley place and is one

HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

of the oldest in the town. Nearer the river were the Hobart and the Captain Ammi Harrison places, both being well-known in their day. The railroad destroyed the former place.

On North Main street lived another cluster of Harrisons; . William having his residence on the hill, Jonathan on the lot where is now the school house, and Captain Farrington Harrison where now lives Henry G. Harrison. This house remains much as it was built, in 1757. Others of the old-time residences have been modernized and in Bran- ford, more than in some of the other shore towns, is seen the handi- work of the architects of the present time.

Ezekiel Hayes, great-grandfather of the ex-president, built a house on the site of the present Totoket Hotel, in 1757. He was a toolmaker, having a shop on the brook in the rear of his garden. He there also made cow bells for the early settlers, in addition to his other work. In the course of time this house was taken and kept by Giles Barker as a tavern. He had previously kept a public house on the Nichols lot, which was burned down. Lorenzo Blackstone improved the Hayes house, enlarging it to a three-story building, and for some time the Totoket Hotel was favorably known. It is still kept as a public place, but with varying success.

A mile or more east of the village the " Half Way House " (mid- way between New Haven and Guilford) was kept many years by Da- vid Towner; and near the Guilford line Joseph Frisbie had another public house.

Among the traders and principal merchants of the village, after 1800, was Mason Hobart, at the end of Meadow street. In the same locality Nathaniel Johnson was a merchant, large land-owner and ship- builder. He erected a large house on the site of the present Fowler place, which burned down about 80 years ago.

On the hill on North Main street, Rosewell and Jephtha B. Shel- don and Timothy Johnson merchandised in the early part of this cen- tury, and the buildings they occupied still remain; Levi Bradley was on the other side of Main street and Phineas Bushnell was in the west- ern part of the village. Business now began to concentrate at the " hollow," where the proprietors of the foundry had stores. In 1825 Judah Frisbie built a store on what is known as the Rogers lot, where next traded Henry Taintor. Both removed, and in 1833 Eli F. Rog- ers there began merchandising and continued at that stand until 1868, when he built a business house on the north side of the street. In 1869 he was succeeded by Kimberley & Scranton, who removed to New Haven. This is now the J. Hutchinson & Co. stand. The village has a dozen other stores.

The Branford post office was long kept by Jonathan Barker at his house, where is now the residence of H. D. Nichols. In 1827 O. D. Squire had the office in a small building near the lock works, and the income that year was $51.34, less than half the income of the Guilford

HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

office the same year. Sometime about 1845 the office was removed to the brick store kept by the company, and Lyman Squire was the post- master. In 1849 Eli F. Rogers became the postmaster and continued until 1862. He was succeeded by Philo Hall, who served until 1886, when Henry D. Linsley was appointed and was the incumbent until January 13th, 1891, when B. B. Bunnell became the postmaster.

Branford is now a postal money order office. Six mails are received daily, and from this office is supplied the mail of the Short Beach post office, which was established in 1887, with Mrs. Ruth Clapp as the post- inistress. At Branford a new office has been occupied since April, 1891.

A few newspapers have been published in the village, the first being the Branford Weckly Gleaner. It was published in 1878, and later by Philo Hall and others, when it was merged with the Shore Line Times, of New Haven. Another paper, also of short duration, was published by Willis Hopson. Neither publication received the sup- port it merited.

It is probable that Doctor Richard Gould was the first permanent physician in the town, coming after 1700 and residing here until his death, March 9th, 1746, 84 years of age. Contemporary in the latter years of his practice was his son, Doctor William Gould, who was also born at Oakhampton, England, in 1692, and who died in 1757. The lat- ter had also a son William, who was a physician in the town, and who was born here in 1727 and died in 1805. In 1787 he was given permission to "set up for the inoculation of small pox for the space of one year, under the direction and terms of the government." He was the father of Doctor William Gould, born in 1752, who died in 1809, and of Doc- tor Orchard Gould, the last of this famous family of physicians to prac- tice here. Doctor Orchard Gould was born in 1764 and died in 1819. His home was on the hill where is now the Elizur Rogers place. All these physicians are interred in the old cemetery.

About the time of the first Doctor Gould, Doctor Isaac Bartholo- mew was in practice some years, but removed to Middletown. He was a son of William Bartholomew, the miller. Later a Doctor Herpin was a practitioner, coming from Milford. He probably remained only a short time. In the latter part of the last century Doctor Joel North- rup was in Branford, and lived where is now the Congregational par- sonage.

Doctor Willoughby L. Lay came from Lynn, Mass., and after many years of practice died in 1858. He lived in the house now occu- pied by his son, James W. Lay. His practice passed to Doctor H. V. C. Holcomb, who also died in the town some time about 1871. Doctor Newton B. Hall was a student of the latter, and after several years of practice in Branford also deceased.

As carly as 1872 Doctor C. W. Gaylord* located in the village and * Sec biographical sketch in this chapter.

HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

continues in active practice. Near the same time Doctor E. W. Brain- erd came from East Haven, and after some years was killed at Monto- wese street railway crossing, while on his way to Stony Creek. At the latter place the physicians have been Doctors G. P. Reynolds and E. C. M. Hall, none residing there in 1890. Doctor Isaac P. Leete, an eclectio practitioner, has been in Branford a score of years, and in the regular school of practice have been the past eight years, Doctor Walter H. Zink; and the past six years, Doctor A. J. Tenney.

In 1890 the attorney resident at Branford was Edmund Zacher, who also maintained an office in New Haven. In the same way Lynde Harrison lived in the village a number of years. Jay E. Russell was an attorney at Branford after the late war, but after several years re- moved to California. Edward H. Rogers removed to New York and William A. Wright to New Haven. The town has had but few resi- dent attorneys.

Since the completion of the railroad, in 1852, the sea shore of Bran- ford has become very popular, and has been greatly improved for sum - mier visitors and residence purposes. Along nearly its entire length may be found attractive cottages, hotels or pleasure grounds, and the several localities, designated by the names of Short Beach, Double Beach, Lanfair's Cove, Branford Point, Pawson Park, Indian Neck, Blackstone's Cove, Pine Orchard, Point Pleasant and Stony Creek, all have advocates of their merits and claims upon those who love sea-side attractions. In area Indian Neck is the most extensive of the above localities. As its name indicates, it was a natural home for the In- dians, and after the settlement of the whites they were encouraged to live there upon small tracts of land, some of which they cultivated, but subsisted mainly in fishing. Thus some of them lived on the "Neck" until a century after the coming of the whites. In the mean- time, the town had purchased these lands of the Indians and set them aside for the support of the church. A tract for that purpose was purchased as early as 1685, and the acquisition continued until the First Society practically controlled the lands in that section. In 1770 the society began leasing these lands for a term of seven years, the rental being about $200 per year, and continued that practice tintil 1860. After that period the rental was increased, and the lands netted the society about $400 per year. In 1867 Samuel Beach secured a lease of Indian Neck for 99 years, with the privilege of sub-leasing, but under restrictions which strictly protect its morals; and from this time on the improvements for summer homes began. By the terms of the new lease, the First church society realizes about $900 per year.

The extreme southwestern part of the " Neck" is known as " Jaf- frey's Point," from Indians who had their lands at that placc, and who, in 1702, sold some of their possessions to William Maltbie. East of this was the 34-acre farm of the Indian Pawson, some of which was high and attractive ground. This and other lands in that locality have

HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

been improved as "Pawson Park"-a very pleasant and well regulated day resort and picnic grounds.

On the main part of Indian Neck. Elias Pond made the first sub. stantial improvement, building an English house. On the shore the Taunton Seine Company had leased lands for fishing purposes, and from this circumstance were derived the names Taunton Beach and Taunton island, off shore from that place. In the same locality are Clam island and Shumake island, the latter being first owned by An- drew Beach, the first of that name in this locality. On another part of the coast William Frisbie had a small fishery. Near the same place Captain Lynde Frisbie built a small house for the entertainment of visitors, which, with enlargements, became known as the Indian Neck House- a hotel kept by Eli Goodrich and others. After 1866 William Bryan built another summer hotel, called the Montowese House. Fine cottages were built soon after by Thomas R. Trowbridge, Thomas Gallaudet and many others, until the entire shore has been lined with artistic and pleasant cottages, owned by people in all parts of the state, who were attracted not only by the scenic surroundings, but by the security against objectionable elements afforded by the provisions of the lease exacted by the society.

At Short Beach the first house for summer entertainment was built about 1852, by Harrison Bristol, and at that time the place was a com- parative forest. Here are now cottages for several hundred people, many of them being permanent residents, and the place has a village- like appearance, having a small chapel, a school building, a post office and a few business places.

At Branford Point Elnathan Linsley made the first improvements, which converted that locality into a public place. Others succeeded him and the present Branford Point House is owned by George T. Parker. It has enjoyed a large patronage. The groves at the point are pleasant, and there being a landing point for steamboats, the place is much visited some seasons.

On the coast eastward is Pine Orchard, so-called on account of the fine grove of pines near the sandy beach. The locality has afforded good fishing and clamming, and has been visited for that purpose with much regularity the past hundred years. In later years many of those who went there were entertained by Jerre Sheldon, who lived on the road from Damascus to Stony Creek. Truman Sheldon, a son, suc- ceeded his father as a dispenser of public hospitality, and established a popular place, the fame of " Mother Sheldon " being widely known as a caterer. In still more recent years their sons, Edward and George Sheldon, established a very popular place, and Pine Orchard has be- come a favorably known resort. New roads have been constructed to this locality, and the railroad has established a station. A number of fine cottages have been built in recent years.

HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

Stony Creek village* is in the southeastern part of the town and off shore are the Thimble islands, having attractive beach surround- ings. Long before the settlement of the whites, these localities were famous resorts of the Indians, who here found fish and game in great abundance. In no other places on the Long Island shores were there found such immense beds of oyster and clam shells as were seen here on the coming of the first settlers, showing that it must have taken ages to accumulate them. The village derived its name from the creek in this locality, and the stream was so called on account of the nature of the bed over which its waters course. The Thimble islands form a pleasant and interesting group, being scattered in a somewhat promiscuous manner, forming harbors and places of shelter from storms for pleasure boats and vessels in the coastwise trade. Tradi- tion has associated the name of Captain Kidd, the freebooter and pirate, with one of these harbors. It is said that toward the close of the seventeenth century he made it a place of rendezvous and some- times came ashore for supplies. On one occasion some of the citizens went on board his ship, but not liking the looks of the craft, hastily ended their visit. Not long after this a division of the common lands of the town was made, when the name of " Kidd's Harbour " was ap- plied to one of these localities. It is very probable, however, that Kidd's real rendezvous was at Gardner's island, 35 miles to the cast- ward, and that he may have barely visited this place.

The islands are about 25 in number and have been favorite pleas- ure resorts ever since there is any account of them, but in later years they have become more widely known. In 1847 Captain William Brien purchased one of them, called Pot Rock island, and built on it a house for the entertainment of visiting parties and others who might claim its hospitality. This house has since been enlarged and steamboats make two trips a day between this point and New Haven when the season is fairly under way. About 50 cottages have been built on the different islands, some of them being very handsome. Most of them are occupied from May till October, but in July and August this sec- tion is most populous. In those months a steamboat also plies regu- larly between these islands and the mainland at Stony Creek.

In 1874 the general assembly constituted Stony Creek the second voting district of the town of Branford. It was made to include about a mile and a half from east to west and, including the islands, about the same distance from north to south.

The Stony Creek section was not early settled, on account of the rough and broken nature of the land, which made it less inviting than other parts of the town.

"This region was comprised in the fifth division of Branford. This was made before 1700. The first allowance to any settler of land there was to Francis Norton, March 13th, 1671. The record says: 'His lott

* From data by Henry Rogers.

IIISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

is to be at Stony Creek, by the sea.' In 1673 William Leete, Esq., was granted lands somewhat east of Stony Creek. His grant was for a lease of twenty-one years, and he was required to build a house upon it to hold it. October 26th, 1680, Richard Butler obtained a farm there. He was allowed six acres more in 1686, if he would build a house within three years. Abraham and William Hoadley soon be- eame owners there. Thus we have the name 'Hoadley's Neck' for the portion next to Guilford, by the sea. The Frisbies soon after ap- pear as owners there. William Barker, Edward Barker, Jonathan Barker, Daniel Palmer, Abraham Howd, John Rogers and others soon settled there. These persons mostly purchased of the heirs of the proprietors, who lived elsewhere, but who shared in every new division of land. Thus Doreas Rosewell, of New Haven, sold to Edward Bar- ker 'land in the fifth division at Stony Creek, in 1716.' The same family names are to be found on some of the same property to- day. Names of places in the old deeds and boundaries are: 'Brook Creek.' 'Little Island.' 'Brushy Corner,' 'Wolf-Pitt Island,' 'Hog- Pound Hill,' 'Sea Hill,' and ' Chestnut Hill.' We first meet the name ' Thimble Islands' in a deed of 'Shell Island ' to Isaac Cook, Novem- ber 3d, 1739. The first roads were laid out in 1710.

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History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume II, Part 4

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