History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume II, Part 5

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 5
USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume II > Part 5

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).

"Stony Creek became a school district in 1788. On December 8th of that year the town of Branford granted to Pennock Howd, John Rogers, Jr., Timothy Barker, Abraham Rogers, Stewart Gaylord, Isaac Rogers, Barnabus Palmer, Demetrius Cook, Jr., Ebenezer Frisbie, Jr., Elias Pond, Daniel Jones, Uzziel Cook and Edward Frisbie their re- quest for a separate school district."*

Most of these were young men, who, besides tilling their small farms, found occupation part of the time in the fishing business in the rivers of Maine, or coasting to New York with wood, which was at one time quite a considerable interest. A few also sailed from these shores to the West Indies. After the decline of the shipping busi- ness some of the older families removed.

We have spoken of the abundance of sea food and how popular Stony Creek was among the Aborigines, who statedly visited these places. It became no less popular among the whites, and very early there was an influx of fishermen and others from abroad. Many of the latter were farmers who came here for a few days' diversion. Some of these visitors were not very careful as to their manner of living here, falling into customs so outlandish that the natives desig- nated this elass as " Portugese." This lack of restraint also attracted a better class of people, whose recreations, though free, were less harmful. One of the latter class was Reverend Samuel Eells, a socia- ble man of much native wit. It is related of him that on one occasion when he and a genial company of friends had visited this place " he suggested to them (many being his parishioners), that if any were *Baldwin.

HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

officers they should leave their oaths under a juniper bush, above the large flat rock in the road; church members should leave their cove- nants there, and upon their return they might take them up and carry them back home unsullied by any improper conduct at the beach." But this, most likely, is also a mere tradition of a time removed and obscured by the lapse of a hundred years.

The building of the Shore Line railroad, in 1850, very materially changed the life of Stony Creek, opening a new future for it. This enterprise was, to a considerable extent, the work of the president, secretary and treasurer of the old New Haven & New London Rail- road Company, Frederick R. Griffing and Ralph D. Smyth, of Guilford. At that time Stony Creek was very sparsely settled, but a station was located, with the expectation that such a step would develop this coun- try. Looking at the improvements which have been made, no one can doubt the wisdom of their judgment in this matter. New life was transmitted to Stony Creek, and improvement after improvement has been made until the present fair condition has been attained.

In 1853 the Stony Creek post office was established, with Timothy Barker as the postmaster, and it has steadily increased in importance. Soon after new roads were laid out, upon which a number of fine cot- tages have been constructed. Hotels and other business houses were opened to accommodate the summer visitors, and the permanent pop- ulation has from year to year been augmented, as other interests were established, until a number of these business places have also become permanent.

Theodore Howd has for many years been the principal merchant in the place, the post office being kept in his store.

" All these businesses brought in more people, various other busi- nesses and much money. Enlargement and improvement have been seen in consequence on every hand.

"But, after all, the greatest charm of Stony Creek is its fitness for a popular 'watering place.' This is becoming more and more its chief feature.

" Twenty years ago Mr. Giles Baldwin and Mr. Timothy Barker used to have a few summer boarders at their pleasant homes. David Barber also had a few at his house, which was then farthest toward the sea. Mr. James Douglass came and carried on a hotel with good success for some years. Mr. Henry Rogers, Mr. John Russell, Mr. H. Bishop and some others received their friends as visitors or boarders, more or less, during the season.

" None of these could really have foreseen the extent to which the business of entertaining visitors has since grown at Stony Creek. The multitudes who now find their way by cars or carriage or boat to Stony Creek and its Thimble Islands, can hardly understand from what sinall beginnings these places have grown in fifteen years. Besides the well known hotels of . Brainard's,' 'Frink's,' . Barnes,' and the . Flying 3

HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

Point House ' of ' Northrop's,' there are hundreds of residences and cottages covering the main land and the numerous islands. The progress is greater each year. This resort gains in favor with good people every season, and thousands now visit Stony Creek during the summer months to enjoy the beauty and rest afforded."

In 1865 a fine new school house was built, and about ten years later it was found necessary to increase the capacity of the school room by building another house.

In the old red school house Deacon Giles Baldwin started a mission Sunday school, 111 1863, and two years later regular preaching services were established by Reverend Elijah C. Baldwin, of the First Society of Branford. Before that time occasional services had been held at the same place by Reverend Timothy P. Gillett and others. The in- creased interest encouraged the building of a small church upon a lot donated by Henry Rogers. It was dedicated July 8th, 1866, but in 1877 it became necessary to enlarge it. Abraham Baldwin aided much in securing an organ, and Timothy Barker, of San Francisco, gave a Sunday school library and bell. These provisions permitted the or- ganization of the Stony Creek Congregational church, January 16th, 1877, with 34 members. Reverend C. W. Hill was the first pastor, serving a year, when he was followed by Reverend F. M. Taylor. In May, 1888, Reverend Andrew McIntyre became the pastor, and the church reported 75 members. Mission services are also held at Stony Creek by the Swedish Lutherans and the Roman Catholics.

Soon after the building of the railroad an examination of the gran- ite ledges in this locality convinced quarrymen that they were very valuable. The stone is of fine grain and has several shades of color. In 1858 B. G. Green purchased a tract of land, upon which he opened a quarry soon after, in which he employed 50 men, and operated suc- cessfully about 15 years.

In 1870 John Beattie, of Newport, R. I., purchased a tract at Hoad- ley's Neck, on the east side of the creek, where he opened extensive quarries. But in 1882 this part of the town was set off to Guilford. Mr. Beattie has operated very extensively, at times employing several hundred men. In the same locality, but on the opposite side of the creek, the Branford Granite Company secured a tract in 1889, which has been already developed to a considerable extent. The company is composed of Brooklyn capitalists, and from 100 to 150 men are em- ployed, in a well equipped quarry. Here are found bluish-grey and reddish colored granites, which are equal to any produced in this county.

A quarry of red granite was opened a mile north of the railroad, by some New Yorkers, some time in 1875. It was not well equipped, but the quality of the granite was fine, and from it has been obtained the material for making some of the granite columns in the legislative chambers at Albany and Hartford. After some years Samuel Bab-

HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

cock, of Middletown, secured the property and organized the Stony Creek Red Granite Company to operate it. This quarry has also been well equipped and large shipments have been made. About 150 men are employed, and the company is engaged in filling large contracts.

In 1888 the well known contractors, Norcross Brothers, of Worces- ter, Mass., purchased tracts of land adjoining the above, and opened an extensive quarry, which is supplied with all modern equipments, including a special railway connection with the Shore Line railroad. The capital stock of the company is $250,000. The quality of the prod- ucts is very superior.

Still another quarry is operated by the Totoket Granite Company, in which 60 men are employed. The products are of a pinkish color and of a fine quality. In other localities are found fine deposits of granite, which, no doubt, will also be developed in the future, and which will add much to the prosperity of Stony Creek.

Widow's Son Lodge, No. 66, F. & A. M., is the oldest secret organi- zation in the town. It was instituted September 27th, 1825, with the following charter members: Jolin Polter, Joel Polter, John Foote, Mer- ritt Foote, Calvin Frisbie, Asa Norton, Orrin D. Squire, Lyman Frisbie, Edmund Palmer, Samuel Russell, James W. Frisbie, Judah Frisbie, Lorrin D. Hosley, Ruel Chidsey, William Tyler, Ebenezer Linsley, William Bryan, Doctor Willoughby L. Lay.

Of this body of men, William Bryan was the only survivor in 1890. Many additions to the membership were early made, but through some informality the charter of the Lodge was revoked in 1842. The following year it was restored, but after six years, in 1849, it was again revoked, and for five years the meetings of the Lodge were inter- mitted. Since the second restoration of the charter, in 1854, the Lodge has been prosperous to an unusual degree, considering the limited jurisdiction. In 1890 there were 126 members in good standing and the following principal officers: Trustees, E. Zacher, C. W. Covert, John Eades; W. M., W. N. Boynton; treasurer, C. F. Bradley; secre- tary, L. A. Merriam. Among the past masters have been: Orrin D. Squire, Merritt Foote, William Nash, H. V. C. Holcomb, H. F. Nichols. William D. Hendricks, N. B. Hall, Frank E. Welford, Herbert Jones, Harvey Beach, Henry H. Stedman, Joseph F. Nettleton, Samuel A. Welford, Josiah Jones, George H. Newell, E. E. Isbell, W. Boynton, John Eades, Fraucis Clark and C. A. Hoadley.

Woodland Lodge, No. 39, K. of P., was instituted February 26th, 1882, with twenty charter members and the following principal offi- cers: B. F. Hosley, past chancellor; W. H. Zink, M. D., chancellor com- mander: J. Curtis, vice commander. The Lodge has been very pros- perous, having in the fall of 1890 98 members. Its meetings are held in a finely furnished hall in the Armory Building, which is sub-let by this Lodge to six other societies. A number of sick and funeral bene- fits have been paid. At this time the principal officers were: C. H.

HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

Van Wie, past chancellor; George W. Hull, chancellor commander; H. B. Terhune, vice commander; W. H. Felker, keeper of records and seals.

Endowment Rank, Section 891, K. of P., was started November 17th, 1888, with 15 members and $23,000 of insurance. In the fall of 1890 the members numbered 30, and the insurance amounted to $57,000.

B. F. Hosley Division, No. 13, Uniform Rank, K. of P., was organ- ized June 9th, 1890, with 34 members in full uniform, and E. C. John- son, captain; George W. Hull, recorder. The membership of the divi- sion has been increased to 41, and all these branches of the Knights of Pythias are prosperous.

The town has had a large number of purely beneficiary orders, a number of which have succeeded in establishing themselves so well that they continue prosperous. Among the oldest of these are the First Division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, which was incor- porated January 28th, 1878; and the Court Totoket, No. 7196, Ancient Order of Foresters of America, which was instituted November 7th, 1884, with 11 members. In the fall of 1890 the total belonging was 118, and George W. Hull was the chief ranger. It is duly incorpor- ated by an act of the general assembly. The court has property to the amount of $1,000, besides having paid many sick and other bene- fits, on a basis of $9 dues per year.

In the Second Degree of this order was instituted February 26th, 1886, Sanctuary Totoket, No. 7196, Ancient Order of Shepherds, with James Galligan, John Winthrop, George W. Hull, J. W. Cliffe and 11 other charter members. This has also increased its membership, there being in the fall of 1890 23 members.

El Dorado Council, No. 10, K. of C., was instituted in August, 1884, with 12 charter members. Its membership increased rapidly, there being in the fall of 1890 119 persons belonging, all of them in good standing. The principal officers were: Grand knight, John J. Buckley; deputy grand knight, John B. Reilley; recording secretary, Luke Quinn; financial secretary, Thomas Scanlan; treasurer, Martin Burke. The Lodge has a sick benefit fund of $1,500, paying $5 per week to members who are awarded that kind of support.

Totoket Lodge, No. 3019, Knights of Honor, was organized No- vember 20th, 1883, with the following charter members: C. F. Brad- ley, W. E. Beach, F. T. Bradley, John Eades, W. E. Fowler, Walter Foote, D. W. Goddard, C. W. Gaylord, W. W. Hawkes, B. F. Hosley, C. A. Hoadley, H. F. Jourdan, E. C. Johnson, G. H. Newell, L. F. Nich- ols, F. E. Peckham, A. B. Palmer, E. H. Parshley, W. T. Robinson, I. N. Spencer, Jr., J. C. Sharney, N. R. Terhune, W. A. Wright, S. A. Welford and Edmund Zacher. The membership in 1890 was 60, and H. C. Woodstock was the dictator. Those who had passed that office were: W. A. Wright, George Newell, E. Zacher, B. F. Hosley, H. N.

HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

Way, Henry Jourdan and Frank Jerald. Doctors C. W. Gaylord and A. J. Tenney were the medical examiners.

Among the distinctively labor organizations were an assembly of Knights of Labor and a society in the Iron Moulders' Union, both of which had a good membership.

In the domain of temperance societies has been St. Mary's Total Abstinence and Beneficial Society, which for nearly a score of years has been doing a good work among the young Catholic people of this town. Of more recent organization, and doing a similar work among the Protestant youth, were the Knights of the Golden Cross and Bran- ford Division, No. 16, Sons of Temperance, each having an increasing membership.

Mason Rogers Post, No. 7, G. A. R., is a flourishing organization. It was instituted July 28th, 1SS1, with the following charter members: Isaac Van Benthusan, J. Edward Turner, Joseph Curtis, Edward D. Sheldon, Henry Z. Nichols, Elizur C. Johnson, James W. Lay, Obed Tyler, Michael Kinner, Joseph F. Nettleton, Samuel S. Cook, David Sliney, A. Judson Smith, Nicholas R. Terhune, Jerome Baldwin, Cal- vin L. Ely, Alvin M. Thayer, John Hutchinson, George Bliss, William Donahue, Walter E. Fowler, Franklin Bradley, Burton T. Buel, Ammi B. Parmer and Ammi B. Barker. In 1890 the membership was but slightly greater, the number belonging being thirty. The post com- manders have been Calvin L. Ely, Henry Z. Nichols, Nicholas R. Ter- hune, Ammi B. Barker, Henry W. Hubbard, Walter E. Fowler, J. Ed- win Towner, Elizur C. Johnson and J. Atwood Linsley.

This Post was instrumental in the building of the beautiful Soldiers' Monument, standing on Branford Green, between the middle and west end church edifices. It raised for that object $1,000, the town of Bran- ford gave $1,000, and the patriotic non-resident citizens of the town added $1,000 more-the total cost of the pile being about $3,000. The monument was built by the Smith Granite Company of Westerly, R. I., and is wholly of the celebrated granite of that section. It consists of a large base, two semi-bases (the upper one being inscribed: G. A. R., 1885) and a large die, on the cap-stone of which is the shaft, which is surmounted by the figure of a soldier, more than seven feet high, whose arms encircle a flag. The entire height is about thirty feet.

The dedicatory inscription is on the north face of the die:

BRANFORD TO HER BRAVE SONS WHO FOUGHT IN THE WAR OF THE REBELLION 1861-1865.

ONE COUNTRY. ONE FLAG.

On the shaft are cut shields and engraven the principal battlefields in which Branford soldiers were engaged:

HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

ANTIETAM. FREDERICKSBURG.

SHILOH.

GETTYSBURG.

VICKSBURG. PORT HUDSON.

NEW BERNE.

CHANCELLORSVILLE.

The town's monument committee was composed of John Hutchin- son, Samuel Beach, James W. Lay, T. F. Hammer, John P. Callahan, Joseph Curtis and Edward F. Jones, who also arranged for the dedi- cation, October 28th, 1885. The occasion was one of great interest and brought together a large concourse of people. Among those in attend- ance was the venerable Captain James Blackstone, 93 years of age; the governor of the state and other distinguished citizens. Reverend J. O. Peck was the orator of the occasion. The Second Platoon of Bat- tery A (Branford artillery company) fired a military salute, and thus was given to the public one of the most artistic and substantial monu- ments in the county.

At Stony Creek a Lodge of the Sons of St. George has been estab- lished in recent years, which has been well maintained.

The following account of early educational matters is from the pen of Reverend Elijah C. Baldwin:

"The duty of properly educating children soon began to receive attention. May 21st, 1655, ' It is agreed by the consent of the whole to give toward the maintaining of a college at New Haven, to give our part of a rate of sixty pounds by the year, year after year.'

"The same year laws were made for the whole colony by Gov- ernor Theophilus Eaton, and the next year these were the require- ments :

"' Whereas too many parents and masters, either through an over tender respect to their own occasions and businesse, or not duly con- sidering the good of their children and apprentices, have too much neglected duty in their education while they are young and capable of learning: It is ordered, That the deputies for the particular court in each plantation within this jurisdiction, for the time being, or where there is no such deputies the constable or other officer or officers in public trust, shall, from time to time, have a vigilant eye over their brethren and neighbors, within the limit of the said plantation, that all parents and masters doe duly endeavor, either by their own ability and labour or by improving such schoolmaster or other helpers and means as the plantation afford, or the family may conveniently pro- vide, that all their children and apprentices, as they grow capable, may, through God's blessing, attain at least so much as to be able duly

HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

to read the Scriptures and other good and profitable printed books in the English language, being their native language, and in some com- petent manner to understand the main grounds and principles of chris- tian religion necessary to salvation.'

"Penalties were also provided for such as neglected their children's education.

"Reverend Abraham Pierson, pastor of the church here, beside faithfully attending to his own people, was careful not to neglect the heathen families in the same territory. He regularly preached to the Indians. He prepared and had printed a catechism for them. He was versed in the Indian language, so that he could do this. His ac- quaintance with the Indian tongue was useful in other ways; he was frequently called to act as interpreter, especially before the court. J. Hammond Trumbull has given specimens of this catechism. A cita- tion will show the kind of meat set before these Indians ' in their buck- skin and war paint' : Question -' How do you prove that there is but one God ?' Answer -. Because the reason why singular things of the same kind are multiplied is not to be found in the nature of God, for the reason why such like things are multiplied is from the fruitfulness of their causes; but God hath no cause of his being, but is of himself ; therefore he is one. 2. Because singular things of the same kind, when they are multiplied, are differenced among themselves by their singular properties; but there can not be found another God different from this by any such like properties.'

" Mr. Pierson had a regular salary for his labors among the In- dians; it was paid by a missionary society in England-' The Commis- sioners for the United Colonies of New England.' This salary some- times amounted to $150 a year. To induce the Indians to attend upon his ministrations rewards were offered.

"In the effort to secure the settlement and growth of the town after the Newark removal, education was neglected. For many years the schools were few and far between. Several times, in the period, the people were fined for not having a school as the law required. There were a few teachers employed, as John Arnold, in 1678; Eleazur Stent, in 1680-1, and in several later years. 'Thomas Sargeant, in 1684; S. Mansfield, in 1691; Richard Wilford, in 1700; Eleazur Stent again in 1701, at forty dollars a month. Again in 1702. Then John Collins, in 1703. These schools were only for a few months in the winter. The town paid part of the wages, the parents paid the rest. The effect of so little interest in schools was this. Nearly a whole generation grew up in ignorance. This is seen in the frequency with which both men and women ' make their mark' in signing deeds and other docu- ments."

In the early part of the present century, according to President Dwight, the interest in education was very feeble. There were at that time in the South Society five districts, each provided with a school

HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

house. The one at Stony Creek was provided in 1789 upon the peti- tion of eleven inhabitants of that locality. In the meantime, what is now North Branford was far more active in promoting the cause of education, and a number of their youth were securing the benefits of academic instruction.

At Branford village a select school was taught by Reverend Tim- othy P. Gillett, some time after the war of 1812, which there, also,. awakened a desire for schools of a higher grade, and which led to the establishment of an academy, in 1820. Benjamin R. Fowler, Calvin Frisbie, Philemon Tyler, John Beach and others, aided by Mr. Gillett, were active in this movement, and secured the town's consent to erect the buildings on the south side of the green. A two-story frame house, with a belfry, was put up, which is still standing in that locality. For a number of years Branford Academy had a good reputation, and the stockholders were rewarded by having a school in their midst, which well served its purpose. The academy was continued with varying success until 1866, Miss Jane Hoadley being the last teacher. Others who are remembered as having taught there were: Reverend Gillett, Deacon Samuel Frisbie and Lynde Harrison. The latter was instru- mental in securing a school library of several hundred volumes. The upper story of the academy building has long been used as a Masonic hall.

The usefulness of the academy was at an end after the consolida- tion of the public schools of the town. Gradually these were improved, and with the increase of wealth there was a demand for better build- ings. About the time of the late war this question was much agitated, but the unusual expense at that time prevented action. Finally the village school building was so poor that the public moneys were re- fused. After much effort, $3,500 was voted for a new school house, and soon after a public graded school was established in it. In 1881 it was enlarged, and it has since been fitted up in a very thorough manner, the property being an object of pride in the community. It is valued at about $8,000. In recent years very neat school buildings have been erected in some of the other districts of the town.

As early as 1875 the high school at the village, under the princi- palship of E. Zacher, was well sustained. In 1881 William E. Hatch became the principal in the new house. G. L. Faxon succeeded him in 1883, and under his direction the schools at the village were inore properly graded. A course of three years was established for the high school, and ten grades outside of that. C. R. Stiles became the principal in 1885, and since 1887 H. S. Gulliver has been at the head of the schools at the village. Six rooms are occupied. The children here enumerated number 400, and in the entire town 773. The entire school expenses per year are about $8,000. For a number of years Doctors Walter H. Zink and C. W. Gaylord have been the acting school visitors, and have aided much in promoting the interest in popular education.

HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

Most of the early settlers of Branford were plain people, but were men of strict Puritan principles, " men of stern integrity and zealous for religious liberty, so far as its principles were then understood. The doctrines of their creed were Calvinistic, or those which were embodied shortly after in the Cambridge and Westminster Confes- sions of Faith. In church polity they were Congregationalists, hold- ing the doctrine of parity, or of one order in the ministry, and that all ministers are of equal official rank; and that each parochial church is an ecclesiastical body complete in itself, with power to elect its own pastors and deacons, to decide on the proper qualifications of those who offer themselves for admission to membership with them, and to receive, to discipline and exclude, as the majority shall judge to be agreeable to the laws of Christ, the only head, law-giver and king of the church. They further held to the propriety of asking advice from other churches, reserving the right to follow or reject such advice, ac- cording to their judgment of expediency. In common with other colonists of that age, they acted on the scheme of carrying the gospel and its ordinances, education and its advantages, with them, and hav- ing the church, the minister and the school coëval with their set- tlement."*

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History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume II, Part 5

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