History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume II, Part 68

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 68
USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume II > Part 68

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).

The first demand for division of the foregoing districts, in old Derby, was made in 1779, when a district was formed in the extreme northwest part of the town, in what is now Beacon Falls, west of the Naugatuck river. An intermediate district was formed, as a sub-dis- trict of the latter, Great Hill and the Rimmon or East Side districts, on a petition granted in town meeting on December 27th, 1779. In all there were 21 petitioners, belonging to the Steele, Pritchard, Riggs, Wooster, Keeny, Miles, Washburn and other families. Later this territory was included in the Bungay and Shrub Oak districts. Other districts were created as the town was settled, and school societies were established. The districts on the east side of the Naugatuck were included in the First Society, and those on the west side in the Second Society. This arrangement continued until 1851, when all the districts were united into one society. In October, 1868, Seymour school district was established, all the schools of the town being in- cluded, and the following committee was elected: Eli Gillette, C. W. Storrs, J. W. Bassett, Joshua Kendall, C. W. James, Harpin Riggs, Joel R. Chatfield, Peter Worth and Henry Davis. The latter and Doctor Kendall were appointed school visitors. In February, 1869, the consolidated district bought the " Pines" lot for $700, for the pur- pose of building a spacious school house thereon, but objection being raised to the site it was not done. In 1889 the town voted to convert the lot into a public park.

In this year (1889) the town had twelve schools, having a total en- rollment of 643 pupils. Outside of the village the districts were: Cedar Ridge, Bell, Bungay and Great Hill, whose schools were main- tained at a cost of $1,348.43. The village schools cost $5,052.77 to maintain.

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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

The first opportunity to obtain a higher education at home was offered by the Humphreysville Academy. This was established in February, 1849, and the principals were George B. Glendining, A. M., and Mrs. Nancy H. Glendining. They were both able and popular teachers, and their efforts soon found favor. In May, that year, the attendance was already 47 pupils, and the school was highly com- mended. Its success, doubtless, inspired the organization of the Humphreysville High School Association, in 1851. The incorporators were leading citizens, and well calculated to carry on such a project, but it failed of its purpose. At the end of the school year, in 1853, Professor Glendining removed, and in August, that year. Professor Gay opened an academy in Glendining Hall, but remained only a few months. Frederick Durand next taught a select school for two years in Union Hall, and others were here for short periods.

The establishment of a Union High School was now agitated, but no decisive action was taken until October, 1864, when the town authorized such a school, to be independent of the school society. Burton W. Smith, Harvey Hotchkiss and G. W. Divine were appointed a committee to establish and superintend the school. Glendining Hall was leased as a school room, and a Miss Hermance was installed as the first teacher.

In 1869 the managers of the school established an intermediate de- partment, and secured a room in another building. Still another department was established in 1878, and fourth one in 1880, each of which was in a separate building. The erection of a high school building was now strongly urged, and March 15th, 1879, it was voted, 104 ayes to 20 nays, to build such a house at a cost not to exceed $8,000. Some objection being raised against this vote, another meet- ing was held, April 19th, 1879, when the former sense was confirmed by a vote of 122 against 38 nays. But no action was taken on account of disagreement in regard to the site. The help of the Derby school visitors was invoked, but even their designation of the "Pines" lot, made May 6th, 1879, was not satisfactory, the majority refusing to ac- cept it. With some spasmodic agitation the matter rested until Jan- uary 16th, 1884, when the town voted (149 to 44) to build a house on the Divine lot, on the west side of the Naugatuck, and north of Bank street. This contained about two acres, and was purchased for $3,000. A month later, February 16th, 1884, the town voted to appropriate $25,000 toward the erection of the building, which sum was afterward increased by other appropriations until the entire amount, on account of the buildings and grounds, was $39,500.

Ground was broken in June, 1884, for a building, planned by Archi- tect L. W. Robinson, of New Haven, and the work of construction was directed by a building committee composed of James Swan, Ed- mund Day, W. H. H. Wooster, Thomas James and F. H. Beecher. The latter was the secretary of the committee, and was very zealous in the

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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

prosecution of the work. The building, standing on its spacious, well- graded lot, is one of the handsomest school edifices in the county. It embraces all the best features of modern architecture, and each floor is supplied with pure water by pipes from a spring on the hill, north, which was presented to the school by James Swan, who was one of the building committee. The edifice is 65 by 72 feet, of brick, trimmed with stone, resting on brown sandstone base walls. When occupied, in the fall of 1886, seven rooms, having a capacity for 380 pupils, were furnished, but the building will accommodate several hundred more pupils when filled to its capacity.

The first principal to occupy this building was W. H. Angleton, who was succeeded, in April, 1890, by E. G. Stiles.

The early settlers of this locality belonged to the parish of Derby, and were long taxed for the support of the established church at that place. But in the fall of 1789 steps were taken to form a provisionary society, which would afford them more convenient means of worship. This was accomplished, as the following record shows:

"Derby, November 3d, A. D. 1789 .- This may certify all whom it may concern, that the subscribers have joined and paid towards the support of the Gospel at the Congregational Society, in Derby, near Bladen Brook, and mean for the future to support the Gospel there:

"Capt. Timothy Baldwin, Asahel Johnson, Gideon Johnson, Capt. Bradford Steel, Elisha Steel, Isaac Baldwin, Ebr. Turel Whitmore, Amos Hine, Bradford Steel, Jr., Medad Keney, Hezekiah Woodin, John Adze, Ashbel Loveland, Truman Loveland, Ebenezer Warner, Leverett Pritchard, Levi Tomlinson, John Coe, Ebenezer Beecher Johnson, Nathan Wheler, Bezalel Peck, Francis Forque, Joseph Loines, Moses Clark, Philo Hinman, Thomas Hotchkiss.

" Sertifyed by me, "LEVI TOMLINSON, Society Clerk."*

A meeting house was built on the hill, half a mile from the falls, on land belonging to Isaac Johnson. The interior was divided into rude box pews, but it was utterly devoid of comforts. Near by adwell- ing house was built for the minister, which was occupied in March, 1790, by Reverend Benjamin Beach, who removed to this place from North Haven. After preaching to this people 15 years, he removed to Milton in 1805. It is known that Captain Timothy Baldwin and Levi Tomlinson were deacons, but there are no records to show what was accomplished by the society. For a time it appears to have been unsupplied with preaching, and became weak and distracted, many of the former members connecting themselves with the Methodist or Episcopal societies. Some time about 1812 Reverend Zephaniah Swift, who had become pastor of the Derby church, preached here oc- casionally, but no church organization was then attempted.

But the growth of the village of Humphreysville, whose diverse in- * In the foregoing list the original spelling is retained.

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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

terests attracted many people, gave encouragement to the hope that the Congregational church would soon be organized in this commun- ity. Accordingly, a council was called for a meeting March 12th, 1817, to consider the advisability of acting on such a proposition. Having decided to organize, the following nine persons were associated into church fellowship: Joel Beebe and wife, Bradford Steele and wife, Ira Smith and wife, Louis Holbrook, Hannah P. Johnson and Sally Wheeler. Soon after, March 30th, 1817, Reverend Zephaniah Swift preached here, and admitted 18 more members; and later Reverend Bela Kellogg, also one of the organizing council, admitted others, until 34 persons belonged, who began actively to perpetuate the existence and welfare of the church. As an essential means to that end, it was determined to erect a new house of worship. The old meeting house was sold to the Methodists September 22d, 1818, and a new one at a more central location begun. A site on the bluff overlooking the river, where is now the Congregational cemetery, was selected, and the building was made ready for occupancy as soon as possible. Meantime the meetings were held in the Bell school house. The steeple to complete the new house was not built until 1829. After being used more than a score of years, it was found that the so-called "village church" was not located centrally enough to properly serve its purpose, and it was determined to build a new house. A site on the pine flats, below the falls, was chosen, upon which the present edifice was erected. It was dedicated April 20th, 1847, the pastor, Reverend William B. Curtiss, and others officiating. Since that time the build- ing has been much improved. In 1890 it was thoroughly repaired at a cost of $5,000, and a new organ costing $2,500 was supplied. A par- sonage on an adjoining lot affords a comfortable home for the pastor. This was the gift of Deacon William Kinney.

After the organization of the church, Reverends Zephaniah Swift, Bela Kellogg and other. ministers from the neighboring churches preached occasionally, until a regular pastor could be secured, some time about 1825, when Reverend Ephraim G. Swift served in that re- lation several years. In 1828 Reverend Amos Pettengill and Rever- end Charles Thompson preached, the latter being installed pastor of the church in April, 1830. He served about three years longer, and from 1833 to 1834 Reverends Rollin S. Stone and Zephaniah Swift were the ministers, each alternating between this church and the one at Derby.

The subsequent ministers were the following: Reverend John E. Bray from September, 1834, to April, 1842. Reverend William B. Curtiss from June, 1843, until October 15th, 1849. His successor was Reverend E. B. Chamberlain, a supply until April 29th, 1851, when he was installed, and was dismissed on account of ill health, May 20th, 1852. Reverend J. L. Willard, from September 1st, 1852, until May 1st, 1855, after which he was settled as pastor of the Westville church.

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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

The pulpit being vacant some time and the interest low, on account of the removal of members, Reverend Henry D. Northrop came as a supply, and was here from August, 1857, nearly to the end of 1858. An unusual revival attended his labors. From May, 1859, to May, 1860, Reverend E. C. Baldwin was the pastor, and until 1861 Reverend Sylvester Hine. Next came Reverend J. L. Mills, two years; Rever- end George A. Dickerman, one year; and A. J. Quick, nearly two years and a half. May 22d, 1868, Reverend Allen Clark was ordained in this church as an evangelist and labored here successfully one year. Another evangelist, H. P. Colin, also here ordained, followed him, when Reverend J. W. Fitch supplied the church about one year, closing in the spring of 1872. His successor was Reverend William J. Thomp- son, who, after being here about two years, closed his labors in Octo- ber, 1874. The ministry of Reverend S. C. Leonard began November 15th, 1874, and continued until the summer of 1879, when he removed to supply the church at Naugatuck. From his historical account of the Seymour church this sketch is gleaned. His successor was Rev- erend F. S. Root, whose pastoral relations were dissolved November 18th, 1884. In February, 1885, Reverend F. J. Fairbanks was invited to become the acting pastor, and served until April, 1886. In Octo- ber, 1886, Reverend Thomas E. Davis became the acting pastor, and has since so continued. In May, 1890, the church had 196 members, which included a net gain of 17 persons in the preceding year; and the church and society were harmonious and prosperous. The church has raised up as a minister Reverend Ira Smith and Reverend H. A. De Forest as a missionary to Syria. He graduated from Yale in 1832, and labored zealously until a fatal sickness compelled his return to this country.

Soon after the organization of the church, in 1817, Bradford Steele and Nehemiah Bottsford were appointed deacons, in which capacity they served many years. The subsequent deacons were, after 1840; Sheldon Kinney, Alfred Hull, Andrew W. De Forest, William Kinney, Miles Culver, J. L. Spencer, W. M. Tuttle, Charles Bradley, David Johnson, Levi Lounsbury, Joshua Kendall, W. I. Warren, Robert Hungerford, George C. O'Meara, Edward R. Davis, Heury M. Taylor, E. A. Lum and Thomas Williams.

The Sunday school can be traced back to 1828, and has been a valuable auxiliary of the church. In 1890 the superintendent was Clifford J. Atwater. Others who have served in that capacity have been James Swan, A. Y. Beach, Philo B. Buckingham, Sharon Y. Beach, Andrew De Forest, W. M. Tuttle, George E. Lester and George F. De Forest. Robert C. Bell, a former superintendent, afterward en- tered the ministry.

An Episcopal Ecclesiastical Society was formed in the present town of Seymour, February 20th, 1797, in accordance with a proper warrant, which had been served upon the following persons, profess-

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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

ing to be churchmen, who were to assemble at the house of Doctor Samuel Sanford, viz .: Reuben Lum, Nathan Mansfield, Benjamin Haw- ley, Martin Beebe, Ephraim Wooster, Jeremiah Gillette, Philo Hol- brook, Nathan Stiles, William Church, John Griffin, Bowers Wash- band, Timothy Johnson, Charles French, Moses Riggs, James Man- ville, William Tucker, Russell Tomlinson, Enos G. Nettleton, Nathan- iel Holbrook, Josialı Nettleton, Edward Hayes, Wilson Hurd, Abel Church, Daniel Davis, Alexander Johnson, Joseph Johnson, Israel Bostwick, John White. At this meeting Benjamin Davis moderated. Samuel Sanford served as clerk, and Joel Chatfield, Israel French and Jonathan Miles were appointed the society's committee. A union with the parish of Great Hill being effected, it was decided to call the new organization Union church.

A week later, February 27th, 1797, another meeting was held, when it was determined to erect a house of worship at Chusetown. Benja- min Davis, Edward Hayes, Nathaniel Johnson and John White were appointed to furnish material for the building of the house. A lot was purchased of Leverett Pritchard, at a cost of $60, March 23d, 1797, and the corner stone was laid, early in the spring, by Reverend Ed- ward Blakeslee, assistant rector of the Derby church. By winter the building was entirely enclosed, but the funds being exhausted, and the parish poor and not exempt from the payment of rates for the established or Congregational church, the house was not finished for consecration until September 2d, 1817. To attain this end $1,250 had been subscribed by 65 members of the parish. The ceremony was performed by Bishop John Henry Hobart of the diocese of New York.

On the 1st of June, 1822, the steeple of the church was damaged by lightning, to the extent of $182.88. In 1828 it was first supplied with a bell. The following year the house was painted and a stove, presented by Isaac Kinney, placed in the audience room. Up to this time the church had not been warmed. In 1831 an organ was sup- plied, which was enlarged and improved in 1850, at an expense of $505. In 1841 the high pulpit in the church was lowered three feet, and, in 1845-6, other repairs were made.

On Easter day, 1856, the name of the parish and the church was changed from Union to Trinity. A year later, on Easter, 1857, it was decided to thoroughly repair or remodel the church. The last service in the old church was held July 5th, 1857, and the work of reconstruc- tion was then commenced. But little more than the old frame was used in the rebuilt edifice, which was much finer and more capacious than the old one. The number of slips was increased from 42 to 70. In the prosecution of this work, an outlay of $6,000 was necessary. The ladies of the parish raised $800 to furnish the building. The new church was consecrated May 11th, 1858, by Bishop Williams.

In 1866 a rectory was purchased, but which was sold in 1873, and a

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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

fine new rectory has since been provided. In the fall of 1867 the in- terior of the church was embellished. It was, in 1890, in every way comfortable and attractive, and the entire property, including the well-ordered cemetery, was a credit to the parish.

In 1890 there were in the parish 177 families, in which were 285 communicant inembers. Smith Terrell was the senior warden; George Edwards, junior warden; Noah Sperry, parish clerk, a position long filled by Burton W. Smith, from whose data this account is gleaned. The Sunday school, which was established in 1827, had a membership of 150, and L. A. Camp as its superintendent.

The church has had many officiating ministers, some of whom served as rectors of this parish exclusively, while others were here on part time only, on account of the inability to maintain a minister. In 1802 a ministerial fund, or as it was denominated, the Union Bank, was established, with a view of raising permanent support for the ministry. Fifty-seven persons subscribed about $2,000, but the plan was not without its objections, and becoming a matter of contention, the fund was dissolved in 1811. Doctor Richard Mansfield, of the Derby church, was the first minister here, and preached until 1802, but drew support from the parish until the time of his death, in 1820. The next ministers, for a few months each, were Reverends Solomon Blakeslee and Calvin White. Other ministers were the following: 1805, Ammi Rodgers; 1807, Ambrose Todd; 1810-13, Solomon Blakes- lee; 1813, James Thompson; 1814, Calvin White: 1815, Chauncey Prindle; 1817, James Thompson; 1819. Aaron Humphrey; 1822-32, Stephen Jewett; 1833, Charles W. Bradlew; 1834-45, John D. Smith; 1845-6, John Purvis; 1847, Abel Nichols; 1848-50, William F. Walker; 1851-2, Charles G. Ackly; 1853-66, O. Evans Shannon; 1867-75, George Seabury; 1875-7, J. K. Lessell; 1878-81, James H. Van Buren; 1881-8, James D. S. Pardee; 1889, E. H. Cleveland; 1890, Joseph B. Shepherd.

The Great Hill Ecclesiastical Societv, within the limits of the First Society of Derby, was authorized by the general assembly in October, 1775, in order that the inhabitants in the specified territory might make provisions for four month's winter preaching. The petitioners were Timothy Russell and others. The first officers of the society were: Joseph Canfield, Joseph Tomlinson and Noah Tomlinson, com- mittee: John Bassett, collector, and Samuel Russell, clerk. A rate of 1} pence on the pound was laid, and for four years winter meetings were held in the Great Hill school house. In May, 1779, Captain John Holbrook and others of the locality prayed that the Great Hill society might be made a distinct body with all the privileges of other ecclesi- astical societies. This being granted, the society was organized Sep- tember 20th, 1779, and was the third one in Derby. Captain John Holbrook, the prime mover for this society, was a man of great wealth, and having a large tract of land with saw mills on it, practically built the meeting house with his own means. It was probably put up in

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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

the fall of 1781, as there is a record showing its occupancy in March, 1782. He was elected the first deacon of the Great Hill Congrega- tional church, and was in all matters pertaining to its welfare most active. In 1783 the society established the grave yard on Great hill, and John Holbrook, Jr., Enoch Smith and Benjamin English were ap- pointed to dig the graves. Choristers were appointed, and a system- atic course of instruction in music was begun, which resulted in greatly edifying the congregation.

In January, 1787, Abner Smith began to preach, holding services at long intervals, but later was settled on a regular call, and served the church many years. The society purchased a tract of land for him on Great hill, on which he built a large gambrel-roofed house, in which he lived until his removal to the West, in 1829. Congregational services now became more and more infrequent, until they were almost wholly suspended. The meeting house was used for school purposes and as a place of worship by the Methodists until their own church, on Great hill, was dedicated, October 25th, 1854. In this building, in more recent times, Congregational preaching has some- times been held, but the members living in this locality have never been very numerous. The old meeting house was taken down many years ago.

The Great Hill M. E. Church ranks as one of the oldest in the county. It was for many years one of the chief appointments on the old Derby circuit, and in more recent times has sustained an equally important relation to the Seymour church, with which it has long since been served, and with which its history is closely interwoven. In 1820 Presiding Elder Heman Bangs said his main support was from the Great Hill church. Nevertheless, the membership was never very large, but was rather characterized by the zeal which inspired it to embrace this cause.

Among the early members were Captain Isaac Bassett, his wife, one son and six daughters; Mrs. David Tomlinson, one son and three daugh- ters; James Tomlinson and wife; Anson Gillette and wife, five sons and two daughters. Gillette was one of the pioneer class leaders. Later pioneer members were Samuel and David Durand, Cyrus Botts- ford and Judson English, all useful and devoted to the cause. The first meetings were held in the school house some time after 1791; later ones in the meeting house of the Great Hill society, and since the fall of 1854 in a building put up and controlled by the Methodists.

The Seymour Methodist Episcopal Church is a prosperous organi- zation. The Reverend Jesse Lee first proclaimed Methodism in this locality. In the summer of 1791 he preached in a grove in Derby, "Uptown," and found willing hearers in John and Ruth Coe and the family of a Mr. Hinman. The following year Middletown circuit was established, embracing as part of its territory all of New Haven county, and since that time there has been a regular service of the

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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

Methodist ministry in the Naugatuck valley. In 1793 a regular so- ciety was formed in Derby, and as a result of the preaching there a class was organized at Chusetown in 1797. The members were Jesse Johnson, Isaac Baldwin, Esther Baldwin, Sarah Baldwin and Eunice Baldwin. Soon there were added George Clark, Lucy Hitchcock, Silas Johnson and Olive Johnson. Daniel Rowe, of Derby, was the leader. Preaching services were now established in this place in private houses, and some meetings, after the custom of those times, were held in the public rooms of the taverns. In thus going from place to place they aroused some prejudice, which resulted in petty persecution. Once when a meeting was held at Isaac Baldwin's, the top of the chimney was so much stopped up that the smoke drove the worshippers out of the house. In 1803 the presiding elder, Freeborn Garrettson, visited Chusetown and held the first quarterly meeting in the old Congrega- tional meeting house. This latter became the first Methodist church building.

In 1809, as the fruits of a revival, when 70 persons were converted, in the Derby Neck school house, there were some additions to the membership, which increased from this time on. In this great revival Moses Osborn, a local preacher from Southbury, was a helpful agent. In 1815 Walter French, of Humphreysville, was licensed to exhort and later to preach, and being endowed with a good memory and a ready utterance, he often here spoke with power and success. He lived to be more than 80 years of age, dying in 1865. Jesse Johnson became a local preacher later than Walter French. In 1828 Samuel R. Hicox, a local preacher from Southbury. became a resident of Humphreysville, having charge of the grist mill at the falls. In 1832 Sylvester Smith, a local preacher from Westville, moved into the village, and from that time for many years was one of the main supports of the church, often assisting the itinerant preachers here and frequently preaching in the adjoining towns. In 1829 Thomas Ellis, a Welsh spinner in the cotton mill, was converted and joined the church. He was a great singer and proved a valuable addition. In 1833 he received license to preach, and in 1838 he joined the conference as an itinerant. He died in 1873, aged 68 years. These local brethren in the ministry, and some zealous lay members, among them being Stiles Johnson and Thomas Gilyard, both of whom endowed the church with worldly goods, greatly aided in giving it a permanent place among the religious bodies of the town. In 1817 the society numbered 56 members. In 1819 there were three classes connected with the church, led by Robert Lees, Timothy Hitch- cock and Orrin Peck, the latter being in the town of Woodbridge, but came to this point as their preaching place. After this the church had varying fortunes, some years having as many as 50 accessions to the membership, and at other times suffering a diminished membership on account of removals. In 1890 the joint charges of Great Hill and Seymour had about 250 members, constituting six classes.

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History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume II, Part 68

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