History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume II, Part 69

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 69
USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume II > Part 69

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).

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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

October 31st, 1817, Stiles Johnson, Bezaleel Peck, Robert Lees, Thomas Gilyard and Timothy Hitchcock were elected trustees of the Methodist society, and to them, on the 22d of September, 1818, was conveyed the old Congregational meeting house for a consideration of $40. The same year Stiles Johnson bequeathed to the society the ground on which the building stood and the green in front of it, with $134 to repair the house and $200 asa fund whose income was to be ap- plied to maintain "regular Sabbath preaching." The old house was soon after converted into a two-story building, but was wholly barren of paint. In 1831 land was purchased for a parsonage at the corner of Pearl and Grand streets, and the following year the house was com- pleted. In the spring of 1847 the old meeting house was sold for $100, with a view of building a new one on its site. The corner stone for this was laid June 19th, 1847, Sylvester Smith depositing the case un- der the stone. The building was in the Gothic style, 40 by 60 feet, with a basement fitted up for services. It was handsomely finished, and in the tower was placed a good bell, weighing 1,150 pounds. The entire cost was $5,800. The church was dedicated January 18th, 1848, by Bishop Janes. The following season the elm trees in front of the church were planted by Sylvester Smith and his son, William E., who was killed in the civil war September 1st, 1864. In 1875 the old par- sonage was sold and a fine new one erected near the church, by a building committee composed of Lugrand Sharpe, Warren French and W. C. Sharpe. It cost $2,630, and was reputed one of the most pleas- ant parsonages in the Naugatuck valley. In defraying its cost a leg- acy of Mrs. Kirtland found useful application. The church building was renovated in 1868 and in 1877. In October, 1891, was begun the erection of a new church edifice, which will cost about $12,000.

The church has had numerous conference relations. In 1813 the Middletown circuit, to which it first belonged, was divided, and this charge assigned to the Stratford circuit. The formation of the Derby circuit took place next, from which Birmingham and Waterbury were set off as separate stations in 1839, leaving only Humphreysville, Great Hill, Pleasant Vale and Pinesbridge in the circuit. Since 1847 the former two appointments have mainly constituted the charge. The appointees by the several conferences for Seymour and vicinity were the following: 1792, Reverends Richard Swain, Aaron Hunt: 1793, Joshua Taylor, Benjamin Fisler; 1794, Menzies Raynor, Daniel Ostran- der; 1795, Evan Rogers, Joel Ketchum; 1796, Joshua Taylor, Lawrence McCombs; 1797, Michael Coate, Peter Jayne; 1798, Augustus Jocelyn; 1799, Ebenezer Stevens; 1800, James Coleman, Roger Searle; 1801, Abijah Bachelor, Luman Andrus; 1802, Abner Wood, James Annis: 1803, Abner Wood, Nathan Emory; 1804, Ebenezer Washburn, Nathan Emory; 1805, Ebenezer Washburn, Luman Andrus; 1806, Luman An- drus, Zalmon Lyon; 1807, William Thatcher, R. Harris, O. Sykes; 1808, James M. Smith, Phineas Rice; 1809, Noble W. Thomas, Coles Car-

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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

penter: 1810, Oliver Sykes, Jonathan Lyon; 1811, Zalmon Lyon, Jesse Hunt; 1812, Aaron Hunt, Arnold Scholefield; 1813, Ebenezer Waslı- burn, James Coleman; 1814, Elijah Woolsey, Henry Ames; 1815, Eli- jah Hebard, Benoni English.

From 1816 to 1830 the ministers were the following: Reverends Nathan Emory, Arnold Scholefield, Reuben Harris, Ezekiel Canfield, Samuel Bushnell, Aaron Pierce, Beardsley Northrop, David Miller, Bela Smith, James Coleman, Laban Clark, E. Barnett, John Nixon, Eli Denniston, William F. Pease, Julius Field, Samuel D. Ferguson, Val- entine Buck, John Luckey, Nathaniel Kellogg, Reuben Harris, John Lovejoy, Laban C. Cheney.

Since 1830 the following have served: 1831, Reverends Daniel Smith, William Bates; 1832, Daniel Smith, Robert Travis; 1833, Thomas Bainbridge, Chester W. Turner; 1834, Humphrey Humphries, John Crawford; 1835-6, Josiah Bowen; 1837-8, David Miller; 1839-40, Thomas Sparks; 1842-3, Ezra Jagger; 1844, Moses Blydenburgh; 1845-6, George L. Fuller; 1847-8, Charles Stearns; 1849-50, Seneca Howland; 1851-2, David Osborn; 1853-4, Rufus K. Reynolds; 1855-6, William T. Hill; 1857-8, Thomas Stevenson: 1859-60, L. P. Perry; 1861, Albert Booth; 1862-3, George Lansing Taylor; 1864-5, A. B. Pulling; 1866, Sylvester Smith; 1867-8, Joseph Pullman; 1869-70, Ben- nett T. Abbott; 1871-3, Joseph Smith; 1874, William R. Webster; 1875, E. H. Dutcher; 1876, Charles A. Tibbals; * 1877-9, Joseph Vinton; 1880-2, C. W. Lyon; 1883-4, H. Q. Judd; 1885-7, A. McNicholl; 1888, C. S. Williams; 1889-90, George B. Dusinberre.

The first Methodist Sunday school was begun about 1827 by George Kirtland, having at first his own five children as members. At the end of the year 27 children belonged. After half a dozen years the school was discontinued. In 1841 Samuel R. Hicox became the super- intendent, and was followed in 1843 by Lugrand Sharpe. In 1890 the superintendent was A. C. Butler and the number of members approxi- mated 200.

The Church of St. Augustine (Roman Catholic) was erected in 1855-6. When the services of the Roman Catholic church were estab- lished in the town in 1844, but six men in Humphreysville professed that faith. They were Nicholas and David Brockway, Nicholas Cass, Patrick and Thomas Gaffney and James Quinlan. The first three are to-day members of the church. Mass was first celebrated in the "old Long House," which stood on the site of the fire engine house, by Father Smith, who came from New Haven. The building of the rail- road increased the Catholic population of this locality, and the village was made a mission station of the Waterbury parish. Later the same relation was sustained to Naugatuck and Birmingham, Reverend James Lynch being the priest in charge. To him was deeded, in 1851, by Alfred Blackman, a lot for a Catholic church in Seymour. In 1855 the * Resigned in November, 1876, and Reverend A. B. Pulling filled the vacancy.

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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

building was begun, and in the fall of 1856 the church was completed and dedicated with the above name. This building is still standing near the new edifice. A mission relation to neighboring churches was sustained until October, 1885, when Reverend John McMahon became the first resident pastor. He continued in that capacity until May 1st, 1886, when Reverend Father R. C. Gragan was appointed to the pas- torate of St. Augustine parish, and here he has since remained as the resident priest. He was born in Ireland in 1846, but at the age of three years came to America. After serving as a mechanic, he was thoroughly educated for the priesthood, to which he was ordained in 1880. In the ministry he was at New Haven and New Britain as as- sistant pastor, this being the first parish placed fully in his charge. On coming to Seymour he found a floating debt of $1,000 and the old church too small to properly accommodate the parishioners, which numbered 700 in 1890.

In January, 1887, Father Gragan began his efforts to build a new church, in which he was much encouraged by his parishioners and the community at large. Ground was broken for the present church May 4th, 1888. The corner stone was laid by Bishop L. S. McMahon July 15th, 1888, and December 25th, 1889, the church was for the first time occupied for worship. An impressive and largely attended dedi- cation by the bishop took place May 18th, 1890.

The edifice is of wood, 53 by 101 feet, and there is a spire 118 feet high, which has been fitted to receive a clock and bell. The church has handsome, large stained glass windows, elegant furniture, and is in every respect an ornament to the town. It has 600 sittings and cost $13,000.

The Humphreysville Baptist Church was the outgrowth of a move- ment to organize a society of this faith begun in the latter part of 1847, and perfected in the following January. The church, with the above name, was formally recognized by a convention called for that pur- pose, March 15th, 1848. Reverend William Denison was the first pas- tor, commencing his ministry April 1st, 1848. George L. Hodge was chosen the first deacon, and S. Y. Beach the clerk and treasurer, filling those offices while the church existed. The last society meeting was held September 29th, 1869. In 1851 the church and society erected a meeting house on a lot donated by S. Y. Beach, on Bank street west of the railroad depot, which cost about $3,300. After the meetings were discontinued on account of the removal of the members wlio composed the organization, the building was converted into a business house, known as the Bassett Block, and was burglarized and burned down April 18th, 1882.

In 1890 a German Baptist congregation, but recently organized, held its meetings in Beach Hall. The membership was small, but gave promise of increase.

The cemeteries of the town are half a dozen in number, most of

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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

them being controlled by the several church organizations. One of the most important, the Union Cemetery, is under the care of the Humphreysville Grave Yard Association, organized in 1842 under the general act of that year. Ninety-five persons associated themselves to establish a "village grave yard." on the west side of the river. Orig- inally there were two and a half acres, which were purchased for the association by Clark Wooster, Joshua Kendall and Wales French, as a committee in trust. Curtis Randall, who died October 2d, 1842, was the first person there interred. Since that time many interments have taken place, and the cemetery has been properly improved. In 1889 the directors were John W. Bassett, Martin R. Castle, Andrew Y. Beach, W. C. Sharpe, DeWitt C. Castle, Benjamin B. Thayer and James Swan. Some of the first interments in this locality were made in the Rimmon burying ground, on a bluff on the west side of the river. The interments date from 1768. Earlier burials were made in Derby.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

Emery E. Adams, born in Croton Falls, Westchester county, N. Y., in 1850, is a son of Edward and Sarah J. (Meade) Adams, and grand- son of David Adams. Mr. Adams settled in Seymour in 1871, and un- til 1875 was in the employ of H. B. Beecher, auger manufacturer. Since 1875 he has been a contractor with the Humphreysville Manu- facturing Company. He was married in 1875 to Ella J., daughter of Frederick Emery. They have two daughters, Luella E. and Beulah A.

Wilford A. Baldwin, born in Birmingham, Conn., in 1847, is a son of George, grandson of Anson, and great-grandson of James Baldwin, a resident of Oxford, Conn., and a revolutionary soldier. George Bald- win married Cynthia, daughter of Hiram Johnson, and their children were: Ida, Hiram and Wilford A. Ida married John Ashton. Wilford A. settled in Seymour in 1885, and engaged in the meat and market business. He married, in 1872, Ida E. Lewis. They have one daugh- ter, Edith. Mr. Baldwin is a member of Shepherds' Lodge, No. 78, F. & A. M., and of Alton Chapter, No. 39, R. A. M., of Naugatuck.

Edward F. Bassett, born in Woodbury, Conn., in 1823, is a son of Zerah, a native of North Haven, born October 11th, 1795. His grand- father was Isaac Bassett, a soldier in the revolutionary war. His great- grandfather was Abram Bassett. Zerah was a carriage maker, and carried on business in Woodbury for upward of 25 years. He settled in Seymour about 1836. He married Miranda Doolittle, of Walling- ford, Conn., born August 1st, 1795. They had two children, Edward F. and Maria L. Zerah Bassett died October 23d, 1839, and Miranda, his wife, died January 21st, 1867. Maria L. Bassett married Isaac H. Davis. Edward F. married, in 1849, Laura Linsley, of Woodbury, Conn. They have one daughter, Jennie L. Mr. Bassett engaged in the furniture, undertaking and house furnishing business in Seymour-

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in 1847, which he conducted until 1889, when he retired. He was town clerk for one year. His store was burned with all its contents in 1882, but he rebuilt and continued the business.

Sharon Y. Beach, born in North Haven May 21st, 1809, is a son of Giles, grandson of Benjamin, and great-grandson of Benjamin. Giles Beach married Mary, daughter of Captain Jonathan and Mary Dayton. Captain Dayton commanded a company in the revolutionary war, and had four sons in the same company. He was also a justice of the peace. Benjamin Beach, father of Giles, was the first settled minister in Seymour, then called Chusetown. Sharon Y. Beach came from North Haven in 1830, and settled in Humphreysville, and for several years was employed in a cotton mill there. In 1843 he engaged in paper manufacturing, which has since been his business. He has been selectman several terms, and has held other town offices. He has been a member of the Baptist church for 60 years, and a member and deacon of the Ansonia Baptist church since its organization. He was married in 1832 to Adaline, daughter of Asa Sperry. Their children were: George W., Andrew Y., Emeline E., Sharon D. and Theodore B. Mr. Beach married for his second wife, in 1872, Julia D., daughter of Andrew P. Hine.

Sharon D. Beach, born in Seymour November 23d, 1849, is a son of Sharon Y. Beach. He was married in 1870 to Mary E., daughter of Stephen Rider, of Seymour. Their children are: Sharon M., Ralph S. and J. Mabel. Mr. Beach is treasurer and manager of the S. Y. Beach Paper Company.

Theodore B. Beach, born in Seymour in 1855, is a son of Sharon Y. Beach. He has been agent at Seymour for the Naugatuck Railroad Company since 1879. For five years prior to that he was ticket agent of the New York & New England and Naugatuck railroads at Water- bury. He has been secretary of the board of education for eight years, and is secretary of the S. Y. Beach Paper Company. He is a member of the Morning Star Lodge, F. & A. M., the A. O. U. W. and the Nonnawauk Tribe of Red Men. Mr. Beach was married in 1879, to Elizabeth Lockwood. They have two children: Harold and Olive.

Hiram Chatfield, born in Seymour in 1844, is a son of Joel R., he a son of Joel, he a son of Elnathan, and he a son of Edwin Chatfield. Joel Chatfield married Ruth Stoddard, and their children were: Isaac, Leman, Almira, Stoddard, Thirza, Joel R. and Charlotte. Joel R. Chatfield was born in 1804, and is still living. He has been twice married: first to Lucinda Hitchcock, and their children were Clark and Lucinda. For his second wife he married Mary, daughter of Tru- man Tomlinson, and their children were: John, Edwin, Ransom, Hi- ram, Mary T., Charlotte F. and Hattie M.

CHARLES COUPLAND, the enterprising and successful superintend- ent of the Tingue Manufacturing Company, at Seymour, was born at Huddersfield, in Yorkshire, England, April 11th, 1840. His parents

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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

were Robert and Mary Coupland, and he was the second of a family of nine children. His father was a small woolen manufacturer, but thoroughly skilled in his occupation, and was considered an ingenious man. He soon needed the services of his son, and when Charles Coupland was but seven years of age he was placed at work in the fac- tory, where he labored in the daytime, and what little education he received was obtained from attendance of night schools.

But he learned, in the twelve years that included his apprenticeship in his father's factory, what has proved of immense practical benefit to him, every detail and all the intricacies and fine points pertaining to the manufacture of woolen goods. Having obtained this mechani- cal knowledge he became, at the age of 19 years, dissatisfied with his prospects in life, and resolved, in 1860, to cast his lot in America. With others he emigrated to this country, and soon found work in the Windmere mills, at Rockville, Conn. After working a short time as a second man in the carding room, he was given charge of the depart- ment, and since that time all his service has been in supervisory positions. In 1865 he went to Philadelphia, Pa., where he was given charge of the carding and spinning of the Baltic Mills. He thence went to Union Village, Conn., where he owned and operated a custom woolen mill several years. A year later he removed to Burrville, Conn., where he was also engaged in business on his own account in the manufacture of woolen flocks, using a machine invented by him- self, which very successfully performed that operation, doing as much work as five other machines previously used. In 1869 he sold out and went to Templeton, Mass., to take charge of the well known Otter River blanket mills, going from there to the woolen mills of Berry & Stanton, at Woodville, R. I., each move bringing an advance in posi- tion and salary, and increasing his knowledge of manufacturing.

In 1871 he became the manager and part owner of the mill at Thomaston, Conn., operated by the Plymouth Woolen Company, where he remained until the mill burned down in the fall of 1873. The corporation now determined to build up a worsted mill, and Mr. Coupland was urged to prepare himself to take charge of it. His ex- perience had been confined to woolen goods, whose manufacture differed from worsted goods, which necessitated new instruction, but which was difficult to obtain, as every mill kept a close guard of its secret processes. Determined to find an entrance into some mill, even if he would have to do ordinary labor, Mr. Coupland came to Seymour, where he applied for a place in the Kalmia Mills, at that time run on worsted yarns by Schepper Brothers, of Philadelphia, with Emil Mar- tines as superintendent. He was told the only place vacant was that of engineer, and if he was competent he could take that. He knew but little of the work of an engineer, but accepted the place at $3 per day, and by diligent attention to his work soon succeeded in running it very satisfactorily. He remained nine months, and in that period

Golfland

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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

learned to know about worsteds all he wanted. In the meantime the death of Lucius P. Porter, of the Plymouth Company, had disarranged the plans of the corporation, which decided not to rebuild. Mr. Coup- land now sought a new field of labor, and applied to A. T. Stewart for the position of general superintendent of his numerous woolen mills, receiving the appointment, at a very large salary, in the fall of 1874. He entered upon his new duties to the great surprise of his acquaint- ances at Seymour, who could not imagine how a man who had been so recently a workman in an engine room in their midst could possibly fill that place. When Mr. Coupland took charge of the Stewart in- terests but four of the thirteen woolen mills in four different states were running, but soon every mill was profitably operated, giving em- ployment to over 10,000 people. In this service he remained six years.

In 1880, while still in the employ of A. T. Stewart, Mr. Coupland discovered a new and exceedingly speedy way to weave mohair pile goods, which he determined to utilize in a factory of his own, with the aid of interested capital. At this time he was introduced to John H. Tingue, a wealthy dry goods merchant, of New York, who consented to embark with him in this new enterprise, Mr. Coupland agreeing to devise, construct and place in operation all the necessary machinery, Mr. Tingue to see that there was 110 lack of capital. Looking about for a suitable site for the factory they came to Seymour and bought the Kalmia or old Eagle silk mill, in 1880, and the work of building the machinery was begun by Mr. Coupland, and since that time he has been the genius which inspired and has successfully directed the Tingue Manufacturing Company at Seymour. The corporation was formed in 1881, and the same year the work of manufacturing plush goods was begun." The process was a radical departure from all former methods, and not only was this the pioneer mill in America in this line of industry, but for five years was the sole occupant of this especial field.

Of this mill and its operations the American Machinist said in 1884:

"I had the pleasure, a few weeks ago, of looking through the plush manufactory at Seymour, Conn., through the courtesy of the president of the company, Mr. J. H. Tingue, and under the guidance of Mr. Coupland, the superintendent, whose inventive turn of mind, backed up by his indomitable perseverance and exceptional executive ability, have accomplished wonders in the last four year. Indeed, to pass through the different departments, as I did, and listen to the explana- tion of differences between the methods and machinery employed by the Tingue Company, and those employed by manufacturers of similar goods both here and in foreign countries, with the advantages claimed both in quantity and quality of production, and be told that the ma- chinery had been invented, designed and built by themselves. while to the question, ' How long has it taken ?' came the answer, ' Four years,'

* See account of manufactures in foregoing pages.

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was to me a genuine surprise. To the enterprise, perseverance, in- ventive and mechanical ability which have left their imprint all through this truly model establishment, I feel that I have no words in which to pay a fitting tribute. Through the successful establishment of this industry-the manufacture of mohair plush-is opened up a new and profitable industry in the raising of the Angora goat, which has already been found to be a sure source of profit in some parts of the Southern States, where sheep-raising has proved a failure.

" The beautiful silky fleeces of these animals, with a fiber of six or seven to nine or ten inches long, and in extreme cases, I am told, it is found eighteen inches in length, are, by the ingenious machinery of the Tingue Company, carried from one stage of manufacture to an- other till two sheets of plush in one, joined by the pile of each, await the services of the ingenious splitting machine of Mr. Coupland, who, with the inspiration of American air, for the past score of years could not be satisfied with the old way in use abroad of weaving over wires, which, by withdrawing, cut the pile and separated the two sheets, but has invented a machine the office of which is to split in the most accu- rate manner, and in an entirely automatic way, any width or length of plush goods.

" Not only is the operation of splitting performed automatically, but the knives which do the work are automatically ground while working, and so kept constantly sharp. Enough might be said of this place to fill a volume, but, wishing to be careful not to violate any confidence, I have simply to say I am truly grateful, while I feel-and I think that every American citizen should-that many thanks are due to these pioneers in an industry which promises to become one of great importance, not simply in a manufacturing sense, but to the land-owner in a large section of the country."

Since that time much other labor-saving machinery has been added by Mr. Coupland, much of which he invented, and he has had 30 pat- ents awarded him for machinery to be used in the manufacture of plush goods. The mill and the entire plant superintended by him is a model of neatness, order, and the adaptation of the best means to obtain the best results, showing that Mr. Coupland also has fine ad- ministrative ability as well as inventive talent, which have given him a place among the foremost mill men of the country.

Mr. Coupland has not neglected his duties as a citizen, being pro- gressive and public-spirited in his relations to the community, hence he yielded his consent to serve in several offices to which he was elected by his townsmen. He is a prominent Free Mason, and belongs to the Order of Elks. Politically he has given his adherence to the democratic party, but is in no sense a partisan in his opinions or ac- tions.

ALVA GOODRICH DE WOLFE was born in the town of Morris, in Litchfield county, August 25th, 1810. He was the youngest of the five

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children of Levi and Hulda (Stanley) De Wolfe, and is the only sur- vivor of their family. The father of Hulda Stanley served in the revo- lution, and being taken a prisoner, died while confined in one of the New York prison ships. The boyhood of Levi De Wolfe was full of romance and stirring incidents, also including a service in the revolu- tion. He was born May 9th, 1764, on the then frontier of Connecti- cut. When four years old he was carried away in an Indian raid and was held by the savages several years. Upon being released he found a home in the family of Abiel Booth, of Newtown, a farmer and black- smith. When Levi was 15 years of age he joined the patriot forces in their struggle for independence, and served until the end of the war. The last two years he was a sergeant in the body-guard of General La Fayette, whom he held in the greatest esteem; and when that distin- guished officer visited New Haven, in 1825, he was one of the party to extend him a royal welcome. At the battle of Yorktown Sergeant De Wolfe was wounded, and was discharged from the hospital after the army had left that place. Returning home, he became a blacksmith of skill in Litchfield county, where he died January 15th, 1857, more than 90 years of age.

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History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume II, Part 69

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