History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume II, Part 74

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 74
USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume II > Part 74

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).

After the determination to settle in Mattatuck, in 1677, the colony committee assigned the deeds for the lands they liad purchased of the Indians to some of those who actually became inhabitants, Thomas Judd, John Stanley, and others, who held them in trust. The com- mittee continued to keep a general oversight of affairs and transacted the chief public business of Mattatuck until February, 1681. In that month it ordered that the inhabitants might elect whom they chose of their fellow-settlers for constables, haywards, surveyors, etc. In 1682 the inhabitants were further empowered to regulate their own affairs, giving them the right to impound cattle, etc. From this time the colony committee had but little to do with the affairs of the inhabitants of Mattatuck, which was incorporated as a town, with the name of Water- bury, in 1686.

Much of the legislation of the new town at the close of the seven- teenth and the beginning of the eighteenth centuries pertained to se- curing protection against the Indians, and kindred matters. To that end the colony of Connecticut actively cooperated. The town also

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early provided the means for schools, voting in 1698 "to set up a school four months or more, and to get a schoolmaster to teach writ- ing as well as reading." Church matters were wholly controlled by the town until 1738, when ecclesiastical societies were organized to take charge of those affairs.

The formation of new towns out of the original territory had the effect of greatly diminishing the business of the dismembered town, whose affairs were in consequence comparatively unimportant until about fifty years ago. Of the towns wholly formed out of Waterbury, Watertown was set off in 1780, and Plymouth in 1795: and the towns formerly belonging to Waterbury, in part, were: Middlebury, formed in 1807; Prospect, in 1827; and Naugatuck, in 1844. To these and other near-by towns Waterbury has always been a natural center, and in 1871 an effort was made to form a closer bond of union by attempt- ing to create a new county, with Waterbury as the shire town. On the 15th of April, that year, a special town meeting was held in the furtherance of that purpose, and a large committee was appointed to properly advocate the project. It was proposed to embrace in the new county the towns of Waterbury, Middlebury, Southbury, Oxford, Nau- gatnek, Prospect and Wolcott, in New Haven county, and Plymonth, Watertown, Woodbury and Bethlehem, in Litchfield county. Water- bury tendered the use of the new city hall for a term of 25 years, at a nominal rent of one dollar per year, and also offered to build a jail. Before these plans could be carried out New Haven provided new county buildings, and the project subsequently found so little favor that the proposition was not renewed.

For many years the town meetings were held in Gothic Hall. In 1859 the basement of the Methodist church was used, and since 1869 the City Hall, in which the the town owns a half interest, has been occupied. Among other public property of the town is the almshouse, which, however, is inadequate for the wants of those making demands upon it. Many of the buildings are old and dilapidated. The total town expenditures are from $80,000 to $90,000 per year. The entire town debt is less than $50,000.

The selectmen in 1892 were E. W. Pinney, George A. Boughton and M. F. Carmody. For a score of years, from 1850, Willard Spencer was the first selectman and town agent, disbursing all the funds of the town in the civil war, to the great satisfaction of his townsmen.

The following were elected to the office of town clerk of Water- bnry: 1696, Thomas Judd, Jr .; 1709, Deacon Thomas Judd; 1712, John Hopkins; 1713, John Judd; 1717, William Judd; 1721, John Southmayd; 1755, Thomas Clark; 1764, Ezra Bronson; 1782, Michael Bronson; 1784, Asahel Clark; 1787, William Leavenworth; 1793, John Kings- bnry; 1804, Abner Johnson; 1806, Ashley Scott; 1812, John Kingsbury; 1817, Ashley Scott; 1831, Elisha S. Abernathy; 1837, Willard Spencer; 1839, Charles Scott; 1840, Norton J. Buel; 1841, Solomon B. Miner;

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1847, John Kendrick; 1848, Lucius A. Thompson; 1849, Theodore S. Buel; 1851, W. B. Lounsbury; 1852, Samuel C. Woodward; 1855, Israel Holmes; 1856, Nelson J. Welton; 1858, Charles W. Gillette; 1859, Nel- son J. Welton; 1861, Charles W. Gillette: 1863, Franklin L. Welton; 1869. George L. Fields; 1871. Charles B. Merrill; 1877, Thomas Dona- hue, 2d; 1878, James C. White; 1887, James J. Madden.

Waterbury was a part of Hartford county until 1728. Most of its probate business was done by the county court of Hartford until Oc- tober, 1719, when the Woodbury district was formed to embrace Water- bury. Waterbury district was formed in 1779, and was made to em- brace the old town of Waterbury, and consequently the towns formed out of it -- Middlebury, Wolcott and Naugatuck, until the latter became a separate district in recent years. The judges of the Waterbury dis- trict were appointed or elected as follows: 1779, Joseph Hopkins; 1801, John Kingsbury; 1830, Joel Hinman; 1840, Norton J. Buel; 1842, John Peck; 1843, Alfred Blackman; 1844, Norton J. Buel; 1846. Willard Spen- cer; 1847, Norton J. Buel; 1849, Elisha Johnson; 1852, John W. Web- ster; 1854, Stephen W. Kellogg; 1857, Robert W. Wright; 1858, Stephen IV. Kellogg; 1859, Nelson J. Welton; 1860, John W. Webster; 1862, Ste- phen W. Kellogg: 1863, John W. Webster; 1865, Stephen W. Kellogg: 1866, L. Sanford Davis; 1868, Henry I. Boughton; 1871, Charles W. Gillette: 1874, Guernsey S. Parsons; 1875, Elisha Leavenworth; 1876, Charles W. Gillette; 1877, Elisha Leavenworth; 1879, Charles W. Gil- lette: 1889, Ellis Phelan.

Under the city charter, a recorder's court was organized in 1853, and for a number of years Henry I. Boughton was the recorder. He served in that capacity until June 29th. 1866, when the city and police courts were established, their jurisdiction being confined to the city limits. In 1872 the power of the court was enlarged and the jurisdic- tion was extended over the town of Waterbury and some of the sur- rounding towns in cases of civil action. The Waterbury town and city court was continued until 1881, when the district court of Water- bury was established, with jurisdiction in both civil and criminal cases, in the territory embraced in the nine towns contiguous to Waterbury, in the counties of New Haven and Litchfield. The judges of the dis- trict court also preside over the police courts of Waterbury. The judges of the foregoing courts have been the following: 1866-7, Henry I. Boughton: 1868-70, C. W. Gillette; 1871-4, George L. Fields: 1875-6, Henry I. Boughton; 1877, Henry R. Merrill; 1878-83, George H. Cowell; 1884-91, Albert P. Bradstreet.

The deputy judges have been: 1876, Calvin H. Carter; 1877-80, George L. Fields; 1881-3, Albert P. Bradstreet; 1884-6, Edward F. Cole; 1887-91, George H. Cowell.

Among the clerks of the courts have been Benjamin R. Hallas, George E. Terry, Thomas Donahue, 2d, Daniel F. Webster.

Waterbury was incorporated as a borough in May, 1825, and its first

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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

principal officers were: Warden, John Kingsbury; burgesses, Joseph Puton, Austin Steele, James M. L. Scovill, Joseph Porter, Mark Leav- enworth, Bennett Bronson; clerk, Joel Hinman. Borough privileges were enjoyed 27 years, the last board of officers in 1853 being: War- den, Edward B. Cooke; burgesses, Edward S. Clarke, Martin S. Isbell, David B. Hurd, John C. Booth, Julius Hotchkiss, Joseph Hurlburt; clerk, David T. Bishop.

In May, 1853, a city charter was granted, the corporation becoming known as the " Mayor, Aldermen, Common Council and Freemen of the City of Waterbury." Under the provisions of this charter the fol- lowing were first elected: Mayor, Julius Hotchkiss; aldermen, D. B. Hurd, John Kendrick, Willard Spencer, J. M. L. Scovill; common coun- cil, William Brown, Richard Welton, T. B. Eldridge, E. B. Cooke, C. B. Merriman, J. S. Mitchell, William Lamb, E. L. Frisbie, Abraham Ives, Elisha Leavenworth, Sherman Hickox, G. H. Welton. S. M. Buck- ingham, Nelson Hall, C. S. Sperry, Charles Benedict, J. W. Webster, M. S. Isbell, James Scarritt, A. E. Rice.

The city charter was amended in 1867, to permit the organization of the "Board of Water Commissioners," which has since managed the water department of the city; in 1868, to permit the city to take charge of the Silas Bronson Fund for a free library, and in 1871 to increase the corporate powers in many ways, under the new title of the "City of Waterbury." The city is divided into four wards, each having one alderman and five councilmen. These 24 officials, with the inayor as president, constitute the city's "Court of Common Council."

The following have served the city as mayors: Julius Hotchkiss, 1853 to 1854; David T. Bishop, 1854 to 1855; George W. Benedict, 1855 to 1856; John W. Webster, 1856 to 1857; Henry F. Fish, 1857 to 1859; Charles Benedict, 1859 to 1860; Aner Bradley, Jr., 1860 to 1863; L. Sanford Davies, 1863 to 1864; John Kendrick, 1864 to 1866; Philo G. Rockwell, 1866 to 1867; Joseph B. Spencer, 1867 to 1868; John Ken- drick, 1868 to 1869; Charles B. Merriman, 1869 to 1870; Isaac E. New- ton, 1870 to 1871; George B. Thomas, 1871 to 1876; Archibald E. Rice, 1876 to 1878; Henry I. Boughton, 1878 to 1880; Guernsey S. Parsons, 1880 to 1882; Greene Kendrick, 1882 to 1884; Henry A. Matthews, 1884 to 1886; Henry I. Boughton, 1886 to 1890; Charles R. Baldwin, 1890 to 1892; Daniel F. Webster, 1892.

Since 1871 the city clerks have been Thomas Donahue, 2d, Greene Kendrick and, for the past twelve years, Edward G. Kilduff.

Waterbury's City Hall was begun in 1868, and completed the follow. ing year. It is a tall, two-story edifice, substantially constructed of brick, with a front of Portland red sandstone. The lower story is devoted to offices for the use of the city and the town and chambers for the several courts. The upper story forms a spacious auditorium, having sittings for 1,300 people. It was first publicly used October 28th, 1869, by the Theodore Thomas Orchestra Company, which gave

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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

an entertainment for the benefit of Riverside Cemetery. In 1889 a large and well arranged police station was built on the rear end of the hall. The entire cost of this property has been about $160,000, most of which was defrayed by the proceeds from the sale of bonds au- thorized in 1867 and 186S.

The police department consisted, in 1890, of Chief George M. Egan, a lieutenant, a sergeant, 18 patrolmen and 16 supernumeraries; and the force was claimed to be one of the most efficient in the state. It was maintained at an outlay of $21,268.97.

In the past ten years much attention has been paid to the improve- ment of the streets, and about $60,000 are yearly expended upon that object. Since 1888 Exchange place, a part of East Main street, and Bank street have been paved with granite dimension blocks, 1 1-10 miles being covered with that article, at an expense of nearly $40,000. Other streets were similarly improved in 1891 and 1892. Some of the other principal streets have been macadamized.

In 1881 the city was empowered to issue bonds to the amount of $85,000 for the construction of sewers. This work was systematically begun in 1883 under the direction of City Engineer F. Floyd Weld, who was at the head of this department until his death, June 28th, 1890. He made Waterbury famous for its improved sanitary con- dition, and many engineers from other cities came here to profit by his methods. These are seen not only in the city's excellent sewerage system, but also in other public improvements, especially in the streets, whose betterment first became noteworthy in the period named. When he took hold of this work, in June, 1883, the city had but a lit- tle more than a quarter of a mile of sewers: now it has more than 21 miles, and about $20,000 are yearly paid out in extending the system.

The city has a well organized volunteer fire department, which is managed by a board of fire commissioners. The force in 1891 was composed of the chief engineer and fire marshal, three assistant en- gineers and 278 officers and men, belonging to seven companies.

In recent years horses have been purchased for the use of Engine Companies No. 1 and 2 and the hook and ladder company, with an ad- ditional horse for the chief, nine animals being thus used. There are nearly 10,000 feet of hose used by the different companies.

The Gamewell system of fire alarm telegraph, introduced at an ex- pense of $7,500, was accepted by the city February 22d, 1883, and has since been satisfactorily used. The entire value of the department property is more than $96,000, and much of it was acquired during the administration of the present chief engineer, Samuel C. Snagg. He is a native of Westport, Conn., but since 1856 has lived in Waterbury. After being connected with the fire companies of the city 14 years, he was, in February, 1882, elected to the position which he has since held, and has developed the department to its fine and effective condition.

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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

With but a few exceptions the city has in this period been exempt from disastrous fires.

The most costly fire in the history of Waterbury occurred about 1 o'clock of the morning of January 13th, 1892, when the main mill of the Waterbury Brass Company, with all its valuable contents, was totally destroyed. The entire department responded, and was in ser- vice four and a half hours, confining the flames to the one building, set on fire by the explosion of gas. The loss was about $250,000.

For many years the town was dependent upon very crude appar- atus for protection against fire, there being, at first, nothing but a few troughs and buckets, which proved of little service when most needed. The first company was organized in March, 1828, soon after the Sco- vill Button Factory was burned. It had 21 members, some being prominent young business men. The machine used was of the churn pattern, and had but little power, but the company was an improve- ment on the " bucket brigade." It was in service when the old Judd Tavern was burned, February 25th, 1833, when three lives were lost, and that was the most important fire in its existence. In 1839 there was an increased interest in these matters, and with the aid of Edward S. Clark, a practical fireman from New York, who had come to Water- bury to live, a new company was formed and placed on a better basis than the old one. It embraced many of the old firemen, and for many years Stephen Harrison was the secretary of the company. Ex-Mayor A. Bradley was also an active member. A second-hand Smith ma- chine, of the "goose neck " pattern, was purchased in New York, which was painted up gaudily and a figure of a Mattatuck Indian placed on it. The organization was appropriately called the Matta- tuck Engine Company, and for a dozen years cut an important figure in the affairs of the village. Its place was taken by Phoenix Fire Company No. 1, which was first organized May 5th, 1849. The borough procured new engines the following year, which were in service about ten years. In May, 1859, a new Button & Blake engine was purchased at a cost of more than $1,175, and the following October a new hose carriage was supplied. In December, 1869, the company disbanded, but after two weeks it was reorganized, with William Laird as fore- man, and since that time its career has been uninterrupted, making this the oldest fire company in the city. The other companies were organized at different periods, as the growth of the city demanded them, and all have been useful protective agents.

The first action which led toward securing a supply of city water from outside sources, was taken in 1856, when Doctor P. G. Rockwell, B. P. Chatfield and Lyman W. Coe were appointed a committee to re- port upon the feasibility of a system which would relieve the needs of the city. But it appears that no fruitful action was taken until 1866, when Doctor P. G. Rockwell, at that time serving as mayor, so forcibly urged the matter that definite results were reached January 20th, 1867,

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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

when the committee, appointed for that purpose, submitted a detailed report, advising the construction of water works. A meeting was held May 27th, 1867, when, on the question of bonding the city for the sum of $150,000 to build water works, 879 freemen voted aye and 256 voted nay. Bonds for that amount were issued in 1867, and two years later an issue of $40,000 more was authorized. In the former year was or- ganized the first board of water commissioners, composed of N. J. Welton, president: F. J. Kingsbury, J. W. Webster and A. S. Chase. The president of this board was also the engineer in charge, and drew up plans for the system on East Mountain brook. Here a reservoir with a capacity for 8,000,000 gallons of water was begun in 1868, and was first used in the fall of the same year. It is located 23 miles southeast from Center square, in the town of Prospect, and has an ele- vation of 225 feet above the city. At first ten miles of pipes were laid and 96 hydrants erected. Since the general use of this water, in 1869, the supply has been increased by building additional reservoirs on East Mountain, in 1880, and another on Cook street, soon after. Still later a pumping station, having a capacity to pump 1,500,000 gallons per day, was erected at a favorable point on Mad river. The com- bined capacity of the system is 200,000,000 gallons. In 1890 the daily consumption was about 2,000,000 gallons, one-fifth of which was used for manufacturing purposes. Its use for domestic purposes lias been doubled about every eight years. There were in 1890 3,339 services, of which 7 were for watering tanks and drinking fountains in various parts of the city, 212 public and 36 private fire hydrants. In all there are about 38 miles of pipes and mains. The cost of the department up to December 30th, 1890, was $520,011.04; the total re- ceipts for water rents to same time, $553,698.35. The increase of rents is about $6,000 per year. Nelson J. Welton is still at the head of the department, and F. B. Merriman is the secretary of the board of commissioners.

New surveys for the extension of the system were made in the fall of 1891 by Rudolph Hering, a competent civil engineer from abroad, and the improvements, when completed, will greatly increase the water supply of the city.

In May, 1854, the Waterbury Gas Company was chartered, and was soon after organized for business. Streets were lighted by this com- pany many years, but since 1884 the method of lighting has been by electricity, only eight street lamps using gas being in service in 1890. The electric light is furnished by the Connecticut Electric Light Com- pany, which was incorporated November 24th, 1883, with a capital of $15,000. This has since been increased to $150,000. A. O. Shepard- son has been the manager from the beginning. The first public use of this light was in the spring of 1884. In 1890 there were 152 public arc lamps, and the city expended nearly $20,000 for the illumination of its streets. The electric light company also furnishes light for 50

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arc lamps in commercial use. Its plant has a capacity for 300 Thom- son-Houston arc lamps, and 4,000 Edison incandescent lights. There is also one 180 horse power generator to furnish electrical power, whose use began in the summer of 1891.

The park system of Waterbury is limited. but an extension at an early day is contemplated. The chief public ground is Center Square, or the old town green. Originally it was a marshy piece of ground; and for many years it remained in that condition. In recent years fine asphalt walks have been made in the green, and it now bears the appearance of a fine lawn, making it the most attractive spot in the city. Its natural beauty has been enhanced by the soldiers' monument, near the west end, and the elegant public drinking fountain, at the eastern end. The latter was erected in 1888, with money bequeathed for that purpose by the late Miss Caroline Josephine Welton, a native of Waterbury. This unfortunate lady lost her life on September 23d, 1884, while attempting to scale Long's Peak, Colorado. Being over- taken by a snow storm, she lost her way and perished before she could be rescued. Her remains lie interred in Riverside cemetery. The cost of the fountain was about $7,000. It is composed of granite base and bowls, and is surmounted by a life size bronze figure of a horse. The model was after a favorite animal once owned by Miss Welton, and the artist was Karl Gerhart, of Hartford. The fountain, with its varied uses, is an object of much admiration.

The entire city property is worth (including school property) about a million and a half of dollars. The city's debt is $520,495.36. The annual appropriation for all objects of municipal care are about $250 .- 000, and the rate of taxation about 15 mills, on a low basis of valua- tion. The assessed value of the real estate in the entire town was, in 1890, $6,699,323; the personal estate was rated at $4,052,047. It was estimated that a fair valuation would be at least $43,000,000. The increase of the grand list is about a quarter million dollars yearly. The increase of population has been proportionate with the increase of wealth. The inhabitants of the entire town numbered, in 1890, 33,202.

This rapid increase in wealth and population is due almost wholly to the manufacturing enterprises of the town. Through their influence the waste places have been made to rejoice in a prosperity which even the most sanguine pioneer manufacturers could not anticipate. The beginning of manufacturing in Waterbury was in a very humble way.

"Lieut. Ard Welton is said to have made guns by hand-power on Buck's hill," during the revolutionary war, and furnished some to the government. He made a few brass muskets also. At length he re- moved his works to a place on Mad river. About 1790 Jarvis Harrison began to make wooden clocks by hand. A little after 1800 Harrison had a shop on the south side of North Main street. In 1810 Mark

*Buck's Hill, later called Westbury, now Watertown.

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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

Leavenworth, William H. Lawson and Anson Sperry began making wooden clocks near the beginning of the Buck's Hill road. In 1754 Joseph Hopkins made plated knee buckles and shoe buckles, silver sleeve buttons, vest buttons, and other silver plated ware. Except this, the first metal buttons made there were by Henry, Samuel and Silas Grilley, of block tin or pewter. The buttons were cast in moulds, the eyes being at first of the same material. Soon wire eyes were in- troduced. The making of gilt buttons, which laid the foundation of the brass and copper business, was begun in 1802, by Abel Porter, Daniel Clark, Silas Grilley and Levi Porter, under the name of Abel Porter & Co. It took 18 months to get started in the business. They employed eight or nine men, and made buttons of various forms, the face only being gilded. Gold was used, and the buttons sold for ten or twelve dollars a gross. They were much in demand for military clothing. The brass ingots were taken to Bradlyville, rolled in an iron mill, and the metal brought back in strips that were very rough. It was then passed between steel rollers, two inches in diameter, moved by horse power, and thus smoothed and finished by hand.

" In September, 1808, David Hayden became a partner, and the com- pany bought the old mill place and began to use water power. In August, 1809, Mr. Grilley sold out. Two years later the firm sold out to Leavenworth, Hayden & Scovill. The brass business dates from 1811. The Benedicts and Scovill were then in business. They greatly lacked skilled labor. A Mr. James Croft, from Philadelphia, was sent to England by Deacon Benedict, to procure labor and machinery. He returned with Mr. Sam Forrest. Mr. Scovill sent Israel Holmes to England for the same purpose. From this time the business grew rapidly, and has assumed astonishing proportions."*

In 1836, according to J. W. Barber, the condition of these interests was as follows: " The manufacture of gilt buttons and the rolling of brass and copper metals for a great variety of uses constitute the greatest business. There are three factories of this kind upon an ex- tensive scale, two in the village and one about two miles north, con- nected with which is a gold refinery. There are likewise two factories of gilt buttons upon a considerable scale, unconnected with rolling mills; one extensive rolling mill, connected with brass wire and tubing manufacture; two satinet factories and one woolen factory, besides a great number of minor establishments in which buttons of various kinds and other articles are manufactured to a considerable extent. The number of persons in the village, of both sexes, who are em- ployed in the manufacturing establishments is between six and seven hundred. It is not known precisely what amount is manufactured yearly, but it has been estimated by good judges to exceed a million of dollars and is upon the increase. The route has been surveyed by a practical engineer for constructing a canal to bring the Naugatuck

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History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume II, Part 74

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