USA > Connecticut > New London County > New London > History of New London, Connecticut, From the First Survey of the Coast in 1612 to 1852 > Part 58
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HISTORY OF NEW LONDON.
by Isaac Rogers, in behalf of the inhabitants of the withdrawing por- tion of the town, and the only reason assigned was the inconvenience to which many were subjected, by their distance from the town-plot, where the public meetings were held. The separation was amicable and mutually satisfactory.
The name, Waterford, is said to have been suggested by Isaac Rogers, who was the agent of the town in procuring the separation. It has an evident reference to its situation on the Sound and Nian- tic Cove, with a fordable stream, the Jordan, running through it from north to south.
The first town-meeting was summoned, according to the act of in- corporation, by Griswold Avery, and held at the Darrow meeting- house, second Tuesday in November, 1801. Mr. Avery was the moderator of that, and all subsequent town-meetings, until 1807, when he was succeeded by George Williams.
First Selectmen .- Griswold Avery, George Williams, Isaac Rog- ers, Thomas Douglas.
First Town-Clerk .- Stephen Maynard.
Niantic Bay, sometimes called Black Bay, lies west of Waterford, and is noted for a thriving trade. In the river above the bar, many vessels were formerly built, but the greater cheapness of timber on the coast of Maine, has transferred this kind of business to that quar- ter. The granite quarry at Millstone Point, belonging to the family of the late Benajah Gardiner, was not wrought to any extent before the year 1834 ; but it now turns out annually about 30,000 tuns of stone,1 which is shipped principally to New York, Philadelphia and Charleston, S. C. Independent of the quarry, many small vessels are owned in this vicinity,2 and have their home in the bay.
From the first settlement of the country, this expanse of water has been noted for fish. In some seasons the bass have abounded to an almost incredible degree;3 the blackfish caught here, usually com- pete with the first and best in the market, and the coast is supplied with an almost inexhaustible store of clams and lobsters. It was this productiveness of the waters which made the bay a favorite resort of the aborigines. In summer, the simple sons of the forest would come
1 Statistics laid before the harbor and river convention of Chicago, in 1847.
2 The number stated in 1847, was thirty-two.
3 " Four men in one night, (Jan. 5th, 1811,) caught near the bridge at the head of Niantic River, with a small seine, 9,900 pounds of bass. They were sent to New York in a smack, and sold for upwards of $300." New London Gazette.
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HISTORY OF NEW LONDON.
down from their scattered homes in the interior, to recruit and feast on the sea-shore. The Mohegans appear to have had a prescriptive or seigniorial right, not only to fish, but to build on the shores. They had a fort at the head of Niantic River, to which they retired when their fields were overrun by the Narragansetts; and thither in the year 1658, their enemies pursued and besieged them. This was a critical period in the life of Uncas; he might have fallen into the hands of his enemies, had not a few gallant men from New London hastened to his assistance, under the command of Lieut. James Avery.
The early white settlers of the interior, following the example of the red men, were accustomed in the clam and blackfish season, to pour down in companies, on horseback, single, double and even treble, with or without saddle and pillion, to bathe in the sea, and feast upon its dainties. Nor has this custom entirely passed away. Pine Neck and other portions of the bay are still in the summer season, favorite places of resort.
About the year 1748, a Baptist church was organized at the West Farms, or Nahantic district of New London, now Waterford. Na- than Howard was ordained elder, and John Beckwith, deacon. At the house of the latter, all the first meetings were held. The original number of members is said to have been sixteen. This church orig- inated from a society of Congregational separates. Elder Howard was one of the converts of the great revival of 1741, and had united with the church of the Rev. Eliphalet Adams at that period, but afterward joined a party that seceded, and were kept together a couple of years under the teaching of Mr. Timothy Allen. Most of the separates ultimately embraced Baptist principles. Not long after the Howard church was gathered, another small community of Baptists, originating likewise from Congregational separates, was organized in or near the town-plot of New London. Noah Ham- mond, also a convert of the great revival, and a former attendant on Mr. Jewett's ministry, was ordained elder, and Zadoc Darrow, dea- con. This society erected the frame of a meeting-house, about a mile from the town plot, but were unable to proceed any further with the building. Elder Hammond was invited to Long Island, and his church soon afterward coalesced with that of Nahantic, under Elder Howard. Zadoc Darrow was chosen deacon of the united church.
The office of a religious teacher, is seldom pursued for a longer term of years by any person, than it was by Zadoc Darrow. He dated his conversion from the New Light preaching of Joshua Morse.
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HISTORY OF NEW LONDON.
which took a strong hold of him when he was quite a young man ; and from that time to an old age verging on a century of years, he was regarded by the Baptists as a zealous and faithful advocate, and a special blessing to their church.
He was ordained in 1769, by Elder Stephen Babcock,1 but without any particular charge, Elder Howard continuing the pastor of the church. Three Baptist elders, all earnest men, and diligent in their calling, were then living at the West Farms, Howard, Darrow and Eliphalet Lester, and all natives of New London, where they were born respectively in the years 1721, 1728, and 1729.
Elder Lester afterward accepted a call to Saybrook, and Elder Howard was suddenly removed, March 2d, 1777, by the small-pox. He had previously given the society a plot of land for a burial-place,2 and was himself the first person laid to rest within the peaceful inclo- sure. Elder Darrow now became the sole pastor of the church, and made great exertions to have a house of worship erected. He gave himself the ground for a site, opposite the Howard burial-place, and as soon as the land had rest from war, the frame of the old Hammond meeting-house was removed thither, reerected, and put into comforta- ble order for preaching by the year 1788. The elder and his peo- ple, laboring together, performed with their own hands most of the work.
A notice of this church, written about 1790, says :
" They hold to close communion, and do not enjoin the laying on of hands at baptism : every member, whether male or female, is allowed to exhort in meet- ing, and at admission into the church, makes a public declaration of experien- ces."
The most flourishing period of Elder Darrow's ministry, was be- tween 1790 and 1800. He had a great revival in 1794, the baptisms that year amounting to ninety-one. The number of members arose to nearly two hundred and fifty. But a period of declension and dif- ficulty followed, and the number was greatly diminished. Long be- fore the death of Elder Darrow, he was affected with palsy, and after that event, though he continued to preach, he always Had an asso-
1 This fact has not been found in print, but is stated on manuscript authority sup- posed to be reliable.
2 The gift was confirmed and the ground enlarged by an additional purchase from Daniel Howard, in 1786, at which time the title was vested in " John Beckwith, Lem- uel Darrow, Constant Crocker, and the rest of the members of the Baptist church and society in New London, west part, or Nihantick." New London Deeds.
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HISTORY NEW LONDON.
ciate with him in the pastoral office. He died Feb. 16th, 1827, aged ninety-eight years and two months.
Samuel West was associated with Elder Darrow from 1802 to 1809. Francis Darrow, the grandson of the aged elder, was then ordained, and associated with his venerable ancestor till the death of the latter, when he became the sole pastor.
A new house of worship was built by this society in 1848, in the Jordan district, two or three miles distant from the former. The first century of the church was just then completed; the Jordan church took the place of the Darrow church, and upon the verge of this transition, the third reverend elder passed away. Elder Francis Darrow died Oct. 15th, 1850, aged seventy-one.
The life of one of the members of this church, Stedman Newbury, runs like a parallel line by the side of it. He was born in 1752 and died in December, 1850, wanting but four months of ninety-nine years of age, and had been for seventy years a member of the church.
About the year 1812, an attempt was made to found another Bap- tist church in Waterford, at a place called Great Hill, five or six miles from New London. A church was constituted, and Rev. Jon- athan Ames ordained their minister, June 12th, 1816. They had no house of worship, but kept together, holding their meetings in a school-house, till the death of Elder Ames, in 1830. The church that had originated in his labors, died with him. The members dis- persed and united with other churches.
A Baptist church was constituted in 1835, at Quaker Hill, in the vicinity of the river Thames, which takes the designation of Second Baptist Church in Waterford. Elder Erastus Doty was its founder. In 1850, it reports one hundred and sixteen members.
A third church of this denomination was constituted in 1842, at Sandy Hill, near Lake's Pond, by a colony of forty members from the Darrow church, and Gurdon T. Chappell ordained their pastor, Dec. 8th, 1842. A house of worship was erected in 1844. The number of members reported is one hundred and fifty.
North-west of Lake's Pond, in Chesterfield society, Montville, is yet another Baptist church, originating in part from the Darrow church. It was organized in 1824, with thirty-five members; in 1850, reported one hundred and fifty-two. The Darrow church has been a fruitful seed-bed of Baptist principles. She is emphatically the mother church of the New London association.
The society of Sabbatarians, or Seventh-day Baptists, of the Great Neck, Waterford, date their commencement from the year 1674.
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HISTORY OF NEW LONDON.
They remained for the space of a century, members of the Westerly and Hopkinton church, with which they first united, but were consti- tuted a distinct church, Nov. 2d, 1784. The number of members was fourteen-seven males and seven females-all of the former except one, and of the latter except two, bearing the name of Rogers. Da- vis Rogers was ordained elder, and William Wescote, deacon. Elder Rogers removed, in 1809, with others of the society, to Preston, Che- nango county, N. Y.
Jabez Beebe, of Lyme, was ordained as an assistant to Elder Rogers, in 1796; but about the year 1815, he also removed to Pres- ton. Lester Rogers was ordained elder, Sept. 24th, 1812; died, April 1st, 1822. His son, Lester T. Rogers, was ordained Jan. 1st, 1824.
In 1816, this society erected a house of worship, and held their first service in it Jan. 9th, 1817. In this house, Benedict Wescote was ordained elder, Feb. 9th, 1832. He removed soon afterward with a second company from this society, to Preston, N. Y .; but re- turning to his ancient home on a visit in 1841, he died Nov. 26th, aged forty-four.
Elder Lester T. Rogers died in 1850.
EAST LYME.
In May, 1839, Waterford was diminished in point of territory by the incorporation of East Lyme. This new town consisted of the eastern part of Lyme, and that part of Waterford which lay west of Niantic River. The town at first opposed the separation, on the sole ground, as appeared by their vote, "that Waterford was none too large." But the new town offering to assume the responsibility of the Niantic Ferry and Bridge, the older portion accepted the com- promise, and withdrew their opposition. The Niantic Bridge Com- pany had long been an annoyance to them, and the town had re- peatedly petitioned the Assembly, that the charter of the company might be withdrawn, and their privileges abrogated. They regarded the bridge as unsafe, the draw vexatious, and the whole concern a nuisance, destroying their navigation and impeding the fisheries.
The bar at the ferry is one of nature's curiosities. It projects from the western side, forming a natural bridge of sand almost across the bay, leaving but just space along the eastern bank for the compressed waters to struggle through. It is here that art is called upon to pro- duce her substitutions and complete the land passage.
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HISTORY OF NEW LONDON.
The bridge company was incorporated in 1796; the old way of crossing by ropes and boats-a clumsy and hazardous mode of con- veyance-had continued till then. Messrs. Wm. Stewart, Elias Per- kins and Jared Starr, the committee of the company, purchased the ferry privilege of the Durfey family, and erected a toll-bridge,1 with a draw to accommodate vessels. The New Haven railway now runs by the side of the bridge over the bar; it has also a draw at the water gap.
The prospect from the bar is of a pleasing character; on one side is the open Sound, closed in the distance by Plum Island, which is here the island, by way of eminence, and by Black Point, running far out with a bold, free sweep. Wigwam Rock is on the south western shore ; conical in form like an Indian hut, and long known as a township boundary mark. On the north side of the bar, the water seems a lovely inland lake, encircled by cultivated farms and villages. At the head of it, is the Straits' Bridge. The banks in their native state were covered with ferns and the wild rose.
Sometimes for a number of years the bar is annually diminished by encroaching floods;2 then again, it is gradually increased by suc- cessive deposits of sand and sea-weed. The cedar-stakes which have been driven into its banks, form a kind of balustrade, which serves as a barrier against the waves. The flood-tides bring a sea-breeze, but at the ebb it is calm, and in summer oppressively hot. In au- tumn it is a fine position for a sportsman. If he take his stand about sunset, numerous wild ducks and other valued game, steering by the course of the river, may easily be brought down, as their shadows fall upon the sand.
So large a portion of East Lyme having been included within the first bounds laid out for New London, it must not be dismissed to en- tire independency without a descriptive sketch at parting.
An ecclesiastical society was organized in 1724, or 1725, and known as the East Society of Lyme. In 1726, this society sent a petition to the town of New London, praying for assistance to sup-
1 Dr. Dwight states in his Travels, vol. 2, p. 251, that the bridge at Rope Ferry was the first authorized toll-bridge in Connecticut. This is a mistake. Whiting's bridge over the Shetucket, built in 1737, was authorized by the General Court to collect a toll; as were also other bridges over that river. In 1778, when a lottery was granted for erecting a bridge in Norwich, it is stated that they "had been hampered with a toll-bridge, or a dangerous ferry, for near a century past."
2 In the great gale of September, 1815, the water rose ten or twelve feet over this bar.
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HISTORY OF NEW LONDON.
port the gospel among them, whereupon it was ordered that the estate and persons of all inhabitants living west of Nahantick River, and south of the country road, should be exempted from paying the min- ister's rates in New. London, and pay them to said society.
Rev. George Griswold was the first pastor of this church and soci- ety. The meeting-house erected by them stood at least a century. In its advanced age it was colloquially termed the Old Synagogue. It was a small, square building, without steeple, bell or porch. A pulpit occupied the center of one side ; doors opening directly upon earth, air and sky, were on the other three sides. The gallery was low, projecting gloomily over the pews. The beams, pillars and pilasters were so roughly finished as to show every where the marks of the hatchet. No varnish or paint in any part overshadowed the native wood, which became in age venerably silver-gray. Here, as late as 1820, you might see the old woman's plain linen cap and straight border ; the small, black, mode bonnet, kept on by long bon- net pins ; the short, red cloak, with the hood falling back ; and men with enormous steel shoe-buckles, and checkered pocket handker- chiefs. Old Hundred, Bray and Mear, sung in the pitch, tone and time of the ancients, harmonized admirably with this interesting relic of the past.
This building has been replaced by a stone church, a structure of simple elegance, neatly fitted up and furnished with a marble floor. The society is principally indebted for this church to the liberality of the Griswolds of New York, emigrants from its bosom, who in their adopted homes, show this grateful remembrance of the place of their nativity.
In the burial-place near lie the remains of the first pastor of the church, Rev. George Griswold, who died in 1761, after a faithful ministry of thirty-six years. During the great awakening of 1740 and 1741, he had a large accession to his church, and it is an inter- esting fact that among the new members were thirteen Niantic In- dians.
In the same ground is interred another devoted minister of Lyme, Elder Jason Lee, a pioneer of the Baptist cause, who died in 1810, in the fortieth year of his ministry. His father also lies near, viz., Rev. Joseph Lee, who had been pastor of the Congregational church in Southold, Long Island. He died in 1779 ; his relict in 1805, in the ninety-ninth year of her age.
The church now known as the First Baptist Church of East Lyme, had its origin like many other Baptist societies, in a small company
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HISTORY OF NEW LONDON.
of Congregational separates, over whom Ebenezer Mack was or- dained pastor, January 12th, 1749.1 They erected a meeting-house in 1755. The elder and a majority of the church became Baptists, and were received into fellowship with other churches of that denom- ination, though they continued in the doctrine and practice of open communion until 1795. Elder Jason Lee was ordained in 1771. At his death in 1810, the number of members was 431.
The Second Baptist Church of East Lyme was constituted Decem- ber 20th, 1842, by united colonies from the Waterford and East Lyme churches.2
Black Point, for which New London and Lyme once contended so vehemently, lies on the west side of the bay. The Niantic Indians have here a reservation of 240 acres, to which an ancient gateway and a green lane leads from the side of the public road. Here we still find ancient names of the tribe, Nonesuch, Sobuck and Waw- queet, although the whole community now comprises scarcely a dozen individuals. On the ridge of land near the Powers farm-house, about half-way between the bay and Four Mile River, the tribe had once a fort. By that term must be understood only a high stone-wall, or a log fence, with wigwams inclosed: no trace of it now remains. The burial-ground of the tribe is on an elevated bank, near the river. Here are stones to the memory of a native minister, Philip Occuish, (who died in 1789,) and his family.
Within a few years, hotels have been erected on Niantic Bay, in situations very alluring to visitors from the interior, seeking health and pleasure on the sea-board. The farm-house, the fisherman's cot- tage, and the Indian hut, filled to overflowing in the hot season, had probably suggested the undertaking. But a still more important en- terprise has recently originated in this vicinity.
Nearly opposite Rope Ferry, about 600 yards from the shore of the bay, is a small lake of pure water. This has been made a source of profit in the way of ice. Messrs. A. & R. Smith, of East Lyme, were the projectors of the undertaking, which commenced in 1845. It is cut out in smooth blocks, two feet wide, and three in length ; raised by elevators to a platform on the margin of the lake; and from thence conveyed in cars upon a railway to the shore, where it is dis- charged on shipboard, or packed into ice-houses, waiting for ship- ment. At Williamsburgh, near New York, there is a large depot to
1 Hempstead's Journal, MS.
2 Backus' Church History.
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HISTORY OF NEW LONDON.
receive it. A large number of fishing smacks resort thither for ice. Almost every fisherman now carries out ice in which to pack his fish, which enables him to bring home his cargo in a better condition than he could without it. This is a marked advantage of modern fishing over that of former days.
CHAPTER XXXVI.
Incorporation of the city .- Mayors .- Court-house built .- Free grammar-school. Union school .- Female academy .- Parade or public square .- Second burial ground .- Alms-house .- Streets .- Execution of Harry Niles .- Second war with Great Britain.
NEW LONDON was incorporated as a city by the legislature, in January, 1784, being one of five towns in the state on which city privileges were conferred at the same time. The city and town lim- its are the same, comprising about 2,200 acres, or three and a half square miles. By the charter, all the officers were to be chosen an- nually, except the mayor and treasurer, who when elected were to remain in office during the pleasure of the General Assembly. The first city meeting was held March 8th, 1784, Winthrop Saltonstall, Esq., moderator. Richard Law was chosen mayor, and continued in office till his death, in January, 1806, twenty-two years, less six weeks. Guy Richards was chosen treasurer, and continued in office till his resignation in 1820, thirty-six years. John Owen was the first city clerk, and continued in office by annual choice till his death in March, 1801; seventeen years. The first aldermen were John Deshon, David Mumford, Winthrop Saltonstall, and Thomas Shaw. Saltonstall served twenty-two years. Col. William Richards was chosen first city sheriff, and annually chosen to the same office till his death in 1812, making twenty-eight years. These instances show that offices in general were more permanent than at the present day. In the common council for nine years, from 1810 to 1819, no change was made. Thaddeus Brooks, Chester Kimball and John Way, served together for sixteen successive years. Way was in the com- mon council from 1803 to 1830 inclusive. Dr. Simon Wolcott and George Colfax, each served twenty-five years, between 1784 and 1812, either in the common council or as aldermen.
The city seal is a full-rigged ship, with sails spread, and the motto, Mare Liberum.
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HISTORY OF NEW LONDON.
The second mayor, Jeremiah G. Brainerd, was chosen in 1806, and resigned in 1829. After this period, the Assembly, upon peti- tion of the city, limited the term of office to three years.
Succession of Mayors.
Richard Law, chosen 1784, to 1806, twenty-two years.
Jeremiah G. Brainerd, 1806, to 1829, twenty-three years.
Elias Perkins, 1829, to 1832, three years.
Coddington Billings, 1832, to 1835, three years.
Noyes Billings, 1835, to 1837, two years, resigned.
Jiralı Isham, 1837, one year, resigned.
Francis Allyn, 1838, to 1841, three years.
George C. Wilson, 1841, died July 20th, 1841.
Caleb J. Allen, August 12th, 1841, resigned June, 1843. Andrew M. Frink, 1843, to 1845, resigned.
J. P. C. Mather, 1845, to 1850, resigned in August. Andrew C. Lippitt, 1850.
The erection of a court-house was one of the first objects that en- gaged the attention of the city authorities. The old one burnt by the British, had stood on the Parade, but objections were made to this site, and the position of the new house was finally settled by the following vote :
" April 6th, 1784, voted that it is the opinion of this meeting that the place where the town school-house now stands, at the west end of the Broad Street, [now State Street,] is the fittest place of any in the city, both for use and orna- ment, and will best accommodate the city and the public, for the court-house to be erected on."
The county court concurred in this opinion, and the present edifice known as the city court-house, was immediately after erected, the position being fixed in the middle of the street, on the platform of rock, at the head of State Street, with an open space on all sides. It has since been removed further back, so as to leave the highway clear. The house was originally furnished with a gallery around the second story, which gave it a gay and dashing appearance, but the lower story was left for more than thirty years in a rough, unfinished state.
The town school located on this spot was the free grammar-school, which had for its main support the Bartlet and other public revenues, and had been originally established further up the hill, on Hempstead Street, but had descended from thence about 1750. It was now re- moved a few rods to the north, and placed in the highway fronting
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the Erving lot, (Church Street in that part not having been opened,) with no wall or inclosure around it, these not being deemed at that time necessary. The dwelling-houses in this part of the town were few, and the neighboring hills and fields were the play-ground of the boys. In the rear was the Hallam lot, extending from Broad Street to the old meeting-house square, with but one building upon it, and that in its north-east corner. A little more distant, in the rear of the court-house, was the Coit "hollow-lot," shaded by large trees, and enriched with a rivulet of pure water, (where Cottage Street now runs.) Still further back was a vacant upland lot, (known as Fos- dick's, or Melally's lot,) containing here and there a choice apple- tree, well known to school-boys : this is now the second burial ground.
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