History of New London county, Connecticut : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 73

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1317

USA > Connecticut > New London County > History of New London county, Connecticut : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 73

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On the 6th of February, 1838, the present church organization was commenced with eighteen members.

In July of 1838, Rev. Henry Lyon became the pas- tor of the society, and continued with it until April, 1840.

In 1840, Rev. J. V. Wilson succeeded Mr. Lyon. He encouraged, by advice and material aid, the erec- tion of the church in which the society now worship, which was completed and dedicated in the autumn of 1841. His connection with the society was dissolved in the early part of 1842.

In May of the same year Rev. R. O. Williams commenced his labors here, and continued till the au- tumn of 1844.

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Rev. L. C. Brown was the next pastor. He was installed Nov. 5, 1845. He resigned his pastoral charge in September, 1848.

Rev. Elhanan Winchester Reynolds, his successor, commenced his labors in the October following, and was installed as pastor of the society Nov. 15, 1848, at which time this house, as then enlarged, was dedi- cated. His resignation occurred in September, 1850.

Rev. A. L. Loveland immediately succeeded him. He left October, 1853.

Rev. Benjamin Whittemore commenced his labors in April, 1854. The society was originally called the "Society of United Christian Friends in the towns of Norwich, Preston, and Groton." The name did not express the belief of the society, and in 1836, during Mr. Gihon's ministry, it was changed, and it was called "The First Universalist Society in Norwich." It was legalized by an act of the Legislature in 1842.

The pastors since Rev. Mr. Whittemore have been as follows : R. P. Ambler, 1862-65 ; J. R. Johnson, 1865-69; Asher Moore, 1869-71; J. M. Paine, 1871- 72; J. J. Twiss, 1873-75; L. P. Blackford, 1875, present incumbent.

Roman Catholic Church, Taftville .- For some years the Catholics of Taftville were attended to by the Roman Catholic clergy of Norwich. In October, 1872, they were assigned to the pastoral care of Rev. J. B. Reynolds, of Jewett City, and have since been in charge of the Catholic clergy of that village. Mass was said in the school-hall. Father Reynolds having died in December, 1874, Rev. John Russell succeeded him. To his zeal and energy the Catholics of Taft- ville owe the beautiful church which now crowns the village heights. It was dedicated with imposing cere- monies April 18, 1878, by the late Bishop Galberry. The same year Rev. Thomas R. Joseph became pastor. The congregation numbers upwards of 1600, two- thirds of whom are natives of Canada.

Roman Catholic Church.1-The following foot- note, on page 472 of Miss Caulkins' " History of Nor- wich," appears to be the first known instance of a Catholic visitation in Norwich :

" The committee of this (First Congregational) society appears to have been almost indiscriminately liberal in the loan of their church to itinerant preachers. Witness the following newspaper item of Nov. 14, 1793 :

"'On Friday evening last Mr. John Thayer, Catholic missionary, delivered to a large audience at the Rev. Joseph Strong's meeting-house, in this city, a learned and ingenious discourse, in which he undertook to prove that the Catholic Church was the only true church of Christ.'"

On Sunday evening following, at the same place, he delivered a discourse on the propriety and true piety of invoking departed saints and the utility and efficacy of addressing prayers to them.

With the above exception, until 1824, no mention is made of the existence of a single Roman Catholic within the limits of the town. "In that year the same authority states that the population of Norwich was about 4000, and Edward Murphy was the only 'exile of Erin' among them." He probably was the pioneer Irish Catholic of Norwich. In the year 1831 the Catholics became numerous enough to have a priest visit them occasionally from Worcester, Mass., then the nearest Catholic mission, and the first mass known to be celebrated in Norwich was offered up by the late Rev. James Fitton, the so-called pioneer priest of New England, who continued his occasional pastoral visits until 1845.

The first sacrament recorded as administered in Norwich was the baptism of Catharine, daughter of John and Eleanor Connolly, born June 8, 1835, and baptized May 15, 1836, by Rev. James Fitton ; spon- sors, Thomas Connolly and Judy Donnelly. The first marriage recorded is that of John Savage and Mary Melvin, June 30, 1840, by the Rev. James Fitton, and the first male child born and baptized in the Catholic faith was James, son of David and Johanna Shaugh- nessy, Aug. 18, 1836,-Aug. 21, 1836.

St. Mary's church was commenced in 1843, and oc- cupied for religious services for the first time on St. Patrick's Day, 1845. Its proportions, although meagre, were sufficient for the congregation of that period. Rev. John Brady took charge of the mission, which included Norwich, in May, 1845. He was succeeded by Rev. William Logan, who in turn was succeeded by Rev. Peter Blenkinsop, the latter remaining in charge of this and neighboring missions until Sep- tember, 1851. The Catholic population of Norwich and vicinity by this time had increased to nearly three thousand souls, and Rev. Daniel Kelly was ap- pointed the first resident pastor, and remained so until August, 1866, when he was removed to Providence, R. I., and was succeeded by Rev. Peter Kelly.

At this period St. Mary's church had been raised and enlarged several times to meet the necessities of the ever and rapidly increasing congregation, and being still insufficient to accommodate them, the project of erect- ing a new church edifice was practically commenced. Although Rev. Peter Kelly remained as pastor only about one year, he purchased two adjoining lots on Church Street, having a commanding view of the Thames River and that portion of the city lining either bank, at a cost of $10,000, and ground was broken for a new church on St. Patrick's Day, 1867, but as the location was not considered suitable to the church authorities, it was abandoned for church pur- poses. Rev. Peter Kelly was soon after succeeded by Rev. Bernard Tully, who, however, remained but a few months, and on Jan. 20, 1868, Rev. Daniel Mul- len was appointed pastor.

He was at one time chaplain of the Ninth Regi- ment of Connecticut Volunteers in the war of the Rebellion. Previous to his appointment to the parish

1 Contributed by Daniel Lee.

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various projects looking to the erection of a new church were commenced and .abandoned, and the people became almost dispirited. He, however, care- fully considered the matter, and finally selected a plot on Broadway, the most beautiful portion of the city, which, with the buildings thereon, were purchased at a cost of $17,000. This location was chosen not only on account of its beautiful surroundings, but also because of its being so near the centre of the scattered parish, which extended from the village of Yantic on the north to Thamesville on the south and west, and Greeneville and a portion of the town of Preston on the east.

Ground was broken on St. Patrick's Day, 1870, with imposing ceremonies, by Rev. Daniel Mullen, and the blessing was given by Very Rev. James Hughes, of Hartford, vicar-general and administrator of the diocese, in the absence of the late Bishop F. P. McFarland, then in Europe, in the presence of the city and town authorities and a large concourse of people. During this year monthly collections were instituted to establish a fund for the commencement of the great work, and on Good Friday, April 7, 1871, the men of the congregation assembled with shovels, picks, etc., and accompanied by numerous horses and carts, formed in procession, and headed by a band of music, marched to the ground and commenced the work of excavating for the foundation walls. This portion of the work was completed in three days, and was entirely a free offering by the enthusiastic people. The work now commenced in earnest, and the collec- tion of funds kept pace with the work. The church was built in the most substantial manner, the founda- tion walls, towers, and roof all being done by day work, more attention being given to good material and good workmanship than cost or speed. On July 13, 1873, the corner-stone was laid by Bishop McFar- land, assisted by a large number of priests, with im- posing ceremonies, in presence of the civil authorities and many thousands who were assembled. On this occasion over ten thousand dollars were contributed, the largest amount ever realized at a similar event in the State. The work so well begun progressed steadily until the fall of 1877, when Father Mullen was taken sick, and died shortly afterwards, leaving the church walls, roof, and towers up to the peak of the roof completed ; and his successor, Rev. P. P. Strahan, who assumed control in April, 1878, with his accustomed energy at once took the responsibility of finishing the work so well begun.

It was estimated that the building cost up to this time over two hundred thousand dollars, and that it would cost one hundred thousand dollars more to finish it in keeping with the work already done. Contracts were made for the completed tower with Messrs. McCaulcy & Lawlor, of Springfield, Mass .; for the plastering and stucco-work with Andrew Mc- Dermott, of East Boston ; with Edmund O'Keefe, now of Norwich, for the woodwork and various other con-

tracts, such as plumbing, heating, frescoing, painting, stained glass, organ, etc., and so rapidly was the work carried on that the first mass was offered up, although not entirely completed, on St. Patrick's Day, 1879, and on September 28th of the same year St. Patrick's church was dedicated by Bishop McMahon, of Hart- ford, in presence of Archbishop Gibbons, of Baltimore, Md., who preached the sermon, Bishop Shanahan, of Harrisburg, Pa., and Rev. James Fitton, of East Boston, Mass., who, thirty-six years previous, offered up the first mass and built the first church in Norwich, and assisted by a numerous array of clergymen from all parts of the country.

The following brief description of this magnificent specimen of church architecture is appended. The walls of the church are a light-blue granite from the Monson, Mass., quarries, cut and trimmed in blocks, and around the doors and windows are highly finished and carved. The building is two hundred and ten feet long, one hundred feet wide in the transept, with three towers, the main one being two hundred and sixteen feet high, exclusive of the finial and cross. The main entrances are approached from the sidewalk by an easy grade, and the grounds in front are taste- fully laid out and heavily curbed, presenting an cle- gant appearance, in keeping with its aristocratic sur- roundings. With its five massive entrances, every door of which opens outward, the more than two thousand people who can find accommodation within can find easy egress to the street in less than five min- utes. The interior presents a grand and imposing appearance, the arched ceiling rising to a height of seventy feet, and is divided into richly grooved and intersected panels, which with their carved bosses of various emblematic designs present a unique and harmonious arrangement. The walls throughout are frescoed in water-colors, except the closed panels around the clerestory and in the rear of the three al- tars, which are oil paintings executed with marvelous skill, the subjects being chosen with wondrous taste and judgment. The columns along the aisles are sur- mounted with richly gilt capitals, on which rest groups of nine smaller columns, from which spring the ar- tistic groined ceiling. On the four main columns which support the arches which span the four corners of the transept at its intersection with the nave stand four winged angels, with closed hands, in reverent at- titudes. The devices on the capitals and bosses are numerous and varied, but all of a highly religious character, such as lilies, flowers, monograms, chalices, and instruments of the passion. The grand altar is a perfect chef-d'œuvre, with its numberless tapering pin- naeles, massive and rich covering, and illuminated turrets and towers. The transept windows are of the finest stained glass, the north one representing the Annunciation, and the south one St. Patrick before the royal family at Tara, defining the mystery of the Trinity with the symbolic shamrock, and each cost- ing sixteen hundred dollars, the latter dedicated to

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the memory of Rev. Daniel Mullen by the parish- ioners.

On the gospel side of the main altar is a magnificent marble altar, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, and do- nated by the Rev. Daniel Mullen in his will, and im- mediately to its left is the marble slab raised by his friends to commemorate his services towards the great work. Even the stations of the cross, which are usu- ally framed pictures representing the sufferings and death of our Saviour, are composed of carved figures, and are importations from Munich, Germany. This church will seat comfortably nineteen hundred and sixty persons, while the chapel in the basement, re- served for the children, will seat over a thousand. St. Mary's will seat about twelve hundred, and the chapel of the Sacred Heart, at Norwich Town, all in one parish, will seat about four hundred. Total seating capacity about four thousand five hundred. There are from one to three services every Sunday morning in each of the churches.

CHAPTER XXIV.

BANKING INSTITUTIONS.

The Norwich National Bank-The First National-The Thanies National -The Shetucket National-The Merchants' National-The Second National-The Uncas National-The Norwich Savings Society-The Chelsea Savings-Bank-The Dime Savings-Bank-The Thames Loan and Trust Company-New London County Mutual Fire Insurance Company-The Norwich Mutual Assurance Company.

The Norwich Bank was organized at a meet- ing held June 21, 1796, Elias Brown chairman, and James Lanman clerk. At this meeting eight hun- dred and five shares of stock were subscribed for, and the following directors chosen : Joshua Lathrop, Daniel Dunham, Elias Brown, Ebenezer Huntington, Joseph Williams, David Trumbull, Jabez Hunting- ton, Jabez Perkins, Elijah House, Thomas Fanning, James Lauman, Luther Payne, and Jonathan Devo- tion. June 24, 1796, Ebenezer Huntington was chosen president and Hezekiah Perkins cashier. August 1st, same year, it was ordered that one thousand dollars in small bills be printed and signed. Feb. 28, 1797, the first dividend was declared, two dollars per share. June 19, 1807, subscriptions were opened for twelve hundred shares of new stock. Sept. 14, 1814, specie payment was suspended.

The following is a list of the officers of the bank from its organization to the present time : Presidents, Ebenezer Huntington, 1796-1819; Simeon Breed, 1819-22; Jabez Huntington, 1822-47 ; Charles John- son, 1847-79; Frank Johnson, 1879, present in- cumbent. Cashiers, Hezekiah Perkins, 1796-1822; Francis A. Perkins, 1822-33 ; J. N. Perkins, 1833-34; Charles Johnson, 1834-47 ; Frank Johnson, 1847-78; Stephen B. Meech, 1878 to present time.

The bank was reorganized as a national bank May

15, 1865, with the following board of directors : Jede- diah Huntington, Joseph Williams, Charles Johnson, John Dunham, Gurdon A. Jones, Joseph S. Gladding, Daniel Stoddard, Arnold Fenner, Thomas J. Ridgway, Frank Johnson, Willet R. Wood, David Smith, and H. F. Rudd. The present directors are Frank John- son, H. F. Rudd, Amos E. Cobb, Charles C. Johnson, and A. H. Emmons.

The old bank has had an honorable and successful career, and has paid one hundred and sixty-nine dividends to its stockholders.

The First National Bank .- Quinnebaug Bank was incorporated at the General Assembly in New Haven in May, 1832. The first meeting of the stockholders (called by the commissioners, as provided by the charter) was held at Clark's Hotel, Norwich, June 11, 1833.

The directors chosen were as follows: Francis A. Perkins, Charles W. Rockwell, Asa Child, George L. Perkins, John A. Rockwell, Arthur F. Gilman, Thomas Robinson, Edmund Smith,-George L. Per- kins being the only survivor in 1881. Charles W. Rockwell was appointed president, and Francis A. Perkins cashier. Alfred Lee (now Bishop Lee, of Wilmington, Del.) was added as a director in 1833. William C. Gilman was chosen president, and John Reed a director, in 1835. In 1839, F. A. Perkins was appointed president and Daniel L. Trumbull cashier. D. L. Trumbull resigned in 1846.

The capital stock was $500,000, with the condition that $200,000 of the amount was to be in the capital stock of the Boston, Norwich and New London Rail- road Company (afterwards the Norwich and Worcester Railroad Company), for which the bank was granted special privileges.

The stock was reduced to $245,000 in 1842, and to $225,000 in 1843, and increased to $250,000 in 1845, in which year Samuel C. Morgan was appointed president.

In 1849, Edward H. Learned was appointed cashier, and the following persons directors : Samuel C. Mor- gan, Frederic Prentice, Erastus Williams, Joseph A. Yerrington, John G. Huntington, Edward Y. Thomas, Roger Huntington, Ashbel Woodward, Shubael Mor- gan, Leonard Ballou, Henry Thomas, none of whom now remain in this connection, and nine of the num- ber are deceased.

In 1850 the capital stock was increased to $350,000, and in 1856 to $500,000.

Lewis A. Hyde was appointed cashier in 1854, and has held the office since.

Lucius W. Carroll was appointed president in 1861, and resigned in 1862, when David Gallup, of Plain- field, was appointed.

The bank was reorganized as a national bank, re- ceiving the name of First National, in June, 1864; capital, $325,000, subsequently increased to $500,000. In 1872 it was increased to $600,000, and in 1877 re- duced to $500,000, which is its present capital.

The directors first chosen by the stockholders of the

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HISTORY OF NEW LONDON COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

First National Bank were as follows: David Gallup, Samuel C. Morgan, Frederic Prentice, Ashbel Wood- ward, John A. Robinson, Jeremiah Halsey, Leonard Ballou, William P. Nash, Frederick W. Tyler,-Jere- miah Halsey being the only one continued in the office until the present time.

Lucius W. Carroll was chosen president and Lewis A. Hyde cashier, which office they have retained until the present time.

The list of directors as appointed at the annual meeting of stockholders in January, 1881, were as follows: Lucius W. Carroll, Jeremiah Halsey, Amos W. Prentice, Samuel B. Case, John A. Morgan, Charles D. Browning, Francis J. Leavens, Charles M. Pendleton, George R. Hyde.

The present surplus of the bank is $77,000, and late dividends three and a half per cent. semi- annually.

The bank occupies a portion of the Richards Building by lease, located in an eligible position near the post-office.

The Thames Bank was the second institution of the kind chartered in Norwich, with a capital of $200,000, in the year 1825. The first meeting of directors was held at Kinney's Hotel, June 30th of the same year, at which William P. Greene, Roger Huntington, Joseph Perkins, William C. Gilman, Joseph Breed, and Amos H. Hubbard were present, Calvin Goddard being the only other director. Wil- liam P. Greene was made president, and on the 5th of July following Lyman Brewer was made cashier, at a salary of eight hundred dollars.

By the charter of the bank it was obliged to pur- chase all the stock of the Norwich Channel Company, and thereafter to perform all the requirements of the Channel Company as to deepening the river Thames, and were allowed to take a certain amount of tolls from all vessels coming to Norwich. This duty was well performed by this bank so long as it existed under the State charter. It was also obliged to re- ceive deposits from the State School Fund, ecclesiasti- cal societies, colleges, and schools at par, and paying any such dividends on their deposits as were made to their stockholders. This was performed in all cases when required.

At a meeting of the directors on Nov. 9, 1826, it was voted to build a banking-house on the lot then owned by F. A. Perkins on Main Street. The land was purchased at once, and the building erected and occupied. In the year 1847 the capital stock was in- creased to $300,000, and in 1854 again it was increased to $500,000.

The business of the bank had been regularly grow- ing, and the demand for more capital compelled the directors to favor this enlargement. In April, 1861, at the commencement of the civil war, Governor Buckingham, who was a friend and customer of the bank, appealed to the institution for aid, and the bank at once took the lead in this direction, and voted,

" That to assist the State in meeting the requisition of the President of the United States for troops for the maintenance of the general government the Thames Bank offer a loan of $100,000," which was duly paid into the treasury of the State of Connecticut, when the question was an open one whether we should have any government or not. Although the number of banks in Norwich had increased until there were five others in full operation, still the business of this one had been so much enlarged that the managers were desirous of adding to its capital and enlarging its building. Steadily had it been growing in favor with the business community, more and greater had be- come the demands on it for enlarged facilities. In a great measure this prosperity was due to the skill and courtesy of its executive officers, who were unwearied in their attention to the business of the bank and the accommodation of its customers. Not only were the wants of the customers of the bank promptly met, but to the stockholders dividends were largely in- creased and punctually paid.

At the beginning six per cent. was all that could be declared, but by gradual gains for many years ten per cent. was annually paid. All this prosperity called on the management to add to the pecuniary and physical ability of the institution, and in May, 1862, the bank purchased the lot on Shetucket Street, and at once proceeded to erect the building which it now occupies. In 1864 the whole business and cap- ital of the Thames Bank were passed over, and be- came under the law of the United States a national bank, under the name of the "Thames National Bank," with a capital increased to $1,000,000. The officers of the bank have been William P. Greene, president, from 1825 to 1842; Edward Whiting, from 1842 to 1851. Franklin Nichols was chosen president in 1851, and now is continued in the same office. The cashiers of this bank have been Lyman Brewer, until 1857 ; Charles Bard, until 1871, when Edward N. Gibbs was elected to the office, which he now holds.

The present board of directors with the dates of their election are Franklin Nichols, 1846 ; Ebenezer Learned, 1850; Alfred A. Young, 1852; James L. Hubbard, 1855; James Lloyd Greene, 1864; Lorenzo Blackstone, 1864; William G. Johnson, 1869; Hugh H. Osgood, 1869 ; John Mitchell, 1869; Charles Bard, 1869 ; Thomas D. Sayles, 1878; Edward N. Gibbs, 1878.

The Second National Bank was organized in March, 1864, and the first board of directors were J. Hunt Adams, Horace Whitaker, David Smith, James D. Mowry, and Edward H. Learned. The first offi- cers were J. Hunt Adams, president, and James D. Mowry, cashier. Succeeding officers have been as follows : Presidents, J. Hunt Adams, David Smith, 1865; Alba F. Smith, 1874; E. R. Thompson, 1879. Vice-President, C. P. Cogswell, 1879. Cashiers, James D. Mowry, 1864; C. P. Cogswell, 1864; E. A. Tracy,

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1879. Capital, $300,000 ; surplus, $53,000. The present board of directors are as follows : E. R. Thompson, W. C. Jillson, W. R. Austin, W. R. Burn- ham, C. P. Cogswell, and C. B. Platt. Their new banking-house was erected and occupied in 1880.

The Uncas Bank was organized in 1852, and in- corporated by general act in 1855. It was converted into a national bank in 1865. The first board of direc- tors were James A. Hovey, H. B. Norton, J. S. Webb, J. L. Greene, J. S. Ely, W. A. Buckingham, Joseph Backus, J. M. Huntington, Gurdon Chapman. The presidents from 1852 have been as follows : James A. Hovey, 1852-73; Jesse S. Ely, 1873-79; Lyman Gould, 1879 to present time. Cashiers from 1852 to present time : E. H. Learned, 1852-79; C. M. Tracy, 1879 to present time. The present board of directors are James A. Hovey, John T. Wait, Joseph Hutchins, Lyman Gould, Horace Whitaker, Adin Cook, E. S. Ely, George W. Gould, C. M. Tracy. Capital, $200,000; surplus, $40,000.

The Shetucket National Bank .- This bank was organized April, 1853, with the following list of direc- tors : Charles Osgood, A. H. Almy, Horace Whitaker, Isaac Johnson, William H. Glover, William H. Hyde, Gilbert Osgood, Charles A. Converse, and J. S. T. Thurston. The first officers were Charles Osgood, president, and David O. Strong, cashier. Presidents since organization have been Charles Osgood and Charles Webb. Cashiers since organization have been David O. Strong, John L. Devotion, C. J. Fill- more, and William Roath. Changed to national bank May 15, 1865. Capital stock, $100,000; sur- plus, $20,000.

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History of New London county, Connecticut : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 73

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1317

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1317