History of New London county, Connecticut : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 75

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 75

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"CHELSEA, March 15, 1797."

Ang. 9, 1797, the editor writes : "On Thursday last the President of the United States with his family passed through town on his way from Philadelphia to his seat in Massachusetts. The artillery company paraded in honor of the event, and fired a Federal salute, the intervals of which were filled by a band of music; after this a large number of gentlemen escorted him a few miles on his journey. As he rode through Chelsea, the bells rang peals of grateful respect." That is all about a visit from John Adams.

May 31, 1798, The Chelsea Courier appeared as sim- ply The Courier. Aug. 6, 1800, the words "Chelsea Society" were omitted from the date-line, and "Nor- wich, Con.," substituted. Nov. 13, 1805, Thomas Hubbard retired from the office, and was succeeded by his son, Russell Hubbard. March 22, 1809, the name was changed to Norwich Courier. Feb. 12, 1817, Theophilus R. Marvin joined with Mr. Hubbard in publishing the paper, but his name was dropped out Feb. 17, 1819. Mr. Hubbard continued as publisher until April 3, 1822, when he sold the paper to Thomas Robinson and John Dunham, who began a new series with the number of April 10th, adding four columns to the size of the paper and otherwise improving it. Mr. Robinson retired from the firm in March, 1825, and Mr. Dunham conducted the paper until Sept. 15, 1841.

The Courier then passed into the hands of the Rev. Dorson E. Sykes. Mr. Sykes was evidently a pushing man, for on March 7, 1842, he began the issue of a Daily Courier, a small sixteen-column, penny sheet, which failed to pay expenses and was discontinued Aug. 12, 1842. It was promptly followed, however, by a tri-weekly, published on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, the weekly edition being steadily continued through all changes.

At this time the office of the paper was at No. 51 Water Street, but Oct. 28, 1845, it was removed to Franklin Square, and the next number appeared under the title Norwich Evening Courier, though still only a tri-weekly, and in an enlarged form. In the spring of 1846, Mr. Sykes adopted the plan of advance payments from subscribers, and thereby put the paper at once on a better financial footing than it had ever before occupied.

With the close of November, 1858, the tri-weekly was discontinued, and December 1st the Daily Courier again appeared, D. E. Sykes, editor and proprietor ; C. D. Rice, manager. Mr. Sykes retired at the close of the following February, and George B. Smith suc- ceeded him in control of the paper. Mr. Smith's

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HISTORY OF NEW LONDON COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

career was short and disastrous, and Sept. 3, 1859, Mr. Sykes again assumed the management. The daily was discontinued once more, and a semi-weekly edi- tion took its place.

Mr. Sykes' second and final valedictory appeared June 6, 1860. H. C. Kinne was his successor, and signalized the change by again styling the paper The Evening Courier. Aug. 20, 1860, a daily edition was once more started, but proved the shortest-lived of all. Both daily and weekly ceased publication at the close of November, and for two weeks there was a hiatus. During this fortnight the Courier was bought by Manning, Platt & Co., and revived as the weekly edition of the Morning Bulletin, in connection with which daily it has since been published.

The Norwich Morning Bulletin was established Dec. 15, 1858, by W. D. Manning, James N. Perry, I. H. Bromley, and Homer Bliss, under the firm-name of Manning, Perry & Co. Mr. Bromley was the editor, Mr. Perry the business manager, and Mr. Manning the superintendent of printing. The salutatory was business-like and to the point, and its columns were from the first well filled with the latest news put in a fresh and readable form. Soon after its first number the publication of a weekly edition, The Eastern Bulletin, was begun. The daily paper was in every sense an experiment, and that, too, in a field which had been peculiarly disastrous to similar attempts, but hard work and journalistic tact soon put it on a firm foundation. Sept. 7, 1860, the firm consisted of W. D. Manning, C. B. Platt, and 1. H. Bromley, under the firm-name of Manning, Platt & Co. The purchase of the Courier was speedily followed by the discontinuance of the Eastern Bulletin.

I. H. Bromley was editor of the Bulletin from its first number till his enlistment as captain of Company C, Eighteenth Regiment Connecticut Volunteers, July 26, 1862. During his absence in the army he retained his connection with the paper, though W. H. W. Campbell acted as editor. At the close of the war he returned to the editorial chair, retaining it till the middle of February, 1868, when he was succeeded by Mr. Campbell.

The Bulletin Association was formed in December, 1863, and published the Bulletin and Courier until 1870, when the papers were purchased by Campbell & Co. (W. H. W. Campbell, William Fitch, and Charles Spalding). March 1, 1873, the Bulletin Company was formed, and A. S. Bolles became editor. May 1, 1874, Mr. Bolles gave place to E. J. Edwards, the paper being under the general management of Wil- liam Fitch after March 8, 1875. May 1, 1875, Mr. Edwards was succeeded in the editorial room by Mr. Campbell, who again gave place to Mr. Bolles, Dec. 17, 1875. Mr. Bolles retired in June, 1881.

The business management of the Bulletin has been in the hands of C. B. Platt, who retired Feb. 1, 1868; HI. I'. Gates, from Feb. 1, 1868, to Jan. 1, 1870; Wil- liam Fitch, from Jan. 1, 1870, to March 1, 1873; E. C.

Rice, from March 1, 1873, to March 8, 1875; William Fitch, again, from March 8, 1875, to Dec. 14, 1875; and Charles E. Dyer, from Dec. 14, 1875, to May 1, 1880. The present business manager is A. H. Harris, and the managing editor A. P. Hitchcock.

The Bulletin was first issued from an office in Chap- man's Block, Franklin Square. It was a four-page, 24-column sheet, each page about fifteen and a half by twenty-one inches in size. Early in August, 1866, the Bulletin Building was completed, and the Bulletin removed to it. Aug. 8, 1866, the paper was enlarged to twenty-eight columns, and the columns extended about three inches in length.

For many years the Bulletin has been accepted as the leading daily of Eastern Connecticut. It aims at being a worthy exponent of the principles of its constituents in this part of the State, as well as a live newspaper, giving all the news of the day and discussing it with freedom. It is and always has been Republican in politics.

Other Newspapers .- In June, 1804, Consider Sterry, John Sterry, and Epaphras Porter began the publication of a political paper, The True Republican, devoted to the defense of Jeffersonian Democracy. It lived about three years.

In February, 1812, Samuel Webb issued the first number of The Native American from a press at Nor- wichtown. In 1820, Mr. Webb's press was trans- ferred to Windham, where he, with Henry and Hora- tio Webb, began the publication of the Independent Ob- server and County Advertiser, July 1, 1820.

The Norwich Republican was issued in September, 1828, by Boardman & Faulkner. In 1829 it came under the editorial control of John T. Adams, and the firm-name was changed to Adams & Faulkner. In the same year the Stonington Telegraph, which had previously been issued at Stonington, was merged with it. Mr. Adams remained in editorial charge till 1831. The paper was discontinued in 1838. During its last three years it was a Whig organ, published by Mar- cus B. Young, and edited by Lafayette S. Foster.

In 1826 the prospects of a canal from Norwich to Worcester were widely discussed, and Levi Hunting- ton Young seized upon the theme of the day for the name of a new paper, The Canal of Intelligence. It was stopped in 1829.

Marcus B. Young issued The Norwich Spectator in 1829, and The Norwich Free Press in 1830. Park Benjamin was the editor of the first, but both were short-lived.

The Religious Intelligencer, edited by J. Hunting- ton, and published by J. Dunham, appeared June 11, 1831, but was soon discontinued.

In May, 1841, John G. Cooley began the issue of Total Abstinence as a monthly. It was the first paper advocating total abstinence published in Connecticut. It was continued as a monthly about two years, and then followed by a weekly of the same name. Later the name was changed to the Spectator. It was after-

311

NORWICH.

wards sold to B. F. Taylor, who again changed the name, calling it the Norwich Gleaner.

The Norwich News, Paixhan Gun, Needle, and American Patriot were ephemeral publications of about this period.

The Weekly Reporter, which began in 1845, had an existence of three or four years.

In January, 1852, E. S. Wells began the publica- tion of The Norwich Tribune. The paper soon passed into the hands of C. B. Platt and Edmund C. Stedman, who made of it the best paper Norwich had yet seen. It was too good to live, and ceased to exist in June, 1853.

The Examiner, an advocate of the Maine Law, Sab- bath observance, and the improvement of the com- mon schools, was first issued July 16, 1853. John G. Cooley was its publisher and office editor, and among the other editorial writers were the Rev. H. P. Arms, the Rev. J. P. Gulliver, and the Rev. J. A. Goodhue. It survived till Nov. 16, 1855.

A Know-Nothing organ, the State Guard, was published during a part of 1855 and 1856, and the Weekly Reveille ran a few numbers in 1858.

May 20, 1835, J. Holbrook began the issue of the Weekly Aurora. In the summer of 1838 it became the property of Gad S. Gilbert, and afterwards of Wil- liam French, and French & Conklin. Aug. 8, 1844, it appeared under the management of John W. Sted- man, editor, proprietor, and printer. During the year 1860 a Daily Aurora was connected with the office. Jan. 21, 1867, the publication of the Daily Advertiser was begun. It was a large folio, devoted to the dis- semination of Democratic principles. Its last issue bears date of Aug. 1, 1874. The Aurora was discon- tinued Nov. 26, 1878.

Cooley's Weekly was established July 15, 1876, by the veteran printer and publisher, Mr. John G. Cooley. Mr. Cooley threw his whole energy and persistency into the new enterprise, and although it met with formidable competition, he succeeded in placing it upon a solid footing. It grew rapidly into public favor, and now takes front rank among the leading weekly journals of the State. It is a large (thirty- two-column) four-page sheet. In consequence of impaired health, Mr. Cooley retired from the active management of the journal in 1880, since which time it has been conducted by Mr. John G. Cooley, Jr., with Mr. David S. Adams as editor.

During the summer and fall of 1877, The Reformer was published as a temperance paper, under the edi- torial management of the Rev. Hugh Montgomery. The Vim was published by the same gentleman from May to October, 1878, and The No License Advocate from May to October, 1879. The Rev. L. T. Cham- berlain and the Rev. L. W. Bacon assisted Mr. Mont- gomery in editing the latter paper. In the fall of 1879, The American Conflict was begun by Henry Brown, and it has since been issued as either a weekly, semi-weekly, or monthly. It is now published at Danielsonville.

The Observer, a weekly paper, was published by Daniel Lee from April 8, 1879, to May 22, 1880. The Evening Star, a daily afternoon paper, issued by Gordon Wilcox, lived from May 15, 1880, to June 25, 1881.

Norwich News .- March 19, 1881, the News Pub- lishing Company began the issue of the Norwich News, a daily afternoon paper, with J. F. Rathbone as editor. It is a wide-awake sheet, and justly deserves its present prosperity.

CHAPTER XXVI.

MISCELLANEOUS.

The Free Academy-Other Schools-Post-Office-Slavery-The Bi-Cen- tennial Celebration-Col. Mason's Monument-The Soldiers' Monu- ment-Water-Works-Fire Department-Gas Company-City Hall- The Eliza Huntington Memorial Home-Otis Library-The Horse Railroad-Bridges-Laurel Hill-Masonic-Odd-Fellows-Other Soci- eties-Manufactories-Villages.

The Free Academy .- The Norwich Free Academy was incorporated in May, 1854, having been endowed to the amount of about $100,000 by the gifts of a few generous citizens of Norwich, three of whose sub- scriptions were for $12,500 each. Of the whole amount raised $50,000 was reserved as a fund for the main- tenance of the school, and with the remainder a lot was secured and a noble school edifice erected. The academy offers free instruction in the higher branches of study to all the youth of Norwich who are dis- posed to avail themselves of its advantages. The original donors and incorporators of the institution were the following : R. Hubbard, W. P. Greene, W. A. Buckingham, W. Williams, H. B. Norton, J. Breed, C. B. Rogers, W. W. Coit, J. L. Greene, D. Tyler, S. C. Morgan, I. M. Buckingham, L. F. S. Foster, D. Smith, J. F. Slater, C. Osgood, E. Williams, L. Black- stone, J. A. Rockwell, L. Ballou, C. J. Stedman, J. P. Gulliver, C. N. Farnam, E. O. Abbott, C. Tracy, A. H. Almy, L. W. Carroll, J. Spalding, S. W. Meech, J. S. Webb, H. Thomas, C. C. Brand, C. Johnson, E. Learned, E. Edwards, A. J. Currier. Joseph Otis, the founder of the "Otis Library," was an original donor to the academy, but died before the incorpora- tion. The donors since the incorporation are as fol- lows: C. A. Converse, A. W. Prentice, T. P. Norton, W. M. Converse, H. Bill, G. Perkins, J. M. Hunting- ton, J. H. Adams, J. N. Perkins.

A fund of five thousand dollars, beside other gifts to the amount of two thousand dollars, was presented by Mrs. Harriet Peck Williams for the establishment of the Peck Library, as a tribute of respect to the memory of her father, Capt. Bela Peck.

On the day of the bi-centennial celebration, in 1859, Mrs. W. P. Greene presented to the academy a lot of land and a house valued at eight thousand dollars for the residence of the principal of the institution.

The foundation of the academy is due to the sug- gestion as well as to the persevering efforts of Rev.

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HISTORY OF NEW LONDON COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

John P. Gulliver, whose privilege it was to inaugu- rate the institution (Oct. 21, 1856) by an address, in which, according to a vote of the trustees, a history was given of schools and education in Norwich, and the designs of the founders of the academy were set forth for the information of the public and the guid- ance of those who shall be intrusted with its future management.

The situation is especially fortunate for an institution of this kind. The city is large enough to give the students the peculiar advantages of city life, and at the same time the rural surroundings are so near and so accessible as to afford ample opportunity for in- vigorating excursions through old woods or green fields ; while the junction of two rivers, forming the beautiful Thames, at whose head the city lies, offers all the varied resources of the water for health and strength. So whether we look for society and the re- finements and amenities of cultured life, or seek that vigorous development of mind and body which nature gives by contact with her hills and streams, the boys and girls of the Norwich Free Academy have unusual privileges.

The instruction of the academy is in the hands of an ample corps of able teachers, most of them of long experience, and all devoted to their duties. Every effort is made to waken the interest of the pupils and inspire them with a love for honest work. The result of these efforts is seen in the success of those who go to higher institutions in passing the en- trance examinations, and the high rank they main- tain for scholarship and character after they enter.

The classic course of study embraces all that is re- quired for entrance to the best colleges, and is kept up to the latest standards. A pupil who pursues this course faithfully and graduates with distinction is sure to enter Yale or Harvard, and, of course, col- leges requiring less, without difficulty. The same is true of its relation to the scientific schools. It has also special studies for those who are preparing for a business life, and gives a great deal of attention to the natural sciences. In chemistry it has an excel- lent working laboratory, and in this branch, as also in botany, the students do a good deal of practical work, and it is intended in the future not only to in- crease the amount of such work in these branches, but to encourage special practical work in other branches whenever a special adaptation is found for it.

The library is perhaps larger and better appointed than that of any other institution of its grade, and is made of use in various ways in promoting the culture or advancement in knowledge of the pupils. The academy also has a course of literary study, extend- ing through four years, intended to give the pupils an introduction to the best English authors, and a brief account of French authors is also studied as a part of the course in that language. Also more than usual attention is paid to English composition, and to dec-

lamation and reading. In short, no effort is spared to give the pupils, so far as it goes, a well-rounded train- ing in all that pertains to the practical duties o1 higher pleasures of life.

Heretofore the academy has been deficient in means to take proper care of such pupils as have not homes in Norwich, but this deficiency has now been supplied by the "Williams' Mansion," which has just been leased by the Misses Marsh, ladies of unusual fit- ness for such a position, who will furnish such stu- dents as live with them a refined and pleasant home. Parents who are considering the desirability of plac- ing their sons in this establishment are assured that they will be under kind but firm management, and that everything reasonable will be done for their com- fort and improvement. Mrs. Davies, also, in leasing the Farnham House for a similar purpose, has made the academy her debtor, especially as she has shown that she knows how to make boys faithful and happy. There are also many private houses in which those who desire it can find good homes for their sons or daughters.

The first president of the board of trustees was Russell Hubbard, who retained the office till his death in 1857 (June 7th).

The second president was William P. Greene, who died June 18, 1864.

Third president, William Williams. Ebenezer Learned, secretary and treasurer from the begin- ning.

The Free Academy went into operation under Mr. Elbridge Smith as principal, who continued in office to the close of the ninth year, July, 1865. Mr. Smith was a native of Wayland, Mass., and a graduate of Brown University. He was previously principal of the high school at Cambridge, Mass.

He was succeeded in September, 1865, by the Rev. William Hutchison, formerly tutor in Yale College, and recently principal of the Lawrence Academy at Groton, Mass. Mr. Hutchison was ordained as a mis- sionary in 1858, and went to Constantinople with the expectation of establishing a mission in Turkey, but the failing health of his family obliged him to relin- quish the design. He is the present principal.

Post-Offices .- The first post-office in this town was established at Norwich Town, probably during the winter of 1782, with Dudley Woodbridge as post- master.

Wm. Leffingwell, appointed postmaster during the month of Jan .... 1790 Christopher Leffingwell, appointed postmaster during the month of

Aug .1793

Christopher Leffingwell, Jr., appointed postmaster during the month

of July. 1797

Gardner Carpenter, appointed postmaster on the 19th Jan.

1799

John Hyde, 1st July 1815

Who held the office up to the change of name to Norwich Town, which order was made by the postmaster-general on the 21st April, 1836.

Norwich Town (late Norwich), established 1st April. 1836

John Hyde, appointed postmaster Ist April. 1836

Ifenry Harland, appointed postmaster 5th Oct. 1836

3d Oct. .1840

Jolın T. Wait,

Jolın Hyde. "

28th June.

1841

Henry B. Tracy,

18th Jan 1844

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NORWICH.

enry McNelly, appointed postmaster 12th April, 1850

[enry B. Tracy,1 1st July .1854 = 22d July. .1853 lisba F. Rogers,

'helsea Landing office was probably established during the fall of .... 1803

acob De Witt, appointed postmaster during the fall of.

1803

18th Dec. 1809 ohn De Witt, 66

'harles Kinney. 3d Jnne .1823

Who continued as postmaster till the change of name to Norwich City, which was made on the 6th of November, 1827.

Norwich City (late Chelsea Landing), established 6th Nov 1827

Charles Kinney, appointed postmaster 6th Nov.

.1827

William L'Hommedieu, appointed postmaster 25th Aug. 1829

Who continued to act till the change of name to Norwich, which was ordered on the 21st April, 1836.

Norwich (late Norwich City), established on the 21st April 1836

William L'Hommedieu, appointed postmaster 21st April

.1836

4th Feb. .1842 Samuel M. Downer,

Enoch C. Chapman,

Ilth April .1843

John H. Townsend,

15th June 1844

William L'Hommedieu,

2d June 1845

John Dunham,

21st June

1849

25th April 1853 John W. Stedman,1

The proceeds of Norwich in 1782 was about $75, and that of Chelsea Landing, Norwich City, in 1803, about $90.

Slavery .- The colored population of Norwich was more numerous than in most Northern towns. It consisted partly of free blacks, accruing from previous occasional manumissions, and partly of persons still held in servitude and bought and sold as property. From bills of sale that are extant, and from the valu- ation made in inventories, we learn that in the early part of the century the price for slaves ranged from 60s. to £30. After this the value increased, and the best were rated at £100. The Rev. William Hart, of Saybrook, in 1749 purchased a negro boy of Jabez Huntington, of Norwich, for whom he paid £290, old tenor ; but this was a depreciated currency, probably not worth more than a fifth of its nominal value in silver coin. At a later period the price of a servant was considerably enhanced.

Capt. John and Matthew Perkins, of Hanover Society, had each what was called a houseful of slaves. The former, known as "big Captain John," died in 1761. His inventory enumerates his African servants-Tamar, Ziba, Jehu, Selah, etc .- to the number of fifteen, the best valued at £50. Probably no larger number than this could be found in any one family in the county.

Capt. Matthew Perkins was a large landholder, a man of energetic character, and, like his brother, strong and powerful in frame. "He died (in 1773) from lockjaw, caused by a bite on the thumb which he received from a young negro slave whom he was chas- tising for some fault." ?

It was not until near the era of the Revolution that the reasonableness and equity of holding the African race in durance began to be questioned by the citi- zens. At length it was whispered about that it was inconsistent to complain of political oppression and yet withhold from others the privileges to which they were entitled, to fight for liberty and yet refuse it to a portion of the human family.

For subsequent postmasters see Supplement.

2 Perkins' Genealogy, Hist. and Gen. Reg., 14, 114.

Communications on this subject, bold and even eloquent, appeared in the newspapers, of which one from the Norwich Packet will serve as a specimen :

"July 7, 1774. To all those who call theniselves Sons of Liberty in America, Greeting :

. " My Friends. We know in some good measure the inestimable value of liberty. But were we once deprived of her, she would then appear much more valuable than she now appears. We also see her, standing as it were tiptoe on the highest bough ready for flight. Why is she de- parting? What is it that disturbs her repose ? Surely some foul mon- ster of hideous shape, and hateful kind, opposite in its nature to hers, with all its frightful appearances and properties, iron hands and leaden feet, formed to gripe and crush, hath intruded itself into her peaceful habitation and ejected her. Surely this must be the case, for we know oppositions cannot dwell together. Is it not time, high time to search for this Achan ? this disturber of Israel? High time, I say, to examine for the cause of those dark and gloomy appearances that cast a shadow over our glory. And is not this it ? Are we not guilty of the same crime we impute to others ? Of the same facts that we say are unjust, cruel, arbitrary, despotic, and without law in others? Paul argued in this manner :- ' Thou therefore that teachest another, teachest thou not thy- self? Thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law, dis- honorest thou God !' And may we not use the same mode of argument and say-We that declare (and that with much warmth and zeal) it is uujust, cruel, barbarous, unconstitutional, and withont law, to enslave, do we ensluve ?- Yes, verily we do? A black cloud witnesseth against us and our own mouths condemn us ! How preposterous our conduct ! How vain and hypocritical our pretences ! Can we expect to be free, so long as we are determined to enslave? HONESTY."

Under the influence of this new phase of public opinion and individual responsibility several persons voluntarily liberated their slaves and made them some compensation for former services.

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History of New London county, Connecticut : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 75

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