USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Granby > History of Simsbury, Granby, and Canton : from 1642 to 1845 > Part 9
USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Simsbury > History of Simsbury, Granby, and Canton : from 1642 to 1845 > Part 9
USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Canton > History of Simsbury, Granby, and Canton : from 1642 to 1845 > Part 9
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* In 1728, on report of a committee to ascertain and lay out the west line of Simsbury, which report was accepted by the Assembly, the south line, beginning at the southeast corner of the town, was found to run, west twenty minutes south ;- the east line, from the same point, to run north twenty-three degrees east, ten miles and eight rods; thence west twenty-four degrees north, eight miles and one hundred and twenty-eight rods : and the west line
-
100
HISTORY OF SIMSBURY.
The town was divided into two nearly equal parts when Granby was incorporated in 1786-the latter town taking the north division. Canton was set off from the west side of Simsbury in 1806; and in 1843, the eastern part, from the . top of the mountain, was annexed to Bloomfield. The present dimensions of the town are about four by seven miles. Thus has this ancient town been curtailed on three sides, and reduced from one of the largest, to one of the smallest towns in the state.
It is believed that in 1670, when the town was incorpora- ted, there were not over forty families residing within its limits ; and in 1680, not exceeding forty-five. In 1689, when the inhabitants were first subjected to a Colony tax, the list shows seventy taxable persons, that is, male persons between sixteen and seventy years of age, and £3606 of estates. From this time, until 1709, twenty years, the tax- able persons had increased but fifteen, and the amount of estates but £487,-both having varied considerably in the interim. Allowing a population of five for each taxable person (which allowance would be considered high,) and the number of inhabitants in 1709 would be four hundred and twenty-five. From this it would appear that, during these thirty-nine years, from 1670, the progress of popula- tion had been slow,-especially in comparison with the usual rate of increase in new towns at the present time. . Some additional light may be obtained on this subject by adverting to the tax lists during a portion of this period. 'In 1694, the number of persons against whom town taxes were laid, was sixty-three ; including at least three persons who were non-residents. The number taxed for the support of the ministry in 1696 was sixty-eight,-and in 1701, seventy. [APPENDIX, C. and D.]
to run parallel with the said east line ;- making " the just contents of ten miles square."
Many law suits grew out of this survey, and the question relating to the western line of the town was not permanently settled until within forty years past. This line having been surveyed by a Mr. Kimberly, was called " Kimberly's line."
101
HISTORY OF SIMSBURY.
The whole number of houses in 1730, according to the map of the town before mentioned, was one hundred and sixty-two. If we estimate the number of occupants of each house at six persons, the whole number of inhabitants at that time would amount to nine hundred and seventy-two. Soon after this, lands in the western part of the town began to be taken up, and the population thereafter increased more rapidly.
The first census of the Colony was taken in 1756, in pur- suance of orders sent from England, when the population of Simsbury was ascertained to be, two thousand two hun- dred and forty-five persons. Since that time, there have been made, by the public authorities, eight enumerations of the inhabitants, which show the following results.
Years, . . . 1774. 1782. 1790. 1800. 1810. 1820. 1830. 1810. Population, 3,700. 4,664. 2,576. 2,956. 1,966. 1,954. 2,221. 1,895
It will be recollected that Granby was set off in 1786, and Canton in 1806.
In 1782, there were but nine towns in the state which by the census show a greater population than Simsbury. Hart- ford, which then included East Hartford and Manchester, contained but 5,495 persons. Middletown, 4,512.
A Post office was established in this town in 179S. Its location at first was at Suffrage, in the southern part of the present town of Canton. In 1802 it was removed to Wea- tauge, and in 1806, to Hop meadow. There is another one at Tariffville, which has been established nearly twenty years.
The town contains eleven Common School Districts. Schools of a higher order are kept occasionally, though not permanently.
Simsbury is situated about twelve miles north-west from Hartford. In fertility of soil, especially of its meadow lands, and in beauty of scenery. as viewed from the mountain, it is surpassed but by few towns in the state. The New Haven and Northampton canal passes through the center of the town.
The oldest person now living in town is Mrs. Ensign,
102
HISTORY OF SIMSBURY.
aged ninety-four years, relict of the late Mr. Isaac Ensign. The next oldest is Mr. Timothy Terry, who is ninety years old.
There are but few towns in the state-perhaps none of equal population-in which a greater number of men hold- ing prominent stations in society have been born. So stri- king has been this fact, that it has attracted the attention of several gentlemen of the town, who have deemed the matter of sufficient importance to furnish for publication a list of prominent offices held by persons born in the place. [ APPENDIX, E.]
For lists of Judges of Probate, Representatives, Justices of the Peace, and Town Clerks, see APPENDIX, F. G. H. and I.
CHAPTER VIII.
GRANBY.
Settlement. Civil and Ecclesiastical Ilistory. 1681-1845.
GRANBY was set off from the north part of Simsbury, and incorporated in 1786. Its extent is about six by nine and a half miles. The soil is of various kinds. The best lands lie in the eastern section of the town and in the valley of Salmon brook. In general, the lands are adapted to the purposes of agriculture, in which business the inhabitants are chiefly engaged. The New Haven and Northampton Canal, which passes through the center of the town, facil- itates the transportation of such products as are destined to a market.
The settlement of the territory included within the pres- ent limits of Granby was, with the exception of one or two familie's, commenced at a later period than that of Simsbury. It is supposed that Jolin Griffin lived at the Falls, and was settled there as early as 1664. One or two other persons had lands near the same place, and might have been in the occupancy of them at about the same time. These persons had their grants from the General Court.
The first grants of lands lying within the town made by the original town, Simsbury, were made in 1679, to thirteen persons. The lands thus granted lay at Salmon brook. Owing to the Indian difficulties, these proprietors, as stated in the History of Simsbury, were ordered to build their dwell- ing houses at Westover's plain. It does not appear from the records who these grantees were.
Two years afterwards, this policy seems to have been changed, and an effort was made to commence a settlement at this place, with the view, probably, of giving greater secu-
104
HISTORY OF GRANBY.
rity to the inhabitants residing some miles farther south. The town voted in January 1680-1, to divide a tract of land lying in the vicinity of Salmon brook, (reserving two lots, one for the minister, and the other for Michael Humphry) to Nathaniel Holcomb, Andrew Moore, Daniel Adams, Josiah Owen, Samuel Wilson, Josiah Ellsworth, and Nathan Gillett, upon condition that each grantee should take pos- session of his lot, and continue to reside upon it for the term of seven years, and make improvements by building fences, and preparing the land for cultivation. Some of the grant- ees refused to accept these conditions, and their rights were subsequently granted to other persons. At least three of them belonged to Windsor, and were never inhabitants of this town. Of this number was Mr. Ellsworth, who was the ancestor of the Hon. Oliver Ellsworth. The other grantees, it, is believed, took possession of their lots, but none of them, it is supposed, continued to occupy them during the required term of seven years. They were so much exposed to Indian depredations, and so far removed from any white settlement, as to render it very improbable that they would have remained there during this term, under such circumstances and at this critical period.
It is known that a block house was erected in Salmon brook at a very early period of the settlement, to which the first inhabitants resorted every night for safety, and at all other times when, by the usual signal, an alarm was spread that there were strange Indians in the neighborhood. These alarms were so often given, that the inhabitants lived in almost constant dread of danger. It is understood that the small settlement here was often deserted and abandoned for this cause. This accounts for the slow progress of popula- tion at this place for nearly twenty years after the first attempt was made to settle it. The block house had a stockade and other defenses, and stood near the present dwelling house of Mr. Charles Pettibone.
In May 1688, a tier of lots lying in the eastern section of the town, Turkey hills, were conditionally granted by the
HISTORY OF GRANBY. 105
town to sundry persons. * Amongst the grantees, was the Rev. Edward Thompson, who never occupied his lot, but some of his descendants live upon it at the present time. These lots varied from thirty to fifty rods in width, and extended from the east bounds of the town westwardly to the mountain. But in February, 1693, these grants were all annulled by a vote of the town, by reason of a non per- formance of the condition to which they were subjected. At the same time, or shortly afterwards, the same lands were divided and allotted to several proprietors, including nearly all the former ones ;- but it does not appear that any of them occupied or improved their premises until some years afterwards. Indeed it is believed that the settlement of this part of the town did not commence until about 1700.
Notwithstanding the numerous grants made, there were but a few families settled within the present limits of Granby prior to 1709 ;- and subsequently, until about 1720, the progress in population was at a slow pace. It appears from a petition presented to the General Court in 1728, that, within these limits, there were in 1709 but eleven families- nine on the west, and two on the east side of Salmon brook ; and that in 1728, the number of families on the west side of the brook had increased to twenty-seven,-on the east
* " Lots drawn at Northeast corner of Simsbury bounds, May 1688."
NO. OF LOT.
NO. OF LOT.
Mr. Edward Thompson,
19
Mr. Nathaniel Holcomb,
12
John Higley,
16
John Case Jun.
20
Andrew Hillyer,
5
John Pettibone Sen.
9
Joshua Holcomb,
I3
John Case Sen.
10
Daniel Adams,
Arthur Henbury,
6
Peter Buell,
2
Thomas Barber,
4
Joseph Owen,
18
John Williams,
3
William Smith,
15
Serg't Wilcoxson,
17
Luke Hill,
11
John Saxton,
23
Nicholas Gozard,
8
John Drake,
21
Lieut. Terry,
7
Humphry Prior,
1
Ephraim Howard,
14
The lots number from north to south.
10
106
HISTORY OF GRANBY.
side of the brook and west of the mountain to eleven,-and on the east side of the mountain the number was twenty- four ;- in the whole, sixty-two families, exclusive of the small settlement at the Falls.
About the year 1710, iron was manufactured from bog ore found in Turkey hills and its vicinity. Before 1728, a fur- nace called the " New Works" was erected on the east street in that village, nearly a mile north of the road leading from the west street to Poquonock. The establishment was kept in operation many years, and furnished the principal supply of iron for that section of country. The works, it is pre- sumed, did not prove profitable, for they were abandoned many years ago, though the ore had not become exhausted. It is found in that locality at the present time.
In 1723 an unusual number of town grants were made, by, which large portions of the best lands were taken up and occupied by the respective proprietors. About this time too, all apprehensions of danger from attacks by the Indians had subsided, and the population increased so rap- idly from this period, as to authorise, in 1736, the formation of two Ecclesiastical Societies. The tax lists of 1761 show a large addition to the number of inhabitants. At the break- ing out of the war in 1775, nearly all parts of the town had become settled, furnishing a population nearly as dense as many of the older settlements.
The General Assembly in 1736, established two Ecclesi- astical Societies, the southern lines of which correspond with the southern town line as subsequently designated when the town was incorporated. They were then called the North West and North East Societies.
Before the organization of these societies, the inhabitants had, for some time, been in the practice of holding meetings for public worship both at Salmon brook and Turkey hills. Those belonging to the former place, assembled at the house of Mr. Daniel Hays, who resided in the southern part of Salmon brook village. He was allowed thirty shillings a year for the use of his house.
107
HISTORY OF GRANBY.
From the records of the North West, or Salmon brook Society, it appears, that their first meeting was held in May 1739. It was convened to adopt measures in reference to the construction of a meeting-house. But, as the meeting could not agree where to set the house, application was made to the General Assembly for a committee to settle the question. On report of the committee, the site established was on the hill north of Salmon brook village. 'The first meeting-house was erected at this place in 1740. Its dimen- sions were, thirty by forty-five feet.
In the course of a few years, by the extension of popula- tion westwardly, the house was left so far from the centre of population as to cause complaint, and induce a majority of the society to adopt measures for its removal. Their efforts were successful. In 1775 the house was taken down and removed about two miles in a north-westwardly direc- tion, to a place designated by a committee appointed by the County Court, where it was re-built. In 1793 the house was enlarged and painted inside. This house was taken down, and a new one erected in 1834. The new house stands a few rods northerly from the site of the old one. It is a commodious building, sixty by forty feet, is painted and has a tower and bell.
The first clergyman settled over the parish was the Rev. Joseph Strong, who was ordained in 1752. He was allowed a salary of fifty pounds, fire wood, and the use of a dwelling house. The house built for him by the society is still stand- ing in the village of Salmon brook, and is now occupied by Mr. Peter J. Jewitt. Mr. Strong was dismissed in 1779. He removed to Williamsburgh, Massachusetts, where he was settled, and at which place he continued in the ministry until his death. The Rev. Israel Harley was settled October 20, 1784, and dismissed in 1793. Rev. Isaac Porter was ordained June 25, 1794. He continued in the pastoral office until December 26, 1832-over thirty-eight years-when he was dismissed. Rev. Charles Bently was installed in August 1833, and dismissed in March 1839. In October of the same year, the Rev. Chauncey D. Rice was installed,
108
HISTORY OF GRANBY.
and in July 1841, dismissed. The present pastor, the Rev. Israel P. Warren, was ordained April 20, 1842.
Soon after the town was divided into several ecclesias- tical societies, the people of Turkey hills took measures to organize their society. Their first meeting was held, June 16, 1737, when it was voted to apply to the General Assem- bly to send out a committee to designate the place where to set their meeting-house. In the same year, it was voted to build a house thirty-five by forty feet, with twenty feet posts. The building was commenced the next year, and was placed in the street a few rods southerly of the dwelling house of Appleton Robbins Esq. In 1794 a large tax was raised to repair the house, and annex to it a steeple. It was taken down in 1830, having stood ninety-two years.
The first clergyman employed, was a Mr. Wolcott, who preached in this society in 1737 :- it is unknown how long he continued to officiate.
In 1741, the Rev. Ebenezer Mills was settled with a salary of £150, and £500 settlement, " old tenor" money. He was dismissed in 1754.
From 1754 to 1760, the pulpit was supplied by the Rev. Messrs. Holmes, Colton, and Root, each of whom preached as a candidate for settlement.
The Rev. Nehemiah Strong, who, several years after- wards became a Professor in Yale College, was settled as pastor January 21, 1760, and was dismissed in 1768. In 1765, the society voted to offer him, in lieu of his ordinary settlement, seventy pounds, one half to be paid in provis- ions as follows ;- wheat at four, rye three, and Indian corn, two shillings per bushel,-pork at three pence, and beef at two pence per pound.
In 1771, the Rev. James Treadway was employed to preach six months, at twenty shillings a sabbath. During the next year, a Mr. Mather, and afterwards Mr. Abel For- ward, officiated ; and in 1774, and 1775, the Rev. Emmer- son Foster preached about two years on probation.
Rev. Aaron J. Booge was settled Nov. 27, 1776. The society voted to appoint seventeen tavernkeepers for the day
109
HISTORY OF GRANBY.
of ordination .* Mr. Booge was dismissed, Dec. 8, 1785, but supplied the pulpit about four years afterwards. At the time of his ordination, there were fourteen males, and twenty-three females, in full communion as church members.+
In 1791, and 1792, Rev. Mr. Churchill preached, and received a call to settle, which was declined.
The Rev. Whitfield Cowles was ordained June 18, 1794, with a salary of eighty-six pounds, with interest, if not paid punctually. For some years before the termination of his ministry, he became unpopular with a large portion of his congregation, though a majority adhered to him. His con- nexion with the society was terminated in the fall of 1808, by the sentence of an ecclesiastical tribunal, which also dis- missed him from the ministry. The society soon afterwards became disorganized, and ceased to be a legal corporation. In 1812, on application to the General Assembly, authority was granted to revive its powers by a re-organization.
After this period, and before 1815, the Rev. John Taylor, and Rev. Nathaniel Dwight officiated occasionally. In 1815, the society united with the state in hiring a minister, who spent a part of cach sabbath at Newgate prison, and gave a call to the Rev. Hervey Wilbur, which was rejected.
Rev. Eber L. Clark was installed July 3, 1816, with a salary from the society of $300. He was employed during the same time as chaplain of the prison, at which institution he preached one half of the time. He was dismissed in 1820.
Rev. Stephen Crosby was installed in 1826, and remained pastor of the church until January 3, 1832, when he was
* Settlement, £200. Salary, £50, for the first four years ;- thereafter, £60, and twenty-seven cords of wood annually,-one half of the settlement payable in provisions. In 1775, a part of the salary was paid in produce- wheat at five, rye three, and corn at two and three pence per bushel.
t The male members were, Deacon Samnel Owen, Dea. Asahel Holcomb, John Granger, John Cornish, Richard Gay, Micah Moore, Capt. Zacheus Gillett, John Drake. John Thrall, Nathaniel Mather, Benoni Viets, Timothy Hawley, Thomas Hawley and Zachary Prince, (colored.)
10*
110
HISTORY OF GRANBY.
dismissed. Rev. Daniel Hemingway was installed July 3, 1832, and dismissed in 1842. The present pastor, Rev. Jonas B. Clark, was ordained November 1, 1842.
The construction of the present meeting-house was com- menced in September 1830, and finished June 1831, at an expense of $3,450. It is a handsome edifice, thirty-six by fifty-two feet, having a basement story, tower and bell. Its main walls are built with trap stone, with which the adja- cent mountain abounds.
Extracts from the Society Records ._ " at a Legall meting held by a jornmunt, Janawary 12, 1742-3,-voted that this Sosiatey will rays a rate of two shillings on the povnd on the comon List given Last agvst to Defray ovr minestearell and Sosiatey Charges.
Voted that Left. Phelps and Insine Cornish shall be a Comittey to Look after the pasnege Land at Simsbury.
Voted that Isaac Gillitt Juner should be Collecterer for ye year Insving to gether the rate.
Voted that the presant Comittey shall Lay ovt the overplush nif thare be aney to finnish the meting hovs.
Voted that Robord Jonson and Elix Cooners rates should be svs- pended that ar In Joseph forwards hand vntill he hath oppertunity tổ git them."
In 1748, a. committee was appointed by the society to demand their part of the " Parsonage land in Simsbury, and likewise of the old meeting house."
A difficulty having arose about singing, it was voted in 1773, " to sing new tunes half the time, and old tunes the other half."
In 1786, when measures were in progress to establish the new town, Granby, the society voted, yeas thirty, nays seven, " that they did not wish to be set off from the south part of the town of Simsbury."
The first tax raised in federal money was in December 1794. At about this time, this currency was substituted for the old one in all legal proceedings.
" At a meeting January 14,1805,-Voted to adjourn to the 28th instant.
January 28, 1805 was an exceeding stormy, tedious day, and the paths so filled with snow that no one attended the meeting agree- able to the above adjournment. Test. Israel C. Phelps, Clerk."
" At a Society Meeting November 1818 ;- Voted that the Pru- dential Committee be instructed to expend thirty dollars of the Appropriation Money, lately received by the Society from this State, for the purchase of lottery tickets, the avails of which shall be applied according to the Act of the Legislature relative to the expenditure of said Appropriation."
.
111
HISTORY OF GRANBY.
The Episcopalians have a church at Salmon brook vil- lage, erected in 1792, but not finished until 1800, when a steeple was attached to it. The parish is small, and too weak to support a clergyman permanently. It is generally supplied with the ministrations of the gospel for a part of the time by uniting with St. Andrew's Parish, Scotland, in hiring a Rector for both Parishes. Rev. Ambrose Todd, Asa Cornwell, Samuel Griswold, Nathaniel Huse, and others occasionally, have been the officiating clergymen.
The Methodlists, in the aggregate, compose a numerous class, and have a number of places for holding their reli- gious meetings. They have a meeting-house, erected in 1840, which stands about one mile north of the old Newgate prison, and are abont building another one in the western part of the town. They have also occasional meetings in other places, which, in general, are held in school houses.
There is a society of Universalists in North Granby. The members meet every other Sunday for worship, and have taken measures to erect a honse for their religious meetings.
The town was incorporated in October 1786. The first. town meeting was held at the meeting-house in the society of Salmon brook, on the first Monday in December follow- ing. Asahel Holcomb Esq. was appointed moderator, Judah Holcomb Jr. town clerk,-Capt. Samuel Hayes, Asahel Holcomb and Lient. Pliny Hillyer, selectmen,-Ensign Daniel Holcomb, "head constable to collect the state taxes,"-Thomas Spring, town collector for Salmon brook society, and constable,-and Capt. Andrew Hillyer town collector for Turkey hills society, and constable. It was voted that two-thirds of the annual meetings be holden in Salmon brook society, and the other third in the society of Turkey hills.
By the Act of Incorporation, the town was restricted to one representative in the General Assembly ; but in 1794, it was allowed two representatives thereafter.
About the year 1790, an academy was established at Sal- mon brook, which for some years was in a prosperous con- dition. It was discontinued soon after 1800. There are
112
HISTORY OF GRANBY.
two school societies in the town, eighteen district schools, and four post offices.
There is a number of small manufacturing establishments in the town, but in none of them is a large investment of capital required.
The number of inhabitants in 1790, was 2,595 ;- 1800, 2,735 ;- 1810, 2,696 ;- 1820, 3,012 ;- 1830, 2,733 ;- 1840, 2,611.
For lists of Judges of Probate, Representatives, Justices of the Peace and Town Clerks, see APPENDIX, F. G. H. and I.
CHAPTER IX.
THE COPPER MINES. Discovery. Magnitude of the Works. Amount of Disbursements. Smelting Works at Hanover. The Phoenix Mining Company. 1705-1833.
THE copper mines, known afterwards as the site of the celebrated state prison, called Newgate, are situated on the west side of the east mountain in Granby. The place, for many years, was called " Copper Hill." It is not known at what period copper ore was first discovered here. The first record evidence relating to the mines is under date of December, 1705, when, at a town meeting of the inhabit- ants of Simsbury,* upon suggestion made " that there was a mine either of silver or copper found in the town," a committee was appointed to make search for the same and report to a future meeting.
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