USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Stamford > History of Stamford, Connecticut : from its settlement in 1641, to the present time, including Darien, which was one of its parishes until 1820 > Part 36
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40
RAIL-ROAD.
That was a new and exciting day for our quiet villagers, when in 1844, a special town meeting was called to consider the petition of the Housatonic Railroad Company for a road from Bridgeport to Byram river along the Long Island shore. The town came together May 7th, and after considering, variously, the strange proposal, agree, with a singular unanimity, in favor of the road, aud instruct their representatives in the assembly to favor it. But, as is the fate with most novel enterprises, this was doomed to delay ; and the restive and ambitious citizens of the town had to wait four years more for the fulfillment of their desire. But the fulfillment came, and when, in 1848, the great thoroughfare between Boston and New York was opened, under date of Dec. 19th of that year, we find in the Stamford Advocate, then edited by Edgar Iloyt, Esq., the following graphic note on the wonderful event ot the first appearance of the iron horse among us :
.
RESIDENCE OF JOSEPH B. HOYT, NORTON HILL, STAMFORD.
443
MISCELLANEOUS.
"The citizens of the village, as well as the horses, cattle, &c., were nearly frightened out of their propriety on Wednesday afternoon last, at about five o'clock, by such a horrible scream as was never heard to iss.te from any other than a metallic throat. Animals of every description went careering round the fields, snuffing the air in their terror, and bipeds of every size, condition and color, set off' at a full run for the railroad depot. In a few moments the cause of t he commotion appeared in the shape of a locomotive, puffing off its steam and screaming with its so-called whistle at a terrible rate. Attached to the locomotive were a lumber and a passenger car, and the latter, we believe, is one of the most splendid description now in use on any road in this country. * * * They have not yet com- menced running regularly to this place, and it is not probable that they will do so until the road is finished to New York, which will probably be about the latter part of the present week or the first of next."
By January Ist the road had been completed, and the year 1849 was inaugurated by what was deemed a great marvel, the actual transit of three trains, daily, the whole distance from New Haven to New York and back again. The trial trip had been made on Monday, Dec. 25, and a single passage, in the account of that trip, from the pen of William II. Holly, Esq., who was one of the honored passengers of the occasion, is worth preserving in our history of the times :
" The train had to remain at Coscob Bridge some three hours for the last rails to be laid over it, and the delay gave ample opportunity to the surrounding people to come in and witness the wonderful feat. The gen- eral impression among them seemed to be, that the first train that attempt- ed to cross this elevated pass would also be the last. All sorts of old women's stories to frighten the children had been put in circulation re- garding the safety of this bridge, and many a spectator expected to see our splendid locomotive, elegant car, and confiding attendants and passengers plunged into the deep below.
Ten minutes before two o'clock, P, M., Mr. Mason, chief engineer of the company, gave the word, ' all ready.' Our prancer was let loose. Every skeptic's heart rose to his mouth. Breathless anxiety pervaded the multi- tude on each shore. The train moved majestically along and the next min- ute the western shore received its ponderous weight, and the welkin rang with the shouts of the congregated people."
Probably no event in the history of Stamford has had more to do in shaping the future of the town than the opening of this great thoroughfare. Very soon after the road was built, all
444
HISTORY OF STAMFORD.
fears of an unfavorable result upon the prosperity of the town were dissipated. We were soon seen to have been made a sub- urb of the great city. Our talent could find a much readier field for its use in the city, and the wealth and talent of the city a much more attractive home here. The sons of Stamford who had previously been wont to go to the city to make their for- tunes, could now return to invest and enjoy them here. Now, and hereafter, without changing their residence for a week, our sons can avail themselves of all the aid which the city can give.
The following postscript in the Stamford Sentinel of June 6, 1836, may indicate how much we may have gained, in time at least, from this iron track :
" Just arrived, sloop Mary Flower, Bell, nine days from New York, via. Cow Bay, where she was detained by the inspector of the weather. Hands all well, but rather meager in countenance for want of fresh provisions and ordinary exercise. Left New York, where it formerly stood. Business brisk. Spoke two hundred vessels or more bound up, awaiting favorable weather."
And what gain the railroad has made upon its own beginning, we shall easily see in comparing the time table of 1849, with its three daily trips, with that of 1868, furnishing us with thirteen. Nor is it foreign to our record to add, that much of this marked progress has been due to the long and successful superinten- dency of our townsman, the IIon. James H. Hoyt.
NEW CANAAN AND STAMFORD RAILROAD.
This new enterprise was chartered in 1867, with a capital of $100,000, with the privilege of increasing it to $200,000. Its track was so far completed that an excursion train was run over it, July 4, 1868. Already we have evidence of the stimulus which this road has given to the north east part of Stamford, as well as to the business of New Canaan, by whose capital and for whose special interest it was mainly built.
CEMETERIES.
In the meeting of the society, held Dec. 24, 1747, a commit- tee consisting of Col. Jona. Hoyt, Capt. Jona. Maltby and Mr. Abraham Davenport was appointed " to seek a proper place for a burying ground and purchase it at the society's charge.
ยท
TUTTLEN
DEPOT OF THE N. Y. & N. H. R. R., AT STAMFORD, 1867.
445
MISCELLANEOUS.
This is the first record of any action taken by the town re- garding places of burial. For more than a century the main question in choosing a place for the graves of a family had been, where is the most convenient place. Much was made of the funeral service, but little heed was given to the place of sepul- ture. Accordingly, all over town. we find the scattered graves of the departed generations-the number of society and neigh- borhood and family burying grounds on the okl territory hav- ing increased to nearly one hundred ; and during the first cen- tury, the number of single graves, opened in places now unmarked and unknown must have been very much greater. With literal truth we live and tread among the graves of the former generations. Our principal street opened its way through thick graves. Our middle aged citizens re- member the little hill just east of the Methodist church, where slept the remains of several generations of our departed. This was undoubtedly the spot chosen in 1747, as above, for the town burying ground. At that time the town street at the center of the plot where the Congregational meeting house stood, turned to the north west, making what is now Park Place, and then turning to the north, up to what is now Broad street, crossing Theal's Bridge and so over Palmer Hill to- wards Greenwich. When Main street was straitened, by order of the committee of the assembly, it entered the burying lot at the east end of where our west Park is, and crossed it to the corner where the Methodist Church is, leaving two small bury- ing lots on each side of a street four rods in width. As late as 1807, the town grant permission to the citizens of Stamford old Society to fence in the burying ground between the house of Enoch Hoyt and Andrew Newman, reserving two rods each side of the old eart path through the burying ground, as laid out by the assembly's committee. If, however, they should find the road running through Enoch Hoyt's garden, thence west over the burying ground, they were to proceed no further. After the road was opened, and it was done by the strong hand, we find a vote authorizing Isaac and Enoch Lockwood
446
HISTORY OF STAMFORD.
Isaac Wardwell and Isaac Hoyt and associates, to fence in the burying ground north and south of the turnpike, and the ground to be used for nothing but burying lots. Some twenty years later, the remaining grave stones were removed to the burying lot on Northfield street, and the old hill leveled, the church being removed across Park Place to the corner.
But a new order, we trust, has beon inaugurated in the open- ing of the
WOODLAND CEMETERY.
This beautiful rural cemetery ocenpies a portion of what, in the earlier records of our town, was denominated Rocky Neck, and still later, the " Uplands." To the east and south, it lies on the east eove of our harbor, and under the skillful engineer- ing of Mr. Hathaway, it is fast becoming one of the points of attraction in the town. The traet of about forty acres had been purchased for this use by an association of gentlemen, who organized themselves for the purpose, in August, 1856. The entire stoek of the association, $20,000, was subseribed by sixty- three citizens of the town, and they chos for the ir first official board the following gentlemen: President, Charles Williams ; Treasurer, William Skiddy ; Secretary, H. M. Humphrey, Directors, George L. Brown, Wells R. Ritch, William Pitt, Henry Taff, J. B. Hoyt, Theodore Davenport, James L. Loek- wood, Oliver Hoyt, and George A. Hoyt.
Under their direction the grounds, substantially enclosed, were skillfully laid out by their engineer, B. F. Hathaway, and so far worked as to authorize a formal dedieation of the eeme- tery, July 29, 1861. The following gentlemen participated in the exercises of the dedication : Prayer by Rev. P. S. Evans, and reading of the Scriptures by Rev. Wm. C. Hoyt. Rev. J. S. Dodge furnished an original hymn-which was sung. Rev. Mr. Weed, of the Methodist Church, and Rev. Mr. Francis, of the Universalist Church, made appropriate addresses. Rev. Mr. Mitchell, of the Episcopal Church, read a poem, and the IIon. Wm. T. Minor made the presentation address. The ser-
117
MISCELLANEOUS.
vices were closed by a prayer and benediction from Rev. Mr. Booth, of the Presbyterian Church.
STAMFORD BANK.
This bank was incorporated in 1834, with a capital of $100,- 000, on condition that the bank should pay a bonus of $5,000 to the Wesleyan University of Middletown, in two install- ments. There were 363 subscribers to the stoek of the bank, of whom 84 were Stamford residents.
John W. Leeds was chosen President, and he has retained and honored the post down to the present time. The Bank has had the following cashiers : J. F. Henry, Edward Hill, Sam- uel K. Satterlee, Charles K. Rockwood, Douglass R. Satterlee, II. M. Humphrey, Franeis R. Leeds, and Joseph L. Leeds, its cashier since 1863. The character of the bank is pretty well shown in the fact that when, in 1861, permission was given to increase the capital stock $90,000, in one week from the opening of the subscription, $144,000 was pledged. In 1865, the bank became the Stamford National Bank.
FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF STAMFORD.
This bank was established in 1863, with a capital of 200,000. Under the presidency of H. M. Humphrey, M. D., formerly of the Stamford Bank, with its cashier, Charles W. Brown, it has established itself in the confidence of the public. During the temporary absence of Mr. Humphrey, Joseph B. Hoyt, Esq., and Welles R. Ritch, Esq., have been acting presidents.
STAMFORD SAVINGS BANK.
This institution was organized July 21, 1851. Its presidents have been Theodore Davenport, Charles Hawley and James Il. Hoyt. Its vice-presidents, Joseph D. Warren, James II. Hoyt, and John W. Leeds. Its treasurers, Chas. G. Rockwool, Sam- uel K. Satterlee, Francis R. Leeds and Alfre.l A. Holly. That the institution has been successful is evidenced in its rapidly increasing deposits.
STAMFORD BOROUGH.
This was incorporated in the spring of 1880. An enum orn-
448
HISTORY OF STAMFORD.
tion of the population had been made the preceding summer, when, within the limits of the proposed borough, the following results had been reached : families, 92; inhabitants, 663 ; white males, 354 ; white females, 283; free colored males, 10 ; free colored females, 14; and two slaves.
The petition for incorporation was headed by David Holly, Esq. The persons named in the act to call the first meeting of the borough were, Charles Hawley, Simeon II. Minor, Theodore Davenport, and Seymour Jarvis.
The officers chosen for the borough for the first year were, for warden, Simeon H. Minor; clerk and treasurer, Seymour Jarvis,, burgesses, John W. Leeds, Wm. H. Holly, Charles Ilawley Esq., John S. Winthrop, and David Hoyt; street commission- ers, Isaac Quintard, sen., Sands Adams, Fitch Rodgers, Smith Scott, and Peter Smith, jun. ; agent, J. B. Ferris.
In 1850, so great had been the irregularity and confusion in the names of streets in the borough, that a formal meeting was held and a committee appointed, with authority to make a se- lection of names, and submit them to a subsequent meeting. That committee consisted of J. W. Leeds, James H. Hoyt, Wm. H. Babbitt, Edwin S. Bishop, Andrew Perry, and II. J. Sanford. Their report recommended, mainly, the names which the streets then opened, now bear. The growth of the borough has been very rapid in population and wealth. From 1840 to 1850, the population of the borough gained about 133 per cent., and that of the entire town about 42 per cent.
The following is the entire list of wardens, to the present time: Simeon H. Minor, two years; Charles Hawley ; J. W. Leeds, four years ; Wm. H. Holly ; Sands Adams, two years ; Theodore Davenport, five years; Ezra Scofield; Henry II. Waring ; H. J. Sanford, six years ; Geo. E. Waring; James II. Hoyt ; Chauney Ayres, three years ; Jona. M. Hall ; Wm. T. Mi- nor ; Albert Seely ; Charles Williams, two years; Geo Elder ; II. K. Skelding, three yrs. ; Wm. P. Jones and E. Gay, two yrs.
FITCH'S HOME FOR SOLDIERS.
This institution, situated abont a half a mile east of the pres
449
MISCELLANEOUS.
ent Stamford line, in the town of Darien, was chartered in 1864, to provide for the disabled soldiers of the twelfth senato- rial district of the state. It takes its name from its founder, Benjamin Fitch, Esq., of Darien, who has contributed towards its endowment and support, something over $100,000. It was found that it was not needed for disabled soldiers, and in February, 1865, the trustees, Hon. Morgan Morgans, Joseph B. Hoyt, and Charles Starr, of Stamford ; Wmn. A. Cummings and Charles Brown, of Darien ; E. C. Bissel, of Norwalk; Stephen Hoyt, of New Canaan ; M. B. Pardee, M. D., of South Norwalk ; Charles Marvin, of Wilton, and P. Button, of Greenwich, deci- ded to open here a home and school for the orphan and desti- tute children of our fallen or disabled soldiers. Rev. E. B. ITuntington, their agent, gathered into the Home by the end of May, twenty-seven of these children, where the most of them have since been supported. Others have been added to their numbers, making the entire number thus far supported about sixty. Mr. Fitch, in addition to the buildings used for the or- linary uses of such an institution, has given to the Home a fine brick building for a library, and a gallery of paintings and statuary. At his own expense, mainly, he has gathered here over two hundred paintings, making a very showy gallery, cost- ing not far from $50,000.
When no longer needed for the soldiers or soldiers' children of the twelfth senatorial district of the state, the funds of the Home are devoted, by the charter, "to the support of aged and infirm persons of said district, and to the support and edu- cation of orphan children of said district."
FIRE COMPANIES.
In 1813, on petition of Sands Seeley, Lorenzo Meeker and James II. Minor, they, and such other citizens of Stamford, not to exceed thirty, as might unite with them, were chartered nn- der the title of the Rippowam Fire Company. By special act of the legislature of 1855, the Rippowam Company was an- thorized to increase its number to sixty members.
57
450
HISTORY OF STAMFORD.
STAMFORD FIRE ENGINE, NO. 2.
In 1854, Andrew Perry, Edwin Bishop, G. K. Riker, T. J. Daskam, Geo. E. Scofield, Jesse A. Reed, J. N. Webb, Theo- dore Lockwood, Wm. Lavender, Francis Dauchy, Theodore Hoyt, Wm. W. Smith, C. F. Peck, Theodore Davenport, jr., and Charles B. Finch, and such other citizens as might unite with them, not to exceed forty, were incorporated as the , "Stamford Fire Engine, No. 2."
Of the efficient character of this company, and their machine, we have ample testimony in the results of the national trial of fire engines in Albany, Sept. 30, 1859. Thirty-six engines were entered for the trial ; and Stamford, No, 2, stood second on the list, being excelled only by No. 3, of Brooklyn.
STAMFORD GAS LIGHT COMPANY.
This company was organized in 1858, on a capital of $20,- 000, which has now reached $52,500. Their works are located on Mechanic street, near the depot. The first board of direc- tors were, H. K. Skelding, president, Geo. A. Hoyt, Geo. L. Brown, Geo. Scofield, Wm. Gay. John W. Leeds, trea- surer. Charles Pitts is now president, and Edward Gay, treasurer and superintendent. .
CRYSTAL LAKE ICE.
In 1855, John B. Knapp, Esq., formed au artificial lake, in what was called the Ladden brook, crossing the " turnpike" a few rods east of the Greenwich line, for the purpose of securing ice for the town. Commencing in the winter of 1855, with a stock of about 400 tons, the demand has increased steadily, until now, when its buildings will hold about 5,000 tons, and the one horse wagon of 1855, has been succeeded by the heavy teams now traversing every part of the village.
MILL RIVER ICE COMPANY.
Charles E. Smith, Esq., and sons, in the fall of 1866, convert- ed what had been an old pottery, standing on the west bank
451
MISCELLANEOUS.
of the " mill pond," into an ice house, where he now stores about 1,800 tons, yearly.
COVE MILLS.
In 1791, William Fitch secured permission to build a dam across the Noroton Creek, at a place called Noroton Gut. The terms were : that he should build a mill within seven years, and thereafter grind and bolt as other mills do ; that after three years, he should, every summer, draw off the water, giving no- tice to the inhabitants that they may take shell fish therein ; that he should keep a good seow in the mill pond, sufficient for carrying 2,000 bushels of grain. which should always be free for the use of the town; that he should build a good wharf below the dam; and that he should make good any damage to indi- viduals who have property above said Gut-the damage to be assessed by three indifferent, judicious men.
The next year John W. Holly moved over to the Cove, then called the *Pound, and, in company with Mr. Fitch, commenced building the dam and mills. It will indicate the great change which has taken place since that date to state that there was no house between the one now occupied by Robert Walsh, Esq., at the south east corner of St. John's Park, and the one which Mr. Holly built at the Cove. Nor was there any road, excepting the path leading from the east field gate, where Elm! now crosses Meadow street, through open fields or the old forest, over to the Pound.
Under Mr. Holly, in his two mills, was carried on, for years, a heavy flouring business. He also added to this the grinding of dye woods. After the death of Mr. Holly, his son, Wm. W., rented, and afterwards sold the mills to John and Henry San- ford, who had already commenced the preparation of dye woods in Greenwich.
In 1844, they organized the Stamford Manufacturing Com-
*This name is still attached to the rocky headland now so much resorted to by our sum- mer pleasure seekers, and was given to the locality from the fact, that in the autumn of the year, the town herds which had been roaming over these common grounds during the warm months, were taken, by being driven down to this point, as into a pound, over the narrow neck of land which has since been cut by the mill canal.
452
HISTORY OF STAMFORD.
pany, which from that date have done here, the heaviest busi- ness in the town. They purchased, also, the flouring mill of David Holly, at the mouth of Mill river, and, also, own mills in other towns. The business carried on by this company has been that of grinding dye woods, spices and barytes, and also the making of extract of licorice. The present company con- sists of Charles HI. Leeds, president; H. J. Sanford, J. C. San- ford, Sanford Brown, John W. Leeds, Wm. Gay, E. F. Leeds, A. W. Bissel, and S. K Satterlee, directors.
In Angust, 1655, these works at the Cove were destroyed by fire. They were immediately built of brick, and are now fire proof.
STILLWATER AND ROXBURY ROLLING MILLS.
In 1825, Mr. Wm. Lacon, an Englishman, started the Rox- bury rolling mills, and soon associated with himself Dea. Theo- dore Davenport. Subsequently, these works were owned and improved by J. A. Davenport and J. D. Weeks, as a rolling and wire mill. On the organization of the Stillwater Company, in 1835, consisting of Dea. Theodore Davenport, J. D. Weeks and J. A. ; Davenport, they purchased the farm which had been owned by Joseph Watson, of Stillwater, and built the heavy rolling mills still in operation there ; carrying on, also the works at the Roxbury mills. Since that date, both of these localities have been used by the Stillwater Company-the one at Still- water as a rolling mill for the manufacture of iron and steel, and that at Roxbury, for making wire. The present owners are Dea. Theodore Davenport and his sons, and Jeremiah N. Ayres.
WOOLEN MANUFACTORY.
Near the beginning of this century, Samuel Wheaton im- proved the water power on the Mianus, just above Bangall, as a site for a woolen mill ; using it for carding wool and dressing cloth. In 1826, Benjamin Mathews purchased the property, and, for years, added to the former business, that of weaving woolen goods. The property is now owned by J. F. Mathews,
153
MISCELLANEOUS.
son of the former owner, and E. June, and is used for the man- ufacture of woolen yarns.
STAMFORD STOVE FOUNDRY.
This enterprise had its origin in the iron foundry established by Geo. E. Waring, having its first location on the west side ot' Bedford street, just south of where Spring street now enters it. On building the elegant cottage on the corner of Bedford and Broad streets, Mr. Waring removed his works down to the rolling mills of David Holly, purchasing the entire mill privilege and property. The Holly Rolling Mill had suc- ceeded the carding and grist mills of the brothers Thorp, and these works occupied the site of the earliest mill privilege granted to the Webbs. In 1848, Mr. Waring formed a part- nership with J. B. Scofield, J. M. Hall, and Isaac Wardell. The next year, Joseph D. Warren took Mr. Hall's place in the firm, and after the withdrawal of Mr. Waring, the other three gen- themen, under the firm of J. D. Warren & Co., removed the works over to the head of the canal, where it is now situated. In 1867 they greatly enlarged their business facilities, and are now employing between fifty and sixty men.
PHOENIX CARRIAGE MANUFACTORY.
This company was organized in 1860. John B. Reed, who had been in the business a number of years before, united with Grant Judd, E. P. Whitney, Isaac G. Traphagen and Benjamin U. Lyon, and located their works on the east side of Gay street, where their iron work is still done. Soon finding their room too small for their works, they commenced building, also, on the west side of the street. In 1858 they purchased the old Con- gregational Church, then standing where the triangular park now is, in the center of tho village, and removed it to the rear of their ware room on the west side of Gay street. By introducing two floors, they divided the building into three stories, giving them a great amount of room for their business. Since then, they have been engaged successfully in the manufacture of all descriptions of the better styles of carriages, employing from
454
HISTORY OF STAMIFORD.
thirty to forty men. There has been but a single change in the firm since its organization, resulting from the removal by death of Mr. Traphagen in 1855. Mr. Reed has, from the beginning, been the financial agent of the firm.
STAMFORD WOOLEN MILLS.
These extensive works occupy the grounds formerly occupied by the earliest grist mill of the town ; aud more recently by the Rippowam Iron Foundry. They are now owned by Harding, Smith & Co., who commenced, iu 1867, the manufacture of woolen goods. John A. Smith, one of the proprietors of the firm resides here, and has the management of the works. They are now employing about one hundred and fifty persons in the establishment.
LONG RIDGE SHOE FACTORY.
The shoe business has been carried on at the Ridge for nearly half a century. Under George W. Todd, Scofield & Todd, and Scofield, Cook & Co., it had grown to be quite an interest of the locality. Some ten years ago, our enterprising young townsmen, Cook & Lounsbury took hold of it, and have done here an excellent business. They employ about fifty hands, and with the aid of machinery are able to turn off about 20,000 pairs of shoes a year. The time needed for sewing on the sole of a shoe with their stitcher, is somewhat less than a half minute.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.