USA > Connecticut > Litchfield County > Torrington > History of Torrington, Connecticut, from its first settlement in 1737, with biographies and genealogies > Part 16
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Luman Hinman,
Benjamin Jenkins,
Norman Hawley, . 66
Daniel Tuttle,
5818.
Carlton Humphrey, .
Henry Walters,
Roderick Bissell, . 5820.
Bassett Dunbar, ¢
Joshua Hewitt,
164
HISTORY OF TORRINGTON.
Horace Ramsey, .
5820. William Phippany, 5825.
Homer Higley,
Newton, .
James M. Boyd,
Benjamin Darling,
Jesse Williams,
John Grant, 66
Prescott Pond,
Jeremiah Page, 66
Nehemiah Johnson, .
William Bissell, 66
Levi Holmes,
66
Ephraim W. Wolcott,
James Grant, .
Norman Coe, .
Timothy Cotton, .
John Hungerford,
Thomas L. Marshall,
Eno Sperry,
Oliver Coe, .
Levi Rogers,
Roger Coe,
Thomas Sparks, 66
William Russell,
5821.
William North, 66
Joseph Lewis,
Thomas Moses, 5826.
Henry, Sanford Palmer,
Elijah T. Cummings,
Anson Colt,
Harlow P. Page, . .
Roman Watson,
George D. Wadhams, 66
Anson Wheeler,
Laban M. Oliver, .
Abner Loomis,
Philip Leddy, .
Selah Frost, 5822.
Samuel Burr,
Alvin Loomis, .
Edward R. Warner, .
66
Nathan W. Hammond,
5823.
Franklin Hodge, 66
Ethel North,
Heman L. Cummings, 5828.
Henry Whitman,
Daniel Richards, . 5829.
Edward Pierpont,
Robert Palmer, 5832.
George W. Buell,
Abel Clark, .
James P. Collins,
James Palmer,
Roswell Birge,
Samuel Foust, 5839.
James H. Seymour, .
Benjamin F. Smith, .
Uri Taylor, .
George W. French,
Norman Kellogg,
5824. James H. Scofield, . 66
Joshua Burton,
Aaron Gilbert,
S. R. Fielding,
The following have united with the lodge since the restoration of the charter.
William Phippany, 5860. Cornelius Bellamy, . 5860.
Clark B. Downs,
Rev. Charles W. Powell,
Rufus W. Gilbert, .
Wm. T. Spencer,
Charles McNeil,
Henry M. Woodruff,
Nelson Alvord, Jr.,
¥ Joseph F. Calhoun, . 5861.
Francis M. Hale,
Willard H. Barbour,
Dexter W. Clark,
66
Lyman Hall,
Andrew Roberts,
D. C. Munson, 66
Edwin A. Berry, S. G. Sturdevant,
Nelson Roberts, 5862.
Edward C. Hotchkiss,
M. H. Sanford,
William J. Palmer, .
O. R. Fyler,
Julius A. Blakeslee,
66
M. F. Barber, .
S. H. Perkins,
J. Moran, . 66
Geo. H.,
Mckenzie Millard, 5863.
.
James Humphrey,
66
Nathaniel Smith, .
165
PROFESSIONS AND SOCIETIES.
Nelson W. Coe,
5863. J. H. Jeffrey,
5867.
John Ashborn, E. H. Smith,
Ferdinand Adt,
J. H. Balcom, .
Hubbard Waldo, 66
Charles W. Smith,
John Adt, .
William Butler,
Samuel Hodgton,
66
L. T. Wooster,
5864.
James McKenzie, D. Alonzo Smith, 5868.
Hayden D. Palmer,
Henry E. Hotchkiss,
W. C. Hillard,
Edward Leopold, . .
Charles F. Brooker, .
Dwight F. Peck,
J. M. Travis, Geo. H. Fish,
J. Garner Broth well, .
Rev. David P. Sanford, .
L. G. Turner,
John Huke,
David Lanagan,
James M. Mott,
W. A. Church,
Levi W. Thrall,
5865.
C. H. F. Hoffman, .
John Smith,
J. F. Gibbs, . Lorrain Appley,.
66
Heman P. Brooks,
66
Rev. Benj. Eastwood, 66
George B. Cook, .
Rodney L. Smith, 66
Albert F. Brooker,
Horace A. Beers,
A. L. Tuttle,
John Maxwell, 66
S. L. Clark,
Fred O. Hills, .
Lyman A. Colt,
Charles Houldsworth, 5869.
Alson Sanford,
Truman P. Clark,
Joseph Sykes,
Nathan R. Tibbals, . 66
Lewis G. Logan,
Joseph W. Brothwell,
Elisaph Scovill,
John F. Saxty,.
Louis Adt,
F. L. Wadhams,
George P. Chapman,
Solon G. Dunbar,.
R. N. Brothwell,
Wm. Engert,
Oswald Klasche, .
James L. Carson,
Virgil R. Bissell,
E. T. Coe,
Henry A. Church,
5866. J. W. Phelps, .
66
George Virgil, .
Robert E. Ensign,
F. J. Seymour,
G. S. Weeks, .
Wm. H. Lacy, Jr., .
66
Jas. M. Farnham,
5870.
C. P. Drake,, .
S. Karrman,
Henry R. Morrill, 5867. James Alldis, .
A. P. Smith,
F. F. Fuessenich,
John Workman,
E. F. Weston, 66
Andrew Workman, .
Henry Ashley, .
66
J. E. Lewis,;
H. S. Eldridge,
Wm. H. Brothwell,
E. S. Minor,
H. J. Hendee,
66 Nathan A. Tuttle,
5871.
Burr Lyon,
Achille F. Migeon, .
Charles R. Welton,
John M. Burr,
M. Fowler,
Lyman Dunbar,
G. W. Cooke,
66 La Van B. Smith, 66
F. L. Hungerford,
C. R. Bailey,
.
66
D. N. Goff, .
A. W. Sperry, .
.
Charles Benedict, .
Henry H. Rowley,
66
66
166
HISTORY OF TORRINGTON.
L. B. Munson,
5871.
L. M. Jones, 5873.
J. A. McDonald,
James F. Cady,
B. S. Eastwood,
.
66 T. S. Hanchett,
Wm. H. Garner,
66 George H. Cook, .
John D. Bishop, .
66
Charles Rhodes,
Theodore Hartman, .
Andrew T. Finn, .
Samuel Tatro, 5872.
Charles Alldis, .
66
Henry Barnes, . Thomas J. Alldis, 5874.
William J. Morris,
60 Frederick Devoe,
Charles M. Ladd,
Burrall Riggs,
C. H. Volkman, .
Ernest T. Huke,
66
H. F. Hoffman,
William Devoe, 66
L. Rudolph Prentice,
Frank A. Cook, 66
James Bell,
5873. O. R. Luther, 5875.
Henry S. Patterson,
Herman W. Huke,
Clemence Hoffman, .
John Davey,
.
5877-
BANDS OF MUSIC.
There was a band of martial music organized, and continued some years at Torrington, and held its meetings some of the time at Torringford. It is said that Torrington first society appropriated money at different times to encourage music by this band, some- where about 1820, or earlier.
A large band of thirty-five persons was organized in Wolcottville in the autumn of 1832; persons from all parts of the town, and were taught by Mr. Jewitt, who resided in Simsbury. The follow- ing are the names of some of the members of this band :
Arvid Dayton, Dexter Clark, Thomas Moses, Ebenezer Ed. wards, Mr. Harding, Goodwin Dana (overseer in the woolen mill), Harmon Dayton, Prescott Pond (played the bassoon, was in the old Torrington band), William North (son of Norris North the clock- maker at Torrington hollow), Joseph North, Judson Smith (was in the old Torrington band), Justus Dayton, William Durand, Charles B. Smith, Henry Colt, Lorenzo Moses, Oliver Hills.
CORNET BAND.
The Wolcottville Cornet Band was organized in June 1860, and consisted of the following persons :
William Dayton, . Edwin Alvord,
William Bariclau,
George Workman,
Mark Bronson,
H. E. Hotchkiss,
John Workman,
Lewis Briggs,
C. L. Fellows,
.
Harvey Barnes,
66
167
PROFESSIONS AND SOCIETIES.
C. H. Seymour, Robert Wait,1
William Smith,
Andrew Coe, J. G. Brothwell,
Dexter W. Clark,drum mj.
Elisaph coville, John Ashborn,
William Dayton was elected leader of this band, George Work- man secretary and treasurer, and C. B. Merrills of Waterbury en- gaged as teacher, and under his instruction the first meeting was held July 6, 1860, and the progress was so rapid that the band made its first public appearance in October of that year, playing for a torch light procession of "Wide Awakes."
In the spring of 1861, the band contributed its share toward stir- ing up the patriotic hearts and zeal of the citizens, playing for war meetings and the like, and in July 1861, the following named mem- bers of the band, enlisted as members of the band of the fourth regi- ment (afterward the first artillery) Connecticut volunteers :
J. G. Brothwell,
Mark Bronson,
Lewis Riggs,
H. E. Hotchkiss,
Charles H. Seymour,
D. W. Clark,
Edwin Alvord, died at Richardson, Va., March 25, 1862.
Folk Berthold.
The following resident musicians soon after enlisted :
Justin Dayton, band master ; Miletus Huxford, Thomas Robert- son, who died at Cold Harbor July 9, 1862, while a prisoner ; Rob- ert Barclay, Edward Leach, Chauncey Leach, and Warren B. Murray. The fourth regiment band, rendezvouzed at Wolcottville while recruiting, and consisted of twenty-four men, who were mus- tered into service at Hartford July 22, 1861, and joined the regi- ment at Hagerstown, Md., on the 24th of the same month.
In the mean time William Dayton kept up the organization at home.
John Ashborn also enlisted as a musician of the fourth Pennsyl- vania cavalry band and was discharged at the same time of the Ist artillery band.
This band having been changed to the first artillery regiment, was discharged by act of congress, disbanding volunteer bands, at Har- rison's Landing, Va., August 12, 1862, having been in the service nearly thirteen months. Upon their return home the Wolcottville band was reorganized, and in December 1872, Henry E. Hotchkiss chosen leader. This organization was continued until the autumn of 1871, when the men being, most of them, very actively engaged
I Robert Wait soon resigned and Folk Berthold was elected to fill the place.
168
HISTORY OF TORRINGTON.
in business enterprises, the playing was by mutual consent discon- tinued for a time ; the band at this time consisting of the following persons :
Henry E. Hotchkiss, leader,
Morris Cook,
J. G. Brothwell,
Joseph Jeffries, William Bishop,
E. S. Steel,
Fred Matthews,
William Dayton,
Herman Huke,
Joseph Brothwell,
L. B. Smith,
William Brothwell,
A. E. Workman.
The present Wolcotville band was organized March 27, 1873, and the following were the members :
Henry E. Hotchkiss, leader,
C. H. Johnson,
Frank W. Buttler,
George Lewis,
L. B. Smith,
John D. Bishop,
Joseph H. Jeffries,
Joseph W. Brothwell,
Eugene Hotchkiss,
William F. Bishop,
Herman W. Huke,
Ed. A. Lacey,
A. E. Workman,
Fred. L. Matthews,
Frank Oberhausen,
William T. Davey,
William H. Brothwell,
John A. Jeffries,
Thomas Hendy, Morris H. Cook.
The officers are, Joseph W. Brothwell, president ; A. E. Work- man, vice president ; Wm. H. Brothwell, secretary and treasurer ; L. B. Smith, assistant leader ; and H. E. Hotchkiss, director.
Upon the organization of the new band, the members of the old one dissolved, and turned over their band property to the new one, and it has had but few changes since. The following named persons have removed from the town : Morris H. Cook, Fred. L. Matthews, Thomas Hendy, Ed. A. Lacy, and Frank Oberhausen, and the fol- lowing have been added to fill their places : Owen Cummings, Jr., Michael Spain, G. Sturman, Mr. Baldwin and Gustav Epstien.
A large number of men have been connected with these bands at various times, besides those whose names appear in the above lists, but it being impossible to make the lists complete they are given as they stood at certain periods.
James Alldis,
CHAPTER XIV.
TOPOGRAPHY, ECONOMIC AND SCIENTIFIC GEO LOGY.
HE town of Torrington rests on four hills, and the valleys between them. The eastern boundary of the town lies nearly on the ridge of the eastern hill, which descends westward about one and a half miles to the valley of the eastern branch of the Naugatuck, and that of Still river in the northern part of the town. The western hill or Chestnut ridge lies on the southwest corner of the town, and slopes northward and east- ward to the west branch of the Naugatuck, and extending south through the town of Litchfield. The third hill lies west of Still river, and east of the east branch of the Naugatuck, in the shape of the letter V, on the north side of the town ; the top part of the letter representing the Winchester line, the point of the mountain sloping south, extends to Daytonville, and this plateau includes Walnut, Observation and Shawngum hills. The fourth hill is oblong in shape, lying between the two branches of the Naugatuck ; the southern end being called red mountain, and extends north to Winchester. The western branch of the Naugatuck rises in Norfolk ; enters Torring- ton near the northwest corner of the town, runs in a southeasterly direction and passes into Litchfield a little east of the center of the town on Litchfield line. The east branch of the river rises in Win- chester ; runs in a southeasterly direction until it unites with the west branch near the southern boundary of the town. Still river rises about one and a half miles north of Wolcottville, runs northeasterly to Winsted in Winchester.
At the south end of Red mountain, which ends. quite abruptly, is a valley about one mile wide from east to west, extending south in- to the old town of Litchfield where the hills again close up to the river, three miles below Wolcottville. Since the change in the southern boundary of the town, Torrington includes a large part of the valley below the old boundary of Torrington line. The highest
I Before Torrington was settled, a white man reported that he shot an Indian on this mountain. The reason he gave was, that when he saw the Indian he knew if he did not shoot the Indian, the Indian would shoot him. Therefore he shot first, and killed him, and hence the name, Red mountain.
22
1 70
HISTORY OF TORRINGTON.
point of land in the town is Walnut mountain in Newfield, it being one thousand three hundred and twelve feet above the ocean level, and about six hundred feet above Wolcottville, in Main street. Observa- tion mountain near Burrville, is one thousand two hundred and sixty- one feet above ocean level. Chestnut hill in the south west part of the town is very nearly as high as Walnut mountain ; the difference being fifty feet. Torringford is not quite as high as Chestnut hill. The view from either of these hills is very picturesque and entertaining. From Chestnut hill, looking north and east, the view is extended to about twenty-five miles across valleys, and amid a number of spurs of mountains or high hills ; from Red mountain the view is down the valley of the Naugatuck, and over Litchfield, Har- winton and New Hartford hills ; from Torringford the view is ex- tended in every direction, and is far superior in extent, variety, and pleasantness of landscape, and it is no wonder, that that man, so capa- ble of appreciating the view, Father Mills, when he first saw it, should have exclaimed, "Here let me live and here let me die." Another view is from Perkins's bill, in the edge of Harwinton, look- ing over Torrington and parts of Winchester, Goshen and Litch- field, and presents, perhaps, the most perfect, quiet landscape scenery of fields and patches of woods, spread as upon smooth canvas, grad- ually rising from the Naugatuck valley to the horizon, that can be found in the state. This remark is made in regard to scenery limited to the distance of from fifteen to twenty-five miles. The view from Pratt's hill in Winchester is much more extended, but reveals the roughness of the country, while that from Perkins's hill is as one con- tinued artificial plane ascending to the horizon.
It is very probable, therefore, that the town has of itself, and in connection with the adjoining towns, more interesting and entertain- ing scenery than any other in the state.
The valleys are represented by the Naugatuck river; the east branch and Still river forming that through which the rail road passes to Winsted, which was originally called the Shawngum valley, after an Indian or an Indian tradition. The valley from Newfield to Day- tonville is on the east branch of the Naugatuck. The west branch passes from near the northwest corner in a southeasterly direction, and the hills on the west side, most of the distance, are steep and rocky, and covered with woods ; on the east side there are some cul- tivated fields, and along the valley is a little good land. Two brooks run down from Goshen to the west branch and are found very en- tertaining for visitors in the summer.
I71
TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY.
Mill brook rises in the southwestern part of the town, runs easterly, then north, then easterly and enters the west branch of the river at Torrington hollow. On the bank of this stream, at Ebenezer Lyman's, stood the fort and the first school house, and a little way below them, the first grist mill ; and afterwards, on the same site a tannery. At Harvey Palmer's, now Albro Cowle's is a cascade or waterfall of much interest, beauty and wonder. When the late Henry Migeon was apprised of this scenery, he took his family and a photographer, and went to the place, encamped for the day, and gave to theplace the name of little Switzerland, and ob- tained several pictures of the scenery. Along this stream above Mr. Cowle's dwelling, is a road called Lover's lane, which is a very pleasant drive in the summer, and even in the winter, and the running of the brook over the stones and down the rocks, among the great trees which form an almost unbroken shade, gives a beauty and ro- mance to the road by which it received its name, so far as is known, On the bank of this stream, near the most secluded and shady spot, an aged, and rather eccentric woman made her home. Having re- ceived as a gift, an old weaver's loom, she had it transported to this place and covered, and in it she lived one summer, keeping a half dozen chickens, and selling the eggs, and thus mostly supporting herself ; and when winter came she was so unwilling to leave the place, saying that being alone in the world, there was no place like home, that the neighbors refitted an old cellar place near the old loom, where she remained until near the middle of the winter, and was then taken in care by the town. Now, also, her house is left desolate, and the remains bear a close resemblance to those by the score in other parts of the town, which were once fine houses, occu- pied by prosperous and energetic inhabitants. This was probably the humblest dwelling ever arranged in the town, but its occupant may have a far different station in another state of being. God's poor shall not want for a house by and by.
The west branch is a brook rising near Goshen, and crossing the old Matthew Grant farm in two streams, but which uniting at the old Abijah Barber place, runs southeast, past the nickel mine and unites with Mill brook, before entering the Naugatuck. On this stream, near Matthew Grant's house, was a mill or tannery or both.
Wist pond lies mostly in Goshen, but partly in Torrington, a little west of Squabble hill, and from it the water runs east and enters the Naugatuck at Drake's mill. On this stream, near the pond, David Hart built a grist mill, run it a few years, and then sold it a short time before the year 1800.
172
HISTORY OF TORRINGTON.
There is much beauty and wildness along the streams of the town. The beds of the two branches of the river, and all the brooks of the town, are rock, or boulders of varied sizes, except between Daytonville and Burrville, where it is difficult often to tell by any motion of the water which way it runs.
When the town was first settled, these hills and valleys were covered with forests of large trees and and much underbrush. The evergreen, lofty pine and hemlock, covered the valleys of the pine swamp and green woods ; also the hemlock was found along the streams, and on some of the hills, but especially along the west branch of the Naugatuck. This order of tree furnished a beautiful verdure, a grateful and healthful fragrance, and no inconsiderable material for commerce ; such as masts for ships, boards, timber, shin- gles and bark for tanning. From the hill-tops and slopes, the lordly maples stood as monarchs, furnishing for more than a hundred years, great quantities of sugar and molasses, without which, many a boy would have eaten his meals of dry bread ; and in the days when great fireplaces and chimneys were in common use, this maple wood was a source of great comfort and cheerfulness to the domestic and social circle. While the maple logs burned with a charming light in the fireplace, the old people told their marvelous stories of Indians, wolves, wildcats and witches, until the boys fell asleep in the corner, the state of atmosphere often being uncomfortably warm on one side, and cold on the other ; and late in the evening when the boys were ordered to bed (they did not carry them then) they obeyed hesitatingly lest there might be another story they should not hear.
Next to the maple in size and loftiness was the chestnut tree, which flourished quite extensively in nearly every part of the town, and was of great value for its fruit and timber. The hickory and butternut trees (indigenous) .grew in many portions of the territory ; sometimes in groves or clusters, and were invaluable in the mechanic arts, while they produced considerable quantities of choice fruit, which were greatly relished when served with good cider and apples.
The white oak of good quality occurred somewhat rarely and was very valuable when obtained. The white ash, black birch, cherry, basswood, white wood or tulip tree, abounded more or less in various parts of the town, and afforded valuable material for various mechani- cal purposes.
The black oak, the red ash and red oak; the white birch and beach interspersed the other varieties on the low grounds, which with
I73
TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY.
the pretty larch, tamarack and hackmatack were valuable only for firewood.
The forests in every part of the town were richly adorned with the several varieties of Kalmia, or laurel, with their dark leaves, and gaudy party-colored flowers in their season, and were so thick as often to form jungles impassable by man or beast. These with the Cornus, or boxwood, its branches loaded with beautiful flowers, and its auxiliary Aronia, or shad flower, and bush honey suckle nearly complete the list of the trees which covered the whole area of the town and constituted the glory of the native forest of Torrington.
The lower order of shrubs and plants exist in great profusion and variety on the hills and in the valleys, ravines, and gorges, and contribute much to the interest of the region. In addition to their flowers and perfume, they possess important hygienic and medi- cinal properties. Much of the distinguished salubrity of the town and longevity of its inhabitants may be attributed to the hygienic in- fluence of its plants, shrubs and trees. Its grasses are of a superior quality for stimulation and nutrition, and abundant in quantity.
Valuable medicinal plants abound, viz : Sanguinaria (blood-root), Eupatorium (bone-set), Prunus Virginiana (wild cherry), Macrotys (cohosh) Leontodon (dandelion), Sambucus (elder), Spirea (hardhack), hellebore, Asclepias (milk-weed), Mintha (pepper-mint), Hedeoma (penny- royal), Phytolacca (poke-weed), Chimaphila (princess-pine), Pyrus (quince), Salvia (sage), Aralia (sarsaparilla), Solanum (bitter-sweet), Laurus (sasafras), Ictodes (skunk cabbage), Convallaria (solomon seal), Aultheria (wintergreen), Rhus glabra (common sumach) Rhus vernix (poison sumach) Acorus (sweet flag), Hamamelis (witch hazel).
The autumnal display of flowers and colored leaves of plants and trees is truly gorgeous and wonderful. The richest word picturing can give but a faint idea of the great ·beauty and variety, from the top of the tallest tree to the least creeping vines upon the earth.
GEOLOGIC FORMATIONS.
The formation of the town is almost exclusively diluvial. The alluvial deposits are limited to the Great swamp, valley of Still river and Greenwoods, and consists of sediments of the rains and melted snows, which take up and carry into the valleys, the finest and richest portion of the soil. Diluvium occurs in the formation of the larger portion of the area of the town, and constitutes the surface of the hills and higher lands ; and its relations and causes are subjects of
I74
HISTORY OF TORRINGTON.
varied speculations. The prevalent theory is that the diluvial soil is the product of disintegration of its rocky base ; and that its composi- tion over the primitive granitic and gneiss foundations, indicates the "rock theory." Composed as it is of silicous material, clay, potash, magnesia, iron, coarse stones and pebbles, etc., it has been deemed, by many, as poverty stricken, or possessing no sustentation for man or beast. Yet for agricultural purposes and products, with industrial and scientific culture, with admixture of fertilizers, its character for productiveness is hardly surpassed by the alluvial soil. The vigorous growth of forest trees and apple orchards, afford unmistakable indica- tions of the native strength of the diluvium with appropriate fertilizers.
The hills of Torrington are a continuance of the Hoosac range of the Green mountains of western Massachusetts and Vermont, and their altitude furnish some of the most pleasing and entertaining prospects that can be imagined, or that is often realized.
The hidden mineral resources of Torrington hills have yet, mostly to be discovered and unearthed. That such exist in richness of quality cannot be doubted. The indications of their existence are so numerous and conclusive, and the evidences so demonstrably mani- fest that the practiced observer is at a loss to understand why it is that they have not already been revealed.
A summary of the representative minerals of this town, which have been studied, classified, and to some extent furnished to the state cabinet, affords some little idea of what may be realized, in some not far off future day. The exhibit of specimens of copper, is rich and very promising. Specimens of almost pure ore (amorphous), others vitrified, and crystalized, of various colors, have repeatedly been obtained at the summit of Occident hill (Chestnut hill), and afford presumptive evidence of the existence of a rich cop- per ore bed in that locality. Tradition says that before the revolu- tionary war an English miner discovered this ore bed; made considerable excavations ; obtained valuable products, which he shipped for England, he going in the same vessel, and that the ves- sel and himself were lost at sea.
The copper is found in a mica slate ledge and associated with quartz distinctively. Some of the specimens are carbonates and of beautiful green crystals. The yellow or copper pyrites are also found.
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