USA > Connecticut > Litchfield County > Torrington > History of Torrington, Connecticut, from its first settlement in 1737, with biographies and genealogies > Part 52
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 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86
On the fifteenth of June he started, on horseback, to return to Torrington for his family, coming through Pennsylvania in his journey, and traveling only six days in a week making about forty miles a day. Arriving at his native town he made preparations to start with his family, for the west, the first of Septem- ber, but just before the time came his little daughter fell and broke her wrist, which delayed the journey about one month. They started finally, with a good two horse wagon and three good horses and arrived at Albany on Saturday after- noon, and put up at the tavern a little west of the city where he stayed while on his first journey. On the same evening there put up at the same place two men with a team, apparently, much better than that of Mr. Lyman's, and a buggy for their ladies to ride in. This party continued their travel on the Sabbath, but Mr. Lyman rested on that day, and on Monday went on and as he traveled the same road he frequently heard of this second party, and on Friday about noon he passed them. On the next Sabbath they passed where he was spending that day in rest, but the following Thursday he passed them again, and they on the following Sabbath passed him ; but on the next Thursday he passed them and saw them no more and concluded that he lost nothing by resting on the Sabbath day. At Buffalo he put his goods on a boat for Cleve- land, but in consequence of poor roads the progress was slow. In one place he was from eleven o'clock in the forenoon until after sundown in traveling four miles, and others who made the trial did not get through this place in a day. When he reached Cleveland he found his goods safely stored in the captain's dwelling house, as there were no store houses there at that time, and having loaded his goods on his wagon, and drove two miles and put up for the Sabbath, it being Saturday evening. His home was thirty miles directly south of Cleveland and here he arrived on the next Thursday night, his wagon having been turned over with all the goods, only three times during the four days' travel. In summing up this latter part of his journey, he says, " You may guess what kind of roads we had in Ohio in those times." He says also, "there was not an acre of land in Wadsworth with all the timber cleared from it in the spring of 1818, when Mr. Agard cleared two acres of all the girdled timber. There had been a line marked through the centre of the town on the south part of Medina county but not a tree cut on that line for fifteen miles west of Wads- worth."
REV. NOAH MERWIN
Was raised in Durham, Ct., was graduated at Yale college in 1773, and was ordained pastor of the church in Torrington in 1776, where he labored seven years. He was a very different man from his prede -- cessor Nathaniel Roberts, and the times, being those of the Revolution,
520
HISTORY OF TORRINGTON.
were times of trouble and much suffering under privations. He was a man of ability and of dignity in the ministerial office, as is evinced from his views given before the church, on the subject. His wife was the only daughter of a wealthy layman, and had spirit and energy. She is said to have taken upon herself the entire charge of household matters (for which he must have been grateful) upon the agreement that the salary should support the family, and that she fulfilled her engagement. It is said, also; that there was some strife between Mr. Merwin, Daniel Grant and Dr. Hodges, as to who should be the wealthiest man ; and if so, then they three should have footed the bills. It is quite probable that there was some feeling all around, that did not arise from the gospel, and thereby trouble arose until Mr. Merwin desired to be dismissed and the church acquiesced, in 1783. During the year 1784, Mr. Merwin preached here much of the time, and was installed pastor at Washington, Ct., in 1785, where he labored ten years, with good success, and died in 1795.
He married Lucy Pierce, an only child of a wealthy farmer in Cornwall. She was a fine, dignified appearing woman, and in Wash- ington, Ct., was called Madam Merwin. She married as her second husband Daniel Brinsmade of Washington, and after his death, re- turned to Cornwall where she died. Mr. Merwin's eldest daughter married Dr. Ebenezer Porter ; no children. His second daughter married Timothy Stone of Cornwall. His third daughter died at Cornwall not married. His fourth daughter married Daniel B. Brinsmade of Washington, Ct.1
MRS. SARAH (BATTELL) MCEWEN,
Daughter of William and Sarah (Buckingham) Battell, was born May 29, 1781, married Rev. Robert McEwen, D.D., Jan. 21, 1807. He was ordained pastor of the first church in New London, Oct. 22, 1 806, and continued in that office a successful and extensively known minister of the gospel until his death Sept. 7, 1860. She died March 9, 1859, aged 78 years.
REV. JOHN A. MCKINSTRY
Was born in Springfield parish, now the town of Chicopee, Massachusetts, April 19, 1811. When quite a youth, desirous of increasing his knowledge of the English branches, he attended the
I See account of Torrington church.
521
BIOGRAPHIES.
academy at Amherst, Mass., for two winters, where he enjoyed the privilege of attending lectures in the college, to which students of the academy had access.
When sixteen years of age he engaged in teaching the district school near his residence, during the winter. When eighteen years of age, his father, pastor of the church at Chicopee, died, and he himself was very ill with fever which disqualified him for his accus- tomed labors on the farm, for a season. While engaged as a teacher in the state of Delaware, during a revival, in 1832, he became savingly interested in Christ, as he hoped, and united with the Presbyterian church at St. George's, Delaware.
On his return to New England he consulted Dr. Jenkins, pre- sident of La Fayette college and concluded to take a full course of study, and then resumed his study of the languages in 1833; and in 1834 entered Amherst college, from which he was graduated in 1838. With encouragement from his mother and other friends he entered the Theological institute at East Windsor Hill, Conn., making arrangements to teach school near the institute. On the tenth of October, 1840, he was licensed to preach the gospel, by the Tolland Association, at Ellington, Ct., the place where his great grandfather was installed as the first pastor, more than a century before. He preached his first sermon at Somers on the following Sabbath. At the close of his theological course in 1841, he accepted an invitation to supply the pulpit a few Sabbaths at Ellsworth, a society in Litchfield county, where he had preached during a vaca- tion. While fulfilling this engagement he was invited to preach at Torrington. He commenced preaching here on the last Sabbath of November, 1841, and on the fifth of October, 1842, was ordained pastor of that church and society, the Rev. Bennett Tyler, D. D., preaching the sermon.
On the twenty-third of August, 1843, he married Mary Elizabeth Morton, of Whitely, Mass., a graduate of Mt. Holyoke seminary, class 1840.
After a pastorate of fifteen years he received an invitation to become pastor of the church in Harwinton, Ct., which he accepted. He preached his fare- well sermon in Torrington on the last Sabbath in September and was installed in Harwinton, on the first day of October, 1857, Rev. Nahum Gale, D.D., of Lee, Mass., preaching on the occasion. His introductory discourse in his new field was delivered on the succeeding one after his farewell in the old one. In Torrington he labored with success and acceptability to the people, taking great interest in the Sunday school, and all other enterprises of religious and
66
522
HISTORY OF TORRINGTON.
social improvement, and is still remembered with great kindness by the people of that parish.
In his new field he had a good degree of success but certain elements which it was hoped, would be harmonized did not yield, and during the sixth year of this pastorate he tendered his resignation, which was accepted, and he was to close his labors at the end of his sixth year as pastor, and six months subsequent to his resignation.
Previous to his dismission he had received an invitation from the Theological institution of Connecticut, to engage in the interests of that institution. Interested in the seminary as a graduate, and for several years as a trustee, he accepted the appointment devoting himself to this work for six months. Before this service was ended he received an invitation from the first Congregational church in Richfield, Summit county, Ohio, to preach for them. He commenced his labors in that place on the second Sabbath of August, 1864, and where he still continues.
By the ordering of a kind hand, he has been in constant service since his first entrance upon the ministry ; having been laid aside by illness not to ex- ceed six Sabbaths during the thirty-four years of labor.
HENRI MIGEON
Was born Sept. 11, 1799, in Haraucourt, department of Ardennes, near Sedan, France, and was the son of Jacques Migeon, a strong friend and personal acquaintance of General Lafayette, the great friend of America. Mr. Migeon was a self made-man. Although his advantages for early schooling were limited, yet he was a thorough student of his own inclinations, and devoted himself to the study of the sciences ; and especially as connected with the manufacture of woolen cloths in his native country ; and also to general literature. He was employed for a time by a woolen house, as traveling agent in the sale of their goods in his native country. By such a course of life he became a proficient in the methods of the production of such cloths, and this being known to General Lafayette, he warmly re- commended the young man to go to America where his skill and labor would find, not only a large field for occupancy, but larger re- muneration and reward. Upon his decision to come to this country, General Lafayette furnished him with a letter of introduction and commendation to the mayor New York city, Mr. Hone, through whom he was favorably introduced to leading manufacturers of woolen cloths in the country, in 1828.
After a stay of some months in America, Mr. Migeon returned to his native country, bearing expressions of gratitude from leading citi- zens here, to General Lafayette, for sending to them a man of such ability and advantage to the interests of that branch of enterprise in this nation, whereupon General Lafayette sent an autograph letter to Mr. Migeon's father as follows :
520
TIWEST OF FORRINGTON
mento red with great Madmen he He people
4
rotel dat accepte , And he WX Y
for several Year ₹
TO Find ENEDATE Of ADIOS. 1861, and where he
HENKO MILODON
Eparailir ali edcanes,
Lovenidge yog Flyg schooling syere limirell, port he was & thorough medel no sse way Ganhos and deruten higet to the study bi Sim cuore, and regiony is connected wood the manufacture of Coffee com: d je mange country ; and also to genein literature OF war mylove for y time by a wooden house Better oling agent in Atde country.
Upon line deceny to come to this country
Have myor New York rite, Mr. Hope, through
hà onněny Trường cơ bu enviar mantido ures ot woolen UNGUY Tm 1898.
AR Wo www thonihs m.America, Mr Niyowicrowned to w, mering propitons of gre inde non. Trailing citi-
ge of the interest of that branch of salepulse in a o Genere; Lillyett. sent an amoograph letter to
Нг(.Мидеон)
523
BIOGRAPHIES.
" PARIS, July 8, 1829.
SIR : It is with great pleasure that in renewing our ancient acquaintance. I am able to congratulate you upon the return of your excellent son. I have re- cieved news by him from the friends to whom I have written, viz : Mr. Hone, one of the most respectable gentlemen in the state of New York, expresses his thanks for the introduction of Mr. Migeon to him, and hopes he will soon return. A friend of the manufacturer informs me that he is regarded with sen- timents of esteem and approbation in his employment. Mr. Hone also in- forms me that the respectable agent of the manufactory is much attached to him. I am persuaded that these expressions of approbation and friendship will be agreeable to you, and also to all his family. I beg of you to accept the assurance of my distinguished consideration.
LAFAYETTE."I
Upon Mr. Migeon's return with his family to New York, in 1829, several places opened before him for employment, among them was that of Wolcottville by Governor Oliver Wolcott, and he finally de- termined to go to Milbury, Mass., having received greater pecuniary inducements from there. But this decision quite disappointed Gov- ernor Wolcott, and he continued at intervals to write to Mr. Migeon on the subject ; several letters concerning the matter being preserved and dated in 1831 and 1832. From Milbury he removed to New York.
The first time Mr. Migeon was in Wolcottville he came from New York to Litchfield in the stage, arriving there about dark, and as the stage came no further than Litchfield, determined to proceed on foot to Wolcottville.
The road from Litchfield to Wolcottville wound among the hills, through lonely forests and deep valleys, and it being a very windy night various disturbing noises were heard from every direction, and Mr. Migeon being in a strange country, among a people whose lan- guage he did not well understand, and possessed naturally of a nervous temperament, he was very much disturbed in his feelings of safety especially as he remembered that he had with him all the capital he possessed in the world.
In after life he often alluded to this journey as being one of great terror to him, and stated his thankfulness that he met no person that night, for if he had he feared that in his nervous state of mind he might have shot any body as a robber although they might have been the best friends in the world.
In 1836, after having been engaged in the woolen mills some few years with Mr. Groves, he purchased his house and lot, which he
* The original letter is deposited with the Connecticut Historical Society, at Hartford,
524
HISTORY OF TORRINGTON.
retained until his decease and which still remains in the possession of the family.
During the financial pressure in 1837, Mr. Migeon, removed to New York to prosecute business for himself. He had invented a method of refinishing broad cloths; an invention which enabled a great saving, and one which entirely revolutionized the trade in cloths, since before that time damaged cloths were regarded as nearly worth- less. Mr. Migeon established his new enterprise in New York and was eminently successful in it. The value of this invention was so much appreciated that he received a prize medal of gold from the American Institute. He continued in this business a number of years, during nearly all of which time his family resided in Litchfield, Conn., where he had purchased the Governor Wolcott place, the ample grounds of which evidenced his fine taste and fondness for horticulture.
In his work in New York, after a few years, he associated with him in business two of his nephews, John and Eugene Lenoir, enter- prising young men, who, with their young wives, were on the ill fated steamer Arctic in 1853, on their way home from France after a visit. The steamer has not been heard from since, an event that is remembered by this family with peculiar interest and sadness.
This event so disarranged Mr. Migeon's business relations that, having up to this time, accumulated money so that he judged he might retire from business, he sold the establishment to his son and son-in-law, and made Wolcottville his permanent home. Here he purchased considerable lands, and entered upon improvements such as have been, and will be for many years to come an ornament and honor to the village. Many of the trees along the streets near his late residence were planted by him, and are now in a thrifty state, and if cared for as they are likely to be, will be an ornament a hun- dred years to come. One of the finest avenues in the village which he had done so much to improve is justly named after him.
Mr. Migeon was an enthusiastic citizen in, favor of his adopted country. Born in the time of the French revolution ; his father an actor in that revolution and a special admirer and friend of Lafayette, who had strong leanings towards republican principles and institu- tions, he became thoroughly educated to republican freedom, and after being in this country a short time became familiar with political opinions aud took his position with the old whig party, and therein became a great admirer of Henry Clay. When Mr. Clay was north on a certain occasion Mr. Migeon made him cloth for a fine suit of
525
BIOGRAPHIES.
clothes, and some years after, when Mr. Clay was in New York at a great dinner, Mr. Migeon being present reminded him of the suit. " Yes," said Mr. Clay, " they still hang in my wardrobe not worn out." In satisfying his patriotic zeal Mr. Migeon found much pleasure for a number of years in aiding the children in the celebration of the Fourth of July in Wolcottville by giving each child fire crackers. When the hard times came he gave them the price of a pack, thinking the money might be of more advantage to the families. In 1876, he distributed coins of the United States, from the mint, with the date of that year, to each child of the public school to be kept in remembrance of that day. To the more advanced classes he gave pieces of more value, and on that occasion made the following re- marks, which have remained in the possession of the principal.
" Mr. Fellows, principal, and young ladies and gentleman scholars of the Wolcottville academy.I
On this memorable epoch of our centennial, and Fourth of July, 1876, I am happy to see you all on such an occasion, as it affords me opportunity to congratulate you all upon the result of your studies and good behavior during this your last term of scholarship ; in consideration of which I beg you to accept from me a small piece of silver as a souvenir. After the report of your excellent teacher, which I see in the Wolcottville Register, I thought it due to those who are best noted in that report, to call them out by name that they may first receive said souvenir.
WOLCOTTVILLE, July 4, 1876.
H. MIGEON."
Mr. Migeon was well read in the general literature of the day, and in all practical applications of science was greatly interested. His personal appearance was that of familiarity with business life; dis- criminating judgment ; self-reliant and courageous, but with due deference to the rights and privileges of others.
He retired from business early in life, and the remainder of his days were far from being unprofitably occupied. A fine cabinet of mineralogical and fossilliferous specimens gave evidence of his esthetic disposition. He also made an extensive collection of ancient coins and other antiquities, for the reception of which he built a little museum to his house. Mr. Migeon was favored in forming the acquaintance of many public and distinguished men, in consequence of his frequent journeyings, he having crossed the Atlantic about forty times, and his reminiscences of them were very entertaining. He was presented at the court of Napoleon Third, during the height of that emperor's power and prosperity.
" The school was at first an academy.
526
HISTORY OF TORRINGTON.
The following was published in the Courier des Etats Unis, the leading French paper of this country :
" Mr. Henri Migeon, one of the oldest French residents of the United States, died at his residence at Wolcottville, Conn., Dec. 24, 1876, in the seventy-eighth year of his age. Mr. Migeon was born in Haraucourt, Depart- ment of the Ardennes, France ; came to America in 1829, with letters of recommendation from General Lafayette. His residence in this country was a long life of industry and probity. He was the first to introduce machinery, which with his skill greatly promoted the manufacture of cloths in Massachu- setts and Connecticut. He died loved and honored by all those who knew him both in business and social relations. His liberality was proverbial, and there was not a philanthropic or patriotic object to which he did not contribute generously."
During the late French war with Germany, he actively promoted the rising and contributed large sums, specially for the relief of the suffering near Sedan, where his daughter Madame Baudelot resides. Her house was protected by the American flag, and was the daily resort of many persons, both as fugitives, and the almost starving people of the vicinity. This sympathy for his native region he con- tinued until his decease, keeping a deposit of money in that country the interest of which was regularly appropriated to such ends. The same thoughtfulness for the needy was manifested in his own com- munity during many years. Mr. Migeon married Marie Louise, daughter of Francois Baudelot of Haraucourt, France. Her father was a distinguished man in his time for science and patriotism. In 1792, he was mayor of Vendresse, and took all the available men to cut down the forests of Mazaim to blockade the passage of the ene- mies. His eldest son was decorated on the field of battle by Napoleon First, who himself placed the cross of chevalier, the legion of honor upon him, in recompense for his bravery. His second son was the originator of the idea of utilizing the gases of furnaces as fuel, which formerly were allowed to escape. This invention is now in univer- sal use. He also invented the beer cooler which is celebrated the world over.
Mrs. Migeon was a noble and honored companion of her husband. Although raised in comparative affluence, yet during the first years of their residence in this country, though placed under straitened circumstances, she cheerfully rendered all possible assistance to him, and by their united efforts, comfort and enjoyments crowned their closing years. While returning from France in the steamer Lafayette on June 30, 1871, she died on the ocean ; her remains being brought to Wolcottville and interred.
527
BIOGRAPHIES.
REV. JONATHAN MILLER,
Son of Dea. Ebenezer and Thankful (Allen) Miller, of Torringford, was born Nov. 26, 1761 ; was graduated at Yale college in 1781 ; was ordained pastor at Burlington, Nov. 26, 1783, and died there in that office July 21, 1831, aged seventy years.
He preached a concio ad clerum in 1812, which was published. He also published the substance of forty sermons in the Connecticut Evangelical Magazine.
He possessed a clear, strong, active mind, and was fond of study ; was a discriminating and instructive preacher, and held a prominent place among his brethren. The overflowing fountain of good feeling in his soul seconded always by the utmost sincerity and agreeable frankness in look and language, more than compensated for some lack of refinement, and a sort of noble contempt of etiquette. If his composition lacked polish and embellishment, it had the more valuable qualities of solid, sterling matter, logically arranged and clearly ex- pressed. He might plead also the fashion of the times, for any want of elegance in his large amount of rapid writing, for the pulpit and the periodical press. Mr. Miller was of medium height and dark complexion. His large, round fleshy face of high color ; his short neck and broad shoulders ; his compact and corpulent form, joined to a great flow of animal spirits, and to social powers of high order, were admirably suited to disappoint the phrenologist. About the time of passing his grand climacteric, his hard worked mind suddenly and seriously failed. A colleague was provided, after which he rarely attempted any public service. It was delightful, as the powers of his intellect waned in subsequent years, to witness the abounding of his love to God and man, more and more.
REV. DAVID MILLER,
Son of David and Clarissa (Moore) Miller, was born in Torringford Nov. 24, 1793. He taught school in early life in Virginia ; entered the itinerant ministry of the Methodist Episcopal church, New York conference, in 1816; was ordained deacon in 1818, and elder in 1820, and labored in the following places ; in 1816, Granville, Mass. ; 1817-18, Durham, Ct. ; 1819-20, Stratford; 1821, Pittsfield, Mass. ; 1822, Goshen, Ct .; 1823, Winsted ; 1824-25, Salisbury ; 1826, Granville, Mass. ; 1827-33, located at Windsor ; 1834, Burlington ; 1835-36, Stratford ; 1837-38, Derby ; 1839-40, Sag
528
HISTORY OF TORRINGTON.
Harbor, L. I. ; 1841-42, Burlington ; 1843-44, New Britain ; 1845-50, chaplain at states prison at Wethersfield; 1850-51, Goshen ; 1852, Pleasant Valley and New Hartford ; 1855, was presiding elder of Hartford district in New York East conference, and in this office he died at Bristol Dec. 21, 1855, aged sixty-three years.
MRS. MARCIA (WHITING) MILLER,
Daughter of Hervey and Olive (Barber) Whiting, married Rev. David Miller in 1816. She died April 20, 1863, aged 71. (See biography of Mr. Miller.)
REV. SAMUEL J. MILLS,
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.