USA > Connecticut > Litchfield County > Torrington > History of Torrington, Connecticut, from its first settlement in 1737, with biographies and genealogies > Part 59
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Then followed a period of a few months, in which there was a struggle for life, but which ended, as everyone foresaw, in dissolu- tion. They scattered as sheep having no shepherd : yet, as con- venience and other motives operated, they united with churches around them. Dr. Pond and a few others from the disorganized little church, landed with a small number who had procured the hall of a hotel, where they held sweet communion and worshiped God for a series of mouths. The entire number of church members amounted to nineteen.
This small number was constituted "the West Presbyterian church," and their names, with other memorials, were afterwards deposited under the southeast corner stone of the church building. Of this little church, Dr. Pond was constituted an elder.
The church was commonly known as "the Carmine street church." In this location they continued and prospered many years, and their membership increased to a multitude. At length the spirit of migration came over them, and they left their location in Carmine street, and obtained an eligible site in 42d street, near 5th avenue, where they erected an expensive church building, and have culmi- nated into one of the most powerful churches in the city.
Some years after the disorganization of the Provost street church, the former pastor called on Dr. Pond and informed him that, after long and extensive litigation, he had obtained the title of nobility, but not the estates to sustain it. He appeared care-worn and in need of sympathy.
Late in 1846, with the violation of many tender attachments, Dr. Pond applied to the session of Carmine street church, for a letter of
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dismission to unite with the church in Houston street, believing that his Christian influence would be more useful in a feeble church, needing numerical and pecuniary aid, than in a cultivated one, full of members, with ample means of support.
He remained a member of Houston street church through the pastorates of Rev. Dr. S. Haines, Rev. R. S. Storrs Dickenson, and Rev. S. Ralston Smith. In the minsitry of the last named clergyman, the church was disbanded, and the building sold to cancel debts which had long crippled its energies.
A surplus of a little less than two thousand dollars was entrusted to Dr. Pond and two others, with which, in their discretion, to aid feeble churches.
Nearly the entire church with the ex-pastor at their head, accepted the kind invitation of the Reformed Dutch church in 6th avenue, opposite Amity street, to occupy their house, at intervals not occupied by themselves. Here they continued, held by mutual attachments, until, after some months, Dr. Smith received a call from Broome street church, which, being accepted, was the signal for a general dis- persion. Many united with the church in whose building, through their Christian courtesy, they had for months been worshiping. Dr. Pond remained with them with warm attachment, for about two years, and until, in the spring of 1860, he purchased a house and re- moved to it, in West 23d street. Here, through Divine mercy, he continues to the present time, 1877.
The doctor next presented his letter from the Dutch church, to Chelsea Presbyterian church, West 22d street, Rev. E. D. Smith, D.D., pastor. Here he continued his membership, until the disso- lution of the church in 1870.
Dr. Smith is possessed of more than a common degree of eloquence and talents. From ill health, he was obliged to tender his resignation more than a year previous to the dissolution of the church.
At the suggestion of Dr. Smith, Rev. Mr. Rowell was installed colleague pastor, for about two years.
Soon after the dissolution of Chelsea church, Dr. Pond removed his church relationship to the North Presbyterian church, 9th avenue and 31st street, Rev. Thomas Street, D.D., pastor, who on account of the ill health of his family was dismissed in 1873, and in the same year, Rev. S. B. Rossiter was installed fourth pastor, and continues to the present time, 1877. The church has prospered under his ministry, and he is a highly popular pastor.
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At the time of Dr. Pond's introduction to the little church worship- ing in the basement of a public school building, his medical business was very small, but as his personal acquaintance became more inti- mate in the congregation, the members employed him as their physician. It is interesting to one concerned in an event, to witness how, in concatenation, one cause may operate on a second, and sometimes a third or more, to secure a result in one's favor. One disposed to recognize the hand of Providence in some results of per- sonal interest, rather than the agency of his own sagacity, may often have opportunity to do so, in reminiscences of his own history.
In the summer following the spring of Dr. Pond's removal to the city, he formed the acquaintance of a young physician of fine educa- tion, who afterwards became a professor and a voluminous writer of celebrity. He had, for some days, been in medical attendance on a laborer, who, from a punctured wound in the foot, died of tetanus. The doctor obtained permission from some of the relations, to per- form an autopsy, and requested Dr. Pond's presence. At the hour appointed, the physicians and an attendant repaired to the room of the deceased (the attic of a two-story house). The doctor, proceed- ing to the examination, made a crucial incision of the abdomen, and removed some of the viscera, I think the stomach, when a loud knock at the door interrupted and disconcerted the doctor. He went to the door, and holding it ajar, mildly expostulated with the intruder, who, in an obstreperous manner, demanded what he was doing. The doctor informed him that he was performing a necessary duty and would soon be done, and that no indignity or disrespect was intended or should be shown. At length, the irascible Hibernian was per- suaded to withdraw.
The doctor returned to his post mortem examination, but scarcely had a half hour passed, before their ears were assailed by confused vociferations from the stairway, and immediately there emerged from the same a mixed mass of humanity, male and female, with a pre- ponderance of the latter, armed with bludgeons, pokers and fire shovels.
If their imaginations had been excited to fury by the glowing re- presentations of friends, what must have been their feelings from the ocular exhibition before them !
The lives of the doctors, for a while, were in imminent peril. The doctor who had been the attending physician, lost no time in making his way toward the door and stairway, exculpating himself with adroitness.
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They next fell upon the assistant who was an Irishman, and therefore too well acquainted with his danger to remain a moment longer than necessity compelled. He wriggled his way toward the door and down the flight of stairs with all convenient expedition. Dr. Pond was now the only remaining victim of vengeance. It had been circulated in the crowd that he was not the principal offender ; that at the worst he was but " particeps criminis." However this might modify, it would by no means avert personal violence ; but an unexpected incident afforded him a much needed protection. A woman, whose child the doctor had recently attended through a dangerous illness, came forward in the crowd, and exclaimed, " he is a good doctor, and ye shall not harm a hair of his head." Not- withstanding her fiendlike surroundings, the woman appeared to the doctor like a guardian angel.
Often has Dr. Pond in his lonely thoughts reverted to this scene of danger, and always with gratitude to the brave and friendly woman who protected him in this time of peril. The doctor did not embrace this opportunity to form new acquaintances in this amiable group, but with all convenient expedition, left these dear friends to finish up their business in their own way. Making his way to the sidewalk, he was astonished to witness the immense mob which filled the street many rods each way from the house. The city watch, then the ap- pellation for police, formed a line in front of the house, and another in front of the physicians who made the examination. The reader may be at a loss to perceive what should be a cause adequate to stir up such a mob. In answer it may be stated, that the prejudice per- vading even the enlightened class fifty years ago, was vastly different from the liberal and scientific views which now prevail. Then, among the lower class of catholic Irish, a post mortem examination was considered an offence little less than a heinous crime. Hence the outrage of sentiment among them.
The increase of the mob became fearful, and its dimensions almost beyond precedent. In addition to the police, the mayor called out a military force of cavalry and infantry. Bishop Du Bois, the Roman catholic prelate, issued a pastoral, imperatively enjoining upon people of his denomination to deport themselves peaceably, disperse and resort to their homes.
The tumult gradually subsided without the perpetration of any open outrage, the poor, persecuted doctor, however, dared not occupy his own bed for many successive nights.
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By report the house was haunted for years, to the serious loss of the proprietor in rent.
After three days, in the lull of the storm, an immense procession attended the funeral. By an absurd arrangement, the viscera of the deceased were carried in front of the procession, as a rebuke to the offending doctors. Thus, at length, subsided one of the most remarkable popular agitations of the day.
A period ensued, which, with leisure and opportunity, was embraced to extend the doctor's professional acquaintance, and improve it to advantage. He united with a literary club of limited membership, holding weekly communications for the relation, discussion and treat- ment of cases in practice. The meetings were held in alternation at the dwellings of the members. It is believed that these meetings were of signal mutual benefit in practical knowledge, to the members of the entire club.
At irregular periods of long distance (never oftener than three months) the club indulged in a supper given by a member, at which discussions took a winder range. Any literary subject was legitimate, provided it were not immoral. Occasionally, a paper on some pro- fessional subject was read, and then subjected to criticism and dis- cussion. Also, each member, in rotation, assumed the editorial duty of producing one number of a medical magazine, which consisted of a single sheet of foolscap, in manuscript, issued monthly. This sheet afforded both instruction and amusement, and was always ex- pected with interest. It was ordinarily made up, in part by contri- butions from the members. The editor's duty consisted chiefly in securing the completeness of the sheet.
At one meeting of the club, for which a repast was provided by a distinguished member, Dr. Pond was expected to present some poetical effusion, of which task he acquitted himself as follows :
EXCELLENCES OF THE ( Bombastic. ) Ye piping Nine, ye song-inspiring train, Ye dwellers fair in old Parnassus, deign Your potent influence, inspire my soul, That I your lofty numbers may control : Or, as in nitrous oxyd, steep my brain, That I your thrumming lyre, in lofty strain, With bold, adventurous hand may brush, on theme Which ne'er was subject of a poet's dream ; On theme, tho' grand, no poet ever sung; The Onion's beauties rare, that urge my song.
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In days of yore, when erst the Hebrew race In land of Nilus fix'd their dwelling-place ; Ere Moeris or Sesostris fill'd the throne, The Onion's gustful qualities were known. Emancipated from old Egypt's land, And scap'd oppression from the tyrant's hand, How long'd the chosen tribes again to bear The yoke of bondage, and affliction's care ; How long'd, their lives in servitude t'employ, So they their fragrant Onions might enjoy. This od'rous root from embyro minute, Its proud cerulean germ does upward shoot ; The crescent trunk no petals vain supply With gaudy umbrage ; no, it scorns to vie With sage or crocus, poppy, dill or fennel, Or any plant that grows in plain or dell. With native beauty, the majestic cone Canspicuous shines in grandeur all its own. Full on it's summit, with superior grace And broad rotundity sedate, the environs place A crown assumes, not such as monarchs wear, Beset with shining gems, and diamonds rare, Oft setting heavy on the wearer's head, Inducing frenzy and a restless bed ; Nor like the olive, bay or oaken crown Which orators and warriors of renown And poets fam'd, and sage civilians wear, Bestow'd for wisdom and for talents rare ; But chaste, unostentatious and demure, And stor'd with seed prolific, here secure. The foliated, smooth and bulbous base, As if it scorned its lowly native place, Heaves out its swelling sides of sheeny red, So that it scarcely makes the earth its bed. O, noble root ! how fit it is the fair, I Should for thy growth bestow their willing care; Should weed thee, hoe thee, and with dext'rous toil, With their soft hands extract thee from the soil. Now fit for use, from epidermis freed, Or from th' external folds, if there be need, And smother'd, fried, or from the boiling pot, Plac'd on the gen'rous board, all smoking hot, Can aught - ye Nine - of culinary fare, However zested, with this root compare ? Can aught to equal tone or pleasant height Th' olfactory or lingual nerves excite ? Say not that odors from the citron grove
1 In Wethersfield, on the Connecticut, large quantities of this vegetable were formerly cultivated by young ladies, probably in greater amount than in all the state beside.
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That rife on oriental Zephyrs move,
Or flavor of the orange, grape or pine That ripen in a tropic sun, are fine ; Say naught is fine, when in a parallel The onion's sav'ry qualities we tell.
Fair was the subject, and the artist fair I
Who trac'd with magic skill thy beauties rare ; Who, to preserve the mem'ry of thy name, Gave symmetry and grace and living fame,
And, with a spell, few vers'd in painting know, Bade semblance in perpetual verdure grow.
In the year preceding the visitation of the cholera, in the summer of 1832, the professional business of Dr. Pond had increased to a degree that required a horse and carriage to enable him to perform it. As the fell destroyer appeared in the city the latter part of June, the citizens were filled with consternation.
A physician, for the first time to meeting a patient with a dark, anxious, pinched countenance ; damp, cold, corrugated skin, raucus voice, and other forbidding appearances, might well be filled with ap- prehension.
Like this ; in most cases, however, lighter and milder, being easily controlled, was the experience of Dr. Pond for many consecutive weeks.
If prompt and suitable attention was given to the first aberration from a state of ordinary health, especially in case of a diarrhoea, with or without pain in the abdomen, the graver disease of which it was a precursor was ordinarily averted. In some cases, however, these premonitory symptoms were so very brief, that the physician did not see his patient before commencing or confirmed collapse had been ushered in.
The recollections of a series of weeks of Dr. Pond's experience during that fearful period of his life, are among a few painful im- pressions on the memory that will never be obliterated while life continues. During the prevalence of that epidemic, the medical calls on Dr. Pond were very numerous, especially in the night. It may be stated that from the 4th of July to the 24th of the following August, no night passed in which there was not at least one call for medical advice. It may be imagined that the amount of sleep must have been small in proportion to the demands of nature. Added to
I After the recitation of this ode, a resolution was passed to present the doctor with a painting of his subject. The artist selected was a lady.
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the deprivation of sleep was the solicitude inseparable from the care of a disease novel and fearful in its character. As the malady pro- gressed, its developments, in addition to what have been already enumerated, were profuse alvine evacuation of an appearance like rice water, followed by great prostration, cramp of the bowels and of the upper and lower limbs. Ordinarily there was great scantiness or entire suppression of the secretion of the kidneys. The pulse was nearly always small and weak. The intellect was clear, the thirst tormenting, and if freely indulged almost certainly followed by copious vomiting. When patients were seen under such circum- stances, the result was ominous.
A case in point may be detailed. The doctor was urgently re- quested to visit a poor Irish laborer who lived in a low, damp cellar, dark and comfortless. No appendage appeared in the apartment ex- cept a woman and three or four children, and as many rickety chairs. The poor man was on a low bed in a dark corner of the room, tossing, sighing and vomiting. Mike was in a deep relapse of cholera.
At this time there was in the office of Dr. Pond a young gentle- man, son of Col. Barber of Connecticut, pursuing the study of medicine. He took an interest in the case of poor Mike, and gave his personal assistance to relieve him if possible from his collapse. Appliances of medicine internally, and of heat to the surface, were, after persevering patience followed by some signs of reaction ; the alvine evacuations became less frequent and less copious, the eyes began to emerge from their deep retreat in the sockets, and to assume their natural position, the blue and cadaverous appearance to give place to a natural expression, and the action of the heart to fill the artery at the wrist. In short, the patient began to assume the appear- ance of a man, which was by no means the case two short hours before. A calm sleep now supervened and operated like a cordial. He soon recovered and returned to his ordinary labor.
A few weeks subsequent, he stopped the doctor's horse on the . street, and said he had five dollars of which he urged the doctor's acceptance, stating that when he got more he would give it to him. The doctor informed him that in his case he had made no charge as his family at that time needed it more than he (the doctor) did, but that when he became fully able, he might pay. Mike showed his gratitude and kindness of heart by commending the doctor's skill and procuring his professional employment by his friends.
The doctor's student, after his graduation, removed to Milwaukee,
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Wisconsin, where he settled and was almost immediately elected a member of the legislature of the state, and speaker of the house, over which he presided with great dignity.
Let it be noticed, that amidst the consternation and delirium of fear which everywhere prevailed during this season of cholera, the familiar notes of the hand-organ could be heard in the streets, and we are inclined to believe that its influence may have been even salutary, tending to divert attention from the morbid and depressing influence of terror on the mind.
Shortly following Mike's case came a multitude of others that ur- gently demanded the professional service of Dr. Pond, and amidst this hurry, and his greatest need of help, he was deprived of the valu- able assistance of his intelligent student. His relatives in Connecticut, under the influence of the all-pervading fear of contagion, imposed an imperative demand for his return home. Single-handed, therefore, the doctor was henceforth compelled to discharge his duty.
Among many interesting cases that came under the professional care of Dr. Pond, was one of an intellectual young gentleman of lofty aspirations for the future in life ; his attack was violent and far advanced in collapse. On the doctor's second visit, he found that the entire family, filled with terror, had left the poor young man to take care of himself and die alone. The doctor administered his medicins and spent what time was in his power to bestow, in nursing him. At his third visit, which was not long after the second, the doctor found him still alone, but the struggle had ended ; the young man now lay before him an inert mass. He, who but recently was so buoyant and cheerful, so full of hope for the future, had now closed his eyes on time and all its interests. The doctor adjusted the body of the young man properly on the bed, covered it with a linen sheet, and left the room with feelings of sadness.
Closely following the solitary death of this young man, was the case of a widow woman, whom the physician in attendance wished Dr. Pond to see with him, in consultation. The relatives of the patient had all deserted the house ; the patient being in a state of advanced collapse, it was the united opinion of the physicians that there could be but one result, and that, not long delayed. A re- markable feature in the history of this case was, that as death overtook her in her solitary condition, her head was turned quite on one side. The body remained in this position two days, as could be plainly seen through a window in the apartment.
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Although painful spasms, excessive thirst, irrepressible vomitting and profuse dejections, might at the same time harrass and weary the patient, yet in all this trouble the mental functions were clear and unembarrassed, although there was often a strange manifestation of apathy in the result.
The abatement of this terrible scourge on our city afforded an opportunity, not unlike the passing over of a tornado, to appreciate in some measure the desolation it had left behind.
Of the various benevolent societies of which Dr. Pond was a member, may be mentioned the Association for Improving the Con- dition of the Poor of which he was one of the committee for draft- ing the constitution, as well as chairman of a Ward Advisory committee for a series of years. This is a society, of its kind, the most benevolent in the city.
For many years he was an acting trustee of the New York Public School Society, a trustee, and member of the finance committee of the Atlantic Savings Bank, and a member and physician of the New England Society. He was also a member and first president of the New York Medical Association, and one of the founders and fellows, and for twenty-nine consecutive years, treasurer of the New York Academy of Medicine. For the faithful discharge of Dr. Pond's official duties, the Academy, upon his resignation of the treasurer- ship, passed a series of commendatory resolutions, which were pub- lished in the medical journals of the city, and a copy beautifully engrossed and framed presented to the doctor.
It may be stated with more distinctness, that the children of Capt. Elijah Pond by his first marriage were, Tryphena, born at Franklin in 1762, died in childhood ; Lewis, born at Franklin in 1764, died at Whiting, Vt., in 1831 ; Olive, born at Franklin in 1771, married Simeon Keith, removed to Vermont, had two daughters, died in 1839 ; Esther, born at Franklin in 1773, married Aaron Harrington, removed to Vermont, had five sons and seven daughters ; Lewis, son of Lewis and grandson of Capt. Elijah Pond, born at Whiting, Vermont, in 1808, removed to New Bedford, Mass., where he resided many years ; he has recently removed to live with his son, Dr. Fred Lewis Pond, at Aurora, Ill. The latter is the proprietor and physician of a large and successful hospital establishment at Aurora.
Benjamin F. Pond, only son of Dr. James O. Pond, was one of a company formed in New York of about ten young men, that went to California for mining purposes, at the commencement of the gold excitement.
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The party commenced operations in the mountains under many discouragements. Soon there commenced a disintegration in their company which continued until it gradually dwindled to two individu- als, one of whom was Benj. F. Pond. These two continued to pro- secute the object for which the company was formed until they obtained from those rugged mountains gold amounting in value to several thousand dollars each ; at length they ceased to delve the earth for gold. From the mountains Mr. Pond made his way to Sacramento city and other inhabited towns and entered into various kinds of business, with various phases of success.
In San Francisco, he formed the acquaintance of a young gentle- man by the name of Henry Wetherbee with whom he entered into mercantile and shipping business. They owned a line of ships that traded between San Francisco and Australia. Of one of these ships, the Julia Ann, Mr. Pond was the commander. On her return passage from Sydney (Australia) to San Francisco, when twenty-seven days at sea, in mid ocean, in a dark night, the ship, under full sail, ran upon a sunken coral reef, incorrectly laid down, on the chart. The ship and cargo were a total wreck, and five out of fifty-six on board, were lost. The returning light of the morning, revealed their standing to be a submerged coral reef, with land in the low distance, about ten miles away. They had but a single boat remaining and it was seriously damaged. How to transport this large number of in- dividuals to terra firma, with the only means in their possession, be- came a problem of interesting solution. Their necessity was imperative. In addition to their boat, which would hold but a small number, they constructed a raft of materials from the ship and by diligence and perseverance, succeeded in transporting all safely to the shores of a desolate island or group of islands, where they remained eight weeks and from which they were rescued in a providential manner. An interesting narrative of the wreck and various incidents connected with it, was written by her commander, Capt. B. F. Pond. Notwithstanding the heavy loss on the ship and cargo, beyond what was covered by insurance, Capt. Pond was fortunate in being able to return to his parental home with so large a sum as between twenty and thirty thousand dollars.
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