USA > Connecticut > Litchfield County > Torrington > History of Torrington, Connecticut, from its first settlement in 1737, with biographies and genealogies > Part 6
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Rev. EPAPHRAS GOODMAN, associate pastor, . Mar. 6, 1822, . . dis. Jan. 12, 1836.
. July 5, 1837, " Sept. 29, 1839. Rev. HERMAN L. VAILL, pastor,
Rev. BROWN EMERSON, " . July 21, 1841, . " Sept. 24, 1844. Rev. John D. BALDWIN, supply short time and received a call.
Rev. WILLIAM H. MOORE pastor, . Sept. 30, 1846, . " Sept. 26, 1854.
Rev. STEPHEN FENN, Nov. 16, 1854, Sept. 4, 1857.
Rev. CHARLES NEWMAN, . May 18, 1858, Oct. 28, 1862. Rev. SPENCER O. DYER, supply one year.
Rev. FRANKLIN NOBLE, pastor, . June 7, 1865, . " Nov. 30, 1866.
Rev. JOSEPH F. GAYLORD, supply two years.
Rev. DANA M. WALCOTT, 66 one year to 1871.
Rev. HERRICK KNIGHT, 66 from 1872 to 1874.
Rev. GEORGE R. FERGUSON, 1875 to 1877 ; went to Africa as a missionary teacher.
Ministers Raised in Torringford.
Rev. LUTHER ROSSITER, son of Newton Rossiter a tanner at Burrville, became an Episcopal minister, and his life has been spent at the West.
Rev. ORANGE LYMAN, see biography.
Rev. SAMUEL J. MILLS Jr., see biography.
Rev. JONATHAN MILLER, see biography.
Rev. HARVEY LOOMIS, see biography.
Rev. DAVID MILLER, see biography.
Rev. STANLY GRISWOLD, see biography.
Rev. ERASMUS D. MOORE, see biography.
Rev. LUCIUS CURTISS, see biography.
Rev. WARREN H. ROBERTS, Episcopal in 1857 see biography.
I Torringford centennial.
-
57
TORRINGFORD CHURCH.
Deacons.
Jonathan Kelsey, at Woodbury and here, died in 1792 aged 89 years. Nehemiah Gaylord, in 1801 " 80 "
Abraham Filley.
Ebenezer Miller,
" in 1814 79 " in 1807 66 62 "
Job Curtiss,
Ebenezer Miller 2d, appointed in 1807,
Elizur Curtiss,
“ 1808,
resigned in 1843, died 1868, aged 85 years.
Ebenezer Rood, 66 " 1826,
" 1843, " 1851, 75 "
Thomas Watson, 66 " 1843,
Thomas A. Miller, 66 1843,
Harvey L. Rood,
“ 1855.
William Watson,
1861.
Giles L. Gaylord.
Chester H. Barber.
List of Members.
When united.
When united.
Adams, Mary, 1848. Birge, Sally,
1818.
Addis, Orphenia S., Geo. T.,
66
Birge, Luther,
Andrews, Emory A., 1843. Birge, Roswell,
1843.
Austin, Nathaniel, 1818. Birge, Allstyne,
18 58.
Austin, Anna (Nath.), .
Birge, Eliza M. Hewit, 1861.
Austin, Margaret Mills, 1779.
Birge, Nathaniel, 1827.
Austin, Lewis,
1818.
Birge, Martha A., 1858.
66
Birge, Sally Barber,
1844.
Birge, Celia M., .
1867.
Bailey, Tamison Blood, 1858. Birge, Julia Waterman.
Bancroft, J. K. Hudson,
Bissell, Ezekiel.
Barber, John,
66
Bissell, Ruth Devotion.
Barber, Ursula Catlin,
Bissell, Ezekiel Jr.
Barber, John C.,
1832.
Bissell, Lucretia Spencer.
Barber, Sarah Miller,
1821. Bissell, Rhoda Bissell.
Barber, Chester,
1851. Bissell, Charlotte Birge,
1832.
Barber, Marilla Birge,
Bissell, Peter Mills.
Barber, Chester H.,
1843.
Bissell, Sarah Comstock.
Barber, Maria E. Blake,
1845.
Bissell, Harriet Curtiss, · 1851.
Barber, Willard O. .
1849.
Bissell, Melicent Watson.
Barber, Sarah Birge, . 1851. Bissell, Mary S., 1837.
Barber, Mary E. Woodward,
1849.
Bissell, Lucius, 1851.
Barber, Sarah .B.,
1867.
Bissell, Sarah Patton, 1844.
Barber, Janette S. Birge, 1849.
Bissell, Roderick,
1859.
Bates, Mary L. Taylor,
1843.
Bissell, Fanny Gaylord,
66
Battell, William.
Bissell, Esther Ann, 1849. Blakeslee, Martha E., 1866.
Beach, Lucy Walling.
Brace, Mary Ann Loomis, 1848.
Benedict, Lucina L.,
1843. Brace, Ellen Ann, .
1858.
Birge, Sally Barber.
Bronson, Char. A. Pond,
Birge, Simon, .
1831. Bronson, Mary J. Bissell, . 1843.
Birge, Experience Hamlin.
Burr, Tabitha Loomis,
8
Battell, Sarah Buckingham.
" in 1842 78 "
66 1855, removed to Winsted. died 1861, aged 55 years. ·
Austin, Rebecca,
58
HISTORY OF TORRINGTON.
When united.
When united.
Burr, Mehitable Loomis.
Curtiss, Naomi R. Curtiss, Julius.
Burr, Martha Beach.
Burr, Fanny Taylor,
1822.
Curtiss, Lucius, Rev.
Burr, Uri C., .
1858.
Curtiss, Hermon, 1851.
Burr, Sarah Mix,
1843.
Curtiss, Sophia Stillman, 1834.
Burr, Lucius,
1849.
Curtiss, C. Cecelia Stillman, 1852.
Burr, Sarah J. Woodruff,
1851.
Curtiss, Eugenia S., 1850.
Burr, George A.,
1867.
Curtiss, Uri,
1801.
Burr, Mary A.,
Curtiss, Mary Adams,
1817.
Burr, Milo,
1835.
Curtiss, Rufus,
1818.
Burr, Mary Skinner,
1826.
Curtiss, Ursula Fowler.
Burr, Lavinia E. Hurlbut,
1858.
Curtiss, Jabez G.
Burr, Hiram,
1835.
Curtiss, Louisa Wetmore.
Burr, Almira Cook.
Curtiss, Hannah Drake, 1803.
Burr, F. Ella,
1867.
Curtiss, Wealthy Parsons.
Burr, Rufus,
1831.
Curtiss, Emily Carnisb, . 1847-
Burr, Ann S. Hudson,
1821.
Curtiss, Hezekiah P.,
1855.
Burr, Alonzo,
1847
Curtiss, Amelia Parsons,
66
Burr, Franklin,
1849.
Curtiss, Ella A., 1866.
Burwell, Ellis,
1841.
Daily, Harmon, 1843.
Calkins, Jane A. Birge,
1849.
Daily, Mercy L. Ball, 1860.
Carr, Clement.
Daily, Ellen E. Bailey, 1843.
Carr, Jedediah Pelton.
Daniels, Sarah R. Talmadge, 1834.
Clark, Converse.
Daniels, Louisa,
1867.
Clark, Almira Burr.
Deming, Abigail Loomis.
Cleaveland, S. J. Taylor,
1858.
Downs, Edwin, .
1858.
Cleaveland, Mary,
1838.
Durand, Julia G.
Cleaveland, James C., . 1837.
Durand, William, 1843.
Cleaveland, L. C. Watson,
Durand, Loanna P. Barber, 1827.
Cleaveland, J. R. McD.,
1867.
Coe, Caroline Brown.
Eggleston, Mary E. Hayden, 1858.
Coe, Julia E., .
1843.
Eggleston, Cynthia A., 1858.
Collier, Henry.
Eggleston, Sophia D., Ellsworth, John.
Colt, Anson.
Colt, Chloe Gillett, 1816. Ellsworth, Anna Birge.
Colt, Anson Jr., 1817. Ellsworth, Philander.
Colt, Henry, 1831. Elmer, Abiathar.
Colt, Chloe Catlin,
Elmer, Kezia Bissell.
Colt, Geo. R.,
1858.
Elmer, Peleg, . 1835.
Colt, Margaret E. Griswold,
1858. Emerson, Catharine Brown, 1842.
Colt, Luman,
1868. 1816.
Cross, Ann, Curtiss, Job, Dea.
1849.
Filley, Abraham, Dea.
Fogg, Sophia C. Hayden, 1831.
Curtiss, Eunice Cowles.
Foote, Jane E. Humphrey, 1843.
Curtiss, Elizur, Dea., .
1799
Freeman, Mary.
Curtiss, Naomi Kellog.
Freeman, Edward H.,
1858.
Curtiss, Amanda Steele, .
1805. Frisbie, John.
Engert, Louisa, 1869.
Cook, Louisa Fuller,
Cook, Jane M. Hand,
1851.
Fenn, Sarah Roberts, 1855.
59
TORRINGFORD CHURCH.
When united.
When united.
Fyler, Sybil.
Hewitt, Alice M.,
1868.
Holcomb, James H., .
1827.
Gaylord, Nehemiah, Dea.
Hotchkiss, Laura N.
Gaylord, Lucy Loomis.
Hopkins, Anna Palmer, 1865.
Gaylord, Joseph.
Hopkins, Harvey P.,
1857.
Gaylord, Ruth Bissell.
Hopkins, Lydia Tanner, .
Gaylord, Elizah.
Hopkins, Gertrude W.,
1870.
Gaylord, Margaret Taylor.
Gaylord, Margaret Bissell.
Gaylord, Giles L.,
1833.
Hudson, Abigail W.
Gaylord, Pamelia Preston,
1838. Hungerford, Charlotte Austin.
Gaylord, Sarah Blake, 1848.
Hurlbut, Leonard.
Gaylord, Hubert L.,
1867.
Hudson, Daniel Coe.
Gaylord, Mary L., .
66
Hudson, Rhoda Fowler.
Gaylord, Nancy.
Hudson, E. D., Dr.
Gibbs, Abigail W. Hudson.
Hudson, Martha Turner.
Gillett, Anna Loomis.
Hudson, Charlotte.
Gillett, Loraine Filley.
Hudson, Barzillai, 1816.
Gillett, Horace.
Hudson, Content Picket, .
66
Gillett, Rachel Austin.
Humaston, Esther.
Gillett, Betsey.
Humphrey, Daniel G.
Goodwin, Harvey.
Humphrey, L. Eno.
Goodwin, Sarah M.,
1867.
Humphrey, Daniel P., 2d, 1816. Humphrey, P. P., Dr., 1836.
Griswold, Laura Barber.
Humphrey, Charles G., 1843.
Griswold, Jane Woodford.
Humphrey, James D., 1858.
Griswold, Thaddeus, 1826.
Humphrey, Chloe Watson,
Griswold, Margaret Gaylord,
Griswold, Julia A. Curtiss, 1834.
Griswold, Sarah Clark, 1857.
Griswold, Isabella Kellogg, .
1843.
Ingraham, Louisa.
Griswold, Isabella W., 1866.
Griswold, Anna M.,
Johnson, Levi F., 1831.
Griswold, Nellie P.,
1867.
Johnson, Maria Morris, .
Gross, Sally Ellsworth.
Johnson, Daniel. Johnson, Jarvis B., . 1849.
Gross, Harvey H.
Gulliver, Fannie W. Curtiss, ·
1841.
johnson, Elizabeth Hill,
Johnson, Sarah E., 1862.
Hall, Gideon, .
1827.
Harrison, Richard,
1868.
Hart, Jane Tuttle.
Hathaway, Mary E. Curtiss,
1834.
Jones, Nancy Johnson.
Hathaway, Anna F., 1866.
Hayden, Augustine. Hayden, Cicero, . 1831.
Hayden, Sophia Squires ..
Lepian, Jane, . 1860.
Hayden, Tullius C.,
Loomis, Hepziba.
Hayden, Wm. H., .
1843.
Loomis, Sally Burr.
Hayden, Charles H.,
1868.
Loomis, Fitch.
Henderson, Ruth Mather.
Loomis, Mary Bissell. Loomis, Michael.
Handerson, C. M. Gillett.
Johnson, Levi B., 1867.
Johnson, Emily A.,
Johnson, Julia A.,
Kelsey, Jonathan, Dea.
Humphrey, Henry B. S., . 1858.
Humphrey, Dorothy Miller, . 1866.
Gould, Rhoda Mc Coe.
Hudson, Daniel. Hudson, Mary Coe.
60
HISTORY OF TORRINGTON.
When united.
When united.
Loomis, Huldah Loomis.
Miller, Abigail Bristol, . . 1816.
Loomis, Allen.
Miller, Harry, . 1842.
Loomis, Mary Reed,
1810. Miller, Jane F. G.,
Loomis, Aurelia,
1818.
Miller, Luther.
Loomis, Timothy.
Miller, Harriette L., . 1867.
Loomis, Ann Roberts.
Miller, Luther B., .
Mills, Esther Robbins, Rev.
Loomis, Harvey, Rev.
Mills, Florilla.
Loomis, Ann Battell, 1826.
Mills, Samuel J. 2d, Rev., 1806.
Loomis, Laura Lyman.
Mills, Jeremiah.
Loomis, Timothy 2d.
Mills, Eleanor Witter.
Loomis, Chloe Riley,
1843.
Mills, Laura. Mills, Electa J. Lyman, 1843.
Loomis, Mary A. Watson, 1822. Miner, Drius D., 1847.
Loomis, Cornelius D.,
1836.
Miner, Mary E. Wadsworth, .
Loomis, Justice.
Miner, Mary E., 1867.
Lowrey, Martha A. Miller.
Lyman, David.
Miner, Martha E. Frost, .
Lyman, Mary Brown.
Miner, John S., .
1867
Lyman, Elijah, Dr.
Miner, Josephine,
1868.
Lyman, Norman, Dr.
Lyman, Orange, Rev.
Minturn, Hiram. Minturn, Huldah Cowles.
Lyman, John, 1802. Mitchell, Maria Thorburn, 1838.
Lyman, Salome Maltby,
Moore, Erasmus D., Rev.
Lyman, John B., 1821.
Moone, Mary E. Redfield, Rev., 1847.
Lyman, David N., 1831. Moone, Jane A. North, 1849.
Lyman, Sarah E. Stone, 1843.
Morse, Catharine Mix, 1848.
Lyman, John N., 1858.
Murray, Warren Brooker, 18 58.
Lyman, Rufus.
Newell, Almira F. Palmer.
McCoe, Chloe Phelps.
Newman, Elizabeth G., Rev., . 18 58.
McEwen, Sarah Battell.
Nichols, George, . 1793.
Marsh, Lydia S., .
1843.
Nichols, Elizabeth Mont o,
Mather, Oliver Soper.
Noble, E. Pleasants, Rev., 1865.
Miller, Ebenezer, Dea.
North, John H., 1735.
Miller, Thankful Allen.
North, Esther Gaylord, .
Miller, Loraine Bissell.
North, Esther Maria,
1843
Miller, Ebenezer 2d, Dea.
North, Sarah G., .
1849.
Miller, Dorathy Gaylord.
Norton, James.
Miller, Sarah Catlin, . 1800.
Norton, Harriet.
Miller, Maria, 1821.
Miller, Thomas A., Dea., . 1827.
Obookiah, Henry,
.
1815.
Miller, Mary C. Hudson, 1821.
Osborn, Esther Strong.
Miller, Gaylord B., Dr., 1849.
Miller, Caroline A. Watson, . 1847.
Pardee, Isaac S., . 1860.
Miller, John T., 1849.
Pardee, Mary L. Crocker, 1858
Miller, Hobart B., 1858.
Peet, Minta.
Miller, Fanny E. Mather, . 1862. Perkins, Watrous.
Miller, Henry, 1816. Perkins, Debora Brace.
Miner, Charles, 1858.
Loomis, Philo A.
Loomis, Hannah Curtiss.
61
TORRINGFORD CHURCH.
When united.
When united.
Phelps, Esther, .
1829.
Smith, - Mrs.,
1839.
Phelps, C. Augusta H.,
1843.
Smith, Henrietta Winchell,
1849.
Philips, Caroline A.
Soper, Rachel Cook.
Pierce, Henry D.,
1858.
Spaulding, Silas D.
Pierce, Mary,
1868.
Spaulding Julia A. Button.
Pond, Philip,
1843.
Spencer, Jeremiah,
1858.
Pond, Nancy, .
Spencer, Elisheba Goodman.
Pond, Burton, 1838.
Spencer, Eliza Dutton, 1839.
Pond, Charlotte Colt, 1821.
Steele, Eliza Humphrey, . 1831.
Pond, Julius R., . .
1858.
Stoddard, Eli, .
1851.
Pond, Martha A. Watson, .
1836. Stoddard, Olive, .
Pratt, Ann A. Root,
1843.
Stone Emily Lyman.
Pratt, Catharine L. Jones,
Strong, Emerett L. Colt.
Preston, Betsey Gaylord.
Tallmadge, David, 1832.
Rand, George D.,
1866.
Tallmadge, Sarah, .
Rand, Martha J.,
Tallmadge, Hilah, .
Randall, Hannibal,
1858. ' Tallmadge, John Adrian, 1843.
Reed, Justus.
Tallmadge, James B.,
1836.
Reed, Elizabeth Loomis.
Taylor, Polly.
Reed, Theodore H., . 1860.
Taylor, Ann Wilson.
Reed, Sarah S. Wilcox,
1847.
Taylor, Emory, . 1833.
Reed, Laura E. Birge,
1858.
Taylor, Ann Mather,
Reed, Hattie A., .
1867.
Taylor, Maria, 1858.
Richards, Enos S.
Tolles, Joseph.
Rider, Irene A., Mrs., Roberts, Pelatiah.
1858.
Tompkins, Thomas.
Treadway, Aurelia Gillett, . 1816.
Roberts, Betsey, .
1834.
Treadway, Aurelia 2d. Tuttle, Ruth Wilson.
Rockwell, Dency C.,
1843.
Tuttle, Ira.
Rood, Ebenezer.
Tuttle, - Mills.
Rood, Rhoda Loomis.'
Rood, Ann.
Tuttle, Clement. Tuttle, - his wife.
Rood, Pamelee.
Tuttle, Lucy, 1841.
Rood, Eunice.
Tuttle, Uriel.
Rood, Rhoda.
Tuttle, Cordelia Woodford, 1849.
Rood, Calvin.
Tuttle, Adah Hudson, 1816.
Rood, Moses.
Tuttle, Chloe Colt, 1821.
Rood, Ebenezer 2d, Dea., 1800.
Rood, Aurelia A. Loomis.
Rood, Rufus, . 1836. Wainright, Harriet C. Hayden, . 1843.
Rood, Harvey L., Dea.,
1850.
Wakefield, Ann Fyler.
Rood, Susan Humphrey,
1848. Walcott, Dana Mills, . 1870.
Rood, Abigail Hewit, . Rustin, Hiram.
1834.
Walcott, Elizabeth Billings, 66
St. John, Merilla Lyman.
Seymour, Polly A. Gross.
Smith, Rhuamah Loomis. Smith, Melvin,
Van Allen, Caroline E., 1868.
Watson, Levi. Watson, Abigail Ensign. Watson, Lucy Olmsted. Watson, Huldah. Watson, Julia.
1839. Watson, Wm. Henry, 1849.
Robinson, Mary.
62
HISTORY OF TORRINGTON.
When united.
When united.
Watson, Ann Moone,
I822.
Wetmore, Fanny Austin.
Watson, Harvey,
1816.
Wetmore, Sarepta,
1841.
Watson, Sally Wells,
1808.
Wilcox, Elias, 1845.
Watson, Reuel A.,
1831.
Wilcox, Florilla A. Watson, . 1816.
Watson, Milo.
Wilcox, Charles,
1866.
Watson, George.
Wilcox, Charlotte Hart, .
66
Watson, Jane Belden.
Wilcox, Maria E.,
1822.
Watson, Emeline Curtiss,
1821. Wilson, Austa Tallmadge.
Watson, Charlotte E., 1851.
Wilson, Darius.
Watson, Sarah Gaylord,
1813.
Wilson, Clarissa Treadway.
Watson, William, Dea.,
1824.
Woodruff, Julia A. Marsh,
1843.
Watson, Melissa Cadwell,
1857.
Woodward, James G., .
Watson, Sarah Jane.
Woodward, Catharine M. Steele, . 1848.
Wedge, Parintha.
Woodward, Orpha A. Kellogg, . 1851.
Wells, Martha.
Young, Clarinda Lyman, 1850.
Wells, Nancy.
DISSENTERS.
In early times all persons owning taxable property were taxed for the " support of the gospel." Soon after the revolutionary war this law was changed and every man was allowed to choose what society or denomination he would support. This law to compel men to support the gospel was brought from the Episcopal church of England, and was continued so long as England governed this country, but as soon as the United States became free the state of Connecticut, and probably others also, changed the law and left every man to choose for himself, by presenting a certificate to that effect. The law was in universal force in England in behalf of the Episcopal church, but in this country none were more forward in opposing the law than the Episcopalians. In 1818 the law was again changed so that a man could withdraw, without supporting any denomination. The record made in Torringford concerning the matter is as follows :
" The certificates of those who have dissented from the established society of Torringford were received by the society as follows :
1788, Daniel Winchel, Churchman. 1795, Elihu Olmstead, Methodist.
1791, Charles Mather, Baptist. Thomas Goodman, "
David Miller,
Isaac Goodwin,
66 Michael Loomis, Jr.,
1793, Stephen Brown, Churchman.
Anson Loomis,
Ashur Loomis,
William Wilson,
Curtiss Tuttle,
66 David Soper [strict] Congregationalist. 1821, Hiram Winchell,
1818, Pelatiah Cadwell, no denomination.
1819, Doct. Samuel Fyler,
Ambrose Fyler,
1795, Samuel Woodward, " Josiah Moore,
66 Francis Lyman, Baptist.
1823.
Wilson, Mary Roberts,
Watson, Thomas, Dea.,
TORRINGFORD CHURCH.
1796, Eleazer Morris, Baptist.
1816, Catlin Bissell, Churchman.
1797, Brigadier Loomis,
Durand,
Abraham Tuttle,
Isaiah Tuttle,
Roswell Loomis,
Elijah Gaylord,
Elihu Moore,
Anson Little, 66
Timothy Humiston, Churchman.
Harvey Coe, 66
1800, Hannah Olmstead, "
Abiather Ellmore,
1802, John Brooker, Baptist.
Levi Beach,
James Cowles, Churchman.
1822, Jonathan Ives,
« Elihu Barber, Baptist.
Leverette Tuttle,
1803, Augustin Hayden,
1822, Theodore Lee,
1804, Solomon Morse, John Evans,
" Russell Burr, 66
Charles Andrus, 6
1805, Timothy Eggleston, "
1823, John Ellsworth, 66
18II, Elias Gilbert, Methodist.
Henry Roberts,
1815, Stephen Fyler, Baptist.
1827, John Hungerford,
1816, Oliver Loomis, Methodist.
Christopher Wolcott, Churchman.
Uri Taylor,
63
1798, Isaac Goodwin, Jr., Churchman. 1799, Roswell Olmstead, Baptist.
CHAPTER VIII.
BUSINESS CENTERS.
COOK STREET.
ROM 1740, for twenty years, much of the business of the town centered at Dea. Cook's. He was the first town clerk, and continued in that office thirty-eight years, and was justice of the peace much of that time, be- sides serving in several other offices of the town, church and society. Half a mile west of his house at Joseph Fowler's is said to have been some sort of mill or tannery, or both. In February, 1739, a stock company was formed of thirteen persons, supposed to have been for the purpose of setting up a tannery. The proprietors were ; Thomas Thomas and Thomas Hammond of Wethersfield ; David Sanford of Milford ; Samuel Phelps of Harwinton ; Dea. Nathaniel Hosford, Josiah Walker, Daniel Harris, Joel Parmelee, Timothy Hosford, William Hosford, Abram Kilborn, Isaac Bissell Jr., and Samuel Kilborn of Litchfield. They purchased the same day, thirty- six acres at the south end of the second tier of lots including the water privileges on the north side of the road at this place. Four of these partners sold their shares to Thomas Thomas, soon after the company was formed. It is probable that the first corn mill was here, and afterwards was removed to Mill brook, near Ebenezer Lyman junior's house. Some of the proprietor's meetings were held at Esquire Lyman's and his sons. The town meetings were held, most of the time if not all, at the first meeting house until about 1790.
THE LYMAN STREET.
In 1770 a highway was laid by town authority, from the first meeting house south to Mill brook. This road had been traveled as a highway more than fifteen years, but was not authorized as such by the town, it being about half way between two highways. On this road, in 1759, Ephraim Bancroft Jr., erected a house, having re- ceived sixty-six acres as a present from his father. His house stood near the site of the present dwelling of Mr. U. C. Andrus. In the same year, Epaphras Sheldon settled on land given him by his father,
65
BUSINESS CENTERS.
about forty rods east of the Meeting house. He bought a strip of land running from his own through to this highway, lying south of and adjoining the Meeting house lot. On this land Mr. Sheldon built his tavern, which was for twenty years the place for military display and public resort.1 Dea. John Whiting lived at the north end of this street, on the west side opposite the Church. Mr. Sheldon's house was on the east side, a few rods south, and Lieutenant Ban- croft's house further south on the brow of the hill ; and the site of Averit's grist mill, in the hollow, a few rods east of the present School house. On the west side of this street was the Lyman estate, the Fort and the School house, and about sixty rods west (perhaps more) was the Brandy still for making cider brandy. Deacon Whiting kept what would answer to a small country store of the present day, the only one west of Amos Wilson's at that time so far as is known. It may not have been dignified with the name of store, but was in fact quite a place for the sale of wheat, corn, peas and other grains, and salt, tea, sugar, indigo, and a few of such common articles of import. About 1773, he built a cider mill which was a place of great resort to talk the news and drink cider, which perhaps was some- thing better than to congregate, and drink stronger water at the tavern ..
"Leftenant " Bancroft, as called in that day, and General Epaphras Sheldon were very influential men for many years, and would naturally draw the public about them, and for this reason in part that street became the center of business for the town. They were both inde- pendent as to money, but were as unlike in character as two sub- stantial men could be. The lieutenant was one of the most reliable men ; of good judgment, good executive ability without a fuss ; every body's true friend, and highly esteemed.
The general was a man of many flourishes as his hand writing faithfully shows. Yet he was not all flourish, but was a man of de- cided value in the community. He had high blood in him and was just the man to be a general in time of peace or war. He was clerk of the town for sixteen years, and had an important part in almost every public interest of the town. He built a tannery, on Mill brook, which was continued after his death some years by Raphael Marshall, and afterwards by Martin Webster. In revolutionary
I Since writing the above it is ascertained that Mr. Sheldon bought land of Ephraim Ban- croft, just south of Bancroft's house and built his tavern there, where Mr. U. C. Andrus now resides.
9
66
HISTORY OF TORRINGTON.
times, he and Lieut. Bancroft, being military men, supported by the Wilsons, Whitings, Cooks, Fowlers, Loomises, Griswolds, Tuttles, Austins and a host of others like them from the east side as well as the west, were just the men to carry the town through with high honor to itself and triumph to the state and nation.
TORRINGTON GREEN.
When Doctor Elkana Hodges planted his home and store on the hill north of Torrington green, 1776, he set in motion the laws of trade that were to control the business transactions of the western part of the town for fifty years. Captain Abel Beach's tavern could not compete with that of Gen. Epaphras Sheldon, but Dr. Hodges's store stripped the south hill as clear as the northwest wind sweeps the snow from its brow in a furious gale in the winter. First, the three stores (and perhaps more) of Dea. Whiting, Capt. Amos Wil- son and Noah North, made a balloon disappearance by taking wings and lighting on the hill in full subjection to the doctor, for his store became, very soon, the only store of the west side. Next the Meet- ing house, after a mighty struggle of moral elements, not quite as thoroughly modified by grace as could have been desired, yielded to the power of attraction and seated itself at the doctor's feet on the
green. The military parades and public gatherings centered at Abel Beach's tavern and the New Meeting house and Hodges's store. Esquire Elisha Smith became town clerk and the business man of the town in the room of General Sheldon. The post office was esta- blished half a mile east of the green at Harvey Palmer's house, on Goshen road before it became a turnpike. The Center school house stood on the corner near Mr. Willard Birge's present house, and the horse racing was performed on the highway, originally six- teen rods wide, between the School house and the post office. To these must be added Dr. Hodges's potash manufactory at his house and a brandy distillery further north. In 1792, the hill at the New Meeting house was called Brandy hill, whether in consequence of the distillery north of Dr. Hodges's or another nearer the site is not ascertained.1 The Rev. Alexander Gillett purchased his farm of Samuel Beach, half a mile north of Dr. Hodges, in 1792, on which he resided, until his decease. One man who had been of much im- portance in the town for fifteen years, specially during the Revolu-
I It is said that Epaphras Loomis brought a barrel of brandy from Windsor to his house north of Dr. Hodges, and this first gave the name of Brandy hill.
67
BUSINESS CENTERS.
tion, was Daniel Grant, living on the old Grant farm near Goshen line. The influence of his energetic life was not felt as much in business centers as all over the town, especially the western side.
Such were the relations of business enterprises and moneyed trans- actions, when in the spring of 1797, Dr. Hodges was suddenly re- moved from his active and successful life at the early age of fifty years. His two sons, Willard and Erastus, one eighteen years of age, the other sixteen, took his business, except his profession, and carried it forward with decided success, and to the great advantage of the community, for many years. The store was continued on the hill eight or nine years. Then a store building was erected at the green on the west side by Erastus Hodges and the store on the hill vacated. Soon after he erected the dwelling house adjoining the store, which is still standing, and which was at that time the pride of the town. Another upward step in the life of this diligent young man was the marrying, on the fifth day of January, 1809, Laura Loomis, daughter of Richard Loomis, said to have been the most queenly woman then living in the town ; and placed her in this new home, queen of the situation, but not of his mercantile business. This store drew around it other enterprises of advantage and honor to the community. Elijah Cowles of New Hartford set up a hat shop in the corner of the roads northeast of the store, which in a few years was removed to the old house a little west of Mr. Burton T. Cowles's present re- sidence. In about 1822, the Academy was built a little south of Mr. Hodges's dwelling and was in use a number of years. Afterwards another store was erected by Russell C. Abernethy," who some years after removed to Wolcottville and was a man of much enterprise and efficiency in the town. In 1848, the Meeting house, then strong and substantial, was taken down and a new one erected of smaller dimen- sions, which remained until 1872, when it was removed to Torring- ton hollow, where it has been in use since that time. Mr. Alpheus Hodges, brother of Erastus, remained on the old homestead on the hill and was a farmer of much influence in the town, and highly re- spected until his death in 1870. Torrington green is now deserted ; a fence is placed along the road on the east side ; the sites of the old church and of Capt. Abel Beach's tavern, and the house, once Mr. Abernethy's store, are all in the lot east of the highway. One family alone, that of the late Col. Levi Hodges, of all who dwelt on that
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