USA > Connecticut > Windham County > History of Windham County, Connecticut, Volume II, 1760-1880 > Part 39
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Master Adams continued in charge of the Academy from the spring of 1801 to the fall of 1803. During this period he reports "about two hundred different pupils, principally from the neighboring towns. but quite a number from Providence, New London, New York, &c."
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The Academy was prosperous; as appears from the fact that the tuition money was abundantly sufficient to meet all expenses without absorbing any part of the income of the small, original donation. Among his pupils who entered Yale College were Rinaldo Burleigh, Parker Adams, William Kinne, John Pellet, Jason Allen, David Bacon, Rufus Chandler, Hezekiah Rudd, Ebenezer Young, James Howard, Daniel Huntington. The social attractions of Plainfield at this date called out another by-law, viz. :-
" That no member of the Academy shall attend a dancing school in the town during the time he is a member of the Academy."
Mr. Rinaldo Burleigh succeeded his honored preceptor immediately after his own graduation from college. His early struggles and varied experiences proved a valuable preparation for effective service and enabled him to sustain the reputation of the Academy. Thongh similar institutions were multiplying in all parts of the land, Plainfield retained its place in popular favor and sent out every year a goodly number of graduates fitted to pursue collegiate studies, or engage in business and the various duties of life.
Society in Plainfield was quickened and elevated by Academic influence. The brilliant young graduates who served as teachers found in this rural town a select circle of accomplished and attractive young women and usually carried away a wife, or left their hearts behind them. Miles Merwin married a daughter of Dr. Perkins : Preceptors Nott, Allen and Phinney won each the hand of a daughter of Dr. Benedict. Seven daughters graced the modest home of this good minister, conspicuous alike for good looks, sense and breeding. Attractive young ladies were to be found in the household of Mr. Luther Smith and other village residents. Plainfield was also favored with many intelligent and publie spirited gentlemen. Its first lawyer was Mr. William Dixon of Voluntown, who engaged in practice about 1790. Calvin Goddard after his brief rectorship also engaged in legal practice and rose at once to eminence in professional and public service. James Gordon, judge of Probate and general of the Fifth Brigade, was promoted to the major-generalship of the Third Division of Connecticut militia. John Douglas, clerk of the Probate office, was also brigade-general.
Plainfield's most noted citizen at this date was unquestionably her much esteemed physician, Dr. Perkins, whose " Metallic Tractors " had won a world-wide reputation. Experiments in magnetic and electric currents had convinced him of the practicability of applying these forces for the relief of pain through the agency of pointed metallie instruments of opposite electrical condition. After having
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himself successfully tested these tractors. Dr. Perkins obtained a patent for his invention, and they soon came into notice. The pro- fessors of three universities in America gave attestations in their favor. Abroad, their success was much more signal. In Copenhagen, twelve physicians and surgeons instituted a series of experiments and decided that " Perkinism " was " of great importance to the physician." A Perkinian Institution was established in London, principally with the view of gratuitously in-tractorating the poor. "Disinterested and intelligent characters from almost every quarter of Great Britain, including professors, regular physicians, surgeons and clergymen," testified to benefit received from the application of Tractors. It was claimed that the extraordinary number of one-and-a-half millions of cures had been actually effected. But while so eminent in his profes- sion, no man was more active and useful as a citizen, more ready to serve town and church in any capacity. "Few men in the world," reports Calvin Goddard, " were more public spirited, more hospitable, more free from all guile." The ailing poor were always cared for ; the needy student found in him aid and sympathy. If boarding-places were lacking for importunate school-boys, his hospitable doors were opened. Distinguished in personal appearance. he was still more noted for a "winning cordiality of manner," and "in address and colloquial powers, few of his profession excelled him." The fate of his daughter, Mrs. Merwin, who, with her husband and two children, died of yellow fever in Philadelphia, 1793, turned his experiments in a new direction, and he concocted an antiseptic preparation which he used as a preventive for the disease but fell a victim to his own theories, dying of yellow fever in New York city, 1799, after four weeks nnremitting assidnity in attending the siek. Mrs. Sarah (Douglas) Perkins died three years before her husband. The Tractors after their brief "run " fell into disuse, and were ranked with the inn- merable delusions that have obtained transient notoriety. A volume called " Terrible Tractorations " covered them with ridicule, but the principle on which they were founded came again and again into notice, and his experiments in this and other fields entitled Dr. Perkins to a high place in the medical annals of his country.
Plainfield was also greatly favored during this period in the ministry of Mr. Benedict. Eminent alike for piety, learning and practical wisdom, he was one of the distinguished men of his generation. a pillar and a power in church and community. He was an accom- plished Biblical scholar and critic, and especially noted for his fondness for the Hebrew tongue, which he was wont to call "the language of the angels." His preaching though mostly extemporaneous was very weighty and impressive, characterized rather by strength of thought
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and force of argument than by elegance of language or delivery. In the performance of pastoral duties he had few equals. Frail in con- stitution, and suffering much from bodily infirmities, he knew how to sympathize in the sorrows and pains of others. He was ever mind- ful of the wants of the poor, and assidnous in attention to the sick and dying. Though so feeble in health he was remarkably cheerful and happy, and had the rare gift of making all happy around him. Decided in his own religious convictions, he allowed the same liberty to others, and exercised a most enlightened and liberal charity towards those of differing opinions. Under his influence and instructions the party lines that had so long existed in the church were gradually obliterated. The radical element was drawn to the Baptists and Methodists, and the First church of Plainfield resumed its old position among the churches of the County, though not accepting Consocia- tion. It had so far conceded to the ecclesiastie Constitution of the State as to consent in 1799 to the formal organization of a religious society, Messrs. Bradford, Douglas and Gordon giving warning of the same.
The Baptist interest in Plainfield was greatly strengthened by a remarkable religious awakening accompanying the labors of Elder Nathaniel Cole of Swanzey. A Baptist church was organized October 16, 1792, and in December following Elder Cole was installed as its pastor. Residents within the new town of Sterling and the south of Killingly joined with this church, so that its membership was increased in two years to eighty-seven. Religious services were held in the Pond Hill school-house till 1800, when a meeting-house was built in the north part of the town. Methodist preachers had ere this found their way to the town, preaching in different neighborhoods, and organized a class and society, which in time held regular service in the old Separate meeting-house.
In 1784, the town ordered its sign-post removed to the new meet- ing-house lot, and appointed its meetings to be held, half the time at the new meeting-house near Rev. Joel Benedict's dwelling-house, and half the time at the meeting-house in the north part of the town near Joseph Prior's (the old Separate house). Public deliberations were mainly occupied with roads and bridges. In 1784, the town voted to join with equal proportions as Brooklyn in building a bridge over the Quinebang at Parkhurst's fordway, but this needed accommodation was delayed for several years. In 1788, it joined with Canterbury in rebuilding Nevins' Bridge, " with three stone pillars in the river and suitable timber and planks for the upper works "-David Kinne, William Cutler and Ebenezer Eaton, committee. In 1790, aided by Brooklyn, it accomplished the new Quinebaug bridge. A requisition
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from the County Court the following year, ordered new attention to the " post road through Plainfield." Colonel Swift, Shubael Abbe and Captain Ezra Bishop, sent as committee, reported the necessity of an alteration between the house of Samuel Dow in Sterling and the mills owned by Elisha Perkins. The highway surveyors of the town made new arrangements and distribution, and labored zealously to satisfy the traveling publie but were soon called to further outlay. William Dixon was appointed agent to defend the town against petitions brought from the County Court by Ebenezer Gray and others, praying for an alteration in the stage road from Norwich to Providence through Plainfield, and also to oppose a petition of John Jefferds and Andrew Murdock praying for an alteration in the road leading from Brooklyn to Providence. As usual opposition availed nothing, and "the New London and Windham County Society for establishing a turnpike road from Norwich to Rhode Island line, direct through Norwich, Lisbon, Preston, Plainfield and Sterling," was incorporated in 1795. A turnpike gate was allowed in Ster- ling, and another " within half a mile of Plainfield meeting-house." The old traveled country road from Plainfield meeting-house west- ward to Hartford, was turned over to the Windham Turnpike Company in 1799, and liberty granted to ereet a turnpike gate near the dividing line between Plainfield and Canterbury. General James Gordon was a member of the several turnpike companies, and served as turnpike commissioner in behalf of the State. A committee was chosen in 1797, to attend the Turnpike Conference held by the Windham County towns, and also to examine the town's property in roads. Bridges were built over Moosup River to accommodate Captain William Cutler, and Mr. John Lester, and also to accommo- date mills on other streams in various localities. William Robinson now served as town clerk, Ebenezer Eaton, treasurer ; Squire Cady, constable. The selectmen in 1796, were Joshua Dunlap, Jonathan Gallup, Caleb Hill, Jun., Benjamin Gallup ; surveyors, Moses Branch, General James Gordon, Captain Simon Shepard, Aaron Wheeler, Dr. Thomas Backus, David Kinne, Caleb Hall, Jun., William Clark, Thomas Smith, John French, Anthony Bradford, Esq., Joseph Whipple, David Knight ; fence-viewers, Thomas Pierce, Robert Dunlap. Elijah Fox, Thomas Wheeler, Abijah Deane, Jeremiah Shepard, Nathaniel Parke, Colonel Abel Andrews, Nathan Kinne, Zebulon Whipple, John Avery, Hezekiah Spalding, Levi Robinson, John Burgess, Stephen Ilall, Anthony Bradford, John Pierce, as grand school committee, had charge of the public schools. Fees for taking up and punishing strollers were willingly allowed. The select- men were enjoined in 1801 to provide a suitable and convenient house
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for the reception of the poor. A pall, hearse and building for the same were also ordered. Military matters excited the usnal interest. In 1799, it was voted that non-commissioned officers, musicians and privates, who should equip themselves as to arms, clothing and aceontrements and do military duty, should be exempt from all but highway taxes. Abel Andrus was now lieutentant-colonel of the Twenty-first Regiment ; Shubael Hutchins, first major; Rev. Joel Benedict, chaplain ; Sessions Lester, quartermaster ; George Middle- ton, paymaster ; Dr. Johnson of Westminster, surgeon ; Daniel Gordon, surgeon's mate ; Frederick Andrns, Aaron Crary, Samuel Douglas, Asa Burgess, captains of companies in the light infantry ; Thomas and Daniel Wheeler, John Gordon, lieutenants and ensigns ; Dr. Josiah Fuller, surgeon's mate of the envalry regiment.
The fine water privileges of Plainfield afforded accommodations for an unnsual number of mills and manufacturing establishments. Nathan Angell of Providence, purchased of Dr. Welles in 1777, a fine farm on the Moosup, with large mansion house, storehouse, cheese house, milk house, young orchard and various conveniences. Much other land was purchased by Mr. Angell, who ran saw and grist- mills and carried on extensive farming operations. The easy communi- cation with Providence and Norwich, the stages daily running to and fro, stimulated traffic and agricultural enterprise. Captains Lester, Dunlap and others gave much attention to wool-growing and stock- raising. Luther Smith, John and William Douglas and William Olmstead engaged in trade. George Middleton opened a harness shop, making a specialty of leather pocket-books and portmanteaus. Dr. Daniel Gordon kept an apothecary's shop. Potash works, tanning and hat-making were carried on in the valleys east and south of the village. Plainfield's first post-office-the third in Windham County- was opened in 1797, by Captain Ebenezer Eaton, whose popular stage- tavern maintained its ancient reputation. The justices in 1806, were William Dixon, Anthony Bradford, Calvin Goddard, Ephraim Wheeler, Joshua Dunlap, John Douglas. Calvin Goddard, Joshua Dunlap, Joseph Eaton, Anthony Bradford, Ephraim Wheeler, Joseph Shepard, Jonathan Hammet, William Pierce, Luther Smith, John Lester, Jeremiah Kinsman, were sent as representatives during this period.
42
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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
I.
KILLINGLY'S RE-SETTLEMENT. AFFAIRS IN NORTH SOCIETY. TRIALS IN BAPTIST CHURCH. SOUTH KILLINGLY CHURCH AND TRAININGS. WEST KILLINGLY CHURCH. EMIGRATION TO OHIO.
K ILLINGLY, after the loss of her northern parish. hastened to reorganize upon a new basis, voting that the three remaining societies " shall be called by these names as following. North, Middle and South," and " that all town meetings shall be held in the meeting- house in the middle society." At the annual town meeting. December 12, 1785, Dr. Joseph Torrey was chosen moderator: James Larned, Samuel Danielson, Jacob Spalding, Capt. Ephraim Warren and Zadoc Spalding, selectmen ; Sampson Howe, town clerk and treasurer : Silas Hutchins. constable to collect State taxes : Elihu Lawrence and John Day, constables : Edward Babbett, Col. Joseph Cady, Nell Alexander, Obed Spalding, Sampson Howe, John Barret. Andrew Brown, Benjamin Simmons, Elias Stearns, John Hutchins, Captain David Cady, highway surveyors and collectors of highway taxes; James Larned. Captain David Buck, Captain Ephraim Warren. Zadoc Spalding, fenee-viewers : Sampson Howe, Captain Jonathan Cady, Andrew Brown, Jonas Danielson, Ezra HIntchins, Siloam Short, listers : Captain John Felshaw, Captain Ephraim Warren and Deacon Jacob Spalding, key-keepers. It was voted that Captain Warren's old house be made a workhouse for the accommodation of the town's poor and he master of the same. Accounts with Thompson were amicably settled by their respective committees. The restriction of the old town to a single representative excited great indignation and called out a memorial, showing :-
" That such restriction deprived the town of one half their rights of representatives which they conceive they have a right to enjoy agreeable to the Constitution of this State-restriction laid on town without the consent or knowledge or even the most distant thought of the inhabitants of Killingly, and notwithstanding this restriction the freemen have continued to choose two deputies who have had a seat in the General Assembly until last October session, when it was judged to be inadmissible till the Act was repealed, and therefore pray for such repeal which they conceived an infringement on their constitutional rights and privileges so long as they remain peaceful subjects of the State, and are considered in the common burdens of the same, as they look upon the right of representation as one of their most essential ones.
JAMES LARNED, DAVID BUCK, ELEAZER MOFFAT, WILLIAM CUNDALL, ZADOC SPALDING, EZRA HUTCHINS, EPHRAIM WARREN, Committee.
Killingly, October 8, 1787."
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This request was granted by both Houses, and Killingly confirmed in her constitutional rights and privileges. The executions brought against the town by the State treasurer for balance of taxes laid during the war were satisfied by an especial rate after much difficulty. The dividend line run between the old and new towns was accepted after some debate : the old Breakneck meeting-house converted into a suitable town-house, and all affairs arranged in a satisfactory manner. The charge of the numerous poor people continned a heavy burden. The services of Doctors Jonathan Bishop, Comfort Foster and Penuel Hutchins were often called in requisition, as well as constables to convey them out of town and lawyers to contest doubtful cases, while guardians were appointed to keep in watchful oversight such as by bad husbandry and mismanagement seemed likely to need public aid.
The North Society was reduced to such indigent circumstances by some of their most valuable settlements falling into the hands " of those who style themselves Baptists," and also by what is called " the maneuvres" of Mr. Emerson Foster, "whereby many were waxen cold towards the established religion," that it would gladly have resorted to the fashionable expedient of a lottery, the avails to be used in purchasing a small parsonage. Failing in this device, it had the good fortune to procure an excellent minister who so bound up old wounds and conciliated the disaffected that it was able to " re-settle the Gospel" without questionable assistance. Elisha Atkins of Middletown, a gentleman of culture and experience, was happily ordained and installed in the pastoral office, June 3, 1787, the society granting two hundred pounds settlement, fifty-five pounds salary, and the cutting and drawing the ministerial fire-wood. Not only was this done without serious difficulty, but it also took measures for repairing the meeting-house, though ten years elapsed before these repairs were fully accomplished. The old body of seats was in time removed. Pew spots were granted to Roland Leavens, Jedediah Sabin, Aaron Buek, Josiah Deane, John Lawrence, John E. Dorrance, Eleazer Leavens. In 1796, liberty was given to erect a belfry and procure a bell. James Larned, Sampson Howe, David Buck, Captain Jonathan Cady, William Kelly, Joseph Torrey, Willard Cady, Jesse Whipple, Hobart Torrey and David Copp were appointed a committee to see on what terms a belfry could be built. This was speedily erected and the bell procured the same year, -- the people showing their satisfaction in this achievement by the many directions given for its right regulation :-
" Bell to be rung on week days at twelve o'clock at noon, and nine at night; Sundays, Thanksgivings and Fast days, an hour before meetings ; and
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at noon on Sundays, half way between the intermissions, and fifteen minutes before meeting begins; at all said meetings to be rung not less than five minutes nor more than ten at any one time."
Sampson Howe was to have twenty dollars a year for ringing the bell, and sweeping the meeting-house. A subsequent vote ordained that the bell should be rung at noon the whole year, but from April 15 to August 15 be rung at sunrise instead of nine at night. The minister's salary of two hundred and fifty dollars was raised with much difficulty, and efforts were made to provide a permanent fund. William and Simon Copp, John Kelly and Welcome Whipple were appointed choristers in 1805.
Mr. Atkins proved a most excellent pastor and citizen, interested in all plans for the improvement of the town. He was particularly successful as a teacher, and many of the young people of his congre gation received the benefit of his instruction. He not only received pupils into his own charge, but endeavored to further improvements in public education and took great interest in visiting the schools of the town. A committee was appointed in 1791, to ascertain the bounds of school districts, and two years later the bounds were changed and seven districts set off, viz .:- 1. Northeast : 2, Chestnut ITill ; 3. Talbot's mills : 4. South ; 5. Pond : 6. Northwest : 7. North. Joseph Torrey, Eleazer Moffat, Sylvanus Perry, Isaac Cady Howe, Ebenezer Leach, Obed Spalding, Reuben Leavens, Azariah Cutler, Hobart Torrey, Nell Alexander, William Basto, Joseph Adams, committee. School money drawn from the State was distributed to the several districts in 1795, and school affairs thenceforward were left to the management of the districts.
Captain John Felshaw, so long prominent in town and public affairs, died at an advanced age in 1782. His large landed estate was divided between his sons, by Edward Paul, surveyor, under the direction of Deacon Lusher Gay and James Larned. The tavern stand on the corner was held for a time by Samuel Felshaw and sold in 1797 to Captain Aaron Arnold of Rhode Island. an energetic business man, interested in public affairs. Luther and Calvin Warren removed to Killingly Hill about 1794, settling on land purchased of Isaac C. Howe. Dr. Robert Grosvenor of Pomfret succeeded to the practice of Dr. Moffat. Dr. Josiah Deane also practiced medicine in this vicinity. A store was opened on the hill by Sampson Howe. William Basto engaged in the manufacture of hats. Stont chairs and excellent willow baskets were made by Jonathan and Joseph Buck.
Roads received much attention. A new road was laid out about 1795, from the country road near Dr. Hutchins' dwelling-house running east to Mr. Day's meeting-house, through lands of Pennel and Zadoc
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Hutchins, Samuel Stearns, Wilson Kies, James Danielson, and the sons of Deacon Jacob Spalding. The petition for an open highway through lands of William Torrey, heirs of Rev. John Fisk, and others, was opposed for a time, but finally granted. A new road was also allowed from Jonathan and Philip Dexter's to Cutler's bridge in the east of the town. An act of the County Court obliged the selectmen to lay out a road from the road near Edward Babbitt's on Chestnut Hill to the meeting-house in the north parish. A jury met at Sampson Howe's, December, 1799, and laid out a road from Captain John Day's through lands of Carpenter, Alexander, Kelly, Leavens, Howe, Whip- ple and Warren-after which the town resolutely declined to do any- thing more in that line. It was soon however called to consider the question of turnpikes; refused to listen to Ashford's request for a turnpike to Providence, but negotiated with Pomfret, Woodstock and Thompson. After much discussion it was decided in 1801, "to lay out a turnpike from the Norwich Turnpike in Pomfret to the turnpike in Gloucester." This Pomfret and Killingly turnpike passing over Killingly Hill by the meeting-house, was accomplished in 1803, but the exhausted town declined to build half the new bridge needed for its accommodation till cited before the Court to answer for its negli- gence. Hobart Torrey, Pelatiah Mason and Ezra Hutchins, Esq., were commissioned to build the bridge but unfortunately it was soon carried away by high water, not being built " workman like," which involved the town in fresh difficulty and arbitrations.
Killingly was much interested in the mooted question of county seat, favoring her opposite neighbor in preference to any other competitor. Captain Luther Warren as agent, was vested with power to sign any petition that was thought best for the time, provided he did not burden the town with any expense for public buildings. In 1302, the town positively declined to sign a petition for removal to Brooklyn, but would sign for Pomfret under the former proviso. Captain Luther Warren succeeded Sampson Howe as town clerk and treasurer, in 1804. Aaron Arnold, Remember Ingraham, Joseph Adams and Samuel Anderson, were selectmen at this date. Captain Warren and Hobart Torrey, constables ; Eleazer Moffat, James Daniel- son, Ezra Hutchins, Luther Warren, Esq., justices. Sampson Howe, James Danielson, Zadoe Spalding, Eleazer Moffat, Luther Warren, Aaron Arnold and Shubael Hutchins were sent as representatives during these years. James Danielson, after serving for some years as lieutenant-colonel of the Eleventh Regiment, became general of the Fifth Brigade in 1806. Hobart Torrey took his place as lieutenant- colonel. Robert Grosvenor served as surgeon ; Darius Hutchins, surgeon's mate. Luther Warren, Joseph Buck, William Torrey,
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