USA > Connecticut > Windham County > History of Windham County, Connecticut, Volume II, 1760-1880 > Part 50
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424
HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
Infantry was one of the best drilled and equipped in the State. Its officers in 1809 were Joseph Simms, captain; Nathan Fish, lieuten- ant ; in 1815, James Aspinwall, captain ; Samnel Hough, lieutenant ; Amos Bacon, ensign. This company and officers, together with other companies drafted from the militia, rendered efficient service during the war, hastening on several occasions to the relief of New London, and remaining many months on guard. Canterbury was also en- livened by frequent Masonic parades and demonstrations. The Festi- val of St. John the Baptist was observed June 26, 1811, with unusual ceremony-brethren from Putnam and East Star Lodges assembling at Moriah Lodge, marching about the streets in resplendent regalia, and after listening to an eloquent oration in the meeting-house, returning to a good dinner and appropriate festivities. Luther Paine, Darius Mat- thewson, Nathan and John Williams, and Capt. Eleazer Mather served as committee of arrangements. Those debarred from participation in this esoterie entertainment, canght bursts of uproarious merriment and snatches of convivial song, quite out of keeping with the ordinary demeanor of these most respectable citizens.
In cotton-spinning Canterbury made no great pretenses, and only achieved one small mill, erected by Fenner, Harris and Bulkley on Rowland's Brook, which did a good business during the war. The clothiery works of Captains Kingsley and Spafford enjoyed abundant patronage. Tanneries, cooperage, pottery and potash works were maintained with creditable energy, and the various saw and grist- mills continued to improve their privileges. Freshets and floods still exercised their ancient prerogatives, subjecting the town to serious outlay and impost. The great flood of 1807 damaged Butts' Bridge and destroyed Bacon's (formerly Nevins') Bridge, occasioning a fatal ac- cident and loss of life. The ferry-boat used as a substitute for the latter bridge was overloaded and swamped. Luther Paine, Esq., though a large and heavy man, succeeded in swimming ashore. Dr. Isaac Knight, unable to swim, sprang upon his horse and safely breasted the furions current. Erastus Barstow with his two-horse team also gained the shore. All on board were saved but Nathaniel Kinne of Black Ilill, a man of great height and vigorous strength, who was in some way disabled and life was extinet before assistance could reach him. His ghastly figure stretched out upon the grass made a deep impres- sion upon all who saw him, and his untimely end was much lamented. Ten years later, the town was again called to rebuild or repair both Bacon's and Butts' bridges. The selectmen were enjoined to confer with Plainfield respecting building a good boat to convey passengers and teams across the Quinebang near Bacon's bridge. In case of re- fusal they were directed to build the same and have it well tended at
425
CHURCH AFFAIRS IN FIRST AND WESTMINSTER SOCIETIES.
the expense of the town : also, to petition the County Court to divide the charge of this bridge.
The vacancy in the ministerial office that had so long afflicted the First church and society of Canterbury was happily filled in 1808 by the Rev. George Leonard of Middleborough, Mass.,-called to settle- ment " without a dissenting voice." The ordaining services, February 3, were conducted with all the ceremony befitting so joyful an event. Captain Bacon and Messrs. Samuel Carter and Thomas Coit provided suitable accommodations for council and delegates, Luther Paine, Rufus Adams and Asa Bacon, Esquires, waited upon the same, while Captain Bacon and five others served as ushers at the meeting-house to preserve order and furnish strangers with seats. But though so auspiciously inaugurated, this ministry was of short continuance. Mr. Leonard was feeble in health and somewhat inclined to Arminianism in doctrine and in a little more than two years sought and obtained dismission. His successor, Rev. Asa Meech, installed October 28, 1812, succeeded in harmonizing various conflicting elements, " not only increasing the number of the church, but establishing its faith and order," but he, too, lost favor after a time. It was somewhat difficult for an earnest minister to avoid giving offense. The horse-racing at Butts' Bridge race-course, the revelries at Masonic Hall, the all-night dances and promiscuous frolicking, could hardly fail to escape reproba- tion. And if while denouncing amusements as sins he limited the chances of obtaining forgiveness to "about one in a million," the Can- terbury people might be pardoned for adopting the conclusion of the old negro upon a similar close calculation -" If only so few are to be saved I think we had better not putter any more about them."
The Westminster church continued to prosper under the faithful ministration of Rev. Erastus Learned. Increasing interest in religion and frequent accessions to the church greatly cheered the heart of the good minister. He reports :-
" November 3, 1816.
This was an interesting, refreshing and solemn day. To behold the trophies of Zion's King come forward to the church caused the children of Zion to rejoice. Fifteen admitted to full communion. January 5, 1817. Another joyful communion. Seventeen admitted to the church. March 2. Blessed be the Lord for his continued goodness to this branch of Zion. Eight persons came forward and entered into covenant with God and His people. May 4. Blessed be the Lord for his marvelous grace and mercy in continuing to build His Zion here. Nine persons received to full communion. Dr. Rufus Johnson was baptized and his family. July 6. Eight persons admitted to full communion."
The temporal affairs of the church were wisely administered. In 1809, a committee was appointed to provide money for new covering and painting meeting-house, build a steeple and procure a bell ; also,
54
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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
a decent hearse or carriage : also to promote decency, good order and regularity at funerals. These improvements were not effected till 1813, when a building was ordered in the burying-ground " to contain, store and shelter the hearse." The coveted bell was given to the society by a son of the minister, Seth P. Staples, Esq. Highway repairers were warned not to encroach upon the meeting-house green. The salary of the minister was increased to four hundred dollars. William Carew, one of the early members of the church, bequeathed the reversion of forty-five aeres of land for the support of the Lord's table. The deacons continued " to line out the psalms" till 1815, when Deacon John Barstow was allowed to convene the singers and lead them to the choice of a chorister. This innovation opened the way for singing schools and other modern devices. Deacon Stephen Butts served as society clerk till 1816. Asa Butts and David Walden also served the church as deacons.
In business Westminster held its own fairly, supporting at least one store and tavern, and various industries. Rufus Johnson & Co. gave place in 1811, to "Smith and Morgan" who offered a handsome assort- ment of West India and European goods, taking in produce and putting out " weaving in the cotton-line." The efficiency of its schools was increased by the organization of a school society in 1812. Isaac Backus, moderator; Josiah Park, clerk and treasurer. To each district was assigned one committeeman and one inspector, viz. :- 1. Amasa Park, committee; Rev. Erastus Learned, inspector. 2. Daniel Meech, John Barstow. 3. Horatio Pettingill, Nathaniel Clark. 4. Nathan Allen, Ebenezer Waldo. 5. Daniel Storer, Asa Butts. 6. James Cary. 7. Samuel Chad, Isaac Baekns. 8. Curtis and Samuel Barstow. 9. Roger Smith, Asa Burgess. Youth from both societies still sought the privilege of academie and collegiate instruction. Zedekiah S. Barstow was graduated from Yale in 1813. Archibald and Anson Burgess and Samnel Backus were graduated during this period. The religions interest that prevailed in the churches led these and other Canterbury young men to enter the ministry. Simon Barstow was debarred by ill health from pursuing ministerial studies. The ministerial aspirations of another Canterbury youth was one of the concurring influences in the formation of the American Education Society. A pious young man gone out from this town, Thomas L. Paine, joined with others in "The Young Christian Fraternity " of Boston, in 1814. Visiting Canterbury soon after he found a great revival in progress and one young convert in particular, " who had a strong desire to get an education and devote his life to the Christian ministry." The Fraternity was greatly moved in his behalf and planned to form a society to give him definite aid, and seeking advice
0
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PLAINFIELD MANUFACTORIES, ETC.
from their ministers it was found that similar calls were coming from all parts of the land, and a national society was soon organized to meet it. Whether the young man in question became a beneficiary is not apparent.
The old Separate church after the death of Rev. William Bradford, maintained a feeble existence, its members carrying on the services. Captain Ephraim Lyon died in 1812. Dr. Hough and "old Esquire Felch," long known and respected in Canterbury, died in 1818.
V.
PLAINFIELD MANUFACTORIES. DEATH OF DR. BENEDICT. HIGH- WAYS AND BRIDGES. STERLING AND VOLUNTOWN.
PLAINFIELD was much favored by manufacturing enterprise.
The Union Manufacturing Company with its solid phalanx of citizens and non-residents, the Central Company under the charge of John Lester and Job Angell, the Moosup and Andrus Factory com. panies, carried on their various mills and business operations during the war with great spirit and energy. Abel and Benjamin Andrus, Thomas and Andrew Gibbs, Levi Robinson and Joseph Hutchins of Plainfield ; Charles Townsend of Norwich ; Titus Adams, John Bald- win and Joseph Farnham of Canterbury, associated as the Andrus Factory Company in 1811, buying - land in Plainfield and Canter- bury, south of grist-mill on brook " of Stephen and Joseph Farnham, and putting up a small building on the site of the present Packersville. Adjoining residents in both towns were much interested in this manu- facturing experiment and freely gave their aid in clearing up land and digging the cellar. The frame-raising called out the customary crowd and frolic. A jolly youth climbed to the top of the ridgepole, and pouring out a bottle of spirits, named the building in honor of its chief proprietor the excellent Deacon Andrus. Woolen factories were also set in motion by Darius Lawton of Newport, and Joseph Eaton. Carding-machines and fulling-mills were run by John Kennedy and others. Mr. John Lester and Dr. Fuller engaged largely in wool raising. The manufacturing depression following the return of peace occasioned much embarrassment in Plainfield. Several companies were forced to suspend work, and many changes were effected.
Plainfield Academy retained its place in public interest. Nathan Hewitt, Samuel Backus, Samuel Phinney and Archibald Burgess, officiated as principals during Mr. Burleigh's withdrawal to Wood-
428
HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
stock. Jonathan E. Chaplin, Evan M. Johnson, John Bronson, James B. Dorrance, Luther Spalding, William Danielson, Nicholas Brown of Providence, William M. Benediet, John Witter, John A. Stevens, Elisha B. Perkins, Frederick Morgan, Merritt Bradford, Lemuel Smith, Jonah Spalding; George Sumner, and many others who filled honorable positions in various departments, were graduated during these years. Mr. Burleigh returned to his charge in 1816, in time to supply in some degree the loss of Dr. Joel Benedict, the faithful friend and counsellor of the school. Though suffering greatly from weakness and disease he was able to preach till the Sabbath before his death. "In his approach to the grave he evinced the most unqualified resignation and even joyful triumph." A monu ment "reared by filial affection among the graves of his attached people," commemorated the virtues of this great and good man, who for over thirty years had so worthily honored his calling and profes sion, and identified himself with every scheme for public advancement. Doctor's degrees had been given him by Union and Dartmouth Colleges.
Plainfield had lost the presence of her distingished lawyer, Hon. Calvin Goddard, who was drawn away to Norwich in 1809. Joseph Eaton and Job Monroe now shared the legal practice. Town officers were much engrossed in keeping up their roads and bridges, and smoothing the way for manufacturers. Highway districts were remodeled in 1808, and re-entered as, No. 1, Southwest; No. 2, Middle District, with three bridges, including bridge over west turn- pike by tan vats ; No. 3, North meeting-house-begins at the Great Gate ; No. 4, Green Hollow, extending north to Killingly line on the road to Elder Cole's meeting-house ; No. 5, Shepard Hill; No. 6, Moosnp, extends north by Hartshorn's mills ; No. 7, Black Hill- ineludes Nevins' and Cutler's bridges ; No. 8, Pond Hill-extending to Sterling line ; 9, Snake Meadow, north to Killingly line; 10, Mill Road ; 11, Goshen ; 12, Walnut Hill; 13, Kinne Road ; 14, Howe Hill ; 15, Dow Road : 16, Spring Hill; 17, 18, East and West Flat Rock. Roads were laid out near Union Factory, and from the Andrus Factory over Butts' Bridge, but a road was refused from the latter factory to Plainfield village on the ground " that there was no house on the way and never would be." In 1818, Benjamin Bacon, William Kinne, Nathan Burgess, Erastus Lester and Lot Morgan, were appointed a committee to confer with Canterbury upon building a bridge across the Quinebaug on the Plainfield and Canterbury road. The selectmen were meanwhile authorized to establish a method of crossing by boat. They were also called to join with Brooklyn in pro-
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STERLING AND VOLUNTOWN, ETC.
viding for bridge repairs and with means of crossing the Quinebaug. Bridges over Moosup River were also replaced.
" The September Gale," so famous in New England meteorologie annals, swept with great violence through Plainfield and Canterbury, damaging and destroying many buildings, and uprooting fruit and forest trees. The accompanying rain, which fell in torrents, was said to be as salt as the distant ocean. The special mission of this tempestuous visitant in Windham County was apparently the demolition of dilapi- dated meeting-houses, three at least yielding to its fury. Plainfield's Congregational church edifice was entirely prostrated, and the materi- als for a Friends' meeting-house then collected on Black Hill were scattered and in part destroyed. These losses were repaired with great promptness. A substantial stone meeting-house was completed by the Congregational society in 1818. Under the auspices of the Monthly meeting of Quakers at Greenwich, R. I., a simple house was also erected for the Friends' worship. Several of the non-resident manufacturers were of this order, and aided in this work. Forty-five acres of land on Black Hill were conveyed by John Monroe to Sylvester Wieks and Dea. Howland in presence of Rowland Greene-to whom was committed the charge of establishing a Friends' boarding school. Some forty or fifty pupils from some of the most influential Quaker families of Rhode Island were received into this quaint and primitive family school under the fatherly care of Dr. Rowland Greene, aided by his good wife, and his brother, Dr. Benjamin Greene. The Quaker school and worship seemed to lend a ealin and tranquil radiance to this ancient hill. "Green Hill," it might have been more appropriately called now that the avenue of trees set out by William Kinne were offering such grateful shade and verdure. Dr. Isaac Knight still occupied a pleasant homestead on this hill. John Monroe and Lot Morgan were among its residents. A new house of worship was built in 1813 on land " near the dwelling-house of Silas Bailey, extending east four rods across the Black Graves, so called .
. said meeting-house to be called the Friends' or Baptist meet- ing-house and lot held for no other purpose."
Sterling's manufacturing facilities were well improved during this period. Its first factory, built by Dorrance, Hall and others, was destroyed by fire soon after its completion, but its site was soon oecu- pied by a larger building under the more exclusive management of Samuel Ames of Providence, which was described in 1818 as " one of the largest manufacturing establishments in the State, running sixteen hundred spindles." The buildings for the accommodation of the workmen were built of stone, taken from the ledge of rocks included in the company's purchase. This "Devil's Den Chimney," as it was
430
HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
previously called, possessed according to Niles' Gazetteer "very sin- gular and curious features," viz :-
" It is situated within a ledge of rocks and has a circular area of about 100 feet in diameter. The rock is eleft in two places, forming at each a chasm or fissure of about 50 feet deep, through one of which there runs a small stream of water; the other communicates with a room of about twelve feet square, at the interior part of which there is a fireplace and a chimney extending through the rock above, forming an aperture of about three feet square. In another part of the rock there is a natural staircase, winding around it from the bottom to the top. In the cold season of the year a large mass of ice is formed in the room above described by the dashing of water through the chimney which continues there through nearly the whole of the warm months; the sun being almost excluded from this subterraneous recess."
The American Factory upon the Quanduck, and a small cotton fac- tory upon the Moosup, were also carried on. Three grain mills, one carding-machine. one fulling-mill and clothiery works, two tanneries, four mercantile stores and two taverns, were reported in 1818. A post-office had then been opened-Benjamin Tuckerman, postmaster. The Academy and public library were still maintained. Calvin Hib bard of Windham had engaged in the practice of law. Thomas Backus, John Partridge and Oliver Howlett were reported as prac- ticing physicians. Pierce Smith succeeded Asa Montgomery as town clerk. John Wylie, Thomas Backus, Dyer Ames, Richard Burlin- game, Dixon Hall, Jeremiah Young, John Gallup and Calvin Hibbard served as justices. Other town offices were filled by Lemuel Dor- rance, Obadiah Brown, Asa Whitford, Jonah Young, Archibald Dorrance, John Hill, John and Azel Cole, Elias Frink, Amos Perkins, Joseph Gallup, John Keigwin, Artemas Baker. Good bridges were built and roads altered for the convenience of the mannfacturing com- panies. Half of the town meetings were held in the house of Azel Cole, and later in that of William Fairman " on the new road near the American Cotton Factory."
The meeting-house on Sterling Hill continued to be used for public meetings and occasional religious services till about 1812, after which date it was statedly occupied by the Baptists. Under the preaching and labors of Elder Amos Welles, previously of Woodstock, a new reli- gious interest was developed. Baptists in Coventry and Sterling united in a new church organization February 13, 1813. Its pastoral charge was assumed by Elder Welles. Public worship was held alternately a Coventry and Sterling Hill. Asa Montgomery was chosen deacon in 1816; Philip Keigwin assistant. Nearly fifty were added to the church during the ministry of Elder Welles, which continued till his death, in 1819. The Plainfield Baptist church, and a neighboring church in Rhode Island, united with this church in the Sterling Hill Association, holding a general meeting once a year, which was largely attended and excited much interest.
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EXCITEMENT IN KILLINGLY, ETC.
The church worshipping in the Line meeting-house was greatly broken and scattered. Rev. Elijah Welles after his dismission from Scotland labored with it for a year but did not succeed in uniting the flock. Worship was kept up in intermittent fashion by a few brethren who in 1817 sought relief from the Windham Association. That body referred their case to the Domestic Missionary Society for Con- necticut, which from time to time extended much-needed aid.
In business affairs Voluntown reported some progress. One small cotton factory, two carding-machines, two fulling-mills, four grain mills and two tanneries, were in operation. Charcoal burning was also carried on to considerable extent. James Alexander served many years as town clerk. Allan Campbell, James Alexander, John Wylie, Sterry Kinne, Amos Treat and Benjamin Gallup, justices. Doctors Allan and William Campbell were widely known as medical prac- titioners.
VI.
EXCITEMENT IN KILLINGLY. INVENTION AND DISCOVERIES. CHURCH AFFAIRS. WOMAN'S TRACT SOCIETY.
TIMIE manufacturing furor raged with great violence in Killingly, its numerous rivers offering such convenient facilities that her own citizens were able to embark in such enterprises with less foreign aid than was requisite in other towns. "Danielson's Factory " at the Quinebang Falls enjoyed a high place in popular favor, its twenty liberal-handed stockholders, mostly town residents, prosecuting its va- rious business affairs with much energy. William Reed served most efficiently for many years as its agent. Its well-filled store was man- aged by the Tiffany brothers from Rhode Island. Once a year, pro- prietors and managers met to report progress and divide profits, when business was followed by a jovial good time and supper. The "Stone Chapel " on the present site of the Attawangan, was built by Captain John and Ebenezer Kelley for John Mason of Thompson in 1810, but did not get into successful operation for some years, when John, James B. and Edward Mason, Jun., were incorporated as the "Stone Chapel Manufacturing Company." Messrs. John Mason and Harvey Blashfield had the oversight of this establishment. The tallow candles needed for its morning and evening service were dipped by Miss Harriet Kelley, in batches of forty dozen at a time. The privilege on the Five-Mile River long occupied by Talbot's Grist-Mill passed into the hands of the Killingly Manufacturing Company in 1814. Its con- stituent members were Rufus Waterman, Thomas Thompson, John Andrews of Providence; David Wilkinson, Henry Howe of North
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HISTORY WINDHAM COUNTY.
Providence, Dr. Robert Grosvenor, Jedidiah Sabin, Elisha Howe, Ben- jamin Greene of Killingly, Smith Wilkinson, Eleazer Sabin of Pomfret. The Howes had charge of the business, and the factory soon built was called by their name. The remarkable descent of the Whetstone Brook furnished privileges quite out of proportion to its volume of water. The first Chestnut Hill Company to take advantage of this fall was constituted by Joseph Harris, Ebenezer Young, Calvin Lefting- well, Asa Alexander, George Danielson, Lemuel Starkweather, whose wheels and spindles were soon competing with those of other manu- facturers. The greatest spirit and activity prevailed in these growing villages. Everybody was hard at work, building, digging, planting, earting, weaving, spinning, picking cotton, making harnesses, dipping candles, and attending to the thousand wants of the hour. The wives and families of the manufacturing executives entered into their work with jubilant enthusiasm, helping everything forward. Mrs. John Mason was a lady of wonderful energy and vivacity, one who would be a social light in the darkest corner. Very pleasant intercourse was kept up between the families of the several villages, who seemed bound together in a common aim and fraternity. The intense mechan- ieal activity of the time was manifested by a remarkable feminine achievement, the exercise of the inventive faculty, hitherto dormant in the female mind. Mrs. Mary Kies of South Killingly invented "a new and useful improvement in weaving straw with silk or thread," for which she obtained in May, 1809, the first patent issued to any woman in the United States, and she is also said to have been the first female applicant. Mrs. President Madison expressed her gratification by a complimentary note to Mrs. Kies. The fabrica- tion of this graceful and ingenious complication was thus added to the other industries of Killingly.
The impulse given by manufacturing enterprise was manifested in other activities. The mineral resources of the town were sought out and brought before the public. The old Whetstone Hills were found to enclose valuable quarries of freestone, suitable for building pur- poses. Rare and beautiful detached stones as well as extensive quar- ries were found on Breakneck. " A rich bed of porcelain clay " was discovered on Mashentuek Hill, " pronounced by competent judges to equal the best French or Chinese clay." Indications of lead and still more valuable ore were also reported. Many new roads were demanded to facilitate the opening industries. The town accepted a road laid out from Danielson's Factory to the country road near the dwelling- house of Solomon Sikes (declining responsibility at the same time for the bridge over Five-Mile River), and voted not to oppose a road from Danielson's to the house of Rev. Israel Day, and thence to Rhode Island
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