USA > Connecticut > Windham County > History of Windham County, Connecticut, Volume II, 1760-1880 > Part 55
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This amount was not raised without considerable effort. Thomp- son, Killingly, Plainfield, Canterbury, Sterling, voted their appropria- tion without demurring, but towns whose ambitious aspirations had been blighted withheld their quota. Pomfret positively and repeatedly declined "to raise any money to assist Brooklyn to erect the county buildings at that place." The Woodstock committee vainly urged the matter upon their fellow-citizens-" had supposed that Woodstock from its well known liberality and ability would raise at least five hun- dred dollars ; considered it very important to render assistance ; Brook-
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CHANGE OF COUNTY SEAT, ETC.
lyn, small, divided; the town had worked for fifty years, and should the object be lost for want of funds ?" Unable to seenre an appropria- tion, John McClellan and Elias Child were appointed a committee to draft a subscription paper, and a much larger committee was appointed to receive the money thus collected. Public spirited citizens in Brooklyn and Canterbury subscribed liberally in addition to the sums pledged by their towns. At a meeting of the County Court, July 20, " on motion of John Parish, Thomas Kinsman of Lisbon, Elisha I. . Abell and Alexander Stewart, Jun., of Griswold, were designated to fix the place whereon a Court-house and jail shall be erected in the town of Brooklyn, according to act of General Assembly." The pro- posals of Charles Dabney and Benjamin E. Palmer were accepted, and Vine Robinson, Adams White, Captain Elisha Adams, Captain Eleazer Mather, Dr. Ebenezer Baker and John Parish, appointed to take said building agreement from the contractors in behalf of the town.
BOOK IX. 1820-1845.
I.
TRANSFERRENCE OF COURTS. BROOKLYN ENTERPRISE. DEATH OF DR. WHITNEY. MINISTRY OF SAMUEL J. MAY.
EXECUTION OF WATKINS.
W INDHAM County's first court session was holden in Wind- ham town, June 26, 1726. On the 26th of July, 1820, Chief- justice Stephen T. Hosmer and Judge John T. Peters, having found that a convenient court-house and jail had been erected at Brooklyn, approved and established the same. A special court of common pleas was holden, Judge David Bolles presiding. His associates were James Gordon, Jun., Artemas Gurley ; David C. Bolles, clerk. Andrew T. Judson was present as state attorney : Edmond Freeman as sheriff. Ebenezer Baker was appointed as keeper of the jail, and jail limits were assigned. At the following session, August 18, William Tyler was appointed keeper of the jail ; Cyrus H. Beardsly, Azel Utley and Jared W. Williams were admitted attorneys. Business opened with much animation. Two young lawyers had already appeared in Brook- lyn, ready to compete for clients and honors. The Bar of Windham County at this time boasted a very ereditable array of legal talent, and held a good position in the State. It reported from Brooklyn-John Parish, Daniel Kies, Jonathan A. Welch (son of Dr. Moses C. Welch), Uriel Fuller ; Ashford, David Bolles, Philip Hayward, Samuel Ashley ; Canterbury, Rufus Adams, Andrew T. Judson, Daniel Frost, Jun .; Hampton, Joseph Prentice, Chauncey F. Cleveland (admitted at the last court session in Windham) ; Killingly, Ebenezer Young : Lebanon, William T. Williams, Denison Wattles, Jun., Henry Huntington ; Plainfield, Joseph Eaton, Ira Case : Pomfret, John Holbrook, Elisha B. Perkins, Jonathan Prescott Hall ; Sterling, Calvin Hibbard ; Thompson, George Larned, Simon Davis; Windham, Jabez Clark, Samuel Perkins, David Young, John Baldwin, John Fitch, Thomas Gray, Edwards Clarke : Woodstock, John McClellan, Ebenezer Stod- dard, John F. Williams. A newspaper was on hand to report their proceedings. The Press had taken precedence of the Bar. Monday,
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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
July 1, 1820, the Independent Observer and County Advertiser sent out its first issue-Henry Webb, printer and publisher. Samuel and Horatio Webb were also associated in this enterprise-the former having previously published newspapers in Norwich and Windham. The Observer surpassed the waning Herald in size and general appearance. The paper was fairer, the print clearer. It manifested a good degree of enterprise in securing public and local intelligence. Literary readers were regaled with a variety of original and selected poems, and one of Broekden Brown's most harrowing complications administered as a serial. Samuel Webb acted as general agent. Its cirenlation was reported, as "pretty general in all parts of the County."
Bar and Press were soon followed by other institutions. Associated enterprise and effort sought the County centre. The Agricultural Society hitherto limited to Pomfret and adjacent towns now embraced the whole County. An aet incorporating Windham County Agricul- tural Society, was passed in May, 1820, and in the following January the society was formally organized-Thomas Hubbard, president ; Darius Matthewson, vice-president ; Amos Paine, 2d vice-president ; Samuel Howard, treasurer; James McClellan, secretary. Its first meeting was held at the house of Peter Thompson, but arrangements were soon initiated for transferring its meetings to Brooklyn. In 1822, Windham County Bank was incorporated-Joseph Eaton of Plain-
field, president ; Adams White, Brooklyn, cashier. Among its first directors were Joseph Eaton, Vine Robinson, John MeClellan, Andrew T. Judson, E. C. Eaton, Ebenezer Young, James Gordon, Rufus Adams, William Putnam, Bela P. Spalding, Herbert S. Williams. A neat new building soon accommodated this institution, which was regarded with much pride and favor by Windham County citizens. A close communion bank it was wittily called, as the privilege of stockholding was restricted to county limits. Upon petition of Vine Robinson, Adams White, Jun., Daniel Tyler and many other promi- nent men, the Windham County Mutual Fire Insurance Company was incorporated in June, 1826. Vine Robinson was chosen president ; Adams White, secretary ; Joseph Eaton, Andrew T. Judson, George Larned, John MeClellan, directors. This institution met with general favor and secured patronage from all parts of the County.
The new impulse was manifested in the quickening of business and development of manufacturing enterprise. Young men were drawn to the town to engage in various avocations. Daniel C. Robinson, William Storrs & Co., C. W. Jenkins, advertised large assortments of mer- chandise at their fashionable stores. Edwin C. Newbury of Mans- field, having served apprenticeship in Hartford, opened shop as a silversmith, finding a ready market for serviceable spoons and specta-
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BROOKLYN ENTERPRISE, ETC.
cles. Others experimented in making tinware and furniture. Projects were broached for utilizing the clay deposit east of the village. A great cotton manufactory was built up on the Quinebang in East Brooklyn by the Tiffanys of Killingly. B. E. Palmer, the architect of the court-house, removed his residence to the village. Two young physicians from abroad, William Hutchins of Killingly, and Thomas Huntington of Norwich, both very promising and public spirited young men, took the place of Dr. Ebenezer Baker, deceased. Daniel P. Tyler, after a short trial in Pomfret, returned to practice law in his own village. Among other new residents was Mr. George Benson of Providence, a man of advanced years and out-reaching philanthropy, who with his large and influential family of sons and daughters was welcomed as a valuable acquisition to the aggressive force of the town.
Brooklyn did not gain all these advantages without labor and self- sacrifice. Even the sum pledged for court-house and jail was not secured without a struggle. Sectarian strife interfered with plans for public improvement. Unitarians and Trinitarians could not unite even in building a court-house. Wealthy members of the latter society refused it was said to subscribe even one cent for that purpose. A basement was built below the court-rooms intended for business pur- poses which was rented for a few weeks to the Trinitarian congrega- tion. The town called an indignation meeting and declared that the Court had no power to control the use of this room, and if they had it would be highly inexpedient to allow it to persons who had refused to aid in building it, especially as there was a meeting-house in town sufficiently large for all its inhabitants, and such indulgence would only have a tendency to prolong the difficulties, and requested Vine Robinson, John Parish and Samuel Scarborough to present the respects of the meeting to the Court, and request them not to permit said inhabitants to occupy said room for religious service. This act aroused some merriment as well as indignation all over the County. A humorous ballad was widely circulated, giving a ridiculous account of the whole controversy :-
" On subjects dark they raised a rout, And what they nothing knew about, They talked upon till all was blue, And split their body right in two. Then Fate in pity kindly sent 'em A handsome Court-house to content 'em, That by this means, o'er-flowed with money, Their bitter gall might turn to honey. But what to them this gift will do, Time and experiment will shew -- They now contend in spirit odd That none therein shall worship God."
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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
Farther collision with the Court was prevented by ceding to the County the town's right in these public buildings-David C. Bolles, Uriah Fuller and J. A. Welch, committee for that purpose. Accounts were finally settled by the aid of Pomfret and Woodstock, who found it necessary to join forces with other northern towns against Wind- ham's most earnest and persevering agitation for a half-shire and county division. Brooklyn opposed these efforts with her usnal spirit and liberality, and sustained the varions demands with patience and good temper. Vine Robinson now usually served as modera- tor in town meetings. Elisha Adams, Adams White, Jun., Philip Searls, selectmen ; Zachariah Spalding, town clerk and treasurer ; Bela P. Spalding, constable ; John Weaver, Uriah C. Prince, Shubael Brown, William Putnam, Elias Blanchard, Nathan Witter, Jun., Jesse Fuller, Timothy Herrick, John Williams, 2d, highway surveyors for their respective districts. Delegates from Woodstock, Thomp- son, Pomfret and Killingly, were invited to confer at Champion's tavern in Pomfret, April 26, 1825, about a County poor-house and house of correction. A more direct road to Hampton was laid out the same year-damages laid to William Cundall, John Ashcraft, Galen Hicks, Havilah Taylor, Amasa Pooler, Richard Carder, Ebenezer Witter, Elijah Witter. In the following year the Brooklyn and Windham Turnpike was constructed.
As broader interests occupied the public mind religions animosities gradually subsided. The Trinitarians were able to complete a chapel for divine service in 1821, kind friends of the church assisting in its equipment. Different ministers aided Dr. Whitney in his labors, and quite a number were added to the church. In the following summer through the efforts of lady visitants, a Sabbath-school class was gathered, and a suitable children's library procured. Its first superin- tendent was Amos Prince, recently removed from Promfret. In April, 1824, Ambrose Edson of Stafford, was ordained and installed colleague pastor, on which pleasant occasion the use of the great meeting-honse was magnanimonsly tendered by the First Society. The most conspicu- ons figures in Brooklyn at this time, were those of Captain Tyler and his wife, and their venerable pastor. Though in his ninety-fourth year Dr. Whitney was still erect and vigorous, his eye not dimmed nor his natural force abated. With flowing wig and antique garb he still was often seen upon the street, exchanging pleasant greetings and happy repartees with his dear friends and neighbors. His face beamed with animated expression, his playful sallies were tempered by christian dignity. As he entered the house of God, the congregation rose to receive him, and remained standing in reverential attitude till he had taken his seat. The fatal illness that seized him in September, found
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DEATH OF DR. WHITNEY, ETC.
him in full possession of all his faculties, at peace with God and man, and as he drew nearer the end his mind grew clearer and brighter and his spirit seemed to soar above this world. Scripture, hymns and long passages from Young's Night Thoughts, were repeated by him with great animation and expression. He was able to see and converse with all his dear people, and many precious words of counsel, trust and triumph were treasured in their hearts. Colonel Daniel Putnam who called to see him on one of the last days found the chamber filled with the old and young of his flock, and was received with equal warmth and friendliness and with touching allusions to the death-bed of his honored father, his " constant and faithful friend; an Israelite indeed, in whose heart there was no gnile." Young mothers brought their children to him for baptism as if the touch of those dying hands and prayer from those dying lips would bring an especial blessing. Yet amid all this rapturous elevation when it seemed at times as if the very gates of Heaven were opened to him, the native humor would flash out with its wonted brightness. To Judge Hosmer as an excuse for keeping his bed in his presence, he explained-" You know I am not of the rising generation." Some anxiety was expressed about the funeral arrangements as several of the ministers were absent or ailing and Mr. Atkins was suggested, when Dr. Whitney burst out-" He durstn't plead inability seeing he has got a new wife." "His voice soon after failed and he sunk gradnally and most serenely into the arms of death." The funeral sermon was given as was suggested by his old friend, Mr. Atkins, other ministers bearing part in the services. Mr. Edson continued in charge as sole pastor of the church.
The Unitarian church was so fortunate as to secure for their pastor, Mr. Samuel J. May, a young man of vigorous intellect, good educa- tion and wide, philanthropic sympathies, most earnestly and honestly striving to learn the exact truth upon every question and teach the same to others, who was ordained over them, March 13, 1822. The ministry of Mr. May was most acceptable and beneficial to his own people and the community at large. Entering with his whole heart and soul into all of the great questions of the day, he carried others with him. It was a period of wonderful growth and quickening, when men's eyes were opening as never before to the sins, miseries and wants of the world. Himself a born reformer, and personally con- nected with the leaders of various aggressive movements, it was his privilege to initiate most vital and salutary reforms in Windham County. Through his efforts "The Windham County Peace Society " was organized, August 16. 1826. A larger number of gentlemen was present than had been expected. George Benson, moderator; Elisha B. Perkins, clerk. Rev. James Porter moved that a society be or-
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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
ganized. A committee of five reported a constitution for a society, whose object was to discountenance by all lawful and justifiable means the anti-Christian and inhuman practice of war. A subscription of fifty cents a year, or five dollars for life, was authorized-funds to be exclusively employed in diffusing information upon the uselessness, miseries and criminality of war, and in cultivating the spirit of peace. Dr. Thomas Hubbard was chosen president ; Mr. George Benson, Rev. Hubbel Loomis of Willington, Samuel Perkins, Esq., of Windham, vice-presidents ; Rev. Samuel J. May, corresponding secretary ; Rev. Ambrose Edson, recording secretary ; Dr. Thomas Huntington, treasurer. A board of trustees was chosen, made up of gentlemen from different towns, who it was hoped would favor the undertaking, viz : Rev. James Porter, Pomfret ; Rev. Roswell Whitmore, Killingly ; Darius Matthewson, Pomfret ; Ingoldsby Crawford, Union : George Sharpe, Abington ; Rev. Orin Fowler, Plainfield ; Amos Paine, James Mcclellan, Woodstock ; Samuel Scarborough, Brooklyn ; Dr. Minor Grant, Ashford ; George Larned, Thompson ; John Salter, Mansfield ; Dr. Orrin Witter, Chaplin. Messrs. Benson, Porter and May were chosen a committee to prepare and publish an account of the formation of the society and a statement of its views and principles. Samuel Perkins was appointed to deliver an address upon the subject of peace at the Rev. Mr. Porter's meeting-house in Pomfret; Dr. Thomas Hubbard to deliver the first annual address to the society. Thus efficiently organized the society secured a respectable standing and did a good work in disseminating information and enlightening the public conscience.
The onward movement of temperance reform in 1826, found in Mr. May a most earnest and effective advocate. Happening to attend a business meeting of the Massachusetts Society for the Suppression of Intemperance, when it was proposed to meet the evil by entire absti nence from intoxicating liquors, he came home fired with zeal to pro pound the new doctrine and practice to the people of Brooklyn. Mrs. May cordially joined with her husband in heart and effort. They con signed a hamper of delicious wine to the service of the sick, emptied the cider barrel into the vinegar cask, and treated eallers to cake, cold water and expository explanation, which brought the question into im- mediate discussion. With his usual directness Mr. May proceeded to investigate, ascertained from every retailer in town the various sorts of intoxicating drinks sold in the course of a-year, and the number of avowed inebriates ; gathered from physicians, sextons, poor-overseers, jailor and well-informed citizens an estimate of the sickness, death, poverty and crime eansed by these drinks, and much to his surprise found that the frightful statements made in society reports "were
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MINISTRY OF SAMUEL J. MAY, ETC.
abundantly sustained by the facts of the case found in our own town." The results of his investigations were laid before the public in eloquent discourses, which made a deep impression upon his hearers. Many adopted the principle of total abstinence, a society was organized and the cause of temperance made rapid headway throughout the town.
The educational interests of town, County and State were greatly promoted through Mr. May's efforts. Placed on the school committee, he was astonished to find that the public schools were even inferior to those of Massachusetts ; that the much-vannted school-fund was actu- ally detrimental in its workings ; that people generally took little in- terest in schools which cost them nothing. By greater strictness in the examination of teachers, and more thorough supervision, he gave a new stimulus to the Brooklyn schools, and so aroused the attention of other public-spirited citizens that they agreed to unite with him in bringing the question before the consideration of the general public. Accordingly a committee was appointed, and eirenlars sent throughout the State, asking the towns to send delegates to Brooklyn for the pur- pose of considering the character and condition of our common schools. This educational convention was held in May, 1827-its novelty elie- iting a large attendance from Windham and adjoining counties. Re- ports by letter or delegate from nearly an hundred towns, revealed such deficiency in teaching and administration, in conveniences and attendance, as to surprise and mortify the citizens of the State, and lead to the initiation of measures that effected in time an entire revo- lution. Windham continued her efforts by organizing a Society of the Friends of Education for Windham County, George Sharpe, president, which held meetings and circulated information.
With equal readiness and heartiness Mr. May espoused the cause of those heroic men who felt themselves called by God to agitate for the overthrow of American slavery. His pulpit was at onee thrown open to them and their principles, and having won, almost to a man, his own congregation, they joined with him in promulgating their views in other towns. In the controversy respecting the colored school at Can- terbury, Miss Crandall found in Mr. May her most efficient and devoted coadjutor, ready to face obloquy and loss of friends and position in defence of equal rights and humanitarian interests. In these various efforts Mr. May enjoyed the hearty sympathy and cooperation of his own church, and also of many leading citizens of Brooklyn and other towns. Especially in the Peace and Temperance movements he was aided by the Rev. Mr. Edson, Vine Robinson, Uriel Fuller, Doctors Hutchins and Huntington, and other Congregational brethren, all la- boring earnestly for the publie good, forgetful of the recent sectarian division.
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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
These public interests did not interfere with pastoral duties. Abounding energy and vital power enabled Mr. May to feed his own flock and all that needed help outside. He performed the usual pulpit ministrations to great acceptance, he knew the character and needs of every resident of his parish, he edited newspapers-first, The Liberal Christian, and later, The Christian Monitor, a weekly sheet open to the discussion of all moral and religions questions, and earnestly advo- cating the promotion of peace, temperance, education, civil and re- ligious liberty-he joined in establishing a village lyceum, and deliv- ered many lectures before it, and he held religious meetings in school- houses all over the County, in behalf of what he deemed a simpler and purer Gospel than that taught in the orthodox churches. Yet notwith- standing his efforts and eloquence Unitarianism made little advance. "The soil of Connecticut was so saturated with Calvinism that it was uncongenial to the true vine." Few were won to his church, but many welcomed his reforms, and inen and women in different parts of the County still gratefully affirm "that no other had so marked effect in awakening and maturing resolves for a life of usefulness, earnest activi- ties and high moral aims," as the genial and large-hearted Christian philanthropist and reformer, Samnel J. May.
Incessant calls to varied fields induced Mr. May to leave his pleasant home and work in Brooklyn, to the great regret of many devoted friends. His immediate successor, Rev. George W. Kilton, was fol- lowed in 1837 by Rev. William Coe. Trinity church, after a long period of irregular service, entered upon "a new lease of life" in 1828, in connection with the labors of Rev. Ezra B. Kellogg. Glebe and parsonage were now redeemed to the use of the parish, and the church edifice repaired and remodeled. Col. Daniel Putnam, senior warden, and one of the staunchest friends of the church, died in 1831. This great loss was in some degree made up by gradually increasing numbers and a higher tone in church life and public worship. When the Rev. Josiah M. Bartlett succeeded Mr. Kellogg in 1835, the parish was self-supporting with thirty-one families and forty-five communicants. Rev. Riverius Camp entered upon the rectorship in 1837. A Baptist element long existing in Brooklyn was farther developed under the preaching of Elder Bentley and revival in- fluences, so that a Baptist church was gathered in 1828. The acces- sion of Dr. Thomas Huntington after a remarkable religious experience, added strength and influence. In 1833, it secured the chapel vacated by the Congregationalists, and thenceforward maintained regu- lar services. Dr. Huntington was ordained as an evangelist and served as pastor for several years. Mr. Edson's useful pastorate closed in 1830. He was soon followed by George J. Tillotson of Farmington,
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ordained and installed May 25, 1831. The church was almost immedi- ately visited by one of the intensely emotional revivals peculiar to that period, and many were added to its membership. The chapel be- came too strait for the enlarged congregation, and a new house was erected the following year. A noteworthy event in Mr. Tillotson's early ministry was his official connection with Brooklyn's only execu- tion-the hanging of Oliver Watkins, for the murder of his wife in August, 1831. This event was marked by the usual accompaniments, an immense crowd of people, drinking and jangling. It is said that the tavern-keepers were so fearful of losing their anticipated rush of custom by the self-destruction of the criminal, that they hired an extra guard the night preceding, who had him removed to the debtor's room where they could watch him more closely. Before break of day the roads in every direction were thronged with people coming in from distant counties and States. The gallows was erected in a hollow east of the village, a natural amphitheatre whose sloping sides acommo- dated the vast concourse of spectators. Roger Coit of Plainfield officiated as high sheriff-Captain David Keyes of Ashford having re- signed to escape the painful duty. Dr. Harris of Canterbury at- tended as surgeon. Prayer from a neighboring minister was followed by an impressive discourse from Mr. Tillotson, founded upon the words-" Be sure your sin will find you out." The "amen " of his closing prayer was the signal for the fatal launch and was pronounced with remarkable composure and distinctness, so as to be heard " by the thousands who listened with the most absorbing interest, in stillness that seemed of the dead rather than that of the living." Perfect order prevailed during the services, which made a deeply solemn im- pression upon sober-minded spectators, preparing in some degree the way for the almost immediately succeeding religious revival. The vast throng present, the abundant supply of liquor and scarcity of food, made the afternoon and following night a scene of confusion and disorder.
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