USA > Connecticut > Windham County > History of Windham County, Connecticut, Volume II, 1760-1880 > Part 59
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69
506
HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
erected." Applying to the Baptist Home Missionary Society, he secured the services of a recent graduate from Hamilton Seminary, Levi Kneeland. A nephew of the able editor of The Boston Investi- gator, he was as earnest in promulgating the Gospel as his kinsman in opposing it. " In homes and school-houses, in barns and groves," he proclaimed the message of salvation with great power and effect. A congregation gathered quickly around him, and October 8, 1828, the Packerville Baptist church was organized and Mr. Kneeland ordained to the ministry. Beginning with twenty-one brothers and sisters, its membership was rapidly increased. Scarce a Sabbath passed without a baptismal service, and in eight months a hundred and one had been received into the church. A house of worship was soon prepared for it (mainly by the efforts and means of Captain Packer) whose doors were opened wide for all Christian and philanthropic enterprise. Most interesting temperance meetings were held in this house in 1829, Messrs. Kneeland and Packer engaging with great earnestness in this much needed reform. Here Miss Crandall was received with her troop of colored girls when other church edifices were closed against them. The wholesome influence of this church was felt throughout the sur- rounding country. Mr. Kneeland extended his labors into Voluntown, Scotland, Preston, and aged men would journey many miles on Sunday to join in worship with this Baptist church and its earnest pastor. Laboring with such intensity his life work was soon accomplished. A painful illness closed his life and ministry, August, 1834. The immense crowd gathered at the funeral witnessed to the wide and deep impression made by this faithful Christian laborer.
" Some still survive who yet remember well, What earnest words he spoke, how sweet his life, How prayerful was the spirit that he bore, What love for souls, what zeal for Christ he felt. Who of all those that ever heard his words Can e'er forget the holy zeal he showed, The blessed unction that he ever bore, God's witness evident on face and mood,* Heaven's high approval of his honest work."
Captain Daniel Packer, the founder of the village, Kneeland's worthy coadjutor and supporter, died in 1838. His continued thought- fulness and generosity had left the church free from debt, and pro- vided it with a comfortable parsonage. Rev. Tubal Wakefield suc- ceeded in pastoral charge. Walter. Williams, T. J. Gates and Ephraim Browning were faithful officers and helpers in this church, which zeal- ously maintained its early standing and efficiency, and exerted a most marked and beneficial influence.
* Rev. Lucius Burleigh.
507
VOLUNTOWN, ETC.
After many changes and failures, Plainfield's numerous cotton and woolen manufactories were again in motion. The Moosup Com- pany had its factory burned up and went down after the war. The Central Manufacturing Company in 1827 passed into the hands of Richard and Arnold Fenner of Cumberland, and Holden Borden of Smithfield. Buildings, machinery, privileges of land and water, occu- pied in woolen manufacture by Joseph Eaton, Darins Lawton and Co., were made over in 1826, to one of Rhode Island's shrewdest manu- facturers, the plain old Quaker. William Almy. A large new factory building was erected the following year, improved machinery intro- duced, tenement houses built, adjoining land purchased and brought under cultivation, and soon one of the largest woolen mannfactories in Connecticut was under full headway. Another smaller factory eastward on the Moosup was built and run by Joseph S. Gladding. The Union Factory, owned mostly in Plainfield, was also flourishing-Henry A. Rogers acting as its agent in Providence. Four " little manufacturing villages," known as Almyville, Unionville, Centerville and Packerville, were thus growing up in the town. The former was under the charge of Sampson Almy, nephew of its chief proprietor. Packerville dis- tinguished itself in the organization of the first fire engine company, July 5. 1830, and in great zeal for temperance. All were managed by good men, ready to promote order and improvement. A small settlement also grew up around Kennedy's mill, near the month of the Moosup.
The town showed its interest in the manufactories by ordering its fishery laws repealed for their benefit so that its citizens might avail themselves of the natural powers furnished by our water streams. It also took into consideration the canal proposed from tidewater to Worcester, and expressed the universal sense of the town that such canal would be highly beneficial to agricultural, commercial and manu- facturing interests and requested its representatives to further the same. Joseph S. Gladding, Elkanah C. Eaton, Allen Harris, William Kinne, Colonel Lester, were successively called upon to investigate the subject of a workhouse and the condition of the poor, and in 1832, the house of Amos Witter was established for a workhouse and house of correction. Its interest in public morals was manifested by voting that lotteries have a pernicious influence, and enjoining upon its repre- sentatives to use their influence for their suppression. They were also to oppose the appointment of any lawyer to the office of justice of the peace unless he shall recede from the bar rule in said County which provides that ail writs shall be filled and signed by a lawyer or his student. Francis B. Johnson engaged in legal practice in place of Ira Case, deceased. William Dyer of Canterbury opened a law office
508
HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
in Centerville. Sessions Lester, Ebenezer Young of Killingly. and Joseph Eaton, successively administered the Probate office, which after 1830, was reduced in territorial jurisdiction. The latter was now chief judge of the County Court. Squire Cady, F. B. Johnson and Nathaniel French. served in the town clerk's office. Plainfield was very forward in establishing a Savings Institute, successfully opened in 1839.
Mr. Burleigh filled the position of principal in Plainfield Academy till compelled to resign by increasing optical disease. Plainfield was most fortunate in seenring for his successor, Mr. John Witter of Preston, an experienced and competent instructor, under whose pro tracted administration the Academy maintained a high reputation. A handsome stone edifice now replaced the old Academy building*, erected in 1825, on a beautiful and commanding site given by Mrs. Lydia Farlan, other public spirited residents subscribing funds for the building. About a hundred students were usually connected with the school, of whom nearly one-half pursued classical studies, fitting for college or professional life. Mr. Witter was a careful and thorough teacher, training his pupils to habits of critical exactness, which enabled them to take high positions in college. and to fill with credit their various callings in life. Failing health obliged him to withdraw for a season, and finally to resign his position in 1837, but he con- tinned for several years to prepare young men for college. The long list of his pupils embraces many distinguished men who have passed away and many still active in public affairs in different parts of the land. In modest boast he was wont to say recalling his arduous labors-" I think I must have added about six acres to the field of intelleet." The Quaker School on Black Hill was maintained for a number of years, giving a peaceful home and competent instruction to many willing pupils. Gentle and serene beyond even ordinary Quakers, Father Greene and Master Benjamin maintained excellent discipline. and exercised a marked and salutary influence. Susan Anthony, Phebe Jackson, Samuel B. Tobey, Elisha Dyer, and many others famed in public life, or benevolent enterprise, were trained in this Quaker school. First-days and Fifth-days they marched in pairs to the plain meeting-house, the boys first and the girls at proper distance behind them, and enjoyed a quiet session. Here sometimes came Miss Crandall with her school of colored girls, sure of a friendly welcome. Abolition leaders shut out from other church edifices here enjoyed
* This historic edifice, so associated with the early educational enterprise of Windham County, enters upon its second century in good preservation, and is now appropriately owned and occupied by Mr. Roswell Ensworth, a professional teacher, descended from one of the first settlers of the " Quine- baug Country."
509
STERLING, ETC.
freedom of speech. The Anti-slavery influence emanating from Black Hill may have stimulated the Burleigh brothers in their early championship of the hated cause, which gained them such disrepute in other quarters. The Advertiser reports that " the everlasting great William H. Burleigh, the verse man, the schoolmaster, had turned traitor to his native State . : located himself at Schenectady, New York," and was " pouring forth the most villainons abuse upon the people and laws of this State"-and was at a loss to conjecture what his fate might be, " so soon as his bitter and wicked spirit shall come in contact with the virtue and intelligence of the people." Other brothers of this remarkably gifted family engaged in the promotion of various reforms.
After a short vacancy, Rev. Orin Fowler of Lebanon was installed pastor of the Congregational church, March 1, 1820. Deacons Rinaldo Burleigh and John Douglas, James Gordon and Elias Park- hurst, with forty sisters, constituted the membership; but under the stimulating influence of the new pastor a new religious interest was awakened and their number was soon greatly increased. A brief season of prosperity was unhappily followed by a very unpleasant controversy, injurious to church and community. Mr. Fowler's eminent abilities may not have been accompanied by equal discretion, and he had the misfortune to incur the ill-will of prominent church members, who professed to believe reports derogatory to his character. Mr. Fowler insisted upon a public investigation by the Windham Association which decided that it was satisfied with his confession and recognized him as a member in regular standing. A succeeding council agreed "That unhappy dissatisfactions on the part of some individuals rendered the continuance of the connection so unpleasant as to justify separation, and dismissed him from his charge, January 27, 1831." Mr. Fowler was installed the same year in Fall River, Mass., where he filled a highly respectable position as minister and representative to Congress. His successor in Plainfield, Rev. Samnel Rockwell, harmonized conflicting elements and remained in charge nine years. Elder Nathaniel Cole continued to officiate as pastor of the Baptist church, till compelled to resign in 1833, by advancing years and infirmities. He was succeeded by Charles S. Weaver, who after three years gave place to Daniel Tilden .* Plainfield was still abundantly favored with competent physicians, the young Doctors Burgess and Cogswell sharing the field with Dr. Fuller, and Doctors Baldwin and Harris of Canterbury.
*In 1840, the church was re-organized as the Union Baptist Church of Plainfield, and removed to Moosup, where a new house of worship was soon erected.
510
HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
The Baptists worshipping in Sterling Hill meeting-house enjoyed for five years the ministry of George Appleton. In April, 1829, they received Elder Peleg Peckham, as their pastor, who continued in charge for many years. The great revivals soon following brought more than fifty into the church. Connection with Coventry was no longer recognized, the church assuming the title of the First Baptist church of Sterling. John Gallup succeeded Thomas Donglas as clerk. Ira Crandall was chosen deacon upon the death of Deacon Asa Montgomery. Philip Keigyan also served as deacon. Like many Baptist churches it did not for a time unite with Temperance societies but voted to discountenance the soul-destroying sin of intemperance and as christians felt bound by the Word of God as adverse to the same both in and out of the church. The local association of neighborhood churches continued to hold their annual meetings, which were largely attended and greatly enjoyed. After nearly thirty years of intermittent worship, the church pertaining to the Line meeting-house secured the services of a stated pastor. Rev. Otis Lane, who was installed over it October 29, 1828. Infirm health compelled his removal after a few years but he was quickly succeeded by Rev. Jacob Allen. installed. October. 1837. who with a brief inter- mission remained in charge for nearly twenty years. A branch Baptist church was formed in the south part of Voluntown. in 1829. in con- nection with the labors of Elder Kneeland, which gained an independ- ent standing in about ten years.
Sterling's several cotton factories continued in operation with the nsnal beneficial results, furnishing employment to male and female operatives, and a ready market for farmers. The Sterling Company manifested much enterprise, and was one of the first in the country to whiten their cloth by the use of chlorine instead of a sun bath. Mr. William Pike effected this invention, and also experimented in wood distillation. extracting for the use of the dyer the first Pyroligneous
acid made in the country. His success encouraged him to further enterprise. Brandy and gin distilleries had fallen into disrepute. but the transformation of wood into various chemical agencies met with nothing but favor. Three of these "sap works" were in time established-two in Sterling. one in Voluntown-requiring some five or six thousand cords of hard wood annually and at least a score of men to prepare the wood and aid in the working. Pyroligne- ons and citric acids, sugar of lead. tincture of iron. naphtha, fine charcoal, were among the products of distillation. Mr. Pike had his residence on Sterling Hill in one of the fine oll Dorrance houses, and was much respected as one of the leading men of the town. He was the first to introduce one-horse wagons into use, paying for them in
511
STERLING, ETC.
cotton yarn. Dr. William H. Campbell engaged in medical practice, having his residence near the hill. Dr. Nathan S. Pike was widely known in the profession. Calvin Hebard continued in legal practice. Pierce Smith served as town clerk and treasurer. Calvin Hebard. Jeremiah Young, John Gallup, John Thurston, justices. Benjamin Tuckerman retained the charge of the post-office.
The privilege on the Pachaug in the west part of Voluntown, was purchased by an Industrial joint stock company, which in 1828, had erected factory buildings and engaged in the manufacture of cotton goods. Mr. James Treat with his son-in-law, Donne, came into pos- session of the establishment, and Voluntown village was built up in a few years. A meeting-house was built by the company which was afterwards purchased by the Baptists. A second cotton factory was built before 1835, and a woolen factory was also established. Char- coal-making was carried on quite extensively both in Voluntown and Sterling. Dr. Harvey Campbell had now an extensive medical practice, and was an active and useful member of church and society. Volantown Probate Conrt was constituted in 1830. Sterry Kinne, judge ; Minor Robbins, clerk.
V.
WINDHAM. WILLIMANTIC VILLAGE. CHAPLIN.
W INDHAM did not yield to the inevitable without farther resist- ance. Ere courts and jail were removed she was agitating for half-shire privileges. On the very day that delegates from other towns were planning Brooklyn Court-house, she was instructing her own delegates-Messrs. Clark, Perkins, Roger Huntington. Charles Taintor, Jonah Lincoln-to confer with Lebanon, Mansfield, Ashford and Columbia, in regard to retaining the courts half the time. In October. 1820, her selectmen were directed to take charge of the former Court buildings, and the committee to continue their efforts to regain lost privileges. Other changes were vigorously resisted. The incorporation of Chaplin, Scotland's petition for town privileges. Brooklyn's demand for turnpikes to Windham and Colchester. were curtly refused. Even the project for procuring a fire-engine and estab- lishing a fire company in the Centre District, was allowed to rest in abeyance after procuring a charter. Land south of the Willimantic was remitted to Columbia, and two new bridges over Merrick's Brook granted to Scotland-one near John Burnett's called Church Bridge,
512
HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
one near Zaccheus Waldo's Mill. Petitions for roads and bridges urged by Willimantic manufacturers in 1826, were dismissed as of little moment while the town was preparing for a final grapple for the Court- house. Lebanon had already lapsed to New London County ; other towns were discussing withdrawal. Resistance and appeal were use- less ; Mansfield and Columbia were transferred to Tolland County, and Windham reluctantly gave orders to sell the vacant jail and court- house. Even then, in 1828, many would have continued the strife for a half-shire, but increasing internal demands absorbed all the town re- sources. The manufacturing epidemic had broken out in Windham. Cotton factories had been built at Willimantic ; unique industries were developing in North and South Windham. Old Windham with its courts, lawyers, newspapers and political influence ; its stores, work- shops and noted taverns, was rapidly declining-but a young Wind- ham with yet more vital force and multifarious energy was pushing itself into notice. The privileges of "the fair, full-watered stream," so long given over to droning mills and jolly fishermen, had been snatched up by eager competitors. The " Old State " had come under a new dominion. Providence with its usual avidity was first to seize the prize. In September, 1822, Perez O. Richmond bought of Waldo Cary and Anson Young, land and privilege on the Willimantic near its junction with the Nachauge, and soon built up a factory and vil- lage. The brothers Jillson of Dorchester in 1824 purchased a site just above the old paper and grist-mills, west of the Iron Works bridge, and put up more substantial buildings. The Windham Company was next in the field, led by Hartford Tingley and Matthew Watson of Providence, occupying a privilege farther westward. A small factory in the same vicinity was built and carried on by Deacon Charles Lee of Windham. The almost simultaneous irruption of so many clashing enterprises and interests was quite overpowering. It came like a spring freshet, tearing down the old land-marks and sweeping every- thing before it. The few previous residents of the hitherto quiet val- ley were almost dazed by the onset. Hibernians settled down upon it like an army of grasshoppers. Shanties were set up wherever they could find a footing. The first public building erected was a two-story grog-shop called "The Light-house," which diffused a most lurid light, especially on Sundays. The first village erected around Richmond's mill was known for a time as "Sodom," and the self-seeking proprietor was mockingly designated "Poor Old Richmond." Chaos and confu- sion seemed to reign supreme for a time, but after the buildings were completed, and the factories fairly at work, law and order began to assert themselves. People came for work or traffic, built houses and settled down into citizens. A new stone school-house was built, and
513
WINDHAM, ETC.
opened for school and religions services. The first preacher there was a young Baptist licentiate, Chester Tilden, who was aided for a time by the Baptist Convention. Mr. Asa Jillson, who built a hand- some residence east of the river, Mr. A. E. Tingley, agent of the Windham Company, who removed to Windham Green, interested themselves in the growth of the settlement. The town was compelled to build a new bridge to accommodate the Windham Company, and the old public highway was widened and transformed into Main street. Buildings for stores and public uses soon sprung up along this street, and a very pretentions new hotel was built and opened by Guy Hebard.
Willimantic's first public demonstration was made July 4, 1826. It was a great occasion-the day on which the Nation commemorated its fiftieth birthday. Public celebrations were held in Scotland, Chaplin and Hampton. and the rising village at Willimantic Falls did the honors for Windham. A numerous and united concourse of citizens formed in procession on Main street, and cheered by sounding cannon and a large band of martial music marched to Stone Chapel, where they heard an oration from Daniel Frost, Esq., of Canterbury, and other services by Reverends Brown and Tilden, "followed by a sumptu- ous entertainment at the Willimantic Hotel, prepared by Guy Hebard." Its exhilarating influence was manifest in the twenty-four toasts served for dessert, which surpassed the usual flights attained on such occasions.
"4. The TREE OF LIBERTY planted on Columbia's broad plains, of but fifty years' growth, its massing branches have reached the centre and this day are more than twelve millions of souls basking under its shade."
"8. RIVER WILLIMANTIC : Like the autumnal harvest is constantly bringing in its rich treasures to repay the labors of industry and art, and opens her wide extended arms to embrace the farms, mannfactures and mechanics through the country which it flows."
" 12. WINDHAM CENTRE DISTRICT, who has long since immortalized her name by her glorious struggle for independence when her territories were invaded by Bull-frogs-May her ancient glory never be sullied by a vain attempt to sway her proud and haughty sceptre over the destinies of Willi- mantic !"
Insubordination at home was quite as subversive to progress as Windham's resistance. Heterogeneous elements refused to blend. Boys were so rampant that the school committee sent expressly to Sterling for a master with will and hand strong enough to keep them from marring the school-house. Temperance workers complained of "bitter and violent opposition," and Christians found it difficult to find a place in which to hold religious meetings. Sectarian strife raged fiercely. The school in the first district was forbidden to the Baptists, and persistent efforts made to drive them from that in the second dis- trict. Opposers even threatened to blast the rock that served for its
65
.
514
HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
foundation. Locked out on one occasion, they formed in procession and marched singing to the private house opened to them. "They have done more mischief than they would in the school-house," sighed the discomfited opposer. A Baptist church was organized October 20, 1827, with twenty constituent members. Rev. Chester Tilden, or- dained the preceding August, remained in charge. George Byrne was elected clerk and treasurer. With aid from abroad a church edifice was completed and dedicated. May 27, 1829. A Sabbath-school was immediately organized. Samuel Barrows, Jun., and Eliphalet Martin were chosen deacons. The Congregational church was organized at the house of A. C. Tingley, January 22, 1828, sixteen persons signing the covenant. The uniting brethren, were Charles Lee, Nathaniel Rob- inson, John, Eliphalet and Joseph Brown, Azariah Balcom and Seth Jillson. Mr. Dennis Platt, a Yale Theological student, who had la- bored several months previous as a missionary among them, supported by the Domestic Missionary Society, and the Ladies' Missionary So- ciety of Tolland County, was continued in charge. On the following Sabbath the sacrament was administered by Rev. Mr. Atwood of Mansfield, "when sixty communicants, members of different churches in the Congregationalist and Methodist communion, sat down at the table of their common Lord." Efforts were at once made for building a house of worship. A plan very popular for a time of building a large house conjointly with other denominations, was successfully op- posed. A building site was given by Messrs. Tingley and Watson. Funds were procured from various sources, abroad and at home. and the house was completed the following autumn, Dr. Hawes of Hart- ford preaching the dedication sermon. Mr. Platt labored on for two years with much zeal and efficiency till worn down by care and anxiety he was forced to leave the field. The membership of the church had increased to fifty, but it met many obstacles and difficulties, especially in meeting its pecuniary obligations. Its first deacons were Charles Lee and Nathaniel C. Warren. An efficient Sabbath-school was soon established. Methodists organized a class in 1828, Jonathan Fuller, leader. A house of worship was erected in 1829, and a society located, and a stated preacher secured the following year. The Universalists, who were very numerous in those early days, effected society organiza- tion and maintained regular services. Earnest men and women from all the churches joined in temperance work, which indeed demanded extreme efforts. A flourishing society was reported in 1831-George S. Catlin, president; N. C. Warren, vice-president. It was not without unceasing labor and vigilance that these churches and societies were maintained. The constant influx of population from the surounding country made it difficult to keep pace with the needs
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.