USA > Connecticut > Windham County > History of Windham County, Connecticut, Volume II, 1760-1880 > Part 62
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church records. Doctors Lorenzo Marcy, Eleazer Litchfield, Milton Bradford and Asa Witter were enrolled in 1846 among Woodstock physicians. Its academy had greatly declined in standing and contin- ued at a low ebb for some twenty years. The Thief Detecting Society having eaten up its fund in oyster and turkey suppers, re-organized in 1824 upon a new basis. Incorporation was secured, and the annual dinner restricted to such members as chose to pay for it out of their own pockets.
Thompson's cotton manufactories were now its dominant interest. A second factory and village were built np at Masonville, where Mr. Thomas Thatcher, as superintendent, maintained strict discipline. "Who is governor of Connecticut ?" queried a passing traveler. "Mr. Fracher," lisped a little maid, echoing popular belief. Rough land and water privilege a mile north, were purchased in 1828 by Messrs. William Fisher, John Nichols and Darius Dwight, and a factory soon built and working. Westward on the Quinebang a mill and village were built, which mocking wits ironically dubbed New Boston, while Fisher's rocky settlement was long known as " Mount Hunger." Farther north on the French River, Laban T. Wilson and Josiah Perry were experimenting in satinets and woolen fabrics. Brick Fac- tory enjoyed new prosperity under the management of William Reed, Esq., removed from Killingly-his son-in-law, George Larned, 2d, hav- ing charge of the usual factory store. An interesting manufacturing experiment was initiated in 1827. near the junction of the Quinebaug and French Rivers-Erastus Buck, Augustus Howe, Thomas and James Dike, Jude Sabin, John Chollar. Jacob Leavens, James Cun ningham, associating as the Mechanics Company for the manufacture of woolen goods. A three-story woolen-mill was soon erected, also a saw-mill, and eight-tenement block for operatives. Mr. Howe served as agent : Messrs. Dike and Cunningham ran the machine-shop ; Mr. Buck drove the mules. and Mr. Leavens the weavers. A work-shop bought with the land was turned into a school-house. Cooperative labor for some reason failed of immediate success, and after three years the association dissolved. Mechanicsville mills were operated for a time by different individuals and passed in 1838 into the hands of Mr. Smith Wilkinson.
Thompson Hill continued brisk and lively. The stages and cotton- teams passing daily over its turnpikes furnished abundant patronage for its excellent taverns : factory operatives sought needed supplies at its numerous stores. Mr. Erastus Knight opened a temperance store in the present post-office building in 1829. Captain Humphrey Almy and Talcott Crosby kept the usual assortment of goods in a new build- ing opposite. The jeweler's store established by Mr. Edward Shaw of
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Providence in 1830, was a very great novelty and attraction, factory girls delighting in its shining array of ornaments and trinkets, and men coming miles from all the surrounding country to buy new watches or have their old ones regulated. Coburn's well-known store was succeeded after a time by a very extensive millinery establishment. kept by Mrs. C. C. Dow. Mr. Hezekiah Olney. high-sheriff' of the County, built a brick block between the tavern and town-house, and opened a fashionable " New York Hat and Cap store." Mr. Horatio Paine engaged largely in the manufacture of boots : Albert Whipple and James O. Mills enjoyed mneh celebrity and custom as fashionable tailors. Messrs. Baldwin, Hutchins. Kinney and Bates engaged in the manufacture of carriages and furniture. These business enterprises found financial accommodation in the Thompson Bank. incorporated May, 1833. and managed by an efficient board of directors .* Harvey Blashfield, president : Joseph B. Gay. cashier. Mr. William II. Mason succeeded to the presidency in a few years. This bank was largely patronized by manufacturers in Thompson and adjoining towns, and gained a high reputation for financial shrewdness and soundness. Able young lawyers from abroad were attracted by the growing fame of the village -- George II. Middleton of Plainfield, Thomas E. Graves of Hebron, and a few years later, William S. Scarborough of Brooklyn.f Young editors songht it out as a favorable field for news paper enterprise. George Roberts, the somewhat famed publisher of the first cheap daily paper in Boston and the originator of the Mammoth newspaper, entered upon his journalistic career in a dainty little semi-weekly, called The Thompson Transcript. This was succeeded by The Windham County Gazette, published by another newspaper celebrity, the J. P. Chapman, told "to crow" in the Tippecanoe campaign, whose flapping rooster shared the honors of victory with " log cabins " and "hard cider." Thompson proved too narrow a sphere for such soaring spirits and their village newspapers had but a brief existence. Some interesting local events were recorded by them-the Probate Court constituted 1832, John Nichols, judge ;
ITHOMPSON BANK .- At a meeting of the stockholders of the Thompson Bank, held this day, the following gentlemen were elected Directors for the year ensuing, viz :- Harvey Blashfield, John Nichols, William H. Mason, William Reed, William Fisher, Robert Grosvenor, Franklin Nichols, Jonathan Nichols, Simon Davis, Talcott Crosby, George B. Slater. And at a subsequent meeting of the Directors, Harvey Blashfield, Esq., was re-elected President, and J. B. Gay, Cashier.
January 6th, 1835.
t These young lawyers showed excellent taste, not only in selecting so pleas- ant a site for their first legal ventures but one of them in almost immediately choosing for home partner the prettiest young lady that could be found in town. Mr. Middleton married the very charming daughter of Mr. Dow, and after a few years removed to Newark, New York, where he achieved a high position.
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the Thompson Fire Engine Company, organized the same year, and the purchase of its jaunty little engine ; the organization of the Masonville Fire Engine Company in 1833, with twenty-four members : the formation of a Thompson Society for Mental Improvement, the following year-Simeon Davis, Esq., president ; Joseph B. Gay. vice- president : George Roberts, secretary. This society was well sustained for several years, disenssing and deciding many debatable and highly important questions in morals, science and politics. Here the young lawyers met in debate with their seniors, Esquires Larned and Davis, and Doctors Holbrook and Bowen enjoyed the privilege of friendly combat. The latter, who came to Thompson in 1824, was extremely radical and versatile, alive to all new issues and "isms," while the former was eminently cautious and conservative. Both were good physicians and citizens, widely known throughout the surrounding country, and each had his devoted adherents, ready to take up arms in behalf of their own doctor.
One of the Thompson notabilities of this date was Captain Vernon Stiles, now in charge of the central tavern, who claimed that "more stage passengers dined there every day than at any other house in New England." Captain Stiles was the bean-ideal of a landlord. distin- guished in person and manners, a genial host, a graceful speaker, an adroit politician. His bar-room was the headquarters of the Demo- cratie party, now very powerful in town, and his spacious hall the scene of many a festive entertainment. Stiles' tavern was especially noted for its matrimonial facilities. Thompson's local position, corner- ing upon two States, afforded some peculiar advantages. Its " Line- taverns" enabled legal fugitives and liquor-sellers to dodge back and forth into Rhode Island and Massachusetts. and its convenient access tempted youthful lovers to evade the prolonged publishment required in the above States. A single notice read before or after church service satisfied legal requirements in Connectient, and so it became very much the fashion for affianced pairs to drive to Thompson Hill on a Sunday and there celebrate their wedding. At first Mr. Dow, and other ministers performed the ceremony, but the occasions became so frequent and the consequent " Sabbath-breaking" so alarming, that they resigned the office to Captain Stiles as justice, who administered the vows with a grace and dignity that charmed all the participants. Scarce a Sabbath passed without bringing its wedding parties to partake of the wedding cake that was always made ready for them. " Run-aways " were united on more than one occasion, and Thompson Ilill and its hymenial landlord were as celebrated for a time in the adjoining section as Gretna Green and its famous blacksmith in Great Britain. Thompson post-office was for many years administered by
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Simon Davis, Esq , whose museum of curiosities and Indian relies shared public favor with " Mr. Shaw's shop" and " Stiles' tavern." He also administered the pension bureau for a large section of country to great acceptance, his taet and native kindliness peculiarly fitting him for that somewhat difficult position. Amongst all these notable resi- dents of Thompson village, none probably made so much noise in the world as Mr. Obadiah Stone, the time-honored sexton. who was thought to bring more music out of a church bell than any man in Windham County.
Mr. Dow retained his physical and mental vigor, preaching indeed with increasing ease and animation. Though opposed to what were called " new measures " and revival machinery, he entered with great heartiness into the religious interest initiated through the agency of several succeeding "protracted meetings " when many were added to the church. Keenly alive to any taint of doctrinal unsoundness, he was still more aroused by questions relating to the growth of the church and the coming triumph of the Redeemer's Kingdom. He loved to preach upon the prophecies, the "shaking of the dry bones in the valley of vision," the restoration of the Jews, on which latter subject he would sometimes dilate till hearers thought they would return before he had finished his sermon. He was particularly opposed to the Millerite delusion, and delivered a series of sermons, which were largely attended and had very great influence, not one of his own congregation embracing the belief. His long experience and famili- arity with the circumstances of every family, made him in his latter years most effective and impressive at funerals, which occasions he valued as special means of grace, reaching many who attended no other service. Softening with declining years, Mr. Dow relaxed some- what from denominational exclusiveness and enjoyed pleasant fraternal intercourse with Baptist and Methodist ministers. A doctor's degree was conferred upon him by Williams College in 1840. Deacons Moses and Aaron Bixby were succeeded in office by Josiah Thayer and Charles Brown. After some years of unsuccessful experiment Elijah Crosby, Jun., Harry Gleason and Noadiah Wellington were chosen a committee to " report whether it be expedient to set up a Sunday school." and reporting in favor a school was established in 1825. Deacon Thayer was appointed superintendent in 1830. The public service of singing was now made.more impressive by musical accompaniment on single and double bass-viols, and the scientific instruction of Watson, a very celebrated singing-master. A choir full of accomplished singers did credit to his training, and carried through a most successful Oratorio at the close of his school, May 28, 1823. Anthem and Chorus from Handel and Haydn's Creation, and
Damit Dow partir of
in Champfor.
The Heltotype Printing Co. 211 Tremont SeBoston
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many other popular pieces, called forth enthusiastic plaudits from a large and appreciative audience. Mr. James O. Mills succeeded Mr. Sharpe as leader of this choir, which maintained for many years a high reputation.
Elder James Grow assumed the charge of the Baptist church, in 1823, and served for eleven years with much fidelity and acceptance. The question of building a new meeting-house was now agitated, and increasing centralization led to its location on Thompson Hill. Deacon Stephen Crosby gave much care and oversight to its construction, and in 1836 it was occupied by Elder Bela Hicks and part of the church and congregation. Elder Harvey Fittz succeeded in charge the fol- lowing year when a pleasant revival was enjoyed and a number added to the church. During the sneceeding pastorate of Rev. Silas Bailey the church continued to prosper and received large accessions. Jason Elliott and George Davis were ordained as deacons in May, 1840. The house on Brandy Hill was still occupied by a part of the church. Elder Grow continued in charge till laid aside by increasing infirmities. He was succeeded by Elder James Smither, an earnest worker, much interested in temperance and kindred reforms. Elder Branch followed for two years, during which time his flock essayed to worship in the central house, but after a year's trial it returned to its old home, and soon after erected a new house of worship. April 8, 1846, by mutual consent of both branches the church was divided and two new churches formed. Elder Charles Willett had succeeded Rev. L. G. Leonard in charge of the Central church. The venerable Elder Grow was able for a time to minister to the East Thompson Baptist church. Thompson was now so strong a rallying point of Methodism as to give its name to the former " Pomfret circuit." Methodists in Pomfret Factory and Rhodesville, as well as in all parts of the town, repaired to the West Thompson meeting-house, which was bisected and enlarged to accommodate the increasing congregation. A convenient new meeting-house was erected in 1840, when Thompson and Eastford were united in a circuit, embracing seven hundred members. New societies were soon after formed and church buildings erected in Fisherville and East Thompson. Messrs. Faxon and George Nichols, and Jonathan Nichols, Esq., were very active and efficient in building up the Methodist interest in the town. So also was their brother-in- law, Rev. IIezekiah Ramsdell, who made his home in West Thompson, while preaching in various fields with much eloquence and acceptance. He was greatly interested in education and horticulture, and did good service in town, raising the character of the schools and stimulating the cultivation of flowers and choice fruit. Mr. Faxon Nichols was the first postmaster in West Thompson. Jonathan Nichols served
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for many years as county surveyor, and as judge of Probate, and publie offices were also filled by his son-in-law, Joseph Perrin.
The decline of Woodstock Academy gave Thompson an opportunity to indulge in intermittent High Schools. A select school was taught by Miss Caroline Dutch. more especially devoted to polite accomplish- ments. Its influence was doubtless perceptible on that very interest- ing occasion when the ladies of the town presented an elegant banner to the newly-uniformed popular Rifle Company-John J. Green. cap- tain ; Herbert A. Reed, lieutenant ; Stephen Crosby, ensign. The ease and address of the young ladies who made the presentation were no less conspicuous than their exceeding grace and beauty. Select schools were also taught by Messrs. Wilmoth, Cooley and Matthew Mills. A High School opened by Thomas P. Green of Auburn. Mass., in 1837, gained a more permanent standing and wider reputation. Many pupils came from neighboring towns and States. Its exhibitions held in the Congregational church edifice were very notable and largely attended. The old tavern-house, now fallen into disrepute, was pur- chased by Messrs. Joseph B. Gay and William II. Mason in 1840, and transformed into an academy and boarding-honse. In this convenient domicile, the school flourished proportionably and boasted an unusual number of bright and promising pupils.
The temperance reform, which at first made slow advances in Thomp- son, received a new impulse through the labors of John Hawkins, who spoke for many nights in the central meeting-house with his usual power and effect. Several men long known as common drunkards and con- sidered beyond the reach of effort came forward and signed the pledge, and Captain Stiles closed his bar, and made his popular tavern a temper- ance house. The town temperance society was now reorganized with Mr. W. HI. Mason for president. and other prominent men for officers. The adjacent manufacturers, Messrs. Fisher. Thatcher and Reed, the ministers, deacons, merchants, lawyers, doctors, and hundreds of other citizens, attended the temperance meetings and helped carry forward the movement. In 1843, John B. Gongh was engaged for a week's labor, speaking to large and deeply affected audiences in the newly- completed town house* and various school-houses throughout the town. His earnest words made a deep and lasting impression, and
* This town-house was the first building erected on the south side of the street. Mr. Whitman Jacobs broke ground on the north side about 1835, and was soon followed by Messrs. Kinney. Knight, Shaw, Graves and Comins, who built a row of neat houses, and set out a line of maples. Mrs. Thatcher built the first dwelling-house on the south side of the street. These resi- dents were greatly annoyed by vicinity to the famous "Ponog," which with house, barn and blacksmith's shop, in linked squalor, long drawn-out, occu- pied the western apex of the adjacent common.
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had much influence in arousing and intensifying temperance sentiment. Only one drinking-place was left in the village, the well-known " ponog" on the western point of the common, occupying the site of a former gravestone manufactory. This peculiar name, brought up from Rhode Island by some of Dorr's fugitives, was derived from Apanogue, supposed to indicate "a place of fair water," but the eliminated " ponog" meant a place for fire-water, and was used to designate the lowest species of rum-hole. The Thompson Ponog fully sustained its name and reputation, and in spite of all the efforts and eloquence of temperance workers remained for many years a disgrace to the village.
VIII.
KILLINGLY. POMFRET, POMFRET FACTORY.
K ILLINGLY is reported by Barber in 1836-" the greatest cotton-manufacturing town in the State." Its reputation and resources had been magnified by the building up of Williamsville on the Quinebaug and Dayville on the Five-Mile River. Dayville was commended "for its neat appearance, and for a bridge composed of two finely constructed stone arches, each 25 feet broad and 12 feet high." Captain John Day sold two-thirds of this privilege to Prosper and William Alexander, and joined with them in building and equip- ping a cotton factory in 1832. Caleb Williams of Providence pur- chased the Quinebang privilege and erected a handsome stone building in 1827. This village was also attractive for its neat appearance and good order. Danielson's Mills had passed into the hands of the sons of General Danielson, and began to be noted " as a thriving village." The temperance reform had swept away the distillery at Mason's factory, and " Gin-town " was transformed into Ruggles' Factory. The Killingly Company owning Howe's Factory was reorganized in 1828. Smaller factories on the Five-Mile River were run by Ballon and Amsbury. The carding machine on the outlet of Alexander's Lake had been superseded by a woolen factory. Great activity pre- vailed in the east part of the town, where some half-dozen mills were propelled by the lively little Whetstone, under the patronage of Ebenezer Young, Richard Bartlett. Prosper Leflingwell, Asa Alexan- der. John S. Harris, Thomas Pray, and others. An aggregate of twenty-five thousand spindles was reported. with three woolen mills, one furnace, one axe factory. In 1840, Killingly boasted the largest
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population in Windham County, having gained upon Thompson which stood at the head in 1830.
As business gravitated to the valleys and centre, Killingly Hill was forced to resign the leadership, though the flourishing stores of "Ely and Torrey." opened in 1835, and its competitor, A. A. Austin, prolonged its business activity for several years. Mr. Ely afterwards removed to Norwich, while his younger brother. Edwin, established business in Danielsonville in 1837. Flourishing stores and shops were maintained in East Brooklyn where the Tiffany's carried on extensive business in various departments. Isaac T. Hutchins' store accommo- dated Westfield residents. A second lawyer was now established in this village-Mr. Thomas Backus of Sterling, a graduate of Brown University, who was made judge of the newly-constituted Probate Court in 1830. His father-in-law. Hon. Eben.czer Young, was much occupied with publie duties, serving six years as representative to Congress, 1829-35. Ile was also actively concerned in the organiza- tion of reformatory agencies, co-operating with the friends of peace and temperance in their public efforts. Killingly's justices at this date were Arba Covill. David Chase, Thomas Backns. William Alexander, Daniel Brown. George Warren, Jedidiah Leavens, Leonard Ballon, George Danielson. Norman Kelley. N. A. Durfee. Jeremiah Field and Jonathan Dexter, served as town elerks. It was remarka- bly well accommodated with post-offices having five allowed in 1836, viz :- North, Luther Warren, Postmaster; Centre, J. Field : East, H. Peckham : South, Cyrus Day; West. George Danielson. It also showed much spirit in organizing fire companies, meeting at the house of Silas Hutchins. June, 1829. to enlist not more than sixteen persons resident in Westfield Society as " The Enterprise Fire Engine Com- pany." Liberty was given four years later to add eight men from "the factory village in Brooklyn." " Williamsville Fire Engine Com- pany was organized in 1833." After many efforts Killingly succeeded in proenring a specific residence for the poor whose keeping was intrusted to the lowest bidder. A very poor house it was according to the testimony of old Martha Sonsamon, taken there to end her days after her wigwam was blown over. "How do you like your new home ?" asked a visitor sympathetically. " Pretty well. cos we live just like Injans," was the quick reply. This last representative of Killingly's aboriginal inhabitants lived to a good old age, losing much of her ancient ferocity, and was treated with great kindness.
Westfield retained for many years its energetic pastor. Mr. Whit- more, who engaged with much zeal in temperance work and other re- forms. Its church increased proportionably with the growth of the surrounding villages, and enjoyed many seasons of special religious
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interest. Its Sabbath-school ante-dated nearly every other in Wind- ham County, being organized and well-established in 1820. Isaac T. Hutchins, one of some fifty converts who joined the church during this year, was elected superintendent. Testaments furnished by the town Bible Society served for text-book and library. The session was chiefly occupied in repeating Scripture verses committed to memory the previous week. Some ambitious children could repeat two hun- dred verses, and several during the first year had stored up half the New Testament. The revival of 1832 brought into the church about 150 members. Adam B. Danielson and Warren Stearns were chosen deacons in 1528. The various benevolent societies connected with this church were well sustained. Rev. Israel Day resigned his charge in 1826. His mortuary record kept for forty years showed a great mortality, three hundred and seventy-eight having died out of the church and congregation. Emigration also weakened the South Kil- lingly church so that it was no longer able to settle a pastor. Forty were added to the membership in 1832, through the labors of John H. Whipple, who held the charge for three years.
The East Killingly Baptist church added largely to its members in 1821, but suffered afterwards a serious declension. Through the friendly mediation of advisory brethren difficulties were healed and aggrieved parties restored. Elder Cooper resigned his charge in 1828, but con- tinued active in the church. Elder George Appleton was succeeded in 1830, by Albert Cole of Plainfield, called to the pastoral work by the unanimous voice of the church. Delegates from Thompson, Pomfret, Brooklyn and Plainfield, were invited to join in a council with the former pastors of the church, Elders Cooper and Appleton, and Brethren Silas Slater, Sampson Covill, Samuel Bullock, Benjamin Brown and Nicholas A. Durfee. After some delay Mr. Cole was ordained pastor, December 1, 1830, sermon by Rev. Thomas Barrett, consecrating prayer. Rev. James Grow, charge, Rev. G. B. Atwell. Revival influences continued, and the church gained in strength and numbers. The succeeding pastorates of Elders Oatley and Doty were marred by renewed strife and disagreements, which were happily allayed in the three years ministry of Elder Branch. A new church edifice was now built in the vicinity of the factory villages, which was enlarged during the succeeding ministry of Elder Smither. A some- what heterodox element which had long existed. in this vicinity was absorbed into the Free Will Baptist church organized previous to 1840. The old Field tavern near the town-house was now occupied by Kingsbury. Doctors Justin Hammond and Daniel Hovey engaged in medical practice in East and South Killingly. The former "city"
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