USA > Connecticut > Windham County > History of Windham County, Connecticut, Volume II, 1760-1880 > Part 63
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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
had lost its ancient prestige, with the decline of Captain Gaston's store and the growth of new villages.
Mr. Atkins continned in sole charge of the church on Killingly Hill till 1832. when after nearly a half-century's service he was compelled to employ a colleague. Reverends William Bushnell, Sidney Holman and Henry Robinson were successively installed in office-the latter remaining in charge several years after the death of the venerable pas- tor in 1839. Dr. Grosvenor, now advancing in years, was aided in his extensive practice by his son, Dr. William Grosvenor. The old hill tavern. now kept by Captain George Warren, was still a place of much publie resort, and the village had not lost its social stand- ing. Among its social acquisitions was Mr. Joseph Torrey, one of the promising young men instructed by Mr. Atkins, who engaged in legal practice in Detroit with bright prospect of professional eminence. Suddenly disabled by an unfortunate accident resulting in paralysis, he returned to his old home, a crippled invalid. But though often suffer- ing intense pain his mind retained its vigor and brilliancy, and his varied learning and remarkable conversational powers, his patient submission to Providential dealings, made his prolonged life a rich blessing to those around him. Other young men who went out into the world from Killingly accomplished most dissimilar destinies. The sons of Messrs. Tiffany and Young engaged in business in New York city, establishing a house and name, since famed throughout the world. Frank Alexander gained a place in the foremost rank of American artists. His success was not achieved without a struggle. A farmer's son, brought up to work on the farm without even knowing the exist- ence of art, his inborn genius early asserted itself. As a boy he was always " picturin' out sunthin." Barn-door and walls were ornamented with chalk-drawn birds and fanciful creations, and noon-time spent in making "curious" sketches for little girls while his mates were play- ing. His passion for color was first excited by the beautiful tints of freshly-caught fish, and he wrought out imitations that old fisher- men said might have been taken for real perch and pickerel. Praise received for these and other copies from nature impelled the embryo artist to sally forth to New York "to learn to paint." Calling on the way upon Mr. Prescott Hall in Pomfret, he gave him letters to his brother, Mr. Charles Hall, who received him very kindly, took him to galleries of paintings and recommended him to instructors. Some time passed before he succeeded in finding willing and competent teachers, but he continued his practice and ventured an experiment in portrait-painting. Rude pictures painted on old chest-lids astonished every one by vividness of representation. His fame soon traveled to Thompson, where he was engaged to paint the portraits of several
Ce Sem professor
The Heltotype Printing Co 211 Tremont St Bustor.
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families. receiving " three dollars a head and his board." With the money thus earned he again sped to New York for further instruction. Colonel Trumbull and his fellow-countyman, Samnel Waldo, gave him counsel and encouragement. Portraits painted after his return for the extravagant price of eight dollars, were taken to Providence and greatly admired. "That's a very vigilant old lady," remarked a critic of one of these rough sketches. These early efforts were indeed characterized by a life-likeness that he never afterward surpassed. Through the kindness of Mrs. James B. Mason, Mr. Alexander obtained access to some of the best families in Providence, and her untiring efforts in his behalf were ever remembered by him with affectionate gratitude. From this time his progress was rapid. He was received most kindly in Boston by Gilbert Stuart, who pronounced his pictures " very clever," lacking things that might be gained by practice and study. but having " that which could not be acquired." Fastidious Boston con- firmed this verdict. His fine personal appearance and engaging man- ners gave him access to the higher circles, and fortune now lavished her favors. Marrying a lady of beauty, wealth and high family con- nection, he went abroad in 1831 upon an extended tour, returning to pursue his art with extraordinary dexterity and success. Boston may thank Killingly for some prominent celebrities-Joseph Howe, the ad- mired pastor of New South Church, Alexander the popular portrait- painter, and a recent popular mayor-also governor of Massachusetts.
As other towns gained post-office and probate privileges, Pomfret declined from its pristine prominence, its population diminishing each succeeding decade after 1820, when it had attained its maximum, 2,042. Its prominent men passed away. Col. Thomas Grosvenor* died in 1825: Dr. Hall, Judge Lemuel Ingalls, General Lemuel Grosvenor, followed in a few years. Dr. Hubbard was called to surgi- cal professorship in Yale's medical college. Elisha B. Perkins was compelled by ill health to seek a milder climate. The sons of Dr. Hall, and other enterprising young men, went to New York and other cities ; the Rossiters and Sweetings removed from town. New fami- lies came in, young men grew up to fill the vacant places. Dr. Holt
* Another honored son of Pomfret, the late David Hall, Esq., New York city, bears ample testimony in his Grosvenor Genealogical notes to the distin- guished merit of Colonel Thomas Grosvenor, as " a patriot pure and unsullied, a soldier, who by his justice, firmness, strict adherence to principle, and nobleness of character, shed lustre on the military name-who adorned society by his example and virtues : a valued counsellor, most venerable and respected." The various important public offices intrusted to him had been filled with credit to himself and satisfaction to his fellow-citizens. His kins- man, Gen. Lemuel Grosvenor, had also honored many important offices in town, filling a high position in militia service, and for nearly forty years administering the post-office to universal acceptance.
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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
of Hampton succeeded to much of the medical practice of his former instructor. Thomas M. Grosvenor served as town clerk and treasurer and probate elerk. The three great needs of the town were poor- house, town-house, meeting-houses. "The house of Col. Calvin Day," was made a work-house in 1824. Elisha B. Perkins, Darins Matthew- son and Lemuel Ingalls were directed to consider the condition of the poor, and consult with other towns. The town-house was a very seri- ous question, prolonged for many years. The great meeting-house in the First society had now become too large for the congregation, and it was proposed to rebuild it with basement accommodations for seeu- lar use. The town-declined to aid. particularly in building basement. A proposed road from West Woodstock to Brooklyn excited much opposition. At a meeting in Abington meeting-house, Angust 8, 1831, Deacon Joshua Grosvenor, moderator : " refused to accept road laid out through lands of Ingalls and others ; refused to build a town-house ; agreed to meet in Abington till the town provided a more suitable place." In the following year, Thomas M. Grosvenor, George Sharpe and Smith Wilkinson were appointed committee to confer with the so- cieties, and see on what terms they could obtain their meeting-houses for the use of the town. A committee of one from each school- district, viz : George Cady, Hiram Holt. Samuel Underwood, Smith Wilkinson, William James, Charles Chandler, Lemuel Holmes, William Osgood, Robert D. Sharpe, George Randall, John Williams, Orin Morey-was chosen to make inquiries as to the cost of a town-house, which resulted in farther postponement. Meanwhile the First Society had achieved a new church edifice. A hundred pairs of stockings knit by the deft fingers of Pomfret matrons and maidens secured a building lot east of the former site from Dr. Waldo, a temporary resident, who also furnished the wool from which the yarn had been previously spun by the nimble knitters. Col. Zephaniah Williams, Harvey Holmes and George B. Matthewson served as building committee; Lemuel Holmes, master-builder. Materials taken from the old house were freely used in its construction. Mr. Porter asked dismission in 1830; Rev. Amzi Benedict installed pastor the following year ; the meeting- house dedicated, October, 1832. The still phenomenal organ was played by Miss Elizabeth Vinton, the only person in town, it is said, competent for the service. A deep and powerful religious revival was experienced during Mr. Benedict's short pastorate, bringing many into the church, and impressing the whole community. His successor, Rev. Daniel Hunt, was ordained, April 4, 1835, and most worthily filled the place of esteemed predecessors. He was especially interested in the collation and preservation of town and church history, and com- piled a " History of Pomfret " for a Thanksgiving discourse, 1840, re-
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markably full, clear and accurate. The church enjoyed at this time the services of two excellent deacous-the brothers Zephaniah and Job Williams. The former died in 1838, not having "attained unto the days of the years" of the fathers who preceded him. Deacon Simon Cotton died in 1819; Deacon Hayward in 1823, aged 91 years ; Deaeon Grosvenor in 1829, aged 81. Deacon John HI. Payson in 1825. Lewis Averill was elected in place of Colonel Williams.
Episcopalians in Pomfret worshipped with those in Brooklyn till 1828, when the parish of Christ Church was organized. A church edifice was built the following year. Rev. Ezra Kellogg officiated in Christ and Trinity churches. Rev. Roswell Park assumed the sole charge of the Pomfret church in 1843, and opened a select school which gained a very high reputation. Dr. Park was a thorough scholar, a strict disciplinarian, and his nine years' incumbeney left abundant fruits. The Baptist church maintained service and pastors during this period, though weakening by the constant outflow to the valleys. Rev. Walter Lyon remained in charge of the Abington church till his death in 1826. His habits of order, discipline and ex- actness continued through life, his elock and desk were never moved from the spot selected for them on his first occupation of the ministerial homestead. He left a generous bequest to the society and gave liber- ally to benevolent objects. Rev. Charles Fitch, a noted revivalist, was installed pastor in 1828. A very powerful revival was experienced in 1831, in connection with " a four-days'-meeting." Thirty-three persons united with the church the following January : fifty-nine during the pastorate. Ile was followed in 1834, by Rev. Nathan S. Hunt, who retained the charge eleven years. Abington's usual placidity was greatly disturbed during his ministry by a controversy abont building a new meeting-house. "Two* strong parties were formed and drawn up in battle array ; the one desiring a new location on the hill a few rods east of the parsonage ; the other preferring to have the house built on the old foundation. After the heat of the controversy had passed away, a compromise was effected, and the society voted to re-
pair thoroughly the old meeting-house." Alanson Peek. Samuel P. Summer and John R. Holbrook served as committee. Repairs were accomplished to general satisfaction, and the renovated house has since been maintained in excellent condition, the oldest church edifice now occupied in Windham County. George Sharpe succeeded to the position of chorister. Elisha Lord and William Osgood, Jun., were chosen deaeons in 1831. A Sabbath-school was organized in 1826, Deaeon Wyllis Goodell, superintendent. Abington was very active
* Ilistorical Discourse, delivered by Rev. H. B. Smith.
69
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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
in temperance work. taking the initiative in forming the first society in town. Judge Lemuel Ingalls, so respected for integrity and sound judgment, died at an advanced age. Captain Elisha Lord died in 1826. having led the choir till the Sunday before his death. A Second Advent church was formed in Abington about 1840-Dr. Thomas Huntington of Brooklyn officiating as its pastor.
Renewed agitation of the town-house question was followed by a most spirited controversy. At a meeting at the south school-house, April, 1840, voted. to build a town-house-Smith Wilkinson, George Sharpe, Lemuel Holmes, G. S. Ingalls, George Cady. committee. The site of the new edifice was next discussed, which elicited almost as many different opinions as there were voters. One clique advocated " a spot near Haskell's tavern ;" another, " a spot near the south school- house :" a third. " place near Stebbins' store." A motion "to erect on land of Colonel Day, near the house formerly occupied by Capt. E. Fitch," was carried by a vote of 47 to 37, but on proposing to levy a tax it was at once reconsidered and rescinded by 46 to 26. Pausing through the summer, hostilities were resumed in December. Meeting after meeting was held. Propositions to build "on south end of burying-ground near Mr. Lemuel Hayward's ;" "near Larned Has- kell's :" "near Stebbins' store :" "on land of Sessions near Stebbins- ville," were successively rejected. An interesting meeting was held, January 2, 1841-George Sharpe, moderator. Proposed to build "near dwelling-house of William Segur," nays 161, yeas 61; " near Averill's," nays 128. yeas 81 ; " near house of Larned Haskell, he offer- ing to give land." yeas 138. nays 83. Lewis Averill, Charles Chandler and George B. Matthewson were continued committee and instructed to proceed to build immediately, but at the next meeting the vote was rescinded, Col. Calvin Day's land selected, and new committee ap- pointed, viz: George Cady, Edward Eldredge, John Williams. April 12, reseinded vote and affixed a spot between Segur's and Four Cor- ners. April 24, "rescind last vote and locate on land of William Sabin between school-house and Quaker meeting-house." George A. Dresser and Pitt Sharpe added to committee. It was next decided to invite Jonathan Nichols of Thompson, Philip Pearl of Hampton and Arba Covill of Killingly "to hear and decide." and "rescind former vote." Fortunately for all. this was the last act of rescission. At a town-meeting. June 8. voted to accept committee's report affixing site on land of Frederic Averill, committee to lay foundation and proceed. Greatly to the credit of all parties, this long contention had been ear- ried on without aerimony. if not with positive sportiveness, and all united in hastening the erection of the new town house, which was opened to the public. October 4. 1841. Deacon Job Williams now
Smith Wilkinson
The Helptype Parung to 211 Tremint Bu
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served as town clerk and treasurer, John Williams as judge of Probate. Its only lawyer was John Holbrook of Abington. Doctors Lewis and Elisha Williams engaged in medical practice. Dr. Alexander Vinton practiced for a short time in Abington before entering the Church ministry. With the multiplication of newspapers and magazines, Pomfret libraries were less needed and patronized, though the Abing- ton Ladies' Library still retained its place in the affection of its found- ers. New books were added and old ones carefully conned, stimu- lating the intellectual proclivities of the daughters of Pomfret. Miss Abby Allen was now quite noted as a writer, publishing a volume of poems and contributing to newspaper and magazine. Miss Anne Hall was most successfully pursuing her art in New York city, her minia- tures characterized "by the most exquisite ideality of design and col- oring." Groups of children executed by her are among the finest specimens of ivory miniatures. She was the first woman elected mem- ber of the American National Academy of Design, and was ranked among the first American artists. Her reputation had extended to other countries and some of her works were honored in France by preservation in enamel.
Pomfret Factory pursued its way in very independent fashion, ask- ing little of the mother town but postal facilities and occasional road or bridge outlay. Mr. Wilkinson was emphatically the autocrat of the village, and his strong will and marked individuality gave it a pecu- liar character. Everything went on like clock-work. Accounts and morals were looked after with equally keen scrutiny. No man was allowed to overrun his credit, get drunk or misbehave on Sunday. Religious services were held in the brick school-house whenever prac- ticable, and operatives encouraged to attend church in the neighboring towns. Pomfret Factory was remarkably exempt from the immoral- ities and disorders incident to the ordinary factory village of the period. Houses and yards were kept neat, loafing prohibited, children sent to school as the law required. Respect for legal authority was indeed one of the leading characteristics of Mr. Wilkinson. Even the annual Fast-day must be kept as sacredly as the Sabbath, and young men who presumed upon their position to indulge in the " vain recrea- tion " of ball-playing as by "law forbidden," were arrested and fined with none the less promptness because the son of a venerated minister, his own relatives, and favorite clerks, were among the transgressors. Yet notwithstanding this severity of discipline, there was much that was pleasant and enjoyable in life at the old Pomfret Factory. The master was the owner, having his home with his people, taking a per- sonal interest in all their affairs, and that home was one of the most cheerful and attractive in Windham County. Not only did it offer a
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BOOK X. 1840-1880.
THE PRESENT OUTLOOK.
M ODERN Windham dates its birth from the first whistle of the steam engine. That clarion cry awoke the sleeping valleys. Energy, enterprise, progress followed its course. At every stopping- place new life sprung up. Factory villages received immediate im- petus, and plentiful supply of cotton. Larger manufacturing enter- prises were speedily planned and executed, foreign help brought in ; capital and labor, business and invention, rushed to the railroad stations ; innumerable interests and industries developed-and in less than a score of years the County was revolutionized. The first had become last and the last first. The turnpike was overgrown, stage-coach and cotton-team had vanished, the old hill villages had lost the leadership, and new railroad centres held the balance of power, and drew to themselves the best blood and energies of the towns. As other railroads were opened and business facilities increased its pro- gress became more rapid, and the Windham County of 1880 is far more populous and prosperous than that of 1840. It has within its limits four railroads and admirable business facilities. A few hours easy ride connects it with Norwich, Worcester, Providence, Boston and New York. It has five or six newspapers of its own, and leading city dailies; telegraphs, telephones and other modern improvements. It has manufacturing establishments unsurpassed in the country. It has its graded schools, elaborate church edifices, public cemeteries, lofty town buildings, its summer visitors, its market gardens, its Roseland Park-and it has also its trotting parks, its grog-shops, its foreign element, its " rings," its town debts, and all the usual accon- paniments of modern civilization. The Windham County of to-day as typified by its business centres is wide-awake. progressive: a true child of the Nineteenth Century.
PUTNAM.
One of the most characteristic and prominent of these later up growths is the village of Putnam. Sleepy Rip Van Winkles who
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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
stray in occasionally to take a peep at Cargill's Falls and the long gone Pomfret Factory are sorely bewildered. Old landmarks have vanished, the forests are gone, the hills leveled or built up with houses, the very graves of their fathers removed to an ornamented cemetery. The roar of the Falls is drowned in the clatter of machinery and steam engine. The homes and workshops of an enterprising and varied population crowd the narrow vale, and stretch out over the hills on every side. Gradually and naturally the transformation has been effected. The Pomfret Factory station on the Norwich and Worcester *Railroad opened in 1839, was the outlet for Pomfret, Wood- stock, parts of Killingly and Thompson, and a wide radius inland. A depot village sprang up at once, business flowed in. Enterprising men saw the great natural advantages of the site, bought up land and built houses. Young men from the hill towns experimented in store-keeping. Lawyers and doctors doubtfully hung out their signs. Asa Cutler of Killingly, was one of the first capitalists to invest in the growing village, building a brick block for stores and many dwelling- houses. Its first physicians were Doctors Hough, Plimpton and Perry ; its first lawyer, Harrison Johnson. L. K. and C. Perrin, Manning and Searls. Williams and Ely, were among the first to engage in trade. J. O. Fox, postmaster in West Thompson. moved his office to Put- nam Depot and set up a grocery store. Mr. Wilkinson, now old and cautious, foresaw the coming tide but did not care to engage in new
enterprises. Rhodesville was greatly favored by manufacturing development. Handsome stone factories were erected between 1846-48, by Hosea Ballou of Woonsocket, G. C. Nightingale and Co., M. S. Morse and Co., of Providence, bringing great influx of foreign help as well as capital. As usual in such rapid growth there were clashing's and rivalries between the different villages, business interests and religious denominations. Baptists were first in the field, holding services in the Brick school-house and afterwards in the depot build- ing. A Baptist church was organized August 24, 1847, with forty members, and the following year a church edifice was erected on land given by Mr. Wilkinson. Congregationalists worshipped in the school house and Quinebang Hall, organizing a church in 1848, with twenty- seven members gathered from twelve churches. Their house of
* The first cars ran from Norwich to Worcester, Thanksgiving Day, 1889. The first survey of the road was made by William Lester of Norwich, afterward surveyor of Windham County. He also had charge of building the New Eng- land Road from Putnam to Willimantic. Mr. Lester merits remembrance, also, for his admirable " Map of New London and Windham Counties, " pub- Jished in 1833, with a Geological Map on the same sheet, prepared by Lieut. W. W. Mather, son of Capt. Eleazer Mather of Brooklyn, Conn., afterward State Geologist of New York. Mr. Lester spent his closing years in Wood- stock.
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worship was completed in 1852. on land given by Messrs. Wilkinson and Dorrance. Methodists worshipped for a time with the society in West Thompson. Reverends Lucius Holmes. Charles Willett, G. J. Tillotson, E. B. Huntington, D. D. Lyon, Solomon Gale, Hezekiah Ramsdell, Sidney Deane, Charles Morse, were associated with these early religious efforts.
With increasing business and population difficulties multiplied. A double-headed village with half a dozen names, embraced within three distinct towns, was anomalous and hard to manage. It was very agreeable to supply these out-lying towns with railroad and market privileges, but extremely disagreeable to resort to them to vote and consult records. Expansion and improvement were restricted by dependence upon their sovereign will and pleasure. Voting places and borough privileges suggested as modes of relief would fail to meet the difficulty, as inhabitants of separate towns with alien interests might not unite harmoniously in efforts for the public good of this particular section. The proposal to consolidate as a distinct, independ- eut township, broached in 1849, met immediate favor. Mr. Wilkin- son and his son heartily approved the project and joined with other citizens in petition and effort. Vehement opposition from representa- tives of four towns readily procured the rejection of the first petition. Leaving out Woodstock land. the petitioners in 1851 endeavored to secure parts of Pomfret. Thompson and Killingly. Beaten again and again. they still kept heart and returned to the charge. The old towns fought with great valor and persisteney, especially Thompson. whose relative position in wealth and population would be greatly changed by the loss of Rhodesville and her old South Neighborhood, but were forced to submit to the inevitable course of progress and "manifest destiny." Taking PUTNAM for their name and pattern. the new-town champions battled bravely on. The rise of the Know-nothing party and political combinations turned the seale in their favor. The final trial in May. 1855, excited unusual interest in the State. Very able counsel was employed on both sides. The closing arguments were heard in one of the largest halls in Hartford, which was crowded with eager listeners. Hon. Charles Chapman made one of his most bril- liant efforts in behalf of the old towns. He was answered by one of Windham County's own orators. Ex-Governor Cleveland, whose sym- pathies were strongly enlisted in the development of manufacturing enterprise and railroad centralization, and who carried committee, assembly and audience with him in his masterly exposition of the true sources of municipal power and prosperity, and his plea that the peti- tioners should be allowed their reasonable request for expansion and independence. Six years of arduous conflict were rewarded by
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