USA > Connecticut > Windham County > History of Windham County, Connecticut, Volume II, 1760-1880 > Part 65
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
* Born in Scotland Sept. 10, 1762 ; drafted into the Continental army in 1778; pastor of West Snffield, Cambridgeport, and several other churches; served as chaplain of the House of Representatives in 1856-58; died in Syracuse, July 30, 1864, aged 101 years, 10 months and twenty days.
+ Born in Scotland in 1783. Incited to art by the example and instructions of Rev. Joseph Steward. Snecess in Litchfield enabled him to visit England where he studied portrait painting in the studio of Benjamin West. Returned in 1809, and for 53 years pursued his art successfully in New York and Hart- ford ; was one of the best art critics as well as artists of his day ; very highly esteemed by a large circle of friends.
563
CHAPLIN. HAMPTON.
such illustrious examples the inherent genius of the little town can hardly fail to assert itself in present and future generations, and we may be sure that she will maintain her previous reputation, and perhaps send out names yet more noted and honored.
Chaplin is a brisk little town, with one river, one village, one church and one town minister, who in date of service has become the patriarch of the Congregational clergy in Windham County. Its chief apparent characteristic is a certain homogeneousness and socia- bility as if all its residents constituted a single family. Its seniors live on to almost immemorial age; its deacons serve some fifty or sixty years with apparently unabated vitality. The manufacturing facilities offered by the Nachange in its diagonal course through the town are somewhat sparingly improved. A paper-mill has been kept at work many years ; spindles and plow-handles are manufactured. Silk culture receives some attention. Agriculture is the leading interest of the town. Requiring the services of but one physician they take care that he shall be a good one. Doctors Orin Witter, father and son, have occupied the field for many years. Rev. Francis Williams, the "one minister" was installed in 1858. He has been distinguished for especial interest in temperance work, and the fruit of his labor in that and other directions is seen in the good order and sobriety of the town, and its general intelligence and prosperity.
Hampton was left for many years remote from railroad station and business centre, and gradually declined in business and population, but was brought back into the world through the agency of a railroad thoroughfare for which she is largely indebted to the untiring energies of a distinguished citizen. Governor Cleveland was greatly interested in this as in other railroad enterprises and labored most effectually to secure its laying out through that section of country which most needed its benefit. After two years service in the State Legislature, devoted more especially to the encouragement of railroad enterprise, he was sent as Congressional representative in 1849, where he gave his vote and influence against the extension of slavery. Disaffecting the leaders of his own party by this course he received the warm support of the Free Soil party, was re-elected by a trebled majority and fought slavery extension two years longer. Faithful to his own radical convictions of right and justice, Governor Cleveland felt con- strained to continue his opposition to slavery, joined in the organiza- tion of the Republican party, and was nominated at the head of the Presidential electors who gave Mr. Lincoln the vote of the State. He was appointed by Governor Buckingham one of the delegates to the Washington Peace Convention, March, 1861, and did all in his power to avert the threatened collision, and with equal earnestness supported
564
HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
the administration throughout the War. Whenever practicable Gover- nor Cleveland has resumed his professional duties as an advocate, winning continued success. llis peculiar art was best exhibited in a case of legal complications where equity and natural justice were on the side of his client, and rarely failed to convince the jury. Governor Cleveland's happy and honored life " among his own people" in Hampton was shadowed by heavy bereavements-the death of his most promising son, John J. Cleveland, in early manhood, followed in less than two years by the decease of his only surviving child, Delia Diantha, the beloved wife of Hon. Alfred A. Burnham. Hon. Mason Cleveland died in 1855. greatly respected by all, leaving sons who now represent the name and family. Hampton has also mourned the loss of a most excellent minister. Rev. George Sonle, who served as pastor of the Congregational church for several years, whose vacant place it was not easy to fill. Worship is still maintained in the Christian churches. A new church edifice, conspicuous on Hampton Hill. illustrates the change now going on in many parts of rural New England. A large Catholic church in the heart of a small farming population is indeed a strange and suggestive sight. Thrifty Willi- mantie operatives, hoarding their wages in convenient savings banks, invest finally in a permanent homestead, and take with them their families and religion, and the homes and churches of Puritan ancestors are thus gradually replaced by those of alien blood and worship. Industrious and orderly in the main, it yet remains to be seen whether they will sufficiently assimilate to take their place as good citizens. This Catholic church built in 1878, is attended by a considerable con- gregation gathered from Hampton and adjacent towns. Vicinity to the railroad has proved a great convenience to this town, and brings each year a larger number to enjoy the fine air and out-look of Ilampton Hill, and the cordial hospitality of its many agreeable residents.
ASHFORD.
No town has suffered so severely from modern changes as Ashford. From being one of the great public thoroughfares between New York and Boston. it is left as it pathetically asserts " fourteen miles from anywhere." Eastford Parish has gone from it ; various industries flourishing for a time in Westford Parish have been abandoned, emi- gration has continued to rob it of its vital forees. business and popu- Jation have diminished, till the churches that once so proudly sent forth missionaries, are themselves subjects for mission help and threatened with dissolution. One ancient church indeed, the senior
ASHFORD. 565
Baptist church of Windham County, has fairly given up the ghost and suffered legal administration. It is seldom that a defunct church leaves so handsome an estate. When from increasing emigration and the building up of other Baptist churches it was found that the Knowlton Church could no longer maintain worship, the ministerial farm was sold and the avails deposited in Shetucket Bank, Norwich. Rolling up in some twenty years to about two thousand dollars, it was drawn out under legal rescript and distributed among the heirs of the original donors, according to the terms of the gift. This somewhat difficult service was successfully accomplished by Mr. Edward Knowl- ton, who succeeded in unearthing some two hundred legatees from all parts of the land, who claimed rights ranging from five shillings to a hundred dollars. The old Knowlton meeting-house after long disuse and decay paid the debt of nature. A new Baptist church gathered in the village of Warrenville in 1846, bears a good name and record. The Westford Baptist church has been succeeded by a Free-Will Baptist organization. The Congregational church of Westford* enjoyed a season of renewed prosperity in 1846, achieving a new church edifice and bell, and installing Rev. C. S. Adams as pastor, who com- bined the charge of a flourishing High School with his pastoral duties. After some unpleasantness, Mr. Adams was dismissed in 1858, and the succeeding pastorates have been of short duration. The First church of Ashford has steadily declined in numbers and resources, and though still sending out valued ministers to other churches, is pressed to main- tain its own worship. Among its later ministry, Rev. Thomas S. Dutton merits special remembrance for his excellent historic discourse, delivered January, 1864. Its present pastor, Rev. Charles P. Grosve- nor, is greatly honored as probably the oldest surviving licentiate of the Windham County Association and a faithful minister in many Wind- ham County churches. Warrenville, so named in honor of one who aided largely in building the Baptist house of worship, has some manufacturing and business interests. The making of coarse glass bottles and willow coverings. carried on quite extensively for a time in Westford village has been discontinued. Mr. John L. Deane, formerly connected with this business, and very prominent in town and county politics. has recently deceased. Judge Richmond. Ashford's last law- yer, Major Horace Gaylord, long connected with pension distribution and other public services, and Lorenzo Dow Bolles, the characteristic
* Among the many useful men sent out by this obscure church, none have shown a more self-denying and heroic spirit than Samuel J. Whiton, son of Deacon Whiton, who when prevented by illness after two laborious attempts from serving as a missionary in South Africa, returned to labor with great fidelity and success among the freedmen of the South, and in Home Mission fields at the West as long as his enfeebled health would permit.
.
566
HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
representative of two remarkable families, have passed away within a few years. It is fitting that Ashford should take as she does such especial care of her several burying-grounds for her record is mostly with the past. Her living sons are found everywhere out of their own town. One of these pilgrims who achieved success and fortune has shown his interest in his birthplace by devising liberal things for its benefit-leaving it the sum of six thousand dollars, whose income is to be expended npon its musical and intellectual culture. The " Babcock Brass Band " with facilities for continued improvement ; the " Babcock Library," free for the use of all the inhabitants of the town. have resulted from this considerate bequest of Archibald Babcock. Charlestown, Mass. With such substantial remembrances from those who owe it allegiance, it may be hoped that the home of Knowlton, Dana, the Notts, the Bolleses, and other illustrious sons, will still maintain an honorable position among Windham County towns.
EASTFORD.
This brisk young town was organized, June 21, 1847. James Lyon served as moderator. John B. Adams was chosen town clerk and treasurer ; Jairus Chapman, James Trowbridge. Willard Lyon, select- men : F. Watkins, assessor; Earl C. Preston, board of relief. The basement of the new Methodist house of worship was soon secured for town meetings. Edward A. Lyon was then in charge of the Methodist church. Rev. Francis Williams had succeeded to the Congregational pastorate. Several mills were in operation in Eastford village and Phenixville, and business was lively. Captain Skinner continued his cotton factory till it was destroyed by fire. Woolen stocking yarn was manufactured by J. M. Keith & Co. Twine and cotton batting were made in Phenixville. Extensive tannery works were carried on by Mr. J. D. Barrows. Mattresses, palm-leaf hats, boots, shoes. stockings. shoe-pegs and lasts, were among the various products of the town. Mr. Frederic Hovey opened a law office. Post-office was managed by a well-known military official, Major James Dorset. This hopeful beginning has been well sustained. Though suffering the usual business changes and losses, Eastford maintains a certain youthful spring and buoyancy and is able to retain a fair proportion of her young people, while she has gained much credit for those she has sent out into the world. She has already furnished a judge* for the Superior Court of Con-
* Hon. Elisha S. Carpenter.
yours truly M. Lyon TY
567
EASTFORD. BROOKLYN.
nectient, and a speaker* for the House of Representatives at Washing ton-and more than all she has given a LYo to sacrifice himself for his country. The energy and determination with which this Eastford lad secured the education that fitted him for a military career, enabled him to fill every position to which he was called, and " to strike the blow which saved the State of Missouri to the North," and gave fresh impulse and hope to every loyal heart. The funeral of General Lyon, when officers and civilians from all parts of the land gathered with thousands of his own county to pay the last tribute of respect to the dead hero, was one of the most remarkable demonstrations ever witnessed in Connecticut. Buried at his own request beside his parents in the rural cemetery. his fame belongs to the Nation, and the quiet grave in Eastford will be held in grateful remembrance by coming generations.
BROOKLYN.
The prosperity of the shire-town has been checked by the transfer of newspapers, business enterprises and county gatherings to more accessible centres. Its various philanthropic societies gently declined. Even the County Temperance Society suffered decease. The Wind- ham County Agricultural Society, however, took a new lease of life in 1840. Solomon Payne was chosen president ; Septimus Davison, secretary ; John Day, George S. White, Thomas Hough, Henry G. Taintor, Luther Day, Isaac Knight, Charles Osgood, Hezekiah Rams- dell, Amos Gallup. Henry Campbell, Joel W. White, William Lyon, 3d., vice-presidents. An annual fair was thenceforward maintained, increasing in display and attendance and stimulating a healthy emula- tion. As agricultural interests have received more intelligent con- sideration the society has enlarged its borders and accommodations, and its September "Cattle Show and Exhibition " is the great gala day of the present generation ; calling together interested exhibitors and spectators from all parts of the County. Chaplin furnishes the present president, J. W. Griggs ; Sterling the first vice-president. James Pike. A committee represents its interests in each town. John Gallup, 2d, succeeded to the presidency of the Windham County Bank. Leading citizens in Brooklyn and neighboring towns have served as directors. The Windham County Insurance Company has continued to prosper, making no assessments and suffering few losses, insuring apparently from fire as well as accruing damage, and its surplus fund might excite the envy of more pretentious institutions. John Palmer has served for
Hon. Galusha A. Grow, Pennsylvania.
568
HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
twenty-three years as secretary and treasurer ; David Greenslit, Hamp- ton, president. In 1851, Brooklyn reluctantly accepted the resignation of her faithful town clerk, Zachariah Spalding, unanimously voting :-
" That by continued service in that office for the almost unprecedented term of forty-two years, he has in the almost stereotyped plainness and ac- curacy of our town records given us a memorial of his official fidelity and serupulous exactness, while his urbanity and uniform kindness have gained for him our entire respect as a citizen and friend."
Bela P. Spalding succeeded in office. The Courts and Bar suffered few changes for many years. Thomas Gray and Uriel Fuller harmoni- ously interchanged the clerk's office. Daniel P. Tyler engaged ardently in politics and was very popular as a stump speaker in the Harrison campaign. Mr. Welch devoted himself more exclusively to his pro- fession. Gradually the older lawyers, Young, Baldwin. Perkins, Stoddard, MeClellan, Williams, Larned, Davis, Backus, Eaton, Judson, Holbrook, Richmond, Welch, grew gray and passed on, and younger men-Catlin, Graves, Penrose, Converse, Johnson, Philips. Martin, Carpenter-contested with the veterans Cleveland, Dyer and Tyler. Changes were made in Court sessions and customs. In prison disci- pline reforms were instituted. The County jail was made a work- house and prisoners employed in out-door labor, to the great better- ment of their own health and morals and also of the County Treasury, which is able to meet all current expenses, and even extraordinary repairs from their earnings, so that those who break the laws bear the whole cost of judicial administration-a stroke of Yankee policy most worthy of praise and imitation.
Brooklyn's lack of manufacturing facilities has developed enterprise in other directions. Instead of coining gold from cotton she has transmuted it into spectacles, pens and watch-cases. The workshops of Newbury, Bard and Preston, the silk factories of Richmond and Marlor absorbed much labor and capital. She has also shown much interest in horticulture, the nurseries, gardens and greenhouses of Messrs. Dyer, Newbury and Tarbox attaining a wide reputation. Music has added its attraction to town and village, the news-office of F. S. Luther boasting the largest assortment of stringed instruments in the County. Taste and culture are manifested in the many fine resi- dences, the well-kept gardens, the improvements in Court-house, Mortlake House and private houses. An elegant church edifice was built by the Episcopal society in 1866. The hundredth birthday of this society was appropriately celebrated in the " old Malbone Church," April 12, 1871. when an interesting historical discourse was given by the grandson of Rev. Daniel Fogg. A special fund given by the late George Brinley of Hartford provides for the continued preservation of
569
BROOKLYN. CANTERBURY.
this memorial edifice and its hallowed grave-yard. Dr. Riverins Camp, rector of Trinity Church for many years, died in 1875. Rev. G. J. Tillotson was dismissed from the pastorate of the Congregational Church in 1858. Mrs. Celia Burleigh, widow of the poet and philan- thropist, Wm. H. Burleigh, died in charge of the Unitarian Church. Competent pastors have succeeded to the charge of Brooklyn's several churches. Great social changes have occurred within the past few years. Daniel P. Tyler, Adams White, Deacons Newbury and Robinson, Messrs. Davison, Gallup, and many others long prominent in local and public affairs, are gone : business enterprises have been abandoned, and the present ontlook in Brooklyn is less favorable than that of other days. Population and business interests are gravitating more and more to the railroad. and legal advocates are warmly urging the removal of the County-seat to some accessible business centre. Distance they tell us is now measured by minutes, not mile-stones. and Brooklyn is at least thirty minutes " behind-time." Fortunately for her, the prize is sought by three competitors, and in the division of counsel and effort she may find safety and continuance. To the public at large a change would probably be distasteful. Existing Court ac- commodations seem to them sufficiently ample and convenient, and the facilities for the care of prisoners exceptionally excellent. It is a question between the Old and the New: Conservatism and Young America ; and we may be sure that in this fast-moving generation it will not take seventy years to settle it. Danielsonville, Putnam and Willimantic will persistently sue for the golden apple, and the prize will ultimately fall to her who makes the highest bid for it.
Canterbury has changed greatly since the days of Judson, Adams, Frost, Harris, Hough, Coit, Francis, White, Payne, Backus, and other distinguished citizens. No special business interest has drawn in new residents or kept in her young folks. The Foundry works maintained so long by Esquire Backus. Deacon Allen, and other public-spirited men, have been abandoned or transferred to railroad stations. Its farming advantages are not remarkable, and it has not yet attained to market-gardens and summer boarders. The last survivor of the pre- ceding generation was Dr. Elijah Baldwin, who continued to practice in Canterbury and adjoining towns for more than sixty years, dying March, 1867. He was distinguished for " good judgment and sound common sense." A son of the same name has succeeded him in prac- tice. Ashford's third Dr. Palmer practiced for a time in Canter- bury village. Among later noted residents are Dr. Walter Clarke of Farmington, who filled the Congregational pastorate for three years to great acceptance, and his successor. Rev. Robert C. Learned of New London, who in addition to faithful pastoral labor compiled a valuable
72
570
HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
church manual, and a very complete record of the churches and minis- ters of Windham County. Westminster Society. despite many losses. maintains its early efficiency, receives new members to its church and beantifies its church edifice and burial-ground. Methodist worship is maintained in the centre of the town. The great change wrought in Canterbury was painfully manifest at the late semi-centennial com- memoration of the organization of its former flourishing Temperance Society, when one* of the six survivors of the original band gave inter- esting reminiscences of its early history. But though fallen from its former high estate, Canterbury is still able to accommodate the State with efficient secretary and officials, and maintain creditable repre- sentatives in various departments all over the land.
Voluntown is fortunately favored with manufacturing facilities. The mills set up by Donne. Treat and other pioneers. passed into the hands of Ira C. Briggs. Spencer, Dixon, Starkweather and Jeneks, and have built up quite a lively little village known as Beechdale. Mr. George Weatherhead, a former Killingly manufacturer, engaged in busi- ness here, and died lately, much respected. Dr. Harvey Campbell, a very prominent citizen of this town, died in 1877 after long infirmity. He had served many years as town clerk and representative, was an advocate of temperance and other reforms ; a leader in every good work. He had a wide medical practice and was greatly esteemed in the profession. serving many times as Fellow of the State Medical Society. Rev. Charles S. Weaver has labored much in this town, filling for sixteen years the Baptist pastorate. Baptist and Methodist churches are sus- tained in Voluntown village, exerting a good influence. The old Congregational church in the north of the town received a new im- petus through the labors of Charles L. Ayer, ordained at the dedica- tion of the new "Line meeting-house," January 6, 1859. Through his efforts funds were raised for the erection of a new parsonage, which furnished a pleasant home for the aged ministerial fathert who suc- ceeded him, and later incumbents. Voluntown has now but few representatives of its original families, yet despite its lean soil and local disadvantages it is gaining in many ways and has hopes of farther advancement.
Sterling has been helped by the Hartford, Providence and Fishkill Railroad, which enables her to take her ores and wares to market. The new granite village, Oneco, shows something of her architectural re- sources. Mr. Henry Sabin of Plainfield was the founder of this village, building a small cotton factory about 1830. Successive owners gave it their names till it was finally re-christened by the Norwich proprietors who now utilize its granite, working its fine quarries to good advantage.
* Rev. Daniel C. Frost, Killingly. + Rev. Joseph Ayer.
-
571
STERLING. PLAINFIELD.
Indications of yet more valuable ore have been found in the vicinity- specimens of plumbago and dendrite, and such large and glittering quartz crystals that their chief depository is known as " the Diamond Ledge." The "Devil's Den Chimney " was blown up in building the railroad. The cotton manufacturing interests of the town have de . clined ; factories burned down have not been replaced, and its natural resources furnish its chief reliance. The "sap works" of Mr. James Pike continue to resolve the forests into their component elements, consuming annually some two or three thousand cords of hard wood, employing a number of workmen, and extracting and re-combining a variety of useful products. A specialty of this unique establishment is the dissolution of refuse tin and iron, battered tin pans, rusty stove- pipes, and the like, by which these heretofore indestructible nuisances are made subservient to the will and use of man. Stimulated by these enterprises, Oneco bids fair to become a place of business importance, has a new public hall and publie-spirited residents. Of other parts of the town there is no special record. A local interest centres in " the 'Line Store " in its northeast corner, where there is a Union Free-Will Baptist church, a post-office and frequent social demonstrations. Ster- ling Hill furnishes as ever a pleasant place of residence for a few fami- lies. Robert Dixon's famous tavern passed into the hands of Archibald Douglas, who served for twenty-seven years as town clerk and treas- urer. The meeting-house was thoroughly reconstructed in 1860-61, the former "proprietors " relinquishing their rights to a new "Sterling Hill Meeting-house Association" and the Baptist church which had so long occupied it. Faithful ministers have succeeded the venerable Elder Peckham. Messrs. Thomas and J. A. B. Douglas and John Gallup, have served as clerks. The meetings of the Sterling IFill Asso- ciation are continued with increasing interest and draw a great con- course of people. Like other inland towns, Sterling sends out credit- able representatives, helping build States as well as State-houses. Connecticut's present respected lieutenant governor was born and bred in this town. His older brother, John Gallup, was many years a resident of Brooklyn. Judge Backus of Killingly, and many other Sterling men, have filled honorable positions in various parts of the land. Mr. Amos Gallup succeeded Charles Mason as judge of Probate.
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.