History of Windham County, Connecticut, Part 40

Author: Bayles, Richard M. (Richard Mather)
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: New York, Preston
Number of Pages: 1506

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Through the dark days of the revolution the Separate church held on to its existence, though probably weakening in numbers and activity by the labors of zealous Baptist itinerants in the neighborhood. Unlike many of this sect Elder Palmer had a respect for education and sent his son David to Dartmouth Col- lege, where he graduated in 1797. The Brunswick church did not long survive the loss of Elder Palmer and his fellow helper, Deacon Walden. Some members drifted away to the Baptists and Methodists. A final attempt was made in 1812 to main- tain worship, but in 1813 the church was disbanded, at the final meeting May 24th, voting to join with the First church of Can- terbury on conditions of being allowed certain privileges. June 11th they met at the Canterbury meeting house and part of their number joined the Canterbury church and part did not.

In reviewing the action of the society of the recognized Scot- land church some things appear of interest worthy of mention, as illustrative of the customs of the time more than for the in- trinsic historic importance of the events themselves. In 1747 it was decided to repair the meeting house. The vote decided, "to clabord the outside of our meeting house with oke clabbords, and polish the walls within with clay, sand and ashes, and plas- ter overhead with lime mortar." Among other liberties granted

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to individuals for building pews, in 1752 seven young ladies were allowed to build a pew "in the sete behind the front seat in the woman's gallery, provided they build within a year and raise the pue no higher than the seat is on the men's side." But the young ladies disregarded the condition and so brought down upon themselves the following decree : "Never ye Less ye above- said have built said pue much higher than the order, and if they do not lower the same within one month from this time the so- ciety committee shall take said pue away."

Schools had already received some attention from the people of the society. The school house, however, was a matter of an- noyance, and its location was unsteady. In 1755 it was voted that, "Whereas, the school house in the society standeth so near Samuel Silsby's dwelling house it much discommodes him-that we are willing that said Silsby should move the school house to any convenient place on the road it now stands on, provided he move it at his own charge and leave it in as good repair as it now is, and set it somewhere on the highway between where it now stands and Merrick's brook, or anywhere else where those inhabitants shall agree that send their children to school, and have the advice of Nathaniel Huntington where to set it." In 1774 the school house was again a source of trouble, this time from its proximity to the meeting house. Fearing it might give rise to conflagrations that might endanger the meeting house, it was moved to a suitable distance. In 1758 a committee was appointed to divide the society into proper school districts.

James Brewster was chosen clerk of the society in 1750, in place of John Manning, who had held the office for many years. Josiah Kingsley was chosen deacon of the church in 1752, and John Cary to the same office in 1754. Deacon Nathaniel Bing- ham, son of Deacon Thomas Bingham, of Windham, died in 1754, and his brother Samuel in 1760.

Reverend Ebenezer Devotion was held in high reputation as " a great divine, a pious man, an able politician, eminent for every kind of merit." After the passage of the stamp act, he was chosen to represent the town of Windham in the general assembly as the man most competent to advise in that great crisis. He died while yet in the prime of life, in Juiy, 1771, be- ing fifty-seven years of age, leaving a large family of sons and daughters.

The successor of Mr. Devotion in the pastoral office was Rev-

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erend James Cogswell, then recently from Canterbury, who was here offered £60 for settlement, £80 salary, and " the liberty of getting his firewood on the 1st the society had of James Man- ning." He was installed February 19th, 1772. November 9th of that year it was voted to build a new meeting house, the vote calling out 98 "yeas " and 20 " nays." It was agreed to give Mr. Elisha Lillie £750 for building the house. It was several years in course of construction. It was completed enough to be seat- ed in December, 1778, and in the following May the work was formally accepted from the hands of Mr. Lillie, the contractor. The old building then being offered for sale at auction, brought seventeen pounds.

After the revolution the returned veterans engaged in the arts of peace. Besides many who engaged in farming and com- mercial business, Major John Keyes, of Ashford, who was ap- pointed adjutant general of Connecticut militia in 1786, after- ward removed his residence to Scotland village and established a tavern, which soon became a famous place of resort for the many old soldiers residing in this part of the town. The parish bore its part in the civil administration and was allowed the privilege of holding one-third of the allotted town meetings in its convenient meeting house. The parish aspired to the luxury of a bell in its church steeple, and the purchase and poising of this appendage excited the attention of the people as an event of unusual interest. On its way hither it met with mishaps which were repeated twice or more, by which it became cracked, and had to be returned several times for repairs. For several years the care of the bell seems to have occasioned much annoyance. In the meantime the subject of church music re- ceived much earnest attention, and a singing school was main- tained under which so much progress was made that it was said the singing in this quiet country church was better than that in the city churches of Hartford. This church shared in the gen- eral religious declension which prevailed during the closing years of the last century. There were few accessions and many losses. Deacon John Cary died in 1788; Deacon John Baker in 1791. Some members were lost by emigration and some by removal to other churches. In the meantime earnest Baptists were holding meetings on Pudding hill, and making converts who joined some of the neighboring Baptist churches. Schools were maintained and catechised as the law required. The Cen-

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tral school flourished for two seasons under the charge of a teacher who afterward became famous-William Eaton, the con- queror of Tripoli.

The latter years of the life of Reverend Mr. Cogswell were attended by an unhappy controversy between him and his peo- ple. Being too aged and infirm to perform the duties of his office acceptably, he removed to Hartford to live with his son, but still claimed a support from his parish, who were legally bound by the terms of his settlement as pastor to give him a support to the end of life, which claim he was obliged to press in the courts of law.

The third pastor of this church was Cornelius. Adams, of Can- terbury, who was ordained December 5th, 1805. The parish, tak- ing care to avoid another case like that in which they were in- volved with Mr. Cogswell, secured the condition in the settle- ment that the pastoral contract could be terminated on six months' notice at any time when it should become unsatisfactory to either party. The bell now began again to make trouble. In 1804 the steeple was repaired and made stronger. The bell was re-cast. When it was being replaced in position a plank fell from the belfry deck, and struck Mr. Jeduthan Spencer on the head with such force that he died from the effects in a short time, and also broke the arm of Mr. Eleazer Huntington. The ministry of Mr. Adams was brought to an end by his death within a year after his installation. He was succeeded by Rev- erend Elijah G. Welles, of whose pastorate we have learned but little. The church was then in a feeble state, and it is probable that his maintenance was difficult. His successor was Reverend Jesse Fisher, a graduate of Harvard, who was ordained May 22d, 1811. Mr. Fisher had the satisfaction of seeing his church built up and strengthened, and the evil effects of long dissension grad- ually disappear. He remained here until his death in 1836. His successor was Reverend O. T. Whiton, who was dismissed after a four years' pastorate. A new meeting house, the present building, was erected in 1842. Thomas Tallman, of Middle Had- dam, was ordained and installed pastor March 20th, 1844. After a successful pastorate of about seventeen years he resigned in 1861. Reverend Luther H. Barber was installed October 22d, 1862, and remained until May 9th, 1869. Following that date the church had no settled pastor for about four years. During one year of that time Rufus S. Underwood was a stated supply,

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and during the time of his ministry a revival occurred which gave to the church twenty-nine new members. Reverend Alva A. Hurd became acting pastor November 1st, 1873, and remained until the spring of 1881. He was the first to occupy the new parsonage, which was provided by the society in 1873. Rever- end L. D. Place became acting pastor one year, beginning May 1st, 1884. Then followed a period of vacancy and temporary supplies until November 1st, 1886, when Reverend G. A. Bryan entered upon his labors as acting pastor. He still remains in that position. A neat and convenient chapel was purchased and fitted up adjoining the church in 1867. The present member- ship of the church is about one hundred and ten.

During the decade from 1840 to 1850 a flash of Universalist sentiment appears to have run through the churches in this part of Connecticut. A church of that order was organized in this neighborhood, and in 1843 a meeting house was built. This flourished fairly well for a few years under the ministrations of Reverend H. Slade, but its active life was short, and it has long since become a thing of the past.

Returning now to notice the growth of this town in the early part of this century we find a considerable degree of life and activity manifest here. Its farms and workshops were prospering. Stephen Webb carried on an extensive shoe manufactory in the north part of the parish. Thomas Coit, of Norwich, succeeded to the mercantile traffic carried on by Messrs. Ebenezer and Jon- athan Devotion, offering the usual "variety of well-chosen goods," and receiving most kinds of country produce in pay- ment. Doctor Dwight, in his observations about the towns of this locality, declared that everything about Scotland wore "the aspect of festivity, thrift, industry, sobriety and good order." A little later the mercantile establishment of the village fell into the hands of Philetus Perkins. Saw mills, a grist mill and full- ing mill were maintained upon Merrick's brook. These were carried on by members of old families, the Devotions and the Waldos and others. A quarter century later showed but little if any advance. Scotland Parish was greatly burdened by ex- cessive imposts and inconveniences brought upon it by Wind- ham's growth and aspirations, and devoted much of its energies to efforts for separation. No special business enterprises were now being developed within its limits. The old saw and grist

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mills were kept up, and brick making was carried on near the line between this and Windham parishes.

After repeated efforts for release from the inconveniences of being associated with Windham, Scotland at last received a town charter in 1857. Its first town meeting was held in the vestry of the Congregational church, on the morning of July 4th. Jeph- tha Green was chosen moderator. The occasion was celebrated by a pleasant social gathering in the afternoon, when patriotic and congratulatory addresses were made by Governor Cleveland, Reverend Mr. Tallman and others. The first officers of the town, which were elected on that day, were as follows: Benjamin Ho- vey, clerk, registrar and treasurer ; John P. Gager, Jr., Zephaniah Palmer and Henry H. Cary, selectmen ; Henry Webb, constable and collector; Simon Fuller and R. W. Waldo, grand jurors ; William F. Palmer and Jonathan W. Maine, assessors ; Simon Fuller, P. B. Fuller and Dwight Cary, board of relief; Zepha- niah Palmer and P. B. Fuller, land surveyors; P. B. Fuller, C. N. Palmer, C. B. Brumley, H. H. Cary, Thomas Tallman and Zeph- aniah Palmer, board of education ; C. B. Brumley, school treasu- rer ; Z. Palmer, school visitor; and John P. Gager, Jr., acting selectman. The number of children then of school age-between the ages of four and sixteen-was 191; and the number of vot- ers who cast their votes for governor that year was 135, of which 85 were in favor of Buckingham and 50 for Pratt. The justices of the peace appointed for that year were William Davison, Pearley B. Fuller and Zephaniah Palmer. The first representa- tive to the state legislature was James Burnett, merchant.

Change of status made but little practical difference in local administration. A slight change was made in the west bound, by which a little more territory was included in the town than had been in the society. By this change the brick works and the old Robinson house were brought into this town. Since that time the town has pursued the even tenor of its way, with little to disturb the still waters of its social, religious or political life. Its growth in business activity and in population have hardly been sufficient to balance its losses. The number of children between the ages of four and sixteen thirty years after town or- ganization, is 98, less than one-half what it was then. Property valuations, however, do not show disparagingly. The grand list now reaches $267,423. Most of the mills on the streams have been abandoned, but grist and saw mills are still maintained by

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F. W. Cunningham, John D. Moffitt and Eugene Kimball, while William F. Palmer carries on the only store in the village and also officiates as postmaster and notary public.

Youngest and smallest of Windham county towns, with no special business facilities, Scotland can hardly be expected to take a conspicuous position. Successive generations of young men have emigrated hence to expend their energies and enter- prise in other fields.

Scotland is honored in the memory of illustrious sons. Hon. Samuel Huntington, one of the distinguished men of his day in the state, is mentioned elsewhere in this work ; it would be rep- etition to speak of him in detail here. Daniel Waldo, the famous chaplain of Congress, was born here September 10th, 1762; drafted into the continental army in 1778; afterward became pastor of West Suffield, Cambridgeport and several other churches; served as chaplain of the United States House of Representa- tives in 1856 to 1858; died in Syracuse, N. Y., July 30th, 1864, aged 101 years, 10 months, 20 days. Samuel Waldo, a distin- guished artist, was born in Scotland in 1783. He was incited to the study and practice of art by the example and instructions of Reverend Joseph Steward. Success in Litchfield enabled him to visit England, where he studied portrait painting in the studio of Benjamin West. He returned in 1809, and for fifty-three years pursued his art successfully in New York and Hartford, becoming one of the best art critics as well as artists of his day, and was very highly esteemed by a large circle of friends.

The principal attention of the people is directed toward agri- culture, and some improvement may be seen in that direction in recent years. Among such improvements may be noticed the organization of a Grange. Shetucket Grange, as it is named, was organized with twenty-four charter members, June 10th, 1887. The ceremonies of organization and installation of offi- cers, which took place on the same evening, were conducted by D. M. Master Tucker of Lebanon, assisted by D. K. Bowen of Woodstock and members of Little River Grange of Hampton. The first set of officers thus installed were as follows: A. E.Wel- den, worthy master ; Mrs. E. P. Brown, lecturer ; Caleb Anthony, secretary ; A. M. Clark, Steward ; A. H. Gallup, assistant stew- ard; C. M. Smith, chaplain ; J. Anthony, treasurer ; R. T. Has- kins, gate-keeper; Mrs. D. P. Walden, Pomona: Flora Gager, Ceres ; Lillie Baldwin, Flora. With the introduction of various

R of Hastings

ARTOTYPE, E. BIERSTADT, N Y.

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improvements and attractions in the arts of agriculture the tide which has now for many years been setting away from the rural sections of New England to the centers of population may turn and bring again to the beauties of these hills and valleys a peo- ple who shall enjoy their health giving and soul elevating at- mosphere and influences. Like many other towns of its class, Scotland seems to be living mainly in pleasant dreams of retro- spect. The main center of the town has by the roadside the old time tavern, but its hollow and vacant rooms, with their well- worn floors and soil marks of previous generations of active guests, only tell of the life that was once manifest here which stands in bold contrast with the quietness of the present. Sur- rounding its village green, which presents a pleasing landscape, stand the 'old tavern and a row of superannuated tradesmen's shops, a school, church, chapel, store and post office. Back of the church is a small burying ground in which rest the remains of some of the foremost families of the parish. Two granite mon- uments bear the family name of Fuller. One of these is erected to the memory of Josephine, wife of George Fuller, who died July 11th, 1870, at the age of a little more than thirty-four years. The other is a granite spire containing the names of David L. Fuller, born September 10th, 1787, died August 6th, 1872 ; Frank A. Fuller, born December 21st, 1839, died March 22d, 1867; Elizabeth K. Fuller, born April 4th, 1829, died July 27th, 1869 ; and three others. The spire is about fifteen feet high. The first mentioned monument is surmounted by a life-sized angel in marble.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

RUFUS THOMPSON HASKINS was born at Rochester, Mass., De- cember 29th, 1839. He is a son of Charles H. and Almira Has- kins, the former born at Middleborough, Mass., January 28th, 1816, and the latter at Rochester, Mass., April 16th, 1818. R. T. Haskins lived on a farm until he was 15 years of age, then went on a whaling voyage in the bark "Newton," Captain George Sherman, sailing from New Bedford. After a cruise of thirty- four months the vessel was stove in the ice in the Okhotsk sea, and the crew reached home on various vessels about ten months later. Not discouraged by his first experience Mr. Haskins shipped again, this time as boatsteerer on the ship "Onward," Captain W. H. Allen. After three seasons in the same sea where

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the "Newton " was stove, the ship reached port with 6,700 bar- rels of oil. Mr. Haskins next went as mate on a British mer- chant vessel on a voyage to Europe. On reaching home he shipped as third mate on the ship "Onward " with the same cap- tain with whom he made his previous whaling voyage. This voyage yielded 7,000 barrels of oil. After a few months at home Mr. Haskins shipped as mate of the same vessel on a voyage to the Arctic ocean, which yielded 5,500 barrels of oil. His next voyage was as mate of the ship "Contest." After 1,000 barrels of oil had been taken, the ship, with thirty-one others, was caught in the ice. All abandoned her, taking the small boats. The men cut and broke the ice for nearly twenty miles before reaching open water, and cruised forty miles further, when they were rescued and carried to the Sandwich islands. From there Mr. Haskins sailed to San Francisco and came home overland His next voy- age was in the ship " Jerry Pery" to the Arctic ocean. On this voyage they found the ship "Helen Snow " abandoned. Divid- ing the crew of the " Pery," Mr. Haskins took the ship in charge and after finishing the season in her, brought her to San Fran- cisco.

In 1867 Mr. Haskins joined Social Harmony Lodge, No. 7, F. & A. M., of Wareham, Mass. When home from one of his voyages he married Mary Ellen Anthony, of Scotland, Conn., July 11th, 1867. In 1869 he bought the farm where he has resided since he retired from a seafaring life. In politics he has been an active republican, has held many town offices and in 1884 represented the town in the state legislature. His children are: Rufus C., born July 24th, 1871; Leander O., February 29th, 1876; Jessie A., July 13th, 1877; Flora M., November 26th, 1880, and Edith A., January 30th, 1884.

WILLIAM F. PALMER .- Vaniah Palmer, the grandfather of William F. Palmer, resided in Scotland, then the town of Windham. He married Cynthia Fitch, whose son John, born in Scotland on the 12th of March, 1795, in 1820 married Charlotte G. Bingham. Their children were : Emily C., William F., Henry W., Lewis C., Sanford K., John P. and Charlotte E.

William F. Palmer was born June 29th, 1824, in Scotland, and with the exception of seven years in Springfield, Massachusetts, has passed the whole of his life in his native town. After an elementary education received at the schools near his home, he engaged until the age of twenty.two in labor on the farm. He

Alliam & Palmer

ARTOTYPE E BIERSTADT N

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was then for a brief time employed in teaming, and subsequently entered the service of the Hartford, New Haven & Springfield Railroad Company. But the scenes of his boyhood proving more attractive, he returned to Scotland and for awhile engaged in farming. Mr. Palmer, at a later date, in connection with a part- ner, embarked in mercantile ventures, and in 1882 purchased the entire business interest, which he now controls. In 1866 he was elected to represent his town in the state legislature, and in 1872 was appointed postmaster, which office he still holds. He also for many years held the office of justice of the peace, and has been since 1874 town treasurer and town clerk. He is a trustee of the Willimantic Savings Institute, and is frequently called upon to act as executor, trustee and administrator. He is a member of the First Congregational society of Scotland, and treasurer and clerk of the society. Mr. Palmer was married Oc- tober 14th, 1850, to Susan B., daughter of Thomas Webb, of the same town. They have one daughter, Ella Brewer, the wife of James H. Johnson.

SAMUEL B. SPRAGUE .- Samuel and Ruhamah Borden Sprague were the grandparents of the subject of this biography. His father, William B. Sprague, was born in South Killingly, and some years later removed to the town of Scotland, then a part of the town of Windham. He married Hannah, daughter of Ebenezer Fuller, of Scotland. The children of this union who grew to mature years were: Samuel B., Hannah M. and James W.

Samuel Borden Sprague was born on the 15th of October, 1823, in South Killingly, and after a common school and an academic education spent some time as a teacher. Preferring, however, the active and healthful pursuits of a farmer, he located on the homestead farm, where he has since resided, his abilities having been chiefly directed in the line of agriculture. He has been more or less active in the arena of politics, and as a republican was in 1877 elected to the Connecticut legislature, serving mean- while on the committee on roads and bridges. He has been for a long period chairman of the board of selectmen of his town, and at present fills the office of trial justice. His well known integrity and ability have caused his services often to be solic- ited for the offices of executor, administrator, and for kindred trusts. He is a member of the Congregational church of Scot-

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land, and has at various times been superintendent of the Sab- bath school.

Mr. Sprague was, on the 24th of November, 1847, married to Emma, daughter of Nathan Gallup, of Windham, whose death occurred March 28th, 1878. Their only child, William F., died at the age of four years. He was again married November 28th, 1878, to Lois G., daughter of Mason Burnham, of Scotland.

D. B. Sprague

ARTOTYPE, E. BIERSTADT, N. Y

CHAPTER XIX.

THE TOWN OF CHAPLIN.

General Description .- Settlement of the Region .- An Ecclesiastical Society Organ- ized .- Town Privileges Obtained .- General Progress .- Manufactures. - Paper Mills, Lumber Mills, and Manufactories of Wheel-barrows, Plow-beams, Spools, Woolen Cloth, Boxes and Shingles .- Schools and Teachers .- The Church of Chewink Plains .- A Protestant Methodist Church .- Deacon Ben- jamin Chaplin .- The Congregational Church .- Its Successive Pastors .- Bi- ographical Sketches.

C HAPLIN, one of the smallest towns of Windham county, lies in the southwestern part, on the western border and next north of the town of Windham. It is bounded on the north by Ashford and Eastford, on the east by Hampton, on the south by Scotland (for a short distance) and Windham, and on the west by Mansfield, in Tolland county. The surface is considerably hilly, and much of it is covered with forest growth which affords timber for building and other purposes. Much of the soil, however, is good, and agriculture may be successfully carried on. The New York & New England railroad runs across the southeast corner of the town, and affords communication at Goshen Station in the town of Hampton and about three miles from the village of Chaplin. The township has an area of about twenty square miles, being six miles long from north to south and a little more than three miles wide. The Natchaug river runs through the town, entering at the northeast corner and leaving at the southwest corner, receiving on its way Ames' brook from the east and Stone House brook from the west. The village is one of those quiet, homelike, mature villages, charac- teristic of the rural and agricultural sections of New England. A social and homogeneous character marks the inhabitants to a remarkable degree. The high moral tone pervading the people, and the peacefulness of the community and the long life of in- dividuals, which are open facts here, afford valuable suggestions to those who would study the social elevation of humanity.

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History of Windham County, Connecticut, Part 40

Author: Bayles, Richard M. (Richard Mather) Publication date: 1889 Publisher: New York, Preston Number of Pages: 1506

Author: Bayles, Richard M. (Richard Mather)
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: New York, Preston
Number of Pages: 1506