History of Windham County, Connecticut, Part 55

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

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Schools received continually more attention. In 1752 three

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.

schools were allowed, two months in each part, each part to pro- vide a house; middle school at Mr. Howe's. In the following year two school houses were voted-Goodell, Paine and Gros- venor to fix spots. Spots were assigned the succeeding year, but the houses were not provided. In December, 1775, it was ordered, "That the centre school be kept in the old school house; north school at Caleb Grosvenor's, and south school at Edward Goodell's, if he is willing." In 1757 four school houses were ordered, and two were actually built in 1760. In town and public affairs Abington parish bore her full share, her citizens filling a just proportion of needful town offices. Ebenezer Hol- brook, Joseph Craft, William Osgood and John Grosvenor were sent successively as representatives to the general assembly. An excellent house of entertainment was kept by James Ingalls, one of its most prominent and respected citizens.

Abington society was obliged to seek the dismissal of its hon- ored pastor, Reverend David Ripley, in consequence of disease, by which he was disabled from efficient service. He consented to be dismissed from his office in March, 1778. This dismission in nowise effected Mr. Ripley's ministerial standing, and he officiated in the pulpit at home and abroad whenever his health permitted. He was able to preach occasionally to his former charge, and no other minister was settled for several years. Reverend Walter Lyon, a native of Woodstock and graduate of Dartmouth College, was ordained as pastor January 7th, 1783. The first pastor of the church, Reverend David Ripley, after long infirmity and suffering, died in 1785. Mr. Lyon was a faithful and conscientious pastor, devoted to the work of preaching the gos- pel. Improvements in schools and house of worship, the libra- ries and missionary efforts, enjoyed his countenance and sup- port. A bell was given by Mr. Samuel Summer in 1800, and leave voted to certain individuals to build a steeple. In 1802 the society voted to pay the expense of hanging and raising the bell and a rope to hang it. Further repairs were soon accomplished and the house brought into good condition. The ecclesiastic society continued its care of the schools, allowing sixteen months schooling a year for the whole society-schools kept at the usual places-and voting that the schoolmasters have no more than forty shillings per month, they boarding themselves. In 1798 four school districts were formally set off and estab- lished, and suitable school houses erected.

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.

Fifteen were added to the membership of the church in 1809, and the same number in 1819. William Osgood and Wyllis Goodell were chosen deacons in 1811. Captain Elisha Lord con- tinued to lead the singing. Mr. Abishai Sharpe was excused from paying his assessment for meeting house repairs on condi- tion that he teach a singing school two evenings a week through the season.

Reverend Walter Lyon remained in charge of the Abington church till his death in 1826. His habits of order, discipline and exactness continued through life; his clock 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 liberally to benevolent objects. Reverend 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 pastor- ate. He was followed in 1834 by Reverend Nathan S. Hunt, who retained the charge eleven years. Abington's usual placidity was greatly disturbed during his ministry by a controversy about building a new meeting house. After the heat of the contro- versy had passed away, a compromise was effected, and the society voted to repair the old meeting house thoroughly. Re- pairs were accomplished to general satisfaction, and the reno- vated 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, Jr., were chosen deacons in 1831. A Sabbath school was organized in 1826, Deacon Wyllis Goodell, superintendent.

Nathan S. Hunt was installed pastor of this church, February 11th, 1834, and was dismissed April 30th, 1845. Following that time Reverend Edward Pratt supplied the pulpit about four years. He was followed by Reverend Sylvester Hine, who sup- plied for a time about 1850. Reverend Henry B. Smith was in- stalled January 13th, 1852, and after a considerable pastoral ser- vice was dismissed August 26th, 1863. Reverend George H. Morss was ordained and installed May 11th, 1864, and was dis- missed November 1st, 1866. An interval of supply then occurred. David Breed, of Windham, began preaching about 1868, and continued until June, 1872. Daniel Frost, of Dayville, supplied

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.

the vacancy at this and other times, when the church was with- out a pastor. Andrew Sharpe also supplied for a time. Andrew Montgomery followed, from the early part of 1875 to the spring of 1880. Reverend H. M. Bartlett, of Pomfret, supplied the pul- pit in 1880, and Reverend Stephen Carter, of Westminster, sup- plied at a later date. Reverend Daniel J. Bliss came to the church in June, 1884, and remains at the present time. A parsonage was built in 1852. The present house of worship claims the honor of being the oldest one in the state, having been built in the year 1751, and is still in a good state of preservation. The member- ship of the church at the present time is about ninety.

Meetings were held here by the Second Advent people about the year 1844. In that year they were held in a school house. They were begun and for several years conducted under the leadership of Doctor Huntington, of Brooklyn. A vacant store was obtained and fitted up with seats, and this was used until about 1864, when a chapel was built in the neighborhood. This was occupied until the fall of 1874, when it was disposed of, and a new church built about a mile to the west of the former site. This is now standing and in use, and is a very neat edifice. Doc- tor Huntington continued to serve the church many years. Elder Carpenter preached here in connection with his labors in the Second Advent church at Danielsonville for a number of years. Elder Hezekiah Davis was settled as pastor of this church from 1874 till about the year 1882. He was followed by Elder Albert Johnson, who remained till about two years since, after which no settled pastor has been in charge. Elder Card, from Rhode Island, and others supplied for brief periods. The present mem- bership of the church is about fifty. A Sunday school has been in active working order most of the time since the time of Elder Davis, and was in operation part of the year previous to that.

The Church of the Messiah, an Episcopal branch from the church at Pomfret, was erected in Abington in 1882 and 1883. Episcopal services were commenced here in 1881. A lot was do- nated by Miss Sarah C. Howard, and the church was erected upon it. Some of the timber and furniture from the old house at Pomfret were used in this new house, and funds for building were largely obtained by contributions from the people of the diocese. The house was consecrated November 20th, 1883. As far as church organization and ministerial supply is concerned it is a part of the parish of Pomfret.

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.

In 1793 a number of the inhabitants of Abington formed a " Propriety" for the purpose of establishing a library here. This was called the Social Library of Abington. Walter Lyon was the first librarian. A hundred volumes were soon procured. The price of a share was stated at twelve shillings. The instruc- tive element here was too heavy for the palate of the young, and in 1804 a " Junior Library " was formed, with John Holbrook, librarian. This contained some ninety volumes of light litera- ture of the day. In 1813 the literary spirit of Abington organ- ized a Ladies' Library of which Alathea Lord was librarian. Seventy dollars were promptly raised and invested in books. An admission fee of three dollars and an annual tax of twenty-five cents was agreed upon to furnish funds. New members were from time to time admitted, and many valuable books bought. In 1815 a union of the Social and Junior libraries was effected and these became the United Library of Abington.

With the multiplication of newspapers and magazines these libraries were less needed than they were at first, and in the course of the next quarter of a century they had fallen into ne- glect. The Abington Ladies' Library for many years retained its place and power as a factor of culture in the town. The United Library of Abington also maintained its hold upon life until a revival of interest in its cause came about and a few years since the Ladies' Library was consolidated with it and the new Social Library thus formed was endowed with some seven hun- dred volumes. This library has been maintained to the present time, and is in a prosperous condition. Some of the old books still remain in it. A building was erected for its accommoda- tion about 1886. It stands near the Congregational church, on the Common. It has a library room and another room for meet- ings. The building cost about $1,500, of which Mr. Sabin Chase, of Waterbury, contributed $500. The library contains about one thousand volumes.

Some manufacturing is carried on in Abington, though not enough to make that industry a prominent feature of the locality. Albert Smith carries on the manufacture of brooms. Carriages are manufactured by William Brayton. The manufacture of road machines was carried on here a few years since, by George W. Taft. He began experimenting in these machines as early as 1873, since which time he has taken out a number of patents, developing the "New Model Champion." He began manufac-

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.

turing in 1882. The growth of the business for five years is shown by the number of machines manufactured each year, which was 6, 100, 250, 400, 1,800. The number last mentioned were produced in 1886, when Mr. Taft had become associated with a firm at Kennett Square, Pa., and in the latter part of that year he removed his works to that place.

Of one of the conspicuous representatives of this locality we have the following mention to make :

Charles Osgood was born in Pomfret, Abington Society, March 29th, 1811, and died December 5th, 1888. With the exception of a residence of five years in Putnam, he lived on the homestead which had been in possession of the Osgood family since the year 1747.

Mr. Osgood's ability and integrity recommended him to posi- tions of trust and responsibility. For five terms he represented the town of Pomfret in the legislature, and was an influential member. He was chairman of the state prison committee, and was the author of the bill he introduced, which passed the legis- lature, giving to the prisoner a deduction of five days from his term of sentence for each month of good behavior.

Previous to the Presidential election in 1864, Governor Buck- ingham sent Mr. Osgood south to receive the votes of the soldiers in some of the Connecticut regiments.

He was one of the founders of the Windham County Agricul- tural Society in 1852, and for several years was its correspond- ing secretary and afterward its president. For nearly twenty years he was acting school visitor. To him were chiefly due the select schools that in successive years were of benefit to the young people of Abington.

Mr. Osgood married in 1838, Lucy Holbrook, daughter of John Holbrook, of Abington, a member of the Windham county bar. Mrs. Osgood died in 1885. They have left two sons and three daughters.

CHAPTER XXV.

THE TOWN OF BROOKLYN.

Facts and Figures .- Movement of Settlers .- Richard Adams .- Isolated Settlers. -Division of Vacant Lands .- The Stoddard Tract .- Heterogeneous Settle- ment .- A Minister Employed .- Organization of "The Society taken out of Pomfret, Canterbury and Mortlake."-Becomes Brooklyn Parish .- The Town Chartered .- List of Inhabitants .- Business and Public Questions .- The County Seat Moved Here .- Brooklyn Newspapers .- Putnam and the Wolf. -General Putnam .- Godfrey Malbone .- Roads and Bridges .- Manufactur- ing Enterprises .- School Accommodations .- Church History, early and late. -Banks .- Insurance Company .- Agricultural Society .- Creamery .- Decline of Manufactures .- Biographical Sketches.

T HE township of Brooklyn, the shiretown of Windham coun- ty, is centrally located, with Pomfret on the north, Kil- lingly and Plainfield on the east, Canterbury on the south, and Hampton on the west. The area of the town is about thirty square miles, its width from north to south being about five miles and its length from east to west about six miles. It has one central village, which contains the county buildings, churches, stores and shops, and is very handsomely shaded and ornamented. The northern part of the town is hilly, while the southern part is marshy and rolling. The Quinebaug sweeps its eastern border all the way, and Blackwell's brook traverses the town from the northwest part to the southern border. No rail- road infringes upon Brooklyn territory, but convenient commu- nication with the world is afforded by stage line to Danielson- ville about three miles from the central village. The popula- tion at different times has been: 1800, 1,202; 1840, 1,488; 1870, 2,355 ; 1880, 2,308. Grand list, 1845, $23,866 ; 1887, $1,451,404.

In 1703, Richard Adams, of Preston, obtained, for two hun- dred pounds, from Major Fitch, a deed of three thousand acres of wilderness land, south of Blackwell's tract. Its bound began at the junction of the Five-Mile and Quinebaug rivers, extend- ing west on Blackwell's line to a pine tree marked B, by the side of Blackwell's brook, and beyond it; thence south four hundred

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.

and eighty perches ; thence east to the Quinebaug, where Bea- ver brook empties into it. Richard Adams, Jr., appears to have made a settlement on this tract, even before the deed of convey- ance was executed, and was the first settler within the limits of the township granted to Blackwell, and the present town of Brooklyn. His wife was a daughter of Daniel Cady, of Aspi- nock. Their homestead was in the depths of a dense wilder- ness, much infested with wild beasts and Indians, about a mile southeast of the site of the present Brooklyn Green. A colony of beavers held possession of the brook adjoining. Richard Adams was numbered with the inhabitants of Plainfield in 1701 ; in 1703 assisted in the organization of Canterbury, and was claimed for many years as an inhabitant of that township.

A strip of land south of the Adams tract was purchased of Major Fitch by John Allen, of Aspinock, 1703, and conveyed by him, in 1705, to his son Isaac, who soon took personal possession. John Woodward settled south of Allen and north of Canterbury line in 1706. In 1707 Edward Spalding, of Plainfield, bought land north of Canterbury bounds, at the foot of Tatnick hill, and there settled with his family. These four families were for sev- eral years the only white inhabitants within the limits of Black- well's patent. Richard Adams and his neighbors were left un- stated to any township for several years-a few isolated families remote from settlements and civilization. They paid rates to Canterbury and attended religious worship there when practi- cable. Communication with the outside world was difficult and sometimes dangerous. The road from Canterbury to Woodstock passed near Edward Spalding's house, which soon became a place of entertainment for travelers-his first barrel of rum coming up from Norwich on horseback, lashed between two poles and dragged behind the rider.

The Adams tract was divided after a time into eight equal and parallel allotments, running from east to west, and made over to the seven children of Richard Adams, of Preston-Richard, Jr., receiving a deed of two lower allotments in 1712. Twenty- five hundred acres west of the Adams tract were secured by Captain John Chandler, 1707. The several tracts held by Fitch, Blackwell, Stoddard and Chandler were left vacant and neglect- ed till the death of Sir John Blackwell, when the Mortlake man- or fell to his son, and was sold by him to Jonathan Belcher, of Boston, April 3d, 1713. A highway was laid out from north to

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.

south. Two noble farms or manors, called Kingswood and Wiltshire, were laid out for Mr. Belcher's own occupation. " For the promoting of public good and the better settling of the land," large tracts were sold-fourteen hundred acres on the Quinebaug to Governor Saltonstall, five hundred acres to Sam- uel Williams, of Roxbury, and three hundred to Mr. Belcher's brother-in-law, William Foye. A public training-field was re- served between one of Foye's farms and Nantasket brook. About twelve hundred acres were left in forest and meadow for future disposal.

In 1714 the vacant land between Pomfret and Canterbury was divided between these townships, and thus the land south of Mortlake, owned by Adams, Chandler and Stoddard, came under the jurisdiction of Pomfret. Richard Adams was chosen select- man in 1715, and by a very clear vote, the town made over to him all their right and title to his land as to property. The settlement of this section was somewhat quickened by its annexation to Pomfret. Daniel Cady, of Killingly, father of Mrs. Richard Adams, bought six hundred acres of land near Tatnick hill, of Jabez Allen, in 1714, and settled there with a large family of sons and daughters. James Cady, of Marlbo- rough, purchased land of Richard Adams in 1716. John, Joseph and Daniel Adams then took possession of their allotments, and threw part of them into market. Sixty acres now included in Brooklyn village were sold by Joseph Adams in 1718, to Samuel Spalding. John Adams sold homesteads to Jabez Spicer, John Hubbard, Daniel Adams, a farm to Samuel Head. The twenty- five hundred acres of land between the Adams and Stoddard tracts were sold by Captain Chandler for £190, to Joseph Otis, of Scituate, in 1715. Its eastern half was sold out in farms to the Reverend Ebenezer Williams, Ebenezer Whiting, Samuel Spalding, Jonathan Cady and Josiah Cleveland, in 1719 ; the west- ern half was purchased by Stephen Williams, Joseph Davison, and Joseph Holland, in 1723. The Stoddard tract remained for many years in the hands of its non-resident owner, save a few hundred acres, sold in 1719 to Abiel Cheney, Benjamin Chaplin, of Lynn, Samuel Gardner and Samuel Pellet. Chaplin and Pel- let also purchased land of Major Fitch, and were the first settlers of the southwestern corner of Pomfret.

About twenty families had gathered in the south part of Pom- fret by 1720. Their position was somewhat peculiar. A dis-

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.

tinct, independent township lay between them and the main settlement, and had to be traversed by them on their way to public worship, town meetings and trainings. The long jour- ney over rough roads, which they had not the power to mend or alter, was "exceedingly difficult and next to impossible, and children were compelled a great part of the year to tarry at home on the Lord's day." Some of the residents in the south part of this region maintained church relations in Canterbury, so that the charge was divided between the Reverend Messrs. Williams and Estabrook, who visited the people, watched over them, and established a monthly lecture in the neighborhood, which was continued for some years.

In 1721 the inhabitants of this section were: James Cady, Joseph Adams, Isaac Adams, Daniel Adams, John Adams, Eze- kiel Cady, Daniel Cady, Jonathan Cady, Ezra Cady, John Cady, Daniel Cady, 2d, Samuel Spalding, Isaac Allen, Josiah Cleve- land, Joseph Holland, Ezekiel Whitney, Henry Smith, Ebenezer Whiting, John Woodward, Jabez Spicer, Jonas Spalding, John Hubbard, John Wilson, Samuel Gates, Samuel Shead.

In 1728 this tract lying between Pomfret on the north and Canterbury on the south had upon it thirty-two inhabitants. This section comprehended then about eight thousand acres, and had a rate list of £2,000. The people sought incorporation as a town, but failed to obtain a charter. They next employed a minister, Mr. William Blossom; Pomfret, within whose juris- diction most of the lands lay, giving the people here freedom from paying ministerial rates, on account of their remoteness from the church in that town. An ecclesiastical society was chartered in May, 1731, included in the limits, described as fol- lows: " Bounded east with Quinebaug river, west with Wind- ham line, north with the ancient and first bounds of the towns of Pomfret and Mortlake, and from thence extending south to a line run and described by Mr. Josiah Conant, surveyor,

September 4, 1731, . . east and west across the bounds of Canterbury, and parallel with Canterbury south line ; said line

, to be the south bounds of said parish." The new society . .

held its first meeting November 23d, 1731. A meeting house was built in 1734, a few rods northwest of the site of the present Congregational house of worship in Brooklyn. Two and a half acres of land, now included in Brooklyn Green, were soon after conveyed by Mr. Spalding to the society for a meeting house

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.

spot and other uses. The title which at first attached to this section and society was "The Society taken out of Pomfret, Canterbury and Mortlake." This elongated title was exchanged by act of assembly for the more concise title of Brooklyn, which it has since borne.

As early as 1723 the people of this neighborhood received lib- erty from the general court to form a distinct train-band com- pany by themselves. Samuel Spalding was confirmed as lieu- tenant and Richard Adams as ensign. October 13th, 1724, Richard Adams, "for love and good-will borne unto his well- beloved friends and neighbors, inhabitants of south addition to Pomfret and north addition to Canterbury, as also for the neces- sity of a convenient place for a training-field and the setting up of a school house, did give and grant, for the public use of a training-field, unto the aforesaid inhabitants and their heirs, a certain parcel of land lying within ye aforesaid additions, west of the country road, containing one acre." This land was laid out in the western part of Mr. Adams' allotment, a mile southeast of the site of Brooklyn village. At the same date, Daniel Cady, moved by the same considerations of love, good will and affec- tion and " the necessity of a convenient place to bury ye bodies of the dead among us," did give and grant a certain tract of land, east of Blackwell's brook, "for ye public and necessary use of a convenient burying-place to the inhabitants of the addi- tions aforesaid, and their heirs and assigns forever." This gift · was laid out as above designated, south of the site of the present Brooklyn village, and still forms a part of the Brooklyn burying ground.

The prosperity of Brooklyn parish under the new regime was greatly checked by prevalent sickness and mortality. A pleu- ratic distemper in 1753 was followed in 1754 by a malignant dysentery, especially fatal to children. Scarcely a family in Windham county escaped the scourge. Two children of Rev- erend Abel Stiles, three of Reverend Marston Cabot, were among its victims. In Brooklyn, where it raged with great vio- lence, about seventy deaths were reported. Mr. Avery, still apparently the only medical practitioner in the vicinity, minis- tered day and night to the sick and dying till he was himself prostrated and overcome by the disease. The death of this excellent minister was greatly mourned.

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.

The township of Brooklyn received a charter from the assem- bly in May, 1786, to organize as a town. The first town meeting was held in its much esteemed meeting house, June 26th, 1786. Colonel Israel Putnam was called to the chair. Seth Paine was chosen town clerk, treasurer and first selectman ; Andrew Mui- dock, Asa Pike, Daniel Tyler, Jr., and Joseph Scarborough, selectmen ; Peter Pike, constable ; Ebenezer Scarborough, Abner Adams, Joshua Miles, Jedidiah Ashcraft, Jr., Salter Searls, Na- than Witter, Joseph Davison, Samuel Williams, Stephen Frost, James Dorrance, Elisha Brown, Reuben Harris, surveyors ; John Jefferds, Ebenezer Gilbert, fence viewers; Abijah Goodell, Isaac Cushman, tithing men. The bounds of the town were at first identical with those of the previous society, but twenty-four hundred acres were soon released to Hampton., Seth Paine was appointed to agree with the agents of Canada parish on a straight line between Brooklyn and the new town, and consent that they may have as much land as prayed for if they will main- tain the poor. The Quinebaug formed the eastern bound. North and south lines remained as previously settled. Pomfret was allowed to retain a projection on the southwest, now Jeri- cho, on the supposition that it would never be able to pay its own expenses. It was voted that the town line should be also the society line, and the pound already built near Doctor Baker's be a town pound. Highway districts were soon laid out, and labor paid for at three shillings a day for a man and team in the spring, and two-and-six-pence a day in the fall. A half-penny rate was voted for the support of the schools. A rate list made in 1788, shows the following names of taxpayers in the town, and the ratable estates amounted to £9,338, 10 shillings, 2 pence.

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History of Windham County, Connecticut, Part 55

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