History of Windham County, Connecticut, Part 58

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

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.

erend C. N. Seymour was installed December 21st, 1859, and remained until September, 1873. He was succeeded by Rever- end Edwin S. Beard, who was installed December 30th, 1873, and retains the pastorate to the present time. The present church edifice was erected in 1832. A chapel near it was built about 1864. A parsonage has never been owned by the society since the time of Doctor Whitney. The parsonage which he owned is still standing on the south side of the Common and facing upcn Main street. It is now occupied by Mr. Daniel B. Hatch of New York. The Sunday school in connection with it has about 100 pupils and teachers.

The Unitarian sentiment, as we have already seen, was devel- oped in this town under the preaching of Reverend Luther Wilson, as colleague pastor with Doctor Whitney, between the years 1813 and 1816. The First Ecclesiastical society of Brook- lyn adopted these sentiments and barred the doors of the meet- ing house against Doctor Whitney and his church. They then obtained a Unitarian minister from Massachusetts and asserted and exercised their right to use the house for the promulgation of Unitarian doctrines. They secured for their pastor Mr. Sam- uel J. May, a young man of vigorous intellect, good education and wide, philanthropic sympathies, who was ordained over them March 13th, 1822. The ministry of Mr. May was most acceptable and beneficial to his own people and the commu- nity at large. Entering with his whole heart and soul into all the great questions of the day, he carried others with him. Through his efforts the Windham County Peace Society was organized. This society was organized August 16th, 1826, and had for its object the discouragement of the inhuman and un- christian practice of war. Its membership included ministers and some leading men of most of the towns of this county, and some from outside of the county. It had a good influence, and did much good in disseminating information and enlightening the public conscience. The temperance cause found in Mr. May an earnest, methodical, aggressive and untiring advocate. In the cause of public education he engaged with such zeal that many needed reforms were instituted, and his influence in this was felt throughout the state. Editing religious newspapers, establishing a village lyceum, lecturing and preaching in differ- ent localities throughout the county also claimed their share of his enthusiasm and tireless labor. These incessant calls to

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varied fields of labor induced Mr. May to leave the pastorate of this society, which he did October 16th, 1836. His immediate successor was Reverend George W. Kilton, who began Decem- ber 1st, 1836, and was followed in 1837 by Reverend William 1 Coe, who remained about four years. Supplies followed for short periods. An alteration in the interior of the church build- ing was made in 1845. A floor was laid at the level of the gal- lery, so as to make the building two stories. The upper room was rededicated for church uses May 1st, 1845, while the lower room was set apart as a town hall, in which use it still continues. Reverend Herman Snow began preaching here in November, 1844, and continued until December, 1846. Samuel May served one year in 1847. Jacob Ferris began a pastorate of about two years May 1st, 1848. Reverend George G. Channing, a brother of the celebrated William Ellery Channing, began preaching here on the first Sunday in May, 1850, and closed his term June 20th, 1852. Reverend C. Y. De Normandie began pastoral labor here July 11th, 1852, was ordained December 1st of the same year, and remained till September, 1856. He was succeeded by Reverend Henry Lewis Myrick, whose term began January 4th, 1857, continuing about two years. A year of temporary sup- plies followed. Reverend Mr. Channing returned and remained from November 11th, 1860, to November 24th, 1861. Lay ser- vices filled up the space from that date till April 16th, 1862, when Reverend Mr. Channing returned again and remained till November 9th of the same year. Reverend Thomas T. Stone, D.D., served the church from March, 1863, to August, 1871. Mrs. Celia Burleigh began preaching in August, 1871, and was ordained October 5th of the same year. She continued nominally pastor until her death, July 25th, 1875, though she had assistance in pastoral labors on account of ill health for some time. Mrs. Caroline R. James began preaching in October, 1877, and was ordained October 9th, 1878. She resigned November 6th, 1881. Temporary supplies now filled the pulpit until the coming of Reverend A. J. Culp to the church in June, 1885. His pastorate closed January 1st, 1889. His successor, Reverend Silas W. Sutton, began his labors here April 20th, 1889. He lives in the house which was built for Reverend Mr. May as a parsonage, but afterward sold to private parties and now rented. A parsonage was built by the society, which still retains the name of the First Ecclesiastical society of Brooklyn, about 1853,

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.

but this was afterward sold. The present membership of the church is about twenty-five.

The Episcopal church of Brooklyn had its beginnings in the efforts of Colonel Godfrey Malbone toavoid paying taxes toward the erection of a church about the year 1769. Colonel Malbone, previous to this had, without protest, paid taxes on his large estate here toward the support of the town church, but when a new meeting house was talked of, to be erected at great expense, he determined to exercise his own inclinations, which were nat- urally toward the church of England. He enlisted the interest of his friends in the work, and a subscription paper was circu- lated, to which the names of nineteen heads of families were obtained, agreeing to become members of an Episcopal church as soon as meeting house and missionary should be provided. Through Malbone's influence help was obtained from the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, an eligible site was obtained on the Adams tract, south of Malbone's land, given by Azariah Adams, and arrangements were immediately made for the erection of a building. In April, 1770, the follow- ing persons petitioned to be liberated from paying taxes to the town church on the ground that they were interested and con- tributing toward the Episcopal church: Godfrey Malbone, Jos- eph Hubbard, Jerre Cleveland, Timothy Lowe, Jedidiah Ash- craft, Sr., Ahaziah Adams, Jacob Staple, Daniel McCloud, Caleb Spalding, Benjamin Jewett, John Allyn, John Wheeler, Leonard Cady, Noah Adams, Henry Cady, Thomas Adams, Isaac Adams, Samuel Adams, Elisha Adams, James Darbe, Jr., Jonathan Wheeler, Jacob Greer, William Walton, Jonas Cleveland, Jabez Allyn, Nehemiah Adams, Benjamin Cady, John Ashcraft, Seth Sabin and James Eldridge. The assembly granted the desired relief to Malbone, as a well-known churchman, but refused it to his associates on the ground of insufficient evidence of their sincerity.

Church building, however, went forward, and by April 1st, 1771, the new building was ready for use. This was a neat, un- pretentious edifice, in its interior arrangements closely follow- ing the model of Trinity church in Newport. In the mean time Malbone frequently himself took the character of the priestly office and drilled his proselytes in the church ritual, of which he declared, " they were ignorant as so many of the Iroquois." The novelty of the service attracted many hearers. The Reverend

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.

John Tyler, church missionary at Norwich, preached in Ash- craft's house in February, and officiated at the public opening of the new building in April. The latter event was one of im- portance historically, as it was the first formal dedication service performed in Windham county. Reverend Samuel Peters, church missionary at Hebron, assisted in the ceremonies. In September, 1771, Mr. Richard Mosely, of Boston, who had been chaplain in the British naval service, began conducting services and preaching here, meanwhile preaching and lecturing at times in Plainfield and Canterbury. He continued in the field until the following April. He was succeeded in May, 1772, by Rev- erend Daniel Fogg, a sober, quiet, discreet and devout man, who was received upon the recommendation of clergymen in Boston. About twenty-five families were enrolled as his parishioners. His salary, thirty pounds a year from the English society, and thirty pounds from this church, amounted to sixty pounds a year.

The Episcopal worship fell into disfavor after the breaking out of the war. All good patriots fell away and only avowed royalists remained in the church connection. Prayers for the king and royal family were no longer in order, and as Mr. Fogg thought it inconsistent with his ordination vows to omit them, public service was suspended. Trinity church was closed and its congregation scattered. Mr. Fogg remained quietly at his post of duty, ministering to his few faithful followers, and con- ducting himself "in so quiet and peaceable a manner," as to re- tain the confidence and respect of the community.

After the war the church also lost its chief supporter, by the death of Colonel Malbone. Doctor Walton, another zealous ad- vocate.of royalty and the church of England, had also removed. The missionary society also withdrew its aid. In this condi- tion the prospect was extremely discouraging, but Mr. Fogg held bravely on and strove to strengthen the things that re- mained. Thirty acres of land which Colonel Malbone had in- tended for a glebe were confirmed to the parish by his brother, John Malbone, in 1787. Other able adherents of the church who came to the neighborhood about this time were Captain Evan Malbone and Doctor John Fuller. The faithful rector, Rever- end Daniel Fogg, died in 1815, after forty-three years' service for this church. The church at that time numbered thirty-one communicants. After three years of irregular worship, Rever-

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.

end George S. White accepted the pastoral charge, remaining two years. During this time a parsonage was begun.

Trinity church, after a long period of irregular service, which followed the pastorate of Mr. White, entered upon a new lease of life in 1828, Reverend Ezra B. Kellogg being at that time in- ducted into the rectorate. Glebe and parsonage were now re- deemed to the use of the parish, and the church edifice was re- paired and remodelled. When the Reverend Josiah M. Bartlett succeeded Mr. Kellogg in 1835, the parish was self-supporting, with thirty-one families and forty-five communicants. Colonel Daniel Putnam, whose wife was a niece of Godfrey Malbone, and who had been senior warden and one of the staunchest friends of the church, died in 1831. This great loss was in some degree made up by gradually increasing numbers and a higher tone in church life and public worship. Reverend Riverius Camp entered upon the rectorship in 1837. After a long term in the ministerial office here, he died in 1875. During this time an elegant new church was erected. This was completed in 1866. The hundredth birthday of the society was appropriately celebrated in the "old Malbone church," April 12th, 1871. A special fund given by the late George Brinley, of Hartford, pro- vides for the continued preservation of this memorial edifice and its hallowed graveyard. Reverend S. F. Jarvis became pastor of Trinity church in 1874, and remains at the present time. A handsome rectory was built in 1887.

The Baptist church of Brooklyn was constituted April 23d, 1828. Its first members were: Denison Cady, Elisha Adams, Philemon Adams, Nathan Williams, Eleazer Mather, Alfred Ashcraft, Edwin Cady, Gideon Arnold, David C. Bolles, Lathrop Cushman, John Searls, Hannah Cady, Fanny Mather, Sarah Ad- ams, Deborah Adams, Priscilla Arnold, Catherine Ashcraft, Ann Ashcraft, Lydia Cady, Mary Adams, Almira Pidge, Mary Darbe, Olive Arnold, Miranda Adams, Flora Adams, Fanny Bolles, Eli- za Cady, Emily Cady, Wealthy Tarbox, Elizabeth Searls, Cather- ine Cushman, Betsy Adams, Sally Ann Adams, Mary Cady, Lucy Wilcox. The first deacons were Denison Cady and Elisha Adams. The first clerk was David C. Bolles. The church was organized under the leadership of Reverend William Bently. David Bolles was ordained September 30th, 1830. Thomas Huntington was ordained September 30th, 1834. Benjamin Brown was chosen deacon in 1840, and still continues in that office. From about

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.

1830 to 1840 the church was in a low state, and for some time no meetings were held. Reverend Augustus Bolles preached dur- ing the summer of 1847. Reverend Sylvester Barrows com- menced preaching here May 30th, 1852, and continued through a remarkably long pastorate, closing about the last of March, 1869. Reverend Thomas Terry, of Quidnick, succeeded to the pastorate, May 2d, 1869, and served the church till February 26th, 1882. Reverend O. P. Bessey began May 1st, 1882, and con- tinued till November 9th, 1884. His successor was Reverend William Gussman, who entered the pastorate here February 1st, 1885, and left it at the last end of 1886. Reverend Edwin Ben- nett, the present pastor, was ordained here February 8th, 1888. The first house of worship owned by this church was the old chapel of the Congregational church, which they gave up for their new meeting house in 1832. This church bought it then and used it nearly forty years, enlarging it in the meantime as occasion required. The present handsome brick church, standing on the south side of the common, was built in 1871, and dedicated May 8th, 1872. A parsonage was bought of Arthur Bill, of Daniel- sonville, adjoining the court house a short time since. The cost of the brick church, including the lot and furniture, was $10,- 954.64. The present membership of the church is about 130. During the present pastorate forty-eight have been added. The Sunday school at its last report numbered 121.

The factory village of Wauregan is partly within this town- ship at its southeastern corner. Within this town is the Roman Catholic church called Sacred Heart. The building was erected in 1872, and opened for service in June of that year. A ceme- tery and ground connected with it contains twenty-four acres. This field was a mission of All Hallows church at Moosup until May, 1889, when it was made a distinct parish, and a local pastor, Reverend Arthur O'Keefe, placed in charge of it. A parochial residence is about to be built. The church building has a seat- ing capacity of about 800. It is a frame building and having lately been renewed in its interior, is one of the finest country churches in the state. The parish contains about 1,360 Catholic souls, the larger part of them being French Canadians. A St. John Baptist Society connected with the parish, numbers about 75 members. It was organized in the early part of the present year.

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.

Mystical Rose Council, No. 49, of the Knights of Columbus, was organized at Wauregan in December, 1888. The first officers, installed January 12th, 1889, were : John Driscoll, grand knight; James Ward, Jr., D. G. K .; Reverend Thomas S. Shanley, chap- lain; Michael J. Gleason, F.S .; Simeion J. Jacques, R. S .; Nelson Willett, treasurer; Patrick Reid, C .; Napoleon Ouimette, I. G .; Eusebe Roy, O. G .; Simon Bousquet, W .; Reverend John A. Creedon, C. B. T. The Council has now 34 members. Its prom- inent object is assurance, a benefit in case of sickness being giv- en its members and $1,000 at death.

A society of the Children of Mary is connected with Sacred Heart church. It was organized in the latter part of 1887. The first officers were : Mary Gleason, president ; Miss Nora Shea, vice-president ; and Miss Kate Murray, treasurer.

The charter for the Windham County Bank was granted July 4th, 1822. The bank was located at the then new county seat, Brooklyn. Its first board of thirteen directors were: Joseph Eaton, Vine Robinson, John McClellan, James Gordon, Jr., Sam- uel L. Hough, Ebenezer Young, Charles Sabin, David Bolles, Thomas Hubbard, Andrew J. Judson, Eben. Williamson, E. C. Eaton, Rufus Adams. The first president was Joseph Eaton ; the first cashier, Adams White. A neat new building soon ac- commodated this institution, which was regarded with much pride and favor by the citizens of this village. The successive presidents have been : Joseph Eaton, 1822 to 1847; Daniel P. Tyler, 1847 to 1848; Adams White, 1848 to 1856; E. S. Chase, 1856 to 1857; John Gallup, 3d, 1857 to 1880; John Palmer, 1880 to the present time. The office of cashier from the beginning has been held by the following : Adams White, Jr., 1822 to 1837; Charles White, 1837 to 1847; Edwin S. Chase, 1848 to 1855; A. F. Fisher, 1856 to 1865; C. C. Crandall, 1865 to 1876; John P. Wood, 1876 to the present time. The bank was reorganized under the national banking act, in June, 1865, and its organization extend- ed in 1885. It reports a capital of $108,300, and, a surplus of $3,000. The present directors are: John Palmer, David Green- slit, John Waldo, John S. Searls, Walter Palmer, Benjamin A. Bailey, Comfort S. Burlingame, Henry A. Atkins, William H. Putnam, Lyman Fitts, Walter P. Webb, Charles G. Williams, Stephen N. Bennett. -

The Brooklyn Savings Bank was incorporated in May, 1872, and commenced business on the 2d of September following. The

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.

original corporators were: Apollos Richmond, John Gallup, 2d, Cranston C. Crandall, Daniel C. Robinson, Henry M. Cleveland, Edward L. Crandall, John Palmer, James B. Whitcomb, Albert Day, John S. Searls, John Hyde, Aaron H. Storrs, Edwin Scar- borough, Charles G. Williams, William H. Putnam, Thomas S. Marlor, Gideon Gurnett, Lewis Searls, Alva Wylie, Willard Leavens and Enos L. Preston. The presidents of the bank have been: Apollos Richmond, from the organization to July, 1876; William Searls, July, 1876, to July, 1878; William Woodbridge, July, 1878, to August, 1888; Marvin H. Sanger, August, 1888, to the present time. The office of secretary and treasurer has been held by: Cranston C. Crandall, from the organization to July, 1876; Clarence A. Potter, from July, 1876, to the present time. The first board of trustees were: Apollos Richmond, Daniel C. Robinson, Cranston C. Crandall, John Gallup, 2d, John Palmer, Albert Day, Alva Wylie, Gideon Gurnett, Willard Leavens and Enos L. Preston. The present board of trustees are: Marvin H. Sanger, Frank E. Baker, Clarence A. Potter, John Palmer, Wil- liam H. Putnam, John P. Wood, Thomas R. Baxter, Alfred Pray and Preston B. Sibley. The deposits October 1st, 1888, amounted to $653,592.

The Windham County Mutual Fire Insurance Company was incorporated in June, 1826, upon the petition of Vine Robinson, Adams White, Jr., Daniel Tyler, and many other prominent men. Vine Robinson was chosen president; Adams White, sec- retary; and Joseph Eaton, Andrew T. Judson, George Larned and John McClellan, directors. The institution met with gen- eral favor, and secured patronage from all parts of the county. The first president and secretary held their respective positions for many years. In 1847 the first had been changed, and Asahel Hammond was president, while Mr. White still continued as sec- retary. Ten years later Aaron H. Storrs had succeeded as pres- ident, and not many years after that date David Greenslit be- came its president, and he still holds that position. John Palmer became secretary about 1857, and still occupies that office. The company has a surplus of $36,434.12. It has continued to pros- per, making no assessments and suffering few losses, insuring apparently from fire as well as from accruing damage, and its surplus might excite the envy of many a more pretentious insti- tution.

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HISTORY OF. WINDHAM COUNTY.

The first agricultural society in this county, if not the first in the state, was organized in the town of Pomfret, under the name of the Pomfret United Agricultural Society. Its membership was from the three towns of Woodstock, Pomfret and Brooklyn. At a meeting of the society December 19th, 1809, which was the date of its organization, the following officers were elected: Ben- jamin Duick, president; Amos Paine, John Williams, vice-pres- idents; Sylvanus Backus, treasurer; Darius Matthewson of Brook- lyn, Benjamin Duick of Pomfret, James McClellan of Woodstock, committee of correspondence. This society held fairs with more or less regularity from that time forward, until it enlarged its field of operations and influence by securing incorporation as the Windham County Agricultural Society, the act being passed May 20th, 1820. The first meeting of the society in its new form was held on the third Monday in January, 1821, at the tavern of Peter Thompson, in Pomfret. The following officers were then elected: Thomas Hubbard, president; Darius Matthewson and Amos Paine, vice-presidents; Samuel Howard, treasurer; James McClellan, secretary. This society for a number of years held its fairs alternately in the towns of Pomfret and Woodstock. When held in Pomfret they occupied the grounds around a pub- lic tavern, which stood where now stands a dwelling house for- merly owned by the late Doctor Lewis Williams. In Woodstock they were held near what was then known as Bowen's Tavern. The cattle pens stood in the rear of and near where the academy now stands. The business of the society was in after years moved to Brooklyn, where it settled down to a permanent abid- ing place, and has for many years held its fairs, and is now in a prosperous condition. The fair grounds, about a half mile south of the village green, contain about ten acres, and have a half mile track and exhibition hall and sheds, and many other build- ings for the accommodation of exhibitions. Fairs are held for three days in succession, much interest is taken, and many peo- ple are in attendance. Efforts are being made to make the fair of the present year superior to anything ever known before. The society had fallen into some lethargy about forty years ago, but in 1852 it was revived and reorganized. Since that time the in- terest in it has been well maintained. The following men have succeeded to the office of president of the society since that time:

Colonel William Alexander, 1852; Colonel Erastus Lester, 1853; Hon. C. F. Cleveland, 1854; Calvin D. Williams, 1855; Ezra

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.

Dean, 1856; David Gallup, 1857; Charles Mathewson, 1858; Apol- los Richmond, 1859-61; Edwin Scarborough, 1862-63; George A. Paine, 1864; Sabin L. Sayles, 1865; Charles Osgood, 1866; Ralph W. Robinson, 1867-68; Albert Day, 1869; Joseph D. Bates, 1870-71; George Sanger, 1872-73; James M. Johnson, 1874; Ar- nold B. Fenner, 1875-76; John Dimon, 1877-78; John W. Griggs, 1879; Alexander Warner, 1880-81; Gurdon Cady, 1882-83; George M. Holt, 1884-85; Thomas J. Evans, 1886-87; Frank Day, 1888-89. The membership of the society at present is 386. The treas- urer's report for the year ending June 1st, 1889, shows dis- bursements for the year amounting to $2,085.08, including pre- miums paid, $1,168.05. The proceeds of the fair in 1888 amounted to $1,246.68.

The Brooklyn Creamery is located about one mile from the village of Brooklyn, and three miles from the N. & W. railroad. It was erected and ready for operations May 1st, 1888. The creamery building is of wood, 27x46 feet, and one and a half stories high above the basement, which is finished and used as a tenement, except about twelve feet of one end, which is re- served for the company. The basement is the same dimensions, and ten feet high, built of brick and stone, and is used for an engine and coal room 11x27 feet; work room, 20x27 feet; cream room, 15x15 feet; using for power a Baxter engine and boiler 6x6. The company have also erected an ice house 20x24 feet, and three open sheds, walled in their grounds, there being one- half acre, and graded up around the buildings, making them attractive and very convenient. The company made during the six months ending November 1st, 1888, 33,287 pounds of but- ter, taking 6.28 spaces for a pound, and at a cost of 5 cents per pound for manufacturing, including interest on capital, stock and all running expenses. The building has a capacity for 600 pounds daily. The Brooklyn Creamery Company have a paid- up capital of $3,750, owned mostly by the patrons, and their buildings, management and success will compare favorably with the other creameries of the state.

As we have already said, the principal industry of this town is agriculture. Its manufacturing interests are very limited. Grist, saw and shingle mills are operated in different parts by Henry D. Bassett, Asa D. Bennett and Eugene S. Young. , Saw mills are also operated by W. R. Cheney and John Braman. The mill owned by the latter was, in the early part of the cen-

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.

tury, used as a blacksmith shop, with a trip-hammer run by water. It was then owned by one William Foster. It was after- ward used as a sash and blind shop by Jared Collar. Thence it was transformed into a shop for the manufacture of gold pens, pencils and spectacles by one Bard. The present owner carries on in it the manufacture of picker stick handles, shuttle blocks, cloth boards, planing, fine sawing and mill supplies generally. The manufacture of watch cases was for a time carried on here by E. L. Preston, but the business was suspended about ten or twelve years since. Edwin Newbury carried on the manufac- ture of gold spectacles. His business suspended in 1876. Rich- mond & Atwood's silk mill stood in the southern part of the village. It stopped work in 1878, and the building has since been converted into a barn by the present owner, Mr. Henry S. Marlor.

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History of Windham County, Connecticut, Part 58

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