History of Windham County, Connecticut, Part 67

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

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After the death of General James B. Mason in 1820, his widow, Mrs. Alice Mason, and Mr. William H. Mason, leased their re- spective shares in the Swamp Factory to Mr. Amasa Mason.

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Colonel Foster was succeeded, as manager, by Mr. Thomas Thatcher, a man of much weight of character and sterling in- tegrity, who continued to administer its affairs with much wisdom and efficiency. In 1826 Messrs. Amasa and William H. Mason purchased of Deacon Stephen Crosby the long courted upper mill privilege, together with dwelling house, numerous mills and eighty acres of land for $5,800. March 13th, 1826, Mr. William H. Mason sold Mr. Thatcher one-eighth of his interest, the three proprietors now taking the name of the Masonville Company, and giving the name to the village. The square house built by Deacon Crosby became the residence of Mr. Thatcher. A sub- stantial stone factory building was erected as soon as possible 80 by 40 feet, four stories high, fitted for twenty-five hundred spindles-forming the northern portion of the present western group of mills. A handsome row of stone houses was also built for the operatives, and the population of the village very largely increased.

It was the policy of the Masonville Company to manufac- ture cloth of the highest grade and best quality. With Sea Island cotton, new machinery and skilled workmen they soon attained their object, and the Masonville sheeting stood at the head of the market. With the tariff of 1828 protecting their interests, the Masonville Company prospered greatly, their profits in five years reaching one hundred thousand dollars. In 1831 a brick building was added, four stories high, running twenty-five hundred spindles. The ensuing ten years were mainly prosperous, though the first wooden factory leased to different parties, met some reverses. Mr. Thatcher remained in charge, and was honored as the patriarch and autocrat of the village. "Who is governor of Connecticut?" queried a passing traveler of the gaping children. " Mr. Fracher," lisped a little maid, unable to conceive of higher dignitary. The residents of the village were as yet almost wholly of New England stock. Many good Yankees found employment in the various offices.

Some idea of the society of Masonville at that date may be gath- ered from the fact that, on the day of the inauguration of Gen- eral Harrison to the presidency, March 4th, 1841, the ladies of the Congregational Sewing Society were invited to meet with their Masonville sisters, and that nine heads of families furnished the turkey dinner with which they celebrated the event. Other families attended the Baptist and Methodist churches. Farmers'

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and mechanics' daughters gladly improved the privilege of earning abundant wages, and were among the best customers of the stores at Thompson hill-the usual " factory store " not satis. fying their ambitions. In 1840 Mr. William H. Mason became the sole proprietor of the old Thompson factory, which he pro- ceeded to enlarge and refit with new machinery, making it run twenty-seven hundred spindles. Changes were made in the company proprietorship by which seven shares accrued to Mr. Amasa Mason, the same to Mr. W. H. Mason, one share to Mr. Thatcher, one to Captain William S. Arnold, who, after serving in various departments, now had charge of the store. Mr. Amasa Mason, residing in Providence, served as mercantile agent and general manager of the company from the date of or- ganization in 1813 till failing health compelled its relinquish- ment. Mr. William H. Mason, the last survivor of the Mason brothers, assumed the charge for a few years, till his increasing infirmities induced him to resign the office to his nephew by marriage, Doctor William Grosvenor of North Providence. His wife, Rosa A. Grosvenor, daughter of General James B. Mason, had inherited part of her father's interest, and also one-fourth part of Mr. Amasa Mason's interest. Doctor Grosvenor was de- scended from one of the first settlers of Windham county, the John Grosvenor who negotiated for the Mashamoquet purchase, now the central part of Pomfret, and whose descendants were ranked among the leading citizens of successive generations. His father, Doctor Robert Grosvenor, entered upon medical practice in Killingly, and was known far and wide as a skillful practitioner and keen business man, a partner in the Killingly Manufacturing Company of 1814, whose ivy-covered "Stone Factory " is now the most picturesque ruin in Windham county.

His son, William, born April 30th, 1810, inherited his father's professional and business aptitude, and after completing medical studies engaged for a time in practice, but finding business more congenial, in 1848 he accepted the position of mercantile agent and general manager of the Masonville Manufacturing Company. June 30th, 1854, Doctor Grosvenor purchased of Mr. William H. Mason eleven and one-half shares, representing his share of the interest, and soon after purchased the remaining rights held by heirs of General Mason, and still later the share held by Captain William Arnold. One share was sold to Mr. Lucius Briggs, an experienced machinist and manufacturer, who, a few years after

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.

the death of Mr. Thatcher, had been appointed superintendent of both upper and lower factories, and proved a most efficient and valuable manager. Under his administration many improve- ments were effected, especially in regard to the sanitary con- dition of the village. In early years its unhealthiness was pro- verbial, and no autumn passed without the prevalence of fever. Mr. Briggs introduced a thorough system of drainage and com- pelled strict obedience to sanitary laws, so that in a few years the health report of the malarious "Swamp " compared favorably with that of other manufacturing establishments. The change in the character of the residents made this strictness more im- perative. The New England born operatives had been almost wholly replaced by foreigners, mostly Canadian French, who usually returned home after making a little money, had no per- sonal interest in the place, and required a strong hand to keep them in order.

With great executive ability and mechanic ingenuity, Mr. Briggs shared in Mr. Grosvenor's advanced ideas in relation to the capabilities of manufacturing enterprise, believing in the policy of large expenditures to ensure commensurate ulti- mate returns. Their motto from the beginning was progress and continual improvements. In 1859 they erected a stone factory, connecting the Mason factories of 1826 and 1831, and more than doubling their capacity, increasing it to eleven thou- sand spindles. At the same time a Jeuvel turbine wheel of one hundred and eighty horse power was substituted for the two breast wheels formerly in use. In 1861 the old original wooden mill at the lower privilege was moved across the road and a very beautiful and complete brick factory building erected at great cost, 160 by 66 feet, with an ell of 80 by 40 feet, five stories high. It was very thoroughly built, fitted up with improved machinery and the best modern arrangements, one of the best mills in the country at the time of its erection, running twenty thousand spindles. Its power was furnished by Jeuvel and Leffel turbine wheels. The former factory was moved across the street and fitted up for tenements. A capacious and tasteful boarding house was also added. After completing these improvements they made provision for further expansion and achievement by buying out Captain Arnold's share in the Masonville Company, and also by the purchase of the whole Fisherville interest.

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The factory at Fisherville was built in 1828 on land previously owned by Calvin Randall. So rough and rocky was this region, and so apparently absurd to think of utilizing it to any extent, that wits of the day dubbed the infant settlement Mount Hun- ger, a fitting counterpart to the neighboring Swamp Factory. John Nichols, Darius Dwight, of Thompson, and William Fisher, of Killingly, formed the first company, but soon admitted Cor- nelius G. Fenner and Thomas D. Fenner, of Providence, form- ing what was first styled "The Thompson Village Company," which erected dam, factory building and needful dwelling houses, entering upon manufacturing work early in 1829. The following year Mr. Fisher bought out the other stockholders, be- coming sole proprietor of factory and village. The latter now took for itself the name of Fisherville, though some years passed before it outgrew the original nickname. Mr. John Andrews, of Providence, joined with Mr. Fisher for a few years, and it then passed wholly into the hands of William Fisher & Sons.

Mr. Fisher was born in Dedham, Mass., March 15th, 1788; en- gaged in manufacturing enterprises in Attleborough; removed to Howe's Mills, Killingly, about 1820, and to Thompson in 1828. By his judicious management, in a few years a remarkable trans- formation was effected. The craggy, rocky woodland had been made to bud and bloom like the rose. Mr. Fisher was much in- terested in farming, and took great delight in subduing the wild land around him. A class of substantial farmers were brought into the growing village, building homes for themselves in ad- dition to the usual rented houses. The factory of the olden time was well represented by Fisherville-the owner at home among his people, all bound together by common interest and regard; the number of workmen so small that all could be known to each other, and to the families of the proprietors and over- seers. Among the operatives were many typical New England women, choosing the independence of factory life, and working on year after year until they had laid up a sum sufficient for future support; others were young girls working to fit them- selves for something better, using their wages for schooling or marriage outfit. The factories were a great benefit to many men of small means, who, by the labor of their children and the ready money paid themselves, were able to lift a cumbering mortgage or buy a small farm for old age. Great pains were taken at Fisherville to procure help of good character and standing.

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Mr. Fisher was one of the pioneer temperance workers in Con- necticut, and before leaving Killingly had drawn up and circulated the first pledge taken in that town. A thriving temperance so- ciety was now established in Fisherville, and great efforts were made to bring in every person employed by the company, Mr. Fisher being able to boast on one occasion that every man hired for the year had pledged himself to temperance. Some friction was excited by Mr. Fisher's adherence to Masonry, but caused no serious inconvenience. Mr. William Fisher, Jr., and Mr. J. Ellis Fisher were able and efficient assistants in carrying for- ward the business-the former as superintendent, the latter in charge of the store. The oldest son, Doctor N. Augustus Fisher, left home at an early age to pursue his studies, and then en- gaged in the practice of dentistry in Providence. Foremost among the dentists of the day, his high character, pleasing man- ners, and the patience with which he bore long and wearisome infirmities, brought him even greater respect and honor.

Mr. William Fisher, Jr., a man of great rectitude and solidity of character, died in 1843. The ill health of Mr. Ellis Fisher, fol- lowing the loss of his brother, made the charge of the business too heavy for Mr. Fisher, Sr., and in 1855 he made over his in- terest in the whole establishment and went south for a season. The breaking out of the rebellion made this sojourn much longer than was intended, even until after the return of peace. The , remainder of his life was mainly passed with his daughter, Mrs. Lowell Holbrook, at Thompson village, where he died in serene old age, with remarkable preservation of mind and faculties, in October, 1878. The family had long passed from the home they had created, but their impress and influence still survive in the pleasant valley.

January 1st, 1856, Messrs. David Goddard and Jeremiah Pritchard, of Boston, assumed administration of Fisherville factory, and carried on the business successfully for five years. Mr. Charles Albro, of Taunton, then succeeded to part of the interest, but only retained it a short period. March 31st, 1864, Messrs. Grosvenor & Briggs purchased the whole Fisherville property from Pritchard & Albro, Mr. Grosvenor becoming the owner of three-fourths and Mr. Briggs of one-fourth. The sons of Mr. Grosvenor, William Grosvenor, Jr., and James B. M. Grosvenor now purchased each one-sixteenth of Mr. Briggs' in- terest. Four years later, in 1868, these young men received

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.

shares in the Masonville Company and it was then that the two companies were consolidated and the present Grosvenor-Dale Company instituted. The ownership had passed in both compan- ies from the original founders into the hands of the Messrs. Gros- venor mainly, and it was fitting, as well as a matter of great con- venience and almost necessity, that these several villages and interests should be ranged under the name of the standing pro- prietors. Masonville, with its factories and village, was there- fore appropriately re-christened Grosvenor Dale, and Fisher- ville replaced by North Grosvenor Dale. Much additional ter- ritory was purchased by the new company, including a water privilege as valuable and capable of affording as much power as either of those previously utilized, so that their land extended from Wilsonville to Mechanicsville. An advance along the whole line was immediately ordered. To provide for a greater head and more permanent supply of water, a new dam and res- ervoir were to be constructed. These works were accomplished by great outlay of money and labor in the most substantial and thorough manner.

Two dams were built at North Grosvenor Dale, each a hun- dred feet in length-the second built at an angle with the first, designed to relieve the extreme pressure in time of freshets- which were models of strength and mechanical adaptation. They were raised eleven feet, six inches above the previous Fisherville dam. The level of the railroad at this point being nearly parallel with the old dam, it was necessary to con- struct a dyke or embankment of stone and gravel about half a mile in length above the dam, which was done in the most substantial manner at very heavy expenditure. A capacious and beautiful reservoir was thus formed, extending up to the dam of the Wilsonville privilege. At the same time prep- arations were going on for building the great mill at North Grosvenor Dale. Another dyke was constructed leading to the site of the new building, half a mile long, a hundred feet wide at the bottom and twenty at the top, which from the height of the dam and the conformation of the land, was a work of great difficulty, requiring much engineering skill and a vast amount of labor.

All these works, together with the new building, were com- pleted in 1872. This stately and beautiful structure is 464 feet long, 73 feet wide, with four stories and an attic ; also an ell

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128 by 67 feet, and a continuation of the same, 157 by 50 feet, with separate buildings for steam engine, boiler and gas works. The capacity of the whole building is 65,000 spindles. The power is furnished by three Jeuvel wheels of 270 horse power each. There is also a Corliss steam engine of 450 horse power to be used at low stages of water. The machinery was of the most improved make, embracing the latest improvements. In respect of beauty, solidity, convenience and adaptation to the purpose for which it is designed, this North Grosvenor Dale mill is not surpassed by any in the country. To furnish homes for the large number of workmen many new houses were requisite, all of which were built by the company with the same good taste and liberal and judicious expenditure. The old Fish- erville stone mill, with renovated machinery, is also operated.

The Grosvenor Dale Company now operates more machinery than any cotton manufacturing company in the state, and car- ries out the design of the original founders in furnishing as de- sirable a grade of goods as can be found in the market. In 1883, Mr. Briggs sold his interest to the Grosvenors, having been com- pelled by ill health to relinquish his position. Mr. William Grosvenor, Sr., head of the firm and so prominently connected with all its interests, died in 1888, leaving the great manufactur- ing establishment in the hands of his sons, William and James B. M. Grosvenor. These gentlemen have developed marked capacity for business, and their careful training, experience and sagacity, guarantee the successful prosecution of the trusts com- mitted to their hands. Mrs. Rosa A. Grosvenor preceded her husband a few years, a lady of rare excellence, whose name will be ever associated with the building up and growth of this great manufacturing interest.

The changes wrought in the last fifteen years have been in- deed marvelous. Former residents familiar with the old-time Masonville and Fisherville, as they see the stately factory build- ings, the places of business, the array of dwelling houses, the new streets, the school houses, the Catholic and Swedish houses of worship, as they see the throngs of foreigners crowding the streets of a Saturday night, and hear a Babel of alien tongues, may well fancy themselves in a foreign land. Of the twelve hundred and fifty operatives less than two hundred are of New England origin ; about seven hundred and fifty are French Canadians, and the remainder are Irish and Swedes. Alien in

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religion and character, as well as in blood and tongue, the Canadians were at first slow to assimilate with their surround- ings, but within a few years a great change is perceptible, and a majority now prefer to remain in New England and become per- manent citizens, as well as those of other nationalities. In all that tends to the physical and moral well-being of the workmen and their families, and to the up-building and prosperity of the two villages, the Grosvenor Dale Company manifests a wise and liberal interest. The present resident manager is Mr. Frank M. Messenger, of Cheshire county, New Hampshire.

Increase in trade and business inevitably follows increase of population. Many New England families have been drawn into the villages to help supply the needs of this army of workmen. North Grosvenor Dale has been particularly favored, having established three dry-goods or variety stores, one grain store, one hardware store, three markets, one carriage manufactory. One of these stores is carried on by a life-long resident, Mr. J. Nichols Upham, the first child born in Fisherville, whose father, Mr. Ransom Upham, helped lay the foundations of factory and village. Others are kept by Messrs. John Elliott, B. S. Thomp- son, Simon S. Parkhurst, Henry Paradis. The Grosvenor Dale store is carried on by Mr. Thomas Hutchinson. The carriage manufactory of Messrs. Arad U. and George E. Elliott is a very important industry, employing a number of workmen, and bring- ing into the village descendants of one of the substantial old settlers of the town. The partnership was formed in 1875; a blacksmith's shop, store house and carriage house were soon erected. Wagons are built to order, and ordinary job work carried on. Messrs. A. U. and G. E. Elliott have served the town as representatives and selectmen and in other capacities. An- other old Thompson family is represented by Mr. Oscar Tourtel- lotte, first selectman, who has been very prominent in school and public affairs. Nathan Rawson, who died a few years since, had served the town as justice and in various other capacities, and was a much respected and influential resident of North Grosvenor Dale. In the recent death of Constable William Cummings, so popular and prominent in civil and military affairs, Grosvenor Dale has met with a heavy loss.

The new elements in the manufacturing center bring new developments in church and school. In January, 1888, 876 chil- dren of school age were reported in the two Grosvenor Dale

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districts. A modern convenient school house was built in Gros- venor Dale in 1878. North Grosvenor Dale suffered much for lack of suitable accommodations, and now rejoices in a most eligible modern school house, with four ample rooms and every needful convenience, on a sightly eminence removed from the bustle of the village, built at a cost of $7,835, by a tax upon the district, and opened for use in the autumn of 1888.

The first Catholics in the two villages attended service in the churches of Webster and Putnam. The first minister to visit and look after them was Reverend Father Duffy, of Pascoag, R. I. When Putnam parish was formed in 1866, Thompson was constituted an out-mission. Reverend Father Vygen then as- sumed charge and held services in the Masonville chapel, and later in a hall. In 1872 Father Vygen purchased twelve acres of land between the Grosvenor Dales, and immediately commenced the erection of St. Joseph's church, a gothic wooden structure, costing $10,000. This church was solemnly dedicated by Right Reverend F. P. McFarland, September 29th, 1872; the sermon on the occasion was delivered by Reverend H. Martial, assistant pastor of Putnam. The following January a parish was formed, embracing the whole town excepting Mechanics- ville, West Thompson and Quadic, under the name of St. Jo- seph's Catholic Society, including about nine hundred worship- ers. Father Martial was appointed its pastor ; lay trustees, Pat- rick Kelley and Louis P. Lamoureux. A pastoral residence was completed the same year. In 1874 the cemetery was laid out and was blessed by Very Reverend James Hughes, V. G., ad- ministrator of the diocese, June 15th. In 1880 the parish was made to embrace the whole town, and Reverend A. J. Haggerty sent as assistant to Father Martial. During this year a church edifice was erected at West Thompson and dedicated by Right Reverend L. S. McMahon.

Father Flanagan took charge of the parish after Father Mar- tial's decease, assisted by Reverend J. H. Fitzmaurice. Other assistants in the field were Reverends A. J. Haggerty, T. R. Sweeney, J. P. Connelly, I. W. Fones, R. F. Moore, W. E. Flan- agan. Reverend Thomas Cooney succeeded to the pastorate at Grosvenor Dale, February 14th, 1883, and soon instituted mission work at New Boston and Quinebaug. Land for a church edifice was given by Eben S. Stevens, of Quinebaug, and $300. Its architect and builder was L. P. Lamoureux; cost, $3,000.

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This third Catholic church in Thompson, St. Stephens, was dedicated by Right Reverend L. S. McMahon, March 30th, 1884. February 2d, 1886, Mechanicsville and vicinity was constituted a distinct parish, with Pomfret as an out mission, Reverend W. E. Flanagan, pastor. A pastoral residence was built the following year, at a cost of $3,000. Father Cooney continues in charge at Grosvenor Dale. The Catholic population of the town numbers some 2,800. Since the erection of St. Joseph's parish, there have been 1,600 baptisms, 380 marriages, 630 deaths. The school, established with much labor and personal sacrifice, is very flour- ishing. A substantial, three-story building, containing convent, school and hall, was erected in 1881, at a cost of $12,000; archi- tect and builder, Louis P. Lamoureux. This building was placed under the charge of " the Sisters of Holy Cross," for a free Cath- olic school ; was opened January 2d, 1882, with an attendance of three hundred children. In addition to the branches taught in the common schools of the state, the children receive a thorough religious training, together with an elementary course in the French language. Present number of pupils, 400 ; average at- tendance, 360.

Next to the French the Swedes are gaining in numbers and readily assimilate with their new surroundings. The Swedish church in Grosvenor Dale numbers 320 communicants; a-house of worship was erected in 1884; their first pastor was Reverend Ludwig Holmes, a man much beloved by his people and respected by all. Reverend G. E. Fosberg, now a student, has been called to the Swedish pastorate.

The rival company that cast such disdainful eyes and name upon the future Grosvenor Dale, has a very different record. As the "Connecticut Manufacturing Company," securing a most eligible privilege upon the Quinebaug and Boston turnpike, and very near the junction of the Boston and Providence turnpikes, it may have thought its prospects of success and continuance far more favorable. John and Jonathan Nichols, Jr., Daniel Dwight, William Dwight, Jr., Benjamin Arnold and Samuel Perrin, or- ganized as a manufacturing company in 1811. A substantial brick building was soon erected and made ready for work ; sub- stantial workmen came with their families, the new Methodist meeting house and the prevalence of the Methodist element, drawing Methodists to this church center. Shubael Cady and Joseph Buck were among these Methodist brethren, caring for

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History of Windham County, Connecticut, Part 67

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