History of Windham County, Connecticut, Part 76

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

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It is hard to realize that so much time, temper and money should have been freely squandered by three intelligent towns in fighting against the inevitable. Taking Putnam for name and watchword in 1854, after a brief suspension of hostilities, the new town champions battled on to victory. The rise of the know-nothing party and the election of Mr. Sidney Deane as representative hastened the inevitable result, and the Goliath of conservatism fell before the youthful representative of energy and progress. The final hearing of the case, May, 1855, excited unusual interest in the state. Very able counsel was employed on both sides. The closing arguments and pleas were offered in one of the largest halls in Hartford, which was crowded with eager listeners. Hon. Charles Chapman made a forcible appeal n behalf of the old towns. He was answered by Windham county's special orator and advocate, ex-Governor Chauncey F. Cleveland, a life-long democrat in the true sense of the word, the friend of the people and of everything relating to the highest good and development of individuals and communities, who had been deeply interested in this unequal struggle, and now sur- passed himself in his most earnest pleas that the petitioners should be allowed their reasonable request for expansion and town privileges. Six years of arduous conflict were rewarded by triumphant victory, and liberty to embody as a distinct town was at length heartily accorded. Ringing bells and booming cannon bore the joyful tidings to the ears of conquerors and defeated, and the Fourth of July celebration held a few days later in Putnam village, had a new and vital meaning to its re- joicing participants. While all citizens were interested, and to a degree helpful, the main burthen was borne by the van-leader, Mr. Edmond Wilkinson, who planned and carried out details from the beginning to the end, and paid five-sixths of the legal expenses.

The first town meeting was held at Quinebaug Hall, July 3d, 1855. George Warren, Esq., served as moderator. James W. Manning was chosen town clerk and treasurer; George Warren, Horace Seamans, Luther Hopkins, selectmen; Asa Cutler, agent of town deposit fund and treasurer of the same; Alanson Her-

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andean, Moses Chandler, Erastus Torrey, Abel Dresser, Jr., grand jurors ; Abiel L. Clarke, constable. Sign posts or bulletin boards were ordered to be set up, one near the depot, one at Sawyer's store, one at South Putnam, and others at any suitable place, and the several books needful for public records were or- dered.

CHAPTER XXXI.

THE TOWN OF PUTNAM -- (Concluded).

Officers and Statistics .-- Layout of Roads and Naming Streets .- Establishment of Churches .- Baptist Church .- Congregational Church .- Methodist Church .-- Catholic Church .- Episcopal Church .- Advent Christian Church .- Other Religious Societies .-- Schools .- Cotton Manufactures .-- Pomfret Factory Woolen Co .- Silk Manufactures .- Shoe Manufacture .-- Artisans and Mechan- ics .- Business Men's Association .- Village Development .- Various Manufac- turing Enterprises .- Creamery .- Water Works .-- Commercial Houses .-- Bus- iness Blocks .- Hotels .- Banks .- Fire Department .- Fraternal Societies .- Celebrations .- Temperance Movements .- Library Association .- Newspa- pers .- Orchestral Music .- Antique Art Loan Exhibition .- Village Cemetery. -Other Burial Grounds .- Old Killingly Hill, now Putnam Heights .- East Putnam .- Its Local Institutions .- Biographical Sketches.

A S we have already seen, the town of Putnam was incorpo- rated in May, 1855. After incorporation and organization the town set to work to adjust the many perplexing ques- tions which naturally confront a new corporation just starting out upon its voyage of existence. Settlement with mother towns was amicably effected within a few months. Nine and a half square miles and 1,876 inhabitants had been taken from Thompson ; seven and a half square miles and 275 inhabitants from Killingly ; three square miles and 168 inhabitants from Pomfret. The population of the new town was thus 2,319, of which about three-fourths were included in the village. The prescribed bounds were run by competent surveyors from the respective towns and confirmed by town authorities. Putnam's share of the property of the several towns, the school deposit fund and other funds, together with her proportion of public poor, were promptly made over, and its various affairs were soon settled upon a satisfactory basis. Lucian Carpenter was ap- pointed sealer of weights and measures. It was voted that the number of selectmen, assessors and board of relief should be three each; of grand jurymen, four. October 1st, the town was called to vote upon its first constitutional amendment-"That

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every person shall be able to read any article of the state consti- tution before being admitted as elector." The votes cast were 153-88 in favor, 65 against the amendment. On the same day the town held its first annual meeting and completed its quota of town officers. Assessors chosen were Seth Babbitt, Eli R. Davis, Warren W. White; board of relief, Benjamin Brayton, Richmond Bullock, Daniel Alton ; selectmen, Horace Seamans, Walter S. Burlingame, Chandler A. Spalding; town clerk, treas- urer and registrar, James W. Manning; constables, Riley Smith, Archibald Kennedy; fence viewers, David Clark, Lucius E. Sawyer, Dan Cutler; grand jurors, Alanson Herandean, George E. A. Bugbee, Erastus Torrey, Abel Dresser, Martin Leach ; sealer of weights and measures, Lucian Carpenter ; pound keeper, Riley Page; haywards, Charles Pike, Prosper Bundy, Horace Cutler, Olney Whipple, Elliott Carpenter, George Perry, Palmer Hide; agent of town deposit fund, Asa Cutler. The assessors were ordered to make an equal assessment of every person's property according to actual value without reference to old abstracts- - George Buck, George Warren, Richmond Bullock, auditors of accounts. Rooms in the Brick Block were to be hired for public meetings. The first justices chosen April 1st, 1856, were Horace Seamans, Hiram A. Brown, Henry C. Reynolds, Warren W. White. The first representative was Richmond M. Bullock. A probate court was constituted the same year and justice Horace Seamans unanimously elected judge.

Thus legally established and provided with competent officers, Putnam went bravely onward, preeminently the modern town of northeastern Connecticut, booming with life, hope and en- ergy, rejoicing in its admirable location and manufacturing and railroad facilities. From its first starting it had the good for- tune to draw from the surrounding sections young men of ster- ling character and active business habits, who identified them- selves with the interests of the town, and gave their best ener- gies to its upbuilding and development. As in earlier years "God sifted three kingdoms to furnish seed for the planting of New England," so some of the best elements of three substantial towns were enwrought into the foundations of Putnam. Its subsequent growth has kept pace with this favorable beginning. Built up mainly by the gradual accession of men of moderate means and large energies, this growth has been healthful and natural, till now it stands among the leading inland towns of

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New England, in many respects a model among modern manu- facturing and railroad towns-its distinguishing characteristic a large-hearted and aggressive public spirit, ever ready to make sacrifice of self for the good of the public. Its population at the latest count was nearing seven thousand ; grand list, $1,995,008. For thirty-four years it has had the good fortune to retain as town clerk, treasurer and registrar the man who received the first choice of its voters, James W. Manning. Selectmen in 1888 : Omer La Rue, Lawson I. Bowen, Walter P. White; assessors, Charles D. Torrey, Prescott Bartlett, Peter M. Le Clair; board of relief, Patrick O'Leary, Warren W. White, John S. D. Grant ; grand jurors, Louis Elontie, Edward Fly, John R. Cogswell, Lebbeus E. Smith ; constables, Milo P. Corbin, Byron W. Car- penter, William H. Longdon, Edward De Croner, George B. In- graham ; haywards, 1. Fred Cutler ; 2. William R. Holland ; 3. David E. Clark; 4. M. O. Bowen ; 5. William A. Pearson ; 6. Ashael Batty ; 8. Walter White; auditors of town accounts, Samuel R. Spalding, William A. Pearson. The running ex- penses of the town for the year ending August 31st, 1888, were $30,000. Like other modern towns with lofty aspirations Put- nam has been compelled to cumber itself with a debt in carrying out the various improvements that have seemed imperatively needful, whose interest is a heavy item in annual expenditure. Among the extras of 1888 were some $700 expended in clearing the roads of snow, after the famous March blizzard.

Putnam, as previously hinted, has been greatly exercised by the uncertain laying out of some of its first roads. By untiring effort these difficulties have been in a great measure sur- mounted, old streets widened and new ones laid out where need- ful. Among her notable achievements has been the clearing up, laying out and transformation of the hills east of the village, which in 1855 were still reposing in aboriginal rudeness, covered with rock and forest. One of the first to aid in the transforma- tion of Oak hill was Mr. Ebenezer Farrows, who purchased wild land on the east side of Oak hill, together with a boggy swamp eastward. By hard labor in draining this swamp and clearing the brush, Mr. Farrows prepared the way for human habitation. A street that bears his name now runs from Ring street to Wal- nut street, continuing thence over what were formerly the wooded heights of Shippee hill. Handsome dwelling houses, " beautiful for situation," adorn the various streets crowning

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Oak hill. Many public spirited citizens have aided in this work of transformation, clearing off the road, digging out rocks, mak- ing ready for the laying out of convenient streets. An angle long left to disreputable rubbish, has been lately purified, re- constructed and built up with tasteful dwellings, through the enterprise of Doctor Miller. Even the historic " Dow's Grove," with all its serious and mirthful associations, its memories of re- ligious meetings, band concerts and rink skating, has been forced to bow before the ruthless hand of progress. Purchased by one most prominent in the later building up of the town at a recent date, it is already reclaimed, graded, laid out into handsome streets and a large number of eligible building lots, offering ample accommodations for many present and prospective resi- dents.

As soon as it became manifest to the "gathering multitude " that the villages in the vicinity of Pomfret Factory were to be consolidated into one comprehensive organism, plans were set on foot for the establishment of churches. The old inhabitants of Pomfret Factory were distinctively meeting goers, faithfully attending service in the adjacent churches, and greatly enjoying the religious gatherings in their own school house. As Rhodes- ville grew up and both villages increased in population it was most interesting to see the families and foot travelers starting off on a fair summer morning for West Thompson, Pomfret and Killingly. The Baptists, first in the field, probably led in num- bers, many of them being members of the Pomfret Baptist church. Reverend Benjamin Congdon, a son of this church, and then its faithful and devoted pastor, encouraged the church members in the valley in their efforts to maintain stated worship among themselves. A humble petition that the mother church " would, by a vote, delegate to us all the authority and priv- ileges of a branch of your body," was kindly received, and on January 17th, 1847, the branch was duly constituted, it being understood that such a body could exercise all the powers of an independent church, except that of disciplining and excluding members. Harrison Johnson was chosen clerk; Elliott Carpen- ter and William Johnson to assist in the administration of the Lord's Supper. Meetings were held alternately at the brick and Rhodesville school houses; Reverend Lucius Holmes of Thomp- son, a promising young minister, serving as pulpit supply, while the probable cost and location of a meeting house was discussed

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.

and canvassed. Mr. Holmes was hired to preach for a year, but ere long it was found that he had adopted Universalist sentiments.

Having thus virtually lost minister and place of worship, the persevering Baptists repaired for service to the passenger room in the depot. The committee appointed "To see if a sufficient sum of money could be raised to build a new house of worship," reported in its favor, and after much discussion between the ad- vocates of rival sites, it was voted by a majority of one, "To lo- cate on the western side of the river," on land given to the church by Messrs. Smith and Edmond Wilkinson. David Clark, Rhodes G. Allen, Doctor Henry W. Hough, William Johnson and Reverend D. D. Lyon were appointed building committee.

After obtaining dismission from the Pomfret church, it was voted, August 30th, 1847, “ To form ourselves into an independ- ent church." David Clark, Elliott Carpenter, Amos Carpenter, Jarad Chollar were chosen church committee; Harrison John- son, clerk and treasurer. Reverend D. D. Lyon served as sup- ply during the year, working "with his own hands on the found- ation of the building," soliciting funds, baptizing new converts, and was succeeded by Reverend Solomon Gale.

May 30th, 1848, was a memorable day in the history of the church. An ecclesiastic council, held at the house of R. G. Al- len, welcomed the Wilkinson Baptist church into the fellowship of Baptist churches, and the new house of worship was formally dedicated. Sermons were preached by Reverends Charles Wil- lett and J. Swan. David Clark and Elliott Carpenter were con- firmed in the office of deacon. In the following May Mr. Gale was succeeded by the Reverend Allan Darrow, a man of exper- ience and strong character, well adapted to guide a young church in a growing community. The office of clerk and treasurer was held successively by Jared Chollar, Dwight T. Meech, Arthur Tripp, James W. Manning, Ezra D. Carpenter, Joseph Lippitt. The membership of the church constantly increased, embracing many active, devoted, faithful brethren and sisters. Reverend Charles Willett succeeded to the pastorate in 1854, another strong and influential minister, leaving deep impress upon the life and character of his hearers. His successor, in 1857, was Reverend W. C. Walker, a man of lovely spirit and great earnestness, who labored with signal success during the memorable revival of 1857 -58, and received many into church membership. His earnest ·patriotism and great popularity with the soldiers led him to ac-

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cept the chaplaincy of the 18th Connecticut regiment, a position which he filled with great usefulness and acceptance. Mr. Wil- lett, " without a dissenting voice," resumed his former charge.

The first meeting house had now become too small for the con- gregation, and was enlarged and remodelled. J. W. Manning and G. W. Carver were elected deacons in 1865, "to assist their aged brethren in the spiritual concerns of the church." Mr. Willett resigned his position in October, 1872, and was followed in November by Reverend B. F. Bronson, D.D., a veteran pastor, highly esteemed throughout the Baptist denomination. In the fol- lowing February the Baptist meeting house was destroyed by fire. Immediate efforts were made to replace it by a more substantial and commodious structure. Mr. Rhodes Allen and others who had helped build the first sanctuary, were equally ready to give and labor for the second. Mr. George M. Morse, Deacon Man- ning and many others gave largely of their substance, and on May 16th, 1874, the beautiful house was ready for dedication. The interesting services were conducted by Doctor Bronson. Prayers were offered by the former pastors, Mr. Willett and Chaplain Walker. The sermon was preached by Mr. Davies of Norwich, in place of Doctor Lorrimor, detained by illness. In 1875 George M. Morse and Frederick E. Lovering were added to the number of deacons. Charles N. Allen succeeded Mr. Lip- pitt as clerk and treasurer. Doctor Bronson continued in charge till 1881, and was greatly valued as a man of broad and catholic spirit as well as fervent piety, of high culture, fine taste and much versat tty. Reverend J. R. Stubbert entered upon the pas- torate Aprif ist, 1882.

A commodious parsonage was now provided on land given by Deacon G. M. Morse. In 1887 M. L. Aldrich was chosen clerk, and George A. Smith, treasurer. At the same date the pews were declared free, and the church to be supported by the volun- tary contributions of the people. For more than forty years the Baptist church of Putnam has ably fulfilled an important mission, and made itself a power in a rapidly developing com- munity. Many revivals have been enjoyed, adding largely to its membership. Much aggressive work has been successfully carried forward. The Sabbath school connected with the church is very flourishing, embracing 584 members. The present mem- bership of the church is over five hundred.

Congregationalists closely followed Baptists in effort and or- ganization. Residents of the valley had been long connected

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with the old church on Killingly hill, afterward recognized as the First Congregational church of Putnam, and many of the new inhabitants were members of other Congregational churches. Two ministers in the vicinity, foreseeing the im- portance of the position and believing that a church of the Congregational polity might be sustained, laid the matter be- fore the Windham County Association of Ministers in 1847. That body appointed Reverend George Tillotson, of Brooklyn (son-in-law of Mr. Wilkinson), to devote four or five Sabbaths, and as much intervening time as was practicable, in surveying the field and awakening interest. The brick school house was secured for stated services upon the Sabbath. Reverend E. B. Huntington labored as missionary. July 9th, 1848, a church was organized in the brick school house, with twenty-seven members, nine of them males, dismissed from twelve churches. Nathan Williams and Amherst Robinson were chosen deacons. Mr. Huntington was installed pastor in November, 1848.

The church gained steadily, but did not think it wise to agitate the question of building a house of worship, and Quinebaug Hall was used for that purpose. A building lot on the corner of Main and Pomfret streets was given to the society by Messrs. Wil- kinsons and Dorrance, and here a small church edifice was built, and dedicated January 15th, 1852. Mr. Huntington had been then succeeded by Reverend J. Leonard Corning, an able and attractive preacher, soon demanded by churches of larger promise. The pulpit was supplied by Reverend Sidney Deane and Reverend J. R. Johnson until 1856, when a change of base . had been effected and. the church recognized as the Second Con- gregational church of Putnam. The impulse given in the crea- tion of the new town extended quickly to the churches. During the ministry of Reverend Eliakim Phelps the number of church members steadily increased, and during the great revival of 1858 many were gathered in. Reverend George Tillotson en- tered upon the pastorate March 10th of that year, when the church numbered about one hundred members. Year by year gain was made in numbers, efficiency and liberality. Ere long the congregation had outgrown the place of worship, and the site of the present church edifice was secured. The former lot was sold, and an ample and convenient church building erected, and dedicated April 28th, 1870. The membership of the church was then increased to over two hundred. December 20th, Rev-

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erend Thomas M. Boss was installed as pastor, and served for six years with zeal and efficiency. A quarter-century commem- oration was observed the second Sabbath of July, 1873, when a very interesting historical discourse was given by Mr. Boss. Reverend E. B. Huntington, first pastor of the church, assisted in the service, and reminiscences were related in the evening ex- ercises by older members of the church. A system of rules for the ordering of the church was adopted during the pastorate of Mr. Boss.

Records and minutes of church affairs were unfortunately destroyed in the great fire. Mr. Boss was dismissed in 1876, and succeeded by Reverend C. S. Brooks, installed May 29th, 1877, who continued in service ten years, during which period the church maintained steady growth and prosperity. The present pastor, Reverend A. D. Love, was installed July 20th, 1887, and entered upon his work with great earnestness. The present membership of the church is 328. Messrs. Myron Kin- ney, E. M. Wheaton, T. P. Botham and F. W. Perry serve as deacons; J. Davenport, clerk; H. N. Fenn, treasurer; S. H. Sew- ard, superintendent of Sunday school, which enrolls some 300 members. Sunday schools are also carried on at Harrisville and in Sawyer's district, numbering about a hundred pupils. Regu- lar preaching services are held in these districts and at Putnam Heights.

Methodists had long been prominent in the Quinebaug valley, holding services in Cargill's mill house, Perrin's dwelling house and later in the brick school house. The first Methodist camp meeting in eastern Connecticut was held in Perrin's Grove in 1808, and many other famous meetings were held in the same locality. "Dow's Grove," lately Mechanics' Park, received its first name from a service held therein by the noted Lorenzo Dow, who finding the brick school house already occupied. by Elder Grow and the Baptist brethren, drove on into the woods on the Killingly road, hung his hat upon a twig and began preaching or rather reciting poetry. Yet so numerous in the vicinity, Methodists were slow in establishing regular worship and removing their relationship from the West Thompson church. The mile or two was of little consequence in those days when worshippers were accustomed to Sabbath days' jour- neying, and the Thompson society was strong and vigorous, with the best of Methodist singing and preaching. It was not

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till Putnam had become a town that measures were taken for providing a Methodist house of worship. Land was loaned by the Nightingale Manufacturing Company and building initia- ted.

A number of Methodist brethren and sisters, mostly mem- bers of the West Thompson church, organized as a distinct body June 25th, 1858, Reverend L. B. Bates officiating. Worship was maintained in Morse's Hall till the opening of the new church edifice. Dedication services were held December 30th, con- ducted mainly by Elders Ramsdell and Bates. In 1859 Elder C. S. Sanford served as pastor, when the membership had reached over a hundred. Reverends H. W. Conant, G. W. Brews- ter, James Mather, John Lovejoy, Robert Clarke, L. D. Bentley, James Thomas, A. N. Bodfish, E. F. Jones, W. P. Stoddard, L. P. Cansey, James Tregaskis, George H. Butler, have served suc- cessively as pastors of this church. An interesting historical discourse was prepared by Mr. Clarke in 1868. All debts were then paid and the society flourishing. The present pastor is Reverend Wilbur C. Newell; church membership, 110 ; Sunday school members, 90.

Putnam, like other modern manufacturing towns, embraces now a large foreign element. In the former days of "Pomfret Factory and Rhodesville," masters and workmen were alike of New England stock, descended mainly from old Puritan fam- ilies, to whom the very name of Catholic was the embodiment of false doctrine and usurped authority. The advent of the first French Canadian, Peter Donough, in 1843, with a large family of children, their foreign tongues and outlandish ways, excited much curiosity and interest. Other Canadians followed with troops of children, and after the opening of the three great fac- tories in 1848, foreign operatives were very generally employed. Reverend Michael McCabe was sent by the Catholic bishop of Connecticut to look after these wandering sheep and hold relig- ious services. For a time most of these foreigners only staid to earn a little money and take it back to Canada, but as their num- bers multiplied a portion became permanent residents.

Holy Mass was now celebrated monthly in Quinebaug Hall, and an acre of land purchased for religious purposes. Putnam parish, as then constituted, embraced also Pomfret, Woodstock and Thompson. Reverend William E. Duffy, Pascoag, R. I., was placed in charge as a missionary in 1858, and in the following

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year laid the foundation of the first Catholic house of worship in northeastern Connecticut. It was a small wooden structure, costing when completed a little over two thousand dollars, but was considered quite an achievement for this migratory and scat- tered population. Little progress was made till the advent of Reverend Eugene J. Vygen, in 1865, a newly ordained minister from Belgium, consecrated to missionary work in the United States. Sent to administer the sacraments to the Catholics of Putnam, he was greatly moved by the spiritual destitution of the people. Without resident priest, schools or burial ground, it was no marvel that "scandals became frequent and the Church of God suffered." The keen-eyed young missionary saw at a glance the great capabilities of the field. Some half-dozen large cotton manufactories in Putnam and Thompson were bringing in hun- dreds of Catholic families. Putnam village gave promise of be- coming an important business center, and was the natural church home of this increasing Catholic population. With much earn- estness Father Vygen laid the need and opportunity before the bishop of the diocese, and was allowed to enter upon the Putnam pastorate.

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History of Windham County, Connecticut, Part 76

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