History of Windham County, Connecticut, Part 86

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

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To these casualties were added the inevitable changes result- ing from the introduction of new methods of businessand travel. Monster cotton and woolen factories crushed out the minor en- terprises, and machine-made shoes greatly lessened the demand for those of hand labor. Manufactures and trade were alike drawn to the convenient railroad center, and Woodstock's shoe shops and factories were stranded by the law of progress. Shoe manufacturing, however, was carried on by T. P. Leonard & Co., in Woodstock valley, until about 1870.

Various business enterprises are still maintained in the south- west corner of the town. Grain and lumber business has been carried on by A. Hiscox and son for many years, on the site of

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the old Lyon grist mill. The Kenyon factory at Kenyonville has been remarkably successful, and still flourishes under the skillful management of W. S. Kenyon. The phosphate manu- factory of Sanford Bosworth gravitated to Putnam, but the mill is now occupied by James B. Tatem, for the manufacture of all kinds of wooden handles, from a small awl to a trip-hammer. About 50,000 feet of lumber are worked up every year, giving employment to six or eight men. The lumber interest in West Woodstock is of much importance. A large quantity of timber is annually sent to market. Water-mill saw mills are kept bus- ily at work by J. B. Tatem & Son, A Hiscox & Son, E. C. Cham- berlain, C. H. Stone and Luther Marcy, with steam to helpout a short supply of water.

Carriage making is still carried on at North Woodstock vil- lage. Mr. Thomas Milligan occupies the former Deane manu- factory site ; Newton D. Skinner has accommodations in the vi- cinity. Colman continues the manufacture of twine on the site of Lake's sash and blind factory, and a stockinet yarn factory is run at Quasset by Mr. Arthur Williams. Needful grist mills and saw mills are maintained in different parts of the town. Vicinity to thriving business centers has greatly diminished the local trade in the several villages, and in place of the numerous lively stores formerly demanded scarcely one in each manages to support existence.

The leading interest in the town is agricultural. Wood- stock farms supported a large population long before the days of experimental manufacture. With the building up of South- bridge, Webster and Putnam, has come a ready market and greatly increased demand for the products of the farm. The im- provement in farming utensils, the multiplication of agricultural newspapers, books, clubs and co-operative societies have farther stimulated interest and progress in all the arts of husbandry. Improved methods of farming have been adopted, new breeds of cattle introduced, and advance made in various directions. The fine cattle raised on the "Captain William Lyon farm " by the late Mr. Benjamin Sumner, were celebrated throughout the ag- ricultural fairs of New England. Woodstock farmers, viz., Amos Paine, James McClellan, and others, were prominent in the first agricultural societies of Windham county. Their ex- hibits were conspicuous in the successive annual fairs at Brook- lyn. In 1861 it was deemed expedient to organize a distinct so- 56

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.

ciety in the north part of the county. Horace Sabin, Lucius Fitts, Winthrop O. Green, Edmond Wilkinson, James Allen, Gilbert W. Phillips, Rufus S. Mathewson, Ezra Deane, George Penniman, John F. Williams, Jonathan Skinner, Azel Sumner, Horace Gaylord, John H. Simmons, Thomas E. Graves, Jeremiah Olney, were accordingly incorporated as " The Woodstock Agri- cultural Society "-authorized to hold property not exceeding $20,000 and dispose of it at pleasure. Ample and convenient grounds were secured at South Woodstock, the society holding its first fair on the Common and using the vestry of the Baptist church for a hall. The success of the first exhibition guaranteed the permanence of the society. Attendance and interest were all that could be desired, and the annual Woodstock fair was thenceforth classed among the established institutions of Wind- ham county.

Year by year the interest has increased, extending to residents of other towns, and greatly stimulating agricultural develop- ment. The average attendance is rated at some six thousand, the exhibitions surpassing also the average of the ordinary county fair. The list of life members includes nearly five hundred names, embracing many of the most wide-awake men in the county. The office of president has been filled by Messrs. Ezra Child, Ezra Deane, Horace Sabin, Pomfret, John Giles, L. M. Deane, John O. Fox, O. H. Perry, G. A. Penniman, Oscar Tour- tellotte, Thompson, C. H. May, T. W. Williams, Pomfret, S. O. Bowen, Eastford, G. A. Bowen, M. F. Towne, Thompson, F. W. Perry and A. M. Bancroft. The present officers are: President, Henry T. Child; vice-presidents, W. I. Bartholomew, Pomfret, G. T. Bixby, E. A. Wheelock, Putnam; recording secretary, L. J. Wells; corresponding secretary, H. W. Hibbard; treasurer, Amos M. Paine; auditors, T. W. Williams, S. H. Phillips, W. A. Weaver, Jr .; directors, S. O. Bowen, J. M. Morse, C. N. Chandler, R. E. Smith, Putnam, J. H. Larned, Pomfret, H. K. Safford, L. A. Catlin, L. H. Healey, F. Cutler, Putnam, G. A. Hawkins, Thomp- son; committee of arrangements-for hall, C. H. Child, G. C. Williams, W. H. Chandler, Mrs. E. W. Arnold; for rental of grounds, A. M. Paine, L. J. Wells; marshall, G. T. Bixby.

With growing prosperity accommodations have multiplied. A hall built on South Woodstock common by Mr. Daniel War- ner in 1860 was occupied by the society. till 1871, when a new building was erected on the "Fair Grounds" purchased from

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.

Mr. Thomas Warner. The judges' stand and cattle sheds were added in a few years. In 1885 a large addition was made to the hall, with much increased accommodations. A band stand, poul- try house and grand stand have been since added, the latter seat- ing about seven hundred people. A dining hall and kitchen un- der the grand stand, and a horse barn with stalls, are the latest improvements. The patrons of this institution take pride in its excellent management and the encouragement given to improve- ment in every branch of agriculture.

A very wide awake farmers' club enjoyed profitable discussion for many years, but has given place to a very flourishing Grange, organized in Woodstock, February 17th, 1886, with thirty-four members. George A. Bowen was elected master; H. W. Hib- bard, lecturer; L. J. Wells, secretary. The progress of "Senexet Grange " is apparently very satisfactory, though details are dis- creetly veiled from public view. Its master, Doctor G. A. Bowen, serves as lecturer for the State Grange, and is very prominently connected with the interests of the organization. Lewis J. Wells also serves as state secretary. A large number are connected with Senexet Grange, and its meetings are reported as exceptionally agreeable and profitable. One of Woodstock's latest agricultural achievements is a creamery near the residence of H. T. Child. This is well patronized by dairy men and women, and promises to be a profitable and labor saving institution.

A theft-detecting society was one of Woodstock's earliest co- operative experiments. Organized far back in 1793, in days of poverty and sore temptation, it doubtless served as a preventive to crime and petty pilfering. The officers of the society were president, vice-president, clerk, treasurer and six pursuers. These latter officials were furnished with means for providing themselves with good horses, with which they were expected to pursue thieves at a moment's notice. Ordinary members were only required to pay their annual dues and help eat up the good dinner provided for the society. In 1824 the society was for- mally incorporated, and has since maintained serene existence, the chief incident of its career the annual dinner and speech making. Another ancient institution, the Putnam Masonic Lodge, second in Windham county, has been transplanted from Pomfret to Woodstock, finding accommodations in the new Agri- cultural Hall building. Embracing in its past membership

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many of the sterling men of the county, it still holds its own amid the multiplicity of modern organizations.

The care of public schools was early made over to the three parishes. Each parish acted as a distinct school society, build- ing school houses, hiring teachers and managing its own educa- tional affairs. Under this system the common schools were well sustained, and turned out an unusual supply of competent and successful teachers. It has been said that no crop in Woodstock was so sure as its school teachers. Not only has it raised a suf- ficient supply for its own numerous schools, but a large number has been sent out to help enlighten the ignorance of other towns. Part of this proficiency is doubtless due to the additional stimu- lus given by the Woodstock Academy, which has furnished means of higher instruction to successive generations. A regard for education was an early feature in Woodstock history, leading to the establishment of a flourishing high school pre- vious to 1730.

The public schools conducted in every district were supple- mented by private instruction from such able and learned men as Reverends Abel Stiles and Stephen Williams. The latter minister fitted many young men for college, numbering among® his pupils such future celebrities as Abiel Holmes and Jedidiah Morse. A demand for higher educational privileges kept pace with the growth and expansion of the young republic. The curriculum of the crowded " District School house " was far too narrow for aspirants for high political office and business influence, and Woodstock forestalled other northern towns in securing the establishment of an academy. General Mcclellan, with his sons, Major John and James McClellan, Deacon Jedidiah Morse, General David Holmes, and other influential men, gave their countenance to the project. Reverend Eliphalet Lyman, pastor of the church at Woodstock hill, was its most active and successful advocate.

On January 12th, 1801, the proprietors of the South half of Woodstock granted liberty to set an academy building on the common north of the meeting house. Funds for building were to be secured by the gift of an hundred dollars each, from thirty-two citizens of Woodstock. Having headed the list with his own subscription, Mr. Lyman rode on horseback all over the town, and by his eloquence and persistency secured the requisite names and pledges. An efficient building committee

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was appointed, who pushed forward the work with unwonted speed. Farmers offered best white oak timber at half its mar- ket value, in their eagerness to help found an academy. It was said that the boards brought would reach from Woodstock to Providence. The raising was made a day of special festivity and rejoicing, all Woodstock turning out, as well as volunteers from sister towns. " A good slice of the ample common was filled with people, ox-teams and horses." Boys, sires and grandsires assisted in the several stages of the work. Major David Holmes gallantly volunteered to be swung up on an eighty-foot timber to adjust the steeple frame. Volunteer labor cheerfully helped smooth off the ground, haul up a suitable door step from the old hearth-stone quarry, and install in the belfry a much prized bell.

Yale College was much interested in this projected institution and selected one of its most promising graduates, Thomas Wil- liams, of Pomfret, for the first preceptor. February 4th, 1802, the new academy building was formerly opened and dedicated. " The event of establishing a seminary of learning, superior to any other which had been previously enjoyed," brought together a large and deeply interested assembly. Appropriate addresses were made by Esquire Mcclellan and Mr. Lyman, the exercises closing by the presentation of the key of the academy to Mr. Williams "in the name of the trustees and with the approbation of the proprietors." School opened the next day with nearly a hundred pupils. Board for pupils from other towns could be found for five shillings a week in the best families.

Incorporation was secured in the spring by act of legislature, whereby Samuel McClellan, Eliphalet Lyman, Nehemiah Child, Ebenezer Smith, William Potter, Hezekiah Bugbee, Ichabod Marcy, Jesse Bolles, David Holmes and others, were made a body corporate. Five trustees annually appointed by the pro- prietors were to superintend the management of affairs. Mr. Williams was succeeded in the office of preceptor by Hezekiah Frost, of Canterbury, and he by other youthful Yale graduates. The academy continued very popular, attracting many pupils from out of town. William Larned Marcy, of Sturbridge; David Young, of Killingly ; Prescott and David Hall, of Pomfret, were among its early pupils, famous in later years. George McClel- lan, afterward the distinguished surgeon of Philadelphia, father of General George B. McClellan; Ebenezer Stoddard, future

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congressional representative and lieutenant-governor of Connec- ticut, and many other Woodstock boys destined to win success in varying fields, enjoyed the privilege of attendance at Wood- stock Academy.

The constant change of teachers was detrimental to the inter- ests of the school. The administration of Preceptor Rinaldo Burleigh-an experienced teacher-from 1810 to 1813, was ex- ceptionally favorable, and brought the institution to the culmin- ation of its early prosperity. Aaron Skinner, the much-beloved mayor of New Haven; the Reverend Doctors Willard Child and Alvin Bond, the Burleigh brothers, so prominent in aboli- tion agitation, received part of their early training in Woodstock Academy. A period of great depression occurred between 1820 and 1843, rival institutions in many towns and the lack of means, discouraging local effort. With the advent of Mr. Henry C. Bowen as a summer resident, new interest was awakened. The old academy building was thoroughly repaired and a first class teacher procured-Mr. John T. Averill. Under his stimulating influence a large number of scholars were attracted and much enthusiasm awakened. New chemical apparatus was procured, elm trees set out in front of the academy by teachers and schol- ars, a printed catalogue issued. After four years of continued prosperity, further advance was made under the preceptorship of Mr. James W. Patterson, assisted part of the term by Miss Edna Dean Proctor. These distinguished teachers impressed themselves strongly upon their pupils, and gave character to the school.

Competent instructors maintained its standing till about 1860, when another lapse ensued. By successful effort after a few years an endowment fund was raised and a new and capacious academy building erected at the cost of over $20,000. Five thousand dollars was given by Mr. H. C. Bowen to each of these objects, and the remaining large amount raised by some hun- dred interested friends and subscribers from Woodstock and other towns. The new building was opened with appropriate exercises August 21st, 1873. Reverend Nathaniel Beach report- ed in behalf of the trustees. Addresses were made by Governor Buckingham, Secretary B. G. Northrup and others. Mr. Clar- ence W. Bowen rehearsed the history of the academy in all its varied phases. A noteworthy feature in the day's programme was the reading of' a most delightful and characteristic letter

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.

from Doctor Oliver W. Holmes, descendant of one of the origi- nal settlers of Woodstock. Thus accommodated and endowed, the academy has entered upon a new career of usefulness. While under the present graded school system fewer scholars from abroad are obliged to seek the academy, it furnishes the means of thorough education to all scholars within the town. Competent and successful teachers have been employed, and a goodly number of well trained graduates sent out into the world. Elmwood Hall furnishes convenient board for such city students as prize pure air and congenial environment. Among Woodstock's many achievements she has none more worthy of praise and gratulation then her well endowed academy.

The church on Woodstock hill remained without a stated pas- tor some three years after the deposition of Reverend Abel Stiles, when it harmoniously united with the society in extending a call to Mr. Abiel Leonard, of Plymouth. Faithful to the Old Dominion and Cambridge Platform, eleven Massachusetts churches were invited to carry forward the ordaining exercises, June 23d, 1763, and over ten pounds expended in " liquors, sugar and lemons." The eloquence and affability of the young minis- ter soon won the hearts of the congregation, and old grievances were gradually overlooked and forgotten. In 1766 the rupture was so far healed that mutual concessions were interchanged between the two churches and amicable relations permanently established. Those honored brethren, Jedidiah Morse and William Skinner, were now elected deacons ; a vote was passed, "That a chapter in the Bible should be read publicly every Lord's day if agreeable to the congregation, and three forward seats in the front gallery sequestered for the use of the singers." Those women, both elder and younger, that were favored with agreeable voices were desired by the society to occupy the re- served seats on the women's side. Repairs were made in the meeting house, and everything indicated renewed harmony and prosperity. Old men in later years looked back to this era as "the Golden Age" of Woodstock, when the renovated house was filled with joyful worshippers, and the pastor, with his two deacons, "the largest and finest looking men in the parish," sat together at the communion table.

War with its absolute demands turned all this joy into mourn- ing. The beloved pastor was called away and many of the con- gregation. Mr. Leonard served most efficiently as chaplain of

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Putnam's regiment, preaching with great acceptance on several important occasions. An autograph letter from Washington and Putnam "to the church and congregation at Woodstock," re- questing that his term of service might be extended, is held as a sacred relic. The church, unable to vote consent, "in silence manifested its resignation." His mournful end overwhelmed his people with sorrow. Overstaying a furlough, according to tra- dition, on account of dangerous illness in his household, he was met on his way back to camp by a rumor of disgrace and dis- missal, and in a moment of weakness took his life with his own hand. His widow and family remained in Woodstock.

After two years interim, Eliphalet Lyman, of Lebanon, was ordained as pastor, September 2d, 1779, having first given satis- faction as to his doctrinal standing. He was an able and sound preacher, and held a leading position among the clergy of his generation. In the early part of his ministry he was involved in an unpleasant controversy with Hon. Zephaniah Swift, of Windham, in consequence of his attitude toward Oliver Dodge, Pomfret's reprobate minister. The refusal of Mr. Lyman to al- low Dodge the use of his pulpit called out a most vituperous castigation from the irate judge, and he was also subjected to a legal trial and damages for intrusion upon his own meeting house. The affair occasioned much excitement and ill feeling, and was widely ventilated in current newspapers. This inci- dent may have stiffened the orthodoxy of Mr. Lyman and his church, which in 1815 joined the Windham County Consocia- tion, and thus identified itself with Connecticut churches, after a century of spirited opposition.

In 1821 the First society entered upon the work of building a new meeting house; Captain William Lyon, General David Holmes and William K. Green, committee; Rhodes Arnold and James Lyon were commissoned to take down the old house in a prudent manner ; Jedidiah Kimball, to procure subscriptions to defray expenses of building. Four long days in June were spent in gratuitous labor upon the foundation. At seven in the morn- ing, August 22d, 1821, the work of raising the new frame was initiated by prayer from Mr. Lyman. Free dinners and supper, and spirit at eighty-nine cents a gallon, helped incite a large at- tendance, so that by noon the second day the frame was success- fully erected, when, "in view of the goodness of God in pre- serving the lives and limbs of all those who were engaged in

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this perilous business," the meeting was closed by a second prayer from Mr. Lyman and a thanksgiving anthem. Though so auspiciously begun, the work was carried on with difficulty, but by July 11th, 1822, this was so far surmounted that the house was publicly dedicated. The veteran chorister, Mr. Flynn, was requested "to select such tunes as he may think proper, and with the rest of the singers learn and sing them on the day of dedication." James Lyon, Doctor Daniel Lyman, John McClellan, Esq., Spalding Barstow and Rhodes Arnold had charge of seating the large congregation. The sermon was preached by the venerable pastor. The bell had been recast by Major George Holbrook, a communion table given by Mr. Jedidiah Kimball, and the ladies of the congregation had tastefully as- sisted in dressing the pulpit. Two years later Mr. Lyman was dismissed from his charge at his own request.

His successor, Ralph S. Crampton, ordained May 22d, 1827, remained but little over two years, the anti-Masonic agitation hastening his departure. The vote not to receive into the church any person who was a member of the Masonic institution, was afterward rescinded. The pastorate of Reverend William M. Cornell continued three years. Reverend Otis Rockwood, in- stalled November 20th, 1834, remained nine years. He was much interested in temperance and kindred reforms, and in 1842 received forty persons into the membership of the church. Reverend Jonathan Curtis was installed February 18th, 1846, and labored faithfully till smitten with paralysis. He was dismissed by the same council which ordained his successor, Henry M. Colton, November 18th, 1852, who after a three years' pastorate was dismissed at his own request. Reverend Lemuel Grosve- nor, of Pomfret, next served as acting pastor for five years, and on Thanksgiving day, 1859, gave an interesting historical sketch of church and society. Reverends James L. Corning, J. A. Wil- kins, J. W. Allen, J. W. Lyon, followed in quick succession. In 1868 Reverend Nathaniel Beach was received as acting pastor, and remained ten years in charge, greatly respected and beloved in church and county. The succeeding six years' service of Reverend F. M. E. Bachelor was also acceptable and profitable.

With such experience the church willingly returned to its primitive mode of settlement, inviting Reverend E. B. Bingham to become its pastor, and after more than thirty years lapse en- joyed the privilege of installation. Very interesting services

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were held, April 14th, 1885. The sermon was given by a de- scendant of several old Woodstock families-Doctor George L. Walker, Hartford-and former beloved pastors participated in the services. A united, strong, aggressive church is reported as the happy result of this five years' pastorate. Spiritual and ma- terial prosperity are alike quickened. Young people join with much heartiness in wide-awake "Christian endeavor" and mis- sionary societies.

The church edifice of 1821 has been made over and beautified. So complete a transformation has rarely been accomplished. The plain, old-fashioned meeting house, with its double row of square windows, high galleries, rectangular pews and awkward pulpit, is replaced by an æsthetic auditorium, elaborated in every detail with the best skill of modern art and taste. Eleven stained glass windows, of exquisite design and coloring, add greatly to its ef- fectiveness and beauty, in soothing contrast with the glare of other days. Beautiful in themselves, these memorial windows transmit to succeeding generations the memory of departed worth. A window contributed by Doctor Oliver Wendell Holmes, Hon. E. H. Bugbee, and others, bears a portrait of the first white man connected with the history of Woodstock-the pioneer Indian missionary, John Eliot. One of the leading spir- its in the first settlement, Lieutenant Edward Morris, is most fitly commemorated in the window given by his descendant, J. F. Morris, of Hartford. A third perpetuates the memory of the gifted and eloquent chaplain, Abiel Leonard, so beloved by his people, so prized by Washington and Putnam. Sacred to the memory of Elizabeth Beach, a heroine of to-day, is another win- dow. The daughter of an honored Woodstock pastor, a success- ful teacher in Woodstock Academy, appreciative pupils have thus shown their reverence for her high character and valued missionary service. The remaining memorial windows were given by Messrs. Edward E. and Henry C. Bowen, and by repre- sentatives of the well-known families of Bugbee, Carrol, Lyon, Mathewson and Mcclellan. The renovated church edifice was re-dedicated February 17th, 1889, with sermon by Mr. Bingham and prayer by Mr. Beach. Music from the new organ added to the interest of the occasion. The church on Woodstock hill, near the close of its second century, enters upon a new period of prosperity and usefulness.

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History of Windham County, Connecticut, Part 86

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