USA > Connecticut > Windham County > History of Windham County, Connecticut > Part 92
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116
During the successful ministry of Mr. Wadsworth several of the remaining Indians were led to reform their lives and to unite with the church. Mr. Wadsworth's pastorate was terminated by his death in 1762, and in November of that year a call was ex- tended to Reverend Thomas Denison. This relation was an un- happy one, lasting a little less than two years; to be followed by the very able and acceptable ministry of Eliphalet Wright, who was inducted into the pastoral office May 16th, 1765. An im- portant work accomplished under his leadership was a revision and a re-signing of the church's articles of faith and covenant. The faith and covenant of the Plainfield Separate church were voted " a good and wholesome system of our faith and practice and agreed to as our covenant, by which we will walk for the future looking for more light."
In 1776 the Divine Spirit was sent down upon the people like gentle rain, which lasted for more than two years, in which time
944
HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
about fifty persons were received into the church. This "be- loved pastor " met his death August 4th, 1784, from the effects of an injury received while leading a fractious animal. His burial place is in the old cemetery, as is also that of his predecessor, Samuel Wadsworth. The headstones of each are legible and in a good state of preservation. Mr. Wright was an ardent patriot, shouldering his musket on one occasion and marching as far as Plainfield to repel the invading British.
June 1st, 1785, Israel Day assumed the office made vacant by the death of Mr. Wright, Reverend Ebenezer Bradford, of Row- ley, Mass., preaching the installation sermon. Forty-one years Mr. Day went in and out before this people, resigning his charge in 1826, May 23d. In his ministry the church enjoyed two sea- sons of special religious interest and joyful ingathering of souls. In 1788 forty-nine were added to the church, and in 1800 and 1801 sixty-four. A narrative of the latter remarkable revival from Mr. Day's own pen was published subsequently in the Evangelical Magazine. This man of God received a fatal injury in the barn of his grandson five years after he had laid down his charge. His loss was mourned through all the region round about. December 10th, 1831, was the date of his decease. His funeral sermon was preached by Daniel Dow, D. D., of Thomp- son, from Psalms 1, 5. Like his predecessors, Mr. Day was bur- ied with his own people. In his long ministry he attended 756 funerals.
For the six years succeeding the resignation of Mr. Day, the pulpit was supplied only with occasional preaching by different ministers, whose names have not been preserved, as there are no existing church records of this period. A Reverend Mr. Whee- lock has left the strongest impression on the minds of those then living, and perhaps preached longer than any one else. Rever- end Mr. Nott, son of the venerable Doctor Samuel Nott, of Franklin, and Reverend Mr. Holt, supplied for several months each.
In April, 1832, John N. Whipple, a theological student from Bangor Seminary, began to labor with the church, and was here ordained as an evangelist May 5th, Reverend Philo Judson, of Ashford, preaching the ordination sermon. Mr. Whipple con- tinued in the field until the spring of 1834. He again was act- ing pastor of the church in 1840-41. One of the fruits of his first ministry was a revival that added 40 persons to the church. He
945
HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
was the first mover for a new church edifice. His other minis- terial service was in Maine, Rhode Island and Ohio, where he died in the town of Lodi, December 29th, 1865.
For the the year 1834-35 Reverend Alvin Underwood was the stated supply, of whose subsequent life and labors nothing has been ascertained.
The years 1835-1840 constitute the second broken period of the history of the church. Reverend Thomas Williams, who had been ordained as " an evangelist to go out as a missionary" in the old church by Windham Association May 16th, 1804, preached during 1838. Mr. Williams died at the home of his son, Rever- end N. W. Williams, in Providence, September 29th, 1876, at the great age of 97, giving no indication of disease. He preached for the last time in his 93d year. He was a voluminous author and a man of eminent abilities.
The minutes of the General Association of Connecticut de- clare the church " vacant" for 1837 and also in 1839.
From July, 1842, to April, 1844, Reverend George Langdon was the acting pastor. He is now living in Lakewood, N. J., preaching as opportunity offers. A licentiate, Isaac C. Day (grandson of Israel), was employed to preach in April, 1846. May 28th, 1847, an ordaining council set him apart to the ministry of the Word, Reverend T. T. Waterman preaching the sermon. From physical causes Mr. Day was compelled shortly to leave the ministry, and is now living in Providence.
May 28th, 1849, Reverend Joseph Ayer was invited to the pul- pit left vacant by the retirement of Mr. Day. After supplying over a year, Mr. Ayer accepted a call to settle, and was installed January 22d, 1851, Alvan Bond, D.D., giving the installation ser- mon. This pastorate closed by the dismissal of Mr. Ayer March 25th, 1856, by a council that convened in the Westfield church. Mr. Ayer's subsequent labors were with the churches at East Lyme, Voluntown and Sterling. He continued to preach till he was 77 years old. He entered into rest from the home of his son (Reverend C. L. Ayer) in Somersville, December 26th, 1875. It was in his pastorate that the creed and covenant of the Westfield church were adopted by this church as its faith and covenant.
The church was now so reduced in numbers and strength that the meeting house was loaned in 1856 to the Free-will Baptists of the place and the vicinity, who organized a church
60
946
HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
that maintained its ordinances for ten years ; after which time most of its membership became identified with a new organi- zation-the Free Baptist Union church of Foster, R. I. Be- lieving that its work was not yet done, some friends of the ancient church made the attempt in 1866 to revive its life. Reverend David Breed (now over the church in West Stafford) was engaged to supply the pulpit one year, from April, 1866.
April 1st, 1867, Reverend Ezra D. Kinney became acting pas- tor. In the summer of his first year the church united with him in an invitation to Reverend John D. Potter to engage in evangelistic service. Mr. Potter came the 4th of August and remained through the 9th, holding 16 meetings and preach- ing 13 times. His labors were attended with a great blessing, nearly 40 expressing hope in the pardoning mercy of God. From this revival 24 came into the church. April 18th, 1869, Mr. Kinney preached his farewell sermon and then labored for a year at Sayville, L. I., when he removed to Darien, Conn., where he was formerly pastor for 21 years. He died October 2d, 1873, aged 74. He was a large and successful worker in revivals, wrote much for religious newspapers, and was the author of a volume entitled "The Great Supper."
Reverend William W. Atwater was employed as stated sup- ply July 25th, 1869. Pulmonary disease seriously impaired his health in the fall of 1872, and in February of the next year he removed to New Haven and became the librarian of Yale Law School, in which position he died March 14th, 1874.
In June, 1873, Reverend William H. Beard, of Andover, Mass., was engaged as acting pastor. Two seasons of special religious interest have been experienced-the first in the winter and spring of 1880, and the second in the winter and spring of 1887. In 1876 Mr. Beard prepared a centennial sermon from Psalms 48: 12 and 13-" Walk about Zion and go around about her ; tell the towers thereof. Mark ye well her bulwarks; con- sider her palaces, that ye may tell it to the generation follow- ing,"-giving a comprehensive history of the church. Two Sab- baths-July 16th and 23d-were occupied in its delivery, the people manifesting their appreciation of these historical dis- courses by a large attendance.
There have been two meeting houses used by this church. The first stood for nearly a century on the north side of the turnpike, a few rods west of the present building. In 1837 the
947
HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
old church edifice gave way to the present one. When set apart to sacred uses, January 2d, 1838, Reverend Sidney Holman of North Killingly (Putnam Heights), preached the sermon of dedi- cation. This second church has several times undergone repairs. The outlay and changes upon it in the summer of 1868 were suf- ficient to justify a re-dedication. The ceremony took place August 19th, 1868, Reverend C. L. Ayer preaching the sermon from Exodus 25: 8, and Reverend Ezra D. Kinney offering the prayer of consecration. The bell that has summond the people together for more than a half century was the gift of Alexander Gaston, the father of ex-Governor Gaston of Massachusetts. For many years he was the principal merchant of the entire region, having his home and place of business near the church.
CHAPTER XXXV.
THE TOWN OF KILLINGLY-(Concluded).
Chestnut Hill .- Baptist Churches .- Cotton Mills .- Elliottville Mills .- Elmville Mills .- Attawaugan Mills .- M. E. Church .- Ballouville .- Dayville .- Manu- factories .- Churches .- Societies .- Williamsville .- The Borough of Daniel- sonville .- Public Works .- Great Freshet .- Schools .- Churches .- Banks .- Music Hall .- Manufacturing Establishments .- Masonic and other Societies .- Newspapers .- Biographical Sketches.
N the eastern part of the town of Killingly is the locality known as Chestnut hill, or East Killingly, the latter being
the post office name, and properly comprehending several other localities within its limits. In this section are several mills and two Baptist churches, which will be noticed in detail separately.
The organization of the first Baptist church dates May 22d, 1776. At that time the membership numbered thirty-two males and twenty-seven females. But little progress was made. A minister was employed for a short time, but about the year 1790 the ordinances of the church were suspended and the effective- ness of the organization weakened. At one time the hand of fellowship was withdrawn by the neighboring churches on ac- count of disorderly proceedings, but on being restored a min- ister was obtained, and the work went more smoothly forward. A renewal of the covenant was made in 1800, at which six breth- ren and nine sisters subscribed themselves. The pastoral labors of Reverend Calvin Cooper, which lasted about a year, added about one hundred members to the church. While Reverend Albert Cole was in charge of the church, a revival in 1831 and 1832 added eighty-five members. About seventy more were added as the fruits of a revival which occurred in 1838, under the pastor- ate of Reverend N. Branch. Reverend James Smither was pas- tor of the church from 1841 to 1843. During that time sixty- two members were added.
949
HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
The ministers of this church have been as nearly as can be ascertained as follows: George Robinson, July, 1776, dismissed, 1785; ----- Campbell, a short time; Elders Lamb and John Cooper, 1786 to 1796; Elder Peter Rogers, 1796 to 1803; Calvin Cooper, September, 1805, ordained October 14th, to about 1826, being the longest pastorate the church has ever had; Elder Ap- pleton, between the years 1827 and 1830; Albert Cole, ordained December 1st, 1830, to about 1833; Reverend Jonathan Oatley, May, 1834, one year; Reverend Erastus Duty, 1836; N. Branch, 1838; James Smither, 1841 to 1842; Tubal Wakefield, 1842 to 1844; N. Branch, six months in 1844; Joseph Damon, 1845-46; L. W. Wheeler, 1847 to 1850; Henry Bromley, 1851, for six months; Ebenezer Loomis, 1854; N. Branch, supply, 1855 to April, 1856; Hurley Miner, 1857, about three years; J. Aldrich, 1860 to 1863, ordained January 19th, 1861; H. B. Slater, son of Deacon Silas Slater of this church, September, 1865, to February, 1866; Austin Robbins, April, 1866, to April, 1872; Curtis Kenny, 1874, four months; N. Mathewson, 1876; James Rhea, 1878, a short time; C. B. Rockwell, October, 1879, for one year; Charles Nichols, 1880, one year; William C. Walker, 1882, a few months; Robert H. Sherman, ordained February 14th, 1884, resigned July 5th, 1885. Since that date there has been no regular preaching in the church.
The first house of worship was built at some time previous to 1790. A new meeting house was begun about 1802, and com- pleted in the course of two or three years. The present house of worship was begun in 1834, and completed"about 1836, the cost being $1,400. In 1843 twelve feet was added to its length, and a bell was purchased. In 1882 extensive repairs and improvements were made, including the addition of a baptistery, an expense of $800. The deacons have been Ephraim Fisk, Jonathan Har- rington, Sampson Covil, Silas Slater, Bergen Slater, John A. Ran- dall, Sampson B. Covil, John Murray, E. L. Barstow, Chauncey F. Barstow, Edward R. Oatley and Charles A. White. The church clerks have been N. Aldrich, P. Rowey, Samuel Bullock, N. A. Durfee, Benjamin Brown, Sampson B. Covil, George Pray and E. A. Hill.
A Free Will Baptist church grew out of a union of elements at Foster and Killingly some time previous to 1840. Elder Dan- iel Williams preached in school houses in both places alternately till circumstances warranted starting a church here. Elder Wil-
1
950
HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
liams began preaching about 1825, but did not continue to preach regularly for a long time after the church was built. Land was bought of Susannah Peckham in 1851, and the erec- tion of a meeting house at once begun. The house was 30 by 40 feet on the ground and 15 feet high. It was completed during the year. Pastors Amos Redlon (in 1860), Cheeney, Burlingame, Bradbury, Baker, Isaac H. Coe and one Cortes (about 1865 and again in 1874), have at different times served the church. Elder Childs, the last regular minister, served about four years, up to 1887. Since then this church, with part of the other Baptist so- ciety, have sustained preaching part of the time by temporary supplies. They are now supplied by Reverend William H. Beard, of the Congregational church at South Killingly. The membership of the church numbers about one hundred and fifty.
From the heights of Chestnut hill across to the west side of the town, the Whetstone or Chestnut hill stream runs, carrying on its way a number of manufacturing establishments. It is a. rapid running stream. and in its upper course has a great fall, affording abundant power for driving mills. This has been im- proved to some extent, but not by any means to its full measure. The stream makes a descent of 175 feet in about a mile, carrying five mills on the way. We shall now notice the different mills on this stream.
The Chestnut Hill Mill stands at the upper end of one of the wildest and most precipitous gorges in the state. It has an available fall of twenty-seven feet. The mill was built about 1846 by Westcott & Pray. It fell into the hands of John Burgess, and afterward into the hands of Mayhew, Miller & Co., of Balti- more, Md. They leased it to Westcott & Pray, who ran it up to 1859. Mayhew Miller, a son of one of the former proprietors, was placed in charge, and continued until 1869. The senior Mr. Pray then, in 1869, bought it back, and Thomas Pray, Jr., ran it five years. The present owner, John L. Ross, took it about 1874, and has run it since that time. Light sheetings, 60 by 52 picks, are made. The mill is fitted with 104 forty-inch looms and 6,000 spindles. About sixty hands are employed, and 25,000 yards a week are turned out. The building is of stone, 36 by 100 feet, four stories high, with two wings, one 49 by 37 feet, two stories, and the other 36 by 40 feet, two stories high. H. H. Hammell is the efficient superintendent.
951
HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
Scarcely more than a stone's throw below the last mentioned are the Albion Mills, sometimes called Youngs' Mill. Here we find a remarkable fall of seventy-two feet available to this mill. It is devoted to the manufacture of cotton yarns, having 26 cards, 100 looms, 6,000 spindles, two steam boilers, besides two water wheels. The mill is in the hands of trustees-C. L. Tiffany, of New York, J. A. Williams, of Danielsonville; and George D. Handy, superintendent. This mill was one of the first built on this stream, the date of its origin being about 1815. It is owned by the heirs of Ebenezer Young, and has so been oper- ated for years. The main building is about 50 by 75 feet, five floors, and two wings adjoin, one about 50 by 60, four floors, and the other 45 by 60, three stories high.
About one-fourth of a mile below, we come to the Whitestone Mills. This mill was first built by Westcott & Pray in 1858. The stream here affords an available fall of about thirty feet. The building is about 160 by 50 feet, four floors, with a two- story wing about 50 feet long. Connected with it are two stone buildings, each of which is a twelve-tenement house, three stories high. Cotton sheetings and baggings are made here. The mill has 150 looms and 8,032 spindles. Steam is used in connection with water power when necessary. The superintendent is Frank Mitchell.
About one-third of a mile below the last mentioned, we come to the Himes' or Robinson's Mill. This is a building about 160 by 50 feet on the ground, having three floors, and a wing of brick 30 by 40 feet, two stories high. The main mill is built of stone. Cotton is manufactured.
A short distance below are the Valley Mills, a building about 110 by 30 feet, four floors, which has been standing idle for the last year or two. Mr. A. W. Greenslit was superintendent, and the mill was furnished for the manufacture of print cloths, hav- ing 174 looms and 6,800 spindles.
This locality is known as Elliottville. A fall of some twenty- four feet is obtained here. A short distance below the last men- tioned, we come to the Elliottville Mills of James P. Kendall, of which James Dixon is superintendent. It is a handsome stone building, about 40 by 75 feet, four floors, with a wing 40 by 50 feet, also four floors. Fine cotton yarns and warps are manufac- tured. The mill has 7,000 spindles.
952
HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
A space of about two miles intervenes between the last men- tioned and the next mill on the stream below. This is Sayles' Mill at Elmville. This is a brick and stone mill of four floors, in size about 40 by 100 feet. It is owned by the Sabin L. Sayles Company, of Dayville, as a branch of their more extensive works at that place.
About one-fourth of a mile below the latter is the Hopkins Mill. This is sometimes called the Exeter Mill. It is owned by Mr. T. E. Hopkins, and is employed in the manufacture of fancy cassimeres. It is furnished with five sets of cards, twenty-four broad looms, 1,680 spindles, and also has a dye house. Besides the water wheel it is provided with two steam boilers for emer- gency. The factory is a wooden building, about 150 by 40 feet and three stories high.
The Elmville Mills of C. D. & C. S. Chase, which occupy a site about one-fourth of a mile below the last, were started a long time ago. They were owned by Alfred Potter. About twelve years ago the mill was burned, it being a wooden building. A brick mill was then erected, 175 by 50 feet, having three floors. The present company have had possession of the mill since Jan- uary 1st, 1886. The mill is furnished with four sets of cards and twenty-five broad looms. It has also a dye house. Fancy cassi- meres are made. About 80 hands are employed and 150,000 yards annually produced.
The Attawaugan Manufacturing Company have three mills lo- cated on Five Mile river, in the northern part of the town of Kil- lingly. Railroad connection is made at Dayville, about two miles below. It was organized in 1859. Mr. H. B. Norton, of Nor- wich, is president; L. Blackstone, of Norwich, secretary and treasurer, and W. L. Blackstone of the same city, agent. The superintendents are Calvin H. Frisbie and Chancy C. Chace. The company employ in these three mills about five hundred hands, running eight hundred and four looms and thirty-six thousand spindles. The products are fancy dress goods, sheetings, shirt- ings and cambrics. The president is about eighty years of age, and in possession of remarkable physical and mental vigor and business tact. The treasurer is about seventy-five years of age, and has traveled extensively. The corporation adopts a liberal policy toward its employés.
In the year 1859, Reverend L. B. Bates, as preacher in charge of the West Thompson M. E. church, formed a Methodist class
953
HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
at Ballouville, and appointed Mr. Elisha Baker leader. The class at one time numbered forty-two members. During the summer of 1870 the Attawaugan Manufacturing Company built a commo- dious and attractive church edifice, and gave the use of the same to the people of Attawaugan, Ballouville, and the surrounding community for religious purposes. Notwithstanding the fact that the company were members of the Congregational church, Norwich, no denominational preferences were urged. The voice of the people was to decide what order of preaching should be adopted. In the autumn of 1870 this house of divine worship was dedicated with appropriate and impressive services. The dedica- tory sermon was preached by Reverend Mr. Meriman, pastor of Second Congregational church, Norwich. The pastors of the evan- gelical churches in this and in the adjoining villages were pres- ent, and assisted in the exercises. Reverend Shadrach Leader represented the M. E. church, being stationed at the time at Dan- ielsonville. The following January a Sunday school was organ- ized, and Mr. Joseph Wheaton, a member of the Baptist church, Putnam, was elected superintendent.
In April, 1871, by request of the people, a preacher was sent by the Providence M. E. Conference, in the person of Reverend Nelson Goodrich. An attempt to organize a Union church proved unsatisfactory, and in March, 1872, the people decided to organize a Methodist Episcopal church in due form, and this de- cision was immediately carried into execution. The ten mem- bers composing it were John Aspinwall, Louisa J. Aspinwall, Elisha Baker, Mary Baker, Amanda A. Baker, Amy A. Baker, John O. Fisher, L. W. S. Fisher, Sarah Whidden and Laura Ed- wards.
Pastors to this church, beginning with April of each year have been as follows: Reverend W. W. Ellis, 1872-5; J. O. Dodge, 1875; C. Morse, 1876; C. Hammond, 1877; D. J. Griffin, 1878; R. D. Dyson, 1879; D. L. Brown, 1880; W. A. Luce, 1881; S. Sprowls, 1882 ; E. J. Ayres, 1883; O. A. Farley, 1884-6; William Kirkby, 1886; G. W. Wright, 1887-8; H. H. Moller, 1889. The membership of the church now numbers about one hundred. A Parish Association was formed in 1887, with Chancy C. Chace, president ; Mrs. Almond Bosworth and Mrs. Thomas Holt, vice- presidents ; and Calvin H. Frisbie, secretary and treasurer. The church building is not in the hands of trustees, but all the prop- erty associated with the church, including the church edifice,
954
HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.
Blackstone Hall and a parsonage, are owned by the Attawaugan Manufacturing Company.
Dayville lies in the northwestern part of the town of Killingly, on the Assawaga or Five Mile river. It has a population of about 1,500, and is in general a modern manufacturing village. The Norwich & Worcester railroad has a station here, and by that means this is made the shipping point for several manu- facturing villages around, such as Williamsville, Attawaugan, Ballouville, Elmville and Chestnut hill. The railroad station is known as Dayville, but the post office is Killingly. It contains the woolen goods manufactory of the Sabin L. Sayles Company, the principal industrial institution, and two churches.
Business was started up here some forty or fifty years ago. Dayville was then commended for its neat appearance, and for a bridge composed of two finely constructed arches of stone, each 25 feet broad and 12 feet high. Captain John Day sold two- thirds of this privilege to Prosper and William Alexander, and joined with them in building and equipping a cotton factory, in 1832. Caleb Williams, of Providence, purchased the Quinebaug privilege, and erected a handsome building in 1827, at what is now Williamsville. . This village started up with fresh vigor on the opening of the railroad. Mr. Ezekiel Webster was promi- nent in its early building up. He erected a hotel and many private dwellings, engaging also largely in the lumber trade, in- troducing a steam mill and lumber working machinery.
In 1846 Mr. John Day put up a new brick factory and carried on manufacturing till the destruction of the building in 1858, when the privilege and accommodations were purchased by Messrs. S. and H. Sayles, who built up extensive woolen manu- factures. Sabin L. and Harris C. Sayles, of Pascoag, R. I., came here about twenty-five years ago. They began work with two small mills of two sets of carding machinery in each mill. This was on the Whetstone river. The business was enlarged in 1856, and two years later it was burned down. This was in 1858, and in sixty days after the fire a new mill was built by them at Dayville, ready to go to work, and containing four sets of ma- chinery. This mill has been several times enlarged since that time, until it became a thirteen set mill. The growth of the bus- iness still requiring additional facilities, a new sixteen set mill was erected, and opened in March, 1883. This is a modern mill building, with model appliances for manufacturing. The new
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.