History of Windham County, Connecticut, Part 94

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

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Stowell L. Weld, William H. Chollar and John Waldo were elected deacons March 27th, 1862. Elisha Danielson was elected deacon April 13th, 1866; John D. Bigelow December 28th of the same year; and Joseph W. Stone January 13th, 1875. The second meeting house, the present house of worship, was built in 1855.

A new pipe organ, costing about $4,000, was put into the church in 1887. A parsonage was built about the year 1876. The present membership of the church is about 350.

The beginnings of the Methodist Episcopal church of Daniel- sonville are traced to the little workshop of a shoemaker, who located in this neighborhood when the village was yet in its early infancy. Attracted by the sign of this artisan, an itiner- ant preacher on his rounds called to ask a night's lodging. Thus, in the autumn of 1839, Reverend John Lovejoy, while on his way from Lowell to New London, was the guest of Marcus Childs, and here he preached and formed a class. The names of those enrolled in this class were Edwin Dunlap, Julia J. Dun- lap (wife of the former), Hearty Douglass, Chloe Childs and Fidelia Frizzell. A tradition is also preserved that Reverend

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Mr. Lovejoy had once, as early as the year 1830, preached in a house belonging to Jared Brainard, which stood near the old "Furnace Lot." Of the progress of this early class little is known, but in September, 1840, Reverend Hezekiah Thatcher, of the Plainfield circuit, preached and formed a class of thir- teen members, whose names were as follows: Edwin Dunlap (who was appointed leader), Julia J. Dunlap, Hearty Douglass, Jared Brainard, Maria Brainard, Parmelia Brainard, Othniel Young, Eliza Young, Harriet Young (later the wife of John H. Keech), Mary Young, Marcus Childs, Chloe Childs and John H. Keech. Calvin Brainard, Charles H. Brainard and a Miss Cum- mings joined it soon after. Edwin Dunlap, the first leader, con- tinued in that position, with the exception of about one year, until his death, which took place October 26th, 1873.

Reverend Hezekiah Thatcher, who formed the class, was en- gaged in fulfilling a contract to carry the mail from Plainfield to Canterbury, and while in the discharge of that duty, on the 4th of July, 1841, while in the act of crossing the railroad, just above the Plainfield depot, he was struck by the locomotive, and re- ceived injuries from which he died, after lingering in an uncon- scious condition about twenty-four hours.

Previous to June, 1842, Reverend Azariah B. Wheeler of Plain- field, and Reverend Stephen Hammond preached here more or less regularly to the Methodist people, services being held in a school house, which has since been converted into a dwelling house, standing on the corner of Furnace and Cottage streets. Later meetings were held in the " Conference room," and in a freight house and in "Tavern Hall." While using the freight house for meetings a great revival was experienced, and some sixty persons were converted. The name of Reverend Stephen Hammond is mentioned with great respect in connection with the early history of this church. He was a practical black- smith living at Pomfret, and being a local preacher, served this church with unselfish devotion, earnest effort and but very in- significant financial compensation.

Steps were now taken toward the erection of a house of wor- ship. Captain Samuel Reynolds offered a very elligible site, which was accepted, and the erection of the house commenced, under the efficient direction of General L. E. Baldwin, now of Willimantic. The contract being made July 4th, 1842, the build- ing was completed, and dedicated on the 30th of September fol-

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lowing. The whole cost, amounting to $3,200, was provided for in advance by the sale of slips and voluntary subscriptions. This house is still in use by the church, occupying its original site. The church was organized in 1842, while the circuit was in charge of Reverend George May. The house of worship was en- larged in 1851, and in the following year a vestry was finished under the west end of the building. At that time the member- ship reached one hundred and sixty-seven. During the years 1867 and 1868 the church was repaired and a new bell was added, the expense of all amounting to about eight thousand five hun- dred dollars. The membership at that time had increased to one hundred and eighty-five. A parsonage was built on the church lot about 1873, and a pipe organ added to the furniture of the church about the same time. The cost of the former was nearly four thousand dollars and the value of the latter about one thousand.

At the anniversary of the first forty years of existence of this church, which was celebrated with much enthusiasm in 1882, it was learned that during the period spoken of the church had raised for church and benevolent purposes $59,250. It had gained a church property valued at $18,500 ; organized an adult missionary society in 1848, and a juvenile society in the follow- ing year ; raised for missionary uses $3,179.56; paid into the treasury of the American Bible Society enough to give more than a thousand Bibles to the destitute ; gathered over seven hundred children into the Sabbath school, the number at one time swelling as high as three hundred; had eight hundred conversions under its care; received six hundred and ninety members to its communion, the greatest membership at any one time being two hundred and twenty-four. The pastors during this period were as follows; 1841, Stephen W. Ham- mond ; 1842, George May ; 1843-4, John Howson; 1845-6, Ben- jamin C. Philps; 1847-8, John Livsey ; 1849-50, Samuel W. Coggeshall; 1851-2, Sidney W. Dean ; 1852, Henry S. White; 1853-4, Lorenzo Dow Bentley ; 1855-6, W. S. Simmons; 1857-8, Lorenzo W. Blood : 1859-60, George W. Brewster ; 1861-2, An- thony Palmer ; 1863-4, Carlos Banning ; 1865-6, William H. Stet- son ; 1867-8, George W. Brewster; 1869, Norris G. Lippitt ; 1870-71, Shadrach Leader ; 1872-4, George E. Fuller ; 1875-6, George W. Anderson; 1877, Norris G. Lippitt; 1878, S. Olin Benton; 1879, R. W. C. Farnsworth; 1880-81, Robert Clark ;

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1882-85, Joseph H. James ; 1885-87, John Oldham; 1887-89, F. L. Hayward ; 1889, G. A. Morse.

Services according to the Episcopal forms were held in a hall for some time previous to 1863. Reverend Mr. Wellman officiated in this missionary work. Reverend Charles C. Adams followed him, about 1864, remaining until 1866, during which time steps were taken to obtain a house of worship. The West Killingly Academy, an institution which had been blessed with but a lim- ited degree of prosperity and was now for sale, was purchased of the proprietors by John V. Lewis, July 31st, 1865, for $1,400, in- cluding about three-fourths of an acre of ground. It stood where it now stands, at the head of Academy street, and on the east side of Broad street. The lot and building were transferred from Lewis to C. C. Adams, December 2d, 1865, for $1,300; and by the latter it was transferred to the Trustees of Donations and Be- quests for the use and benefit of the First Ecclesiastical Society of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the town of Killingly known as St. Albans' church, December 21st, 1866, for the sum of $3,000. By this time the church was in good working order, and the building was probably occupied during that year, the neces- sary changes and improvements in the interior having been made. Reverend W. N. Ackley officiated as rector from 1866 to 1870. He was followed by Reverend George Coggeshall, whose term of service extended from December, 1870, to July, 1871. Reverend Alfred S. Rice commenced his service here in June, 1872, and continued for a year or two. He was followed by Rev- erend Arthur T. Parsons, of whose coming we have not the date. He closed his pastorate about 1882, and then for about two years the church was without a pastor. Reverend George R. Warner became rector in July, 1884, and remained until May, 1889. He was followed in June, 1889, by Reverend Cornelius G. Bristol, of Milford, Conn. The church at present has about eighty com- municants.

The Baptist church of Danielsonville has a handsome Gothic and Queen Anne house of worship on the corner of Broad and Academy streets. The church was organized February 5th, 1874. Sometime in the April preceding, Reverend R. Turnbull, D. D., superintendent of the work of the Connecticut Baptist State Convention, visited Danielsonville in company with Rev- erend Charles Willett, who had shortly before closed his pastor- ate of the Baptist church in Putnam; the purpose of their visit

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being to decide on the advisability of organizing a church. They decided that much had been lost already on account of delay, and that steps should be immediately taken to gather the Baptists together and form a society.

Liberty Hall, conveniently located on Oak street, was se- cured, and the first meeting was held May 11th, 1873, at which Doctor Turnbull preached. A good congregation was in at- tendance and by a nearly unanimous vote decided that they desired a Baptist church, and a committee consisting of Henry Westcott, Daniel G. Sherman, William M. Johnson and W. W. Woodward, was appointed to secure a place for meeting and make all necessary arrangements for regular services. For this purpose the hall already mentioned was obtained. Doctor Turnbull preached again the following Sunday, and after that the work was left to the care of Reverend Mr. Wil- lett, who preached Sundays and hunted up Baptists during the week. The mission proved very successful, and on Feb- ruary 5th, 1874, at a meeting called for the purpose, forty- two persons constituted themselves a Baptist church. At a subsequent meeting March 5th, 1874, the following officers were elected: W. W. Woodward, clerk; Henry Westcott, Wil- liam Johnson and H. A. Brown, prudential committee; and on March 25th, the church was publicly recognized as a Baptist church, by a council composed of delegates from the Baptist churches of East Killingly, Putnam, Brooklyn, Willimantic, Packerville, Union Plainfield, and the following ministers, who were present by special invitation: Reverends R. Turnbull, D. D., Hartford; J. P. Brown, New London; R. Bennett and C. P. Borden, Central Thompson; and J. W. Dick, Woodstock. The recognition sermon was preached by Reverend John Davies, of Norwich, and the prayer of recognition was by Reverend T. Terry, of Brooklyn.

From the time of its organization the growth of the church has been steady and substantial, there having been additions to its membership every year of its existence. The present membership is about two hundred. It has had but three pastors. Reverend Charles Willett continued as missionary pastor until March 28th, 1875. Reverend William C. Carr was called to the pastorate in June, 1875, began his labors October 10th, and was ordained November 11th. His pastorate continued until May 6th, 1883. In October of the same year Reverend F. L. Knapp,

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the present pastor, was called, and commenced his work with the church on January 6th, 1884.

The church continued to worship in Liberty Hall until May 4th, 1879, when the present house was dedicated. The build- ing is a very attractive and convenient structure, and seats 350. It has two vestries, one of which can be readily opened into the audience room, giving an additional capacity of about 150. The house is also supplied with baptismal font, robing rooms, etc. It has two beautiful memorial windows, one contributed by Mr. H. F. and Miss A. E. Westcott, in memory of their father and mother, Henry and Almira Westcott. There is also a beautiful window contributed by the Sunday school.

Special mention should be made in this connection of Mr. Henry Westcott, without whose hearty interest and liberal gifts the church would hardly have been organized or its at- tractive house have been built. His death occurred before the house was completed, but not until he had contributed fully one-half of the entire cost. Shortly after his death, in a letter to the annual meeting of the Ashford Baptist Association, oc- curs this testimony: "From the first, he, more than anyone else has borne our young church upon his heart, and supported it with his influence, his sympathy and his means, and his loss is more to us than we can express in words."

The Second Advent church was organized in 1858, as the re- sult of a protracted meeting, held by Elders Miles Grant, of Bos- ton, and S. G. Mathewson, who came to this place at the invita- tion of Doctor Daniel Jones. Soon after this a man by the name of Brown built a chapel for the sect. This was located on Win- ter street, and is now a part of the St. James Catholic church, the building being sold soon after the death of Mr. Brown. The church after that held services in Rothwell Hall for a time. In 1866 the present chapel on Academy street was built, under the direction and by efforts of Elder H. F. Carpenter, who was pas- tor of the church at two different times. Elders William Fenn, James Hemenway, Marshall Phettyplace, C. W. Dockham, W. N. Tenney and A. S. Williams have served the church as pastors, and a considerable part of the time the church has had tempor- ary supplies for a few Sundays at a time. Elder Dockham was pastor three years, closing his labors November 2d, 1884. He was succeeded by Elder W. N. Tenney, who served from De- cember 5th, 1884, to May 2d, 1886. Elder A. S. Williams was

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pastor from December 1st, 1886, to April 1888. The member- ship of the church, reaching nearly one hundred at one time, has been reduced by death and removals, until it is now only about thirty-five. Several notable revivals have visited the church, an important one being conducted by Mrs. E. L. Crumb, ten or twelve years ago.

St. James' Roman Catholic church had its beginning here in the labors of Father McCabe, a Franciscan monk from Ireland, who was the pioneer priest of this county. Jesuit mission- aries from Boston had visited this region occasionally, passing through perhaps two or three times a year, and saying mass in the towns on the way. The mission of Father McCabe ex- tended beyond this county as far as Colchester. He began his work here in 1851. The first mass said by Father McCabe was in a house on Franklin street, by Five Mile river. After- ward services were held in Bacon's Hall. Father McCabe died in Danielsonville, about 1863. John Quinn succeeded him as pastor of this church. Father Quinn made his residence at Moo- sup, and this church then became a mission. The Second Ad- vent chapel, and the lot upon which it stood, were private prop- erty, and were now purchased by Father Quinn, of Sally D. Brown, August, 29th, 1864, and that became the nucleus of St. James' church, as it is to-day, the Advent chapel being the tran- sept of the present structure. The front part of the building was added during the pastorate of Father Quinn, who also bought additional land adjoining on the north, of Elisha Cham- berlin, July 3d, 1869. This extended to the corner of Hutchins and Mechanic streets, and the parochial residence was soon after built upon it by Father Quinn. In September, 1869, Father Princen, a Belgian priest, followed as parish priest of St. James. The cemetery ground, comprising several acres, a short distance northwest of the church, was bought by Father Quinn, and in November, 1870, this and the church lots were transferred by him to St. James' Catholic church. Father Princen built the sanctuary and vestry to the church. He remained here until his death, which occurred in April, 1883. Father Preston (Thomas J.) began his pastorate in 1883, and is still in charge. He has had the church remodelled and renovated, and in 1886 cleared of a debt amounting to about $6,000, since which time the church has been free of debt. He has had erected at a cost of about $11,000, includ-

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ing lot, a building for a parochial school. The lot, which contains about two and one-half acres, was purchased of Betsey H. Ely, March 7th, 1877. A handsome building, two story and mansard roof, has been erected upon it, and the school will open in September, 1889. Six teachers, besides the prin- cipal, will be employed, and the school will accommodate about 350 pupils. It will be conducted by the Sisters of St. Joseph. All the modern languages will be taught, as well as fancy work, drawing and music. English will be the promi- nent language in the school. Protestant children will be ad- mitted free to the common branches as well as Catholic child- ren, and to the higher branches and the languages by the pay- ment of the necessary fees.

There are in the parish of St. James about 1,300 French Canadians and 500 Irish. Hampton and Brooklyn are both mis- sions of this church. Mass is said in the town hall at the latter place. Another mission is maintained at Chestnut hill, where there are about 150 French and a few Irish. Mass is said there in a hall. In Brooklyn and Hampton missions there are about 250 Irish. There are connected with the church several socie- ties. A St. John Baptist Society numbers about 100; a society of the Knights of Columbus has 53 members; the Children of Scapular Society numbers 60; the society of the Children of Mary has about 70 young ladies ; a St. Ann's Society has 51 mem- bers; a St. Alyosious Society contains a membership of 40; and an Infant Jesus Society contains about 150 children.

The First National Bank of Killingly was organized in 1864. It commenced business June 2d, of that year, with a capital of $55,000. It commenced its banking business September 1st, 1864. Its officers then were Hon. Elisha Carpenter, president, and H. N. Clemons, cashier. It soon doubled its capital, making its limit $110,000, which remains unchanged at the present time. The first board of directors were Elisha Carpenter, Arnold Fen- ner, Henry Hammond, Abner Young, William Dyer, Harvey S. Bartlett, Edwin Ely, George Leavens, John Atwood. The pres- ident of the bank was the same as at the beginning until Sep- tember 13th, 1864, when he removed to Hartford, and Arnold Fenner was elected to take his place. He continued as presi- dent till January 10th, 1871. From that date to the present time, Henry Hammond has filled the position. The office of cashier has suffered no change from the beginning. The pres-

HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY. 973

ent board of directors are Henry Hammond, Abner Young, Silas Hyde, H. N. Clemons, William H. Chollar, William A. Johnson, Lorin Bates, R. R. James, T. E. Hopkins. July 2d, 1888, the bank paid its forty-fifth dividend. Up to that time it had paid to its stockholders in dividends $220,000, just double the amount of its capital. The amount of its deposits November 3d, 1888, was $112,322.32. The bank occupies elegant rooms in the Music Hall building, on the second floor, over the post office.

Windham County Savings Bank was incorporated in May, 1864. Its incorporators were William James, George Danielson, Edwin Ely, Orville M. Capron, Hezekiah L. Danielson, Samuel Reynolds, Horatio Webb, Willard Leavens, Freeman James, Ed- win Dunlap, Henry Hammond, John Snow, Jr., William Alexan- der, Marvin A. Dexter, Amos D. Lockwood, Daniel P. Tyler, Elisha Danielson, William B. Wright, Lysander Warren, Wil- liam Humes, Frederick P. Coe, Henry Hutchins. The first offi- cers, elected July 26th, 1864, were : William James, president ; Henry N. Clemons, secretary and treasurer. The president con- tinued in office till July 11th, 1870, when George Danielson was elected to that office. He was followed by William H. Chollar, July 29th, 1875. Hezekiah Danielson was made president Au- gust 3d, 1875. John G. Bigelow became president July 10th, 1876, continuing until he was succeeded by William H. Chollar, the present incumbent, July 13th, 1885. The office of secretary and treasurer has been filled by the following: Henry N. Clem- ons, July 26th, 1864, to August 3d, 1875; William H. Chollar, to July 10th, 1876 ; Anthony Ames, to July 13th, 1886 ; Chauncey C Young, to the present time. Anthony Ames is vice-president, and the following are trustees: Lysander Warren, Samuel S. Waldo, Rowland R. James, Edward H. Jacobs, Sidney W. Crofut, Thomas J. Evans, James Perkins. The first deposit was made September 17th, 1864. The last report shows the total number of depositors, 2,029, and the total deposits. $530,198.63. The bank occupies a room in the building on the west side of Main street, which was built by the bank soon after the commence- ment.

Danielsonville can boast of one of the finest buildings for public entertainments that can be found in Windham county. Music Hall was built by a joint stock company, organized under the general state law, the shares being $25 each. The building was erected in 1876. The capital stock of the company was

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$20,000, but the building was erected at a cost of $38,000. It has a handsome front of pressed brick, with iron facings, pillars, projections and ornaments. The audience room, which is on the ground floor, easy of access, has stage and gallery, and will seat 800 persons. When John B. Gough lectured in it there were 1,000 persons in it, by some dint of crowding. It has movable chairs, so that the floor can be easily cleared for any purpose that requires it. The building is three stories high, with another story in the Mansard roof. The ground floor in front is occu- pied by a store on one side and post office on the other side of the entrance hall. The second floor is occupied by the Killingly National Bank and offices. The third floor is occupied by Armory Hall, and in the fourth story or Mansard roof is Grand Army Hall. The ground covered by the building is about 60 by 130 feet.

The People's Library is an institution in which the intelligent people of the village take considerable interest. It was started as a Young Men's Library about thirty-five years ago. From small beginnings it has increased in size until it now has about 2,500 volumes. It has a room on the second floor of Music Hall building, and is kept open during certain hours of certain days of the week. It is supported by funds raised by membership fees and dues. The association has three classes of members: life members, who pay $3 for admission and 50 cents annually, and are entitled to vote; annual members, who simply pay 50 cents a year; and honorary members, who are made so on pay- ment of $15. The last two have rights to the use of books, but not to vote. The association has a president, vice-president, sec- retary, treasurer and a board of six directors. Mrs. Anthony Ames has for several years been its librarian.

The Quinebaug Manufacturing Company's mills, in the south- ern part of this village, are one of the largest manufacturing es- tablishments in the county. They are delightfully situated on the right bank of the beautiful Quinebaug river, on elevated ground, and are surrounded by nearly two hundred well con- structed and nice looking brick tenement houses. Their grounds cover more than ninety acres, and from the windows of the various buildings the view is enchanting. The mills proper are designated as No. 1 and No. 2. No. 1, or the oldest mill, was built by Mr. Tiffany, the father of the celebrated New York jeweler, over a half century ago. It has lately, however, been

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entirely reconstructed, with new machinery throughout. This mill is of wood, and is the first one approached from the town. No. 2 is of stone, is a massive structure, and with its great wings and extensions, covers a large amount of ground. It would re- quire a large amount of space to describe all the interesting de- tails-we will have to generalize. The dimensions of the latter named mill are as follows: main building, 343 by 48 feet; south wing, 160 by 52 feet; picker house, 93 by 41 feet; west addition, 122 by 48 feet; north wing, 152 by 48 feet; roller shop, 124 by 20; weave shed, 450 by 102. No. 1 mill is 200 by 30 feet in area, and has a power of 100 horses, while No. 2 has that of 900 horses. These works are run by water power, but steam engines of equal power as named for water are on hand in case of necessity. There are 54,736 spindles and 1,400 looms, and the number of employees is about 800, the pay rolls of whom amount to over $19,000 every four weeks. The number of yards manufactured per year is over 3,000,000, and consists of sheetings of different widths and weights.

This company was incorporated in 1851, and the present offi- cers are : R. C. Taft, president ; John W. Danielson, treasurer ; B. A. Bailey, agent. The nominal capital is $500,000, and the stock is mostly owned in Providence. Mill No. 2 was built over twenty-five years ago. This company own a large store, which has for its customers others beside the operatives. The opera- tives are all paid in cash, and there are but about one-third who avail themselves of the discount, for all are at liberty to trade where they will. About three-quarters of the operatives of this great corporation-the Quinebaug Company-are French Canadians, one-eighth are Irish, and the balance scattering. They all seem contented and happy, and we learned from the residents of the town that they are an orderly and thrifty class.

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History of Windham County, Connecticut, Part 94

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