USA > Connecticut > Litchfield County > Woodbury > History of ancient Woodbury, Connecticut : from the first Indian dead in 1659 to 1854 > Part 34
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
1
326
HISTORY OF ANCIENT WOODBURY.
forbearance and conciliatory efforts had not been able to avert. Our moderation and forbearance had had no other effect than to encourage perseverance, and to enlarge pretensions. For these and other causes, was it deemed just by the administration of Madison, that war should be proclaimed, although there was a large and respectable party, which thought that war might yet be avoided by conciliation.
During this conflict, in our naval warfare against Great Britain, our nation had a glorious beginning. Astonishment and mortification seized the British at the brilliant success of our little navy, which they had so much despised, and which added such glory to the Ameri- can name. In the laconic language of the gallant Perry, it " met the enemy and they were ours."- Nor were the operations on land less successful than on the sea, after a little discipline and experience.
During this war, the situation of Connecticut, and indeed of all the New England states, was in the highest degree critical and dangerous. The services of the militia, during its whole continuance, were ex- tremely severe. They were constantly taken from their farms and from their ordinary occupations, to defend the coasts ; and in addition to all the numerous and severe losses which this state of things pro- duced, they were further subjected to the hardships and dangers of the camp, and the life of a soldier in the regular service. Sometimes whole companies were called to march, without delay, to New London and other exposed places. On one of these occasions, a whole com- pany, the artillery company of Washington, under Capt. Nathaniel Farrand, marched to the former place. Levies on the militia in the ancient territory were constantly made, which were as constantly an- swered by the required number of men. Although from the short terms of service and other causes, it is not now possible to determine how many from the territory served their country in this war, yet the number is believed to have been more than two hundred. A hun- dred and twelve names are still preserved, and a list of them may be found at the close of this volume. As on all former occasions. both while under the colony, and under the government of the free and independent state. the sons of Woodbury were found at the post of duty.
Notwithstanding the great services of Massachusetts and Connect- icut, Congress withheld all supplies for the maintenance of the militia for the year 1814, in both those states, and thus forced upon them the burden of supporting the troops employed in defending their coasts from invasion, and their towns from being destroyed. Meanwhile the taxes laid by the general government for the prosecution of the
327
HISTORY OF ANCIENT WOODBURY.
war, were exacted from these states with the most rigorous prompt- ness. It became apparent that if the New England states were res- cued at all from these calamities, it must depend, as far as human means were concerned, upon their own exertions. The inhabitants on the sea-coast of Massachusetts spread the alarm, and early in 1814, petitions and memorials from a large number of towns were sent to the legislature, praying to be protected in their constitutional rights and privileges, and suggesting the expediency of appointing delegates.
" To meet delegates from such other states as might think proper to appoint them, for the purpose of devising proper measures to procure the united efforts of the commercial states to obtain such amendments and explanations of the constitution, as will secure them from further evils."
The legislature referred the matter to a committee, who reported in favor of a convention of those states favoring the enterprise, by a vote of 226 to 67, in a convention of both houses.
A circular was addressed to the several states, inviting them to meet in convention with them, stating the object of the convention to be, to deliberate upon dangers to which the eastern section was ex- posed by the course of the war, and to devise, if possible, means of security and defense, which might be consistent with the preserva- tion of their resources from total ruin, and not repugnant to their ob- ligations as members of the union ; and also to deliberate on the ques- tion of amending the constitution of the United States. Accordingly a convention was agreed upon, to meet at Hartford, Dec. 15th, 1814, and Massachusetts sent twelve delegates. Connecticut seven, Rhode Island four, all appointed by the several legislatures, and New Hamp- shire and Vermont three. appointed by local conventions. These were among the most distinguished men in the union. The conven- tion assembled at the time appointed, and their proceedings took place with closed doors, though their journal was afterward made public. The convention immediately published a report, containing their views, which was extensively circulated.
News of peace soon after arrived, and the subjects mooted in the convention were no longer agitated. As all the delegates appointed to the convention belonged to the party opposed to the administra- tion, they were denounced by its friends, both before and after their meeting, in the bitterest terms. as treasonable to the general govern- ment, and the name of the " Hartford Convention" became, with the administration party, a term of reproach. Woodbury was represent- ed in that convention, in the person of the late distinguished Judge
328
HISTORY OF ANCIENT WOODBURY.
Nathaniel Smith, to whose cool judgment, wise reasoning, and burn- ing eloquence, much may be attributed in bringing the determina- tions of the convention to a rational conclusion, without detracting from the merits of others. To the hem of the garments of that pure patriot and upright statesman, no stain attaches.
Previous to September 15th, 1818, the state had continued to live under the charter of 1662, granted by Charles II. For some time previous to this date, it had been thought by many, that it was unbe- coming the spirit of progress, and the genius of our institutions, to re- main under a charter granted by a king. Others thought the pro- visions of the charter eminently free, and having for a long period of years prospered under it, wished no change, or at least none at the risk of what an attempt at change might introduce. Parties were formed upon the question, and the spirit of party ran high. The re- sult of the discussion was a convention, and the subsequent adoption of our present state constitution.
January 15, 1818, the town of Woodbury acted on the question, and, in a town-meeting held on that date, passed the following vote :
" That the representatives of this town in the next General Assembly be and are hereby requested to use their influence and exertions that suitable measures be taken for forming a written constitution of civil government for the State of Connecticut."1
It was further voted, that the town-clerk furnish a copy of this vote to each of the representatives to the May session of the General Assembly, and that Mr. Garry Bacon should procure and forward a like copy to the editor of the Columbian Register, at New Haven, for publication. The representatives to the May session were Nathan Preston and Philo Murrey, Esquires. At this session a convention was called to meet in August following, to form a constitution. Dan- iel Bacon, Esq., and Doct. Nathaniel Perry, were appointed dele- gates from Woodbury to the convention, which closed its labors Sept. 15, 1818, having framed the constitution, under which we now live.
Previous to 1823, there had been an effort to locate and build a new town hall for the use of the town, but as is usual in such cases, a great deal of bickering and bad feeling had arisen on the occasion, and no conclusion was arrived at. Finally, to end the difficulty, Mr. Daniel Bacon built a new two story building, near his dwelling-house, now owned by his son, Rev. William T. Bacon, and offered the use of the second story, rent free, to the town for its meetings. At a
1 Town Journal, vol. 1.
329
HISTORY OF ANCIENT WOODBURY.
meeting of the town, Dee. 29, 1823, Dea. Elijah Sherman being moderator, it was
" Voted to adjourn this meeting to Mr. Daniel Bacon's new Building, to meet in the Chamber of sd Building immediately."
This continued to be used as the place for all meetings of the town till 1845, when the present commodious town-hall was built.
At that date, it was thought that the old town-hall did not answer the necessities of the town, and that a new and more commodious building should be erected. In the conclusion that a new building should be erected, all agreed; but the location was quite another matter. In this the " ends" of the town were widely at variance. It was an occasion which could not pass without an exhibition of the " old feeling," which began in Stratford, caused the settlement of the town, showed its controlling power in the location of each successive church building that the increasing wants of the community demand- ed. and had finally rent the church of God in twain. A meeting was called in the " dead of winter," to determine the question of loca- tion, and after a spirited debate, a respectable majority voted to locate the building in the spot it now occupies. But there being a suspi- cion of unfairness in the vote, application was made to the select- men to appoint another meeting to try the question anew. The meeting was called, and though Providence, the evening before the appointed day, shed down some two feet of snow, enough one would think, to cool the feelings of the belligerent parties. yet the high piled drifts were penetrated in every direction, and almost every legal voter appeared at the meeting for the decision of the momentous ques- tion of a difference in distance of one or two hundred rods! The vote was taken by ballot, and the former location ratified by an in- creased majority.
To the inhabitants bred and born in this goodly valley, this ques- tion of feet and inches has an importance, a magnitude, totally un- appreciable by those born in a different latitude. On this question, the author, who is not to the "manor born," speaks with a freedom and an impartiality, which, in the eyes of some of his readers, may amount to recklessness ; but he verily believes, that he speaks the words of "truth and soberness." The general prosperity and advan- tage of the whole town are greatly to be desired, and it is most can- didly conceived that this infatuated localism is the bane of every scheme for the town's best interest. Men of mind and expanded views ought to look beyond the insignificant toadstool which they
22
330
HISTORY OF ANCIENT WOODBURY.
themselves occupy. Washington would never have achieved the in- dependence of the United States, if he had studied the interests, alone, of his own plantation, and the health and condition of his own ne- groes. It is by expanded views, by the banishment of self, that great objects are accomplished. Woodbury possesses great natural advan- tages. Only the warring of localism could have prevented it from availing itself of the advantages which God and nature have furnished it with a lavish hand. No locality in our country boasts of a fairer heritage, a more beautiful succession of hills and dales. Scarcely any in our state ean excel us in agricultural or manufacturing facil- ities. No territory is richer in historical associations. None pos- sess advantages of all kinds, calculated to awaken a whole town pride, more numerous than ours ; and yet we linger behind sister towns, to whom nature has been less bountiful of her favors. In all natural advantages, Woodbury is the equal, perhaps the superior, of Water- bury. In wealth of intellect and wealth of purse, Woodbury was the equal of Waterbury, till within a limited number of years. And now Waterbury is a flourishing city, while Woodbury is traveling in the footsteps of its illustrious fathers. What has caused the difference ? Why has the one advanced, and the other remained almost station- ary ? It is because the one has had no localism, that did not em- brace the whole town ; no contention, except that "noble contention of who best can labor, best agree." The inhabitants of the one have had minds expanded enough to take in the whole town, and to labor for its advancement ; the other has had the mind fixed on minute tri- fles, light as air. The one has seen his own prosperity in that of every neighbor, while the other has seen the prosperity of every other antagonistic to his own. To this fell spirit of localism, in good part, may we attribute the financial disasters under which the whole town has " been in travail" for the last few months. A nice care for sectional interest enabled unscrupulous financiers to work the destruc- tion of our monetary interests. It is to be hoped for the honor of the town, and of the human race, that this diseased state of feeling will speedily pass away. It is believed, and mentioned with devout grat- itude to heaven, that the generation now coming on the stage of ac- tion, as has been before asserted, are beginning to be divested of these fatal prejudices. Happy the day, when not the ends of the earth, but the ends of the town, shall act together for the common interests. We do not say that the millennium will then have come, but peace will be within our borders, and " prosperity within our palaces."
331
HISTORY OF ANCIENT WOODBURY.
For a long period of years it was the custom of the people, when a death occurred, to have the coevals of the deceased attend the fu- neral, bear him to the place of interment, and in the presence of the mourners, take turns in filling the grave. In small rural communi- ties, the death and burial of an individual were a matter of general concern, and all were accustomed to assemble to take a last look at the remains of an associate, and to pay them the last honors. In earlier years it was expected that the rites of hospitality would be dispensed at the house of the deceased, and, especially in the days when ardent spirits were freely used, sometimes scenes of convivial- ity usurped the place of real grief and sober lamentation. But the custom of friends filling the grave, after a time became burdensome, as the duty was left to be performed by a few, in all cases, who felt called upon to do that duty, as no others offered. Finally, at the an- nual town meeting in October, 1826, it was "voted that it shall be the duty of the sexton to fill the graves at all burials in this town." Accordingly, since that date, this duty has been performed by that officer.
At the same meeting a vote was passed to buy a new burying- ground, of Capt. Elijah Sherman ; and John Strong, Jr., James Moody, Noah B. Benedict, Judson Blackman, Jeremiah Peck, Jesse Minor, Leman Sherman, Nathan Preston and Chauncey Crafts were appointed a committee to lay it out into lots. A majority of those who have died since that date, have been buried in that place, Thalia Judson being the first occupant, November 28th, 1826.
True to her military instincts, Woodbury furnished three soldiers for the war with Mexico, in 1847. As the nation was at that day careering in the fullness of its power, it needed not the services of many of our citizens. But she furnished this small quota for the conquest of the " Halls of the Montezumas," and the extension of the " area of freedom."
In 1846, the North Congregational Society built a commodious building for a lecture room and academy, and a flourishing school has since been there sustained. In 1851, an academic association was formed by the inhabitants in the south part of the town, with suffi- cient means, and made a body corporate and politie, under the statute for that purpose. The association erected a structure of convenient size and beautiful architecture, in the lower story of which a success- ful school has been maintained, the second story being used for the accommodation of the Woodbury Bank.
Masonry was established in this vicinity in 1765, and consequently
332
HISTORY OF ANCIENT WOODBURY.
the institution here has become time-honored, having reached the venerable age of nearly a hundred years, through all varying vicissi- tudes. The lodge which now exists in this town, seems in its organ- ization to have been constituted of brothers residing both here and in Waterbury. It appears, however, to have been located in Wood- bury, though the means of information in regard to it are very scanty, all the records except the charter from its first organization till 1782, being no longer in existence. At this time it was reorganized under the most favorable auspices. The charter remains nearly entire, the venerable and sole relie of the early history of the lodge.
By it we learn that application was made to the Provincial Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, sitting at Boston, by "Joel Clark, James Reynolds, and sundry other Brethren of the Ancient and Honorable Society of Free and Accepted Masons, now residing at or near Wa- terbury," for a charter, which was granted July 17th, 1765, and " Mr. John Hotelkiss our Right Worshipful and well Beloved Broth- er," was appointed the first master of the lodge, and empowered to " Congregate the Brethren together, and Form them into a Regular Lodge, he taking Especial Care in Choosing Two Wardens and Oth- er Officers necessary for the due Regulations thereof for One Year, at the End thereof the Lodge shall have full Power to Choose and Appoint their Master and other Officers, and so Annually." This charter was granted and delivered by the " Command of the Provin- cial Grand Master, Jeremiah Gridley, Esq., and signed by J. Rowe, Dep. Grand Master, and Edmund Quincy, G. See'y." Of the pros- perity of the lodge during the first seventeen years, we have no re- liable information, from the faet heretofore mentioned. The tradition is that it was highly prosperous, during a part of the time, though toward the latter part of that period, for some cause, it was not so successful. It must have been prosperous in its former years, for at its revival, August 6th, 1782, fifty-six old members were present. After the organization of the Grand Lodge of Connecticut in 1791 this charter was registered in the records of the Grand Lodge of the State, by Elias Shipman, Esq., G. Secretary. It received a new charter from the Grand Lodge of Connecticut, and became King Sol- omon's Lodge, No. 7, of this jurisdiction.
At the reorganization of the lodge in 1782, which took place at the house of Peter Gilchrist, now occupied by George B. Lewis, there were present P. M. Doctor Anthony Burritt, Joseph Perry, M. D., P. M. Hezekiah Thompson, Esq., Hon. Ephraim Kirby, Na- than Preston, Esq., and fifty-one other members. The records from
333
HISTORY OF ANCIENT WOODBURY.
this date are in a good state of preservation. By them it appears, that at this meeting, John Clark was installed W. M., Josiah Beers, S. W., and Doctor Anthony Burritt, J. W. The lodge met onee a month, at the same place as at first. The same officers continued to be annually re-elected till December, 1787, with the exception of the latter, whose place was filled by the election of Samuel Woodman. During this period, there had been eleven admissions, among them Bartimeus Fabrique and Rev. John R. Marshall.
In 1787, Nathan Preston was elected W. M., Samuel Woodman, S. W., and Adam Lum, J. W. The same officers were re-elected the next year. This year two members were added. In 1789, the first two were again elected to the offices previously held by them, and Doctor Anthony Burritt chosen J. W.
In December, 1790, Nathan Preston was again chosen W. M., Anthony Burritt, S. W., and Elijah Sherman, J. W. The latter and four others had been admitted as members during this year. The next year the same officers were re-elected, and Rutgers B. Marshall, Benjamin Stiles, Esq., and three others were added to the Lodge.
In 1792, Nathan Preston was W. M., Elijah Sherman S. W., and Garwood H. Cunningham J. W. Masonry this year, after the es- tablishing of the Grand Lodge of this state the preceding year, seems to have revived, and admissions were frequent. Twelve mem- bers were received, among whom was Col. Joel Ilinman. About this time, the exact date not being known, the lodge established a library for the use of its members, and by additions, in a few years had eolleeted between two and three hundred volumes of useful and valuable books. The library in its best state, was worth some $500. After a time its books became somewhat seattered, and the remain- der, by vote of the lodge, was collected and sold.
In 1793, Garwood HI. Cunningham was chosen W. M., Benjamin Stiles, Jr., S. W., and N. Sherman Judson, J. W. The next year they were again elected. In the former year ten new members were added to the lodge, among whom was Capt. Timothy Hinman ; and in the latter year four were admitted. The funds of the lodge in December of the former year, were £100, 9s. 3d. At the festival of St. John the Baptist, in the latter year, Rev. Azel Backus, of Betli- lem, preached a sermon to the lodge.
In 1795, nine members were received, and Benjamin Stiles, Jr., made W. M., R. B. Marshall, S. W. and William Moody, J. W.
In 1796, Nathan Preston was chosen W. M., G. H. Cunningham, S. W. and Benjamin Stiles, Jr., J. W. Two members were re-
-
334
HISTORY OF ANCIENT WOODBURY.
eeived. In October of this year, David Tallman agreed to prepare a room in Widow Gilchrist's house, and furnish the same for the lodge for twenty-five years, from the first of March, 1797, for £114. This was the house now occupied by Lucius H. Foote, as a hotel. Ac- cordingly the lodge convened in this place during the length of the time agreed on, when its meetings were held in Alvah Merriman's building, about fifteen years, from which place it removed to the old lodge room for some two years, till the dedication of the present hall in 1839.
In 1797, the officers were G. II. Cunningham, W. M., Benjamin Stiles, S. W., and William Moody, J. W. This was a year of unu- sual prosperity in the lodge. Twenty-five of the principal citizens of the town were added to its numbers, being the largest number'ever received by the lodge in one year. Among these were Daniel Ba- con, Esq., Doctor Nathaniel Perry, and Deacon Scovill Hinman, of New Haven. The latter is still living, and is the oldest initiated member of the lodge.
In 1798, William Moseley was chosen W. M., Doctor Nathaniel Perry, S. W., and Philo Murray, J. W. The same officers were re- elected the next year. Eight members were received in the former year, among whom was Jesse Minor, the second oldest living member of the lodge, and two were added in the latter year.
In 1800, Doctor Nathaniel Perry was elected W. M., William Hawley, S. W., and B. Seward, J. W. The first two were re-elected next year, and Doctor Samuel Orton elected to the J. W's station. Three members were admitted in the former and four in the latter year.
Two members were added in 1802, and Nathan Preston was made W. M., G. II. Cunningham, S. W., and William Hawley, J. W.
G. II. Cunningham succeeded in 1803 as W. M., Noah Martin as S. W., and King William Sampson as J. W. Twelve brothers were initiated this year.
In 1804, ten members were added, and Doctor Nathaniel Perry was chosen W. M., Noah Martin, S. W., and Benjamin Andrews, J. W.
Three were admitted to membership in 1805, and Nathan Preston was elected W. M., Nathan S. Judson, S. W., and Benjamin An- drews, J. W.
In 1806, Nathan S. Judson was selected as W. M., Richard Smith, S. W., and Daniel Hurlbut, J. W. The next year Doctor Nathan- iel Perry filled the master's chair, and the other officers remained the
335
HISTORY OF ANCIENT WOODBURY.
same as before. Seven new members were added in each of these years.
In 1808, William Moseley was W. M., Daniel Hurlbut, S. W., and Ebenezer Weed, JJ. W. The next year Abraham Somers, now living, took the place of the latter, and the other two were re-elected. Three joined in the former and four in the latter year.
In 1810, Doctor Nathaniel Perry was again elected W. M., Abra- ham Somers, S. W., and Samuel Frazier, J. W. Four additional members were received.
In 1811, Richard Smith was W. M., Nathaniel Tuttle, S. W., and Abijah S. Hatch, J. W.
Eight new members were added in 1812, among whom were Hon. Charles B. Phelps, now judge of the county court for Litchfield county, and IIon. Curtiss IIinman, afterward member of the senate of this state, when that body was elected by general ticket. The offi- cers this year were Nathaniel Tuttle, W. M., William A. Bronson, S. W., and Nathaniel Bacon 2d. J. W. The next year the same offi- eers were re-elected, except that Charles B. Phelps, Esq., took the junior warden's seat. Six new members were admitted this year.
In 1814, five members were added to the lodge, among whom was Gen. Chauncey Crafts. Hon. Charles B. Phelps was elected W. M., Hon. Curtiss Hinman, S. W., and Erastus Osborn, J. W.
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.