USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Bridgeport > Reports and papers. Fairfield County Historical Society, Bridgeport, Conn. 1882-1896-97 > Part 6
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SLAUGHTER HOUSE.
Capt. William Goodsell who early lived ia the old yellow house which was removed from Main street in 1871 in order to open Congress street, is believed to have been the first to fit up and ocenpy n regular slaughter house here. Its location is given on the din- gram. It was a barn-like structure standing
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on the edge of the bluff and extending almost its whole size over the bank (which was well washed by each flood tide). the building be- ing supported by substantial posts. Its site was included in the purchase of the late MIr. Benjamin Ray, who had munch difficulty in getting the lines fixed satisfactorily. In his numerons and vigorous talks about the mat- ter, well remembered by many, very frequent allusions were made to "Capt. Goodsell's slaughter house yard." It is interesting to note how the progress of the settlement -- moved back the slaughter houses. . The next location was that of Gideon and Eli Thomp- son on the westerly side of North Washington avenue, not far from the present site of Mnl- loy's lane-say from 1833 to 1843. From this, the same parties removed to what is now the Thompson farm, a little south of the toll gate on the Huntington Turnpike-while Smith & Stratton ant their successors and Capt. Terry, located theirs on the Newtown Turnpike about two miles out of town. The heavy beef is now mostly hutchered for this market in Chicago, Ill., transported in Re- frigerator ears and distributed from Refrig- erntor depots (two of them located on this territory) to be dispensed in steaks and ronsts from the Refrigerato:s of the local markets and stalls.
SADDLE BOXES.
The shipment to markets in the South, of the large quantities of saddles and harness manufactured here from 1815 to 1860, re- quired many strong boses of special form and sizes. Up to abont 1818-9, these were almost exclusively made by hand, by MIr. Porter Sturges, whose shop and lumber yard were on Middle street at the present corner ot Golden JIill street occupied now by the Naugatuck Valley Ice Co. Flis assistant when needed was the late Mr. David Wheeler who lived on Arch street, later on Newtown turnpike near Beach street.
This afforded rehable and steady employ- ment, and with the frugality for which they were both noted, laid the foundation of handsome estates, for each.
Increased quantity needed and the compe- tition of machinery, diverted the source of supply, to the shops of L. C. Shepard & Co. abont 1850, then located at the site of the north end of the Atlantic Hotel, the Union House being a part; later to Lyon & Curtis ou "Simons' wharf."
COME MAKING.
Moss K. Botsford, from Newtown, pnr- chased of Jesse Sterling the house on the bank north side of Gold street at the heul of Water street, establishod and carried on for awhile the comb making business. This busi- ness had a great run abont 1930-35. Bethel and Newtown were largely engaged in it. Some were successful for a time, but the fash- ions were extremely changeable and business fitfnl which led to my failures. The business hardly obtained a foothold bere.
COOPERAGE.
Mr. Abel Drew from Derby was the next owner of the above mentioned house. The commerce of the place, especially the West India trade and for a number of years the whaling business, required a great many casks and made a lively business for the coopers. Mr. Drew's shop was on the south shore of the point. He employed a number of men. It was lively times in his shop early and late and all the time. Mr. Drew saw and embraced his opportunities and here laid the foundation of his handsome estate.
HOUSATONIC RAILROAD.
In 1836 the Housatonic Railroad was chartered for a line from Bridgeport to the north boundary of the state in the town of Canaan, Litchfield County. The company was organized, capital subscribed and right of way secured to New Milford in 1838. Commencing at a point near the west ap- proach to the Bridgeport Bridge ( Fairfield Avenue) it extended northerly across the mud flats and over this Porter property making thereon quite a deep cut. The com- pany not only purchased the usual right of way over this property for main tracks, but secured the entire point east of the main line, graded it down, using the material towards filling the roadway across the adja- cent mud flats, and then located their engine house, turn-tibles and car shop thereon. A wharf was constructed at the extreme point, and the Long Island skipper connect- ed with MI. Roswell Lewis, coal and wood yard, landed thereon the pine wood which was then used at this end of the line for fuel for the locomotives. Thus the beatiful bluff was invaded, and its glory, as such, departed before the march of modern utilily and pro- gress. The construction and operating of the railroad developed the need of foundry and machine shops. This need way measura- bly supplied by the late Mr. David Wheeler of Park avenne, who was in 1813 joined by Messrs. George and J. R. Young, and had their works in a wooden building on the same site as the present Bridgeport Iron Works, which is male land on the mud flats fronting this Porter property.
FIRST CENTHE BRIDGE.
When in 1852 Mr. P. T. Barnum joined Gen. Win. H. Noble for the development and improvement of East Bridgeport, they at once realized that they must have more di- rect and easier communication with the busi . ness portion of west side of the harbor. Hence they procured a charter for a bridge- the eastern terminus abont identical with that of the present Centre bridge, and the I western end, spanning the Housatonic mail. road track, and landing upon the high bank of this Porter property, for which they made an appropriate purchase of Mrs. Ellen l'or- ter, the widow jof Samnel Porter, Jr., Nov. 10th, 1852.
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This was reached by a street which had | Charles Hunt of the Housatonic Railroad. been dedicated as a highway by Mr. Porter, and named by him Summer street, extending northerly from Gold street a little east of the line of Middle street extended. After the location of the bridge it was called Bridge BOILER WORKS. street. By the kindness of General Noble In 1869 "The Bridgeport Boiler Works" commenced operations on the Point, ntilizing some of the this society has a picture of the bridge on its walls, painted in water colors-showing a condition of the surroundings now most old build- ings, and erecting others. This company em- braced the following names: Humphrey, Watson, Farrel and Chattiekl. thoroughly changed. When the new Centre bridge was constructed in 1869, the western terminus was changed to Congress street. crossing the railroad at grade. Middle street, was soon after extended thereto in a direct line and Bridge street, discontinued. In November, 1864, the city purchased this bridge and appartenances with the other bridges across the harbor, aud in the adjust- ment of property interests affected by these changes, and the extension of Middle street, the city obtainedl the site of the present No. 5 engine house.
Previous to the extension of Congress street for the western terminus of the Centre Bridge in 1809, the mud flats and low ground on the west side of the Housatonic railroad track from the Porter property to Lumber street, was flooded, though a water way at the old mill located near the line of Lumber street and the face of the wharf at that point. The water was changed and purified each flood tide, but the gate in the water way retained enough to give at all times a depth of several feet in the southern portion near this Porter property. Previous to the intro- duction of the present water supply much dependence was placed upon the salt water of the Harbor for extinguishing fires. This vicinity was practically shut off from the water front, especially at low tide. 10 meet this nece-sity Mrs. Ellen P'orter deeded to the town an addition to the Bridge street highway May 19, 1859, and opened a way to the water above described, where the city constructed a platform sufficient to accom- modate one of the hand engines of that pe riod and its company in actual service.
About 1816 the Housatonic Railroad com- pany removed their depot both for passengor and freight from near Fairfieldl avenue south- erly to a point near the present elevator. A few years thereafter, having tille 1 and made solid ground of the mud flits still further south they put up a round house, and other necessary shops end buildings thereon and withdrew from "Porter's point." The old engine house and the long cir honse remain- ed on the promises for many years, also a blacksmith business by Mr. Hunt from Falls Village, Ct .- a relative of Superintendent
The Vetetan blacksmith. Mr. J. C. Barnum, also had his shop here for many years until his death, Feb. 25, 1853, at the ripe age of 80 years.
In 1870, Messrs. Farrel and Chatfield retir- ed, and the business was continned by Hum- phrey & Watson, nutil 1872, when Mr. William Lowe took the place of Mr. Humphrey. Messrs. Lowe and Watson continued the boil- er business very successfully for ten years, until they were burned out, April 24, 1882. As they were unable to secure a lease of the premises, for a term of years, Messrs. Lowe & Watson obtained another location on the premises of Mr. William H. Perry, adjoining the Housatonic Railroad track, further north.
The late Mr. Hauford Lyon purchased the water front of a portion of this property, and improved it, in connection with that he pre- viously owned, adjoining it on the south. This has been occupied as a coal yard by C. M. Noble & Co., and by Courtland Kelsey, and is now a part of the extensive yards ot Messrs. Miller & Strickland.
Mr. Julius Hawley purchased of the Bur- roughs family, the Edwards' property, ou the south side of Gold street, extending to the channel of the harbor, which he has im- proved, and upon which is located the exten- sive lumber yards and steam saw mill of the Bridgeport Lumber company.
Messrs. H. N. and A. J. Beardsley pur - chased the water front of Mr. Abel Drew, which carried one half the width of Gold street, form the east side of the tracks of the Consolidated railroads to the channel, which they are leisurely filling and will become a very valuable property.
The Housatonic Railroad Co., have here a fine property partly mud flats which they will no doubt till to the harbor lines, at no distant day. This doue, it will afford room for the return to this point of their engine houes &c. - thus relieving the crowded condi- tion in their present loealty and facilitating the removal of the tracks of the Consolidated road from lower Water street, an end most devontly to be desired.
The whole plot, much of it forty years ago so quiet and so pleasant for family homes of the best sort, is now almost wholly given over to business -- the canvas of which I leave to the future.
FIFTH
ANNIVERSARY
OF THE
Fairfield County Historical SOCIETY,
HELD APRIL 9TH, 1886 : AND
THE PAPERS READ
BEFORE THE SOCIETY.
BRIDGEPORT, CONN .: THE STANDARD ASSOCIATION, PRINTERS. 1886.
FORM OF APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP.
To The Fairfield County Historical Society.
GENTLEMEN: The undersigned hereby makes application for admission as * member of said Association, under its existing Rules and By-Laws.
Dated at Bridgeport, this day of 18 .
Signed,
. Blank to be filled with-an Annual, a Patron, or a Life Member,-as the case may be.
FORM OF BEQUEST TO THE FAIRFIELD COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
I give and bequeath to The Fairfield County Historical Society of Connecticut, the sum of
dollars, to be paid by my executors out of my real and per- sonal estate, as soon as the settlement of my affairs will per- mit, to the Treasurer of said Society, for the time being, in trust, for the benefit of said Society.
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TIIE FAIRFIELD COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
PRESIDENT, ROWLAND B. LACEY.
VICE-PRESIDENTS,
GEORGE C. WALDO, -
-
Bridgeport.
WILLIAM A. BEERS, -
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Fairfield.
REV. SAMUEL ORCUTT, - -
- Bridgeport.
RECORDING SECRETARY, NATHANIEL E. WORDIN, M. D.
CORRESPONDING SECRETARY, LOUIS N. MIDDLEBROOK.
TREASURER AND CURATOR, RICHARD C. AMBLER.
. HISTORIAN, GEORGE C. WALDO.
HONORARY MEMBERS.
REV. BENJAMIN L. SWAN, Mendham, N. J.
REV. E. E. BEARDSLEY, D. D., LL.D. New Haven, Conn.
J. HAMMOND TRUMBULL, LL.D., Hartford, Conn.
CHARLES J. HOADLEY, Hartford, Conn.
REV. HORATIO N. POWERS, D. D .. Orange, N. J.
ABRAHAM W. MOREHOUSE, Bridgeport, Conn.
·
FIFTH ANNUAL MEETING.
The Fifth Annual Meeting of the FAIRFIELD COUNTY HIS- TORICAL SOCIETY was held at the Rooms of the Society, No. 446 Main street, Friday evening, April 9, 1886.
The President, R. B. Lacey, Esq., called the meeting to order shortly after eight o'clock. He congratulated the audi- enee upon the presence of two gentlemen of recognized ability, who had prepared and would read papers which would prove a rich treat, and proposed to defer the election of officers, and other routine business, to an adjourned meeting that they might the better enjoy it.
Accordingly, on motion, it was voted to adjourn the business portion of the meeting, with the election of officers, etc., for one month, and to give the entire time of the session to the literary exercises. The President then made a few happy re- marks appropriate to the occasion, and introduced W. A. Beers, Esq., of Fairfield, one of the Vice-Presidents of the Society, who read the following admirable paper upon
JOHN READ, THE COLONIAL LAWYER.
In the first quarter of the eighteenth century the name that heads our paper belonged to one whose genius and force placed him abreast of the foremost men of the young American col- onies. But in company with many of his contemporaries, he has but slight mention in general history, and what is known of him is gathered mostly from town and colonial records, or thin pamphlets and biographical collections in widely sepa- rated libraries.
Several years since, however, George B. Read, Esq., of Bos- ton, wrote and privately distributed a monograph of his dis- tinguished kinsman ; and Mr. Charles B. Todd, and Rev. Samuel Oreutt, of this society, have each supplemented the filia' 'ribute
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with facts that have materially aided the present attempt to contribute another leaf to a yet imperfect history.
More than one town in Massachusetts and our own State has claimed the honor of being the native heath trodden by John Read, but even his filial biographer is not positive on this point beyond the general notion that he was a native of Connecticut, and it is with no little pride that the present writer names the precise spot, upon authority that will hardly be disputed as undeniable and final.
Chief among the veteran records of the old town of Fairfield is the A Book, whose pages of "old gold" dated from 1643- four years after the town's settlement-until recently shorn of thirteen leaves and six precious years by a genealogie klep- tomania who, it is hoped, may be accorded a punishment suf- ficiently lingering to fit the crime. One of the clearest entries of this otherwise fairly-preserved volume is here faithfully transcribed: "John Read, the son of William Read, was born the 29th of January, 1679." Reversing the book, for, after the political economy of our fathers, it did the double duty of birth-register and probate record-on page 252, may be found in the record of a deed of gift, corroborative evidence that Fairfield was the birth-place and home of the Colonial Law- yer, to wit:
"For good causes and considerations moving me yto I grant to my daughters Sarah and Abigail, the lot called Hedges Lot, situate in Fairfield, in quantity about five aeres, bounded on ye N. W. by land of Cornelius Hull, ou S. E. by ye highway and on ye N. E. by land of Joseph Roland. I also give them meadows at Sascoe Creek; and all other lands, meadows, house, barn, orchards and fences unto my loving son John Read.
[Signed,] William Read.
NATHAN GOLD, Assistant.
September 29, 1693."
This unquestionably locates the Read birth-place and home- stead on the site of the present Slayback homestead and adjoin- ing land in which the writer has the double interest of owner- ship and historic pride.
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William Read's name first appears on the Fairfield Records under date of 1677, and at frequent intervals thereafter; but lit- tle is known of him except, from the inferential facts of his buy- ing and selling of large parcels of land, that he was a substan- tial planter who was able and willing to give his "loving son" the education and fair start in lite he is known to have re- ceived.
That John was an apt scholar, as well as an affectionate son, is known from the fact that at the early age of thirteen he was prepared to enter Harvard College from which he was graduated seventh in a class of fourteen in 1696. His father died the following year, his will being probated May 7, 1697, wherein he leaves his "loving son " one-half of his estate. It is worthy of notice that on several public documents John receives from his father a tender as well as substantial recog- nition, and we must argue from this that as boy and man he was singularly trusted and beloved.
Theology rather than jurisprudence seems to have been the first inclining of the young graduate, and his progress in this direction must have been unusually rapid since, in a single year from graduation, he began preaching at Waterbury, Conn., giving such satisfaction that an invitation to become perma- nent minister was twice renewed in town meeting. The popu- lar young preacher (he could not have been over twenty.) declined each time without stating reasons which have found their way into the records; but, he nevertheless, re- tained the nominal pastorate until December, 29, 1699, when he resigned, and, as is recorded, the town "voted a rate of three half-pennies in the pound to satisfy the Rev. John Read for his pains in the ministry among us and to defray charges about providing for him." It is necessary to make this state- ment in view of the fact that a notion has obtained that Read at this time was not paid for his services.
On the 12th of the following November an entry in the Church register informs us that he was received into "full communion" of the First Church in Hartford, and shortly after was called to preach in East Hartford where he remained three years, although declining to be regularly installed.
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"And here," says Goodwin, in his Early History of Hartford, "on Sundays, and lecture days besides, the Rev. John Read ministered to the spiritual needs of a flock over which he never became a settled pastor. And he abated no whit of lis ser- mon though a mid-winter chill was in the air and there was no fire save in the tiny foot-stoves that half filled the room with thin blue smoke-the rimne gathering the while, per- chance, on the muskets that had been brought as far as the porch and left in charge of the sentry there."
In 1703 the people of Stratford had occasion to supply their pulpit and, as the invariable custom was, called a town meet- ing which voted "That Nathaniel Sherman proceed forthwith with all convenient speed to Hartford, and endeavor by all lawful means the obtaining of Rev. Jolin Read to supply the vacancy in the ministry made by the decease of Rev. Israel Chauncey; and that he be voted £40 in money and £6 in fire- wood for half a year; and that the committee take care of transporting Mr. Read's family, and provide suitable habita- tion for him," -- he having about this time married a sister of Governor Talcott. There appears to have been three candi- dates and much discussion among the brethren at the time. but young Read received a large majority of the votes. At Stratford he officiated three years and, as before, persevered in declining to be more than nominally settled.
In 1706 the hitherto uneventful life of the steadfast young preacher was interrupted by a serious division in the church, which entirely changed the course of his life, and as it is chronicled, "rocked the town to its very center"-a natural sequence, church and town being in those days almost iden- tical. We need not look far for the cause of this agita- tion. It has been seen that Mr. Read had persistently refused to be made pastor of the churches in his charge in the pre- scribed manner, which fact aroused occasional inquiry and suspicion; but at this juncture, he had been confronted by some of the orthodox brethren with some questions as to his views respecting the Episcopal church. The young man re- plied, laconically, that he "could have no decided views about a church too poor to afford him a living." The answer seems
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to have awakened much condemnation of the preacher, par- ticularly from that part of the congregation who did the least paying and most talking-an element quite as ubiquitous with our fathers as with us. The remedy attempted to quiet the difficulty was the usual one of town meeting and a day of fast- ing and prayer; and Reverends Pierpont, Andrews, Chauncey, and Webb, were appointed "a committee to look into the matter." . Mr. Read now became indignant, and hotly resented what he called "this scurrilous and abusive talk," and demanded the closest investigation. It is almost needless to say he was promptly accommodated; and the enquiry resulted in thorough work by the committee, who reported that they "found no indication of anything offensive to Mr. Read ex- cept the intimation that he had made overtures to join the Episcopal Church." The possibility of this "intimation " be- ing very near the truth aroused the people still more; but the excitement became alarmingly intensified when, at the erisis, the first missionary sent out by the Church of England appeared on the scene. He was Rev. George Muirson who, it is said, accompanied by Col. Heathcote, fully armed, rode furiously into old Stratford one morning nearly overturning some mem- bers of the congregation and a member of the Governor's Council who had met to oppose the intruders with numbers and resolution, but no warlike weapons. It appears, however, that the missionaries had a larger following than had been anticipated, and conspicuous among these was Mr. Read who, at this juncture, openly expressed his Episcopal preferences.
It is well to remember that as yet the Colonies were entirely loyal, and a considerable number of the people retained tradi- tional affection for the home church, though worshipping in faithful spirit with the dissenting communities among whom their fortunes had been cast.
There had. of course, existed a feeling of antagonism which had been suppressed until the appearance of Muirson, when it seemed to break out in almost open hostility-the possibil- ities of a liberalism in the near future that would, without acrimony, view two Christians toiling along two roads toward Heaven, had not entered the dreams of the average New Eng-
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lander of a couple of hundred years ago. Mr. Read, of course, now withdrew from the congregation that for three years had liked him so well, and doubtless grieved many who thought he was fast falling into "papistical" ways of Muirson's people. It was thought, indeed, he would become their clergymen, and Col. Heathcote wrote the Propogation Society that "Mr. Read of this place is inclinable to come over to our church, and being by far much the most ingenious man amongst them, would be very capable to serve the church."
Contrary to the general impression, however, he announced his intention of giving up preaching altogether, as a profes- sion, and to enter upon the study of law, not, however, before preaching the first Congregational sermon at New Milford. (See Orcutt's History). We have exhausted numerous re- sources in the vain effort to discover where and when he began his experience in jurisprudence. With his native energy and intuition it was to be expected that he would make rapid progress in any branch of knowledge, but it is, nevertheless, amazing that he should have been admitted to the Bar in New London as early as May, 1709, he being barely thirty-one. His arrival at this age seems to have developed a somewhat high-spirited disposition at once accredited by many to the eccentricity of genius, and he was compelled to apolo- gize to the General Court for some words he had let drop (probably in connection with the recent church difficulty) that intruded upon the very sensitive notions members of this court held concerning their official prerogatives and personal dig- . nity, a feature of public office not yet grown into "innoxious desuetude." Mr. Read seems also to have preferred the title of King's Counsel-which indeed he was-rather than that of Court's Attorney, and this doubtless had its share in raising the ripple of disapproval with which, as is of record, his admis- sion was attended.
Possibly his first case was when appointed prosecuting attorney for the New Milford people-in which he had, too, a personal interest-in "an action against the Stratford com- pany for trespass on a large tract of land," as say the records, "at Wiantenoek," which belongs to "ye inhabitants of Milford"
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