USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Seymour > Seymour and vicinity. Historical collections > Part 11
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In 1830, Leveret Pritchard was living on the knoll opposite the saw-mill still standing near the upper end of Maple street. Previous to that time he lived in the house in the rear of Dr. J. Kendall's.
Chester Jones, a paper maker, built the north "Kirtland house," and kept a store in it. He afterward moved to Ohio, returning in a year or two, and was for several years superintendent of the Humphreysville Manufac- turing Co's Papermill, living in the house close by. His wife was a daughter of Dea. Bradford Steele. The house afterward owned by William Kinney, was built by Jones. He afterward moved to Erie and died there. Ezekiel Gilbert had kept a store below Squantuck on the river road, but about this time he came to Humphreysville and kept the tavern on Broad street about two years, when he built the store now kept by H. W. Randall. Moshier
.
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then moved back into the hotel and occupied it until his death. While Gilbert was in the hotel Moshier lived in Mrs. Bliss' honse, corner of north Main and Day streets, and built the paper mill.
In 1831, George Kirtland on behalf of the Methodist Society paid $110 for the land for the parsonage, including the place now owned by Evan Llewellyn, corner of Pearl and Grand streets, and the lot on the opposite corner now owned by Edwin Smith, Grand street not having been opened until many years after. The parsonage was built the following year.
The Humphreysville Manufacturing Co. commenced the work of paper- making in May with four employes, Chester Jones, Wmn. Bates, Jane Patchen and Lois Thomson; but increased the number during the month to sixteen.
In 1832 business was prosperous and local industries remunerative. The Humphreysville Manufacturing Co. employed 18 hands and the 16th of April commenced running night and day, making paper for the New Haven Palladium and other papers. The mill produced not only news but tissue and colored papers.
Bethany was incorporated as a town in this year, having previously been a parish of Woodbridge.
At this time the store and house, corner of Pearl and Hill streets were occupied by David Sanford, and Lyman Smith kept the store across the road, in a building since removed. Sanford was called "Pitchfork Sanford." Years before he kept the blacksmith shop on the Woodbridge road, and one day in an altercation he killed a man with a pitchfork. Sanford was tried, branded and made to wear a cord around his neck the remainder of his life.
Butter sold at fourteen cents a pound and oak wood at three dollars a cord. Factory girls paid $1.12} per week for board. A horse and wagon could be hired to go to New Haven for one dollar. These were fair samples of the prices of those times and illustrate the comparative purchasing value of a dollar then and now.
A "Caravan of Wild Beasts" exhibited near Moshier's tavern, in the summer of 1834 and excited considerable interest, being probably the first exhibition of the kind which ever passed through the village.
There was a great flood Jan. 31st, 1835, overflowing the lowlands, but doing no great damage. May 4th was the annual training day and a general holiday in the village.
The hard times of 1837, following years of prosperity and undne specu- lation, when the banks of New York and New Orleans alone failed to the amount of a hundred and fifty million of dollars, could but seriously affect the fortunes of Humphreysville, though far less in proportion than larger places generally, which had launched more deeply into the tide of inflation. Most of the factories and shops continued their work, though compelled for a time by a lack of a reliable circulating medium to do business principally by barter. The Humphreysville Manufacturing Co. however reduced its em- ployes to seven, and May 6th stopped entirely until the 9th of October, and the Cotton Factory shut down and remained idle until January 16th, 1838.
At this time there were three auger factories in the village, as follows : Raymond French, Blueville, where Rubber factory now stands.
Gilbert & Wooster, forges in Bennett Wooster's blacksmith shop, east of row of maples shown in cut on page 67, filing room in the south part of Gilbert's building on the corner of Main and Hill streets, and finishing room under the sawmill shown in cut of Humphreysville.
Walter French, near house now occupied by Warren French.
Wm. Burritt, now living in Waterbury, carried on the stove and tinware
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business in the Lyman Smith Building, as successor to Burritt & Lewis, whose store and shop was in the Wheeler Building, at the foot of Falls Hill. The firm had been dissolved in the fall of 1836, Edward Lewis going to Birmingham, where he still continues in the same business. In the spring of 1839 Burritt removed to Norwalk. Henry Bradley was then learning his trade with Burritt, and went with him to Norwalk to complete his engage- ment, returning a few years later to pursue the same business with M. Brad- ley, now in Westville, under the firm name of HI. & M. Bradley.
The merchants of the place were-Ezekiel Gilbert, store adjoining his house, corner of Main and Hill streets ; Wakeman & Stoddard,, (Uri and Thomas,) store in Kinney's Building; and Andrew DeForest, store in the building now kept by Mr. Randall. Ezekiel Gilbert afterward sold out to Humphrey & Wooster.
Jeremiah Coggswell, an Indian, was shot on Great Hill Jan. 30th, 1838, by JJames Driver, in the house of the latter. From the evidence at the ex- amination held at Moshier's tavern three days after it appeared that Coggswell was drunk and quarrelsome, and was killed in self-defence.
There was a great flood Jan. 7th, and considerable damage done to the paper-mill and other property.
Raymond French's auger factory was burned on the night of the 15th of July, 1841, but with characteristic energy he soon rebuilt.
Miles Culver built a house on the upper plains. He was a valuable member of the Congregational Church and also opened his doors to the Methodist ministers, services being frequently held in his house by Revs. Oliver Sykes and Sylvester Smith.
The Humphreysville Graveyard "Association was organized in 1842. Anything relating to the last resting places of so many of our deceased rela- tives and friends must always be an object of mournful interest and no apology is needed for copying here the concise preamble and articles of association from the Derby Records, Vol. 32, page 51.
"Whereas, B. W. Smith, Samuel Bassett and 93 others formed an Asso- ciation for the purpose of establishing a Village Grave Yard, and through Clark Wooster, Joshua Kendall and Wales French, a committee of trust, did purchase on the 26th day of Sept. 1842, one certain tract of land situated in Derby at Humphreysville bounded and described as follows, viz: Westerly on highway, southerly on land of Sarah Holbrook and John Lindley, easterly on the Nauga- tuck River, northerly on land of John Lindley, containing two and a half acres-now therefore for the well ordering of the affairs of said Association, and acting under the original articles of agreement, and in accordance with an act of the General Assembly of this state entitled an act concerning Bury- ing Grounds and places of Sepulture, approved June 2, 1842, do for ourselves and successors form a body politie and corporate under the following articles of Association, viz :-
Art. 1st. This Association shall be called and known by the name of the Humphreysville Grave Yard Association.
Art. 2nd. The tract of Land described in the foregoing preamble is hereby appropriated to be forever used and occupied as a graveyard, and for no other purpose, and each original proprietor thereof in consideration of three dollars paid by him or her shall be entitled to one family lot in said Grave Yard 12 by 21 feet, and the surplus of ground shall be held in common by this Association and may be disposed of in such manner as the Association shall from time to time direct.
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Art. 3rd. No Proprietor shall at any one and the same time hold in his own right more than five family lots in sd Grave Yard.
Art. 4th. This Association shall at any meeting called for that purpose have power to lay taxes and order the collection thereof for the purpose of defraying all needful expenses for repairs and improvements, provided that each proprietor shall be taxed according to his right title and interest in said Grave Yard.
B. W. SMITH, SAMUEL BASSETT, BURITT HITCHCOCK.
Humphreysville, Dec. 14th, 1842.
Curtis, Randall, who died Oet. 2nd, 1842, was the first to be buried in the new grave yard.
The Humphreysville Manufacturing Co. sold their paper-mill to Hodge & Co. Aug. 17th, 1843. The firm consisted of G. L. Hodge, S. Y. Beach and Samuel Roselle. Rev. Moses Blydenburg, pastor of the M. E. Church, lived on Great Hill, the Great Hill M. E. Church being then in a prosperous condition. The son of this zealous laborer in his Master's vineyard is now a prosperous lawyer in New Haven.
In '42 and '43 Anson G. Phelps and others talked of building a dam at Bryant's Plain and taking the water on the west side to Birmingham. Parties along the line of the proposed canal generally were willing to sell at fair prices, but one, a Mr. Booth, who owned considerable land in the proposed line, demanded such an exhorbitant price that the project was dropped for the time. Mr. Phelps, however, made considerable purchases on the east side of the river in and above what is now Ansonia, evidently preparing in a very quiet way for the exeention of some important undertaking which he was not fully prepared to announce.
In 1844, Raymond French, John Dwight and Timothy Dwight, under the firm name of Raymond French & Co., were manufacturing augers, chisels, plane irons, &c., in their mill at Blueville, and finding their business increasing beyond the capacity of the mill, they put up additional machinery in the building at the month of Little River. Looking about for increased facilities Mr. French went to "Kinneytown" and called on Sheldon Church, who owned considerable land along the river, and together they rowed up and down the stream, noticing the surroundings and capacity of the stream. Returning down the stream he noticed a ledge of rocks in the bed of the river. Stepping out of the boat into the water, which, was perhaps three feet in depth, he walked across, to ascertain the extent of the ledge. Finding it afforded a rock bottom nearly the whole width of the stream he immediately determined that he would build a dam there. Mr. F. immediately bought a large tract of land on both sides of the river and work commenced without delay, to the great surprise of the people in the village below, who thus saw the fruit plucked while they were talking about it. In a few days Mr. Phelps came up and in his blandest manner congratulated Mr. French on his enterprise, and wished him success. After that not a week elapsed during the building of the dam but that Mr. Phelps came up to note the progress made. As the work pro- gressed Mr. French found that the rock extended the whole width of the river, making a sure foundation ready for the superstructure. The bend at the west end was made to follow a turn of the rock. When the dam neared completion Mr. Phelps claimed a portion of the power on the ground of his owning so much land on either side where there was a fall below the dam. Mr. F. had however acquired sufficint land on the west side, as he supposed, to answer his purpose, either by actual deed or promise. Capt. Philo Holbrook
1
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1844-7]
had not yet given a deed, and probably without thinking of the effect, was induced to sell to Mr. Phelps for a trifling sum the right to flow a small stream back on his land. Mr. F. hearing of this went below Holbrook and made a purchase of William Church, from the river to the hill, and Phelps was checkmated. The result was that Phelps finally purchased the dam and appurtenances Dec. 5th, 1844, (D. R., Vol. 32, p. 53-55,) and R. French & Co. built the brick shops on the west side of Main street.
William Buffum purchased the cotton mill from the Humphreysville Manufacturing Co. July 1st, 1845, for $12,000 and the payment of $300 annually. The purchase included land 100 by 132 feet, being 50 feet on the front and rear, and 10 feet at each end of the inill, "with sufficient water to drive the water wheel in a reasonable manner for the purpose of propelling machinery to an amount suitable to the capacity of the wheel, using the water advantageously and economically," &c. D. R., Vol. 32, p. 98. Ile carried on the business until R. French & Co. sold their mill in Blueville to DeForest & Hodge, Oct. 31st, 1845, for $5,000. D. R., Vol. 33, p. 87. Portions of this property had been purchased by French & Upson of J. C. Wheeler, Nov. 21st, 1839, and Nov. 12th, 1840; and of Bassett & Smith Oct. 27th, 1843.
Some of the tradesmen of the place were-Robert J. Abbott, Apothecary and Druggist; David B. Clark, tavernkeepeer; John S. Moshier, tavern- keeper; Harrison Tomlinson, general country store; Ransom Tomlinson, dealer in meat, &c.
The first number of the Derby Journal appeared Dec. 25th, 1846, and contained the following appeal to the people of the Naugatuck Valley to aid in the construction of the Naugatuck railroad.
"The New York and New Ilaven Railroad Co. have contracted for the construction of their road, which is to be completed within the coming year.
This road will eross the Ilousatonic river a short distance above the present Washington Bridge, and from this point to Waterbury is probably from 25 to 28 miles. By following the Valley of the Naugatuck from Waterbury, or some point above, to where that stream unites with the Housatonic, and thence on the bank of that river to where the line intersects the New York road, a very easy grade would be obtained, and at a very moderate expenditure. An act of incorporation for this road was obtained in 1845, with power to commence at Plymouth or Waterbury, and to terminate at New Ilaven, Milford or Bridgeport, after passing through Derby. *
* * * Much more might be said of the wants of the Naugatuck Valley, as well as of its resources, its business, its large amount of yet unused water-power, and its enterprise, but my present object is to direct attention to the subject, hoping that those more conversant with it will engage in the cause, and especially our northern friends." Humphreysville responded by subscribing $40,000.
The Mexican War created quite an excitement here and the Humplı- reysville Greys volunteered their services to the government to aid Gen. . Taylor. The official document to muster them into service was received on the evening of Jan. 27th and read in the armory of the Humphreysville Greys, amidst much enthusiasmn. The principal officers of the company were G. W. Divine, Captain ; Charles W. Storrs, 1st Lieutenant ; Wilson Wyant, 2nd Lieutenant; W. W. Smith, Orderly Sergeant. The armory was over Ezekiel Gilbert's store and Mr. Gilbert came ont and said,-"Zach. was whipped at one time, but he didn't know it and went on and conquered, aml he will be our next president." And he was, but for some reason the com- pany did not go to Mexico. Capt. Divine had served in the Florida War, and Capts. Wyant and Smith afterward did efficient service in the war of the rebellion. Clark Ford, now a resident of Seymour, was in the 9th New England Regiment, (Thomas H. Seymour, Col.) and is said to have pulled down the Mexican colors at Chapultepec. George N. Shelton, who was for many years a resident of Seymour and engaged in various enterprises here, was
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[1847
appointed Adjutant General by the Governor in May, 1847. Ransom Gay- lord, a lawyer from Massachusetts, who had been teaching the Shrub Oak school, went to Waterbury and there enlisted as a private.
The Congregational Church was commenced in 1846, (vide, page 13,) and dedicated April 20th, 1847.
Daniel White represented Humphreysville this year in the board of selectmen of the town of Derby.
There were three heavy freshets in the spring of 1847, viz: Feb. 3rd ' and 8th, and March 20th.
The firm of French, Swift & Co. was formed in 1847, and April 5th, they bought the property on Little River, now owned by Henry B. Beecher, of James L. Spencer for $1,800. The firm consisted of Warren French, Charles Swift, John F. Marshall, Lemuel Bliss, II. B. Beecher and H. A. Radford, who were spoken of as the "six partners." A farther purchase was made from Clark Wooster Dec. 17th.
A union Sunday school celebration of the Congregational, Episcopal and Methodist churches was held the first Thursday in September. The West- ville and Bethany Sunday schools were also invited and a grand holiday was the result.
The upper dam was commenced this year by French & Dwight, and the west abutment and wall were built.
The works of French, Swift & Co. caught fire Dec. 6th, in the finishing room, and the flames spread rapidly but were subdued after considerable dani- age had been done.
Albert J. Steele sold his furniture and undertaking business Dec. 20th, 1847, to Johnson & Bassett, David Johnson selling out to E. F. Bassett a year later. The salesroom was in the building in the south angle of Main and Hill streets, with a shop on the west side of Hill street, a little above, and another with power in the rear of the sawmill, near the falls. Five years later Mr. Bassett put up the building on the east side of Hill street for a shop and salesroom.
Phonography and phonotopy was taught by Charles Randall and the study was quite popular among the young folks.
Among the members of the Humphreysville Lyceum which met in the basement of the Congregational Church in the winter of 1847-8, was Dr. Yale, a botanic physician, who went to California in the time of the gold excitement, and died there. The name of the Lyceum was changed to the Humphreysville Literary Association. Luzon P. Morris was the president. Among the leading members were J. Kendall, John W. Storrs, Jolin L. Daniels, Clement A. Sargent, George W. Divine and Henry Russell.
The cornerstone of the M. E. Church was laid June 19th, 1847, and the church was dedicated Jan. 18th, 1848. The following description of the church was published in the Derby Journal of Feb. 3rd :
The house is Gothie in design, 40 by 60 feet in dimensions, with a basement al- most entirely above ground containing a commodious lecture-room and two elass- rooms. It has an excellent toned bell of 1,150 pounds weight. The slips, the ceiling, the altar and the galleries are grained; the scrolls on the slips aro of black walnut. The base on the pulpit is painted in imitation of Egyptian marble, and the pulpit Sienna marble. The walls, above and below, are frescoed. The ascent from the base- ment to the vestibule, and from thence to the galleries, is by a spiral stairs in the steeple and turret. The windows in front, as also those in the steeple and turret, are of stained glass. The sofa, chairs and table, together with the columns for the pulpit
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lamps are of black walnut. The cost of the building is about five thousand dollars. In the afternoon of the day of dedication the slips were rented, and the Trustees will realize about $600 therefrom.
Mr. Hotchkiss, of Birmingham, was the architect ; and he is justly deserving of credit for the plan of the building-the proper proportion and beautiful symmetry of which, favorably impress almost every beholder. The writer of this is authorized to say that the building committeo and trustces ef tho church take great pleasure in giving publicity to the feeling of entire satisfaction which they entertain in reference to those who have been employed in erceting the house-by the manner in which they have acquitted themselves.
To the Builder, Mr. Amos Hine, of Woodbridge, who has shown himself to be both competent and faithful. While engaged in the construction of the house, he has apparently identified himself with the interests of those by whom he was employed.
To the Masons, Mr. Jerry Bassett and Mr. Isaac Davis, both of this village, the former for the neat and substantial wall of the basement, together with the steps, both of which are pronounced sceond to none in this region; the latter, who has done himself great eredit by the manner in which the walls were finished, in the plastering and frescoing, above and below.
To the Painter, Mr. Martin, also of this village, who in the external painting and sanding of the house, together with the internal work, has shown himself master of his business .- The work upon the pulpit was done at his own suggestion and expense, and is considered to be in excellent taste, presenting a beautiful contrast with the base, as well as the other parts of the house.
The trustees and members of the church take great pleasure in acknowledging the donation of the beautiful black walnut table, valned at twenty-six dollars, pre- sented by Mr. Albert J. Steele, of this village, the workmanship of Mr. David John- son, also of this village.
Great praise is also due to the ladies connected with the "Female Aid Society" of this ehnrch, and others who have assisted in the work, for the neat and tasteful manner in which they have furnished the church .- The carpets, the trimmings of the pulpit, the sofa, the chairs for the altar; together with the lamps, are the result of their labors, and speak much for their zeal and diligence in the cause.
While the members connected with this church congratulate themselves in having by the good hand of God, so comfortable a place in which to worship the God of their fathers, they are not insensible to the feeling of kindness and good will which has prompted members of the sister church to lend a helping hand in this enterprise. May the good Lord reward them an hundred fold, in spiritual blessings. C. S.
The strip of land west of the church, now surrounded by rows of elms and maples, was deeded to the Society, Oct. 31st, 1848, by Rev. Sylvester Smith. D. R., Vol. 35, page 215.
"Commencing at a point on the line of the highway at the corner of the land this day derded to Medad K. Tucker, and running easterly on sd highway line 3.2,8% rods to the line of this grantee, thence southerly on sd grantee's line 14,20% rods to a point on Bennett Wooster's tine close by a maple tree, thence running the south side of sd tree on sd Bennett Wooster's line 3,20% rods, thence northerly on Medud K. Tucker's line to the place of beginning, said last mentioned line being 14,24, rods, containing an area of 43 rods, hereby suring and reserving to myself the fee simple of sd land after the sd church shall fail to sustain a meeting house where their house now stands, hereby only grunting the use of sd land to sd church so long as the same shall remain in the control and direction of the trustees of stl church during the time aforcsaid solely for the accommodation of the Methodist E. Society of Humphreysville, and when the sd Society ecases to maintain sd church in the place where it now stands, then sd land is to revert to this Grantor, his heirs and assigns."
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[1847
The subject of temperance was prominent at this time and the Humph- reysville Total Abstinence Society had been organized for the purpose of holding temperance meetings and in various ways advancing the temperance cause. Mr. Isaac Losee, Sen., was the President of the Society in 1847. There were at this time five liquor-selling establishments in the place. In April of this year the officers of the Total Abstinence Society were Jolin L. Daniels, President ; Joshua Kendall and Juhus Bassett, Vice-presidents ; John W. Storrs, Secretary and Treasurer; William Tuthill, James L. Spen- cer and Charles Swift, Standing Committee.
The other Temperance Association, Rock Spring Division, No. 12, S. of T., was in a flourishing condition. In January its officers were :- Joli W. Storrs, W. P. ; Daniel I. Putnam, W. A .; William W. Steele, R. S. ; Johu Adams, A. R. S .; William B. Curtiss, F. S .; James A. Stephens, C .; David Tucker, A. C .; Charles Swift, I. S .; Perry Cadwell, O. S. In the fall they were-John W. Storrs, P. W. P .; D. J. Putnam, W. P .; JJ. A. Stevens, W. A .; John Adams, R. S .; James L. Spencer, A. R. S .; W. B. Curtiss, F. S. ; Wilson Wyant, T .; David Tucker, C .; Austin R. Pardee, A. C .; Wilson Hendryx, I. S. ; Edwin Wheeler, O. S.
The New Haven Courier in February contained the following in regard to the proposed Naugatuck Railroad, the building of which was commenced in April :
No business man can doubt but that the trade of 20 or 30,000 people is worth obtaining, or that it would be desirable to have this city a depot for the five millions worth of manufactured goods annually produced in that region. But the present trade of that valley is nothing, absolutely hothing, to what ii will, and must, be when communication is opened by means of a railroad. We have the authority of the Stato Surveyor for saying, that the facilities for manufacturing on the Naugatuck are greater than on any other stream in the State, and these facilities are not as yet half or quarter improved. Besides the Naugatuck, there is an unimproved power on the Housatonic, at Birmingham, more than twice as great as all the power at Lowell, and capitalists already have their eyes upon this, and it will be improved.
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