USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Seymour > Seymour, past and present > Part 4
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D. B. CLARK
THE OLD BLACKSMITH SHOP
Woodbridge road. He was tried by the court, branded and was to wear a cord about his neck the rest of his life.
On the opposite cor_ ner stood the tavern built by Seba Moulthrop in 1812, continuing the business about twenty years, followed by David B. Clark, who wastavern keeper as late as 1846. It was a noted stopping
OLD TAVERN SIGN.
The special object of interest on the cross roads is the blacksmith shop, be- longing to Edwin or Ed- mund Page in 1798. It stands in the highway close to the roads and formerly was built on proprietors' land, or undivided land. In 1798, to avoid disputes about the location, the north side was taken out
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SEYMOUR, PAST AND PRESENT.
and replaced by a stone wall making the old shop look quite ancient. During the late years the music of the hammers has been irregular, but formerly it was a busy place, where the making of augers was carried on early in the century by Walter French, and, perhaps for half a century previous, the blacksmith may have had his shop here. The road from the shop to the Falls bridge was laid out in 1802, and the turnpike to New Haven in 1798.
Indian Hill or Promised Land, rises to the height of 220 feet, and there were no dwellings on it until long after the beginning of the present century. The first house was built by Daniel Banks Johnson for John Corey who worked in the cotton mill, the house still standing just north of the home of A. B. Dunham, on Wash- ington Ave. William Losee lived here for many years.
The second house built was the home of the late Geo. Lester, on the bank just beyond the station. This was built by Isaac and William Losee in 1841, a pleasant little one story house looking west across the valley and the Falls, and upon the busy village where once the Indian had his wigwam.
The Roman Catholic, St. Augustine's church, is located on Washington avenue on the east side of the valley. The first church was built in 1856. Under the leadership of the popular pastor, Rev. R. C. Gragan, a new church was built to meet the growing needs in 1888-9, with a seating capacity of about 600. The church is now presided over by the Rev. M. F. Rigney.
After leaving the west side of the river about 1800, Deacon Bradford Steele, Jr., built a house more than a mile southeast of the Falls, on the New Haven turnpike, at the corners where now the Johns live. This house was small, one story, and now is ancient looking. Considerable of the interior was finished in wood. Its location was well chosen, facing the east, a wide tract of land slop- ing westward, making a fine farm. Deacon Bradford was a useful man, and raised a large family. His daughter married a Holcomb who built the large house adjoining the old one, facing the north. The more recent owners were Davis and Johns. In the triangle of the roads there is room for a fine park.
This section might have been called Steele district because of families by that name. Edmund, son of Dea. Bradford, who married in 1809, built the house beyond the old blacksmith shop, at the west end of Union St., on the bank sustained by stone wall and ter- race, the entrance to the cellar being an underground tunnel from
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OLD LANDMARKS, HOMES, AND FAMILIES.
the street. The house is medium size, a story and a half, with ad- dition on south corner. A flight of steps lead to the walk and front door. The well is in the narrow space in front of the house. With the walls this place is most substantial in appearance as if to stand another century. John Burton Steele followed his father in living here until he built the place south known now as the Steele farm. Henry Wyant occupies the house described. Several other Steele families were within half a mile south, but now they are all gone. The little red house, known as the Squire's place was one, the Steele farm house another, now owned by Charles French.
THE BELL SCHOOL HOUSE.
The Bell schoolhouse was located in what was early known as the Chusetown district. It was built about 1814, the first stove was used in 1820. The two story building was cut down to one story in 1840. Many are the children who have graduated from this school to make their mark in the world, having taken a useful place among their fellow men. To them the Bell school is among the best remembered landmarks.
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SEYMOUR, PAST AND PRESENT.
The next place of interest is the First Congregational parson- age built in 1789 by Rev. Benjamin Beach, who occupied the house in March, 1790, coming from North Haven.
THE OLD CONGREGATIONAL PARSONAGE.
The parsonage stands on the corner of Pearl and Elm streets, the land being given to Rev. Beach by Isaac Johnson, who also later gave the land where stood the church. At first the house was one story, facing the north, having the appearance of comfort. It was well built and somewhat ornamented as is still to be seen about the front door. About 1830 the house was built over and made a two story house and the piazza was added later, about 1895.
Rev. Beach served the little church faithfully for 15 years, after which he moved to Milton.
The first parson of Seymour was the great grandfather of the respected citizens in town today bearing the name Beach.
Besides being a preacher, Rev. Beach was a maker of brooms, and it was his custom to give a new broom to every couple who were married by him. The church, a one story building, was built in 1791. It faced the west ; had no spire, and was never painted. As was the custom of the times, town meetings were held here, and
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OLD LANDMARKS, HOMES, AND FAMILIES
other public gatherings. In 1818 it was made into a two story building. The Methodist beginnings date back to 1797 when the first class was formed, holding meetings in houses of members and friends. There were nine members. The first members of the Methodist church were Jesse Johnson, Isaac Baldwin, Esther Baldwin, Sarah Baldwin, and Eunice Baldwin. Four other comers were soon added, George Clark, Lucy Hitchcock, Silas Johnson, and Olive Johnson.
The first church was organized and trustees elected in 1817, and the Congregational church was bought on September 22, 1818.
OLD CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, 1791-1817. METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 1817-1847.
The church was then opened for their services. The building was cold and unadorned. In 1826-7 George Kirtland organized a Sunday school. In Jan. 18, 1848, the new church was dedicated by Bishop James, being of Gothic design. This was a pleas- ant church 40x60 feet in a fine location. But with the growing industries and town, ambitions also grew, and a new church was built 1891-2, the total cost being $18,000. The old part of the church is used for Sunday school and social meetings. The new part will seat about 400. It has a sloping floor, two large windows,
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SEYMOUR, PAST AND PRESENT.
and steel ceiling. The membership is about two hundred. L. T. Wooster is one of the leading members. Rev. E. C. Tullar is the present pastor. The parsonage is close by, built in 1875.
The Dea. E. A. Lum house near the Beach parsonage, is a large, square two-story dwelling, painted white and facing the south. The front door wears an old iron knocker, the hall is small with winding stairs, the rooms large and pleasant, with ornamental woodwork. At the east end also there is a hall and a little porch.
THE NAUGATUCK ABOVE KINNEYTOWN.
It is stately in appearance, high and looks as if it had been a tavern. The architecture represents that of more than a century ago or that of the Revolutionary period. The west part of the second story was used as a ball room, but no balls have been given in recent years. The chimney is large and several fireplaces add charm to the rooms, some being in use at present. This was the home of
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OLD LANDMARKS, HOMES, AND FAMILIES.
Mrs. E. A. Lum, the daughter of Jeremiah Durand, who lived here many years. In the previous century the house was occupied by Hezekiah Johnson, who was married Dec. 12, 1784, and if he occu- pied the house at that time, it is probably that the date 1784 is about the time that the house was built.
Mr. and Mrs. Lum with their daughter Lizzie make their home a center for the many social people who gather here. Dea. Lum is the senior deacon of the Congregational church, and has in prev- ious years held many positions of trust.
THE DEA. LUM HOUSE.
One of the old French homesteads is located nearly opposite the White place on the west side of the road, a story and a half house, said to have been built and occupied by Charles French, who was married Feb. 23, 1784. For a time this was the home of Raymond French. This house is still owned by the French family.
The White home is but a little distance toward Bladen's brook beneath the shadow of the great oak, a story and a half, with homelike surroundings. Fred Peck is the present occupant. This
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house was built by Isaac White in 1831. The old John White homestead stood a little north of the present house, the location being indicated by a well. John White was a soldier in the Revo- lution. The old house was small. Daniel and Isaac were sons of John White.
Across the meadow directly east is one of the old Botsford homes, made conspicuous by its pleasant outlook and solitude, as well as the large spruce tree overshdowing it. This was the home of Samuel Botsford. The family of Charles Bay has lived here in recent years. At one time Watson, the stage man, lived here.
The old M. E. parsonage is located on the corner of Grand and Pearl streets. This is mentioned as the first local M. E. parsonage. In 1831 George Kirtland paid $110.00 for this land and gave it to the Methodist church for a parsonage lot, the house itself being built the next year, 1832. The present owner is Mr. Thomas A. Perrins.
The old Johnson homestead is located at the first house north of the Arethusa Spring Water Co., where Samuel Hawkins now lives. The old house was built by Capt. Ebenezer Johnson, during the second century past. It was a large house of the old style, facing the west, two stories in front, with a long roof in the rear. It was a red house and before its removal, looked very old, having a tumbled down appearance. Some of the children were afraid to pass it becaused they believed it was haunted. The David Johnson place, between this and the rubber mill, was formerly a part of the old Capt. E. Johnson homestead.
The first house on the right going east, on Smith street, was erected by Capt. Julius Bassett 1847. The story and a half house next to the paper mill pond was the home of Timothy Hitchcock. This appears to be the oldest house in the street. The next across the road eastward was the house of Jared Bassett, built about 1832.
The Crowther house, the last on north side of the street, was built by Capt. Wilbur W. Smith in 1849. The residence of Rev. Sylvester Smith, father of Capt. W. W., was located on the right at the east end of Smith street. This house was built by Bennet Hitchcock in 1838, and was bought by Sylvester Smith in 1840.
This being a hilly country, with three rivers to make it more so,-Little River from the northwest and Bladens Brook from the east, flowing into the Naugatuck river above the Falls, it was nat- ural for the people to build their houses at the cross roads or oppo-
OLD LANDMARKS, HOMES, AND FAMILIES.
site, making two or three in the vicinity. And if there were about twenty houses in 1740 in the vicinity of the Falls, there were eight such localities.
Bladens Brook was one of these favored localities, due in part to the water power. The Beach paper mill marks the location of one of the first fulling mills in the region. In 1799 Titus Beach bought the land and built a fulling mill.
VIEW ON BLADENS BROOK.
Johnson, French, and Chatfield were among the first to settle along Bladens Brook and north on Skokorat. The homestead of the Chatfields was on the south side of this brook, more than a mile eastward from the Falls, and one-fourth of a mile from the Milford, or Woodbridge line. The land was purchased from the proprietors of the town of Derby March 24, 1762, by Elnathan Chatfield and
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SEYMOUR, PAST AND PRESENT.
Hannah his wife. He built a saw mill and a corn mill very soon after the purchase. From Elnathan it passed to his oldest son, Joel Chat- field, 1778, who built a much larger mill on the west side, two stories in height, the first mill being only one story and a half. There was a bridge from the flume leading to the second floor of the first HOME OF JOEL CHATFIELD, AND SON LEMAN. mill, and two steps enabling one to pass to the second floor of the new mill. In the new mill there was machinery for grinding wheat and rye for flour. The stones were from France, and were among the earliest import- ed into this country. In 1782 he built the double house now stand- ing and married Ruth Stoddard of Woodbury, Conn., the next year. Among their seven children were Leman who lived on the old homestead, and Joel R. who lived on the Skokorat road to be mentioned later, and lived to be 90 years of age.
The old Chatfield house was large and roomy, with a two story ell on the northeast corner, facing the south and highway. Its ap- pearance is very old looking, especially when shaded by a large spruce tree. Mrs. Chatfield was a progressive woman, who wanted something better than pewter or heavy yellow dishes, so she made an engagement with a sea-captain to get her a set of genuine china- ware direct from China, paying for the same in advance with the product of the farm. After many months the coveted crockery came, to her satisfaction. Though doing good service for many years there are now but two or three pieces remaining, being in the possession of Miss Mary Chatfield.
The original tract of land, or the first purchase made by Elnathan Chatfield, contained four and one half acres, located be- tween the brook and highway, beginning one eighth of a mile from the Milford or Woodbridge line.
The old mill stood north of the house, but nothing now remains except the stone foundation and the embankments of the canals. After grinding was discontinued, the next industry was the making of plow beams and handles. The handles were turned, steamed
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OLD LANDMARKS, HOMES, AND FAMILIES.
and bent, and shipped to New York city. This industry was con- ducted by Jason and Burrett Skeeles until 1832. The next indus- try was that of clock making conducted by Burrett Hitchcock until 1836. The next was the making of the wooden heads for white- wash brushes, a business conducted by Rufus Hine 1837, which was the last work done in the old mill.
Skokorat-where is Skokorat ? It is the large, broad hill 420 feet high, north of Bladens Brook. The Indian name was Scucurra, or Snake Hill. A number of fine farms are now on this hill, it being the locality first occupied by the pioneers.
This hill slopes gradually southward, and near the foot where now Howard Chatfield lives, there came one of the first settlers, Benajah Johnson, in 1728, who was married to widow Sarah ( Brew- ster) Hawkins. Oct. 10, of the same year. He has been mentioned in history as building the first house in Seymour, but there was a Mr. Riggs near Pinesbridge, beside the Henry Wooster place, al- ready mentioned and Miles in 1724 on the Bungay road. In 1750 Johnson built another house just north of the present Chatfield house, and directly opposite William Gilyard, which was torn down before 1880. Benajah was the first of the many Johnsons of this region, they having come from the prominent families in lower Derby. Stiles Johnson, so prominent in the Methodist church, lived here about one hundred years later. Isaac Johnson had for sons, Jesse and Stiles Ist, the latter had a son Stiles who lived on the old homestead on Skokorat and was a leading Methodist.
For situation scarcely a better one could be found, and here the lonely couple lived with only a path leading out of the wilder- ness to the civilization a few miles down the Naugatuck river. For 12 years they were without neighbors, until 1740 when Israel French secured land and built a house where now stands the home of William Gilyard, across the path west of B. Johnson. Israel French married Sarah Loveland September 11, 1739. Portions of this first house of Israel French were doubtless used in the present dwelling of Mr. Gilyard,- - the Gilyard family coming from England 1807.
The outlook over the country from this place is beautiful and charming. The land is productive. The moss covered orchards, further up the hill, with age resting upon them, bear witness to the past generations, that have gathered many harvests. To the pres- ent generation there is some wonder as to what use these great
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SEYMOUR, PAST AND PRESENT.
orchards served; the answer is given by the old brandy-mill that belonged to many of the old estates generations ago, and was one of the thriving New England industries, but very few of these mills remain to the present day. During or at the close of the civil war, legal restrictions were placed upon all cider brandy mills.
DANIEL HOLBROOK OR JOEL R CHATFIELD HOMESTEAD.
Near one of these old moss covered orchards in Skokorat there stands another old house of two stories facing the west with the overhanging upper story. This house stands back from the road, having a number of large maple trees in front. It is shingled on the sides and very brown with age. As one approaches in dusk of the evening, one might think the grove a good place for the witches to frolic.
This house was built by Col. Daniel Holbrook for his son Daniel who was married 178 -. For many years it was the home of Joel R. Chatfield, until his death, having lived to be very aged, 90 years. Died Feb. 4, 1894. The interior arrangement of rooms shows the
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OLD LANDMARKS, HOMES, AND FAMILIES.
lack of skill and plan, due in part to the great chimney, as did many of the oldest homes, yet the common room was convenient, and there were comforts in those days amid great trials.
Other old houses on Skokorat have been replaced by modern houses, thus removing many of the ancient land marks, if not the ancient bounds. The distance from the Falls is about a mile and three quarters.
A tradition is sometimes referred to concerning a thoughtful youth who longed to get away from Scucurra, or Skokorat, because it was such a lonesome place, and if he should die, he did not want
THE JOHNSON-MERRICK-STORRS PLACE.
to be buried there, because he feared when the trumpet was sounded for the resurrection, it could not be heard as far away as Scucurra, and he would be left behind.
From Bladens brook the road runs north, called North street, and nearly opposite the west end of Gilyard street, there was for- merly an old house belonging to the French family. One of the occupants was Israel French, who built the house on the old foun- dation, now the home of the Howis family. From the location, this old homestead appears to have been a part of the estate of the first Israel French who settled on the west side of the Skokorat road.
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SEYMOUR, PAST AND PRESENT.
Still further north on the same street, on the corner of Nichols street, there is another of the Johnson homesteads. In recent years the place is known as that of the Ashbel Storrs place. Two generations before it belonged to Capt. Josiah Merrick ; still earlier it was probably built by Benajah, or Isaac Johnson, a large old style house with two stories in front and one in the rear, very similar to the Tomlinson house on Rockhouse Hill and also to the Samuel Botsford house. on the Bungay road. This was the home of Isaac Johnson, who first owned the land upon which was built the Congregational parsonage and where now the Methodist church stands. In later years Isaac Johnson became a Methodist.
Capt. Josiah Merrick came to Seymour from New Haven about 1825-30, and in 1838 tore down the old house and used many of the timbers in constructing the new house, still standing beneath the peaceful shade of the maples. During the destruction of the old house some shackles were found with which the Rev. Jesse John- son, son of Isaac, was confined during periods of insanity, a meth- od which was used during the days before asylums were establish- ed. Besides this homestead Capt. Josiah Merrick bought of the Johnsons the tract of land extending to the river including the pres- ent Seymour Park. By inheritance this farm came from Capt. Jo- siah Merrick to his grandson, Geo. H. Merrick, the father of Mrs. H. D. Northrop, and by him was sold to Raymond French. The last occupant was Ashbel Storrs.
Capt. Josiah Merrick was born in Harwich, Mass., in 1766, died in 1845, and was buried in Seymour. He was a communicant of Trinity church. He descended from William who whs born in Wales 1603, and emigrated to America in 1636, and for six years served under Miles Standish in the Colonial Militia, as ensign. In the "Merrick Lineage" the family is said to have descended from both the princes of Wales of the Welsh royal family, and of the English royal family from King Edward I. As early as the 6th cen- tury the line was established in North Wales. At the coronation of Henry VIII, Apr. 25, 1509, Merrick was a Captain of the guard and by order of the King the name Merrick became one of the first surnames in Wales. On the coat of arms there was this motto of the Welsh Merricks; "Without God nothing; God and enough."
Between the Rimmon and Mud brooks that flow into Rimmon pond on the east side, against the bank, there was an old log-house belonging, in early days, to the Davis family. Daniel was one who
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OLD LANDMARKS, HOMES, AND FAMILIES.
had sons named Daniel and Reuben. In that locality wolves and rattlesnakes were abundant, and by some means Reuben discover- ed a cure for rattlesnake bites, but he never would reveal the sec- ret, except to his son, who finally died without giving it to the world.
BY RIMMON POND, NEAR THE WOLF PIT.
Just west of Rimmon brook, on the crown of the hill, a wolf-pit was dug by the early settlers for the purpose of catching wolves. A large pit was dug in a bed of clay, a sheep placed in it, then cover- ed over lightly with brush. From five to seven wolves have been caught at one time in this pit. The place has been marked in re- cent years by a depression in the soil, in the center of which there was growing a butternut tree.
A little distance up Rimmon brook there is still to be seen the foundation of a mill, that received its water supply from the region of the present icehouse of M. E. Wheeler.
At the very foot of Rock Rimmon on the south, where now lives A. E. Wheeler, there was found in 1892 an old cellar of long dura-
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SEYMOUR, PAST AND PRESENT.
tion while men were digging for a new cellar. Though having long been covered with earth, the stones of the old cellar wall still stood upright from two to three feet on all sides except the north side
ROCK RIMMON.
towards the rock, there was a stone about twelve feet long and nearly the height of a man in its widest part, the cellar being about twelve by fifteen feet. Within this stone enclosure there were also found shells and rude pieces of crockery, so called. This may have been one of the cellars referred to in 1685, soon after the first division of the lands. The arrangement of stone upright recalls the old-time method of the use of stone in the building of the hum- blest dwellings.
On the eastern slope of Rock Rimmon, many years ago, there lived a slave named Brister or Bristol, at one time belonging to Alexander Johnson, who remembered being stolen from the coast of Africa when a little boy, but lived to spend his last days beneath the shadow of Rock Rimmon. (Rock Rimmon in the Holy Land is where six hundred Benjamites took refuge to escape slaughter. ) Judges 20 : 45 : "And they turned and fled toward the wilder- ness unto the rock of Rimmon."
The Record office on Main street, the second building south of the station, is one of the old landmarks still standing in the heart of the village. Probably a Mr. Mix built this house about 1790. The Benhams came here in 1817. While there have been many occu- pants, the most noted was the Benham family, that had twin boys, who in after years were among the most wealthy men of Bridge-
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OLD LANDMARKS, HOMES, AND FAMILIES.
port. Being masons by trade, they built up a large business that was exceedingly profitable. In their declining years they occupied the house on Great Hill back of the schoolhouse, spending the sum-
THE CAPT. ROBBINS HOUSE, NOW THE OFFICE OF THE SEYMOUR RECORD.
mer days with delight amid those solitudes. Further reference will be made to the Benham home.
"The Robbin's Nest" said a young man, "I know where there is a Robbins' nest with ten young Robbins in it."
Capt. Robbins followed the sea, and his family lived in the old- est house on Main street, known as Robbins' Nest, now occupied by The Record office, W. C. Sharpe, editor. There were nine daughters in the family, and some living at present remember the good times at the "Robbins' Nest." In the attic was a loom where Mrs. Robbins wove carpets. Previous to the extension of the rail- road, 1849, the Robbins' garden was famous for growing the most beautiful flowers. At present none of the family reside here.
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