USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Seymour > Seymour, past and present > Part 5
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Directly west near the river is the old Humphreys woolen mill, built in 1805, and said to be the first in the country of its kind, which made the best broad cloth. The merino wool was used here. This old mill is a curiosity, having lived through the era of the develop- ment of manufacturing, The mill is long and high, with long
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SEYMOUR, PAST AND PRESENT.
THE GEN. HUMPHREYS MILL.
windows and many dormer windows. There were formerly a tower. and bell on the east end. Thomas Jefferson procured from this mill cloth for his inaugural suit.
The large house oppo- site the railroad station was built by John H. DeForest, first Presideut of Humph- reysville Mfg. Co., in 1822 for his own dwelling, a mod- el for its day in architecture, location, and comfort. The fancy woodwork compares well with the best of the present day. The rooms are high, large, cheerful, and THE DE FOREST-FRENCH PLACE. fourteen in number. Every- thing about is substantial. Also the grounds testify to the taste of the occupant, there being numerous trees and a variety including the musical pine and spruces. DeForest lived here until his death in 1839, the property then passing into the hands of Raymond
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OLD LANDMARKS, HOMES, AND FAMILIES.
French who lived here for many years. Mr. French did much toward building up Seymour industries.
The old tannery is an object of interest because of its antique looking structure, located at the east end of the iron bridge, on the bank of the river, the south part of the block of houses composed of three. It is easily to be distinguished from the others by its age, the old chimneys, and the west side which is covered with wide boards. This is what is left of the old tannery, a two story build- ing having many names associated with it, as those of Benham, Judson English, George Kirtland, and Alfred Hull. The bark mill was located by the little brook a number of rods south.
Southeast view of Humphreysville, in Derby.
SEYMOUR IN 1838-FROM BARBER'S HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS.
Deacon Isaac Kinney had a tin shop close by the east end of the bridge, south side. Dea. Isaac was known as "the salt of the earth," because of his noble and useful life. He was an active member of the Episcopal church.
On the north side of the road opposite the Kinney tin shop, (the place now being marked by cellar and river wall ) there was a store, which was built by Ezekiel Gilbert. The "Turnpike Co." gave Gilbert the right to build there, because he built the stone wall next to the river. This store was burned.
Leaving the east side of the river, one crosses the bridge below the Falls to a slight elevation which becomes a small island in high
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SEYMOUR, PAST AND PRESENT.
water, and during floods is nearly covered. The first bridge built here was before 1763.
Another was built in 1783, the money being raised by lottery, etc. The Falls bridge ordered in 1782 and begun in 1783, cost about $725.00, the money being raised by lottery tickets. There were 88 tickets sold to 33 persons, most of whom were doubtless living in this part of the town. Names:
Joel Chatfield,
Levi Johnson,
John Crawford,
Joseph Johnson, Jr.,
James Baldwin,
Gideon Johnson, Sr.,
Abiel Canfield,
Ebenezer Keeney,
Daniel Davis,
William Keeney,
Ebenezer Dayton,
Ashbel Loveland,
Enoch French,
Peter Nostrand,
Isaac Foot,
Elisha Pritchard,
Levi Hotchkiss,
David Parsons.
Moses Hotchkiss,
Polycarp Smith,
Joel Hine,
Samuel Smith,
Amos Hine,
Benjamin Twitchell,
Hiel Hine,
Benjamin Tomlinson,
Gideon Johnson, Jr.,
Ebenezer Warner,
Asahel Johnson,
Hezekiah Wooden,
Hezekiah Johnson,
John Wooster,
Turel Whittemore.
On this island there are two houses of note, the Seymour House on the south and the little dwelling on the north, a small house of one story with two windows in front. This was the house in which John Winterbottom and family lived only for a season, the summer of 1817. The daughter Ann was about eight years of age. She became the distinguished writer known as Mrs. Ann Stephens. This house has been pointed out as the birth place of Mrs. Ann Stephens; but it is not. She leaves a letter that removes all doubt and corrects the error. She tells of living in this little house next to the "Pines," a beautiful grove of white pines with scattering oaks, where she spent many a happy day through the summer, while waiting for the completion of the new house with stone foundation on the corner south of the old blacksmith shop on the hill.
Following events soon led them to move from town, and the little house was occupied by Richard Hine, who built before 1820
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OLD LANDMARKS, HOMES, AND FAMILIES.
the east part which is the same shape as the old, but about two feet higher, though not quite as long; the like of which is rarely seen in these days, though a hundred years ago more common, building on a little as the family increased. At present the house belongs to the Strapp family.
The birthplace of Mrs. Stephens is on West St. more than half a mile from the Falls, in a house standing on the south side of the road, known in late years as the Swift house. Ann was born here in
BIRTHPLACE OF MRS. ANN S. STEPHENS.
1810. This house was built in the preceding century, a story and a half, facing north, and the south roof somewhat longer than the other.
To the writer the following description was given of its appear- ance seventy-five years ago: "It was then an old red house, whose partitions inside were ceiled to the top and painted a deep red. It had the usual fire-places upon which Mrs. Stephens remembers 'warm drink was kept in a tin cup' during sickness, the cup stand- ing on the hot stone hearth. After this there was a change of own- ers and the house was clapboarded and painted white. Besides many other improvements were made costing more than to build a new house.
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SEYMOUR, PAST AND PRESENT.
While living here Ann attended school in a little red school house a little way up the road where also attended the children of Dr. Stoddard. In her "recollections," she refers both to her first home, the little red school house and those families living near. During the last visit of Mrs. Stephens to this home, she peeled some of the bark from the large maple trees, standing in front of the house, as a memento of her birthplace. They were little trees when she was a little girl living there.
The Seymour House stands on the south side of Broad St. on the bank of the river close to the bridge. It was built by John Moshier
7
11
F
SEYMOUR HOUSE.
in 1824, the main part being of stone, cemented and painted, the other additions being of wood. In its early history it became the center of great activity because of the stage route passing here, and this was one of the places for changing horses on the stage line between New Haven and Albany. Thus it continued for many years until the coming of the railway in 1849. During the period of travel by teams exclusively there were occasions when dozens of teams stopped here for the night, and like other prominent houses in those times, this was witness to exciting scenes, and strange it would be if there were no romances worthy of a longer story. For
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OLD LANDMARKS, HOMES, AND FAMILIES.
many years this was the chief tavern and hotel for this vicinity. In 1830 Ezekiel Gilbert kept tavern here for two years ; after which time, or in 1833, he occupied the house and store on the bank at the east end of the bridge. In 1835, Mar. 14, E. Gilbert bought this place of William Humphreys, which included a house, store and barn. This appears to be the location of a cellar belonging to Gen. D. Humphreys in 1812. (See Sey. Hist., p. 63. ) Again John
BY THE FALLS.
Moshier occupied the old tavern. At one time Horace Hurd owned and occupied this house. In recent years Henry A. Dunham has owned and kept the hotel, and the livery stables have been in the hands of A. B. Dunham, under whose skillful management, it has done good service. With the coming of the wheel and railroad, the hotel meets the new demands of modern days.
The Glendenning Academy is still remembered by many of our prominent people as the place of their schooling. This Academy
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SEYMOUR, PAST AND PRESENT.
was established in 1849, and occupied the old Congregational church building, which formerly stood on South Main street next north of the cemetery, later being moved to its present location, the first house down the river below the falls, now owned by John Schofield.
As the railroad had just come to town, May 14, 1849, it was thought that this locality would be a most favorable one for the establishment of an academy for the benefit of the youth in this
FALLS IHILL ..
region and neighboring towns. There were forty-seven pupils who were taught here, having the advantages of the English branches, the classics, Latin, Greek, also French and music. The academy passed through several changes into a public school, which con- tinued until the high school was built in 1884, at a cost of $45,000, which is one of the finest school buildings in the Naugatuck valley.
Across the road, on the corner of Broad and Pine streets, there is a landmark more lasting than old houses, and that is the sidewalk
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OLD LANDMARKS, HOMES, AND FAMILIES.
made of useless pins from the pin factory. This walk extends around the corner of the residence of Mark Lounsbury for more than three hundred feet. Seventy-five barrels or more of waste pins have been used in the construction of this walk. Through the process of rusting, the walk has become solid iron, and has remain- ed firm even against the force of the flood during high water in the river, which, like a torrent, sweeps through with great fury to the depth of nearly six feet.
The wide interest concerning this walk is illustrated by the "Newspaper Cutting Bureau," which offered to furnish four hundred and fifty clippings concerning this walk, published in different parts of the world.
The old elm so long admired was dying, and was cut in 1900, and a 20th century tree, the gift of Hon. Carlos French, from his land east of Walnut street, was set in its place.
THE PLANTING OF THE 20TH CENTURY TREE.
On the corner of Derby avenue and Broad street, in the trian- gle of the highways, there was planted April 30th, 1901, by the Rev. H. A. Campbell, aided by George W. Burroughs, a handsome hard maple tree four inches in diameter and twenty-five feet high. The address :
"I plant this tree in view of future years, with hopes of joy to childhood, youth or age. Wide may thy branches spread, and every season wider still ! May thy beauty grow with years ; may thy charms dispel both signs and fears, until it be that ten thousand hearts shall say with me,
" Fair tree ! for thy delightful shade 'Tis just that some return be made : Sure some return is due from me To thy cool shadows, and to thee. When thou to birds dost shelter give
Thou innsie dost from them receive : If travelers beneath thee stay Till storms have worn Themselves away.
That time in praising thee they spend. And Thy protecting power commend "
Thus, Fair Tree ! may thy years be spent the century through, into another century that shall be called new.
H. A. C.
Seymour, Conn., April 30, 1901.
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SEYMOUR, PAST AND PRESENT.
One of the old roads extended from the north over Rimmon Hill, down across Little River up past the Episcopal church, divid- ing at the four corners, one leading down Falls Hill to the ford at Broad St., the other road led south along the side of the hill, now Cedar St, down under the shadow of Castle Rock to the ford near the Henry Wooster place. There were only two houses in all the region south of the corners and below the Falls. One of these houses is where Geo. Hurlburt now lives, a substantial looking place, said to have been built by Bradford Steele, a story and a half, with rooms in the basement, situated second below the
GEORGE HURLBURT HOUSE.
old Shrub Oak schoolhouse, and the rocky ledge that extends down to the Falls. It stands on the upper road directly west of the Congregational church, and the view from this high road is one of much beauty, looking down upon the Falls, the village, and across the valley to the Promised Land. Being on the road that led to the ford, this house has been witness of many events and changes that were not recorded, and is known to have stood about the time of the Revolution. Other occupants were H. Upson and W. Buf-
OLD LANDMARKS, HOMES, AND FAMILIES. 69
fum. Hiram Upson lived here when his daughter was married to Harpin Riggs.
The other old house is on Derby avenue, near Rose street, known as the Abel Bassett, Lum, or Holloway house, and formerly stood where the road now runs, having been moved back about ten feet. The south part stands in the original form and is very old, the date 1747 being found on the stairway which was replaced by a new one many years ago. Previous to the time of Mr. Bassett, this place was owned by a slave who acquired it from his master. This house served as a tavern, being the nearest to the ford, on the west side of the river, nearly a quarter of a miile above the ford. Dancing must have been common in those days, and to aid the sweet and harsh sounds of music, BACK PORCH OF THE LUM-HOLLOWAY HOUSE. there was a mysterious sounding apparatus placed in the ceiling. It can hardly be called a sounding board. A number of bottles were imbedded in the plaster of the ceiling with their necks down three inches, and when the fierceness of the dance and music reached their height, strange sounds came from the ceiling, being sent forth from the empty bottles. Little is known about this place through its long and eventful his- tory. Like the ancient homes in general, the passing public does not even give a thought concerning the history of their past. Now the thousands of wheels pass by where more than a century ago there was only a path for the Indians and pioneers. Under the shadow of Castle Rock this house stood on the land which David Wooster bought of the Indians in 1692.
The old "Pound" for stray cattle, so well remembered by the school children of half a century ago, was located five rods south of the corner of Pine street and Derby avenue, close to the walk, with a high fence, beneath two great white pine trees. In the later period it was used as a chicken yard. Being shady and cool the cats found it good hunting ground. The chickens disappeared. One season, Philo Beecher, the owner, lost twelve chickens and
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SEYMOUR, PAST AND PRESENT.
shot thirteen cats for compensation. The pound was destroyed about 1896.
Now and then in New England, the beginning of a home is similar to the one just north of the Union cemetery. This was begun by Gipson Lum, in 1837. He was a young man, being a sea captain, and having a young family. Before he finished the house, he received an urgent call to take charge of a ship about to leave port. At first he declined because of a very strong feeling coming over him that he ought not to go. But finally he consented, much against his own will. Soon after his departure, other ships brought news of a severe storm, and Captain Lum and his ship were never seen or heard from. The place is now owned and occupied by Albert F. Warner.
Going south from the Falls the road follows the River, with hills on the right, the river on the left, and being overshadowed with trees, it is the favorite road in the region, traveled over by thousands of wheels. The first house below the woods is the early home of Jonathan Miles, 2nd, a tory ; it being on the west side sheltered by the woods and hill, a two story house but of little interest at present, except as the stopping place for the wheelmen.
Ebenezer Keeney was born in Wales, in 1718 ; came to Derby when a young man, and resided a little way southeast from Old Town until he built his house at the Landing in 1754. It was the first house at Derby Narrows, and his son, Ithiel Keeney, was the first white child born at the Landing, March 17. 1755. Ebenezer Keeney married Betsey Davis, daughter of John Davis, Jr., Decem- ber 7, 1738. Ebenezer was a man of large influence in the town and possessed great business energy and ability, as indicated by his being elected tax collector most of the time during the Revolu- tionary war. He was also appointed war inspector. He was among the number who purchased of the Indians in 1763 two and a half acres of land near the Falls, together with the Falls, for eight pounds. He also owned the land where now stands the Congrega- tional church and parsonage.
He lived in the old Canfield-Booth house on the hill, and also in a house that stood on the flat now covered by the buildings of the Copper Co. Ithiel his son was for thirty years treasurer of the town of Derby, and was said to be one of the most reliable men ever in town.
William was the ninth child of Ebenezer Keeney, born July
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OLD LANDMARKS, HOMES, AND FAMILIES.
16, 1757, and married Millie Steele. Their oldest son was Ebenezer, born Nov. 28, 1779, and married Betsy Buckingham ; their oldest child was Betsey, born Jan. 9, 1804, who married Jeremiah Durand, and their oldest child was Elizabeth, who married Edwin A. Lum.
Keeney-Kinney. Keeney is the Welsh name. The Irish name is Kinney. The greater number of the Keeneys spell their name Kinney. The correct spelling of the Welsh name is Keeney, and the spelling of the Irish name is Kinney. It will be seen that the descendants of Ebenezer Keeney are in error when spelling the name Kinney, as the greater part of them do. Kinneytown is the locality near Kinneytown falls.
The first Keeney who settled at Kinneytown, was William, who was married about 1778, becoming the father of Ebenezer, a car- penter and shipbuilder, William, a tinner, Medad, a blacksmith, Deacon Sheldon and Isaac Keeney. As the road then ran close to the side of the river, the first homestead was built facing the east, a small, one story, red house, the roof extending very low on the back side. The old cellar is still to be seen, a little northeast of the present dwelling, under the shadow of a cherry tree.
The present Keeney homestead is located near the falls, known as Kinneytown falls. The house is a large, pleasant two story dwelling with the modern appearance, with shade trees of long standing, surrounded with orchards and many comforts. The barns are on the west side of the road.
The house was probably built by Deacon Sheldon Keeney in the early part of the 19th century. Sheldon was a deacon of the Con- gregational church, and it was his generosity that provided a par- sonage by the side of the church.
The Keeney families have had a large share in the interests and welfare of the town, notably Deacon Sheldon and Deacon Isaac, whose names are still familiar to many an household.
Doubtless the fine river lands contributed much towards the prosperity of this, and the neighboring families below.
Less than a quarter of a mile below the Keeney place, there stands a large two story house, some distance back from the high- way, with the back of the house toward the street. In this last respect the house is similar to the home of Mark Twain in Hart- ford, that has the kitchen facing the main street. However, this old home was not built according to the modern fashion. But more than a hundred years ago, the house was built facing both
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SEYMOUR, PAST AND PRESENT.
the river, and road which then ran east of and in front of it. This old homestead is known as the Capt. Philo Holbrook place. Captain Philo was a man of affairs, and the old home itself would indicate no little prosperity in its best days.
CAPT. PHILO HOLBROOK HOUSE.
In 1852 a Mr. Canfield lived there, a tailor by trade, and to him many of the people brought their home-made cloth to have it cut for garments, and in many cases he finished the garments. Capt. Philo Holbrook occupied this old homestead in more recent years.
One is impressed with the dignity of this old house, located on the east side of the highway, with its little lean-to and corner porch, and the well near at hand. The picture of the old time home would have been complete, if the well-sweep had been preserved and were still in service.
Westward from the house near the Bungay road and little brook, there was formerly a cider mill, and its companion a brandy mill, but both are now in ruins.
On going south and and approaching the brook, at the foot of King's Hill, a row of large trees, maples and elms, will be seen.
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OLD LANDMARKS, HOMES, AND FAMILIES.
In the field nearly west, there once stood another old homestead of one of the Tomlinson families. One family by the name of Tucker and another by the name of Smith, also lived there. The trees are all that now remain, which would indicate the existence of this ancient landmark. Abel Church set out this row of maples and elms in the early part of the last century, and tried to sell them to the owner of the place. The house has long since disappeared. Abel Church lived just back of this house on the Bungay road, in the same home that Rector Davis, or his widow, spent their decli- ning years. The next house above on the Bungay road was long ago the home of Enos Smith, and later the home of two genera- tions of the Williamson family.
Another old building, fast becoming an old landmark, is the "Shrub Oak" schoolhouse, situated on the high rock west of the Congregational church, on Cedar street. The "Shrub Oak" dis- trict was laid out Dec. 27, 1779, and the first schoolhouse was built on north side of road back of James Swan's upper shops, near the corner of the Walter French garden, and the path leading to the shops. From this location the schoolhouse was moved to, and forms a part of the Beers house, nearly opposite of the Trinity cemetery. The third location for the Shrub Oak school was on the rock mentioned above and was built about 1850. It has been used but little since the new high schoolhouse was built, 1884, and its present deserted condition makes the old "Shrub Oak" school- house a monument of the past.
Shrub Oak was the name given at an early date to the region west of the river and Falls. Still earlier, 1702, it was known as Camp's Mortgage, a section three miles square. The origin of this last name was due to the selling of liquor to the Indians by Mr. Camp, who took a mortgage on this territory.
The houses of interest in Shrub Oak are located at the crossing of the roads, Church and West streets. Formerly the Rimmon road came down by the Episcopal church, now a part of Church street. These corners might have been well called the doctors' corners, for doctors lived here for more than 100 years.
The first physician was Samuel Sanford, coming to town about 1790, and died in 1803 at 38 years of age. He lived on the right hand corner going up the Bungay road, or West Church street. Across the road towards Castle Rock, there was a pest house for small-pox patients, in which the town took an interest.
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SEYMOUR, PAST AND PRESENT.
The house of Dr. Sanford has passed through many changes, the old part being now the west part, while the large square house in front facing the east is the work of Gen. Humphrey, at least so stated by the best authority. The Hon. John Humphreys occupied it early in the century. He was a lawyer, being called Judge. Judge John and William were nephews to the General and had charge of the woolen mill, T. Vose & Co.
Mrs. Anna Stephen says, that Judge John and his wife, called Lady Humphreys, an elegant, handsome lady, were great favorites
with the General, and were generally looked up to in the neighborhood as superior persons. The whole Humphreys family were remarkable for their personal beauty. Judge John had two daughters, Mrs. Canfield and Mrs. Pease, who were beautiful and elegant women. Judge Humphreys died in 1826, JUDGE JOHN HUMPHREY'S PLACE. and between that time and between that time and 1830 the house was adorned by A. M. Bas- sett with the preent style of architecture.
This large white house was the most conspicious on the west side of the river, pleasantly located on the corner, having large, high rooms, a generous hall, a colonial window in the attic, fancy frieze, a veranda supported by six doric columns. There were bal- ustrades on both the veranda and roof of the house. This place has lost but little of its former dignity. The more recent occu- pants were George F. DeForest, Henry Wheeler, E. E. Adams, W. A. Warner and C. S. Boies, cashier of the Valley National Bank.
Across the road to the north and on the corner was the Doctor
Johnson house built by him in 1842.
He married Hannah, the
daughter of the old Dr. Stoddard, and began housekeeping in an old house that stood back of the new one where the barns now are. This was a very old house. Its early history cannot be found, but this has been ascertained, that it was the first home of Dr. Stod- dard, who came here in 1804, and probably lived there for a num- ber of years and sent his children to the same school with Mrs.
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OLD LANDMARKS, HOMES, AND FAMILIES.
Ann Stephens, in a little red schoolhouse on the road back of James Swan's upper shops, next above Walter French house. Mrs. Stephens writes later of the good doctor making his visits going horseback. This will answer many inquiries where Dr. Stoddard lived.
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