USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Waterbury > The history of Waterbury, Connecticut; the original township embracing present Watertown and Plymouth, and parts of Oxford, Wolcott, Middlebury, Prospect and Naugatuck. With an appendix of biography, genealogy and statistics > Part 38
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with such men as Nathaniel Smith, Roger Minot Sherman and David Daggett. He thought honesty and capacity the important qualifications of a public officer. Demagogues and trading politicians he despised. He flattered nobody ; never laid aside his principles for a temporary advan- tage ; never shaped his opinions to the company he was in. For these reasons, he was not popular with the masses. Nor were his manners calculated to ingratiate him with the multitude. Those who knew him well liked his plain blunt way ; but others were repelled by it.
Judge Bronson was a friend of order. Slip-shod ways-looseness in business, or statement, or opinion, or faith, he could ill tolerate. He liked to see everything done in an orthodox and proper manner ; or in other words, " according to law." Though not particularly attached to forms and never blinded by them, he still liked " the good old ways." When it was proposed, thirty years ago, to warm the old meeting house by stoves, he opposed it. When, ten years later, in consequence of the new fashions having crept into the place, a general wish was expressed that the congregation should sit in prayer and stand during singing, he objected to the change mildly-saw no reason for it, and became a non- conformist. Thenceforth, he stood when others sat, and sat when others stood. At first, a few old people kept him company ; but at length, he was alone. IIe took no pride in being singular, but was not afraid to be so. Once, in a fit of abstraction, he stood during the reading of the chapter, but this did not discourage him. He always went to " meet- ing," and the appearance of his bolt, upright form, near the pulpit, dur- ing the first prayer, will never be forgotten. IIe united with the church of which his father, grandfather and great grandfather had been dea- cons, in Jan. 1833. He was himself made a deacon, in 1838, which office he held six years and then resigned.
In person, Judge Bronson was tall, in early life straight and athletic, about six feet high, with sunken eyes, shaggy eye brows, a capacious forehead and a swinging gait. He had a good constitution, and with few exceptions, enjoyed uninterrupted health. In September, 1850, he was taken slightly ill, first with a boil upon the knee. This was follow- ed by erysipelatous inflammation. IIis fine physical powers gradually gave way, and he died Dec. 11th, 1850.
ENOS BRONSON
W as the eldest son of Eli and Mehitable (Atwater) Bronson, and was born in that part of Waterbury, since called Middlebury, March 31, 1774. Ile was first cousin of Isaac Bronson, the financier and banker. Somewhat late in life, he became connected with Yale College and
Isvued Hotimes
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graduated with distinction in 1798. I have examined in manuscript what appear to have been some of his college exercises in composition. They evince the same clearness of diction and thought which distinguish- ed his writings later in life. After leaving college, he commenced the study of law; but in the summer of 1799, I find him in Philadelphia. He taught there, for a time, the old Episcopal Academy. Conceiving the idea of starting a political paper, he entered into a very free and some- what protracted correspondence with President Dwight on the sub- ject. As a result, the United States Gazette of Philadelphia was estab- lished, and he became its editor *- a position which he occupied till his death. His manifesto, or declaration of principles, was published March 5,1801.
Under Mr. Bronson's management, the Gazette became the leading newspaper of Philadelphia, and exercised a powerful influence through- out the country. The editor was a strong Federalist, bold and fearless in the expression of his opinions. Early in his career, he used to write to President Dwight for counsel and advice. The President, in reply, counseled prudence. In a letter, under date of February 26, 1801, he said-" I advise you to avoid exposing yourself to a prosecution. There is reason to believe that measures of this nature will, not reluctantly, be pursued ; and it will be necessary for a young writer to be more cautious than usual. I advise you, also, by all means, to do full justice to the [incoming] administration, and to commend it whenever truth will permit."
The day after Mr. Jefferson's inauguration, (March 5, 1801,) Mr. Bronson came out with some remarks addressed to his " readers," con- ceived in the spirit of Dr. Dwight's recommendation. He promised to make no factious opposition to the new President-" Should Mr. Jefferson [he said] commence his administration with a view to support the constitution in its genuine spirit and energy, and to uphold the sys- tem established and pursued by WASHINGTON with so much honor to the country, the Federalists will join hand and heart with him and sup- port him against the machinations of those unprincipled demagogues who have already reviled and belied the character and administration of WASHINGTON, and are now struggling to raise themselves to wealth and importance upon the ruins of the government itself."
Mr. Bronson was an earnest Federalist and able political writer. He found occasion to oppose Mr. Jefferson's administration, and he did it
* The name of the business firm was, for a time, Bronson & Chauncey. Mr. Chauncey's name was not in the firm in 1805.
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with a will. He denounced the Democratic party and its leaders, in unmeasured terms. He was a master of irony, sarcasm and invective, and was not always free from personalities. About the time of the declaration of war against Great Britain, party spirit ran higher, per- haps, than has since been known in this country. In Baltimore, a riot occurred, and the printing office of a Federal newspaper was destroyed. Mr. Bronson's office was threatened with a similar fate. He received many anonymous letters, warning him of his danger. Some were from enemies threatening to serve him as some of his party in Baltimore had been served, if he did not desist from his abuse of the administration and the Democratic leaders. Others, apparently friends, counseled moderation and discretion. These letters, gathered into a bundle and inclosed in a wrapper, are now before me. On the wrapper is written, in the hand of the receiver, " Good Advice, or wholesome Les- sons on Prudence." On one occasion, the Gazette office was threaten- ed, and a night appointed for its destruction. On that night, Dr. Chap- man, Charles Chauncey, Horace Binney, Dr. Bird Wilson, John B. Wallace, Thomas Biddle (all intimate friends of Mr. Bronson) and others are stated to have stood guard in and around the menaced build- ing, prepared to resist an attack.
Mr. Bronson wrote with great vigor and directness, in a pure, lucid and simple style, wielding old Saxon with great effect. In reference to his habits of composition, Dr. Nathaniel Chapman is affirmed to have said that his editorials were written in his office, while he was surround- ed by friends engaged in political discussions, in which he would at in- tervals join. When the printer's devil came down for more copy, he would tear off the sheet on which he was writing, at the last word, sel- dom finding it necessary to make the smallest correction. Dr. Chap- man was his family physician, and told a friend that he was the only yankee he ever knew who never learned the value of money.
Soon after Mr. Bronson became connected with the Gazette, the office issued, under his supervision, an edition of William Roscoe's Life of Lorenzo de Medici. One object of the undertaking was to cultivate in the American mind a taste for literature and history. The publica- tion led to a correspondence with Mr. Roscoe, and to the subsequent issue from the Gazette office of an edition of Leo X, by the same author. The correspondence, which is in my possession, is honorable to both parties.
Mr. Bronson married, in Philadelphia, Mary White, a daughter of the late Bishop White, by whom he had five daughters and two sons. But two of them are now living; one the widow of the late Professor
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H. Reed who was lost in the Arctic; the other the Rev. William White Bronson, an Episcopal clergyman, now of Reading Ridge, Conn.
The subject of this notice died April 17, 1823. Immediately after- wards, the following notice appeared in the Baltimore Chronicle :
" Then burst a noble heart." It was with peculiar and painful awakening of old reminiscences, while turning over the Philadelphia papers of yesterday morn- ing, that we discovered the death of Enos Bronson announced, formerly the editor of the United States Gazette. Under an extreme coldness of manner, amounting almost to an appearance of apathy, dwelt a warm and benevolent heart, alive to all the tender impulses, blended with uncommon boldness and decision. His char- acter reminds us of those tracts of mountainous country described by geogra- phers, where, passing from the region of frost and snow, we discover verdure, glit- tering cascades, and all the forms of vernal beauty. Misfortune could make him wretched, but could not make him dishonest. His manner, his countenance, his personal appearance, are brought so forcibly to our fancy, that it requires some effort to believe him now a cold, motionless, speechless corpse, slumbering be- neath the sods of the valley.
DEA. JAMES BROWN
Was a son of Stephen and Eunice (Loomis) Brown, and was born in Windsor, Dec. 2, 1776. He learned of his father the trade of a black- smith, and at the age of twenty-one, removed to Canton, where he re- mained one year. He then came to Waterbury and made an engage- ment with Lieut. Ard Welton, who manufactured fire arms in the Saw- mill Plain District, at the place now or recently owned by Sherman Bronson. After about two years, he removed into the village, where he labored at his trade the remainder of his life.
Mr. Brown in early life connected himself with a military company, and finally became the colonel of his regiment. Ile was an original partner in the third rolling mill which was erected in Waterbury, in 1830, afterwards known as the Brown & Elton Co., and continued in the connection till his decease. He was a member of the first Congre- gational church and was made a deacon in 1818. He was also a mem- ber of the masonic order.
Dea. Brown was remarkable for his truth, industry and sobriety. He was a most exemplary man, faithful in all the relations of life. Long after his frugal habits and success in business had secured him a compe- tency, he continued to labor in his calling, believing he could thus best fulfill the ends of existence. He was a constant attendant upon the services and duties of the church, with which he was connected thirty years. He died in 1848.
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CALVIN BUTLER
Was born in Wolcott, Oct. 6, 1772; removed in childhood with his parents to New Marlborough, Mass. ; entered Williams College in 1795, but took a dismission at the end of sophomore year ; read law at Nor- walk with Edmund Akins and Augustus Pettibone, Esquires; was ad- mitted to the bar of Litchfield County in December, 1799 ; commenc- ed practice in North Canaan, Conn., but removed in February, 1801, to Bristol, and in 1806, to Plymouth ; was a state representative several times in 1815 and afterwards ; was a member of the constitutional con- vention in 1818 ; a state senator in 1832 ; judge of probate from 1832 to 1842, and a judge of the Litchfield County Court in 1839. He died several years since.
REV. AARON DUTTON,
The son (the youngest of nine children) of Thomas and Anne (Rice) Dutton, was born in that part of Waterbury, which is now Watertown, May 21, 1780. He pursued his classical studies under the direction of Rev. Azel Backus of Bethlem ; graduated at Yale College in 1803; was instructed in Theology by President Dwight ; was licensed to preach in Oct. 1805, and ordained Dec. 10, 1805, as pastor of the First church and society in Guilford. He resigned his charge June 8, 1842, mainly on account of a difference of opinion between himself and his people on slavery. He was a member of the Corporation of Yale College from 1825 till his decease.
A few months after his separation from his people, he went, in the . service of the Home Missionary Society, to Iowa, (then a Territory,) and was invited to settle over the church and society of Burlington. When about to return to New England to make arrangements for a permanent removal to the West, he was taken sick. He reached New Haven with difficulty, and had a long and dangerous illness, from which he never completely recovered. He died in June, 1849, and was buried in the midst of his former people in Guilford. His wife, Dorcas, «(daughter of Samuel Southmayd of Watertown,) to whom he was mar- ried in April, 1806, died in Sept. 1841.
Mr. Dutton was an earnest, faithful and fearless man, respected among the churches, and true in all the relations of life. He was an early and consistent friend of temperance and emancipation, and was ready to suffer, if need be, in the discharge of what he esteemed his duty. He published a few sermons, and was a contributor to the old Christian Spectator.
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REV. MATTHEW RICE DUTTON,
The son of Thomas, and the grandson of Dea. Thomas Dutton, was born in Watertown, (Westbury parish,) June 30, 1783. When about eleven years of age, his father removed to Northbury parish, and thence in two years more, to Northfield, in the town of Litchfield. At the age of seventeen, he entered the law office of Ephraim Kirby of Litchfield; but in consequence of bad eyes and broken health, he was obliged to abandon his studies. He afterwards changed his plans and concluded to enter Yale College, where he graduated with high honor, in 1808. He then took charge of the Academy in Fairfield, and after a year joined the Theological Seminary of Andover. From 1810 to 1814, he was a tutor in Yale College, suffering severely all the time from weak eyes.
Mr. Dutton was ordained pastor of the church in Stratford in the autum of 1814, where he remained, universally beloved, till his election to the professorship of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy in Yale College, in the fall of 1821. He accepted the appointment, and devoted himself with ardor to his duties. Mathematics was his favorite study. His constitution, always delicate, was not equal to his labors. "The hours of sleep were spent, apparently with great satisfaction to himself, in solving difficult theorems in Mathematics, or abstruse questions in Metaphysics. No physical machinery could have lasted long under such constant pressure."* His physical powers were soon prostrated, and he died in July, 1825. His funeral sermon was preached by Professor Fitch.
Professor Dutton was married, soon after he became a pastor in Strat- ford, to Maria, daughter of Dr. Asa Hopkins of Hartford, by whom he had two sons. His widow and sons still survive.
ALMON FARRELL.
He was the son of Zeba Farrell of Waterbury. He learned of his father the trade of a mill-wright, and for many years was the leading mill-wright, machinist, engineer, builder and contractor, in his line, in the Naugatuck Valley. There is probably no man in the State who has superintended the construction of so many first class mills and man- ufacturing establishments. He was noted for the strength and perma- nency of his work. Monuments of his skill may be seen in Waterbury, Seymour, Ansonia, Birmingham, Plymouth Hollow, Wolcottville, Bris- tol, Westville, Pequonnock, Newtown, &c. At the time of his death, he
* See Sprague's Annals of the American Pulpit.
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had a large contract in Chicago, Ill. Whatever he put his hand to was carried throughi successfully ; not always inexpensively, but with good judgment and thorough workmanship.
Mr. Farrell was a self-taught man, whose success was owing to his own native genius, and whose services in building up the manufactur- ing interests in his native town and the Naugatuck Valley could hardly have been dispensed with. He died in the prime of life and the midst of his usefulness, May 31, 1857.
DEA. THOMAS FENN,
The son of Thomas Fenn, was born in Wallingford in 1735, and removed to Westbury in early life with his father. April 19, 1760, he married Abi, (or Abiah,) daughter of Richard Welton of Waterbury, by whom he had six sons and two daughters. He was a captain in the Revolu- tionary war, and a representative, first from Waterbury and next from Watertown, in all, thirty-five sessions, beginning in 1778. He was also a justice of the peace and a deacon of the Congregational church of Watertown for many years. Through a long life he was an influen- tial and much respected citizen. He died Aug. 1, 1818.
EBENEZER FOOTE.
IIe was the eldest son of Capt. John Foote by his second wife, Mary Peck. He was born in Westbury, July 6, 1773, on the farm on which his grandfather, Dr. Thomas Foote, first settled in 1736, which his father owned and which still remains in the family, being now in the possession of Hubert Scovill. His father was an industrious and successful farmer, . and died July 5, 1809, aged 66 years. His eldest sister by the same mother married Thomas J. Davies of Watertown, aftewards of St. Law- rence County, N. Y., who were the parents of the first wife of the late William H. Scovill of Waterbury. His next younger brother, John, re- ceived a liberal education, was a man of brilliant parts, studied the pro- fession of law, which he had not health to pursue, and died at his father's house in 1806, aged 31.
Ebenezer worked on the farm till he was twenty years of age, it being the intention of his father that he should be the farmer of the family. At this time, however, he changed his purpose. He desired to acquire an education and to enter the legal profession, his brother John, at that period, expecting to become a minister. His parents did not oppose his wishes, and after the farm work of the season was over, in the fall of 1792, he went to Cheshire and began his classical studies under the di- rection of the Rev. John Foot, the Congregational minister of that town,
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with a view of joining the sophomore or junior class of college For nearly two years he devoted his time to these studies, and to teaching school for the purpose of paying expenses. Finding it required a large share of his time to earn the means of support, and that a regular col- lege course would delay, for several years, the period of his entering the profession, he concluded to abandon the studies he was then pursuing, and to enter at once his chosen pursuit. Accordingly, he joined the celebrated law school in Litchfield, then under the charge of the Hon. Tapping Reeve, with which he was connected two years, though he was obliged still to devote a part of his time to school-keeping. In Decem- ber, 1796, he was admitted to the bar of the State of Connecticut, and removed to Lansingburgh, Rensselaer Co., N. Y. In the ensuing Feb- ruary he sold the land which his father had given him on reaching his majority, and which he had reserved for an emergency, and devoted the proceeds to the purchase of an outfit for professional life.
After the study of a few months, or in Nov. 1797, he was admitted to the Court of Common Pleas of Rensselaer County, and soon after to the other and higher courts of the State. " A strong constitution, a large and vigorous frame, a full and manly voice, a mature intellect, a ready and rough wit, together with uncommon self-reliance, fitted him for success in the profession he had chosen," and he obtained it at once. He early acquired the confidence of the old Republican party of his adopted State, and became an active and influential member of it. In consequence of the friendship and intimacy which existed between him and the late Chief Justice Spencer, the ruling spirit of the party at that day, his political opponents used to call him " Spencer's Foote." As early as 1801, Mr. Foote had acquired considerable reputation in his profession, and attracted the notice and obtained the friendship of Gov. George Clinton. So high an estimate did the Governor put on his tal- ents and worth, that in August of the year named he caused him to be appointed assistant attorney-general for the district comprehending the counties of Rensselaer, Columbia and Greene. The duties of this office, requiring high professional talents, Mr. Foote discharged for several years, and with entire satisfaction to the public.
In process of time, Mr. Foote removed to Troy, the shire town of the county, and more advantageously situated for business than Lansing- burgh. Soon after his change of residence, he entered into copartner- ship with John Bird, Esq., which lasted for several years. The early death of Mr. Bird, a gentleman of brilliant intellect and finished scholar- ship, dissolved it. After that, Mr. Foote pursued his profession alone for some time; but, finding that his extensive practice in the courts render-
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ed it impossible to give the requisite attention to the attorney's business in the office, he formed a new connection. Thenceforth, he acted as counselor and advocate, his partner staying in the office performing the duties of attorney and solicitor. They did a large and very prosperous business. In 1808, however, the partnership was dissolved, and Mr. Foote removed to Albany, the capital of the State, on account of the greater facilities it afforded for the practice of his profession. There he continued till his death, having generally a junior partner in his office. During this period, he took an active part in politics, and was an ardent and able supporter of the principles of his party. He wrote for the press, and his influence as a politician kept pace with his professional reputation. On one occasion, he was a prominent candidate for Uuited States Senator, with a prospect of election ; but his friends did not suc- ceed in their object.
In July, 1814, Mr. Foote attended the Circuit Court of Rensselaer County, held in Troy, and was engaged in several important trials. His temperament was ardent and the weather unusually warm. A bilious fever came on, perhaps as the consequence of over-exertion. He return- ed home, obtained medical aid, and nothing serious was apprehended for several days. But on the fourth or fifth day of his illness, the dis- ease began to assume an alarming aspect. It terminated fatally, after a violent and painful struggle, which his robust constitution maintained for hours, on the 21st of the month and twelfth day of his sickness.
Mr. Foote was a large man, full six feet in height, with a well formed, muscular and manly frame and a good constitution.
Mr. Foote had a strong and active mind, and " had he enjoyed the advantages of an early and thorough education, would have had few equals in this country. As he was, he had no superiors in the State of his adoption in those contests at the bar where ready wit, strong and discriminating judgment, powerful reasoning and great intellectual re- sources were essential to success. He excelled particularly in trials be- fore juries. He wrote as he spoke, with vigor and wit, but without the elegance or polish of a finished scholar. A brief notice like the present will not permit a reference to any of the important causes in which he was engaged, nor extracts from his speeches, many of which were pub- lished in the newspapers and pamphlets of the day, nor even a recital of the many anecdotes told of him, but which show the force and brilliancy of his unpolished but exhaustless and spicy wit."
Mr. Foote had a warm and generous heart, and was more ready to help his relations and friends than provide for himself. He was liberal to a fault. He contributed freely in aid of his brother, Samuel Alfred ,
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in obtaining an education ; and though the latter afterwards repaid his advances with interest, they were not made with the expectation of any return.
Mr. Foote's name deserves to be mentioned in connection with the Albany Female Academy, which has long been one of the most impor- tant institutions of the kind in this country. It was established in Feb- ruary, 1814, under the name of "Union School in Montgomery street." Mr. Foote started the project and obtained most of the subscriptions .*
REV. LUTHER HART,
The son of David and Hannah (Hudson) Hart, was born in Goshen, Conn., July 27, 1783. His parents were persons of worth and respect- ability, and his mother a woman of a superior mind, descended from a family of Long Island. In childhood, he was distinguished for his fond- ness of books, his facility of learning and his love of music. In his sixteenth year, he became religious, joined the church in Torrington, where the family then resided, and felt a desire to enter the ministry. The expense, however, was an effectual barrier to his desires; and he remained, contentedly, at home, and learned of his father the trade of a house-carpenter. In the mean time, he became familiar with the rudi- ments of an English education, and obtained an intimate knowledge of men and things-of human nature, as seen in the affairs of common life -of which clergymen, as a class, are lamentably deficient. His trade he never forgot. He continued to exercise his skill as a worker in wood through life-during his early and preparatory studies, for the profit, and at a later period, for exercise and recreation. Only a few months before his death, he put his house in complete repair, making several alterations to add to its convenience, and doing the work mostly with his own hands.t
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