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 56
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In 1844, Rev. A. Darrow was called to the pastorate, who continued to fulfill its duties till 1847. In 1845 the church was revived, and nineteen added by bap- tism through his labors. In October, 1847, Rev. N. M. Perkins became pastor of the church, and continued to labor with great acceptance for six years. During his labors, the means and influence of the church were greatly extended, and forty-one were added to it by baptism. He resigned in April, 1855, and was suc- ceeded by Rev. Joseph A. Bailey, with whose labors the church is still favored. In him the church is now most happily united, and through him has been greatly prospered, both in a large increase to the congregation and the addition by bap- tism of forty-seven to the number of its members. The present number of members is two hundred and thirty-one.
556
HISTORY OF WATERBURY.
THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN WATERBURY.
Of the early history of Methodism in Waterbury, but little is now known. It is remembered, however, by some now living, that as early as the year 1796 there were a few of this then despised persuasion residing in different parts of the town, mostly near what is now its easterly boundary. Bishop Asbury, in his Journal, under date of Sept. 23d, 1796, mentions passing on his way from East Hartford to Stratford, through Waterbury, Salem and Oxford, and of preaching at Waterbury in the "Separate meeting house." The location of this meeting house the writer has not been able to ascertain.
Again, the Bishop, recording his attendance at a quarterly meeting at Litch- field, Sunday, Aug. 3d, 1800, says : "On Sunday morning we had a living love feast. Some from Waterbury were fervent in spirit, serving the Lord." The names of these fervent Christians so worthy of special notice are not handed down to us. A " class" was formed of those residing in the east part of the town, but such of its members as were not scattered by removal or death afterward united with a little society organized in Prospect.
The present Society was organized in the summer of 1815, at the house of James Wheeler, about half a mile above Waterville, by the Rev. Samuel Cochran, then preacher in charge of the Litchfield Circuit. It consisted of only five per- sons, viz : James Wheeler and wife, Samuel R. Hickox and wife, and Azuba Tut- tle. The little band held their meetings during the first year at the same house, having preaching once in two weeks on Tuesday evenings. Reverends Billy Hibbard and Smith Dayton were colleagues with Rev. Samuel Cochran at that time, and Rev. Nathan Bangs was presiding elder of the Rhinebeck District, to which Litchfield Circuit then belonged. They afterward held meetings at the house of David Wheeler, a little east of Waterville at "Pine Hole," and in the east center school house which stood near what is now the northerly point of Union Square. Being " voted out" of the school house, their ark found for sev- eral years a welcome resting place in the dwelling of Widow Mary Peck, a " mother in Israel," whose memory will loug be gratefully cherished in the church she loved. Her dwelling was the low red house still standing on East Main street, near the Pin Factory.
Meetings were also held occasionally at the residences of Widow David Wheeler at Pine Hole, Mr. Timothy Ball at Bucks Hill, &c. Still later a room was obtain- ed for a time in the Franklin House, and for a year or two preceding the erection of their first house of worship, meetings were held in the academy, and oc- casionally in the old school house, the doors of which were again opened. During the whole of this period there was no Sabbath preaching, except occasionally, when a local preacher could be obtained. The circuit preachers came around once in two weeks preaching on week day evenings.
Thus for sixteen years the little society struggled on, unpopular with men, but enjoying the favor of God; poor in this world's goods, but rich in faith; at no time numbering more than twenty or thirty members, and without a convenient place of worship; yet claiming the promise of our Lord, (and often realizing its fulfillment,) that " Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."
But the summer and fall of the year 1831 will long be remembered by this
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APPENDIX.
and other churches of Waterbury as a season of gracious revival. Among the Methodists the work commenced under the preaching of Rev. Heman Bangs, then preacher in charge of Derby Circuit, (to which Waterbury belonged from 1829 to 1832,) and continued with great power under his ministry and that of his eolleague, Rev. Daniel Smith, they visiting Waterbury often during the revival. Many were added unto the Lord, and the society was increased from less than thirty in num- ber to about one hundred. Such an accession rendered a more commodious place of worship necessary, and in January, 1832, it was decided to build a meet- ing house fifty feet long and thirty-six feet wide. This building still stands on the corner of Union square and Seovill street. It was completed at a cost of about $2,700, and was dedicated April 27th, 1833, Dr. Wilbur Fiske preaching the dedi- cation sermon. From this date the church was favored with regularly stationed preachers, and though burdened with a heavy debt and increased expenses, and often weakened by the removal of its members, continued, under the blessing of God, to increase in numbers and prosperity. Its membership had increased in 1840 to 145, in 1845 to 185, and in 1852 to 245.
During the year last mentioned, finding enlarged accommodations again neces- sary, it was resolved to ereet the present tasteful and commodious edifiec. It is eligibly located on East Main street, a few rods from Center square. It is 75 feet deep by 55 feet in width, is built of briek, and eost with the lot on which it stands about $20,000. It was dedicated Mareh 1st, 1854. Much credit is due Rev. N. Mead, preacher in charge at the time the building was commenced, for the good judgment and taste with which it was located and planned, and for the financial ability displayed in securing the funds for its ereetion.
The church now numbers about 260 members, has a well organized Sunday school, comprising 35 officers and teachers and over 200 scholars, and although still unburdened with wealth has reason to anticipate an increasingly prosperous future. It is under the pastoral care of Rev. J. H. Perry, D. D., one of the ablest ministers of the New York East Conference.
NAMES OF PREACHERS SINCE 1833.
1833, Rev. Davis Stocking,
1834, W. S. Smith,
1835, Sanford Washburn,
1836, II. D. Gossling,
1837,
66 Wm. MeKendree Bangs,
1847, Same as 1846, excepting Rev. F.
1838, Lorin Clark,
1839-40, “ Chas. Chittenden,
Wm. C. Hoyt,
1848, Rev. Seneca Howland,
1849-50, " Ira Abbott,
1851-2, Nathaniel Mead,
1853-54, “ Benj. Pilsbury,
1846,
= Ebenezer O. Beers and
1855-6, Thomas G. Osborn,
1857, 66 James H. Perry, D. D.
Elias Gilbert, circuit
preachers, (once a month,) and Rev. Joseph Smith and Rev. Larmon W. Abbott, local preachers, (the balance of the time.)
W. Sizer, in place of Rev. E. O. Beers,
1841-42, " 1843, Aaron S. Hill,
1844, Wm. Gay,
1845, Moses Blydenburgh, ¥
558
HISTORY OF WATERBURY.
CATHOLIC CHURCH OF WATERBURY.
Previous to 1835, there were but few Catholics in Waterbury, who were visited occasionally from New Haven by Rev. James McDermod, Catholic pastor in that city. In 1837, Rev. James Smith, also of New Haven, succeeded Father McDer- mol in the visitition of the district. The latter continued to superintend the affairs of the Catholics till the year 1846, when he was replaced by Rev. Charles O'Reilly, who, however, remained but three months. As yet there had been no Catholic clergyman permanently located in Waterbury. The congregation was too small to support a regular pastor, but having increased in 1847 to about one hundred, the Rev. Michael O'Neill was permanently settled there by Dr. Tyler, the bishop of the diocese.
The services of the Catholic church were celebrated for the first time in Water- bury in a small house in the east part of the city, owned and occupied by Mr. Michael Nevil, who was the first Catholic who settled in the city. This was in 1835 In this small house, service was held for eight years, when it being neces- sary to obtain a larger apartment, the school-house in the Gaylord Plain district was kindly and gratuitously offered by the then committee. Here the Catholics continued to worship for more than a year, when, becoming too numerous to be accommodated there, they rented "Washington Hall" for the purpose of divine service. In 1847, they purchased the old Episcopal church. From this date to the present time, they have continued to increase in numbers, being at present a congregation of nearly four thousand, including children.
A beautiful church is now in course of erection for the use of the Catholics. The style is the early Christian Gothic architecture of the twelfth century. It is of brick, and will be richly ornamented in the interior. The probable cost ís $30,000.
The present and second pastor of Waterbury is the Rev. T. F. Hendricken. It is strange that all those who visited Waterbury for missionary purposes are still living.
The rapid increase of the Catholics of Waterbury is attributed by the Catholics themselves, as much to the known kindness and urbanity of the native citizens towards the stranger, as to the extensive manufacturing establishments which require their labor.
THE SECOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
It was organized in April, 1852, with fifty members. Its organization at that time resulted from the conviction, which for two years had been entertained by the members of the First Congregational church, that the rapidly increasing pop- ulation of the place demanded for that portion of it which might be of Congrega- tional sentiments more extensive accommodations for publie worship than were afforded by the house of worship of the First society.
In April, 1855, a new and commodious house of worship, built by the Second society, was consecrated to the name and service of God. Said house affords sittings for one thousand persons.
The number of names enrolled on the catalogue of the church in April, 1857, was one hundred and seventy, to seven of which had been appended the sad
559
APPENDIX.
mark which indicates decease, and to twenty-six that which indicates removal to other churches. The Rev. S. W. Magill was installed pastor of the church in May, 1852, and still occupies the pastoral office.
MANUFACTURING IN WATERBURY.
The manufacturing business of Waterbury was, it may perhaps be said, com- menced by Lieut. Ard Welton. He made guns, using hand power. alone, on Bucks Hill, during the Revolutionary war or soon after, and furnished some, it is stated, for the government. A few brass muskets were manufactured by him, but perhaps only as curiosities. At length, he removed his works to the place on Mad River, recently occupied by Sherman Bronson.
About 1790, James Harrison, a brother of Capt. Lemuel Harrison, began to make wooden clocks, by hand, in the lower room of the academy of school house* on the green. He also made shoe heels, reels, flyers and spools for spin- ning wheels, window sashes and chests of drawers, and carried on the joinery business generally. David Hoadley and Lemuel Porter were in his employment. The first clock which I find charged on his books is one to Major Morris, Jan. 1, 1791, at £3 12s. The second is one charged to Rev. Mark Leavenworth, Feb. 2,
* The academy referred to stood upon the south margin of the present enclosed green, in front of Capt. Harrison's. It was erected to meet a want then felt of accommodations for a higher grade of schools. In the winter of 1734-5, Joseph Badger opened a school for you ig ladies. Till then, no other than the common district schools had been taught in the town. It flourished for a time, but did not survive long. It served, however, to awaken an interest in favor of education. An attempt was made to put up a building for an academy, by subscription. The frame was raised and the nutside covered, but here the means provided were exhausted. When the enterprise was ahout to be abandoned, Stephen Bronson, Benjamin Upson. Dr Isaac Baldwin and John Curtis proposed to finish the house on condition they should have the control of it till the money they should advance was refunded. Thus the building was got in readiness for occupation in the fall of 1785 Two schools were then openel, one for each sex. That for girls was under the care of Mr. Badger above mentioned. David Hale, a brother of Capt. Nathan Ilale of Revolutionary memory, had charge of the boys in the second story. Jeremiah Day, late president of Y ile College, and Bennet Bronson were among his pupils. The schools were for a time very prosperous, the scholars the first winter number ing about one hundred and fifty.
After a time the schools ran down, and the academy. a two story wood building, standing in the midst of what appeared to be a flag swamp, with a " gambrel roof" and a bell (the first in the town) on the summit, was removed. It was removed (before the new meeting house was built) to make way for military parades, and placed on the line of the road just west of Wil- liam R. Hitchcock's. Here the upper ro .m was used for schonls and the lower for religious and. town meetings Af erwards, the building was cut down o e story, and the hell hung in-ide un- der the roof. Two rooms were made on the ground floor separated by a swing partition. In the west room, a private school was occasionally kept ; in the east, a district school. Here, more than forty years ago, the town juveniles learned their A B Cs. Here. as in other places, the ferule, the birch rod, the dunce block and the closet were the penalties for cutting the benches, making up wry faces and putting crooked pins in the master's chair.
Twenty years ago, the school house was removed back into the middle of the lot and fitted up for dwellings, where it now stands. The bell was removed to the new stone academy which was erected about 1:36, on the ground next east of Capt. Harrison's house. It now hangs high in the belfry of the?" high schoo " building, where. once more, at stated intervals, it gives out its unwelcome warning to reluctant boys and giddy girls.
1836
560
HISTORY OF WATERBURY.
1791, at £4. Capt. Samuel Judd stands debtor for the third, Feb. 19, 1791, £4. The last, a taverner, is credited with one gin sling, 7d., and one load of wood, 2s. 6d.
A little after 1800, Harrison commenced work in a little shop on the south side of North Main street, on the Little Brook. He constructed a water wheel, bring- ing the water to it in logs laid across the road. This is said to have been the first water wheel for driving manufacturing machinery erected in Waterbury. (See Waterbury American.) It furnished the power for making the pinions and wheel teeth and other parts of the clock. The lease of the land (about 36 rods) on which the shop, water wheel and logs already existed, bears the date of April 15, 1802. It was given by Stephen Bronson, and expired in seven years.
After a few years, the business passed into new hands, and was transferred to the site of the lower grist mill, on Mad River, where a better and more uniform supply of water could be had. Subsequently, Harrison removed to New York, where he died in reduced circumstances In its new location, the clock business was carried on, somewhat extensively, by Col. William Leavenworth. After the war of 1812, however, he became embarrassed and fled the State. He subsequently lived in Albany, and died in November, 1838. His factory and the water privilege, after" a long interval, were purchased, in 1830, by the Beecher Manufacturing Co., and converted into a broadcloth mill. This company failed, and the property is now owned by the American Suspender Co.
About 1810, the late Mark Leavenworth, in company with Wm. K. Lamson and Ansou Sperry, Ist, commenced the manufacture of wooden clocks near the beginning of the Bucks Hill road, where he afterwards had his boarding house. Subsequently, Mr. L. occupied a shop upon the brook farther to the east, and extended his business.
Except some silver buttons that were made by Joseph Hopkins at an early date, (see p. 411,) the first metal buttons manufactured in Waterbury are under- stood to have been made before 1800, of block tin or pewter, by Henry, Samuel and Silas Grilley, brothers, on Bunker Hill. The buttons were cast in moulds, the eyes being at first of the same material ; but soou an improvement was intro- duced and wire eyes were employed.
The manufacture of gilt buttons (which laid the foundation of the brass and cop- per business) was begun in 1802 by Abel Porter, Daniel Clark, Silas Grilley and Levi Porter, under the partnership name of Abel Porter & Co. (The manufacturing had been previously carried on, to a limited extent and with only partial success, in Attleborough, Mass.) The company commenced operations in a building still standing on the east side of South Main, near the junction of Meadow street. It took about eighteen months to get the business started. Levi Porter soon sold out his Interest to the other partners. They employed eight or nine hands, all Yankees, and made buttons of various forms, convex, concave, and oval, the face only being gilded. Gold was employed liberally, sometimes $3 worth being applied to - a gross, for which they obtained as much as ten or twelve dollars. Their brass ingots they carried into the west part of Litchfield, to a place called Bradleyville, where it was rolled in an iron mill. The metal was brought back in strips in a very rough state, and passed between steel rolls two inches in diameter moved by horse power. Thus it was smoothed and finished. All the other work was done by hand. The business proved profitable.
BRASS WYERRY
561
APPENDIX.
In Sept. 1808, David Hayden became a partner, and the company bought the old mill place and began to use water power. In August, 1809, Silas Grilley sold out to his partners. Two years later, the latter sold out to Leavenworth, Hayden & Scovill, as mentioned in the biographical notice of Mr. Scovill, p. 429.
For the origin of the brass business, see the notice of Dea. Benedict, p. 448.
I add below some statistical matters relating to the manufacturing interests of Waterbury. Most of the companies mentioned are joint stock companies. The list is not supposed to be entirely complete, but it will give some notion of the magnitude of the manufacturing business of Waterbury.
BENEDICT & BURNHAM MANUFACTURING COMPANY; manufacturers of brass in shects, brass and copper wire, brass tubing, German silver, &c .; successors of others who commenced making brass in 1826, wire about 1831, and German silver in 1834. The present company was organized in 1843. Present capital, $400,000 .*
WATERBURY BRASS COMPANY; manufacturers of brass in sheets, brass and cop- per wire, brass kettles, German silver, &c. The company was organized in April, 1845, and has a present capital of $300,000.
SCOVILL MANUFACTURING COMPANY; manufacturers of rolled and sheet brass, German silver, plated metal, brass butts, hinges, daguerreotype plates, cases, mat- tings, preservers, &c., and gilt buttons. Present capital, $300,000.+
BROWN & BROTHERS; organized under the joint stock law in 1853; manu- facturers of sheet brass and German silver, brass, copper and German silver wire and tubing, brass kettles, copper rivets and burrs. Capital, $200,000.
HOLMES, BOOTH & HAYDENS. The company manufactures brass, German silver, plated metal, daguerreotype plates, mattings and preservers, copper and German silver wire, &c., and was organized Feb. 1853. It has a capital of $330,000.
The five brass and copper companies named in the preceding list, each owning a first class mill, (the Waterbury Brass Company owns two mills,) have a capital of $1,530,000; employ on an average 775 hands ; pay in wages $275,000 per annum ; consume 3,600 tons of coal per annum, and produce about $2,550,000 worth of manufactured goods per annum.
AMERICAN PIN COMPANY ; manufacturers of pins and hooks and eyes; was organ- ized in 1846. Present capital, $100,000. The making of hooks and eyes was commenced in Waterbury in April, 1836, by Brown & Elton.
MATTATUCK MANUFACTURING COMPANY. It was organized in 1847. The compa- ny made cloth buttons till 1852. It then began the manufacture of lamp tubes, and afterwards of silver and German silver thimbles, brass ferules, umbrella and parasol furniture, &c. It employs $40,000 capital.
WATERBURY HOOK AND EYE COMPANY; manufacturers of hooks and eyes, gilt brass cornices and curtain bands, brass curtain fixtures, copper rivets, brass nails and other small brass wares. The company was organized in 1849, and has a capital of $55,000. At present it is doubtful whether curtain cornices can be made with a profit in this country, no attempt hitherto made having succeeded. There is
* For a more particular account of the origin and history of the business of this company, see the biographical notice of Aaron Benedict, page 448.
t For a more particular account of the origin and history of the business of this company, see the biographical sketch of J. M. L. Scovill, page 429.
36
562
HISTORY OF WATERBURY.
reasonable ground to hope, however, that the Waterbury Hook and Eye Company will be successful.
WATERBURY BUTTON COMPANY ; manufacturers of metal buttons. It was organ- ized in 1849, but the business was commenced in 1824, by A. Benedict and others. It employs $15,000 capital.
LANE MANUFACTURING COMPANY ; was organized in January, 1850, and makes buttons. Capital, $20,000.
WATERBURY KNITTING COMPANY ; manufacturers of shirts, drawers, and half hose; was organized in 1850. It commenced with a capital of $100,000, but now employs $200,000.
WATERBURY JEWELRY COMPANY; manufacturers of buttons, plated ware, forks, spoons, butter knives, &c. ; also, belt clasps and other brass goods; was organized in 1851. Present capital, $30,000.
BLAKE & JOHNSON ; manufacturers of hardened steel rolls, machinery to order, hair pins, rivets, &c. ; was organized Feb. 1852. Present capital, $16,000.
OAKVILLE COMPANY ; was organized in 1852, and manufactures solid headed pins. Its present capital is $75,000.
WILLIAM R. HITCHCOCK & COMPANY. The company was organized in 1852, and manufactures covered buttons and hooks and eyes. The business (that of making covered buttons) was commenced in 1837, by Wm. R. Hitchcock, J. M. L. Scovill and W. H. Scovill, under the name of W. R. Hitchcock & Co. The present capital is $35,000.
AMERICAN RING COMPANY. The company was organized in 1852; manufactures hollow rings from brass and tin, saddle, harness and carriage hardware, and buttons of all kinds; has a capital of $16,000.
E. ROBINSON & SON. The company was organized in 1852; makes cloth but- tons and has a capital of $4,000.
WATERBURY BUCKLE COMPANY ; organized 1853 ; manufactures buckles, belt clasps, steel ornaments, &c. Present capital, $29,900.
WATERBURY GAS LIGIIT COMPANY ; organized in 1854; furnishes gas from coal. Capital, $100,000; tons of coal consumed per annum, about 500.
F. M. PERKINS & COMPANY ; organized in 1854; manufacturers of ivory and steel carriage trimmings, and fine pearl coat and vest buttons. Present capital, $20,000.
CHARLES W. JOHNSON. The company was organized in 1855, and produces machinery of all kinds. Present capital, $3,000.
H. A. MATTHEWS ; bought out the Hope Manufacturing Company in 1856, and manufactures carriage and harness trimmings.
AMERICAN SUSPENDER COMPANY ; present organization in Jan. 1857 ; manu- facturers of suspenders. The business was commenced by the Hotchkiss & Merri- man Manufacturing Company, in 1843. Present capital, $180,000.
FARREL FOUNDRY AND MACHINE COMPANY ; manufacturers of iron and brass cast- ings, machinery, heavy mill gearing, shafts, &c. The company was organized in 1857, and has a capital of $40,000. The business was commenced by " The Foundry Company," in 1851.
WATERBURY CLOCK COMPANY ; manufacturers of clocks and time pieces ; organ- ized in 1857; capital, $60,000.
AMERICAN FLASK AND CAP COMPANY ; manufacturers of powder flasks, shot belts, shot pouches, gun wads, percussion caps, dram flasks, measuring tapes, &c. The company was organized in April, 1857, and has a capital of $125,000.
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APPENDIX.
UNION KNITTING COMPANY ; manufacturers of woolen wrappers, drawers, &c., having a capital of $50,000.
CITY MANUFACTURING COMPANY ; manufacturers of patent lamp tops, lamp tubes, &c., having a capital of $10,000.
HAYDEN MANUFACTURING COMPANY ; metal button makers, &c., having a capital of $8,000.
D. B. HURD. He manufactures button eyes, button backs, window blinds, sta- ples, &c., and employs a capital of $10,000.
B. H. MORSE. He manufactures pocket cutlery, and employs a capital of $50,000.
L. PRITCHARD. He makes buttons, and employs a capital of $10,000.
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