USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Derby > The history of the old town of Derby, Connecticut, 1642-1880. With biographies and genealogies > Part 45
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430
HISTORY OF DERBY.
Scholarly, and gentlemanly in his manners, Father Brady has won the respect and confidence of the community in which he resides.
THE BAPTIST CHURCH.
This church was organized June 22, 1874, under the state Baptist convention, Dr. Turnbull then being its secretary. Only thirty-nine members joined the church on its organiza- tion. The Bible school was instituted by Dr. Turnbull and others with thirty-four scholars. Mr. Sharon Y. Beach of Sey- mour was very efficient in the office of superintendent, and la- bored very acceptably until his resignation in 1879. Religious meetings were held at first in the rooms of the Opera House, under the auspices of the "Christian Association," having reg- ular preaching every Sunday by Dr. Turnbull, Rev. E. M. Jerome and others, until a hall was secured in the Hotchkiss Block. Measures were soon taken to build an edifice, which was completed in April, 1877, at a cost of about $15,000, and occupied ; the services of the Rev Mr. Jerome being secured as pastor. The membership of the church at this time being seventy-five. On April 1, 1879, Mr. Jerome resigned his pas- torate and the church was without a settled minister until Feb- ruary 1, 1880, when the Rev. F. B. Dickinson of Boston was secured. The present membership numbers 107.
The Sunday or Bible school of this church was well and most successfully managed by the unremitting efforts of its super- intendent, Mr. Beach, as stated, and when he resigned Doct. B. F. Leach was appointed, and accepted the position, and is successfully conducting this department of the church work.
The present officers of this church are : Rev. F. B. Dickin- son, pastor ; Henry C. Cook, clerk ; Sharon Y. Beach, William Spencer and H. C. Cook, deacons ; Doct. F. B. Leach, superin- tendent ; E. N. Barnett, assistant ; A. H. Baldwin, secretary ; and H. C. Cook, treasurer.
The Sunday-school numbers 120. This is the only Baptist society in the town of Derby ; is free from debt, under good management, and is increasing steadily in its usefulness and work.
43I
THE BANKS OF ANSONIA.
.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
This church was organized in 1851, Rev. David Osborn being the first pastor while preaching and residing at Seymour. Rev. John L. Peck was pastor in 1852 ; Rev. E. S. Hibbard in 1853 ; Rev. John Pegg in 1854 and 5 ; Rev. J. J. Wooley in 1856 and 7 ; Rev. Wm. Porteus a part of 1858, and Rev. Wm. Tracy the remainder ; Rev. Silosloerthome in 1859; Rev. Wm. Howard in 1860 and 61 ; Rev. A. B. Pulling in 1862 and 3; Rev. C. F. Mallory in 1864 and 5; Rev. Wm. H. Waddell in 1866 and 7 ; Rev. C. S. Wing in 1868, 69 and 70; Rev. George P. Mains in 1871 and 2; Rev. S. H. Smith in 1873 and 4; Rev. Mr. Lindsay in 1875 and 6 ; Rev. J. M. Carroll in 1877 ; Rev. I. E. Smith in 1878 ; Rev. R. H. Loomis in 1879 and 80.
The place of worship at first was Colburn's Hall on Main street. The present edifice, a neat and commodious church, erected in 1865, located on Main street near the Farrell foun- dry, is capable of seating about 600 persons. The membership numbers 180, and the Sunday-school 232.
This church has struggled through many discouragements, but is now in a healthy and prosperous condition.
THE SAVINGS BANK OF ANSONIA.
This institution was incorporated in 1862; the original cor- porators under the charter being :
George P. Cowles,
Thomas Wallace, jun., William B. Bristol,
John Lindley,
J. H. Bartholomew,
David W. Plumb,
J. M. Colburn,
Sylvester Barbour,
Abraham Hubbell,
Jonah C. Platt,
Thomas Whitney,
Richard M. Johnson,
Egbert Bartlett,
Eli Hotchkiss,
Nathan S. Johnson,
Eleazer Peck,
Albert Hotchkiss,
Willet Bradley.
With the exception of four all are still living. The secretary and treasurer, Mr. Bartlett, is the only officer or person who receives any compensation for services. The institution is prosperous ; the amount of deposits constantly increasing, and were on the Ist of March, 1880, $367,865.31. The present officers are : president, William B. Bristol ; vice-president,
432
HISTORY OF DERBY.
Thomas Wallace ; directors, Abraham Hubbell, Robert Peck, Jonah C. Platt, Dana Bartholomew, John Lindley, Henry J. Smith, Charles L. Hill and James Swan ; secretary and treas- urer, Egbert Bartlett ; auditors, Alton Farrell and Lockwood Hotchkiss.
ANSONIA NATIONAL BANK.
The residents of Ansonia, early in the year 1861, bought the stock of the " Bank of North America," then located at Sey- mour, which had been reduced to a low standing by losses and other calamities, and removed it to Ansonia, and changed the name in July, 1861, to that of Ansonia Bank with a capital stock of $ 100,000, which was afterwards increased to $200,000. In 1865 the name was changed to the National Bank of Ansonia and is in a prosperous state of success.
The present officers are : Thomas Wallace, president ; George P. Cowles, vice-president ; Charles H. Pine, cashier. The direc- tors are : Thomas Wallace, George P. Cowles, J. M. Colburn, Wm. B. Bristol, J. H. Bartholomew, Charles L. Hill, Alton . Farrell.
DERBY PAPER BOX COMPANY.
Under this name Mr. R. R. Colburn at his old Lead factory on Main street is manufacturing paper boxes, employing several workmen.
HENRY B. WHITING is the maker of fish poles, which has become an established, lucrative business.
THE BOROUGH.
Ansonia was chartered as a borough by the Legislature at its May session in 1864, and in 1871 the charter was amended giving full powers and privileges ordinarily granted to boroughs. The organization was effected at Bradley's Hotel August I, 1864, with the following officers : David W. Plumb, warden ; A. J. Hine, clerk ; Wm. B. Bristol, treasurer ; D. F. Hoadley, bailiff. The burgesses are : Wm. B. Bristol, J. H. Bartholo- mew, Robert Hoadley, Wm. Wallace, John Lindley, M. P. Wilson.
The limits of the borough are quite extended and take in
433
ANSONIA BOROUGH.
arger territory than that of Birmingham. The following gentle- nen have discharged the duties of wardens since 1865 :
Wm. B. Bristol, 4 years.
Henry B. Whiting, I year,
Egbert Bartlett, 2 years.
D. F. Hoadley, 2 years,
Robert Peck, I year,
John B. Quillinan, I year,
Michael Walsh, I year,
H. A. Shipman, I year.
Charles F. Williams, I year, "
The present officers are: Henry A. Shipman, warden; Mor- ris Drew, H. C. Spencer, S. B. Bronson, Alfred Barnett, Henry B. Whiting, Patrick B. Fraher, burgesses ; Charles H. Pine, treasurer ; R. N. Tucker, clerk ; D. J. Hayes, bailiff.
The borough is well supplied with water from a distance with sufficient fall to extinguish fires. It was procured at great expense by the Ansonia Water Company, whose officers are : president, Thomas Wallace; secretary and treasurer, Dana Bartholomew ; directors, J. H. Bartholomew, Thomas Wallace, Geo. P. Cowles, Wm. R. Slade, Robert Hoadley, A. Hubbell, E. Bartlett, D. Bartholomew, Wm. Wallace.
Ansonia is well protected from fire, having a good supply of water. In 1871 the Eagle Hose Company No. 6 was organ- ized with twenty-nine charter members, with the following officers : F. H. Clemons, foreman ; E. A. Wadhams, assistant ; Wm. Powe, 2d assistant, and John H. Hall, secretary and treas- urer.
The borough in 1879 removed and enlarged their house, which now stands opposite the Farrell foundry on Main street, and the members of the company at their own expense have furnished their spacious apartments with elegant furniture and a library, papers and periodicals, which make their head-quarters attractive for daily evening meetings. A hook and ladder com- pany is connected and the name has been changed to Eagle Hose and Ladder company No. 6. They number 60 members, many of whom are among the first young men of the place. The present officers are : Wm. Powe, foreman ; W. O. Wallace, first assistant ; W. S. Hurd, second assistant ; Thomas Hurd, treasurer ; Fred M. Drew, secretary.
This company constitutes the entire fire department of the borough, and being efficient on every emergency is the pride and boast of the place. In harmony with the active and energetic
55
434
HISTORY OF DERBY.
fire company of West Ansonia, Ira Newcomb, foreman, and the Fountain Hose, both fitted with necessary apparatus, this part of the town is as well protected from fire as most places within city limits.
BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS.
GEORGE WASHINGTON LODGE No. 82, F. AND A. M., was organized under a dispensation granted by the Grand Master of Connecticut, dated November 25, 1856. Its charter was granted by the General Lodge of Connecticut at its annual communication in May, 1857, and bears date of May 18, 1857.
The first officers were :
Joseph A, Bunnell, W, M., John Wallace, S. W., Joseph S, Riggs, J. W., Samuel A. Cotter, Treasurer,
Thomas Wallace, jun,, Secretary,
John Cowell, S. D., T. B. Smith, J. D.,
Rev. J. J. Woolley, Chaplain, H. Skinner, Tyler,
The present officers are :
A. F. Hoadley, W. M.,
C. T. Beardsley. S. W., Frank Middlebrook, J. W.,
George A. Tomlinson, Treasurer,
R. H. Tucker, Secretary,
E. P. Dodge, S. D., Philip E. Newsom, J. D., Edwin Ells, Chaplain, Levi B. Boutwell, Tyler.
The lodge room from the start until 1876 was in the building where Randall's store is. The present lodge room over John- son & Hotchkiss's store was opened in 1876.
MOUNT VERNON CHAPTER, No. 35, R. A. M., was organized under a dispensation granted by Grand High Priest Charles W. Stearns, dated January, 1872. Its charter was granted by the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the state of Connecticut at its annual convocation in May, 1872, and instituted by Grand High Priest W. W. Lee on the 25th of June, 1872.
First officers : J. N. Whiting, H. P.,
James Pemberton, P. S.,
J. E. Remer, K., John Lindley S.,
D. F. Hoadley, C. of H., John Cowell, R. A. C.,
N. Sperry, Treasurer, George O. Scheller, Secretary,
N. Skinner, Tyler.
J. H. Whiting was H. P. from the organization until April, 1874, and D. F. Hoadley has held that office ever since.
435
BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES.
The meetings of this society are held in the rooms of the George Washington Lodge.
Present officers :
D. F. Hoadley, H. P.,
P. B. Mackey, P. S.,
F. G. Bassett, K., J. G. Redshaw, C. of H.,
W. W. Joy, S.,
R. N. Tucker, R. A. C.,
A. T. Hoadley, Treasurer,
L. B. Boutwell, Tyler.
J. H. Whiting, Secretary,
KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS, No. 24, was instituted December 9, 1870, with eleven charter members. Robert Peck was the pre- siding officer. In January, 1872, the lodge contained seventy members in good standing, and after eight years of varied suc- cess, with many disbursements for the sick, it now stands as the banner lodge of the state, and numbers 114 members ; has a cash fund of over $1,500, besides $700 in furniture and library.
GARNET TEMPLE OF HONOR, No. 24, T. O. H. and T., was instituted December 15, 1877. Met in rooms of I. O. O. F. in Hotchkiss block until 1879, when they removed to the room over Judd Brothers' market.
Charter members :
Benj. Hutchinson, W. C. T .. Henry Jeynes, sen., W. V. T., Alex. Veitch, W. R., Joseph Closson, Treasurer,
First Officers.
Charles Vandercook,
S. S. Wilcox,
Samuel B. Bronson,
D. T. Sanford,
Thomas Law, Joseph McBrien, Henry Jeynes, jun., George Thompson, Thomas Davidson,
James Parker,
Walter Baldwin,
George A. Hoyt,
R. H. Tucker, William T. Mercer.
The following have been W. C. T. : Benjamin Hutchinson,
Henry Jeynes, sen., Frank A. Snell,
Henry Jeynes, jun., Robert Allen. .
The present officers are : Robert Allen, W. C. T., F. A. Snell, W. R.,
John A. Lewis, W. V. T.,
John Ballantyne, Treasurer.
Whole number of members, 52.
RUBY SOCIAL T. OF H. AND T., No. 13. This is the female branch of the preceding ; instituted April 8, 1879. Meet with Garnet Temple of Honor. Membership, total, 55.
436
HISTORY OF DERBY.
First officers :
Elizabeth Jeynes, S. P. T., Lottie L. Smith, S. R.
Henry Jeynes, sen., B. P. T.,
VETERAN SOLDIERS AND SAILORS' ASSOCIATION OF ANSONIA hold regular meetings the third Monday in each month. It is benevolent in its object and has especial care for the graves of deceased soldiers. Its officers are : John Jackson, president ; Charles H. Pine, secretary and treasurer ; Julius A. Bristol, W. R. Mott, Charles Stowell, executive committee. It numbers 60 members.
ANCIENT ORDER OF HIBERNIANS is of long standing and be- nevolent in its object. Present officers : John M. O'Brian, pres- ident ; John Cahill, vice-president ; Mike Cahill, secretary ; Peter Larkins, treasurer. It numbers about 45 members.
FATHER MATHEW T. A. AND B. SOCIETY is benevolent in its character and numbers 30 members. Its officers are : John Cahill, president ; John R. Hayes, vice-president ; Hugh Graff- ney, secretary ; John O'Brian, treasurer.
ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY is benevolent in character, and has for its president, John Lane; secretary and treasurer, Peter McAuliff.
There are other societies of this kind, such as the Young Men's Total Abstinence society, the Friendly Sons of St. Pat- rick, the Wallace Sick Benefit society, Herman Lodge, No. 400, and perhaps others.
WEST ANSONIA.
In close proximity to Ansonia proper, separated only by the Naugatuck, is situated this flourishing part of the town. Ele- vated and facing the east, while overlooking for a long distance the valley, it is one of the most beautiful and desirable locations in Derby. Adorned with many fine residences and away from the noisy hum of machinery, its population is already vieing in improvements with other parts of the town. It contains no factories ; only two stores, two meat markets, a school-house, 225 dwelling houses, and a population of 1,000.
The place is blessed with good water from a distant lake, supplied by a running stream; its main streets are lighted ; many of the sidewalks are paved-some flagged ; a well organized
437
DERBY NARROWS.
fire company, the Fountain Hose with engine house and good apparatus for the extinguishment of fire,-all these combined with pleasant scenery give promise of future growth and pros- perity. Within the limits of the village is located the spacious grounds of the " Evergreen Cemetery" in which the citizens take a just pride. About six years ago an appropriate and im- posing Soldiers' Monument was erected in it and dedicated with appropriate ceremonies, to the memory of Derby's heroic dead. It will stand a credit to the patriotic, good people of Ansonia who caused its erection.
DERBY NARROWS.
Few landmarks remain as reminders of the prosperity of this place before its commercial downfall. The old Leman Stone castle, the tavern and some old dwellings with their surround- ings may be pleasant for the oldest inhabitants to contemplate, but ship building is gone, the once lively trade with foreign ports no longer continues, for the cut of railroads against the navigation of the Ousatonic has brought its blessing and advan- tages and imbued this ancient part of the town with the spirit of modern improvements. Costly mansions now stand on grounds almost venerated one hundred years ago. The popu- lation is increasing annually from Up Town to Turkey Hill. The streets are lighted with gas, sidewalks flagged and the people are keeping pace with other sections of the town.
The Derby post-office, in name replete with migration-now here, now there-finally in Birmingham and changed to the name of Birmingham post-office, has resulted in giving a new one to the Narrows under the old name of the Derby post-office. But little manufacturing has ever been done in this place. The tannery established by Isaac J. Gilbert fifty or more years ago is still continued, although less extensively, by his son, Abijah H. Gilbert.
The sash and blind factory of David Bradley & Son on Two- Mile brook at Turkey Hill, is one of the oldest establishments of the kind in New Haven county. It furnished the sash and blinds to the first buildings erected in Birmingham, and still continues its work, the products having always been considered of a superior quality.
438
HISTORY OF DERBY.
Agur Gilbert & Sons, makers of planes and other wooden articles are located at Turkey Hill on the same brook, and must be classed among the manufacturers of the town. At the old Hitchcock Oil mill DeWit C. Lockwood for several years has turned out a great variety of Yankee articles in wood, turning in this line having been first started at Birmingham.
The Derby Building and Lumber Company being a prominent establishment at the Narrows its history is here given. It manufactures sash, blinds, doors, and deals largely in lumber, timber and shingles. It was first started at Birmingham in 1836 by Willis and Lewis Hotchkiss, brothers, on the property now owned by Robert N. Bassett. The firm continued the business until 1840 when Willis P. Sperry and Merritt Clarke were taken into partnership and the name of Hotchkiss, Clarke & Co., adopted. Continuing in business until 1850, the company then consolidated with Lindley & Johnson, a firm at Ansonia in the same business, thus forming a joint stock company under the name of Derby Building and Lumber Company, removing their works to Derby Landing. Here was erected a large fac- tory for the prosecution of a wholesale trade. In 1868 these buildings were entirely destroyed by fire, and the energetic managers not discouraged erected a larger factory with increased facilities and improved machinery, and in six weeks from the date of the fire they were again in full operation in the production of merchandise. The facilities of this company for doing their work are unsurpassed.
The capital stock is $55,000 ; number of hands employed 50; monthly pay roll about $3,000 ; annual product of goods about $ 150,000. The present officers are : president, Wm. E. Bur- lock ; secretary and treasurer, John G. Townsend; general manager, Clark N. Rogers.
An extensive business carried on at the Narrows is the coal trade by Merritt Clarke & Sons of Derby, and Wm. B. Bristol of Ansonia. J. W. Whitlock of West Ansonia is also a coal dealer. The Clarke Sons alone retail annually 5,000 tons of coal, and the whole consumption in the town is estimated at 35,000 tons yearly.
The first coal introduced into Derby was in 1807, by Abijah Smith, father of the founder of Birmingham. The first cargo
Lowis Hotthings
439
ANTHRACITE COAL.
of anthracite coal offered for sale in this country was by Abijah Smith. He left Derby in 1806, and in 18071 mined fifty tons of coal in Plymouth, Penn., at the old mine which is now rented to the Lehigh and Wilkesbarre Coal Company, known as the Smith red-ash coal. In November, 1807, Smith purchased an ark for $24, which had been used for the transportation of plas- ter, and on the 4th day of that month this ark was floated to Plymouth and loaded with fifty tons of anthracite coal and was floated down the Susquehanna river. Safely landed at Columbia, Penn., the German settlers looked with wonder at what they called " black stone," and said Smith must be a crazy man to think of selling such stuff as that. In order to demonstrate the value of coal as an article for fuel Mr. Smith arranged with a landlord of that place, for the use of his fire-place,-procured a grate made under his directions by a blacksmith, put it into the fire-place, built a fire of wood and put on the coal, but the wood burned out leaving the coal only a little ignited. They poked it much and worked to make it burn, but not succeeding well, left it and went to dinner. When they returned there was a splendid fire, and the effort a victorious success. Per- sons from Philadelphia, Baltimore and New York beheld with wonder and delighted surprise the burning of this "black stone." The effort being satisfactory Mr. Smith, joined by his brother John Smith in 1808, sent three ark loads of coal to Havre de Grace, and there transferred it to a schooner named Washington and sent it to New York in care of Price and Waterbury, which company sold the coal on commission, dis- posing of it by chaldrons, and not by tons. After 1808 Abijah and John Smith followed the business of transporting coal in arks down the Susquehanna for a number of years, the annual average of sales to 1820 being about six ark loads. Nearly all the early operators in the coal trade made failures except the Smiths. Some of their descendants are still prosecuting it successfully.1
In 1820 the annual product of coal for the whole country was less than a thousand tons ; now annually thirty-five thousand tons are brought to Derby ; and the whole amount mined and
1 History of Plymouth, Penn., by H. B. Wright, 313.
440
HISTORY OF DERBY.
consumed in the United States (1879) is estimated at 20,000,- ooo tons.
In the early process of mining no powder was used, it being all done by the slow process of pick and wedge, but after a time Mr. Smith thought it could be done with powder-blast, and sending to Milford, Conn., obtained the services of John Flan- igan, an experienced stone quarrier with powder, and set him at the work, which experiment proved a success. This was in 1818. It should therefore be recorded that John Flanigan was the first to apply the powder-blast in the coal mines of Pennsyl- vania, an important experiment in the commencement of a trade which has become so immense in later years.
The first load of coal brought to Derby was by Abijah Smith, in his coat pocket, as a curiosity, and the credit is due, there- fore, to one of Derby's native citizens, for having developed the coal trade.
A STEAMBOAT AGAIN.
MINNIE B., a steamboat recently constructed for the purpose, is soon to be put on the river to run from Derby Narrows to Bridgeport in connection with the People's Line to New York, and also for excursions on the Sound. The owner of the boat, Mr. George W. Briggs, has a patent for a newly arranged pro- pelling wheel, and this boat is constructed for demonstrating the value of the patent, as well as to, secure transportation of passengers from Derby to New York by water. The wheel is so arranged as to enable the boat to draw two or five feet of water, although of 40 tons burden. Mr. Briggs was formerly of Warwick, Rhode Island. The officers are : commander, Dr. B. F. Leach of Birmingham ; pilot, Henry M. Porter of Strat- ford ; engineer, G. H. Bartlett of New Haven.
BURTVILLE.
This place, containing about thirty dwellings, is a little be- low and in close proximity to Derby Narrows, bordering on Turkey Hill.
A Sunday-school mission was started at this place by Mrs. D. M. Church, June 17, 1877, in her own house, where it con- tinued until a larger place of meeting was needed, when, in
441
BURTVILLE MISSION.
December, 1877, Mr. George Waterman gave the use of a suit of rooms for the mission.
In March, 1878, a school was regularly organized by the elec- tion of Mrs. D. M. Church superintendent ; Dea. David Brad- ley, assistant, and Almon Ticknor, treasurer.
Soon after this Mrs. Church was called away from the place, and Dr. B. F. Leach of Birmingham accepted the position of superintendent, which he still holds. In April, 1879 the mis- sion school was re-organized with the same officers ; the school numbering 45.
At this Mrs. Almon Ticknor donated a site for a chapel, and a building committee of the following persons was appointed : Mr. Lewis Young, Dea. David Bradley and Mr. Almon Tick- nor. The money was raised by subscription, and the , work commenced June 8, 1879, and was completed and occupied July 6, 1879, at a cost of $500. The school now numbers about 70. 56
CHAPTER XV.
THE TOWN OF SEYMOUR.
PON the petition of Leman Chatfield and others, the town of Seymour was organized in the May session of the General Assembly in 1850, all its territory having been comprised within the original town of Derby. The number of inhabitants contained in it, as given in the gen- eral census of 1860, was 1,749, and in 1870, 2,123, a large proportion of which reside in the manufacturing village of Sey- mour, on the Naugatuck river. In securing this organization of a new town the inhabitants met with strong opposition, and succeeded in their object only by adopting the name the town now bears.
In 1850 Derby was a strong whig town with a working ma- jority of over two hundred, but the northern portion of it was strongly democratic. A little before this there was a little post-office fight in which Thomas Burlock took an active part and succeeded in securing the appointment of John W. Storrs as postmaster. At the spring election of 1850 Mr. Burlock was the whig nominee for the Legislature, and H. B. Munson the democratic nominee, and was elected. The proposition of dividing the town entered into the election. Ansonia was then a thriving village, and being central in its location was talked of as the place to build a new Town Hall. Mr. Munson, as representative, saw that the opportunity had come to secure the new town, if it was to be done within many years, and suc- ceeded in that body in obtaining a favorable report from the committee, and his bill passed the Senate before the people of Ansonia were really aware of it. Birmingham and Derby Nar- rows were rather in favor of the movement for a new town, as there had always been a rivalry between the places, but An- sonia marshaled all its forces in opposition, and would have succeeded had not Mr. Munson made a change of base to save his bill in the House and from the veto of the Governor. The new town was to be called Humphreys, a historical name in
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