USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > The memorial history of Hartford County, Connecticut, 1633-1884, Vol. II > Part 11
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MEMORIAL HISTORY OF HARTFORD COUNTY.
was $12,363.36, which the town had to pay. Acts have since been passed to provide for the purchase of the bridge and causeway by the neighboring towns, but as yet with small result.
THE HARTFORD BRIDGE.
Prior to 1708 there were no public schools on the east side of the Great River in Hartford. In that year the Ecclesiastical Society peti- tioned the General Court to allow them to improve their part of the school rate among themselves for a writing and a reading school. Two years later the Rev. Samuel Woodbridge, Mr. Samuel Wells, and Mr. William Pitkin were appointed to hire a schoolmaster and to im- prove the school money. A school-house was ordered " built and set up in ye most convenient place between ye meeting-house and ye house of David Forbes," - a little way north.
Two school-houses were established in 1718, - the north one on Main Street, a little south of the lane that led to Deacon Joseph Olm- sted's, now Prospect Street. It was sixteen by eighteen feet. " besides the chimney space." The one south of the Hockanum was sixteen by sixteen feet. The master's time was divided between the two schools, " according to the inhabitants from an east and west line from the bridge on Hockanum River," and but one teacher was employed for many years, even when the number of places for schools was increased. In 1721 the schools cost the society £9 12%. 4d. A master was hired for five months, a dame for the other six months of the school year. For a time the parents of the children paid a share of their tuition and furnished the wood; in 1730 the society assumed all the expenses, voting for that purpose £22 58. 6d. in 1731.
A school was first allowed in Scotland (now Burnside) in 1735, and in 1751 its school-house was ordered set up "in the Centre between the house of John Bidwell and Timothy Spencer on the country road."
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EAST HARTFORD.
The second school-house, in what is now the Centre District, was built near the meeting-house in 1748. This year it was also voted that the schools on Main Street be divided into three parts as nearly as might be. A school was granted at the north end of the town between Gilman's Brook and John Gilman's house in 1750 ; and the following year one near the Olcotts and Simonses on Hop Brook, in the Five Miles. On this last date (1751) changes were made in the sites of the schools heretofore established, and four were ordered on Main Street, as follows : one at Hockanum, north of Pewter-Pot Brook on the west road (Hoekanum District) ; one near Silver Lane (Second South Dis- triet) ; one near Bidwell's Lane (now Burnside Avenue) ; one north of Gilman's Brook. The two divisions north of the river were each to take one half of the old school-house on that side, and the two divi- sions south of the river were to divide the old school-house there between them. At the same meeting four additional places for schools were designated in the eastern part of the town and in the Five Miles. The society was divided under the new law of 1766 into districts, - four on Main Street and one in Burnside, - which, under a commit- tee appointed by the society, managed their own affairs. A distinct distriet was formed of the southeast part of the present town in 1768. This was divided into the Southeast and South Middle Districts in 1857. In 1779 the society divided the two districts north of the Hock- anum into three districts, - now the North, Second North, and Centre, -- the latter until 1795 including the present Meadow District. Long Hill District, in the northeast corner of the town, was set off in 1819. In 1837 it was made a union district with District No. 6 of South Windsor.
The schools were first supervised by the School Society in 1796. It was identical with the old Ecclesiastical Society, except in name, but was formed for the purpose of receiving the income of our present State school fund, and its records were kept separate from those of the old society. It yearly appointed the school committee, as the old society had done, until 1839, when the districts were made corpora- tions, and chose their own officers. Then it had a general supervision of the schools and their funds until 1856, when the school societies were dissolved through the State and the towns assumed their functions.
An English and Classical School Association was formed about the year 1833, and erected the academy building on Main Street, a little south of Burnside Avenue. The school obtained a good patronage at first, but prior to 1858 the enterprise was abandoned. Among its pupils were the Hon. Richard D. Hubbard, since Governor of the State, and the Rev. I. N. Tarbox, D.D., who has won reputation as a writer and poet.
The Hockanum and its tributaries, and several smaller streams in the present towns of East Hartford and Manchester, furnished a number of good water-powers, and these were carly made use of by the settlers in preparing their abundant timber for building, and in grinding their grain for food and flax-seed for oil. Large grants of timber were made to those who established mills. William Goodwin and John Crow set up the first saw and grist mill on the north side of the lower fall at Burnside, in 1639. This mill was afterward owned by the Pitkins,
VOL. II. - 7.
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MEMORIAL HISTORY OF HARTFORD COUNTY.
who also acquired the contiguous sites, and the locality became known as Pitkin's Falls. The Pitkins used a part of the lower fall for a fulling-mill, the old grist-mill there having been constantly maintained until within a few years. Opposite the grist-mill, on the south end of the dam, a mill nsed first for nail-cutting, but soon afterward as a saw-mill, stood from 1808 to 1869. The title of these mills passed to George Goodwin & Co. in 1826. They used part of the power for paper- making. It is now owned by the Hanmer & Forbes Company, who manufacture manila paper.
On the middle fall, just east of the above, Jolin Bidwell and Joseph Bull erected a saw-mill before 1669. They had a large land-grant, with liberty to take timber out of the next commons for the improvement of their mill. This site was used for one or more mills from that date, there having been a fulling-mill (owned by the Pitkins) next the bridge in 1690. In 1784 it was a paper and fulling mill, with a saw-mill just below. It passed through several hands, and was wholly given to the manufacture of paper before 1851. It is now used for making fine writing-papers by the East Hartford Manufacturing Company.
The site above the Burnside bridge was leased by William Pitkin to Thomas Bidwell and others in 1690. They built a saw-mill on the south side of the river. This was burned, and the Pitkins erected a saw and corn mill in its place. Hudson and Goodwin used it for a paper-mill in 1789, an oil-mill standing opposite on the north side of the river. The latter had been made into a paper-mill before George Goodwin pur- chased both mills in 1815. The south mill has been enlarged, and the manufacture of book-paper is now carried on by F. R. Walker & Son.
Prior to 1671 Secretary John Allyn had a saw-mill on the fall, a mile east of Burnside, and was granted one hundred acres about it, with the privilege of taking timber from the commons. Iron-slitting was undertaken here in 1747 by Colonel Joseph Pitkin, who had the sole privilege in the colony for fourteen years, and the site was known as The Forge. Parliament suppressed iron-working in the colonies three years later. By a grim sort of justice the power was turned to the manufacture of gunpowder, to be used against the home govern- ment in 1775 and in 1812, and was used at different times for that purpose until the close of the late Rebellion. After the Revolution, William Pitkin, having suffered losses in the manufacture of powder for the public use, was given the sole privilege of making snuff in the State for fourteen years without taxation. A forging-mill was again estab- lished here for a time, and anchors, mill-screws, nail-rods, etc., were made. The two guns of the old artillery company were cast and bored at this mill, -the gift of Elisha Pitkin, Esq., to the company. The site is now owned by the Hartford Manilla Company, who have erected a large mill for paper-making.
A saw-mill was set up on Hop Brook (South Manchester) in 1673, by Corporal Jolm Gilbert; and other industries arose on the streams in the eastern part of the town, now Manchester.
Frog Brook, at the south end of the town, has been used for several mills.
Pewter-Pot Brook, north of Frog Brook, was early used for a saw- mill, whose site on Main Street was improved for a grist-mill in 1802, and is still used for that purpose. On this brook, north of Brewer Lane,
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was an oil-mill in 1802. Willow Brook was once used in nail-making. A tannery stood just south of this brook on the east side of Main Street. Other tanneries have been operated in this town ; one of the largest was established by Asahel Olmsted near the meadow hill north of the rail- road. This was operated, until about 1831, by Selah Webster. Ashbel Warren and Isaac Lester had a tannery on the north side of Silver Lane in 1820. Many shoes were then made in this neighborhood, and agents were sent to the South to sell them.
The culture of the Morus multicaulis trees, and the raising of silk- worms, assumed a considerable importance in this town about fifty years ago, and a number of breeding-houses were built. Some silk was pro- duced, reeled off by hand, and sent to the mills in Mansfield or South Manchester and manufactured. The worms, however, died in great numbers ; and while some who sold their trees before failure became apparent made comfortable fortunes, the venture proved ruinous to most who had engaged in it.
Hat-making once afforded some business to our townspeople. A factory was situated on Main Street, east of the old meeting-house site, and obtained its power from the Hockanum, then dammed east of this place. Here hats were made by processes patented by the Pitkins, mostly for the Southern market. Close to this factory there was once a mill for grinding grain and plaster and for carding wool.
Seventy-five years ago several clothiers' shops existed in town, the fulling of the goods being done at the Burnside mills.
Bricks have from the early days been made at various- localities. A manufactory of watches and silver-ware was built by the Pitkins about the year 1834 on the west side of Main Street, south of the railroad-crossing. In it was made the first watch manufactured in America. It was burned in 1880.
Steam, grain, and saw mills once stood on Mill Street, a little way from Main. During the Rebellion a stone steam "shoddy " mill was erected on Main Street, north of the railroad-crossing. Twice burned out, it was finally abandoned and removed.
In the old days, horses, mules, hats, shoes, and produce were shipped from landings along the river to the West Indies and coastwise ports, and sugar, molasses, rum, coffee, and spices brought back. At that time many of our citizens followed the seas as captains and traders, and brought back breezy tales of far-off lands to our firesides. Through them most of our shopmen obtained their stores.
The city of Hartford now affords a good market for fruit, vegetables, etc., and its tobacco warehouses, together with those on this side the river, furnish a ready market for the excellent tobacco that is grown in town.
The town has three post-offices. That of East Hartford was estab- lished in 1806, with Lemuel White, Esq., as postmaster; his office stood on the site of the present post-office. Hockanum was made a post-station in 1851, Burnside in 1862.
It has been the fortune of our inland town not to have any of the dreadful scenes of war enacted within its borders. Although its early people shared in the frequent Indian alarms, and maintained garrisons and forts for fear of the savages, there is but one recorded instance of
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MEMORIAL HISTORY OF HARTFORD COUNTY.
bloodshed on its territory, - that of the wounding of William Hills at Hockanum by an Indian in 1675. Stories of the killing of prowling Indians are celebrated in the traditions of some of our old families, but nothing rising to the dignity of a border skirmish has a claim upon our historian's pen. Yet our citizens did not sit apart from the momentous contests of their time ; they organized efficient military companies, and on distant fields obtained a lively taste of war. The carly necessities re- quired every man to be a soldier, and compulsory training was promptly enforced. In 1653 the inhabitants on the east side of the Great River were required to meet there as William Hill should appoint, and train together on their training-days. This was the first of the annual or semi-annual training-days on this side the river: the succession of which continued until the adoption of the commutation system in later years. At times the musters showed a disorderly gathering of military subjects, indifferent to everything except escaping their fine, and given often to burlesquing soldiery in shabby clothing, with brooms or corn- stalks for muskets, - often barefooted, and with bandaged toes, thus winning the name of East Hartford Rag-toes. Again a better spirit prevailed, and the companies uniformed themselves and marched with shining weapons and showy uniforms to the muster-field. The remem- brance of many brilliant field-days on our meadows and on Upper-quag plains, and on the field back of Phelps's tavern, are treasured in the memory of our older citizens. The military spirit evidenced by the local organizations frequently displayed itself on fields of danger. For the expedition against Crown Point, in April, 1755, a company was organized under Lieutenant-Colonel John Pitkin, comprising eighty- three officers and men. It was in the service twenty-eight weeks ; and although the fort was not reduced, the expedition resulted in the sanguinary defeat of the French and Indians in the battle of Lake George.
In the events which led to the Revolution our people took an active interest ; and when they heard of the outbreak at Lexington, in April, 1775, they speedily organized a company of forty-nine officers and men under Lieutenant-Colonel George Pitkin, which that month marched to Roxbury. Some of these volunteers served with ardor later in the war, as did many of our citizens. Of these, a number lost their lives in battle or by disease contracted in the service or upon the pestilent prison- ships at New York ; others served upon the sea. Captain Gideon Olmsted, captain of a French privateer, was captured and taken to Jamaica. There he was sent aboard the sloop " Active " with a valuable cargo for New York, to aid in working the vessel to that port ; but with three fellow-prisoners he rose and captured the vessel, and claimed it as a prize of war. Count Rochambeau, with his troops, rested here when on his way from Newport to join General Washington on the Hudson, in June, 1781. His army, 15,000 strong, camped on the field north of Silver Lane. Their stay was marked with much good feeling, and was a memorable event for our townspeople, - the " hard money " of the French giving the name to Silver Lane. The Count lodged at the hospitable mansion of Elisha Pitkin, Esq., while other officers were received in other houses. The meeting-house was used as a hospital. The French encamped here again on their return across the State in the fall of 1782; this time on the meadows north of the north-meadow
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road. Scows were impressed by the State for their passage over the Connecticut River, and the selectmen of the towns were ordered to make all necessary provisions for them.
The War of 1812 called a number of our citizens away from their homes. The artillery company (Captain Amherst Reynolds and thirty- one men and officers) went to New London and served in the forts from August 3 to Sept. 16, 1813. Some of our seafaring citizens assisted the Government by privateering enterprises during this war. Captain Ozias Roberts and Dr. William Cooley embarked under Captain Josiah Griswold, of Wethersfield, in the "Blockade." It met with little success, and was captured by a brig-of-war, and the crew confined in a prison-ship at the Bermudas. Dr. Samuel Spring, prior to his beginning the ministry, was a merchant and sea-captain, and was cap- tured by the British off Chesapeake Bay, and his vessel burned.
To the calls for troops in the War of the Rebellion (1861-1865) our citizens responded with alacrity, two thirds of the three hundred and eleven men furnished going as volunteers, and receiving generous bonn- ties and assistance for their families from the town. The town also freely assisted the drafted men to procure substitutes to take the field in their places. It expended over $70,000 to fill its quotas under the different calls from the President for troops, and issued bonds to the amount of $41,750, most of which are now paid. A fine freestone monument stands in the Centre Burying-Ground, erected in 1868 to the memory of those killed in the war.
This town has few societies. Orient Lodge No. 62, of Free and Accepted Masons, was first chartered Sept. 8, 1822. It holds its meetings in Bigelow Hall, the use of this hall having been given by the late William Bigelow.
The Village Improvement Society was chartered in January, 1879. It holds in trust the ground known as Raymond Park, until such time as the Raymond Library Association shall be organized, as provided in Mr. Albert C. Raymond's will, when the trust is to be transferred to that association, to which Mr. Raymond has given $17,000 for the establishment of a public library upon the Park.
To the list of distinguished citizens which our town may claim by virtue of their residence upon its soil the Pitkin family has given an unusual number of names.
William Pitkin, progenitor of all of the name of Pitkin in this country, was born in Marylebone, near London, England, in 1635. He came to Hartford in 1659, and a year later began school teaching, - being William Pittm thereto encouraged by votes and grants of money by the town. He was ap- pointed attorney for the colony in 1664. He bought land on the cast side of the river in 1661, and was one of the most prominent planters. He filled many public offices with ability, and was conspicuous and in- fluential in the affairs of the colony. He was a member of the General Court from 1675 to 1690, except for a short period. His wife was Hannah, daughter of Ozias Goodwin. His sister Martha married Simon Wolcott, and was ancestress of seven governors.
His son, the Hon. William Pitkin, a lawyer by profession, like
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MEMORIAL HISTORY OF HARTFORD COUNTY.
his father, held important offices, and was one of the Council of the colony from 1697 until his death, a period of twenty-six years.
MRS. MARY LORD PITKIN.
(FROM A PAINTING IN WADSWORTH ATHENEUM GALLERY.)
He was judge of the probate court and of the county court ; and in 1711 was made a judge of the Supe- rior Court, and in 1713 its chief justice. He owned mill-seats on the Hockanum, and carried on an extensive business, transferring it final- ly to his sons Wil- liam and Joseph. His wife was Eliza- beth Stanley.
The Hon. Ozias Pitkin, brother of the above, was often elected to the legis- lature. He was a member of the Coun- cil nineteen years.
Governor William Pitkin, son of Wil- liam Pitkin (2d), was brought up in business by his fa- ther, who also gave him the benefit of his knowledge of
public affairs. He rose, by force of demonstrated capacity, from the office of town collector (1715) to the chief magistracy of the colony (1766), holding that office until his death, in 1769. Captain of the trainband in 1730, he became colonel of the First Regiment in 1739. William Ditfin Ofsige. A writer says, " Gov- ernor Pitkin was tall, of commanding appearance, and highly affable and pleasant in his man- Orias Biti effing ner." He was a strong ad- vocate of colonial rights, and his firm stand against the unpopular measures of Great Britain secured for him a majority over Governor Fitch, so great, says the " Connecticut Gazette," that the votes were not count- ed. In the administration of justice he began as justice of the peace and of the quorum in 1730. He presided as judge of the
MAJOR SAMUEL PITKIN
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county court from 1735 to 1752; was chosen judge of the Superior Court in 1741, and chief justice and deputy-governor in 1754. His wife was Mary Woodbridge.
Colonel John Pitkin, brother of the Governor, was lieutenant-colonel of the First Regiment, raised for the expedition against Crown Point and Canada in 1755.
John Pitkin Pays
Colonel William Pitkin, son of Governor Pitkin, was major of the First Regiment of colonial forces raised for the expedition against Canada under General Abercrombie in 1758. He was a member of the Council of Safety during the greater part of the Revolutionary War. In 1784 he was elected to the Congress of the United States. A determined and ener- getic patriot, he took part in a very interesting period of our history, and as a business man was largely connected with manufacturing enterprises in East Hartford.
Colonel George Pit- kin, son of Governor Pit- Dithin Plerky kin, was prominent in the militia of the State. In 1775 he was com- mandant of the Fourth Regiment of minute-men, and marched with his command to Roxbury during the siege of Boston.
Major Samuel Pitkin was town clerk and treasurer for thirty-five years, and represented his town in the legislature thirteen times.
General Samuel L. Pitkin, son of Kam Potkin Major Samuel Pitkin, was a graduate of West Point ; he rose from the local military company to the office of major-general (First Division, 1837), and two years later was Adjutant-General of the State.
The Hon. Colonel Joseph Pitkin, brother and partner of Governor Pitkin, held many important offices, and showed unusual ability in promoting and extending the manufacturing enterprises of the town. Captain of the trainband in 1738, he was raised to the colonelcy of the First Regiment in 1751. He was a justice of the peace and a judge of the county court, Joseph Pitkin and representative in the co- lonial legislature for twenty years. His first wife was Miss Mary Lord, daughter of Richard Lord, Esq., and great-granddaughter of John Haynes, the first governor of the colony. His second wife was Miss Eunice Chester, daughter of the Hon. Colonel John Chester, of Wethersfield. His third wife was Madam Eunice Law, widow and fifth wife of His Excellency Jonathan Law, of Milford, once governor of
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Connecticut. This third marriage of Colonel Pitkin was also the third marriage of Madam Law, her first husband having been Samuel An- drew, Esq., of Milford. She was the only daughter of the Hon. John Hall, of Wallingford. Colonel Pitkin's house, built about 1724, still stands on Main Street, just north of the railroad-crossing, in a some- what altered condition. He died Nov. 3, 1762, aged sixty-seven years.
Elisha Pitkin, Esq., son of Colonel Joseph and Mary Lord Pitkin, was largely engaged in trade and manufacturing, and had a store beside his residence, near the old meet- ing-house. He was graduated at Yale in 1753, and married Han- Elifha Dithin nah Pitkin, daughter of Samuel and Hannah Buel Pitkin, and niece of the Rev. Dr. Samuel Buel, of East Hampton, Long Island. They had eleven children. His house was noted for its hospitality, and known not only as the "ministers
THE ELISHA PITKIN HOUSE.
hotel," but as one of the popular places where the people passed their gossipy Sunday noonings, and replenished their foot-stoves at its ample kitchen hearth. Under its spacious roof Count de Rochambeau lodged during the stay of the French army here. For many years Mr. Pitkin was prominent as a trial justice, and his judgments were firm and usually unquestioned. But he was not above a bit of humor now and then. A family named Evans became so notorious for petty crimes that their neighborhood was dubbed Pirate Hill. A fresh culprit was brought one day before 'Squire Pitkin, and, as a preliminary, told to give his name. He answered, "Evans." "Guilty, then !" said the justice. In East Hartford they still say of an offender with a bad name and small chance of acquittal, " His name is Evans, and he has got to go." Mr. Pitkin died in 1819, aged eighty-six years.
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General Shubael Griswold, a merchant of this town, was a man of much natural ability, and well fitted to take a leading part in public affairs. He was town repre- sentative twenty-four times be- tween 1794 and 1824, and honorably active in military matters.
Colonel Jonathan Wells, of Hoekanum, was usefully employed in the militia during the Revolution.
Jonathan Will
He was appointed to committees of supply and inquiry, and in 1776 was given the command at New London, Groton, and Stonington.
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