USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > The memorial history of Hartford County, Connecticut, 1633-1884, Vol. II > Part 36
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Frederick Trenek Stanley was born in New Britain, Ang. 12, 1802. His father, Gad Stanley, was a son of Colonel Gad Stanley, an offi- cer in the Revolutionary army and a civil magistrate of note. F. T. Stanley passed his childhood on the farm in Stanley Quarter, attend- ing school near his home a part of the time. At sixteen years of age he went into a store in New Haven as clerk, and remained there until 1823, when he removed to Fayetteville, North Carolina. At this place he was engaged in mercantile business for three years, and then sold
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out and returned to the North. For a year or two he was clerk on a steamboat making trips from Hartford to New York. After return- ing to New Britain he was for a short time clerk in the store of O. R. Burnham, and in 1829 was engaged in mercantile trade with Curtiss Whaples. In 1830 he was associated with his brother William B. Stanley, H. W. Clark, and Lora Waters, in a small manufactory on Main Street, near the present railway crossing. He bought out his partners in 1831 and commenced the manufacture of loeks, the first made in this country. He also introduced the first steam-engine used for manufacturing purposes in New Britain. In 1835 he became a partner in the firm of Stanley, Woodruff, & Co. and entered more extensively upon the manufacture of locks of various kinds. In 1841 he sold out his interest in the latter company, and for the next two years was in business in the State of Mississippi. Upon his return to New Britain he engaged in the manufacture of bolts and hinges in a shop near his house. The business increased rapidly, and in 1852 a joint-stock company was formed, of which he became president. He was continued in this office until his death, - a period of more than thirty years. In business Mr. Stanley was methodical, energetic, and progressive, but he never made the acquisition of property his sole aim. His generous nature led him to give liberally, both of time and means, for the benefit of others. His publie spirit, especially, led him often to place the welfare of the town and city before his private in- terests. He planned the city water-works, and by unceasing energy and indomitable perseverance secured the adoption of his plans and the introduction of Shuttle Meadow water into the city. He was one of the prominent movers in securing the town park and having it set apart for publie uses. He was active in promoting the various railway enterprises which have so much benefited New Britain, and the first engine run on the Berlin branch bore his name. He earnestly advo- cated the system of sewerage finally adopted for the city, and was per- sonally active in making the preliminary arrangements for its use. He represented the town of Berlin in the legislature in 1834, was in 1850 elected the first warden of the borough of New Britain, and in 1871 the first mayor of the city. He was interested in the affairs of the country, and though never an active politician, he was well in- formed on all national questions. An ardent admirer of Daniel Web- ster, he often travelled long distances to hear him speak. Mr. Stanley was a consistent member of the South Church, attending its services after his eyesight had entirely failed and his steps had to be guided by another. He was married, July 4, 1838, to Miss Melvinia A. Chamber- lain. There were three children born to them, two of whom died in childhood. The surviving son, Mr. Alfred H. Stanley, resides at the homestead, where his father died, Aug. 2, 1883.
Elihu Burritt, the youngest son of a family of ten children, was born in New Britain, Dec. 8, 1810. His parents having but little prop- erty, he was early dependent upon his own resources. In his boyhood he attended the district school a part of the time, until he apprenticed himself to a blacksmith, still studying in his room at night, and often at the anvil. When twenty-one he attended his brother's private school for one quarter, giving his attention chiefly to mathematics, but occupying his odd hours with Latin and French. At the elose of the
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your faithful friend Elihu Burvitt.
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quarter he resumed work at his trade, but still pursued his studies at every favorable moment, carrying a small Greek Grammar in his pocket or hat, which he would study while at work. The next winter he passed at New Haven, that he might be in the vicinity of books and scholars. He continued the study of Latin and Greek, giving some attention also to French, Spanish, Italian, German, and Hebrew. He then became preceptor in an academy for a year, teaching the lan- guages, and also continuing his studies. His health failing from too close confinement, he was led to accept a position as commercial trav- eller for a factory in New Britain. At the solicitation of friends he returned to New Britain and opened a grocery and provision store ; but in the financial panic of 1837, which soon came, he lost his property. He resolved to return to his trade and his studies, and went to Worcester, where he had access to the valuable library of the Antiquarian Society. Here he divided his hours between work and study, giving his atten- tion to Latin, Greek, Hebrew, Chaldaie, Samaritan, Ethiopic, and the modern languages of Europe. A letter in the Celto-Breton language, written by him to the Royal Antiquarian Society of France, is sup- posed to be the first in that language ever written from America. He soon became known as " the Learned Blacksmith," and invitations to lecture came from various parts of the country. For the next few years his time was occupied principally in labor at the anvil and in lecturing. He spoke upon Application and Genins, then in the Anti- slavery cause and in the cause of peace and humanity. In May, 1846, he went to Europe, proposing to be absent three months, but remained three years. IIe addressed large audiences in England and Ireland, visiting the latter country during the famine of 1846-1847. He was a vice-president of the Peace Congress held in Brussels in September, 1848. He also attended the great meeting at Exeter Hall in June, 1849, and was secretary of the Peace Congress held in Paris the same year. Returning to America early in 1850, he lectured in different parts of this country, but went to Europe again in May to prepare for the ap- proaching Peace Congress at Frankfort. He was also a member of the Fourth Congress held at Exeter Hall, London, in 1851, and afterward was engaged with the friends of peace in promoting the interests of the League of Universal Brotherhood. His work in Europe brought him into association with Richard Cobden, John Bright, Dr. Guthrie, Joseph Sturge, M. de Tocqueville, Victor Hugo, Alexander Von Hum- boldt, Professor Liebig, Tholuck, Hengstenberg, and others, some of whom became his intimate friends.
Immediately after the Edinburgh Peace Congress of 1853 he re- turned to America, and here addressed public meetings in behalf of ocean penny postage. Ile passed three months in Washington, inter- esting members of Congress in the measure. In August, 1854, he went to England again for a year. On his return to America he devoted considerable time to lecturing and addressing public audiences on the subject of Compensated Emancipation, and was secretary of the asso- ciation organized in this interest in 1856. He passed several years on his farm in New Britain, visiting Europe in 1863, and making journeys on foot the whole extent of England and Scotland, gathering material for two interesting books, " A Walk from London to John O'Groat's," and " A Walk from London to Land's End and Back," which were pub-
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lished in London. In 1865 he was appointed Consular Agent for the United States at Birmingham. In connection with his duties in this office he collected statistics of the Birmingham district, which he pub- lished in a volume entitled " Walks in the Black Country and its Green Border Lands." He soon after wrote another volume, entitled " The Mission of Great Sufferings." After leaving his office he passed six weeks at Oxford, returning to America in 1870. From that time he lived in New Britain, in the family of his sister, Mrs. Strickland, giving much of his time to the advancement of education, the improvement of agriculture, and the promotion of the public welfare. He established a mission school in a building on his farm on Burritt Hill, and another in the southern part of the city in a chapel built at his expense and mostly by his own hands. He was a member of the First Church of Christ in New Britain. He died March 6, 1879, aged sixty-eight.
Seth J. North was born in New Britain, Ang. 13, 1779. In youth he worked in the blacksmith's shop with his father, but soon after he was twenty-one years of age he engaged in the manufacture of sleigh- bells with his brother James. He continued the business after his brother removed from town, building new shops and adding to the articles manufactured. From 1807 to 1811 he was a partner with Thomas Lee and several others in the manufacture of jewelry. In 1812 he entered into partnership with a younger brother, Alvin North, and H. C. Whipple in making plated wire, etc. He was afterward associated with John Stanley, William H. Smith, Henry Stanley, and Oliver Stanley in various manufactures. For several years before his death he was successfully engaged in the manufacture of hooks and eyes and knit goods. In 1847 he was largely instrumental in the organi- zation of the New Britain Knitting Company, and was its president from that time until his death. He was one of the projectors and origi- nal stockholders of the Hartford and New Haven Railroad, and also of the Hartford, Providence, and Fishkill Railroad. He took an active interest in military affairs, became a major in the War of 1812, and was after known as "Major North." He was active in securing the or- ganization of the South Congregational Church in 1842, in procuring its first place of worship, and in providing means for the support of preaching. He was a friend of education, assisting in the establish- ment of schools and academies, and taking a prominent part in the founding of the State Normal School and securing its location in New Britain. He loved business, was wise in planning, and nearly always successful in his business projects, and at his death was one of the wealthiest men in Hartford County. He was public-spirited, liberal in his benefactions, doing much for the church with which he was con- nected and for the community in which his life was passed. He died March 10, 1851, aged seventy-one.
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Henry Stanley was born in Stanley Quarter, New Britain, Sept. 24, 1807. After completing his school education at Monson Academy, Mass., he was for a time a clerk in a dry-goods store in Hartford. Returning to New Britain, he commenced the study of medicine with Dr. Samuel Hart, but was soon induced to relinquish study for more active employment. He was engaged in manufacturing with Alvin North for a short time, and then went into company with Seth J. North and William H. Smith, in the firm of North, Smith, & Stanley.
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After Mr. Smith withdrew, the firm continued as North & Stanley. Mr. Stanley afterward was in company with his brothers, Augustus and T. W. Stanley, in the firm of H. Stanley & Co. In 1847 he aided in the introduction of the manufacture of knit goods into New Britain, and became secretary, treasurer, and superintendent of the New Britain Knitting Company. He was interested in many of the manufacturing establishments of New Britain and Hartford, and in some elsewhere. At the time of his death he was president of the American Hosiery Company, the Stanley Rule and Level Company, and the Stanley Works,
WORKS OF THE STANLEY RULE AND LEVEL COMPANY.
and director in several other companies. Naturally conservative, his cool judgment and intelligent counsel often helped to guide the actions of those associated with him. He was one of the founders of the South Congregational Church, and for many years a member of the standing committee, and clerk of the ecclesiastical society. He died May 3, 1884.
William H. Smith was born in New Britain, Oct. 22, 1800. His life was passed in his native place, which he saw transformed from a quiet country parish of a few hundred inhabitants to an active, thriving city of as many thousands. In business he was first associated with Seth J. North and Henry Stanley, under the firm name of North, Smith, & Stanley, the leading brass-founders of the village. He afterward withdrew from this firm, and in 1851 his own business was merged in the Russell & Erwin Manufacturing Company. Though not actively engaged in business during the later years of his life, he was interested in the principal manufacturing companies of New Britain, and a direc- tor in several of them. He was president of the New Britain Savings Bank from its organization until his death, and a director in the New Britain National Bank. He was for a time warden of the borough, and filled with acceptance other civil offices. In all these positions his fidelity and conscientious attention to the trusts committed to him won the respect and confidence of the community. He became a member
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of the First Church in New Britain in 1829. He withdrew from this church in 1842 to unite with others in the organization of the South Congregational Church, of which he was a member until his death. For fifteen years as a member of the standing committee, and for the last eight years of his life as deacon, he faithfully served the church. Though modesty and diffidence characterized his public life, he did not shrink from known duty. He was liberal in gifts to benevolent objects, sympathetic, but discriminating and judicious in rendering aid to the poor and unfortunate. His genial nature, uniform cheerfulness, and sincere regard for others won for him a large circle of friends. He died Aug. 20, 1873. Mr. Smith may be taken as a worthy type of the class of men who by their enterprise and fidelity promoted the growth of their native place, - a town richer in the character of its men than in its natural resources.
Cornelius B. Erwin was born in Booneville, New York, June 11, 1811. In his youth he worked in his father's tannery and shoemaker's shop, but on attaining his majority he sought more active employ- ment. In 1832, with but five dollars in money, he left home as assist- ant to a drover, and came to Hartford with a consignment of horses. He soon sought and found work in New Britain, and with the exception of a short absence in 1833, for another consignment of horses, he made this place his home for the remainder of his life. He was for a short time in the employ of North & Stanley, then a partner in the firm of W. H. Belden & Co., and in 1836 went into company with George Lewis, under the firm name of Erwin, Lewis, & Co. On the 1st of January, 1839, he entered into partnership with Henry E. Russell, F. T. Stanley, and Smith Matteson, engaged in the manufacture of locks and other hardware. He continued with Mr. Russell as a partner in the successive firms of Stanley, Russell, & Co. ; Matteson, Russell, Erwin, & Co .; and Russell, Erwin, & Co., all doing business in the same locality. On the organization in 1851 of the Russell & Erwin Manufacturing Company he became its president, and held the office by successive elections until his death. He was president and a director of the New Britain National Bank, a director of the New Britain Savings Bank and of the principal manufacturing companies of New Britain, of sev- eral insurance companies in Hartford, and of other corporations in Hartford and elsewhere. Though seldom holding public offices, by wise counsels and the judicious use of his wealth he aided public im- provements. His sterling integrity and practical wisdom in business matters made him a valuable counsellor. He was beneficent while living, and by his will devised most of his large property, inventoried at more than a million of dollars, to the cause of education and to public and charitable uses. He died March 22, 1885, in the seventy- fourth year of his age.
John B. Talcott was born in Thompsonville, Sept. 4, 1824. His parents removed to West Hartford in 1828. He fitted for college in the Hartford Grammar School, and graduated from Yale in 1846, the salu- tatorian of his class. He studied law with Francis Fellowes, Esq., of Hartford, at the same time hearing Latin recitations in the Hart- ford Female Seminary, and performing the duties of Clerk of the Pro- bate Court. While thus engaged he was appointed tutor to fill a vacancy for a year in Middlebury College, Vermont, after which he returned to
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Hartford, and was admitted to the bar. He was soon appointed tutor in Greek at Yale College, and filled the position for three years ; at the same time pursuing his law studies, expecting to practise law. He was, however, induced to change his plans and begin active business in New Britain, as a partner with Seth J. North and others, then engaged in the manufacture of knit goods and of hooks and eyes. He was elected treas- urer and manager of the New Britain Knitting Company, holding this position for fourteen years. In 1868 he organized the American Ho- siery Company, of which he was for many years secretary and treasurer. He is now president of this company, and also of the New Britain Knitting Company, the New Britain Institute, and the New Britain Club ; a director in the New Britain Savings Bank, in the City Bank, Hartford, and in several manufacturing companies. He was elected a member of the common council in 1876, alderman in 1877-1879, and mayor in 1880 and 1881. In all the relations of his public business and in social life he has the respect and confidence of his fellow- citizens and of all who know him.
David N. Camp was born in Durham, Oct. 3, 1820. He taught a few years in public schools and in an academy in Meriden. On the incor- poration of the State Normal School he was appointed teacher in that institution, became associate principal in 1855, and principal and State Superintendent of Schools in 1857. He resigned in 1866, and passed some months visiting the educational institutions of Europe. While there he was appointed a professor in St. John's College, Annapolis, Maryland, where he taught until the organization of the National Bureau of Education, when he resigned, to engage in the service of the bureau in collecting information respecting education. He established the New Britain Seminary in 1870, and was its principal until 1881. He was for several years editor and manager of the " Connecticut Common School Journal," and afterward of other periodicals. He revised Mitchell's Outline Maps and the "Governmental Instructor," compiled and edited the " American Year Book," and is the author of a series of geographies and maps, and of a globe manual. On the organization of the city government, in 1870, he was elected a member of the common council, was mayor from 1877 to 1879, and represented the town in the General Assembly in 1879. He was one of the incor- porators of the New Britain Institute, is president of the Adkins Printing Company, vice-president of the New Britain National Bank, and director in several other corporations.1
Among the early residents of New Britain were several persons of marked character, of whom portraits and full sketches cannot well be given. Captain Stephen Lee, one of the seven pillars of the Great Swamp Church, resided on East Street, and owned a large tract of land extending from his home to Main Street. He was captain of the Far- mington train-band, was much engaged in civil and ecclesiastical affairs, and was one of the leaders in securing the organization of the New Britain Society ; but in 1753, nearly a year before the act was con- summated, he died, at the age of eighty-seven. Colonel Isaac Lee, a grandson of Stephen, was a farmer by occupation, residing at the head of Main Street, but his time was largely given to the public service.
1 Abridged from " American Journal of Education."
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He was prominent in the organization of the First Church, and one of its officers for forty-eight years. He was for thirty years the leading magistrate of the place, administering justice fearlessly and impartially, and was treated with great respect. He represented the town in the General Assembly, and in 1788 was a delegate to the State Conven- tion which adopted the Constitution of the United States. IIe died Dec. 13, 1806, aged eighty-six. Major John Paterson, who lived near Captain Lee, on East Street, was a large landholder, owning some slaves, and was active in civil and military affairs. His son, General John Paterson, graduated from Yale college in 1762, and lived at his father's homestead as a practising attorney and teacher. He removed to Binghamton, New York, became Chief Justice of Broome County, and held other local offices of trust. He was a brigadier-general in the War of the Revolution ; then a member of the legislature of New York for four years; a member of the convention to amend the con- stitution of the State in 1801; and a representative in Congress 1803- 1805. He became an extensive landholder, and removed to Lisle, New York, where he died, July 19, 1808, at the age of sixty-four. In the northeastern part of the place Thomas Standley, or Stanley, a direct descendant of one of the first settlers of Farmington, exerted a large influence, and, with his sons, gave name to Stanley Quarter.
In the southwestern part of the parish was a band of stalwart men who gave name to Hart Quarter, and stamped their influence on the whole place. Judah Hart and Elijah Hart were relatives of nearly the same age, and married in the same year, 1734. They had their homes near each other. The former had three and the latter seven sons, who lived to manhood, were married, and, with a single exception, resided near the homes of their parents. All were members of the First Church, two had ten children each, two eleven each, and some of the others had large families. All owned considerable property, and a few possessed large estates. Several were men of more than ordinary intel- ligence and force of character.
2. M.Camp
XIX.
NEWINGTON.
BY ROGER WELLES.
N EWINGTON contains about fourteen square miles, in the form of a parallelogram, about five miles in length from north to south, and two and three fourths miles in breadth. It adjoins seven other towns: West Hartford and a part of Hartford on the north; Weth- ersfield and a part of Rocky Hill on the east ; Berlin, Rocky Hill, and a point of land belonging to Wethersfield on the south ; and New Britain and parts of Berlin and of Farmington on the west. As seen from Cedar Mountain, whose ridge substantially forms its natural eastern boundary, the town spreads out beneath the eye in a valley of field, forest, and meadow, every acre of which is capable of cultivation. It is easily seen to be the home of the farmer, and the well-tilled farms bespeak the intelligent thrift and industry of the people. One at- tractive feature of the picture is an oval-shaped sheet of water in the exact geographical centre of the place, on a comparatively high plateau of land, and confined by a natural ledge of trap-rock. Its outlet divides the town irregularly into halves, and joins a larger stream from New Britain, anciently called Piper's River, which winds through West Hartford, and by Park River through Hartford into the Connectient. Two main highways, half a mile apart, run north and south through Newington, marking the ancient divisions of the parish, called the West Divisions by the fathers, who originally subdivided them into " lots."
The village Congregational church stands conspicuous on an emi- nence on the eastern mainroad, abont midway of the place north and south, and in its rear is " God's aere." Near by are the town-hall, post-office, and store, with that inevitable adjunct of the meeting-house in the early days - the whipping-post, which has now, however, lost its former vocation. There is one other church edifice in the town. At the northern part, where the two railroads, New York, New Haven, and Hartford, and New York and New England, form a junction, and have a common depot, a village has clustered, with a post-office and store and Grace Church.
Sowheag, a sachem of the Mattabesett tribe, originally sold the land in Newington to the first settlers of Wethersfield. A committee ap- pointed by the two towns of Wethersfield and Farmington definitely settled the western limit of this Indian purchase on the 29th of Oc- tober, 1670, by a line which established their boundary, running from
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Hartford south to a white-oak tree " standing about a mile to the south of Mattabesett River on rising land," or not far from the present town- hall of Berlin. This line still divides the towns of Newington and New Britain.
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