USA > Connecticut > Windham County > Eastford > Town of Eastford : Centennial 1847-1947 > Part 2
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CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
In the summer of 1779 the frame for the new church was raised, funds coming from an addition of 5 pence on the pound on the tax list. This first year no services were held in the building but business meetings were conducted there. In 1780 it was voted to auction all the
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pew ground and space on the church floor and apply the money to finishing the meeting house. Twenty-five pews were sold for from $13.00 to $41.00 each. With this money they were to buy a half box of glass to glaze the meeting house and have it underpinned in the cheap- est and best way. However, the price of glass was too high and the windows were boarded up. In 1781 it was voted to buy a lock for the door.
By 1782 a choir had been organized and the "front fore seats and more as needed" were given over to it. Gallery pews had now been built and these were auctioned for $13.50 for those on the men's side and $15.00 for the women's side. In 1784 things evidently began to look up a bit because it was voted to confer as to making Mr. Judson more comfortable, raise taxes one penny on the pound to glaze the church and allow any member who desired to build horse sheds on the meeting house green. Besides all this John Russell, Jr. was given six shillings for taking care of the meeting house.
Mr. Judson was discharged in 1795 but seems to have stayed on until 1804. 1809 found a new pastor, Rev. Hollis Samson and he re- mained until 1816 when he was dismissed at his own request. Rev. Reuben Torrey accepted a call in 1820 having been offered $400 and 20 cords of good wood. At this time there were 108 members but half were non-resident.
Plans to build a new church provided money could be obtained got underway in 1829-this building is the one used now. The old meeting house was moved after a strike by the movers which left it standing in the road for nearly a year and was finally remodeled into a two tenement house. Now the pews were rented instead of being sold and they thus realized $382.55. With the new church came a bell so in addition to the janitor a bell ringer was engaged. Mr. Torrey helped to build a parsonage to go with the church and evidently invested some of his own money in the building because there seemed to be much discussion over the settlement. In 1840 Mr. Torrey was dismissed and . the parsonage was sold in 1841 for $825.
Rev. Francis Williams became the pastor in 1841 and stayed for 10 years. After Rev. Williams supplies filled the pulpit until 1857 when Mr. Charles Chamberlin was called. The pastor's salary was now raised from $400 to $500. Mr. Chamberlin left in 1867 and was followed by supplies until a call was given Mr. C. M. Jones in 1872. During his pastorate in 1875 it was voted to buy the chapel-"a loan was placed on the property of $3,500 and the residue of indebtedness to be pro- vided for by a note of the committee". The membership list was gone over again and absentee members were contacted by the pastor. A com- mittee was appointed to visit and labor with the resident members who neglected public worship. The committee was also instructed not to let the church for any purpose than that for which it was dedicated. In 1884 the church was prepared for the organ which was a gift of Mr. Benjamin Green in memory of his parents.
In 1892 Rev. Chandler who had come in 1889 was not rehired and Rev. J. P. Trowbridge was called and installed at a salary of $1,000
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providing West Woodstock pay $400 and the Home Missionary Society aid. In 1874 it was voted that the church and state separate but this wasn't accomplished until 1908. During this pastorate in 1893 the first Christian Endeavor Society in this church was organized, also the ladies of the sewing society decided they should organize in 1900 and so we have the first meeting of The Ladies Aid Society.
INTERIOR - Congregational Church
A former resident of the town. Mr. Benjamin Green, gave the church $1,800 for the purchase of a parsonage in 1902. A house was bought from Mr. Jones for $2,100, the church paying the balance. Also in this year Rev. J. P. Aldrich was called to the pastorate. He re- ceived $500 and the use of the parsonage. His stay was indefinite in the
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records and he was followed in 1905 by W. L. Linaberry. Mr. Linaber- ry stayed three years and was followed in 1908 by Mr. James B. King. In 1904 a furnace was offered the church by the Willimantic Congrega- tional Church and the same was accepted and installed.
The year 1916 brought a change in the place of worship. The new minister Rev. Arthur Linscott was called in May and was taken by pneumonia in October of the same year. The Congregational and Me- thodist Churches decided to unite for the winter and were served by the Methodist pastor. This continued until 1917 when Rev. Stanley Sherman was called as the joint pastor, services being held in the Congregational Church summers and Methodist Church winters.
In January 1920 Rev. Frank T. Meacham came to succeed Mr. Sherman but served only a short time for he was soon called to the Mission field and now represents us in Africa. During his ministry the Women's Missionary Society and the Junior Christian Endeavor were organized. Following Mr. Meacham was Rev. Frank K. Abbott who came to us from the neighboring town of Bolton and stayed until 1925.
1926 brings more changes. Rev. Walter Lanphear began preaching and in 1927 became pastor. The parsonage was sold to the Misses Gurnee and the present one built. New Sunday School rooms were then needed so in 1928 an addition was put on the west end of the church. 1928 was also the 150th Anniversary of our Church and was duly celebrated. Rev. Lanphear resigned in 1929 and was followed by the present pastor Rev. George H. Reese who came in 1930.
Our State celebrated its Tercentenary in 1935 and the Church played a prominent part in this. During 1938 the church edifice was more or less restored to its orginal colonial design under the capable direction of Miss Marie Gurnee and in August of that year the build- ing was rededicated and the 160th Anniversary celebrated.
On May 30, 1943 a Service of Commemoration was held during which the American and Christian Flags and the Honor Roll were presented to the Church and the Communion Cabinets given in memo- ry of her husband by Mrs. C. D. Tatem were dedicated.
Today our church is still looking down from her hill top, an inspiration and hope to her 157 members, her friends and all who desire to worship the Lord with them.
Olive Tatem Walker.
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EASTFORD BAPTIST CHURCH
In 1793 a Baptist Society was organized at Northford, as North Ashford was called at that time. Timothy Allen gave two acres of land, and the following year the building was under construction. It was not finished for some time, and was never painted outside or in.
Daniel Bolton was the first pastor, and the church was often spoken of as the "Old Bolton Meeting House". Stephen Haskel, one of the converts, preached later here.
THE BAPTIST CHURCH
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A description of this first church is interesting. "It was a tall edifice with two rows of windows. no steeple, and two outside doors, one opening on the east and one on the south side, a wide flight of steps near the south entrance led to the galleries which were around three sides. On the floor below was a high pulpit and square pews. The choir sat in the gallery and when songs were sung the congregation, stood and faced the choir, with their backs to the minister." This building stood on or near the spot where the present church now stands.
The following were the first members: Daniel Allen, Ebenezer Curtis, Timothy Allen, Avis Convis, Elliee Bolton, Lucy Cheney, Isaiah Bugbee, Ephriam Hayward, Jessie Bugbee, Ezra Hayward, Marcus Bugbee, John Hayward, Huldah Bugbee, Rebecca Hayward, Jonathan Carpenter, Esther Keyes, Abigale Carpenter, Lois Carpenter.
Jonathan Carpenter gave the church land for a free cemetery and the church still holds the funds for the upkeep of the same.
The present church was erected and dedicated in 1843.
The Ladies Benevolent Society was organized in 1878 while the Sunday School was organized in 1894.
During the pastorate of Chas. L. Chamberlain in 1903, the need of a chapel was felt. As a result of his planning one was built with John R. Miller as carpenter.
Among the pastors who have served in the past 100 years are the following: Elder Perrin, who later gave the bell; Erastus Andrews, T. P. Briggs, C. B. Rockwell, Chas. L. Higgins, E. A. Goff, P. S. Collins, P. Matherson, Asa Randlett, L. H. Hanson, Wm. Harris, present pastor.
These family names appear in the church records down through the years: Burley, Simons, Allen, Howard, Bartlett, Hiscox, Bosworth, Holman, Bugbee, Keyes, Corbin, Leonard, Carpenter, Rindge, Dorsett, Stoddard, Herindeen, Thayer, Buell, Walker, George, Dodge, Craw- ford, Noren, Morse, French, Perry.
HENRY B. BUELL,
Treas, and oldest member.
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THE PHOENIXVILLE SUNDAY SCHOOL
It is indeed unfortunate that at this time we do not know when the first Sunday School was organized in Phoenixville, however we do know that in 1855 there was a Sunday School at the home of Mrs. Atwood, now the home of Mr. Norman Green. A Sunday School was also held at Mrs. Joseph Latham's, now the home of Mrs. Wilfred Lat- ham, and in the early 1860's there was a Sunday School at the home of Mrs. Clifford Thomas, now the home of Mr. John Smith.
For many years Sunday School was conducted at some vacant tenement in the village, when that tenement was rented the Sunday School was moved to some other vacant tenement or to some family home. In my memory there has been Sunday School at what is now the home of Mrs. Stanley Szymanski; the present Merrill home; the old Stone Mill; the house up the Lane on the site now owned by Mr.
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THE COMMUNITY HOUSE
Joseph Meier, in the rear of the Stahl home; the home of Mrs. Nettie Lyon, the site now owned by Mr. Harry Tyler; a house on the property now owned by Mr. Stephen Rash; the Wilson House, now owned by Mr. Asa Ethridge; the Taylor home now owned by the Vaida family; the home of Mrs. James Latham, the site now owned by Mr. Joseph Meier; the Adams house, now owned by Mr. Roy and Mr. Caro Lat- ham; the Phoenixville School House; the home now owned by Mr. Royal G. Clemens. There are others in the village who remember attending Sunday School in a four tenement house which was situated on the left side of the road going up Sprague Hill at the site of what is now the junction of the old and new State Road.
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In the memory of those now living the following people have been interested in the Sunday School at Phoenixville and have been active in its growth and worked for its advancement, Mrs. Atwood, Mrs. Joseph Latham, Mrs. Clifford Thomas, Mr. Everett Warren, Mr. Wil- liam H. Hall, the Bullard Family, Mrs. John Adams, her daughters, Mrs. William Henry Latham, Mrs. Samuel Pellett, Mrs. James Latham, the Wilson sisters, Mr. Linus George, the Monroe Latham family, the Palmer Bullard Family, who at one time gave an organ, Mr. Lewis Mowrey, Mr. William Corbin, the Holman family, Mrs. Nelson Clark, the Spaulding Family, Mrs. John Taylor, the Lawton Family, Mrs. Timothy Walker, the George Walker Family, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Clark, the William Clemens Family, the Charles Wheaton Family, Mr. Welcome Davis, Miss Janette Trowbridge, the James Byres Family, Mr. Charles Tatem, Miss Lillian Huntington, Mr. James Sley, who made and gave an altar, in memory of his wife, Mrs. Carrie Spaulding Dow, who gave pictures and a large Bible, and many other people whose names are not at present recalled.
In the period from 1880 to the early 1900's and perhaps before, the Congregational Quarterlies were used as at the present time, but the Methodist Episcopal ministers from the Eastford Center church had charge of the services which were held for years at 3 p.m. in the Albert Clark House, the present home of the Phoenixville Sunday School. At that time money was collected for presents for the children at Christ- mas as it is now, and often a purse of money was given the minister in appreciation for his services. This purse was not large, the amount of money given, depending on the financial condition of the people in the village.
There have been times when there was no Sunday School in Phoenixville, perhaps too few children in the village to attend, how- ever it has always been reorganized, and for years this present Sun- day School has been active holding services every Sunday.
At the Albert Clark house services were held for many years, then this property was sold to Mr. Michael Mc. Govern who in turn sold it to Mr. John MacNair. Mrs. MacNair as a girl had been a sum- mer resident of the village and had attended Sunday School here, she was interested to have a permanent home for this Institution. In order for Mr. MacNair to give the property it was necessary to form a So- ciety, and Mr. MacNair had the following Articles drawn up, and the Society formed.
Articles of Association.
BE IT KNOWN? That we, the subscribers, do hereby associate our- selves as a body politic and corporate, pursuant to the statute laws of the State of Connecticut regulating the formation and organization of corporations without capitol stock, and the following are our articles of association ;-
Article 1 .- The name of said corporation shall be The Union So- ciety of Phoenixville, Incorporated.
Article 2 .- The purposes for which said corporation is formed are the following to wit ;- To maintain and conduct occasional undenomi-
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national public religious worship and Sunday School in the village of Phoenixville as opportunity may offer and any other unsectarian religions or social endeavor conducive to spiritual life to good morals and the best interests of society,-
The officers of said society shall be a President, Secretary and Treasurer, and at least two members of said society.
Said society shall hold its annual meeting in the month of Sep- tember in each year, which meeting shall be duly warned and organ- ized according to law. Five members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business in the meeting.
Article 3 .- The said corporation is located in the town of East- ford, County of Windham and State of Connecticut.
Dated at Eastford this 19th day of January 1907.
Caro P. Latham
Nettie Lyon
Julia L. Holman Monroe F. Latham
Wm. H. Corbin
Wm. H. Clemens
Ward G. Holman
Welcome Davis
These articles were signed before Lee Lyon, Justice of the Peace.
The Union Society was Incorporated and yearly the Corporation Tax is paid the State of Connecticut. After the gift of this property in 1907 it was necessary to make very extensive repairs, no easy task, as there was but little money in the Treasury, but people interested both in the community and others finally completed the task of re- pairing the building.
Suppers and Socials were held and for many years the good wom- en in charge had to bring in not only food but tables, dishes and silver- ware as well. A small tenement uptairs was at times rented, later the rooms upstairs were divided into a kitchen and dining room, the rooms decorated, chairs were purchased, tables were made by the men in the village, dishes and silverware were bought or donated and at present time this upstairs in fairly well equipped with stoves, dishes silverware and utensils needed for community meals.
At present the building is badly in need of paint outside and the inside of the building needs redecorating, particularly down stairs where the Services are held. Some money has been donated and as materials and labor become available, the money will be used for that purpose. When the new road was built the Highway Department acquired some of the land for the purpose and moved the building farther back on the lot, later gravel was taken from the bank on the north side and at present there is ample space for parking in the rear of the building and on the North side and a spacious lawn in front.
A 25th Anniversary of the gift of the building was held in 1932, and an interesting program presented. Many former members of the Phoenixville Sunday School attended. A large number of people re- gistered at this time, unfortunately others did not, however the names have been recorded as a reference for future generations.
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At the annual meeting of the Union Society held in 1946 the fol- lowing officers were elected: Mr. John Smith, President; Mrs. Alice Latham, Secretary; Mr. Henry Lawton, Treasurer. Business Commit- tee: Mr. Edward Trepal, Mr. August Benz, Mr. Caro Latham.
A Croquet Court has been laid out on the grounds for the young people and others to enjoy the game. The Eastford Boy Scouts hold their meetings in the building every Wednesday evening and the Sun- day School and at times other religious services and social meetings conducive to the welfare of the community enjoy the use of the build- ing. For several years the Eastford Independent Fire Co. No. 1 have held a Clam Bake on the grounds, tables being set up on the Croquet Court. This day has become almost an old Home Day for Phoenixville.
Rev. George Reese pastor of the Eastford Congregational Church conducts the service and Sunday School is held at 9:30 every Sunday morning, and the following people have for some time been active in the work, Mrs. Cora Clemens, Mrs. Herbert Merrill, Mrs. Alice Lat- ham, Mrs. Cora Tyler, Mr. Herman Barlow.
Could we look forward it is quite safe to say at the celebration of the 200th Anniversary of the Town of Eastford, the Sunday School at Phoenixville will still be conducted at the present site, in perhaps a larger and more magnificent edifice to care for the needs of the com- munity. We trust that coming generations continue to be grateful to the memory of Mr. John MacNair who made this permanent site pos- sible, and we pray they may continue to hold Religious Services and the Sunday School may endure for the spiritual welfare of the child- ren and the inhabitants of this community.
EDITH WHEATON SMITH.
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THE STONE MILL
In 1831, Samuel Moseley, Smith Snow, Josiah Savage, James H. Preston, John Brown and Seth Tuthill organized the Phoenix Manu- facturing Company, and built on the Still River, a mill of native stone. This mill was three stories high above the basement, 70 feet long, 40 feet wide, the walls being 2 feet thick. When this stone mill was com- pleted it was equipped with the best cotton machinery available and operated by water power derived from the Still River, manufacturing cotton yard, and did a thriving business for many years, employing a large number of operatives. Boots and Shoes were also made on the third floor of this mill.
OLD STONE MILL
The Phoenix Manufacturing Company later purchased the Spra- gue Mills, which bounded the Stone Mill property on the North and enlarged their plant. Later the business declined and the famous mills were idle. Later all this property passed into the hands of Mr. Joseph Latham, who rebuilt the dam on the Stone Mill property and then sold the Stone Mill to Mr. Hiram Thomas, he and Mr. Clifford Thomas carried on the manufacturing with energy and success.
In 1869 the Stone Mill was sold to Jonathan Randall and Edwin Harris who manufactured twine. After the death of Mr. Harris this property was purchased by Simeon A. Wheaton. For a time Mr. Wheaton continued the manufacture of twine, but the business began to decline and the spindles again became idle. Later Mr. Wheaton installed a Grist Mill on the lower floor. During World War I the
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machinery from the three floors was sold and the second floor was used as a Dance Hall. This property is now owned by Mr. Wheaton's grand-daughter, Mrs. John Smith. Mr. Smith built a concrete dam on the site of the old timber dam in 1933, and uses this water privilege to generate electricity which is used in their home.
During the 1800's there were several mills in Eastford on the Still and Bigelow Rivers, all are now gone with the exception of the Stone Mill, in Phoenixville, which stands as a monument to prosperous, in- dustrial times and this building bids fair to endure for many years.
EDITH WHEATON SMITH.
The first meeting house in Eastford (one date given 1815) was of Methodist denomination located on the Floeting Road opposite the cemetery. The new Methodist Meeting House was built just 100 years ago - 1847.
The town at one time owned a hearse, which was sheltered in a hearse-house located just East of the Old Cemetery near Chilkott Brook. The ornaments which were on the hearse may be seen on Miss Van Wert's garden gate.
The first Post Office in Eastford was in the Castle.
In 1850 the Town of Eastford was divided into fifteen highway districts-each district being placed in charge of one man.
The Town paid ten cents an hour to all able-bodied men for work on highways in 1854.
1848- Fees for driving and impounding animals running at large were as follows: Stallions, Asses, Mules $2 each. Horses $1 each, neat
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*
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EASTFORD HOUSE
ICE CREAM AND SODA
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THE BICYCLE CLUB OF EASTFORD, 1900
On the porch: - Donald Tatem, Charlie Warren, Nat Smith, Henry Tatem, Pat Caffrey, Warren Keith, Clifford Bowen, boy, Elwood Tatem.
With bicycles: - Florence Warren Latham, Mabel Converse Walker, Charles Tatem, William S. Warren, Dana Keith, Mary Bowen Keith, Ebea Huntington.
EASTFORD HOUSE (General Lyon Inn)
In 1833 Captain Jonathan Skinner bought 140 acres from John Works and in 1839 the property and buildings were mortgaged for $6,000 to Benjamin Bosworth and it is thought that Capt. Skinner built the Eastford Hotel in the period between 1833 and 39. 1837 Capt. Skin- ner built the cotton factory two floors above basement and employed some twenty hands. 1840 Major Dorset and wife Clarissa Bosworth (niece of Benjamin Bosworth) moved from the Castle down to the Hotel. 1841 Capt. Skinner turned over the Hotel and holdings to Ben- jamin Bosworth. 1842 Benjamin Bosworth sold the Hotel to Increase Sumner and in 1846 he sold the Hotel then called the Temperance Tavern House to Joseph Dorset, Jr.
Capt. Skinner was among the men of wealth and influence who helped to build the Methodist meeting house 1847 which was quite flourishing at that time. He also was the first man whose remains were buried (Oct. 1868) in the beautiful Grove Cemetery which he did so much to establish in 1866.
The Temperance Tavern House was sold 1846 to Joseph B. Latham and he sold it in the same year to Aaron B. Davis who sold it to Henry Davis 1869. He sold it to Samuel H. Bass 1875 who sold it to Alfred Cady 1877 and in 1896 Aaron M. Bowen aquired the property until he sold to Nathan Waldo Kennedy Nov. 2, 1918.
Before the days of the railroads when the famous much traveled Boston Turnpike passed thru Eastford, the Eastford House was one of the many homey low ceiling Inns or Taverns cordially welcoming travelers and salesmen for a quiet night and rest for their horses. Blaz- ing fires on the open hearths and warm toddy resulted in many return stops. These same fire places greet the autoist of today and have de- veloped a long list of frequenters. The Eastford Hotel was the head- quarters for dignitaries who attended the funeral of General Lyon, Sept. 5, 1861. An item in the Windham County Sunbeam (founded by Nathan Waldo Kennedy) July 1883 (Earl Bowen Eastford's corres- pondent.) "The telephone men are boarding with Landlord Wilson. We shall soon be within speaking distance of Putnam and Willimantic."
The name Gen. Lyon Inn was suggested by the late Judge J. M. Tatem and among its proud possessions is the lye stone from Gen. Lyon's birthplace, his mother's beautiful old teapot, a Tavern desk from the Old Clark Hotel which stood on the highway from Warrem- ville to Phoenixville and an old Swiss Music box from the Old Warren Tavern on the old Boston turnpike which was owned for many years and restored by Mr. John Hastings until it burned in 1938. The music box is in use every day to call the guests to their meals.
There has been little change in the building and there are a num- ber of old panes of glass that have names on them cut with a diamond. The two brick ovens and twin fireplaces in the kitchen are in fine preservation. The register shows names from all over the country and among the prominent ones are the great violinist Albert Spaulding and the former Lieutenant Governor Odell Shepard.
MRS. BEATRICE KENNEDY.
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SQUIRE BOSWORTH'S CASTLE-1800
Halfway up the church hill stands "Squire Bos- worth's Castle". To quote the Rev. Sherrod Soule, this is "one of the most appealing edifices in East- ford. It resembles an house upon an house. The topmost portion was built for a Lodge Room, EASTFORD CONN. especially for an ancient Chapter of Free Masons. This room is still intact with the old benches unchanged. In the ascent to the summit a single narrow stairway leads the way. The windows high above the floor prevent any inquisitive espionage. Tiny fireplaces, at either end, are the only antidotes for winter cold."
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