USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > West Hartford > West Hartford, Connecticut > Part 12
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Trumbull, Sarah, wife of the Rev. John, died 1805, aged 87. Trumbull, Elizabeth, died 1778, aged 22.
Watson, John, senior, died 1725, aged 74. Webster, Rachel, wife of Abraham, died 1776 aged 23. Webster, child of Rachel,
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died 1776, aged 7 days. Webster, Noah, father of the lexico- grapher, died 1813, aged 91. Webster, Mercy, wife of Noah, died 1794, aged 67. Wells, Ebenezer, died 1737, aged 43. Wells, Rachel, wife of Ebenezer, died 1787, aged 93. Wells, Ebenezer, died 1814, aged 82. Wells, Abigail, wife of Ebenezer, died 1758, aged 18. Wells, Elizabeth, wife of Ebenezer, died 1781, aged 51. Wells, Abi, wife of Ebenezer, died 1804, aged 52. Wells, Ebenezer, died 1766, aged 1. Wells, Ruth, died 1775, aged 4. Wells, Ebenezer, Jr., died 1798, aged 32. Wells, John, died 1795, aged 84. Wells, Jemima Smith, Wells, Hannah, Baker, Wells, Susanna Smith, wives of John. Wells, Sarah, wife of John, died 1736, aged 21. Wells, Sarah, died 1750, aged 13. Wells, Bazey, died 1814, aged 70. Wells, Ruth, wife of Bazey, died 1835, aged 86. Whiting, Colonel John, died 1767, aged 72. Whiting, Elizabeth, died 1750, aged 7. Whiting, Nathan H., died 1801, aged 42. Whiting, Ruth, wife of Nathan, died 1783, aged 22. Whiting, Gurdon S., died 1804, aged 38. Whiting, Elizabeth, wife of Gurdon S., died 1802, aged 34. Whiting, Nathaniel H., died 1869, aged 86. Whitman, Samuel, died 1785, aged 13 days. Whitman, Emma, died 1795, aged 1. Whitman, Emma 2d, died 1797, aged 1. Williams, Mary, wife of the Rev. Wareham, died 1801, aged 73.
The southern part of the Cemetery as it is now is an addi- tion made from the Whitman property and is devoted to private lots for several families.
BOULDER IN MEMORY OF FRENCH SOLDIERS
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In 1790 it was found necessary to secure additional ground for burial purposes and a new lot was purchased farther north on the main street, which now constitutes the southern part of the present cemetery familiarly known as the North Cemetery. In later years additions were made to this original tract. The latest of these was made in 1852 when that portion of the present ceme- tery which is north of the northern driveway was purchased.
For several years prior to 1893 the people of West Hartford realized and discussed the necessity of providing additional ceme- tery accommodations. The lots in the so called new cemetery, which was laid out in 1852, were nearly all taken and to a con- siderable extent occupied. Various plans were proposed for the enlargement of the cemetery by the purchase of adjoining land, but these were abandoned chiefly for the reason that little of this land was really suitable for burial purposes. Various sites for a new cemetery, were suggested from time to time, but none of these seemed to be fully acceptable. A project for underdraining and improving the eastern portion of the cemetery was considered and votes were passed by the town authorizing the Burying Ground Committee to make this improvement and appropriating $600 for the purpose. Upon further investigation and reflection this project seemed likely to prove unsatisfactory and at best calculated to afford only temporary relief. Attention was then turned to the selection of a suitable site for entirely new and spacious cemetery grounds.
W. H. Hall, a member of the Cemetery Committee, suggest- ed to that committee a plan for the purchase of a tract of land between Farmington Avenue and Fern Street on the western end of the Whitman Estate, then the property of Charles M. Pond. Objection was made to this property because it was not accessible from any desirable existing street or road; but it was pointed out how readily it could be made accessible by opening a street from Farmington Avenue, and finally, at a special town meeting held June 25, 1893, the board of selectmen consisting of T. Everett Stanley, Wilbur E. Goodwin, and C. Edward Beach, and the Burying Ground Committee consisting of Edward Keney, Joseph É. Brace, and W. H. Hall, presented a report unanimous- ly recommending the abandonment of the project for improving the eastern part of the old cemetery, and the purchase of a part or the whole of a tract of about 71 acres of land owned by Hon. Charles M. Pond, being the western part of the property pur- chased by him of the Whitman Estate, and situated west of West Hartford Main Street and between Farmington Avenue and Fern Street. This report was unanimously adopted. The selectmen were authorized to purchase the entire tract and the Burying Ground Committee was authorized to prepare a set of by-laws,
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rules, and regulations for the management and maintenance of the cemetery, to be submitted to a future meeting.
At the adjourned annual town meeting held October 3, 1893, by-laws, rules, and regulations were submitted by the committee and unanimously adopted. The committee was authorized to secure the layout of the cemetery on the lawn principle, using their discretion as to the employment of survey- ors and landscape gardeners. The committee subsequently con- tracted with Messrs. Wolcott & Darby, Civil Engineers of Hart- ford, to make a survey and topographical map of the entire tract, and with J. Alex. McClunie, landscape gardener of Hartford, to lay out the entire tract on the lawn plan and to provide suitable working plans, maps, and charts showing the layout of the sections, lots, drives, walks, and ornamental or park portions. This action of the town has been highly com- mended by its citizens and visiting friends in the years that have passed since the plan was adopted, and the cemetery is now re- garded as one of the finest in the region.
The northern part of the tract purchased of Mr. Pond, fronting on Fern Street, and the western part along the banks of Trout Brook through the woodland were not considered suit- able for burial purposes, but the committee were of the opinion that they might be at some time developed as parks.
The Chapel built of Canaan marble was erected soon after the World war developed, at a cost of $8,000.
FAIRVIEW CHAPEL
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COMMUNITY SOCIETIES AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS
WEST HARTFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY
There are evidences of an interest manifested in establishing a public library in the West Division as early as 1753. A Book Society was formed at that time and Noah Webster, Sen., deacon and justice of the peace, was prominently identified with it. Some old books are still in existence in the community which bear the stamp of that Society. It is not definitely known how long it continued in existence.
In 1837 Hon. Noah Webster, author, educator, statesman, sent this letter to his cousin John Belden, a resident of West Hartford.
"The following books I give to my nephew, John Belden, and to the pastor of the church in West Hartford for the time being, in trust for the use of any social or proprietor's library, which is now, or which may be formed in said West Hartford, my native place, with power to said Belden to appoint one trustee to succeed him after he shall die, or resign, to act with such other trustees as the proprietors of said library may appoint to manage the concerns of said library. [Here followed a list of the books.] N. Webster
New Haven, September 25, 1837".
Rev. Edward W. Andrews was at that time the acting pastor of the Church, and he and Mr. Belden proceeded to carry out the wishes of Dr. Webster. A library association was then formed and Rev. Mr. Andrews was elected as its first president on January 2, 1838. The library was opened soon after and con- tinued in operation for more than thirty years. Mr. John Belden resigned as trustee in 1838, and his son, Benjamin Belden, suc- ceeded him. In 1852, Mr. Belden resigned in favor of his son- in-law, Lyman Hotchkiss. Rev. Dwight M. Seward and Rev. Myron N. Morris successively held important official positions in the association.
The library was located in the vestry of the Church and was opened regularly for the distribution of books. At one time it contained nearly one thousand volumes. It was well patronized and very useful at a time when books and periodicals were not found as now in the homes of the people. The significance of a public library in such a community at that time may be more fully realized in the light of the fact that there were in 1838 not more than six public libraries in all the towns of Connecticut, exclusive of those connected with colleges, seminaries, and other public institutions.
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Apparently the Church did not maintain a strong interest in the library association during the later years of its existence. The direct management of its affairs, especially in the selection of books, was allowed to pass into the hands of those who were careless or lacked good judgment. Books of light fiction pre- dominated. People began to lose interest and withdraw from the association. The income from annual dues and other sources was greatly diminished. Finally, about 1870, the library was closed, or rather left open without a custodian, in the vestry, which had become a town hall. The books were taken away one by one by people who did not return them, and ere long the li- brary had disappeared.
When in 1880 plans were under consideration for the erection of a new church edifice, Mr. James Talcott of New York, a native of West Hartford and a lifelong friend of this church of his fathers, suggested that a room be provided in it for the accommodation of a public library, and later gave $5,000 towards the erection of the church. His suggestion was adopted, and on January 1, 1882, the first free public library was opened. Mr. Talcott contributed $500 at the outset for the purchase of books and in subsequent years made several liberal contributions for the same purpose. Mr. James Merrick Arnold bequeathed $100 to the Church for the library, and Mr. James M. Thomson gave $1,000 which at the suggestion of the pastor, Rev. T. M. Hodg- don, was designated as the Cornelia Thomson Fund, in memory of Mrs. Thomson, recently deceased. The income was used annually for the supply of magazines and other periodicals for the reading-table. Many other friends made liberal contribu- tions of money, books, etc., and the Church, through the agency of an efficient committee elected at each annual meeting, main- tained this library with marked success as a free and generous contribution to the welfare of the community. The town of West Hartford in 1897 assumed the responsibility for the library in accordance with the laws then recently enacted, but the Church continued its service by loaning 2,000 volumes, furnishing still the room in which the library was housed, and co-operating in its management through the library committee annually chosen.
In 1917 the town voted to open a public library to be located in Webster Hall and the Congregational Church cooperated in the project by loaning to the town the twenty-two hundred volumes which were then in its library, thus forming the founda- tion for the present library, which is conducted under the direction of a Library Commission elected by the town.
The first librarian to have charge of the library when it was installed in the Talcott Room of the church in 1882 was Miss Elizabeth S. Elmer, and she continued to render faithful and efficient service for thirty-six years. Miss Elmer is a native of West Hartford, a descendant of the Elmer and Wells families,
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MISS ELIZABETH S. ELMER
who were among the early inhabitants of the West Division. She was graduated from Olivet College in 1874, and subsequently taught in the public schools of West Hartford for several years. She was the first teacher to serve as an assistant to the principal of the West Hartford High School in 1875.
Miss Mary S. Ellsworth succeeded Miss Elmer as librarian, rendering efficient service for seven years. The present librarian, Miss Margery Burditt, began her service in June, 1927. Under her direction the library has been thoroughly reorganized and at the same time the interior of the building has been renovated and improvements made.
A branch library has been maintained at Elmwood for a number of years under the care of Miss Julia L. Faxon.
WEST HARTFORD GRANGE NO. 58
The West Hartford Grange was organized February 12, 1887, under the leadership of J. H. Hale of Glastonbury, who was at that time Master of the State Grange.
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There were thirty-two charter members. The first regular meeting was held in the Academy building on the first of March. Timothy Sedgwick was Master of the Grange, Everett T. Stan- ley, Overseer, Daniel G. Francis, Lecturer, Joshua N. Oviatt, Steward, Paul Thomson, Assistant Steward, EdwardL. Mix, Chap- lain, Charles H. Flagg, Treasurer, Charles A. Griswold, Secretary, Seth P. Griswold, Gate Keeper, Mrs. Timothy Sedgwick, Ceres, Mrs. D. G. Francis, Pomona, Mrs. Charles S. Griswold, Flora, Mrs. E. L. Mix, Lady Assistant Steward. The first initiation service was held in March. The applications for membership came in rapidly and in large numbers and the organization had a very successful beginning.
From its organization through the earlier years of its history the Grange manifested a keen interest in the welfare of the com- munity. One of the first topics for discussion was in reference to the improvement of the public highways. As a result, a commit- tee was appointed to call the attention of the selectmen to this subject and, soon after, a town meeting was held in connection with which the Good Roads Movement was inaugurated, of which some account is given in the chapter on highways. An- other subject discussed was that of rural mail delivery. The results were equally satisfactory.
The Grange continued to manifest an interest in town affairs and to arouse public sentiment in favor of needed improvements. It was also instrumental in promoting a deeper interest in agri- cultural pursuits - dairying, horticulture, etc. The exhibits which it made at the annual state fairs at Charter Oak Park from year to year were among the finest.
After about ten years, the Grange moved to larger and better quarters on the second floor of the new brick Town Hall building.
The most prominent leaders who rendered service from time to time were Daniel G. Francis, A. B. Alderson, F. E. Duffy, M. L. Bristol, M. J. Burnham.
In 1908, Mrs. Charles H. Flagg presented the Grange with a beautiful Bible in memory of her husband. The Grange Quar- terly was first issued in this year, with special editions for four sections of the town.
In 1909 the Women's Work Committee, Mrs. M. L. Bristol chairman, presented the Grange with a large flag. A piano cost- ing $400 was purchased as a result of the efforts of Walter B. Spencer, at that time principal of the West Hartford High School.
In 1910 the Grange discussed the question of the annexation of West Hartford to Hartford and decided to go on record as opposed to the proposition.
In 1913 a contribution of $100 was made to the fund for the erection of the Noah Webster Library building.
These general items are sufficient to show that during all the years of its history this organization has been deeply interested
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in the welfare of the town and has made valuable and varied contributions for the promotion of its interests. Although the town has changed to a large extent from an agricultural and dairying community to a residential community, the Grange still continues its organization and its interest in the town.
WYLLYS LODGE, NO. 99, A. F. & A. M.
In 1866 several members of St. John's Lodge of Hartford decided to establish a lodge of Masons in West Hartford, prob- ably because of the inconvenience of attending Masonic com- munication in Hartford. William Storer, William B. Ely, Frank- lin Sisson, Hezekiah G. Webster, George Giddings, Seth Bishop, Rufus LaBar, and Benejah Gardner petitioned the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Connecticut for a dispensation granting a new lodge by the name of Wyllys Lodge to be located in West Hartford. St. John's Lodge recommended the petition and the lodge was instituted. The charter was dated May 17, 1866, and was signed by the Most Worshipful Master of the Grand Lodge of Connecticut, Eli S. Quintard of Waterbury.
The first meeting of the Lodge was held in an upper room of a building located on the northwest corner of Albany Avenue and West Hartford Main Street, which originally was known as Goodman's Tavern and later as Hurlburt's Tavern. The first officers were as follows: Worthy Master, William Storer; Senior Warden, William B. Ely; Junior Warden, Franklin Sisson; Treas- urer, Hezekiah G. Webster; Secretary, George Giddings; Senior Deacon, Seth Bishop; Junior Deacons, Rufus LaBar, Tyler, Bene- jah Gardner.
The Lodge occupied the room in which its first meeting was held only two months, when it negotiated for a lease of the old Academy building at West Hartford Center, located on South Main Street east of Goodman Park. A title to the property was acquired but later relinquished. The meetings of the lodge were held there until 1896, when the Lodge removed to the unoccupied High School building on North Main Street, at that time the property of Mrs. Susie B. Andrews. In 1903 a lease was obtained of the large upper room of the new Hall and the lodge occupied those quarters for a number of years.
One of the first members to join the Lodge after its organiza- tion was Elmer G. Clark, a nephew of George A. Giddings. Mr. Giddings was the second Master of Wyllys Lodge, highly esteemed by his associates, well versed in Masonic matters, and a wise and frequently consulted advisor.
William Storer, the First Master of Wyllys Lodge, in 1867 presented a fine Bible which is still used on Past Master Nights and other special occasions. Mr. Storer died May 29, 1872, aged 74 years. He was buried with Masonic honors in New Haven,
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his brothers of Wyllys Lodge attending and participating in the burial service, which was also attended by many members of the Grand Lodge of which he had been an officer.
In 1912, Henry C. Long saw the necessity of a Masonic Temple for Wyllys Lodge, and through his untiring efforts the Masonic Hall Association was organized and on January 31, 1913, held its first meeting. Activities were immediately begun to raise sufficient money to warrant the commencement of build- ing operations. February 17, 1913, the George Ellsworth property on South Main Street was purchased. On April 1, 1915, it was voted to sell this property. In October of the same year a more desirable site adjoining the Episcopal Church on South Main Street was purchased, and it is at this location that the new temple has been erected. The raising of funds was con-
MASONIC TEMPLE
tinued. On July 19, 1916, the Treasurer reported that the land was fully paid for, and the building committee was empowered to complete plans for a Temple. Activities in raising funds were continued, and on May 16, 1921, George R. Porter was appointed captain of a group of ten teams, each consisting of several brothers, to solicit funds.
On January 15, 1923, a building committee was appointed consisting of Charles A. Griswold (chairman), C. H. Abbott, Allen S. Griswold, Frederick A. Corkins, George R. Porter, Wil-
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liam S. Brace, and Myron J. Burnham, with full power to select plans and contract for the erection of the temple. The contract for the building was awarded to Brother Wahlquist of the In- dustrial Construction Company of Hartford on June 11, 1923. Mr. Walter T. Arnold of Meriden was the architect.
The corner stone of the Lodge was placed September 8, 1923. The ceremony was colorful, dignified, and impressive. Many of the officers of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge and the craft from this and sister jurisdictions were present. Most Worshipful Arthur M. Brown, Grand Master of Masons in Con- necticut, conducted the ceremonies. The exercises were opened with an invocation by Most Worshipful English. Most Worship- ful Fred Verplanck read a list of the documents placed in the casket deposited in the stone, which were as follows: a list of subscribers to the building fund, a gavel, copies of the Hartford Times and the Hartford Courant, a piece of wood from the first building used by the Lodge for meetings, a copy of the Grand Lodge proceedings for 1923, the Syria Bulletin for August, 1923, a history of Wyllys Lodge, a list of officers of the Masonic Hall Association, a list of charter members and a list of present mem- bers. Following this, the stone was tested according to Masonic ritual and found perfect; and after being consecrated, it was plac- ed in the proper niche in the northeast corner of the Temple.
This temple, located on South Main Street west of Good- man Park on a lot adjoining the ground of St. James Episcopal Church, was dedicated with appropriate and interesting exercises on May 3, 1927. In connection with the event Storer Chapter O. E. S. served dinner. The ceremony of dedicatory exercises was in charge of officers of the Grand Lodge.
The following named persons have served as Masters of the Lodge: * William Storer, *George Giddings, *Joel E. Rood, *F. A. Seymour, *Charles A. Bowles, *H. U. Richmond, James P. Allen, *John M. G. Brace, *M. S. Buckland, *Seth L. Gilbert, Sidney E. Clark, Wm. F. Hawley, John M. Shaw, W. J. Decker, Charles E. Lord, W. S. Brace, William A. King, Charles A. Gris- wold, Thomas C. Brown, Clinton Hart, E. M. Peck, William E. Johnson, Allen B. Judd, M. J. Burnham, *Alfred Plant, John R. Stoddard, Charles M. Penfield, *M. L. Bristol, M. J. Case, George E. Flagg, Louis C. LeMay, Perley E. Tucker, Julius P. Wessel, *G. A. Hoffmier, A. J. Keeney, Harry Green, H. A. King, F. A. Corkins, A. E. Thorpe, and F. W. Gillette.
*Deceased.
WEST HARTFORD VILLAGE IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY
This Society" was organized in connection with a Teachers' Institute held in the Congregational Church December 17, 1877, and conducted by Birdsey G. Northrop, Secretary of the
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State Board of Education at that time. Professor Northrop was deeply interested in the improvement of the general condition and appearance of the streets and public places in Connecticut towns, and wherever he went in the performance of his duties in behalf of public school education, he improved the opportunities to advocate such town improvements by the organization of Village Improvement Societies. As the result of his visit to West Hartford a Society was organized, and at a meeting held February 26, 1878, the following were elected to serve as officers: President, Paul Thomson; Secretary, Miss Mary W. Hamilton; Treasurer, Walter Cadwell; Vice presidents, Adolph C. Stern- berg, Charles E. Kellogg, Frank H. Strong; Clerk, Charles W. Robbins; Executive Committee, Mrs. Charles S. Mills, Miss Florence E. Flagg, Miss Etta Stanley, Miss Kate Raymond, Charles H. Flagg, Jared A. Griswold, Seymour L. Steele, Morgan Goodwin. The executive committee was chosen with respect to locality, the plan being to have them represent the several school districts.
The Society proceeded to secure funds, in addition to the money obtained through initiation fees, by giving public enter- tainments. Some personal contributions were also received. Much interest was manifested in the Society and its operations.
As soon as the season would permit, the construction of sidewalks received attention. Gravel walks were built on Main Street from the Center north to the bridge over Trout Brook, and south to Thomson's Corner, also west nearly to Mountain Road. The stone and gravel for this purpose were mostly con- tributed, and the labor of carting and construction was also given without compensation, usually in connection with rallies or bees, when those who were interested and willing to co-operate spent a half day at a time on the work. From the Center to Whiting Lane, a plank or board walk was constructed.
The building of these walks was considered a fine contribu- tion to the convenience and welfare of the citizens of the com- munity. It was also highly commendable as a means of promot- ing public spirit.
Several citizens who owned horses volunteered to keep the walks cleared of snow in the winter, with snow-ploughs drawn by horses. Another undertaking which was fostered by the Im- provement Society was the installation and maintenance of kero- sene street lamps on Farmington Avenue and Main Street. Many of these were installed and cared for by property owners in front of their own residences.
The planting of trees in public places and along the sides of the roads in front of house lots and farms also received consider- able attention. It is of record that Mr. John B. Griswold, whose farm was on the north side of Farmington Avenue and the east side of Mountain Road, was made an honorary member of the
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