Author
Title
Imprint.
le — 17372-2 OPO
\3SG
THE
CONNECTICUT
HISTORICAL
SOCIETY
Annual Report for the Year 1956
^G "9 ||
-%
THE Connecticut Historical Society can put to good use funds
for general expenses, for publication purposes and for the care
and increase of the library and museum. Such funds would form
appropriate and permanent memorials to continue life interests of
an individual or a group of individuals.
You are urged to include your historical society as a beneficiary
w^hen preparing your will. The following form is suggested:
/ give and bequeath to The Connecticut Historical Society,
a corporation existing under the laws of the State of Con-
necticut and located in the City of Hartford in said State,
dollars in trust, the income from
which is to be used for the
The President or the Director of the Society will be happy to
discuss this matter with interested persons and suggest specific
purposes for which such bequests may be made. Gifts to the
Society are deductible from Federal Estate and Income Taxes.
The Connecticut Historical Society
I Elizabeth Street, Hartford 5, Connecticut
Telephone ADams 3-2397
Open free to the Public
THE LIBRARY
Open daily 9:30 — 5:30 P.M. except Sundays and holidays.
THE MUSEUM
Open Monday — Friday 1:00 — 5:00 P.M.; Saturdays 10:00 — 5:00
P.M. Closed Sundays and holidays. Group tours at other times
may be arranged upon application.
The Building is closed Saturdays at noon during June, July and
August.
The Lecture Series is held on the first Tuesday of the months of
October through May at 7:45 P.M.
The Annual Meeting is held on the third Tuesday in May.
THE ANNUAL REPORT OF
Containing the Reports and Papers Pre-
sented at THE ANNUAL MEETING field On
May i^, ig^6 together with a list of of-
ficers then elected, and of the accessions
made during the year.
Chcvtcrcd 182^
Published by the Society
I Elizabeth Street
HARTFORD 5 ' CONNECTICUT
STAFF
Thompson R. Harlow, Director; William L. Warren, Assistant Director;
Frances A. Hoxie, Assistant to the Librarian; Marjorie F.
Waterman, Chief of Reading Room; Jessie A. Parsons, Cata-
loguer; Charles B. Russell, Guide; Phyllis Kihn, Editor; James
Tomasiello, Superintendent.
PATRONS
Muriel Alvord, West Hartford; Houghton Bulkeley, Hartford; Philip
H. Hammerslough, West Hartford; Hanford MacNider, Mason
City, Iowa; Edgar F. Waterman, Hartford.
FELLOWS
Hiram Bissell Carey, Farmington.
George Matthew Dutcher, Middletown.
Samuel Herbert Fisher, Litchfield.
James Lippincott Goodwin, Hartford.
HONORARY LIFE MEMBERS
Thompson R. Harlow, Newington.
Mrs. Albion B. Wilson, Hartford.
BENEFACTOR MEMBER
Theora J. Bunnell, Baltimore, Maryland.
Designed and printed
at the Sign of the Stone Boof(
in Hartford, Connecticut by
Case, Locf^wood & Brainard
1956
OFFICERS
Elected May 75, 7956
President. NEWTON C. BRAINARD, Hartford.
Vice-Presidpint. CHARLES S. BISSELL, Suffiei.d.
Recording Secretary, FRANCES A. HOXIE, Manchester.
Treasurer, ALLERTON C. HICKMOTT, West Hartford.
Standing Com.mittee, h
Library Committee,
Publication Committee,
Program Committee,
Auditing Committee,
Acquisitions Committee,
Finance Committee,
Membership Committee, -<
{
{
{
{
{
RANDOLPH T. NIELSEN, Wethersfield.
DR. ERNEST CAULFIELD, West Hartford.
HOUGHTON BULKELEY, Hartford.
JOHN M. K. DAVIS, Avon.
WARD S. JACOBS, Hartford.
DR. H. GILDERSLEEVE JARVIS, West
FLORENCE S. MARCY CROFUT, Hartford.
ROBERT EWING. West Hartford.
PHILIP H. HAMMERSLOUGH, West Hartford
MRS. ALLYN SEYMOUR. Bloov.field.
MARJORIE E. CASE, West Hartford.
SHEPHERD M. HOLCOMBE. West Hartford.
MAXWELL L. BRAINARD, West Hartford.
MURIEL ALVORD, West Hartford.
JOSEPH SIMONS, West Hartford.
ROBERT EWING, West Hartford.
ELLSWORTH GRANT, West Hartford.
RICHARD C. LINCOLN. JR., Hartford.
JOHN M. K. DAVIS, Avon.
JAMES BREWSTER, West Hartford.
DR. ERNEST CAULFIELD, West Hartford.
ALBERT E. VAN DUSEN, Storrs.
D. G. BRINTON THOMPSON. West Hartford.
MELANCTHON W. JACOBUS, Hartford.
HARRY K. TAYLOR, Hartford.
MRS. HAROLD G. HOLCOMBE, West Hartford
DR. THACHER W. WORTHEN, Hartford.
HAROLD G. HOLCOMBE, West Hartford.
SAMUEL P. WILLIAMS, Hartford.
NEWTON C. BRAINARD. Hartford.
CHARLES S. BISSELL, Suffield.
PHILIP H. HAMMERSLOUGH, West Hartford.
Hartford. J
}■
}■■
> 2 year
}■•
Endowment Com.mittee, ^
{
• 1 Elected May 1954
2 Elected May 1955
BARCLAY ROBINSON, Avon.
SPENCER GROSS, Hartford.
NEWTON C. BRAINARD. Hartford.
EDGAR F. WATERMAN, Hartford.
MAYNARD T. HAZEN. Hartford.
WILLIAM H. PUTNAM, Hartford.
MORGAN B. BRAINARD, Hartford.
WILLIAM H. PUTNAM, Hartford.
HOUGHTON BULKELEY, Hartford.
for three year term. Expires May 1957.
for three year term. Expires May 1958.
}■■
}•
}■•
The .luditonuiu , shown under construction. Occupancy is scheduled for
the Fall, ig^6. Picture ta}{en in July.
Report of the President
EXCEPT for the year when we purchased our present home, no
year of the Society's existence has had more events of im-
portance than this which we have just finished. The first event
was in the line of progress. The Society voted to add an assembly
hall to its building. Progress on this has been admittedly slow but
the structure has assumed a definite shape in this last week. Prog-
ress was followed by disaster in the August flood. Our financial
loss was heavy but, strange to say, the damage to our collections
which has been reported to you was unbelievably selective in its
effect and we lost little of real moment. The incident was most
disturbing, particularly because it gave us concern as to possible
repetitions of it, as well as casting doubt on the wisdom of pro-
ceeding with our assembly hall. After a careful study, there seemed
to be no reason why we should not go ahead, taking such precau-
tions as were possible to minimize the hazard. A bright spot in
the general gloom which this incident caused was the frequent
comment from our out-of-town members as to the value which
the Society had been to them and their willingness to contribute
in accordance with their abilities.
Your Director will give you the details of this fateful year, as
well as our acquisitions and activities, our progress and our future
aspirations. Let me devote my part to some comments on the ob-
jectives of the Society and the facilities needed to implement them.
Article II of our Bylaws, defining the purpose of our organiza-
tion says:
"The purpose of the Society is to discover, procure and preserve
whatever may relate to the civil, ecclesiastical and natural history
of Connecticut. Its aim is to collect, preserve and publish histori-
cal, genealogical and biographical material relating to the State
of Connecticut."
These purposes are just as important now as they were when
the Society was incorporated over 130 years ago. We who are now
members must see that they are carried out and that our Society
is primarily a reservoir of useful source material which is used,
and not just a safe-deposit vault where it is stored. To be used, our
collections must be properly listed and catalogued. When this is
cione, we must maintain an adequate staff to serve the public. We
now have a willing and competent staff, inadequate in number,
and there is an indescribable accumulation of uncatalogued ma-
terial which they cannot readily make available.
Praise of the stafT is not given here as a routine item in my re-
port. Last summer they spent not only days, but weeks and months
working on damp, smelly, dirty papers, or at least in an unpleasant
atmosphere from which they could not escape. They deserve a
special vote of thanks.
Aside from the flood expense, our operating expenses this past
year were kept within our budget and showed a surplus both in
the administrative and property accounts. The outlook for the
coming year is such that there is a possibility of adding another
member to our staff. My recommendation to the Standing Com-
mittee will be that any accumulation of surplus funds from our
operating accounts be atided to the Building Fund, where it will
be needed on account of the general increase in costs, and that
we employ an assistant to the Director. Frequently I have reported
my opinion that we were expecting far too much from him. If
any of you are at all familiar with his labors this last year with
the flood and the new building, added to his routine work, you
will second my recommendation.
We have, with some success, collected and preserved, and, as
far as our funds would allow, we have published. Our publica-
tions have of necessity been limited usually to transcripts of early
records. This year we have undertaken an experiment in sponsor-
ing modern, scholarly writings in our field. By careful selection
we hope that the sale of such works as we publish may replenish
a revolving Publishing Fund which can bring great credit to the
Society.
Newton C. Brainard, President
Necrology — 1956
Hugh Mead Alcorn
Judge Hugh Mead Alcorn of Suffield, elected to the Society as
a member April 4, 191 1, died at his home May 26, 1955. Mr. Al-
corn, who had served thirty-four years as Hartford County's At-
torney before his resignation in 1942, was the son of Hugh Glenn
and Susan (Ford) Alcorn. He was born in Suffield October 24,
1872.
Judge Alcorn was elected President of the Connecticut State
Bar Association in 1934, and was a member of the American Bar
Association, the American Judicature Society, the American Law
Institute, and the American Trial Bar Academy. He was also a
member of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, the Uni-
versity Club, the Hartford Club, the Suffield Country Club, the
Masons and the Shrine. He received an honorary Master of Arts
degree from Dartmouth College in 1928, and the medal of the
United States Flag Association in 1933.
Mr. Alcorn leaves his wife, the former Cora Terry Wells, and
three sons, Superior Court Judge Howard Wells Alcorn, Robert
Hayden Alcorn, and Hugh Mead Alcorn, Jr., all of Suffield; two
sisters, Mrs. Arthur B. Easton and Mrs. William A. Pimm, both
of Hartford; four granddaughters and a great-granddaughter.
Funeral services were held at the First Church of Christ, Congre-
gational, Suffield, with burial at Woodlawn Cemetery.
Edward Lyman Bill, Jr.
Edward Lyman Bill, Jr., of Lyme, a member of the Society
since October 7, 1955, died while in Capetown, South Africa, on
April 22, 1956. Born May 4, 1897, ^^ ^^^ t^^ ^on of Edward Ly-
man and Caroline (Lee) Bill.
Mr. Bill was President of the Bill Brothers Publishing Company
of New York City, publishers of ten trade magazines which in-
clude Rubber World, Plastics Technology, and Sales Management.
He was also founder and director of the Business Publications
Audit of Circulation, Inc., a trade association; and was a former di-
rector of the National Business Publications, Inc. As President of
the Bill Brothers PubHshing Company, he was associated with his
brother, Raymond E. Bill, who survives him.
Edward L. Bill studied at the University of Wisconsin and Co-
lumbia University. During World War I, he served with the
American Field Ambulance Service and with several branches
of the French forces, including the Air Force and the Foreign Le-
gion. He was a founder, director and first president of the Bonnie
Briar Country Club, Larchmont, New York, and also served as
president of the Adventurers Club. Other memberships included
the Lotus Club, Canadian Club, National Republican Club, and
the University Club of Boston. He was a member of the Sons of
the American Revolution and the Army Ordnance Association.
His residence was at Raymond Farms in Lyme.
Mr. Bill leaves a daughter, Mrs. Frederick Gahagan of New
Canaan; a brother, Raymond E. Bill; a sister, Mrs. Randolph
Brown, Sr.; and three grandchildren. He was buried in Pleasant
Valley Cemetery, Lyme.
Julia Avery Butler
Julia Avery Butler of West Hartford joined the Society as a
member on March 3, 1953. Miss Butler was a teacher, a member of
one of Hartford's oldest families, and died at her home on June
She was the daughter of the late Francis G. and Julia (Morris)
Butler, and was born in West Hartford May 16, 1865. In 1886 she
was graduated from Wheaton College, and was the school's old-
est living alumna. Following her graduation, she went to Colorado
Springs, Colorado, to teach, returning four years later to Newton-
ville, Massachusetts, where she taught for eighteen years.
Miss Butler's main interests centered around music. As a young
woman, she studied piano, and was a subscriber to the Hartford
Symphony Society. She was active in the First Church, Congre-
gational, West Hartford, and her memberships to organizations
included the Women's Literary Club of West Hartford, Hartford
Auxiliary of the American McAlli, and Society of the Mayflower
Descendants. She is survived by a sister, Kate L. Butler of West
Hartford. Funeral services were held at the First Congregational
Church, West Hartford, with burial in North Cemetery, West
Hartford.
Howard Tyler Case
Howard Tyler Case of Wellesley, Massachusetts, a member of
this Society since December 7, 1937, tUed at the Newton-Wellesley
Hospital November 16, 1955. He was a retired member of the
Boston Insurance Company.
Mr. Case was born in Hartford, October 19, 1889, the son of
Willis Buell and Henrietta Elizabeth (Tyler) Case. He was gradu-
ated from Union College, New York, in 1913, and had been a
resident of Wellesley for the past thirty-five years. He was a mem-
ber of Beth-Horan Lodge of Masons, Brookline; the University
Club of Boston; the Wellesley Country Club; the Mangus Club of
Wellesley; Sons of the American Revolution; Founders and Patri-
ots of America; and a member of the Wellesley Congregational
Church. He leaves a son, John M. Case of Scarsdale, New York;
his mother, Mrs. Henrietta Case of Hartford; a sister, Dr. Muriel
Downs, also of Hartford ; and a brother, Robert H. Case of Welles-
ley. Funeral services were held at his home, with burial in Wood-
lawn Cemetery, Wellesley, Mass.
Charles Parsons Cooley
Charles Parsons Cooley, a Life Member, who joined the Society
January 3, 1899, died at his home in West Hartford on January
18, 1954. He was a member of a family prominently identified
with finances in this city for some ninety years.
Mr. Cooley was born in Hartford, February 25, 1867, the son of
the late Francis B. and Clarissa (Smith) Cooley. His father came
to Hartford from Chicago in the i86o's where he had been a lead-
ing merchant. It was he who hired Marshall Field as a clerk in
1857, giving him his start as one of America's merchant princes.
Charles Cooley was graduated from the Hartford Public High
School and Phillips Exeter Academy. He received his Bachelor of
Arts degree from Yale College in 1891, and was a member of Delta
Epsilon and Scroll and Key at Yale. In his senior year he was
president of the Yale Glee Club.
His genealogical and historical interests were many. He was a
member of the Society of Colonial Wars; the Connecticut Society
of Sons of the American Revolution ; and the New England His-
toric Genealogical Society. In 1937 he published a volume of verse
which received favorable reviews. He was also a member of the
Choral Club of Hartford, and for many years was active in the
Memnon Club, an organization of music lovers who sponsored
concerts in their homes. Mr. Cooky was an Episcopalian and Re-
publican, a member of the Hartford Club, the Hartford Golf Club,
the Twentieth Century Club, and University Club of New York
City.
His wife, the former Zaidee Whitman of Montreal, Canada,
died in 1940. He is survived by two sons: Charles P. Cooley, Jr.,
and Paul W. Cooley, both of West Hartford. Funeral services were
held at St. John's Episcopal Church, West Hartford, with burial
at Cedar Hill Cemetery, Hartford.
William C. Douglas
William C. Douglas of Glastonbury, a member of this Society
since November 3, 1953, died suddenly at his home September 6,
1955. He was a well-known dealer in rare coins, and proprietor
of an ice-cream shop in Glastonbury.
Mr. Douglas, a life-long resident of Glastonbury, was believed
to have been in business longer than any other local merchant.
He was known as the "dean of Glastonbury Merchants" and had
operated the Douglas Ice Cream Bar, 2160 Main Street, for the
past thirty-four years. In September, 1954, his shop was held up
by a pair of bandits on a Sunday evening just as he was closing
the store. They escaped with $150, overlooking about $40,000 worth
of old coins which he kept locked up in a safe.
He was considered one of New England's top experts on old
coins, and was frequently consulted by other dealers and collec-
tors. He was at one time owner of the penny collection belonging
to King Farouk of Egypt. This collection included fifty large
pennies minted between 1793 and 1823. A 1799 coin was rated at
100,000 times its face value.
Mr. Douglas was a member of the Hartford Numismatic So-
ciety, and a member of the First Church of Christ, Congregational,
in Glastonbury. He was the son of Arthur E. and Effie C. Douglas.
Upon his death he is survived by his wife, Edythe (Rutan) Doug-
las; two sons, Pvt. Arthur R. Douglas, stationed with the army
in San Francisco, California, and Malcolm E. Douglas, a student
at Monson Academy, Monson, Massachusetts. A sister, Mrs. Doro-
thy D. Hale of Portland, also survives him. Funeral arrangements
were made by the Lowe Funeral Homes, East Hartford.
David Clark Everest
David Clark Everest, who joined the Society as a member Octo-
ber 4, 1949, died at Memorial Hospital in Wausau, Wisconsin on
October 28, 1955. Mr. Everest, an outstanding leader in the paper
manufacturing industry, was president of the Marathon Corpora-
tion, Wausau, Wisconsin ; and former president of the Wisconsin
State Historical Society, 1952-55. He was the son of the late John
H. and Gertrude (Clark) Everest, and was born in Pine Grove,
Michigan, on October 13, 1883.
Mr. Everest is survived by his wife, former Rita (Gouin) Everest
of Munising, Michigan, whom he married September 20, 1905.
Also surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Laramie G. Evans, Lexing-
ton, Kentucky and Mrs. Norman E. Weaver, Wausau; a son, D.
C. Everest, Jr. of Wausau; and a sister, Mrs. H. Wilbert Spence of
Detroit, Michigan; and twelve grandchildren. One grandson, John
Weaver, gained fame as a football player for the United States
Naval Academy, playing in the 1955 All-Star football game in
Chicago.
Mr. Everest is burieci at Pine Grove Cemetery, Wausau, Wiscon-
sin, in the Everest Mausoleum.
Philip Curtiss Harmany
Philip Curtiss Harmany of Charleston, Illinois, a member of the
Society since December 7, 1954, died at his home on June 28, 1955.
He was a traveling salesman for Allith-Prouty, Inc., of Danville,
Illinois, a hardware concern, until his retirement two years ago.
Mr. Harmany was born March 18, 188 1 in Mattoon, Illinois, the
son of Orin Curtiss and Esther (Clinton) Harmany. He was a
Presbyterian and a member of the Sons of the American Revolu-
tion. He leaves his widow, the former Perle Newman whom he
married November 23, 1904; and a brother, Howard C. Harmany
of Tacoma, Washington.
Funeral services were held in the chapel of the Harper-Swickard
Funeral Home, with burial in Dodge Grove Cemetery, Mattoon,
Illinois.
Edward Rutledge Lampson
Dr. Edward Rutledge Lampson of Hartford, a member of this
Society since April i, 1952, died at Hartford Hospital, on June 23,
1955-
Dr. Lampson was born June 14, 1868, the son of the late Ed-
ward Rutledge and Charlotte (Bowers) Lampson. He attended
St. Paul's School, Concord, New Hampshire, and was a graduate
of Trinity College, class of 1891. He taught for two years at St.
Paul's, then entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Co-
lumbia University, New York, receiving his medical degree in
1896. His internship was served at St. Luke's Hospital, New York
City, and in 1900 he came to Hartford as practicing physician
specializing in surgery. From 1903 to 1937 he served on the active
surgical stafif of the Hartford Hospital, and was president of the
Hartford County Medical Society from 1922 to 1923. In 1927 and
1928 he was again president of the Hartford County Medical So-
ciety, and from 1934 to 1936 was president of the medical and surgi-
cal staf! of Hartford Hospital. In 1941 Dr. Lampson retired from
active surgical practice. In the medical profession, he also served as
assistant medical director of the Phoenix Mutual Life Insurance
Company. He was on the medical staflf of the ^tna Life Insurance
Company and was visiting surgeon at Hartford Hospital, 1918 to
1937, as well as consulting surgeon there and at Middlesex Hospi-
tal, Middletown, New Britain General Hospital, Manchester Me-
morial Hospital, and the Institute of Living in Hartford from 1937
until his death. Other activities included communicant and former
vestryman. Trinity Episcopal Church, membership in the Ameri-
can Medical Society, the Connecticut State Medical Society, the
New England Surgical Society, and a fellow of the American Col-
lege of Surgeons. He was a former member of the Hartford Golf
Club and a member of the University Club. At his death. Dr.
Lampson was the oldest member of the Hartford Hospital honor-
ary staff.
In 1906 he married the former Mary Seabury Starr of Hartford.
She died in 1925, and in 1927 he married Elizabeth Leveritt Daven-
port of Staten Island. He is survived by his wife, two sons. Dr.
Rutledge Starr Lampson, a surgeon at Hartford Hospital, and
Edward Tudor Lampson, stationed at Bonn, Germany, and in
June, 1955 on new assignment in Washington, D.C. Dr. Lampson
has three grandchildren.
Funeral services were held at Trinity Episcopal Church with
burial at Cedar Hill Cemetery, Hartford.
Virginia Clapp Lennon
Mrs. Virginia Clapp Lennon of West Hartford, who became a
member of the Society November 2, 1954, died at Hartford Hospi-
tal August 16, 1955. She leaves her husband, Wilfred Lennon; a
son, Winfield E. Lennon of West Hartford; a sister, Mrs. James
Irvine of West Hartford; and her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Elliot
Clapp. Mrs. Lennon was a member of the West Hartford Con-
gregational Church where funeral services were held.
Charles Woodward Marsh
Charles Woodward Marsh, who became a member of the So-
ciety December 4, 195 1, died at Hartford Hospital on July 4, 1955.
He was born in Wethersfield on October 7, 1878, the son of the
late Charles and Ellen Woodward (Pratt) Marsh. He was a gradu-
ate of the Hartford Public High School, class of 1898, and was at
that time captain of the football team, manager of the track team,
and business manager of the school newspaper.
After his graduation, he moved to New York where he spent
most of his business years. He was connected with Johns-Man-
ville, the Western Electric, and the Habershaw Wire and Cable
companies. His profession was that of electrical engineer.
Mr. Marsh was a former vice president of the Automobile Club
of Hartford, joining the club in 1928 and elected to its board of
governors in 1944, followeci a year later by his function as vice
president. He had been a member of the Engineer's Club of New
York since 1924. He was also a member of the Society of Colonial
Wars, the Civitan Club of Hartford, the finance committee of
Greater Hartford Council of Churches, the Wadsworth Atheneum,
the Choral Club of Hartford, the Young Men's Christian Associ-
ation, and the Citizens Charter Committee. He was a communicant
of Trinity Episcopal Church. His hobby was deep sea fishing.
13
Mr. Marsh leaves two nieces, Mrs. Walter Tubbs of New Jersey,
and Mrs. Jack W. Lightbourn of Bermuda; and two cousins, James
T. Pratt and Porter W. Pratt, both of Hartford.
Funeral services were held at the James T. Pratt Funeral Home,
with burial in Indian Hill Cemetery, Middletown.
Ethelbert Allen Moore
Ethelbert Allen Moore of New Britain, admitted to membership
in this Society May 2, 1905, died at his winter home in Ormond
Beach, Florida February 13, 1956. Mr. Moore was ninety-one years
old, and retired president and board chairman of the New Britain
Stanley Works.
In 1929 Mr. Moore relinquished presidency of the Stanley
Works, but continued as its director. In forty years of active asso-
ciation with the firm, he saw it grow from a $40,000 to a $27,000,000
business. He was made president in 1918, and five years later was
named chairman of the board, holding both positions until his
retirement. He had entered the firm as cost clerk, becoming direc-
tor in 1903, a vice president in 1905, and first vice president in
1915. Under his direction, the firm acquired the Stanley Rule and
Level Company, and plants in Ohio, Canada, Japan, and Europe.
The son of the artist Nelson Augustus and Ann Maria (Pickett)
Moore, Mr. Moore was born November 30, 1864 in Kensington. He
was educated at the Hartford Public High School where he was
graduated in 1885. On June 18, 1891 he married Martha Elizabeth
Hart who died in 1948. He was once a school principal in Water-
town, was a former State Representative, and a former member of
the Board of Education, New Britain. Mr. Moore was also an au-
thor, artist, and poet, his books including his autobiography Tenth
Generation , and Four Decades, a forty-year history of the Stanley
Works. His collection of seventeen sonnets. Life's Interlude, was
published in 1952. He donated land in New Britain, giving the city
two parks — the Martha Hart Park in memory of his wife, and the
Sherrod E. Skinner Park. To the first he also donateci $23,000 for
its development. Mr. Moore was also founder and charter member
of the Shuttle Meadow Club, and during World War I served on
the War Labor Policies Board and as chairman of the Young
Women's Christian Association war fund committee. He is sur-
M
vived by three sons, Allen Moore of Kensington, Roswell Moore
of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Maxwell Moore of Farmington.
His daughters are Mrs. Maurice H. Pease of Hartford and Mrs.
Martha McDowell of Kent. He also leaves several nieces and
nephews.
Evelyn Wallace Preston
Evelyn Wallace Preston of Hartford joined the Society as a
member on December 5, 1950. She was the daughter of the late
Major Edward V. and Clara (Litchfield) Preston. She was born
April 9, 1867, and died at her home in Hartford June 15, 1955.
Miss Preston was the oldest charter member of the Asylum Avenue
Baptist Church, as well as a charter member of the Town and
County Club, and a member of the Ruth Wyllys Chapter, Daugh-
ters of the American Revolution. Funeral services were held at her
home, with burial in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Hartford.
Henry Sherman Redfield
Henry Sherman Redfield of Hartford, a member of the Society
since March i, 1921, died at Palm Beach, Florida on April 17,
1955. He was a retired broker and former state golfing champion
in 1935.
Mr. Redfield was born January 19, 1865, the son of Henry A.
and Caroline (Peck) Redfield. His father, deceased in 1907, had
been president of the Phoenix National Bank, Hartford, for
twenty-six years.
Henry S. Redfield was a retired member of the brokerage firm,
Stedman and Redfield, and was associated for many years with
the Phoenix National Bank. He was one of Hartford's best left-
handed golfers, and a member of the American senior golf team
in competition against Canada, an event which took place shortly
before his eightieth birthday. He was once an amateur first base-
man and a champion figure skater, as well as an expert big pin
bowler and a curling enthusiast. Mr. Redfield was also a member
of the executive committee of the United States Senior Golf Asso-
ciation, and a charter member of the Lake Placid Club.
Surviving are his wife, Grace D. Redfield of Palm Beach,
Florida, and a son, H. Alexander Redfield of Hartford.
15
Thomas Bond Shaw
Thomas Bond Shaw of Worcester, Massachusetts, who became
a member of the Society on November 4, 1930, died August 29,
1955 in Danforth, Maine. He was vacationing at the summer home
of his niece and nephew, Mr. and Mrs. James F. Goddard.
Born in Lyme, New Hampshire, he was the son of Thomas Asa
and Marie (Persis) Shaw. He received his pre-medical training
at Yale University where he was graduated with an A.B. degree
in 1890. His post-graduate work was done at Roosevelt Hospital,
New York City, and he was a graduate from Dartmouth Medical
College in 1893. ^^ ^^^^ studied in Vienna and Paris in 1895
and 1896. He went to Worcester, Massachusetts, as practicing
physician in 1896, retiring from the medical profession in 1928.
His wife, the former Effie Morse, died twelve years ago, and he
leaves a niece and two nephews in Worcester, Massachusetts, and
Hollywood, Florida.
His memberships to organizations included Yale Clubs of
Worcester, Boston, Philadelphia, and New York; Worcester Uni-
versity Club; Bancroft Automobile Club; Commonwealth Club;
Crescent Athletic Club of New York City; University Clubs of
Boston, Providence and Hartford; New Haven Country Club;
Graduates Club of New Haven; and the Lake Placid Clubs of
New York and Florida.
Funeral services were held at Sessions Chapel, Worcester, with
burial at Hope Cemetery, Worcester, Massachusetts.
Douglas Tracy Smith
Douglas Tracy Smith of Hartford, long one of the city's promi-
nent insurance brokers, died at Hartford Hospital August 9, 1955.
He had become a member of the Society January 3, 1950.
Mr. Smith was born in Hartford, October 7, 1888, son of the
late James Allwood and Helen Louise (Tracy) Smith. He was
graduated from Hartford Public High School, class of 1906, and
from Yale College in 1910. He served as a lieutenant in the Navy
during World War I, and in the 2nd World War he was actively
engaged in War Bond, Red Cross and other campaigns. From
1922 to 1925 he served on the Board of Aldermen, representing
the 4th and later nth Wards. At that time he was also a Council
16
representative on the Board of Finance, and more recently served
as treasurer of the Citizens Charter Committee, being active in
support of the committee's program and in helping to set up head-
quarters for the organization. Also among his civic activities was
a directorship of the Family Service Society, of which he was
past president. On that board he was especially interested in im-
proving the living conditions of aged persons.
As an associate of the insurance brokerage firm, Allen, Russell
and Allen, Mr. Smith specialized in life, accident and group in-
surance lines. He was leading producer for the Connecticut Gen-
eral Life Insurance Company, his sales volume resulting in life
membership in the President's Club, and the 25- Year Club of
Connecticut General. He was also a member of the Hartford and
National Life Underwriters organizations. Other affiliations in-
cluded the University Club of Hartford, Hartford Club, Hartford
Golf Club, Twentieth Century Club, Get-Togethcr Club, Yale
Club of New York, and Madison Beach Club.
Mr. Smith is survived by his wife, the former Dorothy Potter.
Funeral services were held at the James T. Pratt chapel with burial
at Cedar Hill Cemetery, Hartford.
Harry Tyler Smith
Harry Tyler Smith of West Hartford, a member of this Society
since November 7, 1950, died at his home on September 7, 1955.
He was prominent in this city as counsel for the ^^tna Casualty
and Surety Company.
Born in Flint, Michigan, April 15, 1870, Mr. Smith was the son
of the late William and Anna Maria (Olcott) Smith. His early
years were spent in Detroit with graduation from the University
of Michigan in 1892. He was graduated from the Harvard Law
School in 1895.
Admitted to the Bar in Boston shortly thereafter, he entered
the law office of Nason and Proctor, remaming with the firm two
years. Later he became associated with Dickson and Knowles, a
company which handled liability business in New England for
four insurance firms — The Maryland, the London Guarantee, the
Ocean, and the Standard of Detroit. In 1906, he was employed as
attorney in the claims department for the ^Etna Casualty and
17
Surety Company, and in 1915 became associate attorney in the
accident and liability departments. In 1917 he was elected associ-
ate counsel at ^Etna, later becoming counsel for the accident and
liability departments of the JEtna. Casualty and Surety Company.
Mr. Smith retired after fifty years of service with the firm on May
1, 1955-
Mr. Smith was one of the few Americans to make a trans-At-
lantic flight on the zeppelin "Hindenburg," which was later de-
stroyed by fire over Lakehurst, New Jersey. In 1939 he was one of
the sixteen passengers aboard the Pan-American Yankee Clipper
which made the first Atlantic flight over the northern route from
Ireland. He was an enthusiastic bicyclist, and for many years was
known to walk from his i^tna oflices to his house in West Hart-
ford.
He was a member of the Connecticut and American Bar Asso-
ciations; the Hartford Club; the Hartford Golf Club; Dauntless
Club of Essex; and the Twentieth Century Club; and also served
at one time on the West Hartford Board of Finance.
Mr. Smith is survived by a son, Olcott Damon Smith of Farm-
ington; a brother, Walter Olcott Smith of Pasadena, California.
His four grandchildren are Damon Brainerd Smith, Wendy Mor-
gan Smith, Tyler Smith and Olcott Whitman Smith, all of Farm-
ington. Funeral services were held at Asylum Hill Congregational
Church, with burial at Arlington, Massachusetts.
Wallace Stevens
Wallace Stevens of Hartford, a member of this Society since
November 13, 1945, died at St. Francis Hospital on August 2, 1955.
He was vice president of the Hartford Accident and Indemnity
Company and the Hartford Livestock Insurance Company; a suc-
cessful lawyer, skilled in statistical knowledge of insurance; and
one of America's most brilliant poets.
Wallace Stevens was born in Reading, Pennsylvania, October
2, 1879, the son of the late Garrett B. and Margaretta Catherine
(Zeller) Stevens. After a formal education at Harvard University
and New York University Law School, he received honorary de-
grees from Harvard, Mount Holyoke, Wesleyan, Yale, Bard, and
Columbia colleges, and the Hartt College of Music.
Mr. Stevens' contribution to American letters caused the London
Times Literary Supplement to call him "the best poet writing in
America and one of the best poets now writing in English." He
was virtually unknown in Hartford until he was awarded the
Bollingen Poetry Prize by Yale University in 1950. In 1951 and
1955 he won the National Book Award for his poetry; in 1951 he
received the gold medal of the Poetry Society of America. In 1946
he was made a member of the National Institute of Arts and Let-
ters, crowning his career with the Pulitzer Prize for poetry in
1955. His first honor for poetry was received in 1916 from Poetry
Magazine for his one-act play Three Travelers Watch a Sunrise.
The Bollingen Prize and Second Book Award were for The
Auroras of Autumn; anci for Collected Poems published in 1954,
he received the Second National Book Award and the Pulitzer
Prize. Though recognition came late to Mr. Stevens, he had been
writing poetry for more than fifty years.
Mr. Stevens leaves his wife, Elsie V. (Kachel) Stevens; a daugh-
ter, Mrs. Holly B. Stevens of Hartford; and a grandson. Funeral
services were held at James T. Pratt Funeral Home, with burial
at Cedar Hill Cemetery.
Mary Swift Whittlesey
Mary Swift Whittlesey of New Britain, who joined the Society
as a member on October 2, 195 1, died at her home January 23,
1956 at the age of ninety. She was a former president of the Con-
necticut Chapter, Daughters of Founders and Patriots of America.
Miss Whittlesey was particularly active in historical and genea-
logical groups, including past regent of the Esther Stanley Chapter,
Daughters of the American Revolution; member of the Daugh-
ters of Colonial Wars in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts;
the Historical Society of New Britain; the National Society of
Colonial Dames of America. She was also a member of the Na-
tional Federation of Republican Women, the New Britain Musical
Club, the Shuttle Meadow Country Club, and one of the oldest
members of the Women's Club of New Britain. She also served as
a former board-member of the Visiting Nurse Association to
which she contributed knitting for the Women's Auxiliary of
New Britain General Hospital.
19
Miss Whittlesey is survived by one sister, Frances Whittlesey.
Funeral services were heki at her home with burial at Fairview
Cemetery, New Britain.
Isidore Wise
Isidore Wise of Hartford, a leading merchant in this city and
member of the Society since October 4, 1932, died at his home
January 24, 1956, aged ninety. The son of Leopold and Rosalie
Wise, he was born November 19, 1865. He attended the old North
School, now the Henry Barnard School, until he took his first job
as cash boy at $2.00 a week for Stern and Mandelbaum, a local
dry goods store. He was then eleven years old. By the age of
twenty-one, Mr. Wise opened a small store at Main and Kinsley
streets with two youthful partners — Godfrey Olschefski, Jr. and
Solomon Youngman. The partnership then bought out the Clark
Company, operating it under the name of I. Wise and Company.
This firm, with a new store and additional partners, was in opera-
tion from 1897 to 1948. Mr. Wise again resumed control in April,
1954, and one month later the store was closed, ending a life-long
career as owner of one of the city's three largest merchandising
establishments.
In 1891 he married Selma Stern who died in 1931. He leaves
his second wife, Mrs. Rose Stern Wise ; two daughters, Mrs. Louis
A. Samuels and Mrs. Edward A. Hart, both of West Hartford;
four granddaughters, Mrs. Nathan Rose of New London, Mrs.
Isidore Pollack of Quebec, Canada, Mrs. Kenneth Libby and Mrs.
Ann Louise Pober, both of West Hartford ; and seven great-grand-
children.
Funeral services were held at Temple Beth Israel, Hartford.
Report of Director
Mr. President and Members of the Society:
Introduction
The flood last August 19 hurt us. Until November ist, when we
reopened, all our efforts were directed at salvage and cleaning up.
Since then, we struggled ineffectually with the deluge of corre-
spondence which has accumulated, cleaning museum objects, and
replacing catalogued books lost in the flood. As luck would have
it, we lost, in some cases, two sets of certain periodicals, and hours
have been spent searching tiealers' catalogues in hopes of finding
replacements. Forced moving of our manuscript collection got it
badly out of order, and months must be spent reorganizing. Recent
accessions, which haci been kept chronologically until processed
so that specific items could be located, are now so badly mixed up
that many things will be impossible to find without complete cata-
loguing. The loss of storage facilities in the one store room flooded
requires the changing of thousands of museum records to indicate
the new storage location.
Attendance, of course, suffered, as did our program, which was
cut drastically. This also contributed to the slump in new members
— only 64. In spite of the increase in dues, we had but 49 resigna-
tions and only about 30 of these were attributable to dues. We also
had 20 deaths and 13 who failed to notify us of change in address
and were dropped. This makes the present membership total 1238.
On the positive side, we have been most encouraged by willing
assistance of many members, particularly, Edgar F. Waterman,
Miss Florence S. M. Crofut, President Brainard, Cyril Hawley,
Richard D. Moore, M. W. Jacobus and Benjamin F. Hubbell. For
some months Miss Agatha Gray was a volunteer and helped con-
siderably in sorting manuscripts. Progress without this extra help
would have been negligible.
As the result of expenses of $25,638, one hundred ami thirteen
gifts to a special flood relief fund totalled $28,084. This generosity,
from far and near, helped mentally as much as physically.
The auditorium, delayed because of the flood, was commenced
January 25th. We look forward to occupancy in the fall. It should
prove a stimulus to our programs and give a flexibility we have
never before enjoyed.
To protect the building from future rampages of the north
branch of the Park River, The Hartford Foundation for Pubhc
Giving granted $16,000 to erect a dike. Nothing we can do is more
vital than this protection, which is in addition to whatever flood
control measures are put into effect by the city.
Partially due to the delay in erecting the auditorium, we were
well within the budget: $1923 in general funds and $1898 in
building funds. With more income than anticipated, the surplus
in general funds is $6457, and $6157 in the building fund. Yield
on endowment in the General Fund is off slightly to approximately
.0614%, due to the Hills bequest last year which, when invested
in the Consolidated Fund, brought the average down; but the
building fund income was even greater than a year ago despite
the sale of securities to build the auditorium.
The report that follows covers at the most only about six months
of normal operations. It is a tribute to the staff of your Society
who, by their determination and hard work, made it possible.
Library
M. W. Jacobus spent much of last summer organizing our col-
lection of photographs. These were brought together from many
locations and are now in two vertical files, arranged by subject.
Since there had never been any attempt at systematizing before,
this makes for a great improvement.
Negotiations with the Society of Mayflower Descendants in the
State of Connecticut were completed whereby their genealogical
library, which had been in storage with us nearly 30 years, will be
added to the Charles G. Woodward Genealogical Loan Collection
of this Society. By this, 1400 new titles become available for loan
to our members, and to those of the Connecticut and National
Societies of Mayflower Descendants. Furthermore, they appropri-
ated $200, a sum to be matched by us, for a short title catalogue
so that interested persons will know what is available.
We are the only library in this area to subscribe to the Readex
Corporation microprint of American books published before 1800.
This is edited by Clifford K. Shipton of the American Anti-
quarian Society, and means that in ten years, all titles printed be-
fore 1800 will be available here. At the moment, 1639 through
1728 has been completed.
*■ • ' ' .'"••■'
je. ■. y.. . ^ ■-. ■
^
t:r':!^-^j^ 1
."1
'- ' . ..^ _ -rt -. .N-- .- v^ i
-
",' .;''-■ 'vi^-
■ ■ ■ ■ ■ s
^^--: • ■- 1
Sherman O shorn' s account book^,
i8iy-i82^
Puzzle purse valentine, ca. iy88
Mrs. Robert W. Huntington presented four letters by Joseph
Adams which have, with the donor's permission, been sent to
CHfTord K. Shipton, Harvard College Archivist. These letters ab-
solve Dr. Joseph Adams, Harvard 1743, as the Townsend, Massa-
chusetts Tory, The History of the Totini of Toivnsend by Sawtelle,
pages 194-5 quoting Sabine, "supposes" that this Joseph Adams
was the Townsend Tory.
The letters prove that the Tory was born in Lincoln, Massa-
chusetts January 30, 1749 and married about September 1774 Mrs.
Lovey Lawrence. During the war he served in the British Navy,
afterward settling as a surgeon and apothecary in Liskeard, Corn-
wall. One letter is signed (addressed to his father) "your son in
exile." His sorrow is readily apparent at being separated from his
friends, family and native land. He mentions his confiscated es-
tate and that due to the Proscription Act, he cannot return to
America. The letters are addressed to his father, Capt. Joseph
Adams, of Lincoln, and are dated 1783, 84, 89 and 94, just after
hearing of his mother's death, which checks in the Lincoln, Mass.
vital records. He mentions his brothers and sisters, the names of
whom also check. Since these documents belong in Massachusetts,
23
with permission of the donor, they were given to Mr. Shipton for
him to determine their permanent home.
This poHcy is not a one way street. The American Antiquarian
Society gave us seven issues of the Danbury Republican Farmer,
November 23, and 30, 1803; January 18, July 11 and August 29,
1804; July 2, 1805; and July 9, 1806.
The Ohio Historical Society gave us an account book of Steph-
anus Knight, 1795-1810. Knight painted signs and was a glazier,
gilder, painter and paperer. A fine account of this record will ap-
pear shortly in the Bulletin.
From the New Jersey Historical Society we received an account
book of Laban Beach, 1790-1823, of Litchfield. This is not only val-
uable for its accounts but also for numerous vital records of the
Beach family.
Research projects were by no means neglected. The few Benja-
min Franklin items in our collection have been photostated for
Yale University, and more than 300 letters by Alexander Hamilton
are included in the project by Columbia University. For the John
Marshall publication, we supplied six letters. Douglas H. Shepard
Bookplate engraved by Amos Doolittle, iy^4-i8^2
24
of the University of Minnesota is transcribing Henry Wolcott's
shorthand notebook containing sermons by Thomas Hooker, hi
studying Hooker, Mr. Shepard desired to examine our unique
copy of Soul's Humiliation, pubhshed in Amsterdam, 1638. This
was sent on inter-hbrary loan to Duluth. Several titles were lent
Trinity College for their banned books exhibition, and three more
French translations in America were sent on inter-library loan to
St. John's College so that Forrest Bowe might microfilm them.
When requested, unique Connecticut imprints have been sent to
Worcester for filming in the Readex project.
The high quality of acquisitions enjoyed in recent years did not
suffer — in fact it almost seemed as though members and friends
went out of their way to give us treasures. In effect, it was a vote
of confidence in the future of the Society which, though stunned,
has emerged even stronger than before. Details of flood damage
appeared in the Flood Extra of the Bulletin but, reports to the
contrary, we did not lose a manuscript, nor were any rare books
damaged in the slightest. The large bulk of museum objects
flooded only needed cleaning and the few things lost or badly
damaged could hardly be classed as irreplaceable. Amazing per-
haps, but true, not a single piece of glass or china, most of which
was flooded, was broken.
Time and space prevents a detailed account of library accessions.
Some like Josiah Cleaveland's account of Bunker Hill, gift of Mrs.
R. W. Huntington ; the papers of James G. Batterson from Walter
E. Batterson; and the Goodale letters acquired by purchase, were
featured in the Bulletin. Worthy of comment are a number of
papers dealing with the Court of Acimiralty trial of Christopher
Ripley of New London, 1809; General Orders, New London,
1812; Returns of Supplies, New Milford, 1778-1779 by purchase;
and by exchange, an unpublished Revolutionary Diary of Elihu
Clark, Jr., of Colchester, April 20, 1775-April i, 1776.
Gideon Welles, of Glastonbury, held many political offices, both
elective and by appointment, in a career which culminated as
Secretary of the Navy during the Civil War. In 18^6 Welles was
appointed postmaster of Hartford. When William Henry Harri-
son defeated Martin Van Buren in 1840, Harrison removed Welles,
a Van Buren supporter, in "the public interest." We were fortunate
to purchase a holograph copy of an eight-page letter signed by
25
New London hroiuisuic, i/2^-^
Welles, addressed to Francis Granger, Postmaster General, dated
April 2, 1841, in which he protested that his replacement was "a
palpable violation of the spirit and intention of the act of 1836."
Austin Kilbourn, M.D., presented an unusual account book of
the Osborn family. One part was kept by Sherman Osborn, a
gravestone cutter of Middlebury, Watertown and Canton, 1817-
1825. Except for Hempstead's Diary, it is the only record of a Con-
necticut stonecutter currently known. Of particular value is the
list of stones he cut, and, in most cases, their inscriptions and prices.
His common design was an urn with one or two willows. Stones
were priced by width and quality, coarse, first, second and third
quality. Cutting usually required 60 days, and average cost was $20.
In eighteen years, I have not had an opportunity to acquire an
early valentine. The day before Carroll G. Means addressed us
on "Valentines" we purchased two, a puzzle purse dated 1788 and
a broken heart. There are valentines attributed to an earlier date
in America, but this is the earliest documented specimen of which
we have heard. Later, while sorting manuscripts, we found an
26
envelope of valentines, so the Society does have a representative
collection.
In 1795, a James Harrison conducted a music store and rental
library in Maiden Lane, New York. Subscribers, by paying %y a
year in advance, could borrow "two books at a time which may
be changed every day if required." Fortunately, to mark his books,
Harrison had Amos Doolittle, Connecticut's foremost engraver,
design a book plate. A music book, containing a unique copy of
the book plate, has been purchased. It is signed "A Doolittle Sc N
Haven," and in addition to the rules and regulations of the library,
it announces that musical instruments are for sale or rent, and
they may be tuned and repaired at Harrison's shop. Books are also
available to nonsubscribers, the fee scaled according to the value
of the book. For example:
books
value -<
of
0/5/0
0/12/0
1/4/0
2/0/0
& upwards
to
pay
0/0/6
0/1/
0/1/6
0/2/
0/2/6
*- per week
Another engraving is a watch paper of Horace Goodwin 2d, of
Hartford. These little advertising papers were inserted in backs
of watches when sold or repaired. When a watch is found with
a watch paper, the chances are very good there will be several
others underneath. The American Antiquarian Society has the
best collection. We have eight which were found in watches in
the museum collection. The Goodwin paper is the first I have
been able to acquire for the Society. The Antiquarian Society's
copy of this paper is dated 1839 on the reverse. Goodwin was a
jeweler in Hartford from 181 1 to 1852 and probably adopted the
"2d" to distinguish himself from a cousin of the same name, who
was a pottery manufacturer.
In our 1951 Annual Report we noted that our collection lacked
thirty wall maps of Connecticut towns and counties, published be-
tween 1840 and i860. Since that time eight have been secured, the
last two being Cornwall, 1854; and New Haven, 1859. The Corn-
27
wall map is exceedingly rare, and is seldom found in as good con-
dition as the specimen we purchased.
Another map of more than passing interest is Plate VI of Erd-
beschreibung von Amerika by Ebelings. It was engraved by E.
Schmidt in Bonn, 1796 and is almost an exact copy of Blodget's
1791 map with identical legends, excepts for omission of wind-
mills. Several towns are misspelled anti are assumed to be errors
in copying. The copy we secured was issued separately on a sheet
17/2 X 25^/4 inches with ample margins. Edmund Thompson's
Maps of Co?in€cticut. . . , Windham, 1940, gives no location for
copies of this map.
The first volume of verse published in Connecticut was Roger
Wolcott's Poetical Meditations, New London, 1725. We have two
of twelve known copies. Contemporary with this was a folio
broadside A Lamentation in Memory of the Distressing Sickjiess
Map in Joseph Scott's The Universal Gazetteer
in Hartford from November ^th i'j24 to February 20th 772^/5,
including the names of fifty-five persons who died. Morgan B.
Brainard has given the Society the only known copy of this valua-
ble broadside. It is signed "E. Burleson" and is assumed to have
been printed in New London. Unfortunately it has not been possi-
ble to identify Burleson, though he is believed to be Edward Burle-
son, born March i, 1686, who was admitted to the Church in Suf-
field, from Springfield, January 4, 1712/ 13. This broadside was
once owned by George Brinley and later by James Hammond
Trumbull.
Although many books were acquired during the year, perhaps
the rarest and also most interesting was The New and Universal
Gazetteer by Joseph Scott, 4 volumes, Philadelphia, 1799 and 1800.
Scott was a good engraver in Philadelphia and compiler of an
atlas in 1796. There are 25 maps, including a folding one for Con-
necticut, which Thompson did not include in his bibliography.
Scott, of course, relied on available sources but he also did some
original research which is valuable today. The article on Connecti-
cut and the Connecticut River is of especial interest. About Suffield,
he said: "a post town of Connecticut, in Hartford, on the W. side
of Connecticut river, 17 miles N. of Hartford, and 232 N.E. of
Philadelphia." Evans records ten copies of volumes 1-2, and only
eight of 3-4.
For many years we have stressed the need of increased endow-
ment for library purchases. Most of our funds for the library de-
pend upon book sales for growth, which in recent years has not
kept pace with inflation. Consequently our purchasing power is
no greater than it was fifteen years ago, and only with special
gifts and, more recently, appropriations from general funds, have
we been able to compete with others in the market for desirable
acquisitions. It therefore is to me a great personal satisfaction that
Miss Muriel Alvord has established a fund in memory of her
father, George Buell Alvord, in the amount of $4800, the income
only to be used for the purchase of manuscripts.
Museum
Exhibitions included Mechanical Banks in gallery 2; portraits
by Richard and William Jennys, gallery i ; recently acquired paint-
ings by Alvan Fisher, Erastus Salisbury Field, John Trumbull, John
H. Niemeyer, William Johnston, Alexander Hamilton Emmons,
Richard and William Jennys, and Samuel Broadbent, gallery i;
Nathan Hale, gallery 3; rare coins, Valentines and chairs, down-
stairs. These maintained the standards previously set and the
29
"Prince Charles" playing cards, Hartford, iSgy
Jennys show was particularly noteworthy, exciting much atten-
tion. More and more outsiders look forward to our exhibitions as
important contributions to knowledge about Connecticut.
For many years we have sought anything with a label showing
it was manufactured in our state and this year was no exception.
Sometimes we knew of its existence, such as the Prince Charles
deck of cards produced in Hartford in 1897. ^^ ^^ amusing, with
a real spade for that suit, but it took many years of searching to
find a pack a few months ago. Similar objects worth mentioning
are a school slate made by D. and C. W. Holbrook, Windsor
Locks; a Collarsion cup (collapsible drinking cup) by S. H. M.
& Co., Wallingford; Bevins Musical chimes. East Hampton, 1876;
and boxes of thread by O. S. Chaffee & Son, Mansfield Centre.
Your Director realized another personal ambition by acquiring
three Higley coins, two of the Broad Axe variety dated 1737 and
1739, and a Three-Hammers, "I am good copper." Mr. Bates
sought unsuccessfully more than fifty years for a Higley.
30
Bookplate of Rev. Mr. Jona-
than Bird ( ly^d-iSi j) of
Berlin, probably engraved by
Richard Brunton. Brunton
was imprisoned in Newgate,
1799, for counterfeiting. Prior
to this, he worked in Con-
necticut towns doing book--
plates for clergymen, mer-
chants and lawyers.
Trial impression of engraved
portrait of Jonathan Bird
used as frontispiece for Ser-
mons on various Subjects. . . ,
Hartford, 1814
IRD, A.M.
31
Tea set by Marcus Merriman of Neii' Haven, lybi-iS^o
The Kellogg print collection was considerably augmented
through gifts by William H. Bulkeley and S. St. John Morgan.
Philip Hammerslough was most generous in presenting a lovely
three-piece silver tea set by Marcus Merriman of New Haven, the
earliest Connecticut-made set known. In addition he gave a num-
ber of pieces of Staflfordshire : a Newgate teapot and sugar bowl,
McDonough's Victory cup and saucer, and a Wadsworth Tower
cup. He also loaned a fine clock by Daniel Burnap, which graces
the upper hall.
As the result of the Jennys exhibition, Hanford MacNider of
Mason City, Iowa, presented his two portraits of Isaac and Tamer
Hawley signed by Richard Jennys. They are of great importance
in the Jennys story and are much appreciated. Two fine portraits
of Beach and Charity (Shelton) Tomlinson, also by Richard
Jennys and in their original frames, are on indefinite loan from
our member, C. P. Tomlinson of Danbury.
At the auction of Early American Glass Bottles and Flasks, col-
lected by the late Dr. Charles Osgood of Norwichtown, we were
fortunate in acquiring a very rare half-pint masonic flask attributed
32
to the Coventry Glass Works. It is #7 on McKearin's list of most
desirable items.
The museum has the greatest public appeal of any of the So-
ciety's functions, ami shortage of help is most readily apparent in
that department. We must have special exhibitions and the time
spent with records, planning and installation is beyond belief. No
accessioning was done this year, and only with great effort and by
slighting other activities were exhibitions possible.
Rare Masonic flas^, olive green, Yi pint, attributed to the Coventry
Glass Worlds
Editor
The usual Annual Report, four issues of the Bulletin and a Flood
Extra were issued this year. It may be argued that our Bulletin
lacks diversification and that we are over-emphasizing early art
by devoting an entire issue to the exhibition of Richard and Wil-
liam Jennys paintings last October, and the April issue containing
a Jennys check list. However, as a result, we have gained consider-
able stature nationally, and it would be a pity not to complete the
33
project through pubhcation of discoveries largely made possible
by means of the exhibition. This illustrates what can be done in
one field of specialization, and other subjects will follow as they
can be developed.
A catalogue of chairs in the Society has just been published and
we hope shortly to prepare a catalogue of the Seymour collection.
Fortunately Mr. Seymour left money for this purpose and now,
with a format, it is only a matter of time. Ultimately we would
like to do a catalogue of our portraits and ways and means of
financing have been discussed.
Charles S. Bissell's Atitique Furniture in Suffield, Connecticut,
i6jo-i8^^, a gift of the author, was published jointly with the Suf-
field Historical Society on April 12. It is a handsome book and is
indicative of what all old towns should do in recording their an-
tique furniture. In just over a month, 217 copies have been sold.
Jonathan Trumbull, Connecticut's Merchant Magistrate, by
Glenn Weaver, is due in July, and we have high hopes of its success.
Later this year we are publishing The Con?iecticut River Steam-
boat Story, by M. W. Jacobus. This subject should interest a great
many people.
Volume 29 of our Collections is in pages and is being indexed.
It continues the letters of John Cotton Smith, Governor during
the War of 1812, and is being published with a State Appropria-
tion. The release date of this volume is tentatively scheduled for
November.
A manuscript concerning Daniel Burnap, by Penrose Hoopes,
is next on the agenda — perhaps the spring of 1957.
Book sales were spotty, again the result of inattention. Our list
of publications for sale is four years out of date but, despite little
effort, sales totalled $1413.57. Amounts credited to principal of
funds are:
Barbour Fund $30.00
Brainard Fund i7-40
Ancient Vital Records Fund 21.60
Hoadly Fund 59.00
Library-Museum Fund 107.87
Colonial Wars Fund 5.00
Publication Fund 99-55
Putnam Fund 10.67
34
Publication Fund
Surplus
40.31
Morris Fund
4.00
Shepard Fund
8.40
Waterman Fund
228.84
To income —
Bissell Fund
694.75
Publication Fund
143-99
We need financial assistance in publishing worthwhile manu-
script collections and interpretive writings on Connecticut his-
tory. We ought to be in a position to publish annually the best
work available. In this manner, young scholars would be encour-
aged to study in this field, for the product of their research would
be considered for publication. Of those books previously mentioned
only the Trumbull book is being published with our funds, and
future publications will depend upon receipts from sales.
Conclusion
We are grateful to the following speakers for their talks to us
this year:
November i, 1955 Mrs. Haven Parker, Boston, Massachusetts, "200
Years of American Painting."
December 6, 1955 Glenn Weaver, New London, "Jonathan Trum-
bull, Connecticut's Merchant Magistrate."
January 3, 1956 Lyent W. Russell, New Haven, "Indian Sites in
Connecticut."
February 7, 1956 Carroll Alton Means, Woodbridge, "Valentines."
March 6, 1956 Thomas H. Ormsbee, Pound Ridge, New York,
"Know Your Heirlooms."
April 3, 1956 Henry S. Kelly, Hamden, "Early Connecticut
Meeting Houses."
May I, 1956 Films produced by E. I. du Pont de Nemours &
Company: "Courage in Connecticut" and "What
Hath God Wrought."
In conclusion, a word of credit where credit is due to your offi-
cers and committees. During a trying time, fraught with monu-
35
mental decisions, they gave unstintingly of their time and experi-
ence. The Standing and Building Committees, especially, had much
to consider and decide. The Publication Committee individually
read many manuscripts and collectively determined those suitable
to carry the Society's imprint. This type of service is hardly an
obligation and is not for sale. We are greatly indebted to them.
Elsewhere the list of donors to the Flood Fund will appear and
words cannot describe our gratitude to them. Those lenders to the
Jennys and Mechanical Banks exhibitions also deserve recognition.
To William L. Warren, a special word of credit. He did the ground
work, research and arrangements for the Jennys show at a time
when our little world seemed at an end. Given assurance we
would make our schedule, he did everything to make that exhibi-
tion the outstanding success it was.
For the first time, gifts exceeded $50,000, including the grant
from the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving. This is an
amazing testimonial of faith and interest in the Society. It is deeply
regretted that the bulk of this money was useci in necessary re-
pairs to the building and future protection from floods rather
than in tangible progress.
Last year your Director pointed out the need for additional
help. This need is now critical. We are at least three staft mem-
bers short of minimum requirements. The present stafiF is so over-
burdened that improvement must not be expected of them. I would
be remiss in my duty if I did not bring this to your attention again.
Endowment and income must be increased if permanent solution
to the problem is forthcoming. This Society occupies a unique posi-
tion today, and becoming the best historical society in the country
is not beyond our reach.
Respectfully,
Thompson R. Harlow, Director
36
Flood Donors
The Society is grateful for the contributions to the Flood Fund.
Dr. Arthur Adams
Muriel Alvorci
Mrs. James P. Aniirews
Anonymous
Robert G. Armstrong
Mrs. B. F. Auerbach
Mrs. Clarence S. Austin
Sara B. C. Ballard
Dorothy C. Beers
Carrie J. Belden
Mrs. Robert A. Beyers
Grace E. Bliss
Ruth Bosworth
Mr. Jk Mrs. Newton C.
Brainard
E. R. Brownson
Kingsley D. Bundy
Sarah A. W. Burr
Mrs. O. A. Campbell
Bertha W. Clark
Mrs. Walter H. Clark
Mrs. Dorothy W. Cleaveland
Mrs. Fred R. Clouse
Mrs. E. A. Coffin
Grace B. Coffin
Francis W. Cole
R. H. Cole
Mrs. Iva B. Collins
Mrs. W. A. Countryman
Florence S. M. Crofut
C. C. Cunningham
Ralph D. Cuder
Mrs. John E. Daniels
J. M. K. Davis
Mrs. Henrv J. Dunleavy
E. W. Eddy
Mrs. Stanley W. Edwards
J. O. Enders
Rev. James F. English
Mrs. T. S. Farrell
Eleanor Ferguson
Marietta N. Fitch
Elizabeth Parker Fitler
Richard J. Fowie
Arthur C. Fox
Alfred C. Fuller
Marsha L. Gebhardt
George H. Gilman, Jr.
W. C. Goeben
James L. Goodwin
Mrs. Charles G. Granniss
Rt. Rev. Walter Gray
Louise Hall
Margaret M. N. Hall
A. J. Hapke
Mrs. P. C. Harmany
Hartford Bird Study Club
W. A. Haviland, Jr.
Mrs. W. E. Hawley
Ruth Havden
M. T. Hazen
Harold G. Holcombe
Mrs. Herbert House
Harold Hugo
Elinor H. B. Ingersoll
Mrs. John Day Jackson
Editha L. Jacobs
Ward S. Jacobs
Mabel L. Johnson
W. H. Judd
C. Frederick Kaufholz
Mrs. Edward L. Kernochan
Anna M. Kcyes
Richard C. Lincoln
Mrs. William D. Love
Marion B. McLean
Mrs. Ethelwyn K. Marshall
\'ekla Merrick
Mrs. Earl H. Meyer
Louis M. Miner
Judge Thomas J. Molloy
Charles F. Montgomery
E. A. Moore
Mrs. George T. Parks
Jessie A. Parsons
John E. Parsons
Lewis W. Phelps
Marshall Prentiss
Lucille N. Pntcharcl
Marcella R. Putnam
Claude J. Ranney
Marjorie M. Reinhardt
Agnes Ripley
E. C. Roberts
George Roberts
William Walker Rockwell
Dr. and Mrs. Robert L.
Rowley
C. F. T. Seavcrns
Howard H. Shiras, M.D.
Rabbi Morris Silverman
Gwendolyn M. Smith
Eleanor Tarleton St. John
Francis E. Stern
Frederick G. Strong
R. M. Terrv
Prof. D. G.' Brinton
Thompson
James L. Thomson
Madora W. Thomson
Marjorie S. Turner
L. J. Tuttlc
Wadhams and May
Company
R. Miles Warner
Frederic L. Way
Lina C. Weeks
D'Alte A. Welch
Mrs. H. K. W. Welch
Samuel P. Williams
Everett C. Willson
Elizabeth M. Wise
Orin R. Witter, M.D.
Mrs. Guy F. Wood
L Mildred Zamel
3?
Library Donors
Adams, Dr. Arthur
Ahern, Katherine C.
Allen, Hubbell
American Antiquarian
Society
Armstrong, H. A.
Armstrong, Rev. Robert G.
Ashley, Mabel P.
Barr, Lockwood
Batterson, Walter E.
BoUman, H. W.
Brainard, Morgan B.
Brainard, Newton C.
Broadhurst, Mrs. Leon P.
Brouwer, Ogden
California Historical Society
Case, James R.
Chandler, Mrs. Woods
Clark, Mrs. Henry M.
Coffin, Mrs. E. A.
Connecticut, State of
Connecticut League of
Historical Societies
Connecticut Printers
Connecticut State Library
Connecticut Valley Historical
Society
Deans, John B.
Elston, James S.
Episcopal Diocese of
Connecticut
Frankenstein, Alfred V.
Freeman, Mrs. Harrison B.
Glastonbury Historical
Society
Goodspeed's Book Shop
Greene, John P.
Hartford Public Library
Hatch, Benton L.
Historical & Philosophical
Society of Ohio
Holcombe, Mrs. John M., Jr.
Holden, Benedict M., Jr.
Huntington, Mrs. Robert W.
Jacobus, Melancthon W.
John Carter Brown Library
Kellogg, Annie F.
Keyes, Wilma B.
Kilbourne, Dr. Austin
Kingswood School
Ladin, Harvey N.
Laggren, Mrs. Robert I.
Maidment, Mrs. Emily H.
Massachusetts, Common-
wealth of
Morgan, S. St. John
Morris, Robert S.
National Gallcrv of Art
New Jersey Historical
Society
Parsons, John E.
Pierpont Morgan Library
Riedel, Mrs. Raymond W.
Roberts, Rev. George
Royal Typewriter Co.
Ruth Wyllys Chapter,
D.A.R.
Scott, Kenneth
Smales, Herbert T.
Smith, James Morton
Smith, Richard R.
Smith College
Society of Colonial Wars
Spinney, Frank O.
Stetson, Mrs. John M.
Stillman, Alice W.
Terry, Alfred H.
Twining, Mrs. William E.
Walpole Society
Warren, William L.
Waterman, Edgar F.
Waterman, Marjorie F.
Western Reserve Historical
Society
Whittemore, C. R.
Wise, Mrs. William S.
Witkower, Israel
Wolf, Martin L.
Genealogical Donors
Ahern, Katherine C.
Ashby, Robert L.
Bailey, Brenda B.
Barber, Mrs. Gertrude A.
Britton, Mrs. W. Thomas
Campbell, Willis L.
Carlsen, Mrs. F. H.
Clark, Bertha W.
Clark, Mrs. Walter H.
Corson, Orville
Danielson, Edith
Davis, Mrs. E. C.
Dunham, Ethel C.
Durren, Helen
Eldred, Mrs. Roger M.
Everest, David C, estate of
Fitler, Mrs. Elizabeth P.
Fyler, Wadsworth G.
Gicre, Mrs. Howard S.
Hayward, Kendall P.
Johnson, Laurence A.
Ketchen, William M.
Mack, Dr. H. W.
Marsh, Warren L.
Moore, Horace G. W.
Moulthrop, Mary A.
Perrin, Carl L.
Russell, George E.
Sawers, Mary B.
Shoemaker, William M.
Smith, Edward Church
Spears, Mabel L
Stradling, Mrs. Harriet L.
Sutton, F. W.
Sweet, Mrs. John H. T.
Swift, E. Kent
Thompson, Arthur R.
Tulpin, Julia E.
Waterman, Fred L.
Whitman, John T.
Winslow, Mrs. Kenelm
Wood, Mrs. Guy F.
38
Manuscript Accessions
Katherine C. Ahcrn, West Hartford.
Note; Noah (Jrant to Johnathan Waren, Fort Edward, Mar. 25, 1756.
Reif. Robert G. Armstrong, West Hartford.
Nathan Hale, a word portrait. (14 pp.)
Mrs. Gertrude A. Barber, New Yor/^, N.Y.
Burt family notes. (2 pp.)
Walter E. Batterson, Hartford.
Letters to James G. Batterson, of Hartford, relating to election of Abra-
ham Lincoln, 1864. (254)
Mrs. W . Thomas Brilton, Fort Worth, Texas.
Meacham family data. (2 sheets)
Mrs. Leon P. Broad hurst, Hartford.
Letters concerning Alicia Adams, wife of Treasurer Lawrence. (6)
Ogden Brouwer, New Yor{, N.Y.
Dedication of plaque in the Congregational Church, Lebanon, Conn.,
Oct. 30, 1955. (typescript)
Willis L. Campbell, Dixie, Washington.
Ancestral Charts of Willis L. Campbell.
Mrs. F. H. C arisen, Am bury, lotva.
Catlin family notes; descendants of Thomas Catlin. (4 pp.)
Mrs. Woods Chandler, Hartford.
"Reminiscences of Old Hartford," read before the Friday Club, Nov,
3' 1933-
Bertha W . ClarJ^, Boston, Massachusetts.
Congdon line of the compiler and seventh generation of other Congdons
tabulated. (120 pp.)
Edith Danielson, Providence, Rhode Island.
Wills of Jacob Whitman and James Daniels.
Mrs. E. C. Davis, New Smyrna Beach, Florida.
Gards-Guards family of Connecticut and New Jersey. (6 pp.)
Mrs. Roger M. Eldred, West Hartford.
Proof of birth of Marguerite Esther (Case) Norton, (photostat)
Mrs. Elizabeth P. Fitler, Wynnewood, Pennsylvania.
Notes concerning the descendants of Ralph Allen of Rehoboth, Mass.
(6 pp.)
Notes on the Dunham-Eells families.
Wadsworth G. Fyler, West Simsbury.
Fyler family Bible, 1848, containing family records.
Mrs. Howard S. Giere, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Waterman-Libby Bible records, certified copy. (16 pp.)
39
Kendall P. Hayward, East Hartford.
Dunham family notes and corrections. (2 pp.)
Mrs. John M. Holcombe, Jr., Farmington.
Letters, mostly to Nelson Brewster, of Goshen, 1830-50, of political in-
terest. (117)
Mrs. Robert W. Huntington, Hartford.
Eyewitness account of the Battle of Bunker Hill, June 16, 1775, by
Josiah Cleaveland.
Laurence A. Johnson, Syracuse, N.Y.
Genealogy of the descendants of Capt. Edmund Johnson, 1741-1812.
Notes concerning the Clapp, Craw, Palmer and Wellman families.
Austin Kilbourn, M.D., Hartford.
Account book of Sherman Osborn of Middlebury, 1815-1817, stone-
cutter, containing gravestone inscriptions.
Account book of Wait Garret, 1 810-1847.
Dr. Harry W. Mac\, Detroit, Michigan.
Mack and Sine families, 1955. (74 pp.)
Horace G. W. Moore, Hartford, and William M. Ketchen, Fort Lauderdale,
Florida.
Kitchen family: Descendants of Andrew and Margaret (Gilmore)
Kitchen, ca. 1770. (mimeo.)
Mary A. Moulthrop, Rochester, N.Y.
Copy of Monroe County, N.Y. tombstone records showing Connecticut
origins of families in that county. (8 pp.)
New Jersey Historical Society, Newark^, New Jersey.
Account book of Laban Beach, of Litchfield, 1790-1833, containing
family records.
C. L. Perrin, New Hartford, Iowa.
Perrin family history and genealogy. (50 pp. mimeo.)
Mrs. Raymond W . Riedel, Biddeford, Maine.
Elegy on the death of Stephen Olmsted, Jr., who died Sept. 9, 1776.
George E. Russell, Chesterton, Ohio.
Russell families of 17th century New England. (25 pp. mimeo.)
Mary B. Sawers, Middletown.
Revolutionary and vital records of Jeremiah Mead, of Ridgefield. (14
PP-)
William M. Shoemaf^er, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania.
Shoemaker family data.
Edward Church Smith, La\ewood , Ohio.
Supplement to "Ancestors of Samuel Smith," 1947.
Mrs. John M. Stetson, Williamsburg, Virginia.
Documents and letters concerning Obadiah Mead, of North Greenwich.
(2 boxes)
40
Mrs. Harriet j. Stradling, Mesa, Arizona.
Lamb ancestry of Mrs. Harriet J. (Lamb) Stradling.
F. W . Sutton, Los Angeles, California.
Sutton family: notes regarding the line of James Sutton.
Mrs. John H. T. Sweet, West Hartford.
Bible records of Daniel Wildman and Mary Weed, married Aug. 15,
1791.
Alfred H. Terry, Hadlyme.
Letters concerning administration of the Dakota Territory, Maj. Gen.
Alfred H, Terry, commanding. (51)
Arthur R. Thompson, West Hartford.
Thompson-Thomson family records. (2)
fulia E. Tulpin, Springfield, Illinois.
Fuller family data.
William L. Warren, Litchfield.
Account book of John Tallmadge, of Litchfield, 1804-06.
Document: Alexander Stewart to Joel Hide, Preston, June 15, 1796.
Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland, Ohio.
Account book of Stephanus Knight, of Enfield, 1 795-1 827.
fohn T. Whitman, West Hartford.
Copy of the will of Joshua Abbott, of Ellington, Feb. 12, 1834.
Mrs. Guy F. Wood, Wells, Vermont.
Pawlet, Vermont, births, taken from first volume of records to 1850. (9
PP-)
Purchase.
Account book, 1814-17.
Account book of Jeduthan Goodwin, New Hartford, 1795-1839.
Ancestry of Mrs. J. W. Baldwin.
Autograph album of Lottie Merriman, Farmington schoolgirl.
Certificate of Eagle Bank, New Haven, 1813.
Certificate of Mineral Springs Manufacturing Co., Jan. i, 1852.
Descendants of Capt. Stephen Stowe.
Diary of Joseph Goodrich, 1849, of Meriden [ ? ].
Document: signed Jonathan Pettibone, Aug. 5, 1776, to his son Jona-
than.
Document: State of Connecticut to Alfred Bliss for whitewashing
Treasurer's Office, Apr. 27, 18 14.
Document: William Hillhouse to Timothy Jones, concerning Connecti-
cut Manufacturing Lottery, Aug. 17, 1795.
Documents concerning confiscation of land belonging to Jeremiah
Learning of Fairfield, 1791-2. (6)
Documents, 1763, concerning Simeon Baxter, counterfeiter, Hartford.
Invoices of various cotton mills, Coventry, Sterling, Plainfield, 181 2-14.
Journal of Edith Allen, Windsor Locks, 1869.
41
Kendalls of Connecticut, by Kendall P. Hay ward, 1956.
Letter, American Bicycle Co., Hartford, to C. C. Stirling, Aug. 5, 1901.
Letter book of Christopher Ripley, Trinidad, Sept. 27, 1807.
Letter by Col. Jacob Kingsbury, New London, August 1814.
Letter by Samuel R. Gager, Sharon, June 25, 1810.
Letter concerning silk mill, West Hartford, March 22, 1839.
Letter from Enoch Reynolds to Christopher Ripley, Washington, Aug.
31,1815.
Letter from Gideon Welles, Hartford, Apr. 2, 1841, to Francis Granger,
Postmaster General.
Letter from L. Ripley to Betsey Ripley, Windham, n.d.
License to make saddles, issued to Gamaliel Manning, Windham, 1815.
List of men receiving bounty and wages, Simsbury, June 1779.
Manifest, schooner "Lucky John," Hartford, 1790.
Memorial of Samuel Chapman, concerning iron furnace at Salisbury,
May 1787.
Military certificates. War of 181 2 and others, Norwich, Lyme, Plainfield,
etc.
Miscellaneous Farmington papers, 1773-96.
Miscellaneous Philleo family material.
Music book perhaps owned by David Edgcomb, Jr., of Groton.
Music for "The Snow Bird" composed by P. Gallup, ca. 1840.
Notebook of Daniel Burnap containing directions and sketches for mak-
ing clocks.
Notes concerning the Bragdon family of York, Maine.
Order for beaver and hat trimmings, G. Caldwell, 1782.
Papers of the Brewster family of Connecticut.
Printed Genealogies
Angell, Armisted, Ashby-Badger, Axford, Billing, Bond, Brown, Carson,
Cobb, Coffin, Curtice, Dana, Dunham, Everest, Galpin, Gorham, Grant,
McLean, Marsh, Merrow, Pierce, Riggs, Starr, Swift, Tanner, Thompson,
Waterman, Whitin, Wilcox.
Manuscript Genealogical Notes
Allen, Baldwin, Bragdon, Burt, Campbell, Catlin, Clapp-Craw-Palmer-
Wellman, Congdon, Dunham, Dunham-Eells, Fuller, Gards, Johnson, Ken-
dall, Kitchen, Lamb, Mack-Sine, Meacham, Mead, Norton, Perrin, Russell,
Shoemaker, Smith, Stow, Sutton, Thompson.
Bible Records
Curtis, Fyler, Hoskins, Waterman-Libby, Wildman-Weed.
42
FINANCIAL REPORT
Condensation of report of
AUerton C. Hickmott, Treasurer
Principal
INCOME FOR GENERAL EXPENSES
Dues
Rent of building
Charles G. Woodward Trust
Reserves
ENDOWMENT FUNDS FOR GENERAL EXPENSES
Albert C. Bates Fund, established by gift in
1 906 $ 1 ,023.70
Silas Chapman, Jr. Fund, bequest November,
1926 68,500.00
Sophia F. Coe Fund, bequest April, 1916 1,050.00
Wilbur L. Cross Fund, established in December
1947 by Alain C. White 100.00
George Henry Fitts Fund in memory of Colonel
Thomas Knowlton, bequest January, 1925 . . . 10,000.00
General Fund, established in 1849 17,308.67
James J. Goodwin Fund, established in October,
1 91 5 by Mrs. James J. Goodwin in memory of
her husband 20,000.00
E. Stevens Henry Fund, bequest February, 1922 550.00
Jonas Coolidge Hills Fund, trust established by
will in 1913, terminated 1954 55''535-58
James B. Hosmer Fund, bequest September, 1878 5,000.00
Dr. William Ward Knight Fund, bequest De-
cember, 1923 8,000.00
Francis T. Maxwell Fund, bequest March, 1942 5,000.00
Henry L. Miller Fund, bequest of Annie C. Mil-
ler in 1943 in memory of her father 4,182.43
Charles Morris Mills Fund in memory of Jona-
than Flynt Morris, bequest 1951 500.00
Edward B. Peck Fund, bec|uest October, 1928 . . 32,500.00
William H. Putnam Fund, derived from sales of
The Tti'O Putnams 299.99
Dr. Gurdon W. Russell Fund, bequest in 1909
of $3,000 and bequest of Mrs. Russell in 1922
of $5,000 8,000.00
James Shepard Fund, bequest in 1929 with addi-
tions from sale of books given for the purpose 1,847.27
Income
4,467.00
36370
7,130.34
3,000.00
25.58
4.209.78
64.52
6.14
614.57
708.14
1,229.13
33.81
3,413.02
307.28
491.65
307.28
257.04
30.73
I '997-33
18.15
491.65
113.04
43
Edwin Simons Fund, bequest December, 191 5 . . 5,400.00
Grace F. Smith Fund, bequest in 1950 5,000.00
Jane T. Smith Fund, bequest in 1930 1,000.00
Ellen Battell Stoeckel Fund, bequest in 1939 . . . 10,000.00
Mary K. Talcott Fund, bequest in 1920 6,100.00
Mabel C. TuUer Fund, bequest in 195 1 5,000.00
Tuttle Fund, bequest in 1940 of $5,000 from Jane
Tuttle and bequest in 1941 of $4,925 from
Ruel C. Tuttle 10,000.00
Edgar F. Waterman Fund, established by gifts
in 1947 with additions from sale of books given
for the purpose 9,031.64
Alain C. White Fund, established 1954, partial
receipt of bequest in 195 1 2,500.00
Albion B. Wilson Fund, bequest in 1951 10,000.00
Charles G. Woodward Fund, bequest in 1950 . . 20,000.00
Total Income for General Expenses
LESS EXPENSES
Bank fee $ 1,990.37
Binding 352.57
Miscellaneous 1,552.44
Photostats 79-47
Postage 857.68
Printing 1,628.64
Library supplies 897.65
Social Security 237.09
Summer help 298.00
Salaries 18,800.00
Microprint 750.00
Museum and library purchases 500.00
Total General Expense
Surplus 4/30/56
Previous balance
Balance 4/30/56
INCOME FOR BUILDING EXPENSES
George E. Hoadley Fund $464,1 12.98
George Dudley Seymour Fund 31,300.00
Total Income for Building Expenses ....
331-86
307.28
61.46
614.57
374.88
307.28
614.57
512.07
153.64
614.57
1,229.13
$ 34,401.19
$ 27,943.91
$ 6,457.28
2,062.63
$ 8,519.91
$ 23,461.41
1,923.60
$ 25,385.01
44
LESS EXPENSES
Bank fee $ 1,121.80
ADT 848.77
Fuel 1,192.37
<^as 37.90
Insurance 264.47
Electricity 1,491.18
Repairs 641.35
Supplies 495-42
Water 42.97
Equipment 365.75
Grounds 1,012.88
Social Security 152.96
Miscellaneous 350-93
Telephone 258.60
Salaries 1 1,016.00
Total Building Expense $ 19,327.32
Surplus 4/30/56 $ 6,157.72
Previous balance 1,062.42
Balance 4/30/56 $ 7,120.14
INCOME FOR LIBRARY AND MUSEUM PURCHASES
Principal Income
Endowment funds for library and museum purchases
George Buell Alvord Fund, established in De-
cember, 1955 by Muriel Alvord of West Hart-
ford in memory of her father, the income only
to be used for acquisition of manuscript ma-
terials $ 4,800.00
Lucius B. Barbour Fund, derived from the sale
of Manwaring's Early Connecticut Probate
Records 853.81 $ 51.13
William F. J. Boardman Fund, derived from
sales of copies of Boardman Genealogy, ]Veth-
ersfield Inscriptions, Boardman Ancestry and
Greenleaj Ancestry 1,141.43 69.93
Lucy A. Brainard Fund, established by gift in
1892 which is being further increased through
the sale of books presented for the purpose by
Morgan B. Brainard, Newton C. Brainard, and
The Case, Lockwood & Brainard Co 2,677.32 163.89
45
Connecticut Society of Colonial Wars Fund, es-
tablished in 1925 by gift of the Society of one-
half interest in remaining unsold copies of
Vital Records of Norwich 241.25
Florence T. Gay Fund, bequest in 1953 for the
care and increase of the Julius Gay collection
of Farmington manuscripts 2,051.47
Charles }. Hoadly Fund, derived from sale of
Public Records of the Colony of Connecticut
and Volume 3 of the Public Records of the
State of Connecticut 3,799.94
Library-Museum Fund, derived from sale of
books presented in 1948 by Mrs. J. C. Hills
augmented by books from Barclay Robinson
and Kenneth Lord 765.31
Horace E. Mather Fund, bequest in December,
1933 by Lucy O. Mather in memory of her
father 5,000.00
Jonathan Flynt Morris Fund, derived from sales
of Morris Register presented by the daughters
of Mr. Morris i54-4o
Thomas Robbins Fund, bequest in 1856 by the
Society's first Librarian 6,580.63
Dr. Gurdon W. Russell Book Fund, derived from
sales of Descendants of John Russell 266.52
George Dudley Seymour Museum Fund, bequest
in 1945 for the Seymour Collection 25,117.49
Newman C. Hungerford Fund, for care and in-
crease of coin collection 2,000.00
From sales of duplicates
Gifts
Total income for acquisitions
Less purchases and repairs
Balance added to reserves
Total reserves
PUBLICATIONS r. ■ ■ ,
Principal
Publication Fund $ 38.363.33
Sale of books
From reserves
Less expense of Bulletin
Balance
14.67
1 16. i:
230.95
42.66
307.28
9-37
404.42
16.38
1,543.63
122.92
2,329.25
256.52
$ 5,679.12
4.922.58
I 756.54
$ 5.977.08
Income
$ 2,314.05
145.49
1,897.46
$ 4,357.00
4>357-oo
$ 1,263.14
46
State Appropriation Fund
From reserves
Less composition volume 29 Collections
Balance
B> 1 ,000.00
12.00
$ 1,012.00
1,012.00
$ 2,249.36
SPECIAL FUNDS
Ancient Vital Records Fund, established 1907,
for publication of town records of Connecticut
Amount of Fund 4/30/55
Books sold
Present balance
Anonymous Museum Fund
Present balance
Bissell Fund
Proceeds of sales of Antique Furniture in
Suffield, Connecticut, i6yo-i8j^ published
April 12, 1956. To be divided equally with The
Suffield Historical Society, gift of Charles S.
Bissell $ 694.75
Welles Fund
Established in 1924. Income to be available
when principal reaches $600
Amount of Fund 4/30/55 514-57
Income, added to principal 32.10
Present balance of Principal $ 546-67
FLOOD GIFTS $ 28,118.98
Less flood expenses 25,989.22
Excess of contributions over expense, trans-
ferred at donors request to George E. Hoad-
ley Fund Principal, for erection of audi-
torium
$ 258.88
15.60
$ 274.48
1,297.00
$ 2,129.76
FOUNDATION GRANT
Received from Hartford Foundation for Pub-
lic Giving to erect a dike protecting the build-
ing from the Park River
16,000.00
47
INSURANCE
Received from Travelers Insurance Company,
Valuable Papers
Policy, flood losses 5,000.00
Less purchases 1,919.40
Present balance $ 3,148.60
ADDED TO PRINCIPAL
From sales
Barbour Fund $ 30.00
Boardman Fund 3.50
Brainard Fund i7-40
Connecticut Society Colonial Wars Fund . . 2.50
Charles J. Hoadly Fund 59.00
Library Museum Fund 92.87
Morris Fund 4.00
Publication Fund 85.10
Putnam Fund 10.67
Shepard Fund 8.40
Waterman Fund 272.18
$ 585-62
Gift, Edgar F. Waterman, Waterman Fund .... 500.00
Gift, Muriel Alvord, Alvord Fund 4,800.00
Welles Fund, from income 32.10
Publication Fund, admissions 347.00
life memberships 450.00
Cash distribution Florence T. Gay estate to Gay
Fund 161.96
Newton C. & Elsie B. Brainard, excess of contri-
bution over flood expense, transferred to Hoad-
ley Fund for Auditorium 2,129.76
Total added to principal $ 9,006.44
Allerton C. Hickmott,
Treasurer.
48
MEMBERS are proud that The Connecticut Historical Society is the
largest and most important repository in the State for private
records. We are pleased to accept responsibility for preserving family
papers, business and political correspondence, diaries, journals and ac-
count books, Bible records, maps, files of newspapers, periodicals, prints,
photographs and volumes written by Connecticut authors and materials
printed in this State.
For the Museum, we are particularly interested in securing portraits,
locally made furniture and fine specimens of the everyday articles of
living which are so often worn out before anyone has thought of placing
them in an institution. In this way we shall eventually have a complete
picture of the changes in styles and customs in our State. Articles bear-
ing labels of a Connecticut manufacturer are also highly desirable. The
Acquisitions Committee will be pleased to consult with you concerning
possible gifts or deposits.
Persons interested in becoming members of the Society may secure
application blanks and descriptive literature by addressing the Director.
The admission fee of $5.00, which takes the place of the first year's
dues, must accompany the application for membership. It is credited to
the principal of the Publication Fund. Thereafter, annual dues may be
$3.00, $5.00 or $15.00, depending upon class of membership. Associate
Members, who must reside outside the State of Connecticut, pay I3.00
annually; they receive the Bulletin and Annual Report, but they may
not vote nor hold office. Active Members pay $5.00 annually, and may
vote and, if Connecticut residents, may hold office. Contributing Mem-
bers pay I15.00 annually. All members may purchase publications at 20%
discount, have access to the reading room shelves and the privilege of
genealogical correspondence service. Information concerning special
privileges of Life, Endowment and Benefactor Members may be secured
upon application.
Communications may be addressed to
THE CONNECTICUT HISTORICAL SOCIETY
I Elizabeth Street
Hartford 5, Connecticut
T!^^^^^':':^y
0 01A 111 531b
Live Music Archive
Librivox Free Audio
Metropolitan Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Internet Arcade
Console Living Room
Books to Borrow
Open Library
TV News
Understanding 9/11