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Bristol,  Connecticut 

(  "In   tne    Olden     1  ime 

•NEW     CAMBRIDGE") 

Which   Incluaes 

FORESTVILLE. 


HARTFORD,  CONN. 

CITY    PRINTING   COMPANY 

19  0  7. 


^K 

<<'"    -«•- 


PIPLISHED  BY 


EDDY  N.  ^,"111  H 
GtlORGC  BCMTON  SMITH 
ami  ALLCX'A  ,1,  DTXTriS 


Assisted  by    (,.   11'.    /•'.  BLANCH l-I l-.l  IK 
■/  3  5  &  X>  Y 


/TThis  work  is  respectfully  dedicated  to 
the  memory  of  those  Bristol  men 
and  women  of  other  days,  whose  stead- 
fast integrity  and  undaunted  persever- 
ance, has  made  it  possible  for  Bristol  to 
become  the  eminently  prosperous  com- 
munity that  it  is  today. 


approaching  bristol  on  a 
winter's  morning. 


XEW     CAMBI^IUGE. 


m 

Mtrahmtxan 

^ 

By  Frfderick  Calvix   Norton. 

BRISTOL  is  less  fortunate  than  some  other  towns  in  the  state 
in  that  its  complete  history-  has  not  as  yet  been  written  by 
any  one  Hving  within  its  borders.  This  work  offers  a  very 
fruitful  field  of  investigation  for  some  historical  student  of  the 
future,  and  it  is  the  fond  hope  of  all  natives  and  residents  of  the  town 
that  such  a  history  of  Bristol  will  be  produced  within  the  memory  of 
men  now  living.  Fragmentary  historical  sketches  of  Bristol  have  been 
written  with  ability  in  the  years  that  are  jmst  by  Bristol  men  or  women, 
and  they  have  served  their  purpose.  The  real  history  of  the  hustling 
town  among  the  hills  of  Hartford  County,  from  the  time  that  the  hardy 
settlers  of  Farmington  pushed  their  way  through  the  woods  and  under- 
brush to  what  is  now  Bristol,  to  the  present  period  of  great  comniercial 
and  social  prosperity,  has  yet  to  come  from  the  press. 

When  an  effort  is  made  to  gather  what  has  been  written  by  Bristol 
people  about  their  own  town,  and  present  it  in  a  substantial,  permanent 
form  for  posterity  to  look  at,  it  is  a  matter  of  satisfaction  to  all  those 
who  have  the  welfare  of  Bristol  at  heart.  If  wc  have  no  completed 
history  of  the  place  any  effort  to  collect  what  has  been  written  and  to 
present  it  in  an  attractive  manner  ought  to  meet  with  the  appreciative 
sui)port  of  all  the  people  of  the  town.  This  book  is  such  an  undertak- 
ing; and  it  has  been  carried  through  with  signal  success.  All  that  is  of 
interest  to  the  many  inhabitants  of  this  hill  town  has  been  embodied  b}' 
the  publishers  between  these  two  covers;  and  if  anything  has  been 
omitted,  it  is  the  result  of  oversight.  The  book  is  most  comprehensive 
and  ambitious  in  its  detail;  it  has  been  revised  and  rearranged  several 
times,  so  that  all  departments  of  Bristol's  life  may  hnd  a  place  in  the 
volume  and  the  publishers  may  feel  proud  of  their  real  success  in  the 
undertaking. 

Many  articles  that  have  been  printed  in  years  past  are  here  re- 
produced for  the  pur]K)se  of  j^lacing  them  on  record  permanently. 

To  the  people  of  this  town  the  work  will  be  interesting  for  years  to 
come,  and  will  serve  its  mission,  even  if  not  a  complete  history  of  the 
subject;  and,  to  coming  generations,  it  will  stand  as  a'^monument  of  the 
history  of  present  day   Bristol. 


BRISTo:  ,    CO.WHfllCL'r 


NEAR     PIKRCE's     BRIDGE. 


XKW    CAMBRIDGE. 


^^ 

INDIANS 

Of  BRISTOL  and  VICINITY 

.« 

Bv    ^fiLo   Leox   Xortox 


THE   Indians   who    frequented    Bristol    before    its    settlement   by 
the    English,    were   of   the   Tunxis   tribe,    of    Farmington,    and 
there  is  no  evidence  that  there  were  ever  any  dwelling  places 
other  than  teniporary  camps  of  individuals,  or,  at  most,  small 
parties  of  the  aborigines,   within  what   are  now  the  boundaries  of  the 
township. 

In  the  early  history  of  the  town  of  Farmington,  mention  is  naade  of 
that  section  now  divided  into  the  towns  of  Bristol  and  Burlington,  under 
the  general  name  of  the  "West  Woods."  It  was  the  resort  of  the  white 
hunters  of  that  early  period,  by  virtue  of  a  treaty  with  the  Indians  by 
which  hunting  and  fishing  rights  were  to  be  equally  enjoyed  by  whites 
and  Indians;  and  so  plentiful  was  the  game  in  the  forests  which  then 
covered  the  hills  and  valleys  of  Bristol  and  Burlington,  that  venison 
and  bear  meat  sold  at  a  very  low  price  in  the  Farmington  market.  Dr. 
Noah  Porter  said  in  an  address  at  the  celebration  of  the  two  hundredth 
anniversary  of  Farmington,  in  1840,  "There  are  men  now  living,  who 
remember  when  venison  was  sold  in  our  streets  at  2d  the  pound." 

Previous  to  the  discovery  of  the  beautiful  meadows  at  the  great 
bend  of  the  Tunxis  River,  which  the  early  records  name,  "Tvnxis  Sepvs" 
(literally  the  little  river,  to  distinguish  it  from  the  great  river,  the  Con- 
necticut), nothing  was  known  of  the  territory  west  of  the  Talcott  range, 
except  fis  it  may  have  been  penetrated  rareh-  by  a  few  daring  hunters 
and  explorers.  When  a  treaty  was  ratified  with  the  Indians,  in  1650, 
and  the  lands  opened  for  settlement,  two  well-defined  trails  led  west- 
ward through  the  woods,  one  practically  where  the  first  colonial  road 
was  built  from  Chippen's  Hill  to  Farmington;  the  other  southwestwards 
crossing  the  mountain  west  of  the  sewer  beds  diagonally;  crossing  the 
present  town  of  Wolcott  also  in  a  southwesterly  direction;  thence  through 
the  southeast  corner  of  Plymouth  to  Waterville,  then  in  the  territory 
known  as  Mattatuck.  Over  this  trail  to  Mattatuck  the  early  settlers 
of  Waterbury  travelled,  taking  the  first  millstones  ever  used  in  that 
town  on  horseback.  At  the  reservoir  on  South  Mountain,  southwest 
of  the  Allen  place,  near  the  south  end  of  the  pond,  and  not  far  from  the 
town  line,  the  trail  crossed  what  was  then  a  swami)  over  a  causeway 
•  of  loose  stones  and  earth,  the  nearest  approach  to  a  nxidway  ever  made 
by  the  aborigines. 

The  trail  crossed  Mad  Riv.M-  nc;ir  tin.-  ])i';ivlm-  da'-ii  whicli  thL-ii  existed 


10 


URISTOL,    CONNEtTICUT 


JACKS    CAVE. 

near  the  south  end  of  the  Cedar  Swamp  reservoir,  continuing  south- 
westerly, the  present  highway  following  it  for  seme  distance.  A  cave, 
near  Allentown,  known  as  Jack's  Cave,  is  but  a  short  distance  from 
the  old  trail.  The  Indians  made  it  a  stopping-place  on  their  journeys 
to  and  from  Mattatuck.  It  was  afterward  inhabited  for  many  years 
by  a  negro,  named  Jack,  who  had  a  squaw  for  a  wife,  and  who  subsisted 
by  basket  making.  There  is  a  fireplace  which  has  a  natural  flue  ex- 
tending to  the  top  of  the  cliff.  The  open  side  of  the  cave  was  protected 
by  slabs  and  earth,  forming  a  comtortable  dwelling.  At  Allentown, 
upon  the  farm  of  Walter  Tolles,  were  open  fields,  which  were  cultivated 
by  the  sqviaws  in  suminer;  and  corn  and  beans,  and  perhaps  tobacco  for 
the  pipe  of  peace,  were  grown  there. 

It  seems  to  have  been  the  custom  for  certain  of  the  huntsmen  of 
the  tribe,  in  their  communistic  form  of  government  peculiar  to  tlie  race, 
to  hunt  in  certain  areas  which  were  either  assigned  by  the  chief,  in  his 
patriarchal  capacity,  or  were  held  by  common  consent  dtiring  the  pleasure 
of  the  individual  hunters.  At  any  rate  trespassing  upon  each  other's 
hunting  preserves  was  looked  upon  with  disfavor;  and  encroachment 
by  the  white  hunters,  notwithstanding  treaty  privileges,  was  not  en- 
tirely satisfactcjry  to  the  dusky  huntsmen  who  claimed  certain  tracts- 
as  their  private  territory.  This  state  of  affairs  was  the  more  aggravated, 
doubtless,  by  the  gradual  disappearance  of  the  game  caused  by  the  in- 
roads made  by  the  white  hunters,  with  their  superior  weapons,  the 
skillful  use  of  which,  however,  was  soon  acquired  by  the  led  men. 

Thus  previous  to  the  first  settlement  of  Bristol  by  the  Whites,  after 
this  part  of  Farmington  had  become  somewhat  famous  as  a  hunting- 
ground,  hunters  from  Farmington,  Hartford,  Wetheisfield,  and  even 
Wallingford,  which  then  included  Mcriden  and  Cheshire,  penetrated 
these  dense  v,-oods  and  returned  laden  with  trophies  of  the  chase.  It 
ought  to  be  mentioned  in  passing,  however,  that  there  was  then  no 
undergrowth,  the  Indians  am  uellv  luirirg  ever  the  woods,  so  that  one 


OR     "XEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


11 


could  see  quite  a  distance  through  the  standing  timber,  and  pass  rapidly 
and  easily  through. 

Among  these  early  hunters  were  Gideon  Ives,  of  Middletown,  and 
Capt.  Jesse  Gaylord,  of  Wallingford.  They  were  companions  in  hunt- 
ing expeditions,  both  being  famous  hunters.  It  is  a  tradition  in  the 
Ives  family,  that  their  ancestor  was,  like  Nimrod,  a  mighty  hunter; 
his  proud  boast  being  that  from  these  "West  Woods"  he  had  taken  be- 
tween four  and  five  hundred  deer,  eighty  or  ninety  bears,  and  a  large 
amount  of  other  game.  On  one  occasion  the  two  were  stalking  a  deer 
which  they  saw  upon  the  summit  of  the  hill  since  known  as  the  Rock 
Lot,  just  south  of  the  residence  of  James  Peckham,  near  the  Cedar 
Swamp.  The  deer  was  making  toward  the  east,  and  the  two  hunters 
agreed  to  separate,  one  going  around  the  hill  on  the  north  side,  and  the 
other  on  the  south  side,  the  one  who  sighted  the  deer  first  to  shoot  it. 
Just  as  Mr.  Gaylord  reached  the  eastern  extremity  of  the  hill,  which 
slopes  to  the  edge  of  a  swamp  in  that  direction,  he  saw  an  Indian  taking 
deliberate  aim  at  Mr.  Ives,  who,  unaware  of  his  danger,  was  taking  aim 
at  the  deer.  Mr.  Gaylord  instantly  leveled  his  rifle,  and,  being  a  quick 
shot,  dropped  the  Indian  before  he  had  time  to  fire.  Mr.  Ives,  in  astonish- 
ment, asked  why  he  had  shot  the  Indian,  and  was  told  that  it  was  done 
to  save  his  life.  They  decided  to  dispose  of  the  Indian's  body  by  stamp- 
ing it  into  the  soft  mud  of  the  swamp  near  bj-,  and  kept  the  matter  a 
profound  secret  for  many  years,  for  fear  that  it  would  become  known 
to  the  tribe,  and 'that  revenge  would  be  taken  for  the  death  of  their 
kinsman;  the  very  simple  code  of  the  red  men  requiring  blood  for  blood, 
an  eye  for  an  eye,  and  a  tooth  for  a>  tooth.  The  reason  for  the  attempt 
upon  the  white  man's  life  was  supposed  to  be  because  he  was  trespassing 
upon  the  private  hunting-ground  of  the  red  man,  which  his  sense  of 
justice  caused  him  to  resent.  The  same  sense  of  justice,  when  an  Indian 
found  a  carcass  of  deer  or  other  game,  hung  up  out  of  reach  of  prowling 
wolves,  until  the  hunter  could  return  with  assistance  to  take  it  away, 
prevented  him  from  molesting  it,  and  also  filled  him  with  wrath  when 


-^^\,;;5ff-f^?# 


INU1.\N    ROCK    OR    ROCK    HOUSE. 


12 


B  R  I S  T  ( )  L ,    C  ( )  X  N  I-:  C  T I  C  U  T 


RUIXS     OF     CAPT.     JESSE     G  A  V  L'JR  1)"  S     HOUSE     IN'     l.H), 


this  confidence  \viis  broken  by  the  unscrupulous  white  liunter,  and  no 
doubt  kept  alive  a  bitter  animosity  against  the  white  invaders.  The 
Indian  was  known  to  the  Whites  as  Morgan,  and  the  swamp  where  he 
was  buried,  as  Morgan's  Swamp,  to  this  day.  It  wotxld  be  interesiing 
to  know  W'hat  became  of  the  deer. 

There  are  other  versions  of  this  story.  One  given  by  Deacon 
Charles  G.  Ives,  at  the  celebration  of  the  "^fiftieth  anniversary  of  his 
deac'onship,  in  18o(t,  has  it  that  the  shooting  was  done  by  his  ancestor 
to  save  Capt.  Gaylord;  that  they  discovered  the  Indian  trying  to  get  a 
shot  at  them,  that  they  separated  with  the  understanding  that  if  the 
Indian  pursued  either  the  other  was  to  shoot  him  down.  But  this  ac- 
count does  not  agree  with  the  one  handed  down  in  the  Gaylord  famdy. 
which  is  substantially  as  related  It  was  told  to  the  father  of  the  writer 
by  Capt.  Jesse  Gaylord,  grandson  of  the  hero  of  the  story,  who  also 
stated  that  the  Indian's  rifle,  powder  horn  and  bullet  pouch  were  pre- 
served many  vears  in  the  family;  but  other  traditions,  including  that  of 
Deaccm  Ives,  'assert  that  the  rifle  and  other  accoutrements  of  the  red 
man  were  buried  with  him.  It  may  have  been  this  adventure  which 
determined  Capt.  Gaylord's  choice  of  location  for  a  residence,  for  he 
afterward  purchased  land  and  built  upon  it,  in  the  immediate  vicinity, 
his  first  house  being  a  few  rods  south  of  the  big  bowlder,  known  as  Indian 
Rock,  or  Rock  House,  from  the  fact  that  it  was  the  temporarv  home  of 
Morgan,  who  occupied  the  grotto  underneath  it  when  hunting  in  the 
vicinity.  He  afterward  built  a  quarter  of  a  mile  soutlr.  the  large,  red 
farmhouse  being  occupied  by  his  descendants  imtil  18/0,  when  Jesse, 
his  great  grandson,  moved  to  Bristol  village.  The  old  house  was  torn 
down  a  few  years  afterward,  and  only  the  ]>icturesfiue  cellar  and  chimney 
stack  remain. 

Aside  from  occasional  infractions,  such  as  the  foregoing  incident, 
there  always  existed  friendly  relations  between  the  white  population 
and  the  Tunxis  tribe,  of  Farmington.  It  has  been  stated  that  a  man 
named  Scott,  was  murdered  in  a  brutal  manner  at  what  is  now  known 
as  Scott's   Swamp,    in   tlic   western   ])art   of    p;>.rmington,    by   Tunxis    In- 


OR     '"NEW    CAMBRIDGE."  13 

dians.  But  Julius  Oay,  who  has  made  the  history  of  the  Tunxis  tribe 
a  subject  of  nuicli  research,  says  that  there  is  not  a  particle  of  evidence 
that  Scott  was  murdered  by  the  Tunxis.  He  ascribes  the  deed  to  a 
prowHng  band  of  some  outlying  tribe,  who  skulked  around  for  the  pur- 
pose of  carrying  off  any  stray  white  people  they  might  encounter,  hold- 
ing them,  bandit  like,  for  ransom.  He  says  that  Scott  was  captured 
while  at  work  in  a  field,  and  because  he  made  an  outcry,  which  the 
captors  feared  would  bring  assistance,  his  tongue  was  cut  out,  and  he 
was  afterward  brutally  murdered.  This  was  about  the  year  1657. 
The  traditional  massacre  of  the  Hart  family,  near  the  present  Avon 
town  line,  Mr.  Gay  regards  as  mythical.  The  house  was  burned,  acci- 
dentally, at  midnight,  and  all  but  one  of  the  family  perished  in  the 
tfames.  The  Indians  had  nothing  whatever  to  do  with  it.  There  was  a 
murder  of  some  person  by  the  Indian,  Mesapano,  which  may  have  been 
the  Scott  incident,  and  which  is  mentioned  in  the  records  of  April,  1657, 
of  the  General  Assembly,  as  "a  most  horrid  murder  by  some  Indians  at 
Farmington."  But  the  Tunxis  were  not  mentioned  as  the  guilty  parties, 
for  messengers  were  sent  to  the  Xorwootuck  and  Pocumtuck  Indians, 
of  Hadley  and  Deertield,  demanding  the  stirrender  of  Mesapano,  to  be 
tried  and  punished  for  the  crime.  The  Tvinxis  Avere  peaceable,  treaty- 
keeping  and  tractable  Indians,  many  of  the  young  attending  school,  and 
their  parents  attending  church,  with  their  white  neighbors.  There  is 
reason  to  believe  that  they  were  never  very  redoubtable  warriors,  as 
their  own  version  of  a  battle  between  themselves  and  an  invading  armed 
force  of  Stockbridge  Indians,  at  Indian  Neck,  near  the  bend  of  the  river, 
admits  their  defeat  and  retreat  to  their  village  on  Round  Hill,  where 
they  were  saved  from  extinction  or  capture  by  the  bravery  of  the  squaws, 
who  armed  themselves  and  so  ably  defended'  their  homes  and  supported 
their  brothers  in  arms,  that  the  intruders  were  driven  off  with  great 
loss.  This  was  but  a  short  time  before  the  settlement  of  the  Whites  at 
Farmington.  No  doubt  the  proximity  of  the  more  invincible  whites,  was 
a  strong  inducement  to  them  to  permit  white  occupation  of  the  beauti- 
ful valley  of  the  Tunxis;  and  for  inany  years  thereafter,  when  there 
was  a  threatened  attack  by  the  Mohawks,  whom  all  the  Connecticut 
Indians  feared,  the  Tunxis  tribe,  men,  women  and  children,  would  rush 
pell  mell  across  the  river  and  place  themselves  under  the  protection  of 
their  white  allies. 

There  are  but  few  purely  Indian  names  which  now  cling  to  the 
haunts  of  the  red  men  in  this  vicinity.  Chippen's  Hill  is  a  contraction 
of  Cochipianes,  which  the  old  records  give  as  the  name  of  the  red  hunter 
who  made  that  part  of  the  town  his  hunting  preserve.  In  my  boyhood 
it  was  invariably  pronoimced  Chippeny,  which  was  mvich  nearer  the 
original.  Another  Indian,  called  Fall,  gave  his  name  to  the  mountain  of 
that  name.  Morgan,  Avhose  tragic  end  has  already  been  related,  has 
his  name  preserved  by  the  swamp  in  which  he  was  buried.  Zach  was 
the  name  of  the  Indian  who  made  what  we  now  call  Mine  Moimtain, 
but  which  the  early  settlers  called  Zach's  Mountain,  his  hunting  place, 
Bohemia  and  Poland  are  names  applied  to  two  Indians  who  held  re- 
served lands,  including  Poland  Brook  and  the  Bohemia  Banks,  in  Forest- 
ville.  Poland  Brook  flows  through  what  is  known  as  Todd's  lot,  and 
the  Bohemia  Banks  arc  the  bluffs  extending  from  Poland  Brook  to  the 
Plainville  town  line.  Poland  lived  in  a  tepee  on  the  banks  of  the  brook; 
and  Bohemia  lived  on  the  fiat  south  of  the  Sessions  Clock  factory,  or 
in  that  vicinit}'.  Compound,  who  gave  his  name  to  Compound's  Pond, 
now  known  as  Com]unmce,  was  the  most  important,  historically,  of 
the  Bristol  Indians  whose  names  have  been  handed  down  to  us.  His. 
history  is  full\'  set  fortli  in  anntlier  ]>]ai.-c.  Presumably  llie  liuropean. 
names  given  to  some  of  tlie  Indians  by  the  Whites,  wi-re  so  given  be- 
cause the  real  names  were  imknown  or  unpronounceable;  and,  for  ])ur- 
poses  of  identification,  one  name  was  as  good  as  another. 

One  interesting  incident  mav  l>e  worth  relating  in  c-onnection  with 
the  Indian,  Zach.  When  Ca]it.  .Vewton  Manross  was  a  lad  in  his  teens, 
he  was  fishing  one  dax"  in  thi-  l)rools-  that  flows  into  the  mine  ])ond  west 


14 


BRISTOL,  CONNECTICUT 


BALANGED  BOULDER,  NEAR  WITCH  ROCK. 


•of  Zach's  Mountain,  where  he  took  lefuge  under  a  shelving  rock  to  escape 
a  shower.  Being  of  an  int^uiring  turn  of  mind  he  noticed  what  appeared 
to  be  a  white  stone  in  the  earth  floor  of  the  cavern,  which  proved  to  be 
a  skull.  He  returned  the  next  day  with  a  spade  and  unearthed  an 
entire  skeleton  of  an  Indian,  a  full-grown  male.  The  bones  were  taken 
by  him  to  his  father's  clock  shop  in  Forestville,  where  the  skull  was 
long  used  as  a  recepticle  for  small  parts  of  clock  movements.  When 
the  factory  was  burned  the  bones  shared  the  general  cremation.  The 
skeleton  was  undoubtedly  that  of  the  old  hunter,  Avho  may  have  been 
murdered  and  concealed  by  his  enemies,  or  he  may  have  died  a  natural 
death,  and  was  buried  b>'  his  friends.  How  many  tragedies,  unwritten 
and  unknown,  may  have  taken  place  on  these  hills  in  the  far-off  cen- 
turies, when  the  red  men  hunted  each  other  with  the  ferocity  of  pan- 
thers, and  the  cunning  of  foxes ! 

M}^  grandmother,  who  was  born  in  17<So,  remembered  the  Indians 
distinctly.  They  were  in  the  habit  of  calling  at  the  farmhouses  for 
cidfr,  on  their  way  from  Farmington  to  Waterbury,  and  vice  ve^sa. 
B  .It  one  Indian  would  call  at  the  house,  the  others,  when  there  were 
several  in  the  party,  invariably  sitting  on  the  ground  by  the  roadside 
until  their  companion  returned  with  the  coveted  beverage.  She  lived 
in  the  old  house  now  occupied  by  the  Tymerson  family,  then  the  home 
of  Elijah  Gaylord,  which  stands  on  the  summit  of  Fall  Mountain.  A 
locality  about  a  mile  to  the  westward  has  been  known  as  Indian  Heaven, 
since  the  first  settlement  of  that  neighborhood  by  the  Whites.  It  is 
not  known  how  the  name  originated,  but  presumably  because  of  the 
abundance  of  game  in  that  vicinity.  A  region  where  game  was  abundant 
would  naturally  excite  the  admiration  of  tlie  red  huntsmen,  whose 
highest  ideal  of  heaven  was  expressed  by  the  words,  "Happy  Hunting 
Ground." 

The  name  Pequabuck.  which  is  applied  to  the  streani  flowing  through 
liristol,  is  of  Indian  origin,  taking  its  name  from  the  Pequabuck  Meadows, 
mentioned  in  the  earlv  records  of  Farmington.  which  lav- near  the  beau- 


XEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


15 


tiful  spot  where  the  Peijuabuek  joins  the  Tunxis.  Its  name,  according 
to  Trunibuh,  would  indicate  that  it  flowed  out  of  a  clear  pond,  being 
a  variant  of  Nepaug,  which  means  the  same  thing,  having  reference  to 
Sheherd's  Pond,  in  New  Hartford.  But  there  was  no  such  pond  from 
which  it  could  flow,  until  artificial  ponds  were  constructed  by  the  white 
people.  About  the  ^-ear  1863,  an  educated  Indian  physician,  of  the 
Chippeway  tribe.  Dr.  Monwadus,  pitched  a  tent  in  winter  north  of  the 
house  of  Sir.  Wetmore,  on  Park  street.  That  was  before  the  street  was 
opened  or  a  house  built  there.  The  doctor  was  \-ery  skillful,  and  treated 
many  cases  during  the  few^  weeks  that  he  remained  in  town.  He  Avas 
familiar  with  the  Indian  tongue,  not  only  of  his  own  tribe,  but  with 
other  dialects,  and  asserted  that  the  name,  Pequabuck,  meant  stony 
river;  but  that  it  should  be  spelled,  Pequabock.  That  interpretation 
certainly  applies  to  this  part  of  the  stream  w'ith  greater  propriety  than 
the  one  faA'ored  by  Trumbull;  but  at  Farmington,  where  the  stream 
was  best  known  to  the  Indians,  who  probably  applied  the  name  to  the 
meadows  at  its  confluence  with  the  Tunxis,  and  not  to  the  river  itself, 
stony  would  be  as  inappropriate  as  clear  pond.  Therefore,  as  yet, 
the  name  is  not  satisfactorily  accounted  for. 

Bristol  has  the  distinction  of  being  the  place  where  the  rude  pottery 
of  the  aborigines  w\as  manufactured  from  the  cotton-stone,  or  foliated 
talc,  which  is  found  upon  the  eastern  slope  of  Federal  Hill,  where  Joel  T. 
Case  built  a  machine  shop.  As  late  as  1876  fragments  of  this  pottery 
were  common  about  the  fields  of  the  vicinity,  laid  up  into  stone  fences, 
or  doing  duty  as  corner  stones  for  the  zig-zag  rail  fences  of  the  locality. 
This  stone,  a  variety  of  soap-stone,  being  easily  worked,  was  hollow'ed 
out  by  chipping  with  hard,  sharp-edged  stones,  into  round  and  oval 
dishes,  and  kettles  of  various  capacity,  ranging  from  a  pint  to  several 
gallons.  Other  Indians  beside  the  Tunxis  may  have  come  here  to  re- 
plenish their  supply  of  crockery  and  cooking  utensils,  camping,  perhaps, 
for  weeks  while  they  were  patiently  chipping  away  at  the  soft  stone. 
The  same  formation  crops  out  in  other  places  on  the  same  range  of  hills; 
one  near  the  Liberty  Bell  shop,  where  there  was  once  a  saw  mill  for  saw- 
ing the  cotton-stone  into  jambs  for  fireplaces;  another  at  Edgewood, 
near  the  Bartholomew  factory.  Btit  this  Federal  Hill  quarry  seems  to 
have  been  the  only  one  known  to  the  Indians.  When  the  machine-shop 
was  built,  and  the  debris  was  cleared  away  from  the  ledge  where  the 
cotton-stone  was  quarried,  a  large  bowd  or  kettle  w^as  found,  partially 
completed,  but  undetached  from  the  rock.  It  may  easily  be  imagined 
that  as  the  Tunxis  potters  were  busily  at  work,  there  was  a  svidden 
descent  of  the  dreaded  ]\Iohawks,  and  a  precipitate  "retreat. 


16 


BRISTOL,  coxxKc  ricur 


<^''       ■^^-„i<,^-  4X^v5  v^  '■^w- ':(,xW  f'>«u  v«^  f.i^f  /v^wz'v.f 


^^'-     -■  0»       X^na^*"  .  ^4       ft 


S'miCe: 


if 


-fU- 


'-I^^f4' 


c^WhA 


[♦-  2.^  i-o  Ji<!  d-Tu)  6,C^d7j  < ,/ 


i-»»><  jjjtm) 


c!(&-   '^  try  ^|^<xT7j(e  p<>/^^'Ai'T«v<s  ■ 


^m;*mtfms^s^r^i:i^iiEm^^?^!^^'^' 


FACSIMll.K     PACK 

Old  'I'dwii  Record  Book  of  Farmintjton,  (."onn..  sliowint;  siijnature 
of  Jf^n  a  (."ompaus  (C'oni^iound  ami  (.'onijia-^  '"8(11^1"  to  tlio  Indian 
asireement  of  Ma\'  \"e  I'l',   lliT-'!. 


OR         XKW     lAMHRIDC.  1-; 


•■^.x^- 

•.^^^• 

''  Compound 
A  TUNXIS  CHIEFTAN 

Bv   Mi^ 


Alicp:    Xoi^To: 


ABOUT  the  middle  of  the  17th  century,  a  tribe  of  Tunxis  Indians 
and  their  chief,  Compound,  occupied  the  land  adjacent  to 
the  lake  now  known  as  Compoimce,  in  what  was  then  a  part 
of  Farmington,  now  Southington. 

The  old  deeds  preserved  in  Farmington  and  Waterbury  furnish  the 
evidence  in  regard  to  this  chief.  His  name  is  variously  given  as  Compas, 
Compaus,  Compowne,  (/ompoune,  Compound  and  appears  \\ith  those  of 
other  Indians  who  gave  to  the  white  settlers  titles' to  the  Farmington 
and   Waterbury   lands. 

There  are  three  original  deeds  containing  his  autographic  mark. 
The  first  of  these,  among  the  Farmington  records,  is  dated  May  ye  22. 
1673,  and  is  of  extreme  interest. 

It  confirms  to  the  men  at  Farmington,  33  years  after  its  first  settle- 
ment, previous  grants  of  land  made  to  them  by  the  Indians.  On  the 
deed  is  traced  a  crude  maj)  of  the  land  in  question,  beneath  which  are 
the  names  and  marks  of  twenty-six  Indians,  written  in  two  columns, 
each  column  beginning  respectively  with  the  names  and  marks  of  "Xesa- 
heg"  (Xeasaheagun,  sachem  of  Poquonnock,  in  Windsor',  and  of  Jon  a 
Compaus  (Conipound). 

Here  is  revealed  the  interesting  fact  that  "Compas  squa"  (squaw) 
was  present  and  by  her  mark  u])on  this  deed,  bequeathed  to  us  with  her 
own  hand  the  only  record  we  have  of  her  existence.  Her  mark  and 
that  of  "Compavis"  are,  queerly  enough,  transposed,  thus  revealing  their 
simple  ignorance  of  the  King's  English. 

By  the  deed  of  August  26,  1674,  the  Tunxis  Indians  conveyed  a 
large  tract  of  land  in  Mattatuck  (Waterbury) — to  the  whole  of  which 
territory  they  laid  claim — to  the  first  white  settlers  of  that  town.  This 
deed  is  signed  by  the  "vmiversal  Nesaheagun,"  John  a  Compowne  and 
twelve  other  Indians. 

In  1890  a  happy  chance  brought  to  light  among  the  ancient  recf)rds 
stored  awav  in  one  of  the  oldest  houses  in  Waterljurv,  the  original  deed 
of  December  2,  1684,  by  which  another  tract  of  Mattatuck  Ian  d  was 
transferred  to  the  English  settlers,  and  the  grant  of  1674  was  confirmed, 
"with  all  and  singular  rode  timber  rocks  quorys  broocks  rivers  .swamps 
medows"  the  same  to  be  discharged  from  all  "former  bargins  sales, titles 
morgages,  leases  fins  fes  ioyntcrs  dowrys  suts  or  encumbrans  whatso- 
ever." 

In  this  deed  1684  the  name  Conqiound  stands  first  in  the  list  of 
signatures. 

Could  romance  itself  conjure  up  a  group  of  names  more  ])icturesque 
than  these  of  the  original  owners  and  proprietors  of  Mattatuck:  John  a 
Compound,   Hacketousukc,   Atumtoco's  mother  Jemse  daftcr  (daughter) 


^Ext-^act  from  "Compounce."     Published  by  iS'iss  Alice  J.  Norton,  1902. 


18 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


■U^^uCi 


yr^.*y^^^rtS-%    /ff^ 


r^  « 


iv(/.^-^s^  /HA»«A-«>'  f<>-W:A»A«-    ^.rv.v»o«.  <r.^^c 


'J' 


/^^ 
^•'>^.- 


fcafflgiaw 


FACSIMILE     OF     A     SECTION     OF     THE     DEED     OF     DEC. 

With  Autographic  Mark  of  Compound. 


1684. 


by  Cockoeson's  sister,  Abucket,  Spinning  Squaw,  Mantow,  Cocoeson's 
sister's  Patiicko's  squaw,  Warun-Coinpoun  Nesaheg's  son,  Atumtockco, 
Cockeweson's  sister's  dafter,  all  of  whom  "parsonally  aperd"  (before 
John  Wadsworth  *  *  *  ist)  "and  acknoleged  this  Instrument  to  be  their 
free  and  volentery  act." 

One  looks  upon  this  ancient  document,  resetted  from  the  oblivion 
of  over  two  centuries,  Avith  a  sentiment  of  profound  veneration,  and 
pictures  to  himself  the  group  of  swarthy  faces  as,  to  the  names  written, 
the  Indians  added  with  their  own  clumsy  fingers,  each,  his  or  her  in- 
dividual "marck"  or  totem.  This  deed  is  valuable  not  onl}'  for  its  In- 
dian signatures,  but  for  the  autographs  of  men  famous  in  the  early  history 
of  Connecticut;  Thomas  Judd  and  John  Standly,  Benjamin  Judd  and 
John  Wadsworth,  Timothy  Standly  and  John  Hopkins,  "freemen  of 
farmentowne"  and  most  of  them  among  its  eighty  four  proprietors. 

A  wide  field  of  speculation  regarding  the  chief.  Compound,  opens 
before  us  as  we  contemplate  these  records. 

Xesaheagun  was  the  Sachem  who  with  others  signed  away  to  the 
white  settlers  much  of  the  territorj'  of  Farmington  and  Waterbury,  and 
thousands  of  acres  in  Simsbury,  AVindsor,  Wethersfield  and  Middletown. 
Warun-Compound  is  described  as  Xesaheagun's  son,  but  it  is  John  a 
Compound  whose  name  stands  second  to  that  of  Nesaheagun  in  the 
deeds  of  1673  and  1674  and  first  in  the  deed  o'f  1684. 

Quoting  from  Orcutt's  history  of  Derby,— "This  fact  suggests  that 
John  a  Compound,  whose  name  stands  next  to  Xesaheagun's  may  have 
been  an  elder  son  of  the  same  chief." 

According  to  another  authority  (Rev.  Joseph  Anderson — -History 
of  Waterbury),  he  may  have  been  a  nephew  or  brother,  and  as  such 
succeeded  Xesaheagun  in  the  sachemship,  as  among  some  tribes  the 
succession  of  chiefs  was  through  a  brother  or  nephew  instead  of  a  son. 

However,  that  may  be  he  was  a  "native  prince"  and  identified  with 
the  Indians  who  from  time  to  time  occupied  the  territory  of  Mattatuck. 

"The  name  Compound,"  says  one  historian  (Mr.  Anderson)  "al- 
though not  of  English  origin,  has  been  forced  into  a  strange  resemblance 
to  English.  There  is  reason  to  suspect  it  as  an  Indian  name  in  disguise, 
or  possibly  that  the  Indian  proprietor  who  here  comes  before  us,  may 


'XKW     CAM  BRIDGE. 


19 


"have  been  named  from  the  'other  side  falls."  wherever  these  may  have 
"been.  At  all  events,  aeompwn-tuk  would  mean  the  'falls  or  water  on 
the  other  side.'  "  It  is  therefore  not  improbable  that  his  name  was  a 
place-name,  and  derived  from  his  connection  with  the  water  or  lake 
"on  the  other  side"  of  the  mountain.* 

For  the  tragic  story  of  the  chieftain's  fate  we  are  indebted  to  tradi- 
tion, which  tells  us  that  his  home  was  the  cave  near  the  shore,  and  that 
while  crossing  the  lake  in  an  iron  kettle  he  was  drowned,  finding  his 
grave  beneath  its  waters.  Various  additions  have  been  made  in  recent 
vears  to  this  brief  but  graphic  tale,  but  all  such  are  utterly  without 
foundation,  and  detract  from  the  simple  pathos  of  the  traditional  story. 

A  singular  coincidence  in  connection  with  the  legend,  is  that  Coni- 
p' und's  mark,  as  seen  in  some  of  his  signatures,  resembles  the  outline 
of  a  kettle,  which  suggests  the  pleasing  fancy  that  this  may  have  been 
his  device  or  emblem. 

As  to  his  personality,  we  may  have  seen  that  he  had  influence  and 
standing  among  the  native  tribes,  and  there  is  nothing  in  history  or 
tradition  to  prove  that  he  was  other  than  a  noble  specimen  of  his  race 
su::h  an  one  as  the  imagination  loves  to  associate  with  the  "beamtiful 
glacial  lake  that  he  owned." 

One  sees  how  naturally  the  term  "Compound's"  became  in  time 
Compounce  and  the  early  records  give  us  the  musical  "Compounce  Pond 
Water"  transformed  now*  into  Lake  Compounce. 

The  torture  of  the  white  man  by  the  Indians  (not  of  the  Compounce 
tribe)  has  been  a  tradition  of  this  rieighborhood  from  the  earliest  times' 

An  old  Indian  trail,  later  the  first  traveled  road  between  Farming- 
ton  and  Waterbury,  passed  through  the  borders  of  the  neighborhood. 
Here  have  been  fovmd  traces  of  an  Indian  encampment  and  burying 
ground,    and    the    frequent    finding    of    arrow-heads,    pottery    and    rude 


'BIRCIIKS     .\T     L.\KE     Ci 


*"The  oldest  families  north  of  Compound  Lake  had  the  traditions  certainly  100  years 
ago  (177.5)  that  the  Indians  that  visiiedjhei'e  came  from  over  the  mountain  west." — 
Timlou;'s  Hi^torv  oj  SoHihington. 


20 


BiilSTOl.,    CO\"Xi:c"  TK'L'T 


stone  implements  in  the  past,  testifies  that  here  in  this  little  valley  were 
their  hunting  and  camping  grounds,  and  here  were  buried  their  dead. 

An  authentic  story  has  traveled  down  the  years,  of  the  recollection 
of  a  family  of  Indians,  that,  about  the  year  1760,  lived  in  a  wigwam 
in  the  woods  east  of  the  lake.  They  tarried  only  a  summer  and  then 
disappeared. 

Thus  vanished  from  the  land  the  last  remnant  of  this  ancient  race, 
leaving  only  the  memory  and  the  magic  of  a  name. 

Before  the  coming  of  the  white  man,  who  diverted  the  streams  to 
other  channels.  Lake  ConipounCe  was  one  of  the  sources  of  the  Ouin- 
nipiac  river.  Cuss  Gutter  brook  ran  into  it  through  the  valley  above, 
and  a  small  stream  below  connected  it  with  Cold  brook,  a  tributary  of 
the  Quinnipiac.  White  and  gold  fish,  now  extinct,  lived  in  its  waters, 
and  wild  ducks  and  geese,  the  loon  and  other  water  birds  found  here 
the  solitude  they  loved. 

On  the  distribution  of  the  Southington  division  in  1722,  the  lake  and 
adjacent  land  became  the  property  of  Samuel  Steel  and  Thomas  Orton. 
both  men  of  promixience  among  the  proprietors  of  Farmington. 

The  propertv  appears  to  have  frequently  changed  owners  until 
December  7,  1787,  when  it  was  purchased  from  the  estate  of  Daniel 
Clark,  of  Wallingford,  by  Ebenezer  Norton  (grandfather  of  the  late 
Gad  Norton),  whose  adjoining  property  had  descended  to  him  throUj^i 
several  generations,  from  his  ancestor  John  Norton,  also  one  of  the 
Farmington  proprietors. 

The  lake  propertv  is  referred  to  in  the  earlier  deeds  as  "a  parcell 
in  that  division  of  land  lying  between  Panthorn  and  Watterbury,  bounds 
not  yet  surveyed  and  layd  out;"  and  in  the  deed  of  17S7  as  "one  certain 
Piece  or  Parcel  of  land  situate  in  Southington  at  a  Place  called  Com- 
pound's Pond." 

The  oldest  inhabitant  remembers  Lake  Compounce  as  a  lonely 
place,  scarcely  known  beyond  the  limits  of  the  town,  frequented  onl\- 
b}-  an  occasional  hunter  or  fisherman,  and  the  neighboring  children  who 
went  there  to  padddle  about  in  the  old  dug-out,  hewn  'from  a  chestnut 
log,  wliich  had  replaced  the  birch-bark  canoe  of  the  Indians. 


XKW     rAMHRIDr,  I-; 


21 


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This  Chart  was  pre])ared  by  the  late  Roswell  Atkins  with  great, 
care  and  shows  the  oriiiinal  di\"isi'jn  (jf  tlie  land  in   Brist(.>l, 


r22  BRISTOL,    COXN'ECTICUT 


BRISTOL  IN  1721 


Mr.  Atkins  made  the  following  statement  in  connection  with  the 
■chart  which  he  prepared: 

"On  account  of  the  mutilated  condition  of  the  original  records, 
I  have  been  obliged,  in  preparing  the  accompanying  chart,  to  depend, 
to  a  great  extent,  upon  such  memoranda  as  I  could  find  among  the 
papers  of  county  surveyors,  and  deeds  of  transfer  of  lots  and  parts  there- 
of, covering  a  period  of  seventy-five  years  immediatelj'  following  the 
layout. 

"For  the  highways  running  north  and  south  I  have  had  to  depend, 
to  ascertain  the  width,  entirely  upon  the  descriptions  to  be  found  in 
recorded  deeds. 

"No  two  perambulations  agree  as  to  the  position  of  the  boundary 
line  on  the  north.  I  have,  therefore,  placed  this  boundary  at  five  miles 
and  fifty-three  rods  from  the  boundary  line  on  the  south,  and  indicated 
the  line  on  the  map  by  a  dotted  line. 

"The  reservation  for  the  Indians,  Bohemia  and  Poland,  is  indicated 
by  two  sets  of  dotted  lines  in  the  first  tier  of  lots.  No.  17.  The  southern 
parallel  line  and  the  broken  western  line  are  fixed  by  means  of  a  survey 
recorded  in  1723,  and  include  a  tract  of  one  hundred  fifty-two  and  one- 
half  acres.  This  record,  however,  is  not  sufficiently  full  to  determine 
positively  the  exact  location.  The  parallel  lines  are  fixed  by  means  of 
memoranda  of  Tracy  Peck,  County  Surveyor  made  in  1808  from  a  copy 
in  the  hands  of  Noah  Byington,  County  Surveyor. 

"There  are  undoubtedly  some  errors  in  the  chart,  but,  in  the  main, 
I  think  it  is  correct." 

The  following  table  shows  first,  the  number  of  lot  numbered  from 
Simsburj'  line;  second  in  parenthesis,  the  width  of  lot  from  north  to  sxith 
in  rods  and  feet,  e.  g.  by  84.04  is  meant,  84  rods,  4  feet;  and  third,  the 
name  of  owner: 

First  or  Eastern  Tier  of  Lots. 

No.  II  (127.08;.  Daniel  Porter,  Mr.  Newton,  James  Bird,  Widow 
Orvis. 

No.  12  (132.15).  John  Clark,  John  Woodruff,  John  Smith,  Mathew 
Woodruff. 

No.  13  (186.12).  Thomas  Gridley,  John  Langton,  Samuel  Gridley, 
John  Root,  Sen. 

No.  14  (172.06).  Richard  Brownson,  Thomas  Barnes,  Moses  Ven- 
trus,  John  Brownson,  Jr. 

No.  15  (289.10).  John  Norton,  Thomas  Orton,  Captain  Lewis, 
Isaac  Moore. 

No.  16  (112.06).  John  Thompson,  John  Steel,  Jobanah  Smith, 
Widow  Smith. 

No.  17  (97.10).  Zachariah  Seymour,  Samuel  Steel,  Sen.,  Abraham 
Andrus,  Thomas  Richardson.      (30.02).      Indian  Reservation. 

No.  18  (145.04).  Robert  Porter,  John  Porter,  Samuel  Cowles, 
J(>hn  Cole. 

No.  19  (176.09).  Obadiah  Richards,  John  Scovil,  Joseph  Hecox, 
Mr.  Ha5mes. 

No.  20  (54.00i).  Samuel  Steel,  Jr.,  Benoni  Steel,  David  Carpenter, 
John  Carrington. 

j-  "^     No.  21  (105.09).     Thomas    Thompson,    Richard    Seamour,     Samuel 
North,  Thomas  Hancoix. 


OR     "new    CAMBRIDGE."  23 

Second  Tier  of  Lots. 

No.  43  (63.13),  John  Langton;  No.  44  (29.11).  li)hn  Steel;  Xo.  45 
(26.15^),  James  Bird;  No.  46  (17.13A),  Jonathan  Smith;  No.  47  (32.06), 
Thomas  Bull;  No.  48  (69.04i),  Thomas  Orton;  No.  49  (2812^),  Thomas 
Hancox;  No.  50  (9.10),  Benoni  Steel;  No.  51  (25.09),  Samuel  North; 
No.  52  (29.14i),  Isaac  Brownson;  No.  53  (71.09),  John  Norton;  No.  54 
(Q.lOi),  Samuel  Steel,  Jr.;  No.  55  (54.11),  Thomas  Barnes;  No.  56  (53.124), 
Danie'l  Porter;  No.  57  (63.13),  William  Judd;  No.  58  (33.05),  Mcses 
Ventrus;  No.  59  (15.01),  John  Porter;  No.  60  (42.06),  John  Andius; 
No.  61  (27.06),  Thomas  Thompson;  No.  62  (45.01),  Thomas  Judd;  No. 
63   (22.13i),  John   Brownson,  Jr.;   No.   64   (33.05),  Thomas  Porter,  Jr. 

No.  65  (38.04),  Joseph  Woodford;  No.  66  (18. lU),  Obadiah  Rich- 
ards: No.  67  (31.00A),  Widow  Smith;  No.  68  (25.09),  John  North,  Jr.; 
No.  69  (75.11),  John  Root;  No.  70  (57. 14^),  Isaac  Moore;  No.  71  (23.0CU-), 
Abraham  Brownson;  No.  72  (44.03),  John  Lee;  No.  73  (41.00),  Mathew 
Woodruff;  No.  74  (33.12*),  John  Clark;  No.  75  (33.11),  Thomas  Judd, 
Jr.;  No.  76  (20. OU),  John  Carrington;  No.  77  (16.14i),  Joseph  Hecox; 
No.  78  (72.00),  Mr.  Howkins;  No.  79  (48.05),  Stephen  Hart.  Jr.;  No.  SO 
(30.09i),  John  Stanley,  Jr.;  No.  81  (14.10),  David  Carpenter;  No.  82 
(44.03),  John  Warner;  No.  83  (85.04),  Captain  Lewis;  No.  84  (15.01),- 
PhilHp  Judd. 

Third  Tier  of  Lots. 

No.  43  (131.15),  Mr.  Hooker;  No.  44  (20,05),  John  Carrington; 
No.  45  (24.07),  Thomas  Gridlev;  No.  46  (44.13).  John  Lee;  No.  47  (21.04), 
Zachariah  Seymour;  No.  48  (41.09),  Mathew  Woodruff;  No.  49  (33.12), 
John  Thompson;  No.  50  (48.15*),  Stephen  Hart,  Jr.;  No.  51  (54.074), 
Daniel  Porter;  No.  52  (28.02*),  Widow  Orvis;  No.  53  (60.15),  Stephen 
Hart,  Sen.;  No.  54  (72.15),  Mr.  Howkins;  No.  55  (30.04),  Isaac  Brown- 
son; No.  56  (12.00),  John  Root,  Jr.;  No.  57  (48.00),  Capt.  Thomas  Hart: 
No.  58  (30.04),  Jacob  Brownson;  No.  59  (18. 15^),  Obadiah  Richards. 

No.  60  (72.08),  John  North,  Sen.;  No.  61  (23.01^),  John  Brownson; 
No.  62  (59.014),  Richard  Brownson;  No.  63  (25.14).  Samuel  North; 
No.  64  (33.12)"  Capt.  John  Hart;  No.  65  (15.04),  Phillip  Judd;  No.  66 
(46.10),  John  Brownson,  Sen.;  No.  67  (9.11^),  Benoni  Steel;  No.  68 
(23.01i),  John  Welton;  No.  69  (32.13).  Thomas  Bull,  No.  70  (44.134), 
John  Warner;  No.  71  (17.01),  Mr.  Newton;  No.  72  (16.024),  Abraham 
Andrus;  No.  73  (17.01),  Joseph  Hecox;  No.  74  (84.08),  Mr.  Wadsworth; 
No.  75  (64.104),  John  Langton;  No.  76  (43. 06^),  Samuel  Cowles;  No. 
77  (21.114),  Da'niei  Warner;  No.  78  (38.05),  John  Woodfuff;  No.  79  (37.03) 
Thomas  Judd,  Sen.;  No.  80  (76.10).  John  Root.  Sen.;  No.  81  (23.014), 
Thomas  Porter,  jr.;  No.  82  (31.14).  John  Judd;  No.  83  (33.05),  Abraham 
Brownson;  No.  84  (44.09),  Samuel  Steel,  Jr.; 

Fourth  Tier  of  Lots. 

No.  43  (30.00),  John  Steel;  No.  44  (18.06),  John  Scovel ;  No.  45 
(28.02),  Widow  Orvis;  No.  46  (31.11),  Thomas  Porter.  Sen.;  N^.  47 
(58.10).  Isaac  Moore;  No.  48  (23.01),  John  Brownson;  No.  49  (46.10), 
John  Brownson,  Jr.;  No.  50  (20.05),  Daniel  Andrus;  No.  51  (9.10), 
Benoni  Steel;  No.  52  (60.11),  John  Stanley;  No.  53  (55.06),  Thomas 
Barnes;  No.  54  (21.04),  Zachariah  Sevmour;  No.  55  (60.15),  Stephen 
Hart,  Sen.;  No.  56  (64.10),  William  Judd;  No.  57  (38.12),  Joseph  Wood- 
ford; No.  58  (23.01),  Samuel  Hecox;  No.  59  (77.09),  Mr.  Wyllis;  No.  60 
(18.15),  William  Higason;  No.  61  (45.11),  Thomas  Judd,  Jr.;  No.  62 
(31.06),  Mr.  Wrotham;  No.  63  (33.12),  John  Thompson. 

No.  64  (16.02),  Abraham  Andrus;  No.  65  (121.08),  Mr.  Hayncs; 
No.  66  (12.00),  John  Root,  ]t.;  No.  67  (24.07),  Thomas  Gridlev;  No.  68. 
(44.09),   Samuel   Steel,   Sen.;"  No.   69  (44.13V    T-hn   Lee:   No.   70  (84.08), 


24 


DRI.STOI.,    COXXECTICLT 


Mr.  WadsAvorth;  Xo.  71  (25.14),  Sanuiel  North;  Xo.  72  (2U.()1),  Thomas 
Hancox;  Xo.  7o  (15.04),  John  Porter;  Xo.  74  (2().l).3j,  John  Carrington; 
No.  75  (76.10),  John  Root,  Sen.;  No.  76  (72.15),  Mr.  Hawkins;  No.  77 
(23.01),  John  Welton;  No.  78  (30.15),  John  Stanley;  No.  79  (46.15), 
John  Andrus;  No.  80  (32.13),  Thomas  Bull;  No.  81  (17.01),  Mr.  Newton; 
No.  82  (38.05),  John  Woodruff;  No.  83  (14.12),  David  Caipenter;  No.  84 
(9.11),  Sa-nuel  vSteel,  Jr. 

Fifth  or  Western  Tier  of  Lots. 

No.  42  (15.04),  Phillip  Judd;  No.  43  (33.11).  Thomas  Porter,  Sen. 
No.  44  (28.02),  Widow  Orvis;  No.  45  (33.11),  Moses  Ventrus;  No.  46 
(17.01),  Joseph  Hecox;  No.  47  (18.05),  Obadiah  Richards;  No.  48  (23.01), 
Samuel  Hecox;  No.  49  (121.06),  Mr.  Havnes;  No.  50  (29.01),  Benjamin 
Judd;  No.  51  (23.05),  Abraham  Brownson;  No.  52  (51.11).  Robert 
Porter;  No.  53  (46.10),  John  Brownson,  Sen.;  No.  54  (60.11),  John 
Standlev;  No.  55  (16.10),  Jobanah  Smith;  No.  56  (18.16),  William 
Higason;  No.  57  (31.06),  Mr.  Wrotham;  No.  58  (9.11),  Samuel  Steel,  Jr.; 
No.  59  (25.14),  John  North,  Jr.;  No.  60  (48.00),  Thomas  Hart;  No.  61 
(9.11),  Benoni  Steel;  No.  62  (14.12),  David  Carpenter;  No.  63  (77.10), 
Thomas  Newell. 

No.  64  (48.15),  Stephen  Hart,  Jr.;  No.  Go  (38.05),  John  Woodruff. 
No.  66  (17.01),  Mr.  Newton;  No.  67  (58.10),  Isaac  Moore;  No.  68  (76.10): 
John  Root,  Sen.;  No.  69  (21.11).  Daniel  Warner;  No.  70  (20.05).  Daniel 
Andrus;  No.  71  (30.04),  Isaac  Brownson;  No.  72  (22.10),  Richard  Sev- 
mour;  No.  73  (60.15),  Stephen  Hart,  Sen.;  No.  74  (31.06);  Widow  Smith; 
No.  75  (23.01),  John  Brownson;  No.  76  (31.06),  John  Warner,  Jr.;  No. 
77  (72.08).  John  Newton;  No.  78  (23.01),  Thomas  Porter,  Jr.;  No.  79 
(39.11).  Edmond  Scott;  No.  80  (41.09),  Mathew  Woodruff;  No.  81  (30.15). 
John  St.-ndl(-v.  Jr.;  N-\  82  (45.11).  Thrmns  Judd,  jr.;  No.  83  (72.15), 
":\Ir.  Mcwkirs;  X.v  S4  (3i),()(i),  T'  h:-/Sio<'1. 


NKW     CAMBRIDGE. 


25- 


m 

BRISTOL 

.•i.v^/)7)Av;.s-.v, 

r'r,f>a,,d  by  Roauu'II  Atkiiis  and  /-pap/nodiu.'  Pr.k. 

V-«A^ 

Dclhcwd  at  tin-  Ct'iitciuiial  L\'U'bralii>n  of  ihc  iucorporatiou  of  tlie 
Tozvii    of  Bristol,  Coiiiu\-ficnt,  June    17,    iSSf,,   by   Epuphroditns  Peck. 

HISTORY  i>  hut  fragnient.iry  at  best.  We  say,  "Ijristol  is  a 
hundred  years  old  ta-(hi_\-,"  but  these  hills  and  valleys  are  many 
centuries  i_dd.  Men  and  women  liad  their  homes,  and  insti- 
tutions, and  rude  manufactiu'es  here,  for  how  man\-  centuries 
we  can  hardly  guess:  bu.t  thei)-  savage  lives  left  no  record, 
except  the  rude  weap^ms  or  fiols  which  they  casually  dropped,  and 
which   we   casually   tin  1. 

The  Indian  tribj  of  this  neighborhood  was  the  Tunxis.  l-]ut  their 
sparse  population,  and  their  indolent  natures,  prevented  any  attempt  to 
subdue  these  rugged  forest-covered  hills.  Along  the  river  at  Farming- 
ton,  where  the  soil  was  level  and  mellow,  they  had  their  principal  village; 
in  the  open  fields,  which  are  now  Plainville,  they  had  another  settlement ; 
but  these  woods — the  "Great  l'"orest"  tliey  called  it — were  more  valuable 
to  them  as  a  hunting-ground,  .stocked  with  all  manner  of  game  and 
fish,   than   thev  could   have  been   as   a   village   site.     The   ledge  of   Cotton- 


7 he  I'ieice  Home^lta  I.  built  bv  Kbenezei  Barnes,  llie  rriiti al  tliiid  in  ijzS.  the  north 

and  south  7vinj^s  lati  r  upon  the  mm  ria,^e  of  a  son  and  daughter.     Bought  bv  the 

Pierce  lamily  in  !■/()'■  in  :c/.ose  hands  it  stiil  leniains.  and  is  at  present  the 

)  esidence  of  Mrs.  /nlius  /•.".  Piene.       A  remarkable  fact  that,  although 

neailv  /;io  hi.ndi  rd  \e.irs  ol  I.  it  lias  only  been  o-oied  by  two  fatnilies. 


26 


BRISTOL,   CONMECTIJUT 


A'e'sideiice  of  L.  O.  Norton. 


Stone,  running  along  the  crest  of  this  hill,  they  discovered,  and  put  to 
practical  use ;  and  the  vessels,  finished  and  unfinished,  together  with  the 
still  evident  traces  of  work  on  the  ledge  itself,  show  that  a  quarry  of 
considerable  importance  was  located  there.  Vessels  from  this  quarry 
are  said  to  be  found  in  many  parts  of  the  state. 

Without  doubt,  the  Indians  who  came  here  to  work  this  quarry, 
or  to  hunt  in  the  "Great  Forest,"  built  wigwams  for  their  temporarj^ 
use ;  and  there  were  certainly  a  few  isolated  Indians  who  lived  here 
permanently. 

The  name  of  Cochipiancc,  who  lived  on  the  hill  to  the  northwest,  has 
come  down  to  us  in  the  name  of  Chippin's  Hill ;  Morgan  Swamp,  on 
Fall  Mountain,  preserves  the  name  of  another  Indian,  who  died,  and  is. 
said  to  have  lived  there ;  the  claims  of  Bohemia  and  Poland  to  their 
land  in  the  Stafford  district  were  respected  by  the  whites  in  the  laxout 
of  1721;  there  was  probably  an  Indian  wigwam  near  the  James  Lee 
house,  and  a  group  of  them  near  the  Compounce  cemetery.  But  the 
tribal  center  was  at  Farmington,  and  there  was  nothing  within  our 
limits  which  could  be  called  even  a  village. 

The  same  causes  which  determined  the  choice  of  the  Indians,  oper- 
ated also  upon  the  early  white  settlers  of  New  England,  and  tracts  of 
arable  land,  lying  near  water-courses,  were  everywhere  fn-st  chosen  for 
settlement.  So  when  the  Massachusetts  settlers  began  to  think  of 
colonizing  the  wilderness  around  them,  and  heard  from  the  friendly  In- 
dians of  the  fertile  and  open  valley  of  the  Connecticut,  Wethersficld, 
Windsor,  and  Hartford,  on  the  riverbank,  became  the  first  village  sites. 
So  again  in  1639,  when  the  river  towns  had  sent  out  a  committee  to 
explore  the  surrounding  country  for  the  most  inviting  spot  for  settle- 
ment, they  selected,  as  the  Indians  had  done,  the  fields  along  the  Farm- 
ington River,  and  began  there  the  settlement  of  our  mother  town  in 
the  next  year. 

Thirtv-seven    of   the    Hartford   settlers    received    a   charter   from   the 


OR     "XEW    CAMBRIDGE."  27' 

General  Assembly,  and  also  bought  from  the  Tunxis  Indians  the  right 
to  settle  on  the  land  included  therein.  Among  these  proprietors  we 
iind  the  familiar  names  of  ,Hart.  Lewis,  Barnes,  Brownson,  and  Wil- 
cox. In  1672  the  Assembly  fixed  the  length  of  Farmington  at  fifteen 
miles,  and  its  width  at  eleven  miles,  extending  west  from  the  Hartford 
line.      The  western  boundary  thus  fixed  is  now  the  western  line  of  Bristol. 

As  the  Farmington  settlers  in  turn  began  to  push  beyond  their 
original  location,  the  level  land  along  the  Pequabuck  attracted  their 
attention,  and  in  1663  the  town  granted  to  John  Wadsworth,  Richard 
Brumpson,  Thomas  Barnes,  and  Moses  Ventruss,  a  tract  described  as 
"fiforty  acors  of  meddow  Land  Lying  att  the  place  we  comonly  Call 
Poland."  Twenty  acres  more  were  granted  to  John  Langton  and. George 
Orvis  in  1664.  This  Thomas  Barnes  was  an  ancestor  of  our  townsfolk 
of  that  name,  and  the  sixty  acres  then  granted  lay  on  both  sides  of  the 
west  branch  of  the  Pequabuck  River,  extending  nearly  as  far  west  as  to 
the  rolling-mill.  These  two  grants  seem  to  have  exhavisted  the  arable 
land  in  this  direction,  and  no  settlement  was  made  upon  them. 

In  1672,  the  Farmington  proprietors,  then  eighty-four  in  number, 
took  formal  possession  of  the  territory  which  had  just  been  assigned 
to  them  by  the  General  Assembly.  They  laid  out  a  parallelogram  a 
little  over  eight  miles  long,  and  four  wide,  for  the  home  settlement,  and 
called  it  "the  reserved  land."  The  remaining  land  they  divided  among 
themselves  in  proportion  to  their  assessment  lists,  giving  to  Mr.  Hooker, 
the  minister,  a  double  portion.  The  actual  survey  of  the  western  land 
was  not  made  until  1721.  Six  tiers  of  lots  were  laid  out,  each  three 
hundred  and  five  rods  wide,  and  about  eleven  miles  long,  with  reserva- 
tions between  for  twenty,  thirty,  and  forty  rod  highways;  so  that  each 
"division,"  with  its  adjacent  highway,  was  a  little  over  a  mile  wide. 
The  first  two  of  these  tiers  were  each  divided  into  twenty-one  lots,  and 
each  lot  assigned  to  fotir  proprietors;  the  last,  or  westerlv,  four  were  each 
divided  into  eighty-fovir  lots,  and  assigned  to  individual  owners;  so  that 
each  Farmington  proprietor  had  a  'lot,  or  an  undivided  quarter-lot,  in 
each  division.  The  widest  of  these  lots  were  one  hundred  and  thirty- 
one  rods,  four  feet  w^de,  and  the  narrowest  nine  rods,  ten  and  a  half  feet; 
each  one,  of  course,  being  three  hundred  and  five  rods  long.  These 
allotments  were  made  to  the  men,  and  in  the  proportions,  which  had 
been  fixed  by  the  vote  of  1672,  and.  most  of  them  were  actually  "taken 
by  the  heirs  of  the  men  in  whose  names  they  were  allotted.  Narrower 
highways  were  reserved,  running  across  the  divisions,  and  a  reservation 
of  abotit  one  hundred  and  ninety  acres  was  made  to  the  Indians,  Bohemia 
and  Poland.  The  westerly  five  of  these  divisions  now  constitute  the 
towns  of  Burlington  and  Bristol.* 

The  actual  settlement  was  begun  six  years  later  by  Daniel  Brown- 
son  of  Farmington.  He  bought  the  seventy-first  lot  in  the  fifth  division 
in  November,  1727,  and  in  that  year,  or  early  in  the  next,  built  a  house 
at  Goose  Corner,  so  called.  This  house  has  long  been  gone,  and  Mr. 
Brownson  seems  to  have  left  the  village  very  soon. 

The  second  settler,  and  one  in  whom  we  feel  more  interest,  because 
both  his  house  and  his  family  still  remain,  was  Ebenezer  Barnes,  a  descend- 
ant of  the  Thomas  Barnes  already  mentioned.  He  built,  in  1728,  the 
house,  which,  having  since  been  added  to  at  both  ends,  is  now  the  central 
part  of  Julius  E.  Pierce's  residence  in  East  Bristol.  In  the  same  year, 
Nehemiah  Manross  of  Lebanon,  the  ancestor  of  our  present  Manrosses, 
built  a  house  north  of  Ebenezer  Barnes,  and  on  the  west  side  of  the  road. 
Perhaps  in  this  year,  Abner  Matthew^s  built  a  house  on  the  East  Fall 
Mountain  road. 

During  the  next  score  of  years  a  little  group  of  houses  was  built 
on  the  Easl  Bristol  road,  north  of  the  Barnes  and  Manross  houses,  another 
hamlet  on  Chippin's  Hill,  a  still  smaller  one  on  Red  Stone  Hill,  and 
isolated  houses  stood  on  Fall  Mountain,  in  the  present  Stafford  district, 
and  in  the  centre  of  the  town.  , 


*  See  Chart,  Page  21. 


28  BRISTOL,    COXXECTICUT 

The  only  present  Bristol  families  which  settled  here  before  174 J 
are  the  Barnes,  Manross,  Gaylord,  and  Jerome  families.  Joseph  and 
David  Gaylord  came  here  between  1740  and  1742,  and  both  became 
prominent  citizens;  David  was  one  of  the  first  deacons  of  the  Congrega- 
tional church,  and  Joseph  equally  proininent  in  the  Episcopal  church. 
David  Gay  lord's  house  stood  about  where  Henry  A.  Pond  now  lives; 
Joseph's,  southwest  of  the  Brownson  house,  on  the  slope  of  the  moun- 
tain. 

William  Jerome  bought  land  in  the  second  division  in  1741,  and 
his  son  Zerubbabel  moved  here.  The  farm  which  the  family  still  occupy 
they  bought  in  174S,  from  Caleb  Palmer,  who  had  already  built  a  house 
on  the  present  site  of  Horace  O.  Miller's. 

The  distinctive  symbol  of  Xew  England  Puritanism  has  been  said 
to  be  a  meeting-house  fronted  by  a  school-house.  Our  ancestors  A^erv 
early  established  both  these  institutions.  Prior  to  1742,  they  had  felt 
the  distance  to  the  Farmington  church  a  heavy  burden.  In  that  year 
they  sent  a  petition  to  the  General  Assembly  praying  for  permission  to 
hire  a  preacher  of  their  own  during  the  winter  months.  This  petition, 
bearing  the  signatures  of  all  the  residents,  is  among  the  legislative  archives 
at  Hartford.*!      It  was  promptly  granted,  and  the  first  society  meeting 

*1, 

PETITION    FOR    WINTER    PRIVILEGES,   OCTOBER,   1742. 

To  the  Honourbie  the  Gou'  Councell,  and  Reprefentatiues,  of  his  Majeftys  Colony 
of  Conedticott  In  New  England,  In  General  Court,  to  be  Aflembled,  the  14'*'  Day 
of  octob''  A.D:  1742  —  The  Humble  memorial  of  us  the  fubfcribors  Inhabitants  In  y" 
Town/hip  of  Farmington  In  y  County  of  Hartford,  &c.,  Humbly  flieweth,  that  we 
are  fettled  In  A  Certain  place,  within  y'  Bounds  of  f"*  Townihip,  Called  by  the  Name 
of  y"  2'^,  3'',  4"',  5"'  &  6""  Diuifions  of  Land  In  P^  Townftiip  Weft  from  the 
Referued  Land,  and  are  fo  Remote,  from  any,  meeting  Houfe,  In  any  minifterial 
^fociaty  In  f"  Jown,  as  Renders  it  exceeding  Difficult  for  us  to  attend  the  publicic 
Worfhip  of  God,  In  any  place  where  it  is  fett  up,  and  efpecially,  In  the  winter  feafon 
—  and  allfo  that  there  is  fuch  a  Number  of  perfons  fettled  in  fl  fiue  Diuifions  of  Land 
as  that  we  are  Compitently  able  to  hire 'A  minefter,  to  preach  y«  Gofpel  to  us  In  faid 
winter  feafon —t  Wee  Do  therefore  Humbly  pray  this  Hon'''':  Affembly  to  Grant  unto 
us  who  are  or  Ihal!  be  fettled  on  the  (^  fiue  Diuifions  of  Land,  Begining  att  y«  fouth 
end  of  y«  faid  Diuifions  of  Land ;  and  from  thence  to  extend  North  fiue  miles 
Liberty  of  hireing  an  Authordox  and  fuilably  Quallifyed  perfon  to  preach  y«  Gofpel 
amongft  us,  for  y«  fpace  of  fix  months  In  y*"  year  Annually,  viz,  Nouemb''  Decemb"" 
Janu'  feb"  march  &  april  more  or  Less  according?  as  we  Can  and  Do  hire  fuch  A 
preacher,  with  y«  powers  and  priueledges  by  Law  belonging  to  fuch  A  fociaty— Hoping 
that  it  will  not  be  Long  Before  we  (hall  be  able  to  be  A  fociaty  fully  Conftituted  — 
and  your  memorialift  as  In  Duty  Bound  (hall  cuer  pray,  Sec 

octob'  6""  Day  A.D:    1742:  — 

.  Ebenezer  barns,  Jofeph  gailord,  ben'mman  brooks,  Gid  peck,  John  Brown,  ebzer 
gailord,  John  hicox,  Zerubbabel  Jearom,  Moles  Lyman,  Joel  mitchel,  edward  gailard, 
John  gailard,  Stephen  Barns,  Ger(hum  Tuttle,  Jofeph  benham,  Dauid  gylord,  Nemiah 
manros,  Samuel  Gaylord,  Jofeph  Gaylard,  Timothy  Brown,  bi(h  (.?)  manros. 

[This  petition  and  the  following  one  were  evidently  drawn  up  by  a  pro- 
fessional scrivener.  The  records  which  follow,  were,  of  course,  wrilten  by 
the  various  clerks  of  the  society.  The  petitions  may  be  regarded,  therc- 
fbre,  as  representing  the  literary  style  of  a  practiced  writer,  and  the  records 
that  of  an  average  village  clerk  of  the  period.] 


Dl-f         NKW     CAMBRIDGK.  'J\> 

Avas  held  November  eighth,  17-112.  This  is  an  important  date,  for  then 
first,  did  this  tract,  which  we  call  Bristol,  and  the  settlers  living  upon 
it,  assume  individuality  and  corporate  existence,  as  "the  Southwest 
Avinter  society." 

In  December  it  was  voted  to  hire  Mr.  Thomas  Canfield  for  the  coming 
winter.  This  Reverend  Thomas  Canfield,  a  young  man  of  twenty-two. 
our  first  gospel  minister,  disappears  from  our  local  history  at  the  end 
of  this  winter.  He  went  to  Roxbury  the  next  year,  and  preached  there 
till  his  death  in  17".)o.      His  epitaph  concludes  with  the  following  lines: 

"O  what  is  man,  x^oor  feeble  man 
Whose  life  is  but  a  narrow  span. 
Here  lies  intomb'd  in  earth  and  dust 
The  Reverend,  meek,  the  mild  and  just." 

The  Congregational  church  at  Roxbur}'  have  in  their  possession  a 
record  in  Mr.  Canfield's  hand-writing,  containing  the  following  state- 
ment: "1  having  an  Invitation  to  go  &  Preach  at  ye  ^Mountain,  now 
called  Cambridge  in  Farmington.  wch  I  accepting  accordingly  Preachd 
yre  ye  next  Sabbath  it  being  ye  Gth  of  Deer  &  from  yt  time  till  the  latter 
end  of  Octobr  17-13." 

It  is  difficult  to  reconcile  this  statement  as  to  the  length  of  his  ser- 
vice here  either  with  our  society  records,  or  with  the  powers  granted 
to  the  society  by  the  Assembly. 

The  Reverend  Tchabod  Camp  probably  preached  during  the  next 
winter,  though  no  positive  record  of  that  fact  exists. 

The  poverty  of  the  settlers,  and  the  hardships  which  thev  under- 
went to  support  preaching,  are  shown  by  the  levy  of  a  sixteen  pence^tax. 
that  is,  a  tax  of  six  and  two-thirds  per  cent.,  in  1743.  to  pay  the  societv 
expenses,  Avhich  cannot  have  been  more  than  a  very  small  sum.  But 
the  people  were  not  daunted,  and  at  the  same  meeting  at  Avhich  this 
sixteen  pence  tax  was  laid  they  voted  to  apply  to  the  Assemblv  for  a 
complete    ecclesia.'^tical     organization.*!'      The    tcnvn     as.'-'ented.     and    in 


THE         LOT    JKkOMK     1>I..\CK 

See  page  3U. 


Since  destroyed   bv  fire. 


30  BRISTOL,    COXNECTICUT 

1744  the  Assembly  again  changed  the  "Southwest  winter  society"  into- 
the  "New  Cambridge  society,"  with  power  to  lay  taxes,  and  support 
preaching  and  schools.  The  name  "Cambridge"  appears  from  the 
Canfield  record  to  have  been  already  given  to  this  section  of  the  town 
in  popular  speech,  but  the  reason  is  unknown. 

This  society  had  hardly  begun  its  record,  when  the  universal  contest 
between  orthodoxy  and  liberalism  broke  out.  One  party,  made  up 
principally  from  the  settlers  on  Chippin's  Hill,  was  more  inclined  to 
the  milder  doctrines  of  the  Church  of  England,  while  most  of  the  settlers 
in  the  valley  were  rigid  Calvinists.  During  the  fall  of  1  744,  Mr.  Samuel 
Newell  was  invited  to  preach  three  months,  and  his  vigorous  support 
of  the  Westminster  theology  caused  a  speedy  outbreak  of  the  latent 
differences.  The  majority  voted  to  settle  Mr.  Newell,  but  seven  mem- 
bers were  so  pronounced  in  their  opoosition  that  his  comjng  was  deemed 
unwise.  Mr.  Camp  then  preached  again,  and  a  Mr.  Christopher  Newton, 
both  of  whom,  I  think,  were  more  acceptable  to  the  minority,  and  both 
of   whom    afterward    became    Episcopal   clergvmen.      After   these   futile 


PETITION  FOR   ECCLESIASTICAL    INCORPORATION,   APRIL,   1744. 

To  The  Honorable  General  AfTembley  to  Be  Holden  att  Hartford  on  y"  Second 
Thurfday  of  May  Next  The  Memorial  of  us  The  Subfcribers  Hereunto  all  Inhabi- 
tants Liveing  Within  y*  Bounds  of  Farmington  &  County  of  Hartford  Humbley 
Showeth  y'  your  Honours  Mcmoriaiifts  Liveth  on  That  Tract  of  Land  in  P  farmington 
Commonly  Called  y«  fecond,  ^^  4""  5""  &  6"»  Divifions  of  Land  Lying  Weft  of  y" 
Referved  Lands  fo  Called  &  at  about  feven  or  Eight  Miles  Diftants  from  y"'  Publick 
Worfhip  of  God  in  farmington  firft  fociety  to  y"  Which  Wee  Belong  &  Wee  Haveing 
Obtained  Liberty  of  y"  Honorable  Aflembly  to  Hire  an  OrthoDox  Minifter' among 
Ourfelves  fix  months  in  a  year  for  y"  Space  of  two  years  Which  Term  of  Time  is 
£xj>ired  &  Wee  Having  Obtained  a  Voat  of  y^  faid  firft  Society  in  farmington  to  Be  A 
Diftinct  Society,  By  and  With,  y"  Bounds  &  Limits  of  five  Miles  fquare  of  y'- 
Divifions  aforefaid  Begining  at  y'^  Northweft  Corner  of  Southington  Parifh  Bounds  at 
Waterbury  Line  from  Thence  North  With  f  Line  five  miles  &  from  Thence  Eaft- 
ward  five  miles  &  from  Thence  Southward  five  miles  &  from  Thence  Weft  ward  five 
miles  to  y«  firft  tnentioned  Bounds  Which  f'^  Tract  of  Land  is  Generally  good  &  Wee 
aire  pf  Opinion  is  Sufficient  for  A  Diftinct  Society  &  Wee  Being  fo  Remote  from  y* 
Publick  Worftiip  of- God  y'  it  is  Impracticable  to  attend  y«  same  With  our  families 
unlefs  it  be  When  Wee  Have  preaching  among  ourfelves  Wee  Therefore  Hvimbly 
Pray  your  Honours  to  Take  our  Circumftances  into  your  Paternal  care  &  Wife  Con- 
fideration  &  make  ui  a  Diftinct  Eclefiaftical  Society  With  y«  Limits  aforefaid  or  In  sum 
Other  Way  Grant  Relief  unto  your  Memorialifts  &  Wee  as  In  Duty  Bound  (hall  Ever 
Pray 

Farmington  Aprill  y"^  i  2    Ano  Pbmini  1744. 

cberiezer  Barns,  beniamin  gaylard,  Hez  :  Rew,  Dauid  Graues,  Abel  Roys,  John 
Hikcox,  Edward  gailard,  Nehemiah  manros,  Daniel  mix,  Ebenezer  Barns  iuenor,* 
Jofeph  Graues  Moses  Lyman,  Caleb  Abcrnathy,  daniel  roe,  Caleb  Palmer,  Dauid 
gaylard,  Jofeph  Gailard  Juner,  Jofeph  Benham,  Stephen  Barns,  Abner  Matthews, 
Jofeph  Gaylord,  Nehemiah  Manrows  iuner,*  Simon  Tuttel,  Zetubbabel  Jearom, 
Gershum  tuttle,  John  gailard,  William  Jearom,  Zebulon  frif  be,  Benjamin  brooks, 
Edward  f,  ben  mix,  Daniel  mix,  Thomas  "Hart.  Samuel  Gaylord. 

*  Junior.  fThis  name  is  entirely  illegible. 


OR     "new    CAMBRIDGE."  31 

attempts  to   secure   agreement,   the   majority   again   voted  to   hire   Mr. 
Newell,  and  he  was  settled  accordingly  in  17-17. 

The  opposition  had  now  increased  to  ten,  and  they,  Caleb  and 
Abner  Matthews,  Stephen  and  Benjamin  Brooks,  John  Hickox,  Caleb 
Abemathy,  Abel  and  Xehemiah  Royce,  Daniel  Roe,  and  Simon  Tuttle, 
"publikly  declared  themselves  of  the  Church  of  England,  and  under  the 
bishop  of  Ion  don."  The  relations  of  these  churchinen,  as  they  were 
called,  to  the  society,  became  somewhat  peculiar.  They  at  once  re- 
fused to  pay  their  ecclesiastical  taxes,  and  for  some  time  took  no  part 
in  society  affairs.  It  was  finally  agreed  that  they  should  be  entirely 
relieved  of  the  "meeting-house  rate,"  and  should  pay  one-half  of  the 
"minister  rate"  so  long  as  they  had  no  rector  of  their  own.*3  After 
this  compromise  the  churchmen  began  again  to  share  in  such  society 
bitsiness  as  did  not  directly  concern  the  management  of  the  Congrega- 
tion church;  after  an  Episcopal  rector  was  located  here,  separate  assess- 
ment lists  were  inade,  a  separate  collector  appointed,  and  a  due  share 
of  the  tax  paid  to  their  rector.  The  two  churches  lived  in  harmony 
until  the  Revolution,  when  the  political  hostility  became  much  more 
fierce  than  the  religious  had  ever  been. 

]\Ir.  Xewell  was  installed  in  Augvist,  1747,  and  it  was  evidently  a 
great  day  for  the  society.  J.oseph  Benton,  Xehemiah  Manross,  Joseph 
Gaylord,  David  Rich,  Ebene'^er  Barnes,  Jr.,  and  as  many  more  as  chose, 
w^re  instructed  by  a  vote  of  the  society  to  keep  open-  a  pviblic  house 
of  entertainment  on  the  day  of  the  ordination. 

The  society  gave  Mr.  X^ewell  ;^500  "for  his  settlement,"  oayable 
within  three  years,  and  a  permanent  salary  of  ;^300,  beside  building 
him  a  house  (since  known  as  the  Dr.  Pardee  place). *4  These  sums  were 
payable,  however,  in  colony  bills  of  credit,  which  were  worth 
only  about  one-sixth  of  their  face  value.  The  influence  exerted  upon 
the  village  by  this  clergyman  can  hardly  be  over-estimated.  He  was 
a  strong-minded,  strong-spoken  man;  holding  to  the  rigid  old  doctrines 
of  theolog}',  and  exerting  a  great  influence  even  in  secular  matters. 
He  was  pastor  for  forty  years,  till  his  death  in  1789.  The  following 
ejntaph  is  inscribed  upon  his  tomb  in  the  South  grave-yard: 

.  "Here  Lyeth  Interred  the  Body  of  ye  Rev.  Samuel  Newell,  A.  M.,  Late  Pastor  of  the 
Church  of  Christ  in  New  Cambridge.  A  gentleman  of  Good  Genius,  Solid  Judgment,  sound 
in  the  faith,  A  fervent  and  experimental  Preacher  of  unafFected  Piety,  kindest  of  Husbands, 
Tenderest  of  Fathers,  the  best  of  Friends  and  an  Ornament  of  the  Ministry.  And  having 
served  his  generation  faithfully  by  the  Will  of  God  with  serenity  &  calmness  he  fell  on 
sleep  February  ye  10th  1789,  in  the  75th  year  of  his  Age,  And  the  42nd  of  his  Ministry. 

Death.  Great  Proprietor  of  all,  'tis  thine 

To  tread  out  Empires,  and  to  quench  ye  Stars." 


*3.  *4   See  Page  32 

("Jenewary"  4"',  lyf^.) 

It  was  agreed  upon  and  Voted   between  the    prefent  Churchmen  that  are  amongft 

us that  they  paying  all  their  miniftearel  Rates  to  us  for  the  year  paft  and 

half  their  mineftearel  Rates  for  the  futei'  unlill  they  haue  a  lawful  minefter  acording 
to  the  Cannons  of  the  Church  of  England  which  may  Requir  and  Recouer  their 
Rates  by  laws  of  the  gouerment  fet  ouer  them  we  the  fofiaty  would  forgiue  or 
Relinquifh  to  them  two  Rates  which  was  laid  the  year  paft  viz  a  two  fliiling  Rate  and 
a  four  ihiling  Rate  and  all  other  Charge  that  fhall  arife  for  y«  fini/hing  the  meeting 
houfe  and  mr  Newels  Wood  — 


32  BRISTOL,    COXXIiCTlCUT 

In  spite  1)1"  tlie  heavy  lourden  which  the  support  of  a  pastor  l:ad 
imposed  upon  the  little  society,  and  in  spite,  too,  of  the  severe  loss  which 
the  Episcopal  schism  had  caused,  they  almost  at  once  began  to  plan 
for  the  building  of  a  meeting-house.  In  December,  1746,  the  site, 
which  had  been  chosen  by  a  committee  from  the  General  Assembly, 
was  bought  of  Joseph  Benton  for  £4.  They  began  the  work  at  once, 
and,  I  think,  began  to  hold  services  in  the  new  building  early  in  1748, 
though  it  was  not  entirely  finished  till  17.5o. 

The  sacrifice  which  the  people  made  to  build  this  house  and  support 
preaching  is  strikingly  shown  by  the  heav)*  taxation.  Before  it  was 
begun  the  society  taxes  had  never  been  less  than  five  per  cent.,  but  in 
Mav,  1748,  a  ten  per  cent,  tax  was  laid,  in  December  of  the  same  year 
a  twenty  per  cent,  tax,  and  another  ten  per  cent,  tax  in  December,  174'.M 
It  must  be  remembered,  too,  that  this  was  for  ecclesiastical  purposes 
alone,  and  did  not  include  town  or  state  taxation.  It  was  against  these 
ten  and  twenty  per  cent,  taxes  that  the  protest  of  the  Churchmen  had 
been  especially  directed.  This  first  meeting-house  stood  a  few  feet 
northeast  of  the  present  one,  and  was,  furnished  partly  with  the  old- 
fashioned  pews,  and  partly  with  seats.  Sittings  were  assigned  accord- 
ing to  the  wealth,  age,  and  official  rank  of  the  congregation,  and  this 
"dignifving    the    meeting-houee"    was    a    most    delicate    operation.      To 

*4 

(July  20"",  1747.) 

At  a  fofiaty  meeting  of  the  Inhabnitants  of  the  4  fofiaty  in  y^  town  of  farmington 
Called  new  Cambridg  viz  of  fuch  Inhabitants  of  f'^  fofiaty  as  are  leagly  Qualifid  to 
Vote  in  the  Choice  of  a  minefter  and  to  make  an  agreement  with  them  being  held  by 
aj  rnment  in  f^   fofiety  on  the  20"'   day  of  July  Ad  1747 

Whereas  this  fofiaty  haue  maid  Choice  of  mr  fam"  newil  to  be  our  minifter  and 
haue  giuen  him  a  call  to  fettel  in  the  gofpel  mineftry  amongft  us  of  which  call  he  hath 
excepted  it  is  therefore  Voted  and  agreed  by  this  fofiaty  that  if  y"  f  mr  fam"  newil 
(hall  become  our  ordaind  and  fetteld  minifter  that  then  we  will  and  fatiffy  unto  him 
for  his  yearly  falery  befides  what  hath  been  allre<Jy  Voted  him  for  his  fettelment  viz 
for  what  Remains  of  this  year  fixty  feuen  pound  ten  fliiling  in  bills  of  Credit  of  this 
Coleney  in  old  tener  on  the  firft  day  of  next  enfewing  febury  and  the  firft  day  is  the 
time  at  the  which  we  agree  and  couenant  wiih  him  the  f''  mr  fam"  newil  to  pay  him 
his  falery  yearly  from  year  to  year 

And  we  agree  and  Couenant  to  pay  and  fatifrie  unto  him  for  his  falery  the  firft  day 
of  febuary  A  d  1749  one  hundrd  and  fourty  pound  and  in  the  1750  one  hundred  and 
fifty  pound  1751  one  hundred  and  fixty  pound  and  in  the  year  1752  one  hundred  and 
eighty  pound  and  in  the  year  1753  two  hundred  pound  and  in  y*  year  1754  two  hun- 
dred and  twenty  pound  and  in  the  year  1755  two  hundred  and  forty  pound  and  in  the 
year  1756  two  hundred  and  fixty  pound  and  in  the  year  1757  two  hundr<;d  and  eighty 
pound  and  in  the  year  1758  three  hundred  pound  which  we  couenant  and  agree  to 
make  as  good  to  him  then  as  3  hundred  pound  is  now  for  his  yearly  salery  which  is  to 
be  his  (landing  falery  and  is  tp  be  paid  and  fatiflied  to  him  the  f  mr  fam"  newel  for 
his  yearly  falcy  during  his  continance  amongft  US  in  the  gofpel  miniftry  and  is  to  be 
paid  to  him  in  bills  of  Credit- of  this  Coleney  of  the  old  tener  or  in  good  and  mar- 
chantable  grain  filch  as  Wheat  Rie  and  Indian  corn  which  grain  is  to  be  Rated  and 
paid  to  him  according  to  the  Curant  market  prife  that  fuch  grain  ftiall  bair  at  hartford 
in  the  county  of  hartford  yearly  on  the  firft  of  jenaury  deducking  Reafonable  Carage 
(They  were  also  to  furnish  him  "a  fufiftiantcy  of  firewood  for  his  famely."  ) 


OR   "new  cambkidgk."  33- 

each  man's  grand  list  was  added  fifty  shillings  for  each  year  of  his  age. 
and  twenty  pounds  additional  for  the  rank  of  Captain,  ten  for  that  of 
Lieutenant,  and  five  for  that  of  Ensign. *5  All  over  fifty  years  of  age 
were  seated  in  front,  the  young  folks  in  the  galleries,  the  children  on 
benches  in  the  aisle.  The  children  were  to  be  seated  in  the  pews,  "men- 
kind  at  16  3'ears  old,  and  female  at  fourteen."  One  pew,  doubtless  the 
least  desirable  was  assigned  to  the  slaves;  for  some  of  the  good  people 
held  slaves  in  those  da^^s,  and  the  Jerome  family  still  have  a  bill  of  sale 
of  "a  negro  boy.  Job,"  signed  by  no  less  reverend  a  person  than  Parson 
Newell  himself. *6  Deacon  Gaylord  appears  to  have  been  the  musician 
of  the  society,  and  for  fourteen  years  he  was  elected  to  "set  the  psalm." 

Attendance  at  church,  and  proper  behavior  while  there,  was  en- 
forced with  all  the  rigor  of  the  law,  as  some  light-minded  youths  of 
Parson  Newell's  flock  found  to  their  sorroAV.  In  1758  Nathaniel  Mes- 
senger, "for  whispering  and  laughing  between  meetings,"  was  fined  three 
shillings  and  costs,  and  in  17G2  John  Bartholomew,  "for  playing  with 
his  hand  and  lingers  at  his  hair  in  meeting,"  paid  a  like  penalty. 

This  meeting-house  was  replaced  by  a  larger  one  in  1771,  and  that 
by  a  third,  which  is  the  main  part  of  the  present  building,  in  1831. 


(December,  I77>.) 

Voted  Chufe  a  Coinmitte  to    Dignify  the  New  meeting  houle 

Voted  that  but  one  head  (liall  be  allowed  to  .uiy  mans  Lift 

Voted  that  it  fliall  be  allowed  in  the  Lift  fifty  (liillin;:^  a  year  for  age 

Voted  that  no  Commillion  ihall  be  allowed  in  (eating  any  man 

Voted  that  all    that  are  above    Sixty  years  of  age  fliall    be  Seated  .it  the  Dlkredon  of 

tlie    Seatois 

[The  rules  for  dignifying  tlie'  Inst  iiiccliiig  lionse  arc  .staled  Id  tlic  ic.xl 
Tlic  second  line  of  this  record  moans  liial  only  one  allowance  for  age  shrill 
b(;  iTiadc  in  a  family,  aufi  the  foijrlh  that  military  lilies  shall  not  he  eon 
sideied  ] 

*6. 

SLAVE    BILL    OF    SALE. 

Know  all  Men  by  thcfe  Prefents  That  I  Sam"  Newell  of  Farmington  in  the 
County  of  Hartford  &  CoUoney  of  Connecticut  in  New  England,  for  &  in  Conlideration 
of  four  Hundred  &  Seventy  pounds  Money  of  the  old  Tenour  by  me  in  hand 
Received  &  to  me  well  Secured  by  William  Jearom  of  Farmington,  in  the  County 
of  Hartford  &  Colloney  of  Conne<5licut  in  New  England,  Do  give  grant  Bargain  Sell 
Convey  &  Confirm  unto  the  aforef^  William  Jearom  his  Heirs  &  afligns  forever,  one 
Certain  Negro  boy  Named  Job,  of  about  fourteen  year's  of  Age  to  have  &  to  hold 
the  P  Negro,  forever  &  Deliver  the  faid  Negro  Boy  found  &  well — &  further  I  the 
Id  Sam"  Newell  Do  by  thefe  prefents  bind  myfelf  my  Heirs  Executor's  &  adminiftra- 
tor's  to  Warrant  Sc  Defend  the  abovef  Negro  to  f  Jearom,  his  Heirs  &  afligns,  for- 
ever againft  all  claims  &  Demands  whatfoever  in  witnefs  whereof  I  have  hereunto  Set 
my  hand  &  Seal  this  Seventh  Day  of  Jannuary  A  :  D  :  1755. 

Signed  &  Delivered  in  prefents  of  Sam"  Newell      [seal.] 

Hezekiah  Gridly  Juner 
Abigail  Giidly 


34 


BRISTOL,    CON'XECTICUT 


GRAVE    OF    RKV.     SAMUKI.    XKWELL,     IX    THE     SOUTH    OR    DOWXS      CEMETERY 


Of  the  early  Episcopal  church  much  less  can  be  related.  The  ten 
"churchmen"  left  the  Congregational  church  in  1747,  and  three  years 
later  they  seem  to  have  been  under  the  care  of  some  Episcopal  clergy- 
man. In  1754,  they  built  a  small  church  building,  opposite  the  Con- 
gregational meeting-house,  north  or  northwest  of  the  present  first  district 
school-house.  Here  occasional  services  were  held  by  missionaries  froin 
another  parish,  among  whom  were  Messrs.  Camp  and  Newton,  who  had 
formerly  preached  in  the  Congregational  church. 

In  1774  the  Reverend  James  Xichols  took  the  care  of  this  parish  , 
probablv  in  connection  with  others.  Soon  after  his  coming,  the  ec- 
clesiastical differences,  which  had-  separated  his  people  from  the  rest 
of  the  society,  began  to  develop  into  political  differences.  The  excited 
and  patriotic  feelings  of  the  Revolution  were  largely  directed  against 
the  Episcopalians,  nearly  all  of  whom  were  supporters  of  King  George. 
Chippin's  Hill,  where  many  of  them  lived,  became  quite  a  Tory  centre, 
and  meetings  were  held  there  of  Tories  from  all  parts  of  the  state.  Mr. 
Xichols  is  said  to  have  been  several  times  shot  at,  and  the  popular  in- 
dignation at  the  position  of  his  people  was  so  markedly  shown  that 
many  of  them  left  New  Cambridge  for  more  congenial  neighborhoods. 
Mr.  Xichols  himself  staved  in  the  western  part  of  the  state,  and  his  loyal 
people  continued  to  collect  their  separate  taxes,  and  send  them  to  him. 
These  were  received  by  him  in  1778  at  Salisbury,  and  in  177^'  and  178U 
at  Litchiield.  The  society  refused  to  recognize  these  ])ayment  of  taxes 
to  the  absent  rector  as  a  sufficient  discharge,  and  made  some  collections 
by  legal  process.  Of  course  this  intensified  the  bitter  feelings  between 
the  two  i)arties,  and  the  Episcopal  services  were  suspended  for  several 
years. 

After  the  Revolution  Mr.  Xichols  returned  to  Xew  Cambridge, 
and  the  church  in  1784  reorganized  with  twenty-nine  members.  Ser- 
vices were  held  bv  several  successive  rectors  until  171*0.  In  that  year 
the  parish  united' with  the  Episcopalians  of  Plymouth  and  Harwinton 
to  build  a  church  mid-way  between  the  three  parishes.  Tiiis  is  still 
standing,   and  is  now  a  mission  of  the   Bristcil  church,  called   Plymouth 


NEW     CAMBRIDGE. 


3.") 


East  church.  The  vacated  church  liuildinj^  was  sold  to  Al)el  Lewis, 
was  used  by  him  as  a  barn,  and  was  after^^•ard  destroyed  by  tire.  Ahiny 
stones  are  still  standing,  hardly  decipherable. 

The  school-house,  the  second  great  institution  of  New  England 
Puritanism,  was  not  wanting  in  New  Cambridge.  Three  years  after 
the  first  incorporation  as  a  winter  society  in  January,  1745,  a  school 
committee  was  chosen  "to  git  in  the  school  mony,"  and  from  year  to 
year  it  was  voted  to  have  a  lawful  school.  This  early  school  was  kept 
during  the  winter  only — probably  in  some  private  house.  In  174i)  it 
was  "voted,  that  would  haue  a  school  kept  in  this  sosiaty  six  mounths 
viz  3  mounths  by  a  master  and  3  mounths  by  a  dame." 

In  1754  the  town  gave  liberty  to  build  two  school-houses,  of  which 
one  stood  east  of*this  green,  near  the  Roman  Catholic  parsonage,  and 
the  other  on  Chippin's  Hill,  thus  accommodating  the  two  principal 
sections  of  the  town.  In  1764  a  third  school-house  was  built,  in  wliat 
is  now  the  Stafford  district.  Within  a  few  years  these  divisions  of  the 
town  had  grown  to  five,  and  in  1 76S  a  formal  division  and  designation 
of  the  district  lines  was  made. 

These  five  districts  may  be  roughly  described  as  follows : 

The  house  of  Royce  Lewis,  on  Maple  street,  lately  pulled  down 
by  W.  P.  Stedman,  was  taken  as  a  central  point.  All  the  territory 
north  of  that  constituted  three  districts;  the  North,  extending  from 
the  old  road,  now  King  street,  a  mile  and  a  half  to  the  west,  and  includ- 
ing everything  north  of  that  line;  the  Northwest,  including  Pine  Hollow 
(so  called  in  the  original  layout),  and  Chippin's  Hill;  and  the  Northeast, 


THE  ABEL  LEWIS  STORE,  LATER  KXOWX  AS  THE  "STEARNS  PLACE."    (The 

windows  were  formerly  used  in  the  old  Episco])al  Church.) 
Froin  Photograph  loaned  by  Miss  C.   L.   Bi)\\-man. 


3()  BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 

Stafford  and  Xortli  Forestville.  The  land  south  of  Royce  Lewis's  was 
divided  into  two  districts,  called  South  and  Southeast,  by  a  line  drawn 
from  Maple  street  over  the  hill  to  the  main  mountain  road.  The  Red 
Stone  Hill  settlement  was  excepted  from  this  division,  and  kept  a  school 
in  common  Avith  Plainville. 

The  three  school-houses  already  built  accommodated  three  districts, 
and  the  South  district  now  built  one  near  the  South  grave-yard,  and 
the  North  district  one  near  the  Parson  Newell  house.  Thse  divisions 
proved  to  be  only  temporary;  Chippin's  Hill  was  soon  divided  into  two 
districts,  and  constant  changes  have  been  made  in  the  number  and 
boundaries  of  the  districts  ever  since. 

These  early  schools  were  not  free  schools  in  the  modern  sense  of 
the  tenn.  The  school-houses  were  built,  and  a  part  of  the  running 
expenses  were  paid,  by  the  society,  but  each  scholar  paid  a  certain  sum 
for  tuition  in  addition.*?  The  instruction  included  principally  reading, 
spelling,  writing,  and  ciphering,  with  careful  training  in  the  Westminster 
catechism,  which  was  personally  superintended  every  Saturday  by 
Parson  Newell. 

The  sch(jol-houses  were  all  small,  and  built  on  the  ancient  model, 
wit.h  a  bench  running  around  three  sides  of  the  room,  on  which  the- 
scholars  sat  facing  the  wall  for  study,  and  which  they  climbed  over, 
so  as  to  face  the  centre  of  the  room  in  recitation. 

Our  school  system  now  includes  twelve  districts,  emplyoing  twenty- 
eight  teachers,  and  paying  for  all  ordinary  expenses  nearly  SI 7. 000  per 
annum.  The  recent  adoption  of  a  common  course  of  study,  the  hold- 
ing of  common  graduation  exercises,  and  the  establishment  of  a  partial 
town  high-school  course,  have  done  much  to  consolidate  and  benefit 
our  educational  interests. 

When  the  French  and  Indian  war  broke  out,  Parson  Newell  urged 
his  people  to  their  duties  in  the  field,  and  a  small  body  of  New  Cambridge 
volunteers  entered  the  British  army  and  served  during  the  war.  The 
date  of  this  war  is  so  remote,  and  there  is  such  a  dearth  of  records  in 
regard  to  it,  that  the  names  of  the  individual  volunteers,  or  the  part 
taken  Ijy  them,  have  almost  entirely  passed  beyond  the  reach  of  history. 
The  Revolutionary  war  was  of  so  much  greater  importance,  and  retained 
:so  much  stronger  hold  on  the  popular  memory,  that  the  part  taken  by 
the  New  Cambridge  settlers  is  a  little  more  possible  of  ascertainment. 

In  1774,  when  the  enrollment  of  "minute  inen"  was  made,  sixty- 
. eight  Farmington  men  signed  the  compact  to  march  to  the  relief  of 
Boston  at  a  moment's  warning,  armed  and  equipped.  Among  these, 
:at  least  four — Isaiah  Thompson,  Obadiah  Andrews,  Samuel  Peck,  and 
Wise  Barnes — were  New  Cambridge  men.  A  count,  somewhat  con- 
jectural, and  which  doubtless  falls  below  the  real  number,  gives  eighty- 


(December  28"',  1749.) 

Voted,  That  all  the  Children  that  (hill  enter  the  fchool  whether  miile  or  female 
Ihall  pay  the  ceuril*  part  of  the  charge  of  the  f''  fchool 

Voted  that  a  fchool  fhould  be  kept  in  this  fofiaty  untill  our  fchool  moiiy  all  Redy 
laid  is  fpent  or  Run  out 

^Several. 


OR     ""XEW    CAMBRIDGK."  37 

nine  New  Cambridge  men  as  having  served  in  the  Revolutionary  war.*A 
Many  famihes  sent  more  than  one  member  to  th<^  held.  Of  these  the 
Allen  fimily  sent  two;  Andrews  four:  Barnes  seven;  Bartholomew  eight, 
including  Abraham  Bartholomew  with  three  sons,  and  Jacob  with  two; 
Gaylord  three,  one  of  whom  shall  be  mentioned  particularly  hereafter; 
Hotchkiss  three;  Hungerford  two;  Hart  three;  Jerome  two;  Lewis  four, 
of  whom  Lieutenant  Roger  Lewis  left  to  his  family  his  sword  and  canteen, 
the  latter  of  which  still  bears  a  dent  made  at  the  battle  of  Monmouth 
Court-house;  Lee  two;  Matthews  three;  Manross  two,  of  whom  Elijah, 
enlisting  at  sixteen  years  of  age,  acted  as  a  musician  and  became  tife- 
major;  Norton  two;  Peck  four;  Roberts  four,  of  whom  Gideon,  after- 
ward our  first  clock-maker,  with  Jacob  Bartholomew,  became  a  captive 
in  the  famous  British  prison-ships;  Thompson  three;  Wilcox  two;  and 
Warren  two,  sons  of  Elisha  Warren,  who,  visiting  his  sons  in  camp  at 
Boston,  contracted  the  small-pox,  and  was  buried  back  of  his  house, 
Avhere  the  fragments  of  a  grave-stone  still  remain. 

Many  other  families  were  represented  in  the  army  by  a  single  :nem- 
ber.  One  New  Combridge  volunteer,  Ira  Hooker,  is  known  to  have 
been  a  witness  of  the  execution  of  Andre. 

Aaron  Gaylord  and  his  family  had  a  peculiarly  distressing  experi- 
ence of  the  horrors  of  war.  In  1775  he  removed  to  Wyoming  county 
with  his  family.  At  the  beginning  of  hostilities  he  was  elected  com- 
mander of  the  fort,  which  was  scantily  guarded,  most  of  the  men  being 
absent  in  the  army.  The  fort  was  attacked  by  Indians,  and  against 
Gaylord's  judgment  a  sally  was  ordered  by  a  council  of  the  soldiers. 
The  massacre  which  resulted  is  a  matter  of  history.  The  single  soldier 
who  escaped  brought  back  the  hat  of  Lieutenant  Gaylord.  and  helped 
the  women  of  the  settlement  to  flee  for  their  lives.  Several  weeks  later 
the  wife  arrived  at  New  Cambridge,  exhausted,  impoverished,  and 
widowed.  Two  years  later,  however,  she  sent  her  only  son,  then  fifteen 
years  of  age,  into  the  army. 

The  great  national  struggle,  which  most  of  us  remember  so  dis- 
tinctly, obscures  in  our  mind  the  earlier  and  more  desperate  one,  but 
our  fathers  made  far  greater  sacrifices  in  1776  than  did  we  in  1861,  and 
the  enlistment  and  drafts  almost  stripped  the  hamlet  of  adult  men. 

In  December,  1780,  the  first  action  w^as  taken  looking  towards  a 
town  incorporation.  Committees  were  appointed  to  confer  with  the 
West  Britain  society  as  to  terms  of  union,  and  to  apply  to  the  Assembly 
for  an  act  incorporating  the  two  societies  as  a  town. 

The  people  of  New  Cambridge  meant  to  secure  the  precedence  to 
which  their  greater  size  entitled  them,  and  made  it  a  condition  of  the 
union  that  New  Cambridge  should  always  be  called  the  first  society, 
and  should  have  the  town  sign-post  within  its  limits.  This  negotiation 
failed,  and  in  1781  it  was  voted  "to  make  another  tryal  with  West  Britan." 
This,  was  no  more  successful,  however,  and  the  matter  Avas  dropped 
for  three  years. 


*  A.  This  list  of  soldiers  in  the  Revolutionary  War,  who  went  from  Bristol,  was  pre- 
pared with  great  care  by  Mr.  Roswell  Atkins. 

Abel  Allen,  Samuel  Allen.  Noah  Andrews,  Obadiah  Andrews.  Joseph  Andrews,  Gideon 
Andrews,  Amos  Barnes,  Daniel  Barnes.  Thomas  Barnes.  Wise  Barnes,  Josiah  Barnes, 
David  Barnes.  Simeon  Barnes,  Abrahain  Bartholomew.  AVjraham  Bartholomew,  Jr., 
John  Bartholomew,  Jacob  Bartholomew,  Charles  Bartholomew.  Isaac  Bartholomew, 
Lemuel  Bartholomew.  Jacob  Bartholoinew,  Jr.,  Joseph  Byington,  Daniel  Curtis,  Noadiah 
Clark,  Samuel  Deming,  Oliver-  Dutton.  Hezekiah  Gridley,  Samuel  Gaylor.d,  A.arcn  Gaylord, 
Dariel  Johnson,  Calvin  Judd,  William  Lee,  Samviel  Lee.  Josiah  Lewis,  Roger  Lewis,  .\hel 
Lewis,  David  Lewis,  Caleb  Mathews,  Jesse  Mathews,  John  Mathews,  William  Mitchsll, 
Eliiah  Manross,  Theodore  Manross,  Timothy  Mix,  Joseph  Norton,  Ebenezer  Norton 
Zebulon  Peck,  Lament  Peck,  Samuel  Peck,  Abel  Peck,  Moses  Parsons. 

William  Richards,  Stephen  Rowe,  Gideon  Roberts,  David  Roberts,  William  Roberts, 
Samuel  Roberts,  Nehemiah  Rice,  Lemuel  Gaylord,  Josiah  Holt,  Stephen  Hotchkiss,  Lad- 
wick  Hotchkiss,  Samuel  Hotchkiss,  Samuel  Hickox,  Ira  Hooker,  John  Htmgerford,  Mathew 
Hungerford,  Benjamin  Hart,  Thomas  Hart,  Jason  Hart,  Daniel  Hill,  Enos  Ives,  William 
Jerome,  David  Jerome,  James  Stoddard,  Joseph  Spencer.  Joseph  Stone,  Daniel  Thompson, 
Josiah  Thompson,  Isaiah  Thompson,  John  Thomas.  A.sa  Upson,  Elisha  Warren,  Abraham 
Warren,  Benjamin  Wilcox,  John  Wilco.\,  Jatnes  Wilcox,  Elias  Wilcox,  William  Wheeler 


38 


BRISTOL,    CONXECTICUT 


HISTORIC  OAK 


UN'   PI-:  ACKABLE   STREET.    WHERE   EARLY  TOWX   MEETINC.S 
WERE     HEI  D. 


It  will  interest  us  all,  I  am  sure,  to  know  that  a  vital  point  of  dis- 
sension was  the  building  of  a  town  building,  which  New  Cambridge 
desired  and  West  Britain  opposed.      Truly,  history  repeats  itself.*'.) 

In  1784  negotiations  between  the  two  societies  were  renewed,  and 
in  February,  1785,  a  conference  was  had,  at  which  the  town-building 
plan  was  finally  dropped,  and  a  full  agreement  was  reached.  I  think 
that  this  meeting,  or  some  similar  one,  must  have  been  held  under  the 
old  oak  on  Peaceable  street.  It  has  long  been  tradition  that  our  first 
town-meeting  was  held  under  this  tree,  but  this  certainly  is  an  error. 
It  seems  natural,  however,  that  some  of  the  meetings  of  the  two  so- 
cieties in  conference  might  have  been  held  there,  and  that  such  a  meet- 
ing could  have  been  confused  with  the  formal  town-meeting  in  the 
popular  memory. 

A  petition  for  incorporation  was  drafted,  signed  by  committees 
of  the  two  societies,  and  sent  to  the  Assembly  which  met  in  May.  1785. 
This  petition  was  promptly  granted,  and  the  name  of  Bristol  given  to 
the  new  town.  This  name  nowhere  appears  to  have  been  suggested  or 
asked  for  by  the  settlers;  for  all  that  can  be  learned  to  the  contrary, 
it  Avas  selected  by  the  General  Assembly  on  considerations  of  convenience 
and  euphony  alone. 

The  first  town-meeting  was  held,  in  obedience  to  the  act  of  incor- 
poration, June  thirteenth.  1785,  in  the  New  Cambridge  meeting-house, 
a  few  hundred  feet  from  where  we  now  stand.  This  first  board  of  select- 
men was  then  elected,  consisting  of  Joseph  Byington,  Deacon  E^lisha 
Manross,  and  Zebulon  Peck,  Esq..  of  New  Catnbridge,  and  Simeon  Hart, 
Esq.,   and  Zebulon  Frisbie,  Jr.,   of  West   Britain. 

It  was  voted  that  the  selectmen  should  do  the  business  free  of  cost 


*9At  the  time  of  the  delivery  of  this  history,  an  animated  contest  between  Bristol 
centre  and  Forestville,  in  which  the  former  advocated,  and  the  latter  opposed,  the  erection 
of  a  town-bviildinf;,  had  just  been  temporarily  disposed  of  by  indefinite  postponment. 


OR     "XEW    CAMBRIDGE."  39 

to  the  town.  This  economy  was  given  up  the  next  year,  however,  and 
the  selectmen  were  paid  three  shilhngs  a  day.  Jacob  Bartholomew 
was  elected  treasurer,  Judah  Barnes  collector  for  New  Cambridge, 
Abraham  Bartholomew  collector  for  West  Britain.*  10 

The  grand  list  of  the  town  amounted  to  ;/^17,00(),  and  of  this  about 
half  belonged  to  each  society.  It  was  provided  in  the  act  of  incorpora- 
tion that  town-meetings  should  be  held  alternately  in  the  Xew  Cam- 
bridge and  West  Britain  meeting-houses,  and  this  arrangement  was 
followed  during  the  twenty-one  years  of  the  union.  But  the  union 
of  two  societies  of  so  nearly  equal  size  was  productive  of  continual  small 
jealousies,  and  as  early  as  1795  the  town  declared  its  wish  to  be  divided. 
The  troubles  were  patched  up  for  a  time,  but  soon  broke  out  again. 
New  Cambridge  appears  to  have  claimed  the  right  to  always  have  three 
of  the  five  selectmen,  and  West  Britain  to  have  the  majority  of  the 
board  taken  from  each  society  alternately.      The  claims  of  West  Britain 

*10. 

EXTRACTS    FROM    THE    BRISTOL    TOWN    RECORDS. 

(June  13'^',  1785,  first  town-meeting.) 

In  Compliance  with,  and  at  the  direction  of  the  General  AtTembly  in  their  Bill  in 
form  incorporating  the  Town  of  Briftol  :  the  inhabitants  of  faid  Town  being  duly 
warned  as  ordered  by  the  Bill  to  attend  a  Town  meeting  on  the  Iccond  monday  of 
J'tne  :  Ano  Demi  1785  at  the  meetinghoufe  in  New  Cambridge  at  9  o'  the  Clock  in 
the  morning.  And  being  fo  met  at  Time  &  place,  faid  meeting  proceeded  to  the 
choice  of  a  moderator  and  Simeon  Hart  Efq'  was  Choofen  Moderator  to  Lead  in  Id 
meeting  at  the  fame  meeting  Jofeph  Byington  was  Choofen  Town  Clerk  —  voted  to 
adjourn  fd  meeting  to  2  o'  the  Clock  P.  M.  Meeting  opened  according  to  adjourn- 
ment—  voted  that  the  Seledlmen  Shall  do  the  bufinefs  for  the  Town  free  of  coft  To 
the  Town — Voted  that  Jofeph  Byington  Den  Eliflia  Manrofs  Zebulon  Peck  El^'' 
Simeon  Hart  Efq'  and  Zebulon  Friibie  Jr  be  Selei^men  for  the  prefent  year 

voted  that  Judah  Barns  be  Conftable  &   CoUeftor  to  gather  the  Stace  Tax  and  account 

with  the  State  Treafurer  for  the  prelent  year  — 
voted  that  Cap'  Daniel  Barns  Zebulon  Frilbie  Jr  and  Seth  Peck  be  Conitables  for  the 

prefent  year 
voted    that  William    Lee    Benamin   WiUcox    Nathaniel    Mathews    Thomas    Brookd 

Stephen    Hotchkifs   Jr   &   Cap'  Ichabod  Andrus   be    Grandjuriors   for   the   prefent 

year  — 
voted    that    Abel    Lewis    Jacob    Hungerford    John    Gaylord     Noah    Andrus   Samuel 

Smith   Othnial  Mofes  Jr   Ezra  Yale  and   Ambrofe  Hart  be  Tythingmen  for  tbe 

prefent  year  — 
voted   that  Jofiah    Holt  Jacob   Bartholomew  Cap'  JefTe  Gaylord   Amafa   Hart  Sam" 

Hecox    Dan  Hill   David  Lewis  Reuben  Ives  Sam"  Brooks  Jofeph  Hayford   Rice 

Lewis   David    Marks  Timothy  Woodruff  Blifs  Hart  Joel  Hitchcock  Cap'  Titus 

Bunnel  Ezra  Cleaveland   Lemuel  Potrer  Samuel  Warner  Jr  and   Sam"  Andrus  be 

Surveyors  of  Highways  for  the  prelent  year  — 
voted    that    Cap'  Thomas   Hungerford    Jofeph   Byington    Jofiah    Peck   Cap'  Ichabod 

Andrus  Cap'  Yale  &  Philip  M.  Farnfworth  be  Lifters  for  the  prefent  year  — 
voted  that  Jofiah  Holt  Cap'  Afa  Upfon    David   Newell    Seth  Wiard  .Benjamin  Belden 

and  Seth  Peck  be  a  Committee  to  Exchange  Highways  &  remove  Neufances  and 

to  do  it  without  Coft  to  the  Town 
voted  that  the  Seleflmen     ...      be   a   Committee  to  agree  and  Settle  wiih    the 

Town  of  Farmington  in  all  matters  of  Claim  refpeC^ing  the  Two  Towns  — 


40 


BRISTOL.    COXXECTICUr 


MAIN    STREliT,     LOOKING    NORTH,     IN     1S73. 

in  this  respect  were  generally  successful,  as  the}^  were  able  to  carry  the 
meetings  held  in  their  society. 

The  election  of  representatives  to  the  Assembly  was  also  a  cause 
of  rivalry,  and  the  town  tried  in  vain  to  obtain  the  right  to  send  two 
representatives. 

In  1804  the  New  Cambridge  voters  carried  another  resolution  to 
have  the  town  divided,  which  the  West  Britain  meeting  promptly  voted 
to  oppose.  The  General  Assembly  divided  the  town  in  May,  ISOO. 
giving  the  old  name,  Bristol,  to  the  New  Cambridge  society,  and  callmg 
the  northern  society  Burlington.  The  organization  and  limits  of  the 
town  of  Bristol  have  since  been  substantially  unchanged. 

One  hundred  years  ago  this  hill-top  had  already  become  a  public 
spot.  A  little  to  the  northeast  of  the  present  site  stood  the  Congrega- 
tional meeting-house,  in  which  the  town  had  just  completed  its  organ- 
ization, radiant  in  "spruce  yellow"  sides,  white  doors  and  windows,  "and 
"Spanish  brown"  roof.  Across  the  road  was  the  still  smaller  Episcopal 
church  building,  with  its  cemetery  in  the  rear.  Farther  south  stood 
the  "Sabba'-day"  houses,  a  most  necessary  institution  in  those  davs 
of  stoveless  churches;  little  houses  belonging  to  different  families  of  the 
congregation,  where  each  kept  a  Sunday  fire,  and  during  the  noon  inter- 
mission filled  their  foot-stoves,  ate  their  lunch,  and  warmed  themselves 
for  the  afternoon  service.  These  were  built  in  the  highway,  by  per- 
mission from  the  town,  as  early  as  1754,  and  were  stillstanding  in  the 
present  century. 

Near  the  head  of  this  green  were  the  whipping-post  and  stocks, 
neither  of  which,  I  think,  was  often  used.  Close  by  the  whipping-post 
stood  a  tree,  on  which  the  Whigs  had  hanged  a  Torv  caught  at  one  of 


OR     "new    CAMBRIDGE."  41 

the  meetings  at  C'hippin's  Mil],  during  the  stormv  tiines  (if  the  Revolu- 
tion. The  arrival  of  an  early  traveler,  who  cut  down  and  resuscitated 
this  man,  saved  tlie  instruments  of  the  law  from  being  over-shadowed 
by  the  victim  of  popular  violence. 

On  the  east  side  of  this  green  stood,  probably,  the  school-house, 
then  some  thirty  years  old,  which  had  originally  served  for  the  whole 
society  except  Chippin's  Hill.  ' 

This  ground  itself  had  been  already  dedicated  to  public  use,  and 
was  a  inilitia  training-ground.  A  company  of  "ti-ainers"  had  been 
formed  in  1747,  of  which  Caleb  Matthews  was  the  first  captain.  Judah 
Barnes  was  afterward  elected  captain,  and  the  trainings  were  held  back 
of  the  Barnes  tavern;  but  before  the  Revolution  the  members  of  the 
society  bought  this  land  for  that  purpose,  and  it  has  ever  since  been 
public  ground.  The  principal  distinction  attained  by  the  Bristol  inilitia 
was  a  century  later  than  the  first  organization,  when  the  attempts  of 
this  company  to  evade  training,  by  a  successign  of  ingenious  and  suc- 
cessful devices,  made  Bristol  a  terror  to  the  state  officers,  and  finally, 
it  is  said,  led  to  the  downfall  of  the  state  militia  system. 

The  two  roads  inclosing  this  green  were  already  laid  out,  but  in 
what  condition  they  were  it  would  be  difficult  now  to  tell.  The  road- 
making  was  then  done  by  special  tax,  which  one  might  pay,  or  work 
out,  at  his  option,  receiving  in  wages,  if  he  chose  to  work  out  his  tax, 
three  shillings  a  day  in  the  spring,  and  two  in  the  fall,  and  a  like  amount 
for  a  yoke  of  cattle.  Until  some  time  after  the  town's  incorporation 
the  roads  leading  out  of  town  were  hardly  better  than  the  Indian  trails 
which  had  preceded  them.  When  the  Lewis  family  came  to  Bristol, 
Josiah  Lewis  was  a  week  in  traveling  from  Southington  with  his  family 
and  goods,   having  to  cut  his  way  through  woods,   and  to  find  a  ford 

*  10 — Continued. 

Voted  that  Jofiah  Holt  Gideon  Roberts  .i  Judah  Barns   be  rate  makers  for  the   prefent 

year  — 
voted  that  Rice  Lewis  &  Zebulon  Fiifbie  Jr  be  Key  Keepers  tor  y  pielcnt  year  — 
voted  that  Cap'  Hez''  Gridly  Sc  Hez''  Weft  be  Sealers  of  Leather  y  currant  year 
voted   that    Luke   Gridly    Rice   Lewis   Juftice    Webfter   and     Daniel    Bunncl    be    fence 

viewers  for  the  prefent  year 
voted    that    Cap'    James    Lee    &    Seth    Wiard    be    Sealers  of   weights    for    the    prelent 

year 
voted  that  William   Lee  &  Cap'  Khabod   Andrus  be  Scalers  of  Mcaluies 
voted  that  Jacob  Hungertord.be  inlpet^or  c'v:  packer  ot    pot  alhes 
voted  that    judah  Barns  be  inlpedlor  .i:  packer  ot    flour  for  prefent  year 
voted  that  Seth   Wiard  be  infpeflor  &  packer  for   the  prefent  year 
voted    to    Lay  one    penny  on    the    pound    on    the    Lift    1 784  payable    by  the    lirft  day  of 

Odiibei    next    to   the   Town  Treafuier  for  defraying   the  Charges  of  Id    Town  — 

voted  that  Jacob  Bartholomew   be  Town  Treafuier  tor  the  prelent  year 
voted    that    Judah  Barns  be  Collector    for    that  part  of  the  Town  rate  that    Belongs   to 

New  Cambridge  &  account  with  the  Trenfurer  — • 
voted  that  Abraham   Pettibone  Jr  be  CoUeiflor    to  Colli-d  that    part  of  the  Town    rate 

that  Belongs  to  Weft   Bnton  and  account   with  the  Town  Treafurcr  — 
voted    that    the   Sign    Poll  lliall    be    Ercclcd  in  the  nmft  Convenient  place  Between  the 

meeting  houfe  in  N  Cambridge  &  the  Church, 
voted    that    a    white    Oak    tree    by    the    pound    in   Welt    Bnton    (lull    In'    the    Sign    Pift 

thair 
voted  that  the  Swine  Shall  run   on  the  Commons  with  a  good  lutJicient  yoke    on    their 

necks  &  ring  in  their  noles 
voted  to  adjourn  this  meeting     - 


42  BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 

or  make  a  bridge  across  the  brooks.  The  turnpike,  -which  was  laid  out 
in  1805,  taught  people  how  to  make  roads  for  the  first  time.  Before 
that,  "corduroying"  muddy  places,  and  removing  stumps  and  stones 
to  some  extent,  as  in  our  cart-paths,  had  been  all  that  was  attempted 
on  most  of  the  roads. 

The  opening  of  the  Abel  Lewis  tavern,  in  179-1-,  in  the  house  now 
occupied  b\^  Miss  Stearns,  completed  the  quartette  of  public  buildings 
— meeting-house,  church,  school,  and  tavern — and  made  this  green  a 
well-equipped  village  centre. 

The  number  of  taverns  which  were  then  kept  is  one  of  the  curiosities 
of  the  tiine.  Ebenezer  Barnes  had  very  early  begun  to  keep  a  tavern, 
and  when  the  Pierce  fainily  bought  the  Barnes  house  in  1795,  they  con- 
tinued the  business.  About  1750,  Zebulon  Peck  opened  a  second  tavern 
near  the  old  Brownson  house.  At  the  beginning  of  this  century  there 
were  in  Bistol,  besides  the  old  Pierce  tavern,  and  the  Lewis  tavern  just 
mentioned,  one  on  Fall  Mountain,  kept  by  Joel  Norton,  one  on  "\Vest 
street,  kept  by  Austin  Bishop,  a  deacon  of  the  Baptist  church,  one  at 
Lewis's  corner,  by  widow  Thompson,  one  at  Parson  Newell's  former 
residence,  the  Dr.  Pardee  place,  by  his  son's  widow,  one  on  Chippin's 
Hill,  by  Lemuel  Carrington,  one  in  the  north  part  of  the  town,  by  Asa 
Bartholomew,  and  possibly  others.  Each  one  of  these  had  its  pole  and 
sign,  consisting  of  a  tin  ball  with  decanter,  foot-glass  and  punch-boAvl 
painted  thereon.  Their  principal  business  was  the  supply  of  liquor 
to  the  neighbors,  and  probably  only  one  or  two  of  them  exceeded  the 
lawful  requirements  for  the  entertaimnent  of  travelers,  namely,  one 
spare  bed  and  stable-room  for  two  horses. 

They  supplied  in  some  degree  the  place  not  only  of  our  hotel  and 
eating-houses,  but  of  clubs,  newspapers,  and  postoftice,  for  not  even  a 
weekly  mail  came  nearer  than  Farmington  till  ISOO,  and  what  little 
general  news  ever  reached  the  town  was  circulated  by  the  nightly  gather- 
ings at  the  taverns.  The  Bartholoinew  tavern  ("Barthomy  tavern" 
as  it  was  called"!,  was  the  most  important  one,  situated  as  it  was  inidway 
between  the  two  societies,  and  there  the  meetings  of  town  officers  were 
generally  held,  and  much  of  the  public  business  Vv'as  done. 

My  limit  of  time  and  your  limit  of  patience  must  greatly  condense 
this  sketch  as  to  the  history  of  the  centitry  which  has  elapsed  since  the 
town's  incorporation.      The  building  of  the  stage-route,   and  the  estab- 

*  10 — Continued. 

CNovember   iz''',   I  787.) 

At  a  meeting  of  the  iiilubitants  of  the  Town  of  Briftol  AfTembled  by  fpecial 
Refolve  of  the  (Jcneral  Alfenibly  on  the  12'''  day  of  November  A  D  1787  for  the 
purpofc  of  Choufing  a  Delegate  to  fet  in  Convention  m  the  City  of  Hartford  on  the 
firfJ  Thirfday  in  January  next  to  Ratify  and  affent  to  the  Con(>ituti()n  propofed  by  the 
Delegates  of  the  United  States  Lately  Affembled  in  tlie  City  of  Philadelphia  — 

Simeon   Hart  Efq'  Chofen  Moderafer  to  Lead  in  Id  Meeting 

Zebulon  Peck  Jr  V.f^'  Chofeii  Delegate  by  the  major  pait  of  tlie  members  prcfenc 
voted  to  Ratify  the  Conftitution  propofed  by  the  Convention  of  Delegates 
fiom  the  United  States  Lately  AlTembled  at  the  City  of  Philadelphia  by  a  Majority  as 
Eight  is  to  five  neatly  of  the  members  prelent 


(December  14''',  1789-) 

Voted,  that   the   Overfeers   ftiall    alow   three    lliillings  a  Day  per    man    for  Libout  in 
mending  the  rodes  in  the  fpring  &  two  (hillings  per  day  in  the  fall  of  the  year  — 


OR     •  X K \v   r A M n R I n r, t; 


43 


-MAIN     -  ,.,    ,    ,  -        .    ,      lS7o. 

lishment  of  a  weeklv  mail.  alKiut  ISOO.  wlin-h  tixed  the  bvisiness  centre 
at  the  north  side,  the  building  of  the  railroad  m  LSoO,  which  changed 
the  business  centre  again  to  the  south  side,  the  establishment  of  the 
Baptist,  Episcopal,  Methodist,  Roman  Catholic,  and  Adventist  churches, 
the  settlement  and  growth  of  the  village  of  Forestville,  and  the  estab- 
lishment and  steady  development  of  our  clock  and  other  manufacturing 
interests,  have  been  the  principal  features  of  this  history. 

The  Baptist  church  has  the  oldest  continuous  history  of  any  except 
the  Congregational.  In  1791  the  Baptists  of  Bristol,  Wolcott,  and 
Plymouth  united  to  organize  a  church,  and  for  eleven  years  meetings 
we're  held  in  the  three  societies  alternately.  Elder  White  Osborne  was 
the  first  pastor,  then  Isaac  Root  and  Daniel  Wildman.  In  1802  this 
church  built  a  meeting-house  on  West  street,  forty-two  feet  by  thirty- 
two.  This  building  is  now  a  part  of  the  Barnes  Brothers  clock  factories. 
The  church  still  standing  on  the  old  site  was  built  in  1830,  and  the  hand- 
some brick  one  on  School  street  in  1880. 

*  10 — Continued. 


(April  8'\  1793) 

Voted  to  Set  up  the  Onockeolation  >'  in  Each  Society  of  fd  Brirtol  in  the  montli  of 
September  next  under  the  Knftruktion  ot"  the  Civil  Authority  and  Selednien  of  (d 
Town  they  procuring  Surficient  Bondb  to  prevent  the  Enfedion  Spredmg  amony  ihe 
Inhabitants  ot"  I'd  Town  the  naturcl  ssay  — 


44 


BRISTOL,    COXNKCTICUT 


THE    DANIEL    ROBERTS    HOUSE,     ON     WEST    STREET.         THIS    IS    THE    OLDEST 

HOUSE    ON    THE    STREET,    BEING    BUILT    IN    1783.         SINCE    REMODELLED 

AND   NOW    KNOWN   AS   THE   SETH   BARNES   PLACE.        (See  page    4.1.) 

The  early  history  of  this  church  included  a  curious  contest  with 
the  supernatural  powers.  A  witchcraft  excitement  of  very  considerable 
extent  broke  out  in  the  town,  and  Elder  Wildinan,  Deacon  Button,  and 
others  of  that  church  became  the  especial  victims  of  the  evil  deeds  which 
tradition  has  reported.  Elder  Wildman  boldly  invited  to  his  house, 
and  tried  to  cure,  a  girl  who  had  been  afflicted  by  witches,  and,  as  the 
story  goes,  was  not  only  unsuccessful,  but  was  grievously  tormented 
himself.  Deacon  Button's  ox  was  bodily  torn  in  pieces  before  his  eyes, 
after  he  had  uttered  some  expression  of  unlielief,   and  others  on   West 

*  lU — Continued. 


(April  13"',  1795) 

this  meeting  haveing  taken  into  confidL-raiion  a  Bill  Palfed  in  Oftober  LaH  by  (lie 
Honorable  Upperhoufe  direding  that  Application  of  tin-  monies  that  Hull  anle  from 
the  fale  of  the  Weftern  Lands  belonging  to  this  State  which  bill  was  continued  and 
ordered  to  be  printted  by  the  Honorable  General  Alfenibly  and  having  conlidercd  the 
Great  advantages  which  may  be  Derived  to  the  community  by  promoting  moral  and 
religious  ]nftru6\ion  and  a  liberal  Support  of  fchools  of  education  —  Voted  unani- 
moudy  that  this  meeting  Do  fully  approve  of  the  mode  propofed  in  and  by  faid  Bill 
for  the  Application  of  faid  monies  and  in  this  Method  do  manifcH  a  Dcfire  that  the 
faid  bill  may  meet  the  concurance  of  the  Honorable  Lowcr-houle  in  may  next 


OR         NEW     CA.MBRinr.K. 


THE     SETM     BARXES     PLACE     IX     HH)?. 

street  and  Fall  Mountain  told  marvelous  tales  of  demoniac  possession. 
This  witchcraft  excitement  was  liegun  and  kept  up  liy  a  voung  man 
named  King,  who  was  studying  for  the  ministry  with  Elder  Wildman. 
On  his  departure,  the  activity  of  the  evil  spirits  ceased. 

The  present  Episcopal  society  was  organized  in  ISol  with  t'.ve!\e 
meml)ers.  Services  were  held  at  first  in  the  Congregational  and  Baptist 
chapels.  In  1835  the  Reverend  George  C.  V.  Eastman  was  settled, 
and  a  church  built  on  Maple  street.  This  was  occupied  until  I860, 
when  they  moved  to  the  Main  street  church  which  they  now  occupv, 
and  sold  their  old  building  to  the  Forestville  Methodist  society. 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  church  was  organized  in  April,  IS'Si.  and 
meetings  were  held  for  a  "while  in  the  West  street  school-house.  Great 
hostility  ^\'as  felt  toward  this  church  by  the  other  religious  bodies,  and 
they  could  onlv  buv  land  for  their  meeting-house  by  concealing  the 
purpose  for  which  it  was  intended.  They  completed  a  meeting-house 
on  West  street  in  ]837,  which  they  vacated  for  their  present  Summer 
street  church  in  1880.  The  Reverend  Albert  G.  Wickware  was  the 
first  pastor,  and  the  church  at  organization  had  twenty-seven  members. 

*  10 — Continued. 


(May  5"',  1796.) 

Voted,  that  the  Treaty  between  the  united  States  ot"  America  and  Great  Hrittori 
be  put  into  full  Efeft  by  a  unanamus  Vote    not  a   Delenting  vote — 

Voted  to  Prefer  a  memorial  to  Congrel's  in  faCour  of  Retifiing  the  Tieaty  between 
the    Britannic    Majefty    &    the    United    States   of    America  —  with    but    one    Defenting 

vote  — 

Voted    that    the    Town    Clerk    Shall    make  a  Copy  of  the    nicmoiial    and  Srnd  it  to 

Hartford  to  put  it  into  the  Publick  Prmts  — 


10 


BRISTOL,    COXXECTICUT 


The  Forestville  Methodist  church  was  formed  in  18")5,  and  in  1864 
Ixjught  the  Maple  street  Episcopal  church  building,  which  they  still  use. 

The  first  Roman  Catholic  services  were  held  about  1840,  near  the 
north  copper  mine,  by  missionaries  from  other  parishes,  to  accommodate 
tlie  workmen  there.  When  the  mine  was  abandoned,  and  railroad  work 
began,  many  of  the  workmen  moved  to  Bristol  centre,  and  the  services 
of  the  church  followed  them.  In  1855  a  church  building  was  erected 
though  the  parish  was  still  a  missionary  one.  It  was  made  an  independ- 
ent parish  in  18G6,  and  the  Reverend  M.  B.  Roddan,  who  is  still  its  pastor, 
began  his  labors. 

Occasional  services  were  held  in  town  from  1842  to  1858,  by  Ad- 
ventist  preachers.  In  the  latter  year  a  church  was  organized,  and  in 
1S80  they  bought  the  old  Methodist  church  building,'  and  began  to 
employ  a  regular  pastor. 

The  people  of  Bristol  early  began  to  develop  the  mechanical  taste 
which  has  been  so  remarkable  a  feature  of  the  town  ever  since.  Even 
Ijefore  the  beginning  of  the  clock  business,  small  shops  in  various  parts 
of  the  town  were  making  goods  for  the  towns-people,  and  to  some  extent 
for  market. 

A  grist-mill,  that  necessary  incident  of  a  farming  community,  had 
been  started  by  Deacon  Hezekiah  Rew  before  1745,  near  the  Barnes 
tavern.  This  was  sold  to  Joseph  Adkins,  who  built  a  saw-mill  at  the 
same  place,  and  afterward  sold  them  both  to  the  Barnes  family.  Mr. 
Adkins  also  built  a  mill  on  what  is  now  the  Downs  site. 

A  distillery,  saw-mill,  and  grist-mill  were  also  running  in  Polkville 
in  the  early  part  of  this  century  on  the  Bartholomew  site,  but  were 
probably  started  half  a  century  later  than  the  Barnes  mill. 

Tin-shops  were  especially  numerous,  both  in  Bristol  and  in  North 
Forestville,  and  I  suppose  that  the  huge  tin-carts  were  then  our  principal 
medium  of  export  trade. 

William  and  Thomas  Mitchell  early  made  cloths,  it  is  said  in  a  shop 
near  Goose  Corner.      It   seems   \erv   likelv   that   this   familv  owned  the 


THK    OLD    nOWXS      MILL.     OX     RIVKRSIOK     AVESVE. 


OR     "NEW     CAMBRIDGE. 


47 


•iBBF? 


/   \ 


M\ 


-48  BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 

cotton  factor}^  at  the  north  side,  which  was  afterward  used  in  the  clock 
business  by.  George  Mitchell,  and  is  now  used  by  the  Ingraham  Company. 
Another  cloth  mill  stood  on  the  river,  near  the  Barnes  tavern.  William 
Mitchell  was  one  of  the  first  makers  of  cloth  in  America. 

An  account-book  is  still  in  existence  of  the  tannery  business  carried 
on  by  Jabez  Roberts  from  1761  to  1770,  in  a  shop  near  Albert  Warner's, 
and  Zebulon  Frisbie  probably  built,  during  this  period,  the  old  tannery 
building  still  standing,  long  unused,  on  West  street. 

Before  the  town's  incorporation  a  partnership  built  a  forge  at  the 
falls  on  the  Terryville  road,  where  scrap  iron,  and  iron  from  the  ore, 
was  puddled  and  wrought  for  use.  The  original  plan  of  this  company 
was  to  extract  and  vise  the  iron  ore  found  at  this  locality,  but,  though 
abundant,  it  was  found  to  be  too  brittle  for  use,  and  the  experiment  was 
finally  abandoned. 

Other  small  shops  we're  early  established,  but,  as  the  clock  business 
developed,  all  the  capital  and  skill  of  the  town  was  drawn  into  that. 
The  pioneer  of  clock  making  in  Bristol,  and  indeed  in  this  country,  was 
Gideon  Roberts,  who  lived  in  what  is  now  the  town  house,  on  Fall  Moun- 
tain, and  began  in  a  crude  way  before  1790  to  make  clocks.  His  clocks 
■were  made  entirely  with  hand  tools  at  first,  and  peddled  by  him  about 

*  10 — Continued. 


(April  10''',  1797) 

Voted,  that  the  Ono.eoUtion  •■  of  the  entcction  of  the  Sm.ill  Pox  may  be  Set  up  in 
Briftol  under  the  enftrudion  of  the  Civil  Authority  and  Selrdtnen  of  fd  Town  & 
During  the  plealure  of  the  fd  Town  — 


*  Inoculation. 

(December  13''',  1802.) 

Voted  that  the   Inhabitants   of  this  Town   Make   up   their   Nomanations   for    Town 
Officers  in  Each   Society  in  Opan  School  Society  meeting  anually  tor  the  fuler  — 

[This  seems  to  iudirate  that  each  society  eomniouly  presented  its  own 
■"ticket"  for  town  officers.] 

(May  21",  1804.) 

Voted  that  Col'  Abraham  Pettibone  John  Fuller  Jeremiah  Grifwold  Jelfe  Fuller 
Giles  Humphrey  and  Job  Mills  be  a  Committee  to  Draw  the  Remains  of  the  New 
bridge  socalled  back  to  the  place  where  it  was  Carried  from  by  the  late  flood  Either  hy 
a  Spell  or  any  othej  way  as  they  think  beft  — 

(May  24"',   1804.) 

Voted    that    Blifs    Hart    Bryan    Hooker  Efq''    and     David    Marks    be   a    Commttec   to 

make  a  Draught   of  by  Laws   Refpeding    Hogs   Sheep   Geefe    turkies  .'v.c.    going 

at  Large  and  make  Report  to  Sum  Futer  meeting  — 

(June  16"',  1806.) 

Voted,   that  thofc   who  go  to  work   on   the  County  road   next   monday  fhall  have  it 

difcounted  on  their  tax  provided  that  one  fhould  be  hid  for  the  purpolc  of  make- 

ing  fd   road  — 
Voted,  the  fele^  Men  ihall  provide  liquor  on  fd  day  at  the  expenfe  of  the  Town  — 


)k         XKW     fAMHRI  DCE. 


4V) 


FORMERLY    THE     NORTH      SIDE      TAVICRX. 

the  country  on  horseback;  after  his  sons  grew  up  his  business  was  in- 
creased, so  that  at  one  time  in  1812  he  had  four  hundred  movements  in 
process  of  manufacture,  and  his  goods  found  a  regular  market,  especially 
in  the  South.  He  became  well  off,  is  said  to  have  owned  the  first  chaise 
used  here,  and  left  a  considerable  property.  During  the  latter  part 
of  his  life  he  was  known  as  a  Quaker,  and  wore  the  garb  of  that  society. 
Some  of  his  clocks  are  still  in  existence  in  this  neighborhood.  Like 
all  other  clocks  of  this  early  period,  they  were  made  to  hang  on  the  wall; 
and  at  a  later  date  were  put  into  the  familiar  tall  cases. 

Joseph  Ives  began  making  clocks  about  1811  at  the  Laporte  Hub- 
bell  site  in  East  Bristol,  and,  soon  after,  he  and  his  brothers  started 
small  shops,  one  on  Peaceal)le  street,  one  on  the  brook  near  the  Noah 
Pomerov  site,  and  one  near  the  Dunbar  spring-shop  site.  In  this  latter 
he  made  a  clumsy  metal  clock  of  his  own  invention.  Dunbar  and  Merri- 
man  were  also  located  on  the  Pomeroy  brook  during  this  decade.  About 
ISi;],  Chauncey  Boardman,  in  a  little  shop  still  to  be  seen  near  Ash- 
worth's  factory  in  North  Forestville,  began  making  clocks  of  the  primi- 
tive wall  pattern. 

The  invention  of  the  shelf  clock,  by  Eli  Terry  of  Plymouth,  pros- 
trated the  trade  in  the  long  clocks  that  were  made  here,  and  our  makers 
all  stopped  business  about  1S20.  They  soon  adopted  the  new  pattern, 
however,  and  during  the  score  of  years  before  the  panic  of  1837,  the 
first  Jerome  factory,  on  the  spoon-shop  site,  the  Samuel  Terry  factory, 
farther  cast,  south  of  the  river,  where  the  Bristol  Brass  and  Clock  Com- 
panv's  dam  now  crosses  it,  the  Eureka  shop,  built  by  a  large  partner- 
ship, the  Bartholomew  factory  in  Polkville,  the  Burwell  shop,  built 
by  Cliarles  Kirk,  the  old  Baptist  Church  building,  converted  into  a 
factory  by  Rollin  and  Irenus  Atkins,  the  Ephraim  I3owns  shop,  on  the 
"Bone  and  Ivory"  site,  and  tlie  George  Mitchell  factory,  which,  origin- 
ally the  West  Britain  meeting-house,  then  moved  to  Bristol  for  a  cotton- 
mill,  is  now  a  part  of  the  Ingraham  case  shop,  were  all  occupied  in  the 
making  of  wooden  thirtv-hour  clocks,  <-ir  expensive  brass  eight-day 
clocks. 


50  BRISTOL,    COXNECTICUT 

In  this  Mitchell  factory  Mr.  Elias  Ingraham.  the  founder  and  head 
of  the  E.  Ingraham  Company,  learned  the  clock  trade. 

These  factories,  with  the  older  ones,  and  the  three  at  Forestville, 
Avere  making  in  183G  nearly  one  hundred  thousand  brass  and  wooden 
clocks  a  year. 

The  coinpletion  of  the  Farmington  canal  in  1826,  by  greatly  in- 
creasing the  facilities  for  transportation,  had  been  a  great  assistance 
to  our  local  prosperity.  Before  this  all  goods  had  to  be  hauled  to  and 
from  Hartford  or  New  Haven  in  horse-teams.  These  facilities  were 
further  increased  in  1850  by  the  opening  of  the  railroad.  The  panic 
of  1837  generally  prostrated  business,  but  the  invention  of  the  small 
brnss  one-day  clock  by  Mr.  Chauncey  Jerome  revived  it  on  a  stronger 
basis  than  before.  Mr.  Jerome  himself  sent  an  agent  to  England,  estab- 
lished a  market  there,  enlarged  his  business,  and  in  1843  built  two  large 
factories,  one  on  each  side  of  Main  street  just  below  the  bridge.  Both 
these  factories,  and  the  Terry  factory,  the  three  largest  in  town,  were 
burned  in  1815,  and  Mr.  Jerome  moved  his  business  to  New  Haven. 
But  his  cheap  brass  clocks  had  given  an  impettis  to  business  which  lasted 
until  the  great  panic  of  1857.  Then  almost  every  clock-maker  in  to^^'n 
failed,    or   suspended    businf^.'^s.      Since    the    revivnl    of   prosperity    which 

*  10 — Continued. 

EXTRACTS   FROM  THE  NEW   CAMBRIDGE  SOCIETY   RECORDS. 

(  Otlober   14''',   1741: — Fifit  society  meeting.) 

At  a  general  AlTembly  holden  at  New  hauen  oiflobV  14  1742  they  granted  us  y* 
mcmi.rail  of  farmington  firftt  fofiaty  liueing  in  the  fuuthweil  part  of  i'^  fofiaty  Begin- 
ing  at  the  (eco'nd  third  fourth  fifth  and  fixth  diuifions  of  land  to  begin  at  the  (outh 
end  of  f  diuifion  and  to  extend  fiue  miles  North  a  hbertv  of  Winter  preuiledges  to 
hire  .in  othurdox  minifter  to  preach  amongft  us  fix  mountlis 

it  being  Neffeary  for  us  to  Choofe  futabel  men  to  cary  on  our  Nelfeary  Concerns 

We  haue  at  a  lufiaty  by  legal  Warning  on  the  Eighth  day  of  Nouember  in  the  year 
1742    Maid  Choi'-e  of  those  ofl'ercers  as  foloweth 

tirft  we  uoited*  maid  Choice  of  Ebnezer  Barns  for  our  Moderater  furthermore  at  the 
fame  meeting  they  maid  Choice  ot   mofes  Lyman  to  be  their  fofiaty  Clark 

At  ihe  fame  meeting  they  maid  Choice  of  edvvard  galord  Neimaah  manrofs  and 
ebnezer  hamblin  to  be  their  Commitee  for  their  fofiaty  concerns 

At  the  fa/Tie  meeting  maid  choice  of  Samuil  gaylord  a  Collei^er  to  Coie(ft  their 
minefter  Rate 

At  the  fame  metting  they  maid  choice  of  John  hikox  for  our  fofiaty  Trelurer 

At  the  fame  Meeting  they  part  by  Voite  that  we  Will  hire  preaching  as  long  as  the 
Caurt  has  giuen  us  Liberty 

At  the  fame  Meeting  we  part  by  Voite  that  we  Would  meet  at  John  browns  tor 
the  Winter  I'eafon  for  the  prefnt 

At  the  fame  Meeting  We  Voted  that  any  two  of  the  Comitec  figning  of  the  bills 
of  Charge  going  in  or  Coming  out  (hall  be  fufifint 

(January  28"',  174^.) 

At  the  fame  meeting  Neamiah  Manros  Caleb  Abernathy  and  fam"  gaylord  cholen 
School  Commitee  and  to  take  care  to  git  in  the  I'chool  mony 

At  the  fame  meeting  it  was  Voted  that  our  fofiaty  meeting  fhould  for  the  futer  be 
warnd  by  notifications  fet  up  in  writeing  one  at  the  tavern  door  one  at  daniel  Roes 
ihoop  and  another  at  the  door  of  the  corn  mill 


OR     ■    XEW     CAMBRIDGE. 


'  51 


MAIX     STREET--Ll)ilKIXG     SOUTH IX     I'.UIli. 

followed,  the  business  of  our  dock  factories  has  gone,  on,  with  no  such 
crushing  disaster  as  came  in  1837  and  again  in  ISoT. 

The  Joseph  Ives  shop  in  Forestville,  which  has  been  mentioned, 
was  afterwards  occupied  in  making  small  wooden  articles,  and  finally 
in  making  clock-parts  bv  Elisha  Manross.  He  built  in  1S45  the  factory 
near  the  railroad,  which  was  burned  and  replaced  by  the  Welch  and 
Spring  movement-shop  in  1870.  Hendricks,-  Barnes  and  Company 
went  into  the  old  Ives  shop,  and  made  there  the  first  marine  clocks  ever 
made.  This  location,  after  several  changes,  passed  into  the  hands  of 
Laporte  Hubbell,  who  is  still  manufacturing  in  a  new  building  on  the 
same  site.  Soon  after  18li0,  Chauncey  Boardman  and  Joseph  Wells 
built  a  factory  in  North  Forestville,  near  the  turnpike.  This  was  one 
of  the  most  important  factories  of  that  time. 

Fifty  years  ago,  besides  the  old  houses  on  the  turnpike,  and  a  little 
settlement  near  the  Boardman  and  Wells  shop,  there  were  only  about 
a  dozen  houses  in  Forestville,  and  the  neighborhood  of  the  station  and 
of  the  Welch  Comjiany's  factories  was  still  unbroken  forest.  In  1835, 
William  Hills,  J.  C.  Brown,  Jared  Goodrich,  Lora  Waters,  and  Chauncey 
Pomeroy  built  a  factory,  and  began  work  where  the  Welch  company 
is  now  located.  Mr.  Hills  built  a  house  on  the  south  side  of  the  river, 
and  Eli  Barnes  on  the  north  side,  in  the  same  year.  The  name  Forest- 
ville, which  has  been  already  used  by  anticipation  in  this  address,  was 
then  selected  for  the  locality;  so  that  this  centennial  year  of  the  town 
is  also  the  semi-centennial  of  the  village  of  Forestville.  Mr.  Brown 
bought  out  the  rest  of  this  firm,  and  in  185:5  built  what  is  still  called 
the   J.    C.    Brown   shop.      Upon    his    failure,    this    ]Kissed    to    Mr.    Welch, 


OJ  •  BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 

and  from  him  to  the  E.   N.  Welch  Manufacturing  Company,  organized 
in  1864,  now  our  largest  clock-makers. 

After  the  panic  of  1837,  there  was  a  general  feeling  that  our  in- 
vestments had  been  too  rigidly  confined  to  one  line  of  business,  and 
the  result  has  been  the  gradual  establishment  of  hardware,  woolen,  and 
other  factories,  which  now  nearly  or  quite  equal  the  clock  business  in 
importance.  The  Bristol  Manufacturing  Company,  formed  in  1837, 
the  Bristol  Brass  and  Clock  Company,  founded  in  1850,  and  now  doing, 
in  its  three  fiictories,  the  largest  business  of  any  manufacturer  in  town, 
J.  H.  Sessions  and  Son,  whose  business  was  begun  in  1869,  and  the 
Sessions  Foundry  Company,  organized  in  1878,  N.  L.  Birge  and  Son, 
the  Dunbar  Brothers,  Wallace  Barnes,  the  Roots,  Bartholomews,  War- 
ners, and  other  smaller  concerns,  engaged  in  various  kinds  of  manufac- 
ture, give  our  prosperity  a  far  more  solid  basis  than  it  could  have  in  the 
growth  of  any  single  business.  There  are  now  about  thirty  factories 
in  town,  many  of  them  of  considerable  size,  making  in  the  aggregate 
nearly  or  quite  three  million  dollars'  worth  of  goods  annually,  sending 
and  receiving  by  the  railroad  over  thirty-five  thousand  tons  of  freight, 
giving  the  direct  means  of  support  to  two-thirds  of  the  inhabitants, 
and  creating  a  ready  market  for  all  the  produce  our  fanners  can  raise. 

*  10 — Continued. 


(March  14"',  1745  ) 

At  the  fame  meeiing  it  was  Voted  that  Bills  of  Publick  Credit  of  the  old  tener 
rtiould  pafs  or  be  ftated  at  thurty  two  fhiling  per  ounce  in  filuer 

At  the  fame  meeting  it  was  Voted  that  meafuyers  fhould  be  taken  in  order  to  our 
being  fet  off  for  Training 

(May  17'h,  1745.) 

At  the  fame  meeting  more  then  two  thirds  of  the  fofiaty  declard  be  their  Vote 
.they  Would  build  a  meeting  houfe  as  foon  as  with  Conueniancy  may  be 

At  the  fame  meeting  Mofes  lyman  was  Chofen  our  agent  to  Peition  to  the  general 
Affembly  for  a  commicee  to  ftate  the  place  for  ihe  meeting  house 

(July  z\  1747.) 

At  the  fame'  meeting  it  was  uoted  that  we  will  giue  mr  fam"  newel  for  fettelment 
as  followeth  one  hundred  pound  in  half  a  year  and  one  hundred  pound  more  at  the 
years  end  and  one  hundred  pouftd  the  fecond  year  and  two  hundred  pound  the  third 
year  to  be  paid  one  half  in  mony  of  the  old  tener  and  the  other  half  in  prouifion  pay 
if  he  will  fettel  with  us  in  the  gofpel  mineftry 

(January  i6"',  174^) 

uoted  that  our  Colledfors  fhall  Colleifl  the  Rates  of  them  thofe  that  call  themfelues 
of  the  Church  of  england  amongft  us  and  we  will  defend  them 

(December  4"',  1749.) 

Voted  that  Thomas  hirt  fhould  hiue  his  bill  of  Charges  with  Refpeft  to  his 
Coleding  the  minifteral  Rate  of  those  that  y'  Call  themfelues  Churchman  amongft 
us  as  it  was  laid  before  the  fofiaty 


OR        NEW     CAMBRIDGK. 


53 


soldiers'    -MO.XC-MKXi         U.Xli    UF    Illli    FlRSi'    TO    BI£     tKHCTiiL)    IX   THE    NORTH 

The  civil  war,  and  the  part  taken  in  that  contest  by  this  town,  are 
too  recent  to  need  any  detailed  mention.  To  most  of  you  that  period 
is  not  a  thing  of  history,  but  of  memory.  I  will  only  say  that  of  the 
early  Connecticut  regiments  there  were  Bristol  men  in  nearly  every 
one,  and  during  the  first  year  of  the  war  over  one  hundred  enlisted. 
Company  B  of  the  Fifth,  and  C  of  the  Fifteenth,  contained  little  bodies 
of  Bristol  men,  and  companies  K  of  the  Sixteenth,  and  I  of  the  Twenty- 
fifth,  were  principally  made  up  from  here. 

Many  of  our  soldiers  fought  through  the  entire  war,  and  entered 
Richmond  with  Grant  at  the  close;     many  died  in  battle,  or  by  disease, 

*  10 — Continued. 

(December  12''',  1750.) 

Jofeph  Benton  def  hez  Rew  was  Chofen  prifers  to  prife  mr  Newl  wood  at  his  house 

"5=^/  -j- deacon. 


fnall  fit  togather  in  the  pews  in  the  meeting;  hoofe 


(December  3"',  1753) 

Voted  to  ad  to  mr  newels  Rate  on  hundred  pound  mony  of  the  old  tenci  prouided 
he  will  find  himfelf  with  firewood 

Voted  to  fend  a  pition  to  the  general  Airembly  next  may  for  the  mony  or  the  uele 
of  the  mony  norfolk  is  to  be  fold  tor  to  fuport  of  fchooling  amon^'A  ui  and  other 
yong  fofiatys  if  they  will  joyn  with  us 

de"  ftephen  Barns  Benjamin  hungerford  and  Capt  galord  was  Chofen  10  dignity  the 
meting  houfe  and  Zebulon  peck  thomas  hart  and  de  dauid  gaylord  was  Cholen  leaturs 
to  feat  the  meetine  houle 


54  BRISTOL,    CONXECTICUT 

and  were  buried  in  unknown  graves;  the  large  body  who  belonged  to 
Company  K  of  the  Sixteenth  had  almost  a  harder  experience  than  either 
for  after  two  years'  service  they  were  captured, at  Plymouth,  N.  C,  and 
sent  to  Andersonville  prison;  and  there,  or  in  other  prisons,  there  died 
twenty-four  of  the  original  seventy-four  who  had  gone  out  with  the 
company.  ,  « 

The  entire  number  of  enlistments  credited  to  this  town's  quota 
was  three  hundred  and  eighty-seven.  Deducting  re-enlistments  and 
non-resident  substitutes,  the  number  of  separate  men,  resident  here, 
who  entered  the  service  cannot  have  been  less  than  tAvo  hundred  and 
fifty.  Of  these,  fifty-four,  over  one-fifth,  died  in  the  service;  sixteen 
of  wounds  in  battle,  twelve  of  disease,  two  at  sea,  and  twenty-four  of  the 
unspeakable  horrors  of  Andersonville,  Florence,  and  Libby  prisons. 

When  the  war  was  nearly  over,  the  grief  of  our  citizens  at  these 
severe  losses,  and  their  respect  for  the  memory  of  their  slain  townsmen, 
found  expression  in  the  building  of  our  soldiers'  monument,  which  w^as 
■completed  in  1865,  one  of  the  very  first  in  the  country. 

Another  notable  monument,  in  the  Forestville  cemetery,  is  the 
tribute  paid  by  Amherst  students  to  their  Professor,  Newton  S.  Manross 

*  10 — Continued 

(December  17",  1753.) 

Voted  that  the  pews  next  the  pulpit  fhould  be  the  nrft  in  the  dignihcation  the  firft 
feat  and  the  2  pews  next  the  gret  door  the  2  the  2  feat  and  the  2  piler  pews 
the  third  the  corner  pews  the  fourth  the  light  pews  the  5  the  2  pews  under  the 
ftars   the    6   

At  A  fofiaty  meten  holden  on  jeaneury  y  12  :  in  y"  year  1767  at  the  meten  hous 
hezekiah  griddelye  afq  was  chofen  mooddrater  thomas  hart  m'  robbard  cogfwell  A  fa 
upfon  was  chofn  commitee  to  A  juft  the  Acounts  with  the  tax  gather  and  Like  wife 
to  in  speft  &  ajuft  the  acounts  with  the  formor  collectrs  and  commitey  and  fettel  y'- 
fofieatys  acount  with  euery  own 

uoted  to  meet  on  y«  laborth  days  at  ten  a  cloock  in  y*"  morning  and  y'  inter  milhon 
is  to  be  but  own  our  from  this  time  to  y-'  fuft  of  march  nex 

the  above  meeten  was  befolued  by  a  uoot  * 

at  the  above  meete  notted  uneafesnefs  with  the  commltties  doouings 


(September  25''',  1769,  in  the  matter  of  the  second  meeting-house.) 

Voted  to  get  the  flore  Bords  and  Roof  Bords  amoung  our  felves 

Voted  to  get  the  singles  amoung  our  felves 

Voted  that  En  :  Samuel  Adams  fhall  Cull  and  pafs  his  Judgment  upon  the  fingles 
that  are  Brought  for  the  Meeting  houfe  whether  they  are  fit  for  ("uch  houfe 

Voted  to  Give  4  pence  hapeny  p''  foot  for  all  the  Hewed  timber  Great  and  Small 
for  the  above  f  meeting  houfe  Delivered  at  the  place  where  f  houfe  is  to  be  Buiit 
Good  timber  Hewed  fit  for  fuch  Building 


-  Vote. 

(M.iy    I  ,     ,   J  7  ;o  ) 

Voted  to  Ralle  our  Meeting  hojic  H\  a  free  will  oHcring  .ind  w.it  Chofen  I.ifu 
Jofiah  Lewi^  Lieu  Ebn  :  Barns  R.ichcl  Barns  wid  :  Afahel  Barns  Ln^  Gerlli  )m  lulllc 
Samuel  Brockway  Rtiyce  Lewis  to  keep  publick  entertainment  in  the  time  wee  are 
Raifinp  our   Mining  houfe 


OR     "XKW     CAMBRIDGE.  DO 

who  enlisted  with  tlie  Sixteenth,  was  elected  the  tirst  Captran  of  Com- 
pany K,  and  fell  at  the  head  of  his  comjKiny,  at  the  hrst  meeting  with 
the  enemy. 

In  1785,  the  grand  list  of  the  town  was  .       SSo.oH'.).27 

In  1707,  this  had  decreased  to  ...         01,71.5.38 

And  in  180(3,  still  further  to       ....  54, 416  ..32 

A  corresponding  decrease  in  population  took  place  during  the  same 
period.  The  division  of  the  town  in  1806  divided  nearly  in  halves  both 
property  and  population,  and  a  loss  even  from  that  is  shown  by  the 
census  of  1820.  Then,  it  will  be  remembered,  bee;an  the  especial  develop- 
ment of  the  clock  business,  and  from  that  time  the  town  has  steadily 
increased  in  population,  and  more  rapidly  in  wealth.  The  incre^ise 
reported  bv  the  census  during  the  decade  from  1870  to  1880.  from  o..-8S 
to  5,347,  \vas  over  fortv  [er  cent  .  a  gain  e.:,Lialed  by  very  few  Connecti- 

*  10 — Continued.  , 


(August  7'",  1770  ) 

Voted  to  Colour   our    ru  vv  nitfting  houfe 

Voted    to   Colour    llic    .ihove    I'    meeting   houfc    viz;    the    Body    of  I'    huule     fpruc* 
yellow  .in.i  tire   Dorci  .rn^i   wlnduwi  of   fjid   houfe   white 

Voted  to  Colour   tlir   Roof  of  our   t)v'    meeting  houfc  Sp.tnllti   Brown 


(Deccmbrr    J"",    1770) 

Voted  thjl  the  Meeting  houfe  Commltty  llull  givi    l'o=;— 6  pr   C.llon  t^ir  the  rur 
tbey  hjd  of  the  (ocity 


(December  6'",   1775  ) 

Voted  that  the  Soci.t)  (h.ill  uUeihe  L.md  thjt  wa.  purch.ifed  (or  a  place  of  pe- 
rade  fouth  of  the  Meeting  houU:  and  p.rv  to  th,.le  il...t  Bought  I  '  Land  the  fum  often 
pounds  two  IliiUings  An>\  Set  f  I.-ind  hv  t,.,  thr  Benefit  of  the  fo.iety  of  New 
Cambridge 

The  above  f  voter.  Deleded  by  l.uu""  jofiah  Lewis  Ifaa.  hall  Abraham  Brrthnjo 
mew  Eli  Lewis  Da^id  Newell  tlm  Mix  Jacob  Bertholomew  Rovce  Lewis  Ben  wrlKo« 
Jofiah  Lewis  Jnr  abel  Lewi;  jofeph   Row  Seth  Roberts  Samuel  Lewis 


•'  Not  3n  otTmrng  irf  money,  but  ot   labor 

(March    l6"',   1789  ) 

voted  that  all  Town  Meetings  that  Shall  happen  out  of  the  anual  Cuurle  of  the 
year  fhall  be  warned  by  the  Seltilmen.  Seting  up  Notifications  ..n  the  Publick  ligri 
Foils  in  fd  Town,  and  on  the  feveral  Uoor.-  of  the  Ta  ve,  nkcepers  and  grillmills  in  fd 
Town  ot    Brillol 


July  4''',  1776. 

American  Independence  Was  Declared  by  the  General  Cr.ngrcis 


56  BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 

cut  towns.  Since  1880,  we  believe  tliat  this  rate  of  growth  has  been 
fully  maintained,  and  that  the  town  has  now  more  than  six  thousand 
inhabitants.  This  increase  of  population  since  1870  has  been  accom- 
panied by  a  marked  development  of  the  town;  the  two  banks  have  been 
organized,  the  two  newspapers  started,  most  of  our  important  business 
buildings  erected,  many  business  and  residence  streets  laid  out,  and 
the  general  appearance  of  the  town  strikingly  changed. 

,  The  record  which  we  look  back  upon  today  is  not  one  glittering 
with  brilliant  deeds,  nor  made  illustrious  by  great  names.  But  our 
fathers,  with  the  honest,  rugged  virtues,  that  made  early  New  England  an 
unique  power  in  the  world,  have  laid  for  us  a  good  foundation.  Industry, 
integrity,  wise  conservatism  of  thought,   the  reverent  fear  of  God,  are 

*  10 — Continued. 


(December  6"',  1779O 

Voted  that  the  People  be  at  their  own  Liberty  to  pay  mr  Newels  Rate  Either  11 
Silver  or  Continental  money  Viz  if  in  Silver  their  Equal  part  of  6^4:  *  and  if  in  tliu 
Courancy  their  Equal  part  of  I  30o£ 


April  12  1780  Southington  thefe  may  Certify  all  whom   it  may  Concern  thai 

Jacob  Lindfly  of  New  Cambfidge  is  a  member  of  the  Baptift  Society  in  Southington  ^ 

Contributes  to  the   Neceffary  Charges  thereof  &  it  is   Defired   he    may  not  be  Called 

upon  Elfwhere  which  is  acording  to  law  as 

Witnefs  my  hand  Stephen  Gorton  Elder 


("April  ifth,  1782.^ 

Voted   that  it   is   the   Defire  &  requefl  of  this  Parifh  that  the  Gen'  Afembly  rtjould 
apoint  a  Juftice  of  the  Peace  in  the  Parifh  of  N  Cambridge  a*-  their  Next  Seflions 

*  £65  in  silver  had  some  time  before  been  agreed  on  as  an  equivalent  for  the  X300 
promised  in  "  old  tenor  "  bills. 


{December  7"',  1778.) 

Voted  that  the  Societies  Comittee  be  impowered  to  Deal  out  the  Sal;  that  belongs  10 
this  Parifti  now  in  the  hands  of  Dea"  Manrofs  to  the  widows  of  Souldiers  4  other  needy 
Widows  &  fuch  other  Needy  perfons  as  they  fliall  think  beft 


New  Cambridge  Dec''^  I    1779 

Altho   the  Society  of  New  Cambridge  as  a  Society  have  not  rendered  to  me  what 

was  Juftly  Due  by   Covenant  Feb'y  12  78   &   Feb'.v  12  79  yet  a   Number  have   beer. 

Juft  &  Generous  another  Number  have  done  Something  Considerable  a  Considerable 

Kumber  have  done  but  a  Small  matter  towards  juftice  yet  to  prevent  trouble  in 

the   prefenc  world   I   Do  Give  a  free  Difcharge  to  fd  Society  for  what  was   Due  to  me 

for  my\fervice  at  the  two  above  named   Periods  &  Refer  them  to  the  Lift  tribunal 

.where  impartial  Juftice  will  be  Enquired  after 

Sam'  Newell 


«  OR        XEW     CAMBRIDGE.  ,)/ 

deeply  implanted  in  the  rocky  soil  of  this  hill.  Let  not  this  generation 
depart  from  these.  Old-fashioned  nianners  are  disappearing;  let  not 
old-fashioned  virtues  also  disappear.  Let  not  the  increase  of  our  material 
prosperity  produce,  nor  accoiiipan\',  a  decrease  of  intellectual  or  moral 
worth. 

We  cannot  but  wonder  what  will  be  the  history  read  at  our  next 
Centennial  Celebration,  when  the  telegraph  and  telephone  are  crude 
curiosities  for  a  loan  exhibition,  when  the  Great  P-ebellion  is  as  remote 
to  the  thought  as  is  the  Revolution  now,  when  perhaps  our  acts,  and 
words,  and  names  shall  seem  as  quaint  and  antique  as  our  fathers'  seem 
now,  when  perhaps  our  thirty  factories,  and  six  thousand  people,  our 
churches,  and  schools,  and  institutions  of  every  kind,  shall  be  as  petty 
and  strange  as  the  New  Cambridge  life  is  to  us. 

*  10 — -Continued. 

(May  20'\  1782.) 

Ac  a  Society  meting  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  Parifh  of  N  Cambridge  Legally 
warned  for  the  Purpofe  of  Nominating  a  man  for  a  Jullice  of  the  peace  in  f'  parilh  &: 
holden  at  the  meeting  house  on  the  lo'*"  of  may  A  D  1782 


Voted  that  the  method  for  Nominating  a  perfon  for  {^  ofice  fhall  be  by  Each  Giving 
in  for  the  man  that  h«  would  Nominate  with  his  Name  fairly  written 

The  Nomination  being  brought  in  Sc  Counted  of  as  aforel"'  it  apears  that  they  were 
found  in  the  following  maner 


Dea="  Zebulon  Peck 
Lt  Joseph  Byington 
Capt  Nath  Jones 
Thomas  Hart 
Capt  Ala  uplon 
Luke  Gridley 
James  Lee 
Benjamin  Lindfly 


5° 
2Z 


INDENTURE    OF    SLAVE    GIRL. 


This  indentor  witneffcth,  that  I  the  widow  Abigail  Deming  of  Farmington  in  the- 
County  of  Hartford  &  Colony  of  Conneticut  in  New  England  do  Bind  one  Certain 
Negro  Girl  of  nine  years  of  age  Named  Silpah  an  apprentice  to  my  son  William 
Jearom  of  the  Town  Sc  County  atfore-f  for  and  Duering  the  whole  term  of  time  of 
Sixteen  years  all  of  which  f  term  She  the  "'  Silpah  Shall  faithfully  Serve  her  Mailer 
Sc  miftrefs  in  all  their  Lawfull  Commands  not  abfenting  from  their  bufinefs  by  night 
nor  by  Day  their  Secrets  keep  their  Commands  obey  &  behave  in  all  points  faithfully 
as  a  good  Servant  aught  to  do  duering  the  whole  term  of  f''  time 

and  all  of  which  time  her  f  mafter  is  to  provide  for  her  in  Sicknefs  and  health 
according  to  her  Dignety  Sc  at  the  End  of  the  above-f"*  Term  her  fd  mafter  is  to  give 
her  two  good  Sutes  of  apparel  filing  to  all  parts  of  her  Body  and  for  the  well  Sc  faith- 
fully executing  this  obligation  we  Set  our  hands  and  Seals  this  22'"'  of  June  AD.  1771 

in  prefence  of  us 

Jofeph  Byintun  Abigail  Deming       [seal.] 

Temporence  Jearom  William  Jearom      [seal.] 


58 


BRISTOL.    CONNECTICUT 


BLANKET,    SPUN,    DYED  AND   WOVEX    BY   ABIGAIL   PECK,    WHO   SHOT  THE   LAST 
BEAR     SEEN     IX     BRISTOL.        LOANED     BY     MISS     M.     A.     CARPENTER. 


ABIGAIL  PECK,   "THE  BEAR  GIRL. 


(Y    ALICE    M.     BARTHOLOMEW 


One  summer  Sabbath  in  seventeen  hundred  and  forty-eight  or  nine, 
a  bear  came  down  Wolcott  Mountain  to  the  cornfields  near  Goose  Corner. 

There  it  was  seen  by  the  twelve  year  old  daughter  of  Deacon  Zeb- 
ulon  Peck,  who  was  caring  for  her  younger  brothers  and  sisters,  and 
preparing  the  family  dinner,  while  the  parents  attended  divine  service. 

The  brother,  younger,  and  Abigail,  both  \vished  to  shoot  it;  but 
age  and  deputed  authority  won  for  her  the  distinction. 

Later  she  married  Hezekiah  Gridley,  Jr.,  who  was  captain  of  the 
Bristol  militia  during  the  Revolution,  and  led  his  men  to  Xcw  Haven 
to  assist  in  repulsing  General  Tryon. 

Their  daughter,  Abigail  Gridley,  wove  the  blue  and  white  blanket 
seen  on  page  5{). 

It  is  of  wool  and  linen  in  the  "Double  Bow-knot"  pattern. 


OR        NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


59' 


BLUE    AND   WHITE   BLANKET    WOVEN    BY    ABIGAIL   GRIDLEY,    OWNED    BY    MISS- 
ALICE      M.      BARTHOLOMEW. 


60 


BRISTOL,    COXXECTICUT 


FIRST    PRIZE,    BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCH 
NATIONAL   SOCIETY 

DAUGHTERS   OF  THE   AMERICAN 
REVOLUTION. 

DEDICATED    TO 

KATHERIXE    GAYLORD    CHAPTER. 
BRISTOL,  CONNECTICUT. 
Written  and  Illustrated* 

BY 

FLORENCE  E.   D.   MUZZY, 
Organizing  Regent. 


*  We  regret  that  the  Hmited  space  will  not  permit''the  reproduction 
of  Mrs.  Muzzy's  charming  illustrations  that  appeared  in  the  original. 


'XKW     CAMBRIDGE."  61 


NOTE  BY  THE  AUTHOR. 


THE  story  of  Katherine  Gaylord,  as  here  given,  has  been  carefullv 
compiled  from  every  available  source,  in  the  attempt  to  present 
luider  one  cover  as  complete  and  accurate  an  account  as  possible 
of  this  tragedy  of  the  American  Revolution.  Dealing  especially 
with  Katherine  Gaylord,  Heroine,  and  the  events  with  which  she  had 
personal  connection,  its  scope  must  necessarily  be  historical  and  bio- 
graphical, rather  than  genealogical.  The  Gavlord  historv  shows  the 
descent  of  Aaron  Gavlord  from  William,  who  came  to  Xew  England 
1629-30. 

The  line  of  Katherine  Cole  Gaylord,  from  Henry  Cole,  is  brieflv 
traced  as  follows,  by  Mr.  Milo  Leon  Norton: 

1.  Henry  Cole,  of  Sandwich,  Massachusetts  (on  Cape  Cod),  moved 
to  Middletown,  Connecticut,  in  1643;  married  Sarah  Ruscoe,  1646;  had 
4  children;  removed  to  Wallingford,  Connecticut,  where  he  died  1670: 
Sarah  Ruscoe  Cole  died  in  Saybrook,  Connecticut,  16S8. 

2.  "William,  youngest  son  of  Henry  Cole,  born  lOoS;  married  Sarah 
,  and  lived  in  Wallingford. 

3.  James,  son  of  William  Cole,  born  March  7,  1707,  in  Wallingford; 
married  Catherine  Wood,  of  Windsor,  Connecticut,  January  20,  1742; 
lived  in  Harwinton  and  in  Xew  Cambridge,  Connecticut;  died  in  New 
Cambridge,  September  10,   1S03.      He  is  often  mentioned  on  the  records. 

4.  Katherine  Cole  was  born  in  Harwinton,  Connectictit,  Novem- 
ber 28,  1745;  her  birth  is  given  upon  the  Harwinton  records  as  "Cath- 
eren,"  daughter  of  James  and  Catheren;  and  we  find  the  name  variouslv 
spelled,  Catherine,  Katherine  and  Caty.  The  Daughters  of  the  Amer- 
ican Revolution,  upon  the  adojjtion  of  the  name,  voted  also  to  adopt  the 
spelling  already  put  in  print  by  her  descendants,  and  to  use  the  name 
Katherine.  She  married  Aaron  Gaylord  about  1763;  lived,  after  her 
marriage,  at  "New  Cambridge  in  Farmington."  now  Bristol;  moved  to 
Wyoming  Valley,  Pennsylvania;  returned  to  New  Cambridge;  and 
finally  moved  to  Burlington,  Connecticut,  where  she  died,  1840,  leaving 
three  children,  Lemuel.  Phebe  and  Lorena.  Nearly  all  of  the  facts  con- 
cerning Katherine's  life  have  come  to  us  through  the  descendants  of 
Lorena.  A  little  was  learned  from  Mrs.  Sylvia  Kirkpatrick,  descendant 
of  Lemuel:  and  an  item  or  two  from  Mr.  W.  E.  Frisbie.  descendant  of 
Phebe;  otherwise,  all  facts  come  from  the  family  and  friends  now  resid- 
ing in  that  part  of  the  country  where  the  last  days  of  the  heroine  were 
spent. 

Two  of  the  descendants  of  Lorena,  Mrs.  Mary  P.  ]\L  Brooks  and 
Mrs.  Helen  M.  B.  Potter,  have  written  personal  recollections  of  the  tale, 
as  told  them  by  their  grandmother.  The  record  of  Mrs.  Brooks  is  in 
print  [see  "Gaylord- Wyoming"]  and  it  was  from  this,  first  of  all,  that 
the  Katherine  Gaylord  Chapter,  proved  the  worth  of  their  heroine 
when  her  name  was  presented  to  them  by  their  first  vice-regent,  Mrs. 
Mary  Seymour  Peck.  Miner's  History  of  Wyoming  is  authority  for 
statements  concerning  the  condition  of  affairs  in  the  Valley  at  the  time 
of  Katherine's  residence   there. 

The  names  of  five  of  the  eight  men  present  at  the  funeral  services 
of  Katherine  Gaylord  have  been  found  by  ^Ir.  Norton,  as  follows:  Warren 
Bunnell,  Martin  L.  Goodwin,  David  W.  Goodwm,  Lemuel  Bunnell, 
John  Buck. 

Miss  M.  J.  Atwood,  first  recording  secretary,  and  Miss  C.  L.  Boav- 
man,  first  historian  of  the  Chapter,  have  also  rendered  valued  aid  in 
this  work.  To  all  of  these,  and  to  any  other  who  has  extended  the 
helping  hand,  the  writer  begs  to  express  her  sincere  thanks. 

FLORi:XCE  E.   D.  MUZZY. 
Bristol,  ConnccliciU,  December,  j8q8. 


62  BRISTOL,    CONXECTICL  T 


KATHERINE  GAYLORD, 

HEROINE. 


B 


I'^AUTIFUL  Wyoming — fair  Wyoming!  Not  iron-bound,  like- 
these  rocky  Xew  England  shores;  but  smooth  and  fertile — 
easv  to  till,  rich  in  harvest!      Come,  let  us  eol 


How  often,  may  we  believe,  did  Katherine  Gaylord  listen 
to  these  and  like  persuasions  before  she  could  bring  herself  to  say: 
"Whither  thou  goest,  I  will  go!"  and  to  leave  the  loved,  rock-bound 
New  England  for  the  lovely  but  fearsome  home  in  the  wilderness.  It 
could  not  have  been  an  easy  thing  to  do,  for  "only  he  is  strong  whose 
strength  is  tried,"  and  the  time  had  not  yet  come  to  prove  her  mettle. 

The  tale  of  much  contention  for  this  most  desirable  abiding  place  is 
oft-told.  Over  its  beautiful  woods  and  streams  hovered  an  atmosphere 
of  strife  and  hate.  The  aborigines  fought  for  it  among  themselves, 
and  Avhen  the  white  man  came,  fought  for  it  with  him. 

Later,  untrustworthy  Indian  sales,  and  ignorant,  invalid  grants  by 
Royalty  added  to  the  confusion  of  property  rights.  Finally  the  covmtry 
came  to  be  claimed  at  one  and  the  same  time,  by  the  Six  Nations,  Penn- 
sylvania and  Connecticut. 

In  1768,  Connecticut  formed  here  a  town,  calling  it  by  the  suggestive 
name  of  Westmoreland. 

This  was  divided  into  townships  five  miles  square,  each  to  be  given 
to  "forty"  settlers  who  should  agree  to  remain  there,  improve  and  pro- 
tect the  property.  The  first  forty  arrived  in  1769  at  Wyoming  (called 
by  the  red  man  "Wavigh-wau-wame,"  shortened  by  the  white  into 
"Wau-wame,"  and  anglicized  later  into  Wyoming). 

In  1770  the  forty  began  the  famous  "Forty  Fort"  at  Kingston  town- 
ship, Westmoreland,  but  were  interrupted  by  the  Pennamite  war.  Five 
times  were  the  Yankees  expelled  by  the  Pennsylvanians,  and  five  times 
came  back  with  true  Yankee  grit  to  "man  their  rights."  The  comple- 
tion of  Forty  Fort  followed  the  cessation  of  hostilities.  This  was  built 
of  upright  timbers,  closely  set.  A  row  of  cabins,  many  of  them  con- 
taining several  rooms,  was  ranged  against  the  timbers  within;  while 
again  within  this  circle  of  homes  was  an  open  space  or  parade  large 
enough  for  the  drilling  of  an  entire  company.  In  one  of  these  cabins 
Katherine  Gaylord  had  afterward  a  home. 

The  fort  held  one  store,  and  a  mill,  consisting  of  a  samp-mortar 
made  of  a  burned  log.  with  a  pestle  worked  by  a  spring-pole.  Before 
1773,  Westmoreland  had  called  a  minister,  and  a  doctor  had  migrated 
thither.  A  tax  was  laid  to  support  free  schools;  a  land  office  was  estab- 
lished, and  military  organization  not  neglected.  The  soil  was  prolific, 
sheep  and  cattle  plentiful,  food  and  clothing  abundant.  Peace  seemed 
at  last  to  brood  over  the  beai;tiful  valley,  while  back  in  New  England 
the  war-cloud  hung  low.  No  wonder  one  "Fort\'"  followed  another  so 
rapidly. 

In  April-May,  177.),  Katherine  Gaylord,  in  her  Connecticut  home 
saw  her  husljand,  at  the  call  for  troops  after  Lexington  Alarm,  march 
to  the  front —  Boston  and  vicinity.  Detachments  of  the  brigade  to  which 
Aaron  Gaylord  belonged  took  part  in  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill.  It  is 
probable  that  he  was  among  them,  as  he  was  afterwards  appointed  to  • 


OR     ".\H\V     CAM  BRIDGE."  60 

lieutenancy,  this  entry  bemg  found  in  Connecticut  Records,  Mav.  1777: 
■"Aaron  Gaylord  established  by  the  Assembly  to  be  lieutenant  of  Third 
Company,  Twenty-fourth  Regiment."  At  the  expiration  of  his  term  in 
December,  he  returned  to  his  home  in  Xew  Cambridge,  now  Bristol, 
Connecticut. 

Early  in  1776,  hearing  no  doubt  wonderful  tales  of  fertile  Wyoming. 
he  moyed  to  the  "Far  West."  with  his  wife,  Katherine  Cole,  and  their 
three  children,  Lemuel.  Phebe  and  Lorena — the  oldest.  Lemuel,  being 
about  eleyen  at  that  time. 

It  is  supposed,  though  not  recorded,  that  they  joined  one  of  the 
"Forties"  continually  going  out.  The  journey,  occupying  about  three 
weeks  (time  enough,  in  these  rapid-transit  days,  to  cross  the  continent 
itself  three  times,  or  trayel  half  way  round  the  world!;  was  made  on 
horsebacl?,  with  all  their  worldly  goods. 

Doubtless  she  found  it  hard  enough,  eyen  with  the  strong  arm  of 
her  husband  to  hew  her  path;  but  looking  back  upon  it,  in  her  terrible 
journey  home  three  years  later,  Katherine  Gaylord  must  haye  felt  that, 
measured  by  suffering,  the  way  ®ut  was  ease  and  comfort,  in  comparison. 

They  settled  in  Forty  Fort,  and  lived  the  usual  frontier  life  of  more 
or  less  poverty  and  depnyation.  Katherine  related  in  after  years  much 
of  that  life  to  her  children  and  grandchildren,  but  many  of  her  tales  are 
faded  and  lost  in  the  mists  of  the  past.  Viewing  however,  the  self- 
sacrificing  life  of  women  as  a  whole,  in  those  hard  davs,  we  mav  come 
better  to  understand  her  own;  for  surely  she  was  never  one  to  sit  idlv 
by,  while  others  toiled. 

From  the  remembered  tales  of  her  own  lips,  then,  and  from  the 
recollections  of  others,  we  can  see  her,  in  addition  to  the  care  of  her  own 
home  and  family,  toiling  in  fort  or  field,  while  the  men  were  awav  upon 
public  service;  planting,  garnering  grain,  husking  corn,  making  hay; 
riding  miles  to  mill,  with  laden  steed,  waiting  for  the  wheat  to  be  ground, 
and  bringing  it  home  at  night  through  long  stretches  of  darkening  forest; 
and,  later  even  making  the  salt-petre  used  in  the  manufacture  of  powder, 
for  public  defense. 

When  dry-goods  were  gone,  and  money  failed,  she  fashioned  gar- 
ments from  her  own  clothing,  that  her  children  might  attend  school. 
One  hardly  knows  whether  to  laugh  or  cry  over  the  untoward  fate  of 
Phebe's  new  gown,  made  from  her  mother's  red  flannel  petticoat  I  This, 
having  been  hung  out  upon  a  line  to  dry,  fell  a  victim  to  a  lawless  ma- 
rauder from  neighbor  Roberts"  jjig  pen,  and  Phebe  was  left  lamenting! 
Let  us  hope  that  good  Mistress  Roberts  possessed  an  extra, flannel  petti- 
coat of  brilliant  hue,  which  was  made  a  free  will  oft'ering  in  behalf  of 
Phebe's  education.  Every  mother  knows  that  there  could  have  been 
no  limit  to  the  daily  acts  of  self-denial  which  the  frontier  mother  practiced. 

Those  who  remember  Katherine  Gaylord  unite  in  describing  her 
(  as  small  and  frail  of  build^or  at  least,  of  hardly  medium  stature;  with 
blue  eyes,  brown  or  fair  hair,  delicate  complexion,  and  line  features; 
hardly  our  ideal  of  a  rugged  pioneer  woman.  Power  of  spirit  cannot 
always  be  gauged  by  power  of  body,  nor  force  of  character  by  outward 
seeming.  In  old  age  she  is  described  by  one  still  living,  who  knew  her 
well,  as  a  "very  intelligent,  agreeable  and  highly  respected"  person 
in  her  community. 

It  would  seem  that  the  family  had  friends  in  Wyoming  for  history 
states  that  a  brother  of  Aaron  "who  died  in  the  service"  had  settled 
there. 

In  December,  1777,  six  months  before  his  death,  Aaron  Gaylord  is 
upon  the  Westmoreland  records  as  one  of  the  appointed  "fence- viewers" 
for  the  ensuing  year.  In  those  days  of  few  and  uncertain  boundaries, 
this  must  have  been  an  important  work. 

The  valley  now,  1776  to  1778,  held  hundreds  of  homes,  with  liarns, 
stacks    of    grain    and    everything    in    plenty,    agriculturally    considered. 


64  BRISTOL,    CDXXECTlCt'T 

The  coinnicrcial  status  is  partl\'  shown  by  the  following  list  of  prices: 

Men's  farm  labor,  three  summer  months,  per  day os  3d 

Women's  labor,  spinning,  per  week 6s 

Making  horse  shoes,  and  shoeing  horse Ss 

Taverners,  best  dinner 2s 

Taverners,  mug  of  flip,  with  2  gills  rum 4s 

Good  j'arn  stockings,  a  pair 10s 

Beaver  hats,  best 4^ 

Tobacco,  in  hank,  or  leaf,  1  pound 9d 

Good  check  flannel,  yard  wide 8s 

Winter-fed  beef,  per  pound 7d 

Good  barley,  per  bushel 8s 

Dozen  eggs 8d 

Shad,  apiece 6d 

Wyoming  was  an  extreme  frontier,  the  key  to  a  large  territory 
beyond'.  The  Six  Nations  were  within  a  few  hours'  canoeing,  and  nearly 
all  the  able  bodied  men  of  the  valley  were  now,  1778,  called  to  help  save 
their  country^— leaving  their  own  homes  to  possible  destruction.  An 
outbreak  seemed  impending. 

Given  these  conditions,  it  was  an  unaccountable  fact  that  Congress 
did  not  respond  to  the  appeals  sent  now  by  the  helpless  settlers  for  pro- 
tection. Those  remaining  did  all  the}^  could.  They  went  to  the  field 
with  rifle,  as  well  as  hoe.  They  sent  out  scouting  parties  to  watch  the 
Indian  trails  and  report  weekly.  In  this  service  Aaron  Gaylord  must 
have  shared 

In  May  the  scouts  began  to  encounter  the  savages;  although  it  had 
previously  seemed  the  enemy's  policy  to  remain  in  hiding,  apparently 
fearing — as  it  proved — to  alarm  the  settlers  and  cause  the  recall  of  the 
two  companies  from  the  seat  of  war  before  the  Six  Nations  were  ready 
for  the  attack. 

Now  and  then  small  squads  of  Indians,  covered  with  paint,  would 
land  before  the  fort,  making  warlike  denaonstrations,  to  the  great  alarm 
of  those  within. 

People  from  the  outer  settlements  began  to  come  into  the  forts. 
Congress  was  again  notified  that  an  attack  was  imminent;  but  still  the 
Wyoming  companies  were  not  allowed  to  return.  Appeals  to  justice, 
mercy  or  policy  seemed  to  have  no  effect  upon  Congress  in  its  strange 
obtuseness  to  the  dreadful  peril  of  the  colonists.  About  thirty  Wyom- 
ing soldiers  did  return  "with  or  without  leave,"  but  even  then,  the  num- 
ber of  fighters  was  appallingly  small. 

It  is  probable  that  it  was  at  this  time  of  confusion  and  absence 
of  regular  officers,  that  Aaron  Gaylord  was  appointed  temporary  com- 
mander of  the  fort,  in  accordance  with  the  account  given  by  Katherine 
to  her  children;  but  in  the  absence  of  official  record,  we  are  obliged  to- 
pass  this  by  as  tradition. 

The  last  of  June,  the  Senecas  and  other  Indians  to  the  number  of 
six  or  seven  hundred,  with  four  hundred  British  provincials  and  a  num- 
ber of  tories,  descended  the  river,  landed  twenty  miles  above  the  fort, 
crossed  the  valley,  and  murdered  several  settlers. 

A  prisoner  taken  by  them  was  sent  to  the  fort,  demanding  its  sur- 
render, which  was  refused. 

A  council  of  war  was  immediately  held  at  the  fort,  at  which  the 
majority  argued  that,  as  no  help  could  be  expected,  the  massacre  of  the 
fort's  company  was  only  the  question  of  a  few-  days;  and  that  the  only 
possible  way  o"f  salvation  was  to  attack  and  defeat^the  enemy. 

A  small  minority,  of  which  Aaron  Gaylord  was  one,  opposed  this 
plan,  feeling  that  it  was  worse  than  folly  to  venture  out,  knowing  nothing 
of  the  strength  of  the  invaders;  but  being  overruled,  Aaron  GaNiord 
prepared  to  go  with  the  Others,  saying:  "/  will  go,  for  I  would  rather- 
die  than  be  called  a  coward  in  such  a  time  as  this." 


NKW     CAMBRIDGE. 


05 


WEST  STREET,  1907 


This  street  is  two  hundred  and  tv.  enty-one  vears  old,  and  is  the 
only  street  in  the  borough  whieh  lies  in  the  highway  of  the  original 
layout,  its  generous  width  alone  bearing  evidence  of  its  descent  from 
the  colonial  assembly.*  Probalily  through  this  thoroughfare  Katherine 
Gaylord  passed  many  times,  and  it  seems  fitting  to  illustrate  this  street 
first  of  all  of  the  streets,  and  in  this  place.  Great  care  has  been  taken 
to  :nake  the  information  as  correct  as  possible.  Each  picture  is  num- 
bered froni  1  on,  and  then  follows  the  street  nuinber  (except  in  cases 
where  the  houses  are  not  numbered).  O  signifies  oivncr,  R  resident. 
This  explanation  applies  to  all  of  the  street  pictures  which  will  foHdw 
throughout  this  work. 


WEST  ST. 


(1)  i\o.  5ol,  Seth  Barnes  U;  {2)  No.  520,  Oscar  Perrault  R;  Frank 
P.  Dowd  R;  (3)  No.  516,  Mrs.  Henry  Hutchinson  O;  (4)  No.  509,  rear 
Sam'l  Winchester  R;  (5)  No  513,  L.  H.  Mix  R;  (6)  No.  511,  John  Le 
Febore  R;  Geo.  Fortin  R;  (7)  No.  50!),  Mrs.  Jane  Carroll  O;  (8)  No. 
504,  L.  Henderling  R;  Chas.  (Vocker  R;  (0)  No.  501.  Mrs.  John  Elton 
R,   Edward  H.  Elton  A',  H.  S.  Iilton  A'. 


*Mary    P.    Root's    The    Founders   and    Their    Home. 
Sketch  of  the  Early  Bristol   Families  r66:^  to  lyo;^. 


or   A   Century 


66  BRISTiM.,    CnVXECTICUT 

One  account  states  that  they  started  early  the  following  morning, 
July  3,  1778,  but  the  history  of  Wyoming  says  that  they  went  out  at 
noon,  marched  four  miles,  and  formed  a  line  of  battle  near  Fort  Winter- 
moot,  where  the  fighting  began  at  four  in  the  afternoon;  and  the  anx- 
ious listeners  at  the  fort  could  tellthat  the  battle  was  on.  Miner's  His- 
tory gives  this  in  detail. 

During  the  half  hour  of  open  fighting  they  drew  near  to  the  river, 
and  when  about  eighty  rods  away,  with  Menockasy  Island  a  mile  dis- 
tant, it  was  suddenly  discovered  that  they  were  surrounded  by  Indians 
who  had  remained  stealthily  in  ambush  until  the}''  had  passed.  They 
had  fallen  into  the  trap.  A  hideous  battle  yell,  repeated  six  distinct 
times,  coming  from  every  side,  told  the  dreadful  truth. 

An  order  to  wheel  and  face  the  rear  was  misunderstood  as  an  order 
to  retreat  to  the  fort,  which  was  clearly  an  impossibility.  In  the  con- 
fusion thus  occasioned,  resistance  to  such  overwhelming  numbers  was 
fatal,  and  so  the  battle  ended  and  the  massacre  began;  while  the  help- 
less listeners  at  the  fort,  realizing  a  change  and  fearing  the  worst,  waited 
in  A'ain  agony  for  those  who  would  never  come  again.  Only  now  and 
then  an  exhausted,  bleeding  straggler  would  stagger  in  to  tell  his  heart- 
rending story. 

iMenockasy  Island  offered  their  only  hope,  and  many  sprang  into 
the  river  to  swim  across.  A  few  escaped,  but  many  were  butchered  as 
they  swam,  or  shot  in  the  thigh  and  reserved  for  torture,  or  happily, 
killed  as  they  svirrendered!  In  their  frenzy,  men  shot  old  friends  in 
cold  blood,  and  one  tory  was  seen  deliberately  to  shoot  his  own  brother. 

The  leaders  of  the  two  armies  were  of  the  same  name — Butler — 
and  were  said  to  belong  to  one  family. 

Out  of  three  hundred  who  went  forth,  o\-er  half  were  murdered; 
comparatively  few  falling  in  battle. 

A  detachment  of  thirtj^-five  men  arrived  at  the  fort  at  evening,  but 
too  late.  Ari  attempt  to  concentrate  the  people  of  the  valley  at  the 
fort  was  a  failure,  as  fugitives  were  seeking  the  swamps  and  woods  in 
ever}^  direction.  With  one  company  of  one  hundred  women  and  children 
there  was  but  one  man.  Few  had  provisions.  "Children  of  misery, 
baptized  in  tears,"  were  born  and' died  in  the  wilderness  and  swamp. 

About  nine  in  the  evening  there  came  to  Katherine  Gaylord  in  the 
fort  a  worn-out  fugitive — a  neighbor  of  the  fort  cabins.  He  brought 
to  her  a  hat,  narrow  brimmed,  high  crowned — with  a  bullet  hole  through 
the  top — her  husband's! 

He  told  her  all  she  ever  knew  of  his  death.  Together  the  two  men 
had  crossed  to  Menockasy  Island  closely  followed  by  the  savages.  It 
was  nearh^  dusk,  and  the  neighbor,  running  ahead,  secreted  himself 
under  an  uprooted  tree,  screened  by  bushes.  An  instant  later  Aaron 
Gaylord  ran  by,  hotly  pursued  bv  the  Indians.  He  was  almost  immed- 
iately overtaken  and  scalped.  The  savages  returned,  peering  here  and 
there,  but  in  the  gathering  gloom  soon  gave  up  their  search  and  disap- 
peared. 

The  man  in  hiding  dared  not  venture  forth  until  after  dark,  although 
he  knew  by  the  sound"  that  his  friend  lived  for  some  time. 

At  length,  creeping  cautiously  out,  his  foot  struck  against  the  hat 
of  the  fiomrade  who  had  fallen  a  sacrifice  to  savage  hate.  Hastily  se- 
curing it,  he  brought  it  Avith  him  to  the  heart-broken  wife  at  the  fort — a 
last  relic  of  a  life  that  was  past! 

Before  he  went  out  to  his  death  Aaron  Gaylord  had  counseled 
long  with  his  Avife,  and  had  formed  careful  plans  for  her  flight,  should 
he  never  come  back.  Even  after  mounting  his  horse  he  had  ridden  back 
again  to  his  own  door,  and,  handing  her  the  wallet  which  contained  all 
tiie  money  he  had  in  the  world — a  few  dollars  only — said:  "Take  this, 
if  I  never  return  it  may  be  of  some  vise  to  you." 

That  he  never  would  return,  seems  to  have  been  firmly  impressed 
upon  the  hearts  "f  l^"'h  husband  and  wife       The  children,  Lorena  and 


'x?:\v   CAMBRinr, K. 


i5i 


WEST  ST. 


(10)  No.  50l\  C.  F.  PetLibone  /v,  A.  S.  Pettibone  R;  (11)  Xo  492, 
Mrs.  Wm.  D.  Bromley  O;  (12)  Xo.  4S0,  Mrs.  Catherine  Fish  O;  (13) 
Xo.  471,  W.  B.  Chapin  O,  A.  J.  Rawson  R;  (14)  Xo.  452,  Leroy  T. 
Hills  O,  Wm.  M.  Hills  R  (Xo.  So  Race  St.);  (15)  Xo.  461,  R.  AV.  Gay- 
lord  O  (at  one  time  Methodist  parsonage);  (16)  Xo,  44'.),  Henry  L. 
Hmman  R,  Xo.  451,  Gep.  R.  Webster  R;  (17)  Xo.  443.  H.  J.  Forsyth  R, 
Xo.  445,  David  Cormand  R;  (IS)  Xo.  441,  Mrs.  Lillia  H.  Linsley  O. 
Henry  L.  Phelps^T?. 


68  Br.ISTOI.,    CONXECTICl'T 

Lemuel,  afterward  related  to  their  children  his  thoughttulness  in  this 
planning.  Lemuel  remembered  his  father  as  he  sat  upon  his  horse  giv- 
mg  final  directions;  and  how,  in  obedience  to  his  father's  wish,  he  went 
at  once  to  a  distant  pasture  and  brought  in  their  horses  to  the  fort. 

"For,"  said  Aaron  Gaylord  simply,  but  with  a  thought  covering 
tl.eir  entire  future,  "you  may  need  them." 

Katherine  bade  him  good  bye  as  a  pioneer  woman  should  bravelv 
and  hopefully  without  in  spite  of  the  sinking  heart  within;  Ijut  she 
seemed  to  know  they  would  meet  no  more  in  this  life. 

"Great  strength  is  bought  with  pain."     There  was  no  time  for  tears. 

Recalling  his  wishes  and  plans  she  hurriedly  made  ready  for  instant 
flight.  Upon  one  horse  she  hastily  packed  clothing  and  provisions: 
upon  the  other  the  four  were  to  ride  alternately.  Family  tradition, 
however,  records  that,  because  of  a  sudden  lameness,  Lemuel  was  forced 
to  ride  much  of  the  way,  and  Katherine  herself  walked. 

Shortly  after  midnight  they  rode  out  of  the  fort  into  the  horrible 
blackness  beyond,  into  pathless  woods,  amongst  "savage  beasts  and 
still  more  savage  men;"  a  veritable  hades  through  which  they  must  pass 
or  die!  Long,  weary,  unmarked  miles  stretched  out  before  her,  while 
he  to  whom  "her  heart  had  turned  out  o'  all  the  rest  i'  the  warld"  was 
suddenly  gone  to  the  land  that  is  afar  off;  his  body,  that  was  so  dear, 
lying  uncared  for,  behind  her  in  the  wilderness.  Think  of  it  "oh,  women, 
safe  in  happy  homes." 

Little  Lorena  never  forgot  that  awful  moment,  and  vears  after 
would  vividly  recall  it  to  her  grandchildren.  "I  was  Lorena,"  she  would 
say  impressively,  "and  I  was  the  youngest,  only  seven  years  old;  and  I 
reinember  but  one  incident  of  that  night.  As  my  mother,  sister  and 
myself,  mounted  upon  one  horse,  and  my  brother  (fourteen  vears  of  age) 
leading  the  other,  went  out  from  the  fort  into  the  darkness,  mother 
turned,  and  speaking  to  her  neighbors  whom  she  was  leaving  l^ehind. 
said:  "Good-bye,  friends!  God  help  us!"  Her  voice  was  so  unnatural 
that  I  looked  up  into  her  face.  I  shall  never  forget  the  expression  I  saw 
there.  It  was  white  and  rigid,  and  drawn  with  suffering  that  might 
b;ave  been  the  work  of  years  instead  of  hours.  It  was  so  unlike  my 
mother's  face  that  I  hid  my  own  in  her  garments." 

Others  went  out  also,  fugitives  from  their  own;  but  from  these 
Katherine  and  her  pitifully  helpless  little  group  were  almost  immediately 
separated,  each  seeking  safety  in  the  way  that  seemed  best  to  himself. 
Some  elected  to  remain  at  the  fort,  and  these  were  present  at  the  sur- 
render the  following  day.  Investigation  has  proved  that  the  many  tales 
of  atrocities  done  at  the  surrender  are  in  a  great  measure  untrue,  as  but 
one  murder  was  committed,  although  the  Indians  could  not  be  kept 
from  plunder.  After  the  withdrawal  of  the  British  forces,  however. 
11  few  days  later,  the  savages  began  an  unchecked  career  of  pillage,  tire 
.and  murder;  until  those  who  had  remained,  hoping  the  worst  was  over, 
were  forced  to  abandon  the  settlement,  which  was  not  fully  re-established 
vuntil  December,  17l>'.). 

At  daybreak  Katherine  had  reached  tlic  thick  recesses  of  the  forest, 
but  could  see  from  afar  the  sinoke  of  burning  homes,  and  knew  her  flight 
had  been  none  too  hasty.  All  day  long  they  hurried  on.  The  first 
night  they  came  upon  a  settler's  deserted  cabin,  which  sheltered  their.. 
The  three  succeeding  nights  and  many  others  they  camped  under  the 
primeval  forest  trees,  where,  said  Lorena,  "we  tired  children,  feeling 
>ecure  with  cnir  heads  upon  mother's  lap,  slept  soundly,  while  she  watched 
the  long  night  through,  listening  to  the  howling  of  the  wolves  and  hear- 
ing in  every  rustling  leaf  the  stealthy  tread  of  an  Indian."  How  pa- 
thetic their  trust!  how  overwhelming  the  burden  thrust  so  suddenly 
upon  the  frail  shoulders  of  the  slender  young  mother! 

After  the  second  day  one  horse  became  so  lame  that  they  left  it  to 
its  fate,  and  were  thus  obliged  to  jilod  wearily  i)n  foot,  the  remaining 
steed  carrying  their  goods. 


NEW     CAMBKIDC.K. 


69 


WEST  ST. 


(19)  No.  43(3,  W.  L.  Weeks  R.  G.  Lyons  R;  (I'Ui  No.  428,  C.  A. 
Garrett  O,  No.  430,  Chas,  F.  Cable  R;  (21)  No.  424,  A.  Bristol  O.-  (22j 
No.  427,  Fred  W.  Giddmgs  O,  429,  R.  H.  Elton  R;  (23)  No.  401,  H.  G. 
Arms  O;  (24)  No.  397,  Mrs.  E.  Bradley  O,  Fred  Day  R;  (25)  No.  400, 
Jonathan  Peck  O;  (26)  No.  387,  H.  R.  Beckwith  R,  W.  B.  Wheeler  O; 
(27)  No.  381,  W.  G.  Graham  O. 


/O  BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 

On  the  fourth  day  they  arrived  at  a  large  stream.  Here,  either 
finding,  or  building  a  raft,  they  loaded  nearly  all  of  their  precious  stores 
upon  it,  intending  to  float  them  to  a  ford,  which  they  knew  must  be 
somewhere  below,  hoping  there  to  cross. 

To  their  dismay,  after  starting  the  raft,  they  were  told  (perhaps  by 
fugitives  like  themselves;  that  there  were  Indians  below.  Small  wonder 
then,  after  hearing  this,  that  even  to  save  all  they  owned  upon  earth, 
they  should  not  venture  down  the  stream.  So  abandoning  their  goods, 
as  they  had  previously  their  horse,  they  found  a  crossing  elsewhere. 

Their  situation  was  now  desperate  indeed.  They  had  their  one 
horse  with  four  to  ride;  one  blanket  strapped  upon  the  saddle,  for  four 
to  use;  a  precious  box  of  tinder  and  flint;  and  one  musket,  with  a  small 
quantit}^  of  ammunition,  which  niust  be  hoarded  to  the  utmost  and 
saved  for  defence.  How  many  of  those  hard  nights  may  we  suppose 
that  Katherine  Gaylord  slept  under  that  solitary  blanket?  Not  one. 
with  her  three  children  to  be  sheltered  and  comforted! 

Their  clothing  must  very  soon  have  become  worn  and  soiled  enough; 
and  this,  to  a  person  of  Katherine  Gaylord's  natural  refinement,  niust 
have  been  an  added  bit  of  distress — small  though  it  was  in  comparison 
with  greater  burdens  to  be  borne. 

The  bullet-pierced  hat  and  leathern  wallet  were  carried  always  m 
her  hand,  or  about  her  person,  and  were  in  this  way  kept  from  disaster, 
and  brought  safely  to  her  father's  house.  She  treasured  them  as  long 
as  she  lived,  in  an  old  chest,  from  whence  children  and  grandchildren 
would  reverently  bring  them  forth  to  illustrate  the  never-old  story  of 
her  escape  from  the  Indians,  and  of  the  death  of  their  heroic  grandfather, 
Aaron  Gaylord.  After  she  was  gone,  these  priceless  relics  were  in  some 
way  most  unfortunately  lost. 

And  now  for  weeks  they  toiled  slowly  on  and  on,  following  the  trail 
indicated  by  blazed  trees,  with  many  wandering  aside  into  the  pathless 
forest,  with  weakness  and  weariness,  suffering  and  danger,  ever  on  and 
on  toward  home. 

After  the  loss  of  their  provisions,  they  subsisted  for  several  days 
upon  berries,  sassafras  root,  birch  bark,  or  whatever  they  could  gather 
by  the  way;  not  daring  to  start  a  blaze,  or  fire  a  musket  so  near  the 
dreaded  foe.  Well  for  them  that  it  was  summer.  Once  they  went  from 
Thursday  to  Sunday  afternoon  without  food.  They  met  then  a  party 
of  friendly  Indians  who  fed  them;  but  we  can  hardly  imagine  their  ter- 
ror at  first  sight  of  a  red  man!  They  afterward- met  other  friendly  In- 
dians as  they  left  Wyoming  farther  and  farther  behind,  and  were  never 
once  refvised  aid  in  all  their  terrible  journey. 

The  country,  however,  was  very  sparsel}^  settled,  and  many  of  the 
cabins  they  came  across  were  deserted.  As  days  grew  into  weeks,  they 
no  longer  feared  to  kindle  a  fire  at  night,  or  to  shoot  game;  although  it 
was  necessary  to  hoard  their  slender  stock  of  ammunition  with  utmost 
economy. 

They  sometimes  met  stragglers  from  the  army,  or  hunting  parties 
but  these  were  invariabh^  kind  and  helpful;  and  such  encounters  must 
have  sent  many  bright  rays  of  hope  and  courage  through  the  gloom, 
and  unutterable  loneliness  of  the  vast  primeval  forest,  in  the  drear}- 
daj's  when  they  saw  no  huinan  face  but  their  own. 

One  morning  the  little  Lorena  and  her  sister  Phebe  were  running 
on  in  advance  of  mother  and  brother — though  never  out  of  sight- — 
singing  and  chasing  butterflies,  gathering  wild  flowers,  forgetting  already 
the  past,  fearing  nothing  so  long  as  they  had  mother,  when  they  came 
upon  two  men  sitting  upon  the  ground.  These  proved  to  be  hunters, 
who  divided  with  Katherine  their  stock  of  food,  as  they  heard  her  sad 
story;  and  helped  her  on  her  way. 

But  this  incident  made  a  great  impression  upon  Lorena,  owing  to 
the  fright  of  Phebe;  who,  screaming  in  terror,  literally  dragged  Lorena 
back  to  her  mother,  scratching  her  face,  tearing  her  garments  (for  the 


XKW     CAMBRIDGE. 


71 


rWEST  ST 


(liSi  No.  ;-UkS,  Chas.  Xagle  /\;  (l".ti  -\(j.  .'UH),^  C.  3.1.  rarnngton  O, 
Miss  Louise  M.  Upson  R,  (Maples  in  front  planted,  in  1845);  (oO)  No. 
350,  E.  L.  Carrington  0/  (31)  No.  352,  H.  B.  Norton  O;  (32)  No.  338, 
Lewis  C.  Morse  O;  (33)  No.  307,  H.  A.  Peck  O;  (34)  No.  280.  AVm.  A. 
Terry  O;  (35)  No.  275,  Geo.  C.  Canfield  R;  (30)  No.  271,  F.  S.  White 
R.  C.  E.  Potter  j^. 


71i  BRISTOL.    COXNECTICL"T 

latter  mishap  there  l)eiiij,'  no  remedy,  although  Dame  Nature  would 
mend  the  former!)  and  greatly  alarming  the  others.  She  remembered 
how  her  brother,  the  lad  Lemuel,  grown,  since  \Yyoming,  to  man's  estate, 
his  mother's  confidante,  protector,  and  sole  reliance — stepped  boldly 
to  the  front,  inusket  in  hand,  ready  to  defend  his  inother  and  sisters 
with  his  life,  if  need  be.  And  the  surprise  and  hearty  sympathy  of  the 
two  men  remained  always  a  warm  memory  with  Lorena. 

Another  day,  losing  the  trail,  they  came  at  nightfall,  in  sight  of  a 
large  building  with  many  lighted  windows,  which  they  took  to  be  a 
wayside  tavern.  Within  they  could  see  a  company  of  men  seemingly 
soldiers,  seated  at  a  table,  eating  their  svipper. 

Faint  for  want  of  food,  and  exhausted  with  travel,  still  Katherine 
Gaylord  hesitated.  With  the  memory  of  the  British  and  Tory  at  Wyo- 
ming fresh  upon  her,  how  could  she  trust  any  man! 

Desperation  at  last  gave  her  desperation's  courage;  and  entering 
a  back  room,  she  sank  down  in  the  darkness,  with  her  little  girls  drawn 
close  beside  her;  while  her  boy  strode  sturdily  forward  into  the  room 
where  the  men  Avere  gathered,  and  asked  for  food  for  his  mother  and 
sisters  I 

In  a  moment  a  light  was  brought,  and  they  were  surrounded  by 
the  astonished  nien,  who  with  curious  and  pitying  faces  gazed  at  the 
forlorn  little  group,  and  listened  to  their  pathetic  story  with  manhood's 
unaccustomed  tears.  Nothing  could  exceed  their  kindness  as  they 
rivaled  each  other  in  giving  comfort  to  the  poor  wanderers. 

The  unwonted  luxuries  of  enough  to  eat,  a  bed  to  sleep  in,  with 
strong  and  ready  protectors,  were  theirs  that  night;  while  the  sense  of 
security  must  have  given  to  the  poor  mother  such  a  rest  as  had  not  been 
hers  for  many  long  weeks. 

"The  gentlest  woman,"  said  Lorena  in  after  years,  "could  not  have 
ministered  to  our  needs  more  thoughtfully  and  generously  than  did 
these  rough,  stalwart  men." 

In  the  morning  they  were  loaded  with  provisions  and  sent  on  their 
way  with  many  kind  and  hearty  words. 

They  never  forgot  these  friends,  although  they  never  knew  who  or 
what  they  were.  Possibly,  in  the  same  way,  their  descendants  may 
have  heard  this  tale;  and  sometimes,  even  to  this  day,  may  ponder  the 
fate  of  those  hapless  refugees  whom  their  ancestors  befriended  in  the 
wilderness! 

Thev  had  often  heard  at  night  the  howling  of  wild  beasts,  but  had 
never  been  molested.  Xow,  however,  for  several  days  an  undefined 
feeling  of  unusual  danger  near  at  hand,  had  haunted  Katherine,  (who 
seems  to  have  been  one  of  those  prescient  souls,  delicately  susceptible 
to  impressions  which  one  of  coarser  fibre  could  not  feel). 

One  night  as  they  camped  by  their  fire  they  caught  a  glimpse  of  a 
long,  crouching,  stealthy  form  in  the  underbrush,  and  knew  that  some 
savage  creature  was  on  their  track.  All  the  night  long  they  could  see 
his  gleaming  eyes  in  the  firelight,  but  he  dared  not  attack  them.  Neither 
dared  he  touch  them  by  daylight,  and  in  the  morning  they  cautiously 
and  fearfully  went  on  their  way,  not  venturing  to  stop  for  rest  or  food. 
Lemuel  led,  and  the  others  followed,  upon  the  staunch  back  of  their 
sorely-tried  friend^ — the  one  remaining  horse.  A  driving  rain  set  in, 
and  the  blanket  formed  but  poor  protection. 

All  day  long  they  moved  slowly  on,  with  that  fearful  nightmare 
creeping  ever  softly,  softly  behind — biding  his  time! 

When  night  drew  near  their  outlook  seemed  hopeless.  To  go  on  in 
the  darkness  and  storm  would  be  impossible.  The  soaking  rain  pre- 
cluded all  hope  of  a  fire,  while  to  stop  without  a  fire  meant  instant  at- 
tack, and — a  reward  to  the  dogged  determination  of  the  brute  behind 
them,  of  which  they  dared  not  think. 

With  the  knowledge  of  all  this  and  with  a  dreadful  doom  seemingly 


'or   new   cambridce." 


(37  I  Xo.  1'61,  F.  W.  Jacobs  R,  Mrs.  C.  B.  And-c.vs  U;  ^o.S)  Xo.  2ol, 
G.  Hendry  R,  L.  L  Pierce  O,  Geo.  Curtiss  R;  (.']'.).  Xo.  270,  W.  L.  Hart  O; 
(40)  No.  262,  G.  C.  Arms  O;  (41)  Xo.  227,  Mrs.  Anna  Wandle  R,  Geo 
Potter  R;  (42)  Xo.  219,  Chas.  G.  Eddy  R;  (43)  No.  213.  Geo. 
Kempster  O,  Alfred  W.  Kempster  R;  (44)  Xo.  22(i,  James  Hayden  O; 
45)  No.  2U),  J.  H.  Johnston  R.  Xo.  218,  D.  Sullivan.    R. 


74  BRISTOL,    COXNECTTICU 

SO  near,  the  faith  and  fortitude  of  the  heroic  mother  did  not  fail.  She 
drew  hier  frightened  children  as  closely  as  possible  to  her  side,  and,  in 
her  helplessness  prayed  ceaselessly  for  that  help  which  to  human  vision 
could  never  come 

Faith  and  works  go  hand  in  hand  to  fulfillment;  and  while  she 
prayed  she  kept  moving,  straining  her  eyes  in  the  darkness  which  set- 
tled" so  awfully  upon  them.  And  Katherine  Gaylord  never  doubted 
that  the  Ever-Present  Power  in  which  she  trusted,  led  their  feet  neither 
to  right,  nor  to  left,  but  directly  into  a  little  clearing,  where  the  dark 
outlines  of  a  deserted  cabin  with  open  door,  appeared  to  their  gladdened 
eyes ! 

Straight  through  the  friendly  portal — not  stopping  to  dismount! 
Lemuel  swung  too  the  heavy  door,  dropped  the  bar  into  its  place,  and 
they  were  saved!  Often  in  after  years  did  Katherine  say  that  she 
believed  that  they  were  directly  led  by  Providence. 

The  cabin  contained  one  room,  with  a  small  lean-to  in  which  the 
horse  found  luxuries  undreamed  of  in  his  recent  philosophizing — warmth 
and  shelter!  The  place  had  evidently  been  abandoned  in  haste;  for 
they  found  stacks  of  firewood,  with  potatoes  and  corn  meal  in  plenty. 

A  good  fire  soon  warmed  body  and  soul;  and  with  safety,  shelter, 
warmth,  dry  clothing  and  a  hot  supper  of  roasted  potatoes  and  corn 
meal  cakes,  they  felt  a  rush  of  fresh  courage  and  new  life.  Their  stead- 
fast friend  in  the  lean-to  shared  with  them — (though  whether  or  not, 
in  the  exuberance  of  their  reaction,  the  children  roasted  for  him  the 
potatoes,  history  does  not  say). 

And  then  they  sat  around  the  glowing  fire,  while  Katherine  thanked 
the  Power  that  led  them  thither. 

In  the  morning  the  panther  had  disappeared  but  fearing  its  return, 
they  retnained  in  their  place  of  safety,  and  rested  two  days;  then  went 
on,  doubtless  strengthened  by  their  enforced  period  of  waiting. 

Somewhere  on  this  weary  road,  they  must  have  met,  but  passed 
unseen,  the  brother  of  Katherine,  sent  out  by  her  anxious  father  (who 
had  heard  of  the  Wyoming  tragedy),  to  find  and  help  her  home.  "Our 
unknown  losses!"  What  a  subject  for  thought.  The  brother.  howe\  er, 
must  have  kept  the  trail,  which  she  often  lost;  and  so  it  caine  about  that 
she  was  first  to  reach  home.  As  after  many  weeks  they  saw  once  more 
the  hills  which  compassed  that  dear  home  on  every  side,  how  tumultuous 
must  have  been  her  thoughts;  while  the  mingled  fear  and  suffering  of 
the  weary  way  by  which  they  had  come,  must  already  ha^•e  seemed  as 
a  troubled  dream. 

The  news  of  their  coming  went  before,  and  all  through  the  familiar 
streets  as  they  passed,  old  friends  came  out  to  greet  them  as  those  risen 
from  the  dead.  Many  went  on  with  them  to  her  father's  house.  As  he 
came  out  to  meet  her,  brave  Katherine  broke  down  at  last,  throwing 
herself  into  his  arms,  burst  into  tears — the  first  she  had  shed  since  that 
fatal  night  at  Wyoming.  And  not  the  least  touching  of  all,  was  her 
determined  attempt  still  to  keep  up,  prefacing  her  tears  by  the  cheerful 
greeting:  "Well,  w^e  are  the  worst  looking  lot  you  ever  saw." 

Love,  home,  and  care  were  hers  once  more — even  though  that  which 
was  gone  could  never  return.  Here  she  found  refuge  at  last;  but  she 
could  not  rest  while  her  country  suffered.  Although  she  had  seemingly 
given  all — yet  her  patriotic  heart  consented  to  one  more  sacrifice. 

In  1780,  when  Lemuel  was  about  sixteen,  she  gave  him  to  serve  his 
country  in  its  need,  as  he  had  upheld  his  mother  in  her  own.  Reinem- 
ber,  he  was  her  only  son,  and  she  was  a  widow.  When  we  realize  all 
that  he  was  to  her,  we  can  more  fully  appreciate  the  intensity  of  her 
patriotism,  as  shown  b}^  this  final  offering.  Lemuel  was  at  the  surrender 
of  Cornwallis,  and  then,  some  time  after  the  war,  he  left  his  mother  at  New 
Cambridge,  and  returned  to  Wyoming,  drawn,  perhaps,  by  more  interests 
than  one;  for  here  he  married  Sylvia  Murray,  daughter  of  Xoah  Mur- 
rav.     They  settled,' finallv,  in  Illinois  and  had  a  family  of  ten  children. 


X1-:\V     CAMBKIUGi:. 


(46)  Xo.  211i,  H.  Judd  U;  (47  i  Xd.  I'll,  James  McKernan  U;  (48j  Xo. 
200,  Geo.Wissmann  R,  Miss  Addie  Judd  R;  (49)  Xo  Number,  Mrs.  Chas. 
Monvay  R;  (50)  .Vo  Xmnher,  Pierre  Gaudreau  O,  Geo.  Clayton  R, 
P.  Fucci  R;  (51)  No  N'umber,  Wilfred  Bourdeau  R,  Medard  Bechard  R 
(was  at  one  time  Baptist  Parsonage);  (52)  X'o.  141,  A.  H.  Buskey  R, 
143,  James  Barnes  R;  (53)  No.  135,  Wm.  H.  Merritt  O,  137,  H.  S.  Hintze 
R:  (54)  Xo.  114,  Mrs.  J.  Shaw  R,  Xo.   110,  Stephen  O'Connell. 


76  BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 

Phebe,  Katherine's  eldest  daughter,  married  Levi  Frisbie,  and  in 
1800,  moved  to  Orwell,  Pennsylvania,  where  they  had  five  children. 

Lorena,  the  "baby,"  married,  in  1799,  Lynde  Phelps,  of  Burlington, 
Connecticut,  and  was  the  mother  of  seven  daughters. 

So  Katherine  Gaylord  lived,  in  spite  of  fate,  to  see  twenty-two 
grandchildren.  After  her  brood  had  flown  and  no  longer  needed  the 
care  which  once  was  literal  life  to  them  she  stayed  on  with  her  parents 
and  cared  for  them.  Her  father,  James  Cole,  living  to  be  over  ninety, 
was  one  day  left  for  a  short  time  alone  in  the  house.  In  some  way  the 
roof  caught  fire  and  the  bviilding  was  burned  to  the  ground.  Almost 
nothing  was  sayed,  and  again  Katherine  was  homeless.  It  was  with 
difficulty  that  Mr.  Cole  was  rescued;   and  shortly  after  he  died. 

Katherine  went  then  to  live  with  Lorena,  and  for  forty  years  she 
passed  in  and  out  among  them,  taking  the  liveliest  interest  in  helping 
to  "raise"  the  seven  daughters  of  her  daughter;  who  reinembered  ever 
her  kind,  motherly  care,  and  the  quiet,  patient.  Christian  character  she 
maintained. 

In  1799,  she  had  united  with  the  Congregational  Church  of  Bristol 
and  she  proved  ever  the  truth  of  the  beautiful  thought,  so  suggestive  of 
her  spirit: 

"Our  life  is  no  poor  cisterned  store. 
That  lavish  years  are  draining  low. 
But  living  streams  that,  welling  o'er,    , 
Fresh  from  the  living  fountains  flow." 

Her  sturdy  independence  was  characteristic  to  the  last,  When  in 
her  nineties,  her  daughter  Lorena  begged  her  to  lie  down  in  the  day- 
time to  rest,  she  determinedly  refused,  giving  as  her  reason,  that  she 
"did  not  wish  to  get  in  the  habit  of  it!" 

In  extreme  old  age.  later  events  faded  from  her  mind,  but  Wyoining 
and  its  fateful  memories  were  never  dim. 

She  is  said  once  to  have  been  so  overcome  by  the  sight  of  a  picture 
representing  an  Indian  in  the  act  of  scalping  a  man,  that  she  fell  to  the 
floor — so  vividly  did  the  horrible  past  return  to  her. 

At  the  very  last  of  her  life  here,  she  would  sit  for  hours  by  the  fire, 
lost  to  her  surroundings,  apparently  living  over  the  days  gone  by.  She 
would  sometimes  start  up  in  terror,  calling  to  her  children  to  hide  from 
the  Indians!  Again  she  would  seem  to  be  in  fear  of  wild  beasts  and 
cry  out  pitifully.  Sometimes  she  would  speak  her  husband's  naine, 
and  smile — seeming  to  hold  coinmunion  with  him — perhaps  she  did — 
who  knows?  And  at.  the  last,  after  ninety-five  years,  she  passed  peace- 
fully away;  feeling  no  doubt  in  regard  to  the  love  of  her  youth,  that 
while 

"Clouds  sail  and  waters  flow. 
Our  souls  must  journey  on, 
But  it  cannot  be  ill  to  go 

The  way  that  thou  hast  gone." 

The  storm  and  tumult  of  her  life  fcemed  to  follow  her  even  unto 
death.  At  the  time  of  her  going  a  terrific  snow  storm  occurred  in  New 
England,  blocking  the  roads  and  shutting  ofT  all  possibility  of  immediate 
interment.  The  village  carpenter,  who  was  also  the  village  undertaker, 
had  probably  time  to  provide  a  suitable  casket  before  the  storm;  but  it 
was  several  days  before  the  men  could  venture  out  even  to  break  paths. 
Owing  to  a  fierce  wind,  in  many  places  the  paths  had  to  be  twice  cleared. 

When  at  length  the  last  storm  which  should  ever  rage  over  the  head 
of  devoted  Katherine,  had  raved  itself  into  calm,  a  handful  of  men  left 
the  "Center,"  to  do  for  her  the  last  service  she  would  ever  need  at  their 
hands.  They  started  with  horse  and  sleigh;  but  after  going  a  few  rods 
the  plunging  steed  tore  off  a  shoe,  cutting  his  foot  so  badly  as  to  disable 
him;   and  so  they  abandoned  his  help,  even  as  Katherine  had  abandoned 


'Ky-:\V     (•  AMKRIIX'.K. 


WEST  ST 


(.').!  i  Xu.  10>),  Emory  G.  (laudrcau  ( '.  UUald  Foiu-aull  A',  (06) 
No.  W.  E.  Osborne  R.  Xo.  U)l.  II.  Wellman  R;  (."iT)  Xo.  '.t.3,  Mrs.  Ellen 
F.  judson  O;  (oS)  Xo.  8(i,  Fred  Smith  /\,  Frank  Wooster  /\;  (59)  No. 
87,  John  Bous(|uet  R,  E.  t'hrislum  R:  (tiO)  Xo.  SO,  Deborah  C.  Sanford 
O;  ((H)  Xo.  63,  T.  B.  Alexander  R;  (til')  Xo.  44,  Mis.s  Ella  Upson  O, 
Edwin  R.  Thayer  R;   (63)  Xo.  1.1,  Mrs.  l-arah  A.  Wandle  ('. 


78 


BRISTOL,    COXXECTICUT 


her  steed  near  "Wyoming  long  years  ago.  The  men  then  drew  the  sleigh 
across  the  drifted  fields  to  the  place,  two  miles  away,  where,  heedless  of 
all  tumult  now,  the  body  of  the  heroine  lay  in  peace. 

Greatly  exhausted  by  the  hard  road  and  digging,  the  men  were 
obliged  to  rest  and  take  food  before  making  further  effort. 

One  still  living,  who  as  a  boy,  was  present  at  this  strange  burial, 
recalls  clearly  the  occasion,  and  how  the  body  of  Katherine  was  placed 
upon  the  sleigh,  while  her  old  friends  and  neighbors,  with  their  own  hands, 
drcAV  it  to  its  final  place;  even  as  in  ancient  times  great  heroes  were  borne 
upon  the  shoulders  of  those  who  would  do  them  honor.  Eight  men 
were  present  at  this  hnal  scene,  but  no  woman  was  among  them.  A 
tragic  ending  to  a  tragic  life! 

"Never  more,  O  storm-tossed  soul — 
Never  more  from  wind  or  tide, 
Never  niore  from  billows  roll. 
Wilt  thou  need  thyself  to  hide!" 

[SiGXED.]  "COXXECTICUT." 

f  Elizabeth  Brvaxt  Johxstox, 
Committee  on  I  ■  Chainuan. 

Award  of  Prizes.  -j   Marguerite  Dickexs, 

I  Harriet  M.  Lothrop. 


iiiKi\i-.    i.Aii'MM.    Ai     HURLIXOTOX,    coxn. 

(Courtesy  of  Hrislol  Press.) 


OR        \  K  W     C  A  .M  K  R I  D I ;  E . 


79 


^■^ 

Prehistoric  Remains 

Or  the    1  unxis  Valley. 

B. 

Illustrated  With  Thotoyraphs  from  (:)rii:;inal  Objects.* 

BY     FREDERICK     H.     WILLIAMS. 


UR.      F.     H.     WILLI  A.MS. 

To  the  majority  of  men  the  ^Vborigine  of  Connecticut  is  less  real 
than  a  vanished  dream.  The  antiquarian  finds  hint  in  musty  deeds  or 
forgotten  laws.  The  etymologist  traces  him  in  the  names  of  the  moun- 
tains, brooks  or  vales  that  he  loved,  while  here  and  there  the  thoughtless 
turn  up  his  discarded  arrows  or  his  mouldering  bones.  But  his  wigwam 
has  vanished  w'ith  his  council  fires,  the  echo  of  his  war-whoop  is  lost 
in  the  valleys  and  time  has  le^'elled  the  earth  over  his  forgotten  graves. 
Yet  along  with  the  disused  tomahawk  and  the  shaftless  spear,  the  humbler 
imfjlements  of  his  domestic  life  everywhere  betray  to  the  patient  seeker 
his  ancient  habitations.  Sallust  believed  that  the  deeds  of  the  ancient 
Romans  were  as  illustrious  as  those  whose  praises  w-ere  sung  by  the 
bards  of  Greece,  but  that  they  were  so  occupied  with  those  deeds,  that 
none  thought  to  record   them.      So  we  mav   believe  that  some   among 


*  All  the  articles  illu.strated  belong  to  the  writer  except  such  as  are  marked  with 
letters:  c  A.  J.  Churchill,  Southington;  r  William  C.  Richards,  of  Bristol,  who  afe  here 
thanked  for  their  use. 

Students  interested  in  Archtcology.may  feel  assured  that  all  articles  described  are 
known  to  be  genuine,  and  from  this  section  tributary  to  the  old  Farmington  Valley,  and 
froin  Collinsville  to  Windsor. 


80 


BRISTOL,    COXXECTICUT 


THK     SOAI'STOXE     QUARRY     AT    BRISTOL. 

the  early  settlers  of  Connecticut  were  curious  enough  to  have  studied 
the  domestic  tools  of  the  savage,  but,  if  so,  they  forgot  to  record  inuch 
of  their  knowledge.  Besides  we  should  remeinber  that  the  metal  tools 
of  the  white  man  were  so  vastly  superior  to  the  stone  implements  of 
the  Indian,  as  to  cause  an  alinost  immediate  disuse  of  the  latter,  where 
metal  could  be  obtained.  Thus  it  happened  that  the  students  of  eth- 
nology, when  attention  became  turned  towards  unravelling  the  domestic 
life  of  ancient  savage  man,  some  forty  years  ago,  found  it  nearly  a  sealed 
book.  Yet  piece  by  piece- the  relics  of  ancient  man  have  been  collected, 
compared  with  each  other  and  with  what  may  now  be  found  among 
existing  savages.  Xo  longer  held  as  mere  curios  to  tickle  a  momentary 
fancy,  these  implements  and  ornaments  have  been  vised  as  the  alphabets 
<if  a  forgotten  tongue,  until  now  one  can  not  only  largely  reconstruct 
the  life  of  this  vanished  man,  but,  even  entering  his  departed  mentality, 
ask  the  reason  of  many  of  his  ways  and  deeds. 

It  must,  however,  be  the  scope  of  this  article  to  deal  only  with  such 
visible  remains  as  have  come  down  to  us  from  the  pre-Columbian  owners 
of  the  Tvinxis  Valley.  Therefore,  very  many  interesting  topics  mu^t 
be  left  untouched. 


POTTERY. 

•It  has  been  said  that,  "articles  of  fictile  ware  arc  the  most  fragile 
and  yet  the  most  enduring  of  human  monuments."*  But  owing  to 
some  cause,   doubtless  the  alternate  freezing  and  thawing  in  a  country 


*  Jones'  Anti  inities^f  the  Southern  Indians,  p.  -141. 


XKW     CWMBRinr.K 


81 


subject  to  heavy  rainfall  and  shallow  burials  conjoined,  perfect  pottery 
is  very  rare  in  this  valley.  Small  sherds  are  found,  however,  upon  nearly 
all  old  village  sites.  They  aj>pear  to  have  been  well  made  and  are  often 
of  a  line  red  color,  but  frequently  black- 
ened by  fire  and  smoke.  The  clay  is 
usually  mixed  with  micaceous  sands 
although  some  appears  to  have  been 
mixed  with  ashes,  and  other  sherds  seem 
made  of  nearly  homogenous  clays. 
Externally  the  pottery  is  usually  orna- 
mented, sometimes  with  parallel  lines,  or 
with  oblique  detached  lines,  or  series  of 
punctures.  Again  we  frequently  find  a 
net  work  of  various  patterns  impressed 
upon  it.  jn  the  American  Museum  of 
New  York  inay  be  seen  a  very  fine  I'ar 
found  near  Windsor,  belonging  to  the 
Terry  collection.  We  know  of  no  othei- 
perfect  pottery  from  this  section.  In 
fig.  1  we  illustrate  a  very  rare  pottery 
pipe  and  tube,  which  may  or  may  not 
have  been  its  stem,  found  in  the  bank  of  the  Connecticut  River,  near 
the  mouth  of  the  Farmington,  in  1SS4.  Fig.  2  shows  typical  pottery 
sherds  from  Farmington,  Plainville  and  Southington.  A  curious  study 
is  being  developed  by  taking  impressions  in  wax  of  the  ornamental  lines 
on  both  faces  of  pottery  jars.  One  can  thus  often  reconstruct,  not  only 
the  forms  of  the  matting  or  basketry  upon  which  they  were  molded,  but 
at  times  ascertain  the  nature  of  the  libres  of  which  the  netting  or  mats 
were  made. 

"It  was  a  common  practice  atnong  the  aborigines  to  employ  woven 
fabrics    in    the    construction    and    ornainentation    f)f   earthenware.      Im- 


POTTERY     PIPE. 


FR.\G.MEXTS    Dl-     I'OIIKKV, 


BRIS'lOL.    COWECTICUT 


SOAPSTOXE     DISHES. 

pressions  were  thus  left  on  the  clay,  and  by  baking  they  were  rendered 
as  lasting  as  if  engraved  on  stone.  From  no  other  source  do  we  obtain 
so  wide  a  range  of  fabrics."  tFibre  lines  will  be  noticed  upon  the  sherds 
illustrated  in  fig.  2.*  From  this  we  perceive  how  valuable  any  particular 
pot-sherd  may  be  to  science,  and  why  each  fragment  should  be  carefully 
saved  and  sliown  to  the  nearest  general  collection. 

STEATITE. 

The  working  of  soapstone  is  one  of  the  oldest  organized  industries 
of  the  Tunxis  Valley.  In  Bristol,  Nepaug  and  Harwinton  ledges  have 
been  found  where  the  prehistoric  Indian  mined  and  roughly  formed  his 
pots  and  bowls.  In  1892  a  beautiful  exposure  of  an  aboriginal  quarry 
was  uncovered  in  Bristol,  with  many  bowls  in  various  stages  of  finish 
still  attached  to  the  ledge.  For  the  Indian  first  marked  out  his  dish 
and  finished  shaping  its  bottom  and  side  before  detaching  it  from  the 
rock.  This  separation,  owing  to  the  general  irregularity  of  cleavage 
and  frequent  faults  in  the  steatite,  was  often  disastrous,  as  the  many 
broken  rejects  about  the  quarry  sho\\-.  When  the  bowl  was  once  freed 
from  the  ledge  it  seems  to  have  been  taken  to  some  village  site  and 
slowly  finished,  being  generally  smoothly  polished,  both  within  and 
without.  The  frontispiece  shows  the  Bristol  quarry  from  a  photograph 
made  by  the  Peabody  Museum,  and  shown  at  the  Columljian  h.xhihition 
at  Chicago. 

Fig.  3,  one  third  natural  size,  illustrates  a  very  fine  two-handled 
bowl,  found  soine  thirty  years  ago,  three  feet  deep  in  a  sand  bank  at 

t  Holmes  Prehistoric  Textile  Art,  13th  Annual  Report  Bureau  Ethnology. 

*  Since  articles  were  illustrated  for  these  papers  the  writer  has  read  Prof.  O.  T.  Mason's 
"Origin  of  Inventions."  On  page  58,  we  read  speaking  of  clay  iars,  "but  ninety  and 
nine  were  made  in  nets,  or  baskets,  or  bags.  In  such  examples  the  markings  are  on  the 
outside."  In  fig.  2a.  is  shown  the  inside  face  of  a  potsherd  from  Plainville,  which  is  ex- 
avtly  similarly  ornamented  on  both  outside  and  inside  faces. 


XEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


83 


Plainville;  few  prettier  bcnvls  exist  in  the  East.  Fij;.  4  shows  a  small 
drinking  bowl  from  Etxst  Bristol.  Fig.  5,  one  third  natural  size,  is  a 
cooking  dish  from  Burlington,  black  with  grease  and  smoke.  There  is 
also  a  banner  stone  in  Terryville,  and  a  unique,  but  unfortunatel}'  im- 
perfect, bird  amulet,  belongs  to  the  writer.  Imperfect  dishes  and  frag- 
ments are  quite  numerous.  Some  are  found  showing  holes  where  they 
have  been  mended.      Fig.  6. 

The  trap  talus  extending  along  the  old  valley  from  Southington 
north  to  the  Massachusetts  line,  furnished  the  angular  fragments  from 
which  were  made  the  implements  used  in  working  soapstone.  In  com- 
paring a  collection  of  the  implements  with  a  collection  of  unworked  stones 
it  would  seem  as  though  nature  had  placed  the  models  ready  to  the 
hand  of  man.  The  stones  flake  off  into  thin  narrow  pieces,  often  with 
such  acute  points  that  only  a  very  little  change  is  needed  to  produce 
the  required  tool.  These  tools  are  found  on  every  village  site  from 
Southington  to  Congamond  Lake  in  Massachusetts.  And  some  have 
been  found  at  Nepaug  which  retained  the  lustre  of  the  powdered  steatite. 
These  implements  were  of  four  general  types.  Those  rudely  blocked  out 
as  axes  and  grooved,  for  helving.  Of  these  some  cut  straight  with  the 
edge  as  our  axes,  some  cut  towards  one  like  an  adze,  while  others  were 
pointed  and  acted  more  like  a  pick-axe.  Examples  of  each  are  given, 
tigs.  7,  S,  9.  The  second  type  is  the  most  generally  distributed;  they 
are  found  from  four  to  twelve  inches  long  and  all  agree  in  having  the 
worked  edge  beveled  off  to  the  left.  They  do  not  form  very  sharp  points 
but  nearlv  all  show  the  polish  of  long  use.  If  a  number  are  placed  in 
a  row  the  general  trend  of  the  bevel  will  all  be  alike.      Fig.  10. 


I.MIM.I'i.MKXIS     FOR     WORKIXC,     S  T  IC  ATI  T  K  . 


84 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


The  third  type  are  smaller  and  more  robust,  rudely  wedge  shape 
except  that  the  point  is  always  acute.  The  blunt  end  is  roughly  shaped 
to  fit  the  hand  and  take  pressure  from  its  palm.  They  seem  to  have 
been  used  as  picks  and  gouges,  being  akin  to  the  modern  tool  of  the 
wood  graver;  figs.  11,  12,  13.  They  may  also  have  been  driven  into 
the  rock  after  the  manner  of  wedges. 

The  fourth  type  resembles  the  third  on  its  working  point,  but  they 
are  made  of  thin  flakes  of  stone  and  often  have  a  cutting  point  on  both 
ends;  fig.  14.  It  is  not  contended  that  these  tools  were  used  exclusively 
for  working  soapstone,  but  that  soapstone  was  worked  with  them. 

In  attempting  a  description  of  the  general  remains  of  the  Stone 
Age  Art  of  the  Tunxis  Valley,  a  few  explanatory  remarks  seem  justifiable. 
European  Archaeologists  divide  their  specimens  into  Paleolithic  or  ancient 
stone  age,  all  the  objects  of  which  are  chipped,  and  Neolithic,  or  newer 
stone  age,  in  which  many  ol Meets  are  polished.  No  such  classification 
can  be  made  applicable  to  American  Archaeology.*  The  writer  would 
rather  divide  his  description  into  domestic  tools,  largely  used  by  women; 
implements  of  warfare  and  chase;  religious  or  ceremonial,  and  ornamen- 
tal. The  prehistoric  Indian  himself  may  never  have  conceived  that  he 
possessed  an  art.  Nature  could  never  have  seemed  to  him  the  kind 
and  lavish  mother  that  she  does  to  us  today.  To  him  she  was  the  stern 
and  miserlv  controller  of  his  destinies,  from  whom  he  only  wrested, 
through  strenuous  and  unceasing  toil,  those  meagre  gifts  that  never 
gave  repletion.  Therefore  as  one  who  strove  hand  to  hand  with  nature 
on  all  sides,  he  walked  closer  to  her  nakedness  than  we.  But  his  com- 
panionship was  as  that  of  a  child  who  cannot  wander  far  from  the  maternal 
font  of  being.  He  knew  better  than  we  how  to  read  the  external  features 
of  her  presence;  such  secrets  as  she  vouchsafed  to  him  the  knowledge, 
he  learned  with  ready  wit.  But,  unlike  us  of  today,  never  having  pene- 
trated within  the  arcana  of  her  mvsteries,  he  could  not  stand  aloof  from 


HA.MMER     STONES. 


*  As  far  as  <an  now  be  seen  the  separation  of  a  paleolithic  from  a  later  Indian  tool  in 
America  is  a  question  of  its'geological  location.  The  writer  inclines  to  accept  the  evidences 
of  glacial  man  in  America. 


NEW     CAMBRIDGE. 


85 


1 


her  as  we  may  and   make  of  those  mysteries  the  ready  slaves  to  work 
his  will. 

HAMMER   AND  PIT  STONES. 

Yet  in  consequence  of  this  very  close  connection  with  nature,  what- 
ever he  met  with  became  a  possible  agent  in  his  struggles  with  her  for 
existence,  and  not  having  differentiated  his  arts,  each  tool  may  have 
had  an  hundred  useful  possibilities.  Necessity  is  no  more  the  mother 
of  invention  in  tools  than  she  is  of  variety  in  their  uses.  It  must  not 
then  be  expected  that  our  names  df  his  many  implements,  however  useful 

to  our  study,  always  convey  the 
Indian's  conception  of  them.  The 
simplest  of  all  implements  is  the 
hammer  stone.  Wherever  a  brook 
rolled  over  the  gravel  beds,  the 
Indian  found  it  ready  smoothed  and 
shaped  for  his  hand.  On  all  his 
old  camping  grounds  they  may  be 
collected  in  every  sort  of  condition, 
from  the  plain  stone  showing  no 
marks  of  usage,  through  various 
stages  of  elaborate  working,  down 
t(j  those  that  have  been  pounded 
nearly  to  pieces.  Wherever  we  find 
the  spalls  or  cores  of  the  arrow 
maker,  we  find  the  little  "knockers" 
with  which  he  worked  his  quartz 
or  cherty  pebbles;  figs.  15,  16.  In 
this  locality  the  inore  common 
liammers  are  made  of  a  hard  quartz 
and  quartzite.  Some  of  these  have 
been  carefully  pecked  all  around 
their  edges  and  brought  into  a 
round  (fig.  17),  or  oval  shape,  (fig. 
IS  I,  a  much  used  hammer.  Many 
are  beautiful  objects;  fig.  19. 
Others  are  made  of  a  coarse  but 
compact  yellow  quartzite  and  red 
sandstone.  Irregular  nodular  stones 
of  agatized  material  and  (juartz  seem  to  have  been  prized  for  their  great 
density  and  resistance  to  fracture. 

Many  of  the  objects  in  yellow  sandstone,  red  sandstone  and  even 
compact  quartzite  are  found  with  one  or  more  little  circular  depressions 
or  "pits."  These  pits  are  conical  and  usually  about  one  quarter  to  one 
half  of  an  inch  deep. 

Fig.  20  shows  a  rudclv  egg-shajjed  hammer  of  coarse  red  sandstone, 
in  which  the  ingenious  Indian,  in  addition  to  deep  pits  for  thumb  and 
middle  finger,  h"as  made  a  third  on  the  top  of  the  stone  for  the  index 
finger.  This  arrangement  gives  a  firm  hold.  More  commonly  there 
is  a  pit  upon  the  two  flat  faces  of  the  hammer,  opjKJsite  to  each  other. 
Sometimes  there  is  only  one  pit,  and  again  a  stone  may  have  five  or 
more  pits  irregularly  placed.  Figure  21  shows  a  beautiful  red  sand- 
stone that  has  the  indescribable  polish  of  long  handling,  with  one  pit  on  its 
long  face  and  the  other  on  its  smaller  end.  These  stones  are  found 
all  over  the  w'orld  and  are  usually  called  hammers.  The  writer  thinks 
many  of  them  show  no  signs  of  having  been  used  upon  other  stones. 
Simple  as  they  are  they  possess  a  sort  of  beauty  which  endears  them 
to  their  possessor.  Fig.  22  is  a  one  ])it  stone  or  "anvil."  Figs.  28,  24, 
are  two  pit  stones  or  "hammers." 

It  is  conceivable  that  these  simplest  of  tools,  as  the  Indian  came 
to  comprehend  their  possibilities,  worked  as  great  a  change  in  separating 
him  from  his  ferine  associates,  as  the  discovery  of  iron  and  steam  worked 
in   advancing  mankind    from    the   stone   age   c'jnditions.      From   striking 


I. 


2  bize. 


.\     PIT     STOXE     WITH     THREE        PITS. 

(One  opposite  the  tv\-o  shown.) 


86 


BRIS'IOI-.    COXXKCTICUT 


'i  Size. 


PIT    STONKS. 

them  together  he  may  have  gained  his  first  conceptions  of  producing 
fire  at  his  own  pleasure.  By  striking  them  together  he  slowly  discovered 
the  different  qualities  of  stones,  the  possibilities  of  the  conchoidal  frac- 
ture became  manifest  to  him.  From  them  he  gradually  evolved  the 
whole  art  of  chipping  and  pecking  in  stone.  No  thoughtful  sudent  can 
view  these  objects  without  emotion;  their  prototypes  were  the  corner- 
stones of  the  portals  of  civilization;  their  discovery  was  the  "open 
sesame"  to  those  inventions  to  which  man  owes  his  present  physical 
ameliorations.  Whether  it  were  apes  or  men  that  splintered  the  miocene 
flints  of  Thenay,*  we  can  not  doubt  that  when  primitive  man  began 
to  strike  these  stones  together  with  a  conscious  purpose,  he  struck  the 
blow  that  will  be  the  ultiniate  death  knell  of  all  his  savage  animal  asso- 
ciates, against  which  unarmed  he  waged  an  endless  conflict. 


POLISHERS. 

The  Stone  Age  artisan  had  three  general  modes  of  fabricating  his 
tools  and  ornaments.  Having  discovered  a  stone  suitable  for  his  pur- 
pose, often  one  having  a  natural  shape  similar  to  the  object  desired,  a 
few  well  directed  blows  with  his  hammer  would  roughly  complete  its 
outlines.  Now  he  might  slowly  reduce  it  to  shape  by  light  and  repeated 
blows  of  his  hammer,  wearing  it  away  in  coarse  dust.      This  was  pecking. 


*Tbe  Abbe  Bourgeois  showed  split  flints  from  the  miocene  at  Brussels,  in  1873. 


NEW     CAMBRIDGE. 


87 


traces  of  which  show   upon  nearly  all 
from  flint  or  chert.      Or  lie  mi^ht  '^rind 


large  objects,  except  those  made 
it  into  shape  by  rubbing  it  upon  a 
hard  stationary  stone  of  gritty 
nature,  or  by  rubbing  other 
gritty  stones  on  it.  This  was 
polishing.  Finally  if  the  stone 
worked,  upon  were  of  a  proper 
nature  to  take  the  right  cleavage, 
he  might  chip  it  away  by  direct 
l)lows  from  his  hammer,  or  by  sud- 
den impulsion  upon  its  edges  with 
a,  hard  object,  wear  it  down  in 
little  flakes.  This  was  flaking 
and  chipping.  Often  several  or 
all  of  th^se  actions  might  be 
lirought  to  bear  successively 
upon  one  object.  The  little  flakes 
produced  by  the  ancient  chipper 
are  among  the  most  distinctive 
of  his  vestiges.  The  eye  of  the 
|)racticed  "relic  hunter"  trails 
their  fabricator  by  these  little 
spalls,  much  as  the  red  man 
trailed  the  objects  of  his  chase. 
Bv  observing  their  variety,  con- 
dition and  abundance,  he  is 
often  enabled  to  ferret  out  old 
and  productive  village  sites.  It 
seems  probable  that  flaking  was 
the  earliest  of  all  his  arts  in  stone, 
and  yet  it  ultimately  reached  the 
highest  place  among  them.  Be- 
sides the  hammers  described 
there    ha\-e    come     down    to     us 


FLESHKRS. 


quite  a  variety  of  tools  used  in  these  processes.  In  figs.  25,  26,  27,  one 
third  natural  size,  are  shown  grinders  or  polishers  of  gritty  red  sandstone 
and  quartzite.  Fig.  27  is  a  red  sandstone  "pit"  stone  made  into  a 
polisher.  Other  curiously  worked  stones,  whose  use  remains  problem- 
atical, may  be  seen  in  figs.  28,  27.  Fig.  30  is  a  beautiful  stone  of  a  dark 
chocolate  color,  carefully  polished  all  over,  which  may  have  been  used 
in  perfecting  the  blades  of  axes  and  celts.  The  other  tools  are  quartzite. 
All  were  found  in  Plainville  or  Farmington.  The  pitted  stone,  fig.  24, 
froin  Congamond  Lake,  has  been  used  secondarily  as  a  polisher. 


FLESHERS. 

Certain  implements  have  been  sparsely  found  around  Farmington 
and  Plainville  which  seem  to  have  been  made  for  removing  skins  from 
slain  animals,  and  possibly  bark  from  li^•ing  trees,  used  in  making  basketry 
and  mats.  They  all  agree  in  being  made  from  thin  flakes  of  a  very 
hard,  dense  and' heavy  stone.  Roughly  flaked  out  in  chisel  form  they 
show^  no  fine  work  except  on  one  end.  'This  end  is  always  brought  to  a 
sharp  edge  from  both  faces,  with  the  cutting  edge  prolonged  in  a  cur\-e 
to  one  side  much  like  an  old  fashioned  shoe  knife.  They  all  show  the 
friction  polish  of  long  use,  doubtless  acquired  from  years  of  drudgery 
of  the  squaws.  They  are  made  from  a  silicious  blue  stone,  but  long 
weathering  has  made  them  a  dull  earth  color,  with  a  fine  patina.  In 
the  Bristol  Museum  is  one  specimen  with  a  straight  blade  resembling  a 
chisel.  We  illustrate  four  sx^ecimens  all  from  Farmington;  figs.  31,  32, 
33,  34. 


BRISTOL    CONNECTICUT, 


J     > 


Size. 


30 


POLISHERS. 


THE  SCRAPER. 


The  writer  believes  that  the  scraper  and  its  brother  the  flaked  knife 
followed  next  after  the  haminer  stone  in  the  tide  of  evo.lution.  Whether 
his,  environment  were  stone,  bone  or  shell,  wherever  prehistoric  man 
has  left  his  traces,  these  most  useful  of  tools  are  found.  Among  such 
simple  implements  we  cannot  be  surprised  that  along  with  specimens 
of  the  highest  art  should  linger  others  as  rude  and  simple  as  may  be 
found  among  the  earliest  vestiges  of  man.  Fig.  35  represents  such  an 
object  in  yellow  Jasper  from  Granby,  that  seems  the  counterpart  of 
specimens  froin  prehistoric  France.  Made  froin  various  cherty  or 
quartzite  stones,  soine  were  simply  more  or  less  chipped  on  one  edge  as 
in  figs.  36,  37;  some  resemble  arrow  points  ground  off  to  a  blunt  edge. 
Others  are  merely  round  pebbles,  split  through  their  centers  and  then 
worked  to  such  an  edge  that  when  drawn  towards  one  they  will  rasp  or 
cut  any  soft  material.  Figs.  38,  39,  are  tine  examples.  Many  of  these 
tools  show  signs  of  very  prolonged  use  by  the  exquisite  polish  upon  their 
working  surface,  and  these  are  not  always  the  ones  that  we  would  select 
for  shape  or  beauty.  Probably  they  were  more  used  to  soften  skins  and 
rub  them  flexible  than  for  cutting;  iigs:  40,  41.  Fig.  42,  one  half  natural 
size,  represents  an  uncommon  form  with  unusual  polish  upon  it.  A 
great  many  seem  to  have  been  used  as  our  cobblers  use  a  piece  of  glass 
for  rasping  wood,  horn,  bones  and  hides,  and  doubtless  also  in  preparing 
food  and  removing  meat  from  bones;  flg.  43.  Some  were  doubtless 
hafted  in  wooden  handles,   the  handles  being  split  open,  the  tool  was 


NKW     CAMBKIKCl-; 


89 


partly  inserted  and  seized  on  with  threads 
made  of  sinews  and  vegetable  fibres  and 
perhaps  cemented  with  glue  or  pitch.  Fig. 
45  (c),  one  half  natural  size,  represents 
such  a  scra])er  from  Southington,  which 
we  believe  to  have  been  also  a  skinning 
tool,  and  admirable  for  small  animals.  This 
form,  of  which  we  have  seen  several, 
seems  to  be  undescribed.  One  face  is  al- 
ways flat  while  the  other  is  raised  into  a 
triangular  ridge  along  its  center.  It  is 
stemmed  like  an  arrow  point  and  brought 
to  a  cutting  edge  all  around;  length  1 14' 
inches.  In -fig.  4(i  we  give  an  ideal  recon- 
struction of  this  tool.  Upon  careful  study 
it  will  be  seen  that  when  it  is  used  flat  side 
down  it  becomes  a  lancet;  with  its  curved 
liack  down  it  acts  as  a  wedge  or  probe  in 
separating  the  tissues  or  raising  up  the 
skill.  When  pushed  along  arrow  shape 
cither  edge  becomes  a  good  cutting  knife, 
acting  like  one  blade  of  a  pair  of  shears. 
When  held  with  the  fiat  face  towards  one 
it  makes  a  serviceable  knife.  In  skillful 
hands  it  could  easily  be  vised  to  extract 
arrow  points  from  wounds.  These  tools 
are  far  from  numerous.  Fig.  47  shows  a 
much  larger  one,  with  the  back  much  less 
ridged,  from  Wolcott,  which  shows  the 
polish  of  very  great  use.  Fig.  48  gives 
another  specimen.  Fig.  50  gives  a  typi- 
cal scraper  fit  for  working  both  wood  and 
hides,  whose  reconstruction  has  been  at- 
tempted in  fig.  51.  Other  forms  of  scrap- 
ers arc  shown  in  figs.   52  and'53. 


\^-/'.  > 


h^ 


'.  SiT-e. 


SCKAI'KKS. 


90 


n  k I s  r o L,  CON" .\ I-: c t i c u t 


■^^^*t£i. 


BU.XTS. 
Something  like  the  last  described  scraper 
only  not  having  the  edges  sharp  or  bevelled, 
but  always  blunt,  are  manj^  pointless  arrow 
heads.  They  are  thought  to  have  been  used 
to  kill  small  game  without  breaking  the  skin. 
"Jones  says  that  crescent  shaped  arrows 
were  tised  by  the  southern  Indians  for  shoot- 
ing off  birds'  heads."*  We  show  several 
examples  of  these  so-called  bunts  or  bunters; 
hgs.  54,  55,  56.  In  figs.  57,  58,  59,  are  the 
arrow  points  presumably  used  for  shooting 
off  birds'  heads.  Fig.  59  represents  a  chisel 
shaped  quartz  arrow  point  from  Compounce, 
with  very  sharp  edge,  which  is  of  great  in- 
terest. Fig.'^^GO,  an  argillite  specimen  from 
Farmington. 

PERFORATORS. 

Next  in  frequency  to  arrow  and  spear 
points  upon  our  old  village  sites,  we  find  per 
forators  or  drills.  The  Indian  made  two  gen- 
eral typesof  perforations  in  stone.  When  he 
wished  to  bore  thick  objects,  as  pipes  or  ban- 
ner stones  and  beads,  he  made  a  cylindrical 
1  )ore  usually  of  the  same  diameter  all  through 
the  obiect.     These  bores  are  thought  to  have 


SCR.-\PKKS. 


*  "Fowkes"  Stone  Art".     13th  Annual  Report  Biireau  EtlmnloKy,  p.  KiS. 


\T-;\V     CAMBRinilH 


.1 


/i' 


^ 


■:j  0 

•     ^  I 

\ 


been  made  with  hollow  horns  or  cane  and  reed  stems  with  the  aid  of 
sharp  sand.  Concentric  rings  may  be  seen  in  many  such  perforations. 
Again,  untinished  objects  often  have  incomplete  perforations  whose 
condition  shows  that  the  drill  was  a  solid  tool.  Many  pipes  seem  to 
have  been  gouged  out,  but  by  what  tool  we  cannot  say.  The  most 
common  form  of  perforation,  however,  is  a  conical  bore  which  usually  is 
made  from  both  sides  of  the  stone  being  worked.  These  holes  meet  at 
an  angle  about  the  center  of  the  stone,  and  the  opening  is  usually  near 
one  side  of  the  perforation,  showing  that  the  drill  was  worked  in  obliquely 
from  each  side.  In  more  carefully  finished  objects  the  center  of  the 
hole  is  later  widened  so  that  the  whole  diameter  is  more  nearly  equal, 
but  only  in  a  few  does  the  peculiar  conical  appearance  of  the  bore  disap- 
pear. Some  tools  show  a  conical  bore  made  entirely  through  from  one 
side.  Some  investigators  have  doubted  the  possibility  of  drilling  hard 
stones  with  such  drills  as  have  come  down  to  us.  For  many  of  them 
are  of  such  fragile  material  as  red  sandstone,  shale  and  slate.  Dr.  Ab- 
botf  pictures  a  sandstone  object  of  which  he  says:  "By  the  aid  of  two 
stone  drills  we  completed  the  perforation;  accomplishing  it  after  eleven 
hours  of  not  difficult  but  rather  tiresome  labor."  Two  drills  were  used, 
one  of  jasper  and  one  of  slate.  "The  drill  is  of  slate  and  comparatively 
soft,  but  it  did  not  wear  away  more  rapidly  than  the  jasper  specimen." 
We  illustrate  a  number  of  typical  forms  from  our  valley.  Fig.  61,  one 
half  natural  size,  is  a  double  drill  made  from  a  moss  agate.  It  seems  al- 
most incredible  that  such  a  tool  could  have  been  made  from  so  hard  a 
stone.  It  is  one  of  the  most  beautiful  objects  we  possess.  Found  in 
Farmington.  Figs.  62,  63,  64,  65,  represent  drills  with  wide  arrow  like 
bases.  Fig.  66  is  a  perforator  made  by  rubbing.  Figs.  67,  68,  69,  70, 
71,  72,  slender  spear  like  tools,  which  were  doubtless  used  as  needles 
and  awls  as  well  as  drills.  Figs.  73,  74,  represent  large  based  perforators. 
Fig.  75,  a  small,  very  hard  drill,  resembling  those  from  the  Pacific  coast. 
Some  of  these  drills  show  the  peculiar  attrition  polish  that  we  noticed 
upon  scrapers,  and  were  doubtless  used  to  perforate  skins.  They  ma\' 
have  been  hafted.  Fig.  76  (c),  one  half  natural  size,  presents  a  drill 
shaped  tool  that  the  writer  believes  to  have  been  hafted  and  used  as  an 
awl  to  unravel  stitches  in  skin  robes,  or  possibly  in  fabricating  baskets. 
It  is  not  straight  enough  for  a  drill.  Certain  flaked  tools  of  much  larger 
size,  whose  edges  are  bevelled  off  sharply  in  opposite  directions  have 
been  called  reamers.  When  these  were  revolved  to  the  left  they  would 
cut  with  both  edges  in  succession,  but  the  writer  cannot  understand 
what  they  were  intended  to  cut,  Fig.  77,  shows  a  very  fine  example 
from  Farmington. 

KNIVES. 

We  find  a  large  variety  of  implements  which  differentiate  from 
scrapers  and  spears  on  one  side  and  tomahawks,  celts  and  fleshers  on 
the  other.  Of  the  chipped  class  much  the  finer  specimens  were  doubtless 
men's  weapons,  but  in  the  polished  types  the  highest  evolution  was  in 


t  Stone  Age  in  Xcnv  Jersey,  p.  32G.     Fi^.  loO,  Smithsonian  Pub.,  394. 


^J^m^  M.rr- 


U 


>fl 


/   ■'..  t 


PERFORATORS. 


blur- 


•/^Sixe? 


PERFORATORS, 


NEW     CAMBRIDGE. 


i)3 


woman's  sphere  of  tools.  Reserving  a 
description  of  the  weapon  class  for  another 
l-.eading,  we  will  here  outline  those  forms 
presumably  domestic.  The  simplest  of 
;dl  were  flakes  struck  off  by  one  blow  from 
a  pebble,  but  the  Tunxis  Valley  offers  few 
suitable  minerals  for  such  flakes.  We  can 
only  point  to  one  object  of  a  whitish  opa- 
que cjuartz,  which  was  taken  by  the  writer 
from  the  side  of  an  excavation  about  three 
feet  deep,  during  the  trenching  for  the 
Bristol  reservoir;  fig.  78.  Its  artificial 
character  is  plain  and  its  location  very 
singular.  A  good  many  rudely  made  knives 
have  been  found,  chipped  mostlv  on  one 
edge,  some  of  which  seem  to  foreshadow 
the  later  polished  skinning  knives;  figs.  79, 
SO.  Fig.  81,  represents  a  most  beautiful 
example  of  artistic  chipping.  It  is  of 
"hornstone,"  and  chipped  only  on  the 
blade,  but  work  upon  it  is  as  fine  as  many 
specimens  of  Scandinavian  art.  Prof. 
Mason*  illustrates  one  of  these  knives 
showing  us  the  "primitive  form  of  grip" 
or  handle  which  we  imitate;  fig.  82.  In 
fig.  83,  we  give  a  knife  from  Farmington 
exactly  like  it.  Fig.  84  illustrates  appar- 
ently a  very  ancient  example  in  red  sand- 
stone. When  one  of  these  knives  is  held 
lengthwise,  blade  uppermost,  along  the 
hand,  it  will  be  seen  to  curve  from  one  end 
to  the  other.  When  held  properly  the 
outlining    of    the  "'edge    sweeps    from    the 


forefinger  in  a  gentle  curve  inward  to  the  thumb.  But  if  the  knife  is 
reversed  the  curve  is  away  from  the  thumb.  It  seems  only  possible  to 
cut  a  straight  line  when  the  curve  sweeps  along  the  natural  curve  of 
the  hand  from  the  thumb  to  the  index  finger,  so  we  think  this  shape  is 
intentional,  not  accidental. 


*  O.  T    Mason,  Primitiv;  Industry,  p.  40. 


BRISTOL,    COXXPXTICUT 


efe.    '>-•>'-' 


F^" 


In  fig.  86,  one  third  natural  size,  we  give  a  very  fine  example  of  a 
skining  knife  made  of  green  slate  from  Plainville.  The  reader  will 
readily  see  how  closely  it  resembles  a  New  England  hash  knife.  These 
knives  seem  to  have  been  made  by  grinding  only  and  are  pre-eminently 
the  woman's  tool.  Fig.  87,  represents  another  fine  example  from  Plain- 
ville. There  is  another  beautiful  one  made  of  black  slate  in  the  Bristol 
Museum.  A  very  large  example  is  shown  in  the  American  Museum 
of  Natural  History,  New  York,  from  Bloomfield.  Dr.  Abbot  among 
manv  thousand  j diverse  tools  only  found  one  in  New  Jersey.  Fig.  89, 
is  a  singular  if  not  uniqvie  little  knife  from  Burlington.  It  was  obviously 
made  to  be  hafted  and  would  have  cut  up  cooked  meat  very  readily. 
A  well  made  knife  blade  of  such  a  cvirious  substance  as  red  shaly  sandstone 
is  shown  in  fig.  90.      Fig.  91,  seems  verj^  old.      Fig   92,  is  from  Bristol. 


*  Abbott,  Stone  Age  in  New  Jersey,  p.  .303. 


OR     "XEW     CAMBRint'.H. 


CELTS. 

■  We  now  come  to  one  of  the  most  lieauliful  classes 
of  all  our  Indian  tools,  the  celt.|  U])on  these 
stones  the  ancient  craftsman  lavished  some  of  his 
choicest  skill.  They  are  the  most  universal  of  all 
worked  implements.  A  fine  collection  shows  a 
wonderful  variety  of  color  and  texture  in  stone, 
although  all  are  made  of  heavy  and  tough  mate- 
rials. They  were  first  pecked  nito  shape  and  then 
polished  more  or  less  completel}'.  The 
more  common  forms  of  Connecticut  are 
cjuiteround  in  outline,  yet  many  are 
oval  or  nearly  flat.  All  typical  celts 
agree  in  having  a  sharp  blade,   worked 


axe-like  equalh'  fru;ii    both   sides,  so 
as    to    be    nearly    symmetrical.      So 
very  seldom  are   they  grooved  that 
the  writer  recalls  only  one  example, 
from  Wisconsin.        Some     archteolo- 
gists  have  denied  that  they  were  ever 
hafted,yetone  is  exhibited  in  the  American  Museum, 
N.Y.,  found  in  a  brook  some  fifty  years  ago.     It  is 
driven  about  half  way  through  a  well  made  handle 
and    may    have    been    either  a  tool  or  a  weapon. 
These  tools    are    generally    thought   to  have   been 
used   in  working   wood.      Probably   they   were  em- 
ployed  also   in    rubbing    down   hard    skins,  as  the 
Indian  squaw    doubtless    used  whatever  tool  came 
handy.      As  chisels  they  may  have  been  pushed  by 
the  hand,  but  many  show    decided  signs  of  having 
been    vigorously    pounded,  as  a  joiner    ])ounds   his 
chisel.  Working  with  nojguide  but  his  eye,  no  tool 


t  From  celtis — a  chisel. 


96 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


1 


^        IlL^IXEl 


but  a  stone  hammer,  and  no  measure  hut  his  hand,  one  is  amazed  to 
see  how  perfect  some  of  these  objects  have  been  made.  P'ig.  93,  one 
fourth  natural  size,  is  a  very  perfect  black  celt  from  Burlington.  Fig. 
94  (r),  from  Farmington,  is  more  flat  with  its  sides  squared  and  beau- 
tifully polished  nearly  all  over.  Fig.  95  is  almost  a  twin  to  93.  Fig.  96 
shows  a  wider  celt  with  expanding  blade,  made  of  a  very  dense  black 
stone  from  Granby.  Age  has  given  this  a  beautiful  "patina"  of  mottled 
bluish-grey  and  white.  Only  where  a  plow  nipped  one  comer  can  the 
true  color  be  seen.  The  depth  of  the  weathering,  while  the  polish  of 
the  stone  remains  as  perfect  as  when  made,  would  seem  to  indicate  a 
great  age.  Its  blade  has  been  tised  until  the  edge  is  well  battered  down. 
Fig.  97,  found  by  the  writer  in  Plainville,  differs  from  the  others,  in 
being   flat    and   verv    ihin.      While   perfectly    shaped   by    pecking,    only 


i 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE."  97 

two  inches  of  the  blade  has  been  poHshed.  One  side  is  flat  while  the 
other  is  beveled  off  after  the  manner  of  a  plane.  It  would  be  a  very 
serviceable  tool  in  working  charred  wood,  and  capable  of  taking  a  very 
sharp  edge.  Implements  of  this  class  have  been  found  made  of  quartz 
and  simply  chipped  out,  the  extreme  edge  only  showing  the  polish  of 
long  use.      All  such  stones  should  be  carefully  collected  for  further  study 

THE  PESTLE. 

Schoolcraft*  writes  that  Indian  corn  was  raised  along  the  Connecticut 
and  tributary  valleys,  and  coarsely  reduced  in  mortars  of  stone  and  wood. 
This  meal  was  our  Xew  England  "hominy."  The  writer  has  never  seen 
any  mortars  of  stone  from  this  section  that  he  considered  to  have  been 
used  for  such  a  purpose.  He  thinks  our  aboriginal  mortars  were  made  of 
hard  wood,  tradition  says  pepperidge  trees.      (Nyssa  Miiltiflora.) 

Schoolcraft  §  pictures  a  Pennacook  squaw  of  New  Hampshire, 
pounding  corn  in  a  mortar,  which  is  on  the  ground  beneath  a  tree.  Above 
it  there  is  attached  by  a  long  cord  to  an  overhanging  limb  a  stone  pestle. 
The  rebound  of  the  limb  seems  to  raise  the  pestle  and  her  hand  gives  it 
the    downward    blow.  The    Avriter    cannot    help    the    suspicion    that 

soine  of  Schoolcraft's  pictures  of  life  are  quite  imaginary;  still  he  has 
seen  numerous  pestles  with  projections  or  grooves  on  the  end  perfectly 
adapted  to  such  suspension.  Schoolcraftf  also  pictures  a  pestle  with 
an  animal's  head  on  the  upper  end,  saying  that  it  was  "a  family  name 
wrought  by  a  symbol,"  what  we  should  call  a  "totem."  Two  such 
pestles  are  in  the  Bristol  Museum,  but  not  from  the  section  we  are  de- 
scribing. Pestles  are  quite  frequently  found,  and  being  such  conspicuous 
objects,  usually  reported  to  collectors.  They  never  seem  to  have  been 
polished,  except  from  use  on  their  working  ends.  Therefore  in  them  we 
may  see  the  art  of  pecking  brought  to  its  highest  elegance,  and  many 
such  objects  are  indeed  most  fair  to  look  upon.  In  fig.  98,  is  shown  a 
pestle  from  Bristol,  found  by  the  late  Caleb  Matthews  on  Chippins  Hill, 
seventeen  inches  long.  Fig.  99,  depicts  an  extra  line  pestle  from  Farm- 
ington.  Made  of  a  dark  material  it  is  evenly  pecked  into  a  perfect  shape 
all  around.  In  another  respect  this  pestle  may  be  unique.  It  certainly 
is  a  novel'example  of  ancient  stone  art.  Although  made  of  a  very  hard 
stone,  a  hole  of  unknown  depth  about  one  half  of  an  inch  in  diameter, 
has  been  drilled  into  its  working  end.  Into  this  hole  another  stone  of 
yet  harder  nature  has  been  perfectly  fitted,  the  whole  being  ground 
off  evenly  smooth.  We  have  also  another  pestle  in  which  a  similar 
hole  has  been  begun  but  left  unfinished.  The  perfect  pestle  was  found 
perhaps  fifty  years  ago  by  an  old  negro  who  dwelt  upon  the  site  of  the- 
old  Indian  village.  This  old  fellow  had  an  exceedingly  verdant  memorv,. 
which  reached  backward  several  centuries  while  describing  his  remem- 
brances of  the  ancient  red  men,  as  he  saw  them  shooting  their  arrows 
across  the  primeval  reaches  of  the  meadows.  The  writer  must  now  re- 
deem a  pledge  made  to  the  old  man  a  decade  ago  when  the  pestle  was 
reluctantly  given  into  his  keeping — to  immortalize  both  the  pestle  and 
its  finder.  Jacob  Sampson  Freeman,  for  half  a  century  the  custodian 
of  this  last  vestige  of  some  Sagamore,  cherishing  it  almost  as  a  Fetich, 
he  became  involuntarily  an  humble  disciple  of  science.  May  his  me:nory 
remain  as  green  as  his  imagination,  as  his  shade  gambols  through  the 
happy  hunting  grounds.      Our  pledge  is  fulfilled.      Rcquiescat  in  pace. 


*  "Archives  of  Aboriginal  Knowledge,"  Vol.  I,  p.  84. 
§  Ibid,  Vol.  4,  p.  174. 
t  Ibid,  Vol.  ,3,  p.  4f)(i. 


98 


BRISTOL,    CON.NECTICUT 


"The  devices  of   primitive  man   are  the  forms  out  of  which  all  subsequent  expedients 
arise.     The  whole  earth  is  full  of  monuments  of  nameless  inventors." — ilfawn.* 


The  general  similarity  of  the  culture  existing  among  the  Tunxis 
Indians  to  that  of  the  natives  of  other  sections  of  North  America,  as 
shown  by  their  remaining  implements,  points  to  their  common  origin. 
Yet  the  dissimilarity  of  speech  and  the  extent  to  which  special  forms  of 
art  and  customs  had  differentiated  in  different  sections,  point  also  to  a 
very  ancient  origin  of  man  in  America.  In  judging  the  advance  and 
skill  of  any  people  by  their  artefracts,  we  must  consider  their  surroundings, 
their  food  supply,  and  especially  those  materials  upon  which  their  skill 
niight  be  expended.  The  comparative  ease  with  which  the  more  tract- 
able materials  could  be  obtained  must  ever  have  had  as  large  an  effect 
upon  the  expansion  of  special  arts  as  the  pressure  of  that  necessity  called 
the  "mother  of  invention," 

Yet  a  comparison  of  such  worked  objects  as  we  possess  shows  the 
Tunxisflndian  to  have  been  capable  of  work  equal  to  most  any  people 
of  America — unless  it  be  claimed,  which  Ave  shall  not  consider,  that 
his  better  objects  were  the  result  of  barter.  The  Indians  of  this  section 
are  believed  to  have  always  been  few  in  number;  for,  except  he  attach 
himself  to  some  food  stipply  that  is  either  by  nature  or  through  his  own 
efforts  made  regular  and  unfailing,  man  ne\'er  multiplies  rapidly  nor 
emerges  from  a  savage  state.  All  the  great  Oriental  civilizations  grew 
tip  around  the  wheat,  barley,  rice  or  date  fields,  or  in  the  pasttires  of 
domesticated  animals.  So  in  America  the  nuclei  of  budding  civilizations 
were  found  amid  the  maize  or  cocoa  fields,  or  attached  to  the  buflfalo  or 
the  llama.  Elsewhere  existed  only  different  degrees  of  a  baser  savage- 
ism,  and  even  that  a  largely  degenerate  and  apparently  a  disappearing 
people. 

Of  the  Connecticut  Indians  we  are  told,  "The  women  of  an  ordinary 
family  cultivated  and  harvested  two  or  three  heaps  of  maize  in  a  season 


*  Origin  of  Inventions,  p.  413. 

t  We  know  nothing  of  prehistoric  miijrations  of  tribes.     Those  Indians  whose  relics 
we  are  discussing  may  have  been  of  a  hundred  successive  nations. 


XKW    CAMBRIDC.  !■: 


99 


AGRICULTURAL    TOOLS. 


of  from  fifteen  to  twenty  bushels  each,"  and  also  raised  beans,  pumpkins 
and  tobacco.*  In  their  agricultural  labors  we  are  told  that  they  used 
largely  their  fingers  as  tools.  "The  only  other  implements  which  the 
Indians  seemed  to  have  used  were  spades  rudely  constructed  of  wood, 
or  a  large  shell  fastened  to  a  wooden  handle,  "t  As  it  must  have  been 
easier  for  the  Indian  to  have  made  a  stone  spade  than  one  of  wood,  such 
a  conclusion  seems  hardly  tenable. 

Our  early  settlers  were  more  interested  in  converting  the  Indian, 
when  not  killing  him,  than  in  studying  his  physical  surroundings,  to 
which  we  must  owe  the  poverty  of  their  descriptions. 

It  is  only  the  span  of  three  generations  since  the  learned  men  of 
Euroije  considered  their  prehistoric  relics  to  be  either  the  weapons  of 
fairies  or  the  thunderbolts  of  the  god  of  lightning. 


*  DeForest,  Indians  of  Connecticut,  p.  5,  r[nolin.i,'  RoRer  Williams  ke>'. 
t  Ibid. 


100 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


While  the  ungrooved  celt  was  a  universal  tool,  curiously  enovigh 
the  grooved  tool,  excepting  a  few  hammer  forms,  seems  to  have  been 
mostly  confined  to  America.  The  prehistoric  dwellers  of  the  Tunxis 
Valley  left  us  many  grooved  implements,  ranging  from  the  rudely  notched 
picks  of  the  steatite  miners,  through  more  or  less  perfect  axe-like  forms, 
to  little  hatchets  or  tomahawks.  These  are  mostly  classed  as  axes, 
but  from  many  years'  study  of  the  ruder  forms  the  writer  cannot  con- 
sider them  either  rejects  or  unfinished  axes,  but  believes  many  of  them 
were  used  as  earth  picks  and  hoes  in  cultivating  maize.  The  agricul- 
tural tools  are  more  rudely  made  than  celts,  often  merely  coarsely 
flaked  into  shape.  Showing  no  signs  of  hammer  pecking,  their  only 
polish  is  that  of  use,  and  this  shows  chiefly  on  the  bit  and  in  the  groove. 
When  we  examine  such  a  tool  it  will  be  seen  that  a  line  drawn  from  the 
center  of  the  head  to  the  center  of  the  blade  shows  the  blade  curving 


C.KOOVED    AXES. 


TOM.iHWVKS. 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE."  101 

away  to  one  side.      Fig.  2  (Farmington).      Xo  one  could  direct  a  straight 
blow  with  such  a  tool  used  axe  fashion. 

Fig.  3  (Plainville)  gives  us  a  side  view  of  this  form  of  tool  which 
shows  the  point  contended.  Various  leaf-shaped  tools  seem  to  belong 
in  the  section  of  digging  implements.  Fig.  4,  from  Windsor  meadow, 
shows  a  tine  and  ancient  example.  Chipped  spades  of  quartzite,  some- 
what resembling  those  from  Illinois,  only  much  ruder  and  smaller, 
have  been  found  at  Congainond  Lake.  They  show  a  fine  polish  from 
use.      Figs.  5,  5  (2). 

The  real  grooved  axe  was  built  upon  a  straighter  line  than  the  hoe. 
Usually  pecked  into  a  more  perfect  shape,  it  was  often  lab6riously  pol- 
ished all  over.  The  nomadic  nature  of  our  aborigines  and  the  vast 
forests  full  of  partly  decayed  timbers  must  have  rendered  a  great  number 
of  these  tools  unnecessary,  yet  we  find  some  fine  examples.  Fig.  6c 
illustrates  one  from  Soutliington.  Fig.  7  is  an  unusual  specimen  from 
Farmington  Ornamented  with  a  ridge  around  both  sides  of  the  groove, 
it  was  once  polished  all  over,  but  has  been  roughened  anew  by  the  un- 
relenting fingers  of  time.  Fig.  8  shows  a  fine  flat  axe  from  Plainville. 
We  also  illustrate  another  example  in  fig.  9. 

We  may  here  speak  of  the  tomahawk,  which  doubtless  served  to 
break  up  wood  and  bones  on  the  march  as  well  as  for  purposes  of  w^ar. 
Soine  of  these  are  very  axe-like,  as  the  specimen,  fig.  He  froin  Southing- 
ton.  Fig.  12  shows  a  very  rare  tool,  a  chipped  quartzite  hatchet  from 
Farmington.  Fig.  13  shows  a  beautiful  object  of  the  celt  type,  from 
Burlington,  which  we  consider  a  typical  tomahawk.  In  fig.  14,  from 
Farmington,  we  have  a  third  type  which  must  have  been  used  exclu- 
sively for  war  or  chase.  We  believe  this  to  have  been  much  the  more 
common  form.  We  read  of  the  torture  of  captives  by  the  Indians, 
who  were  said  to  have  tied  the  victims  to  a  tree  and  thrown  tomahawks 
with  such  skill  that  they  remained  attached  to  the  tree  around  the 
captive's  head.  The  futility  of  such  a  use  of  the  prehistoric  tomahawks 
needs  no  comment.  The  curious  reader  can  find  in  Vol.  2,  p.  16,  of 
Winsor's  "Narrative  and  Critical  History  of  America,"  a  Caribbean 
form  of  tomahawk,  showing  how  they  were  helved,  as  given  by  Oviedo 
in  his  book,  edition  of  1547;  fig.  14i/^.  In  this  section  we  must  include 
certain  grooved  stones  found  in  Farmington  and  Southington,  fig.  15  c. 
These  stones  were  doubtless  finnly  fastened  to  a  slightly  elastic  handle 
by  a  strap  of  rawhide  and  used  as  war  clubs.  We  cannot  agree  with 
those  who  style  them  hammers. 

GOUGES  AND  ADZES. 

Closely  connected  with  the  celt  and  axe  and  having  the  same  dua 
development,  grooved  and  ungrooved  types,  are  the  gouge  and  adze 
They  are  among  the  most  remarkable  of  ancient  tools.  Made  of  very 
hard  stones  they  are  always  finely  polished,  and  the  cutting  edge  is  always 
nearly  perfectly  symmetrical.  They  all  agree  in  having  one  face  flat 
and  the  other  more  or  less  acutely  rounded.  The  gouges  are  hollowed 
out  more  or  less  deeply  on  the  flat  face  and  brought  to  a  sharp  curvi- 
linear blade;  some  representing  nearly  a  half  circle,  w-hile  others  are 
more  expanded,  a  few  being  nearly  flat. 

Examples:  from  Farmington,  fig.  16;  Granby,  fig.  17;  Plainville, 
18,  and  Bristol,  18  a,  are  shown.  Fig.  19  shows  a  chipped  quartzite 
gouge  from  Congamond  Lake,  which  recalls  the  pleolithic  implements 
of  Sweden.*  It  is  the  general  opinion  that  gouges  were  used  in  making 
canoes.  The  adze  differs  from  the  gouge  in  being  made  for  a  helve. 
It  is  usually  less  deeply  hollowed,  has  a  more  curved  back,  with  a  flatter 
face.  The  arrangement  for  helving  is  often  exceedingly  ingenious, 
especially  when  we  consider  that  it  must  have  been  planned  before  the 
stone  was  worked  down  to  its  final  shape.  Some  are  merely  flat  celt- 
like forms  with  the  blade  brought  to  an  edge  even  with  the  lower  surface 


*  In  the  writer's  cabinet  are  two  similar  tools  from  Sweden. 


]02 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


and  only  slightly  curved  to  the  sides.  Fig.  20  shows  a  rare  style  from 
Granby,  three  inches  long.  Fig.  21  represents  a  typical  form  of  adze, 
with  a  curved  back  and  two  ridges  forming  a  raised  groove  for  helving. 

THE  GOUGE-ADZE. 

This  implement  combines  the  features  of  gouge  and  adze  and  is 
more  common  than  the  flat  forms.  The  cutting  edge  varies  the  same  as 
gouges  and  the  raised  back  is  soinetiines  grooved,  and  at  others  has 
carefully  ma(;le  ridges  for  attaching  the  helve,  often  so  arranged  as  to 
protect  the  withe  or  strap  used  in  seizing  on  the  handle  from  the  friction 
of  use.      Figs.  22,  23  r,  24,  25  illustrate  the  several  forms. 

In  fig.  23  the  mode  of  attachment  is  a  small  nipple-shajwd  pro- 
tuberance. Fig.  26  R,  from  Plainville,  is  a  very  peculiar  form,  only  2J^ 
inches  long.  It  is  exceedingly  well  made  and  deeply  gouged  on  its 
face;  upon  its  back  is  one  very  sharply  made  ridge.  This  tool  must 
have  had  a  small  handle,  probably  of  bone,  and  been  driven  chisel- 
fashion  by  a  mallet.  The  illustrations  show  the  several  forms.  This 
whole  series  of  implements  is  of  the  highest  interest  but  lack  of  space 
forbids  further  individual  descriptions.  This  form  of  implement  seems 
to  have  had  a  fuller  development  in  New  England  than  to  the  South  or 
West. 


lie. 


,  :^'  * 


I 


GOUGKS     .WD    .ADZES. 


•^ 


XliW     CAMBRIDGE. 


h;3 


>.,..  >/.       w. 


Ic 


ivST 


GOUGE-ADZES. 


THE  PLUMMET  OR  SINKERS. 

Stones  shaped  like  various  styles  of  pluinmets  are  found  all  over 
the  United  States.  Very  elaborate  forms  in  soapstone  have  been  taken 
from  the  Florida  mounds.  The  writer  has  collected  them  made  from 
the  central  column  of  great  sea  shells  (Busycon)  on  the  shell  mounds 
around  Tampa.  They  were  probably  used  as  ornaments,  although 
their  use  is  a  disputed'  point  among  many  archaeologists.  We  illustrate 
two  local  examples,  fig.  27,  Farmington;   iig.  28,  Plainville. 

(A  late  writer  in  the  Antiquarian  contends  that  they  were  weapons 
to  use  as  slings.  We  should  enjoy  seeing  him  using  some  of  the  plum- 
mets of  shell,  pottery  and  soapstone  from  the  South.  > 

ORNAMENTAL  AND  CEREMONIAL  OBJECTS. 

That  the  ancient  red  man  was  not  insensible  to  the  seductions  of 
pleasing  shapes  and  colors  is  easily  shown  when  we  study  their  vestiges. 
Arrow  points  are  found  which  today  are  valued  for  jewelry.  No  one 
can  look  over  a  good  collection  of  these  points  without  a  feeling  of  wonder, 
not  only  at  the  great  variety  of  shapes  and  materials,  but  also  at  the 
skill  with  which  the  beauties  of  the  stone  are  made  manifest.  In  all 
manner  of  implements  we  find  uncommon  and  curiously  marked  stones, 
laboriously  worked  into  shape.  Upon  the  pottery  we  have  already 
shown  the  love  of  ornamentation.  The  love  for  color  expended  itself 
also  upon  mats  and  basketry,  of  which  we  possess  no  prehistoric  examples 
from  this  valley.  Tanned  skins  and  barks  were  dyed  and  painted. 
Teeth  and  claws' of  animals  were  made  into  necklaces.  Bones  and  shells 
were  largely  made  into  beads  both  for  use  as  ornaments  and  for  money. 
But  we  know  onl.y  of  a  few  long  beads  from  a  grave  in  Farmington. 
These  long  beads  are  considered  as  of  greater  antiquity  than  the  wampum 
forms. t  The  Indian  was  also  lavish  in  the  use  of  ■•)aints  upon  his  own 
person.  We  are  able  to  illustrate  two  small  paint  cups,  one  of  which 
was  dug  up  by  Mr.  Jacob  Mesrole,  of  Southington,  near  Wonx  spring, 
and  when  found  was  partly  filled  with  red  paint  powder,  fig.  27  a,  and 


t  Although  these  beads  came  from  a  grave  in  Farmington.  the  writer  is  not  satisfied 
of  their  being  prehistoric.  He  would  be  i)lease(!  to  hear  of  any  others  trom  this  se'iion 
of  the  state. 


104  BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 

fig.  28  a,  also  from  Southington.  Lumps  of  red  and  yellow  paints  are 
not  uncommon  in  Florida  shell  mounds.  Aside  from  this  use  of  paint 
and  beads  upon  himself  and  his  trappings,  the  subject  of  ornaments 
appears  to  have  been  closely  allied  to  religious  and  ceremonial  observ- 
ances. The  Indian  made  various  ornamental  objects  of  stone,  bone 
and  shells.  The  stones  were  mostly  beautifully  grained  slates  or  crys- 
talline forms.  The  use  for  which  the  varied  objects  were  intended  is 
yet  buried  in  the  oblivion  that  overwhelmed  their  makers  They  no 
doubt  filled  a  place  in  his  imagination  and  helped  to  satisfy  a  craving, 
which,  if  it  were  not  a  love  of  art  and  beauty,  was  at  least  its  embryonic 
form.  They  also  doubtless  had  a  further  reason  for  being,  some  probably 
may  have  been  the  badges  of  official  or  priestly  rank,  and  used  as  cere- 
monial accessories,  while  others  may  have  simply  ministered  to  the 
pride  of  their  possessors,  as  mankind  today  takes  pride  in  possessing 
painting  and  sculpture.  Whatever  may  have  been  their  use,  they  are 
found  all  over  the  United  States  east  of  the  Rocky  Mountains,  inore 
or  less  sparsely  in  New  England,  and  becoming  more  numerous  and 
varied  in  shape  as  we  approach  the  ancient  centers  of  denser  popula- 
tions. Uncommon  forms  have  more  restricted  areas,  and  there  is  quite 
a  perceptible  difference  in  special  arts  among  the  Southern  Indians, 
where  certain  forms  unknown  to  New  England  are  found.  Various 
names  are  given  to  these  objects,  according  to  the  imagination  of  the 
describer.  Curiously  enough  the  older  authorities  in  ethnology,  such 
as  Schoolcraft,  seem  to  be  the  poorest.  Comparative  study  has  proven 
more  valuable  than  tradition. 

GORGETS  AND  PENDANTS. 

Flat  objects  with  two  perforations  whose  opposite  faces  are  always 
beautifully  polished  and  which  are  usually  symmetrical,  that  is  if  cut 
into  two  equal  parts  each  would  be  the  counterpart  of  the  other,  are 
called  gorgets.  Fig.  29  shows  a  beautiful  specimen  in  green  banded 
slate  from  Plainville.  Similar  objects  with  only  one  perforation,  more 
usually  near  one  end,  are  called  pendants.  Fig.  30  gives  one  of  an 
unknown  lightish  colored  material  from  Granby,  and  fig.  31  one  from 
Southington  of  black  slate.  Broken  and  decayed  fragments  of  gorgets 
are  frequently  found  on  village  sites. 

AMULETS. 

These  are  long  and  narrow  stones,  always  highly  polished,  usually 
made  of  black  or  banded  slate,  having  one  face  flat  and  the  other  either 
convex  or  triangular.  They  appear  in  two  types,  the  plain  bar;  called 
bar  amulet,  or  with  the  upper  face  more  or  less  resembling  a  sitting 
bird,  with  an  expanded  tail,  and  head  with  projecting  eyes,  called  bird 
amulet.  Both  forms  agree  in  having  one  conical  perforation  at  each 
end  passing  from  the  flattened  base  obliquely  upward  and  outward. 
Fig.  32  shows  a  beautiful  bar  amulet  of  banded  slate  from  Bristol.  Fig. 
33  shows  a  bird  amulet  from  Ohio  to  illustrate  the  type.  Fig.  34  repre- 
sents a  bird  amulet,  the  head  broken  off,  made  of  soapstone,  from  Terry- 
ville.  These  objects  are  exceedingly  rare  in  New  England.  Their  use 
is  unknown  The  writer  imagines  them  to  have  been  connected  with 
the  operations  of  the  shamans  or  priests  called  pow-wows.  Fig  35  and 
36  portray  a  very  different  form  of  ornament  from  Burlington.  This 
handsome  relic  is  a  perfect  specimen,  and  its  perfection  seems  more 
wonderful  when  we  consider  that  it  was  made  with  no  other  rule  or 
square  than  the  eye  and  hand  of  the  artisan.  It  has  two  perforations 
passing  up  from  the  center  of  the  central  boat-shaped  groove  at  such 
an  angle  that  a  cord  passed  through  each  suspends  the  object  on  a  level. 
It  is  made  of  banded  slate.  These  stones  are  called  shuttles,  but  of 
their  use  we  know  nothing;  they  are  quite  rare.  Never  bored  except 
in  the  center,  their  perforations  are  always  cylindrical  and  very  small 
for  an  Indian  tool.  Fig.  37  shows  a  singular  and  well  polished  object 
from  Bristol  of  no  apparent  use.      This  may  be  a  clay  stone,  but  it  has 


OR        NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


105 


PLUMMETS    AND    PAINT    CUPS. 


the  greasy  polish  of  long  handling,  which  seems  to  cling  to  an  Indian 
implement  for  ages  in  the  earth. 


BANNER  STONES. 

The  banner  stones  differ  from  other  objects  in  this"  class  in  having 
one  large  perforation  through  the  center.  In  this  section  all  bores  are 
round;  west  and  south  a  few  are  found  with  oval  perforations.  Ex- 
aminations of  a  number  of  large  collections  seem  to  prove  to  the  writer 
that  all  symmetrical  fonns  have  round  bores,  while  those  with  a  sym- 
metrical wing  have  oval  bores.  The  writer  would  be  pleased  to  learn 
of  exceptions  to  this  statement  for  New  England. 

These  are  among  the  choicest  examples  of  prehistoric  art.  While 
mostly  made  of  slate,  inany  are  found  in  very  hard  materials.  Fig.  38 
represents  one  from  Columbia,  Conn.,  worked  from  crystal.  They 
seem  to  have  been  blocked  out  and  shaped  before  being  bored,  as  is  shown 
in  fig.  39  R  from  Farmington.  They  are  thought  to  haye  been  badges 
of  office  or  ceremonial  flags,  borne  upon  handles  which  were  doubtless 
painted  and  gayly  bedecked  with  colored  feathers  and  carried  in  dances 
and  processions.  The  finished  specimens  are  always  very  highly  polished 
and  almost  perfectly  syminetrical.  Fig.  40  r  represents  a  tine  "butter- 
fly" banner  from  Bristol.  In  fig.  41  we  illustrate  an  immense  arrow- 
shaped  stone  found  some  twenty  years  ago  in  Southington.  One  face 
is  of  light  gritty  sandstone,  the  other  of  a  smooth  red  shale  almost  slate. 
It  is  fully  seventeen  inches  long,  thirteen  inches  wide,  and  less  than  one 
inch  thick.  Its  great  size  precludes  any  useful  purpose.  We  must 
believe  that  some  figure  was  painted  on  its  smooth  face,  and  that  it  was 
used  as  a  banner  stone.  Yet  it  may  have  been  a  totem.  When  shown 
to  Prof.  Otis  T.  Mason,  the  curator  of  ethnology  of  the  National  Museum, 
he  told  the  writer  that  he  knew  of  but  two  such  objects,  both  being  in 
Washington.  They  were  much  smaller,  and  came  from  the  Apache 
country. 

It  opens  a  curious  conjecture  what  the  occurrence  in  so  widely 
separated  districts  of  such  singular  stones  may  mean,  more  especially 
when  we  consider  that  the  Tunxaaand  Apache. Indians  probably  represent 
different  phylogenetic  steins. 


100 


BRISTOL,     CO.N'N'ECTICUT 


X 


GORGETS     AXD     PEXDANTS 


THE  RELIGIOUS  IDEA  AMOXG  THE  ALGOXKIXS. 


It  is  not  the  scope  of  this  paper  to  discuss  the  moral  and  rehgious 
life  of  our  Indians.  But  a  better  appreciation  of  certain  objects  may 
be  obtained  by  a  slight  glimpse  into  the  workings  of  the  later  Indian's 
mind.  Dr.  Daniel  Brinton^  has  published  a  learned  book  upon  Indian 
myths  and  religious  traditions.  Gushing^  is  also  publishing  a  singular 
attem]3t  at  describing  the  ancient  Zunian  system  of  religious  ceremonials. 
The'  e  works  give  us  the  remaining  opinions  of  the  higher  minds,  among 
the  Indians  and  their  traditions.  It  seems  hardly  probable  that  tie 
common  people  comprehended  what  gliinpses  of  ethical  or  cosmic  truths 
nn'ght  underlie  their  myths  or  ceremonials.  For  instance,  the  great 
divinity  among  the  Algonkin  people  was  Michabo — the  great  white 
rabbit.  This  word  was  compounded  from  michi  (great)  and  ivabos. 
the  Httle  grey  rabbit  of  our  woods.  Now  the. .Algonkin  root  word  for 
white  was  wab.  Dialectic  forms  occur,  as  waupan,  the  morning;  waubon. 
the  east,  the  dawn.  The  name  michabo  probably  was  really  the  great 
white  dawn,  the  creating  light,  the  morning  and  sunlight,  which  was  a 
common  form  of  Nature  God  among  many  people.  But  the  Indian, 
confused  by  the  similarity  of  the  root  form  of  the  words,  degraded  the 
conception  to  a  big  white  rabbit  and  made  this  nonsensical  being  his  god.* 
Such  misconceptions  are  not  unknown  in  modern  religious  cults.  Having 
no  real  monotheistic  conceptions  the  Indian  supplicated  such  local 
superstitions  as  his  fancy  feared  or  hoped  to.  bribe.  Brinton*.  gives 
an  Algonkin'  prayer  overheard  by  the  Jesuit  Breboeuf,  anterior  to  1636: 
"Oki  thou  who  dwellest  in  this  spot  I  ofTer  thee  tobacco.  Help  us; 
save  us  from  shipwrecks;  defend  us  from  our  enemies;  give  us,  good 
trade;  bring  us  back  safe  to  the  village."  This  contains  no  moral 
drinciple;   recognizes  no  relation  above  that  of  barter. 


1.  Myths  of  the  New  World.     Phil.,  1896. 

2.  1.3th  Annual  Report,  Bureavi  of  Elbiml 
:i.  Brinton,  Ibid,  p.  19(5. 

4.  Ibid,  p.  3.39. 

.").  The  historic  Tunxaifs  were  of  Algonkin  stock 


V.  -^bini't.'n. 


NEW     rAMBRIDCH 


The  Indian  gave  tobacco  in  exchange  for  that  whicli  he  thought 
that  the  invisible  could  yield  to  or  deny  him  And  yet  is  not  this  even 
a  higher  standard  than  that  of  some  of  our  modern  sagamores  of  trade 
who  seek  to  bribe  the  demiurge  of  legislation  for  power  to  prey  upon 
their  fellowmen?  Those  ceremonial  relations  that  grew  out  of  the  eti- 
ciuette  of  contact,  or  which  were  woven  around  the  individual  by  tribal 
conservatism,  modified  by  and  intermingled  with  a  belief  in  the  incan- 
tations and  coniurations  of  the  Shamans,  bounded  the  religious  horizons 
of  the  common  Indian.  The  Shamans  or  Pow-wows  were  the  priests 
among  the  Indians;  also  the  iugglers,  nature-doctors,  rain-makers  and 
witch-finders.  Incapable  of  comprehending  the  phenomena  of  nature, 
he  lived  in  a  superstitious  fear. of  unseen  influences  and  sought  to  pro- 
pitiate or  deceive  the  forces  that  he  supposed  were  behind  them.  But 
it  is  nowhere  shown  that  he  w^orshipped  devils,  any  more  than  that  Saul 
worshipped  a  devil  when  he  besought  the  witch  at  Endor.  Yet,  even 
if  certain  esoteric  truths  may  have  been  conveyed  along  the  centuries 
through  the  initiations  of  those  secret  societies  which  seem  the  common 
propertv  of  a  certain  stage  of  savagedom,  they  seemed  to  have  exercised 
no  ennobling  power  over  the  individual.*  He  was  hopelessly  entangled 
amid  the  meshes  of  an  hundred  ancient  remembrances  and  customs 
whose  beginnings  and  causations  had  been  lost  in  the  mist  of  ages,  but 
whose  power  to  enthrall  him  grew  ever  stronger  with  the  procession  of 
the  years.  We  are  irresistibly  led  to  the  conclusion  that  among  the 
red  men  the  religious  idea  had  become  completely  submerged  in  the 
ceremonial.  The  spontaneity  of  the  individual  had  been  lost  in  a  debasing 
web  of  ceremonial  communism.  Their  myths  indeed  re:nained  like 
those  shining  planets  which  science  teaches  us  are  dead  and  yet  nighth' 
parade  the  glittering  but  soulless  shadows  of  once  life-sustaining  orbs. 
Communism  invaded  every  walk  of  the  Indian's  life.  Whatever  he 
possessed,  it  forced  him  to  share  with  others, f  although  among  some 
tribes  horses  and  probably  arms  and  personal  adornments  belonged  to 
individuals,  male  and  female  owning  their  own  implements.  The 
land,  however,  was  held  in  common.  When  he  died  his  cjhiefest  pos- 
sessions were  commonly  destroyed  at  his  burial.  His  wife  and  children 
were  usually  left  nothing.  Religion  demanded  prolonged  and  shameful 
mourning  among  many  tribes  for  the  poor  woman  whose  husband  had 
departed  for  the  happy  hunting  grounds.  In  every  direction  he  seems 
to  have  been  compassed  about  with  customs  that  he  dare  not  violate 
and  yet  which  forbade  the  possibility  of  individual  progress  beyond  fixed 
lines^   hence   everywhere  we   found   the    Indians   a   degenerating- people. 

,.;.i     *  Vide  Churchill,  Pop.  Scie.  Mon.,  Dec.  181)0,  "The  Duk  Duk  Ceremonies." 
t  See  Lucian  Carr,  Antiquarian  for  1897,  pape  92. 


108 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


AMULETS     AND    BANNER     STONES. 


A  civilization  blasted  in  its  generous  youth  by  the  deathly  germ  of 
socialism,  its  age  ever  "looking  backward"  into  the  night  of  tradition, 
the  future  of  the  Indian  had  no  hopes  of  ultimate  amelioration.  His 
highest  efforts  at  civilization  could  not  escape  the  ban  of  socialism. 
The  priestly  classes  who  ruled  Mexico  and  Peru  maintained  the  most 
elaborate  forms  of  prohibitions  and  debasing  paternalisms,  ever  the 
obverse  sides  of  socialism. 

All  mankind,  be  it  red,  black  or  white,  dream  of  an  Arcadia  where 
labor  is  not  needed  and  selfishness  unknown.  The  modern  followers 
of  Balaam,  cursing  at  -^resent  progress,  point  to  this  golden  age  in  a 
communal  past.  But  the  finger  of  investigation,  ever  delving  deeper 
into  the  mysteries  of  the  ages,  always  finds  the  golden  age  of  socialism 
receding  yet  deeper  into  the  elusive  obscurity  of  the  past.  Along  the 
centuries  time  has  printed  the  immutable  law  of  evolution.  It  is  in 
the  liberty  to  variation  and  the  guaranteed  integrity  of  the  individual 
effort  that  progress  plants  her  seeds.  Whatever  unduly  restrains  the 
individual  under  the  bonds  of  a  forced  uniformity  ultimately  blights 
the  whole  collection  of  individuals.  Such  Aryan  people  as  cast  off 
socialistic  communism  progressed.  The  Indian  retaining  communism 
sank  ever  deeper  in  its  hopeless  enmeshments. 

An  interesting  treatise  might  be  elaborated  upon  this  subject,  but 
to  our  present  purpose  it  limits  itself  to  the  uses  of  tobacco,  the  occurrence 
of  images  and  totemism.  The  manner  in  which  the  religious  idea  was 
undoubtedly  connected  with  the  ceremonial  objects  just  described  is 
at'present  too  much  involved  in  obscurity  for  any  description.  Regarding 
images  Dr.  Brinton  says,  "Idols  of  stone,  wood  or  baked  clay  were  found 
in  every  Indian  tribe  without  exception  so  far  as  I  know."*  We  must 
not  conclude  from  this  that  idols  were  largely  venerated  among  the 
half-nomadic  Connecticut  aborigines.  And  we  should  hesitate  to  be- 
lieve that  such  images  as  have  been  found  represented  any  fixed  attri- 
butes or  definite  divine  qualities,  as  they  seem  to  have  done  in  Mexico. 
In  the  Western  States  very  many  curious  pieces  of  pottery  representing 


*.My-ths  of  the  New  W.prld,  p.  343. 


NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


109 


often  old  hunchbacked  squaws  are  found  among  the  mounds  and  called 
idol  mugs.  In  the  middle  South,  stone  and  clay  images  and  heads  occur. 
For  the  curious  we  insert  a  clay  image,  fig.  42,  with  the  peculiar  flat  face 
seen  upon  the  larger  idols  in  stone,  and  a  stone  head,  fig.  43,  which  we 
consider  as  very  ancient,  both  from  Nagooche,  Ga.,  and  never  previously 
illustrated.  The  student  will  find  a  very  ancient  and  probably  pre- 
aztecan  idol  in  the  Bristol  Museum,  found  in  Central  America.  The 
writer  possesses  a  quartzite  mealing  stone,  or  round  pestle  from  Farm- 
ington  which  has  been  elaborately  worked  into  a  perfect  shape,  whose 
upper  face  shows  a  bird  plainly  scratched  out,  but  not  suitable  for  pho- 


FIGURE    41. 

tographing.  We  also  show  in  fig.  44  a  singular  flat  head  exhumed  on 
Union  Hill,  Bristol,  some  ten  years  ago.  This  is  the  only  representation 
of  a  human  head,  we  have  ever  known  from  this  valley,  except  some 
pipes,  which  are  obviously  intrusive  and  apparently  of  post-Columbian 
Cherokee  manufacture. 

TOTEMS. 

Among  all  peoples  we  find  individuals  or  families  with  aninial 
names,  and  among  some  remain  behefs  or  traditions  which  associate 
these  people  with  animal  ancestors.  The  ancient  Jews  possessed  these 
Totemic  animal  names,*  which  was  one  among  the  many  singular  re- 
semblances of  rites  and  customs  that  led  many  theoretical  writers  to 


*  "Israelite  and  Indian,"  by  Garrick  Mallory,  Pop.  Scie.  Mon.,  1889— Nov.  and  Dec. 


110  BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 

consider  the  Indians  as  the  veritable  lost  ten  tribes  of  Israel.f  We 
now  recognize  that  such  resemblances  do  not  indicate  any  necessary 
blood  relationship  or  previovis  intercommunication,  but  that  similar 
mental  states  when  meeting  similar  environinental  conditions  develop 
similar  expedients.  It  is  hardly  probable  that  the  Indian  actually 
believed  himself  to  have  descended  froin  any  brute  such  as  he  saw  about 
him,  but  rather  from  some  transcendant  and  spiritual  animal,  which 
possibly  he  may  have  considered  as  a  common  ancestor  of  both  himself 
and  his  animal  namesake.  Among  some  tribes  a  belief  was  said  to 
have  prevailed  that  at  death  they  would  return  into  their  totemic  animal, 
and  probably  some  animals  were  held  as  sacred  from  this  cause.  It 
seems  probable  that  all  animal  worship  may  have  grown  out  of  this 
-idea  of  metempsychosis  allied  with  the  veneration  of  ancestors.  When 
an  Indian  found  a  natural  object  which  he  believed  to  resemble  his 
supposed  totemic  ancestor  he  was  led  to  venerate  it,  either  as  a  reminder 
of  his  ancestral  form,  or  perhaps  as  the  veritable  abode  of  the  ancestral 
spirit,  for  the  Indian  in  his  ignorance  of  nature's  laws  was  not  troubled 
to  explain  the  manner  of  things.  The  local  Manitos  we  read  about 
were  often  doubtless  these  totems,  while  others  represented  the  mys- 
terious forces  of  nature,  as  the  noises  at  Moodus.  We  are  able  to  present 
a  fine  totemic  image  of  a  duck  which  was  found  on  the  Indian  trail  that 
ran  from  Bristol  to  Burlington.  It  is  now  in  the  cabinet  of  W.  C.  Richards 
at  Bristol,  a  venerable  and  respected  relic.     [See  frontispiece.] 

TOBACCO  AND  PIPES. 

To  elaborate  the  use  of  tobacco  alone  would  be  more  than  sufficient 
to  occupy  all  our  allotted  space.  A  great  deal  has  been  written  upon 
it  since  the  time  when  the  earlier  visitors  from  Europe  were  amazed 
upon  seeing  smoke  pouring  out  from  the  nostrils  of  the  naked  Indians. 
Amid  much  that  has  been  fancifully  written  about  tobacco  we  may 
safely  reach  a  few  conclusions.  The  Indians  believed  the  smoke  to 
be  agreeable  to  his  invisible  gods,  and  wafted  it  to  them  as  an  incense. 
He  seems  nearly  everyAvhere  to  have  connected  the  cardinal  points 
with  his  creating  spirits  and  to  have  wafted  smoke  to  the  four  quarters 
of  the  horizon  as  well  as  to  the  east  at  sunrise.  In  the  more  agricultural 
sections  where  a  sedentary  population  had  bred  up  more  elaborate  cere- 
monies the  pollen  of  maize  was  used  as  a  holy  sprinkling,  or  emblem  of 
fructification.  Large  pipes  with  long  stems  gaily  painted  and  elaborately 
adorned  with  the  heads,  and  more  especially  the  wings  of  birds,  were 
used  by  heralds  and  other  travelers  as  passports  or  safe  permits  when 
approaching  strange  tribes.  Treaties  of  peace  or  alliance  and  all  social 
compacts  seem  to  have  been  ratified  and  sealed,  so  to  speak,  by  the 
general  successive  smoking  among  the  contracting  parties  of  one  of 
these  pipes.  War  is  also  said  to  have  been  proclaimed  bv  sending  a 
red  pipe  adorned  with  red  feathers.  Says  the  Jesuit  Charlevoix:* 
"The  custom  is  to  smoke  the  calumet  when  you  accept  it,  and  perhaps 
there  is  no  instance  where  the  agreement  has  been  violated  which  was 
made  by  this  acceptation.  To  smoke  in  the  same  pipe,  therefore,  in 
token  of  alliance,  is  the  same  thing  as  to  drink  in  the  same  cup,  as  has 
been  practiced  at  all  times  by  many  nations."  We  have  no  calumet 
pipes  from  this  section,  but  illustrate  a  noble  specimen  from  Nagooche, 
Ga..  fig.  45.  What  would  we  not  give  could  it  only  tell  us  the  story 
of  all  the  lips  that  have  pressed  it.  Among  all  j^eoples  where  the  social 
compact  has  not  yet  acquired  the  force  of  definite  and  general  laws 
and  an  efficient  police,  we  find  these  singular  substitutes,  which  stand 
to  our  laws  as  do  hieroglyphics  to  our  modern  alphabets.  The  cities  of 
refuge  among  the  Semitic  nations,  the  eating  of  salt  among  the  Bedouin, 
blood  brotherhood  among  the  African,  taboos  in  Australa.sia,  and  church 
sanctuary  in  mediaeval  Europe,  seem  various  ways  of  attaining  a  common 
idea      Yet  it  remains  probable  that  the  Indian  ordinarily  had  nothing 


t  See  "Peruvian  Antiqttities."     Von  Tschudi,  pp.  cS  to  12.     New  York,  18.55. 
*  "Voyage  to  America,"  Vol.  I.  page  l.SO.     Dublin,  1766. 


XliW     CAM  BRIDGE. 


11  1 


more  than  a  sensual  lo\-e  ior  its  narcotic  qualities  in  using  tobacco.  It 
gave  him  dreams,  and  dreams  are  ever  the  cherished  inentor  of  the 
savage,  and  assisted  him  in  acciuiring  the  frenzy  necessary  to  incanta- 
tion and  prophecv.  The  pipes  which  have  been  found  in  this  section 
all  differ  one  from  another,  so  that  we  cannot  assign  to  any  the  honor 
of  being  a  local  form.  In  the  American  Museum  of  New  York  is  a 
magnificent  greenstone  calumet  pipe  from  near  Middletown,  Conn.,  of 
the  platform  type,  which  has  been  called  the  mound-builder's  pipe. 
Fig.  46  shows  a  pipe  of  steatite  with  a  long  stem,  resembling  a  modern 
briar  pipe.  At  the  union  of  bowl  with  stem  is  a  hole  which  has  been 
luted  with  cement,  a  common  Indian  expedient  rendering  it  easy  to 
clean.  Found  in  Plainville  it  represents  a  type  thought  by  some  to  be 
common  to  the  dreaded  Mohawks.  Fig.  47  m  shows  a  very  peculiar 
and  elaboratelv  carved  pipe  of  black  slate  found  on  the  west  mountain 
of  Southington.  It  has  a  hole  in  the  rim  of  the  bowl  for  suspension. 
It  resembles  a  raven.  In  the  Algonkin  myth  of  the  deluge  the  raven 
took  the  place  of  the  Jewish  dove.  This  pipe  also  reminds  one  of  the 
thunder  bird  of  the  Vancouver  Indians.  In  fig.  48  we  present  a  pipe  made 
of  red  sandstone,  the  mate  of  which  we  have  never  seen.  The  superb 
collection  of  Commodore  Douglass  in  New  York  contains  nothing  like 
it.  It  is  certainly  genuine,  and  was  dug  up  in  Bristol  about  ten  years 
ago.  Fig.  49  shows  a  small  steatite  pipe  also  found  near  Bristol.  A 
potterv  pipe  was  shown  in  the  April  paper.  Several  other  pipes  have 
been  found  in  this  valley.  Such  as  the  writer  has  seen  are  manifestly 
intrusive,  and  not  prehistoric.  Among  them  is  one  genuine  Haidah 
black  pipe  and  several  green  slate  pipes  from  the  C'herokee  artisans. 

We  now  turn  to  the  red  man's  art  as  we  find  it  embalmed  in  his 
offensive  and  defensive  weapons.  We  believe  the  primitive  man  was 
by  choice  an  eater  of  meat,  although  made  by  his  oft  necessities,  omnivo- 
rous. We  are  led  more  closely  to  this  opinion  from  the  l)elief  which 
grows  upon  us  that  all  our  edible  grains  and  fruits  have  been  modified 
toward  perfection  by  man,  even  by  this  naked  .savage  man,  from  prim- 
itive forms  not  capable  of  sustaining  human  life.  As  they  journeyed 
and  jostled  together  along  the  slow  and  rugged  course  of  evolution, 
man  gave  such  plants  as  were  useful  to  him  his  protection,  and  they 


112 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


returned  his  care  with  an  ever  increasing  harvest.  It  \vas  also  the  spirit 
of  primitive  man  to  be  cruel,  for  was  not  all  nature  cruel  and  pitiless 
unto  him?  He  recognized  nothing  of  that  pity  of  our  modem  concep- 
tions of  the  brotherhood  of  life,  and  having  the  universal  instinct  of 
savageism  which  considers  all  mankind  without  the  pale  of  its  own  clan 
as  an  enemy,  war  was,  if  not  his  pastime,  at  least  his  frequent  necessity. 
Hence  we  find  the  highest  development  of  his  skill  in  those  weapons 
devoted  to  the  destruction  of  life,  and  in  the  manufacture  and  adorn- 
ment of  those  cereiTionial  objects  whose  functions  were  closely  interwoven 
with  the  pomp  and  panOlpy  of  war.  It  is  our  privilege  today  as  at  no 
other  known  epoch  of  the  world's  history  to  attempt  a  review  of  a  people 
in  their  entirety.  To  seek  man  out  ere  he  was  able  to  record  his  achieve- 
ments and  to  follow  him  where  his  deeds  were  no  longer  worth  recording. 
The  Indian  lived  in  the  present,  forgetful  of  his  true  past,  and  knowing 
nothing  of  his  future  beyond  those  unanswering  fears  and  fancies  which 
attend  both  the  weakness  of  infancy  and  the  decrepitude  of  age.  But 
we  may  view  him  from  the  swaddling  clothes  of  the  primitive  troglodyte, 
throvigh  the  robust  adolescence  of  invention,  to  the  miserable  senility 
that  closed  his  epoch.  It  is  this  priceless  privilege  of  forcing  from  the 
past  a  mental  biograph  of  the  progress  of  mankind  and  his  inventions 
which  contributes  the  truest  zest  in  our  study  of  man.  . 

The  bow  and  arrow  of  the  Indian  furnished  his  most  effectual  weapon, 
both  in  war  and  chase,  to  which  he  added  for  closer  thrusting  the  spear 
or  lance  and  the  knife  or  dagger.  These  arrows  and  spears,  while  some- 
times headed  with  bone  or  wood  and  canes  tempered  hard  by  heating 
in   a   tire,   were   mostly   tipped   with   points   of   chipped   stone.    -In   the 


FIG.    50    IS    PROBABLY    A    FLAKER.        FIGS.    51     ARCHAIC    FORMS    OF    ARROWS. 


vT^        ^3  .       S-^.         ''O. 


ARROW    POINTS. 


OR        NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


113 


"Story  of  the  Pilgrim  Fathers,"  by  Arber,  1S97,  page  432,  we  tind  the 
following  in  "Governor  Bradford's  Relation,"  which  was  printed  in  1622, 
referring  to  the  first  conflict  with  the  Indians:  "We  took  up  IS  of  their 
arrows,  which  we  sent  to  England  by  Master  Jones  (of  the  Mayflower) : 
some  whereoff  were  headed  with  brass,  others  with  hart's  horns  and  others 
with  eagle's  claws."  Not  a  word  spoken  of  stone  heads.  Some  modern 
archaeologists  are  beginning  to  believe  that  our  historic  Indians  made 
none  of  such  weapons  as  we  now  find.  In  the  first  interview  with  Sam- 
oset,  we  read,  "He  had  a  bow  with  three  arrows,  one  headed  and  two 
unheaded."  I  find  no  mention  in  stone  arrow  points  in  use,  in  the 
Relations  of  Governor  Bradford.  Hence  it  is  that  we  find  the  art  of 
stone  chipping,  which  we  have  classed  as  the  eldest  of  his  inventions' 
ultimately  carried  by  the  Indian  to  the  highest  point  of  perfection. 
The  bows  themselves  that  gave  the  Tunxan  arrows  force  have  turned 
to  dust  along  with  the  amis  that  drew  them;  the  shafts  of  the  spear 
and  arrow  have  melted  in  the  pitiless  crucible  of  nature.  But  the  stones 
that  gave  them  their  cruel  effectiveness  remain,  eloquent  witnesses  of 
their  fabricators'  skill.  When  we  handle  these  beautiful  objects  of 
inanimate  stone,  we  feel  speaking  from  them  an  epitoine  of  the  Indian's 
civilization.  When  we  compare  the  rude  and  almost  formless  figurines 
taken  from  the  earlv  tombs  of  Asia  Minor  with  the  finished  works  of  a 


FIGS    54.        ROCK    CRYST.\L    POINTS.  FiGS.    55.        MINUTE     POINTS. 


114 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


Phidias  we  may  compass  the  evolution  of  Grecian  art.*  So  here  we 
find  entombed  the  fruits  of  the  entire  evolution  of  the  red  man's  art 
in  chipping  in  stone.  From  the  tiinid  and  uncertain  blows  of  the  pale- 
olithic savage,  step  by  step  the  acquired  skill  of  assured  art  was  imper- 
ceptibly welded  with  the  conscious  hand,  until  we  behold  here  such  results 
as  the  white  man  with  all  his  tools  has  nowhere  been  able  to  imitate. 
Stone  chipping  is  now  believed  to  be  a  lost  art.  The  ethnologists  of 
the  Smithsonian  Institute  have  never  found  an  artisan  who,  even  when 
supplied  with  all  the  tools  of  modem  art,  was  able  to  imitate  some  of 
the  leaf-shaped  implements  of  prehistoric  man.  And  the  most  skilful 
of  the  flint  knappers  of  Brandon,  England,  men  whose  occupation  is 
making  gun  flints  also  failed  after  months  of  efifort  to  produce  the  forms 
made  by  a  savage  whose  only  tools  were  stones  and  bones. 

(' .  It  is  not  certainly  known  how  the  Indian  made  these  arrow  points, 
■working  such  a  brittle  material  as  white  quartz  into  the  exquisite  forms 
here  portrayed.  It  is  the  general  belief  that  chert  jasper  slate  and 
quartz  cobbles  were  first  split  into  narrow  flakes  with  stone  hammers. 
Possibly  they  were  heated  in  pits  and  split  by  cooling  suddenly  with 
water.  Partly  made  implements  were  often  buried  in  considerable 
quantities.  It  is  supposed  that  these  stones  were  thus  softened  and 
rendered  more  tractable.  Such  a  cache  was  found  some  years  ago  near 
Hadley,  Mass.,  containing  sixty  arrow  and  spear  blocks.  These  blocks 
are  so  old  that  they  were  turned  to  an  ashy  white,  they  resemble  the 
St.  Acheul  blocks  in  shape  and  coarse  chipping.  The  flakes  were  gradu- 
ally chipped  down  into  shape  with  the  little  knockers.  When  the  stone 
had  thus  been  partly  outlined,  it  was  finished  by  another  process.  Either 
some  hard  object  as  stone,  bone  or  horn  was  used  as  a  chisel  driven 
by  a  hajnmer  to  force  off  little  flakes  from  either  side  alternately,  or  the 
so-called  flakersf  were  used  to  push  sviddenly  against  the  arrow,  being 
worked  from  alternate  sides,  each  impulsion  of  the  tool  taking  off  a 
little  splinter  opposite  the  pc^int  of  impact.  Various  arrow  flakers 
have  been  found  among  surviving  savages.  The  only  tool  resembling 
these  from  this  section  that  we  have  seen  is  shown  in  fig.   50.  which 


*  Vide  De  Cesnola  Collection  of  Central  Park,  New  York. 
+  See  figs,  1.5  and  16. 


OR        NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


115 


resembles  the  alleged  bone  flakers  from  the  prehistoric  cemetery  of 
Madisonville,  Ohio.  We  are  able  to  conceive  no  other  use  for  the  above 
implement.  Skillful  men  in  all  tribes  where  suitable  materials  were 
obtainable  seem  to  have  made  a  business  of  arrow  chipping,  and  it  is 
known  that  points  were  sent  in  Isarter  to  great  distances  from  the  places 
where  they  were  fabricated.  Some  twenty-five  years  ago  a  cache  of 
perfect  jasper  arrow  points  was  found  near  Compounce  containing 
seventy-eight  fine  specimens. 

These  chipped  implements  divide  natvirally  into  two  orders,  those 
notched  or  tanged  for  attachment  to  a  shaft,  and  those  with  no  per- 
ceptible arrangenient  for  hafting.  By  general  consent  archaeologists 
separate  them  into  three  divisions — arrow  points,  usually  under  two 
inches  in  length;  spear  points,  two  inches  and  upward,  and  knives.  The 
arrow  point  differentiates  into  the  drill,  the  bunter,  and  the  tanged 
knife  or  scraper,  as  shown  in  our  first  articles.  We  shall  here  consider 
only  those  forms  used  in  war  and  chase.  Space  forbids  a  consideration 
of  the  many  curious  forms,  and  speculations  upon  the  manner  of  their 
development  from  some  presumably  primitive  ideal.  The  inquiring 
reader  will  find  the  general  type  forms  carefully  worked  out  in  a  recent 
monograph  by  Mr.  Gerard  Fowkes.*  A  glance  at  the  forms  here  illus- 
trated will  readily  convince  the  student  that  no  one  people  had  .a  monopoly 
of  arrow  forms,  as  we  can  show  here  every  type  of  Mr.  Fowkes  except 
the  long  lozenged  shape  tang  which  we  find  from  Arkansas  and  Miss- 
issippi. Anyone  familiar  with  large  collections  of  arrow  points  learns 
to  distinguish  certain  peculiarities  of  finish  and  material  by  which  the 
probable  source  of  any  individual  point  may  be  guessed.  There  is  a 
distinct  individuality  which  distinguishes  the  fossi  chert  points  of  Florida 
from  the  same  colored  type  of  Wisconsin.  The  white  quartz  of  Con- 
necticut are  easily  separable  from  those  of  Virginia  or  Carolina.  Yet 
this  shows  more  in  the  material  and  the  way  it  takes  a  finish  than  in  the 
skill  of  the  artisan.  If  there  is  any  form  more 
common  than  others  in  this  region,  we  think  it  is 
the  small  points  of  white  cjuartz.  Upon  some  work- 
shops, notably  at  Compounce,  nearly  all  are  found 
of  this  substance  and  upon  the  near  mountain  may 
be  seen  the  veins  and  pits  from  which  the  Indian 
has  pounded  out  his  material.  Also  red  sand- 
stone and  shale  seem  to  have  been  largely  used, 
as  they  are  the  most  abundant  of  our  work- 
able stones;  very  many  decayed  fragments  are 
found  in  every  considerable  workshop.  If  the 
writer  were  to  express  an  opinion  as  to  the 
more  ancient  forms  in  this  valley,  it  would  be  for 
the  type  here  illustrated,  fig.  51,  of  which  many 
are  found  so  very  old  that  all  trace  of  the 
chipping  has  been  eroded,  and  they  look  as 
though  they  had  been  rubbed  into  shape.  Most 
of  the  forms  occur  universally,  but  occasionally 
local  workshops  are  found  with  nearly  all  the 
points  of  one  type,  notably  in  Granby,  where  all 
the  specimens  are  triangular;  figs.  52.  In  one 
place  in  Farmington  were  found  a  number  of 
very  rude  arrows  of  an  intractable  metal  which 
may  be  very  old;  we  have  seen  nothing  like  them 
elsewhere,  either  in  shape  or  material;  figs.  53. 
Basanite  and  red  and  yellow  jasper  pebbles  were 
found  in  the  bed  of  the  Farmington  and  made 
into  beautiful  forms.  Argillite  occurs  in  older 
types.  Also  some  exceedingly  beautiful  points 
are  found  of  the  clearest  rock  crystal,  equal  to 
anything  from  North  Carolina,  fig.  54.  Many 
arrows  occur  in  materials  of  whose  source  we 
know  nothing. 


FIGURE    62. 


*  13th  Annual  Report,  Bvireaii  of  Ethnology. 


116 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


Arrows  have  been  divided  into  war  points  and  hunting  points,  the 
former  inserted  into  the  shaft  so  loosely  that  when  the  shaft  was  pulled 
out  the  head  would  remain  in  the  wound;  such  a  wound  would  be  very 
serious  in  Indian  surgery.  While  those  styled  hunting  arrows  are 
notched  or  tanged  so  as  to  secure  firm  attachment  to  the  shaft  and  be 
easily  recovered  by  cutting  the  dead  animal.  It  is  also  possible  that 
some  of  the  smallest  points  were  used  in  a  blow  tube  made  of  a  hollow 
reed.  In  such  cases  the  point  was  probably  poisoned.  Venomous 
serpents  were  made  to  bite  raw  flesh,  and  when  this  had  become  partly 
putrescent  the  arrows  were  thrust  into  it  and  made  highly  poisonous. 
Fig.  55  shows  these  minute  points  from  this  valley.  Fig.  56  shows 
eight  war  points  of  various  shapes.  Fig.  57  is  a'very  curious  shaped  tanged 
point.  Fig.  58  is  a  beautiful  object  of  smoky  quartz.  Fig.  59  is  of  smoky 
quartz,  and  may  have  been  a  knife;  it  has  sharp  edges.  Fig.  60  has 
serrated  points  with  long  barbs  and  a  deeply  notched  tang,  a  rare  and 
beautiful  object  in  greenish  stone.  Fig.  61  is  bevelled  off  on  opposite 
sides  like  a  reamer. 

Many  other  forms  are  illustrated,  which  our  space  forbids  us  to 
classify. 

THE  SPEAR  OR  LANCE. 

The  spear  was  made  both  for  war  and  chase,  and  used  also  for 
fishing.  The  long  slender  points  are  commonly  called  fish  spears,  but 
the  writer  has  not  found  them  as  often  on  the  banks  of  brooks  as  on  the 
uplands.  Spears  represent  some  of  our  most  beautiful  objects  of  the 
Indian's  handicraft.  We  believe  that  many  were  used  for  diverse  pur- 
poses of  which  we  know  little.  The  spear  is  usually  tanged  for  hafting 
similarly  to  the  hunting  arrow  and  was  probably  attached  in  the  same 
manner.  In  tig.  62  we  present  a  marvelous  implement  of  black  chert 
from  Southington,  fovirteen  inches  long,  and  a  small  part,  probably 
two  inches,  has  been  broken  off  and  lost  from  one  end.  This  tool  has 
that  peculiar  elongated  diamond  shape  which  may  be  noticed  in  some 
large  obsidian  implements  from  Mexico,  called  sacrificial  knives.      Some 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE."  117 

twelve  years  ago  we  saw  two  similar  implements  in  white  chert  at  Palatka, 
Fla.,  which  were  unfortunately  lost  in  the  great  tire  a  few  years  later. 
The  occurrence  of  such  aberrant  types  of  implements  in  such  diverse 
regions  opens  many  conjectures.  We  illustrate  nine  typical  spears. 
Fig.  63  is  an  immense  leaf-shaped  blade  of  yellow  slate  from  Plainville. 
This  is  our  rarest  form.  It  is  probable  that  some  of  the  leaf-shaped 
implements  were  intended  to  be  finished  in  this  shape.  Figs.  64  and 
65,  beautiful  black  chert,  Bristol.  Fig.  66,  fine  arrow-shaped  spear, 
Farmingt(5n.  Fig.  67,  red  jasper,  Plainville.  Fig.  68,  magnificent  w-hite 
spear,  almost  like  noracuhte,  from  Granby.  Fig.  69,  red  sandstone, 
Bristol.      Fig.  70,  large  awl-shaped  spear,  from  Bristol. 

We  know  nothing  how  the  shafts  of  these  spears  were  made,  and 
possessing  neither  spear  nor  arrow  shafts  or  bows  from  this  region,  shall 
not  attenipt  to  discuss  their  forms.  Those  interested  in  the  subject 
of  Indian  bows  should  read  the  splendid  monogxaph  of  Prof.  Mason.* 

KNIVES  AND  DAGGERS. 

The  earlier  explorers  of  America,  especially  those  who  touched 
along  the  coast  of  Florida,  described  the  Indians  as  using  knives  of 
shells  with  which  they  cruelly  cut  and  mangled  their  victims.  It  is 
probable  that  similar  implements  were  used  by  all  Indians  dwelling 
near  the  seas,  but  none  have  come  down  to  us  from  this  section.  We 
also  believe  that  very  many  of  the  sharp  points  which  we  class  as  arrow 
heads,  were  inserted  into  split  wooden  handles,  securely  fastened  with 
fibres,  glue  or  pitch,  and  used  as  knives. 

It  is  also  more  than  probable  that  some  of  our  long  slender  spears 
were  used  with  very  short  handles  as  daggers.  In  tig.  71  is  given  an 
ideal  restoration  of  a  fine  red  jasper  knife  from  Farmington,  which  would 
serve  equally  for  a  scalping  knife  or  a  dagger.  In  figs.  72,  73,  74,  we  show 
three  typical  forms.  Fig.  75  is  a  curious  implement  which  both  curves 
on  the  edge  and  bends  sideways  upon  itself. 

In  fig.  80,  from  Granby,  is  a  magnificent  specimen  of  the  leaf-shaped 
implement  which  represents  the  highest  perfection  of  the  art  of  stone 
chipping.  Made  of  a  fine  yellow  chert,  it  is  absolutely  perfect  in  all 
directions.  Near  the  edge  of  the  broad  end  is  a  crystal  that  sparkles 
like  a  nest  of  diamonds.  This  tool  was  dug  up  from  apparently  un- 
disturbed gravel  in  digging  a  well  six  feet  below  the  surface.  It  is  be- 
lieved that  many  of  these  leaf-shaped  tools  were  wrapped  in  pieces  of 
fur  or  rawhide  for  handles  and  used  as  daggers.  Fig.  81  is  a  beautiful 
chert  dagger  from  Bristol. 

We  have  shown  what  vestiges  of  the  prehistoric  man  have  come 
down  to  us.  There  yet  remain  many  articles  which  undoubtedly  are 
Indian^notably  a  fine  canoe  found  at'  Plainville,  and  now  in  the  Bristol 
Historical  rooms.  There  is  also  a  large  stone  mortar  which  tradition 
associates  with  an  old  Indian  who  gave  his  name  to  Chippen's  Hill  in 
Bristol,  and  the  traditionally  historic  cave  dwelling  of  one  Compounce, 
whose  name  lingers  in  the  beautiful  glacial  lakelet  that  he  owned.  But 
the  writer  intended  only  a  description  of  prehistoric  remains.  There 
are  many  graves  in  Farmington  of  unknowai  age.  On  the  highway, 
from  Bristol  to  Burlington,  in  the  edge  of  Edgewood,  there  is  a  hill  of 
glacial  debris  that  rests  upon  stratified  gravel.  On  this  hillside  have 
been  seen  low  mounds  which  were  undoubtedly  artificial,  and  which  had 
not  been  constructed  since  the  white  man  settled  in  Bristol.  Of  this, 
the  owner  of  the  adjoining  land,  Mr.  Jerome,  is  sure.  Some  years  ago, 
Mr.  William  Richards  and  the  writer  met  Mr.  Jerome  and  dug  into  one 
*of  these  mounds.  Digging  down  abovit  two  feet  through  soil  that  showed 
plainly  marks  of  previous  disturbance,  we  came  to  a  level  floor  made  of 
round'  cobble  stones,  perhaps  three  feet  long  by  two  in  width.  When 
these  stones  were  removed,  we  found  yet  another  layer  beneath,  which 


*  "North   American   Bows  and   Arrows."  by   Otis  T.   Mason,   Smithsonian   Report. 
1893,  p.  631.  et  Seq. 


118 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


showed  plain  evidence  of  a  severe  heating  .  Between  the  two  layers  of 
stone  was  an  inch  or  more  of  charcoal.  The  lower  floor  rested  upon 
vmdisturbed  and  stratified  gravel.  No  tool  of  any  kind  was  found.  A 
specimen  of  the  charcoal  was  sent  to  Washington,  but  the  Government 
microscopist  found  no  evidence  of  animal  matter  in  it.  The  nature  of 
the  pits  or  altars,  or  whatever  they  may  have  been,  remains  a  mystery. 

The  preparation  of  these  papers  has  been  a  labor  of  love  to  the 
writer,  in  hoping  to  help  rescue  from  oblivion  some  few  remaining  ves- 
tiges of  those  who  once  roamed  these  valleys  in  their  pristine  beauty; 
if  he  thus  helps  to  hinder  their  further  dispersion,  he  has  his  full  reward. 

We,  in  all  the  pride  of  our  higher  civilization,  owe  it  to  the  memory 
of  these  races,  whose  very  savageism  kept  the  hills  and  dales  of  America 
a  rich  and  virgin  soil  that  we  might  wax  strong  upon  them.  They 
gave  untold  centuries  to  the  development  of  the  maize  from  a  wild 
grass  of  Florida,  those  golden  grains  that  are  richer  to  us  than  all  the 
golden  cliffs  of  the  Rockies.  Let  us  then  garner  into  museums  those 
vestiges  that  yet  remain.  Time,  ever  envious  of  the  sole  perogative 
of  immortality,  seeks  their  sure  effacement.  The  earth  and  air  wage 
unrelenting  warfare  for  the  destruction  of  these  unprotesting  witnesses 
of  a  vanished  people.  In  their  history  as  left  us  in  these  stones,  silent 
no  longer  to  those  who  interrogate  them  aright  we  may  read  the  story 
of  our  own  ancestral  struggle  in  the  long,  dark,  awful  night  which  left 
no  verbal  record.  The  winged  spirit  of  thought  goes  backward  into 
those  prehistoric,  abysmal  depths,  and  shows  us  the  sure  origin,  both 
of  what  remains  to  us  of  savage  instincts  and  that  tenacious,  ever  up- 
ward, aspiring  spirit  which  through  invention  seeks  the  mastery  of 
nature 


( 


KNIVES    .\XD      D.'VGGERS. 


OR    NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


119 


Bronze   Medal   awarded  to   Dr.    F.    II.    Williams,   at   C'hicago,    18it3 
(designed  by  August  St.  Gaudens). 


120  BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


A  SUPPLEMENTAL  NOTE  BY  THE  EDITOR. 


Dr.  "Williams  exhibited  his  collection  of  aboriginal  relics  at  the 
Columbian  International  Exhibition  in  Chicago,  in  1893,  and  received 
a  bronze  medal  for  his  exhibit.  This  is  very  beautiful,  and  we  illustrate 
it,  full  size.  The  diploma  accompanying  the  award  is  worded  in  the 
following  strong  manner,  and  should  be  a  matter  of  local  pride. 

jfreDericft  lb.  IQilliams,  :fl3rlBtol,  Connecticut. 
Bjbibit— ancient  Stone  IFmplenients  trom  SSristol,  Connecticut. 

BwarO— ^bi6  collection  well  represents  an  ancient  village  site, 
in  tbe  town  of  :firi6tol,  Connecticut,  fit  is  carefully  arrange?),  anD 
sbows  clearl\>  a  majority?  of  tbe  implements  wbicb  were  useD  in  tbis 
village ;  tbese  are  intelligently  gatbereD,  an^  carefully?  eibibiteD,  of 
bistoric  value,  anD  tbe  seal  sbown  in  tbe  effort  maOe  to  collect  anD 
present  tbese  objects  is  wortbv  of  imitation  in  otber  localities. 

The  following  illustrations  have  been  made  from  specimens  in 
Dr.  Williams'  collection  since  the  preceding  article  was  written,  and 
are  shown  because  they  are  of  much  interest  in  connection  with  the 
subject.  The  editor  can  think  of  nothing  that  could  be  said  in  this  work 
that  would  afford  him  such  genuine  pleasure  as  to  be  able  to  here  in- 
form the  citizens  of  Bristol  that  Dr.  Williams  has  made  arrangements 
to  give  his  unique  and  most  valuable  collection  of  prehistoric  relics  to 
the  Town  of  Bristol,  and  that  it  is  to  be  placed  in  the  Public  Library, 
when  the  building  is  completed.  Probably  a  more  comprehensive 
collection  does  not  exist  outside  of  our  largest  museums,  and  it  is  doubt- 
ful if  there  is  a  collection  anywhere  that  will  afford  the  student  such 
an  opportunity  for  the  study  of  the  habits  of  the  American  Aborigine, 
for  Dr.  Williams  made  his  collection  Avith  this  object  in  view.  Cer- 
tainly Bristol  is  to^be  congratulated  upon  this  valuable  acquisition  to 
its  Public  Library," and  we  feel  honored  to  be  allowed  to  announce  Dr. 
Williams'  valuable  gift  at  this  ti:ne. 


OR        NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


121 


A    CORNER    IN    ONE   OF    DR.    WILLIAMS     CABINETS 


A. — Implements  used  in  working  Bristol  Soapstone  yuarncs,  Vjy 
the  Indians.  B. — Fragments  of  vessels  found  on  Federal  Hill.  C. — 
Unfinished  dish,  and  a  soapstone  roller,  like  a  pestle.  D. — Very  large 
dii^'h  from  Terrrville.      (All  about  one  seventh  natural  size.) 


122 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


G 


H 


E. — A  chipped  quartzite  tomahawk,  Rare.  F. — Axe,  from  Com- 
pounce.  G. — Rare  form  of  hoe,  from  Farmington.  H. — Woman's 
chipped  knife,  from  Lewis'  Corner,  Bristol.  (All  about  one  fourth 
natural  size.) 


■^^^ 


I. — Pipe  found  in  Soiithini^ton.  This  is  Haidah  Indian  work  of  the 
northwest  coast.  Probably  a  relic  of  aboriginal  intertraffic.  J. — Fine 
pit  stones,  from  Bristol.  K. — A  so-called  anvil.  L. — A  pit  stone  or 
anvil  of  soapstone.      (All  about  one  fifth  natural  size.) 


OR        NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


123 


VARIOUS     FORMS     OF     INDIAN     WAMPL'M     OR     MONEY, 

Beads  of  various  forms  were  in  use  among  the  Indians  for  several 
purposes.  They  were  made  from  stone,  clay  and  shells.  The  shells 
were  sometimes  those  having  natural  holes  as  some  from  California. 
Bones  and  teeth  were  also  made  into  strings  of  beads  for  ornamental 
purposes.  Nos.  4,  9,  10,  11,  14  of  the  figures  were  so-called,  wampvmi, 
or  money  beads,  and  were  made  from  clam  shells.  The  different  parts 
of  the  large  clams,  having  different  colors,  making  different  values. 
The  purple  beads  being  the  highest  values.  Xo.  13  of  the  figure  represent 
ornamental  beads.  Xos.  1.  2,  o,  5,  6  and  7  are  beads  made  from  larger 
parts  of  the  central  columns  of  conch  shells,  used  for  ornament. 

No.  2  is  a  very  large  bead  from  the  great  n-.ound  that  used  to  stand 
opposite  St.  Louis,  on  the  east  side  of  Mississippi  River.  Xo.  8  is  made 
from  bones.      Xo.  12  is  made  from  a  bear's  tooth. 

The  finer  kind  of  wampum  beads  was  used  to  form  the  wampum 
belts,  which  were  used  in  all  great  ceremonies,  and  which  conveyed  to 
the  initiated  historical  facts  for  immemorial  remembrance. 


124 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


FLAKED    SCRAPERS    FROM    LICKING    CO  ,    OHIO. 

Showing  the  "conchoidal  fracture"  (see  page  86). 


This  head  of  death  is  from  Mexico,  and  is  said  to  be  the  emblem  of 
Death  in  the  pictography  of  the  Aztec  people.  Representations  of 
the  gods  of  Mexico,  both  the  great  gods  and  the  small  local  divinities, 
which  answer  to  the  saints  of  modern  liturgical  cults,  seem  to  have 
been  made  commonly  in  clay.  Along  with  these  are  many  evidently 
grotesque  figures,  the  signification  of  which  we  do  not  know. 


NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


125 


The  Story  of  Fall  Mountain 


By    Milo  Leon  Norton 

THE  tirst  settler  of  what  may  be  called  Fall  Mountain,  though 
the  site  of  the  hovise  is  a  few  rods  east  of  the  district  line,  was 
Edward  Gaylord,  of  Wallingford,  whose  house  stood  in  the 
open  field  a  little  south  and  west  of  the  cabin  occupied  by  Nel- 
son Decker,  on  land  now  owned  by  Eliada  S.  Tuttle,  and  which  was 
known  to  the  residents  of  the  vicinity  a  generation  ago,  as  the  Gaylord 
orchard.  Only  two  or  three  of  the  original  trees  of  the  old  orchard 
now  remain,  and  they  have  attained  to  a  great  size  and  venerable  ap- 
pearance. 

Mr.  Gaylord  had  a  family  of  sturdy  sons  who  became  mighty  hun- 
ters, and  tillers  of  the  soil,  some  of  whom,  and  others  of  the  name,  settled 
on  the  heights  to  the  southwest  of  the  old  homestead.  Benjamin  Gay- 
lord settled  on  the  place  known  as  the  Bamum  farm,  now  owned  by 
F.  H.  Wood;  John  Gaylord  lived  where  William  Fenn  now  lives;  Elijah 
Gaylord  built  a  small  house  farther  up  the  road  toward  the  Cedar  Swamp 
reservoir,  where  the  cellar  may  be  seen,  just  north  of  the  house  built 
by  James  Scarrett;  Samuel  Gaylord  built  in  the  lot  adjoining  the  Cedar 
Swamp  reservoir,  nearly  opposite  Indian  Rock;  a  daughter,  Lucy 
married  Alpheus  Bradley,  a  carpenter,  who  built  the  house  occupied  by 


)R     FALL     MDrxrAIX     SCHOOL,       DISTRICT     NO. 


126 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


THE     JESSE     GAVLORD    HOMESTEAD,     FROM     A     SKETCH 

James  Peckham;  Jesse  Gaylord  built  the  large  house  which  stood  east 
of  the  Cedar  Swamp,  which  was  torn  down  about  1880.  He  was  the 
hero  of  the  tragedy  resulting  in  the  death  of  the  Indian,  Morgan,  related 
in  another  chapter.  About  1800,  Elijah  Gaylord  moved  from  the  house 
he  built  south  of  the  Fehn  place,  to  the  Orrin  Judson  place,  now  owned 
by  the  Tymerson  faniily.  From  him  it  came  into  the  possession  of  his 
son,  Elam,  and  from  him  to  his  daughter,  Anna,  who  became  the  wife 
of  Orrin  Judson.  The  house  vacated  by  Elijah  Gaylord  was  sold  to 
Luke  Adams,  removed  to  its  present  site,  where  it  was  the  life-long 
home  of  his  son,  James  Adams,  familiarly  known  to  his  neighbors  as 
Uncle  Jimmy. 

The  old-fashioned  cider  mill,  which  was  housed  under  a  shed  south- 
west of  the  house,  was  an  institution  long  to  be  remembered  bj'  the 
children  of  the  district,  whose  delight  it  was  to  suck  cider  through  a 
straw  as  it  trickled  from  the  cheese,  made  up  in  the  old-fashioned  way 
of  pttmice  and  straw,  and  pressed  out  by  long  levers  operating  a  huge 
wooden  screw.  To  this  mill  the  farmers  of  the  region  round  about 
took  their  cider-apples  in  fall  to  be  ground,  doing  the  work  themselves, 
arid  leaving  a  certain  proportion  for  the  proprietor  as  toll.  How  many 
miles  I  traveled,  when  a  boy,  while  riding  on  the  long  sweep,  driving 
the  old  horse  on  the  endless  journey  around  the  ring,  while  the  apples 
were  being  crunched  in  the  cogs  of  the  mill  beneath  the  hopper,  I  shall 
never  know.  But  I  do  know  that  cider-making  was  an  event  in  the 
annals  of  farm  life  in  that  period  "before  the  war,"  which  I  shall  always 
recall  with  pleasure. 

Luke  Adams  was  a  revolutionary  soldier,  and  James  was  a  soldier 
of  the  war  of  1812.  In  his  early  married  life  "Uncle  Jimmy"  used  to 
take  his  famih^  to  church  every  Sunday  in  his  ox-cart,  cleanly  swept 
for  the  purpose.  He  had  a  habit,  which  all  who  knew  him  will  recollect, 
of  constantly  humming  the  old  tune  of  Durham,  'when  slowly  plodding 
up  the  mountain,  with  his  oxen,  often  with  a  load  of  cider-apples  which 
he   had    bought    snmewhere    in    the    vilknje.      Sometimes    he    would    hire 


OR     "new     CAMBRIDGE."  127 

one  of  us  boys  to  help  him  pick  up  apples;  and  I  have  picked  up  many 
bushels  for  him  in  orchards  about  town,  where  now  are  streets  full  of 
houses,  and  where  electric  lights  are  aglow  at  night,  and  where  electric 
cars  speed  by  in  a  manner  which  would  have  made  his  patient  oxen 
stare  m  amazement.  The  honest  old  farmer  was  killed  by  the  cars 
at  the  crossing  then  situated  just  east  of  the  present  railwav  station, 
in  1871. 

The  following  poem,  which  I  wrote  abovit  this  old  cider  mill,  and 
which  I  reproduce  by  courtesy  of  The  Xcw  England  Farmer,  may  be  of 
interest  in  this  connection: 

THE   CIDER   MILL. 

Oh  memory  loveth  ofttimes  to  recall 

The  scenes  that  occurred  in  the  sweet  long  ago. 

When  the  fruit-laden  boughs  of  the  orchard  in  fall, 
Their  blessing  of  fruitage  on  man  did  bestow. 

White,  golden  and  red,  as  they  lay  in  the  pile, 

Were  the  apples  just  garnered  from  under  the  trees. 

Where  they  ripened  in  Autumn's  beneficent  smile, 

And  their  nectar  distilled  for  the  wasps  and  the  bees. 

And  rapture  was  mine  when  the  cart-body's  rim 
Overflowed  with  the  many-hued  apples  it  bore; 

But  my  joy  was  completed  when  full  to  the  brim, 
The  cider-press  channel  with  juices  ran  o'er. 

When  I  stood  by  that  press  with  a  straw  in  my  moutla. 
As  I  sipped  the  sweet  flood  that  abundantly  fell, 

I  was  buoyant  and  flush  with  the  vigor  of  youth — 
But  now,  'tis  a  tale  of  the  past  that  I  tell. 

The  mill  and  its  owner  have  long  passed  away; 

No  longer  the  apple-cart  climbeth  the  hill; 
E'en  the  orchard  itself  has  long  gone  to  decay. 

And  naught  but  their  memory  lingereth  still. 

Yet  sometimes  at  even,  when  sunset  is  red. 

And  my  routine  of  work  for  the  day  is  complete. 

My  thoughts  will  revert  to  a  weather-worn  shed. 
And  the  press  and  the  cider,  delicious  and  sweet. 

Fall  mountain  was  made  a  school  district  in  1798,  when  the  School 
Board  defined  its  boundaries  as  follows:  "Voted  that  the  inhabitants 
living  on  Fall  mountain,  beginning  at  Bazaleel  Bowen's,  and  extending 
to  Chauncey  Jerome's,  including  those  from  Capt.  Jesse  Gaylord's,  Mr. 
Hinman's,*  and  including  all  in  that  quarter  of  the  society  as  far  as 
the  lane  that  goes  to  Capt.  Gaylord's  orchard,  be  made  into  one  school 
district,    and   be   known  by   the   name   of   Fall   mountain   district." 

Bazaleel  Bowen  lived  in  a  house  which  stood  near  the  Wolcott 
town  line,  a  short  distance  south  of  the  Andrew  Rowe  place  on  the 
east  side  of  the  road.  He  had  two  boys  whose  exploits  have  been  handed 
down,  so  notorious  were  they,  as  examples  of  youthful  depravity.  Early 
in  the  last  century,  Nathan  Tuttle  kept  a  country  store  in  a  building 
that  stood  until  recently,  when  it  was  destroyed  by  fire,  on  the  corner 
at  Indian  Heaven,  a  locality  lying  on  both  sides  of  the  Bristol-Plymovith 
town  line,  on  the  western  boundary  of  the  district.  One  of  the  tricks 
of  the  Bowen  boys  was  the  purchase  of  some  article,  whether  gunpowder 
or  tobaccQ^  I  have  forgotten,  of  Tuttle,  for  which  they  agreed  to  bring 
a  certain  number  of  ^ggs  in  payment.  They  then  proceeded  to  rob  a 
number  of  birds'  nests,  securing  the  required  quantity,  which  they  took 
to  the  corner  store.      The  proprietor  could  not  dispute  that  they  were 


128 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


eggs,  or  that  there  had  been  no  specification  as  to  the  kind  of  eggs  which 
were  to  be  brought,  and  was  therefore  obhged  logically  to  cancel  the 
indebtedness.  But  thereafter,  under  all  circumstances,  he  was  careful 
to  specify  that  hens'  eggs  should  be  exchanged  for  his  merchandise. 
It  may  seem  surprising,  but  it  is  a  fact,  that  many  people  from  the 
village  of  Bristol,  traveled  all  the  way  to  Indian  Heaven  to  do  their 
trading.  The  Bowen  fainily,  much  to  the  relief  of  the  other  residents 
of  the  Mountain,  emigrated  to  Ohio,  probably  about  1830,  together  with 
several  families  from  the  vicinity,  some  of  them  travelling  the  entire 
distance  with  ox  teams. 

Chauncey  Jerome  lived  on  the  brow  of  the  hill  west  of  the  residence 
of  Mr.  Dillon,  formerly  the  Capt.  Wooding  place.  There  is  no  trace 
of  the  cellar  remaining,  but  the  house  stood  on  the  south  side  of  the 
road,  in  an  open  field  at  that  place.  He  was  a  tory  during  the  revo- 
lution, and  was  so  outsooken  in  his  denunciation  of  the  course  of  his 
patriot  neighbors  in  rebelling  against  the  authority  of  the  English  crown, 
that  he  was  made  the  object  of  much  persecution  on  the  part  of  the 
"Sons  of  Liberty,"  as  the  patriots  called  themselves.  The  apple  tree 
was  standing  until  a  few  years  ago,  to  a  limb  of  which  he  was  suspended 
by  the  thumbs,  stripped  to  the  waist,  in  order  that  he  might  receive  a 
severe  thrashing  at  the  hands  of  the  patriots.  But  being  extremely  agile 
in  his  motions,  he  managed  to  reach  the  ground  with  his  toes,  when 
he  sprang  up,  liberated  his  thumbs  from  the  cords  that  held  them,  and 
ran  like  a  deer,  pursued  but  not  overtaken  by  his  would-be  disciplina- 
rians. The  tree  stood  just  back  of  the  barn  on  the  Barnum  place  before 
mentioned.  He  took  refuge  in  the  house  of  his  brother-in-law,  Jonathan 
Pond,  who  lived  in  the  next  house  below  his,  just  over  the  Plymouth 
line.  Pond  met  the  pursuers  with  a  loaded  gun  and  held  them  at  bay 
until  Jerome  made  good  his  escape. 

About  1760,  Isaac  Norton,  of  Durham,  a  descendant  of  Thomas 
Norton,  one  of  the  original  settlers  of  Guilford,  settled  upon  the  summit 
of  the  mountain,  on  the  site  of  what  is  now  known  as  the  Weeks'  place. 


CURIOUS    BOULDER    NEAR    CED.\R    SW.\MP. 


OR     "new    CAMBRIDGE." 


129 


(1)    RUINS     OF     THE     LYMAN     TUTTLE,     JR.     PLACE     AT     "INDIAN     HEAVEN,' 
WHERE    THE    FIRST    BAPTIST    MEETINGS    WERE    HELD    IN     1791 

From,  photo  taken  by  Milo  Leon  Norton. 

(2)    CELLAR    HOLE    OF    THE    SAME    IN     1907. 


130 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


The  log  house  he  built  stood  a  little  south  of  the  Weeks'  house,  recently 
burned,  a  tamarack  tree,  at  the  foot  of  the  garden,  denoting  the  spot 
where  the  well  may  still  be  seen.  He  had  a  numerous  family,  some  of 
whom  moved  to  Norfolk,  another  to  Westfield,  Mass.,  while  his  sons 
Aaron  and  Joel  remained  in  Bristol.  Joel  built  the  house  still  standing, 
south  of  the  log  cabin,  where,  at  one  time,  he  kept  a  tavern.  Aaron 
built  the  old  house  opposite  the  home  of  Gideon  Roberts,  the  pioneer 
of  the  American  clock  industry,  in  1786.  Both  Aaron  and  Joel  were 
soldiers  of  the  Revolution,  Aaron  serving  under  that  gallant  leader. 
Col.  Nodiah  Hooker,  of  Farmington.  He  was  a  large  land  owner,  hav- 
ing a  tract  of  land  extending  from  the  old  road  west  of  A.  T.  Bunnell's 
to  the  Plymouth  town  line,  near  the  Beecher  Perkin's  place,  on  the 
Waterburv  road.  He  was  my  great  grandfather,  and  upon  a  part  of  his 
immense  landed  estate  my  ancestral  home  was  located. 

The  neighborhood  to  which  I  have  previously  alkided,  known  as 
Indian  Heaven,  has  a  historical  interest  as  being  the  birthplace  of  the 
Bristol  Baptist  Church.  A  small  colony  of  Baptists,  from  new  Haven 

and  vicinity,  settled  in  the  vicinity,  William  Tuttle  building  on  the 
cellar  near  the  present  club  house,  on  the  Plymouth  side  of  the  line; 
Joel  Matthews  building  the  house  a  short  distance  east,  until  within  a 
few  years  the  home  of  George  William  Matthews;  Lyman  Tuttle  building 
a  quarter  mile  west  of  the  corner;  Edmund  Todd,  Elam  Todd  and 
Truman  Prince,  also  living  in  the  neighborhood.  It  was  in  Mr.  Todd's 
new  barn,  just  north  of  the  Tuttle  homestead,  on  the  Plymouth  side 
of  the  line,  on  April  13,  1791,  that  the  Bristol  Baptist  Church  was  organ- 
ized. Preaching  services  were  held  in  this  barn,  and  also  in  the  Tuttle 
house,  near  the  club  house,  before  its  completion;  a  part  only  of  the 
chamber  floor  being  laid,  the  preacher,  Elder  Daniel  Wildman,  of  Dan- 
bury,  standing  on  a  joiner  bench  in  the  kitchen,  could  address  his  audi- 
ence seated  upstairs  and  down.  It  was  intended  at  first  to  build  a 
•  church  in  this  vicinity,  but  afterward  it  was  decided  to  build  in  the 
village  of  Bristol,  Avhere  the  first  Baptist  church  edifice  was  erected  in 
1802.      Not  onlv  was  this  a  thrifty  farming   community,  but    maufactur- 


■^^ 


i,(H.     I    Aiil  .\      A 


OR        NKW     CAMBRIDGE. 


131 


ing  was  also  carried  on  at  a  two-story  factory,  the  wheel-pit  of  which 
can  still  be  seen  just  below  the  old  dam,  which  was  located  a  few  rods 
below  the  dam  of  recent  construction.  Here  wood  turning  was  engaged 
in  by  the  Tuttles,  and  afterward  tack  hammers  were  made  by  a  firm 
in  which  Charles  Swasey  and  Timothy  Atwater  were  interested.  This 
was  in  the  forties.  The  shop  was  burned  and  was  never  rebuilt.  Pre- 
vious to  this  Nathan  Tiattle(2)  carried  on  the  manufacttire  of  coinbs  in  the 
building  which  he  afterward  enlarged  and  used  as  a  store.  Austin 
Sheldon,  who  married  one  of  the  Tuttle  girls,  also  had  a  blacksmith 
shop  opposite  the  Lyman  Tuttle  house,  west  of  the  Lucas  Lane  place. 
Lane  also  ran  a  shingle  mil!  for  sawing  ovit  shingles,  half  a  mile  south 
ol  Indian  Heaven,  as  the  crow  flies,  near  the  Castle  Prince  place,  now 
maiked  by  old  cellar  holes.  The  life  of  Austin  Sheldon,  who  was  widely 
known  as  the  Pennsylvania  hermit,  has  about  it'a  tinge  of  sad  romance. 
He  had  purchased  a  tract  of  land,  without  seeing  it,  in  Lehman,  Pa., 
and  upon  going  there  found  it  almost  worthless.  He  was  disposed  to 
make  the  best  of  the  situation,  however,  and  to  go  there  to  live  with 
his  3'oung  wife,  thinking  that  between  farming  and  blacksmithing  he 
could  inake  a  comfortable  living.  But  his  wife's  family  persuaded  her 
tc  refuse  to  go  with- him,  and  he  lived  there  many  years  alone,  in  a  cave, 
partly  closed  in  with  lumber,  quite  a  distance  from  any  human  habita- 
tion. He  was  a  gentle,  inoffensive  man,  enjoying  the  society  of  the 
birds  and  animals  about  his  forest  home,  which  became  very  tame  and 
sociable;  and  many  children  were  welcomed  to  his  cabin-cave  as  visitors. 
He  attracted  much  attention  from  newspaper  men  and  others,  and  be- 


WOLCOTT  ST. 


(1)  No.  5,  Frank  Wilder  R,  formerly  the  Edward  Norton  placer 
(2)  No.  4,  Mrs.  L.  Seisswcrt  R,  Wm.  Litke  R,  formerly  the  Gordon 
Clark  place;  (3)  No.  24,  Joseph  C.  Russell  O,  formerly  the  John  Sutliff 
place;  (4)  No.  35,  George  A.  Rowe  O,  Edward  O.  Watrous  R,  Patrick  J. 
Doyle  R,  formerly  the  Chandler  Norton  place;  (5)  No.  38,  Roy  Crittenden 
R,  No.  40,  Joseph  F.  Ryan  R;  (6)  No.  48,  Ernest  T.  Belden  O,  Mrs. 
EHzabeth  Belden  R;  (7)  No.  43,  George  H.  Day  O;  (8)  No.  51,  James 
Hinchliff  R;  (9)  No.  64,  Noble  Peck  O,  George  W.  Denny  R. 


132 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


if"      a 

1 

1 

1 

s^^tm,-^::^^^ 

^H 

Wm^'^^mm 

HhIM 

HK^ 

WITCH     ROCK. 


came  quite  a  noted  hermit.  He  was  always  neatly  dressed,  and  was 
•extremely  neat  and  genteel  in  his  habits.  During  his  last  days  he  was 
a  frequent  visitor  in  Bristol,  where  he  had  relatives.  For  many  years 
he  was  very  deaf. 

An  awful  tragedy  occurred  in  New  Haven,  on  Christmas,  1855, 
when  Justus  Matthews,  a  brother  of  George  William  and  Henry  N. 
Matthews,  who  was  born  in  the  Matthews  home  at  Indian  Heaven, 
was  murdered  by  a  sect  of  religious  fanatics,  known  as  the  Wakemanites. 
It  is  one  of  the  strangest  tales  that  religious  fanaticism  is  responsible 
for,  showing  to  what  lengths  the  religious  devotee  may  be  tempted  to 
go.  Rhoda  Wakeman,  the  leader  and  founder  of  the  sect,  having,  it  is 
believed,  murdered  her  husband,  came  to  New  Haven  from  Fairfield, 
and  gathered  a  small  company  of  believers  about  her,  who  accepted  her 
statement  that  she  had  died  and  gone  to  heaven,  where  she  had  been 
commissioned  by  Jesus  Christ  to  return  to  the  earth  to  redeein  mankind, 
or  at  least  all  who  would  listen  to  her.  She  professed  to  have  power 
to  kill  and  to  raise  the  dead,  to  heal  diseases,  and  to  cast  out  devils. 
Justus  Matthews,  his  wife  and  sister,  and  his  sister's  husband,  all  of 
Hamden,  were  ainong  those  who  accepted  the  "Divine  Messenger," 
as  she  was  called.  She  professed  that  Justus  had  backslidden  and  had 
become  the  man  of  sin,  it  is  thought  because  of  a  debt  of  three  hundred 
dollars  that  she  owed  him,  and  which  he  thought  should  be  secured. 
At  any  rate  she  impressed  upon  the  little  company  the  importance  of 
having  Justus  put  out  of  the  way  or  she  would  die,  and  if  she  died  the 
world  would  instantly  be  destroyed.  This  they  firmly  believed.  Justus 
was  sent  for,  and  persuaded  that  it  was  his  duty  to  be  killed  that  the 
world  might  be  saved.  Sam.  Sly,  a  half-witted  fanatic,  did  the  deed, 
after  Matthews'  own  sister  had  tied  his  hands  behind  his  back,  and 
blindfolded  him,  "in  the  fear  of  the  Lord."  He  was  first  beaten  into 
insensibility  by  a  club,  and  then  his  head  was  nearly  severed  from  his 
body  by  a  jackknife.  The  perpetrators  were  acquitted  on  the  ground 
■of  insanity,  but  were  kept  under  restraint  during  the  remainder  of  their 
lives. 


OR        NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


133 


In  a  pasture  lot  on  the  Barnum  farm,  which  has  always  been  known 
as  the  Cole  lot,  (3)  directly  north  of  the  residence  of  Sereno  Nichols,  is  a 
heap  of  moss-grown  stones,  near  which  stands  one  or  two  pear  trees. 
This  was  the  childhood  home  of  Katherine  Cole,  wife  of  Aaron  Gaylord, 
who  was  massacred  with  nearly  all  the  settlers  at  Wyoming,  Pennsyl- 
vania, in  1778.  Katherine  escaped  with  her  children,  and  made  her 
way  back,  through  the  forest,  to  her  father's  house.  The  house  was 
destroyed  by  fire  early  in  the  last  century,  and  upon  the  death  of  her 
father,  Katherine  went  to  live  with  her  daughter  in  Burlington,  where 
she  ended  her  days.  Another  victim  of  that  terrible  tragedy  was  Elias 
Roberts,  a  neighbor  of  the  Cole  family,  and  father  of  Gideon,  the  clock 
maker.  His  widow,  Fallah  Roberts,  made  her  way  back  to  Bristol 
on  foot,  carrying  her  babe  in  her  arms  the  entire  distance.  An  old 
potato  grater,  which  Fallah  Roberts  used  in  after  years  to  make  starch 
for  the  family,  and  to  raise  small  amounts  of  pin  money  for  her  own  use, 
is  preserved  in  the  collection  of  historic  relics  of  Bristol.  The  process 
was  a  very  simple  one.  The  potatoes  were  grated  to  a  pulp  and  then 
placed  in  a  vessel  of  water,  when  the  starch  settled  to  the  bottom,  the 
residue  was  poured  off  and  the  starch  dried,  when  it  was  ready  for  use. 

Fall  Mountain  is  not  without  its  traditions  of  witchcraft,  which  date 
back  to  the  early  years  of  the  last  century.  Witch  Rock,  a  short  dis- 
tance above  the  schoolhouse,  received  its  name  from  the  story  that 
whenever  Elijah  Gaylord  drove  his  ox  team  down  the  hill  past  the  rock, 
the  cart  tongue  would  drop  to  the  ground,  no  matter  how  securely  it 


(10)  No.  78,  T.  B.  Robinson  O,  John  Streigle  R,  formerly  the  Lora 
Waters  place;  (11)  No.  88,  Samuel  A.  Hubbard  R,  Clarence  B,  Atkins 
O,  formerly  the  Rufus  Sanford  place;  (12)  No  105,  Mrs.  John  A.  Bradley 
R;  (13)   No.   109,   Charles  T'  Thrall   O,  formerly  the  Bud  Sutliff  place; 

(14)  No.  115,  E.  R.  Brightman  R,  formerly  the  Hezekiah  Lewis  place; 

(15)  No.  118,  George  B.  Evans  O,  Herbert  L.  Kern  R;  (16)  No.  126, 
Edward  W.  Bradley  O;  (17)  No.  136,  Geo.  H.  Miles  O;  (18)  No.  167, 
M.  J.  Rockwell  O,  Edward  E.  Andrew  R,  formerly  the  James  Holt  place. 


134 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


£!?*■ 


/. 


.-;^.^ 


SITE     OF    KATHERINE     GAYLORD     HUiMESTEAD. 


was  fastened.  As  it  was  reputed  that  he  had  in  some  manner  incurred 
the  ill  will  of  Granby  Olcott,  as  she  was  known,  a  reputed  witch  who 
lived  in  the  adjoining  town  of  Wolcott,  it  was  supposed  that  she  was  the 
cause  of  the  trouble.  But  a  still  more  serious  case  was  reported  at  the 
house  of  Joseph  Byington,  now  occupied  by  J.  H.  Clemence.  A  young 
woman  living  there  was  grievously  tormented,  night  after  night,  by 
having  pins  and  needles  stuck  in  her  flesh  by  invisible  hands.  Seth 
Stiles  was  employed  to  watch  with  the  afflicted  girl,  and  as  fast  as  the 
pins  were  inserted  in  her  flesh  he  would  draw  them  out  and  stick  them 
in  a  silk  handkerchief.  When  the  pins  ceased  to  be  inserted  in  the 
human  pin  cushion,  he  held  the  handkerchief  over  the  hot  coals  in  the 
fireplace  until  the  pins  .became  so  hot  as  to  burn  themselves  out  of  the 
cloth  and  to  drop  into  the  fire.  She  was  never  troubled  afterward,  but 
the  witch  suspected  was  found  the  next  day,  so  it  was  reported,  terribly 
burned.  Another  case  bordering  on  the  supernatural  was  reported  and 
thoroughly  believed  by  those  who  witnessed  the  phenomenon.  In  1822, 
a  woman  named  Stiles,  who  lived  in  the  Gideon  Roberts  house,  called 
one  evening,  at  the  home  of  my  father,  who  was  then  nine  years  of  age. 
Later  in  the  evening  her  family  heard  groans  outside  the  door,  and 
found  her  in  an  unconscious  state  froin  which  she  never  rallied,  but 
died  soon  after  being  taken  into  the  house.  Medical  aid  was  summoned, 
but  nothing  could  be  done  to  relieve  her.  A  postmortem  examination 
revealed  the  fact  that  she  had  been  assaulted  and  outraged  by  a  number 
of  fiends  in  hviman  shape,  the  scene  of  the  assault  being  traced  to  an 
orchard  some  distance  north  of  my  father's  residence,  in  what  has  long 
been  called  the  Bunker  Hill  lot,  on  the  Barnum  farm.  That  she  had 
been  carried  from  the  orchard  to  her  home  was  shown  by  her  shoes 
having  been  removed  and  left  under  the  trees,  while  her  stockings  were 
not  soiled.  The  criminals  were  never  detected.  Some  time  afterwards, 
at  night,  when  any  one  came  up  Peck  Lane  past  the  scene  of  the  crinie, 
a  light  would  appear,  which  would  keep  along  abreast  of  the  traveller, 
but  inside  of  the  fence,  and  when  nearly  out  to  the  corner  of  the  moun- 
tain road,  it  would  turn  eastward  toward  the  deceased  woman's  home, 
and  disappear.      I  have  talked  with  one  or  two  persons  who  solemnly 


NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


135 


declared  they  had  seen  this  Hght,  beside  my  father,  who  remembered 
it  distinctly.  The  lane  ceased  to  be  used  as  a  thoroughfare  for  some 
time   afterward,    by   the   timid,    after  nightfall. 

Joel  Truesdell,  who  lived  on  the  place  afterward  owned  by  the  late 
Andrew  R.  Rowe,  was  a  type  of  the  old-time  self-made  American  noble- 
man. Descended  from  an  English  farmer  who  had  settled  in  the  Mo- 
hawk country,  he  was  the  son  of  a  seafaring  man  who  lost  liis  all  in  a 
ship  wreck,  including  his  life  from  the  freezing  and  exposure  that  he 
endured.  The  widow  left  with  five  small  children  to  support  had  enough 
to  look  after,  so  the  two  oldest  boys,  James  and  Joel,  started  out  from 
New  London,  their  home,  to  seek  their  fortunes  in  the  wide  world.  They 
drifted  to  Wolcott,  but  there  the  town  officials  much  alarmed  lest  the 
boys  should  become  public  burdens,  bade  them  move  on.  Bristol 
offered  them  a  refuge,  and  here  Joel  spent  the  remainder  of  his  long 
life.  He  purchased  the  Rowe  farm  in  the  southwest- corner  of  Bristol, 
working  at  his  trade  as  a  shoeinaker  as  well  as  at  farming.  His  three 
sons  settled  in  the  west,  but  his  two  daughters  married  and  remained 
in  the  vicinity,  one  of  them  becoming  the  wife  of  Seth  Gaylord,  and  the 
other  the  wife  of  Ransell  Brockett.  He  held  various  offices  of  trust, 
being  elected  selectman  in  1807,  afterward  holding  minor  offices,  and 
becoming  a  Justice  of  the  Peace,  from  which  he  obtained  his  title  of 
Esquire.  As  a  justice  he  was  always  strictly  upright,  but  a  terror  to 
evil  doers.  He  was  twice  married,  his  second  wife  surviving  him.  He 
died  of  a  rose  cancer  in  1856,  in  his  eighty-eighth  year.  I  well  remember 
the   one-storv   red   house   in  which   he   lived,   and   the   immense   granite 


^^& 

i^ 

^S^\ 

i^^i^HI^ 

m^m     ^ 

(19)  Xo.  172,  Mrs.  Flora  J.  Clark  R,  formerly  the  A.  H.  Rood  place; 
(20)  George  Lawley,  Jr.  R,  formerly  the  William  Xichols  place;  (21) 
Mrs.  Harriet  L.  Root,  O;  formerly  the  Smith  Dart  place;  (22)  Wm.  H. 
Coons  O;  (23)  "Woodlawn,"  Frank  M.  Gaylord  O,  formerly  the  Nancy 
Horton  place;  (24)  Averitt  E.  Hare  O,  formerly  the  Cyprian  Elton  place  / 
(25)  Edward  H.  Allen  O,  formerly  the  Garry  Allen  place;  (26)  Allen  T. 
Bunnell  O,  formerly  the  "Jake"  Wright  place  (a  still  at  the  rear  in  the 
olden  time);  (27)  Henry  A,  Way  O,  formerly  the  John  Peck,  Sr.  place. 


136 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


boulder  in  front.  The  rock  was  broken  up  and  removed  by  the  last 
owner  of  the  place,  Mr.  Rowe,  who  also  replaced  the  old  house  by  one 
of  modern  design.      It  was  recently  burned,  and  has  not  been  rebuilt. 

One  of  the  most  interesting  natural  objects  of  Fall  Mountain,  was 
the  Cedar  Swamp,  which .  was  flooded  early  in  the  seventies,  and  used 
as  a  storage  reservoir  for  Waterbury  factories.  In  the  earliest  times, 
when  the  swamp  first  became  known  to  the  white  men,  there  was  a 
beaver  dam  at  the  southern  end,  which  can  now  be  seen  at  low  water. 
The  entire  swamp  was  covered  with  a  dense  growth  of  white  cedars, 
except  an  open  channel  near  the  eastern  edge.  When  a  dam  for  a 
sawmill  was  built,  soon  after  the  first  settlement  of  the  vicinity,  and 
the  water  begun  to  rise,  it  was  found  that  the  whole  growth  of  cedars 
rose  with  the  water,  and  fell  again  when  the  water  was  drawn  down— 
a  floating  forest.  It  was  a  natural  lake  which  had  become  overgrown 
with  the  cedars,  the  matted  roots  forming  a  raft,  through  which  spliced 
rods  were  driven,  in  places,  to  the  depth  of  forty  feet  without  striking 
bottom.  At  one  time  there  was  a  movement  on  foot  to  drain  the  swamp 
and  to  remove  the  peat,  which  exists  there  in  enormous  quantities,  for 
fuel.  But  the  flooding  of  the  swamp  prevented  this  from  being  carried 
out. 

To  the  east,  and  near  the  head  of  the  pond,  is  a  natural  curiosity, 
in  the  shape  of  a  bowlder,  the  formation  of  which  has  been  declared  by 
experts  to  be  very  peculiar.  Several  geologists  have  examined  the  rock 
and  declared  themselves  at  a  loss  to  account  for  it.  It  was  discovered 
by  my  father  about  seventy-five  years  ago,  who  thought  that  he  had 


(28)  Mrs.  Cora  M.  Eddy  O,  J.  J.  Mulpeter  R,  formerly  the  Aaron 
Norton  place,  built  about  1786;  (29)  A.  C.  Bailey  O,  formerly  the  Gideon 
Roberts  place;  (30)  B.  G.  Nichols  0;  (31)  Mrs.  Drusilla  Blakeslee  O, 
formerly  the  John  R.  Peck  place;  (32)  O.  J.  Bailey  O,  formerly  the 
Burton  Allen  place;  (33)  S.  T  Nichols  O;  (34)  Trank  H.  Wood  O,  for- 
merly the  Barnum  place;  (35)  Peter  G.  Gustafson  O,  formerly  the  Went- 
worth  Bradley  place;  (36)  Wallace  H.  Miller  O,  formerly_the  Leonard  A. 
Norton  place. 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE."  137 

found  a  bowlder  of  limestone.  The  rock  is  composed  of  thin  layers, 
or  veneers,  of  cjuartz,  cemented  together  with  lime.  Broken  off  the 
interior  has  one  color,  and  resembles  limestone,  or  marble.  But  the 
edges  of  the  veneers,  where  they  have  been  exposed  to  the  weather, 
show  where  the  lime  has  been  eroded,  leaving  the  layers  of  quartz  ex- 
posed. Fragments  of  this  rock  are  scattered  for  a  mile  to  the  south, 
being  laid  up  in  cellar  and  field  walls,  but  I  never  have  been  able  to 
find  it  elsewhere.  Wheti  in  New  Hampshire  and  Vermont,  I  have 
looked  in  vain  for  the  rock  in  situ,  for  somewhere  to  the  north  of  us 
there  must  be  the  original  ledge  from  which  it  came.  It  was  not  until 
recently  that  I  obtained  a  clue  that  may  lead  to  the  discovery  of  its 
starting  place  on  its  long  pilgrimage  over  the  New  England  hills.  Al 
friend  who  is  of  an  observing  turn  of  mind,  and  a  student  of  the  natura 
sciences,  when  shown  this  rock,  said  that  when  exploring  the  geological 
formation  along  the  St.  Lawrence  River,  known  as  the  Laurentian 
formation,  he  discovered  the  thin  edges  of  protruding  quartz,  precisely 
as  they  exist  in  this  bowlder.  The  place  of  his  discovery  was  near  the 
mouth  of  the  Saugenay  riv'er,  which  would  be  rather  too  far  east  to  be 
the  home  site  of  this  rock;  but  the  same  formation  may  exist  farther 
up  the  river  St.  Lawrence,  and  more  in  range  with  the  path  of  the 
glaciers. 

The  first  schoolhouse  built  in  the  district,  stood  on  the  corner  op- 
posite the  Barnum  place,  near  the  present  guide  board.  On  the  opposite 
corner  stood  a  blacksmith  shop,  where,  early  in  life,  Capt.  A.  Wooding 
worked  at  blacksmithing.  The  second  schoolhouse  stood  at  the  four 
corners  at  the  top  of  the  mountain,  on  the  east  side  of  the  road  that 
runs  north  and  south,  and  on  the  south  side  of  the  road  to  Bristol.  Later 
it  was  moved  to  its  present  site.  There  may  be  a  few  people  now  living 
who  can  remember  when  the  schoolhouse  was  heated  by  a  fireplace; 
and  when  the  benches  were  made  of  logs  hewn  flat  on  the  upper  side; 
legs,  driven  into  auger  holes  on  the  underside,  serving  for  supports. 
The  schoolhouse  (20)  of  my  boyhood  had  advanced  far  beyond  this  primi- 
tive stage.  It  was  provided  with  plank  seats  running  around  three 
sides  of  the  room,  the  teacher  having  a  table  and  chair  at  the  front  end 
of  the  room,  between  the  two  entrances  opening  into  the  entry.  Some 
of  the  schoolhouses  of  that  period  had  a  dungeon  in  one  end  of  the  entry, 
where  refractory  pupils  were  shut  in  to  reflect  upon  the  enormity  of  their 
misconduct.  But  ours  was  not  so  provided.  A  desk  of  wide  boards, 
sloping  inward,  and  having  a  shelf  underneath  for  the  storage  of  books, 
slates,  and  the  like,  took  up  the  room  between  the  seats  and  the  wall. 
In  the  middle  of  the  room  was  a  box  stove,  and  two  benches  for  little 
tots.  A  blackboard,  much  out  of  repair,  occupied  the  wall  space  back 
of  the  teacher's  chair.  An  incident  connected  with  this  blackboard, 
may  be  worthy  of  mention. 

It  was  the  custom  for  the  teachers  to  board  around,  in  those  days, 
and  when  one  of  the  lady  teachers  was  boarding  at  our  house,  she  was 
shown  a  pair  of  double-lens,  green  spectacles,  which  had  the  peculiarity, 
by  means  of  reflection,  of  enabling  the  wearer  to  see  what  was  tran- 
spiring behind  him,  as  well  as  in  front.  She  borrowed  the  spectacles, 
explaining  to  the  school  that  weak  eyes  were  the  cause  of  her  wearing 
them.  When  she  stood  with  her  back  to  the  school  to  oversee  the 
writing  of  exercises  on  the  board,  was  the  signal  for  a  general,  but  silent 
outbreak  of  grimaces,  whisperings,  and  swapping  of  knives  or  trinkets 
dear  to  the  juvenile  heart.  But  this  day,  as  she  stood  with  her  back 
toward  them,  she  not  only  called  out  the  name  of  every  culprit,  but  told 
exactly  what  mischief  was  being  done  without  taking  her  eves  off  the 
board.  This  convinced  the  urchins  that  she  was  gifted  with  super- 
natural powers,  and  resulted  in  much  better  conduct  during  the  rest 
of  the  term.  It  was  not  until  the  last  day  of  school  that  the  secret  was 
divulged.  The  effort  on  my  part  to  keep  a  secret  that  length  of  time 
was  a  severe  strain,  but  I  did  it. 

The  old  schoolhouse  was  repaired,  long  after  I  had  graduated, 
was  burned  about  1881,  and  the  present  (7)  schoolhouse  was  built  in  its 


138 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


stead,  the  following  year.  It  has  the  modern  improvements  in  the 
way  of  chairs  and  desks,  but  I  doubt  if  the  three  R's  are  more  faithfully 
drilled  into  the  minds  of  the  pupils  than  they  were  fifty  years  ago. 

Sherman  Johnson,  early  in  the  last  century,  came  into  possession 
of  the  place  now  owned  by  William  Fenn.  He  was  a  mechanic  of  much 
originality,  and  constructed  upon  the  brook  southeast  of  the  house,  a 
saw  mill,  a  still,  a  turning  shop  and  a  cider  mill.  East  of  the  residence 
of  James  Peckham,  he  built  a  dam,  flooding  over  a  large  tract  of  land 
known  as  Morgan's  Swamp,  which  served  as  his  reservoir.  The  dam 
can  still  be  seen.  At  the  brook  where  the  shops  stood  can  be  seen  the 
wheel  pit  and  fotmdations.  Henry  Bradley  succeeded  to  the  title  of 
the  farm  by  inheritance,  and  lived  there  the  greater  part  of  his  life. 
He  was  a  manufacturer  of  clock  hammers,  which  were  cast  of  zinc,  in 
a  little  shop  which  stood  west  of  the  house  of  F.  H.  Wood,  but  which 
now  stands  east  of  the  house,  and  is  used  as  a  carriage  house.  Mr. 
Bradley  also  manufactured  that  part  of  clock  mechanism  known  as 
lock  work,  a  specialty  that  was  in  the  hands  of  his  sons,  Wentworth 
and  Harlan  P.  Bradley,  for  many  years  afterward.  The  lock  work 
was  made  in  the  chamber  of  his  house.  The  front  chamber  of  this 
house  was  in  use  for  some  time  as  a  meeting  place  for  Second  Advent- 
ists,    Mr.    Bradley   and  his   family   being  early  converts  to  the   Advent 


(37)  The  Samuel  McKee  place.  Miss  Julia  Potter  O,  and  used  as  a 
laundry  by  Jason  H.  Clemence;  (38)  Built  by  Truman  Norton,  later 
known  as  the  Jerry  Thomas  place.  In  the  ell  of  this  building  Gideon 
Roberts  had  the  first  clock  shop  in  America,  Jason  H.  Clemence  O; 
(39)  ruins  of  the  H.  A.  Week's  place,  the  original  Isaac  Norton  home- 
stead; (40)  S.  P.  Harrison  O,  the  Joel  Norton  Tavern;  (41)  Mrs:  Edwin 
Gomme  R,  the  Eli  Norton  place;  (42)  Richard  E.  Dillon  O,  the  Captain 
Alviah  Wooding  place;  (43)  Adam  Schragder,  O,  the  Charles  Graniss 
place;  (44)  Louis  Moulaski  O  (Allentown  Road),  the  George  William 
Mathews  place;  (4a)  the  Orrin  Judson  place  (at  present  unoccupied). 


NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


139 


faith.      He  sold  out  about   186: 
he  ended  his  days. 


and  removed  to  Divinity  street,  where 


The  land  upon  which  stands  the  red  house,  known  to  older  residents 
as  the  McKee  place,  was  purchased  of  John  Gaylord,  who  owned  the 
Fenn  place,  in  1805.  It  is  now  used  as  a  laundry.  Samuel  McKee 
was  of  Scotch  descent,  came  from  Derby,  and  was  a  soldier  of  the  Revo- 
lution, having  had  many  interesting  experiences,  and  some  narrow 
escapes  from  death  and  capture.  His  daughter  married  Eli  Terry,  the 
Father  of  American  clock-making,  and  the  entire  family  became  iden- 
tified with  the  industries  of  Terryville. 

The  small  shop  once  used  by  Gideon  Roberts,  and  which  is  un- 
doubtedly the  original  (8)  clock  shop  of  the  United  States,  was  built  for 
a  tin  shop  a  few  rods  north  of  the  house  of  the  late  Alonzo  Rood.  It 
was  bought  by  Roberts  and  placed  in  the  southwest  corner  of  his  front 
yard,  where,  by  means  of  a  foot-lathe  and  hand  saws,  he  made  the  first 
Yankee  clocks.  The  building  was  bought  of  Hopkins  Roberts,  and 
removed  to  its  present  site,  by  my  uncle,  Asahel  Hinman  Norton,  where 
it  now  forms  the  L  of  the  house  now  occupied  by  J.  H.  Clemence. 

Fall  Mountain  has  suffered,  like  many  other  rural  districts,  from 
the  removal  of  the  descendants  of  the  original  families  to  other  localities, 
as  well  as  by  the  abandonment  of  homesteads,  a  condition  prevailing 
to  a  great  extent  all  over  the  vState.      There  are  now  but  two  persons. 


^WQHOTT  ROAD  &  FALL  MT  DISTRICT 


(4G)  Alverda  J.  Tymerson  O,  the  Enos  Blakeslee  place  (Witch  Rock 
Road);  (47)  Alexander  Morin  O,  the  James  Adams  place  (Witch  Rock 
Road);  (48)  David  Y.  Clark,  the  Thos.  Prince  place  (Witch  Rock  Road); 
(49)  Cabin,  (Witch  Rock  Road);  (50)  Theron  A.  Johnson  O,  the 
Leander  B.  Norton  place  (Witch  Rock  Road);  (51)  James  H. 
Peckham  O,  the  Aunt  Lucy  P]*otchkiss  place;  (52)  Wallace  A.,  Emily  M. 
and  Rachel  E.  Allen  O,  the  Lyman  Bradley  place;  (53)  Clark  Hare  R, 
the  James  Scarrett  place;  (54)  Wm.  M.  Fenn  O,  the  Henry  Bradley 
place. 


140 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


THE    TRUMAN    NORTON    PLACE, 

Showing  ell,  in  which  Gideon  Roberts  had  the  first  clock  shop  in  America. 
From  photo  by  Milo  Leon  Norton. 


James  Peckham  and  a  widowed  sister,  descendants  of  Samuel  Gaylord» 
now  remaining  on  the  mountain,  within  the  boundaries  of  the  district, 
of  the  old  stock.  I  have  not  tried  to  trace  the  history,  or  even  mention 
all  of  the  old  families,  because  of  the  lack  of  time  and  space  needed  to 
do  the  subject  justice.  Since  1860  five  houses  in  the  district  have  been 
burned  and  were  never  rebuilt,  and  two  were  abandoned  and  were  torn 
down.  In  1860  there  were  living  in  the  district,  with  all  of  whom  I 
was  personally  acquainted,  the  following  families:  Henry  Bradley, 
James  Scarrett,  Lyman  Bradley,  Isaac  Hotchkiss,  Jesse  Gaylord,  Lorenzo 
Thomas,  Leander  B.  Norton,  Thomas  Prince,  James  Adams,  Enos 
Blakeslee,  Orrin  Judson,  Benajah  Camp,  Eli  Norton,  George  Plumb, 
Capt.   Alvah  Wooding,  Moulthrop,   Charles  Granniss,   Miles   San- 

ford,  George  William  Matthews,  Charles  Peck,  Jeremiah  Thomas,  Leonard 
A.  Norton,  Garry  Nettleton,  and  George  Nettleton.  Of  all  these  per- 
sons there  is  only  one  now  living,  Lorenzo  Thomas,  who  resides  in  an- 
other part  of  the  State. 


NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


141 


Moses   Dunbar, 
LOYALIST 

.^^- 
•^'^^- 

By  Judge  Epaphroditus   Peck. 

THE  history  of  Moses  Dunbar  seems  to  me  to  be  a  story  ful[ 
of  interest  to  all  students  of  Connecitcut's  history,  because 
he  was  the  only  person  who  has  ever  been  executed  for  treason 
against  this  state;  and  full  of  interest  to  ail  who  love  heroism 
and  high-minded  devotion  to  principle,  because  of  the  fidelity  and  con- 
secration with  which  he  served  the  church  and  the  King  to  whom  he 
believed  his  loyalty  to  be  due,  consecration  alike  of  the  affections  and 
the  activities  of  life,  fidelity  even  unto  death. 

Moses  Dunbar  was  born  in  Wallingford  in  June  14th,  1746,  the 
second  of  a  family  of  sixteen  children.  When  he  was  about  fourteen 
years  old,  his  father  removed  to  Waterbury;  that  is,  I  suppose,  to  what 
is  now  East  Plymouth.  The  present  town  of  Plymouth  was  then  a 
part  of  Waterbury,  afterward  set  off  as  a  part  of  Watertown  in  1780, 
and  set  ofif  from  Watertown  by  its  present  name  in  1795. 

In  1764,  when  not  quite  eighteen  years  old,  he  was  married  to 
Phebe  Jerome  or  Jearam  of  Bristol,  then  New  Cambridge.  In  the 
same  year,  "upon  what  we  thought  sufficient  and  rational  motives," 
he  and  his  wife  left  the  Congregational  Church,  in  which  he  had  been 
brought  up,  and  declared  themselves  of  the  Church  of  England. 

The  Rev.  James  Scovil  was  then  located  at  Waterbury  as  a  Church 
'o£  England  missionary  of  the  "Society  for  the  Propagation  of  the  Gospel 
in  Foreign  Parts,"  Connecticut  being  foreign  missionary  ground,  from 
the  standpoint  of  the  English  Church;  he  was  also  in  charge  of  the 
little  Anglican  Church  in  New  Cambridge,  which  perished  in  the  storm 
and  stress  of  the  Revolution. 

To  his  Episcopal  surroundings  we  are  undoubtedly  justified  in 
tracing  Dunbar's  later  toryism,  and  particularly  to  the  influence  of 
Mr.  Scovil,  and  of  the  Rev.  James  Nichols,  who  succeeded  him  in  charge 
of  the  New  Cambridge  Church. 

When  the  war  of  the  Revolution  broke  out,  the  King's  cause  had 
no  other  svich  zealous  supporters,  in  Connecticut  at  least,  as  the  Anglican 
missionaries  stationed  in  the  state. 

We  can  easily  see  the  reasons  for  this  These  men,  brought  up 
in  the  English  Church,  accustomed  to  look  on  the  King  as  the  head  of 
the  church,  and  by  the  Grace  of  God,  Defender  of  Faith,  came  to  New 
England  only  to  find  here  the  despised  separatists,  who  in  England  were 
entitled  to  nothing  more  than  contemptuous  toleration,  and  who  had 
not  always  had  that,  ruling  in  church  and  state  with  a  high,  and  not 
at  all  a  gentle,  hand.  Their  own  church,  which  at  home  had  every 
advantage,  political  and  social,  whose  Bishops  sat  in  the  House  of  Lords, 
whose  services  were  maintained  in  splendid  pomp  by  the  public  funds, 
which  was  the  spiritual  governor  of  England,  as  King  and  Parliament 
were  its  civil  governors,  was  weak  and  despised  and  suffering  great  legal 
disadvantages,  as  compared  with  its  Puritan  rival. 


142 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


RESIDENCK     JUDGE     EPAPHRODITUS     PECK,     SUMMER    STREET. 


To  give  an  extreme  instance  of  the  hardships  which  the  Episcopal 
clergymen  sometimes  suffered,  William  Gibbs,  of  Simsbury,  who  was 
the  first  Anglican  minister  to  officiate  in  New  Cambridge,  was  required 
by  the  authorities  of  Simsbury  to  pay  taxes  froin  his  own  scanty  income 
to  support  the  Congregational  ministry.  When  he  refused,  he  is  said 
to  have  been  bound  on  the  back  of  a  horse,  and  in  that  harsh  way  carried 
to  Hartford  jail,  where  he  was  imprisoned  as  a  delinquent  taxpayer.. 
He  was  then  an  old  inan,  became  insane,  and  continued  so  until  his 
death.    (1.) 

Our  own  church  records  show  that  legal  coinpulsion  was  used  to 
inake  the  churchinen,  who  doubtless  had  a  heavy  burden  to  carry  in 
their  own  church,  pay  taxes  for  Mr.  Xewell's  support. 

While  the  law  for  the  support  of  the  Congregational  churches  by 
taxation  was  finally  relaxed  for  the  benefit  of  Episcopal  dissenters, 
and  their  treatment  probably  tended  to  become  inore  friendly,  as  their 
numbers  increased,  the  position  of  constant  inferiority  and  occasional 
oppression  in  which  they  found  themselves  must  have  been  very  galling 
to  the  clergymen  of  the  English  church,  who  doubtless  felt  that  they 
were  entitled  by  English  law  to  be  the  dominant,  instead  of  the  in- 
ferior, church. 

The  Puritan  go\"ernment  was  not  one  likely  to  be  beloved  by  those 
who  were  out  of  sympathy  with  its  theology  and  practice;  still  less  by 
those  who  devoutly  believed  it  to  be  both  schismatical  and  heretical, 
and  who  constantly  felt  the  weight  of  its  oppressive  hand  upon  them. 

But  the  chvirchmen  had  always  the  crown,  and  the  powerful  mother 
church  at  home,  to  look  to  as  their  backer  and  defender;  and,  though 
neither  church  nor  crown  seem  ever  to  have  interested  themselves  much 
in  the  lot  of  their  co-religionists  here,  the  distinguished  connection  there 
was  at  least  a  matter  of  pride  and  fervent  loyalty  to  the  ostracized 
churchmen  here. 


1.     Welton's  sermon  and  notes  concerning  the  Einsoopal  Church  in  New  Cambridge. 
Bristol  Public  Librarv. 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE."  143 

And,  naturally  enough,  they  believed  that  the  fear  of  the  wrath 
of  the  powerful  church  at  home  was  all  that  restrained  the  Puritans 
here,  and  feared  a  withdrawal  of  all  ijrivileges,  and  an  attack  on  the 
very  existence  of  their  churches,  if  the  Puritan  colony  should  succeed 
in  establishing  its  independence. 

"It  was  inferred  from  the  history  of  the  past  that,  if  successful, 
few  would  be  the  tender  mercies  shown  by  the  Independents  in  New 
England  to  a  form  of  Protestant  religion  which  was  in  their  eyes  'dis- 
sent,' and  which  nothing  but  the  want  of  power  hitherto  had  prevented 
them  from  fully  destroying.  It  was  the  remark  of  a  Presbyterian 
deacon,  made  in  the  hearing  of  one  who  put  it  upon  record,  'that  if  the 
colonies  should  carry  their  point,  there  would  not  be  a  church  in  the 
Xew  England  states.'  "  (2.) 

And  so,  when  the  hated  rulers  of  the  colony  openly  defied  the  King, 
denied  the  authority  of  Parliament  over  them,  and  finally  deterinined 
to  make  their  Puritan  commonwealths  independent  altogether,  it  is 
not  difficult  to  understand  how  bitter  the  opposition  to  the  revolutionary 
movement  must  have  been  among  the  churchmen,  and  what  firebrands 
of  tory  zeal  the  missionary  clergyman,  in  their  circuits  through  the 
state,  must  have  been. 

The  position  of  active  hospitality  to  the  colonial  cause  taken  by 
the  Episcopal  clergy  led  to  their  being  specially  marked  out  by  the 
intolerant  patriotism  of  the  day  for  prosecution;  and  this  in  turn,  no 
doubt,  reacted  to  increase  their  hatred  of  the  colony,  its  Puritan  religion, 
and  the  possibility  of  its  acquiring  independence. 

Nineteen  days  after,  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  the  clergy 
of  the  state  met  to  determine  their  course;  one  point  of  peculiar  ditti- 
culty  was  the  prayer  for  the  King,  and  that  he  might  be  victorious  over 
all  his  enemies,  in  the  prayerbook. 

At  least  one  Congregational  minister  in  Massachusetts  suffered 
embarrassment  from  a  similar  cause.  He  had  prayed  so  long  for  "our 
excellent  King  George,"  that,  after  the  war  commenced,  and  independ- 
ence had  been  declared,  he  inadvertently  inserted  the  familiar  phrase 
in  his  prayer,  but,  recollecting  himself  in  time,  he  added:  "O  Lord,  I 
mean  George  Washington." 

But  the  Church  of  England  clergy  could  not  so  readily  evade  their 
prescribed  prayer  for  the  King.  They  could  not  omit  it  without  unfaith- 
fulness to  the  canons  of  the  church,  nor  include  it  without  incurring 
the  wrath  of  their  neighbors,  and  the  accusation  of  open  disloyalty. 
They,  therefore,  resolved  to  suspend  public  services,  until  the  storm  of 
revolution  should  blow  over;  which  they  probably  thought  would  be 
but  a  few  months.  (3.) 

But  one  old  man,  John  Beach,  of  Newtown  and  Reading,  absolutely 
refused  his  consent  to  this  resolution,  and  declared  that  he  would  "do 
his  duty,  preach  and  pray  for  the  King,  till  the  rebels  cut  out  his  tongue." 
The  doughty  old  loyalist  kept  his  word,  and  yet  died  peaceably  in  his 
bed,  in  the  eighty-second  year  of  his  age,  just  in  time  to  escape  the 
bitter  news  of  Cornwallis'  surrender.  (4.) 

But  he  had  some  exciting  experiences  in  the  meantime.  While 
officiating  one  day  in  Reading,  a  shot  was  fired  into  the  church,  and 
the  ball  struck  above  him,  and  lodged  in  the  sounding-board.  Pausing 
for  the  moment,  he  uttered  the  w-rds,  "Fear  not  them  w^hich  kill  the 
body,  but  are  not  able  to  kill  the  soul;  but  rather  fear  him  which  is  able 
to  destroy  both  soul  and  body  in  hell."  He  then  proceeded  with  the 
service,  without  further  interruption. 

At  another  time,  a  party  of  men  entered  his  church,  and  as  he  was 
about  reaching  the  prayer  for  the  King,  pointed  a  musket  at  his  head, 


2.     Beardsley's  Historv  of  the  Episcopal  Church  in  Connectictit,  vol.  1,  p.  312. 
Beardsley,  1,  .313. 

Z      Welter's   sermon,   cited   before.     Also   see   Beardsley. 
►        Walton's  sermon,  and.  Beardsley. 


144 


BRISTOL,     CONNECTICUT 


"overlook,"  residence  s    b     harper. 


He  calmly  went  on,  and,  whether  they  did  not  fire,  or  missed,  he  escaped 
injury.  (5.) 

But  many  of  his  brethren,  though  less  bold  than  he,  suffered  more. 

Dunbar's  last  days  in  jail  were  confronted  by  the  sacred  offices  of 
the  church  administered  by  Rev.  Roger  Veits,  a  fellow-prisoner,  who 
had  been  tried  at  the  same  tenn  with  Dunbar  and  convicted  of  assisting 
captured  British  soldiers  to  escape,  and  giving  them  food. 

Nor  was  Dunbar's  own  pastor,  Rev.  James  Nichols,  treated  much 
better.  Rev.  James  Nichols  appears  by  the  records  of  his  church  to 
have  administered  baptism  five  times  in  1776  after  July  4th,  once  in 
1777,  and  four  times  in  1780,  Rev.  X.  A.  Welton  says  that  these  sacred 
offices  were  performed  in  a  cave,  and  adds:  "Once,  says  reliable  tradi- 
tion, he  was  discovered  hiding  in  a  cellar  near  the  residence  of  the  late 
Sextvis  Gaylord,  captured,  tarred  and  feathered,  and  dragged  in  the 
neighboring  brook."  (6.)  At  the  same  term  of  court  at  which  Dunbar 
was  convicted  of  treason,  this  Mr.  Nichols  was  also  tried,  but  was  ac- 
quitted. (7.) 

A  new  convert  to  the  religious  faith  of  the  Church  of  England,  under 
the  teaching  of  its  persecuted  ministers,  a  man  evidently  of  courage  and 
resolute  energy,  we  can  hardly  wonder  that  Moses  Dunbar  was  a  devoted 
and  fearless  supporter  of  the  royal  cause.  In  his  own  words,  "From 
the  time  that  the  present  unhappy  niisunderstanding  between  Great 
Britain  and  the  Colonies  began,  I  freely  confess  I  never  could  reconcile 
my  opinion  to  the  necessity  or  lawfulness  of  taking  up  arms  against 
Great  Britain."  (8.) 

His   adherence   to   the    Church   of   England   had   already   caused   a 

5.  Beardsley,  1,  319. 

6.  Welton's  sermon. 

7.  Connecticut  Courant,  Jan.  27.  1777. 

8.  Dunbar's  statement,  in  The  Town  and  City  of  Waterbury,  vol.  1,  page  435 


NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


145 


breach  between  himself  and  his  father,  in  which  he  seems  to  have  been 
practically  driven  from  home,  and  it  was  then  probably  that  he  began 
living  near  his  wife's  home  in  New  Cambridge.  He  continued  to  pay 
toll-taxes  in  Waterbury  as  a  resident,  and  describes  himself  in  deeds  as 
of  Waterbury;  but  both  a  strong  local  tradition,  and  the  early  printed 
accounts  of  him,  speak  of  him  as  having  lived  in  Bristol,  that  is,  of  course, 
of  Farmington,  and  he  is  so  described  in  his  formal  indictment.  A 
house  that  used  to  stand  on  the  east  side  of  Hill  street,  a  little  way  ndrth 
from  the  South  Chippins'  Hill  schoolhouse,  was  known  to  every  one 
about  there  as  the  house  where  Moses  Dunbar  lived. 

Probably  after  his  father  cast  him  off,  the  young  husband  of  eighteen 
took  hiinself  to  the  more  friendly  society  of  his  wife's  family,  who  lived 
in  this  Chippins'  Hill  neighborhood. 

He  certainly  attended  schurch  in  the  little  church  building  on 
Federal  Hill,  and  there  his  four  children  were  baptized,  Bede,  in  17(35, 
Zeriah  in  1773,  Phebe  in  1774,  and  Moses,  of  whom  I  shall  speak  again, 
in  December,  1777. 

During  the  twelve  years  from  his  marriage  in  May,  1764,  to  his 
wife's  death,  he  had  seven  children,  of  whom  four  survived  their  father. 
On  May  20th,  1776,  his  wife  died,  as  wives  and  mothers  usually  did  in 
those  days,  when  they  reached  the  age  of  thirty  or  so. 

Not  many  months  afterward,  he  was  married  again  to  Esther  Adams. 

The  Revolutionary  War,  with  its  accompanying  divisions  of  neighbor- 
hoods and  families,  was  now  in  full  progress,  and  Dunbar  was  already 
an  object  of  suspicion.  "Having  spoken  somewhat  freely  on  the  sub- 
ject," he  says,  "I  was  attacked  by  a  mob  of  about  forty  men,  very  much 
abused,  my  life  threatened  and  nearly  taken  away,  by  which  mob  I 
was  obh'ged  to  sign  a  paper  containing  many  falsehoods."  (9.) 

The  familv  of  which   he  was  a  member  bv  marriage  was  as  much 


RESIDEN'CE     EDSON    M.    PECK,     SUMMER     STREET. 


9.      Dunbar's  statement,  tit  supra. 


146  BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 

divided  politically  as  any  could  be.  Zerubbabel  Jerome,  the  father, 
and  his  three  sons,  Robert,  Thomas,  and  Asahel,  were  all  four  soldiers 
in  the  American  army.  Asahel  died  in  the  service.  (10.)  Chauncey  and 
Zerubbabel,  Jr.,  were  tories,  and  were,  in  1777,  imprisoned  for  some 
time  in  Ha,rtford  jail  for  disloyalty,  and  finally  released  on  profession 
of  repentance,  and  taking  the  oath  of  allegiance  to  the  state.  (11.) 
Chauncey  was  also  once  flogged,  or  escaped  flogging  only  by  slipping 
out  of  his  shirt,  by  which  he  was  bound,  and  fleeing  to  shelter.  (12.) 

Phebe  married  Dunbar;  Ruth  married  Stephen  Graves,  who  was 
a  notorious  tory  leader,  and  lived  for  a  time  in  the  "tory  den,"  where 
his  wife,  then  nineteen  years  old,  carried  him  food  at  night;  Jerusha 
married  Jonathan  Pond,  who,  Mr.  Shepard  says,  was  probably  a  tory, 
and  the  other  danghter,  Mary,  married  Joseph  Spencer,  whose  political 
position  is  now  unknown.  (13.)  Of  Stephen  Graves,  Mr.  Welton 
speaks  as  follows: — "Stephen  Graves,  a  young  churchman  residing  in 
the  southeast  corner  of  Harwinton,  was  drafted  for  the  continental 
army,  and  sent  a  svibstitute.  The  next  year,  while  he  was  paying  wages 
to  the  substitute,  he  was  drafted  again,  an  act  so  maniiestly  oppressive 
and  cruel  that  he  refused  any  longer  to  maintain  his  substitute,  and 
thenceforth  became  the  object  of  relentless  persecution  by  the  lawless 
band  who  styled  themselves  the  'Sons  of  Liberty.'  Once  they  caught 
him  and  scourged  him  with  rods,  tied  to  a  cherry  tree,  on  the  line  between 
Plymouth  and  Harwinton,  at  the  fork  of  the  roads.  Again  he  was 
captured  in  Saybrook,  whither  he  had  gone  to  visit  his  grandfather's 
family,  and  brought  back,  but  when  within  three  miles  from  home  he 
escaped,  while  climbing  'Pine  Hollow  Hill,'  and  reached  home  safely; 
but  did  not  enter  his  house  till  his  pursuers  had  come  and  gone  without 
him.  The  loyalists  of  the  neighborhood  for  a  while  worked  together 
on  each  one's  farm  for  safety.  Their  wives  kept  watch  for  (the  Sons 
of  Libert}')  and  she  who  flrst  sighted  themL,  blev/  her  tin  horn  or  conch; 
all  the  others  in  turn  repeating  the  warning,  till  the  men  had  time  to 
get  well  on  their  way  to  their  cave,  which  the  men-hunters  never  dis- 
covered."     (14.) 

After  his  first  wife's  death,  Dunbar  says: — "I  had  now  concluded 
to  live  peaceable,  and  give  no  offense,  neither  by  word  nor  deed.  I  had 
thought  of  entering  into  a  voluntary  confinement  within  the  litnits  of 
my  farm,  and  making  proposals  of  that  nature,  when  I  was  carried 
before  the  Committee,  and  by  them  ordered  to  suffer  imprisonment 
during  their  pleasure,  not  exceeding  five  months.  When  I  had  remained 
there  about  fourteen  days,  the  authoritity  of  New  Haven  dismissed  me. 
Finding  iny  life  uneasy,  and  as  I  had  reason  to  apprehend,  in  great 
danger.  I  thought  it  my  safest  method  to  flee  to  Long  Island,  which  I 
accordingly  did,  but  having  a  desire  to  see  my  friends  and  children, 
and  being  under  engagement  of  marriage  with  her  who  is  my  wife,  the 
banns  of  marriage  having  been  before  published,  I  returned,  and  was 
married.  Having  a  mind  to  remove  my  wife  and  family  to  Long  Island, 
as  a  place  of  safety,  I  went  there  the  second  time,  to  prepare  matters 
accordingly.  When  there  I  accepted  a  captain's  warrant  for  the  King's 
service  in  Colonel  Fanning's  regiment. 

"I  returned  to  Connecticut,  when  T  was  taken  and  betrayed  by 
Joseph  Smith,  and  was  brought  before  the  authority  of  Waterbury 
They  refused  to  have  anything  to  do  with  the  matter.  I  was  carried 
before  Justices  Strong  and  Whitman  of  Farmington  and  by  them  com- 
mitted to  Hartford,  where  the  Superior  Court  was  then  sitting.  I  was 
tried  on  Thursday,  2,'^rd  of  January,  1777,  for  High  Treason  against  the 
State  of  Connecticut,  by  an  act  passed  in  October  last,  for  enlisting  men 
for  General  Howe,  and  for  having  a  captain's  commission  for  that  pur- 


10.  The  Tories  of  Connecticut,  by  James  Shepard,  Connecticut  Magazine.  IV.,  202. 

11.  Records  of  the  State  of  Connecticut,  Vol.  1,  p.  259. 

12.  Welton's  sermon,  ut  supra.     The  Tories  of  Conn.,  supra,  p.  260. 

13.  MS.  notes  of  Mr.  James  Shepard.     See  Conn.  Magazine,  IV.,  260. 

14.  Welton's  sermon,  ut  supra. 


NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


147 


RESIDENCE    J.     R.    IIOLLEY,     BELLEVL-^    AVENUE. 


pose.      I  was  adjudged  guilty,  and. on  the  Saturday  following  was  brought 
to  the  bar  of  the  court  and  received  sentence  of  death."      (16.) 

Several  things  in  this  statement  attract  attention;  firstly,  the  great 
powers  stated  to  have  been  exercised  by  the  "coniinittee,"  who  could 
imprison  a  man  at  their  pleasure,  not  exceeding  five  months,  without 
trial;  again,  the  persistent  activity  in  the  royal  cause,  which  even  his 
marriage  hardly  interrupted.  During  his  very  honeymoon,  he  was 
pledging  himself  irrevocably  to  the  King's  cause,  and  receiving  the 
formal  commission,  which  would  necessarily  condemn  him,  if  it  were 
discovered  upon  him.  The  regiment  in  which  he  was  commissioned 
was  made  up  of  American  loyalists,  and  Rev.  Samuel  Seabury,  afterward 
the  first  American  Bishop  of  the  Episcopal  church  was  its  chaplain. 

The  refusal  of  the  Waterbury  authorities  "to  have  anything  to  do 
Avith  the  matter,"  for  which  Miss  Prichard  in  the  history  of  Waterbury 
already  cited,  expresses  herself  as  thankful,  evidently  thinking  that  it 
denoted  greater  moderation  on  their  part,  seems  to  me  to  mean 
simply  that,  in  inquiring  into  the  facts  the  Waterbury  magistrates 
found'  that  the  specific  acts  charged  were  committed  in  Farmington, 
and,  therefore,  sent  him  thither  for  trial.  It  was  only  the  usual  and 
necessary  procedure,  since  a  criminal  trial  must  always  be  had  in  the 
jurisdiction  where  the  criminal  acts  are  committed. 

Judge  Jones,  in  his  History  of  New  York,  a  bitterly  loyalist  book, 
says  of  the  charge  against  him: — "His  commission  and  orders  from 
General  Howe  were  in  his  pocket.  There  happened  to  be  no  existing 
law  in  the  Colony  which  inade  such  an  offense  punishable  with  death. 
A  law  was  therefore  made  on  purpose;  upon  wliich  ex  post  facto  law  he 
was  indicted  and  tried  for  treason."      (17.) 

This  charge  that  the  law  was  passed  after  the  criminal  acts  were 
committed,  if  well-founded,  would  be  a  serious  one;  for  such  legislation 
is  vmiversally  recognized  as  contrary  to  natural  justice.      By  the  Consti- 


16. 
17. 


Dunbar's  statement,  ut  supra. 

Jones's  History  of  New  York,  Vol.  1,  page  17.5. 


148  BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 

tution  of  the  Uinted  States,  not  then  in  force  of  course,  any  ex  post 
facto  law  is  invahd  and  null.  But  I  do  not  believe  that  the  statement 
is  true. 

The  act  defining  treason  under  which  he  was  convicted  was  the 
second  act,  the  first  having  been  a  ratification  of  the  Declaration  of 
Independence,  passed  by  the  General  Assembly  which  met  October 
tenth,  and  adjourned  November  seventh,  1775. 

Jones  himself  says  that  Dunbar  was  taken  up  early  in  1777;  Dunbar 
says  that  by  the  justices  he  was  committed  to  Hartford,  where  the  Superior 
Court  was  then  sitting,  by  which  he  was  tried  on  January  23rd,  1777. 
This  was  the  January,  1777,  session  of  the  court,  The  indictment 
charges  his  treasonable  acts  to  have  been  committed  on  November  10th, 
1776,  and  January  1st,  1777;  very  likely  the  latter  date  was  charged 
because  he  was  arrested  on  that  day,  and  the  royal  commission  was  then 
foimd  in  his  possession. 

So  that  it  is  quite  clear  that  his  arrest,  and  the  acts  for  which  he 
was  tried,  were  a  considerable  time  after  the  passage  of  the  act  against 
treason. 

Doubtless  this  is  true;  that  he  and  other  tories  had  been  arrested 
and  imprisoned  as  dangerous  characters,  and  there  had  been  no  sufficient 
statute  under  which  to  punish  them;  and  the  Legislature,  at  the  earliest 
possible  moment  after  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  supplied  the 
omission.  But  when  they  instituted  a  prosecution  under  the  act, 
they  clearly  set  up  acts  occurring  after  its  passage. 

The  indictment  of  Dunbar  read  as  follow:  "The  Jurors  for  the 
Governor  &  Company  of  the  State  of  Connecticut  upon  their  oaths  present 
that  one  Moses  Dunbar  of  Farmington  in  said  county  being  a  person 
belonging  to  and  residing  within  this  state  of  Connecticut  not  having 
the  fear  of  God  before  his  Eyes  and  being  Seduced  by  the  Instigation  of 
the  Devil  on  or  about  the  lOth  day  of  November  last  past  and  also  on 
or  about  the  1st  day  of  January  Instant,  did  wittingly  and  feloniously 
wickedly  and  Traitorously  proceed  and  goe  from  said  Farmington  to 
the  City  of  New  York  in  the  State  of  New  York  with  Intent  to  Join  to 
aid.  Assist  and  hold  Traitorous  Correspondence  with  the  British  Troops 
and  Navy  there  Now  in  Armes  and  Open  Warr  and  hostilities  against 
■  this  State  and  the  rest  of  the  United  States  of  America  and  also  that 
the  said  Moses  Dunbar  on  or  about  the  said  10th  Day  of  November  last 
and  1st  day  of  January  Instant  Did  wittingly  and  knowingly  feloniously 
wickedly  and  Traitorously  at  New  York  aforesaid  Join  himself  to  the 
British  Army  and  Enter  their  Service  and  Pay  and  did  Aid  and  Assist 
the  said  British  Army  and  Navy  Now  in  Arms  and  Enemies  at  Open 
Warr  with  this  State  and  the  rest  of  the  United  States  of  America  and 
did  Inlist  and  Engage  with  said  British  Army  to  levy  Warr  against  this 
State  and  the  Government  thereof  and  Did  Traitorously  Correspond 
with  said  Enemies  and  Give  them  Intelligence  of  the  State  and  Situation 
of  the  .State  and  did  plot  and  Contrive  with  said  Enemies  to  Betray  this 
State  and  the  rest  of  the  United  States  of  America  into  their  Power 
and  hands  against  the  peace  and  Dignity  of  the  State  and  Contrary  to 
the  form  and  effect  of  the  Statute  of  this  State  in  Such  Case  lately  made 
and  provided." 

His  sentence  was:  "that  he  go  from  hence  to  the  goal  from  whence 
he  came  and  from  thence  to  the  place  of  execution  and  there  to  be  hanged 
up  by  the  neck  between  the  heavens  and  the  earth  untill  he  Shalle  be 
Dead."  (18.) 

The  name  of  the  man  whom  Dunbar  was  charged  to  have  persuaded 
to  enlist,  John  Adams,  suggests  that  he  was  probably  a  father  or  brother 
of  the  Esther  Adams,  whom  he  had  just  married.  Apparently  Dunbar 
carried  on  his  courtship  and  his  loyalist  campaign  together;  and  won 
the  heart  of  the  daughter  for  himself,  and  of  the  father  or  brother  for 
the  King,  at  the  same  time. 


18.     Superior  Court  Records,  Secretary  of  State's  Office,  vol.  18. 


NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


149 


There  were  qtiite  a  number  of  other  trials  and  convictions  under 
the  same  statute;  but  no  one  was  executed  but  Dunbar.  I  presume  that 
the  colonists  felt  it  necessary  to  make  an  example  of  some  one,  to  show 
that  the  law  had  teeth,  and  to  drive  the  tory  sentiment  of  the  state  into 
concealment  and  silence.  For  this  purpose  they  may  have  desired  a 
shining  mark,  and  selected  as  the  victim  a  man  of  high  character  rather 
than  the  reverse. 

He  was  ordered  to  be  hanged  on  March  19th,  1777.  On  March 
first,  with  the  aid  of  a  knife  brought  him  by  Elisha  Wadsworth  of  Hart- 
ford, he  cleared  himself  of  his  irons,  knocked  down  the  guard,  and  escaped 
from  the  jail.  Wadsworth  was  indicted  for  his  part  in  this  escape,  and 
was  sentenced  to  be  imprisoned  for  one  year,  to  pay  forty  poimds  fine, 
and  the  costs  of  his  prosecution.  Half  of  his  term  of  imprisonment, 
and  his  fine,  was  afterward  remitted. 

Dunbar  was  soon  recaptured,  and  was  executed  on  March  19th, 
1777,  according  to  the  sentence.  The  gallows  was  erected  on  the  hill 
south  of  Hartford,  where  Trinity  College  now  is.  "A  prodigious  Con- 
course of  People  were  Spectators  on  the  Occasion,"  said  the  Connecticut 
Courant  of  March  24th. 

"It  is  said  that  at  the  moment  when  the  execution  took  place  a 
white  deer  sprang  from  the  near-by  forest,  and  passed  directly  under 
the  hanging  victim.  This  tradition,"  says  Miss  Prichard's  History  of 
Waterbury,  "is  pretty  firmly  established." 

Two  official  sermons  were  preached  on  the  occasion  of  Dunbar's  exe- 
cution; one  by  Rev.  Abraham  Jarvis,  of  Middletown,  afterward  Episco- 
gal  Bishop  of  Connecticut,  at  the  jail,  to  Dunbar  himself;  and  one  by 
.ev.  Nathan  Strong,  of  the  First  Church  in  Hartford,  in  his  church. 
Mr.  Strong  says:  "For  reasons  we  must  in  charity  hope  honest  to  him- 
self, he  refuses  to  be  present  at  this  solemnity;  my  discourse  therefore 
will  not  be  calculated,  as  hath  been  usual  on  such  occasions,  to  the  dying 
creature  who  is  to  appear  immediately  before  the  Great  Judge;  but  to 
assist  my  hearers  in  making  an  improvement  of  the  event,  for  their  own 


RESIDENCE     .MILIiS     LEWIS     I'liCK,     SUMMER    STREET. 


150 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


RESIDENCE    HENRY   L.  BEACH  AND  PHILIP   H.  STEVENS,  PROSPECT    PLACE 


benefit."  It  is  reasonable  inference  that  Dunbar's  refusal  to  listen  to  a 
Congregational  minister  let  to  Mr.  Jarvis,  a  leading  clergyman-  of  his 
own  faith,  who  was  also  a  loyalist,  being  invited  to  preach  the  sermon 
to  him.  His  treatment  would  not  seem  in  this  matter  to  have  been 
harsh  or  inconsiderate. 

Mr.  Strong's  references  to  him  in  his  scrinon  are  also  entirely  free 
from  bitterness  of  tone ;  he  ends  thus ; 

"With  regard  to  the  dying  criminal,  while  you  acquiesce  in  the 
necessity  of  his  fate,  give  him  A^our  prayers.  Though  public  safety 
forbids  him  pardon  from  the  State,  he  may  be  pardoned  by  God  Almighty. 
As  Christians,  forgive  him;  let  not  an  idea  that  he  hath  sinned  against 
the  country  keep  alive  the  passions  of  hatred  and  revenge. 

Remember  the  instruction  of  Christ,  forgive  our  trespasses  as  w^ 
forgive  them  that  trespass  against  us,  forgive  your  enemies,  and  pray 
for  those  who  use  you  wickedly;  commend  his  spirit  to  the  mercy  of 
God,  and  the  Saviour  of  men's  souls."  (19.) 

The  text  was  I  Tim.  F,  20.  "Them  that  sin  rebuke  before  all,  that 
others  also  may  fear." 

The  excitement  among  the  loyalists  by  Dunbar's  sentence  and 
impending  death  appears  very  clearly  in  this  statement  by  Judge  Jones, 
in  the  history  of  New  York,  already  cited:  (20.) 

"Xo  less  than  four  expresses,  at  four  different  times,  were  sent  to 
General  Howe  between  the  condemnation  and  the  execution,  to  each 
of  which  the  most  faithful  promises  were  made,  that  an  application  of 
such  a  serious  nature  should  be  made  to  the  Government  of  Connecticut, 
as  should  insure  his  discharge. 

There  were  about  four  hundred  rebel  officers  and  five  thousand 
soldiers  at  this  time  prisoners  within  the  British  lines  at  New  York. 


19.  Strong's  sermon,  Conn.'_Hist.  Library. 

20.  Vol.  1,  page  176. 


NEW     CAMBRIDGE. 


151 


Xo  application  was  ever  made,  and  while  the  general  was  lolling 
in  the  arms  of  his  mistress,  and  sporting  his  cash  at  the  faro  bank,  the 
poor  unhappy  loyalist  was  executed.  This  is  a  fact,  and  the  General 
knows  it.  His  word,  his  honour,  and  his  hmnanity  were  all  sported 
away  in  this  affair." 

Jones  goes  on  to  accuse  the  Connecticut  authorities  of  barbarous 
treatment  of  Dunbar's  wife: 

"Dunbar  had  a  young  wife,  big  with  child.  On  the  day  of  execution 
the  High  Sheriff,  (by  orders  no  doubt)  compelled  her  to  ride  in  the  cart, 
and  attend  the  execution  of  her  husband.  This  over,  she  left  Hartford, 
and  went  to  Middletown,  about  sixteen  miles  down  the  river,  where  a 
number  of  loyalists  lived,  and  where  several  British  subjects  were  living 
upon  parole. 

Her  case  being  stated,  a  subscription  was  undertaken  for  her  com- 
fort and  relief.  No  sooner  was  this  hospitable  act  known  to  the  com- 
mittee at  Middletown,  than  they  sent  for  the  poor  woman,  and  ordered 
her  out  of  town,  declaring  at  the  same  time,  that  if  she  should  there- 
after be  found  in  that  town,  she  should  be  sent  instantly  to  jail. 

The  unhappv  wretch  was  obliged  to  leave  the  town  in  consequence 
of  this  inhuman  order,  and  had  it  not  been  for  the  hospitality  of  a  worthy 
loval  family,  who  kindly  took  her  under  their  roof,  she  would  in  all 
probability  have  been  delivered  in  the  open  fields.  A  striking  instance 
this  of  American  lenity,  which  the  rebels  during  the  war  proclaimed  to 
the  world  with  so  much  eclat."  (-1.) 

As  to  this,  of  course  there  is  now  no  contrary  proof;  but  few  classes 
of  statements  are  so  unreliable  as  to  the  counter-charges  of  severity  in 
a  civil  war.  Jones's  authority  is  very  small,  as  I  was  assured  by  the 
late  President  of  the  Connecticut  Historical  vSociety,  and  State  Librarian, 
Mr.  Charles  J.  Hoadley,  he  certainly  is  wrong  in  his  previous  statement 
that  Dunbar  was  tried  under  an  ex  post  facto  law,  and  the  treatment 
by  the  authorities  in  other  respects  does  not  seem  to  have  been  unkind. 


RESIDENCE     MRS.    N.    S.    WIGHTMAN,     SUMMER     STREET. 


21.     Jones's  History  of  New  York,  vol.  1,  page  177. 


152 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


RESIDENCE    CHARLES    T.   TREADWAY,     BELLEVUE    AVEXUH. 

If  Mrs.  Dunbar  rode  with  her  husband  to  execution,  I  think  it  much 
more  hkeh^  that  it  was  from  her  devoted  wish  to  stay  by  him  to  the  last, 
than  from  any  compulsion  put  upon  her  by  the  sheriff.  That  she  may 
have  been  subjected  to  persecution  afterward  is  likely  enough,  from  all 
that  we  know  of  the  usual  treatment  of  the  torios. 

A  reference  to  the  date  of  the  baptism  of  Moses,  son  of  Moses  Dunbar 
on  the  New  Cambridge  church  record,  December,  1777,  confirms  Jones's 
statement  as  to  Mrs.  Dunbar's  condition.  Mr.  Welton  says  that  this 
son  came  to  an  untimely  end;  how,  I  do  not  know.  Mrs.  Dunbar  went 
with/n  the  lines  of  the  British  army  for  protection,  but  afterward  re- 
turned to  Bristol,  and  married  Chauncey  Jerome,  the  brother  of  Dunbar's 
first  wife,  with  whom  she  went  to  Nova  Scotia.  After  the  peace,  they 
returned  to  Connecticut,  and  were  the  parents  of  several  children.  (22.) 

Many  years  afterward  Mrs.  Jerome,  then  an  old  woman,  was  driving 
by  the  hill  where  Trinity  stands,  with  Erastus  Smith  of  Hartford;  point- 
ing out  to  him  an  apple  tree,  she  said,  "That  is  where  my  poor  first 
husband  was  buried."  Smith  related  this  to  Mr.  Hoadley,  who  told 
it  to  me. 

More  than  a  century  after  Dunbar's  execution,  when  an  old  house 
at  Harwinton  was  destroyed,  papers  were  found  in  the  garret  and  ex- 
amined, among  which  were  two  papers  written  by  Moses  Dunbar  on 
the  day  before  his  death. 

The  first  w-as  addressed  to  his  children,  and  was  as  follows : 

MY  CHILDREN:  Remember  yoitr  Creator  in  the  days  of  your 
youth.  Learn  vour  Creed,  the  Lord's  prayer,  and  the  ten  command- 
ments and  Catechism,  and  go  to  church  as  often  as  you  can,  and  prepare 
yourselves  as  soon  as  you  are  of  a  proper  age  to  worthily  partake  of 
the  Lord's  supper.  I  charge  you  all,  never  to  leave  the  church.  Read 
the  Bible.      Love  the  Saviour  wherever  you  may  be. 


22.     Sabine's  American  Loyalists,  under  Moses  Dunbar. 


OR     "new     CAMBRIDGE." 


153 


I  am  now  in  Hartford  jail,  condemned  to  death  for  high  treason 
against  the  state  of  Connecticut.  I  was  thirty  years  last  June,  the 
14th.  God  bless  you.  Remember  your  Father  and  Mother  and  be 
dutiful  to  your  present  mother. 

The  other  paper  is  an  account  of  his  life,  and  a  statement  of  his 
faith.     I  have  already  quoted  from  it.     It  concludes  as  follows: 

"The  tremendous  and  awful  day  now  draws  near,  when  I  must 
appear  before  the  Searcher  of  hearts  to  give  an  account  of  all  the  deeds 
done  in  the  body,  whether  they  be  good  or  evil.  I  shall  soon  be  de- 
livered from  all  the  pains  and  troubles  this  wicked  mortal  state,  and 
shall  be  answerable  to  the  All-Seeing  God,  who  is  infinitely  just,  and 
knoweth  all  things  as  they  are.  I  am  fully  persuaded  that  I  depart 
in  a  state  of  peace  with  God,  and  my  own  conscience.  I  have  but  little 
doubt  of  my  future  happiness,  through  the  merits  of  Jesus  Christ.  I 
have  sincerely  repented  of  all  my  sins,  examined  my  heart,  prayed 
earnestly  to  God  for  mercy,  for  the  gracious  pardon  of  my  manifold  and 
heinous  sins.  I  resign  myself  wholly  to  the  disposal  of  my  Heavenly 
Father,  submitting  to  His  Divine  will.  From  the  bottom  of  my  heart 
I  forgive  all  enemies  and  earnestly  pray  God  to  forgive  them  all.  Some 
part  of  T — S — 's  evidence  was  false,  but  I  heartily  forgive  him,  and 
likewise  earnestly  beg  forgiveness  of  all  persons  whom  I  have  injured 
or  offended. 

"I  die  in  the  profession  and  communion  of  the  Church  of  England. 

"Of  my  political  sentence  I  leave  the  readers  of  these  lines  to  judge. 
Perhaps  it  is  neither  reasonable  nor  proper  that  I  should  declare  them 
in  my  present  situation.  I  cannot  take  the  last  farewell  of  my  country- 
men without  desiring  them  to  show  kindness  to  my  poor  widow  and 
children  not  reflecting  upon  them  the  manner  of  my  death.  Now_  I 
have  given  you  a  narrative  of  all  things  material  concerning  rny^life 
with  that  veracity  which  you  are  to  expect  from  one  who  is  going  to 
leave  the  world  and  appear  before  the  God  of  truth.  My  last  advice 
to  you  is,   that  you,   above   all  others,   confess   your  sins,   and  prepare 


RESIDENCE    MRS.    CHARLES    S.     IktAUWAY,     BELLEVUE     AVENUE. 


154 


BRISTOL   CONNECTICUT, 


RESIDENCE     OF    THE     LATE     EDWARD     B.      DUXBAK,     SnlTH     STREET. 

yourselves,  with  God's  assistance,  for  your  future  and  Eternal  state. 
You  will  all  shortly  be  as  near  Eternity  as  I  now  am,  and  will  view  both 
worlds  in  the  light  which  I  do  now  view  them.  You  will  then  view  all 
worldly  things  to  be  but  shadows  and  vapours  and  vanity  of  vanities, 
and  the  things  of  the  Spiritual  world  to  be  of  importance  beyond  all 
description.  You  will  then  be  sensible  that  the  pleasures  of  a  good 
conscience,  and  the  happiness  of  the  near  jjrospect  of  Heaven,  will  out- 
weigh all  the  pleasures  and  honours  of  this  wicked  world. 

"God  the  Father,  God  the  Son,  and  God  the  Holy  Ghost,  have  mercy  on  me,  and 
receive  my  spirit,  Amen,  and  Amen." 

Moses  Dunbar. 
Hartford,  March  18,  1777. 

As  we  read  these  high-minded  words,  in  which  there  is  neither  anv 
retraction  nor  attempted  exctise,  any  effort  at  denial  of  the  facts,  nor 
any  bitterness  of  complaint  against  the  authorities  who  had  condemned 
him,  but  a  calm  statement  of  his  opinions,  his  acts,  and  his  sufferings 
and  a  reiteration  of  his  devotion  to  the  church  of  his  choice,  as  we  think 
of  this  young  man  of  thirty,  leaving  four  children  to  be  fatherless,  mother- 
less, and  exposed  to  hatred  and  persecution  for  their  father's  sake,  a 
wife  married  but  a  few  months,  and  a  child  yet  unborn,  and  meeting 
death  for  the  faith  to  which  he  had  been  converted,  and  the  King  and 
country  to  whom  he  believed  that  his  loyalty  was  due,  I  hope  we  can 
see  that  there  was  devotion,  heroism,  and  martyrdom  on  the  loyalist, 
as  well  as  on  the  patriot  side. 

The  rightfulness  of  Dunbar's  execution,  in  itself,  may  be  a  matter 
of  fair  debate.  Of  course  he  was  within  the  terms  of  the  act  for  the 
punishment  of  treason,  "which  prohibited  levying  war  against  the  state 
or  aiding  its  enemies,  by  joining  their  armies  or  by  enlisting  others;" 
but  the  law  of  England  also  prohibited  the  levying  of  war  against  the 
King,  or  assisting  his  enemies,  and  the  question  which  was  his  lawful 
ruler,  to  whose  laws  he  owed  obedience,  was  the  very  question  at  issue 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE. 


155 


in  the  contest.  From  the  British  standpoint,  all  the  Revolutionary 
soldiers  were  guilty  of  treason  against  the  crown,  just  as  in  our  recent 
civil  Avar  every  Confederate  soldier,  was,  by  strict  construction  of  law, 
subject  to  be  hanged  as  a  traitor. 

But  in  civil  contests,  which  take  on  the  dimensions  of  war,  it  is  not 
usual,  in  civilized  communities,  for  the  parties  on  one  side  or  the  other 
to  apply  the  civil  penalty  of  treason,  biit  rather  to  regard  captured 
enemies  as  entitled  to  the  treatment  of  prisoners  of  war.  So  the  British 
armv  treated  its  prisoners  in  the  Revolution,  as  did  both  parties  in  the 
Civil  War. 

Xathan  Hale,  whom  the  British  put  to  death,  was  a  spy,  and  sub- 
ject to  the  death  penalty  by  all  the  usages  of  war;  Andre,  whom  the 
Americans  executed,  was  also  a  spy  in  the  American  lines,  and,  besides, 
assisting  in  an  act  of  nefarious  treason  by  an  American  officer;  these 
cases  are  quite  different  from  that  of  a  man  who,  when  rival  govern- 
ments were  demanding  his  allegiance,  decided  for  the  King,  and  honestly 
fought  for  him,  as  his  neighbors  did  for  the  state. 

The  fact  that  the  state  government,  though  a  number  of  other 
tories  were  convicted  of  treason,  executed  none  of  them,  seems  to  show 
that  they  had  doubts  of  the  propriety  of  their  action. 

And  yet  Dunbar  was  not  carrying  on  open  war,  in  the  King's  uniform, 
but  acting  secretly,  and  in  the  territory  of  which  the  state  government 
had  possession;  by  the  acts  of  himself  and  his  associates  the  British 
army  was  getting  secret  information  and  assistance  from  within  the 
enemy's  lines;  that  kind  of  service  is  much  like  that  of  a  spy,  and  we 
can  hardly  blame  the  state  authorities  severely  for  not  making  fine 
distinctions  in  favor  of  those  who  were  assisting  the  hated  enemy  in 
their  own  neighborhood,  secretly  winning  recruits  among  the  young 
men  of  their  own  comtnunities,  and,  by  all  the  means  in  their  power 
bringing  invasion,  conquest,  and  royal  vengeance,  upon  their  fellow- 
citizens  of  the  state. 


RESIDENCE    P.    H.    CONGDON,   LAUREL   STREET. 


Records  of  the  State  of  Connecticut,  vol.  1,  page  4. 


156 


iRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


RESIDENCE    REV.   HENRY   CLARK,  CHURCH  STREET. 


The  burning  of  Danbury  by  a  British  detachment,  guided  by  Con- 
necticut tories,  the  month  after  Dunbar's  execution,  showed  how  far 
the  loyalists  of  the  state  were  ready  to  go  in  their  bitterness  toward  their 
fellow-citizens.  Isaac  W.  Shelton,  said  to  have  been  one  of  the  guides 
of  the  Danbury  expedition,  was  a  member  and  officer  of  the  Bristol 
Episcopal  church  in  1736,  and  it  is  not  unlikely  that  he  and  Dunbar 
were  acquaintances  and  associates  in  the  cause. 

Shelton  was  certainly  across  the  line,  and  Dunbar,  at  least,  very 
near  to  it,  that  divides  open  enemies,  entitled,  when  captured,  to  be 
treated  as  prisoners  of  war,  from  traitors  and  spies,  who,  however,  sincere 
may  be  their  conviction  of  the  justice  of  their  cause,  subject  themselves 
knowingly  to  the  penalty  of  death  if  they  are  taken. 

But  as  to  the  outrages  committed  upon  the  tories  by  their  neigh- 
bors, nothing  can  be  said  in  justification.  War  does  not  justify  nor 
excuse,  among  civilized  people,  the  whipping,  tarring  and  feathering, 
or  hanging,  of  non-combatants,  even  if  they  hold  and  express  opinions 
obnoxious  to  the  prevailing  sentiment  of  the  community.  That  such 
excesses  are  not  the  necessary  outcome  of  excited  patriotic  feeling  was 
shown  in  the  Civil  War,  three  generations  later.  Our  communities  were 
no  less  stirred  then  by  the  emotions  of  a  great  conflict  than  they  had 
been  in  the  days  of  the  Revolution;  but,  unless  in  isolated  cases,  the 
most  odious  of  the  "Copperheads"  were  not  subjected  to  personal  violence 
and  outrage. 

The  struggle  of  a  brave  people  for  independence  is  not  ennobled 
or  advanced  by  acts  of  riotous  violence. 

And  yet,  though  the  circumstances  offered  no  justification,  they 
do  afford  some  mitigation  and  excuse.  The  position  of  the  weaker 
and  invaded  party  inevitably  arouses  more  bitterness  of  feeling  than 
that  of  the  invader.  To  illustrate  again  from  the  Civil  War,  a  northern 
sympathizer   at   the   south   would   probably   have   been   in   much   more 


NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


lo7 


danger  of  personal  injury  than  a  rebel  sympathizer  at  the  north.  The 
language  and  acts  of  the  northern  Copperheads  while  they  tended  to 
produce  national  disaster  and  disunion  did  not  excite  any  real  fear  of 
the  invasion  of  our  towns,  the  burning  of  our  homes,  or  our  subjection 
to  a  foreign  yoke. 

But  the  real  explanation  of  the  harsh  and  cruel  treatment  of  the 
tories  and  their  families  was  in  the  narrower,  more  intolerant  spirit  of 
the  time  and  the  place.  The  spirit  of  intolerance  was  perhaps  the  worst 
defect,  so  far  as  the  outward  life  was  concerned,  of  the  Puritan  character. 
The  Puritans  had  learned  to  be  firm,  devoted,  tenacious  even  to  death, 
for  the  truth  as  they  saw  it;  they  had  not  learned  to  be  considerate, 
charitable,  or  even  tolerant,  to  the  different  views  of  others.  The  very 
adherence  to  Episcopacy  had  seemed  to  them  a  scandalous  wickedness 
and  offense;  and  when  the  religious  schismatics  also  opposed  them  in 
their  cherished  ambition  to  establish  an  independent  commonwealth, 
and  dared  to  defy  public  sentiment,  and  to  maintain  loyal  allegiance  to 
King  George,  the  dominant  party  could  admit  neither  any  soundness 
in  their  reasoning,  any  purity  in  their  motives,  nor  any  right  to  differ 
so  widely,  and  on  such  vital  questions,  from  the  majority. 

Dunbar's  own  father  is  said  to  have  declared  when  his  son  was 
arrested  that  he  would  furnish  the  hemp  to  make  a  rope  for  him;  and  I 
have  no  doubt  that  brutal  utterance,  so  unlike  in  temper  to  the  son's 
words,  which  we  have  read,  was  applauded  as  patriotic  firmness  by  his 
neighbors. 

The  revival  of  historic  patriotism  of  these  past  few  years  ough  to 
bring  an  increase  of  knowledge,  as  well  as  of  zeal;  certainly  after  a  hun- 
dred and  twenty  years  we  can  afford  to  look  at  the  great  struggle  from 
both  sides;  and  so  I  have  taken  pleasure  in  drawing  the  picture  of  a 
man  highminded,  devout,  and  heroic,  and  yet  a  determined  and  obdurate 
tory,  whom  the  state  of  Connecticut  hanged  as  a  traitor. 


RESIDENCE     WILLIAM     E.     SESSIONS,     BELLEVUE     AVENUE. 


158  BRISTOL,     CONNECTICUT 


THE  TORY  DEN.- 


IN  THAT  section  of  the  country  where  the  towns  of  Harwinton, 
Burhngton,  Plymouth,  and  Bristol  touch,  is  situated  a  wild  tract 
of  wooded  land  known  as  "The  Ledges."     There  is  one  cliff  among 

many  that  faces  the  south  and  at  its  foot  lies  the  "Tory  Den."  Large 
bands  of  Patriots  in  Revolutionary  times  sotight  for  this  hiding  place 
in  vain,  and  there  are  few  even  to  this  daj^  who  can  find  it. 

By  climbing  to  the  top  of  the  cliff  you  may  picture  the  country  to 
the  south  as  it  was  in  those  stirring  days.  In  1775,  the  Chippens  Hill 
section,  that  rolling  land  seen  at  the  left,  was  one  of  the  flourishing  parts 
of  the  town  of  Bristol.  There  were  houses  there  manj'^  more  than  now 
and  where  there  are  now  strips  of  woodland  wa?  rich  meadow.  East 
Plymouth  at  the  right  was  also  good  farming  country.  Even  Fall 
Mountain  upon  the  southern  horizon  had  patches  of  good  land.  Bristol 
and  Plymouth  were  sections  of  a  state  which  had  the  proud  distinction 
of  being  the  granary  of  the  Revolution.  Occasionally  in  a  patch  of 
w^oods  there  is  discovered  a  cellar  of  one  of  the  old  time  hotises. 

The  people  living  in  the  region  spread  out  before  the  eye,  were  an 
industrious  class  of  farmers  and  their  religion  was  in  an  overwhelming 
proportion  that  of  the  Church  of  England.  Originally  Congregational, 
and  of  Puritan  stock,  they  had  been  converted  by  missionaries  of  the 
Society  for  the  Propagation  of  the  Gospel  in  Foreign  Parts  to  the  Episco- 
pal faith.  They  had  paid  with  their  own  money  the  expenses  of  a  stu- 
dent from  Yale,  James  Nichols,  and  sent  him  over  to  England  to  be 
ordained  as  their  minister.  This  divine,  a  Waterbury  youth  of  wealthy 
family,  became  filled  with  the  enthusiasm  for  the  mother  country  and 
returned  to  take  up  his  work  in  Bristol  and  Plymouth  in  1774,  being  the 
last  Church  of  England  clergyman  to  come  across  the  water  for  service 
in  Connecticut.  He  held  iTieetings  in  the  mission  house  in  Bristol  Center 
and  also  at  Plymovith  Hollow  now  Thomaston. 

With  the  coming  of  war  the  Church  of  England  people  were  in  a 
predicament.  Though  more  tolerant  perhaps  to  individual  thought 
than  the  Puritan  church,  the  established  church  preached  strong  loyalty 
to  church  and  king.  Rev.  Mr.  Nichols  was  not  hesitant  in  his  utterances 
upon  the  controversy.  He  was  arrested  as  an  instigator  among  his 
people,  which  he  undoubtedly  was,  and  brought  before  the  court  at 
Hartford.  At  one  time  he  was  caught  in  an  East  Plymouth  cellar  and 
tiiircd  leathered  and  dragged  in  a  brook.  It  became  so  warm  for  him 
that  he  tied  to  Litchheld  whence  he  made  occasional  visits  to  administer 
baptisms  in  his  parish  and  possibly  to  attend  to  his  real  estate  transac- 
tions, for  some  of  his  money  was  invested  here. 

The  staunchest  friend  of  Rev.  Mr.  Nichols  was  Stephen  Graves  of 
Hanvinton.  It  was  upon  or  near  his  property  that  the  Tory  Den  was 
located.  His  log  house  at  Upton,  where  the  Prof.  John  C.  Griggs  house 
now  stands,  was  the  meeting  place  of  the  Tory  leaders.  Upon  high 
ground,  in  the  very  ledges  themselves,  it  was  the  safest  council  chamber 
that  could  be  found.  The  Tory  Den  in,  fact  was  much  used  as  a  refuge 
from  this  place  and  was  probably  first  hit  upon  for  this  purpose.  Ruth 
Graves,  a  bride  not  more  than  19  years  old,  furnished  food  for  the  inen 
of  the  den,  clambering  nearly  a  mile  through  the  wooded  crags.  As 
her  husband  became  more   and  more  suspected,   he  was  compelled  to 


Reprinted  from  Hartford  Courant  April  25,  1907. 


OR  "new  CAMBRIDGE." 


159 


THE  TORY  DEN 


PHOTO  BY  BRISTOL  PRESS. 


resort  oftener  to  the  den.  Once  returning  from  Stratford  he  escaped 
from  his  captors  near  Pine  Hollow  hill  and  spent  some  time  in  the  cave 
before  he  dared  enter  his  home. 

The  traditions  in  the  Graves'  family  give  us  the  best  information 
of  any  about  the  "Sons  of  Liberty,"  and  it  is  probable  that  the  Graves 
homestead  was  the  most  frequent  recipient  of  their  unwelcome  raids. 
"Captain  Wilson's  Sons"  they  are  in  one  place  called.  Who  Captain 
Wilson  was  is  left  to  conjecture,  but  Wilson  is  a  Harwinton  name  and  a 
name  found  to  fit  the  description  is  that  of  Captain  John  Wilson,  who 
during  these  troublesome  times,  was  Harwinton's  deputy  to  the  General 
Assembly.  From  the  Graves  family  may  be  learned  the  precautions 
that  the  Tory  families  were  compelled  to  resort  to;  how,  while  the  men 
worked  together  on  the  fami  of  one  of  their  number  with  their  guns 
near  at  hand  for  protection,  the  women  each  with  her  children  at  hoine, 
listened  for  the  sound  of  a  horn  and  watched  for  a  gliinpse  of  the  "Sons;" 
how  upon  sight  of  the  marauders  she  blew  a  loud  blast  upon  a  conch  or 
horn  and  then  laid  it  in  its  hiding  place,  prepared  to  receive  the  entire 
band,  or  how,  when  she  heard  a  blast  sounding  in  the  air,  blew  an  even 
louder  one  herself,  that  the  signal  might  pass  along  to  her  neighbor. 
The  story  told  that  Captain  Wilson  once  presented  his  pistol  to  the  head 
of  a  young  girl  in  the  Graves'  household  and  threatened  to  shoot  her 
if  she  did  not  tell  him  where  the  noisy  conch  shell  was  concealed. 

That  these  bands  of  searchers  were  large  is  evidenced  by  the  words 
of  Moses  Dunbar,  who  says  that  he  was  grievously  abused  at  the  hands 
of  about  forty  men.  Flogging  and  beating  were  apparently  methods 
of  chastisement  frequently  used.  Hanging  and  stringing  vip  were  re- 
sorted to.  Nichols,  the  minister,  it  is  said,  was  shot  at.  Stealing  of 
food  supplies  was  a  source  of  great  annoyance  if  not  suffering. 

The  story  of  Moses  Dunbar  should  be  so  familiar  as  to  need  no  com- 
ment. Somewhere  in  the  Chippens  Hill  district  it  is  probable  that  he 
lived  with  his  wife's  people,  for  the  hom.e  of  his  father,  a  Congregationalist 
in  Plymouth,  v.-as  shut  against  him.      A  nobler  minded  man  it  would  be 


160  BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 

hard  to  find.  In  returning  from  Long  Island  to  transport  his  family 
thither,  he  was  caught  with  a  commission  as  captain  in  the  King's  army, 
found  guilty  of  enlisting  a  man  for  that  army,  and  was  hanged  at  Hart- 
ford, Anarch  19,  1777,  being  the  only  Tory  executed  as  such  in  Connecticut. 
On  South  Chippens  Hill  lived  probably  Isaac  W.  Shelton,  who  at  the 
time  the  war  began,  was  about  19  years  of  age.  Judging  by  his  later 
life,  he  was  a  man  of  ability.  He  left  the  section  early  and  went  to  the 
British,  being  one  of  the  guides  that  assisted  at  the  destruction  of  Danbury. 

Furtherest  of  any  from  the  cliff,  in  the  Fall  Mountain  section,  on  the 
top  of  Todd  Hill,  lived  Chauncey  Jerome,  the  most  picturesque  of  the 
Tories.  The  house  in  which  he  lived  is  supposed  to  be  the  place  known 
as  Nathan  Tuttle's  store,  which  burned  a  few  years  ago,  on  the  three 
corners  near  where  the  fishing  club  of  Bristol  has  recently  constructed 
a  small  lake.  Erect  in  bearing,  fully  six  feet  in  height,  and  of  niuscular 
build,  he  was  a  man  of  spirit  and  filled  with  the  courage  of  his  convic- 
tions and  was  not  afraid  to  express  them.  A  crowd  captured  him, 
pulled  his  shirt  up  over  his  head,  tied  him  to  a  tree,  and  preparing  to 
flog  him,  w^hen  he  wrenched  himself  away,  leaving  his  shirt  on  the  tree, 
and  ran  to  the  house  of  his  brother-in-law,  Jonathan  Pond,  who  stood 
at  the  door  with  gun  in  hand,  forbidding  any  to  enter. 

The  Tory  Den  was  famihar  ground  to  Jerome  and  it  is  probable 
that  he  was  one  of  the  leaders  at  the  secret  councils.  He  lived  to  be  an 
old  man  and  is  described  as  often  walking  toward  Chippens  Hill  with 
dignified,  but  resolute  step  with  the  aid  of  a  stout  staff,  his  nose  slightly 
aquiline,  his  eyes  as  keen  as  an  eagle's  and  almost  fierce,  when  unex- 
pectedly overtaken  upon  the  roadway  by  any  whose  faces  were  not 
familiar  to  him,  his  forehead  high  and  broad,  with  thin  white  locks 
falling  gracefully  nearly  to  his  shoulders. 

He  was  one  of  the  seventeen  prisoners  from  Bristol  who  were  found 
to  be  under  the  influence  of  one  Nichols,  a  designing  church  clergyman, 
and  to  have  refused  to  go  in  the  expedition  to  Danbury.  Of  his  sisters, 
Ruth  was  the  wife  of  Stephen  Graves,  Phebe  was  the  wife  of  Moses  Dun- 
bar, and  Jerusha  was  the  wife  of  Jonathan  Pond.  Jonathan  Pond  lived 
at  the  foot  of  Fall  Mountain,  in  the  house  now  owned  by  Martin  Konop- 
aski,  in  the  town  of  Plymouth.  He  bought  the  place  from  Rev.  Mr. 
Nichols.  He  was  a  blacksmith  and  formerly  lived  on  Chippens  Hill, 
which  accounts  for  his  intimate  relations  with  the  people  there.  He 
was  not  of  the  Episcopal  faith.  He  paid  for  one  substitute  to  fight 
for  him  in  the  war  and  owned  a  half  interest  in  another  and  was  a  mem- 
ber in  good  and  regular  standing  in  a  Bristol  military  company. 

The  troublesome  times  of  '77  passed  away  and  as  American  success 
became  more  pronounced  the  Tories  disappeared  or  became  Patriots, 
some  of  them  fighting  nobly  for  the  patriot  cause.  Stephen  Graves 
and  Chauncey  Jerome  remained  Tories  to  the  end  of  the  war,  and  the 
name  clung  to  them.  Those  who  left  their  homes  and  were  less  remem- 
bered as  Tories,  as  Isaac  W.  Shelton,  or  as  Mark  Prindle  of  Harwinton, 
returned  and  were  restored  to  influential  positions  in  the  communities 
in  which  they  lived.  The  question  of  whether  to  stay  or  flee  must  have 
been  a  difficult  one  to  solve.  The  moving  of  a  family  of  such  size  as 
they  had  in  those  days  was  no  easy  matter  and  the  prospect  of  losing 
all  one's  properties  was  not  alluring.  Captain  Abraham  Hickox,  a 
deputy  sheriff  in  Waterbury,  withdrew  to  the  British  lines  and  his  Han- 
cock property  was  confiscated,  including  the  mill  at  Greystone,  and 
was  developed  in  the  interests  of  the  state.  To  a  man  unmarried  such 
as  is  supposed  was  the  case  with  Isaac  Shelton,  flight  was  the  natural 
solution.  To  one  having  property,  flight  was  also  feasible.  Yet  Moses 
Dunbar  tried  it  and  didn't  succeed.  General  Washington,  during  his 
six  months'  dictatorship,  after  the  battle  at  Princeton,  issued  a  procla- 
mation promising  no  molestation  to  Tories  who  would  leave  the  country. 
It  was  on  this  proclamation  that  Moses  Dunbar  was  relying  when  he 
left  the  safe  confines  of  Long  Island  and  returned  for  his  family. 

In  1791,  St.  Mathew's  parish  was  founded  at  East  Plymouth,  and 


OR     "new     CAMBRIDGE."  161 

the  church  was  built,  which  is  now  standing  within  tw^o  miles  of  the 
Tory  Den.  This  parish  was  made  up  of  the  Episcopolians  of  Bristol, 
to  whom  were  united  some  from  Harwinton,  and  soine  from  Plymouth, 
who  it  is  said  were  displeased  that  their  new  meeting  house  had  been 
built  at  Plymouth  Hollow,  rather  than  on  Town  Hill.  The  members 
chosen  to  present  the  petition  for  the  formation  of  this  new  parish  to 
the  Legislature,  was  the  prosperous  Isaac  W.  Shelton,  and  he,  with 
Stephen  Graves,  were  two  of  the  four  upon  the  building  committee. 
The  church  was  dedicated  in  1795,  by  Bishop  Seabury,  which  dedication, 
together  with  one  in  a  nearby  parish,  was  his  last  ofiftcial  act  before  his 
death.  Alexander  Viets  Griswold,  the  first  minister,  became  later  a 
noted  bishop.  The  name  of  Stephen  Graves  appears  once  as  selectman 
in  Harwinton,  showing  that  his  Tory  reputation  was  being  forgotten. 
Chauncey  Jerome,  to  the  day  of  his  death,  was  known  as  Jerome,  the  Tory. 

The  populous  nature  of  the  country  in  those  times  can  be  guessed 
today  by  the  size  of  the  church.  Services  are  held  in  the  building  oc- 
casionally during  the  siimmer  months,  with  no  heating  apparatus  but 
a  low  wood  stove,  with  stiff  backed  seats  and  creaky  floor,  a  living  rem- 
nant of  the  past.  Certain  of  the  old  families  have  clung  to  it  through 
thick  and  thin,  until  hardly  a  one  remains  and  no  services  not  of  the 
Episcopal  fonn  has  ever  been  held  within  its  w^alls. 

A  tradition  which  is  probably  rehable  states  that  Eli  TerryJ  ,ri 
wished  to  purchase  from  Luman  Preston  the  Marsh  mill  and  property 
for  manufacturing  purposes,  "having  found  out  that  Poland  brook  could 
be  turned  into  the  Old  Marsh  pond,"  but  Preston,  who  was  a  strong 
churchman,  would  not  sell.  One  reason  given  was  that  the  building  up 
of  a  factory  village  would  ruin  the  church. 

The  shops  of  Bristol  and  Terry  ville  are  drawing  away  the  life  of  wha:^ 
was  once  a  thriving  community  of  farmers,  but  as  the  Tory  Den  reminds 
one  of  the  warlike  attitude  of  some  of  the  church's  ardent  supporters, 
the  church  building  also  reminds  of  their  intense  religious  loyalty,  a 
people  of  whom  Bishop  Griswold  quaintly  writes  were  "mostly  religious 
and  all  comparatively  free  from  vice." 


162 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


THE  LEATHER  MAN. 


By  Alice  M.  Bartholomew. 

IF  NOT  a  resident,  the  "Old  Leather  Man"  was  a  regular  visitor  in 
Bristol  for  many  years. 

His  well-known  route  of  travel  brought  him  from  the  west  through 
the  north  part  of  the  town,  and  to  Forestville  journeying  east. 

It  is  said  he  went  to  a  Connecticut  coast  town,  and  turned  westward 
again  through  the  southern  part  of  the  State,  ending  his  trip  at  the 
Hudson  River,  whence  he  returned  by  a  second  road. 

This  routine,  summer  sun  or  winter's  wind  were  seldom  allowed  to 
interrupt  and  usually  occupied  thirty-four  days  for  the  circuit. 

In  18S4  and  '5,  he  made  nineteen  consecutive  trips  of  thirty-four 
days  each,  but  during  the  last  years  of  his  life  the  periods  grew  longer, 
even  forty  days,  but  more  often  thirty-six  or  thirty-eight. 

Clad  in  a  suit  entirely  constructed  of  old  bootlegs  laced  together , 
trousers,  coat,  cap  and  sack,  even  moccasins  of  the  same  home  make, 
and  naturally  of  swarthy  complexion,  but  blackened  still  more  by  wind 
and  weather,  he  was  a  terrible  object  for  little  girls  to  meet  on  the  side- 
walk and  even  some  little  boys  rather  shunned  the  honor. 

The  picture  given  above  is  very  good.  It  was  taken  without  his 
knowledge  from  the  shield  of  a  good  woman's  washing  hung  out  to  dry. 

She  habitually  fed  the  traveler  and  knew  what  noon  to  expect  his 


THE  TORY    DEN,   WHERE   THE  OLD    LE.\THER    M.\N     USED    SOMETIMES  TO    STOP 


OR     "new    CAMBRIDGE." 


163 


THE    OLD    LEATHER    MAN. 


164  BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 

call.  Tt  is  thought  he  never  would  have  consented  to  be  photograi)hed, 
had  he  known  it. 

Much  romance  has  been  circulated  about  this  traditional  Connecticut 
character.  It  is  even  true  that  more  than  one  man  has  worn  the  costume 
and  title.  An  earlier,  more  gentle-bred  person  was  known  in  Water- 
bury  and  Litchfield,  whose  death  was  a  mystery,  but  our  traveler  died 
of  cancer  in  the  mouth,  some  twenty  years  ago.  He  >vas  found  in  a 
•cave,  where  he  had  habitually  spent  the  nights,  near  Mount  Pleasant, 
New  York. 

It  has  been  said  that  he  was  a  Frenchman,  by  name  Jules  Bourglay, 
•who  lost  a  fortune  in  the  leather  business  and  his  fiancee  with  it,  but 
it  seems  much  more  probable  that  the  accoimt  of  him  offered  by  Mr. 
John  Welton,  a  local  historian  of  western  Connecticut,  is  more  trust- 
■worthv.      Mr.  Welton  calls  him  a  fugitive  from  justice  and  a  negro. 

"Years  ago,"  he  says,  "there  was  a  notorious  resort  not  far  from 
New  Hartford  known  as  the  Barkhampsted  lighthouse." (There  was 
always  a  light  there  at  night.)  "It  was  the  rendezvous  for  a  gang  of 
thieves,  white  men  and  colored  who  committed  all  sorts  of  crimes.  At 
last  the  authorities  broke  up  the  place;  and  would  have  been  glad  to 
capture  more  of  the  people." 

This  man,  in  Mr.  Welton's  opinion  was  one  of  the  half  breed  negroes, 
who  had  settled  into  this  apparently  lawful,  if  wandering. life.  It  is 
possible  that  the  other  leather-man  was  the  Frenchman. 

There  was  always  a  small  package  in  the  bottom  of  our  traveler's 
sack,  which  he  would  not  allow  any  curious  friend  to  even  touch.  This 
led  to  a  httle  suspicion  that  he  might  possiblv  be  the  bearer  of  some 
valuable,  in  a  business  way.  The  regularity  and  persistency  with  which 
he  traveled,  would  be  thus  accounted  for.  It  was  noted  that  no  such 
package  was  found  in  his  sack,  in  the  cave.  It  must  have  been  delivered 
before  he  lay  down  to  die,  and  the  wonder  expressed  at  the  time,  whether 
a  successor  would  some  time  follow  him,  has  apparently  beenanswered 
in  the  contrarv. 


*   .1 


■pL_„«MMU3i-ir<>V?S«.  V  *r 


TiiK    i.oc.   r.\niN,    Un    \\(ilc(Hl    .Miuunain    Aiter   An    he    Su 


OR        NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


105 


BITS    OF    PEQUABUCK    SCENERY, 

{Photcgraphs  by  Milo  Leon  Norton.) 


1G6 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


THE  PEQUABUCK  RIVER 


By  Milo  Leon  Norton. 


MILO    LEON    NORTON 


HE  was  born  of  the^hills,  of  the  royal  hills, 
And  the  nymphs  of  the  fountains  and  laughing 

rills, 
Poured  out  their  treasures  of  jewels  rare, 
To  deck  the  couch  of  the  princess  fair. 

Queen  Summer  came  from  her  leafy  bowers. 
To  crown  the  babe  with  a  wreath  of  flowers; 
And  the  Frost  King  brought  her  a  diadem, 
Inwrought  with  many  a  beautiful  gem. 

'Twas'a  peaceful  valley  she  wandered  through. 
Where  the  supple  willows  and  alders  grew. 
Through  meadows  where  daisies  nod  and  bend. 
And  trees  their^welcoming  anns  extend. 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE."  1(57 


Or,  lingering  oft  in  some  silent  pool, 
vShe  would  sleep  and  dream  in  the  shadows  cool; 
Then  dancing  and  tripping  from  stone  to  stone, ' 
She  would  sing  in  a  mellow  undertone. 

But,  oh !  an  enemy  came  one  day, 
As  she  leaped  and  laughed  in  her  innocent  play ; 
And  he,  in  his  sordid  soul,  decreed 
Henceforth  she  must  minister  to  his  need. 

He  reasoned  that  if,  in  the  Calvinist  plan. 
To  be  damned  is  the  fate  of  degenerate  man, 
Were  it  foreordained,  then  it  might  be  true. 
This  stream  to  be  dammed  was  predestined  too. 

So  they  piled  up  a  barrier  huge  of  stone. 
Which  directly  athwart  her  path  was  thrown; 
And  she  beat  and  struggled  against  it  in  vain, 
Her  liberty  fearing  she  ne'er  would  regain. 

But  at  last,  with  a  rage  that  she  could  not  conceal. 
She  sprang  at  the  flukes  of  the  miller's  wheel. 
W^ith  a  dash,  and  a  crash,  and  a  deafening  sound. 
The  brimming  buckets  spun  round  and  round. 

Then  quickly  again  she  flowed  along. 
And  filled  the  air  with  a  gleeful  song; 
Through  dingle  and  dell  wound  in  an  out, 
Or  leaped  o'er  the  rocks  with  a  joyful  shout; 

Or,  dallying  oft  in  some  quiet  nook. 
She  would  welcome  a  tribute-bearing  brook. 
And  thus  she  journeyed  for  manv  a  mile. 
With  a  rhythmic  flow  and  a  happy  smile. 

But  along  her  course,  again  and  again. 
She  was  made  to  toil  for  designing  men. 
Who  would  seek  her  lithesome  steps  to  stay. 
And  make  her  a  prisoner  day  by  day. 

But  the  wily  river  would  quiet  keep, 
And  gather  strength  for  a  final  leap. 
Their  barriers  clear  with  defiant  roar. 
Then  flow  on  her  winding  way  once  more. 

Sometimes  when  the  clouds  their  burden  shed. 
And  the  brooks  and  the  rills  had  been  overfed'. 
She  would  give  full  vent  to  her  pent-up  wrath,' 
And  sweep  the  offending  walls  from  her  path. 

But  she  came  at  last  to  mourn  and  grieve. 
For  the  tranquil  life  she  used  to  live; 
And  the  East  Wind  chanced  to  hear 'her  sigh, 
And  it  touched  his  heart  as  he  hurried  by. 

So  he  stopped  in  his  flight,  and  whispered  low: 
"Wouldst  thou  escape  from  thv  human  foe? 
Then  hasten  away  to  yonder  p'lain, 
And  there  thy  emancipation  gain." 


168 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


So  she  sought  the  plain  and  found,  at  last, 

Her  lot  in  delightful  places  cast. 

And  she  hastened  not  but  took  her  ease, 

'Mid  the  fragrant  flowers  and  the  stately  trees. 

And  oft  she  lingered  in  peaceful  rest, 
With  the  shadows  flickering  on  her  breast, 
Meandering  hither  and  yon  at  will, 
"With  a  current  placid,  deep  and  still. 


ft'-u^ 


ALONG    THE     PEQUABLCK. 

(  Photographs  by  Milo  Leon  Xorton.) 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE." 


1G9 


"^ 


THE   UNITING  OF  THE   PEQUABUCK  AND  TUNXIS   RIVERS,   NEAR  FARMINGTON 

CONNECTICUT. 


And  thus  she  came  to  an  ancient  town, 
Where  the  Tunxis  was  pouring  his  waters  down; 
And  he  bade  the  gentle  river  to  come 
And  find  in  his  bosom  her  future  home. 


She  blushed  with  the  glow  of  the  sunset  red, 
When  she  heard  what  her  fluvial  lover  said; 
For  King  of  the  rivers,  grand,  was  he, 
And  she  his  beautiful  Queen  would  be 

So  down  where  the  clerical  elm  tree  stood, 
His  chancel  the  marge  of  the  shadowy  wood. 
Where  the  ash  and  the  Hnden  stood  side  by  side, 
There  the  sycamore  gave  away  the  bride. 

Then  the  blushing  Ijride  and  the  bridegroom  gay, 
Went  joyously,  lovingly,  on  their  way; 
W^hile  the  oaks  and  maples  along  the  bank. 
To  the  health  of  the  bridal  waters  drank. 


170 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


•^^- 
•^'^^- 

Qlnngr^Qcittnual  (ElTurrlr 

■^^ 
•^^^- 

An  Historical  Address  Delivered  October  12,   1897,   by 
Epaphroditus  Peck. 


JUDGE    epaphroditus     PECK. 


WHEN    Rome    was     imperial   mistress,  of  the   world,    the   people 
used  to  say,  "All  roads  lead  to  Rome;"  and  Thomas  Carlyle, 
in  Sartor  Resratus,   repeats    the  thought  with  the  sentence, 
"Any  road,  this  simple  Entepfuhl  road,  will  lead  you  to  the 
end  of  thfe  world." 

It  is  a  like  thought  that  fills  with  interest  the  study  of  the  history 
of  an  old  New  England  Congregational  Church.  Not  so  much  the 
charm  of  landscape  or  variety  of  incident  along  the  way,  but  that  the 
road  leads  back  to  those  great,  unique,  pioneer  days  of  Puritanism, 
when,  here  in  New  England,  such  a  people  lived  and  fought  and  wor- 
shipped God  as  the  world  has  never  seen  elsewhere. 

Not  that  like  earnest  and  strenuous  strains  of  character  have  not 
appeared  in  many  nations  and  in  all  times;  but  never  elsewhere,  unless 


OR     NEW     CAMBRIDGE. 


171 


C  i  >  .\H  -,  R  E  G  A  T I O  N  A  L    CHURCH 1907. 


in  Hebrew  history,  has  a  country  been  populated  and  institutions  es- 
tablished by  a  community  in  whom  a  natural  earnestness  and  an  intense 
desire  for  the  strenuotis  things  in  character  and  life  had  been  intensified 
by  persecution  and  exile,  until  the  Kingdom  of  God  and  His  righteousness 
had  become  the  supreme  interest  of  the  state,  the  foundation  of  society, 
and  the  constantly  controlling  thought  and  purpose  of  all  individual  life. 

The  little  Independent  churches  which  had  been  formed  in  England 
represented  in  themselves  the  advanced  left  wing  of  Protestantism,  in 
in  which  not  only  papal,  but  also  royal,  episcopal,  and  presbyterian 
supremacy  was  denied,  and  the  pure  simplicity  of  apostolic  days  sought 
after,  with  that  intensity  of  purpose  which  those  who  sympathize  with 
its  aims  call  godly  zeal,  and  others  call  fanaticism.  Persecution,  even 
to  poverty,  imprisonment  and  death,  purged  away  all  indifferent  adherents 
and  exile  sifted  out  the  most  stalwart  and  heroic  as  seed  for  the  new 
country. 

A  pioneer  population  is  always  made  up  of  daring  and  adventurous 
spirits;  but  what  other  land  ever  saw  a  pioneer  population  whose  daring 
was  daring  to  leave  all  for  the  service  of  God,  whose  radicalism  was  in 
earnestness  of  consecration,  whose  search  was  not  for  gold,  nor  for  the 
fountain  of  perpetual  youth,  but  for  treasure  in  heaven,  and  assvirance 
of  eternal  life. 

The  narrow  and  unlovely  sides  of  the  Puritan  character  were  evi- 
dent enough  to  inspire  hatred  and  ridicule  from  their  contemporaries, 
and  to  make  them  the  object  of  much  satire  and  criticism  in  later  histor- 
ical writing;  but  in  spite  of  an  ideal  of  character  which  largely  omitted 
the  gentler  and  more  amiable  qualities,  in  spite  of  a  sense  of  duty  to 
others  which  included  little  charity  for  weakness  or  toleration  of  dif- 
ferences of  opinion,  in  spite  of  a  conception  of  God  based  on  the  Hebrew 
ideal  of  the  Old  Testament  rather  than  on  the  Christian  ideal  of  the  New 
Testament,  the  Puritan  immigrants  laid  in  New  England  such  granite 
foundations  of  individual  character  and  of  church  and  state,  that,  with 


172  BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 

all  the  changes  of  time,  we  can  still  feel  that  our  house  will  not  readily 
fall  before  the  winds  and  floods,  for  it  was  founded  tipon  a  rock. 

The  settlement  of  this  community  does  not,  of  course,  date  from 
the  very  beginning  of  the  Puritan  colonial  life,  We  are  of  the  fourth 
generation.  Newtown  begat  Hartford,  Hartford  begat  Farmington, 
and  Farmington  begat  New  Cambridge. 

The  first  settlement  here,  in  1728,  was  a  century  after  the  coming 
of  the  Mayflower.  And,  in  that  century,  the  intensity  of  the  Puritan 
spirit  had  no  doubt  much  moderated.  The  days  of  persecution  in 
England  had  passed  by,  and  settlers  had  begun  to  come  to  New  England 
for  many  other  reasons  than  to  find  a  refuge  for  the  safe  exercise  of  their 
religion.  A  century  of  quiet  prosperity  on  this  side  of  the  water  was 
of  itself  likely  to  take  the  edge  from  the  fierceness  of  the  early  Puritan 
zeal. 

But  time  then  moved  far  more  slowly  thtm  now.  The  ox-cart 
fairly  symbolized  the  intellectual  movement  of  the  time,  as  the  loco- 
motive, the  bicycle  and  the  electric  fluid  do  that  of  today;  and  I  think 
the  new  Cambridge  settlers  of  1728  and  1747  were  still  closely  akin  in 
spirit  to  their  fathers  of  early  Plymouth  and  Salem. 

The  idea  of  a  total  separation  of  church  and  state,  so  fundamental 
in  our  modern  system,  would  have  been  abhorrent  to  them  To  their 
thought  the  first  concern  of  every  community  was  to  set  up  and  unitedly 
carry  on  the  worship  of  God;  the  minister  must  be  found  even-  before 
the  schoolmaster  or  the  constable;  and  no  evil  behavior  was  more  of- 
fensive to  the  feelings  of  the  community,  or  deemed  more  harmful  to 
its  good  order,  than  neglect  of  the  services  of  the  sanctuary.  Every- 
where the  Congregational  church  was  the  established  church  in  the 
fullest  sense;  having  its  house  of  worship  built  by  the  community,  its 
minister  called  by  vote  of  the  legal  voters,  paying  its  expenses  by  public 
taxation,  and  punishing  any  neglect  of  its  services  by  processes  of  criminal 
law. 

I  shall  not  go  over  the  familiar  story  of  the  settlement.  Tn  1728, 
the  first  house  was  built,  and  in  1742,  fourteen  years  later,  when  the 
first  ecclesiastical  organization  was  sought,  the  petitioners  for  it  were 
twenty-one,  probably  almost  or  quite  the  entire  body  of  legal  voters. 

What  the  road  to  the  old  church  in  Farmington  was  like,  who  can 
tell?  Doubtless  a  mere  bridle  path,  winding  among  the  trees  and  over 
the  streams.  So  in  1742  the  little  body  complained  to  the  General 
Assembly  that  they  were  "So  Remote  from  any  Meeting  House  in  any 
ministerial  sociaty  in  sd  Town,  as  Renders  it  exceeding  Difficult  for  us 
to  attend  the  publick  Worship  of  God  In  any  place  where  it  is  sett  up, 
and  especially  in  the  winter  season,"  and  with  stalwart  courage  declared 
"that  there  is  such  a  Number  of  persons  as  that  we  are  Compitently 
able  to  hire  a  Minester,  to  preach  ye  Gospel  to  us  In  said  winter  season;" 
and  therefore  begged  that  they  might  be  allowed  to  hire  "an  Authordox 
and  suitably  Quallifyed  person  to  preach  ye  Gospel  amongst  us  for  ye 
space  of  six  months  in  ye  year  Annually;"  that  is,  to  be  a  winter  society, 
as  the  phrase  was.  This  permission  was  granted,  and  on  November  8, 
1742,  the  community  met  in  society  meeting,  and  from  that  day,  by 
good  fortune,  we  have  the  full  records  of  the  ecclesiastical  society,  until 
its  dissolution  in  1897. 

"At  the  same  Meeting  we  past  by  Vote  that  we  would  meet  at 
John  browns  for  the  winter  season  for  the  present."  This  John  Brown 
house  was  on  King  Road,  north  of  Pierce's  Bridge.  Later  they  met  at 
Stephen  Barnes's,  west  of  the  Bristol  House,  at  Abner  Matthews's, 
on  the  South  Mountain  road,  at  Joseph  Benton's,  near  the  John  Moran 
house,  at  Ebenezer  Barnes's,  now  the  middle  of  the  Julius  Pierce  house, 
and  at  John  Hickox's  on  Chippin's  Hill. 

The  search  for  the  "Authordox  and  suitably  Quallifyed"  minister 
at  once  began,  and  Mr.  Thomas  Canfield  was  engaged  to  preach  for  the 
first  winter.  He  first  preached  here  on  December  6,  1742,  and  that 
was  undoubtedly  the  first  church  service  held  in  this  communitv.      The 


OR        N'EW     CAMBRIDGE. 


INTERIOR    OF    CONGREGATIONAL     CHURCH SHOWING    PULPIT. 


little  company  of  some  twenty  families,  gathered  at  John  Brown's  house 
to  hear  the  preaching  of  God's  word,  must  have  had  a  service  meagre 
and  simple  enough  to  satisfy  the  most  extreme  advocate  of  Puritan 
simplicity;  but  what  a  depth  of  joy  there  was  in  the  fulfilled  desire  of 
their  hearts,  how  clear  the  divine  presence  was  to  them  in  that  crowded 
dwelling  house,  who,  in  these  days  of  increased  wealth  and  lessened  faith, 
can  truly  appreciate? 

Mr.  Canfield  two  years  afterward  began  his  life  pastorate  in  Rox- 
bury.  He  was  but  twenty-two  years  old  when  here,  graduated  three 
years  before  at  Yale  College.  In  a  record  existing  in  Roxbury,  he  men- 
tions his  winter's  preaching  here,  referring  to  the  place  as  "ye  Mountain, 
now  called  Cambridge  in  Farmington." 

The  next  fall  the  society  left  it  to  the  committee  to  hire  a  minister- 
and  there  is  no  record  stating  who  was  hired.  But  the  people  were 
already  eager  for  more  gospel  privileges,  and  appointed  one  committee 
to  apply  to  the  town  and  another  to  the  General  Assembly  that  they 
might  be  a  "distinkt  sosiaty."  The  Farmington  society  had  already 
consented,  and  the  act  of  ecclesiastical  incorporation  was  promptly 
passed.  Then,  being  a  legal  society,  they  might  settle  a  minister  and 
so  become  a  fully  organized  church  of  God,  and  to  this  their  thoughts 
at  once  turned. 

A  few  days  after  the  act  of  incorporation  was  passed,  they  met, 
chose  society  officers,  and  "Voted  that  we  would  apply  ourselves  to  the 
next  association  for  advice  in  order  to  the  bringing  in  a  minister  amongst 
us  as  soon  as  Convenontly  may  be."  Three  days  later  they  called  Mr. 
Joseph  Adams  "as  a  probationer  or  candidate  in  order  for  a  setelment 
amongst  us  in  the  gospel  minestry." 

The  Adams  candidacy  came  to  nothing,  and  in  September  a  com- 
mittee was  appointed  to  procure  preaching  till  Deceinber,  and  it  was 
"Voted  that  mr  Newel  should  be  invited  first  to  preach  wHth  us."  Prob- 
ably he  was  hired  for  the  two  following  months,  and  the  varying  opinions 
which  people  formed  of  him  led  to  the  long  contest  over  his  settlement, 
and  finally  to  the  division  of  the  church;  for  this  church's  history  began 
with  a  schism  instead  of  ending  with  one. 


174 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


On  December  3,  1744,  it  was  "Voted  that  we  would  hire  mr  samll 
Newel  for  our  minester  in  Case  it  should  be  the  advice  of  the  assosion 
and  theire  was  seven  on  the  negitive."  This  negative  vote  of  seven  is 
the  first  appearance  of  the  breach  in  the  society.  In  January,  1745, 
the  vote  to  hire  Mr.  Newell  was  again  passed,  and  negotiation  about 
the  amount  of  his  settlement  and  salary  was  begun.  In  October,  1745, 
a  third  vote  was  passed  "that  we  would  have  mr  samll  Newel  seteled 
amongst  us  in  the  gospel  minestry — there  was  28  in  the  afarmitive  and  2 
in  the  negetive."  Whether  the  vote  w'as  taken  on  this  resolution  before 
the  opposition  had  arrived,  or  whether  the  arguments  against  Mr.  Newell 
were  not  given  a  fair  hearing  we  do  not  know ;  but  this  at  least  appears 
on  record,  that  "Moses  lym.an  John  hikox  Abel  Royce  Abner  mathews 
Stephen  Brooks  and  Caleb  Palmer  have  hear  entered  a  protest  against 
the  management  of  sd  sosiaty  meeting."  In  the  difficulty,  recourse 
was  had  to  the  peculiar  Congregational  tribunal,  a  "counsel  of  Minesters 
to  hear  and  detennine  any  deferences  that  are  amongst  us  with  Respect 
to  our  seteling  mr  sainll  Xewil  as  our  gospel  ininester."  That  council 
inet  on  November  13  and  the  same  day,  doubtless  after  it  had  advised 
them  to  agree  on  some  other  man.  and  adjourned,  the  majority  sub- 
inissively  voted  to  "pay  and  satisfi  unto  mr  samll  newil  the  ful  and 
just  sum  of  three  pounds  m.ony  of  the  old  lener  per  sabbath  he  hath 
preachd"  and  to  square  up  all  his  board  bills. 

Then  follows  for  two  years  a  trial  of  other  candidates,  but  the  hearts 
of  the  inajority  evidently  remained  steadfast  to  their  first  choice,  and 
no  one  but  Mr.  Newell  gave  satisfaction.  At  length  they  would  no 
longer  be  deprived  of  the  minister  of  their  choice  by  a  refractory  minority, 
and  in  March,  1747,  he  was  again  called  to  settle  among  them,  if  the 
association  advised.     The  vote  was  thirty-six  to  ten. 

In  the  next  resolution  there  is  a  tone  of  despair  and  exhausted 
patience;   "if  the  above  assosiation  dont  advise  us  to  mr  samll  newel  as 


I 


iju'nujiuum""*''"'"'"''^'''''"'''''"" 


RESIDENCE    WILFRED    H.    NETTLETON    AND    WILLIAM    E.    WIGHTMAN,     MAPLE 

STREET. 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE."  175 

abovesd  our  committee  shall  ask  there  advice  Who  we  shall  apply  our- 
selves next  to  preach  the  gospel  to  us." 

•  But  manifestly  the  council  felt  that  if  the  little  society  could  agree 
on  no  one  in  three  years  they  could  never  agree,  and  that  the  majority 
were  entitled  to  have  their  so  long  deferred  wish;  they  approved  the 
society's  action,  and  in  July,  1747,  the  society  voted  to  proceed  with 
settlement  of  Mr.  Newell. 

And  then  the  long  growing  opposition  culminated  and  eight  men 
made  their  formal  revolt.  "And  here  it  must  be  noted  that  at  the 
same  meeting  Caleb  mathews  Stephen  Brooks  John  hikox  Caleb  Aber- 
nathy  Abner  mathews  Abel  Royce  danell  Roe  &  simon  tuttel  publikly 
declard  themselvs  of  the  Church  of  England  and  under  the  bishop  of 
london."      Nehimiah  Royce  followed  in  a  few  weeks. 

This  revolt  must  have  been  no  trifling  matter  to  the  little  society. 
Caleb  Matthews  was  chairman  of  the  society's  committee  and  also  of 
the  building  committee,  which  was  then  making  plans  for  a  meeting- 
house. Abner  Matthews  was  also  on  the'  building  committee.  John 
Hickox  had  been  the  first  society  treasurer,  and  the  others  were  men  of 
prominence  in  the  community. 

The  real  ground  of  difference  between  the  two  parties  was  un- 
doubtedly theological ;  with  the  passage  of  time  a  feeling  of  dissent  to 
the  rigid  Calvinism  of  the  Puritan  church  had  spread  in  the  New  England 
colonies.  This  more  liberal  element,  xVrniinian  in  theological  tendency, 
found  a  refuge  in  the  Episcopal  church,  then  having  a  precarious  foot- 
hold in  Connecticut  and  the  only  rival  religious  body  to  the  dominant 
C^ongregationalism.  Parson  Newell  was  certainly  a  stalwart  exponent 
of  old-fashioned,  thoroughbred,  Calvinistic  doctrine;  and  it  is  a  curious 
fact  that  two  ministers  who  had  been  preaching  as  candidates  for  the 
Congregational  pastorate,  apparently  the  choice  of  the  minority,  were 
very  soon  after  serving  the  Episcopal  church  as  its  rectors,  Messrs. 
Ichabod  Camp  and  Christopher  Newton. 

The  people  now  had  a  pastor,  to  whom  their  fidelity  had  been  con- 
firmed by  opposition  and  intensified  by  the  long  delay,  and  with  the 
preparations  for  his  ordination  were  united  preparations  for  "gathering 
the  chvirch."  The  society,  which  had  thus  far  been  acting,  was  the  legal, 
municipal  corporation,  but  now  the  spiritual  body  of  Christ's  covenanted 
followers  was  to  be  formed. 

"The  church  was  gathered  at  the  lecture  preparatory  to  the  ordi- 
nation of  and  consisted  of  about  twenty  male  members-"  exactlv  twenty 
of  each  sex,  if  our  present  roll  is  correct.  The  ordination  was  on  Tuesday, 
August  12,  1747,  and  the  fomiation  of  the  church  on  the  lecture  day 
(probably  Friday,  August  8,)  previous.  Three  neighboring  ministers, 
Messrs.  Whitman  of  Farmington,  Colton  of  Hartford,  and  Curtiss  of 
Southington,  were  invited  to  assist  at  the  solemn  fast  by  which  the 
membership  of  the  new  church  consecrated  themselves  to  God's  service 
in  this  new  relation,  and  the  same  ministers,  with  two  others,  and  rep- 
resentatives of  their  churches,  assisted  at  the  ordination. 

I  do  not  know  what  was  the  ceremonial  of  formation  of  the  church ; 
doubtless  it  was  simple  in  the  extreme,  with  only  a  pioneer  dwelling 
house  for  sanctuary,  and  little  to  exalt  the  imagination  except  the  con- 
secrated joy  of  the  people  and  their  .sense  of  the  divine  presence  and 
benediction,  as  with  fasting  and  prayer  they  set  up  in  this  community, 
for  all  time  to  come,  the  altar  of  the  living  God. 

The  long  uncertainty  about  a  minister  had  not  prevented  the  little 
coinmunity  from,  making  early  plans  for  a  meeting-house.  In  March, 
1745,  the  society  had  asked  the  General  Assembly  to  fix  the  site  for  a 
meeting-house,  and,  in  May,  had  voted  by  a  large  majority  that  they 
would  build  a  meeting-house  "as  soon  as  with  Conveniancy  may  be," 
and  in  December,  that  it  should  be  forty  feet  by  thirty  in  size. 

They  bought  of  Joseph  Benton  the  ground  whereon  we  now  stand, 
for  four  potinds,  and  by  the  united  efforts  of  the  people,  who  got  out 


176 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


REnnENCR     Wll.l.isAi      I.     I  RACY,     BELLEV'JE     AVENUE. 


RESIDENCE    JOSEPH    B.    SESSIONS,     BELLEVUE    AVENUE. 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE."  177 

the  timber  and  together  raised  the  building,  paying  for  the  finishing  by 
taxation,  the  little  house  was  built.  It  seems  to  have  been  occupied 
in  174S  or  early  in  1749,  but  was  not  completed  until  1753. 

Nor  did  the  church's  exertions  cease  with  having  assumed  the  sup- 
port of  a  minister  and  the  erection  of  a  meeting-house;  at  the  same 
meeting  at  which  the  ordination  was  arranged  for,  they  appointed  a 
committee  to  build  Mr.  Newell's  house;  and  it  was  no  mean  one,  either. 
Thirty-eight  feet  by  twenty-three  on  the  ground,  lathed  and  plastered 
in  the  parlor  and  bedroom,  and  ceiled  int  he  dwelling-room,  it  was  in- 
tended to  be  fit  for  the  occupancy  of  the  man  whose  superiority  in 
consideration  over  any  other  man  in  the  community  wovild  be  unques- 
tioned. 

And  a  year  later  it  was  resolved  "that  we  would  have  a  lawful  school 
in  this  sosiaty." 

No  wonder  that  the  taxes  were  appalling  in  their  size;  an  eight 
penny  rate  was  laid  in  October,  174S,  to  finish  the  meeting-house,  in 
Deceinber  a  two  shilling  rate  for  the  same  purpose,  and  in  the  same 
month  one  of  four  shillings  "besides  what  we  have  already  laid."  Six 
shillings  and  eight  pence  on  the  pound  is  thirty-three  and  one  third  per 
cent!  What  do  degenerate  later  days  think  of  a  tax  like  that?  No 
wonder  that  "at  the  same  meeting  Benjamin  Brooks  declared  himself 
to  be  of  the  Church  of  England,"  and  that  Stephen  Brooks,  Jr.,  and 
Joseph  Gaylord  followed  soon  after,  and  no  wonder  that  the  residents 
the  next  month  petitioned  the  General  Assembly  for  a  tax  on  the  land 
in  the  society  "only  on  the  unresidents." 

Of  this  first  meeting-house  we  have  no  picture  or  full  description. 
It  was  undoubtedly  a  plain,  unadorned,  rectangular  building,  with  steep 
roof:  it  had  galleries,  though  they  were  not  finished  for  several  years. 
The  floor  was  divided  into  twelve  pews;  not  narrow,  low  affairs  like  our 
present  pews,  but  large  high-walled  divisions,  almost  rooms,  in  each  of 
which  the  adults  of  several  families  might  sit.  There  were  also  two 
"seats,"  probably  benches,  filling  spaces  left  vacant  by  t»e  pews. 

It  stood  some  sixty  feet  northeast  of  this  building,  and  stood  north 
and  south,  the  front  end  to  the  north. 

On  the  west  side  was  the  high  pulpit  with  its  approaching  stairs. 
No  sounding  board  is  mentioned,  and  it  would  hardly  seem  that  it  could 
have  been  necessarv  in  so  small  a  building;  but  in  Puritan  church  archi- 
tecture the  sounding  board  served  to  give  dignity  and  solemnity  to  the 
pulpit,  rather  than  to  supply  an  acoustic  necessity.  There  certainly 
was  one  in  the  second  church,  and  I  have  little  doubt  that  it  was  also 
in  the  first. 

One  important  function  of  the  old  church  that  has  been  entirely 
dropped  in  otir  modern  democratic  days  was  the  dignification  of  the 
meeting-house,  and  the  seating  based  on  that  dignification.  The  com- 
mittee to  dignify  the  meeting-house  was  appointed  as  soon  as  the  building 
was  complete  and  annually  reappointed.  They  determined  the  rela- 
tive dignity  of  each  pew;  and  then  the  seating  committee  had  the  in- 
finitely more  delicate  task  of  determining  the  dignity  of  each  family, 
or  rather  of  each  adult  person,  for  the  entire  family  did  not  sit  together, 
and  of  assigning  the  most  worthy  person  to  the  most  worthy  pew,  and 
so  on  in  regular  order  down  to  the  pews  under  the  stairs,  which  were  the 
lowest  in  rank.  What  a  strain  on  Christian  fellowship  and  on  social 
friendships  that  must  have  been!  Think  of  having  it  officially  deter- 
mined who  was  superior  to  you  and  who  inferior,  in  regular  order  of  the 
entire  community;  and  of  the  ignominy  of  being  formally  decided  to 
be  the  least  worthy  family  in  the  entire  congregation!  Fortunately 
for  the  peace  of  the  committee,  the  rules  for  fixing  the  dignity  of  each 
man  or  unmarried  woman  (I  think  the  wives  went  according  to  the  rank 
of  their  hvisbands  and  sat  with  them)  were  definitely  fixed.  The  grand 
list  was  taken  as  the  starting  point,  (let  no  one  say  that  reverence  for 
wealth  is  a  modern  invention,)  and  it  was  the  adopted  rule  "to  alow  every 
person  fifty  shillings  per  year  for  his  age,  all  so  a  Captain  twenty  pound, 


178 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


MAIN     STREET,     1UU7,     NORTH     FROM     R,     R.     BRIDGE. 


.M.\l.\     .llCI.i.l,      I'.'H,       .^^.■^.lll      1  IvuM     IIU.II     STREET. 


NEW     CAMBRIDGE. 


179 


to  a  leut  ten  and  to  an  ensign  five."  Still  further  deference  was  paid 
to  age  by  providing  that  all  over  fifty  years  of  age  should  be  seated  at 
the  discretion  of  the  seaters,  and  within  this  discretionary  class  I  should 
think  that  the  duties  must  have  been  delicate  indeed.  Even  children 
were  seated  by  the  committee,  "men  kind  at  sixteen  years  old,  and 
females  at  fotirteen." 


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PLAN    OF    CHURCH     DIGNIFICATION FROM    ORIGINAL    NOW    IN 

POSSESSION    OF    JUDGE    EPAPHRODITUS    PECK. 

The  following  is  the  detail  of  the  Congregational  Church  Dignification 
of  about  the  year  1830  (exact  date  not  known).'  The  spelling  of  the 
original  has  been  followed.  In  the  case  of  many  of  the  women's  names, 
it  is  impossible  to  tell  whether  the  title  is  Wid.  (wi'dow)  or  Mrs.  Each 
group  of  names  represents  the  occupants  of  one  pew  or  seat  as  indicated; 

No.  1,  N.  OF  THE  Pulpit,  Wid.  Munson,  Wid.  Muzzy,  Wid.  Hulda  Churchill,  Wid. 
Sarah  Newejl. 

No.  1,  S.  OF  THE  Pulpit.  Rev.  Jona.  Cone,  Dea.  Ira  Hooker.  Dea.  Bryan  Hooker. 

No.  1,  N.  OF  THE  Alley,  James  Lee,  Eli  Lewis.  Reuben  Ives,  Thomas  Barns,  Hubbell 
Stephens,  Mrs.  Rachel  Gaylord. 

No.  1.  S.  OF  THE  Alley,  Wife  of  Abel  Lewis,  Wm.  Lee,  Asa  Upson,  Isaac  Norton, 
Lament  Peck. 

No.  2,  North,  Aron  Norton,  Wid.  Mary  Pierce,  Elezer  Norton,  Enos  Ives,  Esq. 

No.  2,  South,  James  Steele,  Joel  Norton,  Abel  Allen,  James  Holt,  Mrs.  Martha  Lewis, 
Mrs.  Philene  Wilcox,  Mary  Beckwith. 

No.  3, 'North,  Oliver  Gridley.  Roger  Lewis,  Wm.  Jerrome,  Wid.  Adams,  Wid.  Lomis. 

No.  3,  South,  Luke  Adams,  James  Frances,  Bezaliel  Bowin,  Jesse  Gaylord,  Mrs.  Root. 

No.  4,  North,  Abel  Frisbi,  Benj.  Hart,  Ithural  Hart,  Lydia  Churchill,   Stephen  Rowe. 

No.  4,  South,  Thos.  Barns  Jr.,    Elijah  Manross,    Ebenezer  Darrow,    Jabez  Roberts, 
Wid.  of  I.  Yale. 

No.  .5,  North,  Noah  Byington,  Dr.  Titi:s  Merriman,  Lazarus  Hard,  Solomon  Payne, 
Mrs.  Sarah  Lee. 

No.  5,  South,  Ira  Churchill,  Betsey  Gridlev,  George  Upson,   Seth  Hart,  Wid.  Jemima 
Peck. 

No.   6,   North,   Asahel  Cowles,   Wid.   Tuttle,   Selah    Richards,   James   Hadsell,   Wid. 
Eunice  Beckwith,  James  Lee  Jun. 

No.  6,  South.  Seth  Richards,  Sam'l  Gavlord,  Wid.  Woodard.  Martin  Byington,       * 
Bradley,  Wid.  Rhoda  Russell. 

*  Illegible. 

No.  7,  North,  Asahel  Clarke,  Wid.  Sarah  Gaylord,  Sam'l  Brooks,  Noah  Lewis,  Wid. 
Boardman. 

(  v(     No.  7,  South,  Samuel  Peck,  Elisha  Gridle>-,  Calvin  Hart,  Elizabeth  Johnson,  Naomi 
Royce,  Joel  Baldwin,  Wid.  Hanna  Mix. 

No.  8,  North,  Asa  Bartholomew,  Nath'nl  W^.  Bishop,  Seth  Barnes,  Abel  Yale,  Azariah 
Johnson. 

No.  8,  South,  Th'S  is  evidently  omitted.  Probably  stairs,  a  stove,  or  something 
took  its  place.     It  may  have  been  a  "free  seat." 

No.  9,  North,  Eli  Lewis  Jr.,  Luman  Carrington,  Jonathan  Pond,  Roxana  Lewis 
Mr?..  Mary  Newell. 

No.  9,  South,  Thomas  Botsford,  Eli  Parsons,  Renben  Ives,  Jun.,  Dodd  Hungerford. 


180 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


No.  10,  North,  Ira  Ives,  Philo  Pierce,  David  Norton  Hannah  Bradley,  Chauncy 
Hooker. 

No.  10,  South,  Sam'l  Mackie,  Wm.  Torp,  Damaris  Lewis,  Miles  Lewis,  Joseph  Byington 

No.  11,  North,  Silas  Gridley,  Arron  Norton,  Mrs.  Fanny  Newell,  Dea.  Chas.  G.  Ives. 
Ephrain  Cluver. 

No.  11,  South,  Elisha  Stephens,  Joseph  Ives,  Sybel  Steele, Wife  of  Asahel  Norton 
Joel  Norton  Jr.,  David  Root. 

No.  12,  North,  Isaiah  Norton,  Sheldon  Rich,  Roger  Norton,  Mark  Norton,  Sam'l 
Benham. 

No.  12  South,  John  Case,  Wm.  Lee  Jun.,  D,  R  Wolcott,  Seth  Gaylord,  Martin  Hart. 
John  Birge,  V.'ife  of  Lemuel  W  Parker. 

No.  13,  North.  Clark  Carrington,  Elisha  Horton,  Shadrach  Pieice,  Wife  of  Lot  Newell, 
Dan  Hill,  Rosannah  Bradlev,  Levina  Lewis. 

No.  13,  South,  Chester  Lewis,  Tracy  Peck,  Alva  Gridley,  John  .Bradley,  Sally  Peck. 

No.  14,  North,  Sam'l  Botsford,  Truman  Larcum,  Cyrus  Lewis,  James  Hart,  Horace 
Adams,  Betsey  Bradley. 

No.  14,  South,  Richard  Peck,  Ben.i.  H.  Rich,  Alon.'.o  Thompson,  Chauncy  Boardman, 
Lurena  Brown. 

No.  15,  North,  Theodore  Lewis,  Reuben  Hough,  Jeremiah  Royce,  Newell  Byington, 
Geo.  Bulkley. 

No.  15,  South,  Russell  Richards,  Wells  R.  Byington,  Roswell  Brainard,  Chauncey 
Ives,  Jerusha  Johnson. 

No.  16,  North,  Dana  Carrington,  Orrin  Hart,  Chauncy  F.  Andrews,  Wm.  Rich, 
Dennis  Rich. 

No.  16,  South,  John  Covvles,  Dill  Darrow,  James  Adams,  Barnabas  Churchill,  Emily 
Hinsdale. 

No.  17,  North,  Major  Churchill,  Norman  Lewis,  Joel  Root,  Asahil  Hooker,  Bryan 
Richards. 

No.  17,  South,  Eber.  Hart,  Elisha  Brewster,  Charles  Sage,  Wm.  Darrow,  Ephraim 
Wilcox. 

No.  IS,  North,  Dr.  Pardy,  Wi.^e  of  Alon/.o  Hart  *  David  Munson,  Sheldon  Lewis, 
Phillip  Barns.  *  There  is  a  word  before  David  Munson  which  seems  to  be  "i^  f  ts"  (and 
others"). 

No.  18,  South.  Wm.  Hubbell,  Dana  Beckwith,  Asa  Thompson,  Titus  M.  Roberts. 

No.  19,  North,  Nehemiah  Peck,  Sylvester  Peck,  Asahel  Mix,  Alpheus  Bradley, 
Major  S.  Wilson,  Bryan  Churchill,  Benona  Thompson. 

No.  19,  South,  Allen  Birge,  Geo.  Hooker,  Harry  Henderson,  John  Bacon,  Th'oph'ls 
Smith,  Augustus  Hart. 


RESIDliNCE    R.     K.    LIXSLEV,   HIGH    STREET. 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE."  181 

Seats  were  made  in  the  "alleys"  for  the  children,  and  the  young 
men  were  assigned  the  pew  next  the  east  door,  till  the  galleries  should 
be  finished. 

So  you  can  form  your  niental  picture  of  the  quaint  little  room; 
the  pulpit  high  in  majestic  dignity  towering  above  all,  the  deacons  and 
older  men  and  women  in  the  nearer  pews,  Deacon  Manross  and  some 
other  elders  wearing  white  starched  caps,  the  other  pews  filled  with 
grave  adults,  young  men  in  the  gallery  or  rear  pew,  children  in  benches 
in  the  aisle;  where  the  young  women  were  the  record  saith  not,  but  I 
suppose  in  the  opposite  side  of  the  gallery  from  their  brothers  and  beaux. 

Even  before  the  church  was  built,  Joseph  Benton  and  David  Gay- 
lord  were  successively  elected  choristers,  and  afterward,  in  1761,  Elisha 
Manross  to  assist  Deacon  Gaylord  in  setting  the  psalm;  that  is,  I  suppose, 
in  announcing  the  tune  to  be  used,  after  the  minister  had  announced 
the  psalm,  giving  the  key  and  lining  out  the  verses;  in  1774,  Gideon 
Roberts,  the  father  of  clockmaking  here,  was  chosen  chorister,  "to 
serve  upon  the  same  Regulations  «S:  with  ye  same  restrictions  as  appointed 
by  the  church  in  their  Last  act  in  that  affair."  What  these  regulations 
and  restrictions  were  we  know  not,  for  the  church  records  of  that  time 
are  gone;  but  that  the}^  had  to  do  with  the  conflict  of  that  time  between 
those  who  wished  to  sing  by  rote,  that  is,  by  their  memory  of  the  few 
familiar  old  tunes,  and  those  who  preferred  to  sing  by  note,  that  is, 
from  printed  notes  of  the  music,  we  cannot  doubt.  To  the  conservatives 
singing  from  printed  notes  was  as  bad  as  reading  from  printed  prayers. 

I  may  add  here  that  this  first  church  was  sufficient  for  the  needs 
of  the  growing  society  only  a  few  years.  It  had  only  been  completed 
thirteen  years,  when  in  1766,  it  was  voted  "to  do  sonithing  in  prepration 
for  building  a  new  meeten  hous."  In  June,  1768,  it  was  voted  to  build 
at  once,  by  a  vote  of  sixty-three  to  six.  New  taxes  were  evidently 
coming,  and  a  new  departure  to  the  Church  of  England  took  place. 

In  1770  the  second  meeting-house  was  raised,  and  finished  the 
next  year.  It  was  sixty-five  by  forty-five  feet  in  size,  had  some  striving 
for  architectural  beauty  in  its  arched  door  and  round  window,  and  was 
of  highly  cheerful  color.  "Voted  to  Colour  the  above  sd  meeting-house 
viz:  the  Body  of  sd  house  spruce  yellow  and  the  Dores  and  windows 
of  said  house  white. 

Voted  to  Colour  the  Roof  of  our  new  meeting-house  Spanish  Brown." 
There  were  forty-one  pews  on  the  floor,  of  the  old-fashioned  square 
type,  reached  by  aisles  that  ran  transversely,  instead  of  from  the  door 
to  the  pulpft.  The  custom  of  dignifying  the  pews,  and  seating  the 
congregation  by  their  respective  dignities,  still  existed  and  was  continued 
as  long  as  the  second  church  was  used.  I  have  in  my  hand  a  "dignifi- 
cation"  of  that  building,  and  a  report  of  the  seating  committee  of  about 
1830.*  To  this  building  a  steeple  was  added,  considerably  altering  its 
appearance,  in  17'.I7,  and  a  bell  for  the  first  time  called  the  people  to 
divine  service.  This  meeting-house  was  occupiv,d  till  1832,  when 
additional  room  was  again  needed  and  the  body  of  the  present  church 
building  was  built.  Then  for  the  first  time  the  old-fashioned  pews 
were  given  up,  and  the  modern  narrow  pews,  or  "slips,"  as  they  were 
then  called,  were  used. 

If  we  could  be  taken  back  to  the  davs  of  that  first  little  meeting- 
tiouse,  its  surroundings  would  seem  no  less  strange  to  us  than  its  interior. 
The  little  Episcopal  church  opposite,  the  sabba'-day  houses  where  the 
worshippers  might  be  warmed  and  refreshed  during  the  noon  inter- 
mission, the  whipping-post  and  stocks  at  the  head  of  the  green,  the 
vacant  fields  stretching  in  every  direction,  Avould  make  a  picture  quaint 
indeed  to  our  eyes.  Two  dwelling  houses  at  Doolittle's  Corner,  and 
three  on  Queen  street,  were  the  only  ones  within  a  circuit  of  nearly  a 
mile.     Parson  Newell's  house,  at  what  you  know  as  the  Dr.  Pardee  place, 

*See  Facsimile  of  Plan  and  Dcsinnation  List  here  mentioned  on  pages  179  and  180. 


182 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


was  quite  handy  to  the  meeting-house,  according  to  the  roomy  ideas 
of  the  time. 

Parson  Newell  served  the  church  as  its  pastor  forty-two  years. 
He  came  here  at  the  age  of  thirty-three,  a  recent  graduate  of  Yale  Col- 
lege, and  died  in  the  harness  on  February  10,  1789,  at  seventy-five  years 
of  age.  His  tomb  is  prominently  situated  at  the  very  front  of  the  old 
cemetery  on  Downs  street,  bearing  an  epitaph  which  has  been  often 
quoted  for  its  stately  beauty. 

We  have  unfortunately  no  likeness,  nor  even  a  personal  description 
of  him.*     But  enough  has  been  preserved  by  tradition,  and  can  be  read 


'..iJl..ai*.T.w 


"^. 


SERMON, 


i'jii.cmri  at  NtK'C*MB«iD<;B,  in  Bri&toi, 

.        .  ftBRUARV    !2th,    lyli}, 

»  !  At  the  FUNERj^L  Ofms 

S,    jP  Rev.  SAMUEL  NEWELL, 

k        //!  Pastop.  or  the  Church  these. 

i    1  •^'/iio  departed  this  Lift  the  lorh  of  Febru.irt',  t-^: 

'•B      '.n  thf  75th  Year  of  his  Age,  and  n'^i  of  nis  M^ 


Bv  TIMOTHY  PITKIN,  A.  M. 


n  .4  R  r  f  o  X   D: 

PRINTED  BV  HI:DS0.M  AND  G00I>W1N. 
K  DCC.W. 


F.\CSIMILF.     OK     PARSON    NEWELL  S     FUNERAL    SER.MON. 

{Owned  by  Judge  Peck.) 


*  Rev.  Timothy  Pitkin,  in  his  sermon  at  Mr.  Newell's  fimeral,  thus  characterized 
him: 

"It  was  the  pleasure  of  the  Creator  of  all  things  to  furnish  Mr.  Newell  with  a  good 
genius,  strong  mind,  and  solid  judgment;  he  was  well  acquainted  with  books,  things, 
and  men;  a  sociable  and  faithful  friend,  of  a  steady  and  firm  fortitude  of  mind;  yet  had 
tender  feelings  in  his  own,  and  in  the  distress  of  others;  was  an  open,  plain-hearted,  honest 
man;  spake  his  opinion  freely  and  without  flattery,  gave  every  one  his  due;  and  do  not 
know  that  I  ever  saw  the  man  who  was  a  greater  stranger  to  envy.  As  to  his  theological 
knowledge,  was  a  good  and  thorough  Divine,  especially  in  practical  divinity,  and  experi- 
mental.    Sound  in  the  faith,  willing  all  should  know  his  principles. 

As  a  preacher,  his  sermons  well  composed  and  methodised,  aimed  not  so  much  at 
the  ornaments  of  language  and  beauties  of  style,  as  the  truth,  for  he  determined  to  know 
nothing  among  his  people  save  Jesus  Christ,  and  Him  crucified.  He  did  not  daub  with 
untempered  mortars,  nor  play  around  men's  consciences  as  if  he  was  afraid  to  give  them 
pain  and  uneasiness,  but  thundered  forth  the  law  to  rouse  vip  and  alarm  sinners,  and 
displayed  the  glorious  wonders  of  redeeming  love;  in  short,  was  a  plain,  fervent,  experi- 
mental preacher;  for  he  appeared  to  preach  those  truths  which  he  felt  in  his  own  heart, 
and  that  Jesus  whom  he  kniw." 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE."  183 

between  the  lines  of  the  record  book,  to  give  a  good  conception  of  his 
personal  character.  I  think  of  him  as  the  typical  Puritan  divine ;  strongly 
orthodox  in  a  time  whose  liberalism  would  be  thought  almost  niedieval 
today,  standing  by  virtue  of  his  sacred  office  in  a  position  of  awful 
superiority  to  his  flock,  incarnating  in  his  stately  figure,  human  dignity 
and  divine  authority  alike. 

When  he  entered  the  church,  the  people  rose  and  reverently  saluted 
him,  and  he  mounted  the  pulpit,  and  then  gracefully  returned  the  salu- 
tation; when  he  passed  the  children  in  the  street  they  hushed  their  plays, 
uncovered,  and  made  their  deepest  bows  and  curtseys;  when  his  death 
was  announced,  an  unspeakable  solemnity  filled  the  community,  and 
one  little  girl  is  said  to  have  asked  her  mother  with  trembling  lips, 
"Mamma,  is  God  dead,  too?" 

It  is  quite  certain  that  he  was  not  so  absorbed  in  divine  things 
as  to  neglect  those  of  this  world.  He  understood  his  rights  and  could 
assert  them  vigorously,  as  you  will  see.  He  was  an  extensive  land 
owner,  and  made  many  purchases  and  sales.  In  his  later  days  he  seems 
to  have  been  one  of  the  substantial  property  owners  of  the  town.  At 
least  one  of  his  sales,  evidenced  by  a  bill  of  sale  still  in  existence,  was 
of  a  slave  boy.  Job,  fourteen  years  of  age. 

His  financial  relations  with  the  society  were  sadly  tangled  by  the 
fluctuating  currencies  of  the  time.  The  salary  offered  him  in  the  original 
negotiations  of  1745  was  fixed  at  a  sliding  scale  to  increase  from  one 
hundred  pounds  to  two  hundred  and  forty-five  pounds,  in  bills  of  the 
old  tenor,  "which  shall  be  mr  Newels  standing  salery;"  besides  a  set- 
tlement of  five  hundred  pounds.  At  the  next  meeting  the  provision 
was  added,  that  the  bills  should  be  rated  at  thirty-two  shillings  to  the 
ounce  of  silver.  This  ratio  of  silver  is  at  least  four  or  five  to  one.  At 
the  next  meeting  a  guarantee  was  added  that  they  would  always  make 
good  the  discount  of  money,  "so  that  thirty-two  shillings  shall  be  as 
good  as  one  ounce  of  silver."  These  careful  provisions  against  loss  by 
the  depreciation  of  the  paper  bills  were,  I  have  no  doubt,  required,  or 
at  least  suggested,  by  the  shrewd  business  sense  of  the  pastor-expectant. 

In  1747,  when  the  final  call  was  given,  a  new  currency  was  extant, 
which  for  the  moment  was  good,  and  a  salary  was  offered  of  thirty 
povmds  of  the  new  currency,  and  to  rise  as  the  list  rose  until  it  reached 
seventy  pounds,  which  might  be  paid  in  grain  at  stated  prices.  Probably 
Mr.  Newell  did  not  approve  of  the  smaller  amount  and  better  money, 
for  two  weeks  later  the  basis  was  changed  to  bills  of  the  old  tenor,  be- 
ginning at  one  hundred  and  forty  pounds  a  year,  and  increasing  to  three 
hundred  pounds,  "which  we  covenant  and  agree  to  make  as  good  to 
him  then  as  3  hundred  pound  now  is  and  further  we  agree  that  if  mr  newel 
and  we  shall  not  agree  as  to  the  value  of  our  Paper  bills  on  consequnely 
with  Respect  of  the  unstaidyness  of  our  Paper  bills  that  then  and  from 
time  to  time  as  ofen  as  occation  shall  Require  will  mutially  Choose  a 
Committee  of  uninterested  persons  to  ajust  the  matter  Between  us." 

It  will  be  noticed  that  in  changing  from  the  new  currency  to  the 
old  the  amount  was  increased  nearly  five  times ;  and  that  there  was  an 
evident  expectation  of  still  further  depreciation  to  be  adjusted. 

In  1759  the  expected  crisis  had  come,  and  the  society  appointed  a 
committee  of  conference  with  Mr.  Newell,  and  on  their  advice  passed 
a  new  vote.  "Whereas  the  medium  of  trade  is  altered,"  to  pay  him 
thereafter,  instead  of  the  three  hundred  pounds  old  bills  to  which  he 
was  then  entitled,  fifty-five  pounds  "Lawful  Mony  that  is  silver  at  six 
shillings  and  eight  pence  per  ounce  or  an  ekuevelent  in  Connetocut 
Late  emishons." 

With  this  scaling  down  to  a  hard  money  basis  peace  was  restored 
till  the  early  days  of  the  Revolution,  when  Parson  Newell  demanded  an 
equivalent  for  the  new  depreciation,  and  the  people,  who  were  doubtless 
just  as  much  distressed  by  the  shrinkage  of  their  money  as  he,  refused. 

In  1778,  he  wrote  in  the  society's  record  book,  his  receipt  for  ";^65 


184 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


MAPLE  ST. 


(1)  No.  5,  Mrs.  A.  E.  North  O;  (2)  No.  19,  J.  E.  Andrew  R,  No.  21, 
Wm.  Muir  R;  (3)  No.  23,  M.  B.  Rohan  O,  No.  25,  W.  F.  Stone  R;  (4) 
No.  31,  Henry  E.  Cottle  R;  (5)  No.  67,  Geo.  A.  Thomas  O,  James  R. 
Hughes  R:  (6)  No.  77,  Rev.  Calvin  B.  Moody  R  (Parsonage  First  Congre- 
gational Church);  (7)  No.  78,  Eugene  Fairchild  R,  R.  Baldwin  R;  (8) 
No.  83,  Theo.  C.  Root  O;  (9)  No.  84,  G.  E.  Abbott  O. 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE."  185 

Continental   bills,    which   is   equal   to   about   one-sixth    part   of  what    is 
justly  due  to  me." 

The  next  year  they  seem  to  have  admitted  the  justice  of  his  claims, 
and  voted  to  pay  him  three  hundred  and  ninety  pounds  "of  the  Present 
Curency"  instead  of  the  sixty-five  pounds;  but,  alas  for  our  financial 
record!  a  week  later  they  reconsidered  this  vote,  and  resolved  to  pay 
sixty-five  pounds  of  the  present  currency  for  salary. 

The  result  was  the  following  remarkable  receipt: — "Xew  Cambridge 
Decbr  1  1771)  Altho  the  Society  of  New  Cambridge  as  a  Society  have 
not  rendered  to  me  what  was  Justly  Due  by  Covenant — yet  a  Number 
have  been  Just  &  Generous  another  Number  have  done  Something 
Considerable  a  Considerable  Number  have  done  but  a  Small  matter 
toward  Justice  yet  to  prevent  trouble  in  the  present  world  I  Do  Give  a 
full  Discharge  to  sd  Society  for  what  was  due  to  me — &  Refer  them  to 
the  Last  tribunal  where  impartial  Justice  will  be  Enqiiired  after. 

Saml  Newell." 

This  summons  of  his  parishioners  to  the  bar  of  divine  justice  seems 
to  have  been  effective  with  them,  and  in  1780  it  was  voted  "that  the 
People  be  at  their  own  Liberty  to  pay  mr  Newels  Rate  Either  in  Silver 
or  Continental  money  viz  if  in  Silver  their  Equal  part  of  6o£  and  if  in 
this  Courancy  their  ecjual  part  of  1300£."  Probably  no  one  had  any 
silver  to  pay,  and  Mr.  Newell's  receipt  is  for  the 'magnificent  salary  of 
thirteen  hundred  pounds,  received  in  money  worth  five  cents  on  the 
dollar.  Such  is  the  history  of  depreciated  money  in  the  affairs  of  this 
society. 

The  nine  men  who  seceded  from  the  church  before  Mr.  Newell's 
ordination,  with  their  families,  and  some  others  who  followed  them 
later,  formed  the  pre-Revolutionary  Episcopal  church  whose  history 
is  so  tragic  and  interesting,  and  so  closely  connected  with  the 
history  of  this  church,  that  I  will  ask  your  indulgence  in  a 
digression  of  a  few  minutes  to  sketch  it.  The  Episcopal  church  had  at 
that  time  no  American  bishop,  and  but  very  few  settled  clergymen  in 
New  England.  The  church  maintained  a  feeble  existence  by  the  labors 
of  traveling  missionaries  and  clergymen,  who  performed  sacred  offices 
in  several  parishes  in  rotation.  Such  offices  were  now  obtained  bj'  the 
New  Cambridge  "churchmen;"  a  regular  record  of  baptisms,  beginning 
in  1747,  is  still  in  existence.  The  first  of  these  officiating  clergymen, 
who  came  here  from  Simsbury  for  several  years,  was  Rev.  William 
Gibbs.*  Afterward,  as  has  been  said,  Messrs.  Camp  and  Newton,  who 
had  been  candidates  for  the  Congregational  pastorate,  served  them, 
then  Rev.  Richard  Mansfield  occasionally  from  1756  to  1759,  Rev.  James 
Scovel  for  about  fourteen  years,  and,  from  1774  until  church  services 
were  suspended  Rev.  James  Nichols.  In  1754  they  completed  and 
opened  for  service  a  little  church  standing  across  the  highway  from  the 
Congregational  meeting-house  where  the  north  wing  of  the  schoolhouse 
now  stands.  In  1758  they  voted  to  have  six  days'  preaching  for  the 
year  ensuing,  probably  a  bi-monthly  communion;  at  other  times  they 
paid  a  quarter  or  a  sixth  of  the  salary  of  a  clergyman,  who  gave  them 
corresponding  service. 

For  several  years  the  society  refused  to  release  them  from  its  eccle- 
siastical taxation;  they  evidently  refused  payment,  and  the  society, 
in  1749,  instructed  its  collector  "to  collect  the  Rates  of  them  that  call 
themselves  of  the  Church  of  england  among  us  and  we  will  defend  them." 
This  instruction  was  evidently  acted  on,  for,  a  year  later,  the  collectors 
presented  a  bill  of  charges  for  collecting  the  rates  of  "those  that  call 
themselves  Churchinen,"  and  it  was  allowed. 

Later,  more  peaceful  counsels  prevailed,  and  the  churchmen  were 
released  from  the  "minester  Rates  as  long  as  they  do  bring  a  Recept 
from  their  minester  provided  they  will  al  of  them  Quit  their  Right  in 


*  For  the  tragic  history  of  his  later  years  see  "Historical  Papers  Concerning  the  Early 
Episcopal  Church  of  New  Cambridge,"  by  Rev.  X.  A.  Welton,  Ms.,  Bristol  Public  LiVjrary 


186 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


(10)  No.  1)5,  Titus  E.  Merriman  O;  (11)  No.  U6,  Mrs.  J.  T.  Peck  O; 
(12)  No.  104,  E.  E.  Stockton  O;  (13)  No.  llo,  W.  H.  Nettleton  O, 
W.  E.  Wightman  R;  (14)  No.  116,  James  T.  Case  O,  A.  B.  Way  R;  (15) 
No.  126,  D.  T.  Ogden  O,  H.  G.  White  R;  (16)  No.  125,  W.  O.  Perkins  O, 
A.  R.  Nettleton  R;  (17)  No.  130,  M.  H.  Smith  R,  Andrew  L.  Carlson  R, 
L.  Norton  R;   ri8)  No.  139,  F.  A.  Gates  O,  John  Walton  R. 


OR    "NEW    CAMBRIDGE."  187 

the  meeting-house;"  they  had  already  been  released  from  the  tremendous 
meeting-house  rate.  Thereafter,  the  relations  between  the  two  churches, 
were  friendly,  the  churchmen  still  acting  in  society  meeting  and  holding 
office  on  non-ecclesiastical  subjects;  in  1774  and  afterward  it  even  ap- 
pears that  the  society  appointed  collectors  for  each  body  of  believers, 
the  churchmen's  payments  going  to  their  rector  and  that  of  the  Congre- 
gationalists  to  Mr.  Newell;  so  that  the  society  seems' to  have  really 
acted  as  the  legal  ecclesiastical  organization  serving  both  churches. 

But  with  the  outbreak  of  the  Revolution  all  this  changed.  The 
natural  sympathies  of  the  churchmen,  who  deemed  themselves  under 
oppression  in  the  Congregational  colony,  and  looked  to  the  established 
church  of  England  as  their  mother  and  protector,  were  with  the  crown. 
Mr.  Nichols  was  an  ardent  loyalist,  and  nis  people  almost  unanimously 
followed  hi:n.  Chippin's  Hill,  where  most  of  them  lived,  became  a 
rendezvous  for  Tory  gatherings  from  all  over  the  state,  where  soldiers 
were  enlisted  for  King  George,  officers  appointed,  and  information  gath- 
ered to  be  sent  to  New  York.  Not  far  from  there  was  the  famous  "Tory" 
den,"  where  a  few  loyalists  whose  lives  were  not  safe  abroad,  lay  in 
concealment,  their  wives  bringing  them  food  at  night.* 

The  Congregationalists,  on  the  contrary,  with  Parson  Newell  at 
their  head,  were  stout  patriots. f  Naturally,  the  flames  of  hostility 
raged  against  the  church  that  was  deemed  the  hotbed  of  toryism. 

Let  me  read  an  extract  from  the  printed  state  records  of  1777, 
vol.  1,  page  259 :  "On  report  of  the  committee  appointed  by  this  Assembly 
to  take  into  consideration  the  subject  matter  of  the  memorial  of  Nathl 
Jones,  Simon  Tuttle,  Joel  Tuttle,  Nathaniel  Matthews,  John  Matthews, 
Riverus  Carrington,  Lemuel  Carrington,  Zerubbabel  Jerom  junr,  Chaun- 
cey  Jerom,  Ezra  Donner,  Nehemiah  Royce,  Abel  Royce,  George  Beck- 
with,  Abel  Frisbee,  Levi  Frisbey,  Jared  Peck,  and  Abraham  Waters, 
all  of  Farmington,  showing  that  they  are  imprisoned  on  suspicion  of 
being  inimical  to  America;  that  they  are  ready  and  willing  to  join  with 
their  country  and  to  do  their  utmost  for  its  defence ;  and  praying  to  be 
examined  and  set  at  liberty,  as  per  said  memorial  on  file,  reporting  that 
the  said  committee  caused  the  authority,  etc.,  of  Farmington  to  be 
duly  notifyed,  that  they  convened  the  memorialists  before  them  at  the 
house  of  Mr.  David  Bull  on  the  22d  of  instant  May  and  examined  them 
separately  touching  their  unfriendliness  to  the  American  States,  and 
heard  the  evidences  produced  by  the  parties;  that  they  found  said 
persons  were  committed  for  being  highly  inimical  to  the  United  States, 
and  for  refusing  to  act  in  defence  of  their  country;  that  on  examination 
it  appeared  that  they  had  been  much  under  the  influence  of  one  Nichols, 
a  designing  church  clergyman  who  had  instilled  into  them  principles 
opposite  to  the  good  of  the  States;  that  under  the  influence  of  such 
principles  they  had  pursued  a  course  of  conduct  tending  to  the  ruin 
of  the  countr}'  and  highly  displeasing  to  those  who  are  friends  to  the 
freedom  and  independence  of  the  United  States;  that  under  various 
pretenses  they  had  refused  to  go  in  the  expedition  to  Danbury;  that 
said  Nathaniel  Jones  and  Simon  Tuttle  have  as  they  suppose  each  of 
them  a  son  gone  over  to  the  enemy;  that  there  was,  however,  no  particu- 
lar positive  fact  that  sufficiently  appeared  to  have  been  committed  by 
them  of  an  atrocious  natvire  against  the  States,  and  that  they  were 
indeed  grossly  ignorant  of  the  true  grounds  of  the  present  war  with 
Great  Britain;  that  they  appeared  to  be  penitent  of  their  former  con- 
duct, professed  themselves  convinced  since  the  Danbury  alann  that 
there  was  no  such  thing  as  remaining  neuters;  that  the  destruction 
made  there  by  the  tories  was  matter  of  conviction  to  them ;  that  since 
their  imprisonment  upon  serious  reflexion  they  are  convinced  that 
the  States  are  right  in  their  claim,  and  that  it  is  their  duty  to  submit 


*  See  "Historical  Papers"  above  cited;  also,  "Moses  Dunbar,  Loyalist,"  by  Epaph- 
roditvis  Peck,  Ms.,  Bristol  Public  Library. 

t  See  his  patriotic  letter  in  the  Connecticut  Courant,  Jan.  2,  1775,  Conn.  Hist.  Soc. 
Library. 


188 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


(19)  No.  140, F.  C.  Wilcox  O,  (liO)  Xo.  14U,  H.  J.  Peck  R;  (21) 
No.  150.  Mrs.  A.  D.  Shiner  R;  (22)  No.  155,  M.  D.  Lardner  '>.•  (23)  Xo. 
162,  J.  H.  Dunning  R,  J.  C.  Carroll  R;  (24)  No.  165,  E.  F.  Hubbard  R: 
(25)  No.  171,  James  H.  Hoyt,  R,  C.  F.  Blanchard  R;  (26)  Xo.  170,  N.  P. 
Stedman    O;  (27)    Xo.    182,   James   Xicholas   R,   Rev.   Gustav  Gille   R; 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE."  189 

to  their  authority,  and  that  they  will  to  the  utmost  of  their  power  defend 
the  country  against  the  British  army;  and  that  the  said  committea 
thihk  it  advisable  that  the  said  persons  be  liberated  from  their  im- 
prisonment on  taking  an  oath  of  fidelity  to  the  United  States : — Resolved 
by  this  Assembly,  that  the  said  persons  be  liberated  from  their  impris- 
onment on  their  taking  an  oath  of  fidelity  to  this  State  and  paying 
costs,  taxed  at  ;^22  7  10;  and  the  keeper  of  the  goal  in  Hartford  is 
hereby  directed  to  liberate  said  persons  accordingly." 

Of  these  seventeen  names  I  can  identify  thirteen  names  as  members 
of  the  Episcopal  church  of  New  Cambridge,  and  two  others  as  having 
had  children  baptized  there;  and  Mr.  Nichols,  the  "designing  church 
clergyman,"  was  the  rector.  But  imprisonment  was  not  the  worst 
of  their  suffering.  The  Joel  Tuttle  there  mentioned  was  seized  by  a 
hand  of  over-zealous  patriots,  and  hanged  on  the  green  east  of  this 
building,  near  the  whipping-post;  one  of  the  party,  seized  by  remorse 
or  fear,  returned  and  cut  him  down,  and  he  revived;  (^hauncey  Jerome 
narrowly  escaped  whipping;  Mr.  Nichols  is  said  to  have  been  tarred 
and  feathered,*  and  was  indicted  for  treason  before  the  Superior  Court 
at  Hartford  in  January,  1777,  but  escaped  conviction  ;t  and  Moses 
Dunbar,  who  was  tried  and  convicted,  and  hanged  for  treason  in  March 
of  the  same  3^ear,  was  a  brother-in-law  of  the  two  Jeromes,  and  four 
of  his  children  were  baptized  in  the  New  Cambridge  church.  Dunbar 
had  been  a  resident  of  Waterbury;  after  his  marriage  to  Phebe  Jerom.e 
he  lived  in  a  house  north  of  the  South  Chippen's  Hill  schoolhouse,  east 
of  the  highway.  He  was  the  only  tory  hanged  in  Connecticut  for  trea- 
son. His  dying  statement  and  last  message  to  his  children,  printed 
in  the  recent  history  of  Waterbury,  show  him  to  have  been  a  man  of 
character,  conscientious  in  his  loyalist  views,  tender  to  his  family,  and 
of  Christian  spirit. t 

Church  services  were  entirely  discontinued  here,  and  we  may  well 
believe  the  little  church  to  have  been  the  target  of  many  bitter  curses, 
and  of  more  material  missiles.  After  the  storni  of  the  war  was  over 
the  little  parish  gathered  itself  together  again,  but  the  church  appears 
to  have  been  unfit  for  use.  Occasional  meetings  were  held  in  private 
houses  for  a  time.  In  1784,  they  voted,  "that  we  are  willing  to  meet 
again  in  the  church  which  haith  lain  desolate  for  some  tim.e  on  account 
of  the  persecution  of  the  tiines,  and  voted  that  we  would  repair  the 
church  house."  But  the  load  was  too  great  for  the  weakened  conapany 
to  carry.  In  1792  they  united  with  the  Episcopalians  of  Harwinton 
and  Plymouth  to  establish  the  little  church,  midway  between  the  three 
towns,  which  is  now  known  as  East  Church;  and  Episcopacy  ceased  to 
exist  here  until  Trinity  Church  was  organized  in  1834. 

The  record  of  this  early  Episcopal  church  was  some  twenty  years 
ago  in  existence  in  East  Plymouth,  bearing  on  the  cover  the  significant 
motto,  "Fear  God  and  Honor  the  King,"  but  it  has  since  dissappeared. 
By  good  fortune  an  authentic  copy  is  in  existence,  and  has  just  come 
into  the  possession  of  the  Bristol  Public  Library.  The  church  building 
was  sold  to  Abel  Lewis,  who  used  it  many  years  as  a  barn;  and  the 
arched  windows  were  until  a  few  years  ago  in  the  gambrel-roofed  house 
which  stood  near  the  site  of  the  Swedish  Lutheran  church.  The  church- 
yard, in  the  rear  of  the  schoolhouse,  had  long  lain  neglected,  until  by 
the  public  spirit  of  one  of  my  auditors,*  it  has  very  lately  been  cleared 
of  weeds  and  rubbish,  and  the  gravestones  put  in  order.  A  boulder  has 
also  been  set  to  mark  the  site  of  the  church  building,  on  which  an  in- 
scription is  shortly  to  be  cut.  Five  of  the  nine  original  seceders  from 
the  Congregational  church  lie  buried  in  that  yard;  and  three  of  them 
are  among  those  whose  imprisonment  I  have  spoken  of. 

The  early  history  of  this  church  is  the  part  in  which  I  have  thought 
you  would  be  chiefly  interested,  and  I  shall  only  very  briefly  touch  upon 
the  later  history.      Mr.  Newell's  successor.  Rev.  Giles  H.  Cowles,  was  a 

*  "Historical  Papers,"  as  cited  before, 
t  Conn.  Courant,  Jan.  27,  1777. 

t  For  a  full  account  of  him,  see  "Moses  Dunbar,  Loyalist,"  above  cited. 

*  Mr.  George  Dudley  Seymour. 


190 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


A    PEACEABLE     STREET    CORNFIELD. 

Corn  from  seventeen  to  nineteen  feet  high. 


'cuss    gutter"    CULVERT — ICE     EEFECT. 

Photo  by  F.  W.  Giddings. 


OR    "NEW    CAMBRIDGE."  191 

man  of,  very  similar  views  and  character  to  his  own.  He  says  of  his  own 
settlement  that  "there  was  a  considerable  opposition,  chiefly  thro  a 
dislike  of  Calvinistic  doctrines;"  his  ordination  sermon  was  preached 
by  the  great  Jonathan  Edwards.  His  ministry  seems  to  have  been 
eminently  successful,  marked  by  notable  revivals,  and  he  parted  from 
the  people  bearing  their  warmest  regard. 

Rev.  Jonathan  Cone,  the  next  pastor,  was  a  man  of  great  eloquence, 
the  early  part  of  whose  ministry  was  singularly  successful.  But  the 
latter  part  of  it  was  clouded  by  persistent  rumors  and  attacks  affecting 
his  personal  character.  Mr.  Cone  vigorously  defended  himself,  and 
wielded  the  rod  of  church  discipline  unsparingly;  but  the  result  was 
most  unhappy  for  the  church.  Four  brief  pastorates  followed,  those  of 
Messrs.  Leavenworth,  Parmalee,  Seeley  and  Goodrich;  the  church  had 
never  fully  recovered  a  normal  state  of  Christian  harmony,  and  the 
Taylor-Tyler  theological  controversy  of  the  time  assisted  to  keep  the 
breach  of  factional  division  open.  So  far  did  this  contentious  spirit 
go  that  Rev.  Abner  J.  Leavenworth  Avas  at  one  time  shut  out  from  his 
pulpit  by  the  nailing  up  of  the  door.  Mr.  Leavenworth  had  just  been 
married,  and  his  bride  was  present  in  church  for  the  first  time. 

The  grdat  work  which  Dr.  Leverett  Griggs,  eighth  pastor,  did  for  this 
church  was  by  his  genial  and  cordial  temperament,  and  the  spirit  of 
fellowship  and  Christian  fraternity  which  so  marked  him,  to  bring  the 
church  to  a  harn-ionious  and  vmited  spirit  again.  His  ministry  of  fourteen 
years,  followed  by  his  twelve  years  of  residence  here  after  his  retirement 
from  active  work,  entitled  him  to  be  mentioned  in  that  culmination  of 
the  beatitudes:  Blessed  are  the  peacemakers,  for  they  shall  be  called 
the  sons  of  God.  He  is  the  only  pastor  of  this  church  except  Parson 
Newell  who  is  buried  in  Bristol. 

The  latter  pastorates  of  Rev.  Messrs.  William  W.  Belden,  Henry 
T.  Staats,  Asher  Anderson,  Wilham  H.  Belden,  whose  work  ended  so 
tragically,  and  Thomas  M.  Miles,  are  too  recent  to  fall  within  the  scope 
of  history.     They  are  matters  of  familiar  memory  and  knowledge. 

The  early  Puritan  churches  had  a  double  pastorate,  one  minister 
officiating  as  pastor,  and  the  other  as  teacher.  In  later  days,  the  preach- 
ing of  the  sennons  and  the  doing  of  pastoral  work  seem  to  have  crowded 
out  the  teaching  function  with  which  they  had  been  joined.  In  our 
century  that  office  of  the  church  has  been  revived  by  the  Sunday  school 
department  of  its  work.  Sunday  schools  began  to  be  founded  in  this 
country  about  1S15,  an  adaptation  to  American  needs  of  what  in  England 
had  been  a  charitable  work,  and  had  borne  the  name  of  "ragged  school" 
work. 

In  1818,  under  the  ministry  of  Mr.  Cone,  this  church  fonned  its 
first  Sunday  school.  On  September  13  of  that  year,  after  a  general 
invitation  to  scholars,  and  a  call  for  volunteers  as  teachers,  ninety-six 
scholars  and  seven  teachers  were  enrolled  as  a  Sunday  school.  Of 
course  the  institution  was  in  its  infancy.  The  course  during  that  year 
consisted  of  a  "temi"  of  eight  Sundays  only,  and  the  principal  work 
was  the  memorizing  of  verses  of  the  Bibje,  and  of  the  Catechism.  At 
the  end  of  the  tenn  prizes  were  given  to  the  scholars  who  had  recited 
from  memory  the  greatest  number  of  verses  and  answers.  Of  that  first 
Sunday's  enrollment,  Henry  W.  Sage,  who  died  recently  in  Ithaca,  N.  Y., 
was  the  last  known  survivor.  The  enrollment  of  1819  included  the 
names  of  Edwin  S.  Lewis  and  of  Xancy  Hooker  (now  Mrs.  Hill),  who 
are  still  living,  and  connected  with  this  church. 

Jonathan  Cone  was  the  first  superintendent.  Aniong  those  who 
have  done  notable  service  in  this  office  have  been  Deacon  William  Day, 
Henry  Beckwith,  Esci.,  and  Deacon  Harry  S.  Bartholomew,  who  served 
twentA^-five  years  continuously,  and  for  a  single  year  afterward. 

•  The  other  great  department  of  the  modern  church,  the  Society  of 
Christian  Endeavor,  was  organized  here  in  1886,  by  Rev.  Mr.  Anderson. 

The  church  now  has  an  enrolled  and  recognized  membership  of 
six  hundred  and  one,  the  membership  of  the  Sunday  school  is  two  hun- 


192  BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


Rev.  Calvin  B.  Moody 

dred  arid  ninetj'-six,  with  a  home  department  of  ninet)%  that  of  the  Society 
of  Christian  Endeavor  one  hundred  and  four,  and  that  of  its  junior 
branch  thirty-seven.  The  ladies'  societies  also  carry  on  the  work  of 
contributing  their  money  and  labor  to  the  home  and  foreign  mission 
work  of  the  church. 

During  the  last  ten  years,  the  contributions  of  this  church  to  benev- 
olent and  mission  work  have  been  $24,694.75;  its  expenditures  in  its 
own  work  about  $45,000. 

So  I  have  tried  to  bring  before  your  imagination  the  church  of 
your  fathers.  As  these  one  hundred  and  fifty  years  have  passed,  how 
all  its  surroundings  have  changed!  Instead  of  the  wide-stretching 
farms  and  forests  is  a  busy,  modern,  manufacturing  town;  instead  of 
the  population  of  grave  Puritan  Englishmen,  men  of  many  languages 
and  faiths  fill  our  streets;  instead  of  the  ox-cart  and  the  saddle  and 
pillion,  the  electric  car  and  the  bicycle  carry  us;  instead  of  a  feeble  colony 
of  King  George,  we  are  citizens  of  a  democratic  republic,  having  twice 
the  population  of  England  herself;  but  the  flame  kindled  here  that 
August  day  on  God's  altar  is  burning  still  with  steady  and  unaltered 
light. 

The  picture  of  the  past  geems  strange  and  quaint,  the  language  of 
the  old  records  provokes  a  smile,  if  we  could  be  sat  down  in  Parson 
Newe's  church,  it  would  seem  more  foreign  to  us  than  anything  we  can 
find  in  foreign  travel,  and  yet  I  am  persuaded  that  in  the.  altered  body 
there  is  the  same  spirit.  Just  as  President  Washington  and  his  three 
million  followers,  in  the  difficulties  which  encompassed  the  infant  nation 
in  1789,  were  working  under  the  same  constitution,  to  uphold  the  same 
union,  and  preserve  the  same  principles  of  democratic  liberty  which  his 
successor  of  today,  leader  of  seventy  millions  American  citizens,  is  sworn 
to  maintain,  so  our  ancestors,  strong  and  sturdy  founders  of  institutions, 
had  the  same  written  guide,  the  Word  of  God,  the  same  union,  the  Church 
of  God,  and  the  same  eternal  gospel  of  God's  Ipve  and  man's  redemption, 
which  form  the  foundation,  and  structure,  and  inspiration,  of  the  Christian 
church  today. 

The  present  successful  pastorate  of  the  Rev.  Calvin  B.  Moody  com- 
menced September  1,  1903.   and  continues  at  the  present. 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE."  193 


jUxe  Founders  and  their  riomes 

Or  a  Century  Sketch  or  tne  Early  Bristol    Families, 

1663  to  1763 

Address  at  the   One    Hundred   and  Fiftieth  Anniversary  of  the 
First  Congregational   Church,  October  12,   1897. 

By  Mary  P.  Root. 

IF  ANY  explanation  is  needed  for  the  presentation  of  this  subject 
today,  our  explanation  is  that  in  the  organization  of  every  church 
the  home  conies  first.  In  the  history  of  the  race,  the  home  in  Eden 
preceded,  by  many  centuries,  the  building  of  a  church.  The  church 
existed  in  the  heart  of  the  individual,  and  on  the  hearthstone  of  the 
home.  With  the  coming  of  the  first  Christian  family  into  this  wilderness, 
came  also  the  Christian  church.  And,  like  impartial  historians,  we  wish 
to  present  to  you  today  both  sides  of  the  story. 

THE    COMING    OF    THE    WHITE    MAN. 

We  are  acciistomed  to  date  our  town's  origin  with  the  first  church 
organization  (1747),  with  the  first  settler's  arrival  (1727),  or  with  the 
earliest  layout  of  the  land  (1721). 

But  when  did  the  eyes  of  an  Englishman  first  behold  these  hills? 
Certainly  as  early  as  1663,  when  "three  men  strayed  away  into  that 
portion  of  Farmington  called  Poland  *  *  and  *  *  selected  lands 
to  be  laid  out  to  them ;"   Richard  Brownson,  Thomas  Barnes  and  another.* 

Thus  this  section  already  had  a  name  in  1663,  first  written  poleland 
a  name  given  it  by  Farmington  coopers  who  came  here  for  hoop  poles. 
When  then  did  the  white  man  first  set  foot  in  Bristol?* 

Six  years  earlier  lead  had  been  discovered  in  the  hills  west  of  Farm- 
ington. A  rush  for  the  lead  mines  followed.  It  was  the  Klondike  of 
1657.  A  result  of  this  discovery  was  the  founding  of  Waterbury,  thir- 
teen years  later,  by  twenty-six  Farmington  men,  who  had  been  going 
back  and  forth  along  the  Indian  trails  through  Poland.  Previous  to 
the  founding  of  Waterbury,  the  "long  lots"  of  Poland  had  been  taken 
up  by  the  future  Waterbury  settlers:  Thomas  Newell,  Abraham  Brown- 
son,  Richard  Seymour,  Obadiah  Richards,  Thomas  Barnes  and  others.* 

Lastly,  in  proof  that  the  white  man's  visit  here  was  seventy  years 
earlier  than  the  settlement,  is  the  record  that,  in  1686,  there  were  already 
three  roads  between  Fannington  and  Waterbury,  one  of  which,  believed 
to  be  the  earliest,  caine  over  Fall  Mountain.* 

Then  (1686)  an  event  occurred  which  settled  the  destiny  of  Poland 
(Bristol).  Sir  Edmund  Andros,  that  usurper  of  New  England  charters, 
was  doing  his  utmost  to  get  control  of  Connecticut.  "The  priceless 
charter  was  in  danger."  The  freemen,  by  order  of  the  court,  assembled 
for  public  humiliation  and  prayer,  and  the  asseinbly  was  in  special 
session.  Behind  closed  doors,  the  assembly  transacted  important 
business.  The  Charter,  which  gave  authority  to  the  colony  to  dispose 
of  its  land,  was  still  in  their  possession.  There  were  valuable  lands  in 
the  north  and  west  which  there  was  yet  time  to  save,  in  case  Sir  Edmund 
got  the  charter.  The  court,  therefore,  assigned  all  the  unclaimed  land 
in  the  colony,  that  portion  included  in  the  town  of  Farmington  being 
assigned  to  the  taxpayers  of  the  town,  and  it  was  not  deemed  necessary 


*    The  Town  and  City  of  Waterbury." — Miss  Sarah  F.  PritL-hard's  Chapters. 


194 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


PEACEABLE  ST. 


:-.  O)  E.  A.  Mathews  O;  (2)  G.  W.  Atwood  O;  (3)  D.  Larson  O;  (4) 
J.  Dube  R,  formerly  the  Lemrel  Peck  afterwards  Geo.  Atwood  Place; 
(5)  Sylvester  Ladd  O;  (6)  I.  Giles  O;  (7)  Ed.  Thomas  O,  Mrs.  J.  A.  Clapp 
7^  (The  Ed  Barnes  Place);  (8)  Wm.  Thomas  O;  (9)  John  A.  Anderson  O 
(the  Deacon  Chas.  Ives  Place). 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE."  195 

to  make  a  minute  in  the  public  records  of  this  transaction,  nor  to  give 
reasons  for  this  wholesale  transfer  of  land.f 

Years  afterwards,  it  became  difficult  to  settle  estates,  owing  to 
uncertain  titles  to  lands  in  this  section,  and,  in  1721,  by  order  of  the 
general  court  assignments  to  individuals  were  made  of  the  land  here, 
in  accordance  wtth  the  act  of  1686. 

The  original  assignees  were  dead.  Their  heirs  to  the  property  here 
found  a  tract  of  land  nearly  five  miles  square,  divided  into  live  tiers  of 
lots,  with  four  parallel  highways  running  from  north  to  south.  The 
lots  were  a  mile  long,  the  width  depending  on  each  man's  taxable  property 
in  Farmington. 

The  largest  grants  to  families  whose  names  appear  in  Bristol  history 
(the  order  being  according  to  the  size  of  the  tract)  were  to  the  Brownsons, 
Harts,  Judds,  Roots,  Steeles,  Barnes,  Thompsons,  Nortons,  Gridleys, 
Lees,  Hooker,  Lewis,  Seymour,  Newell,  Richards. 

All  the  land  was  assigned  to  the  forty-nine  original  proprietors,  a 
reservation  of  thirty  acres  being  made  for  the  Indians,  Bohemia  and 
Poland. 

In  connection  with  this  land  grant  of  16S6,  there  are  several  inter- 
esting items.  The  largest  tract  was  a  mile  square,  lying  in  central  and 
east  Forestville,  and  was  assigned  to  four  men,  two  of  whom  bear  Bristol 
names.  Captain  Lewis  and  John  Norton. 

The  smallest  lots  were  of  peculiar  shape,  being  a  mile  in  length  by 
nine  rods  wide.  Benoni  and  Samuel  Steele  of  Hartford,  sons  of  John 
Steele,  owned  lots  here  of  this  size. 

The  Brownson  family  (seven)  owned  nearly  two  sc[uare  miles. 
The  Hart  family  (four)  and  John  Root,  Sr.,  owned  each  one  and  one 
half  square  miles.  The  Barneses,  Nortons,  Gridleys  and  Lees  each  about 
one  half  square  mile.  Mr.  Hayens  and  Mr.  Wyllys,  sons  of  the  early 
governors,  and  residents  of  Hartford,  owned  lots  on  West  street,  Mr. 
Haynes  being  especially  fortunate  in  his  assignment,  which  lay  in  the 
corner  between  Divinity  and  West  streets,  including  the  present  fair 
grounds,  the  Pequabuck  flowing  through  it. 

Mr.  Samuel  Hooker,  the  minister  in  Farmington,  owned  a  lot  on 
the  present  line  of  Burlington,  then  the  center  of  the  entire  tract. 

Thomas  Barnes  owned  a  half  square  mile,  and  the  Widow  Orvice 
three  small  lots',  the  only  woman  land  owner  here,  whose  descendants 
appear  in  the  persons  of  Ebenezer  Barnes  and  his  wife,  Deborah  Orvice.* 

THE    SETTLEMENT. 

Two  generations  passed  away  after  the  original  grant  before  a 
settlement  was  made.  In  the  meantime,  Farmington  youth,  led  by  the 
Indian  trail  along  the  Pequabuck,  came  hither  to  inspect  their  possessions. 
And  events  proved  that  these  hills  possessed  the  same  attractions  for 
Ebenezer  Barnes  and  Daniel  Brownson  that  they  had  had  for  Thomas 
Barnes  and  Richard  Brownson  sixty-four  years  earlier. 

The  years  1726-7  witnessed  their  arrival,  and  the  building  of  two 
houses,  of  which  only  one  remained,  Daniel  Brownson  having  soon 
withdrawn.  On  the  eastern  slope  of  the  nearest  hills,  at  the  opening 
of  the  range  where  the  Pequabuck  flows,  Ebenezer  Barnes  built  his 
home,  a  clearing  in  the  forest,  smoke  rising  from  a  solitary  chimney, 
the  beginning  of  a  town. 

Other  settlers  came,  and  along  the  base  of  the  same  hills,  other 
homes  were  built,  connected  by  a  footpath,  which  determined  the  loca- 
tion of  our  earliest  residence  street,  called  by  the  settlers  the  Queen's 
Road. 

John  Brown's  house  stood  on  the  hill  north  of  Ebenezer  Barnes's 
house,  Caleb  Abernathy's  next,  and  above  it  Nathaniel  Messenger's, 
all  on  the  east  side.  On  the  west  side  were  the  homes  of  Ebenezer 
Hamblin  and  Nehemiah  Manross,*  houses  rude  in  structure,   dwellings 

t  "Two    Hundredth    Anniversary    Farmington    Church." — Noah    Porter,  also    "The 
Town  and  City  of  Waterbury." 

*  Roswell  Atkins'  Chart.     Page  21. 

*  Manual  Congregational  Church,  Bristol. 


196 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


of  logs,  perhaps,  giving  place  soon  to  dwellings  of  frame.  Would  that 
we  possessed  the  simplest  sketch  of  those  early  homes  on  the  Queen's 
Road,  of  which  only  Ebenezer  Barnes's  house  has  survived  through  a 
•century  and  three  quarters  of  time. 

The  Queen's  Road!  Truly  it  reminds  us  that  the  founders  of  Bristol 
were  English  subjects  and  that  George  II.  and  Queen  Caroline  were 
sovereign  here  as  well  as  in  the  British  Isles. 

If  we  cannot  gain  access  to  their  court  where  assemble  Alexander 
Pope,  Dean  Swift,  and  Lord  Chesterfield,  let  us  get  a  glimpse  of  their 
majesties  as  they  pass  along  in  the  procession  of  history.  Prince  George 
was  a  "choleric  little  prince"  who  used  to  "shake  his  fist  in  the  faces  of 
his  father's  courtiers,"  and  called  everyone  thief  and  liar  with  whom  he 
differed. 

In  the  year  1727,  on  the  death  of  the  king,  when  Walpole  came  to 
announce  the  news  to  the  prince,  and  to  proclaim  him  King  of  England, 
Prince  George,  having  never  lost  his  German  accent,  and  being  awakened 
from  his  afternoon  nap,  roared  out,  "Dat  is  one  big  lie;"  the  first  utterance 
of  his  majesty,  George  II. 

His  wife  was  Caroline  of  Anspach,  a  princess  remarkable  for  her 
beauty,  her  cleverness,  her  learning,  her  good  temper.  Thej'  ascended 
the  English  throne  June  14,  1727,  the  same  time  that  the  first  settler 
took  up  his  residence  here,  a  coincidence  which  gives  a  special  appro- 
priateness to  the  name  of  the  first  residence  street. 

FALL  MOUNTAIN  SETTLERS. 

MOSES    LYMAN. 

Having  visited  the  houses  on  the  Queen's  Road,  let  vis  learn  the 
meaning  of  the  smoke  rising  from  the  wooded  side  of  the  mountain.  Is 
it  from  an  Indian  wigw^am?  Or  has  the  white  man  set  up  a  home  in  the 
heart  of  the  Indian  hunting  ground? 

From  the  Queen's  Road  the  Indian  trail  follows  the  river  westward, 
and  creeps  on  over  the  mountain  to  Waterbury.  Half  way  up  is  the 
ample   home   of   Moses   Lyman,   who   came   from   Wallingford   in    1736, 


THE    CIDEON    ROBERTS    HOUSE,    BUILT    BY    MOSES    LYM.W,     17o6. 


NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


197 


PEACEABLE  S"f 


(10)  G.  F.  Unefeld  O;  (11)  The  Baldwin  Place  (now  owned  by  L. 
L.  Gaylord);  (12)  Mrs.  E.  F.  Gaylord  O  (the  Luther  Tuttle  Place);  (13) 
E.  F.  Gaylord  O;  (14)  Chas.  E.  Gaylord  O;  (16)  Henry  E.  Loveland  O; 
(IG)  S.  E.  Scoville  R;  (17)    Amos    Beauty    R;     (IS)  S.  D.  Newell  O. 


198  BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 

and  built  a  house  which  stands  today,  a  monument  to  the  substantial 
worth  of  this  early  householder,  the  second  oldest  house  in  town.  Here 
he  lived  for  years,  with  no  sign  by  day  or  night  to  remind  hiin  of  his 
nearest  neighbor.  The  eastern  hills  hid  the  smoke  from  the  chimneys 
on  the  Queen's  Road,  and  the  dense  forests  hid  the  lights  of  those  who 
settled  later  on  Fall  Mountain  and  Chippin's  Hill. 

THE    GAYLORDS. 

The  nearest  neighbors  of  Moses  Lyman  were  Gaylord  families,  whose 
arrival,  next  in  order,  is  of  importance  because  of  their  numbers,  influence 
and  service.  There  were  five  men  with  their  families,  four  of  whom 
were  brothers,  Samuel,  Edward,  Benjamin,  and  Joseph,  and  their  double 
cousin  David,  all  of  whom  came  from  Wallingford.  The  cousins  Joseph 
and  David  were  young  men  of  twenty-two  and  came  first.  The  oldest 
brothers,  Samuel  and  Edward,  were  appointed  to  many  positions  of 
responsibility,  and  later  became  prominent  in  military  affairs.  Speaking 
in  the  language  of  royalty,  the  Gaylords  inade  strong  alliances  here,  and 
were  connected  by  marriage  with  all  the  reigning  families  in  the  settle- 
ment. Joseph's  wife  was  Elizabeth  Rich,  whom  he  married  in  the  year 
of  his  arrival  here.  His  eldest  sister  Mar}^  married  John  Hickox,  the 
first  treasurer  of  the  society.  Thankful,  another  sister,  was  the  wife  of 
Hezekiah  Rew,  our  first  deacon.  David's  sister  Mary  married  Stephen 
Barnes,  the  other  deacon  of  the  early  church.  Lois  Gaylord  was  the 
wife  of  Caleb  Abernathy.  With  the  Gaylord  brothers  for  society  mod- 
erators, with  three  deacons  and  two  officers  of  the  militia,  it  is  evident 
that  the  Gaylord  family  had  a  strong  hold  on  public  affairs.* 

COLONIAL    ROADS. 

The  origin  of  the  colonial  roads  in  Bistol,  and  their  development 
into  the  turnpikes  of  a  century  ago  and  into  the  roads  of  today,  is  a  chap- 
ter by  itself,  and  too  long  to  be  given  here. 

There  are  several  in  our  town,  forgotten  passageways  of  those 
early  days,  the  most  important  of  which  is  the  colonial  road  to  Farm- 
ington.  It  followed  an  old  Indian  trail  of  the  Tunxis  tribe,  from  their 
village  there  on  the  river  to  their  hvmting  grounds  here,  and  into  the 
domain  of  the  Indian  Cochipianee  on  the  Hill. 

This  first  colonial  road  can  be  traced  several  miles  both  east  and 
west  from  the  north  cemetery,  which  originally  occupied  a  portion  of  it 
and  which  is  still  bounded  by  it  on  the  north. 

In  a  line  due  east  from  Lewis  street  is  a  stone  wall  which  lies  in  the 
center  of  the  colonial  road.  When  the  turnpike  was  built  in  1806,  it 
became  necessary  often  to  place  obstrvtctions  of  this  sort  in  the  old  road, 
to  force  the  traveler  to  use  the  turnpike  and  to  pay  toll  therefor.  Another 
obstruction  on  the  Lewis  property  was  the  flax  patch,  which  long  ago 
obliterated  one  portion  of  the  old  road. 

In  the  lots  east  of  the  stone  wall,  smooth  rocks  worn  by  the  wheels 
of  a  century  and  a  half  ago,  and  depressions  in  the  surface  of  the  ground, 
guide  us  in  the  path  of  the  colonial  road  into  the  woods  beyond,  known 
as  "Poker  Hole,"  and  here  the  roadbed  is  easily  recognized. 

Taking  another  start,  west  from  the  cemetery,  we  see  a  grass  grow^n 
path  near  the  bridge  at  Rock  Cut,  in  a  line  with  the  street  beyond  the 
bridge,  which,  like  Lewis  street,  is  identical  with  the  old  road. 

Farther  on,  it  is  lost  under  the  curve  of  the  railroad  embankment, 
but  is  found  again  in  the  woods  west  of  the  tracks.  From  here,  it  passes 
on  through  the  Hoppers,  and  leads  up  the  hill,  coming  out  at  the  South 
Chippin's  Hill  schoolhouse,  beyond  which  it  is  plainly  seen  in  the  lots  of 
the  place  known  as  the  Candee  farm. 

That"  portion  of  it  which  lies  in  the  Hoppers  is  a  good  specimen,  of 
the  old  colonial  road,  and  should  be  guarded  by  our  historical  societies 
as  an  interesting  relic  of  the  two  earliest  epochs  in  our  history,  the  Indian 
and  the  Colonial. 


*Ms.  notes  of  James  Shepard. 


OR        NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


199 


PEACEABLE  ST 


(19)  W.  F.  Duncan  O;  (20)  Mrs.  Mary  August  R;  (21)  C.  B.  Brockett 
O  (The  Ransley  Upson  Place);  (22)  Geo.  Manchester  O;  (2.3)  Robt. 
Manchester  O;  (24)  E.  Manchester  O;  (25)  Chas.  Gastafson  O  (the  Chas. 
Hines  Place;   (26)  R.  W.  Williams   O;   (27)  Geo.  H.  Turner  R. 


200  bristol,  connecticut 

chippin's  hill  families. 
For  the  extension  of  the  Farmington  road  to  Chippin's  Hill,  we  are 
indebted  to  two  famihes  by  the  name  of  Matthews  and  Brooks,  who 
came  between  1742  and  1747,  and  were  soon  joined  by  other  families 
of  the  same  names.  They  located  at  the  top  of  the  hill  once  owned  by 
Cochipianee,  and  which  commanded  a  magnificent  view  of  the  whole 
parish  of  New  Cambridge  and  the  valley  of  the  Tunxis.  The  Chippin's 
Hill  families  took  an  active  part  for  a  few  years  in  church  affairs,  but 
were  strongly  opposed  to  Mr.  Newel] 's  settlement,  and  in  July,  1747, 
when  the  majority  voted  to  call  Mr.  Newell,  the  minority,  headed  by 
Caleb  Matthews  and  the  Brookses,  withdrew,  and  publicly  declared 
themselves  inembers  of  the  Church  of  England. 

.   t:he  founders. 

Having  established  the  founders  and  their  families  in  homes,  let 
us  observe  the  men  who  laid  the  foundations  of  this  early  church.  The 
leaders  in  the  movement  which  resulted  in  the  establishment  of  the 
Parish  of  New  Cambridge,  were  Ebenezer  Barnes,  Nehemiah  Manross, 
Moses  Lyman,  and  Edward  Gay  lord. 

EBENEZER    BARNES. 

Ebenezer  Barnes  was  born  in  Farmington  and  married,  in  1699, 
Deborah  Orvice.  He  was  nearly  fifty  years  old  when  he  left  Farmington 
for  the  hardships  of  a  pioneer  life.  His  family  consisted  of  fifteen  children, 
ten  sons  and  five  daughters,  twelve  of  whom  were  born  in  Farmington. 

For  fifteen  years,  through  summer  heat  and  winter  snows,  he  had 
taken  his  family  to  the  meeting  house  nine  miles  distant,  when  he  headed 
the  memorial  which  obtained  for  himself  and  neighbors  the  privileges 
of  a  winter  parish.  He  was  approaching  his  seventies  when  he  urged, 
with  others,  the  establishment  of  a  minister.  In  1746,  one  year  previous 
to  the  settlement  of  a  pastor,  his  name  appears  for  the  last  time  when 
Ebenezer  Barnes  is  appointed  to  lead  in  divine  service. 

MOSES    LYMAN. 

Moses  Lyman  was  the  first  clerk  of  this  society.  On  the  coarse 
pages,  stained  with  age,  of  the  old  church  book,  we  can  read  the  character 
of  the  man  in  the  records  he  kept;  we  can  judge  him  by  the  house  he 
built,  and  by  the  part  he  took  in  the  establishment  of  the  parish.  He 
served  as  scribe,  moderator,  on  the  society's  committee,  as  agent  to 
the  town,  and  to  the  General  Assembly.  On  November  10,  1745,  when 
an  important  church  meeting  was  held  in  his  own  house,  where  thirty 
voters  were  present,  certain  measures  were  adopted  which  led  a  minority 
of  six  headed  by  Moses  Lyman  to  protest  against  the  management  of 
the  meeting.  Two  adjourned  meetings  were  held,  and  it  was  finally 
arranged  that  the  differences  should  be  settled  by  a  council.  For  several 
years,  he  had  acted  as  chorister  in  the  church,  but,  after  Mr.  Newell 
came,  he  took  no  part  in  society  affairs.  Some  time  later,  he  moved 
away.  In  the  cemetery  of  Goshen,  Conn.,  is  a  monument  bearing  this 
inscription : 

Moses  Lyman,  Esq., 
Who  died  Jan.  6,  1768. 
In  the  55th  yr.  of  his  age, 
Lyman,  so  famed,  so  meek,  so  just,  so  wise. 
He  sleeps  in  hope.     Then  cease  from  tears, 
When  Christ  appears  his  dust  shall  rise. 

NEHEMIAH    MANROSS. 

Nehemiah  Manross  arrived  soon  after  Ebenezer  Barnes.  His 
house  was  the  second  to  go  up  on  the  Queen's  Road.  He  came  from 
Lebanon,  Conn.,  the  home  of  Jonathan  Trumbull,  who  was  perhaps 
his  schoolfellow.  At  the  second  society  meeting,  Nehemiah  Manross 
was  chosen  moderator,  and  seems  to  have  been  the  most  acceptable 
(and  perhaps  the  most  able)  of  any  who  filled  the  chair.  During  a  period 
of  twelve  years,  he  was  in  continual  service,  adjusting  the  public  accounts, 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE.' 


201 


PEACEABLE  ^ST 


(28)  Albert  Hipler  R,  Wm.  Blum  R;  (29)  Capt.  Ernest  E.  Merrill  O; 
(30)  Joseph  Blum  O;  (31)  R.  Bachman  O;  (32)  Jacob  Molson  O;  (33) 
Jacob  Gush  (34)  Pius  Schtissler  O;  (35)  Jos.  Ehlert  O;  (36)  B.  Kather  0. 


202 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


JOSIAH    LEWIS  S    HOUSE,    ON    LEWIS    CORNER. 

Built  1766. 


contracting  for  the  erection  of  a  meeting-house;  and  in  1754,  when  it 
was  voted  "that  we  take  up  the  two  'pilar  pews'  and  make  three  seats 
in  their  room,"  Nehemiah  Manross  was  appointed  to  see  that  the  work 
was  done.  With  this  he  disappears  from  the  scene.  Tradition  has 
kept  alive  the  following  explanation  of  his  mysterious  disappearance; 
one  morning  he  left  his  home,  according  to  his  custom,  on  horseback 
for  Hartford,  and  was  never  again  seen.  No  trace  of  him  could  be 
found.  His  family  believed  that  he  had  been  attacked  by  the  Indians, 
robbed  and  killed. 

JOSIAH     LEWIS. 

Among  the  last  to  arrive,  in  the  period  preceding  the  founding  of 
a  church,  was  Josiah  Lewis.  He  came  from  Southington,  and  tradition 
says  he  was  a  week  on  the  way,  cutting  a  passage  through  the  forest  for 
himself  and  family,  which  consisted  of  twelve  children.  Nine  sons  grew 
up  and  married,  to  each  of  whom  he  gave  a  fann  of  a  hundred  acres, 
a  house,  a  barn,  a  cow,  a  hive  of  bees,  and  a  Waterbury  sweet  apple 
tree.  Five  of  these  houses,  including  his  own,  were  built  on  the  Fanning- 
ton  road,  three  near  the  cemetery  and  two  beyond  the  woods  of  Poker 
Hole.  Four  of  the  Lewis  houses  are  still  standing,  built  much  after 
the  same  plan,  all  large,  spacious  houses,  such  as  those  early  settlers 
used  to  build,  when  the  heating  of  a  house  was  not  an  important  item 
in  the  yearly  expenses.  They  were  built  before  the  Revolution  and 
for  years  formed  an  uninterrupted  row  of  Lewis  possessions. 

THE    DEACONS. 

Active  in  the  spiritual  life  of  the  church  during  the  first  period  were 
Hezekiah  Rew  and  David  Gaylord,  both  of  whom,  in  1747,  were  appointed 
deacons. 

David  Gaylord  was  thirty-one  years  old,  and  served  twenty-eight 
years,  outliving  his  brother  in  office  and  two  successors  and  serving  ten 
years  with  the  thirds 

His  home  was  an  isolated  one,   built   in  the  clearing  on  the  slope 


OR        NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


203 


PEACEABI 


(37)  August  Mann  R;  (38)  Adam  Budosky  R,  Frank  Sinks  R;  (39) 
Fred  Bush  R;  (40)  Adolph  Sonstrom  O;  (41)  E.  A.  Conlon  O;  (42) 
John  J.  Brennan  R,  John  Johnson  R;  (43)  J.  J.  Sullivan  R,  Arthur 
Wieonnet  R;  (44)  Mrs.  Philip  Boos  O,  Oscar  Thomas  R;  (45)  John 
Henebryi?,  Mrs.  Susan  B.  Holden  O. 


204  BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 

of  the  hill  north  of  the  Pequabuck,  the  house  lot  lying  in  the  corner  of 
East  street  and  Riverside  Avenue,  and  extending  to  the  river,  across 
which  was  the  Indian  trail  to  Waterbury,  Deacon  Gaylord's  highway 
into  the  outside  world. 

Hezekiah  Rew's  name  stands  first  on  the  church  list.  He  was  an 
older  man  than  his  brother  deacon,  and  had  served  in  the  various  offices 
of  the  society  from  sexton  to  moderator.  He  deserves  special  recognition 
for  the  service  he  renciered  for  ten  years  as  society's  clerk.  Judging 
from  his  clerical  work,  he  was  a  fair  scholar — a  man  of  good  judgment 
too,  appointed  to  the  task  of  "dignifying  the  meeting-house,"  according 
to  a  custom  by  which  the  inembers  were  seated  with  reference  to  their 
age,  position,  and  wealth.  Four  years  later,  he  declined  to  act  in  this 
delicate  business.  His  name  appears  no  more.  His  burial  place  is 
not  known,  nor  the  date  of  his  death.  He  lived  on  Peaceable  street 
near  Parson  Newell,  and  his  wife  Abigail  died  in  l764. 

Two  early  deacons,  Stephen  Barnes  and  Elisha  Manross,  were  sons 
of  the  first  settlers.  Stephen  Barnes  was  appointed  in  the  place  of 
Hezekiah  Rew  and,  after  a  short  term  of  service,  died  in  his,  forty-fifth 
year.  In  his  home  on  South  street  for  several  years  previous  to  1747, 
the  settlers  assembled  for  divine  service,  in  which  Hezekiah  Rew  and 
Stephen  Barnes  were  appointed  to  lead. 

Elnathan  Ives  succeeded  Stephen  Barnes  in  1757,  when  his  name 
appears  for  the  first  time,  although  he  had  been  living  here  for  ten  years. 
He  came  from  Farmington,  and  was  the  oldest  son  of  Ensign  Gideon 
Ives,  "The  Mighty  Hunter,"  tales  of  whose  hunts  in  these  forests  are  a 
part  of  our  history.  Elnathan  Ives  lived  to  be  seventy-one  years  old, 
but  resigned  his  office  of  deacon  thirteen  years  before  his  death.  His 
house  was  on  the  Southington  road  near  its  union,  at  the  bridge,  with 
the  Queen's  Road.  His  son  and  grandson  became  members  of  this 
church,  and  two  nephews  followed  him  and  settled  here,  Enos,  father  o 
Deacon  Charles  Ives,  and  Amasa,  the  father  of  the  clock  makers,  Chauncey 
and  Joseph  Ives. 

Elisha  Manross,  when  only  thirty-eight  years  old,  followed  Deacon 
Ives,  and  served  forty-five  years,  the  second  longest  diaconate.  He 
is  the  best  known  of  our  early  deacons,  whose  piety,  dignity,  and  charity, 
belong  to  our  church  history. 

REV.    SAMUEL    NEWELL'S    FAMILY. 

Reverend  Samuel  Newell,  two  years  after  his  installation,  married 
Mary  Hart  Root,  widow  of  Timothy  Root,  and  daughter  of  Deacon 
John  Hart,  all  of  Farmington. 

Mr.  Newell  was  thirty-five  years  old,  and  his  bride  thirty-two,  the 
mother  of  three  children,  Timothy,  Theodore,  and  Esther  Root,  who 
were  nine,  seven,  and  five  years  old,  respectively. 

Their  father,  Lieut.  Timothy  Root,  had  died  three  years  before  at 
Cape  Breton,  soon  after  the  siege  of  Louisburg.  (His  father  of  the 
same  name  also  died  at  Cape  Breton,  having  been  in  the  expedition 
which,  thirty-three  years  earlier,  set  out  for  the  conquest  of  Canada.) 
The  children  inherited  the  Root  homestead  property  in  Farmington, 
and  did  not  come  empty-handed  into  the  home  of  their  step-father. 

Mr.  Newell  owned  land  here  by  inheritance  from  his  grandfather, 
Thomas  Newell,  an  original  proprietor,  and  by  the  bequest  of  his  brother 
Solomon  who  bequeathed  to  Samuel,  Josiah  and  Mary  Newell,  several 
tracts  of  land,  including  the  Indian  reservation  of  Bohemia,  valued  at 
£807  or  $4,000. 

To  this  bequest  we  owe,  perhaps,  the  arrival  of  the  Upson  family, 
between  whom  and  the  Newell  family  there  was  a  double  marriage. 
(Josiah  Newell  married  Mary  Upson  of  Farmington,  and  Mary  Newell 
became  the  wife  of  Asa  Upson.)  Some  time  after  Mr.  Newell's  settle- 
ment, Asa  Upson  and  his  wife  Mary  Newell  took  up  residence  on  Peaceable 
street,  between  their  brother  the  parson  and  the  Royces,  who  had  with- 
drawn from  the  Congregational  church,   because  of  their  opposition  to 


OR    "new     CAMBRIDGE. 


295 


NORTH  Sf9l^flS^^tim.l  ST 


(1)  No,  160,  North,  Miss  Lucy  Beckwith  O,  James  Geegan  R;  (L') 
No.  177,  North,  Leon  C.  LaCourse  O,  Wallace  Calkins  R,  George  Fortin 
R;  (3)  No.  189,  North,  Arthur  T.  Woodford  R;  (4)  No.  179,  Maple  street, 
A.  Croze  R,  P.  J.  Reddy  R,  J.  Hassett  R;  (5)  No.  183,  Maple,  W.  H.  W. 
Burns  R;  (6)  No.  188  Maple,  Rudolf  Zhanke  R,  A.  Schinman  R,  P. 
Tessman  R;  (7)  Flag  House,  George  P.  Lyons,  Tender;  (8)  No.  230, 
Peaceable,  Chas.  Sandstrom  R,  Emil  Grotze  R;  (9)  No.  235,  Peaceable, 
Dennis  O'Brien  O. 


206  BRISTOL    CONNECTICUT, 

Mr.  Newell 's  settlement.  In  the  bitterness  of  feeling  which  outlasted 
the  century,  the  not  unfriendly  relations  of  these  families  may  have 
given  the  name  to  the  street  they  lived  on,  the  goodly  name  of  Peaceable 
street. 

The  new  minister,  in  his  contract  with  the  parish,  took  care,  not 
only  that  his  salary  should  be  paid  but  that  the  society  should  bmld 
him  a  house.  (Mrs.  Mary  Root,  who  afterAvard  became  his  wite,  was 
then  a  recent  widow,  Uving  in  a  substantial  home  left  by  her  husband.) 

The  specifications  for  the  house  were  drawn  up  with  great  precision 
even  to  cupboards  and  ovens,  and,  like  the  contract,  show  a  knowledge 
of  legal  forms,  which  indicates  that  the  Rev.  Mr.  Newell  may  have  been 
a  lawyer  and  architect  as  well  as  a  minister  and  landowner. 

For  the  detail  of  an  interior  of  an  early  settler's  home,  we  have  a 
picture  of  the  parsonage  as  found  in  the  specifications  drawn  up  by 
Mr.  Newell. 

The  specifications  follow  the  contract  for  settlement,  and  are  as 
follows:  "The  condition  of  this  obligation  is  such  that  if  the  above 
said  Ebeneezer  Hamblin,  Mr.  Samll  Gaylord,  Edward  Gaylord  shall 
within  the  space  of  one  year  and  two  months  from  the  day  above  .  *  * 
in  good  workmanship  like  manner  erect  build  and  set  up  one  *  * 
dwelling  house  for  the  said  Mr.  Samuel  Newell  upon  his  land  in  New 
Cambridge  as  he  shall  direct  of  thirty-eight  feet  long  and  twenty-three 
feet  wide,  and  sixteen  feet  and  one-half  between  joints  with  a  lintow 
(leanto)  adjoining  the  backside  20  feet  long  and  sixteen  feet  wide, 
containing  five  rooms  below,  and  shall  workmanlike  finish  the  lower 
rooms  in  the  manner  following,  namely,  well  ceil  the  dwelling  room  and 
make  suitable  cobard  (suitable  cupboard)  and  shelves  for  such  rooms 
and  lath,  plaster  and  whitewash  the  parlor  and  bedrooms,  side  and 
overhead,  making  all  sutiable  covenant  (convenient)  good  and  work- 
manlike doors  and  partions  (partitions)  *  *  stock  and  dig  and 
stone  *  *  a  proper  cellar  at  least  seven  feet  deep  from  the  lower 
floor,  and  the  bignes  of  one  end  of  the  house  from  the  chimney,  and  in 
good  and  workmanlike  build  *  *  a  stack  of  chimneys  consisting  of 
three  tunnels  from  the  bottom  and  two  more  beginning  at  the  chambers. 
Making  at  least  two  brick  ovens  of  a  sutiable  bigness,  and  in  a  workmanlike 
manner  make  the  window  frames  *  *  and  glass  the  whole  house, 
namely,  nine  windows,  consisting  of  twenty-four  squares  of  glass  six 
and  eight  size,  and  one  of  eighteen  square,  and  seven  with  twelve  of 
the  same  size,  all  this  to  be  done  by  the  latter  end  of  Sept.,  A.  D.  1749. 

And  that  the  said  Ebenezer  Hamblin,  Samuel  Gaylord,  Edward 
Gaylord,  their  exers  and  admid  (executors  and  administrators)  and 
assigns  shall  find  and  provide  at  their  own  cost  and  charge  all  and  all 
manner  of  timber,  stone,  brick,  laths,  nails,  iron,  glass,  lime,  clay,  sand, 
and  all  other  materials  whatsoever  [as]  shall  be  fit  and  necessary  to  be 
used  in  and  abovit  said  building,  and  they,  so  doing,  shall  be  quit  of  the 
above  said  written  bond,  obligation,  etc.,  etc. 

Signed  and  delivered  this  20th  day  of  July,  A.  D.  1747. 

A  parsonage  was  built  on  the  knoll  known  as  the  Dr.  Pardee  place, 
and,  during  the  first  eleven  years  of  the  pastorate,  five  children  were 
born,  two  daughters  and  three  sons.  Mary  became  a  member  of  this 
church,  and  at  twenty  married  Jacob  Hungerford.  Anna  married 
Elnathan  Hooker.  The  oldest  son  Samuel  died  when  four  years  old. 
Two  younger  sons,  Lott  and  Samuel,  were  sent  to  Yale  college  and  the 
fonner  died  there;  the  latter,  a  graduate,  was  the  only  son  to  marry 
and  perpetuate  the  name  of  his  father. 

Of  Mrs.  Newell's  children,  Esther  Root  died  at  fifteen.  Timothy 
married,  and  settled  on  the  homestead  property  in  Famiington.  Theo- 
dore married,  united  with  this  church,  and  settled  here  near  his  mother. 
Seven  daughters  were  born  in  his  family. 

He  appears  in  the  records  in  various  appointments,  first  when  he 
is  appointed  to  "git  Mr.  Newell's  wood"  and  is  allowed  six  pounds  for 
the   same.     To   supply    Mr.    Newell   with   wood   seems   always   to   have 


OR        NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


207 


(I)  \o.  47,  W.  H.  Gladding  R,  Mrs.  R.  J.  Jerrolds  R,  F.  R.  Parsons 
R;  (2)  No.  38,  Burdette  A.  Peck  O;  (3)  No.  38,  Ernest  C.  Smith  R;  (4) 
No.  32,  Edward  L.  Dunbar  O;  (o)  No.  26,  Hiram  C.  Thompson  O;  (6) 
No.  29,  Mrs.  Fann^'  W.  Gowdy  R,  Mrs.  M.  Wilcox  R,  Mrs.  C.  Parsons  R; 
(7)  No.  23,  Wilbur  F.  Brainard  O;  (8)  No.  20,  Cornelius  T.  Olcott  O, 
R.  C.  Pease  R;  (9)  No.  15,  Hobart  Booth  R. 


'208  BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 

been  an  unpleasant  task,  no  man  in  the  parish  undertaking  it  twice, 
young  men  being  appointed  to  the  place,  as  a  kind  of  stepping  stone  into 
public  life!  And  in  1767  the  minister's  stepson  takes  his  turn  with  the 
rest. 

Other  houses  scattered  here  and  there  were  the  homes  of  Joseph 
Benton,  David  Rich,  Ebenezer  Norton,  the  Tuttles,  the  Warrens  and 
Daniel  Rowe. 

These  are  the  glimpses  we  get  of  the  little  company,  who,  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty  years  ago,  established  this  church  in  the  wilderness, 
with  its  forty  me:nbers,  twenty  men  and  twenty  women.  There  were 
seventeen  men  with  their  wives;  one  old  man,  William  Merriman, 
living  in  the  family  of  his  son-in-law,  Caleb  Matthews;  two  bachelors 
(Ebenezer  Hamblin  and  Samuel  Gay  lord);  the  widow  Sarah  Bushnell; 
Miss  Deborah  Buck,  whose  brother  Stephen  married  a  daughter  of 
Ebenezer  Barnes;  and  Jacob  Deming's  wife,  Abigail,  who  by  her  first 
husband,  Timothy  Jerome,  was  the  mother  of  the  Jerome  families  in 
Bristol,  a  distinguished  member  of  which  was  Chauncey  Jerome,  tbe 
clock  maker  and  autobiographer. 

The  congregation,  however,  included  a  larger  number,  men  active 
m  affairs  but  not  church  members,  and  many  young  people  and  children. 
Ebenezer  Barnes  brought  fifteen  grown  up  sons  and  daughters,  and 
Josiah  Lewis,  twelve. 

The  year  1747  witnessed  the  fulfillment  of  their  long  cherished 
hopes,  the  establishment  of  an  independent  church.  With  this  event, 
the  first  period  of  our  history  closes. 

CHAPTER    II. 

The  next  period  presents  a  different  view.  It  is  the  period  pre- 
ceding the  Revolution,  a  critical  time  in  the  history  of  the  colonies, 
during  which  occurred  the  French  and  Indian  war,  1755-1760,  giving 
to  the  English  race  and  Protestantism  the  destinies  of  a  new  world. 

In  Europe,  the  avaric  or  ambition  of  a  king  was  sufficient  to  draw 
the  nations  into  war.  A  fierce  jealousy  existed  between  George  II. 
and  Louis  XV.  of  France,  and,  when  France  united  with  Spain  to  rob 
England  of  her  commerce  with  her  American  colonies,  New  England  was 
drawn  in  too.  His  majesty  George  II.  forthwith  fitted  out  an  expedition 
for  the  conquest  of  the  Spanish  West  Indies,  and  called  on  the  colonies 
for  men,  money,  and  ships.  The  Connecticut  asseinbly  responded 
with  cheerfulness  to  his  majesty's  demand,  and  lost  nearly  a  thousand 
men  in  the  expedition,  which  resulted  in  a  total  failure. 

When  France,  a  few  years  later,  proclaimed  war  against  Great 
Britain,  the  New  England  colonies,  nothing  daunted  by  their  recent 
losses  in  the  Spanish  seas,  cried  out  that  Louisburg  must  be  taken.  At 
their  own  expense,  they  fitted  out  an  expedition  which  captured  that 
most  important  stronghold  of  France  in  the  New  World,  in  which  expe- 
dition Connecticut  played  an  important  part.  The  town  of  Farmington 
contributed  its  quota  of  men,  among  whom  were  probably  men  fro:n 
the  parish  of  New  Cambridge. 

It  remains  to  be  proved  that  men  of  this  society  took  part  in  the 
colonial  wars,  but  it  is  noteworthy  the  number  of  names  which  appear 
with  military  titles  attached. 

The  first  militia  company  was  fonned  about  1748,  and,  as  the 
titles  appear  after  1760,  it  is  possible  that  they  indicate  not  merely 
militia  rank,  but  rank  in  the  colonial  army. 

Soon  after  the  chvirch  was  established,  a  second  influx  of  settlers 
occurred.  The  following  years  witnessed  many  arrivals  until  the  twenty 
houses  of  the  first  period  had  increased,  in  the  next  period,  to  fifty. 

In  the  meantime,  the  early  founders  had  retired  from  the  stage 
and  the  new  company  appears  whose  character  is  distinctly  militar}'. 

The  Captains.  Edv.-ard  Gaylord.  Caleb  Matthews.  Zehu'cn  Peck, 
Zebulon  Frisbie,  Asa  Upson,  John  Hungerford. 

The  Lieutenants,  Josiah  Lewis,  Amos  Barnes,  Samuel  Gaylord. 


OR     "NKW     CAMBRIDGE." 


209 


RESIDENCE     ALBERT    L.    SESSIONS,     BELLEVUE     AVENUE. 


Ensign  Gersham  Tuttle. 

Sergt.  Zebnlon  Frisbie,  Jr.,  and  Luke  Gridley,  a  soldier  in  the  French 
and  Indian  wars,  whose  diary  recording  his  experiences  in  the  war  is 
still  in  the  possession  of  his  descendants. 

Other  new  names  which  appear  are,  Jerome,  Atkins,  Churchill, 
Roberts,  Byington,  Mix,  Stone,  Andrus,  Shepard,  Clark,  Smith,  Rogers, 
Pearson,  Cole.  Lastly  Hezekiah  Gridley,  father  and  son,  both  men  of 
distinction  in  civil  and  military  affairs. 

The  men  of  the  second  period  took  up  not  only  the  work  laid  down 
bv  the  founders.  They  assumed  other  burdens,  the  miantenance  of 
tlie  church,  a  share  in  the  colonial  wars,  the  building  of  schoolhouses 
and  roads. 

THE     VILLAGE     ROADS. 

When  the  church  was  built,  there  were  four  roads  in  the  parish. 
The  church  on  the  hill  was  the  only  building  in  sight,  except  Joseph 
Benton's  house  in  the  lot  southeast.  Roads,  connecting  the  church 
with  the  four  corners  of  the  parish,  were  soon  opened.  Peaceable  street 
was  extended  up  the  hill  to  the  church  door,  for  the  convenience  of 
Parson  Newell,  Deacon  Rew,  and  Josiah  Lewis. 

The  Queen's  Road  people  came  over  the  ridge  by  a  road  running 
west  and  passing  north  of  the  Episcopal  church  property,  a  road  unused 
for  a  century,  but  never  closed  up,  which  is  today  a  grass-grown  passage- 
way guarded  by  stone  walls,  whose  name  of  Lovers'  Lane  suggests  its 
pre'sent  use.  Midway,  and  at  right  angles  with  this,  was  another  leading 
south  and  coming  out  at  the  mill. 

Center  street  connected  the  chvirch  with  West  street,  which  is  our 
most  interesting  early  road,  on  account  of  its  origin.  West  street  is 
two  hundred  and  eleven  years  old,  and  the  only  one  in  the  village  which 
lies  in  the  highway  of  the  original  layout,  its  generous  width  alone  bearing 
evidence  of  its  descent  from  the  colonial  assembly. 

There  is  one  other  street  which  conforms  with  the  highway  of  the 
original   layout,   the   one   running   north   and   south   on   Chippin's    Hill, 


210 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


which  outrivals  West  street,  being  nearly  twice  as  long  and  preserving, 
throughout  its  whole  extent,  the  same  generous  width  and  having,  in 
addition,  magnificent  views  from  the  mountain. 

THE    EARLY    ARCHITECTURE. 

Of  the  twenty  homes  built  during  the  first  period,  two  still  remain, 
Ebenezer  Barnes's  and  Moses  Lyman's.  Of  the  former,  the  central 
portion  with  its  stone  chimney  is  the  original  house.  The  two  ends, 
each  with  a  brick  chimney,  which  have  been  added,  changed  the  dwelling 
house  of  the  early  settler  into  a  commodious  tavern.  The  wide  roof, 
the  three  chimneys,  the  windows  in  long  double  rows,  and  the  three 
front  doors,  give  it  a  grave  appearance,  characteristic  of  early  New 
England  architecture. 

The  second  oldest  house  in  town,  the  home  of  Moses  Lyman  on  Fall 
Mountain  retains,  except  for  the  ell  on  the  west,  its  original  shape.  It 
is  one  hundred  and  sixty  years  old,  but  shows  no  sign  of  age  or  infirmity, 
and  will,  probably,  outlast  many  of  its  youthful  neighbors.  In  its 
interior  and  exterior,  it  is  a  good  example  of  a  simple  colonial  house. 
The  second  story  projects  over  the  first,  but  there  are  no  orojections  on 
the  roof,  no  canopy  over  the  door,  no  ornamentation,  and  hence  no 
shadows,  producing  a  severe  expression,  common  alike  to  the  homes 
and  to  the  people  of  this  early  period. 

Another  interesting  specimen  of  early  architecture  and  the  best 
of  the  kind  known  as  the  "leanter,"  is  a  Lewis  house  on  Lewis  comer. 
It  belongs  to  the  second  period  of  our  history  and  was  built  in  1766. 
It  has  a  somewhat  decrepit  appearance,  owing  to  the  fact  that,  for 
several  years,  no  one  has  lived  in  it,  but,  for  picturesqueness  in  color, 
outline,  and  setting,  nothing  in  Bristol  surpasses  it.  The  old  well  sweep 
in  front,  the  long  slope  of  the  "leanto"  roof,  the  double  arched  sheds, 
bordered  by  grape  vines,  like  carved  decorations  of  Italian  arcades,  and 
the  jagged  stone  chimney,  compose  a  picture  perfect  of  its  kind. 

These   represent  the  homes  of  the   living.     In  the   old  cemeteries, 


PROSPECT    STREET,     FROM    R.     R.     liRlUGE. 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE."  211 

we  find  the  founders  and  their  successors  in  their  last  resting  places — 
homes  of  the  dead,  we  say. 

With  few  exceptions  all  are  here,  the  minister  and  his  wife,  the 
deacons  and  their  wives,  the  moderators  and  clerks,  the  captains  and 
lieutenants,  an  honorable  and  venerable  company  in  our  old  cemeteries. 

But  the  spirit  of  the  founders  lives  on,  as  this  anniversary  gives 
witness.  The  sacrifices  they  made,  the  labors  they  endured,  bear  per- 
petual fruit,  for  the  healing  our  souls,  like  the  tree  of  life  in  the  garden. 
They  worked  out  the  problems  of  their  day  and  they  hand  down  to  us 
the  result.  With  every  generation  come  new  problems,  to  solve  which 
we  gain  inspiration  from  the  founders,  and  from  the  memories  of  those 
eventful  early  years. 

[For  their  friendly  interest,  and  for  their  most  valued  assistance 
in  obtaining  certain  statistics  and  genealogical  material  used  in  this 
paper,  grateful  acknowledgments  are  due  and  are  herewith  tendered 
to  Dea.  F.  O.  Lewis,  Bristol;  James  Shepard,  Esq.,  New  Britain;  and 
Miss  Sarah  F.  Pritchard,  Waterbury.] 


212 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


THE     BAPTIST    CllL'KCH. 


OR     "new    CAMBRIDGE."  213 


Tke  Baptist  Cnurch 

Compiled  Largely  from  a  SketcK  Prepared  by  Roswell 
Atkins  in  1880 


ON  April  13,  1791,  in  the  town  of  Plymouth,  a  small  company  of 
Christian  people  effected  the  organization  which  is  now  known 
as  the  Bristol  Baptist  Church.  In  exactly  what  building  the 
organization  took  place  is  not  now  known.  The  first  ordination 
of  a  minister  occurred  in  the  building  afterwards  occvipied  as  a  dwelling 
by  Lyman  Tuttle.  When  and  by  whom  the  building  was  erected  is 
not  now  certainly  known.  In  1798,  the  church  reported  at  the  meeting 
of  the  Danbury  Association  that  its  membership  list  numbered  sixty- 
six.  Whether  this  is  accurate  or  not  is  open  to  question.  The  mem- 
bership roll  of  that  date  shows  only  twenty-six  names.  The  additions 
for  that  year  were  reported  to  be  twenty-one.  The  record,  however, 
shows  only  eight.  This  confusion  of  numbers  was  not  at  all  infrequent 
in  those  days  when  church  bookkeeping  did  not  receive  as  much  atten- 
tion as  now. 

In  1802,  the  membership  of  the  church  is  given  as  one  hundred 
and  seven.  Rev.  Daniel  Wildman  was  the  minister.  How  long  Mr. 
Wildman  remained  pastor  of  the  church  we  do  not  know,  but  it  must 
have  been  for  a  number  of  years,  probal')ly  until  1817. 

For  twenty-six  years,  from  1791  to  1817,  the  records  of  the  church 
are  very  scanty.  Three  pages  in  one  book  and  six  in  another  tell  all 
that  IS  now  known  of  those  years.  Of  the  Ecclesiastical  Society  there 
are  no  records  until  1814.  The  first  entry  in  these  records  tells  us  that 
there  was  "A  meeting  for  hiring  a  preacher  and  other  necessaries." 
In  the  same  month,  November,  it  was  voted  "that  we  have  preaching 
half  of  the  time  and  that  a  committee  be  appointed  to  secure  it;  and 
that  Austin  Bishop,  Ichabod  Wright,  and  Samuel  Atkins  be  the  com- 
mittee." 

The  first  record  of  a  preacher  receiving  a  salary  in  this  church  is 
in  1816,  when  it  was  voted  that  the  preacher  be  paid  three  hurudred 
dollars  per  year.  For  a  short  time  previous,  five  dollars  a  Sunday  had 
been  paid,  but  it  is  not  positively  known  whether  it  was  paid  to  a  singing 
teacher  or  to  the  preacher. 

In  1801,  Rev.  Daniel  Wildman  bought,  from  his  father.  Captain 
Daniel  Wildman,  the  land  on  the  corner  of  West  and  School  streets 
which  for  about  eighty  years  held  the  meeting  house  of  the  Bristol 
Baptists.  In  1809  this  property  was  deeded  to  the  Baptist  Society. 
The  meeting  house  had  been  built  upon  it  some  time  before.  In  1830, 
this  house  of  worship  was  moved  from  its  first  site  and  was  used  for  a 
clock  shop.  We  cannot  determine  when  the  meetings  were  first  held 
in  the  vicinity  where  this  church  stood,  but  previous  to  the  building  of 
the  house,  they  were  held  in  a  hall  standing  where  the  parsonage  after- 
wards stood.  The  evening  meetings  were  held  in  a  house  a  little  south 
of  this  hall,  afterwards  owned  by  Theron  Sandford.  During  these  twenty- 
six  years,  from  1791  to  1817,  the  record  gives  one  hundred  and  twenty- 
two  to  the  roll  of  membership.  There  is  reason,  however,  to  believe 
that  this  is  not  a  complete  list.     Fifty-two  of  this  number  were  received 


214 


BRISTOL,     CONNECTICUT 


REV.  HENRY   CLARKE. 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE."  215 

between  October,  1815,  and  October,  18Hi.  Elder  Wildnum  was  the 
preacher  and  he  was  assisted  at  times  during  this  year  by  Elder  David 
Wright  and  probably  by  Orra  Martin.  One  of  those  received  during 
this  period  was  Asa  Bronson,  Jr.,  who  afterwards  entered  the  ministry 
and  was  a  very  successful  preacher  and  pastor. 

In  1817,  Orra  Martin  was  called  from  Wisconsin  to  be  the  pastor 
of  the  church.  He  continued  in  this  pastorate  until  August,  1820,  and 
maintained  membership  with  the  church  for  nearly  a  year  later.  In 
September  of  that  same  year,  Elder  Isaac  Merriam  was  invited  to  preach 
for  the  church.  He  accepted  the  invitation  and  continued  the  regular 
supply  until  March,  1823,  when  he  was  settled  as  pastor,  and  he  and  his 
wife  brought  letters  from  the  Baptist  Church  in  Brandon,  Vermont. 
He  remained  with  the  church  until  April,  1825,  and  continued  a  member 
of  the  church  until  October,  1826.  During  his  ministry  there  were  added 
to  the  church  thirty-five  by  baptism.  One  of  the  number  was  Rollin 
H.  Neale,  D.  D.,  who  was  licensed  to  preach,  February  12,  1826.  Two 
of  those  who  until  during  this  pastorate  were  Deacon  George  Welch  and 
his  wife,  who  came  to  the  church  by  letter.  The  only  ordination 
of  a  deacon  that  has  occurred  in  the  history  of  the  church  was  in  this 
period,  when,  on  May  7,   1826,  Irenus  Atkins  was  ordained. 

In  January,  1827,  the  Rev.  Henry  Stanwood  was  invited  t(j  supply 
the  church,  and  on  May  2,  1828,  he  accei.ted  the  call  to  the  pastorate 
and  continued  with  the  cliurch  as  pastor  until  March,  1834.  During 
his  ministrv  seventy-six  were  added  by  baptism.  Among  them  were 
B.  F.  Haw'ley  and  E.  N.  Welch.  During  Elder  Stanwood 's  ministry, 
another  house  of  worship  was  built.  This  occurred  in  1830.  The  only 
record  that  has  been  found  with  regard  to  it  is  the  following:  "Septem- 
ber, 1829,  special  meeting  to  take  into  consideration  the  expediency  of 
building  a  new  meetinghouse.  George  Mitchell,  Truman  Prince,  and 
Daniel  B.  Hinman  were  appointed  a  committee  to  obtain  subscriptions 
for  building  a  new  house  for  public  worship,  and  also  to  ascertain  the 
difference  in  expense  of  wood  or  brick  and  report  at  the  next  meeting. 
Adjourned  to  the  17th."  Another  record  shows  that  the  new  house 
of  Worship  was  used  for  the  first  time  about  the  last  of  December,  1830. 

In  1832,  a  conference  house  was  built.  Sherman  Johnson,  Miles 
Norton,  and  RoUin  Atkins  were  the  building  committee.  In  the  same 
year  occurs  the  first  record  of  expenses  being  met  by  the  rental  of  pews. 
Previous  to  this  most  of  the  money  had  been  raised  by  subscription  or 
property  assessment. 

After  the  resignation  of  Elder  Stanwood,  Elder  William  Bentley 
preached  for  the  church  until  the  spring  of  1835.  At  that  time  Rev. 
Orsamus  Allen  was  asked  to  preach  for  one  year.  The  presumption  is 
that  "he  continued  to  preach  for  the  church  until  1837.  During  this 
time  there  were  eighteen  baptisms  and  fourteen  additions  by  letter. 

From  October  1,  1837,  until  April  29,  1838,  the  church  listened  to 
the  preaching  of  Elder  Francis  Hawley.  After  Elder  Haw  ley,  there 
seems  to  have  been  no  settled  pastor  until  June,  1841 .  Different  preachers 
ministered  to  the  f^ock.  Among  these  was  Rev.  Simon  Shailer.  This 
period  seems  to  have  been  one  of  hard  trial  to  the  church. 

In  June,  1.S41,  Rev.  James  Squier  became  the  pastor  and  remained 
until  May,  1842.  During  his  ministry  there  was  a  revival  in  which 
twenty-nine  were  baptised.  The  pastor  was  assisted  by  Rev.  J.  Ro- 
bords,  of  Galway. 

In  April,  1842,  Edward  Savage,  a  recent  graduate  of  Madison  Uni- 
versity, was  engaged  as  supply,  and  in  September  of  the  same  year  was 
ordained  pastor.  He  remained  with  the  church  until  December  4, 
1846.  During  his  pastorate  thirty-nine  were  added  by  baptism  and 
twenty-one  by  letter.  In  1844,  the  ill  health  of  Mr.  Savage  compelled 
him  to  spend  a  few  months  in  travel.  The  church,  during  the  absence 
of  Mr.  Savage,  was  cared  for  by  Rev.  S.  D.  Phelps,  D.  D.,  who  was  then 
a  student. 

In   1843,   the  house  which  now  stands  on  the  southeast  corner  of 


216  BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 

West  and  Meadow  streets  was  "built  for  a  parsonage.  The  land  was 
given  for  that  purpose  by  Deacon  George  Welch.  This  projierty  was 
sold  in  1863  and  a  house  which  stood  next  to  the  church  was  bought 
with  the  proceeds,  and  for  a  number  of  years  served  as  the  church  par- 
sonage . 

On  January  29,  1847,  the  Rev.  Leicester  Lewis  became  pastor  of 
the  church.  He  continued  the  pastoral  relation  until  September  25, 
1853.  There  were  added  to  the  church  during  his  ministry  sixty-nine, 
of  whom  forty-six  came  by  baptism. 

On  January  8,  1854,  Rev.  J.  T.  Smith  of  Sandisfield,  Mass.,  accepted 
the  pastorate  He  began  his  labors  in  the  spring,  and  was  installed 
June  28th.     He  continued  in  this  pastorate  until  August  1st,  1856. 

In  September  of  the  same  year.  Rev.  Isaac  H.  Gilbert,  a  recent 
graduate  of  Brown  University,  was  called  as  pastor.  He  was  ordained 
November  26th  of  that  year.  He  continued  with  the  church  until 
April  26,  1863,  and  then  went  to  the  church  in  Middletown.  Sixty- 
nine  were  added  to  the  church  during  his  ministration,  forty-seven  of 
them  by  baptism. 

From  this  time  until  January,  1866,  the  church  was  without  a  pastor. 
Among  its  supplies  was  the  famous  Jabez  S.  Swan,  and  also  his  son, 
Rev.  C.  Y.  Swan.  On  January  26,  1866,  Rev.  George  E.  Horr  of  Orange, 
N.  J.,  was  tendered  an  invitation  to  the  pastorate.  He  began  his  labors 
about  the  first  of  May  of  that  same  year,  and  continued  with  the  church 
imtil  November,  1868. 

Until  April,  1870,  after  the  resignation  of  Mr.  Horr,  the  church 
was  again  depending  upon  supplies.  But,  in  March,  1870,  the  Rev. 
Charles  W.  Ray  of  Jewett  City  was  urged  to  take  up  the  pastoral  rela- 
tion. He  accepted  the  invitation  and  began  his  work  in  April.  He 
remained  until  August  31,  1873.  During  his  ministry  there  was  a  re- 
vival of  which  mention  is  still  made.  Seventy-four  united  with  the 
church  in  his  pastorate,  fifty-two  of  whom  were  by  baptism. 

On  April  7,  1874,  the  church  extended  a  call  to  Rev.  Delavan  De- 
wolf  of  Delavan,  Wisconsin.  Mr.  Dewolf  came  in  response  to  the  call, 
and  remained  with  the  church  until  September  1,  1886.  His  ministry 
was  a  fruitful  one  and  he  was  much  beloved  by  the  church  and  com- 
•munity.  During  this  period,  the  present  church  building  was  erected, 
and  also  the  present  parsonage.  The  new  building  was  occupied  for 
worship  for  the  first  time  in  September,  1880.  Both  the  church  and 
parsonage  are,  in  several  respects,  model  buildings,  and  are  associated 
in  the  minds  of  many  with  the  ministration  of  Mr.  Dewolf. 

On  October  21,  1886,  Rev.  F.  E.  Tower  of  Brattleboro.  Vemiont, 
was  invited  to  the  pastorate.  The  invitation  met  with  his  approval 
and  his  work  with  the  church  began  on  November  1st,  of  that  year. 
Mr.  Tower  remained  with  the  church  until  January  1,  1894.  He  was  a 
student,  an  author,  and  a  preacher  of  wide  intellectual  grasp. 

The  church  extended  a  call  to  Rev.  John  S.  Lyon,  of  Fair  Haven, 
Vermont,  on  March  18,  1894.  Mr.  Lyon  began  his  work  in  Bristol  on 
May  1st  of  the  same  year.  He  continued  with  the  church  until  the 
last  Sunday  in  December,  1900.  He  at  once  took  a  very  large  place 
in  the  life  of  the  community.  His  power  as  a  public  speaker  was  ex- 
ceptional and  his  personality  won  for  him  a  multitude  of  friends.  His 
pastorate  was  successful  from  every  point  of  view,  and  it  was  with  the 
deepest  regret  that  the  church  was  compelled  to  acceot  his  resignation. 
He  is  still  remembered  in  Bristol  with  great  admiration  and  affection. 
The  notable  revival  under  Evangelist  Jackson  occurred  during  this 
pastorate.  It  was  an  inter-denoniinational  movement,  and  was  far- 
reaching  in  its  influence  and  results. 

Rev.  Henry  Clarke  of  Stonington,  Conn.,  on  May  5,  1901,  was 
voted  a  call  by  the  church  to  become  its  pastor.  His  pastorate  began 
in  June  of  that  year,  and  continues  at  the  present  time. 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE."  217 


Rambles  Among  the  Bristol  Birds 


By  Frank   Bruen. 

"To  business  that  we  love 
We  rise  betimes 
And  go  to  't  with  delight." 

Anthony  and  Cleopatr.\ — Shakespeare. 

BRISTOL  is  well  situated  for  pleasant  walks,  for  bird  and  nature 
study.  Go  in  whatsoever  direction  you  will  there  is  a  great 
deal  to  charm  the  eye  and  ear;  though  the  woodman's  greed 
has  done  much  in  recent  years  to  deprive  Bristol  of  her  assets 
of  "woodland  beauty,  and  her  birds  of  mvich  needed  hoines,  food  and 
shelter.  Let  us  hope  that  owners  of  woodlots  may  soon  learn  the  prin- 
ciples and  practice  of  common  sense  timber  culture. 

Space  would  forbid  my  treating  in  detail  of  rambles  at  all  seasons, 
so  I  shall  confine  myself  largely  to  May  when  the  spring  migration  is 
at  its  culmination,  with  lapses  backward  perhaps,  or  leaps  ahead  as 
may  be  convenient. 

It  is  five  o'clock  in  the  morning  at  Federal  Green  and  the  sym- 
phony of  bird  music  thrills  the  ears  of  bird  lovers  and  fills  the  novice 
with  mingled  pleasure  and  bewildennent. 

The  "Robin  Chorus"  is  largely  over  at  this  time  and  different  species 
like  players  in  an  orchestra  give  voice  or  withdraw  when  their  turns 
come.  The  Robin  is  still  most  noticeable,  but  Chippy's  little  ditty 
almost  unheard  before  is  now  quite  prominent.  The  Rose-breasted 
Grosbeak's  sweet,  rich  song  is  heard  from  half  a  dozen  directions;  the 
Least  Flycatcher  calls  "chebec"  from  everywhere;  the  Bluebirds  sound 
their  sweet  warble,  the  Purple  Finch  in  ecstacy  circles  over  head,  pour- 
ing out  delicious  song,  then  goes  fluttering  to  some  perch,  but  unable  to 
contain  his  happiness  there  he  is  up  in  the  air  again.  His  cousins,  the 
Gold  Finches  in  the  elms,  are  equally  happy  and  tuneful. 

Up  by  the  Congregational  Church  the  Wood  Peewee  is  calling 
plaintively  and  the  Flickers  are  courting  near  by  or  drumming  loudly 
on  some  dead  branch,  and  the  Downy  Woodpecker  is  not  backward 
in  showing  off  his  skill  in  the  same  way. 

Over  by  St.  Joseph's  Church  the  Catbird  is  singing  gloriously,  show- 
ing that  it  is  only  a  step  from  the  sublime  to  the  ridiculous,  by  ending 
his  song  with  a  miserable  catcall. 

The  Purple  Grackle  from  the  colony  nearby  flies  overhead  with 
his  hysterical  call,  a  Humming  bird  buzzes  by  to  some  early  blossom, 
the  Baltimore  Oriole  sings  from  the  elms  where  his  pendant  cradle  is 
well  under  way,  the  Chimney  Swift  goes  chattering  overhead  and  in 
the  distance  we  hear  the  Field  Sparrow,  Indigo  Bunting,  the  Crow, 
Blue  Jay  and  other  birds  which  we  shall  see  later  on. 

But  who  is  this  little  fellow  above  our  heads  almost  deafening  us 


218 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


NEST    OF    HUMMING    BIRD. 

with  his  "Hear  me,  see  me,  where  are  you?"  It  is  the  Yellow  Throated 
Vireo  and  his  cousin  the  Red  Eyed  Vireo  is  preaching  away  in  the  maple 
across  the  street;  below  the  hill  the  Warbling  Vireo,  to  me  the  sweetest 
of  singers,  is  warbling  out  his  joy.  Earlier  in  the  season  we  may  hear 
the  Solitary  Vireo's  fascinating  song. 

Warblers  we  hear  in  great  variety,  especially  the  Black  and  White's 
wheezy  notes,  the  Redstart,  Chestnut  Sided  and  others,  besides  that 
quaintest  of  songs  the  "Ta,  ta;  ta,  to,  how  do?"  of  the  Black  Throated 
Green  Warbler. 


OR    NEW  CAMBRIDGE 


219 


ROBIN  S  NEST  AND  EGGS. 

(An  iiuiisual  place  for  a  Robin's  Nest.) 

But  as  warblers  the  warblers  are  a  great  failure,  they  should  have 
been  called  wood  sprites  instead  of  wood  warblers. 

All  this  time  the  House  Wren  has  been  bubbling  over  with  his  ex- 
plosive song  and  to  appease  his  wrath  for  leaving  him  so  long  unnoticed 
I  beg  his  pardon.  The  "Thank,  thank,  thank"  or  "Wet,  wet,  wet,  wet" 
of  the  White-Breasted  Nuthatch  or  "devil  downhead"  as  he  is  some- 
times called,  will  be  seldom  heard  because  his  family  duties  forbid  his 
showing  himself  much  in  public  at  this  time.  Otherwise  he  would  be 
frequently  seen  going  up  or  down  the  trees  head  up  or  head  down  as 
suited  his  convenience. 

Other  birds  may  be  seen  and  heard  here,  but  the  sun  is  getting 
high  and  we  must  hasten  away. 

Our  route  is  along  Queen  St.,  to  the  "Old  Lane"  entrance.  Besides 
the  birds  just  mentioned  which  seem  to  attend  us  on  our  way,  we  soon 
hear  the  Yellow  Warbler  or  Summer  Yellow  Bird,  and  hardly  have  we 
entered  the  "Old  Lane"  than  "Silver  Tongue,"  the  Song  Sparrow,  whose 
song  we  have  been  hearing,  begins  to  scold,  and  near  by  in  the  grass 
among  the  briars  nicely  hid  away,  his  nest  is  found  with  its  speckled 
beauties  or  hungry  little  ones. 

Now  the  Brown  Thrasher's  itnrivalled  song  comes  to  us  in  full  force 
from  yonder  tall  tree  and  we  stop  to  listen,  breathless. 

Next  we  come  to  "Chat  Hollow,"  one-time  favorite  home  of  the 
Yellow-breasted  Chat,  White-eyed  Vireo  and  a  host  of  other  birds,  but 
its   glories   have   largely   departed   because   the   swamp   feeding   ground 


220 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


abo\ie  has  been  cleared  away.  But  the  place  is  full  of  the  memories  of 
former  days  and  of  the  antics  and  queer  noises  of  that  clown  in  feathers, 
the  Chat. 

The  bell-like  song  of  the  wood  thrush  and  the  Buzz,  buzz,  buzz  of 
the  Gold^-winged,  or  the  Buzz,  buzz  of  the  Blue-winged  warbler,  is 
generally  heard.  Chestnut-sided,  Prairie,  Nashville,  Redstart,  and 
other  warblers  are  generally  heard  there  yet,  and  the  "'Teacher,  teacher, 
teacher"  of  the  Oven-bird  is  sure  to  come  from  all  sides,  as  does  also  the 
"Stick  your  peas"  of  the  Towhee  or  Chewink. 


WHITE-BREASTED    NUT    HATCH,     HEAD    DOWNWARDS. 


A  little  farther  along  Phoebe  used  to  call  froin  above  the  old  copper 
mine  mouth,  where  year  after  year  its  nest  was  made,  until  unfeeling 
boys  broke  up  the  home. 

Here  we  should  hear  the  Grouse  drum  on  the  hill. 

The  Northern  Yellow-Throat  (formerly  Maryland  Yellow-Throat)  is 
in  forceful  evidence  with  his  "wichity,  wichity,  wich."  Here,  too,  the 
Fox-sparrow  may  be  heard  early  in  the  spring. 

We  wander  on  to  the  "Lone  Pine,"  then  leave  the  "Old  Lane"  and 
skirt  along  the  woods  below  the  standpipe,  through  alder  and  birch 
growths,  noting  here  and  there  a  new  bird  for  our  list  or  stopping  to 
see  or  hear  the  old  favorites.  The  Scarlet  Tanager  will  be  singing  from 
some  tall  tree  top  and  the  Hairy  Woodpecker  giving  his  long  roll  from 
some  dead  limb  and  if  we  are  very  lucky  we  may  hear  a  Red-headed 
Woodpecker  calling  from  the  "Maple  Croft"  woods.     Through  Maple- 


NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


221 


THE     LONE     PI\E     AND    THE     OLD    LANE. 


croft  we  go  to  Lewis  Corners  tmd  the  Pines,  we  hear  the  Vesper,  Grass- 
hopper, and  Savannah  Sparrows  sing,  and  the  Barn  Swallows  twitter 
about  us,  and  a  troupe  of  Wa.x  Wings  may  fly  over  us. 

A  Red  Shouldered  Hawk  too  is  likely  to  leave  her  nest  and  circle 
about,  screaming  overhead.  In  the  meadow  the  Bob-o-link  is  tinkling 
his  metallic"  song  and  the  Meadow  Lark's  song  floats  sweetly  to  us. 

Here,  too,  the  Kingbird  loves  to  perch  on  some  apple  tree  giving 
sharp  calls  between  bites,  and  the  Crested  Fly-catcher's  call  is  heard 
froin  the  hillside,  and  from  the  distant  swamp  we  may  be  fortunate 
enough  to  hear  the  wierd  flute-like  song  of  the  Veery  or  Wilson's  Thrush. 
Never  shall  I  forget  iny  endeavors  to  fasten  that  song  to  the  right  bird. 
Bob  White's  clear  whistle  was  wont  to  be  heard  here  but  he  is  well  nigh 
extinct  about  Bristol. 

Up  the  valley  to  Edgewood,  rounding  the  "Dumpling"  we  come 
to  the  ponds,  and,  where  the  foaming,  dashing  cascade  begins  may  be 
heard  the  thrilling,  wild  song  of  the  Louisiana  Water  Thrush.  Here  the 
Little  Green  Heron  may  be  seen;  the  Red  Wings  will  scold  you  from  the 
alders.  Sandpipers  run  along  the  shore,  and  Kingflshers  sound  their 
policemen's  rattle  as  they  fly  from  one  favorite  perch  to  another.  A 
Swamp  Sparrow  may  be  heard  in  the  swamp  and  on  rare  occasions  a 
Great  Blue  Heron  may  fly  out.  Chickadee  may  be  found  already  housed 
in  some  rotted  stump,  and  at  night  the  Whippoorvvill  will  call  from  the 
"Dumpling"  and  sometimes  a  Night  Hawk  calls  overhead. 


222 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


Across  the  fields  to  Birge's  Pond,  through  the  Hoppers  to  "Cuss 
Gutter"  over  Fall  Mountain  to  "Cedar  Swamp"  or  down  the  Pequabuck 
to  the  Y,  and  around  South  Mountain  to  Compounce  by  way  of  "Purga- 
tory" to  hear  the  Water  Thrush  sing,  the  ponds  below,  the  timbered 
lands  east  to  Forestville,  or  up  the  river  to  Terryville,  all  are  walks  of 
beauty  and  interest. 

But  May  is  not  the  only  month,  for  all  seasons  have  their  own 
peculiar  charm  and  the  somber  days  of  winter  are  no  exception.  What 
can  make  one  feel  more  sure  of  the  Father's  care  over  his  creatures  than 
to  find  a  tiny  Winter  Wren  living  secifrely  in  the  depths  of  "Cuss  Gutter" 
when  the  Frost  King  has  fettered  the  swift  stream,  save  for  a  few  breath- 
ing spots,  and  the  earth  is  buried  down  in  snow?  One  comes  very  near 
to  Nature's  God  amid  such  scenes. 

One  great  charm  of  the  winter  rambles  is  the  finding  of  unexpected 
birds,  those,  who  for  some  unknown  reason,  have  remained  North, 
when  their  comrades  went  South,  or  who  are  erratic  in  their  movements, 
or  who  have  become  rare  for  the  locality,  they  are  as  follows: 


-i^' 


PHCEBE    ON    NEST,    PHOTOGRAPHED    FROM    LIFE    WITH    THE    AID    OF    MIRRORS 


OR    "new     CAMBRIDGE. 


223 


NEST  AND  EGGS  OF  THE  SONG  SPARROW. 


Bluebird,  Robin,  American  Crossbill,  White  Winged  Crossbill,  Purple 
Finch,  Northern  Flicker,  Evening  Grosbeak  (1905  and  1907),  Pine  Gros- 
beak, Marsh  Hawk,  Red-tailed  Hawk,  Kingfisher,  Ruby-crowned  King- 
let, Meadow  Lark,  Red-breasted  Nuthatch,  Red  Poll-linnet,  Northern 
Shrike,  Pine  Siskin,  Snow  Bunting,  Song  Sparrow,  White-throated 
Sparro^\^  Hemiit  Thrush,  Towhee  Bunting,  Myrtle  Warbler,  Bohemian 
and  Cedar  Wax  Wings  and  Winter  Wren. 

Bristol  is  both  a  popular  summer  and  winter  resort  for  birds;  poor 
indeed  would  be  our  showing  of  birds  if  we  had  to  depend  upon  our 
pennanent  residents. 

The  following  birds  may  be  called  residents : 

Bob  White  (ahnost  extinct).  Black  Capped  Chickadee,  American 
Crow,  Ruffed  Grouse,  Bluejay,  White-breasted  Nuthatch,  Barred  Owl, 
Screech  Owl,  English  Sparrow,  Downy  and  Hairy  Woodpeckers. 

Then  there  are  those  species  which  are  constantly  with  us  but  of 
which  the  individuals  may  or  may  not  breed  to  the  north  of  us,  these 
to  coin  a  new  term,  I  call  resident-inigrants. 

They  are  the  Crow,  American  Goldfinch,  American  Sparrow  Hawk, 
Red-tailed,  Red-shouldered  and  Marsh  Hawks  and  Song  Sparrow. 

Another  class  is  made  up  of  winter  visitants,  birds  that  breed  to 
the  north  of  us  and  come  to  spend  the  winter  w'ith  us.  They  are  Brown 
Creeper,  American  and  White  Winged  Crossbills,  Evening  Grosbeak, 
very  rare,  Pine  Grosbeak,  occasional,  but  then  in  force,  American  Rough 
Legged  Hawk,  Goshawk,  Slate-colored  Junco  or  Snow-bird,  Golden 
Crowned   Kinglet,    Saw  Whet   Owd,    Red   PoU-linnett,    Northern   Shrike, 


224 


BRISTOL.    CONNECTICUT 


'^%i^^cSm^<K 


NEST    AND    EGGS    OF    THE    PHCEBE,    PHOTOGRAPHED    FROM    LIFE    BY    THE    USE 

OF    MIRRORS. 

Pine  Siskin,  Snow  Bunting  or  Snow  Flake,  Tree  Sparrow,  Winter  Wren. 
Red-breasted  Nuthatch  and  Bohemian  Wax  Wing. 

A  large  class  is  migrant  in  the  spring  time  going  north,  and  returning 
in  the  fall  on  their  way  south. 

These  are  Rusty  Grackle,  American  Golden-eye  Duck,  Olive-sided 
Fly  Cathcer,  Yellow-bellied  Fly  Catcher,  Canada  Goose,  Pied-billed 
Grebe,  Broad-winged  Hawk,  Pigeon  Hawk,  Sharp  Shinned  Hawk,  Great 
Blue  Heron,  Ruby  Crowned  Kinglet,  Loon,  Orchard  Oriole,  rare,  Osprey, 
American  Pipit,  Solitary  Sandpiper,  Yellow-bellied  Sapsucker,  Fox 
Sparrow,  Savanna  Sparrow,  White-crowned  Sparrow,  White-throated 
Sparrow,  Gray-cheecked  Thrush,  Hermit  Thrush,  Olive-backed  Thrush, 
Blueheaded  or  Solitary  Vireo,  Bay-breasted,  Black  Bumian,  Black  Poll, 
Black  Throated  Blue  Canadian  Flycatching,  Connecticut,  Magnolia, 
Myrtle,  Nashville  and  Northern  Parula,  Wilson's,  Black  Cap  and  Yellow 
Palm  Warblers,  N.  Y.  Water  Thrush  and  Red-headed  Woodpecker. 

The  largest  class  is  of  summer  residents,  these  are  the  ones  that 
attract  the  most  attention  by  their  songs  and  these  are  the  ones  most 
of  us  mean  when  we  say  "the  birds  have  come  back  again."  Some 
of  them  lap  over  into  the  preceding  classes.     They  are  as  follows: 

American  Bittern,  rare.  Red-shouldered  Blackbird,  Blue  Bird, 
Bob-o-link,  Indigo  Bunting,  Catbird,  Cowbird,  Crow,  Black-billed  and 
Yellow-billed  Cuckoo,  Mourning  Dove,  rare,  Black  Duck,  rare.  Purple 
Finch,  Northern  Flicker,  Crested  Flycatcher,  Least  Flycatcher,  Purple 
Grackle,  Rose-breasted  Grosbeak,  Coopers,  Marsh,  Red-shouldered  and 
Red-Tailed   Hawks,    Black-crowned   Night  Heron,   Little  Green  Heron, 


OR        NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


^25 


NIGHT    HAWK  S    NEST    AND    EGGS. 


226 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


FRANK    BRUEN. 


Ruby-throated  Humming-bird,  Kingbird,  Belted  Kingfisher,  Purple 
Martin,  Meadow  Lark,  Night  Hawk,  Baltimore  Oriole,  Wood  Peewee. 
Phcebe,  Robin,  Spotted  Sandpiper,  Chipping,  Field,  Grasshopper, 
Henslow's,  Swamp,  Song  and  Vesper  Sparrows,  Bank,  Barn,  Cliff, 
Rough-winged  and  Tree  Swallows,  Chimney  Swift,  Scarlet  Tanager, 
Brown  Thrasher,  Towhee  Bunting,  Red-eyed,  Warbling,  White-eyed 
and  Yellow-throated  Vireos,  American  Red-start,  Blackthroated,  Green, 
Black,  White,  Blue  Winged,  Chestnut-sided  and  Golden-winged  Warblers, 
Northern  Yellow  Throat,  Oven  Bird,  Pine  and  Prairie  Warblers,  Louisiana 
Water  Thrush,  Yellow  Warbler  or  Summer  Yellowbird,  Yellow-breasted 
Chat,  Cedar  Wax-wing,  Whippoorwill,  American  Wood  Cock,  and  House 
Wren. 

This  list  is  probably  far  from  complete  but  the  writer,  with  one 
exception,  has  named  only  the  birds  seen  by  himself. 

An  intimate  personal  acquaintance  with  the  birds  is  a  lifelong 
joy  and  I  hope  that  all  Bristol  people  and  others  may  try  to  emulate, 
in  knowledge  at  least,  Hiawatha,  whom  Longfellow  thus  pictures: 

"Then  the  little  Hiawatha 

Learned  of  every  bird  its  language, 
Learned  their  names  and  all  their  secrets, 

How  they  built  their  nests  in  summer. 
Where  they  hid  themselves  in  winter. 

Talked  with  them  whene'er  he  met  them, 
Called  them  'Hiawatha's  chickens.'  " 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE.'  227 


History  of  School  District  No.  9 

ScKool  District  No.  7,  1796— Sckool  District  No.  9, 1896=' 


Record  of  homes  in  no.  7  from  1796  to  1896,  to'the  division 

LINE    OF    1842. 

By   Mrs.  H.  S.   Bartholomew. 

REVIEWING  the  changeful  years  of  a  century  in  the  history 
of  Xo.  7,  or  the  North  East  School  District  of  Bristol,  it  is 
evident  that  its  beginning  as  a  distinct  school  district  dates 
from  one  year  after  the  Connecticut  School  Fund  became 
available  for  free  and  public  schools,  1795. 

When  in  1796,  the  town  held  its  first  school  meeting  in  the  "meeting- 
house," Joseph  Byington,  from  the  North  East  part  of  the  town  was 
moderator  and  David  Lewis,  from  the  same  section,  was  one  of  the 
nine  voted  "to  be  school  committee  for  the  several  districts  to  which 
they  respectively  belong." 

The  division  of  the  town  in  1768,  into  five  districts,  was  thus  made 
obsolete. 

In  1798,  Noah  Byington,  son  of  Joseph,  Senior,  received  his  appoint- 
ment as  Investigating  or  School  Society's  Committee  and  at  the  same 
time  James  Hadsell  was  made  a  District  School  Committee,  one  of  ten 
in  number.     They  were  residents  of  No.  7,  or  the  North  East  District. 

Noah  Byington  served  many  years  in  his  official  capacity.  Some- 
times with  Esquire  Thomas  or  George  Mitchell  they  constituted  the 
entire  board  of  examiners  and  school  visitors,  as  in  1820.  Usually 
several  others  were  chosen  also  to  perform  the  duties  of  the  committee. 
Mr.  Byington  was  a  surveyor.  His  home  was  near  and  south  of  the 
first  school  house  of  the  district  No.  7,  very  near  the  present  home  of 
Franklin  Yale,  on  the  east  side  of  the  way.  He  was  born  1762,  and 
died  1834.  His  wife,  Lucy,  died  1798,  age  32.  The  third  wife,  Ruth 
Manross,  daughter  of  Deacon  Elisha  Manross  of  Forestville,  died  at 
the  old  home,  1867,  aged  95  years.  Of  the  children  two  sons,  Noah 
Henry  and  Charles  were  physicians  of  Bristol  and  Southington,  and 
Welles  R.,  a  deacon  of  Congregational  Church,  Bristol,  1830-1849. 
(All  the  Byingtons  were  large,  strong  men.)  (From  H.  I.  Muzzy.) 
After  the  death  of  Mrs.  Byington  in  1867,  the  house  was  last  occupied 
by  Michael  Lyons,  who  removed  soon  to  Farmington  and  built  a  house 
west  of  "the  Meadows,"  near  Bristol  town  line. 


*  The  illustrations  accompanying  this  article,  have  in  all  cases  (where  mention  of  the 
subject  illustrated  has  been  made  in  the  text),  been  numbered  to  correspond  with  the 
number  denoting  their  location  on  the  Map  op  District  No.  9. 

For  a  few  years  previous  to  Oct.  10,  1896,  the  town  conveyed  pupils  from  No.  7  to 
the  school  in  Edgewood.  At  that  date  it  was  voted  in  an  adjourned  town  meeting  "to 
form  of  No.  7,  and  No.  9,  a  new  school  district,  called  No.  9,  to  contain  all  the  territory 
in  both." 


228 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


SKIBB5IREEN 


MAP     OF     DISTRICT     NO.     9, 

PREPARED     BY 

MRS.     H.     S.     BARTHOLOMEW, 

TO  ACCOMPANY    THIS 

ARTICLE. 


LIST  OF  BUILDINGS  AND  BUILDING  SITES  AS  INDICATED  ON  ABOVE  MAP 
OF  DISTRICT  No.  9. 


No.  1,  David  Lewis  and  Joel  Norton  Places;  No.  2,  Hiram  Norton  Place;  No.  3, 
Michael  Critchley  Place;  No.  4,  James  Hadsell,  Jr.,  Place;  No.  5,  Mining  Company's 
House;  No.  6,  Ephraim  Culver  Place;  No.  7,  Mine  Superintendent's  House;  No.  8,  Store 
of  Mining  Co.;  No.  9,  Abel  Yale  (1st  and  2d)  Place;  No.  10,  Thomas  Yale  and  Adna  Hart 
Places;  No.  11,  John  Bacon  Place;  No.  12,  Schoolhouse  No.  2;  No.  13,  the  Joel  Hart  Place; 
No.  14,  James  Hadsell,  Sr.,  Place;  No.  15,  Hadsell's  Cooper  Shop;  No.  16,  the  Muzzy  Saw 
Mill;  No.  17,  the  Ward,  Shane,  etc.,  Place;  No.  18,  the  Martin  Hart  Place;  No.  19.  Pest 
House,  the  Calvin  vWooding  Place;  No.  20,  James  Hadsell,  Sr.,  Place;  No.  21,  Philo  Stevens 
Place;  No.  22,  Samuel  Botsford  Place;  No.  23,  Theophilus  Botsford  Place;  No.  24,  Henry 
Smith  Place;  No.  25,  Schoolhouse  No.  1;  No.  26,  Ashbel  Mix  Place;  No.  27,  Noah  Byington 
Place;  No.  28,  Joseph  Byington  Place;  No.  29,  Luther  Tuttle  Place;  No.  .30.  Wilson 
Sheldon  Place;  No.  31,  Thos.  Martin  Place;  No.  32',  Mark  Lewis  and  David  Steele  Places; 
No.  33,  William  Jerome,  3d,  Place;  No.  34,  Simeon  Curtiss  Place;  No.  35,  Wm.  Jerome, 
1st,  Place;  No.  36,  Horace  O.  Miller  Place;  No.  37,  William  Jerome,  2d,  Place;  No.  38, 
Wellington  Winston,  Sr.,  Place;  No.  39,  John  London  Place;  No.  40,  John  London  Place; 
No.  41,  Asahel  Mix  Place;  No.  42,  Wm.  B.  Carpenter  Place;  No.  43,  H.  S.  Bartholomew 
Place;  No.  44,  George  W.  Bartholomew  Place;  No.  45,  Asa  Bartholomew  Place;  No.  46, 
Wm.  Jerome,  3d,  and  David  Steele  Places;  No.  47,  Lauren  Byington  Place;  No.  48, 
Martin  Byington  Place;  No.  49,  John  Conklin  Place;  No.  50,  Moses  Pickingham  Place; 
No.  51,  Allen  Winston  Place;  No.  52,  Jeremiah  Stever  Place;  No.  53,  Philo  and  Andrew 
Curtiss  Places;  No.  54,  Schoolhouse  No.  3;  No.  55,  Asa  Austin  Upson  Place;  No.  56, 
Charles  Belden  Place;  No.  57,  Ephraim  McEwen  Place;  No.  58,  IsaaclGillett  Place; 
No.  59,  Jerome  B.  Ford  Place;  No.  60,  Grinding  Shop;  No.  61,  Hardware  Factory  and 
Gristmill;  No.  62,  Saw  Mill;  No.  63,  J.  B.  Ford's  Machine  Shop. 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE."  229 

Story  of  Noah  Byixgton  related  by  H.  S.  Bartholomew  in  1901, 
TO  HIS  Daughter. 

"One  night  in  early  summer  as  Noah  Byington  lay  in  his  four-post 
bed,  in  his  little  one  story  house  (No.  27),  with  the  lower  half  of  his 
front  door  fastened,  and  the  upper  half  open  to  admit  the  air,  he  heard 

a  knock  and  called  out :  'Who's  there?'      'Mr.- ,' was  the  reply.      'I'm 

going  to  begin  school  tomorrow  inorning  on  Fed  Hill*  and  want  to  be 
examined.'  'Why  I  can't  do  it  now,'  said  Mr.  Byington.  'Don't  you 
see  it's  after  eight  o'clock  and  I've  gone  to  bed?  If  you'll  come  back 
early  in  the  morning  I'll  do  it.'  Then  the  visitor  pleaded  that  he  had 
something  else  to  occupy  the  inorning;  it  was  a  long  walk  and  couldn't 
he  do  it  then.  'Well,'  said  Mr.  B.,  'I  can  lie  here  and  ask  you  some 
questions.'  So  there  was  a  pause  and  the  would-be  teacher  hung  over 
the  half  door  in  the  dim  light  waiting  to  make  reply.  'How  many 
sounds  has  A?'  was  the  first  question.  'Why  A  sounds  like  A',  Avas 
the  answer.  'Hasn't  it  any  sound  but  just  that  one?'  queried  Mr.  B. 
'No,'  replied  the  stranger.  'Well  you  don't  pass,'  was  the  announce- 
ment.     'Go  home  and  study  your  spelling  book.' 

"School  did  not  begin  on  Fed  Hill  the  next  morning." 
David  Lewis,  son  of  Josiah,  first  School  Committee  of  District 
No.  7,  1796,  lived  in  the  North  East  part  of  the  town  and  District  No.  7 
of  Bristol  on  Stafford  Avenue  at  its  junction  with  Mines  Road. 
No.  1.)  He  married  Martha  Horsford  of  Canton.  Doubtless  he  received 
from  his  father  the  invariable  marriage  gift  to  his  sons — eight  in  number 
— viz. :  a  farm  of  one  hundred  acres,  a  house,  a  barn,  a  cow,  a  hive  of 
bees  and  a  "Waterbury  Sweet"  apple  tree. 

The  children  were  Chester,  b.  1785,  Cyrus  and  Electa,  b.  1791. 
The}^  united  with  the  church  Feb.  4,  1816.  Chester  Lewis  married 
Annah  Beckwith,  sister  to  Dana.  She  died  1833,  aged  47.  Their 
daughter,  Angelina,  died. 

Almon  Lewis,  the  son  of  Chester,  married  Orra  Melissa  Brown, 
who  died  1889,  age  70.  Almon  Lewis  was  a  dry  goods  merchant,  hav- 
ing stores  at  two  places  on  North  Street,  Bristol.  First,  east  of  Doo- 
little's  Corner  on  the  south.  The  second  store  was  west  of  the  first  on 
the  north  side  of  North  Street,  facing  North  Main  Street.  He  built 
a  house  on  Maple  Street,  Bristol,  opposite  his  brother-in-law,  Jonathan 
C.  Brown,  clock  manufacturer  of  Forestville,  now  owned  by  Wilfred 
H.  Nettleton. 

Of  his  children  (great-grandchildren  of  David  Lewis),  Irving, 
Ashburton  and  Emily,  only  Irving  is  married.  He  has  a  rausic  store 
in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.      Ashburton  teaches  music  in  Brooklyn  public  schools. 

No  data  for  Cyrus  Lewis  is  at  hand,  later  than  1816.  Electa  Lewis, 
third  child  of  David  Lewis,  became  second  wife  of  Newell  Byington. 
She  died  1866,  age  75. 

Chester  Lewis  was  killed  by  the  cars  at  Doolittle's  Comer,  1863, 
when  returning  from  the  funeral  of  Billy  Hart,  son  of  Calvin  and  Anne 
(Yale)  Hart.     He  was  78  years  of  age. 

David  Lewis  and  his  wife  remained  at  this  house  for  a  season  or 
more  after  its  sale  to  Joel  Norton,  Jr.,  about  1815  the  two  families  hav- 
ing fires  in  opposite  ends  of  the  large  fireplace.  The  family  having  a 
fire  in  the  end  near  the  large  brick  oven,  was  obliged  to  put  it  out  when 
baking  was  done.  David  Lewis  died  1818,  age  65.  Martha,  his  wife, 
died  1836,  aged  82. 


Years  ago  "Federal  Hill"  was  often  called  "Fed  Hill. 


230  BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 

Joel  Norton,  Jr.,  b.  on  Fall  Mountain,  1782.  Married  Jemimi, 
daughter  of  Jesse  and  Mary  (Scott)  Gaylord,  1805.  Children,  Henry 
G  ,  b  1806;  Hiram,  b.  1808;  Ammi,  b.  1810;  Harriet,  b.  1813;  Rachel, 
b.  'l815;  Charles,  b.  1821.  Joel  Norton  died  1853.  Jemimi  died  1857. 
Henry  G.,  b.  1806,  married  Parthenia  T.  True  of  Portland,  Me.,  1835. 
He  was  manufacturer,  wholesale  and  retail  dealer  in  all  kinds  of  rubber 
goods  in  New  York  City  with  several  stores  in  other  cities.  His  only 
child,  Mary  E.,  married  June,  1862.  Alexander  Wiirst,  artist,  son  of 
Christopher,  also  an  artist,  natives  of  Dort,  Holland.  The  son  took, 
in  1866,  the  Royal  Gold  Medal  in  Brussells,  Belgium,  on  the  picture 
given  by  the  heirs  of  Henry  G.  Norton  to  the  Boston  Museum  of  Art. 
The  same  year  he  took  a  medal  at  "Th*e  Hague"  on  a  "NorAvegian  Tor- 
rent," now  belonging  to  Luther  S.  Norton.  There  were  other  prizes 
besides  two  Prince  of  Wales  medals.  He  died  in  Antwerp,  1876.  Mary 
(Norton)  Wiisrt  died  on  her  wedding  journey  in  Geneva,  Switzerland, 
August,  1862. 

In  1864-5,  Henry  G.  Norton  built  near  the  site  of  the  David  Lewis 
house  (No.  1),  the  present  Norton  residence  as  a  home  for  his  brother,  the 
late  Deacon  Charles  Norton.  When  finished  it  was  considered  equal,  if 
not  superior,  to  any  other  dwelling  in  town,  for  richness  and  elegance 
of  the  building  and  furnishings.  The  barns  were  built  in  keeping  with 
the  house.  They  were  across  the  town  line  in  Burlington.  One  of 
them  has  been  sold  and  moved  to  Whigville.  Henry  G.  Norton  died 
at  this  house,  July,  1877.  His  collection  of  books  in  New  York  was 
presented  to  the  Bristol  Public  Library.  The  family  also  gave  $5,000 
to  the  Bristol  Library. 

Ammi,  third  son  of  Joel,  Jr.,  b.  1810,  married  Martha  Smith  of 
Burlington,  1837.  She  died  in  New  Haven,  1860.  M.  second,  Jane 
Gridley,  now  living  in  N.  H.  Ammi  Norton  lived  in  Forestville  in  the 
house  now  occupied  by  Geo.  Doherty  on  West  Washington  St.  He 
was  of  the  firm  "Manross,  Norton  &  Welton,"  doing  business  in  a  factory 
built  in  1836,  where  the  Burner  Factory  now  stands.  Spool-stands, 
faucets,  sand  boxes  and  ink-stands  were  made.  His  children  were 
Celia  B.,  b.  1839,  in  Forestville.  After  the  death  of  her  mother  and 
of  her  cousin,  Mrs.  M.  E.  Wiirst,  she  was  adopted  into  the  family  of  her 
uncle,  Henry  G.  Norton.  She  died  Dec.  24,  1903.  Wallace,  son  of 
Ammi  Norton,  was  in  the  Civil  War.  Later  he  became  a  salesman  for 
Henry  G.     Wallace  Norton  died — . 

Harriet  Norton,  b.  1813,  m.  Henry  Gridley,  1840.  Mr.  Gridley 
was  born  and  lived  most  of  his  life  in  Stafford  district.  Mrs.  Harriet 
Gridley  died  1878  at  Maple  St.,  Bristol.  Henry  Gridley  married  2d, 
Rachel,  fifth  child  of  Joel  Norton  and  widow  of  Richard  Moses  of  Bur- 
lington, whom  she  married  in  1836.  Of  her  ten  Moses  children,  Harriet, 
the  oldest  was  an  excellent  district  school  teacher.  School  registers 
show  the  years  she  taught  at  the  Mines  and  in  Edgewood,  then  called 
Polkville.  She  finished  her  last  term  of  school  at  the  latter  place  in 
1859,  and  soon  after  married  Elias  Baldwin,  a  nephew  of  Mrs.  Franklin 
Newell  of  Peaceable  St.  During  the  recitation  of  passages  from  the 
Bible  as  usual  in  the  school,  the  late  John  Henry  Sessions,  then  a  lad 
of  ten  years,  repeated  his  text,  chosen  with  care,  Matthew  17:3,     "And 

behold    there    appeared    imto    them   Moses    and    Elias    talking ". 

Adrien  Moses  (2),  a  prominent  man  and  granger  of  Burlington;  Ellen 
Moses  (3)  married  Asa  Upson  of  Peaceable  St.;  Bernard  Moses  (4), 
Professor  of  Languages  ^in  Berkeley  College,  California,  accepted  from 
President  Wm.  McKinley  his  appointment  to  the  Philippine  Commis- 
sion of  which  Justice  Wm.  Taft  was  the  head,  and  spent  his  term  of 
years  at  the  Islands.  Other  children  of  Richard  and  Rachel  (Norton) 
Moses  are  in  the  West,  if  living. 

■  Charles  Norton,  b.  1821,  youngest  child  of  Joel  and  Jemimi  (Gay- 
lord)  Norton;  married  1846,  Martha  G.  Stocking  of  Kensington.  Four 
children. : 

Luther  S.  (1),  b.  1847;  married  Sarah  Frisbie,  1869.  [Ch. :  Charles, 
1874;   Parthenia  G.,  1888.] 


NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


131 


Alfred  (2),  b.  184S;  m.  Adeline  Lowrey,  daughter  of  Alfred.  [Ch.: 
Clara  (1),  Luella  (2),  Mary  (3). 

Henry  C.  (3),  b.  1851;  m.  Florence  Mooney  of  N.  Y.  C.  He  is 
now  living  in  San  Francisco,  Cal.  Manager  of  the  Pacific  Coast  Rubber 
Company. 

Elizabeth  (4),  b.   1862,  who  married  Gilbert  Blakesley  of  Bristol. 

Charles  Norton  was  a  deacon  of  Congregational  Church  from  1867 
until  his  death  in  1882,  aged  60.  He  attended  the  funeral  of  his  brother 
Am:ni  in  New  Haven,  where  he  contracted  the  fatal  cold.  Ammi  Norton 
died  1882,  aged  71. 

Hiram  Norton,  second  son  of  Joel,  Jr.,  born  1808,  lived  at  the  next 
house  (No.  2),  west  on  the  north  side  of  the  way.  Mines  Road.  He 
married,  1831,  Flora,  daughter  of  Abel  Yale,  Jr.,  or  third.  One  child, 
Edgar,  born  1835.  Hiram  Norton  died  1878,  age  70.  Mrs.  Flora  Nor- 
ton removed  to  Divinity  street,  Bristol,  where  she  died  1891.  Edgar 
A.  married,  1859,  Julia  A.  Barnes,  daughter  of  Jerry.  Children:  Walter 
M.,  William  E.,  Eugenia  B.,  Harland  B.  Edgar  Norton  died  Nov.  21, 
1892. 

Hiram  Norton's  old  home  is  now  in  use  by  Luther  S.  Norton  as  a 
farm  and  tenant  house. 

After  1860  Michael  Critchley  brought  the  old  Whigville  school  house 
(No.  3),  from  near  the  Mines'  Reservoir  (where  it  had  been  in  use  by 
Keron  Hyland  as  a  dwelling)  and  located  it  west  of  Hiram  Norton's 
house  on  the  same  side  of  Mines  Road.  His  children  were  Christopher, 
David,  Michael,  Arthur,  Maggie  and  Jem:nie. 

James  Prior  also  had  a  home  here  and  was  the  district's  school 
committee,  before  1887,  when  John  Peterson,  a  milk  dealer,  purchased 
the  place  of  George  Steele.  He  enlarged  the  house  and  has  occupied 
it  im.til  the  present  time.     John  and  Matilda   (Neilson)   Peterson  have 


^i4,.  -:^:..^ 


m'k 


SCHOOLHOUSE      (fOR     MANY     YEARS     UNOCCUPIED)      NEAR     COPPER     MINES. 


232 


BRISTOL,  CONNECTICUT 


RUINS  OF  THE  ABEL  YALE  (IST  AND  2d)  PLACE.   (nO.  9.) 


been  the  parents  of  fourteen  children,  including  four  pairs  of  twins. 
They  now  have  six  in  life  and  health.  When  sixteen  years  of  age,  Frank, 
the  oldest,  enlisted  for  five  years  in  the  U.  S.  Navy,  1899-1905.  With 
the  Receiving  Ship  Vermont,  he  visited  six  European  countries:  France, 
Germany,  England,  Scotland,  Spain  and  Portugal,  with  Canary  Islands 
and  the  Danish  West  Indies.  [His  photograph  in  uniform  is  given.] 
Since  returning  he  finds  employment  with  the  Stanley  Rule  &  Level 
Co.  of  New  Britain,  at  their  works  in  the  Bartholomew  Factory  at  Edge- 
wood.  Other  children  of  the  family  are  Hulda,  Edwin,  Raymond, 
and  the   twins,    Florence   and   Fanny. 

On  rising  ground  westerly  from  the  last  named  place  it  was  pos- 
sible to  obtain  a  view  of  the  nondescript  village  of  Skibbereen  as  seen 
in  the  distant  field  northwest.  With  its  row  of  low  white  cottages  fol- 
lowing the  lane  at  the  eastern  base  of  Zach's  Mountain,  it  formed  a  rather 
picturesque  sight.  There  in  the  copper  mining  days  lived  the  Sullivans, 
Cunninghams,  Collins,  Fitzgeralds  and  others.  It  was  named  from 
the  southern  port  Skibbereen  of  County  Cork,  Ireland,  which  was  probably 
the  last  town  in  the  loved  home  covmtry  on  which  their  eyes  rested. 
There  is  nothing  remaining  of  this  place  with  the  exception  of  open 
cellars. 

Skibbereen  was  across  the  town  line  in  Burlington.  The  men  were 
all  laborers  at  the  copper  mines.  The  children,  too,  were  educated 
at  the  school  in  No.  7,  when  there  was  room  for  them.  Sometimes  they 
were  obliged  to  go  the  long  distance  to  Whigville.  One  who  sometimes 
was  at  school  in  the  latter  place  was  a  fine  scholar  and  later  a  Yale  grad- 
uate, but  not  long  lived — Cornelius  Sullivan. 

Outside  Skibbereen  bars  or  entrance,  the  Mines  Road  turns  to  the 
south  for  a  short  distance.  At  the  north  bend,  facing  the  east,  the  last 
of  the  three  large  houses  (No.  4),  built  by  James  Hadsell  or  his  son, 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE." 


233 


James  Hadsell,  Jr.,  stood  for  many  years.  Chloe,  wife  of  James  Hadsell, 
Jr.,  was  in  the  Church  1799.  She  died  1850,  aged  83.  After  the  Had- 
sell's  an  Englishman,  whose  name  George  Retfearn,  was  changed  to 
Redfield,  occupied  it  for  a  while.  He  married  the  widow  of  George 
Byington,  son  of  Joseph,  Jr.  Still  later  Bryan  Fitzsimmons  lived  there 
and  inay  have  bought  it,  as  it  is  thought  he  took  it  away  when  he  moved 
to  Bristol  Center. 

His  sons,  Martin  and  James,  were  in  the  employ  of  G.  W.  &  H.  S. 
Bartholomew  in  the  hardware  factory  some  years,  even  after  the  family 
left  this  part  of  the  town.  Other  children  were  Lawrence,  Julia  and 
Ann,  five  in  all.  It  seems  possible  to  have  been  either  James  Hadsell,  Sr., 
or  Jr.,  who  was  School  Committee  in  1798. 

Around  the  southbend  of  Mines  Road,  as  it  turns  to  the  west,  was 
the  double  tenement  house  (No.  5),  of  the  Mining  Co.,  on  the  south  side 
of  the  street.  In  it  lived  Wm.  McCafie,  whose  son,  Thomas,  is  now  in 
Forestville  (Thomas  McKaine),  and  a  French  family  named  Green,  now 
living  in  Bristol  Center  and  Plainville.  Northwest  of  the  last  named 
house,  on  the  north  side  of  Mines  Road  was  "The  Bristol  Copper  Mine." 
For  many  years  after  the  "Mine"  was  in  operation  or  worked,  the  ancient 
Culver  house  stood  on  its  grounds  near  the  street,  surrounded  by  huge 
piles  of  waste  material  (tailings).  Sometimes  its  windows  revealed  to 
outsiders  a  row  of  extra  fine  specimens  of  copper  and  quartz  crystals, 


(1)  No.  3,  Mines  Road,  John  Peterson  O,  The  Michael  Critchley 
Place;  (2)  No.  2,  Mines  Road,  L.  S.  Norton.  O,  The  Hiram  Norton  Place; 
(3)  No.  1,  residence  of  L.  S.  Norton  O,  Site  of  the  David  Leivis  and  Joel 
Norton  Places;  (4)  No.  23,  Stafford  Ave.,  (unoccupied)  The  Theophilus 
Botsford  Place;  (5)  No.  21,  Stevens  St.,  Wm.  H.  Lugg  O,  The  Philo 
Stevens  Place;  (6)  No.  22,  Cor.  Stafford  Ave.  and  Stevens  St.,  Mrs.  R. 
W.  Fox  O,  The  Samuel  Botsford  Place;  (7)  No.  24,  Stevens  St.,  Fred 
Carnell  O,  The  Henry  Smith  Place;  (8)  No.  40,  Mix  St.,  J.  B.  Sanford  O, 
The  John  London  Place;  (9)  No.  39,  Mix  St.,  Mandus  Carlson,  The  John 
London  Place. 


234 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


POOL    AT    COPPER    MINE    SITE. 


with  some  silver.  These  were  produced  for  the  encouragement  of  those 
financially  interested  in  the  property.  They  were  alluring  to  collectors 
and  geologists.  Ephraim  Culver,  who  early  owned  the  house  (No. 6), 
married  Rhoda,  daughter  of  Abel  Yale,  St.,  or  second.  Children  of 
Ephraim  and  Rhoda  (Yale)  Culver: 

Winslow  (1),  died  1830,  age  23.      Was  church  member  1824. 

Aretus  (2),  whose  descendants  lived  in  Forestville,  married,  sec- 
ond, Jane  Griswold,  now  living  in  Terryville.  He  was  in  the  Civil  War 
and  one  of  those  depvited  to  accompany  the  remains  of  Capt.  Newton 
Manross  to  Bristol,  after  the  battle  of  Bull  Run.  Died  in  Bristol,  Feb. 
9,  1865. 

Abel  Yale  (3),  who  married  Chloe  Curtis,  daughter  of  Salmon  and 
died  in  Whigville  1878,  age  63.  His  children,  Rhoda  and  twins,  Mary 
(Mrs.  Wm.  Fenn)  and  Martha  (Mrs.  John  Talmadge),  residents  of  Plain- 
ville,  Conn. 

Alice  (4),  who  married  Daniel  Clark,  son  of  Stephen,  1847.  She 
died  1875,  Mrs.  Rhoda  (Yale)  Culver,  died  1829,  age  46. 

Ephraim  Goodenough  next  lived  in  the  Culver  house.  He  was 
the  oldest  of  thirteen  children  of  Levi  of  Peacham,  Vt.  He  niaried 
Martha  Ladd,  1818,  of  Peacham,  who  died  at  Burlington,  Conn.,  1838. 
Ephraim  Goodenough  died  in  Bristol  Center,  1873.  He  was  in  younger 
days  a  carpenter  and  wheelwright.  Children  (1),  Lester,  born  at  Bur- 
lington 1820.  Died  at  Bristol  Center  1898;  Viola  E.  (2)  [Mrs.  Renslaer 
Raynsford],  who  died  at  West  Hartford,  Conn.,  1876. 

Orlando  (3),  b.  1824.      Died  at  Burlington.  1844. 

Rodney  (4),  b.  1827.  A  sea  captain;  went  to  California  1849. 
Died  in  Oregon,  1880. 

Waldo  (5),  b.  1832,  in  Bristol.     Is  a  printer  in  Leavenworth,  Kan. 

The  last  known  family  to  occupy  the  small  brown  house  was  the 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE."  235 

Woolworth,  of  whom  older  members  were  Philemon  and  Chester,  then 
Azariah,  Harvey,  Leman,  Philander  P.,  who  married  about  1850,  Sarah 
Candace,  fourth  child  of  David  Norton  (both  dec.).  He  was  in  the 
Church  1840;  Robert  in- Church  1843,  and  Franklin,  Church  1844,  now 
living  in  Thomaston. 

A  house  (No.  7),  was  built  in  1850  on  the  western  part  of  the  Mine 
grounds  for  Superintendents.  It  was  known  as  the  "Mine  House."  It 
was  pleasantly  shaded  by  locust  trees  and  shrubs.  H.  H.  Sheldon,  said  to 
be  a  relative  of  Dr.  Nott  of  Union  College,  Schenectady,  N.  Y.,  the  chief, 
if  not  only  owner  of  the  mines  at  that  time,  was  the  first  occupant  of 
the  "Mine  House."  Laura  P.,  wife  of  Mr.  Sheldon,  brought  from  Troy, 
N.  Y.,  her  letter  of  recommendation  to  Bristol  Church,  April,  1851.  The 
children  of  Mr.  Sheldon  were  two  sons  in  school  boy  days  and  a  very 
young  daughter.  Daily  when  schools  were  in  session,  the  family  ocn- 
veyance.  with  pair  of  black  horses  driven  by  Patrick  lago,  transported 
Dexter  Sheldon  and  his  brother  to  and  from  the  Whigville  school,  while 
the  youthful  lagos  increased  the  attendance  in  No.  7.  A  store  (No.  8), 
was  added  to  the  mining  property  on  the  north  corner  of  Mines  Road  and 
Jerome  Avenue,  with  Henry  Roberts,  son  of  Nelson  of  Burlington, 
installed  as  salesman  at  one  time.  The  farmers  of  the  vicinity  found 
here  a  good  market  for  farm  and  dairy  produce  and  the  miners  a  handy 
resort  for  the  necessaries  of  life. 

In  1848,  Michael  Hynds  and  his  family  came  by  stage  to  Bristol. 
They  took  up  their  abode  in  the  Ambrose  Hart  "Old  Mansion"  house, 
in  the  Whigville  district.      He  was  a  teamster  at  the  mines. 

The  first  house  in  the  district  south  of  the  Burlington  town  line  on 
Jerome  avenue,  was  the  old  Abel  Yale  place  (No.  9),  on  the  west  side 
of  the  way.  Abel  Yale,  the  builder,  being  sixth  generation  of  the  line 
of  Yales  from  David  and  Ann  Yale,  in  Wales,  England;  said  to  be  pro- 
genitors of  all  the  Yale  families  of  this  country.  The  name  was  originally 
spelled  Yall,  or  Yell.  Ann  Yale,  becoming  a  widow,  married  Theophilus 
Eaton  afterward  Governor  of  New  Haven  Colony  (1638).  They  arrived 
at  Boston,  1637,  on  board  the  ship  Hector,  accompanied  by  many  emi- 
grants, including  the  three  children  of  Ann  (Yale)  Eaton:  David  (1); 
Ann  (2),  (wife  of  Gov.  Hopkins,  founder  of  the  Hopkins  Grammar  School, 
New  Haven,  Conn.);  and  Thomas  (3).  David  Yale,  first  child,  settled 
in  or  near  Boston,  where  his  son,  Elihu  was  born  1649.  This  family 
returned  to  Europe,  1652,  and  did  not  again  visit  America.  Elihu, 
becoming  wealthy  in  India*,  sent  a  timely  gift  to  the  Collegiate  School  of 
Connecticut,  which  in  time  bestowed  the  name  "Yale  College"  upon  the 
school,  in  memory  and  appreciation  of  the  service.  The  Charter  of 
1745  formally  gave  the  name  to  the  institution.  (2  G.)  Thomas  Yale, 
second  son  of  Ann,  and  uncle  of  Elihu,  was  one  of  the  settlers  of  Noi'th 
Haven  in  1660.  He  married  Mary  Turner,  daughter  of  Nathaniel, 
famous  in  the  Pequot  wars.  Capt.  Nathaniel  Turner's  sword  is  pre- 
served in  the  Hartford  Atheneum.  He  was  lost  at  sea  in  the  ship  of 
which  the  poet  Longfellow  wrote  in  "The  Phantom  Ship." 

(3  G.)  Capt.  Thomas  Yale,  settler  of  Wallingford,  1070.  (4  G.) 
Nathaniel  Yale.  (5  G.)  Abel  Yale,  lived  in  the  east  part  of  Wallingford, 
now  Meriden.  (6  G.)  Abel  Yale,  second  or  Junior,  of  Meriden,  after- 
ward of  Bristol  school'  district  No.  7;  b.  1733,  married  Sarah  Jerome. 
Thev  were  admitted  to  the  Church  in  Bristol,  1759.  He  died  July  4, 
1797,  aged  64.  Sarah,  his  wife,  died  1816,  aged  78.  Children  of  Abel 
Yale  second  and  Sarah  (Jerome)  Yale  niimbered  twelve  as  follows: 

Esther  (1),  b.  1760,  married  Oliver  Phenton. 

Thomas  (2),  .1761,  married  first  Polly  Beckwith,  second  Anna 
Northam. 

Sarah  (3),  1763,  married  Richard  Russell. 

Lydia  (4),  1765,  married  Nathaniel  Warner. 

Anne  (5),  1767,  married  Calvin  Hart. 

Lois  (6),  1769,  married  Daniel  Peck,  and  died  1812. 

Ruth  (7),  1771.     Died  1791. 

*See'lIlustration.  Page  240 


236 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


Elizabeth  (8),  1773,  married  Levi  Boardman. 

Abel  (9),  1775. 

Rhoda  (10),  1778.     Died  1781. 

Mary  (11),  1780,  married  Dudley  Williams. 

Rhoda  (12),  1782,  married  Ephraim  Culver  and  died  1829. 

Abel  Yale,  3d  (7  G.),  son  of  the  preceding  Abel  Yale,  2d,  born  1775, 
married  first  Lydia  Barnes,  daughter  of  Josiah,  who  died  1821,  age  41. 
Their  children  were  Julius,  Henry,  Flora,  Elmore,  Lydia  and  Sarah  A. 

Abel  Yale,  3d,  married  second  his  cousin,  Lorena  (Jerome)  Brown, 
widow  of  Abner.  She  had  one  son,  Orrin  Brown,  of  Forestville.  Abel 
and  Lorena  (Brown)  Yale's  children  were  four  daughters,  Lorena,  Fidelia, 
Mary  Jane,  Selina. 

Abel  Yale  died  1847,  age  73.  Lorena,  his  wife,  died  1869,  age  73. 
Julius  Yale  (8  G.),  oldest  child  of  his  father,  Abel  Yale,  3d,  inherited 
the  farm  and  spent  there  his  life  as  a  farmer  as  his  father  and  grand- 
father had  done.  He  was  admitted  to  the  church,  1844.  He  married 
late  in  life  Lucinda  North,  who  brought  her  letter  from  Farmington 
Church  to  Bristol,  1854.  She  died  1861,  aged  44.  Mr.  Yale  married 
second  Pamelia  (Barnes)  Norton,  widow  of  Franklin  and  daughter  of 
Joel  Barnes.  Julius  Yale  died  1879,  age  72.  He  left  no  family.  Shortly 
afterward  the  house  having  temporary  occupants,  the  odor  of  smoke 
was  noticed,  by  those  passing,  for  a  day  or  two.  It  proved  to  pro- 
ceed from  smouldering  timbers  used  in  the  construction  of  the  old 
stone  chimney.  When  the  concealed  fire  broke  forth  the  old  brown 
house  Avas  very  soon  a  thing  of  the  past.  The  copper  mine  was  opened 
on  Abel  Yale's  land. 

Lydia  Yale  (1),  daughter  of  Abel  Yale,  3d,  and  sister  to  Julius 
Yale,  married  John  C.  Root.  Resided  for  a  time  in  Harwinton,  Conn. 
Returned  to  Bristol  and  the  church,  1824.     They  had  one  or  two  children . 

Sarah  Ann  Yale  (2),  married  William  Wilcox.  Residence,  Collins- 
ville.      He   had  grinder's  consumption.     She  was  in  the  church,    1838, 


THE  "home   by. the   brookside,"   The  Wilson  Sheldon   Place,      (no.  30) 

H.     I.     MUZZY     O. 


"or    new    CAMBRIDGE."  237 

and  returned  to  it  from  Collinsville,  1849.  She  died  1869,  aged  52. 
Children  of  Wm.  and  Sarah  A.  (Yale)  Wilcox  were  Ellen  E.  (1),  [Mrs. 
Clarence  Muzzy];  Franklin  (2),  who  was  a  member  of  the  16th  Regi- 
ment, Conn.  Vol.,  and  died  in  Washington,  D.  C,  Nov.  9,  1862,  interred 
in  Bristol;  Charles  (3)  lived  with  his  uncle,  Julius  Yale,  after  his  father's 
death.  He  joined  the  U.  S.  Regular  Army  in  1864  or  '5  and  was  sent 
to  the  frontier.  He  returned  after  an  absence  of  nearly  fifteen  years, 
when  thought  by  his  friends  to  be  dead.  Entered  the  army  again,  but 
left  it  in  July  of  the  year  many  sought  gold  at  Black  Hills,  where  he 
was  supposed  to  have  gone.  His  name,  Charles  Wilcox,  was  printed 
in  a  list  of  the  "killed  by  Indians"  at  or  near  the  Black  Hills.  His  hfe 
and  fortune  continue  an  tmcertainty  to  relatives.  Lucelia  (4),  married 
Frank  Colvin  of  Bristol. 

Lorena  Yale  (3)  married  Burritt  E.  Barker,  of  Whigville.  Her 
children  were  Anna  E.,  [Mrs.  Chas.  Morris],  (1);  Marian  (2),  deceased, 
and  Arthur  (3).  Mrs.  Lorena  (Yale)  Barker  died  at  the  home  of  her 
daughter,  1903. 

FideHa  (4),  married  Wm.  Wadsworth  of  Hartford  and  died  childless. 

Mary  Jane  (5),  married  Don  Evaristo  Peck,  1846,  and  died  1897. 

Selina  (6),  married  Mr.  Warner  of  New  York  State  (deceased). 
She  left  a  family.  The  children  of  D.  E.  and  Mary  J.  (Yale)  Peck  were 
Don  Cervantes  (1);  Burdette  Abel  (2);  Mary  Emma  (3)  [Mrs.  F.  L.- 
Gaylord  of  Ansonia]  and  Ludella  L.  Peck  (4),  professor  and  A.  M.  of 
Smith  College,  Northampton,  Mass.,  25  years,  who  visited  in  1903,  the 
ancient  seat  of  the  Yales  in  Wrexam,  Wales,  England. 

Thomas  Yale,  son  of  Abel  Yale,  2d,  b.  1761,  lived  in  a  house  (No.  10) 
adjoining  the  home  lot  of  his  father  on  the  south.  He  married  1788, 
Polly  Beckwith,  who  died  1795.  Her  children  were  Gad  (1),  b.  1791, 
and  Pollv  (2),  b.  1793,  married  Mark  Perkins,  1811,  lived  in  Oneonta, 
New  York  State.  Mrs  Polly  Yale  died  1795.  Thomas  Yale  married 
second  Anna  Northam,  1796.  Her  children  were  Harriet  (3),  b.  Sept., 
1797,  who  married  John  Bacon.  He  died  1838,  age  43.  Roxana  (4),  b. 
1799,  married  Adna  Hart  and  lived  at  the  Thomas  Yale  house.^  Gad, 
son  of  Thomas,  married  Hannah  Barnes,  1817,  of  Josiah.  Went  to 
Kirtland,  Ohio.  Was  converted  to  Joseph  Smith.  Sold  a  farm  and 
gave  $1,000  towards  the  erection  of  the  Mormon  Temple,  1836,  at  Kirt- 
land, Ohio. 

Thomas  Yale  died  February  18,  1814. 

Roxanna,  daughter  of  Thomas  Yale,  married  Feb.  23,  1821,  Adna 
son  of  Ambrose  of  Simeon  of  Dea.  Thomas  Hart  of  Southington,  Conn., 
son  of  Deacon  Stephen  Hart,  settler,  born  at  Braintree,  Essex  Co., 
England.  Four  children:  William  Hart  (1),  b.  1823,  married,  1849, 
Emmeline  Thayer  of  Mass.,  died  at  Foxboro,  Mass.,  1886,  leaving  a  son, 
William  T.  Hart^  b.  1850,  married  1877,  Ella  Hatch  of  Hyde  Park, 
Mass.,  difed  Feb.,  1888,  leaving  two  children,  WiUiam  S.  Hart,  b.  1878 
and  Mary  D.  Hart,  b.  1885.  Caroline  Hart  (2),  b.  1824,  married  1843, 
Edward  Graham,  died  1866.  Edward  Graham  died  1886  aged  62. 
Five  children:  George  A.  (1),  b.  1845  at  Wallingford,  Conn.,  died  at 
Andersonville,  Ga.,  1864,  age  19;  Edward  (2),  b.  1848,  died  in  Bristol, 
1872,  aged  24;  Ceha  Caroline  (3),  b.  1850,  married  Nov.,  1879,  William 
D.  Bromlev  of  Bristol;  Ida  Juha  (4),  b.  1854,  married  Henry  C.  Butler 
of  Bristol,  Oct.,  1876;  William  H.  Graham  (5),  b.  Dec,  1865,  in  Bristol 
Center,  married  first  Florence  Fenn.  The  Graham  children  were  born 
in  Edgewood  with  the  exception  of  oldest  and  youngest. 

John  Gad  Hart  (3),  third  child  of  Adna  and  Roxanna  (Yale)  Hart, 
b.  1828,  married,  1848,  Abigal  Benham  of  Burlington.  She  died  in 
Lawrence,  Kansas,  1894,  aged  64.  John  G.  Hart  killed  Feb.  24,  1868, 
at  Black  Rock  crossing.  New  Britain,  Conn.,  leaving  one  daughter, 
Helen  M.  Hart,  b.  May,  1850,  married  first  William  H.  Carey,  1867,  in 
New  Britain,  Conn.  Two  children:  Henry  W.  Carey  (1),  b.  1870,  died 
1874;  George   Benham   Carey    (2),   b.    1878,    married,    June     27,      1900, 


238 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


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OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE."  239 

Charlotte  Wells  of  New  Britain.  Mrs  Carey  married  second,  March  1902, 
John  Hooker  Hart  of  Farmington  Conn.,  son  of  Dea.  Simeon  Hart,  the 
time-honored  instructor  of  boys  at  Farmington,  Conn.  John  Hooker 
Hart  was  second  cousin  of  John  Gad  Hart,  b.  1828. 

Fourth  child,  Thomas  Hart,  b.  May  7,  1832,  married  1855,  Mary 
Elizabeth  Dix  of  Wethersfield,  Conn.  He  died  of  consumption,  Oct. 
30,  1862,  in  Meriden,  Conn.  He  left  a  daughter,  Cora  A.  Hart,  born  m 
Meriden,  Dec.  26,  1859. 

Erastus  Bacon  lived  at  this  place  after  the  Harts  for  a  time  and 
had  a  small  store  near.     The  house  is  now  gone. 

The  next  house  south  at  about  half  the  distance  to  the  schoolhouse 
No.  2,  of  the  district^on  the  west  was  called  the  old  Bacon  house  (No.  11). 
It  had  been  empty  since  mining  days,  but  before  was  the  home  of  John 
Bacon,  who  married  Harriet  Yale,  born  1797,  daughter  to  Thomas  and 
Anna  (Northam)  Yale.  John  and  Harriet  (Yale)  Bacon  were  taken 
into  the  church,  1821.  Mr.  Bacon  died  1838,  age  43.  Their  sons  are 
said  to  have  been  John  and  Erastus  Bacon,  both  well-known  in  the 
town.  The  latter  married  Adeline  Sessions,  daughter  of  Calvin  of  Bur- 
lington and  sister  of  the  late  John  Humphrey  Sessions  of  Bristol.  He 
was  in  the  Civil  War;  his  fate  unknown. 

It  was  in  this  house  that  the  first  Roman  Catholic  masses  in  Bristol 
were  held  regularly.  Father  Daley  coming  monthly  from  St.  Patrick's 
Church,  Hartford,  for  the  purpose,  1850.  At  first  he  caused  crosses 
to  be  placed  on  fences  near  the  hovise  which  made  so  much  disturbance 
in  the  district  it  was  deemed  prudent  to  discontinue  the  practice.  It 
is  understood  the  meetings  were  with  Mr.  Riley,  at  the  Bacon  house, 
though  there  were  occasional  ineetings  before  m.  the  "mill"  and  school- 
house.  Afterwards  Mrs.  Shane  had  a  home  there  and  asserted  herself 
as  "the  man  of  the  house." 

The  second  schoolhouse  of  No.  7  stands  deserted  south  of  the  Bacon 
house  (No.  12)  site.  The  school  which  in  the  fifties  had  a  daily  average 
attendance  of  between  30  and  40  pupils  with  an  occasional  term  still 
higher,  became  so  small  the  town  thought  it  wise  to  transport  the  re- 
maining few  to  Edgewood.  The  school  had  been  benefitted  by  excellent 
and  well-known  teachers  of  whom  the  names  of  a  few  are  mentioned. 
Sarah  Maria  Rice,  daughter  of  Jeremiah;  Harriet  Moses,  daughter  ^ of 
Richard;  Julia  A.  Barnes,  daughter  of  Jeremiah;  Sarah  Foote,  of  Ira; 
Ursula  M.  Hart,  of  John;  Celia  B.  Norton,  of  Ammi;  Ellen  E.  Wilcox, 
of  Wm.;  Marietta  Carpenter,  of  Wm.;  Annie  J.  Brown,  P.  Frank  Perry, 
J.  Fayette  Douglass,  Hiram  C.  Cook,  Lizzie  Welch,  of  Constandt;  Eliza- 
beth Ives,  of  Deacon  Charles  G.,  besides  several  young  teachers  of  the 
di.strict  or  near;  Adellah  Yale,  Helen  Norton,  Laura  Curtiss,  Eugenia 
Warner  and  others. 

There  were  many  families  who  sent  children  to  this  school  before 
and  after  1850,  whose  records  and  homes  are  not  easily  found.  The 
school  registers  of  the  period  afford  the  names  of  the  children  and  serve 
to  recall  to  mind  some  of  the  parents  who  left  the  place  soon  after  the 
mine  was  abandoned.  Capt.  Wm.  Williams'  children  were  Elizabeth  (1), 
John  (2),  Thomas  (3),  George  (4),  Ann  (5),  Johnson  (6). 

William  Casey's  were  Michael  (1),  Sarah  (2),  Mary  Ellen  (3).  They 
removed  to  Bristol  Center.  Marvin  Young's  children  were  Porter  (1), 
who  has  been  in  Bristol  and  perhaps  the  others,  who  were  Lydia  (2), 
Edwin  (3),  Caroline  (4). 

L.  Jones'  daughter,  16  years  of  age,  was  in  the  school  1861,  also 
her  sister  Elisabeth,  12  years,  Wm.  8  years  and  George  6.  The  chil- 
dren of  H.  Roper  were  Hugh  (1),  Julia  (2),  Catherine  (3),  Ellen  (4)  and 
Ann  (5).  The  Quids'  children  were  James  (1),  Samuel  (2),  Fanny  (3), 
Richard  (4),  Children  of  Wm.  Ward,  1852,  were  Thomas,  12,  Jane, 
Elizabeth,  John,  Wm.,  Joseph  and  Maria.  James  Devine,  whose  home 
was  in  the  old  schoolhouse,  sent  to  this  the  new  one,  Margaret,  Mary 
Ann,    Patrick.     The    Prtied    children    were    Nicholas,    John    and    Jane. 


240 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


Patrick  lago's  own  children  and  Mrs.  J.  lago's  were  Margaret  (1),  Ann 
(2),  Thomas  (3):  Lawrence  (1)  and  Jane  (2).  Family  names  of  some 
who  furnished  their  quota  for  the  school  are  Trewhella,  Eustice,  Gregor, 
McCall,  Roach,  Robinson,  Donnovan,  Gillern,  Moren,  Sullivan,  Stone, 
Bolace,  etc.,  etc. 

Across  the  street  from  the  schoolhouse  stood  the  home  of  Joel  Hart 
(No.  13),  built  for  him  by  his  father.  Joel  Hart,  son  of  Calvin  and 
Anne  (Yale)  Hart,  married  Sarah  Bowers.  Their  six  children  were 
Lucy  (Mrs.  Elmore  Yale),  Sabina,  Calvin,  Cyprian  and  Almon.  In  1838 
he  moved  for  five  years  to  New  Britain,  when  he  returned  to  his  old 
home  where  he  died  in  1844. 

The  son  Calvin  died  at  his  grandfather's  house  (Calvin  Hart,  Sr.), 
in  the  south  of  Burlington  where  his  son  Louis  now  lives.  His  wife, 
Ellen,  died  the  winter  of  1906-7,  at  the  home  of  her  daughter,  Mrs. 
Hiram  Lowrey,  leaving  three  children,  William,  who  naarried  Fanny 
Warner,  Delia  and  Louis. 

Cyprian  Hart  was  the  survivor  of  his  father  Joel's  family.  When 
young  he  was  employed  in  the  factory  of  Don  E.  Peck  in  Whigville,  and 
others  including  the  Corbin  Manufacturing  Company  of  New  Britain 
before  purchasing  a  farm  in  Wethersfield  where  he  settled  for  life.  He 
married  in  1852,  Eliza  Perdue.  Two  sons  are  living  as  merchants  in 
the  town,  C.  C.  Hart  of  the  firm  "Hart,  Wells  &  Co.,"  wholesale  seeds- 
men and  Arthur.  He  was  respected  in  the  town  and  served  eighteen 
years  as  selectman  though  not  continuously.  The  Democrats  sent  hiin 
to]Legislature  in  1863.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Wethersfield  Grange. 
His  death  occurred  since  1900. 

In  1850  the  Joel  Hart  house  was  well  filled  when  the  Willia.ms 
brothers,  sons  and  cousins  came  to  take  positions  in  the  mining  business. 
Captain  Richard  Williams  and  William  Williams  with  his  many  school 
boys  and  girls,  also  two  relatives  of  the  name,  lay  preachers,  who  held 
Methodist  services  in  several  places. 

Later  Marvin  Young  lived  there.  His  son.  Porter  Young,  until 
recently  a  resident  of  Bristol  has  been  an  authority  on  matters  concerning 
the  "Bristol  Copper  Mine." 

In    1872,    Perlev   Buck,   who  married   Ella   Hart    (deceased),     elder 


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OR     "new    CAMBRIDGE."  241 

daughter  of  Calvin,  Jr.,  resided  at  this  place  when  engaged  in  the  meat 
business  with  Sj^lvester  Hart.  Clarence  Muzzy  also  lived  there  a  while 
in  his  early  niarried  life.     The  house  was  long  in  disuse  and  is  gone. 

James  Hadsell  (Jeems  Hedsel)  (No.  14)  built  in  the  olden  time  a 
large  house  where  now  stands  the  two  story  white  house  of  Henry  I. 
Muzzy,  south  from  the  schoolhouse  and  well  known  as  the  Lyman  Mix 
place.  The  church  record  of  James  Hadsell's  wife,  Huldah,  serves  to 
define  the  period  in  which  he  was  a  resident  of  the  district  No.  7.  She 
was  admitted  to  the  church  September,  1778.  She  died  in  1827,  aged 
83  years.  Mr.  Hadsell  was  a  cooper  and  had  a  shop  for  his  work  in  the 
rear  of  his  house  He  built  at  some  time  the  cooper's  shop  south  of  the 
garden  of  the  place  (No.  15).  It  was  standing  on  the  bank,  the  narrow 
front  near  the  street,  until  within  a  few  years.  Erastus  Bacon  had  at 
one  time  a  store  in  the  building. 

Mr.  Henry  I.  Muzzy,  now  83  years  of  age  (1907),  in  reminiscence 
speaks  of  the  sale  of  No.  14  to  Mr.  Bosworth,  who  in  time  and  turn 
sold  it  to  Lyman  Mix.  Mr.  Muzzy  was  six  years  of  age  (possibly  eight) 
when  Lyman  Mix  drew  off  the  Hadsell  house  and  built  the  present  two- 
story  house.  It  was  the  year  after  the  present  Congregational  Church 
was  built.  Lyman  and  Mary  (Gaylord)  Mix  lived  in  this  house  imtil 
the  death  of  Mr.  Mix  in  1872,  aged  79.  They  had  no  children  but  adopted 
Rhoda  Ann  Wilmot  daughter  of  Lucius  H  ,  who  married  an  Osborne. 
Mrs.  Mary  Mix  then  purchased  the  old  Episcopal  parsonage,  now  on  the 
north  corner  of  Summer  and  Maple  streets,  Bristol,  in  which  she  lived 
till  her  death  in  1855,  age  85. 

Mrs.  Mary  Mix  invited  the  wife  of  her  nephew  (Dea.  Charles  Norton, 
dec),  Mrs.  Martha  S.  Norton,  to  reside  with  her  at  Bristol  Center,  which 
she  did,  and  remained  at  that  place  the  remainder  of  her  life.  She 
died  1895,  age  75. 

Mr.  Henry  I.  Muzzy  lived  at  the  Lyman  Mix  house  after  the  death 
of  Mr.  Mix,  until  he  sold  it  to  the  Mining  Co.,  when  he  built  his  present 
home  nearer  Edgewood.  Eventually  he  took  back  the  house,  which 
is  the  home  of  his  farmer.  Southward  at  the  saw  mill  (No.  16)  of  H.  I. 
Muzzy,  a  road  not  named,  goes  westward  to  Round  Hill  Road,  in  No.  8 
district. 

At  a  house  (No.  19)  near  the  western  limit  of  No.  7,  which  Ira  Hotcli- 
kiss,  son  of  Elisha,  built,  and  is  remembered  as  a  "pest  house,"  Asa 
Bartholomew  and  twelve  others  are  known  to  have  been  secluded,  under 
care  of  a  physician,  to  pass  the  ordeal  of  varioloid,  according  to  custom. 
Calvin  Wooding  afterward  lived  in  the  house.  He  was  somewhat  noted 
as  a  "horse  jockey."  His  skill  enabled  him  to  so  metamorphose  a  horse  that 
the  honest  man  of  whom  it  was  purchased  without  a  suspicion  of  having 
seen  the  animal  before,  would  buy  it  back,  allowing  an  addition  of  $50 
or  more  to  his  previous  selling  price.  Mr.  Wooding  moved  to  Hartford. 
George  Byington,  son  of  Joseph,  Jr.,  then  made  this  place  his  home. 
His  children  were  Jane  (m.  DeWitt  Winston),  Margaret  and  James. 
The  widow  of  George  Byington,  m.  2d  Mr.  Redfield. 

The  next  house  (No.  18)  was  owned  by  Martin  Hart,  son  of  Ambrose, 
and  brother  of  Adna,  b.  June  10,  1783,  died  1860,  age  77.  Sally  Rowe, 
his  wife,  b.  1782,  died  1853,  aged  71.  Their  children  were  Richard  Lem- 
uel (1),  b.  1800,  d.  1809;  Edward  Ambrose  (2),  b.  1812;  Julia  Philena 
(3),  b.  1809;  Maria  (4)  1855.  Later  they  moved  to  the  Mix  house  on 
Jerome  Avenue,  and  always  referred  to  the  former  home  as  "the  old 
place."  While  there  are  no  dwellings  on  this  old  road,  and  little  or  no 
travel,  it  is  usable.  On  the  hill  near  the  west  part  of  the  saw  mill  a  low 
building  (No.  17),  had  plenty  of  residents  at  one  time,  Shanes,  Wards, 
etc.  Thomas  Devine  lived  there  alone  the  last  of  any  one.  He  was 
drowned  in  the  trench  of  the  Stockinet  Factory  in  Bristol. 

Ascending  a  hill  southward  from  the  mill,  we  are  at  the  second 
house  built  by  James  Hadsell  (No.  20),  on  the  north  corner  of  Stevens 
St.   and  Jerome   Ave.     The   Stevens   family   from   Clieshire  were   living 


242 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


here  before  1815,  when  EHsha  and  wife,  Fanny  (Brainard)  Stevens, 
joined  the  church.  He  died  1847,  aged  68.  His  sons.  Deacons  John, 
Edward  and  Harvey  became  fine  and  wealthy  men  of  Cromwell,  Conn. 
They  were  manufacturers  of  Britania  Ware.  They  took  pleasure  in 
reviving  old  memories  of  home  by  visits  to  Bristol  and  friends.  Mr. 
Stevens  of  Cromwell  attended  the  150th  anniversary  exercises  of  the 
Congregational  Church,  Bristol,  October  12,  1894.  About  that  time 
he  presented  to  the  church  of  his  youth  a  handsome  pulpit  Bible. 
The  next  permanent  resident  was  Isaac  Muzzy,  born  in  Spencer,  Mass., 
1803.  The  first  of  the  family  in  Connecticut.  He  married,  1823,  Hannah 
Minerva  Mix,  daughter  of  Ashbel.  Children,  Henry  Isaac  (Ij,  1824; 
Chloe  Jane  (2),  1825  (married  Hiram  Spellman);  Hannah  Minerva  (3), 
1828  (married  Josiah  Pierce);  Franklin  (4),  1832,  died  1855;  Lyman 
(5),  1836,  died  1861;  Wilham  Wallace  (6),  1846  (married  Anna  Lee, 
1872),  child,  Edward  Winfield,  who  served  in  the  Spanish  War. 

The  son,  Henry  Isaac,  also  resided  in  this  2d  James  Hadsell  house 
until  the  death  of  Lyman  Mix,  when  he  moved  to  the  Lyman  Mix  house. 
John  Peterson,  previous  to  the  purchase  of  his  present  home,  succeeded 
Henry  I.  Muzzy  in  the  place,  where  some  of  his  children  were  born. 
Transient  dwellers  there  have  been  since,  in  the  old  house,  yet  standing 
unfit  for  occupancy. 

We  now  follow  to  the  eastern-most  house  on  the  north  side  of  Stev- 
ens St.,  nearly  to  Farmington  line.     A  house  had  been  for  some  years  on 


JEROME  AVE. 


(10)  No.  57,  John  Muir  O,  The  Ephraim  McEwcn  Place;  (11)  No 
59,  M.  J.  Ford  O;  (12)  No.  30,  "The  House  by  the  Brookside,"  H.  I 
Muzzy  O,  The  Wilson  Sheldon  Place;  (13)  No.  28,  Frank  Yale  0,The 
Joseph  Byington  Place;  (14)  No.  26,  H.  I.  Muzzy  O,  The  Ashbel  Mix 
Place;  (15)  No.  14,  Axel  Anderson  R,  The  James  Hadsell,  Sr.,  Place, 
(16)  No.  47,  Seymour  Reed  R,  The  Lauren  Byington  Place;  (17)  Victor 
Avery  O,   (18)  Amelia   Kohl  O. 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE."  243 

the  site  of  the  present  vine-clad  stone  house,  thought  to  have  been  sold 
by  a  Mr.  Cowles  to  Asahel  Mix.  It  was  occupied  at  one  time  by  the 
Gladdens,  who  have  descendants  living  in  New  Britain.  Later  school 
registers  show  the  attendance  of  the  children  of  Leverette  Barnes,  son 
of  Elijah  of  Wise.  Verona  (1),  Polly  (2),  Mary  P.  (3),  and  Martin 
Barnes  (4).  The  latter  was  often  a  member  of  Julius  Yale's  family 
and  liked  in  Peaceable  St.,  where  he  sometimes  lived. 

The  place  was  sold  by  Asahel  Mix  to  Henry  Smith,  who  with  his 
wife  came  in  the  prime  of  life  from  England.  They  were  both  born,  1812. 
Their  children  were  William  (1),  Susan  (2),  Emm'a  (3),  Annie  (4),  Ellen 
(5)  (who  died  in  childhood),  Deborah  (6),  and  Irna  (7).  They  lived  in 
the  old  house  till  1862,  when  Mr.  Smith  built  the  present  stone  house 
(No.  24).  These  parents,  anxious  chiefly  for  the  welfare  of  their  children, 
taught  them  to  choose  good  companions  and  to  be  true  and  faithful 
always.  They  drove  with  them  on  the  Sabbath  five  miles  to  their  church 
in  Farmingtoii,  where  they  attended  the  Episcopal,  or  Church  of  England. 
The  ministers  of  this  denomination  from  Famiington  and  Bristol  were 
welcome  and  familiar  guests  at  the  farm.  Doubtless  in  the  isolation 
of  the  home  thev  had  a  strong  influence  for  good  upon  the  children  of 
the  household.  "The  inspiration  for  life,  of  the  son  William  may,  how- 
ever, have  come  from  an  unexpected  event,  when  one  day  a  fine  looking 
old  gentleman  was  brought  to  the  house  from  Famiington  Station  by 
some  one  who  could  take  him  no  farther.  He  wished  to  go  to  the  Copper 
Mines  where  he  was  interested.  It  was  Rev.  Dr.  Eliphalet  Nott,  Presi- 
dent of  Union  College,  Schenectady,  N.  Y.  Mr.  Smith  was  away  with 
the  family  conveyance.  Mrs.  Smith,  after  giving  the  gentleman  a  cup 
of  tea  was  (aided  by  her  son)  equal  to  the  emergency.  A  farm  wagon 
was  cleared.  A  rug  or  piece  of  carpet  spread,  and  lastly  an  arm  chair 
placed  in  the  wagon.  Thus  comfortably,  Dr.  Nott  was  taken  by  William 
Smith  to  view  his  mining  possessions  in  Bristol. 

During  the  drive  Dr.  Nott  ascertained  the  wish  of  the  young  man 
for  an  education.  He  advised  him  to  read,  study,  and  prepare  for  college, 
and  then  come  to  him.  These  instructions  were  faithfully  carried  out. 
He  first  attended  E.  L.  Hart's  school  in  Famiington,  and  finished  in 
Wilbraham.  Dr.  Nott  then  gave  him  his  four  years'  tuition  at  Union 
College,  and  as  long  as  William  Smith  lived  was  his  firm  and  staunch 
friend.  Dr.  Nott  often  spoke  of  the  beautiful  hospitality  and  refine- 
ment he  found  in  the  quiet,  m.odest  home. 

After  Mr.  Smith  was  80  years  old  his  daughter  and  her  son  found 
him  one  day  in  need  of  medicine.  The  son,  then  a  medical  student, 
now  Dr.  H.'^C.  Spring  of  Bristol,  fortunately  had  remedies  which  were 
given  him.  Mr.  Smith  expressed  his  pleasure,  that  the  first  medicine 
given  him  by  a  doctor  was  after  he  was  80  years  of  age,  and  also  that 
it  was  administered  by  his  own  grandson.  Mrs.  Smith  died  1881,  age 
69.  Wilham,  oldest  child,  carried  out  his  desire  to  become  a  minister 
of  the  Gospel,  but  died  at  the  age  of  42.  He  located  in  Pennsylvania. 
Mr.  Henry  Smith  married  second,  Mrs.  Carnell,  mother  of  Frederick 
Carnell,  the  present  owner  of  the  farm.  She  survived  him  a  few  years. 
Mr.  Henry  Smith  died  1896,  aged  84.  They  are  interred  in  the  "Scott's 
Sivanip  Cenieterv." 

Frederick  W.  and  Eliza  Carnell  came  to  the  stone  house  in  June, 
1897,  from  New  Haven.  When  the  estate  of  the  late  Henry  Smith 
was  settled  in  the  winter  of  that  year,  they  purchased  the  interests  of 
the  heirs.  Their  children  were  May  E.  (1),  Frederick  J.  (2),  Arthur 
D.  (3)  and  Robert  S.  (4),  educated  in  New  Haven,  with  the  exception  of 
Robert  S.,  who  was  graduated  from  Bristol  High  School,  1904.  Fred- 
erick James  was  graduated  from  Sheffield  Scientific  School  of  Yale 
University,  1900.  He  was  a  high  stand  student  throughout  his  course, 
taking  one  half  the  prize  for  general  excellence.  Honorable  in  Physics, 
German,  Chemistry,  Mathematics  (for  which  he  had  prize)  and  Mechan- 
ical Drawing,  also  general  honors  in  Electrical  Engineering.  He  was  a 
member  of  Sigma  Xi,  a  high  stand  society.  Immediately  after  grad- 
uation he  received  the  appointment  as  assistant  in  Physics  in  the  labora- 


244 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


tory  of  the  Scientific  School,  and  there  continued  his  work  and  studies 
until  his  death  at  the  New  Haven  Hospital,  Nov.  15,  1902.  Frederick 
James  Carnell  died  as  the  result  of  a  casuality,  Saturday  afternoon,  Nov. 
1 ."),  1002.  Accompanied  by  a  friend  and  classmate,  he  went  to  Umbrella 
Island,  near  Short  Beach,  for  an  afternoon  of  duck  shooting.  In  lifting 
his  gun  from  the  boat  its  accidental  discharge  shattered  the  arm  at  the 
elbow.  More  than  an  hour  passed  before  a  doctor  could  be  reached, 
who  decided  that  amputation  was  necessary.  It  was  accordingly  per- 
formed at  the  Hospital,  but  through  shock,  following  loss  of  blood,  he 
died  a  few  hours  afterward.  He  was  22  years  of  age.  Arthur  David 
married,  June  20,  1906,  Jennie  M.,  daughter  of  the  late  Edward  F.  and 
Martha  (Ttitile)  Gaylord. 

Returning  to  the  four  corners  of  Stevens  St.  and  Stafford  Ave. 
intersection,  we  go  northward  to  the  one  house  (No.  23)  between  the 
Joel  Norton,  Jr.,  house  and  the  corners,  where  Theophilus  Botsford, 
born  1758,  resided.  He  married  Dolly  Bidwell  of  Middletown,  Conn., 
born  1758,  died  1828.  He  married  2d,  Widow  Whitmore,  sister  of  Dolly. 
She  had  a  daughter  Elizabeth  Whitmore.  Theophilus  Botsford  died 
1841,  aged  83  vears.  He  had  six  children:  Daniel  (1),  born  1782;  Sam- 
uel (2),  born  1783;  Dolly  B.  Norton  (3),  bom  1786;  Irene  B.Atkins  (4), 
born  1788;  George  Arthur  (5),  born  1790;  Annis  Botsford  Winston  (6), 
born  1792.  He  was  one  of  the  first  who  thought  copper  could  be  found 
in  the  vicinity  by  inining,  and  made  some  experiments  to  prove  his 
belief.  Some  of  the  mining  masters  were  domiciled  here,  and  later  the 
Gomine  (Gum)  family.  The  house  is  owned  by  John  Peterson,  but  not 
inhabited. 

At  the  southwest  corner  below,  (No.  22),  Samuel,  second  son  of 
Theophilus,  b.  1783,  resided  for  a  generation.  He  was  a  blacksmith. 
He  married  Betsy  Clark  of  Meriden,  b.  1782,  died  1859,  age  77.  Samuel 
Botsford  died  1862,  aged  79.  Their  six  children  were  as  follows:  Nancv 
(1)  (m.  Elias  W.  Perkins):  Harriet  (2)  (m.  Philo  Stevens);  Patrick  (3), 
died  in  New  York  aged  61,  unmarried;   Hiram  (4),  b.  1813,  d.  1875  aged 


THE    SECOND    JAMES  HADSELL 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE."  245 

62,  m.  Jan.  16,  1839,  Elizabeth  Wetmore,  daughter  of  his  grandfather's 
2d  wife.  She  died  Nov.  27,  1839,  leaving  an  infant  daughter,  which  his 
mother  brought  up.  (Ehzabeth,  b.  Nov.  27,  1839,  m.  Edwin  Bristol 
of  Cheshire.  She  died  leaving  several  children,  Edwin,  Mary,  etc.). 
Betsy  (5),  b.  1815,  d.  1832  a.  17;  Lorenzo  (6),  1819,  d.  1870,  a.  51, 
m.  Hannah  Norton,  1842.  She.  born  1820,  died  1853,  leaving  two  chil- 
dren, James  (1),  b.  1845,  d.  1SS9,  m.  Frances  Barrows.  Three  children: 
Fanny  A.  (1),  m.  Albert  Homewood;  Hattie  (2),  m.  Edwin  Mitchell; 
Alice'(3),  m.  James  Connery.  Burdette  Botsford  (2),  brother  of  James, 
b.  1846,  d.  1853,  aged  7  years. 

Harriet  Botsford  who  married  Philo  Stevens,  1827,  lived  on  the 
north  side  of  Stevens  St.,  near  her  father,  Samuel  Botsford.  (A  large 
house  was  built  by  the  Lawsons  on  the  site  of  the  Philo  Steven's  house) 
(No.  21).  The  children  of  Philo  and  Harriet  (Botsford)  Stevens  were 
eleven  in  number,  Nancy  (1);  David  (2);  Franklin  (3);  Mary  Ann  (4); 
Harriet  F.  (5);  Philo  (6);  Egligene  (7);  Josephene  (8);  Betsey  M.  (9); 
DeWitt  Clinton  (10);  Charles  (11).  Philo  Stevens,  b.  1804,  d.  1880, 
aged  76.  Harriet  his  wife  b.  1809,  d.  1891,  aged  82.  Eliza  (Gomnie) 
Fox,  widow  of  Simeon,  now  resides  with  her  son,  Thomas,  a  famier, 
at  the  Samuel  Botsford  house.  Her  daughter,  who  married  Wm.  Lugg, 
resides  on  the  site  of  the  old  Philo  Stevens'  house.  He  has  been  engineer 
at  H.,  C.  Thompsons'  Clock  Co.  He  has  an  oversight  oi  the  Mining  Co's. 
property.     They  have  four  children,  the  oldest  Herbert. 

Having  completed  the  tour  of  Stevens  St.,  and  going  south  on  Jerome 
Ave.,  we  come  to  the  first  and  only  schoolhouse  (No.  25)  of  the  district 
for  nearly  the  first  half  of  the  century.  It  was  situated  on  the  east  side 
of  Jerome  Ave.,  south  of  the  house  of  Elisha  Stevens.  William  Jerome 
4th  recalls  his  school  days  there,  when  he  was  taught  by  Enoch  Marks 
of  Burlington,  a  son  of  Lieut.  David  Marks,  who  became  wealthy  in  New 
York  State  as  inspector  of  salt  at  the  extensive  Syracuse  Salt  Works. 
William  Elton,  too,  of  Burlington,  was  his  teacher.  He  practiced  medi- 
cine in  Burlington,  where  he  lived  with  his  wife  and  daughter.  The 
former,  Ameha  Pettibone,  of  Choral;  tmtil  some  ten  years  ago  the  three, 
father,  mother  and  daughter,  in  one  week  fell  victims  of  pneumonia. 
A  young  son,  Willard,  was  not  at  home.  He  is  supposed  to  be  living  in 
Springfield,  Mass. 

Julia  P.  Hart,  daughter  of  Martin,  another  teacher  in  the  old  school 
house,  became  second  wife  of  Lauren  Byington,  son  of  Martin.  They 
lived  in  Edgew^ood  and  died  childless.  She  was  called  "Miss  JuHa"  to 
her  dying  day,  as  known  while  teaching  in  her  home  district. 

WilHam  Jerome  3d,  father  of  William  Jerome  of  today,  attended 
at  this  school  when  Noah  Byington  was  the  instructor.  The  "scholars" 
sometimes  tried  his  patience  by  not  coming  in  promptly  when  the  sum- 
mons was  heard.  A  loud  rapping  with  a  stick  or  ruler  on  the  side  of 
the  door  or  house  was  the  call  to  resume  study  of  "reading,  'riting  and 
'rithmetic"  in  those  days.  Mr.  Byington  provided  himself  with  a  long 
whip  for  the  treatment  of  his  delinquent  pupils.  He  gave  each  one  who 
passed  him  entering  the  door  a  cut  or  lash  with  the  whip.  Young  Jerome 
ran  between  the  master's  legs  and  escaped.  About  1848  the  school 
building  was  superseded  by  the  new  one  near  Mines  Road.  The  old  one 
"while  staying  after  school"  was  purchased  by  a  miner,  James  Devine, 
who  had  several  children,  attendants  at  the  second,  or  new  schoolhouse, 
and  living  in  the  old  one.  At  last  Luther  S.  Norton  "carted  it  to  Dublin 
Hill,  Forestville."     The  Dcvines  are  now  in  New  Britain. 

A  short  distance  southwest,  Ashbel  Mix,  son  of  Timothy,  built  the 
large  red  house  (No.  26),  long  a  familiar  landmark  and  home,  with  the 
tall  pine  trees  at  its  south  front.  Ashbel  Mix,  son  of  Timothy,  b.  1760, 
d.  1807,  m.  Hannah  Byington,  daughter  of  Joseph  Byington,  b.  1773, 
and  died  1836.  The  Ashbel  Mix  farm  was  a  portion  of  her  father's 
estate.  Their  children  were  Lyman  (1),  b.  1793;  Nancy  (2)  [Mrs.  Ira 
Foote  of  Burlington,  carded  the  wool,  spun  the  yam,  and  wove  her 
wedding  dress]  b.  1794;  Asahel  (3),  1795;  Noble  (4);  Ashbel,  Jr.  (5), 
1801;  Minerva    (6),    1805,    perhaps   others. 


246 


BBISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


Asahel  Mix  resided  at  this  place  until  he  built  elsewhere  in  the 
district.  He  married,  Jan.  13,  1820,  Amna  Judd.  Martin  Hart  bought 
this  place  when  for  sale,  to  which  he  removed  from  his  "old  place"  on 
the  cross  road,  before  mentioned  with  family  data.  In  1860  Martin 
Hart  died.  Simeon  and  Philo  Curtiss,  sons  of  Joshua  of  Milford  St., 
Burlington,  each  resided  here  a  few  years,  having  the  care  of  the  property. 
The  house  finally  went  in  much  the  same  manner  as  the  old  Abel  Yale 
place,  consumed  by  fire  in  "the  heart  of  the  house,"  the  old  stone  chim- 
ney; S.  Curtiss  living  there  at  the  time,  about  1862.  Mr.  Henry  Isaac 
Muczy  later  built  on  the  site  his  present  dwelling  house,  while  the  bams, 
nearly  opposite,  belonged  to  the  old  house.  The  fine  old  pine  trees 
.suffered  in  the  fire  which  destroved  the  house,  and  are  nearly  gone. 
H.  I.  Muzzy,  b.,  182-1,  still  living,  m.,  1843,  Mary  Elizabeth  Beach, 
daughter  of  Eli,  of  Plymouth,  b.,  1825,  d.,  1881.  Their  children,  Clarence 
Henry  (1),  b.,  1845,  served  in  the  Civil  War,  m.  Ellen  E.  Wilcox,  daughter 
of  Wm.,  [children,  Leila  and  Robert];  George  Franklin  (2),  1847,  served 
in  the  navy  in  the  Civil  War,  d.,  1865,  unmarried;  Charles  Edwin  (3), 
1849,  m.,  Frances  Emma  Strickland  (dec);  Adrian  James  (4),  1851, 
m.,  1873,  Florence  Emlyn  Downes,  1851,  [children,  Leslie  Adrian  (a) 
(dec);  Floyd  Downes  (b)  (dec);  Adrienne  (c)],  author  of  Prize  Biog- 
raphy "Katherine  Gaylord,  Heroine;"  Frederick  (5),  1853,  d.,  1874; 
unmarried;  Alice  Elizabeth  (6),  1855  [married  Frank  Winston,  children, 
Ella  (a),  Ernest  (b)],  Ella  Jane  (7),  1856  [married  Lewis  Strong,  child 
Roy];  Frank  Lyman  (8),  1858  [married  first  Emily  Wilcox,  child,  died; 
married  second  Augusta  Frinck,  child,  Dorothv].  Member  of  the  firm 
A.  J.   Muzzy  &  Co.;    Mary    Minerva    (9),    1861-1863;    Mary   EHzabeth 


JEROME  AVE 


(1)  No.  32,  F.  W.  Holmes  O,  The  Mark  Lewis  Place;  (2)  No.  33, 
Wm.  Jerome  (4th)  R,  D.  I.  Jerome  R,  The  Wm.  Jerome  (jd)  Place;  (3) 
No.  34,  Carl  Peterson  R,  The  Simeon  Curtis  Place;  (4)  No.  35,  Theo. 
Lockenwitz  O,  The  Wm.  Jerome  {ist)  Place;  (5)  No.  36,  Horace  O. 
Miller  O;  (6)  No.  37,  Chas.  H.  Downs  R,  The  Wm.  Jerome  {2d)   Place; 

(7)  No.   38,   Chas.    Hotchkiss    O,    The  Wellington   Winston,  Sr.,    Place; 

(8)  No.  55,  A.  H.  Warner  O,  The  Charles  Belden  Place. 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE."  247 

(10),  1864-1873;  Arthur  George  (11),  1866  [married  Martha  Ellen 
Thomas,  child,  Ruth];  Harriet  Beach  (12),  1868. 

Southeast  from  H.  I.  Muzzy 's  present  home  (No.  27)  were  the  old 
homes  of  Noah  Byington,  before  mentioned,  with  his  father,  Joseph 
Byington  (No.  28)  very  near  on  the  south.  The  houses  were  much  alike, 
small,  unpainted,  but  pleasant  appearing  homes  with  gambrel  or  "curb- 
roofs."  Joseph  Byington,  b.  1736,  died  1798;  married  first,  1757,  Jemima 
Hungerford,  who  died  1759.  He  married  second  Hannah  Spencer, 
1760.  Children  were:  Isaac  (1),  b.  1761;  Noah  (2),  b.  1762;  Isaiah 
(3),  1764;  Martin  (4),  1767;  Clarissa  (5),  1770.  Hannah  (Spencer) 
Byington,  d.  1771.  He  married  third  Hannah  Warren,  Feb.  20,  1772. 
Children,  Hannah  (6),  b.  1773;  Meliscent  (7),  b.  1775;  Chloe  (8),  b. 
1777;  Joseph,  Jr.,  (9),  1778;  Asahel  (10),  1780;  Enos  (11),  1781;  Newell 
(12),  1787. 

Hannah  Warren  Byington  was  born  1752,  died  1819.  Joseph 
Byington  served  as  lieutenant  in  the  war  of  the  American  Revolution. 
His  name  appears  on  the  records  from  the  "Lexington  Alann"  in  1783. 
He  was  Justice  of  the  Peace,  doing  much  town  business  in  Bristol. 

His  son  Joseph  lived  after  him  in  the  house,  and  his  grandson, 
Williams  Byington,  also  lived  there  before  Elmore  Yale,  son  of  Abel 
Yale,  3d,  made  it  a  home.  He  married  Lucy  A.  Hart,  daughter  of  Joel. 
Their  children  were:  Adella  (1),  b.  1845,  who  lived  to  teach  the  dis- 
trict school,  1862,  but  died  when  aged  about  20  years;  Frances  (2)  Yale, 
b.  1850,  was  for  ten  or  twelve  years  in  charge  of  a  sewing  room  at  the 
Orphan  Asylum  in  Hartford,  where  she  was  doing  a  good  work  at  the 
time  of  her  death  from  pneumonia  in  Dec,  1904. 

Henry  Yale  (3)  married  Anna  Ford,  daughter  of  Jerome.  Resides 
at   Patchoque,   L.   I.     They  have  eight  children. 

Franklin  (4),  who  has  a  later  home  on  the  site  of  the  old  Byington 
house;  married  Melissa  Ford,  daughter  of  Jeroine.  They  have  a  son, 
Alfred  Yale,  of  the  Tenth  (j-eneration  from  David  and  Ann  Yale,  of 
Wales,  England,  1630. 

Opposite  Noah  Byington's  house  was  the  old  home  of  Luther  Tuttle 
(No.  29).  The  well  still  of  use  in  the  field,  is  all  that  has  marked  the 
spot,  as  the  site  of  the  house,  for  many  years. 

Luther  Tuttle,  born  1774,  was  son  of  Ichabod  Tuttle,  one  of  the 
28  men  of  Goshen,  Conn.,  who  enlisted  1775  in  the  Company  of  Capt. 
John  Sedgwick,  grandfather  of  Major  Gen.  John  Sedgwick,  of  Comwell 
Hollow,  for  Ticonderoga  (captured  May  10) ;  married,  1772,  Ehzabeth 
Matthews;  removed  to  Wyoming;  was  in  the  battle  July  3,  1778,  and 
killed  by  the  Indians  while  running  towards  the  river  for  escape.  His 
name  is  inscribed  with  159  others,  victims  of  that  atrocity,  on  the  monu- 
ment erected  to  their  memory.  His  wife,  with  her  three  small  children, 
Calvin  (1),  b.  1772;  Luther  (2),  b.  1774  and  Ichabod  (3),  1770,  escaped 
in  a  boat  down  the  river,  and  made  her  way  back  to  Conn.  (Tuttle  Gen.) 
She  married  second,   1792,  Thomas  Hungerford,  and  died  aged  86. 

Luther,  the  second  son,  born  1774,  married  1796,  Mary  Bartholo- 
mew, daughter  of  Jacob,  and  resided  at  this  house  in  District  No.  7,  of 
Bristol.  Their  children  were:  Chauncey  (1),  1797;  Betsey  (2),  1799, 
married  Carter  Newell  in  1820;  Lemuel  (3),  b.  1801,  d.,  age  3  years; 
Mary  (4),  1803,  married  Orrin  Moses  of  Burlington;  Celinda  (5),  1805, 
married  Wm.  Brown;  Luther  Lemuel  (6),  1807,  married  1830,  Martha 
Lowrey,  daughter  of  Thomas.  Luther  and  Mary  (Bartholomew)  Tuttle 
died  the  same  day  of  spotted  fever.  May  3,  1808.  She,  aged  29  years. 
Mary  and  Luther  Lemuel  were  brought  up  by  their  Aunt  Rosannah 
(Bartholomew)  Cowles,  wife  of  Asabel  Cowles,  who  had  no  children, 
and  lived  in  Peaceable  St.,  where  Luther  spent  his  days,  and  the  late 
Edward  Fenn  Gaylord,  who  married  his  daughter,  Martha  Tuttle,  also 
died  in  1905.  Chloe,  daughter  of  Mary,  who  married  Orrin  Moses,  be- 
came wife  of  Andrew  S.  Upson  of  the  Upson  Nut  Co.,  Cleveland,  Ohio, 
and  Unionville,  Conn.     Another  daughter  is  wife  of  Thomas  Brooks  of 


248 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


Unionville.  Other  daughters  reside  near  Boston.  The  sons,  John,  etc., 
were  large  land  owners  in  Burlington.  The  widow  of  Luther  Moses, 
is  living  in  Hartford. 

On  the  south  bank  of  the  brook,  Wilson  Sheldon  built  his  house 
(No.  30),  west  side  of  Jerome  Ave.,  in  1854.  He  was  one  of  the  eleven 
children  of  Jerre  and  Katie  (Lanfair)  Sheldon  of  Pine  Orchard,  Branford, 
Conn.  Children  of  Jerre  and  Katie  (Lanfair)  Sheldon:  Nicholas  (1), 
Truman  (2),  Austin  (3),  Asher  (4),  Wilson  (5),  Roswell  (6),  Betsey  (7), 
Hannah  (8),  Safronia  (9),  Wealthy  (10),  Phebe  (11).  With  his  son 
Truman  he  started  the  present  "Sheldon  House"  for  svimmer  sea-side 
guests.  It  is  continued  by  descendants  of  Truman.  The  cottage  re- 
cently in  use  at  this  resort,  north  side  of  the  road,  was  originally  the  home 
of  the  family.  It  was  covered  with  shingles.  The  daughter  Sophronia, 
who  married  Mr.  Burton,  parents  of  Catherine  Burton,  sometime  of 
Bristol,  resided  in  the  shingled  house.  Catherine  Burton  married 
Alonzo  Welton,  who  died  in  Bristol,  1864,  age  31. 

The  shingled  house  was  afterwards  moved  and  a  modern  cottage 
now  stands  on  its  site. 

Of  the  eleven  children  of  Jerre  Sheldon  only  Asher  survives.  He 
is  a  resident  of  New  Haven  and  93  years  of  age,  yet  able  to  do  light  work. 
He  takes  pleasure  in  a  walking  trip  of  five  miles,  at  one  time,  or  writing 
an  interesting  letter  in  a  clear,  firm  hand. 

Wilson  Sheldon  was  bom  in  Branford,  April  9,  1809.  Died  in 
Bristol,  at  the  Brook-side  home,  Nov.  30,  1890,  of  pneumonia.  When 
young  he  learned  the  wood  turning  business  and  became  an  expert 
workman  of  his  time.  His  life  work  was  chiefly  in  the  clock-making 
industries  of  Bristol;  beginning  with  Day  &  Brewster  or  Brewster  & 
Ingraham  and  ending  with  the  E.  Ingraham  Clock  Co.  He  married 
Oct.  17,  1830,  Phebe  Rebecca  Matthews,  daughter  of  Joel  and  Abigail 
(Tuttle)    Matthews   of   Fall   Mottntain,    Bristol. 

Mrs.  Wilson  Sheldon  was  of  devoted,  religious  temperament.      She 


RESIDENCE    OF    WM.    JEKO.ME    IX     i  t  'A)    (.NO.    35/    TIllCUUORE    LOCKENWITZ    O. 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE."  249 

became  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church,  in  Bristol,  and  a  prominent 
soprano  singer  in  the  choir.  In  early  married  life,  under  stress  of  pro- 
tracted religious  services  in  connection  with  intense  Bible  study,  her 
mind  became  unbalanced  from  which  she  never  fully  recovered.  She 
died  March  25,  1858. 

Children  of  Wilson  and  Phebe  R.  (Matthews)  Sheldon  were  nine  in 
number:  Jeremiah  (1),  1831-1832;  Andrew  (2).  1833-1834;  Mariette 
(3),  b.  Aug.  18,  1834;  Emehne  (4),  b.  April  4,  1836;  Nancy  Matthews 
(5),  b.  July  25,  1838;  Orlando  (6),  June  24,  1841;  Edward  (7),  Edgar 
(8)  twins,  b.  1845,  died  aged  one  year;  Miles  (9),  b.  1848,  Hved  about 
two  years. 

Mariette  (3),  b.  1834,  married  Ralph  Merrills  of  New  Hartford, 
Conn.,  a  veteran  in  the  Cavalry  Service  of  the  Civil  War.  Two  daughters, 
Clara  the  elder  is  wife  of  Edward  G.  Peck,  a  foreman  at  P.  &  F.  Corbin's, 
New  Britain,  Conn.  The  younger  child  died  as  the  result  of  a  fall  in 
infancy.  Mrs.  Mariette  Merrills  died  at  the  home  of  her  sister,  Mrs. 
E.  M.  Curtiss,   Bristol,   March  11,   1904,  aged  70. 

Emeline  (4),  b.  1836,  married  Edwin  Miles  Curtiss,  son  of  Philo  and 
Charlotte  M.  Curtiss  of  Edgewood.  Their  children  were:  Emerson  W. 
(1),  (blind  from  birth),  married  Emily  Sheldon;  Herbert  (2),  2  years; 
Wallace  E.  (3);  Elbert  Everett  (4),  (drowned  at  Cedar  Swamp  Lake, 
22  or  23  years  of  age);  Ida  May  (5),  married  Will  Cable;  Linus  (6),  10 
weeks;  Frank  (7). 

Nancy  Matthews  (5),  b.  1838,  died  Dec.  16,  1900,  of  measles,  age  68. 
W^ife  of  Willis  B.  Wheeler  of  Bristol.     No  children. 

Orlando  (6),  b.  1841.  Enlisted  when  22  years  of  age  in  the  First 
Conn.  Vol.  Heavy  Artillery.  Received  honorable  discharge  Oct.  9, 
1865,  after  the  close  of  the  Civil  War.  The  following  winter  took  a 
course  of  instruction  in  the  U.  S.  College  of  Business  and  Finance,  New 
Haven,  Conn.  Has  since  been  occupied  in  bookkeeping  and  mercantile 
pvirsuits.  Married  April  5,  1870,  at  Derby,  Conn.,  Laura  Maria  Curtiss, 
daughter  of  Philo  and  Charlotte  M.  Curtiss.  Three  children  were  born 
to  them  in  Bristol.  Bertha  Laura,  a  kindergarten  teacher  in  New  Britain, 
and  twin  daughters,  who  died  in  infancy.  One  son,  Curtiss  Lanfair, 
bom  in  New  Britain,  Conn.,      Residence  in  New  Britain,  Conn,  since  1884. 

Later  Axel  V.  Jacobson,  who  married  Eliza  Johnson,  sister  to  John, 
Victor,  Emma  (Mrs.  Max  Christianson),  Mary  (Mrs.  Axel  Kalstrom), 
and  others,  bought  the  place.  They  were  residing  there  in  1893.  The 
death  of  Mrs.  Jacobson,  with  subsequent  poor  health  and  finally  death  of 
Mr.  Jacobson  soon,  again  closed  the  home.  It  was  purchased  by  Henry 
I.  Muzzy,  the  present  owner.  It  is  seldom  occupied  and  but  for  short 
periods. 

At  the  hill  top  next  south,  Thomas  Martin  built  a  small  house 
(No.  31).  Only  the  well,  40  feet  deep,  with  the  nearly  filled  cellar  are 
left  of  the  former  home.  Thomas  Martin  married  first  a  sister  of  the 
wife  of  Wm.  Ward,  who  died  leavingthe  children:  Catharine  (1),  James 
(2),  Mary  (3),  Patrick  (4).  The  second  wife  had  a  daughter  Margaret 
(Maggie).  Only  Patrick  is  known  to  be  a  resident  of  Bristol  in  1907. 
When  the  house  burned  after  1860,  the  family  moved  to  the  Austin 
Wilcox  house  on  Farmington  Ave.,  on  the  mountain  opposite  the  spring. 
Thomas  Martin  died  Feb.  8,  1890,  age  73. 

Second  Division. 

In  1829,  the  town  voted  that  the  northeast  school  district  be  ex- 
tended south  as  far  as  the  south  line  of  the  house  lot  of  Wm.  Jerome 
on  the  west  side  of  the  highway.  1830  the  town  voted  that  the  north- 
east district  be  extended  south  to  the  south  side  of  the  dwelling  house 
of  David  Steele. 

October  6,  1828,  is  the  date  of  a  deed  given  to  Asa  Bartholomew 
by  Selectmen  of  Bristol,  Hartford  Co.,  of  land  in  two  pieces  of  old  high- 
way.    The  lower  piece  called  in  the  papers  "Mill  Road"  was  closed  by 


250 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


RESIDENCE    BUILT   BY   WILLIAM    (SECOND)    AND   BENJAMIN  JEROME    (nO.   37). 

SOLD  TO   ASA   BARTHOLOMEW  IN   1867,   OWNED  BY  PHEBE   (BRONSON) 

ALCOTT,    OBERLIN     O. 


Mr.  Bartholomew  but  reopened  later  when  it  was  known  as  "the  new 
road."  When  the  first  Bristol  Directory  was  published,  1882,  it  was 
named  Warner  St.,  from  its  one  factory  owned  by  H.  A.  &  A.  H.  Warner, 
(afterward  burned).  This  piece  was  said  "to  contain  all  the  old  highway 
running  easterly  and  westerly,  beginning  on  the  west  line  of  the  north 
and  south  highway  a  little  north  of  the  dwelling  house  of  Polly  Jerome" 
(now  owned  by  Mr.  Lockenwitz)  (No.  35),  "and  from  there  running 
westerly  a  part  of  the  way  2^^  rods  wide  and  the  remainder  of  the  way 
being  2  rods  wide,  until  it  runs  to  the  east  and  west  highway  near  the 
house  now  occupied  by  David  Steele"  (No.  46)  [in  1907  by  Alice  M. 
Bartholomew  as  a  studio],  "reserving  to  Polly  Jerome  the  privilege  of  a 
passage  to  and  from  her  barn." 

"The  other  piece  is  2  rods  wide  and  begins  on  the  west  line  of  the 
north  and  south  highway,  a  little  north  of  the  house  now  occupied  by 
Isaac  Gillett  (No.  58),  and  to  extend  west  and  south  of  the  house  of  Moses 
Pickingham."  The  latter  piece  of  old  road  has  not  been  reopened.  It 
came  out  on  Jerome  Ave.,  a  short  distance  south  of  Jerome  B.  Fords' 
house  on  the  west  roadside.  Asa  Bartholomew  then  opened  Edgewood 
St.  from  Jerome  Ave.  west  to  south  of  Moses  Pickingham's  place. 

In  March,  1833,  an  attempt  was  made  to  annex  to  the  North  School 
District  the  resident  inhabitants  of  No.  7,  south  and  southwesterly  of 
the  north  dwelling  house  of  Asa  Bartholomew  (No.  55),  including  that 
dwelling,  or  if  best,  to  unite  the  two  school  districts  in  one. 

The  school  meeting  of  March  11,  1833,  to  consider  the  subject  in 
the  Baptist  "meeting  house"  adjourned  till  3  o'clock,  p.  m.,  in  the  base- 
ment of  the  Congregational  Church,  and  "Voted,  that  the  petition  of 
George  W.  Bartholomew  and  others,  be  referred  to  Joel  Truesdale, 
Tracy  Peck  and  Philip  Gaylord,  Esqs.,  as  a  committee  to  fully  view  and 
examine  North  and  Northeast  Districts  with  regard  to  scholars,  dis- 
tances, etc.,  and  report  to  a  future  meeting  their  opinions;  and  if  thought 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE."       "  251 

best  to  unite  the  two  districts,  to  recommend  a  location  for  a  school- 
house."  On  April  1,  1S33,  the  committee  who  were  appointed  at  the 
last  meeting,  made  a  written  report  that  in  their  opinion  it  would  be 
expedient  to  unite  the  two  districts,  which  report  was  not  approved. 
Instead,  it  was  "Voted,  that  all  that  part  of  the  Northeast  School  Dis- 
trict lying  southeast  and  west  of  the  north  side  of  the  red  dwelling  house 
of  Asa  Bartholomew  (formerly  the  Upson  house)"  (in  1907  the  residence 
of  Augustus  H.  Warner)  "be  annexed  to  constitute  a  part  of  the  North 
School  District."  October  3,  1836,  at  the  annual  meeting,  "Voted, 
that  all  the  inhabitants  of  that  portion  of  this  society  upon  which  they 
reside  be  established  and  made  a  school  district  by  the  name  of  the 
Middle  North  to  wit:  beginning  at  the  run  of  water  passing  the  highway 
westward  of  the  dwelling  house  of  Lauren  Byington  and  thence  extend- 
ing eastward  to  the  north  and  south  highway,  North  to  include  the  red 
dwelling  house  owned  by  Asa  Bartholomew  and  South  to  include  the 
dwelling   house  of  David  Steele,"    (No.   32). 

No.  7,  called  Northeast  District. 

No.  8,  called  North  District. 

No.  9,  called  Middle  North. 

In  1841,.  when  the  School  Society's  Committee  were  instructed  to 
settle  and  define  the  boundaries  of  several  districts  agreeable  to  the  law, 
it  was  done,  and  all  written  out  in  1842.  It  was  "Resolved,  that  all  the 
territory  within  the  following  lines  and  boundaries  shall  foma  and  con- 
stitute one  school  district,  viz:  Beginning  at  the  center  of  the  highway 
between  the  houses  of  Noah  Lewis  and  David  Steele,  opposite  the  north- 
east corner  of  said  Lewis'  land,  lying  on  the  west  side  of  the  highway, 
and  thence  west  on  said  Lewis'  land  north  to  his  northwest  corner,  thence 
north  in  a  direct  line  to  the  southeast  corner  of  Rensselaer  Upson's 
east  line,  and  on  the  east  line  of  land  of  David  A.  and  Franklin  Newell 
to  the  northeast  corner  of  the  ancient  Newell  farm,  and  thence  across 
the  lots  and  pond  in  a  direct  line  to  the  bridge,  across  the  small  brook 
(or  sluice)  a  little  east  of  Byington  and  Graham's  Factory,  thence  north 
across  the  lots  to  the  original  line  between  the  old  Byington  and  Camp 
farms,  and  thence  east,  following  said  line  to  the  highway,  and  thence 
east  across  the  highway  and  continuing  east  on  the  line  between  lands 
owned  by  Joseph  Byington  and  Allen  Winston  to  the  center  of  the 
North  Branch  Stream  and  thence  south  in  the  center  of  said  stream  to 
the  dividing  line  between  the  farm  of  Noah  Lewis  and  the  farm  of  the 
late  Mark  Lewis,  deceased,  and  thence  west  on  said  original  line  to  the 
highway  and  place  of  beginning.  And  all  persons  now  residing  within 
said  lines  and  bounds,  and  all  who  may  hereafter  reside  therein,  shall  be, 
form,  and  constitute  one  school  district  and  be  known  and  called  District 
(No.  9)  with  all  the  rights,  privileges  and  immunities  that  school  districts 
by  law  enjoy." 

Soon  after  this  change  in  the  districts  was  effected  and  supposed 
to  be  amicably  settled,  some  of  the  residents  of  School  District  No.  8 
urged  that  the  "grist  mill"  be  left  in  their  district  as  they  wished  the 
income  from  the  property  tax ;  though  considering  its  location,  it  seemed 
properly  to  belong  to  No.  9.  A  meeting  was  called,  when  a  good  man 
from  No.  8  made  a  speech  advocating  the  change.  He  requested  No.  9 
to  remember  the  Golden  Rule  and  do  as  they  would  be  done  by.  "Fiigh! 
Fugh!"  said  "Uncle"  Asa  Bartholomew,  in  reply,  "we  go  by  the  Wooden 
Rule.     Do  as  you  agree,"  which  seemed  to  settle  the  argument. 

Having  canvassed  the  north  part  of  District  No.  7,  to  the  line  as 
defined  in  1842,  to  be  the  division  between  No.  7  and  No.  9,  making  two 
districts  of  the  one,  No.  7,  the  record  locates  the  remaining  families 
now  of  No.  9,  beginning  with  the  southern-most  house,  (No.  32),  which 
was  early  built  by  Josiah  Lewis  for  his  youngest  son,  Mark.  It  is  said, 
if  the  date  of  Mark  Lewis'  marriage  were  known,  it  would  correspond  with 
that  of  the  house  building.  The  "house,  with  the  farm  of  one  hundred 
acres,  a  barn,  a  cow,  a  hive  of  bess,  and  a  "Waterbury  Sweet  apple  tree" 
being  the  marriage  gift  expected  from  the  indulgent  father,  Josiah  Lewis. 
Mark  Lewis  married  Sarah  Root,  who  died  1843,  age  7G.     The  children 


252  BRISTOL,   CONNECTICUT 

of  Mark  and  Sarah  (Root)  Lewis  were:  Adna  (1),  who  married  Eunice 
Dutton  and  moved  to  Meredith,  N.  Y.;  Theodore  (2),  married  Phebe 
Rich,  moved  to  Ohio;  Sophia  (3),  born  179G,  died  1827;  Romeo  (4), 
married  George  Lewis'  widow;  (5),  Harry  moved  to  Ohio;  WilHs  (6), 
born  ISOO,  married  Lavina  Bradley,  died  1826;  George  (7),  bom  1802, 
married  Miss  North  of  Farmington,  Conn.,  studied  medicine  and  died 
of  consumption  in  Florida,   1833,  aged  31  years. 

In  1830,  David  Steele,  who  married  Nancy  Wilcox,  daughter  of 
Benjamin,  and  sister  to  Chester,  moved  from  his  former  home  on  the 
Mill  Road  to  possess  the  Mark  Lewis  house.  He  brought  his  children, 
Samuel  (1),  Lucina  (2),  and  Franklin  (3),  but  Jane  (4)  was  born  in  this 
second  home.  At  that  time  the  Hartford  and  Litchfield  stages  brovight 
parcels  of  United  States  mail  to  the  Noah  Lewis  comer  south,  which 
were  thrown  off  without  ceremony.  Franklin  Steele,  then  a  young  lad, 
would  run  down  for  the  Weekly  Courant.  One  time  in  particular  he 
does  not  forget,  when  he  hurried  in  without  knocking,  called  ovit  "I've 
come  after  the  paper,"  and  surprised  the  worthy  people  at  family  prayers. 
Mr.  Steele  removed  the  "lean-to"  roof  of  the  house  and  made  other 
changes,  so  that  frequently  it  is  not  recognized  as  one  of  the  ancient 
Lewis  homes.  David  Steele  died  Sept.  18,  1853.  His  widow  became 
Mrs.  Wm.  Root  and  resided  in  Plainville,  Conn.  She  died  1869,  age  75. 
Afterward  the  Mix  family  owned  and  occupied  the  place  the  greater 
part  of  the  tim.e,  until  quite  recently  Judd  Mix,  son  of  Asahel  of  Ashbel 
of  Timothy,  with  his  wife,  Anne  (Palmer)  Mix  of  Farmington,  Conn. 

Before  there  was  an  Advent  Church  in  Bristol,  meetings  of  that 
denomination  were  held  often  and  regularly  at  this  house,  from  1860 
to  1870.  Worshipers  from  Hartford,  including  the  wife  of  the  inayor 
of  the  city,  and  from  neighboring  towns  helped  to  swell  the  numbers 
in  attendance.  They  were  then  called  Millerites.  When  Judd  Mix 
sold  his  place  recently,  an  auction  sale  of  household  goods  afforded  to 
overs  of  "the  antique"  an  opportunity  to  secure  some  desirable  articles. 
The  children  of  Judd  and  Anne   (Palmer)   Mix  were  Arthur,  David  and 


TH  I-      I  Mil      ASA  H  1-.  I        Al  1  \      I'l    At.   I-, 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE."  •  253 

Electa,  who  cared  for  the  home  chiefly  after  the  death  of  the  mother  more 
than  ten  years  past.  The  sons  estabhshed  gardens  and  built  greenhouses 
which  have  developed  into  the  Edgewood  Gardens  of  today,  owned  and 
continued  by  E.  W.  Holmes. 

Mr.  Judd  Mix  and  sons  are  in  Bristol  Center.  1907. 
William  Jerome  {Jerom). 

William  Jerome  4th,  with  his  sister  Mrs.  Louisa  Blood,  and  his 
brother  Daniel  with  wife  and  daughter  Harriet,  reside  at  the  next  house 
north  (No.  33),  on  the  west  side  of  the  way.  Their  first  ancestor  in 
America  was  Timothy  Jerome,  who  came  from  England  in  1710,  and 
became  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  Wallingford,  Conn.  He  purchased 
a  large  tract  of  land  in  Farmington  which  he  gave  to  his  son  William, 
who  had  also  a  sale  of  land  from  Ebenezer  Hawley  of  Fannington  in 
1741,  and  one  from  Benjamin  Bronson  in  1742,  while  yet  he  was  William 
Jerome  of  Wallingford.  The  records  and  deeds  show  his  first  appearance 
in  New  Cambridge  (Bristol)  1747,  when  he  traded  land  with  Caleb  Palmer, 
who  lived  where  the  house  of  H  O.  Miller  now  stands.  It  is  certain 
that  William  Jerome  was  admitted  to  the  church  in  New  Cambridge 
in  1750,  and  his  brother  Zerubbable,  who  settled  in  or  near  Pequabuc, 
in  1755,  In  1752  the  town  of  Farmington  exchanged  land  with  William 
1st  for  a  highway,  the  description  of  which  in  the  papers,  deeds,  etc., 
indicates  the  location  as  that  of  the  present  thoroughfare  appropriately 
named  Jerome  Avenue.  It  extends  from  Lewis'  Corners  to  Burlington 
town  line.  William  1st,  and  his  son  William  2d,  added  to  their  landed 
property  tmtil  it  extended  easterly  as  a  continuous  tract  to  nearly  the 
present  town  of  Fannington,   and  northward  into   Burlington. 

William  Jerome  3d  married  Charity  Hotchkiss,  daughter  of  Elisha 
and  sister  to  EHsha,  Jr.,  the  clock  maker  of  Burlington.  In  1818,  with 
David  Steele,  they  built  the  house  on  Warner  St.  (now  owned  by  A.  M. 
Bartholomew)  (No.  46)  where  the  oldest  child  of  Mr.  Jerome  was  born. 
Soon  after  they  left  this  place  to  spend  a  few  years  with  the  aged  parents 
of  Mrs.  Jerome,  in  District  No.  8.  They  returned  to  No.  7  about  1827, 
when  they  built  the  house  (No.  33)  in  which  the  family  have  lived  to 
the  present  time.  It  is  thought  to  be  80  years  old.  William  Jerome  3d 
died  June  23,  1848,  aged  56.  Charity  (Hotchkiss)  Jerome  died  July  10, 
1868.  Children:  Louisa  (1),  married  Wm.  Blood  of  Charlton,  Mass.  She 
has  been  a  widow  many  years;  William  (2),  not  married,  a  fanner  and 
fruit  grower;  Daniel  (3),  a  farmer  and  fruit  grower,  married  Mary  Parker 
of  Meriden,  Conn.  They  have  one  daughter,  Harriet  Louisa  Jerome, 
6th  generation  from  Timothy.  While  there  were  many  of  the  older 
members  of  the  Jerome  family  who  were  admitted  to  the  First  Congre- 
gational and  only  Church  of  Bristol  at  that  time,  this  family  are  loyal 
members  of  the  Prospect  Methodist  Church.  The  fervent  prayers  of 
Daniel  Jerome  have  comforted  many  who  have  "passed  away."  They 
are  not  forgotten  by  those  remaining  as  heard  in  the  little  schoolhouse 
of  the  village. 

At  the  hilltop,  north  of  the  Jerome's,  is  a  one-story  house  (No.  34) 
in  which  Simeon  Curtiss,  son  of  Joshua,  was  living  before  the  middle 
of  the  last  century  and  probably  built.  He  was  born  1816,  and  died 
April  3,  1882.  He  married  Maria  Hoskins.  She  brought  a  letter  from 
Fannington,  Conn.,  1853,  to  Bristol  Congregational  Church.  They 
had  two  daughters,  Adeline  (1)  who  died  of  consiunption,  1862,  aged  16, 
and  Alvina  (2)  who  married  Julius  B.  Smith,  son  of  Nelson.  She  died 
in  Whigville,  leaving  her  son  Ernest,  born  1874,  a  cripple  from  a  fall 
when  a  babe.  At  Simeon  Curtiss'  death  in  1882  the  proceeds  from  his 
little  farm  were  used  in  New  York  City,  in  medical  treatment  for  the 
benefit  of  his  grandchild  and  only  living  descendant,  Ernest  Robert 
Smith,  who  was  a  sturdy  child  to  all  appearances  except  for  inabilitv 
to  walk.  Though  helped  and  able  to  attend  school  he  was  never  cured 
of  lameness.  He  went  with  the  family  when  they  removed  to  Geneva, 
Ohio,  where  he  died  of  consumption  Jan.  11,  1900,  aged  26.  A  sister 
younger  lived  to  the  age  of  si.x  years.      For  some  years  Simeon  Curtiss. 


254 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


1856  to  '63,  lived  on  the  Martin  Hart  farm.  He  was  in  occupancy  of 
the  Hart  house  when  it  burned.  While  away,  one  of  the  tenants  of  his 
own  house  was  Augustus  H.  Warner  when  living  with  his  first  wife, 
Eugenia  (Smith)  Warner.  Their  children  were  Henry  D.  and  Fannie 
Warner,  who  married  William  Hart,  son  of  Calvin  2d,  living  in  Bristol 
Center. 

The  place  then  passed  into  the  hands  of  Peter  J.  Lawson  (Larson), 
who  with  his  wife  and  youngest  child,  Carl  Peter  (Peterson),  came  from 
Sweden  to  America  in  1882,  and  for  the  26  years  since  has  been  with  the 
Bartholomews  in  the  factory.  The  father  died  March  14,  1907,  aged  78 
years.  Carl  Peter  Peterson  married  Hilda  E.  Danielson  (in  America 
since  1891).  They  have  two  children,  Mildred  and  Valdemar.  Christina 
A.Peterson,  oldest  child  of  Peter  J.  Lawson,  was  the  first  of  the  family 
to  cross  the  Atlantic.  She  came  to  America,  1879;  lived  in  the  family 
of  the  late  H.  S.  Bartholomew  ttntil  1886  or  1887,  when  she  married 
Charles  Neilson  of  Bristol,  Conn.  They  have  a  daughter  and  son  living 
in  Bristol.  Her  sister,  Annie  C.  Peterson,  came  with  the  brother  John 
August  in  1880.  She  married  Peter  Neilson  (dec.)  brother  of  Charles. 
She  has  been  a  patient  at  the  Middletown  Hospital  some  years.  Of  her 
four  children  Albin  and  Elmer  died,  Ruby  and  a  younger  sister  are  in 
Hartford. 

WILLIAM  JEROME   1st 

The  ancient  but  well  preserved  house  of  William  Jerome  1st  (No.  35) 
is  next  north,  on  the  west  roadside  also.  Its  last  occupant  to  bear  the 
name  of  Jerome  was  Polly,  mentioned  in  the  deed  of  old  highways  to 
Asa  Bartholomew  1828,  when  a  passage  to  her  barn  was  reserved.  The 
house  once  painted  red  is  now  looking  youthful  in  a  coat  of  white,  un- 
mindful of  the  burden  of  lives  it  has  protected  during  its  more  than 
century  and  half  of  existence.  There  is  no  one  to  state  the  exact  year 
of  its  building.  From  all  the  traditions  of  the  continuous  family  it  is 
learned  that  it  is  one  of  the  oldest  houses  in  Bristol  built  by  the  great- 


SCHOOLHOUSE    AT    EDGEWOOD. 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE."  255 

great-grandfather  of  Harriet  Louisa  Jerome  of  1907.  William  1st,  son 
of  Timothy,  was  born  in  Wallingford  in  the  year  1717.  He  married 
Elizabeth  Hart,  Nov.  13,  1738.  He  removed  to  New  Cambridge  about 
1745.  He  united  with  the  First  Congregational  Church,  1750.  He  died 
in  the  year  1794,  at  the  age  of  77  j'ears.  Children  of  Wm.  1st  and  EHz- 
abeth  (Hart)  Jerome  were  WilHam  2d  (1),  Benjamin  (2),  David  (3), 
Abigail  (4),  Sarah  (5),  Rhoda  (6j,  and  Anna  (7). 

William  2d  married  1st  Phebe  Barnes  [daughter  of  Josiah  of  Jediah 
of  Ebenezer  of  Thomas,  the  pioneer].  He  married  2d  PollyAndrews. 
Benjamin  Jerome  married  Sarah  Andrews.  Abigail  married  Josiah 
Lewis   2d.     Sarah  married   Abel   Yale   2d. 

Benjamin  Jerome  brought  up  his  family  at  the  house  of  his  father, 
Wm.  Jerome  1st.  His  wife  was  Sarah  Andrews.  He  was  engaged  in 
milling  with  his  brother  Wm.  2d,  mitil  his  death,  Sept.  18,  1803,  aged 
44  years.  Children  of  Benjamin  and  Sarah  (Andrews)  Jerome:  Lot  (1), 
Hiram  (2),  Orrin  (3),  James  (4),  Sally  (Sarah)  (5)  and  Lorena  [called 
in  Congregational  Church  Manual  "Irene,  wife  of  Abner  Brown"].  Her 
data  are  given  in  the  Yale  Genealogy  of  this  record. 

Lot  was  a  resident  of  Bristol  till  old  age.  His  house  and  farm  were 
on  Stafford  Ave.,  a  short  distance  north  of  Forestville  on  the  west  side 
of  the  street.  Sylvia,  wife  of  Lot  Jerome  (1),  d.  1875,  age  74;  Hiram 
Jerome  (2),  b.  Jan.  1802,  m.,  1829,  Rachel  Spencer,  b.  1809,  in  Berlin, 
Conn.  Hiram  Jerome  went  to  California  at  one  time;  was  a  brass 
worker  in  Bristol,  1861,  and  a  member  of  the  Congregational  Church 
after  1816.  He  d.  1876,  age  74.  [Three  daughters,  Augusta  (1),  Abi- 
gail (2),  Anna  (3)].  Orrin  Jerome  (3),  admitted  to  the  Church,  1719, 
d.,  1851,  aged  60;  artist,  painter  of  miniature  portraits  of  merit,  as 
shown  by  work  preserved,  including  a  portrait  of  himself  owned  by  his 
sister  Lorena,  2d  wife  of  Abel  Yale  3d.  James  (4),  joined  Church,  i821; 
d.,  1824,  aged  26  years.  Sally  (Sarah)  (5),  joined  the  Church,  1815,  with 
her  husband  Shadrach  Pierce;  Lorena  (6)  [Irene],  m.  1st  Abner  Brown 
[one  son  Orrin  Brown  of  Forestville];  m.  2d  her  cousin,  Abel  Yale  3d. 

Other  families  resided  in  the  house  at  different  times,  and  often 
two  at  one  time,  before  Alanson,  son  of  Lorenso  and  Annis  (Botsford) 
Winston  became  permanent  resident.  Alanson  Winston,  b.  1816, 
m.,  1839,  Nancy  Maria,  b.,  1818,  daughter  of  Asa  Bartholomew.  Mr. 
Winston  d.,  1875,  age  59,  at  Atlantic,  Iowa.  Mrs.  Nancy  M.  Winston 
d.,  1880,  aged  62,  at  Atlantic,  Iowa.  Their  children,  bom  in  District 
No.  9,  Bristol,  were;  Sarah  Annis  (1),  b.,  1841,  m.,  1862,  Julius  Almeron 
Pond,  son  of  Julius  Rodney  and  EHzabeth  (Preston)  Pond,  b.,  1840. 
Thev  have  one  child,  Martin  Almeron  Pond,  b.,  1865,  in  Whigville,  m., 
1888,  M.  May  Miller,  daughter  of  David  P.  and  Margaret  A.  (Bullis) 
Miller  of  Southington,  b.,  1867.  [Ch.,  Infant  (1),  1889,  d.,  young;  Leslie 
Miller    Pond,    (2),    b.,     1891] 

DeWitt  Alanson  (2),  b.,  1843,  m.,  1867,  Jane  Elizabeth  Byington, 
b.,  1844,  daughter  of  George.  [One  son,  Nathan  DeWitt,  b.,  1782]  m., 
1896,  Emma  Geneva  Link,  b.,  1876.  [Two  children,  the  elder,  Mabel 
Cynthia  (1),  b.,  1897].  This  father  and  son  reside,  Atlantic,  Iowa.  They 
are  farmers. 

Frances  Maria  (3),  b.,  1845,  m.,  1868,  Peter  J.  Defendorf,  b.,  1847, 
at  Pleasant  Brook,  Otsego  Co.,  N.  Y.  Two  children,  Cora  Rebecca  (1), 
b.,  1871,  m.,  1893,  Charles  Lawson  Wooding,  b.,  1869,  graduated  from 
Yale  College,  1892;  librarian,  Bristol  Public  Library.  Children,  Lois 
Frances  b.  Feb.,  1895  (dec);  Helen  b.,  1897.  Fred  Winston  (2),  second 
child  of  Frances  M.  and  Peter  Defendorf,  b.,  1878,  d.,  1880. 

Frank  W.  (4),  of  Pawnee  City,  Iowa,  now  of  Bristol,  Conn.,  b.,  1852, 
m.,  1875,  Alice  Muzzy  of  Henry,  b.,  1855  in  Bristol,  Conn.  Two  children 
[Ella  M.  Winston  b.,  1876,  in  Iowa;  Ernest  F.,  1882;  graduated  Trinity 
College,  Hartford,  1905]. 

George  M.  Winston  (5),  b.,  1863,  m.,  1892,  Edna  May  Todd,  1871. 
[Children  b.  in  Nebraska;  Charles  J.  (1),  1892;  Fred  D.  (2),  1894;  Martha 
E.  (3),  1897]. 


256 


BRISTOL,    COMNKf'TiriTT 


FRANK    PETERSON,     U.    S.     N.,     1899-1905. 

Julius  Rodney  Pond  of  Martin,  next  bought  the  Wni.  Jerome  1st 
hovise,  in  which  also  resided  his  only  child,  Julius  Almeron  Pond  and 
family.  Jullius  Rodney  Pond  d.,  May  30,  1883.  Mrs.  Elizabeth  (Pres- 
ton) Pond,  daughter  of  Luman,  of  Plymouth,  d.  Sept.  30,  1883.  The 
son  Juhus  Almeron  Pond  sold  the  place  to  Theodore  Lockenwitz,  the 
present  owner,  April  1,  1896.  Mr.  Lockenwitz  has  a  large  family  of 
children  and  relatives. 

Soon  after  1860,  Horace  Osborne  Miller  built  a  house  at  the  north- 
west corner  of  Warner  St.  and  Jeroine  Ave.,  the  site  of  the  Caleb  Palmer 
house  (No.  36).  "Caleb  Palmer  and  his  wife"  were  church  members  in 
Bristol,  Aug.,  1747.  Wm.  Jerome  4th,  now  living,  was  always  told  by 
his  father,  Wm.  3d,  that  Caleb  Palmer  lived  at  that  place.  Mr.  Miller 
found  in  excavating  for  his  cellar,  the  foundations  of  the  old  stone  chim- 
ney, burnt  stones,  and  a  coin,  several  feet  below  the  surface  of  the  soil, 
which  he  did  not  long  preserve.  He  also  dug  out  from  the  terraces  the 
stump  and  roots  of  a  large  pine  tree,  known  for  its  size  as  a  landmark 
from  the  beginning  of  the  settlement.  Tt  was  remembered  by  William 
and  Daniel  Jerome  as  a  stump  when  they  were  children.  Mr.  Miller 
built  his  house  in  part  of  a  building  he  had  secured  in  Burlington  of  his 
father-in-law,  Chester  Bunnell.  He  purchased  the  old  wagon  shop, 
fonnerly  used  by  Vincent  Thompson  and  Lewis  Bradley,  in  Burlington, 
near  North  Peaceable  St.,  Bristol.  The  wagon  shop,  enlarged  to  nearly 
double  the  original  size,  stands  west  of  his  house  on  Warner  St.,  and  is  his 
present  barn.  The  house  in  use  about  a  score  of  years  (with  the  sugges- 
tion and  encouragement  of  his  son  Luther)  gave  way  to  the  present 
well-built  home.  Mr.  Miller  is  a  mason  and  brick-layer.  He  married 
first  Henrietta  Bunnell,  daughter  of  Chester,  the  mother  of  his  children. 
Mary  (1),  [Mrs.  Hill  of  Bristol];  Henrietta  (2),  George  (3),  Luther  (4), 
Emma  May,  (5)  (dec.)  and  William  (6).  Mr.  Miller  m.  2d,  Nancy  Marvin 
of  Goshen,  Conn.,  who  died  after  a  residence  of  few  years  in  Bristol. 
The  3d  marriage  was  to  Mrs.  Electa  M.  (Curtiss)  Hinman,  of  Plainville, 
Conn. 

William  Jerome  2d,,  built  and  lived  in  the  house  of  mansion  style 
(No.  37),  north  of  Mr.  Miller.  In  1788,  with  his  brother  Benjamin, 
he  purchased  of  Amasa  Ives  an  interest  in  the  Gristmill  where  the  Bar- 


OR    "new     CAMBRIDGE."  257 

tholomew  Factory  now  stands.  His  brother  died  in  18();5.  In  that 
year  their  interest  in  the  mill  was  increased.  In  1809,  Wni.  Jerome,  2d, 
was  three  quarters  owner  of  the  mill,  with  Isaac  Graham,  Sr.,  owning 
a  one  quarter's  right.  (Isaac  Graham,  Sr.,  was  father  of  Edward  (1), 
Alexander  (2),  George  (3)  and  Isaac,  Jr.  (4)  ).  He  lived  in  a  small 
house  near  the  head  of  the  Mill  Pond  in  District  No.  8.  William  Jerome 
married  first  Phebe  Barnes,  daughter  of  Josiah,  of  Jediah,  of  Ebenezer, 
of  Thomas,  the  Pioneer.  Married  second,  Polly  Andrews.  Children 
of  Wm.,  2d,  and  Phebe  (Barnes)  Jerome,  w'ere  Alva  (1),  Sylvester  (2), 
Daniel  (3),  William,  3d  (4),  Willis  (5).  and  Willard  (6),  Amanda  (7), 
Eunice  (8),  Hannah  (9),  Phebe  (10).  The  children  of  the  second  wife, 
Polly  Andrews,  were  Julina  (JuHa  Ann)  (11),  Sophronia  (12),  Polly  (13), 
William  Jerome,  2d,  died  1821,  aged  65.  Phebe.  his  wife,  died  1804, 
aged  44. 

William  Jerome,  3d,  married  Charity  Hotchkiss. 

Eunice  Jeroine  married  Thomas  Rowe. 

Julina  Jerome  married  Samuel  Pardee  (nephew  of  Dr.  Jared  Pardee) . 

Sophronia  married  Elizur  Hart. 

Hannah  married  Bryan  Richards. 

Phebe  married  Mr.  Payne.     Alva  united  with  church,  Feb.  17,  1811. 

Wm.  Jerome,  2d,  died  in  1821.  The  Gristmill  was  sold  to  Martin 
Byington  and  Isaac  Graham  (Byington  &.  Graham).  Asa  Bartholomew, 
son  of  Jacob,  bought  the  Wm.,  2d  (Jerome),  place  in  1807.  In  18^8, 
Polly  Jerome,  widow  of  Wm.  Jerome,  2d,  w^as  living  in  the  old  home  of 
Wm.,  1st.  It  appears  probable  that  the  Jeromes  w'ent  there  to  vacate 
the  house  bought  by  Asa  Bartholomew  in  1807. 

Asa,  son  of  Jacob  and  Sarah  (Gridley)  Bartholomew,  was  born  at 
Bartemy  Tavern,  Peaceable  St.,  or  the  old  North  School  District  of 
Bristol,  March  25,  1776,  where  he  lived  until  his  marriage  in  1801,  to 
Charity,  daughter  of  Isaac  Welles  Shelton.  Charity  Shelton  had  three 
direct  lines  of  ancestry  to  Gov.  Welles,  of  Connecticut.  In  1805,  they 
moved  to  Pleasant  Valley,  N.  Y.,  for  two  years'  residence.  There  they 
kept  a  tavern  and  the  son  George  Welles,  was  bom.  Returning  to 
Bristol  they  purchased  the  residence  of  Wm.  Jerome,  2d,  with  360  acres 
of  land,  establishing  the  home  of  many  years.  Eventually  the  place 
was  sold  to  Frank  Bishop  of  Avon,  Conn.,  who  sold  it  to  Isaac  Bronson, 
son  of  Deacon  Irad  about  1858.  Mr.  Bronson,  with  his  second  wife, 
Melinda  (Price)  Norton,  adopted  daughter  of  Eben  Norton  of  Bristol, 
and  Goshen,  Conn.,  died  in  1888  a  tragic  death  by  the  hand  of  Mr.  Bron- 
son,  while   doubtless  insane.     They  had  no  children. 

Afterward  Albert  J.  Hart  engaged  in  market  gardening  here  until 
the  purchase  of  a  home  elsewhere.  Others  were  residents  for  short 
periods.  For  the  past  nine  years  Charles  Downs,  son  of  Levi,  of  North- 
field,  Conn.,  has  made  it  his  home.  He  married  Kate  Scoville,  daughter 
of  Stephen  E.  Their  children,  born  in  this  district,  with  exception  of 
the  oldest,  who  was  bom  in  No.  8,  are:  Elmer  S.  (1),  Louise  E.  (2), 
(deceased  1893),  Edna  M.  (3),  Ella  L.  (4),  Leroy  E.  (5)  and  Bertha  L. 
(6),  bom  1906. 

Mrs.  Phebe  (Bronson)  Alcott  of  Oberlin,  Ohio,  is  present  owner 
of  the  property. 

Children  of  Asa  and  Charity  (Shelton)  Bartholomew: 

Emily  (1),  bom  Jan.   1,   1804;  married  Rensselaer  Upson. 

George  Welles  (2),  born  June  19,  1805;  married  first  Angeline  Ives, 
daughter  of  Deacon  Charles. 

Harry  Shelton  (3),  bom  June  3,  1807;  died  Oct.  7,  1827,  age  20. 

Paulina  (4),  born  June  18,  1809;  married  Alvin  Ferry  Alpress. 

Jennette  (5),  bom  March  31,  1812;  married  Dr.  Eli  Todd  Merriman. 

Asa  (6),  born  Feb.  5,  1815;  married  Mary  Lydia  Birge,  daughter  of 
John. 

Nancy  Maria  (7),  born  Dec.  22,  1818;  married  Alanson  Winston  of 
Lorenzo. 


258 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


GEORGE     W.     BARTHOLOMEW. 


HARRY    S.     BARTHOLOMEW. 


Jane  Charity  (8),  born  Feb.  '2'2.  ISL'l  ;7married  Wellington  Winston 
of  Lorenzo. 

Asa  Bartholomew,  son  of  Jacob,  born  1776,  died  at  the  home  of 
his  daughter,  Mrs.  Emily  (Bartholomew)  Upson,  with  whoin  he  was 
living,  Oct.  31,  1864,  aged  88.  Charity  Shelton,  whom  he  married, 
Sept.  10,  1801,  was  born  1784.  Died  at  her  home  at  the  residence  of 
her  son,  George  Welles  Bartholomew,  Sept.  15,   1859,  aged  75. 

The  house  on  north  corner  of  Mix  St.  and  Jerome  Ave.  (No.  38), 
Avas  built  by  Wellington  Winston,  son  of  Lorenzo  and  Annis  (Botsford) 
Winston,  who  m.arried,  Sept.  13,  1842,  Jane  Charity,  daughter  of  Asa 
and  Charity  Bartholomew.  He  was  born,  1818;  went  to  California  in 
1849.  He  remained  there  but  a  year  or  two.  Returning  began  a  wood- 
turning  business  with  his  brother  Alanson,  lasting  about  five  years. 
He  died  April  15,  1854,  age  36.  His  burial  was  attended  April  17,  1854, 
after  the  noted  snow-fall  of  that  year,  on  the  16th  of  April.  Jane  Charity 
(Bartholomew)  Winston,  his  wife,  died  Jan.  28,  1888,  age  67,  at  the 
Hospital  in  Hartford,  where  she  had  been  ill  some  years.  Interred  at 
Forestville,  her  family  residence.  Three  children  born  in  District  No.  9 
are  residents  of  Forestville.  The  sons,  clock  makers,  many  years. 
Cora  Annette  (1),  b.  Sept.  1,  1843,  m.  Chas.  W.  Bradshaw,  Mav  13,  1872. 
He  was  born,  1842,  d.,  1886,  age  44.  [Children,  Wallace  L.  (f).  b.,  Nov. 
13,  1873;  Bertha  Jane  (2),  b.,  Aug.  1,  1876,  d.  young.]  Wellington  W. 
Winston  (2),  b.,  July  7,  1847,  m.,  Jan.  13,  1877,  Mrs.  Eunice  L.  (Smith) 
Wright,  b.,  Oct.  13,  1853.  She  had  a  daughter  Grace  Wright,  b.,  June 
2.  1874.  Wallace  F.  Winston  (3),  b.,  June  IS,  1853,  m.,  Oct.  16,  1881, 
Elizabeth  Masters  (dec).  She  was  b.,  March  27,  1850.  [Ch.,  Bertha  E. 
(1),  b.,  Oct.  29,  1882;    Hoivard  W.  Winston  (2).  b.,  Sept.  16,  1885.] 

Dea.  Irad  Bronson  bought  the  Wellington  Winston  house,  1858, 
where  he  lived  with  his  wife  Phebe  till  they  died.  He  was  third  son  of 
Isaac  of  Wolcott,  Conn.,  b.  Aug.  27,  1788.  He  was  a  deacon  of  the  Con- 
gregational Church  in  Wolcott  nine  years,  removed  to  Southington  and 
brought  letters  to  the  Bristol  Church  from  Holliston,  Mass.,  1858,  also  his 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE.''  259 

daughter,  Elizabeth  T.  Bronson,  who  died  recently  in  Oberlin,  Ohio, 
and  is  interred  in  Bristol.  He  married,  Nov.  6,  ISll,  Phebe  Norton, 
daughter  of  Isaac,  who  resided  on  the  Isaac  Pierce  farm  near  Compounce 
Lake.  Their  children  were  Plicbc  L.  (1),  b.  Nov.  8,  1S12,  m.,  June  14, 
1836,  Dr.  Wm.  A.  Alcott  (author),  b.  Wolcott,  Conn.,  son  of  Obed  and 
second  cousin  of  Amos  Bronson  Alcott,  the  celebrated  writer  of  the 
Concord  School  of  Philosophy,  and  father  of  Louisa  May  Alcott  and 
sisters.  Dr.  W.  A.  Alcott  was  author  of  over  one  hundred  published 
volumes,  of  which  nineteen  were  educational  works,  some  of  them  in 
connection  with  Wm.  Woodbridge,  the  author  of  School  Geographies, 
etc.  "His  name  is  identified  with  some  of  the  most  valuable  reforms  in 
education,  morals,  and  physical  training  of  the  present  century."  Isaac 
(2),  b.  May  15,  1815,  d.  1SS8.  Elizabeth  (3),  b.  Jan.  27,  1818,  d.  at 
Oberlin,  Ohio.  Dea.  Irad  Bronson  d.  1882,  age  94.  Phebe  {Norton) 
Bronson  died  1888,  age  98. 

Mrs.  Phebe  Bronson  Alcott  resides  in  Oberlin  with  her  daughter, 
Mrs.  Phebe  (Alcott)  Crafts,  widow  of  Walter  Crafts,  a  member  of  the 
American  Institute  of  Mining  Engineers,  At  the  time  of  his  sudden 
death,  he  was  an  official  in  the  Columbus  and  Hocking  Coal  and  Iron 
Co.,  1883.  The  second  child  of  Phebe  (Bronson)  Alcott  is  Wm.  A.,  a 
clergyman  of  Mass.,  lover  of  nature,  and  pupil  of  Jean  Louis  Agassiz. 
He  has  a  family  near  Boston. 

Henry  and  Melissa  (Brown)  Leach  followed  the  Bronsons  in  owner- 
ship and  occupancy  of  the  Wellington  Winston  house.  Their  oldest 
child,  Edward  Morrison,  came  with  them.  Other  children  born  in  the 
district  were  Ernest  Brown  (2),  Nancy  (3),  Dora  (4).  The  house  burned 
on  a  morning  of  April,  18i)l.  It  was  rebuilt  the  following  summer. 
When  last  heard  from  Mr.  Leach  was  living  in  the  southwestern  part 
of  the  state.  (March,  1907).  He  was  lineman  for  a  telegraph  co.,  with 
duties  along  railroad  lines.  The  son  Edward  married,  and  is  lineman  for 
Southern  New  England  Telephone  Co.  The  mother  of  Mr.  Leach  was 
a  nurse  and  planned,  at  one  time,  to  build  a  sanitarium  on  Fall  Moun- 
tain. The  Leach  family  were  originally  from  Maine.  Albert  John 
and  Eunice  M.  (Belden)  Hart  removed  from  the  Isaac  Bronson  fann, 
where  he  was  a  tenant  and  market-gardener,  to  the  house  vacated  b}^ 
Mr.  Leach.  He  was  son  of  John,  of  Ambrose,  of  Simeon,  of  Burlington; 
b.  in  Whigville,  and  m.  Jane  Chidsey,  daughter  of  Dea.  Chidsey  of  Avon, 
and  sister  to  Thames  Chidsey,  purchaser  of  Dea.  Charles  G.  Ives'  farm 
in  Peaceable  St.  They  resided  at  the  John  Hart  farm  in  Whigville, 
where  Mary  (1),  Jenny  (2),  and  Charles  Hart  (3),  were  bom  and  the  mother 
Mrs.  Jane  "(Chidsey)  Hart  died  of  consvimption  when  the  children  were 
young. 

Mary  Hart  m.  Dewey  Lusk  of  Avon.  She  taught  school  before 
marriage  and  afterward  resided  in  New  Britain  and  Plainville.  Her 
husband  died  after  long  continued  ill  health,  when  she  canvassed  for 
books,  etc.  Pursuing  her  avocation  she  called  where  exposed  to  measles 
and  contracted  the  disease  in  most  virulent  form  of  black  measles,  a 
fatal  case.  Jenny  died  of  consumption  be'fore  the  death  of  her  sister 
Mary;  Charles  m.  a  niece  of  his  step  mother  (Hutchinson  by  name). 
At  the  time  of  his  father's  death  he  was  residing  in  Salisbury,  Conn. 
Albert  John  Hart  m.  2d,  June  29,  1882,  Eunice  (Munson)  Belden,  b., 
1848.  They  removed  soon  from  Whigville  to  Unionville,  where  the 
daughter  Jennie  died  and  the  sons,  Ernest  and  John,  were  born.  Ernest 
is  a  graduate,  1907,  Williams  College,  Wilhamstown,  Mass.,  and  John  is 
at  Wesleyan  University,  Middletown.  From  Unionville,  Conn.,  they 
came  to  District  No.  9,  Bristol,  Conn.  Albert  John  Hart  died  rather 
suddenly  in  the  spring  of  1896,  age  62.  Mrs.  Hart  removed  to  27  Prince 
street,  Bristol,  where  she  now  resides. 

Wm.  C.  Bramhall  and  wife,  Ruth  Isabella  (London)  Mix,  widow 
of  Asahel  Mix,  then  left  the  Mix  house  and  resided  in  the  Wellington 
AVinston  home  until  the  death  of  Mrs.  Bramhall  in  Oct.,  1900,  when 
thev    removed    to    another    district.     Their    children    are:     Pearle    (1), 


260 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


[married  Frank  Thomas,  son  of  Theodore];  Rav  W.  (2);  Laura  L.  (3); 
Paul  E.  (4);  Wesley  W.  C.  (5),  and  Beatrice  M.'  (6).  Ray  and  Paul  are 
employed  at  the  Stanley  R.  &  L.  Co.  works  in  Edgewood.  The  last 
resident  proprietor  of  the  place  is  Charles  W.  Hotchkiss,  son  of  Alfred  C, 
employed  at  S.  C.  Co.,  Forestville.  He  married  Myrtle  Williams  of 
Southington.     They  have  two  daughters,  Pearle  and  Ruby. 

At  the  place  next  east  (No.  39)  on  south  roadside  is  found  the  tirst 
house  bviilt  by  John  H.  London  in  this  district,  and  formerly  located 
in  the  field  southeasterly  from  its  present  situation.  It  was  convenient 
of  access  from  Mix  St.,  and  not  far  from  Asahel  Mix's  house,  but  facing 
Jerome  Ave.  John  H.  London,  son  of  Hiram  and  Ruth  (Curtiss)  London, 
married  Alice  Terrill.  Their  children  were:  Maude  (1),  married  Bryce; 
Lilian  (2),  married  Harry  Evans.  She  died  in  Waterbury,  leaving  one 
child  (adopted  by  her  sister  Maude).  Ruby  (3),  who  died  young,  at  this 
place;  Mabel  (4),  married  Perry  Goodwin,  a  dentist,  resides  in  Illinois, 
and  Harold  (5)  and  Alice  (6),  born  in  Bristol  Center.  Mrs.  London  died 
recently  at  their  home.  Mountain  View,  Plainville,  Conn.  (1907). 

Edmund  Root  and  family  resided  at  the  house  in  the  meadow  from 
1882-1903,  when  thev  moved  to  New  Hartford.  He  was  a  carpenter. 
His  children:  Elizabeth  (1),  Charles  D.  (2),  Edmund  (3).  Mr.  Leach 
bought  the  house  intending  to  rent  his  home  on  the  corner,  and  moved 
for  a  few  weeks  or  months  to  the  London  place.  He  then  returned  to 
his  house  at  the  corner,  but  moved  the  London  house  to  the  street  at 
present  location.  It  is  now  owned  by  Mr.  Friborg,  of  New  Britain, 
who  makes  it  a  tenement.  Recent  occupants  were  the  Olsons  of  Collins- 
ville,  whose  13th  child  was  born  during  their  life  there.  Amandus 
Carlson  and  wife,  with  children  Eva  and  Alvin,  are  present  habitants. 
When  John  H.  London  gave  up  his  first  built  hoiise  he  erected  the  second 
home  on  the  north  side  of  Mix  street  (No.  40),  east  of  the  former  home, 
after  its  removal,  in  which  he  resided  some  years  and  sold  it  to  Herman 
Ockles,  who  resided  there  about  20  years,  including  a  visit  to  Germany 


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OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE."  261 

of  several  months,  where  he  was  engaged  in  carving  a  church  interior 
at  Hamburg.  He  is  mentioned  in  directories  as  "furniture  repairer." 
He  seemed  skillful  in  many  occupations,  factory  operative,  wood-carving, 
market-gardener,  etc.  His  children  were:  Herman  (1);  Augusta  Anna 
(2) ;  Theodore  (8) ;  Oscar  (4) ;  a  daughter  (5)  died  young,  named  for  her 
mother,  Florentina.  She  was  "laid  to  rest"  in  the  yard.  Mr.  Ockles  and 
family  moved  to  Delaware,  1906.  The  place  is  the  property  of  Maria 
L.  Hotchkiss,  widow  of  Alfred  C,  at  Stafford  Ave.,  above  Maltby  St. 

Asahel  Mix,  son  of  Ashbel  and  Hannah  (Byington)  Mix,  bom  Nov. 
12,  1795,  built  the  house  near  the  junction  of  Mix  and  Maltby  Streets 
(No.  41).  It  was  his  home  40  years.  He  left  it  for  use  of  his  second 
wife,  who  became  Mrs.  W.  C.  Bramhall.  It  was  her  home  until  the 
family  went  to  the  Wellington  Winston  house  as  stated.  The  records 
of  the  children  of  Asahel  and  Amna  (Judd)  Mix,  bom  at  the  Ashbel  Mix 
house  on  Jerome  Ave.,  previous  to  the  building  of  No.  41,  are  here  given. 

Asahel  Mix,  born  Nov.  12,  1795;  married  Jan.  13,  1820,  Amna 
Judd  of  Avon,  b.  July  2,  1795.  Asahel  Mix  died  1878,  aged  83.  Amna 
(Judd)  Mix  died  1874,  aged  79. 

Cvnthia  (1),  b.  March  12,  1821;  married  March  25,  1840,  Ephraim 
Scovel  Maltby.     She  died  April  13,  1865. 

Alonzo  (2),  b.  Sept.  20,  1822;  not  married.     Resides  91  Summer  St. 

Asahel  Judd  (3).  b.  Julv  9,  1824;  married  Ann  E.  Palmer,  Feb.  12, 
1855. 

Mary  EHzabeth  (4),  b.  Sept.  6,  1827;  married  July  20,  1844,  James 
R.  Mills.      Died  in  Wisconsin,  Dec.  8,  1865. 

Lvman  H.  (5),  b.  July  5,  1829;  died  Oct.  9,  1831. 

Nancy  A.  (6),  b.  Julv  1,  1831;  married  Sept.  4,  1849,  Benaiah 
Hitchcock.     She  died  Nov. "30,  1906. 

Ellen  (7),  b.  Sept.  3,  1834;  died  April  2,  1856. 

Eniily  (8),  b.  August  13,  1837;  died  Feb.  27,  1839. 

Asahel  Mix  was  an  honest,  energetic,  business  man  of  the  district 
of  "marked  individuality."  He  united  in  1816  with  the  Congregational 
Church,  was  later  a  Mil'lerite  and  still  later  advocated  some  of  the  pre- 
cepts of  the  Hebrew,  in  observance  of  the  Seventh  Day  as  his  Sabbath, 
and  the  avoidance  of  the  use  of  pork  as  food.  Returning  to  Edgewood 
St.,  the  house  on  the  south  side  near  Jerome  Ave.  (No.  42),  was  built 
in  1843,  by  William  Brown  Carpenter,  who  came  to  Bristol  when  about 
21  years  of  age.  His  native  place  was  that  part  of  Massachusetts  which 
became  Pawtucket,  Rhode  Island,  in  the  final  adjustment  of  boundaries 
between  the  States.  The  family  name  of  Carpenter  is  frequent  in  that 
vicinity.  Copies  of  "armorial  bearings"  or  coat  of  arms,  as  granted 
to  one'Wm.  B.  Carpenter  and  recorded  1663  at  Herald's  Col.,  London, 
Eng.,  may  be  found  on  tombstones  in  an  old  cemetery  at  Rohoboth, 
Mass.  He  was  at  first  engaged  in  the  cabinet  business  of  this  place — an 
industry  of  short  duration.  Then,  in  company  with  Benjamin  Ray, 
niaking  clock  cases  at  Pierce's  Bridge  vmtil  the  burning  of  that  factory. 
He  had  charge  of  the  case  department  of  the  Bartholomew  clock  makifig 
enterprise  before  1840.  Was  captain  of  the  popular  military  organiza- 
tion of  "Bristol  Blues,"  of  which  Richard  Yale  was  druminer.  The 
appointment  of  District  School  Clerk  given  him,  1849,  was  continued 
to  the  time  of  his  death  in  the  spring  1855,  when  David  S.  Miller  was 
his  successor.  He  resided  before  the  building  of  his  own  hovise  at  the 
old  home  of  Henry  A.  W^arner  on  the  same  street,  where  two  of  his  chil- 
dren were  born. 

Wm.  B.  Carpenter  married  Henrietta,  daughter  of  Joseph  and 
Almenia  (Rich)  Ives.  Their  children:  Marietta  A.  (1),  Henrietta  E. 
(2),  William  B.,  Jr.  (3).  Mrs.  Henrietta  (Ives)  Carpenter  died  June, 
1851.  Several  families  hved  for  a  time  in  the  Carpenter  house  before 
the  son,  Wm.  B.,  Jr.,  became  sole  owner  of  the  homestead.  One  of  them, 
Oliver  A.  Beckwith,  who  was  in  Bristol,  1851,  and  in  the  church  at  that 
time.  He  had  a  position  in  store  at  the  Copper  Mines  when  resident 
of  District  No.  9. 


262 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


Sarah  J.  (Thompson),  wife  of  Ohver  Beckwith,  b.  1823;  died  Jan. 
1891,  age  67.  Ohver  Allvn  Beckwith  resides  (1907),  at  UnionviUe, 
Conn.  Children:  Corinne^l),  1853;  died  July,  1902  (Mrs.  J.  H.  Bid- 
well  of  Colhnsville).  Ohver  A.,  Jr.  (2),  1857;  resident  of  Unionville, 
Conn.  Marian  Amv  (3),  1858;  died  in  childhood.  [Data  furnished  by 
Oliver  Russell  Beckwith,  Windsor,  Conn.,  grandson  of  Oliver  A.,  son  of 
Oliver  A.,  Jr.)] 

James  E.  Ladd,  who  married  Henrietta  E.,  second  child  of  Wm.  B. 
and  Henrietta  (Ives)  Carpenter,  made  this  place  their  home  until  their 
removal  to  Bristol  Center,  about  1868.  Their  oldest  child,  Henrietta, 
called  Hetty,  died  Jan.  8,  1865,  nearly  nine  years  of  age;  second  child, 
Wyllys  Carpenter;  third  child,  Herbert  Ives,  was  born  in  Bristol  Center. 

Wm.  B.  Carpenter,  Jr.,  and  wife,  Fanny  (Parsons)  Carpenter,  then 
resided  at  the  home.  They  now  are  residents  of  New  Britain.  The 
firm  of  Warner,  Carpenter  &  Alpress  (A.  H.  Warner,  Wm.  B.  Carpenter 


LUCIUS    S.    BELDEN. 


and  Charles  Alpress),  were  then  doing  a  wood  turning  business  in  the 
old  "grinding  shop"  on  the  "new  road."  The  business  was  eventually 
sold  to  Mr.  "Warner,  and  the  house  to  Clarence  Muzzy,  who  did  not 
occupy  it  but  sold  to  the  present  owner. 

Wyllys  Carpenter  Ladd,  b.  July  6,  1858;  married  Oct.  8,  1890, 
Edith  Irene,  daughter  of  AVallace  and  Eliza  (Fuller)  Barnes.  He  is  a 
manufacturer  of  clock  bells  and  light  hardware  on  Wallace  St.,  Bristol. 
Herbert  Ives  Ladd  is  commercial  salesman,  with  home  83  Bellvue  Ave. 

Lucius  Samuel  Belden,  son  of  Leroy  and  Catharine  (Sessions) 
Belden,  bought  the  house  in  1875.  He  was  born  Sept.  26,  1843;  married 
Ann  Ehza  Curtiss,  datighter  of  Philo  and  Charlotte  M.  Curtiss.  They 
have  one  davighter,  born  in  Waterbury,  Jan.  17,  1871.  They  reside  at 
the  place  at  present  (1907).  L.  S.  Belden  is  in  the  employ  of  Horton 
Mfg.  Co. 

House  (No.  43)'^^built'in   1864-5      Occupied  in  the  spring  of  1865 


OR        NEW    CAMBRIDGE."  263 

Ijy  the  owner,  Harry  Shelton  Bartholomew,  son  of  George  \V.  and  Ano-e- 
Hne  (Ives)  Bartholomew.  He  was  born  March  14,  1S32;  married  June 
20,  1860,  Sabra,  daughter  of  Joseph  Samuel  and  Rosetta  (Fenn)  Peck, 
b.,  May  15,  1837.  He  died  in  Pinehurst,  N.  C,  Feb.  19,  1902,  aged  nearly 
70  years.  After  attendance  at  his  home  district  school,  he  had  for  a 
time  the  advantage  of  instruction  at  the  Farmington  School  for  Boys, 
taught  by  the  eminent  instructor,  Deacon  Simeon  Hart.  During  several 
j-ears  of  his  father's  stay  in  California,  he  cared  for  the  mother  and  three 
younger  children.  When  his  father  visited  his  family  in  1851,  he  was 
pleased  to  return  with  him  and  spent  nearly  two  years  in  visiting  many 
locaHties,  and  in  various  occupations  in  California.  Returning  to  Bristol 
he  had  mechanical  instruction  in  Hartford  and  prepared  for  the  manu- 
facture of  hardware.  The  firm  of  G.  W.  &  H.  S.  Bartholomew  was  formed 
1855,  and  used  at  first  the  little  factory  on  "the  new  road,"  called  the 
"grinding  shop."  It  was  the  cutlery  shop  of  former  years.  Later  the 
business  was  transferred  to  the  old  clock  factories  where  it  continued 
till  destroyed  by  lire  in  1884. 

Children  of  Harry  Shelton  and  Sabra  P.  Bartholomew  were-  Alice 
(1),  Harry  Ives  (2),  Joseph  Peck  (3). 

With  the  exception  of  one  district  school,  Alice  M.  Bartholomew 
was  educated  entirely  in  private  schools,  with  Prof.  David  N.  Camp 
of  New  Britain,  Rev.  Charles  V.  Spear  at  Pittsfield,  Mass.,  and  Prof. 
Charles  Bartlett  ot  the  Mass.  Normal  Art  School,  Boston,  supplemented 
by  a  tour  of  European  Art  Galleries. 

Harry  Ives  Bartholomew  (2),  Yale  S.  S.,  1894,  Ph.  B.  Mechanical 
and  Construction  Engineer,  Portland  Cement  Works,  Portland,  Fremont 
Co.,  Colorado  (1907). 

Joseph  Peck  Bartholomew  (3),  Worcester  Polytechnic  Institute, 
Worcester,  Mass.,  1899,  S.  B.  Superintendent  Bit  Brace  Department, 
"Stanley  Rule  &  Level  Co.,"  Bristol  and  New  Britain  (1907). 

Harry  Shelton  Bartholomew  was  clerk  of  School  District  No.  9 
45  years  (1856-1901).  He  was  one  of  the  oldest  directors  in  service 
of  the  National  Bank  at  the  time  of  his  death,  1877-1902.  He  was 
deacon  of  Congregational  Church  for  nineteen  years  and  superintendent 
of  its  Sunday  School  twenty  or  more  years,  and  many  times  served  the 
church  in  other  official  capacity. 

At  next  number  west  (No.  44),  the  house  built  by  George  Welles 
Bartholomew,  is  now  occupied  by  George  S.  Osborn.  The  building  was 
done  or  completed  1835,  William  Darrow  doing  most  of  the  labor  by 
the  day.  The  doors,  pillars  and  outside  carvings  were  done  by  his 
hand.  It  is  estimated  that  he  was  employed  about  two  years  upon  the 
done  or  completed  1835,  Williams  Darrow  doing  most  of  the  labor  by 
place.  The  outside  work,  fence,  blinds,  etc.,  being  done  after  the  family 
came  there  to  reside  from  No.  55,  on  Jerome  avenue.  (The  red  dwelling- 
house  of  Asa  Bartholomew  that  figured  so  prominently  in  the  division 
of  the  school  district.) 

George  Welles,  son  of  Asa  and  Charity  (Shelton)  Bartholomew,  b. 
June  19,  1805,  married  Jan.  14,  1829,  Angeline,  daughter  of  Deacon 
Chas.  G.  and  Parthenia  (Rich)  Ives,  b.  March  30,  1807,  died  March  13, 
Chas.  G.  and  Parthenia  (Rich)  Ives,  b.  March  20,  1807,  died  March  13, 
Jan.  23,  1828.     She  had  one  daughter,  Hettie  Julia,  b.  May  17,  1856. 

Mrs.  Julia  (Cole)  Bartholomew  died  May  2,  1896; 

George  Welles  Bartholomew  died  May  7,  1897. 

Children  of  George  Welles  and  Angeline  (Ives)  Bartholomew: 

Harriet  Ives  (1),  b.  Feb.  8,  1830;  died  Oct.  16,  1837. 

Harrv  Shelton  (2),  b.  March  14,  1832;  died  Feb.  19,  1902. 

Frances  Parthenia  (3),  b.  Feb.  22,  1834;  died  Jan.  1,  1839. 

Marv  EHzabeth  (4),  b.  March  28,  1836;  died  Jan.  18,  1839. 

Jane'  Estelle  (5),  b.  March  28,  1840. 

Angeline  (6),  b.  Dec.  22,  1843;  died  Aug.  28,  1893. 

Emily  S.  (7),  b.  Aug.  31,  1846;  died  Sept.  13,  1848. 

George  Welles,  Jr.  (8),  b.  Aug.  24,  1848. 


264 


BRISTOL   CONNECTICUT, 


George  Welles  Bartholomew,  Jr.,  married  Oct.  18,  1876,  Hettie 
Julia,  daughter  of  Julia  A.  (Marvin)  and  Edwin  Halsey  Cole  (first  teacher 
of  the  High  School  Department  in  the  Southside  School  House,  Bristol). 
They  reside  in  Denver,  Colorado,  and  have  had  seven  children.  Five 
are  living  in  the  West. 

Angeline,  6th  child  of  George  and  Angeline  Ives  Bartholomew, 
married  Oct.  24,  1871,  Samuel  Harvey  Marvin.  She  died  in  1893, 
leaving  two  daughters,  of  Columbus,  Ohio.  Her  son,  Percy  Clarence 
Marvin,  died  Dec.  22,  1890,  aged  17  years. 

Mr.  Bartholomew  was  engaged  in  a  number  of  business  enterprises 
In  early  manhood,  chief  of  which  was  clock  making,  which  he  followed 
till  about  1840.  During  his  California  life  others  were  in  occupancy 
and  ownership  of  his  hotne.  After  that  time  his  associations  were  with 
his  son,   H.  S.   Bartholomew,  until   1884,  when  he  retired  from  business. 

The  family  resided  in  the  next  house  west,  built  in  1843,  by  his 
father,  Asa  Bartholomew,  but  returned  and  spent  nearly  half  a  century 
in  the  home  he  built  with  so  great  care.  He  was  Justice  of  the  Peace 
about  forty  years.  Selectman  ten  years.  Judge  of  Probate,  Senator  and 
Representative  several  terms;  a  Democrat.  The  place  was  sold  after 
his  death  to  Wm.  J.  Holden,  who  was  resident  a  few  years,  when  he  sold 
to  the  present  owner,  Geo.  S.  Osborn,  who  came  to  Bristol  from  Hart- 
ford.    He  has  a  daughter,  Gladys. 

House  (No.  45)  built  1843  by  Asa  Bartholomew,  Sr.,  on  the  site  of 
David  Steele's  bam  with  basement,  which  Asa  Bartholomew,  Jr.,  utilized 
as  a  butchery  and  from  which  he  sold  :neat.  The  present  barn  of  the 
place  is  on  the  site  of  David  Steele's  blacksmith  shop.  Tenants  of  that 
time,  1843,  and  near,  were  Lucas  Barnes,  later  of  Bristol  Center.  (One 
of  his  daughters  born  here.)  Henry  Blakesley  and  Leroy  Belden  when 
they  came  to  the  district,  1851.  It  was  sold  to  Franklin  Steele,  1854. 
His  children  were  born  here.  Tenants  of  the  double  house  of  that  time 
and  near:  A.  H.  Warner,  of  whose  children,  Fanny  and  Henry  Douglas, 
it  was  the  birthplace.  Mr.  Steele  began  housekeeping  in  the  Mark 
Lewis  house  (No.  32). 


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OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE."  265 

Mr.  Steele  sold  to  George  Tvirner,  Sr.,  for  the  use  of  the  Ryals  family. 
Charles  Keyes,  present  P.  M.  of  Southington  and  Axel  V.  Jacobson,  were 
residents  at  some  time.  The  widow  of  John  Conklin  (Mrs.  Mary  Madden 
Conklin)  next  owned  the  property,  where  she  lost  by  death,  her  son  John. 
Of  her  estate  the  present  owner,  John  August  Peterson,  purchased  the 
place. 

John  August  Peterson,  son  of  Peter  J.,  came  to  America  from 
Sweden,  1880.  He  married  Anna  Louise  Peterson,  sister  to  John  and 
Adolf  of  Forestville,  who  died  Nov.,  1905.  Children:  Agnes  (1), 
graduate  B.  H.  S.,  and  "Conn.  Business  College,"  Hartford,  Ernest  (2), 
and  Oliver  (3),  who  died  aged  one  year.  John  August  Peterson  is  em- 
ployed in  the  "S.  R.  &  L.  Company"  Works  of  Edgewood.  Also  has  a 
farm,  in  charge  of  son  Ernest. 

The  corner  house  (No.  46),  junction  of  Warner  and  Edgewood 
streets,  was  built  in  ISIS  by  David  Steele  and  Wm.  Jerome,  3d.  Louisa, 
oldest  child  of  Wm.  Jerome,  3d,  was  born  at  this  place.  The  Jerome 
family  soon  removed  to  District  No.  8  for  a  residence  of  few  years.  Most 
of  David  Steele's  children  were  born  in  this  house;  Jane,  only,  at  the 
Mark  Lewis  honie,  where  they  later  removed.  The  place  was  sold  to 
George  W.  Bartholomew,  who  made  it  the  boarding  place  for  his  em- 
ployees in  the  clock  business.  It  was  kept  at  one  time  by  John  Bacon, 
who  afterward  lived  in  Peaceable  St.,  and  was  an  honored  member  of 
the  Prospect  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

Incomplete  list  of  families  that  have  b'ved  in  the  boarding  hous^- 

Mr.  Doolittle, 
Leroy  Belden. 
Samuel  Russell, 
Samuel  Russell,  2d, 
Geo.  Bartholomew, 
L^riah  Russell, 
Fred  Russell, 
Almeron  Pond, 
Mrs.  Emma  Downs, 
Peter  Diefendorf, 
Charles  Keyes, 
Wm.  Hart, 
Edward  Porter,  Sr., 
James  Hodges, 
Charles  Justin, 
Wm.  Griffin, 
James  Ryals, 
John  Carroll, 
George  Turner, 
Patrick  Deegan, 
Mr.  McCloud, 
Thomas  Lord, 
Charles  Anderson. 
Herbert  Loveland, 

Incomplete  list  of  men  who  boarded  in  the  Co.  boarding  house. 
1831 

Albro  Alford,  Allen  Winston, 

1832 

W.  B.  Carpenter. 

1833     House  kept  by  John  Bacon. 
Mav  1st. 

'  A.  Alpress  (Alvin),  O.  Weldon  (Oliver), 

Wm.  Courier,  Henry  Bancroft, 

Emery  Moulthrop,  Wm.  Fancher, 

Nathan  Wildman. 


1 

Wm.  Jerome,  Sr., 

24 

2 

David  Steele, 

25 

3 

Elijah  Williams, 

26 

with  three  brothers. 

27 

4 

Mr.  Eustice, 

28 

5 

Mr.  Glaston, 

29 

6 

Mr.  Erie, 

30 

7 

"Sher"  Lewis, 

31 

S 

Warner  Maclntire, 

32 

9 

James  Mills, 

33 

10 

Mr.  Sanford, 

34 

11 

Major  Case, 

35 

12 

Ai  Bunnell, 

36 

13 

Nathaniel  Cramer, 

37 

14 

Mr.  Gilbert, 

38 

15 

Henry  Warner, 

39 

16 

Eli  Byington, 

40 

17 

Isaac  Graham, 

41 

IS 

Porter  Warner, 

42 

19 

Mr.  Marsh, 

43 

20 

David  Clark, 

44 

21 

John  Bacon, 

46 

oo 

Jeduthan  Clark, 

47 

23 

Horace  Miller, 

48 

266 


BRISTOL,     CONNECTICUT 


1835     House  kept  by  JeduthanXlark. 
Jan.  1st. 

Wm.  B.  Carpenter, 

Ephraim  McEwin, 

Harry  Thompson, 

Sherman  Barnes, 

Joseph  Thompson, 

T.  B.  Kibby, 

S.  Smith, 

H.  H.  Newcomb, 

R.  Johnson, 

Luther  Carter, 

Lucas  Barnes, 

Gad  Roberts, 
1847     House  again  kept  by  John  Bacon. 

Alexander  Graham, 

Richard  Sansome, 

Patrick  Fox, 

James  Creighton, 

E.  Woodruff, 

Olnv, 


Harman  Stedman, 
David  B.  Clark, 
Benjamin  Barnes, 
Sylvester  Lyman, 
O.  P.  Mc Kinney, 
Geo.  Alpress, 
W.  W.  Wintenbury, 
Wellington  Winston, 
J.  Breakenridge, 
Wm.  Carter, 
Timothy  Bradley, 
Isaac  Muzzy. 

Monroe  Barnes, 
Amasen  Smith, 
E.  L.  Welton, 
George  Nichols, 
Isaac  Graham, 
Enos  Hart, 
Nathan  Wildman, 
Richard  Yale. 


Ara  Hawley, 

John  Rudd, 

Orrin  Thompson. 
The  house  changed  owners  and  shared  the  fortunes  of  other  Barthol- 
omew property.  It  came  again  to  them  in  the  purchase  of  the  factory 
property  from  the  Hotchkiss  Brothers  of  New  Haven,  by  the  G.  W.  & 
H.  S.  Bartholomew  Co.,  about  1860.  At  the  retirement  of  G.  W.  Bar- 
tholomew from  business  in  1884,  it  was  bought  by  Harry  S.  Bartholomew, 
whose  daughter  purchased  the  old  house,  in  which  she  is  fitting  rooms 
as  a  "Studio"  for  her  pleasure  in  art  work.  An  addition  reaching  east- 
erly was  built  after  1818  in  which  now  resides  Chas.  Anderson,  wife  and 
daughter  Ebba.      He  is  employed  by  the  "Stanley  R.  &  L.Co.,"  Edgewood. 


'the    ni'MPl-IXG,"    SOUTH    OF     B.^KTHOI.OMEW    F.ACTOKV 


OR     "new    CAMBRIDGE."  267 

Lauren,  son  of  Martin  and  Amy  Manross  Byington,  born  1797, 
married  first  Honor  Graham.  They  had  no  children,  but  were  guardians 
to  the  minor  sons  of  Isaac  Graham,  Sr.  EHsha  Hotchkiss,  Jr.,  also 
was  a  guardian  to  some  of  them,  1829.  Lauren  Byington  married 
second  Julia  Philena,  daughter  of  Martin  Hart.  She  built  the  home 
(No.  47)  in  which  they  resided  west  of  the  home  of  the  father,  Martin 
Byington.  Her  father,  Martin  Hart,  spent  his  declining  years  at  this 
house,  where  he  died  1860,  age  77.  Mrs.  Julia  P.  (Hart)  Byington  died 
about  1862. 

Lauren  Byington  married  third  Mrs.  Eliza  F.  (Colvin).  Mr.  Lauren 
Byington  united  with  the  church  with  his  third  wife  in  1871.  He  was 
the  third  husband  of  his  last  wife.  The  first  left  a  son,  Wm.  Nichols. 
who  made  Edgewood  his  home.  Mrs.  Byington  had  other  sons,  Frank 
(1),  Fred  (2)  and  Eugene  Colvin  (3),  possibly  others.  Lauren  Byington 
died  1889,  age  92.  He  was  a  farmer.  Mrs.  Eliza  Byington  resides 
in  Avon  (1907). 

The  place  was  next  owned  by  Warren  Smith  (unmarried),  who 
provides  a  home  for  his  aged  parents,  Benjamin  F.  Smith  and  wife. 
The  father  is  feeble  and  blind,  Seymour  Reed,  son-in-law  (of  B.  F. 
Smith),  also  resides  with  them.  He  is  R.  F.  D.  carrier,  Rovite  No.  1. 
the  first  route  in  the  County  of  Hartford.  Children  of  Seymour  and 
Viola  (Smith)  Reed:  William  (1),  Arthur  (2),  Joseph  (3),  Rollin  (4), 
Ruby  (5). 

Martin  Byington,  fourth  son  of  Joseph,  Sr.,  and  Hannah  (Spencer) 
Bvington,  born  1767,  married  Amy,  daughter  of  Deacon  Elisha  Manross, 
of  Forestville,  sister  to  Ruth,  wife  of  Noah  Byington.  His  home  (No. 
48),  opposite  the  "gristmill,"  where  Bartholomew  Factory  now  stands, 
was  on  the  steep  part  of  the  bank  with  a  fight  of  wide  and  long  stone 
, steps  or  terraces  leading  to  the  house.  Lauren  Byington,  the  only  son, 
ived  here  with  his  mother  after  the  death  of  his  father,  Martin  Bying- 
ton in  1821,  aged  54,  till  marriage  to  second  wife,  Julia  P.  (Hart)  Bying- 
ton, and  the  new  residence.  Martin  Byington  had  been  owner  with 
Isaac  Graham,  Sr.,  in  the  gristmill  and  manufacturing  of  framed  mirrors, 
some  of  which  can  be  seen  in  Edgewood  houses.  Their  factory  was 
in  No.  8,  where  George  Turner,  Jr.,  is  doing  business,  in  1907.  Chil- 
dren of  Martin  and  Amy  (Manross)  Byington:  Lauren  (1);  Rowena 
(2),  who  married  William  Curtiss  [Angeline  (1),  Almira  (2),  Wm.,  Jr. 
(S)].  William  and  Rowena  (Byington)  Curtiss  resided  in  the  old  house 
after  Lauren  occupied  the  new  one.  Williams  Byington  also  made  it 
his  home  and  a  Mr.  Atwood. 

Asahel  Mix  bought  the  old  house.  He  carried  it  to  some  of  his  own 
land  on  the  hill  northwest  from  its  former  site,  reconstructed  it  and 
sold,  with  the  land,  to  John  Conklin,  who  made  it  his  home.     (No.  49). 

It  is  thought  Mr.  Conklin  was  employed  at  the  copper  mine  in  his  first 
years  of  life  here.  He  was  certainly  in  the  employ  of  the  Ingraham's 
Clock  Co.  several  years  before  he  enlisted  in  the  Twenty-fifth  Regiment 
for  the  Civil  War.'  He  died  of  consumption.  The  children  of  John  and 
Mary  (Madden)  Conkhn  were:  Daniel  (1),  John  (2),  William  (3);  a 
daughter  (4),  who  died  before  her  father,  at  the  house  on  the  hill. 

Later  Mrs.  Conklin  bought  a  place  on  Edgewood  St.,  as  has  been 
stated,  where  her  son  John  died  and  was  interred  at  New  Britain.  Mrs. 
Marv  (Madden)  Coughlin  died  at  the  home  of  her  son  Daniel,  in  Bristol 
(North  Side),  Aug.  28,  1896,  age  60.  The  son  William  died  later.  The 
children  have  now  all  "passed  away,"  but  grandchildren  are  residing  in 
the  town.  The  name  of  John  Coughlin  is  very  familiar  to  residents  of 
No.  9,  in  notes  from  the  baseball  field. 

The  home  of  Moses  Pickingham  (No.  50),  at  the  south  end  of  the 
old  abandoned  road,  comes  next  in  course  of  record.  The  name  slightly 
shortened  since  the  deed  of  1828,  to  Peckham,  is  known  to  belong  to  his 
descendants,  residents  of  Bristol  on  Wolcott  Road.  Moses  Peckham! 
married   Thankful   Gaylord,    March   26,    1823.     Moses   Peckham   had   a 


268 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


son,  who  was  schoolmate  of  Samuel,  oldest  son  of  David  Steele,  and 
Wm.  Jerome,  4th,  at  the  old  schoolhouse  near  Noah  Byington's  home. 

This  house  was  rented  to  several  families  before  its  purchase  by 
Henry  A.  Warner,  one  of  which  was  Selah  Steele,  Jr.,  from  New  Britain, 
whose  first  wife  was  Phebe  Baldwin,  of  Phineas,  of  Milford,  Conn.  Their 
onlv  child,  Harvey  Baldwin,  bom  Feb.  23,  1827,  was  playmate  of  the 
children  of  District  No.  9.  He  was  in  1862,  Dr.  Harvey'  B.  Steele,  a 
celebrated  physician  of  West  Winsted,  Conn.  He  married  1861,  Mary 
Mather  of  West  Winsted.  It  is  said  Selah  Steele  also  resided  a  while 
in  the  Wm.  Jerome,  first,  house.  Wm.  B.  Carpenter  lived  some  years 
in  the  Peckham  house.     It  was  the  birthplace  of  some  of  his  children. 

Henry  A.  Warner  was  born  in  Plymouth,  Conn.,  1814.  His  father's 
family  moved  to  New  Hartford  when  he  was  9  years  of  age,  or  in  1823. 
He  worked  at  clock  making  in  Hotchkissville  for  a  time ;  came  to  Bristol 
for  a  year  or  two  and  returned  to  his  home  in  Plymouth  Hollow,  now 
Thomaston.  He  married  in  1835,  Miss  Eliza  Roberts,  daughter  of  John 
of  Burlington.  Two  years  later  he  came  to  the  place  (District  No.  9, 
Bristol),  which  was  his  home  residence  till  his  death,  which  occurred 
May  27,  1890. 

His  wife  died  in  1859.  Children  of  Henry  A.  and  EHza  (Roberts) 
Warner  were:  Augustus  H.  (1),  b.  1838;  Sarah  (2).  The  first  home 
was  in  the  "Boarding  House"  (so-called),  where  the  son  was  born. 


(1)  No.  53,  Mrs.  S.  E.  Curtiss  O,  The  Pliilo  and  Andrew  Cnrtiss 
Places;  (2)  No.  42,  Luther  S.  Belden  O,  The  Wm.  B.  Carpenter  Place; 
(3)  No.  43.  Mrs.  H.  S.  Bartholomew  O;  (4)  No.  52,  Mrs.  J.  E.  Russell  O, 
The  Jeremiah  Stever  Place;  (5)  No.  51,  Franklin  Steele  O,  The  Allen 
Winston  Place;  (6)  No.  44,  George  E.  Osborne  O,  The  George  W.  Bar- 
tholomew Place;  (7)  No.  50,  Mrs.  Sarah  Weed  O,  The  Moses  Pickingham 
Place;  (8)  No.  45,  August  Peterson  O,  The  Asa  Bartholomew  Place, 
(9)  Miss  A.  M.  Bartholomew's  Studio,  Chas.  F.  Anderson  R,  The  Wm 
Jerome  (jd)  and  David  Steele  Place. 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE  "  269 

Mr.  Warner  purchased  the  Peckham  place  and  Hved  in  the  house 
some  years.  About  1860,  he  built  the  present  home,  on  the  site  of  Moses 
Peckh'am's  house.  The  old  house  was  divided.  The  better  portion 
used  in  the  rear  of  the  new  dwelling  forming  an  L.  The  remainder  con- 
stitutes the  shed  attached  to  barn  of  the  place  at  present.  Henry  A. 
Warner  married  second,  186.5,  Mrs.  Jane  (Clark)  Butler,  daughter  of 
Gordon.  She  died  in  Hartford,  date  May  14,  1896.  Mr.  Warner  was 
engaged  most  of  his  business  life  in  the  wood-turning  business.  In 
1854,  formed  a  partnership  with  John  H.  Sessions,  turning  knobs  and 
job  turning.  The  hmi  of  Warner  &  Sessions  continued  until  1865,  when 
he  sold  his  interest  to  Mr.  Sessions.  Mr.  Warner  bought  a  Dunbar 
factory,  where  he  made  travelling  bag  frames  a  short  time,  which  was 
sold  to  Turner  &  Clayton.  The  following  autimm  he  bought  the  in- 
terest of  C.  H.  Alpress  in  the  wood-turning  company  of  Alpress  &  Car- 
penter, of  which  his  son,  A.  H.  Warner,  was  a  partner.  The  firm  name 
continued,  x\lpress,  Carpenter  &  Co.,  but  a  few  months,  when  Mr.  W^arner 
and  his  son  bought  the  whole  business,  which  was  continued  till  his 
demise  as  H.  A.  &  A.  H.  Warner. 

Mrs.  Sarah  (Warner)  Weed,  daughter  of  Henry  A.  and  widow  of 
Julius,  of  Hartford,  Conn.,  now  owns  the  place,  where  she  spends  the 
summer  months. 

Allen  Winston,  9th  child  of  John  and  Sarah  (Bartholomew)  Winston, 
b.  1808,  died  Oct.  25,  1848,  age"  40;  married  Eunecia  Foote  of  Burling- 
ton, Conn.,  b.  Aug.  25,  1812,  died  when  in  Virginia  with  her  daughter 
Helen.  Children  were  Helen  (1),  b.  1834,  who  married  Sept.  4,  1850, 
in  Bristol,  Conn.,  her  cousin  Granville  Winston  of  Lynchburg,  Va.; 
Dwight  (2),  b.  about  1837,  went  to  California.  Allen  Winston  built 
the  house  numbered  51  in  1833.  He  was  a  farmer,  and  also  a  manu- 
facturer early  in  the  history  of  the  village.  Strav  papers  and  accounts 
of  the  late  G.  W.  Bartholomew  note  the  firm  "Winston,  Hale  &  Carpen- 
ter," probably  of  short  duration.  The  barn  first  bviilt  by  Allen  Winston 
not  meeting  his  requirements  as  to  size,  was  changed  into  a  dwelling 
and  located  at  No.  53  of  the  Map.  It  was  replaced  with  a  larger  one 
to  which  Alanson  Winston,  nephew  of  Allen,  added  the  shed,  all  now 
standing. 

Alanson  Winston  was  next  occupant  and  owner  of  the  Allen  Winston 
house.  With  his  brother  Wellington  they  were  woodturning  manu- 
facturers of  knobs,  door  stops,  etc.,  for  about  five  years,  during  which 
time  Alanson  lived  at  this  house.  Frank  Winston  was  bom  at  this 
place.  They  returned  at  the  close  of  the  business  to  the  old  Wm.  Jerome 
1st  house,  the  property  of  Mrs.  Maria  (Bartholomew)  Winston,  wife  of 
Alanson. 

David  Miller  was  next  owner,  who  sold  to  J.  H.  Sessions,  who  lived 
there  1855  to  1869.  During  the  time  of  his  residence  the  "Warner  & 
Sessions"  firm  were  doing  a  prosperous  business,  following  the  Winstons, 
by  whom  Mr.  Sessions  and  A.  H.  Warner  had  been  employed.  T-ater 
Mr.  Sessions  owned  it  all,  and  built  a  factory  on  the  site  of  the  Byington 
&  Graham  shop  in  District  No.  8,  which  was  used  after  he  removed  to 
the  center  of  the  town  by  George  Turner,  Sr.      It  was  burned  1884. 

Tohn  Humphrey  Sessions,  son  of  Calvin,  born  in  Burlington,  Conn,, 
March  17,  1828,  married  Emilv  Bunnell,  daughter  of  Allen  and  Rhoda 
(Atwater)  Bunnell,  b.  Jan.  30',  1828.  Children  born  at  this  place  are 
John  H.  (1),  (deceased),  Caroline  (2)  [Mrs.  George  W.  Neubauer]; 
William  Edwin  (3),  who  was  twelve  years  of  age,  when  the  family  moved 
to  Bristol  Center,  1869.  Mr.  Sessions  sold  the  residence  to  Edward 
Alpress  who  m.arried  Sarah  Root  (dec).  He  sold  to  Frankhn  Steele, 
the  present  owner,  in  Feb.,  1871.  Edward  Alpress  now  resides  in  New 
Britain,  Conn.  He  married  second,  Mrs.  Adelaide  (Tolles)  Porter, 
b.  Dec.  25,  1883,  widow  of  Geo.  Henry  Porter,  who  died  1882.  [Son 
Henry  Tolles  Alpress,  b.  Feb.  4,  1889.] 

The  present  owner,  Franklin  Steele,  son  of  David  and  Nancy  (Wil- 
cox)  Steele,  b.  May  27,   1829,  married  Nov.  l'4,   1852,  Caroline  Bunnell, 


270 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


b.  Jan.  13,  1827,  daughter  of  Allen  and  Rhoda  (Atwater)  Bunnell,  who 
died  Dec.  9,  1898.  Children,  Frank  W.  Steele  (1),  died  age  2}4  years; 
Samuel  Wilcox  Steele  (2),  sexton  of  the  West  Cemetery,  Bristol;  Frank- 
lin William  Steele  (3),  died  aged  16  years;  Thomas  Bunnell  Steele  (4), 
resides  at  Bristol  Center;  twins.  Sterling  James  Steele  (o),  died  Jan.  19, 
1889,  and  Estella  Jane  Steele  (6),  resides  Edgewood. 

Franklin  Steele,  who  has  spent  his  active  life  in  the  factories  of  his 
brother-in-law  and  sons,  John  H.  Sessions,  retired  sonie  years  since. 
He  is  undoubtedly  the  only  person,  whose  birthplace  was  District  Xo. 
9,  who  has  lived  continuously  within  its  limits  to  the  age  of  78  years. 
He  is  engaged  at  his  convenience  or  pleasure  in  agriculture. 

The  house  (No.  52),  now  owned  by  Mrs.  Jane  E.  Russell,  east  of 
Franklin  Steele,  was  built  by  Jeremiah  Stever  about  1850.  He  was 
formerly  one  of  the  firm  of  Stever  &  Bryant,  Clock  Makers  of  Whigville. 
Jeremiah  Stever,  married  first  Mary  Welton  of  Waterbury.  She  died 
in  Whigville,  leaving  one  daughter  named  Mary.  Mary  Stever  married 
first  Samuel  Beckwith  of  Canton,  brother  of  Ohver  A.  Beckwith.  Samuel 
Beckwith  died  in  a  few  years,  when  she  married  John  Carroll  (dec). 
[Two  daughters,  Sarah  Carroll,  a  teacher,  Grace  Carroll,  stenographer.] 
Mrs.  Carroll  resides  on  Woodland,  St.,  Bristol.  Mr.  Stever  married 
second  Jane  Smith  of  Derby,  Conn.,  who  died  1873.  Children  of  Jere- 
miah and  Jane  (Smith)  Stever:  Helen  (1);  Charles  (2).  Helen  Stever 
married   Reuben   Frost   of   Marion,    Southington,    Conn,    (one   daughter, 

Helen,    married   Beckley).     Charles    Stever   resides    in    California. 

He  has  a  family.  Mr.  Stever  married  third,  Louisa,  daughter  of  Wm. 
Smith,   cousin  of  the  second  wife.      She  died  in  a  few  years,  when  Mr. 

Stever  married  fourth (name  unknown).     There  was  one  or  more 

children  in  this  family,  when  the  parents  died  in  one  week  of  pneumonia. 

Edward  Graham,  who  married  Caroline  Hart,  daughter  of  Adna 
lived  in  this  house  at  one  time.     Children,  W^illiam  H.  (1);  Lucelia  (2); 


THE  GEORGE  W.  B.-VRTIIOI-OME W  IM-AC^K,  FROM  .\X  OI.D  IMIOTOGR.XPH 


OR        NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


271 


Ida  (3)  [Mrs.  H.  E.  Butler,  7!>  Summer  St.,  Bristol].  The  place  was 
purchased  by  Uriah  Russell,  1876.  He  married  Jane  E.  Bartholomew, 
daughter  of  Geo.  W.,  b.  March  28,  1840.  Uriah  Russell  was  born  March 
211,  1831,  died  Sept.  21,  1S91,  aged  60,  after  along  illness.    Four  children. 

Fred  Warren  (1),  b.  Nov.  22,  1862,  married  Nov.  18,  1885,  Mar- 
garet Sullivan,  b.  April  10,  1866,  Children  [Marguerite  (I),  (dec); 
Fred  Ives  (2);   Elsie  (3);  Faye  (4)]. 

Herbert  Archer  (2),  b.  April  23.  1866,  died  April  16,  1869,  age  3  years. 

Grace  Edna  (3),  b.  Jan.  7,  1868,  married  Oct.  23,  1895,  Mortimer 
Cole  Keeler,  b.  Aug.  10,  1868;  four  sons,  Robert  Russell  Keeler,  b.  Aug. 
22,  1898;  Raymond  Mortimer  Keeler  (2),  b.  1902;  Irving  Welles  (3),  b. 
May  25,  1904';  Harvey  Hickok  Keeler  (4),  Oct.  24,  1906. 

Helen  Louise  Russell  (4),  b.  July  28,  1872,  married  June  14,  1899, 
Elbert  Elmer  Smith,  b.  Dec.  30,  18(i0.  One  son,  Russell  Robbins,  b. 
1905. 


H.    CARl'ii.XTER,     JR..     (A  I      .\  () .     42j. 


Uriah  Russell,  whose  family  settled  in  Andover  and  Boston,  came 
from  Mass.,  to  Bristol,  Conn.,  to  engage  with  Jeremiah  Stever  and  Julian 
Pomeroy  in  making  "old-time"  sewing  machines.  J.  Stever  was  an 
/ngenious  man,  who  secured  many  profitable  patents.  One  of  his  inven- 
tions was  a  precursor  of  the  bicycle  and  tricycle,  but  not  developed  at 
Byington  &  Graham's  factor^^ 

Philo  Curtiss,  son  of  Joshua  of  Burlington,  married  Sept.  3,  1829, 
Charlotte  Curtiss,  daughter  of  Aaron  Curtiss  of  Burlington,  (?onn.  Their 
children  were  Lucius  (1);  Jonas  (2);  George  (3);  Edwin  (4);  Ellen  (5); 
Laura  (6);  Andrew  (7);  Ann  Eliza  (8);  Emma  (9).  The  residence  was 
the  first  house  (No.  53)  east  of  Jeremiah  Stever's  home.  For  a  few 
years,  Mr.  Curtiss,  with  his  brother,  Simeon  Curtiss  lived  on  the  Martin 
Hart  farm  (No.  26).  During  Philo  Curtiss'  absence,  Isaac  Graham, 
Jr.,  occupied  the  house  at  this  place  (No.  53),  in  1860  and  after.  They 
removed  later  to  Hiram  Norton's  house  on  Mines  Road  (No.  2).  Isaac 
Graham    married    Lucy,    daughter   of    Henry    Hotchkiss   of  Burlington, 


272  BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 

Lucy  (Hotchkiss)  Graham  died  of  cancer  at  the  Hiram  Norton  place. 
Isaac  and  Lucy  (Hotchkiss)  Graham  had  children,  Alexander  (1) ;  Lauren 
(2)  and  others. 

Philo  Curtis  resumed  his  residence  at  this  place,  where  he  lived 
till  his  death,  June  10,  1875. 

Mrs.  Charlotte  Curtiss  died  Oct.  27,  1883  at  her  daughter  Emma's 
[Mrs.  Downs]  in  Waterbury. 

Andrew  Jackson  Curtiss,  b.  Oct.  26,  1844,  married  Jan  1,  1873,  at 
Troy,  Penn.,  Sarah  Elizabeth  Ayers,  b.  July  14,  1843.  One  daughter, 
Miriam  Curtiss,  b.  Oct.  25,  1873,  married  Dec.  2,  1903,  E.  Samuel  Gil- 
lette, b.  Oct.  21,  1874.  Andrew  J.  Curtiss  built  a  house  on  the  site  of 
his  father's,  1892,  occupied  October  of  same  year.  He  died  Jan.  27, 
1907,  as  the  result  of  a  fall  some  years  before.  Emma  J.,  youngest  child 
of  Philo  and  Charlotte  Curtiss  married  first  George  N.  Downs,  May  14, 
1872;  married  second  Charles  H.  Monroe,  Dec.  6,  1898,  and  resides  at 
Mill  Plain,  Waterbury,  Conn.  Children,  Edith  A.  Downs  (1),  b.  Aug. 
2,  1877  (dec.);  Harry  C.  Downs  (2),  b.  Dec.  8,  1883,  resides  in  Bristol 
(married);   Paul  A.  Downs  (3),  b.  March  4,  1891,  Waterbury,  Conn. 

The  schoolhouse  (No.  54),  built  when  District  No.  9  was  formed  in 
1833,  is  east  of  the  Andrew  J.  Curtiss  residence.  Asahel  Mix  was  ap- 
pointed Committee  of  District  No.  7,  after  the  division  in  1833,  the 
former  Committee  Samviel  Pardee  being  resident  south  of  the  "red  dwelling 
house  of  Asa  Bartholomew"  was  not  available  for  No.  7.  David  Steele, 
first  School  Committee  of  No.  9,  provided  for  the  school  its  first  instructor, 
David  Alford. 

Franklin  Steele  of  David,  began  at  this  time  his  school-education. 
Other  early  teachers  were  Benjamin  F.  Hawley,  one  of  whose  pupils 
was  Harry  S.  Bartholomew. 

Miss  Louisa  Jerome  (Mrs.  Blood)  has  the  distinction  of  first  sum- 
moning the  pupils  to  study,  or  opening  of  school  by  using,  instead  of  a 
stick  or  ruler,  a  bell.  In  1837,  Miss  Almira  E.  Peck,  daughter  of  J.  S. 
Peck,  of  Whigville  was  teacher.  During  the  term  the  "inocculation"  for 
of  Whigville  was  teacher.  During  the  tenn  the  "inocculation"  for 
prevention  of  smallpox  was  performed  by  Dr.  Camp,  for  the  school.  It 
was  in  the  early  years  of  this  shool  that  Wm.  Jerome,  fourth  of  the  name, 
carried  live  coals  between  two  pieces  of  board  from  his  home  to  knidle 
the  schoolhouse  fire.  When  they  caught  fire,  causing  a  blaze,  he  some- 
tiines  ran  backward  to  prevent  burning  his  face.  Matches  were  invented 
but  the  use  of  them  was  not  familiar.  People  were  suspicious  and  afraid' 
of  them. 

It  would  be  possible,  if  best,  to  present  the  long  list  of  teachers 
to  1907.  The  mention  of  a  few  will  suffice.  Harriet  Moses,  1859. 
Lizzie  Welch,  1860,  Rev.  Mr.  Seeley,  Visiting  Committee.  The  schools 
have  at  this  date  changed  from  the  simple  study  of  the  three  R's  to  the 
following  curriculum:  Reading  (1),  Spelling  (2),  Geography  (3),  Gram- 
mar (4),  Arithmetic  (5),  Algebra  (6),  History  (7),  Philosophy  (8),  Latin 
(9),  Composition  (10).  (Penmanship  not  mentioned.)  Average  attend- 
ance, eight  pupils.  (Miss  Welch  now  Mrs.  Bevin  of  East  Hampton, 
Conn.)  vSchool  taught  1868,  by  Laura  M.  Curtiss,  number  of  pupils, 
33.  (Miss  Curtiss  now  Mrs.  Orlando  Sheldon  of  New  Britain.)  In  1871 
taught  by  Marietta  Carpenter  of  Edgewood,  number  of  pupils,  32. 
Mrs.  Rosie  E.  Barnes  taught  the  years  Oct.  14,  1872-Dec.  15,  1873. 
In  1882,  Miss  S.  E.  Hewlett.  The  Visitor's  report  contained  the  fol- 
lowing: "The  record  shows  this  to  be  the  banner  school  of  the  town 
in  point  of  regular  attendance  the  per  cent,  for  the  year  being  96.01. 
Though  a  small  school,  still  the  material  is  not  wanting  here  on  the  part 
of  the  pupils  to  niake  it  the  banner  school  in  other  respects." 

1885  the  Visitor  reports:  "The  Visitor,  the  teacher  and  the  scholars 
are  very  much  gratified  by  the  new  desks:  This  is  another  of  our  schools 
where  there  is  no  room  for  criticism  and  no  opportunity  for  aught  ex- 
cept   commendation.     The    point    especially    to    be    noted    is,    perhaps, 


NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


27; 


the  pervasion  of  a 
school." 


:;entle  and  what   may  be  called  family  spirit  in  the 


The  desks  of  the  schoolhouse  were  made  purposely  rather  high 
for  the  acommodation  of  adults  at  evening  meetings,  etc.  Mr.  J.  J. 
Jennings  declaring  it  was  not  a  house  of  public  worship  and  that  the 
arrangement  was  injurious  to  the  health  of  the  young,  at  last  secured 
the  proper  seats  for  a  schoolroom,  if  not  for  a  prayer  meeting  or  singing 
school. 

From  about  this  time,  1885,  there  have  been  but  three  teachers. 
Pupils  were  taught  about  ten  years  by  Mrs.  R.  E.  Robotham  and  Miss 
Minnie  Moor  about  the  same  length  of  time.  Miss  Bartlett  has  filled 
out  the  remainder  of  the  years  until  1907.  Mrs.  Robotham  died  at  her 
hoine  in  Northampton,  Mass.,  Nov.  27  (Thanksgiving  Day)  1903.  Her 
daughter,  Georgia  I.,  is  a  teacher  at  the  Willimantic  High  School,  Wind- 
ham Co.,  Conn.  That  the  schoolhouse  of  District  No.  9  served  the 
purposes  of  a  Village  Hall,  Lyceum,  Religious  Chapel,  etc.,  may  be  shown 
in  part  by  the  following: 

ITEM   FROM  THE   BRISTOL  PRESS. 

Dec.  31,  1891. 

"The  thirty-fourth  annual  New  Year's  meeting  will  be  held  in  the 
'No.  9'  schoolhouse  tomorrow  afternoon  at  two  o'clock. 

There  will  be  present  the  following  named  ministers,  who  have  been 
stationed  in  Bristol  since  these  meetings  were  first  established: 

Rev.  John  Simpson,  now  of  Plainville,  who  will  preach  the  sermon, 
as  he  has  done  every  year  bvit  one,  when  called  to  attend  the  funeral  of 
a  parishoner. 

Rev.  Charles  H.  Buck,  of  Brooklvn. 

Rev.  C.  E.  Miller,  of  Brooklyn. 

Rev.  Geo.  L.  Thompson,  of  New  York  City. 

Rev.  A.  C.  Eggleston,  of  Waterburv. 

Rev.  A.  H.  Wvatt.  pf  Bristol. 


AXDREW    J.     CURTISS     (XO.     53). 


AUGUSTUS     II.     WARNER     (.\0.    55). 


274  BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 

Some  of  the  ministers  with  their  families  will  be  the  guests  of  Mr. 
Sessions  for  two  or  three  days  and  tomorrow  will  start  at  one  o'clock 
from  his  house  to  the  meeting. 

One  'buss  will  take  M.  H.  Perkins  and  the  old  choir,  of  which  he 
was  leader  for  a  number  of  years,  and  two  'busses  will  be  required  for 
the  ministers  and  their  families  and  Mr.  Sessions  and  his  family,  who 
will  go  with  him. 

On  New  Year's  day  thirty-four  years  since,  following  a  revival  of 
great  interest,  a  number  of  residents  near  gathered  in  the  little  school- 
house,  and  voted  to  meet  there  annually  for  religious  services,  and  that 
Rev.  Mr.  Simpson  be  the  preacher  so  long  as  he  was  within  one  hundred 
miles,  and  with  the  exception  noted  he  has  been  the  preacher  all  these 
years. 

Rev.  Arza  Hill,  a  much  beloved  minister,  will  be  missed  this  year, 
he  having  died  last  April. 

Another  familiar  face  no  more  to  be  seen  is  that  of  Mrs.  Catherine 
Belden,  who  died  during  the  summer. 

At  five  o'clock  the  annual  New  Year's  dinner  will  be  served  in  the 
ample  dining  room  of  Mr.  Sessions  on  High  street." 

There  were  forty  meetings  held  in  all.  Mr.  Simpson's  death  occurred 
suddenly  on  the  13th  of  February,  after  the  fortieth  meeting.  They 
were  then  discontinued. 

The  "red  dwelling-house  (No.  55)  of  Asa  Bartholomew"  would 
hardly  be  recognized  by  former  residents,  clothed  as  it  is  in  a  dress  of 
delicate  gray.  It  once  belonged  to  Asa  Austin  Upson,  and  was  a  part 
of  his  "east  farm."  At  his  death  in  1807,  this  portion  of  his  estate 
was  alloted  to  his  sister,  Sophia  Upson.  The  deed  of  1815  of  a  piece  of 
land  belonging  to  the  farm  was  signed  in  Bristol  by  Philip  and  Sophia 
(Upson)  Barnes.  In  1828,  when  ninety  acres  were  deeded  with  a  house 
and  shed  comprising  the  whole  of  the  "so-called"  "east  farm"  Philip 
Barnes  and  wife  were  residents  of  Athens,  Georgia.  It  is  not  known 
that  Asa  Bartholomew  resided  there.  He  was  well  established  at  the 
house  of  William  Jerome,  2nd,  south.  His  son,  George  Welles,  who 
married  Jan.  14,  1829,  Angeline  Ives,  daughter  of  Dea.  Charles,  lived 
there  in  early  married  life.  It  is  the  birthplace  of  their  son,  Henry 
Shelton  Bartholomew,  born  in  1832.  Afterward  Mrs.  Paulina  (Bar- 
tholomew) Alpress  had  a  home  in  the  house  many  years.  The  size 
of  the  dwelling  allowed  the  occupancy  of  two  families  at  the  same  time, 
which  was  a  frequent  arrangement. 

Early  families  known  to  have  lived  at  the  place  are  James  Hall, 
who  had  three  sons,  one  born  before  182'J,  and  two  later,  Edward  Hall, 
etc.  Oliver  Weldon,  another  tenant  had  a  store  in  part  of  the  house 
for  a  time.  Eli  Byington,  father  of  Henry  Newell  Byington,  also  made 
it  a  home  something  more  than  fifty  years  since.  The  latter  a  resident 
of  Walnut  Grove,  Minn.,  visited  Bristol  in  recent  years,  with  great 
enjoyment,  returned  to  his  family  in  Minnesota,  where  he  died  June 
17,  1906.  He  was  born  in  Wrentham,  Mass.,  and  son  of  Eli  of  Joseph, 
Jr.,  of  Joseph,  Sr.,  Bristol,  Conn. 

Paulina  (Bartholomew)  Alpress,  b.  June  18,  1809,  married  Sept. 
12,  1832,  Alvin  Ferry  Alpress,  b.  June  2",  1806,  and  died  Jan.  6,  1850. 
He  was  a  "Forty-niner."  He  died  while  journej-ing  for  his  health,  at 
Honolulu,  S.  I.,  aged  44.      Mrs.  Paulina  Alpress  died  Feb.  9,  1894,  age  84. 

Children,  Ellen  Alpress  (1),  b.  Dec.  11,  1833,  died  Jan.  13,  1839, 
age  5  vears;  Charles  H.  Alpress  (2),  b.  Dec.  31,  1835,  died  unmarried; 
Edward  A.  Alpress  (3),  b.  May  1,  1840;  George  T.  (4)  b.  julv  14,  1846; 
Alvin  Ferry  Alpress  (5),  b.  Oct.  25,  1849,  died  Oct.  31,  1897,  unmarried. 

George  Theodore  Alpre.ss,  b.  July  14,  1846,  married  Anna  Bell  of 
Defiance,  O.,  Dec.  27,  1870,  b.  April  25,  1852.  Her  father,  an  architect, 
was  killed  bv  Indians  near  Pikes  Peak.  Children  of  George  T.  and 
Anna  B.  Alpress,  Gertrude  (1),  b.  Oct.  30,  1871,  married  June  12,  1894, 
Edward  Keyes  Ives,  b.  Feb.  12,   1870,  son  of  Byron  and  Aurelia  (Jones) 


OR        NEW     CAMBRIDGE. 


275 


Ives;  Harry  Alpress  (l'\  1).  March,  ISTo.  died  IST-j;  Charles  Edward  (3), 
b.  Nov.  2,  i-87S. 

Mrs.  Paulina  Alpress  sold  her  house  to  Augustus  H.  Warner,  the 
present  occupant  She  purchased  a  home  in  Race  St.,  Bristol,  where 
she  died.  Augustus  Henrv  Warner,  b.  June  11,  1838,  married  Oct.  G, 
1858,  Eugenia  Louisa  Smith,  b.  Oct.  26,  1839,  died  Oct.  7,  1805.  Married 
second  Mary  Elizabeth  Siddell,  b.  July  18,  184(i. 

Children  of  first  marriage,  Fanny  Eliza  (1),  b.  Sept.  15,  1859,  married 
Sept.  15,  1880,  Wm.  Goodale  Hart,  b.  July  14,  1855.  He  is  a  mechanic 
and  lives  in  Bristol.  [Children,  Maude  Louisa  (1),  b.  June  7,  1881. 
Einployed  in  office  of  American  Silver  Company,  Bristol;  Percival  War- 
ner (2),  b.  Ttilv  7,  1884,  employed  as  shipper  by  Coe  Brass  Co.,  Torring- 
ton,  Conn.;  Wesley  Eugene  (3),  b.  Feb.  28,  1887,  died  July  4,  1887; 
Ella  Marion  (4),  b.  Aug.  3,  ISSS,  employed  in  office  of  American  Silver 
Company.] 

Henry  Douglass  (2),  b.  March  31,  1861,  married  March  5,  1895, 
Lucy  Morgan  Smith.      One  daughter  [Grace  Eugenia,  b.  March  13,  1901].. 

Children  by  second  marriage. 

Eugenia  Estelle  (3),  b.  Aug.  8,  1868,  married  Charles  Edward 
Dennis,  Ph.  D.,  Aug.  17,  1865. 

Anna  Maria  (4),  b.  Jan.  27,  1872,  employed  in  office  of  Swift  & 
Sons,  Gold-beaters,  Hartford,  (.'onn. 

Bessie* Sarah  Warner  (5),  b.  May  26,  1871.  Smith,  1905,  A.  B. 
Brown  University,  1901,  A.  M.  Teacher  of  Latin  in  Hope  St.  High 
School,  Providence,  R.  L 

Edna  Isabel  (6),  b.  July  26,  1878.  Brown,  1900,  B.  P.  Married 
Lester  B.  Shippee,  A.  M.,'Aug.  2,  1905,     Edna  graduated  at  Whitmarsh 


SOME     CH..\R1TY     SHKLTOX   S     DISIIKS. 

"Turtle"  shaped  teapot,  belonging  to  Charity  Shclton  in  1801; 
bowl  of  her  grandmo.ther's  descending  some  generations;  and  cup  and 
saucer  from  her  early  hcMiie.      (hvned  bv  Miss  A.  M .  Bartholomew. 


276 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


FRANKLIN    STEELE.     (aT    NO    51)  HENRY    A.    WARNER     (AT    NO.    50). 

Surgical  Hospital,  1003.  She  was  Sviperintendent  there  of  nurses,  one 
year.  Augustus  H.  and  Henry  D.  Warner  (A.  H.  Warner  &  Co.)  have 
a  wood-turning  business  at  Federal  near  North  St.,  Bristol,  Conn. 

Charles,  son  of  Leroy  and  Catharine  (Sessions)  Belden,  b.  March 
5,  1854,  married  Harriet^  daughter  of  Henry  C.  Ruic.  He  built  the 
house  (No.  56)  opposite  A.  H.  Warner  in  1882,  making  a  barn  for  the 
place  of  the  former  home  of  Philo  Curtiss.  They  have  one  son,  Edward, 
born  1877,  married  June,  1900,  Nelly,  daughter  of  James  and  Rhoda 
(Porter)  Hodges.  They  have  two  children  [Clara  Susanna  Harriet 
(1)]  [Charles  Samuel  Leroy  (2)  ].  Edward  was  graduated  at  the  Bristol 
High  School,  pursued  his  studies  at  Wesleyan,  Middletown,  Conn.,  and 
Boston,  Mass.  A-Vas  a  member  of  New  York  East  Conference  of  Metho- 
dist Episcopal  Clergymen,  1903.  Rev.  Edward  L.  Belden  is  located 
(1907)  at  St.  James  and  Lake  Grove,  Suffolk  Co.,  Long  Island.  Charles 
L.  Belden  built  a  second  dwelling-house  at  50  Merriman  St.,  Bristol, 
where  he  resides  (1907).      He  is  employed  at  Horton  Mfg.  Co. 

Carl  Peter  Peterson  rented  the  Edgewood  house  a  few  years,  boarding 
some  of  the  employees  of  Stanley  R.  &  L.  Co. 

Ephraim  McEwen  was  a  resident  of  the  Distric  some  years  before 
building  the  house  (No.  57)  north  of  Charles  Belden.  He  was  first  a 
tenant  of  "The  Boarding  House"  so  called  possibly  elsewhere.  He 
built  after  the  Carpenter  House,  which  was  in  1843.  His  children,  whose 
a]iproximate  dates  of  birth  are  given  from  School  Register  1858-9,  were 
Mary  (1),  1845;  David  (2),  1847;  Martha  (3),  1854;  Susan  (4).  The 
parents  were  "deaf  mutes."  The  mother,  "Harriet,  wife  of  Ephraim 
McEwen,"  united  with  Congregational  Church,  March  13,  1S42.  The 
family  removed  to  Bridgeport,  Conn. 

A  family  of  Sullivans,  also  one  of  Owlds  (Olds)  had  residence  at 
the  place  before  its  purchase  by  Samuel  Leroy  Belden,  who  married 
Catherine  Sessions,  daughter  of'  Calvin.  There  was  no  barn  on  the 
premises,  which  were  involved,  and  depreciated  in  value.  Mr.  Belden 
came  to  the  village,  1851.  He  resided  in  the  Alanson  Winston  house 
on  Jerome  Ave.,  at  the  double  house  No.  45,  on  Edgewood  St.,  and 
possibly  at  "The  Boarding  House,"  when  he  removed  to  the  house, 
where  himself  and  wife  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives. 

Mrs.    Catharine    (Sessions)    Belden    died    Aug.    23,     1891.      Samuel 


OR       NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


277 


Leroy  Belden  died  May  4,  1899.  Children,  two  sons  Lucius  and  Charles 
(data  before  given).  The  house  was  sold  to  Everett  Barnes,  who  sold 
in  a  very  few  years  to  the  present  owner,  John  Muir,  son  of  Henry,  who 
also  resides  at  this  home.  John  Muir  married  Alice  Linden  Durward. 
Children,  Ruth  (1),  aged  5  years;  Donaldine  (2),  1  year.  Mr.  John 
Muir  employed  Horton  Mfg.  Co. 

At  this  place  (No.  58)  there  is  no  trace  of  a  buildfng.  Memories 
of  an  old  well  in  the  "plain  lot,"  owned  by  John  August  Peterson  are 
the  only  reminders  of  the  facts,  as  learned  from  deeds  of  1828,  when 
one  Isaac  Gillett  lived  where  the  now  "abandoned  road"  came  out  to 
Jerome  avenue  frona  Moses  Pickingham's  dwelling  southwest.  There 
is  a  strong  probability  of  this  Isaac  Gillett's  identity  with  Isaac  Gillet 
who  formerly  lived  on  the  southern  part  of  "Johnny  Cake  Mountain" 
in  Burlington  on  a  farm  before  owned  by  Edward  Marks,  an  uncle  of 
Esq.  Wm.  Marks.  If  proved,  he  had  three  daughters.  The  oldest 
married  Rev.  David  Marks,  third  of  the  name,  son  of  Esq.  Wm.  Marks, 
who  died  suddenly  at  the  home  of  his  son,  Rev.  David  Marks,  when 
stationed  in  New  York  City.  The  youngest  daughter  of  Isaac  Gillett, 
Rebecca,  married  Lucien  Bunnell. 

In  1876,  J.  B.  Ford  purchased  a  small  fann  partly  in  District  No. 
7,  the  remainder  in  No.  9,  on  which  he  built  the  ell  of  his  present  house 
(No.  59).  Later  he  added  on  the  south  the  Superintendent's  house  from 
the  Copper  Mine.  Jerome  Bonaparte,  son  of  Omri  C.  of  Somers,  Conn., 
and  Caroline  Kent  Ford,  b.  Oct.  5,  1845,  in  Collinsville  or  Burlington 
married  June  17,  1866,  Mary  Jane  Barclav,  b.  in  Farmington,  Conn., 
Dec.  18,  1848.  Children:  Roselia  S.  (1),  b.  July  2,  1867,  died  1885 
interred  in  family  cemetery,  Burhngton,  removed,  1906,  to  Forestville; 
MeUssa  (2),  b.  Jan.  19,  1871,  married  Franklin  E.  Yale  [one  son,  Alfred]; 
Anna  Barclay  (3),  b.  July  31,  1875,  married  Henry  Yale,  eight  children. 
Mr.  Ford  has  a  Machine  Factory  at  No.  63. 


DEACON    CHARLES    GRANDISON    IVES    DISHES. 

Pflip  Glass  of  Deacon  Ives;  pewter  and  china  from  home  of  Deacon 
Ives;  coffee  urn  of  Angeline  Ives  Bartholomew.  Owned  by  Miss  A.  M 
Bartholoiitcw. 


278 


BRISTOL,    COXNECTICUT 


DIATOMS  OF  BRISTOL 


By  Wm.  a.  Terry 

DIATOMS  are  very  small,  one  celled  organisms,  which  are  among 
the  primal  forms  of  life,  and  have  apparently  existed  with  little 
or  no  change  from  the  earliest  appearance  of  life  upon  the  earth. 
They  are  bivalves,  with  shells  of  glass  instead  of  lime,  held 
together  by  side  hoops  of  the  same  material  instead  of  hinges.  For 
many  years  after  their  discovery  they  were  supposed  to  be  animals, 
chiefly  because  of  their  power  of  locomotion,  a  very  large  proportion 
of  them  being  rapid  travelers  during  their  whole  lives.  Several  eminent 
scientists  still  hold  to  this  opinion,  but  they  are  now  generally  regarded 
as   belonging  to  the   vegetatale  world.     They   vary  greatly   in  size   and 


WILLI. \M    A      TERRY. 


outline,  and  are  elaborately  ornamented  with  sculptured  markings,  alac  , 
striae,  costae,  etc.,  many  of  them  being  among  the  most  beautiful  fonns 
in  nature.  Their  shells  being  so  largely  silex  they  are  comparatively 
indestructable,  and  where  the  conditions  are  favorable  they  often  accurn- 
ulate  in  vast  quantities.  Nearly  every  permanent  body  of  water,  how- 
ever small,  contains  them  in  greater  or  less  abundance;  when  this  water 
disappears  the  diatoms  are  left  as  a  fossil  deposit. 

Quite  a  number  of  these  deposits  are  found  in  Bristol.  A  little 
over  the  line  west  of  the  lower  reservoir  of  the  Bristol  Water  Company 
is  one  of  these  deposits;  the  stratum  of  diatoms  is  about  two  feet  thick 
and  covers  one  or  two  acres.     It  contains  num.erous  species,   many  of 


OR    NEW     CAMBRIDGE. 


279 


them  large  and  interesting.  When  this  reservoir  was  made  another 
fossil  deposit  was  removed.  On  the  farm  of  Silas  Carrington  is  another 
deposit  notable  for  the  abundance  of  Frustulia  Saxonica,  well-known 
as  a  test  object  for  the  microscope;  its  markings  are  so  minute  as  to 
require  high  powers  and  perfect  lenses  to  resolve  them.  On  South 
Mountain,  north  of  Cedar  Swamp,  is  a  deposit  containing  numerous 
species,  and  an  abundance  of  remarkably  spiny  spiculae  of  fresh  water 
sponges . 

On  the  Hubbard  farm  on  Chippen's  Hill  is  another  deposit  showing 
an  abundance  of  the  large  form  of  Stauroneis  acuta,  w'hich  should  have  a 
better  name  as  it  is  not  the  same  as  the  St.  acuta  of  European  writers. 
I  do  not  find  this  variety  shown  in  any  European  publication.  On 
the  Atwood  farm  on  Peaceable  Street  is  a  small  deposit. 

On  the  old  Lazarus  Hird  fann  is  a  deposit  showing  an  abundance 
of  the  very  rare  Achnanthidium  flexellum;  and  north  of  this  on  the 
Mix  farm  is  perhaps  the  largest  deposit  in  Bristol.  It  covers  fifteen  acres 
and  perhaps  more,  and  is  of  unknown  depth.  I  have  material  brought 
up  from  a  depth  of  10 12  feet,  showing  seven  feet  thickness  of  diatoms 
to  this  point,  which  probably  continues  down  several  feet  more,  but 
we  could  get  no  farther  down  on  account  of  the  rapid  inflow  of  water. 


SuRiELLA  BisERiATA,  Taconia,  Wash. 
SuRiRELLA  BiSERiATA,  n  .sp.  Terry.  Xavicula  Maculata, 

Port  Townsend,  Wash  .  Mobile,  Ala. 


28U  BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 

This  deposit  is  remarkable  as  containing  the  beautiful  little  Cyclotella 
antiqua,  which  has  never  before  been  found  in  this  country  as  far  as  I 
can  ascertain.  I  have  sent  specimens  to  the  most  experienced  collectors 
but  none  of  them  had  ever  seen  it  before.  This  Bristol  fonn  is  more 
beautiful  than  any  of  the  European  specimens  that  I  have  seen.  This 
deposit  also  contains  the  rare  A.  fiexellum,  the  very  rare  Navicula  foUis, 
the   rare    Fragillaria    Harrisonii,    and   others. 

At  the  old  Tamarack  Swamp  on  the  head  waters  of  the  East  Bristol 
Poland  Brook,  is  a  deposit  -in  which  the  diatomaceous  stratum  is  two 
feet  thick  and  covers  several  acres;  this  is  also  rich  in  species.  There 
are  more  small  deposits  in  town,  and  probably  many  others  that  have 
not  yet  been  discovered.  Of  living  diatoms  many  of  the  larger  and  most 
reinarkable  of  the  fresh  water  species  are  found  in  Bristol.  Those  ponds 
that  are  swept  by  freshets  seldom  contain  a  large  amount,  but  most 
others  are  rich.  South  Mountain  Reservoir  has  abundance,  of  which 
very  large  specimens  of  Surirella  biseriata  are  noticeable. 

On  Bunnell's  lot  the  boiling  spring  is  full  of  filamentous  varieties 
of  many  species,  and  ha^s  also  abundance  of  Fragillaria  Harrisonii  which 
is  rare.  Bunnell's  Pond  is  rich;  has  many  species  of  large  surirella, 
of  which  Surirella  cardinalis  is  interesting,  as  it  is  considered  rare  in 
many  sections,  though  abundant  in  Bristol.  Dunbar's  Pond  and  Clay- 
ton's Pond  show  many  species  among  them  very  numerous  specimens  of 
Cymbella  cuspidata,  which  is  remarkable  as  being  of  a  decided  green 
color,  while  other  diatoms  are  a  red  brown  color  while  living. 

Birge's  Pond  is  particularly  rich.  Surirella  elegans  and  S.  splendida 
are  very  large  and  much  elongated.  S.  cardinalis  is  very  large  and 
abundant.  S.  nobilis  and  S.  robusta  are  plentiful.  Abnonnal  valves 
of  these  are  numerous,  two  valves  being  grown  together  with  a  large 
corrugated  opening  in  the  center.  Their  great  numbers  seeming  to  show 
that  this  deformity  was  hereditary.  Prof.  Brun's  new  species,  "Navicula 
peripunctata"  is  more  numerous  here  than  in  Crane  Pond,  Mass.,  where 
it  was  first  found.  Spring's  Pond  has  many  species,  the  predominating 
one  being  a  new  Surirella,  which  is  also  abundant  in  the  pond  hole  formed 
b}^  the  elbow  cut  off  from  the  river  when  the  railroad  company  moved 
the  highway  east  of  the  saw  shop.  Down's  Pond  also  shows  the  new 
Surirella,  together  with  many  other  species  in  great  abundance,  among 
them  a  small  Stauroneis  with  exceedingly  slender  and  sharp  pointed 
euds,  this  is  probably  new,  as  I  cannot  find  it  described  anywhere. 

The  neiv  Surirella  is  also  abundant  in  Thompson's  Pond,  and  in 
Allen's  Pond  in  Stafford  district.  Outside  of  Bristol  it  appears  in  an 
ice  pond  east  of  Shuttle  Meadow,  New  Britain,  and  in  an  ice  pond  at 
Leete's  Island.  So  far  it  appears  to  be  found  only  in  Connecticut,  and 
Bristol  is  its  headquarters,  it  being  abundant  here  in  five  different  ponds. 
This  new  Surirella  is  about  the  size  of  S.  gracilis,  but  has  more  rotmded 
ends,  the  cross  bars  reach  the  median  line,  and  it  is  frequently  much 
elongated,  and  has  a  distinct  spiral  twist.  I  sent  a  quantity  of  these  to 
Dr.Ward,  he  sent  out  numerous  slides  of  them  labeled  "Surirella  Terryi, 
n.  sp.  Ward." 

Many  of  the  small  streams,  ditches  in  marshes,  and  springy  moun- 
tain rills  are  rich  in  diatoms.  In  a  rill  on  Fall  Mountain  is  a  remarkable 
colony  of  the  large  Stauroneis  acuta  previously  mentioned,  with  them 
is  a  new  Stauroneis,  one  of  the  largest  and  quite  peculiar.  It  is  more 
cylindrical  and  elongated  than  any  other  stauroneis,  and  the  upper 
valve  has  large  saucer-shaped  psuedo-nodules  near  each  end.  A'o  other 
stauroneis  has  anything  like  this.  The  lower  vah^e  has  no  nodules.  Dr. 
Ward  also  sent  out  slides  of  this  labeled  "Stauroneis  Terryi,  n.  sp.  Ward." 
Farther  up  the  mountain  Mr.  Wm.  C.  Richards  found  a  rill  containing 
a  notable  colon}'  of  Navicula  elliptica,  very  abundant,  and  much  larger 
and  heavier  than  those  of  the  Connecticut  shore.  On  Chipoin's  Hil] 
is  a  small  pond  which  contains  Stauroneis  Stodderii,  which  is  quite  rare 

All  these  fossil  deposits,  the  ponds  and  streams  mentioned,  and 
many  others,   contain  hundreds  of  species,   a  full  description  of  which 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE."  '  281 

would  require  a  large  volume;  a  mere  list  of  their  names  would  cover 
many  pages.  Very  many  of  these  are  among  the  inost  remarkable  and 
beautiful  of  the  fresh  water  varieties.  The  filamentous  kinds  are  found 
nearly  every  where  in  Bristol,  and  the  a^aecies  are  very  numerous.  They 
resemble  the  Algse,  except  that  they  are  brown  instead  of  green,  and 
each  joint  or  cell  is  an  individual  organisni  with  an  independant  life  of 
its  own. 


The  Bristol  Stauroneis.     Stauroneis  Terryi,  n.  sp.  ward. 


282 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


< 

Oh 
O 


OR        NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


283 


$€ 

METHODISM    is    educational  and    evangelistic.      Methodism    is 
one  of  the  largest  branches  of  the  universal  Church  of  God. 
This  religious  body  had  a  humble  beginning  in  Bristol,  but  for 
a  couple  of  decades  at  least,  it  has  been  one  of  the  most  power- 
ful factors  in  the  progress  of  the  place  and  the  higher  life  of  the  people. 

The  first  sermon  in  Bristol  by  a  Methodist  preacher  was  delivered 


Rkv.  Arthur  H.  Goodenough. 


in  the  old  Baptist  Church  and  was  preached  by  Rev.  Nathan  Bangs,  who 
later  became  president  of  Wesleyan  University.  His  text  was  "But  we 
desire  to  hear  of  thee  wdiat  thou  thinkest;  for  as  concerning  this  sect,  it 
is  know'n  to  us  that  it  is  everywhere  spoken  against."  Occasional  meet- 
ings w^ere  held  in  the  schoolhouse  on  West  Street,  and  were  frequently 
conducted  by  the  traveling  preachers  from  the  Burlington  Circuit.  In 
the  spring  of  lS3o  the  Bishop  placed  Rev.  Albert  G.  Wickware  in  charge 


284  BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT  > 

His  first  important  work  was  to  organize  a  class,  which,  in  those  days 
was  the  foundation  of  every  local  church.  The  persons  constituting  the 
class,  were  Mrs.  Hill  Darrow,  Mrs.  Lord  Hill,  Leander  Hungerford,  Sid- 
ney Burwell  and  wife  and  Mrs.  Polly  E.  Burwell. 

The  formation  of  a  church  organization  commenced  in  April,  1834. 
Tracy  Peck,  Justice  of  the  Peace,  issued  a  warrent  authorizing  Rev.  Mr. 
Wickware  and  others  who  might  be  interested  in  the  movement,  to  form 
themselves  into  a  religious  society  to  be  known  as  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Society  of  Bristol,  said  organization  to  take  place  in  the  school- 
house,  on  West  Street.  This  instrument  was  dated  April  23,  1834,  and 
was  made  returnable,  with  the  indorsement  of  the  doings  of  said  meet- 
ing, to  the  Subscribing  Authority.  All  recitiirements  were  promptly 
met.  The  first  society  had  27  members.  The  few  energetic  and  devoted 
people  resolved  to  build  a  church  edifice.  Steps  were  taken  immediate- 
ly to  secure  a  site  for  such  building.  This  was  found  not  to  be  an  easy 
matter.  The  prejudice  against  the  new  sect  was  strong  and  persistent. 
The  early  Methodists  had  become  accustomed  to  that  kind  of  thing,  but 
it  only  fanned  their  enthusiasm  into  mightier  flame.  Mr.  Evits  Hunger- 
ford  and  Mr.  Philip  Gaylord  were  the  committee  to  purchase  the  neces- 
sary land.  Mrs.  Chloe  Daniels  was  ready  to  sell.  The  committee  has- 
tened to  the  resideijce  of  Justice  Peck,  found  him  at  dinner;  he  was  com- 
pelled to  leave  the  table  and  execute  the  legal  docviment  of  sale,  for  fear 
the  enemies  of  the  Society  should  upset  the  bargain.  The  structure  was 
erected  and  dedicated  within  a  year.  People  came  to  the  services 
from  fifteen  miles  around. 

The  young  society  was  served  in  turn  by  noble  and  faithful  min- 
isters. The  church  multiplied  and  prospered.  During  the  years  1857-8 
the  pastor  was  Rev.  John  W.  Simpson.  During  this  period  a  revival 
commenced  on  Chippins  Hill,  extended  to  Polkville  (Edgewood)  and 
other  places.  Conversions  were  many.  On  New  Year's  Day,  1858, 
Mr.  Simpson  preached  in  the  schoolhouse  at  Polkville.  John  Humphrey 
Sessions,  who  had  previously  "professed  religion"  attended  the  service, 
and  before  the  meeting  closed  he  was  so  impressed  by  a  divine  power 
that  he  here  made  a  complete  consecration  of  himself  to  God  and  precious 
results  soon  followed.  That  fact,  simple  in  itself,  has  meant  much  to 
the  town  of  Bristol  and  to  the  Methodist  Church  in  particular.  Mr. 
Sessions  was  an  able,  vigorous  and  successful  business  man.  As  he 
prospered  the  Methodist  Church  prospered. 

From  that  time  on  the  records  show  a  gradual  increase  in  the  min- 
ister's salary  and  in  the  contributions  to  the  Conference  benevolences. 
Bv  1879  the  Society  had  so  prospered  and  grown  that  the  church  edifice 
on  West  Street  was  altogether  inadequate  to  accommodate  the  people 
who  came  to  worship.  It  was  also  felt  that  the  new  church  should  be 
built  in  a  more  central  part  of  the  town.  A  more  eligible  and  command- 
ing site  on  the  comer  of  Summer  and  Center  Streets  was  purchased. 
A  brick  structure  was  erected  and  the  people  were  happy  in  their  new 
church  home.  This  was  done  during  the  pastorate  of  Rev.  Dr.  George 
P.  Mains. 

In  1888  again  the  congregations  had  outgrown  their  building  and 
large  additions  were  made.     Rev.  Albert  H.  Wyatt  was  then  the  pastor. 

In  1893  a  new  and  more  conimodious  building  was  felt  to  be  an 
absolute  necessity.  The  late  John  Humphrey  Sessions  resolved  to 
build  a  new  church  and  present  it  to  the  society.  This  he  did.  The 
building  is  of  granite,  of  modern  architecture  and  is  one  of  the  most 
commodious  and  handsome  church  buildings  in  the  state  of  Connecti- 
cut. The  audience  room  will  accommodate  over  one  thousand  persons; 
with  the  chapel  opened  it  will  seat  two  thousand  people.  Mr.  Sessions' 
two  sons,  John  Henry  Sessions,  gave  the  carpets  and  upholstering, 
and  William  Edwin  Sessions,  presented  the  costly  and  elegant  organ. 
Their  vmited  gifts  meant  an  expenditure  of  $75,000.00.  The  entire 
plant  is  valued  at  SI 00.000.00.  A  handsome  and  artistic  window  adorns 
the  building,  the  gift  of  the  congregation,  as  a  testimonial  to  the  munifi- 


OR        NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


2S5 


r-^.. 


srrrcrr 


~  ^i 

1 

1 1 

-rx; 

>-»-... 

'f 

{• 

1 

"Enter  into  his  gates  with  thanksgiving,  and  into  His  courts  with 
praise." — Psa.,  c,  4. 


28(i 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


'Praise  waiteth  for  thee,  O  God,  m  Zion." — Psa.,  Ixv.,  i. 


NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


287 


cent^donor,  John  Humphrey  Sessions.  The  handsome  structure  was 
dedicated  by  Bishop  R.  S.  Foster  of  Boston,  assisted  by  many  clergy. 
Rev.  M.  W.  Prince,  D.  D.  was  the  pastor. 

On  Sunday,  June  4,  11)04,  the  tenth  anniversary  of  the  dedication 
of  the  new  building  was  observed.  The  sermon  was  preached  by  the 
present  pastor.     The  following  is  a  quotation  from  his  sermon: 

"Ten  years  ago  toda}'  this  edifice  was  dedicated  to  the  worship 
of  Almighty  God.  The  benevolent  man  who  gave  the  building,  and 
the  distinguished  bishop  who  dedicated  it,  have  both  gone  to  the  temple 
not  made  with  hands,  and  to  their  eternal  reward.  The  time  between 
that  day  and  this,  measures  a  decade  of  years. 

Amid  all  the  changes  that  have  taken  place  we  are  spared.  We 
are  permitted  the  privilege  of  reviewing  the  past,  and  also  to  enjoy  the 
worship  of  this  hour.  No  greater  gift  could  be  made  to  a  community, 
or  to  a  people  than  the  gift  of  a  church.  The  gift  of  a  library,  the  gift 
of  an  orphanage,  the  gift  of  a  home  for  the  indigent  poor,  wovild  be  a 
blessing  indeed.  That  wovild  be  a  work  worthy  the  munificence  of  the 
noblest  and  best.  But  no  gift,  in  the  scope  of  its  influence,  in  the  per- 
manency of  its  work,  in  the  quality  of  its  good,  can  compare  with  the 
gift  of  a  church.  All  philanthropy,  the  best  and  wisest  legislation, 
the  potency  of  human  friendship,  are  all  inspired  and  strengthened 
and  made  effective  by  the  influence  and  spirit  of  the  church.  For  this 
reason  the  people,  rich  and  poor,  men  and  women  give  their  money  to 
build  and  support  churches.  This  church  was  the  gift  of  one  of  your 
own  brothers,  to  you,  for  you,  to  use  for  the  glory  of  God.  How  well 
it  has  been  used  I  shall  show  you  presently.     A  church  debt  is  a  burden, 


'"^'-^^ 


&^ 


"Peace  be  within  thy  walls,  and  prosperity  within 
thy  palaces. — Psa.,cxxh.,  j. 


288 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


-V-  p»-  p»—  [— >—  1-*'-"  r-'~'  pw  f'"  r"^  p*"  r"^  l~'~  [■''^  p"*"  f=*~  r":^  r""  p'"  c — 


r' 


r 


Testimonial  Window,  inscribed  as  follows:  "As  a  testimonial  to 
the  liberality  of  John  Humphrey  Sessions,  by  whom  this  church  was 
built,  this  window  was  contributed  by  a  grateful  congregation,  Anno 
Domini  MDCCCXCIII." 

"For  He  loveth  our  nation  and  He  hath  built  us  a  sj'nagogue." — 
Luke,  vii.,  j. 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE." 


289 


>  Rev.   Charles   H.   Buck. 


"Feed  the  flock  of  God." — /  Peter,  v.,  2 


290' 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


"Bevond  my  highest  joy 
I  prize  her  heavenly  ways." 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE.':'  291 


The  Late  John   Hi'mphrev  Sessions. 

and  is  to  be  deplored.  The  only  way,  however,  that  some  communities 
can  have  a  church  is  to  go  in  debt  for  it.  The  members  of  this  church 
have  not  been  hampered  and  burdened  in  that  way.  John  Humphrey 
Sessions  lifted  that  load  forever  from  your  shoulders.  And  on  this 
anniversary  day  you  hold  him  in  loving  and  grateful  remembrance  and 
for  decades  and  generations  to  come  this  beautiful  and  commodious 
structure  will  stand  here  as  a  silent  but  eloquent  sermon  of  God's  love 
to  men,  and  of  man's  love  to  God.  And  here  you  and  your  children 
will  congregate  to  sing  and  praise  and  pray. 

For  ten  years  the  gospel  has  been  preached  here  every  Lord's  Day. 
That  is  a  great  thing  to  begin  with.  God's  minister  has  come  with  a 
message  of  salvation,  of  forgiveness,  of  good-will,  of  hope  of  heaven. 
The  duty  of  the  pulpit  has  been  to  give  no  uncertain  sound.  My  pre- 
decessors failed  not  to  give  the  Truth.  They  have  fed  you  with  the 
finest  of  the  wheat.  They  have  been  faithfiil  and  safe  teachers  as  well 
as  earnest  and  successful  preachers." 

The  Bristol  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  is  one  of  the  most  generous 
in  the  New  York  East  Conference  in  its  support  of  its  own  pastor  and 
in  its  contributions  to  the  Conference  benevolences.  For  a  single  decade 
prior  to  1904,  to  the  local  church,  to  missions,  education  and  philan- 
thropy, the  church  gave  over  $100,000.00. 

The  present  membership  of  the  church  is  710.  The  Sunday  School 
has  745  members,  with  8o  in  the  Home  Department  and  80  on  the  Cradle 
Roll.  William  Edwin  Sessions  is  the  indefatigable  and  devoted  super- 
intendent. 

The  society  owns  an  excellent  parsonage  which  is  a  source  of  much 
delight  to  the  pastor's  family.  The  first  pastor  to  occupy  it  was  Rev. 
A.  C.  Eggleston  some  twenty-four  years  ago. 

The  Rev.  Charles  H.  Buck,  D.  D.,  has  the  honorable  distinction  of 
having  served  this  society  three  full  terms  as  pastor,  making  eleven 
years  in  all.  The  present  pastor,  Arthur  Henry  Goodenough,  is  on  his 
eighth  year  and  has  accepted  a  unanimous  call  for  the  eighth  year. 

The  Epworth  League,  Ladies'  Aid  Society,  Woman's  Foreign  Mis- 
sionary Society,  Woman's  Home  Missionary  Society,  Pastor's  Guild, 
Men's  Club  and  other  branches  are  active  and  vigorous. 


292 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


FREDERICK    CALVIN     NORTON. 


That  Strange  Yankee  Game,  \\^icket' 


By  Frederick  Calvin   Norton. 

WHEN  it  was  announced  a  few  weeks  ago  that  Bristol  had  held 
the  wicket  championship  for  three  or  four  years  back,  it 
caused  a  ripple  of  laughter  to  go  over  the  town  where,  for 
sixty  years  or  more,  no  man  living  knows  of  a  wicket  team 
that  has  defeated  the  players  from  Bristol.  Bristol  men  and  boys 
take  to  wicket  playing  as  a  duck  will  to  water  and  there  has  never  been 
a  team  organized  in  this  State  that  has  defeated  the  men  who  represent 
the  Clock  Town. 

This  game  was  popular  before  baseball  was  heard  of  and  in  the 
different  sections  of  the  town  there  are  always  a  half  dozen  or  more 
players  that  could  be  relied  on  to  make  a  record  when  the  time  came. 
Farmers'  sons,  mechanics  and  everybody,  in  fact,  would  gather  at  night 
on  the  hill  green  opposite  the  Congregational  Church,  and  play  their 
favorite  game.  In  the  district  known  as  Polkville,  two  miles  north  of 
the  borough,  there  always  lived  some  excellent  players  and  some  of 
them  are  still  living. 

To  those  of  today  there  is  little  known  about  the  ancient  and  hon- 
orable game   of  wicket.     Look  where   you  will,   you  cannot   find   any 

♦Published  in  Hartford  Courant  in    1904. 


NEW     CAMBRIDGE. 


293 


work  on  the  subject.  Yet  this  game  enjoyed  a  popularity  locally  that 
baseball  will  never  attain. 

During  the  past  thirty  years,  Bristol  has  never  thought  of  playing 
a  game  of  wicket  without  "Gus"  Smith  for  bowler.  This  position  cor- 
responds to  the  pitcher  in  a  baseball  game  and  to  play  successfully  a 
man  has  to  possess  a  lot  of  ability.  "Gus"  always  had  the  trick  of 
bowling  the  ball  in  such  a  manner  that  the  man  at  bat  was  uncertain 
whether  he  could  hit  it  and  the  result  was  in  the  majority  of  cases, 
that  he  didn't  make  runs  enough  with  "Gus"  to  win  the  game. 

Mr.  Smith,  many  years  ago  became  slightly  unbalanced  mentally 
and  was  sent  to  the  Connecticut  Hospital  for  the  Insane  at  Middletown, 
where  he  remained  for  a  long  time.  All  the  time  he  was  there  he  kept 
the  game  of  wicket  in  his  mind  and  whenever  Bristol  had  a  game  on, 
"Gus"  was  sent  for  and  did  the  bowling  The  unusual  feature  of  a 
man  from  an  insane  asylum,  bowling  for  a  wicket  game  could  be  seen 
in  Bristol  for  the  last  do'zen  years  or  so.  Later  "Gus"  went  to  the  Soldiers' 
Home  at  Togus,  Me.,  and  is  there  yet,  but  if  there  is  a  game  here  this 
fall  he  will  be  sent  for  and  will  do  the  bowling. 

When  the  New  Britain-Bristol  contest  took  place  last  fall  the  manage- 
ment sent  to  Maine  for  Smith  and  he  came  here  bright  as  a  daisy  for 
the  game.  His  work  was  of  the  same  character  as  in  the  old  days.  He 
is  only  slightly  demented,  but  that  does  not  in  any  way  interfere  with 
his  ability  to  bowl  a  ball  that  will  befuddle  the  most  intellectual  man 


The  center  of  this  ball  is  tightly  wound  wool  yarn.  It  was  spun  and  knit  by  Charity 
Shelton,  the  grandmother  of  Harry  Shelton  Bartholomew,  and  she  gave  it  to  him  for  the 
ball..  It  has  worn  out  three  or  more  leather  covers,  and  has  always  been  re-covered  by 
Mr.  Cook.  Always  used  by  the  Bristol  players  at  their  games  with  out-of-town  people, 
they  rarely  used  it  in  practice — and  it  retired  from  games  with  Mr.  Bartholomew — so 
it  happens  that  this  ball  was  never  beaten. 


294  BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 

in  Bristol  or  New  Britain.      He  is  now  between  fifty  and  sixty  years  old, 
but  is  as  lively  as  a  cricket  on  the  day  of  a  wicket  game. 

A  feature  of  Bristol's  wicket  history  is  that  the  teams  have  always 
been  composed  of  Bristol  players,  while  the  teams  that  had  striven  to 
gain  the  championship  have  been  made  up  of  players  from  several 
towns.  In  Wethersfield  there  are  a  few  good  players  and  in  New  Britain 
there  are  a  few,  but  the  team  representing  that  city  at  the  last  game 
with  Bristol  was  made  up  from  at  least  four  towns.  The  fact  is  that 
wicket  runs  in  the  blood  in  Bristol.  The  men  take  to  it  naturally  and 
where  opponents  have  to  spend  weeks  in  practice,  Bristol  players  simply 
accejjt  the  challenge  and  in  nine  cases  out  of  ten  never  practice  before 
the  game. 

DESCRIPTION  AND  HISTORY  OF  WICKET. 

The  origin  of  the  game  of  wicket  is  obscure..  Different  authorities 
say  that  the  men  who  settled  New  England  brought  with  them  the  game 
of  cricket,  but  as  this  savored  so  much  of  the  English  aristocracy,  the 
hardy  men  of  New  England  gradually  changed  the  features  of  the  game. 
It  is  safe  to  assume  that  wicket  is  practically  cricket  in  an  abridged  form. 
In  the  Yankee  game  a  batsman  defends  a  wicket  which  a  bowler  attacks 
and  the  largest  number  of  runs  that  a  side  gets  in  two  innings  wins  the 
game.  'When  a  stranger  sees  a  game  of  wicket  for  the  first  time  he  is 
struck  by  the  crowd  of  men  on  the  field,  as  there  are  about  thirty  players 
at  once.  It  seems  impossible  for  anybody  to  do  anything  with  such  a 
crowd  around,  but  if  the  spectator  watches  long  enough  he  will  change 
his  mind. 

The  field  is  laid  out  with  what  is  known  as  an  alley,  a  smooth  space 
of  ground,  at  each  end  of  which  is  the  wicket.  This  consists  of  two 
pyramids  of  wood  on  top  of  which  is  a  slender  stick  about  five  feet  long. 
At  the  other  end  of  the  alley  stands  the  bowler  outside  of  the  other 
wicket.  The  bat  resembles  a  lawn  tennis  bat  except  that  the  part 
where  the  net  work  is  on  a  lawn  tennis  bat  is  made  of  wood.  At  the 
other  end  of  the  alley  seventy-five  feet  away,  is  another  batsman  of 
the  same  side  and  at  each  end  also  is  a  bowler.  The  bowler  can  throw 
the  ball  from  either  end  as  many  times  as  he  wishes,  and  at  times  a 
good  bowler  will  completely  mix  up  a  batsman. 

The  business  of  the  batsman  at  all  times  is  to  defend  the  wicket 
and  if  the  wicket  is  not  knocked  off  its  pyramid  the  man  is  not  out. 
Sometimes  a  man  will  stay  at  his  place  at  bat  for  a  long  time.  The 
special  business  of  the  bowler,  on  the  other  hand,  is  to  get  the  wicket 
off  its  perch  as  soon  as  possible  The  bowler  takes  a  ball  and  starts  at 
a  point  considerably  beyond  the  end  of  the  opposite  wicket  and  runs 
toward  the  batsman.  When  he  reaches  the  wicket  he  jumps  over  it 
and  then  throws  the  ball  along  the  ground  towards  the  other  end  of  the 
alley  in  an  effort  to  prevent  the  batsman  from  hitting  the  ball  and 
getting  a  run  and  to  displace  the  wicket.  If  the  wicket  is  knocked  off, 
either  by  the  ball  or  some  fumble  of  the  man  batting  he  is  out  and  the 
next  man  in  the  batting  order  takes  his  place.  Then,  on  the  other  hand, 
the  man  at  the  bat  is  anxiovis  to  get  runs  for  his  side,  but  an  observer 
would  think  it  well  nigh  impossible  for  any  man  to  knock  the  ball  far 
enough  so  that  he  could  reach  the  other  alley  and  thus  count  a  rvm. 

With  thirty  agile  players  standing  around  the  batsman  to  prevent 
the  ball  from  going  far  it  would  seem  impossible  for  one  to  get  a  run, 
but  they  are  piled  up  with  an  ease  which  makes  one  wonder  whether 
it  is  all  luck  or  not.  When  he  hits  the  ball  and  one  of  the  other  side  does 
not  catch  it  on  the  fly,  the  batsman  runs  to  the  other  end  of  the  alley, 
and  if  the  ball  is  not  thrown  to  the  wicket  tender  before  he  gets  there  a 
run  is  counted.  The  bowler  can  change  from  one  end  to  the  other  at 
any  time  and  there  are  various  tricks  which  are  resorted  to  to  put  .the 
batsman  off  his  guard.  The  ball  can  be  delivered  by  either  bowler 
from  either  end. 

The  placing  of  a  field  for  wicket  is  similar  to  that  of  a  cricket  field 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE."  295 

for  swift  bowling,  as  the  fielders  are  placed  around  the  wicket.  The 
batsman  who  puts  the  ball  out  of  the  reach  of  the  thirty  alert  fielders 
is  performing  a  more  wonderful  feat  than  the  man  who  gets  a  home 
run  in  a  baseball  game.  There  are  many  rules  in  the  gaine,  one  of  which 
is  that  the  ball  when  bowled  along  the  ground  must  touch  the  ground 
before  it  passes  the  central  line  of  the  alley,  or  it  is  called  no  ball.  It 
is  only  when  the  ball  happens  to  hop  up  a  little  just  before  it  reaches 
the  batsman  that  he  is  able  to  hit  it  so  as  to  send  it  into  the  field  and 
over  the  fielders'  heads.  The  batsman  cannot  run  on  a  bye  or  a  wide 
as  in  cricket,  but  only  after  the  ball  has  been  hit.  The  batsman  can 
run  and  meet  the  ball  if  he  wishes. 

In  baseball  the  decisions  of  close  plays  are  alwavs  left  to  the  umpire 
but  in  wicket  there  are  really  three  umpires.  There  are  two  referees, 
one  for  each  side  and  there  is  a  judge  appointed  to  be  a  sort  of  supreme 
court  for  the  other  two.  Last  fall  when  Bristol  played  New  Britain, 
Governor  Chamberlain  was  the  judge,  but  he  did  not  have  to  go  to  the 
field  but  a  few  times. 

MEMORABLE  GAMES  OF  WICICET. 

One  of  the  important  games  played  many  years  ago  in  this  town 
was  that  against  a  team  from  Waterbury  on  the  Federal  Hill  Green  on 
September  9,  1S58.  Big  preparations  were  made  in  each  town,  for  the 
game  and  the  Waterbury  players  hired  a  special  train  to  bring  them  to 
BristoL  The  Waterbury  Journal,  long  since  defunct,  issued  the  day 
following  a  special  in  which  it  told  the  story  of  the  game.  The  greater 
part  of  the  day  was  spent  in  playing  and  a  band  from  Forestville  rendered 
music.  There  was  no  ill  feeling  and  when  the  game  ended  the  Water- 
bury team  was  defeated  by  110  runs.  When  the  contest  was  over, 
the  players  went  to  the  hall  and  dressed  for  a  banquet  which  followed 
at  the  Kilbourn  House.  The  band  headed  the  procession  down  Main 
street  hill  and  the  wicket  players  marched  behind  to  the  center  of  the 
town,  where  they  were  roundly  cheered. 

The  game  not  only  attracted  attention  in  this  section  of  the  State, 
but  it  assumed  such  proportions  that  Xew  Yorkers  became  interested 
and  it  was  reported  with  much  detail  in  the  Xew  York  Sunday  Mercury 
a  few  days  later.  That  newspaper  remarked  at  the  time  that  Bristol 
had  a  wicket  team  to  be  proud  of.  The  New  York  newspapers  had  a 
chance  to  tell  the  same  story  twenty-two  years  later  when  the  Bristols 
went  to  Brooklyn  and  defeated  the  club  of  that  city. 

The  most  important  gam.e  ever  played  in  this  town  was  with  New 
Britain  on  Monday,  July  IS,  1859,  for  the  championship  of  the  State. 
For  some  time  previous  to  the  game  the  Bristols  had  advertised  that 
they  were  willing  to  meet  a  team  from  any  town  or  city  in  the  State 
or  any  combination  to  determine  which  was  the  better  one.  After 
a  while  New  Britain  accepted  the  challenge,  although  a  well-known 
Bristol  man  said  a  few  days  ago  that  there  were  some  Hartford  players 
on  the  team  when  it  reached  Bristol.  The  leading  men  of  each  town 
were  as  interested  as  the  players  themselves  and  the  affair  was  arranged 
with  a  much  detail  as  any  sort  of  public  celebration  would  be  in  these 
days.  Monday  morning  dawned  clear  and  hot  and  it  turned  out  to  be 
one  of  the  warmest  days  of  a  warm  summer.  The  whole  town  was 
afoot  early  and  a  holiday  was  practically  declared.  The  game  was  to 
be  played  at  Federal  Hill  Green  and  that  plot  of  ground  at  ten  o'clock 
on  that  day  presented  a  scene  that  will  never  be  forgotten  by  those  who 
saw  it. 

Interest  had  also  grown  in  Hartford  to  such  an  extent  that  a  special 
train  was  made  up  in  that  city  for  the  event.  The  train  left  Hartford 
at  7:30  a.  m.,  with  one  carload  of  Hartford  people  and  when  it  reached 
NcAv  Britain,  four  cars  were  quickly  filled  with  excited  people.  Every 
car  was  trimined  with  flags  and  bunting  and  as  the  train  reached  the 
local  station  about  nine  o'clock  it  presented  a  grand  appearance.  The 
visitors  had  a  band  with  them  and  the  crowd  that  greeted  them  at  the 


296 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


station  was  a  large  one.  It  is  estimated  that  when  the  game  commenced 
there  were  fully  4,000  people  in  and  around  the  grounds.  Every  window 
of  the  Congregational  Chvirch  was  filled  with  people  who  stood  there 
all  day;  every  available  window  in  houses  of  the  neighborhood  was  also 
filled,  while  thousands  stood  in  the  hot  sun  watching  for  ten  hours  the 
contest  that  was  to  decide  the  supremacy. 

A  large  ring  was  reserved  for  the  players  and  the  ground  was  "clear, 
hard  and  fine"  according  to  a  newspaper  of  that  day.  The  two  teams 
had  elected  Judge  Charles  S.  Church  of  Wolcottville  as  umpire  of  the 
game  and  Charles  G.  Thompson  of  Bristol  and  E.  H.  Porter  of  New 
Britain  were  the  referees.  The  game  lasted  most  of  the  day  and  was 
watched  by  the  great  crowd  of  spectators  as  if  the  lives  of  the  players 
depended  on  their  work.  The  New  Britain  men  were  dropped  behind 
early  in  the  game  and  although  they  made  a  heroic  effort  to  win  the}' 
could  not  get  enough  runs  to  outclass  the  Bristols.  The  Hartford  Press 
said  that  "the  most  remarkable  order  prevailed  during  the  game  and 
the  contestants  treated  each  other  with  faultless  courtesy,  the  good- 
natured  cheers  at  each  others'  mishaps  being  given  and  received  in  the 
best  of  spirits.  The  judges  required  the  vimpire  but  few  times  during 
the  game  and  the  decisions  were  yielded  to  promptly.  Toward  the 
close  of  the  day  a  number  of  outsiders  were  unnecessarily  vociferous 
towards  the  New  Britain  players  but  they  were  an  exception."  Said  the 
Press: — "The  sole  drink  of  the  day  was  cold  water  for  the  New  Britain 
club  and  mixed  water  and  milk  for  the  Bristols.  Rum  was  at  a  discount." 
New  Britain  was  defeated  by  a  score  of  190  to  162,  which  wasn't  a  very 
large  margin  but  enovigh  to  determine  who  were  the  better  players. 
The  score  of  the  game  printed  in  the  Press  at  the  time  is  here  given  for 
the  purpose  of  showing  who  took  part  in  that  memorable  contest: 


SETTLING     .-X      DISPUTEU     POINT. 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE. 


297 


SCENK     AT     GAME     OF     SEPTEMBER     4 


IXXIXGS. 


George  Hendrick, 
Elijah  Manross,    . 
Franklin  Wordworlh 
Charles  Alpress,    . 
Russell  Fellows,    . 
Lucius  Osborne,   . 
George  H.  Mitchell, 
J.  Fayette  Douglass, 
Eli  Manross, 
Harry  S.  Bartholomew 
Franklin  Steele,    . 
William  Jerome,  . 
Hiram  Wilcox, 
Henry  I.  Muzzy, 
John  Williams, 
T.  B.  Robinson,    . 
Henry  A.  Peck,    . 
Volney  Bradley,  . 
Josiah  Tracy  Peck, 
Rufus  Sherman,   . 
Hobart  A.  Warner, 
Orrin  Tut  tie, 
Warren  Mclntire, 
Albert  Woodruff, 
William  Carpenter, 
Horace  Grey. 
Charles  Smith.  Jr., 
John  Manross. 
John  C.  Mack, 


FIRST 

SECOND 

THIRD 

Ob 

Ob 

Ob 

2b 

Oc 

7b 

Oc 

4b 

6b 

Ob 

lb 

12c 

lb 

Ob 

Oc 

lb 

Ob 

Ob 

Ob 

Ob 

Ob 

Ob 

Ob 

5b 

8c 

Oc 

0 

lie 

2b 

Ic 

4t 

2t 

Ob 

ob 

7c 

Oc 

Ic 

Ot 

Ob 

Ic 

Oc 

4c 

3c 

4c 

6c 

4b 

Ob 

Ic 

5b 

5c 

Oc 

Ob 

Oc 

1 

Ic 

4c 

2  c 

lb 

Ob 

^b 

7b 

Ob 

Ob 

2t 

lb 

Ob 

2c 

12c 

Ob 

Ob 

Ob 

Ob 

Ob 

Ob 

Ic 

Ob 

Ob 

4c 

Ob 

Gc 

3 

5 

Ob 

Ob 

5  b 

1 

2c 

75 


60 


298 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


NEW     BRITAIN 

William  Maitland, 

William  H.  Hart, 

Charles  W.  Andrews 

Samuel  Moore 

Henry  Mather, 

William  Burritt,  . 

Andrew  E.  Hart,. 

Monroe  Stannard, 

W.  H.  Riley, 

William  Hotehkiss, 

John  Stannard,     . 

Charles  Gilbert,    . 

Daniel  Gilbert, 

John  Burritt, 

Walter  Parsons,    . 

Philip  Corbin, 

C.  Myron  Talcott, 

Andrew  Corbin,    . 

Thomas  Brigham, 

George  Gilbert, 

Frank  W.  Beckley, 

Robert  Kenyon,  . 

Walter  Stanley,    . 

F.  W.  Stanley, 

Valentine  B.  Chamberlain. 

Edward  Stanley, 

Thedeus  Butler,   . 

I.  S.  Lee, 

Walter  Judd, 

Thomas  Hart, 


4c 

Ob 

5b 

■2c 

Oc 

Ob 

21) 

4b 

It 

■Ah 

Ob 

2c 

7c 

Oc 

.)b 

4t 

Oc 

Oc 

lb 

Ic 

Ot 

Ob 

Ob 

Ob 

I'b 

lb 

Ic 

Ob 

Ob 

2b 

It- 

Ic 

Ic 

Ic 

Ob 

oc 

Ob 

lb 

7c 

121) 

Ob 

Ob 

L'b 

Ob 

Ob 

Oc 

Ob 

Ob 

Oc 

0 

2b 

Oc 

2b 

Ob 

Ob 

lb 

Ob 

It 

■Ah 

Ob 

Ob 

ob 

Ob 

Ob 

lo 

Ic 

4  b 

2 

2c 

Ob 

Oc 

Oc 

01) 

Ob 

.lb 

Oc 

■Ac 

Ic 

4b- 

ot 

3 

Ob 

Ob 

Ob 

Ob 

Oc 

Ob 

1 

Ob 

oc 

51 


53 


48 


Grand  total,  Bristol,   100;   New  Britain,  152 


'■h."  bowled  out;   "t,"  ticked  out;   "c,"  caught  out. 

When  the  game  was  over  the  New  Britain  enthusiasts  marched  to 
the  passenger  station  with  their  band  and  boarded  the  special  train. 
They  w^ere  a  crestfallen  lot,  although  nothing  had  taken  place  except 
the  defeat  to  make  them  sad.  The  train  that  was  so  gayly  decorated 
in  the  early  morning  was  now  changed  to  a  different  garb,  for  the  men 
from  New  Britain  now  dressed  the  cars  in  mourning.  A  generous 
supply  of  black  bunting  had  been  secured  so  that  the  train  looked  as 
though  it  were  carrying  the  body  of  some  famovis  man  to  its  last  resting 
place.  The  members  of  the  New  Britain  club  remained  behind  for  the 
customary  banquet,  w^hich  was  served  in  the  Kilbourn  Hou.se.  Those 
who  participated  in  this  feature  were  the  officials  of  the  game.  Church 
and  Porter,  Philip  Corbin,  Josiah  Tracy  Peck,  Valentine  B.  Chamberlain 
of  New  Britain  and  Elijah  Manross  of  Forestville. 

Last  September  at  the  public  meeting  of  the  Old  Home  Week  cele- 
bration in  the  Congregational  Church,  Charles  Elliot  Mitchell  of  New 
Britain,  said,  referring  to  that  game:  "In  1850,  I  was  half  dead  with 
excitement  lest  Bristol  should  be  defeated.  Now  possibly  because  I 
have  lived  in  New  Britain  so  long,  my  sentiment  is,  "May  the  best  players 
win.'  " 

Governor  Chamberlain,  at  the  ban(|uet  in  the  Gridley  House  after 
the  last  game  of  wicket  between  New  Britain  and  Bristol  on  September 
4th  of  last  year  said:  "I  came  to  Bristol  today  as  a  citizen,  simply  be- 
cavise  I  wanted  to  come  and  couldn't  think  of  giving  it  up.  I  had  an 
enthusiastic  desire  to  see  this  game  and  I  have  seen  it.  I  remember 
playing  wicket  against  Bristol  in  1859.  We  got  licked  in  good  shape 
that  day  and  I  nearly  lost  heart.  To  those  of  this  generation,  wicket 
is  tame,  but  to  us  old  boys  it's  the  delight  of  our  lives." 


OR    "NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


299 


The  Govenor  wrote  the  author  of  this  article  last  week;  "I  have 
a  vivid  recollection  of  the  game  between  New  Britain  and  Bristol  and 
of  the  great  excitement  and  large  attendance.  Of  com-se  this  is  a  game 
of  my  youth,  of  which  I  have  very  pleasant  memories,  but  it  seems 
to  me  a' game  where  the  interest  is  fully  equal  to  that  of  baseball  at  the 
present  time.  I  regret  that  the  boys  of  this  generation  have  not  the 
opportunity  of  participating  in  a  recreation  so  enjoyable." 

On  August  27,  1880,  the  Bristol  Wicket  Club  went  to  Brooklyn, 
X.  Y.,  and  administered  a  decisive  defeat  to  a  club  made  up  in  that  city. 
The  team  there  had  shown  good  work  for  some  time  and  the  result  was 
a  challenge  to  the  one  in  Bristol.  Some  of  the  players  that  went  to 
the  city  were: — Austin  D.  Thompson,  Miles  Lewis  Peck,  Harry  vS.  Bar- 
tholomew, James  A.  Matthews,  Albert  M.  Sigourney,  Joseph  H.  Ward, 
Henry  Peck,  Henry  B.  Cook.  George  Bartholomew,  Hiram  Wilcox, 
Michael  B.  Rohan,  Timothy  B.  Robinson,  Harry  W.  Barnes,  Adrian 
J.  Muzzv,  Wallace  Muzzy,  and  Theodore  D.  Merriman. 

There  was  a  good  deal  of  curiosity  among  the  new  York  reporters 
over  the  game  and  the  Brooklyn  Eagle,  in  reporting  it,  remarked  that 
there  was  a  regular  army  of  them  watching  the  game  from  the  start. 
The  next  dav's  issue  of  the  Eagle  contained  a  column  and  a  half  on  this 
strange  Yankee  game  which  was  played  so  deftly  by  the  Bristol  men. 
The  newspaper  said: — 

"There  were  many  greybeards  on  both  sides,  Init  what  was  most 
striking  in  the  contest  to  the  spectators  present,  accustomed  to  wit- 
nessing games  and  matches  of  all  kinds  in  the  metropolis,  was  the  entire 


(1)  Xo.  4,  Mrs.  W.  E.  Barker  R,  Joe  Terrien  A',-  (2.  No.  14,  S.  R. 
Goodrich  O,  C.  A.  Xeal  R;  (3)  No.  15,  W.  O.  Goodsell  O;  (4)  No.  22, 
O.  C.  Ives  R,  Geo.  A.  Askey  R;  (5)  Xo.  27,  A.  O.  Perkins  O;  (6)  Xo.  35, 
P.  J.  Crowley  O,  Martin  Hahn  R.  James  McWilliams  R.  Mrs.  Andrew 
Karbaun  R;  (7)  Xo.  26,  C.  W.  Edgerton  R,  Miss  Sarah  Goodenough  R, 
(8)  No.  36,  C.  E.  Hungerford  O,  Mrs.  C.  H.  Muzzy  R;  (9)  Mrs.  Elizabeth 
Hart  (). 


300 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


absence  of  that  spirit  of  partisan  malice  of  continuous  disputing  and 
quarreling,  which  is  so  frequent  at  the  local  contests  on  the  local  ball 
fields.  There  was  plenty  of  good-natured  chaffing,  but  the  behavior 
of  the  contestants  throughout  the  game  was  that  of  educated,  intelhgent, 
American  workmen.  It  is  rather  rough  recreative  exercise,  well  calcu- 
lated to  give  a  man  a  healthy  old  appetite  after  a  match,  besides  making 
him  sleep  well  that  night." 

The  game  commenced  at  ten  o'clock  and  for  the  first  half  Bristol 
was  apparently  taking  things  easy,  for  it  looked  to  the  Eagle  man  as 
if  thev  were  to  be  defeated,  but  in  the  afternoon  they  went  in  to  win 
and  trimmed  their  opponents  in  good  shape. 

The  Brooklyn  paper  made  special  mention  of  the  fine  playing  of 
Cook,  Bartholornew  and  Newell  and  said  they  really  won  the  game 
by  their  hard  hitting.  After  the  game  the  clubs  with  their  officials, 
went  to  the  Brighton  Beach  Hotel,  where  they  had  a  wicket  supper, 
talked  over  old  times  and  ended  the  day,  as  the  Eagle  says  as  joyfully 
as  it  had  been  commenced. 

FAMOUS  GAMES  FOR  THIRTY  YEARS  OR  MORE. 

Henry  B.  Cook  has  a  book  in  which  are  the  records  of  all  the  wicket 
games  played  in  Bristol  for  the  past  thirty  years.  The  first  gam.e  re- 
corded in  the  book  was  between  Bristol  and  Forestville  October  3,  1874. 
It  was  a  three-inning  game  and  there  were  the  usual  thirty  men  on  a 
side.  Bristol  won  122  to  111.  Among  the  high  scores  made  were  those 
of  A.  M.  Sigourney,  who  made  14  runs,  H.  B.  Cook  11.  Gus  Smith  10. 

On  the  next  page  is  a  game  played  the  year  before  at  Wolcottville 


(10)  No.  57,  George  S.  Reed's  store,  Harry  Wing  A';  (11)  No.  61; 
M.  Chirrico  R;  (12)  No.  63,  A.  E.  Hare's  Old  Homestead  Bakery;  (13) 
No.  62,  Searles  &  Osborne's  Meat  Market;  (14)  No.  68,  Joe  Perry  R^ 
Joe  Foushear  R;  (15)  No.  77,  W.  E.  Hough  R;  (16)  No.  79,  Mrs.  A. 
Bantot  R,  No.  81,  Mrs.  John  Myers  R;  (17)  No.  89,  Franklin  Ball,  R; 
(18)  No.  95,  Arthur  J.  Hannah  R,  John  Whitman  R. 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE." 


301 


now  Torrington,  with  the  team  of  that  place.  The  score  that  day  was: 
Bristol,  312;  Wolcotville,  109.  A.  M.  Sigournev  made  31  runs,'H.  B. 
Cook  14,  I.  P.  Newell  31,  S.  D.  Bull  22,  Hiram  Wi'lcox  21,  H.  S.  Bartholo- 
mew, 16,  J.  H.  Ward  14,  Miles  Lewis  and  Henry  A.  Peck  each  13. 

A  game  with  Ansonia  in  that  city  September  24,  1873,  resulted  in 
a  score  for  Bristol  of  282,  while  Ansonia  made  only  45  runs.  At  that 
game  Herbert  Booth  made  27  runs,  M.  L.  Peck  2(3,  S.  D.  Bull  24,  George 
Hendricks  21,  Hobart  A.  Warner  18,  H.  B.  Cook  17,  and  Joseph  Brad- 
shaw  and  Gus  Smith  each  10. 

In  July,  1876,  the  Bristols  tackled  their  old  friends,  the  Waterburys 
on  their  home  ground.  At  the  end  of  two  innings  the  score  was  even 
each  scoring  147.  The  next  inning  abounded  with  fireworks  and  the 
Bristols  won  out,  making  83  runs  in  that  inning,  thus  defeating  the  men 
of  the  Brass  City  230  to  193.  John  Ward  made  23  runs,  H.  B.  Cook  17 
and  James  Matthews  13. 

Bristol  came  so  mighty  near  defeat  at  Waterbury  that  the  mem- 
bers decided  to  do  some  practicing  before  they  played  a  return  game. 
Accordingly  they  played  Burlington,  July  29,  1876  and  won,  305  to  135. 
The  two  clubs  played  again  on  August  5th  of  the  same  year  and  the 
farmers  from  the  hill  town  got  a  worse  whipping  than  before,  the  score 
being  409  to  109,  the  Bristols  making  so  many  runs  they  got  tired  of  the 
sport.  H.  B.  Cook  made  the  star  record  of  his  life  that  day  and  piled 
up  47  runs,  while  Dewitt  Stevens  made  40,  J.  H.  Ward  29,  A.  M.  Sigourney 
24,  Henry  A.  Peck  23,  Seth  Barnes  20,  M.  L.  Peck  18,  H.  A.  Warner  and 
James  A.  Matthews  each  17.  They  played  Forestville  September 
9th  of  the  same  year  and  won  153  to  130.  The  return  game  with  Water- 
bury  was  in  September;   Bristol  winning  before  a  big  audience,   318  to 


NORTH  ST. 


(19)  No.  105,  James  Freeman  O,  E.  Chioniere  K;  (20)  No.  108, 
John  W.  Moore  O,  Elmer  Berg  R;  (21)  No.  Ill,  H.  W.  Hungerford  O; 
(22)  No.  119,  George  S.  Reed  O;  (23)  No.  118,  Mrs.  Rosa  A.  Smith  O, 
Charles  W.  Peck  R;  (24)  No.  128,  Mrs.  G.  J.  Schubert  O;  (25)  No.  136, 
Louis  Rindfleisch  O,  B.  F.  Whitman  R;  (26)  No.  144,  Chas.  Freeman  R; 
(27)  D.  A.  LaCourse's  Carpenter's  Shop. 


30: 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


23U.  I.  P.  Newell  scored  33  runs,  C.  H.  Hotchkiss  30,  H.  B.  Cook  24. 
George  Bartholomew  22,  M.  L.  Peck  21,  Dewilt  Stevens  lit,  John  Ward 
and  Frank  Steele  each  15,  Theodore  D.  Merriman  and  "Gus"  Smith 
each  13,  J.  H.  Ward  12. 

The  next  year  there  was  a  game  between  the  married  and  single 
men  of  the  town  which  was  consequential  from  the  fact  that  Gus  Smith 
made  the  record  of  his  life,  and  which  is  said  to  be  the  greatest  record 
ever  made  in  this  or  any  other  State.      He  made  in  two  innings  54  runs. 

Two  games  were  played  with  Forestville  during  the  next  three 
years  and  the  next  big  game  was  with  Brooklyn.  After  this  game 
seven  years  elapsed  before  the  Bristols  went  outside  the  town  to  play. 

On  August  15,  1887,  they  went  to  W'insted  and  warmed  that  team 
to  the  tune  of  184  to  100.  J.  H.  Ward  made  23  runs  and  Harry  S. 
Bartholomew  and  H.  B.  Cook  each  10.  Winsted  played  a  return  game 
in  Bristol  in  September,  1887  and  lost  again.  The  high  stand  men 
on  that  occasion  were  H.  B.  Cook,  who  made  26  runs,  Thomas  Steele 
24,  A.  F.  Alpress  21,  J.  H.  W^ard  20,  T.  D.  Merriman  10,  A.  D.  Thompson 
15,  S.  D.  Bull  11.  Then  during  the  next  few  years  there  were  games 
between  local  teams  in  Bristol  and  the  first  out-of-town  club  to  come 
here  was  Newington,  which  now  seeks  to  take  the  laurels  from  Bristol. 
They  played  here  October  6,  1892,  and  were  defeated  280  to  164.  H. 
B.  Cook  made  34  runs  and  S.  D.  Bull  19.  Dr.  Howard  of  the  visitors 
made  29  and  J.  H.  Fish  19. 

The  next  game  with  Newington  was  on  October  27th  in  Newington. 
Bristol  being  victorious,  191  to  111.  On  August  18.  1893,  Bristol  again 
played  to  Newington,  winning  164  to  125.  On  September  8,  1893,  the 
Newingtons  came  here  and  came  near  winning.  The  score  was:  Bristol 
84;   Newington  80.      On  October  13,    1893,    Bristol  went  to  Torrington 


^  mJEra 


(1)  N.  Miller  O,  Joseph  Gorsky  R;  (2)  Thos.  W.  Greeno  O;  (3) 
Heny  Simpson  O;  (4)  Oscar  Linden  O;  (5)  J.  Cajkoski  O.  M.  Hayes  R; 
(6)  John  Lamb  O;  (7)  Chas.  Johnson  R  (hrst  house  built  on  Hull  street); 
(8)  Robt.  Carlson  O;  (9)  Carl  A.  Carlson  R. 


OR        NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


303 


and  won  from  that  town  168  to  U)7.  Xewington  played  here  again 
September  7,  1894  and  lost  215  to  122.  Bristol  visited  Xewington 
again  September  20,  1895  and  won  79  to  7G. 

When  Bristol  had  it  Old  Home  Week  celebration  the  idea  of  having 
a  wicket  game  between  Bristol  and  New  Britain  took  tangible  form 
and  clubs  were  organized  in  each  place.  The  New  Britain  men  went 
into  the  matter  with  great  earnestness  and  did  a  good  deal  of  practice 
work  during  the  month  preceding  the  game.  Governor  Chamberlain 
readily  assented  to  do  the  umpiring  for  the  game  and  Miles  Lewis  Peck 
of  Bristol  was  selected  as  the  captain  of  the  team.  William  H.  Hart 
of  New  Britain  and  Captain  Henry  A.  Peck,  both  survivors  of  the  famous 
game  of  1859  were  selected  as  the  judges. 

The  game  was  played  on  September  4,  1903,  on  the  Center  street 
baseball  grounds.  At  11:30  Governor  Chamberlain  walked  over  to  the 
bench  he  was  to  occupy  and  the  game  comnienced.  "Gus"  Smith  who 
had  been  imported  from  the  Soldiers'  Home  at  Togus,  Me.,  to  do  the 
bowling  was  on  hand  and  threw  the  first  ball.  The  first  inning  was  won 
by  Bristol  57  to  41.  The  first  part  of  the  game  was  concluded  at  2:45 
p.  M.,  and  then  the  players  had  lunch  and  rested  for  a  time.  The  second 
half  resulted  in  some  of  the  players  making  fine  scores,  but  New  Britain 
was  easily  defeated  109  to  81.  In  the  evening  at  the  Gridley  House  there 
was  a  bancjuet  at  which  over  one  hundred  were  present,  the  Governor 
occupying  the  seat  of  honor.  Miles  Lewis  Peck  was  the  toastmaster 
and  those  who  spoke  were  Governor  Chamberlain,  William  H.  Hart, 
Mayor  Samuel  Basset  of  New  Britain  and  John  H.  Kirkham. 

In  the  next  morning's  Coiirant  appeared  the  following  from  New 
Britain:  "There  is  some  talk  of  challenging  Bristol  for  a  return  wicket 
game.  The  local  players  are  not  at  all  satisfied  that  the  defeat  of  today 
could   not    be    turned   into    a   victory  on    another   occasion.     The    local 


(10)  Herbert  J.  Smith  O;  (11)  Henry  Fleming  O;  (12)  Arthur  H. 
Porter  O;  (13)  Bernard  H.  Fallon  O;  (14)  James  M.  Scanlon  O;  (15) 
John  Augdahl  O;  (1(3)  Fred  Nichol  O,  Fred  Kriger  R;  (17)  O.  Taillon 
O,  Philip  Rondeau  R;  (18)  Harry  C.  Wright  O. 


304 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


players  lacked  practice  as  a  geiieral  rule,  although  there  were  several 
who  played  the  game  exceedingly  well.  Many  of  the  team  were  accus- 
tomed to  batting  baseballs  and  spread  their  feet  apart  when  striking 
at  the  ball.  The  ball  rolling  past  knocked  down  the  w^icket  and  they 
were  out."      Bristol  is  still  waiting  for  the  challenge. 

*  Since  this  article  was  written,  the  following  letter  from  Mr.  Harry 
S.  Bartholomew,  in  reply  to  an  invitation  to  act  as  "judge"  at  a  wicket 
game  in  Thomaston,  has  been  found.  It  is  very  interesting  and  gives 
the  rules  in  the  famous  "New  Britain  game."" 

Bristol,   Conn.,   May  17,  1865. 

Enclosed  I  send  a  copy  of  the  rules  that  were  adopted  when  we  played 
with  New  Britain. 

If  nothing  happens  to  prevent,  than  I  know  of  at  present,  I  will 
try  to  come  to  your  place  July  1st.  It  is  not  a  very  easy  job  for  a  single 
judge  to  watch  and  decide  all  matters  in  a  game,  and  it  often  leads  to 
hard  feelings.  But  many  times  I  have  thought  it  best  as  it  saved  disputes 
and  time.     All  that  can  be  asked  of  a  man  is  to  be  just  and  prompt. 

RULES  OF  THE  GAME  OF  WICKET. 

1st. — The  ball  shall  be  from  3|  to  4  inches  in  diameter  and  weigh 
from  9  to  10  otmces. 

2d. — The  wickets  shall  be  75  feet  apart. 

3d. — The  wickets  shall  be  six  feet  long. 

4th. — The  tick  marks  shall  be  six  feet  from  the  wickets. 

5th. — The  ball  shall  strike  the  ground  on  or  before  it  reaches  the 
center,  to  be  a  bowl. 


SEYMOU 


(1)  No.  107,  Philip  Allaire  O;  (2)  No.  99,  Chas.  Stock  O;  (3)  No.  98, 
Karl  Helming  O,  Adolf  Growl  R;  (4)  No.  77,  B.  J.  McGovem  O;  (5) 
No.  75,  Edmund  O.  Duquette  R;  (6)  Dwight  F.  Russell;  (7)  No.  62; 
Edward  Helman  O,  Stanley  Heinze  R;  (8)  No.  61,  M.  Aurocolette  O, 
(9)  No.  53,  A.  Walter  Fish  O. 


OR        XEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


:H)o 


6lh. — The  bowler  must  start  from  behind  the  wicket  and  pass  over 
it  in  bowling. 

7th. — The  bowler  shall  be  within  ten  feet  of  the  wicket,  •when  the 
ball  leaves  his  hand. 

8th. — A  throw  or  jerk,  is  in  no  case  a  bowl,  but  the  arm  in  bowling 
must  be  kept  perfectly  straight. 

9th. — In  ticking,  the  bowler  must  stand  astride  or  back  of  the  wicket 
striking  it  off  from  the  inside,  retaining  the  ball  in  his  hand. 

10th. — When  the  bowler  has  received  the  ball,  it  shall  be  bowled 
by  him  before  it  is  passed  to  the  other  bowler. 

11th. — The  strike?"  sh?dl  in  no  case  molest  the  ball  when  it  is  being 
thrown  in,  so  as  to  hindsi'  the  bowler  from  ticking  him  out. 

12th. — There  shall  be  no  crossing  the  alley  when  the  ball  is  being 
bowled. 

13th. — There  shall  be  no  unnecessary  shinning. 

14th. — In  catching,  flying  balls  only  are  out.  A  ball  caught  before 
striking  any  other  object  but  the  catcher  is  out. 

15th. — In  crossing,  the  striker  shall  tick  his  bat  down  on  or  over 
the  tick.      Mark  to  have  a  cross  count  except  when  caught  or  ticked  out. 

16th. — \o  Strieker  shall  strike  a  ball  more  than  once  except  in 
defense  of  his  wicket,  neither  shall  he  stop  the  ball  with  his  bat  and  then 
kick  it. 

17th. — No  one  shall  get  in  the  way  of  a  striker  to  prevent  his  crossing; 
freely. 

18th. — Lost  ball  may  have  f-our  crosses  run  on  it. 

19th. — No  one  but  the  judge  may  cry  "no  bowl  " 


SEYMOUR  <&c^^BUCKINGHAM  ST5 


(10) 


(11)   No.  44,   Frederick  Beatson  A';   (12)   No., 


37,  Chas.  Benson  0;,  Wm.  H.  Greenwood  R;  (13)  No.  34,  Patrick  Farrel 
O;  (14)  No.  28,  James  C.  Parsons  R;  (15)  No.  25,  Anthony  F.  Pade- 
rewski  R,  Mrs.  Josephine  Paderewski  R,  Edward  Mulhern  R;  (16)  No.  19,  . 
Frank  Moreau  R;  No.  21,  Mrs.  Mary  J.  Guckin  O,  P.  O.  Connell  R. 


30G 


BRISTOL,    COXXECTICUT 


•^^- 
^'^• 

®rtitttt|  (Eburrh 

•^>^- 
'^'^^- 

By  Florenxe   E.   D.   Muzzy 


Sabba'  Day  morning  1727.  The  scattered  settlers  of  New  Cam- 
bridge living  in  the  clearings  of  the  primeval  forest  which  covered  these 
hills,  are  early  astir — regardless  of  weather — in  carts,  horseback,  perhaps 
afoot,  for  the  eight-mile  pilgrimage  to  the  meetin'-house  in  Mother 
Farmington — there  to  worship  duly  as  the  fathers  decreed.  And  again 
at  dusk — back  again,  jolting  over  the  rough  forest  trail — keeping  out 
a  wary  eye  for  wild  beasts  and  Indians. 

For  fifteen  years  did  they  patiently  subinit  to  this  hardship  piled 
upon  innumerable  other  hardships.  Then  the  General  Assembly  granted 
their  urgent  petition  that  at  least  during  the  severe  winters,  preaching 
at  home  might  be  allowed  them.  This  was  the  entering  wedge;  and 
in  1743  an  Ecclesiastical  Society  was  organized  and  the  parish  named 
New    Cambridge. 

In  1747  the  pastor,  being  a  strong  Calvinist,  was  bitterly  opposed. 
And  "here  it  inust  be  noted,"  says  the  record,  "that  Caleb  mathews, 
Stephen  Brooks,  John  hikox,  Caleb  Abernathy,  Abner  mathews,  Abel 
Royce,  denell  Roe,  and  simon  tuttel,  publickly  declared  themselves  of 
the  Church  of  England  and  under  the  bishop  of  london."  These  with 
Nehemiah  Royce,  founded  the  first  Epicopal  Society  in  New  Cambridge 
and  were  soon  followed  by  Benjamin  and  Stephen  Brooks,  Jr.,  and 
Joseph  Gaylord.  These  churchmen,  all  men  of  prominence,  were  com- 
pelled to  pay  taxes  to  the  Ecclesiastical  Society,  as  well  as  to  support 
their  own  which  naturally  caused  great  dissatisfaction. 

The  first  Connecticut  priests  were  missionaries  until  the  American 
Revolution  paid  by  the  English  Society  for  the  Propogation  of  the 
Gospel  in  Foreign  Parts;  each  missionary  being  required  to  send  twice 
a  year  an  account  of  his  work  home  to  England — these  reports  furnish- 
ing valuable  information  to  the  historian. 

The  first  mission-priest  at  New  Cambridge  (then  a  part  of  the 
Simsbury  Mission)  Avas  the  Rev.  William  Gibbs — Harvard  1734— or- 
dained in  England,  as  were  all  priests  of  that  day.  A  "true  copy"  of 
the  "Declaration"  of  Mr.  Gibbs,  "to  conform  to  the  Liturgy  of  the  Church 
of  England  in  the  Province  of  New  England  in  America,"  September, 
1744, — may  be  found  in  the  Bristol  PubHc  Library;  also  a  copy  of  the 
grant  to  Mr.  Gibbs  by  "  'Edmund,  London,'  to  perform  the  office  of 
minister  in  said  Province;"  also  copy  of  a  document  from  the  Society 
stating  that  Mr.  Gibbs,  upon  examination,  "appears  to  be  a  person 
duly  qualified  for  proinoting  ye  good  work  ....  And  whereas, 
he  is  by  ye  Right  Rev.  Father  in  God,  Edmond,  Lord  Bishop  of  London, 
a  member  of  ye  sd.  Societ^^  at  their  request  Licenced  and  appointed 
to  perform  all  ye  Offices  of  his  sacred  fiuiction  at  Cymsbury  in  Con- 
necticut in  the  province  of  N.  England  in  America We 

grant  him  an  annuity  of  ye  sum  of  ;^30  on  consideration  yt.  ye.  sd.  Wm. 

Gibbs   doth   without   delay Transport,    or  cause   himself 

to  be  Transported  to  Cymsbury  aforesaid."       Mr.  Gibbs  is  then  recom- 


NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


307 


mended  to  the  protection  of  God  and  also  to  "the  countenance  of  his 
Excellency  the  Governor  of  the  Province  and  the  Good  Will  of  all  Chris- 
tian People  at  Cymsbury."* 

In  a  letter  to  the  Society,  1749,  Mr.  Gibbs  says  of  the  New  Cam- 
bridge churchmen:  "the  dissenters  do  oblige  them  to  pay  to  the  dis- 
senting minister,  and  which  they  have  refused  and  for  the  refusal  were, 
four  of  them  committed  to  the  Hartford  gaol,  in  a  place  where  they 
keep  malefactors,  upon  which  they  then  paid  ....  six  more 
are  now"  threatened."  Six  months  later  Mr.  Gibbs  writes  that  these 
men  having  paid,  he  himself  "deinanded  the  money  of  the  collector, 
which  refused  the  same,  and  which  put  me  upon  sueing  him  before  one 
of  his  Majesty's  justices  of  the  peace  in  Siinsbury  town,  for  my  Church- 
warden's rate  of  Caleb  Matthews,  but  was  cast,  and  for  my  refusing  to 
pay  the  cost  ....  I  am  ....  brought  to  Hartford 
gaol  ....  where  I  now  am.  Thus  presumptuous  and  bold 
are  these  men  in  these  parts."      Episcopal  ]\Ir.  Gibbs  was  also  compelled 


TRINITY     CHURCH,     HIGH    STREET. 

to  pay  taxes  from  his  own  scanty  income  to  support  the  Congregational 
ministry.  Owing  to  his  ill  treatment  at  the  time  of  his  arrest  and  the 
shock  to  his  nerves,  he  afterward  becaine  insane  and  suffered  under 
this  cloud  till  his  death  twenty-five  years  later. 

About  this  time  a  compromise  was  effected  by  which  the  Churchmen 
were  to  pay  half  rates  to  the  Standing  Order,  until  they  had  a  priest  of 
their  own  to  support. 

Mr.  Gibbs  probably  retired  about  17o0;  as  in  a  letter  dated  1751, 
the  Rev.  Dr.  Samuel  Johnson  "the  Father  of  Episcopacy  in  Connecticut," 
speaks  of  the  New  Cambridge  people  as  having  "put  themselves  vmder 
the  protection"  of  Mr.  Mansfield  of  Waterbury — that  parish  being  much 
nearer  than  Simsbury. 

Rev.   Richard   Mansfield — Yale    1741 — ordained   l.)V  the   Archbishop 


308  BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 

of  Canterbury  1748 — in  October  of  that  year  took  charge  of  Derby, 
Waterbury  and  West  Haven.  To  these  were  afterward  added  Oxford, 
Westbury  (Watertown),  Northbury  and  New  Cambridge,  1750.  If 
the  Rev.  Richard  Mansfield  could  have  found  time  between  sermons  and 
lonely  horseback  trips  through  the  woods  to  record  his  ministerial  ex- 
periences, they  would  make  interesting  reading  in  these  days  of  elec- 
tricity and  divided  labors.  He  writes:  "I  visit  them  as  often  as  the 
care  of  my  large  Missions  will  permit."  It  has  been  written  of  him: 
"The  aged  ....  speak  with  delight  of  the  alacrity  with  which 
he  would  make  a  journey  of  twenty  miles  or  more,  over  an  extremely 
bad  road  to  perform  any  extra  parish  duty."  After  his  retirement  in 
1759,  he  continued  to  live  in  Derby  until  his  death,  having  been  rector 
of  one  parish  for  seventy-two  years.  These  two  are  but  examples  of 
the  stuff  of  which  early  New  England  was  made. 

"It  was  in  1754,  during  his  ministry  that  the  Churchmen  of  New 
Cambridge  built  their  first  church  upon  a  lot  deeded  to  the  Society  by 
Stephen  Brooks.  This  held  four  acres  and  was  at  the  north  of  the 
Training  Ground,  or  The  Green.  The  church  opened  June  10,  1754, 
with  Abel  roys  and  Stephen  brooks  chosen  church  wardens.  Caleb 
mathews  chosen  clerk"  The  site  of  this  First  Church  has  been  marked 
by  Mr.  George  Dudley  Seymour  with  a  boulder  of  rose-quartz  from  Chip 
pin's  Hill.  Five  of  the  original  nine  members  lie  buried  in  the  old  yard 
near.     A  few  of  the  windows  used  in  this  first  church  are  still  in  existence. 

In  1759  upon  Mr.  Mansfield's  retirement,  the  churches  of  Water- 
bury,  Northbury,  Westbury  and  New  Cambridge  petitioned  the  English 
Society  to  appoint  Mr.  James  Scovil — Yale  1757 — as  Missionary,  three 
churches  having  been  built  and  membership  greatly  increased.  He 
accordingly  began  work  at  once,  settling  in  Waterbury.  His  charge 
consisted  of  110  church  families  and  150  communicants.  In  less  than 
a  year  these  increased  to  117  families  and  172  communicants.  In  New 
Cambridge  in  1760  there  were  23  church  families  and  47  communicants; 
though  in  1772  there  were  but  ten  families  more  and  no  increase  of 
members.  In  1763-4  a  large  decrease  was  recorded — probably  caused 
by  the  removal  of  younger  members  to  new  settlements.  Towns  were 
like  beehives  in  those  days — always  a  swarm  to  newer  fields. 

In  1762  Farmington  was  added  to  this  charge.  Mr.  Scovil  in  his 
letters  says  he  officiated  every  fourth  Sunday  in  New  Cambridge,  unless 
hindered  by  other  duties.  There  seems  to  be  no  mention  of  vacations. 
He  reported  that  most  of  the  adults  in  the  parish  were  regular  com- 
municants and  living  in  harmony  with  the  dissenters.  His  first  salary 
was  ;^20  a  year,  increased  in  1764  to  £30;  but — poor  man! — it  is  once 
recorded  that,  "At  a  vestry  meeting  ....  held  December 
10,  1765,  voted  to  give  Mr.  Scovel  fifteen  pounds  for  the  year  ensuing, 
and  that  we  might  have  the  liberty  of  paing  it  in  pork  and  grain  at  the 
market  price."  Seventy-five  dollars  a  year,  to  be  paid  in  pork  and 
grain — collected  from  five  towns,  separated  by  steep  hills  and  unbroken 
forests!  In  1766  he  mentions  casually  that  his  duties  were  "full  enough 
for  two  clergymen  if  any  method  could  be  found  for  their  support." 
It  appears  not  to  have  occurred  to  any  economical  parishoner  that  Mr 
Scovil  "go  halves"  on  his  produce  and  cash. 

In  1771  Mr.  James  Nichols  graduated  from  Yale,  and  being  native 
of  Waterbury,  he  probably  assisted  Mr.  Scovil  as  lay-reader. 

In  1774,  "the  Rev.  James  Nichols,  a  gentleman  well  recommended, 
hath  lately  been  ordained"  to  the  parishes  of  Northbury  (Pljmiouth) 
and  New  Cambridge  (Bristol)  these  having  "voluntarily  engaged  to 
support  their  own  minister."  Mr.  Nichols  was  the  last  man  from  Con- 
necticut to  take  holy  orders  from  England  and  the  Society  voted  him  a 
gratuity  of  ;£20,  in  lieu  of  the  salary  usually  paid  by  them — ";£60  sterling 
per  annum,  and  a  glebe  of  forty  acres  of  very  good  land"  was  the  salary 
voted  by  Northbury  and  New  Cambridge;  while  the  records  for  1773 
says  that  New  Cambridge  voted  him  ;^40  lawful  monej-  3'early  "for 
our  part   of  his  stated  salary."     Also: — "voted,   that   we  would   raise 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE. 


309 


REV.    WILLI.\M    HENRY    MORRISON,     PRESENT    RECTOR    OF    TRINITY 
EPISCOPAL    CHURCH. 


310  BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 

25  pounds  to  carry  hiin  home  (to  England)  to  be  raised  upon  our  lists 
at  two  pence  half  penny  upon  the  pound."  Mr.  Nichols  was  the  first 
priest  to  live  at  New  Cambridge. 

The  relations  between  Congregationalists  and  Churchmen  appear 
now  to  have  become  more  friendly  for  a  time,  the  rates  being  fairly 
divided  and  the  Churchmen  taking  part  in  nonecclesiastical  matters. 
But  when  the  war  came  on,  the  "Church  of  England"  sympathized  almost 
entirely  with  the  Mother  Country,  and  friendliness  gave  way  to  active 
hostility  in  many  places.  Shortly  after  the  Declaration  of  Independ- 
ence, the  clergy  of  the  state  held  a  meeting  to  decide  whether  or  not  to 
pray  that  the  King  "might  be  victorious  over  all  his  enemies."  They 
feared  to  omit  the  prayer — they  feared  to  use  it;  so  they  shrewdly 
avoided  the  issue  by  suspending  services  for  a  few  months,  when  the 
war  would  doubtless  be  over.  It  is  told  that  one  absent-minded  clergy- 
man did  pray  for  "our  excellent  King  George" — hastily  assuring  the 
Lord  an  instant  later  that  he  "meant  George  Washington." 

Rev.  Nichols  was  an  ardent  loyalist  and  his  people  agreed  with 
him.  "Chippin's  Hill  became  a  rendezvous  for  Tory  gatherings  from 
all  over  the  state,  where  soldiers  enlisted  for  King  George,  and  infor- 
mation went  forth  to  New  York."  The  famous  Tory  Den  is  not  far 
rom  here. 

In  1776  Mr.  Nichols  baptized  five;  in  1777  but  one,  in  1780,  four. 
One  of  these  would  seem  to  have  been  Moses  Dunbar,  the  only  loyalist 
hung  in  Connecticut  during  the  war;  as  he  was  a  "recent  convert  under 
the  teachings  of  the  persecuted  ministers,  and  was  a  devoted  and  fear- 
less supporter  of  the  royal  cause." 

In  the  State  Records,  Vol.  I,  page  259,  are  the  names  of  seventeen 
loyalists  who  were  imprisoned  on  suspicion  of  being  unfriendly  to  America 
and  who  pray  for  release,  testifying  that  they  "had  been  much  under 
the  influence  of  one  Nichols,  a  designing  church  clergyman,  who  had 
instilled  into  them  principles  opposite  to  the  good  of  the  States."  At 
least  fifteen  of  them  were  Churchmen.  Others  were  punished  also  in 
various  ways;  and  it  is  said  that  Mr.  Nichols  was  tarred  and  feathered. 
It  is  upon  record  that  he  was  indicted  for  treason  before  the  Superior 
Court,  Hartford,  in  1777,  but  escaped  conviction.  He  was  some  of  the 
time  in  hiding,  and  church  services  were  discontinued. 

After  the  war  the  church  building  was  unfit  for  use,  but  meetings 
were  held  in  private  houses  for  a  time.  Mr.  Nichols  was  again  in  New 
Cambridge,  and  probably  reorganized  the  church,  tho  he  died  in  another 
state,  about  1829. 

In  1784  it  is  recorded: — "that  we  are  willing  to  meet  again  in  the 
church  which  hath  lain  desolate  ....  on  account  of  the  perse- 
cution of  the  times;  and,  voted  that  we  would  repair  the  church  house." 
Also:     "Voted  a  penny  tax  on  ye  pound  on  the  list  of  Aug.   1784   . 

for  the  purpose  of  hiring  preaching  to  be  paid  in  wheat,  I'ie  or 
otes."  In  November  the  reorganized  parish  contained  29  voting  mem- 
bers; but  finding  the  burden  too  great,  in  1790  they  "Voted,  That  we 
was  desirous  of  'having  the  east  part  of  Northbury  (Plymouth)  and  the 
south  part  of  Harwinton  to  join  with  us  in  making  up  a  Society."  This 
new  combination  petitioned  the  General  Assembly  to  establish  a  church 
at  East  Plymouth,  central  to  all.  This  is  the  well-known,  old,  "East 
Church"  built  in  1791.  The  New  Cambridge  Church  building  was  sold 
to  Abel  Lewis,  who  made  it  over  into  a  barn.  Services  were  discon- 
tinued in  New  Cambridge,  until  1834  when  "Trinity  Church,  Bristol"  was 
organized. 

The  "Second  Episcopal  Church"  built  upon  land  bought  from 
Ira  Dodge,  was  named  St.  Matthews. 

The  records,  long  lost  sight  of  were  afterward  recovered.  They 
date  from  1747  to  1800.  They  are  not  complete,  but  still  much  fuller 
than  those  following  1800. 

We  find  this  item:     "The  present  church  edifice  was  built  in   1791, 


NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


311 


finished  in  1794,  consecrated  by  Bp.  Seabury  Oct.  21,  1795.  The  same 
day  the  Rev.  Alex.  V.  Griswold  was  ordained  priest.  The  next  day 
was  consecrated  St.  Mark's  church,  Harwinton.  These  were  the  last 
official  acts  of  Bp.  Seabury  of  which  there  is  any  record  .... 
There  were  present  in  convocation  15  of  the  clergy  of  Connecticut."  It 
would  seem  by  this  that  Harwinton  had  ambitions  of  her  own,  and 
did  not  take  kindly  to  union  for  strength.  The  records  bear  the  in- 
scription:    "Fear  God  and  Honor  the  King." 

There  seems  to  have  been  no  especial  name  of  any  saint  applied  to 
the  First  Church,  situate  on  the  Green  of  Federal  Hill.  In  1792  the 
committee  appointed  to  dispose  of  the  old  church  is  directed  on  the 
records  to  turn  over  the  effects  to  the  "new  church  in  Northbury." 
This  same  year  delegates  were  sent  to  "attend  the  State  Convention 
af  New  Haven" — no  longer  a  meeting  in  a  Tory  Den! 

The  ineetings  of  1 793-4-5,  give  names  of  choristers,  delegates,  church 
officers;  the  fixing  of  rates,  etc.  In  1796  the  record  states  that  the 
"Vestry  dissolved."  Also  in  1790  Mr.  Cyrus  Gaylord  and  Caleb  Mat- 
thews, Jr.  were  "chosen  to  assist  in  reading  services  and  sermons  as  occa- 
sion inay  require."  This  was  during  the  ministry  of  Rev.  Alex.  Gris- 
wold, who  also  officiated  at  neighboring  towns,  and  taught  school  winters. 
Moreover  he  was  a  mighty  fisherman.  Mr.  Welton  tells  tales  of  Mr. 
Griswold  in  his  note  book.  In  1805,  he  resigned  to  accept  a  call  to 
Bristol,  R.  I.,  where  he  afterward  became  Bishop  of  the  Eastern  Dio- 
cese.     He  wrote,  later:      "No  years  of  my  life  have  been  more  happy 

than  the  ten  I  -passed  in  these  parishes The  people  were 

mostly  religious  and  all  comparatively  free  from  vice." 

From  1797  to  1800,  vestry  meetings  are  noted,  but  little  done 
except  regular  choice  of  officers.  A  "List  of  vessels  belonging  to  the 
church  in  New  Cambridge"  is  given  and  iudging  by  the  names  of  the 
givers  they  were  of  early  date: 


PLYMOUTH     E,^ST     CHI.'RCH     IX     I'.MIl 


312  BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 

"one  beacker  given  by  lieut.  John  row, 

one  platter  given  by  Nehemiah  ro^'s, 

one  bason  bought  with  the  church's  money, 

one  tancut  (tankard)  bot  with  church's  money, 

A  cution  (?)  given  by  Caleb  mathews, 

Mr.  Abel  roys,  Nehemiah  roys, 

one  beakcer  given  by  Simon  Tuttle." 
After  Mr.  Griswold,  the  next  permanent  rector  appears  to  have 
been  the  Rev.  Roger  Searle,  from  1809  to  1818.  He  went  from  East- 
Plymouth  to  "New  Connecticut"  in  the  Western  Reserve,  as  a  pioneer 
missionary,  and  was  the  founder  of  the  first  Episcopal  Parish  in  Cleve- 
land, Ohio.  From  1820  to  1829  Rev.  Rodney  Rossiter  officiated,  and 
then  resigned,  "believing  a  dissolution  of  my  pastoral  connection     . 

expedient."  This  was  received  with  much  regret;  and  some- 
where about  1832-3  Rev.  Horatio  Potter,  afterward  Bishop  of  New 
York,  preached  at  St.  Matthews.  Following  him  came  students  from 
Washington  College,  Hartford.  Then,  in  1834,  Rev.  George  C.  V.  East- 
man occasionally  officiated  at  evening. 

About  this  time,  "owing  to  the  arbitrary  conduct  of  a  prominent 
layman  at  East  Church"  the  subject  of  reorganizing  the  New  Cam- 
bridge (now  Bristol)  Society  was  agitated.  Several  families,  descend- 
ants of  the  original  founders  of  the  1747  Mission  joined  in  this  move- 
ment. This  loss  of  so  many  liberal  supporters  lead  eventually  to  the 
rapid  decline  of  St.  Matthews. 

The  new  church  was  built  at  the  "North  side"  of  Federal  Hill,  not 
far  from  the  site  of  the  original  church.  Mr.  Eastman  was  chosen  rector 
and  the  church  was  named  "Trinity." 

In  Mr.  X.  A.  Welton's  copies  of  the  old  records  including  those  of 
both  First  and  Second  Early  Churches,  is  a  list  of  officiating  clergyinen, 
beginning  with  the  unhappy  Mr.  Gibbs.  The  dates  do  not  fully  coin- 
cide but  are  not  far  astray.  Some  of  these  names  were  doubtless  those 
of  assistants  to  the  rector  or  "supplies:" 

Rev.  William  Gibbs 1747  to  1753 

/  Rev.  Ichabod  Camp  (converted  dissenter)  ....  1753  to  1755 
\  Christopher  Newton  (converted  dissenter)  ....  1755  to  1759 

Rev.  Richard  Mansfield to  1759 

Rev.  James  Scoville to  1773 

Rev.  James  NichoUs  (occasional) to  1784 

Rev.  Samuel  Andrews  (of  Wallingford)  (occasional)..  .1785 

Rev.  James  Scoville  (occasional) 1785 

Rev.  Ashbell  Baldwin 1785  to  1793 

Rev.  T.  Bronson — once  in 1793 

Rev.  Seth  Hart — four  times  in 1794 

Rev.  Alex.  V.  Griswold 1795  to  1805 

Rev.  David  Butler — once  in 1795  and  once  in  1797 

Rev.  N.  B.  Burgess 1807 

Rev.  Joseph  Davis  Welton 1808 

Rev.  Roger  Searle 1809  to  1818 

Rev.  Nathan  B.  Burgess 1819 

Rev.  Rodney  Rossiter 1820  to  1829 

Rev.  Alpheus  Geer 1829 

Rev.  Palmer  Dyer 1830 

Rev.  Xorman  Pinnev 1831 

Rev.  Allen  C.  Morgan 1832 

Rev.  Allen  C.  Morgan IS:n  to  1832 

f  Rev.  Drs.  Wheaton  and  Totten 

"j   Rev.  Drs.  Wheaton  and  Totten 

[  Revs. Horatio  Potter,  Tyler,  Keeler  &  Purdy. .  .  1S32  to  1834 

Rev.  James  Keeler 1833 

Rev.  Geo.  C.  V.  Eastman 1834 


OR        NEW    CAMBRIDGE 


ii; 


The  St.  Matthews'  list  after  18.'54,  when  Trinity  Church  was  founded 
in   Bristol,  is  as  follows : 

Rev.  Fred.  B.  Woodward •.  .  .  1839  to  1842 

Rev.  John  H.  Hanson to  1843 

Rev.  S.  Sevilious  Stocking to  1844 

Rev.  John  M.  Guion — J/^  in 1845 

Rev.  Henry  V.  Gardner 1846  to  1847 

Rev.  CoUis  J.  Potter — 6  mos.  in 1848 

Rev.  Frederick  Holcumb ISaO  to  1852 

Rev.  James  Morton 1858  to  1860 

Rev.  Isaac  Jones 1856 

Rev.  Daniel  Burhans 1857 

Rev.  Joseph  Co  veil 

Rev.  Fred.  B.  Woodward..  .' 1864  to  1867 

Rev.  Alanson  Welton — 3  Sundays  in 1868 

and  later,  from  Nov.   1874  to  July   1S77  as  assistant  to  Re^•. 

Collis  Potter,   a  native  of  the  town  though  non-resident, 

elected  rector  without  salarv. 

Rev.  ColHs  J.  Potter ' 

Rev.  Wm.  Everett  Johnson,  rector  of  Trinitv 

Church,  Bristol,  Mission  Services  about 

1882  to  1886 

Rev.  Thos.  S.  Ockford,  a  few  times  autumn  of 1898 

Rev.  J.  D.  Gilliland 

A  list  of  the  Society's  Church  Wardens,  Vestry,  Committees,  and 
so  on,  is  given  in  this  record,  in  which  many  familiar  names  appear. 
It  may  be  well  to  supplement  here  this  list,  with  that  of  the  Rectors  of 
Trinity,  before  continuing  the  account  of  the  Church: 


VIEW    ox    .M.MN    STREET    BEFORE    GRADE     CROSSING    WAS    ABOLISHED. 


314  BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 

LIST  OF   RECTORS  OF  TRINITY  (TIURCH. 
(Time  approximately  given.) 

Rev.  Geo.  C.  V.  Eastman 18o4  to  18o() 

Rev.  Joseph  S.  Covell 1836  to  1845-() 

Rev.  Joseph  H.  Nichols 1846  to  1847 

Rev.  Samuel  J.  Evans 1848  to  1850 

Rev.  Henry  Fitch 1850  to  1859 

Rev.  Nicholas  J.  Seeley 1859  to  1867 

Rev.  A.  E.  Bishop ' 1867  to  1870 

Rev.  Wm.  G.  Wells 1870  to  1871' 

Rev.  W.   f.  Piggott,  9  months 1872  to  1873 

Rev.  J.  D.  Gifliland 1873  to  1878 

Rev.  James  L.  Scott 1878  to  1881 

Rev.  Wm.  Everett  Johnson 1882  to  1886 

(Lay  reader,  1881-2.) 

Rev.  E.  C.  Johnson 1886  to  1889 

Rev.  J.  H.  Fitzgerald 1890  to  1897 

Rev.  Wm.  H.  Morrison 1897 

(July  7,  1907,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Morrison  is  the  present  incumbent,  at 
whose  suggestion  this  account  is  written. ) 

Upon  the  first  page  of  Trinity  Church  Records  appears  a  copy  by 
H.  A.  Mitchell,  of  the  Incorporation  of  Trinity  Church  Society,  Town  of 
Bristol,  Diocese  of  Connecticut,  Sept.  22,  1834.  In  this  the  old  family 
names  re-appear,  together  with  newer  members.  It  is  signed  by:  Con- 
stant L.  Tuttle.  Ephraim  Downs,  Daniel  Hill,  Jereiniah  Rice,  Herald  J. 
Potter,  Nathaniel  Matthews,  Jr.,  Thomas  Mitchell,  Lazarus  Harte, 
Merriman  Matthews,  Henry  A.  Mitchell,  Elijah  A.  Shelton,  Wm.  E. 
Booth,  Attest,  Henry  A.  Mitchell,  clerk. 

Follows  a  list  of  members,  with  autograph  signatures,  beginning 
Sept.  2,  1836.  Opposite  most  of  these  is  written  "dead"  or  "removed," 
up  to  1873.  A  few  may  be  living — not  many.  It  is  believed  that  but 
three  descendants  of  these  Founders  attend  service  in  their  Fathers' 
church  today — so  vast  have  been  the  changes  in  the  town. 

After  1873,  the  signatures  are  more  familiar  and  include  those  now 
in  active  work.  Quotations  from  this  old  book  itself  will  give  a  better 
insight  than  anything  else  could  to  the  history  of  the  church. 

At  a  Vestry  Meeting,  Oct.  4,  1834,  held  at  the  office  of  (Judge) 
Henry  A.  Mitchell,  a  committee  was  appointed  to  "solicit  subscriptions 
for  building  a  church."  Note  here  that  "tax  rates"  have  disappeared 
and  no  mention  is  made  of  Hartford  goal. 

Dec.  1834— Committee  appointed  to  report  on  "the  most  eligible 
place"  for  church  ....  Vestry  authorized  committee  to  purchase 
"the  lot  of  Dr.  Titus  Merriman,  near  the  dwelling  house  of  Alanson- 
Richards  ....  and  not  to  pay  over  two  hundred  dollars  for  said  lot." 
.  .  .  .  A  committee  was  appointed  "with  full  powers  to  inake  con- 
tracts for  the  erection  of  the  church  ....  and  receive  all  monies 
subscribed." 

Feb.  1835 — Voted  that  the  church  should  not  cost  "over  twenty- 
two  hundred  dollars,  exclusive  of  the  land." 

Sept.  1835 — "Voted  to  offer  for  sail  all  the  slips  in  Trinity  Church, 
with  the  exception  of  the  two  front  slips  "in  the  square  bod3^  and  two 
back  wall  slips"  .  .  .  Also  in  a  striking  commentary  on  the  changes 
of  the  past  forty  years, — at  this  early  meeting  of  the  new  society,  it  was 
"Voted  that  thanks  be  returned  to  the  Cong.  Society  for  the  privalidge 
of  holding  meetings  in  their  Conference  room,  and  presented  bv  the 
Clerk." 

"Received  of  the  Committee  ....  three  hundred  and  fifty 
Dollars  in  full  for  two  Years'  service  ending  August  2()th,  1835.- — G.  C.  V. 
Eastman."     Ponder  a  while  on  that!      Donations  possibly  not  included. 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE." 


315 


%K    f- 


&/4 


TRIXTTY    CHURCH,     BEFORE     ITS     REMOVAL    TO     PRESKXT    SITE. 

From   Photo  loaned  by  Bristol    Public  Library, 


316  BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 

Here  is  a  curious  entry:  "I  do  hereby  certify  that  I  consider 
myself  as  belonging  to  Trinity  Church,  Bristol,  and  that  I  calculate  to 
bare  my  proportion  in  support  of  the  same. — Sainuel  Allen." 

Meetings  of  1837-8,  name  officers,  etc.;  and  one  reports  a  "bill 
dew  Mr.  Covell"  of  $160.00. 

Meeting  of  Dec.  8,  1838  records:- — "Voted  that  the  Societies  Com- 
mittees be  authorized  to  sell  all  the  land  on  the  hill  belonging  to  said 
Society  not  occupied  by  Graves,  reserving  the  right  of  passage.  Voted 
that  the  money  raised  from  the  sail  of  the  sale  of  land  and  Jeremiah 
Rice  Note  dew  the  Society  be  appropriated  to  the  payment  of  the  dit 

of  the  Church Voted  to  apply  the  offering  of  the  Church  to 

the  payment  of  the  rearag  due  Mr.  Covell." 

1840 — "Voted  to  engage  the  parochial  services  of  the  Rev.  Joseph  S. 
Covell  the  whole  of  the  time  for  the  ensuing  year." 

1841 — "Voted  to  give  leave  to  any  member  of  this  Society  to  erect 
Sheds   on   the   west   end   of   the   Land  belonging   to   Society."    .... 

Voted  to  build  a  fence  around  the  Society's  grounds Balance 

in  Treasury  of  $62.08. 

1842. — As  certain  members  had  built  sheds  on  the  north  end  of 
the  land  next  the  church, — "therefore  voted  to  grant,  establish,  and 
continue  to  them  the  use  of  the  ground  on  which  the  sheds  are  built." 
Mr.  Covell  is  voted  a  salary  of  four  hundred  Dollars  this  year. 

1843.— The  Society  finds  itself  "in  debt  twenty-seven  &  93-100 
Dollars" — yet  they  still  continue  Mr.  Covell's  extravagant  salary  .... 
but — "the  Society  to  have  the  benefit  of  the  Christian  Knowledge  So- 
ciety's money  if  they  vote  us  any  and  the  meeting  was  difsolved." 

1844 — "As  near  as  we  could  get  at  the  Debts  the  Society  were  in 
Debt  between  thirty  &  forty  Dollars  there  fore  voted  to  take  sixteen 
Dollars  of  Communion  funds,  provided  we  could  raise  Sixteen  Dollars 

more   by    Subscription   &    pay   up   the   old    Debts Voted   to 

apply  our  Monthly  offerings  towards  paying  Mr.  Covell's  Salary  if  we 
do  not  Raise  it  without" — the  said  salary  to  be  increased  to  $475.00 — 
"and  from  that  up  to  five  hundred  Dollars  if  we,  can  raise  it."  Cautious, 
shrewd  old  fellows — our  ancestors!  They  did  not  "raise  it"— and 
long-suffering  Mrs.  Covell  doubtless  turned  again  her  Sunday  silk,  and 
again  pieced  down  the  youngster's  garments.  They  voted  also  to  start 
a  subscription  to  paint  the  church  "but  no  one  to  be  holden  unless 
we  can  raise  Eighty-five  Dollars."  This  was  done  in  June;  and  in 
July  they  raised  enough  besides  to  pay  all  debts  up  to  Easter  previous; 
besides  "the  sum  of  thirty  Dollars  to  buy  A  Bafs  Viol."  It  is  here 
noted  that  the  year  before  they  had  placed  a  Lightning  Rod  on  the 
church,  and  a  Chain  Fence  in  front  of  it — all  the  modern  improvements. 

1845 — "Voted  to  apply  tcnn  Dollars  Communion  offerings  to  Pay 
for  Lamps  Provided  we  could  raise  twenty  Dollars  More  Which  was 
raised  on  the  spot."  Remember  all  this  was  but  sixty  short  years  ago; 
and  contrast  the  bass  viol  with  the  organ;  the  lightning  rod  with  modern 
fire  protection;  the  chain  fence  with  the  lawn;  the  lamps — successor 
to  tallow  dips — with  electricity. 

1846 — Good  Mr.  Covell  goes  on  a  strike: — Voted  to  engage  Mr. 
Covell,  "provided  we  can  raise  a  salary  to  his  acceptance  and  also  "Voted 
to  give  Charles  Covill  Three  Dollars  for  making  fires  the  past  winter." 
They  offered  Mr.  Covill  $450.00,  but  he  had  accepted  a  call  to  Essex, 
and  so  they  made  him  a  parting  gift  of  $98.64. 

In  1847 — Rev.  Joseph  H.  Nichols  is  reported  as  accepting  a  call  to 
the  church;  but  a  month  later  they  "Pay  Mr.  Jones  his  expenses  to 
New  York  amounting  to  ten  Dollars  to  see  The  Rev.  Mr.  Cushing." 
No  record  of  the  services  of  either  of  these  is  given;  though  elsewhere 
Mr.  Nichols  is  said  to  have  served  some  time  in  one  year. 

1848 — Rev.  Henry  Fitch  was  invited  "to  becom  permanently  our 
Rector  at  a  Salary  of  $500.00  pr.  Annum" — but  Mr.  Fitch  declined; 
and  they   then  called   Rev.   Frederick  B.   Woodard,   who  also  declined. 


( 


OR        NEW    CAMBRIBGE. 


■.U7 


OVERSHOT        WATERWHEEL,    FOR    MANY    YEARS    IN    USE    BY    DUNBAR    BROS 
ON    SOUTH    STREET.        PHOTO    BY    GALE    STUDIO. 


318  _  BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 

They  paused  now  long  enough  to  vote  to  get  three  Cords  of  good 
Maple  Wood  Cut  and  Pile  for  seasoning  for  the  stove  for  the  coming 
Winter."  The  lack  of  punctuation  leaves  doubt  as  to  which  was  to  be 
seasoned- — wood,  or  stove  by  the  wood.  Then  four  successive  and 
perhaps  stormy  meetings  "opened  and  adjourned."  At  the  fifth  they 
agreed  to  call  the  Rev.  Samuel  J.  Evans  of  the  Diocese  of  New  York — 
salary  $550.00.  Mr.  Evans  accepted.  He  had  perhaps,  city  ideas, 
for  at  once  the  pulpit  was  repaired  and  altered;  the  "Church  proper" 
somewhat  rejuvenated;  and  a  vestry  was  "attached  to  the  rear  of  the 
church." 

As  a  result,  in  1S49,  the  church  is  reported  $100.00  in  debt. 

1850 — Mr.  Evans  resigned  and  a  second  call  was  extended  to  Mr. 
Fitch — salary  $500.00  "and  give  him  three  Months  Notice  if  we  did 
not  wish  him  longer."  This  was  accepted,  and  there  be  some  to  remem- 
ber him  today. 

1851 — The  bass  viol  was  supplemented  by  an  organ  before  this, 
for  it  was  ambiguously  voted  to  "afsume  the  debt  of  George  Jones  on 
the  organ,  by  his  paying  Ten  Dollars  and  voted  that  this  Society  pay 
Interest  on  the  Organ." 

1852 — "Voted  that  the  vestrymen  keep  the  stove  pipes  from  leak- 
ing." 

1853— "Voted  to  circulate  a  subscription  paper  for  paying  for  the 
Organ  in  part  or  all."  The  elections  of  regular  church  officers,  dele- 
gates and  committees  are  reported  each  year,  and  their  names  may  be 
found  in  the  Record. 

1854 — "It  was  motioned  and  seckonded  to  raise  the  salary  of  the 
Rev.  Henry  Fitch." 

1855 — Mr.  Fitch  received  $600.00.  "When  the  bills  are  collected 
there  will  be  enough  to  pay  the  debts  of  the  Parish." 

1856— "Parish  in  debt  $165.64— with  $177.50  due  the  parish." 

1857 — "Voted  to  have  the  Communion  and  Monthly  offerings  Payed 
to  the  Treasurer." 

1858 — "Voted  to  shingle  the  South  Roof." 

1859 — Mr.  Fitch's  letter  of  resignation  evidently  because  of  the  low 
state  of  parish  finances,  is  preserved  in  the  records.  Voted  to  call  a 
clergyman  "on  such  terms  as  the  Society  will  be  able  to  meet."  The 
Rev.  Nicholas  J.  Seely  became  rector  about  this  time  and  his  monu- 
ment remains  even  now,  in  the  church  built  by  his  efforts. 

1860— "Monthly  ofiferings  not  otherwise  appropriated  are  to  be 
paid  into  the  Treasury  to  defray  ordinary  expenses." 

1861 — Herald  J.  Potter,  Merriman  Matthews  and  H.  A.  Mitchell 
were  appointed  a  Committee  of  Enquiry  in  regard  to  moving  church 
or  building  new,  "in  the  vicinity  of  what  is  called  Bristol  South  Side." 

1862 — "Voted  to  Secure  the  Lot  of  one  Acre  and  Three  Roods  on 
which  the  House  stands  known  as  the  late  Joseph  Ives  place." — "Voted, 
Franklin  Downes,*  and  Herald  J.  Potter  to  be  a  Committee  to  confer 
with  Henry  A.  Seymour  and  secure  sd.  lot,"  and  Committee  appointed 
to  Solicit  Subscriptions  for  new  church. 

At  a  Special  Meeting,  1862,  the  purchase  of  said  house  and  lot  was 
authorized — (boundaries  and  descriptions  fully  recorded);  the  Clerk 
instructed  as  to  loans  and  mortgage  deed;  instructions  issued  for  the 
sale  of  "present  lot  and  church  building;"  clerk  empowered  to  execute 
proper  deed  of  conveyance  if  sold;  building -committee  appointed  "with 
full  power  to  contract  for,  &  superintend  the  erection  of  a  new  church 
building  ....  and  use  the  name  of  the  Society  in  all  contracts" — 
etc,  etc.  This  Building  Committee  consisted  of:  H.  A.  Mitchell, 
H.  J.  Potter,  Nathaniel  Matthews  and  Franklin  Downes.  They  were 
authorized,   if  funds  would   allow,    to    "purchase   a   New   Organ;"  and 


*  Son  of  Ephraim  Downes  and  father  of  the  writer. 


OR        NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


319 


three  well-remembered  musicians  of  the  church  (Burritt  Darrow,  Elmore 
Welton  and  Eug^ene  Matthews)  were  requested  to  advise  with  the  Build- 
ing Committee  on  this  head. 

IStio — A  Special  Meeting  was  called  in  March  "at  the  old  Church 
Building"  to  consider  finances  as  applied  to  the  now  completed  new 
Church  Building.  The  1863  Annual  Meeting  was  '"legally  warned  and 
held  at  their  New  Church,"  on  Easter  Tuesday. 

The  first  service  was  held  the  Sunday  before  Easter.  The  votes 
of  1863  cover  much  ground.  "Voted  not  to  pay  a  Delegate  to  Conven- 
tion his  expense  as  has  been  the  custom Voted  to  take  any 

moneys  now  collected  to  pay  up  back  arrearages  of  the  past  year 

Voted  to  accept  the  use  of  the  Organ  upon  the  terms  proposed  by  the 
owners  thereof  ....  to  erect  horse  sheds  ....  to  Sell  the  old 
Bell  and  get  the  1279  lb.  Bell  that  Mr.  Reed  saw  in  New  York  .... 
to  ceil  the  Bell  Tower  over  head  at  top  of  the  windows  ....  to  sell 
Nathaniel  Matthews  the  old  Book  Case  for  three  Dollars  which  he  has 
paid  for  grading  ....  to  grade  the  church  grounds"  ....  Finance 
also  occupies  considerable  time  in  these  1863  gatherings. 

1864 — Slips  No.  11,  6o  and  77  are  voted  to  be  given  to  Mr.  Ikuritt 
Darrow,  organist.  Miss  Dora  Williams,  soprano,  and  Miss  Electa  Church- 
ill, alto,  for  musical  services.  These  two  ladies  with  Franklin  Downes, 
bass,  and  Eugene  Matthews,  tenor,  formed  probabh^  the  first  quartette 
choir  in  Bristol;  broken  only  by  the  early  death  of  Mr.  Matthews.  Mr. 
Darrow  is  the  only  ineinber  now  living  (1907). 

Rev.  N.  J.  Seeley  wrote  in  1898  that  the  entire  cost  of  the  new 
church,  together  with  furnishings,  organ,  grading,  fence,  etc.,  "was 
something  over  Ten  Thousand  Dollars."  A  small  note  book  in  the 
possession  of  the  writer  gives  a  long  list  of  contributors  to  this  fund. 
A  lesfacv  was  left  the  church  this  vear  bv  Daniel  Hill. 


A     BIT    OF    WEST    CEMETERY SHOWING    THE    BROCKETT    AND    WELCH 

MONUMENTS. 


320 


BRISTOL   CONNECTICUT, 


1865- 1SG6 — Witnessed  quietude  and,  let  us  trust,  rest  from  money 
collections. 

1867 — There  was  a  call  to  "supply  a  rector,"  Rev.  Mr.  Seeley  having 
accomplished  his  task  and  resigned.  The  old  church  was  later  sold  to 
the  Methodists  and  moved  by  them  to  Forestville  where  it  was  afterward 
burned. 

1868 — Rev.  A.  E.  Bishop  accepted  a  call. 

1869 — The  "Pledge  System"  inaugurated;  and  vote  passed  to  take 
two  "contributions"  each  Sunday.  The  Weltons  were  here  interested  in 
the  music  together  with  various  church  members — Holt,  Olcott,  Downes, 
Prior  and  others  in  turn,  seldom  mentioned  on  records. 

1870 — In  April  Mr.  Bishop  resigned;  and  in  Sept.  the  Rev.  Wm.  G. 
Wells  succeeded  him — a  pastor  beloved  throughout  the  town  as  well 
as  in  his  own  church. 

On  April  18,  1870,  Herald  J.  Potter,  who  had  served  as  Clerk; for 
twenty-eight  years,  and  attended  every  meeting,  with  the  exception 
of  three,  in  April  1858 — made  his  last  entry  in  the  old  Record,  and 
passed  on  to  the  Beyond. 

1872 — Rev.  Mr.  Wells  resigned — and  his  loss  was  universally~re- 
gretted.      Rev.  Mr.  Piggott  was  called,  and  remained  nine  months. 

1873 — Church  land  sold  to  Savings  Bank  at  north  of  church. — 
Vote  of  thanks  to  Ingraham  Co.,  for  gift  of  clock. — Rev.  J.  D.  Gilliland 
called. 

1874-5-6-7 — The    entries    run    smoothly.      Xames    familiar    today 
appear   on   the   record.     A   few   are   recalled   here — though   there   were 
others   equally   well   known    for   which   time   for   research   fails.     Some 
are    as    follows:     Sutliffe,    Griffin,    Linstead,    Funck,    Muzzy,    Barnum, 
Olcott,   Holt,   Woodward,   Steele,   Welton,   Morgan,   Pennoyer,   Bradley, 
Sherman,    Reed,    Downes,    Bassett,   and   so   on     .......        .... 

Groups  of  workers  in   different  periods   stand  out   clearly,   each  group 


C.\.\DEE    MONUMENT,     WEST    CE.METERY 


OR        NEW    CAMBI^IDGE. 


321 


i;elated  to  its  own  day — founders,  officers,  committees,  delegates,  so- 
cieties, collectors  (the  former  unhappy  "rate  gatherer";.  It  is  a  pity 
these  all  cannot  be  listed  as  they  worked 

1878 — Rev.  Mr.  Gilliland  resigned;  and  the  Revs.  Ockford,  Pratt, 
Rogers  and  Nichols  appear  on  the  baptismal  records  for  one  service 
each. 

1879 — Seats  assigned — not  sold. 

ISSO^Owing  to  infirmities  of  age,  Rev.  Mr.  Scott  who  succeeded 
Mr.  Gilliland,  resigned.  Reference  to  public  printing  and  insurance 
policies  show  changes  from  the  early  days.  Mr.  W.  E.  Johnson  officiated 
as  Lay  Reader. 

1881 — S.  R.  Goodrich  engaged  as  salaried  organist,  and  certain 
collections  reserved  as  Musical  Fund. 

1882 — Voted  to  call  Rev.  W.  E.  Johnson  as  "Rector  Elect  from  date 
of  his  ordination."  Call  accepted.  This  year  the  Wardens  are  author- 
ized to  "take  such  action  as  they  think  expedient  in  regard  to  the  run- 
ning and  switching  of  trains  on  Sundays,  to  the  annoyance  of  meinbers. 
of  Trinity  Parish."  Shades  of  ye  early  Church  of  England — that  such 
a  vote  should  be  needed !  .  .  .  .  A  (.'oinmittee  on  Repairs  was  author- 
ized to  consider  cost  of  moving  the  church  to  High  Street 

$5,000.00  offered  Church  Society  for  property  on  High  Street — declined. 
.  .  •.  .  Committee  appointed  to  lay  concrete  walk,  grade  yard,  paint 
church,  where  it  is,  and  add  appliances  to  obtain  more  heat" — (this  in 
lieu  of  "seeing  that  the  stove  pipe  does  not  leak!")    .... 

1883 — The    first     Rector's    Vacation    noted — four    weeks,    without 

rebate    of    salary Legacy    left    church    by    Mrs.    Betsey    Hills. 

.  .  .  .  New  horse  sheds  erected  ....  same  to  be  leased  on  week 
days,  reserving  Sunday  use  for  persons  attending  service. 

1884 — Special  musical  action.  Prof.  Stubbs  voted  salarv  to  in- 
struct a  vested  bov  choir,  and  hire  Miss  Youngs  as  organist. 


MKRRIAM     MONUMENT,     WEST    CEMETERY 


322 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


1885 — Organ  moved  from  loft  to  chancel  and  choir  seated  therein.. 

....    First  record  of  paid  sexton Voted  to  "buy  presents 

for  boys  in  choir,"  and  paint  rectory. 

1886 — First  record  of  appointment  of  usher.  Rev.  W.  E.  Johnson 
tendered  resignation;  but  was  requested  to  reconsider  "and  devote  his 
entire  time  to  Trinity  Parish"  (probably  in  reference  to  Mission  work). 
Declined,  because  of  previous  engagement. 

Rev.  W.  H.  Watkins  (former  La}^  Reader)  called,  but  declined. 
ATcommittee  was  appointed  "to  ascertain  the  availabilities  and  capabil- 
ities of  Mr.  ,  and  others."      Mr.  Shepard  appointed  to  read  during 

vacancy. 

Rev.  E.  C.  Johnson  called  and  accepted,  Negotiations  with  Rail- 
road Co.  concerning  sale  of  land,  for  "a  new  highway." 

1887 — "Voted  to  lease  the  Church  Building  for  two  religious  seryices 
a  week  provided  the  consent  of  the  Bisliop  be  obtained  thereto."  New 
concrete  walk  and  stone  gutter  ordered. 

1888 — Resolutions  of  sorrow  upon  the  loss  of  Hon.  Ilenrv  .\.  Mit- 
chell, are  entered  this  year.  Voted  to  sell  land  ujion  which  church 
now  stands  to  Wm.  Linstead,  for  the  sum  of  Ten  Thousand  Dollars 
(the  original  entire  cost  of  land,  church  and  all  . 

1889 — Voted  either  to  sell  church  building  or  to  move,  remodel 
and  refurnish  present  edifice.  In  the  Committee's  re])ort  we  find  refer- 
ences  to   modern   improvements,   parlor,   dining-room,   kitchen such 

as  would  have  delighted  the  heart  of  the  New  York  rector  of  1848,  who 
asked  but  a  vestry  and  repairs'  The  Committee  to  move  and  re-model, 
consisted  of  Adrian  J.  Muzzy,  Wm.  Linstead  and  George  Steele.  Mr. 
Linstead  and  the  Society  each  donated  a  strip  of  land  five  feet  wide  to 
form  a  mutual  drivewav.  In  July  1889,  a  cordial  invitation  from  the 
Official  Board  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  to  use  their  Church 
Building  on  Sunday  afternoons  .during  the  remov-il  of  Trinity,  was 
-  unanimouslv     accepted     with     hearty     apjireciation.      Voted     that     the 


IIIE     WELCri    MONUMENT,     WEST    CEMETERY, 


NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


323 


following  articles  be  ...  .  deposited  in  corner  stone  of  eluirch  on 
High   street : — 

"1.  All  articles  ....  taken  from  old  corner  stone,  laid  in  ISOL', 
and  redeposited  this  day,  Sept.  9,  1889,  as  follows:  (Here  comes  list 
of  Church  and  Daily  papers,  etc.,  of  18(52,  Bible,  1859,  Common  Prayer 
Book,  Brief  History  of  Records  from  1754  to  1862,  etc.) 

"2.  New  articles  added:  Centennial  Celebration  of  Bristol,  1885, 
View  of  Bristol,  Daily  papers  of  New  York  and  Hartford,  1889,  Bristol 
Press  and  Bristol  Herald,  Church  Record,  Coins  and  Fractional  Currency, 
Cover  of  old  lead  box  in  corner  stone  of  1862,  Brief  History  of  Trinity 
from  1862  to  1889,  Rectors  and  present  officers,  Dates,  etc."  The  box 
was  deposited  in  the  northeast  corner  of  the  Church  Building,  at  the 
ceremony  of  the  laying  of  the  corner  stone,  prior  to  placing  the  church 
building'in  its  present  location  on  High  Street 


THE     SESSIONS    MONUMENT    IN    WEST    CEMETERY 


This  year  St.  John's  Mission  of  Forestville  joined ''with  Trinity 
Parish..     .    .     .    Rev.  E.  C.  Johnson  resigned.      Rev.  J.  C.  Linsley  called 

and  declined Rev.   Alfred  Lee   Royce  has  vote  of  thanks  for 

his  gift  of  a  Pra^'er  Desk,  in  memory  of  his  father. 

1890 — Strip    of    land    sold    to    Savings    Bank Committee 

of  four  appointed  to   welcome   strangers Rev.    S.    S.    Mitchell 

called,  declined Rev.  J.  H.  Fitzgerald  called,  accepted 

Vote  of  thanks  to  Mrs.  W.  E.  Sessions  for  her  gift  of  a  Lecturn  to  parish. 
....    Vote   of  thanks  to   Mr.    Rogers   for   gift   of   Prayer   Book   and 

Hymnal Rules  of  Order  for  Vestry  Meetings  adopted 

Memorial  Altar  to  the  late   Henry  A.   Mitchell     purchased  by  vote  of 

Vestry New  Rectory  built  facing  High  Street,  east  of  church, 

upon  old  rectory  garden Agent  appointed  to  represent  Society 

at  Hearing  in  regard  to  change  of  R.  R.  grade  crossing. 

1891 — "Voted  that  we  sign  the  testimonial  of  Charles  N.  Shepard 
to  the  Standing  Committee  of  the  Diocese  of  Connecticut." 


324 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


1892 — ^A^oted  inslructions  to  cover  chancel  window  from  the  intense 

colored     light    ....    dispose      of     horsesheds,      etc Ladies' 

Aid  Society  offers  to  be  responsible  for  half  choir  salaries,  which  is  "fully 
appreciated"  by  Vestry,  but  declined,  tho  the  Ladies'  Aid  agrees  to  pay 

i:he    Quartette At    the    first    meeting    noted    as    "held    in    the 

'Guild  Rooin,"  a  legacy  from  E.  E.  Shelton  is  gratefully  acknowledged. 
....    Vote  of  thanks  to  Mrs.   Hannah  Griffin  for  gift  of  $125.UU  to 

purchase  a  Flagon Other  gifts  to  the  church  are:     The  Bishop's 

■chair  and  cushion  from  Mrs.  C.  Adeline  (Downes)  Perry;  Reading 
Desk;  for  Altar  in  memory  of  Mrs.  Dora  (Williams)  Jacobs,  from  the 
Ladies'  Aid  Society,  two  brass  Super-Altar  Vases  from  Adrian  J.  Muzzy 
.and  Augustus  Funck,  inscribed  in  memory  of  departed  ones;  memorial 
Avindow^;  Altar  Rail;  stone '  baptismal  font  and  cover;  a  set  of  Altar 
Linen;  besides  other  gifts  for  use,  beauty  or  inemory,  not  all  recorded 
in   the  boolc. 

1892 — Voted  to  sell  the  "corner  lot" — Main  and  High  Streets — 
to  Mr.  Linstead. 

1893 — Church  lighted  by  electricity. 

1894-5-6 — Minutes  of  several  stormy  meetings  at  one  of  which 
Bishop  Williams  was  present Record  of  several  cash  gifts. 

1897 — Rev.  J.  H.  Fitzgerald,  resigned Rev.  John  Nichols 

■offered  his  services  as  supply  without  salary  during  the  vacancy.     This 

was    accepted    with    grateful    appreciation Mr.    Geo.    Dudley 

Seymour  was  authorized  to  "do  such  work  as  he  shall  deem  proper" 
in  the  old  Episcopal  burying  ground  on  the  hill  near  the  site  of  the  First 
Church."  (The  old  burying  ground  was  put  in  repair  and  a  boulder 
later  was  placed  upon  the  site  of  the  First  Church  by  Mr.  Seymour.) 
....  On  Oct.  6,  1897,  it  w^as  voted  to  extend  a  call  to  the  Rev. 
William  H.   Morrison.     This  was  accepted  and  Mr.   Morrison  continues 

in  the  office  at  this  date,  July,  1907 He  is  one  of  the  six  Rectors 

-who   have   reiTiained  for  a  period   of  about   ten   years,   during  the   one 


LKVITT     MOXIMEXT,     WKST    CKMETERV. 


NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


325 


THE    HULL    MONUMENT    IN    WEST    CEMETERY 


hundred  and  sixty  odd  years  of  the  Parish  existence.  Great  good  has 
been   acconipHshed   under   his   leadership,   especially   during   the   period 

from    1902   to    1907.      Membership   has  increased In    1898  the 

amount  raised  bv  the  Parish  for  church  expenses  was  $892.00;  in  1906 
a  little  less  than  $4,000.00. 

1905-6-7 — -The  improvements  show  the  work  of  an  active  Parish. 
Among  them  are  noted:  Painting  of  church  building;  church  newly 
carpeted;  Sunday  school  rooms  (The  Guild)  re-decorated;  a  new  brass 
pulpit  and  new  chancel;  and  a  beautiful  Memorial  Organ  presented 
by  Mrs.   Margaret  Sutliffe  in  memory  of  her  husband,  Samuel  M.  Sut- 

liffe  and  of  her  mother,  Mrs.  Hannah  Griffin For  many  years 

Miss   Inez    Beckwith   is   noted   on   the   records,    as   organist;  with    Mrs. 

Florence   Leigh   as  leader  of  the   Vested   Choir The    Rectory, 

during  these  years  has  been  improved  by  the  introduction  of  electricity 
and  gas,  a  far  cry  fro  in  candles,  and  fire-wood  cut  early  "to  season.'' 
.    .    .    .    New  concrete  walks  are  laid  and  grading  is  also  done,  in  these 

recent   records The    Ladies'    Aid   Society   has   always   been   a 

most  iinportant  factor  in  the  life  of  the  church;  and  for  many  years 
has  helped  to  lift  the  l)urdens  of  a  struggling  Parish, 

Of  the  usual  "church  troubles"  Trinity  has  had  only  its  allotted 
share;  but  until  all  men  are  so  constituted  that  all  think  alike  there 
must  be  that  difference  of  opinion,  which,  in  the  end  is  all  good,  for  it 
spells  progress,  after  all. 

Since  1860  the  record  shows  year  by  year,  the  name  of  the  l)eloved 


326 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


and  venerated  Bishop  Williams,  side  by  side  with  the  Confirmation 
Lists.  Following  him  comes  our  Bishop  Brewster  and  twice  only  does 
the  name  of  Bishop,  other  than  these,  appear:  Bp.  Seabury  and  Bp. 
Niles  of  New  Hampshire Partial  lists  of  marriages  and  bap- 
tisms appear  elsewheie — tho  seemingly  very  incomplete The 

Clerks  of  the  Parish  were:  H.  A.  Mitchell,  1834;  Elijah  Shelton,  1835^ 
1842-  H.  J.  Potter,  1842-1871;  A.  H.  Barnum  (supply),  1871;  S.  M. 
SutUffe,  1872-1880;  A.  J.  Muzzy,  1880-1895;  Geo.  T.  Waterhouse, 
1895-1897;  A.  J.  Muzzy,  1897  to  date,  1907.  It  would  be  of  great 
interest  had  these  records  all  been  writ  fuller— personal  relations  of 
pastor  and  people — the  life  of  those  who  made  the  Church;  but  as  each 
entry  is  complete  or  lacking  according  to  the  whim  of  the  Clerk  who 
recorded,  it  is  only  left  for  the  student  of  human  nature  to  read  between 
the  lines',  and  then  shrewdly  guess  the  history  of  those  old  days — the 
toil  of  those  bygone  people — their  self-denial,  service,  and  weary  struggles, 
all  for  conscience  sake. 


UKNEKAI.     VIKW     OF     THE     OLD    NORTH    CK  .MKTK  K  V . 


'new    CAMBRIDGE."  327 


NOTES  ABOUT  THE  FIRST  EPISCOPAL 
CHURCH. 


The   Burning  of  the  First  Episcopal  Church  and  Some 
Otems  Items  of  Early  History. 

By  Mrs.  Ellen  Lewis  Peck. 

THE  First  Episcopal  Church  stood  on  the  Federal  Hill  Green  on 
the  spot  where  is  now  a  boulder  placed  by  Mr.  George  D.  Seymour 
to  mark  the  site.  Its  adjacent  burial  ground  was  directly  east 
of  the  building,  where  it  still  remains. 

Mr.  Abel  Lewis,  my  grandfather,  who  had  built  a  house  in  1793, 
on  the  corner  and  kept  an  inn,  bought  the  Church  after  it  had  ceased 
to  be  used  for  religious  purposes  and  used  it  as  a  bam.  One  day,  Mr. 
Lewis's  brother,  who  lived  near  the  north  burying  ground  saw  a  steady 
line  of  smoke  rising  from  the  back  end  of  the  barn  and  mounting  his 
horse  rode  down  to  see  what  it  meant.  There  had  been  blasting  near 
there  and  it  was  supposed  a  spark  of  fire  went  through  a  knot  hole  into 
the  hay.  The  windows  and  contents  of  the  barn  excepting  the  hay 
were  removed,  but  the  heavy  oak  timbers  and  hay  burned  constantly  for 
over  three  weeks.  Water  was  impossible  to  be  got  on  the  Hill,  but  finally 
a  long  rain  came  and  nearly  put  it  out,  but  it  smouldered  for  some  time 
longer 

The  windows  were  afterwards  put  into  a  gambrel  roofed  house, 
which  Mr.  Lewis  built  as  a  dwelling-house  and  store  for  Mr.  George 
Mitchell,  who  had  been  a  clerk  for  Mr.  Thomas  Barnes  in  a  store  near 
his  dwelling-house  opposite  the  Bristol  House.  Mr.  Mitchell  lived  in 
the  east  part  of  the  building  and  the  store  was  in  the  west  end.  After 
his  removal  the  store  was  continued  by  Mr.  Lewis  till  he  removed  to 
the  foot  of  the  Hill  at  the  end  of  Maple  street,  after  the  Hartford  and 
Danbury  Turnpike,  now  North  street  and  Farmington  avenue,  was 
opened.  The  south  half  of  the  second  story  of  his  house  on  the  Hill 
had  a  nice  ball  room,  where  nmnerous  balls  and  dances  were  held  and 
he  furnished  suppers  and  also  sold  beer  and  other  liquors  and  cakes. 

On  public  occasions,  as  training  days,  etc.,  the  Green  was  the  center 
of  festivities.  One  Fourth  of  July,  tables  were  set  on  the  Green  for  500 
guests  at  once,  who  had  a  generous  dinner  of  turkeys,  chicken  pies  and 
all  accompanying  "fixin's."  The  tables  were  screened  by  a  row  of 
trees  set  as  an  arbor  by  the  young  men  of  the  town.  The  church  bells 
were  rung  in  the  early  morning  and  an  oration  and  address  delivered. 

There  was  no  road  running  east  and  west  between  Lewis  and  Federal 
streets  till  the  turnpike  was  cut  through,  when  Mr.  Hinman  built  a 
rival  tavern  at  the  foot  of  Maple  street.  Mr.  Lewis  bought  him  out  and 
moved  into  that  house  in  order  to  keep  the  stage  passengers  and  horses 
which  he  did  tintil  his  death  in  1820.  After  his  death  his  daughter  ran 
the  tavern  for  a  while  and  the  store  on  a  small  scale  till  her  death  in 
1853.     The  store  and  house  were  known  as  Aunt  Roxa's  for  many  years. 


328  BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


Old   Episcopal   Cemetery 


THE  accompanj-ing  material  was  kindly  furnished  by  Judge 
Epaphroditus  Peck,  and  his  letter  of  October  14,  1897  to  the 
Bristol  Press,  will  prove  of  great  value  in  supplementing  the 
information  obtained  by  the  Rev.  Charles  N.  Shepard. 

Editor  of  the  Bristol  Press: 

"Mr.  George  Dudley  Seymour,  who  had  lately  cleaned  up  the  old  Epis- 
copal Cemetery  on  the  hill,  has  handed  me  the  following  copy  of  the  in- 
scription on  the  stones  made  by  Rev.  Charles  N.  Shepard  in  1891: 

The  fragments,  last  mentioned  are  shown  by  a  list  of  stones  made  by 
Miss  Kezia  A.  Peck  in  1851,  to  belong  together,  and  to^be  a  stone  to  the 
memory  of  Lent  Price,  who  died  1809,   aged  42." 

Perhaps  here  it  will  not  be  out  of  place  to  express  the  earnest  hope 
that  in  the  immediate  future,  steps  will  be  taken  to  permanently  pre- 
serve this  historic  old  burying  place.  A  simple  iron  fence  would  afford 
the  needed  protection,  and  future  generations  will  point  to  this  spot 
as  the  most  historic  place  in  the  town.  To  the  editor,  it  seems  almost 
a  sacrilege  that  it  is  left  in  its  present  unprotected  condition.  Who 
will  do  this  little  labor  of  love! 

Inscriptions  from  the  remaining  tombs  in  the  burying  ground  of 
the  Pre-Revolution  Episcopal  Church  of  New  Cambridge,  copied  bv 
Mr.  Charles  N.  Shepard  of  Bristol,  April  20,  1891. 

In  Memory  of  Mr 

Jarard  Ailing  Hoo 

Departed  This  Life 

September  The  12  1794 

in  the  24  year  of  His 

Age 

you  yong  companians  all 

of  the  dere  youth 
That  by  his  deth  are  cold 

read  this  truth 

That  suddin  you  may  die 

AWay  your  soul  may  fly 

Into  eternit}^ 

Which  hath  no  end. 

(This  stone  appears  to  be  the  first  work  of  a  youthful  amateur.) 

Here  lies  ye  Body  of 

Mrs.  Phebe  Wife  of 

Mr.  Thomas  Beach  she 

died  Aprl  ye:  30th  1758 

in  ye:  91st  year  of 

her  Age. 


OR        NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


329 


r^^^sp^f 


The   graves   chuwn   in   the   ihustration   are   numbered,    and   are   as 

follows : 

Mrs.  Athildred  ('arrington. 

A.  B.  Carrington. 
Salmon  Mathews. 

:\Irs.  Hannah  Hill. 
Mrs.  Ruth  Mathews. 
Rhoda  Royce. 
Maurice  INhithews. 
Mrs.  Nehemiah  Royce. 
Stephen  Brooks. 
Jarard  Ailing. 
John  Hickox. 
Abel  Rovs. 


No. 

1. 

No. 

2. 

No. 

o 
O. 

No. 

4. 

No. 

5. 

No. 

6. 

No. 

7. 

No. 

8. 

No. 

9. 

No. 

10. 

No. 

11. 

No. 

12. 

No. 

13. 

330  BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 

Here  Lieth  Interr'd 

the  Body  of  Mr  , 

Stephen  Brooks 

Who  Departed  this 

Life  May  ye  16th  AD. 

1773  in  the  71st  year 

of  his  Age 

Behold  &  see  as  you  Pass  by 
As  you  are  now  so  once  was  I. 
As  I  are  now  so  you  must  be 
Prepare  For  death  &  follow  me. 

A.  B.  Carrington 

departed  this  life 

June  2,  1824 

AE  29. 

(Footstone,  marked  A.  B.  C.) 

In 

Memory  of 

Mrs.  Ath'ildred 

wife  of 

Mr.  Lemuel  Carrington, 

who  died 

Dec.  10th,  1811 

In  the  58th  year 

of  her  age. 

A  pleasing  form,  a  generous  gentle  heart, 
A  good  companion,  honest  without  art, 
Just  in  her  dealings,  faithful  to  her  friend, 
Belov'd  in  hfe,  lamented  in  the  end. 

Hear  Lies  the 

Body  of  Mr  JOSEPH 

GAYLORD  Who 

Departed  This  Life 

Octr  ye  20th  AD  1791 

In  the  70th  year  of 

His  Age. 

In  Memory  of 

Mr  Cornelius 

Graves  Junr  who 

Departed  this 

life  October  the 

7th  1781  in  the  25 

Year  of  his 

Age. 

(Footstone  marked  Cornelius  Graves.) 
Probably  the  father  of  the  noted  Stephen  Graves^of  the  Tory  Den. 

Here  lies 

ye  Body  of 

Hannah  wife  of 

Cornelius  Graves 

She  died  Novmr 

ye  17,  1759  :in 

ye  34  year  of 

her  Age. 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE."  331 

In  Memory  of 

Mr  John  Hickox 

he  died  Febrv  14th 

1765  in  ye:''68th 

year  of  his  Age. 

(Footstone  marked  J.  H.) 

In  Memory  of  Mrs 

Hannah  Hill  ve:  Wife 

of  Mr  Dan  Hill 

She  Died  Febry  ye 

13th  1766  in  ye: 

29th  year  of 

her  Age. 

(Footstone  marked  Hannah  Hill.) 

In  Memory  of  Capt 

Caleb  Mathews 

Who  Departed  this 

life  April  ye  7th  1786 

In  the  83d  year  of 

his  Age. 

(Footstone  marked  Caleb  Mathews.) 

In  Memory  of 
Mrs  Ruth  Consort 

of  Capt  Caleb 
Mathews.     Who 
Departed  this  life 

November  3d 

1785  In  the  73d 

year  of  her  Age. 

(Footstone  marked  Ruth  Mathews.) 

In  Memory  of 

Mamre  Daugtr  of 

Capt  Caleb  &  Mrs 

Ruth  Mathews  She 

died  April  ye  25th 

1759  in  ye  14th  year 

of  her  Age. 

(This   stone  is   almost  illegible,   but  I  think   I   have  deciphered   it 

correctly.     The  grave  is  short  and  the  footstone  marked  M.  M.) 

lu  Memory  of 

Mr.  NATHANIEL  MATHEWS 

who  died  Feb.  15,  1806 

aged  78  j^ears 

"Blessed  are  the  dead  who  die  in  the  Lord. 

(Footstone  marked  N.  M.) 

In 

Memory  of 

Mr.  Salmon  Mathews, 

Son  of  Mr  Nathaniel  & 

Mrs.  Martha  Mathews, 

who  died 

Dec.  27th  1803 

acred  35  vears. 


332  BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 

Death  is  a  debt  to  nature  due, 
Which  I  have  paid  and  so  must  you. 

In  Memory  of  Mr 
Abel  Roys  he  Died 
Septr  ye  6th  1769  in  ye  69th 
year  of  his  Age. 
Behold  and  se  as  you  pass 
by  as  3'ou  are  now  so  once 
was  I 
(Footstone  marked  A.  R.  i 

Here  Lies  the  Bodv  of 
Mr  NEHEMIAH  ROY 
CE  Who  Departed  This 

Life  Feb  (?)— 
AD  1791  In  the 

*      69th  Year  of  His  Age 

Behold  and  see,  as  you  pass  by 
As  you  are  now,  so  once  was  I. 
As  I  am  now  so  you  must  be, 
Prepare  for  death  and  follow  me. 

(The  inscription  on  this  stone  is  in  very  poor  condition;  the  latter 
part  of  the  fourth  line  is  wholly  gone  and  the  figures  of  the  year  and 
age  (except  the  6)  are  very  indistinct,  and  I  may  have  read  them 
wrongly.     The  footstone  is  marked  Nehemiah  Royce.) 

Here  Lies  Buried,  the  Bodv 

of  Mrs  RHODA  ROYCE ' 

the  Wife  of  Mr  Nehemiah  Ro 

Rovce,  Who  Died  August 

29th  AD  1786:  in  the  61st 

year  of  her  Age. 

(Footstone  marked  Rhoda  Royce.) 

The  top  of  a  marble  slal)  in  two  pieces  inscribed: 

In 
Memory  of  - 

NT   RICE 

Another  marble  fragment  possibly  of  the  same  slab  marked:  i 

AE  42  j 

Ten  tender  plants  ' 

To  mourn  my  dear 

O  ina)'  we  meet  1 

When  Christ  from  dea 

Oct.  27,  1899,  Rev.  Alfred  Lee  Royce  identifies  this  fragment  as 
belonging  to  the  above  stone,  by  the  age  and  the  mention  of  ten  children. 

It  appears  from  record  of  inscriptions  in  the  old  yard  made  by  Miss 
K.  A.  Peck  in  18ol,  that  this  stone  is  to  Lent  Rice,  who  died  1809, 'ae  42. 


NEW     CAMBRIDGE. 


]3rlgllt^vood   Hair 


Bv   Fred    Calvin   Xurton 

Passengers  on  the  Highland  Division,  passing  through  Bristol, 
notice  as  they  look  out  of  the  ear  windows  an  imposing  castle  of  granite 
on  the  hill  west  of  the  town,  within  sound  of  the  busy  hum  of  Bristol's 
industries.  It  stands  as  a  sort  of  sentinel  over  the  thriving  town  of 
commerce  much  as  did  the  old  English  castles  over  the  more  peaceful 
towns  of  England  and  Scotland  .iU(i  years  ago. 

Brightwood  Hall,  the  name  of  the  castle,  is  more  interesting  to  the 
traveler  Avhen  he  is  told  that  the  owner,  Mrs.  Helen  Atkins-McKay, 
daughter  of  Bristol's  millionaire  clock  manufacturer  is  deterred  from 
finishing  the  structure  on  account  of  ill  health  and  that  the  finishing 
touches  will  probably  be  made  after  her  death. 

For  years  she  planned,  worked  and  thought  over  the  erection  of 
this  magnificent  country  seat  and  its  completion  was  one  of  the  great 
aspirations  of  her  life;  but  the  erection  of  castles  of  this  sort  entail  much 
arduous  studv  and  planning.      Mrs.  Atkins-McKay  is  now  well  along  m 


BRIGHTWOOD    HALL 


*  Publisheii  in  ITarlfonl  Cnurant.  Mav  'J?.   100-1 


334  BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 

years,  her  health  is  poor  and  she  will  probably  be  an  invalid  the  re- 
mainder of  her  days,  so  that  the  completion  of  the  granite  pile,  the  aim 
and  thought  of  her  life  will  have  to  be  left  for  others.  She  has  spent 
on  the  estate  to  date  at  least  $150,000  and  its  completion  means  that 
$75,000  more  will  have  to  be  spent. 

Brightwood  Hall,  had  it  been  completed,  would  have  been  a  sort 
of  monument  to  the  Welch  family  of  Bristol,  of  which  Mrs.  Atkins- 
McKay  is  a  member.  Her  father  was  the  late  ex-Senator  Elisha  X. 
Welch,  who  commenced  his  bttsiness  life  here  wheeling  iron  in  a  small 
foundry  on  North  Main  street  but  ended  as  the  millionaire  clock  manu- 
facturer of  Connecticut.  He  was  bom  in  East  Hampton  and  came  to 
Bristol  when  a  young  man  and  bought  out  the  old  Brown  clock  factor}' 
in  Forest ville.  He  did  not  know  anything  more  about  clock  making 
then  than  any  other  shrewd  Yankee  did;  but  he  built  up  a  business 
that  was  not  equalled  in  the  state  during  his  life.  His  clocks  were 
known  all  over  the  world  and  he  died  in  Bristol  not  so  many  years  ago, 
possessed  of  an  estate  estimated  at  $3,000,000. 

He  left  several  children,  the  oldest  of  whom  was  Mrs.  Atkins-McKay 
the  castle  builder.  Her  old  home  Avas  for  many  years  on  West  street 
in  Bristol  and  there  she  was  born  in  what  is  now  known  as  the  Gaylord 
house.  Her  father  lived  there  when  a  young  man  and  in  that  neighbor- 
hood he  saw  the  first  early  successes  of  his  busy  life.  When  Mrs.  Atkins- 
McKay  became  older  she  gained  the  idea  that  she  Avanted  a  fine  country 
seat  in  the  neighborhood  of  her  youthful  home  and  with  this  in  mind 
she  planned  for  years  towards  its  realization.  \  woman  of  more  than 
ordinary  ability,  of  wide  reading  and  scholarly  inclinations,  she  travelled 
in  all  parts  of  the  world.  Fourteen  times  she  crossed  the  Atlantic 
Ocean.  She  visited  the  art  galleries  of  Venice.  Milan,  Rome  and  other 
cities,  studied  their  treasures  and  gained  much  information  about  her 
scheme  of  erecting  a  castle  in  her  native  town. 

She  visited  Abbotsford,  the  home  of  Sir  Walter  Scott,  studied  the 
medieval  castles  in  both  England  and  Scotland  and  was  a  student  of 
classical  architecture  for  many  years  before  she  consulted  an  architect 
about  the  bviilding  of  her  house. 

At  length  she  decided  on  what  she  wanted  to  do  and  coming  to 
her  old  home  here  purchased  from  the  Tracy  Peck  estate  about  six- 
teen acres  of  land  which  was  directly  across  the  street  from  where  she 
lived  as  a  girl.  The  tract  of  land  is  on  a  hill  west  of  the  town  and  is 
one  of  the  best  locations  for  a  country  seat  that  one  will  find  short  of 
the  Bcrkshires.  It  is  on  an  elevation  of  500  feet  from  the  sea  level  and 
from  the  grassy  slopes  in  front  of  the  castle,  can  be  seen  all  but  the  low- 
land district  of  the  busy  town.  To  the  north  and  south  stretch  the 
ranges  of  green  hills  that  make  Bristol  so  beautiful.  To  the  southeast 
can  be  seen  Meriden  Mountain  and  South  Mountain  in  Bristol  which 
divides  New  Haven  and  Hartford  Counties. 

About  eighteen  A^ears  ago  the  owner  first  commenced  the  work 
of  transforming  her  purchase  into  a  baronial  estate  and  it  has  gone  for- 
ward each  year  until  within  a  short  period  when  ill  health  compelled 
her  to  desist  from  further  effort.  First  she  caused  to  be  erected  a  granite 
wall  four  feet  high  around  the  front  portion  of  her  estate.  A  lodge 
for  the  superintendent  was  erected  at  one  corner,  after  the  English 
fashion  and  at  the  top  of  the  grassy  slope  the  foundations  for  the  castle 
were  laid.  The  architect  who  drew  the  plans  was  H.  Neil  Wilson  of 
Pittsfield,  Mass.,  but  Mrs.  Atkins-McKay's  was  the  real  planning  mind 
of  the  whole  structure.  The  granite  for  the  noble  pile  was  taken  from 
the  town  much  of  it  was  quarried  on  the  estate  she  bought  and  it  is 
of  particularly  fine  color  and  effect.  And  the  stone  was  cut  and  fitted 
on  the  grounds. 

A  Frenchman,  Adrian  Taillion,  who  had  come  from  Canada  a  few 
years  previous,  built  the  castle.  Without  any  training  except  what 
he  gave  himself,  lie  started  tlie  work  antl  carried  it  on  imtil  it  was  stopped 


OR     "new     CAMBRIDGE." 


335 


RESIDENCE    MRS.     ATKINS-MCKAV BRIGHTWOOD. 


a  few  years  ago.  He  had  a  big  gang  of  experienced  masons  at  work 
on  the  castle  but  it  is  said  of  him  that  he  ahvays  laid  more  stone  than 
any  two  of  the  men  laboring  for  him.  The  work  of  constructing  the 
mammoth  structure  was  slow  and  only  a  small  portion  was  done  each 
year.  It  is  now  coinpleted  so  far  as  the  outside  is  concerned  and  the 
interior  is  partitioned  off  so  that  one  can  get  an  idea  of  the  grand  pro- 
portions of  the  hall. 

The  main  building  is  of  Gothic  design,  principally,  although  Mrs. 
Atkins-KcMay  told  the  writer  tha't  it  belonged  to  no  particular  school 
of  architecture  but  that  it  was  a  combination  of  several.  It  is  about 
150  feet  long  and  50  feet  wide,  is  really  three  stories  high  and  has  an 
ell  part  erected  in  the  rear  which  is  40  by  30  feet.  The  whole  building 
is  of  granite  which  is  of  a  light  color.  The  illustration  accompanying 
this  article  shows  the  castle  facing  the  east  and  the  main  entrance  to 
the  hall  is  shown  in  the  center. 

At  the  left  of  the  illustration  is  the  tower  with  the  English  battle- 
ments from  which  one  obtains  a  fine  view.  Below  this  is  the  porte 
cochere.  where  the  visitor  alights  from  his  carriage  to  enter  the  hall. 
At  the  left  hand  corner  under  the  tower  is  the  entrance,  a  grand  affair 
of  massive  granite.  The  interior  is  divided  into  three  rooms  of  large 
dimensions,  each  being  at  least  forty  by  thirty  feet  in  size.  The"  recep- 
tion hall  is  the  first  room  as  one  enters  and  this  is  designed  for  a  drawing 
room  also  as  was  the  custom  in  the  baronial  castles  of  England.  At 
the  further  end  is  a  great  fire-place  and  in  the  south  end  of  the  reception 
hall  is  an  alcove  twenty  by  twenty  feet  which  is  designed  for  the  library 
of  the  hall.  The  ceiling  of  ])aneled  oak  is  very  high  and  the  windows  of 
modern  size.  Two  large  doors  lead  to  the  hall  pro]>er  as  was  the  case 
in  the  old  castles  of  England.  This  baronial  hall  is  one  of  the  most 
impressive  rooms  in  the  whole  building. 

Over  the  main  entrance  to  the  hall  is  the  coat  of  arms  of  the  family, 


336 


BRISTOL.    CONNECTICUT 


the  Latin  inscription  on  which  is  "Auspice  Numinee."  The  tablet 
which  is  of  granite  and  cleverly  executed  was  made  in  England  and 
brought  to  Bristol  by  Mrs.  Atkins-McKay.  The  hall  reaches  across  the 
castle  and  overhead  to  the  extreme  top  of  the  big  building.  It  is  modeled 
after  the  old  style  so  that  the  ceiling  of  the  hall  is  the  roof  of  the  castle. 
This  admits  of  a  fine  effect  inside,  with  a  grand  staircase  winding  up  to 
each  side  of  the  broad  galleries  surrounding  the  hall.  This  reminds 
one  of  the  pen  pictures  of  the  galleries  in  the  baron's  hall  of  old  Eng- 
land, and  of  the  festal  occasions  which  so  often  took  place  around  them. 

The  hall  is  large  enough  to  hold  a  troop  of  horsemen  and  an  assem- 
blage of  people  numbering  several  hvmdreds,  could  find  easy  accom- 
modation inside.  One  Bristol  contractor  said  not  a  great  while  ago 
that  the  completion  of  this  h^l  alone  meant  an  outlay  of  at  least  $10,000. 
The  whole  building  is  on  a  grand  scale  and  no  expense  has  been  spared 
thus  far  to  make  it  a  thing  of  beauty  and  of  massive  elegance. 

From  the  hall  the  visitor  walks  through  another  great  portal  into 
the  banquet  hall  of  the  castle  which  is  a  huge  room  with  high  ceiling, 
as  large  as  the  reception  hall  at  the  left  of  the  illustration.  Doors  open 
from  the  banquet  hall  to  the  quarters  of  the  maids  and  butlers  and  in 
the  rear  of  the  castle  is  the  servants  quarters.  The  kitchen  is  back 
of  the  banquet  hall.  The  floor  is  of  cement  and  tile  was  to  have  been 
laid  in  it.  A  great  oven  large  enough  for  a  New  York  hotel  occupies  a 
prominent   place. 

After  seeing  the  first  floor  one  ascends  to  the  second  by  the  great 
staircase  which  is  a  work  of  art  so  far  as  stair-building  is  concerned. 
A  wide  hallway  extends  across  the  rear  of  the  chambers  which  are  six 
in  number  and  all  of  such  size  as  castle  chambers  should  be.  The  tower 
chamber  is  one  of  the  pleasantest  in  the  castle  and  there  is  still  one 


l.OC,    CABIN    ON     KALI.    MOUNTAIN. 

{  PhotograpJi  byMilo  Leon  Norton.) 


OR    NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


33V 


i 

1 

u 

m. 

ll^W^ 

^^^Wi^^m^^B^K*^^^^^Sm^^^^^^^m 

^^mP"?  ■ 

i       Ui 

Mil  VM 

II  11  i 

■lil  1   ^  ■   '"".     ■ 

THE     OLD    SAMUEL    LADD    HOME PEACEABLE    STREET. 

Since  destroyed  by  fire.  Photo  loaned  by  Mrs.  Bassett. 


above  this  which  makes  that  portion  of  tlie  buildhig  three  stories  high. 
The  attic  is  so  arranged  that  one  may  go  there  and  w^alk  out  on  the 
battlements  to  enjoy  the  view'.  The  whole  strvictiire  impresses  one 
as  European  and  makes  one  realize  more  than  ever  the  grand  homes 
of  old  England. 

The  stable  is  of  similar  construction  to  the  castle  and  is  not  far 
froin  the  main  building.  There  are  quarters  for  the  stablemen  and 
coachmen  and  the  ceiling  of  the  stable  is  finished  in  quartered  oak, 
representing  a  large  outlay  of  money.  In  a  large  chest  in  the  harness- 
room  is  a  fine  bear  skin  rug  which  Mrs.  Atkins-McKav  purchased  in 
Stockholm  a  few  years  ago.  This  is  said  to  be  worth  at  least  $1,000  and 
was  originally  designed  to  decorate  the  hall  of  the  castle. 

Mrs.  Atkins-McKay  erected  in  the  summer  of  18S8  about  the  time 
work  was  commenced  on  her  castle,  a  cottage  in  the  rear  of  the  big 
structure  which  she  intended  for  a  summer  residence  during  the  tiine 
her  great  house  was  building.  She  has  occupied  this  at  different  periods 
since  but  most  of  her  time  has  been  spent  in  traveling  abroad.  She 
is  now  and  has  been  for  some  time  at  her  cottage  which  she  calls  Bright- 
wood  cottage  and  will  probably  always  remain  there.  Tn  the  south 
range  of  mountains  a  few  miles  away  stands  a  log  cabin  that  was  erected 
by  her  a  few  years  ago  and  this  is  on  an  elevation  of  nearly  1,000  feet 
above  the  sovmd.  From  this  place  the  views  are  grand  and  are  probably 
not  exceeded  in  the  state. 


n3S 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


TIIK   TOWN   BUILDING,   NORTH   MAIN    STREET. 


OR        NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


339 


Bristol's    Early   Industries 


By  Hon.   Noble  E.   Pierce. 

The  following  is  a  compilation  of  Roswell  Atkins'  Notes  on  the  early  industries  of 
Bristol,  other  than  the  clock  business,  by  Hon.  Noble  E.  Pierce.  One  or  two  unimportant 
changes  are  placed  in  brackets. 

THE  early  history  of  the  manufacturing  enterprises  of  the  town 
is  for  the  most  part  extremely  vague  as  to  location  and  dates. 
The  earliest  ventures  in  that  line  seem  to  have  been  confined  to 
the  immediate  necessities  of  the  people — the  grist  mill  to  fit 
the  grain  for  consumption,  the  spinning  wheel  and  loom,  the  fulling 
mill,  the  tannery  and  the  shoe  shop,  the  tin  shop  in  which  was  made 
the  ovens,  sometimes  called  Dutch  ovens,  to  set  before  the  large  fire- 
place to  bake  meat  and  bread,  at  the  same  time  the  potatoes  and  other 
vegetables  were  boiling  over  the  fire  or  roasting  in  the  ashes  beneath. 

Previous  to  the  incorporation  of  the  town  (1785)  only  tradition 
and  the  assessment  rolls  give  any  clues  to  the  occupations  of  the  in- 
habitants. This  is  indicated  by  the  imposition  of  what  was  called  a 
faculty  tax,  apparently  because  certain  men  were  able  to  command 
more  compensation  than  from  farming  alone.  Thus  we  find  in  1760, 
in  addition  to  the  farms  and  stock  assessed  to  Benjamin  Churchill,  twenty- 
four  pounds  faculty  tax.  He  had  a  saw-mill  but  what  beside  that  is 
not  known.  Abel  Lewis  1775,  fifteen  pounds,  he  was  a  merchant;  1765, 
Samuel  Deming  twenty  pounds,  and  in  1775,  thirty  pounds — this  was 
for  a  grist  mill;  Zebvilon  Frisbie  and  Thomas  Hungerford  ten  pounds, 


*^  >*«frV.Vt.UXiCtt?CitvXX.Ti^>lSx>^V^^^ 


VIEWS    OF   TERRY    &   ANDREWS    CLOCK     FACTORY,     1856. 

Factory  was  built  on  ruins  of  old  Terry  Factory,  burned  about  1840.     From  Ambertypes 
taken  by  William  A.  Terry. 


340  BRISTOL,     CONNECTICUT 

they  had  tanneries;  Josiah  Holt,  1776,  fifteen  pounds,  he  was  a  doctor; 
James  Lee  eighteen  to  twenty  pounds,  his  business  was  blacksmithing; 
James  Stoddard  1760,  thirty-five  pounds,  business  unknown;  Seth 
"Roberts  twenty-five  pounds,  probably  for  a  store;  Gideon  Roberts 
twelve  pounds,  probably  for  the  manufacture  of  clocks.  In  1779, 
Abel  Lewis  was  assessed  seventy-five  pounds,  innkeeper  and  merchant. 
These  taxes  were  not  always  the  same  for  different  years,  nor  does  the 
list  state  the  grovmd  on  which  the  faculty  tax  was  laid,  and  the  amounts 
vary  from  one  to  thirty-five  pounds. 

These  taxes  w^ere  continued  in  a  similar  form,  giving  the  occupa- 
tion and  substituting  the  decimal  sj'stem  for  the  pounds  up  to  about 
1849.  In  1823  there  were  forty-nine  persons  assessed  from  five  to 
seventy-five  dollars;  in  1810  doctors  were  assessed  thirty-four  to  one 
hundred  dollars;  taverners  twenty  dollars,  blacksmiths  seventeen  dollars; 
grist  millers  thirty  to  forty  dollars;  sawmills  ten  to  thirty  dollars,  car- 
penters and  joiners  ten  to  thirty  dollars;  clothiers  forty  dollars;  tinners 
fifteen  to  fifty  dollars;  tanners  and  shoe  makers  seventeen  dollars; 
silversmiths  seventeen  dollars;  attorney-at-law  one  hundred  and  sixty- 
seven  dollars. 

The  first  gristmill  built  within  the  parish  limits  was,  as  far  as  can 
be  known,  owned  by  Joseph  Plumb  in  1741  on  the  south  side  of  the 
river  from  the  Pierce  homestead,  followed  soon  after  by  the  sawmill 
on  the  north  side  opposite  where  a  clothing  shop  was  also  built,  about 
the  same  time  Samuel  Deming  owned  the  gristmill  called  the  Langdon 
or  Downs  mill,  which  was  erected  soon  after  the  other. 

Tanneries  and  shoe  shops  were  also  located  in  different  sections 
soon  after  the  middle  of  the  century.  Jabez  Roberts  in  1750  tanned 
leather  by  the  old  English  processes  until  it  would  withstand  attacks 
of  water  for  any  reasonable  time,  the  local  forests  furnishing  the  ma- 
terial from  which  to  extract  tannin  suitable  for  the  different  uses,  hem- 
lock for  the  sole  leather,  oak  for  the  uppers,  and  sumac  for  the  linings 
and  finer  soft  leathers. 

Wood  turning  was  also  established,  the  forests  furnishing  abund- 
ance of  the  best  materials  for  making  articles  for  household  use,  trenchers 
or  plates,  clothes  pins,  rolling  pins,  mortars  and  pestles,  faucets  for 
the  cider  and  vinegar  barrels,  awl  handles,  pin  boxes,  lather  boxes, 
which  were  made  of  different  woods  to  suit  the  fancies  of  the  customers, 
and  a  lookingglass  was  inserted  in  the  cover  of  the  box.  combs  were 
manufactured  q.uite  extensively  made  from  wood  or  the  horns  of  cattle 
and  there  were  several  shops  for  their  manufacture;  numerous  spinning- 
wheels  required  in  order  to  furnish  clothing,  demanded  a  supply  which 
was  made  by  the  mechanical  skill  of  ou,r  fathers,  and  the  whole  outfit 
from  the  growing  of  the  wool  upon  the  body  of  the  sheep  and  the  pulling 
of  the  flax  in  the  held  to  the  finished  cloth  or  stocking  was  provided 
for  by  local  manufacture,  and  specimens  of  this  handiwork  are  still 
numerous  in  the  garrets  of  our  farm  houses  with  the  initials  of  the  makers' 
name  branded  on  them^J.  B.  for  Joel  Baldwin,  who  made  a  foot  lathe 
for  turning'the  several  parts;  he  lived  at  what  is  now  called  the  "Crit- 
tenden place"  in  Stafford  district.  (Joseph  Byington,  also  made  spin- 
ning wheels  on  Fall  Mountain,  and  some  of  the  "J.  B.'s"  are  his  initials.) 

Tin  shops  seem  to  have  been  quite  numerous  in  different  parts  of 
the  town,  one  of  two  on  red  stone  hill,  one  on  the  south  mountain,  one 
on  the  corner  of  School  and  West  streets  and  in  other  places.  In  1804. 
there  were  in  all  eleven  tin  shops,  together  with  two  cloth  manufac- 
turers, four  tanners  and  shoe  makers,  two  gristmills,  three  sawmills, 
two  carding  mills,  four  blacksmiths,  one  silversmith,  two  merchants, 
two  doctors,  one  lawyer,  and  several  taverns. 

The  tin  shops  sent  their  production  far  and  wide  over  the  country 
imtil  the  Yankee  tin  peddler  was  known  throughout  the  whole  country, 
they  were  not  all  from  Bristol,  but  Bristol  supjjiied  its  full  quota.  These 
tin  peddlers  also  sold  the  wooden  trenchers  and  other  wfioden  articles 
before  mentioned. 


OR        NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


341 


.Vllt'inpts  to  develop  the  ircjii  industry  of  the  town  were  early  entered 
upon.  Beside  the  blacksmith,  search  was  made  for  iron  ore,  and  the 
most  prominent  place  was  on  north  Chippin's  Hill  near  the  Burlington 
line.  This  was  leased  by  Luke  Gridley  who  experimented  upon  the 
ore  which  was  pronounced  of  excellent  quality,  and  in  order  to  work 
it  successfully  he  applied  to  the  Legislature  for  the  privilege  of  a  lottery 
to  raise  about  three  hundred  pounds,  his  petition  was  endorsed  by  about 
forty  of  the  principal  business  nien  of  the  surrounding  towns,  the  petition 
was  referred  to  a  committee  who  made  a  favorable  report  thereon.  It 
is  said  that  some  of  the  ore  was  reduced  and  it  is  probable  that  it  was 
reduced  at  what  was  called  the  forge,  which  was  situated  at  what  is  now 
known  as  Pequabuck  Falls  near  the  Plymouth  line.  This  forge  was 
established  before  1785  as  part  interests  therein  were  sold  from  time  to 
time  until  1807,  John  Rich  sold  his  interest  to  Sherman  Johnson,  retain- 
ing the  use  of  one  lire  sufiicient  to  make  one  ton  of  iron  per  year  for 
live  years;  that  this  was  not  a  black.smith  shop  is  evident,  as  mention 
is  made  of  one  on  the  same  premises  "located  near  the  forge." 

The  clock  industry  created  a  demand  for  castings  for  weights, 
also  bells,  which  was  inet  by  the  establishment  of  a  casting  shop  or 
foundry,  and  there  were  two  of  this  kind  as  early  as  1831.  Orrin  Judson 
and  Lord  S.  Hills  established  one  on  what  is  now  Union  street,  east  of 
the  brook  where  Claytons'  shear  shop  stands,  and  another  was  estab- 
lished on  what  is  now  West  street  by  George  Welch,  the  former  of  these 
was  not  long  used  as  it  was  not  easily  reached  and  was  probably  sold 
to  Welch  and  Mr.  Hills  was  taken  into  the  employ  of  Mr.  Welch.  It 
is  also  said  that  Mr.  Hills  at  one  time  had  a  small  foundry  on  what  is 
now  Vallev  street  for  a  short  time. 


GILDIN*G    ROO.M,     "RRICK    SHOP,"     MAY.     1888. 

From   Pliolo  loaned  by  Mrs.  Gilbert    Lvon. 


342  BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 

The  Welch  casting  shop  passed  into  the  hands  of  Elisha  N.  Welch 
who  removed  it  to  North  Main  street,  where  it  was  managed  by  him 
vmtil  about  1852,  when  Mr.  Welch  entered  into  partnership  with  Mr. 
Harve}^  Gray  and  bought  out  the  inachine  business  which  had  been 
established  by  Atkins,  Allen  &  Co.  on  West  street,  of  which  Mr.  Gray 
was  superintendent,  and  removed  it  to  a  shop  built  for  the  purpose 
adjoining  the  foundry.  In  this  shop  machinery  was  made  suitable 
for  making  clocks.  Presses  adapted  for  the  particular  uses  of  clock- 
making,  lathes  for  turning  the  several  parts,  so  that  every  one  of  a 
thousand  should  be  a  duplicate  of  its  fellow.  The  foundry  business 
was  carried  on  in  this  place  under  different  names  until  the  National 
Water  Wheel  Co.  took  possession  of  this  plant  for  the  manufacture 
of  water  wheels. 

The  Bristol  Foundry  Company  followed  and  conducted  the  foundry 
business  for  a  time  on  the  ground  where  Eaton's  elevator  and  the  brick 
shop  of  the  J.  H.  Sessions  &  Son,  factory  are  now  located,  the  business 
being  conducted  by  Gra)^  &  Bentley,  and  later  by  Gilbert  Bentley  and 
Andrew  Terry,  the  ground  where  the  fotmdry  was  located  having  been 
held  by  them  under  a  lease  from  1873  until  1876,  when  they  bought 
the  land  on  Laurel  street  and  removed  the  foundry  thereto,  greatly 
enlarged  it,  and  in  1879  sold  out  to  John  H.  Sessions,  who  associated 
with  him  his  son,  William  E.  Sessions,  and  they  conducted  the  business 
under  the  name  of  the  Sessions  Foundry  Co.  at  that  place  until  1895, 
when  the  building  of  the  present  plant  of  the  Sessions  Foundry  Co. 
was  completed,  which  is  now  the  largest  and  best  equipped  foundry 
plant  east  of  Chicago.     [End  of  the  Atkins  Notes.] 

Concerning  the  old  forge,  which  was  the  forerunner  of  the  present 
extensive  iron  works  of  the  Sessions  Foundry  Co.,  the  writer  has  in- 
formation obtained  from  his  grandfather,  who  was  familiar  with  the 
plant,  and  who  was  well  acquainted  with  its  proprietors.  Ore  was 
brought  from  the  Salisbury  mines  by  teams,  unloaded  at  the  top  of 
the  hill,  near  where  the  railway  embankment  now  is,  or  a  little  east  of 
where  the  railway  emerges  from  the  hills  and  parallels  the  road  near 
the  Devil's  Backbone.  The  old  road  was  obliterated  for  some  distance 
when  the  railway  was  built,  but  can  be  traced  for  a  short  distance  at 
the  top  of  the  hill,  at  about  the  same  height  as  the  railway.  It  was 
lowered  about  twenty  feet  by  the  railway  company,  and  about  twenty 
feet  more  by  the  tramway  compan}^  when  the  Terryville  trolley  line 
was  built.  The  ore  was  conveyed  to  the  forge  which  stood  on  the  bank 
of  the  river,  through  a  chute,  and  was  there  wrought  into  rods  by  means 
of  trip-hammers,  to  be  sold  to  blacksmiths.  In  digging  for  the  founda- 
tions of  an  enlargement  of  the  buildings,  iron  ore  was  discovered,  and 
some  of  it  worked  into  bars.  One  of  the  workmen  told  the  grandfather 
of  the  writer,  that  he  could  always  tell  when  he  was  forging  iron  from 
this  ore,  as  it  was  far  superior  to  the  Salisbury  product.  It  was  not  ob- 
tained in  large  qviantitics,  however,  and  its  working  was  only  experi- 
mental. The  cost  of  hauling  the  ore  over  the  Litchfield  hills,  was  the 
principal  reason  for  the  abandonment  of  the  enterprise. 

So  valuable  a  water  privilege  could  not  escape  the  notice  of  the 
thrifty  manufacturers  of  Bristol.  A  natural  dam,  consisting  of  a  spur 
of  rock,  covered  M'ith  a  thin  layer  of  soil,  and  forest  trees,  which  ex- 
tended in  the  remote  ages  across  the  valley,  at  this  point  not  more  than 
a  hundred  yards  in  width,  the  only  connecting  link  between  Fall  Mountain 
and  Chippens  Hill,  was  gradually  eaten  away  by  the  river,  until  a  chasm 
was  made  through  which  the  lake  above  was  eventitally  drained.  So 
narrow  was  this  natural  dam  it  was  possible  to  sit  astride  of  it,  and 
because  of  its  resemblance  to  the  spine  of  some  imaginary  monster, 
it  was  dubbed  by  the  early  settlers,  the  Devil's  Backbone.  It  was  not 
until  1837,  however,  that  the  privilege  was  utilized,  after  its  abandon- 
ment by  the  Forge  Companv.  In  that  year,  inspired  no  dovibt  by  the 
organization  of  The  Bristol  Manufacturing  Co.  and  the  building  of  the 
South   Side   satinet   mill,    a   knitting   company   was   formed,    known   as 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE.'' 


343 


The  Bristol  Falls  Co.,  to  Avhom  Ebenezer  Miller  and  Hiram  ("amp  con- 
veyed their  interest  in  the  property,  which  included  the  water  privi- 
lege, factory  and  other  buildings  standing  thereon.  The  company  was 
not  recorded  as  an  organization  until  1839,  with  a  capital  of  $20,000; 
Richard  Peck,  President,  Ebenezer  Miller,  and  Joshua  I.  Taylor,  Direc- 
tors. Chauncey  and  Noble  Jerome,  and  other  leading  business  men 
of  Bristol,  were  stockholders.  Reports  were  made  as  recjuired  by  law 
in  1839  and  1840,  but  there  is  no  further  report.  It  is  understood  that 
it  was  a  short-lived  affair. 

In  1853  The  Ames  vShovel  Co.  was  organized  by  Bristol  cajtitalists, 
John  Birge,  President,  with  a  capital  of  $10,000,  acquirhig  the  buildings 
of  the  Falls  Co.,  and  manufacturing  shovels,  spades,  scoops,  hoes,  forks 
and  other  farm  implements.  The  stockholders  were  John  Birge,  Theo- 
dore Terrv,  Edwin  Ames,  E.  L.  Dunbar,  Winthrop  Warner,  Alphonso 
Barnes.  Thomas  Barnes,  2d,  and  Wallace  Barnes  Annual  reports 
were  made  in  the  years  1854,  1855  and  1856,  when  they  ceased.  The 
business  was  wound  up,  and  put  into  the  hands  of  S.  R.  Gridley,  as 
Receiver.  After  standing  idle  a  number  of  years  the  buildings  were 
torn  down,  sometime  in  the  sixties.  It  was  understood  that  Edwin 
Ames,  the  Secretary  of  the  Company,  was  taken  into  the  business  prin- 
cipally to  secure  his  name  and  to  thus  profit  by  the  reputation  of  the 
firm  of  the  same  name  in  Massachusetts.     It  was  not  a  success. 

It  may  not  be  generally  known  that  the  Stafford  oil  well  was  not 
the  first  effort  made  to  strike  "ile"  by  Bnstol  captalists.  In  1865,  the 
Pequabuck    Oil    Co.    was    organized,    with    a    capital    of    $12,000; ^Xoah 


1'  ■  ----^Sr^^*^"---^--^^^^ 


nr"Wimi.iim»TiV>imt 


THE    OM)     INGRAHAM    CLOCK-CASE    SHOP    0.\     I'O.M)    STKICET.  FRONT    PART 

WAS    OLU    CONGREGATIONAL    CHURCH,     BURLINGTON. 


344 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


Pomeroy,  President,  S.  R.  Gridley,  W.  H.  Nettleton,  H.  A.  Seymour 
and  Wallace  Barnes,  being  the  other  stockholders.  A  well  was  bored 
in  the  oil  regions  of  Pennsylvania,  Mr.  Seymour  superintending  the 
work,  but  no  oil  was  found. 

In  1869  The  American  Coal  Barge  Co.  was  organized  in  Bristol, 
with  Elias  Ingraham,  as  President.  A  coal  barge  was  constructed  at 
New  Haven,  after  a  design  by  a  Mr.  Preston,  of  that  city,  which  was 
calculated  to  load  and  unload  coal  mechanically,  obviating  the  expen- 
sive process  of  hand  shoveling  which  had  been  previously  employed. 
The  barge  was  a  success,  coal  being  taken  on  at  New  Jersey  ports, 
transported  to  New  Haven  and  unloaded  there,  at  a  great  saving  of 
expense.  The  hard  times  coming  on,  about  that  time,  discouraged 
the  investors,  and  the  business  was  sold.  The  Consolidated  road  is 
now  practically  following  the  same  method  in  transporting  and  un- 
loading its  coal  supply. 


RAILROAD    VIEW,    1863.         Cut  loaned  by  M Ho   Leon    Xorton. 


OR     "new     CAMBRIDGE." 


345 


THE  BRISTOL  PRESS 


A.    S.     BARNES. 


THE  founder,  editor  and  for  seventeen  years  proprietor  of  The 
Bristol  Press,  was  C.  H.  Riggs.  The  first  number  of  The  Press 
was  published  on  March  9,  1871.  The  Press  was  started  in  a 
small  way  upon  prepaid  subscriptions  and  borrowed  money 
with  very  insufficient  material  and  machinery,  but  it  made  the  best  of 
circumstances  and  held  on  its  course. 

The  paper  owed  its  origin  to  the  suggestion  of  Rev.  W.  W.  Belden, 
then  pastor  of  the  Congregational  Church,  and  to  the  helping  purses  of 
Messrs.  X.  L.  Birge,  Elias  Ingraham,  J.  H.  Sessions  and  Josiah  T.  Peck, 
each  of  whom  advanced  forty  dollars  in  aid  of  the  enterprise.  All  were 
repaid  out  of  the  first  year's  profits.  The  subscription  list  at  first  con- 
sisted of  about  two  hundred  and  fifty  names. 

The  first  office  occupied  by  the  paper  and  connected  job  printing 
business  was  the  second  story  of  a  frame  building  twenty  feet  square, 
adjoining  Seymour's  block,  next  to  the  railroad.  Here,  with  a  Washing- 
ton hand  press  for  newspaper  work,  and  a  Novelty  job  press,  the  editor 
started  a  five-column  folio  "patent  outside"  paper,  the  type  for  the 
inside  being  mostly  \\-hat  had  been  worn  out  and  thrown  aside  in  an 
office  in  New  York  state. 

The  editor  had  gained  some  knowledge  of  type-setting  and  printing 
while  teaching  school,  but  was  far  from  being  expert  in  the  art.  How- 
ever, with  the  assistance  of  a  girl,  who  was  greener  at  the  business  than 
he  was,  he  resolutely  set  to  work,  and  in  the  face  of  difficulties,  he  entered 
upon  his  new  career. 


346 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


Before  the  first  year  was  ended  new  quarters  were  secured  in  S.  B. 
Root's  factor}^  on  lower  Main  street  wliere  with  power  presses,  the  busi- 
ness greatly  increased.  In  1877  a  building  was  erected  by  H.  S.  Pratt 
onfMain  street,  opposite  Muzzy 's  corner  and  to  this  building  the  busi- 
ness was   removed,    Mr.    Pratt   becoming   a   partner. 

Mr.  Pratt  remained  in  the  partnership  less  than  two  years, 
when  Mr.  Riggs  resumed  the  entire  ownership.  In  1880  another  office 
was  built  in  the  rear  of  what  was  then  Gale's  studio  on  the  east  side  of 
Main  street.  This  building  about  1890  was  removed  to  Riverside  ave- 
nue where  The  Press  was  published  for  seventeen  years. 

In  August,  1888,  Mr.  Riggs  the  founder  of  the  paper,  disposed  of 
the  business  to  Messrs.  Haviland  &  Duncan,  of  Southington.  Mr. 
Thomas  H.  Dvmcan  became  editor  and  manager  and  remained  as  such 
until  December,  1891,  when  the  Bristol  Press  Publishing  Co.,  with  a 
capital  stock  of  $10,000,  purchased  the  l)usine.ss.  The  first  officers  of 
the  company  Avere:  O.  F.  Strunz,  President;  J.  H.  Sessions,  Jr.,  Vice 
President;  S.  K.  Montgomery,  Secretary;  Richard  Baldwin,  Treasurer. 
Mr.  C.  H.  Riggs  was  employed  as  editor  and  manager  until  April,  1893, 
when  he  was  succeeded  by  Mr.  H.  H.  Palmer  of  New  Haven.  Mr. 
Palmer  remained  with  The  Press  less  than  a  year  when  Mr.  Wallace  H. 
Miller  took  charge  of  the  paper  as  editor  and  manager. 

Mr.  Wallace  H.  Miller  continued  as  editor  of  The  Press  and  manager 


The  photograph  herewith  reproduced,  represents  Mr.  Riggs  and  his 
office  force,  probably  in  1882.  At  the  left  are  Walter  H.  Royce  and 
Miss  Bertha  Evans.  In  the  door  at  the  right  stands- George  A.  Fish; 
farther  in  front  is  Herbert  E.  Garrett,  and  seated  by  Mr.  Riggs  is  Sid- 
ney M.  Card.  In  the  doorway  at  the  left  stands  Rev.  Asher  Anderson, 
the  pastor  oi  the  Congregational  Church  at  lhat  time. 


NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


347 


of  the  Bristol  Press  Publishing  Co.  until  February,  lUUl,  when  he  was 
succeeded  by  Mr.  Chas.  F.  Olin.  Mr.  Olin  remained  with  The  Press 
as  editor  vin'til  June,  1907,  but  in  March,  1902,  he  was  succeeded  by 
Arthur  S.  Barnes  as  manager.  Mr.  Barnes  is  a  Bristol  boy  and  was 
bom  on  March  12,  1871,  the  very  year  and  month  in  which  The  Press 
made  its  initial  appearance  before  the  people  of  Bristol. 

Under  Mr.  Barnes'  management  The  Press  has  been  increased  from 
a  six  column  to  a  seven  column  paper  and  the  number  of  pages  from 
eight  to  ten,  twelve  and  sometimes  si.xteen.  Associated  with  him  in 
carrving  on  the  work  are  Wallace  H.  Miller  as  editor  and  Thomas  A. 
Tracy  as  assistant.  Mr.  Miller  returned  to  The  Press  in  June,  1907. 
The  officers  of  the  Bristol  Press  Publishing  Co.  are — President,  Gilbert 
H.  Blakesley;  Secretary  and  Treasurer,  Arthur  S.  Barnes;  Directors, 
Gilbert  H.  Blakesley,  Otto  F.  Strunz  and  Arthur  S.  Barnes. 

In  January,  1907,  the  land  on  Riverside  avenue  occupied  by  The 
Press  building  was  sold  to  Mr.  Wm.  E.  Sessions  and  a  plot  53  by  90 
feet  was  purchased  from  Mrs.  Edward  E.  Newell  on  Main  street,  the 
former  site  of  S.  E.  Root's  factory.  A  two-story  brick  building  has 
been  erected  there,  and  in  September,  1907,  The  Press  removed  to  its 
new  home.  This  new  building  is  74  by  36  feet  and  is  of  mill  construction 
throughout,  and  is  situated  on  the  very  same  spot  where  The  Press 
was  quartered  in  S.  E.  Root's  factory  from  1872  to   1877. 

The  Press  considers  it  as  its  first  duty  to  faithfully  chronicle  local 
events  in  Bristol  and  to  reflect  public  opinion  on  local  affairs.  In  politics 
it  is  independent,  believing  that  such  is  the  only  course  that  a  local 
paper  can  take.  It  strives  always  to  live  up  to  the  commendation  of 
one  of  its  former  editors  who  spoke  of  it  as  "a  high-grade,  influential 
home  newspaper,  one  that  always  works  for  the  welfare  of  the  town 
and  its  best  interests." 


MAIN    STREET,     1868. 


348 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


The    1  ankee  Clock  Industry 


Edited   by   Mii.o   Leon   Xortox.* 

THE  late  Roswell  Atkins  devoted  much  time  to  the  search  of 
records,  and  all  other  available  sources  of  information,  in 
pursuit  of  knowledge  as  to  events  in  the  early  history  of  Bristol. 
Mr.  Atkins  was  careful,  painstaking,  and  cautious,  in  his  in- 
vestigations, and  what  he  committed  to  writing  was  the  result  of  as 
thorough  investigation  as  it  was  possible  to  make.  The  sources  of  in- 
formation as  to  the  earliest  industries  are  extremely  meagre,  the  busi- 
ness enterprises  of  the  eighteenth  century  being  conducted  on  so  small 
a  scale  as  iiever,  in  the  opinions  of  the  active  participants,  likely  to  be- 
come of  interest  to  future  generations.  In  the  preparation  of  this  work 
it  has  been  thought  best  to  give  Mr.  Atkins'  notes  on  the  clock  industry 
in  full,  substantially  as  he  wrote  them,  making  only  such  minor  addi- 
tions to  them  as  mav  be  thoitght  necessary. 


Ei'HRAiM  Downs  Clock,  1825. 


*It  was  the  intention  to  fully  illustrate  this  article,  but  after  mature  consideration  it 
was  thought  advisable  not  to  attempt  to  do  so  in  the  limited  space  at  our  disposal — as 
to  do  justice  to  the  subject  hundreds  of  clocks  would   have  to  be  shown. 


OR        XEW     CAMBRIDGE.  ;}4'.) 

In  a  preliminary  way  it  may  be  of  interest  to  say  that  the  first 
Yankee  clock-making,  as  a  business,  was  midoubtedly  established  in 
Bristol  by  Gideon  Roberts,  a  soldier  of  the  Revolution,  son  of  Elias 
Roberts,  who  was  a  victim  of  the  Wyoming  massacre  in  1778.  His 
home  was  the  house  now  owned  by  Asher  C.  Bailey,  on  the  Fall  Moun- 
tain road,  afterward  the  residence  of  his  son,  Hopkins  Roberts,  and 
known  a  generation  ago  as  the  Hopkins  Roberts  place.  The  house 
itself  has  a  historic  interest  as  occupying  the  site  of  one  of  the  first  houses 
in  that  section  of  the  town,  built  by  Moses  Lyman,  in  1736.  The  Roberts 
house  was  built  by  Alvin  Cole,  a  brother  of  Katherine  Cole  Gaylord, 
and  came  into  the  possession  of  the  Roberts  family  by  purchase. 

One  of  the  several  tin  shops  that  were  in  active  operation  inBristol 
prior  to  the  Revolution,  stood  on  the  west  side  of  Wolcott  street  just 
north  of  the  residence  of  the  late  Alonzo  Rood.  When  the  grading 
for  the  lawn  in  front  of  the  house  of  Edward  Bradley  was  done,  the 
open  cellar  hole  of  this  old  shop  was  filled  up,  having  existed  until  that 
time,  about  twenty  years  ago.  This  shop  was  purchased  by  Gideon 
Roberts,  as  his  business  had  increased,  and  w'as  moved  by  him  to  the 
southwest  corner  of  his  front  yard,  where  it  was  used  bv  him  as  a  clock 
shop,  and  may  be  accorded  the  distinction  of  being  the  first  clock  shop 
in  the  United  States.  This  probably  took  place  not  far  from  the  year 
1800.  The  building  is  still  standing,  having  been  purchased  by  Asahel 
Hinman  Norton,  and  attached  to  the  east  side  of  his  house,  now  occupied 
by  Jason  H.  Clemence.  Mr.  Roberts  made  the  first  clocks  by  the  aid 
of  a  foot  lathe,  and  such  hand  tools  as  the  saw,  dividers,  hand  drills, 
etc.,  from  wood,  the  first  clocks  not  being  cased,  but  bracketed  to  the 
wall.  Some  of  his  later  movements  were  cased  in  the  tall  cases  in  fashion 
at  that  time.  His  method  of  disposing  of  these  clocks  was  to  take 
three  or  four  of  them  with  him  upon  horseback,  to  New  York  and  Penn- 
sylvania, where  he  sold  them  at  twenty-five  dollars  apiece.  It  was 
in  Pennsj-lvania  that  he  became  acquainted  with  the  English  cherry, 
which  the  thrifty  Quakers  had  transplanted  from  British  soil,  and  he 
brought  pits  of  the  cherry  home  with  him,  planting  the  same  and  dis- 
tributing to  his  neighbors.  There  are  cherry  trees  still  .standing  which 
are  the  descendants  of  these  original  trees,  but  it  is  doubtful  if  one  of 
the  originals  is  left.  The  Fall  Mountain  cherries  were  long  famous,  and 
were  in  great  demand.  But  the  cherry  was  not  the  onlv  acquisition 
that  he  made  from  the  Pennsylvania  Quakers;  he  adopted  their  re- 
ligion as  well,  and  also  the  peculiar  dress  and  quaint  speech  of  the 
Society  of  Friends.  He  died  in  1813,  and  it  is  said  that  his  business 
of  clock  making  had  increased  at  that  time  so  that  he  had  four  hundred 
movements  m  the  works. 

NOTES  OX  THE  CLOCK  BUSINESS, 
By  Roswell  Atkins. 

The  earliest  manufacturers  of  clocks  seem  to  have  been  confined  to 
the  Roberts  family,  so  far  as  the  records  show,  and  though  the  date  of 
1790  is  given,  it  would  bcem  as  if  it  might  have  been  even  earlier.  But 
soon  after  the  opening  of  the  new  century  others  turned  their  attention 
that  way,  and  in  1808,  Barnes  &  Waterman,  Levi  Lewis,  Sextus  O. 
Newell;  in  1809-1811,  Joseph  Ives,  probably  in  company  with  Manross, 
and  located  on  the  Self  Winding  Clock  Co.'s  site;  Chauncey  Boardman 
and  Butler  Dunbar,  at  the  Ashworth  shop  just  south  of  the  burner  shop; 
Amasa  and  Chauncey  Ives,  at  the  Hiram  C.  Thompson  shop;  and  Elias 
Roberts  &  Co.,  on  the  brook  near  the  Dana  Beckwith  place;  made  clocks. 
This  last  shop  was  used  for  different  purposes:  German  silver  combs, 
tinder  boxes  on  the  plan  of  the  lock  and  flint,  also  the  wheel  and  flint, 
])rior  to  the  introduction  of  lucifer  matches.  These  were  made  by  the 
Iveses,  Joseph  and  Shailer,  and  later  by  Bryan  Richards,  in  this  shop. 
(Jthers  soon  engaged  in  the  clock  business,  some  making  cases  and 
buying  movements,   putting  their  own  names  inside.     In   1821,   Barnes 


350  BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 

&  Juhnson,  also  Chauncey  Boardnian  and  Col.  Joseph  A.  Wells,  in  the 
east  part  of  the  town,  near  the  turnpike.  This  shop  was  first  vised  for 
wood  clocks,  later  brass  clocks  were  made  there,  and  the  tools  were  sold 
to  Mr.  Ingraham.  Cutting  boxes  fc^r  cutting  hay,  were  also  made  there 
by  Wells,  Barnard  &  Co.  Seymour  &  Churchill  also  made  movements, 
also  some  rules. 

In  1821,  Chauncey  Jerome  bought  of  George  Mitchell  a  house  and 
land  on  South  Street,  to  be  paid  for  partly  in  clocks.  He  afterward 
bought  a  small  shop  built  by  Treat,  Lee  &  Alle,  on  the  north  side  of  the 
river,  west  of  what  is  now  Main  Street,  for  making  any  article  connected 
with  the  business,  and  in  1824  entered  into  partnership  with  Elijah 
Darrow  and  his  brother.  Noble  Jerome  and  they,  in  1826,  secured  the 
laying  out  of  Main  Street.  They  then  bought  land  on  the  east  side  of 
the  new  street;  erected  a  shop  on  the  west  side,  for  making  cases,  about 
where  the  Ives  meat  market  stands;  a  movement  shop  where  the  spoon 
shop  is,  but  closer  to  the  road;  and,  soon  after,  a  finishing  shop  on  the 
west  side  opposite;  and  a  large  barn  on  the  north  side  of  the  river,  for 
stabling  the  horses  necessary  for  the  economical  prosecution  of  their 
business.  There  was  no  other  means  of  transportation  of  merchandise 
to  New  Haven  or  Hartford,  until  the  completion  of  the  canal  in  1826 
or  1827;  and  as  the  canal  was  useless  during  the  winter,  horses  had  to 
be  employed  until  the  completion  of  the  railroad  to  Plainville,  in  1847, 
and  to  Bristol,  in  1848. 

The  coming  of  Mr.  Jerome  gave  an  additional  impetus  to  the  clock 
industry,  and  this  was  followed  by  the  location  of  Ephriam  Downes, 
an  experienced  clock  maker,-  in  1825,  he  having  also  purchased  of  George 
Mitchell  the  property  on  which  was  a  small  shop,  and  which  has  since 
remained  in  the  family  vmtil  its  purchase  by  the  Liberty  Bell  Co.  This 
property  was  to  be  paid  for  in  clocks  for  Mr.  Mitchell,  who  supplied 
peddlers  with  various  articles  of  manufacture. 

In  May,  1828,  Samuel  Terry,  of  Plymouth,  a  brother  of  Eli  Terry, 
bought  the  old  grist  mill  property  south  of  Pierce's,  on  which,  beside 
the  mill,  was  a  small  shop  owned  by  Simeon  Johnson,  and  also  a  tannery. 
The  mill  was  converted  into  a  clock  manufactory.  Charles  Kirk,  about 
this  time,  made  clocks  in  a  shop  on  the  north  side  of- the  river  from  the 
mill,  soon  after  buying  the  shop  on  Race  Street,  and  carrying  on  the 
business  a  number  of  years,  when  he  sold  out  and  removed  to  Wolcott, 
where,  with  his  sons,   he  invented  and  manufactured  musical  clocks. 

Samuel  Terry,  was  succeeded  in  the  clock  business  by  his  sons  at 
the  old  stand,  for  some  years,  followed  by  Terry  &  Andrews;  and  the 
shop  owned  by  C.  E.  Andrews,  and  used  as  a  manufactory  of  light  hard- 
ware, was  built  by  them.  Auger  bits  were  made  there,  and  that  line 
of  business  is  still  followed.  Of  the  sons  of  Samuel  Terry,  Theodore 
removed  to  Ansonia,  for  a  time,  and  was  also  located  in  Pequabuck, 
where  Scott  &  Co.'s  mill  stood.  William  A.  Terry  still  resides  here,  a 
man  of  scientific  attainments  in  any  line  in  which  he  becomes  interested. 
He  is  the  inventor  of  a  calendar  which  is  absolutely  perpetual,  taking 
up  the  leap-year  changes,  automatically.  He  was  for  many  5^ears  one  of 
the  most  skillful  photograghers  the  country  afforded;  and  his  micro- 
scopic discoveries  in  the  realm  of  diatoms,  have  given  him  a  world-wide 
fame. 

George  W.  and  Eli  Bartholomew,  commenced  making  wood  clocks 
in  Edgewood,  about  1829,  and  continued  till  about  1843,  a  part  of  the 
time  in  connection  with  cabinet  making.  The  site  they  occupied  had 
been  formerly  used  by  Martin  Byington,  and  Isaac  Graham,  as  a  grist- 
mill, a  sawmill,  and  a  distillery.  Since  1855,  bit  braces  have  been 
made  continuously  by  the  Bartholomews. 

In  1830,  George  Mitchell,  Rollin  and  Irenus  Atkins,  bought  the 
old  Baptist  meeting  house  (the  second  church  edifice  was  built  that 
year),  and  moved  it  northwest  to  the  location  of  the  shop  where  they 
had   carried   on   wood   turning   and   comb   making   since    1819.     Clock 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE."  351 

making  was  conducted  in  it  by  different  firms;  Mitchell  &  Atkins; 
Atkins  &  Downs  (Anson,  a  brother  of  Ephraim);  and  R.  &  I.  Atkins, 
for  a  number  of  years,  vmtil  the  saw  business  was  established  in  1836, 
under  the  name  of  Frost,  Merriman  &  Co.  A  dam  was  built  by  this 
firm  some  distance  above  Hickory  Park,  a  raceway  dug,  and  a  shop 
erected  near  the  building  occupied  as  an  isolation  hospital  during  the 
smallpox  visitation  a  few"" years  since.  This  was  used  as  a  grinding  shop 
for  saws,  but  was  abandoned  and  the  shop  removed  to  the  top  of  the 
hill,  opposite  the  stone  house,  on  Divinit}'  Street,  where  it  became  the 
residence  of  Constant  Welch,  for  many  years.  In  1857  the  firm  name 
was  changed  to  I  Atkins  &  Co.  An  extensive  business  was  done  by 
this  concern,  who  made  cotton  gins,  and  other  machinery.  The  firm 
failed  about  1858,  in  the  saw  business,  and  it  was  conducted  by  the 
Jessups,  of  New  York,  for  four  years,  then  for  two  years  more  by  H. 
Porter,  who  removed  it,  in  1864,  to  the  melodeon  shop,  where  The  Porter 
Saw  Co.  was  succeeded  by  The  Penfield  Saw  Works.  In  1851,  the 
manufacture  of  clocks  was  recommenced  by  the  Atkins  Company,  and 
continued  until  18S().  Barnes  Brothers  continued  the  business  for  a 
few  vears,  when  the  business  was  abandoned,  and  the  shop  was  finally 
burned. 

In  1835,  Alden  A.  and  E.  G.  Atkins,  and  Noah  E.  Welton,  bought 
the  Churchill  sawmill,  and  built  a  shop  for  the  making  of  clocks,  princi- 
pally, also  making  spool  stands,  work-boxes,  etc.  Norman  Allen  after- 
ward took  the  place  of  N.  E.  W^elton,  and  the  firm  name  became  Atkins 
&  Allen.  The  business  was  conducted  until  about  1846,  when  the  shop 
was  sold  to  Smith  &  Goodrich,  afterward  passing  into  the  hands  of  The 
Bristol  Brass  &  Clock  Co.,  through  the  J.  C.  Brown  interest.  After 
two  fires,  the  present  shop  is  known  as  the  Burner  Department  of  the 
Bristol  Brass  &  Clock  Co. 

In  1833,  J.  C.  Brown,  W.  G.  Bartholomew,  and  William  Hills,  of 
Farmington,  who  were  jointly  engaged  in  the  business  of  cabinet  making 
in  Bristol,  bought  the  land  where  the  Sessions  Clock  Co.  is  now  located, 
on  the  south  side  of  the  river,  and  secured  the  privilege  of  bviilding  a 
dam,  and  of  thus  creating  a  water  privilege,  of  the  owners  of  the  north 
side  of  the  stream,  erecting  a  factory  for  making  clocks.  There  were 
some  changes  in  the  firm,  previous  to  the  erection  of  the  shop,  and  a 
company,  consisting  of  William  Hills,  Lora  Waters,  J.  C.  Brown,  Chauncey 
Pomerov  and  Jared  Goodrich,  known  as  The  Forestville  Manufacturing 
Co.,  commenced  the  manufacture  of  brass  clocks  in  the  spring  of  1835. 
There  was  then  no  highway  nearer  than  Pine  Street,  tmtil  Church  Street 
was  opened  to  and  across  the  river,  afterwards  extended  eastward  to 
the  factory,  and  southward  to  Pine  Street.  The  business  continued  to 
increase  until  in  1845  their  establishment  was  turning  out  more  finished 
Avork  than  any  other  in  town.  About  this  time  F.  S.  Otis  built  the  shop 
■called  the  Otis  shop  (recently  removed),  and  made  a  fancy  case  inlaid 
with  pearl.  This  being  something  new  in  the  market,  increased  the 
sale  of  clocks,  as  every  dealer  was  bound  to  have  the  latest  styles.  In 
1853,  the  shops  of  J.  C.  Brown  &  Co.  were  consumed  by  fire,  which  in- 
volved so  much  loss  that  an  assignment  became  necessary,  not  only  of 
that  company,  but  of  others  with  which  they  were  co'nnected.  Elisha 
N.  Welch,  being  the  largest  creditor,  purchased  the  entire  plant,  together 
with  the  Otis  shop,  The^Forestville  Hardware  Manufacturing  Co.,  erected 
in  1852,  and  the  Elisha  Manross  factory,  of  the  assignees,  and  combined 
the  business  under  one  management.  In  1864  the  E.  N.  Welch  Manu- 
facturing Co.  was  organized.  In  1868,  the  Welch,  Spring  &  Co.,  firm 
was  organized,  which  occupied  a  factory  that  stood  on  the  site  of  the 
present"  electric  power  house  of  the  Sessions  Co.,  and  also  the  factories 
recently  occupied  by  the  CodHng  Manufacturing  Co.  Since  the  Welch 
Compaiiy  was  organized,  all  the  factory  buildings  except  two,  have  been 
destroyed  by  fire,  but  have  arisen  some  of  them- from  their  ashes,  in 
larger' and  better  proportions  for  the  economical  production  of  the 
different  varieties  of  clocks  produced  by  the  Company.  (This  Avas 
written  by  Mr.  Atkins  prior  to  its  acquisition  by  the  Sessions  Company. 


352  BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 

How,  after  the  death  of  Mr.  Welch,  in  1887,  the  extensive  plant  went 
into  the  hands  of  a  Receiver;  was  reorganized,  with  J.  Hart  Welch, 
at  the  head;  and  how,  after  his  death,  it  was  acquired  by  the  Sessions 
Company,  who  have  largely  increased  the  plant  and  its  output  are 
matters  of  recent  history,  too  well  known  to  need  definite  mention.) 

Elias  Ingraham,  the  founder  of  The  E.  Ingraham  Co.,  came  to 
Bristol  from  Hartford,  where  he  was  working  at  his  trade  as  a  cabinet 
maker,  in  1828,  and  entered  into  the  employ  of  George  Mitchell,  in  the 
old  building  long  used  by  the  Ingrahams  as  a  case  shop,  on  the  site  of 
the  Turner  Heater  Co.'s  plant.  Mr.  Mitchell  was  desirous  of  introduc- 
ing a  new  style  of  case  equal  to,  or  superior  to,  the  bronze  pillar,  in- 
vented by  Jerome.  Mr.  Ingraham  designed  a  very  handsome  case, 
with  carved  columns,  having  lions'  paws  at  the  bases,  and  fret  work  at 
the  tops.  They  proved  to  be  excellent  sellers.  The  movements  were 
made  by  Ephraim  Downs.  The  old  factory  referred  to,  was  originally 
the  Congregational  Church  of  Burlington,  and  was  used  as  a  cotton  mill 
after  its  removal  to  Bristol.  After  working  for  Mr.  Mitchell  for  about 
two  years,  he  commenced  work  for  Chauncey  and  Lawson  C.  Ives,  at 
what  is  known  as  the  Eureka  shop,  continuing  in  their  employ  until 
1836,  when  he  contracted  to  make  cases  for  Davis  &  Barbour,  who  were 
shipping  cases  and  movements  separately  to  the  south,  where  they  were 
put  together,  thus  saving  the  payment  of  the  heavy  state  licenses.  In 
1843  the  firm  of  Brewster  &  Ingraham  was  formed;  Epaphroditus  Peck, 
and  after  his  death,  Noah  L.  Brewster,  representing  the  firm  in  England. 
In  1848,  the  firm  was  dissolved,  and  the  firm  became  E.  &  A.  Ingraham, 
by  the  admission  of  his  brother  Andrew  into  partnership.  Their  shop 
was  burned  in  1855,  which  stood  on  the  site  of  the  old  movement  shop, 
and  the  business  was  afterward  continued  by  Mr.  Ingraham  in  the  old 
cotton  mill,  which  was  enlarged  from  time  to  time  as  more  space  was 
needed.  About  1860,  the  old  hardware  shop,  which  stood  on  the  corner 
of  Meadow  and  North  Main  Streets,  was  purchased  and  moved  to  the 
site  of  the  burned  factory,  and  was  made  the  movement  department 
of  the  firm  of  The  E.  Ingraham  Co.,  until  the  completion  of  their  new 
and  commodious  movement  factory.  Edward  Ingraham  became  a 
partner  in  his  father's  business  in  1859,  and  the  joint-stock  company 
was  formed  in  1881,  consisting  of  Mr.  Ingraham,  his  son  and  grandsons, 
becoming  one  of  the  largest  establishments  for  the  manufacture  of  clocks 
in  the  country.  Mr.  Ingraham  was  born  at  Marlborough,  in  1805,  and 
died  in  1885.      His  son  Edward  died  in  1892. 

In  1843,  The  Bristol  Clock  Co.  was  organized,  with  a  small  capital, 
for  the  purchasing  and  vending  of  clocks;  consisting  of  Chauncey  Jerome, 
Elisha  Hotchkiss,  Edward  Fields,  Elisha  Manross,  E.  C.  Brewster, 
Joseph  A.  Wells  and  Augustus  S.  Jerome.  This  company  was  organized, 
primarily,  for  foreign  trade,  reporting  that  in  1844,  $1,935  worth  of 
clocks  had  been  shipped  to  China,  and  that  their  expenses  had  been 
$400.  In  1852,  The  Brewster  Manufacturing  Co.  was  organized,  for 
the  purpose  of  making  and  vending  clocks.  It  consisted  of  E.  C.  Brew- 
ster, Wm.  Day,  Augustine  Norton  and  Noble  Jerome.  These  firms 
were  principally  for  the  purpose  of  extending  the  sale  of  clocks  of  Ameri- 
can manufacture  to  other  countries,  the  outgrowth  of  which  has  added 
largely  to  the  success,  financially,  of  the  clock  industry.  At  the  first 
venture  in  this  line,  Mr.  Jerome  shipped  a  cargo  of  clocks  to  England, 
in  charge  of  Epaphroditus  Peck,  accompanied  by  his  son,  Chauncey 
Jerome,  Jr.  This  attempt  was  considered  unwise  by  many,  and  failure 
was  predicted.  But  the  prices  at  which  they  were  invoiced  for  entry 
at  the  custom  house,  though  high  enough  to  be  very  remunerative, 
excited  the  suspicion  of  the  customs  officials  that  they  were  being  priced 
at  too  low  a  figure,  and  so  they  exercised  their  right  to  add  ten  per  cent, 
to  the  invoice  price,  and  seize  the  whole  cargo.  Another  cargo  was 
despatched  as  quickly  as  possible,  and  was  also  seized  in  the  same  way. 
After  that  the  officials  concluded  to  let  the  Yankees  sell  their  own  clocks, 
which  they  did.  with  the  result  that  the  foreign  trade  in  clocks  was 
thoroughly   established,   and  a  good   deal  of  money   has   been   brought 


OR     "new    CAMBRIDGE."  3.53 

into  town  thereby,  especially  at  times  when,  without  it,  Ijusiness  would 
have  been  very  dull  if  not  dead. 

The  Bristol  Clock  Case  Co.  was  organized  in  March,  1854,  with  a 
capital  of  $20,000.  It  consisted  of  thirty-five  of  the  i^rominent  busi- 
ness men  of  that  time,  as  follows:  J.  C.  Brown,  Walter  Williams,  W.  W . 
Carter,  Eli  Barnes,  H.  E.  Merriman,  George  Merriman,  Almon  Lewis, 
Daniel  Lardner,  Henrv  Beckwith,  W.  McCracken,  Erastus  Foster,  Ben- 
jamin Ray,  H.  M.  Burnham,  J.  U.  Doohttle,  S.  P.  Burwell,  Hopkins 
Stephens,  Roswell  Webster.  Geo.  Goodrich,  J.  T.  Peck,  Ashel  Butler,  D.  P. 
Spear,  Samuel  Beckwith,  Robert  Beckwith,  N.  L.  Birge,  E.  N.  Sexton, 
Anson  Beckwith,  J.  A.  Sweetzer,  E.  C.  Goodwin,  Tracy  Peck,  S.  P. 
Newell,  H.  K.  Hotchkiss,  Jr.,  Richard  Peck,  A.  P.  Goodrich,  Ctirlos  Wel- 
ton,  and  W.  D.  McClenithan.  Most  of  them  were  residents  of  the  north 
village,  and  a  number  of  them  were  clock-case  makers  as  well.  A  large 
shop  was  built  at  the  North  Side,  at  Doolittle's  Corner,  near  the  rail- 
road, on  land  now  owned  by  The  Sessions  Foundry  Co.,  north  of  the 
road.  The  enterprise  was  soon  abandoned,  and  the  shop  stood  idle 
for  a  number  of  years.  In  1861,  it  was  taken  down  and  put  up  in  Forest- 
ville,  taking  the  place  of  the  old  Alden  Atkins  clock  shop,  destroyed  by 
fire,  and  was  used  for  the  manufacture  of  lamp  burners,  and  also  for  the 
inanufacture  of  mechanical  and  other  toys  of  tin. 

Other  people  have,  at  different  times,  been  engaged  in  the  manu- 
facture of  clocks:  Byington  &  Graham,  located  west  of  the  Bartholomew 
shop,  at  Edgewood,  made  cases;  Terry,  Downs  &  Co.,  at  the  Ephraim 
Downs  shop;  Beach,  Hubbell  &  Hendrick,  at  the  Manross  shop;  Atkins 
&  Porter,  at  the  Merritt  Atkins  shop,  Stafford;  Barnes,  Hendrick  & 
Hubbell,  at  the  old  (original)  Manross  shop,  afterward  becoming  the 
property  of  Laporte  Hubbell,  which  firm  made  the  first  marine  clocks, 
invented  by  Bainbridge  Barnes;  Solomon  C.  Spring,  at  the  Codling 
&  Co.  factories,  who  made  the  same  rolling-leaf  pinion  movement  for 
clocks  and  regulators,  as  were  made  by  the  Atkins  Clock  Co.,  until  the 
business  was  merged  with  the  Welch  company,  and  removed  to  Forest- 
ville;  A.  S.  Piatt  &  Co.,  where  the  Wallace  Barnes  plant  is  now  located; 
Noah  Pomeroy,  at  the  H.  C.  Thompson  shop,  and  others. 

The  early  clock  industry,  in  its  development,  necessitated  the  estab- 
lishment of  numerous  separate  shops  for  the  manufacture  of  parts  which 
could  not  be  economically  made  in  one  factory  at  that  time;  and  the 
making  of  verges,  pendulum  rods  and  balls,  wire  bells,  and  later,  of 
lock-work,  for  the  striking  mechanism,  and  pillars,  ratchets  and  pinions, 
became  important  industries.  W.  H.  Nettleton  conducted  the  business 
of  lock-work  making  for  many  years  successfully,  which  afterward 
passed  into  the  hands  of  George  Jones,  and,  finally,  was  absorbed  by  the 
Ingraham  company.  Albert  Warner  made  clock  verges  for  many  years, 
up  to  the  time  of  his  death  in  1888.  All  these  separate  industries  were 
gradually  acquired  by  the  large  clock  concerns,  and  the  small  manufac- 
turers went  out  of  business,  or  took  up  other  lines. 

Col.  E.  L.  Dunbar  was  a  pioneer  in  the  manufacture  of  clock  springs 
of  steel,  purchasing  of  S.  Burnham  Terry  the  process  of  tempering  coiled 
springs  in  1847.  About  the  same  time  John  Pomeroy  succeeded  in 
tempering  them  by  another  process,  and  these  inventions  cheapened 
the  cost  of  clock  springs,  which  had  formerly  been  imported  from  France 
at  a  cost  of  from  one  to  three  dollars  each,  so  that  the  manufacture  of 
cheap  clocks  became  possible.  The  Dunbar  spring  business  has  been 
continued  up  to  the  present  time,  and  is  one  of  our  substantial  indus- 
tries, though  the  original  business  of  clock-spring  making  has  given 
place  to  the  manufacture  of  springs  for  many  other  purposes. 

Wallace  Barnes  commenced  the  manufacttire  of  clock  springs  in 
1857,  on  the  site  of  the  present  factory,  and  the  business  has  been  con- 
ducted there  continuously  ever  since.  In  1858,  in  company  with  Col. 
E.  L.  Dunbar,  under  the  firm  name  of  Dunbar  &  Barnes,  steel  springs 
for  hoop-skirts  were  extensively  made  there,  the  upper  story  of  the 
shop  being  used  for  the  braiding  department,   in   which   the   flat   steel 


Hoi  BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 

springs  were  covered  with  cotton,  starched  and  finished  ready  to  be 
made  up  into  crinoline.  During  the  Hfe  of  this  firm  the  building  then 
known  as  Crinoline  Hall,  afterward  known  as  Town  Hall,  was  built.  At 
first  the  lower  story  was  used  as  a  wood  shed  for  storing  the  pine  wood 
used  for  tempering  the  springs,  but  was  afterward  closed  in  and  occu- 
pied as  a  furniture  warehouse  and  for  other  purposes.  After  the  disso- 
lution of  the  firm  of  Dunbar  &  Barnes,  the  hoop-skirt  business  was 
conducted  about  two  years  by  Benjamin  &  Doremus,  of  New  York, 
wire  braiders  and  finishers;  and  by  John  Fairbanks,  who  wove  the 
tapes,  and  made  up  the  wire  and  tapes  into  the  finished  skirts.  The 
shop  was  burned  in  1866,  when  the  hoop-skirt  business  was  discontinued. 
Since  the  death  of  Wallace  Barnes,  in  1893,  the  spring  business  has  been 
increased  to  its  present  iinmense  proportions  through  the  able  manage- 
ment of  C.  F.  Barnes. 

SUPPLEMENTAL  NOTES. 

This  concludes  Mr.  Atkins'  notes  on  the  clock  industry-.  From 
•other  sources  we  learn  that  among  the  early  makers  of  clocks,  in  Bristol, 
John  Rich  made  wood  clocks  in  a  shop  which  stood  just  back  of  the  James 
Holt  place.  Levi  Lewis,  mentioned  by  Mr.  Atkins,  had  a  shop  near  the 
Chandler  Norton  house,  on  Cog.  Hill,  "Cog."  being  an  abbreviation  of 
Cogswell,  a  family  once  resident  there.  Lewis  had,  at  one  time,  1500 
movements  in  the  works,  which  fact  created  much  excitement  in  the 
■community,  as  well  as  doubts  as  to  his  sanity.  Indeed,  when,  in  1805 
Eli  Terry,  the  founder  of  Terryville,  and  the  father  of  the  American 
clock  industry,  commenced  to  manufacture  two  hundred  clocks  a  year, 
people  thought  him  crazy  and  prophesied  that  he  could  not  sell  so 
many,  as  the  country  would  be  overstocked!  In  the  fall  of  1837,  a  year 
•of  financial  disaster,  and  especially  hard  for  the  struggling  clock  manu- 
factvirers,  Chauncey  Jerome  was  collecting  what  he  could  of  debts  and 
scattered  clocks,  throughout  Virginia  and  South  Carolina,  when,  one 
night,  in  his  room  in  a  hotel  at  Richmond,  Virginia,  he  conceived  the 
idea  of  making  a  cheap,  one-day,  brass  clock.  That  idea,  put  into 
practical  shape  by  his  brother.  Noble,  who  made  the  first  one-day,  brass 
movement,  revolutionized  the  clock  business,  and  put  new  life  into 
the  industry,  and  fortvmes  into  the  pockets  of  the  men  who  followed 
Jerome  in  their  manufacture.  The  old  wood  clocks,  while  good  time- 
keepers, could  not  be  shipped  across  the  water,  as  the  wheels  would 
swell,  and  become  worthless.  But  Jerome  saw  an  opening  for  the  sale 
of  the  cheap,  brass  clocks  in  England,  and  determined  to  make  the 
venture,  with  gratifying  results.  The  introduction  of  the  clocks  in 
England,  however,  was  attended  with  much  difficulty,  the  dealers  be- 
lieving them  to  be  worthless  because  so  cheap.  One  merchant  went  so 
far  as  to  turn  Mr.  Jerome's  agents  out  of  doors  for  trying  to  induce  him 
to  have  anything  to  do  with  the  Yankee  clocks.  England  made  clocks 
for  the  world,  and  for  these  presumptuous  Yankees  to  send  their  cheap 
toy  clocks  over  there  filled  the  English  dealers  with  indignation.  But 
finally,  one  merchant  in  London  was  persuaded  to  permit  two  of  the 
clocks  to  be  left  in  the  store,  saying  that  he  did  not  believe  they  would 
run  at  all.  The  clocks  were  set  running,  and  the  next  day  when  the 
agents  called  they  found  that  they  had  been  sold,  and  were  told  to  leave 
four  more.  They  were  sold  in  a  few  hours,  when  the  sale  was  increased 
to  a  dozen,  and  it  was  not  long  afterward  that  the  same  merchant  bought 
two  hundred  at  a  time!  Sylvester  Root  carried  on  the  business  of 
making  wood  clocks,  in  the  Ephraim  Downs  shop,  for  about  two  years, 
1842-4.  It  was  a  common  saying  at  that  time,  that  Root  would  go 
into  the  woods  in  the  morning,  cut  down  a  tree  and  have  it  made  up 
into  clocks  before  night.  That  was  intended  as  a  compliment  to  his 
celerity,  but  how  little  the  originator  of  the  pleasantry  realized  what 
quantities  of  clocks  would  be  turned  out  in  Bristol  in  after  years!  Mr. 
Downs  thought  that  three  thousand  clocks  a  year  was  a  large  output, 
and  so  it  was  in  his  day.     From  1844  until  r851,  the  Downs  shop  re- 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE  "  355 

mained  idle,  but  in  the  latter  year  a  company  consisting  of  Ralph  Terry, 
Elias  Burwell,  George  and  Franklin  Downs,  commenced  the  manu- 
facture of  a  brass  marine  clock,  invented  by  Ralph  Terry,  and  eight-day 
clocks  designed  by  Ralph  Terry,  and  Hiram  Camp  of  New  Haven,  form- 
erly with  Chauncey  Jerome,  when  he  was  located  at  Bristol.  After 
two  years  they  bought  out  Mr.  Burwell,  when  the  finn  name  was  changed 
from  Terry,  Downs,  Burwell  &  Co.,  to  Terry,  Downs  &  Co.  The  busi- 
ness was  discontinued  in  1856.  David  Matthews,  in  company  with 
Lyman  Jewell  and  Samuel  Botsford,  made  clock  moveinents  in  a  small 
shop  east  of  the  James  Holt  place,  afterwards  occupied  by  the  Claytons. 
They  made  marine  movements  for  the  Litchfield  Clock  Co.,  until  that 
concern  failed;  also  for  E.  O.  Goodwin,  who  cased  them  in  a  shop  which 
he  put  up  for  the  purpose  on  High  Street.  The  Jewell  &  Matthews 
shop  was  originally  fitted  up  as  a  turning  shop  by  Andrew,  a  brother  of 
Chauncey  Jerome.  It  was  afterward  used  by  Lyman  Jewell,  for  the 
manufacture  of  clock  trimmings,  daugerreotype  case  hooks,  etc.,  pre- 
vious to  the  formation  of  the  firm  of  Jewell,  Matthews  &  Co.  Besides 
clock  movements,  Jewell,  Matthews  &  Co.,  made  galvanic  batteries,  of 
several  patterns,  much  used  in  those  days  in  therapeutics.  Matthews 
afterward  was  associated  with  Elmore  Horton,  in  the  manufacture  of 
toy  drums,  from  1860  until  1862.  The  firm  failed,  and  the  later  years 
of  Mr.  Matthews  were  spent  in  the  employ  of  the  E.  Ingraham  Co.  Clock 
calendars  were  introduced  in  Bristol  by  Benjamin  B.  Lewis,  who  came 
here  in  1859,  with  a  calendar  invented  by  a  man  named  Skinner.  Not 
succeeding  in  placing  the  contract  for  their  manufacture,  he  commenced 
to  make  them  himself,  in  the  Manross  shop.  The  calendar  failed  to  sell 
well,  and  in  1862,  Mr.  Lewis  contracted  with  Burwell  &  Carter,  to  manu- 
facture a  calendar  of  his  own  invention,  for  five  years.  This  calendar 
was  a  great  success.  He  afterward  entered  the  employ  of  Welch,  Spring 
&  Co.,  as  foreman,  which  position  he  held  for  many  years.  Daniel  J. 
Gale  of  Sheboygan  Falls,  Wis.,  brought  an  astronomical  clock  here,  of 
his  own  invention,  which  Welch,  Spring  &  Co.  commenced  to  manufacture 
in  1871.  But  the  clocks  were  not  in  demand,  and  the  first  five  hundred 
made  were  never  sold.  Wm.  A.  Terry,  also  invented  a  calendar,  which 
has  no  superior,  and  is  absolutely  perpetual.  It  was  made  by  The 
Atkins  Clock  Co.,  and  by  George  A.  Jones,  early  in  the  seventies.  It 
was  previously  made  at  Ansonia.  The  clock  business  was  once  con- 
ducted on  Peaceable  Street,  in  a  small  shop  south  of  the  brick  house 
once  owned  by  Edward  M.  Barnes,  on  the  same  side  of  the  road.  Deacon 
Charles  G.  Ives  was  the  proprietor,  who  did  a  small  business.  He  was 
succeeded  by  Orrin  Hart,  who  bought  out  Deacon  Ives,  in  1820,  and  who 
continued  the  manufacture  of  clocks  until  John  Bacon  bought  him  out, 
in  1833.  A  shop  was  built  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  road,  where,  in 
company  with  E.  M.  Barnes,  cases  were  made,  the  moveinents  being 
purchased  of  Chauncey  Boardman.  After  eight  years  the  partnership 
was  dissolved,  and  both  made  clocks  separately  for  three  or  four  years 
more.  Then  Mr.  Bacon  sold  the  shop  to  Mr.  Barnes,  who  made  candle- 
sticks, tin  spoons,  etc.,  up  to  the  time  of  his  death,  in  1871.  Neither  of 
these  shops  is  now  standing.  John  Birge  was  associated,  early,  with 
Erastus  and  Harvey  Case,  in  the  manufacture  of  clocks,  which  were 
sold,  for  the  most  part,  in  the  South.  He  was  associated  also  with 
Ransom  Mallory,  a  biographical  sketch  of  whom  appears  elsewhere, 
under  the  firm  name  of  Birge  &  Mallory.  Joseph  Ives,  better  known 
as  "Uncle  Joe  Ives,"  and,  probably,  the  greatest  inventive  genius  in 
the  clock  line  ever  resident  in  Bristol,  commenced  manufacturing  in 
the  old  Manross  shop,  near  the  Hubbell  factory,  in  1811.  He  was  after- 
ward associated  with  his  brothers,  Ira,  Amasa,  Chauncey  and  Philo, 
as  early  as  1816,  who  made  wood  clocks  near  the  Dana  Beckwith  place. 
Mr.  Ives  made  a  metal  clock,  in  1818,  the  wheels  of  cast  brass,  and  the 
plates  of  iron.  The  clock  required  a  case  five  feet  long,  and  was  made 
by  a  company  in  which  Lot  Newell,  Thomas  Barnes,  and  others  were 
interested.  The  place  where  the  manufacturing  was  done  was  in  the 
shop  which  stood  on  the  site  of  the  present   Dunbar  spring  factory. 


356  BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 

He  went  to  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  where  he  made  clocks  for  a  few  years,  be- 
came involved  and  was  imprisoned  for  debt.  John  Birge  relieved  him 
and  induced  him  to  i-eturn  to  Bristol,  taking  him  into  partnership,  and 
manufacturing  the  rolling  pinion  movement  invented  by  Ives,  the  best 
clock  ever  made  at  that  time.  The  shop  stood  near  the  late  Codling 
Manufacturing  Co.'s  plant.  The  writer  has  seen  one  of  these  clocks 
which  had  run  continuously  for  forty  years,  and  had  never  been  repaired, 
nor  had  it  struck  wrong  during  that  time.  Mr.  Birge  paid  Ives  $10,000 
for  the  patent  of  this  clock,  and  the  partnership  was  dissolved.  Ives 
going  to  Plainville,  where  his  usual  misfortunes  overtook  him,  which 
was  always  the  case  whenever  he  undertook  the  manufacture  of  clocks 
alone. 

About  1832  Lawson  and  Chauncey  Ives  built  the  "Eureka"  shop, 
now  the  Homestead  Bakery,  making  a  movement  invented  by  Mr. 
Ives.  E.  C.  Brewster,  also  became  interested,  about  1860,  in  a  new 
invention  of  Mr.  Ives,  called  the  "rolling  pinion,  rolling  escapement" 
clock,  intended  to  so  diminish  friction  as  to  make  oiling  unnecessary. 
But  the  business  was  not  successful.  Many  other  improvements  in 
the  construction  of  clocks  were  made  by  Mr.  Ives,  who  was  too  much 
absorbed  in  them  to  ever  find  time  to  secure  a  competency,  for  himself. 
A  co-operative  concern  called  The  Union  Clock  Company,  fro  A  which 
we  have  Union  Hill,  and  Union  Street,  made  clocks  for  a  short  time  in 
the  Waters  shop,  on  the  site  of  the  Clayton  Brothers'  factory.  They 
sold  their  clocks  in  New  York  at  cut  prices,  but  were  soon  put  out  of 
business  by  the  other  manufacturers  combining  against  them. 

Whigville,  which  was  always  so  intimately  connected  with  Bristol 
as  almost  to  be  considered  a  suburb,  was  also  a  clock-making  village. 
The  old  red  shop,  known  as  the  Jones  shop,  was  built  by  Thomas  Lowrey, 
of  Red  Stone  Hill,  for  a  cloth  mill.  His  sons,  David  and  Alfred,  made 
clocks  there,  and  were  succeeded  in  the  clock  business  by  E.  K.  Jones 
and  George  Langdon.  Edwin  Bunnell  erected  what  it  now  the  Mills 
turning  shop  for  a  clock  factory,  also  another  shop  farther  north,  on  the 
corner.  The  large  shop  where  the  D.  E.  Peck  Manufacturing  Co.  con- 
ducted a  large  turning  business  for  many  years,  was  built  for  a  clock 
shop  by  Stever  &  Bryant,  about  1845.     They  failed  in  a  short  time. 

Among  other  manufacturers  of  clock  trimmings  and  parts  mention 
should  be  made  of  S.  E.  Root,  who  commenced  to  manufacture  clock 
dials  and  sash,  of  metal,  in  1846,  in  a  small  room  in  Chauncey  Boerd- 
man's  shop,  later  occupied  by  the  Ingraham  Company.  In  1851,  he 
entered  into  partnership  with  Edward  Langdon,  and  occupied  a  portion 
of  the  spoon  shop,  later  removing  to  the  shop  which  .stood  on  the  site 
of  the  present  Dunbar  factorj^.  In  the  fall  of  1853,  ground  was  broken 
for  the  large  three-story  factory  which  stood  for  half  a  century  on  the 
corner  of  Main  and  School  Streets.  In  1855  the  farm  of  Langdon  &  Root 
was  dissolved,  Mr.  Root  conducting  the  business  alone  thereafter.  In 
1866,  he  commenced  to  manufacture  marine  and  pendulum  clocks,  pur- 
chasing the  Manross  machinery.  In  1859  he  invented  and  patented  the 
paper  clock  dial,  for  use  in  small  and  fancy  front  timepieces.  After  his 
death  in  1896,  the  business  was  continued  a  few  years  by  his  son-in-law, 
E.  E.  Newell,  and  was  then  sold  to  the  Fitzpatrick  Brothers,  who  built 
a  shop  on  the  Terryville  road,  and  removed  the  machinery  there.  The 
old  Root  factory  was  converted  into  tenements.  Joel  H.  Root,  a  brother 
of  the  preceding,  commenced  to  manufacture  clock  trimmings  in  1850. 
For  many  years  he  occupied  a  room  in  his  brother's  shop,  but,  in  1868, 
put  up  a  small  shop  on  what  has  since  been  called  Root's  Island.  Since 
his  death  in  1885,  the  business  has  been  conducted  by  his  son,  Charles 
J.  Root,  whose  life,  together  with  that  of  his  aged  mother,  his  aunt, 
Miss  Candace  Roberts,  and  his  sister.  Miss  Mary  P.  Root,  was  terminated 
by  a  horrible  grade-crossing  accident,  at  Ashley  Falls,  Mass.,  August  18, 
1907.  Mrs  Root  and  Miss  Roberts  were  granddaughters  of  Gideon 
Roberts,  the  pioneer  clock-maker. 


OR     "NEW    CAMBRIDGE."  357 


Company  D,  First  Infantry, 

C.  N.  G, 


By  First  Lieutenant   R.  K.   Linsley,  C.  N.     G.,   Retired. 


LT.    RAY    K.    I.INSLEY,    C.     N.    G.     (rETIRED'>. 

THE  movement  which  resulted  in  the  organization  of  the  present 
"Co.  D"  started  in  the  summer  of  1899.  In  earHer  days  Bristol 
had  been  represented  in  the  old  militia  regiments,  but  for  a 
long  period  there  had  been  no  part  of  the  State  Military  located 
here.  A  company  in  the  "Guard"  had  been  talked  of  at  times  but 
it  was  not  until  1899,  when  the  disbanding  of  Company  D  in  New  Britain, 
left  a  vacancy  in  the  First  Regiment,  that  these  movements  took  definite 
form. 

A  petition  for  the  organization  of  the  company  was  put  in  circulation 
in  September,  1899,  and  quickly  filled  with  more  than  enough  names  of 
would-be  soldiers.  The  Hon.  A.  J.  Muzzy  at  that  time  representing 
this  district  in  the  State  Senate,  took  a  very  active  part  in  the  work  by 
securing  the  approval  of  Governot;  Lounsbury  and  Adjutant-General 
Cole,  and  lending  his  own  influence  to  the  movement.  General  Schulze, 
then  Colonel  of  the  First  Regiment  gave  the  movement  his  most  hearty 
approval  and  in  due  time  an  order  was  issued  from  the  Adjutant-General's 
ofifice,  accepting  the  petition  and  organizing  the  signers  into  a  military 
company  to  be  located  in  Bristol,  and  known  as  Company  D,  First 
Regiment.  Connecticut  National  Guard.  Colonel  Schulze  was  ordered 
to  take  the  necessary  steps  to  muster  the  company  into  service. 


358  BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 

A  meeting  of  the  signers  was  held  in  the  old  Borough  Office  in 
Linstead's  Block,  during  October.  Several  military  men  were  present 
from  Hartford,  and  elsewhere.  Speeches  were  made  by  Senator  Muzzy, 
Colonel  Schulze,  Captain  Johnson,  then  adjutant  of  the  First,  and  others. 
The  writer,  who  was  at  that  time  a  private  in  the  Hartford  City  Guard, 
and  one  of  the  signers  of  the  petition  spoke  briefly  of  military  life  as 
an  enlisted  man. 

At  the  suggestion  of  Colonel  Schulze,  it  was  decided  to  form  a 
temporary  organization,  to  take  charge  of  matters,  until  the  company 
should  be  mustered  into  service  and  have  regularly  appointed  officers. 
The  meeting  then  named  as  a  committee,  Ray  N.  Linsley,  President; 
Herbert  E.  Newport,  Vice  President;  Ora  A.  Colby,  Secretary;  John  C. 
Page,  Treasurer.  All  of  them,  but  recently  settled  in  Bristol,  yet  all 
signers  of  the  petition  and  all  heartily  in  favor  of  the  project. 

As  soon  as  active  steps  toward  enlistment  began,  it  was  discovered 
that  very  few  of  the  original  signers  of  the  petition  were  willing  to  join 
the  company.  When  confronted  with  an  enlistment  blank,  they  all 
made  excuses  the  most  common  being,  "I  supposed  I  was  only  asking 
that  a  company  be  organized  and  had  no  intention  of  joining  it."  So 
the  committee  faced  a  harder  task  than  was  expected  and  it  was  only 
after  hard  personal  work  that  the  required  number  of  members  were 
finally  secured  and  examined  by  the  surgeons,  and  the  following  order 
issued : 

Headquarters  First  Regiment,  C.  N.  G. 

Hartford,  Conn.,  Jan.  6,  1900. 
SPECIAL  ORDERS 

No.  1. 
In  compliance  with  Special  Orders,  No.  278,  Adjutant  General's 
office,  dated  Hartford,  Nov.  17,  1899,  the  enrolled  members  of  Company 
D,  1st  Regiment  C.  N.  G.,  are  hereby  directed  to  assemble  at  the  Total 
Abstinence  and  Benevolence  Hall,  North  Main  Street,  Bristol,  Conn., 
on  Friday  evening,  January  12,  1900,  at  7:45  o'clock,  then  and  there 
to  be  mustered  into  the  service  of  the  Connecticut  National  Guard,  and 
to  nominate  by  ballot,  a  Captain,  a  First  Lieutenant  and  Second  Lieu- 
tenant. 

By  order  of 

COLONEL  SCHULZE. 
Official: 

Frank  E.  Johnson, 

Captain  and  Adjutant. 

At  the  appointed  hour  the  company  assembled  and  was  "mustered 
in"  with  almost  full  ranks.  It  is  interesting  to  note  that  there  were 
only  ten  of  the  signers  of  the  original  petition  mustered  into  the  new 
company.  One  more,  the  writer,  joined  as  soon  as  the  necessary  transfer 
papers  could  be  sent  through. 

The  nomination  of  officers  resulted  in  the  choice  of  Herbert  E* 
Newport,  Captain;  Clifford  Bronson,  First  Lieutenant  and  Ernest  E- 
Merrill,  Second  Lieutenant.  These  nominations  were  the  practically 
unanimous  choice  of  the  company  and  were  at  once  approved  by  head- 
quarters, Captain  Newport  assuming  command  immediately.  The 
appointment  of  noncommissioned  officers  followed  quickly  in  Special 
Orders,  No.  4,  from  Regimental  Headquarters. 

I.  Appointments  in  Company  D,  First  Regiment,  C.  N.  G.  are 
hereby  made  as  follows: 

To  be  First  Sergeant,  Ray  K.  Linsley. 

To  be  Quartermaster  Sergeant,  Edward  S.  Busch,  Jr. 

To  be  Second  Sergeant,  Ora  A.  Colby. 

To  be  Third  Sergeant,  Edgar  S.  Soule. 

To  be  Fourth  Sergeant,  Frank  A.  Haviland. 

To  be  Fifth  Sergeant,  Nathan  B.  Richards. 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE." 


359 


FIRST    REGIMENT    ARMORY,     NORTH    MAIN     STREET. 


INTERIOR     OF     FIRST     REGIMENT     ARMORY,     DECORATED     FOR     A     FAIR. 


360 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


EP-CAPTAIX    KRNEST    E.   MERRILL 


To  be  Corporals:  Joseph  J.  Quinn,  Charles  M.  Carrington,  John 
Stotz,  Louis  L.  Burg,  John  C.  Page,  James  F.  Douglass,  James  O'Connell, 
Jay  J.  Merrill,  all  with  rank  from  Feb.  11,  1900. 

Arms,  uniforms  and  equipments  all  being  perfectly  new,  were  soon 
supplied  and  drills  began. 

Thus  "Company  D"  became  an  established  fact  and  took  its  place 
among  the  institutions  of  Bristol.  I  do  not  recall  any  inember  of  the 
company  at  that  time,  other  than  myself,  who  had  seen  any  previous 
service,  yet  all  took  hold  with  a  will  and  when  the  first  Field  Day  parade 
was  held,  May  25,  1900,  the  company  made  quite  a  creditable  showing. 
On  this  occasion  the  Company  marched  to  Hickory  Park  and  spent 
the  day  in  drill  and  guard  practice,  having  dinner  on  the  grounds  and 
entertaining  as  the  guest  of  honor  A.  J.  Muzzy  for  whom  the  name 
"Muzzy  Guards"  had  been  assvimed.  The  following  Memorial  Day 
the  Company  turned  out  as  an  escort  to  the  Grand  Army  Veterans. 
Drills  were  kept  up  nearly  all  summer  in  order  that  the  Company  inight 
be  in  shape  to  make  a  fine  appearance  at  their  first  canip.  Lieutenant 
Bronson  left  the  Company  soon  after  organization  and  on  July  31, 
1900  Lieutenant  Merrill  was  promoted  to  the  First  Lieutenancy  and 
Sergeant  Ora  A.  Colby  was  appointed  Second  Lieutenant.  Under 
these  officers  the  Company  joined  the  regiment  and  a])])cared  at  Niantic 
for  the  first  time.  A  novel  experience  for  most  of  the  men,  but  thor- 
oughly enjoyed  by  all.  A  special  effort  was  made  for  honors,  especially 
in  the  review  on  Governor's  Day  and  we  were  informed  that  several 
compliments  were  given  our  work.  On  Oct.  4th,  1900,  the  Company 
went  to  Hartford  and  participated  inj'the  dedication  of  "Camp  Field 
Monument." 

Lieutenant  Colby  moved  out  of  town  soon  after  Camp  leaving  a 
vacancy  which  was  filled  by  the  nomination  of  Sergeant  Linsley,  Nov.  9, 
1900.  Sergeant  Richards  was  promoted  to  the  First  Sergeancy  and 
a  number  of  other  changes  occurred  among  the  noncommissioned  officers 
at  this  time. 

An  element  of  discord  arose  in  the  Coinpany  about  this  tiine.  and 
a  committee  of  which  the  writer  was  chairman,  was  elected  to  take  up 


OR     "new    CAMBRIDGE." 


361 


the  matter  of  complaints  regarding  certain  features  of  Company  manage- 
ment. The  committee  recom.mended  that  the  matter  be  dropped  and 
things  were  smoothed  over  but  effects  were  not  so  easily  altered  and 
showed  up  at  later  times. 

The  writer  felt  obliged  to  tender  his  resignation  the  next  February 
which  was  accepted.  The  nomination  of  Sergeant  Blodgett,  failing 
approval  the  Company  nominated  myself  to  fill  my  own  vacancy,  a 
manifest  impossibility.  This  action  was  duly  appreciated  by  the  writer. 
Before  this  vacancy  was  filled  Captain  Newport's  resignation,  as  he  was 
preparing  to  leave'  town,  placed  Lieutenant  Ernest  E.  Merrill  in  com 
mand,  and  left  him  the  only  commissioned  officer.  When  nominations 
were  ordered,  Lieutenant  Merrill  was  promoted  to  the  captaincy  and 
I  found  myself  named  for  First  Lieutenant  with  Sergeant  J.  C.  Page 
for  Second'.  Following  lead  of  others,  Lieutenant  Page  immediately 
left  town  and  I  do  not  recall  that  he  ever  drilled  with  us  as  a  Lieutenant. 
Sergeant  John  J.  Quinn  was  nominated  for  the  position  and^  held  it 
several  months  when  he  was  followed  by  Corporal  Frank  E.  Kennedy. 
Under  these  officers  the  Companv  settled  down  to  three  years  of  solid 
hard  work.  They  paraded  at  Hickory  Park  for  Field  Day  and  In- 
spection, Mav  17,  1901,  and  went  to  Camp  McLean  in  August,  takmg 
part  in  the  march  across  from  Lyme  to  Niantic.  Camp  of  shelter  tents 
was  pitched  the  first  night  out  in  a  cold,  drizzhng  rain.  The  next  May 
the  Field  Day  parade  took  place  on  Colt's  meadows  in  Hartford,  the 
Company  taking  enough  camp  outfit  to  cook  their  dinner  on  the  grounds. 
The   Company  was  at   Camp   Keeler,    Niantic,   the   next   August,   when 


FUN    IN    CAMP 


DING'\\'i:i.I.     l.\      I  l[l-;     -MK. 


362 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


COMPANY    d's    famous    "TUG    OF    WAR"    TEAM. 


we  received  another  practical  lesson  in  marching,  camping  and  outpost 
duty,  spending  two  days  in  the  special  field  campaign.  Qn  Sept.  25, 
1902  the  Company  paraded  in  Hartford  with  the  regiment  on  the  occa- 
sion of  the  dedication  of  the  monument  to  the  1st  Heavy  Artillery  C.  V. 
The  old  mortar  known  as  the  Petersburg  Express,  being  mounted  on 
the  capitol  grounds. 

It  was  on  the  first  of  February,  1903,  that  Company  D  boys  were 
called  to  the  most  trying  service  that  has  yet  been  their  lot.  It  will  be 
remembered  that  it  was  Sunday  when  the  Governor  decided  to  order 
out  troops  to  stop  the  lawless  rioting  of  the  street  car  strikers  in  Water- 
bury.  And  further  that  it  was  but  four  and  one-half  hours  after  the 
orders  were  issued  that  the  regiment  was  on  duty  in  Waterbury.  As 
none  of  the  officers  were  handy  to  telephones,  the  orders  were  neces- 
sarily delayed  in  reaching  us  and  with  the  Company  scattered  far  and 
wide  for  a  Sunday  afternoon  rest,  it  was  no  easy  task  to  get  them  out, 
but  when  the  train  came  through  on  its  way  to  Waterbury,  Company 
"D"  was  ready  with  nearly  full  ranks.  Owing  to  trouble  in  getting  a 
team,  our  baggage  did  not  get  on  board  and  the  boys  were  without 
blankets  and  other  comforts  the  first  night  making  things  worse  than 
necessary.  But  the  service  was  well  and  promptly  rendered,  a  credit 
to  the  Company. 

The  usual  Field  Day  in  Hartford  and  week  at  Camp  Chamberlain, 
Niantic,  followed  in  routine  in   1903. 

Then  during  "Old  Home  Week"  in  September,  1903,  Company  D 
entertained  as  its  guests  the  entire  First  Regiment  which  came  here  to 
take  part  in  the  big  parade  which  was  one  of  the  chief  features  of  the 
week.  Dinner  was  served  on  improvised  tables  set  uj)  in  the  new  shop 
of  the  E.  Ingraham  C'o.,  which  had  not  then  been  occupied.      The  entire 


OR        NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


3GC 


Company  acted  as  waiters  and  served  their  guests.  The  occasion  was 
one  that  will  long  be  remembered  by  all  who  took  part. 

The  next  spring  the  writer  felt  obliged  to  relinquish  military  life 
asked  to  be  retired  from  active  service,  which  was  granted.  Very  soon 
after  this  Captain  Merrill  also  gave  up  military  for  other  duties  and  was 
the  second  to  be  placed  on  the  retired  list. 

Captain  Merrill  was  a  very  popular  officer  and  the  esteem  in  which 
he  was  held  by  the  Company  was  shown  by  the  presentation  of  a  hand- 
some gold  w^atch,  after  he  had  left  the  service.  This  popularity  was 
justly  earned  by  hard  work  and  careful  judgment.  Taking  a  Company 
of  almost  raw  recruits,  ignorant  of  military  rules,  he  had  made  of  them  a 
Company  which  could  hold  its  own  with  any  in  the  regiment.  Second 
Lieutenant  Frank  E.  Kennedy  was  promoted  to  the  captaincy  with 
Corporal  Daniel  J.  Breshnahan  and  Sergeant  Frank  S.  Merrill  for 
lieutenants.  Under  these  officers  the  Company  made  a  meinorable 
tour  of  duty  with  the  regulars  at  Mannassas,  Va. 

The  next  fall  (1905)  found  the  Company  under  new  officers  again, 
Lieutenant   Frank   Merrill   having  become   Captain   with  Chester  E.  In- 


COMPANIES    D    AND    I    OF    THE    FIRST    INFANTRY,    C.    N.    G.,    COOKING    IN    THE 

STREET,    IN    WATERBURY,    DURING   THE    STREET   CAR   RIOTS, 

IN    FEBRUARY,    1904. 


364 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


EX-CAPTAIN    FRANK    KENNEDY. 


CO.     D    IN    CAMP    AT    NIANTIC.    CONN. 


OR        NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


365 


graham  and  William  Van  Ness  as  Lieutenants. "%  This  was  the  year  of 
"Regimental"  at  Camp  Roberts,  Niantic.  1900  brought  another  change. 
Lieutenant  Ingraham  resigned  and"  Lieutenant  Van  Ness  was  promoted 
with  Sergeant  Clark  as  Second  Lieutenant.  Under  these  officers  the 
Company  is  now  doing  good  work  and  making  new  records. 

It  was  under  Captain  Kennedy's  administration  that  .the  old  Spring- 
field rifles  were  discarded  for  the  more  modern  weapon  "The  Krag" 
with  the  knife  bayonet. 

Company  "D"  has  entered  a  team  in  the  regimental  rifle  shoot 
nearly  every  year  and  a  number  of  individual  prizes  have  been  won  by 
the  members  though  they  have  not  captured  the  chief  honors. 

Many  a  pleasant  evening  has  been  passed  by  the  Company  at  the 
Armory  entertaining  friends  and  guests  with  suppers  and  dances. 

Company  "D"  today  is  prepared  for  active  warfare,  armed  and 
equipped  in  accord  with  the  regular  army  rules.  With  capable  and 
efficient  officers  and  full  ranks  ready  if  duty  calls,  while  we  all  hope  its 
services  may  not  be  needed. 

The  members  have  also  had  a  hand  in  athletics,  producing  a  cham- 
pion tug  of  war  team  and  fine  basket  ball  and  baseball  teams  at  different 
times. 


CO.   D.,    1st  inf.^ktry,  c.  n.  g.,   in  c^mp  at  hickory  park. 


366 


BRISTOL.    CONNECTICUT 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE." 


367 


1,  J.  Linnehan;  2,  Chas.  Nagle;  3,  Jas.  Blodgett,  Q.  M.  Sgt.:  4,  A.  Garrett;  5,  W. 
Gould,  Corp.;  6,  J.  Weiberg;  7.  A.  Moquin;  S,  W.  Costello.  Mus.;  9,  M.  Canfield;  10,  W. 
Grov/n;  11,  Frank  Merrill,  Capt.;  12,  C.  Hill,  Cook;  13,  M.  Ryan;  14,  J.  GafTney;  15,  A. 
Medley;  16,  A.  Gustafson;  17,  Geo.  Rowe;  18,  J.  Lass;  19,  W.  Johnson;  20,  C.  Peterson, 
21,  W.  Stoltz;  22,  A.  Gartman;  23.  J.  Breshnan,  Mus.;  24.  F.  Herold.  25,  H.  Emerson; 
26,  L.  Griswold,  Corp.;  27,  W.  W.  I.  Reynoltls,  Sgt.;  28.  Thos.  Costello,  Corp.;  29,  D. 
Haskill,  Corp.;  30,  C.  Spencer;  31.  G.  Colgrove;  32.  F.  Zink;  33,  L.  Noble;  34,  W.  Smith; 
35,  J.  Strup,  Corp.;  36,  W.,  Bennett. 

Owing  to  unavoidable  delays,  we  are  obliged  to  show  the  rest  of  the  members  of  Co. 
D  on  page  425. 


368 


BRISTOL,    CONNIiCTICLT 


Rev.  Thomas  J.    Kkena. 


OR        NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


569 


^^ 

^t  ^iiBtpl)B  dlrurrlT 

•^^ 
•.^"^- 

By   Rev.  Bern.\rd   M.   I^oxnki.i.v 


REV.   BERNARD   M.    DDNNELI.Y 


FAR  off,  in  the  north-eastern  part  of  the  town,  at  the  Copper 
Mines,  in  the  waning  years  of  the  "forties,"  were  sown  the 
seeds  which  afterwards  ripened  into  the  present  large  and  flourish- 
ing plant  of  St.  Joseph's  Church. 
This  little  band  of  early  Catholic  settlers  were  mostly  Irish  emi- 
grants; for  Irish  emigration  was,  at  that  time,  at  its  height.  The 
dark  years  of  famine  had  passed  over  the  fair  face  of  Ireland;  persecu- 
tion had  followed  in  its  train,  driving  to  this  land  of  promise,  men  and 
women,  as  strong  in  faith  as  they  were  in  physique. 

A  small  band  of  these — about  twelve  families  in  all — found  their 
way  to  the  vCopper  Mines.  Here  they  w^ere  in  a  strange  country.  Be- 
tween them  and  their  homes  lay  thousands  of  miles  of  water,  which 
represented  months  of  travel  in   slow-sailing  vessels,   exiles  they  were, 


.370 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


ST.     JOSEPH  S    CHURCH    AND    RECTORY. 


INTERIOR    OF    CHURCH    SHOWING    CHRISTMAS   DECORATIONS. 


NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


37] 


cheered  only  by  occasional  messages  from  home,  or,  sometimes,  by 
the  visit  of  Father  Daly,  who  came  amongst  them  to  attend  to  their 
spiritual  wants. 

Few  as  they  were,  they  were  self-reliant  and  looked  to  the  future 
with  confidence.  No  hardships  daunted  them;  for  they  had  come  to 
stay,  to  cast  their  lot  with  their  fellow  colonists  from  other  lands,  and  to 
assist,  as  far  as  they  could,  in  laying,  deep  and  strong,  the  foundations 
of  what  is  now  a  prosperous  community. 

In  1849,  there  were  but  nine  priests  to  administer  to  the  wants  of 
the  Catholics  throughout  the  State  of  Connecticut! 

Truly,  those  were  days  that  tried  priests'  souls,  and  the  names 
of  these  heroic  and  apostolic  men  shcnild,  for  all  time,  be  held  in  grateful 
remembrance  by  Catholics. 

One  of  these  was  the  Rev.  Luke  Daly,  then  pastor  of  St.  Mary's 
Church,  New  Britain.  His  spiritual  charge  comprised  New  Britain, 
Farmington,  Berlin,  Bristol,  Forestville,  Collinsville,  New  Hartford, 
Simsbury,  Tariffville  and  Rainbow, 


REV.     M.    B.    RODDEN. 


.  -Owing  to  the  extent  of  the  territory  covered  by  the  above  places, 
the  scattered  condition  of  the  Catholic  ilock,  and  the  hardships  of  the 
jounrey  imposed  on  the  traveling  priest,  Catholic  worship  could  not  be 
had  with  any  degree  of  regularity.  Mass  was  offered  at  the  mines  about 
once  a  month,  and  the  few  Catholics  of  Bristol  Centre  went  there. 

'  When  the  copper  mines  closed,  the  construction  of  the  railroad 
began,  and  the  Catholics  finding  employment  at  the  work,  settled  at 
Bristol  Centre  in  larger  numbers. 

At  this  time.  Catholic  services  were  held  in  the  house  of  the  Roche 
family  on  Queen  Street,  not  far  from  the  present  church  site;  later  on, 
at  the  South  Side,  in  the  home  of  one  Michael  McGovern,  until,  when 
the   congregation  became   more   numerous,   its   memliers  worshipped  in 


372  BRISTOL   CONNECTICUT, 

the  old  Gridley  Hall,  which  is  now  the  store  of  Mr.  Cleveland,  and  was 
then  situated  south  of  the  old  Town  Building. 

In  1855,  the  present  church  was  built  by  Rev.  Father  Daly.  At 
that  period,  the  Catholic  population  had  reached  the  number  of  two 
hundred  souls. 

On  October  1,  1864,  Bristol  was  made  an  independent  parish,  with 
the  Copper  Mines  and  Forestville  as  missions.  The  first  resident  pastor 
of  the  new  parish  was  the  Rev.  Michael  B.  Rodden.  Here  he  remained 
for  four  years,  until  1868,  when,  on  account  of  ill-health,  he  was  ap- 
pointed pastor  at  Greenville,  R.  I.  Rev.  Christopher  Duggett  suc- 
ceeded him  at  Bristol.  Fr.  Duggett  sold  the  old  rectory,  which  was 
located  on  the  corner  of  Prospect  Place  and  Maple  Street,  and  purchased 
St.  Joseph's  Cemetery  and  the  site  of  the  present  Catholic  rectory. 

In  1872,  Rev.  Fr.  Rodden  returned  to  Bristol,  reappointed  pastor 
of  St.  Joseph's  Church — a  pastorate  which  he  retained  continuously 
for  twenty-nine  years! 

Twenty-nine  years  of  pure,  priestly  life — years  of  honest  devotion 
to  the  poor,  to  the  weak,  to  the  little  ones  of  God's  Kingdom.  Twenty- 
nine  years  of  earnest  effort  to  do  God's  work  in  a  mild,  unpretentious 
way,  have  made  Father  Rodden's  memory  sacred.  His  sterling  qual- 
ities of  mind  and  heart,  manifested  throughout  this  long  term  of  years, 
have  caused  him  to  be  beloved  by  his  own  charge;  while  his  priestly 
zeal,  his  gentle,  courteous  manners,  and  his  public-spirited  actions,  have 
earned  for  him,  regardless  of  creed  or  nationality,  the  esteem  and  respect 
of  all  who  knew  him. 

Realizing  that  the  infirmities  of  age  were  rendering  him  incapable 
of  attending  to  the  growing  needs  of  the  Bristol  parish,  he  resigned, 
May  1st,  1901,  to  accept  the  lighter  charge  of  St.  Catherine's  Parish, 
Broad  Brook. 

He  survived  his  removal  only  one  year,  and  died  in  Broad  Brook 
towards  the  end  of  May,  1902.  His  remains  were  brought  to  his  own 
beloved  Bristol,  where,  in  St.  Joseph's  Cemetery,  under  the  shadow  of 
the  church  he  served  so  long  and  so  well,  they  are  interred  with  others 
of  an  earlier  day  and  generation,  who  strove  and  made  sacrifices  to 
propagate  on  earth  the  teaching  of  Christ. 

Father  Rodden  had  for  assistants:  Rev.  James  Walsh,  Rev,  Chas. 
McGoon,  Rev.  Frank  M.  Murray,  Rev.  Maurice  Sheehan,  Rev.  Terence 
Smith,  Rev.  Patrick  J.  O'Leary,  Rev.  John  Brennan  and  Rev.  John 
Clark,  in  the  order  given. 

Rev.  Thomas  J.  Keena,  the  present  incumbent,  assumed  charge  of 
St.  Joseph's  parish,  May  1,  1901.  He  set  himself  at  once  to  the  task  of 
erecting  a  parochial  school. 

A  Catholic  laity  responded  to  his  efforts  with  good  will  and  generos- 
ity. In  the  space  of  two  years,  he  purchased  the  land  on  the  extension 
of  Center  Street,  moved  the  old  rectory,  transforming  it  into  a  convent, 
built  and  furnished  the  school  and  the  present  new  rectory,  and  pur- 
chased the  new  St.  Thomas'  Cemetery. 

On  May  24,  1902,  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Tierney  of  Hartford  blessed 
the  new  cemetery  and  dedicated  the  parochial  school.  The  sermon  was 
preached  by  Rev.  Wm.  H.  Rogers  of  St.  Patrick's  Church,  Hartford. 

The  presence  of  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  and  upwards  of  100  priests 
from  all  parts  of  the  diocese,  the  demonstration  of  strength  and  number 
made  by  the  children  and  the  societies  connected  with  the  church,  ren- 
dered that  day  a  memorable  one  for  Catholics  in  the  history  of  Bristol. 

Co-operating  with  the  priests  of  St.  Joseph's  parish  is  a  strong  and 
united  force  of  Catholic  laity,  formed  into  societies  under  the  auspices 
of  the  church,  for  the  promotion  of  temperance,  as  well  as  for  benevo- 
lent and  charitable  purposes — we  give  them  in  the  order  of  their  founda- 
tion, viz. :  the  Ancient  Order  of  Hibernians,  The  Knights  of  Columbus, 
St.    Joseph's    Young    Men's    Temperance    and    Benevolent    Society,    St. 


OR  "new  CAMBRIDGE." 


SCENES  IN  OLD  CATHOLIC  CEMETERY. 


374 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


ST.     JOSEPH  S    PAROCHIAL    SCHOOL     AND    CONVENT. 


Joseph's  German  Society,  St.  Jean  Baptiste  Society,  and  the  PoHsh 
Society.  Societies  for  women  are:  the  Ladies'  CathoUc  Benevolent 
Legion,  Ladies'  AuxiUary,  A.  O.  H.,  Young  Ladies'  Sodahty,  Young 
Ladies'  Temperance  Society,  besides  confraternities  for  younger  mem- 
bers. These  societies  are  in  full  vigor  and  representing,  as  they  do, 
the  best  in  layman  and  womanhood  they  are  strong  aids  in  the  pro- 
motion of  church  work. 

In  the  new  parochial  school,  375  children  are  receiving  instruction 
under  the  fostering  care  of  the  Sisters  of  St.  Joseph  in  charge  of  Sr.  M. 
Carmella.  These  good  women,  who  bring  to  their  vocation  virtue  and 
talent,  instruct  their  pupils  in  all  the  branches  of  education  taught  in  the 
public  schools.  While  doing  so,  they  also  teach  them  in  a  broad  and 
efficient  manner,  that  religion  must  be  an  ever-present  factor  in  their 
lives,  and  that  all  earthly  ambitions  inust  be  made  subordinate  to  the 
end  for  which  alone  man  was  created. 

Rev.  T.  J.  Keena,  the  present  pastor  is  a  native  of  Hartford,  Conn. 
He  received  his  early  education  in  St.  Peter's  Parochial  School.  His 
college  studies  were  pursued  at  St.  Charles'  College,  Baltimore,  Md., 
under  the  direction  of  the  Sulpitian  Fathers.  He  entered  the  Grand 
Seminary,  Montreal,  Canada,  to  study  philosophy,  but  completed  his 
philosophical  and  theological  studies  in  the  Ecclesiastical  Seminary, 
Troy,  N.  Y.,  where  he  was  ordained  to  the  priesthood,  Dec.  19,  1885. 

His  first  appointment  was  to  St.  John's  Parish,  Stamford,  where, 
for  12  years,  he  labored  faithfully  and  with  great  success  until  he  was 
appointed  as  pastor  to  St.  Lawrence's  Parish,  Hartford,  Nov.  21,  1898. 
Here  he  remained  for  3  years,  until  he  was  transferred  by  Bishop  Tierney 
and  made  pastor  of  St.  Joseph's  Church,  Bristol. 

Associated  with  Father  Keena  in  the  work  of  St.  Joseph's,  was 
Rev.  John  Clark  from  May  1  to  Oct.  6,  at  which  date  he  was  called  io 
Montville  to  act  as  pastor.  He  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  Bernard  M. 
Donnelly  of  Stamford,   Conn.,   the  present  assistant. 


OR        NEW     CAMBRIDGE. 


375 


Father  Donnelly  cdinpleted  his  preparatory  studies  at  St.  Charles' 
College.  Maryland,  pursued  the  study  of  philosophy  and  tehology  at  the 
Grand  Seminary,  Montreal,  Canada,  and  was  ordained  to  the  Priest- 
hood. July  30,  '1899,  by  the  Rt.  Rev.  Michael  Tierney,  in  St.  Joseph's 
Cathedral,  Hartford.  After  a  year  of  post-graduate  study,  spent  in 
Rome,  Italy,  he  was  assigned  to  duty,  for  short  periods,  in  Hartford. 
Bridgeport  and  New  Haven,  before  coming  to  Bristol. 

Thus  the  Catholic  population  has  increased  in  50  years  from  200 
souls  to  more  than  3,000.  St.  Joseph's  is  a  parish  of  composite  charac- 
ter: its  different  elements  are  drawn  from  many  branches  of  the  human 
family,  so  that  the  native  American  worships  side  by  side  with  the  Irish, 
the  French-Canadian,  the  German,  the  Pole,  the  Lithuanian,  and  the 
Italian. 

Thus,  in  a  short  span  of  years,  the  little  seed  of  Catholicity  sown  at 
the  Copper  Mines,  has  grown  up  and  branched  forth  into  a  great  tree, 
which  offers  spiritual  shelter  and  a  peaceful  haven  to  so  many  of  the 
wandering  children  of  the  different  nations  of  the  earth. 

What  a  distinguished  churchman  once  said  about  the  Catholics  of 
this  State  might  be  appropriated  to  fft  the  situation  in  Bristol — "Catho- 
lics have  ever  manifested  a  deep  interest  in  whatever  concerns  the  wel- 
fare of  the  town.  Zealous  in  guarding  her  fair  name  and  in  upholding 
her  prestige,  they  join  willing  hands  with  their  fellow  citizens  of  all 
other  denorninations  in  laboring  for  the  common  weal.  Knowing  their 
duties,  and  grateful  for  the  blessings  which  they  enjoy,  they  have  be- 
come closely  identified  with  whatever  tends  to  the  advancement  of  the 
town's  and  State's  interests." 


*^ 


ptro^  W  »<»»?^<'/ 


^  r 


BALI.   TEAM. 


376 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


^^^^^^^^^■^             .MtrHiL    '■  '^^^^^^^^^l 

SCENES    IX    NEW    CATHOLIC    CEMETERY. 


OR        NEW     CAMBRIDGE. 


377 


ST.   JOSEPH  S    ALTAR    BOYS    DRUM    CORPS. 


378  BRISTOL,     CONNECTICUT 


REMINISENCES  OF  YOUTHFUL  PASTIMES 


By  Roswell  Atkins. 

OUR  ancestors  were  a  reading  people,  and  early  in  the  lUth  century 
organized  circula.ting  libraries,  one  of  Avhich  was  a  part  of  the 
old  Scott  Swamp  library,  but  soon  changed  to  the  Farmers' 
Library.  This  library  was  composed  of  standard  works:  Rollins, 
Ancient  History,  in  eight  volumes;  memoirs  of  prominent  men;  his- 
tories, etc.,  so  far  as  they  could  be  obtained.  This  was  in  the  east  part 
of  the  town,  and  in  the  west  part  of  Farmington.  This  library  was  sold 
sometime  in  the  thirties,  as  newspapers  became  more  numerous  and 
easily  obtained. 

While  our  ancestors  were  of  necessity  a  pastoral  people,  they  were 
not  unmindful  of  the  finer  arts  and  embelishments  of  life  which  were 
within  their  reach.  Of  course  the  common  school  was  regarded  as  a 
necessity,  and  was  established  in  different  localities  as  the  different 
hamlets  becaine  large  enough  to  warrant  it. 

Music  was  also  given  considerable  attention,  teachers  were  hired, 
and  the  young  men  and  women,  on  saddle  and  pillion,  or  in  wagons 
without  springs,  hied  away  to  the  singing  school  in  the  center  of  the 
town,  and  the  grand  old  anthems  of  Mozart,  Clark,  Whittaker,  Mason, 
Kent,  Stephens,  Handel,  and  many  others  in  the  Bridgewater  Collec- 
tion, were  made  to  yield  their  rich  melodies  to  the  listening  congrega- 
tions, with  only  the  pitch  pipe  to  give  the  key,  and  the  wand  of  the 
leader  to  keep  time,  in  some  instances;  in  others,  the  flute,  clarionette, 
violin  and  bass  viol  gave  support  to  the  voices,  until  the  introduction 
of  the  church  organ.  The  first  band  for  out-door  music  was  composed 
of  clarionettes,  bassoons,  fifes,  piccolos,  bugle  or  French  horn,  cymbals 
and  druiTis.  Only  one  man  is  now  living  who  participated  in  this  band, 
Elias  Burwell.  This  was  followed  very  soon  by  the  brass  band,  composed 
of  the  Kent,  or  C  bugle,  the  E-fiat  or  tenor  horn,  cornopean,  trombone, 
ophicleide  and  drums.  These  were  followed  by  the  modern  band  instru- 
ments. 

The  town  was  not  without  its  holidays.  The  spring  gathering  of 
the  militia  was  a  gala  time  for  the  boys  as  they  watched  the  evolutions 
of  the  red-coats,  every  man  from  eighteen  to  forty-five  being  required 
by  law  to  have  a  suitable  gun,  length  and  calibre  being  given,  and  to  do 
duty  as  warned.  There  were  three  companies  in  town;  regulars,  a  rifle 
company,  and  an  artillery  company,  with  two  field  pieces;  also  part  of 
a  cavalry  company,  the  other  part  being  composed  of  Southington  men. 
This  made  quite  a  display.  The  annual  regimental  review,  generally 
held  in  Plainville  in  the  fall,  made  another  'day  for  sight-seeing  and 
ginger-bread  sale. 

Athletics  were  in  common  repute  in  the  state,  and  the  town  was  not 
without  its  representatives  at  either  wrestling  or  kicking;  and  the  spec- 
tacle of  a  man  standing  on  his  head  on  the  ridge-pole  of  a  bviilding  frame 
was  not  unknown;  or  kicking  an  object  six  inches  above  his  head,  while 
standing  on  one  foot,  kicking  with  that  foot,  and  returning  to  the  original 
position  without  touching  the  other  foot  to  the  ground,  was  one  of  the 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE." 


;^79 


(^  //i^je  /^>//i'  ////re  //fV  M/o.r/  a^  //'o///  /// 


r  J 


<.P     ■  *•  V 


XVV^. 


This  Diploma  was  given  as  a  prize  to  the  scholar  who  stood  at  the 
head  of  the  spelling  at  the  close  of  the  winter  term.  It  must  have  been 
in  the  early  1790'  .  You  will  see  that  ten  of  the  fifteen  names  are 
Lewis — all  descended  from  one  grandfather.         Mrs.  Ellen  L.  Peck. 


380  BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 

feats  reported.  Rivalry  between  towns  was  ordinarily  decided  by  a 
wrestling  match  between  chosen  champions,  and  even  fistic  encotinters 
decided  the  division  lints  between  towns. 

Human  nature  was  much  the  same  then  as  now,  and  if  work  could 
be  turned  into  play  it  seemed  all  the  easier;  so  the  husking  to  assist  the 
farmer  in  storing  his  corn  crop  made  the  barn  echo  with  laughter,  as 
red  ears  were  found,  and  forfeits  were  claimed  of  the  fair  sex.  The 
apple-paring  bee,  to  aid  the  farmer's  wife  in  preparing  her  winter  store 
of  apple  sauce,  turned  many  a  cold,  fall  evening  into  a  scene  of  merri- 
ment. Busy  hands  with  sharpened  knives  passed  deftly  around  the 
bright,  red  apples.  Circling  the  unbroken  paring  two  or  three  times 
around  the  head  and  then  dropping  it  to  the  floor  to  see  if  it  formed  the 
initials  of  the  one  whom  it  was  hoped  would  be  a  life  companion,  was 
one  of  the  pastimes  of  the  occasion.  The  evening's  sport  was  closed 
by  the  young  jjeople,  hand  in  hand,  with  the  old-time  plays  and  songs: 

The  needle's  eye,  it  doth  supply 
The  thread  that's  running  through; 
It  hath  caught  many  a  smiling  lass, 
And  now  it  hath  caught  you. 

This  was  accompanied  by  the  usual  suiting  of  the  action  to  the  words 
of  the  song,  and  the  not  unwilling  osculation  that  closed  each  melodious 
act.     Another  of  the  old  jingles  ran: 

Pretty  Pink,  I  s'pose  you  think, 

I  cannot  do  without  you; 
But  I'll  let  you  know,  before  you  go, 

I  care  but  little  about  you! 

The  hearty  smack  that  followed  this  verse  wovild  not  be  very  convincing 
to  the  fair  maiden  involved,  as  to  the  sincerity  of  the  poetical  utterance. 
The  close  of  the  winter's  term  of  school  was  often  accompanied  liy 
an  exhibition  in  which  declamation,  recitation  and  dialogue,  from 

You'd  scarce  expect  one  of  my  tender  age, 
to 

The  boy  stood  on  the  burning  deck, 

the  Indian  Chief,  and  selections  from  Shakespeare,  with  all  the  accom- 
paniments of  sword  and  bugle  blast.  For  want  of  better  theatre  a  barn, 
with  a  temporary  floor  laid  over  the  bay,  now  empty  of  hay,  for  the 
stage,  carpeted  and  hung  with  quilts;  the  barn  floor  seated  for  the  pit, 
and  the  loft  over  the  stables  for  a  gallery;  the  violin  orchestra  to  fill 
in  the  time  between  acts,  afi^orded  a  good  deal  of  pleasure  to  the  par- 
ticipants, as  well  as  to  the  parents  of  the  rising  generation. 


THE  CURFEW   BELL. 

THE  curfew  bell,  which  for  so  many  years  has  tolled  its  ninety- 
and-nine  strokes  at  nine  o'clock,  formerly  did  duty  at  the  copper 
mine,  in  calling  the  men  to  their  work  and  dismissing  them  at 
noon  and  night.  It  was  purchased  by  Col.  E.  L.  Dunbar,  when 
the  old  mine  buildings  weiie  dismantled,  to  be  placed  in  the  belfry  of 
his  new  spring  shop,  which  was  built  upon  the  foundations  of  the  burned 
factory  of  the  Union  Spectacle  Co.,  and  other  concerns.  Bvit  this  was 
not  the  first  nine  o'clock  bell  in  Bristol,  by  any  means.  The  old  Con- 
gregational church,  previous  to   1795,  was  without  a  steeple.     It  was 


"or    new    CAMBRIDGE."  3S1 

then  that  the  time  seemed  propitious  for  raising  the  arnount  necessary 
to  add  this  desirable  feature  to  the  meetinghouse,  and  hberty  was  se- 
cured, at  a  meeting  of  the  society,  to  build  a  steeple.  In  1796  a  tax 
of  one  cent  on  the  dollar  was  levied  for  the  purpose  of  procuring  a  new 
bell  for  the  steeple.  George  Mitchell,  David  Granniss  and  Gideon  Rob- 
erts were  appointed  a  committee  to  procure  the  bell.  In  1797  a  tax 
of  eight  mills  was  laid  to  pay  arrearages  on  the  steeple,  any  surplus 
remaining  to  apply  on  the  bell.  On  the  eighth  of  January,  1798,  the 
following  vote  w^as  passed  at  a  society  meeting: 

"REGULATION  FOR  RINGING  THE  BELL." 

(Copied  by  Roswell  Atkins.) 

''Voted,  that  the  bell  shall  be  rung  at  nine  o'clock  every  night  in 
the  year,  except  Saturday  night  it  is  to  be  rung  at  eight  o'clock;  and 
in  the  months  of  July  and  August  it  is  to  be  rung  at  twelve  o'clock,  or 
midday,  in  the  room  of  nine  at  night.  To  be  rung  each  Sunday,  Thanks- 
giving and  Fast,  one  hour  before  the  time  of  exercise,  and  to  ring  until 
the  Priest  comes  in  sight  south  of  Mr.  Royce  Lewises,  and  then  to  toll 
until  the  Priest  enters  the  Meeting  House.  To  be  rung  at  the  public 
meeting  one  hour  before  the  time  of  meeting,  and  at  the  time  of  entering 
on  business  until  the  meeting  is  opened.  To  be  rung  and  tolled  at  fun- 
erals. That  the  bell  be  rung  at  Society's  cost  till  the  next  annual  Society 
meeting." 

That  the  youthful  American  may  have  had  an  existence  even  in 
those  Puritan  days,  may  be  conjectured  from  the  following  vote,  passed 
December  14,  1797:  "Voted,  a  tine  of  50  cents  on  any  one  who  shall 
ring  the  bell  after  this  date  without  orders  from  the  Society's  Committee, 
and  applied  to  the  use  of  the  Society." 

It  may  be  possible  that  the  new  bell  of  1796  was  too  small  to  be 
heard  over  the  entire  township,  with  its  sparse  and  scattered  popula- 
tion, for  on  February  29,  1808,  the  odd  day  of  leap  year  was  utilized 
for  the  purpose  of  holding  a  Society  meeting,  at  which  it  was  ''Voted, 
to  procure  a  Meeting  House  bell  that  will  weigh  about  650  pounds." 

As  affording  a  glimpse  into  the  methods  and  requirements  of  the 
past,  the  following  report  of  a  Society's  Committee  may  be  useful.  The 
report  bears  the  date  of  January  8,  1798: 

We,  the  subscribers,  being  appointed  a  committee  by  the  inhab- 
itants of  the  First  Ecclesiastical  Society  of  the  Town  of  Bristol,  to  ex- 
amine the  certificates  lodged  with  the  clerk  of  said  Society,  and  having 
attended  to  the  business  of  our  appointment,  beg  leave  to  report  that 
having  examined  the  law  respecting  certificates,  are  of  the  opinion  that 
the  statute  is  calculated  to  give  the  most  free  and  ample  liberty  to  the 
good  people  of  this  State,  to  worship  God  in  that  way  that  is  most  agree- 
able to  the  dictates  of  their  own  conscience,  while,  at  the  same  time, 
it  is  wisely  guarded  against  exempting  any  from  (omitting)  the  joining 
and  attending  public  worship  in  some  religious  congregation  of  Chris- 
tians allowed  by  law  in  this  State;  and  that  in  order  to  exempt  a  person 
from  being  taxed  by  the  located  societies,  there  must  not  only  be  a 
joining  to  some  other  denomination  of  Christians,  but  a  common  and 
ordinary  attendance  at  the  public  worship  of  God  with  such  denomina- 
tion of  Christians;  and  that  having  examined  the  certificates  as  afore- 
said, lodged  in  the  Society  Clerk's  office  by  John  Hendricks,  Jacob  Linds- 
ley.  Doctor  Josiah  Holt,  Seth  Roberts,'  William  Rich,  Thomas  Yale, 
James  Stone  and  Ehas  Wilcox,  do  not  come  within  the  meaning  of  the 
statute,  but  are  liable  by  law  and  ought  to  be  taxed  by  the  inhabitants 
of  this  Society  for  the  support  of  public  worship;  but,  as  lenient  and 
mild  measures  are  always  preferable  to  more  harsh  and  coercive,  and 
as  we  earnestly  wish  for  peace  and  harmony  among  all  the  inhabitants 
of  this  Society,  we  beg  leave  to  recommend  it  as  our  opinion  that  it  is 


382 


BRISTOL.    CONNECTICUT 


best  tOjCancel  all  the  taxes  that  are  already  become  due  from  all  (;r  any 
<jf  the  above  named  persons,  and  at  the  same  time  we  would  let  them 
know  that  we  consider  them  to  be  holden  for  the  payment  of  all  taxes 
which  may  become  due  at  any  future  period;  all  which  is  humbly  sub- 
mitted by  vour  most  obedient  humble  servants. 

ASA  UPSON. 

ZEBULON  PECK. 

STEPHEN   DODGE, 

ENOS  IVES. 

Committee. 


SOMK     BRISTOL     PUPPIES. 

Photo  by  Moultrope. 


OR        NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


383 


^^rmau  lEuaug^ltr  ICutbrrau 
2ton  ffllfurrh 


B'i    Rev.   G.   Gille,    German   Lutheran   Pastor.     Translated   from 
THE  Original  German  Manuscript. 


REV     G.     GILLE. 


TirlE  German  Evangelic  Lutheran  Zion  Church  in  Bristol,  Conn. 
was  founded  under  the  name  of  German  Lutheran  Church  on 
August  19,  1894,  by  Rev.  H.  Weber,  after  a  rehgious  service 
in  the  Temperance  Hall.  The  first  officers  were  Mr.  Curell, 
president,  Mr.  Wahl,  secretary;  Mr.  Blank,  treasurer  and  Mr.  J.  Rind- 
fleish,  elder.  As  there  were  extraordinary  difficulties  in  the  way  of 
erecting  a  church  edifice,  it  was  decided  to  hold  services  in  the  above 
named  hall. 

Under  the  leadership  of  the  third  pastor.  Rev.  G.  Brandt,  tlie  second 
being  Rev.  Handel,  a  cliurch  was  erected  on  School  street  in  the  year, 
1896. 

As  fourth  pastor,  the  late  Rev.  Gross  of  New  Britain  officiated. 
His  three  predecessors  had  preached  in  the  spirit  of  the  great    refonner. 


384 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


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llrlH 

■HR^^^HhImmhm 

B     P_JMj 

iHHHBli3 

GERMAN     EVANGELIC    LUTHERAN     ZION    CHURCH. 


Dr.  Martin  Luther,  and  his  fellow  workers.  Their  doctrine  is  still  preached 
and  has  been  preached  in  all  Lutheran  churches  of  Germany  for  nearly 
four  hundred  years.  Rev.  Gross,  on  the  contrary,  was  a  member  of 
the  so-named  Lutheran  Missouri  Synod  and  he  introduced,  without 
the  knowledge  of  the  congregation,  the  doctrine  of  the  above  narned 
synod.  The  point  on  which  these  two  doctrines  differ  is  the  question 
of  predestination.  According  to  this  doctrine,  since  eternity  God  has 
chosen  a  certain  number  of  human  beings  and  decided  that  these  should 
and  must  become  saved;  that  salvation  through  Christ  is  offered  to. all, 
but  only  by  the  chosen  ones  does  God  guarantee  that  they  surely  grasp 
it  and  never  lose  it.  On  the  other  hand,  it  is  impossible  for  those  who 
are  not  chosen  to  become  saved. 

Luther,  and  with  him  the  Ltitheran  church  of  all  lands  and  times, 
has  pronounced  this  doctrine  unbiblical  and  affirms  that  God  has  chosen 
all  human  beings  to  be  saved  and  that  He  does  all  to  help  them  gain 
this  end;  that  it  is  the  fault  of  man  if  he  does  not  grasp  it. 

That  these  differences  should  be  put  out  of  the  way,  a  conference 
was  held  in  St.  Paul's  Church,  Middletown,  Conn.,  on  April  8,  1901. 
A  number  of  ministers  of  both  doctrines  were  present.  The  same  did 
not  lead  to  an  understanding. 

The  successor  of  Pastor  Gross  still  officiates  in  Bristol  and  on  the 
ground  of  the  doctrine  of  Evangelical  Lutheran  Missouri  Synod,  so-called. 

For  various  reasons,  confessional  reasons,  a  few  of  the  original 
members  were  not  allowed  to  attend  the  Lord's  Supper  and  since  the 
year,  1899,  attended  the  St.  John's  Church  in  New  Britain,  until  they 
built  a  church  of  their  own  and  formed  an  independent  congregation. 
When  they  did  form  such  a  congregation  they  looked  upon  it  as  a 
restoration  of  the  original  congregation. 

With  the  constitution   of  St.   John's   Church   of  New   Britain  as  a 


OR    "new     CAMBRIDGE."  385 

constitution  the  following  officers  were  chosen:  Henry  Redmann,  pres- 
ident; Joseph  Rindfleish,  elder;  Michael  Rindfleish,  treasurer;  Fred 
Stanke,  secretary;  John  Griinewald,  trustee. 

Rev.  M.  W.  Gaudian  was  given  a  call  to  act  as  pastor.  As  places 
of  worship  the  W.  E.  T.  &  W.  Hall  and  then  the  A.  O.  U.  M.  Hall  were 
used.  The  president  of  the  Prospect  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
kindly  offered  them  the  use  of  the  basement  of  their  church,  which  the 
congregation  then  gratefully  accepted. 

In  a  regular  meeting,  in  which  the  forty-five  members  of  which  the 
congregation  consisted  were  present,  on  the  26th  of  May,  1902,  it  was 
decided  to  build  a  new  church.  The  kind  offer  of  Mr.  W.  E.  Sessions 
to  present  them  with  a  building  lot  on  Judd  street  and  plans  of  a  chvirch, 
were  thankfully  accepted.  The  contract  was  given  to  Contractor 
Thompson.  The  :nanner  in  which  the  citizens  of  Bristol  came  forward 
with  pecuniary  help,  the  congregation  always  will  gratefully  remember; 
how  a  strange  people  of  strange  tongue  extended  the  friendly  helping 
hand. 

With  glad  courage  and  thanks  to  God,  the  congregation  laid  the 
cornerstone  of  this  church  on  June  25,  1906,  and  on  October  12,  1906, 
it  was  dedicated.  On  both  occasions,  many  of  the  American  citizens 
of  Bristol  were  present.  The  sound  and  clear  words  of  the  English 
sermons  apparently  made  a  deep  impression  tipon  them  and  gave  them 
a  glance  into  the  deep  soul  and  spirit  of  the  Germans  and  their  church, 
showing,  at  the  same  time,  their  value  to  religion  and  learning  in  America. 

As  expected,  the  congregation,  which  was  bound  heart  and  soul  to 
its  new  church,  grew  very  well.  Almost  every  month  new  members 
joined  them.  As  the  most  of  these  were  young  unmarried  people, 
many  of  them  often  changed  their  place  of  residence  to  other  towns, 
but  in  spite  of  this,  the  congregation  grew  steadily. 

At  this  time  their  pastor,  Rev.  K.  Riebesell,  followed  an  urgent  and 
repeated  call  to  Englewood,  N.  J.  Almost  at  the  same  time,  their 
capable  first  president,  Henry  Redmann,  was  taken  from  them  by  death. 
From  June,  1905,  to  July  1,  1906,  at  which  time  their  present  pastor. 
Rev.  G.  Gille  accepted  a  call,  the  congregation  could  not  get,  that  is 
keep  a  minister.  Rev.  O.  Konrad,  after  staying  Avith  them  three 
months  followed  a  call  to  the  larger  congregations  of  Seymour  and 
Shelton.  It  will  be  readily  understood,  when  it  is  said  that  these  mis- 
fortunes dampened  the  courage  and  hope  in  the  congregation. 

Under  the  leadership  of  the  present  pastor,  who  is  on  the  ground 
of  a  new  constitution,  at  the  same  time  president  of  the  congregation, 
matters  have  acquried  a  brighter  outlook.  Apparently  the  congregation 
have  great  love  and  faith  in  him  and  there  is,  with  God's  help  a  good 
future  before  them,  both  in  material  and  spiritual  matters. 


BE.'VUTIFUL   SPECIMEN   OF    INDI.\N    PKSTT.E. 

Found  on  Chippcn's   Hill  by  Frank  J .  Smith.      Now  in  collection  cj 
A.  E.  Kilbourn,  So.  Windsor,  Conn. 


386 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


±  he  SAvedish  Congregational  Churcn 


The  Swedish  Congregational  Church  was  organized  in  Bristol  the 
7th  of  February,  1890,  with  a  membership  of  nine. 

Rev.  E.  G.  Hjerpe  of  New  Britain,  Conn.,  was  invited  to  attend 
when  the  church  was  organized. 

On  account  of  the  small  membership  the  church  could  not  afford 
to  have  a  regular  pastor,  but  depended  upon  the  ministers  of  nearby- 
towns  to  preach  in  turn  for  them.  Rev.  Hjerp'^  of  New  Britain  being 
near  to  Bristol  took  special  interest  in  the  church,  for  which  the  church 
thanked  him  most  heartily. 


REV.   p.   G.    FALLQUIST. 

Pastors  of  nearby  towns  preached  here  in  rotation  until  1893,  when 
Rev.  A.  Abrahamson,  who  had  charge  of  the  Swedish  in  the  Chicago 
Theological  Seminary,  arrived  here  to  take'^charge  of  the  church. 

He  told  the  congregation  that  they  should  have  a  regular  pastor. 
Money  being  scarce,  they  decided  to  appeal  to  the  American  people 
in  Bristol  for  help,  and  had  very  much  success.  Rev.  Abrahamson  re- 
mained here  until  November,  1893,  when  he  resigned. 

Rev.  Otto  Svenson  then  took  charge  of  the  work  and  under  his 
leadership  a  church  was  built.  Until  this  time  the  church  meetings 
were  held  in  halls.     The  church  was  dedicated  December  29,   1895,  the 


[*This  article  was  written  by  Mrs.  Johnson  of  Goodwin  Street  and 
translated  by  George   Malmgren.] 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE. 


387 


same  year  that  it  was  built.  Under  the  leadership  of  Rev.  Syenson 
the  church  took  great  strides  towards  increasing  its  membership  and 
prosperity.     Rev.  Svenson  resigned  the  10th  of  March,  18U(3. 

The  church  was  without  a  pastor  until  July  of  the  same  year,  when 
Rev.  H.  Palmer  arrived  here.  Rev.  Palmer  was  well  liked  by  the  con- 
gregation and  there  was  very  much  regret  when  he  resigned  in  the  latter 
part  of  the  year,  1902. 

Rev.  A.  G.  Nyreen  came  here  the  first  of  December,  1902.  He 
stayed  but  a  short  while,  leaving  Bristol  in  the  month  of  October,  1903. 

The  congregation  then  voted  to  call  Kenneth  A.  Bercher,  who  ar- 
rived in  Bristol  on  Thanksgiving  Day,  1903.  He  remained  here  a  little 
over  a  year,  leaving  in  December,  1904. 

Until  this  time  Bristol  and  Plainville  churches  had  been  combined, 
but  now  decided  to  each  work  by  themselves. 

Rev.  David  Brunstrom  of  Yale  College  then  preached  in  Bristol 
until  March,  1906,  when  Rev.  Avel  Olson  came  here  and  remained  for 
three  months. 

On  the  first  of  October,  Rev.  P.  G.  Fallquist  came  and  at  the  present 
writing  is  still  pastor. 

The  congregation  at  this  writing  has  a  memliership  of  25. 


THE    SWEDISH    CONGREGTION AL    CHURCH,    QUEEN   STREET. 


388 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


THE  SWEDISH  LUTHERAN  LEBANON 
CONGREGATIONAL  CHURCH. 


By   Rev.   Ximrod  Ebb. 

THE    Swedish  Lutheran  Lebanon  Congregation  of    Bristol,  Conn., 
was   organized   October   20,    1887,   with   fifty-six  communicant 
members.      The   church  was   built  in    1891   and   has   a  seating 
capacity   for  two   hundred   persons.     The   cost   of  the   church 
and    parsonage    is    $9,200.00.     At    the    present    time    the    congregation 
consists  of  220  members. 


REV.    O.     NIMROD     EBB.  PkotO  By  EltOH 


The  first  Swedish  ministers  who  visited  and  preached  at  Bristol 
were  Rev.  Ludwig  Holmes,  D.  D.,  now  at  Portland,  Conn.,  and  Rev. 
O.  W.  Farm,  now  at  Sioux  City,  Iowa.  Rev.  A.  F.  Lundquist  was  the 
first  local  pastor  and  came  here  in  the  spring  of  1893.  In  1903  Rev. 
Lundquist  resigned  his  charge  of  this  church  and  moved  to  McKeesport, 
Pennsylvania,  and  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  E.  C.  Jesseys,  who  moved  to 
Kiron,  Iowa,  in  May,  1906.  The  present  pastor.  Rev.  O.  Nimrod  Ebb, 
B.  D.,  was  called  from  Duquesne,  Pennsylvania  and  took  charge  of  the 
congregation,  September  30,  1906. 


OR     "new     CAMBRIDGE. 


389 


THE     SWEDISH     LUTHERAN'     LKHAXON     CO  N'C.RE  T,  ATK  )X  A  L     CHURCH. 


390 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


SWANSTON'S  ORCHESTRA 


ORGANIZED    in  1903,  is    now    in    its  fourth  season.^  With  Chas. 
A.    Swanston,    first  violin   and    leader,    Robert    H.    Woodford, 
clarinet,  Fred  C.  Galpin,  cornet,    Lucien  E.   Rouse,  trombone 
and  Walter  H.  Porch  as  pianist,  the  personelle  is  the  same  as 
when  organized  with  the  exception  of  Mr.  Porch,  who  succeeded  Mrs. 
Florence  Tucker  after  the  first  season. 

With  a  reportorie  of  standard  and  popular  concert  and  dance  music, 
they  have  been  heard  at  almost  all  of  the  clubs,  societies,  and  assemblies 
in  town,  also  High  School  "Class  Nights"  and  graduation.  Music  at 
basket  ball  games  for  two  seasons  were  furnished  by  them 
1  They  do  not  aspire  to  the  ranks  of  professionalism,  but  rather  for 
the  sake  of  congenial  fellowship  among  themselves,  and  the  love  of 
music.  They  hold  rehearsals  every  week.  The  financial  remuneration 
from  engagements  being  sufficient  to  create  and  maintain  an  interest 
that  has  brought  them  to  a  state  of  proficiency  that  is  very  creditable 
to  an  amteur  orchestra  and  with  the  five  "regular"  men  they  can  at  short 
notice  procure  musicians  in  town  to  make  a  good  orchestra  of  eight  to 
ten  pieces. 


swanstun's   okchkstra.       Photo  liy  Ellon. 


392  BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


Natural  History  Pnotography' 


Py  Geo.  E.  Moulthrope. 

DURING  1902-1903,  I  was  engaged  supplying  photographs 
and  data  for  several  Ornithological  and  Natural  History  Pub- 
lications and  soon  found  I  had  attempted  by  far  the  most 
difficult,  as  well  as  the  most  interesting  branch  of  photography. 

The  ordinary  camera  and  lens  not  being  equal  to  produce  the  ob- 
jects large  enough,  the  extreme  long  focus  instrument,  with  the  most 
powerful  lenses  are  required,  which,  with  the  various  other  articles 
used,  made  an  equipment  which  carried  for  8  or  10  hours  on  a  trip  through 
brush,  swamps,  briars,  over  stonewalls  and  barbed  wire  fences,  makes 
one  aware  of  the  fact  that  he  had  well  earned  a  week  or  two's  salary, 
even  if,  as  often  was  the  case,  it  was  acquired  in  a  single  day. 

On  my  first  outing  I  was  requested  to  secure  pictures  showing 
a  phoebe,  also  her  nest  and  eggs.  The  scene  began  at  the  Log  Cabin 
on  Fall  Mountain,  on  a  beautiful  May  morning.  A  Phoebe  was  found 
to  have  constructed  her  nest  on  a  beam  under  a  shed  facing  the  north. 

Of  course  photographing  a  live  bird  under  these  conditions,  was 
out  of  the  question,  and  I  had  to  resort  to  some  way  of  throwing  sun- 
light under  the  shed  onto  the  nest  and  bird  thus  lighting  it  sufficiently 
to  admit  of  a  snapshot. 

I  had  in  the  outfit  two  mirrors,  about  two  feet  square,  one  of  which 
I  placed  outside  at  the  correct  angle  to  throw  the  light  on  the  desired 
place.  What  a  change  this  made.  The  nest  and  woodwork  surrounding 
it  was  transformed  from  a  dark  shed  into  a  spot  of  dazzling  brightness. 


*The  following  is  a  description  of  cuts  on  Page  391, 

(1)       KING    bird's    nest    IN    AN    OLD    APPLE    TREE. 
(2)        LIVE    QUAIL    ON    HER     NEST. 
(3)        GREEN    heron's    NEST    IN    MAPLE    TREE. 

(4)  crow's    NEST    IN     PINE    TREE.       PHOTOGRAPHED    60    FEET    FROM    THE 

GROUND.       CAMERA    AND    ARTIST    HAD    TO    BE     STRAPPED    TO 
THE    TREE    IN    TAKING    PHOTO. 

(5)  BANK    swallow's    NEST    IN    SAND    BANK.       PART    OF    BANK    HAD    TO    BE 

DUG    AWAY    TO    SHOW    NEST. 
(6)       BLUE    jay's    NEST    IN    A    DENSE    PINE    TREE. 
(7)       WHIP-POOR-WILL'S    eggs    ON    GROUND.       THEY    BUILD    NO    NEST. 

All  of  these  were  photographed  in  their  natural  location  and  with 
the  exception  of  the  Bank  Swallow's,  were  undisturbed  and  that  only 
slightly.  As  I  had  to  furnish  data  regarding  the  nests,  birds,  etc.,  as 
well  as  the  photos,  I  inade  several  visits  to  most  of  the  nests. 

The  eggs  all  hatched  in  due  time,  and  in  case  of  the  quail,  15  little 
fuzzy  balls,  a  little  larger  than  bumble  bees,  darted  away  at  my  second 
visit  to  their  home. 


NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


393 


What  bird  would  have  the  hardiness  to  return  under  such  changed 
conditions! 

Before  trying  the  old  bird  I  thought  it  would  be  a  good  idea  to 
secure  photos  of  the  nest  and  eggs,  but  here  another  difficulty. 

The  nest  was  situated  above  my  head  and  close  to  the  roof  of  the 
shed  so  that  the  eggs  could  not  be  seen.  I  could  easily  photograph 
the  nest  on  the  beam,  but  I  had  to  furnish  photographs  showing  the 
eggs  also. 

The  second  mirror  helped  me  out  of  this  difficulty  and  after  I  had 
placed  it  in  position  above  the  nest  I  made  the  exposure  and  secured 
the  photo  shown  here. 

A  barn  swallows'  nest  was  photographed  from  the  top  of  a  30  foot 
ladder  with  the  aid  of  the  mirrors  and  reflected  sunlight,  later  in  the 
season  in  the  same  manner. 

The  Phoebe's  nest  I  secured  and  printed  here  is  shown  right  side 
up,  but  immediately  upon  handing  the  photo  to  anyone  they  invariably 
quickly  turn  it  around  as  if  afraid  the  eggs  might  fall  out,  and  it  takes 
a  little  explanation  on  my  part  to  show  them  that  they  are  not  looking 
at  the  eggs  but  only  at  their  image  in  the  mirror  placed  over  them. 

Now  to  the  old  bird.  The  second  mirror  was  removed  and  after 
attaching  several  yards  of  rubber  tubing  to  my  camera  shutter,  I  hid 
myself  and  with  the  aid  of  my  field  glasses  I  watched  and  waited  for 


YELLOW     HA.MMER  S    NEST — IN    HOLLOW    TREE. 


394 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


the  old  bird's  return.  The  shifting  sun  made  it  necessary  to  adjust 
the  mirrors  about  every  five  minutes,  which  undoubtedly  delayed  the 
Phoebe  in  her  decision  to  return  to  her  nest,  although  she  made  several 
hundred  attempts  during  the  next  few  hours.  She  finally  settled  on  the 
nest  for  a  fractional  part  of  time,  the  instant  was  the  one  I  had  been 
watching  and  waiting  five  long  hours  for  and  the  click  of  the  shutters 
announced  that  I  had  won  in  my  contest  with  the  phoebe,  two  first 
class  photos  being  secured,  showing  the  bird  in  two  positions. 

During  the  next  two  years  several  hundred  photos  were  secured 
under  similar  circumstances,  including  birds,  nests,  game,  and  hunting 
scenes.  The  subjects  varying  in  height  from  the  ground,  as  in  case  of 
the  quail  on  her  nest,  and  whip-poor-will  photos,  to  the  crow's  nest, 
which  was  photographed  60  feet  from  the  ground  in  the  top  of  a  swaying 
pine.  In  this  instance,  as  in  others,  I  had  a  large  limb  to  stand  upon, 
but  having  to  use  both  hands  in  the  taking  of  the  photos,  I  had  to  strap 
myself  to  the  tree,  draw  up  my  outfit  with  rope,  securely  strap  it  to  the 
tree  and  then  proceed  with  taking  the  photos. 

It  is  needless  to  say  that  this  line  of  photos  is  in  a  greater  demand 
by  many  publications  than  any  other.  A  few  of  the  photos  I  secured 
are  reproduced  here. 


VIEW  OF  phorbe's  NEST.      Photographed  ivilJi  ihc  aid  of  mirrors. 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE." 


395 


Present  Industries  of   Bristol 


THE  SESSIONS   CLOCK    COMPANY. 

THE  Sessions  Clock  Company  is  one  of  the  leading  industries 
of  the  town,  and  is  located  at  Forestville  Avhich  is  another 
village  and  post  office  in  the  town  of  Bristol,  about  three  miles 
east  of  the  borough  on  the  direct  line  of  travel  to  New  Britain 
and  Hartford.  The  company  which  they  succeeded  was  founded  by 
Elisha  N.  Welch  in  1855.  He  was  for  a  generation  a  very  prominent 
manufacturer  of  the  town  and  interested  in  many  of  its  leading  manu- 
facturing industries.  Mr.  Welch  bought  the  property  and  business 
of  the  assignee  of  J.  C.  Brown,  who  was  a  large  clock  manufacturer  until 
1855.  He  also  purchased  the  factories  of  F.  S.  Otis  and  the  Forest- 
ville Hardware  Co.,  all  of  which  he  devoted  to  the  manufacture  of  clocks. 
In  1864  he  organized  the  E.  N.  Welch  Mfg.  Co.,  associating  his  son 
James   Hart   Welch   and   his   son-in-law,    George    Henry   Mitchell,   with 


VIEWS    OF    THE     PLANT    IN      1907. 


him  as  officers  in  the  company.  The  business  was  conducted  by  them, 
manufacturing  of  clocks  in  large  variety  until  after  Mr.  Elisha  N.  Welch's 
death  in  1887.  In  the  meantime  they  had  merged  into  the  company 
the  business  of  Welch,  Spring  &  Co.,  which  had  been  conducted  by 
Mr.  Solomon  Spring  and  Mr.  Elisha  N.  Welch  in  the  manufacture  of 
fine  regulator  clocks.  Mr.  George  Henry  Mitchell  died  in  1886  and  Mr. 
James  Hart  Welch  in  1902: 


39G 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


WHIP-POOR-WILL     WITH     EGGS 


After  Mr.  Welch's  death  in  1887  the  company  went  out  of  busi- 
ness for  some  time  on  account  of  financial  reverses.  The  company  was 
reorganized  in  1897  under  the  same  name,  the  E.  N.  Welch  Mfg.  Co.,  by 
George  W.  Mitchell,  James  Hart  Welch,  Mrs.  George  H.  Mitchell,  Ed- 
ward A.  Freeman,  A.  H.  Condell  and  a  number  of  others  and  conducted 
by  them  until  the  summer  of  1902,  when  on  account  of  the  death  of 
James  Hart  Welch,  which  occurred  in  the  spring  of  the  same  year,  they 
were  financially  embarrassed,  and  Mr.  William  E.  Sessions,  president 
and  principal  owner  of  the  Sessions  Foundry  Co.,  was  persuaded  to 
interest  himself  in  the  business  and  did  so  largely  in  order  to  save  the 
company  from  bankruptcy,  and  the  village  of  Forestville  from  another 
period  of  adversity.  He  was  elected  President  of  the  company,  Mr. 
Albert  L.  Sessions,  his  nephew,  w-as  elected  treasurer  and  Edward  A. 
Freeinan  of  Plainville  secretary.  The  Messrs.  Sessions  secured  a  control 
of  the  stock  of  the  company  and  within  a  few  raonths  purchased  prac- 
tically every  share  of  stock,  when  the  name  of  the  company  was  changed 
to  The  Sessions  Clock  Co. 

Since  that  time,  although  the  old  company  had  rebuilt  the  case 
shop  and  movement  shop  with  new  modern  brick  buildings  and  equipped 
them  with  modern  machinery,  on  account  of  fires  which  had  destroA'ed 
the  old  buildings,  the  new  company  have  erected  still  other  large  new 
brick  buildings  of  modern  construction  and  equipped  them  with  the 
best  machinery  and  appliances,  Avhich  include  the  black  enameling 
department,  finishing  department,  power  plant  including  new  engine 
and  boilers  and  brick  stack,  kiln  drys,  warehouse  and  shipping  depart- 
inent,  lumber  sheds  and  railroad  sidings  and  made  very  large  improve- 
ments at  a  cost  of  a  large  sum  of  money.  Since  the  Messrs.  Sessions 
took  up  the  enterprise  the  business  has  developed  rapidly  and  employ- 
ment has  been  given  to  more  than  double  the  number  of  hands  that 
had  been  employed  for  a  number  of  years  previously.  The  output  of 
the  coiTipany  in  eight  day  penduUnn  clocks  compares  favorably  with 
that  of  the  other  leading  manufacturers,  and  the  prospects  for  the  con- 
tinued success  of  the  company  are  well  assured. 


NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


397 


Ike  S 


essions  rounary 


dry  Co 


mpany 


There  is  no  more  complete  plant  of  the  kind  in  the  world  than  the 
establishment  of  the  Sessions  Foundry  Company,  begun  in  August, 
1S94,  and  finished  in  December,  1895.  It  is  a  model  in  all  respects. 
In  it  the  Messrs.  Sessions  have  met  and  solved  the  problem  of  economi- 
cal production  by  the  construction  of  the  plant  in  such  a  manner  that 
the  raw  material  on  its  way  to  the  finished  product,  can  be  handled  at 
the  least  joossible  expense  and  the  least  number  of  times.  The  works 
embody  the  best  practice  of  the  present  time  in  design,  arrangement 
and  appliances.  The  members  of  the  company  have  had  long  practical 
experience  and  are  intiinately  acquainted  with  every  detail  of  the  busi- 
ness. This  enabled  them  to  so  plan  and  construct  as  to  provide  for  the 
most  economical  production  of  both  large  and  small  castings.  Every 
department  exhibits  careful  forethought  and  thorough  knowledge  of 
the  business. 

After  an  extended  experience  in  the  wood  turning  and  trunk  hard- 
ware business  John  H.  Sessions  bought  out  the  foundry  business  of  the 
Bristol  Foundry  company  in  1879,  and  took  his  son  William  into  part- 
nership, the  business  being  conducted  under  the  name  of  Sessions  Foundry 
Company.  Since  the  start  the  business  has  been  under  the  direct  man- 
agement of  William  E.  Sessions,  and  has  developed  from  a  small  plaut 
having  but  ten  thousand  dollars  capital  stock  and  a  force  of  abont 
eighteen  men  to  its  present  proportions. 


BiRSEYE  VIEW  OK  SESSIONS  FOUNDRY.      Cut  locjiicd  by  Company. 


398  BRISTOI.,    CONNECTICUT 


WILLIAM    E.    SESSIONS. 


In  July,  1896,  the  company  was  changed  from  a  partnership  to  a 
corporation,  vmder  a  special  charter  by  the  Legislature.  The  ofificers 
are  John  H.  Sessions,  president;  William  E.  Sessions,  treasurer;  Geo. 
M.  Eggleston,  a  graduate  of  Wesleyan  University  of  Middletown,  Conn., 
secretary,  and  Joseph  B.  Sessions,  assistant  secretary. 

The  plant,  which  includes  some  thirty  acres,  and  is  the  largest 
plant  of  the  kind  east  of  Chicago,  is  about  one  mile  from  the  center 
of  Bristol,  and  is  bounded  on  one  side  by  the  tracks  of  the  N.  Y.,  N.  H. 
&  H.  R.  R. 

Provision  has  been  made  for  any  growth  that  may  become  necessary 
in  the  future,  as  the  works  are  located  near  the  center  of  the  tract  owned 
by  the  company.  At  the  entrance,  which  is  at  the  south  side  of  the 
grounds,  is  the  main  ofhce  building,  to  the  rear  and  connected  with 
which  is  the  pattern  storage  building,  containing  the  superintendent's 
office  and  pattern  rooms.  To  the  east  of  this  is  a  large  storehouse  for 
inactive  patterns,  surplus  castings  and  general  storage.  Directly  north 
of  the  pattern  storage  building,  and  connected  thereto,  is  the  shipping 
department,  to  the  west  of  which  are  the  heater  rooms,  sorting  room, 
tumbling  barrel  room  and  power  house,  while  to  the  east  are  the  shipping 
and  cleaning  rooms  and  carpenter  and  machine  shops.  Still  further 
north  is  the  large  foimdry  or  moulding  room,  on  the  south  side  of  which 
is  the  foreman's  othcc  and  foundry  pattern  repair  room,  and  on  the 
north  side  are  the  cupolas,  core  rooms  and  mold  drying  ovens.  North 
of  the  foundry  are  molding  sand  bins  and  .stockyard.  To  the  east  of 
these  are  the  slag  tumbling  barrels. 

The  standard  gauge  track  system,  of  which  there  is  about  two 
miles  inside  the  grounds,  is  most  complete,  and  every  building  is  ap- 
proached from  the  main  line.  This,  in  connection  with  the  narrow 
gavige  system  of  tracks,  of  which  there  is  three-fovirths  of  a  mile,  which 
traverse  the  buildings  and  yards,  provides  for  the  rapid  and  easy  hand- 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE. 'i 


399 


ling  of  supplies  and  material,  and  for  the  convenient  shipment  of  the 
finished  articles.  The  business  is  of  such  magnitude  as  to  demand  the 
services  of  two  locomotives,  which  are  owned  by  the  company.  The 
track  enters  the  yard  at  the  southwestern  corner,  and  branches  east- 
ward to  the  shipping  department,  power  house,  cleaning  rooms,  and  to 
the  eastern  end  of  the  foundry,  which  it  enters,  so  as  to  handle  the 
heaviest  castings. 

Handling  the  Work. 

When  cars  enter  the  property,  their  contents  are  weighed  before 
being  dumped  into  the  bins,  and  a  record  is  kept  by  the  weighmaster 
of  the  amount  of  material  in  each  bin  and  of  the  amount  that  is  taken 
to  charge  each  furnace.  The  furnaces  are  supplied  by  push  cars, 
which  after  being  weighed,  are  run  over  a  trestle  to  the  charging  plat- 
form of  the  furnaces,  which  is  on  the  level  of  the  storage  bins  and  about 
ten  feet  above  the  floor  of  the  foundry. 

The  foundry  building  is  six  hundred  and  thirty  feet  long  and  one 
hundred  and  twelve  feet  wide,  and  is  divided  into  three  aisles  by  two 
interior  rows  of  columns.  The  roof  trusses  in  the  wings  are  eighteen 
feet  above  the  floor,  while  the  trusses  over  the  central  aisle  are  forty 
feet  above  the  floor. 

Located  against  the  north  wall  are  four  cupola  rooms,  each  cupola 
room  being  arranged  for  tw'o  cupolas  having  a  capacity  of  fifty  tons 
each.  Each  cupola  is  supplied  with  a  blast  from  a  blower  driven  by  a 
by  a  twenty-five  horse-power  electric  motor. 

Between  the  middle  cupola  rooms  is  a  washroom  forthe  workmen  and 
a  core  room,  the  latter  containing  two  core  ovens.  The  small  cores  are 
made  in  a  room  one  hundred  and  six  feet  long  by  twenty-three  feet  wide 
above  the  wash  and  core  baking  room.  For  about  three-quarters  of 
the  length  of  the  foundry  building,  a  sand  wall  five  feet  high  is  constructed, 
with  openings  for  the  car  tracks.  Benches  are  constructed  along  both 
sides  of  this  sand  wall  and  along  the  south  wall  of  the  building,  and  it 
is  upon  these  that  all  of  the  smaller  molds  are  made. 


.M  A  I  .N'    I  )  F  I-  1 CI-: . 


400  BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 

At  the  eastern  end  of  the  foundry  there  is  a  pit  forty-five  feet  wide 
and  eighty  feet  long,  and  in  this  all  of  the  heavy  castings  are  made. 
This  pit  is  three  feet  deep  and  is  paved  with  brick.  Tw-o  twenty- 
ton  Morgan  traveling  electric  cranes  traverse  the  center  aisle  of  the 
foundry  for  one-third  its  length,  while  on  opposite  corners  of  the  pit 
are  located  four  six-ton  hydraulic  jib  cranes.  The  larger  sized  ladles 
are  handled  by  the  traveling  and  jib  cranes. 

Steana  from  the  engine  boilers  is  carried  to  a  large  coil  of  pipe  where 
it  is  driven  through  large  galvanized  flues  to  all  parts  of  the  buildings 
by  the  Sturtevant  blower  system,  making  an  overhead  heating  arrange- 
ment that  is  sufficient  and  that  gives  the  most  perfect  ventilation,  the 
entire  air  of  the  buildings  being  subject  to  change  once  in  twenty  min- 
utes. This  is  a  very  important  feature  in  a  fovmdry.  The  flues  which 
run  overhead  in  all  the  rooms  are  large,  tapering  down  to  smaller  sizes 
required  by  the  smaller  rooms.  The  flue  which  leaves  the  blower  is 
seventy-eight  inches  in  diameter  and  goes  directly  into  the  great  foun- 
dry room,  giving  a  large  radiating  surface.  When  the  pouring  is  going 
on  the  heat  is  not  needed  and  is  shut  off,  or  turned  to  other  rooms. 

The  cleaning  and  shipping  building  is  three  hundred  and  twenty- 
three  feet  long  and  L-shaped.  The  west  portion,  containing  the  tumble- 
barrel  room  and  sorting  room,  is  fifty-three  feet  wide,  and  the  -east 
portion,  containing  cleaning  and  shipping  room,  is  ninety-eight  feet  wide. 
A  special  feature  of  the  shipping  room  is  that  eight  cars  can  be  placed 
in  the  building,  the  doors  tightly  closed,  and  the  cars  loaded  at  pleasure, 
avoiding  any  possible  inconveniences  in  inclement  weather. 

When  the  smaller  castings  have  been  made  they  are  taken  to  the 
tumbling  barrels,  of  which  there  are  fifty,  and  there  cleaned.  From 
thence  they  are  taken  to  the  sorting  room  and  then  to  the  shipping 
rooni  adjoining,  and  after  being  packed  and  weighed  are  loaded  on  cars. 
The  floor  of  the  cars  is  on  a  level  with  the  floor  of  the  shipping  room. 
The  heavy  castings  are  lifted  from  the  pit  by  the  cranes  and  put  on  the 
fiat  cars  and  taken  to  the  cleaning  room,  where  a  pickling  vat  is  pro- 
vided. The  castings  are  cleaned  and  any  machine  work  that  is  neces- 
sary is  done  in  the  adjoining  machine  shop,  the  castings  being  run  in 
upon  cars.  A  10-ton  electric  travelling  crane  traverses  the  east  end  of 
the  shii)ping  and  cleaning  room  for  handling  and  loading  heavj'  castings. 

The  carpenter  and  machine  shop  is  a  separate  two-story  building, 
about  one-half  of  the  lower  floor  being  occupied  by  the  carpenter  shop 
and  the  other  half  by  the  machine  shop.  The  upper  floor  contains  the 
pattern  shop.  All  patterns  are  stored  in  the  two-story  building  specially 
provided  for  the  purpose. 

The  office  bviilding  is  a  handsome  structure  of  Roxbury  granite, 
two  stories  high,  with  a  south  and  west  frontage  looking  out  upon  a 
large  grassed  lawn.  This  offfce  building  is  conveniently  arranged  and 
cqui])ped  for  the  rapid  transaction  of  business,  having  two  long-distance 
telephone  systems  which  can  be  used  alternately,  an  independent  local 
telephone  system  reaching  to  twenty-four  localities  in  the  works,  for 
immediate  communication  with  all  the  departments,  and  a  pneumatic- 
tube  system  connecting  with  the  shipping  ofiice  for  the  transmission  of 
orders  and  documents. 

The  gate-house,  which  is  also  the  time  keeper's  office,  is  fitted  up 
Avith  self-registering  time  clocks.  Each  employe  of  the  company  has 
to  pass  through  the  gate-house  upon  entering  or  leaving  the  foundry. 

The  best  proof  of  the  interest  taken  in  the  employes  is  what  has  been 
done  for  their  comfort  and  convenience.  The  toilet  rooms  are  samples. 
They  have  received  attention  from  a  sanitary  standpoint,  as  well  as 
that  of  utility.  The  washbowls  are  provided  with  hot  and  cold  water 
supply.  Employes  have  individual  lockers  in  which  their  clothing  and 
belongings  can  be  kept.  The  time-honored  custom  which  regards  a 
foundry  as  inevitably  associated  with  dirt,  smoke  and  smudge,  is  upset 
at  the  Sessions  foundrv. 


'>R     "new     CAMBRIDGE." 


401 


402 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


Along  the  south  front  of  the  plant  runs  a  trout  brook,  as  clear  as 
crystal,  and  this  has  been  turned  to  run  by  the  roadside  furnishing  a 
natural  boundary  to  the  grounds  and  lawn  in  front  of  the  plant.  A 
handsome  stone  bridge  across  it  furnishes  entrance  to  the  premises. 
In  addition  to  the  plant  proper,  the  Sessions'  company  has  purchased 
large  tracts  of  land  with  buildings  in  the  immediate  vicinity  which 
may  be  developed  into  a  residence  section  for  its  employes.  The  com- 
pany will  not  establish  any  tenement  system  but  will  sell  to  its  employes 
at  reasonable  prices,  having  a  view  to  encouraging  them  to  form  a  model 
industrial  community.  All  objectionable  features  will  be  excluded, 
and  the  workmen  employed  by  the  firm  will  not  only  have  a  comfort- 
able factory  in  which  to  work,  but  opportunity  for  self-improvement 
as  well,  and  that  without  anything  that  savors  of  patronage. 

There  were  used  in  the  building  of  this  great  plant  seven  hundred 
and  sixty  tons  of  structural  steel,  three  inillion  bricks,  and  four  hundred 
tons  of  slate.  There  are  three  and  one-half  acres  of  floor  space  in  the 
buildings,  mostly  on  one  floor. 

Within  this  immense  enclosure  the  Sessions  Foundry  company 
cast  anything  ordered  from  the  smallest  to  the  largest,  its  customers 
coming  from  the  manufacturing  trade  of  New  England  and  near  by. 
There  is  naturally  an  almost  endless  variety  to  the  work  turned  out, 
but  any  one  seeing  this  foundry  room  with  its  splendid  equiimnent  will 
be  satisfied  that  whatever  is  wanted  can  be  turned  out  with  rapidity 
and  with  the  greatest  possible  economy. 


TOILET    ROO.M. 


OR     "new    CAMBRIDGE." 


^(i:5 


.iU-Ki..\  .TbojlONS    FOUNDRY    CO.   S     YARD   ENGINE. 


y 


This  was  the  old  Ingraham  Movement  shop,  l)uilt  for  a  hardware 
shop,  corner  Meadow  and  North  Main  Streets.  For  description  see  At- 
kins' notes,  which  also  descripe  the  old  case  shop,  later  Turner  Heater 
works.  The  building  to  left  of  shop  was  oftice  of  Ingraham  Co.  (upper 
fioor)  for  many  years. 


404 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


HOBRO  &  ROWE. 

Hobro  &  Rowe's  Granite  and  Marble  Works. 

Alfred  H.  Hobro  is  well  known  to  the  people  of  Bristol,  being  for- 
merly in  the  employ  of  Geo.  C.  Arms  as  his  foreman  from  1896  until 
entering  into  business  for  himself  in  1906  at  the  same  location  formerly 
occupied  by  Geo.  C.  Anns,  which  was  bought  by  William  H.  Rowe, 
member  of  this  firm.  Mr.  Hobro  first  went  to  learn  his  trade  with  his 
father  in  1890  at  the  well  known  firm  of  Thomas  Phillips  &  Son  of  New 
Haven.  After  serving  his  time  at  the  trade,  he  severed  his  connection 
with  that  firm  to  accept  a  position  as  foreman  for  the  P.  W.  Bates  Granite 
Works  of  Norwalk,  Conn.,  which  he  held  until  1896  when  he  accepted 
the  position  as  foreman  for  Geo.  C.  Anns.  His  work  can  be  seen  on 
most  of  the  monuments  illustrated  in  this  book.  Many  of  which  were 
erected  by  this  firm.  William  H.  Rowe  is  well  known  to  most  of  the 
people  of  Bristol,  being  successfully  engaged  in  the  coal  and  wood  busi- 
ness for  the  last  thirteen  years  his  sheds  being  located  on  side  track  in 
the  rear  of  the  Granite  Works.  On  and  after  January  1,  1908  the  granite 
and  marble  business  will  be  conducted  under  the  name  of  Alfred  H. 
Hobro,  he  to  buy  out  the  interest  of  his  partner,  William  H.  Rowe.  He 
expects  to  be  located  in  a  new  building  which  is  to  be  erected  where 
the  old  shop  now  stands  and  will  be  equipped  with  latest  machinery 
making  a  first  class  shop  so  as  to  handle  his  increasing  business. 


OR    "NEW    CAMBRIDGE." 


405 


THE  BARTHOLOMEW  FACTORY,  EDGEWOOD. 

The  factory  called  "Grinding  Shop"  was  built  by  George  W.  Bartholo- 
mew, 1846,  for  use  in  the  manufacture  of  table  cutlery.  The  street  was 
one  of  the  pieces  of  abandoned  road,  called  in  the  deed  of  1828  to  Asa 
Bartholomew,  "Mill  Road."  Re-opened,  1846,  and  known  as  "The 
New  Road,"  until  1882,  when  the  first  Bristol  directory  published  the 
name  "Warner  Street."  The  cutlery  business  was  closed  when  Mr. 
Bartholomew  in  the  fall  of  1848  went  with  his  friends  to  California. 
In  1855  George  W.  and  Harry  S.  Bartholomew,  (father  and  son)  formed 
the  partnership  under  firm  name  G.  W.  &  H.  S.  Bartholomew  to  manu- 
facture bit  stock  braces,  beginning  their  project  in  the  "Grinding  Shop." 
In  the  early  sixties  the  business  was  removed  to  the  former  clock  factories. 
Soon  after  the  removal  of  the  Bartholomews,  a  wood  turning  enter- 
prise was  started  and  conducted  at  this  place  by  Alpress,  Carpenter  & 
Company  (Charles  H.  Alpress,  Wm.  B.  Carpenter,  Jr.  and  Augustus  H. 
Warner).  There  were  changes  in  the  personnel  of  the  firm.  C.  H. 
Alpress'  interest  was  bought  by  Henry  A.  Warner,  father  of  Augustus 
(Carpenter  &  Warner).  The  second  change  was  in  the  purchase  by 
Mr.  H.  A.  Warner  of  W.  B.  Carpenter's  share  in  the  business.  The 
firm  then  was  H.  A.  &  A.  H.  Warner  till  their  removal  to  District  No.  8, 
after  the  burning  of  the  first  (Grinding  Shop)  and  second  (New  Factory) 
built  on  its  site.  These  fires  were  the  beginning  of  a  series  of  similar 
calamities  sufficient  to  dishearten  a  common  man.  Ruin's  mark  the 
locality  of  the  Grinding  Shop  and  its  successor  (1907). 


bartholomew   kactokv     from   rare  sketch 
(original  in  colors) 


400 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


The  first  manufacturer  and  builder  known  to  have  a  business  career 
at  the  location  marked  61,  was  the  remarkable  beaver  that  built  the 
first  dam.  Date  of  construction  unknown.  In  1788,  Benjamin  and 
William  Jerome,  2d  (brothers),  purchased  from  Amasa  Ives  an  interest 
in  the  gristmill  w'hich  was  increased  in  1803.  In  1809  William  Jerome, 
2d,  was  three-quarters  owner  with  Isaac  Graham  owner  of  the  remain- 
ing one-quarter.  The  mill  was  sold  to  (Byington  and  Graham  (Martin 
Byington  and  Isaac  Graham,  Sen.),  who  conducted  the  mill  for  some 
years.  William  Jerome,  2d,  died  1821.  On  the  site  of  the  gristmill 
or  in  it,  George  W.  Bartholomew  with  his  cousin  Eli  Bartholomew  began 
to  make  clocks,  1828.  G.  W.  Bartholomew  continued  the  business 
alone  until  1840.  A  second  factory  with  bell  was  on  the  north  side  of 
the  road(the  bell  was  finally  used  in  Bristol  for  a  school-house),  where 
decorating  clock  tablets  and  filling  numbers  for  clock  faces  was  done 
by  young  women. 

The  Winstons  did  a  brisk  wood  turning  business  for  five  years- 
Possibly  Allen  Winston  may  have  had  for  a  short  period  an  industry 
in  this  building.  Some  of  the  Winstons  made  at  one  time  coffee  roasters 
and  Edward  M.  Barnes  of  Peaceable  Street  made  candle  sticks  in  the 
basement.  Soon  after  1860  G.  W.  and  H.  S.  Bartholomew  employed 
the  Bunnell  Brothers  (Warren  and  Norris)  of  Burlington  to  move  the 
bell  shop  across  the  street  where  it  was  joined  to  the  first  building  to 
increase  the  rooin  needed  for  the  bit  brace  works.  It  was  destroyed 
by  fire  1884  when  G.  W.  Bartholomew  retired.  Harry  S.  Bartholomew 
built  anew  and  was  identified  with  this  business  at  the  time  of  his  death, 
February  19,  1902.  His  son  Joseph  P.  Bartholomew  who  had  relieved 
his  father  of  all  care  for  several  years  continvied  the  business  until  sold 
to  Stanley  Rule  &  Level  Company  of  New  Britain.  The  factory  is  still 
in  possession  of  heirs  of  H.  S.  Bartholomew. 


VIEWS  OF    PLANT    IN    1907. 


OR     "new     CAMBRIDGE," 


407 


THE  E.  INGRAHAM  COMPANY. 

The  E.  Ingraham  Company  was  founded  by  Elias  Ingraham,  who 
was  born  in  Marlborough,   Conn.,   November   1st,    1805. 

From  1827  to  1835  he  made  clock  cases  under  contract  for  various 
parties,  and  in  the  latter  year  bought  a  shop  with  water  privilege  in 
Bristol,  Conn.,  where  the  present  factories  now  stand,  and  commenced 
making  clocks  on  his  own  account.  This  he  continued  until  1843,  in 
which  year  he  and  his  brother  formed  a  partnership  with  Elisha  C. 
Brewster,  under  the  firm  name  of  Brewster  &  Ingraham.  This  firm 
was  succeeded  in  1848  by  E.  &  A.  Ingraham,  who  continued  business 
until  1855  in  which  year  the  plant  was  entirely  destroyed  by  fire.  Two 
years  later  Elias  Ingraham  rented  a  shop  and  continued  the  manu- 
facture of  clocks,  and  in  1859  formed  a  co-partnership  with  Edward 
Ingraham,  his  son,  which  was  continued  until  1881.  In  that  year  a 
joint  stock  conipan}''  was  formed,  comprising  Elias  Ingraham,  Edward 
Ingraham  and  the  three  sons  of  Edward  Ingraham,  Walter  A.,  William 
S.  and  Irving  E. 


Elias  Ingraham  died  in  August,  1885,  and  Edward  Ingraham  in 
August,  1892.  The  officers  of  the  company  and  its  inanagers  at  the 
present  time  are:  Walter  A.  Ingraham,  president;  Irving  E.  Ingraham, 
vice  president;  and  William  S.  Ingraham,  secretary  and  treasurer. 

The  company  is  engaged  exclusively  in  the  manufacture  of  eight- 
day  wooden  case  pendulum  clocks  and  nickel  alarms.  The  line  of 
eight-day  clocks  comprises  practically  every  style  of  wooden  case  clocks 
consisting  of  hundreds  of  patterns. 

The  plant  at  the  present  time  consists  of  two  main  buildings,  the 
case  shop  and  movement  shop,  with  the  necessary  auxiliary  buildings, 
all  built  of  brick  and  equipped  with  the  most  modern  machinery  for 
the  manufacture  from  raw  material  of  practically  every  "part"  entering 
into  the  construction  of  a  clock.  The  case  shop  is  400  feet  long,  four 
stories   high,    connected  by   an   overhead  passage   with   the   movement 


408 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


shop,  which  is  250  feet  long,  four  stories  high.  The  auxihary  buikiings 
consist  of  engine  house,  boiler  house,  kiln  dry,  casting  and  plating  shop, 
raw  material  warehouse,  finished  stock  ware  house  (capacity  100,000 
clocks)  and  other  sinaller  buildings. 

L.  H.  SNYDER  &  COMPANY. 

The  finn  of  L.  H.  Snyder  &  Company,  was  organized  in  January 
of  1902.  They  commenced  business  in  the  factory  formerly  occupied 
by  The  Codling  Manufacturing  Company,  and .  continued  operations 
there  for  one  year.  In  1903  they  purchased  the  Churchill  property 
on  the  corner  of  East  Street  and  Riverside  Avenue,  which  is  their  present 
location. 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE." 


409 


THE  TURNER  HEATER  COMPANY. 

■  ^  j|The  Turner  Heater  Company  was  organized  September  18,  1890, 
as*a  joint  stock  company  capitalized  at  $50,000,  for  the  purpose  of 
manufacturing  and  dealing  in  hot  air  heaters  and  other  heating  devices. 
The  officers  being:  W.  A.  Ingraham,  president,  George  S.  Hull,  vice 
president  and  S.  K.  Montgomery,  secretary  and  treasurer.  The  com- 
pany bought  all  the  patents  of  L.  W.  Turner  covering  the  Turner  hot 
air. heater  and  started  business  in  the  old  case  shop  of  The  E.  Ingraham 
Company  which  was  bought  for  the  purpose. 


In  1892,  S.  K.  Montgomery  resigned  as  secretary  and  treasurer 
and  G.  W.  Neubauer  was  elected  to  the  position.  Geo.  S.  Hull  was 
elected  president  in  1893  and  held  the  position  until  his  death  in  1906, 
when  W.  E.  Fogg  was  elected  to  the  position.  The  old  case  shop  was 
destroyed  by  fire  in  1904  and  in  spring  of  1905  the  present  shop  was 
built.  Besides  wholesaling  and  retailing  furnaces  the  company  does  a 
jobbing  business  in  smoke  stacks,   blowers  and  metal  roofing. 


410 


HRISTOI.,    COXNKCTICfT 


r 
> 

H 
O 

W 

I— I 
w 
H 
O 
f 

JO 

w 
w 


OR   NEW  CAMBRIDGE. 


411 


THE  HORTON  MANUFACTURING  COMPANY. 

The  Horton  Manufacturing  Company,  situated  at  No.  135  North 
Main  Street,  manufacturers  of  the  famous  Bristol  Steel  fishing  rods, 
organized  in  1887,  has  a  capitalization  of  $100,000,  with  the  following 
officers:  Charles  F.  Pope,  president,  residing  in  New  York;  Charles 
T.  Treadway,   treasurer,    and   Willis   H.    Bacon,   secretary. 

The  plant  consists  of  a  three  story  brick  building  and  tower,  forty 
by  two  hundred  feet,  of  the  best  construction,  a  one  story  hardening 
shop,  twenty-five  by  twenty-five  feet,  and  a  two  .story  finishing  shop, 
twenty  by  twenty-five  feet. 

The  factory  equipment  is  of    the  best,  with    latest    improved    ma- 


chinery. About  one  hundred  skilled  workmen  are  employed  the  year 
round,  producing  a  line  of  steel  fishing  rods  ranging  from  the  lighest 
fiy  tackle  to  the  heavier  styles  used  in  deep  sea  angling,  as  well  as  a 
comprehensive  line  of  rod  mountings  and  sundries. 

Rood  &  Horton,  established  in  1874,  machine  work  ^and  novel- 
ties, sold  out  in  1880  to  New  Haven  Clock  Company,  Mr.  Horton 
oing  to  New  Haven. 

In  1886  Mr.  Horton  came  back  to  Bristol  and  started  in  the  same 
line  as  before,  and  invented  the  steel  rod  in  1886  and  1887.  The  Hor- 
ton Manufacturing  Company  was  formed,  and  Mr.|;^  Horton  eventually 
selling  his  interest  in  the  rods  and  patents  to  them. 


4i; 


BRISTOL,    CONXECTICUT 


JEROME  B.   FORD  MACHINE  SHOP. 

Jerome  B.  Ford  Machine  Shop  was  established  in  1894.  The 
shop'  contains  30  different  machines  for  the  manufacture  of  dies  and 
tools,  and  special  machinery.  It  is  equipped  with  machinery  for  both 
large  and  small  works  of  all  descriptions. 


INTERIOR,     SlIOWINC.    MR.      lORI)  .\T    WORK. 


OR     "new    CAMBRIDGE." 


413 


FLETCHER  TERRY  &   COMPANY. 

The  firm  of  Fletcher.  Terry  &  Company,  located  in  East  Bristol, 
was  started  in  January,  1903,  for  the  purpose  of  making  and  placing 
on  the  market  a  patented  glass  cutter.  Meeting  with  good  success, 
they  have  branched  out  into  the  standard  styles  also,  and  they  are 
today  making  as  large  a  line  of  glass  cutters  for  all  purposes  as  any 
other  firm   in   the    United   States.      Catering  in   particular  to   the   glass 


trade,  they  are  making  a  cutter  that  is  rapidly  gaining  a  reputation 
for  the  firm  among  the  large  users. 

The  policy  of  the  firm  is  for  expansion,  and  already  other  depar- 
tures in  light  hardware  lines  are  contercplated. 

The  firm  was  started  by  Fred  S.  Fletcher  and  Franklin  E.  Terry, 
but  later  on  two  brothers  of  Mr.  Fletcher  were  taken  into  partnership. 
They  employ  at  present  from  three  to  seven  employees  and  the  pros- 
pects are  that  more  help  will  be  required  in  the  near  future. 


414 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


THE  PENFIELD  SAW  WORKS. 

The  business  that  bears  this  name  was  started  in  1834  by  the  late 
Irenus  Atkins;  conducted  by  him  for  about  30  years,  then  removed  to 
present  location  and  organized  as  The  Porter  Saw  Co.,  later  as  The 
Bristol  Saw  Co. 

In  1879  it  was  bought  by  E.  O.  Penfield,  and  conducted  bj'  him  vmtil 
1899,  when  it  was  acquired  by  the  present  owner,  M.  D.  Edgerton,  and 
since  that  time  known  as  The  Penfield  Saw  Works. 


:i-.-.— ^•■'■— 


The  saws  inade  here  are  of  high  grade,  adapted  to  cutting  a  wide 
range  of  material;  those  for  various  kinds  of  metal  being  special  feature. 
Other  goods  are  made  including  circular  slitters  for  metal  and  paper, 
dial  plates,  cutting  and  creasing  rule  for  folding  box-makers  use. 
[    Selling  is  mainly  direct  to  users. 


TURNER  &  DEEGAN. 

The  individual  proprietors  of  the  works  are:  Messrs.  Geo.  H. 
Turner  and  Patrick  H.  Deegan.  The  business  consists  of  the  manufac- 
ture of  bit  braces,  screw  drivers  and  other  light  hardware. 

This  enterprise  was  established  in  March,  1894,  at  Forestville, 
in  the  factory  known  as  the  old  Bit  Shop,  formerly  used  for  the  manu- 
facturing of  clocks,  and  located  on  the  Pequabuck  River.  They  con- 
tinued business  in  this  factory  for  about  five  years,  when  in  the  spring 
of  1899,  March  13,  Mr.  Deegan,  through  an  accident,  received  injuries 
from  which  he  died,  March  20. 

Mr.   Turner  purchased  of  the   estate   Mr.    Deegan's  interest,   con- 


NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


415 


tinning  the  business  under  the  firm's  name.  During  this  year  Mr. 
Turner  purchased  of  A.  H.  Warner  &  Company  their  water  privilege, 
located  in  northern  part  of  the  town  in  the  village  formerly  called  Polk- 
ville,  now  called  Edgewood,  and  built  a  new  factory  and  moved  into  it 
November  of  the  same  year.  This  gave  them  more  room  which  they 
needed  in  the  manufacturing  of  their  goods,  which  has  developed  a 
demand  for  their  products  in  all  parts  of  the  United  States  and  foreign 
countries. 

Before  closing  this  subject  the  writer  would  like  to  call  attention 
to  the  fact,  as  a  matter  of  history,  that  this  water  privilege  was  built 
by  Alexander  and  Edward  Graham.  Leasing  the  land  that  the  pond 
is' built  on  from  David  A.  and  Franklin  Newell  on  May  23d,  1843.  Term 
of  lease  999  years.  Just  when  the  factory  was  completed  is  not  known 
by  the  writer,  but  somewhere  about  1843.  For  several  years  they 
made   clocks   and   other   house   furniture. 

Loring  Byington  became  interested  in  the  company  during  the 
year  of  1843,  and  until  aliout   ISOO,     when  on  January  1st,  18G2,  H.  A. 


p   ■ 


mi^&f-.  ■■- 


Warner  and  John  H.  Sessions  purchased  this  property  from  the  Bristol 
Savings  Bank  &  Building  and  Loan  Association.  They  entered  the 
wood  turning  business  and  began  the  manufacture  of  cabinet  furniture 
trimmings.  They  continued  as  a  company  until  April  15th,  1865, 
when  Mr.  J.  H.  Sessions  bought  out  Mr.  Warner's  interest  and  con- 
tinued the  business  there  until  1869;  disposed  of  this  property  and 
built  a  new  factory  in  the  center  of  the  town.  George  Turner  purchas- 
ing this  property  on  April  15th,  1869,  began  the  manufacture  of  table 
cutlery  and  other  light  hardware  until  1884,  when  this  factory  was 
destroyed  by  fire,  Mr.  Turner  disposing  of  his  property  to  Mr.  E.  F. 
Gaylord,  December  2d,  1885,  and  on  December  3d,  Mr.  Gaylord  sold  to 
H.  S.  Bartholomew. 

In  the  spring  of  1891  Mr.  Bartholomew  exchanged  property  with 
A.  H.  Warner  &  Company.  They,  building  a  new  factory  on  this  site, 
■continued  the  wood  turning  business  until  1896.  when  this  property 
was  again  destroyed  by  fire.  Then  they  moved  their  business  to 
Plainville 


416 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


THE  BRISTOL  MANUFACTURING  COMPANY. 

The  Bristol  Manufacturing  Company  is  one  of  the  oldest  establish- 
ments in  Bristol,  and  its  mills  and  warehouses  are  located  on  both  sides 
of  Riverside  Avenue,  a  little  east  of  Main  street.  The  Company  was 
organized  in  1837  with  a  capital  stock  of  $45,000,  and  manufactured 
satinet.'  Chauncey  Ives  and  Bryan  Hooker  were  respectively  first 
President  and  Secretary.  In  1856  the  Company  was  reorganized  and 
its   capital   stock  was   increased  to   $75,000,    and  John   English   chosen 


THE     BRISTOL    PLANT. 


President  with  Harmanus  Welch  Secretary.  They  then  gave  their 
attention  to  the  manufacture  of  knit  underwear,  in  which  the  Company 
has  ever  since  been  successfully  engaged.  The  growth  of  the  Com- 
pany in  its  new  business  has  been  steady,  and  its  career  has  been  pros- 
perous, as  its  product  has  become  very  popular  in  the  markets  by 
reason   of   its   superior   quality   and   excellent   finish. 

In  1860  Mr.  English  retired  and  Mr.  J.'R.  Mitchell  was  chosen 
President.  He  was  succeeded  by  Elisha  N.  Welch  who  held  the  position 
until  his  death,  in  August,  1887,  when  Mr.  Mitchell  was  again  made 
President,  and  served  until  his  death  in  May,  1899.  Mr.  Mitchell  was 
followed  by  Mr.  J.  Hart  Welch  as  President,  until  he  died  in  1902,  when 
Mr.  F.  G.  Hayward  was  elected  President.  Mr.  Hayward  has  been 
with  the  Company  since  1879,  first  as  its  Secretary,  then  as  Treasurer 
and  Manager,  and  now  as  its  President.  The  present  officers  of  the 
Company  are,  F.  G.  Hajrwafd,  President,  Pierce  N.  Welch,  Vice  Pres- 
ident, and  A.  D.  Hawley,  Secretary  and  Treasurer.  The  Directors  are 
Pierce  N.  Welch,  Henry  F.  Enghsh  of  New  Haven,  F.  G.  Hayward, 
Julian  R.  Hawley,  Roger  S.  Newell,  A.  D.  Hawley  and  C.  T.  Treadway 
of  Bristol. 

Besides  the  Bristol  Mills,  the  Company  owns  and  operates  a  large 
mill  at  Plain villc,  which  was  formerly  conducted  as  The  Plain ville  Man- 
ufacturing Company,  and  einploys  in  the  two  mills  about  350  hands. 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE." 


417 


THE     PLAINVILLE    PLANT 

CLAYTON  BROTHERS,  INCORPORATED. 

The  business  of  this  firm  was  founded  by  WiUiani  Clayton,  a  native 
of  Sheffield,  England,  who  came  to  this  country  in  1849  and  started  a 
factory  in  Whigville,  Conn.,  in  1866,  occupying  part  of  the  Don  E.  Peck 
factory  where  he  manufactured  table  cutlery  handles  of  wood,  bone 
and  ivory,  iniporting  blades  from  England  and  hafting  them  in  this 
country.  After  a  short  time  he  moved  to  Bristol  and  occupied  the  old 
Dunbar  shop  on  Union  street,  now  owned  by  H.  C.  &  A.  J.  Clayton, 
where  he  continued  the  manufacture  of  table  cutlery,  and  re-plating  and 
re-finishing.  In  this  business  he  was  associated  with  his  son  under 
the  firm  name  of  Clayton  Bros.  &  Son.  In  1875  they  purchased  a  shop 
and  water  privilege  known  as  the  Drum  Shop,  building  a  new  dain  and 
factory.  At  first  little  was  done  in  the  table  cutlery  line,  the  company 
engaging  largely  in  the  manufacture  of  screw  drivers.  About  1881  they 
commenced  the  manufacture  of  shears,  which  since  then  has  continued 
to  be  their  principle  business.  Mr.  Wm.  Clayton  founder  of  the  busi- 
ness died  in  1883,  and  after  his  death  the  business  was  continued  by  his 


418 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


sons  under  the  firm  name  of  Clayton  Brothers.  The  two  younger  broth- 
ers, Frank  and  James,  withdrew  and  started  in  business  for  themselves 
in  the  old  Watrous  Shop  in  the  style  of  Frank  Clayton  &  Co.  This 
shop  burned  down  in  1893,  and  the  old  firm  of  Clayton  Bros.,  and  Frank 
Clayton  &  Co.  consolidated  as  Clayton  Brothers,  and  built  a  new  fac- 
tory on  the  site  of  the  Watrous  Shop  in  1893,  where  they  manufactured 
steel  laid,  cast  iron  shears  and  tinner  snips. 

November  17,  1906,  Clayton  Bros,  sold  their  business  to  W.  M. 
Bowes  of  New  York,  who  previously  marketed  their  goods  for  a  number 
of  years,  and  S.  L.  Butler  of  Northampton,  Mass.  December  26th, 
Bowes  and  Butler  incorporated  the  business  under  the  firm  name  of 
Clayton  Brothers,  Incorporated.  The  plant  has  been  added  to  from 
year  to  year,  and  they  have  recently  completed  a  large  foundry  for 
turning  out  their  grev  iron  castings.     The  business  is  growing  rapidly. 


THE  H.  C.  THOMPSON  CLOCK  COMPANY. 

This  business  was  founded  by  Chauncey  Ives,  who,  in  1849,  sold 
out  to  Noah  Pomeroy.  Mr.  Pomeroy  continued  the  business,  making 
clock  movements  only,  until  1878,  when  H.  C.  Thompson  purchased 
the  plant  and  increased  the  business  by  adding  new  lines  of  manu- 
facture. 

In  1903  a  joint  stock  company  was  formed  and  the  name  was 
■changed  to  The  H.  C.  Thompson  Clock  Company. 


THE    OLO    FACTOKV,     P.\RTI.\I.I. Y    BTRXKn    NOV.    20,     1906. 


OR     "NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


419 


NEW  PLANT  ON  FEDERAL  STREET. 

The  business  has  grown  and  developed  so  that  not  only  clock  move- 
ments, but  gas,  water  and  electric  meters,  spring  motors  and  various 
articles  of  similar  nature  are  manufactured. 

November  20,  1906,  the  plant  was  destroyed  partially  by  fire. 
The  old  wooden  shop  was  superseded  by  a  modern  brick  structure, 
where  business  was  resumed  in  May,  1907,  with  largely  increased 
facilities. 


A,  H.  WARNER  &  COMPANY. 

The  business  now  conducted  by  this  company  was  established  in 
1865  by  Charles  H.  Alpress  and  William  B.  Carpenter  in  the  district 
since  known  both  as  Polkville  and  Edgewood.  In  the  spring  of  1866, 
Augustus  H.  Warner  was  admitted  to  partnership,  the  firm  being  known 
as  Alpress,  Carpenter  &  Company.  The  following  fall,  Henry  A.  Warner 
bought  the  interest  of  Mr.  Alpress.  Soon  after,  the  business  was  moved 
from  the  factory  of  G.  W.  &  H.  S.  Bartholomew  to  one  of  their  own  a 
little  farther  down  the  stream.  The  product  was  wood  turning,  mostly 
handles,  and  was  entirely  hand  turning.  In  1869,  Mr.  Carpenter  sold 
out  to  the  Warners  and  the  name  was  changed  to  H.  A.  &  A.  H .  Warner. 
A  new  factory  was  built  in  1873. 

After  the  death  of  H.  A.  Warner  in  1890,  Henry  D.  Warner  went 
into  partnership  with  A.  H.  Warner,  his  father,  since  which  time  the 
name  has  been  A.  H.  Warner  &  Company.  The  factor}'  burning  in 
1892,  they  rebuilt  on  ground  formerly  occupied  by  the  business  of  H.  A. 
Warner  and  J.  H.  Sessions  and  later  by  George  Turner,  now  the  site  of 


420 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


the   factory   of   Turner   &   Deegan.     Later  for  three   years   the   factory 
was  in  operation  in  Plainville  but  in  1900  was  relocated  in  Bristol. 

In  1904,  the  building  called  "The  Dial  Shop"  was  bought  of  The 
E.  Ingraham  Company,  and  was  moved  to  Federal  Street  and  refitted. 
Lathes  for  both  hand  turnings  and  machine  turnings  are  operated  and 
a  general  line  of  small  wood  turnings  is  produced.  Among  the  special- 
ties; are  wood  faucets,  base  ball  bats,  bicycle  grips,  turned  work  and 
other  work  for  the  electrical  trade,  bath  tub  seats,  etc.  Especial  atten- 
tion is  given  to  turnings  in  cocobola,  rosewood,  lignumvitae,  mahogany, 
and  boxwood. 


OR       NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


421 


THE    W.  C.  LADD  COMPANY. 

W.  C.  Ladd,  maker  of  cathedral  gongs,  cast  iron  nuts,  lantern 
holders  and  light  hardware,  succeeded  the  late  Harry  W.  Barnes,  who, 
at  the  time  of  his  death  in  1889,  was  located  on  Laurel  Street. 

Mr.  Ladd  built  his  present  factory  on  Wallace  Street  in  1092.     The 


first  floor  is  used  for  manufacturing  purposes,  the  stock  room  being 
in  the  basement.  It  is  equipped  with  hydraulic  elevator.  The  power 
is  furnished  by  a  gas  engine. 


FISHERMAN'S  (P)LUCK. 


A  SAD  TALE  OF  INTENT  TI;NT    LIFE 


I 


I  belonR  ro  the  West  Hill  Cluli, 
And  fish  19  my  favorite  gri:b. 

Every  year  1  ramp  out. 

Antl  cftich  numberless  trout. 
And  bass,  percb,  pick'rel  and  chub 


nsRINl^^  PROORESSANC 

A  liaif  score  yeare  flRO 
1  sat  nii^  down  and  ibought- 
A  ^plen.li.l  bnck  hotel 


My  piftii  was  Eood  throughout. 
.Some  bncka  f  bcucht— and  then 
I  kindei  petered  out      iLuke  U 


for 


iiy  marked  the  place 
WUeio  1  did  (huik  to  build. 
Briore  I  chaiiged  my  base. 
Hill  lime  flew  CD.  a«»  time 
Will  Hlwuy-!  (Iv,  you  know. 
And  by  ai.il  by  I  thoueht. 
'■Tbi3  ttiing  had  oughter  go." 
More  brinks  I  bought,  and  then 


I  8hoved  1 
And  ue 
Hbd  rot 


for  Its  fiiyle. 


hind 

And  we  kirk 

just  as  free 

W 


and  bagpage  we  load  oo  the  cars 
be  woods  to  Bleep  under  the  stars, 
and  business  we  leave  far  be- 


up 


eteraus  all,  wearing  each   a   i 
Bbirt— 
A  "biled  shirt"  io   camp   would  eliow 
much  dirt- 
pine  boughfl  or  even 

not  very  profoi 


The    ^ 
Tbo 


veya 


i 
It 


les  by    J] 


The       ^^       darts  past  in  surprise  thai 
Daring  to  venture  so  far  from  our  home. 


« 


I  belone  to  the  West  Hill  Club, 
And  Qsu  is  my  favorite  grub, 
Ooce  a  year  I  camp  out,     ^ 
And  iiiUtnpt  to 'catch  trout,— 
Hut  eatbullheadsland  sunflshi  and 
chub ! 

(  Or  canned  beef!) 


Our  ambition  for  fish  is  enormously  great. 
And  expect  to  catch  naught  less  than   live 

pounds  in  weight; 
We  carry  no  scales  for  each  fish  has  liisown. 
And  we're  sure  ho'e  full  weight  if   he   isn't 

half  grown. 
Wo  judge  of  the   weight  by  the  trouble 

we've  lyid, 
8o  every  small  minnow  seems  big  as  a  shad: 


I  ROl 


1  the  typical  Fisher  r 

:>n  the  hilln. 
By  the  lakes  and  the 
And  dig  breakfast  out  of  a 


e  oft  Kef, 


And  we're  huncry  as  hungry  '■an  lie; 
OurChirngo  canned  l^eef  is  a  wond'-rl 

treat 
Wlicn  we've  fished  all  day  long  and  ni: 
pomrthiDg  to  eat, 
For  hunger  aDd  wc  don't  agree. 

I  holing  to  the  West  Hill  Cliil>, 
Uiit  I'"'!  Usiil.--laiiii:ilKrnli: 

rijLc:.!.  I.a<»  il  1 .1. 

WTlen  1  ca.iip  in  the  w.i'.l. 
liul  if  Imiigry  I'd  cut  laUun'mnl  ruL 


A  few  yeirs  it  has  stood 
An  orn'roenl  to  the  town. 
A  splendid  Brick  Hotel— 


Oft  in  If 

But  lately  'tain 
l!y  K.-.-k  Hotel 


r  Brick  Hotel 
n  lov  ed  Isaac, 


1  ofTense. 
ce  hotel 


And  call  it  i 

No  tempera 

'^all  beidci 

With  nve  or  niine,  so  long 

As  I  stay  in  this  my  hide. 

Aasuie's  Beelzchub 

In  Tophit  lives,  will  1 

Make  this  to*n  sick -you'll  si 

And  iLat  before  t  die 

I  love  my  Bricl:  Hotel, 
As  Jacob  lov  ed  I.saac, 
But,  nevertheless,  you'll  ai 
I'm  going  to  sacrifice  It 

My  Brick  H.itcl  ^lmll  not 

Be  run  wilhout  a  bar. 

Where  tliirsty  men  may  lose 

I'll  pull  It  down, 

MY  beauteous  Brick  Holel; 

It's  tvoifc  than  pulling  teeth. 

Much  worse  than  tongue  can  t 

1  love  my  Brick  Hotel, 


The; 
And 


1  D.ivld  1 


'  ed  Is< 


edit! 


A  home  for  bat  and  crow, 
For  rat,  and  soako.  ond  load. 
I  love  my  Brick  Hotel. 
But  sure  I'll  sacriace  it, 
J-Jlpullirdov.^  A<,i^at^ 
As  Abel  murdered  Isaac. 


^ 


TiiG  pftl'5  now  mr.*-n  w-ll  Hok 
With  sadnew  on  ih^plac*. 
The  cnt  a  requiem  i^inc, 
With  woflfuf,  weeping  face. 
Good  by«  to  all  my  hopc-a. 
0(K>d  bye  my  loved  Hotel; 
S'our  iioDCS  and  bricks  wiiLn 
Uy  he(»rt  arc  treasuved  well 
1  lovo  my  Brick  Hotel. 
1  hate  lo&ttcnaceit. 
Rot  lurfl,  without  n  bar, 
1  odly  should  d^^pise  it 


OR    "new     CAMBRIDGE."  423 


THE   WEST  HILL  CLUB   AND 
THE  BRICK   HOTEL. 


In  the  days  when  Mr.  Charles  H  Riggs  was  editor  of  The  Bristol 
Press,  there  occasionally  appeared  some  original  poems  of  local  interest, 
written  by  the  editor  uniquely  illustrated  by  the  use  of  bits  of  type 
ornaments  and  little  cuts.  Two  of  these  articles  we  reproduce  with  the 
accompanying  explanatory  data,  which  was  kindly  furnished  by  Editor 
Riggs. 

WEST  HILL  CLUB  organized  1878;  disbanded  1906.  Membership 
as  follows: 

George  S.  Hull,  D.  P.  Pardee.  Everett  Horton,  Hiram  Wilcox,  W.W. 
Thorpe,  E.  B.  Dunbar,  W.  W.  Dunbar,  S.  G.  Monce,  Thos.  Barnes, 
George  P.  Barbour,  G.  H.  Blakesley,  H.  C.  Butler,  Thomas  T.  Barbour, 
George  W.  Mitchell,  H.  B.  Cook,  A.  J.  Muzzy,  H.  W.  Barnes,  C.  S. 
Treadway,  William  T.  Smith,  John  J.  Jennings,  Lee  Roberts,  Charles 
A.  Lane,  Roger  S.  Newell. 

"THE  BRICK  HOTEL." 

The  poem  on  "The  Brick  Hotel,"  or  The  Gridley  House,  was  written 
by  the  editor  and  published  in  The  Bristol  Press  in  1882. 

A  few  words  of  explanation  are  necessary  to  an  understanding  of 
the  poem.  In  1871,  Henry  W.  Gridley  moved  from  the  corner  of  Main 
and  North  Main  Streets  a  frame  dwelling  for  the  purpose  of  erecting  on 
the  site  a  hotel.  But  before  the  work  was  commenced  Seymour's  and 
Nott's  blocks,  opposite,  were  destroyed  by  fire,  and  L.  G.  Merick,  who 
had  occupied  a  store  in  Nott's  building,  rented  the  vacant  corner  and 
erected  a  shanty  for  his  grocery  business,  to  be  used  until  Mr.  Nott  could 
rebuild.  After  he  vacated  the  shanty,  Mr.  Gridley  allowed  it  to  re- 
main several  years,  renting  it  to  different  parties  for  various  purposes. 
This  shanty  became  popularly  known  as  the  "Brick  Hotel."  and  was 
made  the  basis  of  a  great  deal  of  fun  in  the  press  and  the  community,  as 
long  as  it  was  allowed  to  stand.  Finally  the  owner  bought  a  quantity 
of  brick,  preparatory  to  building,  but  just  then  the  town  gave  a  vote 
for  no  license,  which  so  incensed  Mr.  Gridley  that  he  sold  his  brick  and 
allowed  the  shanty  to  remain  a  year  or  two  longer.  Finally  in  1879,  he 
concluded  to  carry  out  his  design,  and  the  Gridley  House  was  built. 
He  soon  found  a  tenant  and  matters  went  along  smoothly  till  1882, 
when  the  town  again  voted  no  license,  whereupon  Mr.  Gridley  declared 
his  intention  of  tearing  down  the  hotel.     This  is  what  inspired  the  poem. 


424 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


THE  N.    L.  BIRGE   SONS  CO. 

ONE  of  the  old  established  industries  of  this  city  is  the  knitting 
works  of  the  N.  L.  Birge  Sons  Co.,  manufacturers  of  men's 
fine  knit  underwear.  This  concern  has  long  been  an  adjunct 
to  the  prosperity  of  the  town,  having  been  founded  in  1850, 
when  it  was  known  as  the  "Bristol  Knitting  Company."  After  various 
changes,  Mr.  N.  L.  Birge  became  the  sole  proprietor  and  carried  on  the 
business  until  1882,  when  he  admitted  his  son,  Mr.  John  Birge  into  co- 
partnership, under  the  style  of  N.  L.  Birge  &  Son.  In  1893  his  second 
son,  Mr.  George  W.  Birge,  was  also  admitted  into  the  firm.  Their  new 
mill  is  a  model  efficiency  throughout  and  the  equipment  of  machinery 
and  appliances  is  of  the  latest  improved  description,  including  two 
thousand  spindles,  five  sets  of  cards,  seven  mules,  forty-two  sewing 
machines  and  thirty-nine  improved  circular  rib  knitting  machines,  also 
winder,  loopers,  etc.  A  seventy-five  horse  power  engine  drives  the 
machinery,  which  has  a  capacity  of  producing  over  one  hundred  dozen 


underwear  daily,  the  mill  affording  steady  employment  to  one  hundred 
and  twenty  hands.  The  firm's  goods  ar,e  much  preferred  by  the  trade, 
being  of  such  superior  quality  and  splenciidly  finished.  The  New  York 
office  and  salesrooms  are  located  at  No.  346  Broadway.  Their  goods 
are  sold  generally  throughout  the  United  States  and  stand  today  among 
the  best  in  the  market.  Mr.  N.  L.  Birge  was  a  native  of  this  city  and 
was  a  director  and  vice  president  of  the  Bristol  National  Bank;  was 
one  of  the  original  incorporators  of  the  Bristol  Savings  Bank;  and  vice 
president  of  the  Bristol  Water  Company.  Mr.  John  Birge  was  also  a 
native  of  this  city,  and  was  State  senator  from  the  fourth  district.  In 
the  knit  goods  industry  The  N.  L.  Birge  Sons  Company  have  continued 
a  prosperous  career,  the  secret  of  their  success  being  due  to  the  manifest 
superiority  of  their  products. 


OR        NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


425* 


MARSHALL  I.  SMITH. 

Die  making  and  sheet  metal  stamping  to  order.  This  business 
was  established  in  1S9S  by  Ira  B.  Smith  who  conducted  it  until  August 
1906,  when  it  was  sold  to  M.  I.  and  R.  M.  Smith  who  formed  a  partner- 


ship under  the  firm  name  of  The  Ira  B.  Smith  Company  and  was  con- 
ducted by  them  until  July  1,  1907,  when  Marshall  I.'  Smith  became 
sole  owner. 


The  Second   Plate 
the  book  devoted  to 


of    Co     D  Portraits  will  appear  in  the  section  of 
"Bristol  Societies  " 


426 


BRISTOL,    CONNJKCTICUT 


1.  Hardening  Department.  2.  Patent  Department  in  Bristol  Na- 
tional Bank  Building.  3.  Foundry.  4.  Patent  Department,  General 
Office.  5.  Office  of  Chief  Patent  Attorney.  6.  Patent  Department 
Office.  7.  Office  of  President  A.  F.  Rockwell.  8.  Office  of  Treasurer 
C.  T.  Treadway.  9.  Accounting  Department.  10.  Advertising  and 
Purchasing  Departments  11.  Office  of  Secretary  DeWitt  Page.  12. 
Main  Factory.  12,  Printing  Department.  14.  Office  of  Superintendent 
15.  Drafting  Department.  IG.  Office  of  Outside  Department  and  Lab- 
oratory. 17.  Dipping  Department.  18.  Gas  Plant,  Interior.  19. 
Engine  Room  No,  1.     l'O.     Buffing  Room.     21.     Engine  Room  No.  2 


OR       NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


427 


THE^NEWvDEPARTURE  MANUFACTURING  COMPANY. 

Through  The  Xew  Departure  Manufacturing  Company,  Bristol  is 
known  the  wide  world  over.  The  New  Departure  coaster  brakes  and 
bicycle  bells  are  sold  and  advertised  in  every  large  trade  center  on  the 
globe.  The  company  has  offices  in  England,  France,  Germany  and 
Denmark  and  its  literature  is  printed  in  twelve  or  more  languages. 
Whatever  the  language  of  the  newspaper  advertisement,  circular  or 
catalogue,  the  name  of  the  company  and  its  hoine  town  are  in  English, 
giving  Bristol  wider  advertising  than  most  American  cities. 

This  broad  market  has  consumed  millions  of  Bristol  made  coaster 
brakes.  It  is  safe  to  assume,  after  the  extensive  advertising  this  product 
has  had  in  more  than  thirty  countries,  that  today  the  number  of  bicycle 
users  who  do  not  know  of  New  Departures,  is  indeed  few. 

The    New    Departure    Manufacturing   Company,    while   one    of   the 


BRANCH    FACTORY    AT   WEISSENSER,    BERLIN,     GERMANY 

youngest  of  Bristol's  principal  manufactories,  is  the  largest,  employing 
at  its  Bristol  and  East  Bristol  factories,  over  six  hundred  hands  and 
at  its  Gerinan  factory,  located  at  Weissensee  (suburb  of  Berlin),  over 
one  hundred  hands. 

Less  than  eighteen  years  ago,  this  Company  began  its  existence  in 
a  room  sixty  feet  square,  in  the  north  end  of  the  old  H.  C.  Thompson 
clock  factory  on  Federal  Street.  At  the  busiest  times  of  the  year, 
six  hands  were  employed.  Today,  should  its  plants  be  combined  in  a 
one-story  building  forty  feet  wide,  that  building  would  extend  nearly 
a  mile  in  length. 

The  New  Departure  Bell  Company  was  organized  June  27,  1889, 
and  incorporated  with  a  capital  of  $50,000,  for  the  manufacture  of  door, 
office  and  call  bells,  under  patents  taken  out  by  Albert  F.  Rockwell, 
now  president  of  the  company. 

The  mechanism  of  the  bell  gave  "electrical  results  without  a  battery" 
and  was  a  unique  and  distinctive  invention.     This  fact  suggested  the 


428 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


1.  Milling  and  Drilling  Room,  looking  west,  2.  Automatic  Room- 
3.  Car  and  Fire  Bell  Department,  4.  Machine  Room.  5.  Rivet  and 
Screw  Department.  6.  Milling  and  Drilling  Room,  looking  east.  7. 
Shipping  Room.  8.  Ball  Filling  and  Testing  Department.  9.  Assem- 
bling Room.  10.  Bell  Department  Factory,  East  Bristol:  10.  Dip- 
ping, Pickling  and  Tumbling  Department.  12.  Enameling  Department. 
13.  Grinding  Room.  14.  Cyclometer  Department.  15.  Ball  Making 
Department.     16.     Tool  Room.      17.     Press   Room. 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE."  4li9 

name  of  the  company  and  throughout  its  career  that  name  has  heen  an 
apt  characterization  of  its  product — things  new  and  ingenious. 

Presently,  a  hne  of  bicycle  bells  was  marketed,  adapting  the  same 
mechanical  principles  as  in  the  other  bells.  The  business  of  the  company 
increased  rapidly  and  it  was  not  long  before  people  outside  of  Bristol 
were  calling  it  the  "Bell  Town."  The  original  quarters  were  inadequate 
and  the  company  purchased  what  was  then  known  as  the  Jones  factory 
on  North  Main  Street.  This  building  is  now  the  smallest  of  the  score 
that  comprise  the  New  Departure  plant.  The  company  removed  to 
this  building  in  less  than  a  year  from  its  organization. 

The  growth  of  the  new  industry  was  nothing  short  of  marvelous. 
At  one  time,  the  product  of  the  factory  was  ten  thousand  bells  a  day. 

The  inanufacture  and  sale  of  bicycle  lamps  was  also  successfully 
undertaken  and  carried  on  for  several  years.  This  business  was  sold  in 
1897  to  the  Joseph  Lucas  Sons  Company  of  Birminghain,  England,  who 
continue  the  manufacture  of  the  lamps  at  the  present  time. 

The  year  following  the  sale  of  the  lamp  business,  the  New  Departure 
Company  began  the  manufacture  of  New  Departure  coaster  brakes,  under 
patents  of  Albert  F.  Rockwell.  The  success  of  this  manufacture  has 
already  been  intimated. 

Several  years  ago,  the  branch  factory  in  Germany  was  established 
and  January  28,  1907,  the  plant  and  business  of  the  Liberty  Bell  Company 
in  East  Bristol  was  purchased.  This  plant  has  been  enlarged  and  is 
now  the  bell  department  of  the  company. 

In  1907  also,  additional  buildings  were  constructed  at  the  main 
plant,  principally  the  large  four  story  steel  construction  building  on 
Valley  Street,  for  the  manufacture  of  the  New  Departure  "two-in-one" 
ball  bearing. 

Until  the  first  of  last  August,  John  H.  Graham  &  Company  of  New 
York  had  been  the  selling  agents  of  the  company.  On  that  date  this 
arrangement  was  discontinued  and  the  company  now  inarkets  its  product 
direct  from  the  factory. 

The  name  of  the  company  was  changed  .some  years  ago  from  that 
of  the  New  Departure  Bell  Company  to  the  New  Departure  Manufacturing 
Company.  At  the  last  session  of  the  General  Assembly,  the  company 
was  authorized  to  increase  its  capital  to  $1,500,000. 

The  present  officers  are: — President,  Albert  F.  Rockwell;  Vice 
President,  George  A.  Graham  of  New  York;  Secretary,  DeWitt  Page; 
Treasurer,  Charles  T.  Treadway.  These,  with  Charles  F.  Pope  and  W. 
A.  Grahain  of  New  York,  constitute  the  Board  of  Directors. 


430 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


THE  WALLACE  BARNES  CO. 

The  Wallace  Barnes  company  is  busy  installing  the  machinery  in 
the  large  factory  addition  just  completed.  The  new  building  is  a  four 
story  brick  structure,  40x140  feet,  of  mill  construction,  and  containing 
all  of  the  latest  equipment  for  heating,  automatic  sprinkling,  etc.  The 
new  factory  gives  an  additional  floor  space  of  22,000  feet,  increasing 
the  floor  space  of  the  concern  to  55,300  feet  and  supplying  the  neces- 
sary room  for  the  rapidly  increasing  business. 

The  whole  of  the  new  factory  will  be  used  for  general  manufactur- 
ing purposes.  A  large  new  hydraulic  elevator  is  also  being  constructed 
on  the  south  side  of  the  new  building.  The  first  floor  will  be  used  as  a 
press  room  and  for  other  heavy  work.  The  second  floor  will  be  util- 
ized chiefly  for  bench  work  and  machinery.  The  third  floor  will  be 
taken  up  by  the  machine  and  die  room,  while  the  lighter  work  will  be 
done  on  the  top  floor. 

The  factory  is  well  lighted  and  sanitarily  equipped  throughout. 
A  telephone  system  has  been  installed  to  facilitate  the  factory  commun- 
ication. Upon  each  floor  an  officfe  space  has  been  set  off  by  grill  work 
for  the  foreman  of  the  room.  A  two  story  brick  and  concrete  building, 
25x25  feet,  strictly  fireproof,  has  been  constructed  for  the  die  house. 


The  machinery,  tools  and  stock  are  being  moved  from  the  factory 
building  on  Main  street  to  the  new  building,  and  the  old  building  will 
be  occupied  by  the  office,  shipping  room,  and  for  storage  purposes.  The 
present  office  room  will  be  greatly  increased. 

The  Wallace  Barnes  company  is  this  year  celebrating  its  fiftieth 
anniversary.  It  was  established  in  1857  by  Wallace  Barnes.  Shortly 
after  he  consolidated  with  E.  L.  Dunbar  and  the  business  was  conducted 
Tinder  the  firm  name  of  Dunbar  and  Barnes,  but  in  1866  Wallace  Barnes 
purchased  the  interests  of  Mr.  Dunbar  and  conducted  the  business  till 
his  death  in  1893.  For  the  next  four  years  the  business  was  conducted 
as  the  Wallace  Barnes  estate.  In  1897  The  Wallace  Barnes  Company 
■was  incorporated  and  the  business  has  increased  and  prospered  under 
the  management  of  Carlyle  F.  Barnes.  During  the  past  ten  years  the 
concern  has  increased  its  capacity  and  business  from  six  to  eight  times 
its  former  size. 

The  company  is  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  all  kinds  of  small 
springs,  made  of  sheet  steel,  flat  or  round  wire  of  either  brass  or  steel. 
The  company   has  also  taken  up  extensively  the  manufacture  of  small 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE. 


431 


screw  machine  products,  and  drop  forgings.     There  are  225  employees 
at  work  at  the  factory  at  the  present  time. 

The  company  gets  its  power  from  two  steam  engines  and  a  generator 
which  transmits  power  to  motors  which  are  placed  upon  each  floor  of 
the  factory.     The  power  plant  is  of  300  horse  power  capacity. 


M.   H.  BARNARD. 


White  Rock  Ice  Cream  has  the  reputation  of  being  one  of  the  purest 
and  best  Ice  Creams  on  the  market.  We  have  one  of  the  largest  storage 
capacities  of  any  concern  in  the  state.  We  furnished  the  Sessions 
Foundry  Co.  with  4,100  individual  boxes  on  July  10th,  1907,  which  was 
one  of  the  largest  orders  ever  filled  in  this  State. 

This  is  also  the  home  of  the  celebrated  Barnard  Cattle  Stanchion. 
This  stanchion  is  conceded  by  all  who  have  used  it  to  be  the  inost  prac- 
tical cattle  fastener  on  the  market.  All  parts  are  made  in  the  factory 
froni  the  raw  material. 


432 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


GEORGE  C.  ARMS'  MONUMENTAL  WORKS. 

George  C,  Arms  was  born  in  Duxbury,  Vt.,  March  2,  1827.  He 
engaged  in  the  marble  and  granite  business  in  1862  in  Waterbury,  Vt., 
with  a  branch  shop  in  MontpeHer,  he  also  dealt  in  mowing  machines, 
lumber  and  furs,  buying  and  selling  several  thousand  dollars  worth 
of  the  latter  each  year.      In  all  he  did  a  large  and  successful  business. 

His  many  duties  were  wearing  upon  his  health  and  in  1875,  he 
sold  his  entire  business. 

He  was  employed  by  Governor  Proctor  as  traveling  salesman, 
wholesaling  marble,  covering  the  middle  and  western  states.  He  refused 
a  very  flattering  salary  and  discontinued  this  business  on  account  of 
the  death  of  a  son  while  he  was  away.  In  May,  1880,  Mr.  Arms  started, 
the  monumental  business  in  Bristol  and  has  succeeeded  in  building  up 
a  large  trade,  many  monuments  being  shipped  direct  from  the  quarries 
to  their  destination.      Being  a  man  of  sterling  character  and  strict  business 


integrity,  he  has  won  an  enviable  reputation  among  the  business  men 
of  the  State,  as  well  as  the  respect  and  esteem  of  the  citizens  of  Bristol. 

Mr.  Arms  has  always  striven  to  buy  the  most  lasting  material, 
furnishing  the  best  of  works,  and  selling  at  a  inoderate  profit.  This  is 
substantiated  by  the  fact  that  for  fifteen  years,  not  a  stone  was  erected 
in  Bristol  by  outside  parties,  and  during  the  twenty-seven  years  he  has 
been  in  Bristol  he  has  placed  nearly  every  job  in  our  cemeteries,  agents 
and  dealers  being  frank  to  admit  they  could  not  compete  with  his  prices. 

He  employs  no  agents,  has  never  lost  $100  during  his  business 
career  of  forty-five  years  and  today,  when  nearly  eighty-one  years  of  age, 
can  be  found  every  day  attending  to  his  increasing  business.  His  work, 
which  is  a  standing  advertisement  can  be  seen  in  nearly  every  city  and 
town  in  the  State,  as  well  as  in  New  York  City,  Albany,  Unadilla,  N.  Y., 
Springfield  and  many  other  Massachusetts  towns,  also  Wisconsin,  Florida, 
Pennsylvania,  New  Hampshire,  Rhode  Island,  etc. 


OR        NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


433 


Among  the  monuments  illustrated  in  this  book,  erected  by  Mr. 
Arms  are  the  Hull,  Candee,   Levitt,  Sessions  and  others. 

Mr.  Arms  takes  pride  in  telling  of  a  number  of  expensive  monuments 
which  he  has  sold  for  one  thousand  to  five  thousand  dollars  each,  when 
he  was  told  to  put  up  a  monument  from  a  certain  design  as  large  as  he 
could  for  such  a  sum,  no  contract  being  required. 

Mr.  Arms  always  does  what  he  agrees  to,  consequently  no  dissatisfied 
customers.  His  son,  Howard  G.  Arms,  has  been  with  him  thirty-six 
years  (excepting  from  1894  to  1907)  when  he  occupied  the  office  of 
Chief-of- Police,  resigning  April  1,  1907,  to  assist  his  father.  January  1, 
1907,  Mr.  Arms  removed  from  his  old  location  on  North  Main  street 
to  No.  15  Center  street. 

Mr.  Arms  has  always  been  active  in  church  work,  being  for  twenty- 
two  years  treasurer  of  the  church  and  serving  as  superintendent  of 
the  Sunday  School  of  the  Advent  Church  for  eighteen  years.  It  has 
been  the  writer's  privilege  to  know  him  thoroughly  for  many  years, 
a  consistent  Christian  seven  days  in  the  week. 


leaKld^Kb,     -^if 


THE   BLAKESLEY  NOVELTY  CO. 


The  company  was  organized  in  1887,  for  the  manufactory  of  round 
arm  bands,  and  the  "easy"  arm  band  was  their  first  product  and  is 
today  a  great  seller.  In  the  inanufacture  of  arm  bands  this  company 
is  easily  the  recognized  leader. 


434 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


THE  IDEAL  LAUNDRY. 

The  laundry  was  started  by  Eli  La  Fabare,  May  1,  1895,  and  for 
three  years  was  operated  under  the  name  of  "The  Empire  Steam  Laun- 
dry." In  1898,  the  business  was  purchased  by  Card  &  Doudoin,  who 
continued  as  proprietors  until  1900,  when  the  business  was  sold  kto 
E.  E.  Hart.  Mr.  Hart  removed  to  Pearl  Street,  occupying  the  present 
quarters  in  the  Brick  Factory  Building,  erected  by  Joel  T.  Case,  for  the 


ia»,v::>Jj?-v.:'-^:r 


manufacture  of  the  "Case  Engine."  Mr.  Hart  conducted  the  business 
for  five  years,  after  which  he  leased  the  business  for  one  year  to  Bennett 
&  Clary  of  New  Britain,  who  changed  the  name  to  "The  Ideal  Laundry" 
and  Mr.  W.  G.  Fenn  managed  the  business  for  them.  Deceinber  1,  1900, 
Mr.  Fenn  bought  the  business  and  has  today  one  of  the  best  cqui]ipcd 
laundry  plants  in  the  State. 


i 


OR     "new     CAMBRIDGE." 


435 


THE  GIDDINGS'  CARRIAGE,  FORGING  AND  SHOEING  SHOP. 

The  "Giddings"  shop  has  for  many  years  been  a  staid  landmark 
on  North  Main  Street.  It  was  estabhshed  in  1874,  33  years  ago,  by 
Watson  Giddings,  who  came  to  Bristol  from  Terry ville  where  he  had 
run  a  shop  for  three  years,  and  had  previously  run  a  carriage  siiop  in 
Winsted  for  a  term  of  years.  The  original  shop  building  on  North 
Main  Street  had  a  floor  space  of  only  2,000  square  feet,  but  by  strict 
integrity,  first-class  work  and  honest  dealing,  the  business  has  steadily 
increased,  requiring  additions  being  built  on  from  time  to  time,  having 
been  enlarged  no  less  than  seven  times,  the  plant  now  has  a  floor  space 
of  over  10,000  square  feet,  besides  a  two  story  storehouse  on  Foley 
Street  of  2,400  square  feet  capacity. 

F.  W.  Giddings,  his  son  and  the  present  proprietor,  was  admitted 
into  partnership  in  1SS6,  twenty-one  years  ago,  and  has  been  continually 
identified  in  the  business  since  that  date.  By  building  wagons  of  good 
material  only,  and  of  first-class  workmanship,  they  have  established  a 
reputation   for  the   durability   of  their  work   that   reaches   far   beyond 


the  borders  of  the  town,  having  built  wagons  and  trucks  for  the  Collins 
Company  of  CoUinsville,  the  Echo  Farm  Company,  and  others  of  Litch- 
field and  for  parties  in  Ansonia,  Waterbury,  South  Manchester,  New 
Britain,  and  many  other  surrounding  towns,  also  some  light  work  for 
parties  in  Rhode  Island.  In  April,  1901,  F.  W.  Giddings  bought  out 
his  father's  interest  in  the  business  and  has  successfullv  conducted  it 


In  1905  he  erected  the  storehouse  on  Foley  Street  and  last  fall 
found  it  necessary  to  still  further  enlarge  the  shop  building,  and  this 
spring  has  installed  a  power  hammer  to  do  the  heavier  forging,  and 
has  also  added  other  improved  machinery.  The  Giddings'  shop  is  now 
by  far  the  largest  and  best  equiped  wagon  and  forging  shop  in  the 
State,  outside  of  the  larger  cities. 

The  painting  department  has  been  conducted  by  F.  R.  Mallory 
S:  Son  since  1S91,  w^ho  have  built  up  a  large  and  increasing  trade  in 
t  liat  line. 


436 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


THE  FACTORY  OF  WILLIAM  L.  BARRETT. 

This  business  was  established  in  1893  in  what  was  known  as  tha 
Root  Shop  at  the  corner  of  Main  and  School  Streets,  continuing  there 
tintil  the  Root  Estate  went  out  of  business  in  1902,  when  quarters  were 
secured  in  the  Ira  B.  Smith  factory  on  Parallel  Street,  remaining  there 
until  1904,  when  the  present  factory  was  erected  by  Mr.  Barrett. 


Fifteen  hands  are  here  employed  in  the  manufacture  of  glass  cutters, 
of  which  about  twenty-five  different  patterns  are  made.  These  goods 
are  widely  known  and  find  sale  in  every  civilized  country  on  the  globe 


^ 


:i3 

< 
O 

o 

H 

2 
o 


438 


BRISTOL,    COMNECTICUT 


The  BRISTOL  GUN  CLUB. 


The  Bristol  Gun  Club  was  organized  July  25,  1887,  at  a  meeting 
called  for  that  purpose  at  the  residence  of  A.  Q.  Perkins,  who  was  elected 
its  first  President;  H.  J.  Mills,  Vice  President,  and  G.  W.  Barnes,  Sec- 
retary, being  the  other  officers.  The  club  took  the  place  of  two  clubs 
previously  existing,  known  as  the  North  Side  Club,  and  the  South  Side 
Club.  In  1891,  H.  J.  Mills  was  elected  President,  holding  the  office 
for  a  number  of  years.  The  present  officers  are:  President,  C.  E. 
Kittell;  Vice  President,  W.  Moran;  Secretary,  J.  Z.  Douglass.  The 
club  house,  below  the  Golf  Links,  was  erected  in  1890. 


OR     "NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


439 


MR.   NEWELL  MOULTHROPE,    CELEBRATED    COON   HUNTER. 


A   MEMBER   OF  THE   GUN   CLUB AFIELD. 


440 


BRISTOL,-  CONNECTICUT 


AT      THE      MOUTH      OF      THE      OLD    COPPER      MINE. 


COPPER  MINES  IN  BRISTOL. 


BY    MILO    LEON    NORTON. 

IT  WAS  late  in  the  eighteenth  century  that  copper  was  discovered  at 
a  spring  issuing  from  the  southern  end  of  a  mountain,  then  known  as 
Zach's  mountain,  from  an  Indian  hunter  who  made  it  his  hunting 
ground,  by  Theophilus  Botsford,  a  farmer  Hving  east  of  the  mine 
in  a  house  occupied  many  years  by  the  Gomme  family.  Attention  was 
called  to  the  matter  by  the  green  colored  water  issuing  from  the  spring, 
also  tinging  the  small  brook  flowing  from  it,  and  destroying  the  vege- 
tation along  the  banks.  Beyond  scraping  away  some  of  the  soil  and 
exposing  rich  indications  of  ore,  Mr.  Botsford  did  nothing  to  develop 
the  mine,  and  was  succeeded  by  Asa  Hooker,  who,  about  the  year  1800, 
leased  the  land  of  the  'owner.  Widow  Sarah  Yale,  but  did  little  work 
upon  it,  transferring  his  interest  to  Luke  Gridley,  a  blacksmith,  who 
lived  in  the  Stafford  District,  near  the  site  of  the  Boardman  clock  shop. 
Gridley  worked  the  mine  a  few  years,  smelting  some  of  the  ore  in  his 
forge,  but  accomplishing  little. 

The  real  history  of  the  mine  begins  with  the  development  of  the 
rich  deposit  of  ore,  said  to  have  been  the  richest  in  the  world,  by  George 
W.  Bartholomew,  a  resident  of  Edgewood,  who,  in   1836,  drained  the 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE."  441 

hole  made  by  Gridley,  opening  a  trench  twenty  feet  long,  ten  wide  and 
seventeen  deep,  revealing  veins  of  variegated  ore,  ranging  from  sixty 
to  eighty  per  cent,  pure  copper,  and  so  rich  that  it  had  only  to  be  trimmed 
with  hammers  to  fit  it  for  the  smelting  furnace.  It  was  shipped  in  bags 
by  canal  to  New  Haven,  whence  it  was  sent  to  England  to  be  smelted, 
and  was  a  very  profitable  venture.  Mr.  Bartholomew  organized,  in 
1837,  the  Bristol  Mine  Company,  consisting  of  Andrew  Miller,  Harvey 
Case,  Erastus  Case,  Sylvester  Woodward,  and  himself.  Miller  was  a 
practical  miner  from  New  Jersey,  who  soon  acquired  a  controlling  inter- 
est, selling  a  half  interest  in  the  mine  to  English  capitalists  for  $28,000. 
Business  prospered  until  the  death  of  Miller  by  drowning  in  the  Tunxis 
river,  which  was  the  first  of  a  series  of  inisfortunes  that  attended  the 
subsequent  working  of  the  mine,  eventually  wrecking  it.  The  original 
company  failed  in  1846,  and  the  property  passed  into  the  hands  of  Rich- 
ard F.  Blydenburg,  of  New  York,  to  whom  Abel  Yale  leased  the  lands 
of  the  mine,  and  also  the  water  privilege  where  a  dam  was  afterward 
erected  to  furnish  power  for  the  mafchinery  of  the  mine,  for  the  period 
of  nine  hundred  and  ninety-nine  years.  Blydenburg  sold  two  thirds 
of  his  interest  in  the  mine  to  H.  Bradford,  also  of  New  York,  for  $61,849. 

To  raise  capital  for  extensively  working  the  mine,  tjie  property 
was  mortgaged  to  Dr.  Eliphalet  Nott,  President  of  Union  College,  for 
$212,052.  Blydenburg  sold  his  third  interest  to  Nott  for  $31,000, 
and  he  became  the  owner  of  the  entire  property.  The  mine  was  worked 
on  a  large  scale,  extensive  drifts  were  made,  large  buildings  erected, 
and  ore  of  exceeding  richness  was  taken  out  in  vast  quantities.  Ex- 
travagance in  management  and  expenditures  soon  exceeded  the  income 
from  the  mine,  great  as  it  was,  and  Dr.  Nott  got  out  of  it  finally,  wiser, 
undoubtedly,  but  decidedly  no  richer  for  his  mining  experience.  The 
property  passed  into  the  hands  of  John  M.  Woolsey,  son  of  President 
Woolsey,  of  Yale  College.  Under  the  direction  of  Prof.  Silliman,  the 
inost  extravagant  schemes  and  experiments,  of  a  costly  nature,  were 
indulged  in,  the  Professor  being  a  fiue  theorist,  but  a  very  poor  practical 
miner.  Hundreds  of  thousands  of  dollars,  from  first  to  last,  were  poured 
into  the  mine,  and,  as  the  longest  purse  has  a  bottom,  so  in  this  case 
the  bottom  of  the  purse  was  reached,  and  the  Bristol  Mining  Company, 
organized  in  1855,  became  bankrupt  in  1857,  the  year  of  the  financial 
crash,  although  an  income  of  $2,000  a  month  above  necessary  expenses 
was  being  received  from  the  mine  up  to  its  closing.  In  1858,  Woolsey, 
having  acquired  the  entire  property  by  foreclosure  of  a  mortgage,  closed 
up  the  property,  and  for  thirty  years  it  remained  idle.  The  extensive 
buildings,  machinery,  etc.  were  sold  at  what  they  would  fetch,  Colonel 
Dunbar  purchasing  the  bell,  which  has  never  ceased  to  ring  at  nine 
o'clock  since  it  was  installed  in  his  factory;  the  engine  was  placed  in 
George  Jones'  clock  shop,  now  the  old  building  of  the  New  Departure 
Co. ;  and  the  conical  hopper,  in  which  the  crushed  rock  was  placed  to 
be  ground  still  finer  before  separating,  was  removed  to  his  farm  in  East 
Bristol  by  Lemuel  Hollister,  who  utilized  it,  inverted,  as  the  roof  of  an 
out-building,  where  it  still  stands.  Some  of  the  smaller  buildings  were 
moved  away,  and  converted  into  dwelling  houses;  and  the  lumber  of 
the  large  buildings  was  utilized  by  neighboring  farmers  for  enlarging 
or  repairing  their  farm  buildings. 

In  1888,  the  attention  of  Burton  S.  Cowles,  who  was  then  foreman 
in  the  box  factory  of  Rev.  B.  Hitchcock,  was  called  to  the  large  quan- 
tity of  crushed  rock,  from  the  workings  of  the  mine,  and,  from  which 
not  all  of  the  copper  had  been  extracted;  and,  being  something  of  an 
amateur  chemist,  he  experimented  with  the  sand,  extracting  the  metal 
by  means  of  acid,  depositing  it  upon  scrap  iron,  from  which  it  could 
be  removed  in  a  pure  state.  Mr.  Cowles  succeeded  in  interesting  E.  G. 
Hubbell  of  Pittsfield,  Mass.,  who  entered  into  the  project,  securing  the 
co-operation  of  other  capitalists,  when  the  control  of  the  mine  and  the 
lands  connected  with  it,  passed  into  their  possession.  The  Bristol 
Copper  and  Silver  Mining  Co.,  was  organized  at  Albany,  with  a  capital 


442 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


of  $500,000.  The  separation  of  the  metal  still  remaining  in  the  tailings 
of  the  old  workings  not  proving  practicable,  the  new  company  pumped 
out  the  old  Williams'  shaft,  240  feet  in  depth,  and  explored  the  old 
workings  in  every  direction.  New  drifts  were  excavated,  new  shafts 
sunk,  and  the  Williams'  shaft  sunk  to  a  depth  of  400  feet.  The  rich 
deposits  of  ore  looked  for  did  not  apjjcar,  however,  although  immense 
quantities  of  low-grade  ore  were  found.  Much  of  this  was  hoisted  to 
the  surface,  and  crushed  by  the*  expensive  machinery  installed,  of  the 
most   modern   and  approved  construction. 

In  1893,  Col.  Walter  Cutting  foreclosed  the  mortgage  he  held  for 
money  advanced,  and  acquired  the  title,  in  whose  estate  the  title  now 
remains.  In  1895,  becoming  disgusted  at  the  outlay  of  money,  and 
the  meager  returns,  owing  partly  to  the  low  price  of  copper  that  pre- 
vailed, Col.  Cutting  closed  the  mine,  which  soon  filled  with  water.  The 
expensive  machinery  is  rusting  in  the  great  buildings  put  up  by  the 
company,  and  the  hoodoo  which  has  attended  the  working  of  the  mine 
frorn  the  first,  seems  to  have  succeeded  at  last  in  wrecking  the  fine  prop- 
erty, which  no  doubt  contains  valuable  ore,  sufficient  to  pay  good  re- 
turns on  the  money  invested,  if  practically  and  capably  administered. 
The  chapter  of  calamities  that  befell  the  mine  property  was  fittingly 
closed  in  1896,  when,  following  a  heavy  downpour  of  rain,  the  waste 
weir  of  the  great  dam  of  the  mine  pond  became  clogged  with  ice,  causing 
the  dam  to  give  way,  precipitating  a  disastrous  flood  down  the  stream, 
washing  away  every  bridge  between  there  and  Forestville,  and  wrecking 
a  freight  train  on  the  railroad,  by  undermining  the  roadway.  The 
privilege  has  since  been  procured  by  the  municipality  of  New  Britain, 
together  with  the  water  shed  above,  as  an  auxiliary  supply  to  the  city 
water  works. 


LAKE    AVENUE      CEMETERY, 

The  original  plot  of  ground  was  deeded  to  the  town  of  Bristol  by  Ezra  Norton  in  1841. 

Additional  portions  were  added  by  his  son  in  1872.     Restoration  and 

improvements  begun  in  1899. 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE." 


443 


REV.     GEORGE     E.     TYLER. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  ADVENT  CHRISTIAN 
CHURCH. 


The  Advent  Christian  Church  of  Bristol,  Conn.,  was  organized 
on  the  24th  of  February,  1858,  with  the  following  charter  membership: 
Luther  L.  Tuttle,  Henry  L.  Bradley,  William  O.  Hough,  John  H.  Sut- 
cliff,  George  L.  White,  John  W.  Whiting  and  Edmond  Tompkins.  This 
number  was  materially  increased  by  the  addition  of  many  new  mem- 
bers during  the  months  following. 

For  several  years  the  public  services  of  the  society  were  held  in 
various  halls  near  the  center  of  the  town,  and  it  was  not  until  the  year 
1880  that  a  church  building  was  occupied.  In  that  year  as  the  old 
Methodist  Church  at  the  North  Side  had  been  vacated  the  Adventists 
leased  the  building  and  continued  to  occupy  it  until  it  was  totally  des- 
troyed by  fire  on  the  5th  of  October,  1890.  Steps  were  taken  at  once 
to  build  a  new  church  on  the  same  site  which  had  now  become  the  prop- 
erty of  the  Adventist  people.  The  present  building  was  dedicated  with 
appropriate  services  on  July   1,    1891. 

Quite  a  heavy  mortgage  rested  upon  the  property  at  the  time  of 
its  dedication,  but  this  has  all  been  paid,  important  additions  also  have 
since  been  made  and  paid  for,  and  besides  the  church  has  a  permanent 
endowment  fund  of  $2,000,  the  interest  of  which  is  applied  to  the  current 
expenses. 


444 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


INTERIOR     VIEW— SUNIJAY    SCHOOL    IN   SESSION. 


Since  the  organization  the  following  clergymen  have  served  as 
pastor  of  the  church:  Rev.  Ralph  Williams,  1860-62,  Rev.  Benajah 
Hitchcock,  1867-75,  Rev.  A.  A.  Hoyt,  1879-80,  Rev.  H.  H.  Tucker, 
1880-83,  Rev.  J.  C.  St.  John,  1884-88,  Rev.  George  M.  Tuple,  1889-91, 
Rev.  J.  C.  St.  John,  1891-93,  Rev.  L.  F.  Baker,  April,  1894-July,  1894, 
Rev.  William  Gibb,  Dec,  1894-July,  1897,  Rev.  George  E.  Tyler,  March, 
1898  to  the  present. 

The  membership  of  the  church  is  about  175  and  of  the  Sunday 
School  about  125.  The  Young  People's  Society  of  Loyal  Workers 
numbers  60.  And  there  is  also  a  Mission  Society  which  is  doing  good 
work.  The  church  is  a  mission  church  and  has  given  large  sums  of 
money  each  year  for  home  and  foreign  missions. 

Three  young  yeople  from  the  church  have  (in  1907)  volunteered 
to  go  as  missionaries  to  China  and  are  training  and  preparing  for  the 
foreign  field. 

It  is  a  principle  with  the  church  to  raise  all  moneys  for  religious 
purposes  by  free  will  offerings  and  voluntary  gifts.  All  expenses  are 
met  in  this  way.  The  pews  are  all  free  and  strangers  are  welcomed 
to  all  services. 

The  present  pastor,  Rev.  George  E.  Tyler,  is  now  serving  his  tenth 
year  as  pastor  and  this  is  his  third  pastorate,  the  other  two  having  been 
in  Sturbridge,  Mass.  and  Hartford.  He  is  president  of  the  United 
Loyal  Workers  of  Connecticut,  also  President  of  the  American  Advent 
Mission  Society  whose  headquarters  are  at  Boston. 


OR         NEW     CAMBRIDGE 


445 


ADVENT    CHRISTIAN     CHURCH WEST     STREET. 


THE  PRUDENTIAL  IXvSURANCE  COMPANY.    Elton  Photo. 

The  Prudential  Insurance  Company  of  Newark,  New  Jersey,  opened 
a  branch  office  at  No.  13  Prospect  Street,  in  1899.  December  8th,  1902, 
Niels  Nissen  came  here  from  Hartford,  Conn.,  to  take  charge  of  the 
office  and  \he  agency  has  grown,  under  his  management,  so  that  he 
has  an  agency  force  of  seven  men  and  a  stenographer. 

The  above  is  a  photograph  of  Assistant  Superintendent  N.  Nissee 
and  his  stafif  of  agents  working  under  him  in  April  1907. 


4-46  BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


^enealoaical  Section, 


WING  to  the  limited  space  in  a  work  like  this 
we  have  been  obliged  to  mention  only  a  few 
of  the  prominent  people  of  the  past,  who  have 
been  citizens  of  the  town.  These  biographies 
have  been  written  with  much  painstaking  care, 
and  with  the  utmost  impartiality,  and  it  has  been  thought 
best  to  make  no  attempt  to  arrange  them  in  chronological 
order.  This  section  of  the  work  has  been  under  the  supervis- 
ion of  Mr.  Milo  Leon  Norton,  and  the  information  given  may 
be  depended  upon  as  being  as  correct  as  it  is  possible  to 
make  it. 


J 


OR        MKW     CAMBRIDGE. 


447 


EPHRAIM  DOWNS. 


FRANKLIN  DOWNS. 


DOWNS   (OR  DOWNES)  FAMILY. 

Ephraini  Downs,  one  of  Bristol's  first  clock  makers,  born  in  Wil- 
braham,  Massachusetts,  1787,  was  son  of  David  Downs  and  Mary  Chatter- 
ton.  His  father  was  a  soldier  of  the  American  Revolution.  He  was 
descended  in  several  lines,  from  first  New  England  settlers,  and  in  six 
or  more  from  original  settlers  of  New  Haven.  The  earliest  of  the  name 
here  was  John,  of  New  Haven,  1646  (of  the  same  family  as  John  Downs 
the  regicide,  who  signed  the  death  warrant  of  Charles  I). 

Ephraim  began  clock  making  in  Waterbury,  Connecticut,  1811. 

In  1822  he  married  Chloe  (spelled  Cloe  on  her  old  sampler)  Painter 
(daughter  of  Thomas  Painter,  revolutionary  soldier)  and  settled  at 
Hoadleyville,  now  Greystone,  with  Seth  Thomas,  Eli  Terry  and  his 
brother-in-law,  Silas  Hoadley.  He  began  the  clock  business  for  himself 
here,  but  in  1825  removed  to  Bristol,  bought  the  property  now  known 
as  "Downs'  Mill,"  of  George  Mitchell,  "paying  half  cash,  and  balance 
in  wood  clock-works,  three  dollars  each" — his  own  make.  The  grist 
mill  he  rented  on  shares,  "one  half  toll"  being  his  own  share. 

From  the  old  shop  across  the  stream  Ephraim  Downs'  Yankee 
clocks  went  to  New  York,  New  Jersey,  Pennsylvania,  Ohio,  Missouri, 
Louisiana,  Mississippi  and  elsewhere.  An  old  letter  states  that  clocks 
shipped  to  "Washington  City,"  D.  C,  May  21,  1824  were  received  there 
June  17.  These  undoubtedly  went  by  sailboat  from  New  Haven.  The 
"looking-glass"  clock  was  a  favorite.  "Carved"  and  "bronzed"  cases 
with  "square"  or  "scroll"  top  were  good  sellers.  One  bill,  1831,  gives  an 
"alarm"  eight  dollars.  Many  are  still  in  existence — fine  examples  of 
Bristol's  great  industry  in  its  infancy. 

In  Ephraim  Downs'  day,  notes  were  given  almost  entirely  in  settle- 
ment of  accounts,  but  it  is  said  that  his  name  was  never  upon  a  note, 
except  as  endorsed  for  collection;  and  to  this  may  be  attributed  the 


448  BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 

fact,  that,  of  all  the  Bristol  clock  makers,  he  alone  neither  failed  nor 
made  assignment  in  the  "hard  times"  of  1837. 

In  1842-3  he  retired  from  business  owing  to  failing  health.  He  was 
representative  and  first  selectman,  being  a  Jeffersonian  democrat  in 
politics.  He  was  a  prominent  Mason  and  church  worker.  He  died  in 
1860  at  the  homestead  on  Downes  street,  bought  when  he  first  reinoved 
from  Plymouth.  His  children  were  Rosetta,  Franklin,  George,  Robert, 
Adeline,  Adelaide  and  Helen,  none  now  living 

Franklin  Downs  was  born  June  12,  1824,  at  Hoadleyville,  now 
Greystone,  from  whence  his  father  Ephraim  Downs,  one  of  our  pioneer 
clock-makers,  caine  to  Bristol,  about  1825.  He  worked  at  clock-making 
for  a  time  with  his  father,  but  afterward  became  a  miller  and  dealer  in 
grain.  Downs'  mill  being  one  of  the  most  widely  known  stands  in  this 
section.  He  was  also  interested  in  the  finn  known  as  the  Bone  &  Ivorv^ 
Manufacturing  Co.,  situated 'on  the  site  of  the  original  Downs'  clock 
shop.  He  married  Emeline  M.  Upson  of  old  colonial  and  revolutionary 
ancestry,  in  Waterbury,  in  1844.  Their  children  were:  Ella  A.,  married 
Dr.  Charles  R.  Upson;  Florence  E.,  married  Sen.  Adrian  J.  Muzzy; 
Fannie  A.,  married  Thomas  F.  Barbour;  Frank  Ephraim,  married  Mary 
Annetta  Sprague;  Mabel  G.,  married  Reese  McCloskey.  Their  grand- 
children numbered  eight;  living,  Marguerite  Barbour,  Adrienne  Muzzy 
Downs,  Jean  and  Gail  McCloskey.  Franklin  Downs  died  August  24, 
1898. 


RANSOM  MALLORY. 

One  of  the  prominent  business  men  of  Bristol,  of  a  generation  ago, 
who  helped  to  build  the  foundations  upon  which  the  prosperity  of  Bristol 
rests,  was  Ransom  Mallory,  a  man  of  sterling  integrity,  quiet  and  un- 
ostentatious in  his  manner,  a  consistent  Christian,  and  a  valued  citizen. 

Peter  Mallory,  the  first  of  the  family  in  Connecticut,  came  from 
England  to  New  Haven,  where  he  joined  the  infant  colony,  and  signed 
the  Planter's  Covenant  in  1644.  To  him  and  his  wife  who  came  from 
England  with  him,  were  born  twelve  children,  all  of  whom  settled  in 
New  Haven  and  vicinity.  Ransom  was  of  the  sixth  generation,  of  the 
line  of  Thomas,  second  son  of  Peter,  and  was  the  son  of  David  Mallorj', 
a  revolutionary  soldier,  who  was  with  Washington  when  he  crossed 
the  Delaware,  and  who  served  through  the  war,  undergoing  the  severest 
hardships  unflinchingly,  with  a  sublime  confidence  in  the  righteousness 
of  the  colonial  cause.  Ransom  was  born  in  Oxford,  Conn.,  December 
25,  1792.  May  15,  1814,  he  married  Lucy  Candee,  of  Oxford,  who  was 
born  September  26,  1790. 

He  learned  his  trade  as  carpenter  and  cabinet  maker,  in  Oxford, 
serving  seven  years,  as  was  the  requirement  at  that  time.  During  his 
apprenticeship  he  was  employed  on  two  different  occasions  vipon  the 
capitol,  at  Richmond,  Virginia.  He  came  to  Bristol  in  1821,  and  brought 
his  family  here  the  following  year,  living  in  the  house  then  owned  by 
Col.  Botsford,  afterward  owned  by  Samuel  Terry,  and  now  owned  by 
Frank  Terry.  His  first  work  in  Bristol  was  clock-case  making,  at  a 
private  house,  since  known  as  the  Alfred  Way  place,  on  South  Strefet. 
He  was  a  contractor  at  the  Jerome  clock  shop,  for  some  years,  and,  while 
there,  built  the  house  which  stood  on  the  site  of  the  Masonic  building, 
and  which  was  recently  torn  down  to  make  room  for  the  new  bank  at 
Muzzy's  corner.  It  will  be  remembered  as  the  Lord  Hills  place.  He 
left  the  Jeromes  to  form  a  partnership  with  John  Birge,  under  the  firm 
name  of  Birge  &  Mallory,  for  the  manufacture  of  clocks.  Sheldon 
Lewis,  Thomas  Fuller  and  Ambrose  Peck  were  also  interested  in  the 
business.  The  shop  stood  on  Riverside  Avenue,  near  the  factories  for- 
merly owned  by  Welch,  Spring  &  Co.,  later  by  the  Codling  Manufacturing 
Company. 

This  was  previous  to  1837,  for,  while  the  hard  times  of  1837  caused 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE."  449 


RANSOM    MALLORY. 

many  failures,  Birge  &  Mallory  were  able  to  continue  their  business 
uninterruptedly  through  the  whole  disastrous  period,  paying  their 
indebtedness  in  full,  notwithstanding  the  fact  that  their  agent  in  the 
West  had  taken  many  deeds  for  land  in  payment  for  clocks,  and  most 
of  these  were  spurious,  resulting  in  an  almost  total  loss  to  the  manu- 
facturers. Mr.  Mallory  continued  in  this  firm  until  its  dissolution.  He 
bought  the  house  now  occupied  as  a  parsonage  by  the  Congregational 
Society,  of  Samuel  B.  Smith,  in  1838.  At  this  house  he  passed  away, 
January  10,  1853. 

Mr  Mallory  was  a  member  of  the  Congregational  Church,  and  was  a 
man  universally  esteemed.  In  a  letter  to  his  daughter,  Mrs.  Catherine  C. 
Hayden,  recently  removed  to  New  York,  Dr.  Levi  Barnes,  of  Oxford, 
who  once  taught  in  the  academy  on  Federal  Hill,  wrote  of  Mr.  Mallory 
as  follows:  "He  was,  as  I  remember  him,  a  man  universally  esteemed, 
of  great  force  of  character,  energetic  in  business,  honest,  and  a  staunch, 
quiet  Christian  man,  upholding  all  good,  including  religion,  education, 
and  everything  promotive  of  the  public  welfare.  But  no  one  could 
write  a  biographical  sketch  of  your  father  better  than  a  loving  daughter, 
and  then  the  half  has  not  been  told." 

From  Mrs.  Hayden,  now  in  her  eighty-second  year,  these  data  con- 
cerning Mr.  Mallory  were  received,  necessarily  condensed  on  account 
of  limited  space. 


450  BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


DEACON  BRYAN  HOOKER.* 

Deacon  Bryan  Hooker  was  a  descendant  of  the  fifth  generation 
from  Rev.  Thomas  Hooker,  one  of  the  founders  of  Hartford,  the  Hne  of 
descent  being  through  Samuel,  John,  Hezekiah  and  Asahel  of  Woodbury. 
xAsahel  Hooker  married  Anne  Parmeley  and  their  third  son  Bryan,  was 
born  in  Woodbury,  August  15,  1764  and  died  in  Bristol,  July  22,  1826. 
He  is  buried  in  the  North  Cemetery. 

Mr.  Hooker  came  to  Bristol  in  early  life  and  established  one  of 
the  first  woolen  manufacturies  in  the  state.  His  fulling  mill  was  long 
known  as  the  old  yellow  shop,  near  the  bridge  on  the  corner  of  East 
and  South  Streets.      It  was  destroyed  by  fire  in  1903. 

Mr.  Hooker  first  married  Lydia  Lewis,  October  7,  1790,  daughter 
of  Eh  Lewis  of  Bristol.  She  died  without  children  April  20,  1804.  at 
the  age  of  thirty-nine.  On  October  7,  1804,  he  married  the  widow 
Nancy  Lee  Fuller,  daughter  of  William  and  Elizabeth  Gilbert  Lee  of 
Bristol.  Mrs.  Fuller  had  two  children,  the  eldest  daughter,  Rhoda, 
married  Samuel  Augustus  Mitchell,  publisher  of  geographies;  their 
descendants  are  now  living  in  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania.  The  son 
Thomas  Franklin,  married  Lucy  Winston,  and  always  lived  in  Bristol. 
He  built  the  Saw  Shop  on  Riverside  Avenue  for  the  manufacture  of  tinder 
boxes  and  curry  combs.  His  daughter,  Mrs.  Mary  Martin,  and  his  grand- 
children Mr.  Carlyle  F.  Barnes  and  Mrs.  Wyllys  Ladd  are  at  present  well 
known  residents  of  Bristol. 

Mr.  Hooker  was  a  man  of  mark  and  influence  both  in  church  and 
state  and  filled  many  offices  of  trust.  The  town  records  tell  us  that 
he  took  the  Freeman's  oath  in  September,  1796.  In  1806  and  again 
from  1811  to  1820  we  find  continuously  as  the  second  item  of  business 
at  the  town  meeting,  the  note  "Voted  and  chose  Bryan  Hooker,  Esq., 
Town  Clerk  for  the  year  ensuing."  When  he  was  not  Town  Clerk  he 
was  often  Moderator  of  the  meeting. 

He  represented  the  town  at  the  General  Assembly  in  1812,  1S13, 
1814,  1817,  and  on  July  4th,  1818  was  appointed  "a  delegate  to  meet 
in  convention  in   Hartford  on  the  fourth  Wednesday'  of  August  next, 


♦This  sketch  was  prepared  by  Miss  Clara  Lee  Bowman.     The  likeness  shown  of  Deacon 
Hooker  was  taken  from  a  colored  minatvtre  in  tne  possession  of  Miss  Bowman. 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE."  451 

for  the  purpose  of  framing  a  Constitution  of  Civil  Government  for 
the  people  of  the  state." 

In  the  records  of  this  Constitutional  Convention,  we  find  Bryan 
Hooker  always  voting  on  the  extremely  conservative  side  and  his  report 
to  his  fellow  citizens  could  not  have  been  very  favorable,  as  we  find 
that  "one  hundred  and  five  voted  against  the  approbation  and  ratifi- 
cation of  the  Constitution  of  Civil  Government  framed  for  the  people 
of  the  State  by  the  said  Convention,  and  ninety-five  voted  for  its  ap- 
probation and  ratification." 

He  was  chairman  of  many  important  committees  such  as  the  In- 
spection of  Bridges  and  Highways,  and  appointed  to  make  a  draught 
of  laws  to  prevent  hogs,  sheep,  geese,  turkeys,  etc.,  going  at  large.  He 
served  several  times  as  Selectman  and  was  often  on  the  Board  of  Relief. 
He  filled  the  office  of  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  some  years  and  often  held 
court  in  the  large  living  room  of  his  home  on  East  Street. 

He  united  with  the  Congregational  Church,  September  29,  1799, 
under  the  preaching  of  the  Rev.  Giles  Cowles,  a  year  in  the  church  his- 
tory "long  to  be  remembered."  Mr.  Hooker  immediately  took  an  active 
part  in  church  work  and  in  1801  he  was  elected  deacon  which  position 
he  held  until  his  death  in  1826.  A  rounded  out  quarter  century  of 
earnest  Christian  life.  We  find  in  the  church  records  that  he  was  often 
moderator  in  cases  of  discipline  brought  before  the  church,  especially 
of  Sabbath  breaking,  and  his  own  views  were  so  strict  that  he  would 
stop  people  driving  by  his  house  on  Sunday,  in  order  to  ask  them  who 
was  sick  and  if  they  were  going  for  the  doctor. 

His  interest  and  sympathy  for  the  poor  and  unfortunate  were  un- 
bounded. As  has  been  noted  he  frequently  served  on  the  Board  of  the 
poor  relief  and  his  private  charities  were  numerous. 

Mr.  Hooker's  first  recorded  purchase  of  land  in  Bristol  was  Sep- 
tember 22,  1791,  but  on  April  16,  1793,  he  bought  from  Reuben  Thomp- 
son the  fulling  mill  on  East  Street  near  the  river  and  half  of  the  little 
gambled  roofed  red  house  near  by,  which  was  his  first  home  here.  It 
has  long  given  place  to  factories  and  store  houses,  but  at  the  same  time 
he  brought  ten  acres  of  land  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  street  upon  which 
he  built  his  house  on  East  Street  in  1811,  which  is  still  occupied  by 
his  descendants  of  the  fourth  generation. 

A  carefully  itemized  bill  of  expense  for  the  building  of  this  house 
was  found  among  his  papers  and  may  be  interesting  as  a  comparison 
of  prices  and  orthography  of  the  present  day. 

Bill  of  expense  for  building  my  house  done  in  the  year  1811: 

Brick  1100  at  $8.34 

Pine  boards  12  000  feet 

transporting  the  same 

Shingles  16  500 

transporting  the  same 

Ruff  boards  2  000  feet  at  75  cents 

Flour  boards  for  the  wood  house  and  garret 

other  flour  boards 

Lath  boards  5  000  feet  at  67  cents 

Lining  boards  2  000  feet  at  62  cents 

Petition  plank  1  200  feet  at  1.60 

Joiner  bills 

Daily  &  Churchels  bill 

Miles  Lewis  about  25  cotton  bails  5 

Glas  48  dollars 

200  lb.  cut  nails 

75  lb.  raut  nails  at  12 

Brads 

12  bbs.  double  tins 

Mantletrys  and  Jams  at  Farmington 


.230. 

,00 

91. 

74 

130. 

66. 

49. 

50 

8. 

15. 

12. 

75 

55. 

00 

33. 

50 

12. 

40 

20. 

363. 

75. 

84 

30. 

48. 

22. 

92 

9. 

37 

5. 

1. 

50 

9. 

452  BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 

Expense  of  cellar  of  the  mason's  bill  100. 

Shingle  nails  20. 

4  casks  Canan  lime.  20. 

8  casks  lime  30. 

Masons  bill  for  plastering  36. 

Making  inorter  and  tending  mason  40. 

Door  hangers  etc.  20. 

Iron  barrs  for  mantletrees  2. 

Oil  for  painting  36  gallons  36. 

White  led  225  bb  white  led  37. 

other  paint  about  8. 

Johnsons  bill  for  painting  21.  50 

Painting  the  inside  paid  the  Rands  &  Co.  20. 

House  sink.  7. 

Expense  of  raising  25. 

My  own  time  $50  50. 

Board  156  dollars  156. 

Rum  and  brandy  20. 

1947.00 

Contingent  expenses  not  recorded  above  53. 


$2000.00 


The  farm  which  surrounded  the  old  homestead,  was  a  large  one 
reaching  from  the  river  to  the  top  of  the  hill  and  extending  as  far  west 
as  Main  Street,  which  was  not  laid  out  until  1827,  the  year  after  his 
death.  The  farm  was  first  cut  into  by  the  laying  out  of  the  road  now 
Riverside  Avenue  and  later  by  the  railroad.  He  apparently  bought 
land  very  extensively  as  his  name  appears  twenty-one  times  on  the 
record  between  1791  and  1813,  and  after  his  death  his  estate  figures 
as  frequently  in  selling  it  off. 

For  those  days  Mr.  Hooker  was  a  prosperous  man,  but  his  modesty 
and  humility  were  strong  traits,  of  character  and  his  daily  morning 
prayer  alwavs  included  the  petition,  "May  we  carry  the  cup  of  prosperity 
with  a  steady  hand;"  and  another  phrase  long  remembered  by  his  chil- 
dren was  "may  we  use  this  world  as  not  abusing  it,  remembering  that 
the  fashion  thereof  passeth  away." 

The  fulling  mill  required  many  hands  and  the  apprentices  all  boarded 
at  Mr.  Hooker's  house.  Some  of  Bristol's  prominent  men  were  num- 
bered among  them.  He  always  felt  a  responsibility  for  their  spiritual 
as  well  as  physical  welfare,  and  would  not  allow  any  of  them  to  read 
the  writings  of  Thomas  Payne  while  they  w^ere  inembers  of  his  family. 
He  died  at  the  age  of  sixty-two,  lamented,  revered  and  respected,  a 
worthy  representative  of  his  name  and  generation.  He  left  three  chil- 
dren, Lydia,  Lewis  named  for  his  first  wife.  She  married  Cyrus  Porter 
Smith  and  moved  to  Brooklyn,  New  York,  where  her  descendants  are 
still  living.  Nancy,  who  married  William  Hill  of  Troy,  New  York,  but 
who  was  a  son  of  Gains  and  Mary  Wheeler  Hill,  of  Chippin's  Hill  in 
this  town.  He  lived  but  a  few  years  and  Mrs.  Hill  returned  to  the  old 
homestead  for  the  remainder  of  her  long  life.  She  died  May  2(),  1902, 
at  the  age  of  ninety-three.  Her  daughter,  Mrs.  George  R.  Bowman 
and  granddaughter.  Miss  Clara  Lee  Bowman,  still  live  in  the  old  house 
at  60  East  Street. 

Mr.  Hooker's  only  son,  Brj^an  Edward  Hooker,  was  for  many  years 
a  resident  of  Hartford  and  deacon  in  the  Center  Church,  where  a  ine- 
morial  window  has  been  placed  to  his  memory.  His  son,  Edward  Wil- 
liams Hooker,  at  present  Hartford's  representative  in  the  Legislature, 
Thomas  Williams  Hooker,  and  a  grandson,  Joseph  Hooker  Woodward, 
are  all  well-known  and  influential  men  in  the  Hartford  of  today. 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE."  453 

ELDER  SAMUEL  C.  HANCOCK. 

Samuel  Cooley  Hancock,  widely  known  as  "The  Blind  Preacher," 
and  who  was  for  many  years  a  resident  of  Stafford  District,  was  born 
at  East  Hartford,  September  16,  1828.  When  about  four  weeks  old  he 
became  nearly  blind  from  inflammation  of  the  eyes.  At  the  age  of  nine 
years  he  was  sent  to  the  Perkins  Institution  for  the  Blind,  at  Boston, 
where  he  remained  five  years,  receiving  a  thorough  education  in  the 
ordinary  English  branches,  and  in  music,  in  which  he  was  an  adept,  both 
in  instrumental  and  vocal  music.  After  leaving  the  Institution,  he 
resided  at  Meriden  for  some  years,  playing  the  organ  of  the  Episcopal 
church,  and  teaching  music.  In  1851  he  contracted  the  smallpox  at 
Hartford,  which  resulted  in  the  total  loss  of  his  sight,  as,  previous  to 
that,  he  had  been  able  to  discern  light,  and  plain  colors.  For  several 
years  afterward  he  was  engaged  in  the  sale  of  memorandum  books  and 
diaries,  with  a  boy  to  lead  him,  visiting  many  towns  in  this  and  ad- 
joining states.  He  was  married  to  Susan  D.  Sims  of  Westerly,  R.  I., 
November  27,  1853,  and  resided,  for  a  short  time  afterward  at  Farm- 
ington.  He  then  purchased  a  small  place  two  miles  north  of  Forest- 
ville,  where  he  resided  up  to  the  time  of  his  death. 

Mr.  Hancock  early  united  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church, 
of  Meriden,  but  became  convinced  of  the  truth  of  the  Advent  doctrines, 
also  of  the  observance  of  the  seventh-day  Sabbath.  At  a  conference 
of  the  Advent  denomination,  held  at  Providence,  R.  I.,  December  1860, 


he  was  ordained  a  preacher  of  that  faith.  During  the  remainder  of  his 
life  he  traveled  extensively  throughout  New  England  and  the  Provinces, 
preaching  the  Gospel,  sometimes  laboring  for  months  in  a  place,  but 
more  frequently  journeying  from  place  to  place,  as  an  Evangelist  and 
vocalist.  He  was  a  composer  of  fine  piano  and  vocal  music,  some  of 
his  hymns  finding  a  place  in  the  regular  hymnals  of  the  denomination 
After  his  death  his  devotional  songs  were  compiled  in  book  form  and 
sold  for  the  benefit  of  his  widow,  by  Milo  Leon  Norton.  They  are  now 
out  of  print.  Mr.  Hancock  died  at  Springfield,  Mass.,  August  23,  1874, 
in  the  46th  year  of  his  age.  He  had  but  one  child,  Florence  Eliza,  who 
died  in  1862.      His  widow  survived  him  onlv  a  few  years. 


454 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


RODNEY  BARNES. 

Rodney  Barnes  was  born  in  Burlington  in  1818,  of  old  colonial 
stock,  in  a  house  which  stood  near  Monce's  trout  pond.  His  father 
was  Sherman  Barnes,  who  was  an  American  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812. 
His  mother  was  Miss  Luanna  Smith,  daughter  of  Gideon  Smith,  and 
Rodney  Barnes'  parents  lived  for  many  years  at  the  Milo  Schriver  place 
in  Whigville.  Here  it  was  that  Mr.  Barnes  spent  his  boyhood  days 
except  when  living  out  with  farmers  of  Burlington  and  other  towns. 
As  his  father  was  a  most  versatile  mechanic,  being  a  millwright  and 
machinest,  it  was  not  strange  that  the  son  would  also  have  mechanical 
ability,  and  at  the  age  of  18  years,  Mr.  Barnes  entered  the  employ  of 
Elisha  Manross,  who  conducted  a  small  shop  near  where  the  Laporte 
Hubbell  brick  factory  now  stands.  In  1848  he  was  active  in  the  forma- 
tion of  a  company  to  manufacture  marine  clocks,  the  movement  of 
which  was  a  product  of  his  brother's  idea,  Bainbridge  Barnes.  In 
company  with  Ebenezer  Hendrick,  Daniel  Clark,  Laporte  Hubbell  and 
his  brother  Bainbridge,  Mr.  Barnes  succeeded  in  promoting  the  com- 
pany which  for  many  years  continued  in  the  clock  industry.  After- 
wards Mr.  Barnes  sold  out  his  interest  to  Messrs.  Hubbell  and  Beach. 

On  February  27,  1842,  Mr.  Barnes  was  married  to  Miss  Roxana 
Horton,  an  estimable  daughter  of  Jared  Horton  of  Wallingford.  Of 
the  eight  children  who  blessed  this  union  only  two  are  now  alive,  Watson 
E.  Barnes  of  Forestville  and  Roland  D.  Barnes  of  Bristol.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Barnes  celebrated  their  golden  wedding  in  1892  and  congratula- 
tions were  received  from  all  the  townspeople  who  realized  that  Mr. 
Barnes  was  one  of  those  instrumental  in  building  up  Forestville. 

After  disposing  of  his  interest  in  the  clock  industry,  Mr.  Barnes 
entered  the  real  estate  business  for  the  purpose  of  developing  and  build- 
ing up  Forestville  which  in  the  days  gone  by  was  in  many  localities  noth- 
ing but  a  forest  of  white  burches.  His  energy  and  foresight  was  eventu- 
ally rewarded  as  under  his  leadership  houses  sprang  up  in  what  was 
then  considered  isolated  sections,  and  today  in  almost  anj'^  part  of  Forest- 
ville houses  can  be  pointed  out  that  were  built  under  the  supervision 
of  Mr.  Barnes. 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE." 


455 


As  the  years  grew  on  apace,  Mr.  Barnes  was  looked  upon  as  an 
authority  upon  local  history  and  genealogical  matter.  His  fine  reten- 
tive memory  and  cheerful  consideration  of  the  rights  of  others  gained 
him  the  friendship  of  the  citizens  at  large,  and  his  death  at  the  age  of 
80  years  and  eight  months  was  deeply  deplored.  Although  always 
prominent  in  town  affairs  Mr.  Barnes  refused  to  accept  any  pubic  office 
except  in  1873  and  1875  when  he  served  on  the  board  of  selectmen. 

After  coming  to  Forest ville  in  1836,  he,  with  the  exception  of  one 
year,  1839,  spent  sixty  three  years  of  his  life  in  Forestville,  which  he 
saw  grow  and  expand  from  a  few  settlement  houses  to  a  commodious 
prosperous  community. 


EDWARD  PRINDLE  WOODWARD. 

Edward  Prindle  Woodward,  son  of  Asa  C.  Woodward,  M.  D.,  and 
Amanda  Warner  Woodward  was  born  on  February  5,  1837  in  Litch- 
field, Conn.,  where  his  father  was  at  the  time  a  practicing  physician. 
He  first  attended  lectures  in  the  Boston  University  School  of  Medicine, 
but  completed  his  medical  studies  at  the  Yale  Medical  School.  After 
graduating  in  1860,  he  began  practice  in  Cheshire,  Conn.,  but  a  few  years 
later  removed  to  Bethany,  where  his  father  was  then  practicing.  In 
the  spring  of  1868  he  settled  in  Bristol,  and  there  he  gained  the  esteem 
and  confidence  of  all  classes,  and  for  over  thirty  years  had  a  large  practice. 

Upon  the  organization  of  Bristol  as  a  borough  in  1893,  Dr.  Wood- 
ward was  elected  the  first  warden  and  reelected  the  next  year.  This 
shows  the  esteem  in  which  he  was  held,  as  he  had  not  approved  the 
change  in  form  of  government. 

Dr.  Woodward  was  a  member  of  several  lodges.  Odd  Fellows,  Masons, 
Commandery  and  Shrine  of  Mystic  Temple. 

In  the  fall  of  1900  he  suffered  a  stroke  of  paralysis,  but  at  length 
rallied  sufficiently  to  be  about  the  streets.  He  died  at  the  home  of  his 
daughter,  the  wife  of  Dr.  B.  B.  Robbins  in  Bristol,  on  March  19,  1904, 
at  the  age  of  67  years. 

He  was  a  member  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  church.  Burial  was 
at  Bethanv  in  the  familv  lot. 


456 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


HERBERT  N.  GALE. 

A  native  of  Sheboygan,  Wisconsin,  where  he  was  born  April  2,  1859. 
When  ten  years  of  age  he  came  here  with  his  parents,  Daniel  and  Lucy  A. 
Gale,  and  attended  the  public  schools.  At  the  age  of  eighteen  he  took 
up  the  work  of  mechanical  drafting,  being  employed  at  the  office  of 
James  Shepard,  Patent  Solicitor,  at  New  Britain.  While  there  he 
learned  the  process  of  inaking  blue-prints  of  drawings,  which  suggested 
to  him  the  taking  of  photographs,  which  he  took  up,  being  self-taught, 
his  first  work  being  the  making  of  stereoscopic  views  of  local  scenery, 
in  partnership  with  W.  H.  Wright.  From  scenic  photography,  he 
took  up  portrait  work,  and,  in  1878,  in  company  with  Elias  Burwell, 
he  opened  a  studio  built  for  the  purpose,  on  Main  Street,  just  north  of 
the  present  Masonic  Temple.  In  two  years  he  had  prospered  sufficiently 
to  be  able  to  buy  out  his  partner,  and  became  the  leading  photographer 
of  the  town. 

Being  an  inventor,  he  introduced  several  improvements  in  the 
inounting  of  photographs,  the  Gale  Glass  Mount  being  a  popular  and 
profitable  device.  His  death  was  hastened  by  an  accident  while  taking 
a  flash  light  picture  of  the  employees  of  A.  J.  Muzzy  &  Co.,  on  the  evening 
of  September  'SO,  1902.  He  was  using  a  new  flash  lamp,  which  he  was 
holding  in  one  hand  while  preparing  to  flash  it  by  blowing  through  a 
tube.  W.  E.  Throop  was  operating  the  camera.  In  some  inanner  the 
lamp  exploded  with  tremendous  force,  shattering  his  hand  so  that  the 
flesh  hung  in  shreds.  He  was  taken  at  once  to  the  office  of  Doctor  Gris- 
wold,  where  the  hand  was  amputated  above  the  wrist  by  Dr.  Demarais, 
assisted  by  Dr.  Robbins.  He  received  other  injuries  of  a  less  serious 
nature.  The  wounds  were  healing,  and  it  was  thought  that  he  would 
recover,  but  Bright's  disease  set  in  and  he  died,  October  21,  1902.  The 
picture  taken  at  the  time  was  developed,  and  is  presented  herewith. 

Mr.  Gale  was  an  inventor  of  much  ability,  some  of  his  inventions 
proving  useful  and  their  manufacture  profitable.  Among  the  number, 
were  the  following:  A  trolley  fork  for  electric  tramways;  a  bicycle 
bell;  a  compact  stationary  engine,  something  after  the  model  of  the 
Case  engine  and  a  band-saw  joint. 


OR     "new     CAMBRIDGE." 


457 


IT     WAS   IN    TAKING    THIS     PHOTOGRAPH   THAT   MR.    GALE     RECEIVED  THE 
INJURIES    THAT    LATER     RESULTED   IN   HIS   DEATH. 

While  very  young,  about  fifteen  years  of  age,  wnth  the  assistance 
of  Horace  Cainpbell,  a  lad  of  about  his  own  age,  he  built  a  working 
miniature  locomotive  and  tender,  which  w'as  a  model  of  perfection  in 
workmanship,  and  attracted  much  attention  wherever  exhibited.  He 
purchased  the  second  autoinobile  owned  in  Bristol,  a  steam-driven  car, 
in  which  he  took  much  interest. 

His  wife  was  Lola  M.  Whitinan,  who  survives  him.  His  sister  is 
the  wife  of  Ex-Chief  of  Police,  Howard  G.  Arms.  The  business  has 
been  continued  by  W.  E.  Throop  the  present  proprietor,  who,  when 
compelled  to  move  out  of  the  original  studio  to  inake  room  for  a  new 
building,  fitted  up  another  in  the  second  story  of  the  Muzzy  building, 
which  was  afterward  moved  across  the  street  to  make  room  for  the 
new  building  of  the  Bristol  Trust  Company.  It  is  equipped  with  all 
the  modern  improvements  for  taking  portraits  by  night  or  by  da}'. 


EDWARD  INGRAHAM. 

Entered  into  partnershiji  with  his  father  in  the  clock  business  in 
1859,  and  conducted  the  increasing  business  of  the  company  until  his 
death  in  1892,  with  the  assistance  of  his  sons,  who  have  increased  the 
business  and  enlarged  the  plant  materially  since  his  death.  A  public- 
spirited  man,  genial  and  companionable,  and  one  of  the  most  potent 
agencies  in  developing  Bristol's  phenomenal  prosperity,  his  death  was 
greatly  lamented  by  the  entire  co7nmunity.  The  great  jjlant  of  The 
E.  Ingraham  Co.,  is  the  most  fitting  monument  that  could  be  reared 
to  his  memory,  for  it  sjjeaks  in  unmistakable  tones  of  his  genius  and 
business  ability  that  developed  from  small  beginnings  so  gigantic  an 
enterprise. 


458 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


EDWARD    INGRAHAM. 


LESTER  GOODENOUGH. 

Was  born  in  Burlington,  September  18,  1820.  He  worked  for  a 
time  at  clock-making  in  Whigville,  and  then  came  to  Bristol,  in  1837, 
working  for  Chauncey  Boardman,  and  afterward  forming  a  partner- 
ship with  Asahel  Hooker,  in  the  brass  foundry  business,  which  Mr. 
Goodenough  continued  after  the  death  of  his  partner,  in  1865.  Mr. 
Goodenough  died  December  26,  1898.  He  was  never  an  office  seeker 
though  he  held  several  positions  of  trust,  and  was  a  quiet,  reliable  citizen 
and  business  man,  a  model  of  integrity,  and  respected  by  all  his  towns- 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE."  459 

FILBERT  LEANDER  WRIGHT. 

Filbert  Leander  Wright  was  born  in  Southington,  November  18, 
1816.  When  a  small  boy  he  rode  horse  on  the  tow  path  of  the  raging 
canal,  to  New  Haven.  He  was  the  son  of  Harvey  Wright,  who  was  a 
descendant  of  James  Wright,  of  Milford,  of  English  ancestry,  whose 
son  Joseph  was  born  in  Durham,  November  1,  1713;  his  son  Joseph, 
Jr.,  was  also  born  in  Durham,  May  6,  1744,  whose  son  Harvey,  was  one 
of  the  pioneers  of  clock  making  in  Bristol.  He  married  Esther  Crissey, 
descendant  in  the  sixth  generation,  from  Rev.  John  Davenport,  founder 
of  the  Colony  of  New  Haven,  Harvey  Wright  was  a  manufacturer 
of  the  olden-time  wooden  clock  movements,  the  few  tools  at  his  command 
consisting  of  a  good  jack-knife,  a  file,  a  foot-lathe,  and  possibly  a  fiddle- 
bow  drill;   occupying  a  little  shop  which    stood  on  the    river  bank    near 


the  present  Main  Street  bridge.  Competition  reduced  the  price  of 
clocks  to  that  extent  that  he  abandoned  the  enterprise  and  moved  his 
shop  farther  down  the  river,  where  it  became  the  property  of  the  Codling 
Manufacturing  Co.,  now  in  the  possession  of  the  Sessions  Co.  There 
he  carried  on  a  wood-turning  business  for  several  years.  The  same 
pond  is  still  there,  and  the  willows  on  the  south  embankment  were 
whips  which  Filbert  Leander  Wright  picked  and  planted  there  in  sport. 
Filbert  Leander  Wright  was  married  to  Sabrina  H.  Merrill,  of 
Nepaug,  December  31,  1849.  They  had  three  children:  Frank  Merrill, 
born  July  30,  1854,  died  November  12,  ,1888;  Florence  Esther  (Mrs. 
W.  E.  Fogg),  and  Wilbur  L.,  both  of  whom  are  now  living.  Mr.  Wright 
was  instantly  killed  by  a  switch  engine,  near  the  spot  where  the  depot 
now  stands,  October  2,  1886.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Congregational 
church,  and  a  man  much  esteemed  and  respected  by  his  fellow  townsmen. 
For  twenty-seven  years  he  followed  the  profession  of  dentistry,  most  of 
the  time  in  partnership  with  Dr.  Wales  A.  Candee.  He  was  for  many 
years  a  clock-maker,  and  the  designer  of  many  improvements  in  machin- 
ery for  manufacturing  brass  clocks. 


460 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


SAMUEL  AUGUSTUS  MITCHELL. 

Was  the  youngest  son  of  William  Mitchell,  the  first  of  the  name  in 
Bristol.  He  was  possessed  of  literary  as  well  as  of  business  talents, 
and  turned  his  attention  to  publishing,  "The  British  Poets"  being  one  of 
his  productions.  He  also  issued  a  line  of  texts  book  for  common  schools 
which  were  far  in  advance  of  any  previous  works  of  that  kind,  his  Atlases 
and  Geographies  becoming  standard  works.  He  was  born  in  Bristol, 
March  20,  1792,  and  died  in  1868.  He  was  located  in  Philadelphia 
where  he  conducted  his  extensive  publishing  business. 


WARREN  IVES  BRADLEY. 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE." 


4G] 


Bettei"  known  by  his  literary  name  of  "'Glance  Gaylord,"  was  cut 
off  at  the  threshold  of  a  brilliant  literary  career  by  consumption,  at 
the  early  age  of  twenty-one  years.  He  was  born  in  Forestville,  March 
20,  1847,  and  died  there  in  1868,  on  the  loth  of  June.  His  mother  was 
a  daughter  of  Elisha  Manross,  a  sister  of  Prof.  Newton  Manross,  and  he 
therefore  came  of  a  talented  family.  Of  a  retiring  disposition,  yet 
possessed  of  a  -brilliant  imagination,  he  produced  books  for  Sunday 
school  reading  in  rapid  succession,  having  published  fifteen  up  to  the 
time  of  his  death.  They  were  all  stories  for  boys,  of  a  high,  moral  tone, 
and  were  highly  esteemed  by  youthful  readers. 


LAPORTE   HUBBELL. 

Was  the  son  of  William  and  Julia  Hubbell,  who  lived  near  the 
Downs'  place.  East  Bristol,  and  at  twelve  years  of  age  commenced 
his  life  work  as  a  clock-maker.  In  1848  he  became  associated  with 
Rodney  Barnes  and  others  in  the  manufacture  of  marine  clocks,  which 
business  he  conducted  until  near  the  close  of  his  active  life,  when  he 
was  compelled  to  retire  from  business  because  of  ill  health.  He  died 
at  his  home  in  Forestville,  September  4,  1889.  aged  64  years  and  9  months. 


JULIUS  R.  MITCHELL. 

Born  January  8,  18_'l,  was  perluq)S  more  widely  known  as  merchant, 
politician,  and  citizen;  and  faithful  adherent  of  the  Baptist  faith,,  than 
any  other  man  in  Bristol.  Inheriting  from  his  father,  Hon.  George 
Mitchell,  superior  lousiness  talents,  he  was  identified  throughout  his 
lifetime  with  the  mercantile  and  manufacturing  interests  of  his  native 
town.  During  the  last  few  years  of  his  life  he  suffered  ill  health,  and 
passed  away  on  the  19th  of  February,  1899.  He  thrice  represented 
the  town  in  the  General  Assembly,  and  the  district  in  the  Senate. 


462 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


JULIUS    R.     MITCHELL. 


HENRY  WAllD. 

Was  a  native  of  Cornwall,  Englaiul,  where  he  was  born  April  29, 
1834.  He  came|to  Bristol  with  his  father's  family,  where  he  worked 
as  a  miner  in  the  copper  mine.  He  also  lived  in  Pennsylvania,  and  was 
a  gold  miner  in  California.  His  last  years  were  spent  in  Bristol,  as  a  mer- 
chant, in  company  with  Gilbert  P'enfield  and  A.  H.  West.  He  was 
also  in  the  grocery  business.  He  was  married  in  18G9  to  Estelle,  daughter 
of  Capt.  Alvia  Wooding,  who,  with  three  children,  survive  him.  He 
died  November  16,  1882. 


OR  "new  camdridge. 


463 


NEWTON  SPALDING  MANROSS. 

Son  of  Capt.  Elisha  Manross,  was  born  in  Bristol,  June  20,  1S25. 
Of  a  studious  and  scientific  turn  of  mind  he  was  given  good  educational 
advantages,  graduated  at  Yale  in  1850,  studied  in  Germany,  and  re- 
ceived the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Philosophy.  He  became  a  Professor  of 
Chemistry  and  Botany  at  Amherst.  He  also  visited  Mexico  and  Central 
America  and  conducted  explorations  there.  When  the  war  broke  out 
he  commanded  Company  K.  Sixteenth  Regiment  raised  in  Bristol, 
and  was  killed  at  Antietam,  the  first  action  in  which  his  regiment  par- 
ticipated, in  1862.  He  was  married  to  Charlotte  Roycc,  of  Bristol,  in 
1857.      One  daughter  resides  in  Orange,  Mass. 


464 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


JAMES  HANNA. 

Born  in  north  of  Ireland  in  1848.  Came  to  the  United  States  at  six 
years  of  age,  and  settled  in  Hebron,  Conn.  He  was  on  the  police  force 
of  New  York,  and  in  the  street  car  service  during  the  war.  Shortly  after 
the  war  he  came  to  Bristol,  and  conducted  the  harness  business  until 
about  five  years  before  his  death.  He  organized  the  Hook  and  Ladder 
Company  in  1872,  and  was  foreman  a  number  of  years  taking  great 
interest  in  the  department,  and  was  Chief  Engineer.  He  was  a  member 
of  the  Episcopal  Church,  and  married  Mary  Fieft,  of  Terryville,  in  1878, 
who  survives  him.  Mr.  Hanna  was  the  first  member  initiated  into  Ethan 
Lodge.  K.  of  P.  He  was  a  charter  member  of  the  I.  O.  R.  ]\I.,  and  be- 
longed to  the  \\'tcran  Fireman's  Association  of  Hartford. 


OR        NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


465 


WALLACE  BARNES. 

Oldest  son  of  Alphonso  Barnes,  was  born  December  25,  1827.  He 
married  Eliza  Fuller,  in  1849,  and  lived  in  Winsted  a  few  years,  where 
he  was  engaged  in  the  drug  business.  In  1857  he  engaged  in  the  spring 
business  which  has  been  continuously  conducted  ever  since  at  the  same 
plant  on  Main  street.  One  of  the  most  active  men  in  Bristol,  he  was 
constantly  engaged  in  real  estate  and  other  enterprises.  Two  of  his 
five  children  survive  him — Carlyle  F.  Barnes,  who  now  conducts  the 
extensive  business  founded  by  his  father,  and  Mrs.  Wyllys  C.  Ladd. 
He  died  March  28,  1893. 


SAMUEL  EMERSON  ROOT. 

Was  a  native  of  New  York,  born  in  Broadalbin,  Fulton  County, 
October  12,  1820,  of  Connecticut  ancestry.  He  was  a  nephew  of  Chaun- 
cey  Ives,  of  Bristol,  and  at  an  early  age  he  came  to  Bristol,  and  in  part- 
nership with  Edward  Langdon  built  the  factor}^  which  so  long  stood 
upon  the  corner  of  Main  and  School  streets.  His  specialty  was  clock 
dials,  and  other  clock  trimmings.  His  son-in-law,  Edward  E.  Newell, 
continued  the  business  until  recently,  after  the  death  of  Mr.  Root,  which 
occurred  on  April  7,  189G.  Another  daughter,  became  the  wife  of 
Judge  Roger  S.  .\ewell. 


466 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


SAMUKL   E.    ROOT. 


JOEL  H.  ROOT. 

A  brother  of  the  late  S.  E.  Root,  was  also  born  in  Broadalbin,  neai- 
Saratoga,  N.  Y.,  December  5,  1822.  He  came  to  Bristol,  when  five 
years  of  age,  and  made  it  his  home  during  the  remainder  of  his  life, 
which  terminateff  after  a  long  period  of  suffering,  on  April  11,^1885. 
In   1807  he  bought  what  is  known  as  Root's  island,  and  budt  a  small 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE." 


467 


factory  there,  where  he  manufactured  clock  trimmings,  and  where  the 
business  is  still  conducted  by  his  son  Charles  J.  Root.  His  wife,  Catherine 
Roberts,  was  a  granddaughter  of  Gideon  Roberts,  the  pioneer  American 
clock-maker. 


LEONARD  ANDREWS  NORTON. 

Was  a  lifc'long  resident  of  Bristol,  first  seeing  the  light  on  August 
9,  1813,  at  the' Burton  Allen  place,  on  the  Fall  Mountain  road.  When 
a  year  old  he  moved  to  the  old  homestead  on  Peck  lane,  where  he  spent 
the  remainder  of  his^long  life.  He  was  by  occupation  a  farmer  and 
b^ket-maker.  .  He  was  well  informed  concerning  the  early  history  of 
the  town,  was^a  self-educated  man,  botany  being  his  favorite  study, 
jn  which  he  was  remarkably  proficient.  He  died  July  16,  1895.  His 
widow  and  tw6  sons,  Milo  L.,  and  Manilus  H.,  survive  him.  In  1897 
the  homestead  was  sold  and  is  now  occupied  by  W.  H.  Miller,  formerly 
editor  of  the  Bristol  Press,  and  is  known  as  "Fallmont." 


COL.  EDWARD  L.  DUNBAR. 

Was  a  Scotch  descent,  and  was  for  many  years  a  prominent  busi- 
ness man  in  Bristol.  He  was  born  in  1815,  married  Julia  Warner,  of 
Farmington,  in  1840,  and  settled  in  Bristol.  He  became  a  manufacturer 
of  clock  springs,  and  was  associated  with  Wallace  Barnes  during  the 
period  when  hoop-skirts  were  worn,  in  the  manufacture  of  crinoline. 
What  is  now  the  old  Town  Hall  was  erected  by  this  firm  for  a  wood-shed, 
and  was  called  Crinoline  hall.  He  represented  the  town  in  the  Legis- 
lature in  1862,  and  was  always  keenly  interested  in  the  affairs  of  the 
town.      He  died  in  1872. 


468 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


COL.     E.     L.   DUNBAR. 


WILLIAM   DAY. 

Was  born  in  Lanesbom,  ^hlss.,  March  28.  18(H).  Ho  learned  the 
cabinet  business  in  Pittsfield,  and  came  to  Plymouth  Hollow  where 
he  worked  on  clock  cases  for  Seth  Thomas.  He  came  to  Bristol  in 
1841,  and  was  einployed  in  case-making  until  his  retirement  owing  to 
ill  health  in  1880.  He  was  chosen  a  deacon  in  the  Congregational  Church 
in  1855,  and  continued  in  that  office  until  1888.  He  married  Emeline 
C.  Hitchcock,  of  Southington,  in  1830.  He  had  two  daughters,  who 
survive  him.      He  died  .November   14,   1899. 


OR       NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


469 


CHARLES    CHURCHILL. 


CHARLES    CHURCHILL,    JR. 


CHARLES  CHURCHILL. 

Was  born  in  New  Hartford,  May  25,  1822,  and  died  in  Bristol, 
November  16,  1891,  where  he  had  been  a  resident  for  about  fifty  years. 
He  married  Miss  Alice  Celestia  PhilHps  of  Middletown,  May  3,  1843. 
He  was  an  active  business  man  and  was  universally  esteemed  as  an  honor- 
able and  upright  citizen,  while  his  genial  ways  and  fair  dealings  won 
for  him  many  friends.  For  many  years  he  was  engaged  in  the  coal 
and  lumber  business  and  many  houses  in  town  were  built  by  him  at 
that  time.  Afterwards  he  carried  on  the  hay  and  produce  business 
until  the  time  of  his  death.  He  was  for  many  years  a  Mason,  a  meniber 
of  the  Congregational  Church,  and  a  charter  member  of  the  Bristol 
grange.  Mr.  Churchill's  only  son,  who  lived  to  manhood,  enlisted  at 
the  time  of  the  Civil  War  and  died  in  a  rebel  prison  at  the  age  of  twenty 
years. 


CHARLES  CHURCHILL,  JR. 

Charles  Churchill,  Jr.,  was  born  August  27,  1844.  He  attended 
the  Third  District  school,  and  when  about  eighteen  years  of  age  enlisted 
in  Company  K,  16th  Regiment.,  Connecticut  Volunteers.  He  died  in  a 
rebel  prison  at  Florence,  S.  C,  November  3,  1864. 


I 


470 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


NOAH  POMEROY. 

Was  born  in  Somers,  December  20,  1819.  About  1840  he  came  to 
Bristol,  and  worked  at  clock-making.  In  1849  he  bought  the  shop 
formerly  owned  by  Chauncey  Ives,  where  he  made  clock  movements 
until  1878,  when  he  sold  out  to  Hiram  C.  Thompson,  the  present  prin- 
cipal owner.  Since  1865  he  resided  in  Hartford.  He  died  while  at 
San  Francisco,  California,  June  9,  1896. 


CHARLES  E.   NOTT. 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE." 


471 


Charles  E.  Nott  was  born  in  Bristol,  August  17,  1845,  where  he 
attended  the  common  schools  until  twelve  years  of  age  and  then  clerked 
for  his  father  until  the  latter  disposed  of  his  store.  He  did  no  active 
business  other  than  that  of  taking  care  of  his  real  estate.  He  was  married 
June  25th,  1884,  to  Miss  Harriet  J.  Stoneburner,  who  was  born  in  Pitts- 
ford,  New  York,  July  5,  1850,  but  at  the  time  of  marriage  was  a  resident 
of  Brighton,  New  York,  with  her  parents,  John  and  Almira  (McMinders) 
Stoneburner.  Mr.  Nott  was  a  member  of  the  Congregational  Church. 
He  died  April  20,  1900. 


JESSE  GAYLORD. 

Was  born  in  Bristol,  March  17,  1833,  at  the  old  Gaylord  home- 
stead on  Fall  Mountain,  where  he  lived  during  the  early  years  of  his 
life,  following  the  occupation  of  a  farmer  and  wood  dealer.  He  re- 
moved to  Bristol,  purchasing  the  old  Welch  homestead  on  West  street 
in  1870,  continuing  the  sale  of  wood,  and  was  the  first  to  introduce 
the  sale  of  baled  hay  in  Bristol.  He  was  also  the  first  to  introduce  street 
sprinkling.  He  was  married  to  Julia  E.  Williams  in  1862.  She  died 
in  1902.  He  had  four  children:  Frank  M.,  Mrs.  W.  G.  Plumb,  of 
Springfield,  Mass.,  Mrs.  W.  H.  jMerritt,  and  Miss  Emma  L.  Gaylord. 
He  died  July  15,  1880. 


ELIJAH  DARROW. 

Was  born  in  Plymouth,  in  1800,  and  came  to  Bristol  in  early  life. 
He  was  an  enterprising  business  man,  and  one  who  commanded  the 
universal  respect  of  his  townsmen.  In  company  with  Chauncey  Jerome 
he  was  one  of  the  first  to  manufacture  brass  clocks.  After  the  dissolu- 
tion of  his  partnership  with  Jerome,  he  conducted  the  businessof  clock- 
tablet  making,  from  a  process  of  his  own,  and  other  enterprises.  He 
was  chosen  a  deacon  in  the  Congregational  Church  in  1855,  which  office 
he  held  at  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  January  15,  1857. 


472 


BRISTOL   CONNECTICUT, 


ELIJAH     DARROW. 


FRANKLIN  ELIJAH  DARROW. 

Was  born  in  Bristol,  at  the  Darrow  homestead  on  South  street, 
July  18,  1834.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools,  and  succeeded 
to  the  business  of  the  manufacture  of  clock  tablets,  carried  on  by  his 


"or    new    CAMBRIDGE." 


473 


father,  which  he  finally  sold  to  the  Ingrahams.  He  was  married  May 
17,  1860  to  Miss  Amelia  Whiting  of  Canton  Centre.  He  organized 
the  Darrow  Manufacturing  Company,  for  the  manufacture  of  rawhide 
doll  heads,  and  other  goods,  which  did  a  thriving  business  for  a  number 
of  years.  After  his  connection  with  this  business  was  severed  he  resided 
for  three  years  at  Rockport  and  Lynn,  Mass.,  where  he  was  superintend- 
ent in  a  factory.  After  his  return  to  Bristol  he  became  the  chairman 
of  the  School  Committee  of  District  No.  3,  which  position  he  held  with 
much  credit  for  efficiency,  until  his  death,  January  8,  1882.  He  was  also 
the  first  President  of  the  noted  society  of  B.  B's. 


EVITS  HUNGERFORD. 

Born  in  the  town  of  Bristol,  Conn.,  October  20,  1777,  and  was  a  life- 
long farmer  in  that  locality.  He  was  also  a  blacksmith  and  worked 
at  his  trade  for  years.  In  politics  he  was  an  ardent  Democrat,  in  re- 
ligious faith  a  consistent  Methodist  and  the  first  piece  of  timber  for 
building  the  old  Methodist  Church  was  taken  from  his  land.  He  was 
a  charter  member  of  the  Franklin  Lodge,  F.  &  A.  M.  On  September 
23,  1810,  he  married  Annah  Peck  of  Burhngton,  Conn.,  who  was  born 
September  14,  1789.  Children  as  follows  were  born  to  them:  Leander 
G.,  William  ElHs,  Rev.  Chas.  Lyman  (he  died  in  1845  in  Brooklyn  where 
he' was  a  Methodist  preacher),  Louisa  Amy  and  Caroline  Sally.  The 
father  died  September  17,  1SG7;  the  mother  June  20,  1881. 


474 


BRISTOL,    COXXECTICUT 


HAVILAH  THOMPSON  COOK. 

His  early  life  was  spent  in  Albany,  N.  Y.,  but  resided  in  Bristol 
the  greater  part  of  his  life.  He  conducted  a  large  business  as  a  shoe- 
maker and  shoe-dealer  at  the  North  Side,  while  that  was  the  center  of 
the  town,  but  followed  the  tide  of  population  to  the  South  Side  where 
he  located  in  Seymour's  block.  He  was  married  to  Sophia  Crampton, 
of  Cheshire,  in  1836.  He  was  an  early  and  outspoken  abolitionist,  a 
radical  temperance  man.  strictly  honest  and  fearless  in  every  line  of 
duty.  His  son,  Henry  B.,  succeeds  him  in  the  same  line  of  business. 
He  had  three  daughters,  Ellen,  Ann  Maria,  and  Ellen  Maria.  He  died 
June  24,  1869. 


GILBERT  PENFIELD. 

Born  in  Portland,  in  1823;  died  at  Bristol,  in  1896.  Nearly  the 
whole  of  his  life  was  spent  in  Connecticut,  mostly  in  Bristol,  where  he 
was  in  business  with  his  son-in-law,  A.  H.  West,  for  twenty-two  years, 
selling  sewing  machines,  and  later  conducting  a  store  for  the  sale  of 
art  goods,  and  many  other  articles.  Many  of  those  who  sec  this  book 
will  recall  the  vision  of  the  old  wagon  with  its  sewing  machine,  and  the 
face  of  the  merchant,  who  probably  visited  every  house  in  the  town 
and  the  near-by  villages.  Of  a  jovial,  genial  disposition  he  won  many 
friends. 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE." 


475 


GILBERT    PENFIELD. 


CHARLES  ANDREW  STEELE. 

Was  born  in   West   Hartford,   October    19,    1814.     Was  a   resident 
of  Bristol  for  many  years,   serving  the  town  in  the   capacity  of  Select- 


476 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


man.  and  the  county  as  Deputy  Sheriff.  He  was  for  many  years  station 
agent  at  Plainville,  and  afterward  in  Bristol,  where  he  was  retired  by 
the  railroad  company  because  of  advancing  years.  At  one  time  he 
was  Superintendent  of  the  Bristol  Manufacturing  Company.  He  was 
an  active  member  of  the  Methodist  Church  for  many  years,  and  was 
a  verv  efficient  and  faithful  man  in  the  many  responsible  positions  which 
he  was  called  upon  to  fill.      He  died  February  24,  1898. 


DAVID  SYLVESTER  MILLER. 

Was  bom  in  Torrington,  July  -7,  1823.  Died  in  Bristol,  February 
26,  1895.  He  resided  in  Bristol'  from  1845  to  1856,  the  greater  part 
of  the  time  in  wh^t  was  then  called  Polkville.  Returned  to  Bristol 
again  in  1879,  and  resided  here  until  his  death  in  1895.  For  years  was 
the  head  book-keeper  for  J.  H.  Sessions  &  Son,  retiring  some  time  before 
his  death. 


JOHN  HOUSE  ADAMS. 

Was  born  in  Andover,  December  5,  1812.  He  learned  the  trade 
of  bookbinding  in  Hartford,  in  early  life.  He  was  married  to  Mary 
Noyes,  of  New  London,  in  1836,  by  whom  he  had  three  children,  two 
of  whom  survive  him — William  H.,  and  Mrs.  Sarah  M.  Potter.  He 
w^orked  at  his  trade  in  New  York  for  several  years,  came  to  Bristol 
in  1841,  and  was  emjjloyed  by  Brewster  &-  Ingraham,  until  1851.  He 
worked  ten  years  for  H!  A.  Pond,  at  candlestick  making  in  the  north 
part  of  the  spoon  shop  on  Main  street,  and  in  1861  commenced  work 
for  S.  E.  Root,  where  he  remained  until  he  was  compelled  to  retire  by 
reason  of  old  age.  He  died  February  19,  1900.  He  was  a  member  of 
the  Congregational  denomination  for  sixty  years. 


OR     "new    CAMBRIDGE 


477 


JOHN    H,   ADAMS. 


WILLIAM  GIBB. 

Very  few  men  left  such  a  host  of  devoted  friends,  embracing  the 
entire  community,  as  did  Rev.  WilHam  Gibb,  pastor  of  the  Advent 
Societv,  who  died  in  the  morning  of  his  Hfe  and  usefulness,  in  Callander, 
Scotland,  July  20,    1897,  where  he  had  repaired,  with  his  devoted  wife 


478  BRISTOL,   CONNECTICUT 

of  a  year,  for  the  benefit  of  his  faihng  health.  He  was  a  native  of  Glas- 
gow, came  to  this  country  in  1893,  and  became  a  preacher  of  the  Advent 
denomination,  conducting  evangelical  services  in  Southington.  His 
ordination  took  place  in  1895,  as  pastor  of  the  Bristol  Church.  He 
married  Millie  Arms,  of  Bristol,  June  30,  1896.  To  such  a  sweet  devoted, 
spirit  as  his  these  lines  of  Moore  will  apply : 

"You  may  break,  you  may  shatter  the  vase  if  you  will, 
But  the  scent  of  the  roses  will  hang  round  it  still." 


JOSEPH  SIGOURNEY. 

Joseph  Sigourney  came  to  Bristol  in  1845,  and  worked  in  the  South 
Side  knitting  mill.  Not  long  before  the  war  he  purchased  a  small  fruit 
and  confectionary  store  that  stood  near  where  Merrick's  grocery  store 
now  stands,  which  he  moved  to  the  location  now  occupied  by  the  New 
York  clothing  store  on  Main  street,  where  he  did  a  large  and  very  success- 
ful business,  using  one  store  as  a  jewelry  and  variety  store  and  the  other 
for  the  fruit  and  confectionary  business.  He  made  a  host  of  friends 
and  was  respected  by  all.  He  was  a  prominent  member  of  the  Methodist 
church.  He  married  Miss  Sibyl  Dawson  and  had  two  sons.  He  retired 
from  active  business  in  1881  and  died  June  17,  1887,  aged  66. 


JOHN  H.  SUTLIFFE. 

Was  born  in  Plymouth,  October  4,  1810.  In  1832  he  married 
Harriet  Warner,  of  Farmington,  and  to  them  were  born  three  daughters, 
Mrs.  Thomas  Barnes,  Mrs.  Julia  Barber  of  Indianapolis,  Ind.,  and  Mrs. 
Harriet  Russell.  He  came  to  Bristol  soon  after  his  marriage,  working 
for  many  years  for  the  Atkins  Clock  Co.,  and  later  for  the  Welch-Spring 
Co.,  retiring  a  few  years  before  his  death,  which  occurred  March  124, 
1884.  He  was  a  man  of  sterling  character,  and  a  member  of  the  Baptist 
Chui-ch  for  many  years. 


OR        NEW    CAMBRIDGE 


479 


^  fe 


JOHN     H.    SUTLIFFE. 


ANSON  LUCIUS  ATWOOD. 

Mr.  Anson  L.  Atwood,  one  of  the  oldest  and  most  respected  citizens 
of  the  town,  has  been  for  the  greater  part  of  his  long  life  associated  with 
the  chief  industry  of  Bristol,  the  clock  making  business. 

He  was  born  at  Norfolk,  Conn.,  June  12,  1816,  and  came  to  Bristol 
as  a  young  man,  in  the  fall  of  1838.  He  began  work  with  the  clock  firm 
of  Birge  &  Mallory,  which  occupied  the  shop  now  known  as  the  Saw- 
factory  of  M.  D.  Edgerton.     These  were  the  days  of  contracts  or  jobs. 


480  BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 

Mr.  Atwood  took  the  job  of  turning  parts  of  clock  cases  for  Birge 
&  Mallory,  and  when  this  was  completed,  continued  in  the  same  shop 
a  short  time  longer,  turning  brass  for  clock  movements. 

In  April,  1839,  he  engaged  to  work  for  Elisha  Brewster  at  his  clock 
shop  on  Race  street,  known  in  later  years  as  the  "Elias  Burwell  Shop." 

Not  long  after  this  Mr.  Brewster  became  associated  with  Shaylor 
Ives  in  the  manufacture  of  spring  clock  movements, — said  to  be  the 
■   first  made  in  this  country. 

Mr.  Atwood  continued  with  Brewster  &  Ives  and  except  for  a  brief 
interval,  with  the  succeeding  firm  of  Brewster  &  Ingraham  (formed  in 
1843),  for  several  years.  In  1845  he  contracted  with  the  latter  com- 
pany for  the  manufacture  of  their  one-day  clock  movements.  For 
this  business  he  fitted  up  the  factory  known  as  "The  Blue  Shop," — 
still  standing  near  the  bridge  on  North  street.  To  this  factory  later, — 
during  1847, — the  remainder  of  the  clock  movement  business  of  this 
firm  was  removed.  In  April  of  this  year,  Mr.  Atwood  sold  the  house 
he  had  owned  for  several  years  on  Federal  street  to  Wm.  E.  Day  and 
purchased  a  farm  in  Stafford  District,  thinking  farm  life  would  better 
suit  his  health.  But  during  the  years  on  the  farm  he  was  many  times 
persuaded  to  take  up  his  previous  occupation.  In  the  spring^of  1848, 
he  contracted  with  Brewster  &  Ingraham  for  the  manufacture  of  all 
of  their  clock  movements  for  the  year  (the  last  of  their  partnership), 
and  a  little  later  made  a  similar  contract  with  Elisha  Brewster,  who 
continued  the  business  for  many  years. 

Mr.  Atwood  was  next  superintendent  for  a  time  of  the  clock  shop 
of  Captain  Elisha  Manross,  at  Forestville,  which  stood  where  the  engine 
house  now  stands,  and  later  for  Manross  Brothers,  then  occupying 
the  factory  known  of  late  years  as  "The  Bit  Shop."  He  also  manufac- 
tured movements  for  Elisha  Brewster  during  the  latter  part  of  this  stay 
on  the  farm. 

Mr.  Atwood  returned  to  town  in  the  spring  of  1865,  to  start  the 
clock  movement  business  for  E.  Ingraham  &  Co.  They  purchased  a 
building  known  as  the  "Hardware  Shop"  (where  curry-combs  and  tin 
candlesticks  had  been  made),  which  stood  on  the^ corner  of  North  Main 
and  Meadow  streets,  and  removed  it  to  a  location  just  north  of  their 
present  factory  buildings. 

•Mr.  Atwood  fitted  this  factory  with  the  necessary  machinery  for 
the  manufacture  of-clock  movements,  and  continued  with  E.  Ingraham 
&  Company  as  superintendent  for  twenty-two  years,  retiring  in  August 
1887,  at  the  age  of  seventy-one.  This  was  made  the  occasion  of  a  visit 
from  the  employees  of  the  firm  who  presented  him  with  a  handsome 
gold  headed  cane  as  a  token  of  their  esteem  and  goodwill. 

Mr.  Atwood  married  Eliza  Ann  Hooker,  daughter  of  George  Hooker, 
who  for  a  time  just  previous  to  this,  1840,  manufactured  stocks  (neck- 
wear) at  the  North  Side.  Their  family  of  children  consisted  of  one 
son  and  three  daughters. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Atwood  celebrated  their  golden  wedding,  November 
18,  1890.  Mrs.  Atwood's  death  occurred  April  1,  1902,  and  that  of 
the  son,  who  was  a  resident  of  Hartford,  three  years  later.  The  daugh- 
ters reside  with  their  father  at  the  home  on  Summer  street.  This  house, 
built  by  Mr.  Atwood  in  1871,  was  the  first  house  erected  in  all  that  por- 
tion of  the  borough  included  in  Summer  street  and  vicinity. 

Although  deeply  interested  in  all  questions  of  public  welfare,  Mr. 
Atwood  has  never  cared  to  hold  office.  His  chief  interest,  apart  from 
business  and  family  life,  has  centered  in  the  Congregational  church, 
of  which  he  has  been  for  sixty-six  years  an  active  member  and  up  to 
the  present  time  a  constant  attendant. 

Mr.  Atwood's  ninetieth  V)irthday  was  most  happily  marked  by  the 
presentation  by  his  near  neighbors  and  friends,  of  a  beautiful  silver 
loving  cup,  suitably  engraved,  accompanied  by  a  handsomely  engraved 
testimonial  bearing  tribute  to  "his  high  Christian  character"  and  "to 
the  power  for  good  in  the  community  of  his  long  life  of  true  and  stead- 
fast honor,  uprightness  and  integrity."      He  died  August  25,  1907. 


OR    "NEW    CAMBRIDGE." 


^81 


EDWARD  BUTLER  DUNBAR. 


482  BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 

EDWARD  BUTLER  DUNBAR. 

(From  Bristol  Press,  May  20,  1907.) 

Edward  Butler  Dunbar  was  born  in  Bristol  November  1,  1842  and 
was  a  son  of  Edward  Lucien  Dunbar  and  Julia  Warner.  He  was  de- 
scended from  one  of  the  oldest  Scotch- American  families  in  New  England. 

Mr.  Dunbar  attended  the  public  schools  of  the  town  and  completed 
a  course  at  the  Williston  seminary  at  East  Hampton,  Mass.  At  the 
age  of  eighteen  years  he  went  to  New  York  and  became  associated  with 
the  late  Williain  F.  Tompkins  in  the  mangaement  of  the  New  York  office 
of  the  "crinoline"  or  hoop  skirt  business  of  Dunbar  &  Barnes,  then  an 
extensive  Bristol  industry.  Two  years  later  Mr.  Tompkins  resigned 
and  Mr.  Dunbar  succeeded  to  the  sole  management  of  the  office.  He 
continued  in  the  position  three  j^ears,  when  the  fashion  for  hoop  skirts 
had  materially  subsided  and  the  New  York  office  was  given  up. 

Returning  to  Bristol  in  1865,  Mr.  Dunbar  entered  the  employ  of  his 
father  who  had  that  year  established  the  small  spring  factory  at  the 
present  location  of  Dunbar  Brothers.  He  resided  here  continuously 
since.  In  1872  the  elder  Dunbar  died  and  the  following  year  a  partner- 
ship was  formed  between  the  brothers,  Edward  B.,  William  A.,  and 
Winthrop  W.  for  carrying  on  the  business  under  the  firm  name  of  Dun- 
bar Brothers.  The  partnership  continued  until  1890  when  because  of 
ill  health,  W.  A.  Dunbar  sold  out  his  interest  to  his  brothers  and  retired 
from  the  finn. 

The  business  thrived  under  the  management  of  the  new  firm  and 
became  one  of  the  leading  manufacturing  houses  of  the  town.  The 
original  factory  bvtilding  is  still  in  use  and  one  of  the  landmarks  of  the 
town.  Since  the  death  of  the  elder  Dunbar,  and  bjr  his  express  wish 
the  old  bell  is  tolled  every  night  of  the  year  ninetj^-nine  times  at  9  o'clock. 

Just  previous  to  the  death  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch  the  firm  of 
Dunbar  Brothers  was  incorporated,  with  C.  E.  Dunbar  as  a  member 
of  it.  E.  B.  Dunbar  was  the  largest  stockholder  and  president  of  the 
firm. 

Mr.  Dunbar's  life  was  an  active  one,  and  he  found  time  to  devote 
much  time,  energy  and  thought  to- worthy  public  enterprises  and  institu- 
tions. 

He  served  his  town  two  terms  as  representative  in  the  general 
assembly,  in  1869  when  but  twenty-seven  years  old  and  again  in  1881. 
He  served  the  old  Fourth  senatorial  district  in  the  upper  branch  of  the 
general  assembly  in  1885  and  was  re-elected  in  1887.  Subsequently 
he  was  urged  to  accept  a  nomination  for  Congress  but  declined. 

For  thirty  years  he  was  the  Democratic  registrar  of  voters  in  the 
First  district  of  the  town  and  borough,  and  the  first  election  he  failed 
to  attend  in  all  those  years  was  the  borough  election  held  a  few  days  ago. 

He  was  one  of  the  active  promoters  of  the  project  which  provided 
Bristol  with  a  High  school  and  was  chairman  of  the  High  school  com- 
mittee from  its  establishment  until  four  years  ago  when  he  resigned, 
because  of  the  press  of  other  duties.  It  was  under  his  direction  the 
present  sightly  school  building  was  cdnstructed.  His  interest  was  ever 
intense  for  maintaining  high  standards  at  the  school,  giving  it  a  standing 
and  efficiency  beyond  that  of  similiar  schools  in  towns  the  size  of  Bristol. 

For  a  number  of  years  Mr.  Dunbar  was  a  member  of  the  board  of 
school  visitors  and  for  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  century,  was  a  member 
of  the  district  coinmittee  of  the  South  Side  school. 

Mr.  Dunbar  had  been  the  executive  head  of  the  Bristol  fire  depart- 
ment since  1871,  the  date  of  the  establishment  of  the  board  of  fire  coin- 
missioners.  He  was  deeply  interested  in  the  progress  of  the  depart- 
ment and  within  his  administration  saw  it  grow  from  the  old  hand  engine 
equipment  to  its  present  modern  apparatus. 

In  1891  when  the  Free  Public  librar^^  was  suggested  as  a  solution  of 
the  question  of  what  should  be  done  with  the  library  of  the  then  defunct 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE."  483 

Y.  M.  C.  A.,  Mr.  Dunbar  was  very  active  in  behalf  of  the  movement 
for  the  town  institution.  He  was  chosen  president  of  the  board  of  library 
directors  which  position  he  held  to  the  time  of  his  death.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  special  committee  of  the  board  appointed  to  solicit  for 
the  building  fund  and  during  the  absence  of  Mr.  Ingraham  from  the 
town  acted  temporarily  as  a  member  of  the  building  committee. 
^  Mr.  Dunbar  was  also  active  in  the  interests  of  the  movement  for 
the  establishment  of  the  Bristol  National  bank  and  from  the  first  has 
been  a  director  in  that  institution,  For  a  number  of  years  he  was  its 
vice  president.  In  1905,  following  the  death  of  President  Charles  S. 
Treadway,  Mr.  Dunbar  was  chosen  his  successor  and  filled  that  office 
with  characteristic  faithfulness  and  ability  to  the  last  da^^s  of  his  illness. 

He  was  also  a  director  and  vice  president  of  the  Bristol  Savings 
bank  since  1889. 

Mr.  Dunbar  united  with  the  First  Congregational  Church  July  7, 
1867,  and  since  October  11,  1901  had  been  a  faithful  deacon  in  that 
church. 

He  was  a  member  of  the  Bristol  Business  Men's  association.  Reliance 
Council,  Royal  Arcanum  and  the  Central  Congregational  club. 

In  former  days  he  was  president  of  the  Bristol  Board  of  Trade  and 
of  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association,  being  particularly  interested 
in  the  Boys'  branch  of  that  institution. 

Every  position  held  by  Mr.  Dunbar  was  regarded  by  him  as  a  channel 
for  service  to  the  community  and  his  fellows.  Faithfulness  and  ability 
and  self  sacrifice  characterized  his  administrations,  throughout  his  long 
career  of  usefulness. 

Mi'.  Dunbar  married  Miss  Alice  Giddings,  daughter  of  Watson 
Giddings,  December  23,  1875  and  three  children  were  born  to  them: — - 
Mamie  Eva,  who  died  in  1881;  Marguerite,  wife  of  Rev.  C.  N.  Shepard, 
professor  of  Hebrew  at  the  General  Theological  seminary.  New  York 
City,  and  Edward  Giddings  Dunbar  who  is  at  present  attending  a  pre- 
paratory school  at  Stamford. 

Mr.  Dunbar  is  survived  by  Mrs.  Dunbar  and  five  brothers  and 
sisters: — Winthrop  W.  Dunbar,  William  A.  Dunbar,  Mrs.  Warren  W. 
Thorpe,  Mrs.  Leverett  A.  Sanford  and  Mrs.  George  W.  Mitchell.  Mr. 
Dunbar's  death  took  place  May  13,  1907. 


HENRY  ALBERT  SEYMOUR. 

Henry  Albert  Seymour  was  born  in  New  Hartford,  January  22, 
1818.  He  was  married  in  Bristol,  in  1844,  to  Electa  Churchill  of  New 
Hartford.  In  1847  he  removed  to  Stafford  District  where  he  engaged 
in  clock-making  in  the  Boardman  &  Wells  shop  in  partnership  with 
his  brother-in-law,  John  Churchill  and  Ebenezer  Hendrick  of  Forest- 
ville.  Conflicting  with  patents  cont"olled  by  Noble  Jerome,  he  re- 
linquished this  business  and  moved  to  Bristol,  where  he  built  a  small 
factory,  now  used  as  a  tenement  house  on  Riverside  avenue,  and  began 
the  manufacture  of  ivory  and  boxwood  rules,  which  business  he  sold 
to  The  Stanley  Rule  and  Level  Company  of  New  Britain.  In  1851  he 
built  the  first  of  the  Main  street  buildings  known  as  Seymour's  Block, 
where  he  conducted  a  jewelry  and  watch  repairing  business  for  several 
years.  He  sold  all  his  Main  street  property,  homestead  included,  in 
1896,  to  the  New  York,  New  Haven  &  Hartford  Railroad  Company. 
Mr.  Seymour  served  the  town  as  Selectman,  Assessor  and  in  other  capac- 
ities. He  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Bristol  Savings  Bank  in  1870, 
was  elected  its  first  president,  and  served  in  that  office  continuously 
until  his  death,  a  period  of  nearly  twenty-seven  years.     He  died  April 


484 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


6,  1897.  Airs.  Seymour  died  December  10,  1873.  Their  surviving 
children  are:  Laura  E.,  of  Bristol;  Henry  A.,  of  Washington,  D.  C; 
Mary,  wife  of  Miles  Lewis  Peck,  of  Bristol;  Grace,  wife  of  William  S. 
Ingraham,  of  Bristol  and  George  Dudley  Seymour  of  New  Haven. 


ALLEN  BUNNELL. 

Was  born  in  Burlington,  February  7,  1802,  and  died  in  Bristol,  May 
20,  1873.-'  -His  schooling  was  received  at  the  Center  district  of  his  native 
town   until  fourteen,   when  he  gave  seven  years  to  learning  the  trade 


OR        NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


485 


of  wagon  making  of  "Boss"  Hale  of  the  same  town.  At  twenty-four 
he  was  married  to  Rhoda  Atwater,  of  Bristol,  and  raised  a  large  family 
of  intelligent,  active  children,  too  well-known  as  prominent  citizens 
of  Bristol,  to  need  designation.  Except  for  a  period^of  three  years 
spent  in  Ohio  and  Illinois,  his  long  life  was  spent  in"J,Burlington  and 
Bristol.  He  was  one  of  the  earliest  and  most  outspoken  of  the  aboli- 
tionists, and  burned  a  keg  of  powder  when  his  three  boys  were  at  the 
front,  in  celebrating  the  freedom  of  the  slaves. 


ELISHA  C.  BREWSTER. 

Was  a  son  of  Capt.  Elisha  Brewster,  of  Middletown,  and  a  descendant 
of  Elder  William  Brewster,  of  the  Mayflower.  He  was  a  clothmaker 
by  trade,  but  became  interested  in  the  sale  of  clocks  as  a  "Yankee  clock 
peddler,"  in  the  South,  selling  the  clocks  made  by  Thomas  Barnes  of 
Bristol.  In  1843  he  became  a  partner  of  Elias  and  Andrew  Ingraham, 
afterward  associating  himself  with  William  Day  and  Augustine  Norton. 
He  retired  from  business  in  1862.  His  son,  N.  L.  Brewster,  represented 
the  London,  England,  branch  of  the  business  for  twenty-one  years. 
He  was  a  prominent  man,  a  deacon  in  the  Congregational  Church,  and 
much  respected  as  a  man  and  citizen.     He  died  January  28,  1880. 


486 


BRISTOL,  CONNECTICUT 


GEORGE  W.  BARTHOLOMEW. 


HARRY  S.  BARTHOLOMEW. 


GEORGE  W.  BARTHOLOMEW. 

Descended  from  the  first  settlers  of  the  town.  Mr.  Bartholomew 
became,  indeed,  a  representative  man.  His  father  was  born  in  the  old 
"Bartholomy"  tavern,  near  the  Burlington  line,  Peaceable  street,  March 
'25,  1776.  Mr.  Bartholomew  was  born  June  19,  1805.  He  lived^^many 
years  in  Polkville,  now  Edgewood,  but  in  early  life  traveled  exten- 
sively in  the  South  and  in  California.  He  was  one  of  the  first  to  open 
the  Bristol  copper  mine;  and  in  company  with  his  son,  Harry  S.,  was 
engaged  in  manufacturing  up  to  the  time  of  his  death,  which  took  place 
May  7,  1897. 

HARRY  S.  BARTHOLOMEW. 

Son  of  George  W.,  was  born  in  Bristol,  March  14,  1832.  He  married 
Sabra  A.  Peck,  of  Whigville,  in  1860.  He  was  a  student  of  Siineon 
Hart's  noted  academy,  in  Farmington,  went  to  California  in  1854,  but 
returned  in  1855,  and  commenced  the  inanufacture  of  bit  braces,  in 
company  with  his  father  in  Polkville,  in  which  business  he  continued 
to  the  end  of  his  life,  which  took  place  February  19,  1902,  in  the  South, 
where  he  was  seeking  to  benefit  his  health  by  a  change  of  climate. 

CHARLES  BEACH. 

Was  born  at  Burlington,  August  8,  1816.  His  parents  were  John 
and  Betsey  (Curtis)  Beach.  He  came  to  Bristol  in  his  boyhood,  en- 
gaging in  various  employments  in  his  earlier  years,  but  was  for  many 
years  preceding  his  death  an  efficient  and  faithful  employe  in  the  clock 
factory,  his  specialty  being  varnishing.  He  was  twice  married;  first 
to  Miss  Mary  Granniss,  of  Southington,  Conn.,  who  lived  but  a  few  years. 
In  1845-  he  married  Miss  Abigail  Clark,  of  Sandisfield,  Mass.  He  was  a 
faithful  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church  for  over  sixty  years,  and  a  constant 
attendant  upon  its  various  services  until  failing  health  compelled  him 
to  stay  at  home.     He  died  December  3,  1894. 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE  " 


487 


CHARLES   BEACH. 


ORRIN  BURDETTE  IVES. 

Was  born  in  Bristol  Aug.  2,  1830.  His  first  experience  in  his  mercan- 
tile career  was  as  a  clerk  with  George  Merriman  at  the  North  Side  After 
living  m  Boston  and  other  places  he  formed  a  partnership  with  Andrew 
bhepard,  m  the  store  now  owned  by  the  Muzzvs.     Mr    Ives  took  the 


488 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


grocery  department  about  1862,  and  carried  it  on  separately  for  a  time. 
On  the  death  of  Mr.  Shepard  he  took  the  entire  business,  selling  out  to 
A.  J.  Muzzy  in  1875.  He  was  in  South  Norwalk  for  several  years  where 
he  conducted  a  dry  goods  store.  After  disposing  of  his  store  to  Mr. 
Muzzy,  he  was  engaged  in  the  feed  business,  and  harness  business,  and 
finally  the  glass  and  crockery  trade  which  he  sold  to  Lee  Roberts,  who 
has  since  conducted  it.  His  death  occurred  while  returning  from  Florida, 
where  he  had  been  for  the  benefit  of  his  health,  which  had  long  been 
delicate,  at  Aiken,  S.  C,  April  18,  1896. 


^^■f-T"'  -uv_«  ;  „  '^r^^--  -''-."'.'5.3:.. 


CONSTANT  LOYAL  TUTTLE. 

Constant  Loyal  Tuttle,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  born  in  Bristol, 
Conn.,  January  28,  1775,  the  son  of  Ebenezer  and  Eunice  Moss  Tuttle 
(I  mention  the  vear  as  it  accounts  for  his  strange  name.)  He  was  their 
sixth  child.  October  21,  1798,  he  married  Chloe,  daughter  of  Caleb 
and  Annah  Carrington  Matthews.  They  commenced  housekeeping  at 
East  Plymouth  and  in  1812  returned  to  her  home  on  Chippin's  Hill 
to  care  for  her  parents  in  their  declining  years.  Nine  children  were 
born  to  them.  Two  died  young,  seven  grew  to  maturity  and  married. 
He  had  twenty-seven  grandchildren  and  twenty-two  followed  him  to 
his  grave. 

Mr.  Tuttle  was  a  prosperous  farmer.  He  built  a  tannery  north  of 
his  house  where  they  tanned  leather  making  a  portion  of  it  into  shoes 
and  harnesses.  Here  was  a  cider  mill  and  distillery,  for  in  those  days  it 
was  not  considered  wrong  to  make  and  drink  brandy.  That  was  given 
up  long  before  his  death  in  1858. 

He  was  a  church  man  and  helped  build  the  Episcopal  Church  at  the 
North  Side  and  with  Mr.  Ephriam  Downs  built  and  owned  the  rectory. 
He  was  Justice  of  the  Peace  and  was  a  man  thoroughly  respected.  He 
was  a  Free  Mason  previous  to  the  Morgan  trouble  and  his  name  is  men- 
tioned as  treasurer  in  1819. 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE."  489 


JOHN  HUMPHREY  SESSIONS. 

John  Humphrey  Sessions,  m  whose  death  at  Bristol,  September 
10,  1899,  the  community  lost  one  of  its  most  valued  citizens,  was  a  native 
of  Connecticut,  born  March  17,  1828,  in  Burlington,  Hartford  County. 

The  Sessions  family,  with  which  our  subject  was  connected,  had 
its  origin  in  Wantage,  Berkshire,  England,  which  place  was  visited  in 
1889  by  a  member  of  the  Connecticut  line,  who  found  none  of  the  family 
there.  However,  in  the  adjoining  country  of  Gloucester,  there  is  a 
familv  by  the  name  of  Sessions,  which,  there  is  little  doubt,  came  from 
the  same  stock,  in  fact,  it  was  the  only  one  of  the  name  to  be  found  in 
England.  The  head  of  this  Gloucestershire  family,  Hon.  J.  Sessions, 
at  the  age  of  eighty  years,  was  Mayor  of  the  city  of  Gloucester,  and  his 
three  sons  were  associated  with  him  in  a  large  manufacturing  business 
in  both  Gloucester  and  Cardiff  (Wales),  the  style  of  the  firm  being  J. 
Sessions  &  Sons.  There  is  also  a  daughter  who  is  actively  engaged  in 
benevolent  and  reformatory  work,  while  the  mother  established  and 
built  a  "Hoine  for  the  Fallen,"  which  is  managed  and  cared  for  by  mem- 
bers of  the  family.  They  all  belong  to  the  "Society  of  Friends,"  and 
Frederick  Sessions,  although  at  the  head  of  a  large  business,  gives  his 
entire  time,  without  salary,  to  reformatory  work,  lecturing  and  organ- 
izing Sunday  Schools,  and  temperance  and  other  beneficent  societies. 

The  crest  of  the  English  Sessions  family  is  a  griffin's  head.  This 
mythological  creature  was  sacred  to  the  sun,  and,  according  to  tradition, 
kept  guard  over  hidden  treasures.  It  is  emblematical  of  watchfulness, 
courage,  perseverance  and  rapidity  of  execution — characteristics  of  the 
Sessions  family  to  the  present  day. 

*********** 
John  Humphrey  Sessions,  born  March  17,  1828,  in  Burlington,  Conn., 
was  married  April  27,  1848,  to  Miss  Emily  Bunnell,  born  in  Burlington, 
January  30,  1828,  a  daughter  of  Allen  and  Rhoda  (Atwater)  Bunnell, 
also  of  Burlington.  Children  born  to  John  Humphrey  and  Emily 
(Bunnell)  Sessions  were  as  follows:  (1)  John  Henry,  born  February  26, 
1849;   (2)  Carrie  Emily,  born  December  15,  1854,  married  December  24, 


490 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


1871,  George  W.  Neubauer  of  Bristol;  (3)  William  Edwin,  born  February 
18,  1857. 

John  Humphrey  Sessions  received  a  common  school  education,  such 
as  the  district  schools  afforded  in  his  boyhood  days,  and  at  an  early  age 
began  to  work  in  the  wood  turning  establishment  of  A.  L.  &  L.  W.  Wins- 
ton, Polkville,  a  suburb  of  Bristol.  In  1858  he  entered  into  partnership 
with  Henry  A.  Warner,  under  the  firm  name  of  Warner  &  Sessions. 
The  venture  proving  a  success,  he  in  1869  removed  the  business  to  the 
center  of  the  town.  About  1870  he  purchased  the  trunk  hardware 
business  that  had  belonged  to  his  deceased  brother,  Albert  J.  Sessions, 
and  the  business  was  a  success  from  the  commencement.  In  1879  Mr. 
Sessions  bought  the  property  of  the  Bristol  Foundry  Co.  on  Laurel  St., 
and  together  with  his  son  Wm.  E.  Sessions,  formed  the  Sessions  Foundry 
Co.  This  business,  like  the  others,  proved  a  great  success,  and  in  1896 
they  moved  into  their  present  plant  on  Faraiington  avenue. 

All  his  life  Mr.  Sessions  was  identified  with  important  concerns  of 
the  town.  In  1875  he  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  Bristol  National 
Bank  and  was  elected  its  first  president,  a  position  he  held  until  the 
time  of  his  death.  He  was  president  of  the  Bristol  Water  Company 
at  the  time  of  his  decease.  He  was  one  of  the  original  stockholders  of 
the  Bristol  Electric  Light  Company  and  was  its  president  until  it  merged 
into  the  Bristol  &  Plainville  Tramway  Company;  was  a  stockholder  in 
the  Bristol  Press  Company. 

"Besides  being  a  most  important  factor  in  financial  life  of  the  town, 
he  was  no  less  a  potent  force  in  its  moral  and  religious  life."  A  brief 
sketch  of  his  connection  with  the  Prospect  M.  E.  Church  is  given 
in  the  art'cle  about  the  Church,  on  page  283. 


JOHN  HENRY  SESSIONS. 

Eldest  son  of  John  Humphrey  Sessions,  born  in  Polkville,  February 
26,  1849,  and  received  a  liberal  education  at  the  schools  of  Bristol. t^'In 
1873  he  was  admitted  into  the  firm  of  J.  H.  Sessions  &  Son,  trunk  hard- 
ware manufacturers.      He  was  a  director  of  the  Bristol  Water  Company 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE." 


491 


at  its  organization  and  at  the  death  of  his  father  became  its  president. 
At  the  time  of  his  father's  death  he  was  elected  vice  president  of  the 
Bristol  National  Bank.  Mr.  Sessions,  though  a  staunch  Republican, 
took  no  active  part  in  politics.  In  1883  he  was  elected  secretary  of 
the  Bristol  Board  of  Fire  Commissioners.  On  May  19,  1869  he  married 
Miss  Maria  Francena  Woodford,  who  was  born  September  8,  1848,  a  daugh- 
ter of  Ephraim  Woodford,  of  West  Avon,  Conn.,  and  one  son  was  born 
to  them,  Albert  Leslie,  born  January  5,  1872. 


ALBERT  JOSEPH  SESSIONS. 

Was  born  in  Burlington,  June  11,  1834.  At  the  age  of  twelve  he 
left  home  to  work  for  a  farmer  for  his  board  and  clothes,  attending  school 
in  the  winter.  At  sixteen  he  started  out  in  the  world  for  himself.  In 
1857  he  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  trunk  trimmings,  in  Southington, 
in  company  with  his  brother,  the  late  Samuel  W.  Sessions,  of  Cleveland, 
Ohio.  In  1862  the  business  was  moved  to  Bristol,  and  conducted  by 
him  until  his  death,  when  it  was  acquired  by  John  H.  Sessions.  He 
died  June  25,  1870.  He  was  an  active  member  of  the  Congregational 
Church,  President  of  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.,  and  interested  in  all  the  affairs 
of  the  town,  political  and  otherwise. 


492 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


HERVEY  ELLSWORTH  WAY,  M.  D. 

Hervey  Ellsworth  Way,  M.  D.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  born 
in  Meriden,  Conn.,  January  17,  1828.  He  was  the  son  of  Susan  and 
Samuel  Way. 

He  received  a  common  school  education  and  studied  medicine  under 
the  instruction  of  Gardner  Barlow,  M.  D.,  of  Meriden  and  later  under 
John  B.  Newman,  M.  D.  of  New  York  City,  after  which  he  took  a  course 
of  study  in  the  University  of  the  City  of  New  York,  from  which  institu- 
tion he  graduated  in  the  year  1849. 

He  commenced  the  practice  of  medicine  in  Westbrook  soon  after 
graduation,  where  he  remained  but  a  short  time.  While  in  Westbrook 
he  married  Lucy  Ann  Kirtland,  daughter  of  Philip  M.  Kirtland  of  that 
town.  From  Westbrook  he  removed  to  Cheshire  remaining  a  few  years 
and  in  1857  came  to  Bristol  where  he  was  in  active  practice  until  two 
years  before  his  death  which  was. caused  by  heart  trouble. 

Dr.  Way  was  upright  and  honorable  in  his  dealings  with  men,  con- 
scientious to  a  very  marked  degree  and  highly  regarded  by  all  with 
whom  he  came  in  contact.  He  ranked  high  in  his  profession  and  was 
often  called  in  consultation.  He  was  first  of  all  a  student  and  his  library 
contained  many  choice  works,  the  study  of  which  was  to  him  a  pastime. 

He  died  in  Bristol,  July  29,  1892,  survived  by  his  wife,  daughter, 
son  and  granddaughter  and  a  large  circle  of  friends  and  patrons  mourned 
his  loss. 


I 


'new    CAMBRIDGE."  493 


EX-SENATOR  ELISHA  N.  WELCH. 
From  Bristol  Press,  August  4,  1887. 

Elisha  N.  Welch  died  at  his  home  in  Forestville  at  noon  on  Tuesday, 
August  2d,  in  his  79th  year.  He  had  long  been  in  feeble  health,  and  of 
late,  for  the  most  part  confined  to  the  house.  The  immediate  cause 
of  his  death  was  angina  pectoris. 

Mr.  Welch  was  born  in  Chatham,  East  Hampton  Society,  February 
7,  1809.  During  his  minority  his  father  moved  to  Bristol,  having  bought 
the  house  on  West  street,  now  owned  by  Mrs.  H.  Bradley. 

He  became  of  age  on  a  Sunday  and  the  next  day  entered  upon  a 
business  career  in  connection  with  his  father.  The  business  in  which 
they  engaged  was  that  of  casting  clock  weights.  The  scale  on  which 
they  began  this  enterprise  would  hardly  entitle  it  to  the  dignified  name 
of  a  business  in  these  days,  for  their  facilities  were  exceedingly  limited. 
The  blast  for  their  cupola  was  produced  by  a  blacksmith's  bellows  worked 
by  hand,  and  the  cupola  itself  is  still  humorously  spoken  of  by  the  old 
residents  of  Bristol  as  a  "porridge  pot."  The  weights  were  sold  to 
clock  makers,  and  payment  taken  in  finished  clocks.  They  were  dis- 
posed of  to  such  customers  as  they  could  .find,  some  of  them  being  carried 
to  Philadelphia  by  the  younger  memt)cr  of  the  firm.  Old  iron  was 
frequently  taken  in  exchange.  As  the  business  grew,  other  branches 
of  it  were  added,  and  in  a  few  years  the  father  and  son,  who  started  in 
so  small  a  way,  were  possessed  of  $20,000,  which  in  those  days  was 
considered  a  large  fortune. 

Later  he  had  as  a  partner  in  the  foundry  and  machine  business, 
for  many  years,  the  late  Harvey  Gray,  and  this  firm  did  a  large  business. 
Much  of  their  work  was  for  the  Bristol  Copper  Mine  Company.  Mr. 
Welch  withdrew  about  1856,  and  Mr.  Gray  continued  alone  until  burned 
out  a  year  or  two  later. 

As  a  result  of  the  business  panic  in  IS.")?,  the  clock  business  of  J.  C. 
Brown  at  Forestville  came  into  Mr.  Welch's  hands,  and  he  organized 
the  E.  N.  Welch  Mfg.  Co.,  which  has  had  a  most  successful  career,  and 
is  today  one  of  the  largest  clock  concerns  in  the  country.  Mr.  Welch 
was  also  founder  of  the  Bristol  Brass  and  Clock  Co.,  in  1850,  which  has 


494  BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 

also  been  a  great  financial  success.  This  company  has  a  rolling  mill 
for  the  manufacture  of  sheet  brass,  located  between  Bristol  and  Forest- 
ville;  a  lamp  burner  factory  at  Forestville,  and  a  spoon  and  fork  factory 
in  Bristol.  Mr.  Welch  was  also  principal  stockholder  in  the  Bristol 
Manufacturing  Co.,  manufacturing  knitted  underwear.  Of  these  three 
companies  he  has  been  the  president  for  inany  years.  He  was  also  a 
large  stockholder  in  manufacturing  concerns  in  Waterbury,  New  Britain, 
Plainville  and  other  places.  He  was  also  one  of  the  five  stockholders 
of  the  First  National  Bank  of  New  Haven,  of  which  his  brother,  H.  M. 
Welch,  is  president.  Each  of  the  five  stockholders  put  in  $50,000  when 
the  bank  was  instituted.  Mr.  Welch  was  also  a  director  in  the  Bristol 
National  Bank,  and  in  the  Travelers  and  National  Insurance  Companies 
of  Hartford.  He  has  also  had  some  interest  in  mines  in  Montana.  His 
financial  success  in  all  of  his  vmdertakings  has  been  very  great  and  his 
estate  is  estimated  at  $3,000,000. 

Mr.  Welch  was  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church  in  Bristol,  and  its 
principle  financial  supporter,  and  contributed  very  largely  to  the  build- 
ing of  a  new  church  edifice  and  parsonage  a  few  years  since.  He  repre- 
sented Bristol  in  the  Legislature  in  1863  and  1881,  and  was  Senator 
from  the  Fourth  District  in  1883  and  1884.  In  politics  he  was  a  Deino- 
crat. 

In  1829  Mr.  Welch  married  Miss  Jane  Bulkley  of  Bristol,  who  died 
in  1873.  Their  children  were  four,  one  of  whom,  Mrs.  Frederick  N. 
Stanlev  of  New  Britain,  is  deceased.  The  others  are  Mrs.  A.  F.  Atkins, 
Mrs.  G.  H.  Mitchell,  and  James  H.  Welch.  In  1876  he  married  Mrs. 
Sophia  F.  Knowles  of  Canandaigua,  N.  Y.,  who  survives  him.  Two 
brothers  and  one  sister  also  survive  him,  H.  M.  Welch  of  New  Haven, 
H.  L.  Welch  of  Waterville,  and  Mrs.  J.  R.  Mitchell  of  Bristol. 


JULIUS  NOTT. 

Was  a  native  of  Rocky  Hill,  where  he  was  born  June  11,  1819. 
Learned  the  trade  of  stoneinason  and  bricklayer  prior  to  1840.  Came 
to  Bristol  and  in  1843  began  to  work  at  his  trade  here,  and  in  other 
towns.     While   at   work  on   the   knitting   mill   in   Plainville  in    1857  he 


OR    "NEW    CAMBRIDGE." 


495 


sustained  injuries  from  a  fall  that  prevented  him  from  following  his 
trade.  He  opened  a  small  grocery  in  Bristol,  in  1858,  in  the  basement 
of  the  building  that  he  afterward  owned,  where  the  Main  street  railroad 
bridge  now  is,  where  he  accvimmulated  a  coinpetence,  though  twice 
burned  out.  In  1872  he  sold  the  business  to  H.  &  L.  G.  Merick.  He 
served  the  town  faithfully  as  Selectman  and  Representative;  and  was 
a  Director  in  the  National  and  Savings  Banks,  from  their  organization. 
His  death  came  from  an  accident  at  the  railway  crossing  on  Prospect 
street,  January  2,  1877. 


GAD  NORTON. 

Gad  Xoi'ton,  son  of  Parrish  and  Betsy  Rice  Norton,  was  a  descend- 
ant of  John  Norton,  the  founder  of  the  line  known  as  the  "Farmington 
Nortons,"  who  was  also  one  of  the  eighty-four  proprietors  of  that  town. 

He  was  born  in  Southington,  October  24,  1815,  and  married  Mary 
A.,  daughter  of  Solomon  and  Olive  Comes  Wiard  of  Wolcott,  October 
23,  1839.     He  died  May  4,  1898. 

His  ability  and  worth  were  early  recognized  in  his  native  town. 
He  served  as  selectman  of  Southington  a  number  of  years,  represented 
his  town  in  the  Legislature  several  terms,  and  occupied  other  positions 
of  responsibility  and  trust. 

As  a  resident  of  Bristol  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  School 
Board  and  was  a  director  of  the  Bristol  National  Bank  and  the  Bri.stol 
Savings  Bank.  On  June  4,  1875,  through  a  petition  to  the  Legislature, 
his  homestead  and  adjoining  lands  were  set  off  from  the  town  of  South- 
ington to  the  town  of  Bristol,  thus  making  him  a  resident  of  the  latter 
place.  The  property  thus  transferred  was  a  portion  of  the  original 
allotment  of  Southington  land  made  in  1722  to  John  Norton,  son  of  the 
pioneer  ancestor  and  has  been  in  the  family  through  seven  generations. 

Mr.  Norton  inherited,  with  his  farm  the  Lake  Compounce  property 
which  had  belonged  to  the  family  since  1787  and  developed  it  as  a  summer 
resort  in  the  years  previous  to  18.50.  later  instituting  several  of  the  per- 
manent organizations  which  meet  there  annuallv. 


496 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


BENJAMIN  F.  HAWLEY. 

Mr.  Hawley  was  ■born  in  Farmington,  Conn.,  December  7,  ISOS. 
He  came  to  Bristol  at  about  fourteen  years  of  age,  his  father  buying  the 
house  still  standing  at  the  corner  of  West  and  Pleasant  Streets.  Here 
he  lived  for  a  number  of  years.  He  made  gQod  use"  of  the  educational 
advantages  he  had  received  and  taught  school  for  two  or  more  years  in 
Stafford  District.  At  the  age  of  twenty-seven  he  went  to  Michigan 
where  he  taught  for  a  year.-  Returning  to  Bristol  he  taught  for  many 
vears  in  District  No.  1.  February  3,  1852  he  was  married  to  Mary  C. 
Seavems  of  Dorchester,  Mass.  They  had  three  children  all  of  whom 
are  still  living.  In  1850  he  was  elected  to  the  office  of  Town  Clerk,  serv- 
ing as  such  from  1850  to  1854,  again  from  1857  to  1861  and  from  1864 
to  1887.  He  was  elected  Judge  of  Probate  from  1858  to  1875.  Iri  1862 
he  Avas  elected  Town  Treasurer  and  treasurer  of  the  town  deposit  and 
town  school  funds  which  offices  he  held  during  the  remainder  of  his 
life  He  also  served  for  several  years  on  the  board  of  school  visitors. 
The  length  of  time  that  he  filled  these  different  offices  showed  his  fitness 
for  them  and  the  confidence  reposed  in  him.  He  was  twice  sent  to  the 
Legislature.  In  politics  he  was  a  life-long  Democrat.  While  he  may 
have  had  political  opponents  yet  there  were  none  but  who  loved  and 
respected  him.  His  thirty  years  of  official  life  open  always  to  public 
view,  was  passed  without  a  blot.  He  was  for  years  active  in  church 
and  Sunday  school  work  until  such  time  as  he  resigned  on  account  of 
failing  health.  It  may  be  truthfully  said  that  Judge  Hawley  "died  in 
the  harness."  He  went  to  his  office  in  the  forenoon  of  the  last  day  that 
he  ever  went  out  of  the  house,  after  that  he  conducted  such  business  as 
could  be  done  in  the  quietude  of  his  own  home.  His  death  occurred 
August  23,  1887.  Though  his  life  filled  so  large  a  place  in  the  activities 
of  town  and  church  it  filled  a  still  larger  place  in  the  hearts  of  those 
whom  he  loved  best. 


OR        NEW    CAMBRIDGE,  i 


497 


BENJAMIN    B.      LEWIS. 


SAMUEL    M.     SUTLIFF. 


BENJAMIN  BENNET  LEWIS. 

Was  a  native  of  Athens,  N.  Y.,  where  he  was  born  October  30,  1818. 
At  nine  he  was  left  an  orphan,  and  after  a  short  experience  as  a  clerk 
in  a  store  in  New  York  City,  went  to  sea  at  fifteen  and  worked  his  way 
up  to  the  position  of  Commander.  In  1840  he  went  to  Huron,  Ohio, 
and  engaged  in  the  drug  trade,  also  dealing  in  jewelry',  clocks  and  watches, 
and  while  there  he  invented  the  calendar  which  brought  him  to  Bristol, 
where  he  manufactured  them  in  company  with  the  late  William  W. 
Carter.  He  afterward  entered  the  employ  of  the  Welch,  Spring  &  Co. 
and  was  foreijian  for  many  years.     He  died  in  1890. 


SAMUEL  MORSE  SUTLIFF. 

Was  born  in  Southington,  January  28,  1828.  In  1860  he  married 
Margaret  Griffin.  In  early  life  he  came  to  Bristol,  and  for  ten  years  was 
bookkeeper  at  the  knitting  mill  of  the  Bristol  Manufacturing  Co.  Under 
Lincoln's  administration  he  was  the  postmaster.  Afterward  conducted 
a  grocery  store  where  Cook's  bakery  is  now  located.  During  the  last 
seventeen  years  of  his  life  he  resided  in  Florida,  where  he  had  a  large 
orange  grove.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Episcopal  Church,  and  a  man 
of  marked  business  ability.  His  death  occurred  at  his  home  in  Haw- 
thorn, Fla.,  in  January,  1899. 


498 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


ISAAC  PIERCE. 

One  of  the  most  genial  and  popular  men  of  our  town,  was  born 
in  the  old  Pierce  homestead,  November  21,  1815.  He  spent  nine  years 
of  his  life  in  Alabama,  from  1833  to  1842,  returned  to  Bristol  and  went 
to  California  in  search  of  gold  in  1849.  He  returned  to  Bristol  in  1850, 
and  secured  a  half  interest  in  Lake  Compounce  in  1851,  retaining  his 
interest  there  until  his  death  which  occurred  July  28,  1897.  He  rep- 
resented the  town  in  the  Legislatures  of  1861  and  1808.  In  1864  he 
married  Catherine  Degnan,  by  whom  he  had  four  children,  of  whom 
three  are  now  living:  Edward,  Julius  and  Mrs.  Stanton  Brown.  He 
lived  to  see  the  Lake  connected  with  the  outside  world  by  electric  cars 
and  become  one  of  the  most  popular  resorts  in  Connecticut. 

ELIAS  INGRAHAM. 

Was  born  in  Marlborough,  November  1,  1805.  He  was  a  cabinet- 
maker in  early  life,  and  worked  at  his4:rade  in  Hartford  coming  to  Bristol 
about  1827,  and  working  for  George  Mitchell.  He  made  clock  cases  by 
contract  until  1843,  when  the  firm  of  Brewster  &  Ingraham  was  formed 
by  the  admission  of  Deacon  Elisha  C.  Brewster.  The  E.  Ingraham  Co. 
was  formed  in  1881,  and  the  present  immense  plant  is  the  outgrowth 
of  good  business  management  and  excellence  of  product.  He  died  in 
1885. 

DANIEL  PIDCOCK. 

Was  born  in  Sheffield,  England,  July  10,  1823,  where  he  learned 
the  saw  trade.  He  came  to  the  United  States  in  1847,  and  worked  for 
R.  Hoe  &  Co.  and  Henry  Disston,  in  New  York  and  Philadelphia,  coming 
to  Unionville  and  then  to  Bristol  in  1862,  where  he  remained  during 
the  rest  of  his  life,  except  four  years  spent  in  British  Columbia,  on  the 
Pacific  coast.  He  was  employed  by  the  Atkins  Saw  Co.,  the  Porter 
Saw  Co.,  and  E.  O.  Penfield.  In  1848  he  married  Sarah  A.  Hales,  of 
Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  by  whom  he  had  three  children,  only  one  of  whom 
is  now  living,  Mrs.  Ida  May  McGar,  of  Prospect  street. 


NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


499 


ELIAS    INGRAHAM. 


DANIEL    I'lUCuCK. 


ELISHA  MANROSS. 

Was  born  in  Bristol,  May  11,  179L',  and  V)ecame  one  of  the  pioneers 
of 'brass  clock-making  in  America,  making  the  first  jeweled  movements 
ever  made  here.  He  was  a  Captain  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  commanded 
a  company  of  one. hundred  men  to  guard  the  coast  at  Fort  Killingly. 
He  was  also  Captain  of  the  Bristol  Artillery  Company.     He  was  a  deacon 


500 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


and  long  a  member  of  the  Congregational  Church  in  Bi'istol.  Three 
of  his  sons  were  in  the  Civil  War,  Captain  Xewton,  Sergeant  Elias^and 
John.  He  was  an  extensive  land  owner  in  Forestville,  and  conducted 
a  large  clock  business.  In  1821  he  married  Maria  Cowles  Notion.  He 
died  September  27.  1856. 


HIRAM  C.  THOMPSON. 

Tlae  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  Bristol,  October  25,  1830. 
He  came  of  Revolutionary  stock,  his  grandfather  and  great  grandfather 
having  been  soldiers  in  the  patriot  army  during  the  war  for  independ- 
ence. His  grandmother  reached  the  remarkable  age  of  one  hundred 
years,   two  months,   and  twenty-three   days. 

He  was  educated  in  the  common  school  and  academy  in  his  native 
town.  At  the  age  of  thirteen,  having  been  in  school  continuously  from 
the  age  of  three  and  one  half,  he  obtained  permission  of  his  parents  to 
enter  one  of  the  shops  and  learn  clock  making.  He  continued  this 
employment  a  year  for  two  dollars  a  week,  working  eleven  hours  per 
day.  He  then  gladly  resumed  his  studies,  attending  the  academy  until 
he  was  sixteen.  At  that  age  he  again  entered  a  clock  factory,  and  after 
working  in  various  shops  in  Bristol  and  elsewhere,  he  entered  the  employ 
of  Noah  Pomeroy  in  July,  1862.  He  was  soon  promoted  to  the  fore- 
manship  of  the  business,  and  held  this  position  until  he  bought  out 
Mr.  Pomeroy,  November  20,  1878.  He  carried  on  the  business  until 
his  death  . 

Mr.  Thompson  joined  the  Bristol  Congregational  Church  in  1849, 
and  was  during  the  remainder  of  his  life  one  of  its  most  active  and  zealous 
members.  He  was  for  many  years  interested  in  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  work, 
and  served  one  year  as  its  president. 

In  politics  Mr.  Thompson  was  a  Republican,  standing  with  that 
party  from  its  birth,  and  was  a  member  of  the  First  Republican  Town 
Committee. 


OR     "new    CAMBRIDGE." 


501 


GEORGE  S.  HULL,  M.  D. 

George  S.  Hull,  M.  D.,  was  born  in  Burlington,  Conn.,  March  31, 
1847,  where  he  received  a  common  school  education.  He  attended  the 
Connecticut  Literary  Institute  at  Suffield,  Conn.,  taking  a  preparatory 
course  before  entering  the  Yale  Medical  College,  where  he  spent  one 
year.  Later  he  attended  a  course  of  lectures  at  the  College  of  Physicians 
and  Surgeons  in  New  York,  and  graduated  from  the  New  York  Homeo- 
pathic Medical  College  in  the  spring  of  1872. 

On  October  23,  1883,  he  was  one  of  the  charter  members  of  Ethan 
Lodge,  K.  of  P.,  of  Bristol,  Conn.,  and  its  first  Past  Chancellor.  He 
was  instrumental  in  forming  the  Hull  Division,  No.  5,  Uniformed  Rank 
K.  of  P.  The  same  year,  at  their  first  field  day  held  in  Hartford,  he  was 
elected  surgeon  of  the  First  Regiment,  which  office  he  held  until  1890, 
when  he  was  appointed  surgeon  of  the  Second  Regiment.  A  few  weeks 
later  he  received  the  appointment  of  Assistant  Surgeon-General  on 
Brigadier  General  E.  F.  Durand's  staff.  In  1888  he  was  appomted 
G.  M.  A.  at  the  Grand  Lodge  session  of  that  year;  in  1889  was  elected 
G.  P.;  in  1890  was  made  Grand  Vice  Chancellor;  in  1891,  at  the  Grand 
Lodge  session  held  at  WalUngford  in  February,  was  elected  Grand 
Chancellor,  and  was  obligated  in  the  Supreme  Lodge  at  its  session  in 
Washington. 

On  March  27,  1872,  he  located  in  Bristol,  Conn.,  where  he  was  con- 
tinuous in  the  practice  of  his  profession  until  his  death. 

In  the  spring  of  1872  he  became  a  member  of  Frankhn  Lodge,  F.  and 
A.  M.  of  Bristol,  Conn.,  and  early  in  the  next  year  of  Pequabuck  Chapter. 
He  was  also  a  member  of  the  Doric  Council  of  New  Britain,  Conn.  In 
1888  he  joined  the  Washington  Commandery,  Knight  Templars,  of 
Hartford,  and  later  was  made  a  member  of  Pyramid  Temple  of  The 
Mystic  Shrine  of  Bridgeport.  During  1889  he  became  a  thirty-second 
Scottish    Rite   Mason   of  the   Sovereign   Consistory  of   Norwich,    Conn. 


502 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


WALES  A.  CANDEE. 

Son  of  Woodruff  Candee,  a  well-known  farmer  of  Chippen's  Hill, 
was  born  in  Oxford,  in  1825.  When  ten  or  twelve  years  of  age  he  went 
to  sea  as  a  cabin  boy  with  his  uncle,  and  visited  all  parts  of  the  globe. 
At  twenty-five  he  was  a  gold  seeker  in  the  California  mines  for  two  or 
three  years,  when  he  took  up  dentistry,  and  became  a  very  skillful  dentist. 
He  returned  to  Bristol,  and  practiced  his  profession.  During  the  war 
and  afterward  he  traveled  extensively  as  a  magnetic  healer.  In  1869 
he  built  the  "Blue  Cottage"  on  Prospect  street,  where  his  office  was 
located.  For  many  years  he  was  in  partnership  with  his  pupil.  Dr. 
F.  L.  Wright.  He  was  twice  married,  and  his  widow  survived  him. 
He  died  July  24,  1883. 


SAMUEL  P.  NEWELL. 

Was  born  in  Scott's  Swamp  District,  Farmington,  November  16, 
1823,  the  son  of  Roger  Newell,  an  honest,  intelligent  fanner  of  that 
place.  He  was  graduated  from  the  Yale  Law  School,  and  selected 
Bristol  as  his  residence,  where  he  became  the  leading  lawyer  for  many 
years.  He  was  married  to  Martha  J.  Brewster,  in  1854,  to  whom  five 
children  were  born,  his  son,  Roger  S.  Newell,  Judge  of  Probate,  succeed- 
ing to  his  father's  practice  and  partnership  with  the  late  John  J.  Jen- 
nings.     He  died  suddenly,  much  regretted,  in  1888. 


OR        NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


503 


SAMUEL   P.    NEWELL. 


CHARLES  S.  BAILEY. 

Charles  S.  Bailey  was  born  in  Thompson,  Conn.,  February  20, 
1811.  At  nineteen  years  of  age  he  removed  to  Bristol  and  as  an  ap- 
prentice to  the  joiner  trade,  first  worked  upon  the  house  owned  by  the 
late  E.   O.   Goodwin  and   used  by  Pastor  Leavenworth  as  the  Congre- 


504 


BRISTOL,   CONNECTICUT 


gational  parsonage.  His  next  work  was  upon  the  present  Congrega- 
tional Church.  In  1836,  Mr.  Bailey  was  married  to  Louisa  Peck  of 
this  town.  An  acre  of  land  was  purchased  by  him  near  the  head  of 
Main  street  and  on  this  he  erected  one  of  the  first  houses  on  Main  street. 
Mr.  Bailey  was  sexton  of  the  Congregational  Church  and  served  for  a 
number  of  years  as  night  watchman  at  the  factory  of  the  Bristol  Manu- 
facturing Company.  In  1866,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bailey  celebrated  the 
fiftieth  anniversary  of  their  wedding.  Mr.  Bailey  died  August  23, 
1890. 


JOHN  J.  JENNINGS. 

Cut  loaned  by  the  Bristol  Press. 

Was  born  at  Bridgeport,  in  1835;  died  in  Bristol,  April  1,  1900. 
Graduated  from  Yale  in  1876.  Taught  school  in  Bristol  and  elsewhere 
for  a  few  years.  Studied  law  with  the  late  Samuel  P.  Newell.  Was  ad- 
mitted to  the  bar  in  1882  and  practiced  law  till  his  death.  He  married 
Elizabeth  Naomi  Newell,  the  daughter  of  his  preceptor  and  partner. 
Mr.  Jennings  had  attained  a  large  practice  in  the  State  and  United 
States  courts.  He  always  took  a  great  interest  in  education  and  was 
Acting  School  Visitor  for  many  years.  He  left  two  sons  at  his  death, 
Newell  Jennings  and  John  Joseph  Jennings. 


'or    new    CAMBRIDGE."  505 


JOHN  BIRGE. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  is  the  son  of  John  Birge  of  Torrington, 
Conn.,  and  was  born  in  that  town  in  the  year  of  1785.  Having  com, 
pleted  his  education,  he  was  taught  the  trade  of  a  carpenter  and  builder- 
and  assisted  in  the  building  of  Harwinton  church. 

Removing  later  to  Bristol,  he  commenced  business  in  the  town 
as  a  wagon  builder,  in  the  north  part  of  the  town,  near  the  Sheldon 
Lewis  place,  and  also  as  a  practical  farmer,  owning  an  extensive  farm 
adjoining  the  Gad  Lewis  farm  and  taking  special  interest  in  agricultural 
work  until  his  death.  He  carried  on  the  wagon  business  for  a  number 
of  years  and  was  very  successful. 

He  afterwards  purchased  the  patent  of  the  rolHng-pinion  eight- 
day  brass  clocks,  and  having  purchased  the  old  woolen  factory  in  the 
east  part  of  the  town,  a  portion  of  which  afterwards  was  used  by  the 
Codling  Mfg.  Co.,  he  commenced  to  manufacture  clocks  which  made 
for  him  a  reputation  throughout  the  United  States  and  Europe.  He 
sent  out  peddlers  to  the  south  and  west  and  a  very  extensive  busi- 
ness was  done.  Quite  a  number  of  these  clocks  are  to  be  found  in 
Bristol  today.  He  continued  in  the  clock  business  and  farming  until 
a  few  years  previous  to  his  death. 

In  politics  he  was  an  Old  Whig,  and  was  a  very  active  politician. 
He  also  served  in  the  War  of  1812.  From  his  first  coming  to  Bristol 
until  his  death,  in  1862,  he  was  a  member  of  the  Congregational  Church. 


NATHAN  L.  BIRGE. 

Nathan  L.  Birge,  the  son  of  John  Birge,  was  born  at  his  fathers 
farm  in  Bristol,  August  7,  1823;  was  educated  and  graduated  from  the 
High  School,  Bristol,  and  entered  Yale  College  at  the  age  of  sixteen 
years. 

After  leaving  college  he  was  engaged  for  two  years  as-  teacher  in 
the  Albany  Academy.  Among  his  pupils  were  the  Rev.  Morgan  Dix, 
General  Massey  and  also  the  son  of  Secretary  Seward.  He  afterwards 
entered  the  law  office  of  Stevens  &  Cagger,  Albany,  where  he  studied 


506 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


law.  Later  he  entered  into  partnership  in  a  dry-goods  store  in  New 
York.  On  the  death  of  one  of  the  partners  this  business  was  given  up. 
He  then  went  to  London,  England,  to  superintend  the  clock  business 
there  for  his  father,  a  very  extensive  trade  being  done  both  in  England 
and  France.  He  returned  in  1848  and  joined  a  gentleman  on  a  trading 
expedition  with  the  Indians  on  the  Arkansas  river,  dealing  in  furs,  skins 
and  general  merchandise,  and  succeeded  in  doing  quite  a  large  business 
with  them. 

In  1849  he  started  out  for  the  gold  mines  in  California,  traveling 
overland.  This  journey,  which  occupied  seven  months,  was  of  a  varied 
description.  The  party  had  to  swim  across  the  Colorado  river  about 
ten  times;  all  their  baggage  had  to  be  taken  across  on  rafts.  Arriving 
at  San  Francisco  the  place  was  besieged  with  miners,  and  finding  that 
food  and  ever}^  requisite  was  ver}'  scarce  and  expensive,  he  decided  to 
spend  the  winter  on  the  island  of  Hawaii.  He  returned  to  the  mines 
in  California  in  the  spring  and  spent  the  summer  in  the  gold  mines, 
after  which  he  came  home,  settled  in  Bristol,  and  commenced  business 
at  the  knitting  factory,  which  was  carried  on  at  the  north  side  of  the 
town,  assisted  by  his  two  sons,  John  and  George  W.,  under  the  name 
of  N.   L.   Birge  &  Sons. 

Mr.  Birge  married  Adeline,  daughter  of  Samuel  B.  Smith  of  Bristol. 
The  members  of  the  family  are  John,  Ellen  S.,  George  W.  and  Frederick 
Norton;   none  now  living  except  Ellen  S. 

Mr.  N.  L.  Birge  was  vice-president  of  the  National  Bank  of  which 
he  was  one  of  the  original  corporators;  a  director  of  the  Savings  Bank; 
and  vice-president  of  the  Bristol  Water  Company.  He  died  October 
29th,  1899. 


HON.  JOHN   BIRGE. 

Son  of  Nathan  L.  and  Adeline  M.  Birge,  was  bom  August  25,  1853; 
began  his  education  in  the  common  schools  and  finished  with  an  academic 
course  at  the  Lake  Forest  Academy,  Lake  Forest,  111.  Active  business 
early  engaged  his  attention.  For  this  he  had  predilections  and  uncommon 
ability.       He'^was  a  member  of  the  firm  of  N.  L.  Birge  &  Sons,     one  of 


OR     "new     CAMBRIDGE."  607 

the  leading  manufacturers  of  Bristol.  He  was  always  active  in  politics; 
was  Senator  for  the  Fourth  district,  and  has  been  a  member  of  the  Re- 
publican state  central  committee  for  the' Fourth  district.  In  this  im- 
portant place  he  discharged  his  duties  with  great  efliciency,  being(  an 
excellent  judge  of  men  and  means.  He  was  a  believer  in  pure  politics 
and  also  in  the  young  men's  movement.  He  was  president  of  the  Yotmg 
Men's  Republican  Club,  which  is  associated  with  the  state  league  and 
was  chairman  of  the  Republican  town  committee  for  several  terms. 

He  is  a  descendant  in  the  tenth  generation  from  the  author  of  our 
New  England  system  of  town  and  municipal  government,  the  Rev. 
Thomas  Hooker,  settler  and  first  minister  at  Hartford  in  1636.  Senator 
Birge  is  also  descended  in  the  eighth'  generation  from  William  Smith, 
a  settler  at  Huntington,  L.  I.  and  again  through  the  maternal  line,  in 
the  ninth  generation,  from  George  Smith  of  the  New  Haven  colony  of 
1638,  and  Theophilus  Smith,  who  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolution.  He 
is  also  a  descendant  of  Samuel  Terry,  who  made  and  put  in  the  large 
wooden  clock  in  the  steeple  of  the  Congregational  church,  Bristol.  The 
Birges  are  descended  from  the  Puritans,  who  came  over  on  or  about  the 
time  of  the  Mayflower. 

Senator  Birge  married  Miss  M.  Antoinette  Roote,  daughter  of  S.  E. 
Root  of  Bristol,  in  1874.  She  died  April  25,  1891,  leaving  four  children, 
Adeline,  Nathan  R.,  Marguerite  and  J.  Kingsley,  all  of  whom  are  living. 
In  1893,  Senator  Birge  married  M.  Louise  Loomis,  of  Portsmouth,  New 
Hampshire.     He  died  October  20,  1905. 


GEORGE  W.  BIRGE. 

The  third  child  and  second  son  of  N.  L.  and  Adeline  M.  Birge,  was 
born  in  Bristol,  June  8,  1870;  gradviated  from  the  High  School,  Bristol, 
and  afterwards  went  through  a  course  at  Huntsinger's  Business  College, 
Hartford.  He  prepared  for  Yale  but  was  unable  to  enter  on  account 
of  weakness  of  eyes.  He  married  Eva  May  Thorpe,  October,  1898.  A 
daughter  Rachel,  was  born  September  8,  1899.  He  continued  as  Sec- 
retary of  company  up  to  the  time  of  his  death,  September  22,  1901. 

In  1893  he  was  admitted  partner  in  the  firm  of  N.  L.  Birge  &  Sons, 
of  which  he  was  the  junior  member. 


NATHAN  R.  BIRGE. 

The  eldest  son  of  Senator  John  Birge  was  born  in  Bristol,  in  Jime, 
1877.  He  graduated  from  the  Bristol  High  School  in  1896,  and  was  a 
student  at  the  Worcester  Polytechnic  Institute.  He  then  went  to 
Lynn  and  now  occupies  a  responsible  position  with  the  General  Electric 
Company,  Schenectady,  N.  Y.  He  is  also  president  of  the  N.  L.  Birge 
&  Sons  Company.  He  was  married  September  14,  1904,  to  Bertha 
Elizabeth  Haight,  of  Schenectady,  A  son,  John  Cornell,  was  bom  No- 
vember 3,  1905. 

After  the  death  of  Geo.  W.  Birge,  Wilham  F.  Stone,  Jr.  who  has 
been  with  the  company  since  its  incorporation  was  elected  Secretary 
to  fill  his  place  and  continued  in  this  capacity  until  the  death  of  John 
Birge  when  he  was  elected  Treasurer  and  General  Manager  which  position 
he  holds  at  the  present  time. 


508 


BRISTOL   CONNECTICUT, 


HENRY  ALEXANDER  MITCHELL. 

Was  boi-n  in  Bristol.  Nov.  25,  1805.  His  father  was  Thomas  Mit- 
chell, son  of  William,  the  founder  of  the  family.  He  graduated  from 
Yale,  the  Military  Institute  at  Norwich,  Vt.,  and  the  famous  law  school 
at  Litchfield,  where  he  was  a  classmate  of  John  C.  Calhoun.  He  was 
admitted  to  the  bar,  and  became  a  judge  of  the  Superior  Court  and  repre- 
sented his  town  in  both  houses  of  the  Legislature.  He  edited  the  Hart- 
fordiTimes  during  the  campaign  of  1840,  and  sold  it  to  Mr.  Burr,  the 
famous  editor  of  that  journal.  He  was  a  faithful  member  of  the  Episco- 
pal Church,  a  man  of  good  judgment,  and  strict  integrity  of  character. 
He  died  March  17,  1888. 


LEVERETT  GRIGGS. 

Born  in  Tolland,  November  17,  1808,  died  January  28,  1883.  Dr. 
Griggs  was  a  graduate  of  Yale  College,  and  tutor  there  for  two  years, 
and  many  years  later  received  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity  from 
his  alma  mater.  His  first  pastorate  was  in  North  Haven,  then  in  New 
Haven,  Millbury  and  Bristol.  He  was  pastor  of  the  First  Congregational 
Church  of  Bristol  for  fourteen  years.  He  then  was  compelled  by  failing 
health  to  relinquish  his  charge.  He  was  much  interested  in  the  public 
schools  and  after  partially  regaining  his  health,  was  acting  school  visitor 
in  Bristol  for  ten  years.  Dr.  Griggs  was  a  very  lovable  man,  and  seemed 
to  take  every  one  that  came  to  Bristol  into  his  smiles.  He  was  endeared 
alike  to  people  of  all  religious  faith. 


OR        NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


509 


DR.     LEVERETT    GRIGGS. 


WILLIAM  CLAYTON. 

A  native  of  Sheffield,  England,  served  an  apprenticeship  of  seven 
years  at  the  cutler's  trade.  He  came  to  America  in  1849,  and  worked 
for  the  John   Russell  Cutlery  Co.,  of  Massachusetts.      In   1866  he  came 


510 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


to  Whigville,  where  he  occupied  a  part  of  the  D.  E.  Peck  factory,  in  the 
manufacture  of  table  knives.  He  came  to  Bristol  six  months  after- 
ward and  established  the  business  now  conducted  by  his  sons  on  Union 
street.  In  1875  the  shop  was  built  on  the  site  of  the  old  drum  shop, 
which  plant  was  enlarged,  and  occupied  until  it  was  destroyed  by  fire. 
The  old  Waters'  shop  was  also  occupied  by  them,  and  that  being  burned' 
the  present  shop  was  erected.  Since  the  death  of  the  father,  in  1883, 
the  business  has  been  conducted  by  his  sons  under  the  firm  name  of 
Clayton  Brothers. 


GEORGE  JOHN  SCHUBERT. 

Was  born  in  Bavaria,  Germany,  October  2,  1836,  and  became  a 
resident  of  Bristol  in  1853,  holding  for  years  the  position  of  contractor 
in  the  works  of  the  E.  Ingraham  Co.  He  served  in  the  army  during 
the  Civil  War,  and  was  an  Orderly  Sergeant  in  Company  I,  Twenty- 
fifth  C.  V.  He  became  a  member  of  the  Grand  Army,  of  which  he  was 
Commander;  organized  with  George  H.  Hall,  George  Merriman  and 
George  C.  Hull,  Ethan  Lodge,  K.  of  P.,  which  was  long  known  as  under 
the  rule  of  the  Georges;  and  was  also  an  Odd  Fellow.  In  whatever 
he  undertook  he  put  the  whole  energy  of  his  nature,  and  no  more  faithful 
or  efficient  member,  in  any  position  to  which  he  was  called,  ever  entered 
a  lodge  room.     He  died,  respected  by  all,  December  31,  1901. 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE. 


511 


THOMAS     BARNES,    JR. 


LOT  NEWELL,    DIED    1864. 


NAOMI,    WIFE    OF  LOT    NEWELL. 


512 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


WALTER  ADAMS. 

Was  born  in  Wethersfield,  May  3,  1810.  Died  at  Bristol,  June  22 
1880,  where  he  had  spent  the  greater  part  of  his  life.  He  was  identified 
with  the  clock  business  in  Bristol  during  his  residence  here,  except 
while  serving  his  country  in  the  Civil  War.  He  led  a  quiet,  peaceful 
and  industrious  life,  and  was  much  respected  for  his  candbr  and  in- 
tegrity of  character.  For  many  years'  he  worked  for  Chauncey  Board- 
man,  and  later  for  the  Atkins  Clock  Company. 


THOMAS  BARNES. 

Was  born  in  Bristol,  August  1,  1773,  married  Rosanna  Lewis  in 
1798,  by  whom  he  had  two  children,  Eveline,  who  became  Mrs.  Dr. 
Charles  Byington;  and  Alphonso.  His  second  wife  was  Lucy  Ann 
Candee.  He  was  a  merchant  and  manufacturer,  building  a  factory 
on  the  site  of  the  present  Dunbar  factory,  and  made  carriages.  He 
was  instrumental  in  opening  Main  street  to  the  river,  at  his  own  expense, 
and  built  a  button  shop  on  the  ground  now  occupied  by  Cook's  baker}-. 
It  is  little  realized  how  much  of  Bristol's  prosperity  is  due  to  the  energy 
of  Thomas  Barnes,  and  a  few  others,  possessed  of  the  true  Yankee  spirit 
of  enterprise  and  thrift.  We  do  well  to  honor  their  memory.  He  rep- 
resented the  town  in  1826.      He  died  in  1855. 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE." 


513 


'ij^^'' 


WILLIAM     RUSH   RICHARDS. 

William  Rush  Richards  was  born  October  i6,  1816,  in  a  log  cabni 
in  Peru,  N.  Y.  When  he  was  very  young  his  father,  who  was  a  gold- 
smith, died,  and  at  eight  he  was  bound  out  to  a  farmer  in  Harwinton, 
Conn.  At  sixteen  he  was  apprenticed  to  learn  the  carpenter's  trade,  and 
at  the  completion  of  his  apprenticeship  went  to  St.  Louis,  and  later  to 
St.  Paul,  where  he  worked  at  his  trade.  At  the  end  of  two  years  he 
came  East.  When  he  reached  Chicago  he  found  a  village  consisting  of 
14  houses.  September  26,  1840,  he  was  married  to  Sarah  C.  Champion, 
in  Winsted,  and  soon  after  removed  to  Bristol,  and  was  employed  in 
the  clock  business ;  afterward  becoming  a  partner  in  the  hrm  of  Birge, 
Peck  &  Co.  During  his  last,  years  he  was  emploj-ed  by  Welch,  Spring 
&  Co.  His  death  occurred  March  15,  1885,  and  his  only  son,  William  C. 
Richards,  survived  him. 


514  BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


WILLIAM   CHAMPION   RICHARDS. 

One  of  the  best  known  residents  of  Bristol,  and  one  who  was  inter-  ■ 
ested  in  all  that  pertained  to  Bristol,  his  native  place,  past,  present  or 
future,  died  suddenly  on  the  evening  of  March  6,  1908,  of  apoplex3^  He 
had  just  started  for  his  office  and  stopped  a  moment  to  talk  to  Henry 
B.  Cook,  a  life-long  friend,  and  passed  on  a  few  steps,  when  Mr. 
Cook  saw  him  supporting  himself  by  a  tree,  hurried  to  his  assistance, 
and  reached  him  just  as  he  sank  lifeless  to  the  pavement. 

Mr.  Richards  was  born  in  Bristol,  August  3,  1845.  He  was  educated 
in  the  common  schools  of  the  town,  and  at  Eastman's  Business  College, 
Poughkeepsie,  N.  Y.,  and  was  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  War,  serving  in  a 
New  Jersey  regiment.  For  many  years  he  was  engaged  in  mercantile 
pursuits,  as  merchant  and  salesman,  and  for  nearly  thirty  years  as  a 
physician   in  company   with  Dr.   F.   H.   Williams. 

Mr.  Richards  devoted  much  of  his  leisure  to  the  study  of  micro.^copy, 
and  had  a  fine  collection  of  diatoms  and  other  microscopic  specimens. 
He  was  an  enthusiastic  local  historian,  and  also  a  collector  of  Indian 
and  other  relics,  taking  great  interest  in  the  historical  collection  of  the 
Bristol  Historical  Society,  one  of  the  best  collections  in  the  state,  due 
largely  to  his  untiring  energy  in  its  behalf. 

He  was  the  owner  of  considerable  remunerative  real  estate  near  the 
center  of  the  borough,  and  part  owner  of  the  four-story  block  in  which 
his  office  was  situated.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Masonic  Fraternity, 
and  of  Gilbert  W.  Thompson  Post,  G.  A.  R. 

Mr.  Richards  was  for  many  years  a  staunch  Spiritualist,  and  a  man 
of  very  pronounced  opinions,  ready  at  all  times  to  give  a  reason  for  the 
faith  that  was  in  him.  No  man  living,  probably,  enjoyed  the  perpetra- 
tion of  a  practical  joke  upon  some  one,  in  a  harmless  way,  than  he,  and 
some  of  his  escapades  will  long  be  remembered  by  his  more  intimate 
friends.  He  was  married  in  1870,  to  ]\Iiss  Lizzie  Graham,  who  survives 
him,  as  do  four  children:  Nathan  B.,  of  South  Manchester;  Mrs.  Morti- 
mer Clarke,  and  Mrs.  Charles  T.  Treadway,  both  of  Bristol ;  and  Miss 
"Christine,  of  Maryland. 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE." 


515 


WILLIAM  GAYLORD. 

William  Gaylord,  son  of  Billy*  Gaylord,  was  born  in  Burlington;. 
Conn.,  1819.  His  father  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  cloth  in  Bur- 
lington in  the  year  1826.  William  was  thus  early  trained  in  all  of  the 
branches  of  cloth-making  and  succeeded  his  father  in  the  business  about 
the  year  1850,  where  he  remained  until  1864.  In  1865  he  removed  to 
Bristol,  and  there  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life.  For  twenty-four  years- 
he  performed  the  duties  of  sexton  in  the  West  Cemetery. 


-This   was   not   a   nickname,   but   his   full    name. 


516  BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 

AUTO  TRAGEDY. 

[*  From  the  Bristol  Press,  August  22,  1907.] 

During  its  thirty-six  years  of  activity  the  Press  has  chronicled 
many  sorrowful  events,  but  not  in  all  its  history  has  it  been  called  upon 
to  record  so  sad  and  tragic  an  affair  as  that  in  which  Charles  J.  Root, 
his  aged  mother  and  aunt  were  killed  and  his  sister  fatally  injured. 

No  happier  party,  comprising  Charles  Root,  his  mother,  Catherine 
R.  Root,  Miss  Mary  P.  Root,  Miss  Candace  Roberts  and  Miss  Catherine 
Root,  a  fourteen  years  old  niece,  left  Bristol  last  Sunday,  Aug.  18,  1907. 
and  not  many  people  enjoyed  automobile  riding  so  much  as  these 
people. 

They  were  bound  for  the  Berkshire  Hills  in  Massachusetts.  A  few 
hours  later  the  family  was  practically  annihilated,  only  the  little  girl 
escaping. 

The  accident  constitutes  the  most  tragic  and  sorrowful  one  in  the 
annals  of  automobiling  in  this  country,  and  Bristol  was  saddened  as 
it  has  never  been  before.  The  news  of  the  disaster  was  so  overwhelm- 
ing that  it  was  some  time  before  it  was  given  credence.  The  people 
whose  lives  were  so  suddenly  obliterated  had  for  years  been  so  active 
in  so  many  ways  in  the  life  of  Bristol  that  their  deaths  brought  keenest 
grief  to  almost  the  entire  community. 

The  party  left  here  soon  after  nine  o'clock  Sunday  morning.  Mr. 
Root  and  Miss  Roberts  occupied  the  front  seat  of  the  big  Stanley  steam 
touring  car.  The  other  three  were  on  the  rear  seat.  The  route  led 
through  Torrington  and  Norfolk  which  was  reached  about  noon.  From 
there  the  route  was  to  Ashley  Falls  in  Massachusetts.  Near  the 
Ashley  Falls  station  the  fine,  hard  highway  runs  parallel  with  the  rail- 
road tracks  for  perhaps  a  mile  and  is  only  a  few  feet  distant.  While 
the  Root  automobile  was  speeding  along  this  road  an  overdue  express 
train  came  in  sight  at  terrific  speed.  The  highway  crosses  the  track 
at  an  abrupt  angle.  Express  train  and  auto  reached  the  fatal  cross- 
ing almost  at  the  same  moment.  Just  how  it  happened  can  never  be 
known  but  the  automobile  struck  the  train,  probably  the  baggage  car, 
a  glancing  blow  and  was  instantaneously  and  coinpletely  wrecked. 
The  occupants  were  hurled  out  with  awful  force,  apparently  striking 
their  heads  against  the  train,  and  were  then  carried  some  distance. 
All  were  frightfulh^  mangled.  Mr.  Root  and  Miss  Roberts  were  killed 
instantly.  Mrs.  Root  had  her  skull  fractured  and  died  while  being 
taken  to  Great  Barrington.  Miss  Root  had  her  skull  fractured  and 
her  right  shoulder  crushed.  She  was  removed  to  the  House  of  Mercy 
in    Pittsfield. 

The  only  one  to  escape  was  Miss  Catherine  Root,  and  the  manner 
in  which  she  came  through  the  crash  is  little  short  of  miraculous.  She 
was  buried  beneath  the  wreckage  of  the  machine  which  for  some  un- 
accountable reason  did  not  take  fire.  She  was  taken  to  the  home  of  a 
friend  in  Great  Barrington.  She  was  dazed  but  appeared  not  to  be 
seriously  hurt,  and  was  brought  to  the  home  of  her  parents,  here,  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Theodore   Root,  on  Monday. 

The  train,  which  was  in  charge  of  Engineer  Arthur  Strong  and  Con- 
ductor Williain  Jaqua,  stopped  and  all  possible  assistance  was  given. 
Medical  aid  was  quickly  secured,  and  all  that  was  possible  was  done. 
The  knowledge  of  the  accident  was  received  by  Frederick  C.  Norton  to 
whom  a  telegram  was  sent  asking  him  to  notify  the  relatives.  Mr. 
Norton  had  declined  an  invitation  to  accompany  the  party.  The  tele- 
gram was  received  at  half  past  one  o'clock.  Within  an  hour  Represent- 
ative A.  F.  Rockwell  and  wife  and  Mr.  Norton  went  to  the  scene  in  Mr. 
Rockwell's  automobile.  Soon  after  Dr.  A.  S.  Brackett,  W.  H.  Bacon 
and  R.  A.  Potter,  a  cousin  of  Mr.  Root,  also  went  to  the  place  in  Mr. 
Bacon's  auto,  and  took  charge  of  the  bodies,  which  were  cared  for  and 
brought  to  the  home  here  Tuesday  inorning. 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE." 


517 


CHARLES  J.  ROOT.  MISS  MARV  P.  ROOT.      MISb  CaNUACK  ROBERTS. 

mrs.  joel  h.  root, 
"fritz"' 

This  photo  was  taken  by  John  Berkin,    June,  1906.  on  the   lawn  of  the  Root  home.      The 
dog  "Fritz"  was  a  great  pet  and  died  about  August  1st,  190"). 


518  BRISTOL   CONNECTICUT, 

It  was  the  saddest  home  coining  ever  known  here.  There  were  few 
dry  eyes  among  those  who  gathered  at  the  station  when  the  caskets 
arrived  and  were  taken  to  the  desolated  home. 

The  passengers  on  the  train,  among  whom  was  Fred  H.  Barnes,  a 
son  of  Seth  Barnes  of  Bristol,  heard  the  crash  and  reaUzed  that  an  acci- 
dent  had   happened. 

The  only  eye-witnesses,  aside  from  the  engineer  and  firemen,  were 
two  young  girls  Josephine  and  Anna  Tinkever,  who  live  near  the  cross- 
ing. Their  testimony  is  not  very  clear.  The  engineer  insists  that  he 
repeatedly  blew  his  whistle  to  give  warning  of  the  crossing. 

Miss  Catherine  Root,  when  able  to  talk  about  the  affair,  said  that 
no  one  in  the  car  had  the  least  intimation  of  danger  and  she  can  recall 
only  a  sudden  collapse,  the  cause  of  which  she  cannot  realize. 

Mr.  Root,  as  well  as  his  sister  and  mother,  were  extremely  deaf. 
He  was  a  skilled  operator  of  his  machine  and  often  ran  it  at  high  speed, 
but  his  friends  had  entire  confidence  in  his  ability  to  control  it.  He  had 
met  with  minor  accidents,  but  never  showed  any  inclination  to  avoid 
responsibility  and  always  showed  consideration  for  others  who  might 
be  inconvenienced.  He  was  an  enthusiast  and  loved  his  machine  as 
most  men  do  their  spirited  horses.  On  this  fatal  trip  the  canopy  was 
on  the  machine,  and  the  gasoline  tank  whistle  was  out  of  order,  making 
a  continuous  noise.  His  friends  are  confident  that  he  never  for  a  mo- 
ment realized  his  danger  and  turned  for  the  crossing,  dashed  into  the 
train  and  to  the  death  which  came  to  him,  without  warning.  They  say 
that  had  he  known  his  imminent  danger  he  could  and  would  have  kept 
a  straight  course  and  taken  his  chances  with  the  fence  and  bank  into  a 
meadow. 

Miss  Mary  P.  Root,  who  sustained  a  fractured,  skull,  broken  shoulder 
and  other  injuries,  was  removed  at  once  to  the  House  of  Mercy  in  Pitts- 
field  where  she  died  without  regaining  consciousness. 

Miss  Root  was  one  of  Bristol's  most  talented  women.  She  was  a 
graduate  of  Vassar,  class  of  '80,  and  was  known  all  about  the  state  and 
New  England  as  a  prominent  D.  A.   R.  worker. 

At  the  time  of  her  death  Miss  Mary  P.  Root  had  a  biography  of 
Gideon  Roberts  in  preparation  for  this  work,  and  her  article,  "The 
Founders  and  Their  Homes,"  appears  on  page  193. 

The  family  was  one  of  the  best  known  in  town.  Its  members  have 
long  been  prominent  in  business,  social,  religious  and  intellectual  affairs. 
The  father  of  Charles  and  Mary,  was  Joel  Henry  Root.  He  was  born  in 
Broadalbin,  near  Saratoga,  N.  Y.,  December  5,  1822.  He  was  the  third 
son  of  Samuel  Root,  an  elder  in  the  Presbyterian  church  of  Mayfield, 
N.  Y.,  and  Philotheta  Ives  of  Bristol,   Conn. 

On  the  early  death  of  his  parents,  he  came,  a  boy  of  five  years,  to 
live  in  Bristol,  in  the  home  of  his  uncle,  Joel  Root,  whose  wife  was  Piera 
Ives,  the  sister  of  the  young  Joel's  mother.  His  grandparents,  Amasa 
and  Huldah  Shaylor  Ives  were  among  the  earliest  settlers  in  Bristol 
and  lived  on  Federal  Hill.  His  grandfather,  Moses  Root  of  Meriden, 
was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolution,  enlisting  when  only  seventeen  years  of 
age,  who  married  at  the  close  of  the  war,  Esther  Mitchell,  daughter  of 
Moses  Mitchell,  of  Meriden.  '■ 

Joel  H.  Root's  boyhood  was  spent  partly  in  Bristol  and  partly  in 
Whitesborough,  N.  Y.  In  the  latter  place  he  attended  the  Oneida 
Institute  of  Science  and  Industry,  an  institution  founded  in  1827,  per- 
haps the  first  school  in  the  country  established  "to  blend  productive 
manual  laber  with  a  course  of  study."  Before  he  was  thirty  he  went 
into  business   for  himself. 


OR        NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


519 


In  1867  he  bought  the  land  known  as  the  Island,  and  erected  there 
a  factory  where,  for  the  remainder  of  his  life,  he  engaged  in  the  manu- 
of  piano  hardware  and  of  brass  butt  hinges.* 

Mr.  Root  was  married,  August  4,  1852,  to  Catherine  Roberts,  daugh- 
tor  of  Wyllys,  and  granddaughter  of  Gideon  Roberts,  and  in  1859,  he 
purchased  the  property  on  High  street  which  has  ever  since  been  the 
home  of  the  family.      He  died  April  11,   1885. 

His  children  were  Charles  J.,  and  Theodore,  and  Miss  Mary  P.  Root. 
The  home  on  High  street  was  a  delightful  one  and  many  warm  friends 
enjoyed  its   charming   hospitality. 


THE  ROOT  FACTORY  ON  ROOT  S  ISLAND. 


R.  N.  Blakeslee  of  the  Bridgeport  Post  writes  to  the  Press  as  fol- 
lows : — 

"The  news  of  the  shocking  death  of  Charles  J.  Root,  his  inother 
and  aunt  has  cast  a  heavy  pall  of  gloom  over  every  one  who  has  known 
this  estimable  family.  To  the  writer  the  death  of  Charles  J.  Root  is 
especially  saddening.  I  remember  him  more  intimately  of  course  dur- 
ing our  childhood  and  young  manhood  days.  As  school  chums  we  were 
inseparable  and  our  vacation  days  were  spent  together.  Charlie,  as  we 
always  called  hiin,  was  a  splendid  fellow,  always  cheerful  and  full  of 
fun.  He  was  upright,  clean  and  a  perfectly  inoral  young  inan,  and  a 
true  friend.  These  qualities  won  for  him  a  host  of  friends.  The  attach- 
ments formed  in  our  younger  days  have  always  remained  although  for 
more  than  twenty  years  we  have  been  but  little  in  each  other's  com- 
pany. We  bow  in  humble  submission  to  the  "Reaper"  who  respects 
no  human  ties  and  in  silent  prayer  seek  that  preparation  which  is  need- 
ful in  the  hour  of  human  extremitv." 


"After  Mr,  Root's  death  the  business  was  formed  into  a  joint  stock  company. 


520  BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


MRS.  CATHERINE  ROBERTS  ROOT. 

The  death  of  Mrs.  Catherine  Roberts  Root,  although  she  had  lived 
the  alloted  age  and  was  eighty  years  old  last  January,  brought  the  great- 
est sorrow  to  the  scores  of  friends  in  Bristol  who  had  known  and  loved 
the  woman  for  many  years.  Her  life  was  one  of  great  profit  to  those 
who  knew  her,  and  their  remembrance  of  the  fine  old  lady  will  be  a 
precious  heritage  in  the  future.  Few  women  have  lived  in  this  or  any 
other  community  who  possessed  the  rare  qualities  of  character  that 
graced  Mrs.  Root.  Born  in  Bristol,  she  was  the  daughter  of  Wyllys 
Roberts,  a  substantial  resident  of  this  town,  and  the  granddaughter  of 
Gideon  Roberts,  who,  coming  home  from  the  Revolutionary  War  hung 
up  his  old  gun  and  powder  horn  and  started  the  great  American  clock 
industry.  He  it  was  who  first  manufactured  clocks  in  the  town  of  Bris- 
tol, and  he  usually  made  up  enough  during  the  winter  season  to  last  him 
on  a  trip  through  the  Southern  states  in  the  summer ;  and  this  small  sized 
industry  started  away  back  in  the  eighteenth  century  is  what  developed 
into  the  great  clock  factories  of  the  Ingrahams  and  the  Sessions  to-day. 
All  honor  is  due  the  memory  of  Gideon  Roberts ;  and  Bristol  will  not 
soon  forget  his  work  here. 

Mrs.  Root  spent  all  of  her  long  life  here  and  Bristol  was  glad  she 
did,  for  few  women  have  lived  in  the  town  who  possessed  more  gentle 
manners  and  solidity  of  character  and  intellectual  attainments.  Her  edu- 
cation was  obtained  in  Bristol  and  in  early  womanhood  she  taught  school 
in  different  places,  one  of  which  was  in  the  town  of  Simsbury  where  she 
"boarded  around"  as  was  the  custom  in  those  days.  Her  success  as  a 
teacher  was  eminently  successful.  She  was  a  great  reader  of  books  all 
her  long  life,  and  although  she  did  not  receive  a  college  education  she 
had  a  fund  of  knowledge  that  would  reflect  credit  in  a  graduate  of  Vas- 
sar  or  Wellesley. 

In  1852  she  was  married  to  Joel  H.  Root,  for  many  years  one  of  the 
solid  and  prominent  business  men  of  the  town.  They  moved  into  ilia 
house  on  High  street  in  1859,  where  they  have  lived  ever  since  and  which 
was  one  of  the  very  first  houses  to  be  built  on  that  street.  Several  ciiil- 
dren  were  born  to  the  couple  and  their  married  life  was  an  extremely 
happy  and  successful  one.  Her  husband  died  in  the  spring  of  1885  and 
her  son  Charles,  then  only  a  young  man,  took  hold  where  his  father  left 
of¥  and  not  only  increased  the  estate  left  by  the  elder  Root,  but  made  one 
for  himself  as  well. 

Mrs.  Root  was  a  talented  and  thoroughly  intellectual  woman.  Among 
those  well  qualified  to  judge  she  was  considered  a  person  of  acute  and 
unusual  intelligence;  her  knowledge  of  history  and  philosophy  was  ac- 
curate and  complete,  while  the  general  fund  of  knowledge  she  always  pos- 
sessed was  of  the  character  that  embraced  a  \yide  range  of  polite  litera- 
ture and  political  history.  It  was  a  pleasure  to  sit  and  talk  with  the  rare 
old  lady  on  any  of  these  subjects  and  hear  from  a  woman  who  had  not 
been  able  herself  to  read  a  book  for  a  dozen  years  or  more,  her  opinions 
of  current  topics  and  recent  books.  Her  daughter  and  Miss  Roberts,  her 
sister^  used  to  read  to  her  hours  at  a  time  as  she  was  unable  to  do  so 
herself  on  account  of  failing  eyesight. 

Mrs.  Root's  life  will  be  long  remembered.  Her  dignified  manners 
and  thoroughly  lovable  Christian  character  will  long  be  the  pride  of  thoie 
who  were  fortunate  enough  to  be  her  close  and  intimate  friends.  Of 
great  or  famous  deeds,  this  woman  did  none;  but  the  simple  story  of  her 
fine,  noble  life  is  enough  to  inspire  a  love  for  the  things  that  amount  to 
something  in   this  life. 


'new     CAMBRIDGE."  521 


CHARLES  J.   ROOT. 

Charles  J.  Root  was  born  in  Bristol  48  years  ago.  He  had  long  been 
identified  with  Bristol's  manufacturing  business  and  mercantile  interests. 
Early  in  life  he  assumed  the  management  of  the  factory  on  Root's  Is- 
land and  developed  a  profitable  business  in  making  automatic  counters, 
piano  hinges  and  novelties.  Only  a  few  days  ago  he  let  the  contract  for 
a  new  brick  factory  to  Messrs.  Fogg  and  Currie.  In  recent  years  he 
had  given  a  good  deal  of  attention  to  real  estate  tnatters  and  had  done 
much  to  develop  the  town.  Some  years  ago  when  the  street  grades  were 
changed  at  Gridley  House  corner,  after  a  long  railroad  fight,  he  purchased 
the  Gridley  House  property  and  spent  thousands  of  dollars  in  remodeling 
it  and  conventing  it  into  a  modern  building. 

Some  years  later  he  purchased  the  old  Ebers  building  and  site  ad- 
joining the  Gridley  House,  tore  down,  the  ram  shackle  wooden  buildings 
and  erected  one  of  the  finest  business  blocks  in  town,  as  well  as  in  this 
section. 

One  of  his  earliest  enterprises  in  the  building  line  was  the  erection 
of  the  Grand  Army  Hall  on  North  Main  street.  In  addition  he  owned 
a  number  of  houses  on  the  Island  and  other  property  about  town. 

Mr.  Root's  activities  were  many  and  far  reaching.  Quite  a  number  of 
years  ago  he  became  interested  in  orange  growing  in  Florida  and  had  a 
fine  grove  and  winter  home  in  Rockledge,  Florida,  where  he,  with  the 
family,  spent  portions  of  nearly  every  winter.  He  was  also  one  of  the 
early  promoters  of  Sachem's  Head,  where  he  had  an  attractive  summer 
home.  He  was  greatly  interested  in  mining  enterprises,  especially  in 
Butte,  Montana.  He  was  one  of  the  heavy  stockholders  and  a  director 
in  the  Raven  Mine  of  that  city.  His  interests  included  other  mining 
properties  to  a  considerable  extent.  Mr.  Root  was  an  enthusiastic  auto- 
mobilist.  He  was  one  of  the  pioneers  in  that  line  here,  and  was  one  of 
the  first  to  bring  a  machine  into  town.  He  was  an  auto  expert  and  few 
men  derived  as  much  pleasure  as  he  from  one.  He  delightd  in  inviting 
friends  to  ride  with  him  and  share  in  the  pleasure.  He  often  took  long 
runs  about  the  country,  always  with  members  of  his  family  or  friends. 
While  afiflicted  with  extreme  deafness,  his  friends  felt  that  he  was  an 
unusually  competent  operator  because  he  seemed  always  to  have  good 
judgment  and  a  clear  head,  as  well  as  perfect  control  of  his  machine. 

While  very  active  in  business  affairs,  devoted  to  the  town  of  his 
birth,  and  contributing  much  to  its  uplwilding,  he  cared  little  for  po- 
litical or  public  life.  His  membership  in  Bristol  organizations  was  con- 
fined to  the  Bristol  Social  Club  and  the  Business  Men's  Association. 

Mr.  Root  had  a  comprehensive  knowledge  of  and  liking  for  me- 
chanics. Before  he  was  twenty-one  years  of  age  he  invented  an  auto- 
matic counter  from  which  he  realized  considerable  money,  and  which  he 
manufactured  afterwards.  He  possessed  great  determination  as  well  as 
business  acumen  and  his  large  fortune  was  made  mostly  within  the  past 
twelve  years,  by  his  own  unaided  efiforts.  He  handled  his  large  business 
affairs  with  skill  and  ability,  and  had  he  lived  a  few  years  longer  would 
undoubtedly  have  become  one  of  the  wealthiest  men  in   town. 

He  was  modest  and  unassuming,  and  found  his  chief  pleasure  in  his 
home  life  and  in  the  company  of  his  intimate  friends.  He  had  a  keen 
sense  of  humor  and  was  a  delightful  companion  and  host.  His  untimel}' 
death  is  a  sad  ending  to  a  busy,  useful  life,  and  brings  keen  sorrow  to 
many  a  heart. 


522 


BRISTOL.    CONNECTICUT 


MISS  CANDACE  ROBERTS. 

]Miss  Candace  Roberts,  daughter  of  Wyllys  Roberts,  and  sister  of 
Mrs.  Joel  H.  Root,  was  also  a  native  of  Bristol,  and  had  spent  most  of 
her  life  in  this  town.  She  also  received  her  education  in  the  schools  of 
Bristol  and  spent  a  good  deal  of  her  early  life  in  teaching  school.  She 
taught  successfully  in  East  Haven  and  lived  in  that  town  for  some  years. 
Many  years  ago  she  removed  to  Bristol  and  has  lived  in  the  family  of 
her  sister.  Mrs.  Root,  for  the  last  thirty  years. 

]Miss  Roberts  was  a  quiet,  unassuming  woman  of  fine  tastes,  good 
intelligence  and  an  almost  invaluable  assistant  to  her  afflicted  sister. 
For  many  years  Miss  Mary  Root  and  Mrs.  Root  were  quite  deaf,  and 
during  these  years  she  had  charge  of  the  household.  She  had  a  lovable 
and  attractive  disposition  and  endeared  herself  to  everybody  with  whom 
she  came  in  contact.  Her  friends  in  Bristol  were  legion.  She  was  a 
thoroughly  good.  Christian  woman. 

She  was  a  member  of  Katherine  Gaylord  Chapter,  D.  A.  R.,  as  licr 
grandfather  was  an  officer  in  the  Revolutionary  War.  She  was  a  long 
time  member  of  the  local  Congregational  church,  and  also  a  member  of 
the  Delta  Reading  Club.  She  was  interested  in  all  the  things  that  went 
for  the   advancement   and   intellectual  culture  of  the  town. 


RESIDENCE    FREDERICK     CALVIN     NORTON,    STEARNS     STREET. 


OR        NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


523 


THE  SCHOOLS  OF  BRISTOL 


BY    MILO    LEON    NORTON 

\  \  1  HE  early  history  of  the  schools  of  Bristol  is  so  thoroughly  treated 
w  I  «      in  the  various  historical  articles  in  this  book,  that  more  than  a 
A         brief  mention  is  unnecessary.     Quoting  from  an  article  written 
for  the  Bristol  Alagazine,  of  November,  1906,  it  was  there  stated: 
"If  it  were  asked  what  were  the  two  leading  traits  of  the  Puritans 
who  founded  Connecticut,  the  answer  would  be:     first,  an  all-pervading 
devotion  to  religion;    second,  a  deep  interest  in  education.     Their  first 
care  was  set  up  religious  worship,  and  their  next  duty  that  of  estab- 
lishing schools  for  the  mental  training  of  their  youth.      For  the  estab- 
lishment of  these  two  institutions,  the  church  and  the  school,  they  freelv 
taxed   the    slender   resources   at   their   command,    and   voluntarily   and 

cheerfully  bore  the  burdens  incident  to  their  maintenance 

In  New  Cambridge,  after  the  establishment  of  the  first  ecclesiastical 
society  in  1744,  and  the  building  of  the  first  meeting-house,  in  1747,  it 
was  voted,  December  4,  1749,  'that  [we]  would  have  a  school  kept  in 
this  society  six  months,  viz.,  3  months  by  a  master  and  3  months  by  a 
dame.  Josiah  Lewis,  Benjamin  Gaylord,  Joseph  Adkins,  and  Caleb 
Abernethy,  were  chosen  a  committee  to  order  the  affair  of  said  school.' 
This  was  the  first  actual  school  board  of  the  town.  It  was  not  until 
1790  that  a  regular  school  board  was  organized  and  no  official  act  of 
the  board  was  recorded  until  1796.  In  1766,  five  districts  were  formed, 
and  in  1798,  Fall  Mountain  district  was  added  to  the  number.      In  1842, 


FEDERAL     lULL    SCHOOL. 


524 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


BRISTOL    HIGH     SCHOOL. 


PEACEABLE    STREET   SCHOOL  AXU    SCHOLARS.     1907 


NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


525 


thirteen  districts,  as  they  now  exist  with  some  modifications,  wei-e 
organized  and  their  boundaries  defined." 

In  1854,  the  school  board  voted  to  consohdate  Districts  Nos.  1 
and  2,  but  upon  the  presentation  of  an  urgent  petition  from  the  voters 
of  J\o.  2,  the  vote  was  rescinded.  Soon  after  Districts  \os.  3  and  4 
were  consohdated,  and  a  new  schoolhouse  built,  about  1856.  This  has 
been  twice  enlarged.  The  old  schoolhouses  of  Districts  3  and  4  are 
still  standing,  remodeled;  one  occupied  by  Deborah  Sanford,  on  West 
Street,  the  other  by  Thomas  J.  Lane,  on  South  Street. 

At  present  there  are  eleven  school  districts,  the  number  four  having 
been  omitted  since  the  consolidation.  The  Copper  Mine  District  has 
also  been  merged  with  the  Edgewood,  or  ninth  district.  There  was 
tabulated  in  the  last  annual  report  of  the  Board  of  School  Visitors  (1907), 
an  enumeration  of  2,682  children  of  school  age  in  the  town  of  Bristol. 
Of  these  2,090  were  registered  at  the  various  distinct  schools,  437  attended 
private  schools,  including  St.  Joseph's  parochial,  and  the  German  Luthe- 
ran schools,  and  174  attended  the  High  School.  The  total  expense  of 
conducting  the  public  schools  for  one  year,  was  given  as  $47,884.02. 
Deducting  what  was  paid  for  books,  apparatus  and  repairs  to  buildings, 
the  actual  expenses  amounted  to  $43,772.18.  Of  this  amount  $25,68Q.15 
was  paid  from  the  proceeds  of  town  taxation,  $7,284.75  from  the  State, 
and  other  sources,  the  balance  being  made  up  by  districts  1,  2,  3  and  13. 
The  High  School  is  conducted  at  an  expense,  in  round  numbers,  of 
$10,000  per  annum. 

The  Board  of  School  Visitors  consists  of  Noble  E.  Pierce,  chairman; 
Arthur  S.  Brackett,  Mrs.  Edson  M.  Peck,  Carlton  B.  Ives,  Michael  B. 
O'Brien,  Charles  L.  Wooding,  Secretary. 

The  Bristol  High  School  was  estabhshed  in  1883,  F.  A.  Brackett, 
Principal,  graduating  its  first  class  in  1886.  High  School  departments 
were  also  maintained  in  the  schoolhouse  of  District  No.  1  and  at  Forest- 
ville  in  the  schoolhouse  of  No.  13.      But  the  princpal  school  was  that  in 


sciioui.   .\  I    ri.\i;   .stkeet  cor.xeu. 


526 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


the  No.  3  schoolhouse.  The  present,  elegant  High  School  building  was 
erected  in  1892.  At  first  a  spacious  hall  for  entertainments,  lectures, 
etc.,  was  provided  on  the  second  floor,  but  as  the  attendance  kept  in- 
creasing it  became  necessary  to  fit  up  the  hall  as  a  schoolroom.  At 
present  the  attendance  is  so  large  that  the  building  is  entirely  inadequate 
for  the  needs  of  the  school,  and  its  enlargement  is  an  imperative  necessity, 
plans  for  which  have  been  prepared  by  an  architect,  at  an  estimateed 
cost  of  $27,000.  The  present  attendance  is  about  216,  including  pupils 
from  out  of  town,  and  is  increasing  from  year  to  year. 


SCHOOL  DISTRICT  No.  10 


BY    MRS.     DAVID    BIRGE. 

vSchool  District  Xo.  10  of  Bristol  is  situated  in  the  western  part  of 
the  town,  adjoining  the  town  of  Plymouth.  The  boundary  line  between 
Bristol  and  Plymouth  is  also  a  part  of  the  line  between  Hartford  and 
Litchfield  Counties. 

One  square  mile  of  this  land  was  granted  to  three  brothers  bearing 
the  name  of  Matthews.  The  schoolhouse  is  situated  on  the  northwest 
corner  where  Matthew's  and  Hill  streets  cross.  The  original  schoolhouse 
stood  a  few  rods  north  of  the  present  site,  in  a  piece  of  heavy  timber, 
where  now  is  a  smooth,  nice  meadow. 

Shall  we  go  from  the  schoolhouse  a  few  rods  south  to  the  Matthews' 
homestead,  where  a  large  family  of  boys  and  girls  were  trained  in  the 
rigid  ways  of  our  forefathers?  One  of  the  sons,  inclined  to  oratory, 
found  a  dead  fowl,  and  placing  it  upon  a  board,  called  an  audience  of 


SCHOOL     HOUSE     .AM)     SClIOL.-\RS.     DISTKKT     XO.      R).     igOJ. 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE." 


527 


his  brothers  and  sisters,  then  mounted  the  fence  and  took  for  his  text 
the  first  chapter  of  bar- post  and  second  hole.  The  father  hstened  to 
the  remarks  and  exhortation  (unknown  to  the  youthful  preacher),  and 
at  the  close  gave  the  boy  a  sound  flogging  for  trifling  with  serious  matters. 
Four  generations  of  Matthews  lived  here,  and  about  1870  the  property 
was  sold  to  Mr.  Eri  Scott,  who  came  with  his  small  family  from  Meriden 
and  lived  in  the  old  long-roofed  lean-to  house  a  few  years,  then  built  the 
house  that  is  now  owned  and  occupied  by  his  daughter,  Mrs.  Willis 
Roberts,  and  her  son  Otis  and  family. 

Next  south  of  the  Matthews'  place  we  come  to  the  Lemuel  Car- 
rington  farm  where  Mr.  Ezekiel  Carrington,  son  of  Lemuel,  built  the 
house  that  for  many  years  was  the  home  of  Silas  Carrington,  who,  tiring 
of  our  severe  winters  and  wishing  to  make  his  home  in  Florida,  sold  the 
home  of  his  ancestors  to  Reverend  Farrel  Martin  of  Waterbury. 

Down  the  street  a  few  steps,  and  we  come  to  a  branch  in  the  road; 
taking  the  right  hand  road  we  soon  reach  the  old  Litchfield  and  Hart- 
ford Turnpike  and  see  the  Captain  Norton  place,  where  our  late  towns- 
man, Mr.  Augustine  Norton,  was  raised  with  a  large  family  of  brothers 
and  sisters.  The  Xortons  moved  awaj'  and  the  place  was  rented.  For 
a  short  time  it  was  the  home  of  a  family  by  the  name  of  Crittenden, 
then  of  the  Lovelaces  and  Keeneys,  and  about  1848  was  bought  by  Mr. 
Woodruff  Candee  of  Harwinton.  After  the  death  of  Mrs.  Candee,  in 
1892,  the  place  was  sold  to  Mr.  C.  C.  W'eld,  who  now  occupies  it. 

Going  west  about  a  cjuarter  of  a  mile  we  turn  south  from  the  "Pike" 


(1)  Aaron  C.  Dresser,  Mathews  street;  (2)  At  present  used  as 
lodgings  for  R.  R.  workmen;  (3)  John  B.  Mathews  O,  Edgar  Wm. 
Cahoon  R;  (4)  George  Bresnahan  R,  Mathews  street;  (5)  Mrs.  Walter 
E.  Cook  O;  (6)  J.  B.  White  R*  (7)  Michael  Ristock,  Perkins  street, 
formerly  the  "Tommy"  Roper  Place,  built  by  Nathaniel  Mathews, 
about  1845;  (8)  Frank  E.  Pond  O,  Perkins  street,  once  the  Lehman 
Stevens  Place.  House  built  by  Lehman  Stevens;  (9)  Allen  Manchester 
O,  Elmer  J.  Stone  R.  Perkins  street,  formerly  the  Evits  Hungerford 
Place,  built  by  Harvilla  Hart. 


528  BRISTOL,   CONNECTICUT 


,  SILAS    H.     CARRINGTON. 

and  soon  reach  the  Barlow  homestead,  that  for  a  lang  time  was  the 
home  of  Mrs.  Chloe  Daniels  and  her  sister,  Mrs.  Jane  Culver,  who  sold 
to  Mr.  Anton  Weigert,  the  present  owner. 

West  from  here,  over  a  crooked,  hilly  road,  we  come  to  the  Ittai 
and  Sally  Curtis  place,  later  the  home  of  Mr.  Miles  Welton,  who,  when 
the  road'  was  changed,  built  the  new  house  on  the  knoll  north  of  the 
old  and  nearer  the  new,  straight  road.  The  place  changed  owners  often 
after  Mr.  Welton  went  west,  and  for  a  short  time  was  the  home  of  a  Mr. 
Mc  Williams,  a  contractor  on  the  railroad  that  was  building  between 
Hartford  and  Waterbury.  Mr.  Amos  Webster  of  Harwinton  bought 
and  occupied  it  several  years.  Later,  a  Mr.  Birge  was  there,  and  Mr. 
Homer  Cook  of  Terry ville.  Mr.  Amzi  Clark  and  family  lived  there 
several  years,  then  moved  to  Terryville,  and  soon  the  house  burned 
down.  The  old  house  that  was  abandoned  so  many  years  ago  has  been 
repaired  and  is  the  comfortable  home  of  a  family  of  foreigners. 

North  from  here,  and  crossing  the  old  turnpike,  we  come  to  another 
portion  of  the  Matthews'  property,  owned  for  many  years  by  Mr.  Merri- 
man  Matthews,  then  later  by  his  daughter,  Mrs.  Henry  Reed,  who  sold 
to  Mr.  Frank  Mix  who  soon  tired  of  fancy  farming  and  sold  to  his  tenant, 
Mr.  John  Tanner,  and  after  a  few  years  he  moved  to  Plymouth,  and  a 
Mr.  Sahlin  bought  and  occupies  it.  North  a  few  rods  and  west,  we 
come  to  a  house  built  by  Mr.  Horace  Munson  and  now  the  property  of 
Mr.  Charles  Barber. 

West  from  here  and  down  a  winding  hill,  we  reach  the  last  house 
in  the  west  side  of  the  district,  as  this  stands  near  the  Plymouth  line 
which  is  a  part  of  the  Litchfield  County  line  also.  The  house  was  built  by 
Mr.  Simeon  Matthews,  who  was  not  a  "carpenter  and  joiner"  but  planned 
his  house,  cut  the  trees,  hewed  out  the  frame  and  the  men  at  the  raising 
said  the  joints  worked  together  and  everything  was  as  true  as  if  a  profes- 
sional brain  and  hand  had  done  the  work.  I  heard  some  one  say  only  a 
few  years  ago,  that  the  red  paint  on  the  house  at  that  time  was  the  paint 
that  Mr.  Matthews  used  when  the  house  was  built,  but  cannot  certify 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE."  529 

to""the  fact.  Here  a  large  family  was  raised,  and  of  those  who  lived  in 
this  vicinity  during  their  lives  were  our  late  townsman,  David  Matthews 
and  his  sister  Betsy,  the  wife  of  Mr.  Ira  Churchill  of  Forestville.  Several 
of  the  family  moved  to  Illinois  when  young.  The  only  living  member 
of  the  family  of  twelve  is  Mrs.  Eliza,  widow  of  Mr.  Harrison  Elwell,  who 
lives  with  her  son  Edwin  in  Worcester,  Mass.  After  the  death  of  Mr. 
Matthews  his  widow  married  Mr.  Cyrus  Gaylord,  and  the  following 
nuptial  agreeiTient  was  made  between  them. 

Mr.  Samuel  Benham  bought  the  place  and  after  his  death  it  became 

sjAti    /*>    ^      G^lri^y.     c^'yia^      t^y-^t-r-i-j     Q^^/'^^''-'^     ff     G'^^y^'Tn^x^SZi'' 
c;//?//      cn^tfC       ^Vi^   <^   7i£e^-7ny     My»~^£'    -n-O^      "^    C^aA-^ri^      £€t<iX »^^t0tj 

FAC   SIMILE   MARRI.\GE   AGREEMENT  BETWEEN    MR.   CYRUS   GAYLORD   AND 
MRS.    MATHEWS. 

the  propertv,  by  inheritance,  of  Mrs.  Horace  Munson;  and  now  it  is 
owned  by  Mr.  J.  J.  Jee. 

We  shall  have  to  turn  and  retrace  our  way  back  to  the  Merriman 
Matthew's  corner,  then  down  the  hill  towards  the  east  to  the  Isaac  Shel- 
ton  place,  said  to  have  been  a  resting  place  for  Tories.  Later  it  was  the 
home  of  Mr.  Thomas  Mitchell,  the  father  of  Judge  Henry  Mitchell,  late 
of  Bristol,  then  of  Mr.  Eli  Elv  of  Harwinton,  and  after  his  death  the 
place  was  bought  by  Mr.  Levi  Moulthrop,  and  now  is  owned  and  occupied 
by  Mr.  Chauncey  Atwood.  A  new  house  across  the  road  frorn  the  old 
is  the  home  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Edwin  Gaylord,  Mrs.  Gaylord  being  a  daughter 
of  Mr.  Atwood.  A  little  way  east  and  we  are  at  the  schoolhouse  corners 
once  more.  Shall  we  cross  Hill  street  aiid  go  towards  town  until  we 
reach  the  top  of  the  long  hill  where  in  winter  we  get  a  fine  view  of  Bradley 
Heights  and  the  houses  in  that  part  of  the  town  with  the  farther  hills? 

Here  we  find  a  house  that  was  a  carpenter's  shop  on  the  Darrow 
place,  directly  north  of  its  present  location.  It  was  bought  and  moved 
across  the  fields  to  this  place  and  made  into  a  dwelling  house  by  Henry 
Reeder,  an  Englishman.  After  his  death  it  had  several  tenants  and 
is  now  the  property  of  Fred.  Ristoch.  Leaving  the  road  we  cross  the 
fields  towards  the  east,  and  come  to  a  small  house  built  by  Mr.  Nathaniel 
Matthews  for  his  hired  man,  Tommie  Roper,  who  was  one  of  the  first 
Irishmen  that  came  to  Bristol  to  work  in  th^  copper  mine.  He  tired  of 
mining  and  farming  and  for  several  years  was  a  handy  man  at  the  rail- 
road station,  depot  it  was  called  then.  Mr.  Michael  Ristoch  is  the 
present  owner. 

Passing  through  the  woods  north  of  Mr.  Ristoch's  a  half  mile  or 
less  we  come  to  a  road  leading  west,  where  stands  the  Darrow  place. 
The  old  house  was  on  the  south  side  of  the  street,  but  one  of  the  sons, 
Mr.  William  Darrow,  a  carpenter  and  joiner,  built  the  new  house  about 
1834,  on  the  north  side,  "facing  the  sun,"  and  built  it  for  the  use  and 
comfort  of  his  family.  Here  a  large  family  of  boys  and  girls  grew  up, 
and  Mr.  Burritt  Darrow  of  Norfolk,  Conn.,  is  the  only  one  living.  For 
jourteen  years  Mr.  Williams  Darrow  was  the  first  selectman  of  Bristol, 


530 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


and  North  Main  street  was  laid  out  and  built  under  his  administration. 
When  Mr.  Darrow  was  arranging  to  sell  his  place  Mr.  Sylvester  Saxton, 
who  helped  build  the  house,  remarked  to  his  wife  that  he  knew  how 
that  house  was  built  and  would  try  and  get  it.  He  bought  and  moved 
there,  and  very  soon  died  leaving  two  small  boys  who  grew  to  manhood 
under  the  influence  of  a  good  mother.  Our  worthy  townsman,  Mr. 
F.  A.  Saxton,  is  the  only  surviving  member  of  this  family.  Mrs.  Saxton 
sold  the  place  to  Mr.  Edson  Downs  and  later  it  became  the  property 
of  Mr.  Fred.  Hubbard,  and  the  old  pine  tree  gives  it  the  name  of  Pine- 
hurst. 

Once  more  we  will  retrace  our  steps  to  the  corner  where  was  an  old 
lean-to  house  that  had  never  been  painted  and  was  past  repairing,  and 
had  been  the  home  of  a  family  by  the  name  of  Woods.  Mrs.  Clara 
Woods,  wife  of  Capt.  Elijah  Darrow  of  South  street,  was.  one  of  the 
daughters.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Leaman  Stevens,  familiarly  known  as  Uncle 
Leaman  and  Aunt  Celestia,  lived  in  the  old  house  several  years,  then 
built  the  house  that  is  now  standing.     At  their  death  it  passed  into  the 


(10)  Louis  Lagase  O,  Hill  street.  The  Sidney  Hough  Place;  (11) 
Joseph  Bleau  O,  Hill  street.  The  Hiram  Curtiss  Place;  (12)  Wm.  O. 
Miller  O,  Wm.  Janecka  R,  Hill  street.  The  Andrew  Hough  Place;  (13) 
John  Spielman  C>,  Hill  street,  The  Stephen  Russell  Place;  (14)  Fred, 
Hellman  O,  Hill  street,  The  Samuel  Jones  Place,  was  built  by  Mr.  Jones 
and  the  original  window  panes  were  of  American  made  glass,  probably 
among  the  first  used  in  Bristol;  (15)  Chas.  Schroder  O,  built  on  the 
George  Stone  Place,  known  before  that  as  the  Hill  Place,  built  on  the 
site  of  Noble  Hill's  Clock  Shop.  This  shop  was  afterwards  altered  into 
a  dwelhng  house;  (16)  Charles  Tong  O,  Hill  street,  house  was  originally 
the  boarding  house  at  the  Fall's  Factory,  later  called  (Satinet  cotton 
warp  and  wool  filling)  Old  Shovel  Shop  on  the  Terryville  Road.  Was 
moved  to  its  present  location  by  Nathaniel  Mathews,  and  Hanford 
Pennoyer.  This  was  located  in  the  site  of  the  widow  Hill  Place,  by 
Thaddeus  Bristol;  (17)  James  McWilliams  R,  Charles  Kat7,ung  R, 
Hill  street,  built  bv  Harrison  Gould,  and  then  known  as  the  Harrison 
Gould  Place;  (IS)  Geo.  N.  Minor  O,  Hill  street,  built  bv  Mr.  Daniel 
Hill. 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE." 


531 


possession  of  their  nephew.  Mr.  Ira  Gaylord,  who  sold  to  Mr.  C.  C.  Welch, 
and  he  in  turn  sold  to  Mr.  Forster,  and  now  Mr.  Frank  Pond  is  the  owner. 

Going  north  a  few  rods  we  find  the  Hungerford  place,  where  Uncle 
Evits  and  Aunt  Anna  lived  many  years.  Late  in  life,  and  warned  by 
the  infirmities  of  old  age,  they  sold  the  dear  old  home  to  Mr.  Harvilla 
Hart,  and  spent  the  remainder  of  their  days  with  their  daughter,  Mrs. 
Lock  wood  Tuttle,  who  cheerfully  ministered  to  their  wants  and  com- 
forts. Mr.  Hart  built  a  new  house  and  enlarged  his  farm,  buying  back 
the  homestead  of  his  parents  (that  had  passed  out  of  the  Hart  family), 
but  joined  the  Hungerford  farm  on  the  east  and  north.  He  sold  the 
place  to  Mr.  Henry  Pond  and  it  was  owned  by  his  family  until  a  year 
ago,  when  it  was  sold  to  the  Manchester  brothers.  Just  north  of  this 
place  the  road  branches  and  we  come  to  the  land  owned  many  years  by 
the  Hart  family.  Just  east  of  Perkins  street  on  the  cross  road  through 
the  Hoppers  to  Peacable  street  is  an  old  cellar  place,  where  once  wac 
the  Asel  Hart  home,  and  on  Battle  street,  at  the  foot  of  the  steep  hill 
and  on  the  east  side  of  the  way  was  an  old  lean-to  house,  the  home  of 
Mr.  Seth  Hart.  On  the  west  side  of  Battle  street,  at  the  foot  of  the 
hill,  where  the  old  road  (that  was  closed  by  the  town  authority  a  few 
years  ago)  joined  Battle,  is  an  old  cellar  and  the  stone  underpining  to 
a  barn,  showing  that  there  has  been  a  large  house  and  out-buildings, 
the  home  of  another  Mr.  Hart.  It  seems  reasonable  to  suppose  that 
they  had  a  grant  of  land  the  same  as  the  Matthews  brothers. 

We  are  near  the  northern  boundary  of  the  district  now  and  must 


CHIPPINSHlLi: 


(19)  Built  V)v  Caleb  Mathews,  for  many  years  The  (Squire)  Con- 
stant Loyal  Tuttle  Place,  Mathis  Hintz  O;  (20)  Pinehurst,  built  by 
Mrs.  Williams  Darrow,  Fred  Hubbard,  O;  (21)  The  Hanford  Pennoyer 
Place;]Mrs.  David  Birge  R:  (22)  Maple  Crest  Farm,  Chaunccy  Atwood  O, 
(23)  Sunny  Side.  E.  L.  Gaylord,  O;  (24)  ^laple  Corner,  i'rcd  Sahlin  O, 
(25)  Breezy  Xook  Farm,  formcrlvthc  Horace  Munson  Place,  Charles  H. 
Barber  O,  (26)  The  Simeon  Mathews  Place.  Joseph  J.  Gee  O ;  (27) 
"Maple  Lawn  Farm,"  originally  the  Xathaniel  Mathews  Place,  Mrs. 
Ellen  Roberts  O. 


532 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


either  cross  the  lots  or  climb  the  Battle  street  hill  past  the  line,  until 
we  reach  a  short  road,  across  to  Hill  street,  and  from  here  we  go  south 
past  the  Samuel  Jones'  and  the  Widow  Hill's  places  and  come  to  the 
first  house  in  the  district  on  the  north  side.  The  old  house  was  Vjuilt 
first  for  a  clock  shop  for  Mr.  Noble  Hill,  but  failing  in  this  it  was  inade 
into  a  dwelling  house  and  occupied  by  Mr.  George  Stone  and  his  wife 
Nabby,  many  years.  A  Mr.  Charles  Schraeder  bought  it  and  soon  it 
burned  down  and  was  replaced  by  the  stone  house  now  standing.  A 
little  farther  south  we  come  to  the  old  Gay  lord  homestead.  The  first 
house  was  built  on  the  west  side  of  the  street,  but  the  newer  house  was 
built  by  one  of  the  sons,  Esq.  Phillip  Gaylord,  who  sold  to  a  Mrs.  Gould 
and  her  son  Harrison  and  by  inheritance  it  became  the  property  of 
Mrs.  Carrington,  the  mother  of  Silas.  It  had  several  owners  and  at 
one  time  was  owned  by  Mr.  Andrew  Terry  of  Susanville  (the  grand- 
father of  Mr.  Charles  Terry  Treadway,  who  wanted  a  place  where 
he  could  have  his  ideas  of  farming  carried  out  by  hired  hands.  He  soon 
tired  of  this  scheme  and  sold  the  place  to  Uncle  Billy  Gaylord  of  Bur- 
lington, a  nephew  of  the  builder.  For  several  years  it  was  the  home  of 
Mr.  Ira  Gaylord,  now  of  Summer  street,  who  sold  the  farm  to  Mr.  Frank 
Atwood.  It  is  now  the  property  of  Dr.  A.  S.  Brackett  and  occupied 
by  a  Mr.  McWilliains. 

A  little  to  the  south  of  this  and  commanding  a  wonderful  view, 
,  stands  the  house  built  by  Mr.  Darrow  for  Mr.  Daniel  Hill.  After  the 
death  of  Mr.  Hill  his  son  William  lived  there  with  his  mother  until  he 
tired  of  driving  over  the  road  between  his  hoine  and  Bristol,  saying 
the  hills  were  no  shorter  or  less  steep  than  when  he  was  young.  He 
sold  to  Mr.  Mark  Miner  of  Wolcott,  who,  with  his  grand-son,  Edson 
Downs,  lived  there  several  years.  After  the  death  of  Mr.  Miner,  Mr. 
Downs  sold  to  a  Mr.  Winton  of  Woodbury.  Later  Mr.  Frank  Atwood 
bought  it  and  lived  there  until  the  great  blizzard  in  1888,  when  he  sick- 
ened and  died.  Mrs.  Atwood  sold  to  Mr.  G.  N.  Miner,  grand-son  of 
"Uncle  Mark,"  who  is  the  present  owner. 


NORTH    CHIPPIN  S    HILL    SCHOOL. 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE  " 


533 


SyUlKE     CONSTANT      LUYAL      TUTTLE     PLACE. 


Now  leaving  Mr.  Miner's  we  will  go  down  the  steep  hill  until  we  come 
to  a  little  resting  place  where  there  is  another  Matthews'  homestead 
built  by  Mr.  Caleb  Matthews  over  a  hundred  years  ago  and  was  owned 
by  the  family  until  after  the  death  of  Mr.  Nathaniel  Matthews  in  1863, 
when  it  passed  into  the  hands  of  strangers.  In  the  house  are  two  cham- 
bers with  a  "swinging  partition"  between  them,  a  partition  that  could 
be  lifted  up  and  fastened  to  hooks  in  the  ceiling  above,  making  a  large 
room  where  the  Masons  held  their  meetings  in  the  early  part  of  the 
Eighteenth  Century.  It  was  also  used  as  a  ball-room,  and  the  neigh- 
bors gathered  there  for  their  quilting  parties. 

After  the  death  of  Mr.  Matthews  a  Mrs.  Blanchard  and  her  son 
from  Northfield  bought  and  occupied  the  place  several  years,  then 
Mr.  Henry  Forster  of  Hartford,  and  after  changing  owners  several  times, 
is  now  in  the  possession  of  a  Mr.   Heintz. 

At  the  foot  of  the  hill  below  the  Esquire  Tuttle  place  is  an  old  house 
said  to  have  been  built  by  Mr.  Enos  Ives,  and  about  184U  was  bought 
by  Mr.  Tuttle  for  his  son  Hiram,  who  about  1850  sold  it  to  his  brother- 
in-law,  Mr.  Hanford  Pennoyer,  who  lived  there  until  1899,  when  he 
died  at  the  age  of  94  years  and  a  few  months.  His  wife,  Emily  Tuttle, 
daughter  of  Esquire  Tuttle,  died  two  weeks  earlier,  aged  87. 

The  house  is  now  occupied  by  two  of  Mr.  Pennoyer's  daughters, 
the  only  descendants  of  the  old  settlers  now  living  on  the  hill. 

If  we  go  south  from  here  to  the  old  turn-pike  and  turn  towards 
town  we  shall  find  a  comparatively  new  house  just  east  of  Mr.  Weld's 
that  was  built  by  Charlie  Blanchard,  son  of  Calvin  and  sold  by  him 
to  Mr.  Edson  Smith.  Towards  Bristol  and  at  the  top  of  Pine  Hollow 
Hill  we  come  to  the  Castle  place,  afterwards  the  home  of  Stephen  Rus- 
sell and  of  Timothy  Hill,  son  of  Daniel  and  of  William  Webster,  and 
of  Harvilla  Hart,  who  built  the  new  house  and  sold  to  Mr.  Calvin  Blan- 
chard.     It  is  now  owned  by  Mrs.  Farnham. 


534 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


AN    OLD    TIME    VIEW    OF    THE    NORTH     SIDE    SCHOOL. 


THE  NORTH  SIDE  SCHOOL  DISTRICT,  No.  2 


By  Arthur  S.  Barnes. 

District  No.  2  is  not  one  of  the  old  school  districts  of  the  town  of 
Bristol.  Before  this  district  had  a  separate  existence,  the  children  of 
that  portion  of  the  town  attended  school  at  the  south  end.  at  a  school- 
house,  located  near  the  old  Baptist  church,  or  went  to  the  school  on  Federal 
Hill.  Probably  the  children  living  at  the  foot  of  Chippins  Hill  attended 
school  in  the  South  Chippins  Hill  District  as  both  the  South  Chippins 
Hill  and  the  North  Chippins  Hll  Districts  were  separate  districts  before 
what  is  now  known  as  District  No.  2  had  an  individual  existence.  The 
thirteen  school  districts  of  the  town  were  designated  and  numbered  at 
a  Bristol  School  Society  meeting,  held  on  January  19,   1842. 

In  the  earlier  days  North  Main  Street  w^as  not  cut  through,  and  there 
w'as  no  cross  roads  between  West  Street  and  Federal  Hill  and  Queen 
Streets,  except  Center  Street.  Center  Street  was  used  principally  by 
residents  of  the  southwestern  section  of  the  town  and  people  from  Fall 
Mountain  in  traveling  to  the  Congregational  Church  on  Sundays. 

What  is  now  known  as  District  No.  2  was  set  apart  at  a  meeting  of 
the  Bristol  School  Society  on  December  14,  1837,  and  was  known  as 
the  West  Center  School  District.  Walter  Williams  was  the  first  commit- 
tee. Land  was  purchased  of  Daniel,  Nelson  and  Nancy  Roberts  in  the 
rear  of  the  Methodist  Church,  and  on  this  a  school  building  was  ereeted. 
This  plot  of  ground  was  bounded  on  the  north  and  west  by  land  of 
grantor,  e'ast  by  the  Methodist  lot,  and  south  by  land  of  Eli  Barnes. 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE."  535 

The  length  of  the  school  year  at  this  time  w§s  evidently  six  months, 
as  we  find  on  record  a  vote  passed  October  7,  1839,  "instructing  the 
district  committee  to  employ  a  female  teacher  for  6  months  to  commence 
as  soon  as  a  suitable  teacher  could  be  found."  That  the  district  insisted 
on  having  the  very  best  teachers  that  could  be  secured  is  evidenced  by 
the  following  vote  that  "the  committee  be  instructed  to  employ  a  female 
teacher  and  requested  to  obtain  one  second  to  none  in  Hartford  County." 

The  schoolhouse  being  situated  in  the  rear  of  the  church,  there  was 
more  or  less  friction  between  district  authorities  and  the  Methodist 
Society,  on  account  of  the  doings  of  some  of  the  school  children.  There 
is  a  record  of  a  special  meeting  held  in  1849,  in  which  it  was  voted  to 
pay  a  bill  of  the  Methodist  Society  for  $1.08  for  broken  window  glass, 
and  at  this  same  meeting  it  was  made  a  standing  rule  of  the  district 
that  the  committee  ascertain  whose  children  broke  glass  in  the  windows 
of  the  Methodist  Church  and  report  the  same,  and  that  the  expense  of 
the  repairs  be  added  to  the  rate  bill  of  the  parents  of  these  children. 

In  1854,  the  question  of  uniting  with  District  No.  1  was  considered 
at  a  number  of  special  meetings.  The  vote  was  finally  passed  to  unite 
with  District  No.  1  and  build  a  graded  school,  but  this  action  was  never 
carried  out. 

The  Methodist  Society  needed  more  room  for  horse  sheds,  and  in 
1860  it  was  vated  to  sell  to  the  Society  a  part  of  the  district  lot,  the 
schoolhouse  to  be  moved  to  the  rear,  about  a  quarter  of  an  acre  of  land 
additional  having  been  purchased  from  Daniels  Roberts.  The  deed  for 
this  land  was  dated  October  12,  1863.  In  1877,  an  addition  of  about 
fourteen  feet  was  added  to  the  rear  of  the  school  building,  which  was  the 
first  addition  made  to  the  building  since  it  was  erected  in  1838. 

In  1882,  it  had  become  necessary  to  take  further  steps  toward 
enlarging  the  accommodations  as  the  number  of  children  in  the  district 
had  so  increased  that  this  one  room  would  not  accommodate  them.  A 
special  meeting  was  called  to  consider  consolidating  Districts  Nos.  1, 
2  and  3.  This  special  meeting  was  held  on  May  31,  1882,  and  it  was 
voted  that  "It  is  not  deemed  expedient  to  consolidate  with  other  dis- 
tricts." The  district  committee  were  instructed  to  call  a  meeting  to 
consider  enlarging  the  schoolhouse  or  building  a  new  one.  After  receiv- 
ing an  offer  from  Lawson  Wooding,  the  district  voted  "to  exchange  the 
present  property  for  the  so-called  Mitchell  property,  the  price  not  to  exceed 
$1000.00  as  a  difference  in  exchange."  This  Mitchell  property  was  the 
old  George  Mitchell  homestead  on  the  site  of  the  present  schoolhouse. 
The  Mitchell  house  was  removed  from  its  location,  and  is  now  standing 
on  Williams  Avenue,  and  is  used  as  a  residence.  The  ell  part  of  this 
Mitchell  home  was  removed  to  a  plot  of  ground  in  the  rear  of  the  church 
by  the  side  of  the  old  schoolhouse,  and  that  also  is  still  standing  and 
used  as  a  residence. 

The  district  appointed  a  building  committee,  consisting  of 
Lester  Goodenough,  Seth  Barnes,  Henry  Hutchinson,  Edward  Graham, 
and  J.  M.  Peck.  They  were  empowered  to  sell  the  old  .schoolhouse, 
and  to  build  a  new  one  on  the  new  site.  $4000.00  was  appropriated 
for  this  purpose,  and  this  amount  was  afterwards  increased  by  $600.00, 
making  a  total  of  $4(')00.00. 

A  two  room  building  was  erected,  and  was  first  occupied  in  the 
spring  of  1883,  Mr.  Burton  A.  Smith  and  Miss  Sarah  Goodenough  being 
the  teachers.  Mr.  Smith  finished  that  school  year,  and  was  succeeded 
by  Clarence  A.  Bingham  who  came  to  District  No.  2  at  the  beginning  of 
the  fall  term  in  1883.  With  the  completion  of  the  present  school  year 
(1907-1908)  Mr.  Bingham  will  have  served  25  years  as  the  principal  of 
the  North  Side  School.  During  these  years  he  has  rendered  faithful 
and  intelligent  services  to  the  District,  and  has  been  looked  up  to  by  his 
scholars  as  a  man  who  could  be  respected  and  trusted.  He  has  seen  the 
school  grow  from  an  average  registration  of  about  95  to  325  pupils. 
There  are  now  in  attendance  many  children  of  his  former  pupils.  The 
coming  of  Mr.  Bingham  marks  the  transition  of  District  No.  2  from  a 


536 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


country  district  school  to  a  graded  school  of  the  town.  It  was  formerly 
a  rare  thing  to  have  a  teacher  remain  a  whole  year,  and  the  ordinary 
custom  was  to  change  teachers  every  term.  Whether  this  "movable 
feast"  in  the  line  of  school-teachers  was  brought  about  by  the  desire  of 
the  district  cominittee  to  have  some  real  work  to  do  in  the  appointment 
of  teachers,  or  whether  it  came  from  the  teacher's  opportunity  to  get 
more  pay,  or  whether  the  teachers  were  driven  out  by  the  unruly  pupils 
is  a  matter  which  does  not  at  present  concern  us. 

The  schoolhouse  as  erected  in  1883  was  occupied  without  change 
or  addition  until  1889  when  an  addition  was  built  of  two  rooms,  and 
later  in  1900  another  addition  was  built  of  one  room  for  kindergarten 
work  which  makes  a  present  equipment  of  five  rooms  in  the  school 
building. 

The  names  familiar  in  the  early  days  of  the  district  were  Peck,  Car" 
rington,  Burwell,  Barnes,  Mitchell,  Smith,  Birge,  Goodrich,  Foster- 
Sheldon,  Blakesley,  Plumb,  Phetzing,  Burnham,  Way,  Stevens,  WilliamS' 
and  Ingraham.  These  families  have  now  for  the  most  part  either  moved 
away  or  passed  on. 

In  "Connecticut  Historical  Collections"  by  John  W.  Barber,  pub- 
lished in  1838  there  is  a  very  interesting  picture  of  the  town  of  Bristol. 
The  picture  is  sketched  from  the  hill  back  of  the  Methodist  Meeting 
house  and  inasmuch  as  it  is  largely  of  this  section  now  known  as  the 
Second  School  District,  the  following  quotation  is  interesting: 
f ■  • "  "This  is  a  manufacturing  town,  and  the  inhabitants  are  distin- 
guished for  their  enterprise  and  industry.     There  are  at  present  sixteen 


imqiiiiipiii 


North  End  School  that  stood  on  West  St.  near  Terry- 
ville  Ave.  It  is  now  in  back  of  Advent  Church  and  used  as  a  dwelling. 
The  teacher  standing  in  center  is  Mr  Jennings.  This  picture  was  loaned 
by  Mrs.  Lvons  of  West  St., 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE."  537 

clock  factories,  in  which  nearly  100,000  brass  and  wooden  clocks  have 
been  manufactured  in  a  single  year.  The  manufacture  of  buttons  is 
also  carried  on. 

"The  principal  part  of  the  village  is  built  at  the  base  of  a  circular 
hill,  the  buildings  being  mostly  on  ar  oad  which  passes  round  the  hill 
in  somewhat  of  a  semicircle.  The  most  conspicuous  building  is  the 
Methodist  Church,  erected  in  1835.  To  the  right  of  this  in  the  dis- 
tance, and  on  the  summit  of  the  hill  is  the  Congregational  Church. 
The  Episcopal  Church  is  situated  on  the  northern  descent  of  the  hill, 
near  the  forest.  The  Baptist  Church  is  on  the  road  passing  by  the 
Methodist  Church,  a  little  distance  to  the  south." 

The  Methodist  Church  referred  to  is  the  original  Methodist  Church 
erected  in  1835,  and  afterwards  sold  to  the  Advent  Society  and  burned 
to   the   ground  in    1890. 

We  do  not  find  that  inany  men  who  have  written  their  names  high 
in  the  hall  of  fame  have  received  their  education  at  District  No.  2.  Per- 
haps the  most  prominent  are  Hon.  Chas.  E.  Mitchell  of  New  Britain, 
former  U.  S.  Patent  commissioner,  and  Tracy  Peck,  head  of  the  Latin 
Department  at  Yale.  But  District  No.  2  has  turned  out  a  goodly  num- 
ber of  intelligent  American  citizens,  men  who  have  done  and  are  doing 
their  day's  work  as  their  hands  find  it  to  do. 

The  memory  of  our  days  in  the  district  school  is  always  with  us, 
and  twice  happy  is  he  whose  memory  goes  back  to  the  days  in  the  little 
white  schoolhouse  behind  the  church. 

Rough,  bleak,  and  hard,  our  little  State 
Is  scant  of  soil,  of  limits  strait; 
Her  yellow  sands  are  sands  alone. 
Her  only  mines  are  ice  and  stone! 

From  Autumn  frost  to  April  rain, 
Too  long  her  winter  woods  complain; 
From  budding  flower  to  falling  leaf, 
Her  summer  time  is  all  too  brief. 

Yet  on  her  rocks,  and  on  her  sands, 
And  wintry  hills,  the  schoolhouse  stands, 
And  what  her  rugged  soil  denies. 
The  harvest  of  the  mind  supplies. 


Nor  heeds  the  sceptic's  puny  hands. 

While  near  her  school  the  church-spire  stands; 

Nor  fears  the  blinded  bigot's  rule. 

While  near  the  church-spire  stands  the  school. 

— Whittier. 


538 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


THE  MOUNT   HOPE  CHAPEL. 


A  small  Sunday-school  was  organized  in  1884  in  the  North  Chip- 
pins  Hill  district  near  the  Burlington  line,  by  ]\Iiss  Hattie  O.  Utter,  school 
teacher  in  that  district.  Miss  Utter  organized  the  school  because  the  chil- 
dren of  her  day  school  were  non-attendants  of  any  Sunday-school.  She 
conducted  the  Sunday-school  successfully  for  a  year  when  her  engagement 
closed  and  she  left  the  school  to  return  to  her  home  and  be  married. 
She  was  greatly  beloved  by  the  people  of  the  district,  and  only  lived  about 
a  year  after  her  removal.  At  her  earnest  request  Mr.  William  E.  Sessions 
and  Mr.  B.  S.  Rideout,  who  was  General  Secretary  of  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  in 
Bristol,  continued  the  school,  beginning  in  June,  1885.  The  first  Sunday 
only  three  little  girls,  sisters,  Mary,  Sarah  and  Lizzie  Goodsell,  were 
present.  Mr.  Rideout  was  only  able  to  continue  for  a  few  months.  Mr. 
Sessions  conducted  the  school  for  four  years  in  the  schoolhouse,  and  has 
conducted  it  in  the  chapel  ever  since.  There  was  a  large  and  increasing 
attendance  which  outgrew  the  accommodations  of  the  schoolhouse,  and 
in  1889  the  IMount  Hope  Chapel  was  built  by  voluntary  contributions  of 
the  people   and   friends. 

The  chapel  was  dedicated  by  the  Rev.  A.  C.  Eggleston,  who  had  been 
the  pastor  of  the  Prospect  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  Bristol,  but  was 
at  that  time  pastor  of  the  First  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  Waterbury. 

The  school  was  named  Mount  Hope  by  Mr.  Rideout,  who  has  been 
for  many  years  a  Congregationalist  minister  at  Norway,  Maine.  Among 
the  prominent  workers  and  teachers  in  the  early  years  were  Mrs.  Louisa 
Tuttle  (deceased),  Mrs.  W.  O.  Goodsell,  Mrs.  Frank  H.  Perkins  and  Mr. 
Charles  S.  Smith.  The  Sunday-school  has  been  kept  up  continuously 
and  frequently  sermons  have  been  preached  by  ministers  of  different  de- 


MT.    HOPE   CHAPEL. 


NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


539 


nominations,  some  prominent  and  noted  speakers  having  spoken  there, 
including  Bishop  McCabe,  familiarly  known  as  Chaplain  McCabe,  Bishop 
Moore  and  Bishop  Cranston,  all  of  the  Methodist  Church,  President  Ray- 
mond of  Wesleyan  University,  President  Spencer  of  the  Women's  College, 
Baltimore  and   Fanny   Crosby,   the  hymn  writer,  and  others. 

The  school  has  always  been  conducted  as  a  union  or  non-sectarian 
Protestant  Sunday-school.  Mr.  Isaac  T.  Rowe  has  been  assistant  su- 
perintendent for  many  years.  Many  of  the  young  people  who  formerly 
lived  in  that  neighborhood  have  removed  to  Bristol  and  to  other  points 
throughout    the   country,   but   often    return    to   visit   the    school. 

In  1906  an  arrangement  was  made  with  Mr.  H.  S.  Coe  to  bring  an 
omnibus  load  of  children  and  young  people  from  the  East  Church  District 
ever\-  Sunday.  Since  that  time  Mrs.  Coe  has  been  an  efficient  teacher 
and  worker  in  the  school.  For  many  years  the  school  has  supported  a 
missionary  native  pastor-teacher  school  in  India,  called  The  Mount  Hope 
School,   and  annual  reports  are  read  from  the  pastor-teacher. 

A  remarkably  large  attendance  for  such  a  scattered  district  has  been 
maintained  throughout  the  entire  period  and  many  families  who  live 
remote  from  any  church  enjoy  the  privileges  of  the  Sunday-school.  An- 
nual excursions  are  held  and  the  Christmas  tree  and  exercises  are  always 
a  pleasing  feature. 

The  anniversary  of  dedication  is  celebrated  every  October,  and  a 
large  number  of  former  members  are  accustomed  to  attend.  It  is  esti- 
mated that  at  least  fi>ur  Iiundred  to  live  hundred  people  have  been  mem- 
bers of  the  school  in  the  23  years  of  its  history. 


.\     THOROUf^HBRED     .MORGAN    COI.T. 
OWNED   BY    DR.    G.    T.    ELLIOTT      V.    S.,    1907 


540  BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


THE  BRADLEYITES 

By  Milo  Leon  Norton. 


There  are  always  dissenters  from  established  opinions,  be  they 
political,  religious,  or  commercial,  and  the  world  owes  much  of  its  prog- 
ress to  this  fact.  Someone  is  discovering  a  shorter  route,  or  a  better 
system,  or  is  advancing  a  step  ahead  of  his  contemporaries,  constantly; 
often  persecuted,  ridiculed  and  censured,  but  eventually  gaining  follow- 
ers, and  establishing  a  new  standard  of  faith  and  practice. 

Early  in  the  last  century,  David  Bradley,  of  Hampden,  became 
dissatisfied  with  the  doctrines  of  the  Congregational  church  of  which 
he  was  a  member,  separated  himself  from  that  denomination,  and,  being 
a  student  for  the  ministry,  received  baptism  and  ordination  from  the 
Baptists,  though  he  never  joined  that  communion.  Gradually  gather- 
ing together  a  small  body  of  believers,  a  chapel  was  built  for  him  at 
Mount  Carmel,  where  he  preached  for  many  years,  baptising  converts, 
administering  the  sacrement,  and  performing  all  the  functions  of  the 
Christian  ministry.  He  attracted  to  his  meetings  such  as  considered 
the  orthodox,  or  regular  denominations,  too  narrow,  or  too  widely,  and 
who  wished  to  lead  a  more  spiritual  life  than  they  thought  it  possible 
to  do  in  the  churches;  besides  enlarging  the  boundaries  of  their  fellow- 
ship to  include  every  sincere  believer  in  Christ,  of  whatever  name  or 
creed.  After  his  death  in  the  fifties  meetings  were  held  at  the  chapel, 
but  there  was  a  gradual  scattering  of  the  little  flock,  and  eventually 
the  meetings  were  discontinued  there,  and  the  chapel  converted  into  a 
blacksmith  shop,  about   1870. 

Among  this  little  company  of  people,  who  were  sitgmatized  Bradley- 
ites,  agitators  of  various  beliefs  labored  and  secured  some  converts, 
notably  John  Humphrey  Noyes,  founder  of  the  Oneida  Community. 
The  Advent  movement  of  1843,  and  subsequently,  made  some  inroads 
into  the  membership;  but  on  the  whole,  the  original  members  remained 
true  to  the  principles  taught  by  their  first  and  only  pastor,  for  no  one 
succeeded  him  in  the  pastoral  relation. 

During  the  two  decades  ending  about  1870,  occasional  protracted 
meetings  were  held  by  this  people,  who  were  still  called  Bradleyites 
because  of  the  prominence  among  them  of  Dr.  H.  I.  Bradley,  of  New 
Haven,  a  physician  and  druggist,  the  son  of  the  former  pastor.  These 
meetings  were  held  in  various  places,  at  private  houses,  and  were  con- 
tinued for  from  one  to  three  weeks.  All  were  welcome,  of  whatever 
religious  belief,  and  perfect  liberty  was  given  for  the  expression  of  in- 
dividual views,  without  opposition.  A  more  heterogeneous  body  of 
Christians  it  would  have  been  difficult  to  get  together.  The  home  of 
Asahel  Mix,  who  lived  in  a  house  now  abandoned,  at  the  eastern  end 
of  a  glacial  knoll  in  the  level  meadows  to  the  east  of  Edgewood,  was 
one  of  the  places  where  these  people  met  on  several  occasions;  ^.Iso 
at  the  home  of  his  son,  Judd  Mix,  on  Jerome  Avenue;  and  at  Ephraim 
Maltby's,  in  Stafford  District.  Most  of  the  Bristol  people  who  met 
with  them  were  Millerites,  or  Second  Adventists;  and  some  of  them, 
including  the  families  of  Ashael  Mix,  Mr.  Maltby,  and  S.  C.  Hancock, 
the  bhnd  preacher,  were  Seventh-day  Adventists,  the  converts  of  Mrs. 
Ellen  White,  who  labored  among  them  in  1848  and  1849,  securing  a 
number  of  adherents,  but  who  never  united  with  the  sect  of  that  name 
which  she  founded,  with  headquarters  at  Battle  Creek,  Michigan.  The 
Hamden  people,  for  the  most  part,  were  not  believers  in  the  literal 
coming  of  Christ;  and  there  were  others  from  Hartford,  including  the 
wife  of  the  Mayor  of  the  city,  from  New  Haven,  Southington,  Cheshire, 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE."  541 

and   other   places,    having   ahnost    as   many   distinct   religious   views   as 
there  were  individuals. 

They  had  one  common  ground  of  agreement,  however,  and  that 
was  the  opposition  to  any  church  organization,  or  leadership.  With  the 
Quakers  they  believed  in  the  leadership  of  the  "Spirit,"  under  which 
it  was  considered  proper  if  one  was  speaking,  and  another  wished  to 
speak,  for  the  second  person  to  notify  the  first  of  his  desire,  when  the 
first  speaker  sat  down  and  waited  for  the  second  to  deliver  his  message. 
They  believed  in  the  "gifts"  mentioned  in  Scripture,  including  the 
"gift  of  tongues,"  when  one -would  be  "moved"  to  speak  in  an  unin- 
telligible gibberish,  which,  sometimes,  another  would  be  moved  upon 
to  interpret.  Of  course  cranks  of  various  kinds  took  advantage  of  the 
liberty  of  speech  given  in  these  meetings,  and  were  patiently  listened  to, 
and  tolerated.  If  they  became  violent  or  abusive,  as  they  sometimes 
did,  they  were  usually  successfully  squelched  by  the  united  determina- 
tion of  the  level-headed  persons  present,  without  recourse  to  force  or 
violent  opposition.  Sometimes  there  were  heated  and  uncharitable 
discussions,  but  usually  there  was  perfect  tolerance,  and  the  utmost 
patience  with  discordant  elements  noticeable.  Sometimes  there  were 
"exercises,"  when  persons  would  be  apparently  under  "control,"  like  a 
spiritualist  inedium,  and  in  a  seini-conscious  state.  When  in  this  state 
personal  messages  were  delivered  to  those  present,  believed  to  emanate 
directly  from  God.  Admonitions  were  also  given,  warnings,  and  re- 
bukes to  offensive  or  disturbing  elements.  There  seemed  to  be  much 
discerninent  of  inharmonious  and  disturbing  influences,  and  their  quick 
detection  and  exposure.  Some  of  these  instances  were  truly  inarvelous, 
and  would  almost  surpass  belief  if  related. 

One  of  the  most  notable  of  these  intruders  into  the  little  gathering 
of  believers,  who  called  themselves  "Come-outers,"  because  they  had 
coine  ovit  of  the  various  churches  to  which  they  formerly  belonged,  was  a 
Quaker  from  New  Bedford,  Mass.,  name  Frederick  Rowland,  He  was 
a  dentist  by  profession,  and  a  remarkably  skillful  one,  considering  the 
crude  instruments  in  use  at  the  time,  which  was  prior  to  1860.  He  first 
appeared  in  Bristol  as  a  lecturer,  having  a  chart  illustrating  prophecy 
as  he  understood  it.  It  developed  that  he  regarded  the  Advent  move- 
inent  of  1843,  and  succeeding  years,  as  applying  to  himself,  finally  an- 
nouncing that  he  was  the  Holy  Ghost.  There  is  no  claim  so  absurd 
that  will  not  find  acceptance,  and  in  Massachusetts,  at  Worcester  and 
Athol,  he  gained  adherents  who  accepted  him  as  the  visible  manifesta- 
tion of  the  Paraclete.  But  the  Bristol  people  did  not  take  kindly  to 
his  pretentions,  and  when  he  came  to  Ashel  Mix's  house  with  his  follow- 
ers, half  a  dozen  men  and  women  in  1863,  and  asserted  his  power  to 
kill,  and  to  raise  the  dead,  and  to  work  miracles,  he  was  promptly  sup- 
pressed. His  desire  was  to  establish  a  community  upon  Mr.  Mix's  broad 
acres,  but  the  scheme  fell  through,  and  he  took  his  departure.  One 
of  his  peculiarities  was  the  observance  of  a  vow  never  to  perform  any 
manual  labor.  This  he  rigidly  observed.  At  Petersham,  Mass.,  he 
established  a  community,  over  which  he  held  absolute  sway,  until  1874, 
when  he  was  accidentally  killed.  The  community  lingered  a  few  years, 
dissolved  and  passed  away.  At  one  time  it  numbered  twenty-five 
members,  and  was  prosperous. 

Ashael  Mix,  one  of  the  most  peculiar  characters  of  his  time,  was  a 
native  of  the  Mine  District,  where  he  spent  his  early  life,  at  the  house 
which  stood  where  H.  I.  Muzzy's  house  now  stands.  At  early  convern 
to  Millerism  he  at  once  became  a  marked  man,  and  the  subject  of  many 
false  accusations.  About  the  time  of  the  expected  coming  of  the  Lord  , 
in  1843,  his  well-sweep,  which  was  attached  to  a  large  pine  tree  in  front 
of  the  hovise,  got  out  of  order,  and  he  climbed  up  into  the  tree  to  repair 
it.  Of  course  that  was  all  that  was  necessary  to  start  the  story,  be- 
lieved to  this  day,  that  he  climbed  the  tree,  arrayed  in  "ascension  robes," 
ready  to  be  caught  up  to  meet  the  Lord  in  the  air.  The  old  pine  was 
blown   down  a  few  years  ago,   and  until  that  time  the  iron  rod  upon 


542  BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 

which  the  well-sweep  was  hung,  could,  be  seen  in  the  fork  of  the  tree. 
Afterward  Mr.  Mix  removed  to  the  house  before  mentioned,  where  he 
spent  the  remainder  of  his  life.  He  was  the  owner  of  a  vast  amount 
of  real  estate  in  Bristol,  Burlington,  and  other  places,  mostly  woodland, 
and  was  a  dealer  in  horses  and  cattle.  Occasionally  but  not  often  he  was 
worsted  in  a  trade.  He  was  inclined  to  take  things  philosophically, 
as  may  be  seen  by  the  following  incident,  which  illustrates  his  shrewd- 
ness also:  He  sold  a  cow  to  a  Southington  man,  who  enquired  partic- 
ularly if  the  cow  was  unruly.  Mr.  Mix  replied  that  she  never  troubled 
him.  The  cow  proved  to  be  very  unruly,  and  the  purchaser  demanded 
to  know  why  this  matter  had  been  misrepresented  to  him.  Mr.  Mix 
replied  that  he  never  said  the  cow  was  not  unruly.  He  said  she  never 
troubled  him;  he  did  not  let  such  things  trouble  him.  The  purchaser 
was  not  satisfied  with  the  explanation,  sued  for  damages,  and  was  beaten, 
the  court  sustaining  Mr.  Mix's  philosophical  view  of  the  case.  The 
incident  was  related  to  the  writer  by  the  purchaser,  years  afterward, 
who  was  much  amused  at  the  shrewdness  of  Mr.  Mix,  notwithstanding 
the  fact  that  he  was  the  loser  by  the  transaction.  There  used  to  be  a 
story  current,  at  Mr.  Mix's  expense,  related  by  a  Bristol  man,  who  pro- 
fessed that  he  dreamed  one  night  that  he  met  a  well-dressed  stranger  on 
Main  Street,  and  got  into  conversation  with  him.  He  said  to  thestrange 
gentleman,  who  appeared  to  be  a  man  of  culture  and  refinement,  "You 
seem  to  be  a  stranger  hereabouts;  might  I  enquire  3^our  name?"  The 
gentleman  addressed  replied  that  he  was  Satan.  The  Bristol  man  was 
incredulous,  believing  that  the  stranger  was  joking;  but  when  he  parted 
the  tails  of  his  long  frock  coat,  there  was  a  forked  tail  which  had  been 
concealed  there;  when  he  lifted  his  tall,  silk  hat,  horns  protruded  from 
his  brow;  and  when  he  extended  his  foot,  lo,  it  was  cloven!  When  the 
Bristol  man  recovered  from  his  surprise,  he  ventured  to  ask  the  stranger 
where  he  kept  himself.  "Up  to  Asahel  Mix's,"  was  the  reply.  "What 
on  earth  are  you  doing  up  there?"  asked  the  Bristol  man.  "Helping 
the  old  gentleman  trade  horses  and  cattle,"  replied  Satan.  "Keeps 
me  so  busy  that  I  haven't  had  time  to  come  up  town  before  in  several 
weeks."  Mr.  Mix  had  to  deal  with  all  sorts  of  crooked  characters,  in 
his  trading  business,  and  it  is  believed  that  his  unerring  judgment,  and 
native  shrewdness,  made  it  unnecessary  for  him  to  require  any  assist- 
ance from  His  Satanic  Majesty. 


OR        NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


543 


FORESTVILLE 


Bv  Joseph  Fraxcis  Button. 

WE     HAVE  still  with   us  an  honored  few  who  were  young  when 
Forestville    commenced    to    thrive.     Much    of   their   hair   has 
gone  and  what  is  left  is  whiter  than  it  used  to  be.      But  the 
old  fire  of  intelligence  and  energy  that  w^as  largely  responsible 
for  the  building  up  of  Forestville  remains,   and  for  them  we  append  a 
few  notes  of  old-time  days  in  Forestville. 

What  follows  is  not  intended  for  a  chronological  history  of  Forest- 
ville, but  a  brief  sketch  of  men  and  conditions  that  existed  in  the  bygone 
davs.  It  is  eminently  proper  that  these  records  be  entered  upon  the 
history  of  New  Cambridge,  for  although  ForestviUe  is  but  a  village 
of  Bristol,  nothing  relating  to  the  latter  could  be  considered  without 
reference  to  the  former. 

•         In  the  early  revolutionary  days,  Forestville  was  the  hunting  grounds 
of  the  Tunxis  tribe  of  Indians,  whose  reservation  was  in  old  Farmington. 


ST.  MATHEWs'  ROMAN  CATHOLIC  CHURCH. 


544  BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 

Where  commodious  houses  and  civihzation  now  exist,  here  too  the 
Indian  hunter  pursued  the  panting  deer. 

The  section  through  which  Poland  Brook  runs  was  also  a  favorite 
camping  spot  for  the  Indians,  and  in  the  layout  of  the  Stafford  District 
in  1721,  the  white  settlers  respected  the  claims  of  the  Indians  to  the 
Poland  section. 

The  first  settler  in  Forestville  was  Nehemiah  Manross,  who  came 
here  from  Lebanon,  this  state,  in  1728,  and  built  a  small  house  almost 
opposite  the  Felix  Holden  homestead  in  East  Bristol.  Sonn  afterwards 
he  migrated  eastward,  and  erected  a  small  home  on  the  edge  of  what 
is  now  known  as  Spring's  Ditch.  The  exact  spot  is  now  unknown, 
and  today  nothing  remains  to  mark  its  existence. 

Nehemiah  Manross  was  the  great,  great-grandfather  of  Elijah 
Manross  of  Garden  street,  who,  today,  in  his  eighty-first  year  is  the 
oldest  man  now  living,  who  was  born  and  bred  in  Forestville.  Nehemiah 
and  his  two  sons,  Elijah  and  Elisha,  were  the  forerunners  of  a  long-lived 
family,  whose  descendants  in  the  j^ears  to  follow  exerted  a  powerfvil 
influence  in  the  building  up  of  the  conimunity.  Tradition  states  that 
a  young  Nehemiah  Manross,  was  ambushed  and  eventually  put  to  death 
by  the  Indians  in  Poker  Hollow,  or  near  the  present  day  homestead 
on  the  back  road  to  Plainville.  It  is  interesting  to  record  that  in  the 
stirring  days  of  1775,  Elisha  Warren,  who  at  that  time  lived  in  a  small 
cabin  standing  close  to  the  edge  of  the  Merritt's  pond  in  the  Stafford 
District,  contracted  smallpox  while  visiting  his  two  sons  at  the|Conti- 
nental  Camp  near  Boston.  Mr.  Warren's  death  followed,  and  he  was 
buried  in  the  swamp  that  runs  westward  towards  the  Barnard  estate. 
A  fragment  of  a  stone  marks  his  resting  place,  but  otherwise  this  old 
hero  of  the  early  days  lies  unremembered  by  the  present  generation. 

The  first  manufacturing  industry  was  started  in  the  year  1811,  when 
Joseph  Ives  commenced  making  clocks  in  a  little  structure  where  the 
present  Laporte  Hubbell  shop  now  stands.  This  was  soon  afterwards 
moved  to  Bristol,  and  the  first  permanent  industry  began  in  1813, 
when  Chauncey  Boardman  commenced  making  clocks  of  a  primitive 
wall  pattern  in  an  old  btiilding  that  stood  across  the  street  from  the 
Timothy  Colhns  place  in  the  Stafford  District.  The  shop  was  close  to 
the  old  Boston  and  Albany  turnpike  road  that  connected  Hartford 
with  the  Bristol  post  office  which  was  then  vmder  the  management  of  a 
man  named  Mitchell. 

Soon  after  this,  Ehsha  Manross,  father  of  the  present  Elijah,  started 
to  make  the  wood  parts  for  the  Boardman  Company.  The  Manross 
shop  stood  ji^st  north  of  the  present  Hubbell  factory  and  the  same  dam 
that  was  used  to  generate  the  water  power  is  still  doing  duty  for  the 
present  manufacturers.  At  one  time  the  company  had  finished  up 
twenty-five  clocks  in  advance  of  the  trade,  and  it  was  feared  that  this 
large  stock  order  wovild  ruin  the  concern.  A  salesman  was  started  out 
on  horseback  and  eventually  sticceeded  in  disposing  of  the  goods.  Pros- 
perity followed  and  the  future  of  the  Company  was  assured. 

In  the  olden  days  matches  were  an  tmknown  luxury,  and  at  the 
Manross  factory  an  implement  was  manufactured  to  produce  fire.  It 
consisted  of  a  tin  cup  fitted  to  the  hand.  There  were  tw^o  compart- 
ments, one  full  of  brimstone,  the  other  of  tinder.  A  wheel  on  a  shaft 
like  an  inverted  wheelbarrow  completed  the  outfit.  A  string  would 
be  wound  around  the  arbor  of  the  wheel  and  when  a  light  was  needed, 
the  string  would  be  pulled,  while  a  piece  of  flint  would  he  held  close  to 
the  flying  wheel.  This  resulted  in  sparks  flying  downward  to  the  tinder, 
which  consisted  of  some  slightly  burnt  cotton  cloth.  A  match  saturated 
with  brimstone  would  be  dipped  into  the  tinder  and  a  small  blaze  created. 
One  can  imagine  the  predicament  of  some  of  the  present  day  youths, 
if  they  were  obliged  to  do  likewise  in  order  to  enjoy  a  fragrant  Havanna. 

In  1837,  Alden  Atkins  and  Elizeur  Welton  commenced  making 
wooden  spools,  faucets  and  inkstands  in  a  little  shop  that  stood  on  the 
site  of  the  present  burner  factory. 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE." 


545 


.  "r^mfi 


THE    OLD    M.    E.   CHURCH,     DESTROYED     BY   FIRE. 
PARSONAGE    AND  PORTRAIT    OF    WILLIAM.   T.    HILL. 


546 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


At  this  time  the  roads  of  Forestville  were  few  in  number.  One 
ran  from  the  Buell  house  on  King  street  eastward.  This  was  the  old 
turnpike  road  that  entered  into  Plainville.  Another  ran  north  from 
where  Deming's  store  now  stands  through  the  Stafford  District  to  the 
Boston  and  Albany  division.  There  was  also  another  old  country  road 
leading  from  the  Ralph  Terry  place  down  through  the  Dublin  section. 
This  road  goes  up  over  the  West  Mountain  and  underneath  is  an  old 
worn-out  copper  mine 

The  buildings  were  also  conspicuous  by  their  absence.  The  present 
Cramer  house  on  Stafford  Heights  marked  the  beginning  in  that  section. 
Then  came  the  Uncle  Lot  Jerome,  or  Amos  Sage  place,  the  Gardner 
Hall  home,  then  known  as  the  Byran  Churchill  place,  an  old  saw  mill 
north  of  the  present  burner  factory,  and.  the  Ira  Churchill  house  to 
the  south  of  the  Roland  Douglass  house.  From  the  west,  commencing 
with  the  Buell  house,  then  came  the  Valentine  Atkins  place,  built  by 
the  Manrosses,  and  now  occupied  by  George  Doherty,  an  old  shop  where 
Lyman  Ashworth  afterwards  drew  wire,  the  Manross  homestead  standing 
on  the  site  of  the  late  Dan  A.  Miller  place;  a  little  red  house  owned  by 
Mrs.  Lafayette  Hill,  the  Thomas  Hollister  place  near  the  top  of  Buckley 
Hill,  and  the  Hendrick  place  which  still  marks  the  turn  to  the  Plainville 
camp  grounds. 

A  small  building  afterwards  used  as  a  saloon  stood  just  north  of  the 
present  bridge.  It  is  somewhat  singular  that  intoxicating  liquors  are 
still  dispensed  from  a  saloon  standing  practically  on  the  old  site. 

A  small  shop  stood  near  where  the  present  Sessions  Clock  Company 
present  plant  is.  Eight  day  movements  clocks  were  made  here  under 
a  company  afterwards  known  as  the  Forestvillle  Clock  Company.  The 
prime  movers  were  Lowrey  Waters,  William  Hills,  Jared  Goodrich, 
Chauncey  Pomeroy  and  J.  C.  Brown.  The  section  where  the  shop 
stood  was  even  then  known  as  "Mud  Row,"  a  cognomen  it  enjoys  at 
the  present  time.  There  were  no  roads  hereabouts  and  in  order  to  get 
across  the  Pequabuck  River,  one  was  obliged  to  u.se  a  boat.  Eventually 
a  big  tree  that  stood  to  the  west  of  the  Forest  House  was  felled,  and 


OIL    WELL    IN    STAFFORD    DISTRICT. 


OR        NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


547 


SCHOOL  AT   STAFFORD   DISTRICT. 


for  many  years  did  duty  as  a  bridge.  Even  now,  when  the  water  is  a 
shallow,  the  old  gnarled  tree  stump  can  be  seen  lying  close  to  the  river 
edge  as  a  vivid  reminder  of  the  primeval  days. 

A  small  lane,  long  known  as  "Hen  Coop  Alley,"  ran  from  "Mud 
Row"  up  to  a  large  pine  tree  that  marked  the  intersection  of  the  Dublin 
Road. 

"With  the  fonnation  of  the  eight  day  clock  company  it  was  decided 
to  select  a  name  for  the  rapidly  growing  community,  and  it  naturally 
"slid  into  its  name  of  Forestviile"  as  its  sponsors  were  even  then  sur- 
rounded by  a  great  forest  that  stood  forth  in  all  its  grandeur. 

A  few  years  previous  to  the  War  of  the  Rebellion,  the  citizens 
united,  and  after  securing  land  from  Elisha  Manross,  built  the  present 
Church  street  connecting  the  upper  section  with  the  center.  In  1864, 
the  E.  N.  Welch  Company  secured  control  of  the  Forestviile  Clock  Com- 
pany which  was  then  owned  by  J.  C.  Brown,  and  only  a  few  years  ago, 
after  a  long  manufacturing  career,  the  Welch  interests  were  absorbed 
by  new  people,  resulting  in  the  formation  of  the  present  successful 
manufacturing  corporation  known  as  the  Sessions  Clock  Company. 

Following  close  upon  the  panic  of  1837  came  a  feeling  that  al^ 
the  energies  of  Forestviile  should  not  be  confined  to  one  branch  of  in- 
dustry, and  this  idea  in  1850  resulted  in  the  formation  of  the  Bristol 
Brass  and  Clock  Company,  with  a  small  factory  located  on  the  site  of 
the  old  Atkins  and  Welton  toy  shop,  which  was  built  in  1836.  From 
a  small  beginning  the  Bristol  Brass  and  Clock  Company  has  succeeded 
in  building  up  one  of  the  greatest  industries  in  the  town.  During  recent 
years  a  silver  department  has  been  added  to  the  large  burner  factory 
and  the  future  of  the  concern  is  very  bright.  The  original  Bristol  Brass 
and  Clock  Company  is  now  incorporated  under  the  title  of  the  Bristol 
Brass  Company  with  important  branch  industries  in  Bristol  and  East 
Bristol,  in  addition  to  the  plant  at  Forestviile. 

In  1902,  great  excitement  prevailed  in  the  usual  quiet  village  due 
to  the  alleged  discovery  of  oil  at  the  Taylor  farm  in  the   Stafford   District. 


548  BRISTOL.    CONNECTICUT 

Oil  could  easily  be  seen  working  its  way  through  to  the  stirface.  and 
real  estate  in  that  section  conin"enced  to  assume  peipendicular 
prices.  Visions  of  another  Standard  Oil  monopoly'  with  Forestville 
as  the  center  were  seen  on  the  horizon.  Oil  experts  from  the  various  oil 
fields  of  the  country  visited  the  little  hole  in  the  ground,  and  would 
quietly  depart,  leaving  behind  them  an  air  of  mystery. 

A  local  company  was  formed  and  active  operations  commenced  to 
mine  the  petroleum.  A  shaft  was  sunk  to  an  imm.easureable  distance, 
but  beyond  the  first  indications  of  slimy  liquid  that  permeated  through 
the  ground,  no  oil  was  ever  found,  at  least  in  paying  quantities. 

Elijah  Manross  of  Garden  street  tells  an  interesting  story  of  how 
in  the  early  February  of  1836,  the  natives  were  almost  scared  to  death 
by  the  snow  suddenly  turning  to  a  deep  crimson  color.  Mr.  Manross, 
who  was  then  in  his  tenth  year,  was  bringing  the  supper  to  the  men 
employed  in  his  father's  little  shop  when  the  change  took  place.  He 
hustled  forward  in  great  fear  and  tumbled  in  through  the  shop  door. 
One  workman,  who  was  just  getting  over  the  effects  of  a  protracted 
spree,  seeing  the  blood-red  snow  through  the  open  door  thought  that 
the  end  of  the  world  was  at  hand,  and  that  judgment  had  been  passed 
on  him.  No  satisfactory  explanation  was  ever  given  of  this  curious 
incident,  which  has  never  been  repeated  in  the  history  of  Forestville. 

Marine  clocks  were  then  unthought  of,  but  in  1848,  Brainbridge 
Barnes,  a  brother  of  the  lamented  Rodney  Barnes,  succeeded  in  per- 
fecting a  marine  movement  that  gave  good  results.  A  company  was 
at  once  formed  with  headquarters  at  the  old  Manross  factory.  No 
time  was  lost  in  getting  the  goods  on  the  market  and  thus  it  is  that 
Forestville  enjoys  the  distinction  of  having  made  the  first  marine  clock 
that  the  world  ever  had.  After  several  changes  the  original  marine 
clock  company  came  into  the  possession  of  Laporte  Hubbell,  now  de- 
ceased; and  it  was  due  largely  to  Mr.  Hubbell's  individual  efforts  that 
a  big  business  was  eventually  built  up. 

An  organization  that  made  Forestville  famous  was  the  Forestville 
Cornet"  Band,  which  was  organized  in  1854,  with  sixteen  members.  Of 
these  only  four  are  now  alive,  Alphonse  Boardman  of  Brooklyn,  N.  Y., 
Clay  Hubbell  of  Hartford,  Elijah  Manross,  and  Hiram  M.  Osborne, 
both  of  Forestville. 

This  band  was  in  great  demand  and  ranked  next  to  the  Dodsworth 
Band  of  New  York  City.  The  band  disbanded  during  the  Civil  War 
and  the  instrum.ents  were  purchased  by  musicians  residing  in  Wolcotts- 
ville,  which  is  now  known  as  Torrington. 

Hiram  Osborne,  who  was  instrumental  in  organizing  the  Forestville 
Cornet  Band,  still  resides  in  a  house  on  Academy  street  that  he  purchased 
in  1860.  At  one  time  this  house  stood  in  the  midst  of  a  great  forest  of 
white  pine  birches,  which  extended  in  all  directions. 

Close  by,  stood  the  Forestville  schoolhouse,  which  with  the  excep- 
tion of  a  few  additions  and  alterations  is  still  doing  duty.  This  school 
was  built  about  seventy  years  ago,  the  land  being  donated  by  the  Manross 
family  on  the  condition  that  it  revert  back  to  the  Manross  estate  if  it 
ever  be  used  for  other  than  educational  purposes.  Miss  Nellie  Hills, 
the  present  efficient  principal,  is  a  daughter  of  Mrs.  Eliza  H.  Hills  of 
Garden  street,  who  attended  the  first  day's  session  of  school. 

Another  building  that  is  regarded  by  the  present  generation  as  a 
landmark  is  the  store  now  occupied  by  the  J.  S.  Deming  and  Company. 
It  was  built  in  1852  and  was  first  used  by  George  Pierpont  for  a  general 
store.  Upstairs  was  a  large  hall  that  in  those  days  was  considered  very 
fine.  This  hall  was  used  for  public  purposes  of  a  religious,  political  and 
social  nature. 

The  Methodist  Church  Society  that  was  organized  in  1854  held  its 
first  public  services  here  under  the  leadership  of  Rev.  Mr.  Whittaker. 
In  1864,  the  Methodists  purchased  the  Maple  street  Episcopal  building 
in  Bristol,  and  removed  it  to  the  site  of  the  present  church.     The  old 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE. 


549 


550  BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 

edifice  was  used  for  church  purposes  until  it  was  destroyed  by  fire,  and 
the  present  commodious  tabernacle  built  in  1900,  and  the  congregation 
is  now  in  a  most  flourishing  condition,  The  present  pastor  is  Rev.  John 
T.  Hamilton,  who  is  universally  respected  by  all. 

As  far  back  as  1840  the  Roman  Catholics  of  this  section  journeyed 
northward  to  assist  at  the  devotions  held  at  the  old  copper  mines.  Later 
when  the  mines  were  abandoned,  the  faithful  were  obliged  to  go  to  the 
parish  church  in  Bristol  until  ISSl,  when  Rev.  Michael  B.  Roddan  com- 
menced celebrating  mass  each  Sunday  in  the  old  Firemen's  Hall,  Forest- 
ville,  that  was  afterwards  destroyed  by  fire.  This  practice  was  continued 
until  1891,  when  Rev.  Henry  T.  Walsh  of  Plainville  assumed  charge  and 
erected  the  present  splendid  edifice  to  the  service  of  the  Almighty.  In 
the  year  1901  the  Episcopalians  of  Forestville  banded  together  and  erected 
a  neat  little  church,  which  has  been  consecrated  for  religious  purposes. 

The  Swedish  population  which  during  the  past  decade  has  increased 
rapidly,  is  even  now  centering  its  efforts  upon  the  erection  of  a  large 
new  church,  which,  it  is  hoped,  will  be  in  use  before  the  snow  flies. 

One  man  who  contributed  largely  to  the  building  up  of  Forestville 
was  Rodney  Barnes.  Mr.  Barnes  opened  up  roads  in  various  sections 
and  was  the  pioneer  in  building  in  several  sections  that  are  now  thickly 
populated. 

Another  well-known  citizen  was  Dan  A.  Miller,  who  in  days  gone  by 
was  regarded  as  a  legal  expert  on  many  things.  Although  not  a  lawyer 
and  devoting  most  of  his  time  to  practical  business  purposes,  Mr.  Miller 
was  continually  in  demand  to  pass  upon  judicial  questions  and  many 
of  the  old  time  deeds  and  instruments  were  drawn  by  his  advice. 

No  sketch  of  Forestville  would  be  complete  without  a  reference  to 
the  lamented  Charles  W.  Brown,  better  known  as  Hube.  A  skilled 
brass  worker,  Mr.  Browne's  favorite  pastime  was  writing  and  his  humorous 
articles  were  quoted  by  all  the  leading  papers  of  the  east.  His  death 
in  1903  robbed  Forestville  of  a  loved  citizen  and  an  honorable  man. 

The  first  post  office  was  located  in  the  East  Bristol  section,  opposite 
the  "old  store"  on  land  now  owned  by  Wilson  Potter.  The  first  post- 
master was  Theodore  Terry,  an  uncle  of  Franklin  E.  Terry,  who  now 
resides  on  Middle  street.  The  exact  date  of  the  opening  of  the  office 
seems  lost  to  history,  but  it  was  early  in  the  year  of  1847,  At  this 
time  East  Bristol  seemed  destined  to  be  the  center  of  the  village,  as  three 
of  the  shops  with  the  post  office  and  a  general  country  store  were  in  its 
midst. 

The  extension  of  the  railroad  through  to  Forestville  in  1850,  marked 
the  beginning  of  a  prosperous  future.  Despite  strenuous  efforts  of  the 
East  Bristolites  the  railroad  station  was  established  at  Forestville  and 
the  post  office  soon  followed.  A  large  part  of  the  original  "Terry  post 
office"  has  been  converted  into  a  dwelling-house  owned  by  Thomas 
O'Brien  and  now  stands  the  second  house  west  of  Davitt's  crossing. 

For  many  years  afterwards  the  post  office  was  located  near  where 
the  present  railroad  station  stands.  The  building  now  used  by  Douglass 
Brothers  for  a  business  office  was  for  many  years  used  for  post  office 
purposes.  Here  it  was  that  J.  Fayette  Douglass,  who  was  first  appointed 
postmaster  under  President  Grant,  remained  in  office  for  seventeen  years, 
and  today  ranks  as  one  of  the  oldest  ex-postmasters  now  living  in  the 
State . 

At  present  the  Forestville  post  office  is  under  the  efficient  manage- 
ment of  Postmaster  James  F.  Holden,  who  enjoys  the  distinction  of 
having  served  under  both  Democratic  and  Republican  Presidents. 
Forestville  is  also  well  served  politically,  having  two  of  the  town  selectmen 
in  its  midst,  as  well  as  a  representative  to  the  General  Assembly.  Through 
the  Honorable  WilHam  J.  Malone,  Forestville  is  honored  by  having  the 
only  representative  from  the  town  of  Bristol  who  ever  presided  as  speaker 
of  the  House  of  Representatives.  Representative  Malone  is  also  judge 
of  the  Bristol  Police  Court,  thus  giving  unto  Forestville  both  excellent 
judicial  and  legislative  representation. 


OR     "NEW     CAMBRIDGE 


551 


552  BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 

Thus  it  is  that  the  Forestville  of  today  is  very  much  in  evidence. 
Its  factories  are  rushed  with  orders,  it  possesses  an  up-to-date  educational 
institvition,  the  railroad  facilities,  both  steam  and  trolley,  are  unexcelled, 
and  the  water  supply  for  both  private  and  public  uses  is  good. 

The  citizens  of  the  present,  although  planning  for  the  future,  always 
enjoy  looking  back  upon  the  golden  past  and  the  men  and  women  who 
made  it  possible  for  the  Forestville  of  today  to  be. 

FORESTVILLE   ATHLETIC  CLUB. 

As  large  oaks  from  little  acorns  grow,  and  big  streams  from  little 
rivulets  flow,  so  too,  has  the  Forestville  Athletic  Club  increased  in  num- 
bers and  reputation  until  it  has  become  an  abiding  institution  and  will  go 
on,  the  members  trust,  like  Tennyson's  brook,  "Forever  and  ever." 

The  nucleus  of  the  club  was  formed  on  December  lo,  1903,  when  a 
band  of  young  men  of  Forestville  met  in  the  Firemen's  hall  to  consider 
the  formation  of  an  organization  for  the  purpose  of  promoting  athletic 
sports  and  to  foster  a  more  sociable  spirit  among  the  youth  of  the  town. 

These  young  men  had  previously  presented  a  minstrel  overture,  and 
the  amateur  thespians  realized  that  if  they  could  secure  the  same  "hits" 
on  the  diamond,  that  they  had  before  the  footlights,  their  fu'.ure  success 
was  assured. 

A  permanent  organization  was  perfected  in  February,  1904,  with 
about  twenty-five  charter  members  with  rooms  in  the  Por.er  building,  the 
home  of  the  F.  A.  C.  boys  ever  since. 

The  first  officers  of  the  club  were :  President,  Geo,  C.  Doherty  ;  vice- 
president,  Henry  R.  Warner ;  secretary,  William  Armitage ;  treasurer, 
Charles  P.  Roberts.  A  committee  consisting  of  T.  F.  O'Connell,  James 
L.  Murray,  H.  V.  McDonald  and  H.  E.  Myers  drafted  by-laws  of  the 
club  that  are  still  in  force 

Of  the  minstrel  troupe,  of  which  the  club  is  an  offspring,  only  four 
members  are  now  enrolled  under  the  red  and  white  banner  of  the  F.  A. 
C.  This  quartet  consists  of  Stephen  Lambert,  John  Carroll,  James  L. 
Murray  and  William  J.  Roberts.  The  others  gradually  fell  away  and 
their  places  were  taken  by  younger  aspirants  for  athletic  and  social  dis- 
tinction, and  the  club  grew  and  continued  in  a  very  prosperous  condition. 

The  Forestville  Athletic  Club  is  the  oldest  existing  organization  of  its 
kind  in  Bristol.  Many  strenuous  contests  have  been  waged  upon  the 
athletic  field  in  various  kinds  of  sports.  Throughout  all  the  games  both 
at  home  and  abroad  the  club  has  always  endeavored  to  maintain  a  record 
for  clean  sports. 

The  social  functions  given  under  the  auspices  of  the  club  have  always 
been  popular  and  well  patronized.  Big  delegations  would  be  in  atten- 
dance from  the  adjacent  towns  and  although  at  times  defeated  in  athletic 
contests,  the  hospitality  always  captivated  both  friend  and  foe,  thereby 
making  the  focal  boys  victorious  in  the  end. 

The  present  officers  of  the  club.  President,  Charles  Brennan, 
vice-president,  Robert  Miller,  treasurer,  Henry  Davitt,  and  secretary, 
Joseph  Dutton,  have  not  only  succeeded  in  putting  the  club  in  a  good 
financial  condition,  but  have  made  every  social  event  an  overwhelming 
success  also. 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE."  553 


Sporting  Bristol. 


By   Charles  T.   Olix. 

Bristol  has  always  been  friendly  to  sports.  The  reputation  of  the 
town  in  this  particular  is  not  a  recent  acquisition.  For  more  than  a 
century  Bristol  has  been   known   as  being  alive   athletically. 

First  it  was  wicket,  the  exciting  days  of  which  are  fully  set  forth 
in  another  chapter.  Then  came  baseball.  The  New  Departure  Manufac- 
turing Company  was  the  father  of  the  national  game  in  this  town,  and  for 
several  years  maintained  a  crack  team  known  as  the  "Bell  Ringers'  and 
giving  the  town  the  name  of  the  "Bell  Town,"  a  name  that  lias  stuck  ever 
since. 

For  a  time  Bristol  was  in  the  state  league,  acquitting  herself  hand- 
somely at  the  box  office  and  on  the  diamond,  notwithstanding  the  com- 
paratively small  population  of  tli-  town.  For  <  ne  ■.e  r  Xht-  Bristol 
team  won  the  pennant.  But  largely  because  of  the  cliagrin  of  the  cities 
on  losing  to  "little  Bristol"  as  they  called  us,  the  honor  was  a  matter 
of  record  only.  The  championship  flag  was  never  turned  over  to  Bristol. 
But  when  the  state  league  wanted  a  capable  president  it  elected  W.  J. 
Tracy,  who  was  practically  the  owner  of  the  team,  and  chose  J.  E. 
Kennedy,  wdio  was  associated  with  Mr.  Tracy  in  promoting  champion- 
ship baseball,  for  its  chief  of  umpires. 

Polo,  basketball,  football  and  all  of  the  faddy  sports  have  thrived  in 
Bristol,  the  announcement  of  a  game  of  anything  ensuring  an  audience. 
Perhaps  the  most  unique  chapter  in  the  historv  of  local  sports  was  the 
nrc-a-iiz-'ti' n  of  basketball  tearn^  b'-'  fra'ern,-)!  so'-ieties  of  the  town, 
combining  in  the  Bristol  Fraternal  Basketball  league  for  a  championship 
series  of  games.  Nearly  all  the  players  were  green  at  the  start  but  in 
the  course-of  a  few  weeks  considerable  talent  developed  and  each  contest 
was  witnessed  by  large  and  wildly  enthusiastic  audiences. 

After  a  time  the  basketball  constituency  wanted  the  fastest  in  the 
land  and  the  Bristol  Delphis  were  the  result,  under  the  management  of 
Charles  Barker.  This  team  for  two  seasons  played  the  crack  teams  of  the 
country  on  the  armory  floor,  winning  80  per  cent  of  its  games.  In  the 
second  vear  a  scries  of  championship  games  was  arranged  with  Winsled. 
The  rubb-jr  was  played  in  New  Britain  and  Bristol  lost.  Bristol's  failure, 
however,  was  almost  completely  due  to  lack  of  management  in  providing 
a  strengthened  team.  This  was  the  end  of  professional  basketball  in 
Bristol. 

The  Bristol  High  school  latterly  has  developed  basketliall  teams  that 
have  pla\ed  in  chami)ionship  form.  Baseball  and  football  are  also  features 
of  the   athletic  interests  of  the   High   school. 


554 


BRISTOL.    CONNECTICUT 


FRATERMAL    LEAGUE,     BASKETBALL    MANAGERS. 


OR    "new     CAMBRIDGE." 


555 


■^-  ■'■■■^- 


BRISTOL    WHEEL    CLUB    POLO    TEAM, 


656 


BRISTOL,     CONNECTICUT 


FRANKLIN    LODGE,   F.    &    A.    M.  BASKETBALL   TEAM 


OR        NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


557 


FRIENDSHIP   LODGE,    SONS   OF   ST.    GEORGE,  BASKETBALL  TEAM 
CHAMPIONS   SEASON    1904- '05. 


STEPHEN    TERRY,    I.    0.    0.    F.    BASKETBALL   TEAM    e  HA  .\l  1MU.\  S    SEASON    lyO3-'04. 


■558 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


HASKl-.THALL    TKAM    RELIANCE    (.Ul'XCIL,    KnYAE    ARCANUM 


BRISTOL    GRANGE     BASKETLiALL     TEAM. 


OR        KEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


559 


PEOUABUCK    LODGE,   I.   0.   0.    F.  BASKETBALL    TEAM. 


560 


BRISTOL,   CONNECTICUT 


#      9 


ETHAN    LODGE,    K.    OF    P.    BASKETBALL  TEAM 


OR     "new    CAMBRIDGE." 


561 


A     BRISTOL     BASKETr.ALL    -:EAM     PLAVINC     OUTSIDE    TEAMS. 


662 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


BRISTOL    HIGH     SCHOOL   BASKETBALL    TEAM,    SEASON    '06-O /. 


OR        NEW     CAMBRIDGE. 


563 


BRIST'JL     UASKIilHALL     TKAM,     b  1 A  i  ii     CIlA-MPIONS 


564 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


ONE  OF  Bristol's    mana    juvenile  baseball    teams. 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE."  565 


Fraternal  Bristol 


Bristol  is  said  to  li;ive  more  fraternal  organizations,  pro  rata,  for  its 
male  citizens  than  any  otlier  place  in  the  United  States.  A  whole  volume 
the  size  of  this  work  c(  uld  be  n:>ed  to  advantage  in  recording  their  various 
histories,  but  in  the  space  at  our  command  the  subject  must  of  necessity 
be  but  casually  treated.  As  far  as  possible  we  have  endeavored  to  present 
a  photographic  reproduction  of  the  officers  of  the  various  organizations. 
Unless  otherwise  stated  these  group  photographs  were  all  made  at  the 
Elton  Sutdio.  The  data  given  in  this  section  brings  the  various  subjects 
to  June,  i9<^7,  and  necessary  allowances  must  be  made  for  any  changes 
made  since  that   time. 

Bristol  as  a  whole  is  proud  of  its  civic  organizations,  and  the  eligible 
citizen  who  is  not  enrolled  in  one  or  more  of  tlie  various  .societies  is  an 
e:;ception  ra  her  than  a  rule. 


566 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


OR        NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


567 


COMPOUNCE  TRIBE,  No.  15,  IMPROVED  ORDER  OF  RED  MEN. 

Compounce  Tribe,  Xu.  1."),  Improved  Order  of  Red  Men,  was  or- 
ganized on  December  11,  1890,  with  the  following  charter  list:  W.  H. 
Merritt,  F.  C.  Meder,  |.  H.  Glasson,  D.  W.  Abrams,  G.  X.  Wright,  E.  E. 
Merriel,  J.  Edwards,  G.  A.  Gowdv,  W.  C,  Spring,  C.  E.  Kittell.  F.  A. 
Hubbell,  C.  H.  Curtiss,  F.  Wright,  D.  W.  Hull,  S.  T.  Nichols,  H.  W. 
Hinman,  A.  W.  Granniss,  B.  Fallan,  W.  C.  Smith,  E.  S.  Marden,  J.  B. 
Churchill,  E.  S.  Stocking,  F.  S.  Parsons,  J.  Hanna,  C.  H.  Tiffany,  W.  H. 
Carman,  L.  S.  Burg,  G.  A.  Sweetland,  F.  W.  Jacobs,  F.  D.  Knicker- 
bocker, H.  S.  Judd,  G.  A.  Warner,  T.  H.  Duncan,  V.  Matthews,  W.  H. 
Card,  S.  D.  Bull. 

The  degrees  were  conferred  by  Tunxis  Tribe,  No.  10,  of  Waterbury, 
in  the  O.  U.  A.  M.  Hall  in  Linsted's  Block.  Like  all  new  organizations, 
the  Tribe  flourished  for  a  few  years,  when  reaction  set  in  and  for  a  few 
years  not  much  work  was  done,  but  in  1901,  Past  Sachem  Chas.  J.  Phelan 
started  a  revival,  and  through  his  efforts  the  Tribe  has  grown  steadily 
until  now  it  numbers  165  members  on  the  roll  and  dispenses  charity 
among  its  members  with  a  lavish  hand,  which  is  recognized  by  words 
of  praise  from  the  Great  Council  of  Connecticut,  and  the  townspeople 
of  Bristol. 

The  present  officers  are:  Sachem,  Albert  M.  Judd;  Senior  Saga- 
more, S.  Edwin  Green;  Junior  Sagamore,  Geo.  F.  Scherr;  Prophet, 
Wm.  L.  Casey;  Chief  of  Records,  F.  C.  Stark;  Keeper  of  Wampum, 
Alfred  L.  Beede;  Collector  of  Wampum,  Thos.  A.  Tracy;  Trustees, 
Jos.  H.  Glasson,  Geo.  A.  Warner,  and  Ernest  E.  Merrill. 

The  Tribe  meets  on  Tuesday  evenings  in  G.  A.  R.  Hall,  where  the 
members  take  great  pride  in  showing  visitors  a  large  Indian  picture 
presented  by  the  Great  Council  of  Connecticut  for  the  exemplification 
of  the  Chief's  degree  before  the  officers  of  the  Great  Council  of  the  United 
States  at  Waterbury,  where  the  Great  Incohonee  John  W.  Cherry  of 
Norfolk,  Va.,  stated  that  the  work  done  by  the  Tribe  of  Connecticut  was 
the  best  that  it  had  been  his  pleasure  to  witness. 


A    L,k'M    P     Mb      Khb    .\lh:N,     oLlJ     lIuMt     WLLK. 


568 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


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^^^^^^^^_^"      -f^— -^^^^m 

t^     ll 

OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE."  569 


THE  ONEIDA  CLUB. 

Among  the  social  organizations  consisting  of  young  men  exclusively, 
the  Oneida  Club  is  without  question  the  leader.  This  society  was 
instituted  by  a  few  young  men  for  the  purpose  of  promulgating  a  fraternal 
intercourse  on  strictly  high  grade  lines,  and  to  provide  suitable  rooms 
for  mutual  enjoyment  and  benefit. 

The  primary  steps  of  organization  were  taken  on  September  10, 
1906,  and  officers  formally  elected  as  follows:  President,  Dwight  H. 
Hall;  Vice  President,  Charles  Green;  Secretary,  Arthur  J.  Wasley; 
Treasurer,  Harry  Andrews. 

Arrangements  were  immediately  made  to  secure  proper  and  con- 
venient quarters  which  were  obtained  and  fitted  out  with  good  and 
substantial  furniture,  in  a  suite  located  on  the  second  floor  of  the  "Bristol 
Savings  Bank,"  on  September  15,  1906.  • 

Rules,  Regulations  and  By-Laws  were  duly  prepared  and  adopted, 
so  that  a  congenial  atmosphere,  free  from  all  unhealthy  influences, 
should  at  all  times  prevail,  and  the  Club  attained  its  high  aims  and 
position  in  the  social  world  of  the  Bristol  borough. 

The  penant  consists  of  a  triangular  banner  of  royal  blue,  inscribed 
with  the  word  "OXEIDA"  in  white  letters,  while  the  club  pin  contains 
similar  colors  and  is  shaped  in  the  form  of  a   diamond. 

Entertainments  are  periodically  provided  in  "Assemblies"  or 
dances,  and  in  whist  parties,  admission  to  which  is  afforded  by  invitation 
only,  and  in  these  the  members  endeavor  to  produce  attractive  con- 
ceptions in  order  to  impress  the  recipients  with  a  due  sense  of  originality, 
and  it  goes  almost  without  saying  that  the  young  ladies  who  are  fortu- 
nate enough  to  be  invited,  are  perfectly  justified  in  anticipating  a  royal 
good  time. 


570 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


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IliHliHIHIHv' 

OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE."  571 


ORDER  OF  VASA. 

A  member  of  the  New  Britain  Order  of  Vasa,  Mr.  Card  Bergendahl, 
became  interested  in  starting  a  branch  of  this  lodge  in  Bristol,  so  with 
the  help  of  a  few  of  the  most  popular  local  Swedes  he  finally  succeeded. 
In  order  to  obtain  a  charter,  17  men  must  sign,  so  a  meeting  was  called 
October  5,  1906,  to  which  the  necessary  amount  of  men  responded  and 
signed.  At  this  meeting  all  preliminary  steps  for  an  organization  were 
taken  up  and  the  following  officers  were  elected:  Past  Master,  Carl 
Almquist;  President,  Victor  Modien;  Vice  President,  George  Gustafson; 
Recording  Secretary,  J.  W.  Johnson;  Financial  Secretary,  Alfred  Erick- 
son;  Treasurer,  August  Erickson;  Sermon  Master,  Axel  Johnson; 
Chaplain,  Alfred  Carlson;  Inside  Guard,  Gustave  Anderson;  Outside 
Guard,  Pat  Anglewood.  The  name  of  the  lodge  was  also  adopted,  it 
being  "Carl  XII  Order  of  Vasa." 

Since  then  the  organization  has  been  in  a  prosperous  condition,  start- 
ing with  17  members,  and  with  a  total  membership  now  numbering  90, 
with  more  coming  in. 

The  following  are  the  charter  members:  Victor  E.  Modien,  Pat 
Anglewood,  J.  W.  Johnson,  Alfred  Carlson,  George  Gustafson,  Anthon 
Anderson,  August  Erickson.'  Gustaf  Anderson,  Oscar  Anderson,  Carl 
Armquist,  Axel  Johnson,  Alfred  Erickson,  Fred  Ryding,  Victor  Lofgren, 
Amandus  Shvan,  Axel  Anderson,  Justus  Johnson,  August  Molien,  Erick 
Anderson,  Charles  Olsen,  Hjalmar  Anderson,  Charles  Holmberg,  Harry 
Gustafson,  Anthon  Chelberg,  Charles  L.  Johnson.  Albert  Anderson, 
Jacob  Benson,  Huldah  Benson,  Olga  Beorkman,  Hanning  Nelson,  Abrin 
Lindquiss.  Teckla  Gustafson,  Carl  Emanielson,  Elen  Carlson,  Hadrick 
Modien,  Charles  Erickson,  Axel  Aspolien,  John  Johnson,  Mrs.  Carl 
Armquist,  John  Carlson,  Alma  Johnson,  Frank  Johnson,  Axel  Olson, 
Hanna  Palm,  Alfred  Anderson,  Charles  Peterson,  Peter  Gustafson, 
Pattline  Anderson,  Jennie  Peterson,  Martin  Pierson,  Matildah  Johnson, 
Nils  Wm.  Johnson,  Emma  Linden,  Jons  Lindvahl,  Elen  Gustafson, 
Bernt  Liga,  Malcolm  Svenson,  Lilly  Lindien,  Axel  Carlson,  Ansel  Wie- 
berg,  Joseph  Anderson,  Wensent  Quisberg,  Helen  Angdahl,  William 
Carlson,  Augusta  Anderson,  John  Engdahl,  Alme  Lindquist,  Christiana 
Lorsen,  Ester  Anderson,  Jennie  Lorsen,  Annie  Johnson,  Johnas  Johnson, 
Elsie  Anderson,  John  Ludirckson,  Earnest  AspoHen,  Hanning  Armquist, 
Easter  Armquist,  Oscar  Ecklund,  Carl  Carlson,  August  Johnson,  Charles 
Lorsen. 


572 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE."  573 


BRISTOL    ASSOCIATION    No.    3,    NATIONAL    ASSOCIATION    OF 
STATIONARY  ENGINEERS. 

Organized  in  O.  U.  A,  M.  Hall,  cuiner  of  Main  and  Prospect  Streets, 
Linstead's  block,  April  8,  1899.  Instituted  by  Wm.  E.  Norton  and 
Fred  McGar.  Organized  by  Edward  L.  Murphy  and  Ale.x.  Rich  of 
Meriden,  Conn. 

Preamble: — This  Association  shall  at  no  time  be  used  for  the 
furtherance  of  strikes,  or  for  the  purpose  of  interfering  in  any  wa\  be- 
tween its  members  and  their  employers  in  regard  to  wages;  recogniz- 
ing the  identity  of  interests  between  employer  and  employe,  and  not 
countenancing  any  project  or  enterprise  that  will  interfere  with  per- 
fect harmony  between  them. 

Neither  shall  it  be  used  for  political  or  religious  purposes.  Its 
meetings  shall  be  devoted  to  the  business  of  the  Association,  and  at  all 
times  preference  shall  be  given  to  the  edvication  of  engineers,  and  to 
securing  the  enactment  of  engineers'  license  laws  in  order  to  prevent 
the  destruction  of  life  and  property  in  the  generation  and  transmission 
of  steam  as  a  motive  power. 

First  bo'ard  of  othcers  of  Bristol,  No.  3,  N.  A.  S.  E.:  President. 
Wm.  E.  Norton;  Vice  President,  Fred.  McGar;  Treasurer,  B.  A.  Brown; 
Recording  Secretary,  H.  W.  Simons;  Financial  Secretary,  F.  A.  Warley ; 
Conducto'r,  H.  B.  Norton;  Doorkeeper,  A.  E.  Moulthroup;  Trustees, 
L.  D.  Waterhouse,  Theodore  Schubert,  Jr.,  J.  P.  Garrity;  Association 
Deputy,  Wm.  E.  Norton. 

Present  officers,  June,  1907,  National  Association  of  Engineers: 
President,  E.  E.  Merrill;  Vice  President,  E.  A.  Porter;  Treasurer, 
P.  J.  Murray;  Financial  Secretary,  O.  A.  Thomas;  Recording  Secre- 
tarv,  Wm.  E.  Norton;  Conductor,  J.  P.  Garrity;  Doorkeeper,  Fred 
McGar;  Trustees.  H.  W.  Simons,  j".  P.  Garrity,  L.  D.  Waterhouse; 
Association  Deputy.  Fred  McGar. 

State  Association  of  National  Association  of  Stationary  Engineers 

■  convened  at  Bristol  on  July  14th,   1896,  and  delegates  from  all  over  the 

State   were   present.      The   delegation   was   welcomed   by   Local   Deputy 

Fred  McGar  and  was  responded  to  by  State  President  James  L.   Band 

of  Ansonia,  Conn. 

Present  members  of  National  Association  of  Stationary  Engineers: 
P.  J.  Murray,  J.  P.  Garritv.  Martin  Keeting,  E.  E.  Merrill.  H.  B.  Norton, 
L.  "D.  Waterhouse,  A.  E'.  Moulthroup,  Wm.  Coe.  Fred  McGar,  Wm. 
E  Norton,  H.  W.  Simons,  O.  A.  Thomas,  W.  G.  Rood,  C.  N.  Parsons, 
Geo    W.  Thompson,  R.   R.  Wellington.   E.  A.  Porter. 


574 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


'OR    NEW     CAMBRIDGB."  575 


COURT  FOREST,  No.  40,  F.  of  A. 

This  court  was  instituted  December  13,  1888,  by  Court  Wolfe  Tone 
of  Waterbury,  Deputy  Grand  Chief  Ranger  John  D.  Bolan,  and  a  large 
delegation  of  Brother  Foresters  from  Waterbury  and  other  towns. 

The  following  were  installed  as  its  first  officers:  Chief  Ranger, 
A.  J.  Brannon;  Sub  Chief  Ranger,  W.  H.  Dutton;  Financial  Secretary, 
M.  B.  O'Brien;  Recording  Secretarv,  J.  F.  Holden;  Treasurer,  M.  J. 
Dalton;  Sr.  W.,  W.  K.  Parker;  Jr. 'W.,  W.  J.  Hyland;  In.  B.,  T.  Mc- 
Cormick;    Jr.   B.,  Wm.  Wilson. 

The  court  has  a  membership  of  70  members  and  is  in  a  good  finan- 
cial condition,  having  a  treasury  of  one  thousand  dollars.  Thirteen  of 
its  meinbers  have  passed  away  since  its  institution.  The  court  pays 
a  weekly  sick  benefit  of  $5.00  a  week  for  13  weeks,  and  $2.50  for  13 
more  weeks  if  sickness  continues,  the  services  of  Court  Doctor,  medi- 
cine and  an  allowance  of  fourteen  dollars  a  week  for  nurse. 

Its  meetings  are  held  on  the  first  and  third  Tuesdays  after  the  first 
and  third  Mondays,  at  Foresters'  Hall,   Central  Street,  Forestville. 

The  court  prides  itselfjlon'^being  one  of  the  oldest  benefit  societies 
in  town,  as  well  as  the  most  generous  to  needy  brothers. 

Its  present  officers  are:      Chief  Ranger,  A.  J.   Brannon;    Sub  Chief 
Ranger,  G.  P.  Dutton;    Financial  Secretary,  M.  B.  O'Brien;    Recording 
Secretarv,  J.   P.   Moran;    Treasurer,   M.   McCormick;    Sr.  W.,   C.   Dalev; 
Jr.   W.,  W.   H.   Roberts;    In.   B.,  W.  J.   Roberts;    Jr.   B.,  G.   B.   Lewis; 
Janitor,  W.  H.  Roberts. 


576 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE."       "       '       "  .577 


FEDELIA  CIRCLE,  No.   166,  C.  of  F. 

The  first  meeting  of  Fedelia  Circle,  No.  166,  C.  of  F.,  was  held  in 
the  old  Firemen's  Hall,  May  16,  1892.  It  was  instituted  by  Circle  Ever 
Ready,  No.  84,  of  New  Britain,  with  a  membership  of  fifty-five. 

The  first  board  of  officers  elected  were:  Chief  Companion,  Miss 
Margaret  Bower;  Sub  Chief  Companion,  Miss  Julie  Keating;  Past 
Chief  Companion,  Thomas  McCormick;  Financial  Secretary,  Miss 
Louise  Beeman;  Treasurer,  Miss  Mary  O'Brien;  Recording  Secretary, 
Miss  Delia  Hyland;  Right  Guide,  Miss  Margaret  Burdy;  Left  Guide. 
Miss  Mary  Gormley;  Inside  Guard,  Mrs.  Michael  Emmett;  Outside 
Guard,  Miss  Abbie  Foran;  Deputy,  John  W.  Daley;  Trustees,  Miss 
Annie  Gillew,  John  W.  Daley,  Thos.  McCormick;  Auditors,  Miss  Julie 
Dutton,  Miss  Eliza  McKane,  Miss  Delia  Hyland;  Circle  Physician,  Dr. 
John  J.  Wilson;    Apothecary,  William  Reynolds. 

The   present   board   of   officers   are:     Past   Chief   Companion,    Mrs. 
Fred  Hayden;    Chief  Companion,  Mrs.  Emily  Brown;    Sub  Chief  Com- 
panion,  Mrs.  Mary   Roberts;     Recording  Secretary,  Miss  Etta  Brannan 
Financial   Secretary,    Mr.    P.   J.    Murray;     Treasurer,    Miss   Katie   Ford 
Right    Guide,    Miss   Mary   Lambert;     Left   Guide,    Miss   Agnes   Dutton 
Inside    Guard,    Miss    Mamie    Murray;     Outside    Guard,    Miss    Elizabeth 
Hoylen;     Deputy,    Mrs.    Ernest    Hamlin;     Physician,    Dr.    W.    R.    Han- 
rahan;     Apothecary,'  William    Madden;     Trustees,    Mrs.    Matthew    Mc- 
Cormick, Miss  Julie  Dutton,  Miss  Nellie  Lambert;    Finance  Committee, 
Miss   Mary   Lambert,    Miss   Agnes   Dutton;     Auditing   Committee,    Miss 
Agnes  Dutton,  Miss  Mamie  Lambret,  Miss  Julie  Dutton. 

Since  the  institution  of  the  Circle  it  has  paid  for  sick  benefits, 
$3,898.58.  The  running  expenses  have  been  $1,57.3.96,  and  the  total 
receipts  $6,306.82,  leaving  a  balance  of  $834.24  at  the  present  time, 
having  a  membership  of  fifty-seven  and  lost  three  members  by  death 
during  a  term  of  fifteen  years. 

Our  motto  is  S.  S.  and  C. 


578 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE  '.'  579 


ADELPHI   LODGE,  No.   12,  N.   E.   O.   P. 

Adelphi  Lodge,  No.  12,  of  the  New  England  Order  of  Protection 
was  organized  m  Bristol,  December  15th,  1887,  and  was  the  second 
lodge  of  the  Order  to  be  established  in  Connecticut,  the  first,  Ida  Lodge, 
No.  10,  having  been  organized  in  the  city  of  Bridgeport  a  few  evenings 
before.  Its  charter  list  of  thirty-three  members  contains  the  following 
names,  the  greater  portion  of  whom  came  over  as  a  body  from  a  lodge 
of  "The  Knights  and  Ladies  of  Honor."  Elizabeth  M.  Sikes,  Albert 
C.  Loomis,  Harriet  J.  Loomis,  Lucy  C.  Adams,  Will  B.  Adams,  Martha 
R.  Russell,  Harriet  E.  Simons,  Hiram  W.  Simons,  Noble  C.  Sparks, 
Helen  U.  Sparks,  Homer  W.  Welton,  Nellie  A.  Welton,  Adelbert  D. 
Webster,  Harriet  E.  Webster,  Delbert  W.  Abrams,  Ella  A.  Abrams, 
George  B.  Chapin,  Minnie  J.  Chapin,  Marv  J.  Merriman,  Libbie  F.  Ben- 
nett, Fred  E.  Burr,  Susie  M.  Burr,  Alice'C!  Olcott,  Charles  E.  Russell, 
Roland  T.  Hull,  Dr.  Maurice  B.  Bennett,  Ellen  M.  Crane,  Albert  Munson, 
Sarah  E.  Munson,  Lewis  H.  Smith,  Edward  I.  Bradshaw,  Walter  S. 
Jones,  Dr.  Edward  P.  Woodward.  This  lodge  of  the  Knights  and 
Ladies  of  Honor  desired  a  New  England  Jurisdiction  and  prospects  of 
obtaining  same  seeming  remote,  they  found  in  the  New  England  Order 
of  Protection,  wdiich  had  been  organized  in  Boston  the  previous  month, 
the  opportunity  for  the  realization  of  their  desire  in  this  respect. 

At  the  installation  of  the  lodge  the  word  "Adelphi"  was  adopted 
as  its  name  and  is  supposed  to  have  been  derived  from  the  word  Adel- 
phia,  meaning  brotherhood. 

Of  these  thirtv-three  charter  members,  twenty  applied  for  in- 
surance of  $1,000  each,  three  for  $2,000  each,  and  five  for  $3,000  each, 
making  at  the  start  a  total  insurance  of  $41,000,  five  remaining  social 
members.  Their  average  age  was  about  forty  years.  Out  of  this 
number  thirteen  have  either  died  or  withdrawn  from  this  lodge,  leaving 
twenty  of  the  original  list  still  retaining  their  membership. 

Hiram  W.  Simons  was  the  first  Past  Warden  of  the  lodge  and  Albert 
C.  Loomis  the  first  Warden;  Elizabeth  M.  Sikes,  Vice  Warden;  Harriet 
E.  Simons,  Recording  Secretary;  Fred  E.  Burr,  Financial  Secretary- 
Susie  M.  Burr,  Treasurer;  Martha  R.  Russell,  Chaplain;  Adelbert  D* 
Webster,  Guide;  Harriet  E.  Webster,  Guardian;  George  B.  Chapin 
Sentinel;  Hiram  W.  Simons,  Adelbert  D.  Webster,  and  Roland  D' 
Hull,  Trustees. 

For  a  few  years  the  lodge  met  in  Woman's  Christian  Temperance 
Union  Hall,  which  was  located  on  North  Main  Street,  in  a  building 
adjacent  to  the  Gridley  House.  They  then  removed  to  the  G.  A.  R. 
Hall  where  at  the  present  time  they  hold  their  meetings  the  second  and 
fourth  Wednesday  in  each  month. 

The  present  officers  of  the  lodge  are  as  follows:  Edward  I.  Brad- 
shaw, Jr.,  Past  W^arden;  Josie  M.  Glasson,  Warden;  Rosa  D.  Bechstedt, 
Vice  Warden;  Geo.  A.  Bechstedt,  Recording  Secretary;  John  J.  Mer- 
rills, Financial  Secretary;  Franklin  E.  Terry,  Treasurer;  Elizabeth 
M.  Sikes,  Chaplain;  Grace  R.  Bechstedt,  Guide;  Fred  E.  Burr,  Guardian; 
William  Allport,  Sentinel;  Franklin  E.  Terry,  Richard  L.  Prothero, 
and  William  C.  Glasson,  Trustees.  The  Treasurer  and  Financial  Secre- 
tary are  under  bonds  of  $300  each,  and  the  Trustees,  of  $100  each.  In 
early  years  these  bonds  were  given  by  the  members  of  the  lodge,  but 
at  the  present  time  they  are  secured  in  Guarantee  Companies. 

The  Adelphi  Lodge,  through  its  almost  twenty  years  of  existence, 
has  paid  from  its  general  fund  large  sums  of  money  in  aiding  its  sick 
and  disabled  members,  and  has  a  considerable  amount  invested  for 
future 'purposes.  ..         - . 

The  total  number  who  have  joined  since  the  organization  of  the 
lodge  is  one  hundred  and  ninety-three.  Of  this  number,  twenty  have 
died  who  carried  a  total  insurance  of  $37,000  and  thirty-three  have 
either  withdrawn  or  transferred  to  some  other  lodge,  leaving  the  present 
membership  one  hundred  and  forty. 


580 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


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OFFICERS    PALOS    COUNCIL,    K.    OF    C. 


OR     "new    CAMBRIDGE."  581 

PALOS  COUNCIL,  K.  OF  C. 

Palos  Council,  No.  35,  K.  of  C,  was  instituted  March  11,   1886,  by 
District  Deputy  Grand  Knight  P.  J.   Markley,   under  the  provisions  of 
the  following  charter: 
■Supreme  Council  Knights  of  Columbus, 

State  of  Connecticut. 
To  all  whom  it  may  concern — Greeting: 

Whereas,  it  having  been  made  known  to  the  officers  of  the  Supreme 
Council,  Knights  of  Columbus,  of  the  State  of  Connecticut,  located  in 
New  Haven,  that  a  sufficient  number  of  eligible  men  residing  in  Town 
of  Bristol,  in  Hartford  Count}^  State  of  Connecticut,  having  duly  peti- 
tioned that  they  be  chartered  and  authorized  to  organize  and  maintain 
a  Subordinate  Council  of  our  Order  within  said  Bristol,  and  appearing 
to  be  for  the  benefit  of  said  Supreme  Council  and  cause  of  Charity  as 
well  as  for  the  proposed  brethren  that  their  petition  be  granted. 

Therefore,  be  it  known,  that  we,  the  undersigned  members  of  the 
Supreme  Committee  of  the  Knights  of  Columbus,  by  and  with  the  con- 
sent of  Supreme  Council,  hereby  authorize  and  direct  the  following 
named  gentlemen  to  assemble  and  work  as  a  regularly  constituted 
Council  of  the  Knights  of  Columbus,  to  be  designated  and  known  by  the 
name  of  Palos,  No.  35: 

Thomas  H.  Brown,  James  Kane,  Thomas  Harrigan,  Owen  C.  Kil- 
duflf,  Frank  J.  Emmett,  John  Missett,  Michael  B.  Kilduff,  Richard 
Murray,  David  Griffith,  Patrick  Foran,  James  Holden,  Enos  B.  Mc- 
Mullen,  Michael  Conlon,  Stephen  Sullivan,  James  Missett.  John  Drury, 
Michael  Tracy,  James  H.  Kilduff,  James  D.  Whipple,  Michael  O'Brien, 
Laurence  Fitzpatrick,  Michael  Emmett,  Maurice  Toley. 

In  testimony  whereof,  we  have  hereunto  affixed  our  names,  under 
the  seal  of  the  Supreme  Council. 
Attest : 

JAS.  T.   MULLEN, 

jAS.  McCarthy, 

HENRY  T.  DOWNS, 

Committee. 
Given  this  11th  day  of  March,  1886. 

Daniel' coLWELL, 

Secretary  of  Supreme  Council. 

A  large  delegation  was  present  from  New  Britain,  Hartford,  Union- 
ville,  and  Southington.  Eighteen  members  were  initiated  and  the 
following  officers  installed:  Grand  Knight,  Thomas  H.  Brown:  Deputy 
Grand  Knight,  James  Kane;  Chancellor,  Bernard  Fallon;  Treasurer, 
Thomas  Harrigan;  Financial  Secretary,  Frank  J.  Emmett;  Recording 
Secretary,  Owen  C.  Kilduff;  Warden,  John  Missett;  Inner  Guard, 
Stephen  Sullivan;  Outside  Guard,  David  Griffith;  Lecturer,  Michael 
B.  Kilduff;  Chaplain,  Rev.  M.  B.  Roddan;-  Trustees,  Patrick  Foran, 
J.  F.  Holden,  M.  B,  Kilduff,  Wm.  Scott. 

Council  held  its  meetings  in  Knights  of  Labor  Hall  in  J.  R.  Mitchell's 
building  on  Main  Street,  until  August  of  the  same  year,  when  it  trans- 
ferred to  G.  A.  R.  Hall  on  North  Main  Street,  the  present  quarters. 

Since  the  institution  of  the  Council  fifteen  members  have  died. 
The  Council  is  in  excellent  financial  standing  with  a  membership  of 
eighty. 

The  Council  has  had  ten  Past  Grand  Knights,  including  the  follow- 
ing: T.  H.  Brown,  J.  A.  Kane,  M.  N.  Kelly,  B.  M.  Holden,  J.  F.  Glee- 
son,  F.  J.  O'Brien,  L,  H.  Missett,  D.  J.  Heffernan,  S.  O'Connell,  P.  W. 
Salmon. 

Present  officers  are:  Grand  Knight,  J.  D.  Whipple;  Deputy  Grand 
Knight,  J.  F.  Gleeson;  Chancellor,  M.  B.  Kilduff;  Treasurer,  J.  A. 
Kane;  Financial  Secretary,  M.  B.  O'Brien;  Recording  Secretary,  J.  N. 
Laudry,  Jr.;  Warden,  L.  H.  Missett;  Advocate,  T.  H.  Brown;  Inner 
Guard,  John  Enghart;  Outside  Guard,  Dennis  Sullivan;  Chaplain, 
Rev.  T.  J.  Keena;    Trustees,  J.  F.  Holden,  M.  J.  Dalton,  J.  E.  Hayes. 

Council  holds  regular  meetings  on  second  and  fourth  Thursdays. 


582 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


J 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE." 


583 


ROYAL  NEIGHBORS  OF  AMERICA. 

Ladies'  Branch  of  Modern  Woodman  of  America,  first  Camp  in  Con- 
necticut, was  instituted  by  Mrs.  Wm.  E.  Norton  and  organized  on  March 
12th,  1905,  in  No.  1  Hose  Company's  hall  on  School  Street,  by  Mrs. 
Mode  M.  Pierce,  state  deputy,  with  a  charter  list  of  twenty-six  members. 

Present  officers,   Royal  Neighbors  Camp,   No.  :     Jennie  John- 

ston, Oracle;  Mrs.  Margaret  Kennedy,  Vice  Oracle;  Margaret  Ken- 
nedy, Recorder;  Catherine  Kennedy,  Finance  Keeper;  Ellen  Walch, 
Chaplain;  Margaret  Burns,  Inside  Guard;  Catherine  Whelan,  Outside 
Guard;  Agnes  Heffinan,  Trustee;  Catherine  Lonergan,  Trustee;  Lillian 
Hayes,   Trustee;    Margaret   Norton,   Camp   Deputy. 

Present   membership: 

:  Margaret  F.  Kennedy,  Margaret  C.  Kennedy,  Margaret  Simmons, 
Margaret  Burns,  Mary  Smithwick,  Rebecca  Smithwick,  Bridget  Swift, 
Agnes  Heffernan,  Catherine  Mansel,  Ella  Doyle,  Catherine  Bergh,  Anna 
Scanton,  Ellen  Walch,  Catherine  Whelan,  Mary  Crowley,  Jennie  John- 
ston, Lizzie  Hannan,  Bridget  Doley,  Catherine  Sullivan,  Minnie  Judd, 
Agnes  O'Brien,  Mary  O'Brien,  Rose  Ryan,  Nora  Delay,  Lizzie  Mansel, 
Katherine  Murphy,  Katherine  Hayes,  Annie  Delay,  Catherine  Kennedy, 
Lillian  Hayes,  Catherine  Lonergan,  Nellie  Minery,  Margaret  Norton, 
Catherine  Lambert,   Susan  Holden,   Bridget   Daley,   Johanna   Hummell. 


Members    of    the    I'ur, 


I'in    aiui    Feather    Club, 
Wolcott  Mountain. 


at 


leir    club    house    on 


584 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE."  585 


FRANKLIN    LODGE,   No.    56,  F.  and   A.  M. 

Franklin  Lodge,  No.  56,  F.  and  A.  M.,  was  instituted  January  7,  1819, 
and  have  had  their  lodge  home  in  various  halls  of  the  town  until  the  erec- 
tion of  the  present  Masonic  Temple,  which  was  dedicated  November  16, 
1892.  The  membership  at  the  present  time  numbers  about  320,  and  the 
lodge  has  had  forty  masters  since  its  charter  was  granted.  Following 
is  the  list  of  masters  :  Geo.  Mitchell,*  1819,  '29,  '30,  '31,  '32.  '3,3,  '34,  '36,  '37. 
'38,  '39,  '41,  '42,  '44,  '45;  Philip  Gaylord,*  1821,  '24,  '35;  Asa  Bartholomew,-'' 
1822;  Orra  Martin,*  1823;  C.  B.  Andrews,*  1825,  '26,  '28;  Irenus  Atkins,* 
1827;  Henry  A.  Mitchell,*  1853;  C.  I.  Elton,*  1854,  '57,  '58;  S.  \V. 
Squires,*  1855;  J.  H.  Austin,*  1856;  Dan  A.  Miller,*  f 850 ;  J.  H.  Root,^ 
i860,  '61;  Lester  Goodenough,*  1862,  '63,  '64,  '65,  '69,  '70;  Roswell  At- 
kins,* 1866;  Edw.  Ingraham,*  April,  1866;  Gilbert  Penfield,*  1867,  '68, 
J.  E.  Ladd,  1871,  '73;  S.  M.  Norton,*  1872,  '74.  '87:  S.  M.  Suthill,*  1875, 
H.  A.  Peck,  1876;  Seth  Barnes,  1877,  '78;  H.  K.  Way,  1879,  '80;  M.  H. 
Perkins,*  1881,  '82:  W.  E.  Bumiell.  1883;  S.  W  Forbes,  1884,  '85,  '86; 
A.  Q.  Perkins,  1888;  J.  R.  Holly,  1889,  '90:  G.  W.  Wooster,  1891,  '92; 
John  Winslow,*  1893;  A.  F.  Rockwell,  1894,  '95;  J-  C.  Russell,  1896,  '97; 
M.  L.  Lawson,  1898;  F.  A.  Southwick,  1899;  C.  W.  Stewart,  1900,  '01, 
L.  L.  Beach,  1902;  C.  L.  Wooding.  1903;  A.  D.  Wilson,  1904;  C.  N. 
Parsons,   1905;   A.   G.   Beach,  and   H.   A.    Vaill. 

* — Deceased 


586 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


0^ 


'^ 


o 


OR     "new    CAMBRIDGE."  587 

Ethan  Lodge,  Knights  of  Pythias,  was  organized  October  25,  1883, 
with  22  charter  members,  with  the  following  officers :  George  Hall,  C. 
C. ;  Wm.  H.  Nott,  V.  C.  C. ;  Wm.  B.  Coulter,  P.;  Walter  G.  Austin,  K. 
of  R.  S. ;  George  Schubert,  M.  of  E. ;  Frank  Dutton,  M.  of  F. ;  Lewis 
Smith,  L  G. ;  Fred  Crane,  O.  G..  Present  officers  named  as  they  are 
grouped  in  the  photograph  from  left  to  right :  H.  C.  Wright,  Outer 
Guard;  J.  W.  Bidwell,  Prelate;  Wm.  J.  Parker,  Master  of  Work;  H.  C 
Rockerfeller,  M.  of  E.  ;  Wm.  F.  Porter.  M.  of  F. ;  Wm.  S.  Elwin,  Chan- 
cellor Commander;  C.  S.  Lasher,  V.  Chancellor;  L.  H.  Lasher,  Inner 
Guard;  H.  N.  Law.  K.  of  R.  S. 


Oflficers  Nathan  Hale  Council,  No.  18,  O.  U.  A.  M.,  readmg  from  left 
to  right:  Councilor,  W.  E.  Throop;Vice  Councilor,  A.  E.  Barnes;  Record- 
ing Secy.,  A.  B.  Judd ;  Financial  Secy..  J.  D.  Burgess;  Inductor,  Arthur 
Bristol.    (Photos  by  Mr.  I'lnoop,  Calc  Stitdio.) 

Nathan  Hale  Council,  No.  18,  O.  U.  A.  M.,  was  instituted  June  30, 
1885.  The  following  were  the  charter  members :  H.  M.  Simons,  Theo. 
Schubert,  J.  R.  Hollev,  John  Seaman,  W.  E.  Throop,  F.  Dresser,  N.  A. 
Robinson,  C.  D.  M.  Clark,  W.  J.   Stone,  E.  H.  Yale,  W.  E.  Shelton,  John 

D.  Monaghan,  E.  P.  Woodward.  W.  R.  Coe.  Weslev  J.  Thomas,  Joseph 
Reynolds,  J.  F.  Clark.  A.  G.  Clark,  M.  R.  Keeney,  George  H.  Elton,  A. 
C' Dresser.  C.  A.  Hart.  C.  E.  Munson,  J.  H.  Swift,  C.  E.  Woster,  Geo. 
Angeling.   Edward   Barnes,  George   F.   Cook,  George  A.   Gowdey,  Charles 

E.  Ingraham,  A.  P.  Stark,  Alfred  Brockway,  Nath.  Peck,  Robert  Hall. 
The  meetings  are  held  in  the  old  Masonic  hall  at  the  corner  of  Laurel  and 
North  Main  streets. 

The  following  are  the  first  officers  of  the  council:  Councilor,  H.  W. 
Simonds ;  vice-councilor,  Theo.  Schubert;  recording  iccretary,  J.  K.  Hol- 
lev; corresponding  secretary,  John  Seaman;  financial  secretary,  W.  E. 
Throop ;  treasurer,  F.  Dresser ;  indentor,  N.  H.  Robinson ;  examiner, 
C.  D.  M.  Clark ;  inside  protector,  W.  J.  Stone ;  outside  protector,  E.  A. 
Yale;   trustees,   John   Seaman,   M.   E.   Shelton  and  John   Monoghan. 

After  a  few  years  they  fitted  up  a  nice  hall  at  the  corner  of  Main  and 
Prospect   streets,   and   occupied  it  for  ten  years   and  at  the  expiration  of 
their  lease  moved  to  their  present  quarters,  in  the  G.  A.   R.  hall,     North 
Main  street. 

This  order  stands  for  everything  pertaining  to  the  interest  of  the 
American  people  and  is  purely  an  American  order  and  should  be  supported 
by  all  good  American  people.  The  present  officers  are  :  Councilor,  W.  E. 
Throop;  vice-councilor.  E.  A.  Barnes;  recording  secretary,  A.  B.  Judd; 
assistant  secretary.  H.  Bancroft ;  financial  secretary,  J.  D.  Burgess ;  treas- 
urer, Wm.  Van  Ness;  inductor,  A.  Bristol;  outside  protector,  J.  Swift; 
junior  ex.  C,  W.  E.  Neslon  ;  senior  ex.  C,  A.  T.  Clark;  trustees,  G.  T. 
Cook,  W.   E.    Nestor  and  A.    Bristol. 


588 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


OflBcers  Turner's  Society,  1907 


OR     "new    CAMBRIDGE."  589 


BRISTOL  TURNER    SOCIETY. 

The  Bristol  Turner  Society  was  organized  August  2,  1903,  for  the  de- 
velopment of  the  body  and  athletics  in  general.  Inaugurated  April  6, 
1904,  with  a  public  exhibition  of  gymnastics  and  a  grand  ball.  The 
present  officers  (March  i  ,190")  are:  President,  Paul  Stein;  Vice-Presi- 
dent, Frank  Gallousky ;  Recording  and  Corresponding  Secretary,  Oscar 
A.  Jorres ;  Financial  Secretary,  Charles  Kutz ;  Treasurer,  Henry  Quanz ; 
Turnwart,  August  Gerick ;  Collector.  Aug.  Stichtenoth ;  Hallenwart, 
Arthur  Kleefeld ;  Hall  Agent,  Charles  Kutz. 

The  charter  membership  was  as  follows :  Simon  Cossick,  Gustave 
Frohlich,  William  Frohlich,  Otto  Frohlich,  Karl  Frohlich,  August  Gerick, 
Baker  Hummel,  Wm.  Herrman,  B.  Heppner,  Chas.  Kutz,  Arthur  Kleefeld, 
Thomas  Luchsinger,  Ernst  Nurnberger,  Armand  Pons,  Henry  Quanz, 
Theodore  Quanz,  Pius  Schussler,  Wm.  Schonauer,  Paul  Stein,  O.  F. 
Stromz,  Tommy  Casey,  Fred  Sigmund,  James  McKiernan,  Dr.  Deichman, 
Ignatz    Bachman,    Ch.    Hoffmann,    Tom    Casey,    Simon    Cossick. 

Monthly  meeting  every  second  Sunday,  2  p.  m.  at  old  Town  Hall. 

Gymnastics  every  Monday  and  Thursday,  8:10  p.  m.,  at  old  Town 
Hall. 

Ladies'  Turn  Society,  organized  April  2,  1906.  Its  present  officers 
are:  President,  Pauline  Nurnberger;  Vice-President,  Bertha  Gallowsky; 
Recording  and  Corresponding  Secretary,  Bertha  Ehlert ;  Financial  Sec- 
retary, Mary  Heppner ;  Collector,  Jvlary  Heppner ;  Treasurer,  Hattie 
Jorres. 


590 


BRISTOL,    cor  NECTICUT 


^''' 


ip^  -IS*-'*  V 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE."  591 


RELIAMCE    COUNCIL,  No.  753,  R.  A 

Reliance  Council,  No.  753,  Royal  .Arcanum,  was  instituted  April  3, 
1883,  with  twenty  charter  members.  Their  names  were:  H.  F.  Hender- 
son, T.  F.  Barbour,  W.  B.  Adams,  H.  B.  Cook,  T.  D.  Merriman,  D. 
DeWolf,  H.  S.  Goodale,  W.  J.  Geer,  G.  S.  Hull.  W.  W.  Dunbar,  Geo. 
Merriman,  G.  J.  Bentley,  H.  W.  Barnes,  C.  E.  Russell,  C.  T.  Olcott, 
T.  B.  Robinson,  G.  W.  Baker,  C.  H.  Riggs,  A.  M.  Sigourney,  S.  R. 
Goodrich.  Of  these  twelve  are  still  members,  three  have  died.  Since 
the  council  was  instituted,  twelve  members  have  died,  eleven  being  in- 
sured for  $3,000,  and  one  for  $2,000.     The  present  membership  is  135. 

The  Order  of  the  Royal  Arcanum  was  chartered  by  the  legislature  of 
Massachusetts  in  1877.  It  is  primarily  a  fraternal  life  insurance  organi- 
zation, and  now  has  a  membership  of  over  243,000.  It  has  paid  out  in 
death  benefits,  over  $105,000,000  within  the  31  years  of  its  existence,  and 
payments  are  usually  made  in  from  one  to  three  weeks  after  death.  It 
has  an  emergency  fund,  which  was  not  started  untjl  1898,  which  now 
(1908)    amounts  to  more  than  $4,000,000. 

All  the  securities  of  this  fund  are  lodged  with  the  Treasurer  of  the 
state  of  Massachusetts,  as  the  laws  of  that  state  rerjuiie. 

Reliance  Council  has  a  loan  fund,  in  the  hands  of  the  Collector,  from 
which  the  assessments  of  delinquent  memliers  are  temporarily  paid.  By 
such  accommodation  their  membership  i,>  kept  good,  and  for  it  a  small 
fee  is  charged. 

There  are  12  regular  assessments  each  year,  and  an  e.xtra  assess- 
ment has  never  been  called. 


592 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


Oh 


O 


OR        NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


593 


Pequabuck  Chapter,  No.  32,   R.  A.  M. 

Pequabuck  Chapter,  R.  A.  Masons,  was  instituted  "May  22,  1866  with 
Rev.  Brother  Arza  Hill  as  High  Priest.  The  officers  (March,  1907)  are 
as  follows :  Louis  L.  Beach,  Secy. ;  J.  M.  Buskey,  Tylei  ;  Wm.  R.  Russell 
C.  of  H.;  H.  Austin  Vaill,  R.  A.  C;  Stanley  D.  Gwillim,  C.  of  ist  V. 
John  W.  Bryce,  K. ;  Morris  L.  Tiffany,  P.  S. ;  C  Norton  Parsons,  H.  P. 
J.  Fay  Douglass,  C.  of  3rd  V. ;  Joseph  C.  Russell,  Treas. ;  Geo.  F.  Brown, 
C.  of  2d  v.;  Jas.  T.  Case,  S.  The  names  of  the  above  are  given  in  the 
order  that  they  appear  in  the  picture,  reading  from  the  left  to  the  right. 


Daughters  of  Rebckah,  "Magnolia"  Lodge,  No.  41,  L  O.  O.  F.  was 
instituted  November  21,  1895.  Meets  second  and  fourth  Tuesdays  of  each 
month.  Present  membership,  one  hundred  and  forty.  Officers  named  as 
they  appear  in  the  photograpli,  reading  from  left  to  right :  Mrs.  Anna  M. 
Pfeniug,  Treas. ;  Mrs.  Frances  Swanston,  Trustee ;  Miss  Bertha  Ruic, 
Rec.  Sec;  Mrs.  Martha  Nearing,  Financial  Secy.;  Mrs.  Ida  M.  McGar, 
Noble  Grand ;  Mrs.  Edna  Robbins,  Vice  Grand. 


594 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


d 
d 


o 


p^ 


NEW     CAMBRIDGB. 


595 


Ruth  Rebekah  Lodge.   No    24,  I.    0.  N.  F. 

Ruth  Robekali  Lodge,  No.  24,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  was  organized  May  22, 
t888,  with  48  charter  members.  The  present  membership  is  90,  with  the 
following  officers  (March,  1907):  Noble  Grand,  Lena  Nystrom;  Vice 
Grand,  Bessie  Griswold ;  Past  Grand,  Stella  Simmons ;  Inside  Guard, 
Mercy  Clinton ;  Warden,  Flora  Bailey ;  Left  Supporter,  C.  B.  Smitb ; 
Sitting  Past  Grand,  Alice  Clark;  Treasurer,  Mrs.  James  Mathews;  Finan- 
cial Secy.,  L.  E.  Cucel ;  Recording  Secy.,  Louise  Miller ;  Chaplin,  Lottie 
White ;   Left   Supporter  of  N.  G. ;  Mrs.  E.  H.   Brightman. 


ST.    .ANN  S    L.\DIES     T.    A.    B.    SOCIETY. 


ST.  ANN'S  LADIES'  T.  A.   B.  SOCIETY. 

St.  Ann's  Ladies'  T.  A.  B.  Society  of  Bristol  was  organized 
May  24th,  1904,  by  County  Director  Brother  Wm.  O'Mara  of  New 
Britain,  with  a  membership  of  twenty. 

The  following  were  elected  officers:  President,  Mary  Grisner; 
Vice  President,  Julia  Fitzsimons;  Recording  Secretary,  Anna  Daley; 
Financial  Secretary,  Nellie  Coughlin;  Treasurer,  Mayme  Mulligan; 
Marshall,   Lauretta  Simmons;    Sentinel,   Elizabeth  Mulligan. 

The  object  of  this  society  is  to  provide  for  each  other's  temporal 
welfare  by  giving  relief  in  case  of  sickness  or  accident  and  aiding  in  the 
burial  of  deceased  members.  Also  to  cultivate  a  social  and  fraternal 
spirit  among  young  ladies. 

The  society  has  grown  very  rapidly  for  the  last  three  years,  having 
been  admitted  to  the  State  Union  in  February,   1906. 

They  have  had  many  public  entertaimnents,  which  were  very  suc- 
cessful, as  well  as  social  affairs  among  the  members. 

This  society  has  two  meetings  a  month,  the  second  and  last  Tues- 
day, and  pays  a  weekly  l:)eneht  in  case  of  sickness. 


596 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 

BRISTOL  GRANGE,  No.  116. 


Officers  Bristol  Grange,  No.  Ii6,  reading  from  left  to  right:  Burdette 
A.  Peck,  J.  B.  Mathews,  Master;  Harry  Tuttle,  Overseer;  Mrs.  Edna 
Robbins,  Lecturer;  Harry  S.  Elton,  Lecturer;  Chas.  Pond,  Steward;  Mrs. 
Ella  Freeman,  Chaplin ;  Mrs.  Ella  M.  Gaylord,  Treas. ;  Raymond  Perkins, 
Asst.   Steward. 


Bristol  Grange,  No.  116,  was  organized  April  16,  1890,  with  thirty- 
three  charter  members.  The  first  Master  was  Elbert  Manchester,  who 
took  a  dimit  from  Whigville  Grange  and  rendered  very  efficient  service 
in  organizing  this  Grange.  Whigville  Grange  has  many  times  furnished 
by  dimit,  valuable  members  for  Bristol  Grange.  B.  A.  Peck,  Past  Master 
of  Bristol  Grange  and  present  Overseer  of  Connecticut  State  Grange, 
being  among  the  number. 

The  other  officers  elected  were:  Overseer,  J.  M.  Peck;  Lecturer, 
Mrs.  Ellen  F.  Judson;  Steward,  George  R^  Tuttle;  Assistant  Steward, 
George  B.  Evans;  Lady  Assistant  Steward,  Mrs.  Annie  E.  Bailey; 
Chaplain,  Titus  C.  Merriman;  Treasurer,  H.  C.  Butler;  Secretary, 
Emerson  F.  Judson;  Flora,  Miss  Mary  Wilcox;  Pomona,  Mrs.  James 
Wilhams;  Ceres,  Mrs.  WiUiam  Hotchkiss;  Gate  Keeper,  C.  S.  Blanchard. 
Since  then  the  following  have  served  as  Masters:  Elbert  Manchester, 
Johnathan  M.  Peck,  B.  A.  Peck,  Elbert  W.  Gaylord. 

The  losses  by  death  since  its  organization  have  been:  Wallace 
Barnes,  George  R.  Tuttle,  (charter  members)  Charles  Churchill,  Emily 
G.  Bailey,  Henry  E.  Way,  M.  D.,  Mrs.  E.  D.  Lamb,  Mrs.  Minnie  B, 
Ramson,"Mrs.  Rosa  M.  Judd,  Edward  L.  Linker,  Sarah  L.  Jud.son. 

Along  social  lines  the  Grange  ranks  well  in  the  long  list  of  the  frater- 
nal organizations  of  the  town. 

Bristol  Grange  for  a  number  of  years  enjoyed  the  distinction  of 
being  the  largest  Grange  in  the  State  of  Connecticut.  The  present 
membership  is  two  hundred  and  twenty-eight. 

The  present  officers  are:  Master,  John  B.  Matthews;  Overseer, 
Harry  Tuttle;  Lecturers,  Mrs.  Edna  Robbins,  H.  S.  Elton,  Allen  Man- 
chester; Steward,  Charles  Pond;  Assistant  Steward,  Raymond  Perkins; 
Chaplain,  Mrs.  Ella  Freeman;  Treasurer,  Mrs.  Ella  M.  Gaylord;  Secre- 
tary, Mrs.  Marv  C.  A.  Perkins;  Gate  Keeper.  Mrs.  Emma  Hills;  Ceres, 
Mrs.  Edith  Cook;  Pomona,  Mrs.  F.  Edith  Williams;  Flora,  Mrs.  Emily 
Cleveland;   Ladv  Assistant,  Miss  Gertrude  Tallis. 


OR        NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


597 


WHIGVILLE  GRANGE.     No.  48,  P    OF  H. 


Whigville  Grange,  X(_i.  48,  P.  of  H.,  was  organized  June  2,  1886, 
by  State  Master  J.  H.  Hale  of  Glastonbury.  Its  organization  was  the 
outcome  of  what  had  been  called  "The  Farmer's  Club,"  composed  of 
farmers  and  their  wives  from  West  District,  Farmington,  Burlington, 
of  which  Whigville  forms  part,  and  the  north  part  of  Bristol.  At  these 
meetings  debate  and  research  in  best  farni  methods  with  domestic 
subjects  for  the  wives  of  the  club  men,  made  a  good  foundation  for  the 
after-work  in  the  Grange,  where  like  subjects,  as  well  as  music,  literature 
the  drama  and  history. 

Whigville  Grange  was  organized  June  2,  1886.  Worthy  Master 
Hale  was  assisted  by  Brothers  Baker  and  Barnes  of  Cawasca  Grange 
and  Kimberly  and  Patterson  of  Hope  Grange.  The  charter  members 
were  forty  in  nuinber,  and  were  as  follows;  Mr.  and  Mrs.  B.  Emorv 
Barker.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Edwin  M.  Gillard,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Edwin  H.  Gillette, 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Augustus  A.  Lowrey,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hiram  P.  Lowrey, 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lester  L.  Lowrey,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Charles  H.  Matthews, 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dwight  E.  Mills.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Charles  E.  Morris,  Mr. 
Bvron  Matthews,  Mr.  George  W.  Atwood,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Burdette  A, 
Peck,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Don  C.  Peck,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  George  W.  Hart,  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  A.  W.  Saunders,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  j\lark  B.  Stone,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Frank 
Thompson,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ira  Taft,  Mr.  and  Mrs,  James  Webster,  Mrs. 
Maria  Thompson,  Mrs.  Sarah  Bradley,  Mrs.  Celia  Wilcox,  Mr.  Samuel 
D.  Newell.      Of  these  charter  members,  twenty-nine  are  living. 

Bristol  Grange  is  a  daughter  of  Whigville,  many  of  the  charter 
members  of  the  former,  belonged  to  the  latter.      At  first  Whigville  Grange 


Officers  Wliigville  Grange,  No.  48,  P.  of  H.,  rcavling  from  left  to 
right:  Master,  Ernest  W.  Hart;  Overseer,  Dwight  K.  Mills;  Lecturer, 
Ruth  G.  Atwater ;  Chaplin,  Lester  L.  Lowrey ;  Steward,  Augustus  A 
Lowrey;  Asst.  Steward,  Geo.  M.  Henry;  Treas.,  Arthur  D.  Carnell ;  Secy 
Robert  S.  Carnell;  Gate  Keeper,  Wm.  Saunders;  Ceres,  Mrs.  Cora  Broad 
bent;  Pomona,  Mrs.  Abbie  Mills;  Flora,  Miss  Genevieve  Thorpe;  Lad} 
Asst,  Miss   Ruth   Morris  . 

Photo  by  Throop,  Gale  Studio. 


598  BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 

met  in  "School  Hall,"  but  early  in  1893,  decided  to  build  a  hall  of  their 
own,  on  land  given  by  L.  L.  Lowrey.  Largely  aided  by  the  late  Edward 
F.  Gaylord,  an  enthusiastic  Patron,  the  "Grange  Hall"  was  built  and 
dedicated  in  June,  1893.  It  cost  about  $1,100,  largely  raised  by  contri- 
butions from  its  members. 

The  Grange  has  had  for  Master  the  following  persons: 
1886-'88.      E.  M.  Gillard,  now  residing  in  Bristol. 
1888-'94.      L.  B.  Pond,  now  residing  in  Unionville. 
1894-'96.      E.  F,  Gaylord. 

1896-'97.      Mrs.   Sara  Bradley   of  Whigville,   showing  the  Grange  to  be 
up-to-date,    with    "The    New    Woman"    in   the   chair   of 
the  chief  executive.      Mrs.  Bradley  was  the  first  lecturer 
of  the  Grange,  and  held  the  office  seven  years. 
1897-'98.      E.  F.  Gaylord. 
1898-'00.     D.  E.  Mills. 
1900-'02.     E.  F.  Gavlord. 
1902-'04.      L.  L.  Lowrey. 

1904-'05.      E.  F.  Gaylord.      Mr.   Gaylord's   death   in   May,    1905,   was   a 
great  loss  to  the  Order;    one  that  is  felt  keenly  today. 
His  term  was  filled  out  by 
1905-'06.      E.  S.  Gillette. 
1906-'07.     A.  D.  Carnell. 

1907-'  .  E.  W.  Hart.  Mr.  Hart  represents  the  younger  portion  of 
the  Grange,  as  did  Messrs.  Carnell  and  -Gillette. 
Whigville  Grange  has  been  well  represented  in  the  higher  degrees 
of  the  Order,  different  officers  in  Central  Pomona,  No.  1,  have  been 
from  its  members  and  Mrs.  E.  F.  Gaylord  was  State  Grange  Ceres  for 
several  years. 

The  first  officers  of  Whigville  Grange  were:  Master,  E.  M.  Gillard; 
Overseer,  A.  W.  Saunders;  Lecturer,  Mrs.  Sara  Bradley;  Chaplain; 
Chas.  H.  Matthews;  Treasurer,  L.  L.  Lowrey;  Secretary,  B.  A.  Peck, 
Steward,  H.  P.  Lowrey;  Assistant  Steward,  M.  B.  Stone;  Gate  Keeper, 
E.  H.  Gillette;  Ceres,  Mrs.  E.  M.  Gillard;  Pomona,  Mrs.  James  Webster; 
Flora,  Mrs.  D.  E.  Mills;   Lady  Assistant  Steward,  Mrs.  C.  E.  Morris. 

The  present  officers  are:  Master,  Ernest  W.  Hart;  Overseer, 
Dwight  E.  Mills;  Lecturer,  Ruth  G.  Atwater;  Chaplain,  Lester  L.  Low- 
rey; Steward,  Augustus  A.  Lowrey;  Assistant  Steward,  George  Henry; 
Treasurer,  Arthur  D.  Carnell;  Secretary,  Robert  S.  Carnell;  Gate 
Keeper,  William  Saunders;  Ceres,  Mrs.  Cora  Broadbent;  Pomona, 
Mrs.  Abbie  Mills;  Flora,  Miss  Genevieve  Thorpe;  Lady  Assistant,  Miss 
Ruth  Morris;     Pianist,  Mrs.  A.  D.  Carnell. 

The  present  membership  of  Whigville  Grange,  No.  48:  Ruth  G, 
Atwater,  Arthur  W.  Barker,  Mrs.  Annie  Barker,  Mrs.  Edna  Barnes. 
Mrs.  Sara  Bradley,  Archibald  H.  Bradley,  Mrs.  Mary  Bradley,  Mrs. 
Cora  Broadbent,  Laura  Brainhall,  Paul  Brainhall,  Walter  S.  Beach, 
Rose  Beebe,  Myron  L.  Butler,  James  L.  Byington,  Mary  Byington, 
Arthur  D.  Carnell,  Mrs.  Jennie  G.  Carnell,  Robert  S.  Carnell,  John  A. 
Carlson,  Earl  B.  Curtiss,  Mrs.  Amy  R.  Cleveland,  Mrs.  Sarah  E.  Curtiss. 
Mrs.  Effie  J.  Curtiss,  Wellington  L.  Curtiss,  Mrs.  Louise  Curtiss,  Edwin 
H.  Elton,  Mrs.  Veronica  C.  Elton,  George  H.  Elton,  Bessie  Elton,  Sylvia 
Elton,  James  E.  Elton.  George  A.  Edwards,  G.  Elton  Edwards,  Mrs. 
Addie  Edwards,  Estella  R.  Ender,  Charles  E.  Gaylord,  Mrs.  May  Gay- 
lord, Mrs.  Martha  Gaylord,  Mrs.  E.  H.  Gillette,  E.  Samuel  Gillette, 
Mrs.  Miriam  C.  Gillette,  W.  O.  Goodsell,  Mrs.  W.  O.  Goodsell. 

Maida  Green,  Ruth  E.  Gardner,  Mrs.  Jane  Hart,  Ernest  W.  Hart, 
Salmon  G.  Hart,  Mrs.  Helen  Hart,  Arthvir  J.  Hanna,  Bertha  Hanna, 
Mrs.  Minnie  Hanna,  Gilbert  Hatch,  Mrs.  May  Hatch,  Virginia  Hatch, 
Olive  R.  Hatch,  George  W.  Henry,  Grover  Henry,  Ernest  Hinman, 
Ida  Hough,  Maude  Huntington,  Jennie  Hurley,  Maurice  Hurley,  Isaac 
JulifT,  Hiram  A.  Jones,  Kitty  M.  Jones,  Henry  Joy,  Mrs.  Luna  C.  Ken- 
nedy, Alfred  Krappatsch,  Edward  Krappatsch,  Elizabeth  LaMont, 
Matthew  LaMont.  Mary  LaMont,  Augustus  A.  Lowrey,  Mrs.  Ida  Lowrey, 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE." 


599 


Mrs.  Elnora  Lowrey.  Hiram  P.  Lowrey,  Mrs.  Delia  Lowrey,  Edwin  W. 
Lowrey,  Lester  L.  Lowrey,  Mrs.  Lillie  Lowrey,  Annis  Lowrey,  Mrs. 
Fannie   Matthews.    Edwin   A.   Matthews,   Mrs.   Etta   Matthews. 

Arthur  Messenger,  Mrs.  Deha  Messenger,  Dwight  E.  Mills.  Mrs, 
Abhie  Mills,  Elmer  A.  Mills,  Harrison  B.  Mills,  Francis  A.  Mills,  Robert 
S.  Morse,  Chas.  E.  Morris,  Mrs.  Annie  Morris,  Ruth  L.  Morris,  Partha 
G.  Norton,  Herman  J.  Ockels,  Ernest  Peterson,  Agnes  Peterson,  Arthur 
Reed,  William  W.  Reed,  A.  W.  Saunders,  Mrs.  L.  S.  Saunders,  Arthur 
Saunders,  William  Saunders,  Charles  Saunders,  Sarah  Scoville,  Wheaton 
Scoville,  Sherman  B.  Scoville,  Mrs.  Flora  B.  Scoville,  Joseph  D.  Slocum, 
Mrs.  Ina  Stone,  William  Stone,  Rachael  Spencer,  Charles  Snow,  Mrs. 
Daisy  Snow,  Edgar  J.  Stuart,  Mrs.  Annie  Stuart,  Theodore  L.  Thomas, 
Mrs.  Eliza  W.  Thomas,  Eugene  H.  Thomas,  Genevieve  Thorpe,  Mrs. 
Harriett  Tuttle,  Duane  Webster,  Mrs.  Alvira  Webster,  Mrs.  Celia  Wilcox, 
L.  Cecil  Wilcox,  Ruben  Wellington,  George  Wells,  K.  H.  WoUman, 
Ella  M.  Winston,  FrankWinston. 


A  group  of  Bri.'itol  Police,  reading  from  left  to  right :  Ernest  T. 
Bclden,  Chief;  Thos.  F.  Gucking,  Capt. ;  Clarence  Lane,  James  O'Connell ; 
Fish;  Geo.  Schubert;  A.  Legasse;  C.  Hough;  Daniel  McGillicuddy;  A. 
Breault.    (Photos  by  Mr.    llitoop,  (udIc  Studio.) 


BELL  CITY  ARIE,  F.  O.  E. 

Bell  City  Aerie,  F.  O.  E.,  organized  February  id,  rooj,  present  mem- 
bership 250.  Officers  March,  1907,  named  in  the  order  in  which  they 
appear  in  the  iphotograph,  reading  from  left  to  right :  John  J.  Welsh, 
Trustee ;  John  Burns,  Inside  Guard ;  John  Johnson,  Outside  Guard ;  Fred 
B.  Michaels,  Treas. ;  Thos.  O'Brien,  Secy.;  Thos.  Clucking,  Trustee;  J. 
H.  Davis,  Pres. ;  John  Lonergan,  V.  Pres, ;  W.  R.  Hanrahan,  M.D.,  Doc- 
tor; Wm.  A.  Hayes,  Chaplin. 


600 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


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601 


602 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


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603 


Tlie  St.  Jean  Baptist  Society  was  organized  on  the  loth  of  November, 
1886,  by  the  following :  .A.drien  Taillon,  Amedie,  Fregeau,  Odilace  Taillou, 
Pierre  Allaire,  Augustin  Cote,  Leandre  Brault,  Leon  Lacourse,  Oliva 
Landry,  Fanie  Lupieu,  ,\thanase  Dumaine,  Joseph  Phaneuf,  Octave  La- 
course,  Joseph  Bechard,  Napolean  Brault.  Jean  B.  Isabelle,  Etienne 
Quisonault. 

The  charter  was  issued  about  two  years  later,  on  the  19th  of  October, 
1888.  The  motive  of  this  society  is  to  unite  under  one  banner  the  French- 
Canadians  of  our  city  and  vicinity.  To  be  a  member  of  this  society  one 
must  profess  the  Roman  Catholic  religion,  be  not  less  than  15  and  not 
more  than  45  years  of  age. 

The  sick  benefit  is  $5.00  a  week  during  twelve  weeks  in  twelve  months. 

The   society   to-day   numbers    115   members   and  is   increasing  rapidly. 

SCANDINAVL-\N  SICK  AND  DEATH  BENEFIT  SOCIETY. 


Officers  I  March,  l'J07) 

With  a  view  to  mutual  protection  in  the  time  of  sickness  and  death, 
twenty-seven  well-known  men  of  the  town,  who  were  natives  or  de- 
scendants of  Scandanavia,  assembled  on  November  11,  1882,  and  or- 
ganized the  Skandanavian  Sick  and  Death  Benefit  Society.  The  society 
was  established  as  a  purely  local  organization,  having  no  affiliations 
with  State  or  national  bodies. 

The  objects  of  the  organization  are  charitable — to  bring  aid  to 
the  members  in  the  time  of  sickness  and  bereavement  and  also  to  respond 
to  any  cry  of  distress  among  the  members.  Its  membership  is  not  con- 
fined wholly  to  men,  but  ladies  are  also  enrolled. 

From  Its  institution,  under  careful  officers,  the  society  has  had  a 
steady  and  healthy  growth.  The  present  membership  numbers  eighty. 
With  the  increase  of  membership,  the  treasury  has  kept  apace  and  the 
society  is  in  a  good  financial  condition.  The  society  has  met  all  of  its 
obligations  promptly,  and  furnishes  a  nurse  in  extreme  cases  of  illness. 

John  Berg  was  its  first  president,  and  after  eleven  successful  years 
the  society  was  incorporated  under  the  laws  of  the  State  of  Connecticut 
in  1893.  The  members  are  now  planning  a  big  jubilee  celebration  in 
honor  of  the  twenty-fifth  anniversary  in  the  fall. 

The  society  meets  the  fourth  Saturday  of  each  month  at  the  lecture 
room  of  the  Swedish  Lutheran  Church.  All  communications  to  the 
Order  should  be  sent  to  Algot  Nelson,  9  Stewart  Street.  The  present 
officers  of  the  society  are:  First  President,  John  M.  Bergh;  Second 
President,  Joseph  Lindholm ;  Third  President,  Mrs.  Maria  Carlson; 
Secretary,  Edgar  Gustafson ;  Assistant  Secretary,  John  L.  Anderson; 
Financial  Secretary,  Algot  Nelson;  Treasurer,  Victor  Lindholm;  Chap- 
lain, H.  A.  Wiberg;    Inside  Guard,  Benjamin  Gustafson. 


604 


BRISTOL,   CONNECTICUT 


The  One  Hundred  Men  Sick  Benefit  and  Burial  Society  "Star."  was 
organized  1892  and  incorporated  1903.  The  following  are  the  officers  at 
present  (March,  1907)  named  in  the  order  they  appear  in  the  photograph 
reading  from  left  to  right.  B.  Gustafson.  Guard  ;  Chas.  Anderson,  Secy. ; 
Chas.  Vallin,  2d  Trustee ;  Edward  Gustafson,  V.  Pres. ;  Nils  Pierson, 
Rec.  Secy. ;  Chas.  Benson,  Treas. ;  Martin  Pierson,  President ;  Edward 
Olson,  Fin.  Secy. 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE. 


605 


606 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


St.  Joseph's  Sick  Benevolent  Society  was  organized  April  i8,  i8g2, 
with  seventeen  charter  members,  as  follows  :  Joseph  Blum,  Rudolph  Bach- 
man,  Eugene  Blum,  John  Engbert,  Enos  Bachman,  Joseph  Aulbach,  John 
Griesner,  Bernard  Kather,  Joseph  Ehlert,  Anthony  Grove,  Joseph  PYies, 
August  Rerich,  Anton  Heppner,  Adam  Spielman,  Roman  Bachman,  Da- 
mian  Fries,  William  Engels.  The  installing  officers  were :  Thomas 
Kunkel  and  E.  Wachner  of  Bridgeport.  Receipts  since  organization, 
$1,950.00;  expenditures,  death  and  sick  benefits,  $1,547.54;  balance  in 
treasury,  $402.46.  Present  membership  (March  i,  1907),  twenty-five, 
with  the  following  officers  :  President,  Arthur  Clayvelt ;  Second  President, 
August  Gerrick ;  First  Secretary,  John  Englert ;  Second  Secretary,  Ru- 
dolph Bachman  ;  Treasurer,  John  Greisner ;_  Trustees,  W.  Englert,  Julius 
Bachman. 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE." 


607 


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608  BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


Societe  Des  Artisans  Canadienes  Francais 

Societe  Dcs  Artisans  Canadiens  Francais,  was  organized  in  May,  1903. 
The  following  are  the  officers  at  prseent  (March,  1907),  named  as  they 
appear  in  the  picture,  reading  from  left  to  right :  Osias  Lebeau,  Napoleon 
Landry,  Emanuel  Rondeau,  Aime  Millite,  Napoleon  Dube,  Rodolphe  Beau- 
doin,  Joseph  Landry,   President,  and  Dosithe  Breault. 


THE    SWEDISH    TEMPERANCE    SOCIETY    LODGE    "FRIHETr* 

No.  40. 

This  society  was  founded  November  11,  1905,  with  eight  charter 
members,  as  follows:  President,  Axel  Sjogren;  vice-president,  Carolina 
Larson;  secretary,  Gustave  Johnson;  collector,  Jons  Lindvall ;  sermon 
master,  C.  E.  Johanson ;  chaplain,  Kristina  Larson ;  inner  door  watch, 
Jennie   Larson ;   treasurer,   Elizabeth  Johnson. 

The  first  ordinary  meeting  was  held  November  18,  1905.  At  this 
meeting  fifteen  joined  the  society  and  from  these  the  rest  of  the  officeri 
were  elected,  which  are  as  follows:  Lodge  invisar,  Gusiave  Johnson;  rep- 
resentative, Alfred  Johnson ;  assistant  secretary,  Josephina  Carlson ;  outer 
door  watch,  Joseph  Anderson ;  assistant  sermon  master,  Selma  Persson ; 
past  president,  Mary  Pasmusson. 

This  society  was  formed  to  fight  the  use  of  intoxicating  drinks,  and 
anyone  who  can  talk  the  Scandinavian  language  may  jom  the  organization. 
This  is  a  world-wide  society  and  its  headquarters  is  in  Stockholm,  Swe- 
den. Frihet,  No.  40,  is  a  branch  of  the  England  Grand  Lodge  of  Hart- 
ford, Conn. 

Our  lodge  meets  every  Friday  night  in  the  new  T.  A.  &  B.  Hall  on 
North  Main  street.  We  now  have  forty  members  all  of  good  standing 
up  to  April   12,   1907.     The  above  picture  shows  who  are  officers  now. 

President,  C.  E.  Johnson ;  Vice-President,  Jons  Lindvall ;  Represent- 
ative from  Young  People's  Templar,  Gustave  T.  Lundahl ;  Secretary, 
Vincent  Quislberg;  Collector,  Anton  Chellberg ;  Treasurer,  Ester  Ander- 
son ;  Sermon  Master,  Arthur  Anderson ;  Chaplain,  Henney  Nelson ;  Inner 
Door  Watch,  Joseph  Anderson ;  Outer  Door  Watch,  John  Carlson , 
Assistant  Secretary,  Harry  Linden ;  Assistant  Sermon  Master,  Lilliam 
Linden;  Past  President,  Per  Lindell ;  Lodge  Invisar,  Gustave  Johnson. 


* — "Frihet"  or  Liberty. 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE 


G09 


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.610 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


Thomas  A,  Tracy,  First  Exalted  Ruler 

BRISTOL  LODGE,  No.   1010,  B.  P.  O.  ELKS. 

Late  in  the  year  of  1906  several  young  men  who  were  affiliated 
with  the  lodges  of  the  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks  in  the 
neighboring  cities,  conceived  the  idea  of  organizing  a  lodge  in  Bristol. 
The  idea  met  with  the  immediate  approval  of  every  Elk  residing  in  the 
town.  A  dispensation  was  applied  for  to  Grand  Exalted  Rviler  Robert 
Brown,  by  the  following  brothers:  W.  J.  Tracv,  C  H.  Tififanv,  F.  C. 
Stark,  J.  F.  Gleeson,  P.  H.  Condon,  W.  ].  Madden,  T.  A.  Tracy  and 
C.  D.  O'Connell. 

The  preliminary  work  was  completed  so  that  the  new  lodge  was 
instituted  at  the  Opera  House  on  Wednesday  evening,  January  24, 
1906,  by  District  Deputy  Dr.  James  H.  Kelley  of  New  Haven,  in  the 
presence  of  800  visiting  Elks  from  all  parts  of  this  State  and  Massa- 
chusetts. The  initiatory  work  was  conferred  by  the  degree  team  of 
New  Britain  Lodge,  No.  957. 

After  the  initiatory  work  and  institution,  the  members  and  guests 
adjourned  to  the  Armory  where  a  banquet  was  served,  followed  by 
addresses  by  Editor  A.  C.  Moreland,  of  the  Elks'  Antlers;  Alexander 
Harbison,  of  Hartford;  Dr.  James  H.  Kelley,  of  New  Haven;  Thomas 
L.  Reilley,  of  Meriden;  John  D.  Shea,  of  Hartford;  Patrick  McGovern, 
of  Hartford;  George  E.  Bunney,  of  New  Britain;  William  J.  Malone, 
Noble  E.  Pierce,  Roger  S.  Newell,  Adrian  J.  Muzzy,  D.  Brainard  Judd, 
Burdette  A.  Peck,  and  George  A.  Beers,  all  of  the  new  lodge.  The  pro- 
gram was  also  generously  interspersed  with  musical  numbers. 

The  new  lodge  was  instituted  with  a  membership  of  sixty-two,  with 
the  following  officers:  Exalted  Ruler,  Thomas  A.  Tracy;  Esteemed 
Leading  Knight,  Roger  S.  Newell;  Esteemed  Loyal  Knight,  James  F. 
Gleeson;  Esteemed  Lecturing  Knight,  William  j.  Malone;  Secretary, 
F.  Clinton  Stark;  Treasurer.  Charles  R.  Riley;.  Tyler,  Harry  C.  Rocke- 
feller;   Esquire,  Charles  H.  Curtiss;    Inner  Guard,  William  L.  O'Connell 


OR       NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


611 


Chaplain.  Rev.  William  H.  Morrison;  Trustees,  D.  Brainerd  Judd, 
Patrick  H.  Condon,  and  Dewitt  Page. 

The  charter  list  of  the  lodge  consisted  of  the  following:  H.  G. 
Arms,  B.  O.  Barnard,  A.  S.  Barnes,  D.  M.  Barry,  G.  H.  Blakesley,  G.  A. 
Beers,  H.  G.  Brown,  T.  H.  Brown,  H.  D.  Brennan,  W.  S.  Buckingham, 
W.  H.  Carpenter,  P.  A.  Cawley,  G.  E.  Cockings,  j.  J.  Coughlin,  C.  H. 
Curtiss,  C.  H.  Dcming,  A.  W.  Griswold,  W.  A.  Hayes,  J.  H.  Hayes,  D.  J. 
HefTernan,  W.  T.  Hofsees,  D.  B.  Judd,  F.  P.  Kennedy,  W.  J.  Lambert, 
M.  Loughlin,  W.  J.  Malone,  C.  V.  Mason,  P.  J.  Mc'Cue,  J.  McGinnis, 
J.  D.  Monaghan,  F.  E.  Meder,  W.  H.  Morrison.  W.  C.  Morgan,  A.  L. 
Morse,  H.  G.  Murnane,  A.  J.  Muzzv,  F.  C.  Norton,  H.  B.  Norton,  N. 
Nissen,  R.  S.  Newell,  M.  O'Connell,  T.  G.  O'Connell,  D.  W.  Page,  B.  A. 
Peck,  N.  E.  Pierce,  I.  E,  Pierce,  M.  E.  Pierson,  C.  R.  Rilev,  G.  L.  Roberts, 
A.  F.  Rockwell,  J.  D.  Rohan,  E.  L.  Shubert,  F.  T.  Thorns,  B.  P.  Webler. 

The  following  came  into  the  new  lodge  by  demit  from  New  Britain 
and  other  lodges:  T.  A.  Tracy,  W.  J.  Tracy,  F.  C.  Stark,  C.  H.  TifTany, 
P.  H.  Condon,  J.  F.  Gleeson,  C.  D.  O'Connell  and  W.  J.  Madden. 

The  new  lodge  has  had  a  steady,  healthy  growth  and  increased  its; 
membership  to  100  during  its  first  year.  The  present  officers  of  the 
lodge  are:  Exalted  Ruler,  Charles  H.  Curtiss;  Esteemed  Leading- 
Knight,  Henry  E.  Myers;  Esteemed  Loyal  Knight,  William  L.  O'Connell; 
Esteemed  Lecturing  Knight,  William  C.  Holden;  Secretary,  F.  Clinton 
Stark;  Treasurer,  S.  Edwin  Green;  Tyler,  Richard  T.  Lambert;  Trus- 
tees, D.  Brainerd  Judd,  Patrick  H.  Condon,  and  Dewitt  Page. 

The  lodge  at  present  meets  each  first  and  third  Monday  evening  at 
Pythian  Hall,  but  expects  within  a  few  years  to  have  an  Elks'  home  of 
its  own- 


Bristol  Band,  Old  Home  Week. 


612 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


Group  of 

Officers  and  members  of  Co.  D.,  Hibernian  Rifles,  (March,  1907)- 


OR        NEW    CAMBRIDGE."  (i  1 3 


BRISTOL  DIVISION.  AN'CIEXT  ORDER  OF  HIBERNIANS. 

Bristol  Divnsion,  No.  i,  .\iicieiit  Order  of  Hibernians,  ranks  high 
among  the  benevolent  organizaiions  of  Bristol.  This  division  was  or- 
ganized on  December  i~.  1887,  with  eleven  charter  members ;  of  the 
original  members  only  two  are  now  left,  Michael  J.  Cavvley  and  William 
Kane. 

The  installation  exercises  were  held  upstairs  in  the  old  ]\Iitchell 
building   on    Main   street,   where   Cleveland's   store   now    stands. 

As  the  division  increased  in  numbers  and  reputation,  it  moved  to 
various  meeting  places  in  order  to  accommodate  the  constantly  increas- 
ing lodge.  The  old  Y.  M.  C.  A.  building,  with  the  Skelly  block,  were 
among  the  places  where  the  lodge  met.  Eventually  headquarters  were 
secured  in  the  commodious  hall  of  the  Y.  M.  T.  A.  B.  society  and  here, 
at  regular  meetings,  the  lodge  holds  forth  in  large  numbers.  The  mem- 
bership is  rapidly  approaching  the  two  hundred  mark,  and  when  the 
society  celebrates  its  twentieth  anniversary  in  December  of  the  present 
year,  it  is  confidently  expected  that  the  double  century  mark  will  be 
reached. 

It  is  interesting  to  note  that  Michael  J.  Cawley.  the  original  president 
of  the  division,  who  was  instrumental  in  organizing  the  society,  has  held 
every  office  possible,  and  is  still  active  in  the  affairs  of  the  lodge.  He 
has  also  been  present  at  every  state  and  county  convention  held  since 
the  organization  of  the  local  division. 

An  idea  of  the  excellent  work  done  by  the  division  can  be  gleaned 
from  the  fact  that  over  $10,000  has  been  expended  for  benevolent  pur- 
poses. The  division  has  always  been  active  in  supporting  the  church 
affiliation  of  its  members  and  has  many  handsome  trophies  awarded  for 
popularity.  A  magnificently  mounted  silver  loving  cup  stands  in  a  con- 
spicuous place  in  the  lodge  room,  as  a  striking  example  of  the  division's 
triumph   over  other    fraternal   organizations   in   a   recent    friendly   contest. 

The  last  county  convention  of  the  order  was  held  in  Bristol,  and  the 
delegates  were  entertained  in  true  Bristol  style.  The  present  officers 
of  the  division  are:  President,  Jeremiah  McCarthy;  vice-president,  Thom- 
as Hackett ;  treasurer,  Thomas  Moran  ;  financial  secretary.  David  Kelley, 
and   recording   secretary,   John   J.    Donnelly. 

Bristol  Division  enjoys  the  honor  of  having  had  one  of  the  first 
uniformed  degree  teams  in  Connecticut,  and  it  is  in  constant  demand  at 
various   meetings   throughout  the   state. 

The  present  finances  of  the  division  are  excellent,  and  the  outlook 
for  the  future  is  bright. 

The  Ladies'  Auxiliary,  A.  O.  H.,  Division  No.  23,  of  Bristol,  was  or- 
ganized Sunday,  June  30,  igor,  by  State  President  Mrs.  Eleanor  McCann 
of  South  Manchester,  and  County  President  Miss  Nellie  Turley  of 
Hartford,  with  the  following  members:  Mrs.  P.  Swift,  Mrs.  C.  Smith- 
wick,  Mrs.  M.  Carey,  Mrs.  J.  Foley,  Kathryn  Foley,  Flora  Foley,  Hannah 
Foley,  Mary  Griffith,  Annie  Diniene,  Minnie  Diniene,  Mary  McMahon, 
Anna  O.  Harrigan,  Rose  Linnehan,  Annie  Mansel,  Ellen  Mansel  and 
Kathryn  Jones. 

The  following  officers  were  nominated  and  elected  :  President,  Mary 
McMahon ;  vice-president,  Anna  Harrigan ;  recording  secretary,  Rose 
Linnehan ;  financial  secretary,  Minnie  Diniene ;  treasurer,  Maude  C. 
Smithwick;   sergeant-at-arms,  Annie   Diniene;   sentinel,   Mary   Griffith. 

The  charter  closed  September  6,   1901,  with   131   members  enrolled. 

During  the  first  year,  as  well  as  the  years  following,  we  had  several 
social  hours,  which  helped  to  promote  good  fellowsliip  among  the  mem- 
bers. 

In  March,  1902,  the  five  officers  of  our  division,  attended  their  first 
convention,   held   at   Meridcn. 


614 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


The  first  anniversary  of  the  society  was  held  in  June,  1902,  at  T. 
A.  B.  hall,  the  members  of  the  First  Division  and  also  the  Ladies'  Aux- 
iliary of  New   Britain,   being  present. 

An  event  of  great  importance  to  our  auxiliary  was  the  County  Con- 
vention, which  was  held  in  the  Pythian  hall,  October  13,  1904.  This 
was  attended  by  all  the  division  officers  of  Hartford  county. 

The  society  has  a  well  trained  degree  team,  and  during  its  six  years 
of  existence  it  has  been  to  Thomaston,  Southington  and  Terryville  to 
exemplify  the  first,  second  and  third  degrees. 

The  present  membership  of  the  society  is  one  hundred  and  fifty-six. 

During  the  life  of  the  order  the  angel  of  death  has  entered  into  our 
presence,  taking  six  of  our  beloved  sisters  to  their  eternal  home,  and 
although  we  miss  them  we  know  they  are  safe  in  their  heavenly  home. 

The  auxiliary  has  been  prosperous  and  has  helped  the  various  char- 
ities which   called  upon   it   for  assistance. 

The  present  officers  of  the  society  are :  President,  Anna  C.  Harri- 
gan ;  vice-president,  Mary  Casey ;  recording  secretary,  Mayme  Harrigan ; 
financial  secretary,  Nellie  Doyle ;  treasurer,  Mrs.  Fitzsimons ;  sergeant- 
at-arms,  Annie  Diniene ;  sentinel,  Agnes  Murray. 


A.  O.   H.   Tug-of-War  Team. 


"NEW    CAMBRIDGE."  015 


COAIPANION   COURT   GENEVA.   NO  99. 

Companion  Court  Geneva,  No.  99,  was  organized  November  27,  1904 
by  J.  B.  Vallee  of  Waterbury,  Conn.  The  officers  installed  for  the  year 
1907  are:  Court  Deputy,  Geneva  Berchard;  Ex-Chief  Ranger,  Marie  Mo- 
quinn ;  Chief  Ranger,  Eglantin  Cote ;  Vice  Chief  Ranger,  Josephine 
Bechard ;  Treasurer,  Delia  Lutieu ;  Financial  and  Recording  Secretary, 
Oglore  Lufieu ;  Orator,  Elize  Vauasse ;  Organist,  Valeda  Cote;  Senior 
Woodward,  Alphonsine  Jodoin  ;  Junior  Woodward,  Pomela  Dube ;  Senior 
Beadle,  Dora  Buell ;  Junior  Beadle,  Melecie  Vanasse.  Companion  Court 
Geneva  is  one  of  the  only  French  Companion  Courts  in  Bristol,  was  or- 
ganized with  a  membership  of  20  and  now  numbers  45.  It  is  a  very  pros- 
perous little  court.  Meetings  are  held  in  the  French  parish  hall  on  the 
2d  Thursday  of  each  month. 

The  charter  members  are  Josephine  Bechard,  Geneva  Bechard,  Delia 
Duval,  Virginia  C.  Benoit,  Bertha  Marcotte,  Alphonsine  Jodain,  Marie 
Moquin,  Milicie  Vanosse,  Dora  Lemaine,  Marie  L.  Dauphinois,  Emma 
Duval,  Virginia  C.  Bensit,  Bertha  Marcotte,  Alphonsine  Jodain,  Marie 
A.  Jodoin,  Mauthe  Carriguan,  Angelina  Alexandre,  Valido  Grenier. 


L'UNION  SAINT-JEAN-BAPTIST  D'AMERIQUE. 

The  local  lodge  was  opened  Sept.  9,  1906.  The  first  lodge  of  the  order 
being  organized  in  Woonsocket,  R.  I..  May  7,  1900,  and  while  the  order 
is  young,  it  is  rapidly  growing.  The  fundamental  principle  is  fraternal 
insurance. 


BRIGHTWOOD    CAMP,  No.  7724,   M.  W.  of  A. 

Brightwood  Camp,  No.  7724,  M.  W.  of  America,  was  organized  in 
February  15,  1899  in  T.  A.  B.  Hall  with  fifteen  charter  members,  the 
society  has  a  steady  and  healthy  growth  and  to-day  numbers  over  one 
hundred  members.  Since  the  organization  of  the  society  there  has  been 
eight  deaths  and  every  claim  paid  promptly.  The  head  office  of  the 
Modern  Woodmen  of  America  is  in  Rock  Island,  Illinois  and  numbers 
over  1,000,000  members  on  its  roll.  It  is  an  insurance  order  and  offers 
protection  to  American  citizens  at  a  very  low  cost.  The  society  meets 
the  3rd  Friday  of  every  month  in  the  G.  A.  R.  Hall  on  North  Main  street. 
It  is  the  largest  fraternal  insurance  organization  in  the  world ;  also  the 
cheapest. 


OLIVET    CHAPTER,  No.   29,  O.  of  E.  S. 

Olivet  Chapter,  No.  29,  Order  of  the  Eastern  Star,  was  organized 
February  14,  1888,  with  a  charter  membership  of  forty.  The  present 
membership  (Mar.  r,  1907)  is  one  hundred  and  eight,  with  the  following 
officers  named  as  they  appear  in  the  photograph,  reading  frgim  left  to 
right :  Alary  Parsons,  Ruth  ;  Anna  Schmelz,  Electa ;  Estelle  Ely,  Chaplin  ; 
Mary  Buck,  Warder ;  Bertha  Beede,  Organist ;  Ellen  F.  Judson,  Secretary  ; 
Ida  McGar,  Esther;  Josie  Elwin.  Conductress;  Maude  Bryce,  Associate 
Matron  ;  Emily  Brown,  Worthy  Matron  ;  George  Brown,  Worthy  Patron  ; 
Lelia  Coe,   Marshal ;   Rachel   Brown,  Adah ;   Bessie  Warner,   Conductress. 

Clara  B.  M.  Douglass,  Martha,  and  Judson  Buskey,  Sentinel,  do  not 
appear  in   the  group. 


616 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


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Katkerine  Gaylord  Chapter,  D.A.K.. 


Organized  April  19,  1894.  Present  membership  (April  i,  1907),  129. 
Charter  members:  Florence  Emlyn  Downs  Muzzy  (Mrs.  Adrian  J.),  Mary 
Harriet  Seymour  Peck  (Mrs.  Miles  L.),  Mary  Jane  Atwood,  Charlotte 
Stearns  Griggs,  Grace  Brownell  Peck  (Mrs.  Epaphroditus),  Laura  Electa 
Seymour,  Clara  Lee  Bowman,  Pierce  Henderson  Root-Newell  (Mrs.  Ed- 
ward E.),  Lucy  Hurlburt  Tovvnsend  Treadway  (Mrs.  Charles  S.),  Mary 
Elizabeth  Brewster  Brainard  (Mrs.  Wilbur  F.),  Alice  M.  Bartholomew, 
Edith  Barnes  Ladd  (]\Irs.  Wyllys  C),  Angie  Manross  Sigourney  (Mrs. 
Albert  M.).  Minnie  Louise  Tuttle,  Louise  Griggs  Goodwin  (Mrs.  Willard 
E.),  Ida  Cook  Chidsey  (Mrs.  John  T.),  Annie  Whiting  Darron,  Grace 
Ella  Seymour  Ingraham  (Mrs.  William  S.),  Ellen  Amy  Peck,  Iva  Clarissa 
Darron,  Anna  Clarke  Tuttle,  Katherine  T.  Curtiss   (Mrs.  Harrison). 

The  officers  April  i,-  1907,  were:  Regent.  Mrs.  Carlyle  F.  Barnes; 
vice  regent,  Mrs.  William  S.  Ingraham;  recording  secretary,  Miss  Mary 
C.  Peck;  treasurer,  Mrs.  Chas.  M.  Kent;  registrar,  Mrs.  Mary  F.  Martin; 
corresponding  secretary,  Mrs.  Wilbur  F.  Brainard;  historian,  Mrs.  Edson 
M.  Peck. 

North  Cemetery  Committee — Miss  Clara  L.  Bowman,  ]\Iiss  M.  Jennie 
Atwood,  Mrs.  ^liles  Lewis  Peck  and  Mrs.  Mary  F.  Martin.  South  Ceme- 
tery Committee — Mrs.  Adrian  J.  Muzzy,  Miss  Mary  P.  Root  and  Misi 
Mary  C.  Peck.  Advisory  Board— Mrs.  Geo.  W.  Mitchell,  Mrs.  Albert  L. 
Sessions,  Mrs.  Flarry  W.  Barnes  and  Mrs.  Chas.  T.  Treadway.  Foreign 
Citizens'  Committee — Mrs.  E.  E.  Xewell,  Mrs.  Miles  L.  Peck  and  Miss 
Ella  A.  Upson.  Music  Committee — Mrs.  Charles  T.  Treadway.  Auditor — 
Mrs.  S.  Waldo  Forbes 


OR     "NKW     CAMBRIUGE." 


621 


Ofhcers 

IXDEPEXDENT    ORDER    OF    FORESTERS. 

(Companion  Court,  Victoria,  No.  146.) 

Companion  Court  was  instituted  Januarj-  13,  1905  with  tlic  membership 
of  ?^.  The  charter  members  were  as  follows:  C.  Deput\,  Ai>nes  O'Brien; 
P.  C.  R.,  Mary  Farrdl ;  C.  R.,  Malinda  Lange ;  V.  C.  R.'.  Xellie  Coughlin; 
R.  S..  Hannah  Shaw ;  F.  S.,  Lottie  E.  White ;  Treas.,  Julia  Fitzsimmons  ; 
Orator,  Edith  Shaw ;  S.  W.,  Lucv  Letomneau ;  J.  W.,  Laura  Letomneau ; 
S.  B..  Elizabeth  Hynds ;  J.  B.,  Mary  Mills;  Physicians.  Dr.  O.  J.  Beach, 
Dr.  H.  D.  Brennan ;  S.  J.  C,  Bessie  Day;  Organist,  ]\Iary  O'Brien;  the 
rest  of  the  charter  members  were :  Ellen  Collins,  Stella  Russell,  Wil- 
helimina  Gleeson,  Anna  Aulback,  Nellie  Gloadc,  Amelia  Leary,  Ellen 
Leary,  Emma  Robey,  Bertha  Ochler,  JMary  Sawe,  Mary  Moriarity,  Mar- 
garet  Moriarity,   Mary   Buskey,   Rosie   O'Brien. 


622 


BRISTOL.    CONNECTICUT 


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OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE."  623 


PEQUABOCK  LODGE,  No.  48,  I.   O.   0.   F. 

Instituted  February  8,  1883,  by  the  following  Grand  Lodge  officers: 
L.  I.  Munson,  Grand  Master;  Harry  Andrews  of  No.  oL',  Deputy  Grand 
Master,  pro  tern.;  Thomas  E.  Templeton,  Grand  Sentinel,  pro  tern.; 
George  Barry,  Grand  Marshall;  William  Terry,  Grand  Inner  Guard; 
Joseph  A.  Peck  of  No.  5,  Grand  Warden,  pro  tern.;  Frederick  Botsford, 
Grand  Secretary. 

Five  m.embers  of  good  standing,  living  in  Bristol,  having  asked 
for  a  charter,  a  meeting  of  the  Grand  Lodge  was  called  to  order  in  the 
afternoon  and  the  following  officers  elected  and  installed:  Noble  Grand, 
Charles  H.  Steel;  Vice  Grand,  Dr.  E.  P.  Woodward;  Secretary,  A.  H. 
Stahm;  Treasurer,  William  C.  Daab,  who  with  Charles  C.  Steele  had 
asked  for  the  charter  and  after  being  installed  the  m.eeting  was  ad- 
journed to  evening  when  the  following  named  persons  were  taken  in 
and  given  all  the  degrees: 

A.  H.  Stahm,  R.  A.  Crothers,  Geo.  J.  Shubert,  Fred  A.  Crane,  J.  C. 
Christinger,  J.  W.  Hickey,  E.  Alderman,  A.  Lane,  H.  Holt.  E.  J.  Brose, 
C.  H.  Warren,  Charles  H.  Steele,  Dr.  E.  P.  Woodward,  Wm.  C.  Daab, 
Geo.  H.  Olmstead,  Charles  F.  Micheal,  Theo.  Dresher,  L  W.  Tyler,  E. 
Mohler,  O.  A.  Jones,  C.  E.  Raymond,  M.  L.  Perkins. 

Pequabock  Lodge,  No.  48,  has  in  its  twenty-four  yeais  of  life  con- 
tributed its  share  in  the  building  up  of  Odd  Fellowship  in   Bristol,   as 
many  of  its  members  can  testify  to,  and  as  the  following  detailed  report 
will  show- 
Amount  received  for  dues .'if;23,452 .  20 

Paid  out  in  sick  benefits 7,769.78 

Paid  for  the  care  of  inembers  of  other  Lodges 863.99 

Paid  for  the  relief  of  widows ." 288.73 

Watching 1)24 .  17 

(For  many  years  the  Brothers  watched  with  a  Brother.) 

Money  paid  for  paraphernalia 1 ,3(  0 .  00 

Money  deposited  in  bank 1,401).  17 

Number  initiated 294 

Present  membership 182 

Number  of  Past  Grands 40 

I.  W.  Tvler  was  appointed  our  first  district  deputv  in  1893-94, 
Charles  J.  Anderson  in  1901,  C.  B.  Smith,  1905-07,  L  W.  Tyler  was 
the  first  to  receive  the  Grand  Lodge  Degree,  was  our  lirft  deputy  and 
is  still  active  in  the  Lodge.  Of  the  charter  members,  L  W.  Tyler,  Fred 
A.  Crane,  Charles  F.  Michael,  E.  G.  Brose,  M.  L.  Perkins,  father  of  our 
present  Noble  Grand,  C.  E.  Perkins,  are  at  the  present  time  members 
of  Pequabock  Lodge. 

Philip  Pond,  father  of  the  present  Grand  Master,  was  initiated  in 
old  Pequabock  Lodge,  No.  48. 

Respectfully  submitted  in  F.,  L.  and  T., 
C.  B.  SMITH. 
F.  A.  GRISWOLD, 
FRANK  SMITH, 
FRED  WILLIAMS. 


624 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


Present  Officers  of  Pequabuck  Lodge. 

Past  Grand,  A.  Stephenson;  Noble  Grand,  C.  E.  Perkins;  Vice 
Grand,  Geo.  B.  Michael;  Secretary,  F.  Wilder;  Permanent  Secretary, 
W.  T.  Tyson;  Treasurer,  F.  A.  Griswold;  Warden,  E.  P.  Choiniere; 
Conductor,  Geo.  Scherr;  Inside  Guard,  W.  Burnham ;  Outside  Guard, 
Paul  Nichols;  Right  Supporter  Noble  Grand,  C.  F.  Michael;  Left  Sup- 
porter Noble  Grand,  A.  A.  Lilgren;  Right  Supporter  Vice  Grand,  Fred- 
erick Miles;  Left  Supporter  Vice  Grand,  J.  Johnson;  Right  Scene  Sup- 
porter. Jos.  Galipo;  Left  Scene  Supporter,  Chas.  Dickinson;  Chaplain, 
F.  J.  Smith. 


OR        NEW    CAMBRIDGE 


625 


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626 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


STEPHEN  TERRY  LODGE,  No.  59,  I.   O.  O.  F. 

Stephen  Terry  Lodge,  No.  o\),  I.  O.  O.  F.,  was  instituted  April  loth, 
1892,  by  George  H.  Cowell,  Grand  Master,  assisted  by  Charles  B.  Ware, 
Deputy  Grand  Master,  Frederick  Botsford,  Grand  Secretary,  and  John 
W.  Smith,  Grand  Treasurer. 

The  following  are  the  names  of  the  charter  members:  Seth  W. 
Beebe,  Henry  M.  Cadwell,  Geo.  M.  Howes,  Chas.  H.  Kimberly,  B.  T. 
Lyons,  Henry  W.  Morgan,  Chas.  C.  Morgan,  John  H.  Simmons,  G.  T. 
Steele,  Adolphus  D.  Washburn,  Arthur  F.  Woodford,  Chas.  R.  Wood. 

At  the  close  of  the  ceremonies  of  institution,  the  charter  members 
were  called  to  make  a  choice  of  officers,  with  the  following  result:  Noble 
Grand,  Henry  M.  Cadwell;  Vice  Grand,  Chas.  H.  Kimberly;  Recording 
Secretary,  L.  D.  Waterhouse;  Permanent  Secretary,  A.  D.  Washburn; 
Treasurer,  W.  H.  Merritt.  The  above  named  officers  were  installed  by 
Grand  Master  Cowell.  A  team  from  Nosahogan  Lodge,  No.  21,  then 
initiated  forty-eight  candidates. 

At  the  close  of  the  first  term  ending  December  31,  1892,  Stephen 
Terry  Lodge  numbered  84  members.  At  the  present  time.  May,  1907, 
our  roll  numbers  358.     We  have  lost  by  death  16  members. 

Since  the  lodge  was  instituted,  we  have  paid  in  benefits  and  relief, 
$10,114.40.  Amount  of  invested  funds,  $3,000,  and  furniture  and  para- 
phernalia which  is  insured  for  $2,500. 


Some  Officers   Stephen   Terry   Lodge,   No.   59,    L    O.   O.   F. 

Present  officers:  Noble  Grand,  Samuel  W.  Howe;  Vice  Grand, 
B.  B.  Robbins;  Secretary,  J.  G.  Beckwith;  Financial  Secretary,  W.  B. 
Chapin;  Treasurer,  Ira  L.  Newcomb;  Right  Siipporter  Noble  Grand' 
Charles  Johnson;  Left  Supporter  Noble  Grand,  E.  M.  Church;  Warden 
Roland  D.  Barnes;  Conductor.  S.  E.  Dunning;  Right  Scene  Supporter, 
Leon  Barnum;  Left  Scene  Supporter,  James  HinchcHff;  Outside  Guard, 
Clarence  Mallory;  Inside  Guard,  John  Beaton;  Chaplain.  Arthur  C. 
Jewett;  Right  Supporter  Vice  Grand,  Henry  Soule;  Left  Supporter 
Vice  Grand,  William  W.  Grant. 


OR    NEW    CAMBRIDGB. 


627 


628  BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


VICTORIA   LODGE,  No.  13,  D.  0    H. 

Victoria  Lodge,  No.  13,  D.  O.  H.,  was  organized  Mar.  22,  1891,  with 
twenty  charter  members.  Present  membership  (March,  1907),  forty-four. 
The  following  are  the  present  officers  (March,  1907),  named  as  they  ap- 
pear in  the  picture,  reading  from  left  to  right:  Mrs.  Louisa  Geisweit, 
Trustee;  Mrs.  Rose  Lucksinger.  Vice-President;  Mrs.  Johanna  Hummel, 
Treasurer ;  John  Englert,  District  Deputy ;  Mrs.  Louisa  Schreck,  Secre- 
tary; Mrs.  Augusta  Bachmann,  President;  ^Irs.  Magdalena  Englert, 
Financial  Secretary. 


GUTTENBERG  LODGE,  No.  570,  D.  O.  H. 

The  above  named  lodge  was  organized  January  27,  1889.  There 
were  twenty-two  charter  members,  as  follows :  First  President,  Anthon 
Wolfe;  Second  President,  Louis  Bachman ;  Treasurer,  Lawrence  Matz; 
Secretary,  Amandus  Bachman ;  Joseph  Aulback,  Frank  Bachman,  Damian 
Fries,  Fred  Herold,  John  Ott,  John  Ronalter,  John  Spielman,  Erwin  Salg, 
Fred  Zang,  Joseph  Zang,  Bruno  Gerth,  Oscar  Jorrcs,  Theodore  Tresher, 
August  Stamm,  Joseph  Blatman,  Charles  Wieget'.  Chas.  Wolfe,  John 
Warenburger. 

These  members  were  installed  the  same  day,  which  was  January  27, 
1889,  by  State  Deputy,  George  Shultzer  of  Hartford;  President,  John 
Row  of  New  Britain;  Secretary,  George  Mischler  of  Aleriden  ,and  Treas- 
urer, Gustave  Whaler  of  Rockville. 

Present  officers  are :  Debitor,  Rudolph  Bachmar. ;  First  President, 
Lawrence  Spieler ;  Second  President,  Roman  Bachman ;  Secretary,  Jo- 
seph Aulback;  Financial  Secretary,  Amandus  Bachman;  Treasiu^er,  Enos 
Bachman. 


BRISTOL  SUB-DIVISION,  NATIONAL  RED   CROSS. 

A  gruup  of  the  members  of  The  Bristol  SubT)ivision  American  Na- 
tional Red  Cross :  i  Julian  McGar,  2  James  Burgess,  3  Leroy  Green,  4 
Claude  Griswold,  5  Lester  Sigourney,  6  Robt.  Lee,  7  Harry  Daniels,  8 
Gilbert  Smith.  9  Raymond  Cook,  10  Harvey  Wilder,  11  Kenneth  Abbott, 
12  Frederick  Beatson,  13  Elmer  Whittier,  14  Lawren;e  Steele,  15  Chas.  F. 
Olin,  16  Ira  Smith,  17  Irving  Wasley,  18  Eric  Waldo,  19  Samuel  Steele, 
20  Clarence  Thomas,  21  Clarence  Bond,  22  Walter  Wade,  2;^  Paul  Pelkj^ 
24  Gustave  Lundahl. 


SESSIONS   LODGE,  No.  44,  K.  of  P. 

Sessions  Lodge,  No.  44,  Knights  of  Pythias,  was  organized  Mar.  i, 
1905,  with  a  charter  membership  of  thirty.  The  mebership  in  March, 
1907  was  fifty.  Names  of  officers  as  they  appear  upon  the  picture,  reading 
from  right  to  left  are  as  follows  :  E.  N.  Bunnell,  master  at  arms ;  J.  H. 
Warner,  past  chancellor ;  Arthur  Potter,  master  of  finance ;  J.  W.  Bun- 
nell, keeper  of  records  and  seal;  W.  B.  Crumb,  master  of  exchequer; 
Fred  Percival,  prelate ;  H.  E.  Lawreace,  outer  guard ;  C.  W.  Daniels,  past 
chancellor;  F.  G.  Osborne,  master  of  work;  H.  N.  Downs,  chancellor 
commander;  C.  J.  Foster,  past  chan:ellor;  W.  C.  Warner,  inner  guard; 
J.  W.  Yale,  past  chancellor ;  C  W.  Taylor,  vice  chancellor. 


OR     "NEW     CAMBRIDGE 


629 


630 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


W 


NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


631 


Ionic  Council,  No.  ^i,  R.  &  S.  M.,  was  granted  its  charter  May  ii, 
1904,  and  started  with  19  charter  members,  who  were  formerly  members 
of  Doric  Council,  No.  24,  of  New  Britain. 

The  membership  now  numbers  over  50  and  has  had  three  masters : 
C.  Norton  Parsons,  1904;  Frank  L.  Mathes,  1905  and  1906,  and  Louis  L. 
Beach  for  1907. 


632 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


^.^^' 

'i<^  ' 

^'^ 

.i 

— ^^pte,... 

^   ^<                        ■    f 

O 


OR         NEW     CAMBRIDGE. 


633 


BRISTOL  FIRE  DEPARTMENT. 

From  Notes  by  Roswell  Atkins 


Fire  Dept.  Chief  Engineer,  Harlan  B.  Norton;  1st  Asst.  Engineer,  Mathew 
McCormick;   2d  Asst.  Engineer,,  John  M.   Hayes. 

Previous  to  ISoo  the  Town  of  Bristol  had  no  other  protection  from 
the  ravages  of  fire  than  the  unorganized  bucket  line,  notwithstanding 
repeated  demonstrations  of  the  necessity  for  something  had  been  oft 
repeated,  especially  in  1845,  by  the  total  destruction  in  a  few  short 
hours  of  the  largest  manufacturing  establishment  in  the  town,  consisting 
of  three  large  shops  with  out  buildings,  located  on  Main  Street  between 
-School  street  and  Riverside  avenue,  belonging  to  the  Chauncey  Jerome 
Clock  Co.,  resulting  in  the  removal  of  the  entire  plant  to  New  Haven, 
and  about  the  same  time  the  Terry  Clock  shop,  located  near  the  Pierce 
bridge,  was  destroyed,  under  the  excitement  of  which  a  charter  was 
obtained  for  a  fire  company,  consisting  of  forty-five  men,  thirty-five 
of  whom  might  be  military  subjects,  but  as  no  apparatus  was  provided, 
after  several  attempts  to  organize  a  company,  the  matter  was  dropped 
until  in  1853,  the  business  men  residing  in  the  south  part  of  the  village, 
headed  by  Edward  L.  Dunbar,  Alanson  S.  Piatt  and  Alphonso  Barnes, 
took  the  matter  in  hand  systematically  and  raised  by  subscription  some- 
thing over  two  thousand  dollars,  built  an  engine  house  on  School  street 
near  Main,  purchased  a  hand  engine  and  a  hose  cart,  such  as  were  in 
use  at  that  day  in  most  of  the  cities,  and  five  hundred  feet  of  leather 
hose,  secured  a  charter  for  a  coinpany  of  sixty  men,  as  Bristol  Engine 
and  Hose  Co.,  Xo.  1,  to  be  located  within  one  half  mile  of  the  bridge 
over  the  Pequabuck  river  on  Main  street,  and  in  September  of  that 
year  the  first  fire  company  was  duly  organized  and  the  property  placed 
in  their  care,  thus  forming  the  nucleus  oi  the  present  department. 


634  BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 

The  first  action  of  the  town  in  reference  to  the  matter  was  in  1856, 
by  an  appropriation  of  six  hundred  dollars  for  the  purchase  of  hose, 
at  which  time  the  property  on  School  street,  which  had  been  bought 
by  individuals,  was  deeded  to  the  town,  since  which  time  repairs  have 
been  paid  for  by  the  town,  previous  to  this  the  members  paid  for  them 
from  their  own  pockets,  except  occasionally  upon  solicitation  manu- 
facturers assisted  them,  their  only  remuneration  being  exemption  from 
poll  and  military  taxes. 

In  1870,  those  living  in  the  north  village,  having  witnessed  the 
effectiveness  of  even  one  hand  engine  in  confining  the  destruction  by 
fire  to  the  single  building  in  which  it  was  discovered,  and  learning  that 
a  good  engine  of  the  same  capacity  as  Xo.  1,  could  be  secured  at  a  reason- 
able price  of  the  City  of  Norwich  and  also  a  hose  cart,  raised  by  sub- 
scription a  sum  of  money  sufficient  to  secure  them,  and  also  erected 
the  building  now  known  as  Engine  House  No.  2,  on  North  Main  street. 
In  this  matter  Mr.  Wm.  W.  Carter  and  Lester  Goodenough  were  par- 
ticularly active.  And  a  charter  was  granted  as  Uncas  Engine  and  Hose 
Co.  No.  1  (that  being  the  name  of  the  engine),  with  an  allowance  of 
seventy  men,  and  in  October,  1870,  a  company  was  organized  and  placed 
in  possession  to  care  for  and  use  the  property  for  the  purpose  designed. 

It  soon  became  apparent  that  in  many  instances  ladders,  axes 
and  hooks  were  needed  in  order  to  successfully  cope  with  the  element, 
and  in  1872,  a  light  truck  with  several  ladders,  the  longest  being  forty 
feet,  were  purchased,  and  the  No.  1  engine  house  lengthened  to  receive 
it,  and  a  charter  having  been  obtained  for  a  company  consisting  of  forty 
members  at  any  time  as  Zealot  Hook  and  Ladder  Co.  No.  1,  a  company 
was  organized  and  occupied  these  quarters  for  about  two  years,  when  a 
building  was  erected  on  Meadow  street  (its  present  location)  in  order 
to  have  it  more  centrally  located. 

In  1881,  the  citizens  of  Forest ville,  having  purchased  a  steam  fire 
engine  and  a  hose  carriage,  obtained  a  charter  for  a  company  allowing 
one  hundred  men  as  Welch  Steam  Fire  Engine  and  Hose  Co.  No.  1,  of 
Forest  ville,  a  company  was  organized  and  the  town  erected  a  suitable 
building  for  the  storage  of  the  apparatus  and  the  use  of  the  company. 
In  the  same  year  the  town  appropriated  the  sum  of  seven  thousand  five 
hundred  dollars  ($7,500)  for  the  purchase  of  a  steam  fire  engine  to  be 
located  with  the  hook  and  ladder  truck  on  Meadow  street,  and  Hon' 
Edward  B.  Dunbar,  Samuel  P.  Newell,  Esq.,  and  John  H.  Sessions,  Jr.' 
with  the  chief  engineer  and  the  selectmen  were  appointed  a  committee 
to  procure  the  same. 

After  a  thorough  canvass  of  the  matter  this  committee  came  to 
the  conclusion  that  the  interests  of  the  town  would  be  better  served  by 
the  purchase  of  two  lighter  engines,  located  as  the  hand  engines  were, 
and  so  reported. 

This  decision  was  approved  by  the  citizens  generally,  and  two  La 
France  rotary  engines  were  purchased,  and  the  results  have  proved  the 
decision  to  have  been  a  wise  one  by  the  quickness  of  the  arrival  of  one 
engine  at  a  fire  in  any  part  of  the  village. 

This  outfit  did  good  service  until  the  introduction  of  a  system  of 
water  works  in  1885  rendered  the  use  of  engines  for  the  most  part  un- 
necessary wherever  hydrants  could  be  reached.  Soon  after  one  of  the 
rotary  engines  took  the  place  of  the  apparatus  in  use  in  Forestville,  and 
the  other  was  placed  with  the  truck  on  Meadow  street  for  use  in  case  of 
emergency.  One  of  the  hand  engines  and  the  old  steamer  in  Forestville 
were  sold!  The  original  No.  1,  Hand  Engine,  was  retained  as  a  relic  or 
survivor,  it  having  been  built  for  the  town  in  1853  by  A.  W.  Roberts  8c 
Co.  of  Hartford.  A  new  hook  and  ladder  truck  with  extension  ladders 
was  purchased  in  1889,  and  the  old  one  sold. 

In  1871,  the  town  for  the  first  time,  appointed  a  Board  of  Fire 
Commissioners,  consisting  of  five  inembers,  to  have  a  general  super- 
vision of  the  department,  and  the  appointment  of  a  Chief  Engineer  and 


NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


635 


assistants,  and  in  1875,  compensation  of  twenty  cents  per  hour  was 
voted  the  members  of  the  department  for  services  at  fires. 

In  1881,  the  number  of  Commissioners  was  increased  to  six,  and 
instead  of  annual  appointments,  two  were  to  be  elected  each  year  to 
serve  for  three  years,  and  a  code  of  by-laws  was  adopted  for  the  regulation 
of  the  department. 

The  following  persons  have  served  as  commissioners,  most  of  them 
until  death  or  resignation:  Dr.  James  H.  Austin,  James  E.  Ladd 
Josiah  T.  Peck,  Julius  Nott,  Wm.  W.  Carter,  Laport  Hubbell,  Edward 
B.  Dunbar,  Julius  R.  Mitchell,  Edward  Ingraham,  Roswell  Atkins, 
George  H.  Miller,  John  H.  Sessions,  Sr.,  John  Birge,  Samuel  D.  Bull, 
George  W.  Mitchell,  George  H.  Hall,  Charles  H.  Deming,  John  H.  Ses- 
sions, Jr.,  and  the  following  have  served  as  chief  engineers:  William 
W.  Carter,  Henry  A.  Peck,  William  A.  Dunbar,  Roswell  Atkins,  James 
Hanna,  Joseph  T.  Bradshaw,  George  H.  Hall,  Howard  G.  Arms,  most 
of  them  having  served  in  other  capacities  previously. 

The  department  by  its  promptness  to  respond  to  alarms,  whether 
in  summer's  heat  or  winter's  cold,  at  noonday  or  dead  of  night,  its  skill 
and  tenacity  of  purpose  to  leave  nothing  undone  to  secure  safety  of 
life  and  property,  has  won  a  reputation  at  home  and  ainong  insurance 
adjusters,  of  which  they  are  justly  proud,  having  frequently  been  com- 
plimented for  their  successful  control  of  fires  in  exceedingly  close  and 
dangerous  conditions,  and  the  harmony  which  exists  throughout  the 
department  is  a  matter  of  congratulation. 


Enguieer  Fred  McGor. 


Stoker  Fred  Mitchell. 


636 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


Group  of 
Oflficers  and  members  of  Bristol  Engine  and  Hose  Co.,  No.  i,  (Mar.,  1907). 


OR         NEW     CAMBKIDOE. 


n37 


BRISTOL  EXGIXE  AXD  HOSE  CO.  XO.  r. 

In  1853  the  business  men  residing  in  the  south  part  of  the  village, 
headed  by  Edward  L  Dunbar,  Alanson  S.  Pratt,  and  Alphonzo  Barnes, 
raised  by  subscription  something  over  $2,000,  built  the  engine  house  on 
School  street,  near  Main,  purchased  an  engine  and  hose  carriage,  such  as 
were  in  use  at  that  time  in  most  of  the  cities,  also  500  feet  of  hose, 
secured  a  charter  for  a  company  of  sixty  men,  as  Bristol  Engine  and  Hose 
Co.'  No.  I,  to  be  located  within  one-half  mile  from  the  bridge  over  the 
Pequabuck  river  on  Main  street,  and  in  September  of  that  year  the  first 
fire  company  was  duly  organized,  and  the  property  placed  in  their  care, 
thus*(  forming  the  nucleus  of  the  present  department.  The  first  action 
of  the  town  was  in  1856,  by  an  appropriation  of  $600  for  the  purchase 
of  hose,  at  which  time  the  property  purchased  by  individuals  on  School 
street  was  secured  by  deed  and  bill  of  sale  to  the  town,  since  which  time 
repairs  have  been  paid  for  from  the  town  treasury,  previous  to  which  the 
members  paid  for  them  from  their  own  po:kets,  or  solicited  from  the 
property  holders,  their  remuneration  being  exemption  from  poll  and  mili- 
tary taxes  only.  The  illustration  on  the  opposite  page  shows  the  officers 
and  men  March,   1907. 


No.    1  Hose  Company's  Tug  of  War  Team. 


638 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


Officers  and  members  of  Zealots  Hook  and  Ladder   Co.,   No.   i, 
(March,  1907). 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE."  639 


ZEALOTS  HOOK  AND  LADDER  CO.  NO.  i. 

Li  1872  a  light  truck  with  several  ladders,  the  longest  being  forty 
feet,  was  purchased,  and  the  No.  i  engine  house  lengthened  •  to  receive 
it.  A  charter  having  been  granted  to  James  Hanna,  James  A.  Matthews, 
Thomas  Parsons,  William  Root,  and  William  Curtis,  and  associates,  as 
Zealots  Hook  and  Ladder  Co.  No.  i,  to  the  number  of  forty  at  any  one 
time,  a  company  was  organized  occupying  these  quarters  for  about  two 
years,  when  a  building  was  erected  on  Meadow  street  (its  present  loca- 
tion), in  order  to  have  it  more  centrally  located.  The  half-tone  illustra- 
tion on  the  opposite  page  shows  the  officers  and  men  March,  1907. 


640 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


C 

'c 

C 


o 


OR     "new    CAMBRIDGE  "  (341 


UNXAS  FIRE  COMPANY. 

It  had  been  argued  that  there  should  be  located  at  the  North  End  of 
Bristol,  then  growing  very  fast,  a  fire  company,  as  much  valuable  property 
would  be  lost  in  case  of  fire,  if  too  much  dependence  was  placed  upon 
the  only  fire  company  in  town,  which  was  doing  a  great  deal  of  good, 
but  was  located  at  tiie  south  end  of  the  town.  So,  through  the  efifortj 
of  William  Carter,  O.  D.  Warner,  James  E.  Ladd,  Harry  Henderson,  J. 
T.  Peck,  George  Lewis  and  H.  L.  Beach,  a  company  was  organized  and 
petitioned  the  General  Assembly  to  incorporate  them  into  a  fire  engine 
company. 

In  May,  1870,  the  General  Assembly  granted  a  charter  to  the  above 
named  men  and  others  who  were  interested,  for  a  fire  company. 

At  this  late  day  it  is  impossible  to  give  an  accurate  history  of  the 
old  company  whicli  disbanded  May  30,  1894,  when  the  new  company  was 
organized  under  the  efforts  of  Howard  Arms,  who  was  then  chief  of  the 
department. 

The  first  meeting  of  the  present  company  was  held  May  30,  1894,. 
with  Chief  Arms  in  the  chair,  and  on  July  5,  1894,  the  following  officer^ 
were  elected :  Foreman,  Joseph  Conzelman ;  first  assistant,  C.  R.  Good- 
enough  ;  second  assistant,  E.  O.   Porter. 

It  has  always  been  a  matter  of  comment,  not  only  of  the  citizens  of 
the  town,  but  of  visitors,  of  the  quick  response  to  fires  of  the  entire  de- 
partment. It  has  been  the  custom  of  the  Uncas  Company  to  start  im- 
mediately with  cart,  without  waiting  for  the  truck  and  horses  which  are 
located  at  the  south  end  of  the  town,  and  which  would  cause,  if  waited 
for,  the  loss  of  valuable  time  at  fires. 

The  following  is  a  copy  of  resolutions  presented  to  the  company  after 
a  hard  and  disastrous  fire : 

"At  a  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Fire  Commissioners  held  November 
16,  1905,  it  was  unanimously  voted  that  a  letter  of  thanks  should  be  writ- 
ten each  company,  relating  to  their  efficient  services  at  tires ;  and  in  behalf 
of  the  town  the  commissioners  do  hereby  thank  you  all  for  your  loyalty 
and  bravery  in  the  work.  We  trust  that  the  drenching  which  many  of 
you  often  receive  of  ice  cold  water  will  not  cool  your  ardor,  but  that  you 
will  continue  the  good  work  in  the  future  as  in  the  past." 

The  Uncas  House  is  always  open  to  its  active  and  honorary  members 
in  which  there  are  card  tables  and  pool  room,  with  which  to  amuse  one- 
self. A  phonograph  has  also  been  bought  and  is  at  the  disposal  of  mem- 
bers, and  is  in  constant  use,  especially  on  Sunday  afternoon  and  evenings. 
Clam  suppers  have  become  a  noted  event  with  the  friends  of  the  com- 
pany. The  first  clam  supper  was  held  in  December,  1895,  and  since  that 
time  the  company  has  given  from  three  to  eight  in  a  season..  It  has  been 
customary  to  invite  the  town  and  borough  officers,  as  well  as  the  Fire 
Commissioners,  at  least  once  a  year  to  enjoy  a  steamed  clam  supper  with 
the  members. 

The  company  have  held  several  lawn  festivals  and  concerts  on  their 
spacious  lawn.  The  first  of  these  was  held  in  May,  1897,  which  proved 
so  successful  that  others  have  been  given  with  same  degree  of  success. 

The  only  fair  the  company  has  given  was  held  in  the  Opera  Plouse  in 
January,   1902. 

In  Jvovember,  1895,  the  company  paid  a  visit  to  the  Plantsville  Com- 
pany in  Plantsville  and  presented  the  company  with  a  pitcher.  On  April 
19,  1898,  the  company  was  presented  by  the  members  of  the  former  com- 
pany, three  large  elegant  silver  trumpets,  which  have  ornamented  the 
parlors  as  well  as  being  very  useful  to  the  officers. 

On  March  i,  1897,  the  company  fitted  out  a  room  that  had  been  set 
aside,   into   very   elaborate   parlors,   which   is   the   pride   of  the  company. 


642 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


Otticers  and  Members  of  Uncas   Hose  Company 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE." 


64? 


It  has  a  full  set  of  leather  seated  chairs  and  tete-a-tete,  a  lounge,  oak 
table,  ak  secretary's  desk  and  a  very  handsome  chandelier. 

On  March  4,  1897,  the  members  opened  the  house  to  the  public  for 
their  inspection  and  the  company  received  very  high  praise  in  the  taste- 
fulness  of  the   decorations   and  the  general   interior. 

On  August  2,  1898,  the  Fire  Commissioners  and  honorary  members 
were  given  a  reception  in  the  parlors. 

The  company  has  been  to  several  of  the  surroundmg  towns  and  par- 
ticipated in  parades.  The  following  towns  are  among  those  visited  by 
the    company:    Plantsville,    Thomaston    and    Torrington. 

The  cart  decorations  have  been  most  elaborate,  the  young  ladies  of 
the  north  end  have  taken  a  great  deal  of  interest  in  the  company  and  on 
all  of  its  parades  have  spent  evening  after  evening  decorating  the  cart 
with  flowers. 

The  company  has  had  two  different  uniforms;  the  first  was  a  blue 
used  by  a  great  many  of  the  city  departments.  On  April  21,  1901,  the 
imiform  now  worn  by  the  company  was  adopted  and  has  been  the  cause 
of  very  high  praise  for  the  company.  The  first  time  the  new  uniforms 
were  worn  was  at  the  parade  held  in  Torrington,  August  10,  1901.  The 
first  time  the  company  appeared  m  the  uniforms  in  Bristol  was  at  the  an- 
nual inspection  of  the  department  held  in   September,  1901. 

The  company  has  in  the  basement  an  apparatus  for  washing  hose,, 
which  is  the  only  one  like  it  in  use.  It  was  gotten  up  and  built  and  pat- 
ented by  members  of  the  company  and  with  a  few  men  a  thousand  feet  of 
hose  can  be  thoroughly  washed  in  ten  or  fifteen  minutes. 

It  is  very  sad  to  look  back  over  our  records  and  find  that  some  who 
were  once  active  in  our  circle  have  been  taken  by  death.  The  first  of 
our  members  who  have  died  was  George  Van  Ness  who  died  March  16, 
1896.  On  December  12,  1901,  Walter  Pond  died.  On  September  21,  1904, 
Walter  Hill  died. 


Uncas  Hose  Company. 


644 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


Officers  ami  members  of  Welsh  Steam  Fire  Engine  and  Hose  Co..  No.   i, 

(March,   1907). 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE."  645 


WELCH   STEAM   FIRE  ENGINE  AND  HOSE  CO.  NO.  i. 
(Of  Forestville.) 

In  1881  the  citizens  of  Forestville,  having  purchased  a  steam  fire 
engine  and  hose  carriage,  and  a  charter  having  been  granted  George  H. 
Mitchell,  Laport  Hubbell,  Chaunce}'  L.  Hotchkiss,  Isaac  W.  Beach,  Ho- 
bart  Booth,  and  Samuel  D.  Bull,  and  associates,  to  the  number  of  loo 
men  at  any  one  time,  as  Welch  Steam  Fire  Engine  and  Hose  Co.  No.  i, 
of  Forestville,  a  company  was  organized  and  the  town  erected  a  suitable 
building  for  the  storage  of  the  apparatus  and  the  use  of  the  company. 
The  company  has  prospered  since  its  very  beginning,  and  is  at  present  in 
first  class  condition,  being  splendidly  equipped  and  having  a  fine  personnel. 
On  the  opposite  page  is  shown  a  group  picture  of  the  officers  and  men  in 
March,  1907. 


646 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


GILBERT  W.    THOMPSON  POST  No.  13,  G.  A.   R. 

Gilbert  W.  Thompson  Post,  No.  13,  Department  of  Connecticut,  G. 
A.  R.,  was  organized  December  6,  1882,  with  the  following  charter  mem- 
bers : 

Nelson  Bronson,  ist  lieut.  U.  S.  Army,  retired;  Grove  E.  Castle, 
private,  Co.  C,  8th  Conn.  Vols.;,  Wm  Hubbell,  private,  Co.  K.,  i6tli 
Conn.  Vols. ;  Walter  H.  Hutchinson,  private,  Co.  C,  12th  Conn.  Vols., 
and  1st  lieut.  99th  U.  S.  Vols.  ;  George  Merriman,  Jr.,  private,  Co.  K, 
i6th  Conn.  Vols.;  Irving  W.  Tyler,  private,  Co.  K,  20th  Elaine  Vols.; 
Merwin  H.  Perkins,  corporal,  Co.  E,  20th  Conn.  Vols.  ;  Augustus  Lane, 
private,  Co.  I,  ist  C.  V.,  H.  Art.  ;  Henry  H.  Riggs,  private,  Co.  C, 
8th  Conn.  Vols. ;  Franklin  Ball,  mitsician,  Co.  C,  lOth  Conn.  Vols. ;  James 
S.  Reynolds,  private,  Co.  I,  97th  N.  Y.  Vols.;  Gilbert  S.  Richmond,  pri- 
vate, Co.  I,  25th  Conn.  Vols.;  George  J.  Schubert,  corporal,  Co.  I,  25th 
Conn.  Vols.;  Silas  M.  Norton,  ist  sergeant,  Co.  K,  i6th  Conn.  Vols.; 
Wm.  W.  Dickens,  wagoner,  Co.  A,  nth  Conn.  Vols.  ;  Theodore  Schu- 
bert, bugler,  Co.  A,  ist  Conn.  Cav.  ;  W.  E.  Shelton,  private,  Co.  D,  5tn 
Conn.  Vols.;  Clifford  D.  Parsons,  private,  Co.  A,  8th  Conn.  Vols.; 
Wm.  H.  Adams,  sergeant,  Co.  M,  ist  Conn.  Cav.  ;  Asa  Dillaby,  corporal, 
Co.  A.  i8th  Conn.  Vols. ;  Burnham  W.  Francis,  private,  Co  K.  i6th 
Conn.  Vols.;  Aldelbert  D.  Webster,  corporal,  Co.  ',  2nd  C.  V.,  H.  Art.; 
Fred  W.  Crane,  private,  Co.  A,  i6th  Conn.  Vols.  ;  Sereno  T.  Nichols, 
private,  Co.  i,  25th  Conn.  Vols.  ;  Henry  A.  Peck,  captain,  Co.  I,  loth 
Conn.    Vols.  ;    Gilbert   J.    Bentley,    sergeant,    Co.    B,   37th    Mass.    Vols.  ; 


Some  Members  Gilbert  W.  Thompson  Relief  Corps,  March,  1907 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE." 


647 


Past  Commander  Franklin    Bali. 

Newell  Moulthrop,  private,  Co.  H,  23d  Conn.  Vols.;  George  H.  Bates, 
corporal,  Co.  D,  2d  C.  V.,  H.  Art.;  Chas.  E.  Russell,  private,  Co.  A, 
20th  Conn.  Vols.  ;  Samuel  R.  Terrell,  private,  Co.  D,  2d  C.  V.,  H.  Art.  ; 
Mortimer  R.  Keeney,  corporal.  Co.  B,  13th  Conn.  Vols.  ;  David  W.  Hall, 
captain,  Co.  H,  4th  Engrs. ;  Wni.  C.  Hillard,  hos.  steward,  U.  S.  army; 
Arthur  S.   Parsons,  private,  Co.  G.,  i6th  Conn.  Vols. 

ROSTER  JANUARY  i,  1907. 

Roster  January   i,   1907. 

Wm.  Hubbell,  Walter  H.  Hutchinson,  Geo.  Merriman,  Irving  W. 
Tvler,  Franklin  Ball,  Tlieodore  Schubert,  Wm.  H.  Adams,  Henry  A.  Peck, 
Newell  Moulthrop,  Geo.  H.  Bates,  David  W.  Hall,  Wm.  C.  Hillard,  Arthur 
H.  Parsons,  Austin  D.  Thompson,  Henry  B.  Cook,  Gilbert  H.  Blakesley, 
Geo.  B.  Chapin,  Timothy  B.  Robinson,  Wm.  C.  Richards,  Harrison  S. 
Judd,  Wm.  H.  Nott.  Henry  S.  Avery,  Z.  Fuller  Grannis,  ^Marvin  L.  Gay- 
lord,  Albert  C.  Loomis,  Elbert  Manchester,  Asahel  A.  Lane,  Heman  A. 
Weeks,  Wm.  L.  Weeks,  Augustus  H.  Funck,  George  H.  Grant,  Fairfield 
Dresser,  Napoleon  B.  Neal,  Chas.  B.  Upson,  Aaron  C.  Dresser,  Amzi  P. 
Clark,  Hiram  W.  Simons.  Walter  F'ish,  Chas.  H.  Johnson,  Watson  N. 
Smith.  George  T  Cook,  Thomas  Bunnell,  Clarence  H.  Muzzy,  Hubert  D. 
Royce  or  Rice,  Wm.  L.  Norton,  William  W.  Cone,  Ira  B.  Smith,  Homer 
W.  Griswold,  Sylvester  P.  Harrison,  Isaac  W.  Judd,  Nathan  L.  Bartholo- 
mew, John  Walton,  Francis  Williams,  Edward  H.  Allen,  Epaphroditus 
Harrison,  James  B.  Sanford,  Stephen  C.  Robbins,  Geo.  F.  Nichols,  Clif- 
ford   D.    Parsons,   Leroy   T.    Hill — total,   60. 


LIST  OF  OFFICERS,  MARCH   i,   1907. 

Post  Commander,  George  T.  Cook ;  S.  V.  Commander,  George  H. 
Bates;  J.  V.  Commander,  Harrison  S.  Judd:  Surgeon,  Henry  A.  Peck; 
Chaplain,   Franklin   Ball:   (Officer  of  Day.   Hiram   W.    Simons;   Officer  of 


648 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


Guard,  Walter  Fish;  Quartermaster,  George  B.  Chapin ;  Adjutant,  Ira  B. 
Smith;  Sergeant-Major,  Walter  H.  Hutchinson;  Quartermaster-Sergeant, 
Thomas  Bunnell. 

LIST  OF  POST  COMMANDERS. 

George  Merriman,  Walter  H.  Hutchinson,  Franklin  Ball,  Wm.  Hub- 
bell,  Irving  W.  Tyler,  Wm.  C.  Hillard,  Timothy  B.  Robinson,  Z.  Fuller 
Granniss,  Albert  C.  Loomis,  Heman  A.  Weeks,  Ira  B.  Smith,  John  Wat- 
son 

GILBERT  W.  THOMPSON   RELIEF  CORPS 

On  the  2d  day  of  January,  1884,  Gilbert  W.  Thompson  Relief  Corps, 
No.  4,  of  Bristol,  was  organized,  Mrs.  Elizabeth  C.  Keifer  of  Wadhams 
Corps,  Waterbury,  acting  as  the  instituting  and  installing  officer.  The 
number  of  charter  members  was  27,  viz. :  Emma  Parlin,  Ellen  Morse, 
Ellen  Grant,  Mary  Norton,  Mary  Nott,  Minnie  Chapin,  Sophia  Schubert, 
Mary  Merriman,  Fannie  Stone,  Augusta  Judd,  Henrietta  Thompson,  Re- 
becca Hall,  Martha  Russell,  Althea  Hutchinson,  Parmelia  Holmes,  Susan 
Traver,  Hattie  Webster,  Emma  Arnold,  Sarah  Potter,  Alice  Cook,  Eva 
Yale,  Ellen  Dickens,  Minerva  Hungerford,  Ida  Stillman,  Jennie  Riggs, 
Betsey  Downs,  Jennie  Williams.  The  tirst  officers  of  Thompson  Corps 
were :  President,  Emma  Parlin  (who  is  now  Emma  Wright  of  New  Brit- 
ain, where  she  has  since  been  President  of  Stanley,  No.  12)  ;  Senior 
Vice-President,  Henrietta  Thompson ;  Junior  Vice-President,  Minnie  J. 
Chapin;  Secretary,  Mary  B.  Nott;  Treasurer,  Sophia  M.  Schubert; 
Chaplain,  Ellen  Morse  ;  Conductor,  Ida  Stillman  ;  Guard,  Jennie  Riggs. 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE." 


649 


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650 


BRISTOL,     CONNECTICUT 


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OR        NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


651 


WOMAN'S  RELIEF  CORPS. 

Newton  S.  Manross  Woman's  Relief  Corps,  Xo.  9,  Auxiliary  to 
Manross  Post,  was  organized  December  10.  1884.  with  a  charter  member- 
ship of  twenty,  including  Forestville  and  Plainville  ladies. 

Its  first  officers  were:  Sarah  E.  Reynolds,  President;  Kate  F. 
Hills,  Senior  Vice  President;  Mary  L.  Tinker,  Junior  Vice  President; 
Alice  E.  Wilson,  Secretary;  Jennie  B.  Atkins,  Treasurer;  Sarah  J;. 
Graves,  Chaplain;  Georgiana  Newell,  Conductor;  Laurie  E.  Frisbie, 
Guard. 

The  meetings  were  held  in  the  old  Firemen's  Hall  until  it  was  de- 
stroyed by  fire,  the  Corps  losing  its  original  charter  and  organ.  A  new 
charter  was  procured  and  in  spite  of  losses  and  the  inconipleteness  of 
instructions  in  these  early  years,  these  loyal,  faithful  women,  who  were 
lits  charter  members  and  an  equal  number  who  had  joined  its  ranks 
fabored  on,  and  its  present  success  is  largely  owing  to  their  courage  and 
aithfulness. 

At  the  present  time  it  has  a  membership  of  67.  and  is  now  as  in 
its  first  years  striving  to  be  a  help  to  the  veterans  and  to  the  Post  to  which 
it  is  auxiliary. 


Some  of  the  Members  of  Manross  Post. 


652 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


BRISTOL  TRUST  COMPANY. 

The  new  building  is  a  substantial  structure  composed  of  pure  white 
marble.  Its  exterior  outlines  are  sharply  defined  angles,  while  its  stal- 
wart and  symmetrical  columns  relieved  by  beautiful  carving,  classic  in 
every  line,  impart  stateliness  and  dignity  to  its  appearance. 

The  tiled  roof  with  its  red  and  green  and  copper  tints  affords  a  strik- 
ing contrast  with  the  white  walls  beneath. 

The  building  is  the  embodiment  of  substantiality  and  prac- 
tical service,  as  well  as  architectural  strength  and  beauty.  Its  style  com- 
bines those  qualities  of  ancient  Greek  architecture  which  appeal  so  strong- 
ly to  the  modern  mind,  that  even  its  resurrected  masterpieces  are  the 
marvel  of  modern  architects.  This  style  requires  the  most  skilled  work- 
manship and  gives  assurance  that  the  building  will  permanently  retain  its 
beauty  and  command  admiration  in  after  years. 

The  building  is  surrounded  by  an  attractive  lawn  provided  with  a 
profusion  of  plants  and  shrubbery  after  the  Italian  garden  style,  with  an 
Italian  garden  bench   at  the   concave  corner. 

Set  in  an  ample  green  space,  the  white  walls  and  red  crowned  roof 
of  this  building  will  inspire  and  develop  esthetic  ideals  in  the  mind  of 
even  the  most  indifferent  observer. 

Four  stately  fluted  columns  guard  the  entrance  which  leads  into  an 
attractive  vestibule,  richly  decorated  in  gold  tints.  From  the  vestibule 
one  enters  the  public  corridor  where  at  once  the  entire  main  banking 
room  is  in  view.  The  domed  ceiling  rises  out  of  the  large  fluted  Ionic 
pilasters  with  ornamental  cornices  and  the  floor  is  of  Italian  marble  with 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE."  653 

green  scriHUiiiK'  bonlers.  and  tlio  side  walls  are  wainscoted  with  polished 
Paonazzo  marlile.  cliaracterized  by  dark  green  veins.  The  woodwork  is 
Honduras  mahogany  of  the  finest  fibre  and  the  highest  finish. 

The   decorators    of   the   building   were   Mortensen   and   Holdensen   of 

Boston.  Both  Mr.  Mortensen  and  Mr.  Holdensen  have  had  a  thorough 
art  education,  having  studied  at  the  Royal  Academy  at  Copenhagen  and 
the  Imperial  School  of  Design  in  Vienna,  and  have  worked  with  the  best 
decorative  artists  of  the  continent. 

The  greater  portion  of  the  hank  building  is  composed,  of  course,  of 
the  main  banking  room,  devoted  to  the  public  and  the  transaction  of  the 
bank's   regular   business   . 

The  walls  of  this  room  are  of  Empire  blue,  and  the  architectural 
features  are  gilded  and  toned  down  to  a  general  impression  of  old  gold. 

The  room  occupies  the  whole  height  of  the  building,  which  gives 
space   for  an  impressive  coved  ceiling. 

The  decoration  in  this  cove  is  French  renaisance  with  a  leaning 
toward  the  classic.  The  four  sides  of  the  cove  are  decorated  with  em- 
blems representing,  respectively.  Finance,  Agriculture,  Industry  and 
Qonnnerce,  to  harmonize  with  the  larger  decorations  painted  by  Mr.  Ves- 
per L.  George,  whi;h  occupy  the  center  of  the  sides,  and  which  are  en- 
closed  by    frames   of   laurel. 

The  public  corridor  occupies  the  heart  of  the  building  and  is  of 
octagonal  shape  with  the  paying  and  receiving  tellers'  and  bookkeepers' 
windows  facing  it,  and  framed  off  from  it  by  the  metallic  screen  whicn 
guards  the  banking  force  at  work.  The  building  is  thoroughly  modern, 
absolutely  fire-proof  and  is  damp-proof  and   water-proof  throughout. 

The  vault  is  directly  in  the  rear  of  the  working  space  and  conveni- 
ently located  with  reference  to  the  booth  rooms  which  are  used  by  pa- 
trons of  the  bank  in  examining  their  valuables  that  are  stored  in  the 
Safe  Deposit  Boxes.  The  vault  is  of  the  most  modern  construction, 
equipped  with  every  device  for  absolutely  safeguarding  important  papers 
and  valuables  against  fire,  burglary  or  other  danger  or  loss,  and  contains 
the  Safe  Deposit  Boxes,  and  the  safe  provided  for  the  cash,  securities 
and    other    important    holdings    of    the    company. 

OFFICERS. 

The  officers  are:  William  E.  Sessions,  president;  Charles  L.  Wood- 
ing, vice  president ;  Francis  A.  Beach,  secretary  and  treasurer ;  George 
S.  Beach,  assistant  secretary  and  treasurer ;  executive  committee,  the 
president,  hte  vice  president,  the  treasurer ;  directors,  William  E.  Sessions, 
president.  The  Sessions  Foundryy  Co.  and  The  Sessions  Clock  Co. ; 
Charles  L.  Wooding,  secretary  and  treasurer,  Bristol  Water  Co. ;  A.  J. 
Muzzy,  real  estate ;  M.  E.  Weldon,  merchant ;  Albert  L.  Sessions,  presi- 
dent j.  H.  Sessions  &  Son ;  Joseph  B.  Sessions,  vice  president,  The  Ses- 
sions Foundry  Co. ;  Francis  A.  Beach,  treasurer,  The  Bristol  Trust 
company. 


'654 


BRISTOL,   CONNECTICUT 


('LI  !>ilirar\'  Building,  cunuT  Main  and  High   Streets. 


BRISTOL'S   NEW   FREE   PUBLIC  LIBRARY. 

(From  Notes  in  Bristol  Press  i\ug.  15,  1907.) 
The  formal  dedication  of  the  New  Library  took  place  Aug.  14,  1907. 
Callers  were  welcomed  by  Judge  Epaphroditus  Peck,  Librarian  Charles 
L.  Wooding  and  assistants  Aliss  E.  J.  Peck,  Miss  A.  W.  Darrow  and 
Miss  Emma  Winslow.  In  the  evening  the  following  program  was 
rendered : 

William  S.  Ingraham, 

Chairman    of   the    Board    of    Library    Directors,    presiding. 

Music,  Selection    from   "Martha,"  Flotow 

Miss  Olcott's  Orchestra 
Address.  Epaphroditus  Peck, 

Secretary  of  the  Board  of  Library  Directors 
Address,  Miss  Caroline  M.  Hewins, 

Librarian  of  the  Hartford  Public  Library 
Secretary  of  the  State  Library  Commission 
Dedicatory  Prayer,         Rev.  A.  H.  Goodenough 
Singing,  America 

Music,  The  Great  Divide,  Maurice 

The  Orchestra 

Every  seat  in  the  assembly  room  was  taken.  Judge  Peck's  address 
was  in  part  as  follows : 

Among  the  different  causes  of  satisfaction  in  our  new  library  build- 
ing, and  in  the  library  which  it  contains,  the  one  most  frequently  ex- 
pressed is  that  it  is  not  a  gift  from  some  world-famous  plutocrat,  or  even 


OR    "new     CAMBRIDGE."  655 

from  some  single  wealthy  citizen  of  Bristol,  but  that  it  represents  the 
general   effort   and   the   general  interest   of   our   entire   community. 

Over  four  hundred  persons  have  taken  part  in  the  erection  of  this 
building  by  the  contribution  of  larger  or  smaller  sums,  the  smaller  sums 
doubtless  representing  as  much  real  sacrifice  as  the  larger,  and  of  these 
nearly  all  are  residents  of  Bristol,  and  the  few  others  are  persons  in- 
terested   in    Bristol   by    former   residence    or   family   connection. 

It  is  interesting  to  note  that  the  course  of  events  out  of  which  this 
library  grew  was  not  the  beginning  of  the  public  library  idea  in  Bristol. 
I  hold  in  my  hand  a  book  in  which  are  pasted  three  book-plates;  one 
of  the  "Reformed  Library  in  New  Cambridge,"  one  of  the  "Mechanics 
Library  in  Bristol,"  and  the  third  our  own  book-plate. 

The  first  book-plate  reads  as   follows  : 

Xo.  Or.  This  book  belongs  to  the  Reformed  Library  in  Xew  Cam- 
bridge. All  books  must  be  returned  on  the  first  Mondays  of  Oct.,  Nov., 
Dec,  Jan.,  Feb.,  March,  i\Iay,  July  and  last  Monday  of  August,  on  for- 
feiture of  six-pence,  one  penny  for  every  day's  negle:t  afterwards.  One 
penny  for  turning  down  a  leaf.  Other  damages  estimated  by  the  in- 
specting connnittee. 

The  second  plate  is  as  follows  : 

No.  79.  Price  Si. 25.  This  book  belongs  to  the  Mechanics  Library 
of  Bristol.  All  books  belonging  to  this  library  must  be  returned  on  the 
first  Thursday  of  every  month,  on  penalty  of  fine  of  five  per  cent  (prob- 
ably meaning  five  cents),  and  one  per  cent  for  every  day's  neglect  after- 
wards. Two  cents  for  turning  down  a  leaf,  twenty-five  per  cent  for 
lending  books  to  non-proprietors,  and  other  damages  estimated  by  the 
inspecting    committee. 

Now  the  name  Bristol  was  given  to  this  community  when  it  was 
in;orporated  as  a  town  in  1785,  and  the  use  of  the  older  term  "New 
Cambridge"  as-  well  as  the  use  of  the  English  currency,  indicate  that  the 
earlier  library  must  have  been  formed  some  years  before  1800.  The  writ- 
ten inscription  on  the  fly-leaf,  "Newell  Pyington's  book  bought  October 
28,  1816,  of  the  New  Cambridge  Reformed  library,"  probably  shows  that 
at  that  time  the  library  association  had  broken  up  and  was  selling  its 
books,  and  we  may  infer  that  the  Mechanics  Library  was  organized  after- 
wards. 

The  existence  of  still  a  third  library,  the  "Philosophical  Library,'' 
and  perhaps  a  fourth,  in  the  late  eighteenth  and  early  nineteenth  centuries, 
is  shown  by  a  record  book  which  has  lately  come  into  the  possession  of 
the  library  from  Miss  Kezia  A.  Peck.  This  book  contains  in  one  end 
the  "Rules  and  regulations  of  the  public  library  in  the  first  society  in 
Bristol,"  (Burlington  was  then  the  second  society  in  Bristol),  dated  De- 
cember 19,  1792,  and  signed  by  forty-three  proprietors,  whose  names  prob- 
ably give  a  good  census  of  the  solid  and  intelligent  men  in  the  Bristol 
of  that  day,  headed  by  that  of  the  Congregational  minister,  Giles  Hooker 
Cowles. 

At  the  other  end  of  the  book  are  the  records  of  the  Philosophical 
library,  organized  on  December  5,  1803,  with  twenty-eight  subscribers. 
The  record  of  annual  meetings  of  this  society  continues  till  1812,  after 
which  twenty  pages  or  more  are  torn  out.  On  a  later  page  is  the  first 
invoice  of  books  bought  for  this  library ;  Adam's  Defense,  2  vols.,  Morse's 
Geography,  2  vols..  History  of  the  French  Revolution.  2  vols.,  Ramsay's 
American  Revolution,  2  vols.,  Trumbull's  History  of  Connecticut,  i  vol., 
Adam's  View  of  Religion,  t  vol.,  Tlie  Farmer's  Dictionary,  The  Rambler, 
4  vols.,  Franklin's  Life  and  Letters,  and  President  Jetiferson's  Notes  on 
Virginia. 

The  Rainbler  is  the  only  book  in  this  list  that  could  by  any  possibility 
be  classed  as  light  literature,  and  we  may  safely  guess  that  the  works 
of  Anthony  Hope  and  James  Barr  McCutcheon  would  have  little  favor 
with  the  purchasing  committee,  even  if  there  had  been  any  books  of  that 
class   to  buy. 


€56 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


Putting  together  the  information  gathered  from  these  two  book-plates, 
and  that  afforded  by  the  record  book,  we  can  clearly  identify  at  least  three 
successive  libraries.  First,  the  "Reformed  Library,"  of  the  older  book- 
plate, which  may  be  identical  with  the  unnamed  "publick  library"  of  1792, 
or  may  be  (and  more  probably  is)  a  still  earlier  one;  second  (or  third) 
the  Philosophical  library  of  1803,  and  third  (or  fourth)  the  Mechanics 
library  of   the   later   book-plate. 

The  series  of  events  that  have  led  directly  to  our  present  library 
began  about  1845,  with  the  organization  of  a  sewing  society  by  the  ladies 
of  the  Congregational  church  to  raise  money  for  a  new  carpet  for  the 
church.  This  was  officially  called  the  "New  Carpet  Society"  but  popular- 
ly the  "Old  Maids'  Society."  When  the  carpet  had  been  bought  and  laid 
down,  the  ladies  found  their  association  so  pleasant  that  they  decided 
to  keep  up  their  meetings  and  to  use  their  earnings  for  a  library  for 
their  common  use.  They  bought  books  from  time  to  time,  and  some  mem- 
ber kept  the  collection  at  her  own  house.  In  1868  this  library  had  grown 
to  445  volumes  and  the  society  had  also  sixty  dollars  in  its  treasury. 

In  that  year  some  public-spirited  men  were  just  organizing  a  Young 
Men's  Christian  association  for  the  benefit  of  the  young  men  of  the  town. 
They  were  naturally  seeking  attractions  for  their  rooms,  and  I  suppose 
that  the  "Old  Maids' "  library  had  reached  such  size  as  to  be  rather 
burdensome  to  its  owners.  A  contract  was  accordingly  made  by  which 
the  ladiesplaced  their  library  with  the  accumulated  cash  in  the  hands 
of  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.,  the  most  important  part  of  the  agreement  being  as 
follows :  "The  library  shall  be  kept  in  Bristol  as  a  circulating  library, 
open  to  all  persons  who  shall  pay  the  fees  and  conform  to  the  -rules, 
and  no  portion  of  it  or  its  funds  shall  be  appropriated  to  any  other 
purpose." 

The  only  survivors  of  this  ladies'  society,  so  far  as  I  know,  are  Mrs. 
Ann  North,  Mrs.  Ellen  Lewis  Peck,  Miss  Lucy  Beckwith  and  Miss 
Ophelia    Ives,    all   still   residents   in   Bristol. 


New  Library  Building  in  Process  of  Construction. 


OR     "NEW    CAMBRIDGE  "  ()57 

The  Young  Men's  Christian  association  maintained  a  somewhat 
checkered  existence  here  for  twenty-three  years,  but  during. all  that  time 
it  housed  and  cared  for  the  library,  twice  replaced  it  after  tires  (in  which 
all  the  original  books  but  two  were  destroyed,)  and  faithfully  devoted  all 
subscription  fees  to  its  increase.  By  this  means,  the  library  had  in- 
creased to  2,528  volumes   in   1891. 

Mrs.  Norton's  bequest  to  the  town  of  $5,000  for  library  purposes, 
and  her  own  fine  private  library  of  almost  a  thousand  volumes,  came 
at  the  critical  moment,  in  the  summer  of  189 1,  when  the  Y.  M.  C.  A. 
had  voted  to  disband,  and  the  library  was  left  homeless.  A  project  was 
immediately  set  on  foot  for  the  establishment  for  a  free  town  library,  a 
circular  advocating  it  and  signed  by  fifty  leading  citizens  was  mailed  to 
every  voter,  and  at  the  annual  town  meeting  in  October,  1891,  by  a  vote 
of  489  to  130,  the  town  voted  to  permaneni?y  appropriate  for  library  pur- 
poses a  three-fourths  mill  tax. 

That  was  before  the  establishment  of  the  state  library  commission; 
and  I  think  I  am  right  in  saying  that  Bristol  was  the  first  town  in  Con- 
necticut to  establish  a  free  library,  supported  and  managed  wholly  by  the 
town. 

Another  most  pleasant  surprise  came  in  1893,  when  we  were  notified 
of  the  bequest  to  the  town  by  Mrs.  Julia  M.  Tompkins  of  Chicago  of 
$5,000  for  library  purposes. 

These  two  bequests,  both  totally  unexpected,  each  given  by  a  lady 
who  had  long  since  removed  from  Bristol,  were  certainly  striking  pieces 
of  good  fortune,  and  well  calculated  to  stimulate  the  people  of  our  own 
town  to  do  their  share. 

I  may  add  that  Mr.  Dunbar,  then  Chairman  of  the  Board  of  Libarry 
Directors,  was  connected  with  the  making  of  this  bequest  in  much  the 
same  way  as  I  had  the  good  fortune  to  be  with  the  Norton  gift.  Mr. 
Tompkins,  who  had  been  a  shopmate  of  Mr.  Dunbar  in  his  young  man- 
hood, and  who  in  the  latter  years  of  his  life  had  desired  to  express  his 
interest  in  Bristol  by  some  gift,  had  consulted  with  Mr.  Dunbar  and  been 
advised,  first,  to  make  his  gift  to  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  and  afterward  to  make 
it  to  the  public  library;  and  this  purpose  of  Mr.  Tompkins  was  carried 
out   by  his   wife,  who   survived  him. 

The  town  library  was  opened  in  the  modest  second  story  of  the 
Ebers  Block  on  January  i,  1892,  with  Mr.  T.  H.  Patterson  as  its  librarian. 
Mr.  Patterson  laid  the  foundations  of  the  library  on  sound  and  workman- 
like lines,  but  later  in  the  year  he  resigned  the  office  to  resume  his  school 
work.  I  shall  ever  recall,  as  another  of  the  fortunate  events  in  our 
library  history,  the  coming  into  my  office  of  Mr.  Wooding,  then  a  newly 
fledged  graduate  of  Yale,  with  a  most  modest  inquiry  as  to  whether  he 
would  be  deemed  eligible  for  the  position  of  librarian.  I  preserved  a  due 
severity  during  the  interview,  but  after  he  went  out  I  shouted  (met- 
aphorically) for  joy  in  the  conviction  that  we  had  found  the  right  man. 
That  was  just  fifteen  years  ago;  and  you  will  agree  with  me  that  our 
confidence    was   not    misplaced.  ' 

In  1896  the  wooden  dwelling  house  on  this  lot  was  offered  for  sale. 
It  seemed  to  the  Board  most  important  to  secure  this  lot,  the  most  desir- 
able in  town  for  library  purposes,  and  we  used  the  Norton  and  the 
Tompkins  bequests,  which  had  been  allowed  to  accumulate  on  interest, 
some  $11,000  in  all,  to  buy  the  house  and  lot,  and  to  fit  the  old  house  up 
for  the  temporarv  service  which  it  pcrformetl  for  nine  years  and  a  half. 
We  moved  into  it  on  December  i,  1896,  and  it  was  torn  down  to  make 
rootn  for  this  building  just  one  year  ago,  in  August,  1906. 

Now  as  to  the  present  building.  During  the  ten  years  that  we  oc- 
ctipied  the  old  building,  our  library  increased  from  6,200  to  over  14,000, 
and  the  annual  circulation  from  34.000  to  46,000.  This  great  increase, 
both  in  the  size  and  in  the  use  of  our  library,  made  it  evident  several 
years    ago    that    the   old   building   would   before   long   become   wholly   in- 


658 


BRISTOL   CONNECTICUT. 


Xew  Library  Building. 


sufficient.  Tlie  problem  was  discussed  and  its  solution  postponed  from 
year  to  year  until  early  in  1905,  when  the  time  seemed  for  various  reasons 
propitious,  and  the  Board  appointed  a  committee  to  make  a  general 
canvass  for  a  library  building  fund.  Airs.  Augustine  Norton  had  in  1901 
made  a  bequest  to  the  library  of  over  $4,100;  nearly  $1,000  of  this  had 
been  used  for  the  printing  of  our  present  catalogue,  but  the  rest  had  lain 
on  interest,  and  up  to  July  first  of  this  year  amounted  to  exactly  $3,800.12. 
Mr.  C.  S.  Treadway,  who  as  a  member  of  the  Board  had  always  taken  a 
warm  interest  in  our  building  plans,  had  died  just  before  the  definite 
launching  of  the  project,  leaving  in  his  will  a  gift  of  $1,000  to  the  library. 
Your  committee  liave  received  subscriptions  from  living  doners  aggre- 
gating $40,171  ;  from  the  sale  of  tlie  old  building  $200,  and  from  interest 
on  early  pavments  over  $120,  making  a  total  building  fund  to  date  of 
$45,368.10. 

One  item  of  importance  we  have  not  yet,  however,  fairly  approached. 

Most  of  you  know  of  the  interesting  historical  collection  which  for 
some  years  was  kept  together  in  the  Linstead  Block,  and  of  which  a 
considerable  part  is  now  stored  in  the  High  School  building.  Dr.  Wil- 
liams has  also  presented  to  the  town  his  fine  collection  of  Indian  and  pre- 
historic relics,  certainly  one  of  the  best  private  collections  in  the  United 
States. 

When  the  Board  appointed  its  building  committee,  consisting  of 
Messrs.  Ingraham.  Wooding  and  Peck,  we  were  all  agreed  that  the  library 
of  an  old  New  England  town,  situated  on  residence  streets,  shaded  by 
stately  and  beautiful  elms,  ought  to  be  of  that  quiet  and  dignified  style 
popularly  known  as  ."colonial,"  which  is  really  an  adaptation  of  the 
classic  forms  of  Greece  and  Rome  to  modern  purposes.  A  library,  also, 
made  to  contain  chiefly  book-cases  and  reading-table?,  is  almost  of  neces- 


OR        NEW    CAMBRIDGE, 


659 


sity  rectangular  in  design;  and  the  necessity  in  a  small  library,  of  having 
all  parts  of  the  library  imder  the  direct  observation  of  the  librarian  or 
attendant  at  the  desk,  make  it  essential  that  the  working  librar\-  rooms 
shall   all   be   on   one   tioor. 

A  comparatively  low.  rectangular  building,  of  Colonial  design,  was 
therefore  called   for  by  the  essential   requirements   of  the   situation. 

The  choice  of  an  actual  design  was  made  from  many  plans  submitted 
in  competition,  and  the  one  which  has  been  carried  out,  prepared  by  Mr. 
Wilson  Potter,  of  Bristol  and  New  York,  was  chosen  by  a  unanimous 
vote,  both  of  the  connnittee  and  of  the  entire  Board.  We  have  no  oc- 
casion to  comment  further  upon  the  design,  so  far  as  its  aesthetic  qual- 
ities are  concerned;  the  building  is  before  you  for  your  condemnation 
or   approval. 

It  contains  book-cases  sufificient  to  hold  over  30,000  volumes  ;  a  sec- 
ond tier  of  shelving,  for  which  there  is  abundant  height  in  the  stack- 
room,  would  add  25,000  more ;  and  a  third  tier  in  the  basement,  which  is 
entirely  practicable,  gives  us  a  possible  total  book  capacity  of  80,000.  We 
certainly   feel  that   that  is   ample  provision  for  an   indehnite   future. 

And  if  the  voters  of  the  town,  a  constituency  somewhat  dififerent, 
and  _\-et  to  a  great  extent  of  the  same,  shall  in  "October  grant  us  the 
permanent  ta.x  for  which  we  ask,  we  .shall  feel  that  we  liave  received  a 
double  vote  of  confidence  which  surely  ought  to  stimulate  us  all  to  con- 
tinued and  better  efforts  in  this  field  of  public  service. 

I  cannot  close  these  remarks  without  referring  to  the  fact  that  since 
this  movement  was  initiated,  two  members  of  the  Board,  both  of  whom 
had  been  members  since  its  establishment,  were  deeply  interested  in  the 
building  project  and  contributed  generously  to  it,  and  would  have  re- 
joiced in  the  dedication  of  the  completed  building,  have  passed  away; 
Mr.  Charles  S.  Treadwav  and  the  Honorable  Edward  B.   Dunbar. 


ii^MH 


Street   l)e]>   rtinent   at    Work. 


560 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


'>*0. 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE."  661 


JOHN  HUMPHREY   SESSIONS   &  SON. 


In  November,  1S54,  Mr.  John  Humphrey  Sessions,  a  young  man  of 
26  years,  formed  a  partnership  with  Henry  A.  Warner,  and  rented  a 
small  factory  in  Polkville  (Edgewood,  as  it  is  now  called),  in  which  to 
conduct  a  vvoodturning  business.  The  small  capital  which  he  invested 
was  the  result  of  his  hard  labors,  for  early  in  life  he  had  been  thrown 
entirely  upon   his   own   resources. 

This  partnership  was  dissolved  in  1865,  ^Ir.  Sessions  continuing  in 
his  own  name  the  business,  which  at  first  consisted  mainly  of  wood 
turnings  for  the  various  clockmakers  in  the  vicinity,  and  which  grew 
rapidly  from  the  beginning. 

In  1869  he  bought  a  plot  of  ground  on  North  Main  street,  Bristol, 
and  built  the  main  wooden  building,  now  standing,  and  moved  his  plant 
to   Bristol. 

In  1857,  Albert  J.  Sessions  and  Samuel  W.  Sessions,  brothers  of 
John  Humphrey,  started  in  a  very  small  way  to  make  trunk  hinges,  at 
Southington,  and  in  1861  this  business  was  moved  to  Bristol,  growing 
prosperously  until  June,  1870,  when  Albert  J.  Sessions,  who  was  then 
the  sole  owner,  died,  and  at  this  time  John  H.  Sessions  bought  out  his 
brother's  trunk  hardware  business,  combining  it  with  his  own.  In  1873 
he  admitted  his  son,  John  H.  Sessions,  Jr.,  as  a  partner,  which  partner 
ship  continued  until  the  death  of  the  senior  Sessions,  on  September  10, 
1899.  A  younger  son,  William  E.  Sessions,  was_  a  co-partner  for  a 
short  time'  until  he  left  to  develop  the  foundry  business  with  his  fatiier. 
During  the  steady  growth  of  the  business  numerous  additions  were 
made  to  the  plant,  the  large  brick  storehouse  now  standing  being  erected 
in  1883.  The  increasing  trunk  hardware  business  constantly  required 
more  of  the  available  room  in  the  factory,  so  that  the  woodturning  de- 
partment  was    eventually    discontinued. 

In  1904  the  plant  on  Riverside  avenue,  which  had  been  recently  oc- 
cupied by  the  Codling  Manufacturing  Company,  and  which  was  formerly 
owned  and  used  by  Welch,  Spring  &  Company,  as  a  clock  factory,  was 
bought  and  occupied  until  a  new  plant  could  be  erected.  The  modern 
plant  on  Riverside  avenue  was  completed  and  occupied  in  1907,  and 
gives  its  owners  the  largest  and  most  complete  plant  for  the  manufacture 
of  trunk  hardware  in  the  country. 

After  the  death  of  John  Humphrey  Sessions,  a  grandson,  Albert  L., 
was  admitted  into  partnership  by  his  father,  John  H.  Sessions,  Jr.,  and 
this  continued  until  the  death  of  John  H.  Sessions,  April  2,  1902.  This 
co-partnership  was  succeeded  in  1905  by  a  corporation,  J.  H.  Sessions 
&  Son,  chartered  by  a  special  act  of  the  Connecticut  legislature,  all  the 
stock  of  the  company  being  owned  by  its  officers,  Mrs.  J.  H.  Sessions, 
Albert  L.  Sessions  and  Mrs.  Albert  L.  Sessions,  so  that  the  business  is 
being  carried  on  under  the  name  used  so  many  years. 


662 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


Mills  Box  Shop. 


H.  J.  MILLS. 

Among  the  flourishing  manufacturing  establishments  of  Bristol,  built 
up  from  small  beginnings,  is  the  paper  box  manufactory  of  H.  J.  Mills 
on  Church  street. 

The  business  had  its  origin  about  1865,  at  which  time  Elder  Benajah 
Hitchcock  commenced  the  manufacture  of  matches  on  a  small  scale  near 
the  school-house  in  Stafford  district,  in  the  east  part  of  the  town.  In 
order  to  supply  himself  with  boxes  for  his  matches,  Mr.  Hitchcock  com- 
menced making  them'  by  hand  in  a  very  primitive  fashion.  It  was  at  the 
suggestion  of  the  late  Don  E.  Peck  of  Whigville,  that  Mr.  Hitchcock  pur- 
chased a  scorer  and  undertook  the  business  of  general  box  making.  His 
first  boxes  were  made  for  Don  E.  Peck,  and  other  firms  soon  gave  him 
their  patronage. 

Herbert  J.  Mills,  a  nephew  of  Mrs.  Hitchcock,  entered  his  employ 
about  1867,  and  has  been  connected  with  the  business  almost  continuously 
ever  since.  In  1872  Mr.  Hitchcock  purchased  his  present  place  of  resi- 
dence in  Divinity  street,  and  fitted  up  and  enlarged  the  barn  for  box 
making. 

In  1887  Mr.  Mills  and  his  cousin,  David  Mix,  leased  the  business.  Mr. 
Mills  purchased  his  partner's  interest  the  same  year,  and  continued  the 
business  until  1891,  when  he  bought  the  entire  business  of  Mr.  Hitchcock 
and  built  his  present  factory. 

The  shop  is  thirty  by  one  hundred,  two  stories  high,  fitted  up  with 
steam  power,  and  the  "most  modern  and  improved  box-making  machinery. 


OR     "new     CAMBRIDGE."  663 


BOROUGH  OF  BRISTOL. 

The  General  Assembly  of  the  State  of  Connecticut,  January  session, 
1893,  passed  an  act  incorporating  the  Borough  of  Bristol,  same  was 
approved  March  23,  1893.  Committee  appointed  to  secure  the  charter 
were  the  following  named  citizens  of  the  Borough,  viz:  George  S.  Hull, 
Edward  B.  Dunbar,  Frank  G.  Hayward,  Jonathan  M.  Peck,  Charles 
S.  Treadway  and  William  Linstead. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  voters  of  the  Borough  upon  the  adoption  of,  the 
charter  the  total  number  of  votes  cast  were  564;  for  the  charter,  441, 
against  the  charter  123;  majority  for  the  charter,  318.  "William  A. 
Dunbar  was  moderator  of  the  meeting  and  declared  the  charter  adopted 
and  approved. 

The  first  election  of  borough  officers  was  held  May  23,  1893,  and 
the  following  named  persons  were  elected  to  the  several  offices,  viz: 

Warden.  Edward  P.  Woodward. 

Burgesses,  George  S.  Hull,  William  Linstead,  William  S.  Ingraham, 
William  E.  Sessions,  Charles  F.  Michael,  James  W.  Williams. 

Clerk,  Roger  S.  Xewell. 

Treasurer,  Charles  S.  Treadway. 

Sheriff,  Howard  G.  Anies. 

Collector,  Silas  M.  Norton. 

Assessors,  G.  Perry  Bennett,  AVm.  R.  Strong,  Herbert  J.  Mills. 

Auditors,  Julian  R.  Holley,  Wyllys  C.  Ladd. 

January  26,  1895,  it  was  voted:  That  for  the  purpose  of  construct- 
ing a  system  of  sewers  in  the  Borough,  bonds  to  the  amount  of  $50,000 
be  issued,  the  total  cost  of  the  sewer  being  about  $95,000. 

The  following  named  persons  have  ser\-ed  the  Borough  as  wardens, 
viz: 

Edward  P.  Woodward,  one  year,  1893-4;  *Ira  N.  Bevans,  six  months 
1894;  Miles  Lines  Peck,  one  year  six  months,  1894-5-6;  Henry  A.  Car- 
rington,  one  vear,  1896-7;  Lemuel  L.  Stewart,  two  years,  1897-8-9; 
Wilfred  E.  Fogg,  one  year,  1900-01;  *  John  F.  Wade,  three  years,  4 
months,  1901-02-03-04;  Joseph  H.  Glasson,  eight  months,  1904-05; 
Gilbert  H.  Blakesley,  two  years,  1905-07;  Charles  A.  Lane,  present 
incumbent,  1907. 

The  following  named  citizens  have  served  the  Borough  as  Burgesses 
from  the  date  of  first  election  to  the  present  time : 

George  S.  Hull,  William  Linstead,  Wm.  S.  Ingraham,  Wm.  E. 
Sessions,  James  W.  Williams,  Charles  F.  Michael,  Frank  G.  Hayward, 
Ira  B.  Smith,  Solomon  (\  Spring,  Edward  O.  Penfield,  Anson  O.  Perkins, 
Patrick  H.  Condon,  Charles  S.  Yeomans,  Lemuel  L.  Stewart,  George  W. 
Neubauer,  William  W.  Russell,  Herbert  J.  Mills,  Watson  Giddings, 
Wilfred  E.  Fogg,  William  T.  Shepard,  William  J.  Tracy,  Stephen  N. 
Mason,  Charles  A.  Lane,  John  F.  Wade,  Martin  E.  Pierson,  Thomas 
N.  Brown,  Charles  W.  Roberts,  Frank  X.  Saxton,  Joseph  H.  Glasson, 
Gilbert  H.  Blakesley,  Frank  W.  Dutton,  Frank  Griffith,  James  O'Con- 
nell,  Eliphalet  L.  PJall.  George  A.  White,  George  W.  Duxbury.  Byron 
P.  Webler,  Carlyle  F.   Barnes,  Charles  W.  Edgerton,  John  Lonergan. 

The  following  named  citizens  have  served  the  Borough  as  Clerk, 
viz:  Roger  S.  Newell,  one  year,  1893-4;  Burdette  T.  Lyons,  two  years, 
1894-6;  John  Winslow,  two'years,  1896-8;  Daniel  J.  Heffernan,  present 
incumbent,     ten    years,     1898-1907. 

♦Warden  Bevins  resigned  October  2,  1894;  and  Miles  Lines  Peck  was  elected  to  fill 
vacancy.  Warden  Wade  resigned  August  23,  1904,  and  Joseph  H.  Glasson  was  elected 
to  fill  vacancy. 


664  BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 

The  following  named  citizens  have  served  the  Borough  as  Treasurer, 
viz:  Charles  S.  Treadvvay,  seven  years,  1893-1900;  Leveritt  G.  Merrick, 
one  year,  1894;  Morris  L.  Tiffanv,  present  incumbent,  seven  years, 
1901-1907. 

The  following  named  citizens  have  served  the  Borough  as  Collec- 
tors, viz:  Silas  M.  Norton,  one  year,  1893-4;  Robert  A.  Potter,  one  year, 
1894-5;  Seth  Barnes,  two  vears,  1895-7;  Benjamin  F.  Judd,  six  years 
1897-1903;  William  F.  Benoit,  Jr.,  two  years,  1903-1905;  Edward  L. 
Carrington,  present  incumbent,  three  years,    1905-1907. 

The  following  named  citizens  have  served  as  Sheriff,  viz :  Howard 
G.  Arms,  one  vear,  1893-4;  Albert  L.  Morse,  fourteen  vears,  1894- 
1907. 

The  following  named  citizens  have  served  the  Borough  as  Asses- 
sors, viz:  G.  Percy  Bennett,  William  R.  Strong,  Herbert  J.  Mills, 
Lester  Goodenough,  Daniel  J.  Heffernan,  Theodore  H.  Kerins,  Silas 
K.  Montgomery,  William  A.  Dunbar,  George  H.  Hall,  Marclius  H.  Nor- 
ton, Leon  M.  Case,  George  W.  Duxberry,  George  A.  Beers,  Frank  R. 
Graves,   Seth   Barnes,   William  J.   Connelley. 

The  following  named  citizens  have  served  as  Auditors,  viz:  Julian 
R.  Hollev,  Wyllys  C.  L'add,  Carlvle  F.  Barnes,  Frederick  Dovery,  Rus- 
sell Losh'er,   Morris  L.   Tiffany,  John  T.   Chidsey 

The  following  named  citizens  are  now  serving  the  Borough  for 
the  present  year,  viz : 

Warden,  Charles  A.  Lane. 

Burgesses,  Thomas  H.  Brown,  Frank  W.  Dutton,  Byron  P.  Web- 
ler,   Carlyle  F.   Barnes,   Charles  W.   Edgerton,  John  Lonergan. 

Clerk,  Daniel  J.  Heffernan. 

Treasurer,  Morris  L.  Tift'any. 

Sheriff,  Albert  L.  Morse. 

Collector,  Edward  L.  Carrington. 

Assessors,  WiUiam  A.  Dunbar,     Seth  Barnes,  William  J.  Connelly. 

Auditors,  John  T.  Chidsey,  Julian   R.   Halley. 

WELCOME  TROLLEY. 


By  Milton  Leon  Norton. 

From   the   Bristol    Press,   of   August  8,    1895,   on   the   completion   of  the 
the  Bristol-Plainville  Tramway. 

Ere  our   fathers   came  no  pathway, 

But  a  well-trod  Indian  trail. 
Led    out    westward    through    the    wildvvood 

From  the  shadowy  Tunxis  vale ; 
When  the  red  man,  venison  laden, 

Homeward  wending  from  the  chase, 
Sought   the   lowly,   skin-thatched   wigwam, 

That  he  made  his  dwelling  place. 

Then  there  came  the  early  settler. 

Who,  on  every  sabbath  day. 
Mounted  on  his   pillioned  saddle. 

Toward  the  sunrise   rode   away ; 
While  his  good  wife   sat  behind  him. 

And  their  thoughts  dwelt  on  the  text. 
And  on  questions  theologic. 

Questions   knotty   and   perplexed. 


OR     "new     CAMBRIDGE  "  665 

Next  there  came  the  cumbrous  ox-cart. 

'Twas  our  fathers'  coach  and  chaise. 
Well  the   sleek  and  gentle  oxen 

Served  them   in  those  early   days. 
From   the    encircling   hills    and    mountains, 

Came   they  into   church   and  store, 
While  the  patient  oxen,  waiting. 

Chewed  their  cuds  beside  the   door. 

Then  there  came  a  great   sensation ! 

'Twas  the  talk  of  all  the  town, 
When    from    Hartford   the    first   stagecoach 

To  the  tavern  rattled  down. 
Eager  eyes  were  early  watching. 

When,  on  every  night  and  morn, 
Rang  out   over  hill   and  valley. 

Cheerily,  the  driver's  horn. 

Later  came  the  locomotive, 

Snorting,   puffing  on   its   way. 
Old  men  said,    "An  age   of  wonders ! 

Glad  we  lived  to  see  this  day." 
Then  it  was   the  old  stage-driver. 

Grieving,   hid   his   ruddy   face, 
And  the   stagecoach,  and   the  toll-gate. 

Disappeared  and  left  no  trace. 

Then  good  people   sought   the   Scriptures, 

Read  of  flaming  torches  there, 
Nahum's    chariots,    rattling,   jostling 

In  the  highways,  everywh'ere. 
And  they  said,  "Of  this  the  prophet 

Spake" ;   and  many  a  tale  and  song, 
Told  the  locomotive's  prowess. 

Sang  its  praises  oft  and  long. 

But  one  day  the  locomotive 

Screamed  in  anger,  loud  and  shrill, 
"What  is  that  I   see  approaching. 

Climbing  swiftly  up  the  hill? 
Surely  that  must  be  the  trolley!" 

Quoth  the  engine  in   its  wrath ; 
"I   will   crusli.   annihilate  it. 

Should  it  ever  cross  my  path  I" 

But  the    peaceful   trolley   answered 

Not  a  word,  but  skimmed  along. 
Like  a  swallow  o'er  the  meadow. 

Or  a  sweet,  idyllic  song. 
By  the  river  and  the  forest. 

By  the  lakeside  and  the  rill, 
Through  the   streets  of  town   and  borough. 

Over  plain  and  over  hill. 

And  we  welcome  thee,  O  Trolley ; 

Welcome,  royal  welcome  give ; 
Take   thee    to    our   township's   bosom. 

Hoping  there  thou  long  may'st  live. 
And  our  hearts  thrill  like  the  current 

Flowing  through   thy   pulsing  heart. 
Long  and  happy  be  our  union ; 

Long  be  it  ere  we  shall  part ! 


666 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


SWEDISH  EVANGELICAL  LUTHERAN  BETHESDA  CHURCH  AT 
FORESTVILLE,  CONN. 

The  first  Swedish  families  moved  into  Forestville  as  early  as  1871. 
Three  3'ears  later  the  first  service  in  the  Swedish  language  was  held  when 
Rev.  T.  O.  Linell,  pastor  at  Pontiac,  R.  I.,  stopped  here  while  on  a  mis- 
sion tour  through  the  state.  After  this  time  services  were  held  off  and 
on  by  itenerant  ministers  traveling  for  the  Lutheran  Mission. 

The  i6th  of  February,  1880,  a  congregation  with  a  communicant  mem- 
bership of  twenty-five  was  organized  by  Rev.  J.  Melander,  and  the  consti- 
tution of  the  Lutheran  Augustana  Synod  was  adopted.  The  Bethesda 
Congregation  was  the  second  Swedish  church  organized  in  Connecticut. 
From  1882  to  1885  Rev.  C  O.  Landell  of  New  Britain  was  pastor  of  the 
church,  and  during  the  years  1886- 1887  Rev.  Ludvie  Holmes,  D.D.  of 
North  Grosvenor  Dale,  filled  the  pulpit.    On  the  23d  of  August,   1886,  the 


OR        NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


667 


congregation  unanimously  decided  to  build  a  church.  Rev.  L.  Holmes  and 
Mr.  N.  A.  Johnson  were  appointed  to  have  the  work  in  charge,  and  in 
the  fall  1886  the  little  church  on  Academy  Street  was  ready  and  dedicated 
to  the  Lord.  Rev.  O.  W.  Farm  of  New  Britain  became  the  successor 
of  Rev.  Holmes,  and  coiuinued  the  work  until  the  congregation  at  Bristol 
and  the  Forestville  church,  jointly  called  Rev.  A.  F.  Lundquist,  who  be- 
came first  stationary  pastor  of  the  church  in  July,  1893.  In  1903  Rev. 
Lundquist  moved  to  McKeesport.  Penn.,  and  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  E.  C. 
Jessup,  who  moved  to  Kiron,  Iowa  in  May,  1906.  The  present  pastor, 
Rev.  O.  Nimrod  Ebb,  B.D.,  was  called  from  Duquesne,  Pennsylvania,  and 
took  charge  of  the  congregation  Sept.  30,  1906.  The  present  church 
building  was  erected  in  1907  and  cost  $5,000.  It  is  50x30  feet,  the  base- 
ment walls  are  of  stone  and  shingle  finish  above.  The  seating  capacity 
is  one  hundred  and  fifty.  The  congregation  has  one  hupdred  and  thirty- 
one  members. 


Forestville  Athletic  Club  Base  Ball  Team,  March,   l'J07. 


668  BRISTOL,   CONNECTICUT 


Bristol   Homes 


Thejpublishers  would  have  been  pleased  to  have  shown  a  photo- 
graphic reproduction  of  every  home  in  Bristol.  This,  of  course,  was 
not  possible  or  practicable,  but  enough  are  represented  to  give  a  correct 
idea  of  the  architecture  of  the  town.  In  most  cases  the  pictures  are 
numbered  1,  2,  3,  etc.,  and  in  the  description  of  the  photographs  these 
same  numbers  appear  giving,  on  streets  that  are  numbered,  the  house 
number  as  well.  O  signifies  that  the  resident  is  owner  and  R  indicates 
resident.  This  data  has  been  carefully  compiled,  and  while  it  is  prob- 
able some  mistakes  may  have  been  made,  the  information  is  given  in 
the  wav  that  we  received  it. 


OR     "NEW    CAMBRIDGE." 


669 


FEDERAL  STREET. 


Stearns 


STEARNS  STREET. 


670 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


WOODLAND    STREET. 


WOODLAND    STREET. 


OR        NEW    CAMBRIDGE 


671 


WOODLAXl")    STREE' 


i^ 

?l 

ll 

l#^' 

^|^^Hk_^^^[^i_^^^^| 

i5'^&Jr^   -• 

|jj 

?^3 

Rj^  ->   ^-^.i^d^&l^H 

^^' 

"^^^ 

If  li 

^-     i 

y 


r>OC)D\VL\    STREET, 


672 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


GOODWIN    STREET. 


GOODWIN    STREET. 


OR    "new    CAMBRIDGE."  673 

FEDERAL  STREET. 
\\)  Xo.  117,  M.  H.  Smith  R;  (2)  No.  in,  H.  A.  Reynolds  R,  No. 
113.  Irving-  Schubert  R;  (3)  No.  105,  Arthur  R.  Osborne  R,  No.  107, 
Howard  U.  Sparks  R;  (4)  No.  75,  Wm.  O'Connell  R;  (5)  No.  56,  Har- 
riett E.  Dav  O:  (6)  No.  47,  Chas.  Letourneau  R,  M.  A.  Perkins  R; 
(7)  No.  32, "James  Cairns  R,  S.  H.  Smith  R;  (8)  No.  31,  C  D.  O'Connell 
O;   (9)  No.  8.  T.  W.  Fairchild  R. 


STEARNS  STREET. 
(I  )  1-.  C.  Norton  O:  (2)  No.  27,  B.  L.  Burton  R,  Arlliur  Ingraham 
O:  (3)  No.  M.  D.  Gwillim  O,  A.  D.  Wilson  R;  (4)  No.  43,  J.  Donnelly 
O;  No.  45.  E.  A.  Mitchell  R:  (s)  No.  49,  E.  Erickson  R;  No.  51, 
C.  Neilson  R:  (6)  No.  55,  W.  Muir  R,  C.  Larson  O,  E.  E.  Nichols; 
(7)  J.  F.  Alather,  Jr.  /?.  A.  B.  Way  R;  (8)  No.  83,  Katherine  Sheehan 
R:    (9)   A.  Skelskcv   O. 


WOODLAND  STREET. 
([)  No.  20,  Mrs.  John  Birge  O ;  (2)  No.  23,  Calvin  E.  Fuller  O; 
(3)  No.  24,  E.  W.  Cahoon  O;  (4)  No.  38,  G.  E.  Gillette  O;  (5)  No.  4^, 
Mrs.  E.  W.  Spencer  O;  (6)  No.  35,  E.  B.  Case  O;  (7)  No.  49,  A.  L. 
Norton  O :  (8)  No.  56,  Mrs.  Sarah  Allport  O,  Wm.  Allport  R;  (9)  No. 
50,  Arthur  G.  Nearing  O. 

(10)  No.  62,  Henry  B.  Wilcox  O;  (11)  No.  74,  Joseph  Lindholm 
R;  (12)  No.  65,  Frank"  Curtiss  R;  (13)  No.  77,  L.  L.  Stewart  O;  (14) 
No.  77,  Wm.  H.  Nott  O;  (15)  No.  80,  F.  B.  Colvin ;  (16)  No.  85,  Henry 
Wilcox  R:  (17)  No.  102,  Wm.  Merrill  O;  (18)  No.  105,  John  W.  Car- 
roll   O. 

WOODLAND  STREET,  ETC. 
(19)  No.  114,  G.  H.  Elton  R;  (20)  No.  113,  H.  E.  Markham  0;  (2) 
No.  126,  Wm.  M.  Sheeran  O,  Alfred  K.  Carlson  R;  (22)  No.  125,  J.  F. 
Kearns  R,  No.  127,  C.  J.  Heisse  R;  (23)  Anton  Schrade  O,  Chas.  Johnson 
R;  (24)  Wm.  E.  Troope  O,  Oakland  St.;  (2s)  No.  11,  Bradley  St., 
Patrick  T.  Martin  O:  (26)  Bradley  St.,  W.  E.  Wightman ;  (27)  Grove 
St.,  Joel  T.  Case. 


GOODWIN  STREET, 
(i)    No.  210,  Mrs.  W.  L.  Clark  O;   (2)    No.  207,  Victor  Johnson  O, 

D.  S.   Page  R\    (3)   J-  F.  Gleeson  R,  Robt.  B.  Codling  R;    (4)   No.  190, 

E.  A.  Barnes  O,  John  Tonkin  R;  (5)  No.  180,  L.  Larson  O,  C.  A.  Peter- 
son R,  A.  Anderson  R;  (6)  No.  163,  Christina  Lundhal  R  ;  (7)  No.  153, 
L  D.  Rowe,  R;  (8)  No.  147,  L.  H.  Snyder  R;  (9)  No.  141,  Edw.  Rear- 
don  O. 

(10)  Arthur  Page  O;  (11)  No.  108,  O.  Dahlgren  O;  (12)  No.  107, 
Mons  Larson  O;  (13)  Bernard  Johnson  O;  (14)  No.  100,  John  Carlson 
O;  (15)  No.  99,  Wm.  Johnson  R;  loi,  Oscar  Johnson  R;  (16)  Olaf 
Wieberg;  (17)  Mrs.  Pensauet  O,  Richard  Baldwin  R;  (18)  No.  44,  G. 
W.  Whittemore  O. 

(19)  No.  43,  N.  Peson  R,  W.  Boutelle  R;  (20)  No.  35,  A.  G.  Calvin 
R,  G.  C  Bidwcll,  Lester  J.  Root  R;  (20)  No.  38,  W.  B.  Adams  R,  Lewis 
Langham  R ;  (22)  Chas.  Doolittle  R;  (23)  No.  29,  C.  P.  Waterman  R; 
E.  R.  Simmons;  (24)  No.  24,  M.  S.  Hughes  R,  F.  T.  Thorns;  (25)  No. 
25,  G.  J.  Fimck  R:  (26)  No.  19,  H.  A.  Warner  R,  Mr.  Slade  R;  (27) 
No.  20,   Air.   Whittlesey^ 


674 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


STEWART  S 


STEWART    STREET. 


WOODING  X  STEWART  STS 


WOODING   AND    STEWART   STREETS. 


OR    "NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


675 


JUDD   STREET. 


QUEEN  STREET. 


676 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


QUEEN  AND  HARRTSOX  STREETS, 


BLAKESLEE   STREET. 


OR     "new    CAMBRIDGE." 


677 


.■Jk 

S*».       k        '*         ^^^i^-.L^ 

't*-^ 

^'......:  ^y 

SHIFW     ™^ 

,.'  ■■''■"  ■  -. 

■■1 

ii   r 
iin| 

.    ' 

UXIOX   STREET. 


UNION  ST 


UXIOX   STREET. 


678  BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


STEWART  STREET, 
(i)  No.  7,  N.  C.  Sparks  R,  No.  g,  Algot  Nelson  0;  (2)  No.  36, 
Chas.  W.  Stewart  O;  (3)  No.  42,  Chester  Ingraham  0;  (4)  H.  L.  Sher- 
wood, W.  C.  Morgan:  (5)  No.  56,  A.  B.  Lockwood  R;  (6)  No.  57,  C. 
Statz  R,  R.  Herman  R;  (7)  No.  59,  John  Johnson  R,  No.  61,  John  Nel- 
son O;  (8)  No.  66,  Mrs.  Frank  H.  Marshall  R,  Nellie  M.  Hills  O ;  (9) 
No.  70,  Gustave  Jaschembowski  O. 

WODDING  AND  STEWART  STREETS, 
(i)  No.  20,  John  B.  Page  O;  (2)  No.  19,  Edwd  F.  Connelly  R,  Wm. 
Richardson  R;  (3)  No.  25,  Alfred  Erickson  O;  (4)  No.  31,  Chas.  Par- 
cell,  Wm.  Rowe;  (5)  No.  37,  Albert  Eaton  O;  (6)  Guy  Clifford;  (7) 
No.  52,  John  Leahy  O;  (8)  No.  iii  Stewart  St.,  D.  J.  Morey  O,  No.  113, 
Jas.  Prendergast  R;   (9)   Stewart  St.,  Adolph  ush,  Adolph  Putz. 


JUDD  STREET, 
(i)  No.  20,  Mrs.  A.  Casey  R:  (2)  No.  28,  G.  Bachand  R;  Alfred 
Richards  R;  (3)  J.  Elert  R,  H.  C  Downs  R;  (4)  No.  38,  L.  Lapierre  R; 
(5)  No.  51,  S.  E.  Stockwell  R,  Sidney  Morse  R;  (6)  No.  63,  Alex. 
Anderson  R;  (7)  David  Girard  R,  W.  Steward  R,  Geo.  Shafrick  O;  (8) 
Chas.  Munson  R;   (g)   No.  123,  Wm.  Brunt  R,  John  Brunt  R. 


QUEEN   STREET, 
(i)  No.  124;   (2)  J.  F.  McCarthy  R;  (3)   No.  85,  C  Mallory  R;  (4) 
No.  83,  L.  E.  Rouse  R,  N.  Neal ;   (s)   No.  68,  S.  W.  Steele  O ;   (6)  No. 
62,  Edw.  M.  Gillard  O:  (7)  No.  54,  Mrs.  Ericson  R,  A.  M.  Judd  R;   (8) 
A.  D.  Weeks  R ;   (9)   M.  Richtmyer  R,  F.  A.  Kennedy  R. 


QUEEN  AND  HARRISON  STREETS. 
(10)  No.  38,  Queen  St.,  N.  C.  Guiden  R;  No.  36,  J.  J.  Merrill  O; 
(11)  No.  14,  Queen  St.,  W.  I.  Reynolds;  No.  16,  John  Green;  (12)  No. 
17,  Queen  St.,  Francis  Williams  O:  (13)  No.  10,  Queen  St.,  Arthur  G. 
Muzzy  O;  (14)  No.  12  Harrison  St.,  Mrs.  R.  A.  Ryan;  No.  14,  John 
Hughes;  (15)  No.  20,  E.  J.  Meed  O;  (16)  No.  32,  John  A.  Edman  0; 
(17)    No.  34,  Edwd.  Hansen  O;   (18)    Rudolph  Miller  O. 

BLAKESLEE   STREET, 
(i)  A.  P.  Stark  O;   (2)  Miss  Sidney  E.  Tracv  R\   (3)  John  Palmen 
R;   (4)  Thos.  Grantville  O ;   (5)  James  Dalev  O:   (6)   Nelson  Decker  R; 
(7)    (empty);    (8)  John  Fingelton  O;   (9)    P.  J.  Kilduff  0. 


UNION  STREET. 

(i)  No.  14,  A.  G.  Hodges  R,  No.  16,  Geo.  Thomas  i?;  (2)  No.  22, 
Mrs.  Flora  Clark  O,  Mrs.  Fannie  Clayton  R;  (3)  No.  26,  Wm.  Glasson 
O;  (4)  No.  32,  Julius  Grossman  R,  No.  34,  Stanley  Heintz  R;  (5)  No. 
35,  Peter  Alexander  R,  Wm.  Archambault  R ;  (6)  No.  39,  Peter  F.  Gor- 
man O;  (7)  No.  50,  John  F.  Neil;  (8)  No.  66,  Frank  M.  Moski  R;  (9) 
No.  62,  Lepold  Kamiski  R. 

(10)  No.  72,  Richard  Odium;  (11)  No.  65.  Robt.  Campion  R;  (12) 
No.  73,  Mrs.  Ida  M.  Gatelev  R;  (13)  No.  83,  Geo.  Dalger  R;  (14)  No. 
82,  Mrs.  M.  S.  Quinlan  R;  (15)  No.  88.  Wm.  Moulthrope  O ;  (16)  No. 
97,  Amandus  Swan  O,  E.  Bessell  R;  (17)  Aug.  Lomberg  O,  Geo.  Thomp- 
son O;   (18)  John  Ryan  O. 


OR         NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


679 


CHURCH  AND  UPSON  STREETS. 


PLEASANT   STREET. 


680 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


17  i         ^.. 

PLEASANT   AND   OAK   STREETS. 


PRATT  STREET. 


OR  "new  CAMBRIDGE." 


681 


PRATT  AXD  LOCUST  STREET. 


CHj-:.sr.\i  r  .sirI'T-: 


682 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


SUMMER  ST. 


SUMMER  STREET. 


FARMINGTON  AVENUE. 


'or  new  cambridgb."  683 


CHURCH  STREET, 
(i)  Baptist  Parsonage,  Rev.  H.  Clarke  R;  (2)  No.  23,  Daniel  Casey 
O;  (3)  No.  18,  C.  B.  Ives  O ;  (4)  John  Kelley  O;  (6)  No.  24,  Russell 
Lasher  0,  W.  Elwin  R;  (7)  No.  45,  G.  F.  Pingpauke  R,  N.  F.  Marion 
R;  (8)  No.  63,  Samuel  Howe  R,  L.  A.  Gaylord  O;  (9)  Richard  Bromigc, 
Upson  street. 


PLEASANT  STREET, 
(i)  No.  9,  Mrs.  Wise  R;  (2)  No.  18,  H.  W.  Pease  R:  (3)  No.  24, 
C.  M.  Woodford  O:  (4)  No.  21,  Miss  Emmett  O ;  (5)  No.  31,  Mrs. 
Eunice  Judson  O,  Mr.  Freeman  R:  (6)  No.  28,  The  Misses  Hitchcock, 
Miss  Woodford  R:  (7)  No.  34,  W.  A.  Haves  O;  (8)  No.  39,  Geo.  H. 
Grant   O. 


PLEASANT   STREET. 
(10)    No.    so.   P.   Boland  R.  Jas.   McDonald  R;    (11)    No.   55,   J.   B. 
Barnes  R;   (12)   No.  64,  A.  H.  Wilcox  O;   (13)   No.  67,  M.  Fitzgerald  R. 


PRATT  STREET, 
(i)   J.   P.  Landrv  R;    (3)    W.  M.  Whitelv  R,  G.  De  Rosier  R;    (4) 
W.  J.  Keough  R.  Murray  R;  (5)   No.  6,  W.  H.  Mills  O :   (6)   No.  14,  E. 
H.  Whelan   O:    (7)    No.   13.  Frank  Davis  O ;    (8)    No.   17,  Walter  Mills 
O:   (9)   No.   19,  A.  E.  Edwards  O. 

(10)    No.  20,  J.   S.   Steward  R,  A.   Maynard  O;    (11)    C.   E.   Hotch- 
kiss  O;   (12)   O.  Johnson  O,  Mr.  Dickson  R. 


LOCUST  STREET. 
(13)    Edw.  Lowney  O:    (14)   E.  G.  Waterhouse  O :    (15)    Chas.  Kas- 
mina  R;   (16)   A.  Vanoni  R;   (18)   No.   10,  Jos.  Gervais  O. 


CHESTNUT  STREET, 
(i)  No.  129  West  St.,  W.  H.  Cleveland  O;  (2)  No.  19,  John  Hintz 
O:  (3)  No.  27,  M.  Coveity  O;  (4)  No.  41,  Everett  Brown  O;  (5)  No. 
49,  Martin  Van  Allen  0;'(6)  No.  51,  Philip  Lheureux  O:  (7)  No.  38, 
Mrs.  W.  F.  Perkins  O :  (8)  No.  56,  D.  E.  Mauke,  Mrs.  Turk  0 ;  (9)  No. 
57.  Edw.  Bcillette  R. 


SUMMER  STREET, 
(i)  No.  17,  Miss  H.  L.  Lounsbury  R;  (2)  No.  21,  S.  C.  Grant  R; 
(3)  No.  29,  E.  F.  Mull  R;  (4)  No.  35,  A.  E.  Whittier  R;  (5)  Mrs. 
Wightman  O:  (6)  No.  49,  E.  A.  Parter  R;  (7)  No.  44,  Chas.  F.  Oli.n 
R.  M.  Loughlin  R:  (8)  Chas.  Gordon  O,  Mrs.  Russell  R;  (9)  No.  68, 
Hobart  S.  Goodale  R. 


FARMINGTON  AVENUE, 
(i)   Jos.  W.  Fries  O;    (2)   C.  Collins  O;    (3)   L.  M.  Lawson  O,  Al- 
bert Johnson   R :    (4)    Fred.   Kowalski    O;    (5)    N.   Nelson   O:    (6)    Mrs. 
Eliza  J.  Crittenden  O:   (7)  Joseph  Lindquist  O;  (8)  A.  B.  Ackernran  0; 
(9)    Andrew   J.    Johnson. 


684 


BRISTOL.    CONNECTICUT 


RIVERSIDE   AVEXUE. 


LAUREL  STREET 


OR    "NEW     CAMBRIDGE. 


685 


SOUTH  ELM  ST. 


SOUTH  ELM   STREET. 


*>Rospr.cT  place: 


PROSPECT   PLACE. 


686 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


XORTH    A[ATX    STRb;!-: 


PROSPECT   STREET. 


OR     "new    CAMBRIDGE." 


687 


DIVINITY  STREET. 


DIVINITY  STREET. 


688 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


DIVINITY  STREET. 


i  IKLD    STREET. 


'XEW    CAMHRIDGE."  689 


PROSPECT  PLACE, 
(i)  A.  F.  Rockwell  R:   (2)   No.  106.  H.  L.  Beach  O;   (3)   No.  62,  P. 
M.  Hollev  O:   (4)    No.   S2.  Mrs.  Merriam;   (5)   A.  J.  Muzzy  O;    (6)    No. 
38.  C.  F.  Barnes  O:   (7)   No.  37,  M.  L.  Seymour  O;   (8)   No.  31,  Mrs.  M. 
Perkins  O:    (g)   No.  30.   F.  A.  Beach  R. 

SOUTH  ELM  STREET. 
(i)  No.  log,  Mrs.  Kathrina  Kaizer  R.  Mrs.  ALiRgie  Bushey  R;  (2) 
No.  99,  Joseph  Rich  O:  No.  97.  Michael  Pendel  R;  (3)  No.  89,  Joe 
Connell  O;  No.  87,  ^Larv  Fallen  R.  Fiorito  Alzejio  R:  (4)  No.  83,  John 
McCann  R,  No.  85,  Martin  Strupp  O:  (s)  No.  75,  Jas.  Labelle  R.  No. 
75.  Tony  Krvzenski  R :  (6)  No.  84,  Augusta  Zurell  O,  No.  82,  J.  W. 
Moshier  R;  (7)  No.  74.  Edmund  Cook  R.  No.  72,  W.  A.  Judson  R; 
(8)  No.  69,  Michael  Cavallir  O:  (g)  No.  66.  Elijah  Williams  R,  No.  64, 
Walter  Brown   R. 

DIVINITY  STREET, 
(i)  Henry  Gosselin,  E.  Campbell,  Landry  St..  (2)  Lyman  C.  Fuller, 
Landry  St..  (3)  J.  Loman.  Landry  St.,  (4)  No.  28,  P.  Lupien  O:  (5)  No. 
38,  John  R.  Hess  R,  Miss  Jennie  Thomas  R:  (6)  Arthur  Pion  6:  (7) 
Joseph  Tebo  R:  (S)  Joseph  Courville  O:  (g)  No.  6q,  Adam  Jobes  O,  Wm. 
Robinson    R. 

(10)  No.  66,  Mrs.  A.  Benoit  R;  (11)  No.  68,  Geo.  J.  Pepler  R;  (12) 
No.  74,  H.  W.  Perkins  R,  Newton  Montrope  R;  (13)  No.  87,  G.  Sand- 
strom  O;  (14)  No.  86,  Mrs.  James  Miles  O:  (15)  No.  88,  Havard  Plumb- 
R:  (16)  No.  96,  J.  W.  Greeno  O;  (17)  No.  93,  Henry  Steadman  R:  (18) 
No.    104-106,   Celista   Diemo   O. 

(19)  No.  lor,  Chas.  E.  Hanchctt  O ;  (20)  No.  lo^.  Almeron  Pond; 
(21)  No.  113,  Frank  Miles  O:  (22)  No.  124,  H.  B.  Dodge  O;  (23)  No. 
113,  Mrs.  Solomon  Spring  O;  (24)  No.  144,  Eliada  S.  Tuttle  O.  Lewis 
Turtle  R:  (25)  No.  129,  Mrs.  Charlie  Spring  O ;  (26)  No.  162,  Jos.  H. 
Ryals  R,  Miss  Julia  Norton  O;   (27)   No.  155,  Thos.  O'Brien  O. 

FIELD  STREET. 
(1)  Gideon  Gamache  O;  (2)  G.  K.  Keith  O:  (3)  Wm.  A.  Ryan;  (4) 
Anton   Stenger  O;    (5)   E.   Salg  O;    (6)   Amandus  Bachman ;    (7)    Adam 
Diener ;   (8)   Pius  Bachman;   (9)   L.  Spieler. 

MEADOW  STREET, 
d)  No.  17.  Louis  Dimeo;  (2)  No.  21,  Mrs.  A.  Coughlin  R,  No.  23, 
:\Irs.  .\rtluir  Leport  R:  (3)  No.  53,  Mrs.  Henry  P.  Corless ;  (4)  No.  73, 
l\  E.  Banning;  (s)  No.  92.  Peter  King  R ;  (6)  No.  79.  Geo.  Troland, 
No.  81,  John  Fagan.  No.  83.  W.  B.  Stone;  (7)  Frank  A.  Pfennig;  (8) 
No.   103,  A.  A.  Smith  O;   (9)    No.  102,  Chas.  H.  Hyde. 


690 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


AIAIX    STREET 


MEADOW  STREEl' 


"NEW     CAMBRIDGE."  691 


Forestville    Homes 


MAIN  STREET, 
(i)    N.  E.  Riley  R:    (2)    Forestville  Branch   Bristol   Public  Library; 
(3)    W.   W.  Winston  R ;    (4)    Mrs.   Marilla   N.   Woodruff  O;    (5)   A.  j. 
Brennan.  C  F.  Norton;    (6)   Mrs.  H.  D.  Mitchell  O;   (7)   C.  B.  Sanford 
R:  (8)  Geo.  Warren  R;   (9)  W.  C.  Granger  R,  Mrs.  M.  M.  Keys  R. 

MAIN  STREET. 
(10)  Mrs.  S.  M.  Potter  O;  (n)  F.  A.  Brennan  R.  Fred  Wright  R; 
(12)  Ralph  G.  Rigby  R;  (13)  Mrs.  S.  A.  Belden  O.  Mrs.  S.  L.  Atwood 
R:  (14)  Preston  St.,  D.  G.  White  R:  (15)  E.  H.  Perkins'  Lunch;  (16) 
Chas.  S.  Jones  R;  (17)  Broad  St.,  Chas.  A.  Palmer  R,  Robt.  Clark  R; 
(18)    Mitchell    St.,   Mrs.   Wilson   Potter. 

CENTRAL  STREET. 

(i)    P.   Kennev  O,  C.  Daley  R;    (2)   Thos.   H.  DaUon  R;   (3)   W.   P. 

Weed  O,  L.  Jacobs  R;  (4)  Mrs.  H.  Daley  O;  (5)  J.  Walsh  R;  (6)  Fred 

Hayden:   (7)   Nobel  D.  Jerome  R.  O.  P.  Downs/?,-   (8)  Lawson  A.  Taplin 

O;    (9)    F.  A.  Warner's  Barber  Shop.  Quarters  Forestville  Athletic   Club. 

CENTRAL  STREET. 

(10)    Post  Office,  J.   F.   Holden   P.   M. ;    (11)   R.   P.  and  J.  V.   Burns' 

Cafe;    (12)   Gate  House;   (13)   R.  R.  Station;   (14)   Douglass  Bros.  Store 

and   G.   A.   R.    Hall;    (15)    Forest   House,    M.   O'Connell    Prop.;    (16)    J. 

Segla;   (17)   S.  R.  Kidder;  (18)  Mrs.  Wm.  Lambert  O,  T.  A.  Lambert/?. 

CENTRAL  STREET  AND  PLEASANT  STREET. 
(19)  L.  B.  Allen  R,  N.  A.  Alexander  R;  (20)  J.  P.  Garrity  O;  (21) 
Jas.  Dalton  O;   (22)   F.  N.  Manross  O;   (23)   Mrs.  S.  McDermott ;   (24) 
Pleasant  St.,  W.   C.   Pride  R;    (2s)    Mrs.  A.    Dutton;    (26)    H.  J.  Averv 
R:    (27)    S.    W.    Wooster    O.        ' 

GARDEN  STREET, 
(i)   W.  E.  Allen  O;    (2)   E.   S.  Chase  O;    (3)    Y.   P.   Birdy  0:    (4) 
W.  L.  Bradshaw  R;   (5)   W.  E.  Conlon  R.  W.  H.  Roberts  R;   (6)   Thos. 
Kennev  R:    (7)    W.   B.    Crumb  O;    (8)    W.   H.    Plummer  O;    (9)    J.   F. 
Holden  P.  M. 

ACADEMY    AND    VERNON    STREETS. 
(I)   Mrs.  W.  L.  Glidden  R :   (j)   nth.  District  School;   ( 1,)   Frederick 
A.   Crane  R.  Vernon   St.;    (4)    (  =; )    Fred  Niles  O;    (6)    C.  Critchlev ;    (7) 
J.  O'Connell;   (8)   Geo.  Sessions  R :  (9)  Miss  E.  H.  Merrill  R. 

WASHINGTON  STREET, 
(r)  Miss  Emilv  O,  (the  Truman  Beach  Place).  Geo.  J.  Angerbower 
R;  (2)  M.  F  Spelman  O.  D.  Leonard  R ;  (3)  H.  G.  Ashton  R.  H. 
Spencer  R:  (4)  )nhn  Percival  R  \  (5)  H.  Austin  Vaill  R;  (6)  F.  R. 
Warner  R:  (8)  W.  C.  Bucklev  O;  (9)  Mrs.  Geo.  Fellows  O,  Mortimer 
C.   Hart  R. 


692 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


MAIN   STREET. 


MAIN    STREET. 


OR        NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


693 


CENTRAL  ST. 


CENTRAL  ST. 


CENTRAL  STREET. 


694 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


CENTRAL   AND    PLEASANT    STREETS. 


SARDCN  ST. 


GARDEN  STREET. 


OR     "new    CAMBRIDGE." 


695 


ACADEMY  AXD  VERXOX  STREETS. 


WASHINGTON   STREET. 


696 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


16  l^l^^^HK       IB 

WEST    WASHINGTON    STREET. 


ITNK   SI  Ki. 


OR     "new    CAMBRIDGE.''  697 


WEST  WASHINGTON  STREET, 
(lo)  Frank  Mvers  O;  (ii)  Chas  E.  Winchell  R;  (12)  E.  D.  Holley 
0;  (13)  Mrs.  N.  M.  Burr  O,  E.  M.  Burr  R;  (14)  E.  D.  Curtiss  O;  (15) 
H.  L.  Norton  R,  Chas.  A.  Johnson  R;  (16)  Academy  St.,  Hiram  N.  Os- 
borne R;  (17)  Washington  St.,  Miss  Kate  McCormack  R;  (18)  Washing- 
ton St.,  Miss  Alice  Hills  O,  C  E.  Trewhella  R. 

STAFFORD  AVENUE, 
(i)    Thomas;    (2)    Henry   M.   Taylor   O.   Edwin  A.   Taylor  R;    (3) 
Joseph  H.  Tredinnick  O ;   (4)  A.  Larson  R,  E.  Johnson  R;  (5)  A.  Peter- 
son R:   (6)   M.  Polls  R;   (7)   H.  V.  Palenius  O,  J.  D.  Tapailius  R;   (8) 
Fritz  W.  Johnson  O,  Carl  Ebb  R;   (9)  J-  Fayette  0. 

STAFFORD  AVENUE. 
(10)    Richard  Walton  R,  Mrs.  Alice   Powell  R;    (11)    E.  C  Fowler 
O;    (12)    L.  Fitzpatrick  O;    (13)    W.   D.   Garlick   O;    (14)    H.    Stone  O, 
Thos.  Barry  R;  (15)  C.  C  Scoville  O;  (16)  Wm.  H.  Button  R;  (17)  W. 
E.  Bunnell  O;    (18)    H.  W.  Scoville  R. 

STAFFORD  AVENUE. 
(19)  Mrs.  Shepard  R;  (20)  Burner  Shop,  Am.  Silver  Co.;  (21) 
Alfred  Tallis,  Sr.  O:  (22)  Simeon  Fox  O;  (23)  W.  G.  Atkins  O;  (24) 
John  H.  Julifif  O,  The  Deacon  Lloyd  Atkins  Place — and  birth  place  of 
Roswell  Atkins;  {25)  Airs.  M.  L.  Hotchkiss  O;  {26)  W.  C.  Bramhall  O; 
(27)    Maltby   Ave.,   Henry   Juniver   O. 

PINE   STREET. 
(i)    H.    Brown   R;    (2)    Mrs.    E.    MacDonald    O;    (3)    Mrs.    C.    D. 
Hough  O,  M.  B.  Brennison  R;   (4)  F.  H.  Perkins  O ;  (5)  M.  B.  O'Brien 
O;   (6)  A.  F.  Dresser  O;   (7)  J.  Cafifertv,  Jr.  O;   (8)   Thos.  Roberts  O; 
(9)    W.   C    Dean  R. 

NEW,  BROOK  AND  KING  STREETS, 
(i)  Aug.  C.  Stichtenoth,  New  St.;  (2)  Mrs.  Margaret  Kenny  O, 
Brook  St.;  (3)  Darwin  S.  Reade  O ;  (4)  Commodore  M.  Broadwell  O, 
Brook  St.;  (5)  Mills  H.  Barnard  O,  Brook  St.;  (6)  S.  M.  Barnard  O, 
Brook  St. ;  (7)  Felix  Holden  O,  King  St. ;  (8)  Oscar  Anderson  O,  King 
St.;    (9)    Patrick   J.   Curran   O,  King   St. 


698 


BRISTOL,   CONNECTICUT 


STAFFORD  AVENUE. 


STAFFORD  AVENUE. 


OR     "new    CAMBRIDGE. 


099 


STAfFORD  AV 


STAFFORD  AVENUE. 


FARMINGTQN  AVE.     fc 


FARMINGTON  AVENUE. 


700 


BRISTOL,     CONNECTICUT 


NEW,   BROOK  AND   KING   STREETS. 


OFFICERS    OF   WORKMEN'S    SICK   AND   DEATH    BENEFIT 
SOCIETY,  NO.  120. 
Ernst  Nurnberger,  President ;  Wm.  Schoenhauer,  Financial  Secretary ; 
Pius   Schoessler,   Secretary. 

OFFICERS  LADIES'  TURN  VEREIN. 
Pauline  M.  A.  Nurnberger,  President;  Hattie  Joerres,  Vice-President; 
Emma  Aulback,  Treasurer;  Bertha  A.  Ehlert,  Corresponding  Secretary; 
Mae  E.   Heppner,  Financial   Secretary. 


OR        NEW    CAMBRIDGE. 


701 


THE  NORTH  SIDE  HOTEL— FEDERAL  AND  NORTH  STREETS. 


THE  BRISTOL    HOUSE— SOUTH    STREET. 


702 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


LOX'.i'.sT 'i\\ii.i:i )  I'uw  \\i)  r.\Lu;si    iU^>\  ii\i,  ii(>ksi,  in 

THE  WORLD  FORMERLY  OWNED  BY  J.  W.   SKELLY. 


OR        NEW    CAMBRIDGB. 


ro3 


Lieutenants  Clark  and  Van  Ness,     and  Members  of  Co.  D, 
1st  Infantry,  C.  N.  G.     See  page  52  * 


704 


BRISTOL.    CONNECTICUT 


FRONT  VIEW  DUNLiAR  BROS.  FACTORY— SOUTH   STREET. 


AN  OLD  TIME  VIEW  OF  THE  GALE  STUDIO. 


It  was  the  original  intention  to  print  a  number  of  biographies  of 
prominent  living  citizens  of  Bristol,  but  the  limited  space  prevented. 
It  is  with  pleasure  that  we  show  here  the  photograph  of  one  of  the  old- 
est and  best  known  residents  of  the  town,  Wilfred  H.  Nettleton. 


ERRATA 


Page  58.  It  has  been  inaccurately  stated  that  Zebulon,  the  father  of 
Abigal,  was  a  deacon  in  the  Congregational  Church.  Zebulon  Peck,  his 
son,  the  brother  of  Abigal  filled  that  office.  Note  by  Miss  A.  M.  Barthol- 
omezv. 

Page  140,  line  12,  should  read  "Capt.  Alvah  IJ'oodiiig,  Horace  Monl- 
trop,  etc." 

Page  342,  all  of  the  matter  following  line  26  was  written  by  Mr.  Milo 
Leon  Norton. 

Page  388.  The  title  of  the  article  should  read  "The  Swedish  Lutheran 
Lebanon  Congregational  Church. 

Page  247.  Line  under  photograph  should  read,  "Branch  Factory  at 
JJ'eissensee,  Berlin,  Germany." 

Page  497.  The  lines  under  the  two  photographs  are  transposed,  mak- 
ing Mr.  Siitliff  to  appear  as  Mr.  Lezvis  and  visa\  versa. 

In  the  article  "History  of  School  District  No.  9,"  commencing  on 
page  227,  the  following  corrections  and  changes  are  necessary. 

Page  231,  line  21,  should  read  "after  i860,  fames,  son  of  etc." 

Page  234,  line  10.   Anteitam  instead  of  Bull  Run. 

Page  236,  lines  28  and  29,  read  "Yale,  married  Edivard  Root,  they 
had  two  daughters  Jane  and  Mary." 

Page  237,  line  34,  should  be  Josiah  Jr.,  instead  of  Josiah. 

Page  238,  first  line  under  photograph,  N'o.  33  instead  of  No.  33, 

Page  243,  line  16  should  be  Methodist  Episocpal,  etc. 

Page  24s,  line  19,  "Fox,  zvidoiv  of  William,  etc." 

Page  246,  line  10,  Mu;:::y  instead  of  Mmay;  line  25.  Fniick,  instead  of 
Frinck. 

Page  247,  6th  line  from  the  bottom,  Asahel  instead  of  Asabel. 

Page  250,  2nd  line  under  photograph  1807  instead  of  1867. 

Page  252,  line  27,  "or  before"  instead  of  "to   1870." 

Page  256,  last  line  "he  purchased  of  Amasa  Izrs  Jr.,  etc." 

Page  270,  line  15,  read  "Miranda"  for  "Mary." 

Page  274,  8th  line  from  bottom,  read  "age  five  years:  Charles  H. 
Alpress   {2),  b.  Dec.  31,  1833.   Unmai-ried,  liz'es  at  Hot  Springs,  Ark." 

Page  263,  lines  50,  51,  52,  53  and  54  read  "George  Welles  Bartholo- 
niezv,  born  June  19,  1803,  married  Jan.  14,  1829,  Angeline.  daughter  of 
Dea.  Charles  G.,  and  Parthenia  (Rich)  Ives,  born  Mar.  20,  1807,  died 
Mar.  13,  1861.  Jle  married  2nd  Mrs.  Julia  (Marvin)  Cole,  Jan.  27,  1864, 
she  had  one  daughter  Hettie  Julia,  b.  May  17,  1836. 


OR        NEW     CAMBRIDGE. 


705 


List  of  Advance  Subscribers 


C.   B.    Alx'll. 
Mr-s.    S.    .1.     Alli.oit, 
E.    E.    Augriist, 
Peter    Alexander, 

E.  J.    Arnold, 
Geo.    C.    Arms, 
H.    G.    Arms, 
Chas,   Benson, 
H.     I.    Arms, 
Wm.    J.    Andrews, 
J.    Aulbach, 

"  Hjalmar    Anderson, 
W.  G.  Atkins, 
A.    B.    Ackerman, 
C.  O.   Anderson, 
Sarah    L.    Atwater, 
C.    N.   Atwood, 
Elbert    Atwood, 
C.    Almquist, 
C.    Anderson, 

F.  Aliano, 

Forestville    Athletic    Club, 
J.    Anglebower, 
Geo.   Atkins, 

G.  L.    Anderson, 
W.   B.    Adams, 
G.    Avolt, 

H.    S.    Avery, 
J.    E.    Andrew, 
C.    H.    Allen, 

F.  C.    Alger, 
Emily    Allen, 
Oscar    Anderson, 
Victor    .\veiy, 

C.  J.    Anderson, 
E.    Bradley, 

Mrs.    S.    H.    Bartholomew, 
R.    D.    Barnes, 
Mrs.   J.    Birge, 

D.  Alexander, 

G.  C.    Anns, 
G.     Bresnahan, 
W.    E.    Broadwell, 
P.    Buchncr, 

P.    Buckner, 
A.    Bachniann, 
C.    P.    Barnes, 
Mrs.   J.    Brady, 
J.   L.   Barnum, 
Mrs.    II.    A.    Booth, 

E.  R.    Brightman, 
R.     Beaiidoin, 

M.    Bechard. 
J.     Breshnan, 

E.  W.     Bengthman, 
G.   B.   Bacon, 

H.    R.    Barnum, 

F.  Beaton, 
H.    C.    Beach, 
Jas.   A.   Bnmt, 
Adolph    Biisch, 
Geo.   T.    Bachand, 
J.    M.    Buckly, 
W.    R.    Brunt, 
Walter    Bennett, 
J.    M.    Blodgett, 
C.   H.    Beaudoin, 

9.    P.    Bartholomew, 
Seth   Barnes, 
Margaret    Burns, 
H.   Brown. 
H.    P.    Brockett, 
W.    II.    Burns, 


A.    L.    Basseit, 

X.     U.     Bushkcy, 

Mrs.    W.    L.    Beach, 

R.    D.    Buhstedt, 

S.    M.    Barnard, 

C.     M.     D.    Broadwell, 

L.    Bachmann, 

M.    H.    Barnard, 

Mrs.    D.    Birge, 

(.'.    L.    Bachand, 

R.     N.     Buell, 

AV.    Brown, 

H.    R.    Beck  with, 

V.    Bettna, 

A.  A.    Bunnell, 
T.    H.    Brown, 

B.  L.   Bennett, 
J.    F.    Bristol, 

C.  L.     Birdsall, 
Jos.    Bechard, 
W.    F.    Brainard, 
Mrs.    Julia   Burns, 
Herbert    Booth, 

E.  J.   Bradshaw, 
A.    S.    Brackett, 
I).    Brcsnalian, 
AV.     R.    Burkan, 
W.     W.     Buys, 
W.    P.    Ball, 
Mrs.    J.    Bryce, 
A.   J.    Brennan. 
J.    D.    Burgess, 
P.    Ball, 

J.    Bride, 

P.    AV.    Barnum, 

\.     Beaudoin, 

F.  E.    Burr, 

A.     H.    Buskey, 

AA'.    E.    Barker, 

E.    Bruco, 

W.    L.    Barrett, 

Edw.    Balch, 

J.     M.     Borgh, 

H.    L.    Bradley, 

E.     Bailey, 

P.    Bruen, 

Irving     Bruce, 

T.     Barrv, 

AA'.     E.    Boughton, 

AA'.    P.    Birdv. 

AA'.    C.    Buckley, 

AA'.   F.   Bradshaw, 

11.    Beach, 

AA'.  F.  Benoit,  Jr., 

E.     N'.     Burr, 

Mrs.    Marv   Bato-. 

AV.    E.    Bunnell. 

AV.    C.    Bramhall, 

H.    C.    Butler, 

AV.    H.    Bacon, 

I,.    Belden, 

C.    L.    Belden, 

3.    Bunnell, 

Kev.    C.    H.    Buck, 

AV.   L.   Bradshaw, 

Mrs.    S.    R.    Butterick, 

R.    Burwcll, 

K.    \.    Barnes, 

R.    Barnes, 

Miss   C.   L.   Bowman, 

K.    T.    Mclden. 

G.  L.    Bush, 
O.    J.    Bailey, 


A.   C.    Bailey, 
A.    F.    Bunnell, 

E.  Bradley, 
R.    BachuKiu, 
A.    L.    Bud, 
A.     D.    Blair, 
C.    H.    Barr, 

F.  Bruen, 
S.    Barnes, 

Mrs.    J.    E.    Burns, 
Misses    Blakeslce, 
J.    AV.    Bryce, 
Miss    A.    Burzler, 
P.     Bissemey, 
T.     H.    C'offy, 
Robt.    Carlson, 
P.    B.    Calvin, 
J.    AV.    Clark, 
C.    M.    Carrington, 
\V.    J.    Connelly, 

F.  J.  Costello, 

G.  Cari, 

J.    Coughlin, 

E.  F.    Connelly, 

J.    J.    Cunningham, 
!l.    I'.    Corless, 

F.  Cleveland, 
AV.    Clayton, 
T.    Chagnon, 
A.    <  liouiniere, 
.1.    ( 'liduiuieve, 

C.  R.    Carlson, 
AV.    H.    Cleveland, 

G.  C.    Canfield, 
(i.   T.    Colegrove, 

E.  Chouiniero, 
O.  M.  Coffin, 
J.    H.    Cafferty, 

D.  AV.    Collins, 
Mrs.    J.    Carroll, 
Wm.    Casey, 

AV.    J.    Calkins, 
C.    F.    Cable, 
Chas.    S.    Cook, 
AA'.    L.    Casey, 
C.    Critclilev, 
J.    H.    Carroll, 
AV.    R.    Coc, 
J.    Chagnon, 
A.    M.    Curtiss, 
AV.    E.    Conlon, 

F.  A.    Crane, 
H.    B.    Cook, 

E.  S.    Chase, 
E.    n.    Curtiss, 
H.   C.   Cottle, 
Achilla    Croye, 
P.    J.    Crowley, 
S.   E.   Curtiss, 
AA'.     Chapin, 

O.     Clavton. 

.1.    B.   Chapin, 

O.     Crowther, 

AV.     Coons, 

•T.   H.    Clarence, 

Mrs.    M.    H.    Carroll, 

O.    H.    Calkins. 

.\.    L.    Calvin, 

.\.     M.     ('larke, 

AV.    AA'.    (lark, 

n.    V.    Clark, 

AV.    Cook. 

E.    J.    Cullcn, 


706 


BRISTOL    CONNECTICUT, 


Mrs.    J.    Conlon, 
P.    F.    Curran, 
P.    Casey, 

A.  Carlson, 

B.  H.    Curtiss, 
Miss  M.    Carnell, 
E.   Cote, 

Mrs.    E.    C.    Christensen, 

C.  Collins, 

E.  J.    Crittenden, 
J.    A.    Christenger, 

F.  B.  Curtiss, 
W.  W.  Clark, 
Mrs.   Camp, 

J.    G.    Cairns, 
H.    B.    Cook, 
E.    Curtiss, 
Dunbar    Bros., 
C.   F.   Duchmann, 
Jas.    Dingwell, 
Geo.    Dalger, 
L.    E.    Cucuel, 
M.    Carey, 
J.    R.    Cairnes, 
J.    T.   Case, 
A.    J.    Calkins, 
C.    Doolittle, 

G.  H,  Dennison, 
L.    Dinieo, 

S.    Driver,    Jr., 

J.  E.   Doyle, 

Mrs.    F.    E.    Darrow, 

J.    B.    Degnan, 

J.    Douglass, 

0.    P.    Downs, 

C.    "W.    Daniels, 

C.   B.    Dailey, 

T.    H.    Dalton, 

W.    H.    Dutton, 

C.    H.    Deming, 

W.    C.    Dean, 

H.    E.    Day, 

Mrs.    R.    C.    Downs, 

T.    J.    Dwyer, 

J.    H.    Davis, 

N.    Dube, 

H.    S.    Dutton, 

O.   B.    Dayton, 

R.    Dutton, 

G.    H.    Button, 

E.    S.    Doune, 

A.    P.     Dresser, 

S.    Duteher, 

E.    J.    Dutton, 

C.    E.    Dunbar, 

M.    Dresser, 

R.   E.    Dillon, 

Geo.    H.    Day, 

W.    W.    Dunbar, 

Dr.     Desmarais. 

H.     M.     Davitt, 

J.    Dalton, 

J.    J.    Deegan, 

T.    F.    Doyle, 

L.    A.    Downs, 

"W.    W.    Dunbar, 

C.    H.    Dickinson, 

Thos.    Dienneen, 

A.    Diener, 

M.     Driscoll, 

W.    J.    Daly, 

P.    Deegan, 

C.     H.     Daniels, 

Mrs.    E.    Duffy, 

Mrs.    E.    Donahue, 

E.  S.    Dunbar, 

F.  J.    Davis, 
Eg.    Dunbar, 

J.    F.    Douglass, 
Mrs.    E.    B.    Dunber, 
W.    J.    Day, 


E.     Edwards, 
G.     H.     Elton, 
W.     E.     Elwin, 
E.    H.    Elton, 
Rev.     Nimrod     Ebb, 
Alfred    Erickson, 
August    Erickson, 
J.     Englert, 

E.  J.    Emmett, 
S.    C.    English, 
H.    S.    Elton, 
A.    S.    Eaton, 

J.  E.  Edwan, 
G.  T.  Elliott, 
M.    D.    Edgerton, 

A.  E.    Edwards, 
H.    J.    Forsyth, 
J.    Fries, 

F.  P.  Flescher, 
J.  Fitzsimmons, 
AV.    G.    Fenn, 

B.  H.  Fallon, 
J.    Frey, 

M.    Farrell, 

J.    Fingleton, 

H.    J.    Farnnam, 

E.    C.    Fowler, 

J.    W.    Fries, 

Mrs.    W.    F.    French, 

A.    A.    Ferry, 

Nettie   A.    Fogg, 

J.   L.    Fitzpatrick, 

L.   Fitzpatrick, 

J.    Freeman, 

S.  Fox, 

J.    B.    Ford, 

G.  B.  Frolich, 
G.    J.    Funck, 

C.  E.    Fuller, 
G.    W.    Fenn, 
Winifred  E.   Fogg, 
R.    W.    Ford, 

J.     Geisner, 
C.    N.    Gordon, 
J.    Gasske, 
G.   S.    Goddard, 
L.   W.   Goodsell, 
Chas.   A.   Garrett, 
W.   0.    Goodsell, 
Mrs.   I.  M.Gateloy, 
W    C.    Glasson, 
W.    Gould, 
Ralph  Gerth, 
A.    Gartmann, 
S.    T.    Goodspeed, 
C.    "W.     Greenough, 
Mrs.    E.    T.    Gaylord. 
C.    E.    Gaylord, 
W.    D.    Garlick, 
W.    C.    Granger, 
Mrs.   S.   C.   Goodenough, 
Mrs.    W.    Giddings, 
J.  "W.   Gray, 
L.    L.    Griswold, 
A.    H.    Gosslein, 
<'.  W.   Giddings, 
C.    Gray, 
H.    E.    Garrett, 
C.    Grant, 
W.   W.    Grant, 
S.    E.    Green, 
G.    C.    Graham, 

E.  .T.    Oaudreau, 

F.  Gaylord. 
W.   D.   Gorlick, 
S.    R.    Goodrich, 

Mrs.    D.   B.    Goldsmith, 
A.    C.    Golpin. 
A.    W.    Griswold, 
T.    J.    Gewillim, 

G.  E.    Gillette, 


A.   H.    llobro, 
E.    W.    Gaylord, 
.V.    J.    Garrette, 
J.    P.    Garrity, 
Geo.    Gustafson, 
C.    H.    Grant, 

C.  F.     Gage, 
A.    J.    Gerigk, 
Miss   Geissweit, 
W.    E.    Gumme, 
Mrs.    M.     Guckin, 

D.  Girard, 
W.    Grant, 

E.  Gustafson, 

M.    B.    Granfield, 
J.    J.    Gee, 
Bruno    Gerth, 

F.  B.    Hartranft, 

E.  Horton, 

.1.    F.    Gleason. 

H.    A.    Hannum, 

Mrs.    J.    B.    Hamilton, 

C.  D.     Hills, 

D.  Haskell. 
W.    R.    Hough, 

C.  E.    Hotchkiss, 
.7.   M.    Hart. 

S.    B.     Harper, 
\.    Harper, 
J.    S.    Hare, 
M.     Hahn, 
A.    J.    Hanna, 
P.    F.    Hurley, 
N.    E.    Hare, 
M.     C.     Hart, 

D.  J.    Heffernan. 
Mrs.    M.    Hanna, 

Mrs     M.    Hutchington, 

F.  Herold, 

G.  W.    Hull, 
F.    Hayes, 

E.  M.    Hare, 

L.    P.    Hannum, 
D.    N.    Hawley, 

F.  S.    Hyde, 
W.    A.    Hayes, 
D.    H.    HaU, 

Mrs.    A.    J.    Hamlin, 

Perrj^  N.   Holley, 

D.    Hare, 

J.    Hyland, 

S.    P.    Harrison, 

F.  J.    Holden, 

G.  W.    Hall, 
H.    Huhn, 

J.  E.    Hinchcliffe, 
M.    F.    Harney. 

F.  A.    Hubbell. 
Jas.    Hurley, 

G.  C.    Herman, 
0.     A.     Hough. 
W.    A.    Hayes, 
Mrs.    B.    Hammond, 
M.    Hause. 

I''.   A.   Haviland, 

L.    P.    Havden. 

F.    H.    Ho'lmes, 
A.  Harman, 

J.    V.    Heffernan, 

W.    Hotchkiss. 

Mrs.   M.   L.   Hotchkiss, 

P.    M.    Hubbard, 

Thos.    F.    Hackett, 
C.    E.    Hungerford, 

Mrs.   P.   J.   Holmes, 

S.    W.    House, 

.T.    H.    Hayes, 

H.   W.    Hungerford, 

Dr.     Hanrahan, 

W.    S.    Hart, 

P.    Hassett, 


OR   "new   camhridge." 


707 


C.    E.    Hotchkiss, 
J.    Hirltz, 
W.    11.    Hutchinson, 
A.    D.    Hawler, 
R.    T.    HaU, 
P.    Hayden, 
F.    A.    Horton, 
F.    G.   Hofsess, 
Geo.    Hall, 
K.    n.    Hollev, 
W.    H.    Hoylan, 
Mrs.    E.    M.    Hough, 
J.    F.    Holden, 
C.   B.   Ives, 
P.    Ives, 

''"'.   E.   Ingraham, 
W.    A.    Ingraham, 
Mrs.    E.   L.  Judson, 
H.    H.   Judd, 
J.    H.    Johnson, 
B.    Johnson, 
C    .T.    .Tohnson. 
B.    F.    Judd, 
H.    M.   Johnson, 
J.    W.    Johnson, 

F.  H.    Judd, 
N.  D.  Jerome, 

G.  Johnson, 
A.    Josolowitz. 
F.   N.   Jacobs, 
W.    Jerome. 

E.  F.    Judson. 
N.    Johnson, 
O.    A.   Jones. 

H.    C.   Jenning:s, 
A.    Johnson, 
J.    N.    JulifF, 
W.    Janecker, 

F.  E.    Johnson. 
W.    E.    Johnson. 
Rev.   T.   J.    Keener, 
J.    E.    Kennedy, 
Geo.    Klimek,  " 

D.    A.    Kellv, 

A.    Kleefelfi, 

Mrs.    K.    C.    Kellv, 

P.   F.    Kin?. 

C.    Katzung. 

F.    P.    Kennelv. 

W.    H.    Kelsev, 

H.     Kunt, 

A.    Kallstrom, 

S.    R.    Killer 

A.    E.    Knickerbocker, 

Thos.    Kennedy. 

W.    F.    Kilmartin. 

Emile    Kohle. 

P.    Keefe. 

Ohas.    Kimberl.v. 

J.   F.   Kearns. 

F    Tjplio.Tii. 

C.    Larson. 

A.    Larson, 

F.    Kownlewski. 

J.    Lindquist, 

John    Lamb, 

W.    H.    Lii?s. 

H.    Law, 

C.  T.    Lane, 

T.    Large. 

N.    \.    Lamphier. 

R.    Lasher. 

M.    Lawlor, 

J.    J.    Lass, 

Mrs.    E.   AI.   Lowre.v, 

H.    A.    Loomis. 

A.    Larocquse. 

n.   Larson. 

M.    L.    Lawson. 

Rose   Luchsinarer, 


W.   C.    Ladd, 

C.  A.    Lane, 

•los.    Li'Iipau. 
H.   TV.   Layassay, 
J.  Lanly, 
R.    K.    Llnsley, 
M.    J.   Lyons. 
A.    F.    Lincoln, 
H.    Lafayette, 
Geo.   Lawlej',   Sr., 
Geo.  Lawley,  Jr., 
Aug.    Landburg, 

D.  Leonard, 

L.    H.    Loomis, 
H.    Lawrence, 
Theo.    Lockenwitz, 
A.    F.   Lawson, 
Geo.  J.   La  Course, 
L.   La  Course, 
L.    H.    LanlntT, 
T.    Leavett, 
A.   Lupier, 

F.  Lnpien. 

G.  Lewis, 
L.    Larson. 
.1.    Lonergan, 

Mrs.    L.    H.    Linsley, 
A.   A.   Lilgren, 
T.    A.    Lambert. 
Miss    L.    Lange, 
Antoine    Lupion. 
C.    Lundgren. 
G.   P.   Lyons. 
L.    Lasher. 
G.   E.    Littlefield, 
G.   B.   Lewis, 
A.  Legase. 
T.   J.    Lane. 
S.   A.   Ladd, 
0.    LincKen, 
Louis    La  Pierre, 
J.    McKeman. 
•Tas.    McKeman. 
W.  Y.   McMullen. 

F.  McOar. 

J.   McXahola. 

J.    J.    AfcDonagh. 

E.    E.    Merrill. 

E.    :Mcrue. 

M.    T.    IVfcCoi-inack, 

C.    McCarthy. 

J.    H     McWilliams, 

J.    McLaughlin. 

J.     McDonald. 

AV.     McDermott, 

M.   K.   McConnack. 

B.  J.   HfcGovern. 
N^    H.    :xrerrill. 

G.  O.     Moslev, 

Mrs.    G.   C,    Manchester, 

•T.    TV.    l\ro>:hicr, 

A.    Morin. 

A.    Manc'icster. 

AV.    E.    Afills. 

A.    7,.    ALnvnard, 

•Tns.    Mnndeau. 

Geo.    MitcheH, 

C.  E.   -Mitchell. 
Mrs.    A.    J.    Muzzy. 
A.    F.    Matthews.  " 
G.    H.    Aliles, 

Roy     AV.    n.    Morrison. 

F.    S.    Merrill, 

C.    B.    Mondy. 

Moses     Mcdeley. 

Afarv   r.    Martin. 

P.    F.    Martin. 

F     Moreau, 

■"'.     ■"'.    Mnrrill. 

W     AV     Aforley. 


H.   I.    Muzz.v. 

M.    Munn, 

Geo.    N.    Minor, 

B.  Munson, 

J.    K.   Mulford,   Jr., 
L.    Merz, 
»■.    K.    .Vlall,„-v. 
A.    H.   Medley, 
F.    B.    Micha'el, 

C.  F.    Michael, 
J.    J.    Merrill, 
•f-    A.    Mathews, 
A.    G.    Muzzy, 
A.    C.    Mills.* 

I^.    J.    Mahoney, 
J-    Mtielleins, 
A.    L.    Moses. 
J-   B.    Matthews, 
A.    Munson, 
A^    E.    Modin, 

E.  H.    Moulthrope, 
O.   Melacon, 

W.    H.    Merritt, 

F.  A.    Mitchell, 
■T-    D.   Monaghan, 
Mrs.    C.    H.    Muzzy, 
F.    Moulthrop, 
Geo.  B.   Alichael, 

H.    E.    Meyers, 
•T.    AV'.    Moore, 
J-    P.    Moran, 
R.    J.   Miller, 
J.    Murphy. 
F-    A.    Matthews, 
E.    Alancnester, 
R.    C.   Manchester, 
H.   J.   Mills. 

E.  L.   Miner, 
AA'.    S.    Moore, 

Airs.    H.    D.    Mitchell, 

Chas.    Messenger, 

Mrs.    J.    Myers, 

B.    H.    Mason. 

S.    Murphy, 

J.    T.    Mather,   Jr., 

Af.    .1.    Malone, 

J.   n.   Mavnard. 

AA'.    H.    Miller, 

D.    Afason. 

F.  C.    Norton, 

A.  J.    rforton, 
N.    Nissen. 

Mrs.    C.    E.    Nott,    , 
AA^m.     H.    Nott, 
Mrs.    F.    A.    Noble, 

B.  G.    Nichols. 

G.  O.    Northrop, 
H.    L.    Norton, 
Airs.    C.    Nelson, 
T.    Nichol. 

A.    R.    Nettleton, 
X.    B.    Neal. 
J.    G.    Nichols. 
E      E.     Nichols. 
AV.    E.    Norton. 

C.  Nagel. 

E.    Nurnberger, 
C.   N.    Nagel. 
H.   B.    Norton. 
AA'.   Af.   Norton, 
A.    Nelson. 
J.    A.    Norton. 
Jno.    A,    Norton, 
L.    B.    Norton, 
N.   Nelson. 
Florence   S.    Norton, 
E.    E.    Newell, 
P.    C.    Nicholls, 
G.    P.    Neale. 
A.    G.    Nearing, 


708 


BRISTOL,    CON'NECTICUT 


S.    F.    Nichols, 
Mrs.  Robt.  Norton, 
L.    S.    Norton, 
Roger   S.    Newell, 
N.    E.    Nystrom, 
Edw.    Olsen, 
G.    E.    Oleott, 
J.    T.    O'Brien, 
M.    B.    O'Brien, 

D.  T.    Ogden, 

Mrs.    M.    E.    O'Brien, 

M.    OV, ,,111(1. 

J.   O'Connell, 

Wm.    O'Connell, 

Thos.     O'Brien, 

J.    T.    O'Connell, 

M.    L.    Peck,  - 

G.    A.    Peters, 

DeWitt   Page, 

J.   A.   Peekham, 

C.    Peterson, 

A.    S.    Poas, 

F.    E.    Pond, 

J.    C.    Parsons, 

E.  H.   Perkins, 
E.    Peck, 

U.    C.    Parsons, 

Mrs.   A.    E.   Pettibone, 

Nils    Pierson. 

Fred    Perry, 

N.    C.    Parsons, 

H.    S.    Pratt, 

M.    E.    Pierson, 

Joi?.    Perry, 

C.    Peterson, 

W.    O.    Perkins, 

H.    .T.    Peck, 

J.    Peterson, 

N.   E.  Pierce, 

C.    A:    Parsons, 

A.  H.   Parsons, 
J.    T.    Palmer, 
Mrs.    J.    A.    Pond, 
E.    M.    Peck, 

B.  A.    Peck, 

C.  R.    Perkins, 
H.    B.    Plumb, 
C.    F.    Pettibone, 
A.    S.    Pettibone, 
C.    E.    Parcell, 
Mrs.    J.    B.    Page, 
A.    Peterson, 
Mrs.   L.    Poam, 
Mrs.    J.    B.   Pender, 
A.    Peterson. 

M.    Polis, 
,T.    E.    Pierce, 
Mrs.    E.    L.    Peck, 

E.  Prenez, 

A.    C.    Perkins, 
Mrs.   E.   S.  Piper, 
Thos.    Perry, 
P.    Percival. 
Mrs.  S.  M.  Potter, 
W.  N.   Plummer, 
A.    Q.    Perkins, 

A.  E.    Parker, 

Misa   E.   Jennie  Peck, 
Miss    Helen    A.   Peck, 
P.    E.    Pond, 
C    A.    Palmer, 

F.  R.  Parsons, 
Geo.  J.  Pepler, 
J.    M.    Peck. 

B.  R.   Plumb. 
N,    Peck. 

Mrs.  W.  Potter, 
J.   .T.   Qiiinn. 
R.    N.    Qninion, 
O.    Roberts. 
W.    A.    Ry.nn. 


A.    Richards, 

W.  W.   Roe, 

Mrs.  P.  J.   Riley, 

C.    Ryan, 

Darwin     i{e;ul. 

R.    L.    Rigby, 

E.  L.  Royland, 

Mrs.    H.    C.    Rockefeller, 

W.    C.    Richards, 

J.  A.  Royce, 

A.    L.    Roberta, 

H.    T.    Roberts, 

J.    H.    Rals, 

P.    Riquist, 

R.    Ronalter, 

N.    E.    Riley, 

W.    H.    Roberts, 

H.    C.    Rancor, 

R.    J.   Rigby, 

G.    S.    Reed, 

A.    F.    Reed, 

W.    R.   Russell, 

C.    E.    Rottger, 

J.    Riley, 

W.   W.  Russell, 

H.   Redniann,   Jr., 

Geo.    A.    Rowe, 

Robt.    P.    Rvan, 

W.    Roberts, 

II.   S.    Richemever, 

J.    W.    Re.vnolds, 

A.    J.    Rawson, 

M.    B.    Rohan. 

C.    E.    Russell, 

T.    C.    Root, 

H.    E.    Russell, 

Dr.   B.   B.   Bobbins, 

W.    O.    Robinson, 

H.    A.    Re.vnolds, 

Wm.    H.    Rowe, 

G.    L.    Roberts. 

G.    B.   Roberts, 

L.    E.    Ponse, 

J.    D.    Reeve, 

W.    J.   Roberts, 

W.   C.   Rechtmeyer, 

P.    J.    Reddy, 

Miss   M.    Roberts, 

J.    H.    Rvals, 

AV.    T.    Revnolls, 

J.    AV.    Skelly. 

Mrs     F.    Schubert, 

Mr-i     r     B     Scuddcr, 

H.    J.    Smith. 

E.   J.    Sheeky, 

Mrs.   Geo.   J.   Schubert, 

T.    Schubert. 

A.    Stephenson. 

J.    P.    Streigle, 

A.   P.    Stark, 

Ij.    Spieler. 

A.    L.    Sessions, 

P.    A.    South. 

Mrs.    L.    E.    Seymour, 

E.    Spencer, 

Mrs.    M.    G.    Sutliffe, 

A.    Schafer, 

Mrs.    P.    Smith, 

Ij.    A.    Sanford, 

E.    P.    Sanborn, 

J.    L.    Shields, 

W.    E.   Sessions. 

Mrs.    A.    Sampson, 

H.   W.   Soule,   Jr., 

J.    Ii.    Strup, 

AV.    Stolz, 

P.    Sigournev. 

AA^   AA'.    Sharpe. 

J.    Skelskv. 

0.    Stock. 

J.    Scnrritt. 


C.    H.    Stock, 

B.  Smith, 

A.   L.    Strichteneth, 
Mrs.    M.    G.    Sutliffe, 

E.    E.    Stockton, 
AV.    L.    Smith, 
M.   S.    Soule, 
Paul    Stein, 
G.    Schubert. 

C.  Spencer, 
P.    Schussler, 
H.    Sweeney, 
AV.     Schoenaner, 
W.    P.    Smithwick, 

D.  C.    Stevens, 
Mrs.   C.    C.   Smith, 
A.    J.   Sjogren, 

E.  E.  Smith, 
E.  S.  Soule, 
J.    Seaman, 

Mrs.   J.   H.   Swift, 
Rev.    C.    N.    Shepard, 
C.    B.    Sanford, 
P.    Sahlin, 
AV.  T.   Smith, 
C.     J.     Swenson, 
Roy   Stone. 
M.    L.    Sullivan, 
P.    H.    Saxton, 
AV.   R.    Strong, 
H.   AA^    Simmons, 
J.    J.    Sullivan. 
Michael    Schilling, 
Mrs.    A.    Spring, 
A.    P.   Stawart, 
L.    H.   Snyder, 
J.   E     Stewart, 
S.   AV.   Steele, 
O.    F.    Strunz. 
C.  A.  Swanston, 
G.    P.    Scherr, 
P.    Shields. 
M.    J.    Smith, 
P.    Salery. 

C.  C.    Scoville. 
Mrs.   G.  Shepard, 
H.    Stone. 

H.    AV.    Scoville, 

J.    Segla, 

S.    N.    Sheldon, 

P.    Steele. 

AV.     R.    Spicer, 

H.    AV.    Scoville, 

E     Scheidel. 

AV.    F.   Stone, 

P.   A.  Schaffer, 

Mrs.    C.    Treadway, 

G.     P.    Thomas. 

G.    Tong. 

G.    AA'.    Thompson, 

H.   AV.  Tuttle, 

A.    J.   Tollis,    Jr., 

J.    Trove, 

R.    A'.    Tomlinson, 

H.   AA'.   Tavlor, 

L.    P.   Thomas, 

T.    L.   Thomas. 

H.    M.   Ta.vlor, 

P.   H.    Thomas, 

J.    Tredennick. 

Mrs.   Sidnev  Tracv, 

E.   S.    Tuttle, 

Thos.    Treloar. 

Mrs.    H.   C.  Thompson, 

A.    Theureaux. 

.J.    Theureaux, 

AV.   J.   Tracy, 

D.  Theureaux, 

AV.    A.    Thewhella, 
Mrs.   J.   T'i-well. 
O.    H.   Thomas. 


OR     "NKW     CAMBRIDGE. 


709 


T.   A.   Tracy, 
J.   Tregaiiza. 
Mrs.    N.    Turk, 
Joseph  Terrien, 
Mrs.   L.    A.  Taplin, 
C.   E.   Trewhella, 
G.   H.  Turner, 
W.  Thomas, 
G.   F.  Thomas, 
W.   H.  Thomas, 
J.  H.   Thomas, 

F.  E.  Torrv. 
J.  W.  Tiacv. 
E.  L.  Tolan, 

C.   I.   Treadway, 
Mrs.   G.   R.   Tuttle, 
A.   J.  Tjinerson. 

E.  Thomas, 
C.    H.    Terry. 
W.    A.   Terry, 
Ella   A.    Upson. 
Dr.    C.    R.    Upson, 
Mrs.    H.    Umphrey, 
R.   Unwin. 

M.    Van  Allen, 
W.    Van    IJess, 
Mrs.    J.    .S.    Voorhpps. 
A.  H.  Vaill. 

G.  -W.    Veubana, 
A.    Vanasse, 

F.  W.    Vickers, 
F.     Valentine. 


C.  W.  Vosberg, 
P.   Vanoni, 

C  L.  Wooding, 
II.  O.  Webler, 
B.   P.   Webler, 

D.  S.  Wadsworth, 
L.  L.  Whittlesey, 
J.   Wheeler. 

F.  A.    Weeks, 
J.    J.    Welsh. 
R.   Walton, 

Geo.    W.    Watorhouse, 

Dr.  ,T.  S.  Wilson. 

M.    E.    WeUlon. 

K.    H.    Whelan. 

B.    Williams. 

P.    J.    Welsh. 

V.    S.    White, 

•T,    D.    Whipple, 

.T.    M.    White, 

B.   White, 

R.   H.   Woodt'jrd, 

H.   N.   Wilcox, 

G.  A.    White. 
G.  W.  "Wooster, 
F,    A.   Warner, 
•T.    Wise, 

n.  Willman, 
George    Weeks, 
Mrs.    W.    L.    Weeks, 
W.    P.   Weed. 
.T.   Walsh. 


H.    J     Wilson, 
Mrs.   S.   E.   Weed, 

A.  M.  Warner, 
G.  R.  Webster, 
Jno.   Walton, 

Mrs.    H.   S.    Wilson, 
Mrs.    N.   S.   Whightman, 

E.  Williams, 

G.  W.  Whittemore, 
N.  J.   Walsh, 
J.   W.    Williams, 
W.    E.   Whightman, 
George   Warren, 

F.  E.  Wilcox, 
Mrs.   J.   L.   Wilcox, 

C.  C.    Weld, 

B.  S.  W'arner, 
T.    West. 

F.    B.   Wasley, 

F.    A.   Wasley, 

Mrs.  C.  E    Winchell, 

H.   C.   Wright, 

F.   W.    Wright, 

H.    R.    Wav, 

E.  J.    Weed,   Jr., 

D.  J.  Webster, 
S     N.    Voung, 

F.  Zink. 
A.   Zam, 

G.  Zahnke. 


710 


BRISTOL,    CONNECTICUT 


INDEX 


I            --,         „  Page 

Arms,    Geo.    C,    Mouninental    Works  432 

Barnard,     M.     H '  431 

Barnes    Co.,    The    Wallace.'.'.'.'.'.'."."  430 

Barrett   Factory,  The  Win.  L 436 

Bartholomew     Factory,     The     Edge- 
wood     405 

Birds,    Rambles   Among   the   Bristol,  217 

Natural  History,   Photographv  392 

Same    Bristol    Game    ...        "  437 

Berge  Sons'   Co.,  The   W     L  .         "  '  424 

Blakeslee    Novelty    Co.,    The  d'?-? 

Bradle.yites,    The 540 

Brightwood    Hall ■"  333 

Bristol   in    1721 .  .  .  21 

Centennial   Address,    Peckj    isss"  25 

"New    Cambridge" 30 

Mr.    Newell    Installed .".'.'.'."  31 

Petition  for  Eccles.   Incorporation,  30 

incorporation     30 

Borough    of    Bristol ....'. aa-i 

Bristol    Mfg.    Co.,    The....;    416 

Bristol    Press,     The 345 

Bristol    Homes    cfio 

Bristol    Trust    Co '. 659 

Cemetery,    The  Old   Episcopal...       '  30^ 
Churches,  Ecclesisatieal,  etc 

Advent     Christian 44.:; 

Baptist    43  213 

Congregational,    The   First..'.".'.       '  170 

Earliest    Preaching     .>§ 

Early      •  Ecclesiastical        Contro- 
versies       on 

Early    Episcopal '.'.".'.'.!.'!!!!'  34 

Episcopal    Church,    The    First        "  397 

German    Ev.    Lutheran "  333 

Methodist   Episcopal,    Prospect,    45  933 
Methodist     Episcopal,     Forestville.  ' 

Mount    Hope    ciiapel.  ....'.".".".'...  '  535 

St.    Matthew's  Roman  Catholic.  .  ."  543 

St.    .Joseph's    Church 359 

Swedish    Congregational    Church'.'.  386 

Swedish    Lutheran    Lebanon 388 

Swedish      Ev.      Lutheran.      Forest- 
ville        (366 

Trinity    Church 306 

Clayton    Bros.    Inc ['/  417 

Clocks,    Early   Days    of    IndustrV,  "49,  140 

Co.   D.,   C.  N.   G ; 357 

Copper  Mines  of  Bristol,   The.!  440 

Curfew    Bell,    The 380 

Diatomes    of    Bristol 27S 

Dunbar,    Moses,    Loyalist .'.'.'.'.'  141 

Early   Industries 46.  s.-jt) 

Fall    Mountain,    History    of...'.'.'...'  12.-; 
Fire     Department,     633,     637      639 

641,   645. 

Ford   Machine   Shop,   The  .1.    B  .  .  41'' 

Forestville     '. '.  543 

Founders    and    Their    Homes....  193  2-^7 
Fraternal    Bristol— 

A.    0.    H 613 

Brightwood  Camp,   M.   W.   of  A..  615 

Bristol     Grange 595 

Bristol    Turner     Society.  ..'..'...'.  589 

Companion    Court    Geneva 615 

Daughters     of     Rebekah 593 

Eagles     593 

Forester  I      575 

F.    *    A.     M .'.'."!.".'.'.'.'  .58.5 

Fedelia     Circle      577 

Gilbert     Thompson     Po<;t 646 

I-     O.     O.     F 623,  626 

Ivatlionne    Gaylord    Chapter,   D.   A. 

R 620 

K-    of    C 581 


Page 

K.    of    P 628 

L'Union    S.    J.,    Baptist    D'A 615 

Manross    •  Post 651 

National     A.ssn.      Stationary     En- 
gineers            573 

N.    E.    O.    P 579 

One    Hundred    Men     Society 604 

Oneida     Club 569 

Order    of    \a3-a 571 

Order   of   E.    S 615 

O.    U.     A.    M 587 

Red    Men     567 

Red    Cross     628 

R.     A.     M 593 

Royal    A  real)    .ii 591 

Royal     Neighbors    of    America .  . .      583 

Ruth     Rebekah     Lodge 595 

Scandinavian     Sick     Benefit 608 

Societe   Des   Artisans,  etc 607 

Sons     of     St.     George 605 

St.    Jean    Baptiste    Society 602 

St.     Joseph's    Sick     Benevolent...      606 
Swedish    Temperance    Society ....     608 

Whigville     Grange 599 

Gavlord.     Katherine,     Heroine, .  .61,     134, 

620. 
(Ji  ne:'l(  eical    Section   (see   also  pages 
227,    526,    534.) 

Adams,     John     H 476 

Adams.     Walter 512 

Atwood,    Anson    L 4  V9 

Barnes,     Rodnev     454 

Barnes.     Thos 511-|;2. 

Barnes,     Wallace 465 

Bailey,      Chas.     S 503 

Bartholomew,     Geo.     W 486 

Bartholomew,     Harry    S 486 

Beach,    Chas 486 

Birge.    John    505 

Birge,    Geo.    W 507 

Birge,    Hon.    John 506 

Birge,     Nathan    L 505 

Birge,    Nathan    R 507 

Bradlev,    Warren    1 460 

Brewster,     Elisha     C 485 

Bunnell,    .\llen 485 

Candee,    Wales     A 502 

Clayton.     Win 509 

Churphill,    :  Chas 469 

Churchill,   Chas.    Jr 469 

Cook,     Havilah     T 473 

Darrow,     Elijah 471 

Darrow,    Franklin    E 472 

Day,     Wm 468 

Downs     (or     Downes)     Family.  .  .      447 

Dunbar,     Edw.     B 481 

Dunbar,     Col.     Edw.     L 467 

Gale,     Herbert     X 456 

Gaylon'i,     Wm 515 

Gavlord,     Jesse 471 

Gibb,     Rev.    Wm 477 

Griggs,    Dr.     Leverett 508 

Goodenough,     Lester 48S 

Hancock,    Elder   S.    C 453 

Hawley,     Benj.     F 496 

Hanna,     Jas 464 

T'oiil-er,    Deaoim   Bvvan 450 

Hubbell.     Julius    R 461 

Hull,     Geo.     S.,     M.     D 501 

Hungerford.    Evits 473 

Ingraham,    Edw 457 

Intfraham.     Elias 498 

Ives,     Orrin    B iS7 

Jennings,    John    J 503 

Lewis,     Benj.     R *97 

Mallory,     Ransom 4*8 

Manross.     Elisha *99 


NEW     CAMBRIDGE. 


711 


Page 

Miller,     David    S 476 

Mitchell,    Hon.    Ale.\ 508 

Mitchell,    Julius    R 46i 

Mitchell,     3.      A 460 

NcwfU.    Lot    and    Naoiui 511 

Newell,    Samuel    P o02 

Norton,    A.    L 46? 

Norton,    Geo 495 

Nott,    Chas.    E 471 

Nott,     Julius     494 

Penfield,     Gilbert 4  75 

I'idcoek,     OiUiiel i'JS 

Pomeroy,     Noah 470 

Pierce,     Isaac 49S 

Kichards,    Wni.    C 514 

Richards,     Wm.     R 513 

Root,     Chas,    J 516,  521 

Root,     Mrs.     Catherine     R 520 

Root,     Miss    Mary    P 516 

Root,    Samuel    E 465 

Roberts,    Miss   Candace 516,  o22 

Schuber;,     Geo.     J 510 

Sessions,     Albert     491 

Sessions,    John   Henry 490 

Sessions,     John     Huniphrej' 489 

Seymour,    Allen 485 

Si.Uitft'.    J.    II 47;t 

Sigourney,     Jos 478 

Steele,     Chas.     A 475 

Sutliff,     S.     M 497 

Thompson,     H.     C 500 

Tuttle,     Constant     L 488 

Way,     Harvey    E.,     M.     U 4'J2 

Welch,    Elisha    N 493 

Woodward,     Edw.     P 455 

Wright,     E.     L 459 

Gidding's    Carriage,    Forging,    etc..  485 

Hobro    iV    Rowe       . 4i)4 

Horton     Mfg.     Co.,     The 411 

Hotel,    The    Brick 423 

Ideal     Laundry 434 

Indians    of    Bristol    and    Vicinitj".  .  ^ 

Ingraham    Co.,    The    E 407 

Indian     Names 13,  26 

"Compound"     (Compounce)  . . .  .16,  17 

Tunxis     25 


Page 

Prehistoric    Remains 79 

John    Humphrey    Sessions    i:    Son . .  661 

Ladd    Co.,     The    W.     C 421 

"Leather    Man,"    The    Old 162 

Mills    Box    Shop 662 

Mount    Hope    Chapel j38 

Natural    History    Photography 392 

New     Departure    Mfg.    Co ill} 

Peek,    Abigal,    "The    Bear    Girl"...  59 

Penfield     Saw     Works 414 

Pequaback    River,    The 166 

Police     ,  .  599 

Prehistoric    Remains 79 

Present     Industries    of    Bristol 39."^ 

Public-    Librar.\ 654 

Reminiscences      of      Youthful      Pas- 
times       378 

Schools    of     Bristol 523 

First    School    Houses 35 

History  of   School   Dist.    No.    9...  227 

History   of   School   Dist.   No.    10..  526 

North   Side   School    Dist.    No.    2 .  .  534 

Session.^,      Clock      Co.,      Tuc 395 

Slave    Bill    of    Sale 3o 

Sessions    Foundry    Co.,    The 397 

Slave    Girl     57 

Sporting     Bristol 553 

Smith,    Marshall    J 425 

Snyder    Co.,    The    L.    H 408 

Swanston's    Orchestra    390 

Taverns     42 

Terry    &    Co.,    Fletcher 413 

Thompson    Clock    Co 418 

Turner    &    Deegan 414 

Turner    Heater    Co.,   The 409 

War — Revolutionary      36,  37 

French     and     Indian 36 

Civil     53 

Warner    Co.,    The    A.    H 419 

West    Hill    Club 422 

Wicket,  The   Srtiiage  Yankee   (iame 

of     292 

Welcome                         664 

Witchcraft     44 

Whigville     Grange 599 


.r 


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