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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
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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
IJHISTOL
I
1721.
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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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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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MISS A. M. BAKTUULO.MKW
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
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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.
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"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 —
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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
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4b
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2c
7c
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I'b
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lb
7c
121)
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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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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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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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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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NEW CAMBRIDGE.
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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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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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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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
o
3
cr
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
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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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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^ -•
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?^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
78
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