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HISTORY 



OK 



Hew Kaven (|ounty, 

CONNECTICUT. 



Edited "by 
J. L. ROCKEY, 

Assisted lay a corps of writers. 



h) bwo Yolui7)es, Illu^brabed. 



VOLUNIK I. 




AS^"^' 




Press of J. Henry Probst, 

36 VESEY ST. , NEW YORK. 



PREFACE. 



The preparation of this History of New Haven County was begun 
more than Iwo years ago, work on it having been assiduously prose 
cuted since October, 1889. The magnitude of the undertaking has 
been much greater than was contemplated, and the vo ume of matter 
has far exceeded the limit originally set by the publishers. It has 
been found necessary, after the book had been sold, m order to prop- 
erly embrace these hundreds of additional P^S^s, t« W it m two 
handsome volumes instead of one, as purposed and ^^re©ifVi<h the 
subscribers. These changes have been made at an expenditure o 
several thousand dollars-apparently a loss to the publishers, but 
clearly a gain to their patrons. They feel that they have been some- 
what compensated for this extra outlay by the appreciative support 
they have received, in spite of many adverse circumstances The 
publication, in 1886, of a voluminous and exhaustive history of the city 
of New Haven .so fully supplied the demand in that locality for such a 
local work that no patronage was there solicited or received for this 
book In the city of Waterbury, also, a comprehensive history is being 
prepared by careful and competent writers, which will afford the people 
of that section of the county a vast fund of information upon such 
local matters as will most interest them. Naturally, that prospective 
work limited the patronage for our book, in that town. Very properly, 
then since the histories of these localities have recently been so fully 
recorded elsewhere, and a sense of obligation does not demand their 
repetition by us, the narratives of these two towns are not here given 
m detail But complete outline histories of them have instead been 
prepared, wherein may be found all the salient features of the events 
connected with them since their settlement. We believe that this 
arrangement will be generally satisfactory to the citizens of the 
county, as it has permitted us to write the accounts of other towns, 
with much greater attention to details, so that a very good knowledge 
of their affairs and relation to the body corporate can be obtained 
In o-eneral, these narratives are far more comprehensive and finished 
than anything heretofore published; and in several instances they are 
the only accounts of the kind, being the results of original investiga- 
tions by the compilers of this book. A number of these are citizens 
of the county, and being men of excellent character, their accounts of 
the local history of their respective towns may be accepted as based 
upon the facts of the subjects treated. 



IV PREFACE. 

Notwithstanding the extended limits given us by the publishers, 
Ve have been obliged by the vast expanse of the territory embraced 
and the abundance of its historical matter, to confine ourselves, in 
most cases, to the simple record of events. Plainness of statement 
and brevity of style have been conspicuously kept in view, and there 
has been but little attempt at embellishment. The compilers have 
endeavored to perform their work impartially, and to give every in- 
terest a proper representation. They have sought to avoid the favorit- 
ism often seen in works of this nature, and which so greatly detracts 
from their value. The rich and the poor, the lowly and the exalted, 
the humble toiler and the prosperous employer, have alike received 
creditable mention for what they have done. This is proper; this is 
just. The true history of any country is the simple recital of the 
deeds of its citizens. Each one in his own sphere is a useful factor in 
the body politic, and however diverse their interests one is the com- 
plement of the other in forming the harmonious whole. But in a work 
of this nature there is no such thing as absolute perfection. No doubt 
this book contains mistakes of statements and errors of judgment, as 
well as the works of others who have heretofore gleaned in this ex- 
tensive field. We claim, however, credit for an honest intention to 
make our book as nearly as possible authentic in all things. To that 
end we have not only compiled from the published works of others 
and examined much manuscript matter, using diligent effort to verify 
the same, and spending many months in careful personal investigations, 
but we visited every part of the county, and in every locality consulted 
many citizens of worth in every department of life, who were reputed 
to possess knowledge of this nature. We thus called on at least three 
thousand of the most progressive people of the county, and these 
pages contain to a large e.xtent what was learned from them. 

It is proper here to acknowledge our gratitude toward all who have 
so kindly aided us. Without their intelligent and generous assistance 
we should have failed in our purpose to make this a valuable, popular 
work; with the help given us we have striven modestly to perform 
this task, beset by so many discouraging obstacles, and cherish the 
hope that every reader of this book may derive much pleasure and 
satisfaction from the perusal and contemplation of its pages. 

J. L. RncKEV. 
New York, March 2Sth, 1892. 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I. 

GENERAL HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. PAGE 

Location and Description. — Natural Features, Topography, Geology, etc. — 
Discovery. — Claims of the Dutch and English. — Settlements at Windsor, 
Hartford and Wethersfield. — Settlement of Quinnipiac. — Treaties with the 
Indians. — Organization of Church and Civil Government. — The Juris- 
diction of New Haven. — Union of the New England Colonies. — Governor 
Eaton and his Successors. — The Regicide Judges. — Charter of 1663. — 
Union of New Haven and Connecticut Colonies. — New Haven County 
Formed. — Town Organizations. — Cities and Boroughs. — Statistics. — State 
and County Buildings. — County Commissioners. — The Courts of the 
County. — Internal Improvements. — General Military Matters. — General 
Civil List 1 

CHAPTER II. 

TOWN AND CITY OF NEW HAVEN (CONCLUDED). 

Location and Natural Features. — General Description. — Settlement and De- 
velopment. — Condition at the Beginning of the Present Century. — Sta- 
tistics. — Municipal Organization. — Town Clerks. — City Government. — 
City Police — Fire Department. — Water Supply. — Public Sewerage. — City 
Buildings. — Street Illumination. — Trees and Parks. — General Business 
Interests. — Monetary Institutions. — Lawyers and Physicians. — Post 
Office. — Street Railways. — Philanthropic and Social Institutions 97 

CHAPTER III. 

TOWN AND CITY OF NEW HAVEN (CONCLUDED). 

Early School Teachers. — Hopkins Grammar School. — Other Early Schools. — 
Later Select Schools. — The Lancasterian School. — Graded Schools Es- 
tablished. — Present Condition of Public Schools. — Yale University. — The 
Periodical Press. — First Congregational Church. — North Church. — Yale 
College Church.— Third Congregational Church. —Dixwell Avenue Church. 
— College Street Church. — Church of the Redeemer. — Davenport Church. 
— Howard Avenue Church. — Humphrey Street Church. — Taylor Church. 
— Dwight Place Church.— Ferry Street Church. — Emanuel Church. — First 
Presbyterian Church. — Trinity Church. — St. Paul's Church.— St. John's 
Church. — Church of the Ascension.— St. Thomas" Church.— Christ 
Church.— Grace Church.— St. Luke's Church.— All Saints' Chapel.— 
Trinity Chapel.— Methodist Churches.— Baptist Churches.— Lutherans. — 
SecondAdventists.—Universalists.— Hebrews.— Roman Catholics. — Cem- 
eteries.— Fair Haven. — Westville.— Biographical Sketches U4 



VI TABLE OF CONTENTS. 

chaptp:r IV. 

THE TOWN OF E.-^ST HAVEN. P.AGE 

Location and Natural Features. — The Pioneer Settlers. — Civil Organization. 
— Bridges, Ferries, Roads, etc. — Industrial Pursuits. — East Haven Village. 
— Religious and Educational Matters. — Cemeteries. — Military Affairs. — 
Biographical Sketches 317 

CHAPTER V. 

THE TOWN OK NORTH H.'iVEN. 

Location and Description. — Settlement. — Early Religious Affairs. — Reverend 
Benjamin Trumbull. — Congregational Church. — St. John'sfP. E. ) Church. 
— Baptist Church at Montowese. — Clintonville Union Mission. — The 
Militia. — Cemeteries. — Education. — Incorporation of the Town. — Civil 
List. — Public Improvements. — Public Buildings. — The Bradley Library. 
— The Town Centennial. — General Business Interests. — Villages. — Sab- 
bath Day Houses. — Slaves. — Fishing Privileges. — Taverns.— Physicians. 
— North Haven in the Nation's Wars. — Biographical Sketches 248 

CHAPTER VI. 

THE TOWN OF HAMDEN. 

Location and Natural Features. — Early Agricultural Industries. — The Early 
Settlers and their Descendants. — Population. — Civil Organization. — Town 
Poor. — Town Hall. — Town Clerks. — Public Thoroitghfares. — Manufactur- 
ing Interests. — Hamlets, Post Offices, etc. — Masonic Lodge. — Schools. — 
Mt. Carmel Congregational Church. — Congregational Church in Whit- 
neyville. — Grace Church (Protestant Episcopal). — St. Mary's Church 
(Roman Catholic). — Hamden Plains Methodist Episcopal Church. — The 
New Lebanon Mission. — Cemeteries. — Water Works and Parks. — Bio- 
graphical Sketches 288 

CHAPTER VII. 

THE TOWN OF WAI.LINGFORD. 

Location and Description. — Early Settlers. — Growth of the Town. — Second 
Centennial. — Organization of Town and Early Records. —Town Clerks 
and Probate Judges. — Public Highways. — Manufacturing. — Wallingford 
Borough. — Incorporation and Officers. — Sewerage. — Street Improvement. 
— Water Department. — Fire Department. — The Wallingford Disaster. — 
Gas Light Company. — Banks. — Building and Loan Association. — Business 
Places. — Post Office. — Public Buildings. — The Press. — Libraries. — Yales- 
ville. — Tracy. — East Wallingford. — Physicians and Attorneys. — Societies. 340 

CHAPTER \'I1I. 

•I'HK I'OWN OF WAI.I.IXOFOUI) (CONCLUDED). 

Edttcational Matters. — Establishment of Religious Worship. — First Congre- 
gational Church. — The Wallingford Controversy. — The Wells Society. — 
The Wallingford Baptist Church. — St. Paul's (Protestant Episcopal) 
Church. --The First Methodist Class.— Yalcsville M. E. Church.— The Ad- 
vuntist Church. — Yalesville Baptist Church. — St. John's (Protestant 
Episcopal) Church. Yalesville. — Second Advent Church of Wallingford. 
— Holy Trinity (Roman Catholic) Parish. — The Wallingford Community. 
— Cemeteries. — Biographical Sketches 378 



TAIiLE OF CONTENTS. vii 

CHAPTER IX. 

TOWN AND CITY OF MERIDEN. PAGE 

Location and Description. — Early Settlement. — Ecclesiastical Organization: 
— Civil Organization. — Town Officers. — Town Buildings.— South Meri- 
den. — East Meriden. — The Citj^ of Meriden. — Location and Surroundings. 
— Early Growth. — Municipal Affairs.— Police Department. — Street Im- 
provement. — Public Parks. — Water Department. — Fire Department. — 
Gas Light Company. — Railway Interests. — Manufacturing Interests. — 
Banking and Other Monetary Institutions. — General Business Interests. — 
Inns and Hotels.— Post Office ." 456 

CHAPTER X. 

TOWN AND CITY OF MERIDEN (CONCLUDED). 

The Periodical Press. — Literary Notes. — Physicians. — Lawyers. — Secret Or- 
ders. — G. A. R. and Soldiers' Monument. — Agricultural Societies, etc. — 
Meriden Ecclesiastical Society. — First Meeting House. — First Congrega- 
tional Church. — Center Congregational Church. — St. Andrew's (P. E.) 
Church. — First Baptist Church. — German Baptist Church.— M. E. 
Churches. — Universalist Church. — St. John's German Lutheran Church. 
— New Emanuel Lutheran Church. — St. Rose of Lima (R. C.) Church. — 
St. Laurent's (French Catholic) Church. — Young Men's Christian Associa- 
tion. — State Reform School. — The Curtis Home. — City Mission Society. — 
Meriden Hospital. — Cemeteries olfi 

«- CHAPTER XI. 

MERIDEN. — BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 

Nathaniel L. Bradley.— Eli Butler.— Andrew J. Coe.— Levi E.Coe.— Lemuel 
J. Curtis.— Charles H. S. Davis.— Seth J. Hall.— George E. Howe.— Emily 
J. Leonard.— Saxton B. Little.— William W. Lyman.— Edward B. Man- 
ning. — Edward Miller. — Samuel C. Paddock. — Charles Parker. — Cephas 
B. Rogers.— John Sutliff.— John Tait.— Henry K. White.— Horace C.Wil- 
cox. — Grove H. Wilson. — Bertrand L. Yale. — Personal Paragraphs 574 

CHAPTER XII. 

THE TOWN OF CHESHIRE. 

Geographical and Descriptive.— Early Settlers.— Roads.— Taverns.— Small 
Pox.— Civil Organization.— Manufacturing Interests.— Mines and Mining. 
—Cheshire Village.— West Cheshire.— Brooksvale.—Mixville.— Cheshire 
Street.— Other Localities.— Railroads.— Lodges and Societies.— Soldiers' 
Monument.— Educational and Professional Interests.— Cheshire Congre- 
gational Church.— St. Peter's Protestant Episcopal Church.— Cheshire 
Methodist Episcopal Church.— St. Bridget's Roman Catholic Church.— 
Biographical Sketches 



857 



CHAPTER XIII. 

THE TOWN OF PROSPECT. 

Geographical and Descriptive.— Civil Organization.— Town Officers.— The 
Roads.— Town Poor.— Business Interests. —Educational and Religious In- 
terests. — Biographical Sketches "33 



viii TABLE OF Cf INTENTS. 

PORTRAITS. 

1'A(;k 

Banks. Nehemiah 414 

Bradley, Justin •-':« 

Bradley, Nathaniel L •>74 

Burleigh, Cecil A 324 

Butler, Eli '. ... 578 

Capewell, George J 717 

Coe. Andrew J oSO 

Coe, Levi E .■",84 

Cornwall, 'Edward A 718 

Curtis, Lemuel J ^>S(i 

Davis, Charles H. S .■",90 

Downes, William E "'OG 

Francis, William 418 

Goodyear, Robert B 378 

Hall, 'Seth J rm 

Hallenbeck. George M 424 

Harrison. Benjamin F 426 

Horton, Sanford J 722 

Howe, George E •■")!t4 

Hubbard, Leverett M 428 

Humiston, Daniel 72.', 

Ives. Titus B 736 

Judd. Morton 434 

Lanyon, Janres 728 

Leonard, Emily J ■'iiHi 

Little, vSaxton B 600 

Lyman, William W 603 

McGaughey, James D 438 

Manning, Edward B 603 

Miller, Edward 604 

Mix, Norris B 3:iO 

Paddock, Samuel C 608 

Parker, Charles 611 

Reynolds, William T 2.'^0 

Rogers, Cephas B 612 

Simpson, Samuel 446 

Stiles, Ezra 282 

Stiles, Isaac L ' 284 

Sutliff. John 61.-) 

Swift, Edwin D :i:« 

Tait, John (>16 

Todd, F. Hayden 286 

Townsend, James M 212 

Tuttle, Henry ;i:56 

Wallace, Robert 4.50 

White, Henry K (il8 

Wilcox, Horace C 621 

Wilson, Grove H 622 

Yale, Bertrand L ' 624 

Yale. Charles D 4.52 

MAP. 

Map of New I laven County 1 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY 



CHAPTER I. 



GENERAL HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 



Location and Description.— Natural Features. Topography. Geology, etc.— Discovery.— 
Claims of the Dutch and English.— Settlements at Windsor, Hartford and Wethers- 
field.— Settlement of Quinnipiac— Treaties with the Indians.— Organization of 
Church and Civil Government.— The Jurisdiction of New Haven.— Union of the 
New England Colonies.— Governor Eaton and his Successors.— The Regicide Judges. 
—Charter of 1662.— Union of New Haven and Connecticut Colonies.— New Haven 
County Formed.— Town Organizations.— Cities and Boroughs.— Statistics.— State 
and County Buildings.— County Commissioners.— The Courts of the County.— In- 
ternal Improvements.— General Jlilitary Matters.— General Civil List. 



NEW HAVEN county was one of the four original counties of 
the state, created by the general court at Hartford, in May, 
1666, the others being the counties of New London, Fairfield 
and Hartford. It comprised, originally, the towns of Guilford, Bran- 
ford, New Haven and Milford, the bounds being described as extend- 
ing from the east side of the former to the west side of the latter. On 
the south was then, as now, a limit fixed b)^ the waters of Long Island 
sound, but the northern bounds were vague and undefined. The 
county included, properly, all the lands ceded by the Indians to the 
foregoing towns, in the New Haven colony, the remainder of the 
present area being at that time included in Hartford county. In 1891 
New Haven county embraced 26 towns, and was bounded as follows : 
On the north by the towns of Roxbury, Woodbury, Watertown and 
Plymouth, in the county of Litchfield; Bristol, Southington and Ber- 
lin, in the county of Hartford; on the east by the towns of Middle- 
town, Middlefield, Durham, Killingworth and Clinton, in the county 
of Middlesex; and on the west by the county of Fairfield, the Housa- 
toni; river forming the dividing line. The contiguous western towns, 
from the south and lying opposite the towns in New Haven, are : 
Stratford, Huntington, Monroe and Newtown. The shape of the 
county is irregular, but it is about 26 miles from east to west, and 21 
from north to south. From the extreme southea.st corner, in Madi- 
son, to the extreme northwest point, in Southbury, the distance is 
1 



2 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

about :!.-) miles. The area in square miles and acres has never been 
accurately determined. 

The coast line of the county presents many forms of marine as- 
spects, but the principal projections and indentures, from the west, 
are Milford Point, Milford Harbor, Merwin Point, vSavin Rock, New 
Haven Harbor, ]\Iile Point, Branford Point and Harbor, Stony Creek 
Harbor, Sachem's Head, Guilford Point and Harbor, and Plammon- 
assett Point. In the same order are small islands, belonging to the 
county, bearing the names of Charles, off the Milford coast; the 
Thimble islands, along the East Branford coast: Faulkner's or Falcon 
i.sland, off the Guilford coast. With but little exception the New 
Haven shores of the sound are low, and a considerable area is in salt 
marshes, about three thousand acres being thus classed. The only 
harbor admitting vessels of large draught is the one at New Haven. 

The general slope of the county is toward the sound, into which 
all the principal streams drop their waters directly or through the 
agency of larger streams. None of the streams are large, but several 
are important by reason of the water privileges t'ney afford. These 
are, mainly, the Ouinnipiac* and the Mill rivers, in the central part, 
and the Naugatuck in the northwestern section. The former is the 
longest stream. It rises near New Britain, and after flowing south 
into New Haven county, bends abruptly to the east, below the high 
lands of the Hanging hills, and thence again flows south into New 
Haven harbor. For a considerable distance it is a tidal stream, and 
it has been claimed that the term means "the long water place " — a 
very proper conception when one looks at the expanse produced on 
the lower meadows of the Ouinnipiac by the tidal flow. Splendid 
water powers are afforded in the county by this stream at Walling- 
ford, Yalesville and South Meriden. Mill river has a convergent flow 
toward the Uuinnipiac from the north part of Cheshire, draining the 
second of the upper north and south valleys of the county. In con- 
junction with the above river it forms the well-known neck of land at 
the city of New Haven. Its name was derived from the fact that the 
first mill in the count}' was erected on it, in the lower part of the 
present town of Flatnden. Higher up, in the same town, are numer- 
ous other good mill privileges. The stream is small, but from the 
nature of the ground it drains is constant. Flowing around the base 
of West Rock ridge, much as the Mill river does around East Rock, 
is a smaller stream, flowing from Woodbridge into New Haven and 
thence into the harbor below Oyster Point. From its course, relative 
to the first settlement, it was called the West river. ^ Farther west and 
flowing from the same town, through Orange into Milford, is the 
Wepowaug, another small mill stream which was very serviceable to 
the Milford planters. 

The Naugatuck is perhaps the most important mill stream in the 
* Also spelled Quinnipiack. 



HISTORY OF NEW IIAVF.X COUNTY. 3 

county. It flows from Litchfield county, through the towns of Water- 
bury, Naugatuck, Beacon Falls, Seymour, Ansonia and Derby, in 
which it empties into the Housatonic. In each of these towns it has 
been utilized to operate vast manufacturing establishments. Its 
course is also characterized by its picturesque surroundings. The 
affluent streams have precipitous courses from the hillv lands of the 
valley, and have also been useful factors in the industrial develop- 
ment of that section. 

The Pomperaug is a small stream flowing out of Woodburv into 
Southbury, where its waters fall into the Housatonic. It is distin- 
guished by the beauty and fertility of the valley through which it 
courses. The Housatonic is, next to the Connecticut, the longest 
stream in the state, and drains a large area of country. At the head 
of tide water, at Birmingham, a little more than a mile above the 
junction of the Naugatuck, it has been dammed to afford an immense 
reservoir, from which is obtained power to operate a score of manu- 
facturing establishments. Below this dam the stream is navigable for 
vessels of considerable burden. 

East of the Ouinnipiac the principal streams are the Farm or 
Stony river of North Branford and East Haven; the Branford river 
and Stony creek of the town of Branford; and the Menuncatuc* and 
East rivers of Guilford, all small but not being without use in their 
respective localities. The Hammonassett river drains the eastern 
part of Madison, and is part of the eastern boundary between this and 
Middlesex county. 

The county has a large number of brooks and small streams, and 
several lakes of considerable size. Of these Lake Saltonstall, on the 
line between East Haven and Branford, is one of the most attractive 
and best known. Pistapaug lake, at the corner of the towns of Wal- 
lingford, North Branford, Guilford and Dtirham, is a large and attrac- 
tive sheet of water; and Ouassipaug lake, on the Middlebury and 
Woodbur}' line, covers many acres, and has picturesque surroundings. 
Other small lakes and ponds, in various parts of the county, add to 
the beauty of a landscape greatly diversified by streams, hills and 
dales, in addition to the larger areas of valleys and lands of a moun- 
tainous nature above noted. 

The general topography of the county is varied. With some ex- 
ception the surface along the coast for several miles inland is level 
and not elevated more than about forty feet above tide water. But 
passing northward, a marked increase in the altitude is seen. The 
country is broken by well defined ridges and high hills, whose trend 
is generally from the northeast to the southwest. In several towns 
these hills terminate abruptly and with precipitous faces toward the 
sea, giving them a striking appearance. The elevation of the prin- 
cipal peaks has been ascertained. The highest point is West Peak of 

* Also called West river. 



4 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

the Hanging hills, at Meriden, which is 1,020 feet, or 886.5 feet higher 
than the lowest point on Main street. The latter is 133.5 feet above 
.sea level. The altitude of the lower parts of the city of Meriden are 
thus found to be in the neighborhood of one hundred feet higher than 
the principal part of New Haven city. ^It. Carmel range terminates 
in a peak 80() feet high; and still farther south is West Rock, 405 feet 
high. Two miles to the eastward is the companion. East Rock, 360 
feet high. These are the most southerly of the lands whose altitude 
exceeds several hundred feet, and their bare, trap-rock faces cause 
them to be marked objects. It is the theory of geologists that in re- 
mote ages a mighty upheaval of a volcanic nature forced the red sand- 
stone surface of this section into these ridges and hills.'- Where the 
crust was thinnest or the upheaval more intense, the melted trap rock 
was forced well to the surface. vSubsequently, by glacial action, parts 
of the sandstone were ground or polished away and carried out into 
the sea, leaving the harder rock exposed, and giving evidence of the 
planing action, and leaving some rocks with the abrupt forms we now 
behold. In this state this range of secondary country extends as far 
as Middletown, in that direction, where it breaks toward the south- 
west, and extends in ridges to the places indicated at New Haven and 
Meriden. In North Branford ends the highest of the Totoket range, 
smaller spurs continuing into East Haven, and rounding off with 
Beacon hill and the hills nearer the .sound. East the Branford hills 
encroach well upon the sea. Geologists also think that these inter- 
sections by secondary ridges caused the Connecticut river to seek its 
present channel, and that prior to this upheaval its course from Hart- 
ford was down the valley to New Haven city, where, undoubtedly, 
was the mouth of that stream. The formation of the trap-dikes and 
ridges, of which the elevations named are a part, formed a barrier 
which made its further passage impossible, and, in the language of 
Professor Dana: " In this extremity the river finding a way to the 
southeastward open before it, made a rush through the narrows at 
Middletown, and was off for Saybrook, leaving New Haven in the 
lurch." Doubtless the same agency also modified the course of other 
streams. It is al.so owing to that intersection of the primitive forma- 
tion, by a secondary ridge, that traces of so many different kinds of 
minerals may be found, and that the conditions of the soil have been 
so much modified. Nearly all the precious minerals have been found, 
but few only were so abundant that mining operations paid when an 
attempt was made to develop them. The only mineral whose develop- 
ment formed an important industry was barytes. That mineral was 

* Evidences of an extinct crater in the form of an ash botl uf clearly defined 
outlines appear in a spot several miles north of Meriden, near Mount Lamentation, 
which may be taken as a strong presumption of the correctness of the theory. It 
is said that this ash bed is the only one of the kind now found in New England, 
and is an object of great curiosity to the student of nature. 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 5 

extensively and profitably mined a number of years in the town of 
Cheshire. 

The county has a large variety of building stones, the red sand- 
stone being the most abundant and most widely distributed. In some 
localities its qualities are very superior. Limestone Is also -found; 
and flag stones are distributed over many parts of the count)'. In 
Milford are quarries of green marble, and in Branford, Guilford and 
Madison superior granite abounds. The Stony Creek granite is also 
adapted for monumental work. The soil of North Haven, Hamden 
and some other towns yields material for first-class brick, and the 
county was rich in other building material. Much of the area was 
covered with timber, and nearly every variety of deciduous and ever- 
green growth, common to the eastern section of the Union, was found 
here. In some localities lumbering was long an important occupation, 
but the most valuable forests have been cut down, and but little tim- 
ber land remains. A considerable area is still in woodland, and some 
of the sandy plains are covered with a barren growth. 

The county has a great variety of soil, adapting it for the numer- 
ous products of the farmer, gardener and orchardist, and for many 
years these occupations were the ones which chiefly engaged the at- 
tention of the people. In recent years these pursuits have been sub- 
ordinated to the avocations of the workshop and the factory, and the 
urban population has far exceeded, in its increase, that of the rural 
sections. Many farms in the hilly and sandy .sections have been al- 
lowed to go to waste, and the population of the exclusively farming 
towns has steadily decreased. The increase of the city population in 
the past two decades has been very great, causing New Haven county 
to become, in the number of its inhabitants, in the variety of its inter- 
ests, and in its accumulated wealth, the leading county in the state. 

The first white man to discover the territory now embraced in the 
county was the Dutch navigator. Captain Adrian Block. In 1G14 he 
made a voyage from New Netherland up the sound and visited the 
spot where is now New Haven city, to which he gave the name of 
"Rodenberg" (Red Mount), from the reddish appearance of East 
Rock, or the Red Rock on the east of the Quinnipiac. He passed on, 
ascended the Connecticut as high as Hartford, and returning con- 
tinued his voyage to the upper end of the sound, where Block Island 
still perpetuates his name. Soon after, the Dutch several times 
stopped at Quinnipiac or " Rodenberg," with a view of establishing a 
trading post, but found little to encourage them in taking such a step. 
The natives were poor and indolent, and there was no prospect for 
trade. In Branford, however, a Dutch trading house was built in after 
years. In the main there was nothing in the New Haven section to 
cause the Dutch to plant a .settlement, but upon these early discoveries 
they later based their claims of the ownership of Connecticut. 



6 mSTORV OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

In inso James I. granted a general patent of New England, which 
embraced this section. Ten years later the Plymouth colony con- 
veyed the Connecticut region to Robert, Earl of Warwick, and the 
same year it was confirmed to him by a patent from Charles I. The 
earl, on March 19th, 1631, in turn executed a patent for a part of this 
section to Viscount Say and Seal, Lord Robert Brooke, Sir Richard 
Saltonstall and their associates, among whom were John Hampden 
and others — all being noble, honorable men. In the same year the 
land was spied out by Governor Winslow of the Plymouth colony, 
who named himself the discoverer of the river and the valley of Con- 
necticut. And it was decided to make a settlement at Windsor. 

Thus there were two rival claimants to the same territory — the 
Dutch as discoverers, the English as patentees. In 1638 each effected 
a lodgment in the state, the Dutch building a fort at Hartford; the 
English, through William Holmes, of the Plymouth colony, putting 
up a house at Windsor, a point on the river seven miles north. Nat- 
ttrally there was contention between the two nationalities, each as- 
serting its claim, but in the course of a few years the Dutch yielded, 
sold their interests to the English, and withdrew from this soil. 

In the meantime the English had carried out their plans to occupy 
the country more completely than their rivals, and hurried on to the 
scenes of their new homes, undeterred by the hostility of some In- 
dians, who had in 1634 murdered Captains Stone and Norton, with 
eight men, while they were on the Connecticut river. In 1635 they 
made preparations to establish settlements at Windsor, Hartford and 
Wethersfield, and in the furtherance of this purpose some sixty per- 
sons left Massachusetts to take up their abode in those localities. In- 
stead of sailing up the river, they went thither on foot, driving their 
cattle before them, in the wilderness. The following winter was very 
severe, and there being a scarcity of food, many suffered from famine. 
(3thers, at the risk of losing their lives in the snow and storms, re- 
turned to the Plymouth colonists. 

But the purpose to found a new state assumed encouraging forms, 
in spite of these obstacles. In the fall of 1635 John Winthrop, jr., 
was appointed governor of the " river Connecticut," by the owners of 
the Warwick patent, to hold his office for one year, after his arrival at 
that i^lace. He came to the mouth of the Connecticut, where he built 
a small fort and named it for his patrons, Say-Brook. The settlers 
were now assured of greater safety from the Dutch and the Indians, 
and the subsequent events soon justified the wisdom of such a move, 
for, in 1636, the Indians besieged the fort. On the 20th of April, 1636, 
the colonists on the Connecticut held their first court, or general coun- 
cil, at Newtown (Hartford), the meeting being composed of the three 
settlements named: Windsor, Hartford and Wethersfield, which was 
another step toward permanent organization. And when, in the 
month of June, the .same year, Reverend Thomas Hooker and his 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 7 

assistant, Samuel Stone, with about one hundred people, joined the 
settlers at Hartford, the force of numbers and the added weight of the 
character of the settlers were bound to carry it to success. Nothing 
now appeared to obscure its future but the wily Pequot -Indians. 
They again committed depredations the latter part of 1636, and were 
so hostile in the spring of 1637 that the court at Hartford deterinined 
on war against them May 1st, 16.37. Twenty-five days later, under the 
leadership of the intrepid Captain John Mason, the Indians were 
attacked at their fort at Mystic (New London), which was destroyed. 
Six hundred savages were slain, and the remainder were dispersed. 
Their flight along the coast westward followed. A sachem and a few 
followers were overtaken in Guilford and beheaded, the act giving 
name to that point on the sound shore. The rest of the Pequots were 
brought to a stand in a swamp in Fairfield county. A fierce fight 
ensued, and July 13th, 1637, the Pequots were so completely defeated 
that they were thereafter powerless. The pursuit of these fugitive 
Indians was the means of introducing the English into the New 
Haven country. Upon the return home of the whites they gave such 
glowing accounts of the Quinnipiac region that it was determined to 
further explore it with a view to its settlement by some of the newly 
arrived emigrants from England at Massachusetts Bay. 

Accordingly, early in the month of September, 1637, an exploring 
party of twenty men, led by Theophilus Eaton, after viewing the 
Connecticut coast from Rhode Island west, sailed into the harbor of 
Quinnipiac. The advantages of the situation pleased them, and they 
determined to secure the country, and on this harbor found a com- 
mercial city, in which they could carry out the principles which led 
them into the New World. Eaton and most of his associates belonged 
to the company of Puritans which followed Reverend John Daven- 
port to x\merica in the " Hector" and her consort, landing in Boston 
June 26th, 1637. This company was coinposed of men of wealth, edu- 
cation and influence, most of them being the old parishioners of Mr. 
Davenport's St. Stephen's church, Coleman street, London. When he 
was persecuted on account of his religious belief, they stood by him 
and resolved to cast their lots with him, even though it involved the 
sacrifice of position and invited persecution upon themselves. At 
Boston they were warmly welcomed, and every effort was made to 
persuade them to settle in the Bay colony. The report of the " famous 
Mr, Davenport and the opulence of the merchants who accompanied 
him, gave to this company, in the estimation of the colonists, an un- 
usual value." So strong was the desire that they should remain that 
the "General Court offered them any place which they should 
choose." 

It appears, however, that all these persuasions were in vain, as 
most of the Davenport party were not content to become a part of an 
established community. " It is probable that the motive which had 



8 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

the greatest influence with the principal men was the desire of being 
at the head of a new government, modeled both in civil and religious 
matters agreeably to their own apprehensions. In laj'ing the founda- 
tions of a new colony there was a fair probability that they might 
accommodate all matters of church and commonwealth to their own 
feelings and sentiments. But in Massachusetts the principal men 
were fixed in the chief seats of government, which they were likely 
to keep, and their civil and religious polity was alread}^ formed."* It 
may be, al.so, that they had some sort of an agreement or compact 
which prevented them from becoming a part of an established com- 
munity which, together with other considerations, made them very 
anxious to become a separate colony. It was determined to make a 
wise selection of territory, removed from all external influences, 
but enjoying all natural advantages. The task of selecting it was 
entrusted to Eaton, who was one of their most experienced and practi- 
cal business men. After examining the possibilities of the Ouinnip- 
iac region Eaton and thirteen of his men set sail for Boston to make 
their report to the expectant company. The other seven men were 
first assisted in building a hut, in which they could subsist during the 
winter and retain possession of the land. It is believed that this 
humble first habitation in the county stood near a spring which w-as 
in the locality of where are now Church and George streets, and was 
perhaps, quite rude in its appointments. It was tenanted by Joshua 
Atwater, Francis Brown, Robert Pigg, Thomas Hogg, John Beecher 
and two others, who.se names have not been preserved. It has very 
properly been supposed that a part of the time of these .seven men 
was occupied in cutting and hewing timbers to build houses the fol- 
lowing spring, when they should be joined by the other members of 
the projected colony. They probably suffered but little hardship 
during the winter, as there was an abundance of game, and fish and 
oysters could also be obtained. One of their number, supposed to 
have been John Beecher, died and was buried at a point about fifty 
rods east of their hut. In IToO, v\'hile the cellar for the stone house at 
the corner of George and Meadow streets was being dug, his bones 
were found, after being forgotten many years. It is believed that 
this John Beecher was the ancestor of the celebrated Beecher family 
in this country.f The other members of the Davenport company re- 
mained in Boston all winter, living in such places as they could find 
shelter, but presumably keeping up their organization as a company, 
and perfecting their plans to occupy their new houses, as soon as the 
season would permit. 

Those coming from London in the "Hector" and her consort 
numbered about fifty adult males and the entire company comprised 

* Trumbull. 

•I- What lends color to this belief is the fact that among the company landing 
at New Haven in April, l(i3,s, was the widow Beecher, with several sons. 



HISTORY OF XEW HAVEN COUXTV. 9 

about 25() persons. But when, on the 8()th of ^March, 1638, the com- 
pany left for the Quinnipiac it received many accessions from the 
Massachusetts colonies, so that there may have been near three hun- 
dred persons, and having property aggregating- in value about £'SQ,- 
000. After skirting along the coast leisurely for a fortnight the ves- 
sel in which they sailed from Boston reached the Quinnipiac harbor, 
and passed up a small stream, called West creek, long since filled up 
and now extinct. A landing was effected near a large oak tree which 
stood where are now George and College streets, when they offered 
prayer and thanksgiving to God for his mercy in bringing them .safe- 
ly to these shores. A few days later, April 15th, 1638, they ob.served 
their first Sabbath here by holding a meeting under this tree. This 
was also attended by some Indians who had become acquainted with 
the six men remaining here and were on friendh* terms with them. 
Mr. Davenport preached upon the "Temptations of the wilderness." 
basing his remarks upon Matthew iv: 1. The occasion was most solemn 
and impressive, as one can readily imagine. In the afternoon Rever- 
end Peter Prudden preached. He was the leader of the Hereford 
county people, who had come to Boston in the vessel "James," sail- 
ing from Bristol. They came to Quinnipiac with the London com- 
pany and remained here with them until the}' could occupy their own 
plantations at Milford, a year later. Thus was founded the religious 
commonwealth which became known as the New Haven colony, and 
from that Sabbath until the present time religious meetings have 
been regularly held in this county, no circumstances of season or 
place being allowed to interrupt them. 

Not long after this the settlers at Quinnipiac observed a day of 
fasting and prayer, to prepare them to enter into a solemn compact 
which they called the "Plantation covenant" and which should 
provisionally govern them until they should be further incor- 
porated as a church and a state. The terms of the covenant 
were as follows: "That, as in matters which concern the gathering 
and ordering of a church, so also in all public offices which con- 
cern civil honor — as the choice of magistrates and officers, making 
and repealing laws, dividing allotments of inheritance, and all 
things of like nature— they would all of them be ordered by the 
rules which the Scripture held forth to them." Under this initial 
government, with the Bible as the sole guide, the affairs of the settle- 
ment were administered more than a year and a half. 

In the mean time, the site for their future town had been selected 
and the work of building houses had been pushed actively forward. 
The plain north of West creek, where lay their pinnace still affording 
them temporary shelter, was chosen as the place for the home lots. 
George street was laid out half a mile long parallel with the creek 
and taken as a base line upon which was described a square, also half 
a mile long. This was divided by two parallel streets running east 



10 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

and west, and by two parallel streets running north and south, into- 
nine equal squares. The one in the centerwas sequestered as a market 
place and became the celebrated New Haven Green. The other eight 
squares or quarters, as they were called, were fenced and assigned to 
settlers for house lots, a number being grouped together, and the size 
varying according to the number of persons in a family or in propor- 
tion to the amount the family had invested in the common stock of the 
company. Usually these quarters were known by the names of their 
principal occupants or the principal men to whom they were assigned. 
The northeast one became known as Governor Eaton's quarter. The 
north center one was assigned to Robert Newman; the east center to 
John Davenport; the southeast to George Lamberton; the south cen- 
ter to Thomas Gregson, etc. Around this half mile square were sub- 
urban quarters, those on the west side being temporarily occupied by 
the Yorkshire and Herefordshire people. The half mile square not 
being sufficient for house lots, two additions were surveyed, the one 
being southeast of the main plot and extending to the harbor. It was. 
enclosed by the present George, Water, INIeadow and State streets. 
The other addition was on the west side of West creek. All of them 
were laid out by John Brockett, who apparently was a skillful survey- 
or, as his angles were nicely made. 

Many of the colonists put up large houses, a number of them being 
two stories high, and "tradition reports that the house of Theophilus 
Eaton was .so large as to have nineteen fire places and that it was 
lofty as well as large. Davenport's house on the opposite side of the 
street, is said to have had thirteen fire places."* In this matter of 
building these colonists laid them.selves liable to criticism by the 
other colonies, and Hubbard, the historian, .said : "They laid out too 
much of their stocks and estates in building of fair and stately houses 
wherein they at the first outdid the rest of the country." It is sup- 
posed that some of these buildings were not completed for several 
years and as labor and material were cheap the expen.se may, after 
all, not have been so great. As an excuse or explanation wh}^ this 
style of building was so general, it may be .said that the founders of 
New Haven were mainly gentlemen and merchants, used to living 
in superior houses in London and in other parts of England, and hav- 
ing the means at their command, it was (|uite the proper thing for 
them to here build "stately" houses, especially when it was their am- 
bition to make this a great commercial town. The failure of this pur- 
pose and the necessity which forced them to accept the conditions of 
a planter's life were after considerations. And it does not appear 
that the actual farm buildings, later put up, were superior to those in 
other parts of the state. It should be noted, too, that not all of New 
Haven's first settlers lived in " stately " houses. Some of those in 
more moderate circumstances, or those who came later in the sea.son,. 

* Stiles' History of the Judges. 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 11 

spent the winter of 1G3S--9 in huts or habitations which, in these later 
days, have become popularly known as " dug-outs" — being an excava- 
tion on a side hill, covei^ed over with grass upon which a la^^er of earth 
has been placed. They insured warmth and a fair degree of comfort, 
but were not, in any way, "fair and stately." 

The settlement received an addition to its numbers, in October, 
1638, when .some Yorkshire people under the leadership of Ezekiel 
Rogers, a non-conformist minister of hio-h standino-, came to America 
with a view of becoming a part of the Ouinnipiac plantation. After 
arriving in Massachusetts, and after some of the party had already 
come to New Haven, Mr. Rogers changed his mind and established 
himself at Rowley, Mass., to which place, subsequently, some of the 
Yorkshire people returned. The principal settlers at Ouinnipiac were 
now John Davenport, Samuel Eaton, Theophilus Eaton, David Yale, 
Thomas Gregson, Matthew Gilbert, John Evance, Stephen Goodyear, 
William Peck, Robert Newman, Francis Newman, Thomas Fugill, 
George Lamberton and Ezekiel Cheever. Most of them were reputed 
wealthy, and had been honored in the old country in social positions 
to an unusual degree, and were, all in all, in character, greater than 
those who had previously come to the New World. 

In all this period the English lived on the most friendly terms 
with the Indians, who appeared to be glad to have them in their 
midst. As has been stated, they were few in number, peaceful and 
unambitious. Whatever native spirit they may have had was crushed 
by their fears of the Mohawks and the Pequots, who had completely 
subjugated the feeble tribes living in the New Haven country, and by 
exacting frequent tribute had kept them very poor. If they refused 
or neglected to honor their demands, the Mohawks would sweep 
down upon them, plundering them at will, and, at times, carried them 
into captivity. The very cry of " A Mohawk! a Mohawk!" would 
" cause them to fly like sheep before wolves, without attempting the 
least resistance."* The Mohawks thereupon would taunt them, cry- 
ing out in the most terrible manner, in their language: " We are 
come! we are come to suck your blood!" The presence of the English 
relieved them of their fears, and did not interfere with their avoca- 
tions. But Eaton and his associates were too good business men not 
to know that they ought to have some title to the soil, and, accord- 
ingly, made a treaty with the Quinnipiac Indians, whereby they, as 
original owners, conferred their rights upon the whites — represented 
by Theophilus Eaton and John Davenport. The Indian representa- 
tives were the Ouinnipiac sachem, Momaugin, and his sister, Shaump- 
ishuh, and four of his chief men. The conveyance was as follows: 

" First. That Jslomaugin is the sole sachem of Ouinnipiac, and hath 
absolute and independent power to give, alien, dispose or sell all or 
any part of the lands of Ouinnipiac, and that whatsoever he and his 

* Atwater's New Haven Colony. 



12 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN" COUXTV. 

companions shall now do and conclude shall stand firm and inviolable 
against all claims and persons whatsoever. 

" Second. The said sachem and his company, among which there 
was a squaw sachem called Shaumpishuh, sister to the sachem, re- 
membering and acknowledging the heavy taxes and imminent dan- 
gers which they lately felt and feared from the Pequots, Mohawks 
and other Indians, and observing the safety and ease that other 
Indians enjoy near the English — of which benefit the}' have had a 
comfortable taste alreadv, since the English began to build and to 
plant at Ouinnipiac, which with all thankfulness they now acknowl- 
edge — jointly and freely gave and yielded up all their rights, title, 
and interest to all the lands, rivers, ponds and trees, with all the 
liberty and appurtenances belonging unto the same in Ouinnipiac. to 
the utmost of their bounds, east, west, north, south, unto Theophilus 
Eaton, John Davenport and others, the present English planters 
there, and to their heirs and assigns forever: stipulating only that the 
said English planters should grant them such portions of ground on 
the east side of the harbor, towards the fort at the mouth of the river 
of Connecticut, as might be sufficient for them, being but few in num- 
ber, to plant in; and that this be under the entire control of the 
English, subject to such limitations as they might deem fit: and the 
Indians, moreover, promising not to remove to another part of Ouin- 
nipiac without the consent of the English. 

■' Third. The said sachem and company, desiring to hunt and fish 
within the bounds of Ouinnipiac, do hereby covenant and bind them- 
.selves not to set traps so as to injure the animals belonging to the 
English, nor in any way inconvenience them by their hunting. 

" Fourth. The said sachem and company do hereb}' covenant and 
bind themselves that none of them henceforth shall hanker about any 
of the Engli.sh houses at the time when they meet for public worship 
of God; nor on the Lord's day, henceforward, to be seen within the 
compass of the English town carrying on an}- manner of business; 
nor, henceforward, without leave open any latch belonging to any 
Englishman's door; nor stay in any Englishman's house after due 
warning to leave; nor do any violence or injury to the person of the 
English, whether man, woman or child, — and if the English do any 
wrong to the Indians, upon complaint, just recompense shall be made; 
nor shall any of them henceforward use any Englishman's boat with- 
out leave; nor come into the English town with bows and arrows, or 
any other weapons whatsoever, in number above six Indians so armed 
at a time. 

•• Fifth. The parties above named do truly bind and covenant to 
pay the full value of any cattle whatsoever of the English which they 
shall kill or hurt casually or negligently; to pay double the value for 
anv they shall kill or hurt wilfullv; and to bring back home anv strav- 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUXTV. 13 

ing cattle of the English which they shall find, receiving a moderate 
price in recompense for the same. 

" Sixt/i. The number of the men and youths of Quinnipiac Indians 
being forty-seven at present, they do covenant not to receive or admit 
any other Indians among them without leave from the Engli.sh; nor 
to harbor any that are enemies to the English, but to apprehend such 
and deliver them up; also to inform the English of any plots which 
they are aware are being formed against them by the Indians or 
others. 

"Lastly. The said sachem and company do hereby promise truly 
and carefully to observe and keep all and ever}^ one of these articles 
of agreement, and to deliver up all of their number who shall break 
them to the English magistrate. In consideration of all which, they 
desire from the English, that, in any time of danger, they may repair 
to the English plantation for shelter, and that the English will defend 
them from all unjust injuries. But in anj- quarrels or wars with other 
Indians for which they are to blame, they shall not expect aid from 
the English. And the English planters, aforementioned, accepting 
and granting according to the tenor of the premises, do further of 
their own accord, by way of free and thankfirl retribution, give unto 
said sachem and Company of Quinnipiac Indians, tivclvc coats of English 
tucking cloth, tzcclvc achcuiy spoo)is, tivclvc hatchets, tivclvc hoes, tioo dozen 
of knives, twelve porringers, and four cases French knives and scissors." 

It will be seen that this treaty practically put the Indians upon 
their good behavior not only with the whites, but with one another, 
and that the Oitinnipiacs were pledged the protection which they so 
much needed in case the}' deported themselves properly. It should 
also be borne in mind that while the consideration of purchase was 
small, the Indians really had n/orc than before, namely: all the priv- 
ileges of a " place to sit down," i.e., a home, and the right to hunt and 
fish, unharrassed by fears of the Mohawks or the Pequots. Hence the 
English should not be blamed for any act of injustice in getting this 
land apparently very cheap. Thomas vStanton served as an interpre- 
ter in negotiating this treaty. 

North of the Quinnipiacs was a large tract of land claimed by a 
sachem named Montowese, a son of the Indian chieftain, Sowheag, 
who lived at Middletown. This was also purchased by the whites — 
Eaton and his associates — December 11th, 1638, on much the same 
basis as the foregoing, the consideration being " eleven coats of truck- 
ing cloth and one coat of English cloth, made up after the English 
manner." The tract of land thus alienated by Montowese and his as- 
sociate Indian, Sauseunck, was described as " extending about ten 
miles in length from north to south, eight miles easterly from the 
river of Quinnipiac toward the river of Connecticut, and five miles 
westerly toward Hudson's river." Montowese reserved a piece of 
land where he lived, where is now the present village of Montowese^ 



14 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEX COUNTY. 

in North Haven, " for his men which are ten and many sqna\vs, to 
plant in.'" 

The territory thu.s acquired b}- the two purchases embraced all of 
the old town of New Haven and most of the Branfords — an area which 
is now occupied by nine towns, which, as we have seen, was at that 
time controlled by about sixty warriors. After these treaties most of 
these Indians dwelt on the reservations named until the already small 
tribes became extinct. Of the Ouinnipiacs. Barber in his Historical 
Collections, of IS'56, said, " They dwelt in the summer on the shore 
for the convenience of fishing; and in the winter in the forests, for 
the convenience of fuel." 

" They had a place for powwowing in East Haven, about three- 
quarters of a mile east of the Harbor bridge. The spot was formerly 
a swamp, and is now a meadow." 

" Charles, the last sachem of this tribe, died about one hundred 
years ago. He was frozen to death near a .spring, about one mile 
north of the Congregational church in East Haven." 

"They caught round clams with their feet, and taught the English 
to catch them in this manner." 

" The Indian arrow-heads, frequently found here, are exactly like 
some which have been brought from Cape Horn." 

" At Fort Hill, or, as it is now called. Beacon Hill, there was for- 
merly an Indian fort and an Indian burying ground, on the eastern side 
of the hill. The name of this spot was formerly Indian Hill. The 
above is about all the account we have of the original inhabitants." 

So far as known the relations of these Indians to the whites were 
entirely peaceable, and while there may have been some apprehen- 
sions that the settlers might be attacked by predatory bands of In- 
dians, who sometimes visited this section, it does not appear that there 
was occasion for serious alarm. With the possible exception of some 
little annoyance in consequence of petty thefts, the planters were not 
■discommoded by these Indians, but learned from them some of the 
arts which made life in this new country more agreeable. 

A band of the Ouinnipiacs, over whom was the squaw sachem 
Shaumpishuh, the sister of Momaugin, lived in the Menuncatuc part 
of Guilford. On the 29th of September, 1039. she deeded her interests 
there to the whites, represented by Henry Whitfield, Robert Kitchell, 
William Leete and others, and came to reside with her brother at East 
Haven, She brought with her 34 of her people. Some of the rest of 
the Menuncatucs took up their abode on Indian Point, in Branford, 
where they were allowed to remain by the Totoket settlers, and were 
•encouraged in the ways of civilization. Thirty-three more persons 
were allowed to "sit down " in Guilford, .so that her entire clan may 
not have embraced more than one hundred persons. 

Along the Hammonassett the land was claimed by Uncas, chief of 
the Mohegans, having become possessor of the same by marriage. 



HISTORY OF NEW IIAVEX COUNTY. 15 

He sold his interests there to Mr. Fenwick, of Saybrook. froin whom 
it passed to the Guilford planters. In January, 1068, he and his son, 
Ahaddon, sold their remaining interests on the north to the settlers 
•of that part of the county. 

In the southwestern part of the county, the Wepowaugs were a 
numerous and rather important tribe, but also without warlike pro- 
clivities. They deeded their interests, February 12th, 1639, to the 
Milford planters— William Fowler, Zachariah Whitman, Edmund 
Tapp and others, and a number were permitted to remain on the 
reservations on the coast and on Turkey hill. They were properly 
•clans of the Pootatucks, and occupied five different settlements. At 
Derby was another clan, called the Paugassetts, and the Indians 
higher up the valley, sometimes called the Naugatucks, sustained a 
•similar relation. ^lany of them removed to state reservations, but a 
number remained in their respective localities until their death.* 

It seems that in all New Haven county the aborigines were only 
■about a thousand in number at the coming of the whites, and declined 
from year to year, notwithstanding the honorable treatment they re- 
ceived at the hands of their pale-faced brethren. In all their dealings 
wath them they were humanely treated, the agreements were faith- 
fully observed, and there does not appear one act of grievous 
wrong or bloodshed charged against the first white settlers of New 
Haven. 

In this period of the acquisition of territory the settlers at Ouinnip- 
iac were governed by the terms of the " Plantation Covenant," all 
the civil business being transacted by the officers of the joint stock 
company, chief among whom were Davenport and Eaton. But the 
time had now come, when in the furtherance of the purpose to estab- 
lish a religious commonwealth, a more comprehensive instrument 
should be adopted. Hence on the 4th of June, 1639, all the free plant- 
ers convened in the large barn of Robert Newman, to deliberate upon 
the plan for laying the foundations of their religious and civil polity. 
Mr. Davenport preached an appropriate sermon, when he propounded 
a series of six queries to the assembled freemen, which in his mind 
■embodied the proper basis upon which the church and state should be 
erected. Lest there should be anj' misapprehension as to the mean- 
ing of these propositions, Robert Newman wrote them out, and after 
reading them distinctly, each query was acted on separately, after its 
merits had been freely discussed, and all received a unanimous assent. 
The articles of " Fundamental Agreement " thus adopted have been 
summarized as follows : 

''First. That the Scriptures are a perfect guide in the government 
of families and commonwealths, as well as in matters of the church. 

"Sixoiid. That all the free planters hold themselves bound by the 
■* plantation covenant," made soon after their arrival, and covenant to 

*See town histories for accounts of these Indians. 



16 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

submit themselves to be ordered, in all the business specified in that 
covenant, by the rules held forth in the Scriptures. 

" Tliird. That all the free planters purpose and desire to be 
admitted into church fellow.ship as soon as it shall be possible for 
them. 

■•Fourth. That all the free planters hold themselves bound to 
establish such civil order as shall best conduce to the securing of the 
purity and peace of the ordinances to themselves and their po.sterity 
according to God. 

" Fiftli. That free burge.s.ses shall be chosen out of church mem- 
bers ; and the power of choosing magistrates and officers from among 
themselves, of making and repealing laws, of dividing inheritances, 
of deciding differences which may arise, and like business, should be 
held by these burgesses. 

''Sixth. That twelve men, fitted for the work of founding the 
church, shall be chosen, who shall choo.se out of their number the 
seven best fitted, and these shall begin the church."- 

One hundred and eleven persons subscribed to these articles of 
agreement. 

In accordance with the sixth provision, in the " Fundamental Agree- 
ment," the following were chosen to lay the foundation of the church, 
/,(■., to .select the seven pillars upon which it was to be builded : 
Theophilus Eaton, John Davenport, Robert Newman, Matthew 
Gilbert, Thomas Fugill, John Punderson, Jeremiah Di.xon, Richard 
Melbou, Nathaniel Turner, Ezekiel Cheever, William Andrews.+ The 
seven finst named in this list were in due time selected and designated 
as the "Seven Pillars" or free burge.sses, whose duty it was to 
organize the church and the state. The former, as the " First Church 
of Christ," was gathered and constituted August 22d, 16:}9, and was 
composed solely of free and accepted burgesses. 

On the 2oth of October, 1639, the " Seven Pillars " completed their 
work, by forming the civil government. A court was organized, 
which was composed of all those who had been received into the 
fellowship of the church, or who as .such church members elsewhere 
might be admitted upon taking the oath of allegiance " to the civil 
government here settled." They thus became citizens of this little 
commonwealth, owning no allegiance to any other government what- 
soever. To this court or civil form of government was now entrusted 
the management of affairs, it having been ordained that " all former 
power, or trust, for-management of any public affairs in this planta- 
tion, into who.se hands .soever formerly committed is now abrogated 
and is henceforward utterly to cea.se." After proper exhortation by 
Mr. Davenport upon the importance of selecting worthy men as their 
rulers, Theophilus Eaton was chosen the first magistrate of the infant 

*Wm. H. Beckford. 

tEleven names only appear in the records. 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 17 

republic. Four deputies \vere chosen to assist him. " It was decreed 
by the freemen that there should be a general court annually, in the 
plantation, on the last week in October. This was ordained a court of 
election, in which all the officers of the colony were to be chosen. 
This court determined that the word of God should be the only rule 
for ordering the affairs of government in that commonwealth. 

" This was the original, fundamental constitution of the govern- 
ment of New Haven. All government was originally in the church 
and the members of the church elected the governor, magistrates and 
all other officers. " ''^ * As the plantation was enlarged and new 
towns were settled, new orders were given ; the general court received 
a new form, laws were enacted and the civil polity of this jurisdiction 
gradually advanced, in its essential parts, to a near resemblance of the 
government of Connecticut."* 

This model and scriptural foundation for the civil state was also 
adopted by the planters of Milford, when their little republic was 
established in the fall of 1639, and by the planters of Guilford, a few 
months later in the same year. Both of these plantations were essen- 
tially distinct from the Ouinnipiac plantation, but had from the begin- 
ning a common interest in the success of the Christian commonwealth 
idea, their forms of church organization and civil polity being the 
same as that of New Haven. But all their affairs were exclusively 
managed within their own plantations until the jurisdiction of New 
Haven was formed in 1048. In August or September, 1639, the 
Milford planters, to the number of 54, left Quinnipiac, and soon after. 
Air. Whitfield and his followers, from Kent and Essex, who had come 
to Quinnipiac the previous summer — 48 planters in all — went in the 
opposite direction to found Guilford. f 

In September, 1640, the Ouinnipiac freemen held a general court, 
when the name of the plantation was changed to New Haven. In 
this year Stamford was purchased cf the Indians by Captain Turner 
and was settled in November of that year under the direction of New 
Haven. About the same time the town of Southold, on Long Island, 
was settled by a colony from Hingham, England, which had tarried 
at New Haven a short period, and in both colonies the New Haven 
idea found lodgement. In 1640 an attempt was also made, by New 
Haven, to plant a colony on the Delaware river, but that venture 
proved unsuccessful, and was abandoned in a few years. After all 
these changes, in 1639-40, it was computed that the populationof New 
Haven proper was about 460. 

Soon after these colonies became apprehensive of Indian attack 
and realizing their defenceless condition as single or independent 
communities, a plan for the consolidation under one jurisdiction was 
perfected in 1643. New Haven being the oldest and most influential 

*Trumbuirs History of Conn. tSee accounts of Milford and Guilford. 



18 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN" COUNTY. 

town (as those plantations ^vere now soon called) it was agreed that 
the jurisdiction or general colony should be kncnvn by its name. The 
towns of New Haven. Milford, Guilford and Stamford sent delegates 
to the general court at New Haven, and on October 27th, 164:1 the 
articles of confederation for the jurisdiction were adopted. This 
court was composed of the following : 

Magistrates: Theophilus Eaton, Governor; vStephen Goodyear, 
Deputy: Thomas Gregson, William Fowler, Edmund Tapp. Depu- 
ties: George Lamberton, New Haven ; John Astwood. John Sherman, 
Milford ; William Leete, .Samuel Di.sbrough, Guilford : Richard Gilder- 
sleeve, John Whitmore, Stamford. 

In 1644 Branford was settled under the New Haven jurisdiction 
and was joined to the colony under the same terms of this fundamental 
agreement of October, 1648, so that the colony as long as it existed 
embraced all the settled parts of the county. Its authority was thus 
acknowledged by the towns of New Haven, Milford, Branford and 
Guilford, the only organized communities, until this colony was 
absorbed by Connecticut in 1665. 

In the same year that the New Haven jurisdiction was established, 
a combination was formed between the then four colonies of New 
England: Massachusetts, Plymouth, Connecticut and New Haven, 
under the title of " United Colonies of New England." The alliance 
was for the purpose of mutual defense against the Indians and the 
Dutch, and was found especially serviceable in King Philip's war, 
which seriously threatened some of the English settlements. In 
many respects this union resembled the confederation of the thirteen 
colonies, which carried the war of the revolution to a successful issue. 
The first representatives from New Haven to its general meeting were 
Theophilus Eaton and Thomas Gregson. 

In several important particulars the New Haven colony differed 
very much from other colonies in this country. In the articles of con- 
federation " It was agreed and concluded as a fundamental order, not 
to be disputed or questioned hereafter, that none shall be admitted to 
be free burgesses in any of the plantations within this jurisdiction for 
the future, but such planters as are members of some or other of the 
approved churches in New England." It will be seen that the design 
was to make this fundamental agreement unchangeable and unalter- 
able for all time, thus throwing a safeguard around the " Church- 
State " which would protect it against attempted changes. This 
theory was very dear to the founders of New Haven and although 
strange it now appears to us, proved successful in its application in 
this colony. In no other community was there a greater degree of 
civil order and a better exemplification of public morality than in 
New Haven under her colonial jurisdiction. 

Another marked point of difference, aside from the limitation of 
the right of suffrage, was the absence of the jury system. That 



HISTDRV OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 19 

method was here given no place whatsoever. It was left for the 
jndges to determine all questions of fact, evidence and law, and their 
powers in trials were scarcely limited. But it does not appear that 
there was any miscarriage of justice in consequence, for the judges 
were righteous men. No doubt, though, with a less exalted standard 
of morality, this system would have become a disturbing factor. 
Indeed, as it was, in some degree it helped to mould opinion favorable 
to a union with Connecticut, where the right of trial by jury was given 
an important place. 

Soon after the union of the New England colonies difficulties arose 
between New Haven colony and the Dutch, which continued several 
years. The latter harassed the colony to a considerable extent, their 
onslaughts being more particularly directed against the settlements 
planted on the Delaware, which eventuated in their abandonment, 
and leaving the Dutch in possession of that territory. A warm dis- 
pute concerning the territorj^ lying between New Haven and New 
Netherland was also carried on, with but little interruption until 1(364, 
when the dominion of the English over it was recognized. Pending 
the consideration of these matters and in consequence of them, the 
New Haven colony had a misunderstanding with the colony of 
Mas.sachusetts, which marred the harmonious feeling which should 
properly have existed between them : but. in the main, the colony 
history for the first twenty years was without any extraordinary 
features. Under the wise direction of Governor Theophilus Eaton 
and his judicious associates in the general court, the colony advanced 
in a degree proportionate with the efforts made to extend its pros- 
perity. Churches and schools especially were in this period placed 
tipon secure footings. Theidea of a Christian commonwealth was also, 
from year to year, more clearly developed, and as has been stated, as 
long as the several towns selected their best, most prudent men to 
administer their affairs, as directed by usage and the now accepted 
written and definite system of laws, perfected by Eaton, order and 
morality held supreme sway. This code of laws was adopted in 1655, 
five hundred copies being printed in England, at the expense of Mr. 
Hopkins, for the use of the colony. It is said that there are now but 
four copies of this issue known to be in existence, and so rare is the 
little book esteemed that it is held to be worth twenty-fold its weight 
in o-old.* This little digest became famous as the " Blue Laws," 
which have been much criticised and held up to ridicule in these 
modern times. It is possible that the scriptural rules upon which 
these laws were based may have been too literally applied for the 
conditions which existed in that age, and which, of course, are farther 
removed from their primitive simplicity in the.se times; but there can 
be no doubt that Eaton and his coadjutors .sincerely believed that 

*A copy purchased for the State Library, a few years ago, cost §431). 



20 HISTORY OF XEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

this code would advance the i-eal good of their community and that 
they were for that purpose framed. 

Governor Eaton undoubtedly had clear ideas of civil government, 
and very decided and positive opinions of the divine nature of human 
government as built on the word of God. He had a strong love of 
justice and as a magistrate exercised the greatest impartiality. His 
honor was inflexible and his public spirit was liberal and of the most 
comprehensive kind. His conscientious efforts for the real good of 
the colony prevented much frivolous and extravagant legislation, and 
through his influence, largely, New Haven early became so zealous in 
the cause of education that it led the other towns in the state. 

Theophilus Eaton was the son of a clergyman, and was born at 
Stratford, England, in inoi. He was bred as a inerchant, was a busi- 
ness man in London. At one time he was the agent of the king of 
England at the court of Denmark. He accompanied Mr. Davenport 
to America in 1637, and to Quinnipiac in 1088, sharing with him the 
honor of founding the colony. He was the first magistrate of the 
plantation, and in 1643 was elected the first governor of the colony, to 
which office he was chosen yearly until his death in January, 1658. 
This was a severe loss to the colonists, whose esteem of him is best 
shown by the words they had engraved on his monument : 

" Eaton, — so famed, so wise, so just. 
The Phoeni.x of our world, — here hides his dust ; 
This name forget, New England never must." 

John Davenport, the other master spirit of the colony, was born in 
Coventry, England, in 1597. After being educated at Oxford, he 
became vicar of St. Stephen's church, Coleman street, London- 
Becoming a non-conformist he resigned his pastoral office and to 
escape persecution fled to Amsterdam, Holland, and later came to 
America. He became the pastor of the " First church " in the colony 
and was to the church what Eaton was to the state, although he also 
exercised a controlling influence in the latter. He and Eaton built 
their hou.ses opposite each other on the same street and were kindred 
spirits in every movement for the benefit of the colony. After the 
termination of the New Haven jurisdiction he lost hope in the success 
of the New Haven enterprise. Believing that " Christ's interests in 
New Haven colony were miserably lost, his roots were loosened and 
he was ready to leave his home and the child he had done so much to 
rear." Just at this time there came a call to the pastorate of the 
Boston church and he determined to remove to that city, where he 
apprehended he might better serve the cause for which he had so 
long contended. After thirty years' re.sidence at New Haven he 
removed to Boston in 1068, but after two years his earthly labors were 
ended by his death in that city. " He was a fine scholar, an able 
preacher, a clear-headed, far-seeing man, his views and opinions found 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 21 

an ample vindication in subsequent experience. The measures he 
maintained were ju.st ; those he opposed proved disastrous in the 
extreme."" 

In all the period that Theophilus Eaton was governor of^the New 
Haven colony, Stephen Goodyear was chosen and served as deputy 
governor. He was one of the most active of New Haven's business 
men and was engaged in many enterprises which proved of service to 
the colony. After Eaton's death it was proposed to elect him gover- 
nor, but his absence from the colony on business, in London, prevented. 
Before his retiarn he died in that city, in June, 1658. 

In May, 165S, Francis Newman, of New Haven, was elected gover- 
nor, and William Leete, of Guilford, deputy governor. The former 
had for some years been secretary of the New Haven jurisdiction and 
was well qualified from his training and association with Eaton to 
discharge his new duties. The latter was trained to the law and was 
one of the ablest of the Guilford planters. Both were reelected to 
their several offices in 1659 and 1660. On the ISth of November of 
the latter year Governor Newman died. In 1661 William Leete was 
elected governor of the colony, and Matthew Gilbert deputy governor, 
and both were reelected in 1662 and 1663. In 1664 William Leete 
was aeain chosen governor, and served until the end of the jurisdic- 
tion. At the same time William Jones was chosen the last deputy 
governor. 

Early in the administration of Governor Leete the colony was 
excited by the visits of two of the regicide judges, Edward Whalley 
and William Goff, who found shelter and an asylum in New Haven. 
Upon the accession to the throne of Charles the Second, son of the 
executed king, they fled for their lives and arrived in Boston July 
27th, 1660. 

" Edward Whalley came of an old and honored family. He was a 
first cousin of the lord-protector. During and after the civil war he 
held many important offices. He was the keeper of Charles the First, 
during the king's imprisonment, and his signature appears as the 
fourth upon the death warrant of the king. 

" William Goff was the son of Reverend Stephen Goff, a Puritan 
divine of Sussex, and pursued a military course similar to that of his 
friend. General Whalley. Like his friend, he rose from a private 
soldier to a major-general, and was also the trusty friend and associate 
of Cromwell. He gave valuable aid in purging the 'Long' and 
' Rump ' parliaments, and was one of the strongest advocates of the 
king's death." 

For some time they lived openly at Cambridge, but being warned 
by a royal proclamation fled toward New Haven March 7th, 1601. 
En route they stopped at Guilford and were fed and sheltered by 
Governor Leete, but soon proceeded to New Haven where Mr. Daven- 

*\Vebb's Historical Conn., p. 122. 



22 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

port first befriended them and concealed them in his house. Their 
pursuers under the royal proclamation were soon at their heels and in 
order to mislead them they made frequent excursions into the country. 
" Fearino^ lest they should bring trouble upon those who had aided 
them, they offered to surrender themselves to Governor Leete, but 
he claiming he had no proper warrant, was in no haste to do so. The 
judges now showed themselves publicly on the streets of New Haven, 
so as to clear their friends from any complicity with their conceal- 
ment, then disappeared from view. 

" When the officers of the crown visited New Haven, the magistrate 
and people showed them every civility, and were officious in aiding 
their search, while at the same time they did their best to secrete the 
refugees. They well said, ' We honor his Majesty, but we have tender 
consciences.' ' Their ' honor ' of his Majesty was not very deep, and 
was bounded only by their fears. Any open disobedience would have 
cost them dear, so they tendered the regicides the best aid they could 
in secret."* 

The judges fled to a cave formed by several large rocks, on the 
western stimmit of West Rock, which is still known as the Judges' 
Cave, where they remained for a while, and also occupied several 
places in Wood bridge, called the Lodge and Hatchet harbor, each 
place affording them temporary shelter where they were fed by 
friendly hands. On the 19th of August, 1661, they went to Milford, 
where they abode several years, but in 1064 they went to Hadley, 
Mass., where they remained until their death. There is a tradition, 
which appears to lack proper foundation, that their bones were sub- 
sequently brought to New Haven and buried on the green near where 
is now the monument to the memory of Colonel John Dixwell, the 
third of the regicide judges. He came to New Haven about 1670, and 
lived here in a very quiet manner as James Davids, until his death in 
1688. In the later years of his life he disclosed himself to the minister, 
the Reverend Pierpont, and a strong friendship sprang up between 
them. At his death he requested that a plain stone should mark his 
grave, with his initials, J. D., Esq., and date of his death and age, 
" lest his enemies might dishonor his ashes." His fears appear to 
have been well founded. President Stiles says, in his "Histoiy of the 
Judges": " Some officers, as late as 1775, visited and treated the graves 
with marks of indignity too indecent to be mentioned." The plain 
stone slab still stands near the Dixwell monument, in the rear of 
Center church at New Haven. The latter was erected over the bones 
of Colonel Dixwell in November, 1840, at the expense of a Mr. Dixwell, 
of Boston, who was a descendant. 

The incidents and traditions connected with the sojourn of the 
judges in New Haven county would form material for an interesting 
romance. Three fine avenues in the northwestern part of the citv of 
New Haven perpetuate the memory of these regicides. 

*Beckfiircl. 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 23 

The residence of the regicides in New Haven colony and the mani- 
fest sympathy of many of her citizens with them, influenced in no 
small degree the future events of the jurisdiction. Under these cir- 
cumstances the colony could not reasonably hope for mucl> favorable 
consideration at the hands of the new king, Charles the Second. 
Governor Leete himself, who at heart countenanced the presence of 
the judges, was one of the first in public authority to entertain " fears 
that evil consequences might result to the colony and to him per- 
sonally from the neglect to apprehend the regicides,"* and was will- 
ing to enter into negotiations to avert the evil, "and to purchase his 
own peace." He assented to a proposition of Governor Winthrop, of 
the Connecticut colony, to obtain a royal patent which should embrace 
all the territory of the two colonies, and which would eventually unite 
them. It was plain to both of these statesmen, that such a union must 
prove advantageous. Governor Leete probably realized, too, that 
under royal rule the tenure of the colony would be very uncertain. 
While it was a fully organized body, so far as its own affairs were con- 
cerned, being in fact an independent little republic, its sole right to 
the soil upon which it existed was based upon Indian treaties and the 
sufferance of those who had not yet chosen to assert their claims under 
the warrant of former kings. A prudent policy of estate would 
demand a more explicit basis, which it was purposed to secure in a 
liberal and comprehensive charter. The work of procuring this was 
very properly undertaken by Governor Winthrop. His experience as 
governor of Connecticut since 1658, had impressed on him the needs 
of the colonists, which were further revealed to him by his many busi- 
ness affairs. He was, moreover, a man of education and large experi- 
ence as a traveler, which fitted him for the work of a diplomat. 

" In 1661, Governor Winthrop made a visit to England in the 
interests of the colony. He found in Lord Say and Seal, the only 
survivor of the original patentees, a warm friend, through whose in- 
fluence he was enabled to gain audience with Charles II. At this 
interview, Winthrop, with his wonted tact, first presented the king a 
ring that had been given by Charles I. to his grandfather, and then 
presented a petition from the colony of Connecticut for a royal charter. 
This charter, freely granted by the king, can still be seen in the office 
of the secretary of state at Hartford, framed with wood from the 
Charter Oak. Based, as this instrument was, upon the colonial consti- 
tution of 1639, it was indeed a royal gift, and proved of great value to 
the young colony, as evidenced by the many subsequent attempts to 
revoke it on the part of the succes.sors of Charles II. "f 

The jurisdiction of the charter extended over a territory including 
New Haven, and being nearly what is now the present state. It was 
a most liberal document. " It conferred upon the colonists unqualified 

*Atwater. tW. S. ^Vebb. 



24 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

power to govern themselves. They were allowed to elect all their 
own officers, to enact their own laws, to administer justice without 
appeals to England, to inflict puni.sliirients, to confer pardons and in 
a word, to exercise every jDower, deliberative and active. The king, 
far from reserving a negative on the acts of the colony, did not even 
require that the laws should be transmitted for his inspection ; and 
no provision was made for the interference of the English govern- 
ment, in any event whatever. Connecticut was independent, except 
in name.""'- 

The charter bore date April •22d, 1062. but it did not reach this 
country until some months later. At the general a.ssembly held at 
Hartford October 9th, 1662, " the Patent or Charter was this day pub- 
licly read in audience of the freemen and declared to belong to them 
and their successors." 

In November, 1662, Connecticut made overtures of union to the 
New Haven colony, but inasmuch as the charter did not limit the 
right of suffrage to accepted church members, that question became 
the " great bone of contention," and a bitter controversy ensued which 
kept the colonists apart more than two years. Davenport and his 
adherents were very loth to surrender the principle of a " church- 
state " for which they had so long labored, earnestly maintaining that 
there was no safety in entrusting the civil affairs into the hands of 
"an orderly citizen," posse.ssed of a certain amount of property, as was 
the Connecticut requirement. But this liberal provision in the royal 
charter especially commended the union to disaffected citizens of the 
New Haven jurisdiction who made individual application for citizen- 
ship in Connecticut. Some of them, after being received as freemen, 
no longer recognized the New Haven authority, which had, as ma}' 
easily be imagined, a demoralizing effect. This plan was contrary to 
the purposes of Governors Winthrop and Leete, who had an under- 
standing that the freemen of New Haven should not be brought under 
the authority established by the charter unless by their own consent, "f 
meaning, probably, their collective consent, which had not been 
obtained. However, this unexpected issue had the effect of hastening 
the union. Conservative men in every town recognized the claims of 
Connecticut and the advantages which would result from having a 
united colony and coun.seled to that end, as the only way to terminate 
the unfortunate strife and contention, awakened by this matter, pre- 
vailing in almost every town. The exponents of the "church-state" 
idea made a la.st vigorous protest, which was well considered and 
plausible, but did not secure the relief the colony needed and wanted. 
New Haven was overborne in all the matters for which she had 
especially contended and was at last, by a variety of circumstances, 
forced to make an unconditional acceptance of the terms of the charter, 

♦Bancroft. tAtwatcr. 



HISTiiRV 0¥ NEW HAVEN COUNTV. 26 

whereas if she had been less obstinate she might have secured some 
concessions to her advantage in the matter of suffrage. The last 
general court of the jurisdiction was held December 18th, 1664, when 
it was voted : 

" 1. That by this act or vote we be not understood to justif}' Con- 
necticut's former actings, nor anything disorderly done by our own 
people upon such accounts. 

"2. That by it we be not apprehended to have any hand in break- 
ing: or dissolving the confederation. 

'• Yet, in testimony of our loyalty to the king's majesty, when an 
authentic copy of the determination of his commissioners is published 
to be recorded with us, if thereby it shall appear to our committee, 
that we are by his majesty's authority now put under our Connecticut 
patent, we shall submit, as from a necessity brought upon us by their 
means of Connecticut aforesaid, but with a salvo jure of our former 
right and claim, as a people who have not yet been heard in every 
point of plea." 

The action of the royal commissioners in assigning Long Island to 
New York and giving Connecticut jurisdiction to the Westchester line 
fully determined the matter and the union was completed in January, 
1665.* Mr. Davenport remained in the colony three years before his 
removal to Boston, but did not, in that period, become a freeman in 
Connecticut. Abraham Pierson and a number of his parishioners at 
Branford would not accept the result, but removed to Newark, N. J., 
rather than become citizens of a state where the divine law was not 
given a fundamental place. Others, too, in consequence of the methods 
employed to bring about the union, cherished feelings of resentment, 
but these soon gave place to praise of the better results obtained in 
the affairs of the united colonies. The administration of Governor 
Winthrop was judicious and conciliating and confidence was further 
increased and friendship cemented when the two next governors, 
leading citizens of New Haven, William Leete, of Guilford, and 
Robert Treat, of Milford, were chosen. The New Haven jurisdiction 
was reluctantly given up, but was soon forgotten by those who enjoyed 
the liberal provisions of the state which displaced it. And in these 
times a few only remember the fact m history that for the first twenty- 
six years after the settlement of the county its affairs were managed 
by a distinct colony, in which was exemplified the highest form of 
" church-state " yet attempted. 

New Haven county was named and some provision for its manage- 
ment was made at the general court, held in the fall of 1665. But the 
following May, the bounds of thfe four original counties of the state 
were defined. New Haven county was made to embrace the four 
towns of the old jurisdiction east of the Housatonic : Milford, New 

*Want of space precludes giving much interesting matter in connection with 
the closing days of the jurisdiction. 



26 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

Haven, Branford and Guilford, which are properly the original towns 
of the county. They took up the entire coast line and their northern 
bounds were not given, an unorganized section intervening between 
them and the settled parts of Hartford county. In May, 1722, all the 
lands west of Farmington, not organized, were annexed to New Haven 
county : and in ISIay, 1728, the large town of Waterbury, which from 
the time of its settlement was in Hartford county, was also, on the 
petition of its inhabitants, annexed to New Haven county. The 
northwestern bounds of the county were still further extended in 1807, 
when vSouthbury was annexed to New Haven county. Up to that 
time it was a part of Litchfield county. Several towns in the state 
were settled under the auspices of towns in New Haven and when in- 
corporated were annexed to this county for convenience of legislation. 
New Alilford, incorporated in 1712, was thus for a number of years a 
part of New Haven count}', becoming later apart of Litchfield county, 
formed in 1751. The town of Durham, incorporated in May, 170S, was 
annexed to New Haven county, of which it remained apart until 1799, 
when it was detached and annexed to Middlesex county, which was 
formed in 1785. 

A number of efforts were made to embody this town (Durham i and 
Saybrook and Killingworth, in ^Middlesex ; Guilford and Branford, in 
New Haven, into a new county, with the name of Guilford. Bills to 
that effect were introduced and passed the lower house in 1718, 1728. 
17:36, 1744 and 1758. In each case the more conservative upper house 
negatived these aspirations. 

Movements were also made to create a new county, with additions 
from Litchfield, of some of the northwestern towns, with Waterbury 
or Woodbury as county seat. Some minor changes in the county 
limits have been made, but they remain essentially as above noted. 

The 26 towns of the county are the following, which were created 
in the order named : 

1. New Haven. — Settled as Ouinnipiac, in 1687-8, by Puritans 
from London, headed by John Davenport. Named New Haven by the 
town court, September, 1640. Originally the area was about thirteen 
miles square, embracing territor\' out of which have been formed 
Wallingford (including Cheshire and Meriden), East Haven, North 
Haven, Hamden and parts of Orange and Woodbridge. It is pre- 
eminently the mother town of the county. 

2. Milford. — Settled as Wepawaug, in 1689, by Peter Prudden, and 
non-conformist adherents from Yorkshire and other points in England. 
Named Milford m November, 1640. From the original town have 
been formed, in part, Derby (including Ansonia, Seymour and Oxford) 
Orange and Woodbridge, the latter including Bethany. 

8. Guilford. — .Settled in the latter part of 1639, as Menunkatuc, by 
Henry Whitfield and his company of Puritans from Kent and Surrey,. 



HISTORY 01' NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 27 

England. Named Guilford in October, 1643. Originally the town 
embraced ^ladison. 

4. Branford. — Settled under Xew Haven jurisdiction in 1644, as- 
the "plantation at Totoke.t," by non-conformists from Wethersfield 
and Abraham Pierson and some of his adherents from Southampton, 
Long Island. Embraced North Branford. 

5. Wallingford. — Settlement projected in 1609, as New Haven 
village. Named Wallingford in May, 1670. Became a separate town 
in 1672. Subdivided into Cheshire and Meriden. 

6. Derby. — Settled as Paugasset by traders from New Haven, 1654, 
and planters from Milford, 1659. Town privileges were granted in 
1675, and the name of Derby applied to the locality. 

7. Waterbury. — Settled as Mattatuck by inhabitants from Far- 
mington in 1677. In 1686 it was incorporated as a town with the 
present name and became a part of Hartford county. In 1728 Water- 
bury was annexed to New Haven county. The original area has 
been reduced by the formation of the towns of Wolcott, Prospect, 
Middlebury and Xaugatuck, to each of which she contributed terri- 
tory. 

8. Cheshire. — Settled under the direction of Wallingford as 
" West Farms." (Organized as the parish of New Cheshire and incor- 
porated as a town with the present name in May, 1780. A part of the 
western portion was taken off to form Prospect. 

9. Woodbridge. — Settled by New Haven and Milford planters. 
Organized as the Society of Amity and incorporated in 1784, as the 
town of Woodbridge. From the original town was set off Bethany. 

10. East Haven. — Settled by the inhabitants of New Haven as 
" East Farms." Village privileges in New Haven granted in 1701. In- 
corporated as a town in 1785. 

11. Hamden. — Settled by New Haven and for many years was a 
parish in that town. In May, 1786, incorporated a town. 

12. North Haven. — Settled as " North Farms " of New Haven, 
Incorporated a town, October,- 1786. 

18. Southbury. — Settled about 1672, by the pioneers of Woodbury. 
Incorporated as a town in May, 1787, and was in Litchfield county 
until 1807. Parts of the original town were taken off to form Oxford 
and Middlebury. 

14. Wolcott. — Settled as a part of the original town of Farmington. 
Formed as a parish out of parts of that town and Waterbury, and was 
first known as Farmingbury. Incorporated a town in 17U6. 

15. Oxford. — Settled by planters from Derby and Southbury, from 
which the town was taken and incorporated in 1798. Its area has been 
diminished by annexation to Naugatuck, Seymour and Beacon Falls. 

16. Meriden. — Settled by Wallingford as " North Farms." Taken 
from that town and incorporated a separate town in ISDfi. 



28 HISTORY OF NEW II.WEX COUNTY. 

17. Middlebui-}-. — Settled by inhabitants from Woodbury, Water- 
bury and vSouthbury, and taken from those towns and incorporated in 
1807. 

18. Orange. — Settled early by planters from New Haven as 
" West Farms," and by planters from Milford as "North Farms" or 
" Bryan's Farms." The former, organized as West Haven parish, 
the latter as North Milford parish, were united and incorporated as 
the town of Orange in May, 1822. 

19. Madison. — Settled as East Guilford by the planters of Guilford, 
from which it was taken and incorporated as Madison, in 1826. 

20. Prospect. — Settled as parts of Waterbury and Cheshire. 
Organized as the parish of Columbia. Incorporated a town, with name 
of Prospect, in 1827. 

21. North Branford. — Settled as the northern part of Totoket or 
Branford, and set off from that town and incorporated in 1831. 

22. Bethany. — Settled by planters of Milford and New Haven. 
Was a part of Woodbridge until Alay, 1832, when it was incorporated 
a separate town. From the west have been taken parts to add to the 
towns of Naugatuck and Beacon Falls. 

23. Naugatuck. — Incorporated in May, 1844 ; taken from Water- 
bury, Bethany and Oxford. In 1871, its southern part was taken off 
to form Beacon Falls. The Watei^bury part was long known as Salem 
parish. 

24. Seymour. — Settled as the northern part of Derby, and long 
known as Rimmon Falls and Humphreysville. Incorporated as a 
town with the present name in May, 1850. A small part of Oxford 
was later added. 

25. Beacon Falls. — Incorporated in May, 1871, and taken from 
Seymour, Oxford, Naugatuck and Bethany. 

26. Ansonia. — Settled as the central part of Old Derby. Taken 
from that town and became a separate town corporation in April, 
1889, thus being the youngest town in the coimt}-. 

The county has within its limits three thriving cities, namely : 

New Haven. — Incorporated January 21st, 1784, the fifth city in the 
Union and the first one to be chartered after the declaration of inde- 
pendence. The older cities in the United States are New York, 
Philadelphia, Albany and Richmond. 

Waterbury. — Incorporated in 1853. Population in 1890, 28.n4('). 

Meriden. — Incorporated in July, 1867. Population in 1890, 21,652. 

There are, also, in the county the following boroughs: Ansonia, 
Birmingham, Fair Haven East, Guilford (incorporated in 1815), Wal- 
lingford and West Haven, a full account of which appears in the towns 
where they are located. 

The growth or decline of the above towns, in the past ninety years, 
is shown in the following statistics of pojnilation : 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 



29 



TOWNS. 


1810. 


1830. 


1850. 


1870. 


1880. 


1890. 


New Haven - - 


6,967 


10,678 


22,529 


50,840 


62,883 


86,045 


Bethany - - - 






914 


1,135 


637* 


550 


Beacon Falls - - 










379 


505 


Bran ford - - - 


1,932 


3,333 


1.425* 


2.488 


3,047 


4,460 


Cheshire - - - 


2,2SS 


1,764* 


1,627 


3,344 


2,384 


1,929 


Ansonia - - - - 













10,343 


Derby - - - - 


3,051 


2,353 


3,824 


8,030 


11,650 


5,969 


East Hayen - - 


1,209 


1,229 


1.673 


2,714 


3,057 


955 


Gnilford - - - 


3,845 


2,344* 


2,650 


2,576 


2,782 


3,780 


Hamden - - - 


1,716 


1,669 


2,168 


3,028 


3,408 


3,883 


Madison - - - - 




1,809 


2,063 


1.814 


1,672 


1,439 


Meriden - - - - 


1,249 


1.708 


3,525 


10.495 


18,340 


25.423 


Middleburv - - 


847 


816 


763 


69li 


687 


566 


Milford - - - - 


2,674 


2,356* 


2,465 


3,405 


3,347 


3.811 


Naugatuck - - - 






1,730 


2,832 


4,374 


6.218 


North Branford - 






1,013 


1,035 


1,025 


825 


North Haven - - 


1,239 


1,282 


1.338 


1,771 


1,763 


1,863 


Orana;e - - - - 




1,341 


1,466 


2,634 


3,341 


4,537 


Oxford - - - - 


1,453 


1,763 


1,564* 


1,338 


1,120 


903 


Prospect - - - 




651 


674 


.551 


492 


445 


Seymour - - - 






1,677 


2,131 


3,318 


3,300 


Southbury - - - 


1.413 


1.557 


1.484 


1,318 


1,740 


1,089 


^Vallingford - - 


2,325 


2,419 


3,639 


3,676 


4,686 


6,. 584 


Waterbury - - - 


2,874 


3,070 


5,137 


13,106 


30,270 


33,303 


Wolcott - - - - 


953 


844 


603 


491 


493 


522 


Woodbridge - - 


2,030 


2,049 


913* 


830 


829 
156, .523 


936 


Totals - - - 


37,064 


43,848 


65,841 


131,257 


209,058 



^Diminished by the formation of new towns. 

The increase of the wealth of the towns is shown in the following 
comparative Grand Lists of 1885 and 1890 : 





188.5. 


ISdO. 


New Haven ------ 


$49,473,946 


$.50,739,536 






2,879,478 


Beacon Falls ------ 


372,357 


192,6.55 


Bethany ------- 


287,586 


279.637 


Branford ------- 


1,5.50,705 


1,677,213 


Cheshire ------- 


1,337,685 


1.077,638 


Derby 


4,516,.547 


1,798,727* 


East Haven ------ 


019, S60 


618,609 


Guilford ------- 


1.414,886 


1,359,959 


Hamden ------- 


1,679,090 


1,713,311 


Madison ------- 


744,329 


706,521 


Meriden ------- 


10,206,193 


10,940,919 


^Middlebury ------ 


250,406 


351,498 


:\Iilford ------- 


1.183,244 


1,259,898 


Naugatuck ------- 


1,793,888 


2,004,578 


North Branford ------ 


487,410 


471,315 


North Haven ------ 


770,381 


735,194 


Orange ------- 


2, .502, 903 


2,593,108 


Oxford ------- 


365,901 


333,496 


Prospect ------- 


170.670 


154,621 


Seymour -.-.--- 


1,14S,705 


1,220,678 


Southbury ------- 


611,046 


616,284 


Wallingford - 


2,584,234 


2,514,129 


Waterbury ------- 


9,530.386 


10,368.393 


Wolcott ------- 


226,092 


223,905 


Woodbridge ------ 


413,114 


401,807 



*Ansnnia set off in 1880. 



130 HISTORY OF NEW II.W'EX COIIXTV. 

In the year last given (1890) the Grand Lists of the Cities and 
Boroughs, included in the foregoing towns, were as follows : New 
Haven, $49,.565,988 ; Meriden, $9,(577,129: Waterbury, $8,783,923: 
Ansonia, $2,15o,C96 ; Birmingham, $1,230,498: Fair Haven East, 
$983,827; Guilford, 69r),099 ; Wallingford, $1,745,935: West Haven 
(Orange), $1,641 ,57n. 

From the latest available data on this matter (the cen.sus of 1880), 
it appears that New Haven county was the first in the state in the 
amount of capital invested in manufactures — $3i),275,(i92 ; being about 
$3,000,000 more than the next highest, Hartford, and about $13,000,000 
more than the third on the list, Fairfield count}-. In manufactured 
products New Haven county led by $15,000,000, the value of the prod- 
ucts being $59,530,504. 

In amounts invested in agriculture New Haven stood yiv/;-///, being 
-exceeded hy Hartford, Fairfield and Litchfield. The capital invested 
was $17,647,923, and the products were only $2,410,763. In the com- 
bined value of capital invested in manufactures and agriculture 
Hartford had $57,559,868 ; and New Haven had but $47,923,615. 

After the union of the New Haven and the Connecticut colonies, 
in 1665, the meetings of the general courts and the courts of the 
assistants (or, in other words, the colonial legislature) were held in 
Hartford only, convening in May and (Jctober of each year. This 
■order was followed until ^lay, 1701, when it was voted that after the 
next October session, which was to be held in Hartford, the May 
sessions only should be held in the latter place, and the October meet- 
ings should thereafter be held at New Haven. This arrangement 
was continued until the constitution of 1818 abolished the October 
sessions, and the annual sessions thei-eafter alternated between Hart- 
ford and New Haven as semi-capitals of the state. In 1873 Hartford 
was selected as the sole capital of Connecticut and the state house at 
New Haven was relinquished to the citizens of the town. 

At the time (1701) that New Haven was designated as one of the 
■capitals, there were no public buildings in the town except the meet- 
ing house, where were held most of the public assemblages. The 
particular courts were probably held at public inns, or at the houses 
of the magistrates. It is probable that the lower branch of the legis- 
lature held its meetings at the meeting house until a state house was 
provided, and the upper branch appears to have been convened at 
various rooms in the town, among them being the inn of Captain John 
Miles. In October, 1718, it convened in the library room of the new 
college building. In 1717, the state made provision to enable the 
counties to erect court hou.ses, and that year also was authorized the 
building of the first state hou.se at Hartford. For the court house at 
New Haven, the state appropriated i;'300. The county court at its 
January, 1718, session resolved : 

" That it is nece.ssary for the service of his Majesty that there be 



HISIi.iRV l>F NEW HAVEN CUUNTV. 31 

■adjoined to the present prison-house a timber house of forty-five feet 
in length and twenty-two in breadth, two stones high, with chimnies 
at each end ; and agreed that there be such a building erected on 
this condition : that the town of New Haven provide a suitable place 
of land to set it upon." 

The town voted the necessar\' site February 2d, 1710. granting an 
•eighth of an acre of land, in the market place, at the old prison house, 
to be laid out as should best accommodate the building. This lot was 
upon the public green and near its northwest corner. Warham 
Mather. Samuel Bishop and Joseph Whiting were appointed the com- 
mittee in charge of the building. It was completed for occupation in 
the fall of 1719, but was more properly furnished later. Chairs and 
other furniture were supplied in 1727, and subsequently. 

This house appears to have been used for the meetings of the legis- 
lature and the courts of the county until 1763, when the colony and 
New Haven united in erecting a fine new brick state house, each con- 
tributing ;^907. 9s., 3d. to defray the expense of the edifice. It also 
stood on the green, facing east on Temple street, on a lot a little north 
of the site which was afterward voted to Trinity church. Jared 
Ingersoll was one of the building committee, and through his 
influence a bell, which had been used in the meeting house, where its 
place was taken by a new one, was secured and placed in the turret of 
the state building. Originally this state and county hotise was 
gambrel-roofed. About 1800 it was much enlarged and a roof of two 
planes, meeting at the ridge pole, placed on it. Midway on the ridge 
was the cupola, with ihe bell. The upper stor}' was used by the state ; 
the lower gave the necessary rooms for the count}' and the town. In 
1827 the general assembly resolved " that it is expedient and necessary 
that a new state house for the accommodation of the general assembly 
,should be built in the city of New Haven," and as the county and 
the town would derive some benefit from it, the state asked that they 
bear one-third of the expense. To this proposition the county judges 
and representatives of the county assented at a meeting held Jujy oth, 
1827, and measures were taken to build. William Moseley, Charles 
H. Pond and John Q. Wilson were appointed to superintend the con- 
struction of this house, which was well located, on the northwestern 
quarter of the green, a short distance from College street. The length 
was placed north and south and was 160 feet. The width was 90 feet. 
At each end was a pediment supported by six massive columns. The 
general style of the architecture was of the Doric order and the walls 
were of .stone. The basement, which was high above the ground, was 
encrusted with Sing Sing marble. The other two stories were stuc- 
■coed. The legislature halls were in the upper story. In the .story 
below were the governor's parlor, committee rooms, jury rooms, and 
the entire east side was ttsed for court rooms. It was first occupied in 
the spring of 1830, and for sixty years was one of the most conspicuous 



32 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

objects on the green. It was surrendered to the people of New Haven 
in 1874, and soon showed marks of decay, which, since it was not kept 
m repair, made it unsightly, and as it was no longer demanded for 
public use it was razed to the ground in the summer of 1890. Its site 
has been sodded over and hardly a trace remains to show its former 

location. 

It will be remembered that when the first .state house was located 
at New Haven, there was already on the green an insecure prison- 
house or jail. In 1720 the general as.sembly ordered this to be 
strengthened, and the county court concurring, directed that it be 
enlarged and a keeper's house be built thereto. Warham :\Iather, 
John^Hall and Joseph Whiting were charged with the.se improve- 
ments, which were also on the the northwest part of the green. The 
first, or wooden state hou.se, after it was vacated by the courts in 1708, 
was allowed to remain and part of it was used as an office for the 
Coniuxticut Journal Axom 1767 until 1772, and later as a shop for the 
manufacture of metal buttons. About the time of the revolution, 
these buildings were removed from that part of the green and the jail 
or county house, as it was now called, was removed to the other side 
of College street, where it was enclosed with strong timbers, set up as 
a stockade, which seem to have afforded the necessary security. In 
the keeper's house proper the hospitalities of an inn were dispensed 
to such as desired those accommodations. 

In 1801 it was determined to build a new county jail, on the east 
side of Church street, where a lot belonging to the Hopkins Grammar 
School was leased for a term of 999 years. At fir.st it was purposed to 
erect a structure only two stories high, but at the solicitation of James 
Hillhouse and other public-spirited citizens, the plan was changed to 
three stories. The prison proper was in the rear and was at first also 
three stories high, but was rebuilt when the cell system was adopted, 
two tiers of cells being constructed. Over the keeper's house, in front, 
and in the third story was the debtors' prison, where those confined 
were treated with considerable attention, notwithstanding the windows 
were grated with iron bars. Here, also, the prison keeper was privil- 
eged to act as the entertainer of the public. In 1856 the county 
began the building of a new jail, on Whalley avenue, when the lease 
for the lot on Church street was sold to the city of New Haven for 
$2o,000, upon which its fine hall was completed in 1862. 

The county jail now in u.se was occupied in 1857. It is built on a 
desirable site of four acres of land, on Whalley avenue, which have 
been well improved for this use. About two acres are covered with 
buildings, which have been arranged to accommodate three hundred 
prisoners. The pri.son is under the general care of the county com- 
missioners and is well maintained. The commitments during a year 
are many but a large proportion are sent there for drunkenness or 
crimes allied with that habit. In 1873 the prisoners committed were 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 33 

1,890, and the jail expenses $16,417. In 1878, prisoners committed, 
1,922: expenses, $23,931.25. In 1883, prisoners sent up, 2,224; 
expenses, $20,] 03. In 1888 the commitments reached 2,910, but two 
years later under the restraining influence of the license law the 
number committed was only 2,60;"). In the latter year the commit- 
ments for drunkenness were about 200 less than in 1888. The cost to 
the county, including some extraordinary expenses, was that year 
more than $49,000. In 1890 it was about one-fifth less. 

The New Haven County Temporary Home for Dependent and 
Neglected Children, was established i:nder the provisions of an act 
passed creating these institutions. This home was opened January 
1st, 1884, in a building leased for that purpose, at Tyler Station, in the 
town of Orange, [n the spring of 1880, a permanent home was 
founded on Sheldon avenue, where a spacious lot is occupied. 

The house has at various times been improved to adapt it to the 
wants and comforts of the inmates. It is now capacitated to accom- 
modate 75 children. From fifty to sixty have there found refuge at 
one time, and since the institution was opened 360 have been received 
under its care. About one-half of that number were from New Haven, 
the remainder being from 18 other towns in the county, which availed 
themselves of the shelter here afforded to children in distress until 
other provision could be made for them. About one-half of those 
yearly admitted are provided with homes in proper families. 

The home is maintained at an outlay of about $7,000 per year, and 
is managed by the county commissioners and a member each of the 
state boards of health and charities. 

We have seen that the county united with the town and the state 
in building state houses on the public green, the last one being erected 
in 1830. This was occupied for court purposes until December, 1862, 
when the county secured a ten years' lease of rooms in the new city 
hall for court chambers and offices. In 1870 the city authorities noti- 
fied the county commissioners that their lease could not be renewed, 
which necessitated action to secure new quarters. The commissioners 
were authorized June 2d, 1871, to purchase a lot and build a court 
hotise in the city of New Haven. The Doctor Jonathan Knight lot, 
directly north of the city hall, was purcha.sed for $48,000, upon which 
the main edifice was erected in 1872-3. at a cost of $120,000. About 
$14,000 more was expended in furnishing the building, the aggregate 
cost being about $182,000. It fronts 60 feet on Church street and 
extends to the rear 120 feet. The house is three stories high, and its 
front, which is ornate, is built of Nova Scotia stone. The large door- 
way is in the gothic style and is flanked by very fine pillars of vScotch 
granite. In the third storv of this house is the Yale Law School, 
which is here furnished quarters in consideration of the free u.se of 
its valuable law library by the courts and members of the bar of New 
Haven county. Its collections are very extensive and are being con- 
3 



34 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEX COUNTY. 

stantly enlarged, the sio.doo fund donated by Governor James E. 
English in 187;>, being used for that purpose. The two other floors of 
the building contain the chambers of the superior and common pleas 
courts, commissioners' rooms, well-appointed ofifices, and the adjuncts 
of modern halls of justice. 

In the course of two years additional accommodations were required, 
when the George Hoadley property, on the north of the court house, 
was purchased, in 1883, and on the rear of the .same, but connected 
with the main edifice, an addition was built, chiefly to accommodate 
the criminal courts of the county. Its interior is admirably arranged 
to that end. The entire cost of this improvement was about $100,000. 
The building was finst occupied by the October term of the court, in 
1S84, and it has been found to well serve its purpose. The lot in 
front will permit the still further enlargement of the court house, 
which is not only one of the most valuable, but in its arrangements is 
surpassed by but few others in the eastern part of the Union. 

In 1838 the general a.ssembly enacted a law that the county court 
should thereafter consist of one judge and two associate members of 
the qtiorum, to be called county commissioners. Some of the specific 
duties of the latter were to take care of the county property and to 
regulate or assist in the regulation of the sale of liquor. These duties 
have always been attached to the office. In other capacities they were 
sort of associate judges. In 1841 another act constituted the board of 
county commissioners much as it now is, the powers and duties since 
that time having been increased or curtailed at the fancy of the several 
legislatures. By bestowing enlarged powers the office is now rela- 
tively more important than former!}'. 

The commissioners appointed by the general assembly, when the 
board was composed of two members only, are named in the list of 
county judges. Under the act of 1841 and those of a subsequent date, 
the commissioners have been the following: 1842, Selah Strong, 
De Grosse Maltby, James D. Woo.ster ; 1843-4, William H. Ellis, 
George Loudon, Malachi Cook ; 1845-6, Edward A. Cornwall, Greene 
Kendrick, Hoadley Bray: 1847, James S. Brooks, Loyal F. Todd, 
.Samuel Wise ; 1848-9, Philemon Hoadley, Samuel C. Johnson, Leonard 
Bronson : 18.50, Leonard Bronson, Reynold Webb, Philo Pratt; 18ol, 
David S. Fowler, Timothy V. ]^Ieigs, Millard Spencer; 1852, Fitch 
.Smith, Timothy V. Aleigs, Perry Averill ; 1853-4, Augustus Hall, 
Orrin Plumb, Franklin C. Phillips; 1855, John Durrie. Archibald E. 
Rice, Selah Lee ; 1850, Benjamin F. Libby, Joshua Kendall, William 
C. Bushnell ; 1857, Albert B. Wildman. Joshua Kendall. Archibald E. 
Rice; 18.58 60, Albert B. Wildman, Edwin B. Munson, Archibald E. 
Rice; 18G1, Alfred Daggett, Josiah M. Colburn, Hoadley Bray; 1862, 
Edmund Parker, Arciifbald'E. Rice, George Rose; 1863-6, Parker, 
Rice and Charles Ball : 1868-71, Archibald E. Rice, Richard Dibble, 
Charles P. Brockett ; 1872, Rice, Brockett and Nathan Andrews ; 1873, 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUXTV. 35 

Rice, Andrews and Carlos Smith : 1874, Andrews, Smith and Jesse 
Cooper; 1875, Cooper, Smith and John W. Bassett ; 1876, Cooper, 
Bassett and Linus Birdse}' ; 1877, Birdsey, John W. Lake and Charles 

A. Tomlinson; 1878, Lake, Hiram Jacobs, Marcus E. Baldwin ; 1879, 
Lewis B. Perkins, Jacobs and Baldwin; 1880-1, the same; 1882-3, 
Jacobs, Baldwin and George F. Perry; 1884, Jacobs, Perry and Albert 

B. Dunham ; 1885-91, Jacobs, Dunham and Cecil A. Burleieh. 

The first civil organization in the county was the Court of Twelve 
Free Burgesses, selected by the planters of Quinnipiac, June 4th, 
1639, which was empowered to select or appoint the proper magis- 
trates. That duty was performed October 25th, 1639, when Theophilus 
Eaton was chosen the magistrate of the plantation court, with Robert 
Newman, Matthew Gilbert, Nathaniel Turner and Thomas Fugill, as 
deputy magistrates. The last named was appointed clerk of the court 
and Robert Seeley was selected as the marshal. 

Scarcely was this court organized before its attention was engaged 
in an important trial, which resulted in the conviction of the Indian 
Nepaupuck, accused of the murder of Abraham Finch, of Wethersfield. 
Nepaupuck having been so charged, came into the town voluntarily, 
but on being taken into custody by the new marshal, managed to 
escape. He was recaptured on the 26th of October, 1639, and the 
trial proceeded. Testimony against him was given by some of his 
fellow Indians, but the evidence of his guilt was more clearly con- 
firmed by the confession which he himself made. October 28th. The 
following day he was sentenced to death. The penalty was not long 
delayed for, (3ctober 30th, 1639, the Indian's head was cut off, and, in 
order to make his fate serve as an example to the other Indians, it 
was placed on a pole and exposed on the market place, on the present 
New Haven green. The effect was salutary. For many years the 
colony was spared the pain of carrying out another capital punish- 
ment. The market places in the several towns were utilized for jail 
sites and there, also, were put the instruments for inflicting minor 
punishment — the pillory and the whipping post. In most instances 
they were continued until after the first quarter of the present century. 
The one on New Haven green was not removed until 1831. 

Each of the other plantations, Milford and Guilford, also had its 
courts organized in a manner similar to that of New Haven ; and 
after the New Haven jurisdiction was formed, in 1643, these planta- 
tion or particular courts were continued and were allowed to take 
cognizance of certain matters. From them appeal could be taken to 
the general court, composed of the deputies and magistrates of the 
jurisdiction, which convened semi-annually at New Haven. This 
colonial court consisted of two branches, viz. : that of the deputies 
elected by the several towns semi-annually or annually, and whose 
functions were mainly legislative ; and the branch composed of the 
governor, deputy governor and three or more magistrates, all of 



36 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

whom were distinguislied for their sound judgment, probity and 
patriotism. This was the judicial part of the court. It was presided 
over by the governor or deputy governor, sitting with the magistrates 
from the several plantations, five members constituting a quorum. It 
was, from the nature of the constitution, the last court of redress. In 
all these courts, particular and colonial, there was no jury and the 
principles of action and ju.stice were based upon the Mosaic law of the 
Bible. Especially were the laws relating to the observance of the 
Lord's day strictly enforced. 

In 1655 the code of laws prepared by Governor Theophilus Eaton 
was adopted as the first general statutes of the colony. Most of the 
laws were very stringent and .some of them arbitrary. After the 
restoration of Charles II. they became derisively known as the " Blue 
Laws," and have been held up to ridicule as unnatural and unreason- 
able, when in fact they were just about such laws as any crude govern- 
ment would u.se if it attempted to exercise a paternal care over its 
subjects. They were, in the main, the Mosaic laws, expressed in 
different words, in some instances, and while they may have been 
based upon righteous principles they were, undoubtedly, better 
adapted for a patriarchal form of government, in a semi-civilized 
country, than for a republic whose people have been trained to enjoy 
enlarged liberties and increased freedom of thought and action. In 
1673 a new code of laws was approved and printed for the use of the 
courts in tlie united colonies. The laws in this digest were less stern 
than in the former ones, many of the harsh features having been 
eliminated. 

In May, 1666. the general court of Connecticut colony ordered that 
the court of magistrates of the jurisdiction should be abolished and 
that a county court .should take its place. It was directed that this 
court should hold sessions in June and November of each year, and 
that it should be presided over by no less than two assistants of the 
general court (members of the upper house of the general assembly) 
and two or more commissioners, five persons, as before, forming a 
ciuorum. The commissioners were legislative appointees and took the 
place of the magistrates first elected by the burgesses. The office was 
filled annually until 1698, when justices of the peace were first 
appointed, ivom which were selected or appointed the ju.stices of the 
quorum. The first justices of the peace for New Haven county were, 
as reported in the state records: " Air. Tho. Trowbridge, Sen'' of the 
Quorum; Capl. Tho. Clarke, Mr. Josiah Rossiter, of the Quorum : Air. 
Will Malbie, of the Quorum: Capt. Tho. Yale, Mr. Jeremiah (Xsborn, 
Mr. John Ailing, Capt. Ebcnezer Johnson." The number of ju.stices 
apjDointed in subsequent years varied, and at first they were appointed 
for the county as an entire body, and not by towns, as became the 
later practice. 

The assistants from New Haven, i.e., members of the upper house 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN" COUNTY. 37 

of the general assembly, from the time of the union in 1665 until 1698, 
when they ceased to preside over the county court, were as follows : 
William Leete, Guilford, 1665-76 ; William Jones, New Haven, 1665- 
98; Benjamin Fenn, Milford, 1665-73 ; Jasper Crane, Branford, 1665- 
68; Alexander Bryan, Milford, 1668-79 ; James Bishop, New Haven, 
1668-92 : Robert Treat, Milford, 1675-98 ; Thomas Topping, Branford, 
1674-85; Matthew Gilbert, New Haven, 1677-78; Andrew Leete, 
Guilford, 1678-98 ; Moses Mansfield, New Haven, 1692-98. 

The last named was, in 1698, appointed the first county jtidge. 
That office was filled by yearly appointments until 1855, when the 
county court was abolished. The judge had the assistance, in presid- 
ing over the county court, of justices of the quorum, selected from 
the list of from four to eight yearl}' ajDpointed, until 1838, when the 
office of ji:stice of the quorum was abolished, and two commissioners 
were appointed to act with the judge in holding the county courts. 

In 1841 the office of commissioner was divorced from the county 
court and established as a separate office. The county judge was now 
the sole presiding officer until the court ceased to exist in 1855. 

The county court transacted all judicial business, including the 
probating of wills, until 1714, when the New Haven county probate 
court was established, John Ailing being the first judge. In 1719 the 
division of the county into other probate districts began. 

In the county court were first practiced the usages of the English 
courts, and the trial by jury was first given a proper place, not only in 
this court but in other courts in the county, held by justices. 

In 1869 the New Haven court of common pleas was established with 
powers much like those which had pertained to the old county court, 
and enlarged jurisdiction^ Its business increased very rapidly and 
it has been found necessary to divide the court into two branches, 
viz.: the civil side and the criminal side, and to appoint two judges 
for the same. Another relief for the overtaxed condition of the busi- 
ness was found in the creation of the Waterbury district, which 
embraces parts of this county and some of the adjoining county, and 
sessions of the common pleas courts and superior courts are held 
there. 

In addition to the superior court of the state another court of 
appeal, the supreme court of errors, has been created, and New Haven 
county and Fairfield county are embraced in the Third judicial dis- 
trict, courts being alternately held at Bridgeport and New Haven. 

In most of the towns justices courts have been continued, but in 
1784 a city court was established in New Haven ; and, later, city and 
police courts were created for Waterbury and Meriden. Borough and 
town courts have been established in Wallingford, Derby and 
Ansonia.* , 

The following have been the judges of the county court and the 

*See accounts of those towns. 



38 ' HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

justices of the quorum, as appointed by tlie general assembly, the first 
name after each date being that of the judge: 1698-1703. Major 
Moses Mansfield, Jeremiah Osborn, John Ailing, Thos. Clark, William 
Maltby, Ebenezer Johnson, Eleazer Stent ; 1704-6, John Ailing, 
Nathan Andrews ; 1707-8, John Ailing, William Maltby, Thos. Clark, 
Ebenezer Johnson, Samuel Eells, Abraham Fowler, Nathan Andrews; 
1709-12, ■ — -, Nathan Andrews, William Maltby, Abraham Brad- 
ley, Abraham Fowler, Thomas Yale, Joseph Treat, Jonathan Law; 1713- 
17, Jonathan Law, Joseph Treat, Abraham Bradley, Warham Mather, 
Samuel Bishop, James Wadsworth, Ebenezer Johnson ; 1718, Jona- 
than Law, Ebenezer Johnson, Joseph Treat, Warham Mather, 
Abraham Bradley, Samuel Bishop : 1719, James Wadsworth, John 
Hall ; 1720-4, James Wadsworth, Abraham Fowler, Warham Mather, 
John Hall, Samuel Bishop, Ebenezer Johnson, Samuel Clarke ; 172.5-9, 
John Hall, Warham Mather, James Hooker, Samuel Bishop, Andrew 
Ward, John Riggs ; 1730-5, Samuel Eells, Samuel Bishop, James 
Hooker, Roger Newton, John Riggs; 1736-7, Samuel Eells, 
Samuel Bishop, James Hooker, John Riggs, John Russell, 
Samuel Hill'; 1738-9, Roger Newton, Samuel Bishop, James 
Hooker, John Riggs, John Russell, Samuel Hill ; 1740-1, 
Roger Newton, Samuel Eells, Lsaac Dickerman, John Riggs, 
John Russell, Samuel Hill; 1742-6, Roger Newton, Benjamin 
Hall, John Fowler, John Southmaid, Samuel Hill ; 1747-50, Roger 
Newton, Benjamin Hall, John Fowler, John Hubbard, Samuel Hill ; 
1751-3, Roger Newton, John Russell, John Fowler, John Hubbard, 
Samuel Hill ; 1754-6, Roger Newton, Benjamin Hall, John Hubbard, 
John Fowler, Elihu Chauncey : 1757-60, Roger Newton, Benjamin 
Hall, Timothy Stone, John Hubbard, Elihu Chauncey; 1761-5, Roger 
Newton, Thomas Darling, Timothy Stone, John Hubbard, Elihu 
Chauncey ; 1766, Roger Newton, John Hubbard. Thomas Darling, 
Elihu Chauncey, Roger Sherman : 1767-70, Roger Newton, Nathaniel 
Hill, John Hubbard, Thomas Darling, Elihu Chauncey; 1771-2, 
Benjamin Hall, John Hubbard, Elihu Chauncey, Thomas Darling, 
John Fowler, Nathaniel Hill : 1773, James Abraham Hillhouse, 
Thomas Darling; 1774-6, Elihu Chauncey, John Fowler, vSamuel 
BLshop, Jr., James Wadsworth, Jr.; 1777, Elihu Chauncey, Samuel 
Bishop, Jr., James Wadsworth, Jr., Samuel Barker, Joseph Hopkins; 
1778 81, James Wadsworth, Samuel Bishop, Andrew Ward, vSamuel 
Barker, Jo.seph Hopkins ; 1782 6, James Wadsworth, Samuel Bishop, 
Joseph Hopkins, Andrew Ward, James Beard ; 1787-9, James Wads- 
worth, vSamuel Bishop, Joseph Hopkins, Andrew Ward, Gideon Buck- 
ingham : 1790-9, Samuel Bishop, Joseph Hopkins, Andrew Ward, 
Gideon Buckingham, Simeon Bri.stol ; 1800 1, Samuel BLshop, Jo.seph 
Hopkins, Gideon Buckingham, .Simeon Bri.stol, Nathaniel Ro.ssiter ; 
1802-5, Simeon Bristol, Gideon Buckingham, Nathaniel Rossiter, 
Dwyer White, John Kingsbury : 1806. Elizur Goodrich, Gideon Buck- 



HISTORY OK NEW HAVEX COUNTY. 39 

ingham, John Kingsbur\-. Dwyer White, George W. Stanley; 1807-10, 
Elizur Goodrich, Gideon Buckingham, John Kingsbury, Dwver White, 
Noah Webster ; 1811, Elizur Goodrich, Nathaniel Griffing. JMm Kings- 
bury, Dwyer White, Noah Webster ; 1812-14, Elizur Goodrich, Nath- 
aniel Griffing, John Kingsbury, Dwyer White, Bennet Bronson ; 1815- 
16, Elizur Goodrich, John Kingsbury, Nathaniel Griffing, Dwyer 
White, Burrage Beach ; 1817-18, Elizur Goodrich, John Kingsbury, 
Dwyer White, Nathaniel Griffing, Isaac Mills; 1819, John Kingsbury, 
Chas. H. Pond,* Isaac Mills; 1820-2, Isaac Mills, Abel Wheeler, John 
Humphreys ; 1823-4, Isaac Mills, John Humphreys, Noyes Darling ; 
1825-7, Bennet Bronson, John Humphreys, Jr., Noyes Darling ; 1828- 
30, Bennett Bronson, Jared Bassett, Noyes Darling ; 1831-4, Noyes 
Darling, William Hiriman, Jared Bas.sett ; 1835, Noyes Darling, 
Walter Booth, Sanuiel Meigs; 1836, Noyes Darling, Jared Bassett, 
WMlliam Hinman ; 1837-8, Noyes Darling, Charles H. Pond, Malachi 
Cook; ^839, Samuel J. Hitchcock.f Joseph Barber, Abijah Carrington; 
1840-1, Samuel J. Hitchcock, Selah Strong, DeGrosse Maltby. 

County judges only : 1842, Samuel J. Hitchcock ; 1843-4, Noyes 
Darling; 1845-6, Joseph Wood; 1847," John C. Palmer;:}; 1848-9, 
Edward Hinman ; 1850, Henry Dutton ; 1851, Alfred Blackman ; 1852, 
Samuel Ingham (acting judge) ; 1853-4, Harris B. Munson ; 1855, 
Stephen W. Kellogg. 

The following have been the judges of the common pleas court, 
since its establishment: 1870-1, Samuel L. Bronson; 1872-3, Henry 
E. Pardee: 1874, Henry Stoddard; 1875-6, William C. Robinson; 
1877, William B. Stoddard; 1878-81, Lynde Harrison; 1882-5, David 
Torrance; 1885, John P. Studley, Lucius P. Deming. 

In addition to the assistants named, as presiding over the cot;nty 
court, 1665 to 1698, they were, also, the superior court in those times, 
and later. The assistants, from 1698 to 1818, credited to New Haven 
county were : Robert Treat, Milford, 1698-1708 ; Andrew Leete, Guil- 
ford, 1698-1703: Moses Mansfield, New Haven, 1698-1704; Josiah 
Rossiter, Guilford, 1701-11; John Ailing, New Haven, 1704-17; 
Samuel Eells, Milford, 1709-40; Abraham Fowler, Guilford, 1712-29 ; 
Jonathan Law,§ Milford, 1717-50 ; John Hall, Wallingford, 1722-30 ; 
Joseph Whiting, New Haven, 1733-45 ; Roger Newton, Milford, 1736- 
40 ; Benjamin Hall, Wallingford, 1751-66 ; Roger Sherman, New 
Haven, 1766-89 ; James A. Hillhouse, New Haven, 1773-5 ; James 
Hillhouse, New Haven, 1789-91 ; Charles Chauncey, New Haven, 
1789-93; Jonathan Ingersoll, New Haven, 1792-8; David Daggett, 
New Haven, 1797-1814: Elizur Goodrich, New Haven, 1803-18; Isaac 
Beers. New Haven, 1808-9: Jonathan Ingersoll, New Haven, 1811-19 ; 

*Two Justices of the Quorum only by Constitutional Amendment. 
+Designated County Commissioners. 
JOf Middletown, acting Judge. 
§Chief Judge 1725-41. 



40 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

William Bristol, New Haven, 1818; Peter ^Vebb, New Haven, ISIS: 
David Tomlinson, Oxford, 1818; Simeon Baldwin, New Haven, 
1806-18. 

Other judges of the superior court have been the following: Asa 
Chapman, New Haven, 1818-25: William Bristol, New Haven, 1819- 
26; David Daggett,* New Haven, 1826-34; Joel Hinman,+ New 
Haven, 1842-70; Henry Dutton,+ New Haven, 1861-6; Edward I. 
Sanford,^ New Haven, 1867: David Torrance, Derby, 1885-90, when 
he was elected a judge of the supreme court of errors for eight 
years. 

The marshals of New Haven colony and the jurisdiction were 
appointed as follows ; October 25th, 1639, Robert Seeley; November 
7th, 1642, Thomas Kimberley; May 2Sth, 1662, Abraham Doolittle, 
who served until the end of the jurisdiction. The term marshal was 
now dropped and that of sheriff taken, to designate those serving as 
such officials. The sheriffs of the county and the years of their elec- 
tion or appointment have been as follows: November, 1()67, John 
Ailing; June, 1675, Samuel Miles; June, 1679, John Cooper; November, 
16S7, John Hudson; |! May, 1689, Joshua Hotchkiss; October, 1722, 
John Trowbridge; — , Moses Mansfield; — , Jonathan Fitch; (October, 1796, 
Jehu Brainerd; October, 1804, Nathaniel Rossiter; June, 1819, Charles 
H. Pond; June, 1834, Erau.stus Osborn; June, 1837, Samuel Cooke;" 
June, 1839, Charles W. Curtis; June, 1842, Norris Willcox; June, 1857, 
David S. Fowler; June, 1863, Gideon O. Hotchkiss; October, 1871, 
Charles S. Scott vice Hotchkiss, deceased ; June, 1875, John C. Byxbee; 
June, 1884, Robert O. Gates : June, 1891, Charles A. Tomlinson. 

The following have been the king's or state's attorneys of New 
Haven county: 1720, William Adams; 1744, Elihu Hall; 1757, Jared 
Ingersoll; 1765, James A. Hillhouse:"''"" 1776, Charles Chauncey; 1789, 
Jonathan Ingersoll: 1798, Pierpont Edwards; 18o2, Naphtali Daggett; 
1805, Jonathan Ingersoll; 1811, David Daggett; 1816, Nathan Smith: 
1835, Ralph I. Ingersoll; 1845, Dennis Kimberley: 1849, Charles A. 
Ingersoll; 1853, Jonathan Stoddard: 1854, Eleazer K. Foster; 1877, 
Orville H. Piatt; 1879, Tilton E. Doolittle. 

The clerks of the courts for New Haven county have been: 1798, 
Abraham Bishop; 1801, Dwyer White; 1806, John Lynde; 1807, Dwyer 
White; 1821. Cornelius Tuthill; 1825, John Beach; 1835, Robin.son S. 
Hinman: 1839, John Beach: 1842, Robert H. Osborn; 1844, John S. 
Rice; 1847, Henry J. Lewis; 1850, Robert H. O-sborn; 1854, Alfred H. 

*Chicf Judge Supreme Comt i)f Errors ls:i:i— 1. 
ijudije of Supreme Court of Errors 1801-70. 
|\Vas also a Judge of the Supreme Court of Errors. 
((Has since served as Judge of the Superior Court. 
IjAppointcd by Sir Edmund Andros, and hi.s Council. 

^Office vacated on account of amendment to constitution, and Sheriff there- 
after elected by freemen. 

**Died December, 177.5, Henianiin I Jouglass appointed. 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEX COUNTY. 41 

Terry; 1860, Arthur D. Osborn; 1882. Jonathan Ingersoll; 1890, 
Edward A. Anketell. 

In the earliest period of the civil government of the colony, the 
powers relative to the settlement of estates were vested in the 
partictilar cotirts. In May, 160G, they were transferred to the several 
county courts, and in 16!.)S to the respective judges, with two ju.stices 
of the quorum. In May, 1714, it was provided that the courts of pro- 
bate should be holdenbj'bne judge, with a clerk in each county. The 
first probate districts, less than a county, were formed in October, 1719. 
The districts which were co-extensive with the several counties have 
never been re-established; but their limits have been reduced by 
forming new districts from them. The following are the probate dis- 
tricts in New Haven county, with the dates of their organization: 

The New Haven or original district is composed of New Haven, 
North Haven. East Haven, Hamden, Orange, Seymour and Wood- 
bridge. The town of Orange (incorporated in 1822) was, up to that 
period, as parts of Milford and New Haven, included in tho.se districts, 
but when it becamie a town the whole was placed wholly in the New 
Haven district. In IS.'iO Seymour was incorporated and annexed to 
the New Haven district. Up to that time the territory was included 
in the Derby district. East Haven remained in the New Haven dis- 
trict until 1868, when the town was created a separate district and so 
continued until 1888. when it again became a part of the New Haven 
district. 

The Guilford district was established in 1719, to embrace Guilford, 
including" the present towns of ]Madison. Branford and North Bran- 
ford, after the latter town was formed in 1881, except the society of 
Northford, which became a part of the Wallingford district. It also 
embraced some towns in what is now Middlesex countj-.- The juris- 
diction was reduced further by the formation of the Madison district, 
in 1834, and the Branford district in 1850. 

Wallingford district was established in 1776, and included at that 
time, Wallingford (embracing Cheshire and Meriden) and the society 
of Northford. This district has been reduced by the formation of the 
Cheshire district in 1829, and the Meriden district in 1836. It is now 
composed of Wallingford and the Northford society, in North 
Branford. 

Waterbury district was next formed, in the order of time. It was 
established in 1779, to include the then towns of Waterbury, Water- 
town and Plymouth. The latter was set off in 1833, and Watertown 
in 1834. When Wolcott was incorporated a town, in 1796. it was 
annexed to this district, and ]\Iiddlebury has always been in this juris- 
diction. Naugatuck was created a town in 1844. out of parts of Water- 
bury, Bethany and Oxford, and the whole was annexed to the Water- 
bury district; but in 1862 this town (Naugatuck) became a separate 

'■'■ See sketch of Guilford. 



42 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

district, leaving Waterbury to include itself, Middlebury and Wolcott 
as the present district. 

Cheshire district was established in 1829, to include Cheshire and 
Pro-spect. The former was taken from the Wallingford district, the 
latter from Wallingford and Waterbury districts. It remains as con- 
stituted. 

Milford district was established in 1832, and was taken from the 
New Haven district. It is confined to the town of Milford. 

Madison district was established in 18H4, to include the town of 
AladLson. Until that time the town was in the Guilford district. 

Meriden district, compcsed of that town, was established in 188r), 
and was taken out of the Wallingford district. 

Oxford district was established in 1846. Its jurisdiction is confined 
to that town, organized in 1798, and until the date of establishment, it 
was in the New Haven district. 

Branford district was established in 1850, to include the town of 
Branford, and was taken from the Guilford district. Until 1719, 
Branford and all the eastern section of the county were in the New 
Haven district. 

Bethany district was established in isr)4, with bounds confined to 
the town of Bethany, whicli up to that time was in the New Haven 
district. A small part was attached to Naugatuck district in 1871 , when 
Beacon Falls was formed. 

Derby district was established in 1858, to embrace the town as it 
was at that time, including the present town of Ansonia. A part of 
Huntington was later added. The office for the records is at Birming- 
ham, and the district is now composed of Derby and Ansonia. 

Naugatuck district was established in 1862, and embraced, at that 
time, the town of Naugatuck, which was taken from the Waterbury 
district. When Beacon Falls was incorporated, in 1871, that town was 
annexed to this district. Its territory was previously in the districts 
of Oxford and Bethany. 

The town of Southbury has been in the probate district of Wood- 
bury, in Litchfield county, since 1719. The town itself was a part of 
Litchfield county until 1807, when it became a part of New Haven 
county. 

Durham, in Middlesex county, was a part of New Haven county 
until 179i). It was in the Guilford probate district until 17.-»2, when it 
was assigned to the Middletown district. 

The judges of the New Haven probate district, from its organiza- 
tion have been the following: 1714 17, John Ailing: 1717-27, Warham 
thither; 1727 48, Joseph Whiting: I748-7H, John Hubbard; 1778-86, 
John \Vhiting: 1786-1802, Samuel Bishop: 1802-19, IClizur (Goodrich: 
1819 24, Isaac Mills: 1824-9, William W. Boordman: 1829-34, Charles 
A. IngersoU, 1st term; 1834 5, Nathaniel R. Clark, 1st term; 183,'5-8, 
Charles A. IngersoU, 2d term; 1838-42, Nathaniel R. Clark, 2d term; 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTV. 43 

1842-3, Robinson S. Hinman (died in office and Alfred Blackman, of 
Waterbui-y district, filled the term of office, 1843-4); 1844-6, Eleazer 
K. Foster, 1st term: 1846-7, Ezra Stiles; 1847-50, Eleazer K. Foster, 
2d term; 1850-4. Frederick Croswell; 1854-7, Cyprian Wilcox; 1857-63, 
Luzon B. Morris: 1863-4, Levi B. Bradley; 1864-6, Francis Way- 
land, Jr.: 1866-76, Levi B. Bradley, 2d term; 1876-87, Samuel A. York; 
• 1887 — , A. Heaton Robertson. 

In the early settlement of the county but little attention was paid 
to the location and construction of highways. The settlers along the 
coast were long content with the means of communication by water 
way, which were largely used the first one hundred years, especially 
in the transportation of goods or commodities used in the trade 
between the different towns. The interior towns found no trouble in 
reaching the centers on the sound shore by means of the paths over 
the common lands, which often had the same general course as the 
Indian trails, leading to those localities. Even in the settled parts of 
the towns, commons were left for these main paths (for such they were, 
no wagons being used for a long time), and when one became unfit 
for use, another was made on the twenty or forty rods wide of land 
available for that purpose. Gradually the.se commons were narrowed 
by encroachments, and the records of some of the towns show that a 
few planters were so unmindful of the interests of the public that they 
extended fences across some of these paths, and public action was 
necessary to have them restored to their original use. From nearly 
every village the.se paths radiated to the outlying- farms or to other 
villages, and in course of time some were accepted and improved as 
highways. In other cases new and better roads were located, when 
once localities became more distinct, and were maintained by the 
sanction of the colony or by the different counties. 

Of the former class one of the best known was the road which con- 
nected New Haven and Hartford and whose name is still perpetuated 
in the upper part of the county, as is shown by the titles of principal 
streets in Wallingford and Meriden. But even this highway was 
obstructed and, in 1759, the general assembly directed that a com- 
mittee should be appointed " with all care and diligence to view and 
observe said road now used in the various crooks and notable turns 
thereof, and them duly to note, and also with all care to find out how 
and where it may be practicable to shorten or better said way in whole 
or in part."* A view of the committee resulted in an order to the 
towns to have the evils corrected, and the course of the road was some- 
what modified. At other times the courses of these early roads were 
also changed to conform to the existing order of things, as the changes 
of localities, etc.; and, no doubt, a better knowledge of road building 
'also had much to do in brmging about the modification of some of the 
early county roads. 

* Colony Records, 1759. 



44 HISTORY OF NEW HAY EX COUNTY. 

It should be stated that in the neighborhood of the villages these 
early roads were often called lanes from the fact that they there 
passed between the enclosed lots of the planters. Thus at New Haven 
the names of " Long lane " applied to the lower part of the highway 
leading to Hamden, Cheshire and northward ; " Neck lane " to the 
road on the Neck* to Wallingford and Meriden, or to Middletown. 
The latter is now the well known upper part of State street. The 
road to Guilford and the east was first called and long known by the 
name of Totoket path. It first entered the village of New Haven by 
means of a ferry at Red Rock, whence was a way to " Neck lane," and 
thence by its bridge across Mill river. A cartway bridge was there 
built .soon after 1642, and such a structure has there since been 
maintained. Its site became historic as being the place where the 
regicides, Goffe and Whalley, lay concealed while excited constables, 
.sent to apprehend them, rode with loud clamor across the bridge under- 
neath which lay hidden the men they vainly sought. On the evening 
of July nth, 1779, this spot was also made the point of rendezvous for 
the militia, called hither by the invasion of the British, but whose 
service in battle the next day was not needed in consequence of the 
peaceful evacuation of the enemy. 

Neck lane has remained one of the most important thoroughfares 
in the lower part of the county, notwithstanding some of the travel 
over it, from the east, was given more direct entrance by the bridges 
at Dragon Point and below, across the Quinnipiac. The former was 
completed in 1793, and was first a toll bridge, owned by Henry 
Daggett, James Prescott and Thomas Punderson. The state sanc- 
tioned the aid of a lottery and, in 182."), the proprietors having been 
disbursed, the bridge became free. A handsome iron bridge now 
occupies the site. But an earlier bridge across the Quinnipiac was on 
the road to Middletown, which was called the Long bridge, and in 
1784, when New Haven was incorporated a city, it was made the initial 
point in its bounds. In 1814 it became the property of the iSIiddle- 
town turnpike, whose highways cro.ssed the meadows at this point. 
It is still in use. 

The longest and most important bridge across the Quinnipiac in the 
county is below the confluence of Mill river with that stream, which 
is here quite wide. It was built by a company organized for that pur- 
pose and wlVich was encouraged in this enterprise by a grant of wharf 
privileges by the proprietors of New Haven, in the belief that these 
improvements would advance the commercial interests of the towm. 
The bridge was begun in 179(3, and was completed two years later. Its 
length, including the causeway on the east side, was about half a mile 
and the width was 27 feet. A draw in the bridge permitted the ascent, 

* The point of land between Mill and Ouinnipiac rivers was earlj- called the 
"Neck." The lower part of the "Neck" received the name of " drape \'ine 
Point." These terms have been perpetuated. 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 45- 

of vessels to Fair Haven, more than a mile above. Below the west end 
valuable wharves were constructed, which were made the terminus' of 
the Hartford & New Haven railroad, in 1831), and ultimately the 
franchises of the bridge company became the property of the rail- 
road company, which after 1852, used the wharves for freight pur- 
poses only. The bridge became of minor importance and was 
allowed to become dilapitated and insecure. In 1885, the railway 
company replaced it with the fine iron bridge which had been in 
use at Stratford. The following year the town of New Haven pur- 
chased the bridge, and the right of way to it of the railway company, 
and since that time it has also been a free bridge. A fine draw, eighty 
feet wide, jDermits large .schooners to pass through. Near the same 
time a fourth bridge was built across the Quinnipiac, about midway 
between the above two bridges. It is an expensive wrought iron 
structure, extending from Red Rock, on the east, to the foot of Ferry 
street, on the west, and was built by the towns of New Haven and 
East Haven. It is also provided with a large draw and has from the 
beginning been free to the public. 

Near the beginning of the present century, the ferries across the 
Housatonic, at Derby, and on the old New York post road, were dis- 
placed by toll bridges, which were freed to the public within the last 
few decades. These bridges, after being owned by the adjoining 
towns, became the joint property of New Haven and Fairfield counties 
in 1889. The lower, or the old Washington bridge, which is a long 
wooden structure, has been placed in good repair by the county com- 
missioners. The bridge between Shelton and Birmingham, an old 
covered wooden structure, was replaced by a fine iron bridge in the 
summer of 1891. The contract was awarded by the commissioners 
April 1st, 1891, to the East Berlin Bridge Company for $54,000. The 
structure is 50() feet long, 27 feet roadway with walks on each side 7" 
feet wide, and makes a fine appearance. 

One of the oldest and best known bridge sites in the county is on 
the West river, where the old Milford path crossed that stream. It is 
probable that a foot bridge was placed there in 1639, and as early as 
1642 and since that time the bridge at that point has afforded passage 
for vehicles. With the growth of New Haven came the demand for 
new streets southwestward, but they were laid out convergent to that 
point, and this was the only bridge on that part of the stream until 
the Kimberley avenue and bridge were built in 1848. The latter 
affords a far more direct route to West Haven and is also used by the 
street railway line between Savin Rock and the city. But the old 
West bridge, as it has been called from the beginning, retains much 
of its importance and has been carefully kept up. In 1876 a substan- 
tial iron structure was there placed in position. A notable improve- 
ment at that place, a hundred years ago, was the West Meadow dyke, 
which was built in 1769. by the elder Nathan Beers, who was killed 



46 HISTORY OF XEW IIAVEX COUNTY. 

by the British when they invaded New Haven ten years later. He 
was a man of wealth and owned a large tract of land in the meadows 
which were of the nature of salt marshes. By constructing the dyke 
and placing tide gates at the bridge he reclaimed many acres of land 
above the bridge, which became valuable as fresh water meadows, 
after the tidal water was by those means kept out. When the British 
landed at West Haven, in 1779, they attempted to enter New Haven 
by this road, but were prevented by a small battery placed at the 
bridge, which covered the catiseway across the meadows. They then 
bore to the left and crossed the river on Thompson's bridge, on the 
old Derby road, at the present village of Westville. A bridge at that 
point was first built in 17o2, for the use of footmen and soon after was 
changed to a cart bridge. It is probable that those using the Derby 
path earlier than this were obliged to ford the stream, and that means 
of crossing was used many years later, at other points on the stream. 

We have seen how the main roads of the county developed from 
foot and bridle paths until some of them were accepted post roads, 
and as such received more care than others. In 1767 the general 
assembly ordered the selectmen to set up milestones on these colonial 
roads, showing the distance from the county towns and in other ways 
directed their improvement, but withotit securing many beneficial 
results. Many of the roads through the country towns remained 
neglected on account of the lack of means to improve them, and the 
work of placing them in a better condition or of creating a better class 
of new thoroughfares, was left for the turnpike companies, of which a 
number were incorporated to build in this county, between the years 
179;") and 1825. The movement in favor of these improved thorough- 
fares was especiall}- strong in Litchfield county, wliicli. unlike Xew 
Haven did not have the advantage of communication by water and 
found it difficult to transport its products. The second turnpike com- 
pany in the state was chartered in niM, to build a toll roatl from 
Woodbury to Jc^hn Wooster"s house at Rimmon Falls, at that time in 
Derby, but now Seymour. It was located through Southbur}- Main 
street, thence across the hills to Southford and Oxford village and 
down the Little river to the point named. The road was not fully 
completed until 1800, and was popularly known in the section as the 
Oxford turnpike. It was maintained as a toll road about half a 
century; but the eastern section, in later years, became a plank road 
on which toll was charged until within a few years ago. On account 
of the relation of this road to a scope of country long without railroads, 
it remained for a long time the principal highway in that part of the 
county. Near the same time (ISOl) the Rimmon Falls Turnpike Com- 
pany built a road six miles in length, through the then upper part 
of Derby and the southern part of Woodbridge to Thompson's bridge, 
at Hotciikisstown. now Westville, by means of which entrance was 
secured into New Haven, after joining the "Straits" turnpike. 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEX COUNTY. 47 

The latter turnpike was built by a company chartered in October, 
1797, to build from New Haven court house to Litchfield court house, 
a distance of 36 miles. It passed through the eastern part of Wood- 
bridge, along Mill river, thence northwest through Bethany to the 
waters of Beacon brook and through the defile of that stream, bet-ween 
the present towns of Beacon Falls and Naugatuck, commonly called 
the "Strait.s,"* from which the road took its name. At that place a 
hamlet now sprung up which was called Straitsville. From the latter 
place the turnpike followed the old county road until near Xaugatuck 
village, when a more direct line was taken to Salem Bridge, where the 
river was crossed and the road passed upon the west side of the 
river, through Middlebury into Watertown and points beyond. A 
futile effort was made to have the road built upon the ea.st side of the 
river, from Salem Bridge to Waterbury, but the influence of Water- 
town was too strong to permit the change of route. Subsequently a 
turnpike was built from Waterbury to Naugatuck, where a junction 
was made with the "Straits" turnpike: and still later another turn- 
pike was built from the .Salem bridge to Humphreysville, also on the 
east side of the river, where connection was made with the Oxford and 
Rimmon Falls turnpikes. The " Straits " turnpike and its lateral 
branches were very much used until the completion of the Naugatuck 
Valley railway, in 1849. It was the first road of that nature built into 
the city of New Haven, and its course northwest continues one of the 
main public highways. 

The Derby Turnpike was another of these improved highways, 
from the northwest. The company was chartered in 1798, to build 
from Derby Landing to New Haven, a distance of eight miles, and 
there is a well accepted tradition that one of the hopes of the builders 
was that by this means traffic from the east might be diverted to 
Derby Landing, which at that time smartly rivaled New Haven as a 
shipping point. Instead, however, of this being the case its projectors 
had the mortification of seeing long lines of teams pa.ss by their ware- 
houses to New Haven, which under the stimulus of the turnpike 
system was now greatly prospering.^ The building of the Derby 
turnpike through the northern part of Milford mow Orange) was 
strongly opposed by the inhabitants of that town, who protested that 
it was not just to use their highways for that purpose. The main part 
of the road, however, has been maintained since 1802, when it was 
completed, and it now enjoys the distinction of being the only turn- 
pike in the state. Since the completion of the Derby railroad in 1871, 
its^ use has been greatly abridged. Although having only a small 
mileage, it still serves a useful purpose. 

In the same period the Milford turnpike was completed. It entered 

*Also spelled in some records Streights and Straights, but, no doubt, in- 
accurately. 

+ See History of Derby. 



48 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN" COUNTY. 

the city of New Haven b\' way of the West bridge and West lane, 
which course was confirmed to it by tlie general assembly in 1804. 
Forming as it did a part of the great post line to New York it was for 
many years a very important improvement. In this county it passed 
through the present towns of Orange and Milford, after leaving New 
Haven, and passed out of the county over Washington bridge, across 
the Housatonic. It declined soon after the completion of the New 
York & New Haven railway. 

The Cheshire Turnpike Company was also chartered in ]8(K), and 
liberty was granted to build from New Haven through the present 
towns of Hamden and Cheshire to Southington. At Whitney lake an 
intersection was made with the Hartford turnpike, the road to that 
place being kept up at the joint expense of the two companies. The 
Cheshire pike was much u.sed until 1848, forming a part of a main line 
of travel north and east, after passing into Hartford county, and now 
constitutes one of the best public highways in the central part of this 
county. 

But perhaps the most important turnpike was the one built by the 
Hartford Sc New Haven Turnpike Company, which received its 
charter in 1798. Among its projectors were men of wealth, influence 
and enterprise, James Hillhou.se becoming the president of the com- 
pany soon after its organization. The length of this road was nearly 
35 miles and originally it extended north through Mill lane (now 
Orange street) to the old grist mill, at \Vhitneyville. thence northeast 
toward the Ouinnipiac, passing up the west side of that .stream and 
leaving Wallingford well to the right, but passing through Yalesville 
and Meriden center, and thence into Hartford county. For a number 
of years it was a great stage route but rapidly lost its importance after 
the completion of the railroad, in 1889, whose course is almost 
parallel. 

The success of these turnpikes encouraged the formation of other 
companies to build to points on the east. In 1818 was chartered the 
2vIiddletown, Durham & New Haven Turnpike Company, and the 
following year the road was completed. It entered the city of New 
Haven by means of the long causeway across the Ouinnipiac meadows 
and the bridge there (called at this time Lewis') and was a very desir- 
able road to the localities named. At an intermediate point it was 
intersected by the (luilford & Durham turnpike, and travel from the 
Pettipaug turnpike was also poured into it. But it never attained the 
importance of some of the other roads. 

Several companies were chartered to build turnpikes east, near the 
shore, but they were never successfully organized. And, indeed, it 
was hardly necessary as the nature of the soil in that locality made 
the construction of good roads an easy matter. In later years a turn- 
pike was con.structed from Aliddletown to Watcrbury, by way of 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 49 

Meriden, but it failed to meet the expectations of those interested and 
was not maintained many years. 

The effect of these roads upon some parts of the county, however, 
was very marked and beneficial, and they may be credited with intro- 
ducing the era of increased travel and business activity in all of the 
principal towns to which they were built. By uniting with other 
systems comparatively easy communication was established with 
nearly all the chief points in the county. How extensive were these 
ramifications is shown from an extract from President Dwight's 
writings, in 1814, when the foregoing six turnpikes were in use ; 

"One through Berlin, and by a branch through Middletown, also 
to Hartford, and thence in four different ways to Boston, &c.; another 
to Farmington, and thence through Litchfield to Albany, and thence 
to Niagara, and by branch to Hudson and Catskill, and thence to the 
Susquehannah River, &c.; by another branch up Naugatuc River 
through Waterbury and Norfolk to Stockbridge and Albany; the 
fourth through Humphreysville to Southbury, and thence to Cornwall; 
the fifth through Derby to New Milford; the sixth to Stratford Ferry 
and thence to New York."* 

The introduction of the steamboat in 1815, and the establishment 
of many lines of stages in connection aided largely in the develop- 
ment of the county. New Haven and the coast towns especially were 
quickened by these influences, which attracted population and many 
industries. Meantime, the resources of the interior of the state and 
the hill towns of this county demanded other methods of transporta- 
tion than the limited capacity of the freight wagon; and as the 
canal was at that time in great favor elsewhere, it was strongly urged 
as an improvement which would prove equally useful in this county. 
The discussion of the matter, several years, led to the incorporation 
of the Farmington Canal Company, in 1822, which was authorized to 
build a water way for boats from the state line, through Farmington 
to New Haven. The sub.scription books were opened the following 
year and many of New Haven's business men were active in the sup- 
port of the measure; James Hillhouse, Henry Farnam and Joseph 
E. Sheffield, three of the leading men of New Haven, being especially 
active in its promotion and served as officers of the company. In 
1825 a final survey of the route to be taken was made by Judge 
Benjamin Wright, of New York, when it was determined to come 
down the valley of Mill river rather than along the Quinnipiac, where 
some had projected the line. On the 4th of July, 1825, the work of 
construction was commenced and was vigorously pushed forward 
under the superintendence of James Hillhouse. But progress was 
slow and the canal was not completed to Farmington until three years 
later. Two years earlier, in 1820, with a view of making the canal a 
more important thoroughfare the stocks of the Farmington Company 

* Dwight's Travels, Vol. I., p. 197. 
4 



50 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEX COUNTY. 

and those of the Hampshire & Hampden Company, in Massachusetts, 
had been blended, and Xorthampton on the Connecticut river was 
selected as the northern terminus. To that point the canal was com- 
pleted after mtich trouble and many vicissitudes of fortune in 1835, 
Henry F'arnam last serving as chief engineer, and James Goodrich 
being the president of the company. 

The canal fairly served the purposes of the buildei'S, but at be.st 
was never a paying enterprise, when extraordinary losses, caused by 
freshets, practically bankrupted the foregoing companies. With a 
depleted treasury and an impaired credit, nothing could save the 
property but the reorganization of the companies. This was done in 
1886, when the management passed to the New Haven & Nor- 
thampton Company, which liquidated the debts of the old companies 
and had left, on the basis of the new organization, about §120,000 as a 
working capital. But even this was soon e.xhausted in repairing 
other damages by freshets and the new company soon found itself in 
financial straits. In this emergency the credit of the company was 
sustained by the city of New Haven, which in 1840 relinquished its 
claims for loans made, and agreed to pay $8,000 per year for a term of 
years, for so much of the water as it would need for domestic use. 
With this assistance the cost of operation was met by the receipts 
until 1848, when another freshet inflicted damages to the extent of 
$20,000 and the company again found itself in a crippled condition, 
notwithstanding the increase of patronage consequent upon the 
establishment of business communication between New York city, 
Vermont and New Hampshire, by means of this canal, had greatly 
augmented its trafific. Another impetu.s to the use of the canal had 
been given in 1838, when a line of packet boats was placed on it by 
Nathaniel A. Bacon and others. They were gayly painted and com- 
fortable in their arrangements, which permitted the trip from New 
Haven to Northampton to be made with considerable ease and in 2G 
hours time. But the success of the railroad had doomed the future 
of the canal, and as early as 1845, the stockholders contemplated the 
abandonment of the water way and the change to a railway. At the 
instance of Superintendent Farnam, Alexander C. Twining made a 
survey along the route for a railway, which was found to be so feasible 
that in February, 1846, the directt)rs of the canal were instructed to 
petition for a charter. This was .secured and, in January, 1847, the 
work of building a railroad was commenced. The canal was soon 
after abandoned, e.xccpt a portion in the town of Hamden, which was 
kept up longer on account of its water supply. From first to la.st this 
enterprise caused a loss to those who had become interested of more 
than a million of dollars. Its princii^al compensating effects were the 
creation of several new water powers, in Hamden and in New Haven. 
In the latter place the channel of a sluggish little creek was improved 
for a canal bed and where is now the citv market house, a large brick 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 51 

grist mill was erected in 1836, which obtained its power from the 
canal. This spot was later selected for the depot of the railway com- 
panies and was used until the consolidation of interests and increased 
traffic demanded larger facilities in new buildings. In New Haven 
county the canal passed almost centrally, from .south to north, through 
New Haven, Hamden and Cheshire, and those towns most directly 
shared its benefits. 

After discussing the propriety of building a railway to connect 
Hartford and New Haven from 1830 for several years, in which a 
number of absurd propositions were considered, a practical result was 
obtained in May, 1833, when the general assembly chartered the 
Hartford & New Haven Railroad Company. James Brewster pre- 
sented the memorial and was named as one of the corporators. He 
was also one of the early mainstays of the company. The capital 
stock was fixed at but $.500,000, with privilege to increase to $1,000,000, 
and was to be exempt from taxation until the profits of the company 
should permit the payment of a dividend of five per cent, per annum. 
Several years were consumed in effecting an organization and in 
making surveys, under the direction of A. C. Twining; and it was 
not until April, 1836, that a section was located for construction — the 
block of eighteen miles from New Haven to Meriden. In locating 
its route the company had some difficulty in selecting what was 
deemed the proper course. Three main routes were' considered: the 
eastern, by way of Middletown; the western, through New Britain, 
and the middle, through Wallingford and Meriden Center. The 
latter was selected to the great di.sgust of the competing towns, but 
even then some obstacles were encountered. Some non-progressive 
citizens interposed such serious objections that the .survey was finally 
located through West Meriden.-" In a general way the course is along 
the old Colony road to the Hartford line. The Meriden section was 
completed in 1838, under the direction of engineer E. H. Brodhead, 
and for a year that village was the northern terminus. In this period 
the second section was built, the first train running into Hartford 
December 14th, 1839. 

By the terms of the charter the New Haven terminus was fixed at 
the west end of Tomlinson bridge, which property and franchises had 
been purchased by those interested in the railway company. A 
wharf was completed before 1839, for the landing of steamboats, by 
which means direct communication to New York was established. 
For a number of years that arrangement was maintained, the pas.sen- 
ger station being at that point; and to this day a con.siderable freight 
traffic is transacted at the warehouses of the company on Tomlinson's 
wharves and at other slips on New Haven harbor, in connection with 
vessels sailing to all parts of the Atlantic coast. A very large pro- 
portion of the coal and lumber trade is thus handled. 
*See sketch of Meriden. 



52 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

The Hartford & New Haven Company acquired a number of 
extensions and lateral lines, by purchase or by consolidation. In 
1847 it absorbed the Springfield & Hartford road and subsequently 
the Middletown, New Britain and Windsor Locks extensions, which 
much increased its usefulness and importance. Through its influence 
the northeastern part of the county was rapidly developed and much 
business created at Wallingford and at Meriden, where fine stations 
are maintained. 

We have stated that the success of the Hartford railway induced 
the proprietors of the canal to decide to convert their property into a 
railway, to be built on or near the tow path. Accordingly an amend- 
atory act was secured in 1840, to incorporate the Farmington Canal 
Railroad, under which the road was built by the old company. It was 
completed to Plainville in January, 1S48. A purpose to build an 
extension to Waterbury from some point in Cheshire was defeated, it 
was suppo.sed, in the interests of rival railway companies, projected 
about the same time. Soon after it was built it was leased for a term 
of years to the New York & New Haven Company, and under that 
management, it was forced into a subordinate position, in which there 
was no development and the property became much dilapitated. 
Through the sale of stock the company passed under the present con- 
trol in 1881, and as the Northampton division of the consolidated 
roads, the old Canal railway has been greatly improved and its useful- 
ness extended. Cheshire and Mt. Carmel are the principal stations 
in the county outside of New Haven city. 

The New York & New Haven Railroad Company was chartered by 
the general a.ssembly of Connecticut, in 1844, to build a railway be- 
tween the points named. The New York legislature failed to grant a 
sanctioning charter, but after some effort an agreement was reached 
with the Harlem railroad, which secured the right to enter into New 
York city by that line. In May, 1846, the New Haven company was 
authorized to form a connection with the Harlem road, in the locality 
of Williams Bridge. The whole of the capital stock was subscribed 
in 1840, and the location of the route was approved the following 
spring. The work of construction was now actively begun by Alfred 
Bishop and S. G. Miller, who had a number of sub-contractors working 
at different points simultaneously. A small army of Irishmen was 
employed as workmen, and a large proportion remained and became 
citizens of the county. On the -iSth of December, 1848, the road was 
so far completed that cars began running into New Haven and soon 
after a regular train service was established. Ground was leased of 
the canal company, below Chapel street, upon which (for those times) 
an elaborate depot was erected, in 1849. In May, the same year, the 
Hartford & New Haven railroad also began running its trains into 
' this depot and a through service was now established. This building 
was used until 1874, when the present commodious and well arranged 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 53 

Station, at the foot of Meadow street, was occupied. It stands on 
ground which has been reclaimed out of New Haven harbor, and the 
yards on one side extend to that body of water. Here more than 
seventy trains from all parts of the East, North and West, arrive and 
depart daily, and fourteen trains per day will quickly bear the pas- 
sengers to New York city, distant 73 miles. 

It is said that business increa.'ied so rapidly, on the completion of 
the New York road, that the managers found it difficult to supply 
cars fast enough and that there were soon four trains each way. A 
great impetus was also given to all kinds of business and many new 
enterprises were begun along the railroad. Soon after occurred two 
events in the history of the road which checked its prosperity and 
which brought sorrow and distress to many a home. The first was 
the " Norwalk Disaster," May 6th, 1853. An express train from New 
York heavily laden with passengers, many being distinguished ph3-si- 
cians returning from a medical convention held in New York, passed 
the station without stopping and plunged through an open draw into 
the Norwalk river. Car followed car, in the fearful leap, piling on or 
crashing into each other, killing 44 persons outright and injuring 
others so seriously that death soon ensued or left them crippled for 
life. It was a dreadful scene and produced great excitement, as many 
of the men killed were widely known and their less was greatly 
mourned. The company was put to great expense to settle the claims 
arising from this calamity, which involved in one form or another 
nearly half a million of dollars. Naturally a suspension of dividends 
followed which gave the opportunity for the second calamity — the 
perpetration of the great "Schuyler Fraud." From the time the 
company was organized Robert Schuyler was the trusted president 
and agent of the company and was ranked among the foremost of 
New York's capitalists. His great credit and honorable position gave 
him the opportunity to carry out his selfish scheme, which was the 
overissue of the stock of the company to the amount of §1,000,000 and 
selling the same, as a pledge of collateral security, through the bank- 
ing house of R. & G. L. Schuyler. Hundreds of persons bought these 
stocks in good faith and the settlement with those holding them in- 
volved long and tedious litigation. In most cases a satisfactory settle- 
ment was made by giving the holders one good for two spurious 
shares of .stock, thus making the holders and the company equal losers 
in this unfortunate affair. On the discovery of this swindle, Schuyler 
wrote a letter to the company, July 3d, 1854, exonerating his brother 
and then, it is supposed, fled from the country, and it is believed that 
he soon after died abroad. . 

Under these adverse circumstances the company labored many 
years, but under the presidency of William D. Bishop, which began in 
1867 and continued twelve years, the present consolidated system was 
begun and carried to completion by his successor, George H. Watrous, 



54 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

until this has become one of the greatest and most successful railway 
corporations in the Union. By the action of both companies the New 
York & New Haven and the Hartford & New Haven companies were, 
on the 6th of August, 1872, merged as a body corporate under the 
name of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad Company, 
by which title the consolidated roads have since been known. Since 
November 1st, 1870. the Shore Line railway has been a part of the 
system, by lease; the Canal road since 1881, by purchase: and the 
Boston & New York Air Line, by lea.se since 1879, and by purchase 
since 1882. A few years ago the Naugatuck railroad also passed 
under the management of this system, which thus includes all the rail- 
ways of the county except a few named in the following pages. In 
1890 the president of the corporation was Charles P. Clark, and the 
general offices were maintained at New Haven, which is the center of 
the system. 

The Naugatuck Railroad Company was chartered in 184."), to build 
a railroad in the Naugatuck valley " from some suitable point in the 
town of Plymouth, or in the town of Waterbury, to Derby and thence 
to the city of New Haven, or to the town of Milford,or to the town of 
Bridgeport." The road, as is elsewhere"'^ related, was completed to 
Waterbury, June 11th, 1849, and to Winsted September 24th, 1849. 
The southern terminus is practically at Bridgeport, but instead of 
building a line from Derby on the west side of the river, to that place, 
as was at one time contemplated, a junction was made with the New 
York & New Haven railroad on the east side of the Housatonic 
bridge, and its lines are used to Bridgeport. The Naugatuck road 
more than any other one agent has been the means of making the 
valley what it now is, a bustling, thriving hive of industry. In this 
county well patronized stations are maintained at Derby, Ansonia, 
Seymour, Beacon Falls, Naugatuck, Union City and Waterbury. The 
road has the distinction of passing through the most picturesque part 
of the county, and its High Rock Park, in the town of Beacon Falls, 
has become a popular resort. 

The Shore Line Divi-sion of the Consolidated Sj^stem is the out- 
growth of the New Haven & New London Railroad Company, char- 
tered in 1848, to construct a road between the points named, and by 
viniting with an eastern road to New London produce a shore line 
to Boston. After some delay in organizing the company proceeded 
to build and the road was opened to the Connecticut river July 22d, 
1852. In 1850 the above lines were consolidated under the name of 
the New Haven, New London & Stonington Railroad Company, under 
which title operations were carried on until June, 1804, when the com- 
pany was re-organized tinder the name of the Shore Line Railway. 
The road never had proper terminal facilities at New Haven and failed 
to meet the expectations of its builders. Hence it was leased, Novem- 

*See accounts of the Naugatuck \'alley towns. 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. fio 

ber 1st, 1870, to the Xe\v York, New Haven & Hartford Company, at 
an annual rental of $1 ()(),( K)0, and has since become a pleasant and 
important thoroughfare to Boston. This line has also aided in the 
development of the southeastern part of the county and stations are 
maintained in all the towns through which it passes: East Haven, 
Madison, Guilford and Branford. In Branford village one of the 
finest stations in all southern Connecticut has lately been erected to 
accommodate the heavy travel, consequent upon visits to the summer 
resorts along the coast. 

The other road of the Consolidated System is known as the Boston 
& NewYork Air Line. It is, in New Haven county, located through 
the towns of North Haven and Wallingford and has a direct north- 
easterly course to Middletown. It was partially completed in Augu.st, 
1870, but was not in thorough running order until 1873. Its construc- 
tion, owing to the opposition of rival roads, was attended with much 
difficulty, the project having been under way since 1846, when a com- 
panj- was chartered to build a road in that course. A charter to an- 
other company in 18o5 was also unproductive of the desired results, 
although considerable work was done. Under a third charter, granted 
in 1867, the road was completed by the New Haven, Middletown & 
Willimantic Railroad Company, whose franchises were sold under 
foreclosure in 187.i, when the Air Line company succeeded to the 
ownership. As has been stated it was leased in 1879, for 99 years, to 
the Consolidated road and as part of that great system has greatly in- 
creased in importance. The towns named have been provided with 
shipping facilities, two stations being maintained in North Haven and 
one in Wallingford. 

The railroads in the count}' not managed by the foregoing corpora- 
tion are the Meriden, Waterbury & Connecticut River, the New 
Haven & Derby, and the New England roads. The first is largely 
a Meriden enterprise and is fully noted in a sketch of that town in 
this book. It extends from Cromwell, on the Connecticut river, 
through Meriden to Waterbury. At the former place facilities are 
afforded for transporting freight by water. It has been but recently 
built but has already become a valuable link between two of the most 
thriving cities in the county, and will add to the prosperity ot the 
northern section of New Haven. Its route in New Haven is through 
Meriden, Cheshire, Prospect and Waterbury. In each town shipping 
facilities are provided. 

The New England railroad extends through the northwestern part 
of the county, after passing through the city of Waterbury, having a 
general southwesterly course. It thus passes through the towns of 
Naugatuck, Middlebury, Oxford and Southbury, affording railway 
communications to towns long deprived of them. The extension 
from Waterbury west to the Hudson river was completed in 1881. 

The New Haven & Derby railroad, as completed in July, 1871, 



56 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

seven years after the company was incorporated, was but thirteen 
miles in length. It extended from New Haven through the town of 
Orange, to Ansonia. In the past few years, however, this road has 
become a part of the Housatonic system and has been extended by 
that corporation to its main line at Botsford and forms part of their 
through line to the West. Its importance to the county has thus been 
greatly increased and New Haven, which liberally subsidized the 
company, has in a measure been compensated by an outlet independent 
of the associated roads in the other system. 

Of the 2G towns in the county all have railways within their bounds 
except Bethany, North Branford, Wolcott and Woodbridge. But the 
center of any of these towns is within six miles of a railway station 
and no section of the county is cut off from the rest of the world by 
lack of proper communication. 

Military training was one of the features of the social life of the 
colonists. From the beginning they were apprehensive of a possible 
Indian attack, which induced them to take all the precaution at their 
command. Every male citizen, between the ages of IG and 60, who 
was capable of bearing arms, except such as were excused, was 
required to train for military service. For many years soldiers were 
on duty every night and every Sunday one-fourth of those in the 
" train band " were paraded before the meeting house, thus passing 
each soldier in review once a month. Thrice in the spring and the 
same number of times in the fall every arms-bearing man was required 
to turn out at the general training. These were occasions of great 
interest and the training was witnessed b}- nearly the entire popula- 
tion of each plantation. In consequence of this general military ser- 
vice many of the early planters bore the titles of officers, which con- 
veyed the idea of honorable distinction and were almost invariably 
used in speaking of them, or in recording their names in public or 
church affairs. At New Haven, Nathaniel Turner was the first captain 
of the " trained band," and Robert Seeley was the lieutenant. There 
were usually four sergeants, each of whom commanded a squadron. 
The market place or green was generally the appointed place for the 
training. The arms at first were muskets, pistols and swords. The 
ammunition was carried in bandoleers — a sort of leather belt, with 
pockets, which was slung acro.ss the .shoulder. 

In 1644, liberty was granted to begin an artillery company, which 
was completely organized in March, 1645, when it was accepted into 
service. Richard Malbon was the first captain. Since that day these 
two arms of the .service have been maintained in the county. Guil- 
ford, also, very early, had a company toman " the great guns." About 
this time the available force of the towns in the county was less than 
200 men. In Ki.'i^, when there was prospect of war with the Dutch, 
two pieces of artillery were placed on the New Haven green and two 
more were mounted at the harbor so as to command the inlet. Later 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 57 

the former guns were placed on a frigate, which was to cruise along 
the coast from Stamford to the Connecticut river. This was the 
•county's first naval service. 

The first attempt at the organization of the cavalr}' service was 
made in 1653, when it was ordered by the jurisdiction that sixteen 
horses should be provided for the five towns in the colony. 

The first actual service of any troops from the county was in King 
Philip's war, commencing in the fall of 1675, and ending with the 
■defeat of that noted chieftain, August 12th, 1676. Major Robert Treat, 
■of Milford, was in command of the Connecticut forces, which rendez- 
voused at New London. In the movement against the Indians, Gov- 
ernor Winslow, of Plymouth colony, was at the head, with Treat 
second in command of t'ne limited forces. 

In the fight at Narragansett Fort, Connecticut had 300 men in the 
engagement, SO of whom were killed or wounded. The loss included 
four of the five captains, commanding the colony troops. The meri- 
torious conduct of Major Treat in this campaign no doubt secured for 
him his election as governor, some yeans later. 

In 1680 New Haven county reported 623 trained soldiers. Seven- 
teen years later a company was equipped and placed under command 
of Captain Ebenezer Johnson, of Derby, m response to a call of Gov- 
ernor Fletcher, of New York, where an attack by the French was 
feared. The organization of " train bands " was continued, with the 
increase of population, a troop of honses being authorized for New 
Haven in 1702. In 1781) the aggregate number of trained men in the 
county was 2,302, comprising several regiments. The county fur- 
nished men in the French and Indian wars — 17.")5 to 1760 — her quota 
always being promptly supplied. In 1774 the first company in the 
county, independent of the colonial militia, was formed. It was called 
the "Second Company. Governor's Guard," the first having been 
formed at Hartford some three years earlier. The New Haven com- 
pany soon became very efficient and was an important factor in the 
early history of the revolution. 

The action of the British parliament, in passing the stamp act in 
1765, greatly excited the people of the county. This feeling was 
aggravated, no doubt, by the action of one of her citizens, Jared Inger- 
soll, a worthy and honorable man, who accepted the office of " starnp 
distributor" for the colony. A meeting was held at New Haven, Sep- 
tember 17th, 1765, when Mr. IngensoU was requested to resign his 
office. But he declined to do so, until he had first learned what were 
the wishes of the general assembl}' on this matter. To properly ascer- 
tain them, he at once left for Hartford, on this mission, but in passing 
through Wethersfield he was subjected to so many indignities that he 
very prudently resigned, no doubt preventing personal violence 
which was threatened. From this time on sentiment against British 



58 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

oppression was steadily cultivated and at the outbreak of the war the 
preponderance of feeling was against the royalist cause. 

At this time there was living at New Haven an apothecary who 
became an important figure in the struggle for American independ- 
ence which followed, and had he been less avaricious and more honor- 
able he would to-day be revered as a distinguished patriot instead of 
being execrated as a base traitor. Benedict Arnold, this important 
personage in American history, was born at Norwich, January 3d, 
1740. Coming to New Haven soon after he had attained his age, he 
married Margaret Mansfield at her father's house, on Crown street. 
As early as 1765 he had a drug and general trader's store at New 
Haven, first on George street and later on Water street. The sign 
which indicated his place of business is .still preserved, and may be 
seen in the rooms of the New Haven Colony Historical vSociety. He 
was shrewd and energetic and reached out in trade in various lines, 
being part owner, also, of three small vessels — " The Fortune," " Three 
Brothers," and "Charming Sally," which were in the West Indies 
trade. The scope of his business may be seen from the following 
advertisement, which he inserted in the Connecticut Gazette: 

"Benedict Arnold wants to buy a number of large, genteel, fat 
horses, pork, oats and hay. And has to sell choice cotton and salt, by 
quantity or retail: and other goods as usual. 

New Haven, January 24, 1766." 

About this time Arnold got into trouble with one of the crew of 
the ves.sel in which he himself had sailed as a supercargo. He was 
accused by Peter Boole, the seaman, of bringing in contraband goods, 
whereupon he chastised the sailor and secured a retraction by force, 
with a promise that the seaman was at once to leave town. As he did 
not do this, Arnold made up a party and. in his own words: "Took 
him to the Whipping Post, where he received near forty lashes with a 
small cord and was conducted out of town: since which, on his return, 
the aiTair was submitted to Colonel David Wooster and Mr. Enos 
Allen (gentlemen of reputed good judgment and understanding) who 
were of opinion that the fellow was not whipped too much and gave 
him nos. damages only." 

This action on the part of Arnold way censured by many, so that 
he was impelled to write a letter to the public, January 29th, 1706, m 
which he endeavored to justify his conduct, and from which the above 
extract has been taken. It reveals the unscrupulous, bold and 
audacious nature of the man. However, by reason of his energy he 
was, in the course of the next ten years recognized as one of the lead- 
ing men of the town of New Haven, and was placed in command of 
the Governor's Guard. No doubt, he was, at the outbreak of the war 
an impulsive, enthusia.stic patriot, but would not brook any re.straint. 

The battle of Lexington was fought Wednesday, April 19th, 1775. 
The news of it reached New Haven Friday noon, April 21st, and ere- 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEX COUNTY. 59 

ated intense excitement. Captain Benedict Arnold immediately called 
out his company, the Governor's Guard, and proposed that they should 
at once start for Lexington to join the American forces as volunteers. 
About forty of the men consented to march with him. He requested 
the town authorities to furnish them the desired ammunition, but they 
refused to do so. The next morning he paraded his men before the 
council chamber and forming them in front of the building demanded 
the ammunition or the keys of the powder house, or he would order the 
company to break it open and help themselves. This threat was 
heeded and the required ammunition was supplied, after Colonel David 
Wooster, of the colony militia, had vainly endeavored to restrain the 
impetuosity of the young man, advising him to wait for orders from 
the proper authority before starting for the scene of conflict. Arnold 
answered the veteran of three score and four years: "None but 
Almighty God shall prevent my marching." * 

The company marched immediately and, stopping at Wethersfield 
the second night, received many attentions from the inhabitants of 
that place. The guards reached the headquarters of the Massachu- 
setts forces, at Cambridge, April 29th, and took up their quarters in the 
deserted mansion of Lieutenant Governor Oliver, who had been 
obliged to flee on account of his attachment to the cause of the British. 
The Guards were uniformed and equipped like the British Life Guard 
and the company had the most soldierly appearance of all the Amer- 
ican forces. On one occasion the men were complimented by a British 
officer, who said " thej- were not excelled by any of his Majesty's 
troops." After remaining at Cambridge about three weeks most of 
the Guards returned to New Haven, but Captain Arnold having been 
sent by General Washington with a force of 1,000 men to penetrate 
into Canada, about a dozen of the New Haven men accompanied 
him and shared with him the privations and perils of that hazardous 
and fruitless campaign. In the repulse at Quebec Arnold was with 
Montgomery and had his leg shattered. Two years later, in April, 
1777, he aided in driving the British from Panbury, so much harras- 
sing the retreating forces of Governor Tryon that the British lost 170 
men killed and wounded. The .same year Arnold was made a major 
general and, at the battle of Saratoga, performed splendid and succes.s- 
ful service. In the fall of 1780, Arnold turned traitor to his country, 
and the following year added to his baseness by leading a British 
expedition against New London, September 6th, which he captured 
and burned, at a loss of half a million dollars, and stormed Forts 
Trumbull and GrLswold. The Americans lost in all 85 men, killed in 
the assault. As all this was done in his native county, the memory of 
Arnold is very properly execrated by all loyal sons of Connecticut. 
When the people of New Haven heard of his treason they held a 
public demonstration, in October, 1780, in which they expressed their 

* History of City of New Haven, p. ii. 



■60 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

disapproval, by caricaturing Arnold in many base ways, hanging him 
in effigy and consigning him to the lowest depths of infamy.* 
Naturally, in view of these ceremonies. New Haven was very appre- 
hensive that his revenge would fall upon it and that his expedition 
would be directed against this county rather than against other points 
in the colony. He never returned to New Haven.t 

Another character of the county, in that revolutionary period, but 
who was the very opposite of Arnold, was the first major general of 
the Connectictit troops, David Wooster. He was born at Stratford, 
March 2d, 1710, soon after the removal of his parents to that town 
from the old town of Derby. In 1738 he graduated from Yale and the 
following year entered the provincial army. In 1745 he was a captain 
under Colonel Burr at the capture of Louisburg. Subsequently, in 
the French war, he was commissioned colonel and later brigadier of 
the colonial militia. After the war he located at New Haven, where 
he and one of his classmates, Aaron Day, engaged in merchandising, 
in which avocation he was when the revolution began. In the spring 
of 1775, he was commissioned major general and commander-in-chief 
of the six regiments of Connecticut, raised for the patriot cause. In 
June, 1775, Colonel Wooster marched with his New Haven regiment 
for New York, and afterward led it to Lake Champlain and Canada, 
where, after General Montgomery's death, he was chief in command. 
Returning to Connecticut in the summer of 1776, he was commissioned 
the first major general of the militia of the colony, and devoted him- 
self to the protection of the coast, which was threatened by the 
British in the winter of 1776-7. In the latter part of April, 1777, he 
received word that the British had landed in Fairfield, the object of 
the invasion being the destruction of the military stores at Danbury. 
In the engagements which followed, in that locality, he was wounded 
fatally at Ridgefield, April 27th, 1777, and died at Daribury May 2d. 
He was buried at the latter place and in 1854 his grave was marked 
by a fine monument, erected by the Masonic fraternity, of which he 
was an exemplary member. 

In these battles a number of New Haven troops were engaged and 
another merchant of that town, David Atwater, Jr., was killed when 
the British embarked at Conipo Hill, April 28th, 1777. 

While the county was active in furnishing men and means to carry 
on the war against the British foe, in other parts, the defenceless con- 
dition of its shores occasioned no little anxiety. In 1775 a number of 
cannons were loaned the town of New Haven by patriotic citizens of 
New "\'ork, a powder mill was built at Westville and other prepara- 

* See Conn. Jmnnal, Oct. 19, 17S(). 

t Major General Arnold visited his home at New Haven in May, 1778, when 
his bravery was properly recog-nized by a triumphal greeting. After his treachery 
his property here was disposed of by two commissioners appointed for that pur- 
pose by the Countj- Court. 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 61 

tions were made to meet the exigencies occasioned by a state of war. 
On the 14th of November, 177;"), a beacon was erected on Indian hill 
in East Haven and a system of alarms was established, whereby the 
news of an attack could be conveyed to the towns of the interior. 
Cannons were also placed in position along the Milford and Guilford 
coast and a watch was kept over all places where a landing might be 
effected. As long as the British were in possession of New York and 
Long Island, their predatory excursions were frequent and but little 
feeling of safety could be entertained. 

In the spring of 1777, the British collected a large quantity of stores 
at Sag Harbor, on Long Island, and May 21st, 1777, an expedition of 
200 men under Lieutenant Colonel Meigs, left Sachem's Head, 
in Guilford, to destroy them. This plan was well carried out. the 
expedition having accomplished its object within 24 hours without 
loss of life to the Americans but inflicting much damage to the enemy. 
Vast quantities of hay and a number of vessels were burned, five of 
the enemy were killed and 90 taken prisoners. It was doubtful, 
though, whether this was a wise movement, as the enemy soon 
retaliated. In less than a month the British landed at Leete's Island, 
in Guilford, where they burned some buildings and in the skirmish 
which followed two Americans were killed and three wounded. Later 
the British also invaded the east part of Guilford (now Madison i, but 
were repulsed after a brief skirmish. * 

All through 1777-8, it was feared that the British would land at 
New Haven and pillage or destroy the town. Great precautions were 
taken to prevent such an occurrence, and the town rested reasonably 
secure until the summer of 1779, when, unexpectedly, the British 
appeared, invaded the town and pillaged it, these acts forming the 
most stirring events, on the soil of the county, in the history of the 
revolution. A brief account of them only can here find place.f 

About one o'clock on the morning of July .')th,1779, a British fleet, 
consisting of the men of war " Camilla" and " Scorpion," with tenders, 
transports, etc., 48 vessels in all, commanded by Commodore Sir 
George Collier, appeared off New Haven harbor. On board were 
about 3,000 soldiers, under the command of Major General Tryon and 
Brigadier General Garth. The purpose of the expedition was soon 
apparent, as narrated by President Stiles : 

" Alarm guns were fired and Lieut. Col. Sabin ordered to beat to 
arms. With a telescope on the top of the tower of the college steeple, 
we plainly saw the boats putting off from the shipping for shore a 
little after sunrise. All then knew our fate. Perhaps one-third of the 
adult male inhabitants flew to arms and went out to meet them. A 
quarter moved out of town, doing nothing; the rest remained unmoved, 

*See History of Guilford. 

t Compiled from Cc>n?n'iticut Journal. President Stiles' Diary, Barber's Collec- 
tions, Howe's Narratives, At water's New Haven History, etc., etc. 



62 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

partly Tories, partly timid Whigs. Sundry of the Tories armed and 
went forth to fight the foe. About ninety or one hundred men finally 
stayed in town. 

" At five in the morning General Garth's division landed at West 
Haven and marched to the meeting-house, one mile, and formed upon 
the Green, where they halted two hours. About nine or ten, General 
Tryon landed his division at Five-Mile Point. Both divisions were 
engaged in their respective operations: Tryon approaching the town 
on the east side of the harbor and Garth on the west. Colonel Sabin 
with two pieces of artillery went to West Bridge. Captain James 
Hillhouse, with twenty or thirty brave young men, together with many 
others, crossed West Bridge, went over Milford Hill, and thence with- 
in a quarter of a mile of the Green where the enemy were paraded. 
Upon their beginning the march, Captain James Hillhouse fired upon 
the advance-guard so as to drive them in to the main body. But 
coming in force, the enemy perceived others besides Hillhouse's party 
had by this time passed the bridge and reached the hill, perhaps to 
the number of 150 men. These kept up a galling fire, especially on 
their outguards or skirmishers, extending perhaps to about forty rods 
each side of the column; and yet the column marched vigorously, but 
in a huddled confusion — about thirty comipanies, in three divisions. 

"On Milford Hill their Adjutant, Colonel Campbell, was slain. 
Sundry more were wounded. Rev. Dr. Napthali Daggett (ex-President 
of Yale College) was captured. Our artillery at the bridge (Ailing- 
town), was well .served by Captain Phineas Bradley, and prevented 
the enemy passing the causeway and so into town that way. vSo the}' 
turned off and continued their route round to Derby Bridge (now 
Westville Bridge). As they came along our people divided: some 
crossed the bridge; others kept to the enemy's left, and under com- 
mand of Col. Aaron Burr (afterwards Vice-President U. S.), harassed 
the enemy's march. When it was seen that they were aiming for 
the bridge (Westville), Captains Hillhouse and Bradley, with the 
artillery, crossed the fields to meet them. The main body crossed the 
bridge, the rest fording the river. Then, on the enemy rising the hill 
on this side and taking the road to town, we gave them a hearty fire 
and took a number of prisoners: also, on the other side we took a 
number. 

• " The northern militia and those from Derby by this time pressed 
in and passed on all sides, and .some behaved with amazing intrepidity. 
One captain drew up and threw his whole company ithe Derby com- 
pany, probably) directly before the enemy's column, and gave and 
received their fire. We fought upon a retreat into the town. Just at 
the northwest Ditch Corner entrance to town the battle became very 
.severe and bloody for a short time, when a number were killed on 
both sides. |This was just beyond Broadway, where the fire alarm 
tower now stands, on Goffe street.] The enemy, however, passed on 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 63 

in force and entered town a little past noon. From that time the 
town was given up to ravage and plunder, from which onlj^ a few 
houses were protected. 

" While these things were transacting on this side of the harbor 
General Tryon was pursuing his desolation on the East Haven side. 
Upon landing he set fire to Mr. Morris's elegant seat. He was 
molested by the fort on Black Rock, three miles from town, under the 
command of Lieut. Bishop, and by a field-piece under the command of 
the gallant Lieut. Pierpont. [This was where Fort Hale was later 
built.] The fort was at length evacuated and the enemy reached 
Beacon Hill in the afternoon. The militia collected from every part, 
and at Ditch Corner there was incessant firing all the afternoon." 

These were of the nature of skirmishes with the outposts. The 
last stand the patriots made was at the corner of Chapel and York 
streets, when, after the British had brought on a cannon and fired 
down the street, the small band of resisting patriots dispersed. 
General Garth now marched his men unmolested to the green where 
"he awaited the appearance of General Tryon. In the meantime the 
advance of the latter up the east side of the harbor had been several 
hours delayed by the small garrison at the earth work at Black Rock 
— where its force of 19 men and three pieces of artillery had success- 
fully held the enemy back "'as long as reason or valor dictated, and 
then the men made good their retreat." About the middle of the 
afternoon General Tryon crossed the river to counsel with General 
Garth in regard to future movements. The latter's men having now 
possession of the town had freely helped themselves to every species 
of property and finding large quantities of liquor in the cellars and 
stores of the traders were becoming very drunk and unmanageable. 
General Garth feared that it would be unsafe to remain, but General 
Tryon ordered that the troops should not embark until the next day. 
The stubborn resistance to the advance of General Garth had almost 
persuaded that general to burn the town, but from that purpose he 
was turned by several circumstances. The means of retreat were too 
uncertain, and the primary intent of the expedition was not rapine 
and pillage. The real purpose appears to have been to overawe the 
inhabitants by the exhibition of superior force and thus command 
allegiance to the King.* This object would have been entirely 
defeated by such extreme measures. There is also a tradition that 
soon after resting on the green General Garth ascended the belfry of 
the state house to take an observation of the place, which impressed 
him so favorably that he exclaimed: " It is too beautiful to burn." 
and that he then resolved to spare it, after having de.stroyed the public 
"Stores. This purpose was carried out in the main, although in the 

♦Address to the Inhabitants of Connecticut, by Commodore Collier and 
General William Tryon. on board of the '• Camilla." on Long Island sound, July 
4th, 1779. 



64 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

retreat some private dwellings were also burned. " In New Haven and 
East Haven together eight dwellings, six stores, five barns and eight 
vessels were burned." " The public buildings, as those of Yale College,, 
the State House, the places of public worship were injured little if at 
all."* 

But owing to the drunken condition of the British soldiery a num- 
ber of houses were plundered and many pathetic incidents of brutality 
are recorded, especially " towards feeble old men and helpless females,"^ 
which were not justifiable acts of war. The revelry of the British 
soldiers continued until next morning and probably hastened their 
departure. About sunrise the march to their vessels in the harbor 
began and some of the soldiers were still so druniien that they had 
to be pushed forward at the point of the bayonet, or be urged on by 
the oiBcer's swords. Not a shot was fired by the patriots to check 
their retreat out of the town, but in East Haven where most of the 
enemy embarked, having crossed on the ferry (at Tomlinson's bridge) 
the militia annoyed them until they had set sail on Tuesday evening, 
July 6th. On the morning of the Sth the fleet anchored off the village 
of Fairfield. 

" At the departure of the British, thousands of the country people 
flocked into New Haven. Some of them, in the confusion, were ba.se 
enough to add to the general loss by robbing the citizens of what was 
left. The soldiers already had taken, with a few exceptions, all the 
money, jewelry, clothing, and provisions which the}' could find, 
besides destroying a great amount of household furniture and other 
things. Many of the families lost everything their houses contained. 
Most of the tories, who were protected by the British, were obliged to 
leave New Haven with them, so even they lost much of their 
property. "f 

Among the Tory families which left with the British was that of 
Joshua Chandler, whose son, William, piloted General Garth's division 
from West Haven. Another son, Thomas, piloted General Tryon to- 
Beacon hill. In all, about fort}' inhabitants were carried away. 

The loss of the British in killed, wounded and missing was 74 
men. Among their killed was Adjutant Campbell, a young man of 
noble qualities, who was greatly beloved by his command. He was 
with General (iarth's division and had breakfasted at the village 
tavern, at West Haven, before beeinningthe advance on New Haven. 
At West JIaven lived, as the pastor of the Congregational church, the 
Reverend Mr. Williston, an outspoken patriot. When the I:!ritish 
appeared some Tory neighbors directed them to the house of the 
minister. While attempting to escape to the woods, near his place, 
be broke his leg jumping over the fence around the lot. Some urged 
that he b;j killed, but when the aft'air came to the ears of Campbell 
he ordered that Mr. Willi.ston be carried into the house and directed 

* Pros. Stiles. fBeckford. 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 65 

his own surgeon to set the fractured limb, and set a guard so that no 
one would molest the minister. Campbell was a true soldier, humane 
and just, even in the heat of a conflict. 

When the British began their march up Milford hill, north of 
West Haven village, a sharp skirmish took place, but Campbell, tall 
and erect of person, elegant and conspicuous in appearance, continued 
riding in the advance of the column. A young man named Johnson, 
who was among the .skirmishers, hidden behind a stone wall, singled 
him out for his aim, raised his musket and shot him through the 
breast. He was carried into a house by the roadside, where he soon 
after died, attended by his .servant, who afterward carried his effects 
into the town and sold them. It is said that when the people of the 
neighborhood returned, after the troops had pa.ssed, they found his 
body stripped of his clothing; but they gave him a decent burial near 
the house in which he lay. His grave was unmarked until October, 
1831, when J. W. Barber, with his own hands set up a stone at 
the spot, near the present village of Allington, marked Campbell, 
1779. 

The lapse of years has increased rather than diminished the 
estimate of the fine qualities of Adjutant Campbell, and on the oth of 
July, 1891, a new and more expressive monument was placed over the 
same spot by citizens of New Haven and other points in the Union. 
Although he fell as an enemy, his worth as a man merited this tender 
and grateful recognition, and henceforth we preserve his grave as 
friends. 

Near this same spot, the eccentric Professor Napthali Daggett was 
taken prisoner by the British, who carried him into New Haven, where 
he was released. The part he took in this engagement was thus 
related by Honorable Elizur Goodrich, who was at that time a college 
student and had accompanied Captain James Hillhouse to meet the 
advancing enemy. 

"I well remember the surprise we felt, as we were marching over 
West Bridge, towards the enemy, to see Dr. Daggett riding furiously 
by us on his old black mare, with his fowling piece in his hand ready 
for action. We knew the old gentleman had studied the matter thor- 
oughly, and had settled in his own mind as to the right and propriety 
of fighting it out, but we were not quite prepared to see him come 
forth in so gallant a style to carry his principles into practice. Giving 
him a hearty cheer as we passed, we turned at the foot of Milford Hill 
towards West Haven, while he ascended a little to the west, and took 
his station in a copse of wood, where he appeared to bereconnoitering 
the enemy like one who was determined to bide his time. As we 
passed on toward the south, we met an advance guard of the enemy, 
and from our stand at a line of fence, we fired on them several times, 
and then chased them the length of three or four fields as they 
retreated, until we found ourselves involved with the main body, and 
5 



66 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

in danger of being surrounded. It was now our turn to run, which 
we did for our lives. 

" Passing by Dr. Daggett, in his station on the hill, we retreated 
rapidly across West Bridge, which was instantly taken down by per- 
sons who stood ready for that purpose, to prevent the enemy from 
entering the town from that road. In the meantime, Dr. Daggett, as 
we heard afterwards, stood his ground manfully while the British 
column advanced to the foot of the hill, determined to have the battle 
to himself, as we had left him in the lurch, and using his fowling- 
piece now and then to excellent effect, as occasion offered, under cover 
of the bushes. But this could not last long. A detachment was sent 
up the .hillside to look into the matter, and then the commanding 
officer coming suddenly, to his great surprise, on a single individual 
in a black coat blazing away in this style, cried out : 

"'What are you doing there, you old fool, firing on his Majesty's 
troops 1' 

■' ' E.xercising the rights of war,' reioined the old gentleman. 
" The very audacity of this reply, and the mixture of drollery it 
contained, seemed to amuse the officer, and he said : 

" ' If I let you go this time, will yoti ever fire again on the troops 
of his Majesty?' 

•• 'Nothing more likel}-,' rejoined the old gentleman in his dry way. 
" This was too much for flesh and blood to bear, and it is a wonder 
they did not put a bullet through him on the spot." 

Dr. Daggett was thereupon taken into custody and subjected to 
many indignities by the brutal soldiers, who beat him over the head, 
kicked him in his bowels and insulted him in many ways. After 
stripping him of his shoes he was forcibly marched along and reached 
the green more dead than alive. On the 26th of July, 1779, he wro;e 
an account of his cruel treatment which has been preserved among 
the state papers, and is a very interesting document. He died in 
1780, his death being hastened b}- the injuries he received on this 
occasion. 

The Coiniccticut Journal oi July 7th, 1779, published the following 
as the loss of the Americans at the invasion of New Haven : 

" Killed — John Hotchkiss, Caleb Hotchkiss, Jun., lizekiel Holchkiss, 
Captain John Gilbert, Michael Gilbert, John Kennedy, Joseph Dorman, 
Asa Todd, vSamuel Wooden, Silas Wooden, Benjamin English. Isaac 
Pardis, Jcduthan Thompson, Aaron Russel (a lad), Jacob Thorp, and 
Pomp la negroi. all of New Haven ; Eldad Parker, Wallingford; 

Bradley, Derby: Timothy Ludlenton, Guilford: John Baldwin, 

Gideon Goodrich, Branford: and one person whose name is unknown. 
" ]Voniidcd — Rev. Dr. Daggett, Nathan Beers (since died of his 
wounds), David Austin, Jun., Elizur Goodrich, Jun., Joseph Bassett, 
Captain Caleb ^Nlix, Thomas Mix, and Israel Wooden. Taken — John 
Austin, Abraham Pinto, Jeremiah Austin, Nathan Drummer, Edmund 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 67 

Smith, and Elisha Tuttle (since dead of his wounds, whose tongue 

was cut out by the enemy), all of New Haven: Atwater and a 

negro, of Wallingford; and Benjamin Howd, of Branford. The total 
number of the 'martyrs' was twenty-four killed, fifteen wounded, 
and nine captured." 

Many of the above were in Captain John Gilbert's company and 
lost their lives at " Ditch Corner," as is related elsewhere.* The 
Hotchkisses were among the first killed. They lived at Westville 
(then called Hotchkisstownt, and early hastened to check the advance 
of the Briti.sh. Benjamin English, an aged and infirm man, was killed 
in his own house, in the town. Nathan Beers was also shot without 
provocation, in his own dwelling, and was too feeble to offer resist- 
ance. Elisha Tuttle was a "distracted" man and was probably mal- 
treated in so base a manner by the English when they were crazed 
with drink. 

Among those carried away as prisoners were John Whiting, judge 
of the probate court and county clerk. Captain John Mix, Captain 
Elijah Foster, Hezekiah Sabin, Sr., Thomas Barrett, Jerre Townsend 
and Adonijah Sherman. 

The British destroyed the defenses at Black Rock Fort, which 
Colonel Thompson had built in 1775-6, and carried with them as 
public propert}' six field pieces and an armed privateer. It was esti- 
mated that the total value of the property destroyed in the raid was 
^24,893, 7s., 6d. The largest individual loss was sustained by Amos 
Morris, of Morris Cove, whose farm buildings were destroyed. 

Early in September. 1781, three of the enemy's vessels again 
appeared off the coast at West Haven and landed loO men, who cap- 
tured the sentinels maintained at that point, and made a short raid in 
so quiet a manner that but a few people were aware of their presence. 
" They took off four of the inhabitants and about thirty head of cattle 
and horses." 

The remaining events of the war were so far removed that they 
but little affected the county. Some of her citizens, however, .served 
in the southern campaigns and Colonel David Humphreys, of Derby, 
had the honor of receiving the colors of the British, at the surrender 
at Yorktown. At this time he was an aid-de-camp, on the staff of 
General Washington. Other citizens of Derby, the Hulls, Thompsons, 
Tomlinsons, etc.. rendered fitting service in the revolution, as did also 
the citizens of other towns in the county. Besides at the points indi- 
cated in the foregoing pages, there were no maneuvers of the enemy 
on the soil of the county, but in the progress of the early campaigns, 
the troops of the continental army moved east or west through New 
Haven. La Fayette, while thus marching, encamped in Southbury and 
Middlebury, and it is claimed that General Washington also visited 
the former town during the war. 

* See History of Hamden. 



68 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

The declaration of peace, with the acknowledgment of the inde 
pendence of the colonies, was everywhere hailed with delight and 
appropriately celebrated. An account of the affair at New Haven has 
been taken from the Connecticut Journal of May 1st, 1783, as follows: 

" Thursday last was observed as a day of festivity and rejoicing in 
this town, on receipt of indubitable testimony of the most important, 
grand, .and ever memorable event — the total cessation of hostilities 
between Great Britain and these United States, and thp full acknowl- 
edginent of their sovereignty and independence. Accordingly, the 
day, with the rising sun, was ushered in by the discharge of thirteen 
cannon, paraded on the 'green' for that purpose, under elegant silk 
colors, with the Coat-of-Arms of the United States most ingeniously 
represented thereon, which was generously contributed upon the occa- 
sion by the ladies of the town. At nine o'clock in the forenoon, the 
inhabitants met in the brick Meeting-House for divine service, where 
was convened a very crowded assembly. The service was opened 
with an anthem; then a very pertinent prayer, together with thanks- 
giving, was made by the Rev. Dr. Stiles, President of Yale College; 
after was sung some lines, purposely composed for the occasion, by 
the singers of all the congregations in concert. Then followed a very 
ingenious oration, spoken by Mr. Elizur Goodrich, one of the Tutors 
of the College; after which a very liberal collection was made for the 
poor of the town, to elevate their hearts for rejoicing. The service 
was concluded with an anthem. 

" A number of respectable gentlemen of the town dmed together 
at the Coffee-Hou,se. After dinner several patriotic toasts were drank. 

" At three o'clock were discharged thirteen cannon — at four, 
twenty-one ditto — at five, seven ditto — at six, thirteen ditto — at seven 
were displayed the fire-works, with rockets, serpents, &c. — at nine 
o'clock, a bonfire on the Green concluded the diversions of the day. 
The whole affair was conducted with a decorum and decency uncom- 
mon for such occasions, without any unfortunate accident; a most 
pacific disposition and heartfelt joy was universally conspicuous, and 
most emphatically expressed by the features of every countenance." 

Soon after the war the city of New Haven became noted for her 
commercial enterprise and her trade at the beginning of the present 
century was very considerable. The embargo act, of December 22d, 
1807. greatly affected this commerce and the occupation of hundreds 
of men in all parts of the county, and especially along the coast, so 
that the measures wliich brought on the war of 181 2 were unpopular and 
poorly supported. Soon after the war was declared Colonel David 
Humphreys rai.sed a company of cavalry and offered its service to the 
governor. The company was accepted and Colonel Humphreys was 
not long after appointed major general of the state militia, which he 
commanded during the war. He took measures for the defense of 
the coast of the -State and various points were fortified. In 1814 the 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 69 

defenses at New Haven harbor were strengthened and in addition to 
Fort Hale" new earthworks were built on Beacon hill, which received 
the name of Fort Wooster. Concerning this fortification the Connec- 
ticut Journal oi October 4th, 1814, said : 

" This work has progressed with great rapidity and is now nearly- 
completed. The inhabitants of the neighboring towns deserve and 
receive the thanks of the public, for volunteering their aid in this 
patriotic labor. On Wednesday and Thursday last, one hundred men 
from Cheshire, under the direction of Andrew Hull, Esq., labored 
with great industry and effect at the fortifications for two days. On 
their return through the city, in wagons, with music playing, they 
were saluted with a discharge of artillery and cheered by the citizens, 
who had collected in great numbers on the public square. On Thurs- 
day one hundred men from the town of North Haven, under the 
direction of their reverend pastor, Dr. Trumbull, the venerable 
historian of Connecticut, eight)' j'ears of age, volunteered their ser- 
vices and spent the da}' in the same patriotic work. This aged minister 
addressed the throne of grace and implored the Divine blessing on 
their undertaking. On Friday the same number from Hamden, irnder 
the command of Captain Jacob Whiting, with great industry labored 
at the same work, and were saluted and cheered on their return. The 
inhabitants of the town of Meriden, with a patriotism not exceeded 
by their neighbors, have volunteered their aid for Wednesday next. 
It is confidently hoped that our fellow citizens of other towns in this 
vicinity will, in the course of the present week, complete the works 
which are now nearly finished. Parties who are willmg to give their 
assistance in this preparation for the common defense are desired to 
give notice to the committee of the time when it will be agreeable to 
them tagive their attendance. The enemy is hovering on the coast. 
Where the next blow will be attempted no one can tell. Preparation 
to repel invasion cannot too speedily be made." 

The second war with Great Britain, so far as it affected New Haven, 
was almost wholly maritime. The commerce of the city, already 
greatly impaired by the embargo act, was now almost wholly .sus- 
pended, leaving, as a natural result, many seamen unemployed. Some 
of thesfe were adventurous and freely engaged in privateering, little 

* After the revolution Black Rock Fort received this name in honor of Cap- 
tain Nathan Hale, the "Martyr Spy" of the revolution. He graduated from 
Yale in 1773. Joining the patriots early in the struggle, he commanded a com- 
pany in Colonel Knowlton's regiment, of Ashford. After the retreat of the 
Americans from Long Island, in August, 1776, he was sent by General Washing- 
ton to ascertain the enemy's future plans. Having obtained this information, 
and just as he was leaving the Island he was recognized by a Tory relative, and 
betrayed. He was taken before Sir William Howe, who, without a trial ordered 
him to be hanged the next morning, September 23d, 1776. He met his fate 
calmly, saying : " I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country." 
His statue has been placed on the capitol grounds at Hartford. 



70 HISTORY (IF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

reckoning about the perils of such an undertaking. Their adventures, 
in some instances, read like a romance. Air. T. R. Trowbridge, of 
New Haven, has given the following interesting account of one of 
them : 

" The ' Actress ' was a fine, fast-sailing sloop of sixty tons, and had 
for a crew forty-two young, able-bodied. New Haven county men, 
every one of whom was anxious to make his fortune by privateering. 
For an armament, the sloop carried eight small guns, with the usual 
assortment of small arms, cutlasses, boarding-pikes, etc. 

" The commander of the ' Actress ' was John Lumsden.an English- 
man by birth, but a naturalized American. He was an able seaman, 
and had commanded several of the best New Haven ships; his officers 
were experienced sailors. Thus appointed, she sailed from Long 
Wharf on the evening of the llth of July. 1812, 'on a cruise.' Reach- 
ing the open sea. early next morning, everything" on board the 
privateer was put in ship-shape order, and a six weeks' cruise agreed 
upon. Sharp and anxious eyes scanned the horizon ; for a reward of 
fifty dollars was promised to the man who should first descry a vessel 
that should prove to be a ' Britisher.' 

•■ Nothing, however, was seen for several days, and the ship's com- 
pany began to think privateering slow work, and to long for their 
farms; when, to the joy of all, at daybreak, July 19th, on the northern 
edge of the Gulf Stream, a man on the foretopmast rigging cried out, 
' Sail, ho?' with the singular prolongation of sound that no landsman 
can imitate. 

" • Where away ?' bawled the officer in charge of the deck. 

" ' A mile to the lu'ard,' was the reply, and then came the welcome 
words, 'and a Britisher, too.' 

" True it was. In a few moments the mist lifted, and less than a 
mile to the leeward of the privateer lay a huge British ship, to all 
appearances a merchantman. There she lay with all the three top- 
sails mast-headed, waiting for the morning breeze to spring up. 
From the fact that the topsails were ' mast-headed ' (hauled up to the 
head of the topmast), the privateersman accepted it as a sure sign that 
the stranger was a merchant-vessel, and her capture was certain. 
There was on board the sloop a great contrast to the dullness of the 
previous days. Muskets, cutlasses, and boarding-pikes were brought 
on deck, and put in order; the little eight pounders were swabbed 
out, loaded, and a .supply of powder and shot placed near them. 
Aboard the ' Actress,' excitement and bustle were everywhere from 
stem to stern. 

" I am told when the commander first saw the ship, he was m the 
ordinary costume of a New Haven privateersman, namely, a tarpaulin 
hat, red shirt, and a pair of blue trousers ' cat-harpinned at the knee.' 
When he was satisfied that a prize was soon to fall into his hands, he 
retired to the cabin to array himself in a becoming manner, and shortly 



HISTORY OF XEW HAVEN COUNTY. 71 

afterwards appeared on his quarter-deck, clad in a blue suit with red 
facings, and a cocked hat, all of which were loaned him bv a Foxon 
militia captain, Jeduthan Bradley by name. 

"Sword by his side and speaking trumpet under his arm, the 
doughty sailor trod his weather deck, and after feasting his ej-es for 
several minutes upon the Britisher, he gave his helmsman orders to 
put up the wheel. Forthwith the ' Actre.ss,' with her two .score 
valiant New Haveners, bore down upon the stranger; and so certain 
was commander Lum.sden and his crew of securing the prize, that a 
crew of eighteen men were immediately told off to carry the ship 
into New London, if possible, — but into Boston, at all hazards. 

" All hands judged the helpless Englishman to be a London tea- 
ship from Canton, bound for Boston, and, of course, ignorant that 
war had been declared. They considered, therefore, that their for- 
tirnes were made, and that lives of ease and luxury awaited them at 
home. 

"Just before the ' Actress' left Long Wharf, a friend of the com- 
mander, and a part owner of the vessel, had put on board a quarter 
cusk of Jamaica rum, requesting that it should be drunk when the first 
prize should be captured. The captain and crew reckoning to a cer- 
tainty that the Englishman was as good as captured, it was now pro- 
posed to drink the rum without further delay. The captain was at 
first opposed to it; but after the prize crew had explained to him, that 
if f/icf were sent aboard the ship //uy would lose t//ci>- share, he gave 
his consent. The cask was accordingly hoisted on deck and broached. 
The libations were heavy and frequent. 

" L: the meantime, the privateer had been gradually nearing the 
ship, apparently unnoticed by the leviathan; and when within speak- 
ing distance. Captain Lumsden, in a voice tremulous with patriotic 
pride, hailed the ship. 

" In a moment the answer came back: ' The Spartan, of London.' 

" At the mention of this name, a peculiar expression, we are told, 
was visible in the faces of many of the privateersmen; several pairs of 
jaws chattered, many knees knocked feelingly one again.st another, 
and cans half emptied were laid upon the deck (a rare proceeding in 
those days), because the ' Spartan ' was the well-known name of one 
of the fleet blockading New London. It was the name of one that 
had caused a wholesome dread to be entertained all along our shores, 
from the Vineyard to Sandy Hook. She had for .several months 
harried our coast, her vigilant commander boa.sting that nothing had 
escaped him. Only two weeks previous to Captain Lumsden's experi- 
ence with her, she had chased, captured, and sent in to Halifax, the 
splended American ship ' Melancthon,' bound from "Valparai.so to 
Boston, with a cargo of copper ore valued at $350,000. 

"Our privateersmen, however, soon recovered their courage and 
coolness, and reasoned:— The ' Spartan ' is a frigate; this is a helpless 



72 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

Indiaman hailing from London. Captain Lumsden now drew him- 
self to his full height, [n a manner as im;iosing as he could assume, 
he roared out; — 

" ' Consider your ship a prize to the United States privateer 
" Actress." Send your papers aboard.' 

" The commander of the ' Spartan,' who afterwards attained the 
highest jDost in the British navy, was in his way a wag, and he made 
answer: — 

" ' Really now, captain, would you ask that I, the commander of 
such a great ship as this, should strike my flag to such a little fellow 
as you ?' 

"The reply from the New Haven Nelson, liberally garnished with 
his country's oath, was: — 

" ' vStrike ! or I'll fire into you.' 

"A moment thereafter, the shrill .sound of the boatswain's whistle 
was heard, and suddenl}-, as if by magic, the ports on each side of the 
ship were triced up, exposing to view about sixt}^ heavy guns. At 
the same time, a cheery, wholesome "voice said: — 

" ' Come to our gangway, and we'll hoist you in.' 

" Never was an order obeyed with more alacrity; and amid the 
laughter of derision and scorn, the ' Actress ' was swept alongside. 
At eight, A. M., with a prize crew of ten men, she was on her course 
to Halifax. Her valiant crew were divided. Half were transferred 
to the frigate, and half left on board of the privateer. They all 
returned to New Haven some weeks afterward, but without their 
cruiser." 

Not long after this the packet "Susan," Captain John Miles, 
master, laden with a cargo valued at $1.'5,UOO, attempted to run the 
blockade from New York to New Haven. vShe had great hopes of 
succeeding, when, near Stratford point, she was pursued b}^ a British 
cruiser, captured and taken to New London. This news greatly 
excited some of the warlike citizens of New Haven and it was deter- 
mined to have revenge. A vessel was immediately manned by about 
fifty persons who hastily started in pursuit of the bold cruiser. After 
a short sail, they, too, ran into the " Lion's" mouth, being taken in 
by the vessel they sought to capture. Their release was secured by 
ransom and in the course of a few days they returned to their families 
with greatly enlarged ideas of naval warfare. 

In pleasing contrast with these reverses, is the .story of the bril- 
liant success of another New Haven county man. Commodore Isaac 
Hull, who by his heroic deeds on the frigate "Constitution," became 
the naval hero of the war. His celebrated sea fight took place 
Aug-ust I'Jih, 1812, when the "Constitution," carrying 44 guns, fell in 
with his majesty's ship, the " Gueniere," Captain J. R. Dacres, com- 
mander, and carrying OO gims. As the vessels ncared each other 
Dacres began to fire at long range. Hull calmly stood on the quarter 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEX COUNTY. 73 

deck determined that no shot should be fired until the enemy was 
close at hand. Every man on the " Constitution " stood at his post 
calmly waiting for the momentous word of command, or as Captain 
Hull himself reported: " From the smallest boy in the ship to the 
oldest seaman not a look of fear was .seen. They all went into action 
giving three cheers and requesting to be laid alongside of the enemy." 
At the auspicious moment when the " Constitution " was alongside 
and within pistol shot of the " Guerriere," Hull shouted the command, 
■"Fire !" and with guns double shotted soon silenced the foe. In the 
words of a song of that period: 

" Isaac did so maul and rake her 
That the decks of Captain Dacres 
Were in such a woeful pickle 
As if death with scythe and sickle 
With his shng and with his shaft 
Had cut his harvest fore and aft. 

" Thus in thirt)- minutes ended 
Mischief that could never be mended. 
Masts and \-ards and ship descended 
All to David Jones' locker, 
Such a ship in such a pucker." 

Although the British several times threatened to invade the county 
no serious attempt was made. A few soldiers were landed at Stony 
Creek in Branford, in September, 1814, but beyond carrying off some 
property, no damage was done. The shore towns, however, were 
thoroughly alarmed, and that event very materially hastened the 
building of Fort Woo.ster, on Beacon hill, which, fortunately was never 
called on to defend the harbor of New Haven against the entrance of 
an enemy. 

One of the incidents connected with the blockade of the sound 
ports by the British fleet was the following: During the war the three 
houses of worship on New Haven green were built. The lumber 
used was brought down the Connecticut river in boats, whose passage 
into New Haven harbor was obstructed until the British Commodore 
Hardy learned for what purpose the lumber was wanted, when he 
§aid that he was "not making war on religion," and authorized the 
vessels to be passed. After this vessels after vessels, laden with lumber 
were entered, as bringing material for the meeting houses, until 
the buildings were completed and the lumber yards stocked as they 
never were before. 

The news of peace was received about the middle of February, 
1S15, and caused much rejoicing in the county, especially in New 
Haven, where commerce had so long .suffered. One hundred vessels 
owned here, manned by more than six hundred American .seamen, 
and scores of vessels in Derby, Milford, Branford and Guilford were 
soon basking in tropical sunshine, and the unplea.sant feelings occa- 



74 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

sioned by the war were soon foro^otten in the enjoyment of the pros- 
perity now visible on every hand. 

When the war of the rebellion broke out in 1861, William A. Buck- 
ingham, of Norwich, was in the gubernatorial office. He was a zealous, 
energetic unionist, a man of large wealth and had extensive business 
relations. This well fitted him to direct affairs in such perilous times, 
and it was largely owing to his influence and action, that Connecticut 
gave the general government .such a strong and active support, so 
early in the struggle. The zeal manifested at the beginning was con- 
tinued unabated, during the war. and as a consequence the state had 
an excess of more than 7,(100 men over its quota. The entire number 
of men enlLsted in the .state (the terms being reduced to a basis of 
three years) was 48,181, of whom only 263 were drafted. It is said of 
Governor Buckingham that he stood in the same relation to the Union, 
in the rebellion, that Governor Trumbull (the famous Brother Jona- 
than) did toward the colonies in the revolution. The latter was the 
friend and adviser of General Washington; the former was one of 
President Lincoln's mo.st tried and trusted friends. 

" The Connecticut troops raised during the war of the rebellion 
consisted of twenty-eight regiments of infantry (two colored^), two of 
heavy artillery, a regiment and squadron of cavalry, and three light 
batteries. These were so distributed among the different Union 
armies, that there was hardly a battle of moment during the war in 
which Connecticut troops were not engaged, and some of the infantry 
regiments, notably the 7th, 8th, 10th, 11th, 14th, 16th and 21st, had a 
list of battles to show at its close rarely ever equaled in the same space 
of time. To enumerate these battles, or to specify instances where 
Connecticut men distinguished themselves therein, would be to write 
a history of the war. In the navy, too, which was presided over during 
the whole contest by a Connecticut man, Gideon Welles, who was 
throughout Mr. Lincoln's administration secretary of the navy. Con- 
necticut won new glory and renown." * 

One of the naval heroes of this war was, also, a New Haven county 
man. Rear Admiral Andrew Hull Foote was born in New Haven 
in 1806, and was a son of Hon. Samuel Foote. In 1822 he entered the 
navy and served under Commodore Hull, the hero of 1812. In the 
rebellion his achievements at Forts Henry and Donnelson, won for 
him grateful admiration ; and his brilliant movements at Island 
Number Ten opened the upper gateway of the Mississippi to the 
LTnion forces and .secured for him the honorable title he bore at the 
time of his death, at New York, June 26th, 1863. He had received a 
dangerous wound, while operating on the Missi.ssippi, to which he 
succumbed while yet near the prime of life. He was a man of many 
noble qualities, sincere and honorable at all times, his life being one 
of the best types of the Christian soldier and .sailor this country has 

* W. S. Webb. 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 75 

ever afforded. Hi.s mortal remains rest at Grove Street Cemetery, in 
New Haven city. 

New Haven county, also, was the means of giving to the govern- 
ment an instrument of naval warfare which entirely revolutionized 
the methods before employed. In the early part of 1862, Cornelius 
Scranton Bushnell, a native of Madison, but at that time living in 
New Haven city as an active business man and ship builder, entered 
into a contract with Captain John Ericsson for the construction of the 
famous " Monitor." 

" Owing to lack of funds, Ericsson had not and would not have 
been able to construct this wonderful craft. Mr. Bushnell told Erics- 
son that he was willing to risk his entire fortune in the undertaking, 
and proved it by making a contract with the inventor, by means of 
which the ' ^Monitor ' was constructed. The story of the amazement 
its appearance created, of the reluctance of the Naval Board to accept 
it — doubting if it would succeed, — of its grand victory over the 
' Merrimack,' and of the revolution in the mode of naval warfare it 
produced the world over, has become one of the great facts of history, 
too well known to be repeated. But the essential part taken by a 
citizen of New Haven in this event of world-wide importance, not 
only for the immediate time but for many future ages, is not so 
generally known or appreciated." * 

It is doubtful whether any other agency disheartened the con- 
federates to a greater extent than their inability to cope with the 
"Monitors," which practically destroyed their navy, and cut off the 
hope which had sustained the Confederacy at this period of the war. 

After two days bombardment Fort Sumter surrendered April 14th, 
1861. Five days later the First Connecticut regiment rendezvoused 
at New Haven. On the 6th of May, it was joined in camp by the 
Second regiment, a part of which was also made up of men from this 
county. It was commanded by Colonel Alfred Howe Terry, who later 
attained great eminence of position as a soldier. In many engage- 
ments he distinguished himself, but his bravery and skill were pre- 
eminent at the capture of Fort Fisher. In that terrible onslaught he 
was in the front of the advance, directing and leading his men, among 
which were the Sixth and Seventh Connecticut regiments, to a victory 
which resulted in the unconditional surrender of the fort, which had 
been declared impregnable by General Butler, after he and Admiral 
Porter had failed to capture it. For this service General Terry and 
his men received the thanks of congress, in a special resolution to 
that effect. At this time Terry was a major general of volunteers, 
but at tlje close of the war, in consideration of his skill and valuable- 
service, he was brevetted a major general in the regular army. This 
was an unprecedented honor and the only one .so bestowed upon a 
civilian officer in the war. In 1888 General Terry retired from the 

* '■ New Haven, Past and Present." 



76 HISTORY OF XEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

army and lived quietly at New Haven until his death, in that city, 
December 16th, 1890. 

On the 17th of :SIay, 1801, the First regiment. Colonel Chatfield 
commander, left New Haven for the war and was followed by the 
Second regiment on the IDth. It broke camp at Hamilton Fork, at 
6 p. M. and marched to the green, where it received the benediction of 
a large crowd of people. On the 20th of May, the Third regiment, 
Colonel Arnold commanding, left Hailford, and it is said that these 
three regiments were the first thoroughly equipped and disciplined 
volunteer troops to arrive at Washington. They were soon in active 
service and participated in all the early engagements of the war. At 
the end of their enlistment the First and Second regiments were 
mustered out at New Haven, in July and August, 1861. The three 
regiments had suffered a loss of 68 men. Most of the men in the dis- 
banded regiments reenlisted for three years, and it is said that so 
closely did they apply themselves to the duties of the soldier that, 
before " the end of the war, five hundred of their number were holding 
commissions in the army." 

The first martyr of New Haven in the war of the rebellion was 
Major Theodore Winthrop, the military secretary of General Butler, 
who fell in a charge on the enemy's line at Big Bethel, June 10th, 
1801. He had enlisted in New York as a member of the Seventh 
regiment, but was soon after assigned to the position he held at the 
time of his death. Major Theodore Winthrop " was the direct 
descendant of John Winthrop, the first governor of Connecticut, and 
was born at New Haven in 1828. Graduating from Yale at the age of 
twenty, he spent several years in visiting all parts of the world. He 
was admitted to the bar in 1855, but devoted most of his time during 
the next five years to Uterary pursuits. Many brilliant magazine 
articles, and several volumes, published posthumously, remain as the 
result of this period of work, to bear witness of his genius. He was 
one of the first to enlist, being very active and influential during the 
early days of the war. His funeral at New Haven, June 21st, 1861, 
was attended by many celebrated men from different sections of the 
country, .Sacrificing his life in a gallant attempt to redeem a reverse 
of the Union troops, and falling among the earliest mart3-rs to the 
cause, the name of Winthrop was .soon joined with that of Ellsworth, 
and cherished throughout the country as an emblem of heroism and 
patriotic devotion." •■ 

Later in the war. many noble sons of the county were called upon 
to offer up the sacrifice of their lives for the cause of the Union. 
Among the.se were Lieutenant Henry M. Dutton, Colonel .Arthur 
Dutton of the Twenty-first Conn. Vols.. iSIajor Edward F. Blake, Cap- 
tain Bernard E.,Schweizer, Captain Addison L. Taylor, Captain Julius 
Hassett, Chaplain Jacob Eaton and many others elsewhere named. 

* "New Haven, Past and Present," 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 77 

In the long-term service many of the First regiment enlisted under 
Colonel Chatfield as the Sixth regiment which was recruited at Oyster 
Point and left for service at Washington September 17th, 1861. The 
Seventh regiment of three years men, was organized at the same place^ 
under Colonel Terry. It broke camp September ISth, ISOl, and after 
being at Washington some time, was sent to South Carolina. About 
the same time the Ninth regiment was being formed at Camp English, 
at New Haven. It was composed almost wholly of men of Irish birth, 
most of them being from New Haven county. Its colonel was Thomas 
W. Cahill, of New Haven, and the organization achieved a fine reputa- 
tion. Later in the fall of 1861, the Thirteenth regiment redezvoused. 
at New Haven and prepared for active service under Colonel Birge, 
who was a very strict disciplinarian. When this organization left for 
the field, in March, 1862, its fine appearance, in every particular, won 
for it the appellation of the " Dandy regiment." Although so cleanly 
and orderly, it was very valiant in battle, rendering distinguished 
service. 

Under the call of President Lincoln for 300,000 men, July l.st, 1862, 
the Fifteenth regiment was organized at its camp, on Oyster Point. 
Dexter R. Wright was appointed colonel, and Samuel ToUes, lieuten- 
ant colonel. It mioved to the seat of war August 2Sth, 1862. In the 
meantime, Colonel Ro.ss' Twentieth regiment was forming in the same 
camp. William B.Wooster, of Derby, was appointed lieutenant colonel. 
The regiment moved to the front in the South, September 11th. 1862. 

In October, 1862, Colonel C. E. L. Holmes, of Waterbury, formed 
the Twenty-third regiment at Grape Vine Point, at New Haven, at 
which place were soon after organized the Twenty-seventh and the 
Twenty-eighth regiments. The first and the last named moved to the 
scenes of battle November 17th, 1862. The Twenty-seventh departed 
earlier, leaving October 22d, 1862. This body and the Twentieth suf- 
fered very much in the campaigns of the army of the Potomac. At 
Chancellorsville, May 2d and 3d, the latter regiment lost 27 officers and 
170 men, about one-third the number they had in service. All of the 
Twenty-seventh, except 160 men, were captured and sent to Libby 
Prison. The same bodies were at the terrible battles at Gettysburg, 
being engaged in the thickest of the fights. On the .second of July, 
Lieutenant Colonel Henry C. Merwin of the Twenty-.seventh was killed 
while his command was charging upon the enemy. The regiment 
went into the engagements with 74 men, of whom 39 were lo.st, among 
whom was, also. Captain Jedediah Chapman. 

In the latter part of the war the Fifteenth regiment, serving along 
the coast of North Carolina suffered from yellow fever. The Ninth 
and the Thirteenth were in the battles of Cedar Creek and Winchester, 
where Colonel Frank Peck lost his life. At Cedar Creek Captain John 
P. Lowell, of New Haven, was killed. The loss of officers, especially, 
was very heavy in the engagements of 1863-4, embracing besides the 



78 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 



foregoing, Captain George S. Benton, Isaac A. Bronson, E. vS. Hitch- 
cock, Charles Smith, Edward Lines, Major E. Walton Osborn and 
many other commissioned officers. Of the dead in the rank and file 
an approximately correct list has been given in the exhaustive 
volumes prepared under state direction, to which the reader is referred 
for many facts concerning all the wars and those who participated in 
them. It would be a rare pleasure to here record the names of all the 
patriotic citizens of the county who aided in saving the Union of 
states, or at least to give the roll of honor, of the brave, fallen and 
departed heroes, but the limits of .space will not permit. In most of 
the towns fine monuments have been erected to the memory of these 
brave men. 

Many of the officers of the regiments which went out from New 
Haven county were promoted to higher ranks. The county had as 
major generals, Alfred H. Terry and Henry W. Benham; as brigadier 
generals, Luther P. Bradley, Benjamin S. Roberts and A. Van Stein- 
wehr; as brevet brigadier generals, Henrv B. Carrington, E. D. S. 
Goodyear, Edwin S. Greeley, Brayton Ives, Edward M. Lee and Erastus 
Blakesley. 

The following statistical table shows the aggregate amounts of 
means raised by the several towns for the preservation of the L'nion. 
A comparison with the Grand List shows the proportion to the means 
of the town. Fractional parts of a dollar are omitted : •■ 



Name of Towns. 



New Haven - 
Bethany 
Bran ford 
Cheshire 
Derby - 
East Haven - 
Guilford 
Hamden 
Madison 
Meriden 
Middlebury - 
Milford 
Naugatuck 
North Branford 
North Haven 
Orange 
O.xford - 
Prospect 
Seymour 
South bury 
Wallingford - 
AVaterbury 
Woodliridge - 
Wolcott ' - 



Grand List of 1804. 



S2<J, 081,401) 

020,252 

1,075.441 

l,22.S,4:i9 

;i, 027. 055 

1,514,488 

1,511,199 

1,409,091 

880.496 

4,800,981 

305.128 

1,001.448 

1,180,904 

588,807 

095,477 

994,122 

(;20,ni7 

210,100 

.S20,74s 

.S00,709 

1,700,410 

0.257.000 

002.808 

290,091 

801,409,260 



Expended bv Towns 
for Premium's, Boun- 
ties snd Support of 
Families. 


Individual means 
raised in each town 
for the same objects 


$808,027 


820,000 


5,000 


1,800 


27,180 


14,300 


8,275 


5,000 


87,955 


27,310 


24,819 


4,500 


12,591 


8.250 


29,098 


9,543 


10,800 


11,200 


91,871 


10,715 


5.020 


1.975 


40,699 


5.028 


42,882 


1.100 


15,402 


4,800 


10,404 


3,956 


12,580 


15,003 


15,250 


2,975 


8,783 


1,450 


17,800 


8,150 


20,050 




40,752 


6,200 


183,525 


17,500 


8.700 


8.545 




2,175 


S982.919 


8181,475 



* From " Connecticut in the Present War," 1869. 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 79 

In addition to the foregoing about $3o.000 was paid for commuta- 
tions by individuals. It will be seen that about one-sixtieth part of the 
assessed value of the county was applied for the prosecution of the war. 

In the early part of the war some "Home Guards" were organized at 
New Haven, but local protection again.st the enemy was never needed. 

In June. 1802. the care of the sick and wounded Union soldiers was 
"begun at the Connecticut Hospital at New Haven, the first ministra- 
tions being by the general society. In April. 1863, the war depart- 
ment took charge of the work, naming the hospital the Knight 
Hospital (after the venerable Doctor Knight) and supplied 1.500 beds. 
The government treated 25,340 cases But 185 men died from the 
time of its occupancy in 1862 until the government vacated it in 
November. 1865. 

No reliable data has thus far been prepared to show the number of 
men furnished by the county, or the number which should properly 
be credited to it. In many cases enlistments were made to the credit 
of other towns or states, and some men from other states were also 
secured on account of towns of this county. 

The following lists of general state officers will be valuable for 
reference in connection with the events elsewhere noted. They have 
been taken from the vState Manual. 

Governors of Connecticut: John Haynes, 1639. 41, 43,45,47.49, 
51, 53: Edward Hopkins, 1640, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54; George Wyllys, 
1642-3; Thomas Welles, 1655, 58: John Webster, 1656-7; John Win- 
throp, 1657, 59-76; William Leete, 1676-83: Robert Treat, 1683-98; 
Fitz John Winthrop, 1698-1708; Gurdon Saltonstall, 1708-25; Joseph 
Talcott, 1725-42: Jonathan Law, 1742-51; Roger Wolcott, 1751-4; 
Thomas Fitch, 1754-66: William Pitkin, 1766-9; Jonathan Trumbull, 
1769-84; Matthew Griswold, 1784-6; Samuel Huntington, 1786-96; 
Oliver Wolcott, 1796-7; Jonathan Trumbull, 1797-18i)9; John Tread- 
well, 1809-11; Roger Griswold, 1811-12; John Cotton Smith, 1812-17; 
Oliver Wolcott, 1817-27; Gideon Tomlinson, 1827-31; John S. Peters, 
1831-3; Henry W. Edwards, 1833-4; Samuel A. Foot, 1834-5; Henry 
W. Edwards, 1835-8; William W, Ellsworth, 1838-42; Chauncey F. 
Cleveland, 1842-4: Roger S, Baldwin, 1844-6; Isaac Toucey, 1846-7; 
Clark Bissell, 1847-9; Joseph Trumbull, 1849-50; Thomas H. Seymour, 
1850-3; Charles H. Pond, 1853-4; Henry Button, 1854-5; William T. 
Minor, 1855-7; Alexander H. Holley, 1857-8; William A. Buckingham, 
1858-66; Joseph R. Hawley, 1866-7; James E. English, 1867-9, 1870-1; 
Mar.-,hall Jewell, 1869-70, 1871-3: Charles R. Ingersoll, 1873-7; Richard 
D. Hubbard, 1877-9; Charles B. Andrews, 1879-81; Hobart B, Bigelow, 
1881-3; Thom.as M. Waller, 1883-5; Henry B. Harrison, 1885-7; 
Phineas C. Lounsbury, 1887-9; .Morgan G. Bulkeley, 1889.* 

* The election of November 4th, 1890, for governor, lieutenant governor and 
secretary of state being in dispute, those officers, elected in 1889. hold over. The 
contestants are the following: For Governor: Samuel E. Mervvin, Repttblican, 



80 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

Deputy, or lieutenant governors: Roger Ludlow, 1QH9, 42, 48; John 
Haynes, 1640, 44, 46, 50, 52; George Wyllys, 1641-2; Edward Hopkins, 
164:-3, 45, 47, 49, 51, 53; Thomas Welles, 1654, 56-8, 59; John Webster, 
1655-6; John Winthrop, 1658-9; John Mason, 1660-9; William Leete, 
1669-76; Robert Treat, 1676-83; James Bishop, 1683-92; William Jones, 
1692-8; Robert Treat. 1698-1708; Nathan Gold, 1708-24; Jo.seph 
Talcott, 1724-5; Jonathan Law, 1725-42; Roger Wolcott, 1742-51; 
Thomas Fitch, 1751-4; M^lliam Pitkin, 1754-66; Jonathan Trumbull, 
1766-9; Matthew Griswold, 1769-84; Samuel Huntington, 1784-6;. 
Oliver Wolcott. 1786-96; Jonathan Trumbull, 1796-8; John Treadwell, 
1798-1809; Roger Griswold, 1809-11; John Cotton Smith, 1811-13; 
Chauncey Goodrich, 1813-15; Jonathan Tngersoll, 1816-23; David Plant, 
1823-7; John S. Peters, 1827-31; no election, 1831-2; Thaddeus Betts, 
1832-3! Ebenezer Stoddard, 1833-4; Thaddeus Betts, 1834-5; Ebenezer 
Stoddard, 1835-8; Charles Hawley, 1838-42; William S. Holabird, 
1842-4; .Reuben Booth, 1844-6; Noyes Billings, 1846-7; Charles J. 
]McCurdy, 1847-9; Thomas Backus, 1849-50; Charles H. Pond, 1850-1 
Green Kendrick, 1851-2; Charles H. Pond, 1852-4; Alexander H 
Holley, 1854-5; William Field, 1855-6; Albert Day, 1856-7; Alfred A 
Burnham, 1857-8; Julius Catlin. 1858-61; Benjamin Douglas, 1861-2 
Roger Averill, 1862-6; Oliver F. Winchester, 1866-7; Ephraim H 
Hyde, 1867-9; Francis Wayland, 1869-70; Julius Hotchkiss, 1870-1 
Morris Tyler, 1871-3; George G. Sill, 1873-7; Francis B. Loomis, 1877- 
9; David Gallup, 1879-81; William H. Bulkeley, 1881-3; George G. 
Sumner, 1883-5; Lorrin A. Cooke, 1885-7; James L. Howard, 1887-9; 
Samuel E. Merwin, 1889. 

Secretaries: Edward Hopkins, 1639-41; Thomas Welles, 1641-S; 
John Cullick. 1648-58; Daniel Clark, 1658-64, 65-7; John Allyn, 1664-5, 
67-96; Eleazer Kimberly, 1696-1709; William Whiting, 1709; Caleb 
Stanly, 1709-12; Richard Lord, 1712; Hezekiah Wyllys, 1712-35; 
George Wyllys, 1735-96; Samuel Wyllys, 1796-1810; Thomas Day, 
1810-35; Royal R. Hinman, 1835-42; Noah A. Phelps, 1842-4; Daniel 
P. Tyler, 1844-6; Charles W. Bradley, 1846-7; John B. Robertson, 
1847-9; Roger H. Mills, 1849-50; Hiram Weed, 1850; John P. C. 
Mather, 1850-4; Oliver H. Perry, 1854-5; N. D. Sperry, 1855-7; OrviUe 
H. Piatt, 1857-8; John Boyd, 1858-61; J. Hammond Trumbull, 1861-6; 
Leverett E. Pease, 1866-9; Hiram Appleman, 1869-70; Thomas M. 
Waller, 1870-1; Hiram Appleman, 1871-3; D. Web.ster Edgecomb, 1873; 
Marvin H. Sanger, 1873-7; Dwight Morris, 1877-9; David Torrance, 
1879-81; Charles E. Searls, 1881-3; D.Ward Northrop, 1883-5; Charles 
A. Russell, 1885-7; Leverett M. Hubbard, 1887-9; R. Jay Walsh, 1689. 

had 63,975 votes : Luzon B. Morris, Democrat, G7,658 votes. For Lieut. Governor: 
Bowen, Republican, 6:3,577 votes ; Alsop, Democrat, 67,881 votes. For Secretary: 
McLean, Republican, 63,r>'M) votes; Phelan, Democrat, 67,734 votes. For Comp- 
troller: Staub, Democrat, received 68,271 votes, being a clear majority of the 1:33,- 
502 votes cast at that election. 



HISTORY i)F NEW HAVEN COUxNTV. 81 

Comptrollers: James Wadsworth, 1786-8; Oliver Wolcott, 1788- 
90; Ralph Pomeroy, 1790-1; Andrew Kingsbury, 1791-3; John Porter, 
1793-1806: Elisha Colt, 1806-19; James Thomas, 1819^30; Elisha 
Phelps. 1830-4; Roger Huntington, 1834-."); Gideon Welles, 183i")-6; 
William Field, 1836-8; Henry Kilbourn, 1838-42; Gideon Welles, 
1842-4; Abijah Carrington, 1844-6; Mason Cleveland, 1846-7; Abijah 
Catlin, 1847-50; Rufus G. Pinney, 1850-4; John Dunham, 1854-5: 
Alexander Merrell, 1855-6; Edward Prentis, 1856-7; Joseph G. Lamb, 
1857-8; William H. Buell, 1858-61; Leman W. Cutler, 1861-6; Robbins 
Battell. 1866-7; Jesse Olney, 1867-9; James W. Manning, 1869-70; 
Seth S. Logan, 1870-1; James W. Manning, 1871-3; Alfred R. Good- 
rich, 1873-7: Charles C. Hubbard, 1877-9; Chauncey Howard, 1879-81; 
Wheelock T. Batcheller, 1881-3; Frank D. Sloat, 1883-5; Luzerne I. 
Munson, 1885-7; Thomas Clark, 1887-9; John B. Wright, 1889-91; 
Nicholas Staub, 1891. 

The following United States Senators from the state of Connecticut 
were from New Haven county, the years of service being given ; 
Roger Sherman, 1791-3; James Hillhouse, 1796-1810; David Daggett, 
1813-19; Henry W. Edwards, 1823-7; vSamuel A. Foot, 1827-33; Nathan 
Smith, 1833-5; Roger S. Baldwin. 1847-51; James E. English, 1875-6; 
Orville H. Piatt, 1879 to the present time. 

Prior to 1837 the representatives of the state in the United States 
congress were elected at large. From 1837 to 1843 there were six dis- 
tricts -and each one elected a congressman. vSince 1843 there have 
been but four districts, the counties of Middlesex and New Haven 
constituting District No. 2. The following congressmen were from 
New Haven connty: Roger Sherman, 1789-91; James Hillhouse, 
1791-6; Elizur Goodrich, 1799-1801; Simeon Baldwin, 1803-1805; 
Samuel A. Foot, 1819-21; Henry W. Edwards, 1819-23; vSamuel A. 
Foot, 1823-5; Ralph L Ingersoll, 1825-33; Samuel A. Foot, 1833-5; 
William W. Eoardman, 1841-3; Walter Booth, 1849-51; Colin M. 
Ingersoll, 1851-5: John Woodruff, 1855-7; John W^oodruff, 1859-61; 
James E. English, 1861-5; Stephen W. Kellogg, 1869-75; Charles I. 
Mitchell, 1883-7; Carlos French, 1887-9. The present member of the 
Second district is Washington F. Willcox, of Deep River, in Middle- 
sex county, who has served since 1889. 

The following have been the State Senators of the county the past 
sixty years : 

1830, 4th District, William W. Boardman; 5th, Noyes Darling; 6th, 
John D. Reynolds. 

1831, 4th District, William W. Boardman; 5th, Noyes Darling; 6th, 
Reuben Elliott. 

1832, 4th District, William W. Boardman; 5th, John Pierce; 6th, 
Charles Shelton. 

1833, 4th District, Jared Bassett; 5th, John Pierce; 6th, A.shbel 
Griswold. 



82 HISTUKV OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

1835. 4th District, Henry C. Flagg; 5th, Joel Hinman; Gth, Friend 
Cook. 

1830, 4th i:)i,strict, Abijah Carrington; 5th, Joel Hinman; Gth, 
Anson Foote. 

1837, 4th District, Roger S. Baldwin; 5th, James D. Wooster; Gth, 
Noah Pomeroy. 

1838, 4th District, Roger S. Baldwin; 5th, William C. De Forest; 
Gth, Edward A. Cornwall. 

]83!;), 4th District, Abijah Carrington; 5th, Orrin Plumb; Gth, Joel 
Tuttle. 

1840, 4th District, Eleazer Warner; 5th. Orrin Plumb; Gth, Edgar 
Atwater. 

1841, 4th District, Aaron X. Skinner; 5th, David W. Plumb; Gth. 
James Blackstone. 

1842, 4th Di-strict, Aaron N. Skinner; 5th, Alfred Blackman; Gth. 
Benajah Ives. 

1843,4th District, Griswold I.Gilbert; 5th. Edward Hinman; Gth. 
Levi S. Parsons. 

1844, 4th District, Nelson Newton; 5th, Norton I. Buel; Gth, 
Samuel Spencer. 

1845, 4th District, Aaron N. Skinner; 5th, Selah Strong; Gth, John 
R. Wilcox. 

184G, 4th District, Marcus Merriman, Jr.; 5th, Green Kendrick; 
Gth, Ezra Stiles. 

1847, 4th District, Marcus Merriman, Jr.; 5th, Jason W. Bradley; 
Gth, Rufus Rogers. 

1848, 4th District, Philip S. Galpin; Gth, Leonard Bronson; Gth, 
Fenner Bush. 

1849, 4th District, Henry Dutton; 5th, Thomas Burlock; Gth, 
Dexter R. Wright. 

185(1, 4th District, John S. Rice; oth, George P. Shelton; Gth, 
George Landon. 

1851, 4th District, Joel White; 5th, Ira Tuttle; Gth, Nathan G. Fish. 

1852, 4th District, (iriswold I. Gilbert; 5th, A.sa M. Train; Gth, 
David S. Fowler. 

1853, 4th Di.strict, Hawley Olmstead; 5th, Stephen W. Kellogg; Gth, 
vStephen H. Payne. 

1854, 4th District, Henry B. Harri.scm; 5th, George W. Carter; Gth, 
Julius Pratt. 

1855, 4th District, James F. Babcock; 5th, P. P.. Buckingham; (Uh, 
William M. Hall. 

185G, 4th District, James E. English; 5th, Henry Aiwater; Gth, 
Edward R. Landon. 

1857, 4th District, James K. English; 5th, Willard Spencer; Gth, 
William T. Peters. 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 83 

1858, 4th District, James E. English; 5th, Aaron Benedict; 6th, 
George Rose. 

1859, 4th District, Wilson H. Clark; 5th, William B. Wooster; 6th, 
Abel Scranton. 

1860, 4th District, Wilson H. Clark; 5th, Nathan A. Baldwin; 6th, 
Erastus C. Scranton. 

1861, 4th District, Joel Ives; 5th, James Brown; 6th, Orville H. 
Piatt. 

1862, 4th District, Chas. Atwater, Jr.; 5th, Lvman W. Coe; 6th. 
Orville H. Piatt. 

1863, 4th District, James J. Webb; 5th, Elisha Wheeler; 6th, 
Franklin C. Phelps. 

1864, 4th District, Edward I. Sanford; 5th, Green Kendrick; 6th, 
James M. Townsend. 

1865, 4th District, Edward I. Sanford; 5th, Sylve.ster vSmith; 6th, 
H. Lynde Harrison. 

1866, 4th District, Thomas H. Bond; 5th, Isaac T. Rogers; 6th, H. 
Lynde Harrison. 

1867, 4th District, James Gallagher; 5th, Isaac T. Rogers; 6th, 
Whitney Elliott. 

1868, 4th District, James Gallagher; 5th, Isaac T. Rogers; 6th, 
Garry I. Alix. 

1869, 4th District, Lucien W. Sperry; 5th, Edward N. Shelton; 6th, 
Samuel W. Dudley. 

1870, 4th District, Lucien W. .Sperry; 5th, William Brown; 6th, 
S. H. vScranton. 

1871, 4th District, Henry Tuttle; 5th, Thomas Elmes; 6th, George 
A. Fay. 

1872, 4th District, Henry Stoddard; 5th, Thomas Elmes; 6th, 
Howard C. Ives. 

1873, 4th District, Henry Stoddard; 5th, Hial S. Stevens; 6th, 
Augustus C. Wilcox. 

1874, 4th District, Luzon B. Morris; 5th, Hial S. Stevens; 6th, H. 
C. Wilcox. 

1875, 4th District, Caleb B. Bowers; 5th, Benjamin Nichols; 6th, 
Charles D. Yale. 

1876, 4th District, Samuel E. Merwin, Jr.; 5th, Benjamin Nichols; 
6th, Joel H. Guy. 

1877, 4th District, Caleb B. Bowers; 5th, Royal M. Bas.sett; 6th, 
Charles A. Bray. 

1878, 4th District, Caleb B. Bowers; 5th, Samuel W. Post; 6th, 
Charles A. Bray. 

1879, 4th District, Carlos Smith; 5th, Samuel W. Po.st; 6th, H. 
Wales Lines. 

1880, 4th District, Carlos Smith; 5th, William Brown; 6th, H.Wales 
Lines. 



84 HISTORV OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

1881, 4th District, William J. Mills; nth, William Brown; Cth, 
Edward F. Jones. 

1882, 5t"h District, James .S. Elton; 6th, Edward F. Jones; 7th, 
George M. Gunn; 8th, William J. Mills. 

1883, m-i District, James vS. Elton; Gth, Charles D.Yale; 7th, George 
M. (nmn; 8th, Joseph D. Plunkett. 

1884, .'ith District, Edward T. Turner; Hth, Charles D. Yale; 7th, 
Edmund Day; 8th, Joseph D. Plunkett. 

1885, 5th District, Edward T. Turner; Gth, William H. Golden; 7th. 
Edmund Day; 8th, A. Heaton Robertson. 

188fi, 5th District, B. B. Tuttle; (ith, William H. Golden; 7th, 
Edward A. Bradley; 8th, A. Heaton Robert.son. 

1887,5th District, H. A. Matthews; Gth, Edgar J. Doolittle; 7th, 
James Graham; 8th, James Gallagher. 

1888-9, 5th District, Homer A. Twitched; Gth, George \. Morse: 
7th, James Graham; 8th, James N. States. 

189tH, 5th Di-strict, Homer A. Twitchell; (;th, Seth J. Hall; 7th, 
Frederick W. Holden; 8th, Timothy J. Fox. 

The Representatives in the state legislature, of the different towns 
for the same period have been as follows : 

New Haven.— 1830, Henry W. Edwards, Joseph N. Clark; 1831, 
William Mix, ,Samuel Wadsworth; 1832, Dennis Kimberly, Silas Mix; 
1833, Joseph N. Clark, Silas Mix; 1834, Isaac H. Town.send, Philip S. 
Galpin; 1835, Dennis Kimberly, Philip S. Galpin; 183G, William W. 
Boardman, Levi Gilbert. 2d; 1837-8, William W. Boardman, James 
Donaghe; 1839, William W. Boardman, Leverett Candee; 1840, Roger 
vS. Baldwin, John B. Robertson; 1841, Roger S. Baldwin, James F. 
Babcock; 1842, Thomas G. Woodward, Henry Peck; 1843, Philip S. 
Galpin, Eleazer K. Foster; 1844, Eleazer K. Foster. Marcus Merriman, 
Jr.; 1845, William W. Boardman. Levi Gilbert, 2d; 184G, William W. 
Boardman, William H, Russell: 1847, William H. Ru.ssell, Henry E. 
Peck; 1848, Henry E. Peck, Philos Blake; 1849, William W. Boardman. 
Aaron N. Skinner: 1850, Henry E. Peck. Henry Dutton; 1851, William 
W. Boardman, Chauncey Jerome, Jr.; 1852, Stephen D. l^ardee, 
Timothy Lester; 1853, Charles B. Lines, Charles Ives; 1854, Henry E. 
Peck, John Woodruff, 2d; 1855, Alfred Blackman, James E. English; 
185G, Charles R. Ingcr.soll, Charles L. English; 1857, Charles R. Inger- 
soll, Ira Merwin; 18.58, Charles R. IngersoU. llinim C;uii]): 1859-60, 
Harmanus M. Welch, [ohn W. Mansfield; 18(il, James Gallagher, 
Charles Atwatcr, Jr.; 1862, Cornelius S. Bu.shnell, David J. Peck; 1863, 
James Gallagher, Thomas H. Bond; 18G4, John S. Farren, George H. 
Watrous; 1865, Eleazer K. Foster. Henry B. Harrison; 186(>, Charles 
R. Ingcr.soll, Tilton E. Doolittle; 1867, Tilton Iv Doolittle. Alfred W. 
Phelps: 1868, Henry G. Lewis, Alfred W. Phelps; 18()9, Samuel L. 
Bronson, Michael Williams; 1870, Tilton K. Doolittle, Luzon B. Morris; 
1871, Charles R. IngersoU, Henry Stoddard; 1872, James E. English, 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 85 

James F. Babcock; 1873, James F. Babcock, Henry B. Harrison; 1874, 
Tilton E. Doolittle, William C. Robinson; 1875, Hobart B. Bigelow, 
Thomas D. Kennedy; 1876, Samuel L. Bronson, Luzon B. Morris; 1877, 
Samuel L. Bronson, Thomas F. McGrail; 1878, James Gallagher, Wil- 
liam J. Mills; 1879, Dexter R. Wright, John H. Leeds; 1880, Luzon B. 
Morris, A. Heaton Robertson; 1881, Luzon B. Morris, Cornelius T. 
Driscoll; 1882, A. Heaton Robertson, Timothy J. Fox; 1883, Alexander 
Troup, William H. Law; 1884, Henry B. Harrison, William. H. Law; 
188.5, Alexander Troup, James P. Pigott; J 886, James P. Pigott, Ezekiel 
G. Stoddard; 1887, Adolphus F. Hunie, James E. Connor; 1888-9, 
Isaac Wolfe, A. Frederick Hume; 1890-1, David Callahan, Hobart E. 
Hotchkiss. 

Waterbury.— 1830, Elias Clark. Joel Hinman; 1831, Joel Hinman, 
Francis Spencer; 1832, Elias Cook, Edmund Austin; 1833, Obadiah 
Warner, Elisha S. Abernathy; 1834, Willard Spencer, William H. 
Hine; 1835-6, Timothy Ball, Marshall Hoadley; 1837, Joel Hinman, 
Ransom Culver; 1838, William H. Hine, Samuel J. Holmes; 1839, 
Richard Hine, Samuel J. Holmes; 1840, John P. Elton. Francis 
Spencer; 1841, Aaron Benedict, Richard Hine; 1842, Joel Hinman, 
John Peck; 1843, George L. Smith, (no choice); 1844, Scoville M. Buck- 
ingham; 1845, Green Kendrick, David W. Austin; 1846, James M. L. 
Scoville, Norton L Buell; 1847, Greene Kendrick, George W. Benedict; 
1848, Greene Kendrick, John P. Elton; 1849, Larmon W\ Abbott, James 
M. L. Scoville; 1850, John P. Elton, Frederick j'. Kingsbury; 1851, 
Edward S. Clarke, Julius Hotchkiss; 1852, Edward S. Clarke, Hobart 
V. Welton; 1853, Joseph Smith, Hobart V. Welton; 1854, Greene 
Kendrick, Edward L. Frisbie; 1855, Edward S. Clarke, Leonard 
Pritchard; 1856, Greene Kendrick, Stephen W. Kellogg; 1857, John 
Buckingham, William Lamb; 1858, L. W. Coe, Frederick J. Kingsbury; 
1859, John Buckingham, James Brown; 1S60, James Brown, Russell 

A. Coe; 1861, Greene Kendrick, Nelson J. Welton; 1862. John P. Elton, 

B. P. Chatfield; 1863-4, E. Leavenworth, Henry A. Matthews; 1865, 
Frederick J. Kingsbury, A. S. Cha.se; 1866. Greene Kendrick, Isaac E. 
Newton; 1867-8, John Kendrick, E. Leavenworth; 1869, Amos S. 
Blake, Israel Holmes; 1870-1, George W. Beach, George Pritchard; 
1872, Greene Kendrick, William Brown; 1873, Isaac E. Newton, 
Edward L. Frisbie; 1874-5, William Brown, Amos S. Blake; 1876, 
Greene Kendrick, Charles B. Merrill; 1877, Greene Kendrick, David 
S. Plume; 1878, Greene Kendrick, Henry I. Boughton; 1879, David S. 
Plume, Israel Holmes; 1880-1, Chauncey B. Webster, Henry A. Mat- 
thews; 1882, Charles W. Gillette, Henry C. Griggs; 1883, Calvin H. 
Carter, Frederick J. Brown; 1884, Edward C. Lewis, J. Richard Smith; 
1885. Calvin H. Carter, Frederick J. Brown; 1886, Henry C. Griggs, 
Henry H. Peck; 1887, Edward T. Root, Cornelius Maloney; 1888-9, 
Henry L. Welch, John O'Neill, Jr.; 1890-1, Charles G. Root, John L. 
Saxe. 



86 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

Ansonia.— 189l)-l, George O. vSchneller, Hobart Sperry. 

Beacon Falls.— 1872, John Wolfe; 1873, Patrick Eagan; 1874-5, 
John A. Coe: 1876, Herbert C. Baldwin: 1877, Julius C. Coe; 1878, 
Charles H. Lounsbury; 1879, John A. Coe: 1880, Herbert C. Baldwin; 
1881, David T. Sanford; 1882," A. W. Culver; 1883-4. H. C. Baldwin; 
1885, Homer D. Bronson; 1886-7, Cornelius W. Munson: 1888-9, Emer- 
.son J. Terrell: 1890-1, Herbert C. Baldwin. 

Bethany.— 1838-4, David Beecher; 1835, Andrew Beecher; 1836-7, 
Harry French; 1838, Leverett Thomas; 1839, John Russell; 1840, 
Anthony F. Stoddard: 1841, Job Andrew; 1842, Abel Prince; 1843, 
Burton Sperry; 1844, Guy Perkins; 1845, Joseph N. Stoddard: 1846, 
Miles Hitchcock; 1847-8, Miles French; 1849-50, Charles French; 
1851-2, Edwin Pardee: 1853, Miles Hitchcock; 1854-5, Robert Clark; 
1856, Wales F. Perkins; 1857, Ezra S. Sperry; 1858, Adna Hotchkiss; 
1859-60, Dwight N. Clark: 1861, George Hotchkiss: 1862. Ezra S. 
Sperry; 1863-4, Andrew Beecher; 1865, W. B. Dickerman; 1866, W. 
Dickerman; 1867-8, Andrew T. Hotchkiss; 1869-70, Asa C. Woodward; 
1871, Buel Buckingham: 1872, IMiles Hitchcock; 1873-4, Garry B. 
John.son; 1875, Allen Lounsbury: 1876, S. G. Davidson; 1877, George 
W. Woodward: 1878, Henry E. Loun.sbury; 1879, Edward Beecher; 
1880, Street B. Todd; 1881, Denzel B. Hoadley; 1882, Samuel R. Wood- 
ward; 1883, Charles C. Perkins; 1884, E. O. Pardee; 1885, Dwight L. 
L. Johnson; 1886, David F. Smith: 1887, Theron E. Allen: 1888-9, 
Andrew J. Doolittle; 1890-1, Ransom Chatfield. 

Branford. — 1830, James Blackstone. Samuel Maltby; 1831, William 
Rogers, William A. Reynolds; 1832, James Blackstone: 1833-4, Levi 
Bradley: 1835, Malachi Lmsley; 1836, Levi Bradley; 1837, Samuel 
Gould; 1838, Levi S. Parsons; 1839, William Tyler; 1840, Orrin 
Hoadley: 1841, Levi S. Par.sons: 1842, Levi Bradley: 1843, Calvin 
Frisbie: 1844, William Rogers: 1845-6. Levi Bradley; 1847-8, Orrin D. 
Squire: 1849, Wyllis Beach; 1850, James Barker: 1851-2, William 
Blackstone: 1853, Henry Grant: 1854, Samuel E. Linsley: 1855-6, 
William Blackstone; 18.57, F. A. Holcomb; 1858-9, Charles J. Harrison; 
1860, H. V. C. Holcomb; 1861, Richard Dibble: 18(*)2-3, Bradley 
Chidsey; 18(i4, J. J. Bartholomew; 1865, William Rus.sell; 1866, Wil- 
liam Russell; 1867, John H. Robin.son; 1868-9. W. D. Hendrick; 1870, 
Eli F. Rogers; 1871, Charles L Harrison; 1872-3. John Spencer; 1874-5, 
Henry B. Fowler; 1876, Michael Harding: 1877, Henry Rogers; 1878, 
Edward F. Jones; 1879, Henry B. Fowler; 1880, Charles B. Hill; 1881, 
William Reagan; 1882-3. William A. Wright; 1884, James E. Mat- 
thews: 1885, Henry D. Linsley; 188(5, Willis T. Robmson; 1887, Emer- 
son E. Barker; 1888-9, Alfred E. Hammer; 1890-1, Henry D. Linsley. 

Cheshire. — 1830, Charles Shelton, Benajah Ives; 1831, Benajah 
Ives, Edward A. Cornwall; 1832, Edward A. Cornwall, Titus L. Gay- 
lord; 1833, Edward A. Cornwall, John A. Foote; 1834-5. Titus L. Gay- 
lord, Chauncey Peck; 1836. Benajah Ives. Alfred Doolittle: 1837, 



HISTORY OK NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 87 

Benajah Ives, John ^Jiles•, 1838, John Potter, Ambrose E. Doolittle;^ 
1839, Benajah Ives, William L. Foote; 1840-1, Daniel Humiston, 
Alfred Doolittle; 1842-3, Julius Brooks, Thomas H. Brooks; 1844, 
Edward A. Cornwall, Ambrose E. Doolirtle; 1845, Ransom Johnson, 
Benjamin A. Jarvis; 1840, Ambrose R. Barnes, Charles Hurd; 1847, 
Julius Brooks, William Mix; 1848, Alfred Doolittle, Warren Doolittle; 
1849, Charles Hurd, Arad A. Welton; 1850, Ransom Johnson, Ethel- 
bert Cooke; 1851, Benjamin A. Jarvis, Calvin Doolittle; 1852, John 
Barnes, Norman Beach; 1853, James B. Fields, Bradley Miles; 1854,. 
Charles Hurd, George Bristol; 1855, A. E. Doolittle, Norman Beach;, 
1856, Loyal Smith, Elam Cook; 1857, Albert Sperry, Levi Doolittle; 
1858, James B. Field, Isaac Mix; 1859, Warner Doolittle, William S. 
Bailey: 1860, Charles Hurd, William L. Hinman; 1861, William T. 
Peters, John E. Law; 1862, John E. Law, William Spencer; 1863, 
Benjamin A. Jarvis, Charles Ives; 1864. Heman A. Thomas, Albert 
vSperry; 1865-6, Benjamin A. Jarvis, Burritt Bradley; 1867, Loyal 
Smith, Granville T. Pierce; 1868, Benjamin A. Jarvis, Bradley Miles; 
1869, Burritt Bradley, Mark Bishop; 1870, Warren Doolittle, Titus B. 
Ives; 1871, P. S. Beers, Levi Doolittle; 1872, John Mix, Alonzo E. 
Smith; 1873, William T. Peters, Ed. A. Cornwall; 1874, Nathan 
Booth, Augustus C. Peck; 1875, James Lanyon, Ed. A. Cornwall; 
1876, Titus B. Ives, Henry T. Holcomb; 1877, Benjamin A. Jarvis, 
Daniel Judd; 1878, Horatio D. Smith, Titus B. Ives; 1879, Isaac Mix, 
George R. Ives; 1880, Alfred S. Baldwin, Elizur P. Atwater; 1881, 
John E. Law, George C. F. Williams; 1882, Benjamin A. Jarvis, 
Charles B. Terrell; 1883, Truman Bristol, John W. Mix; 1884, Henry 
Beadle, Fred. A. Granniss; 1885, Henry E. Howe, Ed. T. Cornwall; 
1886, George L. Hotchkiss, George F. Pardee; 1887, Jesse H. Rice, 
Edward R. Brown; 1888-9, George VV. Baker. Porter E. Andrews; 
1890-1, Julius Mo.ss, Milton C. Doolittle. 

Derby.— 1830, Ezekiel Gilbert; 1831, William Lum; 1832, Robert 
Gates; 1833, Josiah Nettleton; 1834, William Humphreys; 1835, John 
B. Davis; 1836, Daniel S. Holbrook; 1837, Nehemiah C. Sanford; 1838, 
David W. Plumb; 1839, Sheldon Smith; 1840, William Humphreys; 
1841, Leman Chatfield; 1842, Luther Fowler; 1843, Samuel French; 
1844, David Bassett; 1845, Albert I. Steele; 1846, George Blackman; 
1847-8, Thomas Burlock; 1849, Joshua Kendall; 1850, Sylvester Smith; 
1851, Sidney A. Downes; 1852, David W. Plumb; 1853, Thomas Wal- 
lace; 1854, Edwin Eells; 1855, William E. Downes; 1850, Lucas H. 
Carter; 1857, Henry Hubbard; 1858, William B. Wooster; 1859, Josiah 
Clark; 1860, David W. Plumb; 1861, William B. Wooster; 1862, David 
W. Plumb; 1863, Robert N. Bassett; 1864, David W Plumb; 1865, Amos 
H. Ailing; 1866, Egbert Bartlett; 1867, Joseph Moore; 1868, Egbert 
Bartlett; 1869, J. H. Bartholomew; 1870, Jo.siah H. Whiting; 1871-2, 
David Torrance; 1873, George H. Peck; 1874, Charles FXirand; 1875, 
Charles Durand, Thomas Elmes; 1876, Thomas Elmes, Chester A. 



88 HISTORY OK NEW IIAVKN (.'OUNTV. 

Hawley; 1877, Henry Atwater, Thomas Wallace: 1878-9. Thomas 
Wallace, Samuel M. Crardner; ISSO, Samuel M. Gardner, Dana 
Bartholomew; 1881, X. C. Treat, John Cowell; 1882-3, William E. 
Downes, Charles H. Pine; 1884-5, Franklin D. Jackson, Jonah C. Piatt; 
1886, A. H. Bartholomew, Charles vS. Chaffee; 18S7,Sanford E.Chaffee, 
A. H. Bartholomew; 1888-9, Charles S. Chaffee, Frederick W. Holden; 
1890-1, George H. Peck, Patrick Gorman. 

East Haven.— 1830, Eleazer Hemingway; 1831-2, Philemon Holt: 
1833, De Grosse Maltby; 1834-5-6, James Thompson; 1837-8, William K. 
Townsend; 1839 40, Hoadley Bray; 1841-2, William K. Townsend; 1843, 
Harvey Rowe, 2d; 1844, Daniel Smith; 1845, Wyllys Hemingway; 
1846-7, James Thompson; 1848, Harvey Rowe, 2d; 1849, Stephen 
Dodd; 1850, J. B. Davidson; 1851, Wyllys Hemingway: 1852, James P. 
Smith; 1853, Willis Mallory; 1854, Stephen Smith. 2d: 18.-)5. Samuel 
T. x\ndrews: 1856, William H. Hunt; 1857, James Thompson; 1858, 
Charles H. P'owler; 1859, James Thompson; 18r)(), Charles A. Bray: 
1861, Nathan Andrews: 1862, William Farren; 1863. Alex. W. Forbes; 
1864. Charles Ives; 1865. S-.Chid.sey; 1806. William E. Goodyear; 1867-8,' 
Charles Ives; 1869, Joseph I. Hotchki.ss: 1870, J. R. Bradley: 1871. 
Lyman A. Granniss; 1872. D. William Havens; 1873, Leonard R. 
Andrews; 1874. H. Jacobs; 1875, J. Woodward Thompson; 1876. Asa L. 
Fabrique; 1877, Horace H. Strong; 1878, Charles L. Mitchell; 1879, 
Grove J. Tuttle; 1880, Le.ster P. Mallory; 1881,Dwight W. Tuttle;1882, 
Orlando B. Thompson; 1883-4. Alexander W. Forbes: 1885. Justin 
Bradley; 1886. Grove J. Tuttle; 1887. James S. Thompson; 1888-9, 
Dwight W. Tuttle: 1890-1, Dwight W. Tuttle. 

Guilford. — 1830, Nathaniel (^riffing, George Landon; 1831, Nath- 
aniel Griffing, Abel Rossiter; 1832, Nathaniel Grifting, Joel Tuttle; 
1833, Nathaniel Griffing, Abel Rossiter; 1834, Joel Tuttle, Abraham S. 
Fowler; 1835, Nathaniel Griffing, Abel Rossiter; 1836. Nathaniel 
Griffing. George Landon; 1837; Henry Elliott, George Landon: 1838, 
Joel Tuttle, John H. Bartlett; 1839. (George A. Foote. Marcus B. Bart- 
lett; 1840. (yeorge A. Foote, Samuel C. John.son; 1841. George A. 
Foote, Samuel W. Dudley; 1842-5, no representatives chosen; 1846-7, 
Reuben .Stone, William Hale; 1848, Reuben Stone, Jasper Monroe; 
1849, Reuben vStone, Franklin C. Phelps; 1850, Julius A. Dowd, Lewis 
Griswold; 1851, Russell Benton, James A.Norton; 1852, Henry Fowler, 
2d, Lewis Griswold; 1853, vSamuel W. Dudley, Henry Fowler; 1854, 
Edward L. Leete, Leverett Ciriswold; 1855, George A. Foote, Amos 
Fowler; 1856, John Hale, Calvin M. Leete: 1857. George A. Foote, 
Samuel W. Dudley; 1858. Albert B. Wildman, Benjamin Corbin; 1859, 
Ralph 1). Smith, T. Rcssiter; 1860, Sherman Graves, John Hall; 1861, 
Richard Bartlett, Stephen R. Bartlett; 1802, Calvin M. Leete, John 
Griswold; 1863, John II. Bartlett, Henry E. Norton; 1865. Samuel W. 
Dudley, lulward L. Leete; 1866, Henry l'\)wler. (yen. Edward M. 
Lee; 1807, David B. Rossiter, Gen. ICdward M. Lee; 1868. Rev. E. 



llISrORV OK XEW HAVEN COUNTY. 89 

Edwin Hall, Eli Parmalee: 1869, Julius A. Dowd, .Stephen R. Bartlett; 
1870, Edward R. Landon, Hethcote G. Landon; 1871, Henry Benton, 
2d, John R. Rossiter; 1872, Albert B. Wildman, Charles F. Leete; 1873, 
Henry Fowler, John R. Rossiter; 1874, H. Lynde Harrison, George B. 
vSpencer; 187.1, H. Lynde Harrison, John R. Rossiter; 1876, H. Lynde 
Harrison, John W. Norton; 1877, H. Lynde Harrison, '■•• David Bartlett; 
187S. Calvin M. Leete, Andrew W. Foote; 1879, John Graves, David 
Bartlett; 188(1. Wallace G. Fowler, James A. Dudley; 1881, H. Lynde 
Harrison, John R. Rossiter; 1882, Elisha C. Bishop, Edward Griswold; 
18S3, Edward Griswold, Henry M. Rossiter; 1884, Otis J. Range, John 
W. Norton; 188."), Wallace G. Fowler, Edgar P. Rossiter; 1886, Harris 
Pendleton, Jr., William H. Lee; 1887, Charles Griswold, Henry M. 
Rossiter; 1888-9, George S. Davis, Henry E. Parmalee; 1890-1, George 
S. Davis, Benjamin Rossiter. 

Hamden.— 1830, Alfred Bassett; 1881-2, Jared Bas.sett; 1833-4, 
Elam Warner; 1835, Alfred Bassett; 1836, Jared Bassett; 1837-8, 
James M. Ford; 1839, Leverett Hitchcock; 1840, Leverett Tuttle; 1841, 
Horace Potter; 1842, Allen Dickerman; 1843, Loyal F. Todd; 1844, 
Abial Leonard; 1845, Ezra Ailing-, 2d; 1846, Horace Potter; 1847, 
Henry Mun.son; 1848, Leverett Tuttle; 1849, Lewis Warner; 1850. 
Abial Leonard; 18.51, Horace Potter; 18.V2, Eli B. .Smith; ISrVS, Russell 
H. Cooper; 1854, Henry Munson; 1855, Loyal F. Todd; 1856, Horace 
Todd: 1857, Merrit Ford; 1858, Henry Tuttle; 1859-60, James M. Ford; 
1861, Merrit Ford; 1862, Eli B. Smith; 1863-4, Elias Warner; 1865, 
Andrew J. Doolittle; 1866, Henry Tuttle; 1867-8, Augustus Dicker- 
man; 1869-70, Gilbert L. Benham; 1871, Silas Benham; 1872, Philos 
Dickerman; 1873, Jesse Cooper; 1874, Edwin W. Potter; 1875-6, Riley 
R. Palmiter; 1877,'Andrew J. Doolittle: 1878-9, Norris B. Mix; 1880, 
Cecil A. Burleigh; 1881, Leverett A. Dickerman; 1882-3, Bela A. 
Mann; 1884, Frederick E. Tuttle; 1885, Henry W. Munson; 1886, 
Hubert E. Warner; 1887, Benjamin C. Woodin: 1888 9, George L. 
Clark; 1890-1, Dwight W'. Mix. 

Madison.— 1830, Frederick Lee; 1831-2, Phineas Meigs: 1833, Wil- 
liam Blatchley; 1834, Samuel Robinson, Jr.; 1835, Phineas Meigs; 1836, 
Frederick S. Field; 1887, Jesse Crampton; 1838, Galen Dowd; 1839, 
Sherman Munger; 1840-1, Learning Evarts; 1842, Nathan W. Hopson; 
1843, Charles M. Miner; 1844, Frederick Foster; 1845-6, Erastus C. 
Scranton: 1847, William C. Bushnell; 1848, Heman Stojie; 1849-50, 
Jonathan F. Todd; 1851, Erastus C. Scranton; 1852, Truman Harrison; 
1853, Abel .Scranton; 18.")4, .Samuel R. Crampton; 18.55, Frederick 
Dowd; 1S56, Erastus C. Scranton; 18.57, Luman H. Whedon; 1858, 
John P. Hopson; 1859-60, Sereno H. Scranton: 1861, Joseph William 
Dudley; 1862, Erastus C. .Scranton; 18(i3-4, Baldwin Hart: 1865, 
Edward S. Scranton; 1866, Elias S. Ely; 1867, Sereno H. Scranton; 
1868, J. C. Hopson; 1869, Jonathan Willard; 1870, J. (t. Dickinson; 

* Elected speaker this year. 



90 HISTORY OK np:\v haven county. 

1S71, Augustus C. Wilcox; 1872, Sereno H. Scranton; 1873, William B" 
Crampton; 1874, Heman C. Stone; 187"), John N, Chittenden; 1876, 
Samuel Griswold; 1877, John N. Chittenden; 1878, Washington Bristol; 
1879, C. Henry Whedon; 1880, I. Lee Scranton, Jr.; 1881, Horace N. 
Coe; 1882, Horace O. Hill; 1883, William C. Miner; 1884, P. M. Gris- 
wold; 188o, Harvey E.Cruttenden; 1886, James R, Dowd; 1887, Charles 
Smith; 1888-9, George B. Munger; 1890-1, James R. Aleigs. 

Meriden.— 1830, Titus Ives; 1831, Ashbel Griswold; 1832, Xoah 
Pomeroy; 1833, Enos H. Curtis; 1834, Eli C. Birdsey; 1835, Hezekiah 
Rice; 1836, Asahel Curtis; 1837, Horace B. Redfield; 1838, Walter 
Booth; 1839, James S. Brooks; 1840, Eli C. Bird.sey; 1842, Ira Couch; 
1843, Henry Stedman; 1844, James S. Brooks;* 184(), Elias Howell; 
1847, A.shbel Griswold; 1848, Isaac C. Lewis; 1849, James A. Tracy; 
1850, William S. Ives; 18/51, Hiram Hall; 18r)2, Julius Pratt; 1853, 
Lsaac C, Lewis; 1854, Albert Foster; 18r),'i, James S. Brooks; 1856. Levi 
Yale; 1857, James S. Brooks; 1858, Asahel H. Curtiss; 1859, William W. 
Lyman; 1860, Andrew J. Coe; 1861, Owen B. Arnold: 1862, Isaac C. 
Lewis; 1863, Dexter R. Wright; 1864, Orville H. Piatt; 1865, Oliver S, 
Williams; 1866, Isaac C. Lewis; 1867, Andrew J, Coe; 1868, William A. 
Hall; 1869, Orville H. Piatt; 1870, John Parker; 1871, Joseph J. 
Woodley; 1872, H, Wales Lines; 1873, Charles H. S. Davis; 1874, 6. 
B. Arnold; 1875-6. Wallace A. Miles. Asahel H. Curtiss; 1877, Abram 
Chamberlain, Jr., Wallace A. Miles; 1878, James P. Piatt, George R. 
Willmot; 1879, James P. Piatt, Samuel Dodd; 1880. Emerson A. Merri- 
man, Grove H.Wilson; 1881, E. A. Merriman, W. W. Lyman; 1882, 
W. W. Lyman, Grove H. Wilson; 1883, John Morse, Reuben T. Cook; 
1884, George O. Higby, William H, Golden; 1885-6, William Wallace 
Lee, Charles H. S. Davis; 1887, Louis H. Hart, William H. Barbour; 
1888-9, James H. Chapm. Elijah D. Costelow; 1890-1, Elijah D. 
Costlelow, Joseph H. Potts. 

Middlebury. — 1830, Larmon Townsend; 1831-2, Marcus Bronson; 
1833, Leonard Bron.son; 1834-5, Josiah Hine; 1836, Marcus Bronson; 
1837, Daniel Tyler; 1838-9, William H, Smith; 1840, Daniel Clark; 
1841, Daniel Clark, 2d; 1842, Leonard Bronson; 1843, Ebenezer Smith; 
1844, Charles Town.send; 1845, Joseph P. Piatt; 1846, Leonard Bronson; 
J847, Jacob Linsley; 1848-9, Asa Fenn; 1850, Charles B, Stone; 1851, 
Robert Crane; 1852, Joseph P. Piatt; 1853, David M. Beardsley; 1854, 
vSylvester Bron.son; 1855, Josiah Hine; 1856, Ebenezer Smith; 1857, 
Gould S. Clarke; 1858, Julius Bronson; 1859, Warren H.Taylor; 1860, 
Leonard Bronson; 18(;L Luther S. Piatt; 1862, H. W. Munson; 1863, 
Harrison W. Crosby; 18(i4. Israel J. Curtiss; 1865, Gilman E, Hill; 
1866-7, Benjamin Stone; 1868, Luther S, Piatt; 1869, Clinton Clark; 
1870, James Smith: 1871 2, Gould S. Clark; 1873 4, Levings Abbott: 
1875, Silas Tuttlc; 1876, Roswell B. Wheaton; 1877, Frank Wheeler; 
1878, Hawkins W. Mun.son; 1879 80, Marcus De Forest, Jr.; 1881, Eli 
* 184.5, no choice. 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 9T 

Bronson; 1882, George O. Ellis; 1883, Eli Brouson; 1884, David M. 
Fenn; 1885-6, Edmund B. Hoyt; 1887, Eli Bronson; 1888-9, George 
Dews; 1890-1, William H. Dibble. 

Milford.— 1830-1, Jonathan Clark, William Durand, Jr.; 183x>,. 
Abijah Carrington, Adolphus Baldwin; 1833, Abijah Carrington, Wil- 
liam H. Fowler; 1834, Abijah Carrington, Jeremiah French; 1835, 
Abijah Carrington, Treat Clark; lS36,Selah Strong, Treat Clark; 1837, 
Abijah Carrington, Isaac Tibbals; 1838-40, Selah .Strong, Isaac Tibbals; 
1841, Dennis Beach, John Burns, Jr.; 1842, David L. Baldwin, Isaac 
Tibbals; 1843, Selah Strong, Isaac Tibbals; 1844, Selah Strong, John 
Burns, Jr.; 1845, William Glenny, John Burns. Jr.; 1846, Andrew 
French, Anon Clark; 1847, Samuel Beach, Elias Clark; 1848, David L. 
Baldwin, John K. Bristol; 1849, Samuel Beach, John K. Bristol; 18.')0, 
Samuel Beach, Asa M. Train; 1851, David L. Baldwin, Asa M. Tram; 
1852, Samuel B. Gunn, J. K. Bristol; 1853, Selah Strong, Asa M. Train; 
18.54. Selah Strong, J. K. Bristol; 1855-6, David L. Bsildwin, Asa M. 
Train; 1857, John Burns, Caleb T. Merwin; 1858, Asa M. Train, Caleb 
T. Merwin; 1859-60, David L. Baldwin, Anon Clark; 1861-2, Abner L. 
Train, Nathan Merwin; 1863, John H. Wingfield, William S. Pond; 
1864, William S. Pond, Isaac T. Rogers: 1865, Elias Clark, Isaac T. 
Rogers; 1866, William S. Pond, D. H. Durand; 1867, F. E. Burns, 
Nathan Smith; 1868, Nathan Bottsford, Henry Stoddard; 1869, Selah 
Strong, James Sweet; 1870, Henry C. Miles, William Brotherton; 1871,. 
Phineas S. Bristol, Fowler Sperry; 1872, Samuel A. Blake, William H. 
Pond; 1873, Johnson Bristol. Alonzo W. Burns; 1874, Henry C. Miles,. 
Isaac T. Rogers; 1875, Henry C. Miles, William H. Pond; 1876, James- 
T. Burns. Charles A. Tomlinson; 1877, Daniel Buckingham, Charles A. 
Tomlin.son; 1878, Isaac T. Rogers, Alexander T. Peck; 1879, Lsaac T. 
Rogers, Harris C. Hyatt; lSSO-1. James S. Tibbals, George M. Gunn; 
1882, Charles A. Tomlin.son, Thomas W. Stow; 1883, Nathan P. 
Merwin, William C. Durand; 1884, John C. Connor, William C. Durand; 
1885, George M. Gunn, Henry C. Miller; 1886, Charles A. Tomlinson, 
George Clark; 1887, George M. Gunn, George W.Clark; 1888-9, Charles 
W. Beardsley, William Cecil Durand; 1890-1, Charles W. Beardsley, 
Alonzo W. Burns. 

Naugatuck.— 1845, George L. Smith; 1846-7, Thomas Spencer; 1848, 
Francis Spencer; 1849, James Spencer; 1850, Miles Smith; 1851, 
Francis Spencer; 1852, Gustavus .Spencer; 1853, Franklin Howard; 
1854, Samuel Hopkins; 1855, Nathan C. Peters; 1856, John A. Peck; 
1857, Gideon O. Hotchkiss; 1858, Hial S. Steven.s; 1859, David Smith; 
1860, S. C. Warner; 1861, Henry Lane; 1862, Eli Smith; 1863, Jo.siah 
Culver: 1864, Homer Twitchell; 1865, Marshal Baldwin: 1866, C. A. 
HotchkLss; 1867, Eldridge Smith; 1868, Martin Kinney; 1869, John A. 
Peck; 1870, Hial S. Stevens; 1871, J. H. Whittemore; 1872, Hial S- 
Stevens: 1873, Charles A. Ensign; 1874, Edson L. Judd; 1875, John H. 
Hawkins; 1876, Charles L. Baldwin; 1877. Hubert H. Thompson; 1878, 



!)2 HISTORY OF NKW HAVP:N COUNTY. 

Rollin S. Woodford; 1.^71), Rollin S. Woodford; 1880, Charles A. Ensign; 
1881, Joseph Brennan; 1889. Franklin B. Tattle; 1883, Fremont W. 
Tolles; 1884, Edward H. Carrington; 188."), George L. Andrews; 1886-7, 
Frederick H. King; 1888-!). Edward H Carrington; 1800 -1. William H. 
McCarthy. 

North Branford. — 1885. Jonathan Rose, 2d; 1888, Samuel Bartholo- 
mew, 2d; 1884, Jonathan Rose, 2d; 188."), Ebenezer H. Fowler; 1886, 
Rufus Rogers, 2d; 1887, Harmon N. Williams; 1888, Jasper Mnnroe; 
1889, Thelus Todd; 1840-1, Samuel A. Rogers; 1842-8, Ebenezer H. 
Fowler; 1844, Alfred Rose; 184.'), William M. Fowler; 1846, Jonathan 
Ro.se; 1847, Clswin H. Doolittle; 1848, Jonathan Rose; 1840, Nathaniel 
S. Smith; 18.")0, Jonathan Rose; 1851, Daniel Jones; 18.52, Jonathan 
Rose; 18.")8, Thomas A. Smith; 18.'J4, Russell Clarke; 1800, Thelus Todd; 
IS.V), George Ro.se; 1837, William M. Fowler; 18.-)8, A. A. Hemingway; 
18:)0, Reuben N. Augur; 1800, E. E. Bishop; 1801, Henry Maltby, Jr.; 
1862, William Wheedom; 1868, Wareham W. Foote; 1864, George 
Rose; 186."i, Maltbv Fowler; 1866, Seth Ru.s.sell; 1867, Tames H. 
Linsley; 1868, Samuel Rose; 1869, T. Andrew Smith; 1870, Martin C, 
Bi.shop; 1871, W. H. Maltby; 1872, Noah Foot; 1878, Henry M. Pardee; 
1874, Charges Page; 187."), F. C. Bartholomew; 1876, William D. Ford; 
1877, F. C. Bartholomew; 1878, Alden H. Hill; 1879, Guernsey B. 
Smith; 1880, Eaton Stent; 1881, William Maltby; 1882, William B. 
Curtis; 1888, Charles Foote; 1884, Jerome Harrison; 188.-), Josiah A. 
Smith; 1886, Herbert O. Page; 1887, Theodore F. Barnes; 1888-9, J. 
Henry Gates; 1890-1, Dwight M. Foote. 

North Haven.— 1880, Jesse Brockett; 1831-2, Lsaac Stiles; 1888-4, 
Hubbard Barnes; 188.'i-6, Amasa Thorpe; 1887-S, Florace Stiles; 1889, 
Jesse Brockett; 1840 1, John Beach; 1842, Obed S. Squires; 1848, 
Everlin Blakeslee; 1844, Merrit Barnes; 184.-), Ezra Stiles; 1846, Elizur 
C. Tuttle; 1847, Oswin H. Doolittle; 1848, Zophar Blakeslee; 1849-.-)0. 
Oswin H. Doolittle; 1851, Evelyn Blakeslee; 1852, Merrit Barnes; 1853, 
Burritt Brockett; 18.-)4, Lsaac L. Stiles; 18.-)5, Henry McNeil; 18.-){), 
Henry H. Stiles; 18.57, Hervey Stiles; 1858 9, N, J. Beach; 1860, 
Nelson J. Beach: 1861-2, H. T. Dayton; 1868, Elizur C. Tuttle; 1864, 
John E. Brockett; 1865, James M. Payne; 1866-7, W. B. Hemingway; 
1868, E. D. vS. Goodyear; "1809-70, D. A. Patten: 1871, William B.John- 
son; 1872, Nelson J. Beach; 1873, Daniel A. Patten; JS74, Cyrus Cheney; 
1875-6, vStephen C. (Gilbert; 1877-8, Alfred Ives; 1879, Truman O. Judd; 
1880, Nelson J. P.each; 1881, Sheldon B. Thorpe; 1882, Andrew F. 
Au.stin; 1888, F. Hayden Todd; 1884 5, Lsaac L. Stiles; 1886. Cyrus 
Cheney; 1S87, Edwai'd L. Goodyear; 1888 9, ^J'heopbilus Eaton: 189(1 1, 
Theophilus ICaton. 

Orange.- -1880, Llliakim Kimberly; 1881 2, Luke Clark; 1833, 
liliakim Kimberly; 1884, Nchemiah Kimberly; 1885-6, Nathan Merwin; 
1887-8, l^>Iiakim Kimberly: 1839 4(i. Nathan Merwin; 1841-2. Nehemiah 
Kimberly; 1843, Aaron Clark, Jr.; 1844, William T. Grant; 1845-6, 



HISTORY OF XEW HAVEN COUNTY. 9S 

Lucius Stevens; 1847-8, Benjamin F. Clark; 1849-.o0, Sidney Pardee; 
I80I, David Smith; 1852, Sidney Pardee; 18n3, David Smith; ]8.-)4, 
Edgar M. Smith; ISr^, William A. Bronson; 18.")6, Benjamin I. Clark; 
1857, Henry W. Painter: I808, George R. Kelsey; 18o9, Alpheus N. 
Merwin; 1860, Alpheus N. Merwin; 1861, Elisha Dickerman; 1862, R. 
Ouincy Brown; 186:?, Benjamin T. Clark; 1864, Bryan Clark; 186n, A. F. 
Wood; 1866, A. F. Wood; 1867-8, Leonidas W. Ailing; 1869, George 
A. Bryan; 1870, Israel K.Ward; 1871, William E.Ru.ssell; 1872, Elias T. 
Main; 1878, James H. Reynolds; 1874, D. S. Thompson; 187.")-6, Charles 
F. Smith; 1877, Samuel L. Smith; 1878, James Graham; 1879-80, Stiles 
D. Woodruff; 1881, W^illiam Wallace" Ward; 1882-3, Edward E. 
Bradley; 1884, James R. Ayres; 188.")-6, James Graham; 1887, William L. 
Andrew; 1888-9, Samuel J. Bryant; 1890-1, Everett B. Clark. 

Oxford.— 1830, .Samuel Meigs; 1831, Horace Candee; 1832, Samuel 
Wire; 1833, Nathan B. Fairchild; 1834, Samuel Meigs; 1835, Sheldon 
Clark; 1836, Hiram O.sborne; 1837, Chauncey M. Hatch; 1838, Aufelius 
Buckingham; 1839, Hiram Osborne; 1840, Sheldon Church; 1841, David 
M. Clark; 1842, Nathan J. Wilcoxson; 1843, no choice; 1844, Sheldon 
Church; 1845, no choice; 1846, Joel White; 1847, Everett Booth; 1848, 
Alfred Harger; 1849, Joel Osborne; 1850, Clark Botsford; 1851. Nath- 
aniel Walker; 1852, Garry Riggs; 1853, Lewis Davis; 1854, Lucius 
Fuller; 1855, Ransom Hudson; 1856, Hiram Osborne; 1857, Josiah 
Nettleton; 1858, Burritt Davis: 1859, William H. Clark; 1860, James A. 
Buckingham; 1861, David R. Lum; 1862, Benjamin Nichols; 1863, 
Robert Wheeler; 1864, Abiram Ward; 1865, George Lum; 1866, B.J. 
Davis; 1867, C. D. R. Perkins; 1868, B. J. Davis; 1869-70, Egbert L. 
Warner; 1871, Burr J. Beecher; 1872, Robert B. Limburuer; 1873-4, 
Ebeuezer Riggs: 1875, Smith C. Wheeler; 1876-7, Gideon A. John.son; 
1878, Harvey W. Chatfield; 1879, James H. Bartlett; 1880-1, John B. 
Pope; 1882, James H. Bartlett; 1883, Orlando C. 0.sborn: 1884. Smith 
C. Wheeler: 1885, Charles H. Butler: 1886, Nicholas French: 1887, 
Glover W. Cable; 1888-9, Orlando C. Osborn; 1890-1, Charles H. 
Butler. 

Pro-spect.— 1830, Lauren Preston; 1831, Joseph J. Doolittle; 1832, 
William Mix; 1883, Samuel Peck; 1834, Lauren Preston; 1835, William 
Mix; 1836, Joseph Paine: 1837, Libeus Sanford: 1838, Benjamin Piatt; 
1839, David R. Williams; 1840, Ransom R. Ru.ssell; 1841, David M. 
Clark; 1842, no choice: 1843, no choice: 1844, Luther Morse; 1845, 
Ransom R. Russell; 1846, Benjamin Doolittle; 1847, Ransom R. 
Russell: 1848. George C. Piatt; 1849, Reuben B. Hughes; 1850, Wil- 
liam J. Wilcox; 1851-2, James Street; 1853, no choice; 1854, Asa M. 
Train; 1855-6, John Gillette: 1757-8, David M. Hotchki.ss; 1859, 
Samuel C. Bronson; 1860, John Gillette; 1861, Merritt Clark, Jr.; 1862, 
Edwin R. Tyler; 1863, Henry D. Russell: 1864, Benjamin B. Brown; 
1865-6, Richard Tyler; 1867, Charles E. Hine; 1868, Richard Tyler; 
1869, John R. Piatt; 1870, George F. Tyler; 1871, Merritt Clark: 1872, 



•94 HISTORY DF NEW KAVEN COUNTY. 

Horace A. Nettleton; 1873, William Berkeley; 1874, John Gillette: 
1870, Henry Judd; 1876, Willis Ives; 1877, William Berkeley; 1878, 
Harry Hotchkiss; 1879, William W. Phipps; 1880, Harris Piatt; 1881, 
James Bottomley; 1882, George F. Tyler; 1883, R. M. Gillette; 1884, 
John R. Piatt; 1885, George R. Morse; 1886, Edgar G. Wallace; 1887, 
Halsey S. Clark; 1888-9, Byron L. Morse; 1890-1, William A. Purdy. 

Seymour. — 1851 , Bennett Wooster; 18.o2, vSylvester Smith; 1853-4, 
Harris B. Munson; 1855-6, Luzon B. ]\Iorris; 1857, Henry C. Johnson; 
1858, Charles B. Wooster; 1859, Samuel L. Bron.son; 1860. Carlos 
French; 1801, Clark Wooster; 1862, Abel Holbrook; 1863-7, Harris B. 
Munson; 1868, Carlos French; 1869, Philo Holbrook: 1870, Virgil H. 
-McEwen; 1871, Smith Botsford; 1872, James Swan; 1873, Horatio N. 
Eggleston; 1874, lidmund Day: 1875, Lewis A. Camp: 1876, Henry P. 
Day; 1877, Samuel A.' Beach: 1878, Albert B. Dunham; 1879, George 
W. Devine; J880, Henry D. Northrop; 1881, John W. Smith; 1882, 
John W\ Rogers; 1883, Norman Sperry; 18S4, Thomas L. James: 1885, 
Horace O. Judd; 1886-7, Samuel R. Dean; 1888-9, Robert Healey; 
1890-1, Robert Healey. 

Southbury.— 1830, John Pierce; 1831, Edward Hinman; 1832, Henry 
Downs; 1833, Charles C. Hinman; 1834, Henry Downs: 1835, Charles 
•C. Hinman: 1836, Daniel Hinman; 1837, John Peck; 1838, Elijah 
French: 1839, John Peck; 1840, William Guthrie; 1841, Samuel Candee; 
1842, Erastus Pierce; 1843. Charles B. Hicock; 1844. no choice; 1845, 
Titus Pierce; 1846, W^alter Johnson; 1847, George P. Shelton: 1848, 
•George Smith; 1849, Titus Pierce; 1850, Oliver Mitchell; 1851, Henry 
D. Munson: 1852, Edwin Pierce; 1853, Truman B. Wheeler; 1854, Eli 
Pierce; 1855, Elisha Wheeler; 1856, William Guthrie; 1857, Charles 
Hicock; 1858, Almon B. Downs; 1859, Anthony B. Burritt; 1860, Eli 
Pierce: 1861, Nathan C. Mon.son; 1862, Almon B. Downs; 1863, Anthony 
B. Burritt: 1864, Reuben Pierce; 1865, Henry W. Scott; 1866, S. J. 
Stoddard; 1867, William T. Gilbert; 1868. Eli Pierce: 1869, John C. 
Wooster: 1870, S. W. Post; 1871, Charles S. Brown; 1872, Ezra Pierce; 
1873, John J. Hinman; 1874, Abel Bronson; 1875, Gidney A. vStiles; 
1876, Reuben Pierce; 1877, David F. Pierce; 1878. Henry S. Wheeler; 
1879, John Pierce: 1880, George F. Shelton; 1881, John Pierce: 1882, 
A.sahel F. Mitchell: 1883, Nelson W. Mitchell: 1884, Henry S. Wheeler; 
1885, George N. Piatt; 1886, Henry B. Russell; 1887, George W. 
Mitchell; 1888-9, Myron L. Cooley; 1890-1, George W. Mitchell. 

Wallingford. — 1830, LiveriusCarrington, John Barker; 1831, George 
B. Kirtland, .Sedgwick Rice; 1832, Charles Yale, Aimer Hall; 1833, 
John I). Reynolds, Lyman Miller: 1834, George B. Kirtland, Aimer 
Hall; IS35, Samuel Cook, Lyman Miller; 1836, Ransom Johnson, 
Nathan Hall; 1837, Chester Cook, Giles Hall; 1838, Jared K. Ford, 
Wooster Martin; 1839, Ran.som John.son, Augustus Hall, 2d: 1840, 
Malachi Cook, Randall Cook; 1841, Liverius Carrington, Ira Tuttle; 
1842, George Cook, Orrin Andrews: 1843, William Hill, Almon 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEX COUNTY. 95 

Doolittle: 1844, Malachi Cook, Philo Parker: 184o, William Todd, 
Israel Harrison; 1846, Samuel Simpson, Samuel C. Ford; 1847, John 
D. Reynolds, William W. Ives; 1848, Lyman Miller, John Cook; 1849, 
Ira Tuttle, Friend Johnson; 18S0, William Francis, Rufus Doolittle; 
1851. Nathan Thomas, Jr., William W. Stow; 1852, Samuel C. Ford. 
Lorenzo Lewis; 1853, Franklin Johnson, John Munson; 1854, Franklin 
Johnson, William Mix; 1855, John Munson, Samuel Peck; 1856, Ira 
Tuttle, Alonzo Miller: 1857, Eli S. Ives, Hezekiah Hall; 1858, Augustus 
Hall, Dwight Hall; 1859, Samuel Simpson, William W. Stow; 1860, 
Street Jones, H. L. Hall; ]86],Orrin Andrews,©. I. Martin; 1862, John 
L. Ives, Samuel C. Ford; 1863, Henry Hull, Phineas T. Ives; 1864, H. 
L. Hall, J. C. Mansfield; 1865, Samuel Simpson, Franklin Johnson; 
1866. B. Trumbull Jones, Hiram Cook; 1867, Turhand Cook, James A. 
F. Northrop; 1868,"h. L. Hall, J. L. Ives; 1869, Hezekiah Hall, John 
•C. Roche; 1870, Franklin Piatt, E. A. Doolittle; 1871, Thaddeus C. 
Banks, Henry C. Wooding; 1872, H. L. Hall. G. N. Andrews; 1873, 
Willis J. Goodsell, Henry ^Davis; 1874, C. D. Yale, H. B. Todd; 1875, 
Joel Hall, Clarence H. Brown; 1876, Gurdon W. Hull, James N. Pier- 
pont; 1877, H. Lewis Dudley, George S. Allen; 1878, Charles D. Yale, 
Ebenezer H. Ives; 1879, Samuel Simpson, Thomas Daily; 1880, James 
D. McGaughey, Henry L. Hall; 1881, Hezekiah Hall, James Wrinn; 
1882, P. T. Ives, John W. Blakeslee; 1883, Mercur E. Cook, Patrick 
Moonev; 1884, William S. Russell, (jcorge A. Hopson; 1885, George 
M. Wallace, Thomas Kennedy; 1886, Charles A. Harrison, Charles E. 
Yale; 1887, John B. Kendrick, John B. Mix; 1888-9, Bryant A. Treat, 
Michael O'Callaghan; 1890-1, Linus H. Hall, Patrick Concannon. 

Wolcott.— 1830, Archibald Minor; 1831, Luther Hotchkiss; 1832, 
■Orrin Plumb; 1833-4. Archibald Minor; 1835, Orrin Plumb; 1836, 
Daniel Hall; 1837, Moses Pond: 1838, Salmon Up.son; 1839, Noah H. 
Byington; 1840, Ira Hough; 1841, Ira Frisbie; 1842, Levi Mouthrop 
1843-4, Moses Pond; LS45, Sheldon Welton; 1846, Willard Plumb 
1847-8, Henry Minor; 1849, Marvin Minor; 1850. Dennis Pritchard 
185L Willis ]\ierrill; 1852, Lsaac Hough; 1853, Joseph N. Sperry; 1854, 
Lyman Manvil; 1855, Moses Pond; 1856, Erastus W. Warner; 1857, 
George W. Winchell; 1858, Henry Minor; l'S59, Shelton T. Hitchcock; 
1860, Erastus W. Warner; 1861. William McNeill; 18()2, E. W. Warner; 
1863. Seth Wiard; 1864, James Alcott; 1805, Orrin Plumb; 1866, Henry 
Minor; 1867, Augustus Minor; 1868, Elihu ;\Ioulthrop; 1869, Isaac 
Hough; 1870, Berlin J. Pritchard; 1871-2. Shelton T. Hitchcock; 1873, 
George W. Carter; 1874, Shelton T. Hitchcock; 1875, Era.stus W. 
Warner: 1876, Benjamin F. French: 1877, Lucien Upson; 1878-9, 
Shelton T. Hitchcock; 1880, Frederick L. Nichols; 1881-2. Samuel M. 
Bailey; 1883-4. Henry B. Carter; 1885. Charles S. Tuttle; 1886. Benja- 
min L. Bronson; 1887, E. M. Up.son; 1888-9, J. Henry Garrigus; 1890-], 
Evelyn M. Upson. 



gg HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

Woodbridge.— 11S30, Truman Hotchkiss, Archibald A. Perkins; 18;-51 
lohn Lines, Joseph Bradley; 1882. James A. Darling. Joseph Bradley 
isHH, James A. Darling; 1834-5, Ephraim Baldwin; 1836, Levi Peck 
1837-9, Thomas Darling; 1840-2, Samuel Peck; 1843, Nathan P. Thomas 
1844, Bevil P. Smith; 1845, James J. Baldwin; 1846, James A. Darling 
184?' Newton Baldwin; 1848, James J. Baldwin; 1849, Samuel F. 
Perkins; bSfiO, Nathan P. Thomas; 1851-3, Treat Clark; 1854, Willis 
Merrill; 1855, Thomas Sanford; 1856, Joseph Hale; 1857, Lewis 
Russell; 1858, Treat Clark; 1859-60, James J. Baldwin; 1861, Lewis 
Russell- 1862, Marcus E. Baldwin; 1863-4, William Peck; 1865-6, 
William A. Clark; 1867-8, John M. Merwin; 1869-70, William A. 
W^arner; 1871-2, Amos S. Treat; 1873, Amos S. Treat; 1874-5, John 
Peck- 1876-7, Stephen P. Perkins; 1878-80, Marcus E. Baldwin; 1881, 
William Wales Peck; 1882-3, Charles T. Walker; 1884, John M. Lines: 
1885-6, Elias T. Clark; 1887, Frederick P. Finney; 1888-9, Rollin C. 
Newton; 1890-1, Stephen P. Bradley. 



CHAPTER II. 



TOWN AND CITY OF NEW HAVEN. 



Location and Natural Features. — General Description. — Settlement and Development. — 
Condition at the Beginning of the Present Centurj-. — Statistics. — Municipal Organ- 
ization. — Town Clerks. — City Government. — City Police. — Fire Department. — Water 
Supply. — Public Sewerage. — City Buildings. — Street Illumination. — Trees and 
Parks. — General Business Interests. — Monetary Institutions. — Lawyers and Phy- 
sicians. — Post Office. — Street Railways. — Philantln-opic and Social Institutions. 



NEW HiWEN is the oldest settled part and subdivision of the 
county. It lies west of a center line from north to south, 
upon New Haven harbor and Long Island sound, the latter 
being here twenty miles wide. The town embraces a little more 
than nine square miles and the city about seven. The town's bounds 
are, on the north, the towns of Hamden and North Haven; on the 
east, the town of East Haven; and on the westare the towns of Orange 
and Woodbridge. The larger part of the stirface of the town is a 
slightly elevated sandy plain, but on the west are wooded slopes and 
on the north are the high, abrupt terminations of the trap rock ranges, 
whose craggy faces are familiar objects in the landscape of the county. 
The principal hills are East Rock, 860 feet high; Mill Rock, a spur 
from it, 225 feet high; Pine Rock, a spur of the west range, 271 feet 
high; and West Rock, the highest elevation, having an altitude of 
4()o feet. Between these ranges the plain from the sea shore opens 
into a valley terminating at Northampton, 76 miles distant. East of 
East Rock, and west of the trap rock range of East Haven the plain 
extends into another valley, only about half as long, and terminating 
at Wethersfield, on the Connecticut. In the latter range Beacon hill 
is 100 feet high. All these hills show the effects of the glacial move- 
ments coming down the afore.said valleys and which here pas.sed out 
into the sea. In many places the softer sandstone has been worn 
away, leaving the harder trap rock exposed. These rocks being dis- 
colored, have a reddish appearance, which caused the early Dutch dis- 
coverers to call this locality " Rodeberg" — Red Alountain. 

By the Indians this locality was called Quinnipiac, after the prin- 
cipal stream in the town and which flows through the east valley from 
Farmington. It has also been called the Wallingford river, from its 
flowing through that town. Mill river, the next largest stream, flows 
through the west valley, and West river, after sweeping around the 



98 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

base of West Rock, also bends to the eastward, the three streams unit- 
ing to form New Haven harbor. Between Mill and West rivers lies 
the plain on which the city was begun. The tract east of the former 
stream and the (Juinnipiac was long known as the " New Township," 
and the extreme end of the peninsula was called Grape Vine Point. 
The end of the peninsula formed by the West river and harbor is called 
Oyster Point. 

New Haven Harbor is one of the most spacious and picturesque on 
the coast of New England. It is ^i) miles east of Fort Schuyler, on 
the western part of the sound, and 39 miles from the eastern end of 
the sound. From Boston it is 184 miles, 76 from New York, and 84 
from Hartford. The harbor sets back four miles from Long Island 
sound, and is about a mile in width at its mouth. Its channel is from 
7| feet to 24 feet deep, at low water, and at high tide vessels drawing 
22 feet of water can reach the docks at the upper end of the harbor. 
The national government has lately designated this as a port of refuge 
for vessels on Long Island sound. By building a breakwater 3,800 
feet long, irom the eastern side of the mouth of the harbor, and one 
5,200 feet long from the western side, four square miles of shelter 
harbor will be afforded, in which the largest ocean steamers could 
float. Several millions of dollars will be spent in these improvements 
which, when fully completed, will give this harbor a national 
importance. 

" At the time when the first settlers arrived in this town there was, 
in the mirthwestern region of this harbor, a sufficient depth of water 
for all the ordinary purposes of commerce. vShips were built and 
launched where now there are meadows, gardens and shops. Sloops 
loaded and unloaded where the market now stands. So late as the 
year 17G.5, Long Wharf extended only twenty rods from the shore. It 
extends now three thousand nine hundred and forty-three feet. ■••■ * 
The substance which here accumulates so rapidly is what in this 
country is called marsh mud."- The pleasing appearance of the 
harbor and its adaptation for the purposes of a commercial city, was 
the main reason why this section was first selected for a settlement. 
The plain on which the city was located was also very attractive, 
and the environments, then as now, were of the most pleasing nature. 
Mountains, plains, fresh and tidal waters, are here happily blended, 
making a combination which has permitted the creation of a city 
which has been called the " Pearl of New England." 

" The plain on which the city of New Haven is built is not improb- 
ably a congeries of particles, floated down to this place in early times 
from the interior. Its surface is sand, mixed with loam and gravel; 
beneath this is usually found a stratum of yellow loam. vStill lower, 
at the depth of fifteen or eighteen inches, a ma.ss of coarse .sand 
extends about six feet. * ■■■'■ "' Formerly the surface was covered 

*J. W. Barber, 1835. 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 99 

■with shrub oaks, and wild turkeys and partridges were found in great 
numbers. The soil of this plain is dry, warm and naturally unproduc- 
tive, but by cultivation is capable of producing every vegetable suited 
to the climate, and in any quantity." * 

These conditions of location and soil have been very beneficial to 
the continued prosperity and healthfulnessof the community. " New 
Haven has the lowest death-rate of any seaport of its size in the world. 
The natural features of soil, climate and topography are conducive to 
health. Bordering on Long Island sound, the city is swept b}^ an 
abundance of fresh air from over the sea, while the semi-circular 
range of surrounding hills protect it from the severe storms of other 
•directions. Situated within the influence of the Gulf Stream the 
climate is tempered thereby and is mild and salubrious, the mercury 
seldom rising above 85° or falling below 10°. The city is built on a 
'deep and stratified sand and gravel plain, which gives dry streets and 
building sites and the purest water at a moderate depth. The city is 
being well sewered as fast as any locality becomes populated, and 
public improvements and regulations are constantly lowering the 
mortality while the population increases, in defiance of the ordinary 
rule of nature. Typhoid fever, one of the direst enemies of large 
cities, is practically unknown here, and with a population of 80,000 
the present death-rate is but seventeen and four-tenths to the 
thousand." t 

The same writer continues: "The location of New Haven, aside 
from its advantages in a business point of view, is one of many attrac- 
tions. The stranger needs to remain in New Haven but a very short 
time to discover that he is in a very lively, bright and wide-awake 
New England city. New Haven to-day is unquestionably one of the 
most beautiful cities in America, if not in the world, and one which 
the stranger always remembers with pleasure. Nowhere else can be 
found the wealth of broad-spreading, shadow-casting elms possessed 
by New Haven. Its appellation, the City of Elms, is well applied. 
vStreet after street, avenue after avenue, is arched with these noble 
trees. As to beauty and variety of architecture displayed in the dwell- 
ings, nothing anywhere excels it. A vast majority of the houses are of 
wood, while no two, scarcely, are alike. Every style and shape seem 
to have been brought into requisition. As a rule, the residences have 
more or less yard and lawn room, the habit of crowding the buildings 
thickly together, .so often seen in a large city, being con.spicuous by 
its absence. The streets as a general thing, are broad and straight, 
and in most cases cross one another at right angles. In this respect 
New Haven clearly resembles Philadelphia, which, however, it much 
preceded in the use of this method, inasmuch as the original nine 
squares of which New Haven was composed, were laid out years before 
William Penn founded the ' City of Brotherly Love." Like Philadel- 
* J. W. Barber and Doctor Dwight. t James P. McKinney, 1889. 



100 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

phia, too, New Haven has several beautiful public parks scattered 
about the city. The pride and glory of all New Haveners is the 
' green." It occupies the exact center of the city as originally laid out. 
Noble shade trees extend in rows around every side of the enclosure, 
those just outside the fence at the angles having unusual age and size, 
and casting shade accordingly. Broad walks extend diagonally 
through and from side to side of the grounds, and nearly every walk 
has an arch of overhanging trees. The portion of the green left un- 
shaded — less than one-fourth — serves as a play and parade ground, 
and, in summer, possesses all the beauty of a well-kept lawn. The 
loveliness of the spot, doubtless, had much to do with the choice of 
the place as the site of the church edifices of three of the oldest relig- 
ious organizations in New Haven, viz.: Trinity church, Center church, 
and North church, which side by side stand like true guardians of the 
welfare of the city. Temple street, running through the center of 
the green, is probably one of the most symmetrically shaded avenues 
in the world. The arch of elms above it, changing from one manifes- 
tation of beauty to another as the seasons pass, makes a most beautiful 
nature-temple." 

" As a place of residence. New Haven is unsurpassed, if equalled, 
by any other in New England or America. Its velvety lawns, its fine 
drives, its contiguity to the sea shore, its healthfulness, the prevalent 
air of thrift and comfort, apparent even in the dwellings of the middle 
classes, and the numerous, spacious and costly mansions of the rich — 
together with its unsurpassed religious privileges and educational 
facilities — all combine to make this city one of the few spots on earth 
nearly akin to paradise." 

Willis' description of the city's appearance, though written a num- 
ber of years ago, will bear reproduction at this time: " If you were to 
set a poet to make a town, with carte blaiicJic as to trees, gardens and 
green blinds, he would probably turn out very much such a place as 
New Haven. The first thought of the inventor of New Haven was to 
lay out the streets in parallelograms; the second was to plant them 
from suburb to waterside wnth the magnificent elms of the country. 
The result is that at the end of fifty years, the town is buried in leaves. 
If it were not for the spires of churches, a bird flying over on his 
autumn voyage to the Floridas, would never mention having .seen it 
in his travels. The houses are something between an Italian palace 
and an Ivnglish cottage — built of wood, but in the dim light of the 
overshadowing trees, as fair to the eye as marble, with their triennial 
coats of paint; and each stands in the midst of its own encircling 
grass-plot, half buried in vines and flowers, and facing outward from 
a cluster of gardens divided by slender palings and filling up with 
fruit trees and summer liouses the scjuare on whose limit it stands. 
Then, like the vari-colored parallelograms upon a chess board, green 
openings are left throughout the town, fringed with triple and inter- 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 101 

weaving elm rows, the long, weeping branches sweeping downward 
to the grass, and with their enclosing shadows keeping moist and cool 
the road they overhang." 

The public buildings of the city are also numerous and very fine. 
Aside from the magnificent structures of Yale University, on the 
campus west of the green, there are, on the opposite side of that 
public place, the handsome city hall, erected in 1861, and still one of 
the best municipal buildings in the state: the county court house, 
erected in 1873 and later, at a cost of several hundred thousand dol- 
lars; the city police building, completed in 1874, and costing $75,000; 
the substantial Free Library, but recently opened, and worth more 
than $100,000. 

In this locality is also the Tontine Hotel, which has a most inter- 
esting history. " It was erected about 1825 by a joint stock company, 
each of whose shares bore the name of a person, and were forfeited 
by the holder to the company upon the death of that person, who was 
called the nominee. It is, in fact, nothing else than a lottery founded 
on human life. There were originally 243 nominees; now after sixty 
years, the number has dwindled down to about 100. When it reaches 
seven, the whole property will be divided among the fortunate holders 
of those shares." ■■ 

On the same street, farther south, is the fine post office and custom 
house, built by the United States, in 1860. Nearly opposite is the 
Hoadley Building, one of the finest private business blocks in the city. 
Other buildings of the same nature, which are fine and co.stly, are the 
large Insitrance Building, the Boardman and Masonic Blocks and the 
buildings of the leading banks and newspapers. 

No city of its size has a greater number or finer public school 
buildings than those of New Haven, the Hillhou.se High School stand- 
ing as a noteworthy example. But the pride and glory of the city is 
Yale University, which has become one of the noblest institutions of 
learning in the entire world. In this country it ranks third in age, 
and is the first in the number of its under-graduates, who are now 
found in all nations. The original college grounds occupy much of 
the western central part of the town plat made by the first settlers. 
Here are many fine collegiate edifices and others are well located near 
by, on principal streets. A few are quaint, being more than a hundred 
years old. But the edifices which most frequently attract attention 
and admiration are of recent construction. Among the most notable 
are the new Chittenden Library Building; the Street Art School, built 
in 1866, at a cost of $175,000; Battell Chapel, built in 1876, at a cost of 
$200,000, and claimed to be the finest college chapel in existence; 
Peabody Museum, comjjleted the same year, at a cost of $175,000, and 
now being enlarged; Alumni Hall; East Divinity Hall, completed in 
1870, at a cost of $180,000; West Divinity Hall, erected in 1874, and 

* Wm. H. Beckford. 



102 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

costing $]G0,(K)O; Sloane Laboratory, erected in 1884, being the most 
thoroughly appointed of any physical laboratory in the Union; Dwight 
Hall, built in 1880, at a cost of $60,()0(), as a home for the University 
Young Men's Christian Association: and a number of fine and costly 
dormitories, of whicli Farnam Hall, built in 1870, was the first of 
those put up in the new system. Of these interests of Yale, a con- 
temporary writer* says: 

" The Librar}', in all its departments, contains more than a hundred 
thousand volumes, and is rapidly becoming one of the largest and 
most valuable in the country. The Art Gallery, in addition to its 
other attractions, contains the original paintings of Col. Trumbull, 
commemorative of leading events in our Revolutionary histor}'. The 
Alumni Hall is used for examinations, and once a year as the dining 
hall of the college, when it dispenses its hospitality to all its alumni. 
The Peabody Museum contains, in a noble edifice, one of the finest 
collections of minerals in the world. At the beginning of this century 
the late Professor .Silliman carried to Philadelphia in a candle box all 
the minerals then belonging to the college, to be designated and 
classified. The buildings occupied by the Sheffield Scientific School, 
as the scientific department of the college is called, are at the upper 
end of College street, and are the gift of the late Joseph E. Sheffield, 
Esq., who also largely contributed to the endowment of the institution. 
The Yale School of Fine Arts occupies a noble building on the college 
grounds, the gift of the late Augustus R. Street, Esq. The Medical 
College on York street, the Law School on Church street, and the new 
Memorial Recitation Hall on Chapel street, are each worthy the atten- 
tion of the intelligent stranger. As a source of actual money profit to 
New Haven Yale University is a marked factor, since at a low esti- 
mate the aggregate disbursements of the l,oO() students for rooms,, 
board, clothing, books, merchandise and other necessaries and luxuries 
amount to upwards of SLOOO.OOO annually, and this divided into forty 
weeks, the college term, makes weekly receipts for the community 
from this source of about $25,000." 

Of the private residences in this old yet modernized town, it is- 
claimed that a large wooden building, on Meadow street, a few rods 
south of Church street, was built in 1642, or four years after the set- 
tlement of the town. In colonial times it was painted blue, many 
other buildings being painted red, and these two colors were the pre- 
vailing ones. The Benedict Arnold house, on Water street, completed 
in 1772, and occupied by that notorious character before the revolu- 
tion, was long a marked object. Nearly all the historic landmarks 
have been swept away by the hand of improvement. 

Of the more modern mansions the Noah Webster house, on the 
corner of Grove and Temple streets, attracts much attention, as being 
the place where the great lexicographer wrote much of his standard 

* James 1'. McKinney. 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 103 

dictionary. Many other well-conditioned houses of that period 
remain. Numerous examples of the modern residence are found on 
Hillhouse avenue, which, for its length, is one of the most beautiful 
residence .streets in this country. Here are the homes of a number of 
members of the university faculty. Stately elms overarch this street 
and standing on lawn-like borders, the fine mansions in the back- 
ground form a most pleasing picture. 

Some of the other streets are beautiful to a less degree and tha 
avenues leading to the suburbs add to the attractions of the city. 
Charming drives extend to the rocky shores of Morris Cove, and the 
pleasant resorts of West Rock and East Rock Park. From the sum- 
mits of these mountains extended views of land and sea may be had 
within a few miles of the center of the city. At the latter place New 
Haven's magnificent soldiers' monument towers high above surround- 
ing objects, a noble tribute to the valor and patriotism of the defend- 
ers of the Union. 

On the east side of the harbor are several scenes of historic interest, 
the one nearest the city being Beacon hill, with traces of Fort 
Wooster, built in the war of 1812. A mile below on the site of the 
revolutionary Black Rock Fort, Fort Hale was built in 1809, and was 
garrisoned in the war of 1812. In the civil war it was rebuilt and 
again occupied. It has a commanding position. Below are the two 
lighthouses, the new one being at the extreme end of the cove. These 
objects add to the beauty of the harbor, which even in its pristine 
condition caused the first settlers to exclaim, "This is, indeed, a Fair 
Haven;" and as they here began anew their business ventures as a 
commercial people, the Indian name of Quinnipiac was soon properly 
changed to New Haven. 

The original settlers of Quinnipiac were families of wealth, intel- 
ligence and influence, and these traits have ever characterized the 
inhabitants of New Haven. The leaders were Reverend John Daven- 
port and Theophilus Eaton, who was elected the first governor. Other 
principal men were Samuel Eaton, John Evance, Edward Hopkins, 
David Yale, Stephen Goodyear, William Peck, Ezekiel Cheever, 
Robert Newman, Thomas Gregson, Richard Malbon, Nathaniel 
Turner, Richard Perry, Thomas Kimberley, Thomas Benham, Matthew 
Gilbert, Jasper Crane, George Lamberton, Roger Ailing, John 
Brockett, Robert Seeley, Thomas Fugill, John Punderson, Jeremiah 
Dixon, Joshua Atwater, Edward Wigglesworth, Francis Newman, 
David Atwater, John Cooper, John Moss and Thomas Trowbridge. 
A number of these had been trained to commercial pursuits and many 
of them possessed large estates which permitted them to make costly 
improvements and to supply their homes here with some of the com- 
forts they were accustomed to enjoy in London, from which city most 
of them had emigrated. A greater portion of this company had come 
to Boston in 1637, remaining there until a place for the colony had 



104 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

been selected by Theophilus Eaton and others deputed for that 
purpose. 

The main company of more than 250 souls sailed from Boston for 
this destination March 30th, 1638, and in a fortnight they were at the 
mouth of the Ouinnipiac.-- The vessel passed up the harbor, as it 
then was, entered West creek and landed its passengers in a locality 
now indicated by George and College streets. Here a town plat half 
a mile square was surveyed and divided into nine equal parts, the 
central section being reserved for a market place and meeting house 
green. Uponthe.se quarters, around the green, as a radiating point 
from which the .settlement sought its circumference, the building of 
the city was begun. But to accommodate all with lots two additions, 
nearer the harbor, had to be surveyed, that work also being done by 
John Brockett; and after this out-lots and larger farms were surveyed 
for such as were entitled to them. Some of the wealthier settlers 
built very spacious hou.ses. Governor Eaton's, at the corner of Elm 
and Orange streets was so large that the use of 19 fire places was 
necessary; and in Reverend John Davenport's house, opposite, on the 
south side of Elm street, were 13 fire places. Many of the first houses 
on George street and on the oppo.site hill were two stories high. 

After adopting their church and civil polity, the settlers of New 
Haven endeavored to establish trade with various points, as Boston, 
New York, Virginia, Barbadoes, England and Delaware bay. At the 
latter place trading posts were established on lands which had been 
purchased for the colony in 1640, by Captain Turner. Unfortunately 
this venture not only proved unsuccessful, but was also a costly 
experiment to the colony which had, in 1640, less than 500 inhabitants. 
Other commercial ventures also failed and more attention was paid to 
agriculture. Lands were allotted, and in the list of 1643 appeared the 
names of the planters in New Haven. Four hundred and fi.fteen per- 
sons were enumerated, the taxables being 122 in number. Theophilus 
Eaton had the largest estate, its value being put at ;{:3,000. Mr. 
Davenport's was valued at /:i,00(), and there were eight others having 
estates of the same value, among them being George Lamberton and 
.Stephen Goodyear. Captain Turner's family numbered seven persons 
and his estate was rated at ;^800. Thomas Gregson had six persons 
in his family and an estate of i;600. Lamberton's family also number- 
ed six persons. A con.siderable number of taxables were newly mar- 
ried or single men. 

About this time an effort was made to create an interest in agricul- 
ture. But the people of New Haven were little inclined to its arts, 
and having no .skill for this avocation, failed to reap profitable crops. 
Their commerce, also, further declined and their large estates were 
wasting away. An uncommon effort was now made, in the fall of 
1640, to retrieve these broken fortunes, by gathering up whatever was 
* .See also Chapter I, for account of settlement. 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 105 

merchantable and shipping it to England. A ve.ssel of 150 tons 
burden was brought from Rhode Island and fitted up for this voyage, 
upon which such high expectations were based. That her mission 
might be the more properly fulfilled Captain Turner, Mr. Gregson, 
and several more of their principal men decided to accompany Captain 
Lamberton, the master of the vessel. The fate of this ship has been 
graphically portrayed by Longfellow, in his poem, the " Phantom 
Ship." Another account of this ill-fated vessel is concisely given by 
Henry Howe: 

"Captain Lamberton and about seventy others embarked in her, 
among whom were six or eight of their most valued citizens. They 
sailed from New Haven in January, 1647. She was so 'walty,' i.e. 
rolling, that Lamberton, her master, said she would prove their grave; 
and she did. They cut their way out through the ice of the harbor 
for three miles, and with many prayers and tears and heart-sinkings 
set sail. Mr. Davenport, in prayer, used these words: ' Lord, if it be 
th}' pleasure to bury these, our friends, in the bottom of the sea, they 
are thine, save them.' Months of weary waiting passed over and no 
tidings from Europe of ' the great shippe.' vShe was never heard of — 
foundered at sea. The next June, just after a great thunder storm, 
the air being serene, there appeared about an hour before sunset, 
though the wind was northerly — there appeared in the air, coming up 
the harbor's mouth, a ship just like their ' great shippe,' with her sails 
all set as filled under a fresh gale, and continued sailing against the 
wind for half an hour, coming near to the people standing on the 
shore, when suddenly all her sails and masts seemed blown overboard; 
quickly after her hulk brought to a careen and she overset and 
vanished in a smoky cloud. The people declared this was the mold 
of their ship and this her tragic end; and said Mr. Davenport, ' God 
has condescended for the quieting of our afflicted spirits, this extra- 
ordinary account of his sovereign disposal of those for whom so many 
prayers had been made continually.' " 

The loss of this ship was most disastrous to the hopes of the people 
of New Haven, and as the sea had now swallowed up most of their 
estates, they became greatly discouraged. In this state of affairs they 
were led to think of abandoning the country and settling themselves 
elsewhere; but all these purposes came to naught. For years they 
struggled on, a poor people. But the uses of adversity were not in 
vain. Their posterity learned to adapt themselves to the conditions 
which prevailed in this country and many of them having learned to 
become respectable farmers. New Haven flourished no less than her 
neighbors. 

In 1669 the value of the estates here was ^15,402 and the names of 
the freemen, as returned by the con.stables were as follows: Mr. 
William Jones, John Ailing, Mr. James Bishop, William Payne, Mr. 
Matthew Gilbert, John Jackson, Captain John Nash, Nathaniel Merri- 



106 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

man, Mr. vSamuel vStreet, Ralph Lines, William Andrews, Ephraim 
How, Mr. Thomas Yale, Sen , Abraham Dickerman, William Peck, 
Jeremiah Osborne, Roger Ailing, John Gilbert, John Gibbs, Mr. Wil- 
liam Tuttle, Lieutenant Thomas Munson, Mr. Benjamin Ling, John 
Mosse, Thomas Mix, John Cooper, .Sen., John Hall, Sen., Nicholas 
Elsey, William Holt, William Thorpe, James Heaton, Samuel White- 
head, Isaac Beecher, John Brockett, William Wooden, James Russell, 
John Johnson, Henry Glover, John Clark, Jeremiah Whitnell, William 
Wilmot, William Bradley, Joseph ^Lansfield, Philip Leek, Richard 
Sperry, John Harriman, Sen., Ailing Ball, David Atwater, Thomas 
Kimberley, Thomas Morris, Moses Mansfield, William Basset, Jonathan 
Tuttle, John Winston, Jeremiah How, Henry Bristow, Daniel Sher- 
man, Joseph Alsup, John Cooper, Jr., Abraham Doolittle, John 
Thomas, Sen., John Chid.sey, John Miles, Edward Perkins, Mr. John 
Hodshow, Samuel Miles, Mr. Thomas Trowbridge, Isaac Turner, 
Thomas Barnes, James Clark, George Ross, Matthew Moulthrop, 
Timothy Ford, Ellis Mew, John Peck, John Potter, Joseph Peck, James 
Dennison, Samuel Ailing, John Osbill, Thomas Yale, Jr., vSamuel 
Hemingway, Thomas vSanford, Joseph Bradley. 

The following year Wallingford was formed out of this town, which 
decreased its population and wealth, and until 17(i(t the progress was 
slow. In that year there were 807 taxables and the estates were 
valued at /'17,844. In 1720 the property was valued at /'2S,316, much 
of the increase having come in consequence of the location of Yale 
College, which brought people of wealth to the town. 

" The first Commencement exercises in New Haven were held 
September 10, 1718, when ten students were graduated. The first 
college edifice was of wood, 170 feet long, 22 wide, 3 stories high, con- 
tained about 5() studies, was painted 'blue,' really a slate-color, formed 
by mixing lamp-black and white paint. It was taken down m 1782. 
It stood on the corner of College and Chapel streets, on the identical 
spot on the campus where the Yale students now, of Summer evenings, 
sit on the fence in long lines and make the air vocal with song and 
chorus — ' rah I' ' rah !' ' rah.' " •'■ 

This institution was named for Elihu Yale, its fir.st principal bene- 
factor. He wa« a son of David Yale, one of the first settlers, but who 
had returned to Boston, where Elihu was born about 1648. Later 
David Yale and his family and many others of the New Haven mer- 
chants returned to England. When a young man Elihu went to 
India as a merchant, where he became a governor of the East India 
Company and accumulated great wealth. Some of his means were 
dispensed in charity. It is said that his benefaction to the Collegiate 
Institute of New Haven colony was prompted by the following shrewd 
appeal to his benevolence, in a letter to him by Cotton Mather: 

".Sir," said he, "though you have felicities in your family, which 
♦ Henry Howe. 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 107 

I pray God continue and multiply, yet, certainly, if what is forming at 
New Haven, might wear the name of Yale College, it would be a 
name better than a name of sons and daughters." Then he adds: 
"And your munificence might easily obtain for you a commemoration 
and perpetuation of your valuable name which indeed would be much- 
better than an Egyptian pyramid." 

Yale died in 1721, and on his tomb at Wrexham, Wales, are the 
following singular lines: 

" Born in America, in Europe bred, 
In Afric traveled and in Asia wed, 
Whei'e long he lived and thrived : in London dead. 
Much good, some ill he did, so hope's all's even, 
And that his soul through mercy's gone to heaven. 
You that survive, and read this tale, take care 
For this most certain exit to prepare, 
Where blest in peace the actions of the just 
Smell sweet and blossom in the silent dust," 

In 1748 there were, according to Wadsworth's map, in the village 
of New Haven, 180 dwellings, of which IBS were unpainted. On the 
green were the meeting house, built in 1688, the county house, built 
in 1717, and near by the jail and Hopkins' Grammar vSchool, which 
had been founded in IBS/). West of the green was Yale College and 
east of it the Blue meeting house. 

From this time on the increase in population and wealth was- 
encouraging until it was interrupted by the revolution. After the- 
war, under the lead of new elements, derisively called interlopers, 
who overcame the conservatism of some of the native born people, 
hitherto at the head of affairs, the place took on new life, and in 1784 
it was incorporated as a city. Three years later, when a cen.sus was 
taken, the city had 614 families living in 466 houses, and, including 
176 Yale students, 3,540 souls. Doctor Dana, in his Century Sermon. 
1801, gives the population at 4,000, of whom 85 were slaves, 11,5 free 
blacks, 48 Indians and mulattoes, 142 foreigners. There were 471 
Congregationalist families, 226 Episcopalian, 7 Catholic, 1 ^Moravian, 
1 Baptist, 7 Methodist, 1 Quaker, 4 Priestlian, and 16 Nothingarian. 
There were 110 stores and 61 vessels: tonnage 5,436. 

In 1811, there were, according to Doctor Dwight, 29 hou.ses con- 
cerned in commerce; 41 dry goods stores; 43 grocery stores; 10 
apothecaries' stores; 1 ship yard: 4 ships' stores; 9 tanners; 2 brass 
founders; 3 comb makers; 2 paper makers; 1 bell founder; 6 clergy- 
men; 16 lawyers; 9 practising physicians; and 1 surgeon. 

But a better idea of the condition of the city and the town, about 
the beginning of the present century, may be obtained from the fol- 
lowing very interesting reminiscences of that period, by James 
Brewster, as prepared by him in 1866, and which are here given per- 
manent place: 



108 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

"At this period, the population consisted of from H.OOO to 6,000 
inhabitants, composed, for the most part, of native 'Americans. It is 
believed that the first Irish family was brought to this city in a vessel 
owned by Messrs. Prescott & Sherman: and these gentlemen were 
threatened with prosecution, for fear the emigrants might become an 
expense to the town; but the man being a mechanic, he with his 
family were provided for by charitable persons. 

" At this time, the Grand List of taxable property, as .shown by 
the records, was but $356,:?72. However, the plan of assessment in 
those days was on a different basis from that of the present time — 
lands being valued by the acre, and houses by the stories they con- 
tained. The Grand List for 1865 showed the valuation to be $29,651,- 
409. The vast difference is accounted for by the great increase of 
population and wealth. Real estate in Chapel .street could have been 
purchased then for thirty to forty dollars per front foot, and in Orange 
and other contiguous streets at from three to five dollars. Common 
laborers received from fifty to seventy-five cents a day, and journey- 
men mechanics from four to six dollars per week, and board them- 
selves. The choice of beef could be obtained for six or seven cents 
per pound: butter for eight or ten cents: and potatoes delivered for 
sixteen cents per bushel. Good board, with washing could be had 
for two dollars and two dollars and fifty cents to five dollars per week: 
transient customers one dollar a day, or even less. 

" Money was very scarce, the resources of this country not having 
yet been developed: consequently a general credit system was 
adopted as a matter of dire neces.sity, business men usually settling 
their accounts once a year by notes, and paying them by installments 
of 25 per cent, each quarter in the year succeeding. IMechanics 
usually paid from two-thirds to three-quarters of their workmen's 
wages by orders on stores. 

" Near the close of the first decade, the New Haven Bank was in- 
corporated, with a capital of $80,000. The sub.scription to the stock 
was acquired only by persevering labor. The first President was Mr. 
David Austin. He was succeeded by j\Ir. Isaac Beers — and he by Dr. 
^5ineas Munson. Colonel Lyon was the first cashier. There were 
then but three banks in the state. The New Haven Bank was located 
first in the chambers of a wooden building on Chapel street, owned by 
the Cashier, and for the use of whicli he charged $5() per annum. The 
bank was subsequently removed to a room in a brick building on the 
same street, also owned by the Casliier. In the year 180!), the building 
on the corner of Chapel and Orange streets was erected, and was 
then considered a very elegant structtire. Although this Bank had a 
Board of Directors, yet the general management was conceded to the 
Cashier, Colonel Lyon. The Bank was then almost exclusively avail- 
able for the accommodation of merchants engaged in shipping, and 
in the sale of dry goods and groceries. There were but few mechanics 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. lOD 

engaged in business at that day who had attained to any prominence 
in means and influence. A young mechanic, having just started for 
himself, offered his note for $400 at the New Haven Bank. The 
President informed him that the note was discounted; but on going 
to the Bank, Colonel Lyon remarked to him: ' Four hundred dollars 
is a good deal of money for a young man; and, in view of this circum- 
stance, I have concluded to make the amount $200.' The Colonel dis- 
criminated very closely in regard to the customers of the Bank. A 
showily-dressed man was sure to receive a negative answer to his 
application ; and mechanics, who understood the secret, often 
exchanged their coats for jackets before going to the Bank for favors. 

" These incidents, though trivial, will .serve to illustrate the subject 
of financial'development, in comparing the present with the ' olden 
time.' 

" Our commerce was principally with the West Indies, though 
successful voj-ages had also been made to the East Indies, and else- 
where. Among those who were prominently engaged in it were Elias 
Shipman. Frederick Hunt & Sons, Gad Peck, Jehiel Forbes, Prescott 
& Sherman, and others. 

"The next most important business was that of merchandise. In 
this were engaged Abram Bradley, Titus Street, Samuel Hughes, of the 
firm of Street & Son, Timothy Dwight & Co., Reuben Rice, Thaddeus 
Beecher, Isaac Beers, David Austin, Abel Burritt, and others. 

" The principal apothecaries were Doctor Darling, Doctor Hotch- 
kiss, and Doctor Lewis. Druggists in those days usually sold oils, 
paints, and other similar articles. 

" The most prominent physicians were Doctors Monson, (Deacon) 
Ives (grandfather of Drs. N. B. and Levi Ives), Hubbard, and a few 
others just beginning to practice. 

" Mr. Eli Whitney, then engaged in the construction of arms for 
the government, was the onl}' manufacturer of prominence. 

" There were many enterprising young men at that day just com- 
mencing business life, who have since become men of wealth and 
influence, among whom may be mentioned Abram Heaton, Hervey 
Sanford, Charles and James Atwater, Ezra and Elias Hotchkiss, Abel 
Burritt, Henry Trowbridge, Timothy Bishop, William H. Elliott, 
William Lyon, Elihu Sanford, &c. Some of these have filled their 
missions, and passed away from earth. 

" As has been before remarked, at the close of the first decade the 
mechanical interests of the city were very limited in amount. Those 
most actively employed in these pursuits were Isaac and Kneeland 
Townsend, tailors; James Bradley, joiner; Messrs. Merriman, Wilmot, 
Zebul Bradley, and Sibley & Marble, goldsmiths and jewelers; Beriah 
Bradley and Major Grannis, and others, boot and shoe makers; John 
Cooke, Luther Bradley, Isaac Mix and Eli Bradley, carriage makers; 
Elias Gilbert, tanner: Hezekiah Hotchkiss and Glover Mansfield, 
hatters. 



1110 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

" It is proper to mention here, that a practical lesson may be 
derived from a statement of the fact that many of the most prominent 
citizens of all professions in New Haven at the close of the first decade 
(as well as those who succeeded them), attained to their eminent 
positions (under Providence) by their own industry, economy and 
-integrity: thus showing that inherited wealth or position is no sure 
passport to success or usefulness: but rather a negative. 

" At the commencement of the second decade, carriages for 
pleasure were considered a great superfluity. There was then but 

■ one public hack (and that a very indifferent one), owned by a Mr. 
Crane; and but one or two private carriages drawn by two horses in 
the city. Those in want of the best carriages tisually went to Hart- 
ford or Newark. The whole annual product of carriages did not 
then exceed §40, ()()<>. The same business in ISHO amounted to over 
f'2,()00,()(lO. 

" In regard" to the moral aspect of the inhabitants, and especially 
of what was termed the masses, it may be stated that they were gener- 
ally intellectually and socially low, and of small means. Intemper- 
ance prevailed to an alarming extent. Public lectures were then 
unknown, and it is believed that no College Professor or Tutor had 
ever gone outside the walls of Yale to address the people. At the 

■ commencement of the second decade, those reverend gentlemen, Drs. 
Beecher and Hewett, gave public lectures on the subject of Temper- 
ance, and of entire abstinence from all intoxicating drinks: and 
although they met much opposition as " fanatics " and '• invaders of 
private rights," yet they exercised a most healthy and elevating influ- 
ence upon the whole community. 

"About the same time the master mechanics formed and incorpor- 
ated the ' Mechanic's Society of New Haven.' Practical lectures were 
delivered by the members before the .Society and elsewhere, and many 
of the employers instituted evening schools for their apprentices. A 
vast improvement was soon manifest in the moral tone of society. 
At this juncture Professor Benjainin vSilliman, assisted by Profes.sor 
Olmsted, gave their united public influence in favor of temperance, 
and the dift'usion of the elements of mechanical science — a detail of 
which, particularly in regard to Professor Silliman's agency in insti- 
tuting the Scientific Lectures at Franklin Hall, would be beyond the 
scope and limit of these ' Reminiscences.' Suffice it to say. that the 
moral power thus exerted has been the great conservative element in 
enhancing the material prosperity, and elevating the social position 

■ of the business men in New Haven. 

"There were then but four buildings used as churches, viz.: a 
wooden structure on the east side of Church street, near Chapel, occu- 
pied by the Episcopalians, whose pastor was Dr. Hubbard; the so- 
called ' First Church,' located about where the Center Church now 
stands, presided over by Dr. Dana, assisted by the Reverend Moses 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. Ill 

Stewart: a frame building, standing about where the North Church 
-now does, known as the ' Old White Meeting House;' and another on 
the east side of Church street, near Ehn, designated the ' Old Blue 
Meeting House.' The members of the two latter places of worship, 
uniting as one Society, met alternately in each church. The Reverend 
Samuel Mervin was their minister. There were no other denomina- 
tions, except a few Methodists who occupied a small room in Gregson 
street. Bishop Jarvis, the then Bishop of Connecticut, resided in Elm 
street. 

" The most prominent members of the legal profession were Pier- 
pont Edwards, James Hillhouse, Charles Chauncey, Simeon Baldwin, 
David Daggett, William Bristol, Judge Mills, Nathan Smith, Seth P. 
Staples, Jonathan [ngersoll, Eleazer Foster, Leonard Wales, Dyer 
White and Hart Lynde. All of these have since died. Their imme- 
diate successors were then either in school, college, or engaged in the 
study of their professions, and many of these have attained to high 
distinction. 

"The public buildings were of little account. The old brick state 
house was located about midway between where the Center and 
Trinity Churches now stand. The college buildings did not possess 
one-half of their present magnitude. The old college chapel, where 
Dr. Dwight preached, is now the observatory. And here the writer 
"would pause to pay his tribute to the memory of that great and good 
"man. His dignity and yet suavity of manner were so marked as to 
have a perceptible effect not only upon the members of college, but 
upon the community at large. No person of fair standing in society, 
whether rich or poor, occupying a public or private position, failed to 
receive his polite recognition. In all his intercourse with the public 
or with individuals, he strove to enforce the importance of integrity. 
In his general prayer, was incorporated this petition: 'Oh, Lord ! give 
us just men to rule over us, who fear God, do justly, love mercy, walk 
humbly, and who will shake their hands from holding bribes.' He 
took a deep interest in the young. His coun.sel to the writer, when 
commencing business, has ever been remembered. ' Young man,' 
said he, ' recollect that anything which is contrary to strict integrit}^ 
is against a person's interest.' Dr. Dwight died in the year 1817, 
universally lamented. He was succeeded in the Presidency of the 
College by Professor Day, now the venerable Dr. Day. 

" There were but few public places of amusement. The principal 
one was ' Mix's Museum,' on the east side of Olive street, fronting 
Court street, which for the time, was a very creditable institution, 
having a fine and well cultivated garden, laid out with much taste. 
In the building were many curiosities and works of art — prominent 
among which were wax figures of notable persons. Everything 
about the establishment was characterized by neatness and order, and 
reflected credit upon the past generation. 



112 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

" Of hotels, the most noted was that kept by Mr. Justus Butler, on 
the corner of Church and Crown streets, now the • Franklin Building.' 
From the front steps of this house. General Lafayette was introduced 
to, and shook hands with, the citizens of New Haven. The next m 
importance was located near where the 'Tontine' now stands,_and 
called • Ogden's Coffee Hou.se.' Another was known as ' Nichols' 
Stage House,' and was situated in George street near State. And 
still another, called ' Miles' Tavern,' in the wooden building now 
occupied in part by Mr. Pease as a book store. 

" Singular as it may seem, although the beginning of the war with 
Englancf in 1812 was embarrassing in many respects, yet public and 
private enterprise seemed to be quickened by it. Previous to this 
period, everything had assumed a .stereotyped shape, and any change 
excited surprise. A stranger walking our streets created consider- 
able astonishment, and an immediate inquiry as to his name, residence 
and probable business, ensued. 

'• At that time, our coast was blockaded by the British, and all 
means of travel and transportation by water were considered extremely 
hazardous. A packet venturing to leave 'Long Wharf for New 
York, with some of our prominent business men aboard, was.captured 
m the Sound by an English cruiser. Great alarm and excitement 
prevailed in town, which subsided only when both vessel and pas- 
sengers were ransomed bv the payment of what was then considered 
a large sum in specie. Still, at no period in our history, was there 
ever evinced so much public spirit. The three churches of our 
beautiful 'Green- were erected at a cost of nearly $100,000. Especially 
is this remarkable when we remember the limited means and resources 
of the inhabitants. A man worth $40,000 was considered very wealthy; 
and it is said that no estate exceeding $100,000 in value had then ever 
been administered upon. A salary of $500 or $1,000 per annum found 
many earnest applicants. Let us award all due honor to those enter- 
prising citizens, who have left us so worthy an example ! Let us 
often Took at those churches as a powerful incentive to public enter- 
prise, and moral and physical development ! 

"As an important element of pro.sperity, in diffu.sing information, 
and building up society, mention must be made of the public press. 
The Conuciticut Journal and Connecticut Herald (weeklies) were then 
the onlv jmpers published. 

"As an instance of how a supposed calamity eventuated m a great 
benefit, it may be well to state that business enterprise was consider- 
ably enhanced during hostilities by the issuing on the part of the 
government of a large amount of money for circulation, and the in- 
creasing of the circulation of the local banks. (_)n the face of bills 
was inscribed, ' Pavable in two years after the war.' 

" A negative and depressing effect upon credit was the existence 
of what was termed the 'Grab Law,' by which an attachment upon 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 113 

property could be made available for the benefit of the attaching 
creditor. Upon mere suspicion, maliciously, and without notice, the 
reputation and hopes of many a deserving young- man were destroyed. 
This law was repealed, and another substituted, making a pro-rata 
rule for the benefit of creditors. 

" Before concluding, it will be deemed not inappropriate to allude 
to a subject which, at the time, was fraught with great interest to all 
of the citizens of New Haven. About the commencement of the 
second decade our public burial ground was situated in the rear of 
the Center Church. It was enclosed by a dilapidated board fence, and 
was considered by strangers and others as discreditable to the city. 
In the year 1796, the Honorable James Hillhouse conceived the proj- 
ect of establishing a new cemetery. Associating with himself thirty- 
one of our prominent citizens, a lot was .secured for that purpose. 
Additions to this were made from time to time, both by purchase and 
by the aid and co-operation of the city, till in 1822 it had attained to 
its present dimensions. Public opinion having been averse to build- 
ing a new fence around the old cemetery, an arrangement was made 
with the city to remove the monuments to the new grounds. The 
whole subject caused great anxiety and excitement at the time. How- 
ever, this was consummated; and on the morning of the 26th of June, 
182] , a great concourse of people assembled at the Center church to 
engage in appropriate exercises, and to listen to an address prepared 
by Abraham Bishop, Esq. It was replete with eloquent and impres- 
sive sentiments. The clergy of the various denominations were 
present; and the occasion was long to be remembered. Mr. James 
Hillhouse acted as chairman and chief manager, and superintended 
the transfer of the monuments. In the year 1845, the corner-stone of 
the beautiful gateway was laid with proper ceremonies. The project 
of a new cemetery was conceived by Honorable James Hillhouse, and 
finally consummated by the Honorable Aaron N. Skinner, whose 
public spirit and good taste and good judgment were for so long a 
period at the service of the city of his adoption. 

" How few of those among us remember the space between the 
Center Church and the present State House, covered with the monu- 
ments of our forefathers! What a moral does it teach of the brevity 
of human life ! Let us who survive cherish this lesson with reverence 
and submission ! Let us give our influence and agency in perpetuating 
the institutions founded by our fathers to promote morals and religion, 
law and government. "'-^ 

* In November, 1866, James Brewster, the author of the foregoing, died in 
New Haven at the age of 78 years. He was one of the most useful men that ever 
lived in the city, his'public spirit always seeking some opportunity to benefit his 
fellow men. He was thus prompted to found and maintain several benevolent 
institutions. He came to New Haven in ISO!) and was one of the pioneer carriage 
manufacturers of the city, aiding to develop that industry until it was the principal 
one in the city. His sons, James B. and Henry, removed to New York where 
they became the principal carriage manufacturers in the United States. 



114 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

Under the stimulus of steamboat navigation, begun in I8I0, the 
operation of the Farmington canal in 1829 and the development of 
the railway system since 1839, until there are now six important 
lines, New Haven has grown and prospered, becoming the largest 
city in the state. The following statistics indicate the general increase: 

Population: 1787, 3,.54(); 1790, 4,448; 1800, ri,157; 1810, 6,967; 1820, 
8,327; 1830, 10,678; 1840, 1.5,820; 1850, 22,529; 1860, 39,277; 1870, 50,840; 
1880, 62,880; 1890, 86,095. 

The valuation of the building improvements the past twenty years 
has been as follows: 1871, $1,653,910; 1872, $1,739,030; 1873, $1,317,2.")0; 
1874, $968,105; 1875, $1,086,6.50; 1876, $590,075; 1877, $946,470; 1878, 
$417,.500; 1879, $624,000; 1880, $415,.59i); 1881, $694..5.-)0; 1882, $1,035,850; 
1883, $958,3.")0; 1884, $1,015,310; 1885, 1,088,375; 1886,1,078,131; 1887, 
$1,253,8.50; 1888, $1,481,625; 1889, $1,.513,()75; 1890, $1,455,685; total, 
$21 ,339,606. 

The following was prepared for the Chamber of Commerce, in 1889, 
as a summar}- of the property valuation of the city; Dwelling houses, 
$28,672,503; lands, $3,485,663; stores, $4,247,364; factories, $3,791,638; 
horses, $228,435; carriages, $193,3.38; time-pieces, $53,295; pianos and 
mt:sical instruments, $86,060; furniture and libraries, $189,426; amount 
invested in business, $2,967,987; amount invested in manufacturing, 
$2,198,796; amount invested in vessels and commerce, $592,777; bank 
stock, $2,156,367; insurance stocks, $399,100; state stocks. $43,460: 
bridge stocks, $1,790; western farm loans, $83,650; railroad bonds, 
$490,623; city bonds, .§98,931; amount at interest, $376,408; amount on 
deposit, $310,391; other taxable property, $161,947. On a fair valua- 
tion the real value of the real estate and buildings is at least double 
the amount credited them, or $80,000,000, making the real value of the 
city in the close neighborhood of $100,000,000. 

vSoon after landing at New Haven the settlers adopted a plantation 
covenant, under which they were governed until after the meeting 
of June 4th, 1639, when the civil polity was more clearly defined under 
the terms of the fundamental agreement, which was at that time 
solemnly adopted. Conforming to its provisions, the church was 
organized August 22d, 1639, and the civil government October 25th, 
1639. At this meeting it was decided that the annual elections 
should be held in the last week of October. 

At the meeting held the following month, the first tax was levied 
to raise means to build a meeting house which should be used for all 
the public purposes of the community. The rate of the levy was 30 
shillings on .{^100 of valuation. 

At the November, 1()39, meeting arrangements were also made for 
the proper disposition of the public lands, and a proprietor's com- 
mittee was appointed which was entrusted with those matters. This 
corporation has been continued ever since. Six divisions of land were 
made between 1675 and 1722. Besides the distribution of the land 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 115 

among the settlers, much of the town's business was devoted to the 
regulation of matters pertaining to live stock. The proper care or 
restraint of animals gave the town much concern. Military matters, 
also, received a large share of attention. Orders for the formation of 
a company were promulgated in November, 1639, and the following 
year the .system was completed by the establishment of a regular 
watch. 

Closely connected with the military, but also acting independent 
of that service was the town drummer, who was among the first 
■official appointees and for whose support the town was taxed £o per 
year. Robert Bassett first served in that capacity, and besides beating 
his drum to announce the usual town and religious meetings, he was 
required to beat the drum at sunset and every morning half an hour 
before the break of day. Being a bold, rolicking fellow, he was prob- 
ably well fitted for this work. This office, in the course of years, 
became obsolete, in consequence of the use of church bells. Many 
other offices were created and filled, as the town grew in population, 
until the officials numbered several .score. 

Tithingmen have been elected for congregational societies almost 
from the beofinninsf, few other societies continuing this office after 
1866. Such officers were first elected for the Baptists and the Metho- 
dists in 1821; the Episcopalians in 1883; the Catholics in 1836: and the 
Hebrews in 1849. 

The office of townsman or selectman was created by the town 
•court, November 17th, 1651, when the following action was taken: 

■' Itt was propounded that there might be some men chosen to con- 
sider and carry on the towne affaires, that these meetings, which spend 
the towne much time may not be so often. The court approved the 
motion and chose one out of each Quarter to this work, viz.: Fi'ancis 
Newman, John Cooper, Jarvise Boykin, Mr. Atwater, William Fowler, 
Richard Miles. Henry Lindon, Thomas Kimberley and Matthew 
Canfield, which are to stand in this Trust until the Towne Election in 
May come twelve month; and they are by this court authorized to 
be Townesmen to order all matters about Fences, Swine and all other 
things in the generall occasions of the Towne, except extraordinary 
charges, matters of Election in May yearly, and the disposeing of the 
Towne's land." 

It will be seen that originally the business of the townsmen was to 
look after the interests of the agricultural classes, a townsman being 
appointed for every section. In le.lS the number in this office was 
reduced to seven — the number still elected — but in the time of the 
revolution it was increased to thirteen. In 1660 the powers of the 
townsmen were first enlarged and since that time they have been 
much increased. The office of town agent has been distinct since 1848. 

The affairs of the town have become very important, requiring an 
outlay of more than $400,000 per year to properly carry them on. 



116 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

Much of this expense arises from the care of the poor and those 
dependent on the town's support. In 1788 the town followed the 
custom then and later so prevalent, of selling the poor to the lowest 
responsible keepers, but soon adopted other measures to maintain 
them. Among other means at present used is the almshouse, but 
recently occupied, and which was erected at a cost of $210,00i). It 
stands on the Springside Farm of 257 acres, lying east of West Rock, 
in the town of Hamden, but which by special act was annexed to New 
Haven. The entire inventory of the farm and the buildings on it, 
with the attendant property is $252,727. The construction of a town 
workhouse is contemplated and an appropriation to begin such a 
building has been made. 

The first deed in the land records in the town is dated February 
3d, 1G78, and is attested by John Nash, recorder. His signature was 
last affixed April 22d, 1687. In August, that year, William Jones 
became the recorder, and served until May, 1695. John Ailing was 
his successor from July, 1695, until September, 1697, when the title of 
the office was changed to clerk. Ailing continued to serve in the 
latter capacity until 1716, when Samuel Bishop was appointed. The 
subsequent clerks were elected: 1747, Samuel Bishop, Jr.; 1801, Elisha 
Munson; 18S2, John Scarritt; 1843, Alfred Terry; 1856, Sylvanus 
Butler; 1863, Milton S. Leonard; 1864, Frank D. Sloat; 1865, M. S. 
Leonard; 1868, John Cunningham; 1873, Frederick Bottsford; 1876, 
Truman S. Foote; 1877, Frederick Bottsford; 1880, Edwin W. Cooper; 
1883, William M. Geary; 1884, Philip Hugo; 1887, John J. Clerkin; 
1888, Theodore H. McDonald; 1889, Frederick H. Brethauer. 

Of the territory in the town of New Haven, only the Westville 
section and that part of the town lying east of the Ouinnipiac, which 
was annexed from East Haven in 1881, are solely under the town 
government. The other parts have a dual government, being also 
subject to the rule of the city authorities. 

The town of New Haven long maintained its large area, which 
embraced all the present adjacent towns. The rural population did 
not increa.se in the same ratio as that of the village of New Haven, 
nevertheless, they still held the controlling vote, and the villagers 
found it difficult to secure the improvements they wanted and needed. 
Hence, soon after the French and Indian wars, when an impetus was 
given to the business of the place, an effort was made to secure the 
incorporation of the village as a city. The town did not oppose this 
step, but, at a meeting held December 9th, 1771, sanctioned it, and a 
large committee, headed by Roger Sherman, was appointed to investi- 
gate the matter and report on the propriety. But no record of definite 
action has been preserved and probably none was reached. Nothing 
further was done until after the revolution. In October, 1783, a peti- 
tion to the general as.scmbly, signed by 214 persons, prayed for a city 
charter, but that body postponed action. At the urgent solicitation of 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 117 

the town, in January, 1784, the matter was at once taken up and on 
the 8th day of that month a charter was duly granted to " The Mayor, 
Aldermen, Common Council and Freemen of the City of New Haven." 
The first election was held January 21st, 1784, those chosen being the 
following: Mayor, Roger Sherman; sheriffs, Elias Stillwell, Parsons 
Clarke; collector of taxes, Joseph Peck; treasurer, Hezekiah Sabin; 
city clerk, Joseph Meigs; aldermen, David Austin, Isaac Beers, Samuel 
Bishop, Thomas Howell; councilmen, James Hillhouse, Pierpont 
Edwards, Jeremiah Atwater, Abraham Augur, Henry Daggett, Stephen 
Ball, Ebenezer Beardsley, Joseph Bradley, Abel Burritt, Joel Gilbert, 
Joseph Howell, Jonathan Ingersoll, Timothy Jones, Eneas Monson, 
James Rice, Elias Shipman, Joseph Thomson, MichaelTodd, Ebenezer 
Townsend, John Whiting. " Though many honorable and talented 
individuals have been connected with the city government since then, 
there has, probably, never been a time when so many remarkable 
men were united in its various offices and boards, as was the case in 
the first year of its operation."* They will be recognized as the prin- 
cipal men of New Haven at that period. The city government was 
organized on the 18th of February following, and since that time its 
organic existence, with many modifications, has been maintained. 

New Haven was the fifth incorporated city in the United vStates, 
only New York, Philadelphia, Albany and Richmond having charters 
granted earlier, and this was the first incorporated city after the in- 
dependence of the colonies was recognized. It was earlier under 
corporate rule than Boston or the other bay towns, older than New 
Haven. 

The territory comprised within the limits of the city was desig- 
nated as that " lying between the Ouinnipiac and the West Rivers and 
between the Mill River Meadows and the Harbor." The line was 
described from a point at Lewis' bridge. The territory outlying was 
the town of New Haven proper, yet the entire area was, to a certain 
extent, subject to town rule. This form of dual government has been 
maintained to the present time, perhaps to the disadvantage of the 
community, since the area of the town outside of the city is so small, 
that nothing but respect for the traditions of the past seems to demand 
this arrangement. In the course of years the eastern part of the 
" Neck," lying between the Quinnipiac and Mill rivers was taken out 
of the city limits and set to the town. But in 1870 it was re-united to 
the city. 

Up to 1853 the city had no division into wards, but that year four 
wards were created. In 1857 the number was made six; in 1874 ten; 
and in 1877 twelve, the present number. Each ward is entitled to 
elect two aldermen and three councilmen, which collectively constitute 
the court of common council. 

At first the city government assumed but few functions, limiting 

* William H. Beckford. • 



lis HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

its efforts to the better care of the public property, the regulation of 
the markets, and in a feeble way the improvement of the streets, and 
the due regulation of the internal police. In the exercise of the first 
prerogative the city soon assumed the control of the public green and 
in 1799 passed laws restraining the running of geese on those grounds 
and also restricted unruly Yale College students. In 1809 it indicated 
to the proprietors of the town, that the right to grant the erection of 
buildings on the green was vested in it only, and granted liberty to 
the Methodists to set up a church on the northwest corner, and by a 
subsequent act confirmed that grant. But the city long bore a village- 
like appearance; indeed, it was not until about 1860 that the place 
began to be regulated as a city. Many improvements were then made 
or projected and an earnest endeavor was made to improve every 
department of the service. With the enlarged powers granted by the 
charter of 1807 that was made possible. A still more comprehensive 
charter was secured in 1869; and the present liberal one in 1881. It is 
the fifth since the incorporation of the city and has been amended to 
keep it apace with the growing demands of the city. One of the most 
important amendments was that of 188(:) authorizing the issue of bonds 
to the amount of $100,000 for a free library and permitting the yearly 
appropriation of $10,000 for its maintenance. In 1889 an amendment 
was secured permitting an expenditure of $200,000 on the extension 
of the public park system. 

Under the first charter the mayor was chosen by the freemen, but 
he held his office at the pleasure of the legislature. His duty, among 
other things, was to preside over the city coui-ts, having two of the 
senior aldermen as assistants, and having powers somewhat similar to 
the court of common pleas. In 1842 the charter was amended to 
create a new judicial office, called the recorder's court, and that 
arrangement was continued until 1869, when the new charter abolished 
the recorder's court and created the present city court. The judges 
and assistants of this court are appointed by the legislature of the 
state. In this connection it may be noted that in 1791, the city began 
the building of a workhouse, to which were consigned criminals of 
every species and al.so insane persons; but after fifty years the latter 
found separate provision for them in the state asylums. 

In September, 1784, the streets of the city were first officially named, 
many of them up to that time bearing only local designations. The 
improvement of the streets and sidewalks progressed slowly. Many 
of the ordinances on that matter were disregarded. In 1834 a super- 
intendent of sidewalks was appointed, whose efforts aided to bring 
about a better condition in that respect. In more recent years, there 
have been vast outlays on the streets, the expenditures for building, 
repairing and cleaning being more than $100,000 per year. Much of 
the credit for the improved condition of the city is due to those who 
have served as mayors. In most instances they have been leading 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 119 

citizens and filled the office from a desire to serve or advance the 
best interests of the city. The following- have been the mayors of 
New Haven: Honorable Roger Sljerman, from February 10th, 1784 to 
1793: Samuel Bishop, from August 19th, 1793 to 1803; Elizur Goodrich, 
from September 1st, 1803 to 1822; George Hoadly, from June 4th, 
1822 to 1826; Simeon Baldwin, from June 6th, 1826 to 1827; William 
Bristol, from June 5th, 1827 to 1828; David Daggett, from June 2d, 
1828 to 1880; Ralph I. Ingersoll, from June 1st, 1830 to 183l"; Dennis 
Kimberley, from June 7th, 1831 to 1832; Ebenezer Seeley, from June 
5th, 1832 to 1833; Dennis Kimberley, from June 4th, 1833 [Decl.]; 
Noyes Darling, from June 10th, 1833 to 1834; Henry C. Flagg, from 
June 3d, 1834 to 1839; Samuel J. Hitchcock, from June 3d, 1839 to 1842; 
Philip S. Galpin. from June 6th, 1842 to 1846; Henry Peck, from June 
1st, 1846 to 1850; Aaron N. Skinner, from June 3d, 1850 to 1854; 
Chauncey Jerome, from June 5th, 1854 to 1855; Alfred Blackman,from 
June 4th, 1855 to 1856; Philip S. Galpin, from June 2d, 1856 to 1860; 
Harmanus M. Welch, from June 4th, 1860 to 1863; Morris Tyler, from 
June 2d, 1863 to 1865; Erastus Scranton, from June 6th, 1865 to 1866; 
Lucien W. Sperry, from June 5th, 1866 to 1869; William Fitch, from 
June 1st, 1869 to ]870; Henry G. Lewis, from June 7th, 1870 to 1877; 
William R. Shelton, from January 1st, 1877 to 1879; Hobart B. Bigelow, 
from January 1st, 1879 to 1881; John B. Robertson, from January 1st, 
1881 to 1883; Henr}' G. Lewis, from January 1st, 1883 to 1885; George 
F. Holcomb, from January 1st, 1885 to 1887; Samuel A. York, from 
January 1st. 1887 to 1889; Henry F. Peck, from January 1st, 1889 to 
1891; Joseph B. Sargent, from January 1st, 1891 . 

The city clerks have been: 1784-9, Josiah Meigs; 1789-1800, 
Simeon Baldwin; 1800-5, John Skinner; 1805-41, Elisha Munson; 
1841-4, Edward C. Herrick; 1844-50, Joseph Wood; 1850-4, Alfred H. 
Terry; 1855, James M. Woodward; 18.")6-7. James D. Keese; 1858-9, 
Samuel C. Blackman; 1860-4. William Downes; 1865-6, DeWitt C. 
Sprague; 1866-9, William Downes; 1870, Gideon H. Welch; 1871-2, 
Timothy J. Fox; 1873, James L Hoyes; 1874-7, John S. Fowler; 
1878-9, Seth T. Seeley; 1880-1, Charles T. Morse; 1882-4, James P. 
Pickett; 1886-7, Timothy J. Crowley; 1888-9, Leonard J. Shanley; 
1890-91. Edward Downes. 

The office of city auditor was established in 1835 and since 1883 
John W. Lake has filled that position. 

For many years Harmanus Welch was the treasurer, filling that 
office at the time of his death in 1889. Since the first of 1890 the 
treasurer has been Ezekiel G. Stoddard. 

One of the reasons urged for the incorporation of the city was the 
desire to better regulate "the internal police." But it does not appear 
that this laudable purpose was realized. Regular, special and night 
" watches " were appointed, but in many years their employment was 
almost discontinued. The constables and special constables appointed 



120 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

for unusual occasions, were the main reliance to preserve the peace. 
In the period of railway building, when there was a great influx of 
foreign elements, a regular watch was established. In 1848 it con- 
sisted of ten men and Jobamah Gunn was the captain. A few j^ears 
later Major Lyman Bissell, a retired ofiicer of the Mexican war, was 
in command of the watch, numbering in all but eight men. In his 
administration, March 17th, 1854, occurred a celebrated riot between 
the town element and Yale students, which at one time seriously 
threatened the peace of the city. For a number of years previous 
there had been occasional encounters between the rowdy elements of 
the city and Yale. The former found many willing recruits among 
the sailors and roustabouts of Long Wharf, who relished nothing 
better than a free fight. On the night named, a body of some fifty 
students were in attendance at Homan's theatre, the only place of 
amusement of the kind in the city. As they issued from the hall in a 
bodv, for mutual protection, they were jeered by a howling mob of 
more than a thousand town boys, who would have violently treated 
them, if they had not been held in check by the small force of police. 
By the advice of Bissell the students kept together on the south pave- 
ment of Chapel street, walking, two by two, up toward the college. 
When opposite Trinity church they started singing their great college 
song; " Gaiidcauiits;' i. c. " Let us rejoice while we're young," when 
the mob, which had rolled up against them, filling Chapel street, gave 
them a volley of brickbats, which knocked down some of the students 
and injured others. Picking up their comrades they proceeded on 
their way, when another attack was made, but as before the students 
kept on their way, and had nearly reached the top of the hill when 
the ringleaders of the mob left the street and rushed upon them. Now 
for the first time the students acted in defense, iiring several pistol 
shots into the ranks of the town mob. 

" Several of the rabble were wounded, and the chief leader, Patrick 
O'Neil, fell, stabbed to the heart with a dagger by one of the students, 
who, it was supposed, struck in self defence. The mystery of his 
death and the murderer was never cleared up, but it was generally 
considered that he provoked and deserved his sad fate. During the 
ensuing confusion the students reached the campus and dispersed to 
their rooms. When it was known that their leader was killed, the 
mob became uncontrollable. With terrific bowlings they surrounded 
South College, and drew up an old cannon, filled to the muzzle with 
ball, grape-shot, stones, bricks, etc., to batter down the walls. But 
through the masterly skill of Major Bissell, the gun had been spiked 
on the way up. This alone saved old South from destruction: on the 
second and third stories of which the students were silently gathered, 
behind thick barricades, and heavily armed with every weapon 
obtainable, ready to give their assailants a warm reception. After 
they had hooted and bombarded the windows with brickbats for 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 121 

hours, the rabble were finally dispersed by Major Bissell and his men. 
This was the most unprovoked and cowardly of all the assaults, but 
none of the offenders were ever arrested, though it was barely stopped 
in time to prevent New Haven from witne.ssing mob-rule of the most 
lawless description." * 

In Jul}-, 1861, the police system of the city was reconstructed and 
the present department properly formed. Jonathan W. Pond was 
appointed the chief; Wales French, captain; and O. A. Monson, lieu- 
tenant. There were at that time twelve patrolmen. In September, 
that year, the police were for the first time properly uniformed. 

Charles W. Allen was the chief of police 1S77-9, and first instituted 
regular drills, by means of which he brought the force to a high state 
of efficiency. Since July, 1885, the chief of police has been Charles 
F. Bollman, and under his direction the police compares favorably 
with that of any other city of the same size in this country. More than 
a hundred patrolmen are on the force, whose annual pay roll is about 
$12.-), 000. The entire expenses of the department are about $138,000. 

The police courts were held in the city hall imtil 1873, since when 
they have been held in a chamber of the new police building, on 
Court street. A " Black Maria " for the use of the department was 
procured in the latter year. The Grand street police building was 
erected in 1883 for the use of the precincts in that part of the city; 
and the following year the Gamewell system of police signal and tele- 
phone was introduced, and a number of station boxes erected in dif- 
ferent parts of the city and one in East Park. 

The Fire Department of the city of New Haven dates its existence 
from 1789. On the last day of that year, the corporation appointed 
James Hillhouse, Jeremiah Atwater, Josiah Burr, Colonel Joseph 
Drake, Benjamin Sanford and Joseph Howell, fire wardens. It also 
purchased two fire engines, made by Ebenezer Chittenden of New 
Haven, and companies were that year formed to man them. Each 
company had 17 men. The machines used were simple affairs and 
the service of the department was very limited. In 1810 its capacity 
was increased by the formation of a hook and ladder company; and 
four years later a company of sackmen was formed, which included 
among its members the most trusty and influential men of the city. 
It was a sort of salvage corps, its object being to sack up property at 
fires and carry it to a place of safety. 

Six years later, October 27th, 1820, occurred the first great fire of 
New Haven. In its extent and the amount of property destroyed it 
was a great calamity to the city. On the night of that day, a building 
on Long Wharf took fire and before the flames could be stayed the 
entire wharf was fire swept. In the language of a local poet : 
" The wharf was four rods wide, 
The fire did rage from side to side." 
* Beckford's New Haven, Past and Present. 



122 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

Thirty buildings, many of them stores filled with molasses, rum and 
other goods from the West Indies, warehouses and four lumber yards- 
were destroyed. The losses have been variou.sly estimated from 
$70,000 to a quarter of a million dollars. 

The catastrophe had the effect of stimulating the improvement of 
the fire department, as well as increasing its working force. In 1833 
six companies were reported, having 214 men and with those belong- 
ing to the hook and ladder company and the sackmen, the department 
was three hundred men strong. In ISSaanother company was formed 
in Fair Haven, whose engine subsequently became No. 8 in the city 
department. A hook and ladder company was formed in the same 
place in 1837. 

On the 22d of March, 1839, the splendid steamboat " New York " 
was burned to the water's edge while lying at the dock at New 
Haven. An effort to save her proved in vain. 

On the 30th of October, 1841, the unfriendly feeling which had 
long existed between Yale students and the firemen of the city 
culminated in a quarrel, which led to the arrest of several of the 
students and the subsequent attempt of other students to seek 
revenge by the destruction of firemen's property. A large company 
of students stormed the engine house in the neighborhood of the 
college, demolished the engine, cut the hose in pieces, etc., etc. The 
firemen .sought to retaliate by gathering in a great crowd and threat- 
ening to storm the college. But they were dissuaded from their pur- 
pose, and the college authorities settled the matter by paying $700 for 
the damages done. Unfortunately this did not end the matter, and 
feelings of resentment were cherished until they ended in a tragedy 
February 9th, 1858. On that day occurred a wordy altercation 
between some students, members of the "Crocodile Club," of the 
junior class, and the firemen of Engine Company No. 2, which termin- 
ated in a fierce fight. All sorts of weapons were used, and in the 
excitement which followed Assistant Foreman William Miles was shot 
and killed. Several of the students were arrested and placed under 
bonds, but, through the mediation of the faculty, this case was also 
settled. They ordered the club to disband and purchased the engine 
house, so that the company removed to another locality. In the more 
stirring and patriotic events of the civil war, which .soon followed, 
these bitter feelings were forgotten, and have not since been revived. 

These troublesome events came in the last days of the volunteer 
system. In ISOO the city began the u.se of steam fire engines, and m 
1801-2 the fire department was thoroughly remodeled and placed 
under the control of a board of six commissioners. Since that time 
its efficiency has been steadily increased. Albert C. Kendrick has 
been the chief engineer since 1805, and the present department has 
been practically created in his administration. As now organized it 
had its first review September 27th, 1805. 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 123 

The following year was characterized by many destructive fires, 
among them being: January 10th, 1866, the carriage factory of George 
T. Newhall, loss $30,00(1: the New Haven Clock Factory, April 30th, 
1866, loss $131,724; the Plant Manufacturing Company, December 7th, 
1866, loss §190,079. About one-half of the aggregate loss was covered 
by insurance. 

In October, 1868, the city began the use of the Game well Fire 
Alarm vSystem, which was introduced at a cost of §10,000. It has 
aided in reducing the losses by fire very considerably. 

Among the more recent disastrous fires have been the following: 
N. Y.. X. H. & H. R. R. machine shop, January 1st, 1869, loss $157,550: 
fire at L. Candee Rubber Company's works, November 19th, 1877, loss 
$520,905; Edward Malley's store, spring of 1882, loss $189,873. Prob- 
ably the above were insured for two-thirds of the amounts named, 
which still left a large loss for the years named. 

The city expends yearly from $75,000 to $90,000 on this depart- 
ment, whose present condition, compared with what it was a quarter 
of a century ago, is thus shown by Chief Kendrick: 

186.5. 1890. 

Population of the city 4:3,000 86,000 

Number of steam fire engines 3 ^ 

Number of horse hose tenders 3 8 

Number of hand hose carriages 2 

Number of hook and ladder trucks 1 2 

Number of feet of hose 9.000 17,000 

Number of engine company houses -j ''' 

Number of hose company houses 2 1 

Number of hook and ladder company houses 1 3 

Number of horses 9 35 

Number of fire hydrants 237 754 

Number of permanent men 7 67 

Number of substitutes — 30 

Number of fire alarm boxes — 104 

Number of reserve or spare apparatus — 4 

Number of fires 38 159 

Losses during the year §74,301 860,753 76 

Insurance paid 31.800 57,803 54 

Loss over insurance '■ 42,4!15 2,800 00 

Valuation of fire department property 80,130 292,994 00 

The nature of the soil at New Haven permitted wells to be easily 
dug, and there was a copious supply of water by that means for more 
than two hundred years. These wells were from five to twenty feet 
deep and the quality of the water, when the city was small, was good. 
Several thousand are still in use. When the city was founded there 
were several springs near the center, one of them being in the lower 
part of the green, around which, for many years, was an alder swamp. 
It is supposed that this abundance of water and the ease of digging 
wells was one of the reasons why this plain was selected as the site 



124 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

for the homes of the first settlers instead of Oyster Point, whose topog- 
raphy would more naturally commend it for a sea-coast town. At 
the latter place it was found difficult to dig wells. 

The question of an exterior water supply was long agitated as a 
sanitary measure, necessitated by the rapidly increasing population, 
and in 1849 the New Haven Water Company was chartered to serve 
this need. The company failing to build works, the charter was 
amended to permit the city to construct thein, and from 18.52 to 1854 
the project was before the public for its approval. The propositions 
were defeated, and in 1856 the old company a.ssigned its charter to 
Eli Whitney and others, who reorganized the company, and, largely 
through Mr. Whitney's efforts, the work of construction was begun 
in the spring of 1860. 

The old dam at WhitneyYille was made the base for the works, 
and was raised to afford an immense reservoir." The works were 
completed at a cost of several hundred thou.sand dollars, and water 
was first introduced into the 18 miles of mains laid January 1st, 1862. 
That year the city made a contract with the company for its water 
supply for twenty years for the tise of the fire department, with 
privilege to purchase the works at the close of that time. But a 
proposition to that end was defeated by the citizens of New Haven, 
and the city has .since procured its water supply from the above com- 
pany at an outlay of $16,000 per year. 

The company has added to its original .source of supply at Mill 
river, the waters of Maltby lake, in the northwestern part of the city, 
Saltonstall lake, in the town of East Haven, and the West river above 
We.stville, m the town of Woodbridge. The -summer resouixes of 
these four places of supply are 1,530,000,000 gallons daily. Over one 
hundred miles of mains are now in use, and the daily consumption of 
water is more than 9,000,000 gallons. The pumping capacity of the 
works is nearly double that daily, and the water in the various reserve 
reservoirs measure 6,000,000 gallons. In the extent of supply and the 
quality of the water used but few places in the country surpass this 
city. 

The location of the city is not the mo.st advantageous for natural 
surface drainege. It is mainly on a sandy plain, elevated from 20 to 
45 feet above tide water, the latter height being on the summit 
between the Mill and West rivers. The college campus is somewhat 
ie,ss in elevation, and the lower part of the green is but little more 
than twenty feet above .sea level. A small .sewer was laid in Chapel 
.street near the beginning of the pre.sent century, but in the main the 
poro.sity of the soil afforded the principal drainage until the canal was 
built in 1828, when the .sewerage in that section was improved by that 
means. But it became apparent, many years ago, that nature unaided 
would not absorb or remove the refu.se of a large and constantly 

* See sketcli nf Hamden. 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 125 

increasing population. It was thought, too, a difficult matter to estab- 
lish a system of sewerage which would prove satisfactory. But it was 
attempted and successfully accomplished in the administration of 
Mayor Henry G. Lewis, 1870-7, and has been extended by his succes- 
sors. The first surveys for this system were made by E. S.-Ches- 
brough, at that time chief engineer of the city of Chicago, whose loca- 
tion, but little above the level of water, has many points of resemblance 
to New Haven. 

His success there aided him here, and his reports, made, first, 
March, 1871, and, finally, December, 1872, indicated the possibility of 
such a system. He divided the corporate area of 3,8(10 acres (of which 
200 acres were salt marshes) into three general sections; the eastern, 
about 800 acres, to drain into Mill river; the central section of about 
1,200 acres, to drain into the harbor, and the western section of 1.600 
acres into the West river. Subsequently, by the addition of Fair 
Haven, that section was drained into the Quinnipiac river. The 
sewers have been built of brick or vitrified stone ware, and the con- 
struction has been steadily carried on until the city has more than 
sixty miles of sewers, and yearly expends about $125,000 on the exten- 
sion and perfection of that .system of promoting the cleanliness and 
health of the place. As a beneficial result of this superior drainage, 
the city has been remarkably exempt from contagious or epidemic 
diseases. The death rate in 1889 was seventeen and four-tenths to 
the thousand. This low rate has also been in consequence of other 
causes, as the influence of .sea breezes, pure water and the shelter 
afforded by the hills on the northwest and east of the city. 

The first city buildings of any importance are the ones at present 
in use. Previous to their occupancy many of the offices, courts, etc., 
were in the state and county buildings or in rooms rented in different 
parts of the city. The City Hall, or Hall of Records, was built by the 
joint efforts of the city and the town upon the site of the old county 
house and jail, east of the green, on Church street, which was secured 
in 1856. The plans for the edifice were prepared by Henry Austin, 
and the building was begun in 1860. It was completed for use Octo- 
ber 1st, 1862, when it was occupied by the town and city officers, the 
probate and other courts. It is an imposing edifice of Nova Scotia 
stone and brick, with a very attractive front, and is four stories high. 
In its arrangement and elegance of appointments it was, when com- 
pleted, the finest hall of the kind in the East. Rising from the north- 
west corner is a high tower, in which are the city clock and bells. A 
passenger elevator was supplied in the spring of 1891. The property 
is valued at $150,000. 

On the north side of this hall are the county buildings, adjoined by 
a corridor, which were erected in 1871-3. Their fronts have the same 
general appearance as the city hall. East from the latter, on Court 
street, is the City Police Building, also erected in 1873. Its front is 76 



126 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

feet, and it is three stories high. The material is Philadelphia pressed 
brick, trimmed with Nova .Scotia and Portland sandstone. The 
"building extends to the rear to afford quarters for the police force, a 
drilling room, the various offices connected with the department and 
other offices of the city not accommodated in the main hall, wi-th 
which this is also connected. The value of this property, which has 
been pronounced " the most handsome and best constructed of the 
kind in the country," is more than $100,000. The entire value of 
the city property of whatever kind is more than $2,000,000. 

There was but little illumination of the streets of the city prior 
to the use of gas lamps. A few persons, at their own expense, pro- 
vided whale oil lamps in front of their stores or residences, but there 
was no general plan of lighting. The New Haven Gas Company 
was chartered in 1847, and was organized with W. W. Boardman as 
the first president. The following year some private houses were 
first illuminated by gas, and its use in the street lamps began in 
the spring of 1849. New Haven was thus next to Trenton, N. J., 
the second small city in the Union to light its streets by gas. Its 
introduction was quite rapid, there being at the end of the next six 
years more than 1,000 private consumers and 189 public lamps. The 
use has been constantly extended until more than 1,200 public lamps 
were in use, and the other consumers numbered between 5,000 and 
6,000 families. As a street illurainant its use since 1881 has, to some 
extent, been superseded by electricity. In the year named a com- 
pany was organized to light by the Weston system, but, after more 
than a year's trial, the effort was abandoned as unsatisfactory. The 
corporation was now re-organized as the' New Haven Electric Light 
Company, and by using the Thompson-Houston system better results 
have been obtained. Several hundred arc lamps have been placed on 
the streets and public grounds of the city since December, 1883, result- 
ing in brilliant illumination. The yearly expenditure by the city for 
electric lights, gas and naptha lamps is about $68,000. 

In addition to the illuminants furnished by the above corporations, 
a number of the large manufacturing establishments have their own 
electric plants, and the use of that agent has become very general in 
the past few years, many firms also employing it to more thoroughly 
light the approaches to their places of business. 

The fame of New Haven's elms is world wide ; and no place better 
deserves the title of the " Elm City." That noble tree is here found 
in the greatest perfection, and has been cherished as a part of the 
city's life for more than two hundred years. Said Henry Howe: 

'■ The first of the elms known in the histoiy of our city, two in 
number, were planted in l(i86. They stood on Elm street before the 
P)ristol mansion, the la.st one remaining until 18:59, It was then 146 
years from its setting out. Reverend James Pierpont was settled in 
108r), the succes.sor of John Davenpoi-t. when the people built for him 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUiNTV. 127 

a new house on that site, furnished it and brought free-will offerino-g 
of various kinds. One poor man, William Cooper by name, having 
nothing else to give, brought these elms and put them before the good 
man s door. • Under their shade, some forty years after (1726) Jona- 
than Edwards spoke words of mingled love and piety in the ears of 
Sarah Pierpont. Under their shade, when some sixty summers had 
passed over (1746). Whitefield stood on a platform and lifted up that 
voice.^the tones of which lingered so long in thousands of hearts.' 

" The planting of our elms appears to have had its origin in a 
paper drawn up by James Hillhouse, dated in the spring of" 1787 to 
which various citizens subscribed, stating what each would pav for 
beautifying the green, by planting elms and preventing the washing 
•of the sand. It was at this time that Hillhouse laid out Temple street, 
m conformity with a vote passed at a city meeting on the 5th of June 
of that year. He planted the streets with elms, and also, in 1792, 
through Hillhouse avenue, then a part of his farm and unopened. He 
set out the elms around the green, all but the inner rows, which were 
.set out by David Austin. Hillhouse was the most enterprising, pub- 
lic-spirited man the city ever had, and an untiring worker, laboring in 
•elm-planting with his own hands. The green, up to the beginning of 
this century, was a rough spot, all an open common, when, through 
the public spirit of James Hillhouse, David Austin, Pierpont Edwards 
and Isaac Beers, it was improved, and a wood fence put around it; it 
was then divided into two parts by fencing through Temple street. In 
1845 the present iron fence was erected at an expense of about §7,000, 
by a faithful builder, Nathan Hayward." 

The most noted elms of the present time are known as the Frank- 
lin elm and the Nathan Beers elm. The former was planted on the 
•day of the death of Benjamin Franklin, April 17th, 1790, at the corner 
of Church and Chapel streets. It was carried to New Haven on the 
back of Jerry Alling.-the poet of Hamden, who brought it from the 
plains of that town for Thaddeus Beecher, a grocer of the city. The 
tree is now more than SO feet high, and two feet above the ground its 
girth is 16 feet. The Nathan Beers elm is at the entrance of Hill- 
house avenue, and is somewhat larger than the foregoing. It com- 
memorates the memory of this distinguished patriot, who was born 
February 14th, 1753, and died February 11th, 1849, having rounded 
out nearly a century of years. He was a paymaster in the revolution- 
ary army from March, 1777, until the troops were disbanded, and was 
a son of the Nathan Beers who was murdered in cold blood at the 
time the British invaded New Haven. For 45 years he was a deacon 
of the North church. The elms on Broadway were set out about 
1830. 

The parks of New Haven are, large and small, some twenty in 
number, embracing about 400 acres of land. The oldest park in the 
present sy.stem is, of course, the famous New Haven Green, in the 



128 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

central part of the old city. Around it are clustered associations of 
every phase of life of the city and the town. Originally it was set 
aside as a market place and for all sorts of public uses. Its improve- 
ment as a park began soon after the city was incorporated, but it was 
many years before the condition of its present beauty was attained. 
The entire area of the tract, including its bounding streets, is about 
21 acres. What is enclosed as the green proper is a little more than 
16 acres. The maples in the upper part of the green were planted 

about 1852. 

The next largest park in the city proper is Wooster Square, con- 
taining 41 acres. It was bought in 182.-, for $6,()()(), and was first 
enclosed with a wooden fence. Individuals planted the trees at a 
cost of $1,.500, and in 1853 the ground was enclosed with an iron rail- 
ing, costing $4,000. The park is densely shaded, and is surrounded 
by fine mansions, making a quiet and attractive spot. Clinton Park 
contains nearly four acres; Jocelyn Square, 2.61 acres, donated to the 
city in 1836; and York Square, a little more than an acre, and was 
set aside for public use about the same time as the latter. A num- 
ber of smaller parks contain less than an acre and are mere breath- 
ing spots. 

East Rock Park is the newest of the principal public places, and 
will soon be by far the most important. Its improvement was begun 
soon after the East Rock Park Commission was chartered by the 
legislature in 1880. The park embraces about 353 acres on the East 
Rock ridcre, of which 50 acres were donated by John W. Bi.shop. 
One hundred and forty-four acres lie in the town of New Haven, 
the remainder m Hamden. The park is about two miles from the 
center of the city, and is approached on both sides by lines of street 
railways and by fine avenues. 

The plans "for the harmonious development" of the park were 
prepared by Donald G. Mitchell in 1882. The following year Farnam 
Drive was constructed to the northern summit, 2^ miles, at an expen.se 
of $15 000, defrayed by the estate of Henry Farnam. The use of this 
revealed the beauties of the place, and its fitness for a park became 
apparent The English Drive on the west side was begun m 188.), 
havino- as a basis for its construction the $10,000 donated lor that pur- 
pose by James E. English. It was completed the following year, and 
there are now more than five miles of good carriage drives, making 
all parts of this rugged piece of natural beauty easily accessible. 
Numerous other improvements have been made, more than $100,000 
having been expended on this park, which has already become very 

popular. 

One of the most striking features of the park is the hne new 
Soldiers Monument, which occupies a commanding position near the 
south face of the Rock. It was formally dedicated June 17th. 1887, 
the ceremonies being witnessed by 75,000 people. Among the di.s- 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 129 

tinguished guests present were Generals Sherman and Sheridan, and 
a fleet of United States war vessels was in the harbor. A great 
parade was one of the features of the day. Twenty thousand men 
were in line, and it took three hours to pass a given point. Doctor 
Newman vSmyth delivered the oration. 

The movement to build a memorial to the soldiers of the late war 
had its origin in the action of Admiral Foote Post, No. 17, Grand 
Army of the Republic, which, in April, 1879, asked permission of the 
city to place a memoiial on the green, in the shape of a large granite 
drinking fountain. Consent having been obtained, the site near the 
liberty pole was dedicated on Decoration Day, that year, but that plan 
was not carried out. The project now rested until the latter part of 
1883, when the Post urged the matter of a suitable inonument upon 
the town, which appropriated $50,000 to build a monument. The 
foregoing site on East Rock was selected, and a design by Moffatt & 
Doyle of New York was chosen for the memorial, by the following 
committee: S. E. Merwin, Jr., chairman: vS. J. Fox, .secretary: Gov. H. 
B. Harrison, Prof. John F. Weir, Col. John Healey, John Reynolds, 
Hon. H. B. Bigelow, Gen. Frank D. Sloat, Col. J. D. Plunkett, John 
McCarthy, Hon. James E. English, Col. Samuel Tolles, Theo. A. 
Tuttle, Conrad Hofacker. 

The monument was built under the direction of vS. E. Merwin, Jr., 
James E. Engli.sh and Philo Chatfield. It has been described as 
follows : * 

" The height of this tribute to the heroes of America's battle fields, 
from the base to the apex of the statue of the Angel of Peace, which 
.surmounts it, is 110 feet: the height of the Angel of Peace is 11 feet. 
The pedestal of the monument is a series of five steps of granite, the 
lowest course of which is 40 feet square. The.se steps, with the excep- 
tion of the top one, are 18 inches wide; the top step is made 4 feet 
wide, forming a promenade around the monument. The base is 17 
feet in height, and constructed of uniform blocks of split or rough- 
faced granite. In each .side of this masonry casements are built, but 
the only entrance is through the front one, which is supplied with 
heavy folding doors, and approached by three granite steps. The 
other casements are imitation entrances, but are also approached by 
steps. 

" Between the base and the foot of the shaft there are 8 feet of 
ornamental masonry, on the four corners of which statues of Pros- 
perity, History, Victory and Patriotism are placed in a sitting position. 
They are 9 feet in height, and made of bronze. The Genius of His- 
tory is seated in a graceful attitude, perusing a book, which she holds 
in her lap: Victory holds the u.sual laurel wreath and trumpet in her 
hands: Prosperity has the familiar horn of plenty on her .shoulder, and 
Patriotism is a bare-armed and bare-necked warrior in the attitude of 

* New Haven, Past and Present. 
9 



130 IlLSTOKV OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

drawing a sword. Between the .statues and on each face of the 
masonry are four historical bas-reliefs, commemorating the four great 
wars in which this country has been engaged since the first blow for 
liberty was struck at Lexington. Over the entrance the scene 
depicted in this way is the surrender of Cieneral Lee to General Grant 
at Appomattox. Figures of Grant and Lee occupy the foreground, 
and between them stands a little table on which the terms of uncon- 
ditional surrender were made. On the topmost portion of the base 
and under the bas-relief are the words, m raised letters of granite: 
'Shiloh, Gettysburg and Antietam,' and below these words and 
over the top of the casement, ' 18G1-1S65.' 

" A bas-relief of General Scott entering the conquered city of 
Mexico occupies one of the other faces. ' Palo Alto, Monterey and 
Chapultepec,' and the dates ' 1846-1848' are on the stone below. 

" On the back of the monument the scene depicted is that of Coin- 
modore Perry on Lake Erie. The great commander is in the act of 
writing his famous despatch: ' We have met the enemy and they are 
ours.' This picture also represents the dismantled British fleet. On 
the base, under this picture, are inscribed the words: ' Lake Erie. 
Bridgew.vter and New Orleans.' The dates over the casement are 
1812 181.^). 

" The fourth bas-relief is a picture of the surrender of General 
Cornwallis at Yorktown. A figure of Washington stands in the fore- 
ground, receiving the British generals' swords. ' Bunker Hill, Ben- 
nington AND Yorktown,' and the dates ]77r)~178H are below it. 

" The shaft proper of the monument is 75 feet high, circular, and 
slightly tapering, and 10 feet in diameter at the base, which rests on a 
sculptured wreath. Above this wreath appears a few feet of orna- 
mental masonry, and then a band of thirteen chiseled stars, represent- 
ing the thirteen original states. Above this are uniform unorna- 
mented blocks of granite until the look-out windows are reached. The 
casements of the.se windows stand out prominently, and the ornamen- 
tations below them are very beautiful in design. The windows are 
about five feet high by two feet wide, and are at the termination of a 
spiral stairca.se, which winds its way up through the column from the 
base. The apex of the monument is very nearly cone-shaped, and is 
surmounted by the pedestal on which the Angel of Peace stands." 

vSo conspicuous is the position of the monument that it has become 
one of the most noteworthy objects in the southern part of the county, 
and is seen from far out at sea, standing like a beacon of liberty, as 
well as a memorial to those who died in the cause of freedom. 

The commerce and shipping of New Haven have, from the begin- 
ning, as has already been related, been important elements of its busi- 
ness life. Many of the early settlers were seafaring men, and sought 
opportunities to engage in that pursuit here. The disastrous loss of 
the " Fellowship," with Captain Lamberton and many others on 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 1:^1 

t)oard, in the early part of 1G47, cast a gloom upon the hopes which 
had been so fondly cherished, that New Haven would speedily have a 
profitable commerce, and several years elapsed before other ventures 
were made. In 1646 Isaac Allerton, who has been called the " father 
of New England commerce," came to New Haven from Plymouth 
colony, whose business agent he had been many years. He here 
engaged in trade, having a large warehouse and owning a num'ber of 
small vessels which were in the coastwise trade. He was the leader 
of commerce, and before his death, in 1659, the shipping business at 
this port had been much revived. After his decease the maritime 
business fell off, what little trade there was being confined to near-by 
points. 

Sometime about 1680 another attempt was made to encourage com- 
merce, and soon after the work of building a wharf into the harbor 
was begun. This has been extended to meet the wants of trade, and 
has long been known by the name of Long Wharf. In 1748 it was 
lengthened about twenty rods, and thirty rods more in 1765. About 
the same time the pier on the west side of the channel was com- 
menced, but was not completed until 1770. Soon after a fruitless 
attempt was made to connect the pier and Long Wharf, the aid of a 
lottery being sought to raise means. In 1810 a new wharf company 
was formed, which extended the wharf to nearly its present length, 
;^,943 feet. The wharf was widened on the west side, and stores and 
warehouses built on it. On the night of October 28th, 1820, a fire 
broke out, which, before it was checked, burned 26 stores and ware- 
houses, many of them filled with West India produce. The loss was 
about a quarter of a million dollars, and the blow to the shipping 
interest was very severe. 

About 1750 foreign commerce was revived and vessels began to 
arrive from various European ports. In 1764 the brig " Derby," from 
Dublin, brought the first cargo of coal. Since that time New Haven 
has become one of the greatest coal depots in New England. The 
same vessel brought 38 Irish peasants, as servants. The exports at 
this time were mainly flax and lime, whose manufacture had become 
one of the interests of the town. In 1774 the exports amounted to 
more than §140,000. In 1776 the town had thirty vessels, in three of 
which Benedict Arnold, at that time a merchant and trader at New 
Haven, was interested. The revolution interrupted this commercial 
activity, but after the war it speedily revived. In 1787 there were 61 
vessels and 110 stores, and for twenty 3-ears the business was very 
prosperous. Much of the trade was with Barbadoes, and rich cargoes 
were brought into the city. 

" Again, in 1798, the disturbances in France brought great disaster 
on our shipping, through privateer depredations. vSeveral score of 
ships and many hundred thousand dollars worth of property were lo.st 
about this time— New Haven losing more in proportion than any other 



132 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

city in the Union. In spite of these great losses, however, New 
Haven's commerce continued to rapidly increase. In 18(.)1 over 11,000 
tons of shipping were registered at this port. Though her ships were 
searched, pillaged and confiscated by the vessels of both the great 
naval powers of the world, England and France, the end of her com- 
mercial importance was not yet. 

•' A fleet of some twenty ships, called the New Haven South Sea 
Fleet, was manned and set out about this time. They were mainly 
engaged in the seal fishery. After obtaining a cargo of seals these 
were sold in Canton, and a load of silks and teas was taken in, after 
which they circumnavigated the globe on their way home, through 
the Indian and Atlantic Oceans."* 

"The most successful, perhaps, of all American voyages was that 
of the ' Neptune,' twenty guns, manned by forty-five active, bright 
New Haven county young men from our solid families. She was 
owned by Ebenezer Townsend, called ' The Merchant Prince ' of New 
Haven; commanded by Captain David Greene, a complete seaman, 
who lived in tire 'Old Cottage' on Water street, near Sargent's fac- 
tory. She returned from her three years' voyage around the world 
July, 1709. Her voyage gave a profit of §260,000, nearly ecjual to a 
million now. Her custom-house duties were $75,000, which was a 
quarter more than the civil-list tax of the whole state of Connecticut 
at that time. Her arrival filled the town with joy. The military 
marched down to the Cedars, on the west shore, drums beating, colors 
flying, and fired guns in welcome; and in the balmy air of the sum- 
mer evening the boys met on the street corners and sang patriotic 
songs." f 

In ]S()7the cu.stom duties paid at this port were more than $ir)O,00O, 
and great prosperity prevailed, in spite of the annoyance to trade and 
the despoiling of ves.sels by the French and the English, and which 
finally brought on the war of 1812. But the embargo act which was 
passed December 7th, ] 807, and which was intended to injure Great 
Britain, affected New Haven so seriously that it practically ruined 
trade, and great distress prevailed, as for more than a year not a 
ve.ssel was allowed to leave this harbor. 

Trowbridge, in his " Maritime Hi.story," says: 

"There were but few of our citizens who were not, directly or 
indirectly, dependent upon foreign commerce. About 100 ship- 
wrights were living in the place, 32 commercial houses, 82 ships were 
engaged in foreign trade, and hundreds of .seamen here had their 
homes. On the anniversary of its passage, ne.xt year, there was a day 
of mourning for the death of American commerce. The flags on the 
shipping hung at half-mast; a procession was formed on Fleet street, 
compn.sing all cla.sscs and grades of society. It was led by a young 
man clad in mourning, and mounted on a black horse. He carried in 

*Nt:\v liavL'ii. Past and Present. I Henry Plowe. 



HISTORY OF NEW HA\EN COUNTY. 133 

his hand a banner, on which was inscribed: ' Bonaparte — 0-grab-me!' 
which last word the reader will find spells ' Embargo,' if read from 
the right. Following the leader was a company of seamen, neatly 
dressed, with crape attached to their left arms. Six of them bore a 
boat, the flag of which was at half-mast, shrouded in mourning, being 
emblematical of the Constitution of the United States. Throngs of 
people joined in the procession as it passed through State and Chapel 
streets; and when it reached the Green, where an address was deliv- 
ered, it was estimated there were 1,400 people in the procession, nearly 
one quarter of the entire population of the cit}-. When, early in 1809, 
President Jefferson, by proclamation, ended the embargo, great joy 
prevailed, and a splendid dinner was given at Butler's famous 
tavern." 

When the war of 1812 broke out six hundred American seamen 
had their homes in New Haven, and that conflict of arms was very 
unpopular here. Through its influence the merchant marine was so 
much affected that it never again was restored to its former prestige. 
The foreign trade was diverted to New York, whose rapid growth, 
after the war, injured all near-by seaports. All the channels of trade 
were diverted to the metropolis, and have since flown thither. In the 
past flfty years the foreign commerce of New Haven has been com- 
paratively light, the shipping trade being done principally through 
New York. 

After the war steamboat service between New York and New 
Haven was established. The first steamboat to enter New Haven 
harbor was the " Fulton," Captain Bunker, which arrived here " from 
New York, March 21, ISlo, with thirty passengers: passage \\\ hours. 
Previous to that time it had been considered doubtful if a steamboat 
could navigate the Sound. She then began making two trips per 
week — fare, $5.00. Previously passengers and goods had been trans- 
ported by packets, which were sometimes a week on the way. Land 
passage by .stages occupied parts of two days."- 

vSince 1815 one or more lines of steamboats have plied regularly 
between these ports; and from 1839, when the Hartford railroad was 
built, until 1848, when the New York & New Haven railroad was 
completed, they carried many passengers. The present steamboat 
facilities are first class, two companies supplying a service which 
embraces three boats, to and from New York daily. Excellent oppor- 
tunities for the shipment of heavy freights are thus afforded. Foreign 
commerce has also increa.sed, and the commercial importance of this 
port is again conceded. From 1872 to 1888 there were collected in 
customs duties $5,500,000, placing the port of New Haven seventh in 
a column of seaports arranged according to the amount paid into the 
treasury of the United States for duties on imports. In the customs 
district there were owned in this year 318 vessels. 
* Henry Howe. 



134 HI.STdRV OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

The manufacturing interests have done much to increase the com- 
merce in recent years. Of their effect upon the city, the Reverend 
Thomas R. Bacon said, in his '• Century Oration," in 1884, in speaking 
of the purposes of the framers of the city government: 

■' They hoped for a great commercial center sending out its mer- 
chant fleets to the ends of the earth; they did not expect a great manu- 
facturing city, as New Haven has become. In 1784 the manufactories 
of New Haven were apparently a paper mill and a blacksmith shop, 
and now our manufactured products in vast variety are found through- 
out the civilized world. And to the use of the manufacturing interests, 
more than any one agenc}', nay, more tlian to all the rest put together, 
has been due the growth of the city from 3,.-)()i» to some 70,()()() inhabit- 
ants. These vast industries of to-day, which have sprung from the 
mechanical inventions and discoveries of the century, have given to 
American civilization an unexpected aspect and development. In 
the history of its manufacturing industries New Haven has been 
peculiarly happy. This great variety has saved us from those pro- 
longed and extensive periods of depression and paraly.sis which have 
fallen iipon towns devoted to a single industry. The same cause has 
prevented such great struggles between labor and capital, culminat- 
ing in wholesale strikes and lockouts, and entailing much variety of 
suffering, whi::li have been so frequent elsewhere. This growth of 
manufactures in the state of Connecticut has had the effect of drawing 
the population away from the barren farm lands to the villages and 
cities, and then to change the whole character of its life. And in this 
great change New Haven has taken the lead, until by the census of 
1880 our gross manufactured products were valued at §24,040,22."); our 
net products at $9,r)58,062. The number of hands employed was 
ir),l.")0, and the amount paid in wages $5,761,375. Surely here is some- 
thing that helps to account for the century's growth." 

And said another writer: 

" The first quarter of the century had not passed away before the 
manufacturing and mercantile interests of the city had attained 
extensive dimensions. The manufacturing of carriages — in which 
line New Haven has since been one of the leading cities of the world 
— had been inaugurated by James Brewster, in 1827. The manufac- 
ture of firearms had already become an important industry, having 
been founded in 1798, by Eli Whitney, the famous inventor of the 
cotton-gin. Charles Goodyear, a native of New Haven, was perfect- 
ing the great discovery which soon made his name famous through- 
out the world, and a few years later the first India-rubber clothing 
ever manufactured was turned out in this city. The chief houses 
which represent these three branches of indu.stry in New Haven 
to-day, as well as those repre.senting the production of clocks, locks, 
pianos, cor.sets, chairs, paper boxes and hardware, rank among the 
largest and best of their kind in existence, and have sent their goods 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 135 

and made the name of our city known and honored throughout the 
civilized world."* 

In all, there are in the city more than .seven hundred manufactur- 
ing establishments, including more than a hundred and thirty 
incorporated companies, one having a capital stock of $1,500,000. 
There were in 1888 more than 3,300 business and mechanical occupa- 
tions, and the valuation of buildings and stock employed in the manu- 
facturing and commercial interests of the city was about 828,000,000. 
Almost all conceivable articles of manufactures are produced by work- 
men as skillful as are found in any civilized community. Considering 
the indifference to mechanic pursuits, so long prevalent in New 
Haven — an indifference which prevented them for many years from 
having even a blacksmith — this is, indeed, a striking transition of 
occupations. 

Most likely, the blacksmith shop alluded to by Doctor Bacon, in 
the paragraph above, was the one conducted by Captain Ezekiel 
Hayes, the ancestor of President Hayes, who was in his time a famous 
axe and scythe maker. But so poorly was his work compensated that 
in 1775 he announced in a newspaper card that he would be necessi- 
tated to return to his old place in Branford, unless the New Haven 
public would " allow me 75 per cent, on my work and the first cost of 
my .stock, or I must infallibly heave up my trade." Grain and paper 
mills were early operated at Whitneyville and at Westville. where 
water power could easil}' be used. 

In 1785 a small mint for the coining of copper coins was started by 
a company organized for that purpose, which had among its members 
Samuel Bishop, James Hillhou.se and Abel Buell, the latter being the 
practical man of the concern. He produced a machine capable of 
coining 120 coppers per minute. In the course of a few years this 
" New Haven Mint " was authorized to make copper coins for con- 
gre.ss. In 1787 James Jarvis was the owner of the establishment, 
which was continued a number of years. 

In 1789 a cotton mill was established on West river, which was 
deemed so important that the state granted it a subsidy of $3,000. 
The following year calico printing was begun by John Mix, who also 
made metal buttons. That article was also made by Phineas Bradley. 
Jotham Fenton made telescopes, etc., about the same time; and other 
small manufacturing interests were begun about the beginning of the 
present century. Soon after leather tanning became an important 
business, and in 1840 five tanneries, with capital aggregating more 
than $100,000, had an output of $380,000. 

The manufacture of carriages was the next important industry 
established, there being in 1840 twelve shops, whose product amounted 
to $234,000. This business and the manufacture of carriage parts is 
now carried on in about forty establishments, in which more than 

" \Yilliatn H. Beckford. 



136 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTV. 

2,000 men are employed, and the output amounts to $2,000,00() per 
year. It is claimed that G. T. Newhall of this city was the first in 
America to adopt machinery in the manufacture of carriages — a 
method which is now almost universally used. For many years Henry 
Hooker & Co. had here the largest carriage manufacturing establish- 
ment in the world. 

Closely allied with the carriage business is the industry of manu- 
facturing hardware specialties, several dozen firms being at present 
engaged in that intere.st. J. B. Sargent & Co. were among the 
pioneers in that line, and their establishment has become the greatest 
in the world. Acres of land are covered with large buildings, in 
which about 2,000 people are employed, and so many kinds of hard- 
ware goods are made that a volume of more than 1,100 pages is 
required to catalogue them. In their extent, equipments and variety 
of products these works have no equal in this or any other country. 
O. B. North & Co. rank among the oldest manufacturers of saddlery 
hardware. The wholesale hardware business has had a place in the 
city since 1784, before the era of manufacturing. The Mallory- 
Wheeler Company are representative lockmakers. Their interest was 
founded in 1834, and has grown to such proportions that 25 buildings 
are occupied, and 500 workmen are employed. Immense quantities 
of all kinds of locks are produced. 

The manufacture of firearms has been carried on at New Haven 
the greater part of a century, being here begun on a large scale b}- 
Eli Whitney, and has, through the Winchester and other companies, 
been developed into one of the largest industries of the kind in this 
country. The Winchester Repeating Arms Company was organized 
in 18.")8. Most of the buildings at present occupied were erected in 
1870 and cover the area of two city squares. The floor area is nine acres: 
3,000 different machines are operated by 1,000-horse power steam and 
150-horse power water motors, and 15,000 workmen are employed. 
Tlieir firearms and ammunition are sold in all parts of the world. This 
corporation has ab.sorbed the old Whitney armory. The Marlin Fire 
Arms Company has had a more recent origin, but is a prosperous and 
growing industry. Excellent arms are produced, and more than 200 
men are employed. 

In the manufacture of machinery there are about three dozen con- 
cerns engaged. The oldest iron foundry is that of vS. H. Barnum, 
which was e.stablished in 1832. Of these concerns one is engaged in 
the manufacture of flour mill machinery, and is noted for the .superi- 
ority of its products, which are shipped all over the globe; six estab- 
lishments build engines, .several being extensive; three make drop 
forgings, two are safe works and two make cutlery. The brass goods 
manufacturing establishment of A. B. Hendryx & Co. is one of the 
most exten.sive of its kind in the Union, a position occupied in other 
products of brass goods by Peck Brothers & Co. A dozen concerns 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 137 

are devoted to brass goods manufactures, and many skillful workmen 
are employed. 

In the manufacture of clocks New Haven is also in the lead. The 
New Haven Clock Company has one of the largest works in this 
country. The company began to make movements in 1853, but since 
1856 have produced finished clocks of many different kinds. A num- 
ber of large buildings, covering nearly two city squares, are occupied, 
and more than 700 men are employed by this thrifty company, of 
which Hiram Camp has long been the head. 

In the manufacture of rubber goods but few places surpass this 
city. The largest establishment is that of L. Candee & Co., founded 
in 1842, and one of the first to manufacture under the Goodyear 
patents. The works cover more than 2^ acres, and are very complete 
in their equipments. Fifteen hundred men are employed in the 
various departments, and the products have a most excellent reputa- 
tion in every state in the Union, and since 1871 have been sold direct 
to the trade. 

•' Another important industry of New Haven, and one which is of 
quite recent origin in this country, is the manufacture of corsets. 
This city is the birthplace and home of this industry in America, and 
there are at present eight considerable corset factories devoted to it. 
The first consets made in a factory in America were produced in this 
city in 1860 by Isaac Straus, who is still in the business here, and now 
one factory alone employs upwards of l,o()0 operatives. Concerning 
the productions of these factories, it may be said that the}^ are full}- 
equal to the imported articles, and have been placed on the market at 
such low prices as to have almost entirelj- driven the foreign goods 
out of American consumption." 

The manufacture of musical instruments forms a considerable part 
of the business of New Haven. One of the oldest firms in that 
industry is B. Shoninger & Co., who began in a small way in 1850 as 
organ builders. The manufacture of pianos was added in 1876, only 
about 100 per year being made. This output has been increased until 
now 1,800 are made yearly, and their works have become so extensive 
that they rank among the first in the world. 

New Haven has also become an important wholesale center, sup- 
plying many of the adjoining towns with the products of trade. In 
1889 there were in the city " five wholesale grocery houses (the first 
was established in 1825), two wholesale drug houses, three wholesale 
hardware houses, four wholesale paper houses, two wholesale boot and 
shoe hou.ses, three wholesale china and glassware houses, two whole- 
sale paint and oil houses, three coffee and spice mills, three wholesale 
cigar houses, besides a number of others smaller in size and repre- 
senting other lines of merchandise." 

The commercial prosperity uf New Haven has been greatly pro- 
moted and conserved bv the Chamber of Commerce, which was organ- 



138 HISTORY OF NEW HAVKN COUNTY. 

ized A])ril 0th, 1794, and which has continuously existed since that 
time. It is thus one of the oldest associations of the kind in America. 
At present it has several hundred members, including the principal 
business men of the city, and the following officers: President, J. D. 
Dewell; vice-presidents, Samuel E. Merwin, Nathan Easterbrook, Jr.; 
treasurer, Wilbur F. Day; corresponding and recording secretary, T. 
Attwater Barnes; directors, N. D. Sperry, Joel A. Sperry, John H. 
Leeds, Charles H. Townsend, George H. Ford. 

Smce the city has so many diverse interests it requires large bank- 
mg facilities, which are supplied bj^ fourteen monetary institutions, 
commanding capital to the amount of §12,000,000. Seven of these 
banks are organized under the national banking laws and four are 
savings banks, which have a local deposit of nearly $12,000,000 and a 
surplus approximating §4(K),000. The volume of business done by 
these banks is shown by the returns of the Clearing House, which 
indicate that the exchanges of the local banks in 1888 amounted to 
§60,782,206. 

The first bank in the city was organized December 22d, 179o, 
as the New Haven Bank, with a capital of §50,000. It had been 
chartered in October, 17U2, with a capital of §100,000, which amoiint 
c?uld not be raised, as contemplated, and an amendment reducing 
the minimum capital was found necessary. David Austin was the 
first president and William Lyon the cashier. In 186.") this bank was 
reorganized under the national banking laws, and is now one of the 
oldest and most substantial monetary institutions in the state. It is 
known as the National New Haven Bank, and Wilbur F. Day has 
been the president since 1869. In this period more than §1,000,000 
have been paid to the stockholders as net profits. Mr. Day is also the 
president of the New Haven Clearing House. 

The city has tnore than six hundred professional men, and every 
generation has had, in all of the leading professions, some of the 
brightest minds in the country — men greatly honored at home and 
abroad for their learning and success as practitioners. Among those 
in the legal profession who left their impress upon affairs which have 
come down to the present generation, none was greater than Roger 
Sherman. He was admitted to the bar in 1754, and removed to New 
Haven in 1 701, where he died in 1793. He was not only one of the 
foremost men in the city and state, but al.so of the nation. As a 
member of the continental congress, he was one of the committee of 
five to draft the declaration of American independence, and Jefferson 
said of him that he had the best common .sense of any man in that 
body. He was known as a Christian statesman, whose life was a 
benediction at home and abroad. He lived in the house on Chapel 
street next west of the opera hou.se, and was, perhaps, one of the 
greatest men the county had ever adopted as a citizen. Jared Inger- 
,sol and James A. Hill'house were also able lawyers before the revolu- 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 130 

tion. Since that time, among the principal lawyers have been: Pierre- 
pont Edwards, Nathaniel Smith, David Daggett, Dyer White, Jona- 
than Ingersoll, Simeon Baldwin, Eleazer Foster, John Hart Lynde, 
Seth Staples, Samuel Hitchcock, Isaac H. Townsend, William W. 
Boardman, Dennis Kimberley, Roger S. Baldwin, Alfred Blackman. 
Ralph I. Ingersoll. Charles Ingersoll, Clark Bi.ssell, Henry Dutton, 
Jonathan Stoddard, Henry White, Eleazer K. Foster, William Bristol, 
John Beach, Charles Ives, Thomas B. Osborne, Dexter R. Wrieht and 
some others, named in the preceding pages, all deceased. 

The attorneys in 1889-90, according to the list furnished the secre- 
tary of state, were the following: 

John W. Ailing, S. W. F. Andrews, Edward A. Anketell, George 
L. Armstrong, E. P. Arvine, Harry W. Asher, Ward Bailey, Frederick 
W. Babcock. vSimeon E. Baldwin, Francis G. Beach, John K. Beach, 
Rodman V. Beach, George E. Beers, William L. Bennett, Herbert E. 
Benton, Stuart Bidwell, James Bishop, Henry T. Blake, Levi X. 
Blydenburgh, Charles F. Bollmann, John W. Bristol, Louis H. Bristol, 
Samuel L. Bronson, Edward G. Buckland, James J. Buchanan, Charles 
K. Bush, Julius C. Cable, David Callahan, William C. Case, William 
Scoville Case, Jonathan W. Chapin, Prentice W. Chase, James G. 
Clark, L. W. Cleaveland, George R. Cooley, Leonard M. Daggett, 
Hugh Dailey, Lucius P. Deming, George L. Dickerman, T. E. Doo- 
little. Edwin C. Dow, Edward Downes, Cornelius T. Driscoll, D. Cady 
Eaton, William H. Ely, Jacob E. Emery, John T. Fitzgerald, Charles 
H. Fowler, John S. Fowler, O. H. D. Fowler, Timothy J. Fox, John C. 
Gallagher, Jacob P. Goodhart, William L. Green, George M. Gi:nn, E. 
Edwin Hall, Charles S. Hamilton, Henry B. Harrison, Lynde Harri- 
son, Charles A. Harrison, Charles B. Hawkes, Charles H. Hayden, 
Carlton E. Hoadley, J. C. Hollister, H. L. Hotchkiss, Leverett AI. 
Hubbard, Savilian R. Hull,- C. R. Ingersoll. Francis G. Ingersoll, 
George P. Ingersoll, Jonathan Inger.soll, Frank H. Kelly, Jr., William 
H. Kenyon, P. F. Kiernan, Charles Kleiner, William H. Law, Edward 
L. Lindsley, Seymour C. Loomis, Burton Mansfield, A. McC. Mathew- 
son, Charles B. Mathewman, Kojiro Matsugata, Eli Mix, James T. 
Moran, John L. Morehouse, Samuel C. Morehouse, Luzon B. Morris, 
Joseph B. Morse, Albert H. Moulton, Lyman E. Munson, Henry G. 
Newton, William P. Niles, Arthur D. Osborne, Arthur S. Osborne, 
William S. Pardee, Albert D. Penney, L. L. Phelps, John P. Phillips, 
Rufus S. Pickett, James P. Pigott, Henry C. Piatt, Johnson T. Piatt, 
Joseph D. Plunkett, Walter Pond, Edwin Purrington, A. Heaton 
Robertson, George W. Robinson, William C. Robinson, John A. 
Robinson, Edward H. Rogers, Henry D. Russell, Talcott H. Russell, 
George D. Seymour, Bernard J. Shanley, Joseph Sheldon, Edwin A. 
Smith, Siegwart Spier, Henry Stoddard, William B. Stoddard, David 
Strouse, John P. Studley, Charles L. Swan, Jr., James S. Thompson, 
Jason P. Thomson, William K. Townsend, Dwight W. Tuttle, Grove 



140 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

J. Tuttle, Julius Twiss, Morris F. Tj^Ier, George A. Tyler, Charles L. 
Ullman, .S. Harrison Wagner. John B. Ward, Willard D. Warren, 
George D. Watrous, Francis Wayland, James H. Webb, Alfred N. 
Wheeler, Cyrus B. Whitcomb. Charles A. White, Henry C. White, 
Henry D. White, Roger S. White, ( )liver vS. White, John H. Whiting, 
Isaac Wolfe, James A. Wood, Arthur B. Wright, William A. Wright, 
Samuel A. York, Edmund Zacher, Fair Haven, Curtis S. Bushnell. 

In the same year the physicians and surgeons of the town of New 
Haven were as given in the appended list, taken from the " Register 
of the .State: " 

Allopathists; Francis Bacon, F. E. Beckwith, Frederick Bellosa, 
E. H. Bishop, Louis B. Bishop, Timothy H. Bishop, Evelyn L. Bissell. 
W. L. Bradley, Charles H. Brockett, Henry Bronson, T. M. Cahill, W. 
H. Carmalt, H. A. Carrington, S. H. Chapman. George F. Converse, C. 
V. R. Creed, Lucy M. Creemer, M. A. Cremin, D. L. Daggett, William 
G. Daggett, Louis S. DeForest, Charles F. Dibble, F. L. Dibble, Gus- 
tavus Eliot, C. L. Fitch, H. Fleischner, C. J. Foote, J. P. C. Foster, L. 
M. Gilbert, S. D. Gilbert, William W. Hawkes, C. H. Howland, 
Stephen CJ. Hubbard, Levi Ives, Robert S. Ives, Walter Jud.son, B. L. 
Lambert, D. C. Leavenworth, Thomas G. Lee, A. W. Leighton. B. S. 
Lewis, Charles A. Lindsley, C. P. Lindsley, William E. Lockwood, 
John F. Luby, Edward G. Madden. Stephen J. Maher, Max Mailhouse, 
"Mary B. Moody, John Nicoll, M. C. O'Connor, Oliver T. O.sborn, 
Charles E. Park, Henrv Pierpont, Edward K. Roberts, Arthur 
Ruickoldt, Thomas H. Russell, L. J. Sanford, J. W. Seaver, H. E. 
Smith, Marvin Smith, J. E. .Stetson, W. H. Stowe. Henry L. Swam, 
James K. Thacher, W^ H. Thomson, J. H. Town.send, R. B. West. 
Frank H. Wheeler, C. S. White, F. O. White, Moses C. White, F. H. 
Whittemore, S. W. Williston, A. E. Winchell, F. W. Wright, Willis 
(t. Ailing. Arthur O. Baribault, A. Brown, George M. Bush, John J. 
Crane, Robert Crane, V. M. Dow, Aaron Ignal. Rollin McNeil, 
Alphon.se Oulman, Jo.seph Reed, James M. Reilly. William .Sprenger, 
Henry A. Street, E. L. R. Thomson, E. L. Washburne, William J. 
Whiting. 

Homoeopathists: C. B. Adams, M. J. Adams, William D. Anderson, 
P.. H. Cheney, C. A. Dorman, Edwin "c. M. Hall, John A. Hutchin.son, 
J. W. Jewett, Mrs. Adelaide Lambert, William H. .Sage. P. C. Skiff. A. 
L. Talmadge, Charles Vishno, C. W. N'ishno, \l. J. Walker. I. .S. 
Miller, Fsadore L. Murray, Charles Rawling. W. W. Rodman, Walter 
C. .Skiff. 

Eclectics: H. J. IJradley, M. Y. Linquist, M. F. Linciuist, Jr., Jaines 
C. Che.sley, C. F. Edson, John L. Lyon, Wcstvillc, H. B. Smith. 

The New Haven post office was established in April, l?.")."), by 
order of Benjamin Franklin, postmaster general of the King for the 
British colonies in America. John Holt, of the firm of James Parker 
& Co., jirinters and publishers of the Connecticut (Jascttc. was appointed 



HISTORY OK NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 141 

postmaster, and the office was kept at their printing house in the 
lower part of the city. The first mail service in this part of the 
country was limited, and was primarily for the benefit of the troops 
engaged in the French and Indian wars, the soldiers being thus 
enabled to communicate with their friends at home and in the 
colonies, to which the system had been extended. Gradually the 
convenience of the system was recognized, more offices were estab- 
lished in the county, and the service was improved. 

In 1760 Postmaster John Holt was succeeded by Thomas Green, 
another of the Gazette partners, who was followed by Benjamin 
Mecom, who had become the publisher of the Gazette. In 1768 Luke 
Babcock, the publisher of a rival paper, took charge of the office, but 
served only about a year. In 1769 Christopher Kilby became the 
postmaster, and continued until his death in March, 1774. Near the 
end of the same year Elias Beers was appointed to the charge of the 
New Haven office, which he removed to his shop, which stood on the 
.'^ite of the present New Haven House. Under his admini.stration 
the busine-ss of the office developed, the number of mails being 
increased to four per week (two from the East and two from the 
West) in 1780. 

After a long .service Jesse Atwater succeeded Beers, in ]\Iarch, 
1802, and was the po.stma.ster until his death, in 1814. Then came 
William H. Jones, who also served a long term of years. His 
appointment by the postmaster general continued until July 9th, 
1836, when he was commissioned as the first presidential appointee. 
In 1842 he gave place to Henry Huggins, whose administration was 
short, continuing only two years. Edward A. Mitchell succeeded 
him, in October, 1844, and while he was postmaster he introduced the 
use of stamped envelopes, anticipating their use by the general 
government a number of years. It is said that Mr. Mitchell's method 
of using stainps was the first in the Union, and was at the time con- 
sidered a remarkable innovation. 

John B. Robertson became the postmaster June 14th, 1849, keeping 
the office in the Brewster Block. Lucius x\. Thomas succeeded him in 
1853, and in his administration the present post office building, on 
Church street, was erected in 1860, at a cost of more than igSOO.OOO. It 
was, at that period, one of the be.st buildings of the kind in the East. 

In April, 1861, Nehemiah D. Sperry was appointed postmaster by 
President Lincoln, and served with great acceptance for 24 years. 
Under the administration of President Cleveland he gave room for 
Benjamin R. English, as his successor, who, after four years, was him- 
self succeeded by his predecessor, Nehemiah D. Sperry, the present 
postmaster. The office ranks as the first in the state, and is near the 
head of the foremost ones in the Union. In 1888 8,000,000 pieces of 
mail matter were handled. 

The city has been much benefitted by its system of street rail- 



142 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

ways, some of which have been successfully operated for 25 years. 
The oldest company was chartered in 1860, to build from Fair Haven 
East to Westville, and given franchises to build lateral lines. Many 
of the principal streets have been occupied, and all the main points 
of the city can be reached by it. Five other lines were subsequently 
chartered, namely: the New Haven and West Haven Company, to 
Savm Rock, in 1865: New Haven and Centerville, the same year, I'ln 
Broadway; «State Street, in 1868: New Haven and Allingtown, in 1872, 
and the Whitney Avenue, more recently. The latter companies were 
authorized, after the eranting- of their first charters, to modifv their 
lines, so as to build to the corner of Chapel and Church streets, which 
has become the point where all the lines now center, and from which 
place any part of the city or any of its suburbs can be speedily reached. 

The city is well .supplied with charitable and philanthropic institu- 
tions, the oldest and most extensive being the General Hospital of 
Connecticut. In May, 1826, the legislature chartered the General 
Hospital ^Society of the state, and appropriated $5,(i()() toward the 
erection of .such an institution. In the course of a few j'ears indi- 
vidual contributions were made to supplement that sum, and the first 
building of the kind was begun in New Haven. It was completed in 
July, 1832, and was of sandstone stuccoed, having an extreme length 
of lis feet. There were twenty rooms, and the whole expense of the 
building was about $12,()0(). In 1861 the hospital offered accommoda- 
tions for sick and wounded Union soldiers, and gradually its use for 
that purpose was extended until, in April, 186:5. a militaiy hospital 
was here established, with the name of the Knight General Hospital, 
in compliment to Doctor Jonathan Knight; $10,000 was expended upon 
temporary extensions, which increased the capacity to 1,500 beds. In 
the spring of 1865 the u.se of the hospital by the national government 
ceased, and it again reverted to its original use. In 1875 the hospital 
was enlarged, the new buildings being supplied with modern appli- 
ances, and the wards were so arranged that each patient could be 
given 1,600 cubic feet of air. These improvements cost 8^^8,000. The 
hospital grounds are at the corner of Howard and Congress avenues, 
and occupy an entire block. It is now well etjuipped, and is most 
efficient in its work. 

The New Haven Dispensary was organized in 1872, and has an 
office on York street, near the Yale Medical College, where its chosen 
work is well carried on, to the great benefit of those who need its help. 

The New Haven Orphan Asylum was begun in a very humble way 
in February, 1838. In 18.-)4 the late James Brewster offered to build a 
new asylum, on condition that the town would provide a proper site. 
His offer being accepted, he built a part of the present as3-lum soon 
after, and. in the course of eight yeai's, added a wing. His gifts to 
this object amounted to §20,000. The asylum has a good location on 
Elm street, and has become a noble charit\-. 



HISTORY OF NEW HA\'EX COUNTY. 143 

St. Francis Orphan Asylum, on Highland street, is maintained by 
the Roman Catholic parishes of the city. It was incorporated in May, 
1865, and commodious buildings have been erected for its use. In its 
chosen sphere this asylum has done good service, furnishing a home 
for about l.")() children. 

The New Haven Home for the Friendless was placed upon a 
permanent basis by a number of benevolent people .some time after 
its incorporation, in 1867. A comfortable place on Clinton avenue is 
occupied, and the home enlists the support of many charitable people. 
Its benefits have been extended to more than a thousand persons. 

The New Haven Aid Society had its origin in the fall of 1864, as a 
work and aid society, taking its present name in 1867. Its collections 
and disbursements in aid of those who need this assistance have been 
more than S2,(ino per year. 

There are numerous other charities in the city, and since 1878 
their work has been much systematized through the agency of the 
Board of Associated Charities. That body was organized June 1st, 
1878, and nearly all other bodies now cooperate with it to the mani- 
fest advantage of the community at large. 

In addition to the foregoing there are several Christian associa- 
tions, whose work is, to a large extent, philanthropic. The Young 
Men's Christian A.ssociation was organized a number of years ago, but 
interest in its work had greatly declined. In the past few years its 
usefulness has been extended, and fine quarters have been secured 
for it at a generous outlay of means. There are attractive parlors, 
reading and recreation rooms maintained both at New Haven and 
Fair Haven, and at the former place is also a large and well equipped 
gymnasium. Its work among young men has been revived, and its 
influence is again increasing. 

The Yoimg Women's Christian Association was organized in 1880, 
and became a corporate body two years later. A home in the interest 
of young ladies has been opened; gratuitous instruction has also been 
imparted. The mission of the as.sociation is a noble one, and good 
work has been done. 

There are 26 Masonic lodges, 28 Odd Fellows lodges and 37 other 
secret organizations, besides 27 temperance secret societies, making in 
all 118 secret organizations. There are also 114 societies for charit- 
able, benevolent and other purposes, aside from a number of mutual 
benefit, mutual aid and mutual insurance societies. 

There are five permanent political societies and eight military 
organizations. Twenty-five societies support or maintain rooms for 
social visiting and as places of amusement. Few cities excel New 
Haven in provisions of this nature. The oldest secret society is 
Hiram Lodge, No. 1, F. & A. M., which was instituted in 1750: and 
Franklin Chapter, No. 2, R. A. M., was instituted in 1795. All 
the other lodges were organized in the present century. 



CHAPTER III. 



TOWN AND CITY OF NEW HAVEN. 

Early School Teachers.-Hopkius Grammar School.-Other Early Schools. -Later Select 
Schools.-The Lancasterian School.-Graded Schools Established.-Present Condi- 
tion of Public Schools.-Yale University.-The Periodical Press. -First Congrega- 
tional Chiirch.-North Church.-Yale College Church.-Third Congregational 
Chiirch.-Dixwell Avenue Church.-College Street Church.- Church of the 
Redeemer.— Davenport Church.-Howard Avenue Church.-Humphrey Street 
Church.— Taylor Church.-Dwight Place Church.-Ferry Street Church.-Eman- 
uel Church.— First Presbyterian Church.— Trinity Church.— St. Paul's Church.— 
St. John's Church.— Church of the Ascension.- St. Thomas' Church.— Christ 
Chin-ch.— Grace Church.— St. Luke's Church.— All Saints' Chapel.-Trinity Chapel. 
—Methodist Churches.— Baptist Churches.— Lutherans.— Second Adventists.— Uui- 
versalists.— Hebrews.— Roman Catholics.— Cemeteries.— Fair Haven.— WestviUe.— 
Biographical Sketches. 

THE planters of Ouinnipiac brought a schoolmaster with them, 
in the person of Ezekiel Cheever, at that time but 23 years old. 
As soon as his house could be prepared for that purpose the 
school was opened, for the early settlers believed in education, and 
this matter from the beginning received their most careful attention. 
One of his pupils, in 1639, Michael Wigglesworth, bears testitnony to 
the proficiency of Mr. Cheever, when he says, "In a year or two I 
profited so much, through the blessing of God, that I began to make 
Latin and to get on apace." His salary was about $150 per year, and 
he taught here about twelve years, when he removed to Ipswnch. He 
was also an author, and his book called " Accidence, or Short Intro- 
duction to the Latin Tongue," was one of the first text books in this 
country, and was used in schools for 150 years. Cotton Mather thus 
spoke of this book: 

" A mighty tribe of well-instructed youth 
Tell what they owe to him, and tell with trutli. 
All the eight parts of speech he taught to them, 
They now employ to trumpet his esteem. 
M(l^istcr pleas'd them well because 'twas he; 
They say that bo^ii/s did with it agree. 
While they said ai/n>, they the hint improve, 
llim for to make the olijecl of their love. 
No concord so inviolate they knew 
As to pay honor to their master due. 
With interjections they break off at last. 
But ah is all they use, oh and alas! 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 145 

"He lived, and to vast age no illness knew; 
Till Time's scythe, waiting for him, rusty grew. 
He lived a.n&. luroiight: his labors were immense; 
But ne'er declined to praeter perfect tense." 

He died in Boston in 1708, in the 94th year of his age, having, in all 
these years, borne the reputation of being one of the most successful 
teachers of his time. 

The town secured the services of other teachers as instructors of 
its boys, there being at that time but little attention paid to the edu- 
cation of girls, many of them not being able, even, to write their own 
names. In 1657 ex-Governor Edward Hopkins died in England, leaving 
large legacies to executors in the colonies, " for the breeding up of 
hopeful 3'ouths both at the grammar school and college, for the public 
service of the country in future times." 

This fund made it possible to carry out what Mr. Davenport had 
designed from the beginning: " that a small college should be settled 
at New Haven." In 1660 a small collegiate school was established by 
New Haven colony, and four years later this was absorbed into the 
Hopkins Grammar School, which has almost uninterruptedly been con- 
tinued since that time. It has justly become celebrated, and is one of 
the oldest schools of this kind in America. It is controlled by a board 
of trustees, most of whom are connected with Yale University. It is 
now mainly a preparatory school for that institution, and contains 
students from all parts of the country. The excellent high schools in 
various parts of the county have, in a large mea.sure, relieved it of 
local patronage. After 1716 this school and Yale afforded the young 
men all the privileges they wanted to acquire a higher education, but 
schools for the co-education of the sexes, or for young ladies alone, 
were also early established. Among the schools of that nature, a 
century and a half ago, were those of Samuel Mix and Moses Mans- 
field. Abel Moses had a select school for young ladies as early as 
1783, and was as.sisted by Jedediah Morse, who .subsequently became 
known as the " father of American geography." The American and 
Orleans Academies were in existence in 1790; and in 1799 Jared Mans- 
field, LL. D., was at the head of a select school. 

In 1806 the New Haven Union School, for both sexes, was ably 
maintained and largely patronized. About 1810 the New Township 
Academy was erected in the eastern part of the city, and was kept up 
until 1831. Contemporary with this, in the western part of the city, 
was the school for young ladies, kept by Reverend Claudius Herrick. 
Other reputable schools were kept by Reverend John M. Garfield and 
Miss S. Hotchkiss. Dwight's Gymnasium, by Sereno E. and Henry 
Dwight, brothers, was very popular for a time, but did not long 
continue. 

Of the later private schools, the most important are the West End 
Institute, for young ladies, established in 1870, by Mrs. Sarah L.Cady; 
10 



146 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

the Collegiate and Commercial Institute, for boys, founded b\' General 
William H. Ru.s.sell in lS3fi, and the Business College, in the Insur- 
ance Building. 

In 1790 an effort was made to elevate the standard of the city 
schools, but apparently without much success, and several scores of 
years elapsed before the schools were placed upon an effective basis. 

" A Lirz/nrs/irin// Sf/wo/ was opened, with '240 .scholars, on the 22d 
of April, IS22, in the basement of the Methodi,st church on the green, 
by John E. Lovell, a pupil of Lancaster, in England, Hundreds of 
pupils were simultaneously taught by a classified system of monitors 
among the boys; the younger were taught by the older, and they in 
turn were taught by the head of the school. Beside the ordinary 
monitors, there were six monitor generals, all bearina: badges. The 
school was highly popular, and some of our strong men received there 
their only schooling. In 1,S27 the city built a new .school building, 
near the site of the high school, on Orange street, which Mr. Lovell 
conducted on the Lancaster plan. Prior to this the town did not own 
a single school building, excepting a slight structure in Fair Haven, 
of no special value,"* 

After about thirty years, in which Mr. Lovell diligently devoted 
himself to teaching, he retired from the .schoolroom, but lived at New 
Haven until he was more than 90 years old, and was universally 
respected. The Lancasterian system gave place to graded schools, 
which were established in the city in 1854. Two years thereafter the 
city board of education was organized, and that body has since con- 
trolled and managed the schools, the city district at present embrac- 
ing all of the town of New Haven, except the Westville section, 
which forms a separate di.strict. The city district has a number of 
sub-districts, each of which has its own buildings and, in a certain 
sense, its own management, conforming to the general plan, and 
being under the direction of a city supeiintendent. There are twelve 
grades in the course of instruction, and the standard of graduation is 
very high. It ends in the completion of the course in the Hillhouse 
High vSchool, which was established in LS.")'.). The present elegant 
building on Orange street was erected in 1S72, at a cost of $125,000. 
It has a seating capacity for 400 students. The buildings of the town 
accommodate more than 15,000 pupils, and more than a dozen of the 
thirty-odd structures seat GOO each. The schools are maintained at a 
yearly outlay of nearly $400,000, and are reputed among the best in 
New England. 

The following account of Yale University was prepared for this 
work by Reverend Frank Countryman. 

Sixtj'-five years after the colonization of Connecticut was begun, 
and sixty-three after that of New Haven, a serious attempt was made 
toward the founding of what is now Vale University. Harvard Col- 
* Henry Howe. 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 147 

lege, at Cambridge, Massachusetts, was already in existence, having 
been founded in 1636, by graduates of Engli.sh universities. The col- 
lege of William and Mary, in Virginia, had been chartered in 1693. 
The two institutions supplied means for the higher education of the 
infant colonies. But the jseople of Connecticut and New Haven, 
friendly toward learning, desired a collegiate institution in their own 
midst. So, in 1701, we begin to find traces of a movement to estab- 
lish a college. Foremost among the promoters of the new enterprise 
was the Reverend James Pierpont, pastor of the New Haven church, 
and a graduate of Harvard, in the year 1681. Equally interested was 
the Reverend Abraham Pierson, a graduate of Harvard, in the year 
1668, of Killingworth, now Clinton. These two clergymen met 
together, with their brother ministers, to consult as to the expediency 
of founding a college. They sought the advice of leading laymen 
and ministers in Boston and Cambridge and elsewhere, and finally, if 
tradition be correct, a few of the Connecticut pastors met together in 
Branford, about the last of September, 1701. They then gave, it is 
stated, a collection of books as a foundation for a college in the . 
colony. It is evident that nothing more than a general line of policy 
had been adopted at this meeting in Branford, to be developed later. 
No details as to the government of the proposed college had as yet 
teen worked out. 

In the meanwhile, Pierpont and others had sent on to Boston a 
paper of suggestions for a draft of a charter to be procured from the 
legislature, which was to meet in New Haven October 9th. Such a 
charter was framed, probably on October 16th, as follows: 

•' An act for Liberty to erect a Collegiate School: Whereas several 
well disposed, and Publick spirited Persons of their sincere Regard to 
& Zeal for upholding & Propagating of the Christian Protestant 
Religion by a succession of Learned & Orthodox men have expressed 
by Petition their earnest desires that full Liberty & Priveledge be 
granted unto certain Undertakers for the founding, suitably endow- 
ing & ordering a Collegiate School within his Maj"'"^ Colony of Con- 
necticot wherein Youth may be instructed in the Arts & Sciences who 
thorough the blessing of Almighty God may be fitted for Publick 
employment both in Church & Civil State. To the intent therefore 
that all due incouragement be Given to such Pious Resolutions and 
that so necessary & Religious an undertaking may be sett forward, 
supported & well managed: — 

" Be it Enacted by the Govern'' & Company of the s'l Colony of 
Connecticot, in General Court now Assembled, And it is enacted & 
ordained by the Authority of the .same that there be & hereby is full 
Liberty, Right and Priveledge Granted unto the Reverend M'' James 
Noyes of Stonnington, M*- Israel Chauncey of Stratford, M-- Thomas 
Buckingham of Saybrook, M"- Abraham Pierson of Kennelworth, 
M' Samuel Mather of Windsor, M'' Samuel Andrew of Millford, 



148 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEX COUNTY. 

M'' Timothy Woodbridge of Hartford, !M'' James Pierpout of New 
Haven, M'' Noadiah Russell of Middletown, M'' Joseph Webb of Fair- 
field, being Rev'' ministers of the Gospel, & inhabitants within ye 
s^ Colony, proposed to stand as Trustees, Partners, or Undertakers for 
the s'' School, to them & their successors. To Erect, form, direct, order, 
establish, improve and att all times in all suitable wayes for the future 
to encourage the s'' vSchool in such convenient place or Places, & in 
such form & manner, & under such order & Rules as to them shall 
seem meet & most conducive to the afores'' end thereof, so as such 
Rules or Orders be not Repugnant to the Laws of the Civil Governm^ 
as also to imploy the moneys or any other estate which shall be 
Granted by this Court or otherwise Contributed to that use according 
to their discretion for the benefit of the s'' Collegiate vSchool from time 
to time & att all times henceforward. 

" And be it further Enacted by the Authority afores'' that the 
before named Trustees, Partners or Undertakers together with such 
others as they shall associate to themselves (not exceeding the num- 
ber of Eleven, or att any time being less than Seven, Provided also 
that Persons nominated or associated from time to time to fill up 
s'' number be ministers of the gospel inhabiting within this Colony & 
above the Age of forty years) or the major Part of them, the 
s'' M'' James Noyes [etc] undertakers, & of such Persons so chosen & 
associated as aboves'' att any time hereafter. Have and shall have 
henceforward the oversight, full & compleat Right, Liberty, power, & 
Priveledge to furnish, direct, manage, order, improve & encourage 
from time to time & in all times hereafter the s'' Collegiate School so 
Erected & formed by them in such ways, orders & manner, & by such 
Persons, Rector or master and officers appointed b\f them, as shall 
according to their best discretion be most conducible to attaine the 
afores'^' mentioned end thereof. 

"And Moreover it is Enacted & ordered by the Governor, Council 
& Representatives of y'^ Colony afores'' met in General Assembly — 

"That the s'' M"' James Noyes [etc] Undertakers, Trustees or Part- 
ners, & ye s<i Persons taken from time to time into Partnership, or 
associated as afores"^ with themselves shall Have & receive & it is 
hereby Given and Granted unto them, the full & just .sum of one 
hundred & twenty pounds in Country Pay to be paid Annually & 
att all times hereafter until this court order otherwi.se, to them & 
to such Person or Persons only as they shall appoint &- impower to 
Receiv the same, to be faithfully disposed of by ye s'' Trustees, 
Partners or Undertakers for the end afore.s'' according to their dis- 
cretion, which s'' sum shall be raised & Paid in such ways & man- 
ners & att such a value as y'' Country Rates of .s'' Colony are & have 
been usually raised & Paid. 

" It is also further Enacted by the Authority afore.s'' that the 
s'' Undertakers and Partners cV their successors be & herebv are 



HISTORV OF NEW HAVEN" COUNTV. 149 

further impowered to have, accept, acquire, purchase, or otherwise 
lawfuHy enter upon Anj' Lands, Tenements & Hereditam" to the 
use of the s'' School, not exceeding the value of five hundred 
Pounds p'' Ann, & any Goods, Chattels, Sum or Sums of money 
whatsoever as have heretofore already been Granted, bestowed, 
bequeathed, devised or settled by any Person or Persons whatsoever 
upon & to & for the use of y'= s<i School towards the founding, erect- 
ing or endowing the same, & to sue for. Recover & receiv all such 
Gifts, Legacies, bequests, annuities, Rents, issues & profits arising 
therefrom & to imploy the same accordingly, & out of y estate, 
Revenues. Rents, profits, incoms, accrueing & belonging to s^^ School 
to support & pay as the s'' Undertakers shall agree & see cause, the 
s<^ Rector or Master, Tutors, L'shers or other officers their Respective 
annual Salaries or Allowances. As also for the encouragemt of the 
Students to grant degrees or Licences as they or those deputed by 
them shall see cause to order & appoint." 

Under this charter an organization of the " Collegiate School " was 
effected in November, 1701, in Saybrook, at the mouth of the Con- 
necticut river. The seven trustees present at the organization voted 
to fix the school at Saybrook, and chose the Reverend Mr. Pierson as 
rector. Saybrook seems to have been chosen as the site for the school 
because it was a convenient spot, where two streams of population 
met. The line of towns on the Connecticut river met there the line 
of coast towns. But the inconveniences arising from the small popu- 
lation of the place, together with other embarrassments, which 
naturall}^ pressed upon a new institution in a small and poor colony, 
nearly crushed the school in its infancy. The first rector, Mr. Pierson, 
never lived there, because the funds available would not permit the 
erection of a building suitable for his accommodation. For this 
reason the students were kept at Killingworth until Mr. Pierson's 
death, in 1707. However, the school was organized and started with 
a course of theological instruction outlined b}' the trustees for Mr. 
Pierson's guidance. As to other matters in the curriculum and the 
general administration of the school, the rules of Harvard College 
were to be followed. 

The first student who offered himself was Jacob Hemingway of 
New Haven. He presented himself in March, 1702. and on Septem- 
ber 16th the first commencement was held at the house of the Rever- 
end Thomas Buckingham, at Saybrook Point, in the present town of 
Old Saybrook. At this commencement the degree of master of arts 
was conferred on four young Harvard bachelors, and also on Nathaniel 
Chauncey, of Stratford. "He had been privately educated by his 
uncle. His name thus stands as the first on the roll of the academical 
graduates of Yale University. In the same month of September 
more students entered, and a tutor was appointed to assist in instruc- 
tion. The institution depended for support on the tuition fees of the 



inO HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

few students and the annual grant of /"120 in " country pay " from the 
colony legislature, as promi.sed in the charter. The revenues were 
thus not very great, the i^l20 " country pay " being equal in itself to 
only ^"80 in money. Through the generosity of Mr. Nathaniel Lynde 
a small house and lot of land, on Saybrook Point, were offered in 
1702 for the use of the school. The annual commencements were 
always attended in the same locality. 

The rector, Mr. Pierson, died after a short illness March Hth, 1707, 
at the age of 01. He has left behind him a reputation for good 
scholarship and practical wisdom as an administrator. A manuscript 
text book on natural philosophy, drawn up by him, was in use by the 
students for a quarter of a century; and an old oak arm chair, said to 
have been in his possession, stands in the library of the university. 
On the college grounds stands, in a conspicuous position, an idealized 
statue representing him in classic pose. 

After his death the Reverend Samuel Andrew, of Milford, one of 
the original trustees, was put in nominal charge as rector. It was not 
expected, however, that he should remove to Saybrook. The instruc- 
tion there was carried on by two young tutors. This arrangement was 
decidedly un.satisfactory, for the institution languished for six or 
seven years. In 1713 efforts were begun for gifts to the school, espe- 
cially by Jeremiah Dummer, the agent for Connecticut at London. As 
a result, nearly 1,000 volumes of great value were sent from England 
in 1714-15. Many of these, it is said, can still be identified. Among 
them were gifts from such men as Sir Isaac Newton, Richard vSteele, 
Richard Bentley, Edmund Halley, Matthew Henry, Sir Edmund 
Andros, Elihu Yale and others. It was at this time, apparently, that 
Governor Yale's attention was first turned toward the school. 

Encouraged by these gifts, the trustees addressed petitions to the 
colony legislature for means to build a house to shelter the school. In 
the year 1710 a grant of .'')00 pounds for this object was made. The 
.school seemed now about to enter upon a permanent career. But 
opposition to the location at vSaybrook was soon manifest. Hartford 
and New Haven, more prominent and populous places, entered into 
competition not only with Saybrook, but also with each other. 
Finally, however, a majority of the trustees voted for New Haven, 
where a popular .subscription for the college reached a higher figure 
than either Saybrook or Hartford could produce. The decisive vote 
was passed in October, 1716, and committees were raised to proceed 
with the erection of a rector's house and a college at New Haven in 
the following spring. But this action did not give complete satisfac- 
tion. Hartford was not pleased, nor was Saybrook. Of the two tutors 
appointed along with the vote to build at New Haven one immedi- 
ately established himself there with a dozen students. The other, 
under the influence of Hartford, established himself at Wethersfield 
with as manv, if not more, students. Thus a rival school was estab- 



HISTORY 0I-- NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 151 

lished, with which Mr. Eli.sha Williams, a Harvard graduate and of 
high repute as an instructor, was connected. At Saybrook three or 
four students, under the care of the village pastor, a former tutor, still 
remained. The school thus was split up into sections. The work of 
locating at New Haven, however, still went on. On September 11th, 
1717. commencement was celebrated for the first time in New Haven. 
Two weeks later the trustees bought one and one-quarter acres at the 
southea.st corner of what is now the College Square. On this lot of 
land the building was raised October 8th, 1717, and occupied one year 
from that day. It was of wood, and architecturally an ambitious 
structure."" The plan was drawn by Governor Saltonstall. It was 
about 170 feet long, 22 feet deep, three stories high, with an attic. 
There were in it a dining hall, used also as a chapel, a library, 22 
sets of rooms for students, each of which would accommodate three 
persons. Up to this time, in all probability, as many as thirty pensons 
had never been in attendance at the school at any one time. Plans 
were thus laid for a great future enlargement. 

At this time the friends of Hartford seem to have abandoned all 
hopes of defeating the New Haven project, through the interference 
of the legislature, and. in June, 1719, the school in Wethersfield was 
finally adjourned to New Haven. The chief agents in' securing this 
result were Governor Saltonstall and the Reverend John Davenport, 
of Stamford. There yet remained Saybrook, which was still fiercely 
opposed to the removal of the college to New Haven. Although the 
colony legislature tried to soothe the feelings of the disappointed 
town by voting a gratuity of 50 pounds to the public .school of that 
place, it was unconvinced. When steps were taken, at the request of 
the legislature, to remove to New Haven the college property still in 
Saybrook, much opposition was shown. The angry gentleman in 
who.se hands had been left the library of perhaps 1,300 volumes, and 
the records of the trustees, persisted in ignoring the claims of " Yale 
College "f to the assets of the Collegiate School. His neighbors sup- 
ported him in this attitude, and it was not till the sheriff's aid was 
called in that the requisition of the legislature was perforce honored. 
Even then, a disgraceful series of outrages took place, by which one- 
fifth of the library was lost, together with the records of the trustees 
for the Saybrook period of their history. Yale College now began to 
have a local habitation and a name. Hitherto she had been the Col- 
legiate School at Saybrook, with no buildings worthy the name, and 
with her pupils scattered. She was now to enter upon a career worthy 
of her character. The outlook was favorable, and the hopes of her 
friends grew stronger. 

*The building wa,s painted a lead or blue color, and hence was l.nig known 
as the " Bhie College." 

+ At this time the name Yale apphed properly to the building only, but. 
naturally, was also given to the school. 



ir>'2 HISTOKV OF XEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

Yale College was first known by that name in 1718. The influence 
of Cotton Mather had led Governor Yale to send a cargo of gifts to 
the new institution. Besides a large box of books and a portrait of 
the king, which is still in existence, there were sent East India goods 
inventoried at i'20(.), from which was realized, in the Boston market, 
£5Q2. 12 shillings, sterling. These gifts were sent for the benefit of 
the new Collegiate School at New Haven. The commencement of 
1718 was a joyful one, and, in gratitude to the donor, the name Yale 
College was applied to the institution in its new home. 

The man thus commemorated was of New Haven stock. His 
father, David Yale, as a youth, had taken part in the founding of the 
new town, but had soon migrated to Boston, where Elihu Yale is sup- 
posed to have been born, in 1648. From there the family returned to 
England. The son, in 1670, went to India to seek his fortune. He 
found employment there, rose rapidly to the position of governor or 
president of the settlement at Madras, and in 1699 came back to Eng- 
land enormously rich, but without a son to inherit his wealth. He 
died in 1721. 

The college now being on a good foundation, the next thing to be 
done was to find a resident rector, in whom all could put confidence. 
The jjerson chosen was Reverend Timothy Cutler, a son-in-law of 
Rector Andrew. He was a graduate of Harvard, and had, for nine 
years, been settled over the Congregational church in Stratford, Con- 
necticut. He had made a favorable impression as to ability, and at 
once accepted the position of rector. He entered upon his duties in 
the year 1719. A house for his occupation was built in 1722, near the 
site of the present College Street church. It was used by sticcessive 
presidents to the close of the century. Funds for its erection were 
given by Governor Yale, by private subscription, and by the churches 
in the colony, which took necessary collections. The balance needed 
was furnished by the assembly from the proceeds of a tax upon rum. 

In 1722 the new rector's career came to a sudden end. At the 
commencement of that year it was made known that the rector, the 
tutor and five neighboring clergymen had under consideration the 
cjuestion of declaring for Episcopacy. At that date the Church of 
England had few avowed members in Connecticut, and not one gath- 
ered congregation. The minds of men were filled with apprehension 
and alarm. A formal deposition of the rector took place, the resigna- 
tion of the tutor was accepted, and an act passed imposing a test of 
theological soundness, by which the faith and church theories of the 
Puritans should be maintained. To this test all officers of instruction 
were asked to .subscribe. This provision was retained until 1823. 
Two new tutors, on this new basis, were immediately cho.sen and 
inducted into office. It was not, however, till after a wide search that 
a new rector was cho.sen. He was the Reverend Elisha Williams, the 
same who had been connected with the school at Wethersfield. He 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. ].~):1 

came into office in 172.-). He was a man well known for his success in 
teaching, his wide acquaintance among civilians and clergy, and by 
the prominence of his family. For fourteen years he gave himself up 
to the work of teaching in the college, with fidelity and success. 
Under his wise administration there was a steady enlargement of 
resources. An additional tutor was appointed in 1728. The trustees 
appointed a standing committee, out of which has grown the pru- 
dential committee, the working body of the corporation for the last 
ninety years. 

The most notable incident of Rector Williams's time was the suc- 
cession of valuable gifts received in 1731-3 from the generous George 
Berkeley, dean of Deny, afterward bishop of Cloyne. He came to 
Rhode Island in 1729, in the hope of founding a college in Bermuda. 
Having been disappointed in this hope, he returned to England. He 
then gave to Yale College, as a foundation for graduate scholarships, 
and undergraduate prizes, his estate of " White Hall," near Newport.' 
He also sent about- nine hundred volumes to the library. This act of 
generosity on the part of Bishop Berkeley, a member of the Church 
of England, may be accounted for on the grounds of his acquaintance 
and friend.ship with Reverend Samuel Seabury, a graduate of Yale 
<1714) and a former tutor, who had gone over to Episcopacy with 
Rector Cutler. The Berkeley scholarships and prizes are still offered, 
while some of the books have long since disappeared. A painting of 
Bishop Berkeley and his family is in possession of the university. 

In October, 1739, Rector Williams resigned his office on account of 
impaired health, and Reverend Thomas Clap succeeded, in April, 
1740. The new rector was a native of Scituate, in Massachusetts, and 
a Harvard graduate (as usual ). He had been for thirteen years pastor 
of the church in Windham, Connecticut. His administration lasted 
until September, 1766, and was thus one of the longest which the col- 
lege has known. It was also most eventful. Having already been 
con.spicuous among the younger ministry of the colony, it was 
expected that he would bring abundant energy and practical sense to 
the service of the 'college, as well as exact scholarship. He justified 
these expectations. New impulse was given to college interests at 
every point. He was felt as an administrator outside, for he secured 
an extension of the chartered powers of the college. He resisted 
successfully an attempt at visitorial interference. He withdrew the 
college congregation in the face of violent opposition, from the New 
Haven church to a position within the college walls. Within the col- 
lege his administrative powers were quickly and strongly shown. He 
systematized the laws for the students. He broadened the course of 
study, so that it might be abrea.st of the age. He developed the 
tutorial, and introduced the professorial system, so that the college 
might be raised to the highest state of efficiency. He made a new 
arrangement of books in the librar}^ and prepared a catalogue, that 



154 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

the library might be of more practical value. He secured an increase 
of funds for the college, and during his term of office additional 
buildings were erected. 

The earlier years of his administration were marked with religious 
ao-itations. New England, throughout its length and breadth, was 
divided into the hostile camps of the "New Lights ana -'Old 
Lio-hts." President Clap espoused the cau.se of the " (31d Lights, and 
stored as a champion of orthodoxy. Consequently, he was an ardent 
supporter of the government policy of repression of all - ^ew Light 
revival movements. The evidences of his vigor and orthodoxy were, 
at first, generally acceptable. The legislature, under his influence, 
o ranted an increase of the colony grant in 1743, by means of which he 
was able to secure an additional tutor for the .staff of instruction. 
More than this he secured for the college. In 1745 the legislature 
passed a new charter, drafted by President Clap, without a single 
chano-e This charter is noteworthy, among other things, that it 
made" legal the name "Yale College," which, before this, had been 
applied to the single building .standing upon the college grounds, it 
now <xave this designation to the institution as a whole. The charter 
also changed the titles of rector and trustees to president and fellows 
This chano-e signified more than an alteration of names. It involved 
the exaltation of the president to the leadership of the corporation. 
T^efore this time the rector was only one among the trustees. Besides 
this more explicit and liberal statement of powers and privileges, 
conferred in 1701 and 17-23, was made. A fellow might also be 
removed, if occasion should require. 

Under this charter the college moved forward for .some years witli 
increasing prosperity. The number of students increased and new 
buildings were erected. In 17o0-2 a brick college was built by help 
from the legislature, which gave more than £:i,.H)0. The building 
was originally known as " Connecticut Hall," but is now commonly 
called "South Middle." It is the oldest of the buildings now stand- 
mo- on the college grounds. In 1757-8 the college built a house for 
the incumbent of the professorship of divinity, established m 1/55. 
This house stood on York street, near where the Medical College now 
stands In 1761 the work of erecting a college chapel was begun. All 
available college funds were absorbed in the enterprise, and subscrip- 
tions were secured, but there remained, in spite ot all efforts by the 
president, a deficit. 

In 1757 a college church of twelve members (eight of them under- 
cxraduates) was formed. This was the outcome of the withdrawal of 
The college congregation from the church in New Haven, Reverend 
losenh Noyes, pastor. President Clap feared the influence of Mr. 
Noyes' preachino-. The latter had become decidedly unpopular 
because of his vague doctrinal .statements and his dull preachmg. 
So when Philip Livingston, of the Manor of Livingston, in New 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. ]55, 

York province, gave to the college the sum of ^28, lOs., sterling, 
It was voted by the corporation, through President Clap's influence^ 
to appropriate this sum to a fund for a professorship of divinity. In 
1753 the president was directed to hold regular services in the College 
Hall. At the same time strong declarations were adopted, securing 
for the future the adherence of the college to the Westminster and 
. Saybrook standards. In 1755 Reverend Naphtali Daggett, a graduate 
of seven years standing, was secured to fill the professorship of 
divinity and to act as college preacher. 

In the meantime, during this .season of energetic work, opposition 
began to be manifest against President Clap. He had rendered him- 
self obnoxious to many by his course in regard to the religious posi- 
tion of the college. In 1755 pamphlets were issued against him and 
his policy. In the same year the legislature refu.sed to give the usual 
grant to the college. Further than this, a proposal of visitation on 
the part of the colony authorities was openly made by some members- 
of the corporation in 1758. The matter was pushed to a test in 1763 
by representative clergymen and laymen in a memorial to the legis- 
lature. But the president was equal to the occasion. He met, single- 
handed, two of the ablest lawyers of the day, representing the 
memorialists, and vanquished them in argument, notwithstanding his 
unpopularity. He claimed the independent right of the corporation, 
as representatives of the founders, to manage the afifairs of the college 
without being subject to visitation from the legislature. 

President Clap had now triumphed in what was, perhaps, the 
greatest contest of his life, but disorders were rife among the stu- 
dents, fomented by enemies of the college and his administration. 
The unfortunate inefficiency of some of the tutors aided in this. The 
college was almost in a state of anarchy. In consequence of all these 
troubles, oppressed with the approach of old age and infirmity, he felt 
compelled to resign, in 1766, the position he had held for so many 
years. He died at New Haven January 7th, 1767, less than four 
months after his resignation. His lot was cast in stormy times. It 
was, undoubtedly, well that Yale College then had at the head a man 
of so much energy, decision and ability. The institution received, 
during his administration, many improvements, and stood upon a 
higher footing than before. He has left behind a small volume of 
"Annals of the College History," which was published in 1766, and is, 
for many particulars, our only authority. 

In closing the account of this administration, it may be noted that 
David Brainerd, now known as one of the most prominent of 
American Christians, was expelled from the college. This took place 
in the winter of 1741-2, in consequence of his religious opinions. 

After the resignation of President Clap some difficulty was experi- 
enced in finding a successor. The corporation elected to the presi- 
dency Reverend James Lockwood.but he declined the office. Finally, 



inr; history of new haven county. 

the professor of theology, Reverend Naphtali Daggett, was elected 
president /TO-Zrw/wr. This arrangement continued for nearly eleven 
years. These years, from 17156 to 1777, were years of political excite- 
ment. The opening scenes of the American revoliition were then 
taking place. I\Iany of the students left to join the army, and, before 
the close of the war, arrangements were made for the freshman class 
to reside in Farmington, the sophomores and seniors in Glastonbury. 
The progress of the college during these years was comparativelj- 
slow. There was, however, a succession of brilliant young men, who 
filled the tutorial office. They did much to redeem the otherwise 
backward condition of the college. Among them was John Trumbull, 
author of " MacFingal," said to have passed through many editions, 
and Timothy Dwight, who, at the age of 19, wrote the "'Conquest of 
Canaan." These men inspired their students with new zeal for learn- 
ing and new subjects of thought. In 1770 the corporation established 
a new professorship of natural philosophy, to which Reverend Xehe- 
miah Strong, formerly a tutor, and then pastor of the church in East 
(iranby, Connecticut, was appointed. He held the position till Decem- 
ber, 1781. 

One noteworthy change under the administration of Doctor 
Daggett should be noted, which shows the march of public sentiment. 
It was the adoption, in the year 1767, of an alphabetical arrange- 
ment in the class lists of the students. Hitherto the names had been 
placed in the order of family rank and respectability. The Triennial 
Catalogue still retains the latter arrangement for the classes down to 
1767. Another evidence of democratic tendencies was shown in the 
year 1768, b)' the formation of a new literary society among the 
.students, called the Brothers in Unity. The older Linonian Society, 
formed in 1753, was supposed to embody the aristocratic principle, so 
the other was started in opposition. These two societies had great 
influence over the students till they began to lose power in 18.")(\ 
owing to the formation of smaller class societies. In 1771 the stu- 
dents grew uneasy under the unpopular control of Doctor Daggett, 
and. as the spirit of re.stlessness continued, he refused, in 1777, to dis- 
charge the duties of the presidency any longer. The college again 
was without a head. Owing to the condition of the times and the 
opposition still existing again,st the college, there was need of an able, 
judicious and learned man to meet the juncture. That man the corpo- 
ration found in the Reverend Doctor Ezra Stiles. .\t the comtnence- 
ment, in 1777, the fellows, with the general approval of the public, 
elected Doctor Stiles to the vacant office of president. Doctor Stiles 
was a graduate of the college in 1746, had long and successfully 
served in the office of tutor, had been a friend of President Clap, and 
was greatly devoted to the college interests. No better inan could 
have been cho.sen. He was of New Haven stock, and had been pastor 
of the church in Newport until driven out by the war. He had then 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 157 

gone to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, where he had ministered to a 
congregation. After some consideration Doctor Stiles accepted the 
presidency, but did not remove to the college until June, 1778. He 
found a bad state of affairs. The students were much demoralized by 
their irregular residence during the pa.st two years. The college had, 
during these years, been practically broken up and the several clas.ses 
scattered, owing to financial derangement and the want of provisions. 
Doctor Stiles was an ardent patriot, and labored hard for a closer 
union between the college and the state. In this hope he persevered 
during the dark days of the revolution and the confederation. The 
two professors whom he had found in the college when he entered 
upon his duties soon left him. Doctor Daggett, the professor of the- 
ology, shouldered a musket in defense of the college and town when 
it was invaded in 1779, and was taken prisoner by the Briti.sh. Four- 
teen months later he died, his death being hastened by the brutal 
treatment at the hands of the enemy.'--" Profes.sor Strong, on the other 
hand, was too much of a loyalist to relish his position in the college, 
and resigned his place in December, 1781. 

Thus additional duties fell upon Doctor vStiles. He not only 
instructed the senior class in mental and moral philosophy, but also 
in ecclesiastical history, of which he had been constituted professor, 
at his own desire. He seems to have been competent to fill any of the 
professorships, for, when they were vacant, he took upon himself 
their duties. He gave lectures on mathematics, natural philosophy 
and astronomy. In addition to these labors he had to look out for the 
interests of a larger body of students than there had been at the col- 
lege before. The places of those who had gone to the arfny were 
more than filled by those who desired to profit by exemption from 
military service, secured by law to members of the college com- 
munity. At the end of the war, in 1783, on the rolls were 270 under- 
graduates, as against 132 in 1777 and 139 in 1787. 

In 1782 an attempt was made to fill the professorship of divinity. 
Reverend Samuel Wales, of Milford, was inducted into office, but in 
1783, being attacked by a nervous disorder, by means of which he 
was partially disabled, he struggled along for ten years, until his 
retirement, in 1793. The duties of the office, again made vacant, fell 
upon Doctor Stiles. 

During these dismal and trying years the college was cheered by a 
few contributions to its permanent resources. Among them was a gift 
of a tract of land from Reverend Doctor Richard Salter, of Mansfield, 
Connecticut. The avails of this land, amounting to $3,700. were to 
endow a professorship of Hebrew and other Oriental languages. 
Other gifts were given for the library, and a new philosophical appa- 
ratus. These gifts were very welcome, as the college had suffered 
serious losses during the revolutionary period. In the autumn of 

* See account of the invasion of New Haven. 



258 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

1782 a new brick building was erected m the rear of the other bmld^ 
rngs, to serve as a common dining hall and k>chent was later 
kn^own and used as a chemical laboratory The " ^"^ ^^ ^^^^^ 
erected in 1717-18, m front of the present ^ff^ College lad fa^^^^^^^ 
into decav and was removed in the winter of 17 /;.-(.. ^Mth the excep 
t"on of the hall and kitchen at the south end. These were retained 
until the erection of the new building mentioned above. 

Toward the close of Doctor Stiles' presidency the do er t^n on 
between college and .state was at last realized. He had hoped foi 
and worked fo^r it all these years. His labors had been -"-^ - - 
the face of much opposition. Outside sentiment had not glo^ n 
fa orlble to the colleg'e. It was occa,sionally the subject o maliciou^ 
comment in the press, of pamphlet attack of -^-^^^^^^^ ^^^f^'u^' 
lature. as in President Clap's time. Unally. m ' '^^''^^llj'^^^^^^ 
adopted a plan suggested by the Honorable James H^l^h;;;^' ™ 
-of the coUege.by which, in return for a grant of -^^ ^^^^^^^^^ 
state treasury, the governor, lieutenant governor and the six senior 
mtblrTof^he U^^per House, for the time ^eing became ..-.#.. 
members of the corporation. The new arrangemnt took effect b> 
the ratification of the old corporation m June, 1/92. Its wisdom was 
vindicated by the advantages experienced. It met the outside demand 
lor state oversight, and was not distasteful to the president and 
.clerical fellows ^^_^^ ^^^^^^^ ^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^^^ ^^,^^^ 

of betJer accommodations for the student. This building is now 

known as South College. ,^,-nfpssor 

In October, 1794. after a vacancy of thirteen years the piofes.sor- 
ship of mathematics and natural philosophy was filled by the appoint- 
m nt of Josiah Meigs, a graduate of 1778, who had just re u ned 
Lm Bermuda, and who, as tutor in the college some years befoie, 
.had shown special aptitude for these studies. 

'just at thl time, when signs of returning ^^o^^^^T'^!^^ 

Doctor Stiles died after a brief attack of fever. May 12th ^^^^''^^^l 

«Sth vear of his a^e. He had devoted all his powers, for seventeen 

vt^-s' tTthe in er^sts of the college, and had seen it advance steadily 

n opular reputation and in solid usefulness. President Stiles was a 

an of creat versatility, and was interested in almost every branch 

of taming. He kept voluminous journals which have been o^ great 

assistance to the historians of the period m which he^-;^; J^^^the 

also a broad minded and generous man, clinging it is tiue, to the 

'rm and usages of cadier generations, but withal humble and 

charitable in hi^ religious character. No president ever labored with 

more zeal for the prosperity of Yale College. 

Thouo-h the death of Doctor Stiles was sudden, it was not ong 
before th^e corporation agreed upon his successor. The friends of the 
.Llc'e instinc\ivelv turned toward Doctor Timothy Dwight. Accord- 



HISTURV OF NEW HAVEN COUXTV. 159 

ingly. he was inducted into office in 1795. He had been a tutor at the 
college, laboring with remarkable success in that office, but at the 
time of his election was pastor of the church at Greenfield Hill, where 
he had also conducted a flourishing academy. The advent of Doctor 
Dwight into the presidency was received with satisfaction. At the 
outset of his administration the action of the faculty, /. f., of the pro- 
fessors and tutors, sitting in consultation with the president, came to 
be a vital part of the college government. This was in 1795. Later, 
in 1804, the ancient system of fagging was given up, and a little later 
the system of pecuniary fines was abolished. 

Doctor Dwight had a direct personal influence upon the students. 
He was a man of striking personality, eloquent as a preacher, stimu- 
lating as an instructor. At first he was not called to the office of col- 
lege preacher and the professorship of divinity, now vacant. Some 
of the fellows did not like his position as an ardent exponent of the 
theology of his grandfather, Jonathan Edwards. But. in the mean- 
time, he temporarily as.sumed the duties of the vacant professorship, 
and thus was brought into closer contact with the students. It was 
during this period that he met and vanquished the popular infidelity 
of the day, and built up the feeble life of the college church. In 
1S05 he was formally invited to the chair of divinity, and held it, with 
the presidency, till his death. Besides these duties, he gave the full 
attention expected from the president to the studies of the senior 
year, in philosophy, and did much to create a new department of 
instruction, tha; of rhetoric and English literature, for which he had 
shown special adaptation as a tutor. 

Doctor Dwight was quite successful in perpetuating his influence 
by a rare insight into the capacities and promise of those he invited 
to permanent positions in the faculty. He called to his side such men 
as Benjamin Silliman, profes.sor of chemistry in 1802; Jeremiah Day, 
appointed professor of mathematics in 1801: James L. Kingsley, pro- 
fes.sor of languages in 1805. These men soon became eminent in the 
various departments to which they belonged. Doctor Dwight also 
interested himself in the formation of professional schools in connec- 
tion with the college. In 18()6 the first steps were taken by the corpo- 
ration toward founding a medical school to be under their control, 
together with the academical department, as it now came to be called. 
The new department was eventually established under the auspices 
of Yale College and the State Medical Society. In 1813 Doctors 
Nathan Smith, Eli Ives and Jonathan Knight were appointed pro- 
fessors. Professor Silliman filled the chair of chemistry in the school. 
It started in 1813 with 37 students, in the building at the head of Col- 
lege street, which was at first leased, and then purchased with a sum 
of money granted by the state in 1814. The first class was gradu- 
ated with the degree of M. D. in 1814. Before this Doctor Dwight 
had taken deep interest in the formation of a theological school at 



IQQ HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

Andover (this being the earliest in the country), and had begun to 
entertain the idea of developing a similar school in connection with 
Yale College. His plan for this, however, had not matured at the 
time of his'death. In addition, he had in mmd, also, the formation 
of a law department, but this also failed to be realized. 

Mention may be made of the appointments to new chairs of pro- 
fes'^orial instruction. Professor Jeremiah Day succeeded Josiah !\Ieigs 
m the chair of mathematics in 1801. Profes.sor Benjamin Silhman, 
Sr , was appointed to the new chair of chemistry, mineralogy and 
o-eoloo-y. Professor James L. Kingsley took charge of the new pro- 
fessoi^ship of ancient'languages and eccle.siastical history. Professor 
Elizur Goodrich was the incumbent of the new professorship of law. 
These new professorships were a great addition to the scheme of 
in.struction. The results were soon manifest in an increase of stu- 
dents. In 1800 217 students were on the rolls, as against llo four 
years earlier. To meet this increase new buildings were required. 
Accordino-ly in 1801, a new dormitory, now known as North ^Middle 
Collecre was begun and completed in 1803. At the same time the 
Lvceum building, containing recitation rooms, a library and a chemi- 
cal laboratory, was completed. The legislative grant of 1792, increased 
by a supplementarv vote in 1790, supplied the means for the erection 
of these buildings. The president's house (built m 1/22* having 
fallen into partial decay, a new house was built 1797-9, on the present 
.site of Farnam College. The land for all these buildings, together 
with the larger part of the College square, had been acquired by 
Doctor Dwight in 1796. 

President Dwight died m January, 1817. Under his management 
Yale College made rapid progress, beginning to acquire a national 
reputation.^ Doctor Dwight was a man of acknowledged power and 
ability He exercised a remarkable influence over the young men ot 
the colleo-e, and this contributed, together with his great learning and 
ability, to make him known over the whole country. Under him 
certain principles were set in operation which, long afterward, bore 
their fruits for the well being of the college. When he died the insti- 
tution was no longer a mere collegiate .school, but was moving toward 
what it afterward became, a university. 

After his death Professor Jeremiah Day was elected president. 
His inauguration took place in 1817. The new president was not a 
clerovman, but, having .studied theology, was ordained at the time ot 
his fnduction into office. The professorship of mathematics he had 
hitherto held was filled bv the appointment of Mr. Alexander M. 
Fisher President Dwight's place in the chair of divinity was sup- 
plied by the appointment of Reverend Eleazar T. Fitch. A new pro- 
fessor-siiip of rhetoric was established, to which Reverend Chaunccy 
A Goodrich was appointed. In addition to these, in 1831 Mr. Theo- 
dore D Woolsey was appointed professor of Greek, and Mr. Thomas 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. ] 61 

A. Thatcher as assistant professor of Latin, in 1842. Reverend 
Matthew Button, in 1822, .succeeded to the chair of mathematics left 
vacant by the death of Alexander M. Fisher, who was lost on a voyage 
to Europe in 1822. Professor Button died in 1825. Professor Benison 
Olmsted then followed, but in 1836 the chair was divided, Profe.ssor 
Olmsted devoting himself to natural philosophy and astronomy, while 
Mr. Anthony B. Stanley was appointed professor of mathematics. In 
1839 Professor Goodrich was transferred to the divinity school, and 
Reverend William A. Larned followed him as professor of rhetoric 
and English literature. Great improvements were made in the course 
of instruction. Some elementary subjects were discarded, as English 
grammar and geography in 1826 and arithmetic in 1830. New sub- 
jects were introduced. There was greater thoroughness in examina- 
tions. 

The enlargement of the academical faculty resulted in the exercise 
of greater power by the faculty, and developed the idea that in grave 
matters affecting the college the corporation should not take action 
until the faculty had been consulted. This principle has become a 
fixed one in the college. The need of additional accommodations for 
the students was again felt. In 1818-19 a large dining hall was built 
near the center of the College square. It was three stories in height, 
with the kitchen in the basement. The upper floor was devoted to 
the exhibition of the mineralogical cabinet acquired previously 
through the efforts of Professor Silliman. The former dining hall 
was, in 1820, used for the chemical department. In 1842, however, 
the system of a common dining hall was abandoned, and the rooms 
hitherto used for this purpose were devoted to the uses of the depart- 
ment of natural philosophy. In 1820-1 North College was built in 
line with the other brick colleges. It contained 32 rooms. In 1823-4 
a new chapel was erected between North and North Middle colleges. 
The upper story contained rooms for students, and the attic contained 
the library, which had been removed from the Lyceum. In 1831-2 
the Trumbull Gallery, now known as the Treasury Building, was 
built to contain the college collection of paintings, especially those by 
Colonel John Trumbull, which, at lirst deposited by the artist, after- 
ward became the property of the college. In 1842 a library building 
was begun, and finished in 1846, at a cost of $34,000. The library 
funds were materially increased by gifts from various sources. Addi- 
tions also were made to the general funds of the college, by means of 
which separate chairs of Greek and mathematics were established and 
provision made for the employment of an instructor in elocution. 

In 1832 Reverend Wyllys Warner succeeded the Honorable James 
Hillhou,se as treasurer of the college, at his death. The year 1822 saw 
the beginning of a theological department. Reverend Nathaniel W. 
Taylor was inducted into the professorship of didactic theology in 
this department. He was aided by Profes,sor Chauncey Goodrich, 
n 



16-2 HISTORV OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

who, in 18:59, resigned liis chair in the academical department to take 
the professorship of the pastoral charge. Mr. Josiah Gibbs was 
appointed lecturer on sacred literature in 1824. In 1826 the lecture- 
ship became a full professorship. The theological department thus 
formed attracted many students, so that, m 1S35-6, a building was 
erected in Ime with the others for its u.ses. Doctor Taylor was a 
tower of strength to this department, and his name was early noi.sed 
abroad as an instructor and theologian. 

The advance in other departments was also marked. A law school 
was established in 1824. In 1841 a system of graduate instruction, 
outside of the three learned professions, was devised. 

The medical school was ably conducted, and, until the establish- 
ment of other medical schools, had a growing number of students. 

In 184G President Day resigned at the age of 73. He had tried 
twice before to lay down the burdens of his office, but had been pre- 
vailed upon to remain. His health had always been delicate, yet 
he served the college with ability and faithfulness in various capac- 
ities for a great many years. He died in 1867, leaving behind him, 
as one has said, "a memory for universal veneration." 

We now come to the administration of President Woolsey, which 
is still fresh in the minds of the graduates of the colleo-e. He en- 
tered on his office in October, 1846, and, like his predecessor, received 
ordination when inducted into the presidency. His administration 
lasted 25 years, and was an era of unprecedented prosperity for the 
college. A great advance was made in the quality of instruction and 
the number of new professorships which were established. In 1847 
Reverend Noah Porter entered upon the duties of the new professor- 
ship of moral philosophy and metaphysics, made possible by the 
accumulation of a fund given in 182:^ b}- Mr. Sheldon Clark, of 
Oxford, Connecticut. President Woolsey himself gave instruction in 
history, political science and international law. Mr. James Hadley 
took charge of the Greek department, over which President Woolsey 
had formerly presided, in 1848. Mr. Lewis R. Packard was promoted 
from a tutorship in 1863 to a second chair in this department. In 
I860 a professorship of history was created, to which Mr. Arthur M. 
Wheeler was called. Geology was, in 1850, assigned to a distinct pro- 
fessorship, to which Mr. James D. Dana (now of wide fame as a geolo- 
gist) was appointed. M*ineralogy was added in 1864. 

Doctor Fitch resigned the pastorate in 1852, and was followed by 
Reverend George P. Fisher in 1854. He held the office till he was 
transferred, in 1861, to the divinity .school. He was succeeded, 1863 
to 1866, by Reverend William B. Clarke, who in turn was followed by 
Reverend Doctor Oliver E. Daggett, until his retirement in 1870. 
In 1855 Mr. Hubert A. Newton siicceeded to the chair of mathematics, 
made vacant by the death of Profes.sor Stanley in 1853. Professor 
Elias Loomis succeeded Professor Olmsted in the chair of natural 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 163 

philosophy and astronomy in 1860. Mr. Cyrus Northrop was appointed 
successor to Professor Larned in the professorship of rhetoric and 
English literature in 1862, the year in which Professor Larned died. 
The new professorship of modern languages, endowed by Mr. 
Augustus R. Street, of New Haven, was filled by Mr. Edward B. Coe, 
who began his instructions in 1867. 

In 1846-8 four freshman scholarships were endowed by President 
Woolsey, and in 1848 a scholarship was established by Charles Astor 
Bristed, of New York city. With the increase in professorships and 
improvements in instruction came new buildings. A stone build- 
ing, called Alumni Hall, was erected in 1S52-3, on the northwest 
corner of the College Square. The lower floor was finished as one 
room, in which were to be held alumni meetings, examinations and 
general meetings. On the walls were afterward hung portraits of 
officers and benefactors of the college. The upper floor was divided 
into three halls for the use of the large literary societies of the col- 
lege. 

In 1869-71 two new dormitories, with accommodations for 169 
persons, were built by the generous gifts of Mr. Henry Farnam, of 
New Haven, and Mr. Bradford M. C. Durfee, of Fall River, Massa- 
chusetts. These two new buildings were called, respectively, Farnam 
and Durfee colleges. The old Divinity College, in line with the old 
brick row, was removed. The president's house, on the site of which 
Farnam College was built, had been removed in 1860. About the 
time of the erection of these new buildings a steam boiler house was 
constructed, from which most of the buildings on the college grounds 
and in the vicinity are heated. 

In 1864-6 a fine building, to be devoted to the School of Fine 
Arts, was erected by Islv. iVugustus R. Street, on the southwest corner 
of the square. Two of the professorships in this school were 
endowed by Mr. and Mrs. Street. To one, the professorship of paint- 
ing, Mr. John F. Weir, N. A., was appointed. He was also director 
of the school which was opened to students in 1869. To the other 
professorship, that of the history of art, D. Cady Eaton was appointed. 
The paintings deposited in the Trumbull Gallery by Colonel John 
Trumbull were transferred to the art school. Not far from the 
square on the west a gymnasium was erected in 1859. 

Under President Woolsey's administration funds for the general 
use of the college and for the library increased. But prosperity was 
not confined to the academical department. In other departments 
great progress was manifest. The divinity school entered i:pon a 
new era. The old professors who had given it a great reputation 
had died or resigned by the year 1861, and new ones were appointed. 
Such men as Timothy Dwight, George P. Fisher, George E. Day, 
Leonard Bacon, Samuel Harris and others were, in due time, called 
to professorships. Funds were, through the generosity of friends, 



164 HISTORY OK NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

provided for the school. In 18G9-70 a fine building was erected on 
the .square next north of the college. This building is known as East 
Divinity Hall. Then followed the erection of a chapel adjoining this 
building, given by Mr. Frederick Marquand in 1871. A lectureship 
on preaching was established the same year by Mr. Henry W. Sage, 
of Brooklyn, N. Y. Other important additions were made to the 
scholarship and general funds. The number of students increased, 
and the school began its career of steady growth and prosperity, 
which it still pursues. , 

The medical school underwent an entire reconstruction of its 
faculty. The old professors, as in the divinity school, died or 
resigned, and new ones came in to take their places. In 16^^Q the old 
building and grounds belonging to the school were sold, and a new 
medical college built in 1860 on York street. Since that time efforts 
have been made to put it upon a good basis, but the lack of pecuniary 
endowments has interfered with all plans. 

The law school did not participate in the general prosperity at this 
time. The students fell off, and it was not until the time of President 
Porter that the school was put upon a prosperous basis, through the 
gifts of generous friends. The school was at that time entirely recon- 
structed, and is now in a high state of efficiency. 

Before 1846 plans were laid for the establishment of a department 
of graduate instruction. This, in time, grew partly into what is now 
known as the vSheffield Scientific School. At first the Scientific 
School had poor accommodations in the old president's house and the 
attic of the chapel. In 18o9, however, Mr. Joseph E. Sheffield, of New 
Haven, purchased and enlarged for the use of the school the old 
medical college. He stocked it with necessary apparatus, and gave a 
fund of $r)(),(lO() for the endowment of professorships. In 1860 the 
school came to be known, by vote of the corporation, as the Sheffield 
Scientific School. This .school has grown rapidly in facilities for 
instruction and in the number of students eager to take advantage of 
these opportunities. In the meantime, the other courses of graduate 
study not provided for by the scientific school, were steadily main- 
tained by Professor Whitney and others. Mr. O. C. ISIarsh, whose 
name and reputation are well known, was added in 1866 as professor 
of paleontology. 

The important event that marked the close of President Woolsey's 
administration was the change in the composition of the corporation. 
In response to a general sentiment among the alumni, which Doctor 
Woolsey favored, an act was passed by the general assembly, in Con- 
necticut, July, 1871. consenting that six of the graduates of the college 
should be substituted for the six senior senators of the .state in the 
membership of the corporation. This change gave the graduates a 
more direct interest in the college, and was widely welcomed. Presi- 
dent WooLsey resigned in 1871, at the age of 70, but continued till 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 165 

within a few years of his death (in 1889) to give valuable assistance to 
the college. He was a man of preeminent scholarship, and has made 
the fruits of that scholarship of great service to the world. To all 
who came under his instruction he was the beloved and revered 
instructor, the scholar and the Christian gentleman. As an adminis- 
trator his influence was strongly felt in the marked prosperity which 
attended the college during the 25 years of his presidency. 

After the resignation of President Woolse3% in 1871, his place was 
filled without delay by Professor Noah Porter, who was called to the 
presidency from the chair of moral philosophy and metaphysics, 
which he had held since 1846. The fifteen years of his administration 
was a period of stead}- growth and prosperity. The early years of his 
presidency were notable, from the fact that a permanent fund, raised 
by subscription and called by the name of President Woolsey, was 
established. This action Was followed by a continued increase in 
facilities for instruction. All the graduate and undergraduate courses 
not included in the departments of theology, medicine and law were 
in 1872 consolidated under the name of the department of philosophy 
and the arts. There was also an extension of the elective system, by 
means of which nearl}' one-half of the work of the last two years was 
left to be determined by the student himself from a large number of 
elective courses left open to him. To keep pace with new demands 
new professorships were established. vSome changes also occurred in 
the faculty from death and resignation. Additional buildings were 
also erected. 

In 1874-6 a new chapel was built on the northeast corner of the 
college square, and received the name of Battell Chapel, in honor of 
Mr. Joseph Battell, of New York city, from whose gifts the chief part 
of the expense was defrayed. The old chapel was rearranged at this 
time, so as to provide much needed recitation rooms. 

In 1882-3 a physical laboratory was erected on the south side of 
Library street. The expense of building and the necessary equip- 
ment for use were provided by Messrs. Henry T. and Thomas C. 
Sloane, of New York city, as a memorial to their father. 

In 1885-6 another dormitory was built, next to Farnam College, on 
the south, containing 42 suites of rooms, and of five stories in height. 
This was called Lawrance College, in memory of Thomas Garner 
Lawrance, of New York city, who died in 1884, while in his senior year. 

In these same years was erected Dwight Hall, so called in memory 
of President Dwight. The funds for this building were provided by 
Mr. Elbert B. Munroe, of New York city. The building is a beautiful 
one, and furnishes an attractive center for the religious life of the col- 
lege, with its reading room, its select library, its rooms for class meet- 
ings and general meetings. 

In 1876 the initial portion of the Peabody Museum of Natural 
History was built on High street, facing Alumni Hall, at a cost of 



100 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

$U)U,(H)0. The expense was defrayed from a portion of the fine 
endowment provided by Mr. George Peabody, of London, in 1866. 

Another addition was the Observatory, for astronomical and 
physical researches, which was erected in 1882. 

In 1871-2 the libraries belonging to the Linonian Society and the 
Brothers in Unity were consolidated. 

The various schools connected with the college prospered during 
this period as perhaps never before. The vSheffiield Scientific School, 
the Art School, the Law .School, the Medical School attracted a large 
number of students and offered great advantages. The law school, 
in particular, received great impetus, and for the first time became 
worthy of the university. The divinity school also received import- 
ant additions to its funds, its professorships and its buildings. 

In 1873-4 West Divinity Hall was built, and a building (called the 
Bacon Memorial Library, in honor of Reverend Doctor Bacon) was 
erected in 1S81, to contain the reference library provided for by Mr. 
Henry Trowbridge, of New Haven. 

Just at the close of President Porter's administration Doctor 
William R. Harper was appointed professor of Semitic languages, 
while Mr. Arthur T. Hadley was called to the chair of political 
science. Both of these men have a wide reputation in their respec- 
tive departments. 

The continued progress so manifest under the administration of 
President Porter still continues under his successor, Timothy Dwight. 
In 1886 President Porter resigned, and was followed by Professor 
Timothy Dwight, a grandson of the former President Dwight, and 
who had hitherto been professor of sacred literattire in the divinity 
school. Soon after his accession an act of the legislature, in March, 
1887, made legal the term university as applied to the corporation. 
From this time Yale became in name, what she had been for some 
years in fact, a university. The first official use of the name " Yale 
University " was in connection with the annual catalogue, published 
in 1886. During the period of President Dwight's administration up 
to this time (1891) there has been a marked progress of the university 
idea. All departments have been most closely linked together, and 
have, to a greater or less extent, participated in a common university 
life. 

There have been some changes in the faculty. Professor Barbour, 
called to the pastorate of the College church, in connection with the 
duties of the Chittenden profes.sorship of divinity in the year IS77, 
resigned in December, 1886, but did not leave until the close of the 
college 5-ear. Professor Elias Loomis died in 1889, having served the 
vmivensity 29 years. New men were called to new professorships. 
Notable mention may be made of the establishment of a professorship 
of music, to which Doctor Gu.stave J. Stoeckel was appointed in 1889. 
In 1888 a new building, called the Kent Laboratory, was completed, 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 167 

and named after the donor, Mr. Albert E. Kent, of Chicago, [t is 
located on the corner of High and Library streets. In 1889 a new 
building for the university librai-y was erected. This building is 
called the Chittenden Library, in honor of the Hon. Simeon B. Chit- 
tenden, of Brooklyn, N. Y., who generously gave the funds necessary 
for its erection. 

The year 1889 witnessed the completion of the Osborn Memorial 
Hall, on the southeast corner of the college grounds. This fine build- 
ing contains about twenty recitation and lecture rooms. It was the 
gift of Mrs. Miriam Osborn, of New York city, as a memorial of her 
husband, the late Charles J. Osborn. The old cabinet building was 
taken down in the summer of 1890. The removal of this building 
and the old chemical laboratory, in 1888, has greatly improved the 
college grounds. There is left but one of the old buildings in the line 
back of the old Brick Row, and that is the Treasury Building, formerly 
known as the Trumbull Gallery. 

With the completion of the Chittenden Library building the books 
belonging to the university library were removed into the new build- 
ing in 1890. The books belonging to the consolidated Linonian vSociety 
and Brothers in LTnity were at the same time removed from the north 
wing of the old library building to the south wing. 

On the east side of the college grounds a new dormitory is now 
('1891) in process of erection. When it is completed one side of the 
proposed college quadrangle will be for the most part finished. It is 
hoped that the quadrangle will in a few years be completed. The old 
" Brick Row " will then come down and Yale will have as fine a quad- 
rangle or interior as any university in the world. Even now the 
beautiful elms still remaining, together with statues of Rector Pierson 
and Professor Benjamin Silliman, Sr., and fine buildings make the 
college campus an attractive spot, especially to the graduate who 
returns to renew the memories of the past. 

A new gymnasium on Elm street is being built and will probably, 
when finished, .supply the needs of the university in this direction for 
many years to come. 

By the death of Mr. and Mrs. Sheffield further benefactions have 
been received by the scientific school. Mr. Sheffield's house and 
grounds on Hillhouse avenue have been generously given for the uses 
of the school. 

Yale University is thus prospering externally. In breadth of 
instruction and in number of students it .stands among the first in the 
country. It has to-day (1891) 1,645 students, as against 1,076 five years 
ago. Its graduates have made their mark upon the public life of our 
country. As President Dwight well says in his last report, " It is a 
matter of much satisfaction to the authorities of the institution, and 
it may well be to all the graduates, that as the student community 
grows in its numbers and changes of various kinds necessarily occur 



168 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

in its daily life and workings, the Yale spirit abides always the same — 
breathing itself into the mind and heart of every worthy student who 
enters the gates of the University and inspiring for their career ever 
afterwards all who go forth with its gifts into the activities of the 
world. It is this spirit which more than all things else makes the 
University what it is." The Yale of the future will be undoubtedly 
true to the spirit of its past, and under the administration of the second 
President Dwight, be blessed with further growth and prosperity. 
Her graduates, in whose hearts Yale University has a warm place, will 
ever wish for this result. 

The Connecticut Gazette \v^'A\\\ft first newspaper issued in New Haven. 
Its publication was begun in April, 175o, by James Parker, and soon 
thereafter was carried on by James Parker & Co., John Holt and 
others being associated with him. The size was small, the sheet being 
but lOj by l,5i inches, which was folded to make four pages; each page 
had two wide columns. The matter was largely local and there was 
but little resemblance to the newspaper of to-day. Other particulars 
in regard to it can best be learned from an announcement in the paper 
itself, as follows: 

" New Havex: 

" Printed by J. Parker & Company, at the Pest Office, near Captain 
Peck's, at the Long Wharf, where this paper may be had at 2s. 6d. 
Laivful Money, per quarter, if sent by the special post; or Is. lOd. Half 
Penny without Postage; the first Quarter to be paid at Entrance. 

"Note. — Thirteen papers go to a quarter, none to stop but at the 
end of the Ouarter. 

"Saturday, October l.st, 17.57." 

The i.ssue was suspended April 14lh, 1764, but July 5th, 1765, it was 
revived by Benjamin Mecom. In his announcement of the resumption 
of publication he stated that the price would l)e " two pence for each 
paper," and that no increase would take place in consequence of the 
stamp act. "All kinds of Provisions, Fire Wood and other suitable 
Country Produce will be taken as pay of those who cannot spare 
money." 

Mr. Mecom invited "the benevolent of all parties to send him an 
account of whatever novelties they think may be useful to their coun- 
trymen," and promised, on his part, the following: " Besides the help 
he hopes to receive from different Correspondents in this Colony and 
elsewhere, the Printer has sent for three sorts of English magazines, 
the Monthly Review of New Books, and one of the best London News- 
papers; these, together with the American Intelligence from Nova 
Scotia to (ieorgia, inclusive, and also from Canada, cannot fail to fur- 
nish him a con.stant stock of Momentous materials and fresh advices 
to fill this (lazette. " Benjamin Meco.m, at the 

" July 5, 1765. Post office, New Haven." 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 169 

The paper, as published by Mecom, was permanently suspended 
after the issue of No. 596. February 19th, 1768, having in its last year 
to contend with a rival paper, the Connecticiit Journal and Nciv Haven 
Post Boy, which was begun October 23d, 1767, by Thomas and Samuel 
Green. 

Some notices and items extracted from these early papers reveal 
strange practices and quaint ideas. Both poor whites and blacks were 
treated as chattels, and the rudest kind of punishment was meted out 
to law breakers. As examples: 

" New Haven, March 5, 1762. 

" Last Saturday afternoon, David Slusher and James Daley were 
cropt, branded with the letter Bon their Fore-heads, and received each 
of them Fifteen .Stripes on their naked Bodies, pursuant to their sen- 
tences, for sometime since breaking open and robbing the shop of Mr. 
Philo Mills, of Derby." 

" A likely Negro ]Veneh and Child to be sold. 

" Inquire of the Printer. 

" To be sold by the Subscriber of Branford, a likely Negro Wench, 
18 years of age, is acquainted with all sorts of House Work, is sold for 
no fault. " June 15, 1763. 

"Just Imported from Dublin, in the brig Darby. 

•■ A parcel of Irish Servants, both Men and Women, to be sold 
cheap, by Israel Boardman, at Stamford, 5th January, 176-1." 

" The subscribers having erected a Powder Mill near this town, 
would hereby inform the public that they are ready to receive any 
quantity of Salt Petre for Manufacturing into Powder. 

" is.aac doolittle. 
" Jeremiah Atw.\ter. 

"Who want to purchase a quantity of Sulphur, for which they will 
give a generous price. 
" July 10th, 1776." 

" Any Gentlemen, Farmer or others, that may have any juice 
extracted fromi Corn Stalks, which they are desirous of having distilled 
into Rum, are hereby notified that the subscribers, Distilleres in the 
town of New Haven, will distill the same on shares, or otherwise, as 
they can agree. And those who please to favor them with their 
employ, may depend on having the strictest justice done them, and 
their liquor distilled to the fullest proof. Or any person that would 
rather dispose of said juice or Corn Stalks, on delivering it at the 
Distillery, will receive the Market Price: and every favor will be most 
gratefully acknowledged by the Public's very obedient servants, 

"Jacobs & Israel. 
" September 24, 1777. 

" N. B. — Private Families may have Cider distilled for their own 
use by Jacobs & Israel." 



170 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

The /(wr«(?/, from which the two last extracts are taken, did rot 
find it smooth sailing altogether, as the following notice will show: 

" '■' .;■. ■" We are very sorry that we cannot procure a sufficiency of 
paper to publish a whole sheet; but as there is now a paper mill erected 
in this town, we expect, after a few weeks, to be supplied with such a 
quantity as to publish the Journal regularly on a uniform sized paper, 
and to be able to make ample amends for past deficiencies. 
" July 3, 1776." 

The usual size of the paper was a sheet 14 by 16 inches, with three 
columns to a page. It was printed in an office near the college. After 
having many publishers and a varied career extending through more 
than half a centtirv, the publication of this paper was suspended with 
No. 3,517, April 7th, 183.5. 

In addition to the foregoing there have since been so many ventures 
in journalism that the names of some of the most important ones 
only can here be given. The facts pertaining to them were arranged 
by a former librarian of Yale. 

In 181)1 the principal papers published m New Haven were the 
following: Morning Journal and Courier, Evening Register, Palladium, 
Union, Morning News, Yale Neivs and Connecticut Rcpubliekaner, all 
dailies. 

The weeklies were the Colinnbian Register, Connecticut Herald and 
Journal, Palladium, Union, Connecticut Frcie Presse, Connecticut Republi- 
kancr, Connecticut I'olksblatt, Nutmegs, Standard, Workmen's Advocate, 
]Vcekly Record s.r\A Shore Line Times. 

Less frequently are issued the old and popular American Journal of 
Science, a bi-monthly, established in 1818 by Professor Silliman; the 
Ncii' Eiiglander, also a bi-monthly, established in 1843; Looniis Musical 
and Masonic Journal, a monthly, published since 1867; the Yale Literary 
Maoazine, established in 1836; the Yale G'wr^r;//, established in 1865, all 
of which have well merited reputations. 

A number of other publications were established more recently, 
some of which have been successfully continued, as the Household 
Pilot and Modern Queen, while others suspended after a short 
existence. 

Among the dailies the [Palladium is the oldest, dating from 1841. 
The Weekly Palladium was founded in 1829. It is a large, well edited 
sheet, strongly republican in politics. A fine printing house is 
occupied. 

The Neiv Morning Journal and Courier is the largest daily in the 
city, and its weekly issue the oldest, its history dating from October, 
1767, when Samuel and Thomas Green first issued their Connecticut 
Journal. The paper has seen many changes, but under the Carring- 
tons has become a staid, conservative and reliable paper, who.se poli- 
tics are also republican. 

The weekly Columbian Register was founded in 1812, and has since 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 171 

been uninterruptedly issued. Since 1842 the Reoistci- has been issued 
daily, and its circulation has become greater than that of any other 
paper m the state. Minott A. Osborn was for many years the con- 
trolling spirit of the paper, and since his death, in 1877, the editor has 
been Colonel Norris G. Osborn. It is the representative democratic 
paper, not only of the county but of the state, and wields a large 
influence. vSince 1884 a fine printing house on Crown street has been 
occupied. 

The Union was first issued as a Sunday paper, July 2Bd, 1871, and 
was devoted to the interests of the workingmen of the county. On 
the 1st of July, 1873, the Union became a daily and has since been so 
continued. Its politics in recent years have been democratic, and the 
paper is prosperous. 

The Nezu Haven lilornino Netvs is the youngest of the five dailies of 
the city devoted to general news. It was first issued December 4th, 
1882, and it has steadily grown in public favor ever since. It is^ 
aggressively independent and very outspoken on all public questions, 
being the first paper in the city to distinctively occupy this position. 
The paper is very popular among the laboring classes of the county, 

" At different times book publishing has been very active. Durrie 
& Peck published Lovell's Readers, and several hymn books and other 
valuable works. Babcock & Co. published readers, school books, story 
books, etc. Horace Mansfield published Whitfield's Life and Sermons,, 
and sold 6,000 copies. Voyage Round the World 20,000, History of the 
Mexican War 30,000, Life and Voyages of Americus Vespucius 10,000, 
Bunyan's Life and Times 10,000, also Rus.sian War, Indian Wars, 
Livingstone's Travels, Life of Kossuth, Remarkable Events. Henry 
Howe, Esq., has also been a diligent book-maker and publisher- 
George S. Lester and William Gay have also done much to make New 
Haven a center of book publishing. H. B. Hubbard's newspaper 
directories, and Price & Lee's city directories have become well known 
everywhere."" 

The library privileges of New Haven are unu.sually fine and 
extensive, even aside from the great Yale Library and those of the 
several departments of that institution. The main Yale Library was 
founded at the same time the college was established, in 1701, when 
its projectors came together, each bearing his gift of books, which 
they placed in care of Reverend Samuel Russell, of Branford, for the 
benefit of the college, which they then and there founded. The 
library was removed from Saybrook to New Haven in 1718, and has had 
various quarters on the college campus, but recently occupying the 
fine building erected through the munificence of the Plon. S. B. Chit- 
tenden, a native of Guilford. A part also remains in the old library 
building, completed in 1844. Since 1807 a reading room has been 
maintained in connection with it. This library has practically 
*Elijah C. Baldwin's " Home World." p. 7ii2. 



1~2 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

absorbed the principal society libraries of the college, such as the 
Linonian and Brothers of Unity libraries, the former established in 
1769. In its keeping is also the Medical Library of the university. 

Of the department libraries that of the law school is the most 
extensive. It was commenced in 'lS■i^^, but was first placed upon a 
permanent basis in 1S73, through the efforts of the Hon. James E. 
English and others. It is kept in the upper story of the county court 
house and embraces nearly 10,000 volumes of law and reference 
books. 

The library of the Sheffield vScientific School, embracing more 
than 6,000 volumes, was begun in 1866. It received its largest and 
most valuable addition in 1869, when Joseph E. Sheffield added §4,000 
worth of books to his former generous gifts to the school. It contains 
many valuable books. 

The librar}' of the divinity school is less extensive, but in its 
chosen field is very valuable. Henry Trowbridge was one of its most 
generous benefactors, his gifts beginning in 1870. A new building was 
■erected in 1881 for the accommodation of the library. 

The other special libraries are filled with rare books and collections 
gathered in the course of many years, affording the patrons of the 
university unusual facilities for study and investigation. The aggre- 
gate number of books in all these libraries greatly exceeds one hun- 
dred thousand and is increasing more rapidly at present than in 
former years. 

This abundance of books in the university libraries long prevented 
the growth and proper encouragement of the other libraries in the 
city. One of the oldest of these was the Mechanics' Library, main- 
tained b3'a society of the same name from about 1795 until 1815, when 
it was merged with the Social Library, incorporated in 1810. It had 
succeeded in gathering together about 900 books, at the time of the 
union, and the latter had about the same number of books. The decline 
of the Social Library commenced in 1833, and seven years later its 
active existence ceased. That year its books were transferred to the 
" Young Mechanics' Institute." The latter body was organized in 
1828 and had in 1840 426 members. It was, as its name implies, limited 
to certain classes. In August, 1840, its purposes were placed upon a 
broader foundation, and in May, 1841, the society was incorporated as 
" The New Haven Young Men's Institute," whose organization has 
been continued until the pre.sent time. In recent years, however, the 
institute has become less a lyceum and more exclusively a library. 
In the fifty years of its existence it has been a useful agent in the 
city, for many years maintaining class instruction and courses of 
lectures, by eminent and noted men. In this period its fortunes varied 
very much. In October, 1856, the institute occupied its new building 
(the present Palladium Block), which it sold in 1864, in consequence 
■of a debt of $22,000. The pre.sent building was occupied in 1878. 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 173 

The library of the institute now has more than 12,000 volumes, and 
enjoys a fair degree of prosperity. 

The Free Public Library of New Haven* was established by the city 
government in 1886. It is the first of the kind in the state created by 
municipal action, without any previous library as a foundation. For 
some years prior to the founding of this library a fruitless effort was 
made to establish a free library by the joint action of the Young Men's 
Institute and the city of New Haven. That purpose having failed, 
the city in the year named decided to act independently, and appro- 
priated for that object $6,000 in 1886, and a like sum for 1887. An 
organization was effected by choosing a board of directors, which is 
to include the mayor of the city as an cx-officio member. The first 
board was composed of James N. States, C. T. DriscoU, C. S. Mersick, 
Benton Mansfield, Joseph Porter, C. S. Hastings, Charles Kleiner, F. 
J. Bigelow, John H. Leeds and the mayor, Samuel A. York. Later 
Willis K. Stetson was chosen librarian. 

Rooms for the use of the library were leased at 739 Chapel street, 
where its reading room was opened, February 2d, 1887. On the 7th 
of June following the library proper was opened with about 2,n00 
volumes. The demands upon it were soon so great that the supply of 
reading matter was found insufficient. The court of common council 
was now asked for an additional appropriation of $3,000, which was 
granted, and more books were purchased. The demand for more 
room also became very urgent. 

The success of the library encouraged the city to secure the pas- 
sage of a special act, by the general assembly, which authorized it to 
issue bonds to the amount of $100,000, to provide a suitable building. 
From the sale of these bonds a fund of $110,000 was realized, $70,000 
of which was used in 1889 in the purchase of the Third church prop- 
erty, oppo-site the east end of the green. In 1890 $35,000 more was 
expended on the present library building, which was ready for use 
January 2d, 1891. These changes, under C. H. Stilson, supervising 
architect, resulted in an edifice capacious, attractive and substantial, 
both in its interior and exterior. Besides the library room proper, 
which has a capacity for more than 75,000 volumes, there are free 
reading rooms for ladies and gentlemen, distinct and separate, a 
reference library room, offices and a lecture room, with .sittings for 
200 persons. 

Since 1888 the common council has appropriated $10,000 yearly for 
the support of the library, that being the maximum amount allowed 
by the act authorizing the library. By a decision of the superior 
court, in January, 1891, the library is entitled to the use of the Philip 
Marett fund, of about $65,000, the income of which will hereafter be 
devoted to the purchase of books. 

The library has more than 13,000 volumes of well selected books, 

*Frorn data by Willis K. Stetson. 



174 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

and it is purposed to add to it at the rate of 3,000 volumes per year. 
The patronage of the library shows a circulation equaling ] '25,000 books 
per year, which is steadily increasing. This has already become a 
favorite and most potent educational factor, and has a large field of 
usefulness before it, since its benefits extend to every class of 
citizens. 

In addition to the foregoing, the New Haven County Bar Associa- 
tion has a library of more than a thousand volumes, mo-st of which 
have been gathered since 1877, but some of the volumes were collected 
for this purpose as early as 1848. In 1880 the law library of Alfred 
Blackman was added by bequest. This library is kept in the county 
court house. 

Since the organization of the New Haven Colony Historical vSociety, 
November 14th, 1862, that body has gathered a valuable library of 
about two thousand volumes and more than six thousand pamphlets, 
most of them treating on historical subjects. Its collection of cuYios 
and antique objects embraces a niimber of rare and valuable articles. 

In 1871 the Hillhouse High School building, now in use, was 
erected, after which the collection of a library was begun. About 
$.500 is expended annually for books of a reference and miscellaneous 
nature, and the library now has about 3,000 volumes. 

The first church of New Haven and the town are almost coeval, 
and for many years they were so intimately blended that the history 
of one was the history of the other. The planters of Quinnipiac, 
as has already been .stated, came here with a purpo.se to found a 
religious community. They were, with few exceptions, Puritans or 
Dissenters from the Church of England. Their leader was Reverend 
Jolin r)avenport, an ordained clergyman, who had been the vicar of 
St. vStephen's church, Coleman street, London, but who had become a 
non-conformist, and being persecuted, had sought the larger liberty 
of the New World. He was followed by many of his former parish- 
ioners and others in sympathy with him, so that, to some extent, he 
simply continued as the minister, with those changed conditions. 
Hence, their religious worship was scarcely interrupted from the 
time they left their old homes. Arriving at their new ones, in the 
middle of April, 1638, the first Sabbath was observed by holding a 
religious meeting under the branches of a large oak tree, which 
stood near the corner of George and College streets. Mr. Davenport 
preached on the temptations of the wilderne.ss, from Matthew iv:l. 
He left the recorded testimony that he " had a good day." Soon 
thereafter they observed a day of fasting and prayer, which prepared 
them to enter a covenant, the gist of which was that " they would 
all of them be ordered by the rules which the .Scripture held forth 
to them." 

Under this covenant they were enabled to live for a period without 
having a regular church organization, and thus learn each other's 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTV. ' 175 

views and become acquainted witti each other's characters before 
formally uniting in a church state. It also enabled them to properly 
attend to their temporal affairs as a community having a common pur- 
pose but no prescribed forms to direct them. This probationary 
period was ended June 4th, 1639, when all the free planters (those 
properly qualified to become church members) were assembled in the 
large barn of Mr. Newman, where they solemnly proceeded to lay the 
foundation of their civil and religious polity. Mr. Davenport intro- 
duced the affairs of this occasion by preaching a sermon from the 
text: " Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven 
pillars." A plan of procedure was now adopted by the 111 persons 
participating in this meeting. The sixth section of the agreement 
pertained especially to the church and was as follows: 

" Whether are you all willing and do agree in this, that twelve men 
be chosen that their fitness for the foundation work may be tried, 
however there may be more named, yet it may be in their power who 
are chosen to reduce them to twelve, and it be in the power of those 
twelve to chuse out of themselves 7 that shall be most approved of, 
the major part to begin the church." 

In accordance with this provision the following twelve men were 
then chosen for the foundation work of the church: Theophilus Eaton, 
John Davenport, Robert Newman, Matthew Gilbert, Richard Melbon, 
Nathaniel Turner, Ezekiel Cheever, Thomas Fugill, John Punderson, 
William Andrews and Jeremiah Dixon. 

In the course of a little more than two months and a half, after the 
matter had received proper consideration the major part, or the seven 
of the " foundation men," most approved of, were selected for the pil- 
lars of the church, viz.: Theophilus Eaton, John Davenport, Robert 
Newman, Matthew Gilbert, Thomas Fugill, John Punderson and Jere- 
miah Dixon. " By these seven persons covenanting together and then 
receiving others into their fellowship, the First Church of Christ in 
New Haven was gathered and constituted on the 21st of Augu.st, 
1639."* 

The church thus formed was in its order Congregational, and in due 
course of time became known as the First Congregational Church in 
New Haven. Not long after the church was organized Mr. Davenport 
was properly inducted into the pastoral office, the elders of the Hart- 
ford church being present to assist in the ceremonies. The other 
officials were soon after elected. " It was held in tho.se days that there 
should be in every church, if possible, a pastor, a teacher, a ruling 
elder and one or more deacons. "f Robert Newman and Matthew Gil- 
bert were early elected deacons, and about 1644 the former was 
ordained a ruling elder. About the same time Reverend William 
Hooke was ordained teacher. The latter was practically an assistant 
minister. In 1656 he returned to England, where he became chaplain 

*Bacon's Discourses. tAtwater's New Haven Colony, p. 238. 



176 HISTORY OF NEW KAVEN COUNTY. 

to Oliver Cromwell. Reverend Nicholas Street was ordained to fill 
the office of teacher, caused by his retirement, and was the colleague 
of Mr. Davenport as long as the latter remained, when, until his death 
in 1674, he was the only elder of the church, Robert Newman having 
also returned to England. In 1668 Mr. Davenport removed to Boston, 
where he died March 11th, 1670, 72 years of age. He was buried in 
the Stone Chapel burial ground at Boston, in the .same tomb with his 
friend, John Cotton. 

The first meeting house was built agreeably to an order passed by 
the general court, November 25th, 1639, and cost about £m). It was 
completed the following spring. The hou.se stood near the center of 
the market square or meeting house green, and was of wood, 50 feet 
square. In appearance it was like a truncated pyramid, surmounted 
by a •• tower and turret." There were also " banisters and rails on 
the- meeting house top." 

" The congregation was called together by the beat of a drum. A 
military guard was stationed in the house, which was surmounted by 
a tower, in which was a sentinel to give an alarm in case of any incur- 
sion of hostile Indians. Around the church were three pieces of 
artillery ready for use. It stood only about thirty years. In the 
meeting house the men and women were seated separately, and, 
according to the custom of the time, with regard to rank. The first 
drum was beaten about eight o'clock, in the tower of the meeting 
house, and through the streets of the town. At the second drum beat- 
ing, families came forth from their dwellings and walked in orderly 
procession to the house of God, children following their parents to the 
door, though not allowed to sit with them. The ministers in the pul- 
pit wore gowns and bands, as they had done in England. The children 
were placed by themselves. The place for the armed men, or soldiers, 
was near the door."* 

In 1662 the upper turret was taken down. This house was used 
for all the meetings of the planters. Being poorly built it gave place to 
a new one, which was ready for use in October, 1670. The following 
month the old one was ordered to be sold " to the town's best advant- 
age." This .second meeting house also had a pyramidal roof, with a bell- 
frv, in which, in the spring of 1682, a bell costing /:i7 was hung. In 
the fall of the same year the townsmen (selectmen) who controlled the 
house reported " that they had agreed with George Pardee for his son 
Joseph to ring the bell for the lown's occasion on the Sabbath and 
other meetings, as it was wont to be by the drum; and also to ring the 
bell at nine of the clock every night." This practice, with some .slight 
modification, has continued ever since. The second meeting house 
was enlarged, and the internal arrangement changed in 1699-1700. 
In that condition it was used until the winter of 1756, when the third, 
or brick, meeting house was erected. The two former hou.ses had been 
'Henry Howe. 



HISTORY OF NEW H.WEN COUNTY. 177 

built by the town, but this one was erected by the church itself It 
was a plain structure, oO by 72A- feet. The tower was at the north 
end, through which was an entrance, another was at the south end 
and a third from the east side, upon Temple street. The pulpit was 
on the west .side. It was demolished in 1813 to make place for the 
present Center church building, which stands a little west of the old 
site. 

The present edifice is the only one erected by the First Ecclesias- 
tical Society of New Haven. It cost about $34,000 and was dedicated 
December 27th, 1814. The house has been kept m good repair and is 
m an attractive and inviting condition, and has large accommodations. 
After the death of Reverend Nicholas Street, in 1674, the min- 
isterial and teacher's oflices were .supplied, for about ten' years, by 
Reverends John Harriman and Jo.seph Taylor. In August, 1684, Mr. 
James Pierpont became a candidate for the pastoral office, and ' July 
2d, 1685, his ordination took place, and he was the pastor until Novem- 
ber, 1714. He was an able man and zealously worked for the estab- 
lishment of Yale College. He was also a leading member of the synod 
which formulated the famous •• Saybrook Platform." 

July 4th, 1716, Mr. Joseph Noyes, who had for three years been .. 
tutor in Yale, at Saybrook, was ordained as the successor of Reverend 
Pierpont, and for a score of years his ministry was peaceful and suc- 
cessful, when it was characterized by a troublesome period, in conse- 
quence of the controversy between the adherents of the .Saybrook 
Platform and those who dissented from it. As a result the church was 
divided and new organizations were formed in opposition to it, after 
it had been the sole religious body more than one hundred years. 
Mr. Noyes died in the pastoral office in June, 1761. Before his death, 
in March, 1758, Reverend Chauncey Whittlesey had been ordained as 
his colleague pastor, and succeeded him as pastor, serving the church 
until hi.'i death, in 1787. " The church and congregation were per- 
fectly united in him, and during the whole period of his ministry 
there appear to have been no division among them, and no alienation 
of this affection for him."-- 

Reverend James Dana, who had been pa.stor of the Wallingford 
church, became the next pastor of the First church, in April, 1789, and 
was dismissed in 1805. Doctor Dana was one of the ablest ministers of 
his time, but had become unfitted by age for the active duties of the 
pastorate. He was succeeded, m 1806, by Professor Moses Stuart, who 
remained four years, when he resigned to connect himself with the 
Andover Seminary. His short ministry gave a new impulse to the 
religious life of the church. 

Reverend Nathaniel W. Taylor became the pastor April Sth, 1812, 
and after a little more than ten years he also left to fill a professorship 
in a theological seminary. 



a 



*Dr. Bacon. 
13 



178 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 



Reverend Leonard Bacon was installed as the pastor March 9tlv 
1825 and was in active service until September, 1866, but remained 
pastor aucntus until his death, December 24th, 1881. aged more than 
79 years How well his able services were appreciated and how highly 
he was esteemed is shown by the tablet placed by the society m the 
south wall of the church, on the center of New Haven green: 

" By the Grace of God. 
Lf.ox.^RD Bacon 
a servant of Jesus Christ, and of all men for His sake, here preached the Gospel 
for fifty seven years. Fearing God, and having no fear beside lovmg righteous- 
ness and hating iniquity, friend of liberty and law. helper of Christian mission., 
teacher of teafhers' promoter of every good, he blessed the city and nation b 
ceaseless labors and a holy life, and departed peacefully into rest December 24th, 
lt<81. leaving the worid better for his having lived m it. 

Reverend George Leon Walker was the pastor from 1868 until 1872: 
Reverend Alphonso Noble, D.D., from November, 1875, until April, 
1879; and the present pastor. Reverend Newman Smyth, D.D., ^^as 
installed September 20th, 1882. 

The parish of the First Society has 300 families, who turnish olJ 
members. The aggregate membership has been very large and has 
been reduced by the formation of many other churches, this body 
beino- truly the mother of all the churches m the county. 

The North Church, or Church m the United Society, is the oldest of 
the churches m the city formed out of the First church. It was 
oro-anized May 7th, 1742, of 18 male and 25 female members. In a 
few weeks the number was about 80. With few exceptions these had 
been " New Light - members of the First church, or such as had 
been brought to a consciousness of the need of a holier life, by the 
preaching in the "Great awakening '• by Whitefield, Tennent and 
James Davenport from 173.-. until 1743. The latter was a great-grand- 
son of the first minister of the town, and was emotional and zealous 
to an unusual degree. His inten.se earnestness secured him a hearing, 
and havino- a certain kind of eloquence he powerfully swayed the 
masses, many of whom began to lead reformed lives. The " awaken- 
in- " aroused great opposition and divided many churches into factions, 
cafled, popularly, "Old Lights," or believers in the principles of he 
"Savbrook Platform," and "New Lights," or those who dissented 
from that creed and gave countenance to the methods of the revival- 
ists in order to arouse a greater intere.st in church work. In New 
Haven the feeling was so strong that tho.se who withdrew from he 
Finst church were called " Seceders," and were treated with but little 
consideration. The " Old Lights " controlled the Ecclesiastical 
Society, and while under the Act of Toleration, the "New Lights 
mioht set up their own worship, they were not relieved from paying 
rates for the support of Mr. Noyes. The " Old Lights ' being m 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 179 

po^ver. also passed oppressive laws to embarrass and suppress, if possi- 
ble, the " New Lights." 

In these matters there was so much feeling manifested that when 

Wathan Beers, a prominent man and a " New Light," removed by 

water from Stratford, in order that he might enjoy the services of Mr. 

Bird, " he could not find any willing to bring his effects from the 

vessel, and was obliged to go out of town and hire a farmer for that 

purpose."-- And after the •' New Lights " had made their arrano-e- 

ments to build a meeting house they were hindered in many peUy 

ways. Their building timber was cut into pieces, and it was found 

necessary to provide a guard to protect their property. An effort was 

also made by the society to suppress the work of building by making 

It appear as a nuisance. However, a lot on the corner of Elm and Court 

streets was secured, upon which the building of a meeting house was 

begun m 1744, and in the course of a few years it was completed. It 

was painted a lead color, and from this circumstance it was called the 

" Blue Meeting House." In the course of a few years it was enlaro-ed 

and a large steeple added to it. 

In 1748 a stated preacher was secured in the Reverend John 
Curtiss, but he was not installed as pastor. The first to serve in 
that capacity was Reverend Samuel Bird, who was installed October, 
1751. He was a man of much ability, a popular preacher, '• whose 
form and manner were commanding, his voice powerful, his elocution 
handsome and impressive, his sentiments evangelical." The church 
rapidly increased in numbers and influence under his preaching, in 
spite of all oppressive measures, so that, in 17.j7, there were more 
members of the First Ecclesiastical Society (still the only one in the 
town) who favored Mr. Bird than those who favored Mr. Noyes, and 
they proceeded to vote the minister's salary to Mr. Bird. At this time 
the " Old Lights " had 111 votes, and "New Lights" 212. The old 
society was now very willing to consent to a division of the parish 
interests and to consent to the formation of a new society. Accord- 
ingly, in October, 1759, the " New Lights " were incorporated by the 
name of the " White Haven Society." For some time the feeling 
between the two societies was not of the most friendly nature, but a^t 
the end of fifty years the societies were altogether harmonious. 

.Mr. Bird's health failing, he was dismissed in 1767, and Reverend 
Jonathan Edwards was called as pastor. He agreed to accept upon 
condition that the Half Way Covenant, which the new church had 
adopted, and to which he was strongly opposed, .should be repealed. 
A major part agreed to do this, but 68 persons declined and protested 
against xVIr. Edwards' settlement. He was ordained January 5th, 176!), 
and at once, by his evangelical preaching, convinced those who had 
opposed him that their opinions were very diverse. Before the end 
of the year they withdrew and set up their own worship in the state 
*Henry Howe. 



180 TIISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

house. They secured permission to build a meeting house north of 
the First church and put up one, which was ready for use in Decem- 
ber, 1770. In this building, June 20th, 1771, was organized, in 
due form, a .society with the name of the " Church of Christ in Fair 
Haven," which, as a matter of course, adopted the half way covenant. 

From the time of secession from the White Haven church, Septem- 
ber, 1769, tmtil a regular pastor was secured, in 1778, Mr. Bird fre- 
quently preached to them, and his connection gave the new church a 
standing which it might not otherwise have had. In February, 1773, 
Allyn Mather was ordained as the first pastor, and was dismissed in 
1784 on account of sickness. In November, 1786, Samuel Austin was 
ordained as the second pastor, and the feeling between the two new 
societies had so far subsided that Doctor Edwards preached the ordi- 
nation sermon. He resigned in June, 1790, and was the last settled 
minister. 

In the White Haven parish Doctor Edwards continued until ^lay, 
179.'), when he was dismissed, and that church was now also without a 
pastor. This made the way for a union possible, and November 27th, 
1796, that object was accomi^lished, the merged bodies taking the 
name of the " Church of Christ in the United Societies of White 
Haven and Fair Haven." In 1815 the legislattire passed an act abbre- 
viating the name to " United Society," and since that time the church 
is known by the name at the head of this article. 

The United Society now having two houses of worship held meet- 
ings in each of them in alternate months, continuing this custom about 
16 years, until the Fair Haven house was taken down to make room 
for the present North church. This was erected m 1818-14 by twenty 
members of the United Society who engaged to btiild it, receiving as 
their pay the old property of the society. This house is larger and cost 
about $38,000. It has been kept in good repair. 

Since the above union the pastors have been: Reverends John 
Gemmill, D.D., 1798-1801; vSamuel Merwin, 1805-31; Leicester A. 
Sawyer, 1835-7; Samuel W. S. Dutton, 1838-66;* Edward L. Clark, 
1867-72: Edward Hawes, 1873 84; Theodore T. Munger, 1885. 

luirly in 1884 the church was strengthened by the absorbtion of 
the Third Congregational church, there being now nearly 700 mem- 
bers. 

The growth of Yale College and the difficulty in finding services 
adapted to the desires of many students induced the formation of 
Yale College Church, June 30th, 1757. President Clap encouraged the 
movement, and the church was inclined to the " New Light " doctrine. 
The pastors have been as follows: Reverends Naphtali Daggett, 
Samuel Wales, Timothy Dwight, Eleazer Thompson Fitch, George 
Park Fisher. At present there is no pastor. Forty-five families 
belong to the church, and there are several hundred members. 
'Diorl lanuarv \liith. MGH, much lamented. 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 181 

The Third Congreo-atiorial Church was organized September 6th, 
1826, and first worshipped in a lecture room of the First Society, on 
Orange street. In 1829 a meeting house m the eastern part of the city, 
on Chapel and Union streets, was occupied and used until 1839. Saund- 
er's Hall, on Chapel and Orange streets, was the next place of worship 
for two years. In 1841 and until 1846 a meeting house on Court street, 
now a Jewish synagogue, was used. The third meeting house was on 
Church street, opposite the east end of the green, which has been 
remodelled for the use of the New Haven Free Library. The congre- 
gation vacated it in 1884, when it was merged with the United or 
North church, on the green. This change was brought about by the 
movement of population toward the outskirts of the city and the too 
clo.se proximity of three Congregational churches in the center of the 
city. 

The Dixwell Avenue Church was organized in September, 1829, and 
was long known as the Temple Street church. The members are 
colored people, numbering 140. The present meeting house has only 
been occupied half a dozen years, since the house on Temple street 
was sold. Prior to this church many of the members were in full 
communion with the members of the First and Second churches. 

The College Street Church was formed August 31st, 1831, but did 
not have its own meeting house on this street until 1848. From 1836 
until the removal the church occupied a meeting house on Church 
street. It has 368 members. 

The Church of the Redeemer was organized November 4th, 1838, 
as the Chapel Street church, the old building of the Third church, on 
Union street, being occupied. A new meeting house was afterward 
erected on Orange and Wall streets, when the present name was 
taken by the church. The Reverend John E. Todd has been the pastor 
since 1869. The church has more than 500 members. Mission ser- 
vices on Oak street are maintained by this church. 

The Davenport Chirrch began as a mission of the First church, the 
first chapel being on Franklin street. The church was organized 
April 22d, 1862. The chapel occupied was destroyed May 1st, 1864. 
In the course of ten years the new chapel on Greene street was given 
up and the present edifice occupied. The pastor since 1874 has been 
Reverend I. C. Meserve, and the chi:rch has nearly 600 members. 

The Howard Avenue Church was organized December 27th, 1865, 
and had as its first pastor the Reverend Orlando H. White. In his 
ministry the church edifice was erected. The membership, at first not 
large, has increased to more than 30t.). A number of the constituent 
members were formerly connected with the South Congregational 
church on Columbus avenue. The house occupied was completed in 
]8o2, mainly by Gerard Hallock of New York, and for a time the 
church prospered. During the war the congregation was disrupted 
and as a consequence the Howard Avenue church was formed. The 



182 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

building, after being occupied some time, was sold to the Roman 
Catholics in ISTn, and is now their Church of the vSacred Heart. 

The Humphrey Street Church had its beginning in a mission of 
the First church, which built a chapel in a section of the city not 
before supplied with church privileges. The church was organized 
June 23d, 1869, and has greatly prospered. There are nearly 350 mem- 
bers. The present fine church edifice was erected in 1882 and dedi- 
cated January 18th, 1883. 

The Taylor Church was also fostered as a mission of the First 
church. It was organized February 6th, 1871. The membership is 
small but increasing. 

The Dwight Place Church was organized with this name Decem- 
ber .'5th, 1872. It IS the successor of the Howe vStreet Church, and the 
latter properly followed as the successor of the Park Street Church, 
gathered about 1840. The church edifice at Dwight place was com- 
pleted in 1870, and is the third one occupied by the above bodies. 
The church is large and prosperous, the members numbering more 
than OOO. 

The Ferry Street Church, in the eastern part of the city, was 
organized April 28th, 1887. Two years later 58 members were 
reported. 

The Emanuel Church was organized of Swedish members Decem- 
ber 13th, 1888. The following 3'ear there were 44 members. 

The organization of a conoregation of Danes, as a free church, was 
still more recent. 

In addition to these some of the above churches are active in the 
work of extension and support missions in various parts of the town. 

There are also two flourishing Cono-regational churches at Fair 
Haven- and one at Westville. 

During the war for the Union, when the South Congregational 
church divided in consequence of political affiliations of the members, 
an effort was made to form a Presbyterian church out of some 
of the discordant elements and others. The attempt did not succeed. 
In 1885, however, another opportunity was offered to form such a 
.society after the dissolution of the Third Congregational church, and 
the First Presbyterian church was organized. The lecture room of 
the Third church was first used as a place of worship, but recently a 
chtirch building was erected on Elm street, west of State, which is 
now occupied. The church has a small membership, but is a growing 
body. 

In the order of time the Episcopalians rank second as a religious 
body in the town of New Haven. As early as the latter part of the 
Seventeenth century there were some churchmen here, and later much 
attention was directed to that belief, when, in 1722, the rector of Yale 
College and others declared in its favor. Nevertheless, thirty more 
*See account of Fair Haven. 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 183 

years elapsed before a church society was successfully established. 
Earlier efforts in this direction proved futile on account of the deter- 
mined opposition to any other organization than those of the Puritan 
church. Hence, the purpose of Reverend Jonathan Arnold, in 1736-8, 
to form a society and build a church upon a tract of land devised for 
that object by a churchman in London, proved unsuccessful. Nothing 
effective was done until 1752, when Enos Ailing and Isaac Doolittle 
purchased a lot for a church, which was properly the beginning of 
Trinity Parish, which is the oldest Episcopal organization in the town. 
In 1753 Reverend Ebenezer Punderson, a missionary of the " Society 
for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts," took up his resi- 
dence here as the first settled minister. He was succeeded by Rever- 
end Solomon Palmer, and the latter in turn by Reverend Bela Hirb- 
bard, whose ministry here began in 1767. Both were missionaries of 
the London Society, but after 1785 the parish solely supported Mr. 
Hubbard. Like his predecessors, he was a native of this county, and 
had also graduated from Yale. His record of parish work reveals the 
fact that in 1772, " the souls, white and black, belonging to the church 
in New Haven are 503, and in my church in West Haven there are 
220." This was an increase of about one-third over the number 
belonging when he became the minister. 

In 1770 the officers of Trinity parish were, as recorded in Mr. Hub- 
bard's "Notitia": " Mr. Isaac Doolittle and Capt. Stephen Mansfield, 
Church Wardens; ]Mr. Enos Ailing, Clerk: Capt. Christopher Kilby, 
Capt. Abiathar Camp and Mr. John I\Iiles, Vestrymen; James Powers, 
Sexton." 

The small church built in 1753 was enlarged in 1788, and a bell 
hung in the belfry in 1793. The following year the building was 
painted. Side galleries were projected in 1797, and a stove was sup- 
plied in 1806. 

Gn the 6th of December, 1812, Doctor Hubbard died, after having 
been for nearly 45 years the minister of the parish, as missionary and 
rector. He was an able man and much beloved by the entire com- 
munity. 

In 1812 the parish received the consent of the town to erect a new 
church on the green, and a site on the south central part was set aside 
for its use. The corner stone was laid May 17th, 1814, and when the 
church was consecrated, February 22d, 1816, it was claimed for it to 
have been the finest Gothic church building in New England. In 
1884 it was much enlarged and improved, and now has 1,400 .sittings. 
The first minister in this new Trinity church was Reverend Harry 
Crosswell, who was the rector of the parish from January 1st, 1815, 
until his death, March 13th, 1858. The following year the Reverend 
Edwin Harwood was elected rector and still so serves. The parish 
has been very active in the extension of church work, and the rectors 
have had the service of many colleague ministers. In_1890 there were 



184 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COTNTV. 

in the parish 470 families, 039 registered communicants, and a total 
expenditure of S]8,()Ul> for church and charu.ible purposes. 

St. Paul's Church had its origin as a chapel for Trinity parish. The 
chapel was occupied in lS3t),and the services were mamtained by Trinity 
until the spring of IS4.i, when St. Patxl's parish was created, with Rever- 
end Samuel Cooke as the rector. The church was improved in 184."), and 
enlarged and renovated in 1873. This parish is also very prosperous, 
having 500 families, 1,600 individual members and more than 7,000 
communicants. Since October, 1870, the rector has been Reverend 
Edward S. Lines. In 188!) a parish house was built, at an outlay of 
$27.0011, and more than S'>8,0(t0 was raised to carry on the church 
work. 

St. John's Church had its origin in ]8r)l as a mission of St. Paul's 
parish. It prospered so much that it became a separate parish in 18.')7. 
It has llf) families and 205 registered communicants. 

The Church of the Ascension also originated as a mission chapel of 
St. Paul's, and in the same year as the above. It became a separate 
parish on Ascension day, 1868, hence the name. For its use a new 
edifice of stone was con.secrated July 12th, 1883. The families in the 
parish number 229 and the communicants 288. 

St. Thomas' Church was organized in 1848. A temporary brick 
chapel was occupied in August, 184U.and the present stone edifice was 
built in 1854, and was consecrated on Easter, 1855. Reverend E. E. 
Beardsley, D.D., LL.D., has been the only rector of the parish, which 
has 162 families and 256 communicants. The work of the church is 
carried on at a yearly outlay of about $10,000. 

Christ Church was organized in 1856, in a chapel at the corner of 
Elm and Park streets. A new edifice was occupied in 1860, which has 
(ioo sittings. There are 280 communicant members. 

Grace Church was organized in 1871 in the Fair Haven section of 
the city. The church building has 400 sittings. In the parish are 
145 families and 222 registered communicants. 

.St. Luke's Church and parish were organized under the direction 
of Trinity parish, in 1844, for persons of color. For a considerable 
time Trinity chapel was used as a place of worsliip. The parish reports 
SO families, 106 registered communicants and a house of worship hav- 
ing 197 sittings. 

All Saints' Chapel has the support, of 120 f.amilics. and there are ()8 
persons enrolled as communicant members. 

To Trinity Chapel belong (51 families and 80 registered communi- 
cants. In addition tlicre arc in the town .St. James' parishes, at both 
Westville and Fair Haven East, noted in the accounts of these 
villages. 

Methodism was established in New Haven in the latter part of the 
last centttry, in spite of much indifference and strong opposition. In 
1789 Reverend Jesse Lee visited this part of New England, and 



HISTURV OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 185 

preaching in the various towns several classes were formed. These 
were constituted the Middletown Circuit, of which Reverend John Lee 
was the preacher in charge in 1790. The class in New Haven county 
numbered nine members. In 1792 Samuel Pool and his wife Martha 
removed to the city from Farmington, and were the first resident 
Methodists, and their house became the preaching place. Later 
preaching was held at the house of William Thatcher, on York street, 
who came to New Haven in 1793. His wife, Anna Munson, became 
the first convert to Methodism in 1794. The following year the 
above four and Anna Mix were constituted the first Methodi.st class 
in New Haven by Reverend Daniel Ostrander, the circuit preacher. 
In 1795 the class bought the old Sandemanian meeting house, on 
Gregson street, which was their first public preaching place. Here 
they were much annoyed by the rowdy element of the city and their 
meetings were often broken up. They even attempted to destroy the 
meeting house, and on one occasion hewed the pulpit to pieces. Yet 
the church increased in numbers and a new house of worship was 
required to accommodate those who wished to attend. In-18n7 a frame 
building was put up, which was used fifteen years. In July, 1820, the 
society received liberty to build a meeting house on the northwest 
corner of the green. The corner stone for such a house was laid May 
15th, 1821, and by September it was nearly completed when, on the 
3d day of that month, a great gale demolished it. By proper effort 
the hou.se was rebuilt at once, so that it was ready for dedication ^lay 
23d, 1822. It was erected largely by the means collected by Reverend 
William Thatcher, one of the original members of the church, who 
had, in the meantime, become a minister. The house was very large, 
but plain, and in its locality unsightly, hence in 1848 a successful 
effort was made to secure its removal from the green. A fine and cen 
trally located lot, on the opposite side of Elm street, was secured, upon 
which was erected in 1849, the present First Methodist church. The 
property is valued at $00,000, and the members belonging number 
more than 500. Methodism has secured a strong foothold in the 
town, there being now a dozen churches, more than ^300,000 worth of 
property and over 3,000 members. 

The Ea.st Pearl or Fair Haven Church was organized about 1830. 
It is very prosperous. 

The St. John Street Church was organized in 1840. Its church 
edifice was erected in 1845. It is valued at $30,000. The membership 
is large and increasing. 

The George Street Church worships in a hou.se erected in 1853 and 
since enlarged. There are more than 200 members. It has lately 
become known as Grace church. 

The Dixwell Avenue or Summerfield Church had its origin as a 
mi.ssion started in a carriage shop in 1871. Its church edifice was 
erected in 1875. 



186 HISTORY OF NEW H.WEN COUNTY. 

The Howard Avenue Church was organized in 1S72, and the Haven 
Memorial Church later. 

The Trinity Church wa.s formed in 1SS2, when several societies 
united to constitute this body. On a fine lot on the corner of Dwight 
place and George street a large edifice was erected at a cost of $50,000, 
which was dedicated February 18th, 18S3. It has been remarkably 
prosperous, having nearly 900 members. 

There are also a German Methodist Episcopal church on George 
street, and three societies of persons of color, entertaining Methodistic 
belief. These are the Bethel A. M. E. church, on Sperry street; the 
Zion A. M. E. church, on Foote street ; and the Union American 
church, on Webster street. In none of these is the membership large, 
but is slowly increasing. 

The Baptists have in the city the following organizations: The 
First Baptist Church was formed in October, 181(3, with twelve mem- 
bers. In 1889 about 700 members were reported. Their first house 
of worship was dedicated July 27th, 1824. In the course of ten years 
It was enlarged and subsequently improved. 

In 1842 a number of members left to form the Second Baptist 
church, whose organization was kept up a score of years. In 180,5 its 
members and interests were united with the First church, and soon 
after a larger edifice was provided. It was dedicated in November, 
1871. In March, 1882, it was damaged by fire to the amount of $25,- 
000, but was thoroughly repaired. It is now valued at §60,000. It is 
generally called the Wooster Place church. 

Immanuel Baptist Church was organized in 1856, and is composed 
of persons of color. The congregation secured its building on Day 
street in 1882. There are IGo members. 

The German Baptist Church was organized in 1868, of 24 persons, 
who withdrew from the First church for that purpose. Its house of 
worship on George street is valued at ><16,000. There are about 150 
members. 

The Calvary Baptist Church, organized in 1871, has become a very 
prosperous body. The church edifice has 1,500 sittings, and is valued 
at §110,000. In the neighborhood of 700 members belong to this 
active body. 

The Grand Avenue Baptist Church, organized in 1872, has over 200 
members. Hope Baptist church was recently organized in a chapel 
where Sunday schools had previously been maintained. 

A vSwedish Baptist church was organized in 1882, and a Danish 
one in 188(5. Both are small. 

German Lutheran congregations were organized in 1865 and in 
1885. The Swedish Bethe.sda Lutheran church was more recently 
organized. 

Congregations of members professing the faith of the Second 
Aventists have been organized, one, on Beers street, being at present 
in existence. 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 187 

The Universalists have had several societies, the Church of the 
Messiah, on Orang^e street, continuing- its existence. It dates from 
1850. The Second Universalist church was organized more recently. 

In the city are four congregations of Hebrews, and this sect has 
been steadily increasing. They became a fixed part of the population 
about 1840. Two years later their place of burial at Westville was 
opened. The first Hebrews here were Germans, and in 1849 a rabbi 
was secured. In 1856 the first regular synagogue was opened. In 
1881 a congregation of Russian Jews was gathered, and one of other 
nationalities later. 

The introduction of Catholicism was comparatively recent. But 
few members of that faith lived in the state before the beginning of 
the present century, and the church in the county has had its principal 
growth in the past fifty years. The first general account of this 
denomination appeared in the Connecticut Journal, January 28th, 17'.)6, 
and is as follows: 

" The Roman Catholics of Connecticut are informed that a priest 
is now in New Haven, where he will reside for some time. Those who 
wish to make use of his ministry will find him by inquiring at Mr. 
Azel Kimberley's, Chapel street." 

The Catholics of that period were most of them French refugees, 
and for their especial benefit this ministry was provided. But not 
until the advent of the Irishmen as laborers upon the public works 
was it deemed advisable to set up the forms of the church and to 
administer its rites regularly. Reverend James Fitton is accredited 
with being the first permanent priest, and a parish in the diocese of 
Boston was organized. In May, 1834, the first Catholic edifice was 
consecrated as Christ church. The congregation in attendance on 
that occasion crowded the church so that the organ gallery fell down, 
killing two persons. In 1848 the church was burned, when a new 
edifice was purchased and consecrated as St. Mary's church, which was 
used until the commodious and elegant St. Mary's church, on Hill- 
house avenue, was occupied. It was erected in 1875, at a cost of $150,- 
000, and is the finest and most valuable church property in the city. 
It is a fit evidence of the vigor and zeal of the congregation which 
occupies it. The parish has aided in planting a number of churches 
of its faith in the city and the suburban towns. 

St. Patrick's parish was organized in 1850, and the church build- 
ing occupied, on Grand street, was consecrated in 1853. 

Where stood the first Catholic church (Christ's) St. John's church 
was built and consecrated in 1858. Its church and school property is 
extensive and valuable, and the membership is very large. 

St. Francis' Church, in Fair Haven, was occupied in 1868. 

The Church of the Sacred Heart was occupied as a Catholic place 
of worship in 1875. 

Prior to this time, in 1808, a German Catholic church was organ- 



l<"^y HISTORY OF NEW HAVEX COUNTY. 

ized as St. Boniface. Worship was held in a hall until 1873, when the 
church edifice was consecrated. 

St. Michael's Church was the last organized. Its membership is 
composed mainly of Italians. 

The aggregate membership of the Catholic church in this city is 
very large, and at the rate it lias been increasing in the past .score of 
years, will soon equal that of all the Protestant churches combined. 

The cemeteries of New Haven are, as a rule, well kept and 
attractive. We learn from an inscribed marble slab affixed to the west 
end of the Center church, on New Haven green, that: " F'rom the set- 
tlement of New Haven, 16:^8, to 1796, the adjoining ground was 
occupied as a common place of burial. Then a new burying ground 
was opened and divided into family lots and city squares. In 1813 
this church was placed over the monuments of several whose names 
are engraved on tablets in the vestibule. In 1821 the remaining 
monuments were, by the consent of survivors, and under the direction 
of the city, removed to the new ground." On that occasion appropriate 
ceremonies were observed, the Reverend Mr. Hill, the Baptist pastor, 
delivering an address. 

The old burial place was set aside, in conformity with the English 
custom, to inter the dead on ground' contiguous to ihe church. It was 
never attractive, and for many years it was surrounded by a board 
fence, painted a dingy red color. After the new place of burial was 
opened its u.se was gradually discontinued, the last interment there 
being made in October, 1812, being the remains of Mrs. Martha 
Whittlesey, who was buried by the side of her husband, the Reverend 
Chauncey Whittlesey. Both lie in the crypt of the church, which was 
properly improved by the society. In the sEime place lie the remains 
of Jared IngersoU, wdio died August 25th, 1781, at the age of GO years. 
He was a judge of the court of vice-admiralty, in the I\liddle district 
of America. Reverends James Pierpont and Josep'h Noyes rest at the 
same place. The Center church covers the tombstones of about 140 
persons, whose names have been inscribed on the tablets placed in the 
vestibule. In the rear of the church the tombstone of the regicide 
Judge Dixwell has been preserved, and a monument has been placed 
over his grave in more recent years. Aside from these, more than 
eight hundred tombstones were removed to the Grove Street cemetery, 
where they have been arranged in alphabetical order, against the 
north and the west enclosures. The oldest one is that of Samuel Hod- 
shon, died August 2Gth, 1G73, aged nine years. He was a son of John 
Hodshon, whose estate after his deatli, in KIOO, was one <if the largest 
that had been probated in the colony. 

It is claimed for the Grove Street cemetery that it was the first on 
the globe which was regularly laid out into family lots, walks and 
driveways. The honor of originating it and of carrying out the plan 
after the enterprise was begun belongs to James Hillhouse, one of the 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 189 

most public spirited of New Haven's citizens in the last century. 
Moved by a proper desire, as he expressed it, " to secure to his own 
and the families of his fellow citizens a .sacred and inviolate burial 
place," he and 32 others were incorporated, in October, 1797, as the 
"Proprietors of the New Burying Ground in New Haven." Each- of 
these persons agreed to purchase a family lot, and thus a popular 
interest was awakened in the cemetery: but for many years Air. Hill- 
house had the sole management of affairs, and his efforts placed it 
i:pon a permanent basis. To the original tract of ten acres nearly 
eight more were added in 1814, and the whole area has been substan- 
tially inclosed. At the main entrance a fine gateway has been erected, 
upon which are cut the words: 

"The Deaij Shall I!E Raised." 

Martha Townsend, who died November 9th. 1797, was the first 
person here buried. The cemetery is distinguished for the number of 
graves of notable persons it contains. Here repose statesmen, scholars, 
inventors and men honored as soldiers and sailors. The great invent- 
ors, Eli Whitney, S. F. B. Morse and Charles Goodyear are all buried 
here. The monument of the latter is inscribed plainly: 

"Charles Goodyear, 

Inventor, 

Born in New Haven, Dec. 2;), 1800; 

Died in New York, July 1. 1800. " 

Here are the graves of General David Humphreys, of the revolu- 
tion, and General Alfred H. Terry and other brave and honored sol- 
diers of the war for the Union. Here peacefully sleep Admirals Foote 
and Gregory; those eminent ministers, Lyman Beecher and Leonard 
Bacon; the learned Professor Silliman and the beloved lexicographer. 
Doctor Noah Web.ster. It is doubtful whether any other similar 
enclosure in this country contains so many graves of the great and the 
good as does the humble Grove Street Cemetery. 

In the course of fifty years but few vacant family lots remained in 
the above cemetery, when, to meet the increasing demand. Evergreen 
Cemetery was opened in the western part of the city by an association 
incorporated for that purpose, which took the present name October 
19th, 1848. A little more than a month later the first interment took 
place: Lewis Fisk, aged 41 years, who died November 29th, 1848, being 
buried on Lot No. 50, on Myrtle avenue. The cemetery was formally 
dedicated June 29th, 1849, and has since been largely patronized. To 
the original area of thirteen acres additions were made in 1856 and 
since, until the cemetery embraces fifty acres. It is well located, 
finely laid out, and contains many handsome monuments. Among 
these is a soldiers' monument, erected in 1870 by the state to the 
memory of the 204 United States soldiers who died in Knight FIos- 
pital, 1862-5, and were buried in the.se grounds. A fine firemen's 



11*0 mSTORV OF NKW HAVEN COUNTY. 

monument was erected in 1S77, by the New Haven Firemen's Benev- 
olent Association; and about the same time the Odd Fellows put up a 
handsome granite monument near the mam entrance. Among- the 
private monuments that of the Anderson family attracts attention by 
the beauty of the design and the elegance of its construction. An 
archway of red sandstone was built at the main entrance in 1873. 

North of F^vergreen Cemetery is the newly located Maple Dale 
Cemetery. It has a good location and being well improved for occu- 
IJancy will, no doubt, soon become a popular place for burial. 

A mile or more still further north is the cemetery at Westville, 
whose area has lately been increased to accommodate those wishing 
to make interment at that place. Near by is a small Jewish place of 
burial. At Fair Haven are several grave yards which are used by 
the people of that part of the town, and are also becoming numeroush' 
tenanted. 

St. Bernard's Cemetery, in the southwestern part of the city, was 
the first large place of burial for the Roman Catholics of the town: 
but the first interments were made where is now St. John's church 
(R. C). A very large and finely located cemeter}-, on the west side of 
West river, for the use of Catholics, was consecrated in the fall of 
1890, as St. Lawrence's Cemetery. 

Fair H.wen is the name applied to that part of the town and city 
of New Haven lying on both sides of the Ouinnipiac river, about two 
miles east of New Haven green. The part on the east side was in the 
town of East Haven until its annexation to New Haven in 1881. It 
is usually called Fair Haven East; the western part is called Fair 
Haven, in the city, or Fair Haven West. The two sections are united 
by three fine bridges, the upper one, or (jrand avenue bridge, 427 
feet long, 50 feet wide and standing on seven piers. It cost $29,000. 
It IS used for the tracks of the street railway, extending from this 
place through the city to Westville. The lower bridge is called Tom- 
linson's, from the name of one of the builders. The middle, bridge is 
at Red Rock, at the site of the ferry used before the era of bridges. 
It was built in recent years. The two sections of Fair Haven have 
more than five thousand inhabitants. There are half a dozen churches 
and several very fine school buildings. 

At the time of the settlement of the country this locality was 
called Dragon or Dragon Point, from the following circumstance: On 
the east side of the river, about forty rods below the bridge, was a 
sandy strip of shore, upon which seals were wont to disport them- 
selves. As the settlers had never before seen seals, they were led to 
think, judging from the l^jible description, that they were dragons, 
hence the name of the point. 

Although pleasantly and advantageousls' located, the growth of 
Fair Haven was slow for more than two centuries, when the place 
partook of the growth of New Haven city. Since then it has increased 
in population and wealth. 



HISTORY OF XEW HAVEX COUNTY. 191 

The following interesting- reminiscences of this locality were given 
by Captain Plezekiah Tattle to Captain C. H. Townsend,'from whose 
writings they are extracted for these pages. Captain Tuttle was born 
at Fair Haven in 1811, and his remembrance of the place was distinct 
back to 182(1: 

" At that time Fair Haven bridge, the old structure on East 
Grand street, succeeded by the present iron bridge, had a draw in 
it, or a part of it was so arranged that it could be taken up for 
vessels to pass, as they did in the war of 1812 to be got out of danger 
of the enemy's cruisers on the Sound, which would run into our small 
harbors and destroy shipping and other property within easy reach. 
The Barnesville bridge was not then built, and frequently has he 
forded the river there on the ice or waded it on his way to the North 
church on the Green in New Haven, where most of the Fair Haven 
(West) people attended meeting. The Fair Haven (East) people gen- 
erally attended meeting at East Haven at the ' stone meeting house.' 
He says the old Ferry road from Neck bridge to Pardee Ferry existed 
in his day only in part, from Grand street near the New Haven 
horse car depot, northwest to Neck bridge, through State street or 
Neck Lane, and that was the only road to town from Fair Haven 
bridge. There were about this time only very few houses on the west 
side, and these were situated along the river under the hill. x\lso all 
that part of Fair Haven (West) south of the New Haven and Hart- 
ford railroad was an open coinmon and belonged to the Hillhouseand 
Everitt families. There was a row of Lombardy poplars on the Hill- 
house property, south end of the neck which ran westward from Jerard 
Sanford'sline to Mill river. The burying ground had just been fenced 
in and contained about two acres. The first burial there was Stephen 
Bunnell, a child, and the second was Captain Tuttle's little brother 
Charles, aged 4 years. The names of the Fair Haven (West) residents 
and their houses, as our informant remembers them, were as follows: 
Jerard Sanford, father of Captain Titus Sanford, next a red house and 
now standing north of the west end of Quinnipiac bridge; the Allen 
house, where Edward Hall's house now stands; Amos Luddington's, 
now Levi Luddington's, near Rhody Allen's. At the south corner of 
Exchange street, where the butcher's shop is, was the Grannis 
house ; also at the north corner and along this street to the 
Methodist church corner, north side, half way up the hill, was 
Robert Talmage's; on same side, top of hill, Stephen Bunnell's, and 
on the corner Lydia Barnes', and opposite, on west corner, in a red 
house, lived Solomon Johnson. In the next house north of the Gran- 
nis house, on South Front street, lived Seth Barnes; then came the 
house of Levi Tuttle, father of Captain Tuttle; next the old Ball 
house, where the Barnett house now is. 

"There was on the King Hotel corner an old house bought of the 
Grannis family by Herman Hotchkiss, father of Horace R. Hotchkiss, 



in2 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

who moved it when the hotel was built upon the Common west of the 
.Methodist church: and Nathaniel Dayton lived in it. On the north 
side of Grand street was the tavern known later as Finch's tavern and 
built bv Mr. John Rowe. Opposite toward the bridge was a store 
kept bv Elijah and John Rowe. Next north of the tavern, on the west 
side of the road, was Isaac Mallory's, and next was Levi Grannis', the 
farthest house north. Toward New Haven and west of Finch's tavern 
were only two hou.ses, Elophus Gillett's and Captain Everitfs, where 
Mrs. O. E. Maltby's fine residence is. The stone house belonging to 
the Maitby family, is not an old house, having been built since Barnes- 
ville bridge, about 1825. 

" We come now to the Fair Haven East section. The location ot 
the hou.ses on the road which leads from East Haven north toward 
North Haven was, first, the Pardee house of the Revolution, plundered 
of its silver by the British under Tryon, July 4-.-), 1779. and now owned 
by William B. Goodyear, Esq. Then came old Jacob Mallory's hou.se 
on the site of Town.send Bros.' ship yard property. Amos Brown s 
was a few rods up the hill on the street that runs up the hill from 
Capt. Caleb Ludington's. Next was Isaac Moulthrop's above kim- 
berly's blacksmith shop. Then came the Mallory house where Hem- 
ingway's corner store is. All these were on the west side of the road 
and south of the bridge except the Brown house on the hill. Toward 
the bridge, south side, was a shoemaker's shop. On the north corner, 
and where the store of Mr. Lucius Rowe is, was the Hotchkiss tavern, 
and this property, from the street towards the bridge to low water 
mark into the river, was owned, as decided by-the court, and belonged 
to Horace R. and Samuel Hotchkiss, while the .same distance to low 
water mark m the river, south .side, belonged to Wyllys and Willett 
Hemingway, Harry and Levi Rowe. These parties occupied the flats 
to low water mark with their buildings, now standing. 

" In the next house north of the Hotchkiss tavern and west side of 
the street, Annoni Mallory lived. Then came Will Bradley's, north 
of Brown's brook. On the south corner of the road that leads north- 
east to Matthew Rowe's, the Russell farm, lived Capt. Isaac Brown, 
and on the north corner Ezra Rowe. Opposite on the west side was 
Levi Rowe and John Rowe, where Mr. Barney Rowe now lives: then 
came James Maflorv, father of Captain Jerard Mallory, and on north- 
ward half a mile on the Davenport farm was the ired) Good.scll house 
and the two Davenport houses, one of which, the residence of the late 
David Bradley, is now .standing, and over under Hemingway mountain 
lived Enos Hemingway, father of the late Judge Willett and Colonel 
Wyllys (twins) Hemingway. . . 

'• Capt Tuttle .says the first cargo of oysters brought from \ irginia 
to Fair Haven was m the schooner ■ John,' Capt. Elophus Gillett, his 
uncle They were taken from the Nancy Munn bed in James river, 
and were laid down above and below the bridge on the flats, east side. 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 



193 



The Ouinnipiac and Newark rivers were sixty years ao-o the onlv 
place north of the Cape of Virginia where oystens grew^ nlturall ' 
The first cargo of oysters planted in Morris Cove was brought to New 
Haven m the schooner ' Mary and Martha,' Captain Abijah Moulthrop 
Munson.of Fair Haven (East), in the year 1834. The schooner was 
of 83 tons burthen and built on the east shore of Maryland, and was 
owned by William K. Townsend. Daniel Smith and others This 
cargo of 1,600 bushels of fishing oysters arrived in April 1834 and 
was laid down opposite the Morris wharf for fall use." 

K ^ffnV^'' ^^^^ "'""'^ '''^'" ''y'^'^^ planting received a new impetus 
about 400,000 bushels being brought here in one year. Large quan: 
titles of oysters were planted, and after their growth Fair Haven 
became a great oyster distributing center. Many men were employed 
m this industry, which included the manufacture of kegs for .shippmcr 
etc. Less firms are engaged in this business than formerly, but th^e 
interest is still the most important in the village. Vessel buildin^ 
was at one time a great indu.stry, a marine railway also beino- maim 
tamed m that business. On the east side are wire mills and laro-e 
chemical works, but the most of the inhabitants find occupation Tn 
New Haven city, of which this is the principal suburb. 

Fair Haven East was incorporated as a borough by the May, 187''? 
legislature, with bounds one and a half miles long, on the east side 
of the river, and about one mile wide. Previous to this the Fair 
Haven East Fire Association had been created by legislative enact- 
ment, and by the latter a fire department was established and equipped. 
This department is also controlled by borough authority and a fair 
measure of protection against fires has been secured. Water is sup- 
plied by the New Haven Water Company, and twelve public hydrants 
are in service. In its police and sanitary arrangements the borough 
has also been greatly improved. The affairs of the corporation a^'re 
carried on at a yearly expense of about $3,500. 

The following have been the wardens of the borough: 1872 3, E 
Edwin Hall; 1874-9, Daniel W. Shares; 1880, W. Hemingway; 1881-5,' 
Horace A. Strong; 1886,Wyllis Hemingway; 1887, William A. Wright.' 
The clerk since 1876 has been Charles E. Bray. 

Fair Haven's distinct religious history dates from the great revival 
in 1808, when 38 of its inhabitants were received into neighboring 
churches. The revivals of 1816 and 1821 added to the number, and 
Deacon Amos Townsend established a Sabbath school. The organi- 
zation of the First Congregational church soon followed, June''23d, 
1830, on which day its meeting house was dedicated. Fifty-three per- 
sons were enrolled as constituent members, thirty having formerly 
belonged to the East Haven church, the remainder to the North 
church in New Haven. The growth of the church was .so vigorous 
that a new house of worship was dedicated April 24th, 1854. It is a 
13 



194 HISTORY OF Ni:\V HAVEN COUNTY. 

fine building and has sittings for 1,400 persons. In 18.V2 the dnirch 
contributed 119 members to the formation of the Fair Haven East 
church, but still has a large membership, about 500 belonging m 

1890. n -D T C 

Reverend John Mitchell was the first pastor, 1830-6; B. L.bwan, 
1836-45; Burdett Hart, 1846-60, and again 1880. The present minister 
is Reverend I. Lee Mitchell, colleague to Reverend Hart. 

The Second Congregational Church at Fair Haven East was organ- 
ized March 25th, 1852, of 119 members who had withdrawn from the 
First church of Fair Haven. On the same day the meeting house, 
erected at a cost of $16,000, was dedicated as the property of the 
Ecclesiastical Society, organized March 23d, 1852, with nine members, 
but which number was subsequently increased to 150 members. 

Before a pastor was secured a division took place m the society. 41 
members being dismissed May 3d, 1853, to form the Third or Center 
Cono-re-ational church of Fair Haven. This body completed a meet- 
ino- houl^e, which stood on the west side of the river, and which was 
dedicated September 6th, 18.54. The Reverend William B. Lee became 
the pastor of this Third church, which maintained a separate exist- 
ence about ten years, when it expired. Many of the remaining mem- 
bers now returned to the Second church, which has since greatly 
prospered. From 1861 to 1869 136 members were added. In 18-1- , 
as the result of gracious revivals, 197 persons united with the 

About this time a new chapel was built, at a cost of $6,000. In 
recent years the meeting house was renovated and modernized at 
an outlay of $2,500; and a fine parsonage was secured for $6,o00. 

In Tuly 1890. the Fair Haven East church had 787 names on its 
books,'and'a present membershipof 439. The Young People's Society 
of Christian Endeavor has 250 members, and the Sabbath school has 
an average attendance of more than 200 members. John b. Thomp- 
son is the superintendent. 

The pastors have been; Nathaniel J. Burton. D.D., called 
Tulv 20th, 1853; resigned August 30th, 1857; died October 
13th 1887. (nirdon W. Noyes, called June 30th, 1861; resigned 
November 8th, 1869; died April 28th, 1887. John S. C. Abbott, RD 
called April 6th, 1870; resigned May, 1874; died June 1-th, 1877. 
Richard B. Thurston, called May 1st, 1875; resigned May 1st. 1876. 
Horace C. Hovey, D.D., called -May, 1876; resigned October, 883. 
Erastus Blakeslee, called January 21st, 1884; resigned October Uth, 
1887. D. Melancthon James, called July 22d, 1888, and continues as 

^^'"^Thrdeacons have been the following: James R. Hunt, elected 
April 17th, 1852; died July 11th. 1857. Harvey Rowe, elected April 
17th 18.52; resigned March 2oth, 1853; died December 2..th, 1861. 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 195 

Charles A. Bray, elected April 17th, 1853; resigned June 2uth, 1879 
Edwm D. Fowler, elected April 17th, 1853; died January 8th, 1885 

irth"T.7^°"u '"'''li'^r' '^'^'' ^873. -Albert Rowe, elected April 
Ibth, 1877. Henry W. Looinis, elected June 13th. 1879; declined a 
S;t fc^r ^,^^^f ber 28th, 1888. *Charies N. Hubbard, elected March 
^5th 1881. "Jedediah O. Clogston, elected March 27th, 1885. Lewis 
J^ nsbie, elected December 28th, 1888; died April 19th, 1890 

Charies A. Bray is the church clerk; and Lucius Rowe the treasurer 
Ihe society is very prosperous and the church property has become 
valuable. 

St.^ James- Church, Protestant Episcopal, Fair Haven East, was 
organized March 30th, 1843, at the house of James Barnes, and he and 
beorge R Thomas were elected the first wardens. In June of the 
same year the parish was admitted into the diocese of Hartford 
Captain Isaac Barnes donated a lot for a church, whose corner stone 
•was laid July 8th, 1844. The following year the edifice was completed 
and the church was dedicated with the above name June 17th, 1845! 
Previous to its occupancy the members of the parish, most of whom 
liad belonged to Trinity church of New Haven, had called as their 
rector Reverend William E. Vibbert, who has since continued as the 
minister. At that time he was a deacon in the church, but, Novem- 
ber 12th, 1845, priest's orders were here given him by Bishop Brown- 
ell. Later the degree of D.D. was conferred on him. With one 
single exception (the church at Greenwich) the rectorship of Doctor 
Vibbert has been longer continued than that of any other minister 
m the state. After about 47 years he still ably serves, at the ao-e 
of 76 years. "^ 

In 1854 a recessed chancel was added to the church, which was 
re-opened November 11th. 1854, by Bishop John Williams. In 1862 
the interior of the church was remodelled, about $6,000 being spent 
■on these two occasions. 

In May, 1864, James Barnes, the senior warden up to that time, 
died, bequeathing his residence to the parish for a rectory. ]\Iore 
recently the church was thoroughly remodelled and a brass pulpit 
and brass lecterns were supplied. Chapel accommodations were also 
supplied, and there are now 400 sittino-s. 

In the parish are 140 church families and 425 individuals. The 
registered communicants number 198. The Sunday school has 157 
members. 

The Fair Haven Y. M. C. A. is a branch of the New Haven Asso- 
ciation, and its principal officers are Reverend D. M. James, presi- 
dent; Walter A. Downs, secretary. The branch has 200 contributing 
members and is prosperous. Meetings are held statedly, and fine 
.association rooms are maintained. They embrace parlor, recreation, 
*Deacons. 189L 



196 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

assembly and reading rooms, all of which are appropriately fitted up 
and in use since Thanksgiving day, ISiJO. 

The East Pearl Methodist Episcopal Church originated in a class 
of a dozen persons, of which Ammi Mallory was the leader, in 1832. 
The first hou.se of worship was dedicated January 3()th, 183H, and 
the building being small, a larger edifice was built in 183;"). The 
third church building was dedicated May 13th, 1873. It is a valuable 
property, being reported worth $40,0()0. There are about 500 mem- 
bers belonging to this church. 

St. Francis' Church (Roman Catholic) on Ferry street, was begun 
in 1867 by Reverend P. A. Gaynor. Services were first held in the 
basement October 1st, 1868. The building was later completed, a fine 
priest's house built and near by expensive school houses were added 
to the already large and valuable property of the parish. This denom- 
ination is by far the strongest in the village. 

We.stville is pleasantly situated on the plain, at the base of West 
Rock, and on both sides of West river, about two miles from New 
Haven green. It contains Congregational, Episcopal, ]\Iethodist and 
Catholic churches, a very fine school building, erected in 1868, several 
large factories, stores and has about 1,500 inhabitants. Since the 
completion of the street railway from New Haven, in 1861, the popu- 
lation has increased and some fine residences have been erected. In 
recent years the village has grown in favor as a suburban place to the 
city. (_)n the western borders of the plain, and overlooking the 
village, is Donald G. Mitchell's (Ik Marvel's) lovely country seat, 
" Edgewood." On the north West Rock ri.sesmore than 400 feet high, 
and its abrupt face presents a striking appearance. " These rocks are 
trap and are composed of hornblende and feldspar; iron enters con- 
siderably into their composition; hence, during their decompo.sition, 
iron rust gradually covers the exterior of the stone, thus giving it a 
reddish brown appearance. It forms an excellent building stone and 
is extensively employed for that purpose in New Haven."* Northeast 
from the village, on the summit of this hill, are several large rocks, 
so arranged as to form a sort of a cave. Here the regicide judges, 
Goffe and Whalley, were sheltered while they sojourned at New 
Haven. "On the talle.st of the boulders, at 'Judge's Cave,' from time 
immemorial, has been seen this line, though now mostly if not quite 
obliterated. 

" DiSOIlKDIENCE TO TYR.WTS IS OBEDIENCE TO CTOI)l"f 

While here the judges were supplied with food by Richard Sperry, 
of Woodbridge. 

This locality was long known as Thompson's Bridge, and also as 
Hotchkisstown, f rom the numerous members of that family who resided 

*J. W. Barber. ITIenry Howe. 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. I97 

here Several of the Hotchkisses lost their lives in the revolution at 
the time the British marched through here, on their attack upon 
New Haven. The Thompsons and Dickermans were also early 
residents. ^^^iiy 

The post office bears the name of Westville and is quite import- 
ant, supplying also most of the inhabitants of Woodbridge with mail 
matter For a time the appointment of the postmaster was pre.si- 
dential, but the office now ranks as in the fourth class. Since Sep- 
tember, 1885, the postmaster has been Willis I. Isbell. 

At Westville were some of the first manufacturing interests of the 
town. In 1645, at a town court, '• It was propounded that Edw'Chiss- 
held might have libertie to make bricks on the plaines, under the West 
Rocke, to wch there is a good highway, which was allowed of." Stone 
was also early quarried here and small mills out up. In the course of 
years a powder mill was operated on this stream, and about the time 
of the revolution there were two such mills on West river, one above 
the other below the village. The business was carried on by Isaac 
Doolittle. Jeremiah Atwater and Elijah Thompson. It is probable 
that the manufacture of paper was here begun some time about the 
revolution, and it has for more than a centurv been a leading 
industry. In 1835 there were three paper mHls and an iron 
foundry. 

In 1789 Abel Buel, William Mcintosh and others put up a large 
building at Westville, and commenced the manufacture of cotton 
cloths, being among the first in America to be thus engaged. After 
producing cotton cloths some years the machinery was ''changed to 
make woolen goods; and still later the building was used as a^per 
mill, and in 1837 it was burned. Another building on the same site 
for the same u.se was burned more recently. 

Formerly the water power of the streams at Westville was used to 
much greater advantage than at present. Where are now the Pond 
Lily Paper Mills. Hotchkiss & Johnson made axles and springs. 
Their shop was burned in 1856. James Harper next improved the 
site for a paper mill, with the foregoing name, and John Thompson 
now occupies the mill for the manufacture of manilla wrapping paper. 
The capacity is small. 

On the night of December 2()th, 1842, Bunce's paper mill, at West- 
ville, was burned, leading the Millerites to think that the world was 
coming to an end. At the upper power in the village are now the 
extensive paper mills of Joseph Parker & Son, established in 1840, 
and operated for 16 years on book paper made from cotton waste. In 
1856 Jcseph Parker, the founder of the firm, began the manufacture 
of blotting paper, being the pioneer in America in that line. The 
manufacture of the two standard grades, then begun—" Treasury" and 
" Commercial,"— has been successfully continued. About half a hun 
dred men are employed. 



-j^gg HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

Below this power James Rawson had a knife shop, but removed 
his works to the lower part of the avenue. Next lower was the Peck 
& Smith paper mill. The latter died and Peck removed, the mill pass- 
ing to Albert Mallory. It was last known as Thompson's, burning 
some time ago, and the power is now idle. 

Where are the main buildings of the match factory, in about 1850 
Wales French made augers and bits, William A.Clark and Howard 
Blake being later owners. Anson Beecher & Son made strawberry bas- 
kets and matches here next, the latter business expanding until this has 
become one of the principal plants of the Diamond Match Company, 
whose headquarters are at Chicago. Of the works at Westville, which 
are extensive and well equipped, employing about one hundred men, 
L. W. Beecher is the manager. 

Below these works a large brick shop was erected by William A. 
Clark for a bit factory, which was later occupied by his son, Frank, 
who sold to R. H. Brown & Co. The latter firm removed the works 
to New Haven. 

Hio-her up Pond brook were the hardware works of the Blake 
Brothers-Eli W., Philos and John A.-which was once an important 
industry, employing in the neighborhood of a hundred men. i his 
site is now idle. The business of the Fitch Brothers, m the lower 
part of the village, was removed to New Haven, as was also that ot 
Henry Harrison, manufacturer of grist mill inachmery. 

Another abandoned interest is the sash and blind factory of Sheldon 
Hotchkiss, which was on the south side of iMain street. Below are 
idle works, built for the manufacture of bolts and nuts, which were 
last occupied by the New Haven Nut Company, and which once 
employed a number of hands. 

Other industries had their origin in Westville, which at one time 
bade fair to become an important manufacturing point, but for w-ant 
of shipping facilities many industries were closed or removed to 
other towns. In 1891 there was little else besides the match works 
and the Parker paper mill. 

Olive Branch Lodge, No. 84, F. & A. M., was instituted at West- 
ville July 1st 1856, and the charter was granted May 13th, 18o7. to 
the following petitioners: Joshua Kendall, William W. L^e Cyrus 
Crandall, Henrv Norton, L. P. Woodworth, Lewis P. Spencer.Wil lam 
V Spencer, Levi Baldwin, W. S. Thompson, A. C. Sperry and Sheldon 
Bassett. The lodge meets in a good room in Sperry's Hall and is 
prosperous. 

In the same hall are held the meetings of Edgewood Lodge No. 
11 K of P which was instituted June 25th. 1869, with about thirty 
charter members. Soon after it increased largely, having at one time 
one hundred members. At present the number belonging is nearly 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 199 

fifty. One of the members of thi.s Lodge, Willis B. Isbell, was grand 
chancellor of the state, lS8r)-7. 

The Westville Methodist Episcopal Church is the oldest organiza- 
tion in that village. As the result of the preaching of Reverend Oliver 
Sykes, in ISlO, a class was formed in 1815, which was composed of 
a few female members, among whom was Miss Harriet Hitchcock, the 
first Methodist in the village. In 1818 .she married Benjamin Bradley, 
who, about that time came to Hotchki.sstown to live, and their home 
was for twenty years the headquarters of itinerant Methodist 
ministers. 

After worshipping in school houses the Methodists in 1835 pur- 
chased an abandoned school hou.se, and thus having their own place 
of worship entered upon a new era, under the ministry of Reverend 
Abraham vS. Francis. He was an able man and a successful revivalist. 
At this time Hamden and Westville were united as a circuit, and later 
Bethany was added, the church at Westville being at present united 
with the latter charge in forming a circuit. 

In IS.')! L. W. Peck, Augustus Parker and Guy C. Hotchkiss were 
appointed a committee to. build a new church, which was completed 
during the ministry of Reverend J. B. Merwin, who preached the 
first sermon in the basement of the new building, June 20th, 1852. 
On the 4th of August following the church was dedicated. In 1869 the 
property was repaired, and in 1876 a pipe organ was supplied. In 1887 
the church property was thoroughly improved, at an outlay of $2,895, 
$1,000 of which was contributed by Mi.ss Caroline Warner. The 
church was reopened in October, 1887, in the ministry of Reverend C. 
W. Fordham. 

In 1877 Abigail Tyler bequeathed $10,000 to the church, and L.W. 
Peck was appointed agent of the same. He deceased in 1878, and 
upon the death of his widow in 1882, the society was willed their resi- 
dence as a pai'sonage. This property and the church building have 
been improved in the past few years under the direction of the pastor, 
Reverend Arthur McNicholl, assigned to this circuit in April, 1889. 
The chiirch is now prosperous and is again increasing in numbers and 
influence. 

The Westville Congregational Church was organized December 
25th, 1832. The constituent members were 32, nearly all of whom 
had been dismissed from New Haven churches for this purpose. 
Among the prominent members were Isaac Dickerman, for forty years 
a deacon; Henry A. Murray, who was later elected a deacon, serving 
from 1850 until 1865; Silas Hotchkiss, who donated the lot on which 
the meeting house was built; Elias Bradley, Clement Goodel, Solomon 
Parker, Silas Ford, Frederick Hotchkiss and Miles Bradley. Enos 
Sperry and Sherman Warner, though not members of the church, 
were helpful in building the first house of worship. This was dedicated 



200 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

January 21st. 1836. and was a part of the present ediflce, which was 
enlarged in ISSD, and subsequently, during the ministry of Reverend 
J. L. Willard, which began October 18th, 185o, and still continues. 
Until ISnf) the Honre Missionary Society supported the church, but 
since that time it has been self-sustaining. 

The Reverend John E. Bra}' was the first minister of the church, 
serving from September, 1882, for two years, when, for nearly eight 
years, owing to the poverty of the society, the pulpit was supplied. 
In April, 1842, Judson A. Root was installed as the pastor, and served 
until September, 1846. Again, for more than three years, the pulpit 
was supplied, when, December 6th, 1840, Reverend S. H. Elliott was 
installed, and remained in the pastorate until jNIay, 1855. 

Under the pastorate of Reverend J. L. Willard the church has 
prospered materially and spiritually, having 28.") members. His min- 
istry here is among the longest continued in the county. 

St. James' Church (Protestant Episcopal), of Westville, was organ- 
ized in 183.'). A meeting to organize an Episcopal church was held 
January 20th of that year, 25 persons having united in a call for that 
purpose. Newell Johnson and Andrew M. Babcock were elected war- 
dens, and Philo Betts clerk. There being- no house of worship in 
Westville services were now held in a room in Colonel Pendleton's 
tavern and in the upper room of the school house. But after much 
effort a church was begun, whose corner stone was laid June 21st, 1887. 
The church, however, was not completed for consecration until Sep- 
tember 17th, 1889. Its cost was $4,000. In 186.") this edifice was 
remodelled under the supervision of Donald G. Mitchell, at an outlay 
of about $2,500. A rectory, built in 1858, was remodelled in 1868, at a 
cost of $1,580. The property is nicely located and appears attractive. 
It was for many years burdened with a debt, which was fully extin- 
guished in July, 1881. Mrs. Ann M. Mix gave $1,200 toward this 
object. In 1882 a new organ was supplied, at an outlay of $600, and a 
fine chancel window was placed in the church in 1885. 

The formation of this parish was encouraged by Trinity parish of 
New Haven, where many of the families formerly belonged. In 1837. 
under the ministry of Reverend vStephen Jewett, there were 55 com- 
municant members; in 1890 the number was 184. 

The church has had the services of 22 clergymen, the minister in 
charge .since 1888 being Reverend Charles O. Scoville. E. M. Hotch- 
kiss and William Bishop are the present wardens. 

St. Joseph's Church (Roman Catholic), at Westville, sustains a mi.'-- 
sion relation to vSt. John's church, of New Haven. It was built in 1872, 
and has 250 sittings. Recent repairs have made it attractive. About 
80 families worship in it statedly. The Reverend B. W. Bray has 
pastoral supervision. Daniel Doyle and Thomas CuUen are trus- 
tees. 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 201 

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 

Noah Webster, LL. D., the great American lexicographer, died 
at his home in New Haven Ma}' 28th, 1843. He was born in the town 
of Hartford October 16th, 1758, and was a lineal descendant in the fifth 
generation of John Webster, one of the fir.st settlers of Hartford. His 
mother was a descendant of William Bradford, the second governor of 
Plymouth colony. His father was a farmer in poor circumstances, but 
favored his son in his efforts to obtain a higher education. He com- 
menced the study of the classics m 1772, having as his instructor the 
clergyman of his parish, and two years later entered Yale College, 
from which he graduated in 1778, having served meantime, in his 
father's company, as a soldier in the revolution. Among his cla.ss- 
mateswere a number of young men who also attained great distinction, 
as Joel Barlow, Oliver Wolcott, Zephaniah Swift, etc. Being thrown 
upon his own resources after leaving college, he supported himself by 
teaching school, preparing himself at the same time for the practice of 
law. He was admitted to the bar in 1781, but found little encourage- 
ment to locate in that profession, and again resumed his work as a 
teacher, and at the same time undertook an employment which gave 
a complexion to his whole future life. This was the compilation of 
books for the instruction of youth in schools. After submitting his 
plans to various educators and receiving their approval of the same, he 
revised what he had written, and in 1783 published at Hartford his 
" Elementary Spelling Book," which was the first work of that kind in 
this country. This was gradually introduced, and before many years 
its use became very general, so that in the past hundred years more 
than 50,000,000 copies have been circulated. Its almost universal use 
has been the means, more than any other cause, of producing a re- 
markable uniformity of pronunciation in our country. 

In the spring of 1798 Noah Webster removed to New Haven, after 
having lived meantime in Philadelphia, New York and other places 
as teacher, author, editor and lecturer, achieving, for those times, con- 
siderable success in those occupations. He now devoted himself al- 
most wholly to literary work, and in 1806 published his "Compendi- 
ous Dictionary of the English Language." The favorable reception 
given it encouraged him to begin, in 1807, the compilation of his 
"American Dictionary of the English Language," which was made the 
basis for future revisions, and which has inseparably connected his 
name with this greatest of American reference books. For twenty 
years he labored incessantly upon this volume, which was first pub- 
lished in 1828. Finding his resources, which were almost wholly de- 
rived from the royalty of the sale of his spelling book, inadequate to 
support his family at New Haven, he removed in 1812 to Amherst, 
Mass., where he lived about ten years. In that period, with character- 
istic enterprise, he helped to found Amherst College, which became 
one of the best of the minor institutions of learning in all New Eng- 



202 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

land. In 1822 he became a permanent resident of New Haven, living; 
thenceforth until his death at the corner of Temple and Grove streets. 
This house is still pointed out to strangers as one of the historic places 
of the city, and having for so many years been the home of this great 
literary man, richly deserves the distinction given it. During the 
spring of 1843 he revised the appendix to his dictionary, adding sev- 
eral hundred new words. He completed the printing of it in May, a 
few weeks before his death, and this, fittingly, was the closing act of 

his life. 

Noah Porter, D.D., LL. D., the eleventh president of \ale Col- 
lege, and after his resignation Clark Professor of Moral Philosophy 
and Metaphysics, died at New Haven, March 4th, 1892. For many 
years he was one of the most eminent as well as one of the most ven- 
erated of the Congregational ministers of Connecticut. He was born 
in Farmington December 14th, 1811, and graduated from Yale in 1831. 
He was for several years master of the Hopkins Grammar School, in 
Boston, and was a tutor in the college. From 1837 to 1843 he served 
pastorates in New Milford, Concord and Springfield, Mass. In the lat- 
ter year he was appointed Clark Professor of Metaphysics and Moral 
Philosophy at Yale, and while occupying this chair issued his first im- 
portant work, " The Human Intellect, with an Introduction Upon 
Psychology and the Soul." A more elaborate task was the editing of 
the revision of " Webster's American Dictionary of the English Lan- 
guage," published in 1847. His last important work in this latter line 
was'the preparation and issue of a new " International Dictionary." 

In 1871 Doctor Porter succeeded Theodore D. Woolsey as president 
of Yale College, which position he held until his resignation in 1886. 
During Doctor Porter's administration the progress of the college was 
marked. Some of its finest buildings were erected during this time, 
including the Art School, the Peabody Museum, the new Theological 
Halls, the Sloane Physical Laboratory, the Battell Chapel and one of 
the largest dormitories. 

As an instructor, and in his personal relations with the students. 
Doctor Porter was very popular. He was the last man to hold the 
presidency and a profes.sor's chair at the same time. His degree of 
D. D. came from the University of New York in 1858, and that of 
LL. D. from the Edinburgh University in 1886. The latter degree 
also came to him from Reserve College in 1870 and from Trinity Col- 
lege in 1871. 

He was .succeeded m the presidency by Professor Timothy Dwight, 
a grand.son of Doctor Timothy Dwight, who was president of the col- 
lege from 1795 to 1817. The latter was the eighth president of the 
college, and his administration marked a new era in its affairs, chang- 
ing it from a collegiate institute to a college proper and clearing the 
way for a transition into a university. The elder Timothy Dwight 
possessed an extraordinary range of information, which permitted him 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 203 

to clearly comprehend the possibilities of the modern institution of 
learning. He was also an excellent judg-e of men and their fitness for 
the performance of specific work, which enabled him to make a judi- 
cious selection of a faculty as his co-laborers, who assisted him in giv- 
ing the college an importance and character it had never before en- 
joyed. Three of the young men thus selected, who were for more 
than half a century associated with one another in the service of Yale, 
were Jeremiah Day, Benjamin Silliman and James L. Kingsley. A 
part of Doctor Dwight's plans for the elevation of Yale was the estab- 
lishment of schools, with separate faculties, in which should be im- 
parted instruction in medicine, theology and law, and several of these 
purposes had a favorable beginning in his presidency. His labors in the 
interest of the college were so arduous (Reverend Doctor Sprague said: 
" He continued through his whole presidential life to discharge the 
appropriate duties of four distinct offices, each of which might have 
furnished ample employment for an individual") that his health failed 
m 1816, and the di.sease which then took hold of him terminated fa- 
tally January 11th, 1817, when he was not yet 65 years old and while 
he was still in the maturity of his powers. Through his character and 
influence the tendency of the college toward materialism and infidel- 
ity was changed, and it was brought into a position which it has since 
held as one of the strongest bulwarks of Christianity in the land. 
Through his powerful arguments infidelity was vanquished and the 
truth of the Bible was fully substantia'ted; and that influence has per- 
vaded the life of the institution ever since, reflecting a luster of glory 
upon his honored name. 

About a month after the death of Doctor Dwight, Reverend Jere- 
miah Day was elected as his successor, and he was the president from 
1817 until 1846, when at the age of 73 years he tendered his resigna- 
tion. He had conferred degrees upon 30 successive classes, and his con- 
nection with the college was in the fullest sense useful and beneficial; 
and it has been said that at no time was the college more flourishing 
than under the administration of President Day. He survived the 
close of this splendid career many years, departing this life August 
22d, 1867, at the advanced age of more than 94 years. He graduated 
from Yale in 1795, and returned to it in 1803 as a teacher, serving it 
therefore 43 years. In this period the projected plans of Doctor 
Dwight were fully carried out, the divinity school being added to those 
of medicine and law already fully established. The library was pro- 
vided with its first attractive and comfortable home, and a degree of 
literary activity was awakened which resulted in the publication of 
college periodicals, one of which, the Literary Magazine, has been con- 
tinued since 1836. 

The successor of Doctor Day and the predecessor of Doctor Porter 
was Doctor Theodore Dwight Woolsey, the president from 1846 until 
1871. His administration was progressive and energetic, and in this 



204 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 



period of time the college was placed upon a better basis th^n before. 
The departments already established were enlarged, and m 1847 the 
new department of philosophy and the arts was created, and build- 
inas erected and equipped for its use, through the liberality of Joseph 
E "Sheifield and Augustus R. Street. He also succeeded m awakening 
the interest of the alumni in university matters, and their support and 
cooperation have been very helpful ever since. In 1871 proper recog- 
nition of this service was given by a change in the charter of the in- 
stitution which provides for the election of six graduates as members 
of Yale corporation, one to be elected yearly, and each to serve six 
years This provision has been the means of securing the active in- 
terest of some of the most eminent men of the country, and their warm 
alleo-iance has given the university claims upon the public patronage 
which might otherwise have been denied. Hence the university has 
in late years prospered greatly, and it has attained a position of su- 
premacy disputed only by Harvard. How much of this condition has 
been the result of the labors and influence of the foregoing and the 
present president time alone can fully tell. But certain it is. judging 
from the immediate effects attending each administration, that \ ale 
has indeed been fortunate in the selection of its presidents m the past 
100 vears, and that their zeal and devotion were at least the great in- 
spirino- causes which brought about these desirable changes. All 
honor to them, and may their names and worth ever remain embalmed 
in the memory of every friend of learning and advocate of higher 

education. . , 

Luzon Burritt Morris was born at Newtown, Conn., Aprii ibtn, 
1827 In his early life he suffered the privations incident to the life 
of a family in humble circumstances, and with much difficulty ob- 
tained his education. But toiling and persevering against many ob- 
stacles, he was enabled to prepare tor college in the ^o'^^^cticut Lit- 
erary Institution, at Suffield, and entering Yale he graduated in 1854. 
He now turned his attention to the profession of law and m 1856 was 
admitted to the bar. After practicing a short time in the town of Sey- 
mour he removed to New Haven, where he has since held a most 
prominent place in the legal profession. He has been entrusted with 
many important interests, all of which he discharged with great fidel- 
ity. As the agent of Daniel Hand, the Guilford millionaire, recently 
deceased, he disbursed large sums of money, much of it in the direc- 
tion of charity and pure benevolence. His probity and faithfulness 
in many other trusts, whether in the care of public or private affairs, 
have caused him to become greatly esteemed and he has frequently been 
called to serve in public capacities. He was judge of the New Haven 
probate court from 18.-)7 to 1863, represented Seymour in the general 
as.sembly two terms, and New Haven half a dozen terms in the same 
body and one term in the state .senate. In both these houses he was 
very influential and held some of the most important committee posi- 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 205 

tions. The action recommended bears the stamp of his careful train- 
ing and indicates the judicial cast of his mind; and the laws enacted 
have well served the purpose for which they were designed. 

The eminence and force of character of Judge L. B. Morris fitly 
suggested him as the leader of the democracy in the gubernatorial 
campaign of 1890. In that hotly contested struggle his ability and 
honesty were conceded by men of all shades of belief and many voted 
for him regardless of former political affiliations out of their admira- 
tion for his sterling character, notwithstanding his competitors were 
also popular and most deserving citizens. He received 67,658 votes 
against 67,597 for all others, including 100 disputed ballots. He was 
apparently the choice of the people of the state, but by the terms of 
the constitution, which should long since have been changed, he failed 
to secure a title to the office, but is honored none the less bv all true 
citizens of this commonwealth, as a truly representative man. 

General Samuel E. Merwin, the chief competitor of Judge Morris 
for the office of governor, receiving 63,975 votes, is also an honored 
citizen of New Haven. He was born in the town of Brookfield, Aug- 
ust 23d, 1830, and is a lineal descendant of Miles Merwin, one of the 
early prominent settlers of Milford, whose name is still perpetuated 
in Merwin's Point, in the southwestern part of the sound coast of the 
county. He was educated in the schools of his native town, and after 
his removal to New Haven, when he was 16 years old, under private 
instructions. In 1850 he became associated with his father, also named 
Samuel E. Merwin, in the wholesale business of a pork packer, which 
avocation he has followed with success about two score of years. In 
addition to this pursuit he has been most active in other affairs and 
has been charged with a variety of private and public trusts, in the 
discharge of which his faithfulness and integrity have never been ques- 
tioned. He has been intere.sted in the management of several mone- 
tary institutions and has been on the board of a number of public and 
charitable institutions, where his business skill has been of much ser- 
vice. Always active as a republican, his voice has frequently been 
heard in the councils of his party, and he served as senator from the 
Fourth senatorial district. He has also been the republican nominee 
for mayor of New Haven and congressman of this district. His mili- 
tary service has been active and highly creditable. For some years 
he was the captain of the New Haven Grays, and after filling other 
military offices in the state, served three years under Governor Jewell 
as the adjutant general of Connecticut and rendered most efficient and 
valuable service in the late civil war, at home, in New York during 
the draft riots and promptly volunteered to go to Gettysburg to repel 
the rebel invasion of Pennsylvania. General Merwin is liberal and 
public-spirited and on account of his interest in the welfare of his 
adopted city is deservedly popular and is highly esteemed. 



206 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

William E. Downes, of New Haven, was born in the town of 
Milford, Conn., August 22d, 1824, and was the third son of Horatio and 
Nancy Downes. His paternal grandfather, John Downes, was a soldier 
in the war of the revolution, and a very interesting relic m the shape 
of a diary, kept bv him from 1764 to 1810, is now in the possession of 
the family. It contains, with a very few exceptions, an entry for every 
day during that long period. Through his grandmother, Hannah 
Stone the subject of this sketch is in direct line of descent from the 
Reverend Samuel Stone and the Reverend Thomas Hooker, of Hart- 
ford Among her ancestors his mother numbered Governor Robert 
Treat the Reverend Samuel Andrews, of Milford, for some years 
rector of Yale college, and Edmund Tapp, one of the first settlers, and 
one of the first five judges of Milford. His father had much of the 
Puritan in his character and aspect, with a brave, warm heart beneath 
it all- while his mother, of a quiet, gentle nature, was withal so loving 
and self-sacrificing as to give added worth even to the name of mother 
As a boy Mr. Downes attended the district school m Milford, and 
afterward completed his studies preparatory to entering college, with 
the Reverend A. M. Train, of Milford. He entered Yale College m 
1841. His first greeting came from Professor Thatcher, and so cor- 
dial and timelv was it that it has never been forgotten. The vigorous 
insistance afterward on proper Latin accents seemed at times'at vari- 
ance with the earlier impressions, but was so kindly meant it has long 
since been forgiven. After three years of hard study, and one of 
pleasant memory. Mr. Downes. with 73 others, was graduated, James 
G. Gould, a fine scholar and most gifted man, being the valedictorian. 
Havino- chosen the legal profession as his life work, Mr. Downes re- 
cited for one year to the Hon. Alfred Blackman, of New Haven, now 
deceased, a kind friend to the student then, and beloved ever after 
He then entered the Yale Law School, and after the usual course of 
study was admitted to the bar of the state of Connecticut m 1848. In 
December of that year he opened an office in Birmingham. Conn., and 
began the practice of his profession. 

In 1851 he was married to Miss Jane M. Howe, only child of Doctor 
John I. Howe, then of Birmingham. Doctor Howe began a successful 
career as resident physician in Bellevue Hospital, New York, but be- 
coming interested in the manufacture of pins, came to Birmingham to 
look after his interests in the corporation now known as the Howe 
Manufacturing Company, of Birmingham, Conn. He was a man of 
rare ability and attainments, and is widely known as the inventor of 
of the first practical automatic pin machine. 

Mr Downes continued in the practice of his profession until 1863, 
when he relinquished it, and succeeded Doctor Howe in the manage- 
ment of the business of the Howe Manufacturing Company. As a 
lawyer he crained and kept the confidence, respect and esteem of the 
community in which he lived, as well as that of his brethren at the 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 207 

bar. His business si:rely and steadily increased as his worth and 
ability became known, and when he relinquished his practice it was a 
source of sincere regret to a numerous clientage. He remained in the 
active management of the Howe Manufacturing Company until 1875, 
when the burden of the work was turned over to other hands. 

Since that time Mr. Downes has not been actively engaged in busi- 
ness, but in the management of his own affairs, and in the perform- 
ance of the duties of the many positions of trust and responsibility 
which he has filled and now fills, he assuredly has not been an idle 
man. He has been for the past seven years, and now is, president of 
the Derby Savings Bank. He is a director and member of the execu- 
tive committee of the Ousatonic Water Company, and a director and 
valued counsellor and adviser in many other corporations in Derby and 
elsewhere. With the Ousaton-ic Water Company he has been promi- 
nently identified from the beginning, having been employed as one 
of the counsel to obtain a charter for the company from the legisla- 
ture of Connecticut. 

He has been elected three times as a representative of the town of 
Derby in the legislature of his state; the first time in 1855, the second 
in 1882, and the third in 1883. He took a prominent part in the estab- 
lishment of the " Board of Pardons," and was chiefly instrumental in 
procuring the passage of the " Act Concerning Insane Persons," in the 
year 1889, and he modestly says that such satisfaction as he has de- 
rived from his legislative experience arises from his connection with 
these two acts. For several years Mr. Downes, at some self-sacrifice, 
filled the office of justice of the peace in the town of Derby. This 
would hardly be worthy of mention here but for the fact that to the 
performance of the duties pertaining to this humble magistracy he 
brought such rare good sense, ability and impartiality, as to make his 
incumbency memorable. 

In the year 1887 Mr. Downes, with his family, removed from Bir- 
mingham to New Haven, where he now resides. The children of 
Mr. and Mrs. Downes are: Mrs. Helen G. Atwater, of Birmingham, 
Conn.; William Howe Downes, of Boston, Mass., and Mrs. Catherine 
J. Whiting and John I. H. Downes, of New Haven. 

Mr. Downes is possessed of certain qualitiesrarely found, asin him, 
in harmonious combination. While a lover of books, and of reading, 
and with the instincts and tastes of a scholar, he is at the same time a 
practical man of affairs, with an aptitude for business born of a thor- 
ough legal and business training, and of a large and varied experience. 
In the many corporations with which he is connected, his opinion car- 
ries much weight, and his counsel is rarely disregarded. While mod- 
est and retiring in disposition, and willing to yield to the judgment of 
others in matters of minor importance, he is steadfast in matters of 
principle and loyal to his convictions at all times, without regard to 
consequences. His conclusions are generally reached onlj' after ma- 





'/TT^^yT'^L-,-^ 



208 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 



ture reflection and although they are held ^vith firmness, the firmness 
never degenerates into obstinacy. He has an instmct for justice, and 
a sense oi honor nhat feels a stain Hke a wound." Hus keen percep- 
tion of the humorous side of human nature and conduct, coupled %Mth 
a genial, kindly disposition, make him a delightful companion, and 
relieve the '•prosmess" of many a business meeting. 

In politics Mr. Downes has generally acted with the republican 
party, but he never hesitates to sink his allegiance to party in the 
higher allegiance to whatever is for the best interests of his country. 
or of the community in which he lives. . ■ , ^ 

Mr Downes is a member of the Congregational denomination, but 
with him religion is an unfolding life rather than a creed. 

Simple in his tastes and unostentatious in his manner of life, he 
finds his chief enjoyment in a pleasant circle of friends and compan- 
ions and amidst his own family, to whom he has always been devot- 
edly attached. , . , 

Di'-XTER R WrIwHT, who was in his day one of the best known 
and most honored men of the county, was born at Windsor, Vermont, 
Tune 27th, 1821, and died at New Haven July 23d, 1886. He was edu- 
cated at the Wesleyan University, at Middletown, from which he grad- 
uated in 1845, having as classmates men who became eminent in all 
the learned profe.ssions. In the year Mr. Wright graduated he became 
the principal of the Meriden Academy, serving m that capacity not 
quite two years. In 1846 he began the study of law in the office of E. 
K Fester of New Haven, and in 1848 he graduated from the law de- 
partment of Yale, locating that year at Meriden to follow his profes- 
sion in which, in later years, he became so eminent. In 1849 he at- 
tained his first political distinction, being elected to the state senate 
from the Sixth .senatorial district; but becoming imbuded with the 
spirit of the "Argonauts" he relinquished these honors and went to 
California, where he spent two years, much of the time practicing in 
the territorial courts and helping to shape the destiny of the future 
state In 1851 he returned to Meriden, where for eleven years he was 
one of the leading attorneys of the bar of that town, in whose material 
development he was also warmly interested. 

The civil war received not only his support as one of the mo.st elo- 
quent speakers in the .state, but in 1862 he himself enlisted and was 
commissioned lieutenant colonel of the 14th Regiment, and later was 
made the colonel of the \:Ah Regiment. In Augu.st, 1862, he went 
with his men to the front and was with his command at the battle of 
Fredericksburg December T.Uh, 1862. Failing health compelled him 
to leave the .service in 1863, but at home and elsewhere he labored un- 
ceasingly until the nationality of the union of states was acknowledged 

supreme. 

After the war Colonel Wright removed to New Haven, where he 
established a law practice which made him one of the most influential 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 209 

members of the bar. He was also called to serve in official capacities 
and. was the speaker of the Connecticut house of representatives in 
1879. This office he filled with distinguished ability and with so much 
courtesy that he evoked the admiration of all parties. Although so 
unremitting in his attention to his profession, Colonel Wright was 
such an intelligent student and so assiduous in his application to the 
mastery of any subject, that he acquired a wide range of knowledge 
in literature and science, until he was one of the best informed men 
in the county. He had become so familiar with medical studies that 
the honorary degree of M. D. was given him by a medical college, as 
a recognition of that knowledge, and degrees were bestowed on him by 
other institutions of learning, among them being those of master of 
arts from Wesleyan University and A. M., Causa Ho>wris, from Trinity 
College, of Hartford. 

Henry Baldwin Harrison, governor of the state of Connecticut 
from 1885 to 1887, was born in the city of New Haven September 11th, 
1821, and received his elementary education in the famous Lancaste- 
rian school of John E. Lovell, whose assistant he was for several years. 
Entering Yale, he graduated at the head of the class of 1846, and then 
began the study of law and its practice with Lucius G. Peck, Esq. 
Mr. Harrison allied himself with the fortunes of the whig party, which 
elected him state senator in 1854, and from that time he has been 
more or less active in political matters, as he subsequently became an 
ardent republican, and was called a number of times to lead the forces 
of that party. He served his town with distinction and usefulness in 
the state legislature, and after being once defeated for governor was 
elected and was the governor two years, very creditably filling that 
office. His ability as an attorney gave him a reputation not excelled 
by any other in the state, and his fairness, smcerity and unimpeacha- 
ble honesty, whether in politics or m business, secured for him great 
esteem. In public and private affairs he has been progres.sive, always 
aiding where it would promote the greatest good. Since 1872 he has 
been a member of the corporation of Yale College, in whose welfare he 
has always taken a warm interest. In addition to Governor HarrLson, 
three more of New Haven's attorneys have filled that office: Roger S.' 
Balwin. 1844-6; Henry Button, 1854-6; and Charles R. Ingersoll 
1873-7. 

Roger Sherman Baldwin was born in New Haven, January 4th, 
1793, and was the second son of Judge Simeon Baldwin. He grad- 
uated from Yale College m 1811, was admitted to the bar in 1814, and 
practiced law until his death, February 19th. 1863, except when en- 
gaged in public capacities. His reputation as a lawyer was not con- 
fined to the limits of his state, and he was for many years one of the 
best known men in Connecticut. He was early a pronounced anti- 
slavery man, and when occasion offered, ably defended the cause of 
the oppressed Africans. After serving two years as governor he was 



210 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

elected United States senator, in 1847, serving a term in that body. In 
1860 he was a Lincoln presidential elector, and one of his last public 
actions was his service on the •' Peace Congress," in 18C1. He was a 
man of very earnest convictions, and everywhere devoted his great 
powers to to the cause of truth and humanity, being thus a most valu- 
able citizen. „ K.„o,-,, 

Henry Button, LL. D., was born in Plymouth, Conn., Febiuar> 
12th 1796, and died at New Haven, April 26th, 1869. In 1818 he grad- 
uated from Yale, where he became a tutor in 1821 After teaching m 
the college two years he commenced to practice law at Newtown 
where he remained until 1837, then removed to Bridgeport. Inl847 
he was appointed professor of law at Yale, and then took up his resi- 
dence at New Haven. He served in both houses of the general as- 
sembly of the state, and filled the office of governor one term, in 
1861 he was elected judge of the supreme court of errors, and served 
until 1866, when he was unfitted by the constitutional limit of age tor 
lon-er service. He had a keen, discriminating intellect, and was an 
able and sound expounder of the law. In all his life he was pure and 
upright, and was highly esteemed by all who knew mm. 

Charles Roberts Ingersoi.i. was born in New Haven, September 
16th, 1821, and is a .son of Ralph I. Ingersoll. He was educated at the 
Hopkins Grammar School and at Yale, graduating m 1840. In 1845 
he was admitted to the bar of New Haven county, and has been a aw- 
ver ever since. He represented New Haven in the state legislature 
four terms In 1873 he was elected bv the democrats as the governor, 
and was reelected, serving until January, 1877. He declined a re- 
nomination, although strongly urged to again allow the suffrage of 
the state to be cast for him. He is able and popular m public and 

private life. _ ■ 4.1 ^„ ^f 

Tames Mulford Townsend, New Haven. Conn., is the son ot 
William Kneeland and Eliza Ann (Mulford) Townsend. and was born 
in New Haven, January 20th, 1825, and is seventh in descent from 
Thomas Townsend, or Townshend, who settled m Lynn, Mas.s in 
1683 He descended from good revolutionary stock, his grandtather, 
Isaac Townsend, having enlisted at the age of 16 years, and .served 
until the close of the war for independence. 

On the east side of New Haven harbor runs north and south for a 
considerable distance a ridge of elevated land, sloping down westward 
to the water's edge. It is called " Bay Ridge.'' There are beautiful 
and picturesque landscapes along its western sides, and one ot he 
most beautiful of these is situated about three miles southeast of he 
New Haven Green, on Townsend avenue. Here is " Raynham tne 
estate of the late William Kneeland Townsend. and the family home 
of his .sons. Here reside James M. and George H. Townsend, the 
second and third sons of the family, who are living on the land their 
ancestors bought of the Indians, in addition to the original grant to 
their ancestors made over 200 years ago. 



HISTOKY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY, 211 

" Raynham " is an imported name. It is in England the ancient 
family seat of the Townsends, and comprises 22,000 acres. The old 
moated Hall, located in the park, near the church by the river side, 
and builded of Roman brick, A. D., 1200, is a picturesque ruin. The 
family mansion is in the center of the 22,000 acres, and on either side 
of the same is a lawn of 400 acres. It was builded by Sir Roger Towns- 
hend, the Puritan baronet, early in the seventeenth century (1630). 
Sir Roger died January 1st, 1637, aged 41 years. 

" Raynham " in England had at that date been the residence of the 
Townsend surname nearly 400 years, for as early as February 16th, 
1466, a Townsend will directs that the body of the testator be buried 
in "the church of St. Mary's, Raynham." But the present mansion, 
which has sheltered so many generations .since, was builded by Sir 
Roger Townshend, the Puritan baronet, in 1630. When in England 
in 1891, the subject of this sketch, together with his grandson, Winston 
Trowbridge Townsend, visited the old family mansion at " Raynham " 
upon invitation of the present owner (the most Noble The Marquis 
Townsend, whom Mr. Townsend met in Paris, and received from the 
Marquis a most cordial reception). The parties in charge of Raynham 
Hall entertained Mr. Townsend and his grandson most hospitably, and 
upon leaving gave them a large hamper filled with most delicious hot 
house grapes (and other fruits), some of them lasting until their arrival 
home in New Haven, Conn., and on the day of sailing a basket of 
most beautiful flowers Mr. Townsend received from the Raynham Hall 
garden. 

In family loyalty the ancient name has been given to the beautiful 
estate, " Raynham," on the east side of the New Haven harbor. This 
" Raynham " was purchased by William Kneelaud Townsend, father 
of James M., from his father and uncle some years before retiring 
from mercantile pursuits in 1830. It was part of the original grant of 
the New Haven colony to William Tuttle, the maternal ancestor of 
his wife. At the same time it included land purchased from the In- 
dians. There William K. Townsend passed the remainder of his life, 
occupying his time in scientific agriculture, and bringing up his family 
in enterprising American fashion. 

When the school days of James M. were over, he became clerk in 
an importing house in New York. Then for three years he carried 
on the clothing trade in New Haven, the firm being Knevals, Hull, 
Townsend & Maltby. But retiring from mercantile life, he became 
secretary and treasurer, and afterward president of the City Savings 
Bank of New Haven. He has served in several prominent financial 
positions besides. He has been a director of the Quinnipiac (now 
Yale National) Bank, and also for 16 years a director of the New 
Haven Bank, in which his father, grandfather and great-grandfather 
served as directors. He has also been director, vice-president and 
president of the Shore Line Railroad Company, a director of the 



212 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

New Haven & Derby Railroad Company, a director of the New Haven 
Clock Company, and also a director and treasurer of the Gettysburg- 
Railroad Company, Pennsylvania, besides being a life director of a 
number of public societies of New Haven, executor and trustee of 
large estates in Connecticut and western states, also director in rail- 
road and other corporations in other states. 

These meager outlines of business relations are only .suggestive of 
many others, and of Mr. Townsend's prominence in the financial 
world. The positions of trust he has refused far outnumber those he 
has accepted. In all these relations he exhibited untarnished honesty 
-and integrity, adorned by careful attention to business trusts. There 
is one enterprise of his business life which cannot be passed over 
without a more particular notice. It concerns the development of the 
petroleum industry in this country- (See Atwater's " History of the 
City of New Haven," McCarthy's '• History of Petroleum," and Pro- 
fessor I. L. Newburry, LL. D., of Columbia College, New York, article 
in Harper's Magazine for October, 1890). The presence of '• rock oil " 
in the earth has been known for a very long period, but how to obtain 
it in large quantities so as to make it a commercial product was a 
puzzle to both capital and labor waiting for employment. The Penn. 
Rock Oil Company had been organized in 1856, and had purchased 
some 1,200 acres of land, together with a leasehold right to all the 
rights and values lying below the surface of the ground on the prop- 
■er'ty adjoining the purchase, if evidence of oil should appear there, 
■or upon which it was suppo.sed oil could be found, which lease ex- 
tended to a large area of Oil creek. Mr. James M. Townsend, of New 
Haven, was one of the chief stockholders. It was the company's 
policy to sublet rights to lessees for working on the oil district, and to 
receive a royalty on the product. But m October, 1857, a le.ssee m 
New York discovered what he regarded as a serious defect in the 
title by which the Penn. Rock Oil Company held its Oil Creek property, 
and grasped at the discovery as an excuse for throwing up his lease. 
The prospects of the company became greatly clouded, but one man, 
Mr. Townsend, did not lose faith in ihe venture. 

Mr. E. L. Drake was at that time a conductor on the New York & 
New Haven railroad, and like Mr. Town.send, boarded at the Tontine 
Hotel in New Haven. Weary and sick, Mr. Drake inquired of Mr. 
Townsend what topics of special interest were filling his thoughts, 
-and conversation drifted to the condition in which the Penn. Rock 
•Oil Company found itself. As Mr. Drake needed recreation, since 
he was just recovering from a severe fever, Mr. Town.send pro- 
posed that he should go to the company's property in Pennsylvania, 
examine it, perfect the title, and report what he might find. Mr. 
Townsend furnished Mr. Drake with the essential equipment in 
money, and he visited the oil regions. He reported that the oil, pos- 
sessing medicinal properties confirmed by the Seneca Indians as a cure 




^* 



'^^^^^'if--^^^<^C£yU-'^^^ 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 213 

for rheumatism, could be collected in paying quantities, and sold by 
the bottle or the gallon. Upon the strength of this report, Mr. Town- 
send at once organized " The Seneca Oil Company," putting Mr. Drake 
forward in the organization in place of himself, and furnishing nearly 
all the capital. 

Immediately after the organization of the company the bulk of the 
stock, taken in Mr. Drake's name, was transferred to Mr. Town.send, 
who had furnished the money, and Mr. Drake was appointed manager 
on the field, voted a salary of $100 a month and entrusted with $1,000 
to proceed to Oil Creek and begin operations. But progress was slow 
and discouraging. It was proposed at last to bore a well after the 
manner of the salt wells of New York. The salt works at Syracuse, 
N. Y., were visited and a well borer secured, but the process of boring 
rock was slow in those days, and as the months passed by several of 
the stockholders lost faith in the plan of boring and fell out of the 
company. At last only two were left and Mr. Townsend, who was the 
principal capitalist and had been the most enthusiastic, was one 
of them. He sent forward as a last installment of money $500, with 
instructions to Mr. Drake that if he had not "struck oil" by the time 
the money reached him, to settle all bills, pack up and come home. 
But on the day before the money arrived — the memorable 29th of 
August, 1859 — the auger, now down 68 feet, fell through into the oil 
reservoir, and the oil flowed up to within a few feet of the surface. 
This was the opening of the great industry in "Rock Oil," which has 
since grown to such enormous proportions in the market quotations of 
the world. Mr. Townsend gave his brother, Captain Chas. H. Town- 
send (who commanded the steamships "Fulton" and "Ontarion" to 
Havre), a small bottle of the oil, which was probabh^ the first petroleum 
ever taken to Europe. Captain Townsend had an analysis made by a 
celebrated French chemist, who reported "the lubricating, illuminat- 
ing and other qualities are such if there is much of it in your country 
it will revolutionize the world." 

The I'^euaugo Spectator, published in the very heart of the oil cotin- 
try, says of ]\lr. Townsend: "Drake was in fact his foreman. It is no 
more than right that Mr. Townsend should have at least a full share 
of the honors of a pioneer in developing the great product which has 
revolutionized the world. If General Grant captured Vicksburg, Mr.. 
Townsend bored the first successful oil well in Venango county." 

But other phases of character in Mr. Townsend appear as conspicu- 
ous as the very honorable part he has borne in business, and a sketch 
of him would be very incomplete without a view of them. From boy- 
hood days he has been greatly interested in military organization and 
military movements. The peculiar manners of the military chieftain are 
natural to him and the liking for military life drew him into membership 
of the New Haven Grays, of which company he is now the living .senior 
captain. The "Grays" is a military organization dating from 1816- 



214 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

or the close of the war of 1812, and is proud of its history. Young 
Mr. Townsend entered with all ardor into the life of the company 
and when only 31 years of age, became captain. Though from fail- 
ing health he was obliged soon to retire from his position, his en- 
thusiasm remained at its height. Later he was again called to the 
captaincy and was always one of the most popular commanders. 

But the country was advancing to the war of the rebellion. Mr. 
Townsend deprecated the drift of events and favored at the begin- 
ning .some compromise that would save the slaughter of America's 
sons, but when the first gun of the rebels emptied its terrible charge 
upon Fort Stimter, all hesitancy and compromise as a policy to be 
followed passed out of his thoughts, and Mr. Townsend's ardor to 
vindicate the authority of the old flag kindled to a white heat. 
The "Grays"' went to the front, and Mr. Townsend out of his private 
purse did much for the equipment and comfort of the company in re- 
spects not provided by the government. 

He afterward visited the company on the battle field, gave each 
member a silver souvenir, on which the members had engraved oc- 
currence, name and date. Some of those given are preserved to this 
day and carried about in the "Gray's" pockets. When the first three 
months of service were over a new organization was decided upon, 
formed out of the "Grays," and Mr. Townsend was appealed to to al- 
low his name to be given to the company. It was named the "Town- 
send Rifles." The Union flag he presented to the company was the 
first of Its kind raised in Georgia after the rebellion began (see Neii' 
Novell PalladiKiii, May 8th, 1802), and it floated in the van in more than 
one victory. Mr. Town.send watched the fortunes of the "Rifles" with 
intense interest, was the patron of the "boys" on the field and of their 
families at home, adding constantly to the comfort of both and bear- 
ing a heavy load from his private funds. He showed his fondness for 
the "Rifles" by sending out monthly during the entire three years 
boxes filled with clothing, or other comforts, and the families of the 
soldiers had only to fill smaller boxes with their gifts and tokens of 
love and send them to him. They were enclosed in his larger boxes 
and went without any expense to the soldier or his family. Major 
General Eaton, of the commissary department of the army, had all 
confidence in Mr. Townsend that nothing contraband would be en- 
closed. Accordingly he directed that no box sent by him should be 
opened for inspection, and no box was opened, and not one of all those 
sent during the entire three years was lost. Never did .soldiers have 
a kinder, more thoughtful patron. 

He was also enthusiastic in recruiting the army from other sources. 
When volunteering began to lag and it was desired to fill up the quota 
of his town. East Haven, he offered every East Havener, who would 
enlist, five dollars, and on mu.ster-day paid the amount to the volun- 
teers. 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 216 

Mr. Townsend was the warm personal friend of Governor W. A. 
Buckingham, and Governor Buckingham was accustomed to seek con- 
fidential counsel of him in the conduct of the affairs of state, when the 
war was at its height and much money to be paid for supplies, the 
soldiers and other things. Governor Buckingham appointed him pay- 
master general of the state of Connecticut, but owing to press of other 
business, Mr. Townsend declined the honorable position. 

When the "Townsend Rifles" came home he invited them to a ban- 
quet in the New Haven House. "The Connecticut War Record," 
speaking of the soldiers separating that night, .says: "Each paused 
and grasped the hand of their liberal patron with that deep and fer- 
vent gratitude which is best expressed by quivering lips and moistened 
eyes." The generous impulses of Mr. Townsend here displayed only 
make it seem natural that the poor and suffering have an excellent 
friend in him. Hence in both public and private ways he has during 
all his adult life helped the needy. The New Haven Hospital enrolls 
him as a life director. 

Mr. Townsend has denied to himself the political preferments 
which his neighborhood and his friends have desired to confer upon 
him, and it is not too much to .say that he has himself only to blame 
for not wearing the highest state honors. Besides the smaller trusts 
thrust upon him in town and city, he was secretary of the whig con- 
vention, in Baltimore, which nominated Mr. Fillmore for the presi- 
dency. He has frequently been delegate to state, congressional and 
national conventions. In his absence from the state he was nominated 
to the state senate, and although the majority in his district had been 
large against the party Mr. Townsend represented, he was tri- 
umphantly elected, running nearly one hundred ahead of his ticket in 
his own town of East Haven, and many were the felicitations. (See 
Neiu Haven Palladium, April 7th, 1864.) Mr. Townsend was appointed 
chairman of the military committee, and introduced the bill to the sen- 
ate formulating the present military law of the state of Connecticut, 
and with some subsequent amendments it is now the military law of 
the commonwealth. 

He declined a renomination to the senate, and also, later, when 
Marshall Jewell was elected governor, refused to be placed in nomi- 
nation for lieutenant-governor. And again, when urged to stand as a 
candidate for the governorship, refused to become the rival of a dear 
friend or to prejudice the chances of placing the name of Hon. (subse- 
quently Governor) Henry B. Harrison at the head of the party ticket 
(see New Haven Courier, December 10th, 1872). 

Mr. Townsend, like conspicuous members of the Townsend family, 
has been the warm friend of education. He has served on the board 
of education of the city of New Haven. In recognition of his efforts 
to improve the educational equipment of the school district in which 
he lives, his" neighbors in the same district presented him with a peti- 



216 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

tion signed by nearly every voter in the district, requesting him to 
allow the district school to be called in honor of him "The Townsend 
Public School," but with characteristic modesty he declined the com- 
pliment and honor. Mr. Townsend has been active in Sunday school 
work; while a resident of the city of New Haven he was a teacher in 
the First Congregational church, of which Reverend Leonard Bacon, 
D. D., was pastor (and of which church he is still a member). After 
his removal to "Raynham" (then in East Haven) he organized a Sunday 
school in the immediate neighborhood, of which for some years he 
was superintendent, the outcome of which Sunday school is now the 
flourishing East vSide Methodist Episcopal church, Reverend Doctor 
Smith, pastor. 

"The Townsend Prize Fund," amounting annually to one hundred 
dollars, was his gift to the Yale Law School, and is offered to the stu- 
dent who shall write and deliver the best English oration in the best 
manner on graduation day. 

His own pen also often graces pages of the New Haven press. His 
letters of foreign travel and on topics of antiquarian lore, or legend or 
narrative, are as pleasing as the intellectual eye which sees is bright. 
His proclivities for good learning are inherited by his sons, and 
have come to their ripe attainment in them. His eldest son, William 
Kneeland, is professor in the Yale Law School, called Edward J. 
Phelps Professor of " Contracts, Admiralty, Jurisprudence and Torts." 
His other son, James Mulford, Jr., an eminent lawyer of New York, 
and a winner of the Townsend prizes of the academical department 
of Yale, and of the De Forre.st " Gold Medal," awarded to that scholar 
of the senior class who shall write and pronounce an English oration 
in the best manner, and considered the highest honor in the Yale Uni- 
versity, is also lecturer in the Law School on the " Transfer of Mone- 
tary Securities." 

Mr. Townsend is eminently a public-spirited citizen. He is now a 
member of the Park Commission of the city of New Haven, an office 
he consented to hold if unattended by remuneration. It is his ambi- 
tion to secure for the city the most eligible and capacious lots for 
parks, and at the same time provide ample and economical means of 
conveyance, so that for a few cents any person can visit ample and 
beautiful public parks in the city along the water front. 

On September Lst, 1847, Mr. Townsend married Miss Maria Theresa 
Clark, of Middletown, Conn., a lady of very amiable niiture and of 
many accomplishments of mind and heart. The family life was a 
close resemblance to ideal perfectncss, but she died April K>th, 1884. 
The two .sons already referred to were born to them— William Knee- 
land and James Mulford, Jr. 

Mr. Town.send is now living quite free from all care at " Rayn- 
ham," or traveling as he shall choo.se, or visiting his .sons. Besides 
the welcome which love gives, his social qualities are so agreeable a.s 
to make him a favorite among all acquaintances. 



CHAPTER IV. 
THE TOWN OF EAST HAVEN. 



Location and Natural Feature;..— The Pioneer Settlers.— Civil Organization.— Bridget^, 
Ferries, Roads, Etc.— Industrial Pursuits.— East Haven Village.— Religious and 
Educational Matters.— Cemeteries.— Military Affairs.— Biographical Sketches. 

THE original town of Ea.st Haven, as set off from New Haven, in 
1785, was about six miles long and three miles wide, and was 
boitnded north by North Haven, east by Branford, south bj' 
Long Island sound, and west by New Haven, the Ouinnipiac river 
being the dividing line. Since the division, in 1881, the town retains 
its length, but is only a little more than half as wide, the New Haven 
line being moved east of the river to embrace the borough of Fair 
Haven East and contiguous territory. The old town embraced about 
9,0(10 acres of land. Along the coast and the lower parts of the streams 
the lands were low and in some places marshy, but have been drained 
to some extent. In other parts the soil is light and in some places 
sandy, but much of it is well suited for truck farming. Many parts 
of the town are covered with rocky ledges, and sandstone and granite 
for building purposes abound. In some parts green stone also exists, 
but has not been utilized on account of the poor quality. These 
formations are in the hills, which trend to the south, and have in 
some parts an altitude. so great that their surface is unfitted for cul- 
tivation. In the central jDart of the town one of the most distinct 
elevations was called "Fort Hill," the Indians having used it as a 
place of defense. The north part being used for burial purposes 
was called •' Grave Hill." For many years Indian skeletons were 
there found, some of them being of large size. Another place of 
burial was on the old Ferry road; and evidences of Indian villages 
could be seen many years after the .settlement of the whites, at South 
End and other parts of the town. It appears that the town was a 
favorite resort of the Indians, who came here statedly to procure a 
supply of sea food and fish in the fresh water streams. 

The principal body of water in the town is Saltonstall lake, for- 
merly called Furnace pond. It lies on the eastern border and is about 
three miles long and from 100 to 400 yards wide. Its waters are 
clear and very deep. High hills hem in the lake, narrowing it to a 
point at its outlet, which is but a small stream. The attractive sur- 



218 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

roundings have caused the lake to become a pleasure resort, and a 
steamboat has lately been placed on it for the accommodation of 
visitors. 

Stony creek or river is the longest stream. Its source is Pistapaug 
lake, in the northern part of North Branford, through which town it 
flows as the Farm river. Nearer its mouth it has a rocky bed, hence 
the name. Its supply of water is constant and it has some mill seats. 
The other streams of the town are small. The shore line and the 
Quinnipiac river afforded fishing privileges which were formerly very 
valuable. Large quantities of oysters were taken and their cultivation 
became an important industry. 

The first land purchased of the Indians by the projectors of the 
New Haven colony, November 2-lth, 1038, included a part of East 
Haven, for planting purposes. The second purchase, December 11th, 
1638 — a tract eight miles east of the Ouinnipiac, five miles west of 
that stream and ten miles north of the sound — of course included 
East Haven. The constitution of the colony was signed June 11th, 
1639, and soon thereafter, by 113 persons, many of whom ultimately 
settled m East Haven. Among the first signers were William 
Andrews, Jasper Crayne, Thomas Gregson, William Tuttle, John 
Potter, Matthew Moulthrop, Matthias Hitchcock, Edward Pattenson, 
Thomas Morris and John Thompson. 

Others were admitted to the colony, in the course of a few j'ears, 
who also located in the East Haven section, viz.: In 1644, Matthew 
Rowe, Ailing Ball, Edward Tooley, Thomas Robinson, Sr., Thomas 
Robin,son, Jr., William Holt, Thomas Barnes, Edward Hitchcock, 
Peter Mallory, Nicholas Augur; in 1648, Thomas Morris; in 1654, 
George Pardee, John Potter. Jr., Matthew Moulthrop; m 16.")7, John 
Davenport, Jr., Jonathan Tuthill, John Thompson: in 16.')S, John 
Chidsey (also spelled Ched.sey); in 1660, Thomas Tuttle and Nathaniel 
Boykim. 

The first divisions of lands made were within the town plot of New 
Haven and the home lots connected therewith, but the well located 
lands of East Haven early attracted the attention of the foregoing, 
who eagerly sought the privilege of settling on them. 

In 1639 Thomas Gregson petitioned for his second division at Soli- 
tary Cove,* but received no allotment until August 5th, 1644, when 
133 acres were assigned him. On this he .soon after settled his family, 
the first in East Haven. Gregson was one of the leading men of the 
colony, but .soon after met his death. In 1647, in company with others 
of the principal planters of New Haven, he sailed for England with 
Captain Lambertson, and was lost on his ill-fated vessel, it is supposed 
in a storm at sea. His widow, Jane, .survived him until 1702, when 
she died, 80 years old. In 1678 and in 1716 the above tract of land 
became the property of George Pardee and George Pardee. Jr. 

*Now called Morris Cove. 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 219" 

In 1640 Reverend vSamuel Eaton had fifty acres granted in the first 
meadow toward Totoket, at which place lands were also given to Will- 
iam Tuttle, who settled at Stony River about 1645; to Jasper Crayne 
and Benjamin Lingo. The former had his house on the east side of 
the green, but in 1652 sold to Matthew Moulthrop and removed to 
Branford. All of Tuttle's five .sons also removed, except Joseph. 

In 1649 Reverend John Davenport, pastor of the New Haven 
church, had a farm of fiOO acres laid out for him at Dragon Point, to- 
which Ailing Ball moved as his farmer, in 1650, and for a hundred 
years the place was known as the Davenport farm. 

In 1662 John Potter received a grant of land on which to build a 
blacksmith shop, and near by he bought the house of John Tuttle. 
The same year Samuel Heminway was granted land where is now 
the village of East Haven. That year he was also married to Sarah 
Cooper. They reared a large family and descendants remain in the 
town. Thomas Barnes settled in the northern part of the town, on 
land south of Muddy river. 

In 1667 William Fowler, of jNIilford, sold some of his land at the 
cove and on the creek which still bears his name, to John Austin, 
The latter was in East Haven as early as 1673, and in 1679 obtained 
land at the Forge dam. He lived on the road west of the " green." 

The neck of land beyond Solitary cove was granted in 1651 to 
William Andrews, Richard Berkeley, Matthias Hitchcock, Edward 
Patterson and Edward Hitchcock. The Andrews land passed to the 
Dennisons before 1664; Patterson's passed to his sonin-law, Thomas 
Smith; and Berkeley's to John Thompson, who came as one of the 
first of the New Haven colony. The Hitchcocks retained their land. 
In 169() Sarah Hitchcock married Jacob Robinson. 

The Little Neck was bought in 1671 by Thomas Morris, a ship- 
builder of New Haven, who died in 1673. The cove in that part of 
the town took its name from him. 

Between Dragon point and the ferry lived, very early, Matthew 
Rowe, who came to New Haven about 1650; Ailing Ball, on the farm 
north of Davenport's, and Eleazer Morris on the hill east. 

In the locality called Foxon's Farms Tnamed for the Indian Saga- 
more, Foxon), the village of East Haven granted lands, in 1683, to 
Robert Dawson, Thomas Pinion and James Taitor, who were the first 
settlers in that part of the town. In the same locality were, later, 
Matthew Moulthrop, the third, Benjamin and Ashur Moulthrop and 
Samuel Thompson, Jr. Edward Rus.sell, Isaac and Samuel Chidsey 
were pioneers in the same neighborhood, but in a later period of 
time. 

On Stony river and where is now East Haven village there were, 
besides those already noted, John Cooper, who moved here from New 
Haven about 1655, as the agent of the iron works. Deacon John 
Chidsey, a tanner and a shoemaker, who signed the New Haven 



220 HISTORY Of~ XCW HAVEN COUNTY. 

colony constitution in 1644, settled here in 1681, having a house on 
the north side of the green, between John Potter and John Austin. 
Isaac Bradley came from Branford in 1674, and also lived near John 
Potter. Thomas Goodsell came from the same town in April, 1692, 
and soon after built the house which was long occupied by Azariah 
Bradley. 

William Luddington died at the Iron Works in 1662, but his sons, 
John and William, built houses in the village, and lived there, as also 
did Thomas Smith, Jr. Edward Tooley built south of Sergeant John 
Potter: Samuel Thompson's house was west of the meeting house; 
Thomas Robinson's was opposite; Captain John Russell was west of 
Mullen hill. Both he and his brother, Ralph, were employed at the 
Iron Works. The latter died in 1G79. 

Between the village and the river and northward lived Samuel 
Hotchkiss, Peter Mallory, Joseph Granniss and others of those before 
named. 

The descendants of some of these planters located in other parts, 
and in 1702 the following were taxed as living in the, at that time, 
village of East Haven: Joseph Abbott, David Austin, Joshua Austin, 
Captain Ailing Ball. Lsaac Bradley, Ebenezer Chidsey, Caleb Chidsey, 
Daniel Collins, James Dennison, Robert Dawson, Thomas Goodsell, 
Eliakim Hitchcock, Samuel Hitchcock, John Howe, Joseph Holt, 
Samuel Heminway, John Heminway, Widow Priscilla Thompson, 
Samuel Thompson, William Luddington, Henry Luddington, John 
Moulthrop, Samuel Moulthrop, Matthew Moulthrop, Eleazer Morris, 
Joseph Mallory, John Potter, Sr., John Potter, Jr., George Pardee, 
William Roberts, John Russell, Thomas Smith, Thomas Smith, Jr., 
John Thompson, John Luddington, Thomas Pinion, Joseph Granniss 
and William Bradley. In all there were 32 families and about 20(t 
persons. This was an increase of twelve families over ]()8!5, when the 
individuals numbered 121. 

In 1754 there were 61 families, nOO population and the following 
freemen: Theophilus Ailing, Joshua Austin, Daniel Augur, Samuel 
Bradley, Isaac Blakeslee, Zebulon Bradley, Daniel Bradley, Joseph 
Bishop, Jonathan Barnes, Nathaniel Barnes, Isaac Bradley, Stephen 
Bradley, Dan Bradley, Caleb Chidsey, Abraham Chidsey, John Chid- 
sey, Deodate Davenport, James Dennison, Daniel Finch, Daniel Finch, 
Jr., Samuel Forbes, Daniel Granger, Isaac Goodsell, Reverend Jacob 
Heminway, Isaac Holt, Caleb Hitchcock, Abraham Heminway, vSamuel 
Heminway, Daniel Hitchcock, John Heminway, vStephen Hitchcock, 
Daniel Holt, Nathaniel Luddington, Eliphalet Luddington, John 
Moulthrop, Dan Moulthrop, Amos Morris, Stephen Morris, Gideon 
Potter, Lsaac Penfield, Mo.ses Page. Eliakim Robin.son, Thomas Rob- 
in.son, Thomas Robinson, Jr., John Russell, William Rogers, Thomas 
Smith, Samuel Smith, Pattenson Smith, James vSmith, John Shepard, 
Benjamin Smith. Abel Smith, Daniel Smith, Jo.seph Tuttle, Captain 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 221 

Joseph Tuttle, Samuel Thompson, Jr., Stephen Thompson, Joel Tuttle, 
John Woodward and Russell Woodward. 

In 1820 there were about 2(10 families and a population of 1,237. 
The town had ISfi houses, H mills, 1 store and a grand list of 
$15,661 ..-)S. 

The inhabitants sought parish or village privileges as early as 
1677, when the general court was petitioned for that right, but did not 
grant it until 1680. Before this New Haven had consented to the 
arrangement in the following manner: 

" At a Towne meeting held in New Haven 24 December, 1678, and 
for the village on the East .Side, those inhabitants gave in their 
propositions to the committee, which they desired might be granted, 
which was: 

" 1. That they might have liberty to get a minister among them, 
for their minister, and keep the Sabbath in the way they ought. 

" 2. That boundary might be granted to them as high — i.e., north — 
as Muddy River. 

" 3. That they have liberty of admitting inhabitants among them 
for their help in the work and maintenance of a minister. 

" 4. That they may have liberty to purchase some lands of the 
Indians, near Mr. Gregson's — /. c, at the Cove — if the Indians are 
willing to part with it. 

"5. That what land of the Ouinnipiae is within Branford stated 
bounds the right of the purchase may be given them. 

" 6. Lastly. That thev may be freed from rates to the Towne 
when they shall have procured a minister." 

Thus being constituted a village, the inhabitants proceeded to do 
business practically as a separate corporation, but still being under 
the jurisdiction of New Haven. They elected officers, laid out and 
granted lands, etc., as they assumed they had a right to do, but which 
privilege was disputed, and the matter caused much trouble and 
expense, as all the village grants were not honored b}^ the authorities 
of the town of New Haven. 

The village granted lands in 1683 to John Chidsey and Joseph 
Russell, both on the north side of the present green. In the same 
year an allotment of lands was made, after the New Haven method, 
viz.: 20 acres to each family; 4 acres to each child of the family; and 
20 acres for each ^100 in the list. One-half of the lands were laid off 
on the Stony river, joining upon those of the five men at Foxon, viz.: 
Joseph Abbott, Robert Dawson, Thomas Pinion, William Roberts and 
James Taylor. The persons to whom lands were allotted were: John 
Austin, Ailing Ball, Ailing Ball, Jr., Thomas Corner, John Chidsey, 
James Dennison, Joseph Dickerson, Samtiel Heminway, Eliakim 
Hitchcock, Nathaniel Hitchcock, John Liiddington, William Ludding- 
ton, Matthew Moulthrop, George Pardee, John Potter, John Rose, 



"222 HISTORV OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

Thomas Smith, John Thompson, Edmund Tooley and Edward 
Vickers. 

At the meeting March 2!»th, 1684, nineteen inhabitants were present 
when, on the question, " Shall we go forward in building a village?" 
all voted to proceed. Accordingly, they chose John Thompson, 
Matthew Moulthrop and vSamuel Heminway, selectmen: Samuel Hem- 
in way, clerk; and George Pardee, constable. But for some cause the 
village privileges were relinquished in lQSr>, and business was now 
transacted directly by the town of New Haven. This order prevailed 
until December, 1703, when the inhabitants voted to again take up 
their village grant, and "to that end cho.se Capt. Ailing Ball, Lt. 
Samuel Hotchkiss. vSamuel Heminway, Serg. John Potter, William 
Luddington, Esq., John Rus.sell and George Pardee a committee to 
manage the concerns of the village, in order to a settlement, accord- 
ing to the General Court's grant, and informed New Haven of their 
design." 

But they soon again came into conflict with New Haven on account 
of the division of lands, when they obtained from the general assembly 
a renewal of the grant of 1680. This led to the further movement to 
organize a distinct and separate village, which was practically accom- 
plished by the act of May, 1707, which bestowed upon East Haven 
.certain immunities enjoyed by other townsof the state. This carried 
with lit the privilege of having a church and schools separate from 
those of New Haven, and exempted the inhabitants from paying taxes 
to New Haven. 

Construing the act in the sense of a town charter, the inhabitants 
proceeded to elect town officers, laid rates, took charge of their own 
poor, and again assumed the right of dividing the common lands 
without the consent or approbation of New Haven. This claim of 
power was disputed by New Haven, which found a warm ally in Gur- 
don Saltonstall, who was elected governor of the colony in 1708. He 
had married the only child of William Rosewell, the owner of the old 
furnace farm, and was living at that place, unfortunately on unfriendly 
terms with his East Haven neighbors, whose geese had crossed over 
the lake and molested him by injuring his property. He killed some 
of the geese and in other ways so much aroused the ire of the people 
of this community that not a vote was here polled for him for gov- 
ernor. This slight irritated the governor, who, m 1710, influenced 
the a.ssembly to interpret the act of 1707 to mean the enjoyment of 
parish privileges only. East Haven protested, and the controversy 
as to the proper construction of the act continiied for some time. 
For many years the inhabitants continued under the jurisdiction 
of New Haven, excepting as they managed their own parish afl'airs. 
But ill the cour.sc of time the influence of the governor having 
pa.ssed away, a new generation made an effort to revive the powers 
conferred b}' the act of 1707 and memorialized the town of New 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN" COUNTY. 223 

Haven and the general assembly to that effect in 17.-)H. For the East 
Haven people the petition was signed by Rosewell Woodward, Isaac 
Blakeslee, Daniel Holt and vSamuel Heminway, as selectmen, v.-hich 
would indicate that they probably had the organized machinerj' of a 
town at that time. The assembly again decided that East Haven was 
a parish only, and ordered the inhabitants to pay the general New 
Haven rates. After several more futile efforts to secure town rights 
the matter was allowed to rest until 1780, when the village became 
more urgent in its demands for the confirmation of the privileges 
granted by the act of 1707; and in line with that purpose they voted, 
January 1st, 1782, •' That Levi Pardee go around to the people to know 
whether they are willing to be a Town or not." The sentiment being 
in favor of such a movement, the object was prosecuted with renewed 
zeal, and after about eighty years of unavailing effort the town was 
at last properl}- incorporated. 

East Haven village or parish became a town by virtue of an act 
of the general assembly, May, 17So, and the meeting for organization 
was held in July of that year at the East Haven meeting house. After 
prayer and a sermon by Reverend Nicholas Street upon the inrport- 
ance of union and harmony in the new town. Captain Samuel Forbes, 
Captain Isaac Chidsey, Azariah Bradley, Joseph Holt and Amos 
Morris, |r., were elected selectmen; Joshua Austin, town clerk; Abra- 
ham Barnes, John Morris and John Wooler, tything men. A com- 
mittee was appointed to settle with New Haven, and it was voted that 
the warning of the town meetings should be the beating of the drum 
on Barnes" hill and at the old meeting house hill. 

The freemen who voted at this meeting were the following 38 per- 
sons: Reverend Nicholas Street, Amos Morris, Esq., Josiah Bradley, 
E.sq., Captain Lsaac Chidsey, Joshua Austin, Timothy Thompson, Caleb 
Smith, Daniel Brown, Samuel Heminway, Levi Cooper, Dan Holt, 
Samuel Forbes, Abraham Chid.sey, Jared Robinson, John Hunt, Dan 
Goodsell, John Dennison, Captain Stephen Smith, John Woodward, 
Captain Samuel Barnes, Joseph Holt, Daniel Tuttle, Daniel Augur, 
Samuel Townsend, Gurdon Bradley, Isaac Parker, Azariah Bradley, 
William Easton, Joseph Hotchkiss, John Robin.son, Edward Bradley, 
Stephen Thompson and Elisha Andrews. 

Under the villaofe grant clerks were elected and served as follows: 
First, Samuel Heminway; next, Ebenezer Chidsey, 1702 until 1726; 
Samuel Hotchkiss in 1727; Gideon Potter until 17.")7; followed by Isaac 
Holt and Timothy Andrews for short periods; Simeon Bradley, from 
1763 to 1778, except 1768, when the clerk was Abraham Heminway; 
Joshua Austin, 1779, and was also the first town clerk; 1786 to 1806, 
josiah Bradley; 1800 to 1846, Bela Farnham; 1846 to 1864, Reuel 
Andrews; 1864 to 1878, Charles A. Bray; 1879-80, Asa L. Chamberlain; 
1881 to 1891, Charles T. Hemingway. 

When the town was first settled New Haven claimed the country 



224 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

east as far as Branford hills. This boundary line later became a 
matterfor dispute, as Branford claimed the country west to the Furnace 
pond, and made demand to that effect in 1649. New Haven ignored 
this claim, and in IGSG made grant of the Furnace farm to the iron 
company and 12 acres to the collier, both in the limits claimed by 
Branford. The matter was finally settled in 168.") by giving New 
Haven a .strip of land half a mile wide and extending to the northern 
limits of New Haven, from the point of beginning, half a mile east 
of the northern end of Saltonstall lake or Furnace pond. In 1789 
these bounds were fully described, and the water bounds between 
New Haven and East Haven were also that year fixed, the line as 
finally agreed upon being the middle of the river. 

The East Haven Probate District was authorized at the session of 
the general assembly. May, 1868, and Charles A. Bray was elected the 
judge. The district was discontinued in January, 1888, by the terms 
of the act annexing a part of the town to New Haven. East Haven 
is now, as before, a part of the New Haven Probate District. 

East Haven was divided by an act of the general assembly, pas.sed 
January, 1881, and the part west of the division line was annexed to 
New Haven. A special town meeting was held May 2d, 1881, to ratify 
or reject the terms of the act. Those living in the part to be annexed 
voted in the engine house of the borough of Fair Haven East — for, 
301; against, 85; votes polled, 886. Those in the remaining part of the 
town voted in the town hall, in East Haven village — for, 128; against, 
9. So it was decided by a majority of 380 that the act should become 
operative. 

As a condition of the annexation New Haven assumed the bonded 
indebtedness of East Haven, amounting to about $100,000. Of this 
sum $60,000 was on account of the Quinnipiac bridge, whose 
construction, in 1877, was of more benefit to New Haven than to East 
Haven, the debt resting upon the town like a heavy burden, and which 
was the principal cause of the division. 

The other funds and interests of the town were equitably divided, 
the committeee on the part of East Haven being A. L. Chamberlain, 
Hiram Jacobs and L. F. Richmond. The .schools in the annexed part 
were placed in the care of the New Haven city school board, and the 
charter of Fair Haven Borough East was unaffected, except that the 
town of New Haven assumed the care of the streets and sidewalks of 
the borough. The annexation has in the main been beneficial to the 
town of East Haven, except that it has been left with a very small 
area and a greatly reduced population. In 1880, before the division, 
the inhabitants numbered 3,057; m 1890 there were in the present 
East Haven but 958 inhabitants. The grand list is but a little more 
than $800,000. 

In 1644 a bridge was built over Stony creek, on the road to Totoket, 
by William Andrews, for which he charged the colony i,'3, 8s., 9d. 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 225 

This was the first bridge on that stream. In 1782 the bridge at the 
lowest dam on that stream was authorized. The bridge at Dragon 
point was built in 1791 and toll charged. The following j^ear a new 
road was located to it. In 1796 a bridge at the so-called new ferry- 
was authorized to be built; and the privilege to build wharves at the 
same place was granted in 1797. 

The first ferry in which the inhabitants of the town were interested 
was established at Red Rock prior to 1650, and was first kept by 
Francis Brown. In 1650 George Pardee took the ferry and was granted 
the privilege of building a house there, at his own expense. In 1670 
a ferr}' farm was granted him. It was kept up many years, being for 
a long time the only means of crossing the river. In 1782 the general 
assembly granted the parish of East Haven the right to establish a 
ferry at what was afterward called Ferry Point; but before many 
years it was superseded by a bridge. The latter structures were put 
up at heav}' and almost ruinous expense to the town, but the bridge 
is much used and is a great public necessity. Since 1881 it has been 
wholly the property of New Haven. 

The Totoket path was the earliest road through the town, and 
where it crossed the Siony creek a bridge was erected in 1644. The 
bearings of the road were full}' described in 1686. It has ever 
remained the principal highway in the town, and has been well 
improved. In 1671 the road from Morris cove to Fowler's creek was 
reserved. In 1672 the road from the cove to the county road was 
secured from the Indians, and the right confirmed by another purchase 
in 1692. Other roads were located as the country was settled up. The 
town has the Shore Line railroad, which was completed for operation 
in 1852. 

The first settlers were mainly agriculturi.sts, and farming and 
gardening have continued leading occupations. The soil is especially 
adapted for the latter interest. But the mill privilege at Salton.stall 
lake early attracted attention, and it was selected as the site for the 
first iron works m the state. Liberty for this purpose was asked of 
the town of New Haven, November 12th, 16.55, by Stephen Goodyear 
and John Winthrop, Jr. The former was a shipper and active busi- 
ness man of New Haven; the latter lived in Boston, but was interested 
in mining in this part of the country. The project was looked upon 
with favor by the town, which granted the desired liberty November 
29th, 1655, on condition that Branford would unite in making a simi- 
lar grant. This "vas done, and the people of these towns assi.sted in 
building the dam and putting up a furnace and a bloomary, as they 
considered that it would greatly benefit them. 

In May, 1656, the town granted twelve acres of land to the collier, 
" at a point betweeti the Great Pond and Beaver Meadow,'." about two 
miles above the works, on condition that he would remain in the ser- 
vice of the company three years. A large furnace farm, on the east 
14 



226 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

side of the lake, was also granted to the proprietors. Asa further 
inducement, the works were exempt from taxation seven years, and it 
was agreed that Branford should supply three-eighths and New Haven 
five-eighths of the wood used in making charcoal for the furnaces. 

John Cooper was the agent of the iron works, and lived on Stony 
creek; Captain Thomas Clark, the master, and later was one of the 
owners; Jasper Crayne was one of the overseers; Richard Post was a 
founder; John Russell and Ralph Russell were among the workmen. 
It appears that others of the employees were lawless, and that the fur- 
nace had gathered some disorderly persons, so that complaint was 
made to the town, December 1st, 1657. on that score. It was then 
agreed that those working there in the future should bring certificates 
of character, and later Matthew Moulthrop, 2d, was appointed con- 
servator of the morals of the people at the iron works. In 1679 
there was an epidemic sickness among the workmen, which caused 
the death of Ralph Ru.ssell and a number of others. It is said that 
this circumstance led to the suspension of work soon after. 

In September, 1657, John Winthrop, Jr., disposed of his interest to 
Captain Clark and a Mr. Payne, also of Boston, and the former later 
became the chief owner and last operated it. The furnace was sup- 
plied with bog ore from North Haven, most of which was carted here, 
but some of the ore was taken by boat down the Ouinnipiac and up 
.Stony creek to a place below the furnace, which is to this day called 
" Bog mine." 

It is probable that this enterprise did not meet with the expecta- 
tions of the owners, and it was discontinued about 1680. In that year 
Thomas Clark sold the furnace farm of 300 acres upland and 60 acres 
meadow to William Rosewell, whose daughter married GurdonSalton- 
stall, afterward the governor of the colony, and who lived there for 
a number of years. 

A later attempt to manufacture iron was made in 1692, when John 
Potter was given permission to set up a forge near the first spring we.st 
of Stony river. This was not long operated, but the place was called 
for many years the "old forge." 

In 1686 the furnace site was sequestered for a grist mill, to be put 
up by vSanmel Heminway, the village of East Haven granting him 
certain priv-ileges, which the town of New Haven refused to 
ratify. After 25 years, in 1706, the sons of vSamuel Heminway, John 
and Abraham, secured from the town of Branford additional priv- 
ileges, which enabled them to control the ground on both sides of the 
outlet. This mill was long carried on, and was known as the town 
mill. The Chidseys, father, son and grandson, in .succession, were 
for many years the millers. The mill is but little u.sed at this time. 

Just below this place was a mill for making writing paper, etc., in 
which a number of hands were employed, and which was operated by 
James Donoghue, James Harper and others. This became the prop- 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 227 

erty of the Saltonstall Milling Company, whose name was changed in 
1871, to the Saltonstall Manufacturing Company. It had a capital of 
$40,000, and was engaged in the manufacture of heavy carriage and 
portable engine wheels. Stephen Bradley was the president of the 
company. On the decline of the interest at that place, a part of it was 
transferred to a shop in the village where steam power is employed, 
and work is still done by Stephen Bradley & Co. In the old building, 
on the lake outlet, Charles L. Fabrique manufactured brushes until 
the building was burned, when the interest was taken to Westville. 
The waters of the lake are now almost wholly used by the city of New 
Haven, which here obtains a part of its supply. Pumping works have 
been erected on the west side of the lake. 

The privilege where stood the forge was granted in 1706 to John 
and Abraham Heminway and John Marsh, who erected a fulling mill 
at that place in 1709. This was operated many years, when the build- 
ing was used for the manufacture of horn buttons. Later a grist mill 
was here established and is now carried on b)' Hawkins & Forbes. 

On the western border of the old town, along the Ouinnipiac,near 
what was in early times known as Dragon point, the village of Fair 
Haven sprang up, after the war of 1812. It has grown steadily until 
it is a place of considerable importance, containing all the adjuncts of 
a progressive village. The part in East Haven was incorporated as a 
borough, with the title of Fair Haven East, which permitted the reg- 
ulation of their local affairs, independent of the town, and which 
aided materially in the improvement of the place; and the population 
increased to about two thousand. Since 1881 this has been a part of 
New Haven. 

In the early history of the village commerce with the West Indies 
and coastwise trading gave employment to many of the inhabitants. 
Later the oyster trade at this place assumed large proportions, as 
many as several score vessels being thus engaged, during the oyster 
season. In the summer and fall the quarrying of building stone, near 
the village, was a leading occupation, and this interest is still carried 
on. 

After 1860 many of the East Haven oyster men transferred their 
base of operations to the Chesapeake bay, and at Baltimore and other 
points, became leading dealers and packers. Among these were the 
Mallorys, Augurs, Hemingways, Luddingtons, Rowes, Landfairs, 
Footes, Millers, Farrans. Chidseys, Holts and Maltbys. Their removal 
cau.sed the decline of this'industryat East Haven, but since 1872, when 
the .systematic cultivation of oysters in the waters of this locality was 
begun, it has been somewhat revived and again engages considerable 
attention. 

Several manufacturing plants of parties from other localities have 
been placed in the town, as the copper mill of the Humphreysville 
Manufacturing Company, about forty years ago; the works of the 



228 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

American Chemical Company, in 1866; the New Haven Wire Com- 
pany, in 1871; the Bushnell Lumber Company, in 1866; and the New 
England Acid Company, in 1881. Fair Haven East has also a num- 
ber of stores and shops in the ordinary mechanic pursuits. 

The village of East Haven, below Lake Saltonstall, is pleasantly 
located on an elevated plain, the oldest part being around the green, 
in the southern part of the present village. It presents a straggling 
but well kept appearance of about one hundred buildings, some of 
them antedating the present century, but still giving evidence of com- 
fort. Many of the better residences are occupied by business people 
of New Haven, with which the place is connected by railway and 
several lines of stages. There are Congregational and Episcopal 
houses of worship, a town hall, several stores and the East Haven 
post office, besides the usual mechanic shops. 

The post office has been kept by, among others, Isaac Hagerman, 
D. M. Church, Stephen Hemingway for nineteen years, and, since 
August 19th, 1889, by C. E. Kirkham. It has commodious and attrac- 
tive quarters in the new Kirkham building, in which are also a fine 
reading room and a society hall. In the latter meet a Grange of 
Patrons of Husbandry, East Haven, No. 106, organized December 3d, 
1889; and Fidelity Division, No. 26, Sons of Temperance, which was 
organized January 24th, 188;"), with thirty charter members. Both 
societies are very prosperous. 

Doctor Bela Farnham, who died in 18.57, at the extreme age of 89 
years, was, for a long period of time, the settled physician of the 
town. He was a skillful practitioner, and was much respected as a 

citizen. 

Doctor James Casey, a later physician, after being actively engaged 
in his profession a number of years, moved to Passaic, N. J. Subse- 
quently Doctor Brainerd located here, coming from Naugatuck, but 
moved to Branford. 

Doctor Marvin D. Smith is the present physician. 
As properly accredited attorneys there were in East Haven, m 
1890, S. W. F. Andrews, James S. Thompson, Dwight W. Tuttle and 
Grove J. Tuttle, whose legal business is in New Haven. 

The first inhabitants of East Haven attended religious meetings 
at New Haven, which necessitated a long and tiresome journey. The 
way was by " Red Rock," through forests and swamps, and the river 
must be crossed by means of a ferry, none too .safe or reliable. Hence, 
as soon as the population warranted such a step, the " East Side 
Farmers " asked for their own place of worship in the midst of their 
new homes. A petition for .such a privilege, in 1677, was not granted 
until 1679, and two more vears elapsed before the necessary arrange- 
ments could be made for holding meetings. In 1681 Reverend James 
Ailing was engaged as a minister, and preached two years, when, not 
having received permission to organize a church, he left for a field 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 229 

where he could become a settled pastor. Reverend John Harriman, 
of New Haven, now preached to them for two years, when, owing to 
the removal of many inhabitants, who had been connected with the 
iron works, the meetings could no longer be continued, and for 
eighteen years the services were intermitted. 

In 1704 the matter of establishing public worship in the village of 
East Haven was again taken up, and the end attained by securing 
Jacob Heminway as a minister. He was the youngest son of Samuel 
Heminway, Esq., one of the leading men of the village, and was one 
of the three young men who, in 1701, first entered the newly-founded 
school at Saybrook, and which in time became Yale College. In the 
summer of 1704 he graduated from Mr. Pierson's institution, being at 
that time in the twenty-first year of his age. Returning to his home, 
he was in so much favor with his neighbors that he was desired to 
become their minister. Hence, at the meeting of the villagers, 
November, 1704, "Voted, To seek Sir Heminway, that he would give 
us a taste of his gifts in order to a settlement in the work of the min- 
istry, and 

" 2. Voted, To desire John Potter, Sen., Caleb Chidsey and Eben- 
ezer Chidsej- to treat with Sir Heminway to get him, if they could, to 
give them a taste of his gifts in preaching the word." 

The " taste of his gifts," was so pleasing to the villagers that they 
voted, December 19th, 1704, to engage him as a minister at i^50 per 
year. Thus he continued two years, when he was more formally 
engaged, the villagers promising, on their part, a salary of ^J.OO per 
year, to furnish him his firewood, and to build him a house. In 1707 
they built him a house, 20 by 40 feet, on a five-acre lot, on the south-, 
east corner of the green. In 1709 54 more acres of land, in three 
tracts, were settled upon him. In the meantime, in 1706, a small plain 
meeting house, barely 16 by 20 feet, had been built on the opposite 
side of the green. 

These buildings provided and a minister secured, they voted. May 
3d, 1709, to petition the general assembly to be embodied into a church 
state. This was done October 8th, 1711, when the East Haven Con- 
gregational Church was formally organized. On the same day Rev- 
erend Jacob Heminway was ordained to the pastorate, in which he 
continued until his death, in 1754, preaching for the people more than 
half a century, which is evidence of his proper service in his chosen 
field of labor. 

The first meeting house becoming too small, a new one was built 
on the knoll, on the northwest corner of the green, which was long 
known as the Meeting House hill. The building committee were: 
Captain Ailing Ball, Sergeant John Thorap.son, Samuel Rus.sell, Ser- 
geant Joseph Granniss, Samuel Hotchkiss, Nathaniel Hitchcock and 
Samuel Goodsell. The house was a high frame, 30 by 40 feet, having 
a straight roof and jutted ends. It was ready for occupancy in the 



230 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

fall of 1719, when it was properly seated, after the manner of those 
times, according to the rates paid in 1717. Although a rude and barn- 
like structure, it was made to do duty more than fifty years, longer 
perhaps than if there had not been difficulty as to the site for a pro- 
posed new house. This was a matter for a heated controversy between 
the people of the vSouth End and the Center, who preferred the green 
as a site, and those of Woodward town and Foxon Farms, who had 
selected Mullen hill as their site. After the matter had been more or 
le.ss agitated, from 1769 to 1772, Thompson's corner, between the two 
proposed sites, was selected as a compromise site. Upon this the con- 
struction of the now famous " Stone Meeting House " was begun the 
same year by a building committee composed of Captain Amos Mor- 
ris, John Woodward, Joel Tuttle, vStephen Morris, Lsaac Chid.sey, 
Stephen Thompson, Dan Bradley and Stephen .Smith. It was finally 
determined to build the house, ,")() by 73 feet, " and to build a steeple 
to be carried up with stone." The plan was at that time in the 
advanced style of architecture, and it is possible that the old .South 
church of Boston may have been taken as a pattern. The material 
was gathered in the town, and the greater part of the work was done 
by those who expected to occupy it. The walls were finished and the 
roof put on in August, 1774, and it was so far completed that it was 
dedicated in the fall of that year. Up to this time its cost was about 
$12,()()0, or nearly three-fifths of the grand list, which shows to what 
extent the people went in their endeavor to have a suitable and endur- 
ing house of worship. How well they succeeded in that laudable, 
though sacrificing purpose is attested by the fact that this is now one 
of the oldest meeting houses in the state, and the oldest stone meet- 
ing house standing in all New England. Its walls are to-day as firm 
as when put up, and will probably stand a century longer. 

The house was not fully completed until 1796, after an expenditure 
of $2,500 had been made mainly in finishing the interior and in build- 
ing a spire. The following year, October 8th, 1797, the " great tor- 
nado/' which passed over the center of the town, threw^ down the 
spire, unroofed the house, and damaged it to the extent of $1,000. 
The repairs were immediately made, and m 1798 the spire was first 
supplied with a bell. It was cast in New Haven that year, when nine- 
teen Spanish milled dollars were added to the other metal, by Doctor 
Bela Farnham, who was present when the bell was cast. In conse- 
quence the bell has a peculiar silvery, pleasing tone. Soon after per- 
mission was given to Edmond Bradley and others to place a clock in 
the spire which, like the bell, has done faithful service through a long 
course of years. 

In 1850 the meeting house was so extensively remodelled that it 
was deemed proper to re-dedicate it, October 16th, 1850. About $0,000 
was expended. In 1859 the steeple was rebuilt and given a more 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 231 

modern appearance, having- now most gracefnl proportions and a 
height of 196 feet from the ground. This work cost $2,000. 

The interior of the house was renovated in 1868, at an expenditure 
of $3,000, and about the same time the property was enclosed with 
an iron railing and the grounds beautified, at an outlay of $],300. 
Wood stoves were first placed in the meeting hou.se in 1825, coal 
stoves in 1840, and steam heating apparatus in 1868. 

A commodious chapel was built in 1874, which, was con.se- 
crated as the Centennial chapel; and the .same year the one hun- 
dredth anniversary of the occupancy of the " Stone Meeting House" 
was appropriately celebrated on the 16th of September. The society 
purchased a parsonage in 1853, and a more commodious one in 1873, 
which has been enlarged and beautified. All the church property, 
which is very valuable, has recently been placed in good repair, and 
the parish is not encumbered by a debt. 

Reverend Nicholas Street was ordained as the second pastor, Octo- 
ber 8th, 1755, and "acquitted himself a workman thoroughly fur- 
nished into every good work," until his death, on the 51st anniver- 
sary of his ordination, October 8th, 1806, aged 76 years. He was a 
man of superior ability, kindly disposed, yet of dignified appearance, 
and well fitted to inspire reverence, confidence and affection. In 
theology he was an " Old Light," and was opposed or indifferent to 
the more advanced methods of awakening interest in religious work. 

Reverend Saul Clark, ordained the third pastor January 13th, 1808, 
was the opposite of Mr. Street in his methods and pastoral work, 
He was aggressive, zealous in his calling, and his ministry was char- 
acterized by a series of revivals, which greatly augmented the mem- 
bership, in spite of the fact that some of the older members took 
exception to his methods and withdrew from the church. In many 
things Mr. Clark was in advance of the times, taking positions which 
are now occupied by the religious world, but which at that time 
aroused so much opposition that for the sake of harmony he was dis- 
missed, at his own request. May 19th, 1817. He died in Meriden in 
1849, but is interred at East Haven, where his memory is still 
respected. 

Reverend Stephen Dodd was installed as the fourth pastor, Decem- 
ber nth, 1817, and resigned April 20th, 1847. He continued to reside 
in the town until his death in 1856, at the age of 77 years. He was 
an earnest and successful pastor, and an able and at times eloquent 
preacher. His long pastorate was quiet, yet one of steady growth, in 
spite of the fact that in 1830 many members withdrew to form the 
First church in Fair Haven. In 1824 Mr. Dodd published his " East 
Haven Register," which is a valuable historical work, and from which 
have been gleaned many facts for this sketch. 

The succes.sor of Mr. Dodd was Reverend Daniel W. Havens, who 
was installed June 16th, 1847, and resigned July 2d, 1877. Under his 



232 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

ministry the church prospered materially and spiritually. Many of 
the most important changes and additions to the church propert)- 
were made in this period, which placed the parish among the fore- 
most in the county. In this time, also, several revivals of unusual 
interest took place, the fruits of the one in the spring of 1852 being 
an addition of So persons to the membership of the church. In Sep- 
tember, ]S74, Mr. Havens preached the historical sermon, on the occa- 
sion of celebrating the 100th anniversary of the occupancy of the " Old 
Stone Meeting House." This has been published. 

Reverend Joseph Tomlinson was the acting pastor from 1877 to 
1879. On the 7th of July, 1880, Reverend Daniel J. Clark, who had 
just graduated from the Hartford Seminary, was here ordained to the 
ministry and installed as the pastor of the church. In that capacity 
he has since successfully continued. 

In October, 1890, the parish contained 130 families, and there were 
24/5 communicant members. The clerk of the church was A. L. 
Fabrique. The Sabbath school had more than 200 members, and F. 
B. Street was the superintendent. In 1880 a mission Sabbath school 
was established at Morris cove, which is in charge of deacon J. H. 
Morris, and which is prosperous. 

The deaconry of the church embraced the following: Caleb Chid- 
sey, died in 1713; Joshua Austin, died in 1700; Thomas Smith, died 
in 1702; Daniel Hitchcock, died in 1701; Deodate Davenport, died in 
1701; vSamuel Heminwav, chosen 17.38, died 1777; Abraham Hemin- 
way, chosen 1701, removed; Amos Morris, chosen 1770, died 1801; 
Stephen vSmith, chosen 1778, died 1810; Samuel Davenport, chosen 
1797, died ISIO; John ^lorris, chosen 1800, removed ]80(); Levi Par- 
dee, chosen 1800, died 1813; Enos Heminway, chosen 18O0, removed 
1830; Amos Morris, chcsen 1810, resigned 1818; Bela Farnham, chosen 
1832, resigned 1852; Amos Morris, chosen 1832, resigned 1852; Samuel 
H. Heminway, chosen 1832, died 1849; Reuel Andrews, chosen 1852, 
died 1864; Alfred Morris, chosen 1852, died 1876; A. L.Curtiss, chosen 
1864, died 1872; Edwin Street, chosen 1868, resigned 1878; Asa L. 
Fabrique, chosen 1868, still serves; Samuel T. Andrews, chosen 1872, 
deceased; Thaddeus Street, chosen 1872, deceased; Julius H. Morris. 
Fred. B. Street and Collis B. Granniss, still in office. 

Christ Church (Protestant Episcopal) had its origin in a move- 
ment to unite the churchmen of the town, set on foot March 17th, 
1788. Previous to that time these worshipped in Trinity church. 
New Haven. The meeting for organization was held at the house 
of vSamuel Tuttle, who acted as chairman, and John Bird as clerk, 
when the following signed an agreement to form a parish: Plenry 
F. Hicks, John Bird, Samuel Tuttle, James Pardee, Stephen Pardee, 
Mabel Bishop, Samuel Barnes, John Hunt, Stephen Thompson, Jr.. 
David Goodsell, jchiel Forbes and Levi Forbes. Two weeks later 
another meeting was held to elect officers, when Samuel Tuttle and 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 238 

James Pardee were chosen wardens: Jehiel Forbes, Captain Samuel 
Barnes, Samuel Thompson, Captain Stephen Thompson, Jr., Ichabod 
Bishop, vestrymen. The new parish was now placed in care of Trinity 
church. 

Early in 1789 the work of building a chapel was begun, the frame 
work being raised April 23d, 1789, when some of the timbers fell 
down, killing Jeremiah Bradley and injuring several others. The 
building was only partially completed and was not finished for con- 
secration until July 25th, 1810. It was not painted until 1817. In 
the fall of 1828 it was supplied with a stove. 

On Easter, 1789, Reverend Edward Blakeslee became thefir.st rector 
■of the parish, continuing about a year, but before that time Doctor 
Hubbard, of Trinity church, had preached here. 

In 1843 and 1845 the chapel was enlarged and a tower built, in 
which a bell was placed in 1847. The following year Reverend 
Edward Warren gave an altar for the church. In 1859 the building 
was again repaired and a font placed in it, by the Todd brothers — 
Edward, Henry and Charles— of Brooklyn, N.Y. In 1866 the rectory 
was purchased at a cost of $2,400, $500 of which was a bequest by 
Mrs. Sarah A. Barnes. Ten years later it was remodelled and enlarged. 
In the summer of 1867 the church building was transformed to its 
present shape under the direction of a committee compo.sed of O. B. 
Thompson, C. E. Kirkham and Ralph Wright. Later a memorial 
window was placed in it, in honor of Rector O. Evans Shannon, who 
died September 20th, 1877. In 1881 all the remaining debt of the 
parish was paid off under the rectorship of Reverend Clayton Eddy, 
who also presented the church with a cabinet organ. Improvements 
since that time have placed the parish property in good condition. 

The ministers and rectors of the parish have been: 1788-9, Doc- 
tor Hubbard; 1790, Reverend Edward Blakeslee; 1791, Reverend Hull: 
1796, Doctor Hubbard; 1796-9, Reverend Smith Miles: 1800-1, Doctor 
Hubbard: 1801-5, Reverend Ami Rogers; 1805-10, Doctor Hubbard: 
1810-11, Reverend Samuel P. Jarvis; 1812-17, Elijah G. Plumb; 1819- 

26, Perry: 1827, Peter G. Clark; 1834-9, Henry Ives; 1840-5, 

Henry Townsend; 1846, George W. Nichols: 1847, Henry Townsend; 
1848, Henry Edwards: 1849, N. S. Richardson; 1850-63, Henry Town- 
send; 1864, Alonzo G. Shearer; 1865, Henry Townsend; 1866-77, O. 
Evans Shannon; 1878-80, John Gray; 1880, Henry Tarrant: 1881-6, 
Clayton Eddy; 1887, Charles Westerman. 

In 1890 the parish was without a rector, and services were only 
occasionally held. The senior wardens have been the following: 
1788-94, Samuel Tuttle; 1794-5, Samuel Barnes: 1795-1803, Samuel 
Tuttle; 1803-17, Samuel Barnes; 1818, Samuel Tuttle; 1819-36, Truman 
Cole; 1837-45, Leverett Bradley; 1846-53, John Bishop; 1854-73, Fred- 
erick W. Tuttle; 1874-89, Orlando B. Thomp.son; 1890, Dwight W. 
Tuttle. 



234 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

At the same time William H. Shannon was the junior warden. 
Many of the foregoing served in the same office, and others were: 
1790-1, Jehiel Forbes; 1794-1812, Ichabod Bishop; 1810, Joseph Par- 
dee; 185.3-9, Jesse Tuttle; 18fi0-6, J. H. Todd; 1878-8.'), Jesse Tuttle; 
1887-9, Charles L. Mitchell. 

It is said that the first settlers of East Haven were not as mindful 
of the benefits of schools as those of some other towns, and even after 
the lapse of a century of years the cause of education was said to be 
in a backward condition. In more recent years better schools were 
established, especially in the part which became Fair Haven borough. 

The first school house was at the town's market place, or the village 
green, near where the first meeting house stood. It stood there as 
early as the beginning of the last century, and in 1707 Mr. Heminway 
was the teacher. In 1728 the village was divided into four districts; 
in 1769 six districts are mentioned, with a new school house north of 
Bloomary brook. 

In 1823 there were but five districts, which contained 388 children. 
About that time more interest was manifested in educational matters, 
and a library company was formed. The library was maintained with 
good results some years. The later statistics of schools, on account of 
the division of the town, are here omitted. 

But a considerable number of the young men of the town availed' 
themselves of the benefits of Yale College. The East Haven gradu- 
ates of that institution prior to 1800 were: 1704, Jacob Heminway; 
1724, Thomas Good.sell; 1724, John Goodsell; 1760, Jared Potter; 1780, 
Asahel Morris; 1793, Amos Pardee. 

The first public place of burial was sequestered in 1707, but before 
that time a few persons had been buried in the town on the west side 
of the green. Most of those who died at an early day were buried in 
New Haven. The cemetery was enlarged in 1797 and subsequently. 
It is still used, but the new East Haven cemetery, opened and con- 
trolled by .Samuel Forbes, appears to meet the present requirements 
better than the old one. The latter consists of about five acres and is 
well conditioned. It is also at the center. 

In the western part of the town a Jewish cemetery of small area 
has lately been opened. 

The first death of a citizen of the town was Thomas Gregson, who 
was lost at sea in 1047. He was also the first white settler in East 
Haven. Other early deaths were: 

1659, Edward Hitchcock, one of the South End men. 

1662, Matthew Rowe and William Luddington. each being the first 
of those names. 

1668, Francis Brown and .Matthew Moulthrop, the latter being the 
father of that family. 

1609, Edward Patterson and Matthias Hitchcock of the South End. 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 23^ 

1673, Benjamin Lingo, an early settler of Stony creek; Thomas 
Morris, the ancestor of the Morris family in the town. 

1674, Reverend Nicholas Street, the father of the Street family; John 
Thompson, father of the East Haven Thompsons. 

1679, Ralph Russell. 

1688, Deacon John Chidsey, father of the Chidseys, at one time so 
numerous in the town. 

1690, John Austin, father of the East Haven Austins. 

1700, George Pardee, the ancestor of the Pardees of this part of the 
county. 

1702, Jane, the widow of Thomas Gregson, the first settler, and 
who was also the first to lose his life. He was above eighty years of 
age. 

1707, Sergeant John Potter, the head of the Potter family in the 
town. 

1713, Isaac Bradley, aged sixty-two years. He was the father of 
the East Haven Bradleys. 

1724, Captain Thomas Smith, the father of thcvSmith family, which 
was in the town in the early part of its history. 

The town was much exposed to Indian attack after the termination 
of King Philips war, and in 1689 a patrol of four horsemen was kept 
scanning the woods[,in search of hostile Indians. But there is no record 
to show that the Indians ventured upon an attack. The resident 
Indians were always friendly, but when in liquor a trifle annoying. 

In the French and Indian war of 1755 and the years following the 
town furnished about fifteen men. Benjamin Russell, of Ea.st Haven, 
was captured at sea in that period. 

The war for Independence affected this town more than some of 
the others in the county. A number of men lost their lives in the 
service, and considerable property was also destroyed. Elijah Smith 
was killed at Long Island in 1776, Thomas Smith died the same year 
at Rye, Nathan Andrews and Isaac Potter died as prisoners about the 
same time. July 5th, 1779, Isaac Pardee was killed at Fort hill by a 
cannon ball fired by the enemy at that time in this town. The British 
landed at Morris neck and South End, July 4th, 1779, while making 
their movement upon New Haven. They encamped for the night 
and burned eleven houses and nine barns, among them being those of 
Amos Morris, John Woodward, John Luddington, Jr., Elam Lud- 
dington, Joseph Tuttle, Jacob and Abijah Pardee, Jehiel Forbes, Mary 
Pardee and Noah Tucker. They also destroyed Gurdon Bradley's 
sloop " and plundered as much as they could lay hold of." They left 
the next day, having inflicted much damage upon this section. 

In 1779 Zebulon Bradley was killed, and Richard Paul, Jacob Par- 
dee, Jr., Asa Bradley, Abijah Bradley and Elijah Bradley were made 
prisoners and were placed on shipboard in New York, where all except 
the latter died. 



236 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

In 1781 John Howe was killed by tories at the surprise of Fort 
Hale. John Walker was killed at Long Island; and Edward Goodsell, 
Isaac Luddington and Jared Heminway died later from the effects of 
exposure in the service.^ 

lUOCRAPHICAl. SKETCHES. 

Leonard R. Andrews, born in East Haven in 1838, is a son of 
Samuel T., he a son of Jared, he a son of Elisha, born 1746, whose 
father was Timothy Andrews, who married for his first wife Rachel 
Adkins and for his second Mrs. Anna Holt. They were all farmers. 
Elisha married Sarah Moulthrop in 1769. Jared married Dorothy 
Phelps in 1792. Their children were: Eliza, vSylvia, Polly, Susan and 
Samuel T. vSamuel T. Andrews represented the town in the legisla- 
ture about 18r)8. He married vSally Davidson. Their children were: 
Jared, Timothy, Leonard R.. Elizabeth C. and John D. Jared mar- 
ried Harriet vSmith. Timothy married Maria Benaway. Elizabeth C. 
married Lucius Smith. John D. married vSusan A. Rus.sell. Leonard 
R. Andrews has held the office of selectman several j'ears and was 
elected to the legislature in 1873. He married Lydia vS., daughter of 
Elijah Bradley in 1807. 

Willis Bailey, born in Branford in 18'21, is a son of Nathaniel, born 
1780, and grandson of Elisha, who was a ship carpenter and a resident 
of Haddam, Conn. His children were; Lticy, Sarah, Nathaniel, 
Jonathan and Elijah. Nathaniel Bailey was a farmer. He settled in 
Branford and about 1828 became a resident of East Haven. He mar- 
ried Desire, daughter of John Robinson of Branford, and their child- 
ren were: Eliza, Sarah, Sylvanus, Lucinda, Oliver, Willis, Lucy, 
Elizabeth and Merwin. Nathaniel Bailey died in 1808. Desire, his 
wife, died in 1806, aged 79 years. The only children of Nathaniel 
living are Willis and Merwin. Merwin is a farmer. He married in 
1859, Elizabeth, daughter of George Augur. They have one son, 
Walter, born 1800. Willis Bailey carried on a .saw and grist mill for 
many years, and for eighteen years ran a stage line between East 
Haven and New Haven. He held the office of selectman three years. 
In 1845 he married Anna L., daughter of William Ward, from Lee, 
N. H., who died in East Haven at the age of 82. Their children 
were: .Sophia L., born 1847, and Eleanor W., born 1849, and mar- 
ried in 1873 to James D. Ashbce. He was born in Kent, England, in 
1839, and is a son of Joseph and Jane i Faith i Ashbee. He came to 
America with his parents about 184(). and settled in Madison. Joseph 
Ashbee had three children: Joseph R., James D. and Emma S. 
Joseph R. married Eliza Dowd. Emma S. married Lucius Howe of 
New Haven and for her second husband Henry Merriman of Hamden. 
Jo.seph Ashbee died September 22d, 1878. Jane, his wife, died Sep- 
tember 23d, 1878. The children of James D. and Eleanor W. A.shbee 

*From Doctor Dodd's account. 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 237 

are: Willie R., born 1874; Edward J., born 1877, and Burton W., born 
1878. 

Charles W. Bradley, born in East Haven in December, 1834, i.s a 
son of Samuel H., born 1808, and grandson of Samuel, who was a 
carpenter by trade, and accidentally met his death in the peat bog near 
where now is located the vShore Line railroad in Ea.st Haven. His 
grandmother on his father's side, was Sarah Bradley, and his great- 
grandmother, Elizabeth Woodward. Samuel H. Bradley was an ' 
apprentice to his brother-in-law, Roswell Chidsey, and succeeded him 
in business, as the village blacksmith; their place of business was the 
north side of the green. He was one of the prominent men of East 
Haven sixty years ago, and accumulated a large property for those 
times. East Haven was a rendezvous for mules from Kentucky, pre- 
vious to shipment to West Indies, and a feature of Mr. Bradley's busi- 
ness was pulling off the shoes preparatory to the sea voyage. 

Samuel H. married Sarah Louisa, employed in the family of James 
Thompson. At that time there was no foreign help. She was a 
daughter of Jacob Tyler of North Branford. Her mother was Huldah 
Stannard of Westbrook. Samuel H. died in 1843, and his wife in 1848, 
at the early ages of 35 and 33 years. They had but one child, Charles 
W., who was educated in the public schools, Branford Academy, the 
select school of vSamuel M. Brown, of Fair Haven, and St. Matthew's 
Hall, at Port Colden, N. J. John Hemingway was his guardian for 
twelve vears. He eneaeed in the mercantile trade with his cousin 
Stephen Hemingway in the fall of 1851, buying out the business of 
Horace R. Chidsey. This store was originally established by Charles 
Lindsley. The firm continued until 1855, when Mr. Bradley bought 
his partner's interest, and continued the business alone, having one of 
the largest country stores in the county, Naugatuck valley excepted. 
The same year he sold this business to Mr. Hemingway. In this con- 
nection it may be interesting to note the fact, that during the time 
Messrs. Hemingway & Bradley were in business, the post ofBce was 
removed from the house of Ruel Andrews, where it had been for 
nearly a half century, to their store. They also contracted to carry 
the mails between New Haven and East Haven, with horse and 
wagon. The cars on the N. H. & N. L. road, when it was built in 
1851, were inclined not to give much accommodation to East Haven. 
After selling out his business as previously stated, he then engaged 
in farming and trade; was also a teacher in the public schools in 
Branford and Guilford, and a correspondent for various newspapers. 
In politics Mr. Bradley is a democrat, and has been selectman in his 
native town. In 1867 he was appointed keeper of the New Haven 
Light House, during the national administration of Andrew Johnson, 
and at the time James F. Babcock was collector of the port of New 
Haven, which position he held for two years and two months, until 
President Grant's appointees in 1869, took possession of the offices. 



•238 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

He was then appointed superintendent of the New Haven almshouse 
from January 1st, 1870, remaining there one year. 

During the three years following he resided in East Haven, and 
built the first dwelling house which was erected primarily for the 
purpose of renting in East Haven, the village of Fair Haven possibly 
•excepted. In 1873 he was re-appointed superintendent of the New 
Haven almshouse, which office he held from January 1st, 1874, to 
March 1st, 1878. From that time until May 1st, 1890, he resided in 
Westville, where he erected a genteel residence, at which date he 
again became a resident of East Haven. 

In 1854 he married Sarah Amelia, eldest daughter of Horace Leete, 
of Guilford, a descendant of Governor Leete, one of the colonial chief 
magistrates of Connecticut. Their children are: Annetta Adeline, 
born IS.'iG: Harriett Louisa, born 1857, died 1882; and Seymour Percy, 
born 1859. The last named was appointed a cadet to the United 
States Military Academy from the Second congressional district of 
Connecticut in a competitive examination in 1878; an honor never 
before conferred upon an East Haven man. Mr. Bradley is a life 
long member of the East Haven Episcopal church, always taking an 
active interest in its affairs. He was a member of the -Second Com- 
pany, Governor's Horse Guards, and was honorably discharged. 

Justin Bradley was born m East Haven in 1815, and is a son of 
Samuel, whose father Azariah, born in 17S4, was a son of Samuel, 
who married Sarah Robinson in 1715, and whose father Isaac Bradley, 
was a resident of the county as early as 1074, and settled in East 
Haven in 1683. He was a native of England. Azariah Bradley was 
a farmer and joiner. He married Elizabeth Woodward. Their 
children were: Elizabeth, Samuel, Esther, Roswell and Lydia. 
Samuel Bradley was also a farmer and joiner. He built the house 
in which Justin Bradley now lives, in 1792. He held the office of 
selectman several years, and was prominent in town affairs. He mar- 
ried Sarah, daughter of Jared Bradley. Governor Saltonstalls son 
resided on the governor's large farm by the lake; and having become 
wasteful in its management, the town of Branford appointed Jared 
Bradley his overseer, and he resided there manyj^ears. The children 
of Samuel and Sarah Bradley were: William, Laura, George, Lue, 
Esther, Azariah, Sarah Adeline, Samuel H., Lydia and Justin, who is 
the only one living. He learned the joiner's trade, and made that his 
principal business for many years. He has since been engaged in 
farming. He is a member of the Episcopal church of East Haven. 
In 1885 he was elected representative to the Connecticut legislature. 
In 1839 he married Esther S., daughter of John Tyler. They had 
three children; Marietta, who married Willet Forbes; George, who at 
the age of 46 is unmarried; and Louisa C, who died in 1851, aged two 
years. Mrs. Bradley died in 1882. In 1883 he married Frances E., 
■ daughter of Charles L. Paddock of Meriden. Many items of interest 



HISIORV OF XEW HAVEN COUNTY. 239 

might be mentioned respecting Mr. Bradley's long and active life. 
The late ex-governor, James E. English, who had a national reputa- 
tion, learned the joiner's trade, and he and Mr. Bradley worked at that 
occupation at the same time, in New Haven. 

Stephen Bradley, born in 1836, is a son of Stephen, born 1795, he 
a .son of Stephen, and he a son of Stephen Bradley, who married 
Thankful Smith. Stephen, their .son, married Mehitable Luddington. 
Stephen, their son. married Lydia Foote and their children were: 
Mary, Amanda. Baldwin, Samuel, Lydia and Stephen. Mr. 
Bradley engaged in carriage and wagon making in East 
Haven about 1856, and has carried on that business continuously 
• since that time. He has been twice married; first in 1858 to Sarah 
B. Wheeler They had one son, Stephen, born January 12th, 1867, 
.died November 2d, 1888. Mrs. Bradley died April 15th', 1870. Mr. 
Bradley married for his second wife Susan B., daughter of Samuel 
and Silah Clark of Woodbury, Conn., in 1872. They had one daughter, 
-Grace, born January lOth, 1873. Mrs. Susan B. Bradley died Decem- 
ber 21st, 1888. Mr. Bradley is a member of Lodge No. 66, F. & A. M., 
.of New Haven. 

Samuel Chidsey, born in East Haven in 1810, was a son of Samuel, 
he a son of Isaac, born 1731, he a son of Caleb, born 1697, he a .son of 
Deacon Caleb, born 1661, and he a .son of John Chidsey, who was a 
.deacon of the first church of New Haven. He came from England 
and signed the colony constitution in 1644. Deacon Caleb Chid.sey 
married Anna Thompson. Caleb, their son, married Mrs. Abigail 
Smith. Isaac, their son, married Sarah Bradley in 1752. Samuel, 
.their son, married Betsey Holt. He was a captain in the old militia. 
Their children were: vSally, Russell, Harriett, Lorinda, Annie, Samuel, 
A-ltnira, Betsy, Lydia, Abbie, Hannah, and two that died in infancy. 
.Samuel Chidsey, son of Samuel, was a farmer and was also exten- 
.sively engaged in stock speculations for many years. He always took 
.a deep interest in the affairs of the town, holding various town offices, 
and served one term in the general assembly. He married for his 
iirst wife Esther Bradley. They had four children: Jane, John, 
Josephine and Hattie. He married for his second wife Maria A., 
daughter of William Ford of North Branford. They had one son, 
Samuel R. Chidsey. Mr. Chidsey died in 1886. 

Reuben H. Coe, born in Durham, Conn., in 1837, is a .son of Mer- 
rick and grandson of Abraham Coe, who was a soldier in the war of 
1812. He married Rebecca Ehvell. Merrick Coe married Aseneth 
Harrison. Reuben H. Coe settled in East Haven in 1860, and has 
been engaged in farming. He has held the office of selectman and 
was assessor for two years. He married in 1857 Marietta San ford. 
Their children are: Hattie R. (deceased), born 1861. and Herbert W., 
,born 1863, married in 1887, Emogene Hall. Their children are: 
.^Herbert E^irJ and Ethel May. 



240 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

Charles L. Davis, born in New Haven in 1855, is a son of Samuel^ 
whose father Avery, was a son of Aver}-. The two Avcrys were resi- 
dents of Stafford, Conn. Avery, the father of Samuel, married 
Hannah, daughter of Deacon Samuel Lyon. Samuel, their son, was 
superintendent of the New Haven almshouse from 1851 to 1864. He 
married Emily, daughter of Captain Ebenezer Mansfield. Their 
children were: Elihu S., Avery, Charles L., Martha E., Elizabeth L., 
Susan I^., Benjamin J. and John H., all living. Charles L. Davis for 
fourteen years was in the employ of the New York Central Railroad 
Company. In 1887 he settled in East Haven and is extensively 
engaged in market gardening. He was elected, assessor in 1888, 
'89 and '90. He was married in 1877, and has one daughter, 
Emily N. 

Frederick A. Forbes, born in East Haven in 1860, is a son of 
Alexander, he a son of William, he a son of John, born 1770, he a son 
of Isaac, born 1742, and he a son of Samuel, who married Mary 
Thompson. Isaac, their son, married Hannah Hemingway in 1776. 
John, their .son, married for his first wife Anna Holt and for his second 
wife Amey Holt. William C. carried on a general merchandise busi- 
ness in New Haven for many years. He married Abigail Wilmot. 
Their children were Alexander and Loui.se. Alexander was a farmer 
and carried on a grain and milling business in East Ha\'en for many 
years. He represented the town in the legislature several years. He 
inarried for his first wife Sarah E.. daughter of Chester Bradley. 
Their children were: Frank B., Frederick A. and William C. Mr. 
Forbes married for his second wife Jane Tuttle. They had one 
daughter, Lelia M. Frank B. married Matilda C. Barnard. Frederick 
A. Forbes is in the milling business. 

Charles W. Granni.ss, born in East Haven in 1844, is a son of 
Frederick, born 1813, he a son of Jared. born 1756, he a .son of 
Isaac, born 1716, he a son of Joseph, born 1677, and he a son of 
Edward Granniss, who came from England in 1644. and settled in 
North Haven, where during the next hundred years more than one 
hundred of the name were born. Joseph Granniss married Hannah, 
daughter of John Ru.ssell. Isaac married Keziah Moulthrop. Jared 
was a soldier in the revolutionary war. He married Eunice Munson. 
Their children were: Horace, born 1805: John, born 1811; Frederick, 
born 1818; and Lsaac, born 1815. Frederick Granniss married Emily 
Bailey. Their children are: George F., born 1835; Andrew J., born 
1841, and Charles W., born 1844. George F. married Matilda Burge.ss. 
Andrew J. married Honoria Irwin. Charles W. Granni.ss is engaged 
in farming and the milk business. He enli.stcd in the Tenth Connec- 
ticut Regiment in 1861, and served four years. He was sergeant in 
Company A. He is a member of Admiral Foote Post, G. A. R., of 
New Haven. He married Annie C. Irwin. Their children are Irwin 
and Lincoln. 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 241 

Charles T. Hemingway, born in East Haven in 1857, is a son of 
Stephen, he a son of John, he a son of Stephen, he a son of Samuel, 
he a son of Samuel, he a son of John and he a son of Samuel, who is 
supposed to have come from England, and who settled in East Haven 
and in 1662 married Sarah Cooper. John, their son, born 1675, married 
Mary Morris in 1703. Samuel, their son, born 1713, married Mehitable 
Denison. Samuel, their son, born 1739, married Hannah Morris. 
Stephen, their son, married Esther Bradley in 1791. John, their son, 
married Adeline Bradley. Their children were Stephen and Jared. 
Stephen, born 1827, married Ann A., daughter of Merwin Tuttle. 
Their children were Charles T. and Charlotte A. Stephen Heming- 
way engaged in the mercantile trade about 1857 in East Haven and 
continued until his death in 1889. He was postmaster for over thirty 
years. Charles T. Hemingway became a partner of his father in 
1881, and continues the business. He was elected town clerk in 1881 
and held the office continuously until 1892; also justice of the peace 
since 1881. He is a member of the Episcopal church, a vestryman 
and treasurer of the parish, also clerk of the board of health several 
years. 

William H. Hosley, born in Branford in 1863, is a son of Benjamin 
A., born 1823, and grandson of Loring D. and Anne A. (Beach) Hosley. 
Benjamin A. Hosley married in 1849 Lois W., daughter of William 
Ward of Vermont. Their children are: Benjamin F., Anna M., John 
H., M. Carrie, William H., Edward K. and Judith E. (deceased). 
Benjamin F. married Idella Pond. Anna M. married George W. 
Dory. John H. married Jane Van Wie. M. Carrie married Gains W. 
McClunie. William H. married in 1885 Amelia L., daughter of 
Charles W. Farnam of Norwich, Conn. They have one son, Charles 
F. Mr. Hosley became a' resident of East Haven in 1885, and has 
been engaged in the milk business. 

Joseph Ives Hotchkiss, born in East Haven in 1814, is a son of 
Lyman, he a son of Joseph, born 1756, he a son of Joseph, born 1725, 
he a son of Samuel, born 1683, and he a son of Samuel Hotchkiss, who 
married vSarah Talmadge in 1678. Samuel, their sou, married for his 
first wife Sarah Bradley in 1705, and for his second wife he married 
Hannah Russell. Joseph, their son, married Esther Russell. He 
served in the revolutionary war. Joseph, his son, married Temper- 
ance, daughter of Timothy Andrews. Their children were: Annie, 
Lyman, Orrilla, Esther, Polly and Huldah. Lyman Hotchkiss mar- 
ried Sybil, daughter of Captain Daniel Bradley. Their children 
were: Grace A., Sophronia, Joseph Ives, Lyman, Samuel, Daniel, 
Elizabeth (died in infancy) and Elizabeth A. Joseph Ives Hotchkiss 
was clerk in a store at Fair Haven for a time, then spent a year in 
the West. Returning he followed the sea for six years, since which 
time he has been engaged in farming. He has held the offices of 
assessor, selectman, etc., and in 1869 was elected to the legislature. 
15 



242 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

He was captain of the East Haven militia four years. He married in 
1886 Sarah A., daughter of Roswell Bradley. Their children were: 
Ellen E., Sarah E., Theron B., Joseph I. and Cornelia M.; all living 
except Theron B. Mrs. Hotchkiss died in 1889. 

William S. Jones, born in Northford, Conn., in 1889, is a son of 
Edwin L., whose father John, was a son of Morris Jones, who was in 
the revolutionary war. They were farmers and residents of North 
Madison. John Jones married Marian Webber. Edwin L. married 
Emily, daughter of Luman Johnson. They had one son, William S. 
Jones. He resided in New Haven from 1864 to 1876, then came to 
East Haven. Augu.st 8th, 1862, he enlisted in the 14th Connecticut 
Regiment. He married in 1862 Ellen C, daughter of Richard and 
Lucretia (Moulthrop) Ru.ssell. 

Archibald A. Perkins was born in Bethany, Conn., in 1819. His 
father's name was Jesse, and he was a son of Archibald, who was 
a resident of Woodbridge (now included in Bethany) and kept a 
tavern on the New Haven and Waterbury Turnpike for over sixty 
years. He was a deacon in the Episcopal church of Bethany for many 
years. He was twice married, his first wife being a Miss Wooding 
and the second a Miss French. Their children were: Lybias, 
Archibald A., Jesse, Guy, James, Burr, Charles, Rebecca and Sarah. 
Archibald A., .son of Archibald, was a shoemaker and tanner by trade 
and was one of Bethany's prominent men. representing the town in 
the legislature several terms and was justice of the peace for many 
years. He was also prominent in the Masonic Order. Jesse Perkins 
was a joiner by trade. He married Charlotte Hotchkiss and their 
children were; Hiram, Maria, Celestia, Jesse D., Nancy, Noah H. and 
Archibald A. Archibald A. Perkins is a- brass and iron moulder by 
trade and for fourteen years was superintendent of the W. & B. 
Douglass Manufacturing Company of Middletown, Conn., after which 
he was superintendent of the brass foundry of J. B. Sargent & Co., 
of Xew Haven for nine years. He enlisted in Co. B., 2.")th Connecticut 
Infantry in 1862, and served thirteen months. He became a resident 
of East Haven about 18(;7. He married Malvina Andrews of Bristol 
in 1840. Their children were: Martha M.. born 1844, and Noah H., 
born 18.50. Martha M. married Lovell Jones. Their children are: 
Helen M., Jesse and Bertha. Mr. Perkins married for his .second 
wife Barbara Patrick. 

Jonathan N. Rowe was born in East Haven in 18r)9, and is a son 
of Robert, who was born in Lands End, England, and came to 
America about 182.5. He followed the sea for many years and for 
thirty years he ran between New Haven and New York as first mate 
on a steamer. He married Abbie A. Story. They had five sons and 
nine daughters. Jonathan N. engaged in the grocery trade in 1888. 
He was elected selectman of New Haven in 1890. He married 
Margary M. Kenty in 1888. They have one daughter, Margary S. 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 243 

Frank M. Sperry, born in New Haven in 1850, is a son of Hosmer 
and grandson of Marcus, whose father Jacob was a .son of Lemuel 
Sperry. Jacob Sperry was a soldier in the revolutionary war. He 
married Sarah Perkins of Woodbridge. They went to Waterbury 
when young and six children were born to them there. Huldah, the 
eldest, married Noah Bronson. The next two, Marcus and vSally, 
were twins. Sally married Daniel Cook. Lydia married Gideon 
Piatt. Anson married Lois Upson. Charity married Clark Sperry. 
Anson vSperry was a cooper by trade and carried on that business 
in Waterbury for over forty years. He was a soldier in the war of 
1812 and was captain of the First Flank Company of the 22d Regi- 
ment Connecticut militia several years. Marcus Sperry married 
Rebekah, daughter of Samuel Carrington of Woodbridge. They had 
two sons: Edwin, born 1808, and Hosmer, born 1810. Jacob Sperry 
died in 1834, aged 80 years. Marcus, his son, died in 1811, aged 33 
years. Lemuel, the father of Jacob, was a soldier in the English 
army during the French war in Canada and died there at that time. 
Hosmer Sperry learned the joiner's trade and for forty years was 
engaged in stair building. He mai-ried Desire Smith, daughter of 
Captain Caleb and Elizabeth Chidsey of East Haven. Their children 
were: Minot, who died in infancy; Elbert H., born in 1843; Mary, 
Tjorn 1845; Frank M., born 1850, and Charles E., born 1852. The sons 
learned their father's business, Elbert H. becoming a partner of his 
father. In 1887 he engaged in the same business for himself. He 
married in 1871 Martha Jane Leavenworth. They had one child, 
Fannie G., born August 14th, J 876. Charles E. married in 1881 Mary 
E. Robinson. Their children are: Mary E., born 1882; Lulu F., born 
1884. Frank M. Sperry became a resident of East Haven in 1881, 
held the office of constable from 1885 to 1889, selectman in 1889 and 
1890, and in 1891 he was appointed deputy sheriff under C. A. Tom- 
linson. He is a member of Polar Star Lodge, I. O. O. F., of New 
Haven, and is secretary of the Foxon Grange. He married in 1871 
Nellie A., daughter of Albert Palmer of North Branford. They have 
■one son, Arthur Sperry. 

Asahel H. Thompson, born in East Haven in 1840, is a son of 
Samuel C, born 1806, he a son of Abraham, born 1772, he a son of 
Timothy, born 1727, he a son of John, born 1692, he a son of John, 
born 1667, he a son of John, who was a son of John, who was one of 
the signers of the colony constitution of New Haven in 1039. Timothy 
Thompson married Esther Perkins. John, his father, married Sarah 
Pardee. Abraham Thompson, son of Timothy, was a sea captain. 
He married Mary Smith in 1797. Their children were: Julia A., born 
1798; William, born 1801; Desire, born 1804; Samuel C, born 1806; 
Mary A., born 1808; Abraham, born 1810; Asahel, born 1813; Joseph, 
born 1816, and Sally, born 1820. Abraham died May 6th, 1848. Mary, 
his wife, born 1778, died 1855. Samuel C. Thompson was a seafaring 



244 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

man. For many years he ran a packet between New Haven and 
New York. He married Grace A. Hotchkiss in 1832. Tlieir children 
were: Samuel, Asahel H., Lyman and Theodore. Samuel married 
Eveline F. Andrews for his first wife. They had a daughter, Olive 
A. For his second wife he married Susan O. Russell. They have 
one daughter, Julia E. Asahel H. was married in 1865 to Mary A. 
M. Woodward. Their children are: Grace E., born in 1867; Charles 
W., born 1868, died 1869; William W., born 1874. Lyman C. married 
Julia L. Morris. They have one son, Morris L. Theodore Thompson 
married Ella S., daughter of Elizur Thomp.son. They have one 
daughter, Florence S. 

Elizur Thomp.son, born in East Haven in 1809, is a son of James, 
and grandson of Stephen, born 1723. He was a stone mason by trade, 
and was one of the building commitiee who built the stone church at 
East Haven; was one of the builders, fell, had his skull fractured, was 
trepanned and got well. He married Hannah Rowe. Stephen had 
a second wife, widow Mary Baldwin. She was the mother of James. 
The father of Stephen was John, born 1692, son of John, born 1667, 
he a son of John and he a son of John. James, the father of Elizur, 
married Lydia Chidsey. Their children were: Stephen, Hilary, 
Leonard, Nathaniel, Henry, Elizur, James, Abraham C, Abraham, 
Edward E. and Haynes H. Elizur Thompson learned the tailor's 
trade but soon after engaged in the grocery business in New Haven, 
with his brother vStephen, which they carried on for several years; 
afterward was so engaged in East Haven. In 1861 he was appointed 
, superintendent of the New Haven Light, and with the exception of 
two years was in charge of the same until 1877, when he resigned and 
his son Henry C. Thompson was appointed in his place and has since 
held the position. Since 1877 Mr. Thompson has had charge of the 
signal station at Morris Cove. He married in 1830 Elizabeth M., 
daughter of Leverett Bradley of East Haven. Their children were: 
Leonard, born 183]; Henry C, born 1833; Hemingway H., born 1835; 
Antoinette, born 1839; Jason D., born 1841; Sidney, born 1844; George, 
1846; Stephen E., born 1849; and Ella S., born 1851. Leonard mar- 
ried vSusan, daughter of Daniel Thompson. He was in New Orleans 
at the openmg of the war and was never heard of after that time. 
Henry C. married Lucretia Buttrick. Hemingway H. is supposed to 
have been lost at sea. Antoinette married Lyman Granniss. Jason 
D. married Harriett Arison. Sidney married Emily Craig. George 
married Fannie Hunt. Ella S. married Theodore, son of Samuel 
Thompson. Elizabeth M. Thompson died December 9th, 1871, and 
in 1877 Mr. Thomp.son married Mrs. Ellen Pierce. Three of his 
children .served in the Union Army through the rebellion and were 
honorably discharged, viz.: Jason, enlisted for three months, reenlisted 
in Connecticut Cavalry, was captam, served under General Custer; 
Sidney and George, served as privates. 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 245 



s a 



Henry J. H. Thompson, born in East Haven July 5th, 1832. i_ 
son of Albert I., he a son of Joel, born 17G4, he a son of Samuel, born 
1737, he a son of Samuel, born 1704, he a son of John, born 1667, he a 
son of John, and he a son of John. John second, married Pri'scilla 
Powel in 1666. Samuel, son of John third, married Hannah Heming- 
way. Samuel, their son, married Desire Moulthrop in 1759. Joel, 
their son, married Lois Chidsey in 1782. Albert I., their son, married 
Jane B., daughter of Harmon Byington in 1831. They had one son, 
Henry J. H. Thompson. He is a joiner by trade and was a contractor 
and builder for many years. He enlisted in the 9th Regiment Con- 
necticut Infantry as drum major, but being taken sick did not serve 
in that regiment. He enlisted in 1862 in the 15th Connecticut 
Infantry and served until the close of the war. He was promoted to 
corporal. He is a member of Admiral Foote Po.st, G. A. R.; Polar 
Star Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Fair Haven; Golden Rule Encampment, 
No. 24, of New Haven; the Veteran Firemen of New Haven and the 
Foxon Grange and Pomona Grange. He married in 1856 Lucretia 
E., daughter of David Cooper of North Haven. They have one son, 
Ellsworth H. Thompson, born July 4th, 1866. 

John Woodward Thompson, born in East Haven in 1833, is a son 
of James and Laura Woodward Thompson. His grandfather, James 
Thompson, was a son of Stephen, who was a descendant of John 
Thompson, who came from England at an early date and settled in 
East Haven in 1647. James Thompson, son of Stephen, was one of 
the prominent men of the town, and represented East Haven in the 
legislature eleven terms. He was also a captain in the Old Militia. 
James, his son, was in the legislature in 1857 and 1859, and was 
selectman several years. John Woodward Thompson was elected to 
the legislature in 1875. The children of James and Laura Woodward 
Thompson were: John Woodward, Eliza C, Emeline A. and James. 
John W. began life as an entry clerk in a New York dry goods house 
and later was engaged in the grocery trade in New Haven, retiring 
in 1871. He is a descendant of Reverend John Davenport, the 
founder of New Haven; of Reverend John Woodward, pastor of the 
church at Norwich, 1699; of Deacon John Chidsey and John Thompson. 
Ruel S. Thomp.son, born in New Haven in 1831, is a son of Ruel, 
he a son of Joel, born 1764, he a son of Samuel, born 1737, he a son 
of Samuel, born 1704, he a son of John, born 1667, he a son of John 
and he a son of John. John second married Priscilla Powel. Their 
son Samuel married Hannah Hemingway. Samuel, their son, mar- 
ried Desire Moulthrop, and Joel, their son, married Lois Chidsey. 
Their children were: Sarah, born 1783; Huldah, born 1785; Polly, 
1789; Anson, 1792; Horace, 1794; Nancy, 1796; Ruel, 1798; Lucy, 1800; 
Linda, 1802; William, 1805; Almira D., 1808; and Albert, 1811. Ruel 
Thompson married Lucy Sanford of North Haven. Their children 
were: Clarrissa, Nancy, Ruel S., Reumah A. and Lucy. Ruel S. 



246 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

Thompson was assessor several years and with the exception of two- 
years has held the ofSce of selectman since 1879. He married in 1855 
Martha Noble of Portland, Maine. Their children are: Ruel N., born 
1858, and Eugene ,S., 1863. Ruel X. married Eva J. Schappa. He 
died in 1887. Eugene S. married in 1882, Eva J. Weisbarth. 

John Smith Tyler, born in East Haven December 2d, 1834, is a son 
of William, and grandson of John, who was a native of Branford.and 
a shoemaker by trade, carrying on an extensive business in that town. 
John Tyler was in the government service during the war of 1812. 
He settled in East Haven, and married there Mabel Bradley. Their 
children were: John, Ami, William and Jerusha Louisa. William 
was a shoemaker, having a shop just east of his residence on the 
main street, and also engaged in farming. He married Julia A., 
daughter of Abraham Thompson, who resided at South End, town of 
East Haven. The dwelling house in which William Tyler was born 
has always been the residence of John S., and is probably the oldest 
in the town. It has a leanto roof, which was common one hundred 
and fifty years ago, and is in good repair at the present time. Simeon 
Bradley was great-grandfather to John S.. and also lived in this house. 
The children of William Tyler were John S. and Harriet A., who 
died in 1852. John vS. was educated in the public schools, and in the 
select school, which was in the town hall, the instructor of which 
was a Mr. Potter, also at one time a Mr. Woolcott. He has always 
been engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was elected selectman on 
the republican ticket in 188(), and was reelected in 1SS7, '88, '89 and 
'90. In 1866 he married Jane E., daughter of Joseph Thompson. 
The children of this marriage were Willie J. and J. Alexis D., both 
deceased. 

(Gilbert Van Sickles was born in Milton, N. J., in 1845, and is a son 
of Augustus Van Sickles, who with his family settled in East Haven 
nearly forty years ago and was superintendent of the New Haven 
Chemical Company's works for many years. He married Hannah 
Ayres, and their children were: Margaret ()., Elizabeth, Gilbert, Alex- 
ander, Euphemia and Frederick. Margaret O. married David Ben- 
nett. Elizabeth married George Ward, Euphemia married Luke 
Haviland, Frederick married Lillian Forbes and Alexander married 
Ella Talmage. Gilbert Van Sickles enlisted in the 1st Connecticut 
Heavy Artillery in 1864, and served until the close of the war. He 
is a member of Admiral Foote Post, G. A. R., of New Haven. He 
married in 18G6 Alice E. Thompson. Their children are: Fannie H., 
Augustus, Theodore, Irving and Ra_\'mond. 

Edmund B. Woodward was born in 1859. The first of the family 
to settle in New Haven county was Reverend John Woodward, who 
graduated from Cambridge College in 1693. He a.ssisted in the 
council that compiled the Saybrook platform in 1708, and was admitted 
an inhabitant of New Haven in 1716. He married Sarah Ro.swell, 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 247 

and had a son John, who married Mary Denison. They had a son 
Stephen, born 1758, who married Elizabeth Morris. William Wood- 
ward, born 1781, son of Stephen, was thrice married: first to Sarah 
Bradley, second to a Mrs. Davis and third to Nancy Thomp.son. 
Charles Woodward, son of William, married for his first wife Maria, 
daughter of Morris Hemingway. Their children were: William A., 
born 1841, married 1861, Lois Thompson; Anna M., who married 
Asahel H. Thompson; Charles E., born 1848, married Flora Hull, and 
John E. (deceased). Charles Woodward married for his second wife 
Laura A., daughter of William and Mehitable Richards. They had 
two children: Edmund B. and Lulu E. (decea.sed). Edmund B. mar- 
ried in 1883 Hattie S. Brigham. 



CHAPTER V. 



THE TOWN OF NORTH HAVEN. 



Bv Sheldon- B. Thorpe. 



Location and Description. — Settlement. — Early Religious Affairs. — Reverend 
Benjamin Trumbull. — Congregational Church. — St. John's (P. E.) Church. — 
Baptist Church at Montowese. — Clintonville Union Mission. — The Militia. — 
Cemeteries. — Education. — Incorporation of the Town. — Civil List. — Public 
Improvements. — Public Buildings. — The Bradley Library. — The Town Cen- 
tennial. — General Business Interests. — Villages. — Sabbath Day Houses. — 
Slaves. — Fishing Privileges. — Taverns. — Physicians. — North Haven in the 
Nation's Wars. — Biographical Sketches. 



THE town of North Haven lies within the tract purcha.sed of 
Momaitgin, the Indian saehetn, by the New Haven colonists in 
1638. Its boundaries are irregular, bttt mainly conform to the 
layout of March lOth, ITl/), at which time, by petition of its settlers, 
the mother town (New Haven) gave them permission to apply to the 
general assembly for erection into a separate parish, which prayer was 
o;ranted at the October session, 1716. Its length north and south, is 
about eight miles, and its greatest breadth not far from three. Its area, 
taken from its first grand list in 1786, is given as 8,348 acres; in 1890 
as 11,837 acres. The stirface is denominated as level. Two ridges of 
easy grade traverse its length and give variety to its contour. The 
westernmost is composed of a soft reddish gravel, terminating on the 
south at East Rock. The other, much the older, geologically con- 
sidered, is of igneous origin, with walls of trap rock markedly exposed 
on their eastern face. On this ridge, near the southern line, rises 
" Peter's Rock," or Rabbit Rock, notable for its steep escarpments 
and hexagonal columns of basalt. These latter are among the finest 
in the .state. 

Two rivers, the Ea.st and the Muddy, water its valleys, the latter 
uniting with the former at the historic locality of " Moiuauguin hill." 

Generally speaking the soil is light. The land is easily worked 
and the river bottoms and occa,sional areas on the hills yield abundant 
crops. Its poorest area is in the northern portion, where the soil has 
become utterly exhausted and patches of barren .sand are frequently 
.seen. The valley of the Ouinnipiac, formerly called the East river, 
is underlaid on either side by immen.se clay beds, from which large 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 249 

quantities of brick are manufactured. On the extreme .southern bor- 
der lies an extended marsh, once diked and yielding hundreds of tons 
of pa.ssable fodder, but now neglected and' of little value. Timber 
grows freely and of excellent quality. There are no minerals, with 
the possible exception of bog iron ore, once dug in considerable 
quantities. 

The first settler in North Haven was William Bradley, a reputed 
officer in Cromwell's army. He located on the ridge west of East 
river and above what is now known as Cedar hill. His dwelling 
house doubtless did not stand within the present town limits, but as 
a large portion of his farm lay north of the New Haven line, he is 
assumed as the first comer. This wasabout 1640. In 1660 Thomas Yale 
came from New Haven and located near the present i-esidence of Gen- 
eral E. D. S. Goodyear. With him came two of his sons, John and 
Nathaniel. They were the pioneers and in point of fact the actual 

settlers of North Haven. John Yale married Rebecca . 

Of their children David was born October Sth, 1699. He went to 
England in 1712, returned in 1718, and was made one of the first two 
deacons of the Congregational church, in that year, being then only 
19 years old. He received an honorary degree from Yale College in 
1724, and died in 1780. His onlv child, Martha, married Tames Todd, 
from whom descended Yale Todd, afterward a soldier m the revolu- 
tionary army and ancestor of many of the Todds in the town to-day. 
Nathaniel married Ruth Bishop of New Haven. 

At the death of their father the two sons succeeded to the paternal 
estate. Nathaniel kept the old place, while John set up near by for 
himself. The country above them, in 1660, was a wilderness, but the 
New Haven colonist was aggressive and slowly forced his way 
into it. In 1670 Jonathan Tuttle, Nathaniel Thorp, Ebenezer Blakeslee 
and John Humaston, all from New Haven, went on two miles above 
the Yales, crossed the river and located in and around the present vil- 
lage center. In the same year Daniel and Thomas Barns, Moses 
Brockett and Thomas Jacobs began a settlement at Muddy River, now 
called Montowese. These men were the fathers of North Haven. 
With the exception of Yale, their family names are the most numerous 
within our borders to-day. 

Other settlers followed. Land could be had almost for the asking. 
The East river was alive with fish, the woods with game. The Indians 
were not troublesome, the open country was easy of tillage, and its 
nearness to the city of New Haven made it desirable as a location. 
Notwithstanding this, the condition of the settlers was far from envia- 
ble. Their finst dwellings were log houses; raiment was of the coarsest 
quality, and all food plain and oftentimes not abundant. Social priv- 
ileges were scant; there was little of literature and less of the lighter 
accomplishments; they were there to fight the battle of life in the 



SoO HISTORY OF NEW HAVEX COUNTY. 

wilderness with the axe, the plough, the gun, rather than with the em- 
broidery needle, the piano, the palette. 

From 1670 to 171(5 this small nucleus received slow but eon.stant 
accessions. In all this time they were as much a part of New Haven 
as if they lived within the city limits. There they attended church, 
there tlrey voted, and there did military duty. Doctor Trumbull says 
frequently the women walked from North Haven to New Haven, in 
.some instances with a child in arms, attended two long services and 
returned." 

In 1716 the population of the parish comprised forty households. + 
In addition to the families named, had come the Sanfords, Batons, 
Coopers, Todds, Clarks, Bradleys and a few others. All told, the pop- 
ulation was between two hundred and three hundred. It was at the 
above date, as stated in the commencement, that they became embodied 
as the " North Parish." or " Northeast Parish " of New Haven. Un- 
der their new privileges their first meeting was held November 2d, 
17] 6, at which time the First Ecclesiastical Society was organized, 
with Nathaniel Yale moderator and Joseph [ves clerk. Mr. Ives held 
his position 14 years, or until his removal to Wallingford, in 1730. 
Their earliest business was to seek a place of worship, which was first 
established aL the house of Ebenezer Blakeslee, and later with Captain 
Joseph Ives. Two years before (1714) Reverend James Pierpont of 
New Haven had given "the neighbors" of the North Parish a plot 
of land (8 or 10 acres), "provided they would set their meeting 
house there and make their training and burying place there." 

This grant they accepted, and began the erection of a meeting- 
house on it late in 1717. It was a plain wooden structure, 30 by 40 
feet, without " steeple " or " terrett." and stood at the southwest cor- 
ner of the present old cemetery, or probably at the exact center of 
"The Green," Mr. Pierpont's grant. It was two stories in height, with 
a gallery on two sides. The furnishings were rude, and but one pew 
was built within it. Reverend James Wetmore, a graduate of the col- 
legiate school at Saybrook. Conn., came from Northfield, Mass.. to 
preach in the spring of 1717. He remained a little more than a year 
on trial, holding services during this time at the house of Ebenezer 
Blakeslee, and was accepted by the society and ordained as the first 
mini,ster, in ( )ctober, 1718. The society received permks.sion to embody 
itself in church estate May 8th. 1718. The meeting hou.se was not 
finished until 1722. 

Mr. Wetmore remained with his charge four years. In September, 
1722, he avowed his sympathy with the belief and practice of the 
Church of luigland, and was at once dismissed from the North Parish 
pulpit. He went to England for orders, returned and was settled over 
a little church at Rye, N. Y. 

Mr. Wctmore's successor was Reverend Isaac Stiles, a native of 

'•"Century sermon. fPresident Stiles. 



HISTORY UF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 251 

Windsor, Conn., who was ordained November 11th, 1724. His pastor- 
ate covered a period of 80 years, or until his death, May 14th, 1760. 
During his ministration the parish received its greatest impetus. A new 
meeting house 65 by 40 feet and second to no country structure in the 
state, was built in 1739, a little .south of the old site. New highways 
were laid out, bridges were built, commons cleared, boundaries defined, 
schools organized, better dwellings erected, and all the incipient ma- 
chinery of a town set in motion. Mr. Stiles died May 14th, 1760. His 
successor was Reverend Benjamin Trumbull, of Hebron, Conn., ordain- 
ed December 24th, 1760. He maintained a pastorate of 60 years, and 
died February 2d. 182i». He was eminently fitted to take up the work 
dropped by Mr. Stiles. A man of immense resource, of ceaseless 
energy, of strong convictions, an intense lover of his people and a 
devoted servant of God, he led his church safely through more than 
half a century, and left it a monument to perpetuate his memory. 

Doctor Trumbull was born December 19th, 1785. He graduated 
at Yale College in 1759, and was licensed to preach in 1760. It was in 
the summer of the latter year that he came to North Haven church, 
and November 14lh was ordained as its pastor. The following year 
he purchased a tract of land of Jo.seph Pierpont, and began the erec- 
tion of a dwelling house upon it. The old mansion is still standing 
and in excellent repair. It is the property of Hon. Ezra Stiles, who 
has occupied it something more than 60 years. As a historic point, 
there is none greater in the town. The great double doors were ever 
ajar. Over its threshold were ceaselessly trooping scores of bu.sy 
feet. Alinisters, messengers, committees, referees and strangers 
made it a religious caravansarv and rested in its shadow. Hither 
came during the revolutionary war aids and officers with despatches, 
and later eminent historians and theologists tarried within its walls. 

Following the outbreak at Lexington, Mass., April 19th. 1775, Gov- 
ernor Trumbull (relative of Reverend Benjamin) summoned the gen- 
eral assembly of Connecticut to take measures for the public safety. 
Six regiments of soldiers were ordered raised. Among the first to 
report was Colonel Wooster's. Of this command Reverend Mr. Trum- 
bull was appointed chaplain. It was sent to the "Northern Depart- 
ment " and returned at the expiration of its service in November. 
Early in 1776 Mr. Trumbull again received the appointment of chap- 
lain in Colonel Douglass' regiment, and was absent a'second campaign 
of six months. During this period he experienced continuous hard 
service. In January, 1777, the enemy appeared to be threatening the 
seaboard towns above New York city, and a sudden call was made for 
assistance. Mr. Trumbull responded at once, this time, however, as 
a captain, at the head of 60 men from Mt. Carmel and North Haven. 
The British attack, if such was contemplated, was frustrated, and 
Trumbull's command returned home late in the winter of that year. 

The revolutionary war over, Mr. Trumbull was invited by the gen- 



252 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

eral association of Connecticut, in 178;"), to compile a history of its 
events. He accepted the trust and began his labors. From year to 
year, as the association met, he reported the progress of his work, but 
it was slow, and not until 25 years after its beginning, or in 1810, was 
the first volume of his " History of the United States " issued from 
the press. The .second and third volumes were never completed. 
During -the compilation of this work he was also engaged upon a 
" History of Connecticut," the first volume of which was published at 
Hartford in 1707: the .second volume in 1818. Besides these publications 
were nearly a score of others relating to his ministerial work, such as 
sermons, discourses, addresses, etc. In 1790 Yale College worthily con- 
ferred the degree of D. IJ. upon him, an honor he esteemed and 
reflected credit upon. He died February 2d, 1820, and was buried in 
the old cemetery, within a stone's throw of his church and his home. 

Should it be said by the reader that unusual prominence has been 
given Messrs. Stiles and Trumbull, it will be answered that these two 
divines in the formative period of the town, more than all others, 
helped lay those foundations of morality, honor and godliness on 
which the reputation of the town to-day rests. The clergyman of the 
18th century builded better than he knew. 

Following Doctor Trumbull came Reverend W. J. Boardman, a 
native of Massachusetts. He was ordained September 3d, 1820, and 
resigned October 80th, 1833. Of his pastorate it may be said that 
during its continuance the church received its largest accession of 
members; in all, there being 280 admissions m the thirteen years of 
his service. 

Reverend Leverett Griggs of Tolland, Conn., succeeded Mr. 
Boardman. He was ordained October 30th, 1833, and dismissed 
at his request, July 30th, 1845. During his ministry the pre.sent 
Congregational church was erected. The second meeting house, 
which stood in the middle of the "green," and completed in 
August, 1741, was used until the summer of 183r). In 1750 a small 
bell, brought from England, was placed in a turret on the rear of the 
building. In 1800 a tall spire, costing i^210, was built to the house, 
and in it was placed a new bell, weighing 900 pounds. In the fall 
of 1834 the present meeting house, originally 45 by 62 feet, 
and built of brick, was begun, and dedicated Juh* 1st, 1835. In 
1871 the house was enlarged by extending the side walls \G^ feet 
and building an addition to the rear. At the same time the arched 
ceiling was removed and the interior of the house remodelled, includ- 
ing the fitting up of the basement room. The re-dedication of the 
house was put off until the spring of 1874, when, on account of the 
breaking of the church bell, it was postponed. A new bell was pro- 
cured, and November 18th. 1874, the meetinghouse, which had been 
improved at a cost of §14,000, was duly dedicated. It is now a 
spacious and well ordered place of worship. 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 253 

After the retirement from the pastorate of the Reverend Leverett 
Griggs, D.D., in 1845, came the following ministers : Reverends 
Ira Smith, ordained February 10th, 1846, dismissed March 28th, 1848; 
Theron G. Colton, ordained September 25th, 1849, dismissed August 
26th, 1851; Silas W. Robbins, ordained June 16th, 1853, dismissed 
October 13th, 1856; Benjamin St. John Page, became acting pastor 
June 20th, 1857, retired July 1st, 1862, and died at Warren, Ohio, 
November 9th, 1868; Reverend William T. Reynolds became acting 
pastor April 1st, 1863, and was installed pastor April 29th, 1869. His 
ministry has since been successfully continued, the church at no 
time being more prosperous and united than in his pastorate. 
There are more than three hundred members, belonging to 185 
families. 

Among those who served in the office of deacon were the following: 
David Yale, chosen 1718; Samuel Ives, 1718; Samuel Todd, 1727; 
Moses Blakeslee, 1728; Thomas Cooper, 1740; Isaiah Tuttle, 1741; 
Jesse Todd, 1772; James Humaston, 1773; Solomon Tuttle, 1780; 
Titus Todd, 1787; Joshua Barnes, 1800; Eliada Sanford, 1800; Byard 
Barnes, 1824; Harvey Smith, 1824; Joseph Foote, 1835; Eleazer 
Warner, 1836; Anson Moody, 1838; Henry McNeil, 1854; Marcus 
Linsley, 1854; Frederick L. Barnes, 1857; Nathan W. Brown, 1857; 
Whitney Elliott, 1864; H. P. Shares, ; Cullen B. Foote, 1883. 

Whitney Elliott has been clerk of the church the past 20 years. 
The Sunday school has an average attendance of 267 and is 
one of the most prosperous in the county. 

St. John's Church, Protestant Episcopal, was organized early. 
Side by side with the establishment of the Congregational church in 
the parish, grew the Church of England. Its beginning dates 1722, its 
focal point was the house of Ebenezer Blakeslee, and its father was 
Reverend James Wetmore. Mr. Wetmore's defection uncovered a 
condition of things little suspected in this community. With his 
retirement from the pulpit went also six of his parishioners, who 
proved the germ of the fiiture Episcopal church, viz.: Ebenezer Blakes- 
lee, Thomas Ives, Simon Tuttle, Nathaniel Tuttle, Samuel Brockett, 
Lawrence Clinton. No mention is made in the ecclesiastical society 
records of the loss of these men and it is probable no action was taken. 
In 1723 Mr. Blakeslee opened his doors (as he had done in 1716), but 
this time for worship according to methods of the Church of England. 
There was no clergyman for them and the services probably were of a 
simple character. In 1740 the members of this persuasion in the towns 
of Cheshire, Wallingford and North Haven, met on the Monday after 
Easter and organized themselves under the name of " The Union 
Church." Wardens and vestrymen were chosen and the same year a 
small building about twelve feet square was erected at Wallingford in 
the " Pond Hill district." 

Religious services were maintained by the joint worshippers until 



254 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

Wallingforcl withdrew in 1757, and North Haven in 1759. On April 
24th of the latter year St. John's parish was formally organized. 
Application was made by its members to the First Ecclesiastical 
Society for permission to put tip a church building and they declared 
on December ISth, " We were willing that those that profest to the 
Church of England should set a church or House for Publick Worship 
on the northeast corner of the Green." A building 38 by 30 feet was 
begun at once and dedicated by Reverend Ebenezer Punderson, 
December 27th, 1761. This was a wooden structure, without 
steeple or porch. It had no furniture of any description, nor was 
any used until years afterward. Mr. Punderson officiated as its 
minister a portion of the time, until his transference to Rye, N. Y., 
on the death of Reverend James Wetmore. The Reverend Samuel 
Andrews succeeded Mr. Punderson and divided his labors among the 
parishes of North Haven, Wallingford and Cheshire. What Reverend 
Mr. Trumbull was to the Congregational church, Mr. Andrews was to 
the Church of England. A graduate of Yale College, a man of 
estimable character and a zealous worker, he really became the estab- 
lisher of Episcopacy in the surrounding communities. During the 
revolutionary war he was a staunch loyalist, and this attitude caused 
him and his church some inconvenience. Popular feeling ran bitter 
against him especially in Wallingford. nor was the North Haven 
church without signs of dissatisfaction at his course. He resigned his 
labors in 1785, removing to New Brunswick, N. S., where he ended 
his days in 1820. 

This church found no successor for him until 17U0, when they 
secured Edward Blakeslee, son of Abraham Blakeslee, a native of the 
town and a graduate of Yale College. He was entrusted with the 
three parishes of Northford, Hamden and North Haven. At this time 
the enrolled male membership of the latter church was 75. Mr. 
Blakeslee remained until the close of 17U2, and then went to Derby, 
Conn. In 1793 the pulpit was occasionally supplied by Solomon 
Blakeslee, son of Zophar Blakeslee. also a native of the town. Rev- 
erend Samuel Andrews, who had returned from New Brunswick on a 
visit to Wallingford, also assisted. Mr. Blakeslee was called to New 
London and the people were again shepherdless. In the following 
thirty years Reverends David Butler, Reuben Ives,Tillotson Bronson, 
Manoah Miles, Elizur Plumb, Nathan Burgess, Asa Cornwall, Jasper 
Davis and Origen P. Holcomb officiated at different times. The 
church had a hard struggle. In 1820 there were but 41 Episcopal 
families in the town and 27 communicants. 

The following is the succession of ministers in this church from 
1822 to 18!)1: 1822-3, Reverend John M. Garfield; 1823-7, Jo.seph 
Perry; 1827-32, Ashbael Baldwin;" 1832-6. Charles W. Bradley; 1836, 
Robert Shaw; 1836-8, John W. Woodward, 1838-9, A. B. Chapin; 
1839 41, S. Stocking; 1841 3, A. B. Chapin; 1843-6, Henry Fitch; 



HISTORV OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 255 

184(3-9, C. W. Everest; 1849-51, S. B. Paddock; 1851-2, Frederick Sill; 
1852-5, A. G. Shears; 1855-7, Seth Davis; 1857-8, Joseph Scott; 1858 
60, C. C. Barclay; 1860-3, Enoch Huntington; 1863-6, Arthur Mason; 
1866-8, S. P. Simpson; 1868-9, J. E. Wildman; 1869-77, E. L Whit- 
come; 1877-80, John Coleman; 1880 to date, William Lusk, Jr. 

A list of the wardens is also submitted: 1821-30, Isaac Stiles and 
Philemon Blakeslee; 1830-3, Elisaaph Hull and Isaac Stiles; 1834-9, 
Isaac .Stiles and Evelyn Blakeslee; 1840-1, Dr. C. B. Foote and Evelyn 
Blakeslee; 1841-2, Evelyn Blakeslee and Isaac Stiles; 1843-4, Evelyn 
Blakeslee and Stephen C. Gilbert; 1845-81, Evelyn Blakeslee and Ezra 
Stiles; 1882-3, Ezra Stiles and Evelyn Blakeslee; 1883-4, Ezra Stiles 
and Bennett Todd; 1884-5, Isaac L. Stiles and Bennett Todd; 1885-91, 
Isaac L. Stiles and Joseph Pierpont. 

Mr. Evelyn Blakeslee was made warden fifty years in succession. 
Honorable Ezra Stiles was elected parish clerk thirty-two years in 
succession. 

In the ministry of Reverend Charles W. Bradley, from 1832 to 
1836, the present church was erected. The corner stone was laid by 
him June 12th, 1834. It is a good brick structure, with 300 sittings, 
and has a beautiful location. On the site of the old church, near by, 
is a fine brick rectory. The parish contains 103 families and the 
whole num.ber of individuals is 400. There are more than 150 com- 
municants. The aft'airs of the parish under the direction of the 
present rector. Reverend William Lusk, Jr., are in flourishing condi- 
tion, and the usefulness of the church is yearly being extended. 

The Baptist Church at Montowese dates its existence from June 
12th, 1811. Its germ had been gathering for some years previous 
partly from the religious sect known as " Separatists," and 
partly from the strictly orthodox belief. At this date of organization 
it comprised twenty-three members. Reverend Joshua Bradley became 
its first preacher; he remained three years and increased his flock to 
seventy members. The early services of this church were held for 
eighteen months or more at private houses. The first meeting house 
erected in 1812 on the " Muddy River Green" was 45 by 35 feet, 
a plain wooden building, and cost not far from $2,000. From 
the departure of Mr. Bradley in 1814, to December, 1817, the people 
depended upon " supply preaching." In the latter year they ordained 
Reverend Oliver Wilson, who remained until 1825. It 1831 Reverend 
Ira Bentley came among them. He proved to be a man of power and 
. a second religious awakening strengthened the little band. In this 
year their .Sabbath school was also organized. In July, 1835, Reverend 
Truman O. Judd was ordained over them. He remained nearly four 
years and was dismissed at his request. Through his efforts the 
present parsonage was built. 

Following him came in turn: Reverends John Noy, 1839; Harmon 
Ellis, 1840; E. T. Winter, N. Whiting, Charles W. Potter, 1847. This 



250 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

latter gentleman remained four and a half years and was instrumental 
in the erection of the present church edifice. The first building of 
wood, cheap, unattractive in style and unsuited to the wants of the 
worshippers, was superseded by one of brick at a cost of about $4,000. 

Mr. Potter resigned in 18o2, and was succeeded bv Reverend 
Truman Judd, who remained until 1862. Following him came: Rev- 
erends vSolomon Gale, E. J. Ganan, J. M. Lyon, A. H. Simons, 3867. 
At this time the church had assumed a strong membership and 
though possessing few or no men of wealth, more than held its 
own among the country churches of its belief. Mr. Simons re- 
mained until April, 1874, and then resigned the pastorate. He was 
succeeded by Reverend Henry G. Smith, ordained June 11th, 
1875, and dismissed March, 1877. The Reverend Otis Saxton came 
next, but remained only a few months. In June, 1878, Reverend 
William Gussman was made pastor, serving until November, 1880. 
The next regular preacher was Reverend E. S. Hill, 1882. After him 
came Reverend W. R. Terry, 1885-7, when upon his retirementan invi- 
tation was extended to Reverend A. H. vSimons to again assume the 
pastorate. This he did May 1st, 1887, and is the present incumbent. 

The following gentlemen have served this church as deacons: Jesse 
Brockett, Ward Johnson, Benjamin Baldwin, Lewis Bates, Hervey 
Sackett, Linus Barnes, William P. Todd. There have been added to 
the church 418 members, 1811-1801, the present number being about 
80. The church is valued at §8,000. and the parsonage at $1,500. 
John L. Larkin is the church clerk. A Sunday school of about 100 
members is a useful moral agent in that part of the town. 

Clinton ville Union Mission is a voluntary association of the citizens 
in and near the hamlet of Clintonville, organized in the spring of 1889. 
There were 80 contributing members. A building 24 by 32 feet was 
erected by them in the summer of that year at a cost of about $1,000. 
Its character is pureh' undenominational, Congregationalists, Episco- 
palians, Baptists, and many without church connection of any kind 
joining m its support. Sunday evening service is regularly main- 
tained with attendance of from 70 to 100. Its business affairs are 
managed by an executive committee elected annually. 

Having provided for the means of spiritual defense m the 
settlement by the organization of the ecclesiastical society, the 
parish next turned its attention to the formation of a militia company 
for the protection of its material interests. This movement assumed 
shape in 1718. Joseph Ives was chosen captain, John Grannis, lieu- 
tenant, and Samuel Ives, ensign. No muster roll of its rank and file 
exists. The following gentlemen have served as commanding officers 
of this anciently organized company: Joseph Ives, 1718; John Grannis, 
1733; John Sanford, 1736; Andrew Tuttle, 1737; Samuel Barnes, 1742; 
vSamuel Sackett, 1744; Theophilus Goodyear, 1749; Jason Bradley, 
1741); Gershom Barnes, 1753; Daniel Ives, 1759; James Heaton, 1760; 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 257 

Joseph Pierpont, 1764; Abraham Blakeslee, 1770; Ezra Tuttle, 1772; 
Noah Ives, 1776; Jacob Brockett, 1778; Jonathan Dayton, 1770; Ben- 
jamin Brooks, 1780; Lawrence Clinton, 1781; Allen Cooper, 1782; 
Joshua Barnes, 1782; Timothy Andrews, 1786; Levi Ray, 1787; Joshua 
Barnes, Jr.. 1787; Gideon Todd, 1787; George Todd, 1788; Joseph 
Brockett, 1790; James Ives, 1791; vStephen Monson, 1792; Hezekiah 
Bassett, 1793; Thomas Ives, 1793; John Frost, 1795; Peter Eastman, 
1799; Lemuel Brooks, 1800; Benajah Tuttle, 1801; Philemon Blakeslee, 
1801; Jacob Bassett, 1805; Isaac C. Stiles, 1806; Ithimar Tuttle, 1807; 
Nathan Marks, 1808; Seba Thorpe, 1810; John Beach, 1811; Jesse 
Brockett, 1815; Leonard Ives, 1816; John Frost, 2d, 1829; Elizur C. 
Tuttle, Rufus Pierpont, Willis Churchill (Independent Company), 1888; 
Peter Van Houten, 1840; Justin Marks, 1843; Henry H. Stiles, 1845; 
Bennett Todd, 1849. 

About the time of the revolutionary war a second military com- 
pany was organized, compo.sed mainly of men living on the west side 
of the Ouinnipiac river. Hence arose the term " Westsiders " and 
" Eastsiders," in militia parlance, and hence grew also considerable 
friction between these rival bodies. At their annual musters each 
company remained within its own jurisdiction in the forenoon, but in 
the afternoon their forces were generally united for •' battalion drill " 
either on the old green or in .some adjoining field. As late as 1812 
the Congregational meeting house was frequently used for a drill 
room in stormy weather. The Independent Company (North Haven 
Blues, 1838) grew out of dissatisfaction with Captain E. C. Tuttle, as 
commandant of the local forces which a few years before had been 
united again in one compan3\ 

The last parade was made September 26th, 1851, at which time 
only three officers and eight privates reported for duty. The arms 
were returned to state headquarters, and thus terminated its existence. 
But its spirit was transmitted. A careful study discloses the curious 
fact that the "Wide Awakes" of 1860 were mainly the children of 
those who once bore arms in its ranks, and further that more than 
sixty per cent, of the latter politico-military organization enlisted in 
the war for the suppression of the rebellion. 

The third main event in order after settlement of the parish 
was the laying out of the burying ground. By the conditions 
of the grant of Reverend James Pierpont it must be established 
upon the meeting house green. Its place was designated by vote of 
the society in 1720. The oldest recorded date on any stone within its 
borders is 1723 (Joel Cooper). The last interment was in 1882 (Elvira 
Cooper). Hither for a little more than a hundred years, or until 1835, 
were brought the dead of the community. In the latter year the 
present cemetery was laid out, and though an occasional burial took 
place in the old enclosure, it was practically abandoned. So many had 
been buried within it that it had become absolutely impossible to open 
16 



258 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

a grave without uncovering the dust of some sleeper. The settlers at 
Muddy river had established a burying ground in their vicinity a score 
of years before this in question, the earliest date there being 1700. 
This makes it probable that in the early settlement of the parish, the 
people at the center buried their dead at Xew Haven. On no other 
ground can the late date of 1720 be explained. 

There is no mention made that it was even enclosed until 1774, 
when "certain gentlemen" were given permission by the ecclesias- 
tical society to erect a fence at their own expense. This latter con- 
cession with a single exception appears to have been the sum total of 
the society's concern about it for 170 years or until 1800, when upon 
the occasion of an attempted renovation of the long neglected place, 
it got itself into a great passion over the alleged desecration of the 
briar strangled graves. Since 1822 the town has assumed the cost of 
its few repairs. Originally it was enclosed by a plain unpainted wooden 
fence. In 1856 a stone and iron fence was erected at a cost of about 
$800, of which amount the ecclesiastical society granted $100, the 
town $300, and the balance came from private sources. 

On the ancient sandstones in this cemetery there are three distinct 
types of cutting. From 1723 to 1750 winged faces are frequent, but 
the sculptor's conception of them is hideous. The head is a veritable 
deaths head, fieshless and sightle.ss; the neck is unduly prolonged and 
the wings coarse and clumsy. Foot stones are not common in this 
period, and when found are from eight to ten feet in rear of the head 
stone. Nathaniel Thorp had the first in 1725. The oldest epitaph is 
recorded on the stone erected for Mr. Moses Clark. He " dyed Aug ye 
21, 1736." 

Reder stop your space & stay 

& harken unto what I say, 
Our lives but cobwebs tho' near so gaj-, 

And death ye broum ye sweeps away. 

His wife, Dinah, survived him fifteen years and " Dyed Oct ye 2d, 
1751." To allay all doubt in after years, concerning her station in 
life, it is asserted both on her head and foot stones that she was " once 
ye wife of Mr. Mo.ses Clark." Iler epitaph is similar to others in this 
yard: 

On this grave stone my name is red, 

You are ahve but I am dead, 
In a short space of preaciotis time 

Tlieay will read your name as well as mine. 

The second period of stonecutting occurs between 1750 and 1800. 
The work dunng this half century was done by one Miller of Middle- 
field, Conn. He quarried the stones from his own farm and brought 
them to North Haven on .sleds during the winter season. His stock 
was kept under the oak trees on the hill. Miller was an artist. Few 
country cemeteries can produce "winged heads" and "borders," 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 259 

'comparable with his. The poise of the face, the lines of the eye, the 
sweep of the wings, are in some cases so singularly drawn that they 
reveal that indefinable sphinx like gaze common in old Egyptian 
cuttings. 

Marble was introduced about the year 1800, and also at this date 
occurs the third type of ornamentation. New designers entered the 
field and drooping and broken willows shading mortuary urns of 
impossible construction supplanted the winged emblem of immortality. 
The change was not a happy one although it prevailed for forty years. 
From 1750 to 1820 was the age of the epitaph in this church yard. 
Saint and sinner alike during this period invoked the chisel's aid to 
express sentiments, the wonder and puzzle of men and angels. Not- 
withstanding all, this ancient yard is an historic spot. To the North 
Haven people " names that were not born to die " are found here. 
Stiles, Trumbull, Pierpont, Foot, yea and a hundred others to whom 
we owe our birthright to-day, make it all " hallowed ground." 

The present cemetery was laid out in 1841, and the first burial 
within it was a child of Zophar Blakeslee, who died May 21.st of that 
year. Formerly the entrance was at the north end. Later its area 
was enlarged and a handsome gateway erected on the east side. At 
the present rate of occupation less than another fifty j-ears will 
demand still a third location. 

At an ecclesiastical society meeting held December, 1720, it was 
" Agreed on by ye society that ye school shall be kept at four places. 
First, that it be kept on ye east side New Haven East river, below 
Muddy river — secondly, that it be kept on the west side East river, 
below ye Pine bridge— thirdly, from ye Pine bridge upward to ye 
Blew Hills — fourthly, on ye east side East river and northward of 
Muddy river." These were the four original districts of the parish. 
The present number is eight. 

It is not probable that school buildings were erected at the date 
above mentioned. There is no mention of the appointment of school 
officials and we grope along to 17,'50 before definite action appears. At 
this time a "committee to manage school affairs," consisting of Ser- 
geant Ebenezer Frost, Deacon Isaiah Tuttle, Captain Sackett and Cap- 
tain Barnes was chosen. A two penny rate on the pound was laid. In 
1763 the system was revised and a new division of the districts ordered. 
Frequent as it was in the colony to plant a school house under the 
eaves of the meeting house, this cu.stom had not obtained in the North 
Haven parish, for it was not until the latter year that they " voted 
that a school house might be set on the market place, built by par- 
ticular men." This building stood a few rods north or northeast from 
the meeting hou.se and remained well within the present century. It 
was adorned with the usual collection of autographs of its pupils 
■common to that day. 



260 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

The ecclesiastical society continued to appoint the school com' 
mittees down to 1796. In that year a school society was formed for 
the separate maintenance of educational privileges. Eight districts 
had been previously organized and each was supervised by a com- 
mittee man. Two years later (1798) the first board of school visitors 
was appointed. In 1820 a local commission re-arranged the boundaries 
of some of the districts, .substantially the same as to-day. In 1841 the 
Fifth district began to decline in point of numbers. It is now prac- 
tically abolished. The first public examination of candidates for 
teachers was held in 1850. In 1855 the school society came to an end 
and the powers heretofore vested in it were transferred to the districts. 
The latter plan has remained in force to the present day. The various 
buildings are in good order and well supplied with the modern helps 
to education. The most notable instance of progress has occurred m 
the Fourth district (Center) when the old red school house alluded to 
above as " built by particular men " was demolished. Its successor 
was a small brick structure now standing a few feet south of the 
Congregational church. For years it furnished ample accommoda- 
tions but as the district increased following the war, it became out- 
grown. A later attempt to provide more suitable quarters was 
vigorously opposed by the conservative element and killed. It 
was not until the board of education threatened to withold the public 
funds that the district was brought to terms. A lot was purchased 
at a considerable sum and the matter rested again. 

In 1887 it was resolved to open the struggle once more and force 
it to an issue. The chief opponent was now dead, the large enu- 
meration of the school children was an unanswerable argument, and by 
degrees former objections became overcome. A building committee 
was chosen as follows: Maltby Fowler, Edward L. Linsley, Sheldon 
B. Thorpe. Solomon F. Linsley, F. Hayden Todd. The sum of $8,000 
was appropriated and the committee authorized to commence at once. 
The building was designed for four departments and a capacity of 
200 pupils. It was completed in the summer of 1888, at a total cost of 
$8,640, and opened for use in the fall of that year. Additional features 
and improvements have raised its outlay to near $6,000. Three 
departments, with considerably over one hundred pupils, are main- 
tained in it with all the features of a graded school. 

The town was not without its academy in the days when such 
institutions were common. Among the teachers of this higher .school, 
were: Luzerne Ray; William Hartley, 18;!2; Reverend Orson Cowles, 
1885-6; Reverend Samuel Noyes, 1837-8; Reverend Ammi Lin.sley; 
Oswin Hart Doolittle. 1845; Henry D. Smith, 1846-7; Leander Cook; 
Sereno Smith; F. C. Selden; Reverend Mr. Baldwin. About 1850 a new 
brick-academy was built. In this, Messrs. Dodge, Dimock, Lin.sley, 
Niles, Tucker, Little and others taught until the patronage was in- 
sufficient to sustain it longfer. 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 261 

In 1781, the parish, following the example of similar bodies in the 
state, made an attempt to secure incorporation as a town. A futile 
trial had been made 22 3'ears before, but was rejected by the 
general assembly. It was in contemplation at this time to unite 
the parishes of Mount Carmel and North Haven. The mother 
town of New Haven, beginning to feel the burden of caring for 
her distant possessions, was somewhat clamorous for separation. 
Altogether it seemed an opportune time, and February 1st, 1781, 
at an ecclesiastical society meeting a committee was chosen to 
confer with jMount Carmel. In December of that year, also at 
New Haven, a committee was raised to prepare a plan for the 
division of the town. This latter committee reported January 6th, 
1782, "that the parishes of North Haven and Alount Carmel be made 
into a separate and distinct town." The two parishes endorsed the 
report a few days later, a memorial to the general assembl}^ was pre- 
pared and presented at the following May session, but for some reason 
the plan was negatived. 

They waited four years and in February, 1785, resolved to attempt 
it again on the same plan as before, but with the added determination 
that if neither Mount Carmel or Northford parishes would join with 
them, they would fight it out alone. On the latter basis they went to 
Hartford at the May session, 1786, by Thomas Mansfield, their agent. 
The petition was referred to the fall session and then granted October, 
1786. 

The charter directed that the first town meeting should be held on 
the second Tuesday of November at the meeting house, where such 
officers as were required by law were to be chosen. It appears that 
these appointees were but temporary and for the purpose of providing 
for a second town meeting in the following month of December, 
which was thereafter to be the date of the annual meeting. 

The first selectmen were Joseph Bradley, Ephraim Humaston and 
Samuel Mix. The first town clerk was Joseph Pierpont, and the first 
tax collector, Elias Beach. The total valuation of the first grand list 
was £1,941, 4s. 2d. The amount of the first tax laid was .^171, 2s. lOd. 

The following table shows the prosperity of the town by decades: 

Years. 
1786 
IT'.m 
1800 
1816 
1826 
1836 
1846 
1856 
1866 
1876 
1886 
1890 



Acres. 


Valuation U>r Taxatitm, 


8,848 


$7,947 00 


9,515 


31,074 24 


10,816 


21,920 70 


11,350 


30,975 28 


11,293 


17,363 89 


11,636 


19,434 04 


11,389 


17,851 44 


11,730 


20,807 65 


11,800 


722,-355 00 


11,620 


801,829 00 




792,840 00 



262 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

It will be seen from the above that the standard of value fluctuated 
to a wide degree during the above hundred vears. 

Directly following incorporation came the division of the personal 
estate owned in common with New Haven. Roads, bridges, town 
poor, taxes, etc., had to be adjusted. In all this, Joseph Pierpont was 
the leading spirit and the conservator of the new town's interests. 
He was the first representative to the general assembly in 1787, and 
continued for six terms thereafter. 

Under their new powers the people took on fresh life and enthu- 
siasm. All through the state towns were springing up and a 
certain rivalry existed among them to be well up on the front line. 
By the separation, taxes were reduced, greater privileges were secured, 
the interests of the land holders better conserved and a feeling of 
hopefulness and buoyancy was general throughout the community. 

The town records prior to IS.").") have been burned. Since that time 
the town clerks have been: 1856-7, Ezra Stiles; 1858-61, Nathan 
W. Brown; 1862-8, Stephen C. Gilbert; 1864, Isaac L. Stiles; 1865, 
Sheldon B. Thorpe; 1866-9, Nathan W. Brown; 1870-9, Stephen C. 
Ciilbert; 1880-4, Edward L. Linsley; 1885-90, L. Peet Tuttle. 

In the same period the first selectmen have been: 1856-7, Evelyn 
Blal-.eslee; 1858, Jared Bassett; 1859-60, Elihu J. Dickerman; 1861, Henry 
H. Stiles; 1862-3, Elizur C. Tuttle; 1864-5, Whitney Elliott; 1866-9, 
Henry H. Stiles; 1870, Elizur C. Tuttle; 1871-80, Andrew F. Austin; 
1881-4, Cvrus Cheney; 1885-6, R. T. Linsley; 1887, Whitney Elliott: 
1888, R. T. Linsley. 

There has not been shown a marked disposition by the people to 
beautify in a public manner any part of the town. The attempt occa- 
sionally made in communities to make some central point, usually the 
" village green," the object of especial attention was never imitated 
here. The "North Parish Green " was donated to " the neighbors " 
by Reverend James Pierpont, of New Haven, in 1714; in quantity it 
contained as the will says "8 or 10 acres." It is more than probable 
it was heavily wooded at that time, the ancient oaks still remaining 
on its highest part offering presumptive evidence to that effect. With 
the exception of clearing it and on one occasion rectifying its bounds, 
nothing was done to enhance its condition from the date of its gift to 
the year 1880, a period of 166 years. 

Perhaps one reason for this neglect lay in the disputed ownership 
of the tract, the First Ecclesia.stical Society and the town both claim- 
ing it. The space is too limited to admit the arguments each body 
adduced to prove its title. In its imsettled condition nothing was 
done — it was in sooth a " public common," a sunken highway trav- 
ersed its length diagonally and its surface was cut and furrowed in 
innumerable directions. Barren areas of sand showed here and 
there and it was a hissing and a by-word to the surrounding com- 
munities. 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEX COUNTY. 263 

Despairing of its condition ever being bettered, a few of the 
citizens living in thie near vicinity, willing to concede its oversight 
to the First Ecclesiastical Society, petitioned that body for a commis- 
sion to be raised to improve the public green. A special meeting was 
called December 20th, 1880, at which time a committee of five was 
chosen for the above purpose with the privilege of beginning work 
when the sum of SoOO had been raised to the satisfaction of the 
society's committee. The committee was made up as follows: Deacon 
Whitney Elliott, Sheldon B. Thorpe, Cullen B. Foote, Edward L. 
Linsley, John F. Barnes. Elliott resigned and Charles B. Smith 
was chosen to succeed him. The committee then organized with 
Thorpe as president, Lin.sley, secretary, and Foote, as treasurer. 
An appeal for funds was made and within sixty days something over 
$700 was secured. Work was begun; highways around the tract were 
laid out, trees were planted, the surface graded and temporarily 
enclosed, fertilizers were applied with scores of loads of clay, soil and 
ashes, and the entire area underwent a wholesome change. 

The extensive improvements, particularly in the drainage and 
highway work, which the town should have done at its own expense, 
made large inroads on the treasury. Local jealousies sprang up over 
the contested ownership as stated, and the funds dwindled. The 
work came to a standstill in 1888, and has not since been resumed. 
Enough improvement is apparent, however, to warrant the expenditure 
of the sum named. Should at any time the contemplated plan be 
carried out the result will be a country park second to none in the 
county. 

Previous to 1886 the town owned no public building. Its business 
had been transacted at the Academy Hall, as has been said, for about 
35 years, and previous to that at any convenient place. In 1885 the 
Veteran vSoldiers Association conceived that the time had arrived for 
the erection of a monument to their deceased comrades. Application 
was made to the town for an appropriation of one and one-half mills 
on the dollar, as provided by statute, on the grand list (a sum amount- 
ing to about $1,200), for .such purpose. This request was unanimously 
granted. Two thousand dollars was named as a suitable sum to raise 
and the veterans set themselves at work at once to secure it. This 
was in October, 1885. Opposition sprang up in an unexpected quarter 
from certain citizens, and a special town meeting was called early in 
November to repeal the former appropriation. The meeting failed 
of its object and the canvass went on during the winter. By spring 
it was seen the entire amount would be secured and the long dream 
of the veterans find its fulfillment. The opposition was again 
renewed, this time in the guise of a public building needed by the 
town. This project found favor in various directions and a second 
town meeting was called in February, 1886, for the repeal of the grant 
of 1885. The .scheme succeeded. The appropriation was withdrawn 



264 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 



fron. the veterans' plan and transferred to a project for a Memorial 
Hall to be erected at an expense not exceeding $.),() 0. 

The action of this meeting was final, and the budding soon com- 
menced. A committee of nine superintended its instruction. 
It was built from plans mainly prepared by Solomon F. Lmsle^ 
a local carpenter. Ornamental attractions were held in little 
favor, the design being to provide for space rather than effect. The 
first floor IS devoted to the Bradley Libi^r^^ and the various town 
offices The second floor is used entirely for a public hall. Ihe 
buildino- was erected and furnished af an expense of something over 
S8 ^^ Externally the words " 1886, Memorial Hall," and internally 

a marble slab beanng the names of those who fell during the civil 
war are all that indicate its memorial purpose. 

The Bradley Library Association is a chartered institution undei 
the 1 awf of the state.' It grew out of the legacy of Sl-000 from 
Honorable S. Leverrius Bradley, of Auburn, N. Y., a native of North 
Haven It was incorporated March 19th. 1884. Its rooms at first 
were at the house of Doctor Austin Lord, and until the completioir o 
Memorial Hall. By the most careful economy it has been made 
a m's self sustaining and has attained at the present time qmte 
reputable dimensions. Upwards of 2,000 volumes are - --f -- 
Its rooms are open two afternoons and evenings per week A small 
fee is charged for membership, also for transient books dia^n 
By a recent kgacy of the widow of Mr. Bradley, its founder, another 
$1,000 will be available in 1892. 

An event in which the town was specially interested was the 1 X.th 
anniversary of its incorporation, which °^^"^-^^^^^0^\°?f,^ .'Jf^J'f i 
The main features of this occasion were "an Old tolks concert, 
^ -Loan Exhibition," procession of the trades of the town, free 
dinner, public addres.ses, band concert and fireworks in the evening. 
The interest was something phenomenal. The entries for the loan 
exhibition rose to nearly one thousand, and three thousand persons 

were provided with dinner. 

A synopsis of the interests of the town, compiled from the grand 
list of 1890, shows the following: Population. 1.8.-^8; dwellings .3.M: 
stores, 0: manufactories, 27; cattle, 1,027; horses, 471; acres, ll,b37; 

valuation, $792,840. , 

The first mill of any kind within our present borders was erected 
on Pine brook, in the northwest corner of the town m the year 1.00 
It was a small .saw mill. The site of the old dam can be seen at 

^''^The'o-eneral development of manufacturing in the parish w.as slow 
Water power was depended upon, and there practically was but 
one stream (Muddy river) that could be utilized. This at one time 
was well dotted with mills. Doctor Ezra Stiles shows upon a rude 
map in 1761, seven in active operation-" two corne mills, two 



HISTORY OF XKW HAVEN COUNTY. 265 

fulling mills and three saw mills." On the East river in 1762, 
Aaron Day and others built a " corn mill," at the east end of 
Mansfield bridge. A saw mill was constructed upon the opposite 
side, managed at one time by Benjamin Bishop. In the year later 
Doctor Walter Monson built a grist mill upon the same stream at 
Ouinnipiac. One James Bradley, about 1720, had a fulling mill at 
"Smithtown," near the present Smith sawmill. About 1760 a ship- 
yard was established on the west bank of the East river, south of the 
bridge, which was maintained till after the year 1800. Here small 
seagoing craft were built. Some of them ventured as far as the 
West Indies. Of these was the " Hiram," commanded by one Cap- 
tain Davidson of ]\Iilford, lost at sea with her crew in 1796. 

Bog iron ore was dug in the swamps in the vicinity of " The Pool " 
previous to 1665, and taken to the " Iron Works " at East Haven. It 
was also carted to " Bogmine Wharf," a locality near the present 
Sackett's Point bridge, and there loaded on boats for the same 
destination. The owner of the land at this time was probably Rever- 
end James Pierpont, who possessed an immense tract of 800 or 1,000 
acres extending between the East and Muddy rivers. 

The hard wood lumber trade early in our history was the most 
extensive and thrifty of any of the pursuits of the settlers. Oak and 
whitewood were excliisively used, and the North Haven plains fur- 
nished both in abundance. The latter must have attained dimensions 
far beyond anything found in the town in later days, as seen in the 
inside finish of sundry " front rooms " in old dwellings. Here in 
some cases are found " panels " made of single boards measuring 
from 36 to 40 inches in width. Oak was the main building material; 
frames, floors, clapboards and shingles were wrought of it and none 
but the best quality was u.sed. Large quantities of it were exported 
from New Haven. 

The manufa;ture of brick began about 1720. The pioneer in this 
industry was Nathaniel Thorp, and the first yard was about 100 rods 
north of the present New Haven & Hartford railroad .station, and 
directly east of the track. Abraham Seeley, a Hollander, came next, 
locating first at Muddy river and afterward removing to near the 
present plant of Brockett & Todd. Later it was discovered that 
extensive clay beds underlaid large areas on both sides of the East 
river, and as brick was beginning to come into favor, as a building 
material, yards sprang up quickly all over the town. 

Among the earlier brick makers were Josiah Thomas, vSamuel 
Pierpont, Seth Blakeslee, Ebenezer Pierpont, Enoch Barnes, Joshua 
Thorp, Caleb Humaston, Jesse Andrews, Solomon Bradley, Titus 
Bradley, David Bradley, Jared Bradley and others. Later came John 
Gill, Orrin Todd, Isaac Stiles, Horace Stiles, Amasa Thorpe and 
others. Then followed Erus Bishop, Henry M. Blakeslee, Willis 
Hemingway, Samuel Culver, Alfred Ives, Eleazer Warner, Orrin 



266 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

Warner, J. AI. Mansfield, and lastly I. L. & H. H. Stiles, whose plant,, 
in 1891 under the name of I. L. Stiles & vSon, produces about 16,000,000 
bricks annually. The latter works are managed on an extended scale, 
employing about 150 men and 60 or more horses. Sewer and building 
brick are the only kinds manufactured. This and the yard of 
Brockett & Todd, with that of Thomas Cody at Montowese comprise 
all at present in the town. 

An extensive business in carriage parts (wooden work) at one time 
engaged attention. Smith Brothers. Edwin Clinton & Son, Alonzo 
Smith, John F. Barnes & Co., and others, have still interests in this 
branch. The latter establishment is situated on the old Aliddletown 
turnpike at the old cabinet and undertaking stand of Frederic Barnes. 
This business originated in 1806. The manufacture of choice wood- 
work in that day was carried on mostly by hand, and "apprentices" 
were common learning this trade. Mr. Barnes' establishment was 
noted for the number of apprentices it always had and the fine quality 
of its work. In 1870 extensive buildings were erected and the capacity 
for work much increased. 

At yuinnipiac is a valuable water power, but the buildings are the 
worse for age and wear. Formerly German silver spoons were made in 
large quantities there; at present Hotchkiss Brothers manufacture 
bolts and a small grist mill supplies the near community with grain. 

The first stock company of which any account is obtainable was 
the North Haven Academy Association, organized about 1850. The 
shares were $2;-) each but no record of the amount of stock is found. 
Its purpose was to provide better facilities for education, in fact to 
establish a high school. Such an in.stitution had already been in 
operation in the community for a number of years with a paying 
patronage, but never at a specific place or maintained except by 
transient enterprise. So far as can be learned the earliest "select 
school " was taught in the winter months over Joel Ray's store (now 
Stephen Gilbert's), at least 60 years ago, and among the earlier 
"Ma.sters" were Reverend Orson Cowles, Reverend Ammi Linsley, 
Honorable Henry D. Smith and others. The new academy was built 
of brick a few feet north of the Congregational church. Its second 
floor provided the first public hall in the village, and hither the 
town's business was transferred from the basement of the Conereea- 
tional church. 

For a few years a school was maintained with considerable success 
and then patronage declined. Many of the incorporators became 
restless and unloaded their holdings. The building finally passed 
into the hands of Alfred Linsley at a sacrifice. Attempts were made 
from time to time to revive school privileges but with no lasting 
result, and the structure was devoted to commercial purposes. It is 
now occupied by the 'i'uttle Brothers Printing Company. 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 267 

Following this came these organizations: 

2. Clinton Wallace & Co., September 29th, ISoS. Capital stock 
$28,000, Lyman Clinton, president. This company was formed for 
the manufacture of agricultural implements. A large two story 
wooden building was erected in the meadow, west of the track and a 
few rods north of the New Haven & Hartford railroad station. 
Business was carried on a few years in connection with the firm of 
David Clinton & .Son, but it does not appear that the venture brought 
its promoters any money. There were various changes of manage- 
ment, but through them all a constant shrinkage of business. It was 
finally shut down and the works practically abandoned. The la.st 
transaction in stock was January 12th, 1860. The building was 
destroyed by fire. 

3. The North Haven Brick Company, organized January 21st,^ 
1854. Capital stock $]:^, 000. Elihu Dickerman, first president. The 
issue of this company was disastrous. Its last transfer was March 
13th, 1856. 

4. The Warner, Mansfield & Stiles Brick Company, organized 
May 1st, 1854. Capital $18,000. J. M. Mansfield, first president. Last 
stock transfer May 13th. 1874, when it went into liquidation, 

5. Quinnipiac Paper Company, organized October 1st, 1869. Capital 
$30,000, John W, Bishop, first president. Factory on Quinnipiac 
river, near Wallingford line. Last statement inade January 1st, 1872. 

6. The U. S. Card Factory Company, organized April 12th, 1881. 
Capital $500. 

7. The North Haven Manufacturing Company, organized Novem- 
ber 27th, 1882. Capital $18,000. Manufacturers of tin spoons. 

8. The Tuttle Brothers Printing Company, organized April 19th, 
1886. Capital $6,000. Frederic C. Bradley, first president. Pub- 
lishers of cards of all varieties. 

Among the prominent industries of the town, and for a long time 
apparently the most successful, was the Clintonville Agricultural 
Works, This concern was founded by David Clinton previous to 1830. 
He first made fanning mills, at his house. Corn shellers, horse rakes 
and other machines were coming into notice, on which he made many 
radical improvements. In 1831 he united with Jude B. .Smith in the 
erection of a large manufactory at what was then known as the hamlet 
of Smithtown, since Clintonville. The main building was of brick 
with various additions, and the motive power, water brought from 
Muddy river. Clinton's implements became renowned. They met 
with ready sale through the country and were found wherever farms 
were worked. In 1850 Mr. Clinton associated his son Lyman with 
him under the name of D. Clinton & .Son, and the business was con- 
ducted more vigorously than ever. The works gave employment to 
a large number of hands and were continued until 1875, when they 
were sold to Carr & Hobson, of New York city. This firm managed 



268 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

them with spirit a few years, but in 1881 removed the plant to New 
Jersey. Thus was withdrawn from the community a business of over 
a half century standing, and one that doubtless in its day proved the 
most profitable of all. The transfer was unfortunate for its owners, 
as financial disaster overtook and scattered their resources. 

Amoncr the earlier manufactures was that of carriages by Captain 
Benajah Tuttle and Esquire Jacob Bassett. A factory 100 feet long 
built by them, formerly stood on the site of the Smith Brothers plant, 
and an extensive trade was developed. The destruction of the estab- 
lishment by fire broke up the business. The present brick factory 

was then erected. 

One Henry Martin made " locofoco matches " about 1840-4.5, near 

Mansfield's bridge. 

The following list covers nearly all the business interests of the 
town at date (spring of 1891): Groceries: Jo.seph Pierpont, Stephen G. 
Gilbert, George H. Cooper. Saw Mills: Doolittle Brothers, Lucius 
Smith, Hector W. Storrs. Origen C. Clinton. Brick yards: I. L. Stiles 
& Son, Brockett & Todd. Blacksmiths: Rowe S. Bradley, George B. 
Mao-innis. Carpenters: S. F. Linsley, R. T. Lmsley. Carriage part 
makers: Barnes & Co., Smith Brothers, W. H. Smith, Clinton & Son. 
Wao-on makers: Frederick Mansfield, George Gilbert. House painters: 
Zenas W. Mansfield, Vernone Stiles. Market men: Jared B. Bassett 
Dennis Tucker. Card works: S. S. Vibbert & Co., North Haven Card 
Company, The Tuttle Brothers Company, E. H. Pardee, F. L. Clinton. 
Manufacturers: North Haven Manufacturing Company. 

The capital of the before mentioned concerns, as a whole, is small, 
ranging from $m) to $50,000. The card companies employ ladies 
mos'tly In the latter line, the wholesale house of Vibbert & Co. is a 
model of busine,ss and neatness. Their business was establi.shed at 
Clintonville in 1875, and removed to the present plant m 1888, where 
a large building is occupied and several dozen people given employ- 
ment, r^r f 

The pioneer card printer in the town was Frederick L. Clinton, 
who beo-an in 1872, using the presses he had him.self made at Clinton- 
ville foundry. He was one of the first in the state to advertise the 
card printing business and has also been a pioneer in the use of 
improved machinery in this line of manufacture. He has a fi^nely 
equipped establishment at Clintonville, where the latest methods in 
card printing are employed. Large quantities of novelty goods are 
sent by the above firms to all parts of the Union. 

Nearly the entire number engaged in the foregoing businesses 
are located in the small villages of the town, three in number- 
North Haven, Clintonville and Montowese. The former is a station 
on the Hartford railroad, seven miles from New Haven, and has 
a pleasant location on both sides of the Quinnipiac. Here are the 
mam interests of the town, including Memorial Hall, the North Haven 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 269 

green. Congregational and Episcopal churches. Near the latter is the 
old Trumbull homestead. There are several hundred inhabitants, 
living in homes widely separated, which give the place a straggling 
though not unattractive appearance. The principal interest is the 
brick manufactory of I. L. Stiles & vSon, as well as several card print- 
ing shops. 

Montowese is a station on the Air Line railroad, four miles from 
New Haven, and contains several dozen buildings. Here are the 
Baptist church, the Montowese post office, established in 1872, and of 
which George H. Cooper is the postmaster. There are also several 
shops and grain and lumber mills. 

Northford station, on the Air Line railroad, is 7| miles from New 
Haven. Here is the Clintonville post office, David L. Clinton, post- 
master, the appointment being third class presidential, owing to heavy 
business, consequent upon the card printing establishments of this 
locality. Half a mile east is the village of Clintonville, formerly so 
active in manufacturing and still having several thrivino- industries. 
In addition there are a Union chapel and a dozen fine residences. 

"Sabbath Day houses" were regarded as necessary adjuncts to 
the meeting house. The earliest mention of these buildings occurs 
in 1753. They stood ou the west and south sides of " the green," on 
ground now covered by the Congregational church, the public school 
building and the private property of Henry D. Todd. Their con- 
struction was one story in height and not far from twelve feet square. 
Sometimes they were built "double," that is with a chimney in the 
middle, but oftener at one end. Occasionally accommodations for 
horses were provided in the rear. Among the early owners were The- 
ophilus Eaton, Abraham Bassett, Samuel Sackett, James Humaston, 
Joshua Barnes, Joel Barnes, Ezekiel Jacobs, Samuel Thorp, Isaac C. 
Stiles and Isaiah Brockett. The last disappeared from the vicinity 
of the green about 1850, but one still remains standing on the 
Deacon Byard Barnes estate, removed thither more than half a 
century ago. It was not strange to see them converted into temporary 
bar-rooms for the sale of liquor at " May musters " and on " general 
training days." 

North Haven had colored people held as slaves previous to and 
during the revolutionary war. In 1795 Joel Blakeslee manumitted 
his negro man " Ben," and in 1798 Samuel Hemingway freed his 
slaves " Dick and wife." Captain Peter Eastman also emancipated 
his slave " Jube " in 1801. There were others in the community who 
not only freed their property of this nature, but paid them wages and 
retained them to the end of life. 

The settlers early availed themselves of " fishing grounds " along 
the East river. In 1732 the first was " taken up " at " Andrews 
Point." After that came the record of " rights " at " The Elm Tree," 
" Duck Cove," " Mocking Hill," " Red Bank," " Sackett's Point," 



'270 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

" Newman's Point," " Bridge," " Ouinny," etc. Companie.s were 
formed who had " plants " at these places and the town defined how 
much length of river line their fishery shotild cover. These ancient 
"fish rights" were transferable by title and were bought and sold 
like real estate. They were more especially used to catch shad in the 
months of May and June. 

The taverns were of very much significance to the country people 
at least, of the eighteenth century. No well regulated place was sup- 
posed to be without one or more. The most famous in this com- 
munity was that known as the " Andrews Tavern," at the northwest 
•corner of the old green. It was established by Timothy Andrews 
about 1770. This gentleman journeyed to Vermont in 1788, and died 
there. His widow carried on the business but the place did not reach 
its highest renown until her son Jesse came to man's estate and 
assumed the title of landlord. This was in 1800. Jesse married 
Phila Humaston and under the management of the twain no country 
hostelry ever attained so wide a popularity. It was known through- 
out the state and the fame of it was carried by travellers to New 
York and Boston. Before the advent of railroads it was a very busy 
place. Teams and travellers were arriving and departing at all hours 
of the day and night. Balls, dinners, suppers, dancing schools, train- 
ings, courts, all sent their quotas there onlj^ to be entertained in the 
handsomest manner. Mr. and Mrs. Andrews remained in it until a 
little after 1830. At this time the sun of the country tavern had begun 
to wane. Railroads were threading the land and conditions of travel 
were changing. Among the successors of this worthy couple were 
Jesse, Jr., their son, Seymour Bradley, John Gill. John Farren and 
one Perkins. The completion of the New Haven & Hartford rail- 
road gave it its death blow as a public resort. 

No definite account of any resident physician can be obtained pre- 
vious to 1760. Tradition mentions one Doctor Hill shortly after 
1700, but the evidence as to residing in the parish is very meagre. 
Doctor Walter Monson came from New Haven and opened the 
practice of medicine in 1760. He was succeeded by Doctor Joseph 
Foote, 1790-1836. Then came Doctor Chauncey B. Foote and Doctor 
Anson Moody. These gentlemen gave way in turn to Doctor Austin 
Lord, 1849, and Doctor Roswell F. Stillman, 18;'51. The latter died in 
1879. In 1868 Doctor R. B. Goodyear, a native of the place, having 
graduated with distinction, commenced his practice here and is now 
the leading physician of the town. Doctor Lord is still living in the 
town, but not in active practice. 

The part borne by the town in the war of the revolution commends 
itself to the attention of every resident within its borders. The 
record is such, thanks to the care of Doctor Trumbull, that a nearly 
complete muster roll of all who bore arms in the support of inde- 
pendence has been ascertained. The news of the attack at Lexington 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 271 

Mass., reached New Haven Friday evening, April 21st, 1775. On 
Saturday, the 22d, men from the various militia companies, who 
could be spared, were informally hurried forward for the " relief of 
Boston." The first man in the parish to respond to the call was 
Abner Thorpe, living in the southeast part. He marched with the 
Branford men. The limits of this article forbid individual mention 
■except by name of the men who took part in this struggle. The fol- 
lowing list has been carefully prepared, with the years in which they 
served: Abner Thorpe, 1775-7; Abraham Bassett, 1775-6, died in the 
service; vSamuel Barnes, 1775-6; Joel Thorpe, 1775-7; Solomon Tuttle, 
1777-80; Jonathan Dayton, 1777; Thomas Barnes, 1776-7, died in ser- 
vice; Joshua Barnes, 1776-9, (Alarm list); Isaac Bishop, 1776, died in 
service; Zophar Jacobs, 1776-8, died in service; John Smith, 1777-9, 
(three years); Zealous Blakeslee, 1776-81. inclusive; Yale Todd, 1776-7; 
Ebenezer Mansfield, 1776-7; Eliada Sanford, 1776-9; Thomas Humas- 
ton, 1778-9, (alarm list); Justus Todd, 1777-9, died in service; Daniel 
.Sackett, 1778; Joy Bishop, 1778; Joel Brackett, 1775, (1779 alarm list); 
Caleb Blakeslee, 1777-81, inclusive; Jared Barnes, 1777; Gideon Todd, 
1777; Joel Sanford, 1780-2, killed in action; Jacob Thorpe, 1777-9, 
killed in action; Caleb Tuttle, 1777-80, inclusive; Jonathan Heaton, 
1776; Calvin Heaton, 1777; Jonathan Tuttle, 1776-7; William Tuttle, 
1776-7; Dimon Bradley, 1776-7; Jacob Hitchcock, 1776-7: Ebenezer 
Todd, 1776-7; Enos Brockett, 1777; Thomas Pierpont, 1775-7; John 
Pierpont, 1777; Reuben Tuttle, 1777; Enos Todd, 1777; Abel Tuttle, 
1777; Isaac Brockett, 1777; Caleb Thomas, 1777; Monson Brockett, 
1777; Jared Tuttle, 1777; Jared Hill, 1777: Jacob Brockett, 2d, 1777; 
Timothy Thorpe, 1777; Jared Blakeslee, 1777; Jesse Todd, 1777; 
Ezekiel Jacobs, 1777; Benjamin Bassett, 1777; John Brockett, 1777; 
David Bishop, 1777; Joseph Sperry, 1777; Solomon Jacobs, 1777; 
Stephen Ives, 1777; Levi Cooper, 1777; Jacob Brockett, 1776, captain 
in Colonel Douglass' Regiment; Thaddeus Todd, 1777; Peter East- 
man, 1775-7; Nathaniel Stacy, 1775, prisoner until 1779; Jonathan 
Ralph, 1777; Levi Ray, 1777; Thomas Cooper, 1777; Joseph Smith, 
1776; Noah Barnes, 1776; Nathaniel Dayton, 1776; William Sanford, 
1776; Moses Thorpe, 1776; Timothy Andrews, 1776; Jesse ^Blakeslee, 
1776; Phillip Daggett, 1776; Ephraim Humaston, 1776; Thomas Ives, 
1776; Giles Dayton, 1776; Charles Tuttle, 1776; Benjamin Trumbull, 
1775-7; Richard Mansfield, 1777; John Brockett, 1776. 

Though the terms of service of a majority of the foregoing men 
were brief, yet none the less were they loyal to the cause, and it is 
•with pride that it can be said, out of these, there was but one case of 
desertion. In estimating the patriotism of these men, let it be remem- 
bered there was but little of pomp and show in that day, little of the 
glamour and fascination that attends great bodies of armed men in 
modern times. The need of the hour and the duty of the man led 
«each hero to his place in the struggle, and of the fourscore souls who 



272 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

by turns followed the drum from Lexington to Yorktown, it is pleas- 
ant to know the blood they transmitted to their descendants was found 
again in the name of liberty on the fields of Antietam, Gettysburg, 
Petersburg, and all along the lines where the dread issues of rebellion 
were met and settled. 

The part borne b}' the town in the war of 1812 was comparatively 
an unimportant one. An alarm was raised in the spring of 1814, and 
again in September of that year. The latter was the most serious, 
when demand was made for the services of the following: Eneas 
Blakeslee, John Todd, Timothy Bassett, Samuel Cooper, Thomas 
Eaton, John GoodseU, Alfred Pierpont, Joel Pierpont, Augustus 
Munson, Ziba vShephard, Jesse Cooper, John Bas.sett, Levi Brockett, 
Joshua Dayton, Leverett Frost, Richard Mansfield, James Pierpont, 
Isaac Stiles, John Beach, Enoch Ray. 

These men belonged to the local militia companies and were 
"levied" or drafted. Their terms of service were short and with the 
exception of Blakeslee and Beach, it is doubtful if they ever saw- the 
enemy. Most of them eventually obtained pensions. The last ser- 
vivor was Levi Brockett, who died in 18S4. 

The first North Haven born boy to volunteer in the war of the 
rebellion was Henry F. Cowles, son of Reverend Orson and Eunice 
(Foote) Cowles, May 7th, ISHl. He was then living- at Norwich, Conn., 
and entered the Second Connecticut Infantry. The first resident 
young men to enlist were Walstein Goodyear and Leverett AI. Rogers, 
May 2Bd, 1861, both in the First Connecticut Heavy Artillery, Joseph 
O. Blair and John McCormick next followed in the Fifth Connecticut 
in July: Luzerne vS. Barnes and Alfred A. Howarth, in the Sixth 
Connecticut in September; Theodore Bradley, F. Wilber Goodyear, 
James E. Smith and Frederic G. Eaton, in the Seventh Connecticut, 
also in September; E. D. S. Goodyear, Oliver T. Smith and Edward 
L. Goodyear, in Tenth Connecticut in October. This closed the enlist- 
ments for 18G1. These were made without the stimulus of town 
bounty, and after careful deliberation. 
■ The first public flag raised in the town was in the Fifth district, 
April 24th, 18fiL The people of Montowese followed the example on 
June 26th, and the town at large on North Haven Green, August 28th. 

The first town meeting of the citizens to encourage volunteering 
was held in Academy Hall, August 4th, 18(i2. A committee was 
appointed and a bounty of $100 to each volunteer ordered paid. On 
the evening of the same day a second meeting was held at which 
(and the following day) thirty young men enrolled themselves as 
volunteers. The wildest enthusiasm prevailed. The first one to put 
down his name on this ever to be remembered evening was Jacob F. 
Linsley. who had previously enlisted in the First Connecticut Heavy 
Artillery, March, 18(;2, but on account of sickness had been discharged 
without .service. These thirty volunteers enlisted in the Fifteenth 



HISTORY (_)|-- NEW IIAVEX COUNTY. 273 

Connecticut, under Captain Henry H. Stiles, and went into camp a 
few days later. 

The next public meeting was held August 30th, at which time the 
town bounty was raised to $150 for any one who should enlist before 
-September loth. 1862. On October 21st, a third meeting was held, and 
later a fourth, at which an appropriation of $900 was made to fill the 
quota of the town. 

On March 8d, 1868. came the act of congress approving of a draft. 
The following- July another meeting was held, at which it was voted 
that every person drafted into the service of the United States who 
responded either personally or by substitute or paid the commutation 
fee of $300 .should be allowed $150 from the treasury and a sum not 
exceeding $5, 000 was .so appropriated. 

November 25th, 1864, the town again voted to pay such of its 
citizens as had volunteered or furnished substitutes since July 1st of 
that year, the sum of $200. This was the highest bounty offered. 
Under this act $2,400 was paid to twelve of its residents. 

The last meeting was held January 2d, 1865. At this time the 
selectmen were authorized to suspend the payment of bounties when 
in their judgment the quota was full. 

Great credit is due the town authorities in these trying years for 
their efforts to make the burden light upon the people. Deacon 
Whitney Elliott and Elizur C. Tuttle were most active in this 
direction. 

The first death in the four years struggle was that of Leverett M. 
Rogers, July 23d, 1861. The first death on the field was Joseph O. 
Blair, at Cedar Mountain, August 9th, 1862. The first pri-soner taken 
was F. Wilbur Goodyear, June 18th, 1864. 

The following roster of enlisted men is compiled from official 
sources and believed to be correct: Charles M. Barnes, 27th Conn. 
Infantry; Luzerne S. Barnes, (!th Conn. Infantry; Stuart Barnes. 15th 
Conn. Infantry; Hobart A. Bassett, 15th Conn. Infantry; Seth B. 
Bassett, 1st Conn. Heavy Art.; Joseph O. Blair, 5th Conn. Infantry; 
Julius Blakeslee, 1st Conn. Heavy Art.; Edgar S. Bradley, 15th Conn. 
Infantry; Henry E. Bradley, 15th Conn. Infantry; Ellsworth H. 
Bradley, General U. S. Service; Theodore Bradley, 7th Conn. Infantry; 
Charles A. Brockett, loth Conn. Infantry; Eli I. Brockett, loth Conn. 
Infantry; George E. Brockett, 27th Conn. Infantry; Horace Brockett, 
27th Conn. Infantry; James H. Brockett, 15th Conn. Infantry; William 
E. Brockett, 15th Conn. Infantry; Edmond Burke, 15th Conn. Infantry; 
Elbert C. Clarke, Naval Service; Thomas J Cleary, 15th Conn. 
Infantry; Harvey E. Cooper, 15th Conn. Infantry; Edward O. Cowles, 
loth Conn. Infantry; Henry F. Cowles, 18th Conn. Infantry; Henry 
Culver, 15th Conn. Infantry; Lsaac L. Doolittle, 15th Conn. Infantry; 
Jesse T. Doolittle, 15th Conn. Infantry; Frederic G. Eaton, 7th Conn. 
17 



274 insTokv of new hanex county. 

Infantry; Alva Frost. l.'")th Conn. Infantry: E. D. vS. Goodyear, loth 
Conn. Infantry: Edward L. Goodyear, lOth Conn. Infantry: Wal.stein 
Goodyear, 1st Heavy Art.; F. Will)ur (Toodyear, 7th Conn. Infantry; 
Robert B. Goodyear, 'i7th Conn. Infantry; John P. Gilbert, 
99th N. Y. Infantry; Ru.ssell Hills, 15th Conn. Infantry: Henry C. 
Hart. l.-)th Conn. Infantry: Henry B. Hartley, l.")th Conn. Infantry; 
James Higgins, 15th Conn. Infantry: Harvey S. Hoadley. lOth Conn. 
Infantry; Walter P. Hovey, loth Conn. Infantry; William B. Hovey, 
loth Conn. Infantry: Alfred A. Howarth, 6th Conn. Infantry: Adolphus 
F. Hunie, 15th Conn. Infantry; Charles W. Jacobs, 1st Conn. Heav}- 
Art.: Marcus A. Jacobs. 10th Conn. Infantry; John T. Jacobs, 27th 
Conn. Infantry; Truman O. Judd, 27th Conn. Infantry: Adam Lamm, 
27th Conn. Infantry; Jacob F. Linsley. 15th Conn. Infantry; Samuel 
M. Linsley, 15th Conn. Infantry; Thomas O'Brien, 27th Conn. Infantry; 
Nathan A. Marks, 15th Conn. Infantry: George Morgan, 15th Conn. 
Infantry: Augustus G. Morse, 15th Conn. Infantry; William J. Morse, 
15th Conn. Infantry; John McCormick, 5th Conn. Infantry; William 
P. Phelps, 15th Conn. Infantry; Merwin E. P.almer, 15th Conn. Infantry: 
Nathan A. Palmer, 27th Conn. Infantry: Milton B. Pardee. 15th Conn. 
Infantry: Horace Riggs, 1st Conn. Heavy Art.: Riley A. Robinson, 
15th Conn. Infantry; Leverett M. Rogers, 1st Conn. Heavy Art.; Wil- 
liam A. Rogers. 15th Conn. Infantry: Elbert J. Smith. 27th Conn. 
Infantry; (ieorge W. Smith, 15th Conn. Infanti-y: Henry E. Smith. 
15th Conn. Infantry: James E. Smith, 7th Conn. Infantry; Merton L. 
Smith, 15th Conn. Infantry: Oliver T. Smith, 10th Conn. Infantry: 
Sanford B. Smith, 15th Conn. Infantry: Ezra L. Stiles, 13th N. Y. 
Cavalry; Henry H. Stiles, 15th Conn. Infantry: Edwin A. Thorpe, 15th 
Conn. Infantry; Rufus Thorpe, 15th Conn. Infantry: Sheldon B. 
Thorpe, 15th Conn. Infantry: Henry D. Todd, 27th Conn. Infantry: 
Kirtland Todd, 27th Conn. Infantry; Dennis W. Tucker, 27th Conn. 
Infantry: Henry F. Tuttle, 15th Conn. Infantry: Justus Voght. 27th 
Conn. Infantry; Horace Waters, Regular Army. 

Of these men Blair, Eaton, Hoadlev, McCormick and vSmith, were 
killed in action and buried on the field. Edgar Ellsworth and 
Theodore Bradley, the two Linsleys, Walstein Goodyear, Leverett 
Rogers, Hobart Ba.ssett, Pardee, Augustus G. Morse, Merton L. 
Smith, Culver, Clarke and Water.«, died of disease in service. I'. 
Wilbur (ioodyear, Alfred A. Howarth and Henry F. Cowles lan- 
guished in southern ]n-i.'ons. the latter making a successful e.scape 
therefrom. 

Politically, the town was democratic previous to the war of the 
rebellion; since then it has been mainly republican. In its history, 
for energy, integrity and worth, its sons have well borne their part 
along with the towns of the state to uphold the honor and dignity of 
the commonwealth. 



lIIsrORV OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 275 



BIOGRAPinCAI. SKETCHES. 



Andrew F. Austin, now 57 yeans of age, resides in North Haven, 
in which town he was born March 26th, 1884. His education was 
obtained from the common school. At the age of 17 he attended the 
vState Normal school for one term. When 18 years of age he com- 
menced teaching school and followed the same for 1 5 winters. Novem- 
ber 26th, 1857, he married Charlotte P., daughter of Horace and Lois 
P. Stiles. Their children are Frederick W. and Gardner E. Austin. 
When 25 years of age, Mr. Austin was elected justice of the peace, 
which office at the present writing he holds, having been trial justice 
for more than HO years. About the same year he was elected one of 
the board of school visitors, and held the office till 1889, having been 
acting school visitor for many years. In 1866, he was elected select- 
man, which office he held 14 years, and during 11 years of said time 
was elected and served as town agent. In 1880 he was employed as 
census enumerator in taking the 10th census of the 102d district, which 
then included his native town. In 1882 he represented his town in 
the legislature. His occupation, when not otherwi.se engaged, is that 
of a farmer, although he spends much time in adjusting difficulties, 
and in the settlement of estates. He is also employed in selling goods 
for Bradley & Co., of Syracuse, N. Y., and in selling fire and burglar 
safes for the Marvin Safe Company, of 265 Broadway, N. Y. His 
father, Joseph Austin, was born in Wallingford, Conn., April 28d, 
1803, and married Celia Foote of Northford, October 14th, 1829. They 
came to reside in North Haven. His death occurred October 14th, 
1854. The widow now survives him. Their children were: Andrew 
F.. Abner E. and Charles R. Abner E. resides in Meriden, and 
Charles R. died August 2Sth, 1851. 

Harley Bishop, son of Calvin and Rebecca (Stilson) Bishop, was 
born in W'oodbury, Conn., in 1797, and died in North Haven in 1872. 
He lived several years in New York state, and came from there in 
December, 1868, settling near his son Joseph E., who had bought a 
farm here two years previous. Mr. Bishop married Mary A. Moody, 
and had thirteen children. Six are now living: James L., Mary A., 
Janette M., Henry M., Joseph E. (who married Margaret Stuart, and 
has five children: Mary C, Walter H., Lucy M., Edwin S. and James 
S., who died), and Caroline E., now Mrs. Reverend E. L. Whitcombe. 

Lucius Brockett, born in 1817, is the only surviving child of Ben- 
jamin and Mabel (Blaksley) Brockett, grandson of Benjamin Brockett, 
and great-grand, son of John Brockett. Mr. Brockett is a farmer, own- 
ing the home.stead of his father and grandfather. He was two years 
selectman, and for several years had charge of the roads in the south 
part of the town. He married Bet.sey M., daughter of Edward and 
Millie (Baldwin) Linsley, and a granddaughter of Obed Lin.sley. 
Their children are: Melissa, Alice E. (Mrs. Wells C. Hoadley), and 



270 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

Mary J. (Mrs. James Moultoii), who died leaving one daughter, 
Mabel. Benjamin Bi-ockett, grandfather of Lucius, was in the revolu- 
tionar\' war. Mr. Brockett has in his pos.se.ssion a powder horn which 
belonged to his grandfather. The horn bears the following in.scrip- 
tion: " Beniamin Brockett. His Powder Horn Dated att North Hauen 
in the year 1753." The ox from which the powder horn was taken 
was killed and eaten in the revolutionary war. John Brockett lived 
west of the residence of Lucius Brockett. near the river. 

Wales W. Buckingham was born in 181<), in Oxford, Conn., and is 
the youngest son of Ebenezer and Olive (Woodruff) Buckingham. He 
has been a farmer in North Haven since 1848. He married Julia, 
daughter of Isaac Morgan. She died in 1860. Their children were: 
one that died in infancy; Harriet (Mrs. George Dickerman), Emma, 
Mary (Mrs. Lewis Dudley) and Henry W. 

Thomas Coady, born in 1844, in Ireland, is a son of Michael Coady. 
He came to North Haven from Ireland in 18o8, and from that time 
until 1807 was employed as a brickmaker. He botight the brick yard 
of Ami Culver in 1807, where he has carried on the business since 
that time. He now has a capacity of two million brick a year. 

George H. Cooper, born in 1849. is a son of Justus and Julia 
(Gorham ) Cooper, and grandson of Justus Cooper. He was a farmer 
until October, 1888, when he succeeded C. J. Hills in the store at 
Montowe.se, and he has increased the business to include a ftill line 
of groceries, besides flour, grain and feed. He has been the po.st- 
master since April, 1889. He married Be.ssie L., daughter of Henry 
M. and Betsey L. Coe, of Durham. Their two daughters are Mabel J. 
and Millie M. 

Elihu Dickerman, born in 180:2, in Hamden, is a .son of Enos and 
Mary (Todd) Dickerman, grandson of Enos, who was a revolutionary 
soldier. The latter was a son of Jonathan, who was a descendant 
from Thomas Dickerman. Mr. Dickerman is a farmer. He caine 
from Hamden to North Haven in 1848. He taught school 14 winters. 
was a surveyor several years, .selectman in Hamden and in North 
Haven, and was constable and justice several years. He married 
Sylvia, daughter of Justus Humiston. Their children were: Elihu J., 
Charles A. (decea.sed), and Elisabeth S. (Mrs. Hubert Barnes). Mr. 
Dickerman had in August, 1891, six grandchildren and four great- 
grandchildren living. 

I'^lihu J. Dickerman, born in J828 and died in 1872, was a .son of 
Elihu and Sylvia (Humiston) Dickerman. He was a farmer. He 
married Grace A., daughter of Zopher Blakeslee. She died in 1889. 
Their children are: Sarah A., William E.. Robert K., Grace E. and one 
that died, Julia M. Robert E. is a farmer on the homestead of his 
father. 

Jesse B. Good.sell, .son of John and Huldah (Bassett) Goodsell, was 
born in 1880. He is a lineal descendant from Thomas Goodsell, who 
•settled in ICast Haven in 1047. He is a farmer. He taught school a 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 277 

part of thirteen years, and was a member of the school board for 
several years, acting school visitor for ten years and sole acting visitor 
of the town four years. He is now (1890) filling his third term as 
selectman, and is also a justice of the peace. He married Charry E. 
Tucker, and has one son, Wilson E. 

Robert Beardsley Goodyear, M. D. — The ancestral home of the 
Goodyear family is in England, where their coat of arms is a partridge, 
holding in its beak three ears of wheat — their motto: " Possinit Quia 
Posse Videntur." Stephen Goodyear, the ancestor of the family in 
this country, was one of the founders and principal men of the New 
Haven colony. He was a merchant from London and was here a man 
of large business and active in public affairs. According to Doctor 
Bacon (Hist. Discourses) he had much to do with the civil govern- 
ment of the colony and was in the extent of his .services and qualifi- 
cations second only to Governor Eaton. He helped to organize the 
government of the colony and was the deputy governor until his death 
in London, in 1658. His first wife was one of the company which 
sailed from New Haven in 1646 in the ill-fated vessel whose loss at sea 
was revealed by the " phantom ship."-' He afterward married Mrs. 
Lamberton, the widow of the master of that unfortunate bark, and 
from this second marriage are descended all of the Goodyear family in 
this country — among them being, in a long line of descent, Bela Hub- 
bard Goodyear, who was married to Delia Ann Gill, and who was the 
father of the subject of this sketch. 

Robert Beardsley Goodyear, the fourth of their family of seven 
sons, was born in North Haven. November 4th, 1886. He received 
his early education principally in the public schools of his native 
town and Wallingford. He was next, for several years, a teacher in 
the public schools of North Haven and other towns in the state. At 
the breaking out of the civil war, in 1861, he was teaching a portion of 
his time, being also engaged in pursuing a preliminary course of study 
with a view of entering upon the practice of the medical profession. 
Four of his brothers had enlisted in the army for the defense of the 
Union, when he also volunteered his services. He was enrolled in 
September, 1862, in Company B, 'iTth Regiment, Conn. Volunteers, 
and was commissioned a sergeant. He .served with his regiment until 
the expiration of its term of service in July, 1863, and was in the 
battle of Fredericksburg, December 13th, 1862; at Chancellorsville 
May 1st, 2d, and 3d, 1863; he was captured and was a prisoner of war 
at Richmond about two weeks.+ 

*See account in General Chapter. 

+ Of the six brothers of Doctor Robert B. Goodyear all but the youngest, 
whose age did not permit him to volunteer, were in the army and held more or 
less prominent po.sitions, obtained by meritorious service. The eldest, Gen. E. 
D. S. Goodyear, raised a company of volunteers and was commissioned its cap- 
tain in the Tenth Regt., C. V. I. He was promoted to the rank of major, lieut. 
col. and colonel and brevetted general for gallantry in leading a charge on Port 



27S HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

Soon after his ret'.irn from the army he entered the jMedical School 
of Yale College, from which he finally graduated in January, 186S. In 
the meantime, he received the appointment of resident physician of the 
State Hospital at New Haven, in January, ISfio; the appointment of 
physician and surgeon of the Hartford Hospital, in January 1866; and 
supplied a vacancv in the Retreat for the Insane, at Hartford, under 
the late Doctor John vS. Butler, in 1867. After his graduation he became 
a general practitioner in North Haven and has since been successfully 
and extensively engaged in his profession in this and adjoining towns. 
He has also retained a warm interest in education, serving for a long 
time as a member of the town board and for ten years was acting 
school visitor. 

Doctor Goodyear was married. May 19th, 186U, to Jane, daughter 
of Norman Lyman, of Hartford, Conn. She died in March, 1878, 
leaving two children: Anna Lyman, born February 17th, 1874, and 
Robert Walstein, born January 9th, 1878. For his second and present 
wife, he married Ellen Maria, daughter of Stephen and Maria Good- 
year Hotchkiss, of New Haven, June 26th, 1884. 

Merwin E. Hemingway, born in 1831, is one of eight children of 
Augustus Hemingway, and a brother of Willis B. Mr. Hemingway 
is a farmer and market gardener. He married Mary, daughter of 
Medad Robinson. vShe died leaving three children: Walter M., 
Harry L. and Minnie A. His second marriage was with Fannie V., 
daughter of Grove Winchell. They have two sons: Louis R. and 
Clinton G. 

Willis B. Hemingway, born in 1820. is a son of Augustus and 
Juline (Blakeslee) Hemingway, and grandson of Samuel, whose father 
Samuel, was a son of John, and he a son of Samuel and Sarah (Cooper) 

Gregg, near Petersburg, in is(i,"i. in which he was severely wounded. He partici- 
pated in nearly all the engagements of his regiment in its service, from istii 
until the end of the war in ISO.T. He next served for 25 years as inspector of the 
New Haven custom house and is now living retired in North Haven. 

Simeon Eldridge, the second brother, was an independent commissary. He 
was captured at Winchester, Va., and was a jjrisoner several months. He died 
at Springfield, Mass., January 'J^d, 1890. 

Kdward L.. the third brother, enlisted as a musician in Company C, 10th Regt. 
C. \'. J., and gallantly assisted in the care of the wounded, serving until the sur- 
render of Lee in ISO."). He is now jiostmaster of tlic North Haven office. 

Walstein, the fourth brother, was the first of the family to enlist. He was a 
member of the Isl Conn. Heavy Artillery; was wounded at Malvern, in the 
Peninsular Campaign, taken prisoner and carried to Richmond; ])arolc(l and died 
from his wounds in the hospital at Philadelphia. 

Prancis Wilbur, the liftli brother, was in Company K. 7th Regt. C. \'. I.; was 
for several months a prisoner at Anderson ville and has never recovered from the 
efi^ects of his imprisonment at tli.a place. Returning to his command he was 
promoted to lieutenant and was with his company until the end of the war. 

The youngest brother, Stephen Kdgar, died beloved by all who knew him, 
NoveinlH-r '.'Uth, ls71. aged 24 years. 




^ ^#, 




/^^. 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 279 

Hemingway. Mr. Hemingway has been a farmer since 1865. He was 
a brick maker and school teacher previous to that time. He was 
assessor for about 20 years, selectman two terras, a member of the 
state board of equalization in 1868, and was in the house of represen- 
tatives in 1866-7. He married Betsey B., daughter of Jonathan B. 
Huntley, of Fair Haven. They have two sons: Frank W. and Edgar 
A., both married. 

Romania T. Linsley, born in 1832, is a son of Alfred and Polly 
(Frisby) Linsley, and grandson of Monson Linsley. He is a carpenter 
by trade, though he has spent a part of his life farming and handling 
timber and lumber. He has been six terms selectman and five years 
chairman of the board. He married Angeline B., daughter of John 
Pardee. They lost one daughter, Idora A. 

George ^lunson, oldest son of James and Abigail (Sackett) Munson, 
and grand.son of Jonathan Munson, was born in 181U. He is a farmer 
and mechanic. He was two years assessor, and four years selectman 
of North Haven. His father was a farmer, and died in 1858, aged 
TO years. He had five children, all of whom survive him: George, 
Olive, Eunice, Willis and Louisa. 

Burt H. Nichols, son of Wilbur and Harriet N. (Lewis) Nichols, 
and grandson of Samuel Nichols, was born in Minnesota in 1858. He 
is a farmer, also agent for fertilizers and farming utensils. He mar- 
ried Nellie H., daughter of George W. Smith. Their sons are: Herbert 
L. and Ralph W. Mr. Nichols' father was in the war of the rebellion 
15 months in the 2d Minne.sota Battery. He died in North Haven in 
1889, aged 62 years. 

Marvin Olmstead, born in 1815, in Wilton, Conn., is a son of Alden 
and Sally (Smith) Olmstead. He has been a farmer in North Haven 
.since 1867. He was in the late war nine months in Company H, 27th 
Connecticut Volunteers. He is a member of Harmony Lodge, No. 5, 
L O. O. F. He married .Sarah, daughter of William Beers. She died 
leaving one daughter, Margaret A. (Mrs. J. A. Munson). His present 
wife was Mrs. Abigail Andrews, daughter of Artemas Hitchcock. 
She had one son by her former marriage, Ambrose M. Andrews. 

Henry J. Pardee, born in 1829, is one of four children of John and 
Deborah (Todd) Pardee, grandson of John and great-grandson of John, 
whose father John, was the eldest son of George and Martha (Miles) 
Pardee, they having been married in 1650 by the governor. This 
George Pardee served five years as apprentice to Francis Brown, a 
tailor. Henry J. Pardee is a farmer, owning and occupying the home- 
stead where three generations have been farmers before him. He 
married Mrs. Louisa Davis, a daughter of Richard and Lola (Humiston) 
Blakeslee, and granddaughter of Captain Philamon, a son of Isaac 
Blakeslee. They have two children: Fannie A. (Mrs. T. H. Wallace) 
and Edwin H., who has been a card printer since 1876. He married 
in 1881, Lizzie M., daughter of Matthew M. Tvler of Fair Haven. 



280 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

Joseph Pierpont, born in 18r)3, is a son of Rufus and Harriet 
(Richards) Pierpont, and grandson of Daniel, whose father Joseph, 
was a son of Joseph Pierpont. Mr. Pierpont has been a merchant 
since lS7(i, having succeeded to the business which was establislred m 
LS48 by his father, who conducted it until his death, when his wife 
succeeded him, continuing until 1870. Mr. Pierpont married Hattie, 
daughter of AtwaterBrockett, and granddaughter of Bathuel Brockett. 
They have three children: (jrace G., Richards B. and Joseph, Jr. 

Hubert F. Potter, Ijorn in Hamden in 1857, is a son of Samuel F. 
and Martha E. (Pierpont) Potter, and grandson of Horace Potter. He 
graduated from Yale Business College in March, 1877. He is a farmer 
and market gardener on the farm where his father lived for six years 
prior to his death in 1874. Mr. Potter is a member of Corinthian 
Lodge, No. 108, F. & A. M., and in 1889 he was master of the County 
(irange. P. of H. He is now one of the school visitors and one of the 
town auditors. He married Katie A., daughter of John E. and Susan 
C. (Heaton) Brockett, granddaughter of Bethuel, a son of Eli, whose 
father Isaiah, was a son of John Brockett. They have one son, 
Walter F. 

Reverend Wh.liam Thomas Reynolds, the pastor of the Congre- 
gational Church of North Haven, is a descendant of the Reynolds 
family, which was among the first settlers of Wethersfleld, this state. 
His great-grandfather, James Re3'nolds, served in the French and In- 
dian wars and later as a soldier in the revolution was with the gallant 
(Tcneral Wooster, when he fell mortally wounded, at the battle of Dan- 
bur)-. Near the close of that war, in the spring of 1783, he removed to 
West Haven, which was his home until his death. May 8th, 1818. Of his 
family one of the sons, James Blakeslee, the grandfather of Reverend 
W. T. Reynolds, was born at Wethersfleld, April 27th, 17.')4, and died 
at 'West Haven, January 1st, 1834. His only son, James Reynolds, 3d, 
was born at that place January 27th, 1795. and was the father of him 
whose life is here sketched. He was a merchant and farmer and died 
in Orange, November 17th, 1862. His first -.'ife was Hetty, daughter 
of Deacon Ezra Smith, also of West Haven, whose only son to attain 
manhood was the Reverend W. T. Reynolds, born at West Haven, 
November 23d, 1823. 

^Vfter spending his boyhood on his father's farm, young William 
Thomas was prepared for college at the Episcopal Academy at Ches- 
hire and entered the freshman class of Vale in 1841. He graduated 
in 1845 and in the fall of that year entered the Theological vSeminary 
at Andover, Mass., but remained only one year. From 181(1 to 1848 
he pursued his studies in the seminary connected with ^'ale College, 
graduating the latter year. Poor health prevented him from at once 
entering upon the work of the ministry and he devoted several years 
to other duties, teaching in the academy at Adams, N. Y., in 1851. In 
October of the same year, he began to preach at the Congregational 



/ 




tj. .yZ^^-t^^^-yz-^i^-^ ^ 



HISTORY OF NEW IIAVEX COUNTY. 281 

church at Sherman. Chautauqua county, N. Y., where he was ordained 
as the pastor April '22d, 18o2. He continued in that capacity three 
years, when failing health compelled his return to his native home, 
where he remained one year and was much benefitted. 

In the springof lS.5(i he removed to Kiantone, Chautauqua coiinty, 
X. Y., where he was the minister of the Congregational church six 
3-ears. In 1862 he returned to West Haven in consequence of the 
death of his father and remained there until April, 1863, when he was 
invited to become acting pastor of the Congregational church of North 
Haven. In that relation he served six years when, in 1869. he was 
formally installed as the pastor. As such he has since continued, how 
well is attested by the uniform or increased prosperity of the church, 
in spite of the changes in population of the town. At different 
periods the membership was increased in consequence of special 
awakenings and the temporalities of the parish have been much im- 
proved. 

In 1879 Mr. Reynolds took a trip through European countries, in 
the company of his daughter, for the benefit of his health and return- 
ed much improved. His pastorate is one of the longest in the county 
and although confined to narrow limits has conduced to the general 
welfare of the community where he has so long resided. He has 
preached sermons which were published, and delivered a historical 
discourse, on the occasion of the first centennial celebration of the 
town's organization, October 21st, 1886, which has also been issued in 
pamphlet form. By his ministerial associates Mr. Reynolds is much 
esteemed and he has held responsible trusts and offices in ecclesiasti- 
cal associations, in this and other states. 

On the 18th of November, ISoO, Mr. Reynolds was married to Miss 
vSarah Maria Painter, the eldest daughter of Alexis and Thalia M. 
Painter. .She was born in Westfield, Mass., January 12th, 1827, but 
when eight years old her parents returned to their native place, West 
Haven, where the Painter family was among the first settlers. Thomas 
Painter, her grandfather, was a brave seaman and while fighting for 
the independence of the colonies, in the revolution, was taken prisoner 
and confined for a time on the old "Jersey " prison ship, where he suf- 
fered all the privations inflicted upon those there held in captivity. 
Five children came to bless the marriage of this couple, the two first 
born and the youngest dying in youth, namely: Julia, born June 14th, 
18.52, died December 2d, 1867: Sophia Eliza, born August 3d, 1853, 
died .September 22d, 18.-)4: and Mary Painter, born August 2-lth, 1862, 
died March 27th, 1868. 

The third child, Anna Maria, was born at Kiantone, N. Y., August 

12th, 1858. After being a student at Wellesley College a little more 

than a year, she traveled six months in Europe for her health, then 

■ remained on the continent to study French and German. She thus 

.spent .several years at Constance, Heidelberg, Berlin and Paris. Re- 



282 IIISTORV DF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

turning to this country she engaged in teaching at Nyack-on-the- 
Hudson, until 1887, when she entered into the service of the Young- 
Women's Christian Association. In that department of Christian 
effort she is now (1891 ) the state secretary of the Iowa association. 

James Bronson, the fourth child and only son, was also born at 
Kiantone, March 17th, 18G1. He graduated from the Hopkins Gram- 
mar .School in 1879 and from Yale in 1S84. He then went abroad for 
travel and study, one year, when he returned to Yale, where he began 
his theological studies in 188.'). He graduated in 1888, when he again 
went to Europe, in the interests of the International Committee of the 
Y. M. C. A., "to promote Christian fellowship between students in the 
Universities of Europe and America and to unite them together 
in helpful relations." He has thus labored in nearly all the European 
universities and his work in that capacity is .still successfully contin- 
ued, with Paris as his headquarters. 

Willard A. Robinson, born in 1848, is the youngest of eight chil- 
dren of Jesse and Bet.sey (Todd) Robinson, grandson of Harmon, and 
great-grandson of John, whose father John, was a son of Jacob Rob- 
inson. Mr. Robinson is a farmer. He was postmaster at Montowese 
for about lU years prior to April, 1889. He is a member of Adelphi 
Lodge, No. 63, F. & A. M. He married Georgiana, daughter of Zenas 
( ). and Lydia W. (Smith) Lombard. Their children are : Nellie E., 
-■\melia J., Herbert W., Merton A. and Je.sse G. 

-Samuel A. Sackett, born in 1824, is the youngest son of Daniel and 
Patta (Brockett) Sackett, grandson of Eli, and great-grandson of 
Samuel, whose father Joseph, was a son of John -Sackett. Mr. -Sackett 
is a mechanic. In company with three brothers he built an auger shop 
on the Five Mile brook in 1844, where they manufactured augers until 
1862, when the factory was converted into a saw mill and is now owned 
and run by Mr. Sackett. He first married ]SIrs. Betsey Blaksley, 
daughter of Zopher Jacobs. His present wife was Mrs. Delia ^Laria 
Culver, daughter of Zenas Young. 

Roswald J. -Shepherd, born in 18G2. is a son of Franklin, grandson 
of Ziba. and great-grandson of John Shepherd. His maternal ances- 
tors were: -Sarah M"., Jared', Joel", Titus', Titus', Joseph', Joseph', Rich- 
ard Mansfield'. Mr. Shepherd married in 1888 Louise N., daughter of 
-Solomon Linsley. They have one daughter, Margaret. 

Mrs. Sibyl -Smith, daughter of John and Chloe (Bishop) Barnes, 
married Jacob -Smith, who was born in 1788. and died in 1834. He wa.s 
the .son of Jacob Smith. They had three children: John S. and Robert, 
both deceased, and Marina —Mrs. Reverend Doctor Bennett of Guil- 
ford. She has one daughter —Mrs. Doctor Bishop. 

E/.R.\ -Stiles is one of the oldest and best known of the pres- 
ent citizens of North Haven. He was born July 20th. 1804. the .seventh 
of a family of eight children, and is the only surviving member, all the 
others Laura, Lucin:i, ICunice, Isaac (father of the present Isaac L.i, 





//r. 




fi-^^i^ 



HISTORY OF XEW HAVEN COUNTY. 283 

Zopher. Horace and Harvey — having deceased. He i.s a son of Isaac 
C. and Eunice ( Blakesleei .Stiles and a grandson of Isaac, born 1729, 
whose brother Ezra, born 1727, became president of Yale College. 
They were the sons of the Reverend Isaac Stiles, who was born in 
Windsor in 1697, and who became the pastor of the Congregational 
church of North Haven. ■■■' The Reverend Isaac was a grandson of 
John Stiles, born in England in 159'), who came to America in 1635 
and who died in Windsor in 1662. This descent places the family of 
Mr. Stiles among the very oldest of the state, in which this name has 
been ilhistrious in church'and civil affairs. 

In the early years of his life Ezra Stiles was a successful teacher 
in the public schools, but later became a brick maker, in which occu- 
pation he was very active. In later years much of his time was 
absorbed in public affairs, but for a long period he has lived retired. 
Since 1826 his home has been in the house built by the Reverend 
Doctor Trumbull, m 176.-), and which remains in a fine .state of pres- 
ervation, much as it was built by that well-known historian. On the 
exterior are the original clapboards, beaded, chamfered and fastened 
on with English wrotight nails. The famous study of Doctor Trum- 
bull, which also .served as his private school room, has been enlarged 
to form a chamber. The historic de.sk upon which he wrote his four 
thousand sermons, was detached from the wall and presented by Mr. 
Stiles to the New Haven Colony Historical Society, and it is preserved 
among its relics. 

Mr. Stiles was thrice married. His first wife, Esther Pierpont. 
died and there is no living i.ssue. To his second wife, Mary Bristol, 
two sons were born, one dying in youth, after the death of his mother; 
the other, Ezra L., born in 1844, is now a citizen of North Haven. He 
served in the rebellion as a member of the 13th New York Cavalry 
and, after the war, was for ten years a clerk in the adjutant general's 
office, of Connecticut. Mr. Stiles married his present wife, Frances 
E. John.son, in 1854. By this marriage there is one son, Arthur M., 
born in 1865, and now connected with the dry goods house of Jordan, 
Marsh & Co., of Boston. 

Since his youth Mr. Stiles has been a devoted churchman and a 
member of St. John's parish. He had a fine talent for music and early 
taught •' singing meetings " in the Episcopal .society, and led the first 
chanting in St. John's church. He also introduced that practice in 
St. Paul's church, Wallingford, in 1825. In his own parish he was the 
first to u.se musical instruments, to assist the service of song, and was 
the first organist of St. John's church. For thirty years he was the 
leader of the church choir. He served as parish clerk from 1843 until 
1875 and was a warden of the church from 1845 until 1884. In all 
things he has ever held the interests of St. John's parish warmly at 
heart. 

*See account of the Church. 



284 



HISTORV OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 



In politics Mr. Stiles has always been a ^--^^f'^^'/'^^^^X 
frequently received the votes of those belonging to o^hei paUies n 

his election to important ofaces. He was for many y--^^^ ^^^ 
clerk and treasurer and served a long term of years on ^^e board o 
education. In 1883 he was elected a selectman and served m a^l fou: 
terms in that office. He was a trial justice many >--^J^"^ ^^^ ap- 
pointed probate judge of the New Haven district. In ^^^^;^ ^ ^^ the 
member from North Haven in the state house of representatives and 
TheMlowing year he was honored by an election to the state senate. 
In both houses he made an honorable record. _ 

Ezra Stiles has been a prudent, methodical business man m his 
own and in public affairs. His nature is kind and genial -"d being 
blest with a good memory, he is an interesting membei of former 
venerations, and is much esteemed by all who know him for his worth 
ns a neio'hbor and a citizen. 

I "aw Lorenzo St.i.es. son of Isaac Stiles and Lois Cooper, was born 
at North Haven, Conn., June 2Sth. 1<S19. His grandfather was Isaac 
Clark Stiles and great-grandfather Reverend Isaac Stiles, pastor of 
'he CongiegationaT church. North Haven, 1724-1700. The latter gen- 
tleman ^as^he son of John and was born at Windsor. Conn., m 109.. 
The Stiles family is one of the oldest in the state. Of English origin 
the " passenger list " of the good ship " Christian '• mentions that eight 
persons of this name were brought m her to Boston, early in 10.34. 
Among them was Francis Stiles, who joined the expedition to Con- 
necticut, shortly after, and settled at Windsor. According « Savag 
he was a freeman there in 1040. Tradition avers that the ^^de of his 
son John was the first white woman to set foot on Connecticut .soil 
but as this honor is claimed by two other families at least, limited 

credence should be given it. ^i,,,.aptf>r 

Mr Stiles was born at a period when industry, good chaiactei, 
and .sound religious views were insisted upon as requisites of every 
young person. The first he learned on his fathers bnck yaid the 
second at the familv fireside, and the latter, by inheritance, trom that 
stubborn, though staunch old divine, his great-grandfather. He ob- 
tained but a limited education in the district school. A boy was _an 
indispensable acquisition on a brick yard and with the exception of a 
term m- two under the tuition of his uncle, Hon. Ezra utiles (see this 
volume) at the latter's house, which course supplemented a few briet 
vears in the " old red school hou.se on the green," he had no other ad- 



vantages. As .said, he was early put to work on his father s yaid 
drivino-the oxen on their weary round in the clay tempering pit, and 
frequently falling asleep at his post. At this o^^7^^!°."-^^f ""^^: 
ingLhe grew to manhood, becoming thoroughly familiar with ever> 

step in the proce.ss. .^ 

He married first Sophronia M. Blake.slee, I-ebruary lOth, 184 
Two children were born of this union: Isaac W .. a dentist m New 




(7 iZCt C 




il 



^. 



^^ 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 285 

Haven, and Frank L., associated with his father under the name of I. 
L. Stiles & Son. Mrs.vStiles died after a long and distressing s'ckness. 
November 17th, 1880. He married second, Mrs. Ellen (Rich) Dicker- 
man, October 23d, 1888. 

Mr. Stiles is one of the foremost supporters of St. John's church. 
He has held the office of senior warden since 1883, besides serving on 
numberless special committees of various nature. For many years 
he was a valuable member of the chtxrch choir. He is rarely absent 
from church service, and his liberality has often as.sisted the eccle- 
siastical society in emergencies. 

In politics he has always been a pronounced republican. In 1849 
he was placed upon the town ticket for selectman, and to the surprise 
of the opposite party was elected, the first whig on the board for many 
years. He represented the town in general assembly in 1854, 1884 and 
1885, and with such popularity that, in 1890. much against his wishes, 
he was prevailed upon to stand as senator for the Seventh district, but 
was beaten by local issues in the Naugatuck valley. This defeat was 
tempered, however, by the fact that he ran far in advance of his ticket, 
even exceeding the vote for governor in the district. His sound 
judgment, fairness and liberality, have made him sought for advice 
in a multitude of ways by his townsmen. It is the exercise of these 
same qualities in his business relations that has made his name hon- 
ored throughout a wide circle and brought financial success. From a 
few thousands of brick indifferently made half a century ago, he has 
seen the business grow to millions, and is now the oldest practical brick 
manufacturer in the town. 

Sheldon Brainerd Thorpe, son of Dennis and Elmina(Bassett) 
Thorpe, was born in North Haven, February 21st, 1838. He is in the 
eighth generation from William Thorpe, who came with the colony 
under Davenport to New Haven, in 1638. In English genealogy he 
traces his family line to the time of William the Conqueror, or about 
1060. His ancestor, Nathaniel Thorpe, in the second generation from 
William the colonist, was one of the first settlers of North Haven, in 
1670. 

Mr. Thorpe received his education in the poor district schools of 
that period and attended a few terms the academy at North Haven, 
walking four miles daily for that privilege. At the age of .sixteen he 
himself began to teach at Northford and " boarded around " among 
his patrons. The following winter he taught at Hamden Plains and 
later several years in his native town. August i)th, 1862, he enlisted 
in Company K, loth Connecticut Infantry; was promoted to second 
sergeant; served until after the battle of Fredericksburg, December, 
1862; was taken sick and discharged for disability May 1st, 1863. 

In 1865 he entered the employ of the H. & N. H. Railroad Com- 
pany, at Windsor Locks, Conn., and was with that corporation a couple 
of years. Later he was four years in the service of the Adams Ex- 



28(j HISTORY OF X?:\V HAVEN COUNTY. 

press Company. December 2.')th, 186.5. he married Isabel Jane Barnes, 
of North Haven, and they have two children — Gardiner Ellsworth and 
Arthur Barnes. In 1871 he returned to North Haven and built the fine- 
home since occupied by him and his family. 

Mr. Thorpe ca.st his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln 
and has since been an ardent republican. By that party he was hon- 
ored with an election to the state legislature for the .session of 1881. 
He has also held various town offices and for the past twenty years 
has been on the board of education. In ]8;")8 he united with the 
•Congregational church, in who.se welfare and that of the Sunday- 
school he has been warmly interested, serving four years as superin- 
tendent of the latter and since 1878 has been clerk of the Ecclesiasti- 
cal Society, besides holding many other positions in the church and 
parish. 

The life of Sheldon B. Thorpe is full of unceasing activity. He 
is a member of Trumbull Lodge, F. & A. M.; and of Admiral Foote 
Post, Ct. A. R. When the Connecticut Society of the Sons of the Ameri- 
can Revolution was formed, he was one of the charter members and the 
first two years managed that organization. He is a member of the 
New Haven Colony Historical .Society and a writer of good repute on 
historical subjects. After years of patient toil and research he has 
nearly completed for publication a history of his native town and is 
also prosecuting his work upon the genealogy of his ancestor William 
Thorpe and his descendants. The foregoing sketch of the town of 
North Haven is also from hi.s pen. 

FKA^'CIS Haydf.n Todd. — The Todd family is one of the oldest 
and best known in the town. Its members are direct descendants of 
Christopher Todd and Grace Middlebrook.early settlers at New Haven. 
Near the clo.se of the last century Joel Todd, the grandfather of the 
subject of this sketch, married Alabel Mansfield, daughter of Titus 
Mansfield, of Hamden, and settled on the Todd homestead, below the 
village of North Haven. Part of the original hou.se, built by them 
about 1795, still remains, and has been continuously occupied by three 
generations of the family. Joel Todd died in 18'i(), but his widow 
survived him until after LSHti. Their family, consisting of five chil- 
dren, were Dennis, Orrin, George, Salome and Caleb. Of the.se Orrin 
was born February 26th, 1800, and was married October 30th, 1828, to 
Aurelia, daughter of Jesse and Patience (Todd) Clinton, of Walling- 
ford. He lived on this homestead until his death December 8th, 
1889 — one of the oldest men of the town. His widow still survives, 
at the same place. They reared as children Francis Hayden, Grace 
Angeline (wife of Samuel Hale, of California), Henry Dennis, also of 
North Haven, and Mary Aurelia. who deceased in November, 1886, 
as the wife of Eli 1. Brockett. 

Francis Flayden Todd was born on this homestead, August 8th, 
1827, and has followed his grandfather and father in its occupancy. 




& ^. 



HISTORV OF NEW HAVEN COUNTV. 287 

He atiLMided the public and private schools of the town and like his 
ancestors adopted the life of a farmer, in which occupation he is en- 
terprising and progressive. He is a member of the North Haven 
Grange and a director of the successful Patrons' Mutual Fire Insurance 
Company, of Connecticut. IMr. Todd is not only a successful farmer 
but he has made an honorable record as a useful citizen in public 
affairs. Elected first as a grand juror in 1864, he has since, with the 
exception of two years, filled that office, and it has been to his efforts 
largely that the law and order of the town have been so well con- 
served. He is one of the oldest in that office in the county. 
In October, 1891, he was elected for the sixteenth time treasurer of 
North Haven and yearly disburses the several funds to the entire 
satisfaction of his fellow townsmen. In 1888 the republicans (of 
which party he has been a member since its organization) elected him 
as their representative in the state legislature and in that body he 
served with credit as a member of the committee on agriculture. He 
was also a selectman four terms and has held other public trusts which 
have made him one of the leading men of the town. 

On the first of January, 1855, Mr. Todd married Miss Elizabeth 
M. (xill, daughter of John Henry and Louisa (Tuttle) Gill, of North 
Haven, and they have reared three sons: George Henry, born October 
31st, 1861: John Hayden,born November 14th, 1866; William Handel, 
born March 5th, 1871. All are citizens of North Haven and the 
entire family are consistent members of the Congregational church. 

Henry D. Todd, son of Orrin, and grandson of Joel Todd, was born 
in 1832, and is a farmer. He served from September, 1862, until July, 
1868, in Company B, 27th Conn. Vol. He married Grace A., daughter 
of Bernard and Sarah A. fBishop") Hartley, and granddaughter of 
Henry Hartley. 

Edmund C. Warner, son of Rufus and Harriet (Dorman) Warner, 
and grandson of Isaac Warner, was born in 1840 in Hamden. He is a 
farmer, having moved to North Haven from Hamden in 1866. He 
has been selectman two terms. He married Vestina, daughter of Vinus 
Wooding. Their children are: Wilson H., Alice V., Herbert E., 
Elton W, L. Jane, and one daughter that died in infancy. 



CHAPTER VI. 



THE TOWN OF HAMDEN. 



Location and Natural Features. — Earl}- Agricultural InJu.stries. — The Early Settlers 
and their Descendants. — Population. — Civil Organization. — Town Poor. — Town 
Hall.^Town Clerks. — Public Thoroughfares — Manufacturirg Interests. — Hamlets. 
Post Offices, etc. — Masonic Lodge. — Schools. — Mt. Carniel Congregational Church. 
— Congregational Church in Whitneyville. — Grace Church (Protestant Ejiiscopal). — 
St. Mary"s Church (Roman Catholic). — Hamden Plains Methodist Ejiiscoiial C lunch. 
— The New Lebanon Mi.ssion. — Cemeteries. — AVater Works and Parks. — Biogrtphi- 
cal Sketches. 



THE town of Hamden is centrally situated in the county, lying- 
between the broad valley of the Ouinnipiac river on the east, 
and the West Rock range on the west, which separates it from 
Woodbridge and Bethany. On the north are the towns of Cheshire 
and Waliingford: east lies the town of North Haven, and on the south 
are the city and the town of New Haven, from which Hamden was 
cut off in 1786. The town thus has an approximate area of 82 square 
miles, being about eight miles from .south to north and from three to 
five miles in width. It is probable that the name was given in compli- 
ment to John Hampden, the English patriot, and in some of the early 
records and contemporary writings it so appears, instead of Hamden, 
which is more euphonious and more readily written. 

The borders of the town are mountainous or hilly, partaking of 
the characteristics of the foresfoine rang-es, which are a succession of 

o o o 

elevations, composed of trap rock and green .stone formation, the 
latter affording a splendid building stone. At the south end of the 
town the West Rock range is 380 feet high, increasing in elevation to 
600 feet, opposite the Blue hills, or Mt. Carmel, as this elevation is 
now most generally called. This varies from 600 to 800 feet in height, 
and overtops all the surrounding country. In one locality its contour 
re.sembles a huge man, in a recumbent position, hence it is al.so called 
the "Sleeping Giant." The we.stern descent of the main mountain 
is the most lofty and is almost precipitous, forming one of the most 
striking objects in the county. At its foot is a defile, separating it 
from the neighboring hill, which is called the "Steps," and thri)Ugh 
which the Mill river breaks its way, following in its general counse 
the East Rock ranges. Of this elevation the .southern bluff is 360 
feet high and Whitney's Peak, in the rear, is ."{(lO feet high. These 
outlying ranges have subordinate or projecting inward .spurs, Mill 



HISTflKV OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 289 

Rock, 225 feet high, stretching westward from East Rock, and Pine 
Rock, 271 feet high, extending eastward from West Rock. The main 
ranges received their names from their relative position to New Haven 
and the others from local circumstances. Between the last named 
hills and extending toward Mr. Carmel, is a comparatively level stretch 
of land, called Hamden plains. It undulates gently toward tidewater 
and is composed mainly of alluvial deposits, in many localities sand 
predominating. Environed as the town is by the foregoing hills, there 
is a most pleasing landscape, and in parts it is aLso picturesque. 

Mill river, with its affluent brooks, drains the eastern and central 
parts of the town, flowing through its entire length and having a slope 
of about fifteen feet per mile. After filling Whitney lake, it passes 
into New Haven, between the East Park and Mill Rock. Wilmot 
brook drains the western part of Hamden. taking the waters of Cran- 
berr}- lake and flowing into the West river, in the town of New Haven. 
Its course is between the West Rock and Pine Rock hill. These 
streams take the waters of numerous brooks, flowing from constant 
springs, Hamden being well favored in that respect. 

In the lower ranges of hills are fine quarries of building stone, of 
the green stone variety; and the trap rock has also been quarried for 
paving purposes. The more valuable minerals also abound to some 
extent, of which copper is the most abundant. It is probable that 
most of it was floated into the town during the glacial period. The 
finding of a large mass of copper, weighing about 90 pounds, in one 
of the Mt. Carmel hills by Josiah Todd while he was gathering wild 
fruit, soon after the revolution, encouraged the belief that the town 
had copper in large quantities and much time and means were spent 
in seeking for it. Many mining leases were executed and at the Tall- 
man mine, on Ridge hill, near the north line of the town, excavations 
of considerable extent were made. But in this, as in many other ca.ses, 
later than 1837 (about which time the first operations took place), 
there was not enough ore developed to pay the expenses of working. 
But little mining has been done since 1864. 

The soil of the town is variable but is adapted to the production 
of the ordinary crops, and agriculture was for many years the 
principal pursuit. It can usually be advantageously fertilized, and it is 
claimed that the menhaden fertilizing works of William D. Plall.in ISoO, 
were among the first of that nature in the Union. Its products were 
used with good effects in the town. In addition to the ordinary crops, 
attention has been paid to crops of special culture, tobacco being ex- 
tensively grown from 1804 to 1865; peaches prior to 1850 and on a 
limited scale since; cherries have been grown on an extensive scale 
and Cherry hill, on the West Rock range, derived its name from that 
fact. In that locality the peach was also very productive many years, 
but m later periods has suffered from the disea.se called "yellows." 
18 



290 HISTORY OF N'EW HAVEN COUNTY. 

In 177.") Benjamin Douglas,- a lawyer of New Haven, planted an 
orchard of 64 cherry trees near East Rock, all being of the grafted 
variety, which yielded fine crops many years. " 

In the period of the Moms Multicauliis excitement many mulberry 
trees were planted in the town, there being in 1836,according to J. W. 
Barber, more than one hundred acres in the town set aside for this 
purpose, and native silk was reeled and spun from the cocoons raised 
in the town. But as a permanent industry it never took an important 
place and was soon abandoned, the people of Hamden sharing the 
experience of other towns in this matter. In more recent years 
dairying has become an important industry, and considerable atten- 
tion is paid to improved stock. 

Hamden was settled by the colony of New Haven and was in- 
cluded in the Indian lands purchased for the colony by Reverend 
John Davenport and Theophilus Eaton, November 24th, 1638. Many 
evidences have been found that this was favorite ground for the In- 
dians, but in their own affairs or relations to the whites nothing of 
importance appears to have transpired. The Indians were peaceable 
and the whites mingled among them as hunters or grazed their cattle 
here long before it was permanently occupied by the planters of the 
colony To Jonathan Ivesf is given the credit of being one of the first 
white men to rear a home in the wilds of Central Hamden. In 1735 he 
first located on the bank of Mill river, not far from the locality called 
Ivesville, but afterward lived on the turnpike. When he came he was a 
single man but in 1837 married Thankful Cooper and of their eight chil- 
dren four were sons, one only of whom remained in the town — Jona- 
than, who remained on his father's place. This became known, in more 
recent times, as the Dickerman place. James Ives, who was born in 
Hamden, was the father of Elam Ives, also born in Hamden, about 
1762. The latter and his sons, Parsons, Jason, Elam, Henry and 
James, were among the foremost in developing the manufacturing in- 
terests of the town. The name is still honorably perpetuated in this 
and adjoining towns. 

Stephen Goodyear, who came to New Haven in 1638 and was 
chosen magistrate and was deputy governor from 1041 until his death 
in London, in 16.')S, was one of the foremost men of the colony. From 
him, it is said, descended all the Goodyears in America, and he was 
thus the ancestor of the numerous Goodyear family in Hamden. 
Among these were Asa, one of the first selectmen; Theophilus and 
Stephen, who held that office later; Asa, Jr., Titus, Jared and Eli, all 
of whom were admitted freemen prior to 1796. Charles Goodyear, 
the discoverer of vulcanizing rubber, was a son of Amasa Goodyear, 
of this line of descent, but not of Hamden. William B. Goodyear 
and Watson A. Goodyear, both of whom became distingui.sed in their 
avocations, are natives of the town. 

•Blake's Hamden, p. itO. fBlake's Hamden Centenary, p. S.")!!. 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 291' 

Among the planters of the colonj^ in 1689 were members of the 
Tuttle family, and one of the descendants, Nathaniel, born in 167C, 
settled at Tuttle"s bridge, on the Ouinnipiac. His fourth sou, also 
Nathaniel, born in 1714, married Mary Todd in 1737, and settled in 
Hamden. They were the parents of Jesse Tuttle, born in 17i59, who 
died in Hamden, in 1849, aged 90 years. He was the father of Am- 
brose, Jesse and Leverett Tuttle, all of them prominent in the town's 
affairs. The latter was the captain of the Hamden men in the war 
of 1812 and was the father of Judge Horace Tuttle, Lewis Tuttle. 
Henry Tuttle and Dennis Tuttle, some of whom attained more than 
ordinary distinction in the town, or in their new homes. This may. 
also be said of earlier generations of Tuttles, having among them 
Lyman, Levi, Asa, Amasa, Eli. Julius and Jesse S. 

The Todds were also early settlers and active in affairs, Christo- 
pher Todd owning the old colonial mill, at Mill Rock, many years. 
Asa Todd, born in 1723, was one of the Hamden soldiers killed when 
the British invaded New Haven, July .")th. 1779. His daughter Eliza- 
beth, who had married Captain Solomon Phipps in 1779, at this time 
fled to her ancestral home, on Cherry hill, taking with her in a chaise 
her young daughter Elizabeth, who married Captain Jonathan Mix in 
1800, and she long resided at that place in an old fashioned farm 
house, which was taken down in 1845. The only child of Captain 
and Mrs. Mix, married Elihu Blake, who built a new mansion on 
Cherry hill, and, it is said, so named that locality. Captain Jonathan 
Mix also served in the revolution, as captain of marines, and was im- 
prisoned in the Jersey prison ship. After the war he turned his 
attention to inventions and patented so many different kinds of carriage 
springs that he may be regarded as the father of that industry in 
America. The other Mix families in the town descended from Thomas 
Mix, who moved to Hamden before its incorporation and had sons 
named Benjamin, Zina and Stephen. The former was the father of 
Norris Bennett Mix, who has been very active m the later affairs of 
the town. 

In the southern part of the town settled Daniel Gilbert, a grandson 
of Deputy Governor Matthew Gilbert. He had five sons — Matthew, 
■Solomon, Caleb. Michael and John. The latter two were killed at the 
invasion of New Haven, by the British, July 5th, 1779. John Gilbert 
was at that time the captain of the Up-town militia company and when 
he received word that the British were coming up on the west side 
of the West river, to cross at Thompson's bridge, he rallied as many 
of his men as he could to intercept them. In an engagement that day 
five of his men were killed outright and Captain Gilbert himself was 
wounded. " Upon being ordered to .surrender by the British Captain 
Parker, whose troops confronted him, Captain Gilbert asked: ' Will 
you spare our lives?' ' No, you d— d rebel,' and ordered a soldier to 
shoot him. Captain Gilbert replied : ' We'll never surrender,' and 



202 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 



Shot Captain Parker so that he fell wounded from his horse. Lapta n 
Giller was then pierced with bayonets and his skull was broken with 
t he bu t of a cun ••- He was at that time nearly 48 years old and was 
th! father of %sse Gilbert, who was born in 1762 and died in 183 , 
leaving four sins who. with their descendants, were mainly the Gil- 
berts who figured m the affairs of Hamden. 

The Ba.ssetts'were also early settlers, John Bassett being one of 
the first, leaving a son James, who reared a large family. Of these 
two .sons, James and Timothy, were soldiers under Cap am John Cn - 
bert and were both wounded July ."^th, 1779, Timothy being eft for 
dead + He afterward lived on Shepherd's brook and suffered much 
all his life from his wound. In 1819 he built what was considered at 
that time the best house in the town. The followmg year he died^ 
His .son Tared, born in 1789, who afterward lived on this place, held 
many important town and state offices and was widely known as 
.. Squire " Bassett. He died in 1855, most highly respected by all. 

In the western part of the town lived the Allings, of wnom Caleb and 
Abraham took a keen interest m public affairs. The latter wa.s after- 
ward pastor of the Hamden Plains church. In the same locality and 
farther north were members of the Benham family, .some of the descend- 
ants still remaining. The Bradleys were more numerous, coming prob- 
ably from North Haven, where Major William Bradley settled very 
early in the history of the New Haven colony. In Hamden were, before 
1790 Alvan, jabez, Amasa. Levi, Eli, Jabez, Jr., and Daniel, Jr., some of 
whom were frequentlv called to hold public office. Of the later mem- 
bers David Bradley was ordained a Baptist clergyman m 1828, and 
frequentlv held meetings in the northwestern parts of the town. ^ __ 

The descendants of Deacon Lsaac Dickerman. of the " First Society 
of New Haven, were also early in the town, Samuel Dickerman, his 
son beino- a large farmer in Hamden. He had sons Lsaac, Samuel, 
Lames and Chauncey, some of whom became well-known. Another 
son of the Deacon Isaac, above noted, was Jonathan Dickerman, who 
was also a large land holder. His children were Enos, Jonathan, 
Hezekiah, Joel, Amos and Rebecca. From the.se have descended a 
long line of worthy citizens, many of them being at this time residents 

of Flamden. 

When the town was organized Simeon Brkstol was one ot the most 
active participants. He was a man of property and was a slave 
owner The familv became few in numbers and has passed away. 
So also, the Ford family, in its day, was very influential. 1 he, mas 
Leek ^>d a crrandson of Philip Leek, one of the early settlers ot New 
Haven, mack .some early improvements in Hamden, probably being 
amonc^ the fir.st to make a permanent home. Descendants remain. 
Russell Pierpont.born in 1763, succeeded Simeon Bristol as town clerk 
in 1801, and held the office until 1842. His ancestors were leading 
*Fr.mi Hamden Centenary, p. '^+8. tHamden Centenary, p. 23-1. 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 093 

men, the Reverend James Pierpont, pastor of the First New Haven 
church in 168.-), being one of the founders of Yale College. 

In the northwestern part of the town many members'' of the War 
ner family lived, .so that locality came to be called Warnertown 
Others of Hamden's early citizens, whom the town delio-hts to honor 
have been the Putnams, Whitings, Whitneys and families represented 
by the names of the members of the Seventeenth Company or Train 
Band of the Second Regiment, which was maintained in the territory 
now forming a part of Hamden, in 1770 and later. This list is compiled 
from Barber's " History of Connecticut," and some of the o-iven 
names appear missing: Captain, Stephen Ford; lieutenant "john 
Gilhs: ensign, Elisha Booth: clerk, Charles Ailing; drummers', Sam- 
uel Cooper, Hezekiah Tuttle; corporals, Caleb Ailing, Moses Gilbert 
Joseph Gilbert, Moses Ford; privates, Zadock Ailing, Amos Allin<r,' 

Medad Atwater, Abraham Ailing, Ebenezer , Bassett, ^ 

Ball, Bradley, Bas.sett, Timothy Cooper, Dan. Carrington, 

Hezekiah Dickerman, Jonathan Ford. Stephen Ford, Nathaniel Ford' 
Daniel Ford, Michael Gilbert, Gregson Gilbert, Lemuel Gilbert, Daniel 
Gilbert, Ebenezer M. Gilbert, John Gorham, Amos Gilbert, Sackett Gil- 
bert, Nathaniel Heaton, Jr., Hemberton, John Munson, John 

Manser, Jabez Munson, John Munson, Jr., Job Potter, Abel Potter, 
Timothy Potter, Levi Potter, Stephen Potter, Amos Potter, John Roe,' 
Abel Stockwell, Thos. Wm. Talmadge, Gordain Turner, Japhet Tuttle 
Josiah Talmadge, Israel Woodin, Silas Woodin. 

On the oth of July, 1779, this company was commanded by Captain 
John Gilbert and was engaged to repel the advance of the British upon 
New Haven, commanded by Major General Tryon, when six of its 
men were killed, namely. Captain John Gilbert, Michael Gilbert, 
Samuel Woodin, Silas Woodin, Joseph Dorman and Asa Todd. Most 
of them were cut off by a charge of grape shot, fired near the west 
end of Broadway, in the city of New Haven. 

The names of other prominent settlers appear in the following 
pages. In 1790, when the first census of the town was taken, there 
was a population of 1,422. In the next two decades there was a slow 
increa,se, followed by a diminished population in the next two decades. 
In 1840 the inhabitants numbered 1,797 and since that time, each 
census shows a healthy increase. In 1880 the population was 3,408, 
and in 1890 3,8S2. 

Hamden was incorporated as a town by the May, 1786, general 
assembly, to embrace the parish of Mount Carmel and the district of 
the 17th Military Company of the Second Regiment of the state 
militia, both being parts of the town of New Haven. Provision was 
made to give the inhabitants of the new town privilege, on equal 
terms with the inhabitants of the old town, " to catch Fish, Oysters, 
Clams and .Shells within the bounds of said New Haven"; and, 
on the other hand, the inhabitants of New Haven were not to be 



294 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

hindered "from getting vStone from the East and West Rocks as 
usual." 

The bounds of the Military Company began "at the foot of the 
long bridge (so called) from thence a straight line to the dwelling 
house owned by Mr. Hezekiah Sabin, now in possession of George 
Peckham, thence on the north side of said house in a straight line to 
the southeast corner of the farm lately owned by Capt. John Hub- 
bard, deceased, thence in the line of said farm to the top of the West 
Rock, thence on said Rock northerly to the southeast corner of Wood- 
bridge, thence in the line of said Woodbridge to the southwest corner 
of Mount Carmel vSociety, thence in the south line of said Society to 
North Haven line, thence upon said line to the East River, thence 
along the middle of said River to the first mentioned corner." 

The bounds of the parish of Mount Carmel, as finally fixed by the 
assembly, in October, ITfiS, were as follows: "Beginning at the south- 
east corner at the mouth of Shepherd's Brook, where said brook falls 
into the Mill River; thence running westward a parallel line with the 
line on the south side of the half division, so called, unto the east line 
of the parish of Amity: thence northward in said line to Wallingford 
bounds, and to extend northward from the first mentioned bounds by 
said river, being the west line of North Haven Parish bounds, until 
it comes to the south side of James Ives's farm, and to run eastwardly 
a parallel line with the south line of .said James Ives's farm, until 
it comes to a highway four rods wide; thence north by said highway 
unto Ithamar Todd's farm, including said farm within the limits of 
said Parish, and thence to the Blue Hills, so called, and to run east- 
wardly by a highwa}' four rods wide, that is, by the southward side 
of the Blue Hill land, so called, until it comes to a highway six rods 
wide, that runs northwardly by the east side of Lt. Blacksley's house, 
to run by said highway until it comes north of the widow Todd's 
dwelling house, thence eastwardly on the southward side of the said 
Blue Hill until it comes to Wallingford bounds, at the east end of said 
hill, and thence westwardly, in the north side line of New Ha\-en 
bounds into said Amity line." 

These divisions will be recognized as constituting the southern and 
the northern parts of the present town. 

The first town meeting was held on the third Tuesday of June, 
1786, and Simeon Bri.stol moderated. He was also appointed town 
clerk and was one of the first selectmen. His associates on that board 
were John Hubbard, Asa Goodyear, Samuel Dickerman, Moses Gil- 
bert. Other town officers elected were as follows : Constables, Sam- 
uel Humiston, George A. Bristol; listers, Samuel Bellamy, Jonathan 
Ives, Jr., Benjamin Gaylord, Jr., Stephen Goodyear, Job Todd, Medad 
Atwater, Abraham Ailing, Stephen Todd, Samuel Humiston. Ben- 
jamin Wooding, Joel Goodyear; grand jurors, Samuel Atwater, Jr., 
James Bas.sett. Jr., Amos Peck, Alvin Bradley: tything men, Sackett 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 295 

Gilbert, Daniel Talmadge, Jr., Calvin Mallory, Elisha Atwater; sur- 
veyors of highway, Samuel Humiston, John Hubbard, Thomas Mix, 
Joel Ford, Samuel Dorman, Amos Bradley, Caleb Doolittle, Hezekiah 
Bassett, Medad Ailing, Joseph Johnson; fence viewers, Jonathan 
Dickerman, Stephen Ford; sealers of leather, Joseph Benham, Joel 
Hough; sealers of weights and measures, Daniel Bradley, Eli Brad- 
ley; key keepers, Timothy Potter, Asa Goodyear, Ebenezer Beach, 
Caleb Ailing, Benjamin Gaylord, Jr. Simeon Bristol, John Hubbard, 
Thomas Goodyear, Isaac Dickerman and Elisha Booth were appointed 
a committee to divide the town stock, poor, etc., with the town of New 
Haven. 

Places for notification of public meetings were designated, at the 
sign post and two extreme taverns in the parish of Mount Carmel; 
and at one public house on the road at the East and West Farms or 
Plains. 

At the special meeting held November 16th, 1786. Doctor Eli.sha 
Chapman was chosen clerk pro tempore. George Augustus Bristol 
was appointed collector of taxes laid by the state on the list of 1785. 
The highways were divided into districts, and Jabez Bradley was 
chosen surveyor, in room of Amos Bradley, who refused to serve. 

At the first annual meeting held December llth, 1786, Jesse Good- 
year was chosen the first treasurer, a tax of 4 pence on the pound 
was voted to defray the expenses of the town for the ensuing year 
and John Hubbard was appointed collector, his pay to be/" 10 sterling 
money, out of the town treasury. 

In November, 1787, the town voted on the question of approval of 
the United States Constitution— yeas 5; nays 73. Theophilus Good- 
year was chosen to represent the town at the Hartford convention on 
this matter, to be holden in January next. 

In March, 1788, the town refused to grant liberty to Doctors Aaron 
and Jo.seph Eliot to set up a "Hospital for the purpose of Enocu- 
lation," at the dwelling of John Hubbard. 

In May, 1788, the town voted to oppose the memorial of Captain 
John Gill and others who wished to be annexed to the town of North 
Haven. 

The Woodbridge town line received attention in 1792, and the 
New Haven line in 1797, committees being appointed in each case to 
attend to the matter. 

Respecting the state constitution of 1818, the town favored the 
adoption of such an instrument and chose Russell Pierpont as its dele- 
gate to the convention. 

In 1821, "voted, that the .selectmen be requested to invite .some 
able physician to settle in this town." 

The poor of the town received early care. In 17'J5 the town voted 
that Simeon Bristol, Isaac Dickerman and Caleb Ailing join the 
selectmen in "devising a plan for the more easy and comfortable 



21J6 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

support of the town's poor," and to report at the next town meeting. 
No record of the same appears. After the custom of those times 
those who were likely to become public charges were warned to "de- 
part the town," and those who were really the care of the town were 
sold at a public outcry, under the direction of the selectmen. In such 
cases the buyer was placed under bonds that he would not abuse 
those placed under his care. December 11th, 1S15, "Voted, That if 
any person shall appear to bid off all of the afforesaid town poor for 
a le-ss sum than they shall amount to singly, they shall have the privi- 
lege: all under the care and direction of the selectmen." 

"Voted, That whoever shall bid off the whole of the town poor 
for the ensuing year, shall be required to give a bond with sureties to 
the selectmen, in the sum of Sl,.'5oO, conditioned that the poor, so bid 
off by liim, shall be provided and furnished with comfortable food, 
clothing, lodging and fire wood, during the time for which he under- 
takes to support them." 

Later more humane methods were adopted. As early as 1834, the 
question of providing an almshouse was agitated, but no definite ac- 
tion was taken until early in l.SjO. That year the Tuttle place was 
purchased and was used as a poor farm more than ten years. In 1861 
it was sold and the present poor farm occupied. This had been con- 
ditionall}' willed to the town by Enos Brooks, an esteemed citizen of 
the town, and was also subject to a life lease of his wife, Mrs. Roxana 
Brooks. By paying Mrs. Brooks an annual sum the town obtained 
unrestricted possession of the farm, and adapted it to its present use. 
The improvements cost more than $4,000, and the buildings so far 
have proven ample for the proper accommodation of the inmates, num- 
bering from ten to fifteen per year. The town farm which is in the 
extreme northern part of Hamden, consists of 118 acres and is valued 
at $5,750. The property other than real estate is valued at $2,084. 
The town expends for all classes of the poor over $3,000 per year, 
$1,700 being devoted to the inmates of the town asylum. 

The generous legacy of George Atwater, a citizen of Hamden, has 
provided a fund which has been placed in care of the trustees of the 
"Connecticut Hospital for Insane," for the benefit of the insane poor 
of the town. It is known as the Atwater Fund and originally 
amounted to $21,254.03. The proceeds afford fine relief and the 
act of Mr. Atwater merits commendation. 

The earlie-st action of the town in regard to a hall or town house 
was at a meeting January 7th, 1793, when it was " Vo:ed, that Theophi- 
lus Goodyear, -Simeon Bristol, Mo.ses Gilbert, Joshua Mun.son, Alvan 
Bradley and Samuel Bellamy, be a com'tee for the purpose of pro- 
curing subscriptions for building a Town House." There is no 
evidence that success attended their efforts, if they made any, and in 
1805 the matter of building a hall was again considered, but without 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEX COUNTY. 297 

definite results. Subsequent meetings were held at various places, 
usually in private halls. 

The first action in regard to the present fine hall was at a special 
town meeting held at Warner's Hall, January 2d, 1888, pursuant to a 
call for the same, signed by forty citizens. At this meeting it was 
decided to build a hall and William P. Blake, Henry Munson, G. S. 
Benham, L. H. Bassett and E. W. 'Potter were appointed a committee 
to confer with the .selectmen as to site, cost, etc. They reported, 
February 6th, 1888, and their report and suggestions were adopted by 
151 ayes to 122 nays; $1H,()0() was appropriated and J. E. Andrews, A. 
J. Doolittle and G. T. Benham were appointed a building committee. 
They adopted the plans prepared by architect D. R. Brown, of New 
Haven, which provided for a building one hundred feet in length by 
fifty and sixty feet in width. This would permit a town hall proper, 
50 by 7,0 feet, the room being one story high and elevated a few feet 
above the ground. An entrance was provided on the south side and 
also by means of a hallway through the front building. This is sixty 
feet wide and two stories high. In the lower part are the town offices, 
supplied with vaults, closets, etc.; in the upper story are the spacious 
hall and ante-rooms of Day Spring Lodge of Masons, fitted up, on a 
ten years' lease. The building is constructed of stone, brick and slate, 
with hard pine finish inside, substantial and most complete, and is 
in everyway attractive. It stands on one acre of land northwest of the 
principal streets at CenterviUe and cost complete about $15,(HiO. It was 
first publicly used at the general election Noveinber 6th, 1888, and 
was finished early in 1889. At this time the selectmen were John E. 
Andrews, William I. Munson and Edwin W. Potter. 

The town clerks of Hamden have been the following: 1786-1800, 
Simeon Bristol; 1801-41, Russell Pierpont; 1842-75, Leverett Hitch- 
cock; 1876-90, Ellsworth B. Cooper. 

It appears from the minutes of the general court that the first 
road or "common way," in what is now Hamden, was viewed as early 
as 1611, and probably did not extend further than the Plains. The 
best known of the highways is the old Cheshire road, which was laid 
out in 1686, as the Farmington road. Its course began " at the com- 
mon near the house of Jno. Johnson and continued where it is leading 
to the place called vShepherd's Plain, and so on to the end of the West 
woods and so forward to the end of our bounds and to be six rods 
wide." In 1722 the course of this road was again and more minutely 
described by a committee appointed by the town of New Haven. From 
their report it appears that the road had very much the same course 
as that which it has since retained. It is a natural thoroughfare of 
easy grades, on dry soil, and is readily worked. These conditions 
early permitted it to be put in good order, and it became popular a 
century and a half ago, and was for a long time the main road leading 
out of New Haven to Boston. Blake, in his History of Hamden, says, 



2J8 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

that it is probable that this road was the one used by Captain John 
Munson, who was granted in 1714, for seven years, the exchisive privi- 
lege to transport passengers and goods between Hartford and New 
Haven, making the round trip in a week, usually once a month. 

In 1786 the new town of Hamden divided the highways then exist- 
ing into districts and placed them in care of the surveyors already 
named. In December, 1787, a committee was appointed to "join the 
selectmen to view the places proposed by the inhabitants of the Plains 
and East Farms for the purpose of a highway," etc., and public roads 
in other parts of the town were located soon after. . 

In 1798 the Hartford and New Haven Turnpike Company was in- 
corporated and the road built by the company extended from New 
Haven along Whitney avenue and crossed the river at Whitneyville, 
later by means of the covered truss bridge, still in use at that place* 
Thence it passed northward, east of the lake. Until about 18.^)0 it was 
a very important thoroughfare and had a large amount of travel. At 
Whitneyville it was intersected by the road of the Cheshire Turn- 
pike Company, which was chartered in 1800 and whose course through 
much of its extent was along the old Cheshire road. Both turnpikes 
infringed more or less upon the old highways of the town and as a 
consequence opposition was awakened to such an extent that the 
citizens of the town were convened in a number of special meetings 
to protest and object against this encroachment. On the latter road, 
especially, a gate near Mt. Carmel meeting house was very objection- 
able and its removal was demanded by a meeting held in August, 1803. 
Failing to find relief, it was voted September 19th, 1803, to carry the 
matter to the general assembly and there have it righted. But as is 
usually the case in such affairs the corporations had the controlling in- 
fluence and the people finally dropped the subject. 

It is claimed that the covered bridge at Whitneyville was one of 
the first truss bridges built in the Union.* It was designed and con- 
structed about 1823 by Ithiel Town, an architect and civil engineer. 
The material is good oak plank and timbers so arranged, without 
framing, that all the strength is utilized. The total length is 114 feet, 
of which loo feet is in a .single span. There are 42 trusses on each 
side, the plank crossing each other at an angle of 80", and being four 
feet apart, center to center, the ends being attached to stringers. 
This secures a structure as strong at the top as at the bottom. When 
the Whitneyville dam was rai.sed it was moved to its present site, 
higher up the stream, the work being done by Eli Whitney after many 
engineers had pronounced the removal impracticable and very costly. 
He employed methods such as are in use now by building movers, 
and safely put this bridge in its new place for $250. It is still very 
substantial and may last a half a century longer. 

In recent years the town has cared for its roads and bridges in a 

^Blake's Hamden. p. Ui:!. 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 299 

liberal manner, the appropriations for these objects being from $5,000 
to $6,000 per year. 

In the period of canal building the town became interested in such 
a water way, which was for a number of years a considerable factor, 
as a means of communication. The Farmington Canal Company was 
chartered in 1822 and organized the following year. Judge Benjamin 
Wright, of New York, .surveyed the route. The work of construction 
began in 1825, under the supervision of James Hillhouse, with Davis 
Hurd as engineer and Henry Farnam as assistant. In that year and 
the following the canal through Hamden and Cheshire was built, fol- 
lowing in a general way the course of the Mill river and the old 
Che.shire road. In Hamden, especially in the Mt. Carmel region, the 
canal had considerable fall, which afforded water powers which were 
well utilized. The company experienced considerable financial diffi- 
culty before the enterprise was completed to the Connecticut river, in 
1835, the cost very much exceeding the estimate. A re-organization 
took place October 27th, 1835, the property passing under the control 
of the New Haven & Northampton Canal Company. Ere long the 
new corporation also found its funds exhausted and until its abandon- 
ment in 1847 the canal was operated at a loss. From 1840 to 1846 the 
city of New Haven rendered assistance by paying for the water it 
used, which aided the company materially, but in 1843 a violent flood 
damaged the canal to the amount of $20,000 and the other extraordi- 
nary repairs were so heavy that the company never reached a sound 
basis. 

The first boats that plied on the canal were small, the burthen not 
being more than 25 tons, and nothing but freight was carried. About 
1888 a line of gay packet boats was put on, which afforded accommo- 
dations for passengers, and the trip from New Haven to Northampton 
could be made in a little more than a day. 

In 1845 the attention of the owners of the canal was directed to 
the feasibility of building a railroad to take its place, and a .survey 
for that purpo.se was made. A charter for a railroad was secured in 
1846 and in January of the following year the work of construction 
was commenced, using as far as practicable, the tow path of the canal. 
In the course of another j^ear (January 18th, 1847) the road was com- 
pleted and opened to Plainville, a short distance beyond the limits of 
the county. Being built mainly upon the old canal course, this 
railroad has ever since been locally known as the " Canal railroad." 
In more recent years it has been properly .styled the Northampton 
Division of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad Company, 
and as such is thoroughly equipped and well managed. 

In the construction of the railroad several miles of the highway 
between Centerville and Mt. Carmel were used as the roadbed, much 
to the detriment of the travel on the same. In 1881 this part of the 
road was vacated and the railroad line constructed along the hillsides. 



'^00 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

in the western part of the Mill River valley. The town aided in thi.s 
work by appropriating $14,000 and secured as its benefits the unob- 
structed use of a very fine highway and a number of street cro.ssings 
above or below track grade. 

For many years the town had no station privileges afforded by 
the railroad, there being only an open platform at Ives's; but about 
fifteen years ago Mt. Carmel station was there established, with Riley 
Parmeter as agent. In 1S82 the station was transferred to the new 
buildings, completed that year, north of the Mt. Carmel meeting 
house, Elam J. Dickerman being the agent. These buildings are pleas- 
antly located and afford all the necessary accommodations. The old 
depot building is devoted to mercantile purposes. Half a mile from 
the village of Centerville the railroad maintains a flag station. Easy 
and convenient communication with New Haven is also afforded by a 
line of stages, running between the city, the Hamden villages and 
Cheshire. 

One of the first organized efforts in the town at transportation was 
the freight line established by Elam Ives, in the war of 1S12. He was 
a son of Jatries Ives and was bf)rn about 1702 in the town of Hamden. 
When but seventeen years of age he volunteered to defend New 
Haven against British attack. Again in the second struggle for 
American independence, when commerce by water was blockaded, he 
was equal to the emergency to provide for the transportation of goods 
from New Haven to Boston. He fitted up two wagons by using in 
each two cart wheels and two wagon wheels and putting on them a 
box body thirteen feet long, four feet wide and eighteen inches high, 
which was capable of carrying twice as much as an ordinary wagon. 
To each wagon were hitched two yokes of oxen and a horse for a 
leader and the teams were usually in charge of his sons, Parsons and 
Jason, twenty and fifteen years of age. Regular trips were made and 
a considerable c^uantity of valuable goods was carried until the coa.st- 
ing vessels again came into service. 

Manufacturing is one of the chief pursuits of the people of Ham- 
den and many have been engaged in its attendant occupations. " At 
the Beaver ponds and near West Rock, also at Mill Rock, on Mill 
river and at Mt. Carmel," mills were early established: and at the 
latter place al.so a fulling mill. •'■ The power of Mill river was first used, 
and at the lowest site, at Mill Rock. William Fowler built a grist mill 
in 1040, which he sold to New Haven colony for £hn). In 1059 Thomas 
Mitchell was the miller for the colonists, a position later held by 
Christopher Todd, who bought the mill before 1086, and it was long 
known by his name. The first dam was low, being but a few feet 
high, and the tide wa.shed to its ba.se. In 1798 this site was sold to Eli 
Whitney, by whom and his descendants it was subsequently much 
improved. Before this was done, there were within a mile of it, up 
*Blake's History of Hamden. 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 301 

> 
the stream, several other mill seats, which have by this new dam been 
submerged. A short distance above the present bridge was the Sabine 
mill pond, in which Mrs. Mary Edwards, the wife of Reverend Jona- 
than Edwards, of New Haven, was accidentally drowned in June, 
1782. She had been riding into the country, on horseback, and had 
stopped at the pond to allow her bea.st to drink, when it is supposed it 
waded into the pond beyond its depth and both the horse and rider 
were drowned. The sad event greatl}- excited the community and 
when Mrs. Edwards was buried in New Haven she was followed to 
the grave by the largest procession that had ever been seen in that 
town. This property was later known as Waite's mill. In the same 
locality was formerly a paper mill, in which cotton goods were also 
manufactured. A clock manufactory was nearer the bridge. 

The various improvements at Whitneyville have given that dam a 
fall of 35 feet; and the powers in the river above have, at Augerville, 
a fall of 8 feet: at the New Haven Web Company, 8i feet; at the 
Hall or Ives dam, 10 feet; at Beers' grist mill, 8 feet; at Clark's pond, 
8 feet; and at Mt. Carmel gap, 12 feet, the water of the pond being 
forced back but a little more than a quarter of a mile. Between the.se 
extreme dams the distance in an air line is about six miles. At the 
Mt. Carmel site there was in 1825, besides the carding and fulling 
mill, already noted, a good corn mill by James Wyles, who had, in 
connection, a dry kiln for preparing corn meal for Southern markets. 
About 3,000 pounds were thus prepared daily, in proper season, and 
carried in hogsheads holding 1,000 pounds, to New Haven, where 
they were loaded on vessels. These mills were also long known as 
Hunt's and Kimberley's. On the minor .streams small mills were 
useful in their day and served the local demand made on them. 

All the principal streams have been made to contribute to the 
water supply of the city of New Haven, the chief source being the 
Whitney dam. When it was acquired in 1798, by Eli Whitney, the 
dam was of logs and but six feet high. Now the overflow part is very 
nearly 35 feet high and the entire dam has a length of 500 feet. The 
cubic contents of the material in the dam are about 250,000 feet and 
the structure is one of the most complete of the kind in the country. 
One peculiarity of its construction is that the descending waters are 
thrown entirely away from the walls of the dam, upon a solid rock, 
by which means all jarring vibration is overcome, there being not .so 
much now as when the dam was only .six feet high, when the vibra- 
tion communicated to the buildings of the armory .sometimes inter- 
fered so much that operations on the fire arms were interrupted. 
The dam cost more than $1.50,000 and its construction involved, by 
reason of the overflow, the abandonment of twenty buildings, three 
bridges, farms, gardens and roads. Almost the entire appearance at 
Whitneyville was changed by this improvement. 

The life of Eli Whitnev and his connection with affairs in Ham- 



302 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

den afford matter for one of the most interesting narratives, but 
which must here be brieily noted. He was born at Westborough, 
Mass., December 8th, 1765, and imbibed from his father a love for 
mechanic pursuits. He followed this bent of his mind to the detri- 
inent of his education when a youth, but at the age of eighteen j^ears 
resolved to obtain a college education. In this purpose he was dis- 
couraged by his father, who thought his son was too old, but Eli was 
not deterred and finally his preferences prevailed. For five winters 
he taught school in Massachusetts, and with the small means thus 
secured obtained a preparatory education in Leicester Academy. In 
1789, at the age of 23 years, he entered the freshman class in Yale 
College and in due time graduated, with the intention of becoming a 
lawyer. Being in financial want he could not do so at once, but en- 
gaged to become a tutor in the family of a South Carolina gentleman, 
at 80 guineas a year. Leaving New Haven he .sailed for vSavannah, 
Georgia, in the company of Phineas Miller, Esq., and the widow of 
the late General Greene, who resided on a large plantation near that 
city. Accepting their invitation to tarry with them, before beginning 
his duties as a tutor, he noted the work on the plantation and saw 
how unproductive cotton growing was, by reason of the difficulty of 
separating the seed from the fiber — all the work being done by hand 
and a few pounds a day being all that a person could prepare. His 
inventive mind quickly conceived the idea of making a machine to do 
this work and being released from his engagement to teach in South 
Carolina, he secured the patronage of Mr. Miller and Mrs. Greene, 
and set himself to the task of building one in the basement room of 
the Greene mansion. By the close of the winter of 1793-4 it was 
practically completed and March 4th, 1794"' Eli Whitney, received 
a patent for his cotton gin- -a machine which was destined to revolu- 
tionize agriculture in the South and which increa.sed the lands of that 
section tenfold in value. Moreover, it gave an impetus to the system 
of American slavery, which now became exceedingl}' profitable; and 
was more than anything else the means of extending and perpetuat- 
ing it until it passed away amidst the throes of a civil war whose ob- 
ject in behalf of the system did not stop short of the dissolution of 
the Union of states. Infringements soon crowded upon Mr. Whit- 
ney's patent and "he had the mortification to see himself plundered 
of the benefits of his invention," on account of the defectiveness of 
the patent laws of that period. The cost of prosecution and main- 
taining his rights exceeded his returns from machines sold in the 
state of Georgia; but with the Carolinas he was able to contract on 
his patent .so that a small pittance w;as left him. 

It was while he was engaged in the work of building cotton gins 

*At tile first Centennial Celebraliun (it the town, eommemorated June ir)th, 
1880, the original model of the cotton g-jn, made by the inventor. Kli Whitney, 
was exhibited by his grandson, Kli Whitney, Jr. 



niSTORV OF XEW HAVEN COUNTY. 303 

for South Carolina, that Mr. Whitney returned to New Haven, where 
he later became interested in the water power at Mill Rock. He had. 
in this period, frequently visited Washington in the interest of his 
patent and had made a favorable impression upon President Jefferson 
and other officials of the national government, so that when he ap- 
plied for a contract to furnish a new supply of fire arms and offered 
to establish an armory to build the same, his propositions were treat- 
ed with favorable consideration. He secured a contract June 14th, 
1798, to build 10,000 stand of muskets, at $13.40, the whole to be 
completed inside of two years. For the faithful performance of this, 
a bond of $80,000 was exacted. 

"When we consider his extremely discouraging experience with 
the cotton gin, which he had about given up as an unprofitable ven- 
ture, and that he was now left with a very limited capital, we must 
greatly admire the spirit of enterprise which prompted him to make 
this new venture; and in view of the obstacles to be overcome it does 
not seem possible that he had fully estimated the difficulty of the un- 
dertaking. He had no works, no raw material collected, no skilled me- 
chanics to assist him, no great reputation as a manufacturer (being 
but six years out of college), with no reserve of capital on which he 
might draw — everything had to be created. But undaunted by what 
would appear as insurmountable obstacles to most persons, he began 
his labors in the future Whitneyville by an innovation upon the prevail- 
ing system of manufacture which should immortalize his name even 
more than the invention of the cotton gin. He established his 
armory and supplied it with machinery which took the place of hand 
labor, and in which instead of finishing one fire arm at a time, hun- 
dreds of interchangeable parts were made, each of which could be 
adapted to its place without reference to a particular musket. He 
was the pioneer of the so-called Uniformity system of working in 
factories, by means of which many complex operations are reduced 
to a series of simple processes, which need but to be faithfully 
followed to achieve the desired end." But to accomplish this he gave 
his works the most untiring attention, laboring with his own hands 
early and late, scarcely deeming it possible to be absent a single 
hour, and unstintingly supplemented his genius by his habits of in- 
dustry. With all this purpose and application he could not complete 
his contract in the specified time, and it required ten years instead of 
two to bring it to a successful finish. Yet ,so great was the confidence 
of the government in the success of his undertaking, that it made 
him liberal advances, so that on final settlement, Mr. Whitney's bal- 
ance was but $2,450. 

The system of manufacturing which Eli Whitney inaugurated 
and the improvements he made in the fire arms produced in his arm- 
ory, were recognized by the government and, in 1812, another con- 
tract was made with him for 15,000 stand of arms. He also contract- 



■^04 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

ed to build arms for the state of New York. How well he succeeded 
is attested by the letter of Governor Tompkins of that state, under 
date of May, 1814: " I have visited Mr. Whitney's establishment at New 
Haven and have no hesitation in saying that I consider it the most 
perfect I have ever .seen, and I believe it is well understood that few 
persons in this country .surpass Mr. Whitney in talents as a mechanic 
or in experience as a manufacturer of muskets. Those which he 
made for us are generally supposed to exceed in form and quality all 
the muskets either of foreign or domestic fabrication, belonging to 
the state, and are iiniversally preferred and selected by the most com- 
petent judges." 

Mr. Whitney continued his improvements until his death and was 
the first to use milling machines in the manufacture of arms. Many 
of the tools used in the most complete armories of the present time 
had their germs m those used in the Hamden works, more than half 
a century ago, and the best features of his system have been adopted 
at other armories under the tutorage of workmen trained by him. 

His work was not wholly limited to his mechanic pursuits but in 
various ways he left his impress upon the pages of the town's history, 
instituting improvements which have proved to be of great value. 
He died January yth, 182."), aged about 60 years, and his tomb, in the 
cemetery at New Haven bears the following epitaph: 

KLl WHITNEY 

" The Inventor of the Cotton Gin. 

Of Useful Science and Arts the efficient Patron and Improver. 

In the relations of life a model of excellence. 

While private affectii^ii weeps at liistomb, his coimtrv honors his memory." 

After the death of Eli Whitney, the armory remained in charge of 
his nephews, Eli Whitney Blake and Philo Blake until 1835 when, for 
seven years, the trustee of the Whitney estate. Ex-(jOvernor Edwards, 
managed it. In 1842 Eli Whitney, Jr., the only son of the founder of 
the armory, assumed the immediate control of it. and having im- 
proved the power and the machinery, commenced the manufacture of 
the then new rifle, of the " Harper's Ferry " pattern, in which he was 
very successful. He also possessed a mechanical genius of a high 
order, which he applied to the development of the armory, so that in 
18r)2 an atithority •■ on these matters wrote: " The Whitneyville Armory, 
property of the Whitney Arms Co., is now one of the largest in the 
United States. It is located near New Haven, in the state of Con- 
necticut, and has a capacity for employing over five hundred men, 
being supplied with all the modern improved machinery, and now 
under the control of the son and grandson of the founder, who have 
added many valuable improvements." 

.Since that account was written the plant and its equipments have 
been mucii improved, and arms equal to the best in the world have 

'General C. 15. Norton. 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 805 

been here manufactured. In 1S64 the Whitney Arms Company was 
chartered as an incorporated body by the legislature of the state, 
Eli Whitney being the president and principal stockholder of the 
company. Eli Whitney, Jr., long shared with his father the office of 
treasurer of the corporation and under their management this con- 
tinues to be the most extensive interest in the town, but from its 
location is also practically one of the industries of New Haven. 

The manufacture of carriage hardware and goods pertaining to 
the carriage trade is one of the oldest and has been one of the 
most important industries in the town. It is also claimed that 
in Hamden have originated several enteri^rises of this nature, 
which have been developed into vast interests in other locali- 
ties. To Captain Jonathan Mix, who was an occasional resident 
of Hamden, were granted letters patent in 1807, 1808 and 1811 for 
some of the first carriage springs in the country. But to Elam Ives, 
2d, must belong the credit of conceiving that the manufacture of 
goods other than the products of the ordinary mills, could be carried 
on successfully in the town. In the exemplification of that idea he 
spent much of his means about 1830 to erect a large factory building, 
near his house, below Mt. Carmel, and adapted it so that the waste 
water from the canal could be utilized to supply power. In this he 
was in a great measure successful, and his building was not long idle. 
Some time about 1833 he and other members of the Ives family — 
Parsons. Jason and Henry — fitted it up with machinery for making 
iron carriage axles. They used turning lathes and boring machinery 
of much the same pattern as are still used in modern establishments, 
and had one of the pioneer shops in America equipped in that manner. 
Until their products were placed on the market, nearly all the wagon 
axles were of wood, with iron skeins and fittings: and what few iron 
axles were used in America were wrought by hand, cumbersome in 
appearance and fitted to the wheel only after a vast amount of 
hand grinding and filing. The advantages of using axles such as the 
Ives Brothers manufactured were soon appreciated and resulted in a 
demand which gave the products of the Mt. Carmel Axle Works a 
wide sale and which has been continued to the present time. 

The works were operated at the Elam Ives place until abotrt 
the time the canal was abandoned, when they were removed to the 
site of the " Hunt " or " Kimberly '" mill, near the base of Mt. Carmel. 
which was improved to its new use. At that place the works have 
since been continued, but in 1890 the btijldings formerly occupied 
were not all in use. Upon the retirement of Henry Ives, his son 
Frederick became an active or managing partner, having as his as.so- 
ciate the present owner, Willis E. Miller, and operating as Ives & 
Miller. The latter was the inventor of an improved axle and the 
works have been supplied with proper machinery to manufacture them 
in the best manner, and to preserve the fine standard of the goods. 
19 



30G msroKv of \?;\v haven county. 

The manufacture of light carriage hardware in Hamden was begun 
in is: 55 by James Ives, .the youngest son of l^^lam Ives, the owner of 
the old axle works building, in which the new enterprise was also 
begun as the Mt. Carmel Brass Works. An earlier occupant here was 
Willis Churchill, who manufactured brass surgical instruments. 
Young Ives had been apprenticed to him, but when Churchill located 
at Augerville Ives began work on his own account and upon an entirely 
different line of goods, making brass hub bands, harness trimmings, 
etc. His wares were so much lighter and more attractive than the 
imported goods that they soon found favor, and his business prospered. 
In ]<S4'2 the brass works were removed to the Andrew Hall mill seat, 
on the river, half a mile east from the canal, which he had improved 
in ISUf). Not long after the removal the works were destroyed by 
fire, when much larger buildings were erected by James Ives & Co., 
George F. H. Read being associated with him as a silent partner. 
With these enlarged facilities, operations were carried on until ISof), 
when the Brass Company was succeeded by the Ives-Pardee Manu- 
facturing Company. The new corporation purchased the property of 
the defunct Malleable Iron Works, at the same water power, and also 
built a large brick brass foundry with twelve furnaces. But after a 
few years of prosperity reverses came and the company was bank- 
rupted. The propert}' now pas.sed to James Ives and J. A. Granniss 
and after nine years of hard labor, the reputation of the works was 
fully re-established. In 1871 the owners of the works were Ives, 
Woodiuff & Co., in 1883 Woodruff, Miller & Co.. and in 1888 Walter 
W. Woodruff & wSons — Arthur E. and Harry P. The works have a 
fine water power and the buildings are spacious and well arranged. 
Employment is given to '.)() men. 

More centrally located, in the village were the works of the Mt. 
Carmel Manufacturing Company, composed of Joseph Granniss, Ira 
Smith, Andrew .Smith and others, which were engaged in the manu- 
facture of small carriage malleables. A substantial brick building 
was occupied until the removal of that industry to Ansonia. In 1890 
this building and one formerly used by GrannLss & Russell, in the 
manufacture of patent carriage poles were idle. Close at hand were 
the works of the Mt. Carmel Bolt Company, organized in 1880, 
officered in 1890 by Willis E. Miller, president: Samuel J. Hayes, 
treasurer; and L. H. Bassett, superintendent. Edward P. McLane, the 
master mechanic, invented some of the machines used in the works, 
in the manufacture of tire bolts, rivets, nuts, etc., most of which are 
made of steel. The works are of brick, liaving a lineal measure of 
140 feet, and the motor is steam from a 100 horse power boiler. About 
fifty men are usually employed. 

Among the abandoned industries, in connection with the carriage 
trade, may be noted spring making, carried on many years ago by 
Charles Brockett and Augustus Dickerman. Many useful inventions 



HISTORY OF NEW HA\EN COUNTY. 307 

of carriage goods have also been made by citizens of Hamden, which 
cannot be here particularized. 

Less than a mile below Centerville, on the east bank of Mill river 
is a small manufacturing hamlet called Augerville, from the fact that 
it owes its existence to the production of boring tools, etc., in a factory 
at that place. The industry was established nearly half a century ago 
by Willis Churchill, who first worked on a small scale. In a few j-ears 
the three Churchill Brothers— J., N. and L. — succeeded him, but in 
1858 the Willis Churchill Manufacturing Company took charge of the 
works, which were largely extended by that corporation. In 1857 the 
Hamden Auger Compan}', of which W. A. Ives was the president, was 
formed and operated until March, 1863, when the interests pa.s.sed 
to W. A. Ives & Co., also a joint corporation, of which W. A. Ives 
was the managing head, until his death in 1888. That company was 
succeeded. May 11th. 1889, by the Hamden Manufacturing Company, 
a corporation with a capital of $50,000, and H. P. Shares, president; 
Charles I. Benham, secretary: and Jared Benham, treasurer and mana- 
ger. The plant embraces a roomy factory, having steam and water 
power, and is well located. vSixty men are employed and many kinds 
of boring tools and other goods are produced. 

The Candee Rubber Works of New Haven, had their beginning 
in Hamden. They were established at Centerville in the fall of 1843 
by the firm of L. Candee & Co., which was composed of Leverett 
Candee, Henry Hotchkiss and Julius Hotchkiss, having a capital of 
$6,000. Leverett Candee had been licensed the preceding year by 
Charles Goodyear to apply his discovery to the manufacture of rubber 
shoes, which he succeeded in doing so successfully that a new industry 
was assured, but not until after a few years' trial and distrust, on the 
part of the consumers. The first shoes were made on the buskin style 
and were placed with dealers for sale on commission. For some years 
the goods were affected by atmospheric changes and the rubber 
coating readily di.scolored, but by the application of an elastic varnish, 
which was originated in the Candee factory, that difficulty was over- 
come, with the result of an increased demand for the products. 
Another impetus was given to the business in 1848, when the validity 
of the Goodyear patent was established. It now became necessary to 
increase the capital and working capacity. The Hamden fac- 
tory was enlarged, but it soon became evident that it was too remote 
from a commercial center to afford adequate facilities, and in 1850 part 
of the business was transferred to New Haven. In 1852 the corpo- 
rate stock company of L. Candee & Co. was formed, with a capital 
of $200,000. In Hamden 150 men were now employed, but in 1859 all the 
interests were concentrated in New Haven and the Hamden factory 
was abandoned. 

In 1863 the plant in Hamden was rented by Bela A. Mann, Ward 
Coe and Joseph N. Leavenworth for the purpose of weaving elastic 



308 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

webbino- goods. ()peration.s were begun on a small scale, one loom 
only betno- used at first. This was constructed on the spot by Bela A. 
Mann and he also designed and manufactured the other necessary 
machinery, for which he received letters patent. Other improve- 
ments were made and the business increased. In October, 1865. the 
New Haven Web Company, which had been formed in 18(U to carry 
on this industry, increased its capital to $6f),(HKi. In January, 1866, 
the old rubber works property, in Hamden, was purchased and thor- 
ouahly adapted to the new u.se. In September, 1875, the works were 
destroyed by fire, but they were at once rebuilt, and m January, 1876. 
a three-storv brick factory, 45 by 125 feet, was ready for use. In 1884, 
80 feet more were added to its length and at different periods other 
buildinos were erected, including a large dye house, store house, barns, 
etc., and the factory was equipped to its present standard, having, in 
1890 110 looms and attendant machinery in operation. Nearly all of 
this was manufactured at the works by the company under the direc- 
tion of Bela A. Mann, who has been the superintendent and manager 
since the inception of the enterpn.se. The motors are water, operat- 
ing two wheels, and steam, and 150 persons are given occupation. 
All kinds of webbing goods for suspenders, in plain and fancy weav- 
ing are produced and sold through the company's store m New York 
city In the plant are, besides the manufacturing buildings, a number 
of neat hou.ses which afford homes for about thirty families. Henry 
L. Hotchkiss IS the president of the company and Ward Coe the 
secretary and treasurer. The capital remains $60,000. 

On the Mill river, more than a mile above this point, are the Clark 
Silk Mills, established in 1875 by R. S. Clark. They were carried on 
by him with a fair degree of success about a dozen years, m the 
manufacture of thread, floss, embroidery, etc. In 1890 his son, H. D 
Clark, occupied part of the mill, manufacturing a patent silk covered 
cotton thread. At this place is a good power and a fine pond, with 
picturesque surroundings. The mill building is large and would 
accommodate a greater industry than its pre.sent use. 

Previous to engaging in this business, R. S. Clark was engaged in 
Hamden in the manufacture of small bells, commencing in 1867 in 
company with H. D. Smith at the Ives & Granni.ss building. In 1871, 
Clark became the sole owner and the following year purchased the 
above power, to which place the busine.ss was transferred. Many 
kinds of small bells were made. 

John T. Henry's vShear Factory was established in the northern 
part of Hamden in 1859, chiefly for the manufacture of pruning shears 
of his own invention. Other forms of shears were later made, the 
products being in good demand not only in this but in foreign coun- 
tries. In more recent years the manufacture of small tools was 
added. Steam power is used and about a dozen men are employed. 
Among the smaller industries was the manufacture of sewing 



HISTORY OF NEW HA\EN COUNTY. 309 

machine needles, for 21 years, by J. E. & S. D. Smith, when it was 
transferred to Cleveland, Ohio. In the old needle works others were 
engaged in kindred pursuits. Wooding & Bradley occupying it in 1890 
in the manufacture of sewing machine needles and employing a few 
men. Water power is supplied from the Beers mill. This is located 
on Mill river, a short distance below Mt. Carmel station, and has a 
small capacity. Near by was a shop for the manufacture of small 
wood work, such as knobs, and later was used by Beers & Fenn as a 
wheel shop. The old building was burned and a new one, rebuilt by 
Philos Beers, was used in the manufacture of fertilizers. In 1879 A. J. 
Doolittle became the owner and in 1890 Ira W. Beers was the proprie- 
tor. The power was steam. The old mill was operated by George 
Beers. At the station Jolin E. Andrews & Sons also had steam mills 
of small capacity, used to manufacture flour, feed and lumber — the 
industry being but recently established. 

D. W. Shares invented and patented horse hoeing and planting 
machines, which have been manufactured by him to some extent and 
used with most satisfactory results. Other farming utensils have been 
made by him which have also secured him fame, a coulter harrow tak- 
ing the highest premium at three successive state fairs. His inven- 
tions rank well as labor saving devices, and merit an extended use. 

The manufacture of bricks in Hamden has for many years been a 
most important industry, in which scores of men have been employed 
and which has brought thousands of dollars into the town. Nearly 
all the yards in the Wilmot Brook valley have been discontinued, many 
of them being set to other uses a quarter of a century ago; but in the 
Ouinnipiac valley the industry flourishes greatly. In both localities 
bricks were made as long since as 1645, but probably to no great extent 
until within the present century. With the construction of better 
roads and the means of shipment afforded by the railroads came an 
increase of manufacture of Quinnipiac brick, the product as long ago 
as 1886 being 8,000,000 per year. The clay in this locality is very su- 
perior and appears in almost inexhaustible deposits which insure 
permanency to the industry. In recent periods the yearly product 
has been largely increased by the employment of modern brick mak- 
ing machinery and the use of bituminous coal instead of wood. In 
late years the annual output has reached nearly 80,000,000 bricks. 
Some of the principal manufacturers have been H. P. Shares and 
Samuel P. Crafts, the latter being the head of the Ouinnipiac Brick 
Company. 

In the town are a number of hamlets whose limits are hard to 
define, as their population is mu:h diffused on the surrounding farms, 
and in some localities, especially on the old Cheshire road, one hamlet 
appears to run into the other. The nucleuses of these clusters are the 
meeting houses or the old manufacturing plants, but in all the town 
there is no prominent center which has ab.sorbed the principal busi- 



310 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

ness or professional interests, as in most other rural towns. The 
nearest approach to such a place in Hamden is Centerville, which has 
some village-like aspects. Here are the fine new town hall, the Epis- 
copal church and the Rectory school, several public buildings, a good 
Masonic Lodge and the works of the New Haven Web Company. The 
inhabitants number several hundred and the place has an attractive 
and homelike appearance. The post ofhce which is maintained here 
bears the name of Hamden, and was kept many years by Leverett 
Hitchcock. In 1878 he was succeeded by Jesse Warner, the present 
postmaster, whose administration was interrupted for four years, end- 
ing in April, 1889, when (rilbert vS. Benham was the postmaster. 

South of this place is the hamlet of Augerville, having less than a 
hundred inhabitants, whose interest in centered in the auger and tool 
factory at that place. It is dependent upon the stores of Centerville 
and there are no public places or churches. 

North from the center are the hamlets of Ivesville and Mt. Carmel 
the former having a railway station until a few years ago. Near by is 
the Catholic church, and there are several halls and stores. The Mt. 
Carmel Water Company furnishes water for the half a thousand inhabit- 
ants, most of whom are employed in the shops in this locality. The 
Mt. Carmel post office was kept many j^ears by James Ives, succeeded 
in 1885 by William Hitchcock who. after five years, gave place to 
Lyman H. Bassett. In this locality are several very fine homes. 

Nearer the foot of the mount, is Mt. Carmel station, where are the 
old axle works, mills, stores and the Mt. Carmel meeting house. In 
the spring of IS'JO the Mt. Carmel Center post ofifice was here estab- 
lished, with George L. Andrews as postmaster. As this locality is now 
invested with more individuality, it will improve more than it has in 
the past. 

Having the character of hamlets are the settlements at Warner- 
town, in the northwe.stern part of Hamden. and Hamburg along the 
southern line of the town, the latter being suburban to New Haven. 
North is the M. E. church. 

At Mill Rock, pleasantly and also picturesquely located, is \Vhit- 
neyville, named for its founder, Eli Whitney, in the beginning of the 
present century. His first improvement, of a residence nature, was 
a row of two-story tenements for the workmen in his armory. Higher 
up stream the Ivast Plain Congregational meeting house was erected 
and, between these extremes, residences, some of pretty appearance, 
have been built. Its proximity to New Haven prevents it from being 
a business place, so that the post office, of wliich Jesse Cooper was the 
postmaster, has been discontinued. 

In the town liave resided as physicians Doctor Chauncey Foote, 
and for many years Doctor ICdwin D. Swift, who is still in practice, 
residing near Centerville. Doctor C). F. Treadwell has been a con- 
temporary practitioner on the Plains, and since the spring of 1890, 
Doctor George H. Joslyn has practiced from an office at Mt. Carmel. 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. :S1 1 

Day Spring Lodge, No. 30, F. & A. M., was instituted in Hamden 
on the petition of vSamuel Bellamy, Amasa Bradley, Ezra Kimberly, 
Leverett Kimberly, George H. Bristol, Tiilley Crosby, Levi Tuttle, 
Simeon Goodyear and Job Mnnson. A warrant was granted by the 
Grand Lodge of Connecticut, JNlay 15th, 17U4, and on the .SOth of 
December, the same year, that body was convened at the house of 
.Samuel Bellamy for the purpose of effecting a permanent organiza- 
tion of Day Spring Lodge, No. 30. This house stood near the old 
canal above the Mt. Carmel meeting house and was also the place 
where subsequent early meetings were held. In ISO^ the Lodge secured 
a room in the house of a Airs. Barber, and in 1810 the house of Eliph- 
alet Gregory became the place of meeting. The latter was for a 
time used as a public house and was destroyed by fire many years ago. 

The first officers of the Lodge were: vSamuel Bellamy,W. M.; George 
W. Bristol, .S. B.: Amasa Bradley, J. W.: and Luman Frisbie, tyler. 
Among the early admis.sions were Elias Hotchkiss and Jared Good- 
year. After 1828 the communications were irregularly held and for 
half a dozen years appear to have been suspended. In May, 1836, a 
full set of officers was again elected, embracing Leverett Hitchcock, 
M.; Doctor C. B. Foote, S. W.; Julius S. Tolles, J. W.; Elam Warner, 
T.; Lewis Goodyear, S.; Leverett Hotchkiss, S. D.; James Wiles, J. D.; 
Eli Hull, T. and vS. It is probable that these were chosen simply to 
keep up the organization, but it appears that even if no communica- 
tions were held, it was deemed best, in view of the opposition against 
Masonry in that period, to surrender the charter. This was done in 
1838. 

In May, 1870, through the efforts of Norris B. Mix, the old charter 
was restored, and the Lodge has since kept up its organization, in- 
creasing in numbers and influence. In 1890 there were about 90 
members and the communications were held in an elegant room in 
the town hall, which was occupied, after appropriate ceremonies, in 
October, 1888. Prior to that and after March, 1875. the place of meet- 
ing was in Warner's Hall. 

Since its reorganization the masters have been Gilbert S. Benham, 
George L. Clark, Elbert A. Doolittle, Walter Hoyles, Francis J. Hin- 
man, Charles H. Kimberly, Norris B. Mix, William W. Price, David 
C. Sanderson, William F. Smith, Ernest C. Spencer, George A.Tucker. 

In recent years the Lodge has admitted from five to eight mem- 
bers a year and it is the only important organization of this nature in 
the town. 

Public schools were first provided by the Mt. Carmel and East 
Plain ecclesiastical societies and in the course of years nin^ districts 
were established. These were later subdivided or consolidated until 
the number the past few years has been thirteen, in three of which 
two schools each have been taught. These sixteen schools and the 
interest of the town in the several joint districts are maintained at a 



312 HISTORY OF Ni:\V HAVEN COUNTY. 

yearly ouUay of about $r),8Ul). About two-thirds of this amount is 
raised by direct taxation. More than four hundred families are rep- 
resented in the schools, in which are over 800 children of school age. 
The character of the schools has been elevated, as compared with 
former years, but probably not as great a degree of proficiency has 
been attained as if the union were more close. A scheme to consoli- 
date the districts was defeated in 1M70. Each district has its own 
committee man and in 1889 Elias Dickerman was the school visitor. 

Select schools of good reputation have been conducted by mem- 
bers of the Dickerman and Everest families, both of which have been 
active in promoting the cause of education in the town. 

In 1843 Reverend Charles W. Everest began an enterprise at Cen- 
terville in connection with his duties as the rector of the Episcopal 
parish, which was successfully contintied by him many years. It was 
a boarding and training school for boys, known as the Rectory School. 
On the old Deacon Hart place south of the corners, he began his 
buildings in 1844, adding to the number or enlarging from time to 
time as the patronage required. From four boys, at the beginning, 
there were, before the close of the second year, a dozen in attendance, 
and .several assi.stants were employed. In the tenth year there were 
4.") pupils, and not long after he reached his desired maximum num- 
ber, 65. The pupils were early dressed in ivniform, the West Point 
gray being adopted, and were instructed in military tactics, which be- 
came distinguishing features in the life of the school, and added to 
its reputation. There were half a dozen efficient instructors and the 
school had a large degree of prosperity until Mr. Everest was so much 
enfeebled by age that he could no longer give it his individual atten- 
tion. 

Not the least result connected with the school was the creation of 
the fine grounds, buildings, etc., of the institution, which were attrac- 
tive, and to this day form one of the pleasantest objects of the village 
of Centerville. This beautifying influence extended beyond his own 
grounds, and to his taste and zeal the people of Hamden are indebted 
for many of the fine trees in this locality. 

After being closed a number of years against use for school pur- 
poses, the two sons of the honored former principal re-opened the 
building as a boys' boarding school, in September, 1885, and have since 
been conducting it with fair promise of restoring it to its former high 
position. 

Most of the early inhabitants of the present town, living south of 
Mt. Carmel, first attended church at New Haven. In 1718 the parish 
of North Haven was formed, composed of forty families, twelve of 
which lived in Hamden. Those living in the northern part attended 
the church in Cheshire. In the coTirse of forty years the population 
of this section had so much increased that separate parish privileges 
were demanded. Thev were afforded by the act of 1757, which con- 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEX COUNTY. 313 

stituted the parish of Mt. Carmel, within which the first ecclesiastical 
society was org'anized, January 31st, 1758. Daniel Bradley moderated, 
Samuel Atwater was chosen clerk, and Andrew Goodyear, Samuel 
Dickerman and Ithamar Todd were chosen the first society committee. 
Provision was made for winter preaching that year, and steps taken 
to secure a permanent place of worship. 

In 176(»-1 the meeting house was built. Originally it was to be a 
plam frame, but it was afterward voted to add a turret, certain men 
of the society having agreed to bear the expense of that addition. 
The interior was after the manner of the better meeting houses of 
that period — there being square pews, "dignified seats," for the aged 
and those in authority, and a massive sounding board over the pulpit. 
Near by were the customary " Sabba-day " houses in which tho.se com- 
ing from a distance could refresh and warm themselves while waiting 
for the second service of the day. In the church building there were 
no means for heating other than foot stoves until 1832, when the .stove 
still in use in the basement was procured. 

After serving its purpose about eighty years, the old meeting house 
was displaced by the present edifice, which is near the site of the 
old one, and which was selected only after several years agitation and 
wtirm discussion. The present edifice is also a frame and rests on a 
basement in which are vestry and other rooms. It was dedicated June 
loth, 1840, and has since been repaired and improved. In I860 a heat- 
ing furnace was supplied. Ten years later the house was remodelled 
at a cost of $2,000 ; and in 1872 a pipe organ, costing $1,200, was pro- 
cured. The last improvements were made in 1888, when the building 
was painted and attractively frescoed. The parsonage was built in 
1854 and has also been materially improved. 

Although they began to worship by them.selves in 1760 the people 
of the parish were not gathered into a regular church organization 
until January 26th, 1764, when "The Church in Mount Carmel" was 
duly constituted by a council at which were present the pastors of the 
Cheshire church. Reverend Samuel Hall, and of the North Haven 
church. Reverend Benjamin Trumbull. Of the latter church 
eighteen members now connected with the new body. The 46 persons 
who covenanted together to form the Mt. Carmel church were the 
following: Daniel Sperry. Andrew Goodyear, Daniel Bradley, Wait 
Chatterton, Jesse Blacksly, Amos Bradley, Amos Peck, Solomon Doo- 
little, Jonathan Ailing, Caleb Andrews, Benjamin Pardee, Jonathan 
Dickerman, Daniel Bradley, Jr., Benjamin Hotchkiss, Nathan Ailing, 
Elisha Bradley, Jabez Bradley, Jo.seph Ives, Joel Bradley, Abraham 
Chatterton, John Munson, Isaac Dickerman, David Sperry, Abigail 
tiradley, Mary Bradley, ^lary Dickerman, Anna Ailing, Mary Bellamy, 
Martha Hitchcock, Mabel Ba.s.sett, Hannah Pardee, Elizabeth Peck, 
Mary Sperry, Jerusha Doolittle, Martha Brooks, Mary Granniss. Joanna 
Chatterton, Esther Eradlev, Marv Allino-, Marv Bradlev, Hannah 



314 HISTORY OF XEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

(Toodyear, Abigail Bradley, Lydia Munson, Dinah Sperry, Esther 
Sperry, Anna vSperry. 

After the church was formed, and prior to 1780, 90 more members 
were added to the rolls, the males beino;: Bazel Munson, Simeon 
Bristol, Phineas Castle, Abraham Todd. Samuel Atwater, Stephen 
Goodyear, A.sa Goodyear, Gamaliel Bradley, Daniel Rexford. Jr.. James 
Ives, Samuel Hitchcock, Elisha Mallory, Abiah Warner, Theophilus 
Goodyear, Joel Todd, Job Todd, Timothy Goodyear, .Samuel Lee, 
Thomas Ives, Benjamin Ford, Daniel Goodyear, Jared Bassett, Chaun- 
cey Dickerman, Hezekiah Bassett, Abraham Norton, Eliakim Mallory, 
Samuel Hitchcock. Jason Bradley, Titus Goodyear, Jesse Dickerman, 
He^skiah Warner, Enos Atwater, Caleb Doolittle, Usal Mansfield. John 
Goodyear, Jeremiah Ives, Enos Dickerman and Caleb Andrews, Jr. 

The church has had an aggregate membership of nearly 800, and 
in 1890 the number belonging was 140, which was a good percentage 
of the population of the Mt. Carmel region. 

The deacons of the church, with dates of their appointments, have 
been : Daniel Bradley, nCS: Amos Peck, 1768; Stephen Goodyear, 
1773: Daniel Bradley, 1783; Asa Goodyear, 1803: Aaron Bradley, 1808; 
Lyman Goodyear, 1828; Ezra Dickerman, 1828; Marcus Goodyear, 
1840; Elihu Dickerman, 1840; Willis Goodyear, 1861; Joshua Carpenter. 
1869; Andrew H. Smith, 1871; George H. Alien, 1880; E. P. ]\IcLane, 
1882, and reelected in 1886 and 1889. 

The church did not have a regular pastor until five years after it 
was organized, and there have been many changes in the ministerial 
office. The regular and acting pastors have been the following: Rev- 
erend Nathaniel Sherman, ordained May 18th, 1709, dismissed August, 
1772; Joseph Perry, ordained October l.")th, 1783, dismissed in the 
year 1790: Asa Lyman, ordained September 9th, 1800, dismissed April 
26th, 1803: John Hyde, ordained May 20th, 1800, dismissed in Janu- 
ary, 1811: Eliphalet B. Coleman, ordained February 5th, 1812, dismiss- 
ed November 9th, 182;"); Stephen Hubbell, ordained May 19th, 1830, 
dismis.sed in May, 1830; James Birney, ordained June 14th, 1842, dis- 
missed March 29th, 1846; Israel P. Warren, D. I)., installed July 8th, 
1846, dismissed vSeptember 23d, 18r)L D. H. Thayer, ordained January 
5th, 1853, dismis.sed May 20th, 1866: John Hyde DeForest, ordained 
May 24th, 1871, dismissed August 7th, 1874; George C. Miln, installed 
December 29th. 1874, dismissed January loth, 1877: Robert C. Bell, 
installed April iOth. 1879, to August 7lh, ]88l: L. H. Higgins was the 
acting pastor from October 23d, 1881, till June, 1888. Since October 
13th, 1888, the acting pastor has been Reverend Clarence Greeley, who 
graduated from Yale in 1886 and since that time has taken post gradu. 
ate courses at Yale and Harvard. 

Usually the ministers of the church have also performed the duties 
of church clerk, but from 1870 until 1889 the clerk was L. A. Dicker- 
man. He was succeeded by the present (1890) clerk, Arthur E. Wood- 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 815 

ruff. The .society clerks have been: 1758, Samuel Atwater; 1773, Dan- 
iel Bradley; 1786, Samuel Bellamy; 1789. Elisba Chapman: 1795, 
Josiah Root; 1804, Hezekiah Bassett, Jr.; 1813, Jason Dickernian; 1818, 
Lyman Goodyear; 182o, Ambrose Tuttle: 1827, Ezra Dickerman; 1832, 
Parsons Ives; 1840. Hobart Ives; 1847, Lucius Ives; 1856, Amos-B. 
Peck; 1858, L. A. Dickerman; 1868. D. H. Cooper; 1871, J. B. Jacobs; 
1888, Elam J. Dickerman. The last named. Homer Tuttle and Jes.se 
Jacobs, constituted the standing committee in 1890. Wilbur Ives was 
the superintendent of the Sabbath school, which has about one hun- 
dred members. Reverend George A. Dickerman has been raised up 
as a Congregational minister, and a former pastor, Reverend J. H. 
De Forest, became a missionary to Japan. 

A ministerial fund or fund for the support of the Gospel, was 
raised by .subscription of the members in 1800. Originally it was 
$8,000, but it has become somewhat reduced. Revenues from the sale 
of pews have been derived and used since June, 1849. 

.Soon after the revolutionary war some of the inhabitants living 
in the southern part of the town who belonged to the Fair Haven 
and other churches in the city of New Haven, desired a society 
in their midst, or at least a place of worship in their locality. The 
former object appearing at that time impracticable, they contented 
themselves with establishing a place of worship in the southwest dis- 
trict. After a time, with a view of accommodating the people living 
.still more remote from the New Haven meeting houses, this place of 
worship was moved to the house of Captain Mix, who lived on the 
Hamden East Plain. This move dissatisfied Caleb Ailing and others, 
who first met with them, and who now set up separate meetings at 
his house, which were continued a number of years. In spite of this 
division of interest and strength, the meetings at Captain Mix's were 
continued, and some time about 1793 it was proposed and carried out 
by those who were wont to assemble there that a meeting house be 
built in the same locality. " It stood precisely where the Methodist 
church now stands. It was a cheap and unsightly building, having 
but few attractions, and for many years at least there never was any 
fire in it. The people assembled there in the coldest weather without 
a spark of fire, and it stood in a very cold, bleak place. If the wind 
blows anywhere it is sure to blow on Hamden Plain."* It is probable 
that the meeting house was not wholly completed until after the 
regular organization of the church in Hamden East Plain. This took 
place August 18th, 1795, the work of constituting being done by a 
council compo,sed of delegates and mini.sters from the neighboring 
churches. The constituent members were three males: Charles 
Ailing, Abraham i\.lling and Asa Gilbert; and nine females, namely: 
Hannah Ailing, Abigail Ailing, Mary Gilbert, Eleanor Carrington, 
Hannah Bassett, Sybil Andrews, Desire Humislon, Sarah Turner and 

*Frnm Reverend .\ustin Putnam's discourse. 



316 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

Rebecca Mix. On the same day the church was formed, Moses Ford, 
Jabez Turner and Timothy Andrews joined by a profession of their 
faith, and these fifteen persons were the nucleus of a bodv which has 
become strong- and vigorous, and whose aggregate membership 
approximates Hoo. In 1S90 the number belonging was more than 200. 

For more than two years the church was without a pastor, and 
often there was no minister, when Abraham Ailing usually led the 
meetings, exhorting or reading printed sermons to his fellow mem- 
bers. He was also gifted in prayer, and was well fitted to be the leader 
of this small band of Christians, who extended him a unanimous call 
to become their first pastor. He accepted and was ordained October 
19th, 1797, and after a pastorate of 25 years was dismissed, at his own 
request, October 22d, 1822. He continued to reside on his farm, three 
miles northwest of the meeting hou.se, until his death, July 22d, 1837, 
at the advanced age of 83 years. In his ministry 81 persons were 
added to the church, all but ten by profession of their faith. 

"After the dismission of Mr. Ailing the church was destitute of a 
pastor for sixteen years, and it is a singular fact that during that 
period about 240 different preachers officiated. In this time of no 
pastor and of many preachers the church was reduced to a state of 
extreme feebleness, discouragement and depression, insomuch that it 
even despaired of life."- Some of these supplies, however, were men 
of great ability, among them being Reverend X. \V. Taylor, D.D., of 
New Haven, who was the minister about eighteen months. In May, 
183:5, George E. Delevan began his labors with the church, being 
ordained as an evangelist June 19th the same year in the old meeting 
house, and soon thereafter began the work of building a new house 
of worship at Whitneyville. In this he had the active support and 
assistance of Deacon Eli Dickerrrian, but others of the members 
strongly oppcsed the removal of the church, and refused to co-operate. 
After much effort, and aided by outside parties, a part of the present 
edifice was built in the spring and summer of 1834, the lecture room 
being first occupied May 25th, 1834. In much that condition the house 
was used more than thirty years when, in 1866, it was rebuilt and 
greatly enlarged. It is now a spacious frame building, with a stone 
basement, fitted up for a lecture room. The main room has a gallery 
on three sides and has a large seating capacity. In 1889 a very fine 
parsonage, costing $4,000, was built on the hill east of the old church 
residence, and all the property is in good condition. 

The .second pastor of the church was Reverend Austin Putnam. 
He first preached here as an evangelist in the fall of 1835, and was 
installed to the pastorate October 31st, 1838, having been induced to 
accept a call while on a second visit to \Vhitneyville. He remained 
continuously in the pastorate until his death, September 2Gth, 1886, at 
the age of 77A years. " For forty-eight years lie filled this place with 

''Churcli Manual, p. ~i. 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 317 

faithful service, and made it beautiful by deeds of kindness and sym- 
pathy. Love was the central element of his ministry, and it not only 
made his own life tender and attractive, but molded the feelings of 
the church so that he left it harmonious and united, permeated by his 
spirit, which was that of the Alaster. As a preacher the substance of 
his sermons was Biblical. He delivered them extemporaneously and 
with great energy and earnestness. As a pastor he was tireless in his 
visitations and care. The church was the center of his thoughts — the 
focus that united every energy — and it will always hold his name in 
profoundest reverence and warmest love."* 

In December, 1886, Reverend Charles A. Dinsmore began his 
labors with the church as a supply, and so continued until February 
19th, 1890, when he was installed as the pastor by a council called for 
that purpose. In the summer of 1890 the affairs of the church were 
in a most prosperous condition, and the Sabbath school was also very 
flourishing. Eli G. Dickerman was the superintendent. In the past 
fifty years much attention has been paid to the music of the church,^ 
the choir usually being large, and has in that period been led by 
Lyman Ford, Horace Lord, James M. Payne and Charles P. Augur. 

Since the organization of the church the deacons were chosen as 
follows: 1795, Moses Ford; 179o, Joseph Benham; 1828, Lyman Ford; 
1828, Eli Dickerman; 1834, Eaton Bassett; 1838, Elias Bassett: 1800. 
Darius Webb; 1862, James M. Payne;+ 1869, Oliver W. Treadwell; 
1878, James G. Baldwin; 1878, Harmon Humiston; 1881, Oliver F. 
Treadwell; 1882, Elias Dickerman;! 1884, Henry W. Miinson.+ 

Grace Church (Protestant Episcopal)* was organized in 1790. The 
parish was at first confined to the Mt. Carmel region, and m that part 
of the town the religious services were established. The first meet- 
ings were held in private houses of members until about 1795, when 
a church, 34 by 44 feet, was built at Mt. Carmel. But several years 
more elapsed before suitable furniture and a pulpit could be supplied. 
The church was occasionally visited by clergymen from neighboring 
parishes, but more frequently the services were conducted by lay 
readers, Amasa Bradley, Ezra Bradley and others officiating in that 
capacity. In the course of a few years the meetings were held with 
greater frequency, and for a time clergymen were secured to officiate 
every two weeks. In this way Episcopal ministers from the Cheshire 
church and the academy .served Grace church a number of years. 

In June, 1818, legal measures were taken to make the bounds of 
the parish co-extensive with those of the town. A more central site 
for a church was now demanded, and accordingly, in January, 1819, a 
new church edifice was commenced at Centerville, which was com- 
pleted in the course of the next two years. It was consecrated by 
Bi.shop Brownell, October 14th, 1821. The church building at Mt. 

*Church Manual, 188>!. + Present deacons. J From data by Reverend II. L. 
Everest. 



318 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

Carmel was sold and the proceeds applied toward the new church. 
In 1847 the church at Centerville was thoroughly repaired and 
improved, the work involving an outlay of $1,000. Other repairs on 
the building have been made, the most noteworthy being those in 
1874. when the interior was refitted. In 18'.)0 the hou.se afforded com- 
fortable sittings for 2')0 persons. The corporation controlling the 
property had as its wardens: George W. Bradley, .senior, and Jesse 
Cooper, junior: vestrymen. Ira W. Beers. John Collett, Henry \V. 
Austin and George L. Clark. 

For fourteen years the enlarged parish had no resident rector, the 
clergy of New Haven, Cheshire and other parishes ministering here, 
and it was not until 183;") that Reverend John H. Rouse was called to 
take full charge of the parish and become the first resident minister. 
After two years he was succeeded by Reverend Henry Fitch, who was 
the rector six years, resigning on Easter, 184B. In the same vear 
Reverend Charles W. Everest was elected rector, and had full charge 
of the parish until April, 1874, with the exception of one year (1846-7), 
when he officiated in a New Haven church. To help eke out the 
small salary which the parish felt able to pay, he opened the rectory 
school, and with the consent of his parishioners, conducted it 31 years, 
in connection with his church work. This was the largest and most 
successful rectorship in the history of the parish. 

After the resignation of Mr. Everest a number of clergymen had 
charge of Grace church, among them being the Reverends E. Whit- 
combe, Joseph Brewster, Heman R. Timlow, J. E. Walton, Henry 
Tarrant," William B. Walker, A. B. Nichols and" H. L. Everest. The 
service of the latter as rector was terminated in 1887, and in Decem- 
ber of that year he was succeeded by the Reverend H. W. R. Staft'ord, 
who was rector until November, 1888. Since June, 1889, the rector 
has been Reverend Walter Dovvnes Humphrey. 

In the past few years some of the friends of the parish have con- 
tributed a fund for church purposes which amounted to more than 
$4,000 in 1886; and the amount yearly raised for all purposes is about 
$800. 

In 1890 there were in the parish of Grace chi;rch 85 families, which 
furnished 48 communicant members. The Sunday school had 25 
members. A large and increasing foreign element in this part of the 
town has limited the .scope of the parish work, but the church appears 
to he firmly established and has been a useful factor in the com- 
munity. 

Saint Mary's Church (Roman Catholic) is on the highway between 
Centerville and Mt. Carmel, and is the finest church edifice in the 
town. The first public ma.ss in Hamden was celebrated in vSeptember, 
1852, by Father Matthew Hart in a dwelling belonging to Par.sons 
Ives. At that time there were in the town five Catholic families, and 
about thirty members. These were visited once a month by priests 



HISTORY OK NEW JIAVEN COINTV. 319 

from neighboring parishes, who said mass at private houses. In 1856 
Father E. J. O'Brien, of St. ]\Iary's, New Haven, purchased a lot on 
which to build a church to accommodate the increased membership 
of the mission. Upon this site a building used by the old axle works 
was moved and properly fitted up as a place of worship. In 1867 it 
was enlarged, and with other improvements has been used 84 years. 
After being served by the priests of the churches in Wallingford and 
Cheshire (connected with vSouthington) St. Mary's became a perma- 
nent mission of the Wallingford church, and August 11th, 1867, 
Father Hugh Mallon assumed care of it. The Catholics at that time 
numbered 225. Until 1878 Father Mallon labored alone in Hamden 
in connection with his church at Wallingford, but afterward had the 
service of assistant priests and with little exception mass has been 
said once per week. The membership has also been largely increased, 
there being, in 1890, more than 550 Catholics in the parish. Accord- 
ingly, a new and larger church was needed for their better accommo- 
dation, and Father Mallon set about to erect it. A lot south of the 
old building was purchased, on which the foundation walls for a large 
and fine brick edifice were laid in 1888. The superstructure, in the 
Gothic style of architecture, has since been carried to completion, the 
new house being in the summer of 1890 completed for use. It is a 
very handsome building, and when it is completely furnished will cost 
about $20,000, making it superior to any country church of that 
denomination in the county. About half a mile from the church a 
burial ground of half an acre has been consecrated for the use of 
Catholics in Hamden, and a number of interments have there been 
made. St. Mary's was set off from Wallingford as a separate parish 
April 22d, 1891. and Reverend John T. Winters was appointed resi- 
dent priest. 

The Hamden Plains M. E. Church- was built in 1884. The first 
class of Methodists in the town was formed December 27th, 1813, 
and Eli Barnett was the leader. Its members were Sybil Tuttle, 
Amos Benham, Ruth Benham, Timothy Andrews, Rebecca Dorman, 
Sybil Andrews and Isaac Benham. Of these it appears that Sybil, 
the wife of Amasa Tuttle, was the first to profess that faith. In 
about 1810 they moved from Derby to Hamden, and there being no 
other Methodists in the town at that time, she united with the 
newly organized church in New Haven, and through that body preach- 
ing was first held in the town. Mr. Tuttle at that time made no 
profession of religion, but encouraged the purposes of his wife to 
secure regular services, and fitted up a room in his house for the 
meetings. 

As a result of the services, in the summer and fall of 1814 there 
was a revival and forty conversions, which increased the member- 
ship to such an extent that a larger place of worship was demanded, 

*From data by David MacMullon. 



•520 inST<.>RV OF NKW HAVEN COUNTN'. 

which was found in another dwelling- of Amasa Tuttle. This was 
used until a meeting house proper was provided, about six years later. 
It was erected upon land deeded September ]lth. 1SI9. by Ruth Ben- 
ham to the trustees of the society: Abner Wooding, Timothy Andrews. 
Isaac Benham, Amos Benham and Timothy Andrews, Jr. .Several 
years elapsed before it was fully completed, and it was, at its be.st, 
but a very plain building. It was used about fifteen years. 

In the meantime, by the removal of the Congregational church 
to Whitney ville. m 1884. a more central site was made available, and 
it was determined to build a new church on the lot which had been 
abandoned on Hamden Plains. In March, 1S:J4, Merritt Ailing. 
Charles Wooding, Rufus Dorman. Ezra Ailing, 2d, and Jesse Ailing 
were appointed a building committee, who erected a house, which was 
dedicated December 2r)th, 1SH4. Its cost was about S2,3()(). The old 
meeting house was now sold and converted into a dwelling. The new- 
church edifice was remodelled into its present tabernacle form in 1876, 
and a chapel added, which made the property valuable and convenient 
for every use. In 1890 it was reported worth $10.(1(10 and free from 
debt. It is one of the best country Methodist churches in this 
county. 

The church in Hamden has sustained a number of circuit relations, 
but since 1834 has practically been a separate appointment and having 
its own ministers. In 1838 the first parsonage was built and was used 
until 1868, when the present property was purchased. It is vahied at 
$3,000. 

In addition to the class at the church, Methodist members have 
been gathered into classes in other parts of the town and preaching- 
places established at Centerville, Warnertown and other outlying 
localities. These, in most in.stances, were of short duration, as the 
membership was too small to keep up a permanent organization. At 
one time the Methodists of Hamden were stronger, numerically, than 
at present, but at no other period was the church in better financial 
condition than at this time. The Millerite excitement m 1843 drew 
ofi" some of the members, and there have been some losses by 
removals, the members being obliged to seek employment elsewhere 
in consequence of the suspension of some manufacturing interests. 
In 188!) there were li)3 full and 4(» probationary members. A well- 
ordered Sabbath school had nearly 200 attendants. 

Among the ministers of the church have been the following: 1829. 
Reverend W. Kellogg; 1833, A. Bushnell; 1834 5, Thomas Bainbridge; 
1836-7, Abraham S. Francis; 1837-8, Orlando Starr; 1839, Daniel Right; 
1840, Ira Abbott; 1841 2, William S. Stillwell; 1843, A. S. Hill; 1844 5, 
Charles Stearns; 184G 7, Jo,seph Frost; 1848-9, George L. Fuller; 18.-)0-l, 
Charles Bartlett; 1851-2, F. A. Lovejoy; 1853-4, B. Redford; 1855-6, B. 
Leffingwcll; 1857 8, W. H. Russell; 1859 60, D.W. Lounsbury; 1861-2, 
W. P. E.stes; 1863, Frederick Brown; 1864-5, J. Field; 186G 7, C. W. 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 321 

Powell: 1868-9, Edwin Warriner: 1870, George P. Mains; 1871-2, Sam- 
uel M. Hammond; 1873, Lemuel Richai^dson; 1874, Henry A. Van 
Dalsem; 1875, John Rippere; 1876-7, J. S. Haugh; 1878-80, J. B. Mer- 
win; 1881-3, Nelson L. Porter; 1884-6, David .MacMullen; 1887, J. 
Parker; 1888-9, N. Hubbell. 

The New Lebanon Mission of the First Congregational church of 
New Haven, near the south line of the town, was founded in 1868. 
Its services were first held in the school house, on Morse street. In 
Ma}', 1873, its own chapel, just completed, was occupied, and in it one 
preaching service per Sabbath and a Sunday school have been regu- 
larly held under direction of the parent society. 

The town is well provided with cemetery privileges, there being 
half a dozen places of burial, located at Mt. Carmel, on the Plains, in 
the West Woods, at Centerville and at Whitneyville. The latter was 
first laid out in 1835, and was last enlarged in 1890, when 3^ acres 
were added to the area. Since 1870 it has been controlled by the 
Whitneyville Cemetery Association. The grounds appear attractive 
and are well enclosed. Among other graves are those of Chauncey 
Goodyear, born in 1704, and died in 1845, and Chauncey Goodyear, 
Jr., born in 1804, and died in 1884. However, the most of the mem- 
bers of the Goodyear family are interred in the Goodyear Cemeter}-, 
north of the main cemetery, at Centerville. This is in charge of the 
Goodyear Cemetery Company (incorporated in 1875), and contains a 
fine monument, erected by William B. Goodyear, on which are 
inscribed many family epitaphs. 

The Centerville Cemetery is on the old turnpike, a little north of 
the village, and embraces about four acres of well selected land. It is 
mostly enclosed, and there are some fine monuments. The managing 
body is the Central Burying Association, organized in 1873. The Mt. 
Carmel ground is one of the oldest, and contains many graves. The 
association which has charge of it was organized in 1870. A little 
south of the village a small lot of land has been consecrated for Catho- 
lic burials. 

The Plains Cemetery is large, there being half a dozen acres, but 
is only partially improved. It contains many old tombstones. The 
burial plot in the West Woods is used almost solely by the people 
of that locality. In nearly all of these grounds ma}' be seen many 
evidences of the care and esteem in which the living hold the memory 
of the dead. 

The nearness of New Haven to Hamden, with its abundance of 
pure water, has caused the town to be selected by that municipality as 
the source from which to derive its main supply of water. Its greatest 
storage reservoir is Whitney lake or pond, which extends along the Mill 
river for about two miles. Into it flow the waters of that stream, 
draining 56 square miles of land and having a daily yield of 120,0()(),000 
20 



322 HISTORV OP' NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

gallons of water. About one-tenth of that amount only is taken as 
the supply of the water works proper. 

The New Haven Water Company was incorporated in 1849, but 
failing to construct the works the charter was assigned to Eli Whit- 
ney, who organized the company, and in 1860 the construction of the 
works was commenced. The dam at Whitney ville was raised to the 
height of 3n feet, with a total length of oOO feet, and built in the most 
substantial manner. On Sachem's hill, a distributing reservoir, with 
a capacity for lO.OOO.OOO gallons was constructed, with which 18 miles 
of distributing mains were connected. On the second of December, 
1861. the pumps of the company, at the dam, which have a capacity 
for 6,()()0,00() gallons daily, were set to work, and January 1st, 1862, 
the water was introduced into the distributing mains. Since that 
time these water works have been much improved. 

(_)n the northeast slope of the West Rock hills is a small sheet 
of water called Wintergreen lake, which lies 240 feet above tide 
water. In 1863 John Osborn gathered these waters into a reservoir 
of 60 acres, and they have been utilized as another source of New 
Haven's supply. In 1877 the property passed to the New Haven 
Water Company, which has since managed it in the interest of the 
city. 

East Rock Park, New Haven's new and most attractive public 
breathing spot, is partly in the town of Hamden, along Whitney lake 
and on the East Rock range. It was laid out after plans pre- 
pared by Donald G. Mitchell, LL.D., and when once fully completed 
will be one of the most attractive spots in the county. 

At Centerville the grounds of the Rectory school have been 
improved to a park like appearance, and are used by the patrons of 
that institution. In 1864 the proprietor. Reverend Charles W. Everest, 
also obtained a charter for water works, but they were not constructed 
after that plan. 

The Mt. Carmel Water Company was chartered in 1878, with a 
capital of Sr),()()(i, and commenced the construction of works at that 
place the same year. The first supply has been from springs on the 
surrounding hills, which have been pumped into a distributing reser- 
voir near the old Ives station. For future use the company holds 
claims upon Wolcott's falls, a mill seat in the western part of the town, 
which is elevated far above any territory the company may be called 
on to supply. The affairs of the company are in charge of a board 
of local managers. 

lUOCRAl'IIlCAL SKETCHES. 

John B. Andrews, born in Cheshire, Conn., in 18:>1, is a son of 
Silas and grandson of Samuel, who was a printer. In 1832 Mr. 
Andrews' parents removed to Hamden, where he has since I'esided. 
His mother was Rebecca, daughter of Jotham Ives and Lillis Fisk 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVKN COUNTY. 323 

Ives, who came from Vermont and settled in Cheshire. Mr. Ives was 
a revolutionary soldier. Mr. Andrews is a mechanic, but since 1861 
has been engaged in the mercantile trade. He was first selectman of 
his town from 1886 to 1890. He was married in 1857 to Celia Kenny. 
They have one son, George L., who is in business with his father, and 
is now postmaster at Mt. Carmel Centre. They deal in coal, wood, 
flour and feed. Mrs. Andrews died in 1864, and in 1867 Mr. Andrews 
was married to Hannah E. Manross, of Bristol, Conn. 

Benjamin B. Broadbent, born in New Haven in 1863, is a .son of 
James R. and Sarah B. Broadbent. James B. was engaged in manu- 
facturing for several years in New Haven, and also conducted a gro- 
cery business there. In 1866 he settled in Hamden, and has been 
engaged in farming. Benjamin B. engaged in the grocery, coal and 
feed business, at Hamden Plain in 1884. In 1886 he was married to 
Hattie E., daughter of ex-Representative Hubert E. Warner, of Ham- 
den. They have two children: Marjorie W. and Ericsson R. 

Cecil A. Burleigh was born in Richford, N. Y., June 30th, 1833. 
Mr. Burleigh is one of the commissioners of New Haven county. 
He "vas chosen to the position by the general assembly in 188.^. His 
term of office continues three years, but in 1888, in recognition of his 
excellent administration of the duties of his office, he was chosen 
again. In that choice occurred the sharpest test of popular favor 
which his party could give. A ballot was taken by his party in caucus 
assembled, and every ballot was cast for him to be his own successor 
in office. The .second term of his incumbency expired in 1891, and 
again a new test proved that he had not lost a whit of the confidence 
of his political allies. A ballot was not regarded as needful to express 
the party preferences. He was nominated by acclamation, and the 
nomination was speedily confirmed by the governor of the state. It 
is not always the fact that merit wins the crown which it deserves, 
and Mr. Burleigh is not one of those exceptions. 

His immediate ancestry resided in the state of New York. There 
he obtained the schooling of his boyhood. It was not so extended 
as is now offered the majority of boys by the better days on which we 
of the latest decade of the 19th century have come. It may be that a 
family event of note somewhat shortened the school term. He was one 
of thirteen children. The home nest may have seemed to be some- 
what crowded. At any rate, Cecil went early to work. He was only 
thirteen years of age when he was apprenticed to learn the trade of 
black.smith. The conditions of work were not severe, and for two 
years he was sent to school, and during a part of the time to the 
academy in Homer, N. Y. 

At twenty years of age Mr. Burleigh became known to Mr. Edward 
Dickerman, of Hamden, Conn. Mr. Dickerman invited the young 
blacksmith to employment in his shop and to a home in his family. 
It was the second real home of the young man, where the love and 



324 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

freedom of the parental home were renewed to him; and here in Ham- 
den he now began to show the qualities of workmanship and ot man- 
hood which have since distinguished him, and which hitherto had 
developed only as a plant in the shade. He became, m ISo.x the 
superintendent of a department m the factory of Ives & Pardee, 
manufacturers of brass and iron harness and carriage trimmings 
and hardware. But the financial crisis of 1857 closed the doors of the 
factory, and the capital employed took other channels of usefulness. 

Mr Burleich was now chosen master of the district school, and 
while not personallv deficient in the qualities of the pedagogue, he 
preferred mechanism and manufacturing to teaching school. He en- 
tered the employment of Mr. Dickerman again. T3 1 • ^. 
But when the war broke out the patriotism of Mr. Burleign 
awakened. Governor Buckingham sent him the authority of a recruit- 
ing officer. The line of work to which he was appointed accorded 
with his patriotic feelings, and he worked heartily. But later, on June 
13th 1862 when the 2()th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry was recruit- 
ing he enlisted as a private, refusing an officer's commission. Hence- 
forth the fortunes of that regiment became his own. It was musteiea 
into the United States service September Gth, and started for Wash- 
ington September 8th. Mr. Burleigh shared m all the sharpness of 
conflict and the peril of Chancellorsville; in the experiences of Libby 
prison, to which he was marched a prisoner, though before the later 
date when it became the awful holocaust of Union soldiers; in he 
western campaigns under General Hooper, and still farther to Chat- 
tanooga for the opening of communication with General Rosecrans 
and then in the southern campaigns of General Sherman m his march 
to the sea, a record so voluminous with incident and peril as that only 

a little of it will ever be told. 

In these campaigns Mr. Burleigh's valor never tailed, trom the 
position of private he rose to that of command, and >-et he never 
grasped at positions above in rivalry with his comrades. His ambition 
for the moment was to do well the work of the present, then if merit 
was perceived m him and he was called up higher for merit s sake 
it was well. In this way he rose to be lieutenant, and finally, ]u.st as 
the war was drawing to its close, he was commissioned captain, only a 
little too late for action in the field. 

In all of these years of army .service, so often fraught wjth extreme 
peril, a favoring Providence watched over ^^"^ ^"'^ ^'-^^^^'Jllo-htlv 
afflictino- injurv Onlv once was he wounded, and then only slightU , 
and yet^the" musical hornets" whizzed through his hat, grazing his 
scalp or pas,sed just under his shoulder trimmings, leaving their fiery 
mai' near by, and elsewhere left the signs of their perilous proximity 
This clothing. 1-kit he escaped sound of body as when he entered 
the service of his country in the army. He himself has written briefly 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 335 

the T' °^'^";"^'^ ^^-^''--^^ f- the noble volume of nobler deeds 

\t he 01 ^^-jr^'^"^ ^^^- - the War of the RebelHcn ' 

soldtr enterinl 1 '" '™^ !''' '^^•- ^^^-^^h became the cituen 

fa tur ; But hi. ' ""'' ''•' '''^^^ °' '^^ ^■■^^^^" ^-^"^ the manu- 
racturer. But his army experience is evermore turned to as the 

purchase of freedom for a downtrodden race, and the result is a 

h^ 1 woT ';: r" T ^^7'°^^'' '"^'°"^ ^"'^ ^^-^^^>' ^°-^' -n be re 
rne law of the land, and institutions under which a thrift,- o.^ 1, 

rjiziirr '''■-■ • ^^^ ^^^^ '--' victoi^ctt^s^ muS ■: t'^r^ 

"neritLn " et u'b' "i'' "°''^ ^" ^^ '^^^^ ^°^ ^^^ P— ^ -d for 
brTsrwas on,-^ •« '^^'°'-' Burleigh's republicanism, always 

HTmden he h V . ; '^i^^u'"' ""^"^'^^ '"'''^S^'- ^"^ in the town of 
ard'nt and Sth °? '" '" ''' ^'^'^ "'^^^- "^^ "-obtrusive, but yet 
ard^t and faithful exponent of the principles of the republican 

ownt^fn"' fe' h'a'b"''' T "'''"^"' '"^°^^ °^ preferment in his 
78 and 84 A \M I ?°''" selectman of Hamden in 1872, 77, 

tian his politf-al 1 "^ 'i' P°'^'"'^ °PP°"^"^^ ^- — "timerou 
chosen tn t '" ^^'"^'"- ^'"^ '^y ^ ^^'Se majority he was 

chosen to represent the town in the general assembly of 1880 In 

No thamT ''' "":'' '°^" ^"™°^^"^ ^^^ ^-^"^ °f the New ISL & 
s^c ces fTdlv c Tr.'' '"'' '"^ °' ^'^ ^^-^^^->' °f ^t. Carmel wat 
S^am s ee^o \^^^^^ through the assembly, and thus the beauty of the 

tT M b' lefoh '"' ;'' "'^"' '^^ P^°P^^^>' "-^ ^'■-tl V added 

to. Mr. Bur eigh was certainly the principal factor in this achieve 

was mTd;"^ ' r^' '^: '''■ ^^"^^^^ "^^--' ^-^ alread V narit d he 

Mr. Burleigh is not a church member, but for manv vears has 
been an earnest supporter of the Mt. Carmel parish chu cl " .W 

its trVa::;""'"'^ ""^"^^ ^"' °" ''' ^°"^"""-'' -d contributirg tS 

louS N.trieigh. '^-^-^-hter has been born in the family, Miss 

Mr. Burleigh's residence is situated on the main street of Mt. Car- 
mel An air of quiet restfulness pervades it, while the surroundings 
mvrte the attention of the passer-by. Here Mr. and Mrs. BurS 

7ohT^"rT.""^:'''''' °' ' '''^' '''''' °f acquaintances. ^ 
rrnlK .w^ n , "' ^°'° ^° Hamden, is a son of John and Ellen 

Hamd:- Th "'';• , ^.\^^T/™" '^^^^"^ ^^^^°"^ ''''' ^^ -"led n 
P.t , r> I ^' '^ ^'^^^ children: Hannah, John F., Mary Mago-ie 
Patrick, Robert, Ellen and Katie. John F. Callahan engaged in £ 
grocery business in 1888. He was married in 1886 to ElTen Kehou^h 

Maiy E ^'''' ''"" °"^ ^°"' -f°'"' J- ^^^ °- ^-^h er. 



326 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

Samuel P. Crafts, president of the Qumnipiac ^nck Company^. -as 
born in Woodbury, Conn.. March 30th, 1824^ ^e .s a son of General 
Chauncy Crafts, and grandson of ^f - ^d-r^Cra s.^^^^^^^ 
His mother was Maria, daughter of Daniel Bacon, oi , 

Samuel P went to sea in 1843, and was in command of a ship ^^hen 
fhe c V 1 war broke out. He sold out his share m the ship and went 
nto the navy, as acting ensign. He was promoted to nras.er and U . 
tenant. He got a war risk on his life and los every cent of it He has 
held the offices of grand juror and justice of the P-^, /^^^^^^ ^^f^^^. 
he is president of the Law and Order League of Hamden, and Mce 
p e d'entif the National Association of f-k Manufacturers He 
married Sarah A. Thomson July 13th, 1859. ^^e is a daughte of 
Deacon Isaac Thomson of New Haven, Conn. They had one c d 
Cornelia Maria, born July 23d, 18(30, died July 9th, l^^f ; ^^ P^'^'^j^ 
Mr. Crafts is a republican and in religion a Congregationali.st. He 

was a California '49er. -pno-land in 

John Creswell was born in Little Eaton, ^^^-^^-^ "I^'^^^jJ „'f,:;"e 
184.3. His father and grandfather were both "^^^^.f ^^/^^^^^^e/ n 
natives of Little Eaton. He -- to America in 8 6 .^s^^^^^^^^ 
Philadelphia, where he resided until 1884, workm, ar 
(boss dver) In 1884 he came to Hamden and since that time has 
^been i^'t^e employ of the New Haven Web Company -^o dy- 
He was married m 1870 to Miss Jennie Moore of Philadelphia. 1 hey 
have five children: Harry M., George G., J^"";j,J- .^^"""^ '^"j \ . , ' ' 
Edward Davis, born in Stafford, Conn., m 1818 is a son of A ei> 
r>uwaiu i^.i.v , _ rtTvis settled in Hamden m ll>37. 

and grandson of Avery Davis, /^^'.^'^^^^''/held the offices of 
He is extensively engaged m farming He ^ J h^^Vj^"^^ m Auo-- 
selectman and assessor. He was married m 1841 ^o ^ets M. A 
ur. They have six children: James A., born 1844 Betsj Maria. D 
. ^S4r,- William E born 1848; Carrie B., born 18(30; Burton A., U-m 
80 : Id Al^ra boi-n 180o, married William Burton, and has one son 
John E Burton A. married Mattie Augur, and has one ^augh e . 
Mar" erv Betsy Maria married George W. Ives, and has two child- 
^^^A^recf t^ Lucy. William E. m^ied fogua^ Tam^ingson, 
and has two sons and one daughter: Edward Harold and essie. 
Hmes A married Emma Parks in 1874, and they have two cl u igh- 
;rEitna and Helen, and one son, Howard. J-^^^;-^^^^ ^ 
E. Davis carried on business in New Haven seveial Y^'^.^^'f ?°;™ 
OS on the public works of the city. Later they organized the New 
Haven Concrete Company, conducting that business tin 8...^ a 
which time thev engaged in brick manuiacturing m Hamden. 1 he 
:S:tss^s mcreal;^ until at the present ^^-e they ^. U^rning o^ 
from seven to ten million brick annually ^-^f^y^^''^^;^^^ _,,. 
men. From 1877 to 1887 James A. leased and ran the W hitne> 

enue Horse Railroad. 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 327 

Leverett A. Dickerman, born in Hatnden in 1821, is a son of Allen, 
grandson of Isaac, and great-grandson of Samuel Dickerman, who 
was a son of Isaac, and grandson of Thomas Dickerman, who came 
from England and settled in Dorchester, Mass., in 1635. He died 
June 11th, 1657. His .sons, Alman and Isaac, settled in Xew Haven. 
Isaac had two sons, Samuel and Jonathan. They settled in Hamden. 
This Samuel was the great-grandfather of Leverett A. The first 
Isaac Dickerman married Mary Atwater. Samuel married Mary 
Allen, and Isaac, his .son, married Sybil Sperry. Allen Dickerman 
married Sarah, daughter of Jonathan Ives. Their six children lived 
to maturity: Albert I., vSaritta, Julia, Eliza, Leverett A. and Lavinia. 
Albert died unmarried. .Saritta married Mark Ives. Julia is un- 
married. Eliza married Franklin Andrews. Lavinia married John 
Osborn, and Leverett A. married Abigail A., daughter of Uriah Foote. 
They have three daughters living: Alice A. (who married William 
D. Cook of Cheshire), Emma E. and Laura L. Their other children 
were: Aljen F., Francis L. and Abbie A. Mr. Dickerman has held 
the office of selectman several years, and was elected representative 
in 1880. He is a member of Mt. Carmel Congregational church. 

vSamuel D. Doolittle, born in Hamden March 12th, 1835, is a .son 
of Heman and Julia (Allen) Doolittle, and grandson of Daniel Doolittle. 
Mr. Doolittle has always been engaged in farming. In 1888 he engaged 
in the bakery business. He was married in 1861 to Cornelia A., daugh- 
ter of Almeron Sanford. She was born October 5th, 1837. They had 
three sons: Frederick E., born June 21st, 1863; Elford F., born October 
1st, 1872, and Maurice H., born March 12th 1880. They have one 
daughter, Alta I., born April 25th, 1870. She is a stenographer in 
New Haven. Frederick E. is a resident of Torrington, Conn. He 
was married in 1889, to Harriet Breen of Waterbury. Mr. and Mrs. 
Doolittle are members of Mt. Carmel Congregational church. 

George W. Dudlej', born in New Haven in 1827, is a son of Isaac 
and Cynthia (Bradley) Dudley, and has been a resident of Hamden 
for about 21 years. He is engaged in farming and keeping a board- 
ing .stable, having a large number of horses from New Haven and 
New York parties. Previous to coming to Hamden, he resided in 
New Haven and was in the livery busine.ss. He was married .Sep- 
tember 2d, 1850, to Cornelia, daughter of Lewis Todd. Mrs. Todd 
was a daughter of Horace Bradley, he a son of Amasa and he a .son 
of Joel Bradley, one of the early .settlers of the town. Mr. Dudley 
has two sons: Wilbur S., born March 30th, 1857, and George H., born 
May 10th, 1868. 

Samuel A. Flight, born in New Fairfield, Conn., in 1859, is a .son 
of Samuel J. and grandson of James Flight, who came from England 
and was a carriage manufacturer in New Haven. Samuel J. was a 
blacksmith. He married Sarah Jane Smith, of Granby, Mass. He 
enlisted in the 1st cavalry and .served three years and three months 



328 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 



as bugler. Samuel A. Flight settled in Hamden abou .79 and en 
gaged in market gardening and the milk b^^'nef -^ ^e is a n.ember 
of Day Spring Lodge. No. 30, F. & A. M.. of Hatnden._ He ^^as 
e ectec assessor in 1888 and reelected in 1889. He was married m 1881 
to Estterdaiihter of Alfred Dorman, of Hamden, whose father was 
also named Alfred and was a resident of Hamden 

William N. Gesner, born in Orangetown Rockland ^^^'^ 
York February 19th, 1817, is a son of William H. and Mary Ann 
mlnnlGesnei crandson of Nicholas andGracie (Post) Gesner great- 
^^aiXon Tf I.;hn Hendrik Gesner -d Femiche (Browerj^ Ge^n^ 
^nd great-great-grandson of John Hendrik and f -^^^^J f^^^^^ 
Gesner who were married m Germany, trom whence the> were 
dnveVby the French war to England. After "-'^^^^ ° ^^^^.^P, 
they sailed with many other German families m the ship Lion, and 
anded at New York I June, 1710. They settled ^^ ^-nl^er. N V, 

and built mills on the Bronx nver, ^^^^ l-t«^^/\™°^f,;° M rl^-e T " 
N T William N. Gesner married at New York, m 1840, Margaiet i „ 
2;uo-htl?o George and Mary (McLean) Paton. In 1845 he removed 
tm New York, fettled m Fair Haven, Conn., and engaged -his 
usual business-ship-building. After building many ve.ssels noted for 
Zu- speTd and selgomg qualities, in 1862, ^^^Y^^^^^^Z^Z 
needed transports and cruisers, he sold out his .stock ^f l^^'^'l^^ 
C S Bushnell, who had contracts with the government, and foi t^ o 
years uperintended the busine.ss for the latter. He then engaged m 
ship buildin<. at West Haven, conducting business there under the 
Smnleo? Gesner & Mar, where he still continues^ He is pr ba. 

bly the oldest .ship-builder in active service, 1--/"^ ^^^^J; "^^^^ J 
nlanned and .superintended more than l.-.O vessels of every size, ii^ 
and description In 1807 he .settled in Hamden, where he now lives, 
and fn Dec'ember. 1890, he and his wife celebrated their golden .ed 
ding with numerous friends and children around then. The> have 
sevL children living: Mary J., Helen L., Matilda A N^ ^^^'^ ^/^;^^- 
Harrison, Alice F. and George P. Margaret \f ^'^^.^^1^"^ ^ M Pu 
Mr Gesner is a member of Adelphi Lodge, No. 63, F. 8. A. M Pu 
laski Chapter, Crawford Council and New Haven Encampment, k 1 
' Thomas P. Hoey, born in Hamden in 1863^ is a son of M-^-el 
Ann (McGrail) Hoey, and grandson of ^^^Jael Hoey For eveia 
vearshewas employed in the silk factory of R. S. Claik of Mt. Car 
S and since 1885 has been employed by the New Haven Web Co-. 
panv as foreman of the warping and winding department. He .as 
Lai-ried in 1883 to Margaret Conn,y. They have one son. Chailes \A ., 

ind a dauo-hter, Margaret A. r t ^ r^ 

c te H. Gorham, born m Hamden m 1839, is a .son of J-'ed D. 
and lie J (Potter) Gorham. His grandfather was Captain Levi Gor- 
ham: n lared Gorham's family there were three children: George H 
FoTbes ]. and Ellen ]. George H. married Eunice, daughter of Heni) 



HISTORV OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 329 

Munson, of Hamden, in 1861. They have one son, Henry J. Gorham. 
Forbes Gorham married Emily Hitchcock, and Ellen married Fred- 
eric F. Bishop. 

William Gorham, born in Hamden in 1815, died 1858, was a son of 
John, and he a son of John Gorham, who married Phebe Downes. 
John Gorham, the son, married Nanc)' Downes. William married 
Lucretia Dorman, daughter of Merritt and Easter Dorman. Their 
children were: Emih', Sarah, Caroline, Lucy, Ella, Nancy, Francis and 
William E. .Sarah, Ella and William E. are dead. Emily married 
William Thomas: Caroline married John Malone: Lucy married John 
Peckham and for her second husband Charles Ailing; Francis married 
Sarah Doolittle. Nancy Gorham married John P. Phelps in 1854. 
There were born to them two children: Charles J., who died in infancy, 
and Cora E, The latter was married in 1870, to Luther C Phelps. 
They had one daughter, Emma Phelps. Luther Phelps died in 1890. 
John P. Phelps was born in Winchester, Conn., and is a son of Ral- 
zemon and grandson of John Phelps. 

William Ives, the first known of that name, resided in New Haven 
as early as 1639. He is supposed to have died in 1G48. He had two 
sons: John, who died young, and Joseph, who married Mary (born 
1650|, daughter of Thomas Yale. Their children were: vSamuel, Mary, 
Martha. Lazarus, Thomas, Abigail and Ebenezer. Joseph died in 
1694. Samuel Ives, born 1(577. married Ruth Atwater. Their children 
were: Mary, Lydia, Samuel (who died young), Ruth, Jonathan, 
Damaris, John and Samuel. Jonathan Ives, born 1716, was one of the 
•early settlers of Hamden. He married Thankful Cooper. Their 
children were: Jeremiah, Ruth, Mary, Thankful, Joel, Jonathan and 
Phtebe. Jonathan married Sarah Bassett, and they had two children: 
Leverett, who died young, and Sarah, who married Allen Dickerman. 
Samuel Ives, the son of Samuel and Ruth Atwater Ives, was the father 
of Levi, who was the father of Eli, who was the father of Levi Ives, 
the noted physician of New Haven. 

Lewis E. Joyce, born in Oxford, Conn., in 1835, is a son of Peter 
and Eliza (Hitchcock) Joyce and grandson of Joseph L. Joyce. His 
maternal grandfather was Stephen Hitchcock, a joiner by trade and 
a soldier in the war of 1812. His father was John Hitchcock. Both 
were residents of Hamden. Lewis E. Joyce is a carpenter and joiner. 
He settled in Hamden in 1853 and in 18()U was married to Julia A., 
daughter of Heman Doolittle of Hamden. They have had three 
children: Lewis E., born December •25th, 1862; Burton A., born Sep- 
tember 25th, 1869; and Carrie L., born December 22d, 1864, died 
August, 1883. 

Bela A. Mann, born in Naugatuck, Conn., in 1835, is a .son of Em- 
ory D. and grandson of Eliel Mann, who was a manufacturer at 
Naugatuck. Bela A. Mann first came to Hamden at the age of 17 as 
an employee of the Goodyear Spoke Company. He afterward went 



330 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

to Waterbury and was foreman of the American .Suspender Company 
for about four years. From there he went to Meriden and was there 
about the same length of time as foreman for J. Wilcox & Co. In 
1863 he came to Hamden and was the organizer of what is now known 
as the New Haven Web Company, manufacturers of suspenders and 
elastic webbing. The capital stock of the company is $60,000 and 
they do an annual business of $300,000, employing from 140 to loO 
hands.J Mr. Mann has been superintendent and manager of the com- 
pany since its organization. He has held the office of selectman sever- 
al years, and in 1882 and 1883 was elected to the assembly. He was 
married in 1860 to Prusie C. Spencer, of Haddam, Conn. They have 
one son, Bela H. Mann, a member of the firm of Parrish & Mann of 
New Haven, suspender manufacturers. 

Willard Mathews, born in Bristol, Conn., in 1837, is a son of Jus- 
tus W. and ^lehitabel (Sanford* Mathews, and grandson of Joel 
Mathews, all of Bristol. Justus Mathews removed with his family to 
Hamden in 1846. He was a mechanic, which was also Willard Math- 
ews' business. In 1874 he was appointed superintendent of the town 
farm of Hamden, which office he has since held, with the exception 
of three years, from 1880 to 1884. May 1st, 1890, Mr. IMathews was 
appointed superintendent of the New Haven County Home, which 
position he still holds. He is a member of Day Spring Lodge, F. & 
A. M., of Hamden, and of L. A. Thomas Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Chesh- 
ire. He was married in 1859 to .Sarah M., daughter of .Sydney and 
Betsy (Judson) Merwin of Woodbridge, Conn. Her grandfather 
was Fletcher Merwin. They have two children : Willard M., born 
1860, and Gertrude L., born 1869. Willard M. Mathews is a machinist. 
He is a member of Day Spring Lodge, F. & A. M. He was married 
in 1882 to Mary Cook. They have one daughter, Elsie Mathews, born 
in 1885. Mr. Mathews' mother, Mehitabel Sanford, was a daughter of 
Truman and Betsy (Warner) .Sanford of Hamden. 

Dwight W. Mix, born in Hamden in 1834, is a son of Benjamin and 
Betsy (Potter) Mix. He was married in 1858 to Elizabeth A., daugh- 
ter of Edmund D. and Laura A. Bradley. They have five children: 
George B., Ella L., Augusta L., Sarah B. and Eva F. For 20 vears 
previous to 1887 Mr. Mix was in the ice business with his brother, 
Norris B. He is a member of Day Spring Lodge, F. & A. M., of Ham- 
den, and of Montowese Lodge, I. O. O. F., of New Haven. 

Henry Mix, born in Hamden July 8th, 1821, is a .son of Benjamin, 
and grandson of Thomas. Mr. Mix manufactured brick for over 30 
years. He is now engaged in farming. He married Louisa Warner 
in 1842. Their children were: Henry, Frederick, Julia and Maria. 
Frederick married Bet.sy A. Warner. Julia married Albert Howard. 

NORRis Bennett Mi.\. — The immediate ancestors of the Mix family, 
at present in Hamden, removed from New Haven before the incorpora- 
tion of this town.* They were a branch of the family of Thomas 
* See lilake's Histurv of Hamden, 20:3. 




w^ W^ 




^^i^u^ J3 ^^ 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 



331 



Mix, Mixx or Meeks, which was among the early settlers of New 
Haven. Thomas Mix, the founder of the Hamden family, born 176."), 
died September 1st, 1810, leaving three sons: Benjamin, Zina, died 
June 18th, 1823, aged 43 years, and Stephen, died June 28th, 1823, 
aged 39 years. The first son, Benjamin, the father of the subject of 
this sketch, born in Hamden August 10th, 1782, married Betsy Potter, 
also of Hamden, April 12th, 1810. He died on the homestead, which 
had been improved by his father, Thomas, and which is now the 
home of the youngest son, Dwight W., August 30th, 1862. His widow 
died January 30th, 1871, aged 79 years. They reared ten children, 
namely: Rebecca E., married Walter Nichols, of Westport, Conn.: 
Ethiel Potter, the oldest son, removed to Wisconsin; Grace, married 
Alfred Howarth, of New Haven; Eliza, married George W. Bradley, 
of Hamden: Benjamin, removed to California: Henry, resides in Ham- 
den; James Perry, deceased: Norris Bennett: Frances Betsy, married 
William Potter, of Hamden; Dwight Walter, living on the old Mix 
homestead. 

Norris Bennett, the eighth child, whose life is here sketched, was 
born in Hamden February 3d, 1826, and on the 13th of September, 
1849, married Maria N., daughter of Joel D. and Maria (McDuel) Hen- 
drick, of New Haven. Of six children born to them, three died in in- 
fancy and youth, and they reared: Arthur H., who married Amelia 
Rawling, and lives in New Haven; Mary C, married William H. Terell, 
of Hamden; Anna M., married J. Clarence Englehart, of New Haven. 
Mr. Mix spent four years of his boyhood days in the home of Judge 
Dyer White, of New Haven, where he had opportunity of attendiug- 
the celebrated John E. Lovell school, thus well laying the foundation 
of his future education, which has been largely self-acquired. Sub- 
sequently he engaged in mechanic trades, and for twelve years worked 
in the New Haven shops of the New York & New Haven Railroad 
Company. While residing in that city, he was elected street com- 
missioner in 1861, and as a member of the common council in 1862, 
he was one of the committee to sign the first contract between the city 
and the water company for a supply of water for the use of the city. 
Since 1864 he has resided in Hamden, where he has been successfully 
engaged in the ice business, having his son as an associate in New 
Haven. 

Since being a citizen of this town, Mr. Mix has been honored 
with a number of important public offices and trusts. In 1878 he 
was elected as a representative of Hamden in the state legislature, and 
was reelected in 1876, serving his last term when the new capitol was 
first occupied. He served six years as first selectman and town agent, 
and in that capacity was instrumental in securing the removal of the 
track of the New Haven & Northampton railroad from the side of 
the old Cheshire road and the turnpike to the route now occupied. 
Although the town had almost unanimouslv voted to contribute 



'■J:-i2 HISTDRV OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

$14,000 to the company toward the cost of the removal, the action 
was opposed and Mr. Mix was enjoined and placed under a bond of 
$20,000 not to make any contract with the company or to pay over 
the money. Through his efforts the legislature passed an act favor- 
ing the change and healing the matter; but he was again enjoined 
and placed under $10,000 bonds not to pay over the money the town 
had properly appropriated. The superior court dissolved this 
injunction and the money was paid to the company to make the 
desired change in its roadbed, which is now acknowledged as having 
been a most ^esirable improvement, and one which reflects credit 
upon the foresight of those favoring it. Mr. Mix is an active demo- 
crat, in the principles of which party he has always believed, a mem- 
ber of the Hamden Plains Methodist Episcopal church, and an earn- 
est Odd Fellow and Mason. He joined the former order in 1847. and 
is now a member of City Lodge, No. 86, I. O. O. F., of New Haven. 
In I,s.-)3 he became a member of Wooster Lodge, No. 0, F. & A. M.. of 
New Haven. In 1870, through the efforts of Mr. Mix, the charter of 
Day vSpring Lodge, No. 30, F. & A. M., in Hamden, which had been 
granted in 1704 and surrendered in 1838, was restored, and he is now a 
member of that Lodge. He has seen its members increase from six to 
more than a hundred, and he has three times been master of the 
Lodge. He is also a member of higher Masonic bodies in New Haven 
— of Franklin Chapter, Harmony Council, and Commandery No. 2, 
Knights Templar. 

Harvey T. Moulton, 3d, born m Plymouth, Litchfield county. 
Conn., in 1827, was a son of Harvey T., and he a son of Harvey T. 
Moulton. Mr. Moulton settled in Hamden about 1850, and was in the 
employ of the Whitney Arms Company for many years. He was a 
machinist and model maker. He afterward engaged in market gar- 
dening. He was married in 1850 to Esther H. Hartley. They had 
three children : Ellsworth H., Estella J. and Harvey T. Ellsworth 
married Carrie Wellman, Estella married John Parmalee, Harvey T. 
married Minnie C Payne, of New Haven, and has two .sons, Harold 
P. and J. Irving. Harvey T. Moulton, 3d, died in 1887. His two sons 
are extensively engaged in market gardening. 

Jerome C. Munson,born in Hamden in 1845, is a son of Basil Mun- 
son, born in 1814, he a son of Job L., and he a son of Basil Munson. 
Job L. married Sally Moss, of Cheshire. Basil, his son, married 
Jenette L., daughter of Amos Peck. Amos Peck married Lovica 
Todd, daughter of Ela Todd. Amos Peck, his father, married Lois 
Chatterton. Jerome C. Munson married, in 1864, Sarah J., daughter 
of Heman Doolittle. of Hamden. They have three sons: George W., 
born 1866; Bennett P., born 1870; Willis B.,born 1880. 

William I. Munson, born in Hamden in 1843, is a son of Alva and 
Melinda(Dorman) Munson and grandson of Isaac Munson. Mr. Mun- 
son was elected selectman in 1886, '87, '88 and '89. He is a member 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 333 

of Hamden Plains M. E. church, and Hamden Grange ; also Harmony 
Lodge, I. O. O. F., of New Haven. He married, in 1871, Fannie M., 
daughter of Andrew J. Doolittle. They have two children : Edgar 
W., born 1875, and Ruby A., born 1882. 

John Osborn, born in Woodbridge, Conn., in 1824, was a son of 
William M. and grandson of Elisha Osborn. He settled in Hamden 
about 1846. He was a civil engineer. He planned the Fair Haven 
Water Works (since consolidated with the New Haven Water Works) 
and superintended their construction. The water works of Granby 
and Simsbury, Ansonia, New Britain and Waterbury, Conn., and 
Cohoes and Millerton, N. Y., were constructed under his supervision. 
He also laid out Maltby Park. He married, in 1849, Lavinia, daughter 
of Allen Dickerman, of Hamden, and had five children : Julia A., 
John I. (who died young), Mary L., John I. and Allen. John I. is a 
civil engineer and surveyor, and for several years has been m the 
government service, engaged in coast survey. John Osborn died in 
1884. 

Frederick A. Peck, born in Hamden, January 9th, 1862, is a son of 
Lorenzo and Sarah (Talmadge) Peck, grandson of Zeri, great-grand- 
son of Joseph, and great-great-grandson of Amos Peck. Lorenzo 
Peck is a farmer, also is extensively engaged in the wood business. 
He had two children : Frederick A. and George. Frederick A. Peck 
was married in 1888 to Elizabeth C, daughter of Wales C. Dicker- 
man, of Hamden. In 1889 he engaged in the meat business in Mt. 
Carmel. 

Edward Rice, born in Kilkenny, Ireland, in 1861, is a son of Will- 
iam and grandson of John Rice. He came to this country in 1874 and 
settled in Hamden. Since 1876 he has been in the employ of the New 
Haven Web Company, and for six years has been foreman of the 
weaving department. He is a member of the A. O. of H. of Hamden. 
He was married, in 1886, to Annie Burke, and has two sons, William 
and Edward, and one daughter, Maggie. 

Charles Roberts, born in Wallingford, Conn., in 1824, is a son of 
Ephraim and Susan (Ellis) Roberts. She was a sister of William Ellis, 
who was collector of the port of New Haven under Jackson's admin- 
istration. Ephraim Roberts had by his first wife three sons: Horatio, 
Ralph R. and Charles. Horatio had one son, Frank Roberts, who is 
principal of the military school at Norwalk, Conn. Ephraim had six 
daughters: Amanda, Harriet, Louise, Nancy, Emily and Susan. Har- 
riet, Emily and Susan are living. Ephraim married for his second 
wife Polly Dunham. Their children were John D. and James M 
Charles Roberts left Connecticut at an early age and until 1872 resided 
in New York and the Western states, living in California, Texas, 
Mexico and Central America. In 1872 he settled in Centerville, town 
of Hamden, and opened a sale stable. He does an extensive business, 
buying and shipping a large number of horses from the Western 
states every year. 



•334 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

William Rosenthal, son of Henry Rosenthal, was born in Rhein 
Province, Germany, in 1844, came to America in 1879, and settled in 
New York, where he resided until 1SS3, when he removed to Hamden 
and entered the employ of the New Haven Web Company as designer. 
He was married in 1888 to Philomena Burkhardt. They had two 
■daughters. Lillie and Philomena, and one son, Harrison W. ]SIr. 
Ro.senthal died in 189(». 

Edward D. vSanford, born in Hamden in 18.18,15 a son of Dennis S.. 
born in 1827, grandson of Amos W. and great-grand.son of Stephen 
Sanford. Amos W. married Obedience Atwater. Their children 
were: Goodyear A., x\lbert, Cynthia, Robert A., Dennis S., Catherine 
•0. and John W. Dennis S. married Mary E. Rogers in 1851. Their 
children are: Emily, born in 1858, married F. J. Colvin; Amos A., born 
in 18.")5, married Jennie Benham: and Edward D., born in 1858. The 
latter was married in 1879 to Sarah, daughter of James R. Broadbent. 
They have two children, Ralph B. and Mabel E. Since 1883 Mr. San- 
ford has been in the ice business in New Haven. He is a member of 
the Hamden Plains M. E. church, and assistant superintendent of the 
Sunday school. 

Howard Sherman was born in New York in 18-i2, and .settled in 
Hamden in 18G0. He is a son of Thaddeus and Eliza (Taylor) Sher- 
man, and grandson of Reverend Nathaniel Sherman, who was pastor 
■of the Mt. Carmel Consfregfational church for several vears. 

Edwin D. Swift, born in Sharon, Conn., May 8th, 1825, is a son of 
Augustus B. and Rebecca (Munson) Swift, grandson of Philo and 
great-grandson of Heenan Swift, who was a colonel in the revolution- 
ary war. Doctor Swift was educated at the University of New York, 
receiving his diploma in 1849. He immediately settled in Hamden 
and began the practice of his profession. He is a member of the New 
Haven Medical Society and the Connecticut State Medical vSociety. 
He was married in 1851 to vSarah L. Punder.son, of New Haven. They 
had one son, Edwin E. Swift. Mrs. Swift died in 1865, and in 1868 
Doctor Swift was married to Julia M. Swift. He is a member of Mt. 
Carmel Congregational church. 

John W. Talmadge, born in Prospect, Conn., in 1842, is a son of 
William and Annie Talmadge. In 1861 he enlisted in Company K, 
loth Connecticut Regiment, and served three years. At the close of 
the war he engaged in the grocery business for a short time, then en- 
gaged in the meat business, continuing it until the present time. He 
settled in Hamden in 1865, and was married the same year to Ange- 
line, daughter of Alvah Munson, of Hamden. They are members of 
the Hamden jPlains M. E. church. 

Lambert W. Talmadge, born in Prospect, Conn., in 1829, is a son of 
William and Annie (Sparry) Talmadge. Mr. Talmadge is one of a 
family of ten children: three sons — Lambert W., John and Stephen — 
-and seven daughters—Mary, Sarah, Nancy, Eliza, Esther, Clarissa and 




<^^ 



''^. 



/ 



HISTdRV OK XKW HAVEN COUNTY. 335 

Julia. Lambert W. Talmadge is a farmer. He was married in LS51 
to Elizabeth, daughter of Zeri Peck, of Hamden, and they have four 
children : Frank P., born 1852, lives in Dakota; Oscar J., born 1854, 
resides in New Haven, where for eight 5'ears he has been in the em- 
ploy of the N. Y., N. H. & H. R. R. Co. ; Alden O., born 1859, 
resides in Hamden, and Ellsworth A., born 1862, residing in Bristol, 
•Conn. 

Oliver F. Treadwell, M. r).,born in Baltimore. Md., June 25th, 1841, 
is a son of Oliver W. Treadwell and Anna H. Kramer. The latter 
was of German descent. Doctor Treadwell's grandfather was John 
P., and his great-grandfather, John Treadwell; the first president of 
the American Board of Foreign Missions, and one of the early gover- 
nors of Connecticut. Doctor Treadwell was educated at Yale College 
and Medical School, receiving his diploma in 1865. He practiced for 
about three years in New Haven, then removed to Hamden, where he 
has since resided. He was town physician for three years. He is 
also extensively engaged in market gardening. He is a member of 
the Connecticut State Medical Societ}-. He was married in 1872 to 
Sarah J. Barraclough. 

Frederic E. Tuttle, born in North Haven in 1839, is a son of Elias 
and Abigail (Ingham) Tuttle and grandson of Manning Tuttle. From 
1859 to 1867 he was engaged in mining in Australia and New Zealand. 
He settled in Hamden about 1868. P'or seven years he ran a meat 
market at Centerville. Since 1883 he has been engaged in farming 
and has earned on a milk business. He was elected to the legislature 
m 1884. He was married in 1868 to Juliette, daughter of Ezra Ailing 
of Hamden. 

Henry Tuttle was born where he now lives October 23d, 1820. His 
family name is one of the oldest in the annals of New Haven county. 
So early as 1635 William and Elizabeth Tuttle came from England to 
the colonies, and in 1639 settled in New Haven. A numerous posterity 
traces the family pedigree to the.se ancestors, and the name is common 
in the history of the original colony, and of the towns since formed 
from the original grant to the colony. One branch of the family 
found a .settlement within what was afterward the limits of the town 
■of Hamden, and ever since the name has figured prominently in the 
government and society of the town. 

Close under the northwestern side of picturesque and sightly Mt. 
Carmel, in Hamden, lies a valley. To the northeast and southwest 
for a considerable distance this valley extends, sloping up on its north- 
western side to hills which skirt its boundary there. Into this valley 
from the Mt. Carmel range and from the northwestern hills have 
washed for ages, since the glaciers melted away from the surface of 
the country, rich deposits for farming, making the tract of land lying 
here one of the richest agricultural portions of the town. It is a 
somewhat secluded portion. A single highway runs through it, but 



33(^ HISTORY OF NF.W HAVEN COUNTY. 

the volume of travel to and from the New Haven turnpike seeks 
other avenues, while yet this valley is by no means lonesome from any 

infrequency of passers by. 

Here in this somewhat retired but beautiful valley, Henry iuttle 
was born. His father was Leverett Tuttle, and his mother Electa 
Kimberly. The family residence was located on the northwest side of 
the street, nearlv opposite to the present residence of Henry Tuttle. 
Leverett Tuttle's children numbered five: Horace, Lewis, Julia. Henry 
and Dennis. And now being old and well .stricken in years the father 
divided a part of his estate lying in this valley among his three sons 
who were living: Horace, Henry and Dennis. But the changes which 
have followed the divi-sion of the paternal estate have brought Henry 
Tuttle into possession of nearly all of the old homestead. At the 
same time he has enlarged it by purchase, until his farm, embracing 
several hundreds of acres, is one of the largest of the town. 

Henry Tuttle was a dutiful son, recognizing his filial obligations 
to his father and worked with him on the homestead farm until he 
was twentv years- of age. The spirit of independent bu.siness life was 
now .stirring forcibly in the young man. The father perceived the 
son's business ambition, and gave him what remained of his " time 
to his majority. Two years passed by in efforts somewhat desultory. 
Then a close friend and relative by marriage offered to furnish capital 
for the cattle drover business. It was the opportunity Henry Tuttle 
was then waiting for, and was by a certain gift of calculation fitted for. 
He now travelled by railroad to Springfield, Mass., and then on foot 
throuo-h the state northward and into Vermont, purchasing stock, and 
then driving his cattle homeward to be sold in New Haven markets. 
\s his own capital increased he went westward into the .state of New 
York and farther still into Ohio to make purchases of cattle, not 
alwavs driving them home to Connecticut, but often to the New \ ork 
city and Albanv markets. The early spring and the season following 
haying were occupied in the cattle drover's trade for about twenty- 
eight years-a long period-and even now his early passion has not 
wholly subsided, and crops out in the large stock of nearly forty head 
of cattle kept continually on his farm. 

Those parts of the year not occupied in the purcha.sing and selling 
of cattle Mr. Tuttle spent on his farm and in the service of the town 
of Hamden. From early manhood he has taken great interest in the 
manao-ement of town affairs. It has been his life-long ambition that 
the town of Hamden shall have the most thrifty and at the same time 
the most economical administration of public affairs, and nothing is 
hazarded in the assertion that the town has had no more zealous and 
faithful son than Henry Tuttle. 

Two (jualities of Mr. Tuttle have won and preserved, through a 
lon« .series of years, the confidence of his fellow townsmen-his ability 
of administration and his uprightness and trustworthiness of char- 





e--^ . 




d^^#^ 



HISTORY OF NEW IIAVEX COUNTY. 337 

acter. Whenever entrusted with respopsibility he has been ambitious 
to discharge it well, whatever the trust might be. Hence, to his 
natural endowment of good sense, he has added the ability which 
comes from studious, thoughtful habits, from a wide reading of the 
daily and weekly literature, and from association with leading minds 
in the active affairs of the state. And whether he was chosen select- 
man or assessor or justice of the peace or prosecuting grand juror 
or representative to either house of the general assembly, he has 
sought to honor the position by the highest quality of administrative 
service. In all these relations to his townsmen his watch and care 
of their interests have won him an excellent reputation as a public 
official. 

One of the developments of his public life has been as interesting 
as it is noteworthy. Appointed years ago the prosecuting grand juror 
of the town, he began the study of the simpler phases of law and of the 
statutes of Connecticut. His brother, Dennis, a lawyer, upon moving 
to Iowa, left his law library in charge of Henry, and Henry indulged 
his legal propensity at will. The result was that as prosecuting 
grand juror he knew when a complainant had a " case," was himself 
able to work it up for trial in the best manner, and conduct it in 
court with marked ability, even to the making of the technical plea. 
The town of Hamden was fortunate in its officer, and its treasury 
saved from the careless drafts made b}' many state or city attorneys 
upon the constituencies they serv^e. The courts have also recognized 
his ability by appointing him on committees to try questions of fact 
in civil stiits. 

The opinion held of him by his townsmen may be inferred from 
a general trust reposed in him in the matter of the .settlement of 
estates. Not infrequently has he been applied to to draft wills, and 
then be the custodian of them, also to act as executor or administrator. 
Through a long succession of years he has not been without much 
responsibility of this kind. And to him the widow and the orphan, 
as well as the neighbor, have appealed for such counsel and help as 
only a trustworthy and competent citizen can give. Expense has 
been often saved by his kindly services to the large class weighted 
with grief or troubled concerning the disposal or inheritance of 
property. 

Mr. Tuttle is nominally a democrat in politics, and on all the great 
lines of party policy is true to his political lineage. But after all 
he places men above party allegiance. If his own party .should not 
offer him a capable candidate he may be found working for the election 
of a political opponent, and upon the principle that the town and the 
state should have the best and most efficient ptiblic .servants. He him- 
self has been chosen to .state honors; as to the house of representa- 
tives in 18.")S and 1S64, and to the state senate in 1S71. Several 
important measures or amendments in behalf of his town or district 
21 



338 HISTORV OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

were earried through the legislature under his leadership, as making 
free the Cheshire turnpike, the street location of the Whitney avenue 
horse railroad, the cleansing of the reservoir of the New Haven Water 
Company, and the securing of the original rights to the town once 
belonging to the New Haven colony, along the shores where mollnsks 
thrive. 

The centennial of the town of Hamden occurred in the year 18SC. 
Mr. Tuttle was an enthusiastic promoter of the celebration, and both 
for the pride of the town in himself, and for his long family history 
in the town, the committee in charge called him out as one of the few 
whose voices should be publicly heard on that occasion. 

On Augu.st 17th, ISuH, he married Miss Delia A. Francis, daughter 
of Joseph S. Francis, of Durham. One son has been born to them. 
Homer Tuttle, a prosperous merchant of Mt. Carmel. And now his 
parents in affluence, and yet in the simple manners and tastes of the 
typical Connecticut farmer, are passing the afternoon of life in hap- 
piness in the beautiful valley beside Mt. Carmel, enjoying their own 
peaceful self-respect and the esteem of their townsfolk. 

Hubert E. Warner, born in Hamden, vSeptember 12th. 1839, is a son 
of Elias, he a son of Samuel, and he a son of Benjamin Warner, all 
natives of Hamden. Elias Warner was born in 1807. learned the 
mason trade and followed that business for over 40 years. For his 
first wife he married Nancy Short. They had one son, Charles War- 
ner. For his .second wife he married vSybil ;\I., daughter of Amasa 
Tuttle. vShe was born in 1809. Their children were : Elizur, Huldah, 
Hubert E. and Amasa T. Huldah and Hubert E. are living. Elias 
Warner was elected representative from Hamden in 1863 and re- 
elected in 1864. His wife died April 12th, 1891. Hybert E. Warner 
early learned the ma.son's trade, and has always been engaged in that 
business, since 1872 as a contractor and builder, doing business in New 
Haven. He was elected state representative in 1886. He is a mem- 
ber of Hiram Lodge, No. 1, F. & A. M., of New Haven ; Montowese 
Lodge, No. If), L O. O. F.; Golden Rule Encampment and Hanimon- 
a.ssett Tribe of Red Men. In 1861 he was married to Charlotte A. 
Rogers, of Hamden. Their children are : Charles W., Hattie E., 
Minnie R., Frank A., Hubert E., Lottie J., Harry ^L and Ray- 
mond E. 

John E. Warner, born in Hamden in 1842, is a son of Horace and 
Elizabeth (Keep) Warner and grandson of Elam, who was a son cf 
Hezekiah Warner. Elam Warner was representative from Hamden 
in 1833. John E. Warner is engaged in farming. He was married 
in 1868 to Lsabel Pardee. They have three children : Grace L, Ella 
P. and Ida M. 

Pjenjamin C. Woodin, born in Hamden in 1828, is a son of Charles 
and grandson of Benjamin. His great-grandfather was also named 
Benjamin. He built the house where Benjamin C. now resides, it 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVExV COUNTY. 339 

being one of the oldest in the town. Charles Woodin married Betsy, 
daughter of Abraham Cooper (he served in the revolutionary war). 
Their children were: Eunice R., who married John L. vSperry ; Rhoda 
W.. married Jared Benham ; William H., married for his first wife 
Juliet Munson, and for his second Mary Downs: and Benjamin C, who 
married for his first wife Ann R. Beckwith, October 1st, 1852. She 
died in November, 1861. Their children were : Hattie, died at the age 
of five, and Bessie H., who married Frank Gorham, and has one child, 
Freddie S., aged eight years. Mr. Woodin married, in 1808, Julia 
Shipman. He enlisted in September, 1861, in the 7th Connecticut 
Regiment, and was discharged November 23d, 1864. He was wounded 
at the battle of Deep Run, August 16th, 186-4. He is a member of 
Admiral Foote Post, No. 17, G. A. R. He was elected representative 
in 1886. 

Vinus Wooding, born in Hamden in 1805, died in 1891, was a son of 
Abner and Lydia (Ailing) Wooding and grandson of Samuel Wooding, 
a revolutionary soldier, who was killed by the British when they 
landed at New Haven. Abner Wooding was a carpenter, and Vinus 
in his earlier years worked at that trade. Farming, however, was his 
principal business. He was married in 1840 to Jane Tirttle. They 
had three daughters : Vestina, Hettie and Janie. Abner Wooding 
framed the building now known as the Old Tontine in New Haven, 
his sons Eneas and Vinus working as helpers. 



CHAPTER VII. 
THE TOWN OF WALLINGFORD. 



Location and Description. — Early Settlers. — Growth of tlie Town. — Second Centen- 
nial. — Organization of Town and Early Records. — Town Clerks and Probate 
Judges. — Public Highways. — Manufacturing. — Wallingford Borough. — Incorpora- 
tion and Officers. — Sewerage. — Street Improvement. — Water Department. — Fire 
Department. — The Wallingford Disaster. — Gas Light Company. — Banks. — Building 
and Loan As.sociation. — Business Places. — Post Office. — Public Buildings. — The 
Press. — Libraries. — Yalesville. — Tracy. — East Wallingford. — Physicians and Attoi-- 
nevs. — Societies. 



AS at present constituted, the town of Wallingford is bounded 
north by Meriden, west by Cheshire, east by Durham and 
Middlefield, and south by North Branford and North Haven. 
In extent it is seven miles from east to west and about six miles from 
north to south. Its central part is near thirteen miles from New 
Haven. The general .surface is diversified by hills and dales, except 
in the ea.stern part, where are some mountainous lands, the Totoket 
rano'e extending: into the town. An elevated section west of Pista- 
paug lake, near the east line, bears the name of Whirlwind. Other 
elevations also bear local names, as Pond hill, which is on the line 
between Wallingford and North Haven ; Sugar Loaf hill, which is 
southwest of the borough: JNlt. Tom, west of the village ; and Long 
hill, applied to the range of hills east of the borough. In that part of 
the town are also some .swamp lands, the largest bodies being called 
Muddy River and Tamerack swamps. The principal stream in that 
section is Wharton's brook, which flows southwest into the (Juin- 
nipiac. The latter stream drains the main valley of the town and has 
several good water powers. Community lake or pond, near Walling- 
ford village, covers IHO acres. Along the east bank, for about four 
miles long and nearly a mile in width, is the great Sandy or Walling- 
ford plain, the largest level belt and the mo.st extensive barren lands 
in the .state. Aside from this and the extreme eastern section, the 
lands are fairly productive, and the town has some good farms on the 
smaller hills and in the larger vales. 

What is now the town of Wallingford was included in the second 
purchase of Indian lands, made by the New Haven colony, December 
11th, l(')8iS. At that time was deeded a tract thirteen miles long and 
ten miles wide, lying along the (Juinnipiac, several miles north of the 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 341 

first tract purchased by Messrs. Davenport and Eaton. The colony 
thus had the right to the lands as far north from the sound as West 
Meriden. The consideration for the last purchase was an English 
coat for each ten square miles of land, the right to hunt and fish 
thereon being conceded to the Indians. 

It is probable that the Indians were undisturbed in the enjoj'ment 
of these privileges a long time, for it was not until about thirt}' years 
later that the settlement of the lands by the whites was considered by 
the New Haven colony. In 1667 that town voted to set off a village 
in the new territory, which purpose was confirmed by the general 
assembly at the October court the same year. In the next two years 
the territory was prospected for an eligible site for a village by John 
Moss, John Brockett, Abraham Doolittle and others, who suggested 
the locality which was later chosen. 

In order that the affairs of the projected village of New Haven 
might be prudently managed and only proper persons be admitted as 
planters, certain rules were prescribed by the town of New Haven, 
November Sl.st, 1669, and Samuel Street, John Moss, John Brockett 
and Abraham Doolittle were empowered as a committee to see that 
the rules of the town in relation to the village were carried out. Those 
purposing to become members of the new village now covenanted 
with one another by signing an agreement to do certain things in har- 
mony with the town's articles, which would have the effect of estab- 
lishing a church and maintaining a minister, etc.; " and lastly we doe 
engage personally to settle upon the place b}- May next, come twelve 
month, if God's providence inevitably hinder not, and to observe and 
perform all and every other article agreed upon." 

This agreement was signed by 38 persons, not all of whom settled 
in the new village. The committee now proceeded to locate the vil- 
lage site, " upon the hill, on the east side of the great plain, commonly 
called New Haven plain," now the borough of Wallingford. They 
laid out the south part of the village, " beginning at the southeast of 
.said hill;" and, then, " Next to the aforesaid house lots it is ordered 
that there shall be a highway cirosse the hill, from east to west of six 
rods broade*, and from thence a long highway of six rods broade on 
the top of thehill torunnorthwardf, and on each side of itt to ranges 
of hous lotts of six acres to a lott; and these lotts to be distributed." 

The settlement of New Haven village was thus begun, in the spring 
of 167(l, the first assignment of lots being made on the east slope of 
what is now South Main street and continuing northward until all 
those admitted as villagers were supplied with lots, which each 
embraced six acres, and jutted on .streets six rods wide. Most of the 
early settlers had previously lived in New Haven; others came from 
adjoining towns in the colony, and the following year a number more 
came direct from Boston, where they had landed as emigrants from 

*Now Centre street. fNow Main street. 



342 HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 

England. But all were settled on the approval of the Xew Haven 
village committee. 

On the 12th of May. 1670, the court of elections, held at Hartford, 
sanctioned the action of New Haven in forming this settlement, and 
" having been moved to state the bounds of the new village that is 
.settled upon the playne, as you goe to New Haven," it described 
bounds five miles wide on each side of the Quinnipiac river, extend- 
ing from Branford bounds northward " to where the old road to New 
Haven goeth over Pilgrim's Harbour," with a provision that no planta- 
tion or previous grant would be prejudiced by these village bounds. 
This court also ordered " that the plantation on the playne, in the 
road to New Haven be called Wallingford."-' 

The Branford bounds being disputed, a joint committee, composed 
of John Moss and Nathaniel Mernman for Wallingford, and John 
Wilford, Thomas Harri.son and vSamuel Ward for Branford, acted on 
it, September 22d, 1G70, but their recommendation does not appear to 
have settled the matter. In January, 1G73, another committee passed 
on it, agreeing in effect, " that the Meadow between the Mill River 
and the East River northward above the blue Hills shall be Walling- 
ford, as to the Bulk of it, and Liberty of draweing the line as they 
shall see cause, and though the line agreed too should cut through it." 

The following year John Wilford and Nathaniel White ran the 
lines of the survey according to the grant of the general court, 
namely: "We did Runn from the East River, comonly called New 
Haven River, upon an east and south line five miles; very nere pish- 
atipague ponds, and from there upon a North and by east line 
until it meets with Middletown South bounds; and on East and by 
vSouth line, till it meets with Middletown west bounds; and on the west 
side New Haven river upon a west and by north line seven miles." 

" The original proprietors of the country thus set apart as Walling- 
ford were: .Samuel Street, .Samuel Whittlesey, Thomas Yale, Juhn 
Moss, John Brockett, Nathaniel Merriman, Samuel Thorp, Jeremiah 
How, Isaac Curtis, John Atwater, Edward Peck, John Parker, sen., 
Joshua Culver. John Hitchcock, Roger Tyler, Samtiel Cook, Henry 
Cook, Daniel Mix, Samuel Brockett, Mercy ^loss, John Hall, Eliasaph 
Preston, Jehiel Preston, John Merriman, John Beach, Samuel Munson, 
Joseph Thompson, Benjamin Holt, John Peck, John Lathrop, Thomas 
Curtis, Nathaniel Royce, Doctor Hall, David Hall, John Austen, Zach- 
ariah How, Nathaniel How, Joseph Benham, .sen., Robert Roice. Will- 
iam Ebenatha, Ebenezer Clark, Samuel Hough, Joseph Benham. Jr., 
John Doolittle, Joseph Andrus, Thomas Beach, Abraham Doolittle."+ 

In addition to the assignment of home lots in the village, each 
planter received an allotment of meadow or woodland, at a convenient 

*Named fur the town of Wallingford in England. -the term meaning-, literally, 
an " old fortifieation," or a walled town 1)y a bridge or ford. 
tDoctor Davis, pp. S'>-G. 



HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 343 

distance from the village. What was deemed most desirable for such 
purposes was described as being " Lotts on the river called New 
Haven east river, that are layed out to severall of the inhabitants as 
raeddow land. They are to begin at the end of the hill called Blew 
hill, where it comes to the river, and so to run upward the river." 
Thirty-eight lots of eight or twelve acres each were thus assigned on 
both sides of the river, according to the judgment of the .surveyors, 
acting on the orders of the committee. 

It should be borne in mind that, at this time, nothing was more 
abundant than land, and that it was comparatively worthless until it 
was cleared. In all these transfers from New Haven to the commit- 
tee, thence from them to the associated planters, as the original pro- 
prietors, there was no consideration of money. But there was a 
distinction made, based on the rank or relative importance of the 
planter. Hence, when it was proposed a year or so later, that other 
allotments be made, the matter was referred to a special committee, 
the results of whose labors are thus set forth in the records of Walling- 
ford: 

''■ Whereas at a towne meeting held July 29, 1672, the towne 
apoynted a comitee of 9 persons viz. Mr. John Moss Sen. Mr. John 
Brockett, Senior Nathanliell Merriman Sen. Abraham Dowlittle, Sen. 
Samll Andrews, Nathan Andrews, John Hall, Jun Samell Mon.son & 
Thos. Yale, for the Distribution of Lands, Respecting quantity to every 
planter, the above named comitee have had several Debates & Seri- 
ous Considerations, after which upon the 3rd of January 1673 they 
came to a conclusion of this matter Respecting e