NYPL RESEARCH LIBRARIES
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HISTORY
OF THE
TOWN OF PLYMOUTH
CONNECTICUT
WITH AN ACCOUNT OF THE
Centennial Celebration
May 14 and 15, 1895.
Also a Sketch of Plymouth, Ohio
Settled bv Local Families.
COMPILED BY
FRANCIS ATWATER.
'fci*'
Printed, Illustrated and Bound by
THE JOURNAL PUBLISHING COMPANY
MERJDEN, CONN.
1895.
^'
^^-r^^^rS, i
PREFATORY WORDS.
T
HIS book is hereby taken possession of for the insertion of
a few
Prefatory Words,
to be spoken, independently of liim whose production it is, to
you whom it cordially greets, as, honoring it with your attention,
you are now about to turn its pages, and aided by the illustra-
tions which embellish it, peruse with more or less care its record
of the people and the times that have been in this ancient town.
When residents of Plymouth made known their purpose to
observe with appropriate celebration, upon May 14 and is, 189s,
the first centennial of the setting oft' of the town, among many to
whom this intelligence was of great interest was one, who, born
and reared till the period of 3'outh in the town, had then gone
elsewhere, an orphan boy, to seek, or rather under God to make
his fortune, and after varied experience in the remote West as
well as in the East had at length won his way to become the
head of a leading publishing house located in one of the cities
of Connecticut. Cherishing with fond and grateful aftection the
memories of his early years he recognized in the projected cele-
bration an opportunity of rendering a tribute of filial regard to
his native town. Hardly had the wish sprung up within him,
akin to that which "heaved the breast" of the peasant poet of
Scotland,
" 'I'hat 1, ior poor auld Scotland's sake,
Some usefu' plan or book could make,"
before it matured into the purpose, which at length materialized
in the result of a Souvenir History of Ply/noat/i^ a quarto volume of
ninety-one pages, w^hich appeared fresh from the press on the
day of the Centennial celebration, and was one of tlie most
appropriate and pleasing features of that memorable occasion.
It had been accepted in advance as the only authorized publica-
4 HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.
tion of the sort in connection witli the day ; and a thousand
copies were donated to the town to aid in defraying the expenses
incidental to the celebration. But the compiler having collected
much valuable information beyond what entered into the Soiivenn-
Historx in its original term, could not be content with so limited
a publication ; neither was he willing that a work which of
necessity had been hurriedly produced, with unavoidable errors
detracting from its value, should be the finalitv of his endeavors
to hand on to the future a volume which should be at once a
contribution to the historv of his native town, and a memorial of
the first centennial celebration of its organization. It was in his
purpose also that the book in its ultimate scope should include a
full account of the centenary. Accordingly he regarded the
volume issued at that time as a provisional publication pre-
paratory to one more complete and accurate which should follow
it at the earliest practicable date. Hence this book. It is the
tribute of a son of Plymouth to his civic mother upon the
hundredth anniversary of her life. The production of it has
been a labor of love and has involved months of unwearied eflbrt
including many journeys and a large expenditure of means, not
indeed without hope of pecuniary return, but with a generous
purpose unrestricted by considerations of personal gain. It has
not been the product of one hand alone, but while many col-
laborators have contributed to it, the casting of the whole, and
much of the composition of it, have been the work of him with
whom the design of the book had its origin. As it now goes
forth in its concluding form, that were an unworthy omission
which should leave unspoken any mention of the public spirit,
the amor patriae wliich has had expression in the production of
this volume, as tender and true as was manifested by those other
sons of Plymouth who wore the blue in the war for the Union.
And so upon this opening page his appreciative townsmen and
friends inscribe the name of
Francis Atwater,
with grateful acknowledgement of the honorable and amiable
spirit manifested by him in giving being to this memorial.
Lcvcreit Stearns Griggs.
INTRODUCTION.
^T^HE history of the Town of Plymouth herewith presented is
^ as near complete as can now be obtained. The early
period is not as thoroughly covered as one could wish from the
fact that the traditional circinnstances handed down cannot at
this late day be verified. The town recoids in the first years
were looselv kept and aflbrd meagre information, while to go
still further back to those of Watertown and VVaterbury, of
which towns Plymouth was formerly a part, it is impossible to
define strictly the portions relating to Northbury parish as it was
then known. The author, however, in the matter now pre-
sented, has taken great pains to have the details as near correct
as it is possible to get them. The Soiiveiiir History published as
a feature of the Centennial Celebration of the incorporation of
the town May 14 and 15, 1S95, contained considerable here
reprinted, but as it was accompanied with the request that any
errors or omissions be corrected by those interested, it is pre-
sumed as the book now goes forth the facts can be relied upon.
It is to be regretted that only the fragmentary history of the
ancient parish of Northbury in revolutionary times can be col-
lated. It is known that several of her loyal sons gained honor-
able distinction of which mention is made, that many others
participated of whom no trace exists, and that the material facts
which would be of great interest to the descendants of these
soldiers, have been lost sight of and are beyond recall. This
parish can claim one honor, however, that no other is entitled to,
in being the birthplace of the last pensioner of the revolutionary
war.
A feature of this volume which will be found interesting is a
sketch of Plymouth, Ohio, settled by former well known residents
of this town, tlie descendants of whom now number some 400 or
500, many of whom still reside there. There are other towns in
Ohio called Plymouth, and to designate one from the other the
HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.
one referred to has been named East Plymouth by the post office
authorities.
The book is given up largely to biographical sketches and
portraits, as it is due to the genius, skill and enterprise of the
townspeople that Plymouth lays claim to such a grand historic
career which every son and daughter may glorify and feel proud
of. It was here that Eli Terry developed his wonderful inven-
tions which made American clock-making what it is to-day.
The names of Seth Thomas, Silas Hoadley, Chauncey Jerome,
and Hiram Camp, all former residents of Plymouth, have since
become famous in this line. In the past century the business has
grown to vast proportions, and millions upon millions of clocks
have gone forth from Connecticut alone. Other names deserving
of the highest praise are those of James Terry and Sereno Gay-
lord, who it is safe to say, were the successful founders of the
cabinet and trunk lock business in this country. The local com-
pany, which has grown to be a vast concern, owes its prosperity
entirely to their forethought, perseverance and integrity.
The author, knowing of how much importance Plymouth
has been to the country, has undertaken to preserve so much of
its history as is now available, trusting, as the years go by that
it will be appreciated and valued for its intrinsic worth.
CHAPTER I.
THE TOWN OF PLYMOUTH.
Act of Incorporation, Describing the Boundary Lines and the Stipulations to be
Abided By— Disposition of the Poor of the Old Town— List of Incorporators-
Grand List— First Officers— Full List of Representatives, Judges of Probate
and Town Clerks.
THE town of Plymouth was Hrst made distinct as the society
of Northbury in 1780, when it was incorporated with tlie
society of Westbury unc'er the name of Watertovyn, both societies
being set otVfiom \Vaterbuiy. In 179^ Northbury was set oft' as
a town by itself, called Plymouth, under the following act of the
legislature :
At a General Assembly oj flie Slate of Coimectic2il^ Iwldeji at
Hartford^ in said Slale^ on the seeo?id Thursday of May^
Anyio Dom.., ijgs :
Upon the memorial of the inhabitants of the town of Water-
town, showing to the Asseml:)ly that the said town and the same
as now incorporated, including the parishes of Westbury and
Northbury, and a part of the parish of Northheld, extends from
east to west, on the north adjoining on Harwinton and Litchfield,
about ten miles and a half; and from north to south, adjoining
west on Woodbury and Bethlehem, about eight miles ; and from
west to east, adjoining on the south on Waterbury, about nine
miles; and fiom south to north, adjoining east on Biistol, about
five miles and a half; and that the same is so situated that it is
very inconvenient to do this town business owing to the badness
of the roads, length of the wa}-, and other inconveniences, and
also showing that the situation of said town and their amount in
the list are sufficient to entitle them to be incorporated into two
distinct towns, and that they are willing to be restricted to one
representative from each town at the General Assembly, praying
for relief as per memorial on file.
Resolved^ by this Assembly, that all the land lying in the
limits of said Watertown, west of the river Naugatuck, and
iiisiom' f)F pi.vMOUTir.
South Street,
P|>rnouih.
Main Street,
Plvmouth.
Winter Scene.
South Street,
Pl\ moutli.
THE TOWN OF PLYMOUTH. 9
southwest ot tlie west brancli of said river, and the inhabitants
within the said limits, shall retain the said name of Watertown,
and shall have and retain all the books of records belonging to
said towns, and shall have and retain all the privileges insistant
to any other town in this State, except only that said town shall
hereafter send but one Representative to the General Assembly
of this State, and that the said town of Watertown shall hereafter
support all the poor who resided within its limits on the ^th day
of May, A. D., 1795, except one Mable Ludington, of said
Watertown — and that all the lands Ivino- within limits of the
original town of Watertown, east of the river Naugatuck and
northeast of the west branch of said river, and the inhabitants
living within those limits, be incorporated into a distinct town
by the name of Plymouth, with all the privileges and under the
same regulations of any other in this State, except only that said
town last mentioned shall hereafter send but one Representative
to the General Assembly of this State, and that said town of
Plymouth shall hereafter maintain all the poor who resided
within its limits on the 5th of instant May and also maintain the
saitl Alable Ludington, and the now town of Watertown shall
maintain all the bridges within its limits, and also all bridges
across the west branch of said river Naugatuck, and that the said
town of Plvmouth shall maintain all the bridges within its limits
except the bridges across said west branch. And that the new
town of Watenown shall pa}' to the said town of Plymouth,
agreeable to stipulation by them heretofore made, the sum of
eighty-seven pounds, ten shillings, lawful money, to be made in
two equal payments, the one-half to be paid in four months from
the rising of this Assembly, and the remainder to be paid in one
year from the expiration of said four months, and the wiiole
which remains unpaid at the end of said foiu" months to be on
interest from that time until paid, and that the said town of Ply-
mouth shall have a town meeting on or before the loth day of
Julv next, to choose town officers for the said town, which said
town meeting shall be warned bv a warrant signed by David
Smith, Esq., posted on the public sign-post in said town, at
least five davs before holding said meeting, and the said David
Smith, Esq., shall be moderator of said meeting, and said town
shall then and there proceed to appoint a Town Clerk and other
town officers for said town, who shall continue in office until the
14th dav of December, or until others are chosen in their room,
and that all the debts and credits of said original town of Water-
town shall be equallv divided between the said new town of
Watertown and Plymouth, according to their respective lists in
the A. D., 1794; and whereas. Samuel Hickcox, Jr., and
Boadice Williams, who now resides within the limits of the
present town of Watertown. were not taken into consideration in
the division of the poor of the original town of Watertown, it is
to be understood that if said Samuel Hickcox, or both the said
Samuel and the said Roadice Williams shall necessarilv l^ecome
chargeable to the respective towns to which they belong, the
expense of their support, while so chargeable, is to be paid by the
lO HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.
said new towns in proportion to the respective lists of their polls
and rateable estate, but if the said Boadice Williams shall
become necessarily chargfeable and the said Samuel shall not be
so chargeable, then the new town of Watertown shall be at the
whole expense of the support of the said Boadice Williams,
while so chargeable.
A true copy of records examined by George Wyllys,
Secretary.
The foregoing is entered agreeable to an attest and copy of
the records of the General Assembly by
J. A. WRIGHT, Tozvn Clerk.
The list of incorporators were as follows, including a few
female tax payers :
David Adkins. Eli Barnes.
Timothy Atwater. Ebenezer Barnes.
Ebenezer Ailing Joseph Barnes.
James Ailing. Eliphalet Barnes.
John Ailing. Isaac Barnes.
John Atwater. Caleb Barnes.
Solomon Ailing. Dan Barnes.
Justice Andrus. Zopher Barnes.
Daniel Adkins. Ambrose Barnes.
Ambrose Averit. Daniel and Isaac Bartholomew.
(This person is probable the Eliasaph Barker,
same as 'Ambrose Avery" Silas Booth,
in 1795). Abel Baldwin.
Samuel Alcox. Eli Baldwin.
Amos Avery. Thaddeus Baldwin.
Amos Blakslee. Gilbert Beach.
Moses Blakslee. Asahel Bradley.
Gad Blakslee, Ebenezer Bradley, Sr.
Abner Blakslee. Zachariah Beckwith.
Abner Blakslee, Jr. Noah M. Bronson.
Micajah Blakslee. Amos Bronson.
Asher Blakslee. Amos Bronson, Sr.
A'sher Blakslee, Jr. Ambrose Bunnell.
Samuel Blakslee. Hezekiah Bunnell.
Jared Blakslee. Titus Bunnell.
Adna Blakslee. John Brown, Sr.
David Blakslee. Hezekiah Brown.
Eli Blakslee. El)enezer Bailey.
Joel Blakslee. Stephen Brainard.
Salmon Blakslee. Levi Bas^ett.
Micah Blakslee. . Miles Curtis.
Jude Blakslee. Zadoc Curtis.
Bela Blakslee. Isaac Curtis.
Nathaniel Barnes. Jesse Curtis.
Nathaniel E. Barnes. Elihu Curtis.
INCORPORATORS OF PLYMOUTH.
1 I
Oliver Curtis.
SamLiel Curtis.
Benjamin Curtis.
Arba Cook.
Lemuel Cook.
Justice Cook.
Samuel Camp.
Ephraim Camp.
Isaac Camp.
Benajah Camp.
Elam Camp.
j^ Riverus Carrington.
Ebenezer Cowles.
Moses Cowles.
Reuben Culver.
Daniel Culver.
Amasa Castle.
Abel Clark.
Joseph Clark.
Jehiel Clark.
William Crosby.
Jere Cooper.
Dana Dunbar.
Aaron Dunbar.
Miles Dunbar.
David Dunbar.
Amos Dunbar.
Joel Dunbar.
Jonathan Dunbar.
Enos Dutton.
Eliasaph Doolittle.
Ebenezer Darrow, Jr,
Asa Darrow.
Titus Darrow.
Ezra Dodge.
Ira Dodge.
Thomas Dutton, Jr.
John Fancher.
Ithiel Fancher.
Ebenezer Ford.
Amos Ford.
Enos Ford.
Daniel Ford.
Samuel Fenn.
Samuel Fenn, Jr.
Jesse P'enn.
Jason Fenn.
Jacob Fenn.
Aaron Fenn.
Eber Fenn.
Isaac Fenn.
Gershom Fenn.
Abijah Fenn.
Lyman Fenn.
Elisha Frost.
Elijah Fenton.
Ebenezer Goss.
Ira Gaylord.
Cyrus Gaylord.
Lemming Gaylord.
Samuel Gilbert.
Solomon Griggs.
Paul Griggs.
Hosea Gridley
Benoni Hough.
Zachariah Hitchcock.
Nathaniel Hall.
Benjamin Hall.
Jacob Hall.
Zacheus How.
Abraham Heaton.
Abraham and Jacob Heming-
wa V .
Benjamin Hickcox.
Joel Hickcox.
Asahel Hickcox.
Seaman Hickcox.
James Hill.
David Humiston.
Jesse Humiston.
Ashbel Humiston.
Seth Hungerford.
Benjamin Hull.
Ira Hull.
Eliphalet Hartshorn.
Gains Hills.
Elnathan Ives.
Robert Jerom.
Eldad Jerom.
Timothv Jones.
Esther Johnson.
Chandler Johnson.
Harvey Judd.
Elijah Jordan.
Brainard Lindsley.
Thomas and William Lattin.
Oliver Loomis.
Isaiah Loomis.
Samuel Lewis.
David and Jonathan Luding-
ton.
Joel Langdon.
Benoni Moss.
William Munson.
I 3
iiiSTo:;v OF pi.vmoutii.
Old
Graveyard,
PKmouth.
Thomaston
Reservoir, on
PIvmouth Hill
Falls at
Greystone,
riymouth.
THE TOWN OF PLYMOUTH.
13
Obadiah jSIunson.
Isaac ]Miller
Tiiomas IMerchant.
Thomas IMerchant, Jr.
Zebulon Mosier.
Daniel Mead.
Mead Merrills.
Daniel Mills.
Isaac Alorris.
Lydia Matthews.
Caleb, Jr., and Simeon Mat-
thews.
Gideon Northrop.
Joseph Northrop.
John Osborn.
Abner Osborn.
Samuel Pardee.
Stephen Pardee.
Samuel Potter.
Jacob Potter.
Zenas Potter.
Thomas Potter.
Lake Potter.
Ira Potter.
Eliakim Potter.
Daniel Potter.
John Painter.
Thomas W. Painter.
Lent Parker.
Jonathan Pond.
Caleb Preston.
Noah Preston.
Jesse Penfield.
Samuel Royce.
David Royce.
Jacob Rovce.
Samuel Reynolds.
Daniel Rowe.
James Smith.
David Smith.
Aaron Smith.
Lemuel Sperry.
Jesse Scovil
Sele Scovii.
Selden Scovil.
Eleazer Scovil.
Olivei- Stoughton.
Thankful vSanford.
Anna Sanford
Eli vSanford.
Jesse Sanford.
Joel and Eri Sanford.
Samuel Sanford.
Samuel Sanford, Jr.
James Shelton.
David Shellon.
Ziba Seymour.
Abel Seymour.
Stephen Se^ mour.
Amos Seymour.
Gideon Seymour
Selah Seymour.
Titus Seymour.
John Sutlifl'.
Abel Sutliti'.
Lucas Sutliff.
David Sutlitr.
Samuel Sutliti".
Samuel Thomas.
James Thomas.
Edmund Thompkins.
Edmund Todd.
Samuel and Oliver Todd.
Samuel Tuttle.
Lemuel Tuttle.
Bostwick Tuttle.
William Tuttle.
Ozias Tvlerand OziasT\ ler. Jr.
Victory and Beach Tomlinson.
Bethuel Turner.
Jesse Turner.
Amzi Talmage.
Eli Terry.
Noah Upson.
Reuel Upson.
Ashbel Upson.
Anna Upson.
Noah Warner.
Lyman Warner.
John Warner.
John Warner, Jr.
James Warner.
Chauncev Warner.
Elijah Warner.
Joseph Warner.
Benjamin Warner.
Aaron Warner.
Ozias Warner.
Thomas W'av.
Samuel Wav.
Eli Welton."
Anna and Asa Welton.
Aner Woodin.
Jesse Woodin.
14 mSTOR'S' OF PLYMOUTH.
Eri Woodin. Gideon Woodruff.
Joseph A. Wright. John Williams.
Ambrose Ward. Obed Williams.
Antipas Woodward. Jesse Weed.
Samuel Wheadon, Allvn Wells.
The following persons are particularly mentioned as tax
payers residing outside the town limits:
Jonathan J. Truesdell, Bristol.
Abner Wilson, Harwinton. Widow Gaylord, Bristol.
Watertown, August 20, 1794.
A true Copy of the List of Polls and Rateable Estate,
together with the Assessments of the Society of Northbury, as
made out by us, the subscribers.
Samuei. Rovce, ■]
Lake Potter, 7- • , ? ,1
» c r leisters under oath.
Aaron Smith, \
Chau'ncey Warner, J
Sum total of Northbury List, . . =£11,072-12-3
Additions, ..... 273-1 2-1
Fourfolds, ..... 294 2-0
£11,640- 6-4
December 29, 1794.
vSum total of Watertown List, . . £24,743-11-3
On the original List the above CcrtiHcate precedes the
names.
FIRST TOW^N OFFICERS.
Wednesday, June 24, i795-
At a town meeting held agreeable to the resolve of the
General Assembly for incorporating the town of Plymouth, of
which David Smith, Esq., was appointed Moderator, the fol-
lowing town officers were appointed, viz. : Joseph Allvn
Wright, Town Clerk or Register; Aaron Dunbar, Joseph A.
Wright and Abram Weston, Selectmen ; Ozias Tvler, Elisha
Frost and Eli Barns, Constables ; Jesse Scovil, Amos Ford and
Amzi Talmadge, Grand Jurors; Joseph Allyn Wright, Town
Treasurer; Ashbel Upson, Miles Dunbar, Noah Miles Bronson,
Robert Jerome, Tythingmen; Elisha Frost, Lake Potter and
Chattncey Warner, Listers; Elisha Frost, Collector of State
Taxes; Antipas Woodward, Keeper of the Pound Kev ; Jude
Blakeslee, Sealer of Leather; Antipas Woodward, Sealer of
Weights and Measures; Ozias Tyler and Levi Bassett, Com-
mittee to Remove Encroachments from Highway ; Aaron Dun-
l)ar. Town Assent; Timothy Atwater, Jason Fenn, Elias Doo-
little, Elihu Curtiss, Amos Ford, Jesse Turner, Ozias Tyler,
WEIGHTS AND .MP:ASUKES OF PLYMOUTH
15
Gorge. Devil's Backbone,
Plvmouth.
Articles used to Seal Weights and Measures.
Supposed to be 100 Years Old.
i6
HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.
Ephraim Camp, Selah Scovil, Edmund Todd, John Atwater,
Noah Warner, James Smitli, Eli W'elton, Samiief Re}nolds and
Benjamin Hickcox, Surveyors of" Higliwavs ; Timothy Atwatt-r
and Aaron Fenn, Fence Vieweis.
Voted, That the Selectmen be a committee to settle the
account of debts and credit of tlie old town of Watertown
between the present town of Watertown and Plymouth.
I'ott'd-, That the time of holiling the annual town meeting in
this town be at nine o'clock in the morning of the second Mon-
day in December.
Votcd^ That this meeting be dismissed.
Test., J. A. WRIGHT, Tozvn Clerk.
REPRESENTATn'ES OI~ '1 HE TOWN.
While Northbury (now Plymouth) was a part of Watertown,
it appears that one of the two representatives was from North-
bury. The legislature held two sessions each \ ear, one in May
and one in October, and there were two elections in each year.
The name of David Smith appears frequently in the list of rep-
resentatives from Watertown. His titles on the record are Mr.,
Major, and Colonel. He is known b\ tradition as General.
He lived in the house Mrs. Curliss now occupies, and had a
store near by.
David Smith, 1796, 1797.
Lake Potter, 1798.
Daniel Potter, 1799, iSoo.
David Smith, iSoi.
Lake Potter, 1S02.
David Smith, 1S03-4-5.
Lake Potter, 1S06-7-S.
Daniel Pottei-, 1S09, iSio.
David Smith, 181 1.
Lake Potter, 1S12, sp'g session.
David Smith, 18 13, fall session.
Lake Potter, 1813.
Calvin Butler, 1S14.
Jacob Hemingwa\-, 1815.
Calvin Butler, 1816, 1817.
Roderick Stanley, Oct., 1817.
Calvin Butler, May, 1S18.
Jacob Hemingway, Oct., 1818.
Jacob Hemingway, 18 19.
[acob Hemingway, May, 1820.
Gideon Woodrufl', Oct., 1820.
Calvin Butler, 1821, 1822.
Thomas Mitchell, 1823, 18:4.
Elijah Warner, Jr., 1825.
Ransom Blakeslee, 1S26, 1S27.
Calvin Butler, 182S.
Samuel Guernsey, rS29, 1830.
Elijah Warner, Jr., 183 1.
Silas Hoadley, 1832.
Elijah W arner, Jr., 1S33.
Eli Potter, 1S34-5-6.
Silas Hoadlev, 1837.
Tertius D. Potter, 1838, 1839.
Apollos Warner, 1840.
Jolin S. \Varner, 1842.
Heman Welton, 1843.
Henry Terry, 1844.
Barnabas \\ . Root, 184V
Silas B. Terry, 1S46.
Levi B. Heaton, 1S47, 1848.
John C. Lewis, speaker, 1849.
Sereno Gavlord, 18^0.
Ammi Giddings, 185 1.
Edward Thomas, 18^2.
Silas Hoadley, i8=;3.
Rollin D. H." Allen, 1854.
Lewis F. Grant, 1855.
Ammi Giddings, 18^6.
Wm. E. McKee. 1857.
Noah A. Norton. 1858.
George Langdon, 1859.
James Terrv. i8t>o.
Hiram Pierce, 1861.
Samuel T Salisbury, 1863.
TOWX OFFICERS.
17
Gaius A. Norton, 1S63.
Seth Thomas, 1S64.
Henrv Sturgiss, 1S65.
N. Taylor i^aklvvin, 1S66,
Seth Thomas, 1S67.
Aaron P. Fenn, 1868.
Edward Dailey. 1S69.
Tliomas J. Bradstreet. 1870.
Lyman D. Baldwin, 1S71.
N. Taylor Baldwin, 1S73.
George A. Stoughton, 1S73.
Randall T. Andrews, 1S74.
Abijah W. Welton. 1S75.
Walter H. Scott, 1S76. '
Lyman D. Baldwin, 1877.
Rollin D. H. Allen, 1878.
Lyman D. Baldwin, 1879.
Jason C. Fenn, 1S80.
N. Taylor Baldwin, 1881.
Enos Blakeslee, 1882.
Timothy B. McNamara, 18S3.
Homer E. Cook, 18S4.
Ira jSL Bevans. 1885.
Edgar L. Pond. 1886.
Horace Fenn, 1887.
Willis G. Barton, 1889.
Wilbert N. Austin, 1891.
Erastus Fenn, 1893.
Henry E. Stoughton, 1895.
JUDGES OF PROBATE.
Calvin Butler, 1833-1S41.
Elisha Johnson, 1842. 1S43.
C. R. Butler, 1844.
Henry B. Graves, 1845.
Elisha Johnson, 1846.
Henrv B. Graves, 1847.
Barnabas \\ . Root, 1S48.
Elisha Johnson, 1849, 1S50.
Ammi Giddings, 1851, 1S52.
Elisha Johnson, 1853.
Ammi Giddings, 1S54.
Aaron D. Wells, i8sv
Ammi Giddings, 18^6-1864.
V. R. C. Giddings, i86^-iS6S.
Augustus H. Fenn, 1869, 1870.
Geo. Pierpont, 1871, 1873.
Augustus H. Fenn, 1873-1S75.
Geo. Pierpont, 187^.
Geo. W. Cole, 1876, 1877.
Byron Tuttle, 1878-1881.
Abijah W. Welton, 1882.
Byron Tuttle, 1884, 1S88, 1891.
Horace Fenn, 1891.
Jason C. Fenn, 1893- 1895.
TOWN CLERKS.
Joseph A. Wright, 1795-1815.
Calvin Butler, 1S15-1S35.
Edwin Talmadge, i83;-£838.
Calvin Butler. 1838, 1S39.
Egbert T. Butler. 1840.
Calvin Butler, 1841.
Calvin R. Butler, 1842.
Elisha Johnson, 1S43.
Abraham B. Doolittle, 1844.
Malcolm N. Butler, 1845.
Elisha Johnson, 1847.
Ammi Giddings. 18^2.
Elisha Johnson. 18^3.
Barnabas W. Root, 1854.
Ammi Giddings, 18^6.
V. R. C. Giddings, ^865.*
Augustus H. Fenn."!"
Geo. Pierpont, 1873.
Augustus H. Fenn, 1874.
Geo. Pierpont, 187V
Edwin jM. Talmadge, 1879.
Frederick E. Beach, 18S8.
Oscar D. Beach, 1890.
Jason C. Fenn, 1891-189^
* Resigned April 5. iS6g.
t Appointed to fill vacancy, 1S69.
iS
HISTORY OF PLYMOUTir.
Pastoral
Scene in
Pl\ iimutli.
Circular
Dam,
Pequabuck.
Wooden Bridge
at
Tliomaston,
Recently
Demolished.
CHAPTER I r .
EARI.V HISTORY
The Wilderness of the Naugatuck Valley First Penetrated by a Hunting Party in
1657 -Tunxis Tribe of Indians Original Proprietors -Part of Waterbury, Later
Parish of Northbury, and One Hundred Years Ago Incorporated as Town of
Plymouth.
THE Centennial celebration of the incorporation of the town
of Plymouth, Tuesday and Wednesday, May 14 and 15,
1S95, may lead the reader unfamiliar with its history to believe
that no settlement of its territory existed prior to 1795. If
such an impression should prevail it would be misleading.
Hie landing of the Pilgrims occurred at Plymouth, Mass., in
1620, and in 1634 the first settlement was made in Con-
necticut. This was at Wethersfield, Windsor and Hartford.
In 1640 some of the inhabitants removed to Farmington, being
the first in the state to go away from navigable waters. As
early as 1657 a partv on a hunting excursion had penetrated the
wilderness as far as the Naugatuck valley, making the first
known discovery of this territory 348 years ago. The party
found what they thought to be a mine of black lead, and applied
to the Tunxis tribe of Indians, who were the original proprietors
of the town, for the right to work it, which right was conveyed
to them in a deed, now recorded In Farmington.
This is believed to be the earliest title of the white men to
the region. It embraces the entire territory of the town of
Plymouth, the traditional site of the lead mine being a little
north of the Harwinton line, on the east side half a mile back of
the highway running past the house of Alfred Cleveland, in the
woods. The marks are still apparent of rock-blasting, which
could only have been for mining purposes. There is a spring
which from time immemorial has borne the name of the Lead-
IMine Spring. No immediate settlement seems to have re-
sulted from this discovery. The anticipations of wealth to be
derived from the mine were not realized and it was abandoned.
The original settlement of the valley was begun down the river,
at what was first known as Mattatuck, and afterwards as
Waterbury. The interval on which that city stands seems not
20
HIS'iORY OF PI.YMOUTII.
Main
Street,
Terrvville.
Four
Corners,
Terrvville.
Terry vi lie
School
Children,
i860.
EARLY SETTLERS OF PLYMOUTH. 21
to have been discovered b\- white men till some sixteen years
after the lead-mine deed was given, the first recorded report of it
bearing the date of October 6, 1673.
The earlv history of the town of Waterbnry, in which
Plymonth was originally included, has been fully written and
need not be repeated here. Suftice it to say that the General
Court, upon the report of its " viewing" committee, granting the
petition of the Farmington people, authorized "the settin of a
plantation at Mattatuck," and appointed a committee "to regu-
late and order it." This the committee proceeded to do.
Articles of association and agreement, bearmg the date of June
6, 1674, were drawn up and signed by the proposed settlers.
A site was selected for the village; and after a delay of three
years, caused by the great Indian war of New England, known
as "King Philip's war," in 1677 a settlement was begun.
At the outset, the committee of the General Court appointed
to superintend the settlement ordered that, "for benefit of
Christian duties and defense against enemies," the inhabitants of
the new plantation " should settle near together." Accordingly,
prior to the year 1700, all the inhabitants lived in the town
center or immediate neighborhood. But as the lands at the
center were taken up the new settleis had to find room in the
remote parts of the town. It is not till 172^ or 1730 that there is
any trace of settlers in the northern part, and here the history of
Plymouth as a distinct community begins.
The first settler of the town, so far as known, was Henry
Cook. He came with a family about 1728 and had a farm on
the west bank of the river not far from the Litchfield boundary.
He was the grandson of Henry Cook of Salem, Mass.,
before 1640. He had a grandson Lemuel, who was one of the
last pensioners on the roll of the Revolutionary war, and who
lived to be over 102 years old. John vSutliH' appears to have
been the next settler. He came with a family from Branford
about 1730 and built on the west side of the river on what is
known as the West Branch. These two men are mentioned in
a vote of the town of Canterbury, December 14, 173O1 providing
outside schools, as living at " Wooster Swamp," a term by
w'hich all the northern and northwestern part of the town was
designated.
jSIr. vSutlift" was a leading man in all the early history of the
new community. After him came Thomas Blakeslee, North-
burv's first "captain," an office in that day second in rank and
honor onlv to that of minister; Isaac Castle from Westbur}- ;
Barnabas Ford, the chief land owner, from Wallingford ; Gideon
Allen from Guilford ; John Humaston fi^om North Haven ; Eben-
ezer Richason from Canterbury ; vSamuel Towner, Ebenezer
Elwell, Jonathan Foot and others. These were called "up
river" or '•'northern people," by the inhabitants of the center of
the town, and they soon began to organize as a distinct com-
munity.
In all the earlv New England t^wns the first movements
toward distinct organization were in the direction of church
22
HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.
Old Carriage
Shop, Plymouth
Hill.
Plymouth Hill
School House.
" First. Iron
Bridge Over
lie Naugatuck.
EARLY SETTLERS OF PLYMOUTH. 23
privileges. The eailiest organization was ecclesiastical. The
first public body organized was the church. The first public
building erected was the meeting house. The first public officer
provided tor was the minister. As an old writer sa3s : " In the
first settlement of New England, when the people judged their
number competent to obtain a minister, they then severally seated
themselves, but not before, it being as unnatural for a New
England man to live without the minister as for a smith to work
his forge without a fire."
The earliest history of Plymouth therefore, is the history
of the church. No sooner had the "northern" inhabitants
become numerous and strong enough to do something independ-
ently for themselves than thev began to move for independent
religious provision, to which by law they were required to pay
taxes for the minister's support. At first, in 1732, they joined
themselves with the northwestern inhabitants, now Watertown,
in the endeavor to obtain independent "winter privileges" — that
is the privilege of hiring a ministei" to preach among them during
the winter months, with exemption during the period from
parish rates at the center. Soon after the settlement west of the
river, settlers began to locate on the hills east, and before long
the west side settlers found it for their advantage to combine
with their east side brethren and the united sections began to act
tosrether as one community.
In 1737 they opened their campaign for independence. In
October of that year, Henry Cook, Ebenezer Elvvell and Samuel
Towner, on the ground of their li\ing so far from the meeting
house, requested the town to allow them and others to hire
preaching the ensuing winter and to abate their parish rates
while they should thus liire. The town curtly voted "to do
nothing in the case." Two years later, September 27, 1736,
Thomas Blakeslee, Henry Cook, Jonathan Cook, John How,
Jonathan Foot, John .Sutlifl', Jr., Samuel Towner, Samuel
Frost, Barnabas Ford, Ebenezer Elwell, Gideon Allen, Isaac
Castle, Daniel Curtis, and John Humaston, fourteen in number,
united in a touching appeal to the town. The appeal did not
prevail.
The petitioners did not give up. Indeed it seems from
some after action that the town at this meeting did take some
action in their favor. But whatever it was the town either
recalled or denied it, and the privileges asked for were refused.
A month later, October 26, 1736, the request was repeated in
writing as before, signed by twelve persons, asking that all living
" within two and one-half miles of Barnabas Ford's new dwelling
house" be allowed the privilege of hiring for three years, three
months in a year — December, January and February — with
exemption from ministerial rates from the center for the time.
The town voted to grant the request. But as before, either
through misunderstanding or change of view on the part of the
town, the proposed exemption was denied and the "up river"
people were back where they were before.
At a town meeting the next spring, April iS, 1737, " it was
iiisTonv OF ri."SM()t" rif.
Terryville
Watering
Troueh.
Main
Street,
Terrvville.
Street in
Terrvville.
EARLY SETTLERS OF PLY.MOUTH. 25
asked whether the said northern inhabitants shall be exempt
from ministerial charge by the town for so much time as they
shall hire a gospel minister among them, in addition to a grant
made them September 29," and an answer was given by a vote
in the negative. Still the northern people did not give it up.
Despairing of the consent of the town, they now, at the May
session, L7375 applied direct to the General Assembly, which in
these days was supreme in atiairs of church as well as state.
They state they live "on a tract of land about five miles square,
whereof Barnabas Ford's dwelling house is the center; that the
town voted, September 29, 1736, that they might have a minister
for three months for three vears, with exemption from ministerial
charges the said term ; that they had supplied a preacher and
are now obliged to pay rates." Thev asked winter privileges,
and the usual exemption from taxes. The petitioners are
sixteen in number, the same as those who signed the petition to
the town on September 29, except that three new names, those
of Amos Matthews, Ebenezer Richason and Phineas Royce
appear, and Jonathan Cook's does not. The town resisted the
application and it was denied.
At the October session of the same year, however, the peti-
tion was renewed. The General Assembly granted it and so
the new communitv scored one in their eflort at independence.
This act of the General Assembly was the first charter of the
town of Plymouth. It was the first official recognition of it as a
distinct communitv, and from it all the rest of its full investment
as a town naturally follows.
The dwelling house of Barnabas Ford, here specified as the
center and landmark of the new communitv, stood on the street
leading past the academ\- in what is now Thomaston, on tiie
west side of the road, about where the academy stands. Theie
was a spring of water near it by the loadside, which doubtless
determined the site of the house, as it did the location of the
dwellings of many of the earlv settlers, before thev had time to
dig wells, at which spring the boys who went to church in later
years on "The Hill" used to drink, as thev footed it back and
forth from Thomaston in the hot summer davs.
Mr. Ford was the first clerk of the society when it came to
be organized, and appears from the manv deeds bearing his
name, to have been an extensive owner of lands in the vicinity.
His body lies in the old burving ground (Thomaston). His
tombstone bears this inscription : " Here lyeth ye body of
Barnabas Ford ; he died March ve 10, 1746, in ve ^3 year of his
age."
Encouraged by this initial success, the northern people
petitioned the General Assemblv at the next ISIav session (173S)
for exemption from ministerial charges "for such time onlv as
they had the word dispensed." The petitioners represent that
they live, the nearest seven miles, the greater part eight, and
many nine or ten miles from the meeting house, on the way to
which they were obliged to cross the river, often deep and
dangerous, nine times. The signers number nineteen. The
o
26
HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.
♦ . . *
Official Sheep Marks.
Smitli Homestead, PI\mouth Center.
EA1{J.V SKrri.KRS OF PLYMOUTH. 2'J
names of Jeremiah Feck, afterwards first deacon of the church,
Caleb Humaston, afterwards one of the most prominent mem-
bers of the society, and who gave the name to Humaston Hill,
and others appearing for the first time. This application was
denied, but at the October session following it was renewed,
twenty-three signing. They say that the three years' privilege
which had been granted them expires the February ensuing, and
ask that it may be extended for two years. They allege thev
have a population of 139; that to get to meeting at the town
center they have to remove bars and open gates at ten different
places.
At this time the only road to Waterbury from the northern
quarter was a path through the fields, guarded by bars and gates
between the difi'erent inclosures. The present river road was
not constructed and opened as a highway till 1S02, and was
considered a great undertaking in its time. A cart bridge^ —
the early settlers had no other vehicles — was built across the
river in Xorthbury in 1747-4S, the town voting twenty-two
pounds in money, old tender, to be paid when the bridge should
be completed. The last mentioned petition was granted in 1738.
The act designated the memorialists as " living in the north
or northeastern part" of the town. Hitherto it has been north
or northwestern, indicating the movement of the settlement to
the east side of the river.
At this session of the General Assembly, October, 1738, the
society of Westbury, now Watertown, was constituted. Aheady,
in 16S6, at the May session of the General Court, Waterbury
had been invested with town privileges and given its present
name.
Encouraged bv their past successes, and influenced doubtless
by the example of Westbury Society, the northern people the
next year (1739) again moved on the General Assembly, this
time to be constituted an independent ecclesiastical society, with
the rights and privileges of the same. The town, evidently tired
of resisting those so determined to be an independent community,
makes no opposition to the application, and it is granted.
A committee of the General Assembly was appointed, heard
the parties and decided on the bounds, and on their report to
the General Assemblv the following act of incorporation was
passed :
"Whereas, upon the memorial of the northern inhabitants
of the town of Waterburv, in New Haven County, representing
to this assembly their great distance from the publick worship in
said Watei'bury, and praying to become a distinct parish, and for
a committee to fix their parochial ' ounds, the Assembly did
appoint Messrs. Thomas Miles, Stephen Hotchkiss, and Joseph
Thompson to be a committee to view the circumstances of said
memorialists, to ascertain their parochial bounds, and to make
their report in the premises to this Assembly ; and whereas the
said committee hath now reported to this Assembly that they
having viewed and dulv inquired into the circumstances of the
said inhabitants, do find them sufficient to bear parish charges
28
HISTORY OF PLVMOrni.
MW
'X.
Hi
m
Town BuilJini;,
Plsmouth
Center.
Town Hall,
Terrvville
Interior of
Town Hall.
EARLY SETTLERS OF PLYMOUTH. 29
and become a distinct parish, or society, with the following
limits, viz. : Beginning at the northwest of the First Society in
said Waterbnry and the northeasterly corner of Westbury Society
at two white oak trees known by the name of Two Brothers,
then rnnning southeasterly by the West Branch until it comes
into the river ; then by the river until it comes where Spruce
Brook emptveth itself into the river a little below Upson's Island.
Then from the mouth of said brook a straight line to the falls of
Hancock's Brook, and from thence a straight line to the south
side of Mr. Noyes' farm, lying partly on a hill by the name of
Grassy Hill ; and from thence a due east line to Farmington
line ; then north by said Farmington line to Harwinton bounds ;
then by Harwinton bounds and Litchfield bounds to bounds first
mentioned ; bounding, south on said Waterbury First Society ;
east on Farmington bounds ; north, part on Harwinton and part
on Litchfield bounds ; and west on said Westbury Society ; as by
their report on file dated October 25, 1739.
" Resolved by this Assembly that the said memorialists
within the limits above specified and described be and become a
distinct society, or parish, and that they shall have and be
invested with all the powers, privileges wherewith other parishes
within this colony are endowed, and shall be known and called
by the Parish of Northbury.
" October session, 1739.
Geo. Wyllys, Sec."
And so, after four applications to the town, and five to the
General Assembly, the new community at last gained its end,
and Northbury went on the roll of the ecclesiastical societies of
Connecticut.
The society was thus organized but it did not exist yet.
The General Assembly had built the ship but left it on the
stocks. Those who were to sail in it alone could launch it.
This they proceeded to do. In accordance with the law for
parish action, three of the inhabitants, viz., John Sutlift', Ebene-
zer Richason, and Barnabas Ford, made application to Thomas
Clark, one of the justices of Waterbury, who issued his warning
to those who lived within the specified bounds. In response the
inhabitants met on the day designated and organized the society
by the choice of John Sutliff', moderator, Barnabas Ford, clerk,
and Moses Blakeslee, John Sutlifl', and Ebenezer Richason,
society committee. The place where they met, designated in
the warning as " the house they meet in," was a building which
several of the inhabitants had erected the year before by subscrip-
tion for common public uses, and which they jointly owned as
"proprietors." It stood on a knoll, since leveled, about in the
center of the park in Thomaston. The land on which it stood
was given by Rev. Mr. Southmayd and deeded to John Sutliff',
Ebenezer Richason, John How, Thomas Blakeslee, Barnabas
Ford, and the rest of the inhabitants living within two and one-
half miles of Barnabas Ford's new dwelling house. It is de-
scribed i.: the deed as " one acre near said Ford's dwelling house
30
HISTOKV OF PLYMOUTH.
Rev. Luther Hart.
Mrs. Luther Hart
EARLY SETTLERS OF PLYMOUTH. 3 1
in Waterbury, on which inhabitants have ah'eady set up a house
for the said inhabitants to meet in to cany on the pubhc worship
of God on the Sabbath." The building was a very plain one
and was known in later years as the ''church house."
The original record of the first meeting of the societv is in
existence, with the other early records of the societv. It is in
the handwriting of Barnabas Ford.
The society thus organized, the next thing was to choose a
minister, and Rev. Samuel Todd was selected. Accordinglv on
the 7th of May Mr. Todd was ordained first minister ol the
northerly society. He was born in North Haven, March 6,
1716-17, the seventh child and fifth son of Samuel and Mary
(Tola) Todd, and grandson of Christopher and Grace Todd,
early immigrants to the New Haven colonv. The early records
of the North Haven Cluuch are imperfect, but Mr. Todd doubt-
less united with it during the pastorate of Rev. Isaac Stiles,
Firbf Congregational Churcli.
father of President Stiles, of Yale. His family were of a relig-
ious character, as is proved by preserved relations or memorials
of its members, in the days when each church member wrote out
his or her confession of faith; that of his sister Susannah, after-
wards wife of Caleb Humaston, recounts the wickedness of her
rebellion against God, and how, when awakened to the sense of
her sin, the counsels of Rev. Mr. Stiles and the death of an
aunt were blessed to her conversion.
Mr. Todd graduated at Yale, under President Williams, in
1734, at the age of seventeen, six of the fourteen in his class
becoming ministers. A lately discovered document shows that
he received and rejected a call to another church before he was
ordained at Northbury, May 7, 1740. Eight months before he
had married Mercy, daughter of Peter Evans, of Northfield, near
New Haven, and he brought her on a pillion behind him, or on
another horse, into this wilderness, where there was a small.
32
HISTORY OF PI.V.MOUTH.
Re\-. I. P. Warren.
r"^^ -^rrT
Uev. fpliraim 1 yman.
EARLY SETTLERS OF PLYMOUTH. 33
feeble, scattered, but devoted flock, situated somewhat similar to
the first Pilgrims at Plymouth, jSIass. There were only bridle-
paths through the woods then, and the streams had to be forded,
the first cart bridge across the Xaugatuck, at Thomaston, not
being built till after 1747.
Air. Todd's promised home was not begun on his arrival,
and he set up his house on Town Hill, where the cellar hole is
now seen in the lot near Jason Fenn's, and where three old apple
trees lately stood of an orchard set out by him ; this was near his
good deacon's, Moses Slakeslee, who had lately arrived from
New Haven with his fourteen children. A spring flows near
the old cellar hole, where tradition says Mr. I'odd's first child,
little Alathea, was drowned ; near the tombstone of her sister
Lucy, who died June 9, 1752, is an unmarked grave which is
doubtless that of little Alathea, said to be the first person buried
there. After two or three years' delay, the society built Mr.
Todd a house in Thomaston, which stood on the top of the hill
where Mrs. Williams built later, on the old road running north,
whicii turned otl from the river road at Mr. Grilley's corner.
It is not known how long he lived there, but he moved over to
Plvmouth Hill when the chuich was there and the people lived
here; he had moved belore 1746-47, for Barnabas Ford's will,
dated Januarv 27, 1746, disposes of twenty-three acres of Bear
Hill which he had of Mr. Todd, and in tne deed of this green,
December 3, 1747, it was described as butting east on Mr. Todd's
land. His house was in the garden this side of Riley Ives'
house, and is remembered by the old people as the Evans House,
where Eli Terry, the father of clock-making, began housekeep-
ing with one chair apiece for himself and wife, and one cup and
saucer. ISIr. Todd's second daughter was Mary, who married
Obed Foot of this parish, and, on his death, Rev. Jonathan
Leavitt, of Heath, Mass. Mr. Todd had eleven children, there
being two Alatheas and two Lucys.
The great revival under President Edwards roused the New
Ensfland churches from the cold formalism that grew out of the
union of the church and state and other causes, and Mr. Todd
went to studv it at Stockbridge, probably by the advice of Joseph
Bellamy, settled two years before at Bethlehem, a great friend of
Edwards, and then in the midst of a religious revival, in which
everv man, woman, and child in the parish was under more or
less religious concern. When Mr. Todd returned, established
praver meetings, and labored with souls, many of his congrega-
tion rebelled against him, and abandoned his preaching. There
was almost temporal trouble. Tw^o years before the society was
organized a building had been erected for public purposes, by sub-
scription, west of the river, and owned bv subscribers, in which
the societv was allowed to meet for public worship. That was
never the society's meeting house, for they never owned it ; it
was built and owned by proprietors, and occupied by the society
for a time bv their consent. The societv's movement to build a
meeting house was not caused by their being voted out of this
34
IllSrORV (IF PLYMOUTH.
Rev. E. J. Hawes.
Rev. R. C. Learned.
EARLY SETTLERS OF PLYMOUTH. 35
building; the society, instead, being voted out of it because it
had resolved to build a meeting house.
The society had been organized November 20, 1739, and a
minister installed May 7, 1740; not satisfied with the west side
house, the society voted, October 6, 1740, to get the legislature
to set a stake for a meeting house, as it had none of its own.
This was not because, as Bronson says, the churchmen had
obtained a majority of the votes and took exclusive possession of
the house of worship. A protest of the proprietors of that
building to the legislature has been found in Mr. Satterlee's
possession, in which they say that their obligations to Mr. Todd
are as much as they can meet ; therefore they ask that the meet-
ing house be not built lor the present, but that their house be
established as the place for public worship, which is suflicient
for the present wants of the society, and is freely offered for its
use. The protest is dated October S, 1740, two days after the
vote of the society to build, and is signed by William Ludding-
ton, Jonathan Foot, John Sutliff, Sr. and Jr., Barnabas Ford,
John How, Isaac Castle, Thomas and Jacob Blakeslee, Ebenezer
Richason, .Samuel Jacobs, Caleb Humaston, Phineas Royce,
Daniel Curtis, Gideon Allen, Jeremiah Peck, Sr. and Jr., Eben-
ezer Elwell, and Samuel Frost. The protest was never sent to
the legislature, but the next May, John Sutliff, Barnabas Ford,
and John How, on authority of the proprietors, sent one, saying
that they were behind with Mr. Todd's settlement and salary,
and praying that further charges respecting a meeting house be
prevented at present. It is evident that the occupation of the
west side house was merely temporary and provisional, the
society chancing to be organized there, as there was no other
public building in the parish limits; it was not regarded as the
meeting house, nor did they intend to remain in it permanently.
It was not the society of Wooster Swamp, but of Northbury,
which mainly lay east of the river, where it proceeded to build
as soon as it was in fair workinof order.
The west side settlers naturally objected to the building,
because they saw it would be done east of the river, and they
tried to persuade the societv to remain in their school house.
But when they saw that the society was determined to build on
the east side, a majoritv (not of the society, for that would have
controlled it and defeated the project of building on the east side)
of the proprietois of the west side house (eleven of the nineteen)
voted the society out of doors till it should have completed its
own house ; then this majority of the proprietors, knowing that
the legislature would not niganize an opposition Congregational
church west of the river, formed an Episcopal society.
The minoritv of the jiroprietors of the west building, though
opposed to building a meeting house east of the river, vet
remained loval to the societv, and were its pillars — Jeremiah
Peck, first deacon, John Sutliff, Sr. and Jr. (the junior being
sixth deacon), Caleb Humaston, and Phineas Royce. The Con-
gregational societv had its first home on the hill, and there it has
always been, nor would an Episcopal society have been formed
36
HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.
Rev H. E. Cooley.
Rev. E. B, Hillard,
EARI.V SETII.EKS OF PEVMOUIH. 37
in Thomaston tlien if the church had been built here. The con-
flict was primarily of locality and only secondarily of ecclesi-
astical order. The secession weakened the society, leaving half
the number to do the work, to build Mr. Todd's house and a
meetinof house ; there were only a handful of members left, and
they were poor, just building their own houses and clearing
their farms. But thev did not break down under their heavy
burden, and establishetl the society on firm foundations.
Rev. Air. Todd's house was built slowly, and his first year
he gave in twenty pounds of his salary towards it ; but it was
finished by December, 1742, for then the society, turned out of
the school house in the Hollow, voted to meet there part of the
year, he having, meanwhile, been living on Town Hill. The
disruption of the society hindered it in building a meeting house,
and put an entl to society meetings and to its organization. But
in May, 1741, in response to an appeal of John Bronson, Moses
and Thomas Blakeslee, the legislature directed Benjamin Hall
and Captain John Riggs, of Derby, to go to Northbury, warn a
society meetmg, and see that it chose proper officers. They
were also to direct them where and how long to meet for Sabbath
worship, and to see where and when it was best to build a meet-
ing house.
At the meeting they warned for June 10, 1741? Joseph
Clark was chosen clerk, Daniel Curtiss collector of the minister's
rate, and Deacon Moses Blakeslee, Lieutenant John Bronson,
and Sergeant John Warner prudential committee to fix a place
to build a meeting house, and, meanwhile, they were directed to
meet in the west school house ten months, and in Joseph Clark's
house in January and February, wlien it was difificult for those
this side to cross the river. The society applied to the legisla-
ture for a committee as directed, and notwithstanding the protest
of those on the west side. Captain John Rogers and John Fowler
were sent to select the meeting house site at the society's expense,
and set a stake twenty rods west of One Pine Swamp, and thirty
rods south of the road running east from the river.
The society voted to build there December 3, 1744, having
before this been turned out of the west side school house, and
meeting in the houses of Joseph Clark, Sr. and Jr., and at
Mr. Todd's seven months, including winter, on the east side, and
five months on the west. January 9, 174^, it was voted to ask
the legislature for a tax on the land to help build a meeting
house, and at a meeting held the next September, it was asked
to conform the middle stake which the court's committee had set
as its site ; it was then requested that the land tax be not imposed
on members of the Church of England; Barnabas Ford, Thomas
and David Blakeslee having protested against the taxation of
their land.
John Warner, the society's agent in this matter, represents
in his memorial that about one-third of the society have become
Episcopalians, and at his request the middle stake was made the
site for the church. The next December, Deacon Moses
Blakeslee was appointed to fix the site of the troublesome build-
38
llIsrOKY OK PLV.MOUTII.
Rev. J. S. Zelie.
'■'S-^-'
W^\'
■4fe
Rev. C. H. Smith.
EARLY SETTI.EKS OK PLYMOUTH. 39
ing ; at this lime they niet this side of ihe river the whole year,
at Caleb Weed's in March and April, and at Joseph Clark's the
rest of the time, the latter being voted twelve shillings in winter
and ten shillings in warmer weather.
The church was not begun in October, 1746, for then it was
voted to ofet and draw timbers for it. December of that vear it
was voted to meet each side of the river half the tmie, in the
houses olPhineas Royce and Caleb Weed. September 22, 1747,
it was voted to allow the people to budd Sabbath day houses on
the green, outside a line drawn by the society's committee; it
was also voted to cut and clear the brush from the green. I'his
green was given the society for a place of parade, a burying
ground, and a place to build a church on by the town of Water-
burs , which bought eight rods south of the meeting house stake,
eigiiteen rods north, and sixteen rods west of it, of John Brins-
made, ol'Milford ; he presented an acre besides, and others gave
four-tenths of an acre, making in all four acres, which was
deeded to the society, through Caleb Humaston, December 3,
1747, and was described as butting west on Brinsmade's land,
north on Humaston's, east on Mr. Todd's and south on the high-
way, showing that the road ran then where it does at the present
time.
In 1S25 arbitrators decided that the green belonged to the
society, and the town's only right, acquired by usage, was to
bury in the burying ground. The green was then an alder
swamp, and when the second church was built, it was so wet
that some wanted the church at the head of the street, that proud
Madam Ballany and Mrs. Wright might occasionally wet their
feet going to meeting, as more common people had been com-
pelled to do.
The Northbury society grew through much tribulation.
First, it petitioned the town seven times — in October, 1734, Sep-
tember 29, and October 26, 1736, and April iS, 1737, May and
October, 1738, and October, 1739. Then it was seven years
after the society was organized before the society began to build,
and twentv-two years after that before its meeting house was
done. Research has brought to light in B. B. Satterlee's posses-
sion the original constitution in Mr. Todd's handwriting. After
a pastorate of twelve years in Adams, Mass., and serving as
chaplain in the revolution, Mr. Todd died in Oxford, N. H.,
June 10, 17S9, aged seventy years.
Rev. Andrew Storrs was ordained and installed November
27, 1765, and died in office March 2, 17S5, after a pastorate of
nearlv twenty years. He built the house where Mr. Kelsey has
latelv lived, putting it up in 1766. He set out the button-balls
and elms that were so noticeable there. Mr. Storrs died (and
now lies in the center vard) two years after peace had been
declared with Great Britain.
Five years before, 17S0, Westburv and Northbury had been
incorporated as a new town, named Watertown, and transferred
to Litchfield county. These parishes were then the richest part
of Waterbury, the grand lists of the several societies standing in
so HISTORY OF PI.VMOU'IH.
1749, Waterbuiy first, £12,181, Westbury, £11,257, Northbury,
£10,070. One of the richest men in this society in the early
times was Jeremiah Peck, first deacon, wnose property inven-
toried at £3,702 when he died in 1752. Earlier than that Barna-
bas Ford, the great land holder, was one of the wealthy men.
He owned all Thomaston when it was Fordton, his rule seeming
to have been to buy all land joining his; he bought all of
Mr. Todd's land in the Hollow before 1746, as appears by his
will.
Simon Waterman, the third Congregational pastor, was
born in Norwich, January 17, 1737, to a family that originally
came from Norwich in England. He was settled here August
29, 17S7, the vear the adoption of the federal constitution opened
a new era of consolidated national life. He brought Eunice, his
wife, to whom her father, Benjamin Hall, a magistrate, had
married him July 26, 1764, and six children, two having died in
Wallingford. Mr. Waterman lived in the Warner house on
South street, next to ISIrs. Smith's, and set out the great elms
now towering before it. His home life was pleasant, with happy
gatherings of young folks, with courting in the parlor as the
vears went on. Not one of that f;imily is now alive. He was
dismissed in 1809, and resided here till his death in 1S13, three
years after Mr. Hart came here.
The second meeting house was built during Mr. Waterman's
ministrv, and was a source of trouble. The vote for a survey to
find the middle of the town passed March 3, 17S3, during the
last of Mr. Storrs' ministry, and it was found to be on Town
Hill, wheie the stake for the meeting house was stuck in front of
Nathan Beach's house. Mr. vStorrs' sickness and death inter-
fei-ed with Iniilding: then, but when Mr. Waterman was settled,
the enterprise was renewed, though there was trouble about the
site at first. January 11, 1790, it was finally voted to build the
meeting house on a rock a little southeast from the house where
Samuel Lewis then lived, at the head of tlie old road leading
from the old meeting house eastward. The 23d of the next
December it was voted to build a steeple, and the 22d of October,
1792. it was voted to dispose of the old house; on the 2d of the
following December libertv was granted to erect horse sheds.
December 7, 1806, a committee was appointed to confer with
Mr. Waterman regarding his uneasiness, with satisfactory results,
for no further trouble was had until March 16, 1807, when
another committee saw him in reference to a communication of
his to the societv. September 25, 1S09, it was finally voted to
dismiss Mr. Waterman, and he was dismissed by a council on
the 14th of November, he to retain tlie whole salary for that vear,
and the society to pay him $750 in three annual installments.
Mr. Waterman died after a short illness, while on a visit to
a bachelor son in New York. His remains were brought to
Plvmouth, where his wife had died on the previous March, a
son, Simon, having also died on the 7*^^ ^^ the previous
September.
Rev. Luther Hart was called next. He was a native of
EARLY SETTLKKS OF PLYMOUTH. 4I
Goshen, born July ^7, 17S3. He was graduated at Yale in 1807,
of wiiich institution he was afterwards a Fellow. Was ordained
pastor of this church September 5, iSio, and died in the midst
of the labors of a revival April 25, 1S34, in the fifty-first year of
his age and twenty-fourth of his ministry.
Rev. Ephraim Lvman was ordainei^l October 28, 1S35. He
was born in Goshen, June 3, iSio, and graduated from Yale in
1S32, and at Yale Theological Seminary in 1S35. He was dis-
missed June S, 1S51, having nearly completed the sixteenth year
of his ministry. Subsequently he located in Washington, Conn.
Rev. Israel Perkins Warren, the next pastor, was born in
Bethanv, April 8, 1S14; graduated from Yale Theological Sem-
inary in 1841, and settled in Plvmouth- October, 1851. He was
followed bv Rev. Erskine J Hawes, of Hartford, wiio became
pastor January 19, 1S5S, and died July 8, i860, being killed by
his horse.
Rev. Robert C. Learned, of Xew London, came next, being
installed September 11, 1861, and dismissed July 15, 1865.
Rev. Henrv E. Cooley was settled August 7, 1866, and dismissed
April I, 1869.
Rev. Elias Brewster Hillard became the next pastor. He
was settled November 30, 1869, and dismissed July 18, 1S89.
Mr. Hillard died March i, 1895, at Farmington, and was buried
in Plvmouth. The following sketch was written by Rev. J. H.
Twichell of Hartford:
''Mr. Hillard was a native of this State, having been born
in P^e^ton September 6, 1825. He was of the old New England
stock, a lineal descendant in the eighth generation of Elder
Brewster of Plymouth Colony. His father, Moses Hillard, was
a sea captain, an adventurous, energetic man of no small fame in
his dav. He w^as master of the ship that brought to America
the first news of the burning of Moscow.
" It is an interesting fact, though it has never been made
public, that when Napoleon, after his overthrow at Waterloo,
thought of flving to this country, friends of his sought and were
pledged the aid of Captain Hillard, then in France, in carrying
out the design. It was fully arranged between him and them
that the emperor should be concealed in a water cask on his
vessel's deck and so escape through the English fleet. But lor
some reason he was not conveyed on board as had been agreed
and the plan failed.
"The bold self-reliant temper of the father reappeared in
marked decree in the son and contributed much to his efficiency
in life.
'• Mr. Hillard was prepared for college at the old Bacon
Academv in Colchester." He graduated at Yale in the class of
1848. Among his classmates were Judge Nathaniel Shipman
and the Hon. David S. Calhoun, of Hartford, the late Dwight
Foster, of the supreme bench of Massachusetts, Dr. Henry Blod-
get, the eminent missionarv to China, Professor Wilcox of the
Chicago Theological Seminarv and the lamented Theodore
Winthrop, who fell at Big Bethel. After his graduation he was
4- HISIOKY OF PI.YMOUTH.
for two years principal of Lewis Academy in Southington,
where the writer of this notice was his pupil and experienced, as
did all the pupils (one of whom afterward became his wife), the
chain: and encouragement of his genial, generous and friendly
spirit.
*•• Completing his theological studies at the Yale and Andover
Seminaries, Mr. Hillard ortered himself for the home missionary
service and from tlie Home Missionar}- Society received appoint-
ment to California, at that time a new and distant field. But the
societ\-, falling just then into straitened financial circumstances,
was unable to send him, and he became pastor of the Congrega-
tional church in Hadlyme, where he labored from 1S5S to 1860.
His other pastorates were successively at Kensington from 1S60
to 1867, at South Glastonbury from 1867 to 1869, at Plymouth
from 1869 to 1S89, '^"^ ^t Conway, Mass., from 18S9 to 1893.
Tliirt\'-eight years in all he exercised the ministry of the gosijel,
and continuallv with his whole heart, witii burningr zeal and the
enlistment of every faculty of his being. When at last he laid
down his work, he was worn out.
"His wife, who was Miss Julia Whittlesey, of Cleveland,
O., survives him, with seven of their nine children, as follows:
Mrs. Andrew McLeish, of Chicago, Frederick W., of Staten
Island. Mrs. J. L. Fenn, of Hartford, Mary R., of St. Margaret's
School, W^aterbur}', Helen, Fanny and John.
" Mr. Hillard was a man of a high order of ability, intel-
lectually alive and alert, and in his views of the liberal progres-
sive school. Grounded and settled in the essentials of Christian
faith, he was never in the least afraid of new ways of thinking
on the old truths. He was characteristicallv fervid in tempera-
ment, and was wont to champion with boimdiess enthusiasm
whatever cause he felt to be for the public welfare and the
advance of Christ's kingdom. From the beginning of his minis-
try, but notably in the twenty years of his Plymouth pastorate,
he was a recognized foremost leader in the enterprise of temper-
ance reform. ' With charity for all, with malice toward none,'
he fought a good soldier's fight against all forms of evil that he
saw working ill to his neighbor. He loved righteousness and
he hated iniquity. He was the soul of Christian courage ; the
soul, also, of Christian kindness and good will. Few ministers
and few citizens oi' his generation are more worthv of honor,
gratitude and remembrance than Elias Brewster Hillard. May
his rest be sweet."
Mr. Hillard had promised in the earlv winter, if his health
permitted, to prepare additional historv of Plvmouth for these
pages, but he was unable to do so, much to the author's regret.
John Sheriden Zelie followed Mr. Hillard. He became
pastor July 22, 1890, and was dismissed July. 1894.
The present pastor is Rev. Charles H, Smith, of Pomfret.
He was born in Aldington, Conn , April 11, 1861. His parents
were the Rev. Henrv Bagg Smith and Sarah Hazen, daughter of
the Rev. Reuben Hazen. Mr. Smith was fitted for college in
the Amherst High vSchool and studied theologv in the Hartford
EAKLY SETTLERS OF PLYMOUTH. 43
Theological Semiiuirv, antl during the last two years of his sem-
inary studies he was located at Burlington, Conn. His father
died in 1SS2 and he tlien supplied the pulpit \acated bv him at
Shutesbury, Mass. He was called to Belchertown, Mass., in
1887, where he remained until he received a call from Hartford
in 1891. He was calletl to Plymouth December 28, 189^, and
installed the 30th of the following month. He is married and
has two children.
44
iiisTORV OF I'l,^ Moii rir.
Rev. Dr. Biiiiians.
Rev W m. Wiitson.
CHAPTER III
CHURCH HISTORY
St. Peter's Episcopal Parish Established in 1740— Its Ministers and Other Inter-
esting Facts— St. Matthew's Church, Now Closed -Terryville Congregational
Society, with Sketches of Pastors— Roman Catholic Mission— The Defunct
Second Advent Chapel.
O T. PETER'S Episcopal parish was first orcfanized by eleven
wJ families branching ofiTrom Rev. Mr. Todcl's congregation of
eighteen families in the yea'^ 1740. Their first minister, Rev.
Theophilus Morris, was sent here by the English Chnrch for
propagating the gospel in foreign paits. He officiated in the
parishes of Waterbury. West Haven and Dei by in 1742, but
St. Peter's Episcopal Church.
retiuned to England in 1743. The next minister sent was Rev.
James Lyon, who made i)erby his home but preached in these
parishes until 1S46, when he went to Long Island. The
parishes in America then were under the jurisdiction of the
bishop of London and tlepentled greatly upon the aid of the
English. It was three vears after the departure of Mr. Lyon
before Rev. Richard Mansfield returned from England, where he
46
lIlSrOKV ()!• I'l.NMOr I II.
r
Rev. David Lunsden.
Rev. B. Eastwood.
CHURCH HISTORY. 47
had orone for orders, he beinsf the hrst native of this cuunlrv who
had supplied the pulpits here. Mr. MansHeld remained from
1749 until I7S9? when his successor was Rev. James Scovill,
who resided in Waterbury and was a native of that town.
Mr. Scovill was also a missionary and labored here faithfully
from 1759 until 1771, when he was succeeded by Rev. James
Nichols. Mr. .Scovill continued to preach in the parishes of
VVaterburv and Westburv (now Watertown). JMr. Nichols
remained until the Revolutionary troubles began in 1775, when
he went to Litchfield to reside.
From 1775 until the autumn of 17S4 the parish was without
a minister, owing to the war between this country and England.
In October, 17S4, the Rev. Chaimcey Prindle was called and it
was voted and agreed that he should receive as salary for preach-
ing half of the time, the sum of thirty-seven pounds and ten
shillings, and it was further agreed that he shoidd receive half of
the above amount in beef, pork, butter, tallow, sheep's wool,
flax, or any sort of grain at the market price at Watertown.
Durins: the first four vears of his stav the church was weakened
by the withdrawal from the parish of two considerable detach-
ments, one of which was designed to form Northfield parish on
the west, and the other St. Matthew's on the east. This separa-
tion w^as not caused bv any dislike to either Mr. Prindle or the
members of the society, but a desire to erect parishes nearer
their own homes. The next difficulty which Mr. Prindle had to
pass through was the erection of the edifice which now stands
on Plymouth Hill Green, and which was ready for use in the
autumn of 1796, in which the rector preached the first sermon
November 24, 1796. Mr. Prindle resigned in 1S06 to give
opportimitv for its becoming united in a cure with St. Alatthew's.
Rev. Nathan Burgess officiated the greater part of 1S07.
In iSoS, the onlv service which was held was conducted by a
candidate for orders, afterwards Rev. Joseph Davis Welton, who
was engaged as a lav-leader. In 1S09 the services of a settled
minister were seciued again, at which time Rev. Roger Seaile
took charge. Accoiding to agreement, Mr. Searle was to
pre:ich here two-thirds of the time and at St. Matthew's one-
third, which continued until 1S13 About this time removnls
began to take plnce from this ]:)arish to Ohio, the mania becom-
ing so great for emigration as to threaten the church with serious
injurv. In the vear 1S17, Mr. Searle. thinking that he might
find a wider field in Ohio, resigned and took up his duties in the
west. In iSiS Rev. Rodnev Rossiter became rector. It
was (luring his stav that a bell was procured for the church in
1S23. and a Sundav-school encouraged in 182S. Mr. Rossiter
resigned at Easter, 1S29.
For two and a half vears nfter this the parish was without
a rector, but during this period Rev. R. W. Harris, Rev. Joseph
T. Clark, Rev. Gurdon S. Coit, Rev. Norman Pinney and Rev.
Allan C. Morgan, officiated here about six months each. Either
one the parish would have retained, but circumstances did not
permit it. In the smnmer of 1S31 the basement of the church
48
HlSrOKV OK FLNMOUIII.
Rev. Lmerson Jessup
kev. J. M. Bates.
CHURCH HISTOKV
49
was built, which greatly added to its convenience. On the 7th
of the following November Rev. Dr. Burhans took charge,
though it was not till the succeeding Easter that he became the
rector Now for the first time the parish enjoyed the services of
a settled minister for the whole of the time, and during his
ministry it was deemed best to enlarge the church, which was
done bv brinsfins: the bodv of the building out flush with the
iVont of the steeple. Dr. Burhans' resignation is dated April
4, 1836.
During the winter of 1S37 Rev. Geo. Waters supplied the
desk and pulpit. Rev. Wm. Watson of Bethlehem and Northfield
was called in May, 1837. An organ costing $700 was added to
the improvement of the interior of the church in March, 1841.
After thirteen vears' service Mr. Watson resigned on August 24,
18=^0. In 1852 Rev. S. D. Denison was called and continued
Interior View, St. Peter's Episcopal Cliurcli.
until 1S54, when Rev. A. B. Goodrich became rector, followed
in March, 18^6, by Rev. S. H. Miller, who served until the fall
of 1857, when for a short time Rev. Wm. Bates was engaged.
From 1S50 until i860 the parish was without a minister the
greater part of the time. Then Dr. Berry was called and
remained until May 4, 1861. Rev. David F. Lunsden followed
from April, 1S62, until April, 1863. Rev. B. Eastwood was
rector one year. Rev. Porter Thomas served from August,
1869, until October 17, 1872, followed by Rev. Emerson Jessup,
and Rev. L. M. Darman, until June i, 1874; by Rev. S. B.
Duffield until 1S76; Rev. J. M. Bates until 1877; Rev. N. T.
Scudder until Easter, 1879, when the Rev. John D. Gilliland
was called and served until 188S. Rev. W. E. Hooker became
the rector of the church in 1S88. During Mr. Hooker's stay the
church was completelv remodeled inside, the organ moved and
new furnaces put in, all through the kindness of Mrs. J. M. Ton-
50
IIISTOKV OF PLVMOI'TII
Rev. N. T. ScudJer.
Rev W. E. Hooker.
CHURCH HISTORY. 51
cey, and the help of Airs. Prosper Warner. Their present pas-
tor, Dr. James Gammack, was called in 1892. He was born in
Turriff, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, April 23, 1S37, and educated
at Turriff Parish School, Alarischal College and University,
Aberdeen, from which University he received M. A., m 18^7,
and LL. D., in 1887. He also attended the Theological College,
Glenalmond, Perthshire, in 1857-59, tnen under Archdeacon
Hannah, of Brighton, and Canon Bright, of Oxford. He was
ordained deacon in 1859, and priest in 1861.
ST. Matthew's episcopal parish.
In 1790, when the new meetinghouse was built at Plymouth
Hollow, some of the members of the parish, displeased because
it was not built on Town Hill, seceded and helped to build
St. Alatthew's Church, in East Plymouth. Being situated in
that part of Plymouth contiguous to the towns of Bristol, Har-
winton, and Burlington, each of those places contributed to the
birth and maintenance of St. Matthew's parish and church.
The first record of the parish found, is of a society's meeting of
the Second Fpiscopal Church in Northburv, holden at the house
of Ensign Ozias Tyler in said Northbury, the 4th day of April,
1 79 1, at which Capt. Nathaniel Jones was chosen moderator,
and Ensign Ozias Tyler clerk ; and it was voted that the
society's committee be desired to provide a place for public
worship for the present year. A meeting was also held on the
first day of December of the same year (1791) at the same place,
at which Captain Thomas Hungerford was chosen moderator.
It was voted ''to build a church, I'ortv-two feet in length and
thirty-two feet in width," and a committee was chosen, consi5t-
ino" of Isaac W. Shelton, Samuel Hawley, Ozias Tyler and
Stephen Graves, " to build the church, and set the stake where
the church shall stand," also voted to "arch the lower tier of
windows and the upper tier square."
When first erected the building stood in front of its present
location with its entrance at the south end, but in 1S42, or soon
after, was turned around and placed where it now is. The old
square pews were removed about 1830. At a meeting held
June 2, 1792, at the dwelling house of Ensign Robert Jearom,
Captain Thomas Jearom, moderator, it was voted "to give
David Butler a call for three-quarters of the time, to be our min-
ister; also to give him £^5, and his firewood yearly, three-
quarters of the time ; to be paid, two-thirds in farmer's produce
and one-third in cash."
The church was built in 1792, but was unfinished inside,
for at a meeting held March 5, 1793, Isaac W. Shelton and
Stephen Graves were appointed a connnittee to "lay out the
money, and procure somebody to do oft^ the inside of the church."
And again, at a meeting held at the church December 31, 1793,
the following committee was appointed to " examine and find the
most convenient wav of doing off the church and make report at
the next meeting:" Noah Andrews, Ira Dodge, Isaac W. Shelton,
52
HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.
'% "f^
Re\' James Ganimack.
^^ "" '~~--m^lffl
St Pett-r's Episcopal Church Parsonage.
CHURCH HISrOKV
53
"Calvin Woodin, aiul Timothy Sperry ; at which meeting held
January 13, 1794, it was voted to "'finish the church in the
following manner: to make a broad alley through the center of
tlie lower floor, and finish the sides with pews in the most con-
venient manner, also to finish the gallery by making two rows
of seats round the whole square, and a row of pews across the
south end." It was voted that the church be called St.
Matthew's at a meeting held October 19, 179^. On November
10, 1794, it was voted to adopt the constitution of the Protestant
Episcopal Church of Connecticut, and Caleb Matthews, the
parish clerk, was instructed to attend the convention at Cheshire
and request the Right Rev. Dr. Seabury to consecrate the new
■church.
Among the early moderators of the parish meetings we find
the names of Noah Welton, occurring twenty-three times ;
Stephen Graves, twelve ; Captain Thomas Hungerford and
St .V\.itthf\\ 'i Episcopal CluiTCh, East Pl.\ mouth.
Ambrose Ward, nine each ; and later, Lyman Preston, twelve
times; also frequently. Captain Nathaniel Jones, Captain
Thomas Jearom, Ensign Ozias Tyler, Lieutenant David Marks,
and Isaac Atwater.
One of the clergymen who preached at St. Matthew's was
Rev. Alexander V. Griswold, who was afterwards Bishop of
New England except Connecticut. He was here when the
cluirch was consecrated by Bishop Samuel Jai'vis, second Bishop
of Connecticut, in 1795. He lived in the house belonging to
Cvrus Gaylord, grandfather of the present Cyrus Gaylord, who
now owns the place. Isaac Atwater came from Wallingford that
same vear, and lived in the old Joseph Gaylord place, now occu-
pied by Henrv Loomis, The house was then a tavern and
IMr. Atwater kept it for several years; it was the only stopping
place between Bristol and Harwinton, and letters and news-
papers were brought by the horseback travelers passing by, also
left in the bar room for others to take who were passing.
54
HISTORY OF PI.'iMOUni.
■■■1.^^^' ,1.": -^'JtU'i. r4L^i;JXKl^«;t^i^A!^"" 'l'"' ^JJi:'^Umi..f^W<«,x-M^S^'
ill.'
im •»» WM
Congregational Cluircli, Terrxville.
Interior, Terryville Congregational Church.
CHUKCH HISTORY. 55
Mr. Atwater removed tVuni Wallingtortl i'l uin a vvihli to change the
scene, after losing four chikhen. Two were then living; one a
boy often, James Dana, who afterwards married Betsy lienham,
and died soon afterwards, was buried with Masonic honors, and
a gravestone, with Alasonic emblems engraved on it, was put up
and is still standing. The other child, a small girl, Lucy, always
lived in this vicinity until she was ninety-eight, dying in 1S93, one
hundred and one years old, after her oldest sister was buried in
Wallingford in 1791. Mr. Atwater moved from East Church to
Chippen's Hill, in 1S14 or so, where he lived until almost 1S25,
when he moved to a house just east of the town line by the old
marsh pond, where his descendants now live. Mr. Atwater was
a Revolutionarv soldier for a time and also had a brother who
died in that wai". He was a man of much genius, was fond of
writing, sermons and poetry of his being now in the possession
of his grandchildren. His youngest daughter married Enos
Rice or Royce, of Hartford at that time, but afterwards living on
the old Atwater place.
The Rice familv were very prominent in St. Matthew's
parish ; Jeremiah Rice often read the service. He married an
aunt of Mrs. Cyrus W. Field, of New York, who was his own
cousin. She lived in Bristol.
The parish of St. Matthew's furnished three clergymen.
The first is the Rev. CoUis J. Potter, of Stratford ; second. Rev.
X. A. Wellon, of Pequotonnock, Conn., and the Rev. Alfred
L. Royce, U. S. N., now chaplain of the Naval Academy at
Annapolis, Md. He is the son of Enos Royce and the grandson
of Isaac Atwater.
In 1871 or '73, the church was remodeled, a chancel
arranged, the old towering pulpit taken down, and doors taken
ort' the small pews, also a ceiling made to reach across from one
gallerv to another. There is no chimney, and when a stove was
put in the people thought that no one could speak in such close
atmosphere. It used to be a large and full congregation, but has
dwindled down to half a dozen old decrepit ladies, and service
is seldom performed there.
The first use of the cemetery at East Plymouth for burial
purposes seems to have been coeval with the formation of the
parish and the building of the church, for we find a grave digger
appointed in 1793 and the oldest tombstone bears date 1795. At
the present time it is impossible to give a list of the interments,
as of the large number of early unmarked graves scarcely a
trace remains. However, the number cannot be less than 500,
as about 300 monumental stones have been erected. No record
remains of interments for the fir?t half century, excepting those
shown upon the tombstones, until Junius Preston was appointed
sexton in 1846, which office he continued to fill for forty-one years.
TERRYVILI.K CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
Nearly a century after the organization of the first parish in
Plymouth, forty-nhie persons came ofi' by letters of dismissal.
5^
ills roi;\ ()!• i'i."iMoL I II-
Rev. Nathaniel RicliaiLlson.
Re\-. Merrill Rich;;rJs(in
CHUKCH IIISTOKY
57
ilated Nu\ember ^o aiul December 31, 1S37 ; '^i^-li vvith tlie
exception of four of them, who were absent on the occasion,
were organized as the Congregational Chnrch of Terryville,
Jannary 2, 1S3S. The articles of faith and covenant adopted
were those of the consociated churches of the southern district of
Litchfield county. The four persons absent at the organization
were soon received ; and on Alarch 2, eighteen others joined
from the church at Plymouth. Charles H. Porter, then a
junior in Yale College, spent the month of January in the place,
and manv persons were hopefully converted. Two young ministers,
viz., C. S. Sherman and David Dobie, followed up the labors of
Mr. Porter, and in the six months between the organization of
the church and the settlement of the first pastor, thirty-nine per-
sons were added to the membership.
I^I^August S, 183S, was a great day with this people. In the
forenoon the completed house of worship was dedicated, and in
the afternoon three \oung men were ordained to the gospel
Pais()nai;e, Teir.w'ille Congregational Chuicli
ministry, one of whom, Nathaniel Richardson, was installed
(first) pastor of this church. The preacher upon this occasion
was Rev. Dr. Noah Porter of Farmington. The ministry of
Mr. Richardson extended to July 2, 1840.
Rev. Merrill Richardson was the second pastor. He was
installed October 27, 1841. He was born in Holden, Mass., in
181 1 — brought up on a farm a healthy, sturdy boy, until he was
sixteen. His father then gave him his time and two hundred
dollars (which was all the help he received for his education),
and he went to Leicester Academy, Worcester county, Mass., to
fit for college. He always spoke of his mother with the greatest
love and reverence, and said it was owing to her influence that
he decided to become a minister of the gospel. He graduated at
Middlebury College, Vt., taught the academy there two years,
and then went to New Haven to study theology under Dr. Taylor,
whose instructions he gratefully prized. He was deeply inter-
5S
iiiSTOuv oi" I'r.^. MOUTH.
Rev. Edwin R. Dimnck.
Rev. Franklin A. Spencer.
CHIKCII JIlsroKY. 59
ested in everything that pertained to the well being of his parish,
and loved study antl pastoral work. He did not believe religion
to be a thing of melancholy and gloom, but rather that the
Christian ought to he the happiest and most cheerful of persons.
He was interested in the schools of the town, and introduced
man\- new methods of teaching. The Terryville Institute was
built during his pastorate and a public library and lyceum were
established. Four young men of the church commenced fitting
for colleo-e with him and are now all nseful ministers of the
gospel. It is doubtless owing to his influence that it is said,
'rerryville has fitted more young men for college than any other
place of its size in the state. In the summer of 1S46 he was
tlismissed, and was employed two years by the state, in holding
Teachers' Institutes and inciting the people to establish a Normal
School for the training of teachers. The State Normal School
was soon j^fter established. During this time he supplied the
church in Durham, Conn. He was re-settled in Terryville in
Mav, 1S49, where he remained until January, 1S5S. Preaching
was his delight, and the church was built up in numbers and
character. The late Dr. Bushnell said, after an exchange with
Mr. Richardson, that he had never preached to a more responsive
audience, or one where the majority were men, and most of
them intelligent looking voung men.
He was settled in Salem Street Church, Worcester, Mass.,
in 1S5S, going back to Terryville in the early spring, to receive
forty into the church, as they had no settled pastor at that time.
He was strong in body and strong in soul. He was a philan-
thropist. Christian abolitionist, and during the war all his
energfies were sfiven to sustain the government and secure the
i* 1 1
overthrow of slaverv. During the second year of the war, when
many were feeling that in order to put down the rebellion, all
the means God had placed in our hands must be used, and that
libertv throughout the land should be proclaimed, a mass meet-
ing was held in Mechanics' Hall, Worcester, under the following
call : " Is the President waiting to hear from the people.^ Will
they speak.'" The leading men of the town were on the plat-
form, and the hall w^as packed to overflowing. After the
opening remarks by the president, J. S. C. Knowlton, Mr. Rich-
ardson, in behalf of a committee, presented the first resolutions
sent to President Lincoln, asking him to proclaim emancipation
to the slave.
More than a hundred young men went from his church to
the w^ar (his oldest son, Willis Terry, among the number), wdio
felt as they went, that the cause was more sacred, because he
liad said to them, " God bless you."
After the war he was urged to represent the people at
Washington, but he refused all office, clung to the pulpit as his
throne, and was a happy and successful minister of the gospel.
Ill health overtook him at last and he was obliged to take rest
for a time. Receiving a call to the New England Congrega-
tional Church in New York, which the Rev. Lyman Abbot had
just left, he accepted, but only remained two years. Needing a
6o
HISTORY OF PI.YMOL'TH.
Rev. H. B. Mc.Td
Rf \ . L. S. Griggs.
CHUUCll HisroKV. 6l
quiet home, he accepted a call to the church iu Milford, Mass.,
where he died December 12, 1S76, aged sixty-four years. His
remains were brought to Terry vilie for burial.
Mr. Richardson was twice married. His tirst wife was
Emily Allen, daughter of Deacon Ira Allen, of Middlebury, Vt.
Their cliildren were Merrill, Cheney and Martha Allen. His
second wife was Eunice Terry, daughter of Eli Terry, Jr.
Their children were Willis Terry, Charles Holbrook, Leila and
Franklin Whittemore.
During the time between the periods of Mr. Richardson's
labors. Rev. Judson A. Root was nominally pastor. He was
settled October 7, 1846, and dismissed May 16, 1S49. ^^^^ '^^
health had incapacitated him for the performance of the duties of
his otKce after April 30, 1S47, ^^ which time he resigned the
pastoral charge. He continued to decline until his death.
During a portion of the time in which ]Mr. Root was pastor.
Rev. Samuel J. Andrews was employed as a supply. He acted
in that capacity for at least six months. After the last dismissal
of ]Mr. Richardson, Edward A. Walker, a student from Yale
Theological Seminary, supplied the pulpit. In comiection with
his labors, an extensive revival began, which continued under
the eflbrts of his successor.
John ISIonteith, Jr., was ordained pastor October 27, iS^S.
His ministry is a memorable era in the history of the church.
A great accession of converts was received; sixty-four in 1S58,
seven in 1S59, four in i860.
Following upon Mr. Monteith, who was dismissed July y,
,S6o — the dismissal to take etVect the first Sabbath in September
— came another minister directly from a theological seminary,
A. Hastings Ross, who supplied the pulpit for six montlis.
His successor was Rev. Edwin R. Dimock, whose labors
covered a period of eighteen months. After Mr. Dimock, Rev.
H. H. McFarland supplied for six months, and was succeeded
by Rev. Franklin A. Spencer, who was installed pastor June 24,
1S63, and was dismissed May i, 1865. A revival attended his
labors, and upward of thirty were added to the church by pro-
fession of faith.
Rev. E. M. Wright began labor as acting pastor, Alarch 1 1,
1S66, and resigned April 17, 1870, broken down in health and
spirit by the sudden death of his wife. Henry B. Mead was
ordained June 7, 1S71, and dismissed May 12, 1874. During
his ministry there was an accession of thirty-three by profession
of faith.
Rev. Leverett S. Griggs began labor as acting pastor Octo-
ber 25, 1874, and continued until October 17, 1887. During his
ministrv, covering a period of thirteen years, 163 were added
to the church by profession of faith. Rev. Wm. F. Arms next
followed as acting pastor on March 5, 18S8, and remained for
five vears until May, 1893. There were thirty-six added by
profession during these years. Rev. Wm. Alfred Gay, D. D.,
has been acting pastor since October i, 1893.
The following figures in part show the growth of the church.
62
iiisrom OF I'LVMOi'iii.
Rev. W. F. Arms.
Rev. Wm. AlfieJ Cia.\ .
CHIKCH HISTORY. 63
Siaitinoj with a membci b.liip of -|^ in 1S3S, it liad an enrollment
December 31, 1S50, ut 128; Januar\ i, 1S5S, 149; December
31, 1S60, 219; December 31, 1865, 231 ; Februar\ 1, 1S79, -77'
April I, 1895, 28S.
Duiing the Htty-se\en >ears of its existence, it has had the
privilege i;t furnishing four candidates for the gospel ministr) ,
viz., Edwin Johnson, lately pastor of the Second Congregational
Church of Bridgeport ; Linus Blakeslee, pastor ot the First
Congregational Chuich of Topeka, Kan. ; Horace R. Williams,
pastor of the Congregational Church of Almont, Alich. ; and
Moseley H. \Villiams, engaged in the work of the American
Sunilay-school Union, Philadelphia ; also Clara M. Beach, one
of its members, is a Bible teacher in Cawnpore, India ; and
Ralph C. Goodwin, secretary of the Y. M. C. A., at Cam-
bridge, Mass.
The Sabbath-school preceded the organization of the church,
being first held in the old red school house in 1S34. Theie were
four classes, taught by Milo Blakeslee, Fhilo Lewis, Miss Rhoda
Swift (later Mrs. James Hunter), and IVIrs. Sherman Guernsey.
The session was at nine o'clock in the morning, giving an oppor-
tunitv to attend the morning service at Plymouth. After this,
Bible classes were held at private houses, until the new church
ediHce was occupied. From that time until 1S57, ^^^^ school
was organized everv year in the spring, and closed m the fall.
There were no records kept during those years, but it is
remembered that Deacon Milo Blakeslee was first elected super-
intendent, followed by Warren Goodwin, Phineas Hitchcock,
James Edmunds, with Miss Hannah Goodwin, assistant ; Deacon
S. B. Terry, with ]SIiss Eliza Bunnell (Mrs. Carpenter), assistant ;
Warren Goodwin, N. C. Boardman, Gains A. Norton, and per-
haps otiiers, each serving one or more years. In May, 1857,
R. D. H. Allen was elected, and it was decided in the fall to
continue the school through the winter. The school had
numbered about forty in 1S45, and forty-five in 1S49. During
the revival of iS^S, and under the ministry of E. A. Walker, the
school received a new impulse, calling into its membership
nearly the entire congregation. The school was reorganized,
R D. H. Allen was again elected superintendent, B. S. Beach,
chorister, which position he filled with little inteimission until
his death; and A. H. Beach was elected secretary, acting also
as assistant superintendent, to which position he \\ as elected in
18^9. Air. Allen continued to hold the office of superintendent
until February, iS6^, with the following assistants: O. D
Hunter, appointed October 26, i860, W. H. Scott. February
I, 1863, and A. H. Beach, February S, 1S64. During all
these vears Mr. Allen had charge of a class of voimg men. and
at his request, A. H. Beach acted (perhaps with the exception
of one vear) as an extra assistant, by relieving him of many of
the details of the superintendent's office. During one year, also,
IMiss Margaret McClintock assisted, having the arrangement and
oversight of the younger classes. February 10, 1865, James C.
' Mix was chosen superintendent, and M. D. Holcomb assistant.
64
HlSrOUV Ol" PLVMOITII.
Both having removed from that place, J. P. Crawford was
elected superintendent, October 29, iS6^, and selected \\'. H.
Scott for assistant, who has served in that capacity- ever since.
Mr. Crawford was succeeded in 1866 by James Hunter for
five successive years, and he by N. T. Baldwin tor two years,^
then followed F. W. Mix for seven years, James B. Baldwin for
four years, Wm. B. Ells for three years, E. L. Pond for one
year, E. G. Woodward for two years. In 1S90 James B. Bald-
win was again chosen, and served for three years more, making
seven years in all. George A. Scott was appointed in 1893, and
is now serving for a third year.
The house of worship was erected with funds secured by a
subscription bearing date September 13, 1837, w^hich amounted
to $3,SSS- -^ small additional sum was raised subsequentlv to
complete the building. The chairman of the building committee
was Wyllys Atwater, and the builder was Riley Scott.
Terryville Congregational Church Clock
The parsonage was donated to the ecclesiastical society,.
August 26, 1 84 1, by Eli Terry, Sr.
In 18^3, in the period of the ministry of Rev. Merrill
J<ichardson, an enlargement of the capacity of the house of
worship became necessary, and the galleries were introduced :
for which the sum of $467 was provided by subscription. In
1878 the building was raised up and thoroughly renovated, and
the lecture room and ladies' parlor constructed underneath.
The total outlay was something more than $8,000, including the
cost of the organ, which was contributed by the Sabbath-school.
The chairman of the building committee was O. D. Hunter.
Services of re-dedication were held November 6, 187S. In the
spring of 1S91 the ladies of the church raised something over
$400 and added a commodious kitchen, opening from the south
CHURCH HISTORY.
65
end of the lecture room. In 1893 the Sabbath-school fitted up
the southwest corner of the audience room for the infant class.
The deacons of the church have been Milo Blakesley, Eli
Curtiss, Silas B. Terry, Gains A. Norton, R. D. H. Allen, Ira
H. Stoughton, Homer Griswold, George M. Allen, Andrew S.
Gaylord, Jason C. Fenn.
The clock in the tower, an illustration of the mechanism of
which is shown on the preceding page, was presented to the
church by Eli Terry, and is one of the first tower clocks made
by him.
TERRVVII.LE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.
In the early days of Tenyville there was no Catholic ser-
vice held there, and the first Catholics attended the Congrega-
tional Church regularly. Later the Rev. Michael O'Neill, of
Waterbury, drove up once a month and mass was said in the
house of Philip Ryan until the use of the school house was pro-
cured. Father O'Neill was followed by Fathers Hendrickson,
Bohen, Cody, and others. Some of the first Catholics to reside
Interior, Terryville Roman Catholic Church.
here were Philip and Denis Ryan, William Roach, Martin Kear-
ney, Thomas Keefe, John Byron, John McNamara, Timothy
Keefe, Thomas Higgins, and Timothy McNamara. The five
first named are now dead.
No church edifice was erected until thirteen years ago, when
the present church was built by the late Rev. Eugene Gaftney.
The lot on which it is built was bought by John McNamara and
the citizens, irrespective of creed, contributed generously to the
building fund. After Father Gaflhey's death the parish was for
some years attended by Rev. J. W. Fones. He was succeeded
66
IIIsrOKV OK PLVMOUI II.
Rev. M. J. Daly.
Terryvi.le Roman Catholic Church.
ciiuKcii HisroKV. 67
by Rev. M. J. ISIcGivney. both since deceased. At present
divine service is held every Sunday and holy days, and frequently
on week days. Rev. M. J. Daly is in charge, assisted by Rev.
P. Bvrne. The church is entirely out of debt and has a mem-
bership of about 400.
The Catholic cemetery was purchased by Philip Ryan
September, 1S58. The first interred in said cemetery was
Denis Ryan, who died September 3, 1S5S, aged fifty-eight
years.
THE An^■EXT CHAPEL,
There are probably few in Plymouth who remember that
near the Levi Bassett farm there once stood an Advent Chapel.
It was built during the ISIillerite excitement, or when it was at
its height. Rev. Lewis Gunn preached or lectured there for
about a vear, but was finally forbidden to continue as he was not
an Adventist. The building was finally sold and changed into a
dwelling. Probably owing to the fact that Mr. Gunn preached
in that Advent Chapel, a number of people assumed that he was
a believer or follower of their peculiar doctrines. This was not
so, as he was never anything but a Alethodist. He withdrew
from the conference before the war, at the time of the north and
south church troubles, as he was an ardent Abolitionist, and
would not be muzzled in his utterances by the church. After
the war he again joined the conference and preached as a regular
pastor in various places. Senator O. H, Piatt said of him :
" He was a man of strong and unique character, he espoused the
cause of the slave, denounced the slave-holder and his abettors,
and encountered the persecution which befel the outspoken
Abolitionist. As a clergyman he was practically silenced ; the
conference would give the Abolition preacher no charge, and he
retired to the seclusion of his modest farm. Lewis Gunn was a
moral hero. The weapons of his warfare were not carnal, but
few men ever wielded the sword of the spirit or the battle-ax of
the reformer more fearlessly. Had he lived in Boston or Phila-
delphia, he would have been noted as a leading champion of
human rights." Mr. Gunn was able, independent and broad,
his discourses were alwavs interesting, instructive and accept-
able to all who were followers of Christ, without regard to
denomination or creed.
CHAPTER IV.
THE " Wir.DliKNESS" AND INDIANS.*
Most of Litchfield County in 1712 an Unbroken Forest as Absolute as any on the
Continent— Last Deer Shot in Northbury— Indian Jack and Two Companions
Were the Only Indians in Plymouth Within the Remembrance of People Now
Living.
T^T'ESTBURY was a society in Waterbury, which town as
V V has been said, was settled in 1677, and at this date ( 1739)
was in New Haven county, having been transferred to it from
Hartford county, where it originally belonged, in 1728. Bethle-
hem was a parish of Woodbury, which was settled in 1673, and
belonged to Fairfield county until the organization of Litchfield
county in 1751. Judea, now Washington, was formed in part
from territory of New Milford, which was settled in 171 2, and
belonged to New Haven county, until, like Woodbury, on the
organization of Litchfield county, it was setotl' to the new county.
North of this frontier line at the date of the last named settle-
ment, that of New Milford, in 171 2, stretched an unbroken
wilderness, as absolute as any on the continent at the time ; a
rough region of rocks and hills and swamps and pathless woods,
which the white man's foot had never traversed, in which not
even the Indians made their abode ; De Forest, in his history of
the Indians of Connecticut, telling us that when the Mohawks
made their raids through to the Connecticut river, as they used
to do in the seventeenth century, they traversed the whole
breadth of Litchfield county without meeting a single human
being ; the whole region a wild, lonely, gloomy solitude of
nature, the haunt only of wild beasts, aiul stretching north con-
tinuously to the settlements of Canada. It is difficult for us in
our day, looking upon the cleared farms, the smiling homes, the
thronged and busy towns of Litchfield county, to realize the
condition of the region above the Woodbury and New Milford
line at that early day. There was not a single cleared field, nor
smoke from any white man's dwelling. It was called the
" Wilderness" and made good its title to the name. In the
patent of Litchfield, given in 1724, the town is bounded "west,
part on Shepaug river and part on the wilderness; north, by the
* Written by the late Rev. E. B. Hillard.
THE "wilderness" AND INDIANS. 69
wilderness." Rev. Benjamin Wadsworth, afterwards president
of Harvard College, who accompanied commissioners from the
New England colonies to meet the "■ Five Nations " of Indians at
Albany, in 1694, describes the journey as being through "a
hideous prowling wilderness." Bears abounded, and fiercer
wolves roving over the mountains and through the woods, waked
the silence with their bowlings. As late as 1747, the town of
Goshen "voted to pay Timothy Stanley thirty shillings, old
tenor, for killing a wolf." Still later, Jacob Beach, in the same
town, killed four wolves in one year, for which he received in
bounties sixteen pounds. The same man, in another year, cap-
tured in traps and otherwise, seventeen bears. In Alay, 1783,
the General Assembl}', "'the town of Harwinton being of late
greatly infested with wolves," awarded "a bounty of forty
shillings to Frederick Phelps, of said town for killing a full-
grown wolf." Deer also were common. In Simsbury, " venison,
for many years was a cheaper food than pork or beef or mutton."
An old Indian of Harwinton, whom Leverett Smith remembers,
used to complain that the white hunters had scared away all the
game by the noise their guns made, saying that with bow and
arrows he could go into the woods, and in an hour, get game
enough to last for days. The last deer known to have been
killed in Plvmouth was shot by David Luddington on the meadow
east of the ".Spruces" below Thomaston, in the hard winter of
17S0, he firing across the river at the deer on the east side.
That winter was so severe, the snow lying four feet deep in
March and earlier, travel being possible only on snow shoes,
that many deer perished from inability to get food, and this one
had, probably, come in search of it to the spot where he met his
fate. Nor were wild beasts the only terror of the "Wilderness."
Hostile Indians from Canada came down through the forest,
keeping the early settlers in alarm. During the latter part of
the seventeenth century and the early part of the eighteenth,
England and France were at war, and the French, having pos-
session of Canada, instigated these attacks.
Before the settlement of Litchfield, Waterbury was a frontier
town, and so specially exposed to such savage incursions,
scouts were employed, sentinels were stationed on elevated
places wdiich overlooked the village and the meadows where
men labored during the day, and " forts" or fortified houses were
built as places of refuge in case of attack. April 9, 1700, the
town "voted to fortify Ens. Stanley's house, and if it should
prove troublesome times, and the town see they have need, two
more should they be able." " Att ye same meeting, ye town
agreed by voate for ye building ye fort about Ensign Standley's
house, that the town go about it forthwith, al men and boys and
teams yt are able to work, and to begin to-morrow." This
means that Ensign Stanley's house should be fortified by being
surrounded by " palisades," that is a high fence of posts set
upright, close to each other, which could not be easilv scaled.
"March 25, 1704, ye town agreed to fortify Mr. .Southmaid's
hous," — they meant to have the minister safe — and " February 31,
yo HISTORY OF PLVMOllil.
1706, the town agreed to build the foert that is at left, (lieutenant)
standlis (the ' ensign ' has been promoted) strong." At the
same meeting the act was passed to " build a nue foart." " June
ye 23, 1707, ye town by voate considering our troubles and teere
of an enemie do agree to lay a sid cutting busshies (that is on the
highways and common pastures of the town) which was warned
for this day, and this day forthwith to go about finishing and
repayring ye forts, and to finish them by Wednesday next at
night." Into these fortified houses in time of alarm, all the peo-
ple resorted at night, returning again in the morning to their
own homes and the labors of the day. Nor did the event prove
these anxieties groundless. In 17 10 a party of Indians killed a
man named Holt, in the south part of this town, on a spur of
Mt. Toby. About the same time another party captured
Jonathan Scott and his two boys as they were eating their
dinner in Hancock's meadow, now Waterville, and carried them
oft' to Canada. In Woodbury, another frontier town at the time,
during King Philip's war a watch was kept from sunset to sun-
rise ; one-fourth of the men were kept under arms every day,
taking turns; the watch was directed to call up every man in
the town an hour before day — the usual time for Indian attacks —
and each one was directed to arm himself, repair to his appointed
ward, and there stand guard ready to repel attack, till half an
hour after sunrise. Scouts on horseback were also sent into the
woods each day, with directions to go only so far as to be able
to return by nightfall. "Forts" or fortified houses were also
erected, as in Waterbury. When later, in 1730, Litchfield came
to be settled, it was in turn a frontier town, and as such most
exposed to Indian attacks. From 1720 to 1730 five houses were
surrounded by palisades ; one in the center, one half a mile
south, one on the east side, one on the west side, and one at
South Farms, now Morris. Soldiers were stationed to guard
the inhabitants, both while they were at work in the field, and
while attending public worship on the Sabbath. In May, 1722,
Capt. Jacob Griswold being at work in a field about a mile west
of the center, two Indians rushed upon him from the woods,
took him, pinioned his arms and carried him oft'. During the
night following the first day's march, however, he managed to
escape with the guns of his captors, with which, keeping them at
bay during their pursuit of him the next day, he got back to his
family. The next year Joseph Harris, while at work in the
woods, was attacked by a party of Indians, and attempting to
escape, they pursued him, and finding they could not overtake
him, shot him dead and scalped him. This was onl\' five years
before Henry Cook, the first settler here, built his log cabin up
the river, and thus founded the society of Northbury and the
town of Plymouth ; and I have sketched this outline of the
region north and west, that we might be better able to realize
the conditions under which the new community here was
planted, and our fathers set up their early homes. It was no
child's play. Away up here in the wilderness, among wild
beasts and wilder savages, away from friends, amid hardships
THE '■'wilderness" AND IXDJANS. 71
and exposures of every kind, it required a degree of courage and
fortitude and endurance that we know little oi", and for which
we should the more supremely honor them. At no small price
was purchased the inheritance which we so freely enjoy.
The " Standley Farm," mentioned in the next chapter as
being given to Cephas and Enos Ford, by their father, ]5arnabas
Ford, was part of the territory conveyed by the Indians to John
Stanly and others of Farmington by the " black lead mine deed,"
and the confirmatory deed of 1714. It lay in, and embraced the
lower part of the village of Thomaston. The surveys of it are
in the Farmington records, Book III, p. 229. "Bear Hill" is
the hill which you go up past the house of Air. Grilley, Sen.,
the "settlement" farm of Rev. Mr. Todd, the first pastor, lying
on it; the place known as the " Williams place," where Thomas
Kelly now lives, being the old parsonage spot. In " the lot laid
out for ye sake of a mine," reappears the phantom of mineral
wealth, which in the shape of the supposed black lead mine, led
to the first investment in the territory by the discoverer from
Farmington, and which has haimted the region ever since ; the
delusion reaching the crown of amusement, in the reservation
which the third John Sutlifi'made, in all the deeds of land given
by him in his later years, of " all mines contained therein," with
special designation in one of them of the " lot" (lying on the
side-hill north of where Mr. Ransom Sutlifi'now lives) "known
as the Dimon mine;" the precious metals alone not making up
the wealth of the region, but it being rich also in precious gems.
The account of the "Common" or "undivided lands" men-
tioned in the will, and to which perpetual reference is made in
the early land documents, is as follows: The entire territory of
the town of Waterbury, with the exception of the eight-acre
"homelotts" set ofi' at the outset to each of the first settlers to
build his house on, was owned originally in common by the
companv of those first settlers, who were called " proprietors,"
and the ownership of each in the common territory his "pro-
priety," or, as in Mr. Ford's will, " right." Of the original
proprietors, the share owned by each in the common territory
was proportioned to the amount he had subscribed towards the
settlement of the town, as the purchase of the land of the Indians,
and other initial expenses. The total amount of those original
subscriptions was nearly £2,600, being exactly £2,580.
Towards this amount, one had subscribed £100 — no one was
allowed to subscribe more than this, to guard against monopoly
in the ownership of the territory — another £90, another £65,
and so on ; and accordingly, of the original 2,580 shares in the
territory, a pound subscription representing one share in the
land, he who had subscribed £100 owned 100 shares, he who
had subscribed ^90 ninety shares, and so on ; that is the " right "
or "propriety" of each settler was proportioned to the amount
of his original subscription. The land thus owned in common,
the " proprietors" distributed from time to time, in varying lots,
among themselves, as there was a demand for it in the market,
the allotment in each distribution, to each, being proportioned to
72
HIS'JOUY OF PLYMOUTH.
Two Views of Jack's Ledge.
THE "wilderness and INDIAN'S. 73
the size of his "propriety," or the number of shaies he owned in
the total property, the order of choice in the distribution being
determined by lot. Thus, if it was agreed to distribute 10,000
acres, to the ^,100 proprietor was alloted a share of one twenty-
sixth of the total amount, and to each lesser proprietor his pro-
portionate share. The share of each thus distributed, was
issued to him in the form of a "land note" so called. Thus if
the share of one, in a particular distribution, was sixty-five acres,
he had a land note issued to him of sixty-five acres, which he
might take up in his turn (decided by lot) anywhere in the
township, of land not yet taken up, or "laid out," as the term
was. This allotment he might then sell in quantities to pur-
chasers, each particular sale being endorsed on the land note by
the " proprietors' measurer," as the surveyors employed for this
purpose by the proprietors were called, and so continue to do
till the whole amount of land expressed in the note had been
sold, in other words till the endorsements on the note amounted
together to the face of the note, when, one distribution thus being
disposed of, another would be made. Such purchase was called
a "lay out," because "laid" or measured out by the "proprie-
tors' measurer," who gave to the purchaser a certificate that he
had laid out such an amount to him on the order of such a pro-
prietor, and the certificate, containing the measurements and
bounds of the piece, constituted the purchaser's title to the land,
as in ordinary land transactions does the deed. The following
is a land order, or " note " of this kind :
" To the Town measurers in Waterbury these may Certifie
you that there may be Laid out in the undivided Land of s'd
Waterbury to Barnabas Ford Six Acres of Land on John South-
mayd's property on the Division Jan. 3d 1738 provided he Lay
It Joining to his other Lands, he haveing purchased So much of
sd. Southmayd, and may be laid out on the fifteenth of January
1740.
Signed John Southmayd, Clerk."
Endorsed : " laid on this note, six acres of land to barnabas
ford by me.
William Judd, measurer."
The following is a full "lay out," in the handwriting, save
the signature, of Mr. Todd :
" April ye 25th 1740 laid out for Barnaba ford two acres 76
rods of land a litel west of andreses medow beeinning' at a white
oake tree owne of his former Corners then running northward 44
rods to ye first Station butting east upon the highway West on
his owne land north on Mr. Sam'll Todd's land laid upon Mr.
John Southmayd wright upon ye Deuition granted January ve 3
1739 laid out by me Williaim Judd measurer."
Li these " lay outs," each purchaser selecting his land
where he pleased, and in such shape as he pleased, only so that
the specified amount was included, it happened that certain
74 HISrOKV OF PLYMOUTH.
undesirable parcels, as rocky side iiills, and ledges corners
between diHerent lay outs etc., would tail to be taken up by any
one, as in that time practically worthless, and thus it has come
to pass that there remain in town several pieces of " common or
undivided land," which have never belonged, and do not now
belong to any individual owner, but are still the property of the
original owners of the town or their heirs. Such a piece lies on
the hillside south of the late Chas. Adkin's house, and others else-
where. The custom is, I understand, for adjoining owners to cut
oft'the wood, which has now value, in turn, and unless some of the
ghosts now being disturbed in the old graveyard in Thomaston,
appear to challenge them, they are probably safe in so doing. It is
somewhat singular, that, after all the changes in the town, certain
pieces of land remain in the same condition as to ownership which
they were in when Henry Cook built his log cabin here one hun-
dred and fifty-four years ago. These remaining pieces of " com-
mon land," and the still remaining timbers of the frame of the old
first ''School hous" will do to go together in our museum of
town antiquities. The last "measurer" in this society was
Oliver Todd, father of the late Samuel Todd. In the later days
of the old measurers, young men, not proprietors' measurers,
would do the actual work of survey, and certifying it to the legal
measurers, thev would sign the lav outs, and thus constitute
them legal titles. Apollos Markham did much of this proxy
work in his earlier years, and we may be sure did it well.
One of the most interesting sights in the town of Plymouth
is the old Indian cave near the Wolcott line, about four and a
half miles from Plymouth Center. Jack's Ledge, as it is called,
is known to only a few of the older inhabitants with the excep-
tion of those living: near it. The name Indian Heaven, bv
which this section was formerly called, is now obsolete. As late
as 1S30 there were three Indians still in possession, and among
them Indian Jack, from whom the ledge has taken its name.
The large boulder, which was very likely at one time a part of
the mai.: rock, weighs, as near as can be ascertained, about one
thousand tons. It forms two entrances to the cave. The open-
ing was protected from storms by making a roof of trees and
brush. On entering, there is a passage at least twenty feet long
and about ten feet wide, leading into a solid rock room which
was used for a sleeping place.
CHAPTER \'
SOME OF
Sketch of Henry Cook, the First Settler, Together with Other Biographies of His
Followers who Petitioned to Make Northbury a Separate and Distinct Parish.
Location of Their Homes, Value of Estates, and What Disposition was
Made of Them.
THE earliest roll of Northbury is the list of subscribers to the
petition to the town for winter privileges, bearing date of
September 29, 1736, and is as follows:
Henry Cook, John Sutliff, Thomas Blakeslee, Barnabas
Ford, John How, Johnathan Cook, John Sutliff, Jr., Johnathan
Foot, Samuel Towner, Samuel Frost, Ebenezer Elwell, Gideon
Allen, Isaac Castle, Daniel Curtis, John Humaston.
To these is to be added the name of Elnathan Taylor, who
was among the signers to a second and successful petition to the
same town meeting at which the first was refused. These six-
teen men were the pioneers of the town of Plymouth, and, as
honoring their memories, we wish to know of each all that can
be known.
Henrj- Cook, whose name heads the roll, was the first set-
tler in the town, coming here from Branford, in 1728. He was
the son of Henry, of Wallingford, who was the son of Henr}', of
Plymouth, Mass., before 1640; the earliest settler of Plymouth,
Conn., being thus a grandson of one of the earliest settlers of
Plymouth, Alass., from which town, doubtless, our town took
its name. The English ancestors of the Cooks were from the
county of Kent, and were of the Puritan stock. Henry, of Wal-
lingford, was one of the original proprietors of that town, coming
to it unmarried, about 1674; his brother, Samuel, having pre-
ceded him by four vears, signing the fundamental articles of the
town in 1670. Henry was a farmer, and frequently elected to
offices of responsibility and trust bv his townsmen. He married
in Wallingford, and died there in 1705? aged fifty-one years.
Of him it is recorded in the Wallingford records, under date of
February 19, 1689-90, " Hennery Cook cast lots (with others) for
the Falls Plaine." The town of Wallingford at that time
included the present town of Meriden. and "the Falls Plaine"
* Written by the late Rev. E B. Hillard. in 1882.
76 HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.
was what is now South Meriden or Hanover. Henry of North-
bury, was born in 16S3, and thus was about seven years old
when his father made his home in Hanover. He was first
married October S, 1709, and his wife dying within the year, he
again married, the next year, Mary, daughter of John and ]Mary
Frost, of Branford, and went there to live; coming from there,
as has been said, to Northbur} , eighteen years later; Samuel
Frost, another of the pioneers, being likely a relative of his wife.
He had five children, all probably born in Branford : four sons,
Johnathan, who signed the petition of 1736 with his father, and
whose name is thus in the roll of the pioneers, Ebenezer, Samuel
and Henry; and one daughter. Thankful, the thankfulness of
the parents for the gift, perhaps, determining her name. Three
of the sons, Johnathan, Ebenezer and Henrv, settled in North-
bury, Of Samuel I can get no trace. Johnathan married, June
15, 1735? Ruth, daughter of William Luttington, then of North
Haven, who followed his daughter to Northbury two or three
years later, his name first appearing in the petition to the General
Assembly of May, 1738. Ebenezer married. May 10, 1744,
Phebe, daughter of Moses Blakeslee, one of the first two deacons
of the Northbury church, being chosen to the oflice at the time
of the organization of the church in 1740. They had eleven
children ; the mother, who was married in her twenty-second
year, being herself one of a family of fourteen children. Two of
their children graduated at Yale College ; Justus, the second
son, in the class of 1779; and his brother Rozell, seven years
younger than he, tvVo years before him, in the class of 1777.
Rozell studied for the ministry; was licensed to preach bv the
New Haven East Association in 1778, and was settled as the
third pastor of the church in Montville, June, 17S4, where he
remained till his death in 1798.
Henry, Jr., married Hannah, daughter of Nathan Benham,
of Wallingford, November 7, 1745, and had seven children.
Of these, the fifth, Lemuel, mentioned in Chapter VI, as the
last survivor of the revolutionary war.
The founder of the ]\\itcrhiiry American^ Edward Bronson
Cook, was the great-great-grandson of Samuel, the brother of
Henry, Sr., of Northbury.
Mark Leavenworth, grandson of Rev. Mark Leavenworth,
third pastor of the Waterbury church, married Anna, great-
granddaughter of Samuel, the cousin of our Henry, Sr., and her
daughter became the wife of Green Kendrick, Esq., ,Sr., of
Waterbury.
The site of Mr. Cook's house cannot now be positively
determined. Two considerations had influence in deciding the
location of the homes of the earliest settlers. First, thev must
be near natural supplies of good drinking water, for use before
wells could be dug ; and second, it was desirable that they
should be within easy reach of natural meadows from which hay
could be procured for the use of the cattle in the winter, before
there was time to clear up and stock artificial meadows.
Accordingly we find that the earliest settlements were, as the
SOME OF THE PIONEERS. 77
rule, ill the valleys, where, from the overflow of the streams
killing the trees, natural meadows were formed. This was the
case in the settlement of Hartford, Farmington, Waterbury, and
Northbury. These natural meadows were often formed by the
overflow from beavers' dams ; that below Lyman D. Baldwin's
saw mill being one of this kind ; the dam which the beavers
built, nobody knows how long ago, being still plainly visible, at
its foot, constructed on the most scientific principles, an arch
built in the narrowest part of the outlet, curving up against the
stream. In cutting a ditch through it some years since, the logs
were found, standing on end, leaning up stream, embedded in
the mud which the native builders had packed about them, and
with forms still preserved. Man}"^ of the homes of the early set-
tlers in Northbury also were established near springs of water,
as those of Barnabas Foid, Caleb Humaston, John Warner,
Daniel Potter, and others.
Of the locality of Mr. Cook's home this only is known.
Bronson, in his history of Waterbury, published in 1S5S, says:
"He had a farm on which he lived, on the west bank of the
river, not far from the Litchfield boundary." There was a very
early settlement up the river. Jeremiah Peck, the first deacon
of the Northbury church, living there, and having a daughter
Ruth, whom Rev. Mark Leavenworth, then lately "called," a
voung man, to Waterbury, but not yet settled, used to go up
there courting, and preaching in the neighborhood on his visits —
taking for his texts, doubtless, the "new commandment," and
parallel passages — thus killing two birds with one stone, and
"bagging" at least one of them, for he married the fair Ruth,
February 6, 1740, a month before his ordination. Mr. Peck and
INIr. Cook doubtless were neighbors, and as we have seen, their
families became united in after years by marriage.
]Mr. Cook, it seems probable, died not far from 1740. In
1737, Mr. Cook's property was entered in the Waterbury Grand
List at £66, standing the fortieth, in amount, in the town, and
the seventh among the early settlers of Northbury.
The following is ix fac-simile of his signature as appended to
the petition of 1736 :
in which, it will be seen, his hand already began to tremble
from approaching age. His autograph is the most marked and
distinctive of all the early signatures, and denotes strength and
independence of character.
He was buried, doubtless, in the old burying ground in
Thomaston, though no stone remains to mark his grave.
Taking him all in all, from what we can learn of him,
Henry Cook was a man of whom the town has no occasion to be
ashamed as its first settler and pioneer founder.
John Sutlift" was the second settler in the town, coming to it
yS )Il.SIORV OF HLYjMOUTH.
as early as 1730; his name being mentioned, with that ol" Henry
Cook, in the vote of the town, dated December 14, 1730, relating
to the "school money." Mr. vSutlitf was born in 1674; where
it is not known. He came here from " Haddam quarter," a part
of the original town of Haddam, which was annexed to Durham
in 1773. The earliest we learn of him, he was in Branford,
where in the records of the church he is enrolled as a member,
joining in 170S, and the baptisms of his six oldest daughters (he
had eight), viz., Hannah, Mary, Lydia, Abigail, Elizabeth, and
Deborah are entered under dates ol 1699, 1701, 1704, 1706, 1708,
1710 respectively; and of his son Abel in 1720. From Branford
Mr. Sutliffwent to Durham among the first settlers of that town,
being appointed a town officer at the first town meeting in i 706 ;
and being one of the inhabitants to whom the patent of the town
was granted by the legislature in 1 70S— going still to Branford
to church, and having his children baptized there, till a church
was organized in Durham some years later. He had a brother
Nathaniel, who was with him in Branford, and went with him
to Durham, being also appointed a town officer, viz., constable,
at the first town meeting of the latter town. At the same meet-
ing it was voted "that the pound be between Nathaniel and
John Sutlifi", on the E. side ot the street," by which it appears
that the brothers lived on adjoining farms. On the granting of
the patent of the town (170S) John was appointed on a com-
mittee with two others, to run the town lines, and the next year,
" the town made choice of Sergt. John Sutlitf to go to Guilford
and elsewhere, to gather what money ye gentlemen that have
farms within the town will contribute towards the buildino- of
the Meeting house." The explanation of this vote is the follow-
ing: The territory of Durham was supposed originally to be
embraced within the limits of the adjoining towns; but when
their lines came to be surveyed, it was found that there was a
tract left, not included in them. This still remaining the prop-
erty of the colony, it became the custom, when a citizen had
rendered anv distinguished public service, as that of Capt. John
Mason in his campaign against the Pequots, to reward him by
the gift of a farm in the common tract. These owners did not,
in many instances, become residents, and accordingly when the
town came to be settled, there were no resident citizens repre-
senting their property, and so, when the inliabitants came to
build the meeting house, though non-residents, they were applied
to for aid, and being gentlemen of distinction, it is a token of the
high standing of Mr. Sutlifi'among the early settlers of the town
that he was chosen to represent them in their application. His
brother, Nathaniel, was also one of the foremost citizens of the
new town. In the Durham records, the brothers are mentioned
as "of Deerfield," from which it is likelv that that town in
Massachusetts was their birthplace. There is also a power of
attorney, dated " Durham, Oct. ist, 1715," given by Nathaniel
to his brother John, empowering him to collect any debts due
him from any persons "within the province of the Massachusetts
Bay, and particularly of John Plimpton of the town of MedfieJd
SOME OF THE PIONEERS.
79
within the said province," which goes to contirm the supjoosition
that they resideti in Massachusetts before coming to Branlbrd.
The name as signed by Nathaniel to the power ol' attorney,
was written '•'• Suthet," which was likely the original spelling oi"
the name. In 1723, the two brothers, John and Nathaniel, set-
tled on Haddam quarter, having the permission of the town of
Haddam to attend public worship still in Durham ; and from
there John came to Xorthbury Nathaniel remaining a perma-
nent and prominent inhabitant of Durham. John settled on the
west side of the river below the "Spruces," his house being on
the spot where Johnathan Warner now lives ; a supply of good
water being handy in the brook, fed from springs, that runs on
the north side at the foot of the knoll on which the house stood.
He came to own all the land west as far as the " Hemlocks" and
between Cemetery Hill on the north and the Knife Shop village
on the south; the tract being known as '•'■ Sutliff Swamp." He
also owned the mill privilege at what is now known as the
Woolen mill ; having a grist mill there, the Hrst one in the town,
and so he became the pioneer miller of the town.
An original will of his is in existence in the possession of
Bennett Sutlifl", dated March 3, 1740-41, bearing his signature,
and those of Samuel Todd, the first pastor of the Northbury
church and "Mercey," his wife, and Caleb Humaston, as wit-
nesses. This will was superseded by a later one, on which his
estate was settled, but which difi'ered from this only in one or
two minor points. In this will he says, "Being in ye Exercise
of my reason and understandingTouchingyt worldly estate where-
with it hath pleased God to bless me, I Demise and dispose of
ye Same In The following manner." He then goes on to
bequeathe unto his "well beloved wife Hannah" one-third part
of his movable estate, and the use of one-third part of his real
estate during her natural life. To his son John he gives all the
land lying on the north side of the highway running through his
farm (the old Waterbury and Litchfield road), and to his other
son, Abel, the land lying on the south side of the same. To
John he gives "a horse, having liberty to choose, also a bridle
and saddle, and my hunting gun and pistol and sword." To
Abel a horse, "having liberty to choose after John hath chosen,
also a bridle and saddle, a gun and pistol." His sword was
doubtless the one he carried as captain before coming to North-
bury. The two-thirds of his movable estate not given to his
wife he gives to his eight daughters, the six already named and
Martha and Dinah. His farming utensils he gives to his sons,
and also his " corn mill with the land on which ye s'd mill
standeth, which (land) I bought of Capt. Thomas Judd of
Waterbury," reserving to his wife " one-third part of ye profit
of ye toll of s'd mill to be at her dispose During her natural life."
He appointed his two sons executors of his will.
Of these sons, John was the sixth deacon of the Northbury
ohurch, being chosen in 1744. He lived and kept tavern in the
house where Wm. A. Leigh, the stone-cutter now lives, the
present house being the one he built. There is a tradition, that
So
HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.
in digging the well, when they got down to the rock, instead of
drilling and blasting in the way now usual, they filled the hole
with wood, and having thus heated the rock, split it by pouring
vinegar on it, which if I remember, was the way in which
Hannibal is said to have split the rocks in cutting a way in his
march over the Alps. At any rate Mr Leigh tells me that the
rock at the bottom of the well is thus cracked without drill hole,
and that the water flows in through the fissure. Deacon John
Sutlift' died January 39, 1790, aged seventy-six years, as his
stone, in the old burying ground in Thomaston records, being
thus born in 1714, and six years older than his brother Abel.
John, Jr. , married first Anne Ives, daughter of Thomas Ives,
of New Haven, July 12, 1741. She had one child, John the 3d,
born March 21, 1743, and died August ":;, 1746, aged 3. Her
grave with the stone plainly marked is in the old burying ground
in Thomaston, next but one to her husband's; the intervening
grave being that of his second wife, Martha Bassett, the daughter
of Samuel Bassett, of New^ Haven, married April 9, 1747, by
whom he had five children. He had a third wife, Esther, who
survived him. He was in the old French and Indian war, enter-
ing as lieutenant and coming out as captain,
Abel married Sarah, the daughter of Barnabas Ford, and
had four children, Dinah, Abel, Darius and Lucas. He died
September 26, i77^' John, Sr., died October 14, 17^2, aged
seventy-eight years. His wife Hannah died November 9, 1761.
Both are doubtless buried in the old Thomaston ground, though
their gravestones do not remain.
The old pioneer was a man of note in his day. He was one
of the foremost men in Xorthbury, as he had been in Durham.
His estate was entered in the Waterbury grand list of 1737, at
£91 4s. At his death it inventoried, the land at £1,330, the
balance of the estate at £645 17s, Thomas Blakeslee and Jacob
Blakeslee being the appraisers. There is a cane, in the posses-
sion of John Sutlift", of Bristol, the fifth John, marked on a silver
band just under the knob, " Capt. John Sutlief, 176=^" — marked
by our John the 2d, the Deacon — which the family tradition
says was brought over from England, and has been handed
down from John to John in the fiimily line to the presentholder.
John the 3d, son of the deacon, was aftllcted with a mining
passion which became a monomania. For years he worked at
mining just below the Spruces, the hole where he entered still
remammg.
He had twelve children, and was the first to come to meet-
ing on the Hill in a wheeled vehicle ; Airs. Hart remembering
the long wagon in which he used to bring his whole family up
the long hill. With such families nowadays, the meeting
houses would be filled as they were of old.
The next settlers after John Sutlift'were Samuel Towner,
Elnathan Taylor, and Johnathan Cook, these three coming
before the close of 1 73 1 .
Of Samuel Towner this only is known. His name disap-
pears from the Northbury petitions with that of May, 1738, and
N
SOME OF THE PIONEERS. 8l
he is found in Goshen in 1740 He probably went up there in
the spring of 1739- A good many settlers were attracted to that
town in the expectation that it would be made the county seat,
when a county should be formed ; an expectation justified by its
central position in the county, but which in the event was des-
tined to be disappointed. Mr. Towner was a man of large
means for the time, his estate being entered in the Waterbury
grand list of 1737 at ^SS ; only one of the "pioneers," John
Sutliti', rating above him. Where he lived here is not known.
From Goshen he went, in 1750, to Dutchess County, N. Y., and
in 17S6-7, moved back to Goshen, where his descendants
remained, and whence they spread.
Of Elnathan Taylor this only is known, that he owned the
land now constituting the old burying ground in Thomaston,
and that he deeded it to the inhabitants of the town of Water-
bury for that use, in i73v His name does not appear in the
grand list of 1737, nor in any petition of the " up river inhabi-
tants," after the town meeting of September 29, 1736. He
probably left soon after that date. Where he went to is not
known. His house, as we learn from the deed of tiie burying
ground, was "on the plain," by the burying ground or a little
southward of it.
[ohnathan Foot's name I must pass over, with simply say-
ing that he died in 1754; and that in his will, which is on
record in the probate office in Woodbury — as are all the wills of
the pioneers, Waterbury being at that time in the Woodbury
probate district — he mentions an island, known as " Welton's
Island," as " lying up the river." Where that island is I cannot
learn. Knowing its location, we should from it have some idea
where Mr. Foot lived.
Isaac Castle was a native of Woodbury. He was the son
of Isaac, and the grandson of Henry, one of the emigrants from
Stratford to VVoodburv in the settlement of the latter town. He
was baptized August 9, 1707, but was born earlier, as his brother
Samuel, next younger, was baptized the same day with him.
He married, January 21, 1723, Tapher, the daughter and oldest
child of John Warner, one of the earliest settlers of Westbury,
the first physician of that society, and on the organization of the
church, chosen one of its first deacons ; the uncle of Deacon
John Warner, third deacon of the Northbury church. Mr. Castle
removed from Woodbury to Westbury in 1725, his first child
being born in the latter place in August of that year. He came
to Northbury as early as 1736, his name being signed to the first
petition of the Northbury inhabitants for winter privileges, Sep-
tember 29, 1736. In John How's deed of the first public ground,
he describes the land as "taken oft' the land I had of Isaac
Castle." His first wife, by whom he had five children, Ashel,
Sarah, Mary, Lydia, and Abisbai, born lespectively, in 1725,
'27, '30, '35. and '38, died soon after he came to Northbury.
He married for his second wife, December 21, 1740? Lydia,
daughter of Richard Scott, "of vSunderland," by whom he had
eight children, Tapher, Elizabeth, Isaac, Neliitable, Richard,
82 HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.
Daniel, Amasa, and Jedidah, born respectively, in 1741, "43, '4Sr
'47, '49, '51, '55, and '57, making the whole number ot hi& chil
dren thirteen. Ashel, his eldest son, married a daughter of
Gideon Allen, another of the pioneers. Where his house stood
is not known, the surmise that it stood on the east side of the
river, being only a surmise, from the circumstance that ti.e hill
between Thomaston and Plymouth was formerly called "• Castles'
Hill," but this name was given to the hill from the fact that four
Castle brothers lived on it, and in the distribution of the high-
ways for working, as was the custom, each settler taking a
section to keep in repair, these brothers took the long hill, and
it was from this called ''the Castles' hill." In the list of Water-
bury estates of 1737, Mr. Castle is entered £41. When he died
or where he was buried is not known.
Daniel Curtiss came from VVallingford, of which town, his
father, Isaac Curtiss, was one of the original proprietors. He
was born August 7, 1707. His mother was Abigail Tuttle.
The Connecticut Curtisses are descended from William Curtiss,
who came over from England in 1632, landing at Scituate,
Mass., from which place he removed, hrst to Roxburv, Mass.,
then to Stratford, Conn., whence the VVallingford Curtisses
came to that town. In November, 1679, the town "granted to
Neh. Royce, Isaac Curtiss, each 3 acres, and Nathaniel How
and Isaac Royce, each 2 acres, and all at 'dog's misery,'" this
latter locality being a swampy tract, in which wild animals
when hunted took refuge, and which was so thick, tangled and
miry, that the dogs of the hunters were tormented in their
attempts to get at the game, whence its name, "dog's misery."
In this action of the town we come upon the names of others of
the pioneer settlers of Northbury. This " dog's misery," it
seems, was the occasion of misery not to the dogs only, but also
to their owners, as appears by a petition to the town, bearing
date of March 16, 1696, and commencing as follows: "We
whose names are underwritten, being in some mesure sencable
of ye mezery of Contention and yt there is too much of it in our
Town and one part of it is about dogs mezery, which may hasard
Charge to ye Town, if not timely prevented, &c." Signed bv
Nehemiah Royce, the grandfather of our Phineas Rovce,
Nathaniel How, of the family of our John How, Isaac Curtiss
and others. Mr. Curtiss was one of the earliest settlers of
Northburv. He came with a family, his wife's name being
" Lettice," and they bringing with them two children, Ebenezer
and Jotham. Their third child, Jesse, was the first child born
in Northbury, the date of his birth being September 22, 1733;
Samuel How, reported the first child born here, not being born
here, but in Wallingford He had other children born here as
follows: Abigail in 1735, Lucy in '37, Isaac in '40, Sarah in '42,
Ruth in '44, Lettice in '46, and Daniel in '48, ten in all. He
died November z^, 175O' •" the forty-third year of his age, leav-
ing an estate appraised by John Humaston, Caleb Humaston and
John Bronson, at ^4,468 12s, being the largest estate left bv
any of the pioneers, that of Caleb Humaston being next.
SOME OF THE PIONEERS. 83
The estate of Mr. Curtiss was entered in the Waterbury list
^^ ^737' ^^ ^^?)3- ^y what process he managed to increase this
in a little over twenty years to ^^,4,500, it would be interesting
to know, especially with a family of ten children on his hands.
Perhaps the Lord helped him out as a reward for his domestic
faithfulness.
Mr. Curtiss was a prominent man in the new community.
In extending a call to Rev. Mr. Todd to be their pastor, he was
appointed with Moses Blakeslee and Jeremiah Peck (chosen the
two first deacons) to convey the call to Mr. Todd, and receive
his answer. In the military line, he attained as early as 1745 to
the distinction of lieutenant, by which title he was afterwards
known. He lies buried in the old ground on the Hill, his grave-
stone bearing the following inscription :
" Here lies ye Body of Lieut. Daniel Curtiss, he died
Novbr ye 25th, 17^0, in ye 43d year of his age. Mortals attend
to learn vour end." His wife lies buried beside him, having died
the vear before him, in the thirty-ninth year of her age.
Ebenezer Elwell came from Branford, with a family, in
1732. Seven of his children were born before he came to
Northburv, the first born here, Anne, being entered in the
Waterburv records as his " Sth," "born Dec. 5th, 1733," and
so being the second child, and first girl born in Northbury ; thus
taking the head over Experience Blakeslee, daughter of Capt.
Thomas, whom tradition has reported as the first female child
born in Northbury, but who was not born till January 3, 1 734-5-
His ninth and last child was Samuel, born April 27, 1736-
His other children, born before coming here, were Ebenezer,
Mark, Johnathan, Catherine, Judith and Lydia, and one whose
name I do not learn. His wife, Catherine, died January 9,
1743-4; and he married again in 1744, Hannah, daughter of
Edmund Scott, of Waterbury. He died December 24, 1754.
Where he lived, or where he was buried, I have not been able
to learn. Among the bequests of his will — which was witnessed
by Rev. Mr. Todd and John How, being doubtless written by
Mr. Todd — was " land on the east side of the river," appraised
at ;^284, to Ebenezer, and " land on the west side of the river,"
appraised at ^1,242, to Mark. His daughter Catherine, or
" Catrine " as her name was written, was married to Abraham
Luddington ; Judith to James Curtiss; and Lydia to Nathaniel
Barnes. To Anne, unmarried at the date of his death, her
father, to console her doubtless for the lack of a husband, made
the following bequest: "I do will and bequeathe to my
daughter Anne, my great Brass Kettle, to be her own " — a rare
treasure in those days, and which likelv seemed her a husband
as soon as the bequest was known. Mr. Elvvell's property was
entered in the Waterburv grand list of 1737, at ^^74, so that he
too had prospered in his worldly estate.
Barnabas Ford was, in more senses than one, the " head
centre " of the new community. His "new dwelling house"
was the centre of the circuit of two and a half miles radius,
which the early petitions specified as the pioposed limit of the
S4 iriSTORY OF ri.VMOUTH.
independent winter privileges asked for ; and he appears to have
been tlie chief land owner of the early settlement, being satisfied,
tradition says, with no less than "all the land that lay next to
his." He came from Wallingford in the spring of 1736, having
come to that town from New Haven about 171S. He brought
with him a family of five children, viz., Ebenezer, Cephas, Enos,
Sarah and Mary, and there were born to him here, Zillah, and
Abel, the latter January 29, 1737-S. His callmg, as specified
in a deed given by Daniel Tuttle, of Wallingford, bearing date
of 1720, was that of " Gentleman Taylor." He had a brother
Benjamin, who also was a "Weavor." The family thus seems
to have been in the clothier line, Barnabas being the pioneer
tailor of Northbury There was another brother in New Haven,
^Matthew, a "husbandman." The spring before coming here,
April 12, 17355 M.r. Ford bought of "Joseph Chittenden, of
Waterbury, husbandman," "for and in consideration of one
hundred and fifty pounds money, well and truely paid, a certaine
piece or parcell of Land, lying and being in s'd Waterbury, con-
taining forty-five acres and a half acre, as the same lyeth butted
and bounded Northerly by the common land, easterly in part by
Joseph Hurlburt's Land, and part bv the Highway, westerly, by
Common Land, running to a poynt at the South and to a heap
of stones which is the bounds, with a small dwelling House."
This was the " new dwelling House," which was " the centre of
the village we live in," as said tlie early petitions. This farm
and house, Air. Ford "left and farm lett " back again to s'd
Chittenden " to use and improve for grass and raising of grain
as ye s'd Chittenden sliall think fitt, imtil the 30th day of ^Vlarch
next ensuing," that is, 1736, with the proviso that " the said
Joseph Chittenden is wholly prohibited and forbidden to cut any
sort of timber. Small or great upon s'd farm during his living
upon s'd farm." The "small dwelling House" mentioned in
this deed, which was the first home of the Fords in Northbury,
stood not far from where the present academy in Thomaston
now stands, the site of it being originally determined, doubtless,
by the living spring of water near by, from which, with other
springs, a good sized brook used to flow down through the run
leading to " Twitch grass meadow," IVIrs. Hart remembering
that, in her girlhood, her folks used to water their horses in it as
they went home to Humaston Hill, after meeting, Sundays.
At the spring too, the boys used to slake their thirst, as they
footed it, barefoot, to and from meeting on Pl^^mouth Hill.
The old chimney stack of the house was still standing in Mrs.
Hart's early years, and she said that they used to say that was
" Barney Ford's house." To the farm he had of Joseph Chitten-
den, he added by purchase of those owning lands adjoining, as
John vSouthmayd, Isaac Castle — who signed with a " mark" —
John How, Thomas Clark, and Jeremiah Peck, of Waterbury,
Benajah .Stone, of" Gilford," Timothy .Stanley, of Farmington,
and others, until he owned most of the land in what is now the
village of Thomaston. At the October session of the General
Assembly, 1738, liberty was granted to the "Northerly inhali-
SOME OF THE I'lONEEKS. 85
itants" to employ a minister for two years, with exemption from
parish rates at the town center for that time. In prospect of the
settlement of a minister, Mr. Ford, December 13, 1738, " for the
consideration of being freed from the charge of settling the first
minister In the north part of the Bounds of Waterbury upon the
Ri\'er," gave to " the said Society and the present inhabitants,
two acres of land, to be taken of the North part of my farm, In
the following form, viz. : beginning at the Southwest corner of
Sam'l Frost's land, etc." This land was part of the "Settle-
ment" given Rev. Mr. Todd at his installation as first pastor of
the Northbury church. A year and a half later, Mr. Todd sold
and deeded back to Mr. Ford an acre and fifty rods of this land,
"to be taken of my tlome Lott." When the Episcopal church
came to be organized in Northbury, Mr. Ford, "in consideration
ol one hundred pountls monev, contributed to me by mv neigh-
bors, members of the chuich of England, by and with their
advice, for the first of the lands to endow the said church in
Northbury," as runs the deed, deeded to the " Society for the
Propagation of the gospel in Foreign Parts," the English pro-
selyting society, " one piece of land containing forty acres being
and lying in said Northburv, eastward from the church, it being
the west end of the farm that belonged to Thomas Clark, of
Waterbury." The first church property, thus, in each society,
came from the land of Air. Ford. At the organization of the
society of Northbury in 1739, he was one of the three, who, as
the law required, applied for the issuing of the " worant" warn-
ing the first society meeting, and at that meeting he was chosen
" Clark for the Sosiaty of Northbury," and the opening records
of the society are in his handwriting. "At ye same (first)
meating (of the society) it was voted that Jeremiah Peck, Daniel
Cuitiss and Barnabas Ford, should be freed from ye charge of
boulding Mr. Samuel todd's house;" Mr. Ford, for the con-
sideration of the two acres given to the society the year before,
as the other two, doubtless, for like considerations.
• Mr. Ford died March 10, 1746-7, in the fifty-third year of
his age. His will, which is a long and elaborate one, com-
mences with the following preamble, illustrative of the style of
his time, for nearly all the wills then written, began in about the
same way :
" In the name of God amen : the 27th day of January in ye
year of our Lord 1746. I Barnabas Ford of Northbury, in ye
County of New Haven, in his majesties Colony of Connecticut
in New England, being weak of body but of sound mind and
memory, thanks be to God, and calling to mind my own
mortality, and knowing that it is appointed unto men once to
die, do ordain this my last will and Testament, that it is to say
principally I Give and recommend my soul into ye hands of
God that gave it, hoping thro Jesus Christ m}' Savior to have
free pardon of all my sins and to inherit Eternal life, and my
body I commit to ye earth to be decently buried at ye discretion
of my Executors hereafter named, believing that at ye general
Resurrection of ye dead I shall receive the same again by ye
86 HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.
mighty power of God ; and as touching the worldly estate
wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me in this life, I Give
demise and dispose in the following manner."
To his "well beloved wife, Mary Ford," he gives "ye use
and improvement of one-third part of all ye Land in the Farm
that my house and Barn stands on in s'd Northbury, together
witn one-third part of my barn and one-half of my dwelling
house, that is the South Westerly end of s'd house &c." To
Ebenezer, his eldest son, he gives the other half of the house,
etc. To his two sons Cephas and Enos, he gives " the whole of
my lot of land known by ye name of my Standley farm, together
with forty and three acres upon Bear Hill, which I bought of
Mr. Todd, and six acres which I laid owt adjoining to it, and the
whole of my part of the lot laid out for ye sake of a mine, and
thcv whole of my undivided right in the Common Lands in
^Waterbury, etc."
Mr. Ford bequeathes three guns to three of his boys; "to
my son Ebenezer my old Gun," " to my son Cephas ye Gun
that I bought of Mr. Cole," "to my son Enos ye Gun that I
bought of Serj't Royce." He was thus well armed. His
youngest son Abel, then only eight years old, he probably
thought too young to be intrusted with firearms. Mr. Ford's
daughter Sarah, had already married Abel Sutlifi, the youngest
and somewhat shiftless son of the ist John Sutlift', and from the
following note from Thomas Clark, Justice of Waterbury, it
would seem that he found difficulty in drawing out of his rich
fatlier-in-law all the money he wanted :
"To Mr Barnabas ford Sir your son in law Abel Sutliff
wants to borrow fifty-five shillings if you please to let him have
so much and I will wait till June next for it.
Thomas Clakk."
Whether this intercession prevailed with the obdurate
father-in-law or not, does not appear.
Mr. Ford's "well beloved wife Mary," left by the will in
the care of her sons Ebenezer and Abel, seems not to have fared
altogether happily at their hands. A controversy manifestly
arose between them as to the cost of providing for her, the fol-
lowing bill against her being found among the Ford papers:
" Mother Ford Deter for my wifes Looking after Her dress-
ing and undressing Her washing baking and Brewing for Her
and brother Abel from May in the year 17=^7 until november in
Ad 1758 -^nd some afterwards, itt all amounts to the sum of
^,6 so do.
Here we see the old woman, helpless in her age, and a
subject of quarrel between her two sons. This quarrel about
their mother's support was finally left out to arbitrators to deter-
mine, and they rendered the following decree:
Northbury May ye 12, 1766.
we tlie arbitrators in a Case Depending between wid. marah
Ford and her Sons Eben'r & abel, being met at ye Dweeling
SOME OF THE PIONEERS. Sj
house of Eliphalet Hartshorn have Considered ye above s'd case
& have agreed that Each of her s'd Sons shall give ye s'd widdow
one pound ten Shillings pr annum to be paid in provitions.
Eliphalet Hartshorn ")
Abner Blakeslee >- arbetrators.
AsHER Blakeslee )
It was a significant mistake which the arbitrators made in
rendering their decree in the widow's name — " Ma rah " mstead
of " Mary " — for the life of the " well beloved " of her husband
had been made "bitter" by becoming a burden to her unloving
children; the name the "arbitrators" gave her befitting, not
because, as Naomi, she had been deprived of her sons, but
because they had been continued to her. God save us all from
unloved, and so dreary old age.
Mr. Ford appointed executors of his will, his wife and Capt.
Thomas Blakeslee. His body was buried in the old burying
ground in Thomaston, his tombstone bearing the following
inscription :
"Here Lyeth ye Body of Barnabas Ford, he dyed March ye
lotli 1746-7 in ye 53d year of his age."
Peace be to his ashes I
Captain Thomas Blakeslee, next in consequence to the
minister, in the early New England communities, was the cap-
tain of the "train band," or military company organized in each
town. Nor was this office a merely ornamental one in those
days. In a frontier settlement, as Northbury was, exposed to
attacks of Indians from Canada, where the settlers took their
guns to meeting with them on the Sabbath, as they did when
they met for a time, before the first meeting house was built, in
a log: house in the neighborhood of the old Deacon Daniel Potter
place, the command of the military company was liable to be a
very practical matter, and they chose the best men for the posi-
tion, as the Plymouth, Mass., colonists chose Miles vStandish.
The first captain of Northbury, as his tombstone with hon-
orable pride declares, was Thomas Blakeslee. He was
appointed to his command at the May session of the General
Assembly in 1740, as the following entry in the Colonial
Records shows: "This assembly do establish and confirm Mr.
Thomas Blachley to be captain of the third company or train
band in the town of Waterbury, and order that he be commis-
sioned accordingly." The company was organized that spring.
At the same session of the assembly John Brunson was appointed
to be the lieutenant, and Daniel Curtiss the ensign in the same
company, which newly acquired honors are immediately recog-
nized in the records of the society, in which these gentlemen,
who, in the record of the year before are mentioned under their
plain names, in the record next following, that of August,
1740, have their military titles given them. The first "train
band" of the town was at the center; the second in Westbury,
now Watertown. It will be observed that in the captain's com-
mission his name is spelled " Blachley."
SS HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.
Capt. Blakeslee was burn in North Haven, then a part ul
New Haven, in the year 1700. From North Haven he went
first to Sunderland, Alass., on the Connecticut river above Had-
ley, where likely he married his wife Mary Scott, the daughter
of Richard Scott of that town, and sister of Lydia, the second
wife of Isaac Castle. They had nine children, four born before
coming to Northbury in 1731. David, born November 2, 1722;
Reuben, March 9, 1724; Moses, June 30, 1727 ; Mary, Septem-
ber 7, 1729; and five born here: .Submit, in 1731 ; Experience,
January 3, 1735; Lydia in 1737: Esther in 1S39; and Abigail
in 1 741. Tliey came from Sunderland on horseback, the hus-
band with two of the children on one horse, and the wife W'ith
the other two on another. Capt. Blakeslee was by occupation a
farmer, owning land on both sides of the Naugatuck river, as
appears from his will. His house, doubtless of logs, stood
where the old Castel house now stands in Thomaston, on Centre
street. There is a tradition that it was surrounded with pali-
sades, as a refuge for the settlers in case of an Indian attack.
His name appears, in his own signature, in the earliest public
document, the petition of September 29, 1736, of the "•up river
inhabitants" to the town for winter privileges; that is, the privi-
lege of hiring a minister for the three winter months with
exemption from paying taxes to the town for that period. In
this petition his name, which heads the list of petitioners, is
spelled " Blasle," as it is in the early society records. At the
first meeting of the societv of Northbury, that in which the
society was organized, " Mr. Thomas Blasle," not yet captain,
was appointed with Joseph Clark, John How, John Brunson
and Gideon Allen, " committee for Mr. Samuel Todd's House,"
the house which the society agreed, as a part of his " settlement"
to build for their first pastor.
On the reorganization of the society, after the break up on
the question of a meeting house, of which account will be given
when we go on with the history of the society, Capt. Blakeslee
was chosen at the annual meeting, in December, 1742, one of
the "prudential" or societv's committee, which shows that at
that time he still adhered to the Congregational societv, though
it had been turned out of the public building by the majority of
the proprietors, who had ''declared for the church of England."
one of which proprietors Capt. Blakeslee was. and one of the
remonstrants to the legislature against the building of a new
meeting house, a circumstance we should bear in mind when we
come to the question of the origin of the Episcopal Church.
Abram, the brother of Capt. Thomas, had six children,
John, Zopher. Abram, Jude, Stephen and Joel, the youngest of
whom died in North Haven some fiftv vears ago.
Of Capt. Thomas' children, the oldest. David, who was a
captain after his father, married Abigail and lived on his
father's place, where he kept tavern. He had six children,
Adna. Eli, Asa, David, Phoebe and another daughter. Adna,
who attained to the distinction of major, married Hannah
Graves and lived on the old Blakeslee place below the case shop.
SOME OF THK PIONEERS. 89
He was the father of Junius, who nianied Abigail Cooper and
had ten chikhen, three of whom are Abraham, William and
Atleline, wife of Israel Woodward, Esq.
PhcjL'be married Jesse Fenn who lived where Burr's store
now st:ands He was one of twelve children of Thomas Fenn,
who lived, all of them, to be over fifty years of age, one of whom
was Jason, father of the late Elam Fenn of Town Hill.
Experience, daugliter of Capt. Thomas, married her cousin
Jude, known as Ensign Jude, his commission being still in exist-
ence, in the possession of his descendant B. B. Satterlee. He
lived on the old Blakeslee place, next south of T. J. Bradstreet's,
He was a tanner, his tannery being in the fork of the roads
opposite his house, on Twitch Grass Brook. He had ten chil-
dren, Abi, Polly, Bela, Hannah, Micah, Esther, Betty, Bertlia,
Levee, and Levi.
Abi married Jesse Humaston, son of Caleb, and their
daughter Sidna married Sherman Pierpont, father of the late
George Pierpont of Plymouth Centre.
Bela married Olive Brown, and lived on the ground where
Mrs. Edward Thomas now lives. He acted for many years as
lay reader in St. Peter's ; being called " Deacon Bela." He had
ten children, the regulation number in the Blakeslee familv in
those days, one of whom, Clara, married John Satterlee, who
had six children, four of them living to mature age; Merrit L.,
who emigrated to Chicago fifty-two vears ago, when that citv
was scarcelv more than a village, and who has witnessed and
lived through the wonderful changes since, residing there still in
blind old age; Alfied B. , who studied for the ministry, graduat-
ing first at Brown University and then from the Baptist Theo-
logical Seminary in Rochester, N. Y. He went in 18^4 to
India as a missionary, where he died of Asiatic cholera. His
widow died on her passage home, leaving a daughter, who now
resides in Cleveland, O. The third brother is our honored
townsman, Bela Blakeslee Satterlee, well known for his anti-
quarian tastes and researches, and to whom the town is so greatly
indebted for his interest and labor in searching out, collecting
and preserving the materials of its history, without which these
sketches, or any worthy record of its past, could not have been
written. More than all others Mr. Satterlee is the connecting
link between the primitive period and the present of the history
of Plymouth, and the town should appreciate and recognize its
obligations to him in this respect.
Micah, son of Jude, married Rhoda Hopkins and had ten
children. He lived near his father Jude's place. He attained
to the military rank of Colonel, B. B. Satterlee having in his
possession his several commissions up to that grade. He had a
daughter Philena, wiio married Randall T. Andrews, the father
of the present Randall T. Andrews; also a son Marvin, who
was the father of Stephen Burritt, who was the father of Augus-
tus, the present postmaster in Thomaston ; also a son Edward,
the father of Lyman W. Blakeslee ; also a dausrhter named from
her mother. Rhoda Hopkins, the wife of John Bradlev. Edward
-go HISTORY OK PLYMOUTH.
^ind Marvin built the houses in whicli T. J. Bradstieet and Dr.
Woodrurt' now live. Edward was the selectman under whose
supervision the covered bridge in Thomaston was built in 1836.
Hannah, daughter of Jude, married Nathaniel Marsh, whose son
Levi was the father of Riley Marsh, Mrs. Edward Thomas and
Mrs. Noah Norton.
Abigail, daughter of Capt. Thomas, married Jacob Potter,
whose youngest son Demas was drowned in Todd Hollow pond.
Their oldest son Zenas, married Betty Blakeslee, and their
-oldest son Sherman, married Polly Luddington, granddaughter
of David Luddington, whose father gave him the farm on which
the Potter brothers now live, who with Mrs. Geo Gordon, are
■children of Sherman and Polly Luddington Potter.
David Luddington was a famous marksman. He shot the
last deer killed in Plymouth on the meadow under the Spruces,
firing across the river, and the deer not falling at the first shot,
firing again, when he found on reaching the deer, that both
tuUets had gone through him.
Moses Luddington, David's father, went from Wallingford,
first to Goshen, where the inhabitants all slept in the fort at
night from fear of Indians, and worked together during the day,
taking the work on the several farms in turn, and from Goshen
came here. He was a surgeon in the French and Indian war,
and was killed near Lake George. He was ci-awling along on
his hands and knees, carrying bullets to the men in the fight,
when a bullet hit him, as his leg was doubled under, and went
through both above and below the knee. The powder horn he
carried is now in the possession of the Potter brothers, as is also
David's gun. With this he shot several bears, one on a tree
]ust opposite tiie Potter brothers' house, on what was the old
Dr. Weed place. David was such an unerring shot that he was
not allowed to shoot in turkey shoots of the day.
Aaron, brother of David, accompanied his father to the war,
tind returned. He shot the last bear killed in Plymouth, in
Todd Hollow. He afterwards moved to Norfolk, where he died
at an advanced age.
Capt. Blakeslee died in 177S, and was buried in the old
gravevard in Thomaston, his tombstone bearing the following
inscription :
''In memorv of Mr. Thomas Blakslee, the first captain in
Northburv who died with the gravil June ye 5 A. D. 177S in the
7Sth year of his age.
Those days which to the dead were lent,
To serve God and man he freely spent.
But when his judge for him did call
With patience bid farewell to all."
The gravestone of his son David bears the following
inscription :
"In memorv of Capt David Blakslee who died with the
stone Feb. i ith A. D. 17S1 in the 59 year of his age.
SOME OF THE PIONEKUS. 9I
Worn out with pain,
He resigned his breath;
Trusting with Christ
His soul will rest."
Capt. Thomas' wile was an equally important person in her
department, in a time when doctors were few, and not always at
hand, as the following inscription on her tombstone, also in
poetry, testifies :
" In memory of Mrs. Mary Blakslee relict of Capt Thomas
Blakslee who died with a fit of the apoplexy, Oct. ye 4th A. D.
1 78 1 in the 79th year of her age.
Forty-two years of lier frail life,
She served in office of mid wife ;
Females lament that siie is gone.
And learn to do as she hath done."
This wife of Capt. Thomas was the woman who, in the
legend of Bronson in his history of Waterbury, chanced to haye
the prayer book, the discoyery of which was the origin of Epis-
copacy in Northbury, a pretty myth which disappears before the
recoyered doctiments of the time.
Capt. Thomas left a will which is recorded in the probate
office in Woodbury, to which district Waterbury at that time
belonged. It bears date of July 21, 1766.
In the Waterbury list of 1737, Capt. Blackslee's estate is
entered ^^64 i6s, being tiie sixth in point of size of the settlers
of that time, Ebenezer Richason being entered at ^,95, J<^hn
Sutlifi", Sr. at £91. Samuel Towner at ^SS, Gideon Allen at
^74, and Jeremiah Peck at X^9-
Such is the record of an honest sturdy man, of their descent
from whom his posterity haye no reason to be ashamed.
CHAPTER VI.
KEVOI.U'IIOXAKY 1 IMES
The History More or Less Uncertain— Hot-Bed of Toryism-Northbury the Home
of the Only Tory Known to Have Been Executed in Connecticut— Last
Pensioner of the War Born in This Parish, With a Sketch of His Life and
Enlistment.
THE part that the inhabitants of Northbury parish took in
tlie revolutionary war at this late day can only be told in a
fragmentary way. The town records of Waterbury and Water-
town, ol which this parish was a part, during the stormy days
when the struggle for independence was going on, aflbrd but
little information, while the official papers of the State leave the
subject a matter of more or less uncertainty and conjecture. It
is known that the parish was a stronghold of toryism, a majority
of the leading men west of the river holding fast to their British
allegiance. Bitter enmities were engendered and violent acts
were committed. The disgraceful doings of the north military
company or trainband led to its dissolution by the General
Assembly, its members being added to the Farmingbury and
Westbury companies and to Captain Nathaniel Barnes' company
in the same parish. These tories, however, should be judged
leniently, for they were connected by ties of religious association
and support with the mother countr}', and their pastors, sincere
men, taught them that the colonial cause was treason against
government and God. While all the action against the tories
was not justifiable, it was not to be wondered at as human
nature is constituted. A tory was hung up almost dead on the
green, and a hook was shown in an old tavern which stood near
the Andrew Buel place, where others were so hung. Devil's
Lane was near that tavern, and County Sherifl" Lord of Litchfield
afterwards made arrests there, so that thev said " the Lord came
down from Litchfield and took the devil out of Plymouth,'"
though he soon returned. The only tory known to have been
executed in Connecticut was Moses Dunbar, who was taken
from Plymouth, tried in Hartford for high treason and hung
from a tree near where Trinity College now stands, on March
19, 1 777* Dunbar was a young man, barely over thirty years of
age, honest in his convictions, and was probably a victim of a
law that unnecessarily deprived him of his life, as the death
penalty against treason was soon afterwards repealed. He
HEVOLUTIO.VAKV TIMES. 93
orteied to coriHne himself to his farm if allowed his liberty and
hold no intercourse whatever with his neighbors. His family
were highly incensed against him because of his joining the
Episcopal church and later espousing toryism. So indignant
was his father that he oBered to furnish the hemp for a halter to
hang him with.
The only records indicative of the revolution was a vote
December 7, 1778, in consideration of provision running to an
extravagant price, to furnish Mr. Storrs certain articles at speci-
fied prices. In 1774, when Congress resolved on non-intercourse
with Great Britain, Phineas Royce was moderator of a special
town meeting in Waterbury, a mark of his prominence. At
that meeting Nathaniel Barnes, Dr. Roger Conant, and Jotham
Curtis, of Northbur) , were on the committee to see that no tea,
molasses, sugar, cotl'ee, spices, etc., were brought into town and
sold. At another meeting held January 12th, Stephen Seymour,
Randal Evans, and David Smith, of Northbury, were on a com-
mittee to receive donations contributed for the relief of the poor
in Boston, whose port was then closed by the British fleet.
Northbury sent Deacon Camp, father of Deacon Camp, lately of
Plainville, through the wilderness of jNIaine with Arnold, to
besiege Qiiebec in the winter of 177^. Daniel Rowe, grand-
father of A. Markham on his mother's side, was at the battle of
Saratoga and was the first to reach Benedict Arnold after he was
wounded and rendered efficient aid.
David Smith, who lived where the Qiiiet House now stands,
attained the rank of major, and subsequently became general of
tlie Connecticut militia. He was in General Wooster's regiment
which took part in the operations along Lake George and
Ciiamplain. He was at the battle of Germantown, October 4,
1777, and wintered at Valley Forge in 1777-78, and was there
appointed brigadier major to General Varnum's brigade by
general orders March 29, 1778. He was a prominent man at
tlie time of the incorporation of Plvmouth, having been sent to
the legislature as a representative from Watertown for sevei'al
terms. He was a merchant and his store was located in the rear
of the present town building in Plymouth. He was a member
of the Society of tlie Cincinnati.
Captains Jotham Curtis and Nathaniel Barnes received J^G
and /^i6 respectively as bounties at Fishkill in October, 1777,
by Lieutenant-Colonel J. Baldwin, for taking their companies to
the aid of the Continental army on the North river. They also
turned out to repel Tryon's invasion at New Haven, July 5,
1779. Captain Curtis' company was composed as follows:
Lieutenant, Timothy Pond ; ensign, Samuel Scoville; privates,
Andrew Storrs, Phineas Royce, Stephen Curtis, Randal Evans,'
Samuel Curtis, Benjamin Upson, Samuel Penfield, Charles
Cook, Ebenezer Cook, John Dunbar, Aaron Dunbar, Joel San-
ford, T^son Fenn, Tthiel Fancher, Joel Fancher, David Foot,
David Humaston, John SutHff, Samuel Griggs, Zachariah
Hitchcock, James Curtis. Eliakim Potter. Bartholomew Pond,
Hezekiah Tuttle, Parker, William Southmavd.
94
IIISTOKV OF P^,^•.M()l•■l■H.
Lemuel Cook,
Last Pensioner of the Revolutionarv War.
RE\OLUTIONARV TIMES. . 95
In the successful campaign in tlie Frencli war, when Crown
Pouit and Ticondeioga were taken, \\ aterbury furnished a com-
pany in which John Sutliff was lieutenant ; in that war Daniel
Porter was ensign, and Asher Blakeslee, Enos Ford, and others
were engaged.
The oldest survivor of the Revolution and the last pensioner
of that war was born in Northbury parish in 1764. His name
was Lemuel Cook and he was a son of Henry Cook, the first
settler of the town. He enlisted at Cheshire when only sixteen
years old. He was mustered in "at Northampton, in the Bay
State 2d Regiment, Light Dragoons; Sheldon, Col., Stanton,
Capt." He married Hannah Curtis at Cheshire, by whom he
had eleven children. He married a second time at the aee of
seventy. About thirty years previous to his death he removed
to the town of Clarendon (near Rochester), Orleans Countv,
New York. He died there May 20, 1S66, aged 102 vears. The
late Rev. E. B. Hillard visited Mr. Cook in July, 1864, and the
latter related the circumstances of his enlistment and early
services as follows :
"When I applied to enlist. Captain Hallibud told me I was
so small he couldn't take me unless 1 would enlist for the war.
The first time I smelt gunpowder was at Valentine's Hill (West
Chester, New York). A troop of British horse were coming.
'Mount your horses in a minute,' cried the colonel. I was on
mine as quick as a squirrel. There were two fires — crash !
Up came Darrow, good old soul ! and said, ' Lem, what do you
think of gunpowder .-' Smell good to you.''
"The first time I was ordered on sentry was at Dobbs'
Ferry. A man came out of a barn and leveled his piece and
fired. I felt the wind of the ball. A soldier near me said,
' Lem, they mean vou ; go on the other side of the road.' So I
went over ; and prettv soon another man came out of the barn
and aimed and fired. He didn't come near me. Soon another
came out and fired. His ball lodged in my hat. By this time
the firing had roused the camp ; and a company of our troops
came on one side, and a party of the French on the other ; and
tliey took the men in the barn prisoners, and brought them in.
They were Cow Boys. This was the first time I saw the French
in operation. They stepped as though on edge. They were a
dreadful proud nation. When thev brought the men in, one of
them had the impudence to ask, ' Is the man here we fired at
Just now.-" ' Yes,' said Major Tallmadge, 'there he is, that
boy.' Then he told how they had each laid out a crown, and
agreed that the one who brought me down shovdd have the three.
When he got through with his story, I stepped to my holster
and took out my pistol, and walked up to him and said, ' If I've
been a ma'k to you for money, I'll take mv turn now. So,
deliver your money, or your life ! ' He handed over four crowns,
and I got three more from the other two."
Mr. Cook was at the battle of Brandvwine and at Cornwallis'
sunender. Of the latter he gives the following account :
" It was reported Washington was going to storm New
96 HISTORY OK I'l.VMOl'TH.
York. We liad made a b\-lavv in our regiment that every man
should stick to his horse : if his horse went, he should go with
him. I was waiter for the quartermaster ; and so had a chance
to keep my horse in good condition. Baron JSteuben was
mustermaster. He had us called out to select men and horses
fit for service. When he came to me, he said, ' Young man,
how old are vou .^ ' I told him. 'Be on the ground to-morrow
morning at nine o'clock,' said he. My colonel didn't like to
have me go. 'You'll see,' said he, 'they'll call for him to-
morrow morning.' But they said if we had a law, we must
abide by it. Next morning, old Steuben had got my name.
There were eighteen out of the regiment. ' Be on the ground,'
said he, ' to-morrow morning with two days' provisions.'
' You're a fool,' said the rest ; ' they're going to storm New
York.' No more idea of it than of going to Flanders. My
horse was a bay, and pretty. Next morning I was the second
on parade. We marched otl" towards White Plains. Then ' left
wheel,' and struck right north. Got to King's Ferry, below
Tarrytown. There were boats, scows, etc. We went right
across into the Jerseys That night I stood with my back to a
tree. Then we went on to the head of Elk. There the French
were. It was dusty ; 'peared to me I should have choked to
death. One of 'em handed me his canteen ; ' Lem,' said he,
' take a good horn — we're going to march all night.' I didn't
know what it was, so I took a full drink. It liked to have
strangled me. Then we were in Virginia. There wasn't much
fighting. Cornwallis tried to force his way north to New York ;
but fell into the arms of La Fayette, and he drove him back.
Old Rochambeau told 'em, 'I'll land five hundred from the fleet,
against your eight hundred.' But they darsn't. We were on a
kind of side hill. We had plaguey little to eat and nothing to
drink under heaven. We hove up some brush to keep the flies
off. Washington ordered that there should be no laughing at
the British ; said it was bad enough to have to surrender without
being insulted. The armv came out with guns clubbed on their
backs. They were paraded on a great smooth lot, and there
they stacked their arms. Then came the devil — old women, and
all (camp followers). One said, 'I wonder if the d — d Yankees
will give me any bread.' The horses were starved out. Wash-
ington turned out with his horses and helped 'em up the hill.
When they see the artillery, they said, ' There, them's the very
artillery that belonged to Burgoyne.' Greene come from the
southard ; the awfullest set you ever see. Some, I should pre-
sume, had a pint of lice on 'em. No boots nor shoes."
Mr. Cook's condition, Mr. Hillard described as follows :
" The old man's talk is very broken and fragmentary. He
recalls the past slowly, and with difficulty ; but when he has
fixed his mind upon it, all seems to come up clear. His articu-
lation, also, is very imperfect; so that it is with difficulty that
his story can be made out. Much of his experience in the war
seems gone from him ; and in conversation with him he has to
be left to the course of his own thoughts, inquiries and sugges-
REVOLUTIONARY TIMES. 97
tions appearing to confuse him. At the close of the war, he
married Hannah Curtis, of Cheshire, Connecticut, and lived a
while in that vicinity ; after which he removed to Utica, New
York. There he had frequent encounters with the Indians who
still infested the region. One with whom he had some difficulty
about cattle, at one time assailed him at a public house, as he
was on his way home, coming at him with great iury, with a
drawn knife. Mr. Cook was unarmed ; but catching up a chair
he presented it as a shield against the Indian's thrusts, till help
appeared. He says he never knew what fear was, and always
declared that no man should take him prisoner alive. His frame
is large, his presence commanding; and in his prime he must
have possessed prodigious strength. He has evidently been a
man of most resolute spirit; the old determination still manifest-
ing itself in his look and words. His voice, the full power of
which he still retains, is marvellous for its volume and strength.
Speaking of the present war, he said, in his strong tones, at the
same time bringing down his cane with force upon the floor,
' It is terrible ; but, terrible as it is, Ihe rebellion must be put dcmni ."
He still walks comfortably with the help of a cane; and with the
aid of glasses reads his ' book,' as he calls the Bible. He is fond
of company, loves a joke, and is good-natured in a rough sort of
way. He likes to relate his experiences in the army and among
the Indians. He has voted the Democratic ticket since the
organization of the government, supposing that it still represents
the same party that it did in Jefferson's time. His pension,
before its increase, was one hundred dollars. It is now two
hundred dollars. The old man's health is comfortably good ;
and he enjoys life as much as could be expected at his great age.
His home, at present, is with a son, whose wife, especially,
seems to take kind and tender care of him. Altogether, he is a
noble old man ; and long may it yet be before his name shall be
missed from the roll of his countrv's deliverers."
98
HISrOIJY OF PJ.VMOI'IH.
Gen. Erast.is Bakeslte.
CHAPTER VII
Til I. e l\ 11. \\ Ai;
There Were no More Loyal or Brave Soldiers Than the Sons of Plymouth, Several
of Whom Gained Honorable Distinction, while Others Met Untimely Deaths
at the Front and in the Very Heat of Battle— Koster of Those Enlisting or
Belonging to the Town.
IN the civil war Plymouth may well be proud of her record.
Her sons were scattered in nearly ever\- Connecticut regi-
ment and some also in regiments from other states. Co. D, 3d
Connecticut Heavy Artillery, had fifty-three local men. Co. I,
1st Connecticut Ileavy Artillerv, was principallv made up of
Plymouth men and manv more were in the Fiist Cavalry, C. V.
From the beginnino" of the war until Lee surrendered these
brave, loyal soldiers were to be found in all the principal con-
flicts. In several instances their gallant services were so far
recognized as to receive deserved promotion. The three princi-
pal commanding officers of the ist Connecticut Cavalry were
identified with this town, viz.. Brevet Brigadier General Erastus
Blakeslee, ^Nlajor L. P. Goodwin (who for a considerable time
commanded as ranking officer), and Brevet Brigadier General
Brayton Ives, who belongs to one of the oldest families.
Another plucky fighter was Colonel Augustus H. Fenn, now
judge of the Connecticut Supreme Court, who lost his right arm
at the battle of Cedar Creek, and in seven weeks reported for
duty. Alajor William B. Ells commanded the 3d Battalion at
Cold Harbor, and was made a cripple for several years by a shot
wound in the leg. Lieutenants Franklin J. Candee and Horace
Hubbard were killed at the Opequan Creek battle. They
belonged to the 2d Artillery, which was in the hottest of the
fight. Edward P. Smith, of Co. I, ist Artillery, was the first
Plymouth soldier who died in service, and his funeral was
largely attended by people from far and near, his remains having
been sent to Terrvville embalmed.
When President Lincoln issued a call for 300,000 more men
after the disastrous Peninsula campaign, Litchfield county voted
to raise an entire regiment. L. W. Wessells was made Colonel
a :d the regiment went into camp at Litchfield August 21, 1862.
Plymouth united with Watertown to raise a company, the
recruiting officers being A. H. Fenn, W. H. Lewis, Jr., and
lOO
HISTORY OF l'I,\ MOiril.
Capt. Eugene Atwater.
THE C1\1L WAR. lOI
Robert A. Putter. Fi\ mouth furnished tit'ty-three men, Wiiter-
town eighteen, and Harwinton thirteen. VVm. B. Ells, then 2d
Lieutenant of the ibt Connecticut Artillery stationed at Fort
Richardson, was chosen Captain, W. H. Lewis, Jr., ist Lieu-
tenant, and Robert A. Potter, zd Lieutenant. The regiment
was the 19th C. V. It was presented with a beautiful stand of
colors bv Mrs. William Curtis Noyes, of Litchfield, and on the
nth of September was mustered into the service of the United
States for three years. The battalion, consisting of 889 men and
officers, left on the 15th for Washington. It moved on to Alex-
andria where it remained until the middle of January following.
It was while at this point that Arthur G. Kellogg of Co. C,
died on the loth of November, 1862. Ilis was the third death
that occurred in the regiment. The health of the soldiers con-
tinual to grow worse, and as there were reports of neglect and
harsh treatment of the sick, GovernopdSuckingham sent Dr. S. T.
Salisbury of Plymouth, to investig^sfe, who reported that every-
thing was being don^ that was possible for the men.
The regiment was removed to Washington to do defence
dutv, and in the fall was changed into an artillery regiment,
recruiting its number to 1.800 men by the following March.
Up to this period the following Plymouth men had died :
Burritt H. Tolles, January 12, 1863, fever, buried in Terry-
ville; Charles J. Cleveland, January 30, 1863, fever, buried in
Terryville; George H. Holt^ February 26, 1863, diphtheria,
buried in Terryville; Franklin W. Hubbard, April 10, 1S63,
typhoid fever, buried in Terryville ; Josiah J. Wadsworth, Sep-
tember 19, 1S63, spotted fever, buried in Hartford; Corporal
Wesley F. Glover, December 28, 1S62, typhoid fever, buried in
Woodville; George A. Hoyt, fifer, June 6, 1863, fever, buried
in Plymouth; Eben Norton, June 12, 1S64, fever, buried in
Plvmouth.
On the 20th of May, 1S64, the regiment joined the Army of
the Potomac near the Spottsylvania Court House and were
assigned to duty in the 2d Brigade, ist Division, 6th Corps.
The 2 ist of May the enemy was met and a series of marches
were begun which culminated at Cold Harbor, June i, 1864.
In this engagement the regiment had 114 killed, 197 wounded,
15 missing and 3 died in prison. The rebels plied the position
with musketry and swept it with grape and canister. Major
Ells was wounded almost by the first fire. Colonel Kellogg,
proud of his men. was in advance of the foremost line, his
towering and conspicuous form making him a target, and he too
fell in the very beginning of the fight pierced by a dozen bullets.
The Plymouth company was in the third and rear battalion
and suffered less severely than some of the other companies, the
casualties resulting as follows :
Killed — Philo A. Fenn, shot in the head by sharpshooters,
June 12, while on duty as sharpshooter; John Ivlurphy, shot in
heart; George Comstock, real name George Brooks, Petersburg,
June 22.
Died of Wounds — George L. Beach, Cold Harbor, thigh.
I02
HISTORN OF PLYMOUTH.
Redoubt B, Near Furt AlexanJria, V'a.
Officers. Second Conn. Heav\ Artiller\-.
THE Cl\ IL \VAI{. 103
died at Washington, June 14, 1S64, was hit by bullet which was
afterwards taken out and put on his coffin at funeral ; Thomas
Mann, calf of leg, died at Washington, June S.
Wounded — Qiiartermaster-Sergeant David B. Wooster,
thigh, slight, afterwards killed at Fisher's Hill; Justin O.
Stoughton, shoulder and back ; Chauncey Culver, side and
breast, severe ; Wallace E. Beach, arm ; George T. Cook,
shoulder; Zelotes F. Grannis, head; Major Wm. B. Ells, leg,
severe.
Corporal James R. Baldwin, of Co. E, from Winsted, who
for some time previous to his enlistment had resided in Plymouth,
and was a brother of the late N. Taylor Baldwin, was missing in
this engagement and is believed to have died in a rebel prison.
On the 20th of June the regiment was in the trenches in
front of Petersburg. Here ISIatthias Walter, of Plymouth, was
wounded by a sharpshooter and John Grieder was fiitally
wounded by a piece from a three inch shell.
On the 22d of June there was a skirmish with Hill's rebel
division. Corporal Charles E. Guernsey was wounded in the
shoulder and thigh and died on the 3Sth. It is supposed he was
shot by the carelessness of one of his own comrades. George B.
Hempstead, of Co. B, a former clerk in the store of B. H. Hem-
ingwav, in Terryville, was shot in the right breast, the ball
lodging in his watch. He also died on the 2Sth.
The next engagement was the bloody battle of the Opequan.
Here Hiram T. Coley was killed, as was ist Lieutenant Franklin
J. Candee, who while lying on the ground raised his head to
look at his watch, and was picked oti'by a sharpshooter. Second
Lieutenant Horace Hubbard had his back fearfully torn by a
shell and lived but a short time.
The wounded were Corporal Henry N. Bushnell, neck,
severe; Corporal David A. Bradley, neck; William Lindley,
finger; Henry Tolles, head: Corporal Ira H. Stoughton, hip,
canister; Emery B. Taylor, thigh ; Seeley Morse, thigh ; George
H. Bates, side and back, shell, severe.
The next battle was on the 22d at Fisher's Hill. Qiiarter-
master David B. Wooster was killed, and Charles L. Bryan and
Swift McG. Hunter were slightly wounded.
Then the memorable battle of Cedar Creek, October 19,
came. The Plymouth men killed were Corporal Edward C.
Hopson, Corporal William Wright, Abner W. Scott, and
Charles R. Warner. Walter Oates was missing and doubtless
died in a rebel prison. Captain Augustus H. Fenn lost his
right arm at the shoulder.
The regiment participated in no other battles, but belonged
to the Army of the Potomac until mustered out August 18, 1865.
Probably all of the older residents will recall the history of
Dorence Atw^iter, who kept the records of Andersonville prison.
He is a son of Henry Atwater, of Plymouth, and when a boy
was a clerk in the store at Terryville. Colonel A. H. Fenn in
writing of Mr. Atwater says he "has better claims to enduring
remembrance than that of any other person from the town ol
I04
llisroin OF I'LVMOL'lH.
Surprise at Cedar Creek.
Explosion of tlie Mine at Petersburg.
THE CIVIL WAR. I05
Plymouth who went into the war." The details of his lite
would read like a romance. At the age of sixteen, on the out-
break of the war, he enlisted in the first squadron of Connecticut
Cavalry, afterwards attached to the Harris Light Cavalry of
New York. He served for nearly his full term, participating in
the hard campaigning and sharp battles that command experienced
and was finally captured and taken to the terrible Andersonville
prison pen, where so many brave Connecticut boys met their
death. He was an excellent penman, and for this or some other
reason he was detailed there for work in the surgeon's office of
the hospital department, where it was a part of his duty to keep
a record of the dead, their regiments, number of their graves,
etc. While doing this he managed to keep an extra copy of the
record for his own use, and this he brought away with him
when he was paroled, concealing it under his clothing. Arriving
at his home in Terryville, wasted almost to a skeleton by sick-
ness, induced bv army exposure, he was for a while dangerously
ill. Meantime the war department heard of the valuable records
and summoned him to Washington and purchased a right to
copy the records, which were of invaluable service to the
government and to friends of soldiers in determining the fate of
many missing men. His carefully kept list contained the names
of tliiiteeii thousand soldiers dead. His rolls were copied according
to agreement, and when Miss Clara Barton, the noble friend of
Union soldiers, went on her expedition to Andersonville after the
war to identify and properly mark the graves of the dead,
Atwater was detailed for service with her, and his records were
placed in his possession and were the only reliable records
obtainable for identification of the graves. The details of
Mr. Atwater's subsequent experiences with the war department
show the most cruel case of injustice of a government towards
one of its faithful servants of which we have any knowledge.
We will not enter into the particulars of the experience now.
He was made to suft'er a cruel wrDng which to this day has never
been righted in the war department.
In 1 868, still surtering in health from his hardships, he was
appointed United States Consul to the Seychelles Islands, in the
Indian Ocean. Three years later he was transferred to the
United States Consulate at Tahiti, in the South Pacific. He
was a faithful and valuable official in both positions, and only
resigned after he had served over a score of years. He married
a Tahitian lady, and by this marriage is allied to the royal
family. Her father was an English gentleman, for many years
in business in Tahiti. Mr. Atwater still makes it his home in
the South Pacific, coming to San Francisco once or twice a year.
The following extracts from a report w^ritten by Miss Clara
Barton, published in 1866, will be interesting in connection with
the above :
" Having, by official invitation, been placed upon an expedi-
tion to Andersonville, for the purpose of identifying and marking
the graves of the dead contained in those noted prison grounds,
it is perhaps not improper that I make some report of the cir-
io6
IIISTOHV OF 1M.^ MOllll.
The Battle of the Crater.
Upton's Brigade at Bloody Angle.
riiii ci\ 11. WAK. 107
cumstances which uuluced the sending of such an expedition, its
work, and the appearance, condition, and surroundings f)f tliat
interesting spot, hallowed alike by the suflerings of the martyred
dead, and the tears and prayers of those who mourn them.
" During: a search for the missing men of the United States
Army, commenced in March, 1S65, under the sanction ot our
late lamented President Lincoln, 1 formed the acquaintance of
Doience Atwater, of Connecticut, a member of the 2d New York
Cavalry, who had been a prisoner at Belle Isle and Anderson-
ville twenty-two months, and charged by the rebel authorities
with the duty of keeping the Death Register of the Union
Prisoners wdio died amid the nameless cruelties of the last named
prison.
" By minute inquiry, I learned from Mr. Atwater the
method adopted in the burial of the dead; and by carefully com-
paring his account with a draft which he had made of the
grounds appropriated for this purpose by the prison authorities,
I iiecame convinced of the possibility of identifying the graves,
simplv by comparing the numbered post or board marking each
man's position in the trench in which he was buried, with the
corresponding number standing against his name upon the
register kept by Mr. Atwater, wdiich he informed me was then
in the possession of the War Department.
" Assured by the intelligence and frankness of my Informant
of the entire truthfulness of his statements, I decided to impart
to the officers of the Government the information I had gained,
and accordingly brought the subject to the attention of General
Hoffinan, Commissary General of prisoners, asking that a party
or expedition be at once sent to Andersonville for the purpose ot
identifying and marking the graves, and enclosing the grounds;
and that Dorence Atwater, with his register, accompany the
same as the proper person to designate and identify. The sub-
ject appeared to have been not only unheard, but unthought of;
ami from the generally prevailing impression that no care had
been taken in the burial of our prisoners, the idea seemed at first
difficult to be entertained. But the same facts which had served
to convince me, presented themselves favorably to the good
understanding and kind heart of General Hotlman, who took
immediate steps to la}'^ the matter before the Hon. Secretary of
War, upon whom, at his request, I called the following day,
and learned from him that he had heard and approved my prop-
osition, and decided to order an expedition, consisting ol
materials and men, under charge of some government officer,
for the accomplishment of the objects set forth in my request,
and invited me to accompany the expedition in person — which
invitation T accepted.
" Accordinglv, on the 8th of July, the propeller Virginia,
having on board fencing material, head-boards, the prison
records, forty workmen, clerks and letterers, under command of
Capt. Tames M. Moore, A. Q. M., Dorence Atwater and myself,
left Washington for Andersonville, via Savannah, Georgia,
arriving at the latter place July I3th. Having waited at
loS
HISTORY OF I'l.VMOL'lII.
Burying the Dead
Cemeters' at AnJersonv ille.
THE CIVIL WAR. IO9
Savannah seven days, and then resumed the journey by way of
Augusta, Atlanta, and Macon, the entire party reached its desti-
nation in safety about noon on the 25th of July.
"We found the prison grounds, stockade, hospital sheds,
and the various minor structures, almost in the same condition in
which thev had been evacuated ; and care is taken to leave these
historic monuments undisturbed, so long as the elements will
spare them.
" There is not, and never was, any town or village at this
place except what grew out of its military occupation. Anderson
Station, on the railroad from Macon to Eufala, was selected as a
depot for prisoners, probably on account of its remoteness and
possible security, and the prison itself, with the buildings which
sprang up around it, constituted all there was of Andersonville.
'* The original enclosure of nineteen acres was made in the
unbroken woods; and the timber was only removed as it was
wanted for the necessities of the prison. The enclosure was
made in January, 1864, and enlarged during the summer, to
twenty-five and three-quarter acres — being a quadrangle of 1,295
by S65 feet. The greatest length is from north to south, the
ground rising from the middle towards each end in rather a
steep, rounded hill — the northern one being at once the highest
and of the greatest extent. A small stream, rising from springs
a little to the eastward, flows across it through a narrow valley
filled with a compost washed down by the rains. The enclosing
stockade is formed of pine logs, twenty feet in length, and about
eight inches in diameter, sunk five feet in the ground, and placed
close together. This is again surrounded by two successive, and
precisely similar, palisades — a portion of the last of which is
gone. It seems never to have been completed. The two inner
walls remain entire. Within the interior space, at the distance
of about seventeen feet from the stockade, runs the famous dead-
line, marked by small posts set in the ground, and a slight strip
of pine board nailed on the tops of them. The gates, of which
there are two, situated on the west side, were continuations of
the stockade, enclosing spaces of thirty feet square, more or less,
with massive doors at either end. They were arranged and
worked on the principle of canal locks. Upon the inner stockade
were fifty-two sentry boxes, raised above the tops of the palisades,
and accessible to the guard by ladders. In these stood fifty-two
guards, with loaded arms, so near that they could converse with
each other. In addition to these, seven forts mounted with field
artillery, commanded the fatal space and its masses of perishing
men.
"Under the most favorable circumstances, and best possible
management, the supply of water would have been insufficient
for half the number of persons who had to use it. The existing
arrangements must have aggravated the evil to the utmost extent.
The sole establishments for cooking and baking were placed on
the bank of the stream immediately above, and between the two
inner lines of palisades. The grease and refuse from them were
found adhering to the banks at the time of our visit. The guards.
I lO
^l.s•|■()K^• OK i'i.\mol;iii.
Doreiue Atwatt^r-
Aiidersomille Stockade. Showing tlie DeaJ Line.
THE CIVIL WAR. 1 I 1
to the number of about 3,600, were principally encamped on the
upper part of the stream, and when the heavy rains washed
ilown the hill sides, covered with 80,000 himian beings, and the
outlet below failed to discharge the flood which backed and tilled
the \allev, the water must have become so foul and loathsome,
that every statement I have seen of its oflensiveness must be con-
sidered as falling short of the reality. And yet, within rifle-shot
of the prison, there flowed a stream fifteen feet wide and three
feet deep, of pure, delicious water. Had the prison been placed
so as to include a section of the 'Sweet Water Creek,' the
inmates mio-ht have drank and bathed to their hearts' content.
" The cemetery, around which the chief interest must
gather, is distant about 300 yards from the stockade in a north-
westerly direction. The graves, placed side by side in clobe
continuous rows, cover nine acres, divided into three unequal
lots by two roads which intersect each other nearly at right
angles. The fourth space is still unoccupied, except by a few
Sfraves of * Confederate' soldiers.
"No human bodies were found exposed, and none were
removed. The place was found in much better condition than
had been anticipated, owing to the excellent measures taken by
Major-General VVilson, commanding at Macon, and a humane
public-spirited citizen of Fort Valley, Georgia — a Mr. Grifiin,
who, in passing on the railroad, was informed by one of the
ever-faithtul negroes, that the bodies were becoming exposed,
and were rooted up by animals. Having verified this statement,
he collected a few negroes, sank the exposed bodies, and covered
them to a proper depth. He then reported the facts to General
Wilson, and requested authority to take steps for protecting the
grounds. That patriotic officer visited Andersonville in person,
appointed Mr. Griftin temporary superintendent, and gave him
such limited facilities as could be furnished in that destitute
countrv. It was determined to inclose a square of fifty acres ;
find, at the time of our arrival, the fence was nearly one-third
built — from old lumber found about tlie place. He had also
erected a brick kiln, and was manufacturing brick for drains to
conduct the water away from the graves, and protect and
strengthen the soil against the action of heavy rains. We found
Mr. Griffin with a force of about twenty negroes and a few
mules, at work on the grounds. I have understood that that
gentleman furnished the labor at his own cost, while General
Wilson issued the necessary rations.
"•The part performed by our party was to take up and carry
forward the work so well commenced. Additional force was
obtained from the military commandant at Macon for completing
tlie enclosure and erecting the head-boards. It seems that the
dead had been buried by Union prisoners, paroled from the
stockade and hospital for that purpose. Successive trenches,
capable of containing from 100 to 150 bodies each, thickly set
with little posts or boards, with numbers in regular order carved
upon them, told to the astonished and tear-dimmed eye the sad
storv of buried treasures. It was only necessary to compare the
112
HISTOUY OF IM.VMOL'TII.
The Battle of Winchester.
.-r .'.: I- .
I'nion Breastworks at Cold Harbor.
THE CniL WAR. I I3
number upon each post or board with that which stands opposite
the name on the register, and rephice the whole with a more
substantial, uniform and comely tablet, bearing- not only the
original number, but the name, company and regiment, and date
of death of the soldier who slept beneath.
"I have been repeatedly assured by prisoners that great care
was taken at the time by the men to whom fell the sad task of
originally marking this astonishing number of graves, to perform
the work with faithfulness and accuracy. If it shall prove that
the work performed bv those who followed, under circumstances
so much more favorable, was executed with less faithfulness and
accuracy than the former, it will be a subject of much regret —
but fortunatelv not vet beyond the possibility of correction.
The number of graves marked is 12,920. The original records,
captured by General Wilson, furnished about 10,500; but as one
book ot the record had not been secured, over 3,000 names were
supplied from a copy (of his own record) made by Mr. Atwater
in the Andersonville prison, and brought by him to Annapolis
on his return with the paroled prisoners.
"Interspersed throughout this Death Register were 400
numbers against which stood only the dark word 'unknown.'
So, scattered among the thickly designated graves, stand 400
tablets, bearing only the number and the touching inscription
' Unknown Union Soldier.'
" Substantiiilly, nothing was attempted beyond enclosing
the grounds, identifying and marking the graves, placing some
appropriate mottoes at the gates and along the spaces designed
for walks, and erecting a flagstaff in the center of the cemetery.
The work was completed on the 17th of August, and the party
took the route homeward by way of Chattanooga, Nashville, and
Cincinnati, arriving at Washington on the morning of August
24th.
*■' For the record of your dead, you are indebted to the fore-
thought, courage, and perseverance of Dorence Atwater, a young
man not yet twenty-one vears of age ; an orphan ; four years a
soldier ; one-tenth part of liis whole life a prisoner, with broken
health and ruined hopes, he seeks to present to your acceptance
the sad gift he has in store for vou ; and, grateful for the oppor-
tunity, I hasten to place beside it this humble report, whose only
merit is its truthfulness, and beg you to accept it in the spirit of
kindness in which it is offered."
COMPLETE ROSTER OF THE SOLDIERS ENLISTING FROM OR
BELONGING TO PLYMOUTH.
Erastus Blakeslee, enlisted October 9, 1861, Co. A, 1st Regt., C. V. Commissioned
2d Lieutenant Co. A, October 18. 1861 (not mustered). Mustered Adjutant.
Promoted Captain Co. A, Marcli 28, 1862. Promoted from Captain Co. A to
Major, December 18, 1863. Lieutenant-Colonel, May 31, 1864. Wounded June
1. 1864, Ashland, Va. Promoted Colonel, June 6, 1864. Discharged October 26,
1864, time expired. Promoted Brigadier-General, by brevet, March 13, 1865.
114 HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.
Brayton Ives, enlisted June 21, 1861, Co. F, 5th Regt. Promoted from Adjutant,
September 25, 1861. Appointed A. A. G., U. S. Vols., May 14, 1862. Promoted
Lieutenant-Colonel, November 1, 1864. Colonel, January 17, 1865. Brigadier-
General, by brevet, March 13. 1865. Mustered out, August 2, 1865.
Augustus H. Fenn, enlisted July 16,1862. Promoted Captain Co. C, from 1st Lieu-
tenant Co. K, April 13, 1864. Wounded October 19, 1864, Cedar Creek, Va.
Promoted Major 2d Regt., Heavy Artillery, January 20, 1865. Lieutenant-
Colonel, by brevet, April 6, 1865. Mustered out.
William B. Ells, enlisted May 23. 1861. Promoted 2d Lieutenant Co. L. August 26,
1862. Captain Co. D, 2d Regt., C. V., H. A., September 29, 1862. Promoted
Major, March 7, 1864. Wounded, June 1, 1864, Cold Harbor, Va. Discharged,
December 24, 1864.
Eugene Atwater, enlisted October 23, 1861, Meriden, private 1st Light Battery.
Served in 10th Army Corps at Port Royal, S. C, and on the James until mus-
tered out in 1864. Commissioned 1st Lieutenant 6th C. V. Enlisted December
2, 1864, 1st C. v., Light Bat. Mustered 1st Lieutenant, Co. E, 6th Regt. Pro-
moted Captain, February 13, 1865. Mustered out, August 21, 1865.
Zelotes P. Granniss, enlisted August 11, 1862, Co. D, 2d Regt., H. A. Mustered
Private. Promoted Corporal, March 1, 1865. Discharged, July 7, 1865.
John C. Chase, enlisted August 15, 1862. Mustered Private. Promoted Corporal,
July 1, 1864. Discharged, July 7, 1865.
Joseph B. Fenn, enlisted July 25, 1862, Co. D, 2d Regt., H. A. Mustered Private.
Promoted Corporal, November 8, 1862. Sergeant, January 10, 1864. 1st Ser-
geant, March 30, 1864. 2d Lieutenant, Co. B, October 5tli, 1864. Promoted 1st
Lieutenant, December 20, 1864. Mustered out, August 18, 1865.
Robert A. Potter, enlisted July 2.5, 1862, Co. D, C. V., H. A. Promoted 1st Lieu-
tenant, Co. A, August 24, 1863. Mustered out, August 18, 1865.
Franklin J. Candee, enlisted August 15, 1862, Co. D. Promoted 1st Lieutenant, Co.
H, April 13, 1864. Killed, September 19, 1864, Winchester, Va.
Horace Hubbard, enlisted August 11, 1862, Co. D. Promoted 2d Lieutenant, Co. H.
March 5, 1864. Killed, September 14, 1864, Winchester, Va.
Lewis W. Munger, enlisted July 22, 1862, Co. D, 2d H. A. Promoted 1st Lieu-
tenant, Co. E, February 19, 1865. Captain, by brevet, April 2, 1865. Mustered
out, August 18, 1865.
Thomas D. Bradstreet, enlisted August 12, 1862, Co. D. Discharged, March 9. 1863.
Amzi P. Clark, enlisted August 14. 1862, Co. D. Wounded, October 19, 1864, Cedar
Creek. Promoted 2d Lieutenant, Co. B, February 23. 1865.
David B. Wooster, enlisted August 13, 1862, Co. D. Promoted Quartermaster-
Sergeant, March 7, 1864. Wounded, June 1, 1864, Cold Harbor. Killed, Sep-
tember 22, 1864, Fisher's Hill, Va.
Ira H. Stoughton, enlisted July 23, 1862, Co. D. Wounded, September 19, 1864,
Winchester, Va. Promoted Quartermaster-Sergeant, March 1, 1865. Dis-
charged, July 7, 1865.
Seeley S. Morse, enlisted January 4, 1864, Co D. Wounded, September 19, 1864,
Winchester, Va. Promoted Quartermaster -Sergeant, July 9,1865. Mustered
out, August 18, 1865.
Henry N. Bushnell, enlisted July 21, 1862, Co. D. Wounded, October 19, 1864,
Cedar Creek, Va. Promoted Sergeant. March 1, 1865. Discharged, July 7, 1865.
Hiram E. Castle, enlisted January 15, 1864, Co. D. Promoted Sergeant, July 9, 1865.
Mustered out, August 18, 1865.
Charles I. Hough, enlisted July 23, 1862, Co. D. Promoted Sergeant, September
19, 1864. Discharged, July 7, 1865.
Ralph W. Munson, enlisted August 11, 1862, Co. D. Promoted Sergeant, March 1,
1865. Discharged, July 7, 1865.
Daniel O. Purcell, enlisted August 12, 1862, Co. D. Promoted Sergeant, September
19, 1864. Discharged, July 7, 1865.
Salmon B. Smith, enlisted .\ugust 6, 1862, Co. D. Promoted Sergeant, September
13, 1863. Died. August 11. 1864.
Emery B. Taylor, enlisted August 12, 1862, Co. D. Wounded, September 19, 1864,
Winchester, Va. Promoted Sergeant, September 13, 1864. Discharged, May
18, 1865.
George H. Bates, enlisted July 22, 1862. Wounded, September 19, 1864, Winchester^
Va. Promoted Corporal, January 13, 1865. Discharged, July 7, 1865.
ROSTER OF SOLDIERS. II5
Wallace E. Beach, enlisted July 22, 1862, Co. D. Wounded, June 1, 1864, Cold Har-
bor, Va. Promoted Corporal, March 1, 1865. Discharged, July 7, 1865.
Charles E. Guernsey, enlisted August 7, 1862, Co. D. Promoted Corporal, January
10, 1864. Wounded, June 22, 1864, Petersburg, Va. Died, June 28, 1864.
William W. Johnson, enlisted Corporal, August 7, 1862, Co. D. Died, January 30, 1863.
Henry Tolles, enlisted August 12, 1862, Co. D. Wounded, October 19, 1864, Cedar
Creek, Va. Promoted Corporal, January 13, 1865. Discharged, July 7, 1865.
William Weston, enlisted August 7, 1862, Co. D. Promoted Corporal, January 13,
1865. Discharged, July 7, 1865.
William Wright, enlisted August 7, 1862, Co. D. Promoted Corporal, July 1. 1864.
Killed, October 19, 1864, Cedar Creek, Va.
Henry Pond, enlisted wagoner, August 8, 1862, Co. D. Discharged, July 7, 1865.
Henry C. Barnum, enlisted July 24, 1862, Co. D. Discharged, September 19, 1864.
George L. Beach, enlisted August 15, 1862, Co. D. Wounded, June 1, Cold Harbor,
Va. Died, June 14, 1864.
James A. Beach, enlisted August 15, 1862, Co. D. Discharged, June 3, 1865.
Charles F. Brown, enlisted January 4, 1864, Co. D. Discharged June 15, 1865.
William J. P. Buck, enlisted January 4, 1864, Co. D. Mustered out, August 18. 1865.
James H. Cable, enlisted August 9, 1862, Co. D. Discharged, July 7, 1865.
Martin H. Camp, enlisted August 6, 1862, Co. D. Discharged, July 7, 1865.
Charles G. Cleveland, enlisted August 8, 1862, Co. D. Died, January 20, 1863.
Hiram T. Coley, enlisted July 25, 1862, Co. D. Killed, September 19, 1864, Win-
chester, Va.
George T. Cook, enlisted August 8, 1862, Co. D. Discharged, July 7, 1865.
Benjamin Filley, enlisted August 11, 1862, Co. D. Captured, June 22, 1864, Peters-
burg, Va. Died, October 31, 1864, Florence, S. C.
Joseph Gooley, enlisted August 6, 1862, Co. D. Discharged, July 7, 1865.
John Grieder, enlisted July 29, 1862, Co. D. Wounded, June 20, 1864, Petersburg,
Va. Died, July 31, 1864.
Jonathan Hall, enlisted January 4, 1864, Co. D. Wounded, June 1, 1864, Cold
Harbor, Va. Discharged, April 30, 1865.
Samuel Hine, enlisted February 12, 1864, Co. D. Mustered out, August 18, 1865.
Albert J. Hotchkiss, enlisted August 11, 1862, Co. D. Discharged, July 7, 1865.
Swift McG. Hunter, enlisted July 17, 1862, Co. D. Wounded, September 22, 1884,
Fisher's Hill, Va. Discharged, May 30, 1865.
William Lindley, enlisted July 26, 1862, Co. D. Discharged, disabilities, April 11,
1863.
William H. Lindley, enlisted January 22. 1864, Co. D. Wounded, October 19, 1864,
Cedar Creek, Va. Discharged, August 28, 1865.
Thomas Mann, enlisted August 7, 1862. Co. D. Wounded, June 3, 1864, Cold
Harbor. Died, June 8, 1864.
John McFadden, enlisted February 9, 1864, Co. D. Transferred to Co. M, July 20,
1865. Mustered out, August 18, 1865.
John M. Moseley, enlisted January 22, 1864, Co. D. Captured, July 21, 1864,
Snicker's Gap, Va. Paroled, October 17, 1864. Mustered out, August 18, 1865.
Henry Munger, enlisted February 12, 1864, Co. D. Discharged, June 13, 1865.
Jerome Munger, enlisted August 8, 1862, Co. D. Discharged, July 7, 1865.
John Murphy, Jr., enlisted August 16, 1862, Co. D. Killed June ], 1864, Cold
Harbor.
Walter Oates, enlisted January 4, 1864, Co. D. Captured October 19, 1864, Cedar
Creek, Va. Discharged, July 3, 1865.
George L. Penfield, enlisted August 13, 1862, Co. D. Discharged, July 12, 1865.
Horatio G. Perkins, enlisted August 6, 1862, Co. D. Died, January 9, 1865.
Justin O. Stoughton, enlisted August 7, 1862, Co. D. Wounded, June 1, 1864. Cold
Harbor, Va. Discharged, July 7. 1865.
James Straun, enlisted August 14, 1862, Co. D. Captured, June 1, 1864, Cold Har-
bor, Va. Died, August 2, 1864, Andersonville, Ga.
Charles W. Talcott, enlisted August 8, 1862, Co. D. Discharged, July 7, 1865.
Samuel R. Terrell, enlisted August 7, 1862, Co. D. Discharged, July 7, 1865.
Burritt H. Tolles, enlisted August 12, 1862, Co. D. Died, January 12, 1863.
Josiab J. Wadsworth, enlisted August 15, 1862, Co. D. Died, September 19, 1863.
Matthias Walter, enlisted August 13, 1862. Wounded, June 20, 1864, Petersburg,
Va. Discharged, June 13, 1865.
ii6
HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.
Charles R. Warner, enlisted August 6, 1862. Killed, October 19. 1864, Cedar Creek,
Va.
Hermon E. Bonnay, enlisted December 24, 1863, Co. G, 2d H. A. Died, June 28, 1864.
Quincej- Thayer, enlisted February 5, 1864, Co. G, 2d H. A. Discharged, disabilities,
July 31, 1865.
Charles V. Flandreau, enlisted February 12, Co. H, 2d H. \. Mustered out,
August 18, 1865.
John F. Harrigan, enlisted August 7, 1862, Co. I, 2d H. A. Wounded, September
19, 1864, Winchester, Va. Promoted Corporal, March 5, 1865. Discharged,
July 7, 1865.
William O'Brien, enlisted July 28, 1862, Co. I, 2d H. A. Wounded, September 22,
1864. Fisher's Hill, Va. Discharged, July 7, 1865.
Arthur Lockwood, enlisted July 23, 1862, Co. K, 2d H. A. Promoted Sergeant,
April 18, 1864. Discharged, July 7, 1865.
George A. Hoyt, Jr., enlisted musician, August 14, 1862, Co. K, 2d H. A. Died,
June 6, 1863.
Miner C. Wedge, enlisted wagoner, August 1. 1862, Co. K, 2d H. A. Discharged,
August 13, 1863.
Joseph E. Camp, enlisted December 24, 1863. Co. K, 2d H. A. Missing in action,
June 1, 1864, Cold Harbor, probably killed.
Wesley Glover, enlisted August 10, 1862, Co. K, 2d H. A. Died, December 28, 1862.
Englebert Hermon, enlisted August 7. 1862. Co. K, 2d H. A. Wounded, October 19,
1864, Cedar Creek, Va. Discharged. July 7, 1865.
Eben Norton, enlisted July 29, 1862, Co. K, 2d H. A. Died June 12, 1864.
Asa Pettis, enlisted August 6, 1862, Co. K, 2d H. A. Discharged, July 7, 1865.
John Mclntyre, enlisted February 8, 1864, Co. L, 2d H. A. Deserted, February 22,
1864.
George Norman, enlisted February 6, 1864, Co. L, 2d H. A. Discharged, June 23.
1865.
Cornelius L. Everett, enlisted February 13, 1864, Co. M, 2d H. A. Discharged,
June 8, 1865.
Cfeorge H. Couch, enlisted February 13, 1864, Co. M, 2d H. A. Promoted Coiporal,
March 19, 1864. Discharged, June 22, 1865.
Edward Crosby, enlisted February 10, 1864, Co. 31, 2d H. A. Discharged, June 13,
1865.
John Darkins, enlisted February 11, 1864, Co. M, 2d H. A. Deserted, July 15, 1864.
John Doris, enlisted February 10, 1864, Co. M, 2d H. A. Deserted, November 9, 1864.
James Devine. enlisted February 11. 1864, Co. M, 2d H. A. Deserted, July 11, 1864.
William Erwin, enlisted February 11, 1864, Co. M, 2d H. A. Discharged, disabili-
ties. May 30, 1865.
Arthur Kemp, enlisted February 9, 1864, Co. M, 2d H. A. Deserted, March 27, 1864.
Alfred Dickinson, enlisted February 9, 1864, Co. M, 2d H. A. Deserted, February
21. 1864.
John King, enlisted February 9, 1864. Co. M, 2d H. A. Deserted, June 2, 1864.
John Larkins, enlisted February 9, 1864, Co. M, 2d H. A. Deserted May 17, 1864.
Charles Marsh, enlisted February 9, 1864, Co. M, 2d H. A. Deserted, May 17, 1864.
John McLaughlin, enlisted February 9, 1864, Co. M, 2d H. A. Deserted, May 17.
1864.
Abner W. Scott, enlisted February 12, 1864, Co. .M. 2d H. A. Killed, September 19,
1864, Winchester, Va.
Jacob Smith, enlisted February 9, 1864, Co. M, 2d H.A. Deserted, February 21, 1864.
George Pennington, enlisted February 9, 1864. Co. M, 2d H. A. Deserted, March 1,
1864.
George Thompson, enlisted February 9, 1864, Co. M, 2d H. A. Deserted, July 15.
1864.
William Potter, enlisted February 9, 1864, Co. .\I, 2d H.A. Deserted. March 20, 1864.
Peter Wood, enlisted February 10, 1864, Co. M, 2d H. A. Wounded, October 19.
1864, Cedar Creek, Va. Discharged, June 10, 1865.
James C. Williams, enlisted February 9, 1864, Co. M, 2d H. A. Deserted, February
21. 1864.
John T. Kline, enlisted August 20, 1863, Co. B, 5th Infantry. Wounded, June 16,
1864, Pine Mountain, Ga. Promoted Corporal, .May 20, 1865. Mustered out,
July 19, 1865.
KOSTEK OF SOLDIHKS. II7
James Winslow, enlisted February 8, 1864, Co. M, 2d H. A. Deserted, March 8, 1864.
Arthur Lannon, enlisted February 6, 1864. Discharged, disabilities, May 23, 1864.
William Frise, enlisted August 20, 1862, Co. B, 5th Infantry. Deserted, September
29, 1863.
Charles Stepel, enlisted August 18, 1863, Co. B, 5th Infantry. Deserted, September
28, 1863.
Patrick Fehan, enlisted August 25, 1863, Co. F, 20th C. V. Discharged, disabilities,
July 11, 1865.
William Bridgewater. enlisted August 25, 1863, Co. D, 5th Infantry. Mustered out,
July 19, 1865.
James Mooney, enlisted August 25, 1863, Co. D, 5th Infantry. Mustered out, July
19, 1865.
Charles Mortimer, enlisted August 26, 1863, Co. D, 5th Infantry. Mustered out,
July 19, 1865.
Henry Palmer, enlisted August 27, 1863, Co. D, 5tli Infantry. Promoted Corporal,
September 1, 1864. Died, December 29, 1864.
John Keene, enlisted August 27, 1863, Co. E, 5th Infantry. Deserted, May 23, 1865.
Oscar Knickerbocker, enlisted August 27, 1868, Co. E, 5th Infantry. Deserted,
September 28, 1863.
James Hoyle, enlisted August 26, 1863, Co. I, 5th Infantry. Missing, no record.
John Jones, enlisted August 27, 1863. Co. I, 5th Infantry. Wounded, May 15, 1864,
Resaca, Ga. Mustered out, July 19, 1865.
Peter Marens, enlisted August 28, 1863, Co. G, 5th Infantry. Deserted, October 2,
1863.
Patrick Kelly, enlisted August 28, 1863, Co. H, 5th Infantry. Wounded, May 15,
1864. Resaca, Ga. Deserted, December 8, 1864.
William McLannan, enlisted August 28, 1863. Mustered out, July 19, 1865.
Lewis W. Hotch, enlisted June 30, 1861, Co. I, 1st H. A. Discharged, disabilities,
November 28, 1861.
William Knapp, enlisted July 25, 1863, Co. H, 20th C. V. Discharged, July 19, 1865.
Moritz Lowenthal, enlisted August 22, 1864, Co. H, 20th C. V. Mustered out, July
19, 1865.
Michael Burke, enlisted November 16, 1864, Co. D, 6th Infantry. Mustered out,
August 21, 1865.
Edwin Post, enlisted May 23, 1861, Co. A, 1st Artillery. Promoted Captain, 9th
Regt., U. S. C. I., November 10, 1862. Killed, August 16, 1864, Deep Bottom, Va.
William B. Atwood, enlisted May 23, 1861. Promoted Captain, Co. P., 1st Artillery,
May 24, 1865. Mustered out, September 25, 1865.
Christian Peterson, enlisted December 13, 1864, Co. E, 1st Artillery. Mustered out,
September 25, 1865.
Henry Franksy, enlisted December 6, 1864, Co. F, 1st Artillery. Deserted, July 30,
1865.
George Lebel, enlisted December 6, Co. F, 1st Artillery. Deserted, July 28, 1865.
Fritz Meyer, enlisted December 6, Co. F, 1st Artillery. Mustered out, September
25, 1865.
Frederick L. Pond, enlisted May 22, 1861, Co. G, 1st Artillery. Promoted 2d Lieu-
tenant, February 20. 1863. Discharged, October 19, 1864.
Mark Alyword, enlisted November 21, 1864, Co. G, 1st Artillery. Mustered out,
September 25, 1865.
Albert Bunnell, enlisted May 22, 1861, Co. G, 1st Artillery. Discharged, May 21,
1864, time expired.
Hubert C. Pond, enlisted December 1, 1863, Co. H, 1st Artillery. Mustered out,
September 25, 1865.
Andrew Terry, enlisted September 21, 1861, Co. I, 1st Artillery. Promoted Lieu-
tenant-Colonel, December 23, 1861. Resigned, March 28, 1862.
Norman F. Stoughton, enlisted May 23, 1861, Co. I, 1st Artillery. Promoted 1st
Sergeant, June 26, 1865. Mustered out, September 25, 1865.
Wakeman R. Mott, enlisted May 23, 1861, Co. 1, 1st Artillery. Promoted Sergeant,
May 5, 1863. Discharged, May 22, 1864, time expired.
George D. Oliver, enlisted May 23, 1861, Co. I, 1st Artillery. Promoted Sergeant,
November 14, 1864. Discharged, May 22, 1864, time expired.
Edward H. Atkins, enlisted May 23, 1861, Co. 1, 1st Artillery. Promoted Corporal,
December 1. 1863. Discharged, May 22, 1864, time expired.
IlS HISTORY OF r'l.VMOUTII.
Thomas H. McKinley, enlisted November 1, 1861, Co. I, 1st Artillery. Promoted
2d Lieutenant, Co. B, 29th C. V., January 1, 1864. Wounded, September 29,
1864, Richmond, Va. Died, January 3, 1865.
Lenthel Nichols, enlisted May 23, 1861, Co. 1, 1st Artillery. Discharged, disabilities,
June 10, 1862.
Daniel Schatzman, enlisted May 23, 1861, Co. 1, 1st Artillery. Promoted Corporal,
June 17, 1863. Discharged, May 22, 1864, time expired.
William Shadwell, enlisted May 23, 1861, Co. I, 1st Artillery. Discharged, May 22,
1864. time expired.
John L. Williams, enlisted May 23, 1861, Co. I, 1st Artillery. Detailed wagoner,
January 25, 1864. Discharged, May 22, 1864, time expired.
Frederick L. Grant, enlisted May 23, 1861, Co. I, 1st Artillery. Died, December 29,
1861.
Edmund John, enlisted May 23, 1861, Co. T, 1st Artillery. Discharged, disabilities,
June 29, 1863.
John Lawton, enlisted May 18, 1861, Co. I, 1st Artillery. Discharged, May 27, 1863.
Riley Marsh, enlisted May 23, 1861, Co. I, 1st Artillery. Mustered out, September
25, 1865.
Henry Mather, enlisted May 23, 1861, Co. I, 1st Artillery. Killed. June 20, 1862,
Gaines' Mills, Va.
Patrick McElhone, enlisted May 23, 1861, Co. I, 1st Artillery. Discharged, May 22,
1864, time expired.
Henry F. Michael, enlisted May 23, 1861, Co. I, 1st Artillery. Mustered out, Sep-
tember 25, 1865.
Hermon D. Saul, enlisted May 16, 1861, Co. 1, 1st Artillery. Discharged, disabilities.
May 6. 1862.
Alexis J. Seymour, enlisted May 23, 1861, Co. 1, 1st Artillery. Died, January 1, 1864.
John Simpson, enlisted May 23, 1861, Co. I, 1st Artillery. Discharged, May 22, 1864,
time expired.
Alfred B. Smith, enlisted May 23, 1861, Co. I, 1st Artillery. Discharged, May 22,
1864, time expired.
Edward P. Smith, enlisted May 23, 1861, Co. 1, 1st Artillery. Died, December 10,
1861.
Oliver B. Welton, enlisted March 12, 1862, Co. I, 1st Artillery. Discharged, May 10,
1865.
George Rogers, enlisted August 17, 1864, Co, K, 1st Artillery. Mustered out, Sep-
tember 25, 1865.
James J. Averill, enlisted August 19, 1862, hospital steward, 2d Regt., H. A. Dis-
charged, July 7, 1865.
Arthur G. Kellogg, enlisted July 16, 1862, Co. C, 2d Artillery. Died, November 1,
1862.
William E. McKee, enlisted August 25, 1862, Co. C, 2d Artillery. Discharged, dis-
abilities, June 24, 1865.
John Wilson 2d, enlisted August 20, 1863, Co. D, 5th Infantry. Deserted, Septem-
ber 9, 1863.
George W. Herly, enlisted February 20, 1864, Co. H, 5th Infantry. Died, August 7,
1864.
Aaron C. Sanford, enlisted August 23, 1861, Co. E, 6th Infantry. Wounded, August
16, 1864, Deep Run, Va. Discharged, disabilities, April 27, 1865.
Gaius Fenn, enlisted August 23, 1861, Co. E, 6th Infantry. Discharged, September
12, 1864, time expired.
Edward C. Blakeslee, enlisted August 24, 1861, Co. A, 7th Infantry. Wounded,
July 11, 1863, Ft. Wagner, S. C. Died, August 8, 1863.
Charles Poh, enlisted November 30, 1864, Co. G, 7th Infantry. Discharged, August
18, 1865.
Nelson M. Stephen, enlisted February 12, Co. H, 8th Infantry. Promoted 1st Ser-
geant, January 1, 1865. Mustered out, December 12, 1865.
William Garvin, enlisted February 24, 1864, Co. H, 8th Infantry. Transferred to
U. S. N., May 4, 1864. Served on U. S. S. " Agawam." Discharged, January 29,
1866.
Charles H. Dingwell, enlisted June 11, 1862. Transferred to U. S. N., May 4, 1864,
Served on U. S. S. "Minnesota" and •' Vandalia." Transferred to receiving
ship " Ohio," February 10, 1865.
ROSTER OF SOLDIERS. II9
Marion Alfonse, enlisted November 18, 1864, Co. K, 8th Infantry. Mustered out,
December 12, 1865.
Garry T. Scott, enlisted August 18, 1861, 9th Regt. Promoted Captain, December
15, 1864. Mustered out, August 3, 1865.
John B. Green, enlisted October 1, 1861, Co. D,9th Infantry. Discharged, August
17. 1862.
Charles W. Alcott, enlisted August 17, 1861, Co. I, 9th C. V. Promoted 1st Ser-
geant. Mustered out, August 3, 1865.
Dwight H. Cowles, enlisted August 30, 1861, Co. I, 9th C. V. Promoted Corporal
February 21, 1863. Discharged, October 26, 1864, time expired.
Shelton Smith, enlisted August 17, 1861, Co. I, 9th Infantry. Discharged, Mt»y 14,
1863.
John Allen, enlisted August 17, 1861, Co. I, 9th Infantry. Captured, June 27, 1864,
Ream's Station, Va. Died, September 27, 1864, Andersonville, Ga.
Edward I. Johnson, enlisted October 4, 1861, Co. I, 9th Infantry. Discharged, July
3, 1863.
Augustus S. Smith, enlisted October 11, 1861, Co. I, 9th Infantry. Wounded, Sep-
tember 19, Winchester, Va. Mustered out, August 3, 1865.
John Conklin, enlisted December 13, 1864, Co. H, 10th Infantry. Deserted, April
16, 1865.
William House, enlisted November 21, 1864, Co. H, 10th Infantry. Deserted,
August 3, 1865.
Charles A. Lohman, mustered in November 21, 1864, Co. A, 10th Infantry. Mus-
tered out, August 25, 1865.
Luther Camp, enlisted September 24, 1861, Co. C, 10th Infantry. Died, February
7, 1865.
Edwin Perkins, enlisted September 20, 1861, Co. C, 10th Infantry. Discharged,
October 7, 1864, time expired.
Jesse P. Skinner, enlisted October 3, 1861, Co. C, 10th Infantry. Died, November
6, 1862.
Theodore Bleacher, enlisted November 4, 1863, Co. C, 10th Infantry. Discharged
June 20, 1865.
Francis Peck, enlisted November 18, 1864, Co. C, 10th Infantry. Deserted, August
5, 1865.
Jacob Miller, enlisted November 21, 1864, Co. H, 10th Infantry. Deserted, January
4, 1865.
Bernard Bryant, enlisted December 8, 1864, Co. K, 10th Infantry. Deserted, April
14, 1865.
Anthony Burke, enlisted November 18, 1864, Co. K. 10th Infantry. Deserted,
August 7, 1865.
Patrick Quinn, enlisted December 8, 1864, Co. G, 10th Infantry. Deserted, May 22,
1865.
Joseph R. Bassett, enlisted November 21, 1864, Co. B, 11th C. V. Captured, May 16,
1864, Drury's Bluff, Va. Died, January 6, 1865, Salisbury, N. C.
William Taylor, enlisted November 21, 1864, Co. D, 11th C. V. Deserted, February
20, 1865.
Harvey Homer, enlisted February 2, 1864, Co. G. 11th C. V. Wounded, May 1, 1864.
Mustered out, December 21, 1865.
Edward Johnson, enlisted February 20, 1864, Co. G, 11th C. V. Captured, May 16,
1864, Drury's Bluff, Va. Mustered out, June 19, 1865.
William Lacy, enlisted February 20, 1864, Co. G, 11th C. V. Wounded, May 9, 1864,
Swift's Creek, Va. Promoted Sergeant, September 1, 1865. Mustered out,
December 21, 1865.
Nicholas Doyle, enlisted November 25, 1864, Co. E, 11th C. V. Deserted, January
27. 1865.
Hiram Griggs, enlisted April 21, 1865, Co. A, 3d Regt. Promoted 2d Lieutenant,
Co. C, 75th Regt., U. S. C. I., April 4, 1863.
John C. Ryan, enlisted December 22, 1861, Co. A, 13th C. V. Discharged, May 24,
1862.
Friend Sutliffe, enlisted December 22, 1861, Co. A, 13th C. V. Died. April 11, 1866,
Alexandria, Va.
Edward R. Weed, enlisted December 22, 1861, Co. A, 13th C. V. Died, May 27, 1863,
New Orleans, La.
1 20 msroin of pi.vmouth.
George Wright, enlisted December 30. 1861, Co. A. 13th C. V. . Discharged, disabil-
ities, January 27, 1863.
M. L. Andrews, enlisted January 8, 1862, Co. H, 13th C. V. Discharged, disabilities,
May 30, 1862.
Philo Andrews, enlisted December 21, 1862, Co. H. 13th C. V. Wounded, Septem-
ber 19, 1864, Winchester, Va. Died, December 23, 1864.
Wallace W. Smith, enlisted December 6. 1861, Co. I, 13th C. V. Wounded and
captured, September 19, 1864, Winchester, Va. Discharged, September 7, 1865.
John Tracy, enlisted December 17, 1861, Co. K, 13th C. V. Deserted, August 27, 1864.
Charles G. Adams, enlisted August 2, 1864, Co. A, 14th C. V. Wounded, August 2.5,
1864, Ream's Station, Va. Deserted. November 16, 1864.
Bernard McGrevor, enlisted December 5, 1864, Co. B. 14th C. V. Deserted. August
21, 1865.
William McGrath, enlisted August 5, 1863, Co. D, 14th C. V. Deserted. August 22,
1863.
Charles Williams, enlisted September 16. 1863, Co. D, 14th C. V. Wounded, Feb-
ruary 6, 1864, Morton's Ford, Va., and May 19. 1864. Cassville, Ga. Died. May
28, 1864.
John Cullon, enlisted July 25, 1863, Co. I, 14th C. V. Deserted, March 23, 1864.
Michael O'Connor, enlisted July 23, 1864, Co. 1, 14th C. V. Deserted. August 14, 1864.
Charles McRay, enlisted August 6, 1864, Co. I, 14th C. V. Deserted, August 14, 1864.
Edward H. Mix, enlisted May 23, 1861, Co. C, 1st Artillery. Promoted Captain Co.
B. 16th C. V. Drowned, March 8, 1864, Albemarle Sound, N. C.
William Allen, enlisted August 26, 1863, Co. C, 20th C. V. Deserted, November 15,
1864.
James Anderson, enlisted August 27, 1863. Co. E, 20th C. V. Deserted, October 2,
1863.
Theodore Mansfield, enlisted August 25, 1863, Co. H, 20th C. V. Deserted, October
11, 1863.
Augustus Fisher, enlisted August 26, 1863, Co. K, 20th C. V. Deserted, September
14, 1863.
John Lewis, enlisted August 26, 1863, Co. K. 20th C V. Deserted, August 16, 1864.
William Webber, enlisted August 23, 1863, Co. K, 20th C. V. Deserted. September
14, 1863.
James Averill, enlisted October 10, 1862, Chaplain 23d C. V. Infantry. Died, June
11, 1863.
James A. Williams, enlisted December 30, 1863. Co. H, 29th C. V. (col.) Discharged,
disabilities, July 3, 1865.
John F. Brown, enlisted February 11, 1864, Co. D, 31st Eegt., U. S. C. I. Deserted,
March 30, 1864.
Jesse King, enlisted February 11, 1864, Co. D, 31st Regt., U. S. C. I. Deserted, Feb-
ruary 29, 1864.
Thomas Marts, enlisted February 9, 1864. Co. D. 31st Regt., U. S. C. I. Mustered
out, November 7, 1865.
Robert Short, enlisted February 19, 1864, Co. D. 31st Regt., U. S. C. I. Mustered
out, November 7, 1865.
James E. Tunnel 1, enlisted February 8, 1864. Co. D, 31st Regt., U. S C. I. Deserted,
April 12. 1864.
William B. Piatt, enlisted December 14. 1861. musician, 14th Infantry, Regular
Army. Died, November 27, 1863.
Egbert S. Bronson, mustered in, January 7. 1865, Co. C, 2d Colored Infantry. Dis-
charged, May 10, 1865.
Wallace A. Bishop, enlisted August 21, 1861, 1st Squadron C. V. Cavalry. Pro-
moted Sergeant. July 1, 1862. Died, November 28. 1862.
Dorence Atwater, enlisted August 19, 1861, 1st Squadron, C. V. Cavalry. Captured,
July 6, 1863, Hagerstown, Md. Exchanged, February 27, 1865. Discharged,
April 21, 1865.
Charles H. Page, enlisted December 5, 1861, Co. A, 1st Cavalry. Promoted Quarter-
master-Sergeant, June 1, 1865. Mustered out, August 2. 1865.
Edwin A. French, enlisted October 11. 1861, Co. A, 1st Cavalry. Promoted Ser-
geant, September 1, 1864. Mustered out. August 2, 1865.
William G. Renfree, enlisted October 11, 1861, Co. A, 1st Cavalry. Promoted Ser-
geant. September 1, 1864. Mustered out. August 2, 1865.
ROSTER OF SOLDIERS. 121
Levi H. Dunbar, enlisted October 21, 1861, Co. A, 1st Cavalry. Discharged, disabil-
ities, March 17, 1862.
Samuel W. Bevans, enlisted November 17. 1861. Co. D, 1st Cavalry. Discharged,
December 10, 1862.
Warren Briggs, enlisted November 17, 1861, Co. D, 1st Cavalry. Discharged, dis-
abilities, July 25. 1862.
Orville Bryant, enlisted November 17, 1861, Co. D, 1st Cavalry. Deserted, March
1, 1863.
Ira Hugh, enlisted November 24, 1863, Co. E, 1st Cavalry. Died, April 6, 186.5.
Peter Jones, enlisted August 18, 1864, Co. G, 1st Cavalry. Promoted Sergeant,
January 11, 1865. Mustered out, August 2, 1865.
Gilbert C. Royce. enlisted January 4, 1864, Co. K, 1st Cavalry. Captured, Novem-
ber 12, 1864, Cedar Creek. Paroled, February 5, 1865. Mustered out, August
2, 1865.
Henry Bradley, enlisted December 21, 1863. Promoted Sergeant, February 1, 1864,
Co. M, 1st Cavalry. Accidentally wounded, June 10, 1864, Old Church, Va.
Discharged, disabilities, January 10, 1865.
Lewis MoUet, enlisted July 28, 1862, 2d Light Battery. Deserted, March 15, 1864.
William B. Atwood, enlisted May 23. 1861. Promoted Lieutenant, Co. B. 1st
.\rtillery. May 24, 1865. Mustered out, September 25, 1865.
Hobart D. Bishop, mustered January 5, 1864, Co. I, 1st Cavalry. Died, June 1, 1865.
John B. Andrews, enlisted February 20, 1864, 2d Light Battery. Mustered out,
August 9, 1865.
Hamart Alexit, enlisted August 18, 1864, Co. D, 15th C. V. Captured, March 8, 1865,
Kingston, N. C. Paroled, March 26, 1865. Mustered out, July 20, 1865.
Edward Bux on, enlisted May 23, 1861. Co. I, 4th C. V. Mustered out, September
25, 1865.
James A. Beach, enlisted August 15, 1862, Co. D, 19th C. V. Mustered out, June 3,
1865.
Henry Barnes, enlisted December 24, 1863, Co. C, 2d Artillery. Wounded, Septem-
ber 22, 1864, Fisher's Hill, Va. Mustered out, August 18, 1865.
Carlos Curtis, enlisted January 4, 1864, Co. D, 2d Artillery. Mustered out, .\ugust
18, 1865.
David Davenport, enlisted .\ugust 7, 1862, Co. D, 2d Artillery. Wounded, Septem-
ber 19, 1864, Winchester, Va. Died, October 26, 1864.
Edwin Perkins, enlisted October 22, 1861, Co. C, 10th C. V. Discharged, October 7,
1864, time expired.
Charles W. Hurlburt, enlisted September 13, 1862, Co. I, 25th C. V. Mustered out,
July, 1865.
Henry Ploquet, enlisted Co. B, 55th M. Infantry V.
Dennis F. Ryan, enlisted February 22, 1864, 2d Light Battery. Died, April 29, 1864,
New Orleans.
Marshall Smith, enlisted October 26, 1861, Corp. 1st Cavalry. Discharged, Septem-
ber, 1862.
Henry D. Hunt, enlisted September 13, 1862, Co. I. 25th C. V. Mustered out,
August 26, 1863.
Edward L. Hurlburt, enlisted October 3, 1862, Co. D, 1st Battery. Captured,
August 18, 1864, Petersburg, Va. Died of starvation in Andersonville, Ga.
A. Martensen, enlisted August 13, 1861, Co. D, 2d N. Y. Cavalry. Promoted 2d
Lieutenant. Killed, June 7, 1863.
Legrand Todd, enlisted October 9, 1861, Co. I, 9th C. V. Died, October 1, 1862.
Willis T. Richardson, enlisted July 23, 1864, Co. A, 2d Artillery. Discharged, Feb-
ruary 4, 1865.
John Droham, enlisted August 25, 1863, Co. G, 20th C. V. Deserted, September 9,
1863.
William Clark, enlisted August 25, 1863, Co. G, 20th C. V. Deserted, November 24,
1864.
George Clark, enlisted August 25, 1863, Co. G. 20th C. V. Deserted, October 1. 1863.
William Cooper, enlisted November 17, 1864, Co. I, 17th C. V. Mustered out, July
19, 1865.
Frank W. Mix, enlisted 3d Michigan Cavalry, served eleven months. Promoted
Captain, 4th Michigan Cavalry. Promoted Major, for gallantry at battle of
Stone River.
122 HISTORY OF l•I.^■^IOlI■rlI.
Ambrose A. Curtis, enlisted September 13, 1862, Co. I, 25tli C. V. Discharged,
August 26, 1863.
Henry L. Blakeslee, 19th Regt. Mich. Vol. Killed, March 5, 1863. Franklin, Tenn.
Was buried on the field. Age, 24.
William R. Guernsey, enlisted May 23, 1861. Co. I, 1st Artillery. Promoted Cor-
poral, November 24. 1862. Sergeant, February 1, 1863. Quartermaster-Ser-
geant, May 5, 1863. 2d Lieutenant, April 14. 1864. 1st Lieutenant, December
10, 1864. Discharged, September 25, 1865.
Samuel A. Starr, enlisted Hartford, Co. I, 1st Regt., H. A., C. V. Enlisted Middle-
town, Co. E. 5th Regt., C. V.
Charles L. Beach, enlisted New Haven, Co. C, 15th Regt. C. V.
H. H. Foster, enlisted Glastonbury, Co. H, 13th Regt. C. V.
Henry Prindle, enlisted Winchester, Co. C, H. A.
CHAPTER yill.
iUE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
How They Were Conducted in Early Times— The Cost Borne by an Assessment on
Each Parent, "Who was also Required to Furnish Cord Wood and Board the
Teacher a Certain Time— Anecdotes Told About the Old Instructors— Half of
the Present Town Taxes Spent on Education.
IN educational lines Plymouth compares favorably with other
towns of its size. The writer was unable to learn when
the first school was established, or the date of the division of the
town into school districts. The expenses were defrayed in these
earlv times by an assessment on each parent of the per diem
cost, proportionate to the aggregate attendance, thus practically
offering a premium for non-attendance. In addition to the
above, each parent was required to board the teacher a certain
number of days, and also in some districts to furnish a specified
amount of wood "for each scholar, fitted for the fire."
Whether the latter phrase applied to the wood or to the scholar,
was not stated. In severe weather it was estimated that the
amount usually consumed was not far from a cord a week. The
wood was left in the road near the house, so that it was often
buried in the snow or wet with rain. At best it was always
burnt green. No stoves added to the comfort of the pupils;
what warmth they had was derived from a large open fire-place.
A statute passed in 1799, recognized the existence at that
time of a "school society " which controlled the schools. The
provisions of the law were in many respects like those in force at
the present time, though the language is quaint, reading, " the
school societv shall appoint a suitable number of persons, not
exceeding nine — of competent skill in letters to be overseers — to
examine teachers, to superintend and direct the introduction of
vouth in letters, religion, morals and manners, to direct the
daily reading of the Bible, to recommend the master to conclude
the exercise of each day with prayer," etc.
The number of districts into which the town was finally
divided was fourteen, each with its solitary school house and
single school room in which was conducted a mixed school.
The first district comprised Plymouth Center, the school house
standing near the present one. No. 2 was Plymouth Hollow-
now Thomaston — the house standing on what is now the park.
124 llISrOKV OK PLVMOLrni.
No. 3 was located at Walnut Hill, west of Thomaston. No. 4
was composed of the villages of the woolen mill and knife shop,
and the house stood near Fred Warner's. No. 5 was south of
the center and the house was near Baldwin's mill. No. 6 was
called Ireland, Hoadleyville — now Graystone — some miles south
of Terryville, and the house was near the Hoadley clock shop.
No. 7 was Todd Hollow, southeast of the center, and the house
was near the residence of H. J. Cleveland. No. 8 was Indian
Heaven — now AUentown — and comprised the territory around
" Jack's Cave " in the extreme southeast part of the town. No. 9
was Town Hill — the originally intended centei — lying one mile
southwest of Terryville, and the house was near the former
residence of Jared Blakeslee, now owned by a Mr. O'Donnell.
No. 10 was Terryville, and the house was near the present
school buildings, a long, low, single room building painted red,
accommodating the territoiy now filling six departments at an
expense to the town of $3,300. No. 11 was the East Plymouth
house, situated in a lonely, isolated location, west of the hamlet.
No. 12 was northwest of Terryville, and the house was near the
residence of Elam Camp, now belonging to Hilo Holt. No. 13
was north of the Center, now annexed to old No. 12, and the
house was near the residence of Eli Potter, now occupied by
C. B. Baldwin. No. 14 was the Woolen Mill, set ofi'from No. 4.
The school rooms, even in the villages, sixty years ago, were
^vithout even an apology for modern school room seats and desks.
On three sides of the room were continuous slab or plank
benches over which the girls as well as the boys were obliged to
swing their feet whenever necessary to use the desk. The
instructor's desk occupied the center. On this desk was
stationed a rod or ferule; sometimes both. These, with books,
writings, ink stands, rules and plummets, with a fire shovel and
a pair of tongs, were the principal furniture. One side of the
entry furnished a place of deposit for the hats and spare clothes
of the boys. The girls generally carried their bonnets, etc., into
the school room. The ventilation was as much neglected as its
temperature ; and its cleanliness more than either. In summer
the floor was washed once in two or three weeks.
The winter school usually opened about the first of Decem-
ber, and continued from twelve to sixteen weeks. The summer
school opened about the first of May. Men weie uniformly
employed in winter and women in summer. A strong prejudice
existed against employing the same instructor more than once or
twice in the same district. Good moral chaiacter and a thor-
ough knowledge of the common branches were considered as
indispensable qualifications in an instructor. In general, the
candidate was some favorite or relative of the district committee,
and the moral character of almost every instructor was unexcep-
tionable.
Instructors usually boarded in the families of the pupils.
Their compensation varied from seven to twelve dollars a month
for men and from sixty-two and a half cents to one dollar a week
for women. One voung lady who taught over thirty terms in
THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 12^
the same district, began her career as teacher on the munificent
sum ol" one dollar per week and boarded herself.
None of the natives "to the manner born" have ever
become professional teachers, though some were noted for their
success. Of these "Uncle" Abel Welton and his brother,
"Uncle" Ben, were prominent. Most of them took up the
business as a makeshift for present benefit. Rev. John Doolittle
taught for a time to aid in his college career. Others, doubtless,
by their labors in this line, left their impress on the minds of
those who have since become conspicuous in other capacities.
The schools in the earlier days were under the control of a
board of school visitors, who were required to visit and examine
the schools twice during each term. The duty was sometimes
performed in one afternoon — coming in at the commencement of
the session, tairying lor an hour, and after taking a short walk,
return for the second visit. In summer their visits were often
omitted. Their visits were spent in hearing a few hurried
lessons, and in making some remarks, general in their chaiacter.
Writing and spelling were leading studies every day, and on
Saturday the Old Assembly Catechism, in the Congregational
order and the Episcopal order, were regularly repeated.
Webster's spelling book, the American Preceptor, and the New
Testament were the i^rincipal books used. Arithmetic was
taught bv a few instructors one or two evenings in a week.
Before Webster's school books appeared, Dilworth's "New
Guide to the English Tongue," Fisher's " Instructor, or Young
Man's Best Companion," were the chief books used in the
colonies. Webster had tact in discerning the wants of the
country in his day, and providing for them in his spelling book.
There have been few moral lessons productive of the same eflect
in the country, as the famous old fable of the " Boy that Stole
Apples," and who sits, in the old woodcut, alarmingly exposed
astride of a branch of a tree, almost naked of foliage, while the
farmer in small clothes, one arm akimbo, the other in a most
striking attitude, takes aim at the young " sauce-box." Then
there is that forsaken "country maid and her milk pail," teach-
ing the double lesson of the vanity of human expectations and
the follv of unnecessary grief; that chickens are not to be
counted liefore thev are hatched, or milk to be wept over after it
is spilt. The story, too, of the "boy that went to the wood to
look for birds' nests when he should have gone to school," and
the description of a good boy and of a bad boy, not forgetting
the wonderful tale of " proverbs, counsels and maxims," all in
words of one svllable, taxing the wisdom of nations and the
strong old Saxon power of the English language ; all soimd
lessons, calculated to make honest men and ingenious Benjamin
Franklins. In teaching the alphabet it is customary for the
instructor to take his seat, and point to the letters precisely in
the order in which they are placed in the book, A, B, C, &c.
If the pupil could name the letter immediately, it was well, if
not, he was told it. After going through from A to Z, the
126 HISTORY OF PI.YMOUTH.
double letters were also taught. Sometimes the jDrocess was
inverted ; beginning at the bottom and ending at A.
To teach spelling, a lesson was assigned, consisting of a
certain number of columns of words arranged in alphabetical
order, as the words of our spelling books are, which the pupil
was requested to study over and over, until he could recollect
and spell them from memory. In this way one word suggested
by association the next; the second, the third ; and so on. No
faculty was called into exercise but the memory. If a word was
mis-spelled, the next pupil who could spell it was allowed to
take his place, or "go above him," as it was called. He who
was at the head of class at evening had a credit mark and some-
times a written certificate of good scholarship.
In teaching reading the process was equally mechanical.
The instructor generally read the first verse or paragraph, and
sometimes read with them in his turn. The instructor, or the
pupil at the head, made the corrections. These extended no
farther than the right pronunciation of the words, and a meas-
ured attention to the pauses. "Read as you talk," was a rule
seldom given, and still less frequently reduced to practice. It
was customary to read the Testament and Preceptor (the princi-
pal reading books), generally in course. There were, however,
certain days of the week on which selected pieces were read.
These consisted of an oration, and perhaps a dialogue, with
some of the more difiicult poetry. When visitors called, they
were commonly required to read these selections, which they
had learned almost by heart.
New beginners in writing usually had a copy of straight
marks. Over the top of the next page the master wrote " avoid
alluring company," in large hand, which the pupil was required
to imitate. A page a day, that is, one-eighth of a common sheet
of foolscap paper, was their task in writing. The pupil's copy
was usually in alphabetical order, and during the first year,
almost wholly of coarse hand, ruled (for all were required to
rule) from one-fourth to half an inch wide. Engraved copy
slips instead of written ones were sometimes used.
When arithmetic was taught in the evenings, the instructor
usually wrote sums for the pupil on a slate, which he was
required to work. Daboll arithmetics were used as guides.
The order of exercises for the day was usually as follows:
From nine o'clock a. m., to fifteen minutes past nine, the
instructor came to the door with a large ferule, and struck
several times on the door post as a signal for opening the school.
Such pupils as were present came in, and either took their seats
or crowded round the fire. Those of the first class who were
present, read in the Testament. The lesson consisted of from
two to four chapters, according to their length. The time
usually allotted to this exercise was from twenty to thirty
minutes, or until most of the pupils had arrived.
When this exercise closed, writing was attended to. In the
winter, copies and pens were to be prepared, ink to be thawed
and watered, and numbers wished to go to the fire at once. In
THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 12']
the midst of all this, the second class generally took their Testa-
ment for reading. While the second and third classes were
reading the instructor usually furnished copies and pens, and
assigned the spelling lessons for the forenoon. Those who were
able to, read a few sentences of some of the easy lessons in the
spelling book, while others merely read over the words of the
spelling lesson.
At a'uout half-past ten the welcome sound " you may go
out" was heard. Everyone made his long "obeisance," and
was immediately in the streets, but in from five to ten minutes
the loud rap brought them to the place of obeisance, and ulti-
mately to their seats again. The two sexes went out separately.
The rest of the forenoon was spent chiefly in spelling. The
school closed at twelve o'clock. At the usual signal, " school
dismissed," a scene of confusion commenced. But at all other
times they usually went out in good order. In the afternoon the
rap on the door summoned them at once. The American Pre-
ceptor was then read for nearly half an hour by the first class,
and about a quarter of an hour by the second. \\ riting went on
again, simultaneously with the reading of the second and smaller
classes.
When the course of lessons was finished, a short recess was
allowed as in the forenoon. On coming in from recess or inter-
mission, it was customary to have a pail of water and cup stand
by the door. It was rarely "handed round," but every one
helped himself. On coming in from the afternoon recess, the
classes were all exercised in their spelling lessons again, begin-
ning with the youngest. After spelling, the pauses, abbrevia-
tions, numerals, etc., were recited. In addition to these the
instructor usually had a set of written questions, embracing the
time when many remarkable events happened, the various occur-
rences, tables of distances, weight, measure, etc. The first class
and sometimes the second, were required to answer these daily
until they were perfectly familiar. The older classes were
required to commit the introduction to the spelling book to
memory.
A table of words spelled diflerently, but pronounced alike,
was quite often a favorite table with most instructors. It con-
sisted of four pages of the spelling book. It was usually studied
until many of the pupils could read it from beginning to end.
But teachers weie never known to lequire pupils to apply it.
The exercises of the day were usually closed by calling the roll
or catalogue of pupils, by announcing the name of the scholar
whose turn it was to make the fire in the morning, and by giving
positive orders for every pupil to "go straight home, and be
civil with everybody he might meet with." Once a week the
writers were required to write each a line for examination.
They were then numbered according to their excellence. He
whose line was No. i was allowed to have first choice among
the seats; No. 2 the second, and so on. About once a week
they were allowed to choose sides for spelling, which naturally
took up about half the afternoon. The side or party who mis-
128
insrom oh im.nmoi' i ii.
PequabucU School House
Terr\ ville Institute.
SCHOOI-S OK rLVMOUTII.
129
spelled the smallest number of words was declared to have beat;
and thev usually manifested much triumph.
Requiring the teachers to "board around" was productive
of much amusement, as well as some unpleasant experiences.
Lvman D. Baldwin relates that he was once boardingr with a
family that had seen better days, but felt that the next best thing:
to the fact was keeping up appearances. Consequently the best
the house atibrded was produced each day, much to the satisfac-
tion of one little fellow, who, at the table exclaimed to his elder
brother in his peculiar drawling tone: "■ S-a-y — Bill — don't-
w-e 1-i-v-e g-o-o-d w-h-e-n Mr. Baldwin is h-e-r-e?"
The change in tlie law — taxing the towns for support of
schools, instead of individual parents, was made in 18^4, since
which time Plymouth schools have materially improved. The
people have generously added to the appropriation for schools
until now it amounts to over $6,000 out of a total of about
$12,000 raised by tax for all purposes. The fourteen original
departments in the town have increased to fifteen in the present
town of Plymouth, and fourteen in Thomaston, which was taken
from Plymouth in 1875. The cost of tiie schools in what was
the old town, is now about $13,000. The amount received from
public funds (presumably the income of the school fund) in
[842 — the earliest record obtainable, was $709.80. In 184^ the
Income of the town deposit fund was divided equally between
the districts.
The following anecdote of the old gentlemen Welton,
Uncle Abel and his brother, is told by an old resident of
Plymouth : " Both were teaching, and Uncle A. was visiting
Uncle B.'s school. He had his scholars classified, the bright
ones by themselves, also the dullards, giving most of his time to
the bright ones. At the close of the session Uncle A. said,
' Ben, you are not doing right bv those dull boys; some of them,
if cared for, will be as good scholars as you have.' 'That's not
so,' said Ben, ' The fact is, the Almighty never intended those
fellows to know anything, and I am not going to try to dis-
appoint Him.' "
SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. I.
The first school building of Plymouth that can be called to
mind was a one storv structure situated on the same site where
the present school house stands, west of Phmouth green. The
desks in the old building were set next to the vvall with the
pupils' backs towards the teacher. There were at that time
about sixty pupils. The present building was erected in i<^49.
The high school is taught bv Miss Bessie M. Turner of North-
field, who has accomplished some good work since her engage-
ment. Miss Turner is a graduate of Mount Holyoke.
Mis'; Anna M TrumliuU of L.itchfield has cliarg-e of the
intermediate class, which occupies the second story of the Con-
gresfational lecture building. This building was at one time
used as a winter academy, and at another time for a school room
130 HISTORY OF PJ.YMOUTIl.
by the Hart P'emale Seminary, which also occupied the house
where William W. Bull now lives. Miss Alice A. Woolsey of
Milford has charge of the primary department and occupies part
of the main school building with the high school. Miss Wool-
sey and Miss Trumbull are l^oth graduates of the Normal School
of New Britain. The school committee are George Langdon,
Mrs. Clarence Beardsley, Frank Blakeslee.
SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 2.
The tirst recorded sale of land to the Tenth School District of
the first School Society of Plymouth is shown to be in 1837,
when Allen Bunnell sold a piece of land for the sum of $t, on
which the old school house stood that was burned between 1840
and 1S4V When Rev. Merrill Richardson first came to Terry-
ville this old red l)uilding was in use, with nothing to commend
it except space and air. This was the only place for evening
meetings, singing schools, etc. He soon commenced talking to
his people about a new and more commodious building, and
several meetings were held to talk the matter over, which were
of course held in the old school house. A few hours after one
of these meetings the ciy of fire was heard, and the old structure
was in flames. The people flocked to it with pails of water, but
the water had no eflect, and it was doubtful whether a drop
reached the flame. The people were exhorted not to injure
themselves with over exertion, and not a person suflered in con-
sequence. One and another asked, "How did it take fire?"
and some of the leading men were seen to nudge each other and
look askance at Mr. Richardson, as much as to say, "Perhaps
he could tell." It was never known how the building took fire.
While there was no mourning there, and a great deal of joking,
it was never believed to be the work of an incendiarv. The
second sale of land to this district is recorded as occurring March
8, 1845, by which sale Mr. Bunnell received the sum of $1^0.
His next sale was made April 26, 1S49, to the Terryville Insti-
tute of Terryville, by which society the main building of the
present school house was built, and was afterwards leased to the
Second School District of Plymouth for 999 years. Many im-
provements have been made on the buildings and groimds since
the lease was obtained. The place is heated by the Smead hot
air svstem, which makes it a comfortable place of studv for the
150 scholars who attend there. The Pequabuck school is also
in the .Second School District, and has on an average from vear
to vear about twenty scholars, who are now taught bv Miss
Anna Haas of Terryville. The present school committee are
W. L. Norton, George F. Carr and Stephen D. Purrington,
and the scliool visitors are A. vS. Gavlord, William Clemence,
Rev. Dr. Gav. Fred A. Scott and Judah W. Clark of Terrvville
and A. W. Welton, M. W. Leach, H. E. Stoughton and L D.
Baldwin of Plymouth. The course of studies in these schools
has been greatly impi'oved by the hard work and thorough
SCHOOLS OF PLYMOUTH. I31
methods used by the present principal, Fred Howard Davis, of
Lyons, N. Y., who has had charge the past two years. Mr.
Davis was prepared for college at the Academy of Canandaigua,
N. \., in the class of '87, and graduated from Hamilton College,
Clinton, N. Y., class of '92.
The High school has thirty-three scholars, an increase dur-
ing the past year of from sixty-five to seventy-five per cent.
The Grammar school has twenty-five scholars, and is taught
by Miss Margaret Pinney of Bloomfield.
Mrs. Emma Clark of Terryville has charge of the interme-
diate department, and has about thirty-five scholars. Miss May
Bunnell of Terryville has thirty-five pupils in the primary
department.
The village has the reputation of producing more scholars
fitted for college than any other village of its size in the state.
jane K. Johnson is said to have taught a longer period than
any teacher since the school was established, serving twenty-four
terms in dift'erent departments.
The kindergarten department is presided over by Miss
Edith Scott of Glens Falls, N. Y., and has about thirty pupils.
The object of this training is to develop the various faculties of
the child's mind, to put it in working possession of all its pow-
ers, rather than to impart general information. The child is
here taken through progressive periods of physical and mental
development with a view to stimulate independent tliought by
means of independent action on its own part.
Elocution is another improved feature of this school, as each
pupil is required to give one rhetorical exercise as often as once
a month, and once in six weeks in the High school for general
rhetoric.
Centennial Celebration
OF THE
TOWN OF
'-■PLYMOUTH*
CONNECTICUT,
ij 'j 'j
MAY 14 AND i^, 1895.
CHAPTER IX
CENTENNIAI. CELEB KAFION.
Preliminary Meetings Held and Plans Perfected for the Celebration of the
Centennial Anniversary of the Town of Plymouth— Complete Account of the
Exercises, Including the Speeches of Judge A. P. Bradstreet and Other
Orators of the Day.
THE first step towards the centennial celebration of the incor-
poration of the town of Plymouth was taken at the annual
town meeting holden at Terryville, October 3, 1S93. On motion
of George Langdon it was voted: "That the selectmen be
directed to appoint a committee of three to inquire into the
matter of a celebration of the Centennial of the town's orofaniza-
tion HI 1S95, and report to the next annual meeting."
In accordance with that vote, on December 6, 1S92, the
selectmen appointed E. L. Pond. George Langdon and J. C.
Fenn a committee to consider the advisability of holding a cen-
tennial celebration in 189^, and report at the next town meeting.
At the annual town meeting held October 3, 1S93, the fol-
lowing report was submitted :
'• The committee appciinted l)y tlie selectmen to in([uiie into the matter of
celebrating the centennial of the town in 1895, beg leave to report as follows:
" We believe that a puljlic celebration to commemorate the One Hundredth
Anniversary of the town's existence, carefully and wisely conducted, could not
be other than a success. To gather the scattered fragments of its history into
tangible form and arrange a programme suitable for the occasion calls for
energetic work and an expenditure of money. Hut if entered into by all good
citizens wMth the enthusiasm and disposition to help which the occasion would
demand, we believe it could be made not only instructive but of permanent value.
We therefore recommend the adoption of the following resolution :
'■'■Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed by the selectmen to
arrange for a public celebration of the One Hundredth Anniversary of the town in
1895, and that a suitable appropriation be made to defray the expense of the
same."
Edgar L. Pond, \
Gkorge Langdon, [- Connnittee.
Jason C. Fenn, )
This resolution was accepted and it was moved and voted
that the sum of $100 be appropriated to defray expenses.
136 HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.
October 13, 1S93, the selectmen appointed Edgar L. Pond,
George Langdon and Jason C Fenn a committee on the cen-
tennial ceiel)ration. Alessrs. Pond and Langdon declined to
serve, and Richard Baldwin and Bvron Tnttle were appointed
to fill the vacancies.
On June 7, 1S94, the committee asked that the selectmen
appoint additional members, and proposed the names ol" B. B.
Satterlee, George Langdon, B. J. Holt, A. C. Bunnell, Walter
F. Tolles, Abel S. Beardsley, James Terry, E. S. Beach, A. W,
Welton, H. G. Burr and Charles S. .Smith, which names were
approved by the selectmen.
The centennial committee met in Teri\ville, June 23, 1S94,
and elected permanent officers. The meeting was called to
order by ]ason C. Fenn. Byron Tuttle was elected chairman,
Richard Baldwin first vice chairman, George Langdon second
vice chairman. Jason C. Fenn secretary, Jonathan .Starr treasurer.
Committee on Livitation. -^George Langdon, Jason C.
Fenn, Abel S. Beardsley (resigned). Charles S. Smith, Arthur
C. Bunnell.
Committee on Oration and AiJdresses — Byron Tuttle. Abel
.S. Beardsley (resigned), RjiJ^TntrBaldwin.
Committee on Loan Exhibition. — James Terrv. A. W. Wel-
ton, Arthur C. Bunnell, Richard Baldwin, B. B. Satterlee,
B. T- Holt, also the board of selectmen.
VoteiU That the day of celebrating be the third Wednesday
of Mav, 1895.
l^ott'd^ That the loan exhibition remain open through the
vv^eek.
looted. That the matter of invitino; the orio"inal towns be
referred to the committee on invitations.
Voted. To appoint a musical committee ; and Henry G.
Burr, Carlisle H. Bildwin. Charles H. Beardsley and Otis B.
Housfh be that committee.
Voted, That the committee on the ditlerent committees be
empowered to fill vacancies.
Voted, That the clerk notify each member of his election.
At the annual town meeting in Plymouth Center. October
I, 1894, '^ ^^'^^ voted that the town appropriate for the use of the
centennial committee a sum not to exceed $300, to be audited
and approved bv the selectmen
The second meeting of the centennial commirtee was held
October i^, 1894, at the Town Clerk's office in Terryville. The
meeting was called to order by Byron Tuttle, president.
It w^as moved that the meeting May 15. 1895, be on Ply-
mouth Hill. Moved to amend by striking out Plymouth Hill
and insert Terrvville. An informal ballot was called for on the
amendment, which stood eight to eight. A formal vote on the
question was taken, and decided to hold the celebration in Terry-
ville, twelve to four. An attempt to make the vote unanimous
was unsuccessful.
Voted, To appoint a committee of three to investigate
souvenir spoons and decide on some design.
CENTH-VNIAI. CEI.KBRA TIOX. I^^
Jason C. Fenn, Richard Baldwin and Abel S. Beardsley
(resigned) were appointed and requested to report to next
meeting.
flatter of committee on entertainment was deterred.
Committee on tents and accoinmodation was appointed as
follows: E. S. Beach, Jason C. Fenn, A. C. Bunnell.
It was suggested that next meeting be in the evening at Ply-
mouth Center at call of secretary.
Charles S. Smith was appointetl by committee on invitation
to see to sending out notices.
The third meeting of the centennial committee was held at
the office of Byron Tutde, Esq., November 23, 1S94.
Voted^ That a committee of six ladies be appointed, three
from each village, they to appoint any person they may choose
tor chairman, also to appoint such sub-committee as they may
see fit, to provide entertainment for invited guests.
]'otcd^ That Mrs. George Langdon, Mrs. Edwin M. Tal-
madge and Mrs. Bennett H. Sutlitf lie the committee for Ply-
mouth Center.
Voted^ That E. vS. Beach consult with Terryville committee
and furnish names of three Terryville ladies to the clerk to act
on this committee on entertainment, and that he call the first
meeting^.
Voted^ That a sub-committee of three be appointed to
investigate airangements for feeding others than invited guests.
]'oted^ Jason C. Fenn, Byron Tuttle, Edward S. Beach, be
that committee.
Voted^ That this meeting recommend to the committee on
orations and addresses and the musical committee, the matter of
public centennial exercises, Tuesday evening. May i^, at the
Congregational Cliurch in Plymouth Center, and report to next
meeting of this committee, which is to beat Town Clerk's ot^ce,
Terryville, at call of president and clerk.
As proposed at last meeting, E. S. Beach reported to the
clerk the names of three Terryville ladies to act with the ladies
from Plymouth Center on the entertainment committee, namely:
Mrs. Richard l^aldwin, Mrs. Elvira Rouse, ]Mrs. Judah W.
Clark, and the clerk called them to meet November 27, at
Terryville, at which meeting ]Mrs. Elvira Rouse was chosen
president and Mrs. R. Baldwin secretary.
At a meeting at Town Clerk's office December 6, 1S94, it
was voted to add two to the committee on invitations. Andrew
S. Gaylord and Byron Tuttle were appointed.
/Wc'(/, That the centennial committee on orations and
addresses, with the music committee, be instructed to provide for
the opening exercises of the centennial celeliration at the Con-
gregational Church, Plymouth Center, Tuesday evening, May
14. fleeting adjourned to Monday evening, December 10, 1894,
at office of Byron Tuttle. At this meeting- the committee
listened to a plan submitted in person bv Francis Atwater, of
Meriden, Conn., pertaining to a souvenir book, and it Avas
Voted^ That this committee authorize Francis Atwater to prepare
I3S HISTOK\ OF PLYMOUTH.
and execute a souvenir of the celebration to be held in Plymouth
May 15, said souvenir to be in pamphlet form containing histori-
cal and other matter, also pictures suitable to the occasion. In
consideration of the presentation of 1,000 copies free to this
committee, it is agreed that no other pul)licati()n in conflict with
this will be authorized.
Voted^ That the secretary be instructed to draw up card ot"
invitation and present it to next meeting.
Meeting at office of Byron Tuttle, January 22, 1895, it was
voted to add to the committee on orations and addresses Edgar
L. Pond, George Langdon, Henry E. Stoughton, George C.
Clark. Abel S. Beardslev having declined to serve, his name is
to be dropped from this committee.
Voted^ That Bela B. Satterlee be appointed a special com-
mittee to furnish Francis Atwater with material for the centennial
souvenii .
Voted^ To add the names of eight ladies to the committee on
loan exhibition, namely : Miss Anna Talmadge, Mrs. L. H.
Ploucquet (who resigned). Miss Nellie Langdon. Mrs. Juliett B.
Atwood (who resigned), for Plymouth Center; Miss May
Clark, Miss Minnie C Bates, Miss Gertrude Ells, Miss Laura
Grannis, for Terryville.
Meeting February 11, 1895, at office of Byron Tuttle. It
was voted to invite the selectmen of the town of Watertown and
Thomaston to appoint a committee to unite and co-operate with
Plymouth in the centennial celebration.
Votcd^ Mrs. Arthur M. Gordon (resigned), and Mrs. Oscar
D. Beach as members of the loan committee.
March 9, 189^, Watertown replied that they had received
tl-pe invitation and had appointed H. F. Davis, H. T. Dayton
and C. B Mattoon a committee to co-operate with us. Thomas-
ton also reported that they had accepted and had appointed a
committee. Waterbury was also invited but did not respond.
Meeting at Town Clerk's office March 9, it was voted to
have steel engraved invitations, and order 150 with envelopes-
(later order was increased to 500). Wording was also adopted.
Dinner cards were agreed upon at this meeting, also price fifty-
cents for souvenir book.
Meeting March 16, H. E. Stoughton, Edgar L. Pond and
E. C. Goodwin were appointed on the general executive com-
mittee, as Abel Beardslev, Arthur C. Bunnell and B. J. Holt
were unable to serve. E. Clavton Goodwin was elected chair-
man on tents and accommodations. Z. F. Grannis and Henry E.
Hinman were added to this committee.
Miss Mav Minor and Miss Lilla Markham were a])pointed
on loan committee, Mrs. Gordon, Ploucquet and Atwood having
resigned.
At a meeting held April 15, Edgar L. Pond, George Lang-
don and Henry E. Hinman were appointed auditors. Richard
Baldwin, J. C. Fenn and E. M. Talmadge were appointed to
take charge of sale of spoons. The musical committee were-
CE\ TEWlAr, C ELE15KA IIOX.
139
allowed $300 for general expenses, and $^0 to get up a musicale
in Congregational Church at Terryville.
April 29, Edgar L. Pond was appointed presiding otlicer of
the entire exercises, both evening and day. A request was made
that six special constables be appointed. Andrew S. Gajlord
was appointed to take charge of the sale of books. George
Langdon and Jason C. Fenn were appointed to take charge of
registration
The tbllowing programme was adopted for the exercises of
the celebration :
The exercises on Tuesday evening, May 14, commenced
shovtlv after eight o'clock in the Congregational Church on Ply-
mouth Hill. The ediHce was profuselv decorated and a large
black shield with the dates "■ 1795-1S95 " in gilt, hung high upon
the wall back of the platform.
At 6.30 tlie lamps had been lighted, and seats tilled rapidly
for the purpose of witnessing the first scene in an historical
event. The church walls soon enclosed a vast and interested
audience, stated by one, who claimed to have counted them, to
number nearlv 7^0. At any rate the chinch was crowded —
densely packed to the doors. Men and women, natives of the
old town who had spent their lives in faraway states and had
wandered to all parts of the earth, returned to pay a fitting
tribute to the founders of the town and to help in celebrating its
one himdredth biithdav.
The soft light shed its rays upon yoimg men and women
iust on the threshold of life, full of vigor, and animation, who
hafl come to join in the celebration; upon the older and more
sedate members of the commimitv who bad tasted the first fruits
of life's successes and failures, and upon the gray hairs of grand-
fathers and grandmothers who, though past the zenith of life and
now on the downward plane, had come to renew their youth for
a brief period in recollections and reminiscences of the past.
Six pieces from Colt's oichestra of Hartford, and Mrs. W.
H. Sparks as pianiste, furnished the instrumental music, while
the melody from the chorus of 100 voices rolled forth under the
magic apple tree wand in the hands of Director Baldwin. The
music soared to the summit then dropped to the softest depths,
but always in perfect time, now falling, now rising, and thunder-
ing out over the audience until the selection was finished and the
last chords were lost in roimds of applause. Then must the
tiresome work of rehearsals have been amply paid for in the
satisfaction that they — each and every one — had been the means
of giving pleasure and winning such approbation.
When every one was seated and the musicians were ready
George Langdon stepped upon the platform and spoke as follows :
The cliairman of the committee having charge of this Cen-
tennial Celebration has requested me to call your attention to
three things : First, that applause be done only by clapping of
hands : second, that vou put on your glorification spectacles and
think that Plvmouth is larger than the state, larger than the
nation ; yes, larger than the empiies of the world, for a few
140 HISTORY OF I'lAMOUTir.
hours, tor the sake of broadening the horizon of our lives, and
making us to think that even a little country town in a hundred
years can reach out to the furthermost parts of the earth ; and to
encourage those who are younger in Hie to feel that life means
something, even here in an ordinary New England town.
Therefore by music, by speakers, by the illustrated printed page,
your committee have endeavored to lead you in this way to
glorify Plymouth for the sake of honest, true, manly pride. "We
also ask you to register your names, all of you. You will find a
register in the porch to-night, and on the morrow you will find
one in the post ofiice here, and at Terryville to-morrow at some
place to be made known to you. The further announcement I
have to make is that the committee have unanimously elected
Edgar L. Pond as chairman of these Centennial services ; a true
son of Plymouth. His father was a Plymouth man, his grand-
father was a Plymouth man, and his great-grandfather came to
Plymouth. My friends, he has not only got a good ancestry,
but has got a good record.
One thing more. This mallet was made from an apple tree
that was planted by Rev. Mr. Todd, the first minister in this
town of Plymouth, on Town Hill. It is to be sent to one of the
descendants of Mr. Todd. I thought it might be pleasing to
you to know this incident. The leadc^r of the music has some-
thing from the same tree, which will give inspiration for these
good friends who are to lead us to-night. 1 therefore for the
committee give these exercises into tne hands of Mr. Pond.
E. L. Pond — The duty of a presiding officer, as I under-
stand it, especially upon an occasion like this, is not to talk, but
rather to so direct that others may have an opportunity. We
think it is about time. We will proceed to the programme.
"Unfold Ye Portals," from "The Redemption" (Gounod),
by the Centennial Chorus.
Reading of the 90th Psalm by Rev. Wm. Alfred Gay, D. D.,
who offered prayer as follows :
"Almighty God, our heavenly Father, to-night as we come
before Thee we thank Thee for the record of the hundred years
whose completion we meet here to celebrate. We tnank Thee,
our heavenl}' Father, that Thou art the God of communities;
that Tliou, who boldest the nations in the hollow of Thv hand,
takest an interest in all the humble afl'airs of every community.
O God, we come here to-night to rejoice, and we would rejoice
in Thy presence. We thank Thee, our Father, for the many
noble characters which have been developed in the town of Ply-
mouth within the last centurv. We thank Thee that so many
influences have gone out from this little corner of the American
Republic to bless and to assist the multitudes of this land.
We rejoice, our Father, that we are permitted to enter
upon this glad celebration, but we desire to implore Thy bless-
ing upon us, even as Thou hast been with us during these
hundred vears. Vouchsafe Thy blessing, we prav Thee, and
Thy benediction, not only upon all tlie exercises of this evening,
but upon all the services of this week. Grant, Almighty God,
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
141
in this sanctuary, in this community, where Thou hast so often
revealed Thv power, that in these exercises we may glorify Thy
great and holy Name.
The Lord bless us in our singing, the Lord guide us in
the instrumental music, the Lord be with us in the addresses and
in the reminiscences which may be given to us from time to time,
and as we shall separate and go to our homes far and wide, as
well as in this locality, may we realize that we have obtained
from these exercises new inspiration for the duties of life. And
to the Father, the Son anil the Holy Spirit shall be all the praise,
through Christ our Redeemer. Amen."
Rev. C. H. Smith made the address of welcome, and spoke
as follows :
"Mr. Chairman, Friends, Fellow-Citizens and returning
Wanderers from the Four Qiiarters of the Earth : One of the
precious memories that is dear to every loyal son of New
England is the recollection of the great festal days, when the
Thanksgiyinor season comes round. The dear old mother in the
home was many days before preparing for it. The brick oven
was heated, the toothsome dainties were prepared, and when the
auspicious morning had arrived and the children returned, she
stood at the doorway with the silver already upon her brow.
She clasped the hand ; they kissed her withered cheek, and it
was the sweetest of all the things of the year — the great home-
gathering of the children in the father's and mother's house.
So, to-night, in a certain sense you come here, returning like
children. Plymouth has upon her brow the silver of a century,
and it has been entrusted to me by the committee to extend to
you the word of welcome ; to give you the friendly salutation, to
extend to you the kindlv benediction, that in the services of this
hour you may rejoice with us in the mercy of God through the
century, and in the loving kindness that has been in the hearts
of men for all these years.
We bid you then first of all welcome to this edifice, to the
church of which it is the property— a church that antedates the
civic life of the community for more than half a century — for our
church is not a hundred years old, but it is 155 years old
to-night and has been for seven days. I welcome you on behalf
of all these sacred and holy influences: because of what the
Church of God has been in this community in the century past.
At this altar the children received the hand of benediction ;
before this altar there stood the noble man and the fair maid, as
their lives were united and they went out into the world and to
its battles; here within these walls have lain in silent state some
of those who were very precious to your hearts. In behalf, then,
of all the godly memories that your hearts are cherishing this
hour, I welcome you.
I bid you welcome, to-night, also to the homes of this
people, to the houses of this community. There are tender
associations for some of you in them.- As you return to the old
home you will tread the threshold that was worn by impatient
feet as you rushed out to your play. You will look again on the
14- lIlSroKV OK l'J,NMt)l'l II.
old apple tree, covered to-night with its vvonderi'ul crown of
snowflukes, and you will think : " I never had such apples as
those 1 ate when I was a boy." VVe welcome you, then, to the
homes that were dear; are dear still to you.
We also welcome you to our hills and valleys. Well may
this beautiful valley of ours be called the Switzerland of New
England. Many a noble son has gone forth from this community
with high aspirations because of the voice of Nature that
sounded in his ears. As he looked out over the hilltop and
down into the valley, the pointing spires of the hills seemed to
lead his soul nearer to God, and the music of the rivulet and the
rill and the river, as it went on with its sweet harmonv to the
sea, sang in his heart some message of the love of the eternal
Father. I want, then, in welcoming you back to-night to bid
you remember the hill and the valley : that it extends its arms to
you, all Nature bidding you welcome.
And certainly we should be recreant to the beautiful and
illustrious history of the past, did we not also bid you welcome
in behalf of the sacred city of our dead. It is certainly no word
of derogation to the sons that now live, to say that of the noble
men and saintly women who walked these streets in days gone
by, and whose ashes rest in God's Acre, there were none nobler,
none truer, none more faithful to their duty, to their trust, to
God. So to-night, with the sacred memories of the fathers rest-
ing upon you, I bid you welcome.
We extend to-night — this town of Plymouth — the hand of
welcome to our mother and grandmother, I think we ought to
call her, the fair Qiieen City of our Naugatuck ^^alley, the
shimmer of whose product with its light of gold encircles the'
world — we extend to-night the hand of welcome to her who was
for a little time our mother — the town of Watertown and her
citizens.
We won't forget also to welcome our baby, and are glad
to see she has come back, got to be a pretty good-sized child —
Thomaston — you are likelv to get to be bigger than we are, we
hope vou will be as good, but we know you never will.
We remember to-night that from tiiis community of ours
have gone out into the broad earth, to the westward, northward,
southward and eastward, the brave sons and fair daughters, who
have proved themselves true to their noble ancestry ; who have
proved themselves true to the fair past of this community, and as
their thought comes back to us and as some of them return to us
from hillside and plain, we bid them to-night welcome. Friends,
one and all, in the name of the committee I bid you welcome."
Mr. Pond — About twentv years ago this old town of
Plymouth, whose one hundredth anniversary we are now cele-
brating, met with a great accident. At a certain point about
half wav up the hill from Thomaston — I suppose climbing the
hill wore on the people to that extent that it could hold out no
longer, and although the good people on the hill tried in every
wav to hold the town together, thev hnallv had to vield to the
inevitable and it broke in two at that point, leaving Thomaston
CKNTENNIAI, CELEBRATION. 143
i\ hiU-tiedged town of her own. We congratulate our friends in
the valley upon the success that has attended their lahors in
endeavoring to govern themselves. But to-night we would pre-
fer to remove that stone which marks the boimdar}- line — we
would suspend the rules, so to speak, for the next twenty-four
hours, and prefer that the line shoidd be as it was ceded to us
from Watertown one hundred years ago. We believe that the
Thomaston people would gladly accede to this request, for they
certainly have shown sympathy with the management in this
Centennial Celebration. We note that their singers are seated
by the side of those of Plymouth and Terryville in this chorus,
and I see before me many men who if they were called upon to
vote in the room below, as they did in former years, would be
obliged to climb up the hill in order to cast their ballot. But
more than this, we have called upon one of "J'homaston's most
distinguished citizens to prepare for us the principal atldress of
the evening. You will note upon your programme the address
"Manufacturing and its Progress," and I have the pleasure of
introducing as the speaker. Jutige Albert P. Bradstreet, of
Thomaston.
Judge Bradstreet then delivered the following interesting and
instructive address, which should be read by everyone interested
in the history of manufacturing in Plymouth or Thomaston, who
had not the pleasure of listening to its delivery, as it contains a
vast amount of information unknown, or at least unrealized, by
many :
"•Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen : The red man
ground his corn in a mortar and cut the poles for his wigwam,
-and timber for his canoe with his rudely fashioned axe of stone.
His wants never outran his necessities, and his necessities were
satisfied with the requirements of a simple subsistence. His
white successor landed upon the shore of New England 275
years ago with unbroken centuries of civilized life and refine-
ment behind him and the promptings within him of an ambition
to make the most of his surroundings and to rise as far as lay
within his power in the scale of humanity. To care for the
l)odv, to cultivate the mind and prepare the soul for eternity,
were all objects to him of deep solicitude.
The early settlers of the town of Plymouth whose one
hundredth birthday we now commemorate were, as far as we
can gather, men of this same general stamp. They yielded
obedience to law and homage to God. They identified them-
selves with every measure that made for the welfare of society,
and studied the g-eneral interests of the communities in which
they lived. The early settlers of this town must have been
endowed with considerable mechanical ingenuity for that period,
and a natural aptitude for manufacturing as attested by the large
number of interests which in a small way were planted in
different parts of tlie town.
Possiblv the rugged nature of the soil compelled them to
seek other methods of livelihood and turned their attention to
144 HISTOUY OF J'LNiMOUTH.
the numerous small streams as agencies which they could enlist
in their support.
In addition to this, moreover, was the general feeling
strongly implanted in their breasts of independence in every
sense of the word from the mother countrv.
The war of the revolution had oidv a few years before
terminated which released them from British thraldom from a
governmental standpoint, and it was natural that independence
in every conceivable ramification should ha\e animated their
purpose. It is interesting in this connection to note that in iSoS,
in the tenth congress, in the last moments of tlie session, when all
business was over, William Bibb of Georgia, movetl that the
members of the House of Representatives would appear at their
next meeting clothed in the manufactures of their own countrv.
A spirited debate arose over this motion and it appearing that
considerable warmth was likelv to be engendered u[)on a matter
which was really foreign to the business of the session, the
motion was withdrawn without being pressed to a \ote.
In the large cities the people formed associations which thev
called societies for the encouragement of domestic manufactures.
Each man and woman who joined one of these was pledged to
wear no garment of which the raw material was not grown and
the fabric made within the boundaries of the United States.
The State legislatures of the various states took up the subject.
The House of Representatives of Pennsylvania passed a resolu-
tion declaring it to be the dutv of everv citizen to encourage
domestic manufactures of this country, and that members should
come to the next session clothed in goods of American make.
In Kentucky Henry Clav was the mover of a similar resolution
which Humphrey Marshall designated as the trick of a dema-
gogue. For this he was called out, a duel fought and both he
and Clay were slightly wounded.
In November of the same year Thomas Jefierson, President
of the United States, desirous of appearing at the White House
on New Years day with a suit of clothes of American manufac-
ture sent the Collector of Customs of New Haven the tbllowing
order :
' Homesjnm is become the spirit of tlie times. I tliink it a useful one, tliere-
fore tliat it is a duty to encourage it by example. Tlie best fine ckth made in
the United States I am told is at the manufactory of Col. Humphreys. Send me
enough for a suit.' — MiMdster's History of the People of the United States.
Col. Humphreys alluded to in this order had been an Aide
of Washington and a representative of this Government to the
Court of Spain, and while there, conceived the idea of importing
into this countrv the fine merino sheep for their superior wool.
The sheep about 1802 came into the countrv, some of them find-
ing their way to Watertown. Col. Himiphrex s established a
woolen mill at the present town of vSevmour, then known as
Hiunnhrevsville. The General Coint of Connecticut appointed
a committee to examine the experiment of Hiunphrevs and
report. The report was so flattering tliat the legislature thanked
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 1 45
him for his patriotic eflbrts, exempted his mills from taxation for
ten years, and his workmen and apprentices from poll taxes,
road taxes and service in the militia.
The grist mill and saw mill were the natural pioneers in the
new settlement, as at that time the grain was ground at Farm-
iny-ton and the lumber which went into the construction of their
buildings was sawed in the Farmington mills and transported to
the new settlement. To save this expense numerous grist and
saw mills were erected in ditferent parts of the new town as
needs of the people required.
The first grist mill in the settlement of Northbury was built
by John Sutlit^", about 1730, just north of the present Terry's
Bridge. Mr. Sutlitfcame from Branford to Northbury the year
just mentioned. In his will, which was admitted to probate in
Woodbury, November 6, 1753, he provided that this mill
property should go to his two sons, John, Jr. and Abel, reserv-
ing to his widow, Hannah, one-thirtl part of the profit of the toll
of the mill during her life.
John, Jr. lived on the site of Wm. A. Leigh's present
residence. He bought out Abel's interest in the mill property
afterwards, and in his will, which was probated at Waterbury,
March 2, 1790, he demised one-third part of the grist and saw
mill to each of his three sons, John, Samuel, and Daniel.
John, the 3d, lived where Edward Moses' house now stands.
It is somewhat remarkable that the first industry of which
we can get a very clear record as having been started in Ply-
mouth proved to be the one which eventually grew to be largest
in the town and obtained the widest celebrity. I refer to the
business of clock making. The inventive genius of Eli Terry
coupled with the business energy of .Seth Thomas prepared a
foundation for a business of gigantic proportions ; brought an
accumulation of wealth to their doors and crystallized their
names in the two main villages of the town as Terryville and
Thomaston.
There were a few clock makers in New England prior to
1776. Very few American clocks however, can be found, made
before this time. These were made wit.i a pendulum fort}'
inches in length and were only adapted to a long case standing
on the floor with a dial six feet from the floor. Very few
w^ooden clocks were made before 1792.
Eli Terry, a native of East Windsor, now South Windsor,
Conn., obtained a knowledge of clock making under Thomas
Harland, a clock and watch maker of Norwich, Conn, Mr. Terry
made his first wooden clock in 1792. He came to Plymouth in
1793 and entered upon the business of making clocks, both of
wood and brass. He made his first clocks by hand on the
l^remises where William White's house now stands. Bvron
Tuttle has in his oftice at the present time one of the clocks built
there. His first clocks built bv the use of power were made in a
building where Riley Marsh's now stands. The water was con-
veved across the street from Niagara brook. The demand for
clocks at that time was so limited that onlv three or four could
146 HIS'l'OKV OF PLYMOUTH.
safely be commenced at one time, and most of these were delivered
to purchasers who had agreed in advance to take them. These
clocks were transported on horseback. The case for these was
obtained from cabinet makers as a separate part of the clock..
The machinery was very scanty, and consisted mainly of a hand
engine for making the wheels similar to the one used by English
clock makers two hundred years earlier. In 1803, Mr. Terry,
finding that his clocks could be sold without his delivering them
in person, made provision for manufacturing on a larger scale,
availing himself of additional machinery and water power. This
was the beginning of making clocks by the thousand. The large
scale upon which he began to branch out exposed him to much
ridicule, as the wise ones said he could never sell any number of
them.
In December 30, 1S07, Mr. Terry sold his water power to
Heman Clark who had been his apprentice and purchased a water
power and buildings at Greystone. In 1S07 he began the making
of four thousand clocks on contract as one undertaking. This
contract covered a period of four years. In 1S14 the short shelf
clock was devised by Mr. Terrj- and he began their manuiacture
in Plvmouth Hollow^ near Terry's bridge, having formed a
partnership with his sons, Henry and Eli. The introduction of
this shelf clock was the real foundation of the clock industrv of
this country. Henry Teriy, son of Eli, continued the clock
making business in this factory for a number of years, and then
began the woolen business in the same factory, which he con-
ducted for some time. He died in 1877-
In 1S24 Eli Terry, 3d, built a shop on the Pecjuabuck where
the shop formerly owned and occupied by the Lewis Lock Com-
pany stood, which shop was destroved by fire in iS^i, and
replaced by the present one. Air. Terry at this time, twenty-
five years old, was the eldest of four sons of Eli Terrv above
referred to. He died in 1841 at the age of forty-two, having
acciunulated by strict attention to business a handsome property.
Silas Burnham Terry, a younger brother of Eli, 2d, erected a
shop in 182 1 for the manufacture of clocks at the confluence of
the Pequabuck and Poland brooks. In 1S52 he invented the
' Torsion Balance Clock' designed for a cheap clock, and a joint
stock company was formed to manufiicture this clock, and a new
factory was built near the depot. This clock did not prove a
success and the company abandoned the business.
In Chauncey Jerome's History of the American Clock Busi-
ness written in i860, he savs of Eli Terry the elder that ' he was
a great man, a natural philosopher and almost an Eli Whitney
in mechanical ingenuity. If he had turned his mind towards a
military profession he would have made another General Scott;
or towards politics another Jeflerson, or if he had not happened
to have gone to the town of Plvmouth I do not believe there
would ever have been a clock made there.'
Seth Thomas commenced to manufacture clocks in company
with Eli Terrv and Silas Hoadley in 1809 at Greystone. In 1810
Mr. Terrv sold out his interest. Air. Thomas and Air. Hoadley
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. I47
continuing together until 1S13, when Mr. Thomas removed to
Plymouth Hollow and began there the manufacture of clocks in
a small building which he purchased of Heman Clark as above
referred to, which Mr. Clark had erected in 1S09. This build-
ing stood on the site where the case department of the company
now stands. In 1S53 ^^^^ Seth Thomas Clock Company was
organized. Mr. Thomas began the industry in Plymouth Hol-
low with about twenty hands, settlement with the operatives at
that time being made once a year. In the early days of clock
making in Plymouth, after the industry obtained some magnitude,
the clocks were drawn by liorses to New Haven and Hartford
for shipment to difl'erent parts of the country. All of the lumber
and materials for the clocks were brought from these two cities.
Mr. Benjamin Piatt, now living, began driving team for Mr.
Thomas in 1S34. He tells me that frequently he had to make
three trips a week to New Haven, a greater part of the time
driving six horses. The business so successfully established by
him over eighty years ago has continued as the main industrv of
that part of the town ever since, employing in flourishing times
about 1,200 operatives with a monthly pay roll of about forty
thousand dollars, and an annual production of nearly one million
dollars' worth of goods. In 1834 Mr. Thomas built a cotton
factory near the covered bridge, which was subsequently sold to
the clock company, and he also built the brass mill near the
depot about 1852 which is now owned by the Plume & Atwood
Manufacturing Company. He died in 1859, l^'iving left as a
monument to his memory these three large and flourishing insti-
tutions, themselves emphatic witnesses to his indomitable will
and untiring energy, and with a reputation unsurpassed for strict
business integrity and business honor.
Chauncey Jerome, whom I have quoted, at one time became
very prominent in the clock business. He began work with
Eli Terrv in Plvmouth in 1S16. A vear or two later he besran
for himself, buying the movements and fitting up the cases for
them. He removed to Bristol in 1S21 and continued the enter-
prise there. In 1844 he went into business in New Haven and
organized the Jerome Mfg. Co., which was finally succeeded by
the New Haven Clock Co. Mr. Henry Terry says of Mr.
Jerome in his Early History of American Clockmaking, 'he was
a man of considerable enterprise but by misplaced confidence in
other men and by a disregard of rules of safety in pecuniary
transactions he became bereft of his estate.'
In 1832 Stephen C. Bucknell, a locksmith, came from
England and settled in Watertown. After continuing in busi-
ness in a small way for a time, he sold out to Lewis McKee &
Co., of Terry ville. They moved the works into a building
standing where the plant of the Eagle Lock Company formerly
stood.
This building was burned in 18^9 and replaced by a larger
one. The progress of this company was slow, as the equipment
of machinery was crude and the facilities for turning out and
marketing the goods were few. They had no engine lathes for
148 HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.
years and no plane for nearly thirty years. Their dies were
forged by hand and faced by hand files. In disposing of their
g^oods thev met with difficulties. Trade at that time was almost
exclusively in the hands of importers and their interests lay in
discouraging American manufacturers. In 1841 Mr. Terry,
the president, died and the concern was sold out to John G.
Lewis and Sereno Gaylord. In 1849 Mr. Lewis died, and the
Lewis Lock Company was formed to carry on the business. In
the meantime William McKee & Co. had embarked in the lock
business at Terryville, and sold out in 1846 to James Terry and
Wm. McKee under the name of James Terry & Co. In 18^4 the
two companies were united under the name of the Eagle Lock
Company, with a capital stock of $85,000, which has from time
to time been increased from the surplus until it reached $37^,ooo.
This company under the management of James Terrv, its first
president, became eminently successful, and from that time to
the present has been one of the most successful of Connecticut's
industries, reflecting credit upon its management, yielding hand-
some returns to its stockholders, and being- the mainstay larg-elv
of the pecuniary interests of the village.
About 1847, Andrew Terry, second son of Eli Terry, 2d,
built the foundry near the depot in Terryville for the manufacture
of malleable iron castings, continuing in business alone until
1S60, when he associated O. D. Hunter and the late R. D. H.
Allen with himself, and formed a joint stock company with a
capital of $16,000, under the name of Andrew Terry & Co.
Mr. Terrv enlisted in the armv in 1861, leaving the manasrement
of the business to his associates, and ten years later he sold out
his interests in the concern and went to Kansas. Mr. N. Taylor
Baldwin and Mr. J. W. Clark were admitted to the company,
Mr. Baldwin retaining his connection with the business until his
death, and Messrs. Hunter and Clark still remaining in the
active management of the concern. This company has always
been characterized by a conservative yet energetic management
and has proved very successful as a business enterprise.
In 1863 Eli Terry, the youngest son of Eli Terry, 2d, manu-
factured clock springs in the shop near the bridge, built by
S. B. Terry, and shortly after, the Inventors' Mfg. Co. managed
by A. C. Felton of Boston, with S. W. Valentine resident agent,
bought the factory for the manufacture of shears. The company
was not successful, and in a short time was wound up. Since
that time the property has been owned by William Wood and
used as a shear factory.
About 1865 the Eagle Bit & Buckle Co. was formed for the
manufacture of harness trimmings and conducted the business in
the shop below^ the depot originally built for the clock business.
The U. S. Government soon after this time threw upon the
market an immense amount of harness material at such prices as
destroyed the market and the company went out of business.
A chair shop stood at one time on the east side of the stream
near the old upper lock shop. The dam was some fifty feet
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
'49
south of the present one and the building was used later for a
blacking shop by lock makers.
Ralph Fenn made chairs, spinning wheels antl reels in the
building above alluded to, and many of these articles are in
existence to-day branded ' R. F.' About 1S50 a hammer shop
existed at Allentown where they made cast iron hammers.
Timothv Atwater was interested in the business. The build-
ine was later destroyed h\ fire. Nails in those days were made
bv hand, and sold by count. Jason C. Fenn has on exhibition
at this celebration, the hammer used by Randall Matthews, one
of the old nail makers.
The house in which Cyrus F. Gaylord now lives was built
by his grandlather Cyrus in 1795. He also erected a building
close by the house for spinning and weaving wool, also another
building for carding, fulling and dressing cloth, which business
was afterward conducted by Sextus and Joseph Gaylord.
Wool used to be brought from a long distance to be treated
at this mill. The fulling process consisted of taking the cloth
after being woven by the women and beating it in water for two
or three days by machinery ; it was then hung in the sun to dry
and shrink, thus making it tightly woven, then it was colored an
indigo blue or black, after wdiich a nap was raised upon the cloth
bv the use of teasels, the nap then being sheared smothly off by
machinery and the cloth was subjected to a heavy pressure leav-
ing; it smooth and finished.
Cyrus P. Gaylord will exhibit at Terryville to-morrow the
cannon ball used bv his grandfather for giinding the indigo, also
the shearing machine and press irons.
The elder Cyrus Gavlord aV)oye alluded to, at one time also
did carding in a building near the dam now standing on the
same stream a short distance from his house, Josiah Kimberly
at the same time using a part of the building for a tannery.
Somewhat later Mr. Kimberly had a tannery on the same
stream between the grist mill and Stephen Blake's. This tan-
nery was afterwards conducted by Eber Kimberly.
Horace Munson between 1S40 and 1S50 had a sash and
blind factory on what is now known as the Stephen Blake
property.
Luman Preston, fother of Junius Preston, now living, in
1S15 built a carding machine and ran a carding mill on the
premises afterward owned by Stephen Blake, He subsequently
sold out the business to Chauncey Barnes. In 1S18 Mr. Preston
built a grist mill, a little north of the carding mill, which grist
mill has been in operation ever since, now being owned by
Mr. Christian INIichael.
Mrs. Junius Preston relates that she remembers Mr. Preston
wearing a queue which he dressed WMth a ribbon on Sundays,
and which always amused the young people who sat behind him
in church. He\vas Initiated into Aurora Lodge of Masonry at
Harwinton in 181 1 and was exalted to the degree of Royal Arch
Mason in 18 16.
Between sixty and seventy years ago Willis Hinman built a
150 HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.
shop by the old marsh to manufacture clock cases. He subse-
quently sold out the business to Burton Payne who conducted it
for some time, he adding wagon building to the industry for a
little while. Some 3'ears later William Yale & Sons manufac-
tured toy wheelbarrows at the same plant for a time.
About 1 8 10 Gains Fenn, uncle of Jason C. Fenn, took out
a patent on block tin f;\ucets, and they were manufactured in a
two story buildins: on Town Hill which stood about fifty feet
south of Mr. Fenn's present residence The business was after-
wards moved to New Haven and thence to New York where a
thriving business was carried on down to 1S57. 'l'^^ same faucet
practically is now manufactured by Landers, Frary & Clark, of
New Britain, under the trade mark of 'Fenn.' Pewter tumblers
were also made at one time on Town Hill, as well as round
picture and looking glass frames and cantllesticks. It is also
reported that there was once a peach vat in this same section
\vhere men with boots, made for that purpose, used to tread the
juice out of the peaches for peach brandy.
Joel Griggs in the early part of the '20's manufactured carts
and plows in a building about ten rods east of the residence of
Oliver Smith, on the opposite side of the street. He conducted
this business until about rS^2.
Theophilus M. vSmith, father of Oliver and Miles Smith,
came from Milford about 1805. He livqd in the house once
standing- between Oliver Smith's late residence and [ohn Burr's.
The chimney is still standing there. He had a shoe shop in the
rear, the old stone chimney of which is also now standing. He
began the tanning business about 1820, twenty rods southwest of
John Burr's house, continuing the business until about 1S35,
when he was succeeded b}' Miles Smith who continued it until
'^S7- . . . ,
A hat shop foi-merly owned by Ozias Goodwin in about
1800 stood on the premises where the ice house now stands near
the entrance to Shelton & Tuttle's carriage premises. This shop
is mentioned in the siu^vey of the east middle turnpike from
Poland Bridge to Woodbury line which was made about 1804.
Henry C. Smith, somewhere in the '20's, began the clock busi-
ness in a slTop in the rear of what is now the A. C. Shelton resi-
dence. He failed in business about 1837. William A. Smith,
brother of Henry, carried on the harness business in a building
that once stood on the site of the present town building. His
shop was after^var(ls moved to the rear of the present store of
Beach & Blackmer.
Zalmon and Samuel Coley were the first carriage makers in
town. Their shop stood in the yard east of Byron Tuttle's pres-
ent residence. The shop was afterwards moved and part of it is
now owned by Enos Blakeslee. The main shop now owned b)^
Enos Blakeslee was built by Coley, Bradley & Co., about 1836.
The partners were Zalmon Coley, Lucius Bradley, Joel Blakes-
lee and Hart Fenn ; the latter being the father of Wallace B.
Fenn and Mr. Wardwell's first wife. Coley, Bradley & Co.
failed about 1S40. They built most of their work for the southern
CENTBNNIAL CELEBRATION.
^51
market and had a repository at Tuscaloosa, Ala. L. F. Comstock
and James Bishop succeeded Coley, Bradley & Co. about 1S50
and tailed in 1861 or 1862. Blakeslee & Boland carried on the
business for two or three years, Boland then selling out to
Blakeslee.
Augustus C. Shelton commenced carriage making in the
building in W. II. Tuttle's present yard about 1S37, building
and enlarging from time to time The shop now standing was
built about 1844. The large shop was taken down and moved
in 1852. Blacksmith shop and engine room burned down in
1858, were rebuilt and burned again in 1894. Byron Tuttle
entered the employ of JSIr. Shelton August 26, 1847, *^'' $^3 P^'"
month and board. The next three years he worked for $1.00
per day and board January i, 1855, he was taken into partner-
ship with one-half interest. Their trade originally was with the
southern market. From 1854 to i860 every caniage was sold
through their house at Chicago. Their western business proved
a great success owing to large advance in price of their
goods.
In 1S64 they built a repositoiy on Madison street, Chicago,
which they occupied until April i, 1870, when the business
declining the building was disposed of and the partnership so
far as the manufacturing was concerned was dissolved. From
that time forward Mr. Shelton carried on the business in a limited
way until his death in 18S0.
David Shelton started a carriage business about 1850 in a
shop recently occupied bv William H. Tuttle. He moved to
New Haven in 1874. Joel Blakeslee & Son began a carriage
business in the brick shop now standing about 18^6 or there-
-abouts, continuing until about i86v
The father-in-law of Elizur Fenn, together with Freeman
Cook and VV}llys i\twater, made the brick for the Andrew Terry
& Co.'s Iron Foundry. Their yard was about a mile north
from Terryville. A small shop used to stand opposite the
Niagara shop, the water being carried across the street. Heman
Clark made clocks there.
Stephen Talmadge, brother of Amzi, at one time owned the
place opposite Geo. E. Shelton's, where William R. White lives,
and had a hat shop there. He afterwards carried on the same
business in a shop which stood between the present Episcopal
parsonage and Mrs. Fierpont's house. This shop was after-
wards moved to the place where Mrs. James Smith lives and
now forms part of the house. He subsequently moved his hat
business to the premises where Frank Blakeslee now lives and
died there. Captain Dai row at one time made coffins on the
premises just west of Abel Beardsley's. Walker Plumb had a
cabinet shop in the building where for years Mrs. Huldah Warner
carried on the millinerv business. My earliest recollection of
that corner repaints the vivid colois of Aunt Huldah's millinery
store, with its front windows illumined with the gaily decorated
hats and bonnets which she trimmed in the most aesthetic style.
Col. Theophilus M. Smith at one time carried on tanning and
152 HISTORY OF PLVMOUTil.
currving south of tlie turnpike on Hancock Brook, about half a
mile east from Flsmouth Center.
Somewhere in the '40's James Warner, 2d, and his son,
William B., built the red shop half way between the center and
Thomaston where they carried on for years the business of sash
and blind making. I think he was succeeded by Edward Parker,
who conducted a number of enterprises there in a small way,
such as making vises, button hole scissors, garden rakes, etc.
In 1875 Augustus E. Blakeslee and Eugene Grant carried on the
shear business there.
Jude Blakeslee, the great-grandtather of Bela B. Satterlee,
as earlv as 1772 conducted a taimerv in Plymouth Hollow in the
old building, part of which is still standing at the fork of the
roads leading to Waterburv and Litchfield. His son Bela
Blakeslee afterwards conducted the same business there. A tan-
nery at one time existed at the brow of Castle Hill opposite the
Cornelius Stoughton place, J. C. Usher was the proprietor.
One Melcher formerly had a shop standing between John Chase's
and C. Beardsley's residences where he made clocks. A cider
mill also once stood in the same vicinitv.
Nathan Tolles, who recently died at New Britain, had a
shop at the John Taylor place near Dan Carter's where he made
parts of clocks. He sold out to William Hoadley, brother of
Silas Hoadley, who conducted the same business until about
1836, when the property was sold to Heman Welton, who made
furniture knobs and bungs for oyster kegs, the latter occupation
giving the name of Bungtown to that settlement.
Jacob N. Blakeslee had a flax mill near Morris Humiston's
present farm about 1828, and also had a small linseed oil mill.
A little later he removed his mill to a spot about twenty rods
below James Roberts' residence where he could get more power.
Thomas Fenn later had a shingle mill at the same location, In
the winter of 183S, Russell Reynolds, father of Henry F., built
a lime kiln near Jericho Bridge on the west side of the river.
In 1S27 or 1828 Bela B. Blakeslee carried on brick making
in Plymouth Hollow. He was succeeded by Eli Barnes, and he
in turn by his brother Selden Barnes. The property afterwards
was purchased by Edson Thomas, who conducted the business
for a number of years.
John Wiard, now living in Plainville, built the 'Stucco'
House on road leading to VVolcott, and also built a shop where
he manufactured sash and blinds. South of this place was
another water power where in the '40's John and Punderson
Mansfield carried on business in wood-work of some kind.
A \lr. Gibbs was afterwards taken into the firm. They were
succeeded by Wikon G. Bradley, who made well curbs and
buckets and did general jobbing in wood work.
About 1840 Israel B. and Andrew E. Woodward started a
tannery at Plymouth Hollow near the covered bridge. They
carried on a prosperous business for forty or more years.
On the stream which now serves as the outlet for the Thom-
aston reservoir, Riley Ives at one time made parts of toys which
CENTEX VIAL CELEBRATION.
'53-
he shipped to Bridgeport for sale. Further down the same
stream Ransom Santord about 1S40 had a small shop where he
turned brass pinions and barrels for Seth Thomas clock move-
ments and made clock keys also. Still further down the same
stream he built a grist mill in 1845, which he ran till 1S77.
During part of this time he made clock verges for Samuel San-
ford in the same building.
In 1S32 or '33 Maivin and Edward Blakeslee built the fac-
tory at Heathenville for a clock factory. Jerome Woodruff*
afterwards made pianos there for a time, and the organ now in
St. Petei's church was built there bv a man named McCullom.
Thus showing that a heathen county may be made instrumental
in praising the Loid. Dr. Carrington and George Lamb after-
wards made spools and thread in the same factory, and spooled
thread there for a short time, when they moved to Waterburv.
Charles Johnson, 1); other of Horace Johnson, late of Waterburv,
the portrait painter, made machinery there somewhat later.
Nelson Bradley made clock verges there for about one year.
In the early part of the century William Pierpont, uncle of
Rev. John Pierpont, the poet, and father of Mrs. Huldah Warner,
ran a mill for making cloth, on road to Noithfield. Somewhere
in the '20's Meigs Allen put in the first power loom in this part
oi" the country on road to Northfield near present residence of
Caleb Humiston. He ran it as a cloth mill for some years.
xV little north of this, William Huntington, father of C. P. Hunt-
ington, ran a carding mill and dressed cloth in fore part of the
'30's, afterwards Gilbei t Fox and Dan Catlin manufactured rivets,
the first concern of its kind in the country, and did quite a large
business. Edward Guernsey and Dan Catlin afterwards manu-
factured tobacco in a part of the same building. Van Housen
ran a shingle mill about the same time on the site of Caleb
Humiston's saw^ inill. From 1S3S for a few years Z. Whitlock
& Son ran a hoe and pitchfork factory in the same vicinity.
Benjamin Smith built the shop and dam now owned by
T. J. Bradstreet on the road to Northfield, and at present
operated as a saw mill, about 1S30, and made plows. He also
made several kinds of iron castings. The frames for the doors
in cemetery vault at Plymouth -were cast there. He was
succeeded by G. Nelson Bradley, who made clock verges and
other parts of the movements for two or three years. William
Warner afterwards made sash and blinds there. Warner was
succeeded by Samuel Sanford who made clock trimming-s for
about fifteen years. T. J. Bradstreet has owned the property
for several vears using it as a grist and saw mill.
Anson Beecher, father of L. Wheeler Beecher, now living
at Westville, Conn., lived and owned a mill property on the
main load to Litchfield, and near the Litchfield line. Seventy
years or more ago he braided the first straw hat made in this
country and taught several women how to make straw hats.
He also invented some machinerv for making hats, but did not
follow hat making as a business. His main business was makinof
lumber, lath and shingles, until sometime between 1840 and
154 HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.
iS^o, when he sold his mill and bought another factory property
•on the same stream of water but a little nearer Plymouth Hollow.
The present dam for the reservoir supplying Waterbury with
water is but a few rods down the stream from where this factory
stood and the water now covers the old site many feet deep. At
this factory in 1850, Anson Beecher, in connection with his son
Ebenezer B. Beecher, invented and began building match mak-
ing machinery, and in 1S53 commenced the manufacture of
matches. A few years later this business was removed to West-
ville in the town of New Haven. From that time the match
business has been rapidly extended, and the firm of A. Beecher
& Sons merged with other concerns and now called the Diamond
Match Co., has its factories all over the United States, and are
now building in England. This company has a capital of eleven
millions of dollars. Anson Beecher died April 7, 1876, in the
seventy- first year of his age, at Westville. The machines now
used by the Diamond Company are mainly the inventions from
time to time of Anson Beecher and A. Beecher & Sons. A letter
from L. WHieeler Beecher conveying the above information to
me concludes with the statement ' that I will discover that one
industry started so long ago in old Plymouth has not yet died
out.'
Robert and Henry Hotchkiss made clock cases for Plenry
Smith in a shop about one-half the distance between the house
of James Roberts and his present mill. They suspended work
about 1S46.
Where James Roberts now lives on the Branch Stream,
Dennis Smith about the same time carried on the wool carding
busines.s and cloth dressing. The Litchfield turnpike was not
then open, and people had to pass over the hill in a line about
due north from the present dwelling of Edward Morse. The
work performed in those davs bv the carding mill was to card
the wool and make it into rolls. The farmer then took the rolls
home and the good housewife made it into cloth, which was taken
"back to the mill to be sheared and pressed and dyed. At that
time calico, all of which was imported, cost about thirty cents a
yaid, making it too expensive for use, and linen and wool con-
stituted the almost exclusive material for garments for all mem-
bers of the family-
About a half a mile below the mill of Dennis Smith, George
Blakeslee built a saw mill, where Joseph Newell's mill now
-stands. Ransom Sutlifte afterwards owned the mill, and he was
in turn succeeded bv Miles Morse & Bros. About 1833, George
Jones and Garrett S. Blakeslee built a wagon factory at the site
where the American Knife Co.'s works were afterward located.
Thev manufactured the most expensive carriages of the day for
the southern market. Other parties were afterward taken into
the firm and in a few vears the company failed. In 1S41 Mr.
Miles Morse besfan the manufacture of brass clocks at the same
location, having as a partner Jeremiah Blakeslee. This busmess
continued until 1S49, when the factory was sold to the American
Knife Co. for the manufacture of pocket cutlery. In 1S50 Mr.
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 155
JVIoise and Gen. Thomas A. Davis of New York City, built
another clock factory on the West Branch of the Naugatuck and
continued the clock business until they were burned out in Jan-
uary, 1855.
Mr. Morse and Mr. George B. Pierpont conducted for many
3fears the Pocket Cutlery business in the factory already alluded
to, imder the name of the American Knife Co., Mr. Pierpont
retaining^ an active interest in its management until the close of
his life. This plant is still used for making pocket cutlery, hav-
ing passed through various hands into the ownership of Frank
Catlin of Northfield.
Watertown, formerly Westbury, had in the early part of the
century but little water power, and consequently manufacturing
did not form so important a feature as in the other parts of the
town. At one time a large and flourishing grist and saw mill
was owned and managed by fames Merwin on the site now
occupied by A. N. Woolson. This property at one time was
owned by Jeremiah Peck, who subsequent! v moved to North-
field. He purchased the property October 24, 1S36, of Friend
Davis and sold the same to tlie Watertown Manufacturing Co.,
April, 1S50, and they afterwards conveyed it to Everett &
Davis, who manufactured umbrella trimmings and mouse
traps. After some \ears the propeity was sold to A. N.
Woolson, who has since conducted the same business with
good success. .Some thirtv rods below this site, about eighty
years ago, I'imotln' Steele formed a partnership v\ilh one
vSedgewick to carrv on the wool carding business, which busi-
ness lasted but a short time. Some years later the Watertown
Silk Co. began business upon the same location and was imsuc-
cessful, and the buildings were destroyed by lightning.
At the foot of the hill on the road leading to Thomaston,
Daniel Woodward built a tannerv which was soon sold to the
Watertown Leather Co., who manufactured, for a short time,
gloves and mittens. At the present time the plant is used by
Arthur Fox as a wood turning factorv. Fortv rods below this
site General M. Hemingway established the M. Plemingway &
Sons Silk Co., to manufacture sewing silk, which subsequently
grew into a large and prosperous business. A few years ago
Buel Hemingwav, one of the General's sons, organized a com-
pany known as Hemingwav & Bartlett, for the manufacture of
sewing silk, and built a large factorv near the railroad station.
Tliese two factories at the present time form the principal manu-
facturing industrv of that town and are doing a large business.
About half a mile below the silk mills Leverett Candee &
Son some twentv-five years ago built a wool carding mill.
Afterwards this site was purchased by the Wheeler & Wilson
Sewing Maciiine Co., who began the making of sewing machines,
but the need of additional power and room and reduction in
freights induced the company to abandon the business and move
to Bridgeport.
About 1S25 James Bishop and L. B. Bradley established
and conducted for a few years the business of making wood
156 HISTORY OF PIAMOUTH.
clocks. They employed for a time quite a number of operatives.
Their capital was small however, and the entire property with
the machinery and tools having been destroyed by fire, after
running for a few years the business terminated. During their
stay in VVatertown Jacksonianism flourished and they arranged
the first political banquet ever held in the town. No ladies were
invited and it is reported that the patriots had a ' rip roaring
time.' The only other industry which I will mention in this
part of ancient Plymouth was a hat shop which was built in the
early part of the century by Alanson Warren on the site now
occupied by William Wood as a residence. He did a good
business for some years.
The foregoing, ladies and gentlemen, covers in a rambling
and hurried manner the manufacturing interests of our town
from its inception to the present time as far as I have been able
to gather. Many mistakes will doubtless be found to exist, both
as regards location and dates, and probably many industries have
been overlooked. I fear, however, that I have already wearied
you by too lengthy an address upon a subject naturallv some-
what dry and possibly to many of you uninteresting.
I think we can as citizens of this honored town find much
cause for gratification in the thought that our ancestry, who
occupied these hills and valleys, were men and women of indus-
trious and enterprising traits ol character, who made the most of
their resources and left to their descendants the heritag^e of an
honorable and useful life."
Mr. Pond — After listening to this able address by Judge
Bradstreet, if there is a full-blooded, native born citizen of this
town that does not feel proud of his native towMi clear down to
the bottom of his heart, I am sorry for him. Why, it appears
that we have manufactured nearly everything under Heaven
from straw hats to bungs, and what in the world shall we do in
the next hundred years.? We are only a hundred years old and
all that to our credit. I notice that we have with us in the
audience a gentleman who represents the town from which Ply-
mouth was set oft' — Watertown — and we should verv much like
to hear what he has to sav of this town of Plymouth. I will call
upon Henry T. Dayton of Watertown, to give us a few remarks.
Henry T. Dayton — (Mr. Davton on stepping to the platform
first took a drink, which created some amusement in the
audience). He said : "We came dry and have grown dryer.
Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen : There is only one reason
that I know of to-night for my appearing before vou, and that is
that the town of Watertown mav be represented here. I do not
know that there is any one else here from Watertown. If there
is I wish he would rise and I will immediately take my seat. Is
there one here.? I come before vou very proud because I can
call you children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and I pre-
sume great-great-grandchildren, and as I look over this sea of
faces may I not be proud to think that they are our children,
although your mother was young, younger than you would like
to have your daughter married and sent away from home. I am
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 157
sure as we have heard the address that lias been delivered here
and see what this town has done, we cannot find much fault.
1 was struck with the remarks of our worthy chairman.
I wondered what the rest of the world has created if the town of
Plvmouth in one hundred years had manufactured all these
articles, and I presume the half of them have not been told. It
is a mistake that 1 am before } ou. The chairman of the com-
mittee of three who were asked to do a little something in the
line of reviewing here has been called away, and a day or two
ago I received a line from one of the committee, asking if we
would have some one there to speak. We have been gathering
curiosities for the exhibition. 1 said I would go and 1 am here
as one of those antique things that has grown up from the past.
We are welcomed to-night to participate in Plymouth's cen-
tennial, and your cordial words of greeting help to paint for us a
picture on the distant horizon. We behold a fifteen-year-old
mother parting from her infant child, mingling tears of sorrow
with tears of jov — of sorrow because ot the separation, and of
jov because of the child's bright prospect in its new home. The
daughter s name while under the paiental roof was Northbury,
but when removal was deemed advisable, that name was changed
to Plymouth, a name so suggestive of the landing of the Pilgrims
and of their early struggles and successes on New England's
rock-bound shore. And now we rejoice that our daughter has
reached the mature age of one hundred years and that she wears
her hoary hairs as a crown of glory.
What, then, are we doing to-day.'' Mother Watertown is
paying a visit to her first-born child on her hundredth birthday.
The aged mother has driven up this steep ascent with the north-
east wind in her face, in order to share in this joyous celebration,
and to shout with all the rest, from far and near ; ' We heartily
wish you many happy returns of the da}.' The mother is glad
to know that her daughter has done well in life, is now in thrifty
circumstances and has healthful and beautiful surroundings.
A whole century has passed away I During that long
period, how numerous and important have been the changes!
rheii the iron horse had not invaded the foot of this hill ; then
electricity had neither shed light on our way, nor brought us
messages from absent friends ; tJien many of the ordinary com-
forts which we now enjov in our homes, were undiscovered.
It has certainlv been a century of wonderful progress; and the
upward march is still being continued, for we observe the
motto, ' Excelsior I ' waving in the breeze and inviting to new
endeavor and ever-increasing prosperity.
A former pastor of this church, the Rev. E. B. Hillard,
said, some time before his death, ' The town of Plymouth was
incorporated in 1795, Northbury society having first, with West-
bury societv, become incorporated in the town of Wotertown.
The ecclesiastical societies in each instance took the initial steps,
so that the town was in eacli case an evolution from the society.'
Therefore, as it was the religious soeiety that made the first
move, it is eminently appropriate that we meet this evening in a
I5S HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.
house of Divine worship, and it affovcls us pleasure that the
religious life, as well as the civil, still exists and flourishes, and
that the town authorities still desire to go onward hand in hand
with the spiritual leaders in their endeavor to maintain that
righteousness which exalteth a town, a state or a nation."
Mr. Pond — I am sure we are very grateful to Mr. Dayton
for his remarks. We will mark him "Exhibit A," and place
him on exhibition in town hall in Terry ville to-morrow with the
other relics, at his request. Is there any one here from Water-
bury ; will you say a word for Waterbury .'' If there is we should
be very glad to hear from him. There are many here from
Thomaston. Here is a whole seat full, and others are all
scattered about. We should be glad to hear from Thomaston.
I will call no names. Please volunteer.
F. W. Etheridge — "Mr. Chairman, residents of Plymouth
and friends: I suppose I stand here as ' Exhibit B,' represent-
ing what has been called the baby town. I suppose that refers
to that child that has so far outgrown its parent that it is now
wearing the cut-over clothing. In behalf of the people of Thom-
aston and the committee which I have the honor to represent, I
desire to thank you for the most cordial, kindly greeting and
welcome which vou have extended to us on this memoral:)le
occasion. As citizens of the town of Thomaston it aftbrds us a
large degree of pleasure to realize that we are kindred of the old
town of Plymouth, which is just entering upon its second century
of independent town government, after a career of prosperity of
which its citizens may well feel proud.
We are glad to be present at this celebration and review
with you the many interesting, and to many of the younger por-
tion of the community, surprising events of more or less promi-
nence which have occurred within your territory since your
incorporation as a town. In the history of many nations of the
old world one hundred years is but a brief interval, but with us,
w^hen we realize that only a little over four hundred years ago
Columbus fit st set foot upon American soil, and that our Pilgrmi
Fathers — -those hardy pioneers who loved liberty better than life
and who encountered every hardship and danger that they might
enjoy religious freedom — first landed on the shores of New
England in 1620, only 375 years ago, and that every improve-
ment wrought by the hand or ingenuity of man in this great
continent has been made since that time ; when we see these
elegant structures, monuments of modern architectural skill,
which adorn our cities and towns ; when we listen to the busy
hum of thousands of looms, manufacturing cotton and w^oolen
fabric formerly made by the tireless housewife in ye olden times ;
when we see our great cities teeming with people, ranking with
the first cities of the world ; the broad farms of the great West,
capable, under the manipulation of modern machinery, of furn-
ishing food for nations, and the thousands of astonishing inven-
tions and discoveries of recent years, all the work of less than
three hundred years — one hundred years of that time looks quite
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
1 59'
dirterent to us, and we wonder how^ it has been possible to
accomplish so much in so short a time.
These changes, Mr. Chairman, have been wrought by just
such men of integrity, industry, ability and perseverance as past
history reveals to have been residents of this town, and their
descendants are to-day scattered throughout this vast country,
many of them a credit and honor to their Plymouth ancestry,
and they are equally with you proud of the old town which gave
them or their forefathers birth.
We congratulate you to-night on the rounding out and com-
pletion of the century, the first hundred years ol an honorable
record. We have a feeling of satisfaction as we meet with you
heie that we are welcome, that our coming is a home coming,,
though we left the sheltering roof of the old homestead twenty
vears ago against the wishes and earnest protests of the mother
town, yet the people of Thomaston to-day still feel a deep
interest in everything that pertains to the prosperity and welfare
of Plvmouth. As the youngest of the familv, heir apparent to
Plvmouth, Watertown and a large slice of Waterbury ; as the
nearest in point of location and the most closely identified with
the business interests of this section of the town at least, we feel
entitled to close and friendly relations with the mother town.
We are glad that our family relations are so pleasant that
Waterbury, our great-grandmother on her mother's side, is so
well satisfied to expend such large sums of monev to secure a
water supply within our territory. We are equally glad that our
reservoir is located in the town of Plvmouth, though we earnestly
wish it provided us better water in summer. We are thankful
to Plymouth for the protection aflbrded ; we regret that the
drinking supply brought over from Thomaston to Plymouth is
not more satisfactory. This (pointing to the glass) was not
from Thomaston, or our friend from Watertown would not have
tasted it so quicklv. We can not account for this unsatisfactory
thing except on the ground, Mr. Chairman, that it is unnatural
for liquids to flow up hill, and to get up here it must come up
considerable of a hill, and often, we notice, with considerable
difficulty.
Rich in historical interest and a pioneer in a number of
manufacturing enterprises, which through years of persistent
industry and ingenuity now furnish emplovment to skillful
mechanics in manv thriving towns, Plymouth has ever done her
share in the advancement and prosperitv of the country.
Though having reached an advanced age, as reckoned in the
annals of mankind, Plymouth is yet young, and in the possi-
bilities of the future capable of attaining a yet grander record in
the vears to come, and while we extend to you our congratula-
tions on the past, we earnestlv hope that you may attain great
honors and prosperitv for the future.
May the celebration of this anniversarv, revealing so much
that is new to the rising generation, furnish an additional impetus
and materiallv assist in the onward progress of this community.
Allow me, Mr. Chairman, to again thank you for the most
l6o HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.
cordial welcome which you have extended to the people of our
town."
Mr. Pond — I am quite siu'e that this audience extends its
thanks to Mr. Etheridge lor the kind words which he has
offered to-night. VVe have several letters of regret, one of which
must be read, whether the others are or not, and I will read it
with your permission now, as I know it will be of interest.
WiNSTED, Conn , May 6ili, 1S95.
Hun. Byrun Tutti.e, Chairman, Plymouth Centennial Committee, I'lymouth,
Conn.
J/v Dc-ar Sir: — A relative, who was an invalid and with whom I was
brouglit in frequent contact, when a boy, used to say, in answer to incjuiries as to
his condition, that he enjoyed very poor health. Unfortunately, such is not my
state, for it is impossible, in this free country, for me to enjoy that which puts me
under the domination of those despots, beneficent though they be, called physi-
cians and which deprives me of the long anticipated pleasure of being present at
the opening ceremonies in Plymouth church of the centennial of our beloved
town. As such howevei is the case, can you spare me a minute for a word of
kindly greeting to my fellow townsmen, neighbors and friends, assembled to night
in a place to which 1 am attached by so many cherished memories and associations.
A residence of a score of years elsewhere has in no degree weakened but
rather increased my love for the town where 1 was born, where a quarter century
of my life was passed, where most of my living relatives reside and where rest the
ashes of my parents and kin.
The six years, in which I was permitted to look out of my office window, on
this church and on Plymouth green with its monument tu the memory of its chil-
dren who died in the defense of their country, will ever seem like an oasis in the
desert, a green spot in the dry and arid journey of life. The past few weeks of
enforced idleness, from other things, have left my mind free to wander amid the
scenes of the past, and it has done so constantly. As a result, I beg to bring you,
to night, the greeting and tribute of a grateful child to a beloved mother. The
century that is passed has brought results, the contemplation of which should fill
our hearts with thankfulness. May God grant to this town a future worthy of
that past, and may his richest l)lessing rest ujion you all.
Very truly yours,
AUGUSTUS II. FENN.
Mr. Pond — We will make this a sort of old-fashioned Meth-
odist love feast. There are manv here to-night who have
returned for this occasion and whom we should like to hear for
just a few moments, perhaps ten minutes, and we wish to give
them an opportunity. We want to hear them and we rather
think they want to sav something, too. At any rate, I am going
to give you this invitation. Among those who are present I
notice General Erastus Blakeslee, a native of Plvmouth, and I am
sure we should all be glad to hear a few words from him. Will
he kindly respond.'
General Blakeslee — "Mv dear friends — for I feel just that way
toward everv one here in this old home place of Plvmotith. It is
^vith somethingr of the feeling which the ancient Tews had when
they went up to Jerusalem to the feasts, that I have come up
here from Boston to this feast to-night.
I am very glad indeed for the historv of the manufacturing
interests of this town which has been made to us this evening.
I shall be verv glad to-morrow to listen to a history of the other
leatures of this town's life, which we all ought to listen to.
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. l6l
I remember when I was a boy, perhaps ten or twelve years old,
going to a two days' celebration in the town of Litchfield — I think
it was the centennial celebration of the organization of Litchfield
County. I remember nothing that was said there, almost nothing
that was done, but I do remember a great impression that was
made on my mind. It was this, that there was no such county
on the face of the earth as the county of Litchfield, and that has
never been rubbed out. Now, I wish that this celebration of the
centennial anniversary of the founding of the town of Plymouth
might make such an impression as that on all these boys and
young people who are here to-night, and I wish it for several
reasons. I wish it because I want to cultivate in them love of
country, true patriotism ; the feeling that we have here in this
country something to be conserved, something to be preserved,
something to be fought for if need be, and it is only as we take
now and then a look backward, as we look over the history
which our fathers have made for us and see what a precious
heritage they have handed down to us, how they have loved and
labored and toiled in the past, that they might hand over to us
tiie things which we now enjoy — that we have deeply impressed
upon us the value of these things and the dignity which we have
come to in having them handed down to us.
I am very thankful for a great many things here to-night.
I am thankful that my great-great-great-grandfather. Deacon
Moses Blakeslee, came to the town of Plymouth and located in
1734. He was the patriarch of the Blakeslee tribe in Plymouth,
and it has been a pretty respectable tribe among the tribes of this
town. I have looked up the history of the family somewhat and
find they were all men of industry, of honor, of honesty, of
uprightness; they were good neighbors; they were members of
the church ; they did their part in life well and truly, and I am
thankful for them. I am thankful most of all for my father, Joel
Blakeslee, whom you all or nearly all of you I know remember,
and wliom one beautiful winter's evening, under the glowing
light of the setting sun, we buried over on the hillside yonder;
a man of such kindness and gentleness of spirit, such Christian
character, such sweetness of disposition, such activity in every
good word and deed that his memorv is blessed — all who ever
knew him rise up and call him blessed.
I am thankful for my mother, the dear woman, suffering so
much in these days of her loneliness and sorrow, and waiting
for the day of her translation. I am thankful for this church in
which we meet. I remember how I stood nearer the pulpit than
I am now, in front of the communion table, one Sunday after-
noon, a boy in my teens, and confessed Christ as my vSaviour.
I remember how I sat back two-thirds of the way that very
vSunday, in that part of the house just yonder, and for the first
time partook of the sacrament. I remember the first Sunday
School class that I attended, sitting I'ust about here in the front
pew on that side, and I remember who my teacher was — a good
woman whose memory is blessed.
I am thankful, too, that I lived during the last half and a
1 63 lUSTORV OF PLYMOUTH.
little more of the century which we are celebrating to-night.
Of course we want all that we can get of the glory of tliis
century's achievements, so 1 am going to claim about fifty-six
years of it, and I am thankful that I have lived in those fifty-six
years, the fifty-six greatest years that the history of the world
ever saw, the fifty-six years in which has been fought out the
great battle for liberty in this country, the fifty-six years in
which the greatest progress in business, in enlargement of all
sorts, has been made. What the next fifty-six years will pro-
duce I do not know. If there is anything that I would like
better than to have lived in the last fifty years, it would be to
live in the next fifty years, I might as well say a hundred. The
reason why I came to-night was that I was afraid I would not
last till the next one.
If we can, through this celebration, impress it upon the minds
of the young people that their fathers have been wise, industrious,
active, patient, noble, upright, sincere, honorable, useful Chris-
tian men in all the century that is past, and they have handed
down to their descendants the precious privilege of town organi-
zation and government, of schools and business prosperity which
are in this community; the precious privilege of living in a
New England town and breathing the pure air of these hills,
they will love these things, and as the great whirlpools of the
cities in these latter days draw them away from this hilltop and
these valleys that are round about us and plant them in other
places, the}' will look back with longing to this home of their
childhood. Boys, if there is anything in the world to be glad
for, it is for a noble heritage coming down to you from the past,
and if you can only catch something of that inspiration here
to-night and to-morrow, the Lord will bless you in it.
Now, I am thankfid for the recoid which this town has
made, for one thing, in the Civil War. Perhaps it is appropriate
that I should speak of it. I remember bo} s who usetl to sit over
here on benches and seats in the school house yonder, and boys
who came from the school houses down in the valley, and from
the eastern part of the town, and as I look over the list of their
names and their deeds, I feel to rejoice in them for the things
which thev accomplished in the service of their country. It is a
noble thing to serve your coimtry, to serve it in battle if need be,
to serve it at the ballot-box, always voting for the things that are
true and pure and right ; always standing up for the right boldly,
sincerely and honestly, not for parties because they are parties,
but for the things that are pure and true and riglit, and that may
be done in peace as well as in war.
I cannot stop to mention names to-night, but from these
school houses, from these homes, from these hillsides and farm
houses and factories there went forth men to the southern fields
who in the turmoil of battle were smitten down for their country,
and with the sound of the battle still unspent went to their
rjward. Cherish their names; honorable, brave men. There
were men who were laid hold on liv the enemv and carried otl
into southern prisons, who wasted there under the southern sun,
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 163
who died under the southern sun, who came home but to die.
Noble men ! Remember them and their families with honor
always. There were those who sickened in hospitals and died,
who did not have the satisfaction of dying in the midst of battle,
but who died in the seclusion and silence and agony of the
hospital lile; noble men every one — remember them, honor
them, honor their families. And remember that these things
were done that we might have the things that we enjoy now,
that we might lay hold on the things that we consider precious
now, that we might enjoy the fruits of liberty.
' What is the use of coming together to-day,' I asked the
lady who sat next me. She said : ' There are a few good things
that last a hundred years, they ought to be celebrated.' 1 agree
with her perfectly. I think we ought to celebrate; that is true.
But we ought to celebrate this anniveisary and come here with
joy as we do to-night, not only in memory of the things that are
past, but as illustrating to us the brotherhood of man. What is
the town organization .'' It is the community, the civil govern-
ment among us. Now we ought to take, and I presume we do
take, a great deal more interest in the celebration of an anniversary
here in the town of Plymouth than we would in an anniversary
of the State of Connecticut, a great deal more than we would in
an anniversary of the United States of America. Why.^ Because
we are only parts of the great whole in that case, but in this case
we are the whole. This gathering of men which we call a town
is the foundation of our civil structure, and it is the place of
equalit}' among men, it is the place of all places in the world
where men are equal, and when thev come together in their
town meetings and vote the things they will do, every man is as
good as every other man. Every man has his rights and he is
not afraid to declare them, and the brotherhood of man, the
equality of men, the political and righteous relations between
men stand exemplified in the town government as thev can
nowhere else, so the town government is very dear to us, the
very foundation of our political institutions. Without the town
government we could not have what we now have in these
United States, so it ought to be preserved, it ought to be made
much of, we ought to rejoice in it, and that we all have our
share in it. We ought, as Paul did when he was on his way to
Rome and the brethren came out to meet him, to thank God and
take courage, and then go forward, every one, with his heart set
on this, that he will serve God and his fellow-men always,
everywhere, truly, fully, completelv ; that he will put away all
that is untruthful, all that is dishonorable : that for the sake of
God and his fellow-men and the town in which he lives, for the
sake of the parents who bore liim and the honorable ancestry
around him he will live as a noble, upright, honorable Christian
man, always and everywhere doing his part to help his fellow-
men. May such be the influence of this celebration upon us
each and every one, and those who live on to the middle of tlie
next century, or if any of you are tough enougli to live on to the
164 HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.
next centennial, won't you see if you cannot do very much along
the lines which I have mentioned?
Thanking 3'ou for your kindness and attention, and rejoicing
to be with you here to-night, I bid you all farewell."
Mr. Pond — I am well aware that the hour is late, yet there
are some others we would like to hear from. I want to ask them
if they won't confine theii remarks to not more than ten minutes
after this. There is one gentleman I am sure you would like to
hear, Rev. Moseley H. Williams of Philadelphia. I think he
was born in Plymouth, at least he was a resident here for many
years. Will Mr. Williams please favor us .''
Rev. ]\Ioseley H. Williams — No, I was not born in Ply-
mouth,but I wish I had been. I trust you will accept this confession
to-night for all that it is worth. I came here a boy of seven and
since then Plymouth has at all times been to me a very bright
spot, and so I was drawn from Philadelphia. As General
Blakeslee said, I felt I should not live until the next one In
view of the success of the present celebration you might do as
Fred Douglas said the colored people proposed to do after the
Philadelphia Centennial. They liked it so well that they pro-
posed to have them once a quarter for a while, and it is very
likely that you will do the same thing, so that we shall live to
have another centennial.
Now, God gives us some bright spots, and this is a very
bright spot in my own experience, to be here in the old place,
look in the faces of the friends, rejoice in what I had of privilege
in this goodly town, and to thank all the boys and girls — wide
awake, though it is long past nine o'clock — who will make the
history of the next half century. Boys — I was thinking of it
while you were speaking, Mr. Blakeslee — of what an old man
said to his boys. He said : ' Boys, if you grow up and do my
work you can have my place.' That is what the fathers and the
older people are always saving, ' If you grow up and do my
work you can have my place,' and the next boy that is giown up
and can do his part can now have my place ! (Stepping from
the platform.)
Mr. Pond — I will not call upon any one personally, but I
see manv here who are fully competent to talk for ten minutes,
and who could entertain this audience, I am sure, and I want to
ask them to volunteer. Thomaston is well represented, as I
said before.
(There being no response Mr. Pond resumed).
You will notice by the programme that this is not the last
of this celebration ; it is to be continued in Terryville to-morrow.
The exercises will be held in a large tent in Baldwin Park in the
forenoon, with a concert in the afternoon and an organ recital in
the church in the evening. We extend a cordial invitation to all
of you to come over to Terryville to-morrow. We shall expect
to see vou all there. We intend to have a good time. We thank
you for vour attendance here this evening, and as the hour is late
perhaps it would be not best to continue any longer.
Wednesday morning dawned with over-hanging clouds,
CENTENNIAL CELEBKATION. 165
threatening the pleasure of a long anticipated day, but though
unpleasant the larger part of the morning, very little rain fell.
At 10 o'clock a large crowd had gathered in the big tent erected
east of the school building on Baldwin Park, in Terryville, to
witness and take part in the continued celebration of Plymouth's
grand centennial. A large stage occupied a portion of the tent
room and upon this were gathered the chorus, Colt's full
orchestra and the principal speakers of the day. Seats from the
town hall occupied the remaining space and before the opening
they were filled. Standing room even was at a premium. Soon
the sides of more than a third of the tent were rolled up and the
already large audience continued to grow and multiply outside
of the space covered by the canvass. For some reason the
exercises did not commence until 10.30 at which time the
orchestra rendered Marche et Cortege " La Reine de Saba " in
their usual pleasing manner. Then prayer was said by Rev.
Chas. H. Smith, who spoke as follows:
"Eternal Father, our dwelling place, we thank thee that Thou
art the same and that Thy years have no end. The eternal
beneficence which Thou has shown unto the earth Thou art
showing unto us with the new day. Thy loving-kindness has
scattered the shadows of the night; Thou hast brought to us the
new morning light and with it the glad sunshine. We thank
Thee, O Lord our God, for Thy mercy unto us; for the leading
of Thy people through all this century of life until they gather
here to-day to rejoice in the loving kindness and tender mercy of
our God. And now we come to ask Thy blessing upon us, that
in the words that are spoken in this hour there may come such
inspiration to our hearts that we shall be built up in all that is
noble, in all that is true, in all that is pure, in all that is holy.
Bless those who shall lead us in thought; bless those who shall
lift up our souls as on angel pinions in the voice of song, and
grant that the services of this day may be for Thy glory, for our
comfort and cheer, for the instruction of the rising generation ;
that the}' mav be most of all for the honor and praise and glory
of Him who hath redeemed us with His precious blood — Jesus
Christ our Lord, in whose name we ask it. Amen."
Rev. Wm A. Gay followed with this address of welcome:
"Plvmouth is proud of her children. She is proud of them
because of what they are. She is proud of them because of
what they have done or are now doing. She is proud of them
because they have proven so faithful to the lessons learned when
they were under her sheltering wing.
Many of her boys and girls have gone out from the old home
to win honored places among their fellow-men ; and whitherso-
ever they have journeved they have carried with them fond
memories of their Alma Mater.
The luxuriant valleys, the lichen painted and rock gemmed
hills, the purling brooks and bounding rivulets, are pictures that
the sons and daughters of old Plymouth have carried with them
to their distant dwellings, and have cherished among tiieir most
priceless treasures.
1 66 HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.
And now the mother has invited her wandering cliildren
back to rejoice with her in the celebration of her first centennial.
In response to that invitation, you have come from the East and
West; from the North and South; and you are here to-day that
you may prove by your presence that you have not forgotten the
one who has done so much for you. You are here that you may
rejoice with those who still abide along the hills and in the
valleys of this old Connecticut town. You are here that you
may live over again the scenes of the happy by gone years,
w^hen, as boys and girls, you gathered the honeysuckle and the
laurel, or mastered the first lessons in arithmetic and spelling in
the old school house.
And we give you all a glad welcome. Our homes are your
homes. Our hearts and our hands are at your service. We
welcome you with the joyous centennial bells. We welcome
you with vocal and instrumental music. We welcome you with
words of cheer that come from the very depths of our souls.
Welcome home, beloved children,
In this flowery month of May;
Welcome home to her who loves you ;
Welcome, welcome home to-day :
Home; home; sweet, sweet home;
Welcome, welcome home."
Mr. Pond — The question of who should be invited to deliver
the historical address on this occasion is one which caused the
Centennial Committee but very little trouble. Although there
were many men who claim Plymouth as their native place who
were abundantly competent to perform that duty, there was one
who appeared, like .Saul, the son of Kish, to rise head and
shoulders above his fellow-men ; a Terryville boy, beginning his
education here, he has been watched with interest from that
moment until the present time. We saw him when a mere
youth, he scoiued the town to enlist men in the defense of his
country ; we saw him upon the return frotn the war with an
honorable record, with the commission of a colonel and the
empty sleeve hanging by his side. We have watched his career
in the law with interest and atiection ; we have seen him go up
and up until he has reached the highest judicial tribunal in his
native state, the bench of the Supreme Court of Errors. You
know to whom I refer. Judge Augustus H. Fenn of VVinsted.
The judge kindly accepted the invitation extended him and
began at once upon the address. As we understand, it was com-
pleted on the thirteenth or fourteenth of March, and as he
remarked at the time, every "i" was dotted and every "t"
crossed. It was folded away to be used to-day. On the next,
or the day following, to be exact, the fifteenth of March, he met
with the accident with which you are all familiar. His recovery
in the past few weeks has been very rapid, and we had hoped,
and he had expected, to be with us upon this occasion, but he has
at last yielded to the request of his pliysicians, believing that the
excitement would be too great a strain upon his ner;yous system,
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 167
but at his suggestion, which has been heartily endorsed by the
committee, a substitute has been provided, and we are very
proud to chiim the substitute also as a native of Plymouth. It
is needless for me to say further in regard to him — he can
abundantly speak for himself The next upon the programme
will be the historical address prepared by Judge Augustus H.
Fenn, and delivered by Prof. R. G. Hibbard of New Britain.
Mr. Hibbard — Mr. Chairman, ladies and gentlemen :
No one can regret more than I do the absence of Judge Fenn
to-day. We have here an admirable address, which should cer-
tainly be delivered by its originator and author. I have, how-
ever, consented to do the best I could, to act simply as a voice,
and I will proceed to read it, as the chairman has said, without
the omission of an " i " or a crossed " t."
The history of the territory which became, in 1795, the
town of Plymouth, must necessarily, in an rddress like the pres-
ent, be sketched only in the baldest outline. Especially must this
be true of that i)ortion reaching back of the event, whose centen-
nial we cjlebratc to-day.
At the outset, I desire to express my fullest acknowledge-
ment for the information which I have obtained upon the subject,
to the labors of the late Rev. E. B. Hilliard as embodied in a
series of papers printed in the Thomaston Express; in an article
on Plymouth iu the Litchfield County History, published in
iSSi, and another on the Church at Plymouth, contributed to the
volume containing the addresses delivered at the two hundredth
anniversary of the foundation of the first Congregational Church
at Waterbury — these and two manuscript addresses by Rev. J.
W. Backus, prepared and delivered in 1S76 (with which I have
kindly been furnished) are results of infinite labor and research,
and will prove invaluable material to the future historian of
Plymouth, whoever that person may be.
Although the settlement of New England began in i6.'o,
and that of Connecticut in 1635, it was not until nearly a century
later (1728) that Henry Cook, with his family, located west of
the Naugatuck River, and became the first white settlers of the
territory of our old town, in that part now Thomaston. He was
of Puritan stock; a great-grandson of Henry Cook, of Plymouth,
Massachusetts.
Two years later, John Sutlift' came from Branford, Conn.,
then Thomas Blakeslee, Isaac Castle, Barnabas Ford, Gideon
Allen, John Ilumaston, Ebenezer Richardson, John Bronson,
Samuer Towner, Ebenezer Elwell, Jonathan Foot — these and a
few others, and began to organize as an independent community.
Of course, in those days, the earliest organization was the
church and the ecclesiastical society ; the first public building, the
house of worship; a pastor, their first officer. Such was the
case here.
The early eftbrts to procure distinct religious privileges, as
stated by Rev. Mr. Hilliard, are curious and interesting, but
cannot be detailed at this time. Finally a.^'ter several attempts,
the General Assembly of the Colonv, in i 7^q, were induced to
l6S HISTORY OK PI.VMOUIH.
appoint a committee to investigate ; who reported to the Assem-
bly, that the "northerly inhabitants," as they were called, were
well able to bear the charges of a distinct society, and it was
resolved that "they be and become a distinct society or parish,
and that they shall have and be invested with all the i:)owers and
privileges wherewith other parishes within this Colony are
endowed, and shall be known and called by the Parish of North-
burv." This was the first official recognition as a distinct com-
munity of what afterwards became the town of Plymouth.
The public thought of the next few years centered in the
solution of the problem of securing a pastor, and locating and
erecting a house of worship. The first was secured in 1740, in
the person of Rev. Samuel Todd ; the last, after many disputes
between the inhabitants on tlie west side, and those on the east
side of the river, some of them living as far eastward as what is
known as " Town Hill," then a rclativelv prosperous section,
was in 1744 located at a place called the Middle stake on the
south side of the green, at the center of the town, on the high-
wav opposite the present brick building belonging to the town —
and here the first meeting house was built, and thus what is now
Plymouth Center begun. But the meeting house was long in
building. Voted, in December, i745? to be fortj-five feet long,
thirty-five feet wide, and twenty feet between joists, it was not
until September, 1747? that the frame was up, and it was voted
to clear t'.ic meeting house green, which had then been laid out,
by cutting brus.i and carting it awa}'.
In 1750, Elnathan Bronson was appointed to sweep the
house, an indication that it was then in use. But it was not
then finished, for in 1761 it was voted to lay the floor in the
galleries. la 17635 ^ committee was appointed to carry on the
work of the meeting house, and in 176S a rate was laid to defray
the charge of finishing. Thus after forty years in the wilderness,
these children of God found their first completed sjDiritual rest-
ing place and home.
JSIeantime, in 1764, the first pastorate, that of Rev. Samuel
Todd, had ended. When he came to Plymouth, he was twenty-
three 3ears old, a native of Noith Haven, a graduate of Yale,
recently married. He came here on horseback, bringing his
wife with him, doubtless on a pillion behind him, into what was
then woods and wilderness, with only bridle paths and fords to
the streams, to a small, feeble, scattered flock. His promised
home was not begun when he arrived, and he went to live on
Town Plill, where the cellar hole is still to be seen, in the lot
near where he, whom it is one of my proudest boasts to speak of
as my grandfather Elam Fenn, so long lived a beautiful and con-
secrated life.
Samuel Todd, I regard as the typical founder of this com-
munity, and brief as is my time, I cannot forbear quoting to you
his fitting tribute in the words of Rev. Mr. Hilliard. He says in
his admirable sketch of the church in Plymouth : " To no man
in its history has the community been more largely indebted.
He was the pilot under whose guidance it weathered the storm.
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 169
Coming in his young manhood mlo Ihc wiklcrness, Inmging his
young wife with him on horseback when bridle paths were the
only roads; the society that had called him wrecked at the out-
set of its history; his parishioners divided and alienated; his
church for years, destitute of a home and wandering like a way-
farer from house to house ; his support inadequate ; his salary
which had been small from the first diminished by the deprecia-
tion of the currency, and because of the straitened circum-
stances of his people, dii^icult to secure ; changing his home
repeatedly with the changing fortunes of the parish ; struggling
with discouragement, and in the later years of his ministry with
broken health, this good man labored on with patience and faith-
fulness and a spirit unembittcred by trouble, his chief solicitude
being not for himself, but for the parish in its weakness." In
speaking of his final dismissal, jNIr. Ililliard says it was from " a
pastorate which was not a f;;ilure, but a success, unsurpassed
indeed by anv that followed it. Mr. Todd did good pioneer
work, making things easier for his successors, and the records of
the parish for a century and a half is his monument." Mr. Todd
was succeeded by Rcy. Andrew Storrs, ordained in 176^, when
thirty years old, and who, after a successful ministry of twenty
years, died in oflice in I'/S^, at the age of fifty, and lies buried in
the old cemetery in Plymouth Center. He was succeeded by
Simon Waterman, settled in i7^7' '^'^'' dismissed in 1S09. Con-
cerning him, the following anecdote was related by my grand-
father, which Mr. Ililliard has preseryed. He was tall, thin,
stylish ; a master of ceremony. " He used to walk up the broad
aisle of the church, bowing and smiling on either side, the peo-
ple rising and bowing to him as he passed. Reaching the pulpit
he first turned and bowed to the bass on his right, who filled the
front gallery seat on the south side, and rose to bow in retur'i.
This parade was repeated with the treble in front, and with the
counter and tenor on the left." The dignity and courtesy of this
old time style told with benefit on character and life. Ihis was
carried to excess by the president of Yale — small in stature, but
great in dignity, who, in jDassing into the chapel bet\yecn two
files of seniors ranged outside the doer according to custom,
slipped and fell on his back in (he mud. The students were
overcome with laughter. Rising and casting a withering glance
upon them, the J'rex. burst out, '' Young gentlemen, do you not
know how awful a thing it is to laugh in the presence of God,
and much more in my presence.^"
During the pastorate of Rev. Mr. Storrs, the Revolutionary
war occurred. In this, several of the inhabitants of the parish
of Northbury had an honorable part. Deacon Camp went
through the wilderness of Maine in 1775, with Arnold to besiege
Qiiebec. Daniel Rowe was at the battle of Saratoga, and is
said to have been the first person to reach Arnold after he was
wounded. Jesse Smith was Major. There were both patriots
and tories, as they were called, in the community, and both did
their part.
I ought not to omit to say, that the Episcopal Church in
i7o
HiSTom (M' lM.^•M()U•nl.
Interior Congregalinnal Cliurcli, Pl\m(iuth.
where Centennial Services were lield
Tent on Baldwin Parl<, Terr\ville.
where Centennial Services were held.
CHNTENNIAT. CELEBRATION. I^I
Plymouth, St. Peter's, is as ancient as the Congregational. It
was organized in 1740, and the first church edifice erected in
what is now Thomaston. It had, previous to the revolution,
five rectors ; Theophilus Morris, James Lyon, Richard Mans-
field, fames Scoville and James Nichol?. After the revolution,
the society was reoi-ganized with a list of members which em-
braced the names of many of the most influential citizens of the
community. The present church edifice in Plymouth Center is
substantially of the same age as the t:wn, having been ei'ected
in 1796 and consecrated in 1797. But I am not undertaking to
give a church historv. My only purpose in alluding to the sub-
ject to-day, is to develop the secular story of the town, and it
has thus far been requisite to refer at such length, because the
Ecclesiastical Parish was the parent of the towm, and until the
latter was organized, the former was the only body whose story
could be told. Having now reached the period of such organi-
zation, that I may conclude this branch of my address, permit
me to anticipate the thread of my narrative in point of time and
to say, that the successor of Rev. Mr. Waterman, the Rev.
Luther Hart, who began his ministry of the Plymouth church in
iSio, continuing it until his death in 1S34, must have been a
man of superior ability and fitness for his work, for, more than
forty years after his death, I have heard old people who sat
under his ministry refer to him in such terms of mingled admira-
tion and veneration and love, as few men ever receive, and fewer
still are honored with when they have long been dead. He was
succeeded by Rev. Ephraim Lyman, who was pastor from 1835
to 1S51. During his ministry, in December, 1837, the Congre-
gational Church in Thomaston was founded, with thirty-seven
members. It took with it one of the deacons of the church in
Plymouth, Tertius D. Potter, born before the tow'n of Plymouth
was organized, and who died three years ago at the age of nearly
one hundred. The very next month, Januarv, 1S3S, the church
in Terryville was organized with about fifty members. Its first
pastor was Rev. Nathaniel Richardson. His pastorate lasted
two years. He was succeeded by Rev. Merrill Richardson,
twice a pastor of the church, a short pastorate of Rev. Judson
A. Root coming between, his last ministry here closed in 1S58.
Of his successors, I need not speak, for they belong to modern
times.
The General Assembly of this State in 179^ passed an act
dividing the town of Watertown, and incorporating the town of
Plymouth. The population of the new town was, I suppose,
substantially 1,200, for in 1790 the population of Watertown was
3,170, antl in 1800 the population of Watertown was 1,622, and
of Plymouth 1,121, a sharp decrease in the total in the decade.
But in iSio, the population of Plymouth had increased to 1,882;
again in 1S20, it had decreased and was 1,7=^8, while in the same
decade the population of Litchfield Countv had fallen from
4'^'375' '" 1810, to 41,267, in 1820. In 1S30, Plvmouth had
increased to 2,064; in 18^0 it was 2,568; in 1860,3,244; in
1870, notwithstanding the loss of the v.-ar, the greatest increase
172 HIS'l■()l{^■ OK PI.^•.MOu^n.
came, to 4,149, hecoming then the largest populntion of anv
town in Litclifield County. In 1S75, occurred the division of
the town, and the setting off of a portion of its territory to form
Thomaston. In iSSo, tlie population of Plymouth was 2.350; of
Thomaston, 3,223 : in 1S90, of Plymouth, 2,147 ' of Tliomaston,
2, 278. Now that I am upon the matter of statistics, may add
ihat midway between the organization of the town and the pres-
ent time, just fifty years ago, in 1S45, by authority of the legis-
lature, information concerning certain branches of industr} in
the various towns of this State was procured, and an abstract
prepared and published, a copy of which is in the .State Library
at Hartlbrd, referring to which I find the following information
concerning Plymoutli :
In the year 1845, we had i cotton mill, with 2,188 spindles,
cotton consumed, 15,000 lbs., cloth manufactured, 49,000 lbs.,
value, $39,200; 1 attmg, 3,000 lbs., value, $180; capital, $40,000;
males employed, 22 ; females, 36 ; i woolen mill, with two sets
machinery ; wool consumed, 60,000., lbs cassimere manufactured,
40,000 yards., value, $45,000 ; capital, $iS,ooo ; males employed,
20; females, 10; sewing silk manufactvued, 320 lbs., value,
$2,000; capital, $2,000; males employed, i; females, 7>
machine factor}-, i ; merchandise manufactured, $1,500; capital,
$800 ; employes, 3 ; lock factories, 2 ; locks manufactured,
42,000 dozen; value, $25,000 ; capital, $1 1,000 ; employes, 38.
Clock factories, 5 ; clocks manufactured, 95,500; value, $191,-
000; capital, $45,000; employes, 200, other minor manufactures
included. Forks and hoes, 350 dozen; plows, 15; saddles,
harnesses, and trunks, value manufactured, $5,000. Coach and
wagon manufactories, 2 ; merchandise, $30,240 ; capital, $10,000 ;
employes, 35. Chair and cabinet manufactories, i ; value mer-
chandise, $2,500; capital, $1,500. Flouring mills, 2; flour
manufactured, 163 barrels; value, $810. Tanneries, 2; hides
tanned, 1,700; boots manufactured, 1,265 pairs; shoes, 2,750
pairs; value, $7,769; employes, 10. Bricks manufactured,
175,000; value, $990; lime, 200 casks. Lumber prepared for
market, 150,000 feet; fire wood prepared for market, 3,752
cords; value, $9,231. Sperm oil consumed, 3,434 gallons,
value, $3,434 ; anthracite coal consumed, 20 tons, value, $204.
There were in the town 275 Saxony sheep, 523 Merino sheep,
and of all other sorts, 1,013, total value, $2,262. There were
273 horses, 1,787 neat cattle, 673 swine. There was raised in
1845, corn, 6,653 bushels, wheat, 80 bushels, rye, 4,724 bushels,
barley, 80 bushels, oats, 9,535 bushels, potatoes, 14,968 bushels,
fruit, 111,092 bushels, flax, 1,122 pounds, and 61,829 pounds of
butter, and 22,358 pounds of cheese was made.
The first town meeting of the new town of Plymouth was
held on Wednesday, June 24, 1795. David Smith was chosen
moderator, and Joseph A. Wright, the first town clerk or regis-
trar. 3 Aaron Dunbar, Joseph A. Wright and Abram Heaton
were chosen selectmen. Jason Fenn appeared not as town clerk,
as he does to-day, but as a surveyor of highways, to which
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATIO.V. ' I 73
office another of my great-grandfathers, Timothy Atwater^ was
also at the same time appointed.
The next town meeting was held December 14, 1795. It
was then voted, that the town treasurer for the time being, by
and with the advice of the selectmen, be directed to loan out the
money which has or will be paid by the town of Watertown to
this town agreeable to the resolve of the General Assembly incor-
porating said towns, in sums not exceeding fifteen pounds to one
man, provided those who applv for the monev procure suretv to
the acceptance of said treasurer and selectmen ; the obligations
for which siuns not to exceed the jurisdiction of a single justice,
with the interest at the time they become payable, which shall
not exceed one year from the time they are given. This money
appears, a few vears later, to have been specially appropriated
for the purpose of building a bridge.
The town meeting of which I have just been speaking, was
adjourned to December 31, 1795, when it was voted, that a tax
of two pence on the pound, on the last August list be granted,
payable the tenth dav of January next, for ihe purpose of paying
the expenses of the tovs-n. Asa specimen of the spirit of paternal
government, which appears to have somewhat prevailed at that
time, it mav be mentioned that it was also, at said adjovu'ued
meeting, voted, that the town will pay the expense of Lem
Dunbar's late sickness, and that the same be not charged to the
said Dunbar. We have seen that in i795i <l^e tax was of two
pence half pennv on the pound, but in 1796 the tax was two
cents on the dollar. Then more examples of the paternal spirit
occurred. It was voted, that the selectmen be directed to allow
Mrs. Anna Royce ten dollars for the expense of doctoring Free-
man Upson in August and September last. And it was voted,
that if anv boar of more than three months old, or anv ram
should be found out of the custody or possession of the owner
thereof between the 20th day of August and the ist day of
November next, it shall forfeit the sum of one dollar to any one
who shall prosecute the same to effect. And it was also voted,
that the selectmen be directed to apportion out four of the law
books which are the property of this town, to the several parts
of the town according to the list of their inhabitants. In 1797 it
was voted that liberty be given for the inoculation for the small-
pox to be carried on in this town under the direction of the civil
authority and the selectmen. It is stated that more than two-
thirds of the inhabitants present were in the foregoing vote. In
I Soo it was voted that the selectmen be directed to procure a
funeral cloth. December 12, iSoS, it was voted tnat a com-
mittee be appointed to confer with the selectmen on the subject
of Allen Howe's wife, and report to this meeting. Said com-
mittee reported that they wish for more time for consideration of
the subject.
The town records of a town contain its official history.
That of Plymouth is now embraced in two volumes. It may be
interesting to know when the first of these volumes, which was
begun in 1795, closes. It seemed to me significant. It is with
174 HISTOKV OF PLYMOUTH.
the meeting, a special one, of September 3, 1S62, and with the
recorded action of the town, at that meeting, in voting a bounty
from the town treasury to volunteers in the war for the Union,
and appointing a committee to solicit such volunteers in the ser-
vice of the U. S. Government. Then the second or present
volume begins with the record of the annual town meeting of
1S62, in which it was voted to authorize the selectmen "to draw
orders on the treasury of this town to an amount not exceeding
$3,000 in addition to what has been heretofore voted for the
same purpose, and to use the same so far as in their discretion
they shall deem necessary for the benefit and support of the
families of such persons belonging to this town as have, or ma}-
hereafter enlist in and enter the service of our country under the
call of our governor for volunteers in aid of quieting the pres-
ent rebellion." Thus the second volume of the official history of
Plymouth began as the first ended, with provisions for National
welfare and defense in time of peril. Pray God, that in the
years to come, it may end as the first began, with the record of
wise measures for the welfiu'e of a united community ; a unit in
a union, whose states constitute a nation, presided over by a
Chief Magistrate, who, although he shall never have known war,
shall be because of true statesmanship, first in peace, and first in
tiie hearts of his countrymen.
The first conveyance of land in the town of Plymouth, with
the record of which its land records begin. Vol. i, page i, is
dated Aprii 29, 1795 ; received June 24, 1795, and is from Noah
Upson to Daniel Rovve. It conveyed two acres, and the consid-
eration expressed is seven pounds, lawful money. There appears
to have been considerable activitv in real estate at that time, (or
during the first twelve months 114 warranty deeds, besides other
conveyances, were recorded.
Pl\-mouth was made a separate Probate District in 1S33.
The first Probate Court in the new district was held June 20,
1S33. The first official act was granting administration on the
intestate estate of Cornelia Fenn. On the next day June 21st,
tlie first testate estate came in, tliat of Amos Mallory. Tlie first
inventory returned was that of said Mallorv's estate, on August
23, 1S33. The entire property was about $1,000, including the
library, valued at $1.92, composed of the following five items:
I Bible, 75 cents; Explanation New Testament, 42 cents; Scrip-
ture of Regeneration, 25 cents; Watts' Hymns, 25 cents; Dr.
Trumbull's Sermons, 25 cents. Small as this may seem in the
wav of literature, the next seven inventories returned do not
sho^y as well. The only books in any of them are Bibles, and
onlv three of those out of the seven. Then came the inventory
of "Rev. Luther Hart's estate: Total, $7,202.67, including
lilirarv appraised at $1,500
It is the fortune — ought I, or ought I not to say tlie misf^'
tune — of such a town as Plvmoutli, to be the cradle, the nursiu-y,
of men whose activities in life are devoted to the development of
other communities, the building up of other places. Tlie extent
to which this is true can hardlv be stated, but a single instance
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 175
may perhaps illustrate it. In 1S77, a suggestion was made that
the former residents of Plymouth, then residing in Bridgeport in
this State, be called together for a social evening. The sugges-
tion was carried out, and on the evening appointed, although
doubtless, some were not known and therefore not invited, and
some of those invited were not able to attend, upwards of
seventy-five were present. I do not doubt that there are other
places in this State and probably places in other States that
could muster as many. And I wish with all my heart they
would muster, whatever their numbers and wherever they are,
and gathered thus together recognize the common tie which
binds them to each other, and to the dear old town from which
■ they have wandered. I need not say to you that the occasion in
question was one of rare interest ; its proceedings were published
and embrace a historical sketch by the late Deacon Joel Blakes-
lee, a poem and short speeches, all breathing affection for
Plymouth.
If I were now to sum up in a few words the history of Ply-
mouth for the first two-thirds of its corporate existence, for the
period which the first volume of its town records embrace, I
should say that it appears to me to be a fair type of a representa-
tive New England town, worthy of the name which it derived
fiom its first settlers, of Plymouth, Massachusetts, Puritan stock
and descent ; a tvpical New England communit}-, with the
interests, the thoughts, the activities, the pecidiarities ; m a word,
the life of such a communitv. And if there is a better life on
this earth anywhere, I should be glad indeed to learn where to
find it. I know that during the late war, thousands of Union
soldiers, thinking, oh, how fondly, as they faded and wasted
awav in rebel prisons, of just such communities, whispered of
tliem to each other bv the name of "Home" and "God's coun-
tiv ; " a community, which though it gave freely of its best to the
world at large, has always kept a fair part of its best for itself,
and for its own enrichment ; a community interested in good
laws, good government, good morals ; in education, progress,
religion. In later years, perhaps, like other semi-rural com-
munities, too much neglecting its farms for the sake of its shops.
Draining and denuding its hills to fructify and l)eautify its
valleys. But always, I think, as a whole, as a unit, as a town,
to whatever means and methods and avocations, its children
turned for sustenance and support, recognizing the divine truths
that the life is more than meat, the body more than raiment, and
that man, the image of the Creator, does not live by biead alone.
And so, as in the progress of time its streams have been put at
labor to carry the machinery of its factories, and iron highways
traversed by steam have supplanted its wagon roads for traffic,
when it has been brought bv railroads, telegraph and telephone
out of the woods and solitudes, and into touch and contact with
the throbbing pulse of a world-wide humanity, it has still kept,
and let us trust it will ever keep, a touch and fellowship with
Him, whose everlasting arms are underneath, holding whose
hand in trust, our fathers walked, rather by faith than sight, into
176 HISTORY OK PIAMOUTH.
the wilderness, and made it blossom like a rose. The fathers
are gone, as we too shall go. But let us preserve sacredly our
sacred birthright and inheritance. Let us leave to our children,
as they to theirs, to us, the faith that makes faithful ; the perfect
love that casteth out fear ; and the trust that endureth to the end.
In 1861, the war of the rebellion — the war foi the Union —
began at Fort Sumter. It ended at Appomatox in 1S65, thirty
years ago. In that great struggle, Plymouth did its full share.
Its loyalty was unbounded; its devotion sublime. It gave to it
the strength of its manhood, the flower of its youth. W^herever
Connecticut men went in that conflict (and where was there,
the conflict raged, that Connecticut men did not go.?), the sons
of old Plymouth were with them, in all three hundred strong.
They were in the First Cavalry. Erastus Blakeslee was its
adjutant, afterwards, its colonel. Bray ton Ives, grandson of
venerable Truman Ives, of Town Hill, was also its colonel.
Leonard P. Goodwin was its major. They were in the Second
New York Cavalry. Augustus Martinson was a lieutenant
there. He was killed. So the old question, "Did anyone ever
see a dead cavalryman .-^ " was answered, "Many of us have seen
them," There were no braver men anywhere than in the
cavalry, and there was no more useful arm of the service. Dorence
Atwater was in that regiment, and he saved to the nation the
dead roll at Andersonville, They were in the First and Second
Light Batteries. They were in the First Connecticut Heavy
Artillery, that famous regiment, originally the Fourth Infantry,
How well do I remember they were there. It was my privilege
to enroll my name among the list that went to make our company
of that regiment, enlisted from Plymouth and Torrington, and it
lingers in my mind to-day, as one of the saddest spots in a life
that has had its sorrows, that when one bright spring day, the
two squads met for final organization at Campville, as a halfway
place, I found there were more names upon the roll than were
required to fill the company. The fittest were taken, and Homer
E. Cook, of Terryville, and myself were left. Poor fellows.
As we walked back home that afternoon, over the dusty road
and throuofh the woods, we felt that we should rather lace the
entire Confederate army single handed, than meet again the
people at home. But time has its revenges. Poor Homer Cook,
worthy man that he was, lived to compel the people of Plymouth
to stand and deliver their money to him for many years in the
shape of taxes, and as for myself, I was fortunate enough to see
a little fighting after all, before the war closed, and to be, on one
bright Sunday in April, iS6^^ near a certain famous apple tree
at Appomatox, Va,, and where I w^as the boys of old Plymouth,
belonging to Co. D., of the Second Heavy Artillery, were also.
Again, the citizens of Plvmouth were in that fighting regi-
ment, the old Fifth, In the Sixth, Eugene Atwater was a
captain. In the Seventh, Eighth, Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh,
Twelfth, Thirteenth, Fifteenth, Sixteenth, Seventeenth, Twen-
tieth, Twenty-fifth, Tw^enty-ninth.
Last, but not least, may I speak of them in the old Nine-
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. I 77
teenth, afterwards the Second Connecticut Heavy Artillery.
The Litchfield County Regiment, Company D, of the old Nine-
teenth, contained eighty-six officers and men, of whom fifty-three
were from Plymouth, eighteen from Watertown, thirteen from
Harwinton, one from Burlington, one from JMorris. The aver-
age age of those eighty-six men was, I suppose, not more than
twenty-fiye years. It was probably less. They were examined
and passed as sound, healthy persons. Under the ordinary con-
ditions of civil life, during the three years of their term of service,
not more than five of their number would have been likely to
have died. That would have been an annual average of two in
a hundred. What was the fact.^ Of those eighty-six thirty-
seven were wounded ; thirty-one were killed or died of wounds
or disease ; thirty-four only remained to be mustered out at the
close of their term of service. Adding to the death-roll, those
who afterward died of wounds received in battle, or disability,
contracted in the service, it is entirely within bounds to say that
one-half of those eighty-six men died as the result of their devo-
tion to their country's cause, while it is also, in my sincere belief,
true, that not one man in that entire number left the service in as
gootl a physical condition and with as good chances for long life,
as when he entered it. Now these men knew the risks they took
when they started. They understood, they realized what they
were doing, and they did it deliberately. There were boys in
that company, in their teens. Boys who were the hopes of
fathers; the pride of fond mothers; dutiful sons who would not
have gone without their parents' consent. And they went with
that consent, and their parents knew what it meant. Other boys
had gone from other Plymouth homes before them, in the First
Connecticut Artillery, and in other regiments, and had been
brought home dead and laid away in the cemeteries of our town.
Some had not come home, and would never come, alive or dead.
Their parents knew this, and they let their sons go. Wives
knew it, and they bid their husbands God-speed. Even children,
and thev kissed their fathers, and said good-bye. Why was all
this.^ Oh, my friends, you who lived in those days know why it
was, as only vou can know. Love of country was stronger than
the love of life. Better death for its honor, than life if it came
to disgrace. And so, in the defence of Washington ; in the
charges at Cold Harbor ; in the trenches before Petersburg; fac-
ing the rebel batteries at Winchester ; sweeping down the slopes
of Fisher's Hill ; and in the sunken road at Cedar Creek ; as on
many another battlefield, and in many another regiment, the
men of Plymouth laid down their lives, a willing sacrifice upon
the altar of their country. Nor did they die in vain. Bv their
sacrifice, by their blood, was generated that new birth of free-
dom, out of which came that assurance for all time, which the
immortal words of Lincoln declared on the field of Gettysburg,
that "government of the people, by the people, and for the peo-
ple, shall not perisli from the earth."
I purposely refrain from speaking the names of those con-
nected with the service, who seem to me entitled to special men-
I7S lIlS'ljOKY OF I'l.NMOUTH.
tion. I do this because in the first place, time will not allow me
to do justice to all, and I would not by allusion to some and
omission ol' others seem to discriminate to the injustice of any.
Again, the means of observation of each person diti'ers, and as a
result, were I to speak of individuals, as they appear to me, 1
might on one hand speak of some more highly than others would
recognize as their due, and on the other fail to confer praise
where it was felt to be at least equally called for. Besides, to
mv thinking, the honor comes from the willing service and true
devotion. And whether that service resulted in a general's star,
or an unmarked soldier's grave, is but an incident. The path of
duty was the way to glory, and it led alike to both.
Nor passing from military service, would I speak much or
of many of those belonging to this town, who in civil life have
won distinction here or elsewhere.
I have, however, mentioned some of its clergymen, and I
may be pardoned a passing reference to a few of its more promi-
nent men in the ranks of other professions. There have been
many physicians here. Of those now in practice, skillful and
useful as any who preceded them, though they may be, it is not
fitting that I should speak. Of those now gone, I will only say,
that there have been three, one in each section of the old town,
before its division, unlike to each other as were the sections in
which they lived, who, taking them all in all, considering their
skill, their character, their citizenship, their faithful service, are
worthy of special remembrance: William Woodruff', of Thomas-
ton, vSamuel T. Salisbury, of Plymouth Center, Franklin J.
Whittemore, of Terryville.
Of the legal profession, in memory of the same qualities to
which I have just referred, there have been three also who should
be named: Calvin Butler, Elisha Johnson, and Ammi Giddings.
The two last each lived here for many years, filling spheres of
great usefulness, careful counsellors, trusted advisors. They
were your judges of probate, town clerks, registrars. They each
represented the town in the lower house, and the senatorial dis-
trict in the upper house of the General Assembly. They each
went away to find what they deemed wider fields, and perhaps I
violate no confidence which I ought to keep, when I say, that I
have heard both regret, as I also regretted, that they went.
Of Calvin Butler, probably the present generation knows
much less. A brief sketch of his life may be found in an appen-
dix to the Fifteenth Vol. Connecticut Reports. He was born in
what is now Wolcott, in 1772; removed with his parents while
a child to New Marlboro, Mass. He was two years in Williams
College, then studied law; commenced practice in iSoo, in
New Canaan, Conn. Next year he went to Bristol, where he
remained imtil 1S06, when he removed to Plymouth, where he
resided until his death in 1844. He represented this town in the
General Assembly of this State in 1S14, iSi^, 1S16, 1817, iSiS,
1821, 1832, and 1828. He was a member of the convention
wliich formed the constitution of this vState in 1818. He repre-
sented the sixteenth senatorial district in tlie Senate in 1832.
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. I 79
He was for very many years town clerk. When Plymouth
became a probate district in 1833, he was appointed its first
judge, and remained in office until disqualified by age, in 1S42.
He was also at one time judge of the old county court for the
County of Litchfield. He died suddenly while away from home,
but his dust is in our cemetery, and he left the reputation of a
faithful public servant, a competent and careful lawyer, and an
honest man.
Of all the men born in Plymouth, who have gone from here
to lives of great distinction and usefulness elsewhere, there is
onlv one of whom I feel that I ought to take time to speak to-day.
I refer to Junius Smith, LL. D., who was born in Northbury
parish in 17S0. He graduated at Yale College ; at the Litch-
field Law School, and settled as a lawyer in New Haven. In
iSo^ he went to England, and there engaged in mercantile pur-
suits, with varying fortunes, until 1S32. He then interested him-
self in the cause of trans-Atlantic steam navigation, convinced
that the ocean could be crossed by steam. He was met with
incredulity. He undertook to charter a vessel for an experiment,
but had no success. He tried to organize a company, but men
of science declared that no steamer could survive the terrible
storms that sweep the i\.tlantic. Not a single share of stock was
taken. Notwithstanding this, he persevered. I cannot detail
the struggles of six years, but the indomitable will of a Plymouth
bov concjuered, and in 1S3S, the Sirius, a steamer of 700 tons,
sailed from Cork on the 4th day of April and reached New York
on the 23d, the first vessel that steamed her way across the
Atlantic, and one of our boys did it.
Of the many men whose energy, enterprise and clear fore-
sight have been vitally useful to this commimity in the develop-
ment of its resources; the employment of its inhabitants; tliC
building of its great industries — three men distinguished as
founders will always be held in special honor: Seth Thomas,
Eli Terrv, Silas Hoadley. The first has given his name to the
new town in the valley which came from our soil. The second
has bestowed his, through his son, Eli Terry, Jr., upon the
villagfe in which we are assembled to-dav. Tiie third, less fort-
unate, has ceased to be remembered even in the appellation ol
the small hamlet, which once was called Hoadle3ville. But it
matters little. He was in many respects the peer of the other
two men. His life was one of great usefulness, and whenever
the earlv history of Plymouth is written, or whenever it may be
recalled, his place in it is secure for all time. Of one of these
men, and of one only in this place, and in his presence, it is
fitting that I should speak somewhat to-day. Eli Terry was
born in East Windsor, April 13, 1772. He learned the business
of clock making, and became deeply interested in such of the
arts and sciences as have a bearing on the construction of instru-
ments for measuring time. He came to Northbur}' parish in
September, 1793, and started the business of clock making. It
is probable he used a knife, as well as many other tools then
m use, in doing the work. So limited was the demand at that
I So HlSrOHV OK Pl.ViMOL'TH.
time, tliat after finishing three or four, he was obliged to go out on
horseback with them, and put them up where they had previously
been sold. But it is not my province to detail the history of the
manufacturing industries of Plymouth. That part was allotted to
and has already been discharged by one much more competent.
I am thinking more of the man. He was a person of great
energy. He not only helped to lay the foundation of Thomaston,
but afterwards of Terryville, to which he removed and where he
died. He was successful in business, accumulating what was a
large fortune in his da}-. It is said that he distributed to his
family, and gave away to different objects during the latter part
of his life, not less than $100,000, retaining at the same time an
amount of available property sufficient to afford him an annual
income of $3,000, which he regarded as sufficient for all his
temporal wants. He said that when he commenced business, he
never once thought of accumulating one-tenth of that amount.
He was a self-made man, with not much early education, and
not a wide range of reading, but he understood his business
thoroughly. He was plain and practical. His manners were
blunt, his ways original and peculiai, but he was a man ol the
strictest integrity, and he had the confidence, respect and esteem
of all v/ho knew him. He died in 18^2 at the age of eighty.
I had purposed to trespass upon your patience no longer
than one hour, and but little of that space of time remains.
Perhaps, however, but little concerning the history of Pl^-mouth
since the close of the war need be said. The years succeeding
the end of that great struggle were busy and prosperous ones.
So much so, that notwithstanding the ravages wrought, the
census of 1S70 showed, as we have already seen, a marked in-
crease over that of 1S60. Our population had then become the
largest of any town in Litchfield county. In 1875, after a legis-
lative struggle of three years, Thomaston became an independ-
ent town, taking all its territory from the old town, thus dividing
population, territory and grand list. The old town regretted
the necessity of division, but in the main, as I believe and trust,
the kindliest of feelings have continued to exist between the sec-
tions. Though separated in government, in many respects Ply-
mouth and Thomaston are and must ever remain united. After
the lapse of a score of years, it may at least be said, I think, that
neither town has found its pi'osperity impaired, as a result of
the division.
Considering the times through which we have passed, the
age in which we live, the temptations which beset the enthusiastic
and ambitious youth, eager to get on to seek other and larger
spheres of enterprise ; to leave the rocky farms and the modest
w^orkshops for smoother acres or more alluring avocations — the
mvstery is not that the old town has failed to show a rate of
increase ; the wonder is that it has done so w^ell and held, or so
nearly held its own. All honor for this. First to God, who led
our forefathers as they journeyed into the wilderness and trans-
planted them as offshoots from a sturdy vine, by the river in the
North Country, leaving them there in trust that He who had
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. iSl
transplanted wonld sustain. Next, thanks and praise to those
men and women, who, proof against temptations to emigrate,
have deemed the old soil good enough for them, save to the ex-
tent that they by their lives of labor could improve it, and make
the town better because they continued to live in it. Let this
day then be one not in glorification of those, who, yielding to
temptation, left home, however well they may have fared else-
where, but let such as their only hope of forgiveness, vie with
others in expressions of appreciation of those more loyal than
they, who did not not do likewise.
Such then, in retrospect, has been the first hundred years in
the life of our dear old mother Plymouth. What in prospect is
the next hundred years likely to he? Will she fare better or will
she fare worse.'' None save God can tell. Whether the drain of
the village, the town, the city, the West, the levy of the shop, the
store, the railroads, the trades, professions and avocations of an
era of tense struggling, nervous, energetic existence, that has
already brought so much of exliaustion to its hills and its valleys,
will continue, or abate. Wliether the tide of life will still ebb
out or flow back. Will the farms be abandoned or pass into
hands alien to our soil, our institutions, our blood, or will those
who went from them in the flush of their young manhood to
furnish activities elsewhere be glad in the years that are to come
to return again, bringing the exterior gifts of fortune and the
fragments ot their lives, to the abodes of their childhood ; bring-
ing the tottering steps of age to the daisied fields where tiieir feet
tottered when thev were as near the dawn of lite, as they have
come to the darkness and night. ^ And its shops, will they
enlarge? Or, as electricity oflers its aid to transfer the water
power to distant locations, or competition grows more fierce,
consolidation more voracious, will they pass with the employ-
ment they afford to other sites, leaving the places here that once
knew them, to know them no more forever. In the ordering of
a wise Heaven, which hides from all creatures the book of i'ate,
we may not know. But if, in the future, as in the past, there
shall be hei^e happy homes, abodes of thrift, honest toil, content
and love, where children are born to be welcomed, nourished,
nurtured, taught, to grow healthy, virtuous, strong, bright-faced
boys, radiant girls, noble men, sweet women, whose after lives,
whether hei'e or elsewhere, shall make the world better because
they pass through it on their way. If hei"e shall be chinches for
worship, family altars for prayer, schools for education, libraries
for cultui'e, firesides, social gatherings, and home comings for
cheer. If, when our country r-equires men for her defense, she
shall find them as she has found them here, ready and glad to do,
to dare, to die for her. If, when humanitv needs, the love of others
shalll pass the love of self. If, when God calls, it shall matter not
what the duty is, and the onlv reply shall be, " Tiiy will be
done," sur-elv then, in the futui^e, as in the past, this shall be a
spot beloved of all its children, woithy to be their working place
in life, their resting place in death. A resting place from wliicli,
when the summons comes to pass to heaven, tliey who did their
lS2 HISTORY OF Pl.VMOUlJI.
best on earth to make it here, will not have far to go to find it
there.
Mr. Pond — VVe are to be favored by a short address by the
Rev. AI. J. Daly of Thomaston, and of the Catholic church in
our village.
Rev. M. J. Daly — Mr. Chairman, ladies and gentlemen: I
am deeply sensible of the honor conferred on me in being asked
to take a part in this centennial celebration, and while not a resi-
dent of the town of Plvmouth, our intercourse is so close and
our visits so frequent, that whatever affects the interests of Ply-
mouth concerns us. And, besides being a resident of Thomaston,
Pl3'mouth's first born, we have, at least in part, a right to partici-
pate in the joys of this day ; to share in the glory of the triumphs
and successes achieved during the last hundred years, when our
interests were identical, before the separation took place, when
you and we were one.
You have listened with pleasure and pride, no doubt, to the
beautiful and chaste address prepared by one of your own dis-
tinguished townsmen, whose absence to-day we all regret, — and
for whose complete restoration to health we all pray, — the loving
tribute of a devoted and generous son to a venerable and worthy
mother, so comprehensive and complete as to render any other
remarks needless. Nevertheless, I cannot help availing myself
of this opportunity of paying my tribute of respect, small though
it be, to the sons and daughters of this now prosperous town.
Let us go back in spirit a hundred years and try to realize
the trials and hardships of the first early settlers. These eternal
hills which dot your town like so many sentinel towers are not
inviting to the husbandman, the soil in general is not fertile ;
nevertheless, by industry and perseverance most of it has been
brouo-ht to a state of cultivation little inferior to the best in this
commonwealth. The early settlers were thrifty and hard-work-
ing, and success crowned all their undertakings. Why?
Because constant endeavor attended their eftbrts. In war, they
were bi^ave and gallant soldiers ; in peace, law-abiding, God
fearing citizens. Their inventive genius is world-wide. To
him after whom your beautiful village is named we owe the first
time-piece in the way of a clock on this continent, and to those
who succeed him is due the credit of making Plymouth known
throughout the civilized world, for wherever yon go to-day you
are sure to find a Seth Thomas clock. And if clocks and
watches are useful to tell the time of day, locks are very con-
venient to secure them and other treasures through the night,
and here again Plymouth comes to the rescue. See your
mammoth building down there, with its hundreds of hands, turn-
ing out thousands, perhaps I should have said millions, of locks
during the year, the result of the industry, enterprise and energy
of Plvmouth citizens.
You have your iron works rising up once more from the
ruins, to be larger and grander and more beautiful than before,
and consequently better able to contribute their proportion to
the growth of the town. You have had your carriage industry
CENTENXIAI. CELEBRATION. I 83
in Plymouth, which prospered on Plymouth Hill before advant-
ages in navigation, tran.-portation, and location, deprived you of
them. I might refer to the many other industries of your town,
but they are all known to you. Let us hope that with the
change for the better in the commercial world, every bench in
these shops will be occupied, every wheel revolving, and the
home of every operator tilled with plenty and good cheer.
Plvmouth's sons are warriors ; they have ibught the battles
of their country. They contributed their portion of patriotic
citizens to the Union cause, and when the strife was over, when
the victory was won, they returned to their homes, and since
then have pursued the even tenor of their ways, sending legisla-
tors to our Capitol, giving candidates to the medical profession,
to law, and to the sacred ministry.
There is no more forcible example of the worth of Ply-
mouth's children than the history of him who was to have
delivered the address on this occasion. He was a gallant and
brave soldier, and wore the blue and fought for the Union, and
came home, and is now honored with the ermine as a just and
upright judge. Plvmouth has had a Woodrutl', and she still has
a Whittemore, a Bradstreet, a Woods, a Warner, a Goodwin,
a Higgins, and many others who are of the medical profession,
and while it is true that the Fenn family seem to be born
lawyers, seem to come into the world with a legal spoon in their
mouths, to be an ornament to the bar as well as to the bench, it
is nevertheless true that the Bradstreets, and the Scotts, and the
Plums, are close competitors in their chosen profession.
Plymouth has contributed her portion to the sacred ministry,
and to-day Plymouth's children are discharging their sacred
duties to many congregations. She has given children who have
been and are the benefactors of every charity, without regard to
class or color or creed. The very soil on which you stand is the
o^ift of one of Plvmouth's children, and if — which God forbid —
the name of your illustrious benefactor should ever become
extinct, this beautiful park and all its surroundings will per-
petuate for all time the honored name of Baldwin.
Yes, in all the callings and avocations of life — in agriculture,
in mechanics, in statesmanship, in the fine arts, in medicine,
law, and the sacred ministry, Plymouth has given children that
have discharged their duties with credit to themselves and honor
to their native town. And, my dear friends, what is true of
Plymouth's sons is in their own sphere true of Plymouth's
daughters. If the former are brave as the bravest, the latter are
fair as the fairest. They are the peers of any in the land ; for
grace and dignity and all womanly accomplishments they have
no superiors, and while it is true and possible that one of Ply-
mouth's sons may be called upon to fill the highest position in
this grandest land on the face of God's earth and occupy the
Presidential chair, it is, at least to mind, far more probable that
one of Plymouth's fair daughters will be called upon to preside
as mistress of the White House.
Let then the good work go on ; let the achievements, the
184 HISTOKV OF PLYMOUTH.
triumphs, the successes of the past hundred years, stimulate us
to larger undertakings, to greater achievements, to new con-
quests, so that when we come to celebrate tlie second centennial
3'our children and your children's children will rise up and bless
your names and the names of your sires, for having laid a founda-
tion so solid and enduring that time cannot change or enemies
destroy. A hundred years of self-government, a hundred years
of triumphs, a hundred years of enlightenment, a hundred years
of growth and prosperity, until the climax, peace, happiness and
prosperity crown your efforts to-day. All hail, then, to old
Plymouth ! Blessetl, thrice blessed be thy children ! Never
may stain or blemish rest upon any of their characters. May
their record in the future be what it has been in the past, a
record for integrity of morals, of liberty, of justice and charity,
so that Plymouth will continue to give in the future, as she has
in the past, sons and daughters to honor every position, to fill
with grace and dignity every place open to competition in
this fair land.
Thus will she contribute her portion of good citizens to
town, state and nation, insuring a glorious land and continuance
of heaven's choicest blessings, and help to keep her what she
has been in the past, what she is at present, no doubt what God
intended her to be and what the poet described her, " The land
of the free, and the home of the brave." May the hundred
garlands you lay upon her venerable head to-day be accompanied
with the wish and with the prayer that Plymouth, old Plymouth,
may continue for all time to be the fruitful mother of patriotic
and noble sons and fair and virtuous daughters.
Mr. Pond — If a stranger should have dropped in here
to-day, I think it must have occurred to him by this time that
Plymouth is quite a town. We are proud of pretty nearly
everything. Mention has been made of the three hundred
soldieis that went from this town in the defense of our flag.
We wish to call your attention for a brief time to one particular
soldier, one who had a remarkable career, and in whom we are
very much interested. We have invited his friend, -Judge
Sheldon of New^ Haven, to be with us to-day and to deliver a
short address upon Dorence Atwater and the Andersonville
record, and I take pleasure in introducing to you Hon. Joseph
Sheldon of New Haven, who will address you upon this subject.
Ladies and Gentlemen: My work to-day is to tell in a
few words something of one of the younger generation of the
men of Plymouth, of one still living in the far oft' Southern Sea,
of whose work in the civil war this good old town has much
reason to be proud.
The point of interest — special and noteworthy— in his career
as a soldier, was in connection with the Union prisoners of war
taken by the Confederates and held in their military prisons —
particularly that at Andersonville; his making secretly a copy of
their death register while a prisoner there himself, and bringing
it througli the lines — his transfer of a right to copy it to the Gov-
ernment and his persistent demand for a copy himself for publi-
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 185
cation after he had delivered his rirst copy to the Adjutant-Gen-
eral Department ; his re-enlistment as a soldier, his assignment
to duty in the expedition sent to mark the graves at Anderson-
ville where his original list came into his hands in the way of his
duty; his placing it in his trunk and returning with it to Wash-
ington ; his arraignment and trial by court martial on two
charges and two specifications. One charge, that of "conduct
to the prejudice of good order and military discipline in taking
his list without authority from the tent of his superior officer
at Andersonville." Another of "larceny in having then and
there stolen that list from that officer," his sentence by that court
martial to a fine of $300, to forfeit all pay and allowance then
due, and to be confined for eighteen months at hard labor, at
such prison as the Secretary of War might designate ; to restore
the roll to the War Department and to stand committed at hard
labor till that fine was paitl and that roll was so restored.
It is a story that in the dangerous, important and selt-
imposed service which he rendered to his country, in his youth ;
in the penetrating intelligence with which he devised and carried
out his work ; and in his misfortunes connected with it he recalls
most vividly another young hero of Connecticut — Nathan Hale
— whose work and whose late in the revolutionarv war have
ever since been a matter of mournful pride to everv true son of
Connecticut, and whose statue now fitly adorns the Capitol at
Hartford.
With these general features of the case you are probably all
familiar. You know that his list contained the first authentic in-
telligence and the only statement in detail that ever came to the
Union authorities in reg^ard to the awful facts in relation to about
13,000 prisoners who had died of starvation and exposure in An-
dersonville at the hands of the Confederate authorities. Thirty-
five thousand soldiers had been confined there ; more than one-
third of these soldiers died within a few months; they died at
the rate of 130 a dav on an average, during the time covered bv
Atwater's list.
A few prisoners that had been kept at Richmond and Belle
Isle had been exchanged, and their deplorable condition was
made the object of special investigation, and report by a com-
mittee of the Sanitary Commission of which Dr. Valentine Mott,
the eminent surgeon, was the chairman, and by a joint committee
of Congress, of which Senator Benjamin F. Wade, of Ohio,
was chairman. The evidence was substantially the same and
the conclusions were identical.
Surgeon \"andeknift stated that "one day we received 360
prisoners from the Confederates; 14 died in 12 hours, six died
on board the transport that brought them up from City Point."
In April, 1S64, had occurred the horrible massacre of black
soldiers, mostly Tennesseans, at Fort Pillow. About 300 in the
fort were overwhelmed bv five or six thousand assailants, and
nearlv all were murdered in cold blood after their surrender. A
considerable part of the work was resumed and completed the
next dav.
1 86 iUSTOKV OF PLYMOUTH.
In May, 1S64, Secretary Stanton said that the enormity of
the crime commitled by the rebels toward our prisoners for the
last several months is not known or realized by our people, and
can but fill with horror the civilized world when the facts are
fully revealed.
General Hoftman, Commissary-General of Prisoners, said
"that our soldiers in the hands of the rebels are starved to death,
cannot be denied
Senator Wade said "that the evidence proves beyond all
manner of doubt a determination on the part of the rebel authori-
ties to destroy our soldiers by privation and exposure."
All these inferences were amply justified by the facts.
But here in Atwater's list were names, dates, companies,
regiments and States, of men who had died. The numbers were
on a prodigious scale. It was in the nature of a day by day con-
fession under thei-r own hands.
It threw a side light of the highest importance upon the
whole conduct of the Confederates after the Emancipation
Proclamation, after the arming of the blacks and their great
disasters in 1S64. It plainly showed how desperation, reck-
less cruelty and inhuman ferocity marked their common determin-
ation and their universal barbaric instincts.
So that the time when Atwater's list came to the Govern-
ment's hands made it specially important. It was still more im-
portant because it was then believed it would play an important
part in the anticipated trial of Jefferson Davis and other Confed-
erate leaders for the wholesale murder of these thousands at An-
dersonville, even if they were never punished for their treason.
But its importance was greatest of all by the certain, definite,
compact intelligence it brought to so many thousands of friends
and relatives as to when and how their heroes lived and suffered
and died.
For these, it had been originally designed, and been
patiently worked out, and he had fully determined that they
should have it.
You will perhaps pardon a repetition of some of the details
of the trial — a statement of the present legal position of his case.
When the work at Andersonville was finished, he put his
copy of this list into his trunk and returned with it to Washing-
ton. A day or two after his arrival there, being asked if he had
the list, he said, "he had, and that he wished it to be distinctly
understood that he wanted Captain Moore to be relieved from all
responsibility for the loss of the rolls." A clerk in the War De-
partment asked him what he had done with the rolls. He said
"the law allowed a man to take his own property wherever he
could find it." They searched his room at his hotel. Atwater
said "you can search the place but you won't find the rolls."
The clerk asked him twice where the rolls were; he merely said
"they are safe, they are all safe." They searched the place but
they did not find the rolls.
He was an enlisted soldier in the general service ; he was
then under arrest ; he was sent immediately to the old Capitol
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 1S7
prison. Soon after he was arraigned and tried by a court mar-
tial on two charges, one of conduct to the prejudice of good order
and military discipline, the other of larceny. In this the taking
of the roll from Captain Moore at Andersonville without
authority — and that he stole it from Captain Aloore. After a
hasty trial he was found guilty on both charges and both specifi-
cations and sentenced to pay a fine of $300; to be dishonorably
discharged from the service with loss of all pay and allowance
then due ; to be confined at hard labor for eighteen months, at
such place as the Secretary of War might direct; to return the
rolls and to stand committed at hard labor until this fine should
be paid and the stolen property should be returned to the War
Department. This was a harsh, cruel sentence, and considering
all the circumstances of the case, it was a blunder and crnne
itself.
Tiie proceedings of the court were approved without exami-
nation by the Major-General commanding the Department, and
by the Judge Advocate (3eneral September 27, 186^, and it was
recommended that "the sentence be carried into efl'ect." Auburn
State Prison was designated bv the Adjutant-General as the place
of his punishment.
The Captain of the Reserve Corps who had him in charge
at the old Capitol prison, and who was to take him to Auburn,
remarked in his hearing: ''I want that Atwater hand-cufted
dam'd tight; I know what kind of a fellow he is; I have heard
of him before." In irons and under guard as a felon he was
marched through the streets of Washington to the Baltimore and
Ohio railroad station, taken to Auburn prison on September 27,
1S65, and in prison garb he commenced to serve out his sentence.
It was equivalent to life sentence; for the $300 he had leceived
he had spent in his sickness and in helping his little fatherless
brothers and sisters, and he had no property himself. His father
had died of an illness contracted in taking care of Dorence him-
self on his return from Andersonville.
Atwater's friends were shocked and indignant. He remained
at hard labor in Auburn prison for a little more than two months,
when suddenly, by a general order of the War Department
dated December 16, 1865, he was ordered to be immediately dis-
charged— simply discharged — from imprisonment by order of
the Secretary of War. no reason being given.
Atwater states that he was released under a general pardon
of the President on the 30tii dav of November, 1S65. But no
such pardon appears in the papers in the case, which were after-
wards (July 16, 1866,) sent by Secretary Stanton to the House
of Representatives, in compliance with a resolution of the House.
The order of discharge does appear among those papers.
That, however, was Atwater's understanding of his release at
the time.
He then devoted himself, first of all, continuously for forty
days and nights, to the preparation, printing and publication of
his list, for tlie benefit of those for vyhom chiefly it had been
originally made. The Tribune Association published it and dis-
iSS HISTORY OF Pl.V.MOUTH.
tributed it broadcast. From its publication Atvvater never ex-
pected or received one cent, and the Tribune Association pub-
lished it at its bare cost ; it was on all hands regarded as a duty
costing time and work and money, and none of them was spared.
This duty done first of all, Atwater immediately afterwards,
on the 32d of March, iS66, sent his memorial to Congress, stat-
ing the facts and asking that they be inquired into, and that justice
be done him. The monstrous injustice that had been done in the
case struck the House as calling for investigation. They unani-
mously passed resolutions calling for an investigation. This
matter was warmly followed up by Hon. Mr. Hale, then repre-
senting the north eastern counties of New York.
He had made some preliminary investigations of the case
himself; had carefully examined all the evidence on which
Atwater had been convicted. He made this declaration to the
House: -'I say, on my reputation as a lawyer and as a man,
that it is impossible for any intelligent man to read the record of
that court martial without saying it is a case of the grossest and
most monstrous cruelty and injustice that ever oppressed any
human being."
He had caused a copy of Atwater's memorial to be sent to
the President, with a request that the Judge Advocate General
be requested to really examine the case ; it had been passed over
with onlv the formal examination usual in cases tried bv court
martial. That officer did re-examine the whole record, evidence
and all, and made an elaborate report in the case to the vSecretary
of War, for use of the President.
That report, under date of May lo, iS66, concluded with
this paragraph :
"What is now desired appears to be that the stigma resting
on Atwater's character, arising from a conviction of felony, be
removed. It is suggested that no formal pardon has yet been
issued to him, he having been released from confinement by an
order of the War Department. A pardon may therefore be
issued to him, setting forth the grounds on which it is granted,
to wit, the insufficiencv of the testimony on which his conviction
rested. This, it is believed, would aflbrd as impressive an evi-
dence of the President's judgment, and would as eftectually
remedv the discredit which has attached to Atwater as would an
attemnted annulment of liis conviction and sentence."
The Adjutant-General, who had been the chief power mov-
ing in the prosecution from the beginning, remonstrated warmly
against the opinion and advice of the head of the Bureau of
Militarv Justice, and concluded his remonstrance with the remark
which throws a marvellous light over his whole connection with
the case : " Such an act of clemencv (as had been recommend-
ed) would give a coloring to his (Atwater's) false representation
against the Adjutant-General's office."
Thereupon the President turned the case over to the Secretary
of War for his final action, and nothing further was ever done,
except that the War Department did send to the House, when it
was called for, a transcript of all the evidence and every paper
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 1 89
connected with the case. And it was at hist all printed and the
opinion ol' Congressman Hale and of the head of the Bureau of
Military Justice is amply sustained by the evidence printed, as it
was in full, in the papers sent to the House.
The case was undoubtedly involved in technicalities ; the pub-
lic business pressed from every side ; Senator Wilson, chairman of
the Committee on Military Affairs of the Senate, cut the whole
matter short for the time by procuring for him his appointment
as Consul to the Sechelles Islands, in the Indian Ocean, where he
resided for several years, and was alter transferred to the Con-
sulate at Tahiti, where he has since lived.
Adjutant-General Townsend, I am informed, is now dead.
His conduct in this case may possibly carry his name and fame
farther than all his honorable career in the army.
But it ought to be remembered that his persistent error in
this case was not really what it seems on the surface, even now
at the distance of thirty years. It was not altogether that of a
bat-e\ed, wrong-headed martinet, simply abusing power in the
old, old way.
It ought to be remembered that it was then a time of quick
harsh judgments against subordinates, on the part of those in
command, at the end of a long and irritating war — that money
making schemes of every vile kind were being sprung upon the
Government on every side, and that his soldierly instincts revolted
against them, everyone. He seems to have mistaken Atwater
for one of these money-making harpies. He cherished, perhaps,
an habitual high sense of the honor and the duty of a soldier.
Atwater had been disrespectful to the Adjutant-General's office
in a matter in which not only his honor was involved, but also
the bleeding hearts of thousands of his countrymen were involved,
for whom he had braved death in its most terrible form at the
hands of the Confederates.
The Adjutant-General would have been incapable of acting
the strange part he did act in this case if he had really seen the
whole case, and his own part in it, with any moral perspective.
If he had realized that he was acting a dreadful part in one of
the saddest tragedies of the war. Whether he lived to regret it,
I do not know. It is quite probable that he did, for he often after-
wards kindly inquired about Atwater, after powerful friends had
gathered around him, and the chairman of the Committee on
Military Affairs of the Senate, Henry Wilson, of Massachusetts,
afterwards Vice-President, had become his friend and benefactor,
and he was widely recognized as one of the modest, true heroes
of the war. It is a pity, I think, that in this life they had not
met and passed an act of formal forgiveness and amnesty for a
cruel wrong. Jefferson Davis himself, and all but Wirtz,
among the Confederates, have long since been forgiven. Their
great violations of all law, human and divine, have been wisely
passed over.
It seems as if the Adjutant-General himself may well be
included by the friends of Atwater in the general amnesty.
I vote him not morally so guilty as he seems at a first glance ;
190 msTortv OF plvmoutji.
indeed, to be reall)- not guilty at all, when we remember that the
intent is the essence of crime. Atwater was a boy and a private
soldier, the Adjutant-General was an officer and a martinet in
discipline. He possibly thought he was doing God and his
country a high service, even as Paul himself did, when he per-
secuted the Christians even unto strange cities.
The virtue of standing alone against the opinion of the
world is not so common or so barren of good that we may not
recognize and even applaud the motives of the Adjutant-
General, while we condemn his act.
As a fair-minded officer, he made one great sad mistake, in a
case he did not properly comprehend. He did not think how
his own conduct would look at the distance of thirty years.
For one I pardon the great offence of the late Adjutant
General of the Arm\', and recommend him to the mercy of that
great court martial of historv, froin which, for a soldier, there
is no appeal.
While the Confederates — even those in command at the
prison pen at Andersonville — have all been pardoned, the wrong
to Atwater, one of the noblest young heroes of the Civil War —
the true hero of Andersonville — still remains unredressed. The
power to properlv reinstate him in his true position as an honor-
able soldier and to remove from him the stigma of a felon,
remains alone in the Congress of the United States.
On this day, memorable forever in the history of the grand
old town of Plvmouth, I ask vou, the friends and the townsmen
of Dorence Atwater, to pass the following resolution :
Whereas, At this centennial celebration of the establishment of the
town of Plvmouth, held May 15, 1895, the case of Dorence Atwater, a
native of this town, was recalled to the attention of the citizens of the
town, and the people assembled here, illustrative of his heroic character,
the noble, disinterested and important service rendered by him to his
country, and the extraordinary and cruel injustice under which he has
so long suffered ; therefore,
Reso/7'cd, That the Representatives of this town and the Senator
from this Senatorial District in the General Assembly, now in session at
Hartford, be requested to take such action in the premises as may lead
the Congress of the United States, by joint resolution or otherwise, to
annul the action of the court martial by which undeserved dishonor was
cast upon Dorence Atwater, and in substance and in form to restore to
him his unsullied name, and to give him some proper recognition of his
services to his country.
[The resolution was adopted at the service held in the
afternoon.]
Mr. Pond — We are highly favored to-dav in having with us
a lady whose reputation is not confined to the State of Connecti-
cut, or to the United .States ; whose name is spoken with
reverence and love throughout the length and breadth of the
United States as w^ell as abroad. From her life of devotion to
the sick and suffering, she has been classed bv a recent writer as
the greatest heroine America has ever produced. I have the
honor of introducing to this audience Miss Clara Barton, Presi-
dent of the American vSocietv of the Red Cross.
CENTENNIAI. CELEBUATION. I9I
ISJiss Clara Barton, who is a personal friend of ]Mr. Atwater,
made the following" appeal :
" I regret that this call has been made. I am sorry to take
from you one moment of the time so exclusively your own, and
yet I have been asked to say a few words, to let 30U hear my
voice — if you can hear it. If I were to say anything, it would
be to remind you that thirty years ago I came into your state.
I went through its villages, its towns, its cities — even vour
legislative halls, and told the story of Dorence Atwater. I even
took him with me and showed him to the people, and I asked
that the disgrace which rested on him be removed. 1 never
failed to draw the sympathy of the people ; it was felt and under-
stood ; but when more was asked for it failed. I said that he
had done a work which God approved and angels smiled on.
I asked, moreover, that the government should be asked to
retrieve what had been done. I wanted him placed where he
should be. When I saw this fail and death staring him in the
face, for he was pooi-, sick, degraded, disheartened — a prisoner
of both .South and North — when I saw^ he was not likely to
endure it, I asked then a consulate for him in some climate
where he misfht have a chance to live. It was given, and for
twenty years he served his country in a civil capacitv as faith-
fully as he had ever done in inilitary ; not one word in all the
state department ever rested against the work of Dorence
Atwater as a consul. He laid that office down a few years ago
as no longer needing it. He was no longer poor ; he had
attained social rank that few men gain ; he had married the
magnificent wife who graces his home, who was a royal princess
of the line on one side and of the most scholarly blood of
England on the other.
"But there is something else T would say to you. In my
house for thirtv vears has remained the record that he kept and
the dishonorable discharge that he received. In a caliinet in
that house are the relics, the largest, perhaps the onlv collection
of relics of the stockade of Andersonville, the poor little cups
and spoons and ladles, and whatever there was that strove to
keep life in those poor wretches and helped them on as they
went to their death. I gathered them there in that stockade
w^ith Dorence Atwater. Thev lie, as I told vou, in that
cabinet in my house, and along with them, on the same shelves,
lies the dishonorable discharge of Dorence Atwater.
"I have waited and waited, lo ! these thirtv vears for the
State of Connecticut to ask the government to dravv' that out of
mv hands I would have it replaced by an lionorahle discharge
such as it deserves. It waits; it is there, and it lies side by side
with the relics of that fated prison. I onlv ask : .Shall I keep it?
Men of Connecticut, men of Plvmouth, sliall I keep it there, or
will vou direct the government to demand it of me.'' I will
surrender it when vou do."
At the close of her address three cheers were given for
Miss Barton.
Mr. Pond — The next in order is " Remarks liy Invited
192 HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.
Guests." We have but eight minutes to do it in and 1 hardly
know where to commence. We will extend the time slightly,
but shall confine 3'ou to just five minutes, not more than that, and
you will hear this (pointing to the gavel) but we want to hear
from you all. Now do not decline simply because there is a
lack ot time. We shall call upon no one that we do not want
to hear, and we will begin with the clergy. I notice that we
have with us the Rev. Mr. Meade. Mr. Meade, five minutes.
Air. Meade — I will not take five minutes, Mr. Chaiiman. I
am glad to be with you to-day ; I rejoice in everything that you
rejoice in here. I suppose the only reason I am here is because
I was born here as a minister, and I am glad to stand here as one
who has had that birth in the glorious town of Plvmouth. Of
course, everything that bears the name of Plvmouth has a part
of the honor of Plymouth Rock in it. The greatest fact, I
believe, of 1795, 'was the formation of these towns, which are the
unit of our great Union, as has been said. The questions that
occupied our fathers, that made them and us into citizens, have
made our land what it is.
I believe I am now serving a church which furnished a
governor to this state at the time you were made a town. My
study window looks out upon his birthplace. Samuel Hunting-
ton was President of the Assembly of the Continental Congress
and governor of this state; in fact, while he lived, no other inan
was thought fit to be governor, for the last ten years of his life.
Every town like that was raising up men to stand as citizens, as
lawyers and as judges in our early history.
I will not try to make a speech. I have lots of things down
here I would like to talk about, but I had figured it out by a
Thomaston watch that I should not get called on, and it broke
up my whole array of facts. I rejoice with you here not only in
the problems of government and citizenship which our fathers
have settled, and in the great ideas which have grown out in the
history of this town, and the inventions that have had such a
wide influence over this country. While the people of this
town were forming this church, a son of this town was sending
that steamer, the first steamer, across the ocean. Churches and
steamers go well together to make up prosperity and to build up
the right life of a nation. From mouse traps to marine clocks
this town of Plymouth is known over the whole land. You
have furnished also a man, who is here — I have not shaken his
hand yet — who furnished a cartridge to help destro)- the enemies
of his country, and now is furnishing the children of this land
with the best methods of understanding God's Word and Christ
the Saviour. I hope to get hold of his hand and to congratulate
him and the town upon having produced such a man, but he is
one among manv.
Rev. L. S. Griggs, of Ivoryton — W^ell, Mr. President. I am
not going to be mendacious and tell you that I will not speak
five minutes and then be called down. The help which this
town has rendered to our country has come largely from the
mothers, whose hands have rocked the cradle. I am glad that
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
193
our brother, shall I call him — I suppose I ought to call him
our tather — representing the Roman Catholic Church, in his
remarks rendered some justice to woman. I think it was very
becoming and showed a high degree oC good sense. Our lathers
subdued the wilderness and courageously planted their homes
upon these hillsides and in these valleys, so far back as 150 or
160 years ago, and founded ecclesiastical and civil institutions
here. VV^e think of the pilgrim fathers, half of whom were put
beneath the sod that first winter at Plymouth, in order that the
town, the corner stone of the foundation of this republic might
not be thrown from its place. I am filled with veneration and
admiring aflection for these men. I want to mention one of the
fathers, Wm. B. Ells. I think to-day of other men here, one
has been mentioned, representing the class who remained at
home during the war. And they were needed at home to keep
the streams of industry running, and to preserve here the spirit
of liberty and of devotion to the Union, to sustain at home the
conflict in the weary march and on the bloody field of battle.
We never will forget them, boys and girls, young men and
young women. You should take this matter up and do justice
to Dorence Atwater, and you, by the blessing of God, make it
vour aim that the futuie shall be no less n.arked by glorious
achievement than the past was.
Rev. W. F. Arms, Essex — I know some are anxious for dinner,
and what can be said after what has been said already.^ The
glor\' of Plymouth has been spoken of, and no fitter words can
be used than those from the pen of Judge Fenn, no better eulogy
than their own lives, their own lives of industry, and the record
which is on high. We are proud of the town of Plvmouth for
what she has done. What will she accomplish in the future.''
We believe she has material here for further prosperity, and we
know from the past that she will go on to increased prosperity.
Rev. Moseley H. Williams — There are no friends like the old
friends. I used to think there were no boys like tlie Plymouth
boys and no girls like the Plymouth girls. I say this in confi-
dence, I know that none of you will be mean enough to tell my
wife in Philadelphia what I said here. (A voice : " I will,")
Yes, I thought you would. Then I will have to explain that
that was a long time ago. But these Plymouth boys and girls
have one peculiarity — they get grey while they are so young.
I don't know of any other place where boys, and possibly girls,
are grey. Here they are. But we are still boys and girls, and
it is worth so much to me to come back. I traveled two
hundred miles to get this centennial dinner, the good things that
have been spread and are to be, and I won't go away to the
dinner just for a moment, because I have observed this, that the
longer you wait for dinner the better vou like it. So if 1 should
speak for an hour you would be very thankful to me because the
dinner would taste so good.
We sha'n't meet again, dear friends, this audience, so I just
think of the old things that the fathers and mothers used to say.
W^ell, we'll meet in Heaven, and that is the sweet thought, is it
Iy4 lUSl'OKV OF PJ.V.MOUl II.
not, alter all? We break up and separate here, but if we are
God's children, every one of us, we will meet by and by in a
reunion where we won't have to make friends. We will think
of the past, we will be glad for the present, and we will be
happy for the future, and we will praise God then for all the
blessed experiences of our Plymouth life and the Plymouth
Centennial.
Rev. Mr. Sharp, Thomaston — I did not know until last
night and this morning that I had such distinguished relations.
1 was born in the State of New Jersey and have always been
proud of it. I was brought up in the State of New York and
have always loved it. I was educated in New Haven and 1 have
never been ashamed of it. I therefore feel that I have a s^ood
many fathers. You remember the story of the two boys, who,
very much enraged, one against another, were contending in the
street. Said one boy to the other, anxious to make him still
more angry, "You haven't got any father." " Have too," said
he, "got more fathers than you." That is the way I feel just
now. I feel that I have acquired another father, and besides
having fathers in Warren county, N. J., I have fathers in
Brooklyn and New York city of which I am proud, and I have
a father and mother here in Plymouth, of which I may well be
proud. However, I came here for another purpose than to make
a speech, as I had no intimation whatever oi doing so. I see
that you have got me as one of the exhibits, to which reference
was made last night. The time for a minister to make a speech
is not before dinner, but after dinner. There is something in
the atmosphere of dinner time that melts out all that is gentle
and sweet in his disposition, and he feels at home.
In one of his books IMark Twain has a character who was
very much interested in a frog. He had trained him to jvmip,
and was ready to wager any amount of money on him. He did
indeed collect a great deal of money by the jumping activity of
this frog. One day he met a man, I suppose he must have been
a Plymouth man, because he beat the other man in his exhibi-
tion of ingenuity. Meeting the strangei', he said, " I have a frog
here who can out-jump any frog you have." He was at once
taken, and the owner of the famous frog went down to the pool
for another frog and brought it up While this man was going
down after the frog, the stranger had filled up the mouth of the
distinguished frogr with stone, so that he was verv heavv in the
abdomen. When the tickling operation began, to make the frog
jump, he could not jump. Now, a minister is to be dis-
tinguished from that kind of a frog; he can always jump further
when his stomach is full.
Major F. W. Mix — Ladies and Gentlemen, Old Friends
and Schoolmates : I feel this morning as though I had got a
good many things to be thankful for. First of all that I am a
native of old Plymouth. Nearly two-thirds of a century ago, in
sight of this tent, almost within a stone's throw, I was born.
Fortv vears or more of my life were spent in this portion of
Plymouth, and I must say to-day that I have no regrets that I
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. I95
was born in Plymouth. I wish I had time to tell you some of
the thougfhts that have gone throusfh mv mind as I have looked
over the faces here this morning. Up on this hill in the old red
school house, more than fifty years ago, I received my first
education. Over on the fiat I received more. There are some
things I ought to tell you about. I feel thankful for the lickings
I got over there. I did not appreciate it at the time, but as I
look back upon it to-day, I can see it was a good lesson for me.
There are other things, too. My friend Williams has brought
it up to my mind. I used to think there were no girls like the
Plymouth or Terryville girls, and as I cast my eye round the
seats I can see two or three of my old schoolmates and sweet-
hearts. Sitting by their side, however, are gentlemen who got
them away from me. As I see my wife eyeing me pretty close, I
am warned I had better say that for this, too, I am thankful.
I do not want to finish what I have to say without calling to
mind for tlie benefit of us all, some of the men that I can remem-
ber in my boyhood days and up till I became a young man. In
all the speeches that have been made I find the name of the
W'eltons left out. Back in the thirties, thirty-seven or thirty-
eight, I tliink, extending up to forty-five, we had Hiram and
Heman Welton carrying on a business that at the time was per-
haps as large as any interest that we had. I speak of it as the
men of those days laid the foundation of this town. Many
things that look to us to-day small, if we will stop and think of
it, were greater by far for this town, for the men that have gone
forth from this town, than anything that we poor mortals are
doing to-day. We must not lose sight of those men, we must
not lose sight of their struggles, and further, we must not lose
sight of the fact that all the men wdio built up this town of Ply-
mouth were identified not only with the business of the town,
but with this community and its church. It is what has made
you, my friends, what you are. Will you, and the generations
vet to come, carry on the work that those men began .-^ Will
vou use the means which the Almighty places in your hands for
the benefit of your neighbors.^ I look around here to-day and
can see the sons and daughters that have gone forth from this
place, occupying prominent positions. They are indebted to
the seed that was sown by these men fifty, sixty, seventy-five
years ago, and wherever we go let us carry the seed that was
planted in our hearts and in our minds by the men whose life
here was a struggle We used to hear vears ago the names of
William E. McKee, Burnham Terry, Gaylord, John C. Lewis,
the Weltons, and others who showed an active interest in this town.
Let us take it as a lesson for us, that wherever we go we may
use all the influence in our power for the benefit of our neighbors
and for mankind. My mother, my father, my brothers, my
sisters, nephews and nieces, are laid awav in your cemetery, and
when mv labors are over I am coming back to the old town of
Plymouth. Tlie soil of tliis town is good enough, and the
friends of former days, and those which I see around me are
good enough, as a guardian for what will be left of me.
IC)6 IIISTOHV OF PLYMOUllI.
Mr. Pond — It strikes me it would ))e well to change this a
little. We have heard from two distinguished gentlemen who
have paid a glowing tribute to the girls of this town and then
have deliberately gone outside and married elsewhere. I wish
to call upon a gentleman who was born elsewhere and came to
Terryville to marry his wile. That seems to be more patriotic
— next to being born in the town is to go to the town for a wife.
General George H. Ford, of New Haven.
Mr. Ford — Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen : It gives
me great pleasure to stand up and greet an audience composed
of men and women who reside in and represent this town, with
which I am associated as pei haps a son-in-law A few years
since my own native town of Milford celebrated its 250th anni-
versary, and it was with great pride and pleasure that I greeted
my old associates and the people of that town who gathered
upon that occasion. My pride for my native town was increased
and I have since considered that it was perhaps the most import-
ant town in all this commonwealth, but, after listening to the
addresses in the old Plvmouth Church last evening, and the
allusions that were made to the numerous industries and
the great and inventive men that Plymouth has produced,
and the historical address of Judge Fenn's to-day, I must say
that it is with pleasiue that I can divide the honors between
Milford and Plymouth. I want to say right here to the coming
generation that you do well to recall the events of the last
century and re-write them on the page of history. I am in
sympathv with it, and I congiatulate the young men ol this
town upon the ancestry that they enjoy. I would urge them to
perpetuate it and maintain it. New England is the birthplace
of ideas, continue it, guard your interests here, do not be
influenced by the delusions of a western fever. Sta\- here in
New England and maintain what voiu" ancestors have built.
Keep alive the old traditions. Keep the fires burning on the
old hearthstones, and keep in touch with your native town.
I began to think up to a certain point that the men of the
place were to receive all of the credit and glory, until the Rev.
Mr. Daly alluded to the ladies, and he touched me in a spot
where I was most interested. The men of Plymouth could
never have achieved or accomplished what they did but for the
mothers, the wives and the sweethearts of Plymouth. God bless
them all, present, past and future.
Mr. Pond — I understand Dr. Frank H. Whittemore is
present. Can we hear a word from him ? There are many
gentlemen present whom we should be pleased to hear, but the
hour is late and we do not think it will be advisable to extend it.
We have numerous letters of regret, but I will not read them.
There are many here, quite a number from Thomaston,
whom we should be orlad to hear if we had the time, but we
have other thino-s to attend to, and I feel that we must draw
these exercises to a close, and we will close by singing America.
At the conclusion of the exercises in the tent the guests of
the occasion repaired to the basement of the Congregational
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. I97
church where tables bounteously supplied had been spread for
300, every seat being occupied. It was a regular old-fashioned
New England spread, including apple-sauce made from a tree
set out by Rev. Mr. Todd, now standing on J. C. Fenn's farm.
In the afternoon a concert was held in the tent, Colt's orches-
tra rendering the following programme, repeating in addition the
overture, "William Tell," given during the morning:
"War March of the Priests frt)m Athalia," Mendelssohn
Overture, "Fra Diavolo," .... Auber
Solo for Cornet, "Cavatina." "Robert II Diavolo." Meyerbeer
Performed by Robert R. Hall.
Intermezzo, from "Cavalleria Ru.sticana," Ma.scagani
Traumerei (For String Instruments Only) Schumann
Grand Selection, "Faust," Gounod
Overture "Poet and Peasant," Suppe
The concert was enjoyed by an overflowing tent full of peo-
ple. Probably more tiian i,ooo attended at each service, morn-
ing: !^iid afternoon.
The centennial services closed with an organ recital in the
Congregational Church at 8 p. m., the building being full.
Following is the programme given :
Grand Ch«?ur, in K flat Guilmont
Russian Romance H. Hoffmann
Song, "The Magic Song" Myer Helmund
Mr. G. Robert McM-riman.
Finale, from 5th Symphony Beethoven
Bourree, in B minor Dupont
Song, "In Maytime" Becker
^Vliss Jessie L. Griggs.
March, from "Aida" Verdi
"Liebeslied" Nevin
Song, "As the Dawn" Cantor
Mr. Jesse R. Gaylord.
Communion, in (t major Batiste
Overture, "The Pearl of Bagdad" Loretz
The centennial proved itself a success, and the exercises,
under Mr. Pond s direction, were carried out admirably and to
the satisfaction of alll.
It was a grand reunion ol' not only those who lived nearby,
but of former residents who had become scattered in all direc-
tions. A large number of prominent people from other towns
were also present. Registers were provided, that all who
attended were requested to sign.
The Town Hall was used for the loan exhibition, which was
filled with curios that made a displav worth going miles
to see. The list is published elsewhere, followed by the letters
of regret.
Such an undertaking is only accomplished by hard work,
and while the various members did their work well, special
credit should be given to Jason C. Fenn, who did tlie clerical
1 98
IIISrOKV OK PL^ MOUl'H.
Loan Lxliibit.
General View.
Exhibit iif Fvirniture.
CENTKNMAI, CELEBRATION. I99
work and attended to all the big and little details, which only
those who have looked after such things can appreciate.
The exhibits in Town Hall were as follows :
CHINA, (II.ASS AM) t)THER TABI.KWARK.
China — Chas. Purrington.
Large tumbler — C. I. Allen.
Old crockery, two pewter platters, "Johnny Bull" pitcher — W. F.
Tolles.
Crockery, pie plate, old bottle, large tumbler — Miss Celinda Allen.
Salt dishes (70 years old) — ]\Irs. Bas.sett.
Pewter plate, tea pot — Samuel Tolles.
Milk pitcher and sugar bowl, cup and saucer — Miss Hattic Tolles.
Plate— Mrs. Stone.
Two dishes — Mrs. Egan.
Tea pot, decanter — Airs. Chid.sey.
Plate— Mrs. Harold.
Glass — Mrs. Holcomb.
Beer glass, china, etc. — Mrs. Fenn.
Tea pot, sugar bowl — Mrs. Arthur Beach.
Pewter platters, spoons, earthen bowl, glasses, etc. — Mrs. D. Barker.
Spoons, sugar tongs — Mrs. Griswold.
Cup, saucer — Mrs. George Beach.
Pitcher — Mrs. L. Hough.
Dish— Miss Bailey.
Silver teaspoon — Mrs. R. W. Plumb.
Salt cellars, spoon — Mrs. D. Mills.
Blue bowl, plates, cups and saucer — Mrs. Jason Clemence.
Knife and fork (100 years old), gravy bowl, cup and saucer — Mrs.
W. W. Cone.
China plate, cup and saucer, pitcher (60 years), pitcher and tea pot
(100 years), china plate (100 years), sugar bowl (100 years), sugar bowl
and platter (150 years), crockery, silver cream and tablespoons — Mrs.
W. (t. Plumb.
Cup and saucer — Mrs. F. J. Judd.
Blue pitcher and bowl — Mrs. William Bates.
Decanter and wine glasses (100 years), punch glasses, silver spoons
— :\Irs. E. S. Beach.
Teapot, engraved in China, two plates — Mrs. A. P. Clark.
Silver spoons (100 years) — Mrs. R. J. Plumb.
Plates and bowl^ — C. H. Baldwin.
Sugar tong.s — E. G. Woodward.
Sugar tongs (100 years), wine glass (103 years) — Mrs. Homer Cook.
Baby's cup (75 years)Mrs. E. R. Rouse.
Silver spoon — Mrs. W. T. Goodwin.
Goblets and decanter — Mrs. Loomis.
Quart tumblers — C. P. Gaylord.
Glass decanters and two tumblers, bottles — C. Throop.
Blue crockery, teapot and sugar bowl (Wilkie pattern), sugar bowl
(nearly 100 years old), pink teapot — H. E. Hinman.
Set of China, 60 years — C. S. Smith.
Blue crockery, baby cup — Mrs. Rice.
Crockery, pink and blue — Mrs. A. I. Kinne.
Two pewter plates, pink teapot and pitcher — Mrs. Chas. Johnson.
Pitcher and platter — Mrs. Chas. Keeke.
Four pewter platters (in set) — Mrs. H. Holt.
Toddy glass nearly 100 years old — A. H. Peck.
Blue tureen and platter, pewter porringer, teapot, cup and saucer,
milk pitcher, decanter — F. H. Kellogg.
Punch bowl, pewter trencher, sugar bowl — Levi Bassett.
vSalt cellar (over 100 years old, belonged to German duke), Mrs. H.
Miller.
200 HISTORY OF PI,VMOUTH.
Tea cup — ]\Irs. Russell.
Little black teapot, sugar bowl, milk cup — Mrs. Brown.
Silver bowl, teapot — Mrs. N. Beach.
Silver spoons (made from General Washington's spurs*), wooden
plates — P. Cowles.
Large platter (114 ^-ears old, brought from Ireland) — Mrs. Munane.
Toddy glass, plate (60 years old) — Mr. Adams.
FANCY WORK.
Bead bag (6 years) — E. S. Beach.
Sampler — G. Boyington.
Sampler (60 years) — R. J. Plumb.
Needle work (picture), pocket book — Mrs. K. Gaylord.
Embroidery — Mrs. Rouse.
Needle case — W. T. Goodwin.
Hand embroidered lawn collar — F. P. ToUes.
Beaded bag — Mrs. Rice. Also beaded necklace.
Tidy (knit by lady over 90 years old) — Mrs. "Warner.
Sampler, cloth spun by child 10 years old — Mrs. W. Clark.
Two beaded purses — Mart. Camp.
COMBS, BUCKLES, KTC.
Silver shoe buckle — A. P. Clark.
Bull's eye watch — Miss C. Allen.
Comb — Mrs. Lyman.
Locket — Mrs. Stone.
Back comb, buckles, silver sleeve buttons — C. Holt.
High back comb — G. H. Bates.
Rivetted ivory comb — Mrs. F. Ryals.
FIRMTUKE.
Brass clock (first one made bv Eli Terrv)— C. L Allen.
Chair of ex-Governor Trumbull— W. H' Scott.
Chair — C. Purrington.
Settle, secretary— W. F. ToUes.
Stand — Celinda Allen.
Chair— Mrs. F. Alford.
Clock, stand, looking glass — Mrs. Purcell.
Chair— Mrs. A. John.
Chair — Mrs. Chidsey.
Looking glass — Mrs. O'Donnell.
Looking glass — Mrs. Geo. Beach.
Three-legged stand (hand made, carved, very old) — Mrs. Decker.
Chair (over 100 years old) — C. Holt.
Captain's sea che.st — F. H. Kellogg.
Chair (about 130 years), looking glass (ancient) — JNIrs. Warner.
Armchair (over 120 years) — Mrs. N. Beach.
Chair, belonging to Dr. Wm. Woodruff's father — John Cronan.
Chest of drawers, armchair — ]\Irs. Hough.
Three-legged cherry stand — J. Clemence.
Table— H. D. Alien.
High chair (75 years), chair (90 years), chests — W. G. Plumb.
Mahogony table — Mrs. Ludholtz'
Chairs — E. vS. Beach.
Table (150 years), mirror (150 years) chair — W. G. Goodwin.
Splint-bottom chair — A. Griffin.
*After George Washington's death in 1700, his silver spurs were handed down
to his cousin, Norman Woodruff, who was the father of Tames and John Woodruff,
who lived in Terryville many years. Norman Woodrufi was Mr.s'. S. F. ^Minor's
grandfather, the spurs being rnade into spoons in 1S42, at the time of the marriage
of her mother, by Rogers & Co. Mrs. Jtinor is also a descendant of Stephen Hart,
who "forded" the river in 163^, from whence Hart— ford derived its name.
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 20I
Chairs — S. Fenn.
Chair (200 years old) — jMrs. A. Mouklthrop.
Locker — E. Hinman.
Mirror, chair — Miss Ann Bro;)ks.
Chair— Mrs. C. Troop.
Gilt-framed mirror — Mrs. Rice.
Child's chair — A. I. Kinne. (Wittled with jackknife and used for
three generations. )
Clock and table — Chas. Johnson.
Old chairs and round table — Mr. Winslow.
Bureau, with swell front — Mrs. Armsbuster.
Old stand — Kate Hanley.
Chair — G. Baldwin.
NL\CHINES .-^ND WKAVINC; .\1'I'LL\NCKS.
Spinning wheel, linen and wool — W. G. Plumb.
Spinning wheels and reels — S. Fenn.
Spinning wheel and linen wheel — Mrs. Rice.
Machine for dressing cloth — C. P. Gaylord.
Spinning wheel — H. Hinman.
Tape loom — Mr. Winslow.
Flax brake, flax, tow, clock wheels (hand made), t )w card — W. F.
Tolles.
Flax wheel, flax, tape lo;)m, hetchel, card for wool — Miss. C. Allen.
Tow rolls, reel, cards, hetcheled flax, home-spun yarn — C. Holt.
Hetchel— A. J. Adams.
Crimping machine from England — Mrs. B. Curtis.
WK.\rt>.NS UK W.\KK.A.KK.
Sword used in French and Indian war — A. P. Clark.
Flintlock gun (150 years) — C. H. Baldwin.
Flint box — A. I. Kinne.
Ball from old United States steamer — D. G. Cooper.
Pistol— A. Lane.
Guns— S. Tolles.
Flintlock musket (in war of 1812) — Mrs. Hough.
r.KDDINc;, TAHI.K SPRKADS AM) LLNK.N.
Blue coverlet ( 100 years) — W. G. Plumb.
Hand-made Irish linen towels (50 years) — Mrs. M. O'Brien
Woolen blanket and quilt (75 years) — Chas. Clemens.
Blanket — A. GriiSn.
Rose coverlet — Mrs. Goodale.
Red quilt, from Ireland — Kate Hanley.
Table spread — Mrs. Lyman.
Blanket — Mrs. Holcomb.
Home-made table cloth — D. Barker.
Old linen — Miss Bailev.
Table spread— R. W. Plumb.
Linen, bed quilt (1,950 pieces, 81 years old) — Miss. C. Allen.
Spread — Samuel Tolles.
Table cloth (100 years) — Miss H. Tolles.
Pillow slips and towel — Mrs. Russell.
Cloth made in Sanwich Islands from bark, brought to United States
in 1851, mat ditto, home-made linen, linen pillow slips and handkerchief,
towel (109 years) — G. H. Bates.
I'ICTL'RKS AM) PAINTlNc;.
Pictures— Mrs. Terrill.
Two portraits (1775) — E. S. Beach.
Oil painting — Mrs. Rouse.
Picture (1S49)— W. T. Goodwin.
20:;
iiisroKv OK I'l.'i Mor I II .
Clock Exhibit.
Exhibit cif Paiiitinjjs
CKNTKNNIAI, CEI.EHK ATION. 303
Oil painting — C. P. Gaylord.
Oil painting — Mrs. Rice.
Photos— W" Scott.
Paintings (two portraits on ivory, 60 years) — Mrs. Warner,
Silouette of gold leaf painting — Mrs. Ryles.
HOOKS AM) I'Al'KRS.
Books — Mrs. Chidsey.
Certificate, with signatures of (i. Washington and Jno. Knox, auto-
graphs— C. I. Allen.
Primer — Geo. Bushnell.
Bible (1S3 years), books (Wm. Tell, 1S27 and 1S36), spelling book —
W. F. Tolles.
Geography (90 years) — ]\Ii.ss H. Tolles.
Account book — F. J. Judd.
Old music and book — A. P. Clark.
Books — J. Starr.
Letter sealed (1S3 years) — Mrs. II. Cook.
Family register — Mrs. Rice.
Paper from Burmah — Mr. Saterlee.
Book (i74<j, translated from a book written by a Brahmin) — Mrs. W.
Clark.
Reward of Merit (75 years old), book ("American Oracle," 104 years
old), geography (1S17), Morse's Atlas (70 years), .spelling book (1815) —
Mrs. G. Bates.'
German book (1734) — W. John.
Book (100 years) — Mrs. F. Ryals.
MONKV.
One French coin, German coins — Mrs. W. John.
Portuguese coin — Mrs. H. Miller.
$5.00 Confederate bill, pas.sed through the keyhole at Libbey priscm
— Mrs. Curtiss.
IMoney — Mrs. D. Barker.
Mexican dollars — F. C. Goodwin.
CI.OIIII.NC.
Cloak — Mrs. Cone.
Shawls, belt, baby cape (worn by Mrs. Beach's mother), lace yeil —
E. Beach.
Petticoat (belonged to the wife of Rev. Andrew vSton-'s) — Mrs.
Gaylord.
Shawl — Carl Baldwin.
Old gown — Mrs. Rouse.
Silk cravat— Mrs. W. T. Goodwin.
Hand-embroidered lawn collar — F. P. Tolles.
Beaded necklace — Mrs. Rice.
Pointed slippers — ]Mrs. A. Kinney.
Swallow-tail coat — W. Tolles.
Three old capes (white), shawl, man's hat, ladies' bonnets — Miss
Celinda Allen.
Muff, bonnet — Mrs. Hcjlcomb.
Cape, stockings — Miss Bailey.
Chinese .slipper (which has been worn by Chinese lady) — Mrs. C
Holt.
Men's linen hose, pointed slipper, striped linen trousers — Mrs. C.
Holt.
Ancient shawl — Mrs. Martin Camp.
Two ancient bonnets (black straw, made by Mrs. Beach's sister
when 13 years old), also outside pocket (wcjrn 100 years ago) — Mrs.
Nathan Beach.
Shawl (So years old), slippers — Mrs. Geo. Bates.
204
IIISTOKV OK PI. ^. MOUTH.
MISCELLANEOUS.
Candle mould — Mrs. K. S. Gajdord.
Turnkeys — A. Kinne.
Thermometer, radiametre — D. (i. Co.)per.
Steel-yards — Mrs. A. John.
Goose— Mrs. D. Barker.
Bellows — Mrs. George Beach.
Bread toaster — L. Hough.
Bread tray for kneading bread — Mrs. George Bates.
Andirons — Mrs. Tomlinson.
Bread tray — Mrs. Hough.
Goose (150 years old) — Mr. Adams.
Wooden shovel — Mrs. Burton Curtis.
Bi-ass kettles, candle lantern, foot stoves, warming pan— Mrs. H.
Holt.
Foot stoves, warming pan — C. Holt.
Ancient horn — F. Kellogg.
Foot stove — L. Bassett.
Willow basket (for yarn when knitting) — Mrs. Watson Clark.
Andirons, snuffers and tray — Mrs. Brown.
Miscellaneous Exhibit.
Wooden mortar (made in England, over 175 j-ears old) — Mrs. N.
Beach.
Wooden bowl (200 vears old), knitting needle ea.se (45 years old) —
Mrs. G. Bates.
Pearl fish hook— D. G. Cooper.
Minerals, also purse — C. Purrington.
Foot stoves, gridirons, knitting needle case, tin lantern, mortar —
W. ToUes.
Bread tins, snuffer, razor — Miss C. Allen.
Jack knife— Miss H. Tolles.
Foot stove, lantern — Mrs. Fenn.
Fire shovel — Miss Bailey.
Warming pan — Mrs. D. Mills.
Mortar— H. D. Allen.
Tin lantern, foot stove — F. Judd.
Warming pan (300 years old) — D. Grifhn.
Warming pan (100 years old) — E. S. Beach.
Side-saddle (over 100 years) — A. P. Clark.
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 205
Cane (1703) — J. StaiT.
Candle snuffers — E. L. Pond.
Stone from oldest frame house in America — W. L. Norton.
Foot stove, hand-forged pitch fork — ^Irs. Rouse.
Tin apple dish — W. F. Goodwin.
Brass andirons — Steven Fenn.
Glass candle sticks — Mrs. Loomis.
Wooden bottle — Mrs. Ann Brooks.
Copper warming pan — A. I. Kinne.
Warming pan — Charles Johnson.
Bible (1706), old books, clarionet, large blue mug brought from Eng-
land by Stephen Bucknall, .silver tea measure, old scales, lace collar,
linen — E. ]M. Talmadge.
Copy of first edition of "Hartford Courant" — E. M. Talmadge.
Fac-simile of first new.spaper published in the United States, (1703,)
sugar bowl, book case — W. S. Edgarton.
Paintings on glass, Chinese paintings, wooden tray — Miss E. B.
Wells.
Lace, long shawl of Madame Bellamy's, caps worn by Mrs. Hart
when an infant, tin tea caddy, pewter porringer, N. E. primer — Mrs. S.
Kellogg.
Books, worked table cover, pewter — Mrs. ^I. Leach.
Boot-jack used in the family by successive generations for 150
years, tinder box, weaver's shuttle, wooden saucer used through the
Revolutionary War, hatchet, books, notes on farming, 1794, The In-
structor, 1767, dictionary — Mrs. John Warner.
Butter moulds, spoon moulds, gun 150 years — Mr. Sheldon Potter.
Platters, bread bags, embroidered shawls, stand, chair, bed spread,
toilet cover, shell fan, comb — Mrs. George Langdon.
Chairs, clock, one of the first Wheeler & Wilson sewing machines —
Mrs. George Wedge (Todd Hollow).
Chair — Mrs. Helen Hough.
Decanter — Mr. Chauncey Beach.
Very curious stand, 200 years, bible, 1767, shuttle for weaving car-
riage lace, chair of Miss Anna Darrows, pitcher and plate, linen lace
cap border, all from Scotland except the chair — Mrs. Walter Webb.
Blue covered dish — Mrs. Whiting.
Chair, 100 years, sugar bowl — Mrs. Amos Barnes.
Teapot, baskets, boy's .stockings knit of linen, books, wheels and
swifts, grain fan — Mrs. A. P. Fenn.
Prayer book and Bible (presented by the English Society for the
Propagation of the Gospel), contribution boxes — St. Peter's Church.
Minerals, crockery, spectacles, snufiiers and tray, bread trays, knife
(17S5), singing book — Mrs. Enos Blakeslee.
Plates, platters, salt cellar, double foot stove (made m Plymouth),
"Litchfield Monitor" (containing notice of Washington's death), collec-
tion of coins — Mrs. Arthur Beardsley.
Pitch pipe, singing books (with patent notes and wooden cover —
John Bradley.
Tin lantern, pewter lamp, cup and plate, tea pot, looking glass, key
for unlocking bolt, scrap book, books, N. E. primer, spelling books,
Lindlev Murrav grammar, sermons, etc. (samples of three generations)
—Mrs.' J. B. Atwood.
Chairs, wheels and reels, candle.sticks, forks, shears, quilt, toddy
stick — Mrs. S. J. Hoadlev
Turnkey— Dr. Heath.
Front of pulpit from the First Congregational Church — Mrs. E. J.
Morse.
Shell comb — Mrs. Porter Rice.
Tin oven and dripping pan, Indian scalp knife (found near house),
silk dress waist, old calico — Mr. Charles Baldwin.
Chair (125 years old) — Mr. Cyrus Skilton.
Sword used in Revolution — Mr. H. Ploucquet.
3o6
HISrcJRV OF IM.YMOU'IH.
Old blue china, with curious fish platter (brought from China), chairs,
table, soap dish (for soft soap), candle sticks, bread basket, carders,
Bible— Mr. Wm. Bull.
Cherry table (150 years), turnpike fare board, full ccdlection of green-
backs, glass mug, etc. — Byron Tuttle.
Cup made from Charter Oak, known to be genuine — Mr. A. J. Hill.
Corn fan (for separating chaff from grain), tool used to form inside
of pewter tumblers (manufactured on Town Hill about 1S30). "conch
shell" (supposed to be 100 years old, once owned by Jared Blakeslee),
nail maker's hammer (used by Randall Mathews before the days of cut
nails), flax (ready to spin) and linen shirt (from same crop, grown by
Elam Fenn about 1857), pewter faucet (patented about iSro by Gaius
Fenn and manufactured on Town Hill), folding table (100 years old),
sheep shears — Jason C. Fenn.
LETTERS OF REGRET.
Statk oI'- Cd.NNKCTICUT, EXF.CL'TIVK DkI'AKTMKNT, I
Hartkord, May 14, 1S95. \
Chairman Com.mii ikk on Cki.khkation, Town of Plymouth, Tkkrv-
viLLF., Conn.
Dear Sir — Governor Coffin duly received your kind invitation to at-
tend the celebration to-dav and to-morrow, and has been hoping to be
present at the exercises this afternoon or evening, or to-morrow.
The pressure of official business has, however, been and remains so
severe that he has been compelled, under the orders of his physician, to
cancel all engagements other than those which it is impossible for him
to omit without disregarding his t)fficial duties.
He instructs me to thank you, and those whom you represent, most
cordially, for your thoughtful attention, and to express his sincerest
good wishes for the complete success of your very interesting and im-
portant celebration. Yours truly,
Frank D. IIainks,
Executive Secretarv-
Nf:w Havkn, j\Iay 11, 1895.
Richard Bai.hwin, E^(j., Tf.rrvvii.i.k, Conn.
Dear Mr. Baldwin — I have anticipated attending the celebration in
Plvmouth next week, with a great deal of pleasure, but yesterday en-
gagements came up which will make it impossible for me to be present.
Thanking 3'ou for 3'our kind invitation and with best wishes for the
.success of the event, I remain. Yours truly,
C. E. HoADI.FY.
Nkw York, May 13, 1895.
Mr. Jason Fknn :
5ly Dear Sir — I had hoped to be with you on Plymouth's Centennial,
but much to my regret, I shall be unable to do so. Please express my
thanks to the "committee for their kind invitaticm. My great great
grandfather, Moses Foote, and his wife, Ruth Butler, were among the
earlv settlers of Northbury^ and members of the old church there, as
earl}- as 1749.
"Four stalwart sons grew up and became members of the old church,
with their wives, and two of their sisters. Three of the sons were in
service in the Revolution from old Northbury, and two of them, in that
great struggle, gave up their lives for their country. One, Ebenezer,
died while in service in 1778, at Horse Neck (now Greenwich), Ctmn..
and in the same year his widow, Rebecca, and his sister, Lydia (wife of
Isaac Curtis), united with the old church. So afflictions not infrequently
lead us to the cross. David was killed by the British at Fairfield in
their attack upon that place in 1779. He and his wife were members
and had been for many years. In 1769, ten of the Foote family o-
mature age were members of the church under Mr. .Storrs' ministry^
2oS HISTOKV OF l'I-\ M OUTII .
and with their families attended his church. The membership was then
about no, and about one in eleven of the members bore the name of
Foote.
It was wonderful how well the Foote's liked the Bronson's. The
three oldest sons married three dau_w;'hters of John Bronson, Jr. David
married Comfort, Moses married Thankful, Aaron married Mary, and
then, as there were probably no more to be had, the next son, Ebenezer,
married Rebecca Barker.
The next and youngest son, Obed, then aged 20, my great grand-
father, married Alary Todd, the minister's daughter, then about 19
years of age, and the eldest of her father's family. Tradition has it
that she was a favorite with the young people and with all. Both were
members of her father's church. We can, perhaps, imagine the prepara-
tions for the wedding, the prior announcement from the pulpit, as cus-
tomary in those days, the procuring of the license, and finally, when
all preparations complete, the gathering of young men and maidens of
the congregation, the parents, and the simple ceremony of the marriage
of the minister's daughter. Eleven children were the fruit of the happy
marriage, and all grew to maturity. Seven of them were born in good
old Northbury and were baptized in the old church, and one of these,
my grandfather Samuel, was baptized there on May 27, 1770. In later
years he used to sa}' that when a boy he lived in the northeast part of
the town, near Poland river, and used to go two or three miles to meet-
ing, that Rev. Storrs was their minister and wore a big white wig. The
farm where he lived in boyhood was sold in 1779 to Ozias Tyler for
§8,000, Continental money.
A sterling set these eleven children were, and Mary Todd brought
them up to be a bles.sing to the communit}^ One of them, in the year 1847,
in writing his remembrances of his grandfather. Rev. Samuel Todd,
says : "I shall not forget how he used to shake his large white wig
when any one of my good mother's little flock made a mistake in the
old Westminister catechism." These eleven children were possessed of
more than ordinary talent, and each filled a sphere of usefulness in their
day and generation. And in turn they brought up their children well.
Several were judges on the bench, several legislators, several ministers.
One of Mary Todd's children (Bernice Foote) had four sons, three of
whom were ministers, who were a power in the land in their day. The
Christian influence of Obed and Mary Foote still lives among their
numerous descendants from generation to generation.
I send you, as a loan to the centennial loan exhibition, an old-
fashioned silhouette of Mary Todd Foote, made when she was advanced
in years. I also send you a spoon made by Joseph Hopkins, of Water-
bury. You will find a biographical sketch of him in Bronson's Histoiy
of AVaterburs', page 411. This .spoon was made for Rev. vSamuel Todd
about 1755 to 1760. It bears the maker's name, stamped on the handle.
It bears the engraved initials T., S. M., standing for Todd, Samuel and
Mary. It is not silver. Ministers in those da^'S, with a salary- of ;^ioo a
year, like Mr. Todd's, pa^'able in "Old Tenor" Connecticut currrency,
could not afford to buy silver, especially as it took eleven shillings old
Tenor paper currency, in which his salary was paid, to buy one shilling
in silver.
And this brings me to my most worthy ancestor. Rev. Samuel Todd,
whose daughter married Obed Foote. He was Northbury's first minis-
ter. Here he came, with his young wife Mercy Evans, at the age of
twenty-three, in 1740, to give to the new church of Northbury the best
efforts of an earnest life. They were soon established in their new
home, the house built for them by the good people. The size of it was
25x32, as appears from the records. In Northbury all his children were
born, and here twenty-four of the best years of his life were given de-
votedly to the people of this chiu'ch and community. It was a time of
great trials. The controversy between the "old lights" and the "new
lights" was at its height during these j^ears, only equalled by that
eighty years later in Massachusetts between the orthodox Congregation-
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 209
alists and the Unitarians, disrupting churches and pastoral relations
with their flocks. Mr. Todd was one of the "new lights." Financial
troubles, too, came to vex the people. When Mr. Todd came in 1740 at
;;^ioo per year in 'Old Tenor" paper currency and fire wood, it took a
little over three shillings, "Old Tener," to buy a silver shilling. Paper
money increased so that in 1755 it took eleven shillings of "Old Tener"
currency to buy a silver shilling. In the meantime, with a growing
family, a fixed salary payable in a constantly depreciating currency,
frequent changes were necessary to correspond with depreciation in
money, and this led to complaints, for pastor and people both sufl^ered.
The church was in its infancy, a feeble church struggling to pay its ex-
penses, and to build and finish their new church, and it was not done
for nearly twenty ^^ears. Then this currency inflation culminated in
1756 and was succeeded by a violent currency contraction, for the colony
of Connecticut decided to pay only one shilling silver for nine of its old
tenor currency and to repudiate the remainder, and it did so. In this year,
Mr. Todd, knowing the burdens of his people, presented the following;
"To the society meeting at Northbury, February 12, 1756: Christian
brethren and friends, there are evidently many dilficulties subsisting
among us, in particular with regard to my support among you, the
which we have great reasons to suspect is one great ground and
rise of all the rest, the which is just ground of great humiliation and
lamentation, as greatly threatening our ruin. Yet, I think I can truly
say, I am free to serve you in the work of the ministry so long as there
is a hopeful prospect of doing service to your souls. And as this day
yt)u have been consulting to find out some method hopefully to make the
atfair with regard to my support more comfortable, and have concluded
upon none, I would therefore propose to your consideration the one
method, in order for my support in the time to come, and that is by free
contribution ; and to this end to have a public contribution once in two
months on the Lord's day at the close of the evening worship, to be gath-
ered by the deacons, to begin the first Sabbath of March next, and what
any one shall see it their duty to hand in at other time, it shall be accept-
able, and if the society please you may make a grant of the ministry
money to me. If this society agree in and desire, record may be made
thereof, and I will serve you by the grace of God, as long as God by
his providence shall continue me in the work of the ministry among
you. Requesting an interest in your prayers that I may be abundantly
faithful and successful among you, from yours to serve in the order of
the Gospel. Samuel Todd."
We have no one to narrate to us the trials of those times, through
Queen Anne's war and the old French war. Nor do we know what was
the harvest resulting ixoxn the good seed sown by Mr. Todd in those
years of discouragement and trial. Rev. E. B. Hilliard wrote to me in
1892:
"I have a very high estimate of Mr. Todd. He was the Apostle of
Plymouth in the truest sense of the term, and deserves the highest
honor the town can pay him. I have proposed that we endeavor to
erect a tablet to his memory in the Plymouth church."
Twenty-four of his best years had been given to Northbury when
in 1764 he was dismissed at his own request. The next two years he
preached at Lanesboro, Mass. Then he went to Adams, Mass., a new
settlement, where he organized the first Congregational church, and was
its pastor for twelve years.
After the close of his pastorate he served as chaplain in the Conti-
nental army for a short time, but his health and age (now past sixty),
forbade his continuance and he retired from that service. His son
Samuel, born in Northbury, about this time was in Williams' Massachu-
setts' regiment in the Burgoyne campaign and was at his surrender at
Saratoga. Rev. Mr. Todd with his wife retired first to his sister's at
Northfield, Mass., and thence in 1782 to Oxford, N. H., where after
preaching occasionally in the new settlements, as he was able, he finally
received the Master's summons June 10, 1789, aged 72. His widow
2IO HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.
died September 14, 1804, aged 87. Grave stones mark their burial place.
Their memory should be tenderl}" cherished by the church of their early
labors, to which was devoted their life's best work.
So many of my ancestors spent their days at old Northbury in early
times that I feel interested in this centennial, and I much regret that I
cannot be present. But I send greetings in behalf of the descendants
of Rev. Samuel Todd and Mercy Evans Todd, and of Obed Foote and
Mary Todd Foote, to the good people of Plymouth and those who cele-
brate the day with them. May it be a day of thanksgiving for the bless-
ings of the last hundred and fifty years, and for our Christian ancestry !
Let eloquence, poetry, music and history combine to make the day
interesting for young and old. All honor to our Plymouth ancestry !
and may their virtues be perpetuated in their descendants.
I am, yours with sincere respect, Horace Allen Footk.
New York, May 13, 1895.
George Langdon, Esq., Plymouth, Conn.:
Dear vSir: — I cannot but feel thankful for the invitation kindly sent
to me to be present at the Plymouth Centennial Celebration on the 14th
and 1 5th of May, inst. Were it possible I would gladly be with you on
that occasion. It would be a pleasure to me to make once more even a
short visit to Plymouth, my birthplace, and especially at such a most
interesting time as surely may be expected.
Although my "home life" in Plymouth was only a "span long," my
visits there during my boyhood days were freciuent and fondly remem-
bered, as is also a year at the academy. All my recollections of the town
and its people are full of pride and of gladness. Pride, that I was born
among the "rock-ribbed hills" of Litchfield County, where the breezes
of heaven are fresh and pure, but no purer than were the thoughts
and the purposes which inspired the hearts and uiDlifted the souls of the
sturdj' and earnest men and women of that far-famed section of old
Connecticut.
With gladness, because of the many days spent there, days such as
fill a small boy's whole being with delight, tramping over the hills and
through the woods on cool, crispy, yet sunny autumn mornings —
"AVhen the sound of dropping nuts is heard,
Though all the trees are still."
Then, too, at the annual feast of good tiings — chicken pies, roast
goose and Indian puddings (boiled in a bag) — prepared so temptingly
by the dear old grandmother at Thanksgiving times. Later on the
moonlight evening sliding down "Flag Hollow Hill." When early
spring time came, there was the tapping of the maple trees back on the
hillside, the boiling of pails and pails of the sap — impatiently, perhaps
— waiting for the result, but by and by rejoicing because the sweetest
and the best maple sugar ever tasted was the product.
A little later, when the sun poured down its summer heat, came
frequent bathing and splashing in the little streamlet and its quiet pools
under the trees down below Uncle Miles' old tannery. Such sports and
occupations in boyhood days are remembered with gladness — are never
forgotten.
The names and the features of many of the worthy and honored
men living in Plymouth in the old days are well remembered. My be-
lief was, and the conviction remains with me yet, that nowhere could
have lived any more deserving of esteem and honor than such men as
Eli Terry, Apollos Warner, Edwin Talmadge, vSquire Butler, Stej^hen
Mitchell, Edward Langdon, Dr. Woodruff, also the son of "Dr. Bill,"
Mr. Cooley, Lucius Bradley, Captain Isaac Bull, Squire Blakeslee, Seth
Thomas, Silas Hoadley,. Eli Terry, Jr., Silas B. Terry, and many
others — prominent, influential and enterprising citizens. Some of the
boys and girls of the old days are also remembered with pleasure. I
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 211
will mention only a few of them: Egbert Butler and Malcomb, John
Calhoun, Edward Warner and Sarah, Catherine Talmadge, George
Langdon, David Warner, Edwin Johnson, Lvman, Norman, Walter and
Sam Smith.
I cannot forget Mr. Isham, the teacher at the Academy in 1836.
He was a gentle, gentlemanly, lovable man. The old Academy itself,
at some time during the intervening years, seems to have become rest-
less and perhaps ambitious for a "western career," possibly catching
the spirit of the old saying, ' ' Westward the star of empire takes its
way," for when I last looked upon its venerated walls it had abandoned
its old location and started towards the setting sun. Quickly, no doubt,
upon "second sober thought," an honest home-sick feeling gained the
mastery, the wandering desire was quelled, and the conclusion, "Plym-
outh is good enough for me," "There is no place like the old home,"
prevailed. Excuse the rambling, incoherent makeup of this epistle.
In closing, I will express a hope that Plymouth will have another hun-
dred years of peace, prosperit}- and all needed blessings.
Ver}^ truly 3-ours,
S. B. Jerome.
[Mr. Jerome was a son of Chauncey Jerome, born in the house now
occupied by Albert Gaylord.]
Allegan, Mich., April 30, 1895.
J. C. Fenx, Secretary oe Centennial Committee, Plymouth, Conn.
We have the pleasure of being honored with an invitation to be
present at the centennial celebration of the incorporation of the dear old
town of my nativity, and in connection with that event thoughts of the
past (so many of them) come to my mind. Many pleasant recollections;
some of which are sad and cast a shadow over the picture which is
spread out before me — a map as it were of the changes which seventy
years of m\' recollections cover. Would that I might present it before
your eyes as it is photographed in mine as you gather for your centen-
nial celebration. I suppose a great multitude of people will gather on
that occasion. Could I be present with you and look into the faces of
that multitude of people, I should be constrained to say, " One genera-
tion passeth away and another cometh."
The old fathers have gone to their reward, and to us, their children,
their memory is bles.sed. We commence where they left off, with their
lives and examples before us. God has led this generation out into
large fields and bestowed upon us wisdom and knowledge, and placed
us environments such as the world has never known before, and so
ladened us with responsibilities, and inspired us to recognize those re-
sponsibilities, and to put forth our willing hands to the work before us.
Let us consider the possibilities which may be achieved by us, for soon
another generation will take up the work where we leave it and they will
say of us — -the fathers, where are they ?
Regrets that we cannot be with you on that occasion might be in
order, were it not for the fact that the Wise Disposer of Events seems
to interpose and thinks it not best. Our oft infirmities admonish us that
our very pleasant home which has been provided is the best place for us
at our advanced time in life, and so, however much we may desire to
mingle with you on that eventful occasion, the admonition comes to us
that in order to prolong our days we must be good to ourselves and for-
bear from engaging in those fatiguing and exciting incidents which in
earlier days were pleasant and restful.
Hoping you may all enjoy even more of pleasure than you antici-
pate, and that the effort which has been attended with much labor in
the preparation may be eminently successful, we are
Truly yours,
Mr. and Mrs. E. A. Fenn.
312 HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.
Cedarcrest, Garrison-on-Hudson.
Mr. Jason C. Fenn, Secretary:
Dear Sir — Mrs. Toucey and I anticipated much plea.sure in attend-
ing the Plymouth centennial celebration. Mrs. Toucey's love for her
old home does not abate as the years roll by. As for myself, having
early in life captured and carried off one of her fairest and' best for my
companion in life, is it a wonder that there is a warm spot in my heart
for the dear "old town" nestled in among the hills of Litchfield county?
It would give us great pleasure to join in your festivities, but a
recent injury to Mrs. Toucey compels us at this late day to send regrets,
but wishing you all a happy and joyous time, one of Connecticut's "old
time celebrations," I am Yours truly.
Garrison, Putnam Co., N. Y. , May 12, 1895. John M. Toucey.
Rochester, N. Y., May ii, 1895.
George Langdon, Esq., and Gentlemen of the Plymouth Centennl^l
Committee:
I received your kind invitation to attend the celebration of May 14
and 15, and had confidently expected to be present, until to-day I find that
it now seems impossible to leave home. Several of the former residents
of Plymouth have called on me or corresponded with reference to the
anticipated meeting, among whom are David vS. Mather, of Buffalo,
George Plumb, of Fairport, N. Y., my brother, Wallace Darrow, of
Yorktown, N. Y. All are ready in any way to contribute toward the
objects of the "Centennial."
We cherish New England and its institutions and influences, where
our fathers sleep, with filial love. During the fifty years of residence
in Rochester we have frequently visited the old home.
Yours Respectfully,
Erastus Darrow.
Harbine, Neb., May 8, 1S95.
Mr. Geo. Langdon, Chairman of Committee:
My Dear Sir — It would be an intense satisfaction to me to be present
in dear old Plymouth next week. But Coxies army got the start of me.
So I can only forward my regrets, together with the earnest hope that
you may have a royal gathering (for in this country we all belong to the
royal family), and that you will all be taxed to the utmost to find room
for the gray-headed girls and boys who are permitted to do homage at
that shrine of early associations. Bristol was my birthplace, and it has
always had tender associations on account of kindred who lived or died
there, and others who still live. But my boyhood and youth belong to
Plymouth, I played ball on that green in summer. And what glorious
coasting we had in winter! Then, incidentally (?) we put in some time
trying to get a start up the ascent to the "Temple of Fame," under the
tutilage of Miss Maria vSmith. She used to tell us that she had eyes in
the back of her head. Then, for a time, I attended Miss McNeill's
select school in basement of the Episcopal Church. She was, for me,
an inspiring teacher. Then at the old Academy, when it stood on the
east side of the green. Several impressions remain. First, Judge
Bissell, of Torrington, once with a few strokes of the pen, made and
gave to me, as a reward of merit (I had the most head marks in spelling),
the picture of a goose, which I long cherished among my treasures.
Second, I recall the little boxes, with slide lids, which ambitious students
used .slyly to cut in the desks, and also the facility which some acquired
in catching flies to put into them. Then there was that copy which
Wallace Fenn once set in my copy book, "England thinks she can con-
quer America." I said, "67/t' r^?;/'/ c/(; //.'" And I .sV/// think so. Then
the new school house was built, and what times we had in our competi-
tive study. The "parsing" class was the center of interest. One little
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 213
incident — perhaps Dwight Terry will recall it, for he will surely be with
you. He sat in the front single desk on the west side, near the chimney.
One morning we were reading in the testament. He was wrestling with
the word "jeopardy" ("Why stand ye in jeopardy every hour"). It
was too big for him — j-e-(ge)-o-(geo)-p-a-r-(geopar)-d-5' — when a square
foot of plastering, loosened by the rain, fell upon his head.
I am reminded of a song which often comes to mind, "Twenty
Years Ago." Only these things occurred near the middle of the century
whose close you celebrate. How I would like to know the history of
each of those, my companions. In Plymouth I studied Latin under Dr.
Warren ; thence I went to Williston Seminary ; thence to Yale. In the
dear old church in Plymouth I was ordained to go as chaplain to the
army. In that old church I began the Christian life. And during the
half century almost, I have tried to serve faithfully my day and genera-
tion. I am aware that I do not rank among those who have become dis-
tinguished. But I have not dishonored the home of my boyhood, nor
its neighbor, the town of my birth. I should like to see a list of those
present, and to know their present residences, occupations, family con-
nections, etc. I have a good wife, who would be an honor to even a
Plymouth circle. Also two manly sons, of whom we are not ashamed.
As the years pass, and new "forms and strange faces supplant the
old, may they be full of a noble ambition to maintain and develop to a
still higher degree the principles of Christian patriotism and true
nobility.
"The hills of New England, how proudly they rise.
In their wildness of grandeur, to blend with the skies ;
With their far azure outlines and tall ancient trees.
New England, my country, I love thee for these."
Yours in tender memories,
John B. Doulittle.
Mai'lewilu, Waterburv, Conn.:
My dear Mr. Smith. — Very much do I regret my inability to attend
the centennial celebration at Plymouth and Terry ville to which you have
kindly invited me. A wedding on the fifteenth, in which I am inter-
ested" will prevent my acceptance. Had the date been other than it is
Miss Hayden and I would have endeavored to attend.
Yours truly.
May S, 1895. Anna L. Ward.
Mrs. Fannie West Pogue regrets that she is unable to attend the
centennial celebration of the incorporation of Plymouth, Connecticut, at
Plymouth Center and at Terryville, May 14 and 15.
AvoNDALE, Cincinnati, May 6, 1S95.
J. C. Fenn, Sec'y Centennial Committee.
Mrs. C. B. Gunn regrets that her health will not permit of her ac-
cepting the invitation to be present at the centennial celebration of the
town of Plymouth on May 14 and 15. Terryville was for many, many
years a pleasant home and only tender memories remain of the town
and its people. May it be a joyous celebration and reunion for all that
are present.
Hopkinton, Mass., May 18, 1895.
214 HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.
Sec'y Centp:nmal Cummittkk, Plymouth, Conn.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles B. Holman regret their not being able to ac-
cept the invitation to the centennial celebration of the town of Ply-
mouth on May 14 and 15.
Mrs. Holman has very affectionate remembrances of Terry ville as
her girlhood's home, and later as teacher in the schools. To the sons
and daughters present may the day be full of pleasant greetings and
renewed friendships.
HoPKiNTON, Mass., May 13, 1S95.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES
Founders of the Clock and Lock Industries
IN America.
interesting details of their lives.
Careers of Other People Who Made Plymouth
Their Home.
Eli Terry.
CHAPTER X.
CLOCK MAKERS.
Plymouth Made Famous by the Invention of Eli Terry, who was the Founder of
the Clock Business of America— Other Prominent Makers, such as Seth
Thomas, Silas Hoadley, Samuel Camp, and Chauncey Jerome, were all Natives
of this Town,
ELI TERRY was born in South Windsor, Conn., April 13,
1 77-' His ancestor, Samuel Terry, came to ancient Spring-
field, Mass., A. D. 16^4. Samuel of the fourth generation after
was born in the year 1750. He married Huldah Burnham. Their
children were Eli, Samuel, Silas, Huldah, Lucy, Ann, Naoma,
Horace, Clarissa and Joseph. Eli went to Northbury, then a
part of Watertown, in 1793, to manufacture clocks. He was
said to be an earnest, thoughtful young man and exceedingly
temperate both in eating and drinking. Soon after he married
Eunice Warner of that town. She was the daughter of James
Warner and the granddaughter of John Warner and David
Button. Their children were Anna, born December 23, 1786,
Eli, born June 25, 1799, Henry, James, Silas Burnham, Sarah
Warner, Huldah, George and Lucinda. Mrs. Terry died
December 15, 1S39. ^^ November, 1840, he married widow
Harriet Peck. Their children were Stephen, born in 1S41, and
Edwin, born in 1S43. He first located in the southern part of
the town. A few years after he sold out his business to Silas
Hoadley and Seth Thomas and the place took the name of
Hoadlevville. He then built a house with a shop in the rear on
Plymouth Hill near the center. He built the two houses in
Terryville just west of the church in 1838 and 1839, and moved
into the one nearest the church where he remained until his
death.
Mr. Terry learned the art of clock and watch making and
the art of engraving on metal of Daniel Burnap, in the city of
Hartford ; he also received instruction from Thomas Harland, a
noted clock and watch maker, a resident of Norwich, and a
native of London. When he settled in Plymouth, he engaged
in the business of repairing clocks and watches, engraving on
metal, and selling spectacles, spectacles being the only goods he
kept for sale. In his early residence here he did nothing at
clock making worthy of mention, but in the year 1807 he
220 HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.
obtained a contract from a clock maker in the neighboring town
of Waterbury for making four thousand thirty-hour wood clocks
with seconds pendulum, the dial and hands included, at four
dollars ($4) apiece. At this date the manufacturers of clocks in
this country made the eight-day English brass clocks and thirty-
hour wood clocks, both kinds of clocks having pendulums beat-
ing seconds, or seconds pendulums, as they were called, with
three exceptions. In that part of Plymouth, now Thomaston,
there was a manufacturer of brass clocks, and also a manu-
facturer of brass clocks at Salem Bridge, now Naugatuck.
These clocks were the English brass clocks with sixty teeth in
the escapement wheel instead of thirty, to adapt them to a half
seconds pendulum, the cord passing upward and over a pulley
on the inside of the top of the case and attached to the weight,
the weight moving the whole length of the inside of the case.
These were the substantial differences. The plates for the
frames of these clocks and the blanks for the wheels and other
parts were cast metal, and the pinions were of cast steel, the
same as in the English clocks. The length of cases required for
half seconds clocks bears about the same ratio to the length of
the cases for clocks with seconds pendulums that the length of
the pendulums bear to each other. These clocks were popularly
called "shelf clocks," and were thus distinguished from clocks
with seconds pendulums, the cases of which stood on the floor.
At Roxbury, near Boston, a timepiece was made called Willard's
timepiece. This timepiece consisted of the time train of the
English brass clock, with the omission of one leaf in the pinion
on the escapement wheel arbor, the escapement wheel having an
additional number of teeth, and was thus adapted to a pendulum
shorter than the seconds and longer than the half seconds pendu-
lums. This brass timepiece and the half seconds brass clock
before mentioned were excellent timepieces. Such was the
state of the clock makers' art in our country so far as relates to
clocks for general use in the year 1S07. To complete the con-
tract mentioned, Mr. Terry was allowed three years. During
the time he conceived the idea of making a thirty-hour wood
clock with half seconds pendulum for general use, which would
be much less expensive than the half seconds clock of cast brass.
His first effort in this direction was unsatisfactory, the clock was
substantially the movement of the thirty-hour wood clock with a
seconds pendulum, the escapement wheel having sixty teeth
instead of thirty to adapt it to a short half seconds pendulum.
The cord passed upward and over a pulley on the inside of the
top of the case and down around a pulley attached to the weight
and back to the top of the case, where it was fastened. The
front plate of the frame was an open plate, and the clock had no
dial, but the figures to indicate the time were painted on the
glass in the sash of the case. This clock did not suit Mr. Terry's
aspirations, though he made and sold several hundred of them,
and other manufacturers made and sold more than he did.
In the year 1814, he perfected a thirty-hour wood clock, of a
construction entirely new, both the time and striking trains hav-
CLOCK MAKERS. 221
ing a greater number of wheels, and the clock being so radically
ditlerent that it was really a new manufacture. Aside from the
ingenuity as shown in the general construction of this clock,
there were two )iotable i)ivcntioiis : the one consisted in arranging
the dial works between the plates of the Irame, instead of
between the front plate and the dial, and the other consisted in
mounting the verge on a steel pin inserted in one end of a short
arm, a screw passing through the other end and into the front
plate. In wood clocks the pin was inserted in a button midway
between the center and the periphery. By turning the button or
arm, the verge was adjusted to the escapement wheel. In the
manufacture of this newly constructed thirt}-hour wood clock
the numerous manufacturers of clocks at once engaged, and it
became a very extensive industry, Mr. Terry making a very
small fraction of the number made and sold. It superseded the
half second clock made of cast brass, and that industry peiished.
This clock supplied the American market and export demand
for clocks for a quarter of a centurv.
In the progress of the arts in our country, sheet metal began
to be manufactured, and rolled brass became an article of com-
merce. With a supply of this article in the market, sheet metal
clocks began to be made. These sheet metal clocks with wire
pinions were much less expensive than wood clocks, and super-
seded the manufacture of wood clocks as the manufacture of
wood clocks had superseded the manufacture of clocks of cast
brass. The two inventions before mentioned were adapted to
brass clocks, as well as to wood clocks and to sheet metal clocks,
as well as to clocks made of cast metal, and one or both are
found in nearly every clock made in our country, and also in
clocks made in other countries. It is worthy of mention at this
point that all of the several kinds of clocks before mentioned
were made to gauges, or so that the parts were interchangeable.
The making of parts of a machine so that one part may be
changed for a like part in another machine was an American in-
vention. To whom the credit of the invention belongs the writer
regrets he is unable to state, but it was practiced in the clock
makers' art as earl}- as the year 1S07. But Mr. Terry did not
confine himself to making low-priced clocks for general use.
He made brass clocks of fine quality, and sold them to watch
makers for regulators, the price ranging from one to two hundred
dollars, and also tower clocks. His tower clocks were novel,
and consisted of three parts, a time part, a part to move the
hands, and the striking part. By this construction the time part
was not afiected by the action of the wind and weather on the
hands; the time part could also be placed in any part of the
building desired, with a dial and handle attached and connected
to the parts in the tower by a wire.
The tower clock which he made for the city of New Haven
deserves special notice. The city at this time (1S26) had no
building suitable for a tower clock, and the clock was placed in
Center Church on the "Green." This clock had the usual dial
work, the hands connected with it showing mean time on a dial.
222
HISTORY OF PLVMOL'TH.
CSiri^nittU ismtB at anynra.
To rVf \>) \di<^iTi thcfe JAttcri Patent fcaU'comc ;
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■'■ -M^ ■ ^^. .-.vMoinrtte t- b* And I do K-rcfc; trturn tWi
^ C^xrt^jy r/ ^laiA.
Copy of Patent Granted Eli Terry.
Being the first Patent issued on Timepieces in this country, and one of the
earliest issued by the United States, in possession of his grandson,
James Terry. It is on parchment and has the original
signatures of the President, Secretary of
State and Atforne\-GeneraI.
CLOCK MAKERS. 223
and an extra train or dial works whereby the hands connected
with it showed apparent time on an extra dial. This clock
showing both mean and apparent time was not liked by the
citizens, who were accustomed to apparent time, which was
everywhere kept except in two or three of our principal cities,
sun-dials being common and every house having its own mark.
The extra dial work, dial and hands for showing apparent time
were removed, and the man in charge was instructed by
Mr. Terry to set the clock to mean time, for he was determined
that the clock should show mean time, and he still owned it and
could do as he pleased, the city not having accepted it. In a
tower on one of the buildings of Yale College there was a public
clock "with an apparatus attached to it, which pi'oduced a daily
variation from true time equal to the variation of the sun," caus-
ing the clock to show apparent time. These two public clocks
not a block apart, one showing apparent time and the other
mean time, occasioned a spirited controversy in the public press
as to what was true time, or the proper time to be kept, in which
there was a mixture of ridicule and learning. Those curious to
read the controversy are referred to the files of the city papers
of that day, to be found in the library of the institution mentioned.
The communication signed " A Citizen of the United States"
was written by Mr. Terry, and shows that he was master of the
whole subject. At this day it seems strange that there should
have been such a controversy, that learned men and others
should have advocated the keeping of apparent time, and that in
the year iSii, on a signal from the observatory of the College,
a heavy gun on the public scjuare was fired at noon to give the
people the exact time to make their noon marks. Many resi-
dents of the city and graduates of the College in all parts of our
country well remember these two old public clocks, which for
many years chimed out their discordant notes. Some confusion
has arisen from the failure of writers on the art to distinguish
between clocks of cast brass and sheet metal clocks. The mak-
ing of clocks of cast brass, the making of sheet metal clocks, and
the making of wood clocks, so far as the mechanical part is con-
cerned, are three distinct arts — are three distinct industries.
Eli Terry died in Plymouth, in the post village of Terryville,
called alter his oldest son, Eli Terry, Jr., February 24, 1852,
falling short of the age of three score and ten, one month and
eighteen days.
ELI TERRY, JR.
Eli Terry, Jr., was born in Plymouth, June 25. 1799. At an
early age he cominenced clock making with his father and after-
ward said he owed his success in life to him. He married
Samantha McKee, of Bristol, September 6, 1S21. Their chil-
dren were James, born July 5, 1823; Andrew, born December
19, 1824 ; Eunice, born (October 28, 1827 ; Willis, born August 22.
1830; Willard, born March 22, 1832; Fallah, born November
5, 1833; Lucinda, born October 28, 1836; Eli, born September
HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.
Profile Portrait of Eli Terrv.
Profile Portrait of Mrs. Eli Terry.
CLOCK MAKERS. 225
8, 1S40. They commenced housekeeping just below Plymouth
Hollow (now Thomaston) where James and Andrew were born.
In 1S35 they moved to Terryville where Mr. Terry had com-
menced building a house, also two shops for the manufacture of
clocks. This place was selected because of the water privilege.
The house is a little above and opposite what is called the upper
shop in Terryville, and the shops occupied the same ground of
the above named shop. The house he occupied while building
stood near and was afterwards bought by Elizur Fenn, moved to
the hill west, re-fitted and is still occupied by him. There is but
one other house standing now in the village that was in existence
when he went there, viz., the Andrew Fenn place.
The clock business was a success from the first, the market
being mostly in the south, Mr. Terry sometimes going himself
as far as southern Pennsylvania and Kentucky to sell them.
This was before the dav of railroads and Mrs. Merrill Richardson,
his daughter, remembers seeing at one time several (she says
eight or ten, but perhaps her childish eyes magnified the
number) large two-horse covered wagons, standing in a row
opposite the house, which were filled with clocks to be sent
south. Twice she remembers men coming with slaves to buy
clocks.
He was founder of the village of Terryville, and built many
of its houses in its early days, and it was named for him. He
was an active member of the church on Plymouth Hill till 1S3S,
when the church was organized in Terryville. In this he was
veiy much interested, and for its welfare had great anxiety.
He assisted in building the church by generous contributions, and
was very liberal in its support. He was a thorough business
man and left a handsome property to his children. He died in
1841, at the age of forty-two years.
At the time when Mr. Terry founded his village, it was
only a farming community, and he was under the necessity of
providing houses for himself and his employes. He took great
interest in the society he gathered around him and was a man of
large influence for good. The methods of business were very
difterent from those of the present day. It will be remembered
that there were no railroads to the market, and goods were
carted to the nearest water conveyances and thence shipped to
the cities or distributed by peddlers to all parts of the country.
Money was scarce, and a cash trade was the exception. Many
clocks were exchanged for goods of every kind — everything that
was needed in such a community — hence the necessity that the
manufacturers keep a store of these goods for distribution.
Sometimes, if shrewd, he made two profits, but perhaps quite as
often the skillful manufacturer failed to be qualified for a mer-
chant, and made a loss instead of a profit. The peddlers sold at
high prices to parties who would buy and give their notes in
payment, and these notes often proved worthless. The system
of barter too, extended to the pay of the workingmen, and at the
settlement at the end of the year for which each one was hired,
he received a note for balance due.
226
msroKV OF pi.ymouth.
Home of Eli Terry, Jr.
Eli Terry, ^J,
CLOCK MAKERS. 227
There were serious drawbacks to business of every kind at
that time. On the other hand, there were some favorable cir-
cumstances for Air. Terry. The demand for clocks was larger,
onlv limited by the means of the people who wanted them.
They were almost an article of necessity, but the extreme high
price at which they had necessarily been held in the market,
forbade their use to those whose means were moderate, but by
the introduction of machinery in place of hand labor, and
especially by the invention of the shelf clock, which had been
introduced by the elder Terry, in 1814, they were placed within
the reach of a large class of people of more moderate means.
Moreover, by this same reduction in cost, the manufacture was
placed beyond the reach of competition, while protected by letters
patent, it was too early to be afi'ected by competitors at home.
The clock business was sold to Hiram Welton & Co., who
continued it to 1S45, when upon the failure of the company,
caused in part by the failure of a party for whom they had
underwritten, the business was closed out.
The factorv, however, did not remain idle long for it was
immediately utilized for the manufacture of locks. The build-
ing, though abandoned for manufacturing purposes, is still
standing, and has the old fashioned water wheel in it that was
built by Mr. Terry to supersede hand power.
HENRY TERRY.
Henry Terry was the second son of Eli Terry, born in Ply-
mouth, November 12, 1801. October 16, 1823, he married
Emily Blakeslee, daughter of Ransom Blakeslee, of the same
town, by whom he had eight children, three of whom died in
infancy. A daughter, Julia, was married in 1S56, to Rev.
Charles Harding, with whom she went to Sholapoor, India, as
a missionary, and died there, leaving three daughters, two of
whom, Julia Harding and Mrs. Emily Mabon are living in New
York City, and one, Mrs. Ruby E. Fairbank, is a missionarv in
India, near where her mother is buried. She has three children.
Mr. Terrv's living children are Mrs. Adeline Terry Bartlett,
of Ansonia, Conn., who had two sons, both of whom are dead ;
Mrs. Anna Scoville Wilson, of Independence, Iowa, who has
two daughters and one granddaughter; Henry K. Terry, born
in 1839; married in 1S59 to Kate Hoyt (who died in 1869), by
whom he had three children, two daughters now living, Gertrude
and Nelly. Gertrude married Albert W. Arnold and has four
children. His present wife was Florentine B. Arnold (married
in 1873), and they have three children, Henrv K. Terrv, Jr.,
born October 25, 1874, and two daughters, Pearl and Leslie.
Henry K. Terry, Sr., is vice-president and general manager of
The Powhatan Clay Mfg. Co., of Richmond, Va.
The voungest child of Mr. Terrv is Dwight H. Terry,
born in 1841, who married Martha J. Durand in 1862, and is a
broker and dealer in investment securities at Bridgeport, Conn.
Henry Terry, the subject of this sketch, died at Waterbury,
228
HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.
Heiir\- Terrv.
Henry K. Terry.
CLOCK MAKERS. 229
Conn., January 7, 1S77, and Tlie Watt'ibitry American in an
obituary notice, after stating from whom he descended and
giving other facts which are included above, said substantially
as follows :
'' He had resided in Waterbury but a few years ; but he was
so well known throughout this region, and occupied so promi-
nent a position in his earlier life in a neighboring town, that his
decease calls for more than a passing notice." It continues;
" From his boyhood, Mr Terry was familiar with clock making,
acquiring his knowledge of the business under the tuition of his
lather. He would probably have devoted his life to it, as other
members of the family have done, were it not for the rapid
increase which took place about forty years ago in the number
of manufacturers, the consequent competition, the great reduc-
tion in the price of clocks, and the interminable credit it was
then customary to give." In a review of Dr. Alcott's History of
Clock Making, contributed to the columns of T/ie American,
June 10, 1S53, Mr. Teiiy, referring to this epoch, says:
"The writer was one of this number, who had until then
very little acquaintance with any other business, having been a
witness to all the improvements in clocks and the machinery for
making the same, from the time the shelf-clock was first intro-
duced, in the year 1814, to the period in question, or the year
1S36."
At about the time last mentioned, Mr. Terry abandoned
clock making, and began the manufacture of woolen cloths, just
below the village of Thomaston. This business he continued
with considerable success up to and through the period of our
civil w^ar. About the close of the war, in 1S64, he made the
mistake of holding on to a large stock of goods for better prices,
which declined steadily, and when the goods were finally sold,
the loss absorbed all previous gains. After closing up his busi-
ness in Thomaston, about the year 1S6S, he removed to Water-
bury.
One of the pleasant incidents of his life in Waterbury was
the celebration of Mr. and Mrs. Terry's golden wedding, on
the evening of October 16, 1S73. At that time, it was stated that
of a hundred and fifty friends who were present at their
marriage, only a score remained, and that of all the married
couples present then, there remained but one unbroken by death.
Mr. Terry's remains were taken to Plymouth for interment.
Rev. Joseph Anderson, in a brief analysis of the character of the
deceased, spoke of him as a man in whom mind predominated
over feeling ; as possessing an intellect strong, sharp, and
matter-of-fact ; as an unskillful speaker, but a fluent and pointed
writer ; as fond of historical and scientific research ; as faithful
to his convictions, but independent and liberal, and uncommonly
frank in expressing his own views ; never in bondage to tradi-
tional beliefs, never hesitating to run athwart the sentiments and
opinions of others, whether in a political discussion or in a
prayer meeting. He had a genuine hatred of pretence and mere
sentiment, and a desire that the truth should be proclaimed.
230
HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.
Henry K Terr\', Jr
Dwight H. Terry.
CLOCK AIAKERS. 231
He possessed wide knowledge — tlie residt of minute research in
various fields ; but in two departments he might almost be con-
sidered an authority — the hist iry of clock making, the industry
to which he had devoted so large a part of his life, and the doc-
trines and practices of Congregationalism. There was no man
in Waterbury, there were few in Connecticut, who knew more
of the Congregational faith and order than he.
SILAS BUKNHAiM TEKRY.
Silas Burnham Terry was born in Plymouth, February i , 1807.
He was married in the year 1832, to Maria Upson, of VVolcott.
She died in the year 1863, leaving Hve children, namely: Caro-
line, who married E S. Beach; Silas B., Solon M., Cornelius
E. and Simeon G. In the \ear 1866 he was married to Lydia
Ann Wiard, widow of the late Norman Smith of Plymouth.
In 1S31 he erected a shop for the manufacture of clocks at the
confluence of the Pequabuck and Poland rivers in Terryville,
which is still standing.
He was less a managing man than his brother, but a man of
unusual and varied intelligence, a superior mechanic, ingenious,
and surpassed by no one in his knowledge of the mechanism of
a clock. His brother Henry says of him, in an obituary notice
published by the Waterbury Auierican of May 30, 1S76:
"After prosecuting the business many years, and making,
for the most part, costlv clocks, struggling through the financial
troubles of 1837 and 1839, ^^''len most men not firmly established
in business and capital were broken down, he, too, became a
suflerer, vet struggled on until he found no way of emancipation
from the burden of debt fastened upon him, but to relinquish a
business not only not remunerative, but to him disastrous. He
had, however, during these years of business adversity, intro-
duced new machinery, from which others derived more benefit
than himself, and had introduced newly arranged clocks, which
have since proved the best in the market. The clock known as
the Seth Thomas regulator. No. i and 2, is one. It is a perfect
timekeeper, and is as reliable, even for astronomical purposes, as
the more showy clocks, costing ten times as much. The same
clock is also made at Winsted, and by the Waterbury Clock
Company. He also made a new gravity escapement regulator,
of which we propose to speak farther on." After speaking of the
three-legged gravity escapement invented by E. B. Dennison,
LL. D., and described in a treatise written by him, he claims
that, though different in several respects, the one invented by his
brother antedates the former, and says :
"This regulator, when put in its i:)resent locality, was kept
running four years steadily, during which time its rate of run-
ning was very perfect, reqinring the use of observatory instru-
ments to ascertain the variation at the end of four years. The
perfecting of this gravity escapement we therefore claim as an
American invention. It has been running five years longer than
2XZ
HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.
Silas Hoadley.
Samuel Camp,
CLOCK MAKERS. 233
the Westminster clock, described in the treatise referred to, and
may be seen at the late residence of the deceased in this city.
"About 1852 he invented the torsion balance clock, so
called. It was designed for a cheap clock. The movement was
carried by a spring, as in other marine clocks, but the balance
was a flattened wire stretched from top to bottom of the clock,
to which was attached a horizontal rod or wire with a small ball
at each end, which by their vibrations served to regulate the
motion of the clock and took the place of the hair spring. A joint
stock companv was formed for the manufacture of this clock,
and a new factory was built a short distance below the depot,
utilizing the dam built by Eli Terry, Sr., in the later years of his
life, after he had retired from business. The directors of this
company were James Terry, William E. McKee, Theodore
Terry and S. B. Terry. The former was president and financial
manager, and the latter superintendent. The clock did not
prove a success; as a consequence the company relinquished the
business."
Mr. Terry, however, always insisted that the difficulties
were not insuperable, and in the later years of his life, when
doing business for himself, contemplated taking it up again and
perfecting it. Many will remember the clock, and the beauty
and delicacy of its movement.
Mr. Terry was afterwards in the employ of William L. Gil
bert, at Winsted, and of the Waterbury Clock Company, and
then, with his sons, organized the Terry Clock Company, in
which he was engaged until near the time of his death, in May,
1876.
ELI TERRY, 3d.
Eli Terry (3d), the youngest son of Eli Terry (2d) was born
in Plymouth in 1841, and is now a resident of Minneapolis,
Minn. About the year 1862 he commenced the manufacture of
clock springs in the shop built by Silas B. Terry at the con-
fluence of the Pequabuck and Poland rivers. Mr. Terry put in
practice a new way of tempering, hardening and coiling the
springs, and the business was reasonably successful, but an
advantageous ofter being made by the Seth Thomas Clock Com-
pany, it was taken up and the manufacture went to Thomaston.
The shop was later used by the Investors' Manufacturing Com-
pany of Boston for the manufacture of shears, but the venture
did not prove a success.
Since Mr. Terry adopted his process, another of hardening
and tempering the springs under tension, and polishing and
bluing before coiling, has been introduced and is in general use.
SAMUEL CAMP.
Samuel Camp was a captain in the revolutionary war, was
well acquainted with General Washington and the Alarquis de
Lafayette, and rendered efficient services in the cause of his
country at Crown Point, Ticonderoga and Staten Island. Four
234
HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.
Hiram Camp.
Seth Thomas
CLOCK MAKERS.
235
of Samuel Camp's brothers, John, Benajah, Job and Ephraim,
also served in the patriot armies. John Camp became a Con-
gregational minister. Samuel Camp, after the war, settled in
Plymouth and was a deacon in the Conoregational Church there.
He died at the age of eighty.
The homestead now passed into the hands of Samuel
Camp, [r. He married Jeannette Jerome, sister of Chauncev
Jerome , and remained on the farm in Plymouth until 1S29, when
he movetl to Plainville, Conn., where he spent a long life of
usefulness. He was a great student of the Bible and had com-
mitted not less than half its contents to memory. He died in
Plainville in 1S76 in his ninetieth year.
Hiram Camp, the son ot vSamuel Camp, Jr., and Jeannette
Jerome, was bom in Plymouth, April 9, iSii. Having a taste
for mechanical puisuits, rather than the monotonous life on a
farm he left home when eighteen years of age, and went to
Bristol to work at clock manufacturing with his uncle, Chauncey
Jerome. At that time (1S39) the clock business was in its
The Seth Tliomas Clock Works.
infancy. Since then great improvements have been made, to
which ]Mr. Camp largely contributed, having proved himself an
inventor as well as manufacturer. In 1S45 Mr. Camp removed
to New Haven, where he still pursued the clock business, being
president of the Clock Company for about forty years.
His time and thoughts were not all devoted in the one line,
he having held several public offices, such as a member of com-
mon coimcil, selectman of town, chief engineer of fire depart-
partment, and a member of state legislature. The last dozen
years or more of his life he was greatly interested in Mt. Hermon's
School for Boys at Northfield. He was an active member of the
Churchof the Redeemer, and one of its oldest deacons. He died in
New Haven July 8, 1S93, aged eighty-two years. He was the
last of the old manufacturers that went from Plymouth to estab-
lish large clock shops in other places.
236 HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.
SETH THOMAS.
Seth Thomas was the son of James and Martha Thomas,
and was born in Wolcott, Conn., August 19, 17S5. His advan-
tages of education were very meager, consisting of a short at-
tendance upon a distant public school. He served an appren-
ticeship to the trade of carpenter and joiner, and spent some
time on the construction of Long Wharf in New Haven. Leav-
ing at his majority with a small kit of tools and a very small sum
of money, he associated with Eli Terry and Silas Hoadley under
the Hrm name of Terry, Thomas & Hoadley, in the southeastern
part of the town of Plymouth, now known as Hancock Station
on the New England railroad, and commenced the manufacture
of clocks.
In iSio Mr. Terry sold his interest, and the firm continued
two years as Thomas & Hoadley. He then sold his interest to
Mr. Hoadley and came to the western part of the town, then
known as Plymouth Hollow, and purchased the site where the
case shop is now located, and began the manufacture of clocks
on his own account.
He was twice married, first to Philena Tuttle, April 20,
iSoS. She died March 12, iSio. He was married second to
Laura Andrews, daughter of William and Submit Andrews,
April 14, iSii,who survived him. She died July 12, 1871.
He was the father of nine children, three of whom, and all then
living, died in September, 1S15, in the year memorable as the
one of the dysentery scourge.
The clock business from small beginnings increased rapidly,
and he afterwards built a cotton mill and a brass rolling and wire
mill. Politicallv he was a Whig. He was a member of the
Congregational 'Cliurch, and contributed largely to the building
of the Congregational Church in Plymouth Hollow
In 1853, feeling the infirmities of years coming upon him,
in order to avoid the stoppage of his works consequent upon his
death, he organized the Seth Thomas Clock Company under the
joint stock laws of Connecticut. He died January 29, 1S59.
After his death, by act of the Legislature, the town of Plymouth
was divided, and the western portion was made into a new town
and named Thomaston in his honor.
Six of his children who survived him were: Seth, Jr.,
Martha, who married Dr. William WoodrutY; Amanda, who
married Thomas T- Bradstreet; Edward, Elizabeth, who mar-
ried George W. Gilbert, and Aaron. At this time, January,
1895, the only ones living are Elizabeth and Aaron.
SILAS HOADLEY.
Hon. Silas Hoadley was born January 31, 1786, in Beth-
any, Conn., died December 28, 1S70, in Plymouth. He was
married to Sarah, daughter of Thomas and Lucina Painter, born
October 22, 17S9, in Plymouth, who died March i, 1864. Mr.
Hoadley spent his boyhood in his native place. His school ad-
vantages were very limited, for at an early age he was appren-
CLOCK MAKERS. 237
ticed to Calvin Hoadley to learn the carpenter's trade, which
he Ibllovved till 1809. He then associated himself with Eli
Terry and Seth Thomas for the manufacture of wood clocks at a
small settlement then called Ireland, afterwards termed Hoadley-
ville, in the southern part of Plymouth. The village is now
called Greystone. In iSio Mr. Terry sold out to Hoadley and
Thomas, who carried on the business till 1S14, when Mr.
Thomas sold his interest to Mr. Hoadley and set up the manu-
facture of wood clocks in Plymouth Hollow, now Thomaston.
Mr. Hoadley continued the business till about 1849, when he
rented the shops for the making of knives and shears till his
death in 1870. By his own efforts he had amassed a good pro-
perty by which his family and the public were helped. In a mild
way Mr. Hoadley held to his opinion with tenacity, but had the
highest respect tor other people's, and was genial and couiteous
to every one. He took an active interest in the affairs of State,
town and church. In politics he was a Democrat of the Jackson
stripe, and was repeatedly honored by his townsmen, being
elected to the General Assembly in the years 1832, 1837 and
18^3, and to the State Senate in 1844, positions which he most
faithfully and honorably discharged to the satisfaction of his con-
stituents and friends. In the legislative halls of his state, his
happy way of illustrating his ideas always commanded respect
and attention. In religion Mr. Hoadley was an Episcopalian
and a regular attendant at St. Peter's Church, of which he was
a vestryman, and which was benefited by his counsel and con-
tributions and generously remembered in his will. At the con-
vention of the diocese he was frequently a delegate, took an
active part and was listened to with interest.
Mr. Hoadley was a Free Mason of high standing and one of
the most respected and oldest members of Harmony Lodge, No.
42, F. and A. M., having been intimately associated with the
order for more than half a century, uniting with the old Federal
Lodge in Watertown in 1S17. His lodge bears testimony that
"his heart was in the right place, with a hand as open as the
day to meeting charity. Of him it may be truly said ' an honest
man is the noblest work of God.'"
His children were Milo, born July 3^, 1809, married Sarah
E. Scoville ; George Thompson, born September 33, 181 1, mar-
ried Eunice Tomlinson ; Luther Hopkins, born July 29, 1813,
married first, Jane E. Welton, second, Ellen Nicholson ; Sarah
Jane, born June 33, 1817, married September, 1833, Hon. Henry
A. Mitchell, of Bristol ; Mary Ann, born May 4, 18 14, married
first, September 2, 1836, George B. Seymour, Washington,
Conn., second, June 17, George Tomlinson, of Plymouth.
CHAUNCEY JEROME.
Chauncey Jerome commenced his career in clock ma^ng in
Plymouth in the year iSiS. He was by trade a joiner, and one
of the buildings now standing erected by him is the one the post
office in Terryville is located in. He began the clock business
238 HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.
by purchasing the movements without cases and fitting up cases
for them. He afterwards moved to Bristol and carried on the
clockmaking lousiness there, where lie commenced the making
of brass clocks with cheap wire pinion. In the year 1S44 he
commenced the making of clocks in New Haven, and there
prosecuted the business successfully for several years, exporting
a large part of his production to European countries. The cor-
poration known as the New Haven Clock Companv had its
origin in the business first commenced by Mr. Jerome. B\- mis-
placed confidence in other men, and by a disregard of rules of
safety in pecuniarv transactions he was suddenlv bereft of his
estate, which occurred too late in life for him to recover or to
succeed in any undertaking afterward.
HIRAM AND HE:MAN WEI.TOX.
Hiram and Heman Welton were two other prominent clock
makers in the historv of Plymouth. They bought out Eli Terry,
Jr., and occupied for several years what is now called the " up-
per " lock shop. At the time their business was the most promi-
nent in Terryville, and many of the men who subsequently
became lock makers were brought to the village b}- the Welton s.
When they failed their shop was immediately utilized for the
manufacture of locks. Hiram Welton lived and died in Terrv-
ville, and both he and his brother Heman, together with their
families, were identified for manv vears with its growth.
In the same building Albert Welton manufactured knobs.
He built the house in the rear of the old Mix homestead, which
he occupied. He also was prominent in the growth of Terrv-
ville.
EARLY CLOCK MAKING.
Henry Terry, in 1S72, published a small pamphlet on Ameri-
can Clock Alaking, from which is quoted the following:
"Little is known concerning the making of clocks in this
country anterior to the period of the Declaration of Independ-
ence, 177^* There were indeed a few clock makers in New
England and elsewhere before this time. Verv few American
clocks, however, can be found made before this, and those are
brass clocks having a pendulum forty inches in length and
vibrating in one second of time and adapted to a long case stand-
ing on the floor with a dial six feet from the floor.
" It is not known that any wooden clocks were made before
this time, and very few, if anv, anterior to the vear 1792. The
brass clocks made at this early period were all similar to the
English brass clocks, and evidentlv made by men of skill in this
department of labor. The clocks are still to be found. The
workmanship of these American clocks is not inferior to those
imported. An American clock was made in the town of Rox-
burv, Mass., by Simon Willard. A patent was obtained on it
in the year 1802. This proves what we had supposed to be the
truth before, that this kind of clock was an American production.
CLOCK MAKERS. 239
and that the art of making clocks in this country at that time
was quite in advance of the arts touching other manufactures.
These clocks have fiom that time been considered good time
keepers. There is evidence that good brass clocks were made
in this country more than a hundred years ago. The same kind
of brass clock, with much the same style and form of case, has
been made ever since bv manufacturers near Boston and else-
where. The statement therefore, tliat has been made in adver-
tising circulars and other publications, that American clocks
were made wholly of wood until a late period, is not entitled to
credit ; nor has the story that ' the wheels were marked on the
wood with square and compass, and then cut out with a fine saw
and jack knife ' any better foundation. It is a traditional fabri-
cation— a foolish story. It is wholly needless to give currency
to such fabulous stories, and stereotype them as part of the early
history of clock making in this country. The clock makers of
that age, as well as the artisans in other departments of labor,
were not such bunglers as some would make them.
"As part of this history, it should here be stated, that Asa
Hopkins, of the parish of Northfield, town of Litchfield, Conn.,
obtained a patent about the vear 1S13, on an engine for cutting
wheels. This invention was for the introduction and use of
three mandrels, by which one row of teeth, on a number of
wheels, was furnished bv one operation of the engine, a machine
still in use, but superceded at the time by a new construction of
an engine with onl\ one mandrel. INIr. Hopkins, whose factory
was four miles or more north of Thomaston, profitted little by
that patent. He had few superiors as to mechanical skill, how-
ever, and really did more in the way of improvements in machin-
ery, than others whose names have become a trademark for the
prosecution and continuance of the business. We speak not
here against this use of names. It is right ; yet, in giving the
history ot anv branch of industry, it is not right to ignore the
skill and enterprise of men who in the earlv struggle contributed
so largely to help along such business.''
CHAPTER XI,
LOCK MAKERS.
Troubles Which Beset the Pioneers of the Cabinet and Trunk Lock Business
That "Was Established in America by Terryville Men of Indomitable Will
and Pluck— Sketches and Portraits oi All— E. L. Gaylord, the Only Survivor,
Lives in Bridgeport.
TO Stephen G. Bucknall should be given the credit of making
the first cabinet locks in this country. He was an English-
man, and had learned the machinest and locksmith trade belbre
coming to this country in 1S33. He brought with him a few
crude tools, and in compnny with a man of limited means he
began the manufacture of locks in Watertown, Conn. Being
unable to continue business because of the lack of funds the firm
sold out to Eli Terry, Jr., who moved the machinery and stock
to Terryville, Mr. Bucknall being hired to continue making pat-
terns by Mr. Terry, and moved into the house opposite the
"upper" shop, where he resided until he removed, about 1S40,
and worked for Russell & Erwin in New Britain several years.
Mr. Terry, soon after purching, sold the business to Lewis, Mc-
Kee & Co., a/?Bitapany organized for this purpose, and composed
of Eli Terrv, j/4,1 John C. Lewis and William McKee, who had
previouslv been engaged in the clock business.
This company was, of course, entirely without experience,
and had everything to learn. The managers found themselves
ignorant of the nature of their materials and the best manner of
working them ; and the thousand and one little matters of prac-
tice, that seem simple enough now, were the fruits of long,
laborious and often unsuccessful trial.
Their workmen were, with one exception, wholly unac-
quainted with the business, and he knew only the old English
ways, and the tools they made and used were bungling and ill-
adapted to the purposes for which they were intended. Their
machinery was rude in form and inconvenient in practice. For
years after they commenced they had no engine lathe, and such a
thing: was scarcelv known in all the manufactories of the state.
For a long time they used only hand presses, cutting out the
heavy parts with immense labor, though they were the first to
introduce the power press, now universally used in manufactur-
LOCK MAKERS. 24I
ing every variety of hardware. They imported some of their
lock-plates already bent up, for the significant reason that they
could import them cheaper than they coidd the raw stock. The
work produced, of course, partook somewhat of the nature of
their machinery and lacked finish. Knowing nothing of the de-
mands of the trade, they made many goods not at all adapted to
the wants of the country.
Thus equipped they made their appearance in a market
stuffed with English goods. Here they met with a decided
rebuff. It is difficult at this day to conceive of the inveterate
prejudice which existed against American manufactures at that
time. Hardware men would scarcely look at an American lock,
and the man who offered them felt called upon to make a hasty
retreat, fearing "extra inducements." The idea that Americans
could compete successfuUv with the English in the manufacture
of locks was generally scouted by dealers. A few commission
houses were willing to take them, and work them oft' one by one,
but the sales were very slow. The consequence of this, as the
reader will readily forseee, was that the company's resources
were locked up in piles of unsalable goods, and bankruptcy
stared them in the face Such was the position of aft'airs in
1S41, when Eli Terry, 2d, the president of the company, died.
In the settlement of his estate, the concern was bought by Lewis
& Gaylord. The new companv progressed slowly, adding new
and improved machinery, introducing styles of locks better
suited to the trade, and putting their price where it would meet
the English competition. In 1849 ^^^ ■ Lewis died, and the
Lewis Lock Company was formed, the stock being taken prin-
cipally bv his heirs and the surviving partner.
In the meantime, Bucknall, McKee & Co. had started the
first manufactory of trunk locks in this coimtry. They availed
themselves of the experience gained in making cabinet locks,
but failed to make the business pay. About 1S40, they sold out
to Warren Goodwin, who removed to Wolcottville, where he
was soon after burned out, and afterwards returned to Terryville.
Meanwhile AVilliams, McKee & Co. had commenced the busi-
ness anew at Terryville, where they continued until 1S46, and
then sold out to James Terry & Co. Each of these companies
met with the same difficulties in the shop and in the market that
were encountered by Lewis, McKee & Co., and they were barely
able to pay their debts and made no dividends. James Terry &
Co. added to their business the manufacture of carpet bag frames
which was conducted principallv at Newark, N. J., and they also
made a few cabinet locks. In 1S54 the two companies, James
Terry & Co., and what was the Lewis & Gavlord Co., consoli-
dated and became what is now the Eagle Lock Company. James
Terry was made president of the new company, and under his
able management dividends as high as 185 per cent, were paid
and the stock was sold up to $8 for $1. The stock is quoted
now at sixty-seven (par $25), and dividends have declined to
twelve per cent., due to severe competition, which the company
was unable to check atter spending hundreds of thousands of
242
HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.
Stephen G. Bucknall.
LOCK MAKERS. 243
dollars to buy out competing concerns, notably W. & E. T.
Fitch of New Haven, Crouch & Fitzgerald of New York, Gay-
lord Lock Company, Gaylord, Mix & Company, Western Lock
Company, Eccentric Lock Company, American Lock Company,
Bridgeport Lock Company, Walsh of Newark, and others.
The company had its early financial trials, but owing to the
integrity of its president, James Terry, was enabled to pull
through, when other concerns were obliged to go out of business.
This was true particularly in the years 1S57 and 1S58, when
there was a panic following the failure of the Ohio Life and
Trust Company, when the wheels of trade were completely
blocked. This naturally gave Mr. Terry no little anxiety, but
he had the confidence of the community and of the banks, and
weathered the panic with very little loss to the company. The
men were allowed to continue their work on short time, trusting
to the future for their pay, and they were not disappointed, and
the company were able in a few months to sell advantageously
the goods that would not have been made except for the benefit
of the laboring men. Mr. Terry's supervision extended to every
detail of the business, and nothing escaped his eye. In his
caution he attempted nothing that he could not reasonably anti-
cipate the means of carrying out. In those early days business
was done largely on credit, very few concerns having the capital
to invest in uncertain speculations, or even to follow their legiti-
mate business to its best results. Unlike many, he preferred to
defer even desirable improvements till they could be undertaken
with reasonable safety.
HON. J. C. LEWIS.
Hon. John Calhoun Lewis was born at Cornwall, Conn., in
the year iSoo. He was a grandson of Nehemiah Lewis, v/ho
served in the war of the Revolution, and who settled the town of
Goshen, a direct descendant of Captain William Lewis, the first
registrar in Farmington, who came from England with his
father, William Lewis, in the ship Lion in 1632. John Calhoun
Lewis was the eldest of a family of five brothers, all of whom
became conspicuous citizens of the state. His father was for
years postmaster at Cornwall, while John and Philo were each
in turn postmaster at Terryville. One brother, Miles, was for
twenty-three years a highly esteemed captain of the New Haven
Steamboat Company, and another, Henry Gould, was nine times
elected mayor of the city of New Haven. About 1835 J^^*"
Calhoun removed from Cornwall to Terryville, and for a time
was engaged in the dry goods business with his brother Philo.
He afterwards became interested in the lock business, and was a
member of the firm of Lewis, McKee & Co. Upon the death of
Mr. Terrv, in 1841, a new firm was formed, called the Lewis &
Gaylord Company, and under their management the manufacture
of cabinet locks in this country first became prominent. In 1S49
occurred the death of Mr. Lewis. The surviving partner carried
on the business until 1S51, at which time the Lewis Lock Com-
pany was formed, the stock being taken by Sereno Gaylord, the
244
HISTOIJY OF PLYMOUTH.
John C. Lewis.
Serene GavlorJ.
I.OCK MAKERS.
245
heirs of Mr. Lewis and a few others. Mr. Lewis was for years
a trial justice, and as a citizen was always an earnest supporter
of movements promising to be for the best interest of the com-
munity. In politics he was a prominent abolitionist, and at the
time of his death w^is a member of the legislature, occupying the
position of speaker of the House of Representatives. He was
an upright, conscientious man, firm in his convictions for right,
and noticeable for his strong Christian principles. In fact, he
would not have a man in his employ that did not attend
his own church. He married, July 4, 1844, for his second wife,
Mary Warner, relict of David C. Lord, a most estimable woman,
who was known for her good works. She was a descendant of
Captain John Warner, who fought in the Revolutionary war.
For years Long Hill, from Thomaston to Plymouth Center, was
known as the "Captain John Warner Hill." Mr. Lewis died in
the prime of life, leaving a widow and children to mourn his
loss.
"He lived esteemed, beloved and respected.
He died regretted, honored antl lamented."
The children who survive him by his first wife (Ann Hop-
kins of Cornwall) are : Ellen Paige, who resides in Rockford,
111., and John Calhoun of Austin, Tex., connected with the
traffic management, l^y his second wife (Marv Warner), Mary
A., wife of General George H. Ford of New Haven, Conn., and
Thomas Clarkson, for many years a prominent merchant in New
Haven, Conn., and for the past few years a resident of Chicago.
SERENO GAYLORD.
Sereno Gaylord, who removed to Chicopee, Mass., was
born in South Hadley, Mass., in 1S12. He came to Terry ville
in 1834, and was employed by Lewis, AIcKee & Co. Stephen
G. Bucknall was at that time superintendent, but being unable
to keep up with the progress of American ways, was superceded
by Mr. Gaylord, who took charge and immediately adopted
machinery to do what heretofore had been done by hand. This
enabled the company to enter into active competition with foreign
manufacturers and to hold the market against all odds. In 1S41
!Mr. Gaylord, with John C. Lewis, formed a company known as
the Lewis & Gaylord Company, which bought out Lewis, Mc-
Kee & Co. Eli Terr}', president of the latter company, having
died, it was necessary to sell to settle his estate. The new com-
pany, however, did not buy the finished goods, but only the tools
and machinei'y, and it was agreed that no locks should be made
like those the old comcern had on hand until after thev had been
disposed of. The business of the new company was a success
from the start, and it was carried on until Mr. Lewis' death,
seven years later, when the Lewis Lock Company was formed,
the stock being taken bv the Lewis family and Mr. Gaylord, the
surviving partner. This continued until the company was con-
solidated with the James Terry Company, under the name of the
246
HISTORY OF im,^moi;tii.
William E McKee.
Mother nf William E. McKee.
LOCK MAKERS.
247
Eagle Lock Company. jMr. Gaylord in 1S63 went to Chicopee^
where he started theGaylord Lock Company, which soon entered
into active competition with the Eagle Lock Company in the
manulacture of locks. Mr. Gaylord's company was such a suc-
cess that overtures were made by the Eagle Lock Company to
pool issues, which Mr. Gaylord finally consented to, and the
two concerns were run under this agreement until the Chicopee
shop was sold out. Mr. Gaylord was a representative from
Plymouth in the legislature and was always interested in town
affairs as long as he resided there.
WILLIAM E. m'kEE.
William E. McKee, who was a manufacturer of both clocks
and locks in Terryville, was born in Bristol, January 2, 1S06,
and died in New Haven, July 26, 1S75. He was interested in
all of the earlv lock companies, and much of the former success
of the Eagle Lock Companv is due to his sagacity and experi-
ence. Llis daughter, Emeline, married Joseph H. Adams, who
w^as president of the Eagle Lock Company for three years. Mr.
McKee could not have been greatly encouraged when he first
ventured in the lock business, for it was far from smooth sailing
for many years, but his faith never relaxed and he was finally-
rewarded by being able to dispose of his stock at an enormous
advance and pocket the princely dividend of 185 per cent.
JAMES TERRY.
James Terry, son of Eli Terry, Jr., was born at Terry's
Mills, one mile south of Thomaston, July 5, 1823. The death
of his father in 1841 placed upon his voung shoulders the cares
and responsibilities of a large estate, he being then but eighteen
years of age, and the extraordinary talents and force of character
which he exhibited through his after business life were shown
to a marked degree at this time.
In 1841 he commenced the manufacture of sewing silk, the
factory being situated on the side hill southeast of the homestead
and directly west of the Philip Ryan place. Previous to this
the introduction of a new plant, the Perottet Mulberry, or
Moms Miilticaitlis^ from its great productiveness and rapid in-
ci'ease in numbers, had aroused public interest to a high degree
and stimulated the development of silk culture and manufacture.
He built his own machinerv and commenced to wind and twist
the fibre by power machinerv. This was a new process and a
difficult one, having for the first time been in operation in Con-
necticut onl}' two or three vears previous, all methods in the
old country being the hand process. He continued the silk busi-
ness for three years, and then closed it up and purchased the
lock business of Lewis, McKee & Co., which was at a very low
ebb, and commenced the manufacture of locks under the title of
James Terry & Co , liis uncle, William E. McKee being asso-
ciated with him in the lousiness. This he continued until the
24S
IIISI'OKN OF IM.VMOL ril.
James Terrv.
James Terry's Cottage.
LOCK MAKERS. 349
formation of the Eagle Lock Company, of which he was the
chief promoter and its president, until his retirement from busi-
ness life in iS66.
He was a man of the highest integrity of character, of great
sagacity and practical knowledge of the business in all its
branches and details. And the success of the lock business,
which has proved to be one of the most remunerative industries
in the country, is due pre-eminently to him.
Mr. Terry was twice married, first to Elizabeth Hollister of
Glastonbury, by whom he had four children, James, Mary E.,
Clinton, and one who died in infancy, all ot whom were born
in Terry ville. Mrs. Terry died in 1S52, and he married for his
second wife Valeria, daughter of William Treat, October 20,
1S53. By this union three cliildren were born, Lerria F., who
died at the age of eleven \ears, Xellie. who married Dwight
W. Hunter, and died in 1S9-I, and an infant.
EDWARD L. GAVLORD.
In 1847 there came to Terry ville from Bristol a young man
who was full of enterprise and inventive genius. He went to
work for James Terr\' & Co., and when asked how much pay
he wanted he replied, "Oh give me what you have a mind to."
Starting in at fifty cents per day, and never asking for an increase,
his salarv was voluntarily advanced until he received $5,000 per
year. This young man was Edward L. Gaylord. now the only
surviving member of the original stockholders of the Eagle Lock
Company.
Mr. Gaylord was born in 1827. His parents were Ransom
and Parmela Alcott Gaylord, well known residents of Bristol,
his mother being a sister of A. Broiison Alcott, who, though
well known in the literary world, perhaps is more readily re-
called as the father of Louisa Alcott, both of whom are subjects
of sketches elsewhere. Mr. Gaylord when four years old re-
moved with his parents to central New York, riding from x\lbany
to Schenectadv on the first passenger railroad operated in this
countrv. Here he learned cabinet making. At the age of nine-
teen he returned and went to work at clock making for Kirk &
Todd in VVolcott, in that section known as Woodtick. This was
where the first marine movement was made ; another original
novelty being a musical clock playing seven tunes.
Dropping this Mr. Gaylord started in at the lock trade at
Terrvville. This he followed until 1850, when he was sent to
Newark, N. J., by James Terry & Co. to make the iron frames
for carpet bags from patterns and designs of his own. The de-
velopment of the manv railroads had made a large demand for
traveling: valises. This business was verv successful, and the
money coming to Terryville made the lock business of James
Terry & Co. seem more prosperous than it actually was,
especiallv as the carpet bag frame venture was kept very quiet.
This had its bearing in another way. At this time Gaylord &
Lewis were making cabinet locks, and James Terry & Co. trunk
250
inSTOin' OF PLYMOUTH.
E. L. Gavlord.
Joseph H. Adams.
LOCK MAKERS. 25 1
locks, but as the latter now started in making cabinet locks also,
and were apparently making money, the former company made
propositions to consolidate, and what is now the Eagle Lock
Company was the subsequent outcome.
It was decided to accept a liberal ofter for the Newark ven-
ture, and Mr. Gaylord was brought back to take charge of what
was then known as the lower lock shop. Then followed many
new designs in locks and labor saving devices in their manufac-
ture, the product of Mr. Gaylord's fertile brain, the most promi-
nent being the device for squaring lockplates and machine for
drilling keys, the latter turning out 12,000 keys a day and run-
ning fifteen years without any repairs. During Mr. Gaylord's
superintendencv he took out some eight}- patents, all of which
were turned over to the Eagle Lock Company without compen-
sation, and were practicable inventions.
In 1S70 Messrs. James and F. W. Mix obtained a contract
from the government for furnishing padlocks for the United
States mail, and having been offered an opportunity to form a co-
partnership with them for their manufacture, Mr. Gaylord
accepted and a company under the firm name of Gaylord, Mix &
Co. was formed to make the locks. The first lot was turned out
in the old shop at Pequabuck, afterward burned, and as the busi-
ness grew it was transferred to Bridgeport. New designs in
cabinet locks were added and the firm received large orders from
the leading sewing machine companies. This made the concern
competitors of the Eeagle Lock Company, which opened nego-
tiations and bought it out. Mr. Gaylord returned to Terryville
and again became president and superintendent of the Lock
Company. He resigned after one year's service, sold his inter-
est (receiving, it is said, $8 for $1 par value), and since has re-
sided in Bridgeport. He has not been inactive, as numerous in-
ventions can testify, the latest being a cigar-holder which is
designed to save what the ordinary holder cannot utilize.
Air. Gaylord for several vears owned the leading art store in
Bridgeport, and becoming deeply interested in the study of art
he spent considerable time in Europe making himself thorougly
acquainted with it. He now spends his days chiefly in a little
workshop in the rear of his residence which is fitted up with
power and machinery, continuing in his old age the life of inven-
tion that he has so long lived.
He recently put up a large building, which is now run
as a hotel, being known as the " Gaillard," the spelling being
changed to conform to the original name that " Gaylord" was
derived from.
Air. Gaylord in 1S51 married Mary R. Minor of Terryville,
to whom were born two children. Anna Alay, now Mrs. F. S.
Stevens of Bridgeport, and Jesse D., who lives at home.
JOSEPH H. ADAMS.
From the store in Terryville, built by Eli Terry, have gone
forth some of the brightest young men, men who were later in
life destined to make their mark in the world. One graduate
252
HISTOKV OF IM.^•M()U III.
Ansel Gaylord.
Deacon U. D. H. Allen.
LOCK MAKERS. 253
was a youth of seventeen who came to Teiryville in 1S50 from
Litchtield. After a short apprenticeship in the store he was
hired bv Lewis & Gaylord to keep their books, and from this
humble position he gradually arose from one position to another
until he succeeded James Terry, when his health failed, as presi-
dent of the Eagle Lock Company. This was Joseph H. Adams,
born in Litchfield, August 19, 1S33. He died suddenly at Cham-
plain, 111., May 17, 1S70, while on a business trip — cut down in
the very prime of life. He married Emeline, daughter of Wil-
liam E. McKee. Mrs. Adams now resides in Brooklyn, and
with her are her son and daughter.
The lock business had been so well managed by Mr. Terry
that Mr. Adams bv continuing the same policy during his admin-
istration was enabled to pav tlividends that amounted some years
to seven times more than the face of the stock.
ANSEL GAYLORD.
Ansel Gaylord was born in vSouth Hadley, Mass., Feb. 32,
1824. When sixteen years of age he was apprenticed to Henry
Fuller, of Springfield, Mass., to learn the tailor's trade and re-
mained with him imtil he came to Terry ville in 1847, where he
followed his trade lor several years. Later he entered the em-
ploy of the Eagle Lock Company, and was one of the first
directors of the companv. At the time of his death (October,
1S60,) he was in charge of the packing and shipping department.
He was a brother of Sereno and Emerson Gaylord, of Chicopee
Mass.
In 1853 he married Catharine Stoughton, daughter of deacon
Andrew Stoughton, of Plymouth, by whom he had two children,
Andrew S. who still resides in Terryville, and Katie A. who
died in October, 1875, in her fifteenth year.
ROLLIN D. H. ALLEN.
Rollin D. H. Allen was born in Middlebur\-, Vt., January
10, 1821, and was graduated from the college in his native town.
He taught school in the old academy in Cromwell, then known
as Upper Middletown, and studied theology in Andover and
New Haven. He entered the ministry of the Congregational
Church, but on account of poor health was obliged to abandon
his chosen profession. He then resumed the work of a teacher
in New York state. His only sister married Rev. Merrill Rich-
ardson, pastor of the Terryville Congregational Church, and Mr.
Allen came to Terryville in iS^o, and after teaching school for a
time became bookkeeper and confidential secretary in the office
of James Terry & Co. At the organization of the Eagle Lock
Company in 1854, ■^'"- Allen was one of the incorporators and
the first treasurer. In 1S60, with Andrew Terry and O. D.
Hunter, the foundry concern of Andrew Terry & Co. was
formed and the financial management was intrusted to Mr. Allen,
who was secretary and treasurer of this corporation for fifteen
254
HISTORY OF TLVMOUIH.
Warren Goodwin.
James Mix.
LOCK MAKERS 255
years. In 1S75 he again entered the Eagle Lock Company as
president and rinancial manager, and remained a director of that
concern until his death, leaving only two surviving members of
the Eagle Lock Company's fiist board of directors.
He w^as also a director of the corporation of A. Terry & Co.
and the Bristol National Bank, besides trustee of the Bristol Sav-
ings Bank, and the estate of James Terry, and a large stock-
holder in manufacturing enterprises in the state. The last six-
teen years of his life he was not engaged in active business, but
had given much attention to the development of a fine farm, of
which his youngest son is the active manager. For more than
forty years Mr. Allen had been a respected resident of the town
which he represented in the legislatures of 1S54 ^'^^^ 1S7S.
Mr. Allen gave generouslv, though quietly, to the poor and
distressed, and was a true Christian gentleman. He was a great
student and lover of nature, and after retiring from business in
1877 mainlv led a student's Hie among his books.
Mr. Allen was married August S, 1S49, to Miss Mary Eliza-
beth Bushnell of Cromwell, who survives him. He also leaves
three children — George M. Allen of Beloit, Wis. ; Charles L
Allen and Mrs. Charles W. Wolcott, both the latter residing in
Terrvville. An older son, Henry, died in 1871.
He united by letter with the church in Terry ville in 18^1
and served as deacon for many vears. In 1S91 he took a letter to
the Congregational Church in Bristol, of which he was a mem-
ber at the time of his death, December 19, 1S93.
WARREN GOODWIN.
Warren Goodwin was born in New Hartford, Conn., March
26, 1 80S. At ten years he was an orphan. He accompanied a
family by the name of Steele to Ohio in the winter with an ox
team. His early life was attended with privation and hardship.
\\"hen he was eighteen he returned to New Hartford, Conn.,
accomplishing the journey on foot at the rate of thirty miles per
day. Remaining for a time in New Hartford he came to Terry-
ville, entering the employ of Eli Terry, Jr. After a time he
suffered loss through the failure of others, and in order to retrieve
some portion of it he, in company with Mr. Brinsmade, went to
Canada peddling clocks. About 1840 he bought out the trunk
lock business of Bucknall, McKee & Co., carrying it on for a
time in Terryville, then removing it to Cotton Hollow (West
Torrington), where soon after he was burned out. Rebuilding
again he admitted to partnership Edmund Wooding. His health
failing he sold out the business to his paitner, after which he was
appointed postmaster, in the meantime engaging in the grocery
business and farming. In 1S50 he retured to Terryville, entering
the employ of James Terry & Co. in the lock business, where he
remained until his death, which occurred in March, i860. He
was one of the incorporators of the Eagle Lock Company. He
was one of the original members of the church in Terryville,
served as Sunday-school superintendent, and was an earnest
3,-6
mSTOUV OF IM.VMOUTH.
:0^ m
V
Elisha Mix.
James C. Mix.
LOCK MAKERS. 257
worker, always found at the prayer meeting, and deemed it a
privilege to be there. He was married April i, 1S32, to Elvira
Andrews McKee, by whom he had five children, Willard Terry,
Ralph Cowles, Harriet McKee, Julia Elvira, and a daughter who
died in infancy. Two survive him, Willard Terry and Julia
Elvira (Mrs Ells). They are residents of Terry ville.
WILLARD T. GOODWIN.
Willard Terry, the son of Warren and Elvira McKee Good-
win, was born in Terryville, October 4, 1S33. He attended
school until he was seventeen, when he entered the employ of
James Terry & Co. The two succeeding winters he spent at the
village school ; the first under the instruction of R. D. H. Allen,
and the second under N. C. Boardman. In 1S54 James Terry &
Co. and the Lewis & Gaylord Co. consolidated under the name
of the Eagle Lock Company. Although receiving several invita-
tions to positions of trust from other firms, Mr. Goodwin has
remained with the lock company for forty-five years, with the
exception of about one vear spent at Colt's Armory during the
war of the rebellion. In his long service, which is certainly
worthy of note, he has, for upwards of thirty years, been super-
intendent of the die and pattern department. For about this
same period he has also had charge of the firm's yearly inventory.
Although his earlv education was not what could be called
a liberal one, yet, as with many another New England boy, it
has been enlarged and broadened by liberal reading, considera-
ble travel and intelligent intercourse with ''many men of many
minds."
In 1S53 he married Amelia Evans Fenn. Thev have had six
children. Those living are Willard Emerson, manager of house
furnishing department for A. J. Muzzy & Co., Bristol, Conn. ;
Ella Antoinette, wife of Edgar L. Pond, of the firm of A. Terry
& Co. ; E. Clayton, machinist for Eagle Lock Company, also
justice of the peace and agent for the Humane Society, and
Ralph Cowles, secretarv of the Cambridge, Mass., Y. M. C. A.
In politics Mr. Goodwin has always been a Republican and
belongs to the orders of Odd Fellows and American Mechanics.
He is a member of the Terryville Congregational Church ar.d
was for twenty years its clerk.
JAMES MIX.
James Mix was born in West Hartford, Conn., in i793- H^
was the son of Elisha Mix and Amny (Webster) Mix. His
father was a soldier for about five years in the Revolutionary
army and a descendant of the early settlers of the colony of Hart-
ford. In 1814 he married Alis? Lucy Steele, also of West Hart-
ford, a daughter of Allyn Steele, a lineal descendant of John
Steele and Major William Bradford. Major Bradford was one
of the four principal men who came over in the Alayflower, and
for nearly thirty years was Governor of the Plymouth Colony.
3^8
mSrOKY OF PLYMOUTH.
Frank W. Mix.
Willard T. Goodwin.
LOCK MAKERS. 259
John Steele was the leader (with Thomas Hooker) of the first
Connecticut Colony and for twenty years Recorder of the Hart-
ford and Farmington colonies.
Mr. Mix in his younger days learned the trade of cloth dress-
ing and wool carding, and carried on business in Roxbury and
in VVatertown, Conn. He was also superintendent of a woolen
factory in Humphrey sville and Manchester until 1S24, when he
removed to Hartford and went into the mercantile business. He
moved to Terry ville, in the town of Plymouth, in 1S32, and
entered the employ of Deacon Burnham Terry, but in 1S33 went
to work for John C. Lewis and William E. McKee, then just
commencing, in a small way, the manufacture of locks. He re-
mained with them until the hard times of 1836, when he moved
to New Britain, remaining there during the years 1S36 and 1837,
in the emplov of Stanley & Woodruti', afterwards the firm ot
Russell & Erwin. In 1836 he again removed to Terryville and
went to work for H.Welion & Co., clock manufacturers, making
their dies and punches and doing their press work. He remained
with them until about 1S45, when H. Welton & Co. failed and
he returned to the lock business in the employ of what was then
Lewis & Gaylord, and continued with them and the Eagle Lock
Co., as die and tool maker, until his death in 1859.
He held manv important positions in the town and was con-
sidered and known as an honest, upright man in all of his deal-
ings with his fellow men ; puritanical in his ideas, aristocratic by
nature, and one who took a great deal of pride in his family and
all that belongfed to them. His life was one of continual hard
work ; raising a family often children, it was a hard struggle for
him until he died, but he took good care of those children until
they were able to care for themselves. His remains lie in the
Terryville Cemetery. He belonged to the Masonic Fraternity
and alwavs urged his boys to join it when they were of a proper
age. How well they followed his advise is shown by the fact
that three out of the four boys, viz., Elisha, James and Frank
years ago united with that organization.
He was a soldier in the war of iSi3 and always took a great
interest in everything that appertained to the welfare of his native
land.
ELISHA MLX.
Elisha Mix, eldest son of James and Lucy Mix, was born in
Watertown. Conn., in 1S18. At the age of eighteen he was
residing with his parents in New Britain, and during the hard
times of 1S36 he walked or tramped to Cayuga County, N. Y.,
where he worked one season upon a farm. The next year he
returned to his father's home in Terryville and worked for Good-
win, McKee & Williams, who were starting in the trunk lock
business. At about this time a fine opening presented itself
under Captain Tracy, of New Britain, and he removed to that
place and went to work in the lock factorv of Stanley, Russell &
Co., afterwards Russell & Erwin, where he remained until 1840,
when his health having been impaired, he shipped before the
26o HISTORY OF ri.V.MOUlTI .
mast for a sea voyage on a Liverpool packet. Upon his return
from the voyage he enlisted for the Florida war. When that was
over ne returned again to Terryville, where his family were then
residing, and entered the employ of H. VV^elton & Co., as con-
tractor and foreman, remaining with them until they failed in
1845. He married Miss Amelia Edmonds, of Terryville, in
1S43, and removed to New Haven in 1S46, to take charge of a
department in Chauncey Jerome's clock factory, where he re-
mained until 1854, when ne moved to Michigan, where he now
resides.
For many years he followed surveying and the lumber busi-
ness, but in 1874 he, with his family, returned to Terryville,
where they remained about four years, and engaged in the lock
business. At the end of the four years he again returned to his
home in Michigan. He enlisted in the war of the rebellion as
captain in the Eighth Michigan Cavalry in 1862. He was pro-
moted to major, then lieutenant-colonel and to the full colonelcy
and commander oi his regiment. He was brevetted brigadier-
general for long and meritorious service, and was mustered out
in September, 1865, at the close of the war. He was, for a time,
in command of a laro-e force in Central Tennesee, commensurale
with his rank. He was respected by all with whom he came in
contact, and served with distinction in all of his different com-
mands during his entire service in the armv.
He has two chiUb'en, both married, and grandchildren to
bless his old age. He is a man possessing great force of char-
acter and energy of purpose, and there are very few men better
informed upon any subject than he. He was a good mechanic in
his vounger days and was identified thoroughly with everything
in Plymouth, and but for want of room, could furnish a history
of that town and the men who have long since passed away.
JAMES C. MIX.
James C. Mix was born in Hartford, Conn., December 19,
1S26, where he lived until 1832, when he moved with his parents
to Terryville. He was naturally a fine mechanic and worked as
such in Terryville and New Haven for about twenty-five years.
In iS6^ he was emploved by the ^Etna Life Insurance Company,
of Hartford, as managing agent for New York State, with head-
quarters at Syracuse, to which city he moved with his family in
the fall of that year, remaining there for twenty-three years.
In 1870, co-working with his brother, Frank W. Mix, he
invented and obtained a patent upon a mail bag lock, which was
used by the United States Government for many years. The
brothers Mix formed a company for the manufjicture of these
locks, the firm being known as Gaylord, Mix & Co., which con-
cern afterwards sold out to the Eagle Lock Company, of Terry-
ville.
In 1879 Mr. Mix was employed as managing ngent for
Central New York bv the New York Life Insurance Company,
and from that time, with two or three short intermissions, was an
LOCK MAKERS. 261
earnest worker lor that company. In iSSS he removed with his
family from Syracuse to New York City, where he founded what
is known as the Manhattan Department of the New York Life
Insurance Company. By dint of hard work and unselfish devo-
tion to the company's interests, in the short space of four years
he placed his department in the very first rank, and it is to-day
perhaps his most fitting monument. It may be truthfully said of
him, that he was one of the leading life insurance men of his
time.
In 1847 Mr Mix married Miranda, daughter of Robert
Johnson, of Terryville, who survives him. Six children were
born to them, only two of whom, Lucy S. and Robert J., are
now living, the latter having succeeded his father as manager of
the Manhattan Department. In the summer of 189'^ Mr. Mix
was taken seriousl}- ill, but remained at his post until he became
too feeble to leave his bed. In November of that year, upon the
advice of his physicians, he was accompanied by his family to
Nassau, in the Island of New Providence, Bahamas, but the
change failed to benefit him, and he died there on the iith of
December, 1893, after five months of terrible suftering.
His remains were brought back to his childhood home,
Terryville, where funeral services were held in the church for
which he labored earnestlv for many years. His body now lies
besides those of his deceased children in the beautiful cemetery
on the hill. It is no exaggeration to say that he gave his life to
his work.
MAJOR FRANK W. MIX.
Major Frank W. Mix was born in Terryville, February 17,
1834. He attended the village school until he was sixteen, when
he went into the factory with his father. What is now the Eagle
Lock Company, in Terryville, was then Lewis & Gaylord. Here
he learned the art of die-making and pressing and obtained a
general idea of machine work. At the age of twenty he left
home, going to Waterbury to perfect himself as a machinist and
tool-maker. At the end of six months he accepted a call from
New Haven to take charge of the die and press work of the New
Haven Clock Company, where he remained a year. Still having
a desire to become a perfect tool-maker, lie secured a position
with what is now the Winchester Arms Company, then run by
Smith & Wesson, as a tool-maker, remaining there until the
concern failed in 1857. While in New Haven, Major Mix
became actively interested in musical matters, having charge of
the choir and playing the organ in one of the churches. Here
he was also married in 1S56. After the failure of the pistol
company. Major Mix went into the sewing machine business
with his father-in-law, R. B. Fuller, locating in Mansfield, after-
wards in Norwich, continuing until i860, when they sold out,
the Major going to the .Sharp's Rifle Factory in Hartford. In
the Spring of 1861, his health being impaired, he removed to
26;
HISTORY OK PLYMOUTH.
Edward H. Mix
Henrv T. Wheeler.
LOCK MAKERS. 263
ISIichigan, where, September i, 1S61, he enlisted in the Third
Alichigan Cavahy, with which he seived for eleven months,
when he was appointed a captain ol' the famous Fourth Michi-
gan Cavalry. \Vhile with the Third he took part in the capture
of New Madrid and Island No. 10, and the battles of Corinth,
Inka, and Boonville, Miss. He joined the Fourth Cavalry at
JNIumfordsville, Ky., and was promoted to be major for gallantrv
at the battles of Stone River. While he was in command of the
regiment it took part in eighty-four general engagements, not to
mention scores of lesser events. These included Chattanooga,
Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, and most of the important actions
of the Western Army up to the siege of Atlanta. He was
severely wounded at Lovejoy's Station, in August, 1864, on
accoimt of which he received an honorable discharge in the fol-
lowing November. He lost two horses in action and was
repeatedly named by corps and brigade commanders for gallantry,
promptness, and the skillftd manner in which he handled his
regiment in tight places. On two diHerent occasions the brigade
commander attributed the success of his brigade "to the
brilliancy and tenacity of the fighting of the Fourth Michigan,
under the command of IMajor Frank W. INIix." It w^as this
regiment that at the close of the war captined Jeti'erson Davis.
During the last twenty-nine years. Major Mix has resided in
this state, engaged in the manufacture, as well as the invention,
of locks. During that time he has probably taken out more
patents on cabinet and trunk locks than any man in the cour.try.
In 1S70, in connection with his brother James, he brought out a
padlock, known as the iVIix lock, which the Government adopted
for mail bags and which was manufactured bv the Eagle Lock
Company, where Major Mix was employed as superintendent
for ten years. Subsequently he resided in New Britain as super-
intendent of the Corbin Cabinet Lock Co., in which he made a
notable success, as is attested by the flourishing condition of the
business at the present time.
In 1S91, Henry R. Towne, president of the Yale & Towne
Mfg. Co., of Stamford, sent for him to organize a cabinet lock
department for that company. Air. Mix accepted and has since
been with this companv. His ambition has always been to be
at the head of the cabinet lock business, and with his practical
knowledge, that is the place where he belongs.
He has a wife, who, before her marriage, was Miss Mary J.
Fuller, and three children, a son and two daughters. His only
son was the organizer and superintendent of the Government
Mail Lock and Repair Shop in Washington for two years and a
half, when he resigned this position to accept one with his father
in Stamford, as his assistant, where he is now.
Tiie Major is alwavs a Republican in politics, is connected
with the Congregational Church, is a member of the Masonic
Fraternity, of the O. U. A. M., the Grand Army, the Army and
Navv Club, and the Putnam Phalanx. He is a useful and
respected citizen, and occupies, with his family, an honorable
position in the community.
264
HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.
EDWARD H. MIX.
Edward H. jNIix, youngest son oi" James and Lucy Mix, was
born in Terryville, December 11, 183^, and with the exception
of the time spent in the army, his days were all pas^ed in the
lock business. At the breaking out of the war he enlisted and
entered the Fourth Connecticut Infantry as first lieutenant.
After serving there quite a while, he was promoted to captain of
Company B, Sixteenth Connecticut Infantry, said company hav-
ing been raised in Hartford, Conn.
He was drowned in Albermarle Sound, March 8, 1S64,
while trying to reach his regiment, then at Newberne, N. C, by
being knocked off the vessel by the swinging of the boom. He
left a record as a good soldier, and no finer looking one ever
lived. He was an earnest Christian and a good worker in the
church in Terryville, to which he belonged, and we are justified
in saying that no brighter or more energetic young man ever
lived in Plymouth.
HENRY T. W^HEELER.
Henry T. Wheeler was born in Great Barrington, Mass.,
and married Miss Mary E. Priest of Barkhamstead. He came
to Terryville in 1SS2 to superintend the Eagle Lock Company's
works, succeeding F. W. Mix, and continued to hold the posi-
tion until 1S89, when Major Ells was appointed superintendent.
Mr. Wheeler then removed to CoUinsville and engaged in the hotel
business, which is known as the Valley House.
The First Lock Shop.
CHAPTER XII
ANDREW TERKY AND CO.
Sketch of the Founder of This Prosperous Concern which was One of the Pioneers
in the Malleable Iron Industry The Men who Have Successfully Managed
and Kept It Running as Steadily Nearly as Clock Work for Close on to Half a
Century.
THE establishment of A. Terry & Company is among the
pioneers ot" the malleable iron industry in the United States
and has grown from a shop forty feet square with one air fur-
nace and three small annealing kilns, each having twenty-four
pots capacity, all operated by twenty-five men, into a plant
covering an area of about one and one-half acres, giving employ-
ment to 1 08 men and producing a daily output of nearly two tons
of a superior quality of malleable iron castings, which vary in
weight from those so small that two gross weigh less than a
pound, to others which weigh three pounds each.
Ground was broken for this foundry November 24, 1847, by
Andrew Terry, brother of James Terry, the first president of the
Eagle Lock Companv, and the second son of Eli Terry, 2d.
The latter gentleman was the son of Eli Terry, the first manu-
facturer ol" clocks in this country and the founder of the village
of Terrvville. Little was known about the process of making
malleable Iron at that time, and the new concern struggled for
existence for a good many years, during which time Mr. Terry
gathered around him men of practical ingenuity, business ability
and good sense, and in 1S60 he associated with himself O. D.
Hunter, who had learned the business in his employ, and
R. D. H. Allen, who came from a clerical position in the Eagle
Lock Company's office. These three men formed a joint stock
company under its present name with a capital of $i6,oco, after-
wards increased to $20,000. In 1S71 Mr. Terry sold his interest
to his partners and went to Kansas. His successors admitted
into the company N. Taylor Baldwin, a brother-in-law of Mr.
Terry, and J. W. Clark, the latter having been trained in the
company's employ. In 1S75 R. D. H. Allen returned to the
Eagle Lock Company, and N. Taylor Baldwin succeeded to the
financial management until his death in 1S89.
The present officers of the company are : O. D. Hunter,
president, and J. \V. Clark, secretarv and treasurer. The stock
266
lIls^OIt^■ OF l'I.^■M<)Ln■ll.
i^>ii^
.-i^
* ,i^':;
mvssm^y:
-^
B,. -lift-
^
The OIJ Foundry— Front View.
The Old Foundry — Rear View.
ANDUEW TElUtV AND CO. 267
is all owned in Terryville. Between forty and fifty moulders
are employed. There are two cupolas for melting iron, one of
which is used exclusively to cast the annealing pots used in the
works. About six tons of iron are daily melted. In the anneal-
ing department the kilns are, with only two exceptions, fitted up
with the Aerated Fuel Company's oil burners and heated with
crude oil, which is stored in a nest of tanks midway between the
New York and New England railroad tracks and the shops,
having a capacity of 17,000 gallons. With the exception of the
eight annealing furnaces, each holding seventy-two pots, six
furnaces being operated by steam power, the entire plant is run
by water power, the company owning one of the finest water
privileges on the line of the Pequabuck river. The business is
managed by O. D. Hunter, the president, and J. W. Clark, the
secretary and treasurer. The former has been actively engaged
with the establishment for forty-six consecutive years and the
latter for thirty-three years. Both are practical malleable iron
makers.
The annealing department is in charge of Charles Purington,
who has given careful attention to this most important branch
for twentv-five years. The moulding shop is superintended by
Edgar L. Pond, who has been with the company over twenty-
three years. The clerical work is performed by Jonathan Starr,
who came to the ofiice shortly after Mr. Baldwin's death, as
assistant secretary and bookkeeper, with an experience of twenty-
one years in bookkeeping, and George E. Bushnell, who has
been an attache of the office for twenty-four years past.
Since the above was written, the buildings, except the
office, have all been swept away by fire, but new buildings have
been erected which will be much more convenient and imposing.
ANDREW TERRY.
Andrew Terry was born in Terryville, Conn., December
29, 1S34, at the old homestead, still standing, on the south side
of the road, west of the upper lock shop. He was the second
son of Eli Terry, Jr., and Samantha McKee. At the famous
boy's school kept l3y Deacon Hart, in Farmington, Conn., he
pursued classical studies almost to the point required for entering
college. vSoon after his father's death, and before becoming of
age, he went to Washington, Pa., and became clerk in a store.
In that place he made the acquaintance of Susan Orr, whom he
married October 16, 1844. They had two children; Gertrude,
who died April lo, 1856, and Margaret, who married C. S.
Treadway, cashier gf the Bristol National Bank, and died Sep-
tember 17, iSSo.
Returning to Terryville immediately after his marriage, he
established himself as a country merchant in "the store," which
all of the older citizens of Terryville remember, and remained
there for two years
November 34, 1S47, the first ground was broken for a
foundry for the manufacture of malleable iron. The business
26S
HISTORY OF IM.'SMOL'Tlt.
Andrew Terrv.
J W. Clark, Secretary.
ANDREW TEKUY AND CO. 269
was then new to this part of the country, and the difficulties to
be surmounted were very great.
By his energy and courage the obstacles arising from limited
capital and inexperience were overcome, and the business was
established on a paying basis. He continued the same under his
own name until February 2, 1S60, when a joint stock corpora-
tion was formed, to which his name was given, and of which he
continued as president and principal owner until April 26, 1S71,
when he disposed of his entire interest therein.
The business is still carried on under the old name of
A. Terry & Co.
In 1 868, Mr. Terry moved to Waterbury, still continuing to
give his attention to the Terryville business. In the summer of
1871, he took up his residence in Lawrence, Kan., where he
engaged in private banking and real estate operations. Remov-
ing to Bristol, Conn., in July, 187^, in connection with G. J.
Bentley, the enterprise known as the Bristol Foundry Company
was organized in the suminer of 1876, and ISIr. Terry was
actively engaged in it until liis last sickness. From this begin-
ning has grown the great plant of the Sessions' Foundry Com-
pany, which is the largest grey iron foundry in New England.
As a citizen he realized his responsibilities, and tried to
discharge them faithfully. Upon all questions of public policy
lie held decided opinions, and did not hesitate to express them.
Office he never cared for. When the civil war broke out he
gave his time, money, heart, and body to the support of the
government. He enlisted as a private in Companv I, Fiist
Regiment, Connecticut Heavy Artillery, and went out as
orderly sergeant. A severe illness rendered him unfit for duty,
and he received his discharge, for disability, September 23, 1861.
On the 5th of October he was commissioned as major ot the
Eighth Regiment, Connecticut Volunteers, and was soon pro-
moted to the lieutenant-colonelcy. He took part in Gen. Burn-
side's expedition to North Carolina, and participated in the
capture of Roanoke Island, and in the battle of Newberne. His
commission was resigned March 28, 1S62.
In the list of those uniting with the Congregational Church
in Terryville, in 1842, occurs the name of Andrew Terry ; he
was then eighteen years of age. In 186S he removed his con-
nection to the Second Congregational Church in Waterbury.
On his removal to Kansas, he took a letter of recommendation
to the Plymouth Congregational Church in Lawrence. A
marked era in his religious life began with the death of his little
daughter Gertrude. The revival of 1S57-58, which brought "all
Terryville" into the Church, found a most helpful laborer in
him. At Allentown a mission Sunday School was sustained for
a considerable time under his superintendency, with very encour-
aging results. Theological questions then had for him a fasci-
nating interest; late into the night he would talk with ministers
and others interested in such thinking His library was well
selected and well read. Many ministers shared the hospitality
of his home, and were assisted by him in substantial wa} s.
270
IIIS'IOK'I Ol- l>l.\M()L! 111.
N. Tavlor Baldwin.
O. D. Hunter.
ANDREW TERRY AND CO. 27I
Among the number were Rev. M. H. Williams, of Philadel-
phia, and Rev. J. C. McClintock, of Burlington, Iowa. C. Terry
Treadway of Bristol, is the only living descendant.
O. D. HUNTER.
O. D. Hunter was born in Wendell, Mass., and came to
Terr^•ville from Greenfield, Mass., in 1S50, and was engaged as
carpenter and joiner by Andrew Terry to erect a dwelling house
for him near the iron foundry. Mr. Hunter has spent his whole
time for the past forty-five years in and around the foundry that
he is now so prominently identified with. Many of the old
foundrv buildings were built by him, and since the fire of the
past winter, which wiped out the whole plant, he has taken an
active part in the construction of new and more modern
buildings.
Mr. Hunter has resided at the old Eli Terry, Sr., place,
opposite the town hall, for the past thirty years. There is not a
living representative of those who were prominently connected
with the business when Mr. Hunter came here in 1S50. He is
one of the most active members of the Terryville Congregational
Church. He married Miss Harriet E. Trask, of Deerfield,
Mass., October 17, 1S52, by whom he has one son, Dr. Dwnght
W. Hunter, of New York.
HON. N. TAYLOR BALDWIN.
The Hon. N. Taylor Baldwin was born in Bristol, Conn.,
October 3, 1835, and died in Terryville, March 16, 1S89.
His father, Ezra Baldwin, moved to Winsted when he was
quite a young boy and there he availed himself of such school
advantages as Winsted then aftbrded. When his school days
were over he went to Terryville and engaged in clerking in a
store. In 1864 Mr. Baldwin united with the Congregational
Church and was an active member and regular attendant He
took a deep interest in school, town, state and national afiairs,
and being a good parliamentarian was often called to preside
over meetings of various kinds. In 1S66, 1872 and iSSi he rep-
resented the town of Plymouth in the House, and in 1870 the
Sixteenth district in the Senate. He was a delegate from Con-
necticut to the convention in Chicago that nominated James A.
Garfield, and acted as clerk for the state delegates. For manv
years he was the successful business manager of the A. Terry <&
Co. Malleable Iron Foundrv, and also a director of the Eagle
Lock Company, the Bristol Savings Bank, and of North & Judd,
New Britain.
His wife was Lucinda Terrv, daughter of Eli Terry, Jr.,
and granddaughter of Eli Terry, .Sr., the world-renowned clock
inventor. Mrs. Baldwin died in 1SS4. Two children survive,
Susie, who married Dr. William P. Swett, and Richard D.
Baldwin.
2*72
HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.
Mr. Baldwin was earnest, active and helpful as a citizen in
all good \vays — in the local affairs of" school and town and
church, and in state and national politics, a lasting monument to
his memory being the beautiful park, east of the village school-
house. In 1S70 he made a most efficient House chairman
of the committee on finance. In 1S72 he was House chairman
of the committee on state prison, and in 1S81 he was House
chairman of the committee on banks. While not pretending to
possess the gift of oratory, he had an easy and effective way of
putting things that always made his words influential. And
there was such implicit faith in his honesty that when he, as
chairman of a committee, said a bill was right or wrong, that
settled it so far as the action of the house was concerned.
Because of his impartiality and good judgment he was often
selected by the courts to act as commissioner.
J. W. Clark's Residence.
O. D. Hunter's Residence.
CHAPTER XIII.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Interesting Reading About Past and Present People of Plymouth, Commencing
with Judge Augustus H. Fenn, Now the Foremost of Those who Reside Else-
where, and Many Others who Have Attained Worldly Fame— Illustrations of
Subjects and Buildings.
AUGUSTUS HALL FENN, one of Plymouth's most prom-
ising sons, was born in Plymoutli, January iS, 1S44. His
father's name was Augaistus L. Fenn, son of Elam Fenn, and
his mother was Esther Maria Hall, daughter of Orison and
Betsy Atwater Hall. He received a common school education,
with one or two terms at higher schools. At the early age of
fourteen he commenced to write verses for publication, some of
which were received with favor, going the rounds of the press,
and the next year he collated and published a small volume of
poems. In ]SIarch, 1862, he commenced the study of law in the
office of Ammi Giddings in Plymouth Center, and in July of the
same year enlisted in the Nineteenth Connecticut Volunteers.
Returning in September, 1S65, he resumed the study of law in
the office of S. W. Kellogg in Waterbury. Here he remained
until February, 1867, when he was admitted to the bar at Litch-
field. From there he entered the law school of Harvard Colleg-e
at Cambridge, Mass., where he remained one year, receiving
from that institution the degree of LL. B. The next year he
practiced law in Waterbury until April i, 1869, when he
removed to Plymouth Center, where after a few years' residence
he went to Winsted and opened a law office. This he continued
until 1S87, when Governor Lounsbury appointed him judge of
the Superior Court of Connecticut, he at that time being the
youngest presiding officer of the Connecticut bench. This was
followed by promotion to the associate judgeship of the Supreme
Court of Errors of Connecticut by Acting Governor Bulkeley in
1893, which office he still holds.
Judge Fenn is justly proud of his military record, and per-
haps no better sketch of his services during the rebellion could
be written than the following which is copied from Vaill's His-
tory of the Second Connecticut Artillery :
"The most unpromising officer that left Camp Dutton with
the old Nineteenth was First Lieutenant Augustus H. Fenn.
374
HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.
Judge Augustus H. Fenti.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 275
He was but eighteen years old, of freckled face and awkward
gait, and was regarded with surly contempt by windy and con-
sequential brother officers. Every private soldier, too, had his
fling at him, as it was considered very impudent for him to be
an officer at all, but he had recruited his forty men, aud there he
was, with a commission in his pocket from Governor Bucking-
ham. There was no getting away from him, and he was assigned
to Company K, which was a kind of regimental Botany Bay.
But three years of fighting blew away a good deal of showy
incompetency and revealed true merit wherever it existed.
Lieutenant Fenn sfrew in the estimation of his fellow officers and
of all who knew him, until there was no tongue that dared to
wag against him. He proved himself one of the best drill
masters and disciplinarians in the regiment, and one of the most
competent officers in every position. Befoi^ goi"g to the front
he was made captain of Company C. On the 32d of June he
led his company into the skirmish at Petersburg as far as it
advanced, and was then and there detailed A. A. A. General on
Upton's start', vice Captain Sanborn of the Fifth Maine, and
mounting a horse which had been bi^ought to him commenced
his duties at once. When the regiment left the Sixth Corps at
Tenallytown in July he was relieved. In September he was
appointed judge advocate of the division court martial which
tried twenty-five cases. At Cedar Creek he lost his right arm.
The surgeons at Annapolis proposed to muster him out for dis-
ability, but he protested and wrote to General McKenzie for his
interference. The consequence was that he was retained and in
less than seven weeks from the time he had an arm taken ofi' at
the shoulder he reported for full duty at the front, and was at
once detailed as A. A. A. General of the brigade again, which
detail was afterward changed to that of brigade inspector. He
subsequently participated in several fights. He was detailed as
judge advocate five difierent times, was brevettcd major after
Cedar Ci'eek, promoted major in January, 1865, brevetted lieu-
tenant-colonel for Little Sailor Creek, and colonel ' for services
during the war.' "
Mr. Fenn, while he resided in FUmouth, held the offices of
judge of probate, town clerk, registrar of births, marriages and
deaths, and justice of the peace. Previously he had been city
clerk of Waterburv, and had been a candidate for town clerk
there and representative to the legislature, but was defeated.
Judge Fenn possesses the judicial faculty in a very high
degree. He takes broad and comprehensive views of legal and
constitutional questions, and his opinions and conclusions are
stated with clearness and force. He is a scholar by taste and
culture, an eloquent speaker, and a careful student of law, and
has a well defined conception of the nature of the general gov-
ernment. For some time he has lectured to the law department
of Yale College. His extensive knowledge of the law, keen dis-
crimination, and masterlv opinions, have well fitted him for this
work, and he is held in high regard by students and professors
alike.
\.
HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.
Homer E. Cook.
J. W. Pond.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 277
HOMER E. COOK.
Homer E. Cook, who was born in Wallingford, Conn.,
June 20, 1S25, came to Terryville when sixteen years of age, and
worked in the Eagle Lock Company's factory until 1SS7. He
was tax collector for twenty-one years but resigned in 1SS4,
owing to ill health. In 1SS4 he represented the town in the
House of Representatives, receiving many votes from the Demo-
cratic party besides a full Republican vote. He united with the
Congregational Church in 1859.
He died September 6, 1889, aged sixty-four years. He left
a widow, Hannah W. Cook, and six children : Mrs. L. C.
Lord, of Moorhead, Minn. ; W. A. Cook, employed by Eagle
Lock Company ; O. H. Cook, New Britain, Conn. ; Mrs. A. W.
Thayer, Palmer, Mass. ; F. T. Cook, druggist, Terryville,
Conn.; Julia F. Cook, Palmer, Mass. Mrs, Lord and Mrs.
Thayer were for a number of years teachers in the primary
school here.
JONATHAN WALTER POND.
Jonathan Walter Pond was born in the eastern part of
Plymouth, April 28, 1826, in the house subsequently occupied
for many years by Alexander Pond. His father, Philip Pond,
was born in the same house on April 7, I'J'jS. He left Plymouth
in 1S31, and resided in western New York until 1839, when he
returned to Connecticut and passed the remainder of his life in
Torrington, where he died in January, 1S55. Jonathan W.
Pond, the subject of this sketch, was brought up on a farm and
received the ordinary country school education, supplemented
by two winter terms of three months each in Torrington Academy.
When about sixteen years old he went to live in Terryville with
his brother-in-law, the elder Eli Terry, where he remained about
three years. Later he went to Bristol and worked at clock
making, and was for several vears foreman of the clock move-
ment department of Smith & Goodrich, in Forestville. In 185^
he removed to New Haven and was a traveling salesman for
Chauncey Jerome, then in the clock business. In 1S61, he was
appointed by a non-partisan board of police commissioners, chief
of the New Haven police department, and through his efforts
the officers were first put in uniform. He has been engaged in
the service of civil process in New Haven County as constable
or deputy sheriff and some of the time in both capacities for
upwards of thirty years. He was at the same time in the fire
insurance agency business in New Haven twenty-four years,
and was for seven years a member of the board of public works
of New Haven, the two last years serving as president. He is a
member of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in New Haven ; also
of the Order of Free Masons; of the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows, and was grand master of the grand lodge of Odd Fellows
of Connecticut in 18S1-2, and represented the grand lodge of
Connecticut in the sovereign grand lodge (formerly grand lodge
of the United States) at its annual session in 1882 and 1883, and
27^
HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.
Marshall W. Leach.
ym ■«^^'-
•Vi^
Jason Clemence
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 279
is a member of the Connecticut Society of "The Sons of the
American Revolution."
He has a wife and two sons, Walter Pond and Philip Pond,
both graduates of Yale University, both lawyers and residing in
New Haven.
MARSHALL W. LEACH.
Marshall Welles Leach was born in Torrington, Conn.,
February 17, 1S54, and has been a resident of Plymouth for
about twenty-five years. He is a descendant of John Leche,
wlio came from England in the fleet with the Rev. Francis
Higginson in 1639, and Sarah Conant, daughter of Roger
Conant. He married, December 13, 1S77, Julia S., daughter
of Strong A. Kelsey. He is an amateur musician of some taste,
and has always been prominent in musical and literary matters.
During his twenty-five years here, he has taken a lively interest
in the affairs and well-being of the community. He is a member
of the Congregational Church, in which he fills the offices of
clerk and committeeman. He is also a grand juror, justice of
the peace, and a prominent member of the board of school
visitors. He is also an Odd Fellow.
JASON CLEMENCE.
Jason Clemence, who is now seventy-seven years old, was
born in Torrington, this State. He came to Terryville in 1840,
to work for H. Welton & Co., the clock makers, in the factory
where the "Upper" lock shop now stands. This concern made
wooden clocks but later commenced the manufacture of brass
time pieces. In this they were restrained by Chauncey Jerome,
of New Haven, who claimed they infringed on his patent. Eli
Terry was then appealed to, to invent a movement that the
Welton concern could make. This he did, and Mr. Clemence
was set to work to make the model. Uncle Eli would watch the
progress of his new clock and tell Mr. Clemence as he looked in
that he came to "respect" his work. These clocks were made
until the company failed, when as the last work was being done
upon them in one end of the building, Lewis & Gaylord began
the manufacture of locks in the other end. From clocks to locks
(simply dropping the c) Mr. Clemence changed and he has
followed the trade in Terryville ever since.
He was married to Mary Johnson, September 28, 1S42,
who died June 11, 18^6, to whom was born one son, Edwin, in
1847. ^^^ present wife was Harriet C. Woodworth, to whom
he was married June 6, 1877.
Mr. Clemence for over thirty years was usher in the Terry-
ville Congregational Church and served as funeral director a like
number of years. He has been called upon to watch with the
sick time upon time, and during the terrible epidemic about
1842, watched constantly for six months. His services were
always given freely both as watcher and funeral director, and on
only few occasions did he accept any compensation.
:So
HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.
Augustus Von Martensen.
Mrs. Rosina Martensen.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 2S1
TERRYVILLE's first GERMAN FAAULV.
The first German family to move into Terryville was that ol
Johann Peter Scheuing. riiis was brought about by Andrew
Terry, who made periodical trips to New York to hire emigrants
to work in his foundry, as but few if any of the local residents
understood the art of iron moulding. This was in 1S50.
Mr. Scheuing took up his residence in the double house known
as the Captain Bunnell place, where his wife kept a boarding
house for other emigrant employes. Their son, Louis, was the
first child born of German parents in the village.
Mr. Scheuing, born in Halle, Wurtemburg, Germany, 1822,
came to America in 1S47, enlisted private in United States Army
from Governor's Island, N. Y., April 13, 1847, saw active ser-
vice in Mexican War, and after terrible sufiering and hardships
his health was shattered, and on the 15th of October, 1848, at
New Orleans, he received an honorable discharge. He returned
to Germany to recover his health and the next year married
Rosina Seitz, returned to America and after some months' resi-
dence in New York City, came to Terryville. His health, how-
ever, had been completely undermined, and after a short
residence he was allowed to enter the hospital at Blackwell's
Island, N. Y. , where he died August 14, 1S54, aged thirty-two
years, leaving a widow, two sons and a daughter. By keeping
boarders the widow had managed to keep the wolf from the door
until March 29, 1855, when she became the wife of Augustus
Von Martensen, who was born in Kiel, Denmark, May 5, 1822,
of a distinguished family. When a boy he was sent to the best
schools and became a fine linguist. His parents wished him to
study medicine hut he entered the German army, won several
medals for proficiency, finallv participated in the revolution of
Schlesvvig Holstein and with many others of his co-patiiots
escaped to America. Having friends in Bristol he visited them
and shortly after found employment at the lock factory at Terry-
ville, where he was employed six years, incidentally giving
German lessons and teaching fencing as opportunity offered.
When the war of the rebellion commenced Mr. Von Martensen
went to Waterbury to enlist and though the company had then a
full quota of men, the captain, attracted by his soldierly bearing,
gladly enrolled him in the ranks. This company was a part of
the ist Connecticut three months' Volunteers, enlisting April 22,
1861, and mustering out Julv 31, 1S61. They participated in
the disastrous first battle of Bull Run after the term of their
enlistment had expired. Mr. Martensen was the first man in
Plymouth to enlist, and A. M. Blakesley, cashier of the Water-
bury bank, a native of Terryville, presented him with a handsome
revolver in recognition of his patriotism. Upon his return, after
a few days spent with his family, in August 1861, he re-enlisted
for three years at Hartford as a corporal in the cavalry service,
and with other Connecticut men (and among them was Dorence
Atwater, of Terryville), thev were attached to the 2d New York
Cavalry, Colonel Judson Kilpatrick's regiment, afterward called
2S:
HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.
Louis C. Scheuing.
Julius G. Beach.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 283
the Harris Light Cavalry, and became a part of McClellan's
Army of the Potomac. In this service he saw daily skirmishing
and fighting, participated in several battles and was promoted to
a 3d lieutenantcy. At Aldie, Va., the advancing army came
upon some rebel sharpshooters lying behind haystacks. His
company were ordered to dislodge them, and in the charge ist
Lieutenant Whitaker and 3d Lieutenant Martensen were both
fatally shot from their horses, and lived but a few hours. The
bodies were brought to Hartford by General Whitaker, and the
bodv of Lieutenant jSLirtensen was g'iven honorable burial in
Terryville ; funeral services were held at the church and attended
by a large concourse of sympathetic townspeople, the late Rev.
Dr. Griggs officiating.
Mrs. Rosina Martensen was a widow a second time with a
family of six children, the youngest barely three years old, the
oldest but thirteen years. She was left destitute, but with a
courage born of despair, she labored early and late to support
and educate them. They grew up to be a credit to their
mother's devotion and fortitude. The eldest son, William
Scheuing, removed from Terryville to Kansas in 1870, engaged
in f;irming until 1SS8, his health failing he went to Florida and
afterwards to Colorado. The second son, Louis C. Scheuing,
left Terryville for Waterbury, Conn., in 1866, where he spent a
few months in a store as clerk, then worked on a farm and went
to school winters at Northfield, and after another year's exper-
ience in a store in Waterbury, removed to Springfield, Mass.,
where after working at farming and in the freight office of the
N. Y,, N. H. & H. R. R. for nine years, the opportunity was
offered to enter a manufacturing enterprise. He is now secretary
of the National Papeterie Company, a director in several other
enterprises, extensively engaged in real estate, and is closely
identified with religious work and in musical circles. In
the year 187^ he induced his mother, brother, and sisters to
remove to Springfield, where with the exception of the eldest
son William (who died in Colorado in 1S91 and is buried in
Springfield) the children are all living at present, pleasantly
and happily located. Louis is unmarried and resides with his
mother; Marv Scheuing is the wife of F. P. Cheever, of
Springfield; Augusta Martensen is the wife of O. B. Brockett,
messenger of the County Court House ; Carl F. Martensen is
married, and agent for the Boston Condensed Milk Company,
for Springfield and vicinity ; Rosa IMartensen is unmarried, and
clerk in Register of Deeds office, and resides with her mother.
Mrs. ^Martensen is still in the enjoyment of good health,
conscious that she did what she could for her country in its hour
of need, and feels grateful to the people of Terryville for the
many acts of kindness and assistance rendered her.
JULIUS G. BEACH.
One of the old carriage makers that the old residents will
recall was Lyman Beach, who was born in Plymouth, April 3,
1807. Of his early life the writer has little knowledge. On
2S4
HISTORV OF PLYMOUTH.
James Hunter.
J. B. Baldwin.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 285
September 4, 1S32, he was united In marriage to Phebe Griggs,
to whom were born four children, Hobart L., Calvin D., Celia
A., and Julius G. His homestead was situated on the road
going north by the Andrew Hawkins place and the first house
above the Hawkins homestead. He was a carriage wood worker
and was employed by Cooley & Bradley — Comstock & Bishop
succeeded Cooley & Bradley — and he continued in their employ.
September S, 1S48, his wife died. The family remained at the
old home, a housekeeper being employed, and in the spring of
18^0 Mr. Beach married for his second wife Lucinda Comstock.
On May 15, 1851, after a long and painful illness, he died, and
the old home was sold to Isaac Shelton.
The son, Julius G., was about eleven years old when this
occurred and from that time until he arrived at the age of twenty
drifted from one occupation to another, some of the time on a
farm, one voyage to sea (China) and tw^o years or more in the
factory. In the spring of 1861, when he was twenty, the civil
war broke out. He responded to the call, going to the front
with the 2d Regiment Connecticut Volunteers, three months'
troops. When this term of service expired he enlisted in Com-
pany F, 7th Regiment Connecticut Volunteers, serving until the
close of the war, was mustered out as ist sergeant, and shortly
afterwards received an honorary commission from the governor.
In 1864, while home on a veteran furlough, he was united in
marriage to Miss Anna M. Mills, a New Haven lady, and after
his discharge from the army, up to the present time, has resided
in New Haven, and for the past twenty-eight years has been in
the employ of Peck Bros. & Co., and for the past fifteen years
holding the position of foreman of a department with prospects
of remaining.
JAMES HUNTER.
James Hunter was born in Glenluce; Scotland, October 3,
1812, the eldest of nine children. He was brought up by his
maternal grandfather, James Hanna, at Stranraer, in the south-
west extremity of that country. This grandfather had acquired
a competence as a planter in Jamaica. His paternal grandfather
resided at Girvan, thirty miles distant from Stranraer The
calling of this grandfather was that of a stone mason. He ful-
filled in his home, at the close of each day, the description in
Burns' exquisite poem, "The Cotter's Saturday Night," —
"The siie turns o'er vvi' patriarchal grace.
The big ha' Bible (hall Bible) ance his father's pride ;
* * * * :> * *
He wales (selects) a portion with judicious care,
And, ' Let us worship God,' he says, with solemn air."
The home at Stranraer was a stone house of two stories,
with a slate roof. The floor of the hall, which extended through
the house, and that of the kitchen, were flagged with stone.
The sea was only a few rods away. His parents having emi-
grated to Canada some years before, in 1829 the son followed
286 HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.
them. Mr. Hunter accompanied them in a subsequent removal
to the United States. They found a home in Saratoga, N. Y.
From that place the son started out to seek labor and subsistence
for himself. And so it was that, as he journeyed afoot into
Massachusetts and Connecticut, he came at length, bundle in
hand, to Terry ville. This was in 1S34. The first person he
saw and spoke with was a little girl about four years of age, the
daughter of Eli Terry, Jr., who was playing in the road in front
of the house. She is now Mrs. Merrill Richardson. She
directed him to her father's clock shop just below. Going into
the shop he met Warren Goodwin. Mr. Terry was absent.
While waiting for the return of Mr. Terry, in the lack of a
tavern nearer than Plymouth, Mr. Goodwin took him home with
himself, and he spent the first night in Terryville in the house
which afterwards became his own home for many years, and in
which at last he departed this life. Mr. Terry did not hire him,
and he applied for employment at the lock shop just started, the
proprietors of which were John C. Lewis and Wni. E. McKee.
He found Mr. McKee in his garden, who asked him many
questions, and then conducted him to the shop where he had an
interview with Air. Lewis also, which was continued at the
village store belonging to the same concern. After the proprie-
tors had consulted aside, Mr. Lewis said to him they wanted to
hire men, but oidy such men as would be a help in the com-
munity, good citizens to build up the community. Thereupon
Mr. Hunter produced his church certificate issued to him by his
pastor, Rev. Wm. Taylor, pastor of the First United Secession
Church of Montreal. That was sufficient. They hired him for
a year at $100 and board. The price of board was then about
$1.50 a week. The firm settled with their help at the end of the
year. Meanwhile it was difiicult to get much monev from them
at a time. While they used no compulsion upon their hands to
trade at their store,, they wished them to do so, engaging to
furnish goods as cheap and of as good qualitv as could be
obtained anywhere. The first Sabbath Mr. Hunter began the
practice always maintained, of attendance at church, walking in
those days, as did man}' others, to Plymouth. At the same
time he joined the Bible class taught (probablv) by Dr. Potter.
Becoming thus a resident of Terryville, Mr. Hunter con-
tinued such until the end of his long, useful and happv life, with
the exception of the period from 1S43 to iS^6, during which his
home was in Sharon, Conn.
He married, October 18, 1837, ^^i-'^s Rhoda Swift, grand-
daughter of General Heman Swift of Revolutionary fame, and
of the seventh generation from William Swift, wlio settled at
Watertown, Mass.. 1630. Their children were Swift McGregor,
born in Sharon, Conn.. December i, 1S3S; Marv Elizabeth,
born in Sliaron, Conn., May 19, 1843 ; Elizabeth Swift, born in
Sharon, Conn., March 28, 1844.
Swift McG. was married January i, 1S68, to Mary M. Swift,
who died November i^. 1871. He was a volunteer soldier in
the war for the Union, being a member of the 2d Connecticut
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 287
Regiment of Heavy Artillery, in which service he received a
wound, resulting at last in his death, after a lingering illness, in
1S72. Two daughters of Swift McG. Hunter reside in Terry-
ville. The elder daughter of James Hunter is the wife of
Charles S. Smith, of East Plymouth. The younger daughter
died April 5, 1866.
Mr. Hunter was one of the original members of the Congre-
gational Church of Terry ville, organized in 1838, joining by
letter from the church ol Plymouth. He was a member of the
standing committee of the church for many years, and for five
years was superintendent of the Sunday School. The high
regard in which he was held by his fellow citizens, and the con-
fidence they reposed in him is manifest in the fact that he was
many times elected to the responsible offices of grand juror and
justice of the peace. He died April i, 1891, his wife surviving
him. She died June 25, 1895.
True to his early training, James Hunter was always a man
of integrity, a supporter and an advocate of good things, espec-
ially of the cause of temperance. Of unquestionable piety, most
impressive, sometimes sublime, in prayer, he was also of a
remarkably merry disposition. Recollections of his droll humor,
uttered in the brogue of Scotland, and breaking forth from his
familiar countenance all aglow with merriment, will long recur
with cheering efiect to those who knew him.
JAMES BURGESS BALDWIN.
James Burgess Baldwin was born September 14, 1846, just
outside the limits of Goshen, Conn., and ever regarded Goshen
as his native town. He was the son of Junius and Julia
(Hallock) Baldwin. He was also, it may be truly said, a
typical son of New England and of Connecticut. For he had
an honorable pride in the region of his birth, her people and her
traditions. And he was endowed by nature with that aptitude
for mechanic art which, diffiised among the people of Connecti-
cut, has given the state leadership in the Union in inventive
production, dotting her tcnitory in generations gone with the
little shops of local artisans, and through the growth and the
massing of capital creating in later times the great manufactories
existing in such numbers, and pouring out such a variety of
articles of use and of beauty at che present day. The popular
vehicle known as the spindle buggy, was first made by Mr.
Baldwin. The idea originating with him was taken up by
others, and has become a source of profit to many. Possessed
also of the artistic sense and skill, he found pleasure in painting
pictures which he produced with facility for his own gratifica-
tion and that of his friends, and sometimes to meet the demands
of his business.
Mr. Baldwin became a resident of Terry ville in 1876,
locating here to prosecute his calling of general blacksmithing.
In addition to other qualifications for this employment, he was
marked to an unusual degree by an intelligent interest in that
jSS
HISTORY OF PLVMOUrH.
George H. Plumb.
Gaius Fenn Warner.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 2S9
noble animal, the horse, and by judgment in the treatment of the
same. Relinquishing after some years the heavier work of his
trade, Mr. Baldwin was occupied subsequently with the manu-
facture and repair of vehicles, and with the j)ublic duties devolv-
ing upon him as a civil officer. He was appointed postmaster
of Terry ville by President Harrison in 1890, and held the
appointment at the time when he was smitten with fatal sickness.
His administration of this responsible office met with the general
approval of the community.
A faithful and active member of the Congregational Church
of Terryville, he was for seven years superintendent of its large
and flourishing Sunday School, concerning which it should be
said, that for vigor and usefulness as an auxiliary in the work of
the church, the Sunday School of Terryville is surpassed
probably by but few similar institutions in corresponding com-
munities in the land.
Air. Baldwin was married, May 7, 1S6S, to Martha Eugenia,
youngest daughter of George Merriman, of Litchfield, Conn.,
a lady of uncommon sweetness and beauty of disposition and
character. Children were born to them as follows : Carlisle
Hodges, born in Torrington, Conn., June 35, 1S70; Ralph
Merriman, born in Torrington, Conn., June 17, 1S74; Ernest
Elmore, born in Torrington, Conn., November 11, 1S75; all of
whom survive their parents. Two of the sons occupy positions
of responsibility in the office of the Eagle Lock Company,
Terryville, the eldest as estimate clerk, and the youngest as pay-
master. The second son is perfecting himself as an Instructor in
penmanship, thus developing an inherited artistic taste and skill.
The death of Mr. Baldwin was attended with circumstances
investing it with an extremely pathetic and tragic interest.
The father of Mrs. Baldwin, passing the winter in the home,
having reached the age of ninety-four years, was taken sick and
died February 19, 1S94. While he was yet ill, fatal disease
fastened upon his daughter. The prostration of the wife was
soon followed by that of her husband, jNIr. Baldwin. She died
February 21 ; five days later he departed this life, February 26,
1S94. Husband and wife were buried in one grave.
Mr. Baldwin was a man of vivacious spirit, cheerful and
cordial, affectionate in his relations to his family, patriotic in his
regard ibr his country, a warm co-worker in matters of public
interest, both religious and secular, a citizen respected and
valued, a pleasant and beloved friend.
GEORGE H. PLUMB.
George H. Plumb, son of Samuel and vSarah Scarritt Plumb,
was born in Wolcott, Conn., October 15, 1S13, died in Terry-
ville, August 18, 1891.
Li his early life he traveled extensively in the Southern
States and was one of the "Yankee clock peddlers" who earned
Connecticut a reputation for shrewdness and who were known
throughout the country more than half a century ago. On each
390 HISTORY OF PLYMOUIII.
trip he took with him a wagon load of clocks from Plymouth
where they were then manufactured, retailing them in exchange
for cash or whatever he could get in the line of produce.
Though possessing the shrewdness of the typical "Yankee
clock peddler," he was a man of sterling honesty and was highly
respected in the place where he spent the greater part of his life.
He was married May 3, 1S40, to Deidamia Minor, of
Wolcott, by whom he had three children, Newell M., Wallace
G., and Elsie J. Plumb, the only surviving one being Wallace
G. Plumb. He moved to Terryville in January, 1S41, to work
for H. Welton & Co., in the clock shop, where he was employed
until his health failed, when he removed to his farm on Fall
Mountain in the town of Bristol. He lived there ten years,
afterwards returning to Terryville where he resided until his
death.
He was a contractor in the Eagle Lock Co, for fifteen years,
being associated with Ira H. Stoughton. He joined the Con-
gregational Church in 1842, and was an active worker, serving
on the standing committee until compelled by old age to retire
from the service. Mr. and Mrs, Plumb celebrated their golden
wedding May 3, 1S90.
GAIUS FENN WARNER.
John Warner, who was captain in the Connecticut State
Guards — assisting in the defense of the sea coasts in General
Waterbury's State Brigade in 17S1, and for whom the long hill
between Plymouth and the township nou^ known as Thomaston,
was for many years named, was the father of John Warner, Jr.,
grandfather of Abijah Warner and great-grandfather of Gains
Fenn Warner, who was born in the town of Plymouth in that
part known as Town Hill in iSii; his mother, Betsy Fenn,
being a sister of Elam Fenn, who lived and died where his son
Jason Fenn now lives. He was the youngest of three children,
but six years of age when his father died. His boyhood and
early manhood were passed in his mother's home, until when at
the age of twenty-one he married Harriet Jackson, of Bethlehem,
Conn., and directly they settled in their own home, near that of
his mother, a little to the south on the same road. Here he
worked a small farm for about three years, when he moved to
Waterville, to take charge of a large boarding house for the
employes of a button factory there.
His two daughters, Helen and Harriet, were born during
his residence in Plymouth, his son, Henry, in Waterville.
During the two years of the boarding house experiment, he built
for himself a commodious house, into which he moved, when he
again took up a small farm and also had charge of the turn-
pike road between Waterbury and Plymouth, but evidently,
farming was not to his mind, for in 1S43 he went back to the
town of Plymouth, the eastern part of it, called Terryville.
Here he kept a temperance hotel, a novel idea at that time, but
which he maintained in spite of all opposition, at the same time
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 39I
carrying on, in an extended ell of his house, the manufacture of
umbrellas. It was during these years that the Congregational
Church was built in the village, and into this enterprise he threw
his superb energies and strength. He hauled much of the timber
from the woods to the mill, from there to the lot whereon the
church was to be erected, and was like a young giant on the
"Raising Day" of the building when "all the town" turned out
to help ; afterwards all were served, as was the custom of the
day, to doughnuts, raised cake and cider.
It was not until about the year 1847 that he found his busi-
ness life-work, when at his entertainment at his house as hotel,
he met a man who was in the manufacturing business of mallea-
ble iron castings, and who so ui'ged him to also enter this work,
that at last he decided to return with him to Straitsville and
investigate for himself. He soon moved his family there, where
he so well succeeded, that when the buildings were burned to
the ground, he removed the works to New Haven, many of the
principal workmen going with him. At that time, Straitsville,
a very small village, had no regular church services, which
Mr. Warner so deplored, that very soon after his removal there
he made arrangements whereby theological students from New
Haven should preach in the small chapel each Sunday for the
sum of ten dollars and their board. His house was freely opened
for their accommodation, and very often the compensation was
also largely given from his own pocket. In this iron business he
had the monopoly and made it the largest concern of its kind in
the country. As he grew in prosperity, he was ever ready to
respond to the numerous calls for benevolence, both public and
private, notably of them was that of Home and Foreign
Missions, that of Home Missions growing stronger each year of
his life. He was a man of few words — while ever friendly — to
those who were so fortunate as to possess his love and confidence,
he showed a true and loyal heart, to be relied upon in any
extremity. In his family he was the faithful husband, the
kindest of fathers, and his house was ever open to all his friends.
In the year iSSo he decided to build a house for himself, and
chose a lot of one and one-half acres in the center of the city
opposite Yale College, where he erected the substantial house,
now occupied as the Republican League building, in the rear of
which is now the Hyperion Theatre, and on the western side of
the lot Warner Hall and the apartment building for students,
erected and managed by his son Henry A. Warner. ^
It was characteristic of him, when questioned quite
anxiously bv a member of the college faculty, as to his venture
to so carefully lay out this acre and more of ground, stocking it
with fruit trees, graperies, and ornamental shrubs, lest he should
sutier from the invasion of the mischievous boys of the college,
he replied "I shall not molest them and I don't think they will
trouble me," and they never did. After moving to his new
home, he gave liis best Christian efforts to the welfare of the
College Street Church, which building joined his land on the
eastern side, and was an earnest helper and exemplary member
29:
HISrORY OF PLYMOUTIf.
Junius Preston.
Henry A. Minor.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 293
until his death in October, 1S90. He died as he had lived, in
full trust and faith in his Savior and God, since when in his early
manhood, he with his young wife united with the church in
Plymouth Center, during a strong religious movement through-
out the country in 1S37.
MR. AND MRS. JUNIUS PRESTON.
Junius Preston and wife, who live near East Church, are
probably the oldest couple in Plymouth, they having passed
sixty years of married life together, fifty of which has been spent
in the house where they now reside. Mr. Preston is eighty-three
years old and Mrs. Preston is seventy-eight. They are still
active and do their own farm work. jVIr. Preston in early life
was the owner of the grist mill in East Church, which he con-
ducted for ten years, but was better known as the sexton of the
old graveyard. This he attended to for forty-two years, filling
the place made vacant by his father, who was in charge twentv-
four years, making a total of sixty-six years that it was looked
after bv father and son. Three children were born to them,
Mrs. Wallace Pardee, who lives near by ; Mrs. A. J. Hotchkiss,
of Middletown ; and Almeron Preston, of New Britain.
Ml". Preston has not been out of the State in fifty years, or away
from home over night in all that time. He has patronized the
steam railroads but little, and has never seen or ridden on an
electric car.
HENRY A. MINOR.
Henry A. jVIinor, son of Henry J. Minor, of Woodbury,
Conn., and Nancy J. Mather, of Plymouth, was born in Ply-
mouth, April i^, 1S43, and educated at Williston Seminary,
Easthampton, ]\Iass. He married Anna L. Woodford, of Avon,
Conn., October 14, 1874. and has two children, Alaurice W.,
born April 3, 1S78, and Judson M., born July 6, 1SS2. His
wife died March 6, 1891. He was emplo\-ed with the Seth
Thomas Clock Company three years and the New Haven Clock
Company two years. He then entered the employ of the New
York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad Company, where he is
still employed in the accounting department of the general ofiice.
EMMA J. MINOR.
Emma J. Minor, a sister of Kenry A. Minor, was born
October 19, 1S4S, was educated in Hartford at T. W. T. Curtis's
Young Ladies' Seminarv, and married, June 3, 186S, to George
T. Bradlev, of the firm of Benedict & Co., coal merchants. New
Haven. Their children are INIilton Hobert, born April 8, 1S71 ;
Walter ]Minor, born April 14, 1873; Mabel Daskam, born
August 13, 1S7S.
JEREMIAH MARKHAINI.
Jeremiah Markham, the subject of this sketch, was born in
Enfield, Conn., January 20, 1734. He was the son of Jeremiah
294 HISTORY OF PI.Y MOUTH.
and Sarah (Meacham) Alarkham, his father being the grandson
of Deacon Daniel ISIarkham, a brother of the Alayor (1664) of
Norwich, County Norfolk, England. The deacon arrived in
Cambridge in 1665, and in IMiddletown, Conn., in 1676, where
he received the greater part of the estate of his father-in-law,
William Harris, while the latter went to England in behalf of
the Colony of Connecticut, as agent for a charter.
On this estate generations were born and raised, Jeremiah
being brought to it when only five years of age. Here he learned
his trade of blacksmith, and here were all his children born.
Amy married John Driggs of jMiddletown, and died in Peru,
Mass., they had five daughters; Jeremiah learned his father's
trade and bought back the shop at Middletown, he had married
Sally Clark and they had seven children, six sons and one
daughter ; Hester married Obadiah Bowe ; John married
Almira Holly, aunt of " Josiah Allen's wife," and had five
children, three sons and two daughters ; of Levi's children,
jMaria married Willard Brooks, whose sons, Silas and George
became celebrated as aeronauts ; Nancy married Capt. Mark J.
Bronson ; Apollos married Lucy C. Griswold, daughter of Capt.
Francis Griswold, and was surveyor for Litchfield County for
some years ; Levi D. married Eliza M. Lackey ; Rhoda married
Daniel Potter of Plymouth ; Sarah married Levi Scott and had
two sons, Riley and Markham Scott ; Lydia married Luther
Downs and went to Armenia, N. Y.
In 1797 he had purchased tw'o hundred acres of land in the
wild west of Connecticut, being the grant to Rev. Ichabod Camp,
in payment for services as chaplain in the Revolutionary Army,
and in this year he went there to live, and built a blacksmith's
shop. He is said to have forged knife blades equal to the
English. To this tract were added two hundred acres by son
and grandson, so that the homestead comprised at one time four
hundred acres of rugged land in the southern part of Plymouth.
The original house in which Jeremiah lived and died is still
standing on the Waterbury I'oad on the southwest corner of the
lane, leading to the site of another house to the west, there being
until recently still another to the south on the same lot, and to
one of these, the eldest son, Jeremiah, Jr., removed two years
later with his wife and two very young children, John and
Oliver. 'Tis said these baby boys were slung one on either side
of a horse in a saddle bag and followed the family procession
from Middletown to Plymouth, whiling away the time by arr us-
ing themselves, tickling each other with a straw over the back of
the animal.
Jeremiah, Jr., in about a year removed back to the Middle-
town homestead and the Plymouth estate came into the posses-
sion of the son Levi, and John w^ent to the "Black River
Country." Levi married, January 11, 1S04, Rosanna Rowe,
and they had five children born at the old homestead, Maria,
Nancy, Lucy R., Apollos (for a time surveyor for the tow^n),
and Levi Deming, whose family still retains the Ichabod Camp
property.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 295
On a visit to this house a few years ago, the writer found
some of the spoils from the "Indian Wars," some of which were
adorned by Indian artists, handed down by Sergeant Jeremiah to
his children, and also accounts and pension papers, showing
that Sergeant Markham acted as captain, and led the company
of Captain Joseph Blague in the second battle of Saratoga,
October 7, 1777, during which he was sliot through the head
just as they were leaping over the British breastworks (vide
Walworth's Battles of Saratoga). Captain Blague was then in
the hospital sutiering from wounds received in the first battle,
during which this company had especially distinguished itself,
and Blague soon received a sword from General Washington,
with a commission of Colonel.
UR. RALPH SCHUYLER GOODWIN.
Ralph Schuyler Goodwin, of Tiiomaston, Conn., son of
Charles and Jane (Guilford) Goodwin, was born July 24, 1S39,
at Litchfield, Conn. He is the grandson of Uri Goodwin, a
descendant of Ozias Goodwin, one of Thomas Hooker's band of
pioneer settlers of Hartford, Conn. He received his high school
education at Watertown Academy, Waterbury Academy, Bing-
hampton, N. Y., Academy, and the New York State Normal
School, from which he was graduated ; commenced the study of
medicine at Binghamton, N, Y., in 1S62, under Dr. Burr, of
Binghamton, Drs. Enos and Conklin, of Brooklyn, N. Y., and
Dr. A. S. Hunter, of New York City ; attended three courses of
medical lectures at the College of Physicians and Surgeons,
New York, and the Long Island College Hospital, Brooklyn,
N Y., and was graduated from the former in 1S66; commenced
the practice of medicine in 1S67, at Plymouth Center and later
removed to Tiiomaston, Conn., where he has since remained.
He is a member of the Litchfield County Aledical Society, of
which he has been president ; Connecticut Medical Society ;
American Medical Association ; and the American Public
Health Association. He has been a member of the Connecticut
State Board of Health eight years, as well as health oflicer of
Thomaston, Conn. He is an Odd Fellow; member of Thomas-
ton Board of Education; acting school visitor of Thomaston, ten
years; and member of Congregational Church. Dr. Goodwin
was for three years an instructor in the Collegiate and Poly-
technic Institute, Brooklyn, N. Y. Among his more important
medical papers are: "The Contagiousness of Tuberculosis,"
read before the County Medical Society, 1S92; "The Thera-
peutic Use of Alcohol," published in transactions State Medical
Societv, 1879; "The Etiology and Prophylaxis of Typhoid
Fever," read before the County Medical Society, 1S89; an
address as chairman of section on therapeutics, at centennial
anniversary of the State Medical Society, 1892 ; "Characteristics
of Modern Therapeutibs."
Married, 1867, iMiss Jeanie Edith Irvine, of New York
City. They have two children : Ralph Schuyler Goodwin, Jr.,
296
HISTORY 01- I'J.VMOLT'J
Dr. R. S. Gnoi" in
Dr. S. T. Salisbury.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 297
a graduate at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, New
York, and Grace Goodwin, educated at Vassar College.
DR. SAMUEL T. SALISBURY.
Dr. Samuel T. Salisbury, of whom an excellent likeness is
given herewith, was born at Providence, R. I., March 17, 1S14.
He was of mixed English and Welsh stock, and among the
ancestral names were those of Owen, Dexter, Thurber, and
Salisbury. He early developed a taste for study — was a pupil in
the schools of his native city and Brown Universitv- After
finishing his academic studies, he adopted medicine as his chosen
profession — first as a botanic student and practitioner. He soon
became dissatisfied with the limited range of this school, and
resolved to adopt the allopathic. In 1S34, he entered the office
of that distinguished physician and teacher. Dr. Charles Hooker,
of New Haven, attending lectures in the Medical Institution of
Yale College, and graduated therefrom in 1S36. The year of
his graduation, he married Miss Harriet Fenn, of Plymouth,
Conn, (where he had settled in practice), by whom he had two
daughters, both of whom died in 184S. Mrs. Salisbury died
two years subsequently, thus leaving him without family. In
1852, he manned Miss Amelia P. Moss, of Cheshire, Conn., by
whom he had three sons. Dr. Salisbury was a lover of his pro-
fession— he practiced medicine from the love of it. With him it
was sometliing more lofty and ennobling than the means of
acquiring a livelihood. It was a sacred calling, enlisting all his
sympathies, and to it he consecrated his best energies. Though
his professional life was a busy one, yet he was a man of public
spirit, and found time to take an active interest in public affairs,
representing the town in the State legislature and as selectman.
About 1S70, gradually failing health required him to relinquish
his practice to a certain extent, svmptoms of that insidious but
surely fatal disease, locomotor-ataxia, manifested themselves.
Ordinarv remedies and a protracted sojourn in a southern climate
failed to give more than a temporary relief, the disease culminat-
ing fatally, March i, 1S74.
DR. FRANKLIN J. WHITTEMORE.
Dr. Franklin J. Whittemore was born in Washington,
Mass., January 15, 1S2S. He was the son of Amos Whittemore,
of Middlefield, Mass., and his mother was Clarissa Hamilton, of
Chester, Mass. He was educated at Easthampton and studied
medicine in the New York University, graduating in 1S51,
He settled at once in Plymouth and in October, 1S51, married
Fallah Terry, daughter of Eli Terry, Jr., of Terryville. They
had four children, Frank Hamilton, William Richardson, Clara
and Lily. Mrs. Whittemore died in April, 1864.
Dr. Whittemore practiced medicine in Plymouth for several
years, gaining a wide reputation in the surrounding country as a
most successful practitioner, and was much beloved by all there.
29S
lUSrOKV OF i'L\ MOU 1 11.
Dr. F. J. Whittemore.
Dr C. W. Bull
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 299
He was at different times elected to prominent offices in the
town. He removed to New Haven, Conn., in May, iS6S,
where for fifteen years he had a hu'ge and hicrative practice.
He was Surgeon General of the State on Governor Jewell's staff,
and since 18S3 ^^^^ resided in Clyde, Ohio.
His oldest son, Frank Hamilton, was born July 6, 1S54, and
was educated at Hopkins Grammar School in New Haven.
He studied medicine and graduated from the Bellevue Hospital
Medical College in 1S75, and after a few months study abroad,
w'as appointed physician to tlie Jersey City Charity Hospital,
where he remained two years, tlien returned to New Haven, and
has become one of the leading physicians of the city. He married
in 1S76, Millie, youngest daughter of Mrs. Isaac T. Rogers, of
Milford, Conn. Thev have one son, Edward Reed.
DR. C. W. BULL.
Cornelius Wade Bull, a son of Jabez and Mary Ford Bull,
was born at Tallahassee, Fla., April 8, 1S39. -^^ ^^^ graduated
from Yale College, 1S63. After graduation he commenced the
study of medicine at the Yale Medical School, but in the follow-
ing spring gave up his studies and joined the United States
Navy as acting assistant paymaster, being assigned to the IMissis-
sippi Squadron. He continued in this service until August,
1S65, when he returned to New Haven and completed his
medical course, graduating in 1S67. He then became resident
physician at the State Hospital remaining there until April,
1868, when he entered actively in the practice of medicine at
Terryville. Too strict application to his duties injured his
health and he was compelled to give up his practice in April,
1872. He died May 19, 1876.
He was married August 16, 1869, to Alice, daughter of
Porter Sanford. They had one son, Cornelius Sanford (Yale '93.)
SARAH E. TOLLES PLUMB.
Sarah E. Tolles Plumb was born October 24, 1837, in that
]:)art of Plymouth known as Allentown, near Tolles Station on
the New York and New England Railroad. Her father was
C.iptain Zenas Tolles, a well known and prosperous farmer, and
foi- many years identified with the militia interests of the State.
His ancestors for several generations were residents of Plymouth.
Tier mother was Nancy Holt, a daughter of Daniel and Nabby
Holt, who resided for many years in the southwest part of Har-
winton. Mrs. Holt was a member of the Bull family which has
now representatives in New York City and South Carolina. Dr.
Bull of New York, who has a national reputation, is a descend-
ant of this family.
On May 12, 1861, Miss Tolles was married to Dr. Henry
Plumb, originally of Wolcott, but who, on his graduating from
Yale, settled in New Milford. In 1862 he entered the army as
300
HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.
Sarah E. Tolles Plumb.
^**^?^
George Pierpont.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 3OI
surgeon of the igth Connecticut Infantry Regiment, known as
the Litchfield County Regiment. At the close of the war they
removed west and settled in Pleasanton, Linn County, Kansas,
seventy-five miles south of Kansas Cit}'.
They have two sons, Charles Waldo, and Harry Averill, the
former aged thirtv-two and the latter twenty-seven, both having
families. Waldo is in business in Ireton, Iowa, and Harry in
Milwaukee, W^isconsin.
GEORGE PIERPONT.
George Pierpont was the great-great-grandson of Rev. James
Pierpont, who was the second pastor of the First Church in New
Haven, the principal founder of Yale College, the reputed author
of the constitution of the Connecticut churches, known as the
Saybrook Platform, and whose daughter was the wife ol Rev.
Jonathan Edwards, the eminent theologian, and President
Dwight of Yale College was his grandson.
Mr. Pierpont was also connected by blood relation with
Rev. Thomas Hooker, who was the first pastor of the First
Church in Hartford, the author of the colonial constitution of
Connecticut, and he was also related through his grandmother
with Rev. Timothy Collins, who was the first pastor of the
Litchfield church, and through his mother to Caleb Humaston,
one of the principal founders of Northbury Society, now Ply-
mouth, whose granddaughter she was. The best blood of New
England thus flowed in Mr. Pierpont's veins, constituting him a
member of that nobility, not of rank, wealth or title, but of in-
tellect, of learning, of piety, of culture, and of character, which
has been the foundation of New England's greatness. The
traces of this descent were manifest in Mr. Pierpont. Though
denied the literary training which had characterized his earlier
ancestry, he was a man of scholarly tastes, especially in the line
of historical research, and kept himself well abreast of the
general intelligence of the times. He was a man of strict
integrity and of lofty honor, and scorned meanness and baseness
in all its branches. He held at difterent times various offices of
public trust, such as magistrate, selectman, and clerk of the
town, judge of probate, and was a member of the State legis-
lature. In 1861 he was appointed United States assistant
assessor and continued to hold that office for eleven years or
until it was abolished. In 1S77 he was elected by the legislature
county commissioner of Litchfield Countv. and re-elected to the
same office in iSSo. In April, 1S40. Mr. Pierpont married
ISIiss Caroline E. Beach, daughter of the late Isaac C. Beach, of
Northfield, Conn., who was a devoted wife and helpmate for
nearly thirty-four years. She died January iS, 1S74. His
second wife was the daughter of the late J. Sherman Titus, of
Washington, Co..n. George Sherman Pierpont, his son, was
born in Plymouth, in 1S76, and is now being educated in
Dr. Carleton's familv school in Bradford, Mass.
303
HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.
1^ ^Hhi f
#
Mrs. Joseph C. Alcox.
A. Bronson Alcott.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
CAPTAIN AMOS BRONSON.
303
Captain Amos Bronson, who lived at Mount Jericho on the
Naugatuck, was a leading man in establishing the Episcopal
Church in Plymouth. His wife was Anna Blakeslee of this
town. After marriage he embraced Episcopacy and became a
staunch churchman, bringing his family up in that faith. He
named his eldest son Tillotson, after the distinguished divine of
that name. This son became rector of St. John's Church in
Waterbury, and subsequently, for several years, was at the head
of the Episcopal Academy in Cheshire. For many years it was
the most celebrated seat of learning in the State under the control
of churchmen ; it was both college and theological seminary for
this and other dioceses. Dr. Bronson was distinguished for his
classical and mathematical attainments. He was a theologian of
eminence and the choice of a large portion of the diocese of
Connecticut for the bishopric. For many years he was editor
of the Churchman s Magazine, to which he contributed portions
of his lectures delivered to his students, entitled " Science the
Handmaid of Religion," and a poem entitled "Retrospect,"
describing his birthplace on the Naugatuck, from which is
quoted the following:
"Sweet vale, secluded from the world's vain strife,
Where science never trod, where genius slept
In unambitious, humble life,
And calm religion sought retreat, —
Thy flowery lawns, thy green enamelled meads,
Untuned to numbers, thee I joyous greet.
"Full on the right a mountain appears sublime;
There leafy forests crown its rounded brow;
There up the rocky steep securely climb
Few straggling, stinted oaks; and there
A naked moss grown cliff of sable hue
Bedims with gloom the sun's declining glare.
"A dark-green two-fold pine, ascending tall,
Just on the precipice's dizzy height.
Nods to the winds and threats a fall.
The seated hill and subject plain
In seeming haze the swimming eye confuse.
And all the kindling dazzling senses pain."
Amos Bronson's second son, Noah Miles, was a man of
strong mind and of a public spirit. He built the turnpike road
along the banks of the Naugatuck to vSalem Bridge in Water-
bury, connecting there with the turnpike road to New Haven
and with the road to Derby Landing. The building of this road
through its length was thought an undertaking of no ordinary
kind in those days. It was not completed until 1S02. Before
thi? time in passing from Jericho to Waterbury, after the Revo-
lution, one was obliged to ford the stream four or five times and
remove from twenty-five to thirty sets of bars. It was through
the bars and fords that the adventurous mother rode on her way
to New Haven, twenty-five miles distant, and paid her son
Tillotson's tuition bills. He fitted for college with Rev. Dr.
Trumbull of Watertown and graduated at Yale in 17S6.
304
HISTOKV OF PL\MOU'IH.
Louisa M. Alcott.
Milo Blakeslev-
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 305
Anna Bronson, daughter of Amos, married Joseph C. Alcox
of Wolcott, and was mother of the celebrated scholar, Bronson
Alcott, and grandmother of Louisa M. Alcott. When she went
to Wolcott she had advantages of culture that were not so com-
mon there at that time, and at her marriage brought to the Spin-
dle Hill neighborhood a refinement of disposition and a grace of
deportment that gave a more polite tone to the little community.
In the course of time her husband and children joined her in the
Episcopal form of worship, when introduced in their neighbor-
hood, where the service was read (at the Spindle Hill school
house), until in course of time a church was gathered. She lived
to a great age, surviving her husband more than thirty years.
Her son, Amos Bronson Alcott, was born in the house of
his grandlatner, Captain John Alcott, November 29, 1799. In
the spring of 1S14 he went to work for Silas Hoadley, "fitting
and putting together" clocks. The clock shop was situated
about a mile from his home, and was reached by a blind, pre-
cipitous pathway, leading down the declivity through a narrow
defile, following and crossing repeatedly a little rushing stream,
as it wound its way towards the factory. This neighborhood
was then named Ireland. The work proved irksome to IMr.
Alcott, though neither hard nor disagreeable, but it left him less
of the Ireedom tor reading and study with which he had been
fiivored hitherto, and, after urgent persuasion on his part, he was
permitted to return and attend school. Afterward he became a
peddler in the South, but being unsuccessful he turned to teach-
ing school. Previous to 1827 the district schools of Connecticut,
antl of all New England, were at a low degree of discipline,
instruction and comfort, and in all these matters Mr. Alcott set
the example of improvement. He first gave his pupils single
desks, now so common, instead of the long benches, and double
or three-seated desks. He established a school library ; he broke
away from the rule of severe and indiscriminate punishments,
and substituted therefor appeals to the affections and the moral
sentiment of children. He introduced also light gymnastics, and
made radical changes in all the old-time methods. Mr. Alcott
was married in 1S30 to a daughter of Colonel Joseph May of
Boston, to whom four children were born, the authoress, Louisa
M., being one. She was a popular writer of humorous and
pathetic tales, and many of her books have been translated into
French and German, being universally read by both old and
young.
Mr. Alcott was an uncle of E. L. Gaylord of Bridgeport,
Anna Bronson Alcott being Mr. Gaylord's grandmother. The
picture of Mrs. Alcott was taken at the age of eighty-nine, when
she visited Mr. Gaylord in Terry vi lie.
MILO BLAKESLEY.
Milo Blakesley was a descendant of Joel Blakesley, who was
bcrn August 19, 1750. His father, Linus Blakesley, was a
thrifty farmer living in the eastern part of Plymouth, and this
son was born November 16, 1804. After the usual experiences
3o6
HISTOKY OF PLYMOUTH.
Mrs Milo Blakeslev.
A. M. Blakeslev.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 307
ol" the youth of the time, not including much of educational ad-
vantantages, he was, when about twenty, employed by Eli
Terry, Jr., who was engaged in the manufacture of clock move-
ments in the village of Terryville. Some time afterward he en-
tered into partnership with Mr. Terry in the clock business,
which arrangement continued until the death of Mr. Terry,
when the aftairs of the concern were closed up. He then took
up the care of the old family farm, which, with a large milk
business, occupied him until a few years before his death when
he moved nearer the village, to what was known as the "Frank
Mix" place; where he died July 8, 1S71.
He was a devoted member of the Congregational Church in
Terryville, was one of its first deacons (an office which he re-
tained until death), and was church treasurer for the greater part
of the time. In politics he was an "Old-Line Whig." After
the " Anti-Slavery " movement was inaugurated, he entered into
it with earnestness, at a time, it must be remembered, when such
an attitude was not popular, and when it cost something to take
a decided stand for that cause.
Any biography of Deacon Blakesley would be incomplete
which did not speak of his wife, Dorcas McKee, whom he
wedded October 26, 1S26, and by whom he had children —
Theron, born December 11, 1S27, died April 24, 1S52 ; Augus-
tus Milo, born March 4, 1830; Fanny, born January 18, 1S32,
dietl June 24, 1832 ; Fanny Jane, born August 23, 1833, died
September 11, 1SS5 ; Linus, born December 16, 1837. Like her
namesake of old she was " full of good works and almsdeeds
which she did," a pattern of industry, frugality and devotion to
God's service. She survived her husband twenty-three years,
dying July 30, 1894, at the advanced age of ninety years.
How much the good old town of Plymouth owes to that
class of its citizens of wdiich the subject of this sketch is an ex-
ample, it would not be easy to estimate ; much ceitainly. Sturdy,
righteous men they were, with something of Puritan blood in
them, evinced continuallv in an uncompromising enmity toward
evil and a congenial effort to and for the good, as they saw it.
" Far from the madding crowd's ignoble strife,
Their sober wishes never learned to stray;
Along the cool sequestered vale of life
They kept the noiseless tenor of their way."
AUGUSTUS M. BEAKESLEY.
Augustus Milo Blakesley, the second son of Milo Blakesley,
was born in the village of Terryville, jNIarch 4, 1830. The usual
experiences of the common school and of the farm life ol that
period were his. After the short time in which he was employed
as a clerk in the stores of Andrew Terry and Allen Hemingway
in his native place, he went to Waterbury, March 22, 1849, and
was employed by J. M. L. & W. H. Scovill in their mercantile
business. Remaining wnth them until they ceased operations in
that particular line, he then took the position of teller in the
Waterbury Bank (February 2, 1S52), was appointed cashier, No-
3oS
JIlSrOKV OF PI.^'IMOi;'!'!!.
A. P. P.radstreet.
Frank W. EtheriJge.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 309
vember 29, 1S64, and at present (February, 1S95), holds that of-
fice— a period of thirty years. His entire service in the institu-
tion— forty-three years — is worthy of note. He is also president
of the American Pin Company, treasurer of the Waterbury Hos-
pital, and has filled various positions of trust in town and city.
Mr. Blakesley was one of the fifty original members of the
Second Congregational Church of Waterbury, which was organ-
ized in 1S52, and has been treasurer of the society and of the
Sunda\'-School since 1856. He also had charge of the music
until 1S76, and still sings in the choir; was appointed deacon
November 7, 1S79. He married JNIargaret Johnson of Cadiz,
Ohio, September 5, 1S53, and has two children : Albert John-
son, born April 30, 1S5S ; Jenny Elizabeth, born August 25, 1S65.
REV. L. BLAKESLEY.
Of the loyal sons of Plymouth, tliere is one, now a resident
of Topeka, Kan., who looks back to the place of his birth with
an afi'ection and veneration that come to all who have gone forth
and made their mark in this world. We speak of Rev. Linus
Blakesley, the third son of Deacon IMilo Blakesley. He was
prepared for college at Kimball Union Academy, Meriden,
N. H., and graduated from Yale in 1S60; from Lane Theologi-
cal Seminary, Cincinnati, in 1S63, where he remained the fol-
lowing year as tutor in Hebrew. Then for six years he was
pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church at Piqua, O. Since
that time he has been in Topeka, Kan., and is now completing
the twenty-fifth year of his pastorate of the First Congregational
Church. He was married to Nellie Treat at Terry ville in 1866.
Three clildren are now living.
Mr. Blakesley has been trustee and secretary of Washburn
College for twenty-two years, from which institution he received
the degree of D. D. in 1S93 ; he is a member of the board of
directors of the Chicago Theological Seminary, director of the
Kansas Medical College, president of the Topeka Congrega-
tional Club, president of the Choral Society, the finest musical
organization in Kansas ; he has also been president of the school
board of Topeka, and for many years chaii'man of the Kansas
Home ISIissionary Society.
JUDGE A. p. BRADSTREET.
Hon. Albert P. Bradstreet, second son of Thomas J. and
Amanda T. Bradstreet, was born in the town of Thomaston, for-
merly Plymouth, June 9, 1846. His boyhood was spent in at-
tending school in his native town, and in work upon his father's
farm. In 1S67 he entered Yale College, graduating in 1S71 with
the degree of bachelor of arts. In the fall of the latter year he
entered Columbia College Law School in New York City, and
graduated in 1873 with the degree of bachelor of laws. After
spending a few months in the law office of Webster & O'Neill of
Waterbury, he onened an office in Thomaston.
In iS77-'78 he represented Thomaston in the legislature, and
3IO HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.
was senator from the sixteenth district in the sessions of iSSi-'Sz,
serving the latter 3'ear as chairman oF the judiciary committee.
In 1879 he was elected deputy judge of the district court of
Waterbury, and in 1SS3 was elected judge of said court, being
re-elected to the same office in 1SS7 and again in 1893.
He was town clerk of Thomaston continuously from 1875
until 1891, and judge of probate for the Thomaston district from
jSSz until 1S90. He has always been a Republican in politics.
FRANK W. ETHERIDGE.
Frank W. Etheridge was born in Montville, Conn., March
31, 18^8, educated in Hartford High School, and resided in
Hartford for several years prior to 1880. He was admitted to
the bar in 1880 after a thorough course of study with the late
Elisha Johnson (who for so many years was a prominent resi-
dent of Plvmouth) and Hon. S. O. Prentice, now a judge of the
Superior Court, then comprising the firm of Johnson & Prentice.
Shortly after admission he moved to Thomaston and opened
an office in Morse block. In December, 1880, the law firm of
Bradstreet & Etheridge was formed, and still exists, Hon.
Albert P. Bradstreet, judge of the Waterbury district court,
being the senior partner.
Mr. Etheridge has been clerk of probate court, district of
Thomaston, since its organization in 1882, till elected judge of
same in 1S90, which office he has since held; the present town
clerk and for three or four years past ; six years member of
board of education, declining re-election last fall ; four years
secretary of board ; justice of the peace for past ten years or
more. He is a member of the Methodist Church ; of Franklin
Lodge, I. O. O. F. ; of Columbia Encampment, I. O. O. F.
He married Ellen Matthews, December 30, 1882, and has four
children, Frederick W., Clara May, Jesse R., and Florence M.
About December, 1893, after the death of editor C. James,
and when, for want of management, the paper seemed about to
go to pieces, he bought the Thomaston Express^ and has since
brought it to a higher standard than ever before. The publica-
tion has just entered upon its sixteenth vear. It is still managed
and edited by him, and is a live and thriving publication devoted
largelv to Thomaston and vicinity.
Mr. Etheridge is interested in the prosperity of his town
and a firm believer in the future continued growth of the place.
CAPTAIN LEAVITT DARROW.
Captain Leavitt Darrow, son of Captain Titus Dairow, one
of the incorporators of the town of Plymouth, was born in Ply-
mouth, Januar}' 2, 1792, and died May 11, 1863. Presented
herewith is his well known face and family monogram.
Having spent his whole ^n\^^^ ^'^'^ here, and being so well
known, the family historv '§■'^1 naturally centers in him.
He was born at the old ..^Z^r family home west of the
church (south side of the street), settled on the farm
one mile north, and later at his farm in the "Hollow," now
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. -^11
Thomaston. He was a soldier of the war of iSi3, and was
stationed for defense of New London imtil honorably discharged.
He was captain of militia and selectman of the town of Plymouth,
and ready to meet every requirement of a citizen. He retained
his membership to the last in the old Congregational Churcii in
Plymouth.
• " Frank, open-hearted, generous as the sun
Dispenses blessings by his genial rays,
« So he by many a kindly act,
Smoothed down life's rugged ways."
Lucy Blackman Darrow, a daughter of Elisha Blackman, a
pioneer of "Wyoming Valley," Penn., and the mother of Cap-
tain Leavitt Darrow, was among those who escaped the Indian
massacre on the devastation of that fair region claimed by the
State of Connecticut.
Captain Darrow was thrice married. The mother of his
children was Betsv, daughter of Amos Smith of Litchfield (now
Morris). She died November 29, 1S32. His second wife was
Esther Hall, who died March S, 1S38. His third wife was Mrs.
Delia Hill, who died November 21, 1SS5.
His father, Captain Titus Darrow, who died in Plymouth,
January 25, 1841, aged nearly 88 years, was a soldier of the
Revolution, and participated in the battle of Saratoga at the cap-
ture of Burgoyne, October 17, i777" -^'^ sister, Anna Darrow,
after a long life of usefulness, sleeps in the " new" grounds at
Plvmouth. His eldest son, Erastus Darrow, is a bookseller and
publisher in Rochester, N. Y. Amos vSmith Darrow, second
son, graduated at Yale University in 1847, I'esided in the South
for many years, and died in 1S77, leaving one son, Wallace
Leavitt, now residing in Tallulah, La. Wallace, the youngest
son living of Captain Darrow, resides at Yorktown, N. Y. Of
his stepsons, Harlow B. Hill is an esteemed business man in
Chicago, and Judge Edward M. Hill, residing in Beatrice, is
County Judge of Gage County, Nebraska. Mrs. Charles L.
Goodhue of Springfield and Mrs. Montague of Holyoke, Mass.,
are daughters of the eldest stepson, Lewis H. Hill.
A son of Erastus Darrow, Dr. Charles E. Darrow, is a
practicing physician in Rochester, N. Y. He is the custodian
of the sword of his great-grandfather, Titus Darrow. A son of
Wallace Darrow, Colonel Walter N. P. Darrow, is a graduate
of West Point. He glories in his family military record, and in
his membership in the Sons of the Revolution of Ohio. He
resides at Columbus, O.
The meml:)ers of the fatnilv have removed to other localities,
but an esteemed relative, Hon. Porter Darrow, is doing his life
work in Thomaston, the western portion of old Plymouth.
AARON D. WELLS.
Aaron Dutton Wells was born in Plymouth, Conn., June
14, iSoS, in the house now occupied by his daughter, Elizabeth
Wells. He was one of Plymouth's most prominent citizens, and
312
IIISTOKS' OF I'LVMOUTH.
Captain Lea\itt Darrow.
Aaron D. Wells.
BIOGUAPHICAL SKETCHES. 313
during his lifetime held many offices of trust for his town. He
was a strong abolitionist and Congregationalist. Mr. Wells
married Miss Martha Bull, November i6, 1S31, and died April
II, 1S71. His children were: Allan B., born August, 1S37,
died, 1S73; Elizabeth B., born July, 1839; George M., born
October, 1S45.
COLEY JAMES.
In 1SS3 the house next to the residence of Mr. Talmadge was
bought by Coley James, editor and proprietor of the Thomaston
Express, and, at the time of the purchase, a member of the leg-
islature of Connecticut. He had been living in what was called
the Migeon Mansion, in Torrington, a place within easy reach
of his office in Thomaston. JSlr. James was born in 1S37, in
Wilton, Conn., where the James family had lived for several
generations. He was educated at Trinity college, Hartford. In
1S61 he joined the army, entering Company D, First Connecti-
cut Cavalry Volunteers, and served three years, when he retired
with the rank of lieutenant of Company H.
After the war he was engaged in teaching for several years
before beginning his editorial work. He was for some time
editor and proprietor of the Wolcottville (or Torrington) I\egis-
ter. He sold that paper in 1SS2, and took charge of the Thom-
aston Express. He died in Plymouth, July 30, 1S92. Mr.
James was twice married. His first wife died within a few years
ot her marriage, leaving two sons, Louis Bishop and Coley
Cliftbrd. The elder, Louis, was killed in the terrible railroad
disaster at White River Junction, in 1S87. '^^^^ second wife
died in January, 1S93, leaving two young children, Mary Belden
and Burtis Magie, who are now living in Dover, N. j. Mr.
James was a member of the Episcopal Church. In politics he
was through life an ardent Republican.
RILEY SCOTT.
Riley Scott was born in Waterbury, Conn., July 3, 1S06,
and died in Plymouth, February 21, 1892. Mr. Scott, when
quite young, learned the carpenters and joiner's trade, and was
subsequently a successful contractor and builder. In 1S3S he
erected the Terryville Congregational Church, of which he was
a member up to the time of his death. He had erected more
houses and buildings in the town, up to the time he retired, than
any other builder. He also built the school house in 1850, and
the town hall in 1853. As he advanced in years, he purchased
a large farm, and followed the occupation of farming for some
time. He was kind hearted, industrious and a Christian, whose
ideas of rights, irrespective of party, creed, color or sex, received
the respect of the entire community. In building the Congrega-
tional Church at Ellsworth, Mr. Scott received severe injuries
from which he never recovered. Mr. Scott married Anna R.
Blakesley of Northfield, October 12, 1830, by whom he had five
SH
HlSrOU'*- OF FLVMOUTH.
Rilev Scott.
Edwin M. TalmaJge.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 315
children: Julius, born July 27, 1S31, died March 11, 1S33 ;
Henry Thomas, born January 23, 1S33, died March 21, 1843;
Marietta, born November 17, 1S36; Walter Henry, born July
29. 1S41 ; Moses Riley, born October 28, 1843. Mrs. Scott died
May 8, 1S53. Mr. Scott's second wife was Melinda A. Burnell
of Cummington, INIass., whom he married. May 7, 1854. Their
children were: Gertrude Elizabeth, born September 3, 1856,
and died May 3, 1863; Julius Homer, born May 28, 1858, and
died May 2, 1863; Emily Amelia, born October 14, 1862;
Gertiude Adaline, born January 3, 1865. Some of the best
workmen in Plymouth learned their trade of Mr. Scott.
EDWIN M. TALMADGE.
Edwin M Talmadge, Plymouth's present postmaster, was
born in this town in 1833, and is a son of Edwin Talmadge, who
was in business here for about forty years, and who had served
as postmaster several terms. Mr. Talmadge is one of Plymouth's
prominent citizens, and has held many offices of trust, such as
auditor, selectman, justice of the peace, and was town clerk for
a number of years. He is also a member of St. Peter's Epis-
copal Church and has held the office of senior warden there tor
some vears. Mr. Talmadgfe was married to Miss Diana C.
Bucknall of New Britain in 1858. His children are Anna C
Talmadgfe and William G. Mr. Talmadge's father was at one
time in company with A. B. Curtiss.
WILLIAM W. BULL.
Benedict Bull and Betsy Carrington were married at
Milford, Conn., in April, iSoo, and moved to Plymouth, in 1815.
TJ-iey had fourteen children, ten of whom lived to adult age, one
dying in 1838, aged eighteen. William W. was the youngest of
five sons, born November 28, 1816; Edward Carrington married
and migrated to Bradford County, Penn., a farmer, and died in
1845 ; Jabez B. went to Bufialo to find employment and became
a member of a tannery company, and died in 1871 ; Isaac Miles
went into the care of his uncle, Edward Carrington, Providence,
R. I., at nine vears of age, and when nineteen years old he went
on a ship to the west coast of South America, sold the cargo,
took in silver, went to Canton, China, and took in tea, when he
returned home after an absence of three years. He again
returned to Canton and spent fourteen years there, vv^hen he
returned to Woonsocket, R. I., and started a cotton mill. He
was never married and died in 1884 Henry C. learned the
clock maker's trade, and went to Alton, 111., as agent for the
company to sell clocks, in 1S39. He died in 1885.
William Bull married Sophia P. Buell in 1846, and remained
at the old familv homestead with his father and mother and older
sister until his wife died in 1874. His father died in 1853 and
mother in 1872. He then married Mrs. Sarah M. Fenton in
3i6
msroKV OF pi.N.Mourii.
"S
*^**
^ -^'
^
'V,
^^y
"^-■■. 1
"X;
W W. Bull
Mrs Betsy Bull.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 317
1S76, rented the old farm, and bought and moved into the par-
sonage built by the Rev. Andrew Storrs in 1764, where he now
resides. Mr. Bull has held many trustworthy offices, and has
lived to see many changes in the town and the church of which
he is a most prominent member.
CALVIN BUTLER.
Calvin Butler was born in Waterbury (now Wolcott), October
6, 1773. In the spring of 1773 the family moved to New Marl-
boro, Mass. His education preparatory to entering college was
(>l)tained under the tutelage of Rev. Ammi Robbins ol Norfolk,
Conn. He married Miss Rosanna Phelps in Norfolk, October
16, 1799. Their first child was born in Canaan in November,
iSoo ; two other children were born in Bristol, one in December,
1802, and one in February, 1S05; the fourth child was born in
Plymouth, April 15, 1S07; from which is inferred Mr. Butler
came to Plymouth in 1806. He bought the house which is now
owned by Henry C. Ives, and which remained his home while
he lived. He had a family of fourteen children, only four of
whom survived him. E. T. Butler of Norfolk, the seventh
child and the only one now living, was born December 21, 1813.
He is now livino' in the house where his father and mother were
married, and if his life is continued for four and one-half yeais
more he expects to celebrate the one hundreth anniversary of
his parents' wedding in the room in which they were married
in 1799. His father died August i, 1845, having served as a
public officer in Plymouth for many years, much of the time
being the only lawyer in the town.
A. B. CURTISS.
A. B. Curtiss was born in the town of Plymouth in iSig,
and died at the age of sixty-seven. While a boy he entered the
store of Edwin Talmadge as clerk, and his aptness for business
and pleasant manners so commended him to his employer that
when he became of age he was taken Into partnership. The
firm did a large business for those days, but unfortunate endorse-
ments caused their downfall. Mr. Curtiss started in business
again in the Stephen Mitchell store, but soon after bought the
property where he died, remodeled the house, and opened a
hotel. Except for a couple of years, when he kept the Brown
hotel in Waterbury, he had for forty years welcomed strangers
to his house and catered to their wants. He was well fitted for
a landlord by his care to have everything pleasant, his genial
hearty manneis and business like wavs. He was a bencA'olent,
public spirited man, alwavs ready to do his full share in common
enterprises. His later years were full of sufiering, yet to the
last he had a bright and cheery word for each friend and
acquaintance. Mrs. A. B. Curtiss still keeps the doors of the
Qiiiet house open to strangers and travelers, some of whom often
travel out of their way to indulge in the homelike accommoda-
tions that are to be had there.
3rS
iiisrom" OF ri.vMOL'iii.
Residence of Wm. W. Bull.
Quiet House, Pl.\ mouth.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 319
GEOKGE LANGDON.
John Langdon, one of the early settlers of Farmington, was
one of the proprietors of VVaterbury. His name appears first on
the list of the subscribers to the articles of association and has
set to it the sum of one hundred pounds. He had a house lot on
Willow street in Waterbury and other allotments of land, but
did not remain long in VVaterbury, and his allotments were sold.
He died in Farmington in 16S9.
Joel Langdon, the fifth in line of descent from John, came
to Plymouth in 1794, and purchased the home represented here.
In this house he kept a country store and lived there after his
marriage in 1796. He had Solomon and Zenas Cowles of
Farmington for his partners for three or four years. In a very
few years he built the store now used as a post ofiice. He was
tax collector in 179S, and served as constable, administering the
punishment of whipping at the post the last man thus sentenced
in Plymouth. He married Mary Gridley, of Farmington, in
1796. He was an active, energetic business man, transporting
his goods from New York by sailing vessels to New Haven, and
from New Haven by team. He was a man of genial disposition,
public-spirited and benevolent. He gave a helping hand to the
men who in Plymouth were the pioneers in manufacturing and
were struggling hard to make a start. He joined the Congrega-
tional Church in 1S21, and died in 1S38, being buried the same
day that the steeple of the old church was pulled down. He had
two sons, Edward and George. George was as a young man a
great favorite with all classes. He was a classmate and room-
mate in Yale College of Horace Bushnell, D. D. He died in
Boston in 1S26, before graduation. A large number of people
joined in procession to meet the body on its way from Hartford.
Edward was first clerk and afterwards partner with his
father, later carrving; on the business himself. When a vounsf
man he went to Litchfield with Dr. Buell and learned the art of
compounding drugs and putting up prescriptions. When he
came back that business was added to the other. Perhaps it
was the first drug store in town. Edward was a public-spirited
man, energetic and active, much interested in the establishment
of an academv, and in starting an infant school which had many
kindergarten features. He held the offices of treasurer of the
School Society, of the Town, of the Fimd of the Congregational
Society. He joined tlie church in 1821, was married to
Prudence Emeline Gates of East Haddam, in 1S25, and died in
1 866, having lived forty years in the house he built before
marriage. He was a strong Anti-Mason, a Henry Clay Whig,
and a Republican. He became a farmer in 1833, ^"^ introduced
the first cultivator, horse rake, subsoil plow and mowing
machine. His character was a positive one — spoke his opinion
freely without fear or favor, joined heartily in first temperance
antl total abstinence reform, and gave freelv of his time and
monev to public service. He had one son, George, and two
daugliters, Ellen M.. who married Lucius P. Porter, in 18^1,
and died in 1861 ; also Sarah H., who died in 1858, aged eleven.
330
HISTORY OF PI.YMOUTH.
EdvvarJ Langdon.
Birthplace of Edward Langdon.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 7,21
George was fitted for college at Farmington, graduated at
Yale College in 1S4S, went into business in Colchester in 1849
with L. P. Porter. While in Colchester he was elected one of
the board of school visitors, justice of the peace, and in 1S53 was
sent to the legislature. In 1S51 he married Elizabeth A. Chap-
man, of Colchester. In 1S54, he with four others started the
Novelty Rubber Company, which in 1855 located in New
Brunswick, N. J. This was his place of residence until 1S57,
when he returned to Plymouth. In 1S69 he was one of the
directors of the Plymouth Woolen Company. While in Ply-
mouth he has held the various ofiices of selectman for ten 3eai s,
one of the board of school visitors, acting school visitor, town
treasurer, justice of the peace, and grand juror. In church, the
offices of clerk, deacon, Sunday School superintendent. In
societv, ot committee and fund committee. During the war he
was appointed by Governor Buckingham one of the commis-
sioners to enlist colored men in Connecticut regiments. The
office of trustee of the Reform School was given him by Governor
Jewell and afterwards by the State, during the superintendency
of Dr. Hatch. His principal public work has been in connec-
tion with Connecticut Sunday School Association from its
formation in 1S59 to date, iiaving held the positions of county
secretarv, member of executive committee, and chairman. In
the prosecution of this work he has visited 116 towns of the
State, some of them many times, taking part in organizing new
Sunday Schools and caring for them, preparing for and assisting
in various conventions held. His present position is that of
honorary member for life of the executive committee.
His family consists of three sons, Edward in New York,
Lucius and Joseph in Bridgeport, a daughter, Ellen, at home.
The grandson, who has the same surname as the emigrant
ancestor George, is the tenth in direct line in this country,
runnincf back for more than two and a half centuries.
TIMOTHY ATWATEK, SK. AND JK.
One of the early settlers of Plvmouth was Timothy Atwater,
who was born May 6, 1756, and was married to Lydia Humis-
ton, who was born June 5, 1756, and died in June, 1843. Mr.
Atwater died Ma\- 6. 1S30. He owned the old red house which
stood on T(nvn Hill, surrounded bv seventy-four acres of land.
His three sons, named respectively Elam, Wyllys and Timothy,
Jr., were born in Plymouth Center. The latter came into pos-
session of the farm and bought additional land until he finally
became owner of 300 acres, all cleaied except a little wood lot.
He furnished Plymouth Hill, Terrvxille, Thomaston and Bristol
with meat for many years. Woodchuck Allen drove one of his
meat wagons to supply Bristol trade, and three or four other
carts were in service to supplv the other villager;. Mr. Atwater
was a man of unusual strength, and it is related of him that he
could throw a g-ood sized beef creature on to its side bv taking
hold of its horns, and that when milking a kicking cow he would
J--
HISTOHV OF PI.YMOL'IIl.
Residence owned b.\' Mrs George I angdon.
George Langdon.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 323
milk with one hand while with the other he would hold the
cow's leg out at arm's leuijth until he had finished. He went
into the tackhammer l)usiness in Allentovvn about the year 1S45,
but this proved a disastrous venture for him, for he was burned
out and lost about $5,000. He did not invest any further in
manufacturing enterprises.
Mr. Atwater was born October 16, 1799, and was married
to Eunice P. Ives December 3, 1829. He died February 14,
1853, leaving a widow antl two sons, Elbert and Stephen. The
latter now resides in Fennville, INIich , and his mother, who was
ninetv-five years old March 9, this }ear, lives with him.|
WYLLYS ATWATER.
Wyllys Atwater was born October 6, 1790, in Plymouth
Center on South street wheie he lived until nine years old, when
his father, Timothy Atwater, moved on to a large farm on Town
Hill. At the asre of eisfhteen vears he bought his time of his
father and went to New Jersey where he peddled tinware. He
was married twice — to Fanny Purdy, February 26, 1813, who
died in 1843, and to Julia Curtiss (widow of Eli Curtiss) in 1844.
He was the father of twelve children. He owned a faim below
Thomaston in earlv life but disposed ol it, and removed to the
farm which he sold to and is now owned by Henry S. Minor.
Mr. Atwater was first selectman for several years, and was one
of the prominent men of his day. He died April 18, 1S73, aged
eighty-two years and six months.
IIEXRY A'rWATEK.
Henrv Atwater, son of Wyllys, was born in 1815 and died
in 1865, aged fifty years. He was a stone mason by trade, but
in his advanced years he became the village "squire." His
opinion was sought on legal points, he was the justice in all local
cases, united people in bonds of matrimony, executed wills, and
was regarded as a man of even and exact justness. He had an
enterprising spirit, and in company with Howell Cowles, was
the first to manufacture cooking stoves in or near Plymouth.
This was fifty vears ago, and it was as hard then to introduce a
stove into a house as later it was to put on lightning rods. It
was customarv to drive around with a stove until a customer
was found, when it could be unloaded and put up. Mr. Atwater
was interested in other business ventures, the making of cast iron
skates, automatic apple pickers, and also as a maker of brick.
He married Catlierine Fenn in 1836, who died in 1863. Eight
children survived them.
BARNABAS W. ROOT.
Barnabas W. Root was a native of the old town of Wood-
bury, where he lived with his parents, David Root and Margaret
Mailory, both natives of Woodbury, until he was twelve years
324
insrom of in.\M()Ui ii.
Mrs Timothy Atwater. Jr
Wn'Un s Atwater.
BIOGHAPHICAL SKETCHES.
325
old. His home was then with his uncle, Deacon Francis Alal-
lory, in Southbury. When a 30ung man he learned the trade of
tailor, with Isaac Johnson. Pie had as a fellow apprentice, Israel
P. Warren, who afterwaids became his pastor in Plymouth. In
1S29 he married Caroline P. Hinman of VVaterbury, daughter of
Hon. Curtiss Hinman. In the great revival of 1831 he was con-
verted and joined the Congregational Church in Southbury. In
1832 he removed to Plymouth where he conducted a tailoring
business. For a short time before 1840 he and Heniv L. Har-
rington engaged in the manufacture of various kinds of stocks
then used for men's neckwear. These were made with a bristle
frame and covered with silk, satin or other nice material. Thev
were neither handsome to look at nor comfortable to wear. His
occupation until within a few \ears of his death was, with the
above exception, that of tailoi. In the church he held the office
of deacon from 1853 to his death. He was also for some years
superintendent of the Sundav School and one of the standing
committee. In 1845 he was elected representative to the General
Assembly, served some years as town treasurer and judge of pro-
bate, as well as holding other town offices. In politics he was
an ardent Whig, and naturally became an earnest Republican.
His marked characteristics were positive and intelligent convic-
tions as to right and wrong, a quiet and sensible judgment of
principles and men. Such a man having positiveness without
rutleness inspired a confidence such as few men enjov. He was
veiv self denying, helping others when he could ill aflbrd to.
With a sober face and quiet expression he would often convulse
the bystanders with bursts of genuine humor, all imexpected.
He had three sons, Charles, Howard, who died at the age
of six years, and Edward C, who is a worthy representative of
the family, residing in Thomaston, and who is one of the execu-
tive committee of the Connecticut Sundav School Association,
deacon and superintendent of the Sundav School. The name of
Barnabas W. Root was given to a native African boy, who was
for some time cared for by the Plymouth Sunday School, came
to this country to be educated, graduated at Knox College, Illi-
nois, with honors, studied for the ministry at Chicago Theologi-
cal Seminary, was ordained at the Broadway Tabernacle Church,
New York City, and returned to Africa, \vhere he died.
JONATHAN POND.
The subject of this sketch, a resident of the town of Plymouth
at the date of its organization, was the second son of Phineas
and Martha Pond of Branford, Conn., where he was born in
1739. He was of a family of seven boys and three girls. In
1764 he purchased of Benjamin Cook of Farmington (Bristol
was then in the town of Farmington), fifty-one acres of land, and
the same year he also purchased land of Eliphalet Eaton of
Goshen. This land was situated in that part of the town of
Bristol since, and perhaps then, known as Chippenv or Chippin's
Hill. His sister Martha, who afterwards married Isaac Curtis
of Plymouth, probably came with him or soon afterwards.
326
lllsrOKV OP" FLVMOUlll.
%
Henrv Atwater.
g?^
Barnabas W. Root.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
y-1
While living on the Chippin's Hill farm, probably soon after
coming into possession of it, he married Susannah Hungerfoicl
of Bristol. They had but one child, Phineas, 2d. He died
October 28, 181S, and was buried at East Plymouth. He was
fifty-two years of age at the time of his death. Susannah did
not long survive the birth of her son. Soon after her death
Jonathan disposed of his Chippins Hill farm and settled in the
town of Plymouth in 1770- He was then thirty-one years of
age. His Plymouth farm consisted of about 200 acres, situated
partly in Bristol and partly in Plymouth. This farm remained
in the possession of Jonathan and his descendants until 1S64, a
period of ninety-four years. The Pond homestead now standing
near the southeast corner of the town was built by him. The
exact date of its erection cannot be ascertained, yet from the
best information obtainable, the writer of this sketch believes it
to have been built either during or near to the year 179^- The
impression that the house now standing much antedates this
period is erroneous, for his son Philip, born in 1 778, drew a
portion of the timber for the frame from the town of Harwinton.
When he first took possession of the farm he doubtless lived in
the ''old house," which then stood near where the present
centennarian stands.
The second wife of Jonathan Pond was Jerusha Jerome of
Bristol, an aunt of the late Chauncey Jerome of New Haven,
formerlv of Plymouth. To them nine children, five sons and
four daughters, were born. They, the children, received their
education, *' readm', 'ritin' and 'rithmetic," at the district school
on Fall mountain. Mr. Pond was a blacksmith as well as a
farmer. The commercial and religious center of this section of
the country in those early days was Bristol. He united with the
Congregational Church there July 31, 1774- Not only he, bi.t
both of his wives, two sons and a daughter, and later a grand-
daughter were members of this church. On the i6th of Decem-
ber, 181 7, he departed this life, aged 78 years. Eleven years
later, to wit, in 1828, there came another day of mourning at
the old homestead, for mother and grandmother had passed
away, gone to join her husband beyond the river. She was
seventy-seven at the time of her death. The death of Jerusha,
widow of Jonathan Pond, was not the second death occurring in
the old house now standing. It was probably the third, possi-
bly the fourth, as Nancy, the youngest child of Jonathan, died
at the age of sixteen, and the event may have occurred soon after
the family took possession of the then new house. The second,
or, if Nancy died there, the third to occur was tragic and sad
indeed. At the date of which we write, 1826, Philip, the fourth
child of Jonathan, resided with his family of eight children at
the old homestead. Jerusha, his mother, resided with him. On
Sunday, July 30, while the whole family, with the exception of
a daughter, twenty-two years of age, and two infant children,
aged two vears and nine months and three months old respect-
ively, were at church in Bristol, Anna, the wife of Philip, sud-
denly dropped dead upon the floor. The grown up daughter
3^S
IIl.S'l'OK^■ OF IM.V.Mor I II.
Jonathan Pond's Homesiead.
Alexander I'nnd.
BIOGKAPHICAI. SKETCHES. 329
ran to the house of her uncle Jonathan, whose wife was her
mother's sister, a near neighbor residing upon a part ol the old
farm, and notified them of the event. Alexander, her double
cousin, hastened with all possible dispatch to inform the family.
It is said that hej' husband ran his horse most of the way from
the church to his home. That the event produced a shock not
only to the family but throughout the neighborhood goes without
the saving. She was buried in Bristol in the old South burying
ground. Jonathan and Jerusha ! What old fashioned names!
For four successive generations this pioneei couple have had
descendants born within the limits of the town. For three
generations the old homestead was in the family and the birth
rate was pretty steadilv maintained.
Upon the death of Jonathan Pond part of the farm was taken
by his second son, Jonathan, Jr., the balance, with the home-
stead, going to his fourth son, Philip, who in turn became the
head of a large familv. Of his children, Philip and Jonathan
W. are now living at New Haven, Conn., Harriet became the
wife of Eli Terrv, while the second son, Willard E., went west
and aide<l materialh' in populating that sparsely settled country.
Major J. B. Pond of New York is his son. Alexander Pond,
son of Jonathan Pond. Ji., and Betsey Adams Pond, born March
9, iSii, married Lvdia Gaylord of Bristol, Conn., became the
owner of the home of his grandfather in 1S35, making it his
home until bv sale it passed out of the Pond name in 1S64. A
peculiar feature of their occupancy is that each owner raised a
family of eight children, five boys and three girls. The children
of Alexander now living are: Caroline A., wife of N. D.
Granniss, Waterburv ; Sarah A., wife of S. A. Clark, New
Haven ; Martin A., Waterburv; Eliza A., wife of J. W. Clark,
Terry ville, and Edgar L., Terry ville.
A. STOUr7HTON.
Andrew Stoughton w^as born in Plymouth, November 16,
1796, and died April 7, 1850, his whole life having been spent
in his native town. He was the son of Captain Oliver Stough-
ton, who was a prominent man in his day, and was captain of
the militia at the close of the Revolutionary war. Deacon
Stoughton lived a quiet life as a farmer, yet by his earnest and
consistent Christian character he won the respect and esteem of
all who knew him. He was elected to the office of deacon of
the First Congregational Church at the age of thirty, which
office he held until his death. He left two daughters and four
sons. Three of the latter have been deacons in the churches of
Plymouth and Terryville. His wife was Julia Hooker, a daugh-
ter of Deacon Ira Hooker, of Red-Stone Hill, Plainville, and
was a direct descendant of Rev. Thomas Hooker of Hartford.
JOHN M. WARDWEIX.
John M. Wardwell was born in Sharon, Conn., and died in
Plymouth, February 20, 1S95. Mr. Wardwell came to the town
33°
HIS loK'i' OF \'].\ mol; ri[.
E. I- Pond's Residence.
Andrew Stouglitnn.
Bio(jRAriiicAL SKErcii?:s. 331
when a young man, from Salisbury, and was engaged as clerk
by Talmadge & Curtiss. After leaving here he was for some
years in the employ of H. M. Welch, who was a merchant in
what is now Plainville, but at that time called the Basin. After
that he went to VVaterbury and engaged in manufacturing cotton
gins, and later went to Florence, Mass., and afterwards became
New York agent for the VVilliston & Knight Company, who
were manufacturers of buttons. In 1S69 he came to Thomaston
(then Plymouth) and was the treasurer and general manager of
the Plymouth Woolen Company. Here he had a severe illness,
from which he never recovered.
He traveled much in this country and in Europe, seeking
for health and spending his winters in a warm climate and his
summers in Plymouth. Mr. Wardwell was a very active, ener-
getic and thorough business man, sparing no pains to do every-
thing he had in hand in the best possible way. He was also
courageous, hopeful, thoroughly honest, and had strong convic-
tions as to truth and justice. He iiad been for many years a
member of the Presbyterian Church in Brooklyn, of which Dr.
Cuyler was for so many years pastor. His benevolent gifts were
m;my, and his giving w\as systematic, hearty and intelligent.
His many good qualities endeared him to all who had the
pleasure of iiis acquaintance, and his example served as an
inspiration to them. The world is better for having such men in it.
W. G. BARTON.
W. G. Barton was born in Litchfield, Conn., and came to
Plymouth a number of years ago. For five years he was
engaged in the grocery business on Plymouth Hill, where the
firm was known as Barton & Beach. For the last seven years
he has been in the same line of business in the village of Terry-
ville, and has won the respect and confidence of all by his
thoroughly accommodating ways in serving his customers The
present business is carried on in the store and buildings owned
In* E. M. Daily of Bristol. His line of goods consists of every-
thing that may be called for or wanted, and his prices, like his
goods, are seldom criticised. Mr. Barton was sent to the
legishiture in 18S3 and has since served as first selectman, and
has in many other ways been honored by his fellow citizens.
JOSEPH C. BAKTHE.
Joseph C. Barthe came to Terryville from Thomaston in
June, 1S92, where he had resided for fifteen years, and where he
was employed for nine years in the rolling mill. He was in
Westfield, Mass., when the late war broke out, and enlisted
from there and served faithi'ully until his discharge in July, 1S64.
For over two years he was landlord of the Terryville Hotel, and
has become well known here and elsewhere by his pleasant man-
ner in catering to the wants of all who have had occasion to dine
and rest under his roof. When the hotel property was sold he
n 'J -
IlISIOKV OF Pr.Y.MOi: 1 II.
John AV Wardwell
Residence of W. G. Barton.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 33-^
moved into the house owned by Dr. Swett, and where he now
resides and accommodates both regular and transient boarders.
Mr Barthe is a mason, belonging- to the Blue Lodge, Chapter,
Council and Commanderv, He is also a member of the United
Workmen, and was one ot the charter members of the Thomas-
ton lodge.
ALFHED B. RENFKEE.
Alfretl B. Renfree was born in Monon, County of Cornwall,
England, in 1815. His parents' names were John and Alary.
He began early to provide for himself, at ten years going to live
with a farmer and a few years later employed as a clerk in a
grocery store in the town of Falmouth. Here in 1839 he
married Maria Gay. After living six years in Falmouth he
removed to Truro, where he was employed by a wholesale
grocery fiim. The Rev. William Gay, a brother ot Mrs. Ren-
free and father of Rev. William Gay of Terryville, having come
to America and sending back good accounts of the country, Mr.
Renfree decided to come over. After a passage of six weeks the
family of six landed in New York about the middle of October,
1849. After spending the winter in Haddam, where Mrs. Ren-
free's biother lived, he went to farming in Middlebury. From
there in 1S52 he went to Plymouth Hollow in the employ of
Henry Terry, woolen manufacturer. From Mr. Terry he pur-
chased a farm on which he lived until he removed to Plymouth
Center, wheie he died in 18S0 at the age of sixty-five. Mrs.
Renfree outlived him for a few years. His family consisted of
four sons, John, William B., James H., Philip; two daughters,
Amelia, who married Edward C. Root, and died March iS,
1895, and Maiietta. Mr. Renfree was verv fond of his family
and enjoyed his home life. He was generous and kind hearted.
During a revival in 1873 he became a changed man. The
change was very marked, not only in his daily life, l)ut in his
many expressions of delight in the service of his new master, the
Lord Jesus Christ. His heart and life seemed to overflow with
Christian jov and peace.
A. H. TAYLOR.
Algelon H. Taylor, who died in Plymouth, July 6, 1894,
had been in the sewing machine and musical trade for seventeen
years in Thomaston. He also had a jewelry business, all of
which was conducted in the large store in the north end of Brad-
street's block. He had a branch store in Waterbury and several
agents on the road at the time of his death. He was born in
Cornwall and lived to be forty-one years and five months old.
In September, 18S1, he married Miss Jessie Richards, an
adopted daughter of E. L. Richards of West Goshen, Conn., and
for nine years previous to Mr. Taylor's death they made Ply-
mouth their home. Mrs. Tavlor, a daughter and two sons
survive.
334
HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.
'•X
\
Joseph C. Barthe.
Alfred B. Renfree
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 335
C. M. MINOR,
C. M. Minor, now of Bridgeport, who was born in Woodbury
in 1817, came to Plymouth in 1S33, to learn the tailor's trade ol"
Deacon B. VV. Root. He well remembers the Rev. Luther
Hart, and saw the old church torn down and the new one built.
He married Rev. H. D Hitchel's sister. Mr. Minor recalls the
fact that in 1S39 he saw the last slave ship, the Amistad, which
ever entered the waters of Long Island vSound. The cargo con-
sisted of forty-two negroes which had been illegally bought in
Havana, Cuba. They were taken to the New Haven jail and
held until it was decided to return them to Africa.
DR. W. W. WELLINGTON.
William VVinthrop Wellington was born in Milford, Mass.,
and was prepared for college at the Milford schools and by W.
H, Dale, M. D., of Boston, Mass. He graduated from the
medical department of the Univeisity of Vermont at Burlington.
Dr. Wellington came to Terrvville nearly six years ago when
Terryville was without a doctor, and when the la grippe epi-
demic was at its height. He came from Hopkinton, Mass., and
now occupies the house owned by Henry Fuller, opposite the
Terryville Park. He has taken special and private instructions
and courses in all branches of his profession. He is a member
of the Litchfield County Medical Society. He was appointed
coroner's medical examiner in 1S94, and also elected town health
officer. He is a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows'
lodges. He was married to Mrs. Hattie M. Davis, of Boston,
Mass., in October, 1SS3.
SAMUEL R. TERRELL.
Samuel R. Terrell, now in his sixty-ninth year, has been
steadilv in the employ of the Eagle Lock Company for many
years. He is a respected citizen and an honor to his town. He
enlisted as a private in Company D, 19th Regiment, C. V. L,
afterward 2d Connecticut Heavy Artillery, August 7, 1862,
serving three years. He was a good soldier, and while on duty
was one of the cleanest and best got up men in the regiment.
As such, he was rewarded at one time by receiving a furlough of
twenty days. Mr. Terrell was very deaf and in consequence
was considered unfitted for a soldier, but nevertheless, performed
his duties well and faithfully. He was in the defences and went
to the front with tfie regiment, assisting in tearing up the rail-
road at North Anna, and was in several skirmishes. He was
with Charles Guernsey, of Plymouth, when he was wounded,
[une 22, 1864, and assisted in taking him oft' the field. Mr.
Terrell is holding his own and bids fair to live to a ripe old age.
GAIUS FENN.
Gains Fenn, son of Jason and Martha Fenn, was born in
Plymouth, June 29, 1784. He invented and obtained a patent
33^
HISTORY OF I'l.VMOl' 111,
Algelon H. Ta\ lor
Dr. W. W^ Wellington.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 337
for the Fenn faucet about iSio, and with his brother, Jason
Fenn, Jr., manufjictured them in a two-story shop which stood
on Town Hill about fifty feet south of the house now owned by
Jason C. Fenn, the wood-house now used by Jason C. Fenn
being made from timbers from said shop. In connection with
the " Fenn Faucet" were also made round picture and looking
glass frames, molasses gates, candlesticks and tumblers, the
metal used being pewter, or fifty pounds block tin to 200 pounds
lead. The tool used to form the inside of the tumbler is still on
the premises. The faucet business was removed to New Haven,
afterwards to New York, where it was carried on by the Fenn
family up to 18^9, and now wherever and by whom made they
bear the name of " Fenn's." Gains Fenn died April 7, 1854.
EL AM FENN.
The memory of Elam Fenn will always be cherished by the
communit}' to which he belonged. He was born June 26,
1797, the youngest but one in a family of nine children.
His parents were Jason and Martha Potter Fenn. He was mar-
ried February 13, 1816, to Lydia, daughter of Timothy Atwater.
Mrs. Fenn died February 3, 1873, and eleven years later, Aug-
ust 21, 1884, was followed by her husband. Mr. Fenn lived to a
ripe old age and died in the same house where he was born.
The aged couple celebrated their golden wedding February 13,
1S66. Four persons were present who attended the original
ceremony fifty years before. Mr. Fenn lived an upright Chris-
tian life and was one of the original forty-nine who organized
the Congregational Church in Terryville. Of his home, now
owned by his son, Jason C. Fenn, Rev. L. S. Griggs has
written :
" Town Hill, so called, is a widely extended, irregular, ele-
vation of land, occupying a large area in the central portion of
the town. It lies a little to the south of a direct line between the
village of Plymouth Center and that of Terryville in the same
town, two miles distant to the east. Ascending this hill by a
road which crosses the highway at a point about a half mile west
of Terryville, soon after reaching the broad upland at the sum-
mit, we come to a dear, old, red house, on the left, standing
thirty feet or so back from the road. As we write, here lies the
deed by which Joab Camp conveys to Jason Fenn (both of the
town of Watertown and parish of Northbury), several 'pieces or
parcels of land, with the dwelling house and barn standing
thereon ' — this very house. The date of this deed is the ' first
day of April, in the year of our Lord, 1784, and of the Independ-
ence of America, the eighth.' A portion of the covering put on
a hundred years ago still remains in a good state of preservation
— whitewood clapboards fastened with wrought iron nails. (The
nails were made by hand, of iron purchased in Sharon, and
brought to the vic'nity in the form of rods, bent so as to be con-
veniently carried on horseback). Red — lovingly, warmly, dur-
ably red — is this house, according to the ancient custom of house
33S
HISTOltV Ol- i'l.'iMOL'r M.
Gaius Fenn.
Jason Fenn.
mOGKAPJIICAL SKETCHES. 339
painting. Erect and firm it stands, with two-storied front, some-
what modernized in window and chimney and piazza, but in
form without and within much the same as of yore. Witii low
ceilings, divided midway by broad board-cased beams projecting
downward, the rooms of this old house stoop toward their occu-
pants in cosy proximity.
" Added interest is given to the premises on which this house
stands by the fact that the first minister of this town, Rev. Mr.
Todd, in 1739, had his home upon them. In a lot on the slope
northeast of the house, is the indentation in the ground, which
marks the site of his home, now only a depression in the hillside.
In 1S76, the centennial of our country's independence, an elm
tree was planted by one of the pastors of the town, upon that
home site of the first pastor. At the present time there remains
an apple tree — sole relic of an orchard planted in the days of Mr.
Todd. A peculiar charm invests the Fenn homestead, in the
wide outlook and beautiful panorama which it ever commands.
Across the level expanse of the lots which lie in front of it, on
the other side of the street, the far away highlands of the west
are visible. Among the last homes of this part of earth, to
which the setting sun flashes his evening farewell, is the old
house on the hill. But far more extensive, comprehensive, and
diversified, is the view to the east. Town Hill soon declines
from the rear of the house, sloping steadily — yet with some hesi-
tations of levei reaches — towards the valley where lies the village
of Terrvville — a mingled scene of houses and foliage, and factory
walls and chimney tops ; and central to all and prominent above
all, the white tower of the church, where, for nearly fifty years,
the subject of our story worshipped. This is the foreground.
Beyond lies the wide landscape, swelling and sinking, shading
from green to blue, until the sight, flying on its swift wings,
touches the horizon soft as the air itself. The line of that hori-
zon is twenty miles or so east of the Connecticut river — distant
at least forty miles from the old house on the hill. In the great
area between the signs of man are often seen, the church spire,
the fragments of a village, the solitary home, the rising smoke
marking factory or passing railroad train.
"In this house on the hill was born the man whose memory
we cherish, and would prolong with greater distinctness and
lastingness than the unaided recollection of men might effect."
ELAM ATWATER FEXN.
Elam Atwater Fenn, son of Elam and Lydia Fenn, was born
at Plymouth, Conn., March 2, 1821, and was married October
15, 1842, to Miss Mary J. Barker of Bristol, Conn. ; removed
to Terrvville in 1843, and in 1S41 went to New York to work
for Jason and Gains Fenn, manufacturers of Fenn pewter fau-
cets, and continued with them about eleven years, when he
removed to Michigan in 1852, and engaged in the lumber busi-
ness from 1S60 to 1S71. While thus in business he built and
presented the people with the church at Fennville, which for
340
HlSrORV OF I'l.V.MOU III.
Elam Fenii.
Mrs niam '"enn
BIOGKAPIIICAI. SKETCHES.
341
t\vent\ years was the pioneer cluircli of that section of tlie State,
Fennville being named for liim by vote of the citizens assembled.
In itjcji the church was burned and a more modern one now
taices its phice in which a memorial window was placed that
reads: "In loving rememberance of Elam A. Fenn." When
Mr. Fenn first went to Fennville he had just resigned as superin-
tendent of the Sunday School of the Washington street M. E.
Cluirch, Brooklyn, N. Y., and he did much for the upbuilding
of the Church and Sunilay School at Fennville. The terrible
Michigan fire wiped out of existence all his earthly possessions,
which would, at that time, have netted him some ^20,000, since
which time Mr. Fenn has resided much of the time at Alleean,
Mich., engaged in manufacturing and wood work. He has
served the city in various ways as president, and now holds the
office of city clerk. Mr. Fenn, who is now seventy-four years
old has written some of his impressions of his life in Plymouth
for this book as follows :
"• Plymouth Center, seventy years ago, was a very appropriate
name for wliat was later, antl, perhaps is at the present day,
called Plymouth Hill. Not so much on account of geographical
locality in the township, as from the fact that it was the real hub
of the surrounding country even beyond the boundary of the
township in every direction. It was a thrifty, enterprising mart
for trade as well as the seat of learning. The old academy,
which was located east of the green, was the university for all
that region of country. The two great churches which stood
upon that grand old Plymouth green were large indeed, and it
seems to me now that their spires pointed heavenward as high
as the ingenuity of man could get them. Then there were those
majestic old buttonwood trees which adorned the green, sending
out in every direction their numerous branches, some of them
covering more ground than a church and shooting their topmost
branches a little higher every year. Nothwithstanding their vigor
and glory, they and the old cliurch, of precious memory to me,
wore removed, like the old father and mother, to make room for a
new house of worship, the more attractive elm trees, and a
more vigorous and progressive generation.
"As I turn my thoughts backward I see a great multitude
of people gathering at the Center upon the Sabbath day, coming
from every point, the four roads which center at Plymouth being
the grand trunk with numerous branches shooting oft' and reach-
ing out to the remotest and most obscure parts of the parish, and
even beyond the limits of the township. Some came in wagons,
some on horseback, but the great majority were on foot. Tlie
seating of the Presbyterian or Congregational Church, which was
about half and half, where mv fatiier attended, is indelibl} im-
pressed upon my memory. At the time of my earliest recollec-
tion, seventy years ago. Luther Hart was the pastor. His
place in the church vv^as up two flights of stairs, securely shut in
a strong box. three or four feet high, with a wheel or what was
called a sounding board about eight feet in diameter suspended
over his head. It is said wiiat is up must come down, and that
34-
lUSrOKV OF FLVMOU'lH.
Old Todd Apple Tree.
Elam A Fenn
BIOGRAPIIICAI, SKETCHES. 343
was the method taken to get his voice down to the people below.
At the base of the pulpit, and in tront sat the giave old deacons
facing the congregation. Deacon Hemingway, father of Street
and Samuel ; Deacon Dunbar, father of Deacon Ferrand, were
old men then and usually occupied that seat. The other deacons
were young men and sat there only on communion seasons.
They were Andrew Stoughton, Tertius D. Potter, Miles Smith,
Deacon Tuttle, who lived near Wolcott, VVm. Judson of Ply-
mouth Hollow, and, I think, Lyman Baldwin. Tiie old people
whose faces loom up familiarly before me now are Deacon Hem-
ingway, who lived north of what was called East Church ; Esqs.
Lake Potter, Joel Langdon, Ransom Blakesle} , Sr., Linus
Blakesley, father of Deacon Milo Blakesley ; Captain Smith,
father of Oliver and Deacon JNIiles Smith ; Captain Bull, Ran-
dall Warner, Sr., Dr. Woodruti", Sr., Jonatham Ludington, Mr.
Primas (colored). Captain Darrow, the undertaker; Jonathan
and Philip Pond, Ambrose Barnes, Lemuel Scovil, who lived on
the place of the late Lyman ToUes ; Captain Camp, father of
Hiram, of the New Haven Clock company ; David Adkins, Sr.,
father of Alason, David and John ; John Osborn, father of JMrs.
Elam 'Camp and Merchant Ives; Thaddeus Beach, Sr. , Jacob
Lattimore, Stephen Brainerd, John Brown, Captain Wells, Sr.,
Daniel Smith, who lived opposite the Wyllys Atwater place,
father of Sherman and the late Hon. Erastus Smith of Hartford ;
Jesse Weed, father of David ; Calvin Butler, Timothy Atwater,
Truman Ives, Sr., Captain Stoughton, father of Deacon Andrew.
No doubt there w^ere others who do not materialize before me
just now.
"The most prominent of the next generation who appear
before my vision just now for recognition, a few of them at least,
were: Ammi Darrow, Elam Camp, Benjamin Fenn, Seth
Thomas, Henry Terry, Dr. Abraham Ives, Apollos Warner,
Stephen Mitchell, \Squire Mitchell, Edward Langdon, Lucius
Bradley, Mr. Coolev, Ransom Blakesley, Sr., Joel Blakesley,
Rilev and William Ives, John M. Beach, Solomon Griggs, Joel
Griggs, Landa Beach, Daniel Beach, David Beach, Thaddeus
Beach, Lemuel Beach, James Beach, Henry Beach, Daniel Ad-
kins, David Adkins, Jr., Mason Adkins, John Adkins, Chaun-
cey Bradlev, Levi Scott, Wyllvs Atwater, Timothy Atwater,
Jr., Ferrand Dunbar, Mr. Grittin, Street Llemingway, Samuel
Hemingway, Wyllvs Alorse, Nathan Beach, Milo Blakesley,
Jacob Blakesley, Erastus Blakeslev, Marcus Cook, Truman
Cook, Benajah Camp, Hiram Camp, Joseph Sutlift", John Sut-
lifT, Asahel Pardee, Lester Smith, David Weed, Lyman Dun-
bar, Hall Dunbar, Randall Matthews, Jared Blakesley, Elam
Fenn, Jason Fenn, Jr., Eli Terry, Jr., Phineas Hitchcock, Ly-
man Baldwin, Bennett Warner, Gains F. Warner, Orson Hall,
Lyman Hall, Orren Brainerd, Jonathan Pond, Philip Pond,
Wyrum Curtiss, Silas Hoadlev, Eli Potter, Linus Fenn.
"Two noteworthy women were Mrs. David Sanford and
Mrs. Daniel Lane, who lived upon the Wolcott road beyond
Tolles station. Seldom were thev absent from their respective
344
HISTORY OF I'l.VMOinTI.
The Kent! Homestead.
jason C Fenn.
BIOGKAPIIICAL SKETCHES. 345
churches at tlie Center upon the Sabbath day. I have seen them
going there through bUnding snow and pelihig rahi, always on
loot, and happy in the thought that tney were in the line of duty.
"" As a village, Thomaston was very small. Then it was
Plymouth Hollow. Terryville had not then been thought of.
I remember when the first clock shop was built by Eli Terry,
Jr., and went with my father to the raising in about 1S27. I
can count on my fingers' ends every house between Robert John-
son's, who had a little cooper shop at the place now owned by
Elizur Fenn, to the fork of the road branching off" from the turn-
pike in Bristol at the Silas Carrington place. There was not a
house from that point west until you came to the Claudius Allen
place where the post office is now kept in Terryville. Where
the upper lock shop now stands there was a saw mill (not of
modern invention however), owned by Claudius Allen.
" Rev, Luther Hart was a familiar figure in every home in
the whole parish, which in fact embraced the whole town.
When Mr. Hait was a caller the dinner horn announced his
coming, and all responded to the call and gathered for counsel
and prayer. If any one was sick it was as much expected that
Air. Hart would be notified as that a physician would be called,
and often he would be seen coming (always riding a small bay
hoise) and arrive before the physician. When watchers were
needed to care for the sick Mr. Hart always saw to it that they
were provided. Before the morning sermon on Sunday he
would mention the name of the sick person and ask, 'Who will
watch to-night ? ' when some one would arise and he would say
one is provided. Who Monday night ? and so on until watchers
were provided for the week. Nearly every Sunday there was
one or more notices read like this: 'Joseph Brown is sick and
desires the prayers of the church that he may be restored to
health, but if otherwise determined that he may be resigned and
prepared for the Divine will.' After the death and burial of a
person it was expected that the mourning family would be
together in their pew the next Sabbath, before the morning
prayer. Mr. Hart would mention the death of the person and
say, ' The afflicted family (and here they would arise, and other
sympathizing friends) desire the prayers of the church that this
atiiiction may be sanctified to their spiritual and eternal good.'
Then he would mention the names of those friends who had
risen with the family and say, ' They desire to join in the
request.' At one time a deaf old couple mistook the reading of
a marriage notice for that of a death notice. They were tender
hearted people, and it was almost a universal custom for them to
arise as sympathizing with bereaved ones. On this occasion
they arose as the notice of marriage was read, when Mr. Hart,
true to his nature, with a broad smile, said : ' Ephraim Hough
and wife desire to join in sympathy with them.' The evidences
of solemnity were not apparent upon the faces of the congregation.
" But the unwritten history of Plvmouth and the old church,
100 years ago, will not be revealed by human lips, as eye wit-
nesses are but few that can testify of their own knowledge who
346 HISTORY OF PLVMOL'Tll.
were the occupants ol" those homes, the location of which is
maiked with ccilar walls oi" moss-covered stones. 1 can remem-
ber tive generalions in my own family who have attended church
in PlymuLich — my grandparents, father and mother, myself and
daughter, my granddaughter, Airs. Crane and her daughter, who
have been guests of their aunt, Mrs. Cornelia vStoughton, the
past winter."
JASON C. FENN.
Jason C. Fenn, judge of probate and town clerk of Plymouth,
son of Elam and Lydia Atwater Fenn, was born October 27,
1838, in the house now owned by him, and which was purchased
by nis grandfather, Jason Fenn, in 1784, situated on Town Hill.
He received a common school and academic education, and for
thirty years was clerk in stores. He is a member and deacon of
the Terryville Congregational Church. He represented the
town in the House in 1880; has served the town as selectman
seven years, the last year being in 1890, when a building was
provided in Terryville tor the transaction of town business, and
January, 1S91, having been elected town clerk, he removed the
town records and papers from Plymouth Center to the new town
building. January 5, 1S93, he assumed the duties of judge of
probate, and re moved the probate records and papers from Ply-
mouth Center, both of which offices he still holds.
Mr. Fenn is the originator of the Fenn patent bridge, which
is constructed of old railroad iron, unsurpassed for strength,
cheapness and durability, and tasty in appearance. Several of
these bridges have been built over the streams in Plymouth.
With the exception of the plank flooring and a few compara-
tively small castings, the construction is entirely of old rails.
REV. LEVERETT GRIGGS, D. D.
There seems a propriety in the insertion in this book of some
account of the Rev. Leverett Griggs, D. D., who was for nearly
fourteen years (February, 1856 — December, 1869), pastor of the
Congregational church of Bristol, and who resided in that town
nearly twenty-seven years until his death, January 28, 1883. In
periods when the Congregational church of Terryville, was
without a pastor, he was often called upon for ministerial service
in that parish, at one time supplying the pulpit for many Sab-
baths in succession. And once, in view of representations made
to him by members of the church in Terryville, he had in serious
consideration whether he would encourage that church to extend
a call to himself to become its pastor. And it was largely tlie
result of the mutual regard subsisting: between the church of
Terryville and himself, that his son. Rev Leverett S. Griggs,
became its pastor for a season.
He was born in Tolland, Conn., Nov. 17, 1808, the son of.
Captain Stephen and Elizabeth (Lathrop) Griggs. His grand-
father, Ichabod Griggs, Jr., who was a citizen of Tolland, died
a soldier in the Revolutionary war, September 30, 1776, aged 32
years, and was buried in New Rochelle, N. Y, He was the
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETClIIib. 347
youngest of six children. He married August 2S, 1S33, Catha-
rine, daughter of Hon. Elisha (graduate Yale, 1796,) and Ce-
linda (Baker) Stearns of Tolland. She was the mother of six
children, and died in A'lillbury, Mass., March 10, 1S48. The
following are the names of her children, viz : Alaria, born July
19, 1S34, married to J. Frank Howe, December 31, 1S57;
Catharine, born January 26, 1S36, married to Benezet H. Bill,
November 2, 1S59; Leverett Stearns, born February 16, 1S3S,
married to Cornelia Little, July 13, 1S64; Elizabeth Celinda,
born March 5, 1S40, married to Harlow A. Gale, June 13, 1S59 ;
John Lawrence, born April 21, 1843, died a membeer of Com-
pany G, i6th regiment, Connecticut Volunteers, September i,
1S62; Joseph Emerson, born July 13, 1S47, married to Ellen
M. Little, January 3, 1S67. He married November 30, 1S4S,
Charlotte Ann Stearns, sister of the former wife, who became
the mother of four children.
Dr. Griggs was born and reared upon a farm. He had but
little promise of long life in childhood, being a great sutl'erer
from salt rheum. So severely was he afflicted with that distem-
per in infancy that a neighboring housewife advised his mother to
give him something to put him out of his misery, saying: "■ He
cannot live, and if he does live he never will know anything ;" an
opinion he often quoted in later years, with merriment, some-
times remarking that he ought to be patient with his infirmity
and thankful for it, because it was the occasion of his being
deemed unequal to the work of a farmer, and, therefore, had an
influence in opening the way for his reception of the boon ot a
collegiate education.
When he was young- " general training" of the militia was
the great day of all the year for the boys. Then he wasgiven six
and a quarter cents to buy ginger-bread with. Visiting his native
town in the later years of life, he remarked when passing a
certain house: "Here lived so and so, he used to get drunk,
invariably, on training day. It was expected, as a matter of
course, and the boys did not think the day complete if he and
another man from the northeast part of the town, did not strip
and go out into a lot to fight, so drunk that they could not harm
each other much."
He was prepared for college in part by Rev. Ansel Nash,
pastor of the church in Tolland from 1S13 to 1S31, who gave
him instruction for fifty cents a week. As he was applying
himself to his book one day in the " study," the good pastor and
wise tutor came across the room to him, and putting his hand
upon the boy's shoulder, said : " Seest thou a man diligent in his
business .'' he shall stand before kings ; he shall not stand before
mean men " Those words of encouragement electrified the lad
and had a lifelong eftect of good upon him. After further tuition
in Monson Academy, Mass, he entered college in 1825, gradu-
ating with honor in 1829. It was in the earlier part of his course
at Yale that he gave his heart to God. He united with the col-
lege church March 2, 1827, and continued a member of that
church through life, a fact which correctly reports his strong at-
34S
msroKV OF 1M.^ moiii n.
Rev. Leverett Griggs
J C Griggs
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCllKS. 349
tachment for Yale college. He taught for a year as an assistant
at Mount Hope Seminary, a school for boys in Baltimore, Md.,
and then pursued the study of theolog}' at Andover and New
Haven, acting as tutor in Yale College while studying theology
in the Yale Divinity School. Declining a call to the North
church of New Haven, he was ordained and installed pastor of
the Congregational church of North Haven, October 30, 1S33.
His college room-mate and very intimate friend. Rev. Edwin K.
Gilbert, had been settled in Wallingford, the next parish on the
north, in October, 1S32. Nearly twelve happy and fruitful years
were spent in North Haven. A church and parsonage were
liuilt. There were accessions to the membership of the church
aggregating two hundred and tv\'entv-six. After the lapse of
fiftv years the name of Dr. Griggs is still " like ointment poured
forth," in the parish of North Haven.
He was settled subsequently in New Haven, pastor of the
Chapel street church, now the Church of the Redeemer ; in Mill-
bury, Mass., and in Bristol, Conn. His ministry was largely
blessed in all these places. His al//m i/iatc/- conferred the degree
of Doctor of Divinity upon him in 1S6S. Many of his sermons
and other productions have been preserved in printed form. He
was a man of surpassingly genial disposition, full of the spirit of
kindness, and endowed with exceptional tact in dealing with
people. There was fitness to himself in what he wrote of his
mother soon after her death in 1S45 : " She wae one of the most
* * cheerful and even tempered persons that ever lived." He
had the gift of utterance, always saying with apparent ease that
which was happily suited to the occasion. At the same time he
was a plain and faithful preacher of righteousness, fulfilling to a
large degree the command, " Reprove, rebuke, exhort with all
long suffering and doctrine." Of his countenance, thus wrote a
brother minister who had long known him: " Few ever had
such a loving, speaking, sweet face; itself a letter of credit."
He served for about a quarter of a century as acting school vis-
itor in Bristol, and he esteemed it " one of the highest honors "
he " ever received," that the freemen of Bristol assembled in
town meeting, October 8, 1S81, unanimously recommended that
the selectmen, in view of the great value of his services in " elev-
ating and advancing to increased usefulness our common schools,"
"to abate his taxes as long as he continues his residence with
us." He was stricken with partial paralysis, Julv 4, 1881, a
disaster Avhich was hastened apparentlv by the shock received
from the tidings of the attempted assassination of President Gar-
field. A second attack of the malady, October 29 of the same
vear, prostrated him completelv. but a vear and three months
elapsed before he passed awav, departing this life on a Sabbath
evening, as he had lioped might be the fact. It was the evening
of Januarv 28, 1S83.
REV, I.EVERETT STEARNS GRIGGS.
Rev. Leverett Stearns Griggs, who is now located at Ivor\-
ton, is the son of Rev. Leverett Griggs, D. D., and Mrs. CatJi-
3^0 IllSrOKY uy I'lA MOV I 11.
aiine Stearns Griggs, and was born in North Haven, Conn.,
February i6, 1S3S, his father being at the time pastor of the Con-
gregational Church in that place. He is the third of ten children,
the four youngest being the children of a second mother, Mrs.
Charlotte vStearns Griggs. He prepared for college at the High
School in Millbury, Mass., graduated at Amherst College in
i860 ; studied theology at Yale and Lane theological seminar-
ies, 1860-1863; was ordained June 33, 1S64; was married July
13, 1864, to Miss Cornelia Little, daughter of Rev. Henry and
Mrs. Susan N. Little, of Madison, Ind. ; was Home Missionary
pastor at Spring Valley, Minn., 1863-1S66; at Owatonna, Minn.,
1866-1S69; pastor at Lowell, Mich., 1S70-1S72; at Collinsville,
Conn., 1S72-1874; at Terryville, 1874-1SS7; became pastor of
the Congregational Church of Centerbrook and Ivoryton, Conn.,
1887. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Griggs are seven, John
Cornelius Griggs, Ph. D., George Day (died 1SS6), Jessie
Leveretta, Alice Warner, Katharine Charlotte, Henry Little and
Susan Little. The three last named were born in Terryville.
JOHN CORNELIUS GRIGGS.
John Cornelius Griggs, son of Rev. L. S. and Mrs. C. L.
Griggs, was born in Spring Valley, Fillmore County, Minn.,
September 29, 1865. The family having removed to the east he
began to attend school in Collinsville, Conn., where his father
was pastor in that village ; was afterward a pupil for years in the
schools of Terryville ; worked for one year in the factory of the
Eagle Lock Co., and after a three years' course in the public
high school of Hartford, graduated from that institution in i88t^.
Entering Yale University the same year, be graduated in due
course of time, a member of the class of 1889. He was for the
two years immediately following, an instructor in the Free
Academy of Norwich. He married, July 33, 1S90, Miss Anne
Cooke, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Cooke, of Yalesville,
Conn. He went abroad in the summer of 1891 for purposes of
study and training in the art of vocal music. The larger part
of the two years passed in Europe by himself and family were
spent in Leipsic, where a son, Leverett Griggs, was born
March 25, 1S92. Having completed a prescribed course of
study in the university of Leipsic, Mr. Griggs received from
that institution, in 1S93, the degree of Ph. D., i/ia^s[iia c/nii laiide.
He returned to the United States the same year, and having
already accepted an appointment on the staff' of instructors in the
Metropolitan College of Alusic in New York City, soon entered
upon duty there, in which position he still remains.
THOMAS BUNNELL.
The veteran teamster of Plymouth, Thomas Bunnell, was a
familiar figure for fifty-two years in his line of business. He was
born in Burlington, this State, November 9, 1806, and was the
youngest son of Nathaniel Bunnell, who, at the age of twenty,
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 35 I
went to New London, enlisted in the Continental arm}^ and was
present on the memorable "6th of September when Arnold
burnt the town." He came to Terryville in 1S27, and taught
school in the old red school house, afterward taking- up the busi-
ness of carrying freight, the goods consigned to him coming
tlirough the old canal to Plainville, and from there distributed
through the country between this place and Bristol Basin, as
Plainville was then called.
His teaming business dates from the year 1843, when he
drove to Hartford every other day for freight, and on the inter-
vening days made a trip to Plainville. This he continued to do
until iS^T, when the railroad pushed its way out to this region.
He then established the teaming industry between Terryville
and Thomaston, and daily carried loads of merchandise over the
hills of Litchfield county from 1S55 to 1SS7, when he transferred
his business to Arthur C. Bunnell, his son Besides the regular
freight business mentioned, Air. Bunnell did all the team work
for manufacturers in this place for many years, and his life is
thus closely allied to the business history of the community. He
was first employed by H. Welton & Co., next for Lewis & Gay-
lord, and then for James Terrv &. Co.
After the Eagle Lock Companv was formed, he did all their
teaming for nearly twentv vears, and for a number of years all
the teaming for Andrew Terry & Co. He was a citizen uni-
versally esteemed by the entire community. He left several sons
and grandsons who are natural born teamsters, and carry on a
good business in this place and Bristol.
LYMAN TOLLES.
Lyman Tolles, son of Lyman and Marcia Russell Tolles,
was born in Plymouth, March 16, 1S03, and died May 37, 1S94.
He was twice married. His first wife was Almira, daughter of
Luther and Martha Thomas Andrews. In 1837 he settled on a
farm in the southeast part of the town, where he lived until his
death. His second wife was Jeannette Howe. Mr. Tolles was
the father of ten children :
Robert married Mary R. Graham of Windham, N. Y ,
moved to Wisconsin in 1S5S, and was one of the pioneer settlers
of Eau Claire, and with his brother-in-law founded a lumber
and machine mill, which now is a large and flourishing business
plant. He died in 1879, leaving a wife and two sons, Charles
L. and DeWitt G., who still reside there.
Martha A. married Ralph H. Guilford of Waterbury, who
settled in Cheshire and engaged in the manufacture of buttons,
and was secretary and treasurer of the brass mill for a number of
years until his death in 1886. Thev had four children, Irving
G., Annie A., Mary L., Thomas H.
Martin worked in Terrwille in the lock shop for several
vears and went to Beloit. Wis., in 18^6. In i8i^9 he went to
Eureka, Kan., where he married Margaret Turner. He died at
Cedar Vale, Kan., in 1876.
352
Hisrom' OF l•I.^■^K)L TH.
Thomas Bunnell
Lvman Tolles.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 353
]Mary J. married Oliver Baily, who settled in Terryville
as contractor and builder, and who died in iS66, leaving a wife
and one daughter, Julia A.
Harriet A. resides at the old homestead, and for many years
has been an invalid.
Henry married Harriet E, Prince, who died in 1882. He
died in 1S89, leaving four children, Frederick L., Nellie P.,
Nathan, ISIartin.
Samuel L. remained at home to care for his father and the
farm, and still resides there, its present owner.
Sarah L. married William H. Basham of Naugatuck, who
have four children, William L., Hattie A., Essie J., Sarah E.
Esther M. married Milo Tomlinson of Plymouth.
Norie E. married Newton B. Eddy of Bristol, who moved
to New Haven, worked for the New Haven Clock Company
several years, but is now engaged in farming. They have two
children, George L., Carrie B.
jSIr. Tolles was a man of great activity, strong and vigorous
in mind and body, and with the exception of failing eyesight,
retained all his faculties until his last illness. In 1873 he accom-
panied his son Robert to his home in Wisconsin, visiting friends
on the way in New York, Pittsburg and Cleveland, O., where
his only sister then resided. He was interested in all the events
of the day of a social na'.ure. He delighted in gathering his
children and grandchild' en around him, and the birthday and
Thanksgiving feasts under the paternal roof will be among the
pleasant memories of their lives.
MILO TOMLINSON.
Milo Tomlinson was born at Alt. Toby, Plymouth, in May,
1S52. He was twice married, his first wife being Harriet A.
White. They had one child, Alabel E., born in 1878. He
married in 1883 for his second wife Esther M. Tolles, daughter
of Lyman Tolles. They had four children. Amy J., Irving M..
Robert V., George L. Mr. Tomlinson died in 1893. He was
a stirring and enterprising farmer, and owned a large farm, his
residence being nearly in the center of a fifty acre meadow.
CORNELIUS R. WILLIAMS AND FAMILY.
Cornelius R. Williams was born in Rocky Hill, Conn.,
August 7, 1805. His mother was a Robbins. Both families
have been in the Connecticut valley below Hartford for half a
dozen generations. He left home at the age of seventeen and
worked in New York City. For several years he was a clock
manufacturer in Unionville, Conn., and Alton, 111. He became
a resilient of Plvmouth about 1847, residing first on Town Hill
near the Elam Fenn place. In 1850 he removed to the house in
the eastern part of Terryville, which was his home, with the
exception of a few years spent in Rocky Hill, until his death,
August 38, iSSo, aged seventy-five years. He married Caroline
Hooker, September 4, 1S31. She was a daughter of Ira Hooker,
long time a deacon in the Bristol Congregational Church, and
354
JIlSrOKV OK HI.\MOU'lII.
Milo Tomlinson.
Rev Moseley H. Williams
BIOGKAPHICAL SKETCHES.
355
was a descendent in the sixth generation of Rev. Thomas
Hooker, who became the first minister of the Center Cluirch,
Hartford, about 1632. Mrs. Williams was a sister of Mrs. Julia
E. Stoughton, widow of Andrew Stoughton. Several children
were born to Mr. and Mrs. Williams, of whom only three sur-
vive— Rev. Horace R. Williams of Michigan, Rev. Moseley H.
Williams of Philadelphia, and Mrs. Fannie A. Mix, wife of
Elisha Mix, Jr., of Stamford.
Rev. Horace R. Williams was born in Farmington, Conn.,
in 1S35, and came with the family to Plymouth when thirteen
years old. He attendend school in the Terryville Institute, when
it was first opened, but completed his preparation for college at
Kimball Union Academy, Aleriden N. H. He graduated from
Amherst College in 1S60, and, after teaching one year, from
Union Theological Seminary in 1S64. In May of that same
year he was ordained to the ministery in Terryville, by a council
called by the Congregational Church there, of which church he
was a member, and went immediately to the pastorate of the
Congregational Church in Almont, Mich., where he remained
sixteen years. After that he was pastor in Vermontville six
years, in Clinton seven years, and is now pastor in Richmond,
all these places being in the same state — Michigan. He married
Amelia R. Bulkeley of Rocky Hill, Conn., in i86v Her
grandfather graduated at Yale College in 1796. They have two
children, Walter B. Williams, now of Stamford, Conn., and
Neil Hooker Williams, who recently graduated at the University
of Michigan.
Rev. Moseley H. Williams was born in Farmington, Conn.,
December 23, 1S39. ^^ ^^^ ^ ^^^Y ^^ seven when the family
came to Plymouth. His first experience in a Terryville school
was under Mrs. Allen, wife of R. D. H. Aden, who was then
principal. Pie attended school at Kimball Union Academy,
Meriden, N. H., and Williston Seminary, Easthampton, Mass.,
and spent four yeiirs at Yale College, graduating in the class of
1864. After a theological course of three years at Union Theo-
logical Seminary, New York, and Andover Seminary, Massa-
chusetts, he was a pastor in Philadelphia, Penn., Brooklvn, N.
Y. , and Portland, Me. Since 1S79 he has been in the editorial
work of the American Sunday-School Union in Philadelphia,
and assisted in the preparation of Dr. Schaft"'s Dictionary of the
Bible, Dr. Rice's People's Commentaries on the Gospels and
other works. He married Emma V. Bockius of Philadelphia,
and has four children, of whom the oldest graduated at the Uni-
versity of Pennsylvania, and took a theological course at Yale
Divinity School and Princeton Theological Seminary.
Fannie A. Williams married Elisha Mix, Jr., December 14,
1875. They have resided in Bridgeport, Pennsylvania, New
Britain and Stamford, and have five children.
THOMAS HIGGINS.
Thomas Higgins has been a resident of Terryville for about
forty-three years. He was one of the three Catl olics who met
356
lllsrOKV OF I'L\MOirrH.
Thomas F Higgins.
William Robinson's Residence.
HIOGHAPHICAI. SKETCH KS. 357
in tlie Philip C. Ryan residence after Father O'Neill of Water-
bury was engaged to preach there. Mr. Higgins is now about
seventy years of age. One of his sons, Thomas F. Higgins, was
appointed postmaster of Terry ville in 1S94. When appointed,
he bought out the confectionery and stationery business of
W. E. Fogg, and moved it into the building opposite the hotel.
He graduated from Eastman's College, Poughkeepsie, N. Y.
Sarah A. devotes much of her time to assisting Mr. Higgins in
the post ofhce. James B. is employed by the Eagle Lock Com-
pany. IMichael C. is superintendent of a life insurance company
in Norwich, Conn. Lizzie C. is engaged as school teacher in
Thomaston. Joseph J. is a physician and surgeon in New
York City, and graduated from the Physicians and Surgeons'
College of New York.
CHAUNCEY BRADLEY.
Chauncey Bradley, who died May 10, 1SS6, was one of
Plymouth's most respected residents. He lived a quiet life on
his farm, situated about the center of the town, and was for
many years assessor. He did his duty conscientiously and well.
He lived to the ripe old age of seventy-eight years, his wife
having died several years before. Mrs. David W. Eggleston,
who, with her husband, resides in Bristol, was the only child
of this union.
WILMAM ROBINSON.
William Robinson came to Terryville about seven vears ago,
from Thomaston, and bought what is known as the Griffin place,
situated about one mile northwest of Terryville Center, from
Charles Dayton. He has since then carried on the milk busi-
ness, increasing it by the purchase of the milk route of Charges
Allen. He keeps from fourteen to sixteen head of stock. He
also does a great deal of market gardening. Pleasant View
Farm, as Mr. Robinson's place is called, furnishes an excellent
view of the surrounding country. Mr, Robinson is a native of
Canada, and married Miss Maggie Hull of Canada in 1890, by
whom he has one daughter. The property now owned by Mr.
Robinson has been obtained by hard work, prudence and
economy.
AUGUSTUS C. SHELTON.
Augustus Canby Shelton, the founder and senior member of
the firm of Shelton & Tuttle, carriage manufacturers, in the
town of Plymouth, Conn., was born in Plymouth, February 7,"
1S16, and died in that town, August 27, 18S0, at the age of
sixtv-four years. He was of the fifth generation in descent from
Daniel Shelton, the founder of the New England branch of the
family, who came to this country from England about 1687, ^'^^
settled in Stratford (now Huntington), in this State.
Daniel, the original ancestor of the New England families
bearing the Shelton name, came from the town of Rippon, Der-
byshire County, England. He was one of the non-resident
358
niSTOHY OP" PI.YMOUTir.
Philip C Ryan
The Rvan Homestead.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 359
proprietors of Waterbury, as appears by the grant of Governor
Saltonstall, bearing date of October 28, 1720. He liad nine
cliildren, seven sons and two daugliters. His fourth son, Sam-
uel, was born in 1704. He had fourteen children, eight sons
and six daughters. His third son, Daniel, was burn June 16,
1 741. He had nine children, five sons and four daughters. His
fourth son, Joseph, was born October 20, 17S3. He had eleven
children, five sons and six daughters. Of ihese sons Augustus
Canby was the second, being the fourth child. His middle name
he took from his mother, whose maiden name was Martha
Canby.
The original proprietor of the Shelton estate, in what is now
the town of Plymouth, was David Shelton, the grandson of the
original Daniel, and the grandfather of Augustus C. His estate
lay in what is now called Todd Hollow, and was an extensive
one, comprising some three thousand acres. He also owned
land in Stamford and Kent.
Joseph Shelton, the father of Augustus, was a merchant
and farmer. Augustus' early years were passed on his father's
farm, where he acqiiired those habits of industry which charac-
terized him through life. At the usual age he went to Harwin-
ton to learn the trade of wheelwright, serving his time there with
Lewis Smith. From there he went to New Haven, where he
worked three years in the carriage establishment of George
Hoadley. He then returned to Plymouth, and in 1837 entered
upon the business of carriage making on his own account. For
the first three vears he worked in a small building now occupied
as a dwelling house. At that time the trade was mainly south-
ern. In 1855 Mr. Shelton took in B\ron Tuttle. For several
years the business was prosperous. For six years all the carri-
ages made by the firm, went west. The southern business was
broken up by the war, while the western trade was improved.
This continued until 1868, when the business began to wane,
and in 1870 the company sold out the Clucago establishment,
and the partnership, so far as the business of manufacturing was
concerned, was dissolved, the partners still holding the property
tosrether. From that time until his death, Mr. Shelton carried
on the business in a limited wav.
Mr. Shelton was married November 19, 1858, to Ellen A.
Crook. His children are: John Canby, born May 14, i860,
died September 13, 1S60; Mary Jane, born September 29, 1862;
Frances Pauline, born June 9, 1865 ; Ellen Augusta, born May
20, 1S70; Milla Canby, born August 6, 1876.
The immediate occasion of Mr. Shelton's death was a slight
wound in the finger, the inflammation of which proved fatal.
PHILIP C. RYAN.
Philip C. Ryan and family came to Terryville about 1S45,
and was the first Irish family that settled in the town. His
brother, Denis Ryan, who came here some time before him,
was the first single Irishman to make Plvmouth his home. He
36o
IIISIOKV OK I'l.VMOUl'lI.
William B Ells.
Richard Baldwin's Residence, Terryville.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 361
was engaged on the farm at Town Hill, owned by Mr. Brainard,
and was soon alter married to Mr. Brainard's daughter, Miss
Nora, by whom he had three children, one son and two daugh-
ters. Many amusing stories are now told by the older inhab-
tants of the town in connection with the Hrst appearance of
Mr. Ryan in the place. The name of Denis Ryan is the hrst
name of a foreigner that appears on the town voting list, and
both his and Philip C. Ryan's appear often on the old land
records. Denis was also the first Irishman buried in the town,
and upon his death, Philip C. bought and presented the land,
which afterwards became known as the Catholic Cemetery. The
old homestead, of which a picture appears here, is situated on the
street nearly opposite the old Andrew Fenn place, and in it
Father O'Neil of Waterbury held the first Catholic services that
were held in the town. Before that Philip C. made many trips
on foot to New Haven and back to attend the Catholic Church
there, and at other times Philip, Denis and James, who came
here soon after the arrival of Denis, all attended the Congrega-
tional services here. Upon the death of Philip, which occurred
in 1S64, in the forty-ninth year of his age, his funeral was
attended by the pastor and members of the Congregational
Church. The children of Philip C. Ryan are: John D. of
Middletown, Conn., Fallah of Brooklyn, N. Y., Mary Ann of
Terryville, James F. of New York City, Catherine of Water-
bury, Nora of New York City, Delia of New Britain, and
Philip C. of Terryville.
MAJOR A\'. 1?. ELLS.
Major William B. Ells, who was one of Terryville's best
known and respected residents, died May ii, 1S93.
He was born in Milford, February 14, 1840, and was the
son of Harvey and Julia Ells of that town. When a young man
he came to Terryville to live. He entered the Eagle Lock Com-
pany's works, and for over thirty-five years he had been a faith-
ful worker for that company's best interest, as well as the welfare
of Terryville. Early in the war he left his work bench in the
old "upper" shop to fight for the preservation of the Union.
Enlisting May 23, 1S61, he became sergeant of Company I,
First Connecticut Volunteer Artillery, then the Fourth Connect-
icut Infantry. He was promoted to captaincy March 7, 1S64,
and served through the first Peninsular campaign with distinc-
tion. He was transferred to the Nineteenth Connecticut Volun-
teers (afterwards the Second Connecticut Heavy Artillery), at
Alexandria, Va., September 24, 1S62.
He was present at the siege of Yorktown and battles of
Hanover Court House, Chickahominy, Gaines's Mill, Malvern,
Hill and Cold Harbor, where he was promoted to major. He
was acknowledged to be the best drill officer and disciplinarian
in the whole regiment and was a favorite with Colonel Kellogg,
who commanded the regiment at the battle of Cold Harbor,
where in June i, 1S64, Major Ells commanded the Third Bat-
talion of the regiment and was wounded by a shot in one leg,
?62
HlS'IOm- OF PLYMOUTH.
Henr\' E. Hiiiman
Andrew Gaylord's Residence.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 363
which made Inm a cripple for many years, and from the effects
of which he never recovered.
As he was a brave and true soldier in war, so had he been a
good citizen and neighbor in time of peace. He became a mem-
ber of the Terryville Congregational Chnrch in i8=;S, and was
one of its most generous and steadfast supporters. For a number
of years he was superintendent of the Congregational Sunday
School, and during the last year of his life, chairman of the
Ecclesiastical Society. He was a member of Gilbert W.
Thompson Post, G. A. R., of Bristol, and until his disabled leg
compelled the cessation of active service, he took pait in every
public military function of the post. He was an enthusiastic
member of the Army and Navy Club and had made plans to at-
tend the club's annual dinner when his fatal illness intervened.
He was connected with Union Lodge of Masons of Thomaston,
Sedgwick Council of American Alechanics and Terry Lodge of
United Workmen of this place. For several years Major Ells
was superintendent of the Eagle Lock Company. In all matters
relating to church, school or town, he felt a deep interest, and
his death was a severe blow to all in the village and a loss which
was felt by every surviving member of the Second Connecticut
Heavv Artillerv, be he officer or private.
Major Ells' wife was formerly Miss Julia Goodwin of
Terryville, whom he married shortly after the war, and to whom
were born three daughters, Hattie, Gertrude and Julia.
A brother and two sisters also survive him.
IIEXHV E. HIXMAN.
Henry E. Hinman, the first selectman of Plymouth, wa ■'i
born in Haiwinton, August 27, 1S36 His place of residence
has been divided between here and Harwinton during his life.
He is a son of Isaac and Lorinda Hinman, and his mother, who
is now eighty-five years of age, resides with him at his residence
in East Plymouth. He was elected first selectman last Fall, and
has been a member of the board of selectmen three terms. He
married Carolina C. Roberts of Burlington, by whom he has
three children, Minnie, Irene and Olive L. Hinman.
B. H. SUTLIFFE.
Bennett H. Sutlifle was born in Plymouth, September 16,
1835, and is a direct descendant of John Sutlifle, who came
from England and who lived in Branford in 1695, and who
came to Waterbury soon after and settled in Plymouth in 1730.
By the possession of old deeds it is shown that all the land in the
vicinity of Reynold's and Terry's Bridge at one time belonged to
the Sutlifles, and known as Sutlifle Hollow. A cane is now in
the possession of Mr. Sutlifle which belongs to his son John,
and which bears the inscription, " Captain John Sutlifle, 1765."
This cane has been handed down for seven generations and now
belongs to the seventh John Sutlifle. Bennett Sutlifle spent his
3^4
IIISIORY OF PLYMOUTH.
Bennett H. Suiliffe
Bennett H. Sutliffe's Residence
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 365
early life on the farm, afterwards was engaged in the clock shop ;
he then moved to New Haven, where he remained about six
years. Returning to Plymouth, he again entered the clock shop
and built a house on Marine street, which he still owns. His
present residence is on a farm of 165 acres, which he bought in
1S77, and on which he has lived since that time. The affairs of
his farm are conducted on business principles; therefore he is
one who makes farming pay. His herd of registered Jersevs is
one of the best. He has all the latest machinery in his barn,
including a hay-fork, power for cutting feed and devices for
watering cattle. On the farm, he has all the latest machines for
use in planting and cultivating his crops, also machines for use
in haying, from the time the hay is cut till it is in the barn.
For grinding grain and sawing, he has built a mill. In politics,
he is a staimch Republican, having been with the party since its
commencement.
Mr. Sutliffe has great regard for his ancestors, and when
the old cemetery was removed in Thomaston, he superintended
the removal of all their bodies, eighteen in number, and placed
them in a lot in the new cemetery purchased for that purpose.
He has, in his possession, land records and lay-outs of land
belonging to the Sutliffe family, beginning in 1695, under
Sovereign Lord William, King of England, Scotland, France
and Ireland, and down through the kings till the present time.
Mr. Sutlitle is a member of the Congregational Church, and
is proud of its history and of the fact that his ancestor, John
Sutliffe, was one of its founders seven generations ago.
Mr. Sutliffe is serving his third term as selectman. He was
married December 31, 1S70, to Elizabeth, daughter of Henry
Kirk, of Waterbury. His children are: Edith E., born October
10, iSys; Daisy B., born April 4, 1S79, and John Thomas,
born December 26, 1882.
JOEL BLAKESLEE.
Joel Blakeslee was born in that part of Plymouth now called
Thomaston, September 2, iSi3. He died in Bridgeport, Conn.,
January 18, 1895. The Blakeslee family in Plymouth descend-
ed from Samuel Blakeslee, who was a planter in Guilford,
Conn., in 1650, but who afterwards removed to New Haven,
where he died in 1672. His grandson, Moses Blakeslee, moved
from New Haven to Waterbury (Northbury, afterwards called
Plymouth), about i739i '^"tl settled on land previously "laid
out" to him on what is now known as Town Hill. His house
stood near the residence of the late Oliver Stoughton. He was
appointed a deacon in the Congregational Church at Plvmouth
at its organization in 1740? and was an active and influential
member of the church and the community.
From him, Joel, the subject of this sketch, descended
through John, born in 1725 ; Joel, born 1 752, and Ransom, born
1 78 1. Of the generation on the stage at the time of the Revo-
lutionary war, two at least are known to have served in the Con-
366
HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.
Joel Blakeslee.
Gen. Erasfus Blakeslee
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 367
tinental army, one in Captain Joseph Mansfield's (of Litchfield)
company of infantry, and one in the "Light Hoise" (cavalry).
Ransom Blakeslee, known in his later life as "Squire
Blakeslee," father of Joel, established himself in business about
1S03, at the water privilege, on what was then known as the
Goss place, about halfway between Thomaston and Northfield.
Here he did country blacksmithing, and also by aid of trip-ham-
mers, run by water power, carried on quite a business in the
manufacture of heavy " Guinea hoes," for plantation use in the
South. These hoes, without handles, were packed in molasses
hogsheads and hauled to Hartford or New Haven for shipment,
the iron for making them being brought back on the return trip.
This is very much in contrast with our modern ways of doing
business. He, however, was enterprising and made money, so
that after his father's death in 1S14, be bought the family estate
on Plymouth Hill, on which he lived until his death in 1S68.
He built the brick shop, still standing, opposite the house in
which he lived, and for a time continued his general blacksmith-
ing there, but gave up the manufacture of hoes. About iS'^4
he formed a partnership with Mr. Cooley, of Reading, Conn.,
for the manufacture of carriages in the brick shop. This was
the beginning of the carriage manufacturing industry in Ply-
mouth. Two or three years later he assisted in the formation of
the carriage manufacturing firm of Cooley, Bradley & Co. , with-
drawing from the business himself, but putting capital into the
new firm for his son Joel, then a young man. The business in
later years grew to large proportions, but since has steadily de-
clined, owing to severe competition by western manufacturers.
From about that time his only business was the care of his
farm. He was at one time a member of the legislature, and al-
ways a much respected citizen. He will be remembered by the
older residents of Plymouth at the present time for his native
wisdom, his dignified and genial presence, and his upright and
honorable character.
His son, Joel, was a delicate child, and was never in robust
health, although he lived until his eighty-third year. He partly
fitted for Yale College, but on account of his health gave up his
studies. On the formation of the carriage manufacturing firm of
Cooley, Bradlev & Co., he became a member of it, as above
stated, and continued with it until its close. Afterwards he car-
ried on the carriage business for himself, in connection with his
son Arthur. In 1871 he sold the old homestead and moved to
Bridgeport, where he remained until his death. He was very
feeble for the last two or three years of his life, but finally passed
away quite suddenly.
GENERAL ERASTUS BLAKESLEE.
Erastus Blakeslee, son of Joel and Sarah Maria (Mansfield)
Blakeslee, was born in Plymouth, Conn., September 3, 1S38.
He was fitted for college at Williston Seminary, Easthampton,
Mass., and entered the freshman class at Yale in the fall of 1S59.
368
UISTOKV OF PLYMOUTH.
«5"
■■,>
Oliver Smitli.
FvKin Tuttle,
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 369
During his spring vacation in 1861 occurred the firing on Fort
Sumter. At a public meeting held shortly afterwards in Ply-
mouth, he was one of the first to sign the enlistment roll in
answer to President Lincoln's call for volunteers. Owing to the
large over-enlistment at that time he was not mustered into
service, but returned to college. In the fall of the same year he
left college for good and enlisted in Company A, First Battalion
Connecticut Cavalry Volunteers. His military record was as
follows :
Enlisted in Co. A, ist Bat. Conn. Cav. Vols., . Oct. 9, 1S61
Commibsioned 2d Lieut, in same company, . Oct. 18, 1861
Promoted to be ist Lieut, and Adjutant, . . Nov. 26, 1861
Promoted to be Capt. Co. A, . . . . Feb. 28, 1862
Promoted to be Major, ..... July 14, 1863
Promoted to be Lieut. -Colonel, . . . May 21, 1864
Promoted to be Colonel, ..... May 27, 1S64
Must, out by reason of expiration of term of service, Oct. 26, 1864
Commissioned Brevet Brig. Gen. of Vols, "for
gallant conduct at Ashland, Va., June I, 1864," March 13, 1865
During the spring and summer of 1S64 he was in command
of his regiment, as a part of Sheridan's cavalry, in the famous
Wilderness campaign, during which the regiment saw much
hard service. He was wounded in battle at Ashland, Va., June
I, 1864. As soon as he had recovered from his wound he
rejoined his regiment, which he commanded during a portion of
Sheridan's Shenandoah Valley campaign in the autumn of the
same vear. After leaving the army General Blakeslee was en-
gaged in business for a time in New Haven, Conn., and afterwards
in Boston, Mass. In 1S76 he again took up the course of study
w^hich had been interrupted by the war, and entered Andover
Theological Seminary in preparation for the gospel ministry.
After graduating there in 1879, he held pastorates successively,
in the Second Congregational Church, Greenfield, Mass., the
Second Congregational Church, Fair Haven (New Haven),
Conn., and in the First Congregational Church, Spencer, Mass.
While in Spencer he became greatly interested in an effort
to improve the methods and results of Bible study in Sunday
Schools and among young people, and devised a system of study,
which met with such favorable reception, that in the summer of
1892 he resigned his pastorate, moved to Boston, and has since
given his whole time to this important work. His lessons are
now used to a greater or less extent in nearly all the evangelical
denominations in America, and have been translated into eight
or ten different foreign missionary languages.
OLIVER SMITH.
Oliver Smith, now deceased, the son of Theophilus M. and
Salome Smith, was born in Milford, Conn., September 15, 1800,
and settled in Plymouth with his parents in the spring of 1808.
His father was a native of Milford and was a shoemaker and
farmer by occupation. He was twice married. By his first
370
HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.
Residence of B\Ton Tuttle.
Byron Tuttle's Birthplace.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 37I
wife he had two children, and by his second marriage seven, one
ol' whom, Salome, married Chauncey Jerome, a celebrated clock
maker of Plymouth. He continued to reside in Plymouth until
his death in 1S49. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war,
and a captain of the State militia for many years. Oliver Smith
was reared on a farm, but was engaged at tanning, and worked
for a while at joinering. He married Harriet, eldest daughter
of Allen Bunnell, of Plymouth, October i6, 1S22. Her father
was a son of Titus Bunnell, who settled in Plymouth at an early
day. INIr. Smith had the following children : Lyman, born
February 5, 1S24, died in California, August 10, 1S63 ; Edwin,
who died young; Candace, born June 14, 1S30 (married Byron
Tuttle, and has two children, Hattie A. and William B.) ; James
E., born March 11, 1S33, died September 24, 1S72. Mr. Smith
was a staunch Republican, and was selectman twelve years, and
held various other town offices.
JOSEPH SHELTOX.
Joseph Shelton was born October 20, 17S3, in Plymouth,
Conn., and died June 20, 1S64. Martha, his wife, was born
November 19, 1786, and died February 24, 1S42. Their chil-
dren were : George Edward Shelton, born December 18, 1809,
in Portland, Me., who has been a prominent citizen of Plymouth
for manv vears ; Augusta Maria, born August 30, iSii, in Port-
land, Me.'; Elizabeth Amelia, born July 19, 1S13; Augustus
Canby, born February 7, 1S16, and died August 27, 1880;
Martha Jane, born July 22, 181S, and died September 30, 1S19;
David, born November 3, 1820; Nancy Martha, born February
25, 1823, and died September 30, 1874; Emily, born December
ID, 1824; Isaac Wells, born January 14, 1828; William Joseph,
born November 13, 1829, died September 16, 1830; Mary Ann,
born April 4, 1832, died October 32, 1832. George E. Shelton
was first married October 3, 1S48. to Miss Betsy Clark, who
died March 17, 1850, and second to Mrs. Elizabeth Adah Jones,
March 20, 1867, who is also dead.
BYRON TUTTLE.
Byron Tuttle is of Welsh descent and the eighth generation
from William Tuttle, who came from Devonshire, England, in
the ship Planter, and landed in Boston in 1635. He removed to
New Haven in 1639 and lived on and owned the land where the
Yale College buildings now stand. Mr. Tuttle was born in
Plymouth, Conn., August 23, 1825, the son of a farmer, and his
early years were spent at home farming. He had the advantages
of a common district school of those days. On the 26th of
August, 1847, ^""^ entered the carriage establishment of A. C.
Shelton of Plymouth, afterward entering into partnership with
him under the firm name of Shelton & Tuttle. In 1854 Mr.
Tuttle went to Chicago and established a carriage repository for
the sale of their carriages in that city. Later repositories were
37-
mSTOKV OK PI.YMOUTH.
v^,A3LSt:ic.."'a.-r:. :.,..
Store— W. H. Scott & Co.
Storehouse— W. H. Scott & Co.
BIOGltAPIIlCAL SKETCHES. 373
opened at New Orleans, La., and Burlington, la., where he
spent much of his time for a number of years. The venture
proved successful, and the firm made money. In 1865 they
built a repository on Madison street, Chicago, which was burned
in the gi'eat fire of 1S72, without much loss to the company,
when the property was sold and ]Mr. Tuttle retired from the
business.
Mr. Tuttle was married to Candace D., daughter of Oliver
Smith, of Plymouth, April 10, 1S53. They have two cnildren,
Hattie A. and ^V^illiam 13. Aside irom private business Mr.
Tuttle has occupied a prominent place in the aftairs of the town,
having been elected justice of the peace in 1S64, which ofiice he
still holds, and selectman in 1S7S, holding the latter ofiice
thirteen vears. He has been for a number oi" years the agent of
the town, having filled this position with ability before the
legislature and the coiuts in cases where local interests w^ere
involved. He has also been a judge of probate for ten years in
the district where he resides. In politics he is a Republican.
He is a member of the Congregational Society and has served
with credit as the society's committee. Mr. Tuttle is an
energetic, thorough business man.
W. ir. SCOTT A- CO.
The store at Terryville station, owned and operated by W.
H. Scott & Co , has been in existence about forty-one years,
having been established in 1S54, by the late N. Taylor Baldwin,
who was station agent when the railroad penetrated this region.
He was succeeded by Gains A. Norton, who sold out his inter-
est to Walter H. Scott, with whom was associated Edwin R.
Dimmock, the firm name being Scott & Dimmock. After five
months Mr. Dimmock retired on account of ill health, selling
his interest to J. P. Crawford, who held his interest in the con-
cern for three years. His health failing him he retired and W.
H. Scott carried on the business single banded for a year, when
he took into the store W. R. Guernsey, and for a year the firm
was Scott & Guernsey. At the end of a year Zelotes F. Gran-
niss and W. C. Andrews were admitted, and the firm was then
first known as W. PI. Scott & Co. Z. F. Granniss became the
sole junior partner in 1S67. The entire real estate, with build-
ings thereon, was then owned by Andrew Terry, who sold it to
W. H. Scott & Co. in 1S6S. Since then they have steadily
added to the store property, which at present consists of eight
buildings.
The most important building in connection with the store
is a three-story storehouse, covering an area of 60x40 feet, with
a spur track from the New York & New England railroad, run-
ning into the building, from which coal is unloaded directly into
coal bins underneath, having a capacity of from 600 to 700 tons.
This building will easily hold twenty cars of hay, grain, flour,
feed and other supplies, and it is an interesting fact, that during
the first year of its occupancy, 149 cars, aggregating 2,235 tons,
374
HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.
Saw Mill- W. H. =co)t & Co.
Coal and Wood Yards, Waterbury— W. H. Scott & Co.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 375
were unloaded therein. Besides the articles mentioned above,
the firm are dealers in dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes,
hardware, wood, fertilizers, patent medicines, and, in fact, are
literally, tis formerly printed on their business cards, " dealers in
everything."
in connection with the business, they operate a saw mill,
the site of which was bought at auction from the old Eagle Bit
and Buckle Company, in 1S78. Their first mill was erected in
iSSo, and for twelve years they carried on a very good lumber
and wood busmess from the same. In January, 1S92, the mill
was burned, but was rebuilt in the following summer, larger and
stronger, and the concern now turn out a large product in sawed
lumber and firewood, besides doing quite an extensive business
of planing, sawing and turning, and running a grist mill. They
also own about 450 acres of wood and farm land, most of the
latter being "cleared" by Z. F. Grannlss. In 1884 the firm
bought of Mrs. Alfred Schermerhorn, the old home of Andrew
Terry, about 500 feet south of the store, where W. H. Scott and
family reside. Until that time they lived in the present home of
Z. F. Granniss, adjoining the store.
In 1S85, finding that they were producing more firewootl
and charcoal than they could readily dispose of in Terryville, the
firm bougr-ht out a wood yard in Waterburv, where thev are doing
a large business, employing seven or eight men and as many
horses. W. H. Scott & Co. give employment, in all their estab-
lishments, to an average of thirty men the year around.
In 1S79, they found their bills for repairs, horse shoeing,
etc., were becoming quite large, so they established a black-
smith shop for their own work, and have, besides, done a large
general blacksmithing business. They build their own wagons,
besides doing custom work and horse shoeing for others.
WALTER H. SCOTT.
Walter H. Scott, Terryville's oldest and most widely known
merchant, is a native of the town of Plymouth, and son of Riley
Scott, the veteran builder. He was born on Town Hill, July
29, 185 1, obtained his education at the " little red school house"
near by, and in the village school, and entered the employ of
Gains Norton, November 13, 1S60, becoming clerk in the store
in which he has been so closely identified for nearly thirty-five
years. Notwithstanding the fact that Mr. Scott has devoted
most of his time to a large business, he has also served his native
town in public affairs. He was a member of the board of select-
men from 1875 to 18S1, inclusive. For quite a number of years
he has been a member of the board of relief, and represented his
native town in the State legislature in r876. Mr. Scott was ap-
pointed postmaster of Fequabuck in President Johnson's admin-
istration in 1866, the post oflice being located in W. H. Scott &
Co.'s store, and continued as such until 1876, when his brother-
in-law and partner in business, Z. F. Granniss, was appointed
by President Grant, until 1892, when Mr. Scott was reappointed
3/6
HISTORY OF PI.YMOLITM
Walter H. Scott.
W. H. Scott's Residence
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 377
by President Harrison. In addition to his store duties he was
tor five years station agent for the old Hartford, Providence &
Fishkill raih-oad, and for twenty-five years agent for Adams Ex-
press Company. Mr. Scott is an indefatigable worker and a
firm believer in the old proverb, "The early bird catches the
worm." He starts from his store every morning generally as
early as 6 o'clock in quest of orders, and on Mondays usually at
5 o'clock. This custom he has followed, in all sorts of weather,
tor about thirty years. He is probably one of the most active, as
w^ell as respected business men in Litchfield county.
Mr. Scott is a devout member of the Terryville Congrega-
tional Church, and for eighteen consecutive years was assistant
superintendent of the Sunday School. On January 21, 1864, he
married Miss Sarah R. Granniss, sister of Z. F. Granniss.
They celebiated their silver wedding in 1SS9, when a large com-
pany assembled at their home in their honor. They have had
tliree children, viz : George A. Scott, book-keeper for W.
H. Scott & Co., and general manager of the store in the absence
of his father, and also superintendent of the Congregational Sun-
day School, who was born January 23, 1S65 ; Frederick A.
Scott, attornev-at-law, wnth an office in Hartford, and the assist-
ant clerk in the House of Representatives in the Legislature of
1895, born Novembers, 1S66 ; Anna, born in September, 1868,
died in Februarv, 1871.
Z. FULLER GRANNISS.
Z. Fuller Granniss, now one of the selectmen of Plymouth,
was born in Hardscrabble, a section of the town of Warren, in
Litchfield county, in 1S40, and was the son of Charles D. Gran-
niss and his first wife. In early life he worked at farming and
trading, and in 1862 was in the butchering business, when he
enlisted in the Nineteenth Connecticut Volunteers, afterwards
tiie Second Connecticut Heavv Artillerv, and went to the front
with the boys in blue. He was in the army nearly three years,
and never missed a march or battle that his regiment was en-
gaged in. Plis company participated in the terrible conflicts at
Cold Harbor, Winchester, Cedar Creek, Fisher's Hill, Thatch-
er's Run, Petersburg, and at the close was with Grant when
Lee surrendered. Mr. Granniss while in service was one of the
cleanest, most efficient, ready for duty, hardy soldiers in the regi-
ment, and by his imperturbable good nature under all sorts of
privations and discouragements, by his wit and oddities, con-
tributed not a little to keep up the spirits of the company.
When the Sixth army corps lay in the fortifications in front of
Petersburg, at one of the weekly inspections he was selected for
having the best packed knapsack, best polished shoes, cleanest
clothes and person, brightest buttons and accoutrements, and
polished arms, of any man in the regiment, and was given a
furlough of thirt}' days. He was mustered out in i86!5, and
entered the employ of Scott & Crawford, at Pequabuck, and has
continued in the business ever since, being now a member of the
378
HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.
Z F. Granniss
Residence of Z. F. Granniss.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 379
firm which is styled W. H. Scott & Co. He was appointed
postmaster in 1S76, and held the position nntil he resigned to
look after the mill business of his company. He was at first a
Democrat, then followed "Joe" Hawley into the Republican
party, and stood by that party staunchly until he became per-
suaded it could not possibly antagonize the saloon. Since he
has acted with the Prohibitionists, and is determined to do all in
his power to " pvdverize the rum power."
Mr. Granniss is a worker, toiling early and late, and is one
of the best business men in town. He is married, and has one
daughter, Laura. Three children have died.
BEACH AND BLACKMER.
Messrs Beach & Blackmer, the enterprising merchants of
Plymouth, have become widely known during their business
career in the past few years, by their energy to suit the people,
promptness and thoroughly honest methods they have used In
catering to the wants of their customers. Their business is now
carried on In the store and buildings owned by Mrs. Hattie M.
Beach, near Plymouth Green. O. D. Beach came here from
Litchfield a number of years ago, and has been engaged in the
mercantile business since. L. E. Blackmer came to Thomaston
in iSSo from Woodbury, and had become well known here
before entering In business with Mr. Beach. The business
became known under the firm name of Beach & Blackmer, Jan-
uary I, 1S90, and before that was conducted by Beach Brothers.
Their success in business Is mainly due to the large and
complete stock of goods that they continually keep on hand,
such as dry goods, groceries, hats and cajjs, boots and shoes,
hardware, crockery, hay and feed.
NATHAN BEACH.
Nathan Beach was born In the town of Plymouth, March 16,
1S06, his parents coming here about I79v fi'om Milford, Conn.,
For seventeen }ears he was engaged by Silas Hoadley, Eli
Terrv, and others. In painting clock dials, but finally, on account
of his health, was obliged to abandon the work, and in 1S38,
moved into the place on Town Hill, where his widow and son,
Everett A. Beach, now reside. Mr. Beach was married Decem-
ber 22, 1S30, to Miss Lucy Case of Southlngton, He died Jan-
uary 23, 1 886.
D. W. C. SKILTON.
DeWitt Clinton Skilton was born In that portion of the
present town of Thomaston, which was then known as Plymouth
Hollow, on the iith of January, 1839. -^'^ parents were John
Chester Skilton, born in Watertown, and Anna Heaton, born in
Northfield (both from old New England families), the former
being in the employ of Seth Thomas, the elder, for twenty
3So
HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.
Beach & Blackmer's Store.
Natlian Beach.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 3S1
years. His first American ancestor was Dr. Henry Skilton, who
was born in tiie parish of St. Michael, Coventry, England, Nov-
vember 19, 171S, and sailed for America in a "gun ship,"
April I, 1735. He left the ship the same year on Its ar«'ival in
Boston, boarded a while in Roxbury, and is next heard of in
Preston, Conn., where he was married in 1741? to the daughter
of Joseph Avery of Norwich. He removed to Southington in
1750, ten years later to Woodbury, and finally in his old age to
Watertown, where he died in iSo3, at the age of eighty-four.
The subject of this sketch removed from Plymouth Hollow
to Hartford in 1S55, and began his business career in the dry
goods trade. In October, 1861, he first entered the insurance
business as a clerk in the oftice of the Hartford Fire Insurance
Company. In 1S62 he joined Company B, of the Twenty-
second Regiment, Connecticut Volunteers, and was elected sec-
ond lieutenant, serving with distinction in the army until he was
mustered out, having been promoted, in the meantime, to first
lieutenant. On his return from the army he resumed his old
position with the insurance company. In November, 1867, he
was elected secretary of the Phoenix Insurance Company, and re-
mained in that capacity until August i, 188S, when he was
elected vice-president and acting president; and February 2,
1891, was elected president of the company. He ranks unques-
tionably among the expert underwriters of the country, and the
Phoenix owes much of its success to his able management.
Mr. Skilton was married August 8, 1865, to Miss Jennette
Andrews, daughter of Lyman Andrews, of Hartford. They have
had two children, a son and daughter, neither of whom is now
livinof. In addition to his official connection with the Phoenix
Insurance Company, Mr. Skilton is a director in the Hartford
National Bank, a corporator and trustee of the State Savings
Bank, was president of the National Board of Fire Underwriters
for three years, a member of the Military Order of the Loyal
Legion of the United States, a member of the Grand Army of
the Republic, and of the Hartford Club. He held the office of
committeeman of the West Middle school district in Hartford
for several years. He is a Republican in politics, and his relig-
ious connections are with the Asylum Avenue Congregational
Church, of his city.
PORTER SANFORD.
Porter Sanford was born in Goshen, Conn., September 7?
18 10. He was the son of Ephraim Sanford, who was born in
Plymouth, January 2, 17S5, and grandson of Amos Sanford,
born December 29. 1740, who was a descendant of Thomas and
Sarah Sanford. When still a young child his father returned
with his family to Plymouth, where the remainder of his life was
spent. September 13, 183^, he married Sarah Ann Allen, who
was born in Harwinton, March 9, 18 15. She was the daughter
of Roswell Allen, who was born in i794i '"^d granddaughter of
John Allen, born in 17=^6, and who died November 28, 183 1.
He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war.
3S^
HISTORY OF PLVMOUni.
D. W. C. Skilton
Porter Sanford.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 3S3
He was associated with Eli Terry, Jr., in the manufacture
of clocks, and afterwards with James Terry in the lock business,
and identified with the Eagle Lock Company from its organiza-
tion, and one of its directors for many years until his retirement
from active business in iS66.
B. B. SATTERLEE.
Having been requested to allow my profile or likeness to be
placed in our " History of Plymouth," I hesitated to comply with
that request. I asked myself these questions: "What right
have I, a humble, obscure citizen, who never attended a political
caucus, nor held ofiice, civil or military — what right have I to
obtrude myself among those Plymouth worthies.^ And, further-
more, why should I seek to honor myself, and not the members
of my family?" But finally I have acquiesced, and consented to
let my picture go in. In the town of Sheldon, Genesee (now
Wyoming) county, N. Y., about one-half mile south of the center,
on the 19th of January, iSiS, I first became a regular inhabitant
of this mundane sphere. There I first beheld the glorious sun-
light ; and the radiant smiles of the queen of night ; and the glis-
tening stars! My father died in December, 1S27. In the
autumn of 1829 I accompanied an uncle (Col. Philo VVelton ) to
his home in Montville, Medina county, Ohio. With him I lived
three years, working on the farm and attending school. I
remember that while there one of our neighbors had the reputa-
tion of eating fried rattlesnakes ! And this reminds me that on
a certain occasion my uncle had one of those reptiles hung by the
neck, skinning it (not alive) for the purpose of obtaining its oil.
And this further reminds me that one day when clearing some
land my uncle discovered a massaugee (a dark, poisonous snake),
and a moment later, with a fork or stick, whirled it into the
burning heap. There was a fearful squirming — a few moments
only. And this still further reminds me that one day, a little
way over in the woods, a black snake was seen some twenty to
thirty feet up on a large "cucumber" tree, which has a rough
bark. Uncle Philo went to obtain his gun, with which the
reptile was quickly brought down and dispatched, and being
laid by the side of the long gun, was found to be the longest of
the two. I was told that this kind of snake sometimes ascended
trees for the purpose of obtaining young squirrels and such like.
And such vast quantities of pigeons at certain seasons of the
year ! Many flocks flying swiftly and low. Occasionally a flock
containing tens of thousands, much bigger, and extending far
away on either side and forward and backward a much longer
distance. And wild turkeys, too, occasionally flew over, some-
times alighting on the tops of the tall trees, from which, " now
and then," they were brought down by the marksman's rifle.
And they came — cautiously — into the grain fields, and on urgent
occasions quite near the home buildings. In the autumn of 1832
I came to Ashtabula, where my mother was then living. The
following winter I lived and attended school in the adjoining
384
HISTORY OF PLYMOUllI.
B. B. Satterlee.
Hiram Pierce.
BIOGKAPHICAL SKETCHES. • 385
town of Sheffield, where Henry Atwater (father to Francis, who
is publishing this history, and to Dorence, of Anderson-
ville fame), taught school one winter along in the thirties. In
the spring of 1S33 I drifted into a shoemaker's shop, where I
remained six years, making, mending, choring and attending a
few terms at school.
By sitting in a leaning position, accompanied by care-
less exposures which resulted in colds, my health became im-
paired, in the matter of a lame side, etc., ailments from which I
never fully recovered. Seemingly those were years worse than
thrown away. And yet somewhere along that time there may
have been a Divine Providence interposing, preserving me from
something worse. In the summer of 1S39 ^ came to Western
New York, and in September of that year to Connecticut, where
I again drifted into house painting, at which I woiked forty or
more years, with a little at farming thrown in. In March, 1S43,
I went to Washington City, where I shook hands witli John
Tyler, and obtained some valuable autogiaphs. In the autumn
of that year went west on a visit as far as Ohio. Near the close
of 1843 went to Long Island, the home of my paternal ancestors.
In 1S44 was married. In 1S51 went with my wife to the Cr} s-
tal Palace Exhibition in New York City. In July, 1852, we
went to Providence, where my younger brother graduated at
Brown University, a brother who — four years later — was laid
away in the soil of distant Arracan. Including these and a few
other short absences, have resided in Plymouth during the last
fifty-five and one-half years. Besides the unseen and unknown
deliverances which come more or less to all, I have experienced
a few remarkable escapes from a premature death. In infancy
an older brother rocked me from a chair into the fireplace The
result, a broken nose, a scarred face, one eye nearly destroyed
and the other somewhat injured. When living with my uncle
in Ohio, I went to the pasture lot to catch a horse. Indiscreetly
coming up behind it, I received the full force of both feet, which
sent me "kiting" — downward. I never think of it without
wondering at mv escape from so tremendous a shock. In
December, 1847, ^ ^^^ suffocated by charcoal, in a new house
built by Frederick Catlin in Harwinton, about one mile south
from the Catlin Corners, the first house on the road that turns
easterly toward Bristol. One-half hour or more passed before I
was resuscitated to consciousness. Along in the fifties I under-
took to lead a horse — with sleigh attached — around in the snow.
Failing to step as fast as the animal did, I was pressed back-
ward, and in falling pulled that over — partly on to me, one thill
resting across my neck. A young woman, a neighbor's daugh-
ter (whom I was to take to the church), might have released
me. But she was so frightened that she ran for assistance,
which, quite fortunately, came from the opposite direction. My
neighbor, Richard Clark, seeing or hearing, or both, came to
mv rescue. Awhile my jaws were closed (no loss to the world
I imagine !) and one or more ribs disorganized. But at length I
seemed to have mostlv if not whollv recovered from the injur^■.
xS6
HISTORV OF I'LWMOaill.
Along in the seventies 1 received from a great liorse, with big
feet, a blow partly on my side and back. It brought me down,
and laid me by au^hile; yet I still live ! And so the years have
come and sped away. My family to large extent are gone " the
way of all the earth." Time — by stealth as it were — has swiftly
hastened on, and brought my footsteps to the verge of the grave,
which soon must close over me. But if my picture goes into
this book, I shall pass along down to Plymouth's second centen-
nial celebration in 1995. B. B. S., April, 1S95.
Mr. Satterlee h
las kindly furnished the following
names and
assessments of special occupations in Plymouth, for the
year 1808 :
Isaac Alcox,
Wheelwright,
$10 00
Joel Blakeslee,
Blacksmith,
10 00
Noah M. Bronson,
Inn keeper,
30 00
Ransom Blakeslee,
Blacksmith,
15 00
Calvin Butler,
Attorney,
100 00
Bela Blakeslee,
Tanner,
10 00
Sala Blakeslee,
Blacksmith,
10 00
Oliver Curtis,
Mill,
5 00
Ephraim Camp,
Mill,
25 00
Doolittle & Barney,
Traders,
100 GO
Asa Darrow,
Tanner and Shoemaker,
15 00
Asa Darrow, Jr.,
Tanner and Shoemaker,
15 00
Joseph Gibson,
Inn keeper.
30 00
Ira Dodge,
Wheelwright,
10 00
Ebenezer W. French,
Inn keeper.
50 00
French & Matthews,
Blacksmiths,
20 00
Giles Fenn,
Tailor,
10 00
Cyrus Gaylord,
Clothier,
50 00
Ozias Goodwin,
Hatter,
10 00
Harvey Hough,
Inn and Trader,
60 00
Joel Langdon,
Trader,
100 00
Miles Morse,
Mill,
20 00
Zadock Mann,
Cooper,
10 00
Daniel Mills,
Joiner,
20 00
Mitchell & Warner,
Traders,
100 00
Thomas Potter,
Wheelwright,
10 00
Noah Pomeroy,
Tin maker,
15 00
William Pierpont,
Clothier,
10 00
Luman Preston,
Mill,
45 00
Samuel Preston,
Mill,
35 00
Martin Pond,
Blacksmith,
20 00
David Smith & Son,
Traders,
100 00
Roderick Stanley,
Tin maker,
15 00
Titus Seymour,
Shoemaker,
10 00
Abel Seymour,
Mill,
15 00
Constant L. Tuttle,
Tanner,
25 00
Eli Terry,
Clock maker.
20 00
Amzi Talmage,
Sadler,
40 00
Stephen T. Talmage,
Hatter,
10 00
Philip Tompkins,
Cooper,
10 00
Ozias Warner,
:^hysician.
34 00
David Warner,
'. ^hysician,
34 00
Gideon Woodruff,
^'hysician.
67 00
James Warner, 2d,
_ oiner.
10 00
Allyn Wells,
oiner,
20 00
Gates & Tyler,
Mill,
60 00
David Morse,
Mill,
90 GO
$1,530 GO
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 387
HyiAM PIERCE.
Hiram Pierce was born in Cornwall, Conn., December 37,
1800, and died in Thomaston, October 17, 1^75. He was the
son of John Pierce, who was the son ol" Captain Joshua Pierce,
both ot" Cornwall. Mr. Pierce received a common school edu-
cation. His boyhood days were occupied with farm life, after-
wards teachinsf school in his native town. He learned the trade
of joiner and cabinet maker, living in Waterbury for a time.
He moved to Plymouth about the time of his majority to engage
in making: clock cases for Seth Thomas, and in connection with
Deacon W. P. Judson, for some years made all the clock cases,
under contract, for Mr. Thomas. The work at that time was all
done by hand.
He married Charolette S. Bancroft, of East Windsor, Conn.,
in 1838, purchased a farm and went there where he remained
two years, when he retuined to Plymouth at the urgent solicita-
tion of Mr. Thomas, to take charge of his office, whicii in
addition to the clock business, included a cotton mill and a large
farm. In this business relation he carried burdens that but few
men could. After the Thomas Manufacturing Company was
formed for tlie manufacture of brass clocks, he was appointed
secretary. He also took an active part in religious and educa-
tional matters, and was prominently identified with the Congre-
gational Church in Plymouth Center, in 1S30, at which time
Rev. Luther Hart was pastor, but after the Congregational
Church in Thomaston was founded, he removed his membership
there. He was also a justice of the peace for over forty years,
and served as assessor, selectman, etc., and was a trusted adviser
and councilor for a wide circle. He served his town in the
legislature in 1861. In politics he was a Whig, and an ardent
admirer of Henrf Clay, later becoming a Republican.
He buried his first wife in June, 1848, bv whom he had five
children. A year after he married Sarah E. Beers, of Cornwall,
Conn., by whom he had one child.
Among his last eftbrts for the improvement of the place,
was the planning and securing of the substantial addition to the
beautiful cemetery on the hillside, where he sleeps, awaiting the
resurrection of the just.
His children are all married, and reside as follows :
Wm. T-i married Elizabeth A. Capron, of New Britain, Conn.,
resides in Hartford; Joseph B., married Sophia A. Boardman,
of Hartford, resides in Hartford; Charlotte S., married Horace
A. Potter, of Thomaston, resides in Thomaston ; S. Maria,
married Alexander Hamilton, of West Hartford, Conn., died
March 17, 1863; Edward H., married Susan C Beers, of
Stratford, Conn., resides in Brooklyn, N. Y. ; Alice E., married
Dr. E. T. Bradstreet, of Thomaston, resides in Meriden, Conn.
HENRY S. MINOR.
Henry S. Minor, who resides on the Wyllys Atwater farm
in the eastern part of Plymouth, was born in Harwinton, July
388
HISTORY OF PLVI\U;UT11.
Henrv S. Minor.
Hiram Minor.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
3<^9
17, 1S34. ^^^ parents were Hiram Minor and Chloe Dutton,
who was a granddaughter of David Dutton, the first deacon ol'
the Congregational Church in Plymouth. Hiram was the son of
Joshua Minor and Diadama Alcott, who was sister to the father
of A. Bronson Alcott, and was born in Southington, January 24,
1S04, his folks moving to Wolcott when he was quite small.
Tne subject of this sketch, in early life, was a lock maker, then
he drifted into the livery business, owning, for several years,
what is now the hotel pi^operty in Terryville, but is now a farm-
er by occupation. He married Theresa, daughter of Henry
Atwater, to whom five ciiildren were born, one daughter, Eva,
being the only surviving one.
BURR SMITH BEACH.
Burr Smith Beach was born in Northfield, Conn., Novem-
ber 27, 1823, and was the oldest son in a famil) of eleven chil-
dren. His father was Isaac C. Beach and his mother Eunice
Maria Beecher, a lineal descendent of Dr. Lyman Beecher.
His early life was spent on his father's farm, and in working
for neighboring families. At the age of twentj'-one he came to
Plymouth Hollow, now Thomaston, where he entered the em-
plov of a contractor in the Seth Thomas Clock Company. In
1S4S he severed his connection with the clock factory, came to
Terryville and took a position with the Eagle Lock Company.
As a boy he showed great musical ability, and the year after he
came to Terryville, was chosen chorister of the choir of the Con-
gregational Church, which position he held for about twentv-five
years, during which time he built up the choir, so that it was
known in adjoining towns as one of the best volunteer choirs in
the vicinity, if not in the state. He led the singing in the Sab-
bath School for nearlv twenty-five years, and was also a success-
ful teacher in the rudiments of music.
He united with the Congregational Church in 1852, where
he always attended regularly He was married January 6, 1S52,
to Fanny Jane Blakesley, daughter of Deacon Milo Blakesley,
and had seven children, five of whom are still living. During
the first vear of their marriage he erected a house on .South
street, which they occupied as long as they lived.
Although working as a contractor for the Eagle Lock Com-
pany, he was alwavs interested in farming, and in the raising of
thorough-bred stock, especially Jersev cows.
December 31, 1872, his health being somewhat impaired,
he left the employ of the Eagle Lock Company and spent the
remainder of his life on his small farm. He was a staunch
Republican and held several town offices during his life. He
died October 16, 1889.
DR. WILLIAM WOODRUFF.
Dr. William Woodruft' was born in New Haven, July 17,
1804, and had he lived one month longer, until July, 1893,
would have reached his eighty-ninth birthday. He was the
390
HlSrORV OF HI.YMOUTH.
['urr S Beach.
ft?'
1 "c
*****^
t^
*>A
^^'^
Dr. William Woodruff.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 39I
youngest of three sons of Dr. Gideon Woodrutiand Sarah Hea-
ton, ot Plymouth, and traced his lineage to Matthew WoodruH",
who came from Farmington to Hartford in 1641. In his infancy
the parents of Dr. Woodruff returned to Plymouth, wheie
they previously resided, and remained until the death of the
elder Dr. Woodruff, who for many years was a medical practi-
tioner in the town. Dr. Woodruff enjoyed the benefits of the
training and scholarship of Rev. Luther Hart, being at one time
his pupil. He first commenced the study of medicine under Dr.
Jonathan Knight about 1824, and continued under the direction of
Dr. Nathan Smith, both well known physicians. He graduated
from the medical department of Yale in 1S26, and located as a
physician in W^aterbury. Soon after, however, he removed to
Plymouth, at the urgent request of friends, and for many years
enjoyed a large and lucrative practice. Nearly twenty vears
before his death he relinquished most of his practice and gave
considerable time to travel — visiting Europe, California, Canada,
the South, and many other places.
He was a man of activity and energy and believed in plenty
of exercise, a belief which he put in daily practice. In 1S3S he
married Martha Thomas (since deceased), a daughter of Seth
Thomas, the or-ginator of the clock industry in Thomaston, now
the Seth Thomas Clock Company. Only one son, William T.
Woodruff, president of the Seth Thomas Clock Company, sur-
vives. Dr. W^oodruft' was for many vears, and at his death, a
member of the Congregational Church.
ROBERT GRAHAM JOHNSON.
Robert Graham Johnson was born December 31, 1779; mar-
ried Hannah Bradley in November, 1S02, and after her death.
Wealthy Hummiston, September 29, 1S13. His children were:
Julia, born June i, 1S04, wdio married David Sherman, went to
Pennsylvania, and died in March, 1849, leaving children ; Jairus,
born November 19, 1S08, died September 4, 1S30; Hannah,
born April 8, 1S12, married Eben Pritchard, died in Waterbury,
March 3, 1876, leaving several children ; Esther, born October
13, 1814, mairied Lynes Pettibone, lived in Brooklyn, N. Y.,
died Februarv 24, 1845, leaving two children, since dead ; Sarah
Ann, born December 23, 1816, married Samuel Pettibone, lived
in Alabama, died December 25, 1885, leaving several children;
Junius J., born June 18, 1819, married Charlotte Romaine, died
in New York, September 12, 1869, leaving several children;
W^illiam N., born June 23, 1821, married Adelia Dudley, died
in New York, December 19, 1S52, leaving several children ;
Mary, born March 29. 1824, married Jason M. Clemence, died
at Terryville, June 11, 1S56, leaving one son; Edwin, born
December i, 1826, married Sarah Bartlett, was a Congregational
minister, died in New York, December 25, 1883, leaving three
daughters; Miranda, born October 38, 1829, married James C.
Mix, lives (1895) now at Cranford, N. J., and Harriet, born
October 12, 1835, died April 9, 1836.
392
HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.
feL.
R. G. Johnson.
F T. Cook
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 393
Mr. Johnson and his wife were members of the Plymouth
Congregational Church until 1S37, when he became one of the
first subscribers to the Teiryville Congregational Church, and
the next year contributed toward the church bell. He kept a
cooper shop on the hill nearly opposite Elizur Fenn's house and
attended the old toll gate, which afterwards was removed to in
front of the residence of Oliver Smith near Plymouth Center.
He divided his time between his trade and teaming between
Plymouth and Hartford, but later when the clock business was
thriving he dropped the cooper business and devoted the remain-
der of his life to his team work. He was the first person to
introduce matches in the community, and Stephen Fenn has in
his possession one of the old time match boxes that Mr. Johnson
brought to town. It was customary in those days to keep wood
coals smouldering, so that when a fire was wanted it could be
fanned into brightness and started up. Often the spark of fire
would be gone and the coals would be borrowed at a neighbor-
ing house. Mr. Johnson died October 28, 1S61, aged eighty-
two years.
F. T. COOK.
Frederick Thomas Cook, the Terryville druggist, was born
May 20, 1S66, and is a son of the late Homer E. Cook. He
was educated in the public schools, and at the age of sixteen
years went to work in the drug store E. W. Merriman. After-
wards attended the College of Pharmacy in New York, and
passed the state examination of the board of pharmacy at Hart-
ford, Conn. He bought out N. M. Plumb's drug store, and
some time later was in partnership with T. B. McNamara,
which continued for several 3'ears. He has now been the sole pro-
prietor of the store in E. M. Dailev's building, since November
16, 1S93. Besides his complete drug business, he carries a fine
stock of confectionery, stationery and periodicals. Lucien E.
Rouse is employed by him as clerk.
PHILO LEWIS.
Philo Lewis, who, with his brother, John C, kept the vil-
lage store, came to Terryville about the year 1S37. He alternated
with his brother as the political complexion changed in being
postmaster. After a residence of eight years in Terryville, he
removed to New Haven, where he died in 1859, aged fifty-five
years. His first wife was Elner Swift of Cornwall, to whom
three children were born : Sarah, married to Homer Peck ; El-
ner, married to ex-Governor H. B. Bigelow, and Martha, mar-
ried to H. J. Gavlord of Binghampton. His second wife was a
Miss Sanford and is still living in New Haven. Her children
are : Emma, married to Edwin F. Mersick, and Hattie, un-
married.
LYMAN BALDWIN.
Lyman Baldwin was of English origin. His ancestors
settled in New England at a very early day, and farming was
394
lilSrOKV OF PLYMOUTH.
Philo Lewis
Lvman RaMwin.
BIOGKAI'IIICAL SKETCHES. 395
their chief occupation for many generations. His grandfather
was Ebenezer Baldwin, who came from old Milford and settled
in the town of Plymouth. He had a family of children, of whom
Thaddeus was one, who was born in Plymouth, and married
Thankful Alcock, and had the following children, viz. : Polly,
Thankful, Hannah, Thaddeus, Lydia, Lyman, David and Nicy,
who died at twenty-one, and all the remainder of this large
lamily lived to be old people. Thaddeus, Sr., was a farmer.
He died far advanced in life, and his wife lived to be ninety
years of age. Lyman Baldwin was born near where his son,
Lyman D., now resides. He married Polly Ailing of Terry-
ville, and had four children, viz: Hiram, Mary P., Lyman D.
and Hannah, all of whom v\ ere born in the old homestead now
in the possession of Lyman D. Mr. Baldwin was a farmer by
occupation and a dealer in lumber, which he manutactured. In
politics he was a Whig and held some minor town offices. He
was a captain of state militia and was known as Captain Bald-
win. He received a severe injury, which, after lingering seven
months, caused his death, March 6, 1859. His wife died
August 29, i860.
Lyman D. Baldwin, who now resides on the old homestead,
was born January 19, 1825. He was reared on the farm,
receiving such advantages for an education as the district schools
of his day afforded. At nineteen he commenced teaching school
winters, which he followed for seventeen years, in which he
was vei'v successful. He is a farmer by occupation, and in con-
nection he owns and runs a giist and saw mill. He served as
acting school visitor of Plvmouth for twenty-one years, and has
been a member of the school board for over thirty years. He
has been assessor, and represented the town in the legislature in
1871, 1S77 and 1879, serving on the committees of constitutional
amendments, temperance and education. Mr. and Mrs. Bald-
win are members of the Congregational Church in Plymouth,
of which he is deacon. He is liberal toward the church and
charitable to the poor.
On the 14th of May, 1854, he married Emily, daughter of
Erastus Fenn, of Plymouth. Their children were as follows,
viz: Edward F., born December 16, 1859, died May 20, 1864;
Minnie E., born December 24, 1864, died December 6, 1875.
THOMAS J. BRADSTREET.
Thomas Jeflerson Bradstreet, who was long a resident of
Thomaston, traced his ancestry back to a non-conformist minis-
ter, who died in 161 7, leaving a son, Simon Bradstreet, who
was born at Herbling, Lincolnshire, England, in 1603. Simon
came to this country to the young settlement in Massachusetts
Bay in 1630. He was identified with the early history of the
colony. He had several sons and daughters ; his fourth son,
John, settled in Topsffeld, on a portion of the land granted to
his father. He was succeeded by his son Simon, who married a
daughter of Rev. Joseph Capen of the same town. Their son
39^
HISTORY OF PLVAIOUTH.
T. J. Bradstreet.
George T. Cook.
BIOGUAFHICAI. SKETCHES. 397
John, the grandfather of T. J. Bradstreet, also a farmer, married
Elizabeth Fisk ot W'endham, Mass., March 3, 1718. They had
several daughters and one son, Dudley, a name that has been
well preserved among tho Bradstreets, while Simon has ceased
to be a family name. Thomas G., the sixth son of Dudley
liradstreet, was born April 7, 1S07, on the old farm at Tops-
tield, and removed with the family to Danvers, in April, iSio.
In the fall of 1S30 he entered Yale College, with the intention of
studying law on the completion of his college course. During
the winter of i83o-'3i he became interested in the subject of
religion, changed his plans, and after graduating in 1S34 he en-
tered the Theological Seminary in New Haven to study for the
ministry. At the close of the usual term of three years he
received an invitation to preach to a church and society just
organized in that part of Plymouth, now Thomaston. After
laboring here for about two months his health began to fail, he
left for several weeks, after which he returned and renewed his
labors, assisted for a short time by a young man who had suji-
plied his place during his absence. Later he engaged to supply
the pulpit of the Congregational Church in Meriden for four
months. The following winter, iS3S-'39, he preached in the
Second Congregational Church in New London. His health
continuing feeble he finally gave up his chosen profession. Li
the autumn, November 4, 1S40, he was married to Amanda,
daughter of the late Seth Thomas, and engaged in his employ
the next spring as superintendent of his cotton factory. In this
position he continued for fifteen years, when he gave up his
position to travel for the Seth Thomas Clock Company. In this
employment he continued until the commencement of the late
civil war. Then he was engaged in various kinds of business
for himself; improving his land near the village, conducting farm
work, doing such business as is usually connected with house
building, running a saw mill, grist mill, feed and flour
store, etc. Of his children, Thomas Dudlev Bradstreet is gen-
eral manager of the Seth Thomas Clock Company ; Albert P.
Bradstreet is the vs^ell known lawver and judge ; Geoige P.
Bradstreet is general manager of his father's business; Mary
Amanda married Professor J. R. French of New Haven, who
is principal of one of the public schools there ; Dr. E. T. Brad-
street is a graduate ot Yale and College of Physicians and Sur-
geons in New York, and is practicing his professi(Mi in Menden,
this state.
GEORGE T. COOK.
George T. Cook was born in West Camden, N. Y., October
10, 1840. His parents were Arba and Hipsibah Cook, who
spent their last years in Plvmouth. George enlisted as a private
in Company D., 19th C. V., August 8, 1862, and was mustered
out July 7. 1865. He served in the defense of Alexandria until
May 17, 1S64, when he was ordered to the front, where he car-
ried a musket for about two months, when he served in the band
for the remainder of his term. He was in the battle at Cold
39S
msroin ok i'J.vmou rii.
E. L Perkins' Residence.
Prosper Warner.
BIOGRAPinCAI. SKETCHES.
399
Harbor and was slightly wounded, and was also in a skirmish
at Petersburg. After returning from the war he was employed
as a mechanic by the Eagle Lock Company, but for several years
past has been in the bakery busines'S, and is doing a flourishing
trade at Bristol, where he has recently erected commodious and
convenient quarters.
E. L. PERKINS.
The subject of this sketch was born in Belchertown, Mass.,
September 6, 1S45. He attended school until tlie breaking out
of the civil war. The principal of the school and the boys of his
class enlisted, but he being too young, was not allowed to go.
But later, the authorities lieing less particular about age, he en-
listed in the Forty-sixth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteers,
Agust 23, 1S62, and took part in nearly all the marches and en-
gagements during its term of service, and was one of the two
hundred and thirty of his regiment to volunteer to go to the re-
lief of Maryland, after their term of service had expired. After
tlie battle of Gettysburg, he was mustered out of service at
Springfield, Mass., July 23, 1S63, and worked there on small
arms for the government, until about the close of the war.
From Springfield, he went to Chicopee. Mass., in the employ of
the Gaylord Mfg. Co., manufacturers of locks. In July, 1S66,
he came to Terryville, Conn., and entered the employ of the
Eagle Lock Co He married Emily L. Carter, oldest daughter
of Charles Carter, of Terryville, May 13, 1S71. In 187^^, he
went, with a former president of the Eagle Lock Company, to
Bridgeport, to start a new lock company. In 1S78, he interest-
ed capital and formed the Western Lock Company, at Geneva,
Ohio. Six years later, his health failing, he resigned his posi-
tion as superintendent and moved to Cleveland, Ohio. After a
partial recovery of his health, he again identified himself with
the Eagle Lock Company, and purchased the house represented
in this article. Here he resided until October, 1893, when, on
account of sickness, he purchased a place in Avon Park, Florida,
and has been there winters, spending his summers at Terryville.
His present residence has been owned bv several prominent men
of the town, notably, by William E. McKee, Joseph Adams,
Frank W. Mix and Deacon Milo Blakesley.
PROSPER WARNER.
Prosper Warner was born in Plymouth, in May, 1S07, and
spent his boyhood days upon the farm, but at an early age,
he went forth to earn his own living, and for some time was a
peddler through the Southern States, with headquarters in New
Jersey, which occupation he followed until 1838; at which time
he returned to his native town, remaining there until 1840, when
he removed to West Haven. Mr. Warner married for his first
wife, Miss Acha Perry of New Jersey, and for his second,
Charlotte S. Cope of New Haven, who now resides there. Mr.
Warner spent the last few years of his life in superintending the
400
inSTOKY OK PLYMOUTH.
David D. Warner.
Markham Scott
BIOGRAPHICAI. SKETCHES. 4OI
large property that he was so successful in accumulating. He
was a man of eminent public spirit, as is evidenced by his large
and frequent contributions to the improvement and advancement
of his native town, and those that he came in contact with else-
where during his life. He was well disposed, genial, and
always considered excellent company by his host of acquaint-
ances. He was honest and upright, and always believed in
teaching others to that etiect. He was senior warden of Christ
Church at West Haven, for over thirty years, which church, St.
Peter's of Plymouth and the Northfield church, were well re-
membered in his will. He died in August, 1S8S, at the
advanced age of eighty-one years.
DAVID DUTTON WARNER.
David Button Warner was born in the town of Plymouth,
on the tenth day of April, 1794, and died there, February 14,
1S65. He married Rachel Clark of New York State. Eunice
Warner, sister of Noah Warner, was the wife of Eli Terry,
James Warner was their grandfather, and John and David Dut-
ton were great grandfathers, the subject of this sketch, being
named after the latter. Noah had seven sons and three
daughters. David, the eldest, had the farm, which afterwards
came into the possession of, and is now owned by his daughters,
Mrs. E. Dayton and Miss C. J. Warner, who are the fifth gen-
eration born at the old farm-house. Noah Warner was one of
the first town officers in 1795, and John, his father, was the
society's agent for the building of the Episcopal Church, in the
year 1745.
MARKHAM SCOTT.
Markham Scott, son of Levi and Sarah vScott, was born in
a log house in the soutii part of Plymouth, April 23, 1808. He
married, May 13, 1834, Lois Wilcox of Harwinton, Conn., who
died Dec. g, 1S78. Before his marriage he bought a small farm
on the main road, about one-half mile west of Terryville, where
he resided until his death. The children numbered three —
Homer Augustus, who died in 1856; Elvira Cornelia, now wife
of Geo. H. Bates, and Abner Wilcox, killed in the battle of
Winchester, Va., Sept. 19, 1864.
Bv trade, Mr. Scott was a carpenter and joiner, and aided,
not only in building up the town, but also had a hand in running
the works of the lock companies of Terryville in their earlier
days, for manv of the old-time wooden pulleys were made by
him in his little shop. In 1850 he built himself a new house,
doing nearlv all the work, incUiding doors and sashes, himself.
At that time "a raising" was a necessity, and ardent spirits
were considered necessary — in fact, he was told he could not
raise his house without. He replied, "Then it will never be
raised." He was an honest man, quiet and undemonstrative in
disposition, but firm in principle. He united with the church
in Plymouth under Mr. Hart's ministry. He died August
9, 1890.
403
msrOHY OF PIA'MOUTH.
Residence of Mrs. G. H. Bates.
F H. Kellogg.
r.ioGKAiMiicAi. sivi-yrcHES. 403
FREDEKICK H. KELLOGG.
Frederick H. Kellogg, son ol" Deacon Hoi ace and Orpah
P. Kellogg, was boin in New Hartfoid, July 13, iSoS. Since
March, 1S25, Terryville has been his home. He worked for
some years in the clock shop, and later, for several years, for the
Lock Company. He united with the church in Plymouth in
1S27, and is now (1S95) the only one living of the original
members of Terrj'ville church formed in 183S. For forty years he
was a member of the choir. For tvventy-tive years he has been
secretary and treasurer of the Terryville institute. He believes
in Gen. 2 : iS, and five times he has performed well /lis part in
finding the help-meet whom the Lord had made for him — five
times has he answered, in a practical way, the question, "A
virtuous woman, who can find?"
He was married in August, 1S33, to Eliza Ann Smith of
Naugatuck, who died August, 1S44. In Januarv, 1845, he
married Polly Steele of New Hartibrd, who died, September,
i860. Li 1S61, he married Mrs. Elvira McKee Goodwin of
Terryville, who died in 1870. In 1S71, he married the widow
of his brother, Mrs. Jerusha Spencer Kellogg of New Hartford,
who died, April. 1S85. In June, 1886, he married IMrs. Emeline
Loomis Peek of New Hartford. B}' his first wife he had two
children — Sarah Augusta, afterwards wife of Ali)ert Bunnell,
who died in September, 1876, leaving four sons, and Arthur
Goodsell, who died at Alexandria, V^a., Novembei", 1862 — a
member of Co. C, 2nd C. V. H. A.
STREET HEMINGWAY
Jacob Street Hemingway was born in East Plymouth, Janu-
ary 4, 1791, and died May 28, 1863. He was the son of Deacon
Jacob and Abigal Lindsey Hemingway, who came from Fair
Haven, and located in East Plymouth.
The subject of this sketch spent his life in his native town,
with the exception of three years of his childhood, which was
spent in Fair Haven. He followed the occuption of farming in
summer, and was engaged in the oyster business, with the Hem-
ingways of Fair Haven, in the winter. He was one of the first
subscribers to the building of the Terryville Congregational
Chinch, where he was a constant attendant and contributed to
its support during his life. He was a staunch Whig and a great
admirer of Henry Clay and Daniel Webster. He married Pollv
Hinman, daughter of Philemon Hinman, of Harwinton, who
lived to the ripe old age of ninety-one.
Their family consisted of seven children, six of whom are
still living. The old homestead is at present occupied bv a
granddaughter of Mr. Hemingway's.
ENOS BLAKESLEE.
New England People are justlv proud of their ancestry.
Well may they be, for the man who will dare all for God, is of
404
HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.
J. S. Heminsjway.
Enos Blakeslee.
BIOGUAPinCAI. SKETCHliS 405
the stufl' of which iieroes are made. Enos Blakeslee, the
subject of this sketch, has such a line ot ancestors. According
to tradition, one of his ancestry was in the Holy Wars with
Richard Couer de Lion, while in the early history of the Massa-
chusetts Colony, two brothers of this blood came accross the sea
to carve out a future for themselves and their decendants in the
new world.
Enos Blakeslee was born on Town Hill, August 15,
iSjo, near the four corners, and was the son of Jared and Hulda
Allen Blakeslee. He grew up amid the wholesome influences
of a New England home, and in 1848, married Adaline E.
Seymour of Watertuwn. Three children were born to them- —
Wallace, Frank and Mary. Mr. Blakeslee has always taken a
keen interest in the educational and moral welfare of the com-
munity, and has been intrusted by his fellow citizens with
various public otBces. He represented the town in the legisla-
ture in 1S83, has been a member of the district school committee,
and was for thirteen \ ears clerk of the district. He has also
served the town on the Board of Relief. Among Enos
Blakeslee's ancestors was Moses Blakeslee, who was elected
a deacon of the Congregational church of Plymouth at the time
of its organization in 1740, and was an influential and honored
man in his time. Mr. Blakesleee has also been interested in the
life of the church, serving as treasurer of the society for twenty-
two years.
In business life he has been engaged for more than fifty years
in carriage building, continuing at the old stand, after all his
competitors had either given up the business or moved elsewhere.
Although the business of carriage building has principally gone
west, Mr. Blakeslee can still turn out vehicles which will stand
the hardest of wear and tear. He represents that line of sturdy,
thoughtful, brainy New England stock that has made this little
portion of the republic such a factor for good in our national life.
HON. JOHN BIRGE.
Hon. John Birge, the son of Nathan L. and Adaline M.
Birge, is the senator from the Fourth District. He belongs in
the thriving towMi of Bristol, where he is one of the leading man-
ufacturers. He was born in that town August 25, 1853, being
now forty-two years of age. His education was begun in the com-
mon schools, and finish by an academic course at the Lake Forest
Academy, Lake Forest, 111. Active business early engaged his
attention. For this he has predilections and uncommon ability.
He is at present a member of the firm ol N. L. Birge & Sons.
Always active in politics, he has been a member of the Republi-
can State Central Committee for the Fourth District. In this
important place he discharged his duties with great efliciency,
being an excellent judge of men and means. Much of the suc-
cess of the last campaign depended upon his wisdom and fore-
sight. He is a believer in pure politics and also in the Young
Men's movement. He was president of the Young Men's Re-
406
msroKV OF pi.vmouth.
Hon Jolin Birge.
John Henry Wood.
niOGKAPlIK AI. SKK'l CIIKS.
407
publican Club, which is associated with the State League, and
has been Chairman of the Republican Town Committee ior
several terms. He was descended in the tenth s^eneration from
the author of our New England s\ stem of town and municipal
government, the Rev. Thomas Hooker, settler and first minister
at Hartford in 1636. Senator Birge is also descended in the
eighth generation of Wm. Smith, a settler at Huntington, L. I. ;
and again, through a maternal line, in the ninth generation, of
George Smith of the New Haven Colony of 1638, He is also a
descendent of Eli Terry and Theophilus Smith, who was a soldier
in the Revolution.
The Birge's are descended from the Puritans, who came
over on or about the time of the Mayflower. vSenator Birge, in
1874, married Miss M. Antoinette Root, daughter of S. E. Root
of Bristol, by whom he had four children: Adaline, Nathan,
Alarguerite and J. Kingslev, all of whom are now living.
JOHN HEXKY WOOD.
John Henry Wood was born in Phniouth, June 30, 1828.
He is the oldest son of Henry and Julia (Ford) Wood, and
grandson of James and Susan (Elmer) Wood, of East Windsor.
His motlier was a direct descendant of Barnabas Ford, one of
the earliest settlers of Northbury (now Thomaston), then a part
of the town of Waterburv, and began early in life to earn his
own living, working at farming summers and attending school
during the winter months.
At the age of fifteen, he received from his father, his time
as a heritage, and immediately contracted with Morse & Blakes-
lee (both cousins of his), to serve a three years' apprenticeship in
learning the trade of making clock movements, remaining one
year in the emplov of the firm after the expiration of the term.
From 1848, with the exception of about nine months, until June
I, 1892, he was connected with the Seth Thomas Clock Co., as
contractor and foreman, and the last thirty years as superintend-
ent of the clock movement factory of the company. He was
married at the age of twenty-one to Marv Ostrom of Torrington,
by whom he had two children, a daughter and son. The
daughter, Eliza, married Lieutenant Orsamus B. Sawyer, of
Company A, Fourteenth Regiment, Connecticut Volunteers,
and died February 17. 1872, leaving two sons, Frederick H. and
Wilbur J., and one daughter, who died in infancy. Lieutenant
Sawver died November 16, 1874, leaving his two orphan boys in
the care of their giandparents. John H. and Mary Wood.
These grandsons were graduated from the Thomaston High
School in 1887, their class being the first to receive diplomas
from the school. Li the fall of 1890 thev entered the class of '94
W^e«leyan Universitv at Middletown, Conn., and would have
gfraduated toofether, but Wilbur was obligred to leave earlv in his
senior vear, on account of illness, and on March 3, 1894, he
departed this life. Frederick, the elder grandson, graduated
with his class at Weslevan. in 1S94. At present he is pursuing
4oS
IIISIOKV OF PLYMOUTH.
A B Curtis.
Chloe Cook Barnes.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 4O9
a course of study at the Boston University, School of Theology,
Boston, Mass.
The son, Henry O. Wood, assisted his father a number of
years by keeping the books of the department under his charge
with the Seth Thomas Clock Co ; he is now employed as ship-
ping clerk by the Waterbury Brass Co., Waterbury, Conn.
Mr. Wood is a public spirited, kind hearted, atiable gentle-
man, and a man of thorough temperance principles and habits.
In politics he is a Republican, having been connected with that
party since its formation. He has been grand juror, school com-
mittee, and trustee for twenty-nine years of the Methodist Epis-
copal Church, and was chairman of the building comniiltee
which erected the present church in iS66. He was one of the
original incorporators of the Thomaston Savings Bank, and its
president at the present time. He was also one of the organizers
of the Thomaston Knife Co., of which he was chosen president,
and has served as such up to the present time.
Mr. Wood was a member of the general assembly of Con-
necticut from Thomaston in 18S7, having in the election a clear
majority over three other candidates for the same office ; he was
assigned bv Speaker Hoyt to the committee on banks.
John Henry Wood's father, Henry Wood, was a cousin of
John W. Barbour, author of Connecticut Historical Collection,
published in 1836, the first history of Connecticut. John Henry's
mother was Julia Ford, a daughter of Hial Ford and Lucina
Pre.'>ton Ford, and Lucina Preston was a sister of Stiles Preston
and Wursuld Preston Humphreyville of Northfield, who died
May 26, 1892, aged 102 years, three months and fourteen days.
They were born in Harwinton ; their father was John Preston,
their mother was a daughter of Deacon Reuben Bristol, and her
mother was Eleanor Stiles, a daughter of President Ezra Stiles,
of Yale College. Julia Ford Wood's father was Hial Ford, a
son of Amos Ford, and grandson of Ebenezer Ford, and a great
grandson of Barnabas Ford, one of the early settlers of North-
burv, in that ]Dart now Thomaston.
ZENAS COOK.
Zenas Cook was born in Northbury Society in Waterbury,
July 7, 1773; was the son of Joel, the grandson of Ebenezer,
and the great grandson of Henry Cook, the first permanent set-
tler, who is known to have built a house within the bounds of the
Plymouth of 1780. He was reared by his uncle, the Rev Ros-
well Cook, of Montville, Conn., and became a surveyor. He
was one of the surveyors in laying out through the, then wilder-
ness, a highway from Rochester to Buftalo. Later in life he
became engaged in the manufacture of wooden clocks, at Water-
bury, the company of Clark, Cook & Harrison having been
formed to carry on that business, but still later in life, became a
farmer.
Mr. Cook married in February. iSoo, Polly, the daughter
of Captain Samuel Lewis, Jr., of Plymouth; she died August
4IO
IllSrOIO' OF IM.\ MOI'I II.
Elias Smith.
Elias Smith Homestead
BIOGUAIMIICAI. SKEICHES. 4II
24, 1S09. May 20, iSio, he married Betsy, the daughtei olCol.
Phineas Porter, who died April 25, 1S51. His children were :
William, Sarah Curtis, George L., Lucien Porter, Harriet M.,
Catharine L. and Mary Elizabeth.
Joel Cook, lather of Zenas, was a soldier in the Revolution-
ary war ; in order that he might visit his family during the en-
campment of his company at Danbury, Joel's father, Ebenezer
Cook, agreed to take his son's place and answer to his name on
the roll call, but while there he died with the distemper and was
returned on the death roll as Joel Cook, thus releasing Joel from
service; but his patriotism led him back to the army and served
through the war, receiving with his friend, Capt. Camp, an hon-
orable discharge.
Ebenezer Cook had three sons at Yale College, two of
whom, Roswell and Justus, were ministers of the gospel. Uri,
the third son, entered college, but soldiers were needed more
than scholars, so he left and entered the army, only to die with
that fatal camp fever in three weeks' time. He is said to have
been a brilliant young man.
ELIA.S .SMITH.
Elias Smith, son of Samuel and Hannah Stacy Smith, was
born in Wallingford, May 17, 1806. He came to Terry ville
in 1829, and worked at joiner work for Eli Terry ; after that he
worked at cases in the clock shop. His father came to Terry-
ville the year following, and lived on a small farm about a mile
north of the village, on tiie Harwinton road, where August
Matts now lives. He bought the farm of John Atkins. He was
a cooper by trade, as was also Elias. He died in 1849, and his
wife in 1872, aged ninety-four. Air. Smith traced his ancestry back
to one Thomas Smith, who was among the first that landed in New
Haven, in 1637. Thomas Smith was the cooper of the colony,
and each generation since, has had one of the same trade. He
married Nancy Goodale, a native of East Windsor, in 1S31. Of
seven children, four survive; two died in infancy. A son, Ed-
ward P. Smith, a member of Co. I, First Connecticut Heavy
Artillery, died at Fort Richards, December 10, 1861, he was
the first soldier that died, from Plymouth; the eldest, Oliver
E., now living in Chicopee, Mass., married Antoinette Alcott,
of W^olcott ; Elizabeth married Oscar F. Wilcox; Eugenie E.,
married Frederick Ryal, now in New Haven, who at one time
manufactured shears and scissors, under the firm name of Ryal
Bros., in what is called the Burnam-Terry shop; Samuel G.
married Jennie Johnson, of Harwinton.
One very pleasant incident in the lives of Mr. and Mrs.
Smith, was the celebration of their golden wedding, in 1881,
when neighbors and friends filled the house, both afternoon and
evening, to congratulate them on this great event. Mrs. Smith
died in 1S93, after a short illness. Mr. Smith died August 8,
189=^, at the age of eighty-nine, at the home of his daughter, in
Chicopee, Mass. W^ith the exception of a year and a half, his life
412
IlISTOKY OF PI,VMOU'IIl.
Joel Griggs.
Martin Griggs.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
413
has been spent, since 1S29, on a farm north of the village, which
he purchased of Henry Atwater, the father of the author of this
book.-
LUDINGTOX POTTER FAMILY.
Moses Ludington settled near Caleb Humiston's present
residence. He was a surgeon in the French and Indian war and
was killed at Lake George in 1755. Of his children, David
Ludington, born August 26, 1733, alone settled in Northbury.
July 36, 1753 his father deeded, "-For tiie consideration of the
love and paternal aflection which I have and do bear toward my
loving son, David Ludington, a certain piece of land bought of
Dr. Jonas Weed;" the land has never been sold and is now a
part of the farm of G. S. and S. F. Potter, his decendants. Dr.
Weed was the Hrst physician in Northbury.
David Ludington was a powerful man, a skillful and per-
sistent hunter; he shot the la^t deer killed in the town, and was
one of the tifteen who " bore lists" during the entire pastorate
of Rev. Chauncey Frindle, in which the present edifice of St.
Peter's church was built. He married Lois Basit, one of four
sisters who came to Northbury. Their children were Susannah,
Lois, Jotham and Patience. He died October 31, 1S31.
The daughters never married and always lived in the old
place. Jotham Ludington, born July 11, 1763, married Abigal
Anna Latin, April 27, 1794. They had one child, Polly, born
March 9, 1795. His second marriage was with Beulah Fair-
child, February 19, 179S; he died July S, 1S4S. Polly Luding-
ton married Sherman Potter, March 13, 1S16. He was son of
Zenas and Betsy Blakeslee Potter, born August 2, 1790, and a
lineal decendant of Jacob Potter who settled in Northbury about
173S, and of Captain Thomas Blakeslee. He was a school
teacher and surveyor, and private secretary for Gen. Wm.
Henry Harrison in the war of 1S12. He died, September ^,
1S31. Their children were Mary Ann, Sarah, Betsey, George
Sherman, Jane Phinette and Shelden Fairchild. Each and all
of the grandfathers and great grandfathers of these children
were incorporators of the town of Plymouth.
IVLirv Ann was born. June 30, 1S19, married Samuel Forbes
of New Haven, and died, April 23, 1S92, leaving two children;
Alfred W. Forbes, now serving his seventh term as selectman
of New Haven ; and Mary Anne wife of Dr. Gustavus Eliott of
New Haven. Sarah was born, July 31, 1S21 and lives on the
old place (now in Thomaston) with the brothers G. S. and S.
F. Potter. Betsey, was born. May 31, 1S23, married George
Gordon, a native of Scotland, and has two sons, George Luding-
ton and Arthur Munroe Arthur M. married Mary S. Ailing.
George vSherman was born, October 16, 1S25. Jane Phinette
\vi\s born October 16. 1827, married Lvsander M. Burnell, and
died July 11, 1S77, at Jefferson, 111. Sheldon Fairchild was
born March 17, 1830, married Leora Andrus. They have two
children, Mary Leora und George Andrus Potter.
414
HISTORY OF PLVMOUUl.
FranUlin P. Wilcox.
Wilbert N. Austin.
BIOGKAIMIICAL SKETCHES. 415
FKANKLIN P. WILCOX.
Franklin Phelps Wilcox was born in the town of Hai win-
ton, Conn., February 6, iSo6, and died in Plymouth, where he
resided the most of his life, May S, 1SS2. His early days were
spent upon the farm, but the latter part of his life he was en-
gaged in the japanning department of the Eagle Lock works,
where he had the contract for that class of work. He married
Emeline Holcomb of New York State, who died in Plymouth,
October 13, 188S.
Uncle Wilcox (the name he was familiarly known by), was
somewhat of a joker, and always enjoyed a good joke. About
1S76, as he had finished painting a wagon, there appeared on the
scene a half dozen small boys who wanted a ride, he hesitated a
while, for fear some harm might befall them, but finally took
them. A week latter several more wanted a ride, claiming they
did not go the first time, so he decided to go once more, if they
would then leave him alone, and told them to find out how many
wanted to go. After an apparently hard weeks' work they asked
him if he could go on Saturday, when he replied that he could,
but wanted to know how many had promised to go. Their answer
was: "eighty have promised to go, and lots more can't tell
whether their mothers will let them go or not." On Saturdav
there were ninety-five of them, and through the help of Uncle
Wilcox's friends, they were all taken to a grove to spend the
day. Tims, Uncle Wilcox became, through his thought and
ever readv willinsfuess to amuse and care for others, the favorite
of all, both young and old.
WILBEUT N. AUSTIN.
W^ilbert N. Austin who is well known throughout this sec-
tion as the proprietor of the Thomaston and Plymouth stage
line, his well ecjuipped livery, sale and exchange stables in
Thomaston and Plymoutli, came to this place about eighteen
years ago, and for seven years drove the stage for his father,
when Air. Austin bought his father out and entered into partner-
ship with Mr. Gregory ; Austin & Gregory running the business
for about five years, at which time Air. Austin became the sole
proprietor, and has since conducted the business successfully,
and to his patrons' entire satisfaction ever since.
In addition to the above business he has the carrying of the
mails to and between four post-offices and two railroads. He
also has charge of the delivery of express from the New England
and the N. Y., N. H. & H. Railroads. But few families are
moved, or pianos moved in the town, until after Mr. Austin has
been called upon.
He married on December 20, 1SS3, Minnie I., daughter of
Chas. H. Alattoon of Plymouth ; they reside in the large and
pretty house owned by Mrs. Geo. Langdon, and directly oppo-
site the house bought by Mr. Austin from Mr. Dewell sometime
ago. Their children are : Elsworth Welles, Arline and Roland
Mattoon.
4i6
HISTORY OF PI.YMOLITW-
A. S. Kelsev.
Andrew Fenn.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 417
KELSEY.
Asa Strong Kelsey was born June 15, 1S23, in Southbnry,
Conn. His earl}- life was passed in IMilford, Conn. He lias
resided in Plymouth since 1845, a period of fifty years. He
married in August, IS^o, Julia S. Gates, daughter of Christopher
C. Gates, of East Haddam, and granddaughter of Captain
Jeremiah Smith, who served in the Revolutionary war.
Mr. Kelsey has been a prominent business man of the town,
his special line being merchant tailoring, in which he did a large
business before the days of ready-made clothing. He has held
many town offices and taken an active interest in the town. His
children are Julia S. Kelsey, wife of Marshall W. Leach, Emma
S. Kelsev, Fi ank G. Kelsey and Joseph S. Kelsey.
ANDREW FENN.
Andrew Fenn was born in the old house which is now oc-
cupied by Erastus Fenn, near the upper lock factory. 'This house
was built by Jacob Fenn in 1781, and the land in that section
(now covered with houses) was farmed by both Jacob and An-
drew Feim. Mr. Fenn followed farming for a great many years,
but during the latter part of his life he was engaged in making
boxes for the Eagle Lock Company. He married Miss Rhoda
Warner of Plymoutii in 181 7, by whom he had the following
sons: Hiram, born July, 1918; Apollos, born 1820, died in
Hartford in 1893; Stephen, born 1823; Erastus, born 1S29.
Andrew Fenn died December 15, 1867, aged seventy years.
CAPTAIN AARON FENN.
Captain Aaron Fenn, born in Milford, a great grandson ol"
Benjamin Fe..n, one of the first settlers of Milford in 1639, came
to Northbury Society about the vear 1767, and settled on a tract
of land, about one mile north of the meeting house, willed to
him by his grandfather James, who was one of the early pi'oprie-
tors of Waterbury lands. A portion of this tract is now owned
and cultivated by his descendents, Aaron Peck Fenn, and the
heirs of William B. Fenn. Captain Aaron married Mary
Bradley of Woodbridge. They have seven children, Lyman,
Sallv, Aaron, Jr., Erastus, Polly, David and Jeremiah.
Lyman married Lydia Baldwin. They had seven children,
Aaron, Thaddeus, Timothy, Albert, Polly, Thankful and Persis.
Sally married Deacon David Dunbar. They had tw^o chil-
dren. Deacon Ferrand and Eliza.
Aaron, Jr., married Sabra Fenn, daughter of Isaac. They
had six children, Isaac, Burr, Abijah, Rosetta, Nancy Rexford
and William Bennett.
Erastus married Amanda Goodwin. They had six chil-
dren, Mary, Polly, Elizur, Julia, John Lester and Emily.
Polly died unmarried.
David married Persis, daughter of Lake Potter. They had
five children, Julius, Elam Potter, Miranda, Juliette and Mary.
4iS
IllsrOHV OK PLYMOUTH.
Andrew Feiin Homestead
Mrs Benjamin Fenn.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 419
Jeremiah married Polly Peck of Woodbridge. They had
three children, Aaron Peck, Stephen and Horace.
The only grandchildren oi' Captain Aaron Fenn who are
now living are, Eliznr and John Lester Fenn, and Mrs. Emily
(Lvman D.) Baldwin, all children of Erastus; Abijah, son of
Aaron, Jr. ; Elam Potter Fenn, Mrs, Mary Paine, children of
David; Aaron Peck and Horace Fenn, children of Jeremiah.
SAMUEL FENN.
Samuel Fenn, a brother of Captain Aaron, came to North-
bury Society about the year 1767 and settled on another portion
of land willed to him by his grandfather, James, located on the
hill east of Jericho Falls on the Naugatuck river, now in the
limits of Thomaston and owned by Roderick Canfield. Samuel
married Irene Sanford, and there were four generations of Sam-
uel to Samuel 5th. A remnant of this family are supposed to
be living in Michigan.
Major Samuel Fenn, anothei lineal descendant of Ben-
jamin Fenn, came from Milford to Plymonth in 1S06 or 1S07,
with his two sons. Captain Samuel and Benjamin, and one
daughter, Cordelia. He purchased farms in the eastern part of
the town, lately owned and occupied by Mr. VVinslow and Elias
Smith. The writer could not ascertain that any lineal descend-
ant of Major Samuel is now living in Plymouth. Of the chil-
dren of Benjamin Fenn there are two living, Mrs. Amzi Warner
of Cheshire and Mrs. Charles Hayes of New Haven. The
three sons, Benjamin, Lot and Lyman, are dead, and with them
have also passed away the two sons of Lyman, leaving no
descendants to perpetuate this branch of the Fenn family. Two
other daughters were Catherine and Julia, the former being
married to Henry Atwater, and the latter to Newton P. Whit-
tlesev, all of whom are dead.
420
IIISI()U\- <)1-- I'l.VMOUTH.
L. H. Ploucquet, Master, PI\mouth Grange
General Sedgwick.
CHAPTER XIV
sociK'i'ii:s.
Plymouth Grange, No. 72, Patrons of Husbandry, Organized December 7, 1877—
Sedgwick Council, No. 21, 0. TJ. A. M., Instituted March 16, 1887— Court Nut-
meg, No. 1404, Chartered October 20. 1893-The Terryville Cemetery, with
Views from Several Points.
PLYMOUTH Grange, No. 72, is one ofthe subordinate organi-
zations of the great order of Patrons of Husbandry, and was
organized in Plymouth Center, December 7, 1887, with twenty-
three charter members, the first meeting being held in the lecture
room. Wallace E. Dayton was chosen master, Mrs. B. H. Sut-
lifl", lecturer, and Ard Welton, secretary. The grange was
instituted lor the express purpose of educating and elevating
those engaged in agricultural pursuits, and is, therefore, a farm-
ers' organization, composed of farmers, their wives, and children
over fourteen years old, although there are some exceptions to
the rule ; doctors, ministers and school teachers are also eligible.
From this beginning the grange has had a steady growth until it
now numbers 106 members, including nearly all the leading
farmers ofthe town. L. H. Ploucquet is the recognized head of
the grange, at present, he having been elected master at the be-
o-inning ofthe year. His picture accompanies this sketch. The
o-range now own the building on Main street next to the post
office, in Plymouth Center, and have a well furnished hall where
meetings are held every alternate Wednesday evening. One
prominent feature at each meeting is the "lecturer's hour."
This is composed of select readings, essays, and discussions on
farm topics, recitations, music and debates. In fact, anything
that pertains to the household or the farm. This gives the farm-
er and his family an opportunity for social intercourse and intel-
lectual improvement, which, owing to their isolated vocation,
were it not for the grange, they would be deprived of. " In
essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity,"
is one ofthe underlying principles ofthe order.
SEDGWICK COUNCIL, O. U. A. M.
Sedgwick Council, No. 21, O. U. A. M., was instituted in
Terryville by the State Council, March 16, 1887, with the fol-
422
HISrOKV OF PLYMOUIll.
L W. Belden, Chief Ranger.
Terry vi lie Ceineterv — View from Southeast Corner.
SOCIETIES. 423
lowing charter members : John R. Andrew, David H. Scrim-
geour, Kichard Baldwin, A. B. Clark, F. G. Bryan, R. S.
Blakeslee, J. Alexander Russell, G. A. Scott, A. B. Beach, F.
W. Rossetter, W. Bemis, A. W. Ingraham, James P. Davis,
Edgar L. Pond, Charles W. Judson, Henry A. Randall, |. M.
Gilbert, R. J. Plumb, A. C. Wedge, J. A. Bradshaw, E. C.
Goodwin, H. T. Wheeler, G. N. Waterbury, Jr., W. B. Ells,
Charles J. Lang, F. B. Rising, W. L. Norton, George N.
Waterbury, J. K. Eggleston, W. T. Goodwin, A. C. Holcomb,
Daniel Kelley, J. H. Haase, W. P. Swett, M. D., W. E. Judd,
G. Howard Hamilton, George Von Tobel.
This council was the first organized in Litchfield county.
It was also the first to present the public schools with American
flags. The present membership numbers about sixty, one of the
charter members, E. L. Pond, having served as state councilor.
The council meets every Wednesday evening in a room, which
has been fitted up lor it, in the Lewis & Gaylord shop, which is
the same room that one of its charter members, Major Ells, was
working in when he was called upon to serve his country in the
late war. The present ofticers are: D. W. Eggleston, coun-
cilor; F. A. Bunnell, vice-councilor; E. Clayton Goodwin,
recording secretarv ; Isaac B. Clark, assistant recording secre-
tary; A. B. Beach, treasurer; C. E. Chapman, ii.ductor; A. F.
Peck, examiner: George F. Hart, inside protector: Albert
Bates, outside protector; William C. Bates, junior ex-councilor ;
Piatt R. Jacquavs, senior ex-councilor; E. L. Pond, William
L. Norton, A. C. Bunnell, trustees.
THE FORESTERS.
The Independent Order of Foresters is of American origin,
was reorganized in Canada, and now returns to its native soil in
concord, benevolence and liberty. Court Nutmeg, No. 1404,
was instituted in Plymouth, Conn., from the supreme court by
Dr. A. P. Forbes Gammack acting as court deputy supreme
chief ranger, and is the premier court of the order in Connecti-
cut. The charter, dated October 20, 1S93, was granted by the
supreme court to these officers, their associates and their succes-
sors in oflice : M. W. Leach, court deputy high chief ranger;
W. C. Dayton, chief ranger; B. D. Holt, vice chief ranger;
J. W. Gammack, financial secretary ; Rev. Dr. J. Gammack,
chaplain; L. W. Belden, senior woodward; J. C. Smith,
senior beadle ; A. Welton, past chief ranger; Joseph Williams,
recording secretary; W. B. Tuttle, treasurer; J. W.Johnson,
M. D., physician; F. C. Brazee, junior woodward, and G. H.
Chapman, junior beadle. The object before the Independent
Foresters is to promote the social, intellectual and moral welfare
of the members, and to secure by small payments, the funds
required for sick and funeral benefits, and also for payment of
insurance at death or at the earlier expectation of life. The
present chief ranger of the court is L. W. Belden.
424
lllsroltY OF PLYMOUTH.
Soldiers'
Monument.
View from
Northeast
Corner.
New Addition to
Westward. '
SOCIETIES.
425
HILLSIDE CEMETERY, TERRV\TLLE.
In March, 1S63, there were two and three-fourths acres of
land bought from Mrs. Mary VV '. Lewis, situated on North Main
street, to be laid out and used for a new cemetery, and, at that
time, it was voted that a special standing committee ot three
persons be appointed to make a survey and plan for the new
burial ground ot Terryville, and to lay the same in lots of suit-
able size for family plots, and to have full power to sell and to
execute proper tleeds of conveyance of the same to the purchasers
thereof, and that the proceeds of sale be appropriated by said
committee to the improvement and embellishment of said ground,
provided that only two- thirds of the whole number of said lots
be sold ; also that said committee shall have the general super-
vision and direction of that portion of the ground which may
remain unsold ; and it is further voted, that the signature of one
of said committee only be necessary for the conveyance of the
aforesaid lots. The committee chosen at that time was J. H.
Adams, James Terry and E. L. Gaylord. An addition was
made to the site Mav 10, 1S90, by purchasing four acres from
George Plumb, and the strip of land donated by Richard Bald-
win, which straightened out the road running east and west.
The present committee are : E. S. Beach, president and man-
ager; [onathan vStarr, secretary and treasurer, and Edgar L.
Pond. '
of Center of Cemeterv.
SKETCH
-OF-
PLYMOUTH, OHIO
'^-
Originally Settled by Families
FROM PLYMOUTH, CONN.
<-
Re-union of Descendants, now Numbering
about 400, June 25, 189^.
WHO THE PIONEERS WERE.
CHAPTER x^^
PLYMOUTH, OHIO.
Offshoot of Its Namesake in Connecticut and the First Episcopal Parish in the
State of Ohio— Descendants ot These Early Settlers, Numbering Four Hun-
dred or More, Organize Themselves as the "Mann, Blakeslee and Seymour
Re-union Association."
A GLANCE at the map of Ohio, will convince any one, that the early
settlers of that state were an unusally loyal, patriotic body of men.
The larger number of counties are named directly after the heroes of
the Revolution, in grateful remembrance of their noble self-sacrificing
labors. The first settlement in Ohio was named Washington, and the
county seat called Mariette, in honor of Marie Antoinette, the beautiful
Queen of France. Among the prominent counties are Jeiferson, Madi-
son, Hamilton, Fayette, Carroll, Hancock, Jackson, Greene, Knox,
Lawrence, Wayne, Stark, Adams, Warren, Henry, and others, all
names recorded in history, and held in sincere regard bj^ every lover of
his country.
The Western Reserve, comprising about 325,000,000 acres, was sold
bv the State of Connecticut, to a syndicate of her sons, for a sum about
equal to the cost of building the viaduct across the Cuyahoga River at
Cleveland. The early settlers of New Connecticut, as the Reserve was
called, were nearly all New England men and women, bred to labor,
economical, frugal, industrious, patient, intelligent, Godfearing, believ-
ing in schools, colleges, churches, and liberty protected by law. The
growth of the Reserve was slow, until after the war of 1812, when it
became the homes of tens of thousands of emigrants. The character of
the early settlers gave promise of a secure future for the new colony,
which time has fully redeemed. It is probably true, beyond question,
that at this moment, the Western Reserve, for its extent and population,
is not surpassed in any country, for the thrift, general prosperity, public
and private morality, and high standard of education of its people. In
1806, the Reserve contained about six thousand souls, and was divided
into two counties. In 1S95, it had ten counties, and nearly a million
inhabitants.
In 1811-12, several families went from Plymouth, Conn., and settled
in South Ashtabula. The name of the township was soon after changed
to Plymouth, in compliance with the wishes of the original settlers.
Nearly all the early emigrants were Episcopalians, and their first wor-
430
HISTORY OF PLYAIOUTH.
ship was by la^^-reading, led by Zadoc Mann, who presided, until the
arrival of Rev. Roger Searle, their former minister in Plymouth, who
held service in the house of Hal Smith first, on February 19, iSry, and
immediately followed the organization of "The Parish of St. Peter's
Church, Ashtabula," the first Episcopal denomination in the State of
Ohio. Mr. Searle named the parish after the one he had formerly pre-
sided over in Plymouth.
As near as can be learned, at this late date, the families that went
from Plymouth, Conn., were those of Zadoc Mann, Warner Mann, John
Blakeslee, A.sher Blake-slee. Lynus Hall, Titus Seymour, Dr. David
Warner and Elias Cook Upson. There were, doubtless, others.
Originally, Plymouth Township was included in the limits of Ash-
tabula, and it was not until January 7, 1838, that the territory was, by
order of the County Commissioners, detached from that township, and
created a new one, to be known as Township No. 12, of the third range.
St. Matthew's Church.
On July 4, 1S38, the township was regularly organized and these
officers elected : Samuel Burnet, Andrew Wiley and William Stewart,
trustees ; Levi P. Blakeslee, township clerk ; Bennet Seymour, treasurer ;
Elias Cook Upson and William Foster, overseers of poor; Joseph Mann,
James Hall and Solomon A. Simons, fence viewers ; Bennet Seymour,
Solomon A. Simons, Elias C. Upson and Merritt M. Mann, supervisors.
The first Justice of the Peace, was Warner Mann, who was elected on
the gth day of November, 1838, his commission bearing date November
26, 1838. This election was held at the house of the justice elect.
Warner Mann was succeeded by Josiah Allen, and he, bj' Wells Blakes-
lee. Previous to the expiration of Warner Mann's commission, how-
ever, a second justice was ordered for the township, and Daniel Hub-
bard was the first to fill the office. Levi P. Blakeslee succeeded him,
and was in turn succeeded by Samuel Burnet.
The township was originally owned by Nehemiah Hubbard, of
Middletown, Middlesex County, Conn., Hon. Matthew Hubbard, who
located in Ashtabula in 1804, being agent fpr the proprietor.
PLYMOUTH, OHIO. 43 1
The first settlement, within the present limits of the township,
were as follows: In 1S04 or 1S05, Win. Thompson and Thomas Mc-
Gahhe, with their families, located on lot number five. In the spring
of 1806, Samuel White began improvements on two hundred acres, upon
the north line of the township. Fitz's woolen factory was subsequently
established on this lot, which was later owned by Ezra Bunnell. David
Burnet settled on lot number twelve, also in the spring of 1806. This
lot was afterwards owned by Wells Blakeslee ; then Oliver Gary became
occupant. Both White and Burnet came from Hubbard, Trumbull
County. In 1807, Thomas Gordon purchased two hundred and forty
acres, in lot number six, and in the spring of 1808, took possession of
the same with his family. William Foster, of Sacket's Harbor, New
York, arrived in the township in iSro, locating on lot number ten. His
mode of transit was by a small boat to Ashtabula ; at Niagara Falls, he
hired a team to haul his boat some seven miles around the falls. Cap-
tain Moses Hall emigrated from Connecticut in iSii, and began the life
of a pioneer on the northwest corner lot.
The first log house was erected in 1S04 or 1S05, on lot number five,
by William Thompson, the oldest inhabitant, who removed from the
township in 1S07. The first orchard was planted by Samuel White,
in the spring of 1S07. It was located on his farm, near the pond, and
consisted of forty trees. They first bore fruit in iSir, which was, with-
out doubt, the first produced within the territory composing the town-
ships of Plymouth and Ashtabula. Capt. Moses Hall was the owner of
the orchard at this time, and it is said he distributed nearly the entire
yield of tlie orchard, among the sick of the township.
Upon the first settlement of the Plymouth pioneers, the only road
was the "girdled" one, laid out by the Connecticut Land Company,
running from Kelloggsville, via Shefiield, through Plymouth, and west
through Saybrook, Austinburg, etc., terminating at or near Cleveland.
The first road authorized by the county commissioners, after Plymouth
became a separate township, was in June, 1S42, which began on the
Jefiierson and Ashtabula road, at William Willard's northwest corner,
thence east on lot lines to Denmark road. March, 1844, another road
was surveyed, running from William Stewart's, northeast and north, to
the road south of Amos Moses, in Kingsville. March, 1S50, the last one
was established from the southwest corner of the township, north to the
turnpike, and from the west line of the township, at the northwest corner
of lot number eighty, easterly to the plank road.
Much of the western portion of the township is of high rolling
ground, while in the southern part extensive marshes prevail, the larg-
est of which is some three miles in length, and averaging, perhaps,
three-quarters of a mile in width ; its waters, flowing westerly, are dis-
charged into Grand River, in Austinburg. South of the "big marsh,"
lie two smaller ones, which are separated by a natural roadway, over
which the mail was carried to Jefi^erson, until the opening of the Frank-
lin division of the Lake Shore Railroad. The waters of these two
marshes flow, one easterly, into Ashtabula Creek, the other westerly,
into Grand River.
The streams, aside from Ashtabula Creek, which forms a portion
of the northern boundary of the township, are Hubbard's Run, which
43 2
IlIsrOKY OF PLNMOUTII.
rises principally from spring's in Saybrook, and fcjrms another part of
the northern boundary, uniting with Ashtabula Creek, about one mile
southeast of the village of Ashtabula (known as the West Gulf). Smith
Creek, which heads in the southern part of the township, runs easterly,
uniting with the waters of " Little Marsh," and finally reaches Ashta-
bula Creek in Sheffield.
The fiirst marriage occurred in iSio, at the residence of Captain
;Manoah Hubbard, the conti'acting parties being his daughter. Miss
Julia, and Walker Richmond, of New York. The first white child
born in Plvmouth, was a son to David Burnet, in 1807, and the fir.st
death was, without doubt, a widow lady named Hanan, who died in
the spring of 1807. The first school house was built in the summer of
1 8 10. It was of logs, and stood in the "hollow," a short distance south
of the present cemetery, on the farm formerly owned by Asher Blakes-
lee, and the first school taught therein, was in the succeeding winter.
St. Matthew's Church Parsonage.
by Warner Mann. There were twelve scholars in attendance, the par-
ents paying each his share of the teacher's salary, which was, un-
doubtedly, a trifling sum. The first saw mill was erected in 1809, by
Thomas Gordon, on the site w^here, afterwards, was located a woolen
mill. In the spring of 1831, Emmerson Gibbs put in operation, a card-
ing machine, and in the fall of the same year, cloth-dressing machinery.
The next season, a mill for grinding corn, was placed in the same
building. In 1839 this site was purchased by Messrs. Hubbel and Ken-
ney, and a woolen factory, of one hundred and eighty spindles, estab-
lished. This was de.stroyed by fire on the night of December 24, 1S47.
The first frame house was built by Captain Moses Hall, on the north-
west corner lot, and the first frame school house was erected in the
spring of 181 7, by subscription; its location was some three quarters of
a mile north of the Center (known as the Chapel).
The first church organization, was that of the Episcopal denomina-
tion. Howc\X'r, services were held bv all denominations, from the time
PLYMOUTH, OHIO. 433
of the first settlements, at the houses of the settlers, and at the frame
school house, or chapel, mentioned above. There are now two fine
church edifices in the township: St. Mathew's Episcopal, which is
located some half mile east of the Center, erected in 1S41, and the
Methodist at the Center, which was not finished till, perhaps, 1874. The
first post office, and, in fact, the only one in the township, was estab-
lished June 16, 1S46. "William Warner Mann was the first postmaster,
serving twelve years. The first store was established in 1849, by Wil-
liam W. Mann, in a building, then standing between the school house
and the residence of Charles Wright. Mr. Mann continued in business
some ten years in Plymouth, removing first to East Ashtabula, where
he engaged in the mercantile business, for two years more, and then
moved to the corner of Center and Park streets, Ashtabula. In 1S24,
and for the five years subsequently, he was engaged as mail-boy for the
"Recorder," published in Ashtabula, which paper was, probably, the
first one published in Ashtabula county. Peter LaGrange also con-
ducted a store in Plymouth for some years. Plymouth has been largely
devoted to the manufacture of butter and cheese, principally by indiv-
iduals.
During the Rebellion, Plymouth sent many of her brave sons to the
front in support of the flag and defense of the integrity of the nation,
having representatives in the "Glorious old Twenty-ninth Ohio Volun-
teer Infantry," the " One Hundred and Fifth," the " One Hundred and
Twenty-fifth," " Eleventh New York Battery," and other organizations.
They gave to their State and the Union, their bravest efforts, and much
of their best blood.
Much of the above information has been copied from the History of
Ashtabula County, and the author is also greatly indebted to Mrs. Ellen
S. Lockwood for other facts presented in this sketch. Of her own
family Mrs. Lockwood writes as follows:
"In Plymouth, Ohio, is a house, the frame of which was raised
May 18, 1 8 19, the day on which my father was born, the stakes for the
corners being set by moonlight by the north star, so that it might be
" sqviare with the world." It was built by Warner Mann, my grand-
father, who moved his family into it the same fall. My father. Beilby
Porteus Mann, was born in a log house opposite to it. Warner Mann
lived in this house about thirteen years, when Elias Cook Upson took
possession of it. Mr. Upson was my mother's father. My mother was
born'in Plymouth, Conn., ]\Iarch 3, 1S25, and here I was born, October
17, 1845. My grandmother died July 21, i860, and my grandfather in
March, 1879. The old house is still owned by my parents and is in a
good state of preservation, the frame apparently as good as ever. My
parents celebrated their golden wedding May 19, 1892."
Mrs. Hannah Maria Graham McNutt, who now keeps the post
office, relates, that in 1820, Hai-rj^ Graham and wife, and one child,
came to Plymouth, Ohio. Mrs. Graham's name was Elizabeth Miller,
from New York State. Mr. Graham was born in Philadelphia, and went
to Canada. They both came to Ashtabula at the same time, before they
were married, in a boat owned by him, and located in Plymouth in
1 818, two miles from any inhabitants, in the woods, on the same ground
that is now occupied as a station, on the Jamestown and Franklin Div-
434
HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.
ision of the Lake Shore Railroad. All the goods they had were drawn
in on a hand sled. He payed for his farm by clearing two acres for one,
and had the first crop of wheat. Zadoc Mann, owned goo acres
of land here, heavily timbered, which he bought for twenty-five cents
an acre. He gave each of his children a farm, gave ground for a
church lot and sold the balance in that way. All the music they had in
those days, was the howling of the wolves, and the mother's cradle
song. The}^ fed the wild turkej-s, by raising the back window and
throwing out corn. Mrs. McNutt, to-day, cooks dinner in the same
kettle that her father and mother brought from Canada, in the boat
with them, in iSi8.
Of the original settlers from plymouth. Conn., or their descendants,
the following notices have been copied :
William Warner, son of Warner Mann, born in Ashtabula, Ohio,
June 22, 1813, died May 24, 1S80. Grandson of Zadoc.
Elias Cook Upson, born in Waterbury, Conn., Dec. 16, 1797: mar-
ried Orra, daughter of Bella Blakeslee, March 31, 1S24; died March,
Plymouth School.
1879. He was a Mason over fifty-four years, and took charge of the
church over forty years, without pay.
Meret L. .Satterlee, son of Clara Blake.slee Satterlee, born in Con-
necticut, went to Chicago in 1836, died January 28, 1S94.
Died in Plymouth, Ohio, vSept. 10, 1894— Mrs. Clara Casady, daugh-
ter of the late Stephen and Amanda Mann, and granddaughter of Jos-
eph Mann, wife of Charles Casady, aged forty-four years.
In Ashtabula, nth inst. (year unknown), Henry Jude Blakeslee
Seymour, son of Titus Seymour, aged seventy-three years.
Hon. Andrew W. Mann, son of Warner Mann (by last wife), born
in Plymouth, Ohio, September 4, 1845, and died at his home, in Burr
Oak, Kan.sas, May 9, 1890. He was a member of Company C. 29th
Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was transferred from the Army to the
Navy in 1S64; served nine months on the monitor, Winnebago, and
three months on the Circassian.
PLYMOUTH, OHIO. 435
Robert Seymour died March 25, 1S75, aged eight}' years. Melissa,
his wife, died February i, 1863, aged seventj^-four years.
Asher Blakesleee died June 4, 1S31, aged sixty years. Charlotte,
his wife, died May 13, 181S, in the thirty-seventh year of her age.
Collins Wetmore died July 14, 1S59, aged seventy-two years. Maria
Wetmore died December 15, iSSo, aged eight^'-four j^ears and six days.
Amanda Mann died August 30, 1S53, aged sixty-four j-ears.
Zadoc Mann died September 29, 1S46, aged eighty-seven years.
Hannah, his wife, died January 21, 1S46, aged seventy-six j'ears.
Esther, his first wife, died July g, 1S25, aged sixty-six yeai's.
Clara Blakeslee Satterlee died April 30, 1874, aged eighty-two years.
Warner Mann, born Februar)- 16, 17S4, died May 27, 1S58.
Died in Plymouth, Ohio, May 15, 1892, Mrs. Amanda Mann, the
widow of the late Stephen Mann (son of Joseph), and daughter of Mrs.
Clara Blakeslee Satterlee, aged sevent3'-one years, two months and
nineteen days.
In Plymouth, Ohio, loth inst., Mrs. Sophia G. Mann, second widow
of Joseph Mann, aged ninety-six ^-ears.
Died at McGregor, Iowa, July 19, 1883, Mrs. Amanda Mann Mat-
thews, wife of Isaac Matthews, and daughter Warner Mann. She died
on her fifty-sixth birthday.
Died in Ashtabula 20th inst., of paralysis, Frances A., widow of
Garwood Blakeslee, aged 69 years.
In Plymouth, O., February 20, Mrs. Olive Lewis, widow of Wm.
Lewis, and daughter of Bela Blakeslee, aged eightj^-one years. Mrs.
Lewis was born in Plymouth, Conn., March 13, iSoi.
John G. Blakeslee died September 29, 1S2S, aged thirtj'-nine years.
Esther R., his wife, died August 20, 1865, aged seventy-five years.
Emigrated from Plymouth, Conn., in 1813.
In Plymouth, O., October 11, 1865, Luc}' C, wife of Darius Van
Slj'ke, and daughter of Elias Cook Upson, aged twenty-nine j-ears ; also
on the 15th inst., an infant daughter, aged nine days.
In Plymouth, O., September 30, 1S62, Chauncey Blakeslee, son of
John Blakeslee, aged thirty-nine j'ears. Died in Plymouth O. , Decem-
ber 23, iSSo, Mrs. Lucy Blakeslee Ross, a daughter of John Blakeslee,
aged about sixty-five years, widow of the late Felix Ross.
Died in East Ashtabula, December 15, 1S80, Maria Mann, daughter
of Zadoc Mann, and relict of the late Collins Wetmore, aged eighty-four
years.
In East Ashtabula, O., Maj' 30, 1S80, Minerva, wife of Collins E.
Mann (son of Joseph), aged fifty-seven j-ears.
In Ashtabula, O., October i, 1880, Mrs. Rebecca F. Mann, the late
relict of Wm. Warner Mann, aged seventy-one years and six months.
In Plymouth, O., February 4, 1884, Mrs. Lucy C. Mann, wife of
Hiram E. Mann, aged sixty-seven years (formerly Lucj^ C. Judd of
Connecticut. )
Died in Lenox, O., February 13, 18S6, Mrs. Helen Harper Graham,
granddaughter of Joseph Mann, and wife of Joseph Graham.
Died at Independence, Iowa, October 6, 1895, Mr. Cassius Mann
Matthews, only son of Isaac and the late Amanda Mann Matthews, aged
fiftj'-one years.
43^
HISTORY OF PLYMOU'ni.
Died in Plymouth, O., November 5, 1895, Edgar Orson, son of
Orson H. and Mary Mann, aged thirty-one years. Died in Plymouth,
O., December 6, 1S95, aged seventy-seven years, Mrs. Julia Mann Sey-
mour, widow of the late Wm. R. Seymour ; she was a daughter of Jos-
eph Mann and sister of Austin and Orson Mann, of Plymouth ; she was
the mother of ten children, seven of whom survive her.
RE-UNION OF THE DESCENDANTS OF PLYMOUTH, CONN., FAMILIES.
Of the families that went from Plymouth, Conn., in 1813, there are
now some 400 descendants of the Manns, Blakeslees, and Seymours. It
was decided to hold a re-union of those living June 20, 1895, at Woodland
Beach Park, near Ashtabula, Ohio. It was not as largely attended as
could be wi.shed, on account of the heavy rain which commenced quite
early in the day and continued far into the night, thus making it impos-
sible for many to get there. A goodly number, however, were on hand
First Store and Post Office,
early, and although the rain made it unpleasant in some respects, the
affair was a grand success. There were about 150 or more people pres-
ent, of which were recorded iig names of relatives.
The occasion was indeed a very pleasant one. After some time
spent in visiting, dinner was served, which was truly bountiful and ex-
cellent. Dinner was followed by a business meeting, R. O. Rote of
Geneva, being chairman of the meeting, and Francis Atwater of Meri-
den. Conn. , acting as secretary. After a few brief remarks, the Mann,
Blakeslee and Seymour Re-union Association was duly organized, and
the following officers were elected: President, William Seymour; vice
president, Mrs. Maria Seymour Ticknor; secretary, Mrs. Ellen S.
Mann Lockwood; treasurer, Fred W. Blakeslee.
A committee of three, on date of next meeting, were elected. After
which came the reading of letters from absent ones.
The first was from Bela Blakeslee Satterlee, of Plymouth, Conn.,
containing a goodly number of "Town Orders" given to different men.
PI.VMOUTH, OHIO. 4-^7
Among them were Zadoc Mann, Titus Seymour, Abel Seymour, Jude
Blakeslee, Bela Blakeslee, Asher Blakeslee, Aaron Dunbar, and others
and bearing date from 1793 to 1S09, signed by Gen. Daniel Potter, Capt.
Oliver Stoughton, Samuel Blakeslee, Elijah Warner and others,
"Selectmen of the town."
Then came a letter from Isaac Matthews, of McGregor, Iowa, in
which he gave a brief description of the town of Plymouth, Ohio, from
1835 to 1S50, speaking of many of the pioneers who have passed to the
great beyond, but are not forgotten.
A postal card from Mrs. Olive Mann Isbell, was read, expressing
many regrets that she could not attend, sending congratulations and
messages of love to all.
A very excellent letter from Austin W. Buffum of Tecumseh, Neb-
raska, in which a desire to be remembered, is earnestly expressed ; also
a letter from Mr. and Mrs. George W. Buffum, with regrets that dis-
tance would not allow their attendance. One from Mrs. Betsey Gordon
of Plymouth, Conn. Postal from Mrs. Emma Satterlee Fuller of Cleve-
land. A letter fr^mi Mr. Geo. Satterlee of Chicago, in which ill health
prevented attendance. Letters from L. W. and John H. Mann of
Ocala, Fla. , with best wishes to all. A letter from Mrs. Eleanor Paine
was noticed, wishing to know if Milton Phelps was j-et alive.
Others were from Carlos A. Mann of Portland, Oregon, and Mr.
Henry Seymour of Waupacca, Wis., all of which tell of the love that
binds us together in kindred affection.
Those present were :
Mrs. Ellen S. Mann Lockwood, Plymouth, Ohio.
Mrs. Frankie Mann Warner and one child, Mr. Wilber Warner,
Mrs. O. H. Mann, Orson H. Mann, son of Joseph, Mrs. Edgar O.
Mann and two children, Edgar O. Mann, grandson of Joseph, Ply-
mouth, O.
Mr. and Mrs. O. Perry Mann, son of Merritt, Miss Flora M. Mann,
Frank L. Mann, Charles T. Mann, Earl T. Mann, Plymouth, O.
James L. Flint, 221 West Prospect street, Ashtabula, O. ; Mrs.
Esther Mann Flint, daughter of B. P. Mann ; George Porteus Flint,
Estella M. Flint, Sarah Flint, James Beilby Flint.
Milan M. Seymour, Walter Seymour, 276 Euclid avenve, grand-
children of Wm. R. Seymour, Cleveland, O,
Merrick J. Seymour, son of Wm. R. Seymour; Mrs. Harriet Blakes-
lee Seymour, daughter of L. P. Blakeslee, John Mann Seymour, William
Merrick Seymour, Plymouth, O.
Miss Lucy E. Topper, Fred Porteus Topper, grandchildren of B.
Porteus Mann, East Plymouth, O.
Mrs. Mary Castle Fulkerson, daughter of Electa Mann Castle, and
granddaughter of Joseph Mann, and daughter, Mrs. Adell Fulkerson
Smith, D. S. Fulkerson, Geneva, O.
Fred W. Blakeslee, son of Garwood Blakeslee, Mrs. Fred W.
Blakeslee, and two sons, Ashtabula, O.
Norman Colby and child, Mrs. Estella Amidon Colby, daughter of
Emily Seymour Amidon, daughter of Julia Mann Seymour, daughter of
Joseph Mann. H. C. DeGroodt, and Mrs. Mattie Amidon DeGroodt.
438
HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.
Chauncey Amidoii and son, Moses, Mrs. Emily Seymour Amidon,
Ashtabula, O.
Austin W. Mann, son of Joseph Mann, Ashtabula, O.
Frank E. Harmon and wife, Mrs. Emeline Seymour Harmon, who
great grandfather was Zadoc, grandfather Warner, on her mother's
side; her mother was Sevea Mann, her grandmother was Amanda ]\Iann,
wife of Warner, and daughter of Bela Blakeslee, and granddaughter of
Jude. Mrs. Harmon's father was Bennett, son of Titus Seymour, and
his mother was Sevea Blakeslee ; so she is directly related to all three
families — Manns, Blakeslees and Seymours.
James White, whose mother was Fannie, daughter of Zadoc Mann,
had with him his daughter and one child ; her name was Lucy White
Harvey.
Mrs. Hobart Blakeslee, (Hobart, son of John), Miss Lucy Blakeslee,
Charles Blakeslee, Mrs. Charles Blakeslee, Ashtabula, O.
William Seymour (son of Robert), Mrs. William Seymour, Ashta-
bula, O.
Frank Harper, son of Loyd Mann Harper, son of Betsy Mann
Harper, daughter of Joseph, East Plymouth, O.
View in Plymouth Cemetery.
Allen H. Morgan, son of Julia Mann Morgan, daughter of Wm.
Warner ^Mann; Mrs. Hattie Morgan and children — Grace, Tommy,
Hazel, Jasper, Howard, Morgan — East Plymouth, O.
Julia Blakeslee, daughter of Levi P. Blakeslee, Ashtabula, O,
Mrs. Julia Blair, granddaughter of Henry Jude Blakeslee Seymour,
Ashtabula, O.
Oliver Perry, Clayton Perry, Mrs. Flora Ticknor Perry, daughter
of Maria Seymour Ticknor, Grigg's Corners, O.
Miss Mae Mann, daughter of Watson E. Mann, son of Beilby Por-
teus Mann, son of Warner, son of Zadoc, Astabula, O.
Kate vSeymour, Alice Seymour, Clarence Seymour, children of Rev.
Edward Seymour, suppcsed to be relatives — cannot trace readily.
PLYMOUTH, OHIO. 439
Elder Edwin Dibell, claims distant relationship to one of Great
Grandfather Zadoc Mann's wives, Kingsville, O.
Frank E. Mann, son of Austin, son of Joseph, Plymouth, O. ; Wil-
fred M. Mann, son of Austin, son of Joseph ; Mrs. Mira I. Mann, wife
of AVilfred, and daughter of Beilby Porteus Mann, and children — Grace
Minerva, Ethel Lorena, George Kenneth ]\Iann — East Plymouth, O.
Frank Layton Pancost, grandson of B. P. Mann, and son of Ellen
Mann Pancost Lockwood; Alice Gary Lockwood, daughter of Ellen S.
Lockwood, East Plymouth, O.
Mrs. Maria Seymour Ticknor, wife of Edmund Ticknor, and daugh-
of Henry Jude Blakeslee Seymour and granddaughter of Titus Sey-
mour, Maria Mann Wetmore ; and Miss Louise Elida Ticknor, Grigg's
Corners, Ashtabula, O.
Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Hine, daughter of H. J. B. Seymoin-, James
Hine, Zoe Hine, Huber Hine, Ashtabula C).
Mr. and Mrs. F. B. Ashley, and child. North Richmond, Ashtabula,
County, O.
Mrs. Louise Harmon Dickson (granddaughter of Bennet Seymour,
daughter of Emeline Seymour Harmon), and baby, Dorothy Dickson,
Charles Clare Dickson, Ashtabula, O.
Beilby Porteus Mann, John Henry Mann (sons of Warner Mann
and grandsons of Zadoc), Plymouth, O.
John Josiah Morgan (son of Julia Mann Morgan), East Plymouth, O.
Reuben Hall (son of Lucy Seymour Hall, daughter of Ziba Sey-
mour, brother of Titus Seymour), Dover, O. James Hall, mo Bloom-
field street, Hoboken, New Jersey.
Byron Mann, Mrs. Charlotte Mann and daughter, Jessie Adella
Mann, Cherry Valley, Ashtabula County, O.
Solomon Phillips, Mrs. Eva Robinson (daughter of Ruth Mann
Phillips, daughter of Warner Mann by second wife), and Gertrude Mann
Robinson, Akron, O.
Francis Atwater, Meriden, Conn.
L. L. Blakeslee and wife, S. E. Blakeslee and wife, J. A. Blakeslee
and wife, Mr. Paden and wife, Mr. Ferine, Colebrook, Ashtabula
County, O.
THE FIRST AMERICAN TEACHER IN CALIFORNIA.
Mrs. Olive Mann Isbell, now living in Santa Paula, Vetura county,
was one of the earliest pioneers, and teacher of the first American school
in California. She went from Plymouth, Ohio.
October i, 1S46, an emigrant train of twenty-one wagons — escorted
by Col. John C. Fremont and a detachment of soldiers who had met
them at Johnson's ranch — arrived at Sutter's Fort. Capt. Sutter wel-
comed them with characteristic cordialty, and did everything possible
for their comfort. This company, commanded by Capt. John Aram
and Dr. L C. Isbell, had left Illinois, in April, for California, with no
definite knowledge of its location, except that it was somewhere on the
Pacific Coast. They had made their pathless way over plains, desert
and mountains. By some mischance they failed to meet the Donner
party at the Mississippi ; passed them at Gravelly Ford ; left them there
in a quarrel — and thus narrowly escaped their tragic fate. At Fort
440
HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH.
Hall they learned from panic-stricken refugees returning to the States
that war with Mexico had been declared. A council was called to de-
cide whether they should go forward or back. Women cried and begged
to be taken home ; men were divided in opinion. "What shall we do,
Olive ? " said Dr. Lsbell. The stout-hearted matron of twenty-two re-
plied, " I started for California, and I want to go on." That settled it.
Others took heart, and the train went on undivided. After resting a
week at Sutter's Fort, under orders from Fremont, they proceeded to
the Santa Clara Mission, 150 miles south, and reached it October 16.
The old adobe building of the Mission was not an inviting shelter to
the homesick immigrants, if shelter it could be called at all. There were
no floors but the hard-baked earth, no windows, no fire-places, no escape
Mrs. Olive M. Isbell
for smoke, save a hole in the roof. The ancient walls were infested,
and the crumbling tiles let the rain through almost as copiously as
it fell outside. The section assigned them had been previously used
for stabling horses.
Col. Fremont left a few men to protect the women and children,
and took all the able bodied to re-inforce his small army, preparing to
move southward to join Stockton at San Diego. Dr. Isbell enlisted as
surgeon, and went as far as the Salinas river. Here he was seized with
"emigrant fever" (typhoid pneumonia), which compelled his return to
the Mission, where by that time the fever had become epidemic. The
PLYMOUTH, OHIO. 44I
rains came early that year, with strong southwest winds. There was
no physician nearer than St. Jose, and he to be had but once a week.
From their well stocked medicine chest Mrs. Isbell distributed on an
average one hundred doses of medicines a day, and for six weeks slept
in a chair by her sick husband's side. They were in an enemy's coun-
tr}', expecting daily to be attacked. Indications of treachery led them
to send a messenger to Capt. Webber at San Jose for additional protec-
tion. He in turn sent to Yerba Buena for Capt. Marsten with a com-
pany of twenty-five marines and one cannon drawn on an ox-cart. The
first intimation the immigrants had that help was near was the re-
port of firearms in the distance. Climbing on the wall they saw the
soldiers trying to pull the cannon out of the mud, while the natives,
concealed in the chaparral, were firing at them. Capt. Marsten rode up
and asked the loan of a white cloth for a flag of truce ; and Mrs. Isbell
gave her wedding pocket handkerchief for the purpose.
In this skirmish two soldiers were wounded: one in the fle.shy part
of the leg, the other in the head. Mrs. Isbell and Mrs. Aram di'essed
the wounds and prepared dinner for the hungry soldiers. This was the
much disputed battle of "Santa Clara," as seen by an eye witness.
Mrs. Isbell had .spent several nights in cleaning firearms and running
bullets — determined, if attacked, to aid in the defense. Another com-
pany of soldiers from Santa Cruz arrived soon after.
The winter was marked by unusual cold and over-abundant rains,
and tested the endurance of the settlers. Flour at $8 a barrel was be-
yound their slender purses, so they subsisted on government rations,
glad to be saved from starvation. The few who kept well were taxed
beyond their strength in ministering to the sick, and many died under
distressing conditions.
Near the end of December Mrs. Isbell was persuaded to open a
school. A room fifteen feet square, too dilapidated for any other pur-
pose, was obtained. It was damp, dark and dirty; and after suffering
several da}^s with eyes smarting from smoke, they were obliged to fore-
go the luxury of fire. The school supplies were limited to a few text-
books, brought by the various families. A daughter of Capt. Aram,
now living in Los Angeles, says she remembers distinctly her struggles
with the letter E. For want of black-board, slates or paper, the teacher
printed it on the back of her hand with a lead, pencil. There were
twenty-five pupils and the term continued two months. It was the first
American school in the State.
In the Spring of '47 Dr. Isbell and wife went to Monterey, where
she was induced to resume her work. The school opened with twenty-
five scholars, but soon increased to fifty-six. At the close of the term,
three months, the teacher left the school-room for ranch life at French
Camp.
Sugar Camp. Plymouth, Ohio.
INDEX— Chapters.
CHAPTER I.
THE TOWN OF PLYMOUTH.
Act of Incorporation, Describing the Boundry Lines and the Stipulations to be
Abided Bv — Disposition of the poor of the Old Town— List of Incorporators — Grand
List— First Officers— Full List of Representatives, Judges of Probate and Town
Clerks. Page 7.
CHAPTER II.
E.\RLV HISTORY.
The Wilderness of the Naugatuck Valley First Penetrated by a Hunting Party
in 1657. — Tunkis Tribe of Indians Original Proprietors — Part of Waterbury, Later
Parish of Xorthbury, and One Hundred Years Ago Incorporated as Town of
Plymouth. Page iq.
CHAPTER in.
CHURCH HISTORY.
St. Peter's Episcopal Parish Established in 1740 — Its Ministers and Other Inter-
esting Facts — St. ^Matthew's Church, Now Closed — Terryville Congregational
Society, with Sketches of Pastors— Roman Catholic Mission— The Defunct Second
Advent Chapel. Page 45.
CHAPTER IV.
THE "WILDER.VESS" AND INDI.\NS.
Most of Litchfield County in 1712 an Unbroken Forest as Absolute as any on the
Continent — Last Deer Shot iii Xorthbury — Indian Jack and Two Companions Were
the Onlv Indians in Plvniouth Within the Remembrance of People Now Living.
Page 68^
CHAPTER V.
SOME OF THE PIONEERS.
Sketch of Henry Cook, the First Settler, Together with Other Biographies of
His Followers who Petitioned to Make Northbury a Separate and Distinct Parish.
Location of Their Homes, Value of Estates, and What Disposition was made
of them. Page 75.
CHAPTER VI.
REVOLUTIONARY TIMES.
The History More or Less Uncertain— Hot-Bed of Toryism— Northbury the
Hoine of the Only Tory Known to Have Been Executed in Connecticut — Last Pen-
sioner of the War Born in This Parish, With a Sketch of His Life and Enlistment.
Page 92.
CHAPTER VII.
THE CIVIL WAR.
There Were no More Loyal or Brave Soldiers than the Sons of Plymouth, Sev-
eral of Whom Gained Honorable Distinction, while Others Met Untimely Deaths
at the Front and in the Very Heat of Battle — Ro.ster of Those Enlisting or Belong-
ing to the Town. Page gg.
CHAPTER VIII.
THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
How They Were Conducted in Early Times— The Co.st Borne by an Assessment
on Each Parent, Who was also Required to Furnish Cord Wood and Board the
Teacher a Certain Time — Anecdotes Told About the Old Instructors— Half of the
Present Town Taxes Spent on Education. Page 123.
CHAPTER IX.
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
Preliminary ^Meetings Held and Plans Perfected for the Celebration of the
Centennial Anniversary of the Town of Plymouth- Complete Account of the
Exercises, Including the Speeches of Judge A. "P. Bradstreet and Other Orators of
the Day. Page 13s.
II.
CHAPTER X.
CLOCK MAKERS.
PlymDUth Made Famous by the Invention of Eli Terry, who was the Founder
of the' Clock Business of America— Other Prominent Makers, such as Seth Thomas,
Silas Hoadley, Samuel Camp, and Chauncy Jerome, were all Natives of this Town.
Page 219.
CHAPTER XL
LOCK MAKERS.
Troubles Which Beset the Pioneers of the Cabinet and Trunk Lock Business
That was Established in America bv Terrvville Men of Indomitable Will and
Pluck— Sketches and Portraits of All— E. L. Gaylord, the Only Survivor, Lives in
Bridgeport. Page 240.
CHAPTER XII.
ANDREW TERRY & CO.
Sketch of the Founder of This Prosperous Concern which was One of the
Pioneers in the Malleable Iron Industry— The Men who Have Successfully :Manag:ed
and Kept it Running as Steadily Nearly as Clock Work for Close on to Half a
Century. Page 265.
\ CHAPTER XIII.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Interesting Reading About Past and Present People of Plymouth, Commencing
with Judge Augustus H. Fenn, Now the Foremost of those who reside elsewhere,
and INIany OtheVs who Have Attained Wordly Fame— Illustrations of Subjects and
Buildings. Page 273.
CHAPTER XIV.
SOCIETIES.
Plvmouth Grange, No. 72, Patrons of Husbandrv, Organized December 7, 1877-
Sedgwick Council, No. 21, O. U. A. M., Instituted March 16, 1887— Court Nutmeg,
No. 1404, Chartered October 20, 1803— The Terryville Cemetery, With Views From
Several Points. Page 421.
CHAPTER XV.
PLYMOUTH, OHIO.
Offshoot of Its Namesake in Connecticut and the First Episcopal Parish in the
State of Ohio— Descendants of These Early .Settlers, Numbering Four Hundred or
More, Organize Themselves as the "Mann, Blakeslee and Seymour Re-union
Association." Page 429.
Index— Illustrations.
Page
Plymouth Training Ground 2
South Street, Plymouth 8
Main Street, Plymouth 8
Winter Scene, South Street, Plymouth 8
Old Grave Yard, Plymouth 12
Thomaston Reservoir, on Plymouth Hill 12
Falls at Greystone, Plymouth 12
Gorge, Devil's Backbone, Plymouth 15
Articles used to Seal Weights and Measures 15
Pastoral Scene in Plymouth 18
Circular Dam, Pequabuck 18
Wooden Bridge at Thomaston, RecentU' Demolished 18
Main Street, Terryville 20
Four Corners, Terryville 20
Terryville School Children, i860 20
Old Carriage Shop, Plymouth Hill 22
Plj-mouth Hill School House 22
First Iron Bridge Over the Naugatuck 22
Terryville Watering Trough 24
Main Street, Terryville 24
Street in Terryville 24
Official Sheep Marks 26
Smith Homestead, Plymouth Center 26
Town Building, Plymoulh Center 28
III.
Page
Town Hall, Terryville 28
Interior of Town Hall 28
Rev. Luther Hart 30
Mrs. Luther Hart 30
First Congregational Church 31
Rev. I. P. Warren 32
Rev. Ephraim Lyman 32
Rev. E. J. Hawes 34
Rev. R. C. Learned 34
Rev. H. E. Cooley 36
Rev. E. B. Hillard 36
Rev. J. S. Zelie 38
Rev. C. H. Smith 38
Rev. Dr. Burhans 44
Rev. \Vm. Watson 44
St. Peter's Episcopal Church 45
Rev. David Lunsden 46
Rev. B. Eastwood 46
Rev. Emerson Jessup 48
Rev. J. M. Bates 48
Interior Vie^v, St. Peter's Episcopal Church 4q
Rev. N. T. Scudder 50
Rev. W. E. Hooker 50
Rev. James Gamniack 52
St. Peter's Episcopal Church Parsonage 52
St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, East Plymouth 53
Congregational Church, Terryville 54
Interior, Terryville Congregational Church 54
Rev. Nathaniel Richardson 56
Rev. Merrill Richardson 56
Parsonage, Terryville Congregational Church 57
Rev. Edwin R. Diinock 58
Rev. Franklin A. Spencer 58
Rev. H. B. Mead 60
Rev. L. S. Griggs 60
Rev. W. F. Arms 62
Rev. Wm. Alfred Gay 62
Terryville Congregational Church Clock 64
Interior, Terryville Roman Catholic Church 65
Rev. M. J. Daly 66
Terryville Roman Catholic Church 66
T\vo Views of Jack's Ledge 72
Lemuel Cook, Last Pensioner of the Revolutionary War 94
Gen. Erastus Blakeslee g8
Capt. Eugene Atwater 100
Redoubt B, near Fort Alexandria, Va 102
Officers, Second Conn. Heavy Artillery loa
Surprise at Cedar Creek 104
Explosion of the Mine at Petersburg 104
The Battle of the Crater 106
L'pton's Brigade at Bloody Angle 106
Burying the Dead. 108
Cemetery at Andersonville 108
Dorence Atwater no
Andersonville Stockade, Showing the Dead Line no
The Battle of Winchester .. 112
L^nion Breastworks at Cold Harbor 112
Pequabuck School House 128
Terryville Institute 128
Interior Congregational Church, Plymouth, where Centennial Services were held 170
Tent on Baldwin Park, Terryville, where Centennial Services were held 170
Loan Exhibit, General View igS
Exhibit of Furniture 198
Clock Exhibit 202
IV.
Page
Exhibit of Paintings 202
Miscellaneous Exhibit 204
Eli Terry 218
Copy of Patent Granted Eli Terry 222
Profile Portrait of Eli Terry 224
Profile Portrait of Mrs. Eli Terry 224
Home of Eli Terry, Jr 226
Eli Terry, 3d 226
Henry Terry 228
Henry K. Terry 228
Henry K. Terry, Jr 23°
Dwight H, Terry 230
Silas Hoadley 232
Samuel Camp 232
Hiram Camp 234
Seth Thomas 234
The Seth Thomas Clock Works 235
Stephen G. Bucknall 242
John C. Lewis 244
Serene Gaylord 244
William E. McKee 246
Mother of William E. McKee 246
James Terry 248
James Terry's Cottage 248
E. L. Gaylord 250
Joseph H. Adams 250
Ansel Gaylord 252
Deacon R. D. H. Allen 252
Warren Goodwin 254
James Mix 254
Elisha Mix 256
James C. Mix 256
Frank W. Mix 258
Willard T. G ood win 258
Edward H. Mix 262
Henry T. Wheeler ■ 262
The First Lock Shop 264
The Old Foundry, Front and Rear Views 266
Andrew Terry 268
J. W. Clark 268
N. Taylor Baldwin 270
O. D. Hunter 270
J. W. Clark's Residence 272
O. D. Hunter's Residence 272
Judge Augustus H. Fenn 274
Homer E. Cook 276
J. W. Pond 276
Marshall W. Leach 278
Jason Clemence 278
Augustus Von Martensen 280
Mrs. Rosina Martensen 280
' Louis C. Scheuing 282
Julius G. Beach 282
James Hunter 2S4
J. B. Baldwin 2S4
George H. Plumb 288
Gaius Fenn Warner 288
Junius Preston 292
Henry A. Minor 292
Dr. R. S. Goodwin 296
Dr. S. T. Salisbury 2g6
Dr. F. J. Whittemore 208
Dr. C. W. Bull 298
Sarah E. Tolles Plumb 300
V.
Page
George Pierpont 300
Mrs. Joseph C. Alcox 302
A. Bronson Alcott 302
Louisa M. Alcott 304
Milo Blakesley 304
Mrs. Milo Blakesley 306
A. M. Blakesley 306
A. P. Bradstreet 308
Frank W. Etheridge 308
Captain Leavitt Darrow 312
Aaron D: Wells 312
Riley Scott 314
Edwin M. Taimadge 314
W. W. Bull 316
Mrs. Betsy Bull 316
Residence of \Vm. W. Bull 318
Quiet House, Plymouth 318
Edward Langdon 320
Birthplace of Edward Langdon 320
Residence owned by Mrs. George Langdon 322
George Langdon 322
Mrs. Timothy Atwater, Jr 324
Wyllys Atwater 324
Henry Atwater 326
Barnabas W. Root 326
Jonathan Pond's Homestead 328
Alexander Pond 328
E. L. Pond's Residence 330
Andrew Stoughton 330
John M. Wardwell 332
Residence of W. G. Barton 332
Joseph C. Barthe 334
Alfred B. Renfree 334
Algelon H. Taylor 336
Dr. W. W. Wellington 336
Gains Fenn 338
Jason Fenn . 338
Elam Fenn 340
Mrs. Elam Fenn 340
Old Todd Apple Tree 342
Elam A. Fenn 342
The Fenn Homestead 344
Jason C. Fenn 344
Rev. Leverett Griggs 348
J. C. Griggs 348
Thomas Bunnell 352
Lyman Tolles 352
Milo Tomlinson. 354
Rev. Moseley H. Williams 354
Thomas F. Higgins 356
William Robinson's Residence 356
Philip C. Ryan 358
The Ryan Homestead 358
William B. Ells 360
Richard Baldwin's Residence, Terryville 360
Henry E. Hinman 362
Andrew Gaylord's Residence 362
Bennett H. Sutliffe 364
Bennett H. Sutliffe's Residence 364
Joel Blakeslee 366
Gen. Erastus Blakeslee 366
Oliver Smith 368
Byron Tuttle 368
Residence of Byron Tuttle 370
Page
Byron Tuttle's Birthplace 370
Store— W. H. Scott & Co 372
Storehouse— W. H. Scott & Co 372
Saw Mill— W. H. Scott & Co 374
Coal and Wood Yards, Waterbury — W. H. Scott & Co 374
Walter H. Scott 376
W. H. Scott's Residence 376
Z. F. Granniss . .. 378
Residence of Z. F. Granniss 378
Beach & Blackmer's Store 380
Nathan Beach 380
D. W. C. Skilton 382
Porter Sanf ord 38
B. B. Satterlee 384
Hiram Pierce 384
Henry S. Minor 388
Hiram Minor 388
Burr S. Beach 390
Dr. William Woodruff 390
R. G. Johnson 392
F. T. Cook 392
Philo Lewis 394
Lyinan Baldwin 394
T. J. Bradstreet 396
George T. Cook 396
E. L. Perkins' Residence 398
Prosper Warner 398
David D. Warner 400
:Markham Scott 400
Residence of ^Irs. G. H. Bates 402
F. H. Kellogg 402
J. S. Hemingway 404
Enos Blakeslee 404
Hon. John Birge 406
John Henry Wood 406
A. B. Curtis 408
Chloe Cook Barnes 408
Elias Smith 410
Elias Smith Homestead 410
Joel Griggs 412
Martin Griggs 41a
Franklin P. Wilcox 414
Wilbert N. Austin 414
A. S. Kelsey 416
Andrew Fenn 416
Andrew Fenn Homestead 418
Mrs. Benjamin Fenn 418
L. H. Ploucquet, Master, Plymouth Grange 420
General Sedgwick 420
L. W. Belden, Chief Ranger 422
Terry ville Cemetery — View from Southeast Corner 422
Soldiers' Monument 424
View from Northeast Corner 424
New Addition to Westward 424
View of Center of Cemeterv 425
PLYMOUTH, Ohio.
St. Matthew's Church 430
St. Matthew's Church Parsonage 432
Plymouth School 4-,4
First Store and Post Office 4,6
View in Plymouth Cemetery - 4,8
Mrs. Olive M. Isbell 440
Sugar Camp 442