History of New Haven County, Connecticut

Preface

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

IV PREFACE.

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

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

J. L. RncKEV.

New York, March 2Sth, 1892.

Chapter I

GENERAL HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY. PAGE

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

Chapter II. Town And City Of New Haven (concluded)

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

Chapter III. Town And City Of New Haven (concluded)

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

VI TABLE OF CONTENTS.

chaptp:r IV.

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

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

CHAPTER V. THE TOWN OK NORTH H.'iVEN

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

Chapter VI. The Town Of Hamden

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

Chapter VII. The Town Of Wai.lingford

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

CHAPTER \'I1I.

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

TAIiLE OF CONTENTS. vii

Chapter IX

TOWN AND CITY OF MERIDEN. PAGE

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

Chapter X. Town And City Of Meriden (concluded)

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

«- CHAPTER XI.

MERIDEN. — BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

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

Chapter XII. The Town Of Cheshire

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

Chapter XIII. The Town Of Prospect

Geographical and Descriptive.— Civil Organization.— Town Officers.— The Roads.— Town Poor.— Business Interests. —Educational and Religious Interests. — Biographical Sketches "33 viii TABLE OF Cf INTENTS.

PORTRAITS.

Banks. Nehemiah 414

Bradley, Justin •-':«

Bradley, Nathaniel L •>74

Burleigh, Cecil A 324

Butler, Eli '. ... 578

Capewell, George J 717

Coe. Andrew J oSO

Coe, Levi E .■",84

Cornwall, 'Edward A 718

Curtis, Lemuel J ^>S(i

Davis, Charles H. S .■",90

Downes, William E "'OG

Francis, William 418

Goodyear, Robert B 378

Hall, 'Seth J rm

Hallenbeck. George M 424

Harrison. Benjamin F 426

Horton, Sanford J 722

Howe, George E •■")!t4

Hubbard, Leverett M 428

Humiston, Daniel 72.',

Ives. Titus B 736

Judd. Morton 434

Lanyon, Janres 728

Leonard, Emily J ■'iiHi

Little, vSaxton B 600

Lyman, William W 603

McGaughey, James D 438

Manning, Edward B 603

Miller, Edward 604

Mix, Norris B 3:iO

Paddock, Samuel C 608

Parker, Charles 611

Reynolds, William T 2.'^0

Rogers, Cephas B 612

Simpson, Samuel 446

Stiles, Ezra 282

Stiles, Isaac L ' 284

Sutliff. John 61.-)

Swift, Edwin D :i:«

Tait, John (>16

Todd, F. Hayden 286

Townsend, James M 212

Tuttle, Henry ;i:56

Wallace, Robert 4.50

White, Henry K (il8

Wilcox, Horace C 621

Wilson, Grove H 622

Yale, Bertrand L ' 624

Yale. Charles D 4.52

MAP.

Map of New I laven County 1