The History of the Old Town of Derby, Connecticut, 1642 -- 188O.
by Samuel Orcutt and Ambrose Beardsley

Published: Press of Springfield Printing Company, Springfield, Mass., 1880.

Part 10

The names of statesmen, warriors, philosophers, scientists, and those toiling in the professions may stand out most prominently in history, and the masses accord them the highest honors, yet some of the ablest men in the world have been those engaged in secular pursuits. To carry forward great manufacturing and mercantile interests demands an amount of talent, enterprise, brain power; a broad comprehensive and executive ability far beyond that required in any of the learned professions, -- a knowledge must be obtained that can only be acquired by practical contact with the business world, while many a man would have utterly failed in business pursuits, yet, by devoting all his energies to some special study he has become eminent.

Great manufacturing establishments do not grow up spontaneously from nothing, although nearly all the largest and most successful ones, in this country at least, germinated from very small seed, producing at first but tiny plants which by dint of careful culture have developed to commanding proportions. Every such establishment has been emphatically worked up by the strong hands and active brains of earnest thinking men.

These statements are not only especially applicable to the Wallace and Sons' mammoth establishment, but are equally so to many others alluded to in the pages of this history.

Thomas Wallace, now deceased, came to Derby with his wife and seven children and all his effects on board the Old Parthena and were landed on a bright Sunday morning in May, 1841, at the Birmingham wharf. Captain E. F. Curtiss, commander of the sloop, often said, he "felt proud of having transported from up the Hudson so valuable an acquisition to the town as the Wallace family." Mr. Wallace came here through the influence and in the interests of Doct. Howe of pin notoriety, as a wire drawer. But he was not the first in Derby to manufacture wire from the metal, for William Smith, father

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of Wm. W. Smith now of Birmingham, was an adept in this business. He came from England to Derby in 1842 and was an experienced and capital mechanic, but he died in a few years after his arrival. He manufactured from the raw material and drew wire for Charles Atwood and others while in Birmingham.

Thomas Wallace with his sons, John, Thomas and William, whom he taught the trade, by application during about seven years, drew wire for the Howe Pin Company, and in 1848 established with moderate beginning the brass business in Ansonia. Although small at first, the enterprise proved successful, it being in the hands of an experienced, energetic and sagacious man, who, by honest persevering industry and fair dealing with his fellow men, struggling on in his way in life, was granted abundant success, and his business soon grew into promising proportions, and in later years his sons, imbued with the spirit and sturdy methods of the father, imparted fresh vigor to the establishment, enlarging its resources, and in every way meeting the exigencies and demands of the times and of a prosperous business.

From the first factory building erected in 1848, others have almost yearly been added until now the establishment covers, in buildings, an area of nearly five acres of land. A prominent part of these is the tall chimney (the largest in the state) which rises to an altitude of over 200 feet, and in its construction, over 500,000 bricks were used. It is a marvel of strength, beautiful in proportions, and the draught all that could be desired. A novel feature of it is that one of its massive sides is made to do duty as a clock tower, and at the height of eighty feet one of Seth Thomas's celebrated town clocks points to the employes the correct time, as well as to all living in that vicinity.

This noble structure was planned and built under the immediate supervision of Mr. William Wallace, a member of the firm. Most of the main buildings are either stone or brick, and one of the latter has just been erected thirty feet wide and one hundred and forty feet long, four stories high. A large store and warehouse at 89 Chambers street, New York, is connected with this concern. Brass and copper goods, pins, burners and more than a hundred other articles are manufactured from

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metals by the Wallace and Sons, and the great perfection and variety of their machinery give them the advantage over competitors, and their goods are found in almost every market in the world. Their business is immense and constantly increasing", and to obtain any just idea of their works and the variety of goods made would require a day's inspection.

The average number of hands employed is 450, and the weekly pay-roll is about $5,000; annual products, over $2,000,000. The present officers are: William Wallace, president; Thomas Wallace, secretary and treasurer.

THE FARRELL FOUNDRY AND MACHINE COMPANY is one of the largest concerns in the town, wdth vast buildings, and does an extensive and varied business. The company was started early in the history of Ansonia by Almon Farrell, and with him were connected the Colburns, formerly of Birmingham. Their first building was erected by Lindley and Johnson, who came to Ansonia from New Haven in 1845. At that time the capital was only $15,000, but it has gradually increased. The company now manufactures chilled-rolls, and about forty different kinds of goods in connection with their branch factory at Waterbury. It has shipped various kinds of iron machinery to France, Germany, Switzerland, England, Sandwich Islands and Cuba. To the latter place they have shipped two sugar mills for crushing sugar cane since 1877, the last one in 1878, which weighed over 320 tons, the heaviest and largest ever cast and built in this country, if not in the world.

The sole management of this establishment has been for many years under the direction of its president, who has brought the stock of the company from a nominal cash capital of $100,000 to a real capital of $500,000. The number of hands employed is 175, and the monthly pay-roll about $11,000. The present officers are: Franklin Farrell, president; Alton Farrell, secretary; E. C. Lewis, agent and treasurer. The annual products, without the Waterbury branch, $500,000.

The accompanying plate represents in part the extensive manufactory of the Osborn and Cheeseman Company, which was built upon the ruins of the Ansonia Clock works, destroyed

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by fire in 1854. The present factory, 200 by 50 feet, was built in 1861. The large addition built since, 280 feet long and 40 feet wide, and three stories high, does not appear in the cut.

Osborn and Cheeseman conducted a mercantile business in Birmingham some years, and in 1858 went into the hoop-skirt business at that place, and removed to Ansonia in 1859. In 1866 the Osborn and Cheeseman Company was organized with a capital stock of $120,000. Charles Durand was president of the company until 1875, when he sold his interest in the enterprise. The company now manufactures a great variety of goods, such as sheet and brass ware, gilding metal, German silver, copper and German-silver wire, seamless ferrules, and other kinds of metallic goods, which are sold in all parts of the United States. The number of hands employed averages about 250; the monthly pay-roll is about $10,000; and the amount of goods produced about $500,000. The prosperity of the company was never greater than at the present time. The officers of the company are: president, Wilber F. Osborn; treasurer, George W. Cheeseman; secretary, Charles D. Cheeseman.

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The Woolen Mill of Ansonia was established by David W. Plumb in 1847, (formerly in the same business in Birmingham,) and was run very successfully during the war of the rebellion. In 1865 Mr. Plumb sold his stock, and the new firm of the Slade Woolen Company was formed with a capital of $100,000. The firm manufactures cassimeres, beavers, doeskins, and various kinds of woolen goods.

The number of hands employed is 135, and the monthly pay-roll $4,000. The annual amount of goods produced is $300,000.

The present officers are: Charles L. Hill, president and treasurer; Morris A. Hill, secretary.

THE ANSONIA LAND AND WATER-POWER COMPANY has for its president, D. Willis James, and for its secretary and treasurer, George P. Cowles.

THE ANSONIA CLOCK COMPANY has for its president, Wm. E. Dodge, Jr.; for its vice-president, George P. Cowles; for secretary and treasurer, A. A. Cowles; and for general manager, Henry I. Davis.

It manufactures clocks in great variety both at Ansonia and Brooklyn, N. Y.

THE W. AND L. HOTCHKISS COMPANY, with an office on Main street, conducts a large and varied business in lumber, doors, sash and blinds. They have been successful dealers in lumber and house building from their boyhood. The business amounts to about $100,000 annually. The officers are: Willis Hotchkiss, president; H. J. Smith, secretary and treasurer.

JOHN B. GARDNER, in his large factory on Main street, manaifactures clock dials and all sorts of clock trimmings, novelties, and picture frames, and employs on an average 40 hands. He started this business in Ansonia in 1857, and has had good success. On the ist of April, 1880, he took his son into partnership, and the firm stands, John B. Gardner & Son. The monthly pay-roll is $2,000.

GEORGE C. SCHNELLER, on Main street, manufactures eyelets, and is doing a brisk business for a manufacturer who has but recently started.

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CHARLES SCHNUCKS & COMPANY manufacture nickel and Japan plating; and employ about 40 hands and are doing a lively business.

WALES, TERRELL & COMPANY make fifth wheels for carriages, and have a well established business; the company having been established about ten years.

THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY SENTINEL was started on the 9th of November, 1871, with Jerome and Carpenter, editors and proprietors.

On the 19th of the following April (1872) Mr. Carpenter retired, leaving Mr. Jerome sole editor, and on the 24th of August, 1876, Mr. Jerome sold to Messrs. Emerson and Kramer. On the 1st of September, 1877, Kramer sold his interest to his partner, who has since conducted the paper under the title of "]. M. Emerson & Company."

The paper takes its place with credit among all its stirring neighbors in the Naugatuck Valley, and is an energetic, enterprising publication.

THE ANSONIA OPERA HOUSE, on Main street, was built some years since by a joint stock company at a cost of about $40,000. It is a fine structure of brick, four stories high, and the Hall is one of the finest in the state. It has recently passed into the hands of Dana Bartholomew, and is conducted by him.

The present Ansonia Hotel was built by Lindley and Johnson in 1846, when there was scarcely a finished dwelling in the place. It has had many landlords, but under the proprietorship of Mr. Wm. H. Dayton has a reputation second to none in the Naugatuck Valley.

Ansonia had scarcely an existence as a village when this church was organized in 1848. Previous to this the few families that resided within its circuit were cared for by the First Congregational Church of Derby Narrows. Religious meetings were occasionally held for their accommodation by the pastors of the last named church, and prayer-meetings were maintained by the pious portion of the population.

In the winter of 1848-9, stated religious services on the Sabbath were commenced in the village, but intermitted after a few

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months. In the winter of 1849-50 they were renewed and have been regularly continued to the present time. The church, with its covenant and standing rules, was fully organized April 17, 1850, with thirty-one members, as follows, with the names of the churches from which they had been dismissed: From the First Congregational Church of Derby -- Wales Coe, Julia E. Coe, Luther Root, Mary Tucker, Geo. W. Nettleton, Sarah Johnson, Roswell Kimberly, Delia M. Kimberly, Martha Judson, Phebe H. Phelps, Martha Fitch, Nancy Johnson, Eli Carrington and Susan Carrington; from Wolcottville -- Jeremiah H. Bartholomew, Polly H. Bartholomew, Caroline Skinner and Edith Hubbard; from Northfield -- Benjamin Smith, Julia A. Smith; from Plymouth Hollow -- Francis C. Smith; from Oberlin, O., Lester B. Kinney; from Norwalk -- Edwin Ells; from Bristol -- Charles Cramer, Nancy Cramer, Salmon Root and Eliza Root; from Waterbury -- Fred Treadway and Esther J. Treadway; from Plainville -- Lucas H. Carter and Jane Carter.

Colburn's Hall, on Main street, was used temporarily as a place for meetings, and the Rev. J. R. Mershon employed as the stated supply of the church during the first year of its existence; his support being furnished in part by the Home Missionary Society. The winter of 1850-51 was signalized by an extensive work of grace in the community, resulting in the uniting of forty-four persons with the church by profession of their faith. In the meantime a church edifice had been commenced which was completed and dedicated July 1, 1852.

Rev. Owen Street was the first pastor, being installed September I, 1852, and dismissed May, 1857. Following this, for nearly three years, the church was without a settled pastor. Rev. Chauncy Goodrich and Moses Smith and S. L. Thompson, {afterwards missionaries to the Nestorians,) acted as supplies for a considerable portion of the time. Mr. A. L. F'risbie, then pursuing his preparatory studies at Andover, Mass., was called to the pastorate in 1859. Accepting the call, he was not ordained until March 22, i860, and remained until July 11, 1865.

While some women were cleaning the church in October, 1865, it took fire in the flue of the furnace and was entirely destroyed. The present handsome stone structure was immediately built, and dedicated May 25, 1865. During the five years

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succeeding the dismissal of Mr. Frisbie, the church was without a pastor, but enjoyed the ministrations of the Rev. Wm. S. Adamson and James T. Hyde about three years. Rev. Charles J. Hill was the next pastor, being installed in September, 1872, and dismissed October 1, 1875. He was succeeded by the Rev. Edward P. Pay son, who commenced his labors December 1, 1875, and still continues his pastoral relations with the church. Like many others, this church has had its struggles and discouragements, but has never been more prosperous than at the present time. The present number of members is 250. The officers of the church and society are: Pastor, Rev Edward P. Payson; deacons, John Jackson and Wales Terrell; clerk, V. Hunger; treasurer, Charles C. Blair; prudential committee, Robert Coe, Wm. H. Corwin and Dana Bartholomew; society's committee, V. Hunger, Josiah H. Whiting and Dana Bartholomew; clerk and collector, Reuben H. Tucker; treasurer, Charles H. Pine.

At the house of Hr. Lorenzo D. Kinney, in Ansonia, a preliminary meeting was held November 25, 1849, for the laudable purpose of forming a new Episcopal parish in this village. The Rev. Thomas Guion, then rector of St. James's Church of Derby, was called to the chair, and Hr. John Lindley appointed secretary. After mutual consultation the meeting adjourned to November 27, 1849, to meet at the residence of Samuel French. Rev. Hr. Guion was present at this adjourned meeting, and the parish was organized under the name of Trinity Church of Ansonia, by the following persons: Samuel French, Charles Cooper, Eleazer Peck, Samuel P. Church, Charles Gale, William B. Bristol, Lorenzo Kinney, John Gray, E. B. Gillett, H. S. Hill, R. H. Johnson, John Lindley, H. L. Smith, L. A. Clinton. Heasures were at once adopted to secure a lot for the erection of a house of public worship, and on the 28th of January, 1850, the following officers were chosen: Senior warden, Samuel French; junior warden, Eleazer Peck; vestrymen, R. H. Johnson, John Lindley, H. S. Hill, John Gray, Charles Gale, H. L. Smith.

Of the above only three are now connected with the parish,

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viz.: Lindley, Gale and Smith. Mr. Lindley has been a zealous worker in the parish, having been continuously in office, since its organization, over thirty years.

In this connection it is necessary to mention that when the members of St. James's Church, the old parish of Mansfield, Jewett and others resolved in great harmony and by legal vote in 1841 to remove their edifice from Up Town to Birmingham, as being more central, a few families in the vicinity of the old edifice, who at first acquiesced in the removal, became dissatisfied on seeing the services, bell, organ and records transferred to the new edifice at Birmingham, withdrew from the old church and established regular services in the village schoolhouse Up Town, and at the next diocesan convention applied for admission as a new parish under the name of St. James's of Derby. A request so much at variance with good order was denied and the applicants were recommended to petition for admission as a new parish, and the next year, 1844, were admitted as such under the name of Christ Church, as appears by the following vote of the convention: "Voted that the parish in Derby organized on the first day of June, 1843, under the name of St. James's Parish be and the same is hereby admitted as a new parish into the union of this convention by the name of Christ Church, Derby." Thus was this new parish instituted and recognized as such according to the usages of the Episcopal Church, and when this had taken place the officers of St. James's Church conveyed by deed the grounds and old edifice in good faith to this new parish, and the old church was then re-opened with Rev. N. S. Richardson as its first rector. He was followed by the Rev. Mr. Putnam in his rectorship, who labored with pious zeal and good spirits until this church united with the new parish of Trinity at Ansonia, the latter surrendering their first ecclesiastical name and adopting that of Christ Church. Thus these infant parishes were wisely merged into one. The Rev. Henry Olmstead was the first rector of Trinity, and for a short time religious services were maintained in two localities within the limits of the parish, at Up Town and Ansonia. Messrs. Olmstead and Putnam being a sort of co-rectors, resigned at the same time, and were succeeded by the Rev. Mr, Stryker, under whom all parochial interests were then consol-

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idated. Mr. Olmstead remained rector of Trinity less than a year and is now rector of Trinity Church at Branford, and has received the degree of D. D. Mr. Putnam has long since deceased.

The Rev. P. Mansfield Stryker, now deceased, may be considered the second rector of Christ Church at Ansonia, remaining one year, and among the results of his labors were three marriages, six baptisms, five confirmations by Bishop Brownell, and eight burials.

The third rector was the Rev. D. F. Lumsden, who remained over one year. He was deposed from the ministry a few years ago by Bishop Coxe of Western New York.

The fourth rector was the Rev. Samuel G. Appleton, whose labors extended from Easter 1854 to Easter 1856. Mr. Appleton died of apoplexy at Morrisania, N. Y., in 1874.

The fifth rector, the Rev. John Milton Peck, was in charge of the parish ten months. He is now and has been for a number of years rector of Christ Church at Danville, Penn.

The sixth rector, the Rev. Louis French, remained six years. Mr. French, since leaving Ansonia, in 1863, has been rector of St. Luke's Church at Darien, Conn.

The seventh rector, the Rev. Julius H. Ward, remained as such from January, 1864, to August, 1865, and is now located in Boston, engaged in church work.

The eighth rector was the Rev. Charles H. W. Stocking, during whose service of three years and a half there were eighty-one baptisms. He is now rector of Grace Church, Detroit, Mich., and has received the degree of D. D.

The ninth. Rev. J. E. Pratt, was rector from October, 1869, to June, 1872. Mr, Pratt, since leaving, has been rector of Trinity Church at Syracuse, N. Y.

The tenth, the Rev. Samuel R. Fuller, assumed the rectorship in July, 1872, and resigned November, 1874. He is now rector of Christ Church at Corning, N. Y.

The eleventh rector, the Rev. S. B, Duffield, came to this parish in December, 1875, and left March, 1878. Mr. Dufifield is now in charge of St Peter's Church at Monroe, Conn.

After the resignation of Mr. Fuller a vacancy for thirteen months occurred, during which the Rev. Sheldon Davis was in

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charge of the parish, he being largely instrumental in gathering the class for confirmation at the beginning of Mr. Duffield's labors.

During the rectorship of Mr. Ward the church edifice was enlarged at an expense of about $2,000. In 1875 it was rebuilt at a cost of $12,000, and adorned with costly and appropriate memorial windows to the embassadors of the church in Derby, viz.: the pious Mansfield and the devout Jewett. The present officers of the church are: rector, Rev. H. T. Widdemer; wardens, John Lindley and E. W. Webster; vestrymen, F. Farrell, J. B. Gardner, H. J. Smith, F. E. Colburn, N. S. Johnson, Chester A. Hawley, Robert Peck, R. R. Wood, H. A. Shipman; Alton Farrell, parish clerk and treasurer.

During the rectorship of Mr. Widdemer since April 20, 1878, there have been one hundred and thirty baptisms, one hundred and sixteen confirmations.

Rev. Mr. Widdemer was born in Philadelphia, July 2, 1848; was prepared for college by his father, the Rev. E. S. Widdemer, now rector of the Church of Reconciliation in New York city; was graduated in 1867 at St. Stephen's College, N. Y., at the head of his class, and pursued his theological course at the Berkeley Divinity School at Middletown, from which he graduated in 1870. He was ordained in Albany, N. Y., July 12, 1870, by Bishop Doane, and advanced to the priesthood July 6, 1872; was a short time rector of St. Ann's Church at Amsterdam, N. Y., and in January, 1875, removed to New York city and became associate rector of the Church of St. John the Baptist. Severing his connection there he was called to the rectorship of Christ Church at Ansonia in April, 1878.

This church is now substantially out of debt, and, dating its organization in 1849, only thirty-one years ago, few parishes in the diocese within that period can show a more rapid or prosperous growth.

The reflection is pleasing that the good seed sown by the early ministers of the church in Derby and their successors has taken deep root and is still producing much fruit.

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The Catholic parish of Ansonia was organized in 1866, and the present church edifice built in 1867. The Rev. P. J. O'Dwyer was the first pastor, and his zealous efforts were largely instrumental in -building the church. Father O'Dwyer was born in Ireland and received his ecclesiastical education at "All Hollers College," Dublin. Prior to his pastorate in Ansonia he was a very acceptable and efficient priest of St. Mary's Church, Birmingham, for five years. On his transfer to Norwalk, where he recently died, he was succeeded by the present pastor, the Rev. H. F. Brady, who was born in Ireland, and came to this country in his youth, about thirty-seven years ago. He received his rudimental ecclesiastical education at the College of St. Charles Bonemeo, Philadelphia, where he passed through a course of the classics, metaphysics and ethics. Afterwards he spent eight years in the University of St. Mary's of Illinois, being both student and professor of belles lettres. Not being a subject of that diocese, which then included the whole of that state, he returned from the West and was accepted by the Archbishop of New York, Dr. Hughes, and appointed pastor successively of St. Joseph's and St. Ann's. In 1861 he resigned charge of the latter, went to Europe and attended lectures in Paris for three years. At the end of that time he was offered the degree of D. D., but respectfully declined the honor, saying that he had no ambition to add to his name a tail which so many wagged with so little credit, a degree that was originally granted only to men of talent, great worth and industry.

Returning from Europe he attached himself to the diocese of Hartford, then comprising the states of Connecticut and Rhode Island. He was appointed pastor of St. Patrick's Church, Rhode Island, for a short time, and was then transferred to Naugatuck, Conn., where he remained from 1866 to 1876, when he was transferred to his present parish at Ansonia. His congregation is flourishing, and numbers about 3,000 souls; the largest Christian organization in the town. A commodious parsonage has been built within a year.

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Scholarly, and gentlemanly in his manners, Father Brady has won the respect and confidence of the community in which he resides.

This church was organized June 22, 1874, under the state Baptist convention, Dr. Turnbull then being its secretary. Only thirty-nine members joined the church on its organization. The Bible school was instituted by Dr. Turnbull and others with thirty-four scholars. Mr. Sharon Y. Beach of Seymour was very efficient in the office of superintendent, and labored very acceptably until his resignation in 1879. Religious meetings were held at first in the rooms of the Opera House, under the auspices of the "Christian Association," having regular preaching every Sunday by Dr. Turnbull, Rev. E. M. Jerome and others, until a hall was secured in the Hotchkiss Block, Measures were soon taken to build an edifice, which was completed in April, 1877, at a cost of about $15,000, and occupied; the services of the Rev Mr. Jerome being secured as pastor. The membership of the church at this time being seventy-five. On April 1, 1879, Mr. Jerome resigned his pastorate and the church was without a settled minister until February 1, 1880, when the Rev. F. B. Dickinson of Boston was secured. The present membership numbers 107.

The Sunday or Bible school of this church was well and most successfully managed by the unremitting efforts of its superintendent, Mr. Beach, as stated, and when he resigned Doct. B. F. Leach was appointed, and accepted the position, and is successfully conducting this department of the church work.

The present officers of this church are: Rev. F. B. Dickinson, pastor; Henry C. Cook, clerk; Sharon Y. Beach, William Spencer and H. C. Cook, deacons; Doct. F. B. Leach, superintendent; E. N. Barnett, assistant; A. H. Baldwin, secretary; and H. C. Cook, treasurer.

The Sunday-school numbers 120. This is the only Baptist society in the town of Derby; is free from debt, under good management, and is increasing steadily in its usefulness and work.

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This church was organized in 1851, Rev. David Osborn being the first pastor while preaching and residing at Seymour. Rev. John L. Peck was pastor in 1852; Rev. E. S. Hibbardin 1853; Rev. John Pegg in 1854 and 5; Rev. J. J. Wooley in 1856 and 7; Rev. Wm. Porteus a part of 1858, and Rev. Wm. Tracy the remainder; Rev. Silosloerthome in 1859; Rev. Wm. Howard in 1860 and 61; Rev. A. B. Pulling in 1862 and 3; Rev. C. F. Mallory in 1864 and 5; Rev. Wm. H. Waddell in 1866 and 7; Rev. C. S. Wing in 1868, 69 and 70; Rev. George P. Mains in 1871 and 2; Rev. S. H. Smith in 1873 and 4; Rev. Mr. Lindsay in 1875 and 6; Rev. J. M. Carroll in 1877; Rev. I. E. Smith in 1878; Rev. R. H. Loomis in 1879 and 80.

The place of worship at first was Colburn's Hall on Main street. The present edifice, a neat and commodious church, erected in 1865, located on Main street near the Farrell foundry, is capable of seating about 600 persons. The membership numbers 180, and the Sunday-school 232.

This church has struggled through many discouragements, but is now in a healthy and prosperous condition.

This institution was incorporated in 1862; the original corporators under the charter being:

George P. Cowles,
John Lindley,
J. H. Bartholomew,
J. M. Colburn,
Abraham Hubbell,
Thomas Whitney,
Egbert Bartlett,
Nathan S. Johnson,
Albert Hotchkiss,
Thomas Wallace, jun.,
William B. Bristol,
David W. Plumb,
Sylvester Barbour,
Jonah C. Piatt,
Richard M. Johnson,
Eli Hotchkiss,
Eleazer Peck,
Willet Bradley.

With the exception of four all are still living. The secretary and treasurer, Mr. Bartlett, is the only officer or person who receives any compensation for services. The institution is prosperous; the amount of deposits constantly increasing, and were on the ist of March, 1880, $367,865.31. The present officers are: president, William B. Bristol; vice-president,

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Thomas Wallace; directors, Abraham Hubbell, Robert Peck, Jonah C. Piatt, Dana Bartholomew, John Lindley, Henry J. Smith, Charles L. Hill and James Swan; secretary and treasurer, Egbert Bartlett; auditors, Alton Farrell and Lockwood Hotchkiss.

The residents of Ansonia, early in the year 1861, bought the stock of the "Bank of North America," then located at Seymour, which had been reduced to a low standing by losses and other calamities, and removed it to Ansonia, and changed the name in July, 1861, to that of Ansonia Bank with a capital stock of $100,000, which was afterwards increased to $200,000. In 1865 the name was changed to-the National Bank of Ansonia and is in a prosperous state of success.

The present officers are: Thomas Wallace, president; George P. Cowles, vice-president; Charles H. Pine, cashier. The directors are: Thomas Wallace, George P. Cowles, J. M. Colburn, Wm. B. Bristol, J. H. Bartholomew, Charles L. Hill, Alton Farrell.

Under this name Mr. R. R. Colburn at his old Lead factory on Main street is manufacturing paper boxes, employing several workmen.

Henry B. Whiting is the maker of fish poles, which has become an established, lucrative business.

Ansonia was chartered as a borough by the Legislature at its May session in 1864, and in 1871 the charter was amended giving full powers and privileges ordinarily granted to boroughs. The organization was effected at Bradley's Hotel August 1, 1864, with the following officers: David W. Plumb, warden; A. J. Hine, clerk; Wm. B. Bristol, treasurer; D. F. Hoadley, bailiff. The burgesses are: Wm. B. Bristol, J. H. Bartholomew, Robert Hoadley, Wm. Wallace, John Lindley, M. P. Wilson.

The limits of the borough are quite extended and take in

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larger territory than that of Birmingham. The following gentlemen have discharged the duties of wardens since 1865:

Wm. B. Bristol, 4 years,
Egbert Bartlett, 2 years,
Robert Peck, 1 year,
Michael Walsh, 1 year,
Charles F. Williams, 1 year,
Henry B. Whiting, 1 year,
D. F. Hoadley, 2 years,
John B. Quillinan, 1 year,
H. A. Shipman, 1 year.

The present officers are: Henry A. Shipman, warden; Morris Drew, H. C. Spencer, S. B. Bronson, Alfred Barnett, Henry B, Whiting, Patrick B. Fraher, burgesses; Charles H. Pine, treasurer; R. N. Tucker, clerk; D. J. Hayes, bailiff.

The borough is well supplied with water from a distance with sufficient fall to extinguish fires. It was procured at great expense by the Ansonia Water Company, whose officers are: president, Thomas Wallace; secretary and treasurer, Dana Bartholomew; directors, J. H. Bartholomew, Thomas Wallace, Geo. P. Cowles, Wm. R. Slade, Robert Hoadley, A. Hubbell, E. Bartlett, D. Bartholomew, Wm. Wallace.

Ansonia is well protected from fire, having a good supply of water. In 1871 the Eagle Hose Company No. 6 was organized with twenty-nine charter members, with the following officers: F. H. demons, foreman; E. A. Wadhams, assistant; Wm. Powe, 2d assistant, and John H. Hall, secretary and treasurer.

The borough in 1879 removed and enlarged their house, which now stands opposite the Farrell foundry on Main street, and the members of the company at their own expense have furnished their spacious apartments with elegant furniture and a library, papers and periodicals, which make their head-quarters attractive for daily evening meetings. A hook and ladder company is connected and the name has been changed to Eagle Hose and Ladder company No. 6. They number 60 members, many of whom are among the first young men of the place. The present officers are: Wm. Powe, foreman; W. O. Wallace, first assistant; W. S. Hurd, second assistant; Thomas Hurd, treasurer; Fred M. Drew, secretary.

This company constitutes the entire fire department of the borough, and being efficient on every emergency is the pride and boast of the place. In harmony with the active and energetic

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fire company of West Ansonia, Ira Newcomb, foreman, and the Fountain Hose, both fitted with necessary apparatus, this part of the town is as well protected from fire as most places within city limits.

George Washington Lodge No. 82, F. and A. M., was organized under a dispensation granted by the Grand Master of Connecticut, dated November 25, 1856. Its charter was granted by the General Lodge of Connecticut at its annual communication in May, 1857, and bears date of May 18, 1857.

The first officers were:
Joseph A. Bunnell, W. M.,
John Wallace, S. W.,
Joseph S. Riggs, J. W.,
Samuel A. Cotter, Treasurer,
Thomas Wallace, jun., Secretary,
John Cowell, S. D.,
T, B. Smith, J. D.,
Rev. J. J. Woolley, Chaplain,
H, Skinner, Tyler.

The present officers are:
A. F. Hoadley, W. M.,
C. T. Beardsley. S. W.,
Frank Middlebrook, J. W.,
George A. Tomlinson, Treasurer,
R. H. Tucker, Secretary,
E. P. Dodge, S. D.,
Philip E. Newsom, J. D.,
Edwin Ells, Chaplain,
Levi B. Boutwell, Tyler.

The lodge room from the start until 1876 was in the building where Randall's store is. The present lodge, room over Johnson & Hotchkiss's store was opened in 1876.

Mount Vernon Chapter, No. 35, R. A. M., was organized under a dispensation granted by Grand High Priest Charles W. Stearns, dated January, 1872. Its charter was granted by the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the state of Connecticut at its annual convocation in May, 1872, and instituted by Grand High Priest W. W. Lee on the 25th of June, 1872.

First officers:
J. N. Whiting, H. P.,
J. E. Remer, K.,
John Lindley S.,
N. Sperry, Treasurer,
George O. Scheller, Secretary,
James Pemberton, P. S.,
D. F. Hoadley, C. of H.,
John Cawell, R. A. C,
N. Skinner, Tyler.

J. H. Whiting was H. P. from the organization until April, 1874, and D. ¥. Hoadley has held that office ever since.

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The meetings of this society are held in the rooms of the George Washington Lodge.

Present ofificers:
D. F. Hoadley, H. P.,
F. G. Bassett, K.,
W. W. Joy, S.,
A. T. Hoadley, Treasurer,
J. H. Whiting, Secretary,
P. B. Mackey, P. S.,
J. G. Redshaw, C. of H.,
R. N. Tucker, R. A. C.,
L. B. Boutwell, Tyler.

Knights of Pythias, No. 24, was instituted December 9, 1870, with eleven charter members. Robert Peck was the presiding officer. In January, 1872, the lodge contained seventy members in good standing, and after eight years of varied success, with many disbursements for the sick, it now stands as the banner lodge of the state, and numbers 114 members; has a cash fund of over $1,500, besides $700 in furniture and library.

Garnet Temple Of Honor, No. 24, T. O. H. and T., was instituted December 15, 1877. Met in rooms of I. O. O. F. in Hotchkiss block until 1879, when they removed to the room over Judd Brothers' market.

Charter members:
   First Officers:
   Benj. Hutchinson, W. C. T.,
   Henry Jeynes, sen., W. V. T.,
   Alex. Veitch, W. R.,
   Joseph Closson, Treasurer.
Charles Vandercook,
S. S. Wilcox,
Samuel B. Bronson,
D. T. Sanford,
James Parker,
Walter Baldwin,
George A. Hoyt,
Thomas Law,
Joseph McBrien,
Henry Jeynes, jun.,
George Thompson,
Thomas Davidson,
R. H. Tucker,
William T. Mercer.

The following have been W. C. T.:
Benjamin Hutchinson,
Henry Jeynes, sen.,
Frank A. Snell,
Henry Jeynes, jun.,
Robert Allen.

The present ofificers are:
Robert Allen, W. C. T.,
John A. Lewis, W. V. T.,
F. A. Snell, W. R.,
John Ballantyne, Treasurer.

Whole number of members, 52.

RUBY SOCIAL T. OF H. AND T., No. 13. This is the female branch of the preceding; instituted April 8, 1879. Meet with Garnet Temple of Honor. Membership, total, 55.

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First ofificers:
Elizabeth Jeynes, S. P. T.,
Henry Jeynes, sen., B. P. T.,
Lottie L. Smith, S. R.

VETERAN SOLDIERS AND SAILORS' ASSOCIATION OF ANSONIA hold regular meetings the third Monday in each month. It is benevolent in its object and has especial care for the graves of deceased soldiers. Its officers are: John Jackson, president; Charles H. Pine, secretary and treasurer; Julius A. Bristol, W. R. Mott, Charles Stowell, executive committee. It numbers 60 members.

ANCIENT ORDER OF HIBERNIANS is of long standing and benevolent in its object. Present officers: John M. O'Brian, president; John Cahill, vice-president; Mike Cahill, secretary; Peter Larkins, treasurer. It numbers about 45 members.

FATHER MATHEW T. A. AND B. SOCIETY is benevolent in its character and numbers 30 members. Its officers are: John Cahill, president; John R. Hayes, vice-president; Hugh Graffney, secretary; John O'Brian, treasurer.

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY is benevolent in character, and has for its president, John Lane; secretary and treasurer, Peter McAuliff.

There are other societies of this kind, such as the Young Men's Total Abstinence society, the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, the Wallace Sick Benefit society, Herman Lodge, No. 400, and perhaps others.

In close proximity to Ansonia proper, separated only by the Naugatuck, is situated this flourishing part of the town. Elevated and facing the east, while overlooking for a long distance the valley, it is one of the most beautiful and desirable locations in Derby. Adorned with many fine residences and away from the noisy hum of machinery, its population is already vieing in improvements with other parts of the town. It contains no factories; only two stores, two meat markets, a school-house, 225 dwelling houses, and a population of 1,000.

The place is blessed with good water from a distant lake, supplied by a running stream; its main streets are lighted; many of the sidewalks are paved -- some flagged; a well organized

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fire company, the Fountain Hose with engine house and good apparatus for the extinguishment of fire, -- all these combined with pleasant scenery give promise of future growth and prosperity. Within the limits of the village is located the spacious grounds of the "Evergreen Cemetery" in which the citizens take a just pride. About six years ago an appropriate and imposing Soldiers' Monument was erected in it and dedicated with appropriate ceremonies, to the memory of Derby's heroic dead. It will stand a credit to the patriotic, good people of Ansonia who caused its erection.

Few landmarks remain as reminders of the prosperity of this place before its commercial downfall. The old Leman Stone castle, the tavern and some old dwellings with their surroundings may be pleasant for the oldest inhabitants to contemplate, but ship building is gone, the once lively trade with foreign ports no longer continues, for the cut of railroads against the navigation of the Ousatonic has brought its blessing and advantages and imbued this ancient part of the town with the spirit of modern improvements. Costly mansions now stand on grounds almost venerated one hundred years ago. The population is increasing annually from Up Town to Turkey Hill. The streets are lighted with gas, sidewalks flagged and the people are keeping pace with other sections of the town.

The Derby post-office, in name replete with migration -- now here, now there -- finally in Birmingham and changed to the name of Birmingham post-office, has resulted in giving a new one to the Narrows under the old name of the Derby post-office. But little manufacturing has ever been done in this place. The tannery established by Isaac J. Gilbert fifty or more years ago is still continued, although less extensively, by his son, Abijah H. Gilbert.

The sash and blind factory of David Bradley & Son on Two-Mile brook at Turkey Hill, is one of the oldest establishments of the kind in New Haven county. It furnished the sash and blinds to the first buildings erected in Birmingham, and still continues its work, the products having always been considered of a superior quality.

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Agur Gilbert & Sons, makers of planes and other wooden articles are located at Turkey Hill on the same brook, and must be classed among the manufacturers of the town. At the old Hitchcock Oil mill DeWit C. Lockwood for several years has turned out a great variety of Yankee articles in wood, turning in this line having been first started at Birmingham.

The Derby Building and Lumber Company being a prominent establishment at the Narrows its history is here given. It manufactures sash, blinds, doors, and deals largely in lumber, timber and shingles. It was first started at Birmingham in 1836 by Willis and Lewis Hotchkiss, brothers, on the property now owned by Robert N. Bassett. The firm continued the business until 1840 when Willis P. Sperry and Merritt Clarke were taken into partnership and the name of Hotchkiss, Clarke & Co., adopted. Continuing in business until 1850, the company then consolidated with Lindley & Johnson, a firm at Ansonia in the same business, thus forming a joint stock company under the name of Derby Building and Lumber Company, removing their works to Derby Landing. Here was erected a large factory for the prosecution of a wholesale trade. In 1868 these buildings were entirely destroyed by fire, and the energetic managers not discouraged erected a larger factory with increased facilities and improved machinery, and in six weeks from the date of the fire they were again in full operation in the production of merchandise. The facilities of this company for doing'their work are unsurpassed.

The capital stock is $55,000; number of hands employed 50; monthly pay roll about $3,000; annual product of goods about $150,000. The present officers are: president, Wm. E. Burlock; secretary and treasurer, John G. Townsend; general manager, Clark N. Rogers.

An extensive business carried on at the Narrows is the coal trade by Merritt Clarke & Sons of Derby, and Wm. B. Bristol of Ansonia. J. W. Whitlock of West Ansonia is also a coal dealer. The Clarke Sons alone retail annually 5,000 tons of coal, and the whole consumption in the town is estimated at 35,000 tons yearly.

The first coal introduced into Derby was in 1807, by Abijah Smith, father of the founder of Birmingham. The first cargo

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of anthracite coal offered for sale in this country was by Abijah Smith. He left Derby in 1806, and in 1807 mined fifty tons of coal in Plymouth, Penn., at the old mine which is now rented to the Lehigh and Wilkesbarre Coal Company, known as the Smith red-ash coal. In November, 1807, Smith purchased an ark for $24, which had been used for the transportation of plaster, and on the 4th day of that month this ark was floated to Plymouth and loaded with fifty tons of anthracite coal and was floated down the Susquehanna river. Safely landed at Columbia, Penn., the German settlers looked with wonder at what they called "black stone," and said Smith must be a crazy man to think of selling such stuff as that. In order to demonstrate the value of coal as an article for fuel Mr. Smith arranged with a landlord of that place, for the use of his fire-place, -- procured a grate made under his directions by a blacksmith, put it into the fire-place, built a fire of wood and put on the coal, but the wood burned out leaving the coal only a little ignited. They poked it much and worked to make it burn, but not succeeding well, left it and went to dinner. When they returned there was a splendid fire, and the effort a victorious success. Persons from Philadelphia, Baltimore and New York beheld with wonder and delighted surprise the burning of this "black stone." The effort being satisfactory Mr. Smith, joined by his brother John Smith in 1808, sent three ark loads of coal to Havre de Grace, and there transferred it to a schooner named Washington and sent it to New York in care of Price and Waterbury, which company sold the coal on commission, disposing of it by chaldrons, and not by tons. After 1808 Abijah and John Smith followed the business of transporting coal in arks down the Susquehanna for a number of years, the annual average of sales to 1820 being about six ark loads. Nearly all the early operators in the coal trade made failures except the Smiths. Some of their descendants are still prosecuting it successfully." [History of Plymouth, Penn., by H. B. Wright, 313.]

In 1820 the annual product of coal for the whole country was less than a thousand tons; now annually thirty-five thousand

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consumed in the United States (1879) is estimated at 20,000,000 tons.

In the early process of mining no powder was used, it being all done by the slow process of pick and wedge, but after a time Mr. Smith thought it could be done with powder-blast, and sending to Milford, Conn., obtained the services of John Flanigan, an experienced stone quarrier with powder, and set him at the work, which experiment proved a success. This was in 1818. It should therefore be recorded that John F'lanigan was the first to apply the powder-blast in the coal mines of Pennsylvania, an important experiment in the commencement of a trade which has become so immense in later years.

The first.load of coal brought to Derby was by Abijah Smith, in his coat pocket, as a curiosity, and the credit is due, therefore, to one of Derby's native citizens, for having developed the coal trade.

MINNIE B., a steamboat recently constructed for the purpose, is soon to be put on the river to run from Derby Narrows to Bridgeport in connection with the People's Line to New York, and also for excursions on the Sound. The owner of the boat, Mr. George W. Briggs, has a patent for a newly arranged propelling wheel, and this boat is constructed for demonstrating the value of the patent, as well as to secure transportation of passengers from Derby to New York by water. The wheel is so arranged as to enable the boat to draw two or five feet of water, although of 40 tons burden. Mr. Briggs was formerly of Warwick, Rhode Island. The officers are: commander. Dr. B. F. Leach of Birmingham; pilot, Henry M. Porter of Stratford; engineer, G. H. Bartlett of New Haven.

This place, containing about thirty dwellings, is a little below and in close proximity to Derby Narrows, bordering on Turkey Hill.

A Sunday-school mission was started at this place by Mrs. D. M. Church, June 17, 1877, in her own house, where it continued until a larger place of meeting was needed, when, in

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December, 1877, Mr. George Waterman gave the use of a suit of rooms for the mission.

In March, 1878, a school was regularly organized by the election of Mrs. D. M. Church superintendent; Dea. David Bradley, assistant, and Almon Ticknor, treasurer.

Soon after this Mrs. Church was called away from the place, and Dr. B. F. Leach of Birmingham accepted the position of superintendent, which he still holds. In April, 1879 the mission school was re-organized with the same officers; the school numbering 45.

At this Mrs. Almon Ticknor donated a site for a chapel, and a building committee of the following persons was appointed: Mr. Lewis Young, Dea. David Bradley and Mr. Almon Ticknor. The money was raised by subscription, and the work commenced June 8, 1879, and was completed and occupied July 6, 1879, at a cost of $500. The school now numbers about 70.

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of these pieces of land must have laid in the valley west of Rock Rimmon, for the town record shows us the following grants: "December 30, 1678. The town have granted to Ebenezer Johnson the upper plain land against Rock Rimmon, and that it shall lie for division land and be so called if Milford do not take away the propriety of it* and the town grant the said

As seen in the account of the M. E. Church in Birmingham, [Page 360 of this book. This account of the M. E. Church in Seymour is taken mostly from Mr. W. C. Sharpe's History of Seymour.] Methodist preaching was introduced in 1791, and the first society formed at the old village of Derby in 1793, with John Coe leader of the class. The members of this society who lived in Chusetown were first organized into a separate society in 1797, but it is probable that their ministers preached here several years before this organization. The first members were: Jesse Johnson, Isaac Baldwin, Sarah Baldwin and Eunice Baldwin. Daniel Rowe of Derby was their first class leader, and the following names were soon added: George Clark, Lucy Hitchcock, Silas Johnson and Oliver Johnson.

The ministers preached wherever they found open doors; once or more in Mrs. Dayton's tavern, the house now owned by William Hull, at the corner of Main and Pearl streets; also in the house of Mr. Stiles, now the residence of Doct. Stoddard. Some years later they preached in the ball-room of the Moulthrop tavern, on the north-east of Hill and Pearl streets. The ministers who were sent to the Middletown circuit, which included this place, were: in 1792, Richard Swain and Aaron Hunt; in 1793, Joshua Taylor and Benjamin Fisher; in 1794, Menzies Raynor and Daniel Ostrander; in 1795, Evan Rogers and Joel Ketchum; in 1796, Joshua Taylor and Lawrence McCombs; in 1797, Michael Coate and Peter Jayne; in 1798, Augustus Jocelyn; in 1799, Ebenezer Stevens; in 1800, James

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Coleman and Roger Searle. The Revs. Jacob Brush, George Roberts, Jesse Lee, Freeborn Garrettson and Sylvester Hutchinson served as presiding elders.

For a long time the society continued small and encountered much prejudice and some persecution. On one occasion, while a meeting was held in the house of Isaac Baldwin, which stood on the flat east of H. B. Beecher's auger factory, the persecutors went up a ladder and stopped the top of the chimney in the time of preaching, so that the smoke drove the people out of the house. Squibs of powder were often thrown into the fire in time of worship, to the great annoyance of the people.

The preachers appointed to the circuit from 1801 to 1810 were: in 1801, Abijah Bachelor and Luman Andrus; in 1802, Abner Wood and James Annis; in 1803, Abner Wood and Nathan Emory; in 1804, Ebenezer Washburn and Nathan Emory; in 1805, Ebenezer Washburn and Luman Andrus; in 1806, Luman Andrus and Zalmon Lyon; in 1807, William Thatcher, R. Harris and Oliver Sykes; in 1808. James M. Smith and Phineas Rice; in 1809, Noble W. Thomas and Coles Carpenter; in 1810, Oliver Sykes and Jonathan Lyon.

The presiding elders on the district were; Freeborn Garrettson, Daniel Ostrander, William Thatcher and Joseph Crawford. Freeborn Garrettson held the first quarterly meeting in this place in the old Congregational meeting-house in 1803, and Moses Osborn. a zealous local preacher of Southbury, by his faithful labors in Derby four or five years, prepared the way for a great revival in 1809, when seventy persons were converted in the Neck school-house.

In 1811 the preachers were: Zalmon Lyon and Jesse Hunt; in 1812, Aaron Hunt and Arnold Scholefield. In 1813 Middletown circuit was divided and Stratford was made the head of the new circuit, and Ebenezer Washburn and James Coleman were the preachers. Stratford, Milford, Derby, Humphreysville, Nyumphs, Great Hill, Quaker's Farm, George's Hill, Bridgewater, Brookfield, Newtown, East Village, Stepney and Trumbull were included in the circuit.

Among the early Methodists on Great Hill were Anson Gillett and his wife, five sons and two daughters; Mrs. David Tomlinson, one son and three daughters; Capt. Isaac Bassett

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and wife, one son and six daughters, and James Tomlinson and his wife.

In 1814 Nathan Bangs was presiding elder on the New Haven district, and Elijah Woolsey and Henry Ames were the preachers on this circuit, where the preaching was divided -- half a day at Humphreysville, half a day at Nyumphs, and once a fortnight at Derby Neck, it being a revival year at the Neck and Great Hill. The two brothers, Samuel and David Durand, and their wives, were added to the church in the little red schoolhouse which stood north of where the Great Hill church now stands. Samuel was a good singer. In 1815 Elijah Hebard and Benoni English were the preachers on this circuit, but Mr. English soon located at Humphreysville and went into business. This year Walter French, a resident of Humphreysville, received license to exhort, and afterwards to preach, and became a useful, successful minister; having a good memory, a ready utterance, and often spoke with great persuasive influence. He died in 1865, aged over eighty years.

When Nathan Bangs was presiding elder in 1816, he came to preach in the Bell school-house, and stopped with Stiles Johnson on the Skokorat road. After some cautions from his host against doctrinal preaching, he went down in the evening and preached a free salvation to a crowded house, giving Calvinism its portion, as was the custom, and such was the influence of his words that at the close, when he inquired: "Who will have this salvation?" the whole congregation stood up, and a revival ensued. In 1817 the society numbered fifty-six members. On October 31, 1817, the Methodists bought the old Congregational meeting-house, and at watch-meeting the succeeding New Year's eve, an extensive revival commenced in this house, when Jesse and Stiles Johnson, sons of Isaac Johnson, and their wives, united with the Methodist society. Jesse was afterwards a local preacher, a close student of the Bible, but became insane, and after a long confinement died in 1829. Stiles, who died October 4, 1818, by his will gave the land on which the church stands to the Methodist society, and also $334 in money. The old meeting-house was soon after made a two-story building, but not painted.

In 1819 the members of the church constituted three classes;

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the leaders being Robert Lee, Timothy Hitchcock and Orrin Peck, the last class being in Woodbridge. The members of Timothy Hitchcock's class were Cynthia Johnson, widow of Stiles, Thomas and Lois Gelyard, Jared and Sally B. Bassett, (daughter of Stiles Johnson), Timothy and Urania Hitchcock, Anna Davis, widow of Reuben, Bezaleel and Martha Peck, Alva Davis and his wife Polly (daughter of Capt. Daniel Holbrook), Hepziba Johnson (daughter of Jesse), and Sheldon Hitchcock. The circuit preachers from 1816 to 1820 were: Nathan Emory, Arnold Scholefield, Reuben Harris, Ezekiel Canfield, Samuel Bushnell, Aaron Pierce, Beardsley Northrop, David Miller and Bela Smith. The circuits were large and two preachers were appointed yearly to each circuit to alternate at the different appointments.

The quarterly meetings of those times were largely attended; the people going from all parts of the circuit to attend services on Saturday and on the Sabbath. The presiding elder was usually present, and preached strong doctrinal sermons; one on Saturday, after which was held the quarterly conference, consisting of all the preachers, exhorters, class leaders and stewards, and one on the Sabbath after the love-feast service. At one of these meetings on Great Hill, in 1820, E. Washburn, presiding elder, fifteen persons were converted in one afternoon.

From 1821 to 1830 the membership of the church was much increased. The preachers were: James Coleman, Laban Clark, E. Barnett, John Nixon, Eli Denniston, Wm. F. Pease, Julius Field, Samuel D. Ferguson, Valentine Buck, John Lucky, Nathaniel Kellogg, Reuben Harris, John Lovejoy and Laban C. Cheney. The presiding elders were: Samuel Merwin, Samuel Lucky, D. Ostrander and Laban Clark.

The circuit was divided in 1828, and this part called Humphreysville and Hamden; at which time Samuel R. Hickox, a local preacher from Southbury, settled in this place and had charge of a grist-mill at the Falls, keeping boarders from the cotton mill, being a good preacher was of great service to the church. In the next year Thomas Ellis, a Welchman and a spinner in the cotton mill, was converted and joined the church, his wife being already a member. He had been a wild young man and a great singer; it being said that he could sing all

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night without repeating a song; but in two years after his conversion he had forgotten them all. In consequence of his musical ability he was of great value to the church.

In 183I Daniel Smith was appointed to this circuit, and was assisted by William Bates, a local preacher residing in Humphreysville. In that year a camp meeting was held in the woods west of the present Catholic church in Birmingham, and continued eight days. On the Sabbath ten thousand people were supposed to be there, and the result of the meeting was reported to be one hundred converts. Rev. Sylvester Smith, afterwards long identified with the interests of the church, was present during the whole of that meeting. In this year the churches in South Britain and Middlebury were built, the foundation of one at Waterbury laid, and a parsonage commenced in Humphreysville. Three hundred dollars' worth of books were sold on the circuit, a large amount of missionary money raised, and the ministers' salaries paid. In 1832 Sylvester Smith, a local preacher from Hotchkisstown, now Westville, where he was first licensed in 1850, settled in this village, adding to the strength of the church, at which time Robert Travis was preacher in charge, assisted by Daniel Smith. The parsonage, built by the two brothers Lane, from Monroe, was finished for Mr. Travis. After this the church was an ecclesiastical society under the statute and known as the Methodist society of Humphreysville.

In 1833 Thomas Bainbridge and Chester W. Turner were the preachers on this circuit, the former residing in the parsonage, the latter being a single man, who afterwards married the sister of the Rev. J. D. Smith of the Episcopal church. The next year Humphrey Humphreys and John Crawford were the preachers. Josiah Bowen was in charge of the circuit, and in the middle of 1836 he removed out of the parsonage into a house on Derby Neck, where he remained until his decease not long since. On the ist of October, 1836, Rev. Josiah Smith rented the parsonage and occupied it four years. David Miller was preacher in charge two years, residing on Great Hill, closing his term of service in May, 1839; Owen Sykes having been the assistant preacher several years. Thomas Ellis received license to preach in 1833, and did good service on the circuit until 1838,

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when he joined the conference and became a successful itinerant. He died in triumph in May, 1873, aged 68 years.

In 1838-9 the circuit was again divided; so that Birmingham, Waterbury, Middlebury and South Britain sustained each a pastor, and only Humphreysville, Great Hill, Pleasant Vale and Pine's Bridge remained as the Derby circuit.

In 1840-41 Thomas Sparks was the preacher in charge, residing at South Britain, and Ezra Jagger in 1842-3, residing at Great Hill. These were assisted by L. Atwater, a student at Yale, and by Moses Blydenburgh.

On Saturday, March 19, 1842, a quarterly meeting commenced at Southford, and in the absence of the presiding elder. Carpenter, Sylvester Smith preached, and the following Sabbath morning being very pleasant it was impossible for more than half of the people to get into the chapel. Mr. Sparks occupied the pulpit, and Mr. Smith took his stand in the school-room below and preached while half of his congregation were out of doors, unable to obtain seats inside. Mr. Sparks came from England, and was employed a number of years in the Wolcottville cotton factory under the influence of that earnest lay Methodist, Christopher Wolcotft, from which place he went out as a Methodist itinerant, and became quite celebrated as such in the eastern part of New York state. In 1844 Moses Blydenburgh was pastor in charge, residing on Great Hill; he died in 1848, aged 31 years, leaving a widow, and one son who is a lawyer in New Haven. The next two years George L. Fuller was in charge of the circuit, residing at Great Hill, where three of his children were buried.

In the fall of 1846 a subscription was started for a new church edifice at Humphreysville, Sylvester Smith leading with the sum of six hundred dollars; but the burning of the paper mill, of which he was half owner, embarrassed the work although it did not abate his zeal; for during the year he increased his subscription to eight hundred dollars. One brother, who did not at first pledge himself, gave one hundred dollars; another changed from twenty to one hundred, and a good woman changed her subscription from ten to one hundred dollars.

Charles Stearns, preacher in charge, moved into the parsonage in May, 1847, finding the society commencing the new

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church. The old meeting-house was sold for one hundred dollars and torn down, after serving its purpose sixty years, and the new one built on the same site Jared Bassett, assisted by Isaac Bassett, built the stone work; all the people aided the enterprise to the extent of their ability, both in money and labor. The corner stone was laid on Saturday, June 19, 1847, Rev. E. W. Smith of Birmingham making the address; Sylvester Smith depositing the case under the stone after announcing .its contents; Charles Stearns, the pastor, conducting the services, assisted by Rev. Wm. B. Curtiss of the Congregational church. The contractor was Amos Hine of Woodbridge; the architect, Lewis Hotchkiss of Birmingham; the bell, weighing 1,150 pounds, was from Meneely's foundry in Troy; and the church was dedicated on Thursday, January 18, 1848, by Bishop E. S. Janes. All the elm trees near the church were set within a year after the dedication.

Ir May, 1849, was in charge of what in the next year was set off from Derby as the town of Seymour, and remained two years with success. David Osborn was the next pastor of Seymour and Ansonia, it being a prosperous year in both places. His successor for two years was Rufus K. Raynolds, an energetic, useful man; Great Hill becoming a separate charge in his second year.

William T. Hill was pastor in 1855-6 for the two churches, Seymour and Great Hill, being prosperous years. Thomas Stevenson was pastor in 1857-8; L. P. Perry, in 1859-60; Albert Booth, in 1861; George L. Taylor, in 1862, this being his first itinerant work. He was a faithful pastor and minister; a fearless defender of the "stars and stripes," and in those troublous times spoke boldly for the Union.

In the summer of 1864, under the pastorate of A. B. Pulling, two festivals were held, by which $800 were secured, which freed the church from debt. Sylvester Smith was appointed pastor in 1866; Joseph Pullman in 1867-8, both eminently successful; Bennett T. Abbott in 1869-70; Joseph Smith in 1871-3, and proved himself an able minister, he being the first pastor who remained in Seymour three consecutive years. In former years he resided in Waterbury as a local preacher, and did much good service here and in Wolcott, Conn. E. H. PVisbie and

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James Wiswell, local preachers in New Haven, also rendered good service. Sylvester Smith, a local preacher, during his forty years residence here, was a most active laborer and liberal giver in the church.

During the energetic labors of William R. Webster as pastor, in 1874, a large and commodious parsonage was erected, at a total cost of $2,630; Lugrand Sharpe, Warren French and W. C. Sharpe being the building committee; the old parsonage bringing $2,000.

In 1875 E. H. Dutcher was the pastor; in 1876, Charles A. Tibbals, who soon after united with the Episcopal Church. At this time the church was beautified with an elegant black walnut pulpit presented by H. B. Beacher, Esq., which was first occupied February 4, 1877, by Aaron Pierce of East Village, who was pastor of the church in 1848, and his venerable appearance in his eighty-ninth year constituted an occasion long to be remembered.

In the spring of 1877 J. Vinton became the pastor, and the year was one of success; in which Arthur J. Smith, uniting with the church and feeling called to the ministry, left his employment at the office of the Seynour Record, and entered the Collegiate Institute at Hackettstown, N. J., preparatory to entering college.

Seymour and Great Hill are still connected under the same preacher.

George Kirtland came to Seymour in 1825, and in 1826 or 7, started a Sunday-school with five children, the number increasing to twenty-seven the first year. He continued the school six or seven years, when it was discontinued. The superintendents since the re-organization of the school have been:

1841-2, Samuel R. Hickox.
1843-8, Lugrand Sharp.
1852, John Adams.
1853, Frederick Durand.
1854, William A. Hughes.
1855, William Mallory.
1856-7, Albert W. Lounsbury.
1858, William Mallory.
1859, Wanen French.
1860-1, William N. Storrs.
1862-5, Henry W. Benedict.
1866-7, William N. Storrs.
1868, Sheldon Miles.
1869, William C. Sharpe.
1870-1, William N. Storrs.
1872, William W. Dibble.

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1873, Samuel Butler.
1874, Charles N. Blanchard.
1875, Samuel Butler.
1876, Edward N. Botsford.
1877, Henry C. Rogers.
1878, Samuel Butler.
1879, George E. Stockwell.

A meeting was held according to proper notice at the house of Doct. Samuel Sanford, on the 20th of February, 1797, and an Episcopal Ecclesiastical Society was formed. The notice dated February 12, 1797, was served on thirty-nine persons, who were: Reuben Lum, James Manville, Nathan Mansfield, William Tucker, Benjamin Hawley, Russell Tomlinson, Martin Beebe, Enos G. Nettleton, Ephraim Wooster, Nathaniel Holbrook, Jeremiah Gillett, Josiah Nettleton, Philo Holbrook, Edward Hayes, Nathan Stiles, Wilson Hurd, William Church, Abel Church, John Griffin, Daniel Davis, Bowers Washband, Alexander Johnson, Timothy Johnson, Joseph Johnson, Charles French, Israel Bostwick, Moses Riggs and John White. These were professedly Episcopalians. The meeting was organized by the appointment of Benjamin Davis, moderator, and Samuel Sanford, clerk; and Joel Chatfield, Israel French and Jonathan Miles, society committee. As there had been a union of the parish of Great Hill with this new society, the united organization was called Union Church.

At this first meeting a committee was appointed consisting of Benjamin Davis, Edward Hayes, Nathaniel Johnson and John White, to furnish materials for the building of the church. A site was purchased of Leverett Pritchard for $60, on which it now stands, the deed being dated March 23, 1797. Early in the spring the corner-stone was laid by the Rev. Edward Blakeslee, then an assistant to the Rev. Dr. Mansfield of Derby, and during the summer the building was raised, and before winter entirely enclosed.

The inside finishing was delayed, and temporary seats made of slabs.

Of this church Dr. Mansfield of Derby was the first pastor, and his services as rector continued until about 1802, he preaching here one-third of the time, and receiving proportionate support from this society; and the parish continued to render him support until his death in 1820.

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In 1802 the Union Bank was established with a capital of $2,000, paid by fifty-seven persons, for the purpose of supporting the ministry, but it proved a troublesome enterprise, and soon after 1811, the contributions were returned to the original owners. Various ministers supplied the church with services portions of the time some twenty years, among whom were Revs. Solomon Blakeslee, Calvin White, Ammi Rogers, Ambrose Todd, James Thompson, Aaron Humphreys, Chauncey Prindle. In 1817 the church was completed inside, and was consecrated September 2d of that year by the Right Rev. John Henry Hobart, D. D., Bishop of the Diocese of New York.

A record-book is still preserved, the inscription to which reads: "Parish Records of Union Church, Humphreysville. Stephen Jewett, rector, 1822. On the next page he wrote: "December, 1821. Union Church, Humphreysville, I began to officiate statedly in this parish. On Easter week, 1822, I was regularly called and engaged for one-third of the time at a salary of $500 per annum, and my wood. Easter week, 1824, began to officiate one-half of my time at Humphreysville at the same salary. 1827 burying-ground fenced and church painted. 1828 bell purchased, cost, $6.17; ground in front of the church leveled." The salary mentioned ($500) must have been for the two parishes, Derby and Humphreysville. The bell cost $256.19, and the $6.17, was the cost of freight or something of that kind. In this book Mr. Jewett continued a careful record of baptisms, marriages and burials in Union Parish until 1834, when it ceased. If such a record had been kept by all the ministers of the parishes in old Derby, and preserved, a full genealogy of the families of the town could be given, which cannot now be done.

After the resignation of the Rev. Stephen Jewett in 1832, the Rev. Charles W. Bradlew was rector one year, followed by the Rev. John D. Smith, eleven years, who officiated in this church every Sunday the first five years, and the next two divided his time between this church and St. Peter's of Oxford, after which he confined his labors to this parish. Following the resignation of Rev. Mr. Smith in 1845, the Rev. John Purvis became rector, and continued thus two years; at which time the communicants of the parish numbered about one hundred. The Rev.

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Abel Nichols officiated one year following Mr. Purvis, and after him the Rev. William F. Walker accepted the charge of the parish and continued until 185 1, when he removed to New York. From 1851 the Rev. Charles G. Acly officiated two years, and effected the canceling of the debt of $850; then the Rev. O. Evans Shannon became the rector, and in 1856 the name of the church was changed from Union to Trinity.

From this time efforts were made for extensive repairs on the church, which resulted in holding the last services in the old church July 5, 1857, and the consecration of one all new except the frame, by Right Rev. Bishop Williams, on the nth of May, 1858. Some debt remained, which, as usual, cost a great struggle, but was finally canceled.

Rev. Mr. Shannon resigned the rectorship June 1, 1866, having done a great and good work. A little before his resignation the parish purchased a house for a rectory at a cost of $2,500.

The next rector was the Rev. George Seabury, who commenced his services in January, 1867, and continued them until April 21, 1875; a successful term of labor of over eight years.

The present statistics of the parish are nearly as follows: families, 135; baptized members of the church, 410; communicants, 157.

On the 27th day of June, 1875, the steeple of the church was the third time struck by lightning, the damage amounting to about $50.

Of the sixty-three persons who contributed to defray the expenses of finishing the church in 1816, not one is now living.

During the first twenty-five years from the organization of the parish eight clergymen were employed for a specific length of time, and in the next fifty-three years, nine, four of whom had charge of the parish over forty-three years. On the 25th of September, 1875, the Rev. Edwin J. K. Lessel became rector of the parish. [History of Seymour, pp. 25-29.]

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Mr. John W. Barber wrote thus of the place at the time he made the drawing [Historical Collections, 201.]:

"The accompanying cut shows the appearance of Humphreysville as it is entered upon New Haven road. The Humphreysville Manufacturing Company was organized in 1810. The village is situated in a small valley of the Naugatuck, four and a half miles from its junction with the Ousatonic river at Derby

Landing. It is surrounded with lofty hills excepting the narrow valley through which the Naugatuck passes. The heights south of the village on the western side of the river are lofty, rocky and precipitous. The building seen in the central part of the engraving is the Humphrey sville Cotton Manufactory; it is four stories in height and about one hundred feet long. On the left of the print, on elevated ground, is the Episcopal Church; there are two other houses of worship in the place, one for Congregationalists and one for Methodists; the last two are situated on the heights a few rods south-east from the the centre of the village. Directly underneath the Episcopal Church is seen in the engraving a part of the Naugatuck river with the falls. At this place a ledge of rocks, about twenty feet in height, crosses the

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river and forms a perfect dam about two-thirds tlie distance; the remaining third is closed by an artificial dam. This place was formerly known by the name of Rimmon Falls. There are 50 or 60 dwelling houses in the vicinity of the factories and three or four mercantile stores. Most of the dwelling houses are south of the cotton factory; only a few of them appear in the engraving. A small but beautiful grove of pines is situated at the southern extremity of the village, through which the buildings, which are mostly painted white, appear uncommonly beautiful as the village is approached from the south upon the river roads."

A council met on the 12th day of March, 1817, for the purpose of "organizing a church of Christ" in Seymour, "if it should seem to be best." They appointed the Rev. Zephaniah Swift, moderator, and the Rev. Nathaniel W. Taylor, scribe. The council consisted of the Rev. Nathaniel W. Taylor of the Centre Church, New Haven, the Rev. Samuel Merwin of the North Church, New Haven, the Rev. Bennett Tyler of South Britain, the Rev. Bela Kellogg of Franklin, Mass., and the Rev. Zephaniah Swift of Derby. Nine persons presented themselves before the council, producing letters of good standing from other churches, asking to be organized into a church; they were: Joel Beebe and his wife, Bradford Steele and his wife, Ira Smith and his wife, Lewis Holbrook, Hannah P. Johnson and Sally Wheeler. The decision of the body was that "the above named persons be and are hereby organized into a church in this village." This action shows that it was a new organization and not the revival of an old one, which fact throws great doubt upon the supposition that there had been a church previously organized at this place. A society had been established about twenty-eight years before, but a society is not a church among the Congregational people. The labors of the Rev. Benjamin Beach had continued in this place from 1787 to 1805, and from that time to 1812 the worshipers at this place attended other churches to some extent until the settlement of Rev. Zephaniah

In May, 1822, the Humphreysville Manufacturing Company was re-organized with $50,000 capital, and the General Humphreys mill property purchased by it; John H. De Forest being president, and J. Fisher Learning, secretary.

Among the persons induced by General Humphreys to come to America was Thomas Gilyard, son of Edmund and Nancy Gilyard, born in Leeds, England, March 20, 1786, who came to New York in the "Commerce," in the summer of 1807, having had a very fine passage of forty-five days. He immediately commenced work for General Humphreys's Company and continued until March 28, 1810, in the manufacture of cloths, when he learned and engaged in the making of stockings, a new department in the mills. Mr. Gilyard was an active man in the Methodist Church, and his descendants still reside in the community. While General Humphreys was organizing his company of young operatives in the factory, and drilling them in soldierly tactics for their entertainment and elevation, Lady Humphreys, wife of the General, made an elegant silk flag, beautifully embroidered by herself, for the company, and which is still preserved, with its inscription, as follows:

"Humphreysville, Fam Nova Progenes, Perseuerando Pacta Semper Seruanda, MDCCCX."

This shows that the enterprise had attained to good working order and numbers at that date, 1810, and from that time until 1814 the village was lively and prosperous, a variety of manufacturing enterprises being conducted in the village and its vicinity on Little river and Bladen's brook. After the date mentioned the influx of foreign goods almost put an end to American manufacturing, and Humphreysville suffered with all other

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places, but upon the organization of the new company in 1822, it took a fresh start and made slow but steady progress until 1837, when political times severely affected the whole country, or a crisis in the country affected politics. The new company rebuilt the dam, widened the water-course to the mill, and constructed the machinery into a cotton mill, by which name it was known many years. There was then one store in the valley and one on the hill near the Episcopal Church. Mr. De Forest lived at first in the Roth house, on the west side of Main street, opposite Pearl, until he built the house now occupied by Raymond French, Esq., in which he resided until his death.

The shop in the fork of the road near the M. E. Church was built in 1825 by Newel Johnson; Isaac Kinney and Jesse Smith owning a portion of the building, which was used as a carpenter and cabinet shop.

In 1828 Samuel R. Hickox, a local preacher from Southbury, settled in the place and took charge of the grist-mill near the Falls. About this time Judson English came from Hotchkisstown, now Westville, and bought the tannery on the premises now owned by Arthur Eider, previously run by Mr. Benham; the bark-mill being further south on the brook just below the railroad crossing. About ten years later Mr. English Sold this property to George Kirtland and removed to Great Hill.

In 1830 Leverett Pritchard was living on the knoll opposite the saw-mill still standing near the upper end of Maple street; having previous to this resided in the house in the rear of Doct. J. Kendall's.

Chester Jones, a paper-maker, built the north "Kirtland house" and kept a store in it. He afterward removed to Ohio, returning in a year or two, and was for several years superintendent of the Humphreysville Manufacturing Company's paper mill, residing in the house close by it. His wife was the daughter of Dea. Bradford Steele. He afterwards removed to Erie. Penn., where he died. Ezekiel Gilbert, having kept store for a time at Squantuck, came to Humphreysville about this time and kept the tavern on Broad street nearly two years, when he built the store now occupied by H. W. Randall.

Such were the beginnings of the enterprises in the village of Humphreysville, a place that is now alive with machinery and

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manufacturing ability and appliances, and is capable of becoming much greater than it now is by the development of its water-powers.

One hundred years of manufacturing enterprises have made great changes in the place, but not as many as have been made in Birmingham and Ansonia in fifty years.

The Humphreysville Manufacturing Company, organized in 1810, produced first woolen cloths, then cotton goods, and in 1831 commenced making paper, first with four employes, but increased the number within a month to sixteen. In 1843 this paper-mill passed into the hands of Hodge & Company; the firm consisting of G. L. Hodge, S. Y. Beach and Samuel Roselle; and in 1845 William Buftum purchased the cotton mill and continued its proprietor a few months. In 1850 Sharon Y. Beach bought the claims of the other two proprietors in the paper-mill and removed it to Blue street, where it still remains.

Great have been the changes between that day and the present. The whole territory is filled with buildings and immense manufacturing establishments, a full account of which may be found in Mr. Wm. C. Sharpe's "History of Seymour and Vicinity," a book which is of great value because of the many facts collected and recorded in it. Every family in the town should carefully preserve a copy of it.

In 1851 the capital stock of the Humphreysville Manufacturing Company was estimated at $300,000, and the estimate approved by a committee of the Legislature. In 1859 the stock was reduced to $150,000 by the distribution of property to the stockholders.

The Eagle Manufacturing Company was organized June 27, 1850, with a stock of $50,000, for the manufacture of silk goods, wool and cotton; George Rice being the first president. In 1852 the stock was increased to $100,000; George F. De Forest, president. In 1855 George P. Shelton was president and Harrison Tomlinson, secretary.

In 1852 George P. Shelton, Raymond French, Philo Holbrook, Henry S. Mygatt, Sheldon Kinney, George F. De For-

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est, Harrison Tomlinson, John W. Dwight, John Clark and Sylvester Smith were incorporated under the title of the Seymour Savings Bank.

The Union Mercantile Company was established in 1852 with a capital of $4,000. B. W. Smith was the first president, and John J. Rider the second. The store was in the building on the north side of Broad street at the west end of the Naugatuck bridge.

The American Car Company was organized in the spring of 1852 with a stock of $150,000, which amount was increased before the end of the year to $200,000. Five large shops, for the building of railroad cars, were erected, and a large business transacted until the business was removed West. President, J. H. Lyman; directors, Timothy Dwight, J. W. Dwight, Raymond French and others.

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The Upson Manufacturing Company was organized in 1852 by Hiram Upson, Horace A. Bradford and Lucius Tuttle, for the manufacture of augers, bits and the like instruments. The business was conducted where the Douglass Manufacturinsr Company's lower shop now stands at the mouth of Little river. The shop was built in 1837, by Timothy D wight, son of President Dwight, and by his heirs sold to H. A. Bradford, and by him to Charles Douglass in 1859.

The Humphreysville Copper Company was organized in 1847 with a capital stock of $40,000; J. W. Dwight, president; Raymond French, Harrison Tomlinson, George Rice, Sheldon Kinney, directors. In 1852 the capital was increased to $200,000, the buildings greatly enlarged and the business increased. In addition to their works in Seymour they established a mill and wharf in East Haven. In 1854 the stock was increased to $390,000, but soon after the liabilities became great and complications ensued. In 1855 a new company was organized, the stock being placed at $750,000 with liberty to increase to $1,000,000. The persons named in the act of incorporation were: John W. Dwight, William Cornwall, George F. De Forest, Henry Bronson, Charles Durand, Sheldon Kinney, Samuel K. Satterlee, Geo. R. A. Ricketts, Henchman S. Soule.

The New Haven Copper Company was organized November 21, 1855, with a capital of $400,000; John W. Dwight, president; Geo. R. A. Ricketts, secretary. After various changes the company was re-organized in 1872, the stock being owned by Lazarus Lissberger, president, Samuel Holmes, Thomas James, Franklin Farrell, and under this management it is one of the heaviest and most reliable industries of the town.

He is successor to the Douglass Manufacturing Company, established in 1856; manufacturer of augers, auger bits, gimlets, hollow augers, expanding Bits, patent auger handles, boring machines, chisels, gauges, drawing-knives, screw-drivers, reamers, etc.

In addition to the foregoing, the following are some of the present business enterprises of Seymour:

Humphreysville Manufacturing Company, manufacturers of

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augers, auger bits, etc. Proprietors, George H. Robinson, David R. Cook, Norman Sperry, Marcus Sperry.

H. B. Beecher, successor to French, Swift & Co., established in 1847; manufacturer of augers, auger bits, hollow augers, etc.

The Fowler Nail Company, manufacturers of vulcan horseshoe nails. Carlos French, president; Lewis H. Bristol, secretary.

United States Pin Company; Henry I,. Hotchkiss, president; Lewis Bristol, secretary; Carlos French, treasurer.

Henry P. and E. Day, manufacturers of rubber pen-holders, propelling pencils, surgical appliances, etc.

Carlos French, manufacturer of car springs.

W. W. Smith, manufacturer of manilla paper.

Raymond French, manufacturer of plain and steel-plated oxshoes.

Austin G. Day, manufacturer of sub-marine telegraph cable.

Garrett and Beach, manufacturers of German gimlet bits, cast steel reamers and screw-driver bits. Lewis L. Garrett and Samuel Beach.

The Seymour Record, a weekly newspaper, published every Thursday, at the Seymour Printing Office. William C. Sharpe, editor and publisher, and author of the "History of Seymour and Vicinity," a work from which has been taken a large part

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of the account here given of the business enterprises of the place.

MORNING STAR LODGE, No. 47, of Free and Accepted Masons, has reached the age of seventy-six years. It was continued under a charter from the M. W. Stephen Titus Hosmer, Esq., Grand Master for. Connecticut, bearing date October 18, 1804. The petitioners to whom the charter was granted were Adam Lum, Veren Dike, Silas Sperry, George W. Thomas, Benjamin Candee, Lewis Wakelee, E. C. Candee, Joel Fitch, Arnold Loveland, William Hurd, William Bronson, Daniel Candee, Abel Wheeler, Samuel Riggs, William Morris, Levi Candee, Nathan Davis, Charles Monson, Jessie Scott, Moses Candee, "Brethren of the Honorable Society of Masons residing in the town of Oxford."

Abel Wheeler is named in the charter as first master, Levi Candee as senior warden and William Morris as junior warden.

The lodge met in Masonic Hall, Oxford, until 1844, when owing to decreased numbers from removals and other causes, the sessions were suspended. It was reorganized May 14, 1851, with George B. Glendining as master, David J. McEwen senior warden, and Alfred French junior warden, and removed to Seymour. E. G. Storer was then grand secretary. Since then the lodge has prospered, its total membership having amounted to about 375.

MECHANIC'S LODGE, No. 73, I. O. O. F., was instituted May 27, 1851; the charter members being Horace A. Bradford, Martin Kelly, Daniel J. Putnam, Julius Bassett, John Hilton, H. P. Davi.s, John Scott, Charles Newton, John L. Hartson, W. W. White, John Davis, J. A. Stevens, W. J. Merrick.

HUMPHREY LODGE, No. 26, Knights of Pythias, was instituted February 8, 1871, the charter members being S. H. Canfield, W. G. Mitchell, George Rogers, F. M. Lum, C. W. James, W. N. Storrs, S. C. Tucker, Charles French, M. R. Castle, F. H. Beecher, V. H. McEwen, George Smith, D. C. Castle.

UPSON POST, No. 40, Grand Army of the Republic, was organized in 1873. William S. Cooper, post commander; Joseph Ineson, adjutant. It was reorganized February 16, 1876.

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THE FRIENDLY SONS OF ST. PATRICK is composed of members of Irish birth and their descendants without regard to religion or politics. It was organized at Strapp's Hall, November 2, 1872, by the following named persons: William Hayes, Dennis O'Callaghan, Matthias Bunyan, Francis McMorrow, Charles McCarthy, Michael Regan, Patrick Mahoney, Daniel Mahoney, William Mahoney, Jeremiah Driscol, John Coleman, John Bradley, Timothy O'Brien, Peter Sullivan, Edward Strapp, William Colbert.