The manufacturing excitement raged with great violence in this town, its numerous rivers offering such convenient facilities that her own citizens were able to embark in such enterprises with less foreign aid than was requisite in other towns. ” Danielson’s Factory,” at the Quinebaug Falls, enjoyed a high place in popular favor, its twenty liberal handed stockholders, mostly town residents, prosecuting its various business affairs with much energy. William Reed served most efficiently for many years as its agent. Its well filled store was managed for many years by the Tiffany Brothers, from Rhode Island. The ” Stone Chapel,” on … Read more

In 1742 the Howe mills passed into the hands of Captain Nathaniel Daniels, together with dwelling house, barn, malt house, shop and the whole manufacturing stock of Quinebaug valley, viz.,.” ye conveniences of three coppers, two presses, one iron screw, two pairs shears, two iron bars, a blue pot, paper for pressing and searcloth for malting.” Noah Sabin had succeeded to ‘the mansion house and valley land of his father. Peter Aspinwall had disappeared from public life and was probably sleeping in his own grave yard, though no stone perpetuates his memory. Captain Joseph Cady was succeeded by his son … Read more

The civil and ecclesiastical association of the people kept pace, each with the other, so uniformly that it is hard to tell definitely which one took the lead. We have endeavored to notice in the-preceding chapter the founding and growth of the town of Windham in its civil capacity. We shall now turn our attention to a brief review of its founding and growth as an ecclesiastical body. Having held its first town meeting June 12th, 1692, the town was not complete until a Gospel minister was settled among the people. This, in fact, was one of the most conspicuous … Read more

The first movement in the direction of establishing the Gospel ministry in Killingly was in 1708, when the court granted liberty to the inhabitants of Killingly to survey and lay out one hundred acres of land within their township for the use and encouragement of a minister to settle there and carry on the worship of God among them.” A hundred acres of land for the first settled minister were also pledged to the town by Captain Chandler, in presence and with concurrence of the selectmen. The first minister was Reverend John Fisk, of Braintree, Mass., a son of Reverend … Read more

The early politics of the town were strongly federal and conservative, and it was not till 1803 that sixteen votes were cast for the republican or administration party; but so rapid was its growth, enhanced by Methodist and Baptist votes, that in 1806 it cast 96 votes, only 13 less than the federalists. The first Fourth of July celebration on Thompson hill was held by the Jeffersonian republicans the same year-Doctor Knight (postmaster), Captain Jonathan Converse and Joseph Joslin, committee. A bower was put up on the treeless common, a band of music procured, and appropriate toasts prepared. Joseph Wheaton … Read more

As soon as it became manifest to the “gathering multitude ” that the villages in the vicinity of Pomfret Factory were to be consolidated into one comprehensive organism, plans were set on foot for the establishment of churches. The old inhabitants of Pomfret Factory were distinctively meeting goers, faithfully attending service in the adjacent churches, and greatly enjoying the religious gatherings in their own school house. As Rhodesville grew up and both villages increased in population it was most interesting to see the families and foot travelers starting off on a fair summer morning for West Thompson, Pomfret and Killingly. … Read more

As we have already seen, the town of Putnam was incorporated in May, 1855. After incorporation and organization the town set to work to adjust the many perplexing questions which naturally confront a new corporation just starting out upon its voyage of existence. Settlement with mother towns was amicably effected within a few months. Nine and a half square miles and 1,376 inhabitants had been taken from Thompson; seven and a half square miles and 275 inhabitants from Killingly; three square miles and 168 inhabitants from Pomfret. The population of the new town was thus 2,319. of which about three-fourths … Read more

The Congregational church in Eastford was organized September 23d, 1778; present at the organization, Reverends Stephen Williams, John Storrs and Elisha Hutchinson. The original members were: Andrew Judson, Benjamin Sumner and wife, Jonathan Chapman and wife, Samuel Snow, Elisha Wales, Simeon Dean and wife. In May it was voted to hire Mr. Andrew Judson of Stratford, with the view of a settlement as pastor. At the same time it was voted to build a meeting house. In June it was voted that the county court committee set the stake on Lieutenant John Russel’s land. A subscription was started, the society … Read more

November 26th, 1718, a church was formally organized in Ashford by Reverend Josiah Dwight, Mr. Samuel Whiting and Joseph Meacham, of Coventry. Mr. Hale was ordained pastor, and the following men subscribed to the articles of covenant: James Hale, John Mixer, William Ward, Joseph Green, Isaac Magoon, Matthew Thompson, William Chapman, Benjamin Russel, Daniel Fuller, Isaac Kendall, John Pitts, Nathaniel Fuller and John Perry. On December 9th following the female members named hereafter were added to the number of original names: Sarah Hale, Abigail Mixer, Judith Ward, Mary Fuller, Mary Russel, Elizabeth Squier, Mary Fuller, Mrs. William Chapman and the … Read more

During the war of the revolution a small Congregational church was constituted in what is now the southeast part of Chaplin, on what is called Chewink Plains, a locality of flat land which was much frequented by the little birds in whose honor the name was given. The original members of this early church were mostly from the Windham church, and it had only one pastor, Reverend John Storrs, a native of Mansfield, son of the minister in that town, and in the line of distinguished clergymen of the name. He was a faithful and useful man, but at his … Read more