CENTENNIAL ADDRESS,
With Historical Sketches of
Cromwell, Portland, Chatham, Middle Haddam,
Middletown & Its Parishes;
David D. Field, D.D.;
Middletown, Conn.
1853

Sketch of Chatham, Middlesex Co., CT
Including the greater part of Middle Haddam Society,
the whole of East Hampton, and a small section of the
Society of Westchester in Colchester

Middle Haddam Society includes Haddam Neck, a part of the town of Haddam, and stretches along the eastern bank of the Connecticut from Portland to near East Haddam Landing, terminating there in a point between the Connecticut and Salmon river. The Chatham part of Middle Haddam is generally very uneven, (as is true of Haddam Neck,) much of it rough and stoney; and on the north against the Straits, it is mountainous. Still very considerable portions of land in the vicinity of the Connecticut possess a strong soil; most is capable of cultivation and the rst generally is valuable for pasturage or wood. The inhabitants have always had great advantages from the river, some from the shad fishery and for a long time from the salmon fishery, more from ship building, and some from navigation.

Before any English settlements were made in this parish, there were stories going abroad of great mineral riches in Great Hill, on its northern border. These stories arose from the visits and investigation of the elder Gov. WINTHROP there, though very little was known by the people as to what discoveries he actually made. Of this hill, and its mine usually called the "Cobalt Mine," we shall have occasion to speak more particularly hereafter.

About 1710 a family by the name of GOFFE settled south of Middle Haddam Landing, who were the first English inhabitants in Middle Haddam. Capt. Cornelius KNOWLES, an early and respectable settler, built a house afterwards at the Landing directly upon the bank of the river, from whom that place and the surrounding neighborhood was long called "KNOWLES" Landing. There and on the rising grounds in different directions, other families settled. These sustained themselves in part by what they obtained from the river and by means of it; but principally by subduing the forests and cultivating the earth for some 40 or 50 years, when ship-building came gradually to their aid. This business was probably begun as early as 1758. The first ship was built there in 1763; and from that time ship-building was carried on generally for more than 40 years and at times to a great extent, though we are unable to specify exactly the number and the tunnage of the bessels then built. Business was drawn thither from the southern and eastern parts of Chatham and somewhat from Marlborough and Hebron. From 1805 to the close of 1838, notwithstanding the embarrassments connected with the second war with Great Britain, 51 ships were built, 24 brigs, 21 schooners, and 15 sloops, amounting in all to 27,430 tuns. Thomas CHILD, now approaching 90 years of age, states that he has been the master builder of 237 vessels, and that he built the most of them at this place. For some ten or eleven years prior to 1851, ship-building was wholly abandoned; but in that year one vessel was built, and it is hoped that the business will be renewed ere long and flourish.

The Landing was more advanced by this business than by anything else; though some of the inhabitants for many years had a considerable share in commerce, owned vessels, and followed a sea-faring life as officers or sailors. But witht he loss of the West India trade from the river, navigation from this place was very much diminished.

In 1819 the village contained sixty or seventy dwelling houses, four stores, and some mechanic shops. It now contains, regarding the village as co-extensive with the school distircts, seventy three houses, four stores, and seven mechanics' shops. There is also within it's limits, on Taylor's Creek, a foundry for the casting of house and sleigh bells, employing about five men; a shop recently built, with the needed apparatus for pulverizing and cleansing ore from Great-Hill, and also near by a laboratory and smelting works for extracting from it its valuable contents, and four oakum factorics, usually employing twenty-five hands.

The early inhabitants who lived in the Chatham part of Middle Haddam, labored under great disadvantages for attending public worship, whether they undertook to work their way through crooked paths over the Strait-Hills to the sanctuary in Portland; or, availing themselves of the Connecticut in the mild seasons of the year, went as far as they could in boats toward that sanctuary, or thus went to the churches in Middletown and Haddam. The people on Haddam Neck also, though living against Haddam Town, often found it difficult to cross the river. Nor were the people of both sections conveniently situated for meeting together, within thier own limits, not so much from their distant scattered dwellings, as from the hilliness and roughness of the country, and the badness of the roads. But it being more convenient for them to meet together than to worship where they had done, they united, in Oct. 1738, in a petition to the Legislature for incorporation as a parish, and their request was granted in May 1740.

The petitioners north of the Neck were 26, and their names were Henry ATKINS, Richard BONFOEY, Ebenezer, Jonathan and Nathaniel BURR, Edward BILL, Ebenezer DART [a settler from New London], James FOWREY, Ephraim FULLER, Nathaniel GOSS, Benjamin HARRIS, David HEBBARD, John and Thomas HUBBARD, David HURLBURT, Jun., Josiah JOHNSON, James PELTON, Noah PHELPS, Thomas RICH, Benjamin and Ebenezer SMITH, Samuel, Nathaniel and John SPENCER, George STOCKING and John SWADDLE. The lists of these petitioners amounted to £1,582 2. There were three other inhabitants, Joshua BRAINERD, Joshua LUTHER and Moses ROWLEY, having together a list of £109 8, who for some reason did not unite in the petition.

The petitioners on the Neck were 12, viz.: Joshua ARNOLD, William, James, Abijah, Josiah, Nathan and Benjamin BRAINERD, William MARKHAM, Alexander PETERSON, Ebenezer and David SMITH, and John STOCKING. The lists of all these is not known; but it is believed that they were somewhat more in proportion to their number than the lists of those from the other part of Middle Haddam. The list of William BRAINARD alone in 1739, it is ascertained, was £168 14.

The ancestors of the FREEMANs, HURDs, HIGGINSes and YOUNGs, who united with the foregoing settlers, were from Barnstable county in Massachusetts. About 1750, John EDDY, from Norton, in the same state, Samuel DANIELS, a native of Colchester, and a few others, settled in the east part of the parish.

The church was organized Sept 24, 1740, and consisted of 13 mail members, 7 of whom lived on the Neck.

Rev. Benjamin BOWERS, a native of Billerica, Mass., and graduate of Harvard College 1733, was ordained and settled as their pastor at the same time.

At the time of this organization the people had no house erected for public worship, and must have met in a school-house or private dwelling. They had no village nor densely settled neighborhood, to plead on the ground of numbers and property, for its location in the midst of their dwellings. Knowles's Landing, now Middle Haddam Landing, inded began to be aplace of some business not long afterward; but it did not attain its present size till that generation, and many suceeding ones had gone to the grave. The people therefore united in a local centre, or one that was nearly so, and built a meeting-house in 1744, 44 feet by 36, in which they worshipped until 1712; several years longer than they would have done had they been untied in views as to the site of a second Meeting-house.

Mr. BOWERS died May 11, 1761, aged 45, having obtained the reputation of a pious and faithful minister.

Rev. Benjamin BOARDMAN, a native of Westfield in Middletown, a graduate of Yale 1758, Dean scholar and tutor in that institution, was ordained Jan. 5, 1762. In his ministry, if not before, some families, living on Moromus street, on the West side of the Connecticut and near its bank, became accustomed to attend worship more or less in Middle Haddam; and in Jan. 1775 the First Society granted them liberty to pay half thier society tax into the treasury of Middle Haddam. The heads of these families were Israel CARRIER, Francis CLARKE, John CONE, Simeon and Richard MORGAN, Stephen and John SEARS, Samuel SIMMONS, and John SWADDLE. During this year, Mr. Boardman went as chaplain with a company of cavalry to the vicinity of Boston. He was chaplain there, during that year, for a number of months. Difficulties afterwards arising between him and his people from two or three causes, he was dismissed in 1783. On the 5th of May in the following year he was installed pastor of the South church in Hartford, where he died Feb. 12, 1810, aged 70.

Rev. David SELDEN, native of Haddam Neck, graduate of Yale, 1782, studied theology with Dr. Lockwood of Andover, Conn., and was licensed to preach by Hartford South Association, June 3, 1783. Soon after this he preached in Hebron and was invited to settle as a collegue with Dr. POMEROY; he preached also in other places, but was settled in Middle Haddam Oct. 19, 1785, where he died in office, esteemed by his people and his brethren in the ministry, Jan. 18, 1825, aged 64.

Rev. Charles BENTLEY, native of New Marlborough, Mass., graduate of Amherst College, 1824, was ordained successor to Mr. SELDEN Feb. 15, 1826 and dismissed May 22, 1833. Since his dissmission Mr. BENTLEY has been settled at Salmon Brook, in Granby, in Harwinton, and in Green's Farms, in Fairfield, where he is now pastor.

Rev. Stephen A. LOPER, native of Guilford and graduate of Bangor Theological Seminary, was first settled in Hampden, a little below the city of Bangor, in Main. He was installed in Middle Haddam June 11, 1834, and dismissed Nov. 1, 1841. He was afterwards settled in Hadlyme several years; but since July 1, 1850 has preached to the congregation in Hingganum in Haddam.

In the interval between the dismission of Mr. LOPER from Middle Haddam and the settlement of another pastor, the people were supplied by Rev. William CASE, who had been pastor of the church in Chester, by Mr. Samuel MOSELY, a candidate for the ministry, since dead, and by Rev. Philo JUDSON, who had been pastor of the church in Ashford and of the church in North Stonington.

Rev. James Colburn HOUGHTON, native of Lyndon, Vt., but who spent most of his youth in Putney in that State, graduate of Dartmouth College 1837, and who studdied theology in East Windsor, was installed at Storrsville, now Dana, Mass., Dec 23, 1840. After leaving that place, he preaches as stated supply in East Hartland, and in Granby, Conn., for a short time. He began to preach in Middle Haddam in May 1847 and was installed there on the 15th of Sept. following. He was dismissed from this charge the 1st of November, 1850, and installed over the South Church in New Hartford, Dec. 31, 1851.

Rev. William Sturgess WRIGHT, native ofGlastenbury and graduate of Yale College 1839, who studied theology two years in New Haven, and taught at the Academy in Cromwell 5 years, has been stated supply in Middle Haddam since Jan. 1851. Hew was ordained after he commenced services in this place, but not installed as pastor.

DEACONS IN THE CHURCH

	Elected	Died or moved away	Ages
Ebenezer SMITH	Nov. 8, 1740	Feb 11, 1752	81
Gideon ARNOLD	Nov 8, 1740	Mar 1772
Benjamin HARRIS	Mar 14, 1748	Apr 11, 1775	75
Daniel ARNOLD	Nov 27, 1771	May 27, 1774	43
Ezra BRAINERD, Esq	Nov 27, 1771	Apr. 7, 1837	93
David SMITH	June 11, 1774	Nov 25, 1795	52
Dr. Thos. BRAINERD	Dec 10, 1795	Moved to Ludlow, Mass
Selden GATES	July 27, 1810	Moved to L.I., died at Brooklyn
Jesse HURD	Sept 18, 1818	July 22, 1831	66
Edward ROOT	Jun 1827	Moved to Middletown, 1849
Levi MITCHELL	Jun 1827	Moved to Middletown, 1839
Samuel B. BUTLER	Jan 3, 1740	Moved to Stonington, 1841
David DICKINSON	June 30, 1843
Anson STRONG	June 29, 1849

Those whose names are in italics lived in the Chatham part of Middle Haddam.

It has been stated that the number of members in the church at its formation was 13.
Mr. BOWERS admitted 171.
Mr. BOARDMAN admitted 162
Mr. SELDEN admitted 221
Mr. BENTLEY admitted 95
Mr. LOPER admitted 19
The number admitted since Mr. LOPER's dismission is 44
[Total] 725.

The number of communicants Jan. 1, 1852, is not ascertained, but the number reported to the Gen. Association for Jan. 1, 1851, was 133.

The 2d Meeting-house, to which reference has been made was built in 1812 and is 50 feet by 40.

The society own a parsonage. They have also two pieces of land, given by the lat Dea. Ezra BRAINERD, woth about $200, the rents of which are about 9 or 19 dollars annually.

The annual average of contributions by the people for public benevolent objects for the last five years has not been less than $160. During the three years of Mr. HOUGHTON's ministry they were not less than $200 per year.

EPISCOPAL CHURCH AT MIDDLE HADDAM LANDING

A small Episcopal Church was formed in the eastern part of Middle Haddam in 1771, which held meetings a few years and was dissolved. Their house of worship build in 1772, 26 feet by 24, was taken down.

The church at the Landing was formed April 25, 1875, and their church edifice was built in 1786 or 7, 47 feet by 36. The church belonged to the care of Mr. JARVIS of Middletown until 1791. The tow succeeding years Rev. Tilltoson BRONSON, aferwards preceptor of Cheshire Academy, divided his labors equally between this church and the church in Portland, and then they reverted to the care of Mr. JARVIS. From 1795 or 6 till 1810, Rev. M. Smith MILES, ministerd here one half of the time. From 1811 till 1821, Rev. Jasper D. JONES ministered here one third or fourth of the time, with the exception of about two years, (1815 and 16, it is believed,) when the church was supplied by Rev. Solomon BLAKESLEE, and Rev. R. IVES. Mr. JONES was succeeded by Rev. Nathan BURGESS who preached here a quarter of the time in 1822 and 3. He removed to Vermont. Rev. Edward T. IVES, born and educated inCheshire, and who studied theology in New Haven, took charge of the parish about two years. He then removed to Peekskill, N.Y. From 1825 to 1826 Rev. Orson V. HOWELL, then connected with the Military Academy in Middletown, misnistered to the parish one half the time. From 1826 to 1829 or 30, Rev. Ashbel STEEL, a native of Waterbury, educated at Cheshire Academy, a very devoted and good man, ministered to the people. Rev. Alpheus GEER became recotr in 1831 and preached to them till the spring of 1837, being connected during that period with the church in Hebron. Rev. James SUTHERLAND came to the parish in 1837 and preached till the spring of 1838. He was succeeded by George Augustus STERLING who preached two years. He was a native of Sharon, educated at West Point, and studied theology in New York city. Rev. Benjamin S. HUNTINTON took charge of the parish July 5, 1840, and resigned in the autumn of 1841. He studied theology in New York, and it is believed was born and educated classically in that city. Rev. Charles W. BRADLEY preached in Middle Haddam about 5 months in the close of 1841 and beginning of 1842. He is a native of New Haven, has been Secretary of State of Connecticut, and is now a consul in China. Rev. Sylvester NASH succeeded him in May 1842 and resigned Nov. 1, 1845. He is a native of Ellington. His classical education was private - his theological at the P. Episcopal Seminary in New Haven and New York, being a member of it at its removal. Rev. F.B. WOODWARD took charge of the parish in April 1846 and is the present rector. He became first a physician, and still practices medicine. His theological education was in the Eastern Diocese while under the supervision of Bishop GRISWOLD.

The number of communicatnts in this church prior to 1840 cannot be definitely ascertained. The correspondent who has furnished many of the foregoing facts thinks it safe to put the average at 50. There were 51 in may 1842; the number Jan 1, 1852 was from 40 to 45.

Contribution are taken up in the church for the Bible Society and Tract cause, and for Missions, Domestic and Foreign. To the Bible and Tract cause $150 are given annually; though in justice it should be added that the greater part of all the contributions are given by three or four individuals.

METHODISTS IN MIDDLE HADDAM, CHATHAM PART

They held meetings here as early as 1792, and in 1796 or 7 built them a small church at the Landing, 24 feet by 23. At one time they had fifty communicants, but the number of professors among them afterwards greatly diminished; for some time their church has been closed.

I have already said that we should have occasion to speak more particularly of Great Hill and its Cobalt Mine. The situation of this hiill, the size of which is indicated by its name, is towards the northwest corner of Middle Haddam Society. That the elder Gov. WINTHROP believed that there were mines and minerals in Middletown, and that he had become so convinced of their value to think seriously of setting up works for improving them, is evident from the following grant made to him a few years after the first settlement of Middletown.

"The inhabitants of Middletown, for the encouragement of the designs of our much honored governor, Mr. John WINTHROP, for the discovery of mines and minerals, and for the setting up of such wors as shall be needful for the improvement of them, do hereby grant unto our said much honored governor any profitable mines or minerals that he shall find or discover upon any common land within the bounds of our Town, and such woodland as may be convenient for the use of the same, to the value of 500 or 1,000 acres, as it may lie so that it be not nearer than two or three miles from the present dwelling houses of the Town, as the Town shall judge to be least prejudicial to themselves for their necessary fire-wood, provided the Town shall have free liberty of commonage, as far as our Town bounds go, until the improvers shall see good to impropriate the same with inclosures -- provided further, that said governor, and such as may be co-improvers with him, will set up the works to improve such mines and minerals as he shall find, within these 5 years and let usknow whether he doth accept of this our grant within two years; and so it be to him and his heirs and associates from the time of setting up such works, else at two or five years, and to be in the liberty of the Town to grant the same to any other. May 25, 1661"