ro^ -» oi^a
 
 CoPVRICHTlCI) l.S()2, 
 
 LEWIS & ATWF.T.T, 
 Nkw Hkitain. Ct. 
 
 LEWIS & ATWELL, ENGRAVERS. 
 NEW BRITAIN RECORD PRINT.
 
 LreRARY 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIF 
 SANTA B.\RBAIL 
 
 I X the- ])n.]iMrati(in of this work we have aimed to ^ive the most characteristic 
 and representatixe views iu and about our city. To make it as fair and impartial as 
 possible, all solicitation of an ndvcrtisinfi nature has been avoided. 
 
 Some subjects, worthy a ])laie amonjj those here, may have been omitted, as in 
 a book of the kind, with a nscessary limit, it is not possible to include all ol the best. 
 
 We wish to exlen<l our thanks to those who have helped us in anv wav, espe- 
 ci illv to 111 )se who haxe kindly lo uie 1 us | hotos for the portraits in the book, and 
 to Mi. James Shepard and Mr. l-"rederick Wessel for the use of photo;^ra))hs from their 
 ])rivale collections. 
 
 'I'll at the jjjopleof New liritain will appreciate our efforts, is the hope of 
 
 Till- ITHLISHKRS.
 
 IN AND ABOUT NEW BRITAIN. 
 
 (concerning the Growth of cities, one who evidently has given the subject much consideration, makes this 
 assertion: " the resources, geographical position and topography will be found to exercise a controlling influence, 
 since they determine the greater or lesser facility of locomotion, and it is this feature which regulates, more than any 
 other, the rateofincrea.se." 
 
 New Britain's lack of the.se aids is almost proverbial; yet in spite of this lack, its rapid growth during the 
 last half centurN', or even within the last score of years, has been marvelous. We must look elsewhere then for 
 those elements which have contributed their quota toward this phenomenal growth. 
 
 There must have been staunch material in the first settlers of New Britain, for even a hasty per.sual of the 
 story of their early struggles and achievements proves how grandly equipped they were in courage, perserverance. 
 intelligence and unfaltering faith in Clod. They came out from those earlier settlers of Fatmington, and built for 
 themselves rude homes ; some not far removed from the borders of Farmington, while others, more bold, pushed 
 farther south into the depths of the forest and located in what is now known as Christian Lane. A small, plain 
 meeting house was built at Chri.stian Lane, on the high ground on the east side of the present highway, a short 
 distance south of the track of the Midletown railroad. 
 
 Rev. William Burnham, from Wethersfield, was the first pastor of this church and his labors seem to have 
 commenced about the year 1707, although the meeting hou.se was not completed until 1711i. In 173i» a jjetition was 
 presented to the Creneral Assembly asking for a church in the New Britain Society. This petition was followed by 
 others but it was not until fifteen petitions had been presented that relief came. In May, 1754 ,an act was passed by 
 the Assemblv limiting the Society of Kensington and constituting the Society of New Britain. 
 
 The New Britam IJcclesiastical society held its fir.st meeting June 13. 17.54, appointed officers, and voted to 
 build a meeting house. These officers were chiefly residents of East street. During the internal which elapsed 
 before the meeting-house was built religious services were held at private hon.ses. in barns, or at the school hou.se. 
 Different ministers preached and they were generally paid " ten pounds old tenor " for each Sunday. 
 
 This site of the meeting house was a few rods northwest of the present junction of Smalley street with Ivlni 
 street, near what is now known as Paradise Park. The building was commenced in the fall of 1 755, and completed 
 •some years later. The primitive forest partially surrounded the spot. The open space in front was used for over fifty 
 years as a parade ground for the local militia. The small burial plot, , SO rods east of the church, is now included 
 in the FairA'iew Cemeterv. This first Church of New Britain was organized with over si. \ty members April lii, 1758, 
 and its pastor, Rev. John Smalley. was ordained the same day. For fifty years there was no other church in New 
 Britain. 
 
 In 1822, this.society biiiil a larger church edifice on the pre.sent site of the Burritt school. In 1x55 the present 
 cliurch edifice was completed and dedicated. July 5, 1S42, a portion of the members of the First Congregational 
 Church withdrew, and organized the South Congregational Church. Their first house of worship was built before 
 the church was organized and was dedicated in the .Si)ring of I 842. Rev. Samuel Rockwell, its first pastor, was in- 
 stalled January 3, 1843. In the Spring of 181)4, the church was removed to make room for the present beautiful
 
 stone church edifice. This was conipletefl in the winter of I sii? r>^. aiul dedicated January- 1 li 1 siis. The cost was 
 about one liundred and fortv thousand doHars. In IssS-.Sit an addition was made to the chapel at a cost of twenty- 
 fi\e thousand doUars. Tile inetnljership of their church January 1, IHS'J, was SOT, and of the Sundav school 1,1()4. 
 
 Tlie other denominations have had various houses of worship, as their needs required. The I-'irst Baptist 
 Church was orjjani/ed in J 8ns. They have had three huildinjrs, the present one erected in isc.ii. 
 
 The Trinity M. H. Church was built in IssyiiO. The first Methodist church was built in is-'s, and another on 
 the same site in ISo4. St. Mark's parish was orjjanized in Ix^ii. Other churches, as the need has arisen, have 
 been erected, until at the present time there are thirteen churches within the city limits. 
 
 New Hrilain was divided from Berlin in l.s.">() and became a town by it.self. The boroujfh of Xew Britain was 
 incorporated the same year. The first meetin.cr of the borongh was held Ausinst 12, l.SoO. and these officers elected: 
 I". T. Stanley, warden, (). S. North. C. M. f.anders, Walter (dadden, Marcellus Clark, T. W. Stanley and A. I,. 
 ImucIi, burjjesses. 
 
 As the town ).jrew an adequate water supply became an ur,<fent need. In ts.57 a charter was obtained which 
 empowered the boronsh to construct suitable water works. It was su.i^5jested to purcha.se Shuttle Meadow and conduct 
 water from thence to the town through nmre than five miles of pipes. The .scheme was condemned by manv. 
 AUin North considered it an impossibility and ofi'ered to drink everv drop of water thus obtained. I". T. Stanley, 
 one of the leadin.Lj spirits m the enterprise, brought from Colebrook Kiver, Mass., Abiram Chamberlain, father of 
 \'. B. Cliamberl.iin, a civil enj;ineer of wide experience, to superintend the work. It was a jjreat undertakin.tc but 
 was ably carried to a successful issue. Recent improvements have added greatly to the capacity of the system ami 
 promise a never failing sup])ly. 
 
 The rapid growth of the town and large increase in population necessitated a change in the direction of its 
 municipal afiairs and in 1 sTu a city charter was obtained. The first city election was held April li), l.sTl, when 
 Frederick T. Stanley was elected mayor, E. L. C.oodwin. clerk, and A. I'. Collins, treasurer. Successive mavors 
 have been Samuel \V. Hart. David N. Camp. Ambrose Beatty, John B. Talcott, J. Andrew Pickett, J. C. AtwtM d, 
 L. Iloyt I'ease, and John Walsh. 
 
 The ixjstoffice was established in New Britain in ' so.-,. For a little more than three years the office was kept 
 in the stone store on the west side of Main street, opposite the head of Kast Main. Since then it has had several 
 homes, having occupied the present building since 1 STo. The postal delivery sv.stem was adopted in l.ssT. 
 
 In lsr)(l the Hartford, I'rovidence ^: Fishkill railroad, now the New Vork\S: New lui.gland. was in operation 
 from Hartford east to Willimantic, and west to Bristol, It was extended to I'rovidence in 1 sr>4. and to Waterbnry 
 in lyoo. In 1 s<\:, the New Britain branch road was opened, and in I Miii was merged with theN. V., N. H. & H. R. R. 
 
 The Tramway Company, whose lines are laid throu.gh the jjrincipal streets of the city, propo.se to adopt 
 electric service before another year pa.sses. It is altogether probable the We.st Main street line will l)e extended to 
 Plainville in the near future, and will eventually connect this city with Bristol, 
 
 iM-om the earliest .settlement of the town special efforts have been made to promote the cause of education. 
 The New Hritain school society was organized in IT'.Mi; the School Fund was established in 1 T!i.">. The hii;h rank 
 which the i)ublic schools of this city hold today among the schoids of the .stale is the natural outgrowth n( tlio.se 
 early and sustained efi'orts. 
 
 I'rof Ivthan .\. .\ndrews and Illihu Burritt are among the widely known scholars New Britain has given to 
 the world.
 
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 \'iK\v FROM XuuMAi, School.
 
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 \Mv\v i-KDM Normal Sciur)I..
 
 NEW BRITAIN IN 1836. 
 
 1 O the new comer this view of the town in its younger days would seeui to have no connection witli the city 
 of to-da\', but the older resident will find a certain charm in its revival of i)leasant memories. I'louiinent in tlie 
 foreground is a barn-like structure (No. 3,) in which the faithful Melhcdist brothers and sisters worshipjied in the 
 years agone. The bare-looking building when it had served its generation, was piloted down Arch street, where for 
 some years it did duty as a basket factory. Later on it was purified b\- fire and again converted into a meeting 
 house and is at present occupied as the Peojile's Church. I'p the street to the north the old Hendrick house ma\ be 
 recognized. This was built by Dr. Samuel Hart for a ta\ern and was kept as a temperance house. The house (No. 2,) 
 is the Lewis place next the Trinity M. K. Church. The .square-roofed hou.se on the right, (Xo i.) is the Rockwell 
 place. It was built in i,S;,i by John Stanley (father of the late Oliver Stanley) and was occupied by him and his 
 familv. The four-story building (No. 4,) which looks so staunch and firm — is it pussilile that il is now •■ .Sargent's 
 block" ? .\t the date of the picture this was the .shop of vSeth J. North who was already a ]iromnKiU ni.innfacturer. 
 The little triangular pond, (No. 5.) was near the corner of Kim and Church streets and il was generally known as 
 "The Canal.'' How many now recall the narrow tow-path that skirted it and extended to ^Lain street.' Il made a 
 convenient cross-lot path for tho.se emploved in the factors', and on pieas.uit e\eiiings was somewhat noted as a 
 "Lovers' Walk. " In winter the " Canal" was a famous skatin.g resort to which the boys and girls of that period 
 flocked in merry crowds. The " Canal " al.so served another purpose, for there, in summer or winter, the converts 
 of the Baptist (diuich received the rite of immersion. Hundreds would stand on the narrow tow-path, braving the 
 keen blasts of Winter, to witness minister and convert, as, through an ajierture cut in the ice, the) went down into 
 the freezing water. It seemed a hazardous jiroceeding. I'.lm street was .soon ai'ter laiil out. It was considered a 
 dangerous locality then — not as now, from flving locomotives, but because of its rocks and steep banks. One old 
 resident said he always gave devout thanks when he had safely passed over its ])erils. Tlie intervening S])ace 
 between this locality and Ivist street, devoted then to pasturage, with here and there wooded sjiaces, is now intersect- 
 ed with streets where stand some of our finest residences.
 
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 N'lCW HUITAIN IN 1836.
 
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 1 I IK N'lHiiii;- Mlii's Christian Association of Xew Britain, was founded in 1SS4. Its first home was in rooms 
 in the second st(>r\ of Central lih)ck, which was l)urned February 21, iSSs. Temporary rooms were found in the 
 "Old .Stanle\- House," anci later in the Savings ISank Unildins The Association remained in the latter place until 
 the ])resent bnildinij was completed. 
 
 The bnildinyniovement had its start in Nowniher. 1 SS5, allhounh a lot had been ]nirchased several months 
 before. 
 
 The present buildin*; was finished and o]]cned to the public I'ebruary 12, iSSi). 
 
 .\t that time it claimed the hmuir of being the finest Association building in any town of the size of New 
 Britain in the country. 
 
 The ground lloor is rented for business imr|)oses. The remainder of the building contains parlor, social room, 
 separate reading rooms for men and boys, educational class rooms, a hill w ilh a seating capacity of four hundred, 
 gymu.isiuin and lialh and locker rooms, besides a large reception hall, tciilet rtxims and ofllces. 
 
 Tile janitor has his home in the building, a pleasant tenement for his use, being situated on the upper floor. 
 
 The Association stands for the development of uianl\- men npiui the four sides of tlieir nature — physical. 
 mental, social and s|)iiitual. 
 
 It is under Christian aus]iicis, but is entirely non sectarian. 
 
 It has been iiri)diicti\e of much good for the young men of New Britain.
 
 V. M. C. A. RiiCKi'TiON Hall.
 
 NKW HlUTAIN lIlCll Scllnol.,
 
 
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 I.AV>N<; OF COUNKK STONK. TUINITV M. K. Cm-RCU, AIMM,, M, . SyO.
 
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 RocKWKi.i, School.
 
 Ki:sn>i:Ncr: of C. S. I.AXunKS, East Main Strkkt.
 
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 Ri-siDKNcK oi- John B. Tai.cott, Grovk llii.i.
 
 ERWIN WOMAN'S HOME. 
 
 1 HIS luiniL-, Iniilt iti i8t)i and \)2. was cstalilislicil in accdidancL- with the- will of Ur- latt- CoiiK-lins li. ICrwin, 
 who be<iaL-athL-(l Ihu -snm of ei>;ht_\- thousand dollars, k-ft nndt-r IIil- control of the jxistor and standing conuniltce of 
 the South Conj^rt'Sjational Church, for the jiurpose of liuildiny a lionie for wortln- hut jioor and indigent women of 
 the town of New I'.ritain. 
 
 ']"he following extracts are taken from ^[r. ]<"rwin's will, — "Although 1 have placed the management of said 
 Woman's Home in the hands of said South Congregational Chuich, it is nut my intention that the same shall be in 
 anv sense denominational or sectarian," and — "It l^eing mv object in establishing said home to aid the reallv 
 worthy and deserving jjoor.'' 
 
 'Pile building consists of a series of cottages with separate entrances, all under one continuous roof, and 
 connected b\- broad corriders, to which .ill the tenements have direct access. 
 
 These tenements and ai)artments are leased, not for a longer period than one year, but any lease so given may 
 from tune to time be renewed for said term of one year or any shorter period. 
 
 The occupants pay a nt)minal rent towards payment of neces.sarj- insurance, repairs and taxes. 
 
 The atjartments are now nearlv all occuiiied and the ladies are much t)le.ised with tlieir home.
 
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 Residence ov John 13. Smith, Granp Street.
 
 
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 The Old Well— Christian Lane, 
 
 1 N 1686-7 'I settlement was Iiet;;ini by 
 Ricliard Se\iii(Hir and (ithers on Christian 
 
 Lane, a few rods south of the present line 
 between New Britain and Ilerlin. '1"1k-\- built 
 a fort, or stockade, around the caliins for pro- 
 tection from the Indians. 
 
 In the center of the fort Ihe well was dusj. 
 and so thoronL;'hly constructed that it has been 
 in use ever since, and ^till fmuishes excellent 
 water. 
 
 
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 Residkxcic oi- James H. Minor, West Majn Stkekt.
 
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 I. i;K.\IAN liAl'TIST ClU'KCIl.
 
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 S.MITIl SCUOIIL.
 
 ■|'iii; I'uiDK oi' lli(,ii\ ii'.w." iMi'oKTi;!) Ji'-.RSKV, No. 22,045.
 
 
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 jMoHTOX Jl'DI) JCl.M. I'l.AN'TICn IN l822.
 
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 yULTTLl-; MliAUUW.
 
 THE STATE NORMAL SCHOOL. 
 
 TN 1849 ^'1 ^ct was passed by the General Assembly of Connecticut, establishing a Normal School for the purpose 
 of training teachers for the instruction of the young in the schools of the state. 
 
 The trustees appointed to select a suitable place for its location decided upon New liritain, in consideration of 
 the central position of the town in the state, and the offer of its citizens to provide a suitable building, apparatus, and 
 library to the value of $16,000 for the iise of the institution. The school was located where the High School now is, 
 the High, Grammar and Primary schools being on the floors below. 
 
 It remained here until 1884 under the charge of Principals Henry Barnard, John 1 ). I'hilbrick, David N. Camp, 
 Col. Homer B. Sprague, and I. N. Carlton. About 18S0 the growth of the school made it necessary that steps be 
 taken toward securing a new building. 
 
 The Legislature in 1 881 , appropriated $75,000 for a new Ijuilding to be erected in New Britain if that town 
 would appropriate $25,000 more. 
 
 This was prompth- done, and the land of the present fine location was purchased and the building begun. It 
 was opened and occupied in the autumn of 1S83. 
 
 The building contains the main hall, laboratory, offices, a library of 5,000 volumes for the students' use, draw- 
 ing, modeling and cooking roums. The basement is used for the kindergarten. More room being needed, an annex 
 was built in i8go, in which are four model school rooms, the gymnasium and wcirksli(i|i. 
 
 Manual and jihysical training hold an important part in the course. In the law pa.ssed in 1S49, provision was 
 made for model and practice schools, which were organized and carried on in connectifju with the schools of New 
 Britain for .several years. 
 
 During the last few years model schools have been established in New Britain and other places where the 
 students can observe the methods of teaching, and practice the same under the su])ervision of the regular teachers. 
 
 In this manner ob.servation and jiractice are made the basis of all theoretical in.struction, for it is of the first 
 importance that students learn, by long practice, to prepare lessons that are to be given to others. 
 
 The aim of this is to prevent untrained youth from entering jniblic schools to get training, or so-called ex- 
 perience, at the expense of children. The Kindergarten started in 1S84 in the Normal has shown itri value and 
 efficiency from the fact that there are now thirty-one in the state ; 111 >re in proportion to the number of children than 
 ill any state in the Union. 
 
 The successful operation of the methods em]iloyed is due, in a gre.it measuie, to tlie unliring energy and zeal 
 of the Principal, Prof C. V. Carroll, and Secretar\' C. I). Iline, of the vState Board of I'Mucation. There are at present 
 over four hundred pu]>ils connected with the school. The Normal School of to-day is meeting the <leiiiands of the 
 most popular ideas of modern education, and the supply of trained teachers is not equal to the demand.
 
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 Statk Nokmai. School.
 
 Chdar Street.
 
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 Ki;sii)i;nce of Hknuv I'.. Kissiu.i., Jk. •Tin-: Gkovk. "
 
 Residence oi- Tni-.ciixiKiv v.. Smith, Lakic vStkicet.
 
 On Vine Street.
 
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 I'Koi'i.K's Ciu'Rcii OF Christ.
 
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 >.oRTHEND School.
 
 En(;ine Co. No. ?.
 
 THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. 
 
 A T a General Assembly of the State of Connecticut, holden at Hartford on the first Wednesday of May, 1S53, it 
 was Resolved by this Assenibl>', that Wni. R. Stanley, Geo. W. Southworth and Lorenzo P. Lee, of the village 
 iif .\c\v Britain in the town of Berlin, and county of Hartford, be, and they are ht-reby authorized to meet at the dwelling 
 liouse of Ralph Wells in .said village, on the 22d day of June, 1.S33, then and there to enlist a Fire Company which 
 shall be called The New Britain Fire Kngine Company, and shall consist of not more than twenty-four persons ; 
 eighteen of whom only may be taken from the ranks of the militia of the age of 21 years and over : and all shall be 
 residents of said Berlin, and within the distance of three-quarters of a mile from the Presbyterian Meeting House in 
 said New Britain \illage ; with jjower to fill all vacancies that may liaj)pen 1)y voluntary enlistment, which Company 
 when so enlisted, shall have power to appoint tlie necessary officers for said Company, with power of making by-laws 
 not inconsistent with the laws of this State or of the United States, and to enforce the same by penalties, not ex- 
 ceeding Five Dollars for any one offence ; to impcjse taxes on thernsslve •, and do all other acts and things which a 
 cor])oration may of right do, and to be entitled to all rights, powers, and priveleges whicli are granted to Fire Engine 
 Canipanies in this State. Prcz'iticd, that this grant .shall be subject to be altered, amended, or repealed at the filea.sure 
 of the f ieneral .Assembly. 
 
 Pursuant to this grant, The New Britain F'ire Kngine ConiiJany was formed and a constitution, providing for 
 the number and kind of officers and defining their f'.uties aiul the duties of tile members, was adopted. 
 
 .•\mi)iig the early members we find the names of Theo. C. Bron.son. Charles .\. Warner. Marcellus Clark. 
 Henry Stanley, William Bingham. James Stanley, Henrv Iv. Russell, Geo. M. Landers, William \. Churchill, Curtis 
 Whaples, Hosiner I'arsons, Joshua R. King, Peter B. Post. James F. Lewis, and T. W. Stanley. Many of these were 
 from time to time officers of the Coni])any, serving as foremen, a.ssistants. secretaries, and stewards. The constitu- 
 tion defined the position of all the members as "being on the drag rope in going to or returning from a fire, the fore- 
 in.m only excepted." The hand engine then in use, diew the water with the short hose from a convenient well or stream. 
 
 Certain days in the \ear were a])poiuted for washing the engine, and at the annual meetings held in January, 
 after llie election of officers, the minutes reconl, "That the stewards order oysters for the companv present, to Ik- 
 paid for from the funds of the Company." 
 
 Absentees from meetings or fires were fined, unless they gave sufficient excuse. In \S^u a new engine and 
 500 feet of hose was purchased. 
 
 vSince then numerous changes have been made as needed, .so that from the volunteer companies whicli did such 
 giioil service for nearlv fort\ years, the city has advanced to the jire.sent ellicieiit paid de]>artment of sevent\--five men, 
 with three steam fire-engines, three ho.se wagons, one ho<ik and ladder truck, and 6,450 feet ofho.se. 
 
 With these e(juipments and the telegraph fire alann. the city is as well provided with means for iire-fighling. 
 as any place of its size in the state.
 
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 Kncink Co. N'o. 3.
 
 SllIl'.MAN SCHODI,.
 
 
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 ST. MARYS PARISH. 
 
 IT has been less than forty years since the first churtli of St. Mary's I'ari.sh. in New Britain, was dedicated. 
 At that time, 1853, there were probably less than 300 connected with the parish. Hut fifty years ago. when I-'ather 
 Brady, of Hartford, said the first mass here, in 1H4-2, in a house which stood where Russell & Erwin's screw 
 factory now is. there were less than twenty-five persons present. Father Brady's pari.sh then extended south to 
 Middletown. and west to the New York State line. In IS-ts there were twenty-five Catholic families in New 
 Britain, whicli were under the charge of Rev. Luke Dalv, whose parish extended northwest, including New Hart- 
 lord and Rainbciw, anil included Berlin and Kensington on the .south. In 1 S49 Father Daly took up his residence 
 here and in ISoO began the building of a church on Myrtle street, in which the first mass was said on Annunciation 
 Day, 1 8.-) 1, with about 250 i)ersons present. In 1853 the edifice was dedicated by Bishop O'Reilly, and the grow- 
 ing parish, needing still further accommodations, a transept, a chancel and a sacristy were added later. 
 
 I'ather Daly carried on the parish work very successfullv, having built the cliurch. willi the additions, the 
 parish school and convent, during his pastorate. He was very popular with all, not only with his own people, but 
 with the citizens of the place who diflered from him in faith. His people were ever ready to help him in his work 
 and greatly lamented his death, which occurred in 187s. Rev. Hugh Camiody. D.D.. was appointed his successor 
 and carried on the work begun by I'ather Dal\ with etpial success. During his pastorate St. Thomas" Convent, one 
 of the largest in the state, was completed and occupied b\' the Sisters of Mercv, the church property was cleared of 
 debt, and the lot on Main street for the new cliurch purchased. Dr. Carmodv was appreciated by all for his scholarly 
 attainments and genial manners. He <lie(l in 1 ss:j and was succeeded by Rev. Fatlier Tierney. Father Tiemey has 
 most al)l\' carried on the work begun by his predeces.sors. The new church in process of construction has nearly 
 all of the exterior finished, and work on the interior is being carried forward. The corner stone of this church was 
 laid on the 2Vth of June, 1 ssc, 
 
 There are at present about 7, noil souls connected witii the parish, exclusive of the ("lerman Catholics, now 
 connevted with St. I'eter's church. In the Parochial .schools are about 1 ,250 children, and in the Convent twenty- 
 two Si.sters of Mercy, nineteen of whom are active teachers i n the .schools. The assistant pastors of the church have 
 been Rev. II. J. I.yncli, Rev. Thos. Mullen, Rev. Wni. Hart. Kev. Thos. Smith. Rev. John H. Duggan. Rev. P. H 
 b'iniKgan. Re\ . John C. Don.ihoe, Re\'. J. I.arkin, Rev. M. McKion. Ke\ . T. J. Hannovan, Rev. R. C. (iragan. 
 Rev. J, H. Dolan, Kev. N. F. X. Sihneider, Rev. J. W. Lancaster, and the present assistants, Rev. J, T. A. McMahon. 
 Rev. Win. H. C.ibbons, and Rev. Win. J. McC.urk.
 
 
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 NEW BRITAIN INSTITUTE. 
 
 1 HE New Britain Institute was established in ls,i:!,to provide a public librar\' and readinff room, and to 
 secure courses of lectures. Less than a thousand dollars was rai.sed by subscription and by fees of members, 
 and a few hundred books were bought and the library was opened the same vear, in ^Miller's building-. A reading 
 room was also furni.shed with newspapers and other periodicals and opened to the public. At first there was a fee 
 for the use of the library or for the privilege of using the reading room. But for many years the reading room has 
 been entirely free, and also the library when used at the rooms. Courses of lectures were secured and opened to the 
 public on the payment of a small fee. For a few years there have been no lectures, but the librar\- has been largely 
 increased by the addition of new books, and its influence has been extended. The reading room is well supplied with 
 the best periodicals and is meeting the needs of the community in providing so large an amount of reading entirely free. 
 
 The New Britain Institute was incorporated by the Ctcneral Assembly in 1S5S. The incorporators were 
 David N. Camp. C. B. Erwin, F. T. .Stanley, G. M. Landers, Oliver Stanley, Lucius Woodruff, T. W. .Stanley, John 
 B. Talcott, \V. S. Churchill and W. B. Smythe. 
 
 In ls72it received a legacy of .SIO.OOO from the estate of Lucius Woodruff and it has more recentlv received 
 about StfiO.OOfi, from the estate of the late Cornelius B. Erwin. When Hart's Block was erected rooms were pre- 
 pared for it which it occupied for more than twenty 3ears. For the last few j'ears its rooms have been in the Rnss- 
 win Building, where its library room and reading room have been much enlarged, and a large number of new books 
 and periodicals have been added to its previous lists. One department of the library is exclusively for reference, and 
 the books are not taken from the building, but can be used freely in the rooms ; the books in the circulating depart- 
 ment can be taken home for reading. 
 
 The Institution is under the direction of a board of numagers, one-third of whom are elected annually for three 
 years. John B. Talcott is jiresident, W. 1". Walker, secretarw and .\. J. Sloper, treasurer.
 
 Kkading Room — Nkw Hiut.mn iNSTiTni:.
 
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 THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES. 
 
 In the j'ear 1800, Joseph Shipman and James North, having learned the brass business, and worked at it 
 together for some time making bells, went into business, each for himself. The capital of Shipman consisted of 
 fifty dollars, loaned him by Dr. Smalley. They were the first to make articles of metal, except what had been done 
 in the black.smith shops and in the tinware line, in New Britain. Seth J. North had learned the blacksmith trade, 
 then went into the shop of his brother James, and upon the removal of the latter from town, succeeded to the business. 
 These shops were increased in size and were the jirincipal manufactories of brass goods in the conutrv Mr. 
 North and Mr. Shijiman used to take their goods to New York or Boston, at first on horseback, then by team, and 
 return witSi raw material. In 1812, another business, that of making plated articles, such as buckles, was started on 
 or near the present site of The North & Judd Mfg. Co. :Mr. Seth J. North and Ahiu North were interested in this 
 with Mr. H. C. Whipple, the firm being North & Whipple. 
 
 There were also a number of small shops in operation at one time and another, making a variety of articles, 
 but those of S. J. North, Jos. Shipman, and North & Wlii]i])le were the principal ones, until after 1830. About 
 this time New 15ritain began to be known as a manufacturing place. A little before this, horse-jrawer was first 
 used in a sho]j built by S. J. North, Wm. II. Smith and Henr\- Staulex , and in iS;,2 a steam engine w.is used 
 by F. T. Stanley, who, in company with others, manufactureil 1)uil(krs' hardware. The coal for its use was carted 
 from the docks in Middle-town or Hartford. 
 
 The first brick factory in New Britain was l)uilt by Setli J. North, Jnhn Stanle\- and llenr\- Stanley, abcnit 
 1832, and known as the North & Stanley factory, later as Sargent's building. ,\ canal w.is built to take the water 
 from the brook then crossing Main and Elm streets, and a water power secured.
 
 It was also about iS;,o that the first hook and eye machine was made, which was afterward much improved, 
 and the niakiiit; of tliese articles became (juite an important industry. 
 
 The first building erected that is connected with any of the factories of the present time was built by Stanley, 
 Woodruff & Co., in 1835, and occupied later by the Rus.sell & Erwin Manufacturing Co. The foundations of this 
 business were laid in 1839, when Henry K. Ru.s.sell and Cornelius B. Erwin became the active partners. 
 
 In 1842 K. T. .Stanley coninicnced the manufacture of wrought bolts and hinges, in what was recently known 
 as the tack sho]). This was the beginning of the Stanley \\'orks. In the .same year Ceo. M. Landers began the 
 manufacture of house furnishing hardware ou I-^ast Main street, from whieh Ijusiiiess the present firm of Landers, 
 l'"rary tS: Clark, with its various lines of goods, is the outcome. 
 
 The New Britain Knitting Co. was organized in 1847 by Seth J. North. Henry Stanley, and O. H. Sevmour, 
 and the knit goods were made in the North & Stanley factory. 
 
 Tile next year Philip Coibin and others commenced the manufacture of suuill metal articles on .South Stanlev 
 street, and afterward removed to Park street and became the firm of P. ^: V . Corbin. 
 
 In 1853 \V. L. Ilumasou founded the Ilnniason tS: Beckle\- Mfg. Co., and that same year the manufacture of 
 levels was begun on I';iui street I)\- Thos. ,S. Hall and Frederick Kuapp. The level business was later joined to the 
 lule business of .\ugustus Stanley, T. W. .Stanley and Thos. Conklin, founded in 1S54, and with other business 
 combined with it, has become The Stanley Rule and Level Co. 
 
 The largest of the more recently built factories is the .\merican Hosiery Co., organized in 1S6S. 
 
 'Phus fri>ni small beginnings h.ive sprung the present varied manufacturing industries of New Britain, with 
 their mau\- millions of invested cajiilal and thousands of employees. 
 
 Bs- her niannfiictures is she known. They have made her what she is, and given licr a reputation second to 
 niMie in the countrv.
 
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 NivW Britain Kxittinc, Co,
 
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 Amkrican nosii:uv Co.
 
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 THE LIBRARY 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 Santa Barbara 
 
 THIS BOOK IS DUE ON THE LAST DATE 
 STAMPED BELOW. 
 
 Series B4S2
 
 uc SOUTHER'. =.h; : 
 
 AA 000 876 142