History of the Civil Government of Brooklyn, Connecticut
The township of Brooklyn received a charter from the assembly in May,
1786, to organize as a town. The first town meeting was held in its much
esteemed meeting house, June 26th, 1786. Colonel Israel Putnam was called
to the chair. Seth Paine was chosen town clerk, treasurer and first
selectman; Andrew Murdock, Asa Pike, Daniel Tyler, Jr., and Joseph
Scarborough, selectmen; Peter Pike, constable; Ebenezer Scarborough, Abner
Adams, Joshua Miles, Jedidiah Ashcraft, Jr., Salter Searls, Nathan Witter,
Joseph Davison, Samuel Williams, Stephen Frost. James Dorrance, Elisha
Brown, Reuben Harris, surveyors; John Jefferds, Ebenezer Gilbert, fence
viewers; Abijah Goodell, Isaac Cushman, tithing men. The bounds of the
town were at first identical with those of the previous society, but
twenty-four hundred acres were soon released to Hampton. Seth Paine was
appointed to agree with the agents of Canada parish on a straight line
between Brooklyn and the new town, and consent that they may have as much
land as prayed for if they will maintain the poor. The Quinebaug formed
the eastern bound. North and south lines remained as previously settled.
Pomfret was allowed to retain a projection on the southwest, now Jericho,
on the supposition that it would never be able to pay its own expenses. It
was voted that the town line should be also the society line, and the
pound already built near Doctor Baker's be a town pound. Highway districts
were soon laid out, and labor paid for at three shillings a day for a man
and team in the spring, and two-and-six-pence a day in the fall. A
half-penny rate was voted for the support of the schools. A rate list made
in 1788, shows the following names of taxpayers in the town, and the
ratable estates amounted to £9,338,10 shillings, 2 pence.
Adams, Samuel, William, Asaph, Lewis, Ephraim, Philemon, Shubael, Abner,
Noah, Willard, Peter, Ephraim, Jun.; Allyn, Jabez, John, Joseph; Allen,
Parker; Ashcraft, Jedidiah, John, Jedidiah, Jun.; Alworth, James, William;
Aborn, James; Baker, William, Doct. Joseph, Joel, Stephen, John, Erastus,
Joseph, Jun.; Brindley, Nathaniel; Butt, Samuel; Brown, Shubael, Alpheus,
Jedidiah, John; Bowman, Elisha, Walter; Barrett, William; Bacon, Joseph,
Asa, Nehemiah; Benjamin, Barzillai; Cushman, William, William, Jun.,
Isaac; Clark, Moses, Daniel, Caleb; Cleveland, Davis, Joseph, Elijah,
Phillips, Phinehas; Cady, Gideon, Ezra, Jonathan, Uriah, John, Phinehas,
Ebenezer, Benjamin, Asahel, Nahum, Nathan, Daniel, Widow Lydia, Eliakim;
Copeland, William, Asa, Joseph, Jonathan, James; Chaffee, Ebenezer; Coller,
Jonathan, Asa; Cogswell, Nathaniel; Cloud, Norman; Chapman, Amaziah; Darbe,
Ashael, William, Alpheus: Downing, Jedidiah, David, Ichabod, James;
Denison, David; Davison, Joseph, Joseph, Jun., Peter; Dorrance, James;
Davis, Samuel; Davidson, William; Eldredge, James, Gurdon; Eaton, Ezekiel;
Fasset, Elijah, Josiah, Joab, John; Foster, Daniel: Fling, Lemuel: Frost,
Stephen; Fuller, John, Josiah; Fillmore, William; Goodell, Abijah, Alvan;
Gilbert, Rachel, Joseph, Eleazer, Benjamin, Jedidiah, John; Geer, John;
Herrick, Benjamin, Rufus; Howard, Charles; Hubbard, Ebenezer, William,
Benjamin, Jun.; Hutchins, Isaac; Hewitt, Stephen, Increase; Harris,
Samuel, Reuben, Paul, Amos, Ebenezer; Hancock, John; Hide, Jabesh; Holmes,
Nathaniel: Jefferds, John; Joslin, David; Ingalls, Samuel; Kendall, Peter,
John, David; Litchfield, Eleazer, John, Israel, Uriah; Mumford, Thomas;
Miles, Jesse, Joshua, Thomas; Murdock, Andrew; Malbone, John; Merrett,
Charles, Thomas; Morgan, Roswell; Mason, Shubael; Medcalf, Hannah; More,
Daniel; Putnam, Daniel, Peter Schuyler, Israel, Jun., Reuben; Pike, John,
Joseph, Peter, Jonathan, Asa, Willard; Paine, Simeon, Seth, Jun.; Delano,
Seth, Daniel, Benjamin; Prince, Timothy, Timothy, Jun., Abel; Pierce,
Benjamin; Preston, Jacob; Palmer, Elihu, Thaddeus; Pettis, Joseph; Pellet,
Jonathan; Pooles, Amasa; Rowe, Isaac; Smith, William, Thomas; Stanton,
Thomas; Stevens, John; Storrs, Dinah: Scott, William; Searls, Daniel,
Salter; Scarborough, Ebenezer, Jeremiah, Joseph, Samuel; Stowel, Calvin;
Shepard, Josiah, Benjamin; Spalding, Abel, Ebenezer, Caleb, Rufus,
Ebenezer, Jun.; Shumway, Ebenezer; Staples, Abel; Tracy, Zebediah; Tilley,
James: Tyler, Asa, Daniel, Daniel, Jun., Oliver; Thayer, Elijah; Wheeler,
Timothy, Job; White, Joseph; Weaver, Remington, John; Wilson, Samuel,
Ignatius; Williams, Stephen, Samuel, Jun., Roger Wolcot, Asa, Martha,
Marian, Job, Joseph, Samuel, Samuel, 2d; Witter, Nathan, Jun., Nathan,
Josiah; Withy, _James, Hazael, Eunice; Weeks, Ebenezer, Anna; Wood,
Benjamin; Woodward, Ward, Peter.
Among the business enterprises carried on in this town between the close
of the revolution and the close of the century might be named a grist mill
by William Baker, a saw mill by Stephen Baker, saw and grist mills by
Daniel Clark, fashionable store by Frederic Stanley, general merchandise
by Gallup & Clark and George Abbe & Co., hat manufacture by Eleazer
Mather, clothiery business by Daniel Rowe, cooperage by Vine Robinson, a
distillery of cider brandy by Doctor John Cleveland, succeeded by George
Abbe. This was a period of growth, but it closed with decline, so that the
census of 1800 showed a loss of over a hundred in the population.
With increasing business and influence, however, Brooklyn sought with the
greater earnestness to gain those administrative prerogatives which she
believed due to her central position in the county. A petition to form a
new county of the northern towns, with Pomfret for its seat of government,
had gained no favor when, in 1786, it was urged before the assembly.
Believing that her claim would be recognized as the central town of the
county, Brooklyn took the lead in 1794, in inviting all the towns
interested in the movement to meet at Jefferd's tavern for further
discussion and renewed action. Delegates from all the invited towns were
present and unanimously agreed " that the northeast part of Windham county
was greatly aggrieved at being obliged to go so far to attend courts and
to obtain justice." A forcible representation of the views and wishes of
these delegates, presented to the assembly, produced such an impression
that a large -majority of the lower house voted to consider the premises,
but were overruled by a vote of the council. Brooklyn, however, did not
give up the idea, but improved the opportunities that came to her, and a
quarter of a century later had the satisfaction of seeing the courts of
the county removed to her central village.
The people of Brooklyn appear to have been alert in the administration of
their local government, and entertained a high standard of popular virtue.
In her by-laws she expressly enjoined " that only two neat cattle to a
family should be allowed to run at large." A health committee was
instituted in 1810, which was instructed to procure the most skillful
physician in case the spotted fever should appear. Perhaps, as a further
preparation for this dreaded visitant, a hearse house and harness were
procured; also a pall and a trunk to keep it in, and a committee appointed
in each district to superintend at funerals, and form rules for promoting
order and regularity on such occasions. The selectmen were required to
ascertain, by personal investigation, "who are and who are not furnished
with Bibles, as the law directs," and if any families were found deficient
and not able to procure them, to provide and distribute the same.
The brigade review, which was held here in September, 1812, was a very
notable and brilliant affair. Five regiments of foot and one of horse
participated in military exercise, the company altogether comprising " at
least 2,500 troops and four times as many spectators, presenting something
of a warlike appearance." It was considered the greatest gathering, in
point of numbers and glittering array, ever witnessed in Windham county,
and doubtless had its influence in stimulating the war spirit and
encouraging enlistment for the war which was then opening with Great
Britain. The village of Brooklyn at that time contained about twenty
dwelling houses and two mercantile stores. Adams White, Jr., had charge of
the first post office. Noted taverns were kept by Phinehas Searls, P. P.
Tyler and Captain Eleazer Mather. Though so energetic and prosperous,
Brooklyn continued to lose by emigration of her sons and citizens to other
fields of enterprise and activity.
The removal of the county courts to this town marked a new era in its
history. Prosperity again perched upon its banners for a time. In response
to petitions from the northern towns of Windham county for the removal of
the county seat to a more central and convenient point, a committee was
appointed by the assembly to investigate the matter. On their report the
assembly, May 27th, 1819, provided that if suitable buildings should be
erected in Brooklyn within three years from that time, without expense to
the county, and in location and general plans approved by a committee of
the county and superior courts, the courts and jail should be held there
thenceforward. Brooklyn now put forth earnest efforts to secure the
erection of the necessary buildings. Six thousand dollars were required,
and Brooklyn pledged $2,500 of it. The balance was raised in other towns
and by voluntary subscriptions in this and other towns outside of amounts
raised by tax. On the 26th of July, 1820, the court house and jail were
approved and accepted by the proper committee, and at the same time a
special court of common pleas was organized, Judge David Bolles presiding.
The village now gained in importance rapidly; a newspaper, a bank and a
fire insurance company were added to the institutions which soon gathered
around the county seat.
The history of newspaper enterprises in Brooklyn is a thing of the past.
Its chapter seems to have closed, and only the vicissitudes of the future
may reveal whether it is closed forever or not. The opening of the chapter
was suggested by the removal of the courts to this town. The Independent
Observer and County Advertiser, a small paper with a big name, sent out
its first issue from Brooklyn, Monday, July l st, 1820, by Henry Webb,
printer and publisher. Samuel and Horatio Webb were also associated in
this enterprise-the former having previously published newspapers in
Norwich and Windham. The Observer surpassed the waning Herald in size and
general appearance. The paper was fairer and the print clearer. It
manifested a good degree of enterprise in securing public and local
intelligence. Literary readers were regaled with a variety of original and
selected poems, and one of Brockden Brown's most harrowing complications
administered as a serial. Samuel Webb acted as general agent. Its
circulation was reported as " pretty general in all parts of the county."
The Observer was superseded in 1826 by The Windham County Advertiser,
published by John Gray, who gave place in a year to Mr. J. Holbrook. This
paper attained the greatest age and most general circulation as a county
organ of any published in Brooklyn. It was followed in 1835 by The Windham
County Gazette, published by Messrs. Carter and Foster, which was
maintained for several years. Public exigencies and rising reforms called,
out several short-lived newspapers, viz.: The People's Press devoted the
advancement of anti-Masonry; the Unionist, an anti-slavery journal, edited
by C. C. Burleigh and supported by Arthur Tappan; The Windham County Whig,
The Harrisonian, a campaign paper, published by Edwin B. Carter in 1840,
and one or two others, whose names have perished with them. Mr. Joel
Davison, of Killingly, served as news carrier during the latter 'days of
these papers, taking them and other periodicals all over his route in
baskets and bundles suspended from his stalwart shoulders.
The history of this town would be imperfect without reference to some of
the prominent men who in early times belonged to it. Most conspicuous of
such stands the name of General Israel Putnam. But it is not our privilege
here to give any formal sketch of his life, since that is worthy of a much
more full treatment than space would permit us to give, and, on the other
hand, a mere outline of his life would be but a repetition of what is
already before the world in publications almost without number. But the
name of a character so conspicuous in the history of the nation cannot be
" hid under a bushel " in the annals of the township in which he lived.
His name frequently appears in the history of the action of this and other
towns of the county about the revolutionary period. A native of Salem,
Mass., he had in early life removed to a farm in Mortlake, and was there
engaged in the peaceful pursuits of agriculture when the stirring events
of war aroused him to action and gave the occasion to the latent powers
within him to develop as the hero which lie proved himself to be. Born to
be a leader, and endowed by nature with an intrepidity which was blind to
danger, he could not long remain in obscurity. Among the exploits which
have been immortalized with his name, the story of his adventure with the
wolf, though the actual scene of it was in the adjoining town of Pomfret,
seems entitled to preservation here. In general features it is as follows:
Wolves had abounded in every Windham county town at their first
settlement, but had gradually disappeared with advancing civilization.
Indians Tom and Jeremy had routed them in Plainfield and Killingly.
Woodstock's last reported wolf was shot by Pembascus in 1732; Ashford's
succumbed in 1735; leaving Pomfret's in sole possession_ of the field. A
craggy, precipitous hillrange, bristling with jagged rocks and tangled
forests, south of the Mashamoquet, and between the Newichewanna and
Blackwell's brook, was her favorite place of residence, where she enjoyed
the privilege of entire seclusion and easy access to the richest farms of
Pomfret and Mortlake. For years this creature ranged the country. There
was not a farm or door yard safe from her incursions. Innumerable sheep,
lambs, kids and fowls had fallen into her clutches. Little children were
scared by her out of sleep and senses; boys and girls feared to go to
school or drive the cows home; and lonely women at night trembled for
absent husbands and children. In summer she was wont to repair to wilder
regions northward, returning in autumn with a young family. to her
favorite haunt in Pomfret. These cubs were soon shot by watchful hunters,
but the more wary mother resisted every effort. She evaded traps,
outwitted dogs, and made herself, in the words of her biographer, " an
intolerable nuisance." Israel Putnam's farm was only separated by a deep,
narrow valley from her favorite hillside. This young farmer had devoted
himself to the cultivation of his land with much skill and energy, and
within two or three years had erected a house and outbuildings, broken up
for corn and grain, set out fruit trees, and collected many valuable
cattle and sheep. This fine flock soon caught the fancy of his
appreciative neighbor, and one morning some " seventy sheep and goats were
reported killed, besides many lambs and kids torn and wounded." Putnam was
greatly exasperated by this loss and butchery. He was not one to submit
tamely to such inflictions. From his boyhood he had been distinguished for
courage and reckless daring. He was a bold rider, a practiced and
successful hunter. He had a bloodhound of superior strength and sagacity.
His stock was very dear to him, and he resolved at once to rid Pomfret of
this nuisance. With five of his neighbors he agreed to hunt the wolf
continuously, by turns, till they had caught and killed her.
How long they watched and waited is not known. The final hunt is believed
to have occurred in the winter of 1742-43. A light snowfall the night
preceding enabled the watchful hunters to trace the wolf far westward over
hill and valley, and thence back to her lair in Pomfret. The report of
their success in tracking the enemy had preceded them, and men and boys,
with dogs and guns, hurried-out to meet the returning hunters and join in
the pursuit and capture. The track led onward into the heart of that
savage fastness, never before penetrated by white man. John Sharpe, a lad
of seventeen, grandson of the first William Sharpe, of Mashamoquet, ran,
boy-like, in advance of the others, following the trail up the icy crag as
it wound on between overhanging rocks, gnarled stumps and fallen tree
trunks, to a small opening among the granite boulders of the hillside-the
mouth, apparently, of a narrow cave or passage, tunneling far down into
the depths of the earth. A joyful shout from the lad announced the
discovery of the wolf's hiding place. The news soon spread through the
neighborhood, bringing new actors and spectators. Great was the interest
and excitement. The wolf was trapped, but how could she betaken? The day
was spent in fruitless efforts to force her from her position. Hounds were
sent in, but came back cowed and wounded. Straw and brimstone were burned
in the cavern's mouth without effect. Secure in her rock-bound fortress,
the enemy disdained to parley or surrender. In the perplexity of the hour,
as darkness was -drawing on, some one suggested that the stalwart and
courageous young Putnam be sent for. It was done, and with dog and gun he
instantly obeyed the summons. Appearing on the scene, he declared that the
wolf must be routed at all hazards, and that without delay. The dog was
sent in, but he would not go. The negro was directed to go in, but he
dared not do it. No one wanted to undertake the venture of bearding the
lion in his den. But Putnam himself was ready for the onset. Remonstrance
and representation of danger were unheeded. Divesting himself of coat and
waistcoat, -with a rope fastened around his body and a blazing torch in
his hand, he slowly crawled down the black, icy, narrow passage into the
cavern where the wolf stood at bay, and there in the farthest extremity he
beheld the glaring eyeballs of his terrified adversary. Drawn back by
those without, he descended a second time with torch and weapon, and with
one dexterous shot brought down the wolf as she prepared to take defense,
" and the people above, with no small exultation, dragged them both out
together."
Working on his farm until the events of the French war called him to
action, he entered the service in 1755 as second lieutenant of a company;
was captain of a company raised by him in 1756 and placed in guard service
at Fort . Edward, and in 1758 was promoted to the rank of a major.
Returning to his farm, he continued to take active interest in the
drilling of the militia and making preparations for defense in case of
war. Thus employed on his farm, he received the news of the collision of
the British troops and the provincials at Boston while in the field
plowing on the morning -of April 20th, 17 75, the day after the event. The
country was rising to arms, and Putnam, leaving his son to unyoke the oxen
from before the plow, hastened at once to take his place at the head of
the militia, of whom he had already been made colonel. The story of Bunker
Hill probably contains no more prominent figure than that of Putnam. For
his distinguished services there he was promoted to the position of fourth
major general of the American army. After serving throughout the war, he
retired for a few years to his home in Brooklyn, where he closed his life.
Always a respecter of religion, long a member of the church, he was drawn
with advancing years to a deeper appreciation of spiritual things. In the
words of one with whom he had talked intimately, " Death, whom he had so
often braved on the field of battle, had no terrors to him on his dying
bed, but he longed to depart and be with Christ." He died May 19th, 1790,
after two days' illness. His funeral was the most imposing ceremonial that
Windham county had ever witnessed. It was held at the Congregational
meeting house, by the Reverend Doctor Whitney, and Doctor Waldo pronounced
a eulogium in behalf of the Masons, who, with the military companies, took
part in the obsequies. An inscription prepared by President Dwight of Yale
College was engraved on a monumental slab which marked his resting place,
and the same has been repeated upon the new monument which has been
erected to his memory. The old slab had been so much disfigured by relic
hunters that it was barely legible, and was indeed a disgraceful monument
of a reprehensible custom. A bronze equestrian statue was erected by the
state in the middle of the village of Brooklyn to the memory of Putnam. It
was unveiled amid imposing military and civic procession and ceremonies on
the 14th of June, 1888. At the ceremony, the great-grandson of the old
hero, Mr. John D. Putnam, of Wisconsin, had the honor of withdrawing the
veil from the statue. Upon the pedestal has been engraved the classic
epitaph, which is as follows:
Sacred be this Monument
to the memory
of
ISRAEL PUTNAM, ESQUIRE,
senior Major General in the armies
of
the United States of America;
who
was born at Salem,
in the Province of Massachusetts,
on the 7th day of January,
A. D. 1718,
and died
on the 19th day of May,
A. D. 1790.
Passenger,
if thou art a Soldier,
drop a tear over the dust of a Hero,
who,
ever attentive
to the lives and happiness of his men.
dared to lead
where any dared to follow;
if a Patriot,
remember the distinguished and gallant services
rendered thy country
be the Patriot who sleeps beneath this marble:
if thou art honest, generous and worthy,
render a cheerful tribute of respect
to a man,
whose generosity was singular,
whose honesty was proverbial:
who
raised himself to universal esteem,
and offices of eminent distinction,
by personal worth
and a
useful life.
Previous to the erection of the bronze statue, the bones of Putnam were
removed from their previous resting place to a new grave beneath the
pedestal. When the remains were taken up the large bones were found well
preserved, especially the hip bones, by which the body was additionally
identified by a relative. Apiece of the shroud was found. The coffin was
much decayed. A large stone that had been cemented directly over the body
is supposed to have kept off the surface water and assisted in preserving
the bones. The remains, the bit of shroud and pieces of coffin were placed
in a metallic casket five feet long and reinterred in the new grave. The
large stone that had lain over them since 1790, was also replaced in a
like position in the new location and cemented down. Then the grave was
graded down ready for the statue pedestal.
Another conspicuous character of the revolutionary period was Godfrey
Malbone, who owned a large estate here, and -who was particularly
conspicuous because of history sentiments in the time of the war. These
sentiments made him a terror in the north part of the county. It had been
currently reported at one time, and believed, that he had privately
drilled and equipped his negroes, and intended to take up arms for the
king when the hour of conflict came. " Malbone's niggers " for a time
became a by-word of terror in many a defenseless household in these
neighboring towns. But this fear was probably without much foundation.
Colonel Malbone throughout the war was allowed to pursue his way
unmolested. Though open and outspoken in his attachment to the royal
cause, he did nothing to promote it, and by his ready wit and cool
assurance managed to evade demands and disarm opposition. At the close of
the war he accepted the verdict of arms and change of government with
becoming philosophy, and by his kindness and open generosity, his scorn
for anything like pretension or hypocrisy, gained the respect and
admiration of those most opposed in sentiment. From his tombstone we
obtain the following summary of his life and character:
"Sacred be this marble to the memory of Godfrey Malbone, who was born at
Newport, R. I., September 3, 1724, and died at his Seat in this town,
November 12th, 1785. Uncommon natural Abilities, improved and embellished
by an Education at the University of Oxford, a truly amiable disposition,
an inflexible integrity of Heart, the most frank Sincerity in
Conversation, a Disdain of every Species of Hypocrisy and Dissimulation,
joined to manners perfectly easy and engaging, nobly marked his character
and rendered him a real Blessing to all around him. That he was a friend
of Religion this Church of which he was the Founder testifies; as do all
indeed who knew him that he practiced every virtue requisite to adorn and
dignify Human Life."
In the matter of public road and bridge building this town has not been
excessively burdened. Still the early settlers had some improvements of
this kind to make, as the needs of the town developed. A new road through
Plainfield to Providence, greatly accommodating the south part of the
town, was accomplished about 1790. Samuel Butts, Ebenezer Scarborough and
Daniel Putnam were-commissioned to confer with Plainfield gentlemen and
construct a suitable bridge at Pierce's fordway, where it crossed the
Quinebaug. The projected turnpike from Norwich to Woodstock excited much
discussion. Parish, Putnam and Joseph Scarborough were delegated "to meet
the state committee sent to view said road, and show them the minds of
said town respecting said business." Public sentiment apparently favored
the project. Ebenezer Scarborough, Captain Roger W. Williams and Captain
Andrew Murdock assisted the committee to lay out Norwich turnpike in 1799.
Highway districts were remodeled in 1803. Bridges over Blackwell's brook,
as well as the Quinebaug bridge, were maintained at the expense of the
town. A more direct road to Hampton was laid out in 1825 through the lands
of William Cundall, John Ashcraft, Galen Hicks, Havilah Taylor, Amasa
Pooler, Richard Carder, Ebenezer Witter, Elijah Witter. In the following
year the Brooklyn and Windham turnpike was constructed.
In manufacturing enterprises early Brooklyn had comparatively a greater
interest than she has in later years. Grist and saw mills were among the
first enterprises of this kind under taken. Looking back to a period.
about one hundred years ago, we find Allyn's grist mill was carried on
successfully till the dam was carried off by a freshet, and public
opposition delayed its rebuilding. Allen hill received its name from its
vicinity to this much frequented grist mill. The oldest son of Peter
Adams, whose name was Philemon, with younger brothers, engaged in various
industries, running a linseed oil mill and manufacturing pottery and
potash. One son acquired the art of working in silver, and fabricated
family teaspoons. A daughter excelled in transforming rude homespun
fabrics into articles of artistic beauty. With wooden stamps cut out by
her brothers and dyes extracted from native plants, she produced a most
successful imitation of the richly flowered brocades then in fashion,
making dress patterns, vests and furniture coverings that were the
admiration of all beholders. At the beginning of the war of 1812, the
manufacturing interests of the town consisted of one carding machine, two
tanneries, three grist mills and two saw mills. Agriculture was then, as
it had previously. been, and has since been, the chief industry and
support of the people. It was said at that time that no town of equal
magnitude in the state made so much cheese and pork as Brooklyn. But later
on the Tiffanys, of Killingly, built a large cotton manufactory in the
eastern border of the town, on the Quinebaug. Edwin C. Newbury opened a
shop as a silversmith, making spoons, spectacles and similar articles.
This business later grew and developed into other lines, including the
manufacture of spectacles, pens and watch cases.
Back to: Brooklyn, Windham County, Connecticut History
Source: History of Windham County, Connecticut, Bayles, Richard M.; New York: W.W. Preston, 1889