Early Stages of the Cotton Mill Industries
The pioneer cotton spinner of Willimantic was Perez O. Richmond, who
came here from Rhode Island some time in the year 1822, and purchased the
privilege at the lower end of the borough now known as Willimantic Linen
Company's Mill No. 2. On this site he built a mill of wood, about forty by
sixty feet, one and a half stories high, put in machinery and commenced
making cotton yarn. He also built a cheap row of tenements, six in number,
just north of the mill, for his operatives. Mr. Richmond continued to run
this mill until 1827, when it passed into the possession of Messrs. Hawes,
father and son, of Providence, R. I., who made extensive repairs to the
mill and tenements, and also erected a large boarding house and the best
store in the place.
In 1823 Major Matthew Watson, Hartford Tingley, Rathbone Tingley and
Arnnah C. Tingley. all of Providence, R. I., purchased the privilege and
land adjoining, at the upper end of the village, and formed a corporation
by the name of the Windham Cotton Manufacturing Company. They built a dam
across the river and put up a mill, which is now the south half of the
west mill belonging to the Windham Company. Here they put in machinery and
commenced making cotton sheetings and shirtings. They also erected some
six dwelling houses for two families each, which were known then,. as now,
as the "Yellow Row." A store on Main street at the head of the row of
houses was built and filled with goods for the operatives. Arnnah C.
Tingley, one of the owners, removed here from Providence and became the
local agent of the corporation. He built and occupied the dwelling house
west of the store on Main street. The erection of a dam for this
corporation caused a set back of the water for two miles or more,
overflowing large tracts of meadow on this river and on Hop river and Ten
Mile river as well. This caused much damage to lands overflowed, and quite
a large amount was paid by the company in settlement of such claims.
About the time the Windham company commenced operations Deacon Charles
Lee, of Windham, purchased the site of what is now the Smithville
Company's property, and erected a mill for the manufacture of cotton
goods, four dwellings and a barn and store house. In the spring of 1827 a
store was erected by him on the corner of Main and what is now Bridge
street, in which were kept a general assortment of dry goods and
groceries. Associated with him in the store was Royal Jennings, who came
from Windham and remained here until 1840, when he removed to Milwaukee,
Wis. Deacon Lee removed to Norwich and was for many years the head of the
firm of Lee & Osgood. They were active business men and took a deep
interest in the moral and religious welfare of this young and growing
community.
In 1824 Messrs. William, Asa and Seth Jillson, three brothers from
Dorchester, Mass., purchased land on the south side of Main street, with
the water privilege attached thereto, built the dam and laid the
foundation of a cotton mill on the site of what is now the Linen Company's
spool shop. At that time this was the largest cotton mill in Willimantic.
In connection with the manufacture of cotton goods. quite an extensive
business was done by this firm in the manufacture of machinery for cotton
mills. The stone building opposite the mill, and five dwellings for four
families each, were erected by this corporation. An additional mill was
erected a few rods below for the same purpose, greatly enlarging what for
that time was an extensive business in cotton manufacture. The senior
brother built the stone house between Main and Union streets for his
residence. Asa built the fine house on the south side of the river, and
Seth built another on South Main street, the three being at that time the
finest residences in the village.
Thus, in 1826, Willimantic had four cotton mills in successful operation,
and began to assume considerable importance: Peter Simpson built a
one-story dwelling on the site of the present Brainerd. House. The old
State powder works had passed into the hands of Samuel Byrne and David
Smith, who were operating under the firm name of Byrne & Smith. Guy Hebard
had erected a brick house on the south side of the river and opened it for
the entertainment of the public. Of this we have already spoken. Here all
public gatherings, Fourth of July celebrations, trainings, dancing
schools, balls and other carousals of festivity were held. The old Hebard
tavern was known far and wide. The first grog-shop in the village was
opened by Thomas W. Cunningham, and was located on what is now the west
corner of Walnut. and Main streets.
Philip Hopkins, one of the first to build on private account, built a
house on what is now the site of Levi A. Frink's block on Main street. He
also had a general blacksmith shop on Main street, near his residence.
Alfred Howes had a similar shop at the lower end of the village at the
same time., He soon gave up the business, purchased land between Main,
Union, Jackson, Maple and Church streets, and engaged in the first drug
business in the village, in association with Newton Fitch and Doctor John
A. Perkins of Windham.
Jairus Littlefield, one of the earliest settlers in the village, built and
occupied a house on Main street where C. E. Carpenter & Co.'s store now
stands. He spent the remainder of his life here, representing the town in
the legislature, and was a trial justice for many years. Stephen Hosmer
built the second house on Pleasant street, west of Young's residence. He
moved here from Columbia in the fall of 1827. He was a lively business
man, owned a good deal of land and was an extensive farmer. He also owned
the turnpike road from Hebron to Hebard's tavern. At that time there were
no streets south side of the river except Columbia Turnpike (now Pleasant
street), Card road and South street. Main street was the only one on the
north side of the river. Through the efforts of Mr. Hosmer the courts
ordered Bridge street to be opened.
About the year 1825, under the administration of John Quincy Adams, a post
office was established here by the name of Willimantic Falls, which form
the name retained until about 1833, when the `1 Falls " was dropped from
it. Henry Hall, at that time a book-keeper and clerk for the Windham
Cotton Manufacturing Company, was appointed postmaster. The most
convenient location seemed to be at the Hebard -tavern and there the
office was established and kept, Mr. Hebard having charge of the office as
Mr. Hall's deputy. All the mails in those days were carried by stages or
other vehicles, and the tavern was a handy place for mail carriers to stop
at. After Mr. Hail resigned the position George W. Hebard was appointed
postmaster, and he removed the office to the stone store opposite the
present Linen Company's spool shop. Here it remained for some time. Thence
it was moved to a building near the Iron Works bridge, about opposite the
south end of the Linen Company's Mill No. 1. Mr. Hebard kept also a
grocery store. The next postmaster was Colonel Roswell Moulton, who after
keeping the office for a while at the old location, removed it to his new
store nearly opposite the building now occupied by Edward F. Casey. There
it remained until July 1st, 1843, when Lloyd E. Baldwin was appointed
postmaster and removed the office to the store nearly opposite the Revere
House. The pay of the office at that time amounted to about $300 a year,
being based on commissions. The next postmaster was Joshua B. Lord, who
removed the office to his store in what is now Hanover's Block. He was
succeeded by William L. Weaver, who removed the office to his store, but
retained it only a few months. James H. Work was the next occupant of the
office, which was now kept in the twin buildings west of the Franklin
Building. Then followed Thomas Campbell, whose office was where the Adams
Express Company is now located. He was succeeded by William H. Hosmer,
whose term closed in July, 1861, he being succeeded by James Walden, who
held the office eight years. His successor was John Brown, who held the
office twelve years, and filled the post of assistant for as long a term
on the end of that. He was succeeded by his predecessor Mr. Walden, who
held it for an equal term of years, and gave place to Henry N. Wales, the
present incumbent.
No private individual contributed more in his time to the growth and
prosperity of the village than Daniel Sessions. He was a farmer, living
some two miles west of. the village on the turnpike road to Coventry.
Almost all the brick used here in early days were made and furnished by
him. He also furnished timber, erected the frames and finished the
buildings ready for occupancy in many instances. Apollos Perkins, William
W. Avery and John Brown, living in the near vicinity, did more or less in
this line of business, contributing essentially to the growth and
prosperity of the village.
Back to: Willimantic,
Windham County, Connecticut History
Source: History of Windham County, Connecticut,
Bayles, Richard M.; New York: W.W. Preston, 1889
Back to: Windham County, Connecticut
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