History of Fisherville, Connecticut
The factory at Fisherville was built in 1828 on land previously owned
by Calvin Randall. So rough and rocky was this region, and so apparently
absurd to think of utilizing it to any extent, that wits of the day dubbed
the infant settlement Mount Hunger, a fitting counterpart to the
neighboring Swamp Factory.. John Nichols, Darius Dwight, of Thompson, and
William Fisher, of Killingly, formed the first company, but soon admitted
Cornelius G. Fenner and Thomas D. Fenner, of Providence, forming what was
first styled " The Thompson Village Company," which erected dam, factory
building and needful dwelling houses, entering upon manufacturing work
early in 1829. The following year Mr. Fisher bought out the other
stockholders, becoming sole proprietor of factory and village. The latter
now took, for itself the name of Fisherville, though some years passed
before it outgrew the original nickname. Mr. John Andrews, of Providence,
joined with Mr. Fisher for a few years, and it then passed wholly into the
hands of William Fisher & Sons.
Mr. Fisher was born in Dedham, Mass., March 15th, 1788; engaged in
manufacturing enterprises in Attleborough; removed to Howe's Mills,
Killingly, about 1820, and to Thompson in 182S. By his judicious
management, in a few years a remarkable transformation was effected. The
craggy, rocky woodland had been made to bud and bloom like the rose. Mr.
Fisher was much interested in farming, and took great delight in subduing
the wild land around him. A class of substantial farmers were brought into
the growing village, building homes for themselves in addition to the
usual rented houses. The factory of the olden time was well represented by
Fisherville-the owner at home among his people, all bound together by
common interest and regard; the number of workmen so small that all could
be known to each other, and to the families of the proprietors and
overseers. Among the operatives were many typical New England women,
choosing the independence of factory life, and working on year after year
until they had laid up a sum sufficient for future support; others were
young girls working to fit themselves for something better, using their
wages for schooling or marriage outfit. The factories were a great benefit
to many men of small means, who, by the labor of their children and the
ready money paid themselves, were able to lift a cumbering mortgage or buy
a small farm for old age. Great pains were taken at Fisherville to procure
help of good character and standing.
Mr. Fisher was one of the pioneer temperance workers in Connecticut, and
before leaving Killingly had drawn up and circulated the first pledge
taken in that town. A thriving temperance society was now established in
Fisherville, and great efforts were made to bring in every person employed
by the company, Mr. Fisher being able to boast on one occasion that every
man hired for the year had pledged himself to temperance. Some friction
was excited by Mr. Fisher's adherence to Masonry; but caused no serious
inconvenience. Mr. William Fisher, Jr., and Mr. J. Ellis Fisher were able
and efficient assistants in carrying for-ward the business-the former as
superintendent, the latter in charge of the store. The oldest son, Doctor
N. Augustus Fisher, left home at an early age to pursue his studies, and
then engaged in the practice of dentistry in Providence. Foremost among
the dentists of the day, his high character, pleasing manners, and the
patience with which he bore long and wearisome infirmities, brought him
even greater respect and honor.
Mr. William Fisher, Jr., a man of great rectitude and solidity of
character, died in 1843. The ill health of Mr. Ellis Fisher, following the
loss of his brother, made the charge of the business too heavy for Mr.
Fisher, Sr., and in 1855 he made over his interest in the whole
establishment and went south for a season. The breaking out of the
rebellion made this sojourn much longer than was intended, even until
after the return of peace. The remainder of his life was mainly passed
with his daughter, Mrs. Lowell Holbrook, at Thompson village, where he
died in serene old age, with remarkable preservation of mind and
faculties, in October, 1878. The family had long passed from the home they
had created, but their impress and influence still survive in the pleasant
valley.
January 1st, 1856, Messrs. David Goddard and Jeremiah Pritchard, of
Boston, assumed administration of Fisherville factory, and carried on the
business successfully for five years. Mr. Charles Albro, of Taunton, then
succeeded to part of the interest, but only retained it a short period.
March 31st, 1864, Messrs. Grosvenor & Briggs purchased the whole
Fisherville property from Pritchard & Albro, Mr. Grosvenor becoming the
owner of three-fourths and Mr. Briggs of one-fourth. The sons of Mr.
Grosvenor, William Grosvenor, Jr., and James B. M. Grosvenor now purchased
each one-sixteenth of Mr. Briggs' interest. Four years later, in 1868,
these young men received shares in the Masonville Company and it was then
that the two .companies were consolidated and the present Grosvenor-Dale
Company instituted. The ownership had passed in both companies from the
original founders into the hands of the Messrs. Grosvenor mainly, and it
was fitting, as well as a matter of great convenience and almost
necessity, that these several villages and interests should be ranged
under the name of the standing proprietors. Masonville, with its factories
and village, was therefore appropriately re-christened Grosvenor Dale, and
Fisherville replaced by North Grosvenor Dale. Much additional territory
was purchased by the new company, including a water privilege as valuable
and capable of affording as much power as either of those previously
utilized, so that their land extended from Wilsonville to Mechanicsville.
An advance along the whole line was immediately ordered. To provide for a
greater head and more permanent supply of water, a new dam and reservoir
were to be constructed. These works were accomplished by great outlay of
money and labor in the most substantial and thorough manner.
Back to: Thompson, 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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