History of Wilsonville, Connecticut
The present Wilsonville occupies the site of the " Child's Mills " of
former generations. Elijah Converse came into possession about 1796, and
conveyed them to his son, Mr. Riel Converse, who ran grist and saw mills.
In 1822 he sold mills and privilege, with nine acres of land, to Mr. Zirah
Preston, for 52,700. Mr. Preston in the following year sold land to Mr.
Laban T. Wilson, with privilege to run a wheel for the purpose of
manufacturing woolen goods. Mr. Wilson soon put up., and set in motion a
small establishment, engaging in the manufacture of satinet. In 1824 he
leased the grist and saw mills, and gave his name to the growing village.
After ten years of doubtful success, he gave place to a succession of
owners-John Farnam, Wheeler Barrett, Riel Converse, Archelaus Upham, the
Messrs. Capron, E. A. Wheelock, Oscar Chase, who carried on the mills in
intermittent fashion with varying success till the inevitable fire
consumed the old building. The present proprietor, Mr. Reegan, has built a
small mill and engaged in woolen manufacture. Many of the residents of
this village are descended from old families. Mr. Diah Upham, who has
filled many town offices, carried on mercantile business for fifteen
years. Mr. Samuel Adams has kept the Wilsonville store for twenty years.
The Wilsonville burying ground shows that many residents of this vicinity
lived to advanced age. Mr. Riel Converse exceeded ninety-two years. Mrs.
Nathaniel (Whitford) Child, who died at Wilsonville, May 21st, 1877, aged
one hundred years and thirtysix days, attained the greatest age of any
Thompson woman on record. Her son, Hon. Marcus Child, a very respectable
citizen, twice representing the town at the legislature, died suddenly
within a few years.
New Boston site was occupied at a very early date. Among its old time
celebrities were Mr. Samuel Morris and Mr. William Chandler, the latter a
son of Hon. John Chandler of * Woodstock, whose wife, Jemima Bradbury,
boasted the bluest blood in Massachusetts. Their large house, near the
west line of the town, was for half a century the most aristocratic
establishment in the vicinity, kept up in true colonial style, with negro
and Indian servants, stately furniture, books and pictures. Captain
Chandler was, like his father, a skillful surveyor, and was the only man
in town bold enough to ask to have a road laid out to accommodate his
business, as well as " travel to Thompson meeting house."
The Morris-Holbrook farm fell finally into the hands of Captain Goodell, a
noted military man, whose wife was a daughter of John Holbrook. Residents
in this vicinity who had purchased old Dudley land were involved in the
famous lawsuit brought by Paul Dudley for the recovery of these farms, on
the ground that, as entailed property, the sale was unlawful. The final
trial of this case before the supreme court at Washington was the great
event of the generation, with Daniel Webster pleading for the defendants,
and the distinguished orator, William Pinkney, stricken with fatal disease
while arguing against them.
The northwest corner of Thompson received a new impulse from the opening
of the Providence & Southbridge turnpike, with its travel and taverns. The
Barnes and Chaffee tavern stands became noted places of resort. The old
Morris farm on the Quinebaug was now held mainly by heirs of John
Holbrook, who purchased it from Benjamin Wilkinson. His son, Thomas, gave
the valley the now familiar name, New Boston. The widow of Thomas Holbrook
married for her second husband in 1802, Colonel Joseph Chapin, whose name
is still preserved in the neighborhood. His sisters, married to Ephraim
and Sylvanus Houghton and Captain Amos Goodell, also occupied Morris
homesteads. Jason Phipps bought land of Benjamin Morris as early as 1760.
Other settlers in the vicinity were William Copeland, Thomas Ormsbee,
William Jordan, who, with other substantial families, made a pleasant
neighborly society.
Ebenezer Phelps of Sutton, bought land and water privilege of the
Houghtons in 1804, and set up saw and grist mills. Part of this privilege
was soon made over to Rufus Coburn and Alpheus Corbin, who introduced a
fulling mill and carding machine. The present " Phelps House " was
completed in 1808. William Jordan and William Lamson also bought land of
Phelps and Houghton, building substantial houses in the growing village. A
burial lot for the use of the neighborhood was given by Mrs. Chapin, and
enclosed and made ready for occupation by the adjacent residents. The
first interment was that of Lucy Robbins, in 1813.
The clothiery works were purchased by John Barber in 1815, who built the
house now owned by Mr. William Copeland. He was succeeded for a short
interval by Otis Nichols. Mr. Parley Jordan engaged in the manufacture of
axes and other edged tools in 1821. William Jordan, Sr., built a fine new
tavern house on the street in 1828, with a large hall, which was opened by
a ball and appropriate exercises. Manufacturing enterprise had now sought
out New Boston. Edward Howard, an Englishman, secured water privilege and
surrounding land in 1829, and soon erected a small brick mill for the
manufacture of satinets. Marrying a resident, Miss Lucy Houghton, he
expected to spend his life in this pleasant resting place, but adverse
fate pursued him, and he was lost at sea on his voyage homeward from
England. His widow survived him but a few months. A " New Boston
Manufacturing Company " essayed to carry on the mill, but met various
misadventures. Company after company was formed, began work, and made
assignments. it was said that the Devil, alert to seize the opportunity, "
had been let into the wheel-pit " at the beginning of the enterprise, and
that was the cause of all the calamities.
A store was kept up and some shoemaking and minor business essayed. Mr.
Parley Jordan's trip-hammer did good service for many years. Messrs.
William Billings and Upham came into possession of the factory in 1853,
and remained in charge twelve years. A Social Circle and Library were
established during this period, through the agency of Mrs. Billings and
Mrs. Upham. Still greater improvements have been effected during the
administration of the present proprietors-the Messrs. Murdock. They found
mill and tenement buildings greatly dilapidated, morality at a low ebb,
rum sold at several places. The process of renovation was slow and
difficult. Flood and fire made havoc with the ancient dam and factory
buildings, but apparently drove out the original enemy, and with new dam
and buildings prosperity dawned upon the New Boston Manufacturing Company.
Continued additions have been made and new machinery introduced. About
eighty hands are now employed, half of them Americans. In thrift and
morality there have been great advances, and New Boston now compares
favorably with other manufacturing villages. Religious services are held
statedly in the hall, and the comfort and well-being of the operatives
made a special care. The energy and public spirit of the Messrs. Murdock
and their assistant, Mr. Ira N. Bates, have added much to the standing and
influence of this section of the town. Mr. Bates has served as selectman
and town representative. The spirit of improvement has permeated the
village. The abundance of flowers and neat appearance of the houses have
long been remarked. The" Ladies' Union Circle," established in 1855, has
aided much in promoting good feeling and social intercourse, and its
library has proved an incalcuable benefit. Mr. Jerome Jordan served first
as librarian; Miss Jane Ormsbee succeeded, but since 1857 Miss Mary P.
Jordan has administered the offices of librarian, secretary and treasurer
with much fidelity and acceptance. Some seven hundred volumes are now
included in the library.
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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