History

(Taken from Old Homes of Chester, Connecticut, 1936
A Historical Sketch by Gertrude Lowe)

Early Background

The history of Chester starts with its corporation in 1836, but its roots reach back to 1672. The territory then was divided into east and west sections, portioned off by a committee appointed by the regional authority at the time, the Town of Saybrook. The early property owners were probably just landholders, who used their grants for farming or grazing.
      The record of the first white settler shows Jonah Dibble establishing his residence here in 1692. Living successfully in the wilderness among his Native American neighbors for four years, he was followed by Andrew Warner. This was followed by a whole succession of families, whose descendants can still be found in the area. Among the names of those river country pioneers are Parker, Waterhouse, Webb, Willard, Leet, Southworth and Canfield.

Pataconk Section of Saybrook

At this time Chester was known as the Pataconk section of Saybrook, an American Indian term referring to a round or wigwam-shaped hill. The district back and up from the ferry landing probably suggested the title by which the whole town was designated. Subjects of the Uncas, the Wangum or Wangunk tribe, occupied the territory. On the hill overlooking the river they had a fort.

Aiding Nature

There was also a sweat lodge, which might be seen as a variation of the modern health club. Sick people came here to feel better. Hot stones were placed in a hole dug in the ground and the patient, well wrapped in blankets and furs, was laid over the opening. After sufficient heating of this sort, the person made a dash for the river, where a plunge into cold water completed the treatment.

The Wangums

As a tribe, the Wangums lived side-by-side with white settlers until 1785. The remains of the last of them rest in the Old Burying Ground near the [old] Town Hall, where a plot was sectioned off for a cemetery in 1736.

Old Cemeteries

Next in age to the Old Burying Ground is the cemetery across the road, which was opened in 1804. Another is located in the west district and dates back to 1813. The dedication of the Laurel Hill cemetery took place in 1863.

Chester, England

The Pataconk section later became the Fourth Ecclesiastical Society of Saybrook and was finally named after Chester, England, by Abraham Waterhouse, whose ancestors came from there. Chester, Connecticut, one of many towns in this country bearing the name, is the oldest namesake of this one time Roman camp in England. The nearest competitor would be Chester, Pennsylvania, formerly Uptown. Although it was settled in 1643, it was not called Chester until years later.

A Merchant Ship

A trading venture to America which originated in the walled city of old England, and recorded in its early assembly books, is believed to establish a link between the two places. Whether or not this mercantile undertaking proves the connection between Chester of the old world and Chester of the new, it is known that the Waterhouse family originated from Chester, England, and gave the new settlement its name.

Shipping and Ship Building

Chester Rock Lighthouse flashes its signal to passing boats only. The port is no longer used. Once a shipping and ship-building center, Chester's saw mills and lumbar yards did a volume of business, with the vessels tied to her docks. During that period, one of the establishments supplying lumber and ship planks was the most extensive of its kind in the state. At this time, too, the West Indies figured prominently in the maritime activities of the townspeople.

Early Industries

Grist mills, tanneries and forges were among the other early industries. A forge is known to have been in operation in 1790, and another in 1818. L'Hommendieu's gimlet and bit factory flourished in 1811.

The Ferry

The Chester-Hadlyme ferry, with its western terminal at Chester, first rendered service in 1769. Credit goes to Captain Jonathan Warner for the ferry's inauguration. This is the last ferry being run across the Connecticut River. It is owned and operated by the State of Connecticut.

Perish Privileges

In 1740, parish privileges were enjoyed by the inhabitants. The Congregational Society was organized as such in 1742. A meeting house was erected near the Green, which was replaced by a second building in 1793. Later in 1846, a new church was built, and this became the town hall.

The Incorporation

Chester separated from Saybrook and became an independent town by permission of the General Assembly in 1836. A small portion returned to the older colony to the south and was re-annexed in 1856.

The Churches

The Congregational Society played the principle role in the religious and governing body of the people until 1822, when the sixty-six Baptists formed a congregation. Previous to that time, the First Baptist church in Saybrook, later known as Winthrop Baptist church, was the headquarters of those from Chester of that denomination. Eventually, the congregation built a meeting house of its own and since then it has taken an important place in the religious life of the community beside the Congregational Society. The present Baptist church was presented as a gift by the Reverend Russell Jennings. A nucleus for the Catholic church began in 1850. Mass was originally said in a private home, and then a hall was rented. In 1855, a church was finally erected. The corner stone of St. Joseph's was laid in 1891.

Education

Of first rank importance since the Colonial Days, education has progressed hand-and-hand with religion. As far back as 1743, Chester had a school house. Unfortunately, this first attempt to impart knowledge had to be discontinued because of the lack of maintenance funds. The citizens, neither discouraged nor defeated, made a second and successful endeavor in 1852. The first two school houses stood near the [old] town hall where children from the entire town attended. Later, an east and west district came into existence, the former again dividing into north and south districts. Still later the south district was divided and the middle district, comprising part of the west district, came into being, each having a school house. Three of these buildings were purchased and converted into residences. The fourth is the Camp Hazen office on the YMCA premises at Cedar Lake. In 1905, the grade schools consolidated and the high school on Church Hill houses both the grammar and upper class students.

The Library

Closely allied with the educational advantages of town is its library. The Chester library had its inception in 1875, and for twenty years the enthusiasm and efforts of a few interested members kept it alive. Eventually, the town gave its support, and then the state contributed. In 1907, S. Mills Ely made it possible to build the present, well-located and much appreciated building, where six thousand books are catalogued.

Transportation

In the picturesque days of the stage coach, passengers and mail were carried between Chester and Middletown, and between Chester and New Haven. The stepping stone in front of the Chester Savings bank, though not of ancient origin, is one of the many reminders in Connecticut of earlier and slower means of transportation. Steamboats also connected Chester with Hartford and New York, and provided a popular and frequently used mode of travel in the less hurried late 1800s. When Chester, along with the rest of the country, evolved from the stage coach to the railroad, Captain Oliver Clark was influential in bringing this more modern form of transportation to the town. Captain Clark contributed toward the construction of the depot, donated land for tracks and planted shade trees from the business center of Chester to the railroad station.

Manufacturing

Essentially a manufacturing site, due to its abundant water power from the several streams running into the Cove, factories have increased in Chester during the past century. The Russell Jennings Company, the Middlesex Handle Company, and the Rogers Brush Shop, all avail themselves of the advantages of the West Stream. The first is known in all parts of the world for the quality of the carpenter tools they make; the latter are makers of high grade cylindrical brushes and are likewise widely known. Among the other old establishments are the C.J. Bates & Sons, situated on one of the water ways, the M.S. Brooks & Sons, and J.S. Deuse, Incorporated. The C.J. Bates & Sons manufactures manicuring sets; the last two make wire goods and hardware respectively.

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