WILTON IN 1880.
The Wilton of 1880, is a town of 1748 inhabitants, and is one of the most important manufacturing towns in the State. It was among the first to recover from the business depression; and the various wares it produces find a ready market. The sale of milk is one of the leading industries, two car-loads being shipped every morning. The East Village is the business portion of the town; and along Main street are many fine blocks where nearly every kind of trade is plied, while upon the hills upon either side of the river are fine residences. The neat and tidy appearance of the homes, bespeak an amount of solid comfort within; and the general appearance of the town on this bright October morning, forms an extremely pleasing picture. The roaring river bubbles and foams beneath the busy wheels, then flows calmly and tranquilly on in its beaten path. Through the pale-blue heavens feathery clouds are being wafted on fanciful voyages, and the golden sun reflects its splendor among the branches of the forest trees, when leaves are tinted in all the glorious colors of Autumn.
CHURCHES.
The First Congregational Church in Wilton, was embodied, and the first pastor, Rev. Jonathan Livermore, ordained December 14, 1763. The Second Congregational Society, and the only one of that denomination now existing, was formed July 18, 1823. The meeting-house was built in 1829; dedicated in January, 1830; and had for its first pastor, Rev. William Richardson. Rev. A. K. Tracey is the present pastor, and the church is in a flourishing condition. There are two prosperous Unitarian societies in the town, that at the East village being the largest. This church was very fortunate in securing the Rev. J. J. Twiss as its pastor. That gentleman has in every way added interest to the society, and by his able sermons and purity of life, taught many practical lessons for which his congregation will never cease to render thanks. The Baptist Society was formed in April, 1817, Rev. Ezra Wilmarth was the first regularly installed pastor, and the church has sustained a prominent position. Its present pastor, J. H. Lemerd, is a gentleman of fine abilities.
MANUFACTURERS.
The firm of D. Whiting and Sons, has been long and favorably known as manufacturers and dealers in a variety of products. They are the largest milk dealers in the State, and ship three car-loads of that commodity daily to Boston. Their cheese and butter factory is conducted upon a large scale, twenty-five of the former and from three to four hundred pounds of the latter being made every day. They also deal largely in lumber for the manufacture of barrel staves and box shooks, the latter being for the firm of B. T. Babbitt and Co., soap makers. All the coal sold in the town passes through their hands, five hundred tons being their average yearly sales. They keep from five to eight hundred hogs; and run a grist-mill which grinds two hundred bushels of corn a day, and sell an immense amount of flour, and grain. At the manufactory of Hopkins and French, near by, portable writing desks and fancy boxes of all kinds are made. They employ six hands, and a visit to their sample-room is convincing proof of the neatness and durability of their work.
The Newell M'f'g Co., are large manufacturers of carpet yarns. D. Warner and Co.'s mills, produces an immense amount of cotton yam and twine annually. P. H. Putnam has a furniture manufactory; and D. H. Cragin has plenty to do in supplying the trade with wooden wares and toys.
