The Newtown bee., 1894-09-14
HATTERTowN's HISTORY.

HATTERTowN's HISTORY. HOW IT GOT ITS NAME.-ITs FORMER
 NDUsTRIEs.-THE MEN WHO CARRIED
 ON THE BUSINESS.
 All places, large or small, are similar in one respect, they have a past of more or less interest. Very interesting 1t IS, too, sometimes, when recounted and compared with the present existing state of affairs. To the casual observer Hattertown of to-day would not convey the impression that it's past was aught other than that of many such villages that so thickly dot the landscape of our fair New England states. Now, there are no factories with their accompany ing din and rattle of machinery. No shrlll whistle of factory or shop calls the villagers to their work. Everything IS dreamily quiet and still, unstirred by the busy tumult and hustle character istic of a manufacturing town. The crystal waters of Castle Meadow brook, as 1t glides murmuringly through mead ow and wood, through the shadows and recesses of the ravine with its ivy-clad banks, below Nichols mill, thence through the center of the village, cross ing the Danbury and Bridgeport pike, and then, on and on, until it finds itself absorbed by the clear water Of beautiful Lily lake. so named because of the matchless, snowy white lilies that bud and bloom upon it's surface, and thas have merited reputation for miles around as the finest anywhere in West ern Connecticut. From the brow of the prominence in the rear of the residence of Charles Thorp the best view of the village and the adjacent territory is ob- , tained and it is safe to assert that it is one of the
 MOST BEAUTIFUL VIEWS
 of it's kind to be found anywhere in the state.
 Immediately beneath one's feet lies the village, situated on plateau, with a somewhat undulating surface that gen. ly trends to the southward. On the op- posite side of the village, picturesquely situated on the crest of a small hill, is the home of the "oldest inhabitant,', Ralph Benedict, and little further on is the oldest house in the place, the resi- dence of Orlando Platt. Still further on near the outskirts, is Lakeview, the pleasant home of John Stillson, fronting upon the glistening waters of Lily lake. This is Hattertown of to-day. From the same point of view how different the scene that would have been presented to the eye 90 to 60 years ago! How differ ent the peaceful quiet of the present from the bustling and business-like activ- ity of those old days when the air teemed with sounds of industry. The crash and rattle of machinery, the creaking groans of the busy, rheumatic water-wheels that furnished the power, and the rush of the whirling, foam-crested water, as it escaped from the swiftly revolving water-wheels and hastened on it's busy way to the next factory below, were sounds that greeted the ear all the live long day. All along Castle Meadow brook, dam followed dam in rapid suc- cession, most of them being covered bya factory or mill, though some were used to hold reserve of water, in case the ponds below should fail.
 Throughout the entire industrial his- tory of Hattertown hating was the prime factor in the business of the place, and the place owes it's popular name (not it's real, Gregory's Orchard) to that fact. Elam Benedict, with his family of wife and II children, came here from that part of Danbury which to-day is the the town of Bethel, in 1921, and the in- itial attempt to establish the hating in- dustry here was made by him during that year. Levi Taylor was his partner in the venture. MT Benedict died ere the year ended and his son, George, filled his place, as partner of Taylor. Soon after Taylor died and George Benedict continued the business alone for many years. The shop stood opposite where Charles Benedict TOW lives.
 SIX HANDS WERE EMPLOYED
 at first, but increased business compelled ! the enlargement of the force to I2. Wool hats were the first made, the bod. ies being formed by hand, then the manu- facture of mapped hats with fur was commenced, the fur being obtained from coons, thinks and muskrats which they caught around here. Next they used coney, which they procured from Eu- rope. This shop, like all the shops that started afterward, was branch of a larger Bethel shop. Finally, about 1927 or 1928, Mir Benedict stopped getting stock Of the parent shop and started in business independently, selling his pro- duct in the New YorK market. At this time he was doing quite large business and had a good many workmen. Ia ls4S he commenced making wool hats. About this time he put in an engine for finishing work. Itwas the first one in the place. From 1880 to IS4S he made
 hats for the Southern trade, taking or ders from New York parties. MT Bene- dict failed once while doing business
 here.
 Capt David Northrop, husband of Mrs
 Sylvia Northrop of this place, started
 hat shop in 1S4S across the way from
 Henry Pratt's present residence on land
 now owned by Charles Thorpe, carrying
 on quite an extensive business. He final | ly failed, also, and went to New Jersey and engaged in hitting there. Mr V tcoxxuuxD or LAST xAGx.J