Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1909-06-26


With the Lawrence bequest avail
able, there are to be improvements In
the St James Episcopal church prop
erty. There are TO be needed improves
ments in the church edifice, and II Is
planned 10 convert the rectory into A
parish house and use the present par
sh house as a rectory. There Is a bit
of interesting history in connection
with the parish house. Originally Il
was the home OF William Billings and
was built on the same lines as the
house adjoining by his brother Noyes,
the latter house now being owned by
DIR. Frederick W. Farnesworth.
William Billings died many years
ago and I'm the course OF time the
property was coralled by a real estate
shark az a speculation. Nearby prop
erty owners would not pay the price.
and the sharper made an attempt 10
change the conditions OF the-then
semi -aristocratic Federal street He
converted the Billings manor into
tenement house of low type, filing the
house with undesirable tenants. OF all
shades and characters. In the end
purchasers were created. the property
retrieved and the neighbOrhood puri-
fed.
The property came into the possess
ion OF ST. James parish and the houss
was extensively repaired and ever since
|, IL has been used as a parish house.
The present rectory is in the rear o.
the church and the parish house Is
on the opposite side Of the street.
Those who know say that the par
ish house Is betted adapted for the
needs of the rector and his family
while the rectory could. at compare
lively small expense, be made TO an
swer all the purposes Of a parish
house. with the additional advantage
of being more closely located near the
church. IL is said that this transfer
was planned some time ago. but was
not given serious consideration on ac-
count Of lack of funds. which have now
been provided under the will Of Sc
bastian ID. Lawrence.
The corner property at 5linmsn and
Atwood streets, made land, is to be
utilized for manufacturing purposes.
il has been purchased by Hawthorne,
the woodworker. and a three-Etory
! brick building erected. Years ago. be-
yond the recollection OF any living per-
| son, large vessels sailed through that
| locality. as far as Colt street. But
there are many living today who can
recall the time when the tide rose and
| fell. with water deep enough for boys
| to ''run, Blenders" there when the ice
covered place was In winter attire
Even as late as when the old nail fac
! tory was in Canal. now Reed street,
| this condition existed.
The writer we'll remembers OF being
| discharged from the pointing depart
ment of the nail factory for failing 10
get into the shop when the whistle was
blown. being late BY reason Of running
| bendcrs.
Since then the whole place has been
] filled in and much of il covered by the
,Brainerd & Armstrong silk MIL No. 2.
/ Old Canal street. so-called, was only
opened about half its present length
/ from Colt street. and was a cul-de-sac
but was dignihed With street title but
with a decidedly savory reputation.
Now. with the name changed 70
Reed street. Il Ia lined with well-kept
homes on the one side and. with the
completion Of the Hawthorne building
the other side will be devoted wholly
to manufacturing purposes. Stll there
some old croakers VINO persistently de-
clare that the New London Of today u
no improvement on the New London 81
fifty years ago