The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-07-29
Wolcott or Yesterday! Saw Mills, Cider Mills, Wagon Shops, Button Factories Figured in Early History-Pritch- ard Mill Established 153 Years Ago-Many Familiar Names Recalled.

erty of Abraham Norton, an an- cestor of Wiley Pritchard, on his maternal side. Through mar riage it reverted to Dennis Pritch- ard, grandfather of Wiley Pritch- ard. Thus this mill property has been owned and operated by the present owner and his ancestors for the past 153 years.
 Thriving Center.
 The buildings in which Dennis Pritchard was operating cider mill and a sawmill previous to 1886, are presumably the same ones still standing. These mills were built at what was then known as the mill site and also as the Great Falls of the Mad River" This was at one time during the history of Wolcott a thriving center of industry. Dams had been erected across Mad river and the river formed into series of small ponds. On the banks of these ponds, using the flow of water for power with which to turn different types of water wheels, were at various times such industries as saw mills, cider mills, grist mills, a mill for carding wool, a turning shop, a dye works, button shop, a mill for the manufacture of wagon spokes and a mill where martingale rings for harness were made. These mills extended along the Mad River from a point north of the bridge which crosses the highway leading to Wolcott cen ter, to a point south of the cider mill of the late William MacCor- mack.
 Old-Time Mills.
 It is presumed that not all of these industries were in operation at the same time but that the buildings erected along this mill site were at different times oc- cupied by these different indus tries. At the present time the only remaining mills are the saw mill owned by Willy Pritchard and the cider mill of the late Wm. MacCormack. The best remem- hered of these old mills are Atkins gristmill, the Minor saw mill and the Norton mill later known as the Pritchard mill.
 It was at this mill site, as re- corded in the History of Wolcott, that Seth Thomas, about the year 1900. tried to make an agree ment with Daniel Byington to purchase mill property for the purpose of manufacturing clocks. Since, however, he could not come to terms with MT. Byington and also because he coud not induce the Town of Wolcott in becoming interested in the building of a proper road to the Town of Cheshire, thereby giving him &C., cess to a market for his clocks, he did not conclude the deal. He instead went to Plymouth Hollow, now Thomaston, and began there the manufacture of the clocks that were later to make him one of the outstanding men in the early history of Wolcott and of the state of Connecticut. Clock-nnak- ing was a prominent and four ishing industry at that time.
 Famous Names.
 It gave employment to neigh borhood groups of both men and women. The men making the cases and turning the wooden works. The women spinning the flax and weaving the cords from which were suspended the heavy weights which helped to turn the wheels of those old time clocks. Men at the head of these indus tries were considered prominent men of the settlement where the factory was located. Often this settlement was named for the fac- tory owner. as for instance, Hoadleyville for Silas Hoadley. 1'erryville for Eli Terry and Thomaston for Seth Thomas.
 At the Great Falls where these old mills were located the Mad river falls over a narrow cliff into Q natural well in the rocky gorge about SO feet below. It has been said that this fall furnishes pow CT enough to generate electricity sufficient for the town of Wolcott.