Windham County NB of Brooklyn/Danielsonville/Danielson, CT (Charter 1360)

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Located near the crossroads of Highway 6 and 169, the Brooklyn Town Library building started its life in 1822 as the home of the Windham County Bank.
Located near the crossroads of Highway 6 and 169, the Brooklyn Town Library building started its life in 1822 as the home of the Windham County Bank. Courtesy of Google Maps

Windham County National Bank of Brooklyn/Danielsonville/Danielson, CT (Chartered 1865 - Open past 1935)

Town History

Brooklyn is a town in Windham County, Connecticut. Brooklyn was settled in the late 17th century on lands originally inhabited by the Wabaquasset. It is named for the Quinebaug River, or Brook Line, which forms its eastern boundary. It was incorporated as a town separate from Canterbury and Pomfret in May 1786. It is home to the Brooklyn Fair, America's oldest continuously operating agricultural fair, as well as the Brooklyn Correctional Institution, a state-run medium security prison. The population in 1860 was 2,136 and by 1890 it had grown to 2,628. The population was 8,450 at the 2020 census.

Danielson is a borough in the town of Killingly in Windham County, Connecticut. The population was 4,051 at the 2010 census. In 1900 the populate was 2,823, growing to 4,210 by 1930. Danielson was originally named "Danielsonville" for Gen. James Danielson, the builder of the first house in the settlement. It was renamed Danielson in 1895.

Brooklyn and Danielsonville, later Danielson, shared one National Bank, The Windham County National Bank, and it issued National Bank Notes. Brooklyn also had 1 Obsolete Bank, The Wyndham County Bank, that issued Obsolete Bank Notes during the Obsolete Bank Note Era (1782-1866).

Bank History

Windham County Bank of Brooklyn, Haxby CT-20, obsolete $20 Proof. The central vignette shows two passenger trains having passed each other via a siding on a main line with a town across a river with stone arch bridge in the distance. The note is printed on India paper mounted on cardstock with no cancellation.
Windham County Bank of Brooklyn, Haxby CT-20, obsolete $20 Proof.  The central vignette shows two passenger trains having passed each other via a siding on a main line with a town across a river with stone arch bridge in the distance. The note is printed on India paper mounted on cardstock with no cancellation. Courtesy of Heritage Auctions, www.ha.com

The Windham County National Bank, was originally chartered as a state bank in 1822, as The Windham County Bank. It was located in the town and village of Brooklyn. The bankers converted to a national charter in 1865. In 1895, ten years after its charter had been extended, the bankers applied for and won both a move to the incorporated industrial borough of Danielsonville and a coincident title change to reflect their new location. The bank was moved across the Quinebaug River from the village of Brooklyn to the borough of Danielsonville. Technically, the Danielsonville in the bank title was the name of the borough which the bankers wished to be identified with. Danielsonville in the postal location was the name of the post office that served the bank. However, Killingly was the town where the Danielsonville post office was located.

On Thursday, July 4, 1822, the stockholders of the Windham County Bank met at the Court House in Brooklyn pursuant to the orders of the commissioners. The following persons were chosen directors for the ensuing year: Joseph Eaton, David Bolles, Vine Robinson, Thomas Hubbard, John McClellan, Andrew T. Judson, James Gordon, Jr., Ebenezer Williamson, Samuel L. Hough, Elkannah C. Eaton, Ebenezer Young, Rufus Adams, and Charles Sabin, Esqrs. The directors met subsequently and elected Joseph Eaton, Esq., president and Adams White, Jr., cashier.

The presidents of the Windham County Bank have been: Joseph Eaton, 1822-1847; Daniel P. Tyler, 1847-1848; Adams White, 1848-1856; E.S. Chase, 1856-1857; John Gallup, 3d, 1857-1880. The office of cashiers have been: Adams White, Jr., 1822-1837; Charles White, 1837-1847; Edwin S. Chase, 1848-1855; A.F. Fisher, 1856-1865; C.C. Crandall, 1865-1876.

On the night of Tuesday, October 26, 1869, burglars entered the Windham County National Bank through a window. The jambs of the vault were forced apart by means of jack screws and an unsuccessful attempt made to open the safe. The next day, the safe remained locked and could not be opened, so the manufacturer was telegraphed. A tin box belonging to William H. Putnam containing about $10,000 in securities was in the outside vault behind some books and was undisturbed. The burglars left behind several wedges, jack screws; the directors offered a reward of $1,000 for the detection of the burglars.

On Tuesday, January 12, 1892, the annual meeting of the stockholders of the Windham County National Bank was held at their banking house in Brooklyn. The directors elected were: John Palmer, David Greenslit, John Waldo, B.A. Bailey, Charles G. Williams, Walter Palmer and Comfort S. Burlingame. The directors elected the following officers: President, Comfort S. Burlingame; cashier, John P. Wood; and clerk, David Greenslit.

In January 1895, the directors voted to move the bank into the town of Killingly. It was thought likely that the Brooklyn Savings Bank would also move to Killingly. On February 26, the comptroller's certificate was issued approving the change of location and title of the Windham County National Bank of Brooklyn, Conn. to "The Windham County National Bank of Danielsonville, Conn." The bank opened in Massicotte's store in Danielsonville on Monday, May 6.

On September 11, 1903, C.P. Backus, cashier of the Windham County National Bank resigned and F.A. Kennedy, teller of the bank, was chosen to succeed Mr. Backus, and N.D. French to succeed Mr. Kennedy as teller. Mr. Backus resigned to undertake the management of the new national bank which had been organized by Frederick A. Jacobs, Harry E. Back, William E. La Belle, and George S. Bradley, all of Connecticut, and Edwin N. Sanborne of New York City. The new bank was to be called the Puritan National Bank of Danielson, located in the new Bradley block with capital of $50,000. [NOTE: The Puritan National Bank never received a national charter] In 1904, Cashier Charles P. Backus owned the first car ever in Killingly, a steamer.

In January 1929, the directors were A.D. Bitgood, Nathan D. Prince, C.A. Tillinghast, Obadia Butler, William E. Parker, and William H. Putnam. Mr. Putnam was added to the board during the year to fill a vacancy created by the death of William A. Gaston of Boston. He was a member of the investment banking firm of Putnam & Co. of Hartford.

In July 1935, the Windham County National Bank of Danielson declared a stock dividend of $25,000, increasing its surplus correspondingly. Capital was increased from $100,000 to $150,000 on January 8, 1935, when $100,000 preferred stock was issued. In May 1934, the Danielson Trust Company, then in receivership, was acquired. Sound assets of the Killingly Trust Company were purchased at the same time. As of March 4, the Windham County National Bank had deposits of $4,287,150 and total resources of $4,994,029. The officers were Nathan D. Prince, president; Fred A. Powdrell, chairman of the board; Charles A. Tillinghast, vice president; and J. Leo Bodo, cashier.

On September 3, 1942, Nathan D. Prince, died at the New England Deaconess Hospital. Born in Killingly, Connecticut, he entered the banking business when a youth as an office boy and runner at the Windham County National Bank, in Danielson, and later became its president. He also had been president of the Killingly Trust Co., the Hartford-Connecticut Trust Co. and ex-president of the Connecticut Bankers' Association, and former treasurer of the American Bankers' Association. He maintained homes at 60 Elizabeth St., Hartford, and at 191 Main Street, Danielson. He was a trustee of Boston University.

An agreement for the merger of the Windham County National Bank of Danielson into The Hartford-Connecticut Trust Company, dated January 22, 1953, was presented to stockholders for ratification. The plan of merger would exchange all of the 10,000 shares of Windham County National stock with a par value of $25 for 14,000 shares of Hartford-Connecticut Trust Co. stock also at a par value of $25. Lester E. Shippee was president of the Hartford-Connecticut Trust Co., located at 760 Main Street, Harford, with branches in Woosup, Meriden, Rockville, Winsted, Middletown, East Hampton, Norwich, Stafford Springs, Wethersfield, West Harford and Hartford. The merger was effective on March 9, 1953. The Windham County National Bank became the Danielson Office of the Hartford-Connecticut Trust Company. The name Hartford-Connecticut Trust Company was adopted in 1954 and through various mergers over the years goes back to 1814, the date of the founding of the Phoenix State Bank and Trust Company with which it merged in 1954. The Phoenix Bank was the second established in Hartford in 1814.

Official Bank Title(s)

1: The Windham County National Bank of Brooklyn, CT

2: The Windham County National Bank of (2/26/1895), Danielsonville, CT

3: The Windham County National Bank of (5/17/1905), Danielson, CT

Bank Note Types Issued

Original Series $2 bank note with pen signatures of C.C. Crandall, Cashier and John Gallup, 2d, President.
Original Series $2 bank note with pen signatures of C.C. Crandall, Cashier and John Gallup, 2d, President. Courtesy of Heritage Auctions, www.ha.com
Series of 1875 $1 bank note with pen signatures of John P. Wood, Cashier and John Gallup, 2d, President.
Series of 1875 $1 bank note with pen signatures of John P. Wood, Cashier and John Gallup, 2d, President. Courtesy of Heritage Auctions, www.ha.com
1882 Brown Back $5 bank note with pen signatures of N.D. Prince, Cashier and J.P. Wood, President. This note features the bank's second title with Danielsonville.
1882 Brown Back $5 bank note with pen signatures of N.D. Prince, Cashier and J.P. Wood, President. This note features the bank's second title with Danielsonville. Courtesy of Heritage Auctions, www.ha.com
1902 Red Seal $5 bank note with pen signatures of N.D. Prince, Cashier and J.P. Wood, President.
1902 Red Seal $5 bank note with pen signatures of N.D. Prince, Cashier and J.P. Wood, President. Courtesy of Lyn Knight Auctions, www.lynknight.com
1929 Type 1 $10 bank note with SN A000001A and printed signatures of F.E. Storer, Cashier and N.D. Prince, President. This is a Replacement note.
1929 Type 1 $10 bank note with SN A000001A and printed signatures of F.E. Storer, Cashier and N.D. Prince, President. This is a Replacement note. Courtesy of Heritage Auctions, www.ha.com
1929 Type 1 $20 bank note with printed signatures of R.H. Dunbar, Cashier and N.D. Prince, President.
1929 Type 1 $20 bank note with printed signatures of R.H. Dunbar, Cashier and N.D. Prince, President. Courtesy of Heritage Auctions, www.ha.com
1929 Type 2 $20 bank note with printed signatures of J. Leo Bodo, Cashier and N.D. Prince, President.
1929 Type 2 $20 bank note with printed signatures of J. Leo Bodo, Cashier and N.D. Prince, President. Courtesy of Heritage Auctions, www.ha.com

A total of $1,658,480 in National Bank Notes was issued by this bank between 1865 and 1935. This consisted of a total of 228,628 notes (184,676 large size and 43,952 small size notes).

This bank issued the following Types and Denominations of bank notes:

Series/Type Sheet/Denoms Serial#s Sheet Comments
1: Original Series 3x1-2 1 - 3200
1: Original Series 4x5 1 - 5250
1: Original Series 3x10-20 1 - 1410
1: Series 1875 3x1-2 1 - 1500
1: Series 1875 4x5 1 - 3290
1: Series 1875 3x10-20 1 - 1672
1: 1882 Brown Back 4x5 1 - 1894
1: 1882 Brown Back 3x10-20 1 - 1159
2: 1882 Brown Back 4x5 1 - 1335
2: 1882 Brown Back 3x10-20 1 - 1505
3: 1902 Red Seal 4x5 1 - 1150
3: 1902 Red Seal 3x10-20 1 - 880
3: 1902 Date Back 4x5 1 - 4050
3: 1902 Date Back 3x10-20 1 - 2920
3: 1902 Plain Back 4x5 4051 - 13110
3: 1902 Plain Back 3x10-20 2921 - 8814
3: 1929 Type 1 6x5 1 - 3252
3: 1929 Type 1 6x10 1 - 1512
3: 1929 Type 1 6x20 1 - 424
3: 1929 Type 2 5 1 - 7664
3: 1929 Type 2 10 1 - 3828
3: 1929 Type 2 20 1 - 1332

Bank Presidents and Cashiers

Bank Presidents and Cashiers during the National Bank Note Era (1865 - 1936):

Presidents:

Cashiers:

Other Bank Note Signers

  • There are currently no known Vice President or Assistant Cashier bank note signers for this bank.

Wiki Links

Sources

  • Brooklyn, CT on Wikipedia
  • Danielsonville/Danielson, CT, on Wikipedia
  • Don C. Kelly, National Bank Notes, A Guide with Prices. 6th Edition (Oxford, OH: The Paper Money Institute, 2008).
  • Dean Oakes and John Hickman, Standard Catalog of National Bank Notes. 2nd Edition (Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 1990).
  • Banks & Bankers Historical Database (1782-1935), https://spmc.org/bank-note-history-project
  • Windham County Bank, Brooklyn, CT on Waymarking.com (accessed Jan. 3, 2022).
  • Hartford Courant, Hartford, CT, Tue., July 16, 1822.
  • Hartford Courant, Hartford, CT, Fri., Oct. 29, 1869.
  • Hartford Courant, Hartford, CT, Thu., Jan. 14, 1892.
  • Hartford Courant, Hartford, CT, Wed., Jan. 16, 1895.
  • Hartford Courant, Hartford, CT, Wed., Feb. 27, 1895.
  • Hartford Courant, Hartford, CT, Fri., May 10, 1895.
  • Hartford Courant, Hartford, CT, Sat., Sep. 12, 1903.
  • Norwich Bulletin, Norwich, CT, Thu., Apr. 21, 1921.
  • Hartford Courant, Hartford, CT, Wed., Jan. 9, 1929.
  • Hartford Courant, Hartford, CT, Thu., July 25, 1935.
  • The Boston Globe, Boston, MA, Fri., Sep. 4, 1942.
  • Hartford Courant, Hartford, CT, Wed., Feb. 18, 1953.
  • Hartford Courant, Hartford, CT, Wed., Mar. 25, 1953.
  • Hartford Courant, Hartford, CT, Sun., Nov. 21, 1965.
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