The Town of Bristol was formed in Jan. 1789 named for Bristol Connecticut from whence came many of its pioneers.
The settlement of the town began in 1788, at which time several brothers named Gooding came to the region, made an improvement on lot No. 1, in the northeast corner of the town, sowed wheat and planted turnips, and then, with the exception of Elnathan Gooding, all returned east to spend the winter and prepare for an early return in the next spring. Mr. Gooding was a veteran of the Revolution and a man of much influence in the new settlement. He was by trade a blacksmith and was the first supervisor of the town.
In 1788 George Codding and his family located in the northeast portion of town. He was the father of five sons: - John, George, Farmer, Burt, and William. Others were Capt. Peter Pitts, William Pitts, Calvin Jacobs, John Smith, and James Gooding, all as early as 1792 and some in 1789. Seth Simmons settled in 1798. Alden Sears came in 1792. Thomas Hunn opened a school in 1790 and the same year Gameliel Wilder built a grist mill. Three years later in 1793 Stephen Sisson opened a store and a public house.
Cornelius McCrum was the 1st white child born in the town.
Daniel Taylor came in 1804. Fauce Codding was an early dealer in cattle. Marcius Marsh settled about 1796; Abijah Spencer in 1789. In 1797 Dr. Thomas Vincent came from Geneva and Hezekiah Hills also settled in 1797. Burt Codding and John Whitmarsh came in 1791; Ephriam Wilder in 1793. Theopholis Short, the first brickmaker, came in 1796; Eleazer Hill in 1794; John Taylor in 1797, Samuel Mallory in 1797. Other early settlers were John Crow in 1794; John Trafton in 1797; and Oliver Mitchell. Alden Sears came in 1792; Aaron Wheeler in 1798; and Samuel Torrence in 1800; Aaron Hicks in 1795; John Simmons in 1792; John Kent in 1795; Seth Jones in 1802. Seth Jones was a tavern-keeper at Baptist Hill as early as 1816.
Other early settlers were William Francis in 1800; Soloman Goodale, the Baptist minister, in 1802; Luther Phillips, an early shoemaker, in 1803; Job Gooding in 1794 and afterwards Joshua Reed and Nathaniel Cudworth. Samuel Andrews came in 1791; Benjamin Andrews in 1796; Zephaniah Gooding in 1798; John Phillips in 1800; Thomas Gooding in 1802.
In 1797 David Simmons came and in the same year came Ephraim, Simeon, Benjamin, Raymond and Constance Simmons, all of the same family. Jeremiah Brown settled in 1800; Asa James about 1801; Philip Simmons in 1805; Capt. Amos Barber in 1796 or '97.
Other early settlers were Nathan Fisher who located near Baptist Hill about 1795; Abijah Warren in 1805; Rufus Whitmarsh in 1806; Jonas and Joseph Wilder came a little earlier James Case in 1800; and John Case in 1802. James Austin and Eliakim Walker also settled early. Daniel Smith came in 1800 and Tisdell Walker in 1802. John Mason settled in 1801; Sylvanus Jones and John Crandell in 1802; Azer Jackson and Elias Jackson in 1803 George Reed and Ephraim Jones in 1805.
Ephraim Wilder was the pioneer in Bristol Center where he built a log house; he kept a public house or tavern, started a distillery and otherwise laid the foundation of the hamlet. Abijah Spencer and Major Jones were early residents. Horace and Allen Hooker opened the first store followed by one Bradbury. George Gooding also had a store and kept a hotel. The pioneer blacksmith was Learned Jackson; the tanner was Isaac Mason followed by by Abijah Warren. Other early residents were Zenas Briggs, Mr. Pool, Antony Low and one Warrells, a cabinetmaker.
The hamlet called Baptist Hill - the correct name being Bristol - is located in the northern part. Early residents were a Mr. Hunt, Joel Park, and Dr. Jacob Gillett. Aaron Van Orman was the first blacksmith, and Luther Taylor the first tavern-keeper. Stephen Sisson built the first frame house which was used as a store and tavern. John Baker was a hotel-keeper and early merchants were William Doyle and Mr. Shelters. Frank Hicks had a harness shop.
In 1797, with justices of the peace, Gameliel Wilder and George Codding, presiding, the first officers elected were:
Supervisor - William Gooding
Town clerk - John Codding
Assessors - Faunce Codding, Nathan Allen, Nathaniel Fisher
Commissioners of highways - James Gooding, Jabez Hicks, Moses Porter
Constables - Amos Barber, Nathan Allen, Alden Sears jr.
Overseers of the poor - George Codding jr., Stephen Sisson
Overseers of the highways - Eleazer Hills, Peter Ganyard, Theophilus Allen, Elnathan Gooding, John Simmons and Amos Barber;
School commissioners - Aaron Rice, Ephraim Wilder, Nathaniel Fisher
Collectors - Amos Barber, Nathan Hatch
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