Squirrel Lodge, Lake Quassapaug

 

 

The 3 pictures above are in response to Kate Wick's finding in her collection the glass plates for at least one of these. My pictures were left to me by my Uncle Howp and have descriptions on back of each as follows:
1.  WHB's electric launcher print from glass negative.
2.  WHB/HHB Lake Quassapaug property: 2 unidentified women sitting on porch, Rev. Richardson, holding fishing rod dangling fish in rt. hand, rod in left hand, Steven's Prof. of mechanical drawing, Franklin De R. Furman who designed sign "Squirrel Lodge." Print from glass negative.
3.  WHB/HHB "Squirrel Lodge" before sign was affixed.  People unidentified. Print from glass negative.

Papa's Racing Car from 1914 - Photo Contest!!

This is one of my favorite pictures of Papa. The photo is identified as "Franklin B. Bristol, Jr." and is dated October 31, 1914 when he was 13 years old. The photo was probably taken by one of his brothers. I am offering a framed 5x7 inch copy of this photo to the first person to guess where he got his wheels!

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I am pleased to announce that Gin Allen was the first person to correctly guess that Papa got his wheels from his baby pram! Back in October 2013, I had posted a photo of him in his stroller from August 1901 when he was 5 months old. Papa was the youngest in the family and therefore he may have been the last one to use it for its intended purpose. Although there were some really good guesses from others, score one for Gin and the younger generation!

Franklin E. Bristol

In reference to Bob's comment asking about my Father's medals and type of plane he flew during WW11, I Have added the above two pictures.  My Father's obituary tells about his air medals and the picture below shows my Father pointing to the Memphis Bell which was on display at an Elmira New York air show several years before he passed.  We took him there to see it.  This is a B24 like the ones he flew during the war.

Franklin E. Bristol

My Father, Franklin E. Bristol, served in WWII as a navigator in the 490 Bomb Group which bombed among other things, the Ploisti Oil Fields in Romania.  These were strategic oil fields vital to maintaining the Nazi War Machine, so these particular missions were very important to the war effort.  The first picture above is taken at our local museum where I currently have a display of my Father's uniform and pictures along with a description of his service.  Please note the picture of my parents in above right corner and on the left of my Father alone.  I hesitated publishing this picture because they really disliked these pictures of themselves!! HA!

The picture in the doorway was taken at my Grandmother's House in Naugatuck Conn. upon his successful return after completing 50 missions. 

I think there is little known about the service of our family members.  Therefore I am pleased to post these items as I am very proud of them.

Early Photos of Phyllis Hampson Bristol

These early photos of my grandmother, Phyllis Hampson Bristol, were recently provided by her son David. Phyllis was the wife of Franklin II. The photo above is dated 1909 and was therefore taken when she was 6 years old. Because she was the only girl in the family she must have gotten all kinds of special attention!

The second photo looks like it was from a formal sitting when she was perhaps in her late teens, while the third photo is less formal and may have been taken when she was around 30 (?). Her clothing must have been quite fashionable at the time!

 

Formal Photos of Franklin II

 

These formal photos of my grandfather, Franklin II, were recently provided by his son David. The first one appears to have been taken when he was in his early 20s, while the second one may have been taken in his 30s (?). These were perhaps some rare instances when he wasn't seen smiling!

Photos of Nancy

  

Here are a couple early photos of Nancy, the daughter of Franklin II. The photo above was dated September 1946 and was taken when she was 20 years old. Papa probably developed this photo in his dark room at their home on South Street in Middlebury.
 
The photo below of Nancy and her future husband, Duncan Allen, was dated June 11, 1946. According to Nancy's brother, David, the photo was taken at Tufts University during my father's (Franklin III's) graduation.

Hampson Family Tree

These hand-written notes by Phillip Hampson show his "family tree on my mother's side." Phillip was the father of Franklin II's wife, Phyllis. Of note, this document indicates that the family was descended from Robert Stephenson, the brother of the famous George Stephenson who was the "inventor of the first locomotive in England." However, Virginia Allen, our family genealogist, has done a great deal of research on this connection and concludes that it was most likely a different Stephenson family. Gin sent me this photo of Phillip's mother, Sarah Ann Aucock, when she was about 38 years old.

Mary's Little Lamb

This is an interesting document I found amongst my family history items.  Please note reference at the end to My Friend Flicka!  I remember that series from my childhood even to this day!

Bristol Instruments

Bristol Manufacturing Booth Chicago World's Fair 1893

This of course predates Bob's wonderful pictures and documents showing the 1904 tragedy at the Bristol Co. RR Crossing.  We are both finding that our Fathers saved everything and it is amazing to put pictures to our knowledge of this history.

Probate Certificates, 1905

Howard's Probate Certificate

Carlton's Probate Certificate



Franklin II's Probate Certificate

 

These probate certificates are from July 1905 (click on images to enlarge). In June 1905, Uncle Will had assumed guardianship of three of Franklin I’s children after Franklin's death in November 1904. By that time, Howard was aged 17, Carlton was 14, and Franklin II was 4. The fourth brother, Sam, was aged 20 and therefore was not considered a minor. Although Uncle Will did not have any children of his own, this generous act probably brought the family closer together and must have fostered a great loyalty towards him.

 

Automobile Plate, 1904

This small brass plate has a sad story. The plate measures 1.5 x 3 inches and is stamped with the words “Licensed under Selden Patent No. 549,160, Patented November 5, 1895.” My grandfather (Franklin II) had written on the outside of the envelope: “plate acquired by employee of the Bristol Co. at time of my father’s death – when his car was struck by RR train at the Bristol Company plant in Platts Mills – early 1900.”  The “early 1900” may refer to the “early 1900s.” His father (Franklin I) was returning from the Bristol Company on Monday evening, November 21, 1904, when he was killed by a train. I have posted an obituary with more information on this incident under this separate entry. 

In doing some research, George Selden claimed to have invented the first commercial gasoline engine in 1895, although Henry Ford strongly disputed this claim. Nonetheless, several automobile manufacturers at that time took out licenses under Selden’s patent and mounted this plate near the engines of their cars.

Franklin I Obituary and Automobile, 1904

This is the obituary for Franklin I, who was born on July 14, 1860 and died tragically on Monday, November 21, 1904. I think most of us have heard pieces of this story over the years, but it must have been a real tragedy for the family at that time.

According to this information, he had driven back to his office at the Bristol Company to get the newspaper on a Monday evening after having dinner with his family at their home on Platts Mills Road. While returning home, he was struck by a passenger train heading southward from Waterbury.

The article notes that he was driving a Stevens Duryea, such as the one below. Interestingly, the Bristol family was reported to have nine automobiles in 1904, which seems quite remarkable during that time of the automobile’s infancy. Because the family was full of engineers and inventors, they must have been fascinated with this new technology.

The first addition of the “Interstate Automobile Register and Tourist Guide” (provided by David, Jr.) was published in 1905.   According to this information, there were only 2,084 registered automobiles and motorcycles in Connecticut at that time. The listing included seven vehicles for the Bristol family: Edgar H. Bristol, Oldsmobile and Rambler; Frank B. Bristol, Cadillac; B.H. Bristol, Knox; B.B. Bristol, Ford; F.B. Bristol, Stevens-Duryea; and William H. Bristol, Stevens-Duryea.

Original Bristol Company Building

Like many successful companies (i.e., Apple, Google, and HP) it turns out that the Bristol Company was started in a garage! Here is a photo of the original carriage barn near Platt’s Bridge in Waterbury where Uncle Will and his brother Franklin I started the business in 1889. Uncle Will was also a professor at Stevens Institute of Technology at that time, while Franklin was probably working at Platt's Mills.

On the back of the photo is written “F.B. Bristol’s barn in which the Bristol Company was started.” According to an article in the Waterbury American from August 1934 (which I will attach in a future posting), before they could begin work, they had to move the horses and carriages to one corner of the building and mortgage the house to finance the necessary tools and equipment.

Two of Franklin I’s sons, Sam and Howard, can be seen standing in front of the building. Sam would later become secretary while Howard would become president.

The business reportedly remained at this location until 1892, when it was moved to its more permanent location with access to the railroad and more room for expansion.

Photo of Franklin I and Family from 1902

 

This family photo is from around 1902. According to a card on the back of the frame in my father’s (Franklin III’s) handwriting, from left to right the people are: Howard (1886), Cora (1862), Franklin II (1901), Carlton (1891), and Franklin I (1860), and the photo was taken by Sam (1885).

 

I am always struck by how formal their clothing was back then, even for a picnic! Papa is wearing a dress which was apparently common for boys up to two years old.  A fifth brother (Harold) was born in 1886 but unfortunately died within his first year.

Elise Bristol

                                                                                                                     
This is a picture of William Henry Bristol and his wife Elise Meyers Bristol.  Was this their wedding day?  Note the flowers in her hand.

This is an early picture of Elise Myers Bristol. D: 1924

Franklin III as a Toddler

 

A very nice photo of Franklin III that has been hanging up in the cottage at Lake Quassapaug.

Nancy as a Toddler

Here are three professional photos of Nancy Bristol Allen as a toddler, framed in Bethlehem, PA. Aunt Nancy was photogenic right from the start!

Early Photos of Franklin II

Here are three photos that (I think) were of Papa when he was very young. The first one was dated "1903" while the second one was labeled "Franklin Benjamin Bristol, first of Aug. 1901" and the third one did not contain any information. Papa was born on March 10, 1901. He does not seem very happy about getting his picture taken!

Benjamin H. Bristol and Family

This is a picture I came across that might be interesting to the family of Benjamin Hiel Bristol.  My Uncle Howard (HHBJr) gave this to me many years ago.  This is a picture of Benjamin Hiel Bristol and his wife, Pauline Phelps Bristol.  In the back row is William Henry, Franklin Bejamin, Sarah Anna Abigail Bristol Phelps Smith (Wow..) Front row, Bennet Beri, Edgar Hiel.  These are 5 of their 6 children.  Not present, Bertha Bristol Tracy. Benjamin Hiel had two more wives after Pauline: Mary Russell Bristol and Sara Justine Milligan( of course, not present in this picture!).

Bob's comment to my first posted picture of HHB and Alice prompted me to post this one which I believe was taken on the same day.  A picnic?  This one is so beautiful and natural and now that I have rediscovered it amongst my possessions I must do something with it!!!  Bob, you are costing me money!!!!!!!!

Please note Bob's comment to the wonderful picture he posted of Isaac Newton Russell.  This prompted me to post the above pictures in a book written by Isaac Newton "The First Book of Opticks" which I found in the effects of my Grandfather (HHB).  I think this fourth edition was written (in old English) somewhere in the middle 1700's.  Maybe he took this to Stevens with him as a student?  Could there be any connection to Sir. Isaac Newton and Isaac Newton Russell?

Photos of Isaac Newton Russell

Virginia Allen sent me these terrific photos of Papa’s maternal grandfather, Isaac Newton Russell. The second one is dated 1893. According to Gin, he was born in November 1834 (either the 2^nd, 4^th, or 14^th!) in Great Hill, Connecticut and died on April 11, 1902 in Waterbury. Gin noticed some good family resemblance. I wonder if he was named after Isaac Newton the scientist or if it was mostly a coincidence?

 

 

 

 

I found this post card sent to Alice Osborn from HHB from Stevens in 1906!  They were still courting at this time and were married in 1912.  This picture was taken during their courtship.  It is interesting that on their month long honeymoon to Europe that they then embarked on the Lusitania for their sea voyage home which would be Platts Mills, Naugatuck, Conn.

I found this beautiful tribute to WHB published by The National Cyclopedia of American Biography.  Below the picture is the first page.  There are 8 pages altogether giving a biography beginning with his birth in Waterbury, Conn July 5, 1859 and ending with his death "Mr. Bristol died, without issue, in New Haven, Connecticut, June 18, 1930."  There is no date of publication that I can find but I would imagine it was published somewhere around 1930.

Howard H. Bristol's Boucher boat model built about 1900

In 1904, Franklin B. Bristol (1860-1904) was killed on the railroad track at the Bristol Company while crossing on a Sunday morning to get a newspaper.  Upon his death William Henry Bristol was appointed guardian of his four children:Samuel R. Bristol(1885-1956), Howard H. Bristol(1888-1951), Carlton W. Bristol(1891-1977), Franklin B. Bristol(1901-      ).

 My Father told me many years ago that WHB made sure all boys had model boat kits and model airplane kits.  This one has been passed down to me from my Grandfather(HHBSr.) and my Father(FEB).  Isn't it beautiful?

There are many interesting things that I am able to remember and post here thanks to Bob setting up this blog.  Hopefully these interesting facts will be of interest to our family.

The letters Bob has found from WHB are truly amazing!

William H. Bristol Letters from Stevens, 1880-1881

I am attaching five letters (see links below) from William H. Bristol to his family during his first year as a student at Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, New Jersey. Here is a photo of the first one:

October 7, 1880

http://www.scribd.com/doc/160808246/WHB-Letter-Oct-7-1880

In this letter to his sister Sadie (their nickname for Sarah), Uncle Will describes his experiences as a freshman at Stevens. He mentions that his father is planning to visit. He encloses his class schedule in the mechanical engineering program and a page with the layout of his building which is across the Hudson River from NYC.

November 21, 1880

http://www.scribd.com/doc/160808774/WHB-Letter-Nov-21-1880

In this letter to Sadie, he indicates that he has been excelling at his studies and has been preparing detailed drawings of the technical parts of a steam engine. He also describes meeting an engineer for the Brooklyn Bridge construction project and taking an extensive tour. The Brooklyn Bridge was probably one of the most important engineering projects of that time.

January 23, 1881

http://www.scribd.com/doc/160808925/WHB-Letter-Jan-23-1881

In this letter to his mother back in Naugatuck, he reassures her that he is taking care of himself. He has started to make telephones using materials from the school for a cost of less than 2 dollars. The telephone had been patented four years prior and was considered a novel invention at that time.

February 24, 1880 (1881)

http://www.scribd.com/doc/160809043/WHB-Letter-Feb-24-1881

In this letter to his father, Uncle Will indicates that he has started a prestigious job at the school doing engineering drawings for 25 hours per week for five dollars. Although he has concerns about violating the patent, he is intending to complete his telephone-making project even if “just for curiosities.”

May 29, 1980 (1881)

http://www.scribd.com/doc/160809413/WHB-Letter-May-29-1881

In this letter to Sadie, Uncle Will describes a very ambitious day spent in NYC while his friend Ed Smith (from back home?) was visiting. They took the Hudson River Tunnel to Manhattan where they rode the “elevated railroad,” visited both the American Museum of Natural History and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, crossed Central Park, attempted to meet the chief engineer to get another tour of the Brooklyn Bridge, he bought a new hat, Ed bought a new suit, they had dinner downtown, they saw the comic opera "Billie Taylor" at the Standard Theater, and then finally travelled back to Stevens.

He also mentions an opportunity to work during the summer for 2 dollars per day, apparently for a professor. This opportunity may have helped him get a position teaching there himself beginning in 1886, two years after graduating, and then eventually becoming a professor of mathematics there while working at the Bristol Company.

Of note, because "Billie Taylor" reportedly did not premiere until October 1880 in London and then in February 1881 in New York at the Standard Theater, this letter was probably from May 1881 rather than 1880. Also, based on his October 1880 letter, he apparently did not start school there until the fall of 1880.