From the 'Turnback Tuesday' archives: Home Trust Company in Derby

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" features The Home Trust Company, incorporated by a special charter of the Connecticut General Assembly in 1893.

The company was located on the corner of Main and Elizabeth Streets in Derby. In 1901, Home Trust Co. built its own building at the same location and occupied half of the first floor. In 1922, an addition was built so the company could make use of the entire first floor.

The bank dealt with "savings, real estate management, insurance, and trust department functions."

In the 1970s, the bank was merged out of existence. Today, the building is home to the Derby Senior Center.

[This was first published on this date in 2017.]

Thanks as always to Derby Public Library staff for sharing interesting local history each week.

Recuperation journey 2.0: Lesson learned

Earlier this week I did a stoopid thing. I almost let myself get scammed by some lowlifes on the Internet.

I accidentally clicked on a link that took me to a page featuring all kinds of scary warnings. I couldn't exit out of the page.

I believed the warnings and immediately called the toll-free number that was now flashing on my desktop screen. It was accompanied by a female voice that was screeching at me about how I had to call said number.

I dialed the number, naively believing that it was legit and I'd get support to fix the problem. Instead I got connected with someone on the other side of the world.

I was so rattled that I didn't realize at the time he and his co-worker were using terms to convince me they were helping me.

For example: 

"Your phone line is not secured; it can be tampered with."

"I'll make a duplicate transaction to confuse hackers."

They kept referring to "hackers," which apparently meant they were referring to themselves.

After a stressful hour on the phone with them I hung up and called my bank. I was advised to close the account, which I did.

The next day I called the bank to make sure there were no unauthorized charges on my account. There weren't any, so I guess I can say all's well that ends well.

That's my public service announcement. I hope it might save someone from the unnecessary stress that I endured.

'Turnback Tuesday' Facebook memory features The Home Trust Co. in Derby

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" features The Home Trust Co., which was incorporated by a special charter of the Connecticut General Assembly in 1893.

The company was located on the corner of Main and Elizabeth Streets in Derby.

In 1901, Home Trust Co. built its own building at the same location and occupied half of the first floor. In 1922, an addition was built so the company could make use of the entire first floor. The bank dealt with "savings, real estate management, insurance and trust department functions." In the 1970s, the bank was merged out of existence.

Today, the building is home to the Derby Senior Center.

Thanks goes to the Derby Public Library staff for always sharing interesting local history.

'Turnback Tuesday' (on Wednesday) highlights The Home Trust Co. in Derby

Turnback Tuesday remembers The Home Trust Co., incorporated in 1873. 
The office was originally located at 239 Main St., then in 1901 moved to 293 Main St., Derby. The Home Trust Co. handled Investments, Insurance, real estate, rents, fidelity bonds and deposits. 
After many years of success, the Home Trust Co. joined the Second National Bank of New Haven / Derby Branch in 1966. 
Interesting tidbit: our own H. Holton Wood who was instrumental in building our Library was the Home Trust President from 1894 to 1897.

Thanks as always to the Derby Public Library staff for sharing interesting local history each week.

Turnback Tuesday features bank note from 1825

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" features an old First Derby Bank bank note. The First Derby Bank was incorporated in 1809 and prospered. 
With the demise of the Fishing Company, the bank laid dormant until it was resuscitated in 1824 by the Canfield brothers. Horace Canfield and his brother purchased both the Charter and the building that was used by the bank. 
John L. Tomlinson was made bank president and Edward Crafts, cashier. The Canfield brothers were the agents, i.e. the moving power of the bank. When Edward the cashier had in hand $100,000 obtained through the Canfields, he deposited the funds with Fulton Bank of New York. Notes such as this one were issued and read “The Derby Bank promises to pay at the Fulton Bank New York to N. Smith or bearer Two Dollars - Dated July 4th, 1825.”
This note was signed by John L. Tomlinson. While the amount of $2 does not seem like much, if we fast forward to 2017, this note would be worth $47.12.


Thanks go to the Derby Public Library for sharing this interesting local history each week!

Spooner House in Shelton to benefit from event at TD Bank

Tomorrow's the Day! Bring Your Change to TD Bank Shelton to "Bring Change"

Got change? On Friday, donate your loose coins at the Penny Arcade located in the TD Bank Shelton store at 820 Bridgeport Ave. to support Spooner House.  The bank will be open from 8:30 a.m-.4 p.m. On top of your donation, TD Bank will match a portion of the coins counted to help folks at Spooner House get back on their feet. We hope to see you tomorrow! This is a press release from Spooner House.