Naugatuck Valley Health District: 1 more COVID-19 associated death

'Wayback Wednesday' features George Blakeman of East Derby

Shared from the Derby Historical Society Facebook page:

"On this Wayback Wednesday, we hope you enjoy this article by Dr. Joe DiRienzo!"

The venerable George Blakeman (1799-1899), shoemaker, merchant, investor, businessman, and politician, was a prominent fixture for a century in East Derby. 

George Blakeman (1799-1899)

He is pictured in the first photo (courtesy of the Derby Historical Society). He is instantly recognizable in turn-of-the-century photographs captured near East Derby landmarks. 

Photos two, three, and four are postcards showing Blakeman by the First Congregational Church, at the Derby Junction train station, and at the corner of Derby Avenue and Main Street. 

He was a corporator of the Derby Savings Bank, on the Board of Officers of the Manufacturers Bank (reorganized as the Birmingham National Bank), Secretary and Treasurer of the Shelton Tack Co., member of the Connecticut State Legislature, and local selectman.
Blakeman owned a grocery and dry goods business in East Derby and by 1893 was the oldest member of the King Hiram Lodge No. 12 of Derby (Order of Masons). 

He kept detailed records of his financial transactions as seen in one of his leather-bound receipt books (Fifth photo). 
Entries are dated from 1823-1843 and signed by local individuals. Examples are shown in the sixth and seventh photos.

When Mr. Blakeman reached his 100th birthday on October 10, 1899, the town had a massive celebration as detailed in his New York Times obituary (eighth photo) only several months later. 

In 1902 Mrs. George Blakeman sold their residence at 40 Bank St., East Derby to Dr. John W. Melbourne who turned the house into a sanatorium for cancer patients (subject of a future post).

 [The ninth photo is a Private Mailing Card showing the Derby Avenue side of the Melbourne sanatorium. Thanks to Don Bristol of The Valley Post Facebook page for alerting me to the Evening Sentinel article describing the sale of the Blakeman residence.]

Thank you, Dr. DiRienzo, for sharing this interesting information about the life and times of George Blakeman of East Derby. 

And thanks to Derby Historical Society executive director Dan Bosques for posting!

Ansonia Public Schools posts summer schedule for mobile meals

Naugatuck Valley Health District: No additional COVID-19 associated deaths

Retiring Ansonia Police Officer congratulated on 25 years of service to city

Peter Lovermi

The Ansonia Police Department would like to congratulate Officer Peter Lovermi on his retirement from the Ansonia Police Department after 25 years of dedicated service to the City of Ansonia and its residents. 

Best of luck Pete, thank you for your service.


*This is shared from the Ansonia Police Department Facebook page.

'Turnback Tuesday' features Star Pin Co. in Shelton

Turnback Tuesday shows a package of needles manufactured by the Star Pin Co.
The company was established in Wells Hollow (Town of Huntington) on Sept. 25, 1866. 
Prompted by their success, they moved to the new village on Canal Street in 1875, then later expanded in 1906, doubling their floor space. Charles E. Clark served as President from 1896 -1913. Clark also served as Treasurer for Derby Public Library from May, 1901 to May, 1913. 

The question has been asked: "Where do all the pins go?" The manufacturer says: “They are headed in one way and pointed in another."


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

Decorating contest slated for Seymour High School Class of 2020