Springfield 1636-1886, History of Town and City, by Mason A. Green ...

358 SPRINGFIELD, 1636-18S6.
understanding prevailed. Toddy road did not lose its name for some
3'ears, however.
During the early years of the present century the Dwights had
spread their mercantile relations in a way to command the course of
trade in this region, and to their enterprise is due an important part
of Springfield's connnercial advancement at this thne. " The Dwights
rule Springfield," remarked a solicitous townsman of that day. The
firm adopted the practice of setting up their clerks in business in the
surrounding towns, but retaining an interest in the various stores.
They established a store at Chester Village, with William Wade as man-
ager ; one at Northampton, with Josiah D. Whitney as manager ; one
in Enfield, Conn, (including a gin distillery, in which John Cooley, of
Longmeadow, and others were interested), with James Brewer as
manager ;
and a store, grist and saw mills at South Hadley Canal, with
Josiah Bardwell as manager. In 1815 the Boston branch bore the
firm name of William H. & J. W. D wight. William H. Dwight was
lost in the wreck of the "Albion," in May, 1822, on his Avay to
England, and Edmund Dwight settled ])ermanently at Boston.
J. and E. Dwight owned several coasting vessels between Hartford
and Boston and New York, and were interested with John Cooley &
Co. in a line of boats betAveen Hartford and Springfield. The
Dwights were also interested in bankmg business in Springfield,
Greenfield, Geneva, Cleveland, and Detroit.
The firm of Day, Brewer, & Dwight commenced business at the
corner store in 1822, after the death of James Scutt Dwight, and was
composed of Benjamin Day, James Brewer, and James Sanford
Dwight, with Jonathan Dwight, Jr., and Edmund Dwight as silent
partners. In 1825 My. Day moved to Geneva, and the firm was then
Dwight, Brewer, & DAvight, composed of J. S. Dwight, James
Brewer, and Henry Dwight, the younger. Subsequently Mr. Brewer
retired, and the remaining partners continued under the name of
J. & H. Dwight. Mr. Da}^ rejoined the firm, Avhich was then Day &
Dwight. Mr. Da}^ and Henry Dwight sold out to James, who