By Margaret M. Weaver and Dale Plummer

Leonard Ballou, earliest cotton manufacturer in Ballouville and the person for whom the Killingly village was named, was born in Cumberland, RI, February 23, 1794. As a youth working in his father Noah's boatbuilding business, he acquired mechanical skills which helped him in later life.

  His short stint as a schoolteacher was not to his liking. Instead, his mechanical knowledge and aptitude with tools led Leonard to help in the construction of new mills and waterwheels in Rhode Island and Connecticut at the dawn of the American Industrial Revolution.

  Having saved a little money, Ballou decided to go into business for himself. In 1825 with his father-in-law, Jabez Amsbury, Ballou purchased the mill privilege which developed into Ballouville. They expanded a one-story gristmill which was being utilized to grind rye for distilling gin. In the fall of 1826 the now three-story, 50 ft. by 32 ft. mill commenced operations with only ten looms. Brothers-in-law George Weatherhead and Mowry Amsbury joined Leonard Ballou and his father-in-law, Jabez Amsbury.

  Ballou quickly learned that the operation was too small to support four families. What he later considered the turning point in his fortunes came when a Providence merchant showed faith in his ability and integrity and lent Leonard the necessary capital to expand. From that time on Ballou and the mill prospered.

  Prior to 1833 he helped establish family members in the Amsbury millsite (now Pineville) farther north on Five Mile River. By the late 1830's George Weatherhead and Abel Williams, another in-law, were involved with mills at present-day Attawaugan and Daniels Village. Leonard Ballou and his extended family did much to help make Killingly the greatest cotton manufacturing town in Connecticut in 1836.

  Ballou had many Rhode Island contacts. Manufacturing families such as the Slater, Almys, and Wilkinsons were also expanding to Connecticut. The opening of the Norwich and Worcester Railroad in 1840 facilitated the north-south flow of raw cotton and finished merchandise. Norwich became a bustling port and a community of growing wealth. It wasn't long before it became an attractive place for these families to live.

  In 1845, after twenty years in Killingly, Leonard Ballou moved his family to Norwich. Two of his residences are still standing at 171 and 183 Washington Street. Other family members remained in Killingly. It was not until the early 1860's that Ballou divested himself of the mills along Five Mile River. He then sold them to Norwich neighbors Lorenzo Blackstone and Henry B. Norton who later became the Attawaugan Manufacturing Company.

  Following his retirement from manufacturing, Ballou served as a director for the First National Bank of Norwich, trustee of the Norwich Savings Society, as president of the Norwich Water Power Company, the Occum Water Power Company, a director for Norwich Bleaching and Calendaring Company, and a director of the Norwich City Gas Company. A prominent Congregationalist in both North Killingly and Norwich, he was one of the largest contributors to the Park Congregationalist Church when it was constructed in 1873.

  Ballou was married twice. In 1822 he married Ann Eliza Amsbury, daughter of Jabez. She died in 1852, and Leonard married Dolly Kingsley who died in 1862. Leonard lived into his 87th year and died August 5, 1880. Two daughters survived: Lydia, wife of John B. Young of Tiffany & Young (Tiffany's in New York City) and Amelia, wife of Albert H. Almy of Norwich.

  Eastern Connecticut lost an exemplary citizen with his passing. Considerate to his employees, Leonard Ballou was known for his honesty and sound judgment and was regarded with respect and affection. He was often called upon to act as mediator and peacemaker. Both Ballouville and Norwich should be proud of this outstanding gentleman who played such a prominent part in their histories.

From Windham County Telegraph, November 23, 1848

In Voluntown, in the public highway at Green Hollow, on Sunday, the 5th inst., (the rain pouring down in torrents, accompanied with high winds from the Southeast,) by Elder Chas. S. Weaver, while on his way to attend the funeral service of Mrs. Amy E. Gallup; Mr. John Tanner, of Voluntown, to Miss Mary Carter, of Hopkinton, R.I.

From Windham County Transcript, March 16, 1892.

Before the century closes the national debt will be entirely discharged.

[From: Miles of Millstreams] [Tunk City]

[Reminiscences of Danielson] [The New York Fruit Store]

[Attawaugan Reminiscences] [How Breakneck Hill Road Got Named]