David Hoadley
Encyclopedia
David Hoadley was an American
architect
who worked in New Haven and Middlesex
counties in Connecticut
.
, the son of Lemuel and Urania (Mallory) Hoadley, he began as a carpenter and builder. He was a descendant of William Hoadley of Branford, Connecticut
and a cousin of Silas Hoadley
, the clockmaker. His son, David
, was a banking and railroad executive instrumental in the completion of the Panama Railroad.
Hoadley was self-taught. In 1795, he is already credited with the design of the Congregational and Episcopal churches in Waterbury. Another early design was the Col. William Leavenworth Mansion in Waterbury, built in 1800, which stood until 1905. He also designed and built the Judge William Bristol House, facing the New Haven Green
(built between 1800–1802). Although the building was razed, the house’s doorway was preserved and is in the Metropolitan Museum of Art
. He also built a house for Judge John Kingsbury in Waterbury in 1805.
Hoadley was married only a few months to Jane Hull, who died in 1799. Then, in 1805, he married Rachel Beecher of Kent, who survived him.
He moved to New Haven in 1814 to build the landmark North Church on the New Haven Green
. He built many houses in New Haven, most of which are no longer standing, as well as the Tontine Hotel, now the site of the federal courthouse. Hoadley also designed churches in the nearby towns of Bethany (1809), Orange (1810), Norfolk (1815), and Milford (1823). A number of other churches in Connecticut are attributed to him. Later, Hoadley returned to Waterbury for the remainder of his life.
While Hoadley had no formal schooling and is dismissed as merely a “builder” by some, others point to his genius in the use of wood for classical detail and his unsurpassed buildings, particularly the North Church.
Properties designed by Hoadley which survive and which are listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places
include:
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
architect
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
who worked in New Haven and Middlesex
Middlesex County, Connecticut
Middlesex County is a county located in the south central part of the U.S. state of Connecticut. It was created in 1785 from portions of Hartford and New London counties. As of 2010, the population was 165,676....
counties in Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
.
Career
Born in Waterbury, ConnecticutWaterbury, Connecticut
Waterbury is a city in New Haven County, Connecticut, on the Naugatuck River, 33 miles southwest of Hartford and 77 miles northeast of New York City...
, the son of Lemuel and Urania (Mallory) Hoadley, he began as a carpenter and builder. He was a descendant of William Hoadley of Branford, Connecticut
Branford, Connecticut
-Landmarks and attractions:Branford has six historic districts that are listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places . These include buildings in Federal, Arts and Crafts, and Queen Anne styles of architecture...
and a cousin of Silas Hoadley
Silas Hoadley
Silas Hoadley was an American clockmaker.Hoadley was born in Bethany, Connecticut. Hoadley was a cousin of the architect and builder David Hoadley. He received little formal education before becoming apprentice carpenter to his uncle Calvin Hoadley...
, the clockmaker. His son, David
David Hoadley (businessman)
David Hoadley was an American businessman, and an executive in the banking and railroad industries. He is best known for taking over the Panama Railway in November 1851 as the company faced bankruptcy while attempting to build a railroad across the Isthmus of Panama...
, was a banking and railroad executive instrumental in the completion of the Panama Railroad.
Hoadley was self-taught. In 1795, he is already credited with the design of the Congregational and Episcopal churches in Waterbury. Another early design was the Col. William Leavenworth Mansion in Waterbury, built in 1800, which stood until 1905. He also designed and built the Judge William Bristol House, facing the New Haven Green
New Haven Green
The New Haven Green is a privately owned park and recreation area located in the downtown district of the city of New Haven, Connecticut. It comprises the central square of the nine-square settlement plan of the original Puritan colonists in New Haven, and was designed and surveyed by colonist...
(built between 1800–1802). Although the building was razed, the house’s doorway was preserved and is in the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Metropolitan Museum of Art is a renowned art museum in New York City. Its permanent collection contains more than two million works, divided into nineteen curatorial departments. The main building, located on the eastern edge of Central Park along Manhattan's Museum Mile, is one of the...
. He also built a house for Judge John Kingsbury in Waterbury in 1805.
Hoadley was married only a few months to Jane Hull, who died in 1799. Then, in 1805, he married Rachel Beecher of Kent, who survived him.
He moved to New Haven in 1814 to build the landmark North Church on the New Haven Green
New Haven Green
The New Haven Green is a privately owned park and recreation area located in the downtown district of the city of New Haven, Connecticut. It comprises the central square of the nine-square settlement plan of the original Puritan colonists in New Haven, and was designed and surveyed by colonist...
. He built many houses in New Haven, most of which are no longer standing, as well as the Tontine Hotel, now the site of the federal courthouse. Hoadley also designed churches in the nearby towns of Bethany (1809), Orange (1810), Norfolk (1815), and Milford (1823). A number of other churches in Connecticut are attributed to him. Later, Hoadley returned to Waterbury for the remainder of his life.
While Hoadley had no formal schooling and is dismissed as merely a “builder” by some, others point to his genius in the use of wood for classical detail and his unsurpassed buildings, particularly the North Church.
Selected works
- Congregational Church, Orange, ConnecticutOrange, ConnecticutOrange is a town in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 13,233 at the 2000 census. A 2007 Census Bureau estimate puts the population at 13,813. The town is governed by a Board of Selectmen.-History:...
- Bristol House, New Haven, ConnecticutNew Haven, ConnecticutNew Haven is the second-largest city in Connecticut and the sixth-largest in New England. According to the 2010 Census, New Haven's population increased by 5.0% between 2000 and 2010, a rate higher than that of the State of Connecticut, and higher than that of the state's five largest cities, and...
- United Church on the GreenNew Haven GreenThe New Haven Green is a privately owned park and recreation area located in the downtown district of the city of New Haven, Connecticut. It comprises the central square of the nine-square settlement plan of the original Puritan colonists in New Haven, and was designed and surveyed by colonist...
(North Church), New Haven, Connecticut - Samuel Wadsworth Russell HouseSamuel Wadsworth Russell HouseSamuel Wadsworth Russell House in Middletown, Connecticut is a landmark greek revival mansion built in 1828. It is now owned by Wesleyan University. In 1970, the Russell House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places and it was declared a National Historic Landmark in 2001.-...
, 1828, Middletown, ConnecticutMiddletown, ConnecticutMiddletown is a city located in Middlesex County, Connecticut, along the Connecticut River, in the central part of the state, 16 miles south of Hartford. In 1650, it was incorporated as a town under its original Indian name, Mattabeseck. It received its present name in 1653. In 1784, the central...
(with Ithiel TownIthiel TownIthiel Town was a prominent American architect and civil engineer. One of the first generation of professional architects in the United States, Town made significant contributions to American architecture in the first half of the 19th century. He was high-strung, sophisticated, generous,...
) - Col. Daniel Beecher House, Naugatuck, ConnecticutNaugatuck, ConnecticutNaugatuck is a consolidated borough and town in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States. The town spans both sides of the Naugatuck River just south of Waterbury, and includes the communities of Union City on the east side of the river, which has its own post office, Straitsville on the...
, demolished. - Darius Beecher House, Bethany, ConnecticutBethany, ConnecticutBethany is a town in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 5,040 at the 2000 census. Bethany was first settled in 1717 but it was not until May 1832 that Bethany separated from Woodbridge to become incorporated as a town. This slightly remote, sparsely populated,...
. Noted for its delicate paneling, mantelpieces, and ballroom. - Ebenezer Johnson house, New Haven
- Tontine Hotel, New Haven (1824,1827 – about 1930). Built and probably designed. The Tontine was a large hotel on the southeast end of the green.
Properties designed by Hoadley which survive and which are listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
include:
- Avon Congregational ChurchAvon Congregational ChurchAvon Congregational Church is a Congregational Church building at the junction of U.S. 202 and U.S. 44 in Avon, Connecticut.It was designed by architect David Hoadley and was built in 1819...
, Avon, Connecticut - Brown Tavern, George Washington Tpke., Burlington, Connecticut
- One or more properties in Cheshire Historic District, Roughly bounded by Main St., Highland Ave., Wallingford Rd., S. Main, Cornwall, and Spring Sts., Cheshire, Connecticut
- One or more properties in Downtown Clinton Historic DistrictDowntown Clinton Historic DistrictDowntown Clinton Historic District is a historic district roughly bounded by Union and Prospects Streets on High and Church Streets in Clinton, Massachusetts.The district was founded in 1850 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985....
, Roughly bounded by Union and Prospects Sts. on High and Church Sts., Clinton, Massachusetts - First Congregational Church of CheshireFirst Congregational Church of CheshireFirst Congregational Church of Cheshire is a historic church at 111 Church Drive in Cheshire, Connecticut. It was designed by David Hoadley and built in 1827. It features a shallow oval dome....
, 111 Church Dr., Cheshire, Connecticut - One or more properties in Orange Center Historic DistrictOrange Center Historic District (Orange, Connecticut)The Orange Center Historic District in Orange, Connecticut is a historic district that was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989. The district was originally established by the town January 13, 1978. The Orange Congregational Church, designed by David Hoadley and built in...
, Roughly Orange Center Rd. from Orange Cemetery to Nan Dr., Orange, Connecticut - Samuel Wadsworth Russell HouseSamuel Wadsworth Russell HouseSamuel Wadsworth Russell House in Middletown, Connecticut is a landmark greek revival mansion built in 1828. It is now owned by Wesleyan University. In 1970, the Russell House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places and it was declared a National Historic Landmark in 2001.-...
, 350 High St., Middletown, Connecticut - Wheeler-Beecher House, 562 Amity Rd., Bethany, Connecticut