Utley-Storrs House (1835)

Joseph C. Martin, a builder, acquired the land at what is now 115 Chaplin Street in Chaplin in 1835. He sold the property in 1838 to James Russell Utley (1811-1896), a farmer. The existing house was built circa 1835-1840. In 1847, the house and barn were transferred to James’s brother, John Kingsbury Utley (1815-1899). As related in the Commemorative Biographical Record of Tolland and Windham Counties (1903):

John Kingsbury Utley was born in Chaplin on the home farm, and attended only the common schools of his native town. Before he had attained his majority, he began to learn the trade of boot-maker in Chaplin, and followed that trade the greater part of his life, always making his home in that town. For many years he was in company with Ephraim Day, engaged in bootmaking, but when machine made goods were placed on the market, the partnership was dissolved, and Mr. Utley retired from active business life about a dozen years prior to his death, although he devoted his attention to conducting a small farm, always having a deep interest in agricultural pursuits. His death occurred Sept. 1, 1899, and he is buried at Chaplin. During his long life he was a hard working man, and by industry, frugality and thrift, he amassed a considerable fortune. In politics he was a staunch Republican, and represented Chaplin in the State Legislature in 1863 and also held many of the town offices. While serving on the board of selectmen, his administration was marked by the careful and economical way in which the affairs of the town were managed. Early in life he joined the Congregational Church, of which he continued a consistent member: he served on the church committee for many years, and also brought into play his economical ideas with regard to its conduct. For many years he served voluntarily as janitor, in order to save the church the expense of hiring one. Being a man of the highest integrity and honor, when he felt he was in the right nothing could ever move him from his purpose, and he gained the highest respect of all who knew him.

Before his death, Utley resided in the house with his widowed sister, Jane M. Storrs (1826-1902). Her son, Henry Chesebrough Storrs, became a machinist for Pratt & Whitney in Hartford. The Storrs family used the house in Chaplin as a summer home through the mid-1970s. The house was later owned by Warren and Marguerite Church.