The citizens of Middletown were always ambitious for its growth, and in all that was done, the future as well as the present, interests of the village were carefully looked after. Manufacturers were induced to locate there, and the village, and afterward the city, has always been recognized as a manufacturing center for this part of the State. Some of the largest manufactories in the old village of Middletown were the Monhagen Saw Works, Eagle File Works, Matthews Brothers' Carpet Bag Factory, Draper's Hat Factory, Babcock's Hat Works, and a large tannery, which was afterward merged in the leather manufactory of Howell-Hinchman Company. As before mentioned, the New York, Ontario & Western Railway Company located its shops here, and from that time, the village and city have had a steady growth.
CHURCHES.
Middletown as a village and city has always been well supplied with churches.
The first, the Congregational Church, was organized June 10, 1785, and incorporated August 12, 1786, and so far as organization and incorporation are concerned, it is the oldest church in Middletown.
The first Presbyterian Church of Middletown, as such, was organized March 31, 1828.
The Methodist Episcopal Church of Middletown effected a legal organization on July 11, 1838.
Grace Episcopal Church was incorporated on February 18, 1845.
The First Baptist Church filed its certificate of incorporation October 28, 1849.
The Second Presbyterian Church (now Westminster church) was incorporated December 5, 1854.
The Primitive Baptist Church of Middletown was incorporated May 29, 1871.