Page 7 - Bristol Magazine Spring 2025

residents. In 1914 a steel rolling mill Guided by them and their associates, English or Scottish name, Manrose or
began production on Broad Street in the Barnes Group became a worldwide Montrose. Married twice, he had seven
Forestville, adding significantly to the industrial powerhouse. children, all born in Lebanon.
employment numbers.
Throughout the years the Barnes fam- Little is known about Elijah, one of Ne-
ily has been integrally involved in civic hemiah’s sons, except that three years
affairs both within Bristol and the state. after being marriage, he had a son also
With the Spanish Influenza Pandemic of named Elijah. Shortly after his son’s
1918, the need for a community hospi- birth, the father moved to Vermont and
tal became a necessity. In 1921 Fuller F. was not heard from for over forty years.
Barnes became the first President of a The birth of Elijah, however, would cer-
temporary hospital and in conjunction tainly be significant in our community’s
with a group of other industrialists be- history.
came major fundraisers for a perma-
Wallace Barnes Steel Mill nent facility. When the Bristol Hospital
was opened in 1925, Fuller Barnes re-
With at least forty facilities located in mained as President for thirty years.
the United States and international-
ly, it became known as a Fortune 500 The Barnes family have been benefac-
Company, providing critical parts and tors to three community resources that
services throughout the world. When are visited extensively. Harry C. and Full-
Apollo 11 traveled to place the first man er F. Barnes, sons of Carlyle and Lena
on the moon, springs from the Associ- Barnes, donated their parents’ summer
ated Spring Corporation were on board. bungalow to the city. Located of off
Starting in 1946, over-the-counter stock Wolcott Street it was known as Indian Elijah Manross
sales were initiated. Beginning in 1963 Rock and later changed to the Environ-
stocks from this company were ex- mental Learning Center of Connecticut. In 1761, Elijah, the grandson of Nehe-
changed on the New York Stock Market. Lillian, wife of Harry C. Barnes, in mem- miah, was born in the area that would
ory of her husband, donated significant become Forestville. He married his
During the early 1970’s a five-mil- start-up funding for a nature preserve cousin Martha, which was both typical
lion-dollar factory was constructed on on Shrub Road. It was named the Har- and acceptable at that time. They had
the Memorial Boulevard as part of the ry C. Barnes Memorial Nature Center eight children including Elisha.
redevelopment era. The Associated in his honor. The third is the Museum
Spring Corporate name was changed to of Fire History, which displays Carlyle F. Participation in military action at an ear-
Barnes Group Inc. in 1976. Its Interna- “Hap” Barnes collection of fire science ly age was typical, expected, and neces-
tional Headquarters opened on Main equipment. This museum is housed in sary. Entering the War of Independence
Street in 1979. The International Head- the New England Carousel Museum. at fifteen as a drummer boy, he served
eight years. It is believed that he was
In 1976, The Barnes Group Inc. estab- present at the surrender of Cornwallis
lished the Barnes Group Foundation at Yorktown, which effectively ended
Inc., organized to provide philanthropic the American Revolution. He returned
support in communities throughout the to military action during the War of
United States where the company had 1812. His son served in the same regi-
facilities. ment. After achieving the rank of colo-
nel, he was properly addressed as Colo-
The Barnes Family continues with their nel Manross.
philanthropic activities with the estab-
lishment of three foundations that gen- Elijah was an extensive landowner.
erously assist the community: There are fourteen recorded transac-
tions regarding his land holdings. Much
The Harry and Carol Barnes of his land in the future would be sold
Foundation – established 2007 or donated for the development of For-
Skybight Foundation-started estville.
by Wallace Barnes and Barbara
Franklin - 1997
Barnes Foundation Inc. - Started by
Fuller Barnes Fuller F. Barnes - 1945

quarters are being sold to Apollo Global MANROSS LEGACY
Management with arrangements to be Nehemiah Manross, the second settler
completed by the end of 2025. Wallace in the area, was born in Scotland before
Barnes and Thomas O. Barnes were the immigrating to the United States. The
most recent family members to provide Manross name, changed quite often, is
outstanding leadership to this company. assumed to be a derivative of either the Old Manross Shop

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