In the early times Thompsonville consisted of a large distillery, a small clothing and carding-mill, and a diminutive linseed oil-mill, a flouring-mill all located on the north side of the brook which runs through the village. On the south side the land was mostly for agricultural purposes with a small saw-mill. In those days the Connecticut river was vexed by commerce. A half hundred rafts and boats were often seen waiting their turn to be safely piloted over the rapids just below the village. In the year 1826 the whole population of the place did not exceed forty souls. The changes of the Tariff Laws in 1824 and 1828 offered large inducement to home manufacturers. The house of Andrews, Thompson & Co were largely engaged in the foreign carpet trade and conceived the idea of importing the yarns from Scotland and weaving the carpets in this country. Having determined to try the experiment, Mr. Orrin Thompson, the chief of the house, fixed upon this spot to place his factories. In January 1828 the Thompsonville Manufacturing Company took possession of much of the land and built the manufacturing facilities.
But something else was needed beside, land, water, buildings and looms. Skilled workmen who could ply the shuttle and produced the fabric were required. These workmen could not be had in the country. Scotland, that prolific mother of good Presbyterians, was appealed to and responded. The agents of the Company offered such inducements that families were willing to leave their homes and try their fortunes in America. The first company of Scotch people arrived in the village in October 1828. On the 13th of June 1829 the second company arrived from Kilmarnock, Scotland. The next year many other families arrived. In Scotland these people had been accustomed to attend the “kirk”. Most of the village people attended the Congregational Church at the cent of town.
In the winter of 1831 a Scotch preacher offered to preach on the Sabbath and also teach a school however he did not stay very long. From 1831 to 1834 there seems to have been on preaching services. In 1834 a school house was built in the district. The second story of this building was fitted up as a hall to be used as a preaching place. The plan was to employ the Professors of the East Windsor Theological Seminary to supply preachers on the Sabbath which lasted until 1838. In the later part of 1838 Rev. Dr. Harvey was engaged as a regular supply for some months.