Our History

The early beginnings of our agency began with George Davis Wadhams (born Jan. 1, 1800 in Cornwall, CT. -died June 11, 1862).  He was a very energetic and enterprising person who became involved in many companies, was one of the leading businessmen in Torrington and was a pioneer in manufacturing.  In 1839, he was the first insurance agent to represent the Aetna Insurance Company in Torrington.

In 1861, Isaac W. Brooks (born in Goshen, CT. Nov. 8, 1838 dies 1916) the son of Watts H. Brooks and Mary Wadhams Brooks, was involved in continuing the insurance agency.  From 1861 to 1872, Isaac W. Brooks and his brother John W. Brooks were partners in a general merchandise store in Goshen, CT.  where they also sold steamship tickets and insurance as a part of the general business.

In 1872, Isaac W. Brooks and his brother, John W. Brooks came to Torrington where they established the first and only Banking House known as Brooks Brothers Bank.  For twenty-seven years, no other bank was necessary here.

It is interesting to note that Isaac W. Brooks and Charles L. McNeil, who established the Burns, Brooks and McNeil Insurance Agency in the mid 1800's, also were among the founders of the Torrington Water Company and the Torrington Electric Company.  They built a building for those companies in 1911 at 69 Water Street, which we purchased in 1995 and in which we presently operate.  In a sense, we have returned "home".

Gordon C. Todd and Alan E. Cassanelli purchased the Burns, Brooks & McNeil Insurance Agency, as co-owners, from John H. Brooks and Harold J. Burns on December 15, 1980.  Gordon is its President and Treasurer and Alan is its Executive Vice-President and Secretary.

Our agency has grown over nine times and we now have branch sales offices in Bristol, Enfield, Marbledale, Pomfret Center, Rocky Hill and South Windsor.