Ancestry and descendants of Gershom Morehouse, Jr., of Redding, Connecticut, a captain in the American Revolution

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OF GERSHOM MOREHOUSE, JR., OF
REDDING, CONNECTICUT, A CAPTAIN
IN THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

Compiled

From information furnished by Mr. Nelson D. Adams of Washington, D. C.
Mr. A. W. Morehouse of Brooklyn, N. Y.,

Mr. Augustus C. Golding of Norwich, Conn.,

and from town, state and family records.

Printed for private circulation by a descendant of
CAPTAIN GERSHOM MOREHOUSE.

2012475

MORBHOUSE, the immi-
grant ancestor, was in Wethersfield,
Conn., as early as 1640. In 1641
he removed to Stamford, and was
one of the original twenty-nine white settlers of
that town who purchased it of the New Haven
Colony, who had previously bought it of the
Indians for one hundred bushels of corn. — See
New Haven Colonial Records, 1638 to 1649,
pp. 45 and

In 1653 he settled in Fairfield, and died there in
1658, leaving widow Isabel (who is supposed to
have been a second wife and not mother of his
children) and children Hannah,2 Samuel2 (who had
five sons), Thomas,2 Mary,2 Jonathan2 (who mar-
ried Mary Wilson, daughter of Edward, of Fair-
field), and John2 (who was an ensign in King
Philip's war, 1676, and settled in Southampton,
Iv. I., where he died October 10, 1701, leaving
children John,3 Mary,3 and Phebe8).

THOMAS MORKHOUSR,' as believed, was the
ancestor of all the Morehouses in America ; any
assertion to the contrary needs confirmation. His
name was sometimes spelled in the early records
Moorhouse, and at least one branch of his
descendants now spell their name Morhons ; it
is believed that another has adopted the orthogra-
phy of Morris.

His descendants were found in New Jersey near
Newark, Elizabeth, etc., among the old families and
settlers, before the Revolution ; in Saratoga Co.,
N. Y., and the northeastern comities of that State ;
and throughout the west. Those of southwestern
Connecticut and of Dntchess and Putnam Coun-
ties, New York, are believed to have descended
from the son Samuel2 through his four sons
Samuel, Jr.,3 Thomas,8 John8 and Daniel,8 who mar-
ried Hannah, daughter of Lieutenant Abraham
Adams, of Fairfield, Conn.

i. THOMAS,1 by the records appears to have
purchased in Fairfield on the 6th of August,
1653, twenty-four acres of land on Sasco Hill, a
beautiful location near the Sound, and on the

i6tli day of the same month he purchased of
Henry Jackson the first, and for many years the
only, grist mill in the town. In September of
the same year he was one of the deputies to the
General Court at Hartford. He died in August,
1658. His eldest son Samuel2 was the executor
of his will, and was given a double portion of
his property including his houses, barn, mill and
mill lot, and other land. His body was probably
buried in the southeastern part of the old ceme-
tery in Fairfield.

Samuel and Thomas were made freemen by the
General Court, October, 1664. — Colonial Records,
Vol. I.

In the ist Book of Record of Stamford is found
the following :

The lands & housing now in possession of Thomas
Morehouse, and bounded and butted, Viz. : Two dwelling
houses, two barns & out houses belonging hereunto with
two house lots containing six acres more or less bounded
by John Chapman on ye north & Every Sharon on ye
south butting ye highway on the west to widows estate.
And 8 other peices are described.

3 May 1649.

2. SAMUEL,2 son of Thomas,1 was born as early
as 1637, and died 1687 in Fairfield, Conn., and
was buried in the old village cemetery ; his grave
stone bears the oldest date of any yet found in the
grounds ; it was discovered by Mr. A. W. More-
house in June 1880, nearly buried in the earth,
and by him reset. He married Rebecca, daugh-
ter of William and Rebecca Odell, who came from
Hngland to Concord, Mass., in 1639 ; removed
to Southampton, L. I., in 1642, and soon after
settled in Fairfield. Samuel2 was very often one
of a committee appointed by the town to act in
the layout of lands and highways. He was lieu-
tenant of the military company, and the first
marshal or sheriff of Fairfield county for some
twelve years being removed by order of Sir
Edmund Andross. The records show several
grants of land to Samuel2 from the town, besides
one of the " long lots " — which was surveyed back
from the village in half mile widths for a distance
of twelve miles, with a roadway between each lot,
extending north to the highway, now running
east and west from Redding Center across Red-
ding Ridge to " Goodrich Hill." These lots were
surveyed by order of the town and at a time
when it was feared that the " Crown " would
claim all unoccupied land. Samuel2 undoubtedly

assisted in the survey, and one of the roads was
called the Morehouse road. Their children were :
Samuel,3 Thomas,3 John,3 Daniel3 (born 1678,
" Ensign," died May 24, 1739, aged 61), James,3
Rebecca,3 Elizabeth,3 Hannah,3 Mary,3 and Ann.3

The will of Samuel2 bears date' December 9,
1687, and shows that at that time his sons John,3
Daniel,3 and James,3 were under 20 years of age ;
and that his daughters Hannah,3 Mary,3 and Ann,3
were under 18 ; also that Rebecca3 and Elizabeth3
had been previously provided for and were, there-
fore, probably married. In the signature the
name is " Sam 11 Moorhous."

THOMAS,2 son of Thomas,1 married a daughter
of Ralph Keeler of Norwalk, by whom he had
Jonathan,3 Thomas,3 Nathan,3 Gideon,3 and Mary ;3
and by Martha, daughter of John Hobby of
Greenwich (Jonathan Hobby was an early settler
in Greenwich, and this John was probably one of
his sons), had son Lemuel, baptized November i,
1696; in his will gives his wife and son Lemuel
all his estate, and says he has given his children
by his first wife their full share.

GiDEON,3 son of Thomas,2 lived in Fairfield.
His wife Mary was probably the person of that
name who died in Redding September 13, 1780,

mentioned in note on last page of this book ; his
children were Samuel,4 Gideon,4 Zacheus,4 John,4
and Abigail.4

JOHN,4 son of Gideon,3 was of Fairfield ; he
married, May 16, 1745, Mary, daughter of Edward
Jessup, and had Gideon,5 born December 7, 1746;
Edward,5 born April 13, 1748 ; Mary,5 born Novem-
ber 23, 1749; John,5 born August 25, 1751, and
Joseph,5 born June n, 1753.

JOSEPH,5 son of John,4 was born in Fairfield,
married December 19, 1773, Molly, daughter of
Talcott Bradley, of Fairfield, and shortly after
marriage settled near Ballston Lake in Saratoga
Co., N. Y., where he died June 19, 1832 ; his
widow died September 14, 1834, at the same place.
He had twelve children, seven sons and five
daughters, viz: Joseph,6 born 1774, John,8 born
1776, Talcott,6 born 1778, Molly,6 born 1780,
Jessup,6 born 1782, Daniel,6 born 1784, Esther,6
born 1787, Talcott6 (2d), born 1789, Bradley,6 born
1791, Abby,6 born 1793, Annie,6 born 1795, and
Matilda,6 born 1797.

JESSUP,6 son of Joseph,5 born July 15, 1782,
married, February 6, 1806, Ruth, daughter of
Deliverence Andrews, of Stillwater, N. Y. He

resided in Ballston, Saratoga Co., N. Y. (a
farmer), and died there July 19, 1868; his wife
died February 9, 1861. His children were : Mary,7
born 1806, Olivia,7 born 1808, Joseph D.,7 born
1810, Esther,7 born 1813, Hibbard,7 born 1815,
Lory, born 1818, and Harriet A.,7 born 1821.

Olivia,7 second daughter of Jessup,6 was born in
Ballston, N. Y., July 23, 1808, married, March 4,
1829, Riley M. Adams, of Bristol, Vt. Her child-
ren were : Henry P.,8 born 1829, died in infancy ;
Nelson D.,8 born April 6, 1831, Rebecca,8 born
November 27, 1834, and Catherine B.,8 born April
27, 1836.

Mr. Nelson D.7 Adams, above named, now of
Washington, D. C., has in course of compilation
a Morehouse Family Genealogy, designed to in-
clude all branches of the descendants of Thomas,1
the Fairfield settler.

Mary,2 daughter of Thomas,1 is mentioned in
the will of her father.

JOHN,* son of Thomas,1 was in Southampton,
L. I., in 1683, and left son John,3 who married
and left sons Nathan,4 Gideon,4 and John.4

JONATHAN,2 son of Thomas,1 married Mary,
daughter of Edward Wilson, had children Jona-
than,3 born January i, 1677 ; Martha,3 born Nov-
ember 2, 1679.

JONATHAN,3 son of Thomas,2 married Rebecca,
daughter of John Knowles, April 16, 1690.
Children :

David,3 settled in New Jersey.
Jonathan,3 — not traced.
John.3

Joshua,3 — probably went to New Jersey.
Mary.3
Tryall.3

Mercy," married David Webster of Stamford.
Deborah,3 married Jonathan Sturdevant of Nor-
walk.

3. JOHN,3 son of Samuel,2 was born in Fairfield,
and married Ruth, daughter of John, Jr., and
Abigail (Lockwood) Barlow. He resided through
life in Fairfield and died there in 1727. Children :

James4 (ist), born March 21, 16 — ? (prob. 1697),

died young.
Ruth,4 born April 21, 1699, baptized May 21,

1704, married - Marvin.

Stephen,4 born July 12, 1701, baptized May 21
1704. See below.

Gershom,4 born November 18, 1703, baptized May
21, 1704. See record.

Elizabeth,4 born March 24, 1705, baptized March
31, 1706, died in infancy.

Elizabeth,4 born March 31, 1706, baptized May
16, 1708.

James4 (2d), baptized March 19, 1709-10, died
unmarried. ?

Abijah,4 baptized April 27, 1712.

John,4 Jr., baptized September 19, 1714, married
Mary Stuart, had 8 daughters and 2 sons,
viz: Uriah,6 born 1739, died 1827 (who mar-
ried Sarah Wheeler ; his only child was John,6
Capt., born 1776, father of the late John G.7
of Fairfield, Conn.) ; and William,5 born
1749, died 1824, who had sons William,0 Jr.,
and Stephen.8

Ephraim,4 baptized August 28, 1716.

Ann,4 baptized November 2, 1718.

James4 (3d), baptized November n, 1719.

His will reads :

' ' Item to my well beloved son Stephen Morehouse of
Chestnut Ridge land at Chestnut Ridge (Redding), also
the farm he dwells upon that I purchased of Capt. Samuel
Couch, with the house and barn." Also gives him a yoke
of oxen that he now has ; to his sons Gershom, Abijah,
John, Ephraim and James the rest of his land to be equally
divided among them, the farm that he had given Gershom

to be accounted for as "part of his portion so that his
brothers should be equal with him " ; to his daughter Ruth
Murwin (married Thomas Murwin, now Merwiri), his
" bigest silver tankard & twenty pounds in bills of credit
besides what I have given her." To his daughter Ann
Morehouse his ' ' lesser silver tankard & 1 50 pounds in
bills of credit."

Stephen & Gershom, Executors.
28 March, 1727.

DANIEL,3 son of Samuel,2 born 1678, married
Hannah, daughter of Lieutenant Abraham Adams.
He appears to have been a man of good repute
and at times one of a committee in relation to town
affairs. His will is dated January 23, 1738-9, and
a noncuperative will dated April — , 1739. He
died May 24, 1739, in sixty-first year. Children:

Abraham,4 born in 1700, baptized December 22,

1700.

Sarah, 4 baptized January 10, 1703.
Hannah,4 baptized September 24, 1704.
Daniel,4 baptized December 29, 1706.
Rebecca,4 baptized February 24, 1712.
Catharine,4 baptized August 29, 1714.

ABRAHAM,4 son of Daniel,3 married, April 12,
1722, Elizabeth, daughter of Andrew and Klizabeth
(Peet) Patterson, who was born January 28, 1701.

He was appointed ensign of the first company, or
train band, in Fairfield, by the Assembly in May
1743, and was appointed lieutenant of the same by
the Assembly in May 1745, and captain of the
same in May 1748. He seems to have been a
man of strong character and integrity. His will
is dated April 27, 1761. He died May 3, 1761, in
his sixty-first year. His widow died before Novem-
ber 21, 1785, administrator of his estate appointed
on that date. Children :

Samuel,5 born April 8, 1724.
Sylvanus,5 born December 14, 1725.
Sarah,0 born November 28, 1727.
Hannah,6 born November 18, 1729.
Daniel,5 born April 27, 1732.
Seth,6 born July 8, 1734.
Reyecca,6 born February 20, 1736-7.
I^ois,6 born March 27, 1739.
Andrew,6 born July 21, 1740.

SAMUEL,5 son of Abraham,4 married, July 8,
1741, Ruth, daughter of Nathaniel and Ruth
(Adams) Wilson. He seems to have been a man
of good standing in society, although not as
prominent as some of his ancestors in town affairs ;
he left a good estate, and had the respecl: of his
townsmen. He died April 5, 1773, in his forty-

ninth year. His widow died April 28, 1775, in
her fifty-sixth year. His will is dated March 15,
1773. Children:

Lois,6 born February 24, 1746.
Isaac,6 born August 31, 1749.
Ruth,6 born August 15, 1753.
Elizabeth,6 born August 15, 1753.
Bunice, B born August 6, 1756.
Abraham,6 born March 26, 1758.

ABRAHAM," son of Samuel,3 born March 26,
1758, married, February 17, 1780, Ruth, daughter
of Nathaniel and Sarah (Silliman) Wilson, who
was born September 14, 1758. He was over six
feet in height, of a strong sinewy build, com-
manding appearance, and was usually called Cap-
tain. He, with a companion, was on the beach at
Fairfield when the British forces landed and pro-
ceeded to burn the town. They hastily notified
all they could. The companion was killed and
Abraham was captured by the British and taken
to New York and put on board the prison ship
where he remained until exchanged. He received
a pension for many years before his death, which
occurred in Fairfield, Conn., September 12, 1841,
aged eighty-four years. He lived at ease and
enjoyed the comforts of an ample competency for

many years, and at His death left a goodly estate
to his heirs. His wife died October 30, 1835,
aged 77 years. Children :

Nathaniel/ born April 23, 1781.
Ruth,7 born September i, 1782.
Sally/ born July 4, 1784.
Joseph/ born January 10, 1787.
Anson/ born March 3, 1789.
Clara/ born October 2, 1791.
Abraham/ born December 21, 1800.

ANSON,7 son of Abraham,6 married, first, Anne,
daughter of Abel and Elizabeth (Halleck) Tread-
well, in the spring of 1810, who died April n,
1823. Children :

lyorinthe, 8 born August 17, 1 8 1 1 .
Albert/ born March 14, 1814.

He married second, Sally, daughter of William
and Hannah (Bulkley) Jennings, December 14,
1823. One child:

Abraham W./ born April 23, 1828.

In May 1836 he removed to Royalton, Niagara
Co., N. Y. He was a farmer as were all of his
paternal ancestors. He was a man of excellent
intellectual faculties, good judgment, decided opin-
ions, respected by all who knew him for his

kindness, justice, and conscientiousness. He was
quick in his movements, of marvelous strength,
and great self-control. He died in Royal ton,
Niagara Co., N. Y., March 27, 1847. His widow
died in Bridgeport, Fairneld Co., Conn., August 4,
1884. She was born May 2, 1799.

ABRAHAM W.,8 son of Anson,7 born April 23,
1828, married, August 17, 1856, Mary J., daughter
of James Benj. and Maria (Brothwell) Wilson, who
was born May 22, 1837. Children:

Melvin W.,9 born December 23, 1862.
Leonard B.,8 born September 26, 1865.
Emma,9 born July 7, 1868.

MELVIN W.,9 son of Abraham W.,8 unmarried.
A machinist, engineer and mechanical expert, now
(July 1894) in Sydney, Australia. Left New York
February 10, 1894, under a contract for six months
to start the initial plant of Mergenthaler Linotype
Machines in that country. He has a wide experi-
ence and has been uniformly successful in busi-
ness ; has held positions of trust and responsibility,
and has won the confidence and esteem of all.

LEONARD BANGS,9 son of Abraham W.,s born
September 26, 1865, married, June 27, 1888, Edith
May, daughter of John H. and Nancy J. (Ray-

mond) Kedney, wlio was born February 17, 1860.
He was early employed by a leading firm in
Bridgeport, Conn., then assistant secretary of the
Young Men's Christian Association, after that
employed in a large mercantile house in New
York City, and now manager and in charge of a
manufacturing business. Children :

Helen Claire,"' born November 17, 1890.
Raymond Irving,10 born January 8, 1892.

Emma,9 daughter of Abraham W.,8 born July 7,
1868, married, September u, 1888, Rev. C. A.
Shatto, of Trumbull Co., Ohio, and died February
8, 1892, in Brooklyn, N. Y. ; buried in Greenwood
Cemetery. No children.

STEPHEN,4 son of John,3 was born in Fairfield
July 12, 1701, baptized May 21, 1704, married
March 21, 1722, Abigail, daughter of John and
Abigail (Minor) Tredwell, born October 7, 1702,
died September 5, 1759, in her fifty-sixth year.
He settled in Redding, Conn., and is said to have
been the founder of the Episcopal parish in that
town. He died May 2, 1767, "in ye 66 year of
of his age," and was buried in the Episcopal
19

church yard on Redding Ridge. His tombstone
is still standing. His wife died September 6, 1759,
in her fifty-sixth year. Children :

Joseph,5 born February 17, 1724.

Daniel,5 born July 21, 1726.

Elizabeth," born November i, 1728.

Abigail,5 born May 8, 1731.

Stephen,5 Jr., born September 25, 1733. See
below.

Ann,5 born December 15, 1737.

John, 5 born December 15, 1739, settled in Ridge-
field, Conn.

Abel,5 born July 15, 1741.

On pages 54 and 55, Beardsley's History of the
Episcopal Church in Connecticut, it reads that in
" October, 1722, fourteen subscribers in Newtown,
including one from Woodbury and one from
Chestnut Ridge (Redding), returned their thanks,
etc., and requested the Honorable Society to send
them a lawfully ordained Minister." Probably
the one from Chestnut Ridge was Stephen More-
house. Again, on page 68, that the Rev. Mr.
Caner of Fairfield says he preached or lectured
once in three weeks to about twenty families at
Chestnut Ridge (Redding). On page 173 "that
a second and larger church had been built at Red-
ding in 1750."

STEPHEN/ JR., son of Stephen,4 was born Sep-
tember 25, 1733, married, ist, April 8, 1759, Sarah
Hawley, of Newtown, Conn., who died March 28,
1776, aged 41. He married, 2d, October 3, 1779,
Anna Stiles of Lanesboro, Vt., who died March 31,
1805, aged 60. He settled in early life in New
Preston, Conn., and died there in 1817, aged 84.
Children by ist wife :

Benjamin,6 born April 21, 1760. See below.

Stephen,6 born March 8, 1762.

Sarah,6 born April 21, 1764.

Rhoda,6 born Odlober 31, 1766.

Olive," born December 6, 1768.

Hannah," born May 9, 1772.

Ruth,6 born March 27, 1774.

By 2d wife :

Stiles," born April 15, 1783.
Augustine," born September 20, 1785.

BENJAMIN,6 son of Stephen,5 was born April 21,
1760, in New Milford, Conn., and in early life
settled in Washington, Conn., where he married,
November 3, 1786, Jane Hill. He died in Wash-
ington May 6, 1846, aged 86, his wife having died
in 1830.

Children :

Hawley,7 born August i, 1788; married, January
28, 1811, Betsey Marsh. He died August — ,
1846.

Dimon,7 born April 2, 1790 ; married, February 3,
1817, Huldah Titus ; he died March 28, 1846,
aged 58. He was the father of Hon. Henry
H.8 Morehouse, who for many years has been
Judge of Probate of the Washington District.

Sarah,7 born July 6, 1791.

Polly,7 born November 27, 1792.

Alba,7 born April 13, 1794.

Iceman,7 born January 17, 1796, died September
— , 1838.

Seymour,7 born January 24, 1798.

STEPHEN,6 son of Stephen,5 settled in Amenia,
N. Y., died there, and was buried in Sharon, Conn.
His son Salmon7 (born January 27, 1789, died July
i, 1841), of New Milford, had daughter Sarah,8
born 1826, who married Noble G. Bennitt of New
Milford, whose son, Rev. George Stephen Bennitt
is Rector of Grace Church, Jersey City, N. J.

For a fuller record of this branch of the family
see History of New Milford, pages 732-737.

4. GERSHOM, SR./ son of John,3 was born
November 18, 1703. He married Sarah, daughter
of John Hill, April 22, 1725. To them was
born a son Gershom,5 November 25, 1727, and a
daughter Elizabeth,5 January 3, 1730. Ruth5 was
born December 23, 1733. Evidently the family
removed to Redding in 1737. He and his wife
were admitted as members of the Redding church
May 8, 1737, "on recommendation of Rev. Mr.
Hobart of Fairneld."

5. GERSHOM, JR.,S son of Gershom, Sr.,4 was
born November 25, 1727, and married Anna San-
ford January 18, 1748, who survived him many
years and died, as it reads on her tombstone,
July 27, 1822, aged 90 years and 6 months.

Gershom, Jr.,5 entered the Revolutionary army
as a private, was appointed ist Lieutenant ist
Conn. Battalion March 15, 1777, and afterward
promoted Captain. He was in command of a com-
pany at the battle of White Plains. His son-in-
law, a. Captain in the British troops, was in the
same battle, and they were permitted to meet after
the adlion, under a flag of truce, to confer on family
matters.

Thomas Sanford, an American loyalist, was a Captain of
Cavalry in the ' ' British I^egion ' ' during the Revolution-
ary war. — See Sabine 's American Loyalists.

He married Tabitha6 daughter of Gershom5 and removed
with his family to Montreal at the close of the war, where
he was afterward accidentally drowned. He is supposed to
have received a pension from the British government. It
is believed that descendants of Capt. Sanford are still resid-
ing in Montreal.

Gershom, Jr.,5 died in Redding, January 22,
1805, aged 77 years. His tombstone, as well as
that of his wife, may be seen in excellent condition
in the old unnsed burial ground just west of the
Congregational church in Redding.

The children of Gershom, Jr.,5 and Anna Sanford
were:

Ezra,6 baptized April 28, 1754.

Billy,6 baptized July 18, 1756.

Aaron,6 baptized June 4, 1758.

Jane,6 baptized November 4, 1760.

Anna,6 baptized June 19, 1764.

Hill,6 baptized May 5, 1765.

Lucy, 6 baptized July 12, 1767.

Betty,6 baptized August 6, 1769.

Elizabeth Ruth,6 baptized November 10, 1771.

Polly,6 baptized May 15, 1774.

Tabitha,6 no record of baptism.

Owing to the fact that the records of the Episco-
pal Church in Redding, previous to 1833, have
been lost, the records of the Morehouses of this
generation are necessarily incomplete. The facts
must be chiefly gained from other sources. Sabine's
"American Loyalists," and the will of Gershom5
throw some light on the matter.

In Sabine's "American Loyalists of the Revolu-
tion " mention is made of three Morehouses as
follows :

(1) "Morehouse, Daniel, of Connecticut, a member of
the Reading Association. He became an officer in the
Queen's Rangers, and retired at the close of the war on
half pay. He went to New Brunswick and was a magis-
trate and major in the militia. He died in the County of
York in 1835, aged 77."

(2) "Morehouse, James. A grantee of St. John, New
Brunswick, in 1783."

(3) "Morehouse, John, of Connecticut, a member of
the Reading Association. He settled in Nova Scotia and
at his decease was one of the oldest magistrates in the
Colony. He died on Digby Neck in 1839, aged 78."

It appears that ' ' Reading Association ' ' was an associa-
tion in Redding who were pledged ' ' to defend, maintain
and preserve, at the risk of their lives and property, the
prerogatives of the crown and the privileges of the subjects,
from the attacks of any rebellious body of men, any Com-
mittees of Inspection, of Correspondence, ' ' etc.

It is difficult to identify either of the parties named with
certainty, though it seems probable that as Daniel and
John were members of the Association that they must have
resided in or near Redding. As Daniel died in 1835, aged
77, he must have been born about 1758, and by the same
process it is found that John was born about 1751, proba-
bly, therefore, they were of the same generation as the
children of Capt. Gershom,5 and may have been sons of
one of his brothers.

Descendants of John Morehouse are very numerous in
and about Digby, Nova Scotia, and are represented as
being very worthy people, noted for honesty and morality.

Stephen, 4 brother of Gershom, Sr. , 4 as appears, ' ' was
founder of the Episcopal parish in Redding," and as
many of the Episcopalians of the Revolution were loyal to
the crown, it seems probable that Stephen's family must
have been brought up in that faith, and that the Daniel
and John mentioned may have been his grandsons.

The will of Gershom,3 dated in 1 799 and admitted
to probate 1805, names Billy and Aaron Morehouse
as executors. Besides his wife and the two above
mentioned, the following legatees are named :
Tabby Sanford,6 Jane Osborne,6 Lucy Morgan,6

Elizabeth Ruth Goodsell,6 Polly Barnum6 and

26

Daniel,7 son of Anne6 Morehouse deceased. The
will can be seen at the probate records in Danbury,
Conn.

Tabitha,6 daughter of Gershom, Jr.,5 married
Captain Sanford (see page 24).

Lucy8 daughter of Gershom, Jr.,5 married Charles
Morgan, farmer, of Hartwick, near Cooperstown,

N. Y.

Elizabeth Ruth,6 daughter of Gershom, Jr.,5 mar-
ried Goodsell, a blacksmith and store keeper

near Cooperstown, N. Y.

Polly6 (Barnum) — daughter of Gershom, Jr.,3
record lacking (see will).

Anna,6 daughter of Gershom5 — records lacking
(see will), but it is supposed that hers was one of
the families which removed to Canada at the close
of the Revolutionary war. It is known that her
son Daniel,7 after his mother's death came to
Connecticut and had a home with his grandparents
and afterwards with Aaron.6

BILLY ,6 son of Gershom, Jr.,5 had a family and
resided in the west part of Redding. His chil-
dren were :

Peter, 7 married to Ruth Osborn ; their home was

in Ridgefield, Conn.
Aaron,7 married Godfrey, and resided in

Poughkeepsie, N. Y.
Ruth,7 married Thomas Olmstead ; lived in the

west part of Redding.
Tabitha,7 married Sanford, and lived near

the pond in the west side of Redding.

6. AARON/ son of Gershom, Jr.,5 was born
June 2, 1759, died December 3, 1833. His tomb-
stone, and that of his wife, is standing in good
order in trie ancient gronnd of the Kpiscopal
church in Redding, Conn. He married Urana
Starr (daughter of John Starr, as see history of
the Starr family, No. 450, on page 306), who was
born November 4, 1768, and died May 2, 1830.
Their children were : Starr Hill,7 Flora,7 Betsey,7
Anna,7 William,7 Almira,7 Charles,7 Amelia,7 and
George.7

Aaron,6 entered the Connecticut Army of the
Revolution at the age of sixteen, as Fifer. He
was in the battle of Flatbush, L. I., Red Hook,
and other places, and was in the regiment which
covered the retreat from New York City. He re-
ceived a pension from the U. S. Government the
last few years of his life. His home was in Red-

ding Center, where he cultivated a large farm, and
for thirty years was a Deputy Sheriff of Fairfield
Coiinty ; an office of much note, responsibility,
and honor in his day.

DANIEL7 (see will of Gershom5), nephew and
adopted son of Aaron,6 on page 33.

STARR HiLL,7 son of Aaron,6 born January 29,

1788, married Fairchild. He died in Red-
ding, and was the father of Anson,8 Louisa,8 and
Amanda,3 who all removed to - — New York
State, where Anson8 died in middle life, a bachelor.

Flora,7 daughter of Aaron,6 born November 19,

1789, married Bradley Sherwood of Redding — no
children. Her second husband was Jeremiah Beers,
and they resided in Newtown. He was a large
farmer and quite a mechanic. He, with Charles,7
constructed the first water works in the city of
Bridgeport, laying wooden pipes and taking the
water from springs on " Golden Hill " — probably
the first city water works constructed in Connecti-
cut. They had two children, John and Julius Starr

—John died in boyhood and Julius' death was re-
corded during the past year.
29

Betsey,7 daughter of Aaron,6 born January n,
1793, married Isaac Sherman, Monroe, Conn.; no
children.

Anna,7 daughter of ^aron,6 born May 13, 1795,
married Nathaniel Sherman, of Monroe, Conn.
Children : Flora,8 wife of Stephen Mallett, a
wealthy farmer, now residing at Quaker Farms,
Oxford, Conn.; no children. Caroline,8 and
Isabell,8 both deceased.

WiLUAM,7 son of Aaron,6 born April 25, 1797;
unmarried ; buried at Redding.

Almira,7 daughter of Aaron,6 born September 6,
1800; married Nelson Sherman, of Monroe, Conn.
Three brothers married three sisters. Children,
George Henry8 died in early youth, Polly Betsey8
married John Parmelee and resides in Hattertown,
southern part of Newtown, Conn. ; one son.

7. CHARLES,7 son of Aaron,6 born December 13,
1802, stiH- living- in New town, Cuiin., aged 9^
yea-r« ; married Fidelia Starr, born January 28,
1800, died August 17, 1833, daughter of Edward
Starr (see Starr book, No. 453, page 309). He had
a great fondness for mechanical work, and was
an expert in a remarkable degree in the use of
tools. He resided in New Haven, Conn., for many

'*<}jt

years. A strong Whig in politics until the war
came, and since then an unyielding Republican,
and always, from early youth, a staunch Church-
man. He married, for his second wife, Anna
Morehouse,8 daughter of Daniel,7 grandson of
Gershom,6 and Sarah Peck. The children of
Charles7 and Fidelia Starr : Julia,8 died in infancy,
Cornelius Starr,8 and Fidelia Starr.8

8. CORNELIUS STARR," son of Charles,7 born
in Redding, January 2, 1830. Has resided in
New Haven since 1837. He chose for his life-
work the occupation of a printer, and has been in
the book-printing business since March 8, 1851.
The firm name is now, July, 1894, and has been
since September, 1859, Tuttle, Morehouse &
Taylor. He married, December i, 1852, Eliza
Kimberly, born January 19, 1832, in West Haven,
Conn., the daughter of William Kimberly and
Ruth Ann Nichols, granddaughter of Eli and
Sarah (Lyon) Nichols of Redding. Eliza Kim-
berly is a direct descendant of Thomas Kimberly
of London, who settled in New Haven 1638, and
afterward removed to Stratford, where he died in
1673. His son Eleazur was the first male child
born in New Haven, and was for many years
Secretary of State.

Mary Louise,9 the only child of Cornelius Starrs
and Eliza Kimberly, born July 19, 1856, married
May 4, i88o/vto Rev. Edwin Stevens Lines, for
the past fourteen years Rector of St. Paul's Epis-
copal Church, New Haven, Conn^ Children :

* '

Morehouse,10 born November 2, 1881.
Henry Starr,10 born August 15, 1883, died April

23, 1889.
Margarett Kimberley, 10 born November 21, 1887,

died April 29, 1889.
Harold Stevens,10 born March 15, 1889.

Fidelia Starr,8 daughter of Charles,7 born at
Newtown, Conn., August 2, 1833 ; married Edward
C. Beecher, of New Haven, Conn., January 28,
1857; died in Pasadena, Cal., October 2, 1891.
Their children were :

Charles Edward,0 born July 27, 1859.

Harriet Woodward,0 born September 13, 1861,

died August 19, 1863.
Susie Starr,9 born November 14, 1864.
Henry Nicholson,0 born June 28, 1867.
Anne Fassett,9 born December 12, 1872, died

March 2, 1892.

Amelia,7 daughter of Aaron,6 born September 26,
1805, married Jedediah Adams, of Redding, and
resided in Monroe. Children :

Mary C.,B married John Smith, son of U. S.

Senator Perry Smith, of New Milford.
Anna Maria,8 married George Gray, of Monroe.

GEORGE,7 son of Aaron,6 born March 2, 1812,
died July 21, 1886, married Caroline, daughter of
Abraham Johnson, January 17, 1832 ; she was born
October 21, 1814, died December 18, 1893. Chil-
dren:

Caroline A.,8 born August 25, 1833, married
Benjamin Crofut November 10, 1850. One
son, George B., born October 20, 1864,
resides in Orange, N. J.

Emily J.,8 born September 7, 1840, married James
M. Smith December 3, 1860. One child, Nellie
D., born September 17, 1862 ; married Horace
Walker December 3, 1884; one child, Helen,
born October 25, 1885.

DANIEL,7 nephew and adopted son of Aaron.6
Hvidently from tradition, his earliest years were
spent in Canada. He is the only one known to
have returned, of those of the family who removed
to Canada at the close of the Revolutionary war.

He married, first, Sarah Peck, daughter of Nathan
and Huldah (Fabrique) Peck. Sarah died January
6, 1824. Children :

Anna,8 born March 7, 1804, married Charles
Morehouse,7 son of Aaron,6 May 31, 1834,
died January 28, 1890.

L,ouisPeck,e born August 4, 1810, married Harriet
Augusta Brown, May 18, 1834, died Novem-
ber 9, 1886.

Eliza Jane,8 born August 4, 1810, married
Charles Fairman, June 18, 1832, died May
21, 1885.

John Beers,8 born October 14, 1812, married
L,aura Ann Osborn, of Monroe, Conn., Jan-
uary 23, 1834, died at Trenton, N. C., Jan-
uary 14, 1845. Had daughter, Ann Jane,0
born May 28, 1836, who married Arthur C.
Sloat June u, 1868, at Jefferson, Ashtabula
Co., O. Resided in Rushville, 111., Septem-
ber 29, 1874. No children. L,aura Ann
Osborn married second time, November 24,
1869, John Ruth, who died January 27,
1880.

Mary,8 born June 3, 1815, married James B.
Briggs September 15, 1842, died August i,
1843. Had son Oliver.0

Sarah,8 born May 16, 1819, married, first, James
B. Briggs, 1844; second, Josiah Booth,
October, 1855, died .

DANIEL,7 married second wife, Lucy Thomas ;
she died August 31, 1832. Children:

Frank,8 born January 7, 1826, died November 20,

1826.
Margaret K.,8 born November 27, 1827, married

Theodore Parmelee September 28, 1852,

died August 31, 1853.
Catharine,8 born December 23, 1828, married

John Boyer December 30, 1852. Resides

in Oconomowoc, Wis.

Frank T.,8 born January 23, 1830, married Cath-
arine Boyer November 10, 1851. Resides in

Oconomowoc, Wis.

DANIEL,7 married third wife, Anna Booth,
1833, died . Daniel7 died May 25, 1840.

Louis PECK,8 son of Daniel,7 born August 4,
1810, married, May 18, 1834, Harriet Augusta
Brown, daughter of Jabez Brown, 2d, and Catharine
Lord ; died November 9, 1886. He was a sign and
ornamental painter of much note ; his home was
always in New Haven, Conn. Harriet Brown
was a direct descendant of Francis Brown who
was one of the prospecting company which came
with Governor Baton to Quinnipiac in advance
of the colony, and was one of the seven men
who were left to spend the winter of 1637-8 in

the hut erected near what is now the corner of
Church and George streets. She was born Jan-
uary 24, 1812; died May 12, 1884. Children:

Louis PECK Jr.,9 son of Louis Peck8 and Harriet
(Brown), resides in Chicago, 111. Born March 30,
1835, married, October 15, 1861, Fredrika Ger-
hardt, October 15, 1861. He is a graduate of the
Sheffield Scientific School of Yale University, of
the class of 1856, and has been connected with the
Illinois Central Railroad Company for many years
as assistant engineer, assistant chief engineer, land
commissioner and tax commissioner. Children :

Clara,10 born July 16, 1862.

George Gerhardt,10 born January 25, 1868.

Frederick Ballard,10 born May 14, 1873,

Harriet Brown,9 daughter of Louis Peck8 and
Harriet (Brown), born August 23, 1838, married,
May 29, 1862, Ezra Leander Brainerd (Yale Col-
lege 1859), son of Heber and Esther Hubbard
Brainerd. Resides in Chicago, 111. Children :

Henry Hamilton,10 born May 28, 1863.
William Lord,10 born January 27, 1865.
Frederic Hubbard,10 born August 7, 1866.
Wallace Heber,10 born May 14, 1868.

36

HENRY LovELL,9 son of Louis Peck5 and Harriet
(Brown), resides in Chicago, 111. Born March 2,
1851, married Annie Huebel. Children :

Albert,111 born February 15, 1880.

Herbert,10 born November 23, 1881.

Robert,10 born February 10, 1885, died August 3,

1890.

Richard,10 born October 7, 1887.
Eugene,10 born November 19, 1889.
Florence,10 born February 29, 1892.

Georgia Lord,9 daughter of Louis Peck8 and
Harriet (Brown), born April 22, 1854, married May
6, 1872, George Kllsworth Maltby, son of George
Williams Maltby and Sarah Bogart (a direct
descendant of Anneke Jans and Dominie Ever-
hardus Bogardus, the first regular minister of
New Amsterdam). Children :

Maude Evelyn Townshend, I0 born September 9,

I873-
Dorothy I^ord10 (May Violet), born May 16, 1877.

Jennie,9 daughter of Louis Peck8 and Harriet
(Brown), born September 23, 1858, died September
3, 1864.

37

KHza Jane,8 daughter of Daniel,7 born August 4,
1810, died May 31, 1885. Married Charles Fairrnan
June 1 8, 1832, born November 8, 1809, died
December 31, 1886. Children:

Franklin Fairman,9 born June 22, 1833, married
Mary J. Sherman November 30, 1871. Children:

Matilda L,ouise,10 born February 2, 1873.
Frank Sherman,10 born August 31, 1875.
Marion,10 born March 17, 1879.

Matilda Eliza Fairman,9 born January 4, 1835,
died February 15, 1837.

Daniel Beach Fairman,9 born May 2, 1836, died
February 20, 1837.

Daniel Beach Fairman,9 born January n, 1839,
married Lucinda L. South wick October 20, 1860.
Children :

Charles Chauncey10 born July 22, 1861, married
Sarah Overman June 25, 1885. Children :

Ruth,11 born March 8, 1886.

Helen,11 born Nov. 22, 1888, died July, 1892.

Hazel,11 born November 26, 1890.

Charles Chauncey,11 Jr., born Dec. 27, 1893.

Clarence,10 born February 2, 1863, married Mar-
garet Miller, January 6, 1887. Child :

Daniel Beach,11 born August 27, 1890.

38

Matilda Fairman,9 born February i, 1841, died
January 23, 1872 ; married James J. Noble August
18, 1864. Child :

Mary Eliza,10 born May 30, 1868.

James Fairman,9 born March 20, 1843, died
January 5, 1870.

Jane Fairman,9 born March 20, 1843. Auditing
Department Illinois Central R. R., Chicago, 111.

Arthur Fairman,9 born April 24, 1845, married
Sophie B. Seibert, August 31, 1876. Children:

Charles Edward, 10 born 6, 1877.
Annie,10 born December 12, 1878.
Margarite,10 born September 7, 1881.
Arthur,10 born May 10, 1885.
Jennie,10 born February 10, 1891.

Elizabeth Fairman,9 born April 3, 1848, died Nov.
18, 1874 ; married George W. Patten Nov. 28, 1872.

Annie Fairman,9 born August 21, 1849, died
December 20, 1886.

Kva Fairman,9 born November 2, 1851, married
James J. Noble August 24, 1875. Child :

Alden Charles,10 born May 17, 1880.

Drusius Fairman,9 born July 6, 1853, died April
n, 1871.

In the old Episcopal church yard on Redding
Ridge are stones marked as follows :

Here lies Mr. Zacheus Morehouse
who exchanged this life for immortality
Oct. 4, 1780, in the 69 year of his age.

In memory of- Mrs. Mary,

widow of Mr. Gideon Morehouse of Fairfield, who died at Redding,
Sept. 13, 1780, aged upwards of 90 years.

The Pairfield Probate Records, Vol. 1754-57, PP- I][6-i7, show that
Gideon Morehouse and wife Abigal had children, Abigal wife of John
Lockwood, and sons Samuel, Zacheus, Gideon and John.

Mr. Nelson D. Adams, 732 7th Street, N. E., Washington, D. C.
(maternally of the Morehouse family), is collecting records and facls
with a view to the publication of an extensive genealogy of the
descendants of Thomas Morehouse, and solicits correspondence with
all who may be interested.

Mr. Adams will be greatly aided by Mr. Abraham W. Morehouse,
No. 420 Tenth street, Brooklyn, N. Y. (late of Bridgeport, Conn.),
and his collections from town and church records.

Members of the Morehouse family can obtain copies of this little
book by sending their address and return postage to either of the
above named gentlemen.

It is the hope of the publisher that his imperfect work may stimu-
late an interest among the descendants of the immigrant ancestor
THOMAS, and aid in soon publishing a full and complete history of
the family.

40

PRESS OF TUTTLE, MOREHOU8E & TAYLOR, NEW HAVEN, CONN.

Of-,

U SOU HE NREGIONAUiBRARy FACILITY

A 000116234 6